US2409488A

US2409488A - Facsimile communication system

Info

Publication number: US2409488A
Application number: US470039A
Authority: US
Inventors: John H Homrighous
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-11-28
Filing date: 1942-12-24
Publication date: 1946-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 1963-10-15

Description

0% 1946- J. H. HOMRIGHO US 2,409,483

FACSIMILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM I Original Filed Nov. 28, 1939 :s Sheets-Sheet 1 5 7 J 'rowsa I AMP.

F163 FIG4I 1Q r as INVENTOR,

0d. 15, 19 1 J. H. HOMRilGHOUS I 2,409,488

FACSIMILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Original Filed Nov. 28', 1939 38heets-Shet 2 yvvvv 80 m 00 8| FIG 9 INVENTOR.

"61s,194s. H, OM HOUS 2,409,488

FACSIMILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Original Filed Nov. 28, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mmvron.

Wm F5625 Patented Got. 15, 1945 ATES PATENT OF FACSIMELE COCATION SYSTEM 3. ch11 H. Homrighous, Oak Park, Ill.

14 Claims. 1

My invention relates to facsimile systems and more particularly to a system for the transmission and reception of multiplexed intelligence.

An object of my invention is to provide means for the simultaneous transmission by television or facsimile of a number of different kinds of messages such as sound, pictures, telegraph and other coded signals.

Another object of my invention is to provide a high speed multiplex communication system over a single carrier.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for transmitting two or more messages such as sound, pictures, telegraph and other coded signals as video signals.

Another object is to provide means for televising certain characters developed by sound and for reproducing these characters to thereby redevelop sound.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for transmitting permutation code characters as video signals and for reproducing these signals to thereby operate typing or printing mechanism.

Various methods for transmitting a number of messages on a single carrier have been developed. Some of these systems employ mechanical devices for transmitting like messages which limits the speed of transmission. Other systems employ devices to intermittently transmit fragments of like messages. In my present invention I employ electronic devices to simultaneously transmit two or more like or different types of message.

According to my present invention, picture signals are combined with control signals and may also include other signals such as sound, telegraph or other coded signals, in such a manner that all signals are transmitted and reproduced as picture or video signals, thereby greatly simplifying the equipment and circuits used, and also insuring absolute synchronization of the scanning operations. This is accomplished by generating the sweeps and blanking frequencies at both the transmitter and the receiver, and having the voltage Waves at the respective line and field frequencies and blanking frequencies generated at the receiver and controlled by televising certain characters and translating these into proper frequencies at the receiver, and also by having the equipment for producing the characters at the transmitter definitely locked in step with its generating equipment. These frequencies are applied to produce the scanning action of the pick up tube at the transmitter and the scanning action of the viewing tube, so that the electron ray in the transmitting and receiving tubes will always be in synchronism during the scanning operation.

This invention will be better understood by referring to the following description taken in con- 2 nection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are simplified diagrammatic views of a television transmitting station and a television receiving station respectively, illustrat- Y ing the principles of this invention.

Figure 3 is a motor device for generating control frequencies and for producing certain characters for televising.

Figure 4 is an end view of one of the character forming members shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an end view of disk shown in Figure 3 for generating line and other control frequencies.

Figure 6 shows the characters for televising to synchronize the scanning operations at the receiver with those at the transmitter.

Figures 7 and 8 show circuits for use in my invention.

Figure 9 shows a motor driven device for generating control frequencies at the receiver with circuits for controlling the motor from reproduced characters.

Figure 10 shows the control characters reproduced at the receiver.

Figures 11 to 15 are representations of various characters, symbols or signs for televising sound and other information as video or picture signals.

Figures 16, 23 and 24 show devices for producing the characters at the transmitting tubes.

Figure 1'7 shows a portion of a tape with printed code characters.

Figures 18 to 2'0 show devices for translating the various characters. televised into electrical variations of energy.

Figures 21 and 22 show alight valve used in this invention.

Figure 25 shows an audio amplifier.

In Figure 1 the numeral l designates a cathode ray transmitting tube of conventional type, and is known as an iconoscope, and as illustrated it comprises a mosaic photo-electric screen on which a light image of the object is projected and an electron gun for generating a ray of electrons directed at the screen, and two sets of deflecting plates for deflecting the electron ray at the line and field frequencies, so that it is caused to scan the screen. The picture and certain other characters are thereby developed and fed by an output connector 2 to a modulating amplifier 3.

A carrier wave is provided by an oscillator i. In the power amplifier 5 this carrier wave is modula'ted by the frequency band video orpicture signals through the modulation amplifier 3. The signals from the amplifier 5 are supplied by a connection 6 to the antenna I. g

The control signals as well as the sound signals are transmitted as video signals which will appreciably reduce the frequency band now required for television.

At the receiving station shown in Figure 2, the antenna 8 receives the carrier signals from the ransrnitter antenna i to a radio frequency amplifier 9. An oscillator iii reacts with these si nals in the first detector stage it on the super heterodyne principle to produce an intermediatefrequency which is supplied to the video intermediets-frequency stage l2.

After suitable amplification, the video signal is detected at l3 and applied by a connection iii to a scanning device l5. The device is represented as being in the form of a cathode ray tube of conventional type and comprises a fluorescent screen It, an electron gun for developing a ray of electrons directed at the screen, and. two sets of electrostatic plates for deflecting the electron ray at the line and field frequencies to cause it to scan the screen. The video signals are applied to the control electrode of the electron gun, whereby, the intensity of the electron ray is made to Vary with the video or picture signals which may include sound and permutation code charactors.

The fluorescent screen l6 may be scanned by various devices in order to translate the characters thereon into control signals and sound signals to be more fully explained hereinafter.

Referring to Figure 3, the numeral l1 represents a motor, having an adjustable speed, which is operated from the local power circuit, and runs at approximately 900 R. P. M. 58 is a drum having two black bands is and 26 each of which extends over one half of the periphery of the drum if; or through an angular distance of two fields as shown in Figure e. The two bands are located adjacent the opposite edges of the drum respectively, so that by rotating the drum in front of the transmitting tube two black vertical lines will appear alternately, but separated on the mosaic, as shown in Figure 6 by the numerals 2i and 22. This drum I8 may be known as a code sender. Thus it will be seen that each mark or sign on the mosaic will be definitely identified with a frame or picture change, and also definitely related to the speed of the motor or 30 picture changes for 900 R. P. M. of the motor. These marks will be reproduced in the receiver, where they will be used to generate current, for control purposes to be further explained later.

The representation of the images shown in Figure 6, and other figures having similar represen tation, applying to the transmitting tubes, are shown similar to the Way that they are reproduced for clearness. It is to be understood that the lens system at the transmitting tube will change the image location.

The short horizontal line 23, Figure 6, shown above the vertical control characters, is a permanent mark either on the mosaic of the transmitting tube at Z l, Figure l, or outside the lens system of the tube at 25. The purpose of this short horizontal line, which is repeated in all the pictures is for automatically keeping the receivers in proper phase relation which will be more fully explained later.

The disk 28 is mounted on the motor shaft and has four holes of equal arcs apart near its periphery which are rotated past a source of light 21, directed toward the photoelectric cell 28, which generates pulses of current for controlling field scanning that are definitely tied in with the speed of the motor. That is: each revolution of the motor may produce four fields as well as four pulses, and by the adjustment of the photo-electric cell, these pulses are generated just at the exact instant required. Likewise the disk 29 is rotated by the motor ill between the sources of light 3% and 32 and the photo-electric cells at and 33, respectively, to generate line scanning and blanking frequencies.

In Figure 5, I have shown an end view of disk 29, divided into four equal divisions which represent four fields, or two picture changes, which is easily arranged for any number of lines per field by the number of holes in each field division of the disk; also by altering the position of the holes consecutive or progressive line scanning may be obtained as well as interlace of l to 2 ratio or 1 to 4 ratio which would also require reducing or increasing the number of openings in disk 2i; for vertical scanning. The line blanking frequencies are obtained from the photo cell 33, controlled by the same openings as cell 3 l, but positioned in another location at the disk, so that both cells will be operated from similar field openings; likewise vertical blanking may be obtained from another photo cell operated from the disk 25. As shown in Figure 5, field A has 220 openings and field B has 221 openings, so positioned that the openings in field B are advanced a distance equal to one half of the space between the holes.

From the above description, it will be seen that the pulses for controlling line scanning are definitely locked with the speed of the motor. Therefore any change in speed of the motor does not alter the number of openings per field or per frame, and by slightly changing the speed from sixty cycle operations it is possible to avoid interference from the local sixty cycle power supply and its harmonics.

