US3000279A - Photographic type composition - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1961 R. c. OBRIEN PHOTOGRAPHIC TYPE COMPOSITION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 24, 1957 Ihozmj INVENTOR;

RICHARD c. OBRIEN 0% mm 3 3 .3 N2 Q2 2 Q H. mm m mu NEE J 92096! W N Q. wmzoczw I M0505 205558 H 500 359026 wm mm on wwwyw ATTORNEYS Sept. 19, 1961 R. c. O'BRIEN 3,000,279

PHOTOGRAPHIC TYPE COMPOSITION Filed July 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l weak "85 k "80k Had "8e K [30a 130a l30c 130.1 a 130k I42 Lz o-1; INVENTOR ATTORN EYS RICHARD C.O'BRIYEN BY United States Patent 3,000,279 PHOTOGRAPHIC TYPE COMPOSITION Richard C.l OBrieu, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Harris- Iutertype Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 24, 1957, Ser. No. 673,934 I 11 Claims. (Cl. 954.5)

This, application relates to phototypecomposing, and

particularly to apparatus providing for the use of unusu-al'or pi characters in the process of composing a line.

The present invention is especially useful in connection with phototypesetting machines which employ a matrix disk' carrying the characters as portions of differential light transmitting ability such that passage of a light beam through thedisk will result in an image-bearing light beam. The matrix disk carries all the usual characters, but it is a difiicult and time consuming operation to add charactersto the disk in properly aligned relation, and often there is no available space on the disk for such added characters.

More important, theunusual or pi characters (as they are referred to by printers) are needed only in the ex ceptional job, or at infrequent times, and thus it is really unecon'omical from both a time and space consumin standpoint to place them on a matrix disk. 1

' Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide for the use of pi characters in phototypesetting equipment.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide for introduction of a light beambearing a character image into the main optical system of a phototypesetting apparatus and thus to provide a special character in proper point set withoutneed of additional optical equipment for that purpose.

A further object of the invention is to provide for introduction of space code information related to the pi characterinto the space computing mechanism of the phototypesetting apparatus for proper spacing of the pi character in the composing operation.

An additional object of theinvention is to provide for use of relatively large plate-like members having transparent and opaque portions defining a desired character, with these members bearing space code indicia for indicating the spacing requirements of that particular character, and thereby to simplify the construction of a character defining member.

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

In the -drawings- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating phototypccomposing apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the manner in'which light beams carrying special characters are introduced into the optical'system of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a pi character plate and its associated frame;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the manner in which the space code information obtained from the frame of FIG.- 3 is introduced 'into the apparatus of FIG. 1, and also showing how recording of the special character from the plate is initiated;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the space code receiving apparatus of FIG. 4 and the respective stages of the counter shown schematically in FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 1 is a schematicrepresentation of a high speed phototypesetting apparatus including a rotating matrix disk carrying the .pickup '40.

characters to be reproduced as, for example transparent portions in a significant zone of predetermined radial depth on the disk. The character zone is represented in FIG. 1 by the character A. In other zones of the disk there are a series of timing marks 12, one for each character on the disk, and in a further zone there is a single reference mark 13 the purpose of which is to supply an initiating pulse. In another zone a binary space code related to, and identifying the relative width of, each character is supplied in the form of a series of transparent dots 15 on the disk, shown for purposes of illustration as representing a five digit binary code. It will be apparent, of course, that the marks, dots, and characters on the disk may be either transparent or opaque, so long as they contrast with the background area of the disk.

The overall arrangement of the apparatus is generally similar to that disclosed in copending applications Serial No. 380,802, filed September 17, 1953, now patent No. 2,846,932 and Serial No. 640,741, filed February 18, 1957, now patent No. 2,944,472, assigned to the same assignee as this application.

In' general, the arrangement of the apparatus is as follows. A flashing light source of high intensity and short duration is provided, such as by the spark gap 20 controlled by the spark control unit 22, and this light source is arranged to illuminate the character zone of the disk through a lens 23, with the resulting image-bearing light beam being focused through a lens system 25 upon a record film strip 28 which is supported across the light beam between film drums 29. The character-image I bearing light-beam passing to film strip 28 is intercepted by a space prism system 30 controlled by a suitable trans ducer 32 for displacing the light beam with respect to the film strip without altering the focus thereof. Such a' prism system is described in detail in copending application Serial No. 661,633, filed May 27, 1957. V

A further flashing light source 35 connected to a space control unit 36, is arranged to illuminate the space code dots 15 through a lens 37, and the resulting one or more small light beams passing through the disk fall upon a bank of photocells 40' which provide a space code pickup.

The information from the space code pickup is supplied to a space memory computer 42, this information being used to preset the later stages of the binary counter (the N counter in FIG. 4) as disclosed in detail in said copending application Serial No. 380,802. The remaining or first stages of the space memory computer (the P counter in FIG. 4) are preset by a suitable point set control 44, so that the output through line 45 represents the product of the point set and the required space for the illuminated character as transmitted from the space code A lamp 5'0 and lens 51 direct a light beam through the zone of'timing marks 12, the resulting pulsating light beam falling upon the photocell 52. The pulsating output of this photocell is directed through an amplifier 53' and through a delay circuit 54 into a selector counter 55, as described in detail in said copending application Serial No. 640,741. A further lamp 57 and lens 58 direct a light beam toward the zone of the index mark 13, and the resulting light beam falls upon the photocell 60 once during each rotation of the disk 10, thereby providing an index from which the location of any selected character on the disk may be determined by counting the number of timing pulses occurring after the index pulse. The output of photocell 60 is connected through amplifier 62 to selector counter 55, and is arranged to reset the counter to a zero count to provide the desired index or reference point. The count in the selector counter 55 is, then, indicative of the position of each character on disk 10 with reference to the index mark 13.

A suitable keyboard, such for example as the keyboard 3. 65 of a typewriter, is arranged to actuate a bank of permutation switches or the like indicated schematicallyat 66, and these switches are arranged to provide binary code, information identifying the selected character to a temporary. code storage 68 comprising a bank of binary stages equal, in number to the stages of selector counter 55. The information.- in code. storage 68 is supplied; through; its. output 69 to a; coincidence circuit 70; andthe output 71 of. selector, counter 55. is likewise received in the coincidence; circuit. Thus, when the codeinformation incodestorage: 68 corresponds to the. count of selector counter 55, any output signal will be transmitted through the. coincidence output.72 .to agsuitable gate circuit 75', as more fully, explained,insaidicopending appli cationSerial No. 640,' ZY4I,

Gate circuit 75. also receives. undelayed timing pulses directly from amplifier53 through line-76,- andthuswhen an output signal passes throughgcoincidenceoutput 72 the outputline; 78, of the gate circuit, will transmit a;--tr ig'g er pulse; on; the nextreceived timing pulse from line- 76. The trigger pulse is; supplied. to 'a pulse generator 80 'forthe purpose'of starting the same, and the trigger pulse alsois transmitted through liue 82 to the; spark control unit 22 and space control unit-36 ;for flashing the light source 2 and 3 5, respectively. This; causesthe light source. 20 tar-illuminate the; selected character and the resultant character; image is recorded on'the'film st'rip28.

At-the same time, spacecodeinformat-ion is supplied to .thepiclcup apparatus 405 and-ris used to :set. upthe space memory: computer 42, the. point set control havingbeen- Set m n al ef e s t he e ireds ze fp he: p v generator 80has its. output- 85 connected; to a space mem ory counter.88, and line 8 5;1s-a lso connected'through a; line 89 to the spacememorycomputer 42 The output n 5: il ie pacem mory. mput r is in rn on-- n ed. ac o-.'p .se. nera lp y a p: pulse her t ndth sa te h ace mem y mn a n d at umb r. Q utput puls s from; r o 0 equal to h R T dUP a o t h p int se ndi e? pa e requi m tei h r le tedch r ct r image, e-pu se n- I tQ BMS s pped, AS aJ uItfI s e num riof pu ses r nsm t ed' epac emery oun .8 s a digital representation ofi the space required fortheselected har ct r. at e-. e. ;r .d.:poin set i g,

Space memory; counter 88 is a multistage binary counter, one embodiment 1 of; the invention having usedathi-rteen stage counter-'for this purpose, The-,first seven; s. 1 f s. unter ar onnect to the p s spacing ansd er hro gh he o put'i onn cti-onfi -r n l' e h.- ageof ce n r: .8: is. connected h u hrfin 1 tput-line92 to arfi'lm,advancetransducer 93 whi'ch-controls rotationofyone; of the film-reels 29 1 to; advance the film strip-28; with respect to theimage bearingdightbeam throughpredeterminedvlargespace increments,

As more fully explained in said copending application; Serial \No.1 66.1',633',,filed2 May 27, 1957; the :garrangernent oi!- tthe parts; is; such :that tone, pulse: fed ;into 1 space ,mern oryt-countertfisaisrequal tooneV 2 ,-of;:a pica, an small. discrete, space; measurement 'is :referred; to 113116111;- after as alspace; unitnor apiclet Therefore, the first; seven;- stages, Of? space memory, counter; 88 handle spacing re quirements from w to; of a; pica and transmit"- this; spacing information through output-903m the prism; controllingl transducer 32: Movement; of the spacing; prism system1-30tthus controls all spacing requirements up to, one space unitaless than; a: full pica, The output line: 92 transmits e a pulsei to the film advance transducer 93; onlytwhenethe spacing'requirementsequal or exceeiia full; pica, and;the arrangementofiithis transducer is such (as; explained int. copending; application Serial, No, 661,633.; filed- May. 27'; 1957) t that for; every P11156116)- ceived 2 through line :925the film. strip; is. advanced through a; distance 50f one picatzandc thesprisrn-v system; is, I read-z justed accordinglyz. The:.advance.portion ofi th'e 7 strip: is, heldnstationary l during the .composingt ofieacsingle 4 r line by the index punch, indicated generally at 24, and when the spacing movement of strip 28 is complete for one line this punch is releasedf and the film advanced into the take-up reel, as more fully explained in said copending application.

The capacity; of space memorygcounter 885's; preset by a suitable line: length control95soe that-when the c'ounter 'which must be divided between theword, spaces .in theline to justify. v I

Spaces between words are. inserted inuniformlength in this apparatus, and these spaces" later are, adjusted in suitable-justifying 'apparatusoperating; fiom code informa- I tion carried on the film strip. 28;, asmore-fully, explainedv in said copending application Serial No. $0,802.: Thus, whenever the: word :space-bar on the; keyboard is -actuated; a pulse is fedthroughzline, 102; to a word; space memory: counter 1,05, and such pulse alsofispassed through line 106 to the film advance transducer 93; causing. the film strip to be advancedthrough asuitablewordspacing movement. Counter isa further. binary. counter, for example a fivestage-counter; Itsoutput'. 108: extends to a suitable code lamp panel 110 arrangedladjacent the film strip 28, and. a further output, 1121mm, spaceimemory counter 88 also extends topanel 110.. Thepurpose of this arrangement is to providea,scoreboardwhichindicates, in suitable binary code, theunused spaceremaining in theline, and, the-numbenoffwordspacesin the: line (from counter 105). At the end of each line the code on,

panel 110xis' projected ontothe, fi1rn ,,.strip:to.. provide a permanent record of thisinformation thereon as aser-ies of code dots. I

The general overall, arrangement. oi, the phototypesetting device, therefore, provides for flashingglightibeams, bearing character images in.selectedfsequencealong the main optical axis of the. device asdefined bytthe lens system 25 and space prism: system; 30;, Atjthe. same time,

the code information related to the spacing (requirements for each character image, as it islselect ed, isqpassed. through the space code pickup 401 to. the: spacermemo 'y, computer 42, and from there tothe; space memory, counter. 88 which in-turnprovides, actuatinggsignalsifor the: spacing. transducers 32,.and, 93, respectively Opera tion of these transducers ,results inrelativermovement bfetween the main optical axis and the filmstriplsfto-iprovide thev necessary spacing for. each character recorded on the strip,

In; composing operations, itq oftene-is} necessary to, use

an-unusual character, such torexample, as: az'key sign or-some-other character which, is foutof the. ordinary. For purposes of example in this application the unusualchanacter, referred to by printers-asagpi.character, is shown as a hand with pointing index finger. Such; apharacter.

isshown in FIG. 3 and will jberfurth erl-described inconnection with the device illustrated therein.

The matrix! disk- 10' in-phototypesetting. apparatus oh the type under consideration --here carriesthe. usual character images such as numerals, upper a litlQwen case letters, andother common characters such. as periods,

commas, colons, sign andthe like: 6 However, itwould.

be diflicult to remove the matrix diskrand construct, api

character thereon even if there were spaces on the disky provided for such-purpose. Inaccordance with: themesenti invention, however; vsuchzjpi characters meyebainser edt separately; fromethcamatrix disk 3 ld;.11fliy?bQ onstructed:

Thus, referring to FIG. 3,;a pi character plate 113 is shown bearing the pi character image 114, and the plate 113 is carried within a frame 115 having a number of finger-like projections 116 extending from one edge thereof. The pi character is defined by transparent and opaque portions of plate 113 which may be illuminated to provide a light beam bearing the pi character image.

Alongthe side of plate 115, a number of projecting fingers 116 are arranged in predetermined spacedrelationship. These fingers areused to represent the spacing requirements of the pi character in a binary code which for purposes of illustration is shown as a five digit binary code, similar to the space code dots 15. Thus in the form shown there are fingers in the first, third, and fifth positions representing the binary code number 10101. Obviously a different pattern of fingers will provide a diiferent code number.

Referring to FIG. 2, the plate 115 is supported by suitable means shown diagrammatically at 119 in front of a,

light source 120 which serves toilluminate the pi char.- acter plate through a suitable lens 121. The fingers 116 rest upon switches 118a-e, there being one switch for each finger position on a pi character plate. The character image bearing light beam passes from frame 115 through a lens system 122, and from this lens the light.

beam passes to a reflectingsurface 125 provided by a prism or mirror or another suitable light reflecting device which will pass the pi character image-bearing light beam into the main optical system of the apparatus, and thus through the main lens system 25. The image plane of lens system 122 is located at the same distance x from the main optical axis as the distance of the reflecting mechanism 125 from the matrix disk 10, the latter distance being designated x on the drawing. In this manner the image of the pi character is properly in focus when it passes into the main optical system of the apparatus and from thence onto the film strip 28. Any suitable mechanism, such as track 126 and mounting 127, may be used to move the reflecting member 125 into and out of alignment with the main optical axis of the apparatus, if it is necessary that this surface be removed during normal operations when light beams are passing through matrix disk 10. Another possible construction is to provide a half-silvered mirror as the reflecting member 125, and thus light beams passed from disk through such a mirror would not be appreciably reflected or deflected, while the beams from the pi character plate would be reflected along the main optical axis.

Referring to FIG. 4, the individual space code switches 118d-e are grounded at one side, and closing of one or more of these switches is arranged to provide a binary code signal as follows. A bank of pentode's 130a-e, for example typ'e 6AS6, are arranged with their plates 130P connected into the last five stages of the space memory computer 42, a typical one of such connections being shown in FIG. 5. The cathodes of each of the control tubes are grounded, and the first control grids 13061 are normally maintained at a negative potential through a voltage dividing network including resistors 132 connected to a potential below ground, for example of the order of 75 volts, and resistors 133 connected directly to ground. The switches 118 are arranged to bypass this negativebias and thus to bring the first control grids up toa potential of approximately the same order as the cathodes, and in this particular type of tube such a change in control grid potential is sufficient to provide for conductanceprovided that the second control grids are not cutting off the tubes.

. The second control grids 130G2 are all connected through a condenser 135 to an initiate switch 138 which is of thesingle-pole double-throw type. In one position, as shown, this switch connects directly to ground and the potentialof the second grid is thus low enough, in combination with a grid 130G1 at negative potential, to cut Qfitihtfi, tu'pe In, its other position switch 138 is arranged 6 to supply apositi'v'e pulse from a source of positive poten tial.139, tothe grids 13062 through condenser 135, thereby providing for conductance ofwltichevcr of the tubes a-e is not cut off by its first control grid. Switch 138 is controlled, as indicated schematically at 141, by a timer 142 the operation of which is initiated by the pi button switch 144. This switch may .be located upon the keyboard 65 if desired.

Thus, when the pi button is pushed, assuming that a pi character plate is in place, the pi character is photographed, and after the timer operates the last five stages of space memory computer 42 will be. set up by the pi space. control tubes .130a-e. This sequence occurs as switch 138 is moved to its grounded contact and a negative pulse is fed through condenser into a voltage dividing network including resistor 145 which is connected to a source of negative potential, and resistor 146 which is grounded. This negative pulseis ignored by the already negatively biased network. After the pi character .is photographed, timer 142 returns switch 138 to the illustrated position and a positive pulse is passed through condenser 135. This brings the second grids of tubes 130a+e to .a positive potential and those tubes will conduct which have their first grids grounded through closed switches 118a-e.

In addition, a positive pulse will pass through condenser 147 to a further voltage dividing network including resistors 148 and 149. Ah initiate control triode 150, having its cathode 150C connected to ground, has its' control grid 150G arranged to be held normally at a potential below ground, but when a pulse from condenser 147 causes initiate tube 150 to conduct, a starting pulse is passed from output condenser 152 into the line 78 connecting the coincidence circuit 70 to pulse generator 80. Thus the pulse generator is started and continues to supply pulses to space memory counter 42 until an output pulse therefrom through line 45 stops the pulse generator. The first six stages of this counter are arranged to be preset by the point set control 44, as more fully described in copending application Serial No. 380,802.

The manner in which the pi code bank of tubes 130 is connected into computer 42 'is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein one of the last five binary stages of computer 42 is shown generally at 160, and the input connection thereto from an associated photocell in the code pickup bank 40 is shown as coming through an input triode 162 and input line 163 which leads to the plate P at one side of the dual triode within the stage 160. As is well known in the art, when a signal passes through line 163 the balance of the flip-flop circuit is upset and the stage is preset, as by causing that side of the circuit including plate 1601 to conduct. In the same manner, an associated pi character control tube 130 has its plate connected to line 163 through a line 164, and the input to the counter stages from tube 130a-e through lines 164a.e (FIG. 4) will be apparent upon consideration of the drawing and in view of the above explanation of the operation of the pi character code bank.

The timer 142 is connected to control light source 120, and thus when the pi button is depressed the light source is actuated and a light beam carrying the pi character image is introduced into the main optical system of the apparatus, as previously described. Immediately thereafter the computer 42 is set up in accordance with the information relating to the spacing necessary for the pi character, and this information together with the point set information determines the number of pulses transmitted through line 85 to the space memory 88. The space memory in turn actuates the transducers 32 and 93 to provide for the required relative movement between the main optical system of the apparatus and the film strip 28. The spacing. necessary for the pi character is thus introduced into the apparatus at the proper time.

It should be noted that the pi character plate is of relatively large size. For example, a practical embodiment of this invention may employ a slide of approximately 4-x- 6 inches. In. this way: his a relatively'simple matter whichiis then transmittedtotherecord strip 28; At-the:

same-time, it is also-a simple matter to insert the proper space code information intot-the mlachinemerely bypro viding the proper number of fingers 116 in the proper places; all in accordance with: the binary space" code systenrused; These fingers-can beprovidedi as detachable elementsiff the same frame,=' 115 isused for a number of pi character plates; or it'istexpedientxto store-"the pi character plates in theirs own individual frames, then the,

fingers 116- can be" provided; as 'integral" or permanent attachments to. the appropriate edge of-frame 115$ While the formiof apparatus herein described consti tutes apreferred embodiment of'the invention, it is to be under-stood'ithat theinventionismot limited to-this precise form o-Eapparatus; and that changes: may be made therein without: departing from the scopeof the invention whichv is: defined inithe'appendedi claims;

'Whatis claimed 'is 1; Apparatus fon use ina=phototypesetting device hav ingaawtype matrix-and a primary optical system through which image bearing light beams are passed" from the matrix fror recording on photosensitive record material, said device alsoincludingmeans for producing relative movement between the optical system and the record material'- ins accordance withathe'spacing requirement-s of the projected characten images; comprising a pi character plate having: transparent and opaque portions defining apicharacter and 2 also ha'ving code indicia related to the spacing: requirementsof the-pi character; means for iliuminating saidr iplateto provide a light beam bearing a pi character image, means for directing said pi character" image'into said primary optical system for recording on t saidtrecord material; means -for'sensing'the code indicia on saidplate, and means connecting said, sensing means intosaid: spacing movement producing means for insert ing the spacinginformation related to the picharacter into-said device'and providing proper spacing: therefor in conjunction with the recording operation.

2. In combination with aphototypesettingdevice having atype matrix and a primaryoptical. system, through which image bearing light beams-are passed from-said matrix for recording on photosensitive record material,

said" device alsoincluding means for producing relativemovementbetween said"optical system and the record material, said movement producing.- means including acomputer for calculating-the required. spacing for each character from spacing -'information received from said matrix and -transducer'means operatively arranged to receive information from said computer and-toanove said recordmateri-alaccordingly through the necessary-spacing movement, a pi character plate-having-transparent and 'opaque portions defining a-pi' character and also having sp-ace codeindicia related to-thespacing requirements of the pi character, means for illuminating said plate to provide a light-beam bearing a picharacter image; means for directing-"said pi= character image into said" pr'im-aryi optical system -for recording onsaid record material; means" for sensing saidspace code indici'a on said plate; and means -connectingsaid' sensing means to said computer'forsuprilying spacing information to said: computer related tothespacing requirements" of the pi character.

3'. In combination Withphototypesetting apparatus having a type matrix car'ryingia plurality of characters of related size and a-priinary opticalsystem through which image bearing light beams are passed from the matrix:

for recording in selected. sequence, photosensitivematerial mountedlto. recordlimages transmitted thereto; said' pirmary opticalsystem-including m'eansufor controlling the. sizesofitherecordedjmage, means for producing relative; movement betweenw. saidy pticalz system" and; t

said characters on said matrix, means: for illirminatingt said plate to i provide a light beam: bearing a piichara'ctert image, means for directing said" pi character: irnaj'ge: bearing light beaminto saidpril 'nary: optical system and through said size controlling; means to record the p'i character on said record material" proper size rel ati-on' to the other character imagesbeing recorded-dun; mg a typesetting operation, and means for supplying spacing information related to the required' width 'of said pi character" to: said movement producing means--fon" causing requisite spacing-'rnoveme'nt for saidpi cllaracterr 4, In combinationwith phototypesetting appjaratus' having a type matrix and a primary optical system through which image bearingli'glit beams are-passed from the-matrix for recordingontphotosensitivemecor material, said primaryoptical system including means 'fo controlling the size of the recorded images; means r e producing-relativespacingfmovement between Sha na-: m y ptical system ain i-"said record material in iac'cordance with spacingfrequirern'ente of each projectedchar acter image; said movement producing-- means inclhdi-ng apparatus" fortransmitting'j co'de-- data representing the relative spacing requirements of 1 each-character image 5 saidmatrin, means for"registeringcoderdatarepreseri the point settingof, saidsize control'ling meansi c putingmeans' having inputs connected to sa'id datai tr" mittingjmeansand to said data registering means for; calculating the required-spacing -of eachgcharacter from such data, connections -from'said computingfmeans to" supplycontrolling information to: said spacing movementproducingmeans; a pi character plate havin'gftrans parent and'opaque portions definingapi character; me ns; for illuminating said-plate to providea light beam bear ing a pi character image, means for directing said character image bearing beam into said" primary 'op'tlcalf system and through' said size controlling means to record the pi character on-said record material in proper size f relation to the other character images being recorded." during a typesetting operation, and means forsupplyingf said computing" means With code data representingthei relative spacing requirements of said pi-character image for computation 'of' spacing control information corre spondingto the required sizeof said .pi character;

5. In phototypesetting apparatus of the character d'e scribed the combination of a selectively operable light. source;'me ans for defining a light beam issuingfrom said source, a character plate having transparenttand opaque portions defining a character to 'be reproduced;n'l'eans for supporting photosensitive. record material in positr n; to-intercept' said' light beam, means for mounting jsald" ,1 plate in'position intercepting said light" beam to provide.

a character image bearing light beam directed onthejf record material, means for producing relative movement between saidrecord material; supporting' ineans and" the image bearing; light, beamto provide forspacing ofisuccessively' projected character. images onv saidprecord maa j terial', means providing space code data on. a marginali' portion of said plate, for identifying the necessary relative. width of the character image projected onto theire grdf material, pickup means forreading said code d'a'tat'fr'om said plate, and computing'means receiving space code'f information I from said pickup means forcalculating the; Width necessary for proper spacing of the characterimage, said computing means having an='output to'= s-aid* movement producing means' for causingspacing movementre'lated'to the projected? character image.

65. In phototypeset-ting:apparatus of the character de scribed the combination of a plate having portions of differential light: transmitting ability defining a' characteri tot befirepr'bduc'ed; selectively operable means forillumi nat'tugtsaid-iplat'e ;-toiproduce ant image bearing light beam photosensitive record material for recording the character image, means for directing said beam onto said record material, means including a transducer and a computer controlling operation of said transducer for producing relative movement between said light beam and said record material to space successively projected character images on said record material, means on said plate defining digital space code information identifying the width of the character defined on said plate relative to the widths of other characters in a selected type style, pickup means for reading said space code information, said pickup means having an output connection to said computer, gate means in said output connection for controling the supply of space information to said computer, and means connected to said illuminating means and to said gate means for coordinating the opening of said gate means with operation of said illuminating means.

7. Phototypesetting apparatus including a type matrix and a primary optical system through which image bearing light beams are passed from the matrix for recording on photosensitive record material, said primary optical system including means for controlling the size of the recorded images, means including a transducer and a computer controlling operation of said transducer for producing relative movement between said primary optical system and said record material in accordance with spacing requirements of each projected character image, a plate having portions of differential light transmitting ability defining a character to be reproduced, selectively operable means for illuminating said plate to produce an image bearing light beam, means for introducing the resultant character image from said plate into said primary optical system and through said size controlling means, means on said plate defining digital space code information identifying the Width of the character defined on said plate relative to the widths of the characters on said matrix, pickup means for reading said space code information, said pickup means having an output connection to said computer, gate means in said output connection for controlling the supply of space information to said computer, and means connected to said illuminating means and to said gate means for coordinating the opening of said gate means with operation of said illuminating means.

8. Apparatus for use in a phototypesetting device having -a type matrix and an optical system through which image bearing light beams are passed from the matrix for recording on photosensitive record material, said device also including means for producing relative movement between the optical system and the record material in accordance with the spacing requirements of the projected character images, comprising a pi character plate having transparent and opaque portions defining a pi character and also having portions bearing indicia related to the spacing requirements of the pi character, means for illuminating said plate to provide a light beam bearing a pi character image, means for directing said pi character image into said optical system for recording on said record material, means for transmitting to said device spacing information corresponding to said indicia, and means connected to said spacing movement producing means and responsive to receipt of said spacing information for inserting the spacing information related to the pi character into said device and providing proper spacing therefor in conjunctionwith the recording operation.

9. In phototypesetting apparatus of the character described the combination of a selectively operable light source, means forming a light beam issuing from said source, a character plate having transparent and opaque portions defining a character to be reproduced, means for supporting photosensitive record material in position to intercept said light beam, means for mounting said plate in a stationary position with respect to said light source intercepting said light beam to transmit a character image on said light beam directed to the record material, means for producing relative movement between said record material supporting means and the image bearing light beam to provide for spacing of successively projected character images on said record material, means providing space code data on a marginal portion of said plate for identifying the desired relative Width of the character image projected onto the record material, pickup means for reading said code data from said plate, computing means connected to said pickup means to receive space code information therefrom for calculating the width for proper spacing of the character image, and an output from said computing means connected to said movement producing means for causing appropriate spacing movement for the projected character image.

10. In combination with a phototypesetting device having a type matrix, a primary light source, and a primary optical system through which image bearing light beams are passed from said matrix for recording on photosensitive record material, said device also including means for producing relative movement between said optical system and the record material, said movement producing means including a computer for calculating the required spacing for each character from spacing information received from said matrix and transducer means operatively arranged to receive information from said computer and to move said record material accordingly through the necessary spacing movement, a pi character plate having transparent and opaque portions defining a pi character and also having space code indicia related to the spacing requirements of the pi character, a secondary light source for illuminating said plate to provide a light beam bearing a pi character image, means for directing said pi character image into said primary optical system for recording on said record material, means for sensing said space code indicia on said plate, and means connecting said sensing means to said computer for supplying spaoing information to said computer related to the spacing requirements of the pi character.

11. Phototypesetting apparatus including a type matrix, a primary light source, and a primary optical system through which image bearing light beams are passed from the matrix for recording on photosensitive record material, said primary optical system including means for con trolling the size of the recorded images, means including a transducer and a computer controlling operation of said transducer for producing relative movement between said primary optical system and said record material in accordance with spacing requirements of each projected character image, a plate having portions of differential light transmitting ability defining a character to be reproduced, a selectively operable secondary light source for illuminating said plate to produce an image bearing light beam, means for introducing the resultant character image from said plate into said primary optical system and through said size controlling means, means on said plate defining digital space code information identifying the width of the character defined on said plate relative to the widths of the characters on said matrix, pickup means for reading said space code information, said pickup means having an output connection to said computer, gate means in said output connection for controlling the supply of space information to said computer, and means connected to said illuminating means and to said gate means for coordinating the opening of said gate means with operation of said illuminating means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,901,013 er Mar. 14, 1933 2,210,090 Lutz Aug. 6, 1940 2,232,732 Rogers Feb. 25, 1941 2,646,732 Offeman July 28, 1953 2,667,812 Miller Feb. 2, 1954 2,800,062 Rondthaler July 23, 1957

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