US3868476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System for locating and transmitting selected images
Assignee: D'ETUDES TECHNIQUES ET D'ENTREPRISES GENERALES (SODETEG) Ste
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Filing: 1973-02-07
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1993-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A rotating information carrier, such as a drum or an endless conveyor, holds an orthogonal array of microfilm frames which can be individually transluminated by light from one or more sources inside the carrier aligned with respective television cameras on the outside, each camera and light source being jointly movable parallel to the axis of rotation (here vertical) or being otherwise optically alignable with selected rows of frames by means of a reversible drive motor. Each frame has an axial coordinate z, counting the number of rows, and a peripheral coordinate t, counting the number of files parallel to the axis, which are respectively marked on a fixed vertical scale and on a peripheral carrier track coacting with respective photoelectric sensors. The first sensor, elevatable with an associated camera, transmits a first counting code to a first comparator receiving an identifying z-code from a remote selector such as a keyboard positioned next to a television receiver linked to the corresponding camera; upon coincidence of the two codes, the drive motor is arrested. The second, fixedly positioned sensor transmits a second counting code to a second comparator receiving an identifying t-code from the same keyboard. The second comparator triggers a pulse generator for activating the camera, this normally inhibited pulse generator being enabled by an unblocking signal from the first comparator indicating that the camera has reached the desired vertical position.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques Laplume
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
361 words
A system for locating and transmitting selected images from a number of image frames of uniform dimensions, comprising: a carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having mounted thereon a multiplicity of image frames in an orthogonal array with rows transverse and files parallel to said axis, each image frame being identifiable by a first coordinate counting the number of rows from a predetermined reference row and a second coordinate counting the number of files from a predetermined reference file; stationary support means extending parallel to said axis; at least one television camera provided with pick-up means axially movable along said support means; drive means coupled with said pick-up means for axially moving same along said support means; display means remote from said camera operatively coupled thereto for reproducing an image confronting said pick-up means; selector means adjacent said display means for generating a first and a second identifying code respectively marking said first and said second coordinate of an image to be reproduced; first sensing means coupled with said pick-up means for generating a first counting code marking the axial position of said pick-up means; second sensing means coacting with said carrier for generating a second counting code marking the rotary position of said carrier relative to a predetermined reference position; first comparision means connected to said selector means and to said first sensing means for receiving therefrom said first identifying and counting codes and for generating a control signal for said drive means to move said camera into an axial position in which said first counting code matches said first identifying code, said first comparison means emitting an unblocking signal in the presence of such a match while arresting said drive means; second comparison means connected to said selector means and to said second sensing means for receiving therefrom said second identifying and counting codes and for generating a trigger signal upon detecting a match thereof; and activating means for said camera connected to both said first and said second comparison means for operation in the presence of said unblocking signal and in response to said trigger signal to reproduce on said receiver an image confronting said pick-up means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
361 words
A system for locating and transmitting selected images from a number of image frames of uniform dimensions, comprising: a carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having mounted thereon a multiplicity of image frames in an orthogonal array with rows transverse and files parallel to said axis, each image frame being identifiable by a first coordinate counting the number of rows from a predetermined reference row and a second coordinate counting the number of files from a predetermined reference file; stationary support means extending parallel to said axis; at least one television camera provided with pick-up means axially movable along said support means; drive means coupled with said pick-up means for axially moving same along said support means; display means remote from said camera operatively coupled thereto for reproducing an image confronting said pick-up means; selector means adjacent said display means for generating a first and a second identifying code respectively marking said first and said second coordinate of an image to be reproduced; first sensing means coupled with said pick-up means for generating a first counting code marking the axial position of said pick-up means; second sensing means coacting with said carrier for generating a second counting code marking the rotary position of said carrier relative to a predetermined reference position; first comparision means connected to said selector means and to said first sensing means for receiving therefrom said first identifying and counting codes and for generating a control signal for said drive means to move said camera into an axial position in which said first counting code matches said first identifying code, said first comparison means emitting an unblocking signal in the presence of such a match while arresting said drive means; second comparison means connected to said selector means and to said second sensing means for receiving therefrom said second identifying and counting codes and for generating a trigger signal upon detecting a match thereof; and activating means for said camera connected to both said first and said second comparison means for operation in the presence of said unblocking signal and in response to said trigger signal to reproduce on said receiver an image confronting said pick-up means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a reversible motor, said first comparison means including logical circuitry for modifying said control signal according to the relative magnitudes of two numerical values respectively assigned to said first identifying and counting codes for operating said drive means in a sense depending upon the sign of the difference of said numerical values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising first register means inserted between said selector means and said first comparison means for storiNg said first identifying code, and second register means inserted between said selector means and said second comparison means for storing said second identifying code.