US2944472A - Photographic type composition - Google Patents

Description

July 12, 1960 HOOVEN ET AL 2,944,472

PHOTOGRAPHIC TYPE COMPOSITION Filed Feb. 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 PERMUTATION SWITCHES P161 P162 7 KEYBOARD ,5 is 1 I57 3O\I FF I COINCIDENCE S r r E I60 1 102 /03 I04 I05 ms I07 I606 2 1/ SELECTOR COUNTER l 1 I I l l L "I' Ta? "is;

I 8o 66 16s 66 V 110 8 AGPHASE DELAY l3 IN\VERTER AMPLIFIER E AND 47 IPULSESHAPE TO SPACE COMPUTER INVENTQRS SPACE SPACE FREDERICK J. HOOVEN8I CONTROL CONTROL I BY RICHARD 0.0BRIEN UNIT UNIT 79 L I TOSPACE w fi COMPUTER PULSE GENERATOR AT ORNEYS United States Patent PHOTOGRAPHIC TYPE COMPOSITION Frederick J. Hooven, Dayton, and Richard C. OBrien, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to The Harris-Intertype Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 18, 1957, Ser. No. 640,741

11 Claims. (Cl. 95-45) This application relates to photographic type composition and to phototypesetting apparatus, particularly to a character selection device for such apparatus.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide in a phototypesetting system a method and apparatus for timing the proper instant for the flashing of the light source to select the desired character on the moving matrix with as short an interval of delay as possible and thus contributing to higher speed operation of the system.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved high speed character selection control for phototypesetting apparatus having a matrix bearing a plurality of character images and arranged to be continuously cyclically moved past a controlled flashing light source, wherein a transient memory device is provided for temporarily storing a code identifying a selected character image to be illuminated, a computer is arranged to count the image bearing portions continuously through each cycle of movement thereof past the light source, and a comparing device is connected to operate the light source control when the count in the computer coincides with the code in the memory device and thereby to illuminate a selected character image portion on the matrix.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in such a character selection device, for actuation of the light source control only when a code number has been set into the memory device, and for clearing or resetting of the memory device to a basic number once the light source has been flashed.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a character selection device as outlined above, an additional device which orients the counter in phase with the moving matrix. I

An additional object of the invention. is to provide a character selection control for phototypesetting apparatus including a matrix bearing a plurality of character images thereon and also including a flashing light source for illuminating a selected character image portion, wherein the light source and matrix are arranged for continuous cyclic relative movement, wherein a coded selecting number is stored in a memory device including a first bank of binary stages, wherein a second bank of binary stages providing a computer is arranged to count continuously through a cycle of binary code numbers atle'ast equal to the total number of characters on the matrix, and wherein a device for actuating the light source is provided including a comparator arranged to compare the count of said computer with the code number stored in the memory device and to emit an operating signal to the light source when the numbers in the memory device and in the computer coincide.

Another object of this invention is to provide in 'such a character selection control for deactivation of the light energizing control whenever no code number is set into the memory device.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanyjng drawings and the appended claims.

In the 'drawings- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a character selection control in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detailed diagramillustrating the connections between one binary stage of the memory device, one stage of the coincidence circuit, and one binary stage of the computer as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of a simple circuit analogous to the coincidence circuit provided in the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the timing of counting pulses fed to the binary computer and the gate circuit shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a diagram plotting voltage against time, illustrating the controlled high voltage signal output of the coincident circuit.

Referring to the drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention, and particularly to Fig. 1, the present invention relates to a high speed character selection control for phototypesetting apparatus such as disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 380,802, filed September 17, 1953, now Patent No. 2,846,932, assigned to the same assignee as this application. In such apparatus a keyboard 10 is arranged in operative relation to a bank of permutation switches 12 so that a pulse is transmitted through a preselected one or more of the seven output lines 13 in accordance with a binary code number identifying a selected character as the key associated with that character is depressed. The keyboard and bank of permutation switches are illustrated schematically since such apparatus is well known, and may be for example, of the type described inv Patent No. 2,714,- 843, issued August 9, 1955, to the same assignee as this application.

