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US3873213A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for detecting data on a photographic recording medium

Assignee: Kimberly Clark Tissue Co
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Filing: 1974-04-08
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-04-08
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Abstract

Abstract Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting data recorded at a predetermined position on a photographic recording medium. The apparatus includes signal-light projection means for projecting light to the predetermined position on the photographic recording medium and signal-light detection means positioned to receive and detect the intensity of the signal light leaving the photographic recording medium. The magnitude of the signal light leaving the photographic recording medium is affected by the data recorded at the predetermined position. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus is an exposed-frame detector for detecting whether a particular frame on a photographic recording medium having a plurality of discrete frames has been exposed. The apparatus includes mask means for producing a black border on each frame, the black border being opaque and reflecting the signal light at a reduced predetermined intensity. The signal-light detection means measures the reduced intensity of signal light and can inform the operator, though conventional electric circuitry, that the particular frame has already been imaged.

Inventors

  • 👤 John David Plumadorf

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 11:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/58; G03B27/583; G03B27/46; G03B27/47; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/221; G03G15/223; G03G15/26

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 words
In an apparatus for selectively imaging discrete frames on a photographic recording medium having a plurality of frames thereon and upon which imaging is accomplished by projecting an illuminated image from a document through a lens and onto the selected frame on the photographic recording medium, an exposedframe detector comprising: signal-light projection means for projecting light to a predetermined position on each frame of the photographic recording medium; signal-light detection means positioned to receive the signal light leaving the photographic recording medium and for detecting the magnitude of the signal light leaving the photographic recording medium; and means within the apparatus for causing the predetermined position of each frame to change its optical properties upon developing an image on the frame, whereby the magnitude of the signal light received be the signal-light detection means is reduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 words
In an apparatus for selectively imaging discrete frames on a photographic recording medium having a plurality of frames thereon and upon which imaging is accomplished by projecting an illuminated image from a document through a lens and onto the selected frame on the photographic recording medium, an exposedframe detector comprising: signal-light projection means for projecting light to a predetermined position on each frame of the photographic recording medium; signal-light detection means positioned to receive the signal light leaving the photographic recording medium and for detecting the magnitude of the signal light leaving the photographic recording medium; and means within the apparatus for causing the predetermined position of each frame to change its optical properties upon developing an image on the frame, whereby the magnitude of the signal light received be the signal-light detection means is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 59 words
The exposed-frame detector according to claim 1, wherein the means for causing the predetermined position on each frame to change its optical properties upon developing an image on the frame is provided by dark mask means around the border of a copyboard upon which the document is placed, the dark mask means producing a dark border on each frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 47 words
The exposed-frame detector according to claim 1, wherein the signal light is projected in a beam and is specularly reflected from the surface of the photographic medium in a reflected conical shaped beam, and the signal-light detection means is positioned in the path of the reflected beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 124 words
Apparatus for detecting data recorded at a predetermined position on each frame of a multi-frame electrophotographic film having a photoconductive layer which specularly reflects light at one intensity if it has not been developed with dark toner particles and at a lesser intensity if it has dark toner particles developed on it, the apparatus comprising: signal-light projection means for projecting a beam of light to the predetermined position of a selected frame, whereby the light is reflected from the surface of the photoconductive layer in a Reflected beam and the amount of light reflected is dependent upon the data recorded at the predetermined position; and signal-light detection means positioned in the path of the reflected beam for detecting the intensity of the reflected signal-light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 124 words
Apparatus for detecting data recorded at a predetermined position on each frame of a multi-frame electrophotographic film having a photoconductive layer which specularly reflects light at one intensity if it has not been developed with dark toner particles and at a lesser intensity if it has dark toner particles developed on it, the apparatus comprising: signal-light projection means for projecting a beam of light to the predetermined position of a selected frame, whereby the light is reflected from the surface of the photoconductive layer in a Reflected beam and the amount of light reflected is dependent upon the data recorded at the predetermined position; and signal-light detection means positioned in the path of the reflected beam for detecting the intensity of the reflected signal-light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 172 words
In an apparatus for selectively imaging discrete frames on a transparent electrophotographic microfiche, comprising document holding means for holding a document to be imaged on the microfiche, means for projecting the image of the document along an optical axis to a selected frame on the microfiche, and a charge and image module positioned on the optical axis and including a lens and electrostatic charging element, an apparatus for detecting data recorded in a predetermined position on each frame of the microfiche comprising: signal-light projection means mounted adjacent the border of the document holding means for projecting a signal light in a beam through the lens and onto the predetermined position of the selected frame, whereby the light is specularly reflected from the surface of the microfiche in a beam, the intensity of which is dependent upon the data recorded at the predetermined position; and signal-light detecting means for detecting the intensity of the reflected signal light and positioned in the path of the reflected beam and within the charge and image module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 172 words
