US3861799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1973-01-26
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1993-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A document flow camera for photographing a document driven in and out of the camera past an exposure station. The exposure station comprises a plate against which a document is driven by rollers to avoid edge flip as the leading and trailing edges move past the exposure station. Successive light images from the document are reflected from a mirror in the camera to a second adjustable mirror and from there it is reflected across the light path to a third reflecting member and then across the light path again into the objective lens which focuses the image onto the film. The film is driven by a capstan which is parallel with the axis of the rollers advancing the document through the exposure station. The adjustable mirror permits precise adjustment of the image reduction to compensate for variations in various elements of the camera in manufacture. The film is advanced by the capstan under the control of a drive system which is synchronized with the movement of the document. The control circuit drives the film in synchronism with a document moving through the camera for a predetermined time or multiples thereof or for a time determined by the length of the document. The control circuit also provides for advance of the film prior to removal of the film cassette, after insertion of a new film cassette and when power is applied to the camera. In addition, the control circuit provides a perceptable indication when the end portion of the film is presented and provides for the exposure of a portion of the film near one edge opposite each document being filmed. This exposed portion provides a mark on the developed film which can be used in a retrieval or film location apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl Chiswell
- 👤 Clarence O Mcmaster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:30
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
320 words
In a document flow camera having a transport including drive means for advancing a document into the camera past an exposure station and exiting the document, means for synchronizing the movement of a film upon advancement of the document to photograph successive image areas of the document at the exposure station onto the film at a focal plane, and lamp means for exposing to light the successive areas of the document as it is moved through the exposure station, which exposure station comprises a pair of parallel transport rollers disposed in spaced relation, means defining a planar surface positioned for receiving light directly from said lamp means, said planar surface being disposed between the rollers and extending generally parallel to and on one side of a plane through the axis of said rollers, and a pair of pressure rollers disposed with their axes parallel to the axes of said transport rollers, said pressure rollers having their axes disposed on the same side of the axes of said transport rollers as said planar surface and disposed apart a distance less than the spatial relationship between the axes of the transport rollers such that a line connecting the axis of each transport roller and the axis of the opposed contacting pressure roller will converge with a line perpendicular to and intersecting said planar surface between said pressure rollers eliminating the need for guide plates on both sides of the document path at the exposure station, whereby a document as it is transported between an opposed first pressure roller and a first transport roller the leading edge follows a line tangential to both said opposed rollers and the paper iS directed against said planar surface and the successive areas of said document are exposed to light directly from said lamp means and are maintained against said planar surface in a constant focal plane as the successive areas are moved across the planar surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
320 words
In a document flow camera having a transport including drive means for advancing a document into the camera past an exposure station and exiting the document, means for synchronizing the movement of a film upon advancement of the document to photograph successive image areas of the document at the exposure station onto the film at a focal plane, and lamp means for exposing to light the successive areas of the document as it is moved through the exposure station, which exposure station comprises a pair of parallel transport rollers disposed in spaced relation, means defining a planar surface positioned for receiving light directly from said lamp means, said planar surface being disposed between the rollers and extending generally parallel to and on one side of a plane through the axis of said rollers, and a pair of pressure rollers disposed with their axes parallel to the axes of said transport rollers, said pressure rollers having their axes disposed on the same side of the axes of said transport rollers as said planar surface and disposed apart a distance less than the spatial relationship between the axes of the transport rollers such that a line connecting the axis of each transport roller and the axis of the opposed contacting pressure roller will converge with a line perpendicular to and intersecting said planar surface between said pressure rollers eliminating the need for guide plates on both sides of the document path at the exposure station, whereby a document as it is transported between an opposed first pressure roller and a first transport roller the leading edge follows a line tangential to both said opposed rollers and the paper iS directed against said planar surface and the successive areas of said document are exposed to light directly from said lamp means and are maintained against said planar surface in a constant focal plane as the successive areas are moved across the planar surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A document flow camera according to claim 1 wherein said lamp means for exposing the document comprises a pair of lamps disposed parallel to said pressure rollers and adjacent the edge of said pressure rollers opposite said planar surface, said lamps affording direct illumination of a said document disposed on said planar surface to produce a light image of successive areas of said document on a first mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A document flow camera according to claim 2 wherein said planar surface is disposed in a plane more vertical than horizontal and said exposure station comprises guide means at one side of said camera for directing said document between said first transport and said first pressure rollers and for directing said document from the other said transport and pressure rollers out of said camera on said one side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A document flow camera according to claim 1 wherein said transport rollers have axially spaced cylindrical document contacting surfaces and said means defining a planar surface comprises a plate having document supporting surfaces disposed between the axis of said transport rollers and said contacting surfaces to avoid documents becoming wrapped on said transport rollers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
A document flow camera according to claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a motor and said camera further comprises circuit means for said motor, said circuit means comprising sensing means operative upon a document being placed in said camera, control means for actuating said motor upon operation of said sensing means to afford a first mode of advancement of a predetermined length of said film and to afford a second mode of advancement of a length of said film determined by the subsequent operation of said sensing means under control of said document, and means for controlling said control means to advance said film in one of said modes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
A document flow camera according to claim 1 wherein said means for synchronizing the movement of the film includes film advancing means comprising a capstan disposed on an axis parallel with the axis of a said transport roller, and said camera comprises an objective lens positioned adjacent said capstan to focus on said film, and a set of three elongate reflecting members disposed with their longitudinal axis parallel to the axes of said transport rollers and capstan to define a light path from said exposure station to a first reflecting member of said set of reflecting members, to a second adjustable reflecting member of said set of reflecting members, which second member reflects a light image across said path from said exposure station to said first reflecting member to a third reflecting member of said set of reflecting members, and said third reflecting member reflecting the light again across said path from said exposure station to said first reflecting member to said objective lens, and means affording adjustment of said second reflecting member for adjusting the image size on said film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
A document flow camera comprising means for advancing a document past an exposure station at a predetermined speed, means for advancing film past a focal plane at a speed synchronized with that of said document to expose said film to successive sections of said document moving through said exposure station, and circuit means for actuating both said means for advancing to afford a first mode of advancement of said film wherein a predetermined length of film is advanced upon actuation of the circuit means and to afford a second mode of advancement of said film wherein said film is continuously advanced upon actuation of the circuit means and to stop said advancement of said film upon a document moving through said exposure station, and means for energizing said circuit meAns upon a document entering said exposure station and for sensing the trailing edge of a document, and control means for said circuit means to selectively control said circuit to advance said film in one of said modes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
A document flow camera comprising means for advancing a document past an exposure station at a predetermined speed, means for advancing film past a focal plane at a speed synchronized with that of said document to expose said film to successive sections of said document moving through said exposure station, and circuit means for actuating both said means for advancing to afford a first mode of advancement of said film wherein a predetermined length of film is advanced upon actuation of the circuit means and to afford a second mode of advancement of said film wherein said film is continuously advanced upon actuation of the circuit means and to stop said advancement of said film upon a document moving through said exposure station, and means for energizing said circuit meAns upon a document entering said exposure station and for sensing the trailing edge of a document, and control means for said circuit means to selectively control said circuit to advance said film in one of said modes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |