US3890355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed color printer for scintillation scanner
Assignee: Philips Nuclear Medicine Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-25
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1991-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A scintillation scanner including a high speed color printer with a relatively low mass carriage for moving only a small portion of the printing ribbon. The carriage includes ribbon guide rollers of novel configuration. A novel ribbon reversal system including magnetically actuated reed switches is provided. A novel printing surface is provided comprising a sandwich assembly including a block of relatively porous noise attenuating material. A hammer-and-anvil type printing stylus assembly is provided. This assembly includes a solenoid with an armature having a sufficient stroke to positively drive a printing chisel to its printing position. The armature returns to and becomes settled in its retracted position faster than does the chisel, and hence may be recycled to drive the chisel back into a printing mode before the chisel has fully returned to and become settled in its retracted position. A memory circuit serves to store signals which cause the solenoid to be actuated so that those signals are not lost in the event they are received faster than the armature of the solenoid is capable of being retracted. The ribbon positioning carriage serves to position the ribbon laterally in response to the intensity of the radiation sensed by a scintillation detector. As the carriage approaches either of the extremities of travel, a position sensing circuit attenuates the signal applied to the carriage drive motor in order to prevent the carriage from slamming into stop structures at the extremities of travel. There is also provided a contrast enhancement circuit for modifying the value of the signal applied to the carriage drive motor so that the contrast of the output presentation may be enhanced for a given range of measured radiation intensities.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl J Brunnett
- 👤 Jeremy H Gibson
- 👤 Walter F Mog
- 👤 Richard S Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/166; G01T1/1663; G01T1/1666
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
290 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. a frame structure; b. a scintillation responsive structure for providing a signal response to radioactivity detected; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for driving said scintillation responsive structure over an area to be studied; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to carry a media upon which an image may be printed; e. color printer means including housing means carried by the other of said structures, said color printer means being electrically coupled to said scintillation responsive structure for printing a composite image on a media which varies in color in accordance with the intensity of radiation sensed by said scintillation responsive structure, said color printer means comprising: i. an elongate printing ribbon having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally thereof in side-by-side relation; ii. ribbon support means carried by said housing means and adapted to support spaced portions of said ribbon; iii. carriage means movably carried by said housing means and adapted to receive and laterally position a portion of said ribbon intermediate said spaced portions such that said portion has one side positioned adjacent said media support means; iv. printing stylus means disposed adjacent the other side of said portion of said ribbon and including chisel means extensible from a retracted position to a printing posiTion wherein said chisel means engages said portion of said ribbon and moves said ribbon into engagement with a media carried by said media support means to print an image thereon; and, v. said carriage means comprising a relatively light mass structure adapted to laterally move only portions of said ribbon which are intermediate said spaced portions in order to selectively align said color bands with said printing stylus means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
290 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. a frame structure; b. a scintillation responsive structure for providing a signal response to radioactivity detected; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for driving said scintillation responsive structure over an area to be studied; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to carry a media upon which an image may be printed; e. color printer means including housing means carried by the other of said structures, said color printer means being electrically coupled to said scintillation responsive structure for printing a composite image on a media which varies in color in accordance with the intensity of radiation sensed by said scintillation responsive structure, said color printer means comprising: i. an elongate printing ribbon having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally thereof in side-by-side relation; ii. ribbon support means carried by said housing means and adapted to support spaced portions of said ribbon; iii. carriage means movably carried by said housing means and adapted to receive and laterally position a portion of said ribbon intermediate said spaced portions such that said portion has one side positioned adjacent said media support means; iv. printing stylus means disposed adjacent the other side of said portion of said ribbon and including chisel means extensible from a retracted position to a printing posiTion wherein said chisel means engages said portion of said ribbon and moves said ribbon into engagement with a media carried by said media support means to print an image thereon; and, v. said carriage means comprising a relatively light mass structure adapted to laterally move only portions of said ribbon which are intermediate said spaced portions in order to selectively align said color bands with said printing stylus means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 1 wherein said color printer additionally includes: a. ribbon feed means for feeding said ribbon longitudinally along a feed path extending from said ribbon support means through said carriage means; and, b. bearinged support means interposed between said housing means and said carriage means for constraining the movement of said carriage means to a translatory movement in directions perpendicular to said ribbon feed path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 2 wherein said bearinged support means comprises: a. first bearing surface means carried by said housing means; b. second bearing surface means carried by said carriage means; c. one of said bearing surface means comprising a plurality of guide tracks; and, d. the other of said bearing surface means comprising a plurality of bearings in engagement with said guide tracks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 3 wherein said first bearing surface means comprises a pair of guide rods carried by said housing means and extending in parallel relation to each other and in a direction perpendicular to said ribbon feed path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 4 wherein said second bearing surface means comprises three bearings carried by said carriage and positioned to engage said guide rods to movably mount said carriage for translation along said guide rods.