In an apparatus for selectively imaging discrete frames on a transparent electrophotographic microfiche, comprising document holding means for holding a document to be imaged on the microfiche, means for projecting the image of the document along an optical axis to a selected frame on the microfiche, and a charge and image module positioned on the optical axis and including a lens and electrostatic charging element, an apparatus for detecting data recorded in a predetermined position on each frame of the microfiche comprising: signal-light projection means mounted adjacent the border of the document holding means for projecting a signal light in a beam through the lens and onto the predetermined position of the selected frame, whereby the light is specularly reflected from the surface of the microfiche in a beam, the intensity of which is dependent upon the data recorded at the predetermined position; and signal-light detecting means for detecting the intensity of the reflected signal light and positioned in the path of the reflected beam and within the charge and image module.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
Apparatus for detecting data according to claim 5, wherein the signal light detecting means is positioned off of the optical axis, whereby it does not interfere with imaging of the microfiche.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 49 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data to be detected is a dark border surrounding the selected frame, and the apparatus further includes dark mask means surrounding the document holding means, the mask means producing on opaque border on the frame upon imaging and developing of the frame.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 162 words
A method of detecting whether a frame has been exposed in an apparatus for selectively imaging discrete frames on a photographic recording medium having a plurality of frames thereon and upon which imaging is accomplished by projecting an illuminated image from a document through a lens and onto the selected frame on the photographic recording medium, the method comprising the steps of: projecting a signal image onto a predetermined position of a frame when imaging the frame, the signal image becoming opaque upon developing the frame; projecting a signal light to the predetermined position on the frame of the photographic recording medium, whereby the signal light is reflected from the surface of the predetermined position at one intensity if the frame has not been imaged and at a lesser intensity if the frame has been imaged; and measuring with light detection means the intensity of the signal light reflected from the predetermined position to thereby determine whether the frame has been exposed.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 162 words
A method of detecting whether a frame has been exposed in an apparatus for selectively imaging discrete frames on a photographic recording medium having a plurality of frames thereon and upon which imaging is accomplished by projecting an illuminated image from a document through a lens and onto the selected frame on the photographic recording medium, the method comprising the steps of: projecting a signal image onto a predetermined position of a frame when imaging the frame, the signal image becoming opaque upon developing the frame; projecting a signal light to the predetermined position on the frame of the photographic recording medium, whereby the signal light is reflected from the surface of the predetermined position at one intensity if the frame has not been imaged and at a lesser intensity if the frame has been imaged; and measuring with light detection means the intensity of the signal light reflected from the predetermined position to thereby determine whether the frame has been exposed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 24 words
Method according to claim 8, wherein the signal data projected onto the predetermined position of each frame is a dark border surrounding the frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 123 words
Method for detecting data recorded at a predetermined position on each frame of a multi-frame electrophotographic film having a photoconductive layer which specularly reflects light at one intensity if it has not been developed with dark toner particles and at a lesser intensity if it has dark toner particles developed on it, the method comprising the steps of: projecting a beam of light to the predetermined position of a selected frame, whereby the light is reflected from the surface of the photoconductive layer in a reflected beam and the amount of light reflected is dependent upon the data recorded at the predetermined position; and measuring the amount of the reflected light with light detection means positioned in the path of the reflected beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 123 words
Method for detecting data recorded at a predetermined position on each frame of a multi-frame electrophotographic film having a photoconductive layer which specularly reflects light at one intensity if it has not been developed with dark toner particles and at a lesser intensity if it has dark toner particles developed on it, the method comprising the steps of: projecting a beam of light to the predetermined position of a selected frame, whereby the light is reflected from the surface of the photoconductive layer in a reflected beam and the amount of light reflected is dependent upon the data recorded at the predetermined position; and measuring the amount of the reflected light with light detection means positioned in the path of the reflected beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 168 words
In an apparatus for selectively imaging discrete frames on a transparent electrophotographic microfiche, comprising document holding means for holding a document to be imaged on the microfiche, means to projEct the image of the document along an optical axis to a selected frame on the microfiche, and a charge and image module positioned on the optical axis and including a lens and electrostatic charging element, the method of detecting data recorded in a predetermined position on each frame of the microfiche, comprising the steps of: projecting a signal light from a position adjacent the border of the document holding means through a lens and onto the predetermined position of the selected frame, whereby the light is specularly reflected from the surface of the microfiche in a reflected beam, the intensity of which is dependent upon the data recorded at the predetermined position; and measuring the intensity of the light with signal-light detecting means positioned in the path of the reflected beam and within the charge and image module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 168 words
In an apparatus for selectively imaging discrete frames on a transparent electrophotographic microfiche, comprising document holding means for holding a document to be imaged on the microfiche, means to projEct the image of the document along an optical axis to a selected frame on the microfiche, and a charge and image module positioned on the optical axis and including a lens and electrostatic charging element, the method of detecting data recorded in a predetermined position on each frame of the microfiche, comprising the steps of: projecting a signal light from a position adjacent the border of the document holding means through a lens and onto the predetermined position of the selected frame, whereby the light is specularly reflected from the surface of the microfiche in a reflected beam, the intensity of which is dependent upon the data recorded at the predetermined position; and measuring the intensity of the light with signal-light detecting means positioned in the path of the reflected beam and within the charge and image module.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 1978-03-24 1978-09-23 1979-03-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-03-24 1982-09-23 1983-03-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-03-24 1986-09-23 1987-03-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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