US3886304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Phototypesetting system
Assignee: INFORMATION INTERNATIONAL Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-14
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An electronic phototypesetting system utilizing a single cathode ray tube (CRT) timeshared as (1) a flying spot scanner and (2) a photo exposure device. In the scan mode, the CRT scans an optical representation of the next character to be displayed by the photo exposure device to develop electronic font digital data signals. The digital data is stored in a single character digital memory and is read out during the exposure mode to display the character on the CRT for imaging onto photosensitive film.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard Mulder Scott
- 👤 William Frederick Schrotz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:36
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41B; B41B27/00; B41B27/28; B41B19/00; B41B19/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
An electronic phototypesetting system useful for imaging a character pattern onto photosensitive film said system comprising: source means for producing a light spot on a substantially planar target; timing means alternately defining a scan mode and an exposure mode; character storage means including a plurality of unit character areas each storing the optical pattern of a different one of a set of characters; means providing character identification signals identifying one of said set of characters and character positioning signals defining the position on said film at which a character pattern is to be imaged; means active during said scan mode for causing said light spot to trace a predetermined scan pattern; first imaging means active during said scan mode and responsive to said character identification signals for imaging said light spot trace on the unit character area of said character storage means storing said identified character; means active during said scan mode and responsive to said light spot tracing said scan pattern on said unit character area for producing digital signals defining the shape of the optical character pattern stored therein; digital memory means for storing said digital signals; means active during said exposure mode and responsive to said digital signals for causing said light spot to describe said optical character pattern shape on said planar target; and second imaging means active during said exposure mode and responsive to said character positioning signals for imaging said character pattern described on said target onto the film at a position defined by said character positioning signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
An electronic phototypesetting system useful for imaging a character pattern onto photosensitive film said system comprising: source means for producing a light spot on a substantially planar target; timing means alternately defining a scan mode and an exposure mode; character storage means including a plurality of unit character areas each storing the optical pattern of a different one of a set of characters; means providing character identification signals identifying one of said set of characters and character positioning signals defining the position on said film at which a character pattern is to be imaged; means active during said scan mode for causing said light spot to trace a predetermined scan pattern; first imaging means active during said scan mode and responsive to said character identification signals for imaging said light spot trace on the unit character area of said character storage means storing said identified character; means active during said scan mode and responsive to said light spot tracing said scan pattern on said unit character area for producing digital signals defining the shape of the optical character pattern stored therein; digital memory means for storing said digital signals; means active during said exposure mode and responsive to said digital signals for causing said light spot to describe said optical character pattern shape on said planar target; and second imaging means active during said exposure mode and responsive to said character positioning signals for imaging said character pattern described on said target onto the film at a position defined by said character positioning signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first imaging means includes: first optical means for imaging said target on said character storage means; and means for producing orthogonal deflection signals for moving said light spot to a position on said target whereby it is imaged by said first optical means on the unit character area storing said identified character.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said second imaging means includes: second optical means for imaging said target on said film; and means for producing orthogonal deflection signals for moving said light spot to a position on said target whereby it is imaged on said film at a position defined by said character positioning signaLs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
The system of claim 1 including optical means for imaging a first portion of said target on said character storage means and a second portion of said target on said film; and wherein said first imaging means includes means for producing orthogonal deflection signals for moving said light spot to a position on said target first portion whereby it is imaged by said optical means on the unit character area storing said identified character; and said second imaging means includes means for producing orthogonal deflection signals for moving said light spot to a position on said target second portion whereby it is imaged by said optical means on said film at a position defined by said character positioning signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said optical means includes mirror means defining an aperture therethrough mounted to reflect an image of said target first portion onto said character storage means and pass an image of said target second portion to said film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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 |