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 2 wherein said carriage means comprises: a. a ribbon support structure for receiving and positioning said ribbon in a planar fashion adjacent said printing stylus means; and, b. a pair of spaced ribbon guide rollers positioned one on either side of said ribbon support structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 6 wherein said guide rollers comprise: a. a central region of generally uniform diameter; b. tapered end portions of truncated conical shape having a minor diameter equal to said uniform diameter and connected smoothly to said central region, and having a major diameter greater than said minor diameter and being disposed axially outwardly of said minor diameter; c. said central region extending axially for a length which is slightly less than the width of said ribbon, whereby the side portions of said ribbon are caused to deflect into engagement with at least a portion of said end portions, whereby the ribbon is maintained centered on the guide rollers during movement of the carriage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 1 additionally comprising: a. electrically controlled ribbon feed means for reversibly feeding said ribbon longitudinally along a feed path extending from said ribbon support means through said carriage means; b. permanent magnet means carried at spaced points on said ribbon; and, c. magnetically responsive electrical switch means positioned adjacent said feed path for reversing said ribbon feed means in response to one of said permanent magnet means being fed by said ribbon to a position adjacent said switch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 8 wherein said switch means comprise a pair of reed switches disposed along feed path portions on opposite sides of said printing stylus means, and said permanent magnet means comprise a pair of permanent magnets carried adjacent opposite ends of said ribbon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 1 wherein said media supporting means comprises a platform structure having a base plate, a sheet material having relatively hard planar printing surface, and a block of relatively porous noise absOrbing material interposed between said sheet and said base plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 10 wherein said sheet is removably and replaceably secured to said block by adhesive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 11 wherein said block comprises polyethylene and said sheet comprises polyurethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
142 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 1 wherein said printing stylus means comprises: a. an electrically actuable solenoid means having an axially movable armature; b. a printing chisel movable reciprocally axially with said armature between a retracted position and a printing position; c. biasing means biasing said printing chisel into engagement with said armature; d. said armature having a stroke of sufficient length to positively drive said printing chisel to said printing position; E. said armature being adapted to disengage said chisel and withdraw to and become settled in its retracted position in less time than is required for said printing chisel to return to and become settled in its retracted position; f. whereby said armature may be reactivated to drive said printing chisel to said printing position before said printing chisel has entirely returned to and become settled in its retracted position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 13 wherein said printing stylus means additionally comprises: a. bearing block means slidably supporting said chisel for reciprocal movement; and, b. adjustment means for adjusting the biasing force of said biasing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 12 wherein said printing stylus means comprises a pair of printing stylus assemblies disposed side-by-side along said ribbon feed path, each of said assemblies including a separately actuable printing chisel means for printing an image on a media carried by said media support means, the printing chisel of one of said printing stylus assemblies being of a wider width than the printing chisel of the other of said printing stylus assemblies, whereby relatively wide or narrow images may selectively be printed by selectively actuating one or the other of said printing stylus assemblies.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
144 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 15 wherein each of said printing stylus assemblies comprises: a. an electrically actuable solenoid means having an axially movable armature; b. a printing chisel movable reciprocally axially with said armature between a retracted position and a printing position; c. biasing means biasing said printing chisel into engagement with said armature; d. said armature having a stroke of sufficient length to positively drive said printing chisel to said printing position; e. said armature being adapted to disengage said chisel and withdraw to and become settled in its retracted position in less time than is required for said printing chisel to return to and become settled in its retracted position; f. whereby said armature may be reactivated to drive said printing chisel to said printing position before said printing chisel has entirely returned to and become settled in its retracted position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 16 wherein said printing stylus means additionally comprises: a. bearing block means slidably supporting both of said printing chisels for reciprocal movement; and, b. adjustment means for adjusting the biasing force of each of said biasing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 2 additionally including power drive means interposed between said housing means and said carriage means to position said carriage means relative to said housing means, said power drive means including a drive motor carried by said housing and positioning means coupling the output shaft of said drive motor to said carriage to vary the position of said carriage in response to the rotation of said drive shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 18 additionally including electrical circuit means electrically interconnecting said scintilLation responsive structure and said motor to actuate said motor so as to position said carriage in response to the intensity of the radiation detected by said scintillation responsive structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 18 wherein said circuit means comprises: a. detector and computing circuit means electrically coupled to said scintillation responsive structure for developing a train of electrical pulses representative of the value of radiation activity measured by said scintillation responsive structure, and for converting said train of electrical pulses to an output signal having a valve representative of the number of electrical pulses developed in a predetermined time interval; b. motor control circuit means coupled to said computing circuit means for developing a motor control signal having a value representative of the value of said output signal; and, c. feedback circuit means for developing a feedback signal having a value representative of the actual position of said carriage means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 20 wherein said circuit means additionally comprises speed control circuit means coupled to said control circuit means and said feedback circuit means for attenuating said control signal when said feedback signal reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
208 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. a frame structure; b. a scintillation responsive structure for providing a signal in response to radioactivity detected; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for driving said scintillation responsive structure over an area to be studied; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to carry a media upon which an image may be printed; e. color printer means including housing means carried by the other said structures, said color printer means being electrically coupled to said scintillation responsive structure for printing a composite image on a media which varies in color in accordance with the intensity of radiation sensed by said scintillation responsive structure; f. said media support means comprising a platform assembly structure for supporting a media while simultaneously serving to attenuate the noise occasioned by the printing operation, the platform comprising: i. a rigid base plate ii. a block of relatively porous noise absorbing material carried by said base plate; and, iii. a sheet of material having a relatively hard planar printing surface carried by said block; iv. said sheet and said base plate serving to sandwich said block therebetween to absorb printing noise and attenuate its transmission to said base plate from said sheet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
208 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. a frame structure; b. a scintillation responsive structure for providing a signal in response to radioactivity detected; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for driving said scintillation responsive structure over an area to be studied; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to carry a media upon which an image may be printed; e. color printer means including housing means carried by the other said structures, said color printer means being electrically coupled to said scintillation responsive structure for printing a composite image on a media which varies in color in accordance with the intensity of radiation sensed by said scintillation responsive structure; f. said media support means comprising a platform assembly structure for supporting a media while simultaneously serving to attenuate the noise occasioned by the printing operation, the platform comprising: i. a rigid base plate ii. a block of relatively porous noise absorbing material carried by said base plate; and, iii. a sheet of material having a relatively hard planar printing surface carried by said block; iv. said sheet and said base plate serving to sandwich said block therebetween to absorb printing noise and attenuate its transmission to said base plate from said sheet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 22 wherein said block comprises polyethylene and said sheet comprises polyurethane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 22 wherein said sheet is removably and replaceably secured to said block by adhesive.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
183 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. a frame structure; b. a scintillation responsive structure for providing a signal in response to radioactivity detected; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for driving said scintillation responsive structure over an area to be studied; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to carry a media upon which an image may be printed; e. printer means including housing means carried by the other of said structures, said printer means being electrically coupled to said scintillation responsive structure for printing a composite image on a media in response to radiation sensed by said scintillation responsive structure; f. said printer means including a printing ribbon and an electrically controlled ribbon feed means for reversibly feeding said ribbon along a feed path; g. said ribbon carrying permanent magnet means at spaced points along said ribbon; and, h. magnetically responsive electrical switch means positioned adjacent Said feed path for reversing said ribbon feed means in response to one of said permanent magnet means being fed by said ribbon to a position adjacent said switch means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
183 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. a frame structure; b. a scintillation responsive structure for providing a signal in response to radioactivity detected; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for driving said scintillation responsive structure over an area to be studied; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to carry a media upon which an image may be printed; e. printer means including housing means carried by the other of said structures, said printer means being electrically coupled to said scintillation responsive structure for printing a composite image on a media in response to radiation sensed by said scintillation responsive structure; f. said printer means including a printing ribbon and an electrically controlled ribbon feed means for reversibly feeding said ribbon along a feed path; g. said ribbon carrying permanent magnet means at spaced points along said ribbon; and, h. magnetically responsive electrical switch means positioned adjacent Said feed path for reversing said ribbon feed means in response to one of said permanent magnet means being fed by said ribbon to a position adjacent said switch means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 25 wherein said switch means comprises a pair of reed switches disposed along spaced feed path portions, and said permanent magnet means comprise a pair of permanent magnets carried adjacent opposite ends of said ribbon.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
316 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. a frame structure; b. a scintillation responsive structure for providing a signal in response to radioactivity detected; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for driving said scintillation responsive structure over an area to be studied; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to carry a media upon which an image may be printed; e. printer means including housing means carried by the other of said structures, said printing means being electrically coupled to said scintillation responsive structure for printing a composite image on a media in response to radiation sensed by said scintillation responsive structure; f. said printer means including a printing ribbon having a portion positioned with one side adjacent said media support means; g. printing stylus means disposed adjacent the other side of said portion of said ribbon and including chisel means extensible from a retracted position to a printing position wherein said chisel means engages said portion of said ribbon and moves said ribbon into engagement with a media carried by said media support means to print an image thereon; h. said printing stylus means comprising: i. an electrically actuable solenoid means having axially movable armature; II. a printing chisel movable reciprocally axially with said armature between a retracted position and a printing position; III. biasing means biasing said printing chisel into engagement with said armature; IV. said armature having a stroke of sufficient length to positively drive said printing chisel to said printing position; v. said armature being adapted to disengage said chisel and withdraw to and become settled in its retracted position in less time than is required for said printing chisel to return to its retracted position; VI. whereby said armature may be reactivated to drive said printing chisel to said printing position before said printing chisel has entirely returned to and become settled in its retracted position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
316 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. a frame structure; b. a scintillation responsive structure for providing a signal in response to radioactivity detected; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for driving said scintillation responsive structure over an area to be studied; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to carry a media upon which an image may be printed; e. printer means including housing means carried by the other of said structures, said printing means being electrically coupled to said scintillation responsive structure for printing a composite image on a media in response to radiation sensed by said scintillation responsive structure; f. said printer means including a printing ribbon having a portion positioned with one side adjacent said media support means; g. printing stylus means disposed adjacent the other side of said portion of said ribbon and including chisel means extensible from a retracted position to a printing position wherein said chisel means engages said portion of said ribbon and moves said ribbon into engagement with a media carried by said media support means to print an image thereon; h. said printing stylus means comprising: i. an electrically actuable solenoid means having axially movable armature; II. a printing chisel movable reciprocally axially with said armature between a retracted position and a printing position; III. biasing means biasing said printing chisel into engagement with said armature; IV. said armature having a stroke of sufficient length to positively drive said printing chisel to said printing position; v. said armature being adapted to disengage said chisel and withdraw to and become settled in its retracted position in less time than is required for said printing chisel to return to its retracted position; VI. whereby said armature may be reactivated to drive said printing chisel to said printing position before said printing chisel has entirely returned to and become settled in its retracted position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 27 wherein said printing stylus means additionally comprises: bearing block means slidably supporting said chisel for reciprocal movement; and, adjustment means for adjusting the biasing force of said biasing means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
97 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 27 wherein said printing stylus means comprise a pair of printing stylus assemblies disposed side-by-side along said ribbon feed path, each of said assemblies including a separately actuable printing chisel means for printing an image on a media carried by said media supporting means, said chisel of one of said printing stylus assemblies being of a wider width than the printing chisel of the other of said printing stylus assmeblies, whereby relatively wide or narrow images may selectively be printed by selectively actuating one or the other of said printing stylus assemblies.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
136 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 29 wherein each of said printing stylus assemblies comprises: a. an electrically actuable solenoid means having an axially movable armature; b. a printing chisel movable reciprocally axially with said armature between a retracted position and a printing position; c. biasing means biasing said printing chisel into engagement with said armature; d. said armature having a stroke of sufficient length to positively drive said printing chisel to said printing position; e. said armature being adapted to disengage saId chisel and withdraw to and become settled in its retracted position in less time than is required for said printing chisel to return to and become settled in its retracted position; f. whereby said armature may be reactivated to drive said printing chisel has entirely returned to and become settled in its retracted position.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 30 wherein said printing stylus means additionally comprises: a. bearing block means slidably supporting both of said printing chisels for reciprocal movement; and, b. adjustment means for adjusting the biasing force of each of said biasing means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
215 words
In a scintillation recording apparatus, a radiation detector including circuitry for developing a train of electrical pulses representative of the value of radiation activity measured by the detector, computing circuit means coupled to said detector circuitry for converting said train of electrical pulses to an output signal having a value representative of the number of electrical pulses developed in a predetermined time interval, the improvement comprising: a. color means having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally and in side-by-side relation; b. carriage means for supporting said color means for movement so that the position of the color bands may be varied in accordance with the value of measured radiation activity; c. drive means for, upon receipt of a control signal, positioning said carriage means at a position representative of the value of said control signal; d. motor control circuit means coupled to said computing circuit means for developing a motor control signal having a value representative of the value of said output signal; e. feedback circuit means for developing a feedback signal having a value representative of the actual position of said carriage means; and, f. speed control circuit means coupled to said control circuit means and said feedback circuit means for attenuating said control signal when said feedback signal reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
215 words
In a scintillation recording apparatus, a radiation detector including circuitry for developing a train of electrical pulses representative of the value of radiation activity measured by the detector, computing circuit means coupled to said detector circuitry for converting said train of electrical pulses to an output signal having a value representative of the number of electrical pulses developed in a predetermined time interval, the improvement comprising: a. color means having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally and in side-by-side relation; b. carriage means for supporting said color means for movement so that the position of the color bands may be varied in accordance with the value of measured radiation activity; c. drive means for, upon receipt of a control signal, positioning said carriage means at a position representative of the value of said control signal; d. motor control circuit means coupled to said computing circuit means for developing a motor control signal having a value representative of the value of said output signal; e. feedback circuit means for developing a feedback signal having a value representative of the actual position of said carriage means; and, f. speed control circuit means coupled to said control circuit means and said feedback circuit means for attenuating said control signal when said feedback signal reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said feedback circuit means includes circuitry for developing a signal of a said predetermined value when said carriage means moves within a predetermined distance of its extremity of travel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said speed control means includes circuit means for preventing the attenuation of said control signal when said carriage means is traveling in a direction away from its extremity of travel.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
271 words
In a scintillation recording apparatus, a radiation detector including circuitry for developing a train of electrical pulses representative of the value of radiation activity measured by the detector, computing circuit means coupled to said detector circuitry for converting said train of electrical pulses to an output signal having a value representative of the number of electrical pulses developed in a predetermined time interval, the improvement comprising: a. color printer means including a printing ribbon having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally and in side-by-side relation; b. carriage means for supporting said color means for movement so that the position of the color bands may be varied in accordance with the value of measured radiation activity; c. drive means for, upon receipt of a control signal, positioning said carriage means at a position representative of the value of said control signal; d. printing stylus means disposed adjacent said printing ribbon; e. second drive means for, upon actuation, driving said stylus means to a printing position wherein said stylus means engages a portion of said ribbon; f. memory circuit means for, upon receipt of said electrical pulse from said detector circuit, storing a signal indicative that an electrical pulse has been received; g. gating circuit means for actuating said second drive means at a predetermined period of time after a signal Has been stored in said memory circuit means to thereby cause said stylus to be driven to a printing position; and, h. reset circuit means for, upon actuation of said second drive means, resetting said memory circuit means for storage of another signal indicative that another electrical pulse has been received.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
271 words
In a scintillation recording apparatus, a radiation detector including circuitry for developing a train of electrical pulses representative of the value of radiation activity measured by the detector, computing circuit means coupled to said detector circuitry for converting said train of electrical pulses to an output signal having a value representative of the number of electrical pulses developed in a predetermined time interval, the improvement comprising: a. color printer means including a printing ribbon having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally and in side-by-side relation; b. carriage means for supporting said color means for movement so that the position of the color bands may be varied in accordance with the value of measured radiation activity; c. drive means for, upon receipt of a control signal, positioning said carriage means at a position representative of the value of said control signal; d. printing stylus means disposed adjacent said printing ribbon; e. second drive means for, upon actuation, driving said stylus means to a printing position wherein said stylus means engages a portion of said ribbon; f. memory circuit means for, upon receipt of said electrical pulse from said detector circuit, storing a signal indicative that an electrical pulse has been received; g. gating circuit means for actuating said second drive means at a predetermined period of time after a signal Has been stored in said memory circuit means to thereby cause said stylus to be driven to a printing position; and, h. reset circuit means for, upon actuation of said second drive means, resetting said memory circuit means for storage of another signal indicative that another electrical pulse has been received.