GB1001433A - Method and apparatus for providing solid reproductions - Google Patents

Abstract

1,001,433. Copying by scanning. L. G. SINJIAN. Feb. 19, 1964 [Nov. 14, 1963], No. 45026/63. Heading H4F. Apparatus for providing a coloured mosaic on a base sheet 18 of a colour subject 12, e.g. print or painting, comprises scanning means 26 which scans the colour subject along a predetermined pattern, e.g. by means of X-Y drive step motors 36 and 38, and a corresponding reproducing means 28 which moves uncomitantly with scanning means 26 and includes storage and dispensing means, Figs. 3 and 4, for storing and dispensing solid preshaped particles of round, cube or rectangular prism shape and made of plastics or a substance similar to marble. Control means 50 provides motion of the scanning and reproducing means in lineby-line fashion with the line spacing equal to the particle size and also a periodic pulse signal to relay 52 which governs the deposit of particles. Subject 12, Fig. 2, is scanned pointby - point by a plurality of photo-electric sensing means 62, 64, 66 each having an associated optical filter 68, 70, 72 responsive to a particular colour. If filter 68 is red a colour responsive signal denoting red is received by inhibitor circuit 76 and amplifier 78 and transmitted via switch contact 80 of relay 52 to solenoid 82 which forms part of the reproducing means 28 to cause dispensing of a red coloured three-dimensional particle or to base sheet 18. White colour is sensed by signals at each of the sensing means 62, 64, 66, which signals pass via an AND circuit 86 to a white coloured particle dispensing solenoid 92. Black colour is sensed in the absence of signals by a NOR circuit 94 which is connected to a black coloured dispensing solenoid 100. Figs. 3 and 4 show the dispensing means in which solid preshaped particles 102 associated with a certain colour are contained in respective vertical tubes 104 at the lower ends of which are solenoids such a 92 and 100 which have movable brackets 110 having holes through which a particle falls when relay 52 is activated i.e. bracket 110 advances towards the centre of the funnelshaped exit portion 112, the released particle attaching itself to adhesive layer 105 on base sheet 18. The finished mosaic when made of plastic parts may be baked and cured or cemented to the base surface. The subject and base sheet may move relative to the scanning and reproducing means to obtain the predetermined pattern or the subject and base sheet may be mounted on cylindrical surfaces and if the particles are small a helical pattern may be traced. In a further embodiment (Fig. 6, not shown) the colour responsive signals generated by the scanning means are fed to a translating means which transforms the signals to proper form for recording and storage means, e.g. magnetic recording means or punched tape, and for reproduction the recorded data is played back to read-out means.