The output lines 13 extend to a bank of set-up gates indicated generally at 15 and comprising a plurality of vacuum tubes P1-P7. These tubes are preferably pentodes such as type 6AS6 but the screen grids are omitted from the drawings for purposes of clarity. The individual output lines from permutation switches 12 are con nected to the control grids PIG], P2G1, etc., as shown in the drawings, and are arranged to conduct positive signals to the individual G1 grids of these tubes when a selected permutation switch is closed. The second control grids P1G2, P2G2, etc., are connected in parallel to an initiate switch 16arranged to feed a positive pulse through line 17 to all of the G2 grids of these tubes when closed. This switch is closed momentarily whenever any key on keyboard 10 is depressed,.and thus an initiate pulse results for every character selected. The mechanical connection between the keyboard and switch 16 is preferably such that a slight delay is interposed between operation of permutation switches 12 and initiate switch 16.

The set-up gate system 15 is provided with seven output lines 21-27, each of which may transmit apulse corresponding to conductance of the individual. tubes P1- P7; In'other words, whenever a positive pulse is fed to-both grids of a particular P tube, that tube will cause a pulse to be fed through the corresponding output line 21-27. Y

A first or transient memory bank 30 is provided comprising a plurality of binary stages or flip-flops 31-37, each of these stages preferably being of the type embodying the well known balanced Eccles-Jordan circuit, the opposite sides of which will switch from a conducting to a non-conducting stage, and vice versa, in response to a pulse fed into the circuit. Thus, in the illustrated example since bank 30 has seven binary stages it is capable of storing any code number between 1 and 128. Storage of code data in bank 30 is only for a short interval, measurable in terms of small fractions of a second, hence reference is made to this bank as a transient memory device, since it holds the information supplied from the set-up gate system 15 only until the information is used, almost immediately after it is set in, as will be described in detail below.

The phototypesetting apparatus disclosed in the above identlfied application includes a continuously rotating character disk, shown here at 40, and bearing the characters 42 as light transmitting portions arranged in succession about the disk at a common radial distancefrom the center of rotation thereof, referred to hereafter as the character zone. In another or timing zone there is a plurality of transparent or translucent lines 43, one for each character image 4 2, and these lines cooperate with a suitable continuously illuminated light bulb 44,- having a single straight filament, on one side of the disk, and a photocell 45 on the opposite side. The light from bulb 44 is focused through a lens 46 onto the timing zone containing lines 43, and thus passage of light to the photocell generates a timing pulse for each character image as the disk moves relative to stationary bulb 44. The pulses from photocell 45 are fed into a suitable timer amplifier and pulse shaper 47.

In a further radial zone of disk 40 there is a single transparent line 50, hereafter referred to as the marker, arranged to cooperate with a stationary bulb.51, a lens 52, and a photocell 53 to generate a marker pulse once for each complete revolution of disk 40. The pulses from this photocell are fed into a marker amplifier 54. Line 50 is arranged to pass bulb 51 just after the marker line corresponding to the highest timing count (128 in the present case) passes bulb 44.

The disk 40 is also divided into sectors, one for each character image, in the illustrated device there being 128 sectors. In each sector, spaced radially from the aforementioned zones, are a plurality of code dot transparencies 56 representative, in a binary code system, of code numbers defining the required spacing of each character. A particular code sector may be displaced from the character image to which it relates, as shown in Fig. l, to facilitate placement of the parts used for selection, code reading, and projection of the selected character.

It will be appreciated that the character images and puter to supply a star-ting pulse to the pulse generator thereof, as more fully explained in the above identified copending application.

A selector computer 80 comprising seven binary stages 81-87 is arranged to receive the output of timing pulse amplifier 47 through a suitable delay circuit 88. Thus, computer 80 continuously counts at a rate corresponding to movement of the character images 42 relative to light source 60, and the count in computer 80 at any given moment can be used to identify the character image in position for illumination and projection. The output of marker amplifier 54 is connected, in parallel, to each stage 81-87 and serves to orient the computer in phase the timing and marker pulse lines on disk 40 may be formed either as light transmitting portions of the disk or as opaque portions surrounded by light transmitting portions. Particularly in the case of the characters it is only necessary that there be some contrasting parts capable of shaping a light beam to the form of a desired image.

These parts are shown diagrammatically in Fig. l, and include a controlled light source 60, which'may be a spark gap or other type of gas discharge device capable of emitting intense light for a short period, a condensing lens 62 for focusing the'light onto the characterimage Zone, and a photographic lens 63 for. focusing the image carrying light beam onto a suitable recording medium such as a record strip of photosensitive material '(not shown). The light source 60 is controlled by a suitable spark control unit 65 operable on receiving a pulse fromline 66. A gas discharge tube 70 cooperates with a condensing lens 72 to illuminate an area of the disk corresponding to a single code dot sector. The spacecontrol unit 75 which controls energization of tube 70 is also connected to line 66 and receives an operating pulse at the same time as spark control unit 65; Thus, atthe same time a character image is projected, light from tube 70 will be projected through the space code dots 56 appropriate to the projected image, and the resultant dots of light pass to a bank of photocells 77, one for each possible space code dot, orfive in the illustrated example. The outputs of these photocells, indicated generally at 78, are fed to the space computer (not shown) of the phototypesetting apparatus, such as shown in the above identified application. A further output line 79 is connected to line 66 and extends to the aforementioned space comwith the timing pulses by resetting the computer at a given moment. For example, assuming the character A to be identified by the binary code number 0,000,001, the marker pulse may be used to reset computer 80 to read 0,000,000 when a character two places previous to A on the disk passes the projection station defined by light source 60 and lenses 62 and 63. Then, the next pulse to counter 80 will set the count 0,000,001 into the computer, just before A passes the projection station. It will be appreciated that once the selector computer is set in phase with the rotating disk 40 it will remain so, and the marker pulse arrangement is primarily for the purpose of assuring that these units are properly in phase at the first stage 101 of the coincidence circuit are designated 7 C1 and C2. Details of the associated binary stage 31 of the memory bank and stage 81 of the selector computer are illustrated to represent the complete interrelation of the permutation tube P1, the first memory, coincidence and selector computer stages, and the input to computer 80. It will be understood that the second through sev-, enth stages of each of these elements are similarly interconnected, and that accordingly there are fourteen coincidence tubes C1-C14.

The output line 21 of the first permutation tube Plis cennected to the plate M1P2 of a dual triode- M1, and this tube together with the balanced circuits connected thereto comprises the first stage 31 of the memory bank. The control gride C161 of coincidence tube C1 is connected to the grid M161 of the left side of tube M1, and similarly the grid C261 of tube C2 is connected to 'grid M162 on the right side of M1. Assuming that the left side of tube M1 is conducting, then grids M161 and C161 will be at 0 volt, and grids M162 and C261 will be at approximately -30 volts. The dual diode input rectifier R1, having its cathodes connected to the input line from delay circuit 88, and its plate connected to the plates S1P1 and S1P2 of a dual triode S1, together with the balanced circuitry, comprises the first computer stage 81. The output 111 is shown connected to the input rectifier R2 of stage'82 in a conventional manner.

The left side grid S161 is connected to the second control grid C262 of coincidence tube C2, and similarly the right side grid S162 is connected to the second control grid C162 of tube C1. Therefore, when the left side of tube S1 is conducting grid C262 willbe' at 0 volt, while C162 is at approximately 30 volts and tube C1 is cut off, and similarly when the right side is conducting grid C162 is at 0 volt while C262 is at approximately 30 volts and tube C2 is cut olf.

It follows, therefore, that unless tubes M1 and S1 co incide in state one or the other of tubes C1 or C2 will be conducting or closed, but when both M1 and S1 coincideboth C1 and C2 will be cut off or open. The cathodes of all the coincidence tubes C are connected to ground, while the plates of all of them are connected in ground through another impedance Z to a high voltage source, has a number of impedances I connected in parallel, each having a separate switch CS for cutting it into and out of the circuit. So long as one or more of these switches is closed the voltage drop is divided between device Z and the impedance corresponding to the closed switch, and the voltage drop across device X is relatively low. However, when all the switches are opened, and therefore all of the impedances dropped out of the circuit, a substantially high voltage drop is across device X and the resultant high voltage signal may be used to trigger the device. In the present circuit each of the coincidence tubes is analogous to an impedance and switch combination, and therefore so long as one or more of the coincidence tubes C1-C14 is conducting then the high voltage line 116 is connected to ground potential through resistor 115 and the conducting coincidence tube. Similarly, when all of the coincidence tubes are cut oif a high voltage signal will result which is used to initiate the sequence which triggers the spark control unit 65 and space control unit 75.

Referring to Fig. 5, wherein the voltage variation in the coincidence output line 112 is plotted against time, assuming that the internal impedance of any one coincidence tube C is sutficient to hold the potential in line 112 at approximately 100 volts with respect to a high voltage source 116 of about 225 volts, it will be seen that so long as one or more of the coincidence tubes is conducting the potential in line 112 will vary somewhere between and 100 volts. However, once the moment of coincidence is reached and all the stages of the memory bank 30 and selector computer 80 coincide, all of the coincidence tubes will be cut off and the potential in line 112 will rise substantially to the full high voltage of 225 volts. This will result in a high voltage output pulse being emitted from the concidence circuit and being maintained so long as all the coincidence tubes are cut ofi. But as soon as any one coincidence tube again begins to conduct the high voltage output signal will cease and the potential in line 112 will return to 100 volts or less. 7

As pointed out above, coincidence occurs only when all the stages of both the memory bank and the selector computer coincide in state, and the moment of coincidence will last only for that period of time between the pulse from delay circuit 88 which sets computer 80 to the coinciding count and the next following pulse from the delay circuit, since such following pulse will cause the computer to change to a different or non-coinciding count and one or more of coincidence tubes will be caused to conduct as explained above. It follows, therefore, that the duration of the coincidence output signal is that span of time between the supply of successive pulses from delay circuit 88.

Now, a gate circuit 120 (Fig. l) is interposed between output line 112, high voltage line 116, and line 66 which leads to the control units 65 and 75 Circuit 120 includes a tube 122 having its plate 122P connected through a plate resistor 123 to high voltage line 116. One control grid 12261 is connected between resistors 125 and 126, the former of which leads directly to output line 112, while resistor 126 is connected to a negative voltage source 127. The other control grid 122G2 receives positive pulses from an AC phase inverter 130 connected at 131 to the timing pulse amplifier 47, and since this connection is direct a given timing pulse reaches grid 122G2 before the same pulse reaches selector computer 80, due to the delay circuit 88 in the computer input. The output of the gate circuit is through condenser 132 and line 135 to line 66. v

As pointed out previously, all of the successive stages of the memory, coincidence, and selector computer circuits are identical to the first stages shown in Fig. 2 and described above. Since the cathodes of each C coincidence tube are grounded, and since all plates of the coincidence tubes are in parallel, until every stage of.

the memory bank coincides in state with its associated stage of computer 80, output line 112 will be near ground potential because one or more of tubes C-l-C14 will be conducting. When coincidence occurs all tubes C1-C14 will be cut off, with the result that the component of current through 115 formerly contributed by 112 no longer exists, and the voltage drops across resistors 115, and 126 will be readjusted. This will pull grid 122G1 positive, and the next positive pulse fromphase inverter 130 will cause tube 122 to conduct, with resultant emitting of a negative pulse from condenser 132 through lines 135 and 66 to spark control unit 65 and space control unit 75, and through line 79 to the space computer pulse generator.

The above sequence occurs almost instantaneously and therefore it follows that when the timing pulse count for a selected character is reached the next following pulse will trigger the control units 65 and 75. A specific example of this operation is set forth below.

It is necessary to reset the memory bank 30 to a predetermined starting state, or in other words to a zero count, before code information identifying another selected character can be properly received from the permutation tubes. Otherwise, pulses received from these tubes would not set the various stages 31-37 to the desired binary code number, since not all of the stages would be in their initial or zero state. Therefore, a reset pulse is supplied through-line from the gate output line 135 to each of the individual binary stages of memory bank 30, resetting each stage to its initial or Zero state.

Furthermore, due to the extremely high speed at whichthe present character selection control operates it is practically impossible for a keyboard operator to manipulate the keys in selecting successive characters at a rate equal to the rate at which the control code operates toilluminate successive selected characters. Therefore, a circuit is provided for grounding the coincidence output line 112 once an operating pulse has been supplied to the spark and space control units.

This circuit includes a flip-flop having the same internal circuitry as binary stages 31-37, and receiving. operating pulses on one side from the initiate switch 16 through a line 156 connected to line 17, and on the other side from a line 157 connected to the reset line 140. A line 158 connects one side of flip-flop 155 to the con trol grid 160G of a tube 160 having its plate 1601 connected in parallel with the plates of all the coincidence tubes C1-C14 through coincidence output 112. When an initiate pulse is supplied to the'permutation tubes P1-P7 a pulse also is supplied through line 156 to flip-flop 155, causing the side of the flip-flop at which line 158 is connected to be cut 01f, whereby line 158 drops to a negative voltage of approximately -30 volts and tube 160 is cut off, thereby enabling the coincidence circuit to emit an output pulse the next time all of the coincidence tubes C1-C14 are cut off.

However, once such a coincidence output pulse appears it results in a triggering pulse as described above, and a pulse is supplied through line 157 to reverse the state of flip-flop 155. Grid 160G is then at approximately 0 volt, tube 160 is conducting, and the coincidence output 112 is maintained near ground potential until the next pulse appears in the initiate line 117. Thus, when another character has been selected at the keyboard the resulting closing of switch 116 will cause an initiate pulse to reverse flip-flop 155, tube 160 will be cut off, and the coincidence circuit will be prepared for the next coincidence output. i

As an example of the operation of the control described above, assuming that the keyboard operator strikes a key selecting the character B, and assuming that the binary code number identifying that character is 0,000,010, a positive signal will beemitted from the permutation output lines 13 to tube P2 only, and grid P261 will gopositive. 'After a slight delay a positive pulse will travel through line 17 to all the G2 grids of tubes P1-P7, but only tube P2 will then conduct, since in all the other permutation tubes the G1 grid will be negative and those tubes will be cut otf.' At the same time a pulse will travel through line 156 to flip-flop 155, shifting that flip-flop to cut off tube 160 as described above.

Accordingly, the permutation output will consist of a pulse through line 22 only, and since the memory bank 30 will be in its initial state with all stages set at Zero, only the second stage 32 will change, and the code number 0,000,010 will be set into the memory bank. In the meantime, disk 40 will be revolving and the location of marker pulse line 50 will be such that just after the character three places ahead of the B in the character zone of the disk passes the projection zone (between lenses 62 and 63) a pulse will be fed from photocell 53 through amplifier 54 to a line 165 which is connected through appropriate branch lines 166 to all the stages of computer 80, thereby supplying a marker pulse to the selector computer which resets all stages 81-87 to 1,111,111 and on'ents that computer in phase with the timing pulses on the disk.

The count 0,000,000 willbegin with the next timing pulse, and the next following two timing pulse lines will cause computer 80 to count 0,000,001 and then 0,000,010, the last count being on the timing line immediately previous to the one corresponding to B. At this time the state of all stages of computer 80 will coincide with the state of all the stages in memory bank 30, and a high voltage signal will pass through coincidence output 112 to gate 120. This high voltage signal will be maintained until the next delayed timing pulse reaches computer 80. The next following time pulse line on the disk will correspond to B, and at this time the direct pulse from phase inverter 130, preceding the delayed pulse to computer 80, will cause tube 122 to conduct, thereby emitting a trigger pulse throughout output line 135. This triggers the spark control unit to illuminate B as it passes the projection zone and also triggers the space control unit to illuminate the code dot sector corresponding to B, therebysupplying the code information to the bank of photocells 77. At the same time, a pulse will pass through line 140 to reverse the state of flip-flop 155 and cause tube 160 to conduct, dropping the potential in coincidence outputv line 112, and also resetting the transient memory bank to read 0,000,000.

The relation in time between the delayed pulses to selector computer 80 and the timing pulses supplied directly to phase inverter 130 is illustrated in Fig. 4. Thus following the same example as explained above, the vertical lines above the t ordinate represent succes- V sive timing pulses from amplifier and pulse shaper 47,

these being the timing pulses supplied directly to phase inverter 130, and the vertical lines below the t ordinate represent the delayed timing pulses supplied fromv the input line 110 to computer 80. The first pulse line above the t ordinate from the line or abcissa represents the timing pulse which substantially coincides with the marker pulse, and after which the computer is set to .its 0,000,000 count, if it is not already oriented with the rotating disk 40 and the marker. The third and fourth pulse lines above that ordinate represent the undelayed timing pulses corresponding to characters and B, as explained above. The second and third delayed pulses,

shown as lines below ordinate 2, represent the delayed pulses which cause the computer to count 0,000,001 and then 0,000,010. Assuming that the latter number has been set into the memory bank coincidence will occur at this moment as pointed out above, and the high voltage output signal from the coincidence circuit will be sustained until the next delayed pulse to the'computer 80, at which time the count will change and the moment of coincidence will have passed. The coincidence output signal for character B is graphically represented by the block in Pig. 4.

As the coincidence output signal pulls grid 122G 1 positive and is maintained, the fourth undelayed pulse is supplied to phase inverter 130, and it will be noted that this pulse lies on the t ordinate ahead of the end of the coincidence output pulse. At the instant of the fourth undelayed pulse a positive pulse will be supplied to grid 12262 with resultant conductance of tube 122 and emitting of a trigger pulse through line 66 to the spark control unit 65 and space control unit 75. Since the location of character B in the character zone is such that it will cross the projection zone at the same instant that the fourth timing pulse line passes lens 46, the light source 60 will be illuminated at the instant the selected character B, in the example, passes the projection zone. It will be appreciated that selection of other characters follows the same sequence, with each character having an identifying binary code number to be set into the memory bank 30, and with coincidence occurring when the selector computer reaches the count coinciding with the code number identifying the selected character. I V

The present invention, therefore, provides apparatus for timing the proper instant for flashing of the light source 60 to select a desired character on the moving matrix disk, with as short a delay as possible between selection of a character by the operator and the flashing of the light source, thereby contributing to higher speed in operation of the entire system. For example, it will be appreciated that the sequence of operations described above is extremely rapid due to the nature of the electronic controls'provided, and that the time interval between successive steps of operating sequence of this control is generally measurable in terms of microseconds. It is possible, therefore, presuming that the operator is capable of manipulating the keyboard with sufiicient rapidity to select and illuminate more than one character during a single rotation of the matrix disk 50. Obviousl this contributes substantially to the high speed operation of the entire phototypesetting apparatus.

On the other hand, the control is accurate and 'involves practically no moving parts which might be 'apt to get out of order. The electronic portions of the control are automatically kept in phase with the mechanical moving parts such as the rotating matrix disk 40 by means of the marker pulse arrangement.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A character selecting device for use in phototypesetting apparatus having a character selector arranged to generate a coded signal corresponding to a selected char acter and also having a matrix and a light source movable relative to each other for illuminating a selected character on the matrix, comprising a transient memory device adapted for connection with said character selector to be preset in accordance with a code number identifying a selected character, a computer arranged to count continuously and in predetermined succession code numbers identifying the characters on the matrix as the matrix moves through successive cycles with respect to the light source, means for comparing the code number set 'into said memory device with the counts of said .9. computer, means for energizing the light source, and means connecting said energizing, and said comparing means for operating said energizing means when the code number set' in said memory device and the count of said computer coincide to illuminate the selected character on the matrix.

2. In phototypsetting apparatus of the character described the combination of a matrix having a plurality of sectors each having information formed as light transmitting portions therein, a flashing light source, means mounting said matrix and said light source for continuous relative movement, a first memory bank of binary stages, means for setting into said first bank a binary code number identifying a selected sector to be illuminated, a second bank of binary stages providing a computer arranged to count continuously through a cycle of binary code numbers at least equal to the total num-' ber of sectors on said matrix, means for holding said computer in phase with the rate of relative movement between said light source and said matrix providing for identification of each sector with a certain count, means for comparing the count of said computer with the code number set into said first bank, and means operative by said comparing means to flash said light source when the count in said computer coincides with the code number set into said first bank for illuminating a' selected sector.