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein said memory circuit means includes bistable circuit means for storing another signal indicative of another electrical pulse during a period of time when said second drive means is being actuated to cause said stylus to be driven to a printing position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a scintillation recording apparatus, a radiation detector including circuitry for developing a train of electrical pulses representative of the value of radiation activity measured by the detector, computing circuit means coupled to said detector circuitry for converting said train of electrical pulses to an output signal having a value representative of the number of electrical pulses developed in a predetermined time interval, the improvement comprising: a. color means having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally and in side-by-side relation; b. carriage means for supporting said color means for movement so that the position of the color bands may be varied in accordance with the value of measured radiation activity; c. drive means for, upon receipt of a control signal, positioning said carriage means at a position representative of the value of a said control signal; d. motor control circuit means coupled to said computing circuit means for developing a said motor control signal having a value representative of the value of said output signal; and, e. contrast enhancement control means including variable circuit means for altering the relative position of the color bands with respect to the value of measured radiation activity.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a scintillation recording apparatus, a radiation detector including circuitry for developing a train of electrical pulses representative of the value of radiation activity measured by the detector, computing circuit means coupled to said detector circuitry for converting said train of electrical pulses to an output signal having a value representative of the number of electrical pulses developed in a predetermined time interval, the improvement comprising: a. color means having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally and in side-by-side relation; b. carriage means for supporting said color means for movement so that the position of the color bands may be varied in accordance with the value of measured radiation activity; c. drive means for, upon receipt of a control signal, positioning said carriage means at a position representative of the value of a said control signal; d. motor control circuit means coupled to said computing circuit means for developing a said motor control signal having a value representative of the value of said output signal; and, e. contrast enhancement control means including variable circuit means for altering the relative position of the color bands with respect to the value of measured radiation activity.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
99 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 37 wherein said contrast enhancement means includes a differential amplifier for amplifying said output signal and having one input terminal coupled to said computing circuit means, another input terminal connected to a source of reference potential, and an output terminal for developing a motor control signal, and variable circuit means for varying the gain of said differential amplifier with reference to said reference potential in order to vary the amplification of signals applied to said motor control circuit means without causing said signals to exceed a maximum level established by said reference potential.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 38 including an intensity control having a variable control means for attenuating the value of the signal applied by said amplifier to said motor control means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
202 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. signal emitting means for producing a signal in response to incident radiation stimuli; b. a frame structure and a signal emitting means support structure movably carried by said frame structure and carrying the signal emitting means; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for effecting relative movement of said structures along a preselected drive path; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to receive and support an imprintable media; e. color printer means carried by the other of said structures and being operably connected to said signal emitting means for printing a sequence of images on a media which vary in color in accordance with the sensed intensity of incident radiation; and, f. said color printer means including a printing stylus, a pair of spools, a printing ribbon having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally thereof having opposite end portions wound on said spools and having an intermediate portion extending between said spools, and carriage means for laterally shifting said intermedate portion, at least in part, relative to said spools and relative to said printing stylus to Selectively align said color bands one at a time with said printing stylus.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
202 words
A scintillation scanner comprising: a. signal emitting means for producing a signal in response to incident radiation stimuli; b. a frame structure and a signal emitting means support structure movably carried by said frame structure and carrying the signal emitting means; c. a drive assembly interposed between said structures for effecting relative movement of said structures along a preselected drive path; d. media support means carried by one of said structures and adapted to receive and support an imprintable media; e. color printer means carried by the other of said structures and being operably connected to said signal emitting means for printing a sequence of images on a media which vary in color in accordance with the sensed intensity of incident radiation; and, f. said color printer means including a printing stylus, a pair of spools, a printing ribbon having a plurality of color bands extending longitudinally thereof having opposite end portions wound on said spools and having an intermediate portion extending between said spools, and carriage means for laterally shifting said intermedate portion, at least in part, relative to said spools and relative to said printing stylus to Selectively align said color bands one at a time with said printing stylus.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
81 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 40 wherein: a. said color printer means additionally includes a housing structure movably mounting said printing stylus and said carriage means; b. said carriage means includes a pair of guide rollers each of which have tapered end regions separated by a central region, the end regions being of a greater diameter than is the central region; and , c. said printing ribbon is supported by said guide rollers for lateral movement relative to said printing stylus.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
72 words
The scintillation scanner of claim 40 wherein said color printer means additionally includes: a. a housing structure movably mounting said printing stylus and said carriage means; b. drive means interposed between said housing structure and said carriage means for laterally shifting said ribbon in response to signals from said signal emitting means; c. attenuation means for attenuating the speed of movement of said carriage as it approaches the ends of its travel.
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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |