GB1359615A - Pattern recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1359615 Printing INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP 5 April 1972 [8 April 1971] 15559/72 Heading G4H Pattern recording apparatus comprises means for generating a set of electrical signals, each of which represents a pattern to be recorded, one or more arrays of elements 5 for converting each signal into a corresponding light signal, and means for conducting each light signal to an appropriate position on a light-sensitive recording medium 7. The set of signals may be applied by a decoder in series to one array 1, Fig. 1, or in parallel to a plurality of arrays 26, Fig. 2. Each element 5 may be a high-frequency light source (Xenon lamp or semi-conductor), or a combination of a continuously-on source and a light shutter (as here); to each shutter is connected an electrical lead 4 and an optical fibre 9: signals on 4 open or close the shutters to illuminate selected fibres 9; each shutter may be a Kerr cell plus a polarizer or a bismuth titanate crystal 28, Fig. 3 (not shown), between orthogonal polarizers (the signal rotating the polarization direction of the cell or crystal], or it may comprise a light-reflecting ferromagnetic material 37, Fig. 4 (not shown) displaced by an electromagnet in response to a signal. In Fig. 1 the sequential output along fibres 9 is applied to a distributer comprising stationary rings 13, 20 having apertures 14, 21 and a rotating apertured ring 16 attached to a rotating array of fibres 11, consecutive patterns being transmitted through adjacent apertures 21, along adjacent fibre arrays 12, and finally being recorded at adjacent circumferentially displaced locations 22 on the medium 7 deposited on a rotating drum 6. Rings 13, 16 may be replaced by (e.g.) rotating concentric cylinders. In Fig. 2, seven pattern signals are applied to arrays 26 whence they are transmitted by arrays 12 of fibres to be recorded in an axial line on medium 7. The patterns may be recorded on photosensitive paper, or an electrostatic printing process may be used.