US3507575A

US3507575A - Display-print module

Info

Publication number: US3507575A
Application number: US768028A
Authority: US
Inventors: James L Soule; Thomas J Werner
Original assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: 3M Co
Priority date: 1968-10-16
Filing date: 1968-10-16
Publication date: 1970-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1987-04-21
Also published as: GB1282433A; DE6940868U

Description

April 21; 1970 J SQULE ET AL v DISPLAY-PRINT MODULE Filed Oct. 16, 1968 2 Sheeiis-Sheeh 1 INVENTORS JAMES L. S'OULE TH MAS J WERNER ATTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 355-45 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A display-print terminal wherein a light pattern from a cathode ray tube is enlarged and focused by a lens assembly onto a viewing screen or alternatively focused onto a data recorder via an oscillating mirror-shutter assembly for producing a printed or graphic copy of the light pattern upon demand of the operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Display terminals are used to visually display computer-generated information to a user of the computer. These terminals, with the increased utilization of timesharing and real-time data processing systems, are placing a computer within arms reach of those who until now had, at best, only limited access to computer-generated information. Yet, while these display terminals have extended the usefulness of computers, the limited user continues to be beset with problems of how to better utilize the displayed information at a subsequent date. A compact device that would allow the operator of the display terminal to obtain a copy of the computer-generated information would greatly enhance the utilization of these terminals. However, such a device to achieve acceptance should be sufficiently compact to fit upon a desk-top and provide means for visually dsplaying the graphic pattern and means for obtaining a copy of the pattern upon demand of the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a display terminal and more particularly to a display-print module for visually displaying received information as a light pattern and for obtaining a hard copy of the light pattern upon demand of the operator.

Thus, the operator of a desk-top display-print module may visually examine the displayed pattern and, upon demand, obtain a copy thereof for subsequent use. In addition to electronic data processing, a display-print module may be used to record medical data such as electrocardiographs and electroencephalographs; to duplicate sustained TV facsimile displays; and to reproduce repeating waveforms displayed on cathode ray tube instrumentation recorders.

Other uses and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the figures and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a desk-top displayprint module;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatical side elevational view of the terminal of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side sectional view of the mirror-shutter assembly taken on the line 33 of FIG- URE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is an electrical schematic of the terminal of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGURE 1, there is shown a desk-top display-print module 10 comprising a housing 12, a cathode ray tube (CRT) 20, (see FIG- URE 2), a fixed mirror 24, a rotatable mirror-shutter assembly 30, a lens assembly 50, a viewing screen 70 and a data recorder 80.

The minimized exterior dimensions of the housing 12, thus the compactness of the display-printer, is an important aspect in inducing people to use the terminal in a casual manner. However, this compactness constrains the functional operation of the components therewithin. As for example, the data recorder must be minimal in size, the optic system should be folded and include a magnification lens assembly 50 to enlarge the image from the compact CRT 20 to a generally acceptable projection, for easy viewing and copying, of approximately 8 x 10 inches. Thus, the desirable compactness of the terminal dictates physical size restrictions placed on the other components therewithin.

The housing 12 supports the components of the module and comprises a front wall 14, a rear wall 16, two

side walls

17, 17, a top wall 18 and bottom wall 19. In addition to these exterior walls, the housing includes an interior partition 13 having an aperture 15 therein. This partition provides a chamber for the data recorder 80. Information, in the form of electrical signals, is supplied to the module by electrical components not part of this invention. This electrical information is converted into a light pattern by the CRT 20 and displayed on its faceplate 22. The keyboard 23, not a part of this invention, may be used by the operator of the terminal to update and change the light pattern appearing on the screen by the operator communicating with the computer.

For any kind of practical viewing of the light pattern in ambient room light, the'screen 70 has to have a brightness of approximately 6 foot-candles. Therefore, the CRT 20 has to be compact to satisfy the space restriction and of extraordinary brightness to adequately illuminate the screen 70. The faceplate 22 is substantially flat, at least within a 4 inch square raster, so that the image on the faceplate 22 may be optically imaged as a fiat and naturally appearing image upon the screen 70 and recorder 80 in an efiicient manner. Although similar CRTs may be used, the CRT utilized in this embodiment is a Sylvania SC 4369 available from Sylvania Electric Products Co., Seneca Falls, NY.

The rear projection viewing screen 70, structurally supported by the front wall 14 and overlapping the opening 71 therewithin, receives the light pattern from the CRT. An operator of the module may then visually observe the light pattern appearing on the screen 70.

A self-contained data recorder 80 provides the operator, upon demand, with a copy of the light pattern. Although other data recorders could be utilized, the compact data recorder used in the preferred embodiment is a Model 144 Data Recorder available from the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., St. Paul, Minn. This unit includes a roll 82 of light-sensitive paper 83, a print plane 84 on which the light-sensitive paper 83 is exposed to the light pattern appearing on the CRT for forming a latent image on the paper, feed rolls 85 for advancing the paper to the thermal processor 86 wherein the paper is heated to a temperature sufficient to develop the latent image to a visible image, a knife 88' for severing the exposed area or section of the paper from the unexposed paper and a delivery roll 89 for providing the operator with the graphic copy of the light pattern appearing on the viewing screen 70'.

The folded optical system, as shown in FIGURE 2, necessitated by the physical restrictions of the housing, comprises a fixed mirror 24 positioned at 45 degrees to the optical center line 25, a rotatable mirror-shutter assembly 30 and a lens assembly 50. The fixed mirror 24 above the CRT and the mirror 34 of the pivotal mirror-shutter assembly are made of ground and highly polished plate glass. The first surfaces of these mirrors are coated with aluminum with an overcoating of silicon monoxide to prevent the aluminum from oxidizing. This hard, highly reflective composition has a reflectivity of more than 90 percent.

The mirror-shutter assembly 30, as shown in FIGURE 3, comprises a beam 32 pivotably supported by the housing 12, an arm 36 pivotably connected to the beam and resiliently connected to the beam by a bolt-spring as sembly 38, an actuating motor 40 for pivotably moving the assembly between an upper position and a lower position, and a mirror 34 aflixed to the beam 32. It is important that the CRT 20 not be illuminated when the mirror assembly is between the upper and lower positions to avoid smearing of the image on the light-sensitive paper 83. When the assembly is in the upper position, the mirror will intercept the optical path between the lens 50 and the screen 70 at an angle of 45 degrees to the optical center line and reflect the light pattern onto the print plane 84. As shown in FIGURE 3, the actuating motor 40 is connected via the pitman 63 and the roller 64 to the channel 65 of the arm 36 to actuate the mirror-shutter assembly between the upper and lower positions. As the assembly 30 reaches the upper position, the beam 32 is stopped by the abutment, which accuraely positions the mirror 34 in the upper position, while the arm .36 continues to pivot relative to the beam 32 compressing the bolt-spring assembly 38 (see FIG- URE 3) wherein the arm 36 actuates the mirror up switch 73. Thus, the CRT 20 can not be illuminated until after the mirror 34 has been stopped and positioned in precise optical alignment relative to the print plane 84. When the assembly is in the lower position the light pattern may be received by the viewing screen and the assembly 30 acts as a shutter together with a gasket 41 abutting the partition 13 around the periphery of the aperture 15 to seal the light-sensitive paper on the print plane from light generated from the illuminating CRT 20.

In operation of the display-print module 10, lightsensitive paper 83 is inserted into the data recorder 80 to provide light-sensitive paper 83 over the print plane 84. Insertion of the paper closes the paper sensing switch 51, shown open in FIGURE 4. The main switch 52 is turned on and power is supplied to the module to preheat the heaters 53 of the data recorder to their operating temperatures. Heat from the heaters 53 will deifect the

bimetal switches

54, 55 and thus open switch 54 and move switch 55 to the electrical contact 56. The information source 72 is providing electrical signals to the CRT 20 by a separate switch (not shown). When the operator desires to make a copy of the light pattern appearing on the viewing screen 70, the print switch 57 is closed to energize the relay 58. Energization of the relay 58 closes the contacts 60 and 61 which start the mirror drive motor and continues to energize the motor 40 after switch 57 has been released. The motor 40 actuates the movement of the mirror-shutter assembly 30 via (see FIGURE 3) the shaft 62, the pitman 63 and the roller 64 operating within the channel 65 of the arm 36.

As the assembly 30 begins to move away from the lower position, the contact 67 of CRT control switch 66 is closed to blank the illumination of the CRT via the blanking amplifier 68 and contacts 74 are closed. As the assembly 30 reaches the upper position the mirror 34 is accurately positioned and the arm 36 continues to pivot to electrically connect the contact 91 of the mirror up switch 73, the mirror drive motor 40 is turned off and the timer 75 is energized at the same time the contacts 78 of the CRT control switch 77 is open which illuminates the CRT via the blanking amplifier 68. After the light-sensitive paper 83 has been exposed, the timer 75 closes contact 76 which energizes relay to return the assembly 30 to the lower position and starts the paper drive motor 79.

When the assembly reaches the lower position the mirror down switch 91 is actuated to drop out relay 92 to stop the mirror drive motor 40. As the mirror begins to move down from the upper position the CRT control switch 78 is closed which blanks the CRT. The mirror up switch 91 is actuated to turn off the timer 75. As the mirror returns to the lower position the interlock switch 69 and the CRT control switch 67 are actuated to return the machine to the start position. Before the mirror returns to the lower position and the relay 92 is de-energized, the paper feed switch'93 is actuated to power the paper drive motor 79 to complete the cycle. 7

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated that this is for the purpose of illustration and that numerous modifications may be made therein without department from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A display-print module for receiving information supplied to the module and for visually displaying the information as a light pattern and for providing a copy of the light pattern upon demand of the operator, comprising:

(l) a cathode ray tube having a light pattern formed on its face plate from the information supplied to the module;

(2) screen means for receiving the light pattern from said cathode ray tube and visually displaying the light pattern;

(3) data recorder means for making a copy of the light pattern from said cathode ray tube, including (a) a print plane having light-sensitive heat developable paper thereon for receiving the light pattern and forming a latent image thereon;

(b) means for heating the light-sensitive paper and developing the latent image into a visible image;

(c) means for feeding the light-sensitive paper having the latent image thereon to said developing means; and

((1) means for delivering from the module the light-sensitive paper having the visible image thereon whereby a copy of the light pattern is provided to the operator;

(4) movable means having an upper position for reflecting the light pattern onto said print plane and a lower position for alternatively permitting the light pattern to be received by said viewing means, said movable means including (a) a mirror-shutter assembly including (1) a pivotable beam;

(2) a mirror affixed to said beam;

(3) an arm having one end pivotably connected to said beam and the other end resiliently connected to said beam;

(4) abutment means for stopping the pivotable movement of said beam at the upper position for reflecting the light pattern onto said print plane and for stopping said beam at the lower position to permit the light pattern to be received .by said viewing screen and to lightably seal said print plane from the illumination of the cathode ray tube;

(b) means operatively connected to said arm for actuating said mirror-shutter assembly between said upper and lower positions, whereby movement of said actuating means will pivotably rotate said beam until said beam is stopped by said abutment means in said upper position to accurately position said mirror in optical alignment with said print plane and said arm will continue to pivot relative to said beam to permit electrical switch actuation after said mirror has been optically positioned to illuminate said cathode ray tube; and

(5) lens means for imaging the light pattern from said cathode ray tube upon said viewing means or on said print plane via said movable means.

2. A display-print module for receiving information supplied to the module and for visually displaying the information as a light pattern and for providing a copy of the light pattern upon demand of the operator, comprising:

(1) a cathode ray tube having a light pattern formed on its face plate from the information supplied to the module;

(d) means for delivering from the module the light-sensitive paper having the visible image thereon whereby a copy of the light pattern is provided to the operator;

(4) movable means for reflecting the light pattern onto said print plane or for alternatively permitting the light pattern to be received by said viewing means, said movable means including (a) a mirror-shutter assembly including (1) a pivotable beam;

(2) a mirror aflixed to said beam;

(3) abutment means for stopping the pivotable movement of said beam at an upper position in the optical path for reflecting the light pattern onto said print plane and at a lower position for permitting the light pattern to be received by said viewing screen and for lightably sealing said print plane from the illumination of the cathode ray tube; (4) an arm (a) pivotably connected to said beam; (b) resiliently connected to said beam;

(b) means operatively connected to said arm for actuating said mirror-shutter assembly between said upper and lower positions, whereby movement of said actuating means will pivotably rotate said beam until said beam is stopped by said abutment means to accurately position said mirror in optical alignment with said print plane;

(c) first switch means for blanking the illumination of the cathode ray tube when said mirrorshutter assembly begins to move from the lower position to thereby restrict illumination of the light-sensitive paper while said mirror-shutter assembly is moving from said lower position to said upper position;

(d) second switch means for unblanking the illumination of the cathode ray tube when the mirrorshutter assembly has reached said upper position to thereby illuminate the light-sensitive paper with the light pattern; and

3. The display-print module according to claim 2 wherein said second switch means is actuated by pivotable movement of said arm after said beam has been stopped by said abutment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,561,612 7/1951 Culver 346l10 X 2,623,117 12/1952 Hammond 1787.4 2,680,148 6/ 1954 Puringtou et a1 1786.7 2,938,427 5/1960 Alves 355 3,047,871 7/1962 Hider et a1. 346 3,339,543 9/1967 Richard 346--110 X JOSEPH W. HARTARY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 507.575 Dated Apzj l 2]. 1970 Inventor(s) J. L- SOULE ET AL It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, Line &4, cancel l-369" and insert "#639". Column 3, Line 6, cancel "reflective" and insert --reflective--; Column 3, Line 28, cancel "accuraely" and insert --accurately--; Column 3, Line 50, cancel "ffect" and insert ---flect--.

SIGNED AND SEALEU mum Edwuilll'letdmlr. AltesfingOficcr FORM PO-IO O 9) USCOMM-DC 60376-P59 u 5 GOVUINNENT PWNTINC 0' CE I!!! OSGG!S4