A system Or circuit for producing the pro-per sweep signals is shown in Figures 7 and 8. In Figure 7, I have shown a photo cell 34, which may be either cell 28 or 3! in Figure 3. This cell 34 is responsive to the variation of light energy caused by the rotation of the

disk

26 or 29 to cause grid excitation of amplifier tube 35. The anode of tube 35 is connected, through a winding of transformer 35, to the positive terminal of the voltage divider 31. The voltages induced in the secondary winding of the transformer 3% drive the grid of tube 33 positive, discharging the condenser 39 through the tube. Thus by alternately charging the condenser 39 through resistance 40 and discharging it through the tube a saw tooth wave is generated. The vertical sweep frequency, controlled by disk 25, is fed through conductor ll to the conductor 42 at the transmittin tube in Figure 1. The line sweep frequencies generated by disk 29 are transmitted through conductors 4! and 43 to the transmitting tube.

'vAgain referring to Figure 8, the numeral 66 shows a belt, driven by a pulley through gears at one half the motor speed, and having mirrors 6%, and 46, to direct sound signals toward the mosaic of the transmitting tube to be fully explained later in connection with Figures 18 and 19. The beveled gear shaft 41 is for connection to the tape machine, shown in Figure 16.

- In Figure 9 I have shown two

disks

48 and 39 and associated photo cells and 5! respectively which are exactly like those shown in Figure 3 and need no further explanation. These disks and tubes together with the circuits of Figs, 7

l and 8 are for generating the sweep signals for frames, representing the control signals or marks, similar to those described in Figure 6. We will assume to start, that the receiver is in synchronism with the transmitter, and that the vertical lines or characters are coming through in perfect order. Therefore line 53 will be shown in frame 54 and line 55 will be shown in frame 55. These lines will continue to alternate every picture change durin the television program or broadcast. Now as the picture is scanned from top to bottom and due to the direction of rotation of the wheel at the transmitter the line or mark will disappear later at the lower end than at any other portion of the character. Therefore rays of light are directed from these lower mark extremities on the fluorescent screen [6, by the aid of a mirror 5i and suitable lenses to the photo

electric cells

58 and 59. Since these marks will alternate on the receiving tube screen in the exact likeness as they are transmitted, an alternating current may be'generated in synchronism with the picture changes. a

. With further reference to Figure 9, I have shown circuits for producing an alternating current from the variations of light intensities occurring in the

photo cells

58 and 59 which may be the same ones shown in Figure 10. These photo cells control the grid excitation of grids 50 and GI of

amplifier tubes

62 and 63; the anodes 64 are connected in parallel through the primary winding of transformer 55, to the positive side of the voltage divider 66. The cathodes 5'! are connected in parallel to any intermediate point of the voltage divider. The cathode 55 of photo cell 58 is connected to the grid 60 of amplifier 52 and through resistance 65 to negative potential at the voltage divider, thereby maintaining the grid 55 at a negative potential with respect to cathode Bi and plate 64. The circuit is so arranged, therefore, that an increase in the intensity of light on the photo-cell 58 will increase the plate current of tube 62. The photo-cell 59 has its anode :5 connected to the grid Bl of amplifier tube 63, and is maintained at a positive potential with respect to its cathode H. This causes a decrease in the plate current of tube 63, upon increasing the intensity of light directed toward the photocell 59. Other amplifier tubes may be connected in parallel to increase the amplification. Therefore it will be seen that the

marks

53 and 55 shown in Figure will alternately operate the photo-cells. Explaining this more in detail, the mark or character 53 in frame 55 does not reflect enough light into photo cell 58 to produce any effect, but the light reflected from the location of the alternate mark 55 into photo-cell 59 causes a decrease in the current value in tube 53. Next considering the frame 55, following frame 55, the line or mark 55 occurring in the opposite location does not reflect sumcient light to the cell 59 to produce any effect. However, tube 58 will receive light from the blank space previously occupied by line 53, therefore producing an increased current at tube 52. The plate circuits of

tubes

52 and 63 are connected in parallel and hence a continuously rising and falling current is produced-in the primary winding of transformer 55, whereby alternating voltage are induced in the secondary winding. ihese voltages are fed to the inverter circuit consisting of

tubes

12 and 73, each of which is provided with an anode "Hi and indirectly heated cathode l5 and a control electrode or grid 15. The grids-l5 are normally biased negatively by a battery 11 through the resistances "l8 and 19.. The grid excitation voltage is supplied through transformer 55. Direct current is supplied through conductor 85, choke 8i to mid-point of primary winding of transformer 82, thence dividcd through the two halves of this winding to the anodes 14, a condenser 33 being connected across the primary winding of transformer 82. The cathodes are connected to the source of direct current supply through conductor 84. The secondary winding of transformer 82 is connected through the contact of the control relay 85 to the motor 52 which causes the motor to run at the speed of the picture changes or in synchronism with the motor at the transmitter, producing the control characters.

With reference to Figure 10, the short horizontal line 85 is produced from the

permanent mark

25 or 25 at the transmitting tube and will occur in all image fields, picture changes or frames. The purpose is to give automatic regulation for phase control. The mark 85 is located between the two

marks

53 and 55 on the screen it of the receiving tube l5. From a point, just at left of this horizontal line 86, when in proper phase relation a ray of light is directed by mirror ill and suitable lenses to a photo cell 88. This photo cell may be used in the circuit of Figure 7 which has previously been described. The transformer 35 now has its econdary winding 89 connected through control relay 85. motor at the receiver get out of phase and lag behind the motor at the transmitter the line 85 would move to the left causing the photo cell to remain inoperative and also the relay 85;however, should the motor 52 get out of phase in the opposite direction the line 85 would move to the right, causing light to enter photo cell 88, which will operate relay 85 to include the resistance 90 momentarily in the motor circuit, thereby correcting the phase relation.

The operation of the receiver is as follows: the motor 52 is started through the local power supply, which will produce the control frequencies including sweeps as have been described. The operator, through the rheostat 9| will slow the motor down, until the

vertical control characters

53 and 55 begin to appear on the right side of the screen [6, in approximately the proper location vertically, whereupon the local power supply will be shut off, and the photo electric device will now generate electric oscillations from the periodically changing control characters on the screen to control the frequency of alternating current gen-' erated by the amplifiers l2 and 13 through" the transformer 82 to the input circuit of motor 52,.

which will bring the motor into synchronism with the picture changes; the mark 86 will move to the extreme top of the picture as soon as the motor start to operate from the tube supply. The picture, produced from'this system will be of greater height than those at present-in use,

on account of no space being taken between each field for synchronizing pulses as in the present systems. The line 85 may then function to adjust the horizontal scanning at the receiver in proper.

phase relation.

With reference to Figure 11, I have shown a Should the All the receiver, these combinations or characters are reproduced on the screen, where they are translated into electrical signals by the intensity of the light rays from the marks, or from their location on the screen, directed into individual photo cells such as 96, shown in connection with one line or mark. This cell may be used in Figure 7 to operate a relay, which connects the proper frequency or current through its contacts according to the permutation code to operate teletype or other machines.

Figures 12, 13. and 14 show different arrangements of permutation code for televising in my system and may be used for operating a plurality of teletype mechanisms, such as that shown in Patent Numbers 1,595, 1'72 dated August 10, 1926, 1,623,809 dated April 5, 19.27, and 1,904,164 dated April 18, 1933. In Figure 12,, I have shown one form of the code as it is transmitted and reproduced. With thi arrangement the lines 3?, 98, etc., are divided into segments so that they may be translated into pulses of current. In Figure 13, I have shown the marks horizontally and in three successively spaced groups per frame, so that these messages may be simultaneously transmitted and reproduced for a greater speed. In Figure 14, I have shown another arrangement for three sets of code characters, the horizontal lines 99 and it representing one group of code characters divided into segments so that they may be translated into impulses of current to give a variety of combinations.

These permutation code characters may be printed on a tape as illustrated in Figure 17, and run through a machine or sender shown in Figure 16. The tape may consist of only one coded message per field or a, number of messages may be coded in each field or frame as shown in Figures 13 and 14. The tape I82 may be moved in front of the lens system of the transmitting tube I, Figure 1. The wheel IIJI for step by step pulling of the tape from right to left in front of lens in Figure l is operated by the sprocket Wheel 33, which wheel is connected to the motor I I, through the shaft 41 as shown in Figure 3. This will cause a code or group of codes to be step by step placed in front of the transmitting tube, or one set of codes per each frame. The codes on the tape I02 Figure 17' may be like those of Figures 13 and 14, or two or more tapes similar to I02 but bearing a single message and placed one above the other may be step by step jerked in front of the transmitting tube by the wheel IllI to transmit two or more messages.

In Figures 18, 19 and 20, I have shown code translating devices or methods for translating code characters into electrical impulses. The numerals I94, I05, etc., Figures 18 and 19, are photo cells shown above the receiving tube screen It, shown in the end View Figure 18, and directs rays of light from the line or line location of the code character on screen it into their respective photo cells. A circuit, Figure 7, may be used for each line or mark, thereby producing electrical impulses from the characters on the screen to D- erate relays similar to 85 to control teletype or telegraph apparatus. The mirrors I 01 and H39 and others, travel past the screen on an endless belt at the rate of one mirror per frame. pulley IIll may be connected to the motor shaft I I I, Figure 9, through step down gears not shown.

While I have shown photo cells I84, I05, etc., which may be used for one set of code characters, it is to be understood that other sets of photo cells similar to these may be arranged to be actu The 8 ated by the light directed by the mirror I07 from other code locations on the screen I6 for multi plex communications.

In Figure 20 I have shown the mirrors I I2, I 53, etc., staggered on the belt I I5 for the purpose of having the impulses operate a single line relay. The photo cells I04, I05, etc., are now connected in multiple to one Figure 7, which may operate a line relay similar to 85, to in turn operate the telety-pe machines described in the above mentioned patents. While I have shown only one set of mirrors H2, H3, etc., yet it will be understood that other sets are provided on the endless belt H5, so that one set of mirrors travels past the screen I6 at the rate of one set per picture change or frame. Other sets of photo cells similar to I04, I95, etc., may be connected in multiple to sepa rate relays and actuated by the changing light from other code character locations on the screen I6. The light being directed by other mirrors similar to IIZ, H3, etc., mounted on the belt II5 to translate two or more coded messages as shown at Figure 13 into electrical impulses to in turn operate other relays similar to 85..

In Figure 15, I have shown a sound track image on the mosaic at the transmitting tube, and on the screen at the receiving tube. This sound track I I8 at the transmitter is produced by either a light valve or a glow lamp having its variable intensity light rays focused on mirrors traveling past the tube or lens system. These mirrors 45 and 46, Figures 3 and 23, may be mounted on a belt A l in different vertical planes as shown in Figure 3 and arranged so that only one mirror at a time is traveling downward within the View of the transmitting tube, whereby two light valves placed above the tube alternately direct variable intensity light rays toward the mosaic of the transmitting tube to form two sound tracks, one light valve is shown at I I1, Figure 23. The mirror 45 moving downward in front of the transmitting tube will direct the variable ray of light from top to bottom producing the vertical sound track I I8, which will retain this image during the scanning of one "frame. The sound track II8 of variable density put on through the action of the light valve III and traveling mirror 45, which mirror is started on its downward travel immediately after the start of the line scanning in the first field of the first frame, and will complete its downward travel at the time the second field of the first frame is scanned, whereupon another light valve, not shown, but in multiple with the light valve I I I will start producing a variable density area on the mosaic at II9 by the action of a traveling mirror similar to 66. These sound tracks will continue to alternate on the mosaic of the transmitting tube for one to two ratio of interlace.

While two sound tracks hav been shown for one message when using interlace scanning, it is to be understood that other messages may be transmitted by another similar arrangement of light values, associated apparatus, and circuits. Also when using progressive scanning the mirrors on the belt 44 may be arranged so that two or more mirrors may at any time be traveling within .the view of the transmitting tube for multiplex messages. Furthermore, sound signal characters as illustrated in Figure 15, and coded signal characters as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 may be transmitted simultaneously.

The light valve II! is shown in more detail in Figures 21 and 22, and comprises a, light bulb I20, inside of a reflector. Over the front of the 9 reflector there is a cover I2I, having a narrow rectangular opening I22. Over this opening there is placed a sheet of Polaroid or light polarizing material I23, 50 that the light from the bulb I will be polarized at the same angle as shown by the diagonallines across the opening I22. An armature I24 is flexibly secured at one end of the frame I26, provided with a sheet of Polaroid, adapted to be vibrated in front of the opening I 22 by the electromagnets I25, which magnets are controlled by the microphone I2I. The Polaroid in the armature, as shown, is arranged to polarize the light in a horizontal plane, and as this armature is vibrated by variable currents from the microphone, variable intensity of light is emitted from the opening I22 to the mosaic of the transmitting tube.

In Figure 24, I have shown another method for producing light variations within the view of the transmitting tube I which consists of two glow lamps I28 and I29 similar to those used for making sound track on picture film. These glow lamps are directly above mirrors spaced on a belt I30 similar to the light valves III and the mirrors and 46 in Figure 23. The mirrors travel downward in front of a screen of fluorescent material I3I. This screen I3I will retain the light variations from the glow lamp for a short interval and is placed in front of and at an angle to the transmitting tube I, which will alternately record the variable density of light on two sound 1 tracks from the fluorescence screen.

At the receiving tube the sound tracks of variable density area may be translated into audio sound by photo-electric cells, arranged similar to those in Figures 19 and 20, except there would be only two photo cells, I04 and I05 in multiple. These photo cells would be connected in the circuit shown in Figure '7, then to the amplifier and audio speaker of Figure 25.

The embodiments of the invention which have been given herein are illustrations of how the various features may be accomplished and of the principle involved. It is to be understood that the invention contained herein is capable of embodiment in many other forms and adaptations, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for varying the intensity of light rays comprising a source of light, a stationary member having a screen of light polarizing material, and another member having a screen of light polarizing material arranged in a plane adjacent and parallel to the screen in the stationary member, means for directing light rays from the said source of light through said screens, and electromagnetic means for vibrating said last member to vary the intensity of the light rays directed through said screens.

2. In a facsimile communication system, a transmitter comprising a camera tube, said tube having an image plate and an electron ray directed toward the image plate, a light valve adapted to be actuated by electrical signals representative of a message to alter the emitted light, means including movable light ray reflectors for directing light rays from said valve to different locations on said image plate in rotation to form thereon a variable density sound track image, means for causing the electron ray to scan said image plate to produce picture signals representative of said image, a receiver comprising a viewing tube, said viewing tube having an image screen and an electron ray directed toward the image screen, means for causing the electron ray to scan said image screen to produce thereon a facsimile sound track image from said picture signals, a photo electric device, and means 5 including other movable light ray reflectors for directing light rays from different locations in said sound track image on said screen in rotation to said photo electric device to produce variable frequency signals representative of said mes- 3. In a facsimile communication system, a transmitter, comprising a camera tube having an image plate, means including a movable member for producing variable density light values in different locations on said plate in rotation to form vertical images thereby producing picture signals, a receiver, comprising a picture tube having an image screen, means for producing facsimile images on said screen from said picture signals, and photo electric devices sensitive to the variable densities of light from difierent locations in the said facsimile images in rotation to develop electrical signals of variable frequency.

4. In a facsimile communication system, a transmitter, comprising a camera tube having an image plate and an electron ray directed toward the plate, a pair of light valves adapted to be actuated alternately by electrical signals representative of a message to alter the emitted light, means for directing light rays from said valves to different areas on said image plate to form thereon a pair of variable density sound track images, means for causing the electron ray to scan said image plate to produe picture signals representative of said images, a receiver, comprising a viewing tube having an image screen and an electron ray directed toward the image screen, means for causing the electron ray to scan said image screen to produce thereon facsimile sound track images from received picture signals, a pair of photo electric devices one for each of the sound track images, and means for directing light rays from different locations in each of the said sound track images to their respective photo electric device in alternate periods to produce variable frequency signals representative of said message.

5. In a facsimile communication system, a transmitter comprising a camera tube, said tube 59 having an image plate and an electron ray directed toward the image plate, means for simultaneously displaying a plurality of code characters in the view of said tube to develop images representative of the characters on said plate, means for causing the electron ray to scan said image plate to produce picture signals representative of said images, a receiver comprising a picture tube, said picture tube having an image screen and an electron ray directed toward the 60 screen, means for causing the electron ray to scan said screen to produce thereon facsimile images from said picture signals, a plurality of relays adapted to be operated by light rays from said facsimile images, and means to operate said relays as desired by changing said code characters in the view of said camera tube to produce changes in the light rays from said facsimile images. I

6. In a multiplex communication system, a .70 transmitter comprising a cathode ray camera tube, said tube having an image plate and an electron ray directed toward the plate, meansto move a-t'ap'ebearing-groups ofcode characters within the view of said tube to develop images representative of the characters on said plate,

means for causing the electron ray to scansaid image plate to produce picture signals representative of said images, a receiver comprising a picture tube, said picture tube having an image screen and an electron ray directed toward the screen, means for causing the electron ray to scan said screen to produce thereon facsimile images from said picture signals, a plurality of relays adapted to be operated by light rays from said facsimile images, and means to selectively operate said relay by changes in the light rays from said facsimile images responsive to the changes in the said code characters in the view of said camera tube.

7. In a multiplex communication system, a transmitter, comprising a camera tube having an image plate and suitable circuits for producing picture signals, means for producing a plurality of code character images representative of different messages on said plate and for changing the characters in successive images thereby producing a train of picture signals representative of said images, a receiver comprising a picture tube having an image screen, means for producing changing facsimile images on said screen from said picture signals, a plurality of photo electric devices under control of said signals, movable mechanisms for directing light rays from different points in said facsimile images in rotation to said photo cells to produce a number of difierent series of electrical signals representative of said messages.

8. In a facsimile communication system, a cathode ray camera tube having an image plate and an electron ray directed toward the plate, a tape havin printed thereon variously arranged characters representative of a combination of signals, a motor, means including said motor for moving said tape within the View of said tube to develop images of said characters on said plate, means including said motor for causing said electron ray to scan said image plate to produce picture signals representative of said images.

9. In a facsimile communication system, a cathode ray camera tube having an image plate and an electron ray directed toward the image plate, a motor, a light valve adapted to be actuated by electrical signals representative of a message, movable means, driven by said motor, provided with mirrors to direct light rays of variable intensities from said light valve to said image plate, said mirrors arranged to be moved within the view of said camera tube to direct said light rays over said image plate to form thereon a narrow variable density sound track image, and means, including mechanism, driven by said motor for causing said electron ray to scan said image plate to produce electrical signals representative of said image.

10. In a facsimile communication system, a cathode ray viewing tube having an image screen and an electron ray directed toward the image screen, a motor, means including mechanism driven by said motor for causing the said electron ray to scan the said screen to form thereon a narrow sound track image from received signals, a photo electric device, and movable means, driven by said motor, provided with mirrors for directing light rays of variable intensity from said sound track image to said photo electric device, said mirrors arranged to be moved in a path adjacent to said screen.

11. In a facsimile communication system, a

cathode ray viewing tube having an image screen and anelectron ray directed toward the image screen, means for intercepting incoming signals in accordance with a number of messages, a motor, means including mechanism controlled by said motor for causing the said electron ray to scan said screen to form thereon from the said signals individual images for each separate message, a photo electric device for each of said individual images, and movable means, driven by said motor, provided with light'refiectors for directing light rays of variable intensities from each of the said individual images to their associated photo electric devices, said reflectors adapted to move in a path adjacent said screen to direct light rays from said images to said photo electric devices thereby producing a plurality of series of electrical signals representative of said messages.

12. In a facsimile communication system, a cathode ray viewing tube having an image screen and an electron ray directed toward the image screen, means for intercepting incoming signals in accordance with a number of coded messages, a motor, means including mechanism driven by said motor for causing the said electron ray to scan said screen to form thereon in separate areas images for each of the said coded messages from said signals, a, photo electric device for each of said areas, and movable means, driven by said motor, provided with light reflectors for directing light rays from the said images in each of the said areas to said photo electric devices, said refiectors adapted to move in a path adjacent said screen to direct light rays from said images to said photo-electric devices to produce a number of series of electrical signals representative of said coded messages.

13. In a facsimile communication system, a cathode ray viewing tube having an image screen and an electron ray directed toward the image screen, means for intercepting incoming signals in accordance with a number of telegraphic messages and telephonic messages, a motor, means including mechanism driven by said motor for causing the said electron my to scan said screen to'form thereon in separate areas images for each of the said messages, a photo electric device for each of said areas, and movable means, driven by said motor, provided with light reflectors for directing light rays from the said images in each of the said areas to said photo electric devices, said reflectors adapted to move in a path adjacent said screen to direct light rays from said images to said photo electric devices to produce a number of series of electrical signals representative of said telegraphic and telephonic messages.

14. In a facsimile communication system, a transmitter, comprising a camera tube having a mosaic image plate and an electron ray directed toward the plate, a plurality of glow lamps each responsive to electrical signals representative of a message to emit variable intensity light rays, means including movable members for directing light rays from each of the said glow lamps to their predetermined plate sections and to diiTerent locations in their respective sections in rotation to form on said plate a number of different images, means for causing the electron ray to scan said image plate to produce video signals representative of said images, and means to transmit said video signals.

JOHN H. HOMRIGHOUS.