Patent US3885867A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3885867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microfiche readout apparatus
Assignee: Consolidated Micrographics Inc
•
Filing: 1972-07-17
•
Granted: 1975-05-27
•
Expires: 1992-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A microfiche selector and readout including means for selecting an individual frame from a microfiche card, and with the selection either automatically with a keyboard input or manually controlled using a joy stick to control the position of the card and with a road map to indicate the controlled position of the readout of the card. The card is held in a jaw assembly which is normally biased to a closed position and with a solenoid control to maintain the jaw assembly in an open position when not in use. The jaw assembly and card are moved by an XY positioning system including three block members sliding on four rods and with one block acting as a follower and moving in both the X and Y directions on two rods. When the card is positioned at the proper frame position, the frame may be read out either by displaying the information contained in the individual frame on the card on a display screen or by providing a printout of the information in the individual frame on the card.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred M Nelson
- 👤 Robert G Mcpherson
- 👤 Maurice S Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
Microfiche card readout apparatus for providing a readout of an individual one of a plurality of frames arranged on the card in rows and columns, the apparatus comprising: a support for holding the card in a plane for readout, the support having an opening at a readout position for passage of light through the card, clamp means for holding the card for movement over the support, positioning means connected to aid clamp means for moving the card along orthogonal X and Y axes, control means coupled to said positioning means for positioning the card with a selected individual frame at the readout position, said positioning means including a pair of fixed orthogonal guide rods each having a block member slidably mounted thereon, each block member having a positioning rod extending therefrom perpendicular to the respective guide rod; a follower block slidably mounted on both of said positioning rods for motion along X and Y axes, the positioning rods being orthogonally slidable through and supporting said follower block; and said clamp means comprising a card engaging jaw pivotally secured to said follower block.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
Microfiche card readout apparatus for providing a readout of an individual one of a plurality of frames arranged on the card in rows and columns, the apparatus comprising: a support for holding the card in a plane for readout, the support having an opening at a readout position for passage of light through the card, clamp means for holding the card for movement over the support, positioning means connected to aid clamp means for moving the card along orthogonal X and Y axes, control means coupled to said positioning means for positioning the card with a selected individual frame at the readout position, said positioning means including a pair of fixed orthogonal guide rods each having a block member slidably mounted thereon, each block member having a positioning rod extending therefrom perpendicular to the respective guide rod; a follower block slidably mounted on both of said positioning rods for motion along X and Y axes, the positioning rods being orthogonally slidable through and supporting said follower block; and said clamp means comprising a card engaging jaw pivotally secured to said follower block.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The microfiche readout apparatus of claim 1, wherein said positioning means further includes a flexible belt connected to each of said slide blocks, each belt having drive means coupled thereto, and said control means being connected to said drive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
227 words
Microfiche card readout apparatus for providing a readout of an individual one of a plurality of frames arranged on the card in rows and columns, the apparatus comprising: a support for holding the card in a plane for readout, the support having an opening at a readout position for passage of light through the card, clamp means for holding the card for movement over the support, positioning means connected to said clamp means for moving the card along orthogonal X and Y axes, control means coupled to said positioning means for positioning the card with a selected individual frame at the readout position, said positioning means including a pair of orthogonal guide rods each having a block member slidably mounted thereon, each block member having a positioning rod extending therefrom perpendicular to the respective guide rod; a follower block slidably mounted on both of said positioning rods for motion along X and Y axes, the positioning rods being orthogonally slidable through and supporting said follower block; said clamp means comprising a card edge engaging jaw pivotally secured to said follower block; a flexible belt connected to each of said slide blocks, each belt having drive means coupled thereto; said control means being connected to said drive means; said belts having coded position indicating means thereon; and said control means including position sensors responsive to said indicating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
227 words
Microfiche card readout apparatus for providing a readout of an individual one of a plurality of frames arranged on the card in rows and columns, the apparatus comprising: a support for holding the card in a plane for readout, the support having an opening at a readout position for passage of light through the card, clamp means for holding the card for movement over the support, positioning means connected to said clamp means for moving the card along orthogonal X and Y axes, control means coupled to said positioning means for positioning the card with a selected individual frame at the readout position, said positioning means including a pair of orthogonal guide rods each having a block member slidably mounted thereon, each block member having a positioning rod extending therefrom perpendicular to the respective guide rod; a follower block slidably mounted on both of said positioning rods for motion along X and Y axes, the positioning rods being orthogonally slidable through and supporting said follower block; said clamp means comprising a card edge engaging jaw pivotally secured to said follower block; a flexible belt connected to each of said slide blocks, each belt having drive means coupled thereto; said control means being connected to said drive means; said belts having coded position indicating means thereon; and said control means including position sensors responsive to said indicating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The microfiche readout apparatus of claim 3, wherein said control means includes position selecting means for producing coded signals corresponding to a selected frame position on the card, comparator means for comparing the selected position signals with the actual position signals represented by the indicating means on said belts, and providing drive signals to said drive means to move the card until the selected and actual position signals correspond.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The microfiche readout apparatus of claim 4, wherein said comparator means provides signals for actuating the drive means rapidly until the card position is near the selected position and, by comparison of the respective signals, switches to slow drive signals for final positioning.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3267801A
Cited
US3509651A
Cited
US3446552A
Cited
US3472585A
Cited
US3564209A
Cited
US3528735A
Cited
US3799662A
Cited
US3632198A
Cited
US3704451A
Cited
US3764900A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |