U.S. patent number RE31,239 [Application Number 06/068,484] was granted by the patent office on 1983-05-10 for information storage and reproduction system.
Invention is credited to Jerome H. Lemelson.
United States Patent |
RE31,239 |
Lemelson |
May 10, 1983 |
Information storage and reproduction system
Abstract
An information storage and reproduction apparatus is provided
which employs a master information storage system and a plurality
of monitor stations each provided with means for deriving selected
information from said master storage system as electrical signals
generated or communication channels established between said
monitor stations and said storage center. Each monitor station
includes a receiver-monitor set and means for converting signals
received from the master storage system to images on a screen which
are capable of being visually monitored and analyzed. Each monitor
station includes means for storing information received from the
master storage system either in the form of an image storage tube
operative to store and present information received directly from
the storage system or by means of an intermediate storage system
from which information signals may be selectively fed to the
monitor screen.
Inventors: |
Lemelson; Jerome H. (Metuchen,
NJ) |
Family
ID: |
27371349 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/068,484 |
Filed: |
August 20, 1979 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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347999 |
Feb 26, 1964 |
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515417 |
Jun 14, 1955 |
3003109 |
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668348 |
Jun 27, 1957 |
3051777 |
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765401 |
Oct 6, 1958 |
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Reissue of: |
781689 |
Nov 21, 1968 |
03539715 |
Nov 10, 1970 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K
17/0016 (20130101); H04N 1/00408 (20130101); G06K
17/0019 (20130101); H04N 2201/0404 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06K
17/00 (20060101); G06K 17/00 (20060101); H04N
007/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;358/102 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Britton; Howard
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 347,999, filed Feb.
26, 1964 and now abandoned, which was a continuation-in-part of my
copending applications Ser. No. 515,417 filed June 14, 1955, now
U.S. Pat. No. 3,003,109, Ser. No. 668,348 and filed on June 27,
1957, now U.S. Pat. 3,051,777 and Ser. No. 765,401 filed Oct. 6,
1958 now abandoned for Information Storage and Reproduction System.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information storage and retrieval system comprising:
(a) a master information storage station having means carrying
recorded information,
(b) signal input and output means for two-way communication with
said master information storage station,
(c) reading means for scanning said recorded information and
converting same to electrical signals, and means for generating
said electrical signals on said output means of said master
information storage station,
(d) first control means operative to cause said reading means to
read selected information recorded on said information carrying
means of said storage station,
(e) a plurality of monitor stations each having a visual display
means for displaying information,
(f) an erasable signal recording means associated with the means
displaying information at each monitor station for electrically
energizing said display means to generate and retain a pictorial
presentation of the information transmitted from said master
information storage station,
(g) a plurality of communication channels for signal communication
between said monitor station and said master information storage
station,
(h) a plurality of second control means including at least one
associated with each monitor station for selectively effecting a
communication link between the associated monitor station and said
master information storage station through one of said
communication channels so as to establish two-way communication
between the monitor station and said master information storage
station,
(i) third control means at each monitor station for selectively
controlling said first control means to cause said reading means to
read selected information from the means carrying recorded
information and to effect the transmission of selected information
signals from said master information storage station to the monitor
station from which said selective control is effected, and
(j) means at the monitor station for receiving the information
signals transmitted thereto from the master information storage
station and applying said signals to the erasable recording means
of the monitor station to permit the information to be displayed by
said display means.
2. An information storage and reproduction system in accordance
with claim 1 whereby said monitor means at said monitor stations
each include respective video storage means each having a display
screen and means for writing information on said display screen as
an image, said erasable recording means including means for storing
the information displayed and means for retaining the image on said
display screen for an extended period of time.
3. An information storage and reproduction system in accordance
with claim 1 whereby said monitor means at said monitor stations
comprise respective video storage means each having a cathode ray
image storage tube with a display screen and a write beam for
generating storage image information on said display screen, and
means associated with each video storage means for modulating said
write beam in accordance with the signals received from said master
information storage station to provide images on said display
screen which images are representative of the information
transmitted from said master information storage station.
4. An information storage and retrieval system in accordance with
claim 1, said erasable recording means including means for
recording a plurality of information signals received from said
master information storage system and further means for selectively
reproducing each information signal from said erasable recording
means and applying each reproduced signal to said visual monitor
means for displaying the information defined by said signal.
5. An information storage and reproduction system comprising:
(a) master information storage means carrying recorded
information,
(b) first reading means mounted adjacent to said information
storage means,
(c) said first reading means adapted to read said recorded
information,
(d) means for relatively moving said master information storage
means and said first reading means to permit said reading means to
read different portions of said recorded information,
(e) a plurality of monitor stations each including information
storage means,
(f) information selection means at said monitor station information
storage means,
(g) said first reading means controlled by said information
selection means for reading selected information from said master
station information storage means, and
(h) master control means provided between said first reading means
and said monitor stations for controlling the transmission of
selected and different portions of information from said master
information storage means to selected ones of said monitor
stations.
6. An information storage and reproduction system comprising:
(a) master information storage means carrying recorded
information,
(b) first electro-optical reading means mounted adjacent to said
information storage means and positional to read said recorded
information,
(c) one of said master information storage means and said first
reading means being controllably movable relative to the other so
that said reading means can read different selectable portions of
said recorded information,
(d) a plurality of monitor stations each including further
information storage means,
(e) information selection means coupled to said monitor station
information storage means,
(f) second electro-optical reading means coupled to said
information selection means for reading information selected
thereby from said monitor station information storage means,
and
(g) master control means coupled between said first reading means
and said monitor stations adapted to effect the transmission of
selected and different portions of information from said
information storage means to selected ones of said monitor means
for storage and later reading at said monitor station.
7. An information storage and reproduction system including:
(a) an information storage medium carrying a plurality of groups of
recorded information,
(b) first electro-optical reading means mounted adjacent to said
information storage medium and controllable to read all or selected
portions of said recorded information,
(c) means for relatively moving said information storage medium and
said first reading means to permit said reading means to read
different selectable portions of said groups of recorded
information,
(d) a plurality of monitor stations each including information
storage means, information selection means coupled to said
information storage means,
(e) reading means coupled to said information selection means for
reading information selected thereby, and
(f) master control means coupled between said first reading means
and said monitor stations adapted to control transmission of
selected and different portions of information from said
information storage medium to selected ones of said monitor
means.
8. An information storage and reproduction system in acordance with
claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., said information storage means of
said monitor stations including hard copy producing means, said
hard copy producing means being controllable to produce prints of
selected information transmitted thereto from said reading means of
said master information storage station.
9. An information storage and reproduction system in accordance
with claim 5, including copy producing means provided at certain of
said monitor stations and each operatively coupled to produce hard
copy prints of selected information transmitted thereto from said
master information storage station, and controlled means for said
hard copy producing means operative to control copy
reproduction.
10. An information system in accordance with claim 5, including
copy producing means at said monitor stations each operatively
coupled to the information storage means of the station and
operative to produce prints of selected information transmitted
thereto from said master information storage means, control means
for said copy producing means, and means generating control signals
accompanying the signals generated by said reading means and using
said control signals to activate the control means of the stations
to which said information signals are transmitted for producing
copies of the selected information transmitted thereto.
11. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination:
(a) conveying means containing a plurality of image frames arranged
in a tandem array,
(b) means for guiding and moving said conveying means in a fixed
path,
(c) scanning means adapted for scanning said conveying means,
(d) an image field generating means operatively connected to said
scanning means, and having storage means energizable by said
scanning means for generating an image field,
(e) an image copy recording member,
(f) a copy producing apparatus including servo means for moving
said copy recording member through the field of said image field
generating means, control means for said servo means,
(g) selection control means for causing the modulation of said
image field generating means by means of selected image information
derived when said scanning means scans selected of said plurality
of image frames,
(h) said selection control means being operatively connected to
said servo of said copy recording member for controlling operation
of said servo in a manner whereby said copy recording member is
moved through the field of said image field generating means to
provide a new section of said copy recording member in said field
for recording further information thereon.
12. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination:
(a) a conveying means containing a plurality of image frames
arranged in a tandem array,
(b) means for guiding and moving said conveying means in a fixed
path,
(c) scanning means adapted for scanning said conveying means,
(d) an image field generating means operatively connected to said
scanning means, and including a storage means energizable by said
scanning means to generate image fields of the scanned image
frames,
(e) an image copy recording member and means for positioning said
recording member to become exposed to image information as
generated on said image field generating means,
(f) a copy producing apparatus including servo means for moving
said copy recording member through said image field, control means
for said servo means.
(g) selective control means for selectively modulating said image
field generating means to generate an image field from information
derived when said scanning means scans selected of said plurality
of image frames.
(h) said control means including a plurality of code-bearing cards,
and a reading means for the codes on said cards,
(i) means for operating said reading means in a manner to generate
coded command signals from said codes on said cards, and
(j) means for employing said command signals in sequence to effect
the energization of said control means for said servo in a manner
to control the movement of said image copy recording member and the
activation of said scanning means to scan selected frames of
information and to modulate said image storage means with selected
image information.
13. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination with a multi-track conveying means for a plurality of
document recordings, said recordings occupying predetermined tandem
areas of a plurality of parallel tracks of said conveying means and
defining lateral rows of document recordings, means for scanning
said document recordings comprising a plurality of video
transducers each of which is operatively positioned for scanning a
respective track of said document recordings and is operative for
providing picture signals on the outputs of said scanning means as
generated in scanning said recordings, a plurality of monitor
stations, storage means for picture signals at each monitor
station, switching means operative to connect the outputs of a
selected of said video transducers with selected storage means of
said monitor stations, control means at each monitor station
operative to activate said switching means to operatively connect
the input to the storage means of the monitor station with a
selected video transducer and including gating means operative to
provide picture signals on a connected circuit to the storage means
of a monitor station and control document recording selection, said
control means for each monitor station adapted for activating said
gating means to provide picture signals on the connected circuit
generated in scanning selected recordings.
14. Apparaus in accordance with claim 13, each of said video
scanners being operatively positioned relative to said document
recording conveying means such that the leading edges of all
document recordings approaching each video transducer will
simultaneously be presented to each transducer, and means for
generating at least one signal for identifying each row of said
document recordings as said conveying means moves past said
transducing means, means for transmitting said identifying signal
to each monitor station, said control means for each monitor
station being operative in response to said row-identifying signals
for gating selected picture signals on the connected circuit.
15. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination with a conveying means for a plurality of document
recordings, said recordings occupying predetermined tandem areas of
a plurality of parallel recording tracks on said conveying means
and defining lateral rows of said recordings, means for moving said
conveying means in a path parallel to said tracks of document
recordings, means for scanning said document recordings comprising
a plurality of video transducers each of which is operatively
positioned for scanning a respective of said parallel columns of
document recordings, there being at least one transducer positioned
for scanning each of said tracks, said transducers each operative
for providing picture signals on the outputs of said scanning means
generated in scanning said recordings, a plurality of monitor
stations, means for storing a plurality of picture signals at each
monitor station, switching means operative to connect the output of
a selected of said scanning means with a selected of said storage
means of said monitor stations, first selection means for each
monitor station adapted, when operated to activate said switching
means, to operatively connect the input to the storage means of the
monitor station with a selected scanning means, gating means
operative to pass picture signals on a connected circuit to the
storage means of a monitor station and to control document
recording selection, control means for each monitor station adapted
for activating said gating means to provide picture signals on the
connected circuit generated in scanning selected recordings, and
second selection means at each monitor station operative to effect
the selective reproduction of picture signals from the monitor
station storage means and to effect transducing of said signals to
visible images.
16. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination, a plurality of document recordings provided as
separate groups of recordings, a plurality of video scanners
adapted for scanning individual recordings, conveying means for
said recordings operative for presenting individual recordings of
each group in the scanning field of a respective scanner whereby
the recordings of each group may be individually scanned, an output
means for each scanner on which picture signals derived from
scanning said recordings are generated, a plurality of monitor
stations, monitor means at each station including storage means for
picture signals and image generating means operatively connected to
said storage means, a communication system including a plurality of
communication channels, switching means operative to connect the
output of a selected of said video scanners with a storage means of
a selected monitor station, a first control means at each monitor
station including a selection means adapted when operated to
activate said switching means to operatively couple the monitor
station with a selected scanning means along one of said
communication channels for scanning recordings of a selected group,
a plurality of gating means including at least one switch for each
monitor station operative to pass picture signals to the storage
means thereof from a scanner connected thereto, control means at
each monitor station for activating said gating means for passing
picture signals generated in scanning selected recordings to said
picture signal storage means and providing selected images on said
image generating means.
17. Recording and reproduction apparatus comprising in
combination:
(a) a first endless track record bearing member having a plurality
of optically scannable information recordings provided on a first
record track area thereof,
(b) electro-optical means for scanning said recordings mounted off
said record member,
(c) a second recording member having an endless track erasable
recording area,
(d) means for simultaneously driving said second and first
recording members in substantially predetermined paths,
(e) said electro-optical scanning means being operatively coupled
to scan said first recording member and to transduce signals
derived therefrom onto said erasable recording member,
(f) selective control means for effecting the transducing of only
predetermined information recordings from said first record-bearing
member to said second recording member,
(g) pick-up means operatively coupled to scan said second recording
member and to transduce recordings thereon to electrical signals,
and
(h) a further transducing means operatively coupled to said
recording member pick-up means for converting said electrical
signals to a monitorable form.
18. Recording and reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim
17, in which said selective control means comprises a code-matching
relay adapted to generate an output signal upon being energized for
controlling the transducing of selected information from said first
record-bearing member to said erasable recording member, a
plurality of codes recorded on a further track of said first
record-bearing member adjacent said information recordings and
including at least one code for identifying each information
recording, reproduction means for said codes operatively connected
to said code matching relay, a selection code generating means
operatively connected to said code-matching relay including means
for generating predetermined selection codes each of which is
operative to energize said relay when a similar code is generated
by said reproduction means for said recorded codes whereby the
selected information recording, which is scanned by said
electro-optical means when said relay is energized, is transduced
and recorded on said erasable recording member.
19. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination:
(a) a conveyor having provided thereon a plurality of image fields
arranged in a tandem array and adapted to be moved by said conveyor
in a predetermined path,
(b) means for scanning said image fields,
(c) said scanning means comprising a plurality of video scanners
each having a respective output and adapted to produce on its
output a picture signal of each of said image fields scanned
thereby,
(d) a plurality of monitor stations, switching means having a
plurality of inputs which are adapted to receive picture signals
generated by a selected of said video scanners, control means for
said switching means and operative for connecting the output of a
selected scanning means with a selected monitor station,
(e) picture signal selection means for each of said monitor
stations adapted when operated to gate through said switching means
picture signals derived when said scanning means scans selected of
said image fields,
(f) storage means at each of said monitor stations adapted to
receive and store plural picture signals gated thereto from said
scanning means, and
(g) video display means at each of said monitor stations adapted to
convert picture signals received from said scanning means into a
visual image on a viewing screen thereof.
20. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination:
(a) a conveyor for a plurality of image fields, means for moving
said conveyor intermittently along a fixed path,
(b) a video scanning means positioned with respect to said conveyor
for scanning predetermined image fields thereof,
(c) said image fields being provided on said conveyor in a tandem
array and being so spaced that each will be essentially centered in
the scanning field of said scanning means during the intermittent
stoppage of said conveyor,
(d) the dwell period of said intermittent conveyor motion being
substantially equal to the time said video scanning means takes to
completely scan an image field while said conveyor is stopped and
to permit said scanning means to generate a picture signal on an
output thereof which picture signal is a modulated electrical
signal representative of the image field scanned,
(e) a plurality of monitor stations,
(f) a plurality of communication channels and switching means for
selectively connecting said monitor stations and said scanning
means,
(g) each of said monitor stations having a signal input which is
operatively connectable to said output of said scanning means
through switching means,
(h) selection means for each of said monitor stations operative to
gate through said switching means video signals derived when said
scanning means scans selected of said image fields,
(i) storage means at each of said monitor stations adapted to
receive and store picture signals information transmitted thereto
from said scanning means,
(j) and display means at each of said monitor stations adapted to
convert a picture signal received from said scanning means into a
visual image field on a viewing screen thereof.
21. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination:
(a) an endless track conveyor having a plurality of tracks of image
frame information provided thereon which frame information is
scannable from at least one side of said conveyor,
(b) said image frame information being arranged as a plurality of
rows of frames extending across said conveyor,
(c) a plurality of video scanners arranged in a lateral row
extending across said conveyor with each scanner of said row
positioned whereby a respective of said tracks will pass through
the scanning field of said scanner,
(d) automatically operative means for intermittently moving said
conveyor in a manner whereby when said conveyor is stopped,
respective frames of a row are each aligned in the scanning field
of a respective of said scanners and each frame remains in scanning
relationship with its scanner for a sufficient period of time to
permit the scanning means to scan said respective fields and to
each produce a respective picture signal on the outputs of said
.[.cameras.]. .Iadd.scanners.Iaddend.,
(e) a switching system,
(f) a plurality of monitor stations each having signal input means
operatively connectable to the output of one of said scanners
through said switching system,
(g) selection means for each of said monitor stations operative to
gate thereto through said switching system picture signals derived
from a selected of said scanners generated in scanning selected of
the image frames passing through its scanning field.
22. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination:
(a) image field scanning means, conveying means for a plurality of
different image field recordings arranged in a tandem array and
adapted to be moved by said conveying means in a predetermined path
relative to said scanning means,
(b) said scanning means being operative for producing on an output
thereof a picture signal of each of said image fields scanned
thereby,
(c) a plurality of monitor stations each having a signal input
which is operatively connectable to said output of said scanning
means, switching means operatively connecting said communication
channels and said monitor stations,
(d) selection means for each of said monitor stations operative to
gate through said switching means video signals derived when said
scanning means scans selected of said image fields,
(e) storage means including a recording apparatus at each of said
monitor stations adapted to receive and record plural picture
signals gated thereto from said scanning means, video image
generating means at said monitor stations,
(f) selection means at said monitor stations for selectively
reproducing said picture information recorded in said storage means
and for presenting said information at the input of said video
image generating means and means for converting said information to
a video image field.
23. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination:
(a) a conveyor including an elongated member having a plurality of
tandem arrays of image fields provided thereon which are visible
from at least one side of said elongated member,
(b) said arrays of image fields being arranged in a plurality of
parallelly extending tracks with the image fields of adjacent
tracks arranged in a plurality of lateral rows which are parallel
to each other,
(c) a plurality of video scanners mounted off said conveyor, each
adapted to scan a respective of said columns of image fields and to
provide picture signals on respective outputs of said scanners of
respective of said image fields when said fields are in the
scanning fields of said video scanners,
(d) a plurality of monitor stations each having a signal input and
switching means for connecting said input to receive picture
signals generated by any one of said video scanners,
(e) selection means for each of said monitor stations for operating
said switching means to gate video signals derived when said
scanning means scans selected of said image fields to said video
scanners,
(f) erasable storage means at each of said monitor stations for
receiving and storing a plurality of picture signals gated thereto
from said scanning means, and
(g) display means at each of said monitor stations including means
for converting a picture signal derived from said storage means
into a visual image field on a viewing screen thereof.
24. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination:
(a) conveying means for a plurality of image frames arranged
thereon as a plurality of tracks, a plurality of video scanners
arranged in a row across said plurality of tracks,
(b) said image frames each occupying substantially the same area
and being provided on said conveying means in a plurality of
parallelly extending tracks with the frames of each column aligned
in adjacent columns which extend in substantially parallel rows
across said conveying means with the frames of each row adapted to
simultaneously enter and leave the scanning fields of said row of
scanners,
(c) said conveying means having a position-indicating code track
provided on a longitudinal strip area thereof,
(d) means for reading said code track as said conveyor moves and
for providing said code as an electrical signal on an output of
said reading means,
(e) said code track being divided into tandemly arranged code units
each of which units, when reproduced by said reading means, is
indicative that a particular row of said image frames is in the
scanning fields of said row of said scanners,
(f) a plurality of monitor stations and a switching system, each of
said monitor stations having a signal input which is operatively
connectable to the output of any of said scanners through said
switching system,
(g) image frame reproduction selection means for each of said
monitor stations and operative to pass to its monitor station
picture signals derived from a selected of said scanners as it
scans selected of the image frames passing through its scanning
field, a code matching relay means having input means connected to
said means for reading said codes,
(h) said selection means including a switching means for
operatively connecting the output line of a selected of said
scanners with a line to any of said monitor stations,
(i) means for adjusting said code matching relay to cause it to
become energized when a predetermined code is present on its input
means from said code reading means,
(j) said code-matching relay including normally open switching
means for gating the picture signal output of said selected scanner
to a storage means at said connected monitor station for a
predetermined period of time after said code matching relay becomes
energized.
25. An information storage and reproduction system in accordance
with claim 24, each of said monitor stations having a bi-stable
switch in its input line for gating selected picture signals from
the output of said selected video scanner to a storage means
therefore, said code-matching relay means comprising a pair of code
matching relays each of which is operative to receive the
electrical code produced by said code reading means, a first of
said code matching relays operative when it becomes energized to
close said bi-stable switch, the other of said relays being
operative to open said bi-stable switch, and means for presetting
said code-matching relays to close and open said bi-stable switch
in a manner whereby only selected picture signals produced by said
selected scanner will be gated to said storage means through said
switch.
26. An information storage and reproduction system in accordance
with claim 25, including movement means for said conveyor
comprising an intermittent drive operative to position each row of
said image frames while stopped adjacent a row of scanners whereby
each frame of said row is centered in the scanning field of the
scanner scanning the track thereof, said video scanners having beam
scanning means and control means therefore for controlling the
movement of its scanning beam in reading said image field in a
predetermined path across said field and providing on an output of
said scanner a modulated picture signal, means synchronized to the
movement of said conveyor for providing an electrical trigger
signal each time said conveyor comes to rest, a trigger input to
said beam controlling means adapted when energized to effect the
controlled movement of said reading beam in scanning said complete
image field, said trigger signal producing means being connected to
said trigger input of said beam controlling means whereby each time
said conveyor positions a new row of frames in the scanning field
of said row of scanners the scanning beams of said cameras will
scan said fields, said intermittent motion of said conveyor being
such that a frame will remain in the scanning field of a respective
camera for a time interval sufficient for the scanning beams of all
cameras to simultaneously effect complete screen sweep of their
respective fields and provide picture signals thereof on their
outputs.
27. An information storage and reproduction system comprising in
combination:
(a) a conveyor for a plurality of image frames including means for
automatically moving said conveyor in a fixed path relative to
plural rows of video scanning cameras,
(b) each of said image frames occupying substantially the same area
and being provided on said conveyor in a plurality of parallelly
extending tracks with frames of adjacent tracks aligned in rows and
extending as a plurality of substantially parallel rows across said
conveyor whereby the frames of each row simultaneously enter and
leave the scanning fields of respective of said cameras,
(c) said cameras in each row being positionally staggered relative
said conveyor whereby a camera in one row scans a particular column
of said frames and the column adjacent thereto is scanned by a
camera in another row of said cameras such that the spacing of said
columns may be closer than the separation of the scanning fields of
two adjacent cameras when their housings are in touch with each
other,
(d) means for scanning said columns of image information and
providing picture signals of said scanning on the outputs of said
cameras.
28. Information storage and reproduction apparatus comprising in
combination:
(a) transport means for an elongated flat record-bearing member
containing a plurality of record tracks defined as separate rows of
first image frames extending longitudinally along said
record-bearing member and parallel to each other,
(b) means for monitoring information contained on said flat record
member including:
(i) electro-optical means for scanning selected or said image
frames, and
(ii) visual monitor means in operative relation with said
electro-optical means and including a visual presentation means
having an image screen,
(c) means for operaing said electro-optical means to scan a first
track of said record member,
(d) frame selection means for selectively presenting enlarged still
images representative of selected of the images of said first image
frames, one at a time on said screen,
(e) means operative to control the relative movement of said
electro-optical means and said transport means for said elongated
flat record-bearing member to permit the scanning of selected image
frames of said record-bearing member by said electro-optical
means,
(f) a first manual control means connected to said frame selection
means for effecting the scanning of a selected row of image frames,
second control means operative to cause the transmission of
information generated in scanning a selected image frame of a
selected row of said record-bearing member and the generation of a
still image of said selected frame on said screen for the visual
monitoring thereof,
(g) said first and second selection control means each being
variably selectively operative to effect the scanning of selected
others of said rows of image frames and the generation of images of
selected frames in said rows on said screen in any order depending
on how both said selection control means are operated.
29. An information storage and reproduction apparatus in accordance
with claim 28, wherein said record-bearing member is a flat
sheet-like member containing a plurality of tandem arrays of image
frames arranged in substantially parallel lateral rows, each
comprising one frame of each longitudinal row and means for
automatically predeterminately locating each lateral row of said
frames with respect to said electro-optical means while scanning a
selected longitudinal row thereof whereby predetermined individual
frames of each longitudinal row may be selectively scanned and
monitored.
30. An apparatus in accordance with claim 29, whereby frame marker
means are recorded on said recording member and are indicative of
the locations of respective lateral rows of said frames and means
for selectively scanning said marker means, frame selection control
means operatively connected to said marker scanning means for
causing the scanning of a selected frame of a selected longitudinal
row of frames and the production of an image thereof on said visual
presentation means.
31. An apparatus in accordance with claim 30, said marker means
comprising a plurality of binary codes including at least one code
associated with and predeterminately located relative to each
recorded video picture signal.
32. An information storage and reproduction system comprising:
(a) master information storage means carrying recorded information
defined as a plurality of discrete document recordings,
(b) first reading means for reading said document recordings,
(c) monitor means including viewing means communicating with the
output of said first reading means,
(d) first control means at said monitor means,
(e) second control means selectively operable for causing selected
information to be read and transmitted from said storage means to
said monitor means,
(f) a plurality of record members containing coded information for
retrieving information from said master information storage
means,
(g) said first control means including means for removably
receiving a record member and reading said coded information from
said record member,
(h) means for operatively connecting the output of said reading
means of said first control means to said record control means for
selectively operating said second control means to transmit
selected information to said monitor means,
(i) said monitor means including a viewing screen modulatable by
information received from said first reading means to permit the
viewing of document information as selected by coded information
generated in reading selected record members.
33. A system in accordance with claim 31, said record members
comprising a plurality of record cards, said first control means
including a card reader, and means for generating coded electrical
signals representative of selected information sought from said
master information storage means, said second control means being
responsive to said coded signals and operative upon receiving a
coded signal to effect the transmission of predetermined document
information from said first reading means to said monitor
means.
34. A system in accordance with claim 33, said second control means
including comparator means and identifying code means associated
with said document recordings of said master information storage
means including at least one discrete code associated with each
recording, means for reading said document code recording and
transmitting same to said comparator means, said comparator means
being operative to receive a selection code generated by said
reading means of said first control means and to generate a control
signal when the code received from said means reading said document
code recordings and said means reading said coded information on a
selected record member are the same, and means responsive to said
control signal for controlling selected information to modulate
said monitor means.
35. An information storage and reproduction system comprising:
(a) conveying means for image information including an elongated
flat record-carrying member having a plurality of parallel record
tracks each containing a tandem array of different image
frames,
(b) means for guiding and moving said conveying means in a fixed
path,
(c) a scanning system including scanning means for selectively
scanning each row of image frames and
(d) image field generating means including a screen in operative
relation with said scanning means for monitoring scanned
information,
(e) means for generating the images of a selected row of scanned
image frames on said screen,
(f) a hard copy producing means including means for positioning an
image copy recording member in operative relation with said image
field generating means and means for generating an image in said
recording member concurrently with the image generated on said
screen, and
(g) control means for selectively operating said hard copy
producing means and said scanning means to generate selected images
on said screen and to produce hard copy recordings in said
recording member of selected of the images so generated. .Iadd. 36.
An information storage and retrieval system in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the information recorded at said master information
storage station comprises recordings of signals which define
separate frames of information, each of which frames is presentable
in its entirety as an image field displayed on the visual display
means of each monitor station when the signals defining the
particular frame are reproduced from the recordings thereof from
the means carrying recorded information at the master information
storage station and are transmitted to the monitor station at which
the third control means has been selectively operated to cause the
reading means of the master information storage station to read the
selected frame information. .Iaddend..Iadd. 37. An information
storage and retrieval system in accordance with claim 36 wherein
the third control means of each monitor station is manually
operable to effect control of said first control means at the
master information storage station to cause said reading means to
read selected of said separate frames of recorded information and
to generate said information signals for transmission from said
master information storage station to the receiving means of the
monitor station at which the third control means is activated to
request the information so as to provide a full field display of
the selected frame information on the display means thereof.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 38. An information storage and retrieval system in
accordance with claim 1 wherein the electrical signals generated by
the reading means scanning recorded information at the master
information storage station comprise full frame video signals.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 39. An information storage and retrieval system in
accordance with claim 38 including an intermediate storage means at
each monitor station for receiving and storing each full frame
video signal transmitted thereto from said master information
storage station and means for reproducing each video signal stored
in said intermediate storage means and applying it to the erasable
recording means of the monitor station to cause the information
defined by the full frame video signal to be displayed by said
display means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 40. An information storage and
retrieval system in accordance with claim 39 wherein said
intermediate storage means at each monitor station includes means
for repeatedly reproducing a full frame video signal therefrom at a
fixed frequency and applying such repeatedly reproduced video
signal to said display means of the monitor station to maintain the
display of the information defined thereby on said display means.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 41. An information storage and retrieval system in
accordance with claim 40 wherein the visual display means at said
plurality of monitor stations each comprise a television display
including a cathode ray image display tube having a low persistency
phosphor screen and said means for repeatedly reproducing a full
frame video picture signal from said intermediate storage means is
operable to maintain the image defined by the full frame video
signal reproduced as a still image on the screen of said cathode
ray image display tube. .Iaddend..Iadd. 42. An information storage
and retrieval system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second
control means and said automatic communication channels are defined
by an automatic telephone switching and connection system.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 43. An information storage and retrieval system in
accordance with claim 1 wherein said third control means includes a
switch keyboard and means operable in response to the selective
operation of the keys of said keyboard for generating and
transmitting code signals to said master information storage
station which code signals define selected recorded information to
be reproduced therefrom, said first control means at said master
information storage station being responsive to said code signals
for causing said reading means to read said selected recorded
information and for generating said selected information as
electrical signals on said output of said master information
storage station for transmission to said receiving means of the
monitor station requesting same. .Iaddend..Iadd. 44. An information
storage and retrieval system in accordance with claim 1, further
including hard copy producing means at said monitor stations for
producing readable hard copy of the information displayed on the
display means thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 45. An information storage
and reproduction system in accordance with claim 36 wherein said
erasable signal recording means at each monitor station includes
means for recording a plurality of said signals defining separate
frames of information and means for selectively reproducing a
selected of said plurality of frame signals from said latter
recording means and applying the reproduced frame signal to
generate an image for display on said display means. .Iaddend.
.Iadd. 46. An information storage and reproduction system in
accordance with claim 5 including an information display means at
each monitor station for displaying selected information
transmitted thereto from said master information storage means as
selected by the information selection means at the monitor station.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 47. An information storage and reproduction system
in accordance with claim 46 wherein the display means at each
monitor station is a television receiver including a cathode ray
tube with a low persistency display element, further including
means for repeatedly reproducing information to be displayed from
said information storage means of the monitor station at a
frequency such that the cathode ray tube of the television receiver
of the monitor station will maintain the image defined by the
information reproduced for an extended period of time sufficient to
permit its study and monitoring by a person viewing the display
element thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 48. An information storage and
reproduction system in accordance with claim 46 wherein the
information selection means is defined by a manually operable
switch keyboard and means connected thereto for generating
selection code signals and transmitting said selection code signals
to said master control means to cause said master control means to
control the transmission of selected information from said master
information storage means to the monitor stations requesting such
information. .Iaddend.
Description
This invention relates to information storage apparatus and, in
particular, to an information storage system employing a
continuously and/or intermittently movable conveyor for image
frames and apparatus for selectively reproducing images of said
frames.
Various systems have been employed for the storage and retrieval of
information stored in the form of documents, pictures or prints.
These have included apparatus employing the micro-filming of
printed pages, documents, pictures and the like and the provision
of image transparencies on cards which are either manually or
automatically selected from storage and scanned by means of an
optical projector device.
In the storage and retrieval of very large quantities of image
information, such as contained in libraries of said information, in
which the number of pages or image frames may exceed several
million or more in quantity, the shortcomings of existing systems
have limited and restricted their use. Heretofore existing systems
have required a large storage volume for storing the large amount
of document information. They have been restricted in application
by the time required to search, derive and transport the document
recordings. Other factors, such as the need to manually search and
scan the recordings for specific information, difficulties in cross
referencing, etc. have limited the application of currently
existing systems. Furthermore, when two or more persons seek the
same information or unit containing the recording thereof, a delay
is experienced by one of the parties who must await the termination
of the use of the record unit by the other and its return to the
file before he can scan or monitor said unit. Other shortcomings of
presently employed information storage systems include such factors
as the requirement that the record unit or storage medium be
physically conveyed or transported to the person seeking the
information or he must travel to and from the file or storage
container of said units to selectively obtain the information.
Other factors which limit currently available systems include the
wear of the recording medium due to handling delays due to manual
operations necessary for scanning individual recordings, etc.
Accordingly, it is primary object of this invention to provide a
new and improved system for storing image and document information
and for selectively viewing or monitoring said information from one
or a plurality of monitor stations.
Another object is to provide a document storage and reproduction
system which may be computer directed.
Another object is to provide an improved document storage
reproduction system which is simple in construction and may be
easily integrated into an automatic information transmission system
employing a conventional telephone communication system.
Another object is to provide a system for storing image or document
recordings and for selectively reproducing images thereof at one or
a plurality of monitor devices by scanning said recordings and
generating a train of picture signals without the need for
individually selecting said signals.
Another object is to provide a simplified information storage and
retrieval system having storage means occupying a minimal spatial
volume and capable of storing millions of frames of image
information and means for automatically reproducing images of said
frames at one or more locations remote from said storage means.
Another object is to provide means for synchronizing the deflection
of the scanning beam of a video camera with the movement of a
plurality of image frames through the scanning field of said camera
whereby said beam starts its scanning movement from a predetermined
position in its field as a new frame enters said field and the
cyclic frequency thereof is controlled by the movement of frames
through said scanning field.
The invention, its objects and advantages, will be more fully
understood from the following description when read in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the general image storage and
retrieval system;
FIG. 2 shows further details in block and schematic form of the
system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows in block and schematic form still further details of
the selection means of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 3a is an isometric and schematic view of automatic selection
and retrieval apparatus applicable to FIG. 3 for the automatic
reproduction of chains of picture signals from the storage system
thereof;
FIG. 4 is a block and schematic diagram of details of a code
matching relay utilized in FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the control means for a
video scanner as utilized in FIGS. 1 to 4;
FIG. 5a shows a further modification to a scanner and system as
illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of storage apparatus and shows means
for mounting a plurality of video cameras thereon relative to a
movable storage conveyor in accordance with the teachings of this
invention;
FIG. 7 is a partly sectioned side view of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a side view of a video camera and its mounting means
which may be utilized as part of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 for
scanning the storage system thereof;
FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a modified form of the conveyor
illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8;
FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a partial view in lateral cross section of part of the
image frame conveyor of either FIG. 8 or FIG. 9; showing means for
mounting a plurality of image frames thereon;
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a modified image frame mount or
conveyor;
FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a partial plan view of another form of image frame
conveyor and mount;
FIG. 15 is a lateral cross sectional view of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a partial view taken along a lateral plane of a modified
scanner mount which is a modification of the mount illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 8;
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing scanning and reproduction
control means for the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 16.
Certain assumptions are hereinafter made pertaining to the circuits
of the drawings forming a part of this invention in order to
present them in as simple a form as is possible. It is assumed, for
example, that the correct power supplies are provided on the
correct side of all switches and controls as well as connected to
all amplifiers, receivers, coded relays, signal generators, storage
tubes and the like regardless of whether or not said power supplies
are shown. Drives referred to for operating tape transports and
switches are assumed to contain all the necessary controls and
components according to the teachings of the art. Monitors
comprising image retention screens or tubes may be provided in
accordance with the teachings of the art or in accordance with
those of my copending patent applications. The division of all
circuits into two or more circuits are assumed to be effected by
known junction techniques or by means of the proper transformers.
Automatic switching systems are provided in accordance with systems
of this type known in the art. Video camera and receiver deflection
controls similarly are in accordance with those known in the
art.
Referring first to the block diagram designated FIG. 1, the
illustrated informations storage system comprises a master
information storage conveyor 18 having a belt 18'; scanning cameras
14 mounted off said conveyor for scanning its surface and frames of
image information provided thereon, a switching system 13 for
gating resulting picture signals from a selected camera to one or
more of a plurality of receiving stations 10, each of which
preferably has associated therewith signal storage and/or
monitoring means. The information is stored in the form of recorded
areas of belt 18' as frames of documents or picture images which
may be developed in photographic film, or printed on photosensitive
paper or the like. Said frames are mounted or provided in any
suitable manner on the conveyor belt 18 and are preferably arranged
in a plurality of aligned columns so that scanning of selected
frames and the reproduction of picture signals at the monitor
stations may be effected rapidly and without difficulty.
Whereas the cameras 14 may comprise any of a variety of designs of
video scanning devices available for providing picture signal
outputs of a scanned image field, a small video scanning camera
which is available at this writing and measures but a few square
inches in lateral cross-section is a miniaturized Vidicon scanning
tube camera manufactured by several companies including Radio
Corporation of America and Westinghouse Corp. These may be mounted
in any suitable array just off the surface of the conveyor belt 18'
in a manner to scan said predetermined record containing strip
areas of columns of said document recordings. The term conveyor
belt as hereafter utilized, defines any flexible mounting for said
image frames which is capable of being driven in a so called
endless path of closed loop and may comprise a flexible web or a
series of tandemly arranged rigid platens or flights which are
pinned to each other or mounted on a chain so that they may be
driven in a closed loop. The closed loop belt may also be replaced
by an open loop device or an elongated rigid platen which is power
driven in the manner to be described for the belt past said
scanners 14 by means of a motor and drive means 19 which may be any
suitable constant speed or intermittent powered motion producing
device.
The scanners 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4, etc. are shown mounted in rows
extending laterally across the conveyor in sufficient number and
positioned such that each of said columns of image frames is
scanned by at least one of said cameras. Other arrangements may be
provided whereby two or more cameras scan the same column or
conveyor strip from different locations along the belt or conveyor.
If the conveyor is run continuously the picture signal output of
the camera or scanner close to the desired image frame may be
selected for performing scanning functions so that there will not
be a substantially long wait to retrieve said information.
As stated, a plurality of monitor stations are provided each
operative by a different individual for viewing reproductions of
selected images provided on the storage conveyor 18 or for
otherwise utilizing the signals reproduced therefrom, such as for
computer or documentation, or printing use. The illustrated monitor
station 10-1 is provided with a viewing device such as a
conventional video receiver 22 containing a picture tube 22' such
as an image storage tube and the necessary signal amplifying and
beam deflection control means for providing a still image on the
face of said storage tube as the result of the receipt thereby of a
selected picture signal which has been generated by a selector of
the scanning cameras 14. Selection of a desired document picture
signal or signals and the automatic transmission thereof when it is
generated on the output of a selected camera in said system, is
effected by means of a frame selector 12-1 which has a
command-input from a bank of manual selection switches 11-1, a
punched card reader 11-2, or a computer or other device 11-3. The
frame selector 12-1 comprises in its simplest form, a rotary
selection switch with inputs from each of said cameras and a single
output which extends either to said monitor device for signal frame
selection or to an intermediary picture signal recorder 20. In many
literature or data searching functions, it is required to reproduce
not one but a plurality of images of document pages recorded in
succession. If the system utilizes as in FIG. 1 a long conveyor
belt 18' which is in continuous movement, and it is desired to scan
or visually monitor the material contained in a series of image
frames, it will be to the advantage of the operator of the monitor
apparatus to temporarily store said plural images in a manner such
that they may be selectively reproduced thereafter by the operator
without having to wait for the belt to recycle or the next frame to
pass the selected camera.
The frame selector is connected to the automatic switching system
13 by means of an output line 12'-1 and the intermediate picture
signal storage system 20 receives picture signals from said
switching system over the selected one of the plurality of output
lines 13'. For indicating which portion of the belt 18' of conveyor
18 is passing the cameras a frame position signal generator 17 is
provided which generates a feedback signal or code signals to the
frame selection means 12 which code is utilized to close and open a
switch or gate 13'g in the input line 13'-1 at predetermined times
during a cycle of operation such that only selected picture signals
pass to the intermediary storage system 20 and are stored therein.
The operation of the intermediary storage system by means of a
further selection means 21 may be effected manually by the operator
of the monitor station who selectively reproduces picture signals
stored therein one at a time and effects the writing of the
respective images on the screen of the monitor tube 22' for viewing
and monitoring purposes. The system, which includes subsystems 20,
21 and 22, may be constructed and operated in accordance with one
of the magnetic recording systems for recording and reproducing
video image signals described and illustrated in my copending
patent application Ser. No. 668,348 entitled Magnetic Recording
Systems and filed on June 27, 1957 or any suitable erasable picture
signal recording system. The notations 23, 24 and 25 refer
respectively to apparatus for automatically printing, once
energized, copies of the images appearing on the face of the
monitor screen or tube 22' and includes an optical system or
photographic camera 23, an automatic printer and hard copy
processing machine 24 and a manual selector 25. When the latter is
actuated by the person viewing or scanning the images appearing on
the screen of 22', a controller such as a multi-circuit timer,
automatically effects, by controlling the operations of servo
motors and solenoids, the functions of photographing the face of
22' by control of the shutter of 23, and the developing and
printing of the resulting exposed film or paper by operating the
servo motor or motors, in the automatic printer 24 from which hard
copy in the form of a print derived for use as a permanent record.
Such an automatic printing means may comprise the copyflow machine
made by the Haloid Company of Rochester, N.Y., which photographs
and prints copies of documents or flat sheets fed thereto. If the
optical system of such a printer is adjusted to receive an image
from the face of the monitor tube 22' and the appartus is adapted
to operate intermittently by means of a switch operated
multi-circuit recycle timer of conventional design, then it may be
used to photograph and print selected images appearing on the
screen of 22' of FIG. 1. If said manual switch is replaced by a
solenoid operated switch and the energizing input to said solenoid
is derived from a computer or reader, such as 11-2 or 11-3, then
the function of printing hard copies of the images reproduced from
the conveyor 18 by video scanning may be effected automatically by
energizing the controller of 24. If the control device 11-3 is a
card-reader or other type of program controller, it is preferably
programmed to generate signals in the proper sequence to effect the
cyclic operation of the automatic camera and printer when an image
is generated on the face of the screen of 22'. This is effected in
one manner, by clipping the frame vertical sync pulse from the
video picture signal transmitted from the intermediate storage
system 20 by means of a differentiator clipper 20C and passing the
resulting pulse signal to one input of a logical AND switching
circuit 11-3A in the line 11-3' having its other input energized
with a constant signal derived from the signal generating
controller or reader 11-3. When both inputs to 11-3A are
simultaneously energized, its output becomes energized which is
utilized to energize the controller for the camera printer 23, 24.
The controller 11-3A may also be a binary counter relay adapted to
produce a pulse on its output after receiving two pulses on its
input, with said input being connected to the output of both 11-3
and 20C. A system of this type utilizing both manual selection and
automatic selection and printing means as described is quite
versatile and capable of automatic data and document reproduction
and transmission. A signal reproduced from the intermediary storage
signal system 20 may also be utilized to effect the automatic
operation of the automatic printing apparatus.
In another form of the invention the recording image frame mount or
conveyor belt 18' is driven intermittently by a stepping motor 19
which is coupled to and rotates the sprocket of drum 18d of the
conveyor 18. The drive means and locations of the rows of frames or
pictures provided on or in 18' are such that, each time the
conveyor comes to rest, individual frames thereof will be centered
in the scanning fields of a camera and will remain therein for
sufficient time to permit the camera to scan the image field and
produce a picture signal on its output line 15, which signal is
that obtained during at least one frame sweep of the read beam. The
next movement of the belt 18' is such that other frames provided on
18' will next be centered in the scanning field of the scanner 14.
The movement is preferably such that when one image frame moves out
of a scanning field of a camera, the next frame appearing in its
column will be moved into and will center in the scanning field of
the same camera during the next cycle and said scanning cycle will
be repeated for said next frame. In this system of image storage
and reproduction, a different still image picture signal will be
developed on the output circuit of each camera each time the
conveyor 18 is stopped and selection means are provided in the form
of a frame selector to perform the dual functions of effecting the
correct connection between the monitor station and a predetermined
camera and that of gating only predetermined picture signals,
produced on the output of the selected camera, to the intermediate
storage system 20 in use. A system of this type is operative to
permit the output of any camera in the system to be simultaneously
passed to a plurality of monitor stations. If two of said monitor
stations 10 simultaneously require that the same information or
picture signal be received and recorded, it is not necessary for
the operator at one monitor station to await the completion of the
same scanning operation of another operator. Furthermore, complex
control of each camera by remote means is not necessary.
The conveyor 18 may be mounted with its belt or hinged flights 18'
extending horizontally, vertically or in a combination of
directions or series of reversing loops to provide the maximum
length thereof in a minimum cubic volume. The frame supporting the
conveyor 18 is used to support the scanning cameras 14, power lines
extending thereto and also supports coaxial cable utilized for
picture signal transmission. The cameras 14 may be arranged in rows
extending across the conveyor, each adapted to scan a respective
column of image frames which pass through its scanning field. A
single frame position indicator 17 may be provided to scan position
indicating marks or codes on a channel or band area of the belt 18'
for indicating the position of said conveyor and the frames thereon
in relation to the cameras. A frame position indicator scanner 17
may also be provided for each bank of cameras. The necessity of
providing plural banks of scanners 17 will depend on the precision
in which the image frames are mounted, and if the conveyor consists
of a series of flights or platens hinged together, the degree of
backlash thereof.
The system of FIG. 1 is also applicable to storage and reproduction
functions other than deriving selected frames of image information.
The conveyor 18 may contain on its belt section 18' a plurality if
objects or articles such as products or manufactured items in
process. The cameras may be positioned to scan normal to the
surface of the conveyor or from the side thereof. The cameras 14
may be conventional video cameras adapted to provide a motion
picture on the screen of the video monitor to which it is connected
or a still picture of the object or article thereon which is
generated in the same manner as if the camera were scanning an
image frame or picture as described hereafter. The system may be
employed for the visual selection of one or more of a plurality of
articles or products by one or more observers at remote locations
or for the inspection of one or more articles or products at said
remote locations. The switching system 13 may be a conventional
automatic telephone switching system whereupon the conveyor 18 may
contain individual articles or rows of different articles the
images of which may be viewed by subscribers to the phone system on
their respective monitor screens after a connection with one of the
cameras 14 has been made by means to be described hereafter. The
purchase or selection of a particular article may be effected by
verbal order over the phone line or by means of a tone signal which
is generated when the subscriber manually actuates a switch of a
tone generator. A relay responsive to said tone and located near
the conveyor 18 may be used to effect the removal of the article
from the conveyor 18' by actuating a servo.
The computer or control device 11-3 is also shown connected to the
input of the automatic printer 24, for effecting the automatic
printing of predetermined of the image reproduction derived from
scanning predetermined areas of the belt 18'. Since the computer
11-3 or the card reader may be utilized to automatically control
the reproduction of signals from the intermediate storage system
20, it would be a relatively simple control function to effect the
energization of the control for the automatic printer 24 by
generating a signal on the input line 11-3' from 11-3 to 24 at or
just after the signal is generated to energize the control for
effecting the reproduction of the picture signal from the
intermediate storage system 20.
One or more of a number of techniques for scanning the columns of
image frame recordings to generate picture signals may be employed.
Four systems are briefly described as follows:
In a first system the image scanning means comprises a video
scanning camera or flying spot scanner having a read beam adapted
to continuously scan back and forth along a predetermined scanning
line while the conveyor and column of image frames moves past said
scanner at substantially constant speed such that the requested
vertical deflection is provided by the image field in motion. The
speed of the conveyor and the scanning rate of the beam being such
that the resulting picture signal may be utilized to intensity
modulate a so called image write-tube or to provide a still image
on its display face or screen. For such an arrangement the beam of
the scanner is automatically operative to return to a position
where it again initiates scanning. During return sweep the beam is
in a condition of substantially zero potential to simulate the
conventional line blanking function. The scanner may comprise a
flying-spot scanner of the type described in the March 1949 issue
of the RCA Review which provides a beam of light which scans at
right angles to the direction of motion of the image column, the
light being intensity-modulated after passing through the image
recordings which are images developed in transparent film. A
receiver tube such as a photo-multiplier tube is mounted to receive
the modulated light from the scanner after it has passed through
the image on the film. Said receiver is positioned on the other
side of the film and provides a resulting modulated picture signal
output. The picture signal is produced as the result of the
modulation of the light from the flying-spot scanner as it passes
through areas of different density on the film. The resulting
picture signal output is passed to the monitor station which is
connected to the scanner and only those portions of the video
picture signal so generated which pertain to selected image frames
in the selected record columns are gated to an intermediary storage
means of a monitor station for play-back through devices such as
the video receiver thereof. The blanking portions of the video
signal defining the interval between consecutive frames is produced
by providing areas between each stored image frame which are black
in nature so as to produce a video signal simulating the so called
blanking or black signal portion of the picture signal. For such a
system the frame sync signal or vertical sync signal is not
required since the vertical motion is attained by the movement of
the film and the flying-spot scanner merely sweeps its beam back
and forth across the film at a constant rate as the film moves at
constant speed. If a vertical sync signal is required for
reproducing the information derived by scanning a single frame said
sync signal may be derived from scanning the markings or code at
the edge or margin of the conveyor.
A second system employs intermittent movement of the camera in the
same direction that the column of image information is moving and
in a manner such that said camera will travel at substantially the
same speed as the document recording to be scanned whereby the
recording is stationary in the scanning field for a period of time
sufficient to permit the camera to scan by conventional means the
selected image frame.
A third means applicable for scanning includes intermittently
moving the conveyor carrying information recordings in a manner
such that one frame is conveyed at at time into the scanning field
of a conventional video scanning camera and remains there for a
sufficient period of time to permit at least one screen sweep of
the camera scanning beam. Thereafter, the document recording is
conveyed out of the scanning field image field a degree so as to
position the next image frame to be centered in said camera
scanning field.
In another system individual image frames or document recordings
are each provided on an intermittently fed base or card. Strips or
groups of said frames pertaining to a particular subject may also
be provided on a single card or platen which is one of a plurality
of said cards. If the card bases are punched cards provided with
conventional automatic selection and coding means they may be
selectively or continuously fed through the scanning fields of said
scanning cameras in a continuous movement to provide individual
frames or rows of said frames of images on a card in the scanning
fields of respective cameras in the same manner hereinabove
described for the belt or conveyor 18' save that the driving or
feed means for said cards is modified in accordance with the
spacing of the frames. Card selection, control of movement into and
out of the scanning fields is preferably provided by known card
feeding apparatus. By providing said image frames mounted on a
plurality of plates, flights or cards which are individually
handled and continuously or intermittently moved into and out of
the scanning fields of said rows of cameras, the changing of image
frames or addition thereto may be easily effected without the
necessity of stopping said feeding function by employing known card
sorting apparatus. The conveyor 18 may serve as a means for
conveying said document recording cards or plates into and out of
said scanning fields of said cameras.
FIG. 2 shows further details of the image storage and selection
system of FIG. 1. Two monitor stations are illustrated. One, 10'-1,
is provided with means for reproducing the information recorded on
single images from the storage system 16 and providing said
information in the form of images on the face of a storage tube
22-1. A second monitor station 10-2 is provided with means for
storing a plurality of selected picture signals in an intermediate
storage system 20 and also includes means for selectively
reproducing said signals therefrom to provide respective images on
the face of the monitor storage tube 22-2 thereof.
Referring first to the apparatus of the monitor station 10'-1, the
camera circuit selection means comprises a rotary selection switch
26 having multiple input circuits 31-1 each extending from a
respective circuit 32 of a plurality of video carrier circuits or
cables 32-1 to 32-N. Each of the circuits 32 extends to a
respective output 32w of a single video scanner 14 on which said
picture signal is first developed. Each cable of the group 32
extends not only to a respective input of the rotary selection
switch 26 but to inputs of each of the other selection switches of
other monitor stations in the system so that a picture signal
developed on its respective line 32 will be available at each of
the monitor stations if the selection switch of said stations are
adjusted to effect the circuit connections. The channel selector
switch 26 may be manually operated by manual rotation of the switch
arm 26a and is equivalent in function to that part of the automatic
switching system 13 of FIG. 1 which connects one of the camera
outputs 15 with the input to the particular monitor station. The
selection of a specific document recording signal of the picture
signals generated on the selected circuit by scanning a selected
column of image frames on the conveyor, is effected by means of a
frame selection means which comprises a code matching relay 28 and
a normally open gate or electronic switch 33 which is energized to
close when a signal is generated by 28 on its output 28 which
extends to the switching input of 33. The code matching relay 28 is
programmed by means of a frame selection switching means 27 and is
adapted to receive feedback signals, preferably in the form of a
parallel binary code or the like, on plural inputs 29 thereto from
a battery or row 17' of photoelectric scanning relays which are
mounted off the conveyor 18 which read position indicating marks in
the form of a strip or band code along the conveyor. The marks read
by the photomultiplier relay bank 17' cause the multiple outputs
30a thereof to respectively be energized and deenergized in a
particular code array and each of the photo-relays of bank 17' is
connected to a respective of the inputs 29 to the relay 28 and to
all other code matching relays of similar function in said system
by means of respective circuits 30. The operation of the code
matching relay 28 will be described hereafter. In brief, it
functions by providing a parallel code output when the selected
image frame is in the scanning field of the selected camera, said
code being used to gate the picture signal produced when said
camera scanning means scans said selected frame to the input to the
monitor 22-1 where it is utilized in the manner described in my
said copending application to provide an image on the screen of the
storage or video picture tube thereof. The gating of just one
picture signal to the monitor 22-1 is effected by either providing
the gating signal on line 28' for the interval necessary to
maintain the monostable switch 33 closed long enough to permit a
complete frame picture signal to be passed therethrough to 22-1 or
by providing switch 33 as a normally open, slow-to-open after
closing switch which remains closed once its switching input is
energized by a signal appearing on 28' for a period of time
sufficient to pass the selected video picture signal to the
completed circuit.
The monitor station 10-2 is provided with an intermediate picture
signal storage system 20, the complete details of which are not
shown but which are detailed from my said copending application. In
said copending application, either of the magnetic recording video
signal storage and reproduction systems may be employed as the
intermediary storage system 20 of FIG. 2 of this application. The
selected video picture signal is gated through a normally open
switch 35 and is passed through a recording amplifier 36 before
energizing the recording transducer 37 and being recorded as a
picture signal on a length of magnetic storage medium such as an
elongated and closed loop magnetic tape 41'. The magnetic tape 41'
is driven in a closed loop on a tape transport 41 which is power
operated at constant speed by means of a servo drive 42 which may
be started in operation prior to said switching function whereby it
is operating at constant speed by the time said selected signal or
signals appear at the input to the gate. If the switch 35 is
adjustable so that its opening time after being closed by a signal
from 28 may be varied by selected and predetermined degrees, then a
plurality of consecutively generated picture signals appearing on
the input 26'w may be passed to the recording amplifier 36 and
recorded on the tape 41' for the monitoring thereafter of
consecutively scanned images in a particular document storage of
column on the conveyor. The notation 33' refers to a normally-open
switch in the circuit of the picture signal reproduction amplifier
associated with reproduction head 38 for gating signals, recorded
on 41', one at a time to the monitor 22-2. Said picture signals may
comprise composite video picture signals including blanking and
sync components combined to effect modulation of an image
generating means such as the write-beam of a video storage tube
22'-2 of the monitor device 22-2. The closed loop tape 41' and
transport 41 may also comprise a magnetic recording drum or tape
transport which includes a magnetic tape driven between two reels
or drums. Notation 37 refers to an adjustable delay line in the
output of the code matching relay 28 operative to account for any
differences between the generation of said frame indicating signal
and the time the selected picture signal appears at the input 26'w
of the switch 35. The switch or gate 35 is preferably selectively
adjustable by hand or by means of a signal from the frame selector
34 to remain closed for the time duration, or multiples thereof, it
takes for a single video picture signal to be generated so that one
or a selected number of consecutively produced picture signals of
different image frame sweeps derived from scanning a selected
column of the conveyor 18 may be passed therethrough.
Whereas in FIG. 2 manual means are provided for adjusting the time
a video signal gate remains closed, in FIG. 3 the end limits of the
train of video picture signals desired to be recorded on the
recording medium of 20 are determined by means of a pair of code
matching relays each having inputs connected to the common code
circuits 30 and each operative to respectively close and open a
bi-stable gate for gating just the selected number of picture
signals therethrough. If, for example, it is desired to monitor a
particular multi-page report containing a predetermined number of
pages and it is known which column contains the recordings of said
pages and the location of said frames are known (i.e. the first row
in which the first recorded frame occurs as well as the final row
in which the last frame appears) then the frames may be selectively
reproduced by generating codes associated with each of said rows
which codes are each provided adjacent to the first and last
frames. Selection may thus be effected by providing each of said
codes on respective inputs of a pair of code matching relays and
energizing said relays to respectively close and open a bi-stable
switch operative for passing the output of the selected video
scanner during the interval between which said codes are generated
as their recordings pass the scanning bank 17'. Since this is the
interval during which the desired or selected frames of said report
pass through the scanning field of the selected camera, only the
selected picture signals pass through said gate. It is noted that
such selection code matching relays may also function to gate power
to operate the scanning means of the selected camera or to operate
a camera shutter to open and close whereby only the selected images
will be scanned. However, if the system is to employ plural monitor
stations any one of which may require the same picture signals
transmitted to another station at the same time, the control and
selection means of FIG. 3 will suffice to effect such simultaneous
transmission of the same picture signal to different monitor
stations in said system.
In FIG. 3, the operator of the monitor station effects a connection
between the picture signal output of a selected scanning camera
(i.e. the picture signals derived from scanning a selected column
of frames of the conveyor 18 and an input 26'w to his monitor
apparatus by means of a dial selector switch 46 or the like). The
rotary dial switch, when actuated, transmits a predetermined number
of pulses to a stepping motor 48 which steps the rotary contactor
arm 26'c of rotary switch 26', the inputs to which are each
connected to one of the lines 31 which are respectively connected
to camera output. A manually operated reset switch 47 is used to
reset the stepping motor shaft 48s to zero. The reset switch 47 may
start a motor coupled to the shaft of the stepping motor, which
drives said shaft in reverse until the zero position has been
reached whereupon said reset drive is stopped by means of a limit
switch.
Before dialling switch 46, the operator presets a control means
which automatically effects the gating thereafter of only selected
picture signals to the intermediary storage apparatus at the
monitor station 10x. Gating is effected in one of several manners.
Illustrated in FIG. 3 are two frame determining relays 28a and 28b
which permit the gating of a predetermined number of consecutively
produced picture signals to the image storing input 26w2. This will
permit the visual monitoring or scanning of a predetermined number
of consecutively scanned image frames which appear in the column
scanned. The output of the camera scanning said column is
determined by the position of the rotary switch 26'.
The frame picture signal gating control means of FIG. 3 comprises a
pair of code matching relays 28a and 28b each of which is adapted
to provide a control signal when a code derived from scanning the
code tracks of the conveyor 18 is present on a plurality of input
lines 30c and 30d to each relay. Details of such a code matching
relay are shown in FIG. 5 which comprises a plurality of logical
switching AND circuits arranged relative to respective circuit
matching inputs such that, when any predetermined order of a first
array of said inputs is energized, an output signal will be
provided from said relay if the same order or code array is present
on the second array of inputs. The first array of input lines 49aW'
to the code matching relay 28A is "set-up" in binary code form by
means of a "start-frame" selector panel of switches 49a which
comprises a plurality of switches. One in each of the circuits
49aW-1, 49aW-2, 49aW-3, etc. to relay 28A, which are actuated by
manual, punch card or other means in an order to provide a
predetermined code on the input side of 28A. In other words, the
lines 49aW are respectively in either a state of energization or
are deenergized in such an array to provide a predetermined
parallel code such that when respective lines of the parallel
feed-back circuits 30a to 28A are energized in the same order the
relay 28a will become activated and produce a signal which may be
used for gating purposes. The feed-back lines are connected to the
banks of photoelectric relays or photo-multipliers adapted to scan
the border of the conveyor belt 18' containing position indicating
codes. The feed-back circuits 30 from the bank of conveyor reading
photomultiplier relays 17', shown in FIG. 2, extend throughout the
system and each of the code matching relays in said system are
connected thereto.
The output of the rotary selector switch 26' is connected through a
flip-flop switch 35a to the recording transducers of the
intermediate storage system 20. The switch 35a is closed upon
receipt of a signal from the code matching relay 28A generated on
its output 28aW and opened upon receipt at its other switching
input of a signal from a second code matching relay 28B generated
on its output 28bW. The relay 28A is preset by means of a bank of
start-frame selection switches 49a which provide the input lines
49aW in states of energization and de-energization in accordance
with the desired binary code read by the photomultiplier tubes when
the first image frame of the selected column of frames appears at
the connected camera. The relay 28B is similarly preset by means of
a bank of stop-frame selection switches 49b, which like those of
49a connect a power supply PS in circuit with respective of the
inputs 49bW to said relay 28B in accordance with the desired code
scanned by the photomultiplier tubes 17' as the last image frame in
the selected column leaves the scanning field of the selected video
camera. Thus, the circuit 26W1 is connected to 26W2 only during the
interval the desired picture signal or signals are present at the
input of the switch 35a so that only the desired signals are
recorded on the constant speed moving tape 41'. The numeral 43
refers to a clipper which is connected to the input line 26W2 and
is adapted to receive the video picture frame signals generated
thereon and to clip the frame vertical sync signal therefrom and
provide it as a pulse output which is recorded by means of a
recording head 37' adjacent the position of the picture signal
recorded by head 37 to thereby indicate the location of the start
of said picture signal. When said pulse is reproduced by
reproduction transducer 39 it may be used as a feedback signal to
gate only the picture signal associated therewith to the monitor 22
and as a means for further controlling the motion of the tape
41'.
The intermediate storage system 20 of FIG. 3 is illustrated as
including a drive motor 42 which is adapted to operate at constant
speed after a starting input 42F thereof is energized and when a
drive switch 46 is actuated. Although illustrated as separate
units, the drive servo 42 may be combined as a single drive with a
second illustrated drive servo 45 for the tape transport 41. For
the purposes of simplifying the description, the drive servo 42 is
assumed to drive the tape 41' at a constant speed past the heads
37, 38 and 37' for recording of picture signals received from the
storage system on input 26W2 while the servo 45 with its associated
start control 45F, stop control 45S and reversing control 45R is
utilized in moving said tape in the reproduction of signals
therefrom. The start control 42F of servo 42 is energized and gates
power to 42 by means of the start switch 46 which is actuated to
close by a signal from a computing device 50 during said other
selection functions sufficiently in advance of the appearance of
the selected picture signals on the line 26W1 to permit the tape
41' to be accelerated to constant recording speed. Thereafter,
energization of the code matching relay 28A closes switch 35a which
remains closed until the last desired signal in the chain of said
signals has been produced by the selected camera whereupon the code
matching relay 28B produces an output signal which opens the
flip-flop switch 35a. Said output signal generated on the output
28bW of 28B is also passed over circuit 28bW' to the stop control
42S of servo 42 whereupon the tape forward motion is automatically
stopped.
If it is desired to start the motion of tape 41' just before the
first of the selected picture signals appears on the line 26W1 a
third code matching relay 53 is provided which is preset by
providing its inputs 52W in the desired array of energized and
de-energized states by the actuation of the switching bank 52 which
gates a power supply to respective of said circuits in the desired
parallel code order. The code so imposed on the inputs 52W to 53 is
such that a signal will produce on its output 53W by the receipt on
its feedback inputs 30e of a similar code from the photomultiplier
circuits 36 sufficiently in advance of the reproduction of the
first of the selected picture signals to be utilized to start the
drive servo (45 or 42) or the control therefore such that it will
be driving the tape 41' at constant recording speed just as the
first selected picture signal is being generated or shortly
thereafter. Thus, several trains or groups of consecutively
reproduced picture signals derived from scanning tandem arrays of
image frames on the conveyor may be recorded on different lengths
of the tape without risk of erasure or of recording of one signal
over another which may occur if the tape 41' is driven at constant
speed at any desired time during the described information
retrieval functions. The output of relay 53 is passed to the
forward start control 45F of 45 while the output of 28b is passed
to the stop controller 45S of 45. In the latter described
arrangement, the drive servo 42 may be eliminated since the servo
means 45 serves the dual functions of driving the tape 41' during
recording as well as reproduction. If it is desired to record at a
fast speed in accordance with frequency of the received picture
signals which may be in the two to four megacycle range if the
scanning cameras are conventional television cameras and to
reproduce at a slower rate for effecting the production of an image
of the screen of a slow scan monitor such as 22' then the drive 45
may be employed as an auxiliary servo operating at the desired slow
speed while 42 is inoperative for reproduction of the recorded
picture signals on tape 41', and the outputs from 28b and 53 may be
respectively connected to start control 42F and stop control 42S of
servo 42 instead of to servo 45 as illustrated.
In the single frame picture signal reproduction controller 34' are
switches for starting, stopping and reversing servo 45 and
automatic control means (as described in my said patent) for
effecting, when actuated, the reproduction of a single video
picture signal from the train of said signals recorded on 41' and
for utilizing said picture signal to modulate the image forming
means of the monitor 22. The picture signals recorded on 41" may be
individually reproduced at the will of the operator of the monitor
station, each of which picture signals generates a different image
on the storage or video tube 22' which may be viewed as long as
desired and may be automatically erased when the next image is
generated. The single frame picture signal reproduction controller
34' may comprise a multi-circuit self-recycle electronic timer
adapted, when energized by the reproduction of the frame indicating
pulse transducer by head 39, to effect a reproduction cycle which
includes the starting of servo 45, the closing of normally open
gate 44 just as the next selected picture signal is reproduced by
head 38 and transmitted to its input, the closing of normally open
gate 44 when said next picture signal has passed to 22, the
stopping of servo 45 and the control of its further motion to
reposition the tape 41 for reproduction of the next picture signal
recorded thereon when 34' is again energized.
It is noted that the presetting or setting up of the code matching
relays 28a, 28b and 53 as well as the starting of the tape drive
servo may be automatically effected by means of a computing and
signal generating device, such as a punched card reading device.
Such a device 50 is illustrated in FIG. 3, the details of which are
not shown since various punched card reading devices of this type
are available commercially. In order to simplify the diagram and
description, the device 50 is assumed to comprise a drive which
when operated by means of a servo 51, feeds a punched card which
may comprise one of a plurality of cards stored therein, through a
bank of reading switches when the servo 51 is energized by receipt
of an input signal. The movement of the card into the reading part
of the machine maintains certain of said reading switches open
while closing others thereby connecting certain of the output lines
with a power supply PS while maintaining others in states of
de-energization. The output lines from 50 are connected in banks of
circuits 49aW, 49bW and 52W to the frame selection banks 49a, 49b
and 52 or directly to the respective code matching relays 28a, 28b
and 53. The utilization of banks of switches 49a, 49b and 52
permits the apparatus to be programmed either manually or
automatically of said switches are actuable by monostable solenoids
having their energizing inputs connected to the power supply PS of
50 through the switches in said card reader. Automatic and
intermittent operation of the card reader 50 may be effected by
energizing the drive servo 51 by means of the signal produced by
relay 28b. Said servo 51 may be a solenoid operated ratchet-pawl
mechanism adapted when energized by a signal from 28b to effect the
movement of the card in the reading portion of 50 away from said
mechanism and the feeding of the next card stored therein into said
reading position. A switch in the bank of said punched card reader
50 may be closed by means of a cutout in each card and transmit a
signal to the tape drive switch 46 or directly to the starting
control of either 42 or 45 to start the motion of said tape 41 for
recording or said movement may be initiated by means of the signal
generated by 53 at the desired instant in the cycle.
The punch card reader 50 may be replaced by any known type of
controller which will effect the same switching functions including
a manual operated sequential controller.
FIG. 3 also illustrates means 23 for automatically effecting the
permanent or hard copy recording of the images reproduced on the
face of the monitor screen of monitor 22 in the form of
photographs, photostats or the like. In FIG. 1 mention was made of
an automatic camera and printer unit positioned to scan the face of
the monitor screen or tube 22', which, when actuated either
manually or by means of an output from a computing or sequencing
mechanism, automatically effect the photographing or printing of an
image of the face of the monitor tube. In FIG. 3, the photoprinting
mechanism, referred to by the notations 23' and 24' may similarly
be operated by the manual actuation of a switch controlling a
sequential controller such as a multi-circuit timer which effects
hard copy production of the image of the monitor screen, or by
automatic means including a control signal generated by the card
reader 50. In FIG. 3a the card reader 50 is shown as including
means for closing a plurality of switches, some of which effect
control functions by gating signals to start and/or stop servo
motors and the like. One of the switches in 50 is utilized to
energize a control circuit 34AW which extends therefrom to a
switching controller 34A. When the controller 34A receives a signal
on a second input, which is generated after an image has appeared
on the face of tube 22' of the monitor, and after its other input
34AW has been pulsed or energized, it (34A) generates an output
signal or pulse which is transmitted to the input of the sequential
controller or multi-circuit timer for the printer 23', 24', thereby
effecting the photographing and/or printing of a picture of the
image on the face of 22'.
The switching unit or control 34A comprises a logical AND switching
circuit adapted to transmit a pulse on its output when both of its
inputs are energized provided that the card reader output 34AW
remains energized during the cycle (i.e. while the card which
effects the frame selection is in the reader 50). The other input
to 34A is derived from the output of the single frame trigger
switch 34S so that, if 34AW should be energized, the camera-printer
mechanism 23', 24' will photograph and reproduce a print of the
face of the monitor screen. The notation 34SD' refers to a time
delay relay between 34S and the input to 34A which delays the pulse
output of 34S a sufficient period of time to permit the image to be
written onto the screen of the monitor tube 22', so that the camera
and printer mechanism will operate at the proper instant.
For automatic reproduction of a plurality of picture signals
recorded on the tape of storage unit 20, it is necessary to either
by-pass the single frame selection switch or controller 34' or
actuate the single frame trigger switch 34S automatically at the
correct time intervals to simulate the repeated manual operation of
34'. This may be effected quite simply by gating the output of
reproduction transducer 39, which is a frame indicating pulse used
to actuate the single frame trigger switch 34S, to a delay line or
time delay relay 34SD the output of which is a pulse and is passed
to the input of 34S a time delay after it (34S) has been energized
by the original signal such that the prior picture signal
reproduced from the tape has been recorded on the face of monitor
tube 22' and photographed. The output of 34SD therefore triggers
the next cycle and continues to do so until no more frame
indicating pulses are reproduced by 39. This occurs after the last
picture signal has been reproduced from 20. The single frame
trigger switch 34S is preferably both manually operated for manual
selection of single frame signal reproduction from 20 and relay or
solenoid operated for the automatic gating of a control signal
thereby to 34' and 34SD' when automatic operation is desired. The
rotation 39S refers to a manually operable switch in the line of 39
and 34S as well as 34SD which would be opened when it is desired to
effect single frame monitoring by operating 34S by hand. The output
of 39, which is a reproduction of the picture signal indicating
clipped-vertical-sync signal recorded through 37', may also be
passed directly to the deflection circuit controller of the monitor
22 to effect clearance of the storage tube and/or trigger the
deflection chain thereof in advance of the receipt of the picture
signal passed through switch 44.
For automatic operation of the apparatus of FIG. 3 utilizing the
described card reader and feeder 50, it may also be desired to
effect the automatic selection of one of the plural video signal
circuits 31 to derive signals produced by scanning a predetermined
channel. This may be accomplished by generating the desired number
of pulses when a card is fed into the reading mechanism of 50 to
step the stepping motor 48 the desired number of times from a zero
start to automatically position the rotary switching arm 26'a of
the rotary switch 26' against a presented contact of 26' whereby
the desired circuit connection is made. FIG. 3a illustrates
schematically how this function may be effected by means of the
card reader 50.
In FIG. 3a, the automatic card reader 50 is shown as including a
drive for individual cards fed into the reading section of said
reader which comprises a plurality of switches SW-1 to SW-N or
contactor elements each of which is in series circuit with a power
supply and the respective output lines shown in FIG. 3. Each of the
normally open switches in the bank 50SW is closed energizing one of
the output circuits of said reader 50 when the arm of said switch
rides in a hole or cutout in the card. Said cards are fed one at a
time by means of a card feeding mechanism 50d, designed in
accordance with the features of known card feeders, into the
reading section beneath the switches 50SW and is driven partly
therethrough by means of a servo 51 which also drives the card
feeder 50d by means of gears when said servo is energized by means
of a pulse received on its input from, for example, the code
matching relay 28B which becomes energized when the prior reading
cycle has ended and the last frame signal has passed through the
selection switch and gate 35a as described. The card 50'a is
engaged between a drive roll 50b and a depressor roll 50c and
driven away from the feeder stack of cards 50'S as servo 51
operates and turns 50b. The servo 51 may be stopped automatically
or by means of one of the switches in the bank 50SW which closes
and energizes the stop control 51S for said servo when the
respective switch is closed as its arm rides in a hole in the card.
The switch activation which effects the stopping of servo 51 is
caused by a card positioned in lateral alignment with areas of the
card designated in FIG. 3a as 49a-C, 49b-C and 49c-C. In these
scanning tracks are provided cutouts which are arranged in the
order of the dsired codes for setting up the code matching relays
28A, 28B, and 53. The switches in the bank 50SW which sweep said
tracks are opened and closed in the desired code order and are
connected in respective output circuits of the reader 50 which are
referred to by notations 49aW', 49bW' and 52W shown in FIG. 3.
The first switch SW-1 in bank 50SW is adapted to sweep a first
channel C-1 of the card and provide a start signal which is
transmitted to the start control 42F of the servo driving the tape
of the intermediary storage system. The next swtich SW-2 generates
a plurality of pulse signals on the circuit 46W to actuate stepping
motor 48a and preposition the selection switch 26' for gating the
selected picture signal therethrough from the connected camera in
the system. The notation 42F-C refers to the cutout in card 50'a
which closes switch SW1 and 48a-C to the plural holes in channel
C-2 which are operative to generate pulses by closing and opening
switch SW-2 as the card is driven through the reader. The switches
scanning channels C3 to C10 are disposed between circuits 49aW' and
a power supply. When closed by means of a cutout in the card, they
energize or deenergize these circuits in the desired coded array.
The switches C11 to C18 are connected in circuits 49bW', C19 to C26
comprising a group of circuits 52W. A switch SWN' scans channel
C27. When closed as it scans cutout 49d-C, is a signal which is
generated thereby on circuit 47W and is operative to effect the
resetting of switch 26' by energizing the zero reset servo 48b and
driving the shaft of said stepping motor to a start or zero
position. The reset servo 48b may be a motor adapted to drive shaft
48S in the opposite direction to which it is driven by stepping
motor 48 and said shaft is stopped by means of a limit switch
actuated when 48S homes.
It is noted that the card reader of FIG. 3a, when applied as the
selection controller 50 of FIG. 3, may be utilized to automatically
effect circuit connections between the input to the monitor station
and a selected of the scanning cameras by controlling, for example,
selection and connection means of an automatic telephone switching
system. This may be effected by providing the necessary switches in
the bank 50SW to simulate the switching functions during telephone
circuit dialing and recordings or holes in the punched cards to
effect such function. The column C-2, for example, may contain
cutouts therein which are spaced and adapted to simulate and
produce the code or pulse trains necessary to effect the switching
system whereby a predetermined connection is made with a selected
camera and the input to the monitor station. Columns adjacent to
C-2 may be used to effect the transfer or stepping signal functions
of an automatic telephone system by effecting the generation of
those signals necessary to automatically effect a line connection.
One of the switches in bank 50SW may also be adapted to close when
the card comes to rest and to energize line 34AW for the purpose
described.
Further variations are noted in the appartus utilized in the
systems for image storage and retrieval illustrated in FIGS. 1 to
3. The transducers for scanning and reproducing signals of images
recorded on the storage conveyor 18 as well as the means for
recording said images may be provided in forms other than
described. For example, Pat. No. 2,657,377 relates to apparatus and
a method for recording signals in a two dimensional pattern of
varying magnetic polarity on an elongated magnetic recording medium
and for transducing said pattern into a pictorial reproduction of
the original signal. Recording and reproduction scanners of the
type proposed in said patent may therefore replace the heretofore
proposed video cameras with the image frame recordings comprising
signal recordings of the type taught in said patent. The conveyor
18' may thus comprise an elongated magnetic recording member such
as a wide magnetic belt or a plurality of belts or tapes with
picture signals derived from video scanning still image fields
recorded in areas which are arranged in aligned columns and rows.
The position indicating code may be recorded on a track or tracks
as a pulse signal in parallel or series provided on different
channels of the tape in place of the image code described, and are
reproduced as the conveyor moves relative to an array of
reproduction transducers such as magnetic heads replacing said
array of photomultiplier tubes. Thermoplastic recording and
scanning means such as the so called TPR erasable recording
apparatus as developed by the General Electric Company may replace
the described photographic recording means in still another
system.
