US4829339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Film printing/reading system
Assignee: SILHOUETTE TECHNOLOGY Inc 30 WETMORE AVE MORRISTOWN NJ 07960 A CORP OF NJ
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Filing: 1987-05-26
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Granted: 1989-05-09
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Expires: 2007-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A photographic system for accurately reproducing encoded information onto a recording medium is disclosed. The system includes an image/light source, a feedback sensor, a lens assembly, a controller, a recording medium assembly and a reading sensor, whereby encoded information is decomposed into sections, adjusted, and transmitted such that the sections are correctly aligned and smoothly joined into a final reproduced image. According to the present invention, encoded information can also be digitized and read.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene J. Dwyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/04; H04N1/10; H04N1/1004; G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/003; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00281; H04N1/00283; H04N1/047; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/024; H04N2201/02406; H04N2201/02425; H04N2201/02439; H04N2201/028; H04N2201/03; H04N2201/031; H04N2201/03104; H04N2201/0315; H04N2201/03154; H04N2201/04; H04N2201/0402; H04N2201/0404; H04N2201/0414; H04N2201/0426; H04N2201/047; H04N2201/04701; H04N2201/0471; H04N2201/04712; H04N2201/04729; H04N2201/04731; H04N2201/04734; H04N2201/04744; H04N2201/04753; H04N2201/04758; H04N2201/0476; H04N2201/04789; H04N2201/04791; H04N2201/04794
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for reading an image which has been recorded onto a recording medium comprising: an image source which emits light rays, each of said light rays having a first position with respect to said feedback means coupled to said image source for adjusting each of said light rays to a second position correspondable to a selected position on said recording medium; transmitting means for selectively transmitting each light ray from said second position onto said recording medium at its corresponding said selection position; and means for reading said image that has been recorded onto said recording medium, said means for reading comprising a light sensor located behind said recording medium, means responsive to said image source and said light source for measuring a first intensity of the light ray as it is emitted from said image source and a second intensity of the light ray after the light ray has been transmitted to said recording medium, thereby measuring a select physical characteristic of the image on the recording medium, and means for digitizing the measured select physical characteristic of the image on the recording medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for reading an image which has been recorded onto a recording medium comprising: an image source which emits light rays, each of said light rays having a first position with respect to said feedback means coupled to said image source for adjusting each of said light rays to a second position correspondable to a selected position on said recording medium; transmitting means for selectively transmitting each light ray from said second position onto said recording medium at its corresponding said selection position; and means for reading said image that has been recorded onto said recording medium, said means for reading comprising a light sensor located behind said recording medium, means responsive to said image source and said light source for measuring a first intensity of the light ray as it is emitted from said image source and a second intensity of the light ray after the light ray has been transmitted to said recording medium, thereby measuring a select physical characteristic of the image on the recording medium, and means for digitizing the measured select physical characteristic of the image on the recording medium.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for reading encoded information which has been recorded on a recording medium comprising the steps of: emitting light rays from a light source; transmitting said light rays through a transmission means onto said recording medium; measuring a first intensity of each of said light rays as it is emitted from said light source; measuring a second intensity of each of said light rays after said light ray has been transmitted onto said recording medium; comparing the first intensity with the second intensity thereby measuring a select physical characteristic of said image on said recording medium; and digitizing the select physical characteristic of said image as measured on said recording medium.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for reading encoded information which has been recorded on a recording medium comprising the steps of: emitting light rays from a light source; transmitting said light rays through a transmission means onto said recording medium; measuring a first intensity of each of said light rays as it is emitted from said light source; measuring a second intensity of each of said light rays after said light ray has been transmitted onto said recording medium; comparing the first intensity with the second intensity thereby measuring a select physical characteristic of said image on said recording medium; and digitizing the select physical characteristic of said image as measured on said recording medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 including the additional step of placing color filters between said light source and said recording medium.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
258 words
An apparatus for recording an image onto a light recording medium comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is moveable over a surface area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the surface of the light source which corresponds to a print position to be printed on the recording medium which has print position coordinates; a light transmitting device disposed between the light source and the recording medium for selectively transmitting the light from the image source to the recording medium; a light position sensor having a target area optically coupled to light emitted from any position throughout the surface area of the light source used for recording for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the surface of the light source and generating a position signal identifying coordinates of the position of the light within the target area; and wherein the controller, responsive to the position signal, calculates coordinates of the light on the recording medium which are a function of the position signal, compares coordinates of the print position and the calculated coordinates on the recording medium which are a function of the position signal, and modifies the position of the light on the surface area of the light source to cause the light to move to coordinates on the surface area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the print position coordinates.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
258 words
An apparatus for recording an image onto a light recording medium comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is moveable over a surface area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the surface of the light source which corresponds to a print position to be printed on the recording medium which has print position coordinates; a light transmitting device disposed between the light source and the recording medium for selectively transmitting the light from the image source to the recording medium; a light position sensor having a target area optically coupled to light emitted from any position throughout the surface area of the light source used for recording for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the surface of the light source and generating a position signal identifying coordinates of the position of the light within the target area; and wherein the controller, responsive to the position signal, calculates coordinates of the light on the recording medium which are a function of the position signal, compares coordinates of the print position and the calculated coordinates on the recording medium which are a function of the position signal, and modifies the position of the light on the surface area of the light source to cause the light to move to coordinates on the surface area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the print position coordinates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein: the light transmitting device comprises an array of lenses and associated shutters which selectively permit passage of light through each individual lense of the array of lenses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein: the calculated coordinates are determined from the position signal and the lense of the lense array through which light is to pass for printing on the recording medium which is determined from the print position coordinates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein: the calculated coordinates are produced by using a sensor transfer mapping algorithm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein: the sensor algorithm utilizes a look-up table.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein: the sensor algorithm is a function of mathematical calculations and utilizes a look-up table.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein: the sensor algorithm is based upon geometrical relationships among a plane of the surface area of the light source, a plane of the target area, and a plane of the recording medium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein: the light source is a CRT.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein: the light position sensor is an array of photosensitive elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein: the array is comprised of a charge coupled device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein: the array is comprised of photodiodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein: the array is comprised of charge injection devices.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein: the position of the light is modified by the controller if the print position coordinates differ from the calculated coordinates by an amount greater than a threshold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein: the light source is modulated to print pixels on the recording medium with the controller comparing the coordinates of the print position with the calculated coordinates prior to printing each pixel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein: the light source is modulated to print pixels on the recording medium with the controller comparing coordinates of the print position of the light with the calculated coordinates prior to printing a group of pixels on an area of the recording medium covering less than a total area of the recording medium to be printed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein: the position of the light is not modified by the controller if a difference between coordinates of the print position differ from the calculated coordinates by an amount less than a threshold; and the transmitting device passes the light to the recording medium without modification of position on the surface area of the light source.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed, within an optical path intersecting an optical path of light emitted from the light source, between the light source and the light transmitting device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein: a beam splitter is disposed within the optical path of light emitted from the light source and splits light from light emitted from the light source and directs the split light to the light position sensor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path of light reflected from the recording medium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein the light position sensor comprises: a plurality of lenses disposed in an array with each of the lenses of the array being positioned to intercept light emanating from a different section of the surface of the light source; and an array of photosensitive elements optically coupled to the plurality of lenses, each of the plurality of lenses of the array having a focal area which permits the light to fall on all of the photosensitive elements of the target area which may be resolved into coordinates.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein the light beam position sensor comprises: a plurality of lenses disposed in an array with each of the lenses of the array being positioned to intercept reflected light emanating from a different section of the surface of the light source; and an array of photosensitive elements optically coupled to the plurality of lenses, each of the plurality of lenses of the array having a focal area which permits the light to fall on all of the photosensitive elements of the target area which may be resolved into coordinates.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein: the position of the light is modified by the controller if the print position coordinates differ from the calculated coordinates by an amount greater than a threshold prior to passage of the light through the light transmitting device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein: the light source is modulated to print pixels on the recording medium with the controller comparing the coordinates of the desired position of the light with the calculated coordinates prior to printing each pixel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein: the light source is modulated to print pixels on the recording medium with the controller comparing coordinates of the print position of the light with the calculated coordinates prior to printing a group of pixels on an area of the recording medium covering less than a total area of the recording medium to be printed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein: the position of the light is not modified by the controller if a difference between coordinates of the print position differ from the calculated coordinates by an amount less than a threshold; and the light transmitting device passes the light to the recording medium without modification of position on the surface area of the light source.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein: each shutter is controlled by the controller to selectively open to permit light to pass to the recording medium.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 29 further comprising: a plurality of color filters disposed between the light source and the recording medium, each filter being individually positionable in an optical path of light passing to the recording medium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed, within an optical path intersecting an optical pat of light emitted from the light source, between the light source and the light transmitting device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein: a beam splitter is disposed within the optical path of light emitted from the light source and splits light from light emitted from the light source and directs the split light to the light position sensor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path of light reflected from the recording medium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein the light position sensor comprises: a plurality of lenses disposed in an array with each of the lenses of the array being positioned to intercept light emanating from a different section of the surface of the light source; and an array of photosensitive elements optically coupled to the plurality of lenses, each of the plurality of lenses of the array having a focal area which permits the light to fall on all of the photosensitive elements of the target area which may be resolved into coordinates.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein the light beam position sensor comprises: a plurality of lenses disposed in an array with each of the lenses of the array being positioned to intercept reflected light emanating from a different section of the surface of the light source; and an array of photosensitive elements optically coupled to the plurality of lenses, each of the plurality of lenses of the array having a focal area which permits the light to fall on all of the photosensitive elements of the target area which may be resolved into coordinates.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
296 words
An apparatus for reading an image which has been recorded on a recording medium comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is movable over a surface area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the surface of the light source which corresponds to a printed position which has been recorded on the recording medium which has print position coordinates; a light transmitting device disposed between the light source and the recording medium for selectively transmitting the light from the image source to the recording medium; a light position sensor having a target area optically coupled to light emitted from any position throughout the surface area of the light source used for reading for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the surface of the light source and generating a position signal identifying coordinates of the position of the light within the target area; the controller, responsive to the position signal, calculates coordinates of the light on the recording medium which are a function of the position signal, compares the print position coordinates of the printed position and the calculated coordinates on the recording medium which are a function of the position signal, and modifies the position of the light on the surface area of the light source to cause the light to move to coordinates on the surface area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the print position coordinates; and a reading sensor positioned for being optically coupled to light from the light source for sensing light intercepting a recorded medium which is disposed between the light source and the recording sensor.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
296 words
An apparatus for reading an image which has been recorded on a recording medium comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is movable over a surface area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the surface of the light source which corresponds to a printed position which has been recorded on the recording medium which has print position coordinates; a light transmitting device disposed between the light source and the recording medium for selectively transmitting the light from the image source to the recording medium; a light position sensor having a target area optically coupled to light emitted from any position throughout the surface area of the light source used for reading for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the surface of the light source and generating a position signal identifying coordinates of the position of the light within the target area; the controller, responsive to the position signal, calculates coordinates of the light on the recording medium which are a function of the position signal, compares the print position coordinates of the printed position and the calculated coordinates on the recording medium which are a function of the position signal, and modifies the position of the light on the surface area of the light source to cause the light to move to coordinates on the surface area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the print position coordinates; and a reading sensor positioned for being optically coupled to light from the light source for sensing light intercepting a recorded medium which is disposed between the light source and the recording sensor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein: the light transmitting device comprises an array of lenses and associated shutters which selectively permit passage of light through each individual lense of the array of lenses.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 37 wherein: the calculated coordinates are determined from the position signal and the lense of the lense array through which light is to pass for reading the recorded recording medium which is determined from the print position coordinates.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 38 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed, within an optical path intersecting an optical path of light emitted from the light source, between the light source and the light transmitting device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 39 wherein: a beam splitter is disposed within the optical path of light emitted from the light source and splits light from light emitted from the light source and directs the split light to the light position sensor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 39 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path of light reflected from the recorded recording medium.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 39 wherein the light position sensor comprises: a plurality of lenses disposed in an array with each of the lenses of the array being positioned to intercept light emanating from a different section of the surface of the light source; and an array of photosensitive elements optically coupled to the plurality of lenses, each of the plurality of lenses of the array having a focal area which permits the light to fall on all of the photosensitive elements of the target area which may be resolved into coordinates.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 41 wherein the light beam position sensor comprises: a plurality of lenses disposed in an array with each of the lenses of the array being positioned to intercept reflected light emanating from a different section of the surface of the light source; and an array of photosensitive elements optically coupled to the plurality of lenses, each of the plurality of lenses of the array having a focal area which permits the light to fall any of the photosensitive elements of the target area which may be resolved into coordinates.
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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) | 1992-05-08 | 1992-11-07 | 1993-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-08 | 1996-11-07 | 1997-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-08 | 2000-11-07 | 2001-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |