US1765292A - Television sending and receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 17, 1930. Q 1 WAGNER 1,765,292

TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l j j# l alumna ox j l RADIO TRANsmTT'l-:l drh/W W l June 17, 1930. c. J. WAGNER TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet June 17, 1930.

C, J. WAGNER Filed Oct. 26, 1927 TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 17, 1930. Q 1 WAGNER 1,755,292

TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, 1927 5 SILeeS--Sheey 4 iai- @Hymne/111,

TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [y "L ff gwvanoz QIZJTVy/zer i inability Patented June 17, 1930 CARL J. WAGNER, OF QLEVELAND, OHIO TELEVISION SENDING AND BECEIVINGAPPABATUS Application tiled October 26, 1927. Serial No, 228,788.

The primary object of this invention is to provide television apparatus including sending andreceiving sets which'inay be adjusted to synchrony with respect to one another. o

All of the now known devices availedof for picture transmission by have embodied therein the need for operating the sending and receiving sets in synchrony, and this invention does not depart from thisidea. Before this invention this synchronizing of the sending and receiving set was obtained by commencing the opera- .tion of the two sets at exactly the same time, theproper functioning of the television apparatus being directly dependent on this feature.

If picturesl are broadcastedl by radio it isrl obviously impossible to start several receiving sets at the same moment as the sending sets. It is to this fact that We trace the of heretofore broadcasting pictures by radio.

This invention contemplates obviating the need of simultaneouslystarting the operation of the sending and receiving apparatuses by including in the receiving apparatus mechanism which is capable of adjusting this apparatus to sending set.

In carrying out this idea an entirely new inethod of analyzing or scanning a picture is employed.

It is this novel: manner of scanning the picturewhich makes possible ,the adjusting of the sets to synchrony. In-

herently interrelated with Athe scanning mechanism are instrumentalities which project the transmitted picture onto a screen` The scanning apparatus, following the fundamental principles of this invention, includesa cylinder` having a seriesof openings arranged in a helix thereabout. Cooperating With'this cylinder is a second cylinder having longitudinal slots arranged at ri ht angles with respect to the first cylin er. These cylinders, together with other instrumentalities, cooperate in the analyzing or scanning of the picture by projecting rays of light taken from the picture during the scanning operation onto a photoelectric cell.

light and dark values,

electric energy synchrony with the As the picture or image will the therefrom will be of ch The constantly changing light rays will vary the through the cell by its action current governed by the photo-electric may then be either stepped up and transformedmanner for transmission by apparatus.

`have varying rays lof light anging intensity. strength of the current passing thereon. The cell transmitted by wire or in the proper radio sending At the receiving end this varying current is received by suitable radio paratus and is availed of to rent creating a light source.

varies so will the strength' of receiving ap overn a curs the current li ht given out by the light source. A This lig t is pro.

jected through openings in 'a Alar in all respects to the first n cylinder simiamed cylinder of the sending apparatus which will 4cooperate with other instrumentalities in the projecting the rays oflight receiving set in from the light they will form be a replica of current in the This invention .source onto a sending set.

provides for screen where an image.V This imagevwill the picture which varied the adjusting the receiving apparatus to the sending apparatus by including means in the first named set for adjusting the cylinder included therein Suitable mechanism justing the position terior of the cylinder.

a horizontal plane; that is, position around a pivot may is also provided for adof the light source in- These elements of its angular be varied.

adjustability give in efl'ectwhat we might term horizontal and vertical adjustments of the image resulting from the functioning of the set.

l A more particular feature tion is the for simultaneously operating of this invenprovison of driving mechanism the cylinders imilar mechareceiving apparatus to simultaneously operate the cylinder and varythe position of the light source.

A highly important feature of this invention is the speed with scanned, together with the projection of the transmitted which a picture 'is equally speedy vimage onto a screen. It is felt that this property of fast transmission, together with the ability to adjust to synchrony, will particularly adapt this television apparatus to the broadcasting of motion pictures.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the \invention proceeds.

For a complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the sending apparatus, parts being shown in section and parts in elevation.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the sending apparatus, parts being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the receiving apparatusshowing the cylinder and certain other parts in section.

Figure 4 is a side View of the receiving apparatus showing more particularly the radio receiving amplifying and transforming mechanism, also showing somewhat diagrammatically the operation of the light source in the cylinder.

Figure 5is a plan view of the gear mechanism employed in the receiving apparatus, similar mechanism being employed in the sending set.

Figure 6 'is an enlarged, detailed side View showing the mounting of the cylinder in the receiving set in section.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary showing of the cylinder in the receiving set, illustrating more particularly the manner in which the lenses cooperating with the light source are mounted therein.

Figure 8 is an enlarged, detailed View showing the operating mechanism for the lenses in the cylinder of the receiving set.

Figure 9 is a detailed showing of the mechanism employed 'for varying the position of the light source in the cylinder of the receiving set.

Figure 10 isa cross sectional view taken on the lines 10-10 of Figure 9.

While the preferred form of the invention is hereinafter set forth, it is to be understood that the invention is not tobe limited to the exact construction disclosed, because various modifications of these details may be made in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

A television apparatus made in accordance with this invention comprises generally a sending set and a receiving set. The description of the particular apparatuses shown in the drawings will be formulated by first describing the sending set and then its operation, the description will then go on to the receiving set, together with its operation.

Sending set The sending set comprises a suitable base A, on which is mounted a container B in any conventional manner. This container may include the removable top C, which will afford access to the interior in which the sending apparatus is mounted. In one wall of the casing B there is an opening 1, outside of which is mounted a lens structure 2 forming a part of suitable projection apparatus.

The projection apparatus functions to form an image on the surface of a cylinder, the particular construction of which is to be hereinafter set forth. Obviously the projection apparatus must include suitable lens construction to carry out the intended operation.

Mounted on the base A by a turntable structure to be later described is a cylinder 4. This cylinder has openings 5 therein which are arranged in a helix thereabout. These openings are very 'small and are spaced circumferentially a substantial distance. The pitch of the helix formed by these openings is about one-sixteenth of an inch. Of course the particular size and position of these openings may be varied, in accordance with the use to which the apparatus is to be put.

Upstanding from the base A are supports 6, to which arms 7 are secured. Held between the arms 7 is a prism 8. Prism 8 has two faces 9 which are at the' same angle with respect to face 10 and are silvered. The purpose of this prism is to reflect any light rays entering from the openings 5 first upwardly and then horizontally, shown by the arrows in Figure 1. Obviously these surfaces 9 will be at an angle of 90 with respect to one another. Pivotally mounted on one of the supports 6 is a second cylinder 11 which extends horizontally with respect to the base A. ,This cylinder has longitudinal slots 12 in the circumferential wall thereof. Rigidly fastened to the other support 6 is a U-shaped supporting lnember 13 having arms 14 and 15. The arm 14 terminates in a yoke 14. Suitably aiixed in yoke 14 is a lens structure, as shown at 16. rlhe arm 15 has mounted thereon a photo-electric cell 17 from which wires 18 lead through the casing B to suitable radio transmission apparatus. A proper motor, in this instance a three phase induction motor, 19 is aixed to the interior of one of the walls of the casing B. Projecting downwardly from the motor 19 is a driving shaft 20 which terminates in a gear wheel 21. Conventional gear transmission transmits power from the gear 21 to the turntable on which the cylinder 4 is mounted, for the purpose of .rotating said cylinder. Cylinder 11 is rotated by suitable I taken off of the ring gear 22 by gear mechanism which takes its power from part ofthe gear mechanism comprising the turntable structure.

Referring more particularly to Figures 5 and 6, the turntable structure will now be described. This invention contemplates making use of substantially the same turntable structure in both the sending and rcceiving sets. A large ring gear wheel is designated by the reference character 22. This ring gear has both interior and exterior gear surfaces. An intermediate gear 23, which is driven by the gear wheel 21, engages with the exterior of the ring gear 22 for driving purposes. Mounted on the slipport A is a suitable turntable support which has pivotally mounted thereon a turntable gear wheel 24. At diagrammatically opposite points on the turntablegear wheel 24 are pivots 25,f on which are mounted comparatively small gear wheels 26. Upstanding from the turntable support is a pin 27, which pivot-ally supports a spider structure 28. Drivably connected with the spider structure is a driving gear 29 which meshes with the gears 26. It is noted that the ring gear 22 is mounted so that it freely rotates around the spider supporting structure. An adjusting arm 3i) has a worm gear 31 at one end, which engages with the turntablegear 24, while at the other end is a suitable operating member 32. This adjusting arm 30 is mounted on the base A 1n any suitable manner.

In the sending apparatus a gear wheel operatively engages the exterior gear surface of the ring gear 22. This gear wheel also meshes with a bevel gear 34 at the end of a rod 35, which has at its other end another bevel gear 36 meshing with a complemental gear 37 which is drivably connected to the cylinder 11 by suitable driving shafts.

The operation of the mechanism for rotating the cylinders is as follows: Power from the motor is transmitted from the motor 19 through shaft 20 to the gear 21, which in turn drives the intermediate gear 23, said last named gear in turn driving the ring gear 22. The gears 26, which engage the interior gear surface of ring 22 and the spider driving gearY 29, cause the power to oe transmitted from the ring gear to the spider. If the angular position of the cylinder is to be varied it 'may be done by tur'ning the operating member 32, which will cause the worm gear 31 to cooperate with the turntable gear 24 in changing theangular position of the turntable. Power is the gear 33 to'rotate the cylinder 11. It is apparent that these cylinders 4 and 11 will rotate at speeds, the iatio between which will be constant as it would be impossible for one to rotate without the other.

In order to operate the sending set the dark values motor 19 must first be started, which Pcauses the simultaneous rotation of the cylinders 4 and 11, and suitable current is passed through the circuit including the photo-electric cell 17. An image projected onto the lens structure at 2 will he further projected by the lens 3 on the cylinder 4. Certain rays of light from the image will pass through the openings 5 and be reflected by the surfaces 9 onto the cylinder 11. The elongated slots 12 in the cylinder 11, which is rotating simultaneously with the cylinder 4, will pick out successive rays of light which have passed through the openings 5, and said rays of light will pass onto the lens. structure at 16, which lens Astructure throws the rays in succession onto the photo-electric cell at 17. The order in which the rays of light are thrown on the cell is the same as the order of the openings forming the helix. First the light from one opening `will be flashed onto the cell, then the light from the next opening, and so on. As various parts of the picture have different light and the light rays therefrom will vary in intensity and acting on the photoelectric cell will cause variation of the current flowing therethrough. This varying current may then be transmitted either by direct wire ,or through the radio transmission from which it is broadcasted.

Receiving set The receiving set may include any necessary radio receiving, amplifying and transforming apparatus. This part of the set is old and well known and, as any conventional type, thereof can be employed, a detailed description of these parts isdeemed unnecessary. In Figure 4 that portion of the receiving set which is not a part of the radio apparatus is shown mounted above the radio a paratus on a suitable base D. A casing E'. having a removable cover F is carried by the base D. In one wall of the casing is a comparatively large opening 39 in which is a screen 40 that is adapted to have the picture resulting from the transmission projected thereon. Mounted on the turntable Vand spider structure, clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6 and which has hereinbefore been described, is a cylinder 41 which is an exact replica of the cylinder 4 in the sending set. It is to be noted that the receiving apparatus includes the operating member 42 which acts through suitable connections on the worm 43 for var ing the angular position of the turntable, this operating member and its corresponding parts being equivalent to the operating member 32 in the sending set. Rigidly supported interior of the cylinder 41 is a suitable light source which, in this instance, comprises a bank of neon tubes 44, four in number. These tubes are adapted to be successively lighted by instrumentalities to be later described. It is notable that the successive lighting of the tubes effects a varying of the position of the light source in the cylinder. ln front of each neon tube is an elongated projecting lens 45, which is mounted and operated in al novel manner, which is a particular' feature of this invention.

Referring more particularly to Figures 7 and 8, a gear wheel 46 takes power from the exterior of the ring gear 22. The gear 46 is at one extremity of a driving shaft 47, which is suitably mounted on arms extending from support 48 upstanding from the base D. At the upper end of the shaft 47 is a crank arm 48. This arm is connected by a link 49 to an oscillating crank member 50. The link 49 has its extremities pivotallv mounted on the crank members 48 and 50. Projecting downwardly from the oscillating crank 50 is a shaft 51 which has rocking arms 52 extending horizontally therefrom. Pivotally fastened to each of the rocking arms 52 are operating links 53 which are secured to the lenses 45 at points which are off-center with respect to the horizontal axes thereof. The lenses 45 are pivotally mounted between supports 54, which project downwardly into the cylinder 41. by ivots 55 mounted at the middle points of the sides of the lenses 45. If it is desired, suitable reflecting structure may surround the neon tubes so as to direct all the light generated by the tubes to the lenses 45. These lenses condense the light from the tubes to a` line which moves as the lenses rock. Lenses 45 must be of such construction that their focal point, or in this case their focal line, will lie at the circumference of the cylinder 41.

For successively lighting the neon tubes 44, there is shown in Figures 9 and 10, certain instrumentalities for this purpose. Pivotally mounted between suitable supports which are affixed to the base D is a roller 56 which has contact points 57 arranged helically therearound. It will be noted that there are quite a few more contacts than there are neon tubes. The roller 56 is con-' nected by a conductor 58 to the circuit coming from the radio apparatus which is governed by the photo-electric cell in the sending set.

A slide 59 is adapted to reciprocate in a member 60, which is fastened to the base D. Connector arms or fingers 61 are fastened at one end to the slide 59, while their free ends engage the roller 56. The manner in which the fingers 61 engage the roller is similar to the brush construction in an electric motor or generator.

Conductors 62 lead from one end of the fingers 61 to the neon tubes. The contact points 57 on the roller 56 are so spaced that only one of the lingers 61 is in electrical connection with the roller at one time. As the roller 56 rotates it will be apparent that the neon tubes will be caused to be lighted successively.

Referring more particularly to Figure Il, it will be netedthat the roller 56 is caused to rotate by means of a driving connection that takes power from a gear wheel 63, which is driven by a motor 64 mounted on a support 65. This gear wheel 63 drives the turntable and spider structure in a manner as described in the sending apparatus. lt will he noted that the power for successively operating the neon tubes is taken from the same gear which rotates the turntable and causes rocking of the lenses 45. In other words, these various mechanisms are operated simultaneously and at speeds, the ratio between which will be constant as is necessary for the proper operation of the set.

The times at which the neon tubes will be lighted may be varied, which gives in effect a varying of the position of the light source in the cylinder. The slide 59 is adjusted in the member 60 by means of screw 66 which is caused to turn by operating member 67.

Mounted around a portion of the cylinder 41 is a cylindrical screen 68 which is translucent. This screen is adapted to have an image projected thereon. Suitably mounted with respect to the screen 68 is a lens 69 which will project an image from the cylindrical screen 68 onto the plane screen 4f). The lens 69 is of such construction that it will correct distortion in one direction only. There will be no vertical distortion of the image on the screen 68. but/there will be a certain amount of horizontal distortion duc to the cylindrical shape of the cylinder 41 and screen 68, this distortion being corrected by lens 69. Lens 69 may be mounted on the base D in any suitable manner, as by the supports 7l).