Details of a typical code matching relay such as those illustrated
in FIGS. 2 and 3 and referred to by the notation 28A, 28B and 58,
are shown in FIG. 4. The code matching relay 28 employs a plurality
of so called logical AND switching elements or the like which are
operative to provide an output or control signal when all of the
plural inputs thereto are simultaneously energized.
The inputs 27' to the code matching relay 28 each extend from a
respective switch SW which make up the code forming switching bank
connected to a respective AND switching circuit 28a. Each AND
circuit 28A has two inputs, one connected to a respective switch in
switching bank 27 and the other to a feedback input from a scanner
of a code reading relay 17' in said photo-multiplier bank 17 which
reads the frame indicating code recorded along the border of the
conveyor 18. Thus, if one of the feedback circuits 30a is energized
and its matching circuit 27' is also simultaneously energized, a
signal will appear on the output of the logical AND switching
element 28a associated therewith.
It is also desired to provide a signal on the output 25g of a
particular AND switching circuit when there is no signal present on
its feedback input 30a and no signal is present on its input 27'
for code matching purposes. This may be accomplished by providing a
normally closed switch 28b which will gate a signal from a power
supply 28p to the output line 28g of the AND circuit only when
closed, said switch connecting the switching input of said normally
closed switch to both of the circuits 27' and 30a leading to said
AND circuit 28a so that if either of the circuits is energized no
signal will be passed from said power supply 28p to said output
circuit 28g. As a result of this arrangement, if both of the inputs
27' and 30a to the AND switching circuit are inactive, a pulse will
be provided on the output circuit of said AND switching unit.
Simultaneous energization of all of the outputs 28g of said first
bank of AND switching circuits 28a is an indication that the code
set up on the input line 27' by the energization or de-energization
of the switches SW is matched or simulated by the respective
scanning relays 17'. It is a simple matter to produce a pulse
output from said relay 28 when the four or more circuits 28g are
all energized. This may be accomplished by extending all of the
circuits 28g to an AND switching circuit having the same number of
inputs which provides an output when all of said inputs are
simultaneously energized. In FIG. 4 the same effect is accomplished
by providing two logical AND switching circuits 28c-1 and 28c-2
similar to the AND circuit 28a each having two inputs which are
respective outputs of two of said other AND switching circuits 28a
and each having an output which extends to an AND switching circuit
28d which provides an output on a circuit 28-o when both of said
inputs are energized. The output 28-o is adapted to become
energized when the code simulated on the input 27' is matched by
the code on the outputs 30a of code scanning relays 17'. The
switches SW which connect a power supply 27p' with their respective
output 27' are bi-stable or flip-flop hand operated switches. They
may also be mono-stable or bi-stable electro mechanical or
electronic switches which become energized and close either when an
input 50 to said switch is pulsed. Several modes of operation of
the code forming unit 27 are thus possible. The code may be set up
by hand by merely activating bi-stable push button switches in the
desired code array. Solenoids may also be employed to actuate
switches of the selection bank or the inputs 50-1 to 50-4 may be
energized by outputs of punch-card reader or any suitable code
forming device including a computer. If the switches SW are
bi-stable pulse actuated switches they may be each provided with a
re-setting input connected to a common resetting line, which when
energized, resets all switches to an open state. The signal
resetting all of said switches in 27 is derived when the output
line 28-o becomes energized, said signal being passed directly to
the line 27R for resetting 27. If each of the switches, SW-1 to
SW-4, are bi-stable switches which close if the respective line 50
from the computer or card reader 50 is pulsed, resetting all
switches SW is effected by pulsing a common line 27-R extending to
the reset switching input of all said SW switches to activate and
open all switches when a pulse is applied to 27-R. Thus, all the
output circuit 27' become de-energized as the circuits with 27p are
opened. The line 27R may be pulsed by a signal generated in the
card reader 50 or by feedback of the output signal generated on
28-O to circuit 27-R.
In FIG. 3, the control signal generated on line 28SW when the code
matching relay 28b becomes energized, may be transmitted to all of
the resetting switching inputs to the frame selectors 49a, 49b and
52 to reset all simultaneously in the manner described above.
FIG. 5 illustrates one form of scanning beam control utilizing a
conventional video camera modified to scan each image frame only
when positioned in the scanning field thereof with a line frequency
of 15 kilocycles which may be increased if necessary by replacement
of the multivibrators. The generated picture signal comprises that
generated during a single frame sweep of the camera read beam and
results from a beam sweep which starts at a known point in the
image field and terminates at or near said point. Rows of said
cameras may be laterally positioned and arranged relative to each
other and the image frame conveyor, such that each image frame
track moving past said scanners will be scanned by at least one of
said cameras. The camera optical system 14a is provided such that
an image approximately equal to the film, print or micro-photograph
positioned in front of said optical system will occupy
substantially the scanning field of a conventional image tube 14'
such as a Vidicon tube or the like. The camera is provided with the
conventional beam deflection and blanking controls 14" which
receive sync signals from amplifiers 14g, 14f, and 14d. The
blanking amplifier 14f receives blanking signals from a blanking
mixer 14b and the output of an image frame position indicator 17f.
The frame indicator 17f comprises a relay such as a photo-electric
scanning unit adapted to become energized and to provide a signal
output when it scans a mark on the surface of conveying means 18'
which is positioned to produce a pulse each time the forward edge
of a row of image frames provided on the conveyor is adjacent the
scanning axis of said photo-electric relay. That is to say,
whenever an image frame starts to move into the scanning field of
the scanner 14, a position indicating pulse is produced by means of
the relay 17f and said pulse is operative to trigger the deflection
chain of the video scanner and to cause said scanner thereafter to
scan the selected image field and produce a picture signal on the
output 15 of said scanner.
In a preferred arrangement, a photoelectric scanner 17f is provided
for each row of said video scanners 14 and its output is connected
to the input 99 of each scanner in said row, for triggering the
scanning beams thereof. This embodiment requires that all document
recordings in each row are laterally aligned with the row of
cameras scanning means are provided for each scanner 14. If each
row of cameras is triggered by a respective scanner 17f, precise
longitudinal alignment of the rows is not necessary if the position
indicating marks or code on the border of 18' are aligned with
respective rows of said image frames.
In accordance with the arrangement of FIG. 5 the scanner 14 is
provided with three outputs 15a, 15b, and 15c, which respectively
pass the horizontal and vertical sync signals and the corresponding
picture signal to the switching system 13 through which said
signals are gated to the monitor station or stations connected
thereto.
The picture signal forming means of FIG. 5 may be utilized in a
system employing intermittent motion of the image frame conveyor 18
past the scanning cameras, by utilizing the feed back pulse
generated by relay 17f to trigger the deflection chain of the
camera at a time while the conveyor is at a standstill. Notation
17fd refers to a time delay relay in the feed back circuit 17fw
which delays the output of 17-f a sufficient period of time to
permit the conveyor to come to rest during its intermittent motion
past the camera. A system employing continuous motion of the
conveyor belt or flight 18' may also be utilized if the camera 14
is on a movable mount and is moved by means of a lineal servo so
that its speed relative to 18' is essentially constant during the
interval scanning occurs. The actuation of said camera moving servo
may be effected by means of the pulse generated directly on the
output of 17f before it has passed through said time delay relay.
If intermittent motion of the conveyor 18 is employed, the relay
17f may be replaced by a limit switch which is coupled to the drive
for said conveyor in a manner such that it becomes actuated each
time intermittent motion occurs and it is merely necessary to
adjust the time delay relay such that the pulse signal created at
the output thereof will be transmitted to trigger the deflection
chain to 14g and 14c at the proper instant. This picture signal
resulting from such frame scanning is developed on the output of
video amplifier 14h and with the output of blanking amplifier 14f
is transmitted on the circuits of the automatic switching system to
one or more of the monitor stations 22. The photoelectric relay 17f
is operative to provide a control pulse each time it scans a mark
spot 97 printed or otherwise provided on conveyor 18' adjacent each
frame and indicative of the position of said frame. Said markers
are illustrated in FIG. 9 as being adjacent the beginning of each
frame row.
A modified form of image frame storage and reproduction system is
illustrated in FIG. 5a in which composite video signals are
generated and recorded at relatively high scanning rate in scanning
the storage means for said frames and transmitted at a lower
frequency on circuits of an automatic switching system 13P to a
monitor station at which the selection of said signals is
controlled. In FIG. 5a the camera unit 124x employs magnetic
deflection means for its read beam which scans an image screen on
which is intermittently cast images of the frames in the column of
document recordings being scanned thereby as they pass into the
scanning field thereof. The sync and blanking unit 124" is typical
of such a unit for a closed circuit television camera of
conventional design. The sync signal generator 125 comprises a 60
cycle power line. It may also comprise a photoelectric or other
transducing means for reading marks or signals provided on the
surface of the conveyor 18' to define row and frame locations such
as the markings 97 of FIG. 5. The constants of the illustrated
multivibrator will depend on the desired line and frame frequency
as well as the other parameters of the system such as the speed and
synchronization, of the means driving the conveyor. If the sync
signal generator 125 is equivalent to the reader 17f of FIG. 5,
then the 60 cycle blanking multi-vibrator may be omitted. If the
frames or image fields are mounted on the conveyor with spaces
between each which are blank or black such that they will not
provide a picture signal at the output of camera 124x when scanned
by its readbeam, then the frame blanking generating components of
the sync and blanking unit 124" may also be omitted.
The picture, blanking and horizontal as well as vertical sync
signals are combined as a composite signal and transmitted from
video amplifier 126 in the camera unit over an output 31W to the
input of a bi-stable switch 35a' which is controlled to close and
open, as described in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, by a
pair or code matching relays 28a' and 28b'. The switch 35a' is
adapted to be closed only during the interval the camera 124x is
scanning predetermined or selected frames of the images passing
through the scanning field of 124x.
Since selection of the signals to be passed through 35a' is
effected from remote monitor stations such as the illustrated
station 22-y and the means for controlling said bi-stable switch
are located in the vicinity of the storage unit beyond the
automatic switching system as illustrated, the presetting of
code-matching relays 28a' and 28b' is effected by means of signals
originating at the monitor stations and transmitted on the
connection of automatic switching system 13P over the same line
which carries the picture signals to said monitor station. The code
matching relays 28a' and 28b' are set-up by means of pulse trains
which represent in series the parallel code desired on the inputs
49aW' and 49bW' to preset said code matching relays for document
frame selection. The codes destined for each code matching relay
are converted from series to parallel codes in respective shift
registers 130a and 130b. So that only the correct code will be
transmitted to the input of the selected shift register, a
switching system employing coded relays and tone responsive relays
is employed. Provided at each monitor station is a command code
generator 136 which may be a manually operated array of push button
switches equivalent in function to the switches SW of FIG. 4 or may
comprise a card reader such as 50 of FIGS. 3 and 3a. When code
generator 136 is activated after being set up, it transmits a pulse
train over its output circuit 26W" on the circuit between switching
system 13P and the input 133W to the frame selection control
circuits 123x of the selected camera 124x The command pulse train
includes, in addition to a first portion thereof generated for
effecting the automatic connection between lines 26W" and 133W, a
code portion adapted to energize a first coded relay 131a which
effects the closure of a bi-stable switch 132. The next portion of
the code generated by 136 is a pulse train which is converted to
parallel code after passing to the shift register 30a. Shift
register 130a is connected to 133W through switch 132. The output
of 130a is a parallel code generated on circuits 49aW and 49bW
which is operative to set-up or preset the code matching relay in
the manner provided in FIG. 4. The notations 28a' and 28b' refer to
the components provided in the boxes 27 and 28 of FIG. 4. The next
part of the pulse train transmitted over the completed circuit is
adapted to open switch 132 by energizing a second coded relay 131b
responsive only thereto. If the switch 132 is adapted to
automatically open after being closed a sufficient period of time
to permit that portion of the series code to be transmitted to 130a
to pass thereto, the relay 131b and the code portion for energizing
said relay my be eliminated.
The next portion of the pulse train transmitted from 136 is adapted
to respectively energize a coded relay 131'a which is operative to
close switch 132' whereafter the desired code is generated by 136
and transmitted to shift register 130b which generated it as a
parallel code on lines 49bW for presetting the code matching relay
28b' for determining the opening of the bi-stable switch 35a' when
the last selected picture signal has passed therethrough. When the
first of the selected image frames enters the scanning field of the
camera 124' the bi-stable switch 35a' is closed by the means
described and the resulting composite video signals generated as
said camera scans the predetermined frames thereafter are gated
through 35a' and recorded on a recording tape of an intermediate
recording unit 41-1, by means of a recording transducer 37. The
closed loop tape 41T of recorder 41-1 is driven at a first, high
speed by means of a first servo drive 45' to effect the recording
of the relatively high frequency signal transmitted from the output
31W of 124' thereto. After the predetermined composite video
picture signals have passed through 35a', said switch opens when
relay 28b' becomes energized. The signal on output 28-O' of 28b' is
transmitted to reset both of said code matching relays and is
passed to a circuit 28a-O' extending to the input of a tone
generator 133. Energization of 133 effects the generation of a
signal of a particular tone or frequency on a circuit 133'W which
includes the connected line extending to station 22-y. The tone
signal generated by 133 is used to energize a tone responsive relay
133TA at the monitor station which relay is operative to close a
switch and energize a warning device such as a lamp, buzzer or
other indicator indicating to the operator of the monitor station
that the selected video signals have been recorded on the tape of
unit 41-1. The operator may then energize means for effecting the
transmission of the recorded video signals from the camera storage
unit 123x to viewing monitor means 22-Y' at his station. Notations
137 to 139 refer to controls in the form of tone generating means
which may be manually energized to transmit on the connected
circuit different control tones for controlling the reproduction of
the signals recorded in the storage unit 41-1, and the transmission
of said reproduced video signals through said automatic switching
system. If the switching system 13P is an automatic telephone
switching means employing wire pairs for connections, the video
signals recorded at relatively high, megacycle frequencies will
have to be generated at relatively lower frequencies to effect
transmission thereof on the connected wire circuit. Notation 42'
refers to drive means for the transport of the recording tape in
41-1 which is adapted to become operative when drive 45' becomes
inoperative to drive the tape at the slow speed for providing the
composite video signals reproduced therefrom at the lower
frequencies required for transmission over the voice-pairs in
13P.
The means for controlling the speed of the tape 41T of 41-1
comprise in FIG. 5a a first tone responsive relay 135 which, when
energized by a particular tone transmitted to its input 31W" from
one of the generators 137 to 139, energizes the stop control 45'-S
of servo drive 45' and the start control 42'F of the slow drive
servo 42'. The operator may effect this action when the tone relay
133TA and indicator connected thereto becomes energized indicating
that the last selected video signal has been recorded on tape 41T.
The same function may be effected automatically by connecting the
output circuit 28a-O' directly to the inputs to stop controls 45'-S
and 42'-S of motors 45' and 42'. If a single frame video picture
signal has been recorded on 41T, it may be reproduced therefrom and
transmitted to 22-y over circuit 26W" and passed directly to the
video storage tube 22-y'. If a plurality of signals have been
recorded in 41-1 they may be individually reproduced when needed
and used to modulate the writing means of storage tube 22y' or may
be passed in series to the intermediate storage system 20,
operative as described wherafter individual frame signal selection
means 34' may be manually operated to effect image generation at
the will of the operator by modulation of the writing means for the
storage tube 22-y'. It is noted that recording apparatus 41-1 at
the camera may also be provided with individual signal selection
controls of the type provided in U.S. Pat. 3,051,777 which are
manually operated and remotely controllable by a tone responsive or
coded relays. Such relays may be controlled from the monitor
station 22-y at the will of the operator who activates manual
switches controlling tone or code signal generators. This
arrangement will eliminate the need for further intermediate
storage means such as 20 at each monitor station.
Further variations in the apparatus of FIG. 5a include the
provision of automatic erasure means for the signals recorded on
tape 41T, which erasure means may be energized as the signals are
individually reproduced or may be controlled by the operator of the
monitor station by means of manually operated tone or code
generating means located at the monitor station and adapted to
energize a relay responsive to the signal generated thereby which
relay is coupled to energizing means for the erase head. A further
feature may include means for automatically uncoupling the output
of video amplifier 126 from the monitor station to another circuit
31W at the end of a selection cycle so that the camera output is
available to another subscriber or monitor station. A solenoid
stepped rotary switch in the circuit 31W may effect such uncoupling
by connecting the solenoid to the line 28-O' so that when the
bi-stable switch 35a' opens when the selected signals have passed
to the monitor station, the output of 124' will be available for
transmission to another monitor station. Notation 134 relates to a
second tone or code responsive relay activated by a signal
transmitted from one of the generators 136 to 139 to start the
drive 45' by energizing the forward drive control 45'F and the stop
control 42'S of drive 42'.
Also illustrated in FIG. 5 are details of a typical station video
monitor. Station 22-x is illustrated having a video picture or
storage tube 22', the picture writing means of which is operatively
connectable either directly to the outputs 15 of the video camera
14 or to the intermediate storage apparatus which in turn is
connectable to said camera outputs through said automatic switching
system 13. The circuits 15a, 15b and 15c extend by means of
connecting circuits in automatic switching system 13 to monitor
station input circuits 15a', 15b' and 15c' after passing through
respective gates represented by the block 13', which gates are
activated by signals provided by the code matching means 28 shown
in FIG. 3 which is part of the frame and circuit selection
apparatus. The selected picture signals arriving on circuits 15a',
15b' and 15c' are recorded on respective tracks of the magnetic
recording member comprising the intermediate storage apparatus 20
and may be selectively reproduced therefrom a frame at a time for
providing respective images on the face of the tube 22'x' as
described in my Pat. No. 3,051,777.
It is noted that the camera 14 of FIG. 5 may be a flying spot
scanner or other type of beam modulate video scanner. If said
scanner is a flying spot scanner, the photoelectric receiver for
the modulated light thereof may be positioned on the other side of
the conveyor flight or belt 18' from the light source in alignment
with the stored image frames F developed in transparent film. The
output of the receiver, which may comprise a photomultiplier tube
will comprise picture signal line 15c while the vertical and
horizontal sync signals are derived from the sweep and blanking
unit controlling the beam of the scanner in its raster scan as
described.
It is further noted that the apparatus of FIG. 5 may be simplified
by providing a common sync and blanking unit such as 14SB adapted
to generate vertical, and horizontal sync signals as well as
blanking signals for a plurality of scanning cameras such as all of
the scanners provided in one of the lateral arrays or may provide
beam deflection signals for all of the cameras in the system by
providing the outputs of the vertical synchronizing signal
amplifier 14g, the blanking amplifier 14f and the horizontal
synchronizing amplifier 14d of a sweep and blanking unit
operatively connectable to the inputs of all selectively operating
cameras in the storage and reproduction system. All camera scanning
beams will thus operate in synchronization with each other and each
camera will produce a picture signal on its output at substantially
the same time the other cameras are generating picture signals.
This will require that all stored image frames provided in lateral
array be aligned such that each will simultaneously enter the
scanning fields of a respective camera is said lateral array of
scanners. Longitudinal alignment of all rows as well as their
spacing relative to each other will necessarily be the same for all
rows of document recordings in such an arrangement. A single
scanner such as 17f may thus be used to trigger the deflection
chain of the common sweep and blanking signal generator. If
intermittent drive is employed for the conveyor, the trigger signal
may be derived from a limit switch on the shaft of the drive
adapted to close and generate said trigger pulse when the conveyor
comes to rest.
FIGS. 6 to 8 show constructional details of the image frame storage
conveyor and the means supporting said plural rows of video
scanning cameras. The housings of the video cameras are shown
secured in side-wise abutment with each other in row formations
with each row of said cameras being supported by a respective
crossbeam 76 provided in the form of a channel which is supported
between longitudinal beams 71 and 71' forming the upper structure
of a box frame 70 which extends to the side of and above the closed
loop conveyor 18. The box frame illustrated is made of pairs of end
vertical beams 73 and 74, a pair of lower longitudinal beams 75
which are supported by the floor, upper longitudinals 71 and 71'
and respective lateral beams, one of which 72 is shown in FIG. 6.
Since a smaller television camera available at this writing
measures about 11/2.times.11/2 inches in cross-section, in order to
obtain maximum image frame storage density on the conveyor to
provide scanning axes less than 1/2 inch apart, the requisite
camera spacing is provided in FIGS. 6 and 7 by providing multiple
rows of cameras and staggering the positions of the cameras in one
row with respect to those of the other rows. If the walls of all
camera housings are of the same dimensions and the optical systems
of each camera, is similarly provided in position in all cameras,
then the distance between each camera's scanning axis, when said
housings are in abutment with each other, will be equivalent to the
width of the housing. As an example, if the camera housings are 2
inches wide and the distance between center lines of each column of
storage frames or images on the conveyor 18' is 3/8 inch, then each
camera in a bank will scan a column of image frames which is eight
columns away from the column scanned by the adjacent cameras. By
staggering each row of cameras so that it is shifted in lateral
position from the adjacent or next row in line a distance
equivalent to the distance between columns of image frames, then
eight rows of said cameras, each of which extends completely across
the image area of the conveyor, will suffice to scan all columns of
image frames on the surface of the belt 18.
Further structural details of the mount for said cameras include
the provision of means for supporting such components as bearings
for the shafts of the conveyor drive and idler means, the drives
for said conveyor and the coaxial cable and wires extending to the
individual cameras. The longitudinal and lateral beams 71, 72 and
76 are provided as I-beams or channels opening upward as shown so
that said cable, referred to by the notation 15-W, may be placed in
the track or channel provided by said beams and will be supported
thereby in extending to the various connection points along the
lateral beams where they are connected to respective cameras. The
wire bundle 15WB of each channel extends to longitudinal channel
71' where it joins and extends with bundles of other wires from
cameras of other rows and forms a larger bundle 15WB' which extends
along 71' to near one end thereof from which it extends to said
automatic switching system or as individual wires to respective
remote locations or monitor stations. The lateral beam 81 supports
the described bank of code scanning photomultiplier tubes 82 which
scan the border area 18'C of said conveyor containing said position
indicating code. The drums 86 and 87 are shown respectively
supported on bearing mounts 88 and 89 which are supported by
extensions of the frame 70 or by the longitudinal 75 and 75'
thereof at the bottom of the frame. The drum or sprocket 87 is
driven by a motor 78 mounted on the end of the frame 70 through a
belt 85. A plurality of free wheeling rollers 80 are supported in
bearing at the ends of respective longitudinal beams, one of which
83 is shown, which extend between end verticals of the frame. These
rollers support the belt 18' of the conveyor in precise vertical
alignment relative to the cameras so that the image frames will not
be out of focus when projected on the scanning screens of the
cameras.
In order to permit lateral adjustment of each camera, the base of
each channel 76, against which the end of each camera is mounted by
means of screws, is provided with a series of slotted holes 76S
therein which extend in at least two rows along the length of each
channel. If the length of each of said slotted holes 76S is equal
to or greater than half the width of each camera housing, then the
desired lateral adjustment of all rows may be effected and said
beams may be interchangeable with each other. If an individual
camera should have its circuit components burn out, it may be
easily removed and replaced by another camera by making the
connections between the wires 15W and said cameras pluggably
connectable with each other.
FIG. 8 shows further details of a camera and mount in the system
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Secured at both ends of the
longitudinal upper beams 71 and 71' of the frame is a lateral
channel beam 76 which is provided with angle brackets 77 at both
ends, which are secured by bolts to the upper beams of frame 70.
Slots 71a, provided in the inner sidewall of box or channel beam
71, permit longitudinal adjustment of the crossbeam 76. Such
elongated slots preferably extend the length of the lateral beams.
Centrally located slots 71c in the inside wall of 71 permit the
passage of the wires and video cables therethrough from the
interior of the beam 71 to the interior of the cross-channel 76 and
the extension of said wires to their respective cameras and
controls. The cable 15W, extending along channel 76, may be
strapped to the sidewall thereof or merely deposited therein said
cable is shown extending over the edge of the side wall of 76 from
which it extends downward to the top of the camera housing 14H. The
cable 15W is preferably connected to the camera by means of a
multiple pole pluggable connector 15WC, one half of which is
secured to the end of 15W and is adapted to plug into a recepticle
secured to the housing so that said camera may be easily removed
and disconnected, and replaced by another camera in the event that
it should not function properly. All that is required to replace
the camera is to remove bolts 76B which extend through the base of
76 and thread into threaded holes in the top wall of the camera
housing 14H which abuts 76 as illustrated, and to disconnect the
pluggable connector 15WC.
Also illustrated in FIG. 8 is a light source 14LS in the form of an
electric light mounted in a housing 14L at the side of the scanning
aperture or lens 14-O for said camera. A lens or lens system
employed in the housing 14L preferably directs light to illuminate
the column being scanned sufficiently to derive the desired degree
of illumination for proper scanning.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate design details of a conveyor for the
storage frames. Said frames may be mounted on or be part of a
flexible conveyor belt or belt-like closed loop structure which may
also comprise a plurality of flights 92 or plates arranged in a
closed loop or otherwise, referred to as 90.
In FIG. 9, a fragment of a plate or flight 92-1 is shown and is
preferably made of metal of sufficient stiffness to prevent its
deformation during conveyance past the cameras. The edge view, of
FIG. 9 provided in FIG. 10, shows plural brackets 92b secured to
the opposite face of the flight. Said brackets are pinned to a
closed loop link or chain conveyor 91, which conveys the plates in
a tandem array and along a fixed path in a plane at essentially a
fixed distance from all cameras. The member 92 may also comprise a
closed loop of 1/16 to 1/40 inch thick sheet metal such as
stainless steel adapted to be driven around a plurality of guides
or pulleys.
A first border area 96B of the flight 92-1 is adapted to be engaged
by plural rollers or guides 83'a which are rotationally mounted on
the frame adjacent the conveyor and urge said flight against
rollers or guides 83'b engaging the other face of the flight
preferably in alignment with said opposite face engaging rollers.
These rollers maintain the flight in the desired plane. Lateral
alignment of the flight is effected by means of edge riding rollers
83" which engage both lateral edges of the flight as it is drawn
along by means of the chain which is driven and guided by
conventional means over a plurality of pulleys or drums in a closed
loop path.
The edge view, FIG. 10, shows the lateral guide rollers 83", as
being centrally recessed so that the plate rides in said recess and
becomes centered and fixed in position relative to said guide
members positioning the image frames thereon in predetermined
longitudinal alignment relative the respective video scanners.
All rollers are preferably spring loaded against the plate or
flight so that the flight is effectively guided and is kept in
lateral alignment as well as substantially level and at the same
height as other flights guided therethrough. Inward of the border
area 96B of the plate is a strip area 96B' which extends the length
of the plate and has provided thereon by means of printing,
scribing or other means, an elongated code strip 96 such as a
binary-code provided for positional indication of frame or frame
row or lengths of said conveyor adapted to be scanned. The code on
strip portion 96 is divided into and changes at fixed intervals of
length of said conveyor which may comprise the length of each frame
or a fraction thereof to allow for cross referencing information to
be entered as parallel codes.
Inward of the code strip-area 96 are provided a plurality of marks
or indentations in the surface of said plate in the form of
laterally extending straight lines 95, which are precisely provided
at right angles to plural longitudinal lines 94 for aligning strips
or columnar formations of frames of image information which are
provided on film, paper, plastic mounted per se or on a metal
backing sheet. Said frames, for maximum conveyor area utilization,
are preferably in the form of micro-image photograhs having an area
of less than 1/2 square inch each or less. Depending on the
precision of the optical systems of the cameras and the resolution
required of the reproduced image, strip areas or frame reductions
from standard letter size sheets or photographs to recording areas
which are 1/10 inch square or less per document may be employed.
Lines 95' provided on the border of each frame are adapted for
alignment with lines 95-1 to 95N on the conveyor 92 which extend
laterally thereon and longitudinally extending lines 94' along one
border of the image strip or frames are adapted to be aligned with
the longitudinal conveyor lines 94-1 to 94-N to align said
frames.
Whereas in FIG. 9 the notation 92-1 refers to a plate or flight
which is shown in FIG. 10 as being secured with others to a
conveyor chain and driven through the guide means by driving said
chain, it is noted that said plate or sheet may be one of a
plurality of individual plates or sheets which are not joined
together but are individually handled and fed through the
illustrated guide means and driven therethrough by motor means
driving two or more of said illustrated pairs of guide rollers.
A plurality of parallel lines, referred to by the notations 94-1 to
94-N may be scribed or otherwise provided on the surface of the
conveyor and extend in a longitudinal direction thereon for
longitudinal alignment of image frames, columns of said frames or
ribbon-like formations of multiples of said columns by aligning
border lines or marks provided on said frames by printing or
photography means. When said alignment is effected, the associated
column or columns each are positioned to pass through essentially
the center of the scanning field of their respective scanning
cameras. Lateral alignment of each frame is provided by means of
parallelly extending lateral lines 95-1, 95-2 etc. provided across
the flight 92-1 with which lines or marks each frame or strip-group
of said frames are adapted to be aligned and are positioned in the
longitudinal direction such that, when frames or strips have their
position indicating marks aligned therewith, said frames will each
be centered in the scanning fields of their respective cameras
after they enter said field and the conveyor comes to rest for
performance of the said scanning function. For continuous operation
of the conveyor in which continuous line scanning is employed with
the constant-speed movement of the vertical deflection means for
said scanning, the alignment lines 95 serve to position rows of
said frames relative the border code-strip 96 whereby each unit
length of said code will be associated with a particular row of
frames and to furthermore effect the alignment of said frames in
lateral rows across said conveyor.
The flight 92-1 may be one of a plurality of said flights 92 which
are hinged or otherwise pivotally mounted relative each other,
preferably provided on a chain mount and drive means as shown and
arranged in an open or closed loop adapted to move said plates at
constant speed or intermittently at a constant rate with frames in
respective columns simultaneously entering and leaving the scanning
fields of respective of said scanning cameras or the like as
described. The notation 92'-1 refers to that portion of flight or
plate 92-1 which does not have said columns of image frames or
pictures mounted thereon and illustrated the lateral and
longitudinal extensions of the lines 94 and 95. The lateral lines
95 are shown provided every plural number of frame lengths along
92-1 although they may be provided and repeat every frame position
thereon. The notation 97 refers to the described frame indicating
marks which are adapted to be scanned and provide read-beam trigger
pulse output signals by activating a photoeletric scanner, for
frame start-reading trigger functions as described.
FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate constructional details of the imge frame
conveyor flight 92 including means for simplifying the alignment of
image frames thereon in column and row formations. The image frames
are shown as provided as single units although they may also
include strips of single or multiple columns said frames which are
prepared, preferably by photographic or printing means and are
secured to predetermined areas of the conveyor so that automatic
selection means may be employed for scanning selected
recordings.
In one form the conveyor flight comprises a flat rigid plate having
frame position indicating lines scribed or otherwise provided on
the surface thereof on which said image frames are to be secured to
provide alignment and prepositioning of said frames. A flexible
belt is utilized for said conveyor, the belt may comprise stainless
steel sheet metal having frame alignment marks provided on its
surface as described. In FIG. 11, the flight or plate 92, shown in
lateral cross-section has a plurality of parallelly extending
grooves or channels 92G provided by milling or other means in the
upper suface of said plate, each of which channel is approximately
equal in width to the width of a single film-strip of image frames
or to multiple columns of frames. The walls of the grooves thus
serve as means for aligning strips therein which may be adhesively
retained or secured with small screws to the bottoms of the
grooves. Lands 92L are provided separating adjacent grooves and
preferably run the length of the flight or a sufficient portion
thereof to afford wall portions for alignment of said frame strips
93.
In FIG. 12, the sheet 93' contains the document recordings as
plural columns F of photographic images developed in single strips
of film. The choice of whether to utilize single columns of
recordings or multiple columns will depend on the characteristic of
the information being stored, how often it will have to be updated,
replaced or changed and the characteristics of the selection and
coding system employed.
Image frame alignment means in FIG. 12 comprises utilization of
lateral lines 98 across the flight member 96 to define the location
of the lateral edges of image frames F and plural longitudinally
extending lines 99 and 99a scribed or otherwise provided on the
surface of 92 for indicating the longitudinal alignment of columns
of said image frames. Line 99, if the edges or borders of the film
strips are precisely provided relative to the frames thereof, may
be used during mounting or image development to align said strips
laterally on 92. If film strips containing single columns of said
frames are to be mounted or otherwise provided on the base,
position indicating lines 99a spaced across the base and defining
the centerlines of the fields scanned by the scanning cameras, may
be provided for automatic or manual alignment of film strip with
lines 99b provided at the center of each image column or filmstrip.
The notation 93c refers to a cut-out in the edge of the filmstrips
permitting the line 99a to be scanned or viewed from above. If the
film strip is a transparent sheet of photographic film, said
cut-out will not be necessary.
Lateral alignment of a plurality of said film or image strips may
be facilitated by providing said lateral alignment lines 98 also on
the surfaces of each land portion 92L so that individual strips
placed in the adjacent grooves may be aligned without having to use
a straight edge. Notation 96 refers to the border area of the plate
92 which is flat and contains printed photographic or otherwise
provided marks thereon in the form of strip code 96' extending as
code increments along the length of said flight for identifying
unit incremental lengths thereof on which specific rows of said
frames are provided and for cross-indexing. Area 96 may also
contain magnetic recording material to be recorded on and
reproduced from by transducing means positioned off the
conveyor.
FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate constructional details of a conveyor for
said image frames which are mounted thereon in strips of one or
more columns of said frames such as the strip 93 shown. The coveyor
or platen 92 is shown as having a series of indentations or
channels 92a, 92b, etc., provided in its scanned surface into which
strips of film or micro-image developed transparencies are placed
and secured. The width of each channel is essentially equal to the
width of the film to be mounted therein so that the side-walls
thereof may serve as guides for aligning said strips. A plurality
of slotted holes or cutouts 92H are provided in each channel base,
if it is desired to pass light through the film for scanning
purposes. Although the holes 92H illustrated in FIG. 14 are shown
as extending just the length of each image frame, they may also be
provided extending multiples of said frame lengths. Light may thus
be passed completely through said film from below or above in the
manner described hereafter. Scanning is effected by means of a
flying spot scanner or the combination of a stationery light source
on one side of the conveyor and the use of a receiver or camera on
the other having its scanning means in alignment with said light
source and said column. The lands 92L between channels provide the
lateral wall support for the strips of image bearing film. The
upper surface of each land is shown with a scribed line or mark 98'
thereon for aligning the frames of said film. Alignment marks 98F
between frames in a strip which define the end-limits of each frame
are adapted to be aligned with the lines 98' when said image frame
is properly mounted or recorded thereon. Cement may be applied to
the base portions remaining between cutouts 92H for adhering the
film strips thereto frictional means or small screw fasteners may
be used to effect said holding function. The fragmentary view at
the bottom of FIG. 14 shows portions 92b of greater length than the
corresponding remaining portions 92a with fasteners 93F' securing
the image strip 93 thereto. The lines 98 extending across the
border code area 96 of flight 92 are extensions of the lines 98'
and define the limits of the strip binary code units to be provided
on 96. The notation 93FB refers to black portions of each film
strip between frames adapted to be scanned and provide the blanking
portion of the vide signal. Notation 97' refers to marks along a
particular track or strip area of 92 adapted to be scanned by a
photoelectric device, such as 17f of FIG. 5, to provide the frame
vertical sync pulse in the resulting picture signal and to trigger
the vertical deflection chain of the camera as described. FIG. 15
shows further details of the flight construction and also
illustrated a bracket 92b for supporting 92 on said conveyor
therefore.
Whereas a number of the image frame flights or plates of FIGS. 11
to 15 may be secured together to define a conveyor having a
flexible closed loop arrangement if flights in accordance with the
assembly means of FIGS. 9 and 10, a plurality of said mounting
plates may also be provided as the storage means for said frames,
which plates are unattached and are stored by stacking either
vertically or horizontally and fed, one at a time, either
selectively or in a predetermined order through a guide means such
as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 which prepositions said plates and
effects their prepositioning and individual alignment relative to
one or more scanning cameras which are fixedly mounted relative
said plate guiding means. The feed of said unattached plates may be
effected by conventional sheet feed means to said guide means of
FIGS. 9 and 10 wherafter the driving of each plate through said
alignment means may be effected by the frictional engagement of one
or more drive wheels against the undersurface of the plate adapted
to be driven by a powered drive means or servo at a constant or
intermittent movement as described.
Since all of said rollers are provided with opposed rolling
depressor means and are spring loaded to frictionally engage the
plate after it enters said guide means, the continuous or
intermittent drive of said rollers by means of a chain and
sprockets or by means of gears driven by a constant speed motor or
stepping motor, will effect the continuous or intermittent drive of
said plate. The drive will depend on the type of scanning and will
be in accordance with the teachings of this application whereby
individual rows of said frames will move into and out of the
scanning fields of respective cameras as described. The plate or
sheet 92 may be a sheet or card, with or without punchings provided
therein for automatic sorting and selection purposes. Known methods
of getting, feeding, collating, selecting and sorting punched cards
may be employed to select, preposition and feed individual cards to
said guide means and to receive, convey and store said cards
therefrom. A further improvement involves providing the guide and
drive rollers 83' having sprocket wheels secured thereto or as
sprockets adapted to have their teeth engage in punchings provided
equispaced on the borders of said cards for longitudinal alignment
in said guide means and for driving each card therethrough whereby
the individual frames will be respectively prepositioned in the
scanning fields of respective cameras when scanning is effected.
The spacing between border punchings or cutouts engaged by said
sprocket drive teeth may be equivalent to said unit frame length FL
permitting said cutouts to be used for frame alignment purposes and
simplifying the means for controlling the movement of said drive
sprockets. A columnar area of said card may be provided for
containing, in addition to said position indicating code or the
like, or as a supplement thereto, rows of punchings in the form of
a code or codes adapted for selection and storage of the card by
conventional punched card sorting and selection means.
FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate further modifications to the image
storage and picture signal reproduction apparatus hereinabove
described and includes means for scanning image frames by means of
reading beam movement across a column of said frames whereby
scanning in the longitudinal direction is accomplished by constant
speed movement of the image frame conveyor. In other words, the
conveyor or flight on which document frames are mounted moves at
constant speed while video scanning proceeds either with a
free-running beam or one deriving line or frame sync pulses from
scanning line or frame indicating marks along the border column of
the conveyor. Said scanning provides a continuous picture signal of
the image recordings which is actually a plurality of individual
picture signals one for each frame scanned, and all generated in a
tandem chain and derived from scanning the different image frames
as they move relative to the scanning means. Only those selected
individual picture signals which are predetermined portions of the
resulting picture continuous signal derived from scanning the
column of image frames are gated to the monitor stations in the
system by the means described.
In FIGS. 16 and 17, conventional television cameras is heretofore
described and used for scanning the document image fields, are
replaced by a system employing a flying spot scanner of the cathode
ray tube type which provides a moving light source projecting a
beam of light through the transparent film images as they pass the
scanner, said light being modulated in intensity as it passes
through the transparent image fields and is picked up by a
multiplier phtotomultiplier tube. The output of the photomultiplier
tube is transmitted as a picture signal to the receiving station
and stored or used at once to modulate the picture writing means at
said station.
Notation 114 refers to a scanning device which includes a flying
spot scanning tube and an objective lens system. Notation 116
refers to a housing containing a photomultiplier tube and a
condenser lens system. The image storage system of FIGS. 16 and 17,
includes in addition to other features heretofore described for
operating the conveyor and conducting the generated signals to
monitor stations at least one flying spot scanning unit such as 114
applied with each image storage column of the constantly moving
conveyor 18" and an associated photomultiplier tube 116 positioned
to receive light from said scanner after it has been intensity
modulated in passing through the image frames passing between the
two. A side-by-side array of said scanners is shown provided in a
lateral row all of which are mounted on a common crossmember 106
which is supported by the described box-like frame of beams
referred to in FIG. 16 by the notation 100. If the width of the
image frames or columns of information is such that the closest
spacing of said scanners 114 will provide scanning of only multiple
frames or spaced-apart frames, staggered rows of scanners may be
provided such as in the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, each row of
scanners being provided on a different cross-beam 106 and aligned
with a respective row of said photomultiplier receivers 116
provided below the conveyor flight 18"-c on respective crossbeams
120 which are supported by longitudinal beams 109 at each side of
the frame 100 which extend between verticle beams 102 located at
the corners of said frame.
Power and deflection control lines 115 extend along each top
cross-beam 106 to respective scanners 114. For effecting economy in
construction the illustrated apparatus, all or groups of the flying
spot scanners may be collectively controlled whereby the deflection
beams of each are simultaneously caused to scan their fields by
signals generated in a common signal generator having an output
which feeds the deflection circuits of all or a plurality of
scanners. A block diagram of the picture signal generating means of
such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 17. A single line
deflection synchronizing signal generator 121 is provided having
circuits similar to the horizontal scanning sync signal generator
and line blanking signal generator used in conventional television
horizontal and blanking sync signal generation. The generator 121
is shown feeding the deflection control circuit of the flying spot
scanners 114 as well as the final stages of the picture signal
amplifiers of each photomultiplier receiver 116 in a particular row
of said scanners. The output of the photomultiplier tube 116 is
proportional in amplitude to the intensity of the light received by
said photomultiplier from its respective flying spot scanner after
passing through the film of its respective column. Said output is
passed to an equalizing amplifier 123 the output of which is fed to
a clamping amplifier 124 wherein the respective horizontal sync
signals are combined with the picture signal, the former being
generated by the sync signal generator 121. The output of 124 is
passed, as a series of picture signals derived from scanning
respective frames as they pass through the field of their
respective scanners and said picture signals are combined with
blanking and horizontal sync signals and fed to the switching
system 13 described. Means as heretofore described, may be used for
selectively gating only those portions of the picture signal
generated by scanning selected frames of the column of document
images conveyed past the selected scanner.
In operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 16 and 17, light from the
illuminated spot on the face of the flying spot scanning tube is
focused on the image in the film and is modulated in passing
therethrough according to the degree of transparency of the image
being scanned. The modulated light is focused on the multiplier
phototube by a condensing lens system and the output of 116
constitutes the video signal. Single line deflection is utilized
with the circuits similar to horizontal scanning in conventional
television and the beam is thereafter adapted to quickly return to
a start scanning position after reaching the end of each line
sweep, during which interval the beam is blanked. Reference is made
to apparatus described in the March 1949 issue of RCA Review for a
description of a continuous sweep flying spot scanner operative to
scan a continuously moving film-strip and applicable to the
apparatus of FIGS. 16 and 17. Line frequency may be adjusted from 6
to 16 kilocycles and will depend on the speed of the conveyor 18"
and the desired degree of resolution of the resulting image
generated on the face of the monitor screen.
If conventional video storage and reproduction apparatus are
utilized to reproduce an image on the face of a cathode ray tube or
the like by the means described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,177 both
line and frame vertical sync signals will have to be added to the
resulting picture signals generated by the photomultiplier tube 116
at some point after their generation or provided in the proper
synchronized relation to the picture signal at some point in the
system prior to its utilization to modulate the beam writing means
for monitoring the image of the picture signal. In FIG. 17, a
photomultiplier tube or the like 126 is provided which scans marks
97" on the border of the conveyor 18" and is adjusted to provide a
signal output whenever a mark appears in the scanning field of said
tube. If said marks or points or different light reflectivity are
positioned such that the image of each will enter the scanning
field of 126 when the leading edge of a respective image frame or
row of frames enters the scanning field of a video camera or
scanner 114, then the pulse output of 126 may be recorded as the
frame vertical sync signal or used as means for triggering a
vertical sync signal generator to provide future vertical
deflection control for the selected picture signal. The output of
126 is shown connected to the output 15 of amplifier 124 for the
signal generated by 116 as well as to the outputs of the amplifiers
associated with the other photomultiplier tubes 116 of a row or all
those in the storage system so that said sync signal is combined
and transmitted with the video picture signal in correct
synchronization such that it may be used as the frame vertical sync
signal. The notation 127 refers to a vertical sync signal generator
of conventional design which may be inserted between the output of
126 and the line 15 or all outputs for the photomultiplier tubes
116 of a row or system which generator is triggered by the signal
produced by 126 and combined with the video signals to provide the
necessary vertical sync signals for modulating conventional video
beam writing means. Said generator 127 may also be provided at each
video receiver or may be operative to provide frame vertical sync
signals on all scanner output lines simultaneously. The notation
117 of FIG. 16 refers to the individual lines extending from each
photomultiplier 116 along the beam support 120 to the longitudinal
beam 109 from which all said lines extend to the described
switching system. Similarly, the lines 115 extend along upper
longitudinal beam 108 from a common power supply and sync signal
generator to each flying spot scanner 114. Notation 17' refers to
the mentioned bank of code reading photomultiplier tubes secured on
a mount 17a to the crossbeam 106. Output lines thereof extend along
108 to respective inputs to the switching system.
The conveyor belt 18' may comprise an elongated magnetic recording
medium such as a wide magnetic recording belt or a plurality of
belts or tapes with picture signals recorded in columns and rows
thereon onto predetermined strip areas thereof for selective
reproduction by the means provided by use of a plurality of the
correct reproduction transducers. Furthermore, the positional code
producing photoelectric reading bank of relays 17 of FIGS. 1 and 17
may be replaced by one or more magnetic reproduction transducers
adapted to scan one or more magnetic recording tracks provided on a
magnetic recording strip area of the belt or flight on which is
recorded a plurality of signals which are indicative of the
position of the belt. The provision of a parallel binary code
thereon adapted to be reproduced and provided in essentially the
same areas as the illustrated visual code, would serve the same
function as said visual code when magnetically reproduced
therefrom.
A further variation in the means for scanning and storaging image
signals may utilize the physical arrangement illustrated in FIG. 16
which employs document image frame developed in thermoplastic
recording photographic film. Direct lighting and scanning of the
image field may be employed as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 in
which the cameras scan positive prints ripple pattern thermoplastic
recordings or film mounted on a white background. If micro-images
developed in photographic or thermoplastic recording film are
employed, a preferable method for providing said images at the
scanning plane of the cameras is to pass light through said film in
a manner to project the images formed by said light onto the
scanning field of the camera. In this arrangement, the housing 116
contains mounted thereon the required light sources and optical
means for projecting said light whereby it passes through the
column of images 93 and is then passed to the camera lens system
whereby it forms an image on the scanning screen thereof. For this
arrangement, the housings 116 would all be light sources and the
scanners 114, video cameras having the necessary optical scanning
means provided with each. The video picture signal outputs of said
cameras would be connected as illustrated in one of the circuits
heretofore described.
* * * * *