Patent US4922284A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4922284A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film printing/reading system
Assignee: Silhouette Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1989-05-04
•
Granted: 1990-05-01
•
Expires: 2009-05-04
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
2026-11-07 15:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00281; H04N1/00283; G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/003; H04N1/04; H04N1/047; H04N1/10; H04N1/1004; 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: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for recording an image on a light recording medium comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is moveable over an area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the area of the light source which corresponds to a recording position to be recorded on the recording medium which has recording position coordinates: a light transmitting device, disposed between the light source and the recording medium, for 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 a plurality of positions within the area of the light source used for recording for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the area of the light source and generating at least one signal dependent upon the position of the light intersecting the target area; and wherein the controller, responsive to the signal, produces at least one correction parameter and controls the position of the light on the area of the light source as a function of the at least one correction parameter to cause the light to move to coordinates on the area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the recording position coordinates.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for recording an image on a light recording medium comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is moveable over an area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the area of the light source which corresponds to a recording position to be recorded on the recording medium which has recording position coordinates: a light transmitting device, disposed between the light source and the recording medium, for 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 a plurality of positions within the area of the light source used for recording for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the area of the light source and generating at least one signal dependent upon the position of the light intersecting the target area; and wherein the controller, responsive to the signal, produces at least one correction parameter and controls the position of the light on the area of the light source as a function of the at least one correction parameter to cause the light to move to coordinates on the area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the recording position coordinates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the at least one correction parameter is produced by a plurality of comparisons with each comparison being a comparison of calculated coordinates of the light from the lght source on a different point produced in response to the signal and corresponding recording position coordinates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the at least one correction parameter is produced by an algorithm which processes calculated coordinates of a plurality of points produced in response to the signal and corresponding recording position coordinates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 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; and the controller is also responsive to the individual lense of the array transmitting light in producing the at least one correction parameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the light source is a CRT.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the light position sensor is an array of photosensitive elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus is accordance with claim 6 wherein: the array is comprised of a charge coupled device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein: the array is comprised of photodiodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the controller, responsive to the signal, calculates coordinates which are a function of the signal, processes the recording position coordinates and corresponding calculated coordinates to produce the at least one correction parameter as a function of the recording position and calculated coordinates; and the position of the light is modified by the controller as a function of the at least one correction parameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein: the light source is modulated to record pixels on the recording medium with the controller modifying the coordinates of the light position with the at least one correction parameter prior to printing each pixel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein: the light source is modulated to record pixels on the recording medium with the controller modifying the coordinates of the light on the light surface with the correction parameter during recording of a group of pixels on an area of the recording medium covering less that a total area of the recording medium to be recorded.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path intersecting light emitted from the light source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 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 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path of light reflected from the recording medium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 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 section of the area 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 intersect photosensitive elements within the target area to resolve a point of the intersection into coordinates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 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 intersect reflected light emanating from a section of the surface of the recording medium; 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 intersect photosensitive elements within the target area to resolve a point of intersection into coordinates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein: the controller, responsive to the signal, calculates coordinates which are a function of the signal, processes the recording position coordinates with the calculated coordinates and produces the at least one correction parameter as a function of the processed print position, calculated coordinates and the lense through which light is transmitted; and the position of the light is modified by the controller if the recording position coordinates differ from th- calculated coordinates by an amount greater than a threshold prior to passage of the light through the light transmitting device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein: the light source is modulated to record pixels on the recording medium with the controller comparing the coordinates of the desired position of the light with the calculated coordinates prior to recording each pixel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
110 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein: the controller, responsive to the signal, calculates coordinates which are a function of the signal, processes the recording position coordinates with the calculated coordinates, and produces the at least one correction parameter as a function of the processed print position, calculated coordinates and the lense through which light is transmitted; and the light source is modulated to record pixels on the recording medium with the controller comparing the recording position coordinates with the calculated coordinates prior to recording 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 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein: the controller, responsive to the signal, calculates coordinates which are a function of the signal, processes the recording position coordinates with the calculated coordinates and produces the at least one correction parameter as a function of the processed recording position and calculated coordinates; 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 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path intersecting an optical path of light emitted from the light source.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
A apparatus in accordance with claim 21 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 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path of light reflected from the recording medium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 23 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 intersect light emanating from a section of the area 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 intersect photosensitive elements within the target area to resolve a point of intersection into coordinates.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein the light beam position sensor comprises: a plurality of lenses imposed in an array with each of the lenses of the array being positioned to intercept reflected light emanating from a section of the area 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
Independent Claim
271 words
An apparatus for reading an image which has been recorded on a recording medium by reading a plurality of previously recorded sections comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is moveable over an area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the area of the light source which corresponds to a recorded position which has been recorded on the recording medium which has recorded position coordinates; a light transmitting device disposed between the light source and the recording medium for 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 a plurality of positions within the area of the light source used for reading for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the area of the light source and generating at least one signal independent upon the position of the light intersecting the target area; and a reading sensor positioned for being optically coupled to light from the light source for sensing light intersecting the recorded medium; and wherein the controller, responsive to the signal, produces at least one correction parameter, controls the reading of recorded sections by controlling the position of the light on the area of the light source as a function of the at least one correction parameter to cause the light to move to coordinates on the area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the recorded position coordinates.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
271 words
An apparatus for reading an image which has been recorded on a recording medium by reading a plurality of previously recorded sections comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is moveable over an area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the area of the light source which corresponds to a recorded position which has been recorded on the recording medium which has recorded position coordinates; a light transmitting device disposed between the light source and the recording medium for 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 a plurality of positions within the area of the light source used for reading for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the area of the light source and generating at least one signal independent upon the position of the light intersecting the target area; and a reading sensor positioned for being optically coupled to light from the light source for sensing light intersecting the recorded medium; and wherein the controller, responsive to the signal, produces at least one correction parameter, controls the reading of recorded sections by controlling the position of the light on the area of the light source as a function of the at least one correction parameter to cause the light to move to coordinates on the area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the recorded position coordinates.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 26 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 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein: the controller calculates coordinates of the light which are a function of the signal and the lense through which light is transmitted and processes the reading position coordinates of the reading position and the calculated coordinates which are a function of the signal to produce the at least one correction parameter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 28 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path intersecting an optical path of light emitted from the light source.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 29 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 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 29 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path of light reflected from the recorded recording medium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 29 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 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 intersect photosensitive elements within the target area to resolve a point of intersection into coordinates
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
94 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 bring positioned to intersect reflected light emanating from a different section of the area 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 intersect photosensitive elements within the target area to resolve a point of intersection into coordinates.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
252 words
An apparatus for recording an image onto a light recording medium by recording a plurality of sections which constitute the image comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is movable over an area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the area of the light source which corresponds to a recording position to be recorded on the recording medium which has recording position coordinates; a light transmitting device disposed between the light source and the recording medium for 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 a plurality of positions within the area of the light source used for recording for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the area of the light source and generating a signal dependent upon the position of the light intersecting the target area; and wherein the controller, responsive to the signal, produces at least one correction parameter, controls the recording of the sections to record the image by controlling the position of the light on the area of the light source with the at least one correction parameter during the recording of each section to cause the light to move to coordinates on the area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the recording position coordinates.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
252 words
An apparatus for recording an image onto a light recording medium by recording a plurality of sections which constitute the image comprising: a light source which emits light at a position which is movable over an area of the light source controlled by a controller, the position of the light being subject to deviation from a desired position on the area of the light source which corresponds to a recording position to be recorded on the recording medium which has recording position coordinates; a light transmitting device disposed between the light source and the recording medium for 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 a plurality of positions within the area of the light source used for recording for detecting the position of the light intersecting the target area of the sensor from the area of the light source and generating a signal dependent upon the position of the light intersecting the target area; and wherein the controller, responsive to the signal, produces at least one correction parameter, controls the recording of the sections to record the image by controlling the position of the light on the area of the light source with the at least one correction parameter during the recording of each section to cause the light to move to coordinates on the area of the light source to cause the light to intersect the recording medium at the recording position coordinates.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 wherein: the controller produces a plurality of correction parameters, each correction parameter being used during the recording of at least one area within the image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein: the correction parameters are sequentially produced by the controller with each sequentially produced correction parameter being used during recording of a different area.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein: the correction parameters are produced by a correction algorithm which processes calculated coordinates of a plurality of points on the recording medium produced in response to the signal and corresponding recording position coordinates.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 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
14 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 wherein: the light source is a CRT.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 wherein: the light position sensor is an array of photosensitive elements.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 wherein: the array is comprised of a charge coupled device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 wherein: the array is comprised of photodiodes.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 wherein: the controller, responsive to the signal, calculates coordinates of the light which are a function of the signal, processes the recording position coordinates and corresponding calculated coordinates to produce the at least one correction parameter as a function of the processed recording position and calculated coordinates; and the position of the light is modified by the controller as a function of the at least one correction parameter if the recording position coordinates differ from the calculated coordinates by an amount greater than a threshold.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 43 wherein: the light source is modulated to print pixels on the recording medium with the controller modifying the coordinates of the light position with the at least one correction parameter prior to printing each pixel.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 43 wherein: the light source is modulated to print pixels on the recording medium with the controller modifying coordinates of the light on the light surface with the at least one correction parameter during recording of a group of pixels of an area of the recording medium covering less than a total area of the recording medium to be recorded.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 44 wherein: the controller does not modify the position of the light by the at least one correction parameter if a difference between the recording position coordinates and the calculated coordinates is 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 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path intersecting light emitted from the light source.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 47 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 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 47 wherein: the light position sensor is disposed within an optical path of light reflected from the recording medium.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 47 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 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 the photosensitive elements of the target area which may be resolved into coordinates.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
93 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 49 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 section of the surface of the recording medium; 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 the photosensitive elements of the target area which may be resolved into coordinates.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-30 | 1997-10-30 | 1998-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-30 | 2001-10-30 | 2002-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |