JPS5817954B2 - Information on how to use data - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a system for photographic data storage.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting data recorded at predetermined positions on electrophotographic film.

The current cost of storing ever-increasing amounts of documentary material has stimulated the need to store and replay a wide variety of electrophotographic and other types of data.
Considerable effort has been devoted to the design and development of rieval) systems.

The design of a microphotographic system that can be used to reduce the physical bulk of such stored material without sacrificing the possibility of file retrieval and/or copy reproduction; It was especially powerful.

Data is recorded from a document on each frame of microfiche (Microguard), which has many frames (frames).
A particularly desirable microphotocopy system has been developed.

This type of microfiche is 5 mm (0,012
a base layer of a transparent material, such as a polyester base layer (7crfL), and a thin transparent conductive layer on top of the base layer;
It is a transparent electrophotographic film further coated with a top layer of a suitable transparent photoconductive material.

Various films in this technology are described in U.S. Patent No. 329
No. 0147; No. 3,314,788; and No. 3,615,404, also incorporated herein by reference, can be used in any number of ways.

The operator places the microfiche into the photocopier and then records an image of the document on each frame of the microfiche.

The number of frames on microfiche is 60 or more. 3 The operator records the information of the document on several frames,
The microfiche is then typically removed and stored until subsequent information needs to be recorded onto other frames of the microfiche.

When returning the partially imaged microfiche to the copier for further recording of document information, the operator places the first unimaged frame following the last imaged frame on the imaging optical axis. must be selected and positioned.

This can be done by the operator locating the last imaged frame and pressing the control button indicating the scale to move the next frame into position; however, this method takes time. Required and error-prone.

If the operator accidentally selects a previously created frame and projects a new image onto that frame, another layer of data will be layered on top of that frame, possibly causing the previous image to disappear as well. Let's become.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for detecting information recorded on film in general, and in particular information indicating whether a selected frame has already been imaged.

The device of the invention uses the conductive and reflective properties of the photoconductive layer of the microfiche.

In particular, the surface of a photoconductive layer used in transparent electrophotographic recording media, when not developed by toner particles, specularly reflects a beam of light from that surface.

However, when the photoconductive surface is electrostatically charged, exposed to a pattern of light, and developed with toner particles, such as carbon particles, the black-toned portions of the photoconductive layer Significantly reduces conductivity and reflectivity.

Therefore, the magnitude or intensity of light reflected from or transmitted through the toned portions of the photoconductive layer is significantly reduced.

The present invention provides a signal light projection device for projecting light onto a predetermined position on one selected frame of a photographic recording medium, and a signal light projection device for receiving the signal light coming from the photographic recording medium, and the intensity of the signal light. includes a signal light detection device placed at a position to detect the signal.

A preferred form of the invention is that a predetermined position of each frame is toned as the image is imaged on that frame, thereby
A photographic recording apparatus relating to the present invention includes a device which reduces the intensity of the signal light received by the signal light detection device when the frame is exposed.

An electrophotographic recording apparatus in which the present invention is suitably used is schematically illustrated in FIG.

The apparatus includes an enclosed container 10 having a top with a transparent copy plate 15 on which a document 16 to be copied is placed.

Inside the container 10 there is a projection lamp 17 and a document 1
6 is reflected to mirror 14 where the image is transferred along the imaging optical axis 18 to the charging and imaging assembly.
e) The light passes through the lens 19 housed in the microfiche 13 and is projected onto the selected frame of the microfiche 12.

Within the charging and imaging assembly 13 is a corona charging needle 20 which is charged by a conventional high voltage (not shown) to generate a corona and is positioned toward the assembly 13. Creates an electrostatic charge on the photoconductive layer of the frame.

Charging and imaging assembly 13 includes a mask 21 that defines an opening 22 in which a selected frame of microfiche 12 is located.

After charging, a light image from the document is projected onto the photoconductive layer of the imaged frame, dissipating the charge in a pattern and creating an electrostatic latent image.

The imaged frames are made visible by applying electrostatically charged developer particles, such as carbon particles, to the imaged surface and adhering the particles to the surface of the photoconductive layer in the form of an image through electrostatic attraction. It can be done.

A permanent visible image can be obtained, for example, by using heat-meltable developer particles into the photoconductive layer and subjecting them to a heating step.

The development step can most conveniently be performed in any conventional development apparatus at a location remote from the charging and imaging assembly 13.

A preferred form of the invention is an exposed frame indicator, which is placed on the edge of copy plate 15 to create a black edge around the imaged frame on the microfiche. A masking device 27 is included.

FIG. 3 illustrates one imaged frame of the microfiche of FIG. It shows the black border formed by imaging the object, and 33 shows the data recorded from the document.

The invention further includes a light projection device 23 that directs a beam of light 24 onto the black-edged portion 32 of the imaged frame, and a signal light detector 26 that detects signal light reflected from the surface of the photoconductive layer.

The signal light detection device 26 is made of a conventional photovoltaic cell capable of measuring the intensity of the light it receives.

Signal light projection device 23 and signal light detection device 26
Although many arrangements can be used, the projection device 23 is designed to ensure that the beam of signal light 24 is projected onto a predetermined position of the frame where the black border 32 is developed. Adjacent to the edge of plate 15 is preferred.

Further, the signal light detection device 26 is connected to the charging and imaging assembly 1 so as not to interfere with the imaging of the microfiche.
It is preferable to mount the image forming apparatus at a position remote from the imaging optical axis 18 within the image forming apparatus 3.

This arrangement allows the surface of the photoconductive layer to direct reflected light to the imaging optical axis 18.
This is achieved satisfactorily by reflecting the surface in a different direction.

In operation, the highly reflective surface of the undeveloped photoconductive layer reflects a relatively intense light flux to the signal light detection device 26.

However, after a particular frame is developed and black toner particles adhere and fuse there, forming a black edge portion 32, the intensity of the reflected signal light decreases significantly, and the decreased signal It is detected by the detection device 26.

An electrical signal, determined by the magnitude of the signal light received by signal light detection device 26, is generated by conventional equipment to inform the operator that the frame has already been exposed.

The operator is informed by a warning light and/or an electronic control to prevent inadvertent reimaging of an already imaged frame.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention are as described above, it is understood that many changes can be made within the scope of the invention.
This will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

For example, if the data recorded on the imaged frame is in the form of a black border, an attractive arrangement can be made on the imaged microfiche, and the signal light projection device 23 and the detection device 26 can be placed in a wide range. In that you can also
Although preferred, it does not have to be in the form of a black border.

The data may also be in the form of a single black mark imaged at a predetermined location 25 on the frame, or a number of marks or specific shapes (numbers or (including letters), whose intensity, that is, the strength, is determined by the number or type of figures.

In this latter case it would be possible to detect information such as the frame number or other confirmatory information.

Furthermore, the positions of the signal light projection device 23 and the signal light detection device 26 are not limited, although these particular positions are very advantageous for the microphotographic recording device illustrated in FIG. You can also change it.

The projection device 23 and the detection device 26 can be in opposite positions.

The detection device 26 can also be outside the assembly 13 or even placed on the opposite side of the film 12.

In that case, the signal light detection device will measure the intensity of the light beam 24 passing through the film 12.

However, in devices of the type illustrated in FIG. 1, the microfiche 12 is usually attached to a support (not shown) that obstructs the passage of light through the film. That is not bait.

Yet another arrangement that can be used is the use of multiple signal light projection devices, each projecting a beam of light onto a different predetermined position 25 on the frame, and transmitting the reflected light to one or more The signal is received by a light detection device.

Even if the recording medium for photography reflects light diffusely rather than specularly, or the signal light projection device 2
The invention can also be used advantageously where 3 is an ordinary lamp that does not project light as a beam, but rather in all directions.

However, if the signal light is projected as a beam and the light is specularly reflected, it is much more convenient to avoid "noise" disturbances from external light sources.

The specularly reflected beam forms a cone-shaped beam which, equidistant from the reflecting surface, has equal light intensity in all directions within the cone.

Therefore, the installation of the signal light detection device 26 is not limited to a single line, but can be placed over a wide area.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an electrophotographic recording apparatus employing the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a microfiche useful in the present invention, illustrating several exposed frames. FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of one imaged frame of the microfiche illustrated in FIG. In these figures, 16...document, 12...
...Micro photographic film, 23...Detection light source, 25...Predetermined position on the frame, 2
6...Reflected light detection device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Specularly reflects light at a certain intensity when the photoconductive layer is not developed with black toner particles and at a lower intensity when there are black toner particles developed on the photoconductive layer. In an electrophotographic film having a photoconductive layer that specularly reflects light, the following steps occur: Light is reflected from the surface of the photoconductive layer in a reflected beam, and the amount of reflected light is at a predetermined position. A beam of light as determined by the data recorded in the. projecting a beam onto a predetermined position of one selected photographic film frame; and measuring the amount of reflected light with a photodetector placed in the optical path of the reflected beam. A large number of such photoconductive layers include. A method for detecting data recorded at a predetermined position on each frame of an electrophotographic film having frames of . 2. Individual frames on a photographic recording medium having a large number of frames, on which an image is formed from a document by projecting an illuminated image onto the selected frame on the photographic recording medium through a lens. A signal light projection device for projecting light to a predetermined position on each frame of the photographic recording medium; A signal light projection device for receiving the signal light exiting the photographic recording medium; a signal light detection device for detecting the magnitude of the signal light exiting the photographic recording medium; an apparatus for detecting exposed frames, comprising: a device within an imaging apparatus for changing the magnitude of the signal light received by the signal light detecting apparatus. 3. If the photoconductive layer is not developed with black toner particles, it will specularly reflect light at a certain intensity, and if there are black toner particles developed on top of the photoconductive layer, it will specularly reflect light at a lesser intensity. In an electrophotographic film having a photoconductive layer such as a signal light projection device for projecting a beam of light onto a predetermined position of one selected photographic film frame, as determined by the data; and □ for detecting the intensity of the reflected signal light;
A device for detecting data recorded at a predetermined position on each frame of an electrophotographic film having a large number of frames having such a photoconductive layer, comprising a signal light detection device placed in the optical path of the reflected light. .