3. In phototypesetting apparatus of the character described the combination of a matrix having a plurality of sectors each having information formed as light transmitting portions therein, a flashing light source, means mounting said matrix and said light source for continuous relative movement, a first memory bank of binary stages, means for setting into said first bank a binary code number identifying a selected sector to be illuminated, a second bank of binary stages providing a computer arranged to count continuously through a .cycle of binary code numbers at least equal to the total number of sectors on said matrix, means for holding said computer in phase with the rate of relative movement between said light source and said matrix providing for identification of each sector with a certain count, means for comparing the count of said computer with the code number set into said memory bank, means operative by said comparing means to flash said light sourcewhen the count in said computer coincides with the code number set into said first bank for illuminating a selected sector, and means operative upon flashing of said light source to reset all the stages of said memory bank to a predetermined count preparatory to selection of another sector.

4. In phototypesetting apparatus of the character described the combination of a matrix having a plurality of sectors each having information for-med as light transmitting portions therein, a flashing light source, means mounting said matrix and said lightsource for continuous relative movement, a first memory bank of binary stages, means for setting into said first bank abinary code number identifying a selected sector to be illuminated, a second bank of binary stages providing a computer arranged to count continuously through a cycle of binary code numbers at least equal to the total number of sectors on said matrix, means for holding said computer in phase with the rate of relative movement between said light source and said matrix providing for identification of each sector with a certain count, means for comparing the count of said computer with the code number set into said memory bank, means operative by said comparing means to flash said light source when the count in said computer coincides with the code number set into said memory bank for illuminating a selected sector, and means for preventing flashing of said light source more than once for each code number set into said memory bank.

5. In phototypesetting apparatus of the character described the combination of a matrix divided into a plu r-ality of sectors each having information formed as light transmitting portions therein, a flashing light source, means mounting said matrix and said light source for continuous relative movement, a memory bank of binary stages, means for setting into said memory bank a binary code number identifying a selected sector to be illuminetted, a second bank of binary stages providing a computer arranged to count continuously through a cycle of binary code numbers at least equal to the total number of sectors on said matrix, means for holding said computer in phase with the rate of relative movement between said light source and said matrix providing for identification of each sector with a certain count, means for comparing the count of said computer with the code number set into said memory bank, means operative by said comparing means to flash said light source when the count in said computer coincides with the code number set into said memory bank for illuminating a selected sector, means for preventing flashing of said light source more than once for each code number set into said memory bank, and means operative upon flashing of said light source to reset all the stages of said memory bank to a predetermined count preparatory to selection of another sector.

6. In phototypesetting apparatus of the character described the combination of a matrix having a plurality of character image defining light, permeable portions therein arranged in predetermined sequence, a flashing light source, means mounting said matrix and said light source providing for cyclic relative movement of said image do fining portions and said light source, means for energizing said light source for an interval sufficient to illuminate a single image defining portion during continuous relative movement of said image defining portions and said light source, a transient memory device for receiving coded information identifying a certain character image portion to be illuminated, means for continuously displaying code information identifying individual image defining portions in the same cyclic pattern as the relative movement between said light source and said image defining portions, comparing means operatively interconnecting said memory device and said information display means, said comparing means being arranged to generate an output signal when the code information in said memory device coincides with the code information in said information display means, and means transmitting said output signal to said energizing means to flash said light source and illuminate the image defining portion identified by the code information set into said memory device.

7. An information selectingdevice for use in phototypesetting apparatus having a keyboard arranged to generate a coded signal corresponding to selected information and also having a matrix and a light source movable relative to each other for illuminating a selected sector on the matrix to obtain the information therefrom, comprising a memory bank of binary stages adapted to be preset in accordance with a binary code number corresponding to a sector selected on the keyboard, a computer including a second bank of binary stages corresponding to the stages of said memory bank and arranged to continuously count the sectors on the matrix as the matrix and the light source move through successive cycles with respect to each other, means for comparing the state of corresponding binary stages in said memory and second banks, said comparing means being arranged to generate a signal whenever all of the corresponding stages of said memory and second banks are in like states, means for energizing the light source, and an operative connection between said comparing means and said energizing means for actuating said energizing means in re sponse to a signal from said comparing means to illuminate a selected sector on the matrix.

8. In phototypesetting apparatus of the character described having a matrix divided into a plurality of sectors each containing information as transparencies therein and a flashing light source mounted for relative movement to provide for selective illumination of a single sector on the matrix, the combination of a first bank of binary stages, a second bank of binary stages providing a computer arranged to continuously count through a cycle of binary code numbers at least equal to the total number of sectors on said matrix, means for maintaining said computer in phase with the relative movement between the light source and the matrix providing for identification of each sector with a certain count, means for comparing the state of the stages in said computer with the state of the stages in said first bank, means operative by said comparing means'to flash the light source when the state of all the stages of said computer coincides with the state of all the stages in said first bank, set-up means for receiving coded selecting information identifying a sector to be illuminated, means connecting said set-up means to the individual stages of said first bank providing for setting of the sector selecting information into said first bank as a binary code number and including a normally open connection isolating said set-up means from said first bank, means for temporarily closing said normally open connection at a predetermined time interval after supply of the selecting information to said set-up means, and means operative by said light flashing means to reset the stages of said first bank to a predetermined basic code number a and simultaneously to deenergize said light flashing means until said set-up means is again temporarily connected to the stages of said first bank. 7 V

9. Character selecting apparatus for use in a phototypesetting machine having a character bearing matrix and a flashing light source mounted for relative movement to provide for selective illumination of a single character on the matrix, comprising an energizing means for the light source responsive to a predetermined high potential signal and non-responsive to signals of a potential substantially below said predetermined high potential, a first bank of binary stages, means for setting said first bank to a binary code number corresponding to a selected character to be illuminated, a second bank of binary stages providing a computer arranged to count continuously the characters on the matrix, each binary stage of said first bank being associated with a similar binary stage of said second bank, means for maintaining said memory bank of binary stages, set up means for receiving coded selecting information identifying a sector to be illuminated, a first normally open connection between said set-up means and all the stages of said memory bank, a second bank of binary stages providing a computer, means connecting said pulse generator means to said computer to cause said computer to count continuously through a cycle of binary code numbers at least equal to the total number of sectors on said matrix, means operatively associated with said marker pulse means for maintaining said computer in phase with the relative movement between said light source and said matrix providing for identification of each sector with a certain count, means for comparing the count of said computer with a selecting code number fed into said memory bank, means for energizing said light source,

computer in phase with the relative movement between the flashing light source and the matrix, means for continuously comparing the state of successive binary stages of said first bank with the state of successive stages of .said computer, said comparing means having an output connected to said energizing means maintained below said high potential when the state of any binary stage in said first bank differs from the state of the associated said binary stage in saidcomputer, said output being arranged to emit a pulse at said high'potential and actuate said energizing means Whenever the state of all j binary stages of said first bank coincides'wit'h the associated binary stages of said computer.

10. In phototypesetting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a matrix divided into a plurality of sectors each having information formed as light transmitting portions therein, a flashing light source,

means mounting said matrix and said light source for continuous relative movement, pulse generator means arranged to emit a timing pulse for each sector moved relative to said light source, means for generating a marker pulse once for each complete cycle of relative movement between said matrix and said light source, a

means including a second normally open connection for operatively connecting said comparing means to said light energizing means, delay means operative after code information is supplied to said set-up means for closing said first and second normally open connections to efiect presetting of said memory bank of binary stages from said set-up means in accordance with said coded selecting information and providing a direct connection between said comparing means and said light energizing means, said comparing means being operative when the count of said computer coincides with the code number set into said memory bank to supply a trigger pulse to said energizing means and effect flashing of said light source, and means for resetting said memory bank to a predetermined code number and for opening said second nor mally open connection to disable said comparing means upon actuation of said light energizing means.

11. In phototypesetting apparatus of the character described the combination of a matrix divided into aplurality of sectors each having information formed as light transmitting portions therein, a flashing light source, means mounting said matrix and said light source for continuous relative movement, a memory bank of binary stages adapted to be preset to a binary'code number identifying a selected sector, a binary computer including a second bank of binary stages equal in number to memory bank and said computer for comparing the code number set into said memory bank with the num bers counted by said computer, and means connecting said comparing means across said source in parallel with said gate circuit, said comparing means being responsive to coinciding of the code number set into said memory bank with a number counted by said computer to cut itself out of circuit with said source and said gate circuit and thus to provide for application of substantially the full potential difference across said gate circuit. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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