Varying current will he taken up by the radio aerial` shown at 71, and be conducted to the radio apparatus whence it will be properly amplified and transformed. This current will then lead to the roller 56 from where it will be conducted to either one of the neon tubes through the fingers 61. From the neon tubes the circuit will lead back to the radio apparatus and on to the ground. As the current running through the neon tubes varies in strength, so will the light generated by these tubes vary. The light from these tubes will pass through lens 45 and through openings in the cylinder 41 in succession. This light will be thrown on the screen 68 where, due to the variations therein, it will cause light and dark values to be flashed onto the screen in various places. The motors 19 and 64 will be twin motors which run with identically the same speed and, due to the similarity of the construction between the cylinders 4 and 41,

varying angular positions the image will be thrown on the screen exactly as it was projected onto the cylinder in the receiving set.

As previously set forth, the primary object of this invention is to include in the television apparatus sending and receiving sets which may be adjusted to synchrony,

land this is accomplished in the following manner: The sending set may be started at any time. This invention puts all of the synchronizing means in the receiving set. The reason for this is obvious; there possibly would be a large number of receiving sets to one sending set. After the sending set has been started the receiving set may be set in operation by starting the motor 64 and goingr through the various operations in the radio apparatus necessary to pick u the current sent out by the sending set. llt) will be noted that the receiving set includes means for adjusting the picture in two directions. By availing of the operating member 42 the turntable may be adjusted to give of the cylinder. This gives in effect a horizontal adjustment of the image, while the operating member (5T, through its control of the lighting 0f the neon tubes, will give a vertical adjustment.

While the instrumeiitalities for adjusting the set to synchrony are shown included in vthe receiving set it is intended to be well within the scope of this invention to include this adjusting means in the sending set. This might be a highly desirable feature if only one receiving set was employed in connection with one sending set.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In television apparatus, mechanism for creating a'n image in accordance with a varying electric current, comprising, in coinination, scanning means having openings arranged in a helix, a.l plurality of light sources cooperating with said scanning means, means for successively illuminating said light sources, and instrumentalitie's for concentrating and moving. the light emanating from the light sources over the scanning means.

2. In television apparatus, mechanism for creating an image in accordance with a varying electric current, comprising, in combination, a cylinder having openings arranged in ay helix thereabout, a light source interior of the cylinder, and instrumentalities for concentratin and moving the light resulting from the light source over the interior surface of the cylinder.

3. In television apparatus, mechanism for creating an image in accordance with a varying electric current, comprising, in combination, a rotating cylinder having openings arranged in a helix thereabout, a light source interior of the cylinder governed by the varying electric current, means for changing the position of the light source in the cylinder, and instrumentalities for concentrating and moving the light resulting from the light source over the interior of the cylinder.

4. In television apparatus, a sending set including a rotating cylinder having openings arranged in a helix thereabout, said helix consisting of more than one full turn, a receiving set, the receiving set including a rotating cylinder which is an exact 'replica of the cylinder in the sending set, and means for adjusting the rotating cylinders to synchrony with respect to one another.

5. In television apparatus, a sending set, comprising a rotating cylinder having openings arranged in a helix thereabout, said helix consisting of a plurality of turns, instrumentalities for selectin successive rays of light passing through t e openings and passing said rays onto mechanism that governs a varying electric current, a receiving set including a rotating cylinder which is a duplicate of the cylinder in the sending set, alight source governed by the varying electric current coming from the first named set, and instrumentalities for adjusting the operation of the receiving set to synchrony with the sending set.

6. In a television receiving set of the class described, comprising, in combination, instruinentalities for picking up a varying electric current emitted from a sending station, a light source varying in strength with the varying electric current, means for varying the position of the effective light source, instrumentalities operable to throw a beam of light on a screen which is in eect a moving beam, and means to adjust the operation of theso-called moving light source.

7. A television receiving set of the class described, comprising, in combination, a cyliiiderhaviiig openings arranged in a helix thereabout, means for rotating the cylinder, a light source interior of the cylinder, means for varying the position of the effective light source, and means for adjusting both the means that rotates the cylinder and the means that varies the effective position of the light source.

8. A television receiving set of the class described, comprising, in combination, a cyliiider having openings arranged in a helix thereabout, means for rotating the cylinder, a light source interior of the cylinder, a tiltable lens arranged with respect to the light source so that it throws light coming therefrom in a concentrated beam over a certain range of cylinder surface, and means for causing rocking of the lens synchronouslv with rotation of the cylinder.

9. n television, the combination with sending apparatus comprising a cylinder fil having openings arranged 'i'n a helix there- Va path consisting of spaced parallel st aight lilies, of receiving apparatus Jfor receiving the image transmitted by the sending apparatus and reproducing thc same, including a cylinder having openings arranged in the helix thereabout, the cylinder being a duplicate ol' the cylinder inthe sending apparatus aforesaid, a light source arranged within the cylinder, means for operating the light source and the cylinder, and means for adjusting said operating means so that the receiving apparatus may be adjusted in synchrony with the sending apparatus, saidladjusting means including instrumentalities whereby the proper turn in the helix ot the receiving set is brought to effective operation in accordance with the corresponding turn in the sending apparatus, and further instrumentalities for adjusting any one turn to exact operation with turn in the sending apparatus.

10. In television, receiving comprising, in combination, a formed with openings arranged in a helix, means for rotating the cylinder, a plurality of light sources arranged within the cylinder, means for causing the light sources to be rendered effective successively in synehrony with rotation ot the cylinder, means for adjusting the operation of the light sources whereby a vertical adjustment of the image projected is provided, and means for adjusting the cylinder whereby a horizontal adjustment of the image is provided for.

11. In television, receiving apparatus comprising, in colnbination, a revolving base, a cylinder mounted on the revolving base, said cylinder being formed with openings therein arranged in a helix thereabout, means for rotating the base, a light source within the cylinder, means for directing the light from the light sourct` iu a beam onto the cylinder, including instrumentalities whereby the beam is rendered in effect a moving beam, and means for ausing the operation of the instrumentalities for etfecting the moving light beam and rotation of the cylinder in synchronous operation.

12. In television, receiving apparatus comprising, in combination, a revolving base, a cylinder mounted on the revolving hase, said cylinder being formed with openings therein arranged in a helix thereabout, means for rotating the base, a light source within the cylinder, means for directing the. light from the light source in the beam onto the cylinder, including instriunentalities whereby the beam is rendered in effect a moving beam, ni ans for causing thtl operation of the instrinnent'alities for effecting the moving light beam and rotation of the cylinder in synchronous operation, and indeapparatus cylinder the corresponding pendent means for adjusting the revolving base and instrumcntalities controlling the moving beam.

13. In television, receiving apparatus, comprising, in combination, a scanning cylinder, a plurality of light sources arranged within the cylinder, instrumentalities for causing said light sources to be rendered successively effective said instrumentalities consisting of a` commutator, and means for adjusting the commutator whereby the operation of the lights may be controlled and adjusted.

14. In television, receiving apparatus, comprising, in combination, a scanning cylinder, a plurality of light sources arranged within the cylinder, instrumentalities `for causing said light sources to be rendered successively effective, said instrmnentalities consisting of a commutator, and means for adjusting the commutator whereby the operation of the lights may be controlled and adjusted, said light controlling means including contacts and a slide having contacts cooperating with said first mentioned contacts, and operating means for the slide which may be availed of to adjust the light sources as the occasion demands.

15. In television, the combination with sending apparatus comprising a cylinder having openings arranged in a helix thereabout, the helix having a plurality ofturns, and instrumentalities for selecting light coming through the proper helix and passing the same on to an electric current controlling means, of receiving apparatus consisting of a cylinder having openings arranged in a helix thereabout that is similar to the arrangement of openings in the helix in the sending apparatus, a light source within a cylinder, instrumentalities for throwing light from the light source in a beam on to the cylinder, including means whereby the beam is rendered in effect a moving beam, and adjustment means for the light source whereby the moving beam may be adjusted with the selecting means aforesaid in the sending apparatus so that light in the receiving apparatus will be projected on to the cylinder at the proper place with respect to the helically arranged openings in accordance with operation of the selecting means in the sending apparatus In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

CARL J. IVAGNER.

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