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising memory means inserted between said camera and said display means for storing a replica of an image confronting said pick-up means during operation of said activating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said pick-up means comprises a lens mounted in front of said camera on said support means for joint axial displacement with said camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said camera is fixedly mounted adjacent said support means, said pick-up means comprising a reflector on said support means training collimated light rays from a confronting image upon said camera.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first sensing means comprises a fixed code bearer parallel to said axis and an axially displaceable photoelectric transducer confronting said code bearer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said second sensing means comprises a code track extending peripherally around said carrier and a fixed photoelectric transducer confronting said code track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said selector means comprises a keyboard.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said image frames are hingedly interconnected into a plurality of parallel endless bands, said carrier comprising at least one endless chain paralleling said bands.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as defined in claim 10 wherein said chain and an adjacent one of said bands are provided with common hinge pins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said camera is provided with a light source individual thereto, said activating means being operative to energize said light source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as defined in claim 12 wherein said support means comprises a pair of parallel supports for said pick-up means and said light source, respectively, said drive means being provided with transmission means for synchronously displacing said pick-up means and said light source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as defined in claim 13 wherein one of said supports is disposed within said carrier, the other of said supports being disposed outside said carrier, said images being transparent for translumination by the light of said source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as defined in claim 1, comprising at least one other television camera provided with pick-up means axially movable along said support means independently of the first-mentioned pick-up means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as defined in claim 15 wherein said cameras are provided with individual light sources and with shield means optically isolating said light sources from each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined in claim 16 wherein said light sources include generators of axially oriented collimated beams and deflecting means for directing said beams radially onto frames of respective files.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of locating and transmitting selected images from a number of image frames of uniform dimensions, comprising the step of: assemblying a multiplicity of said frames on a common carrier for continuous rotation about an axis, in an orthogonal array with rows transverse and files parallel to said axis in which each image frame is identifiable by a first coordinate counting the number of rows from a predetermined reference row and a second coordinate counting the number of files from a predetermined reference file; optically aligning a television camera with a selected row of said array identified by said first coordinate; monitoring the count of said files ascertaining the passage thereof through an angular position identified by said second coordinate in which a selected frame of the selected row is optically aligned with said camera; momentarily activating said camera upon passage of said carrier through said angular position; storing an output of the activated camera for visual reproduction of the selected image at a remOte point; and inhibiting the activation of said camera during optical realignment thereof with the rows of said array.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of locating and transmitting selected images from a number of image frames of uniform dimensions, comprising the step of: assemblying a multiplicity of said frames on a common carrier for continuous rotation about an axis, in an orthogonal array with rows transverse and files parallel to said axis in which each image frame is identifiable by a first coordinate counting the number of rows from a predetermined reference row and a second coordinate counting the number of files from a predetermined reference file; optically aligning a television camera with a selected row of said array identified by said first coordinate; monitoring the count of said files ascertaining the passage thereof through an angular position identified by said second coordinate in which a selected frame of the selected row is optically aligned with said camera; momentarily activating said camera upon passage of said carrier through said angular position; storing an output of the activated camera for visual reproduction of the selected image at a remOte point; and inhibiting the activation of said camera during optical realignment thereof with the rows of said array.
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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) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |