US3733977A - Photographic type-composing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A headline/display photocomposing machine having a rotatable character matrix disc, a flash lamp, focusing and size-changing optics, and a light-sensitive image-receiving surface. Each matrix character has an associated binary four bit code positioned on the disc representing the width value of the character. The elements or bits of each code are arranged serially (rather than parallel) so that the bits are sensed one after another as they pass a sensing station. The control circuit of the machine recognizes the width codes in terms of their value plus three, in order that a given binary four bit code may represent any standard character width value up to 18 relative units.

Description

United States Patent [191 organ [111 3,733,977 51 May 22,1973

[54] PHOTOGRAPHIC TYPE-COMPOSING MACHINES [22] Filed: Sept. 10, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 179,309

Primary Examiner-Robert P. Greiner Attorney-William D. OReilly [57] ABSTRACT A headline/display photocomposing machine having a rotatable character matrix disc, a flash lamp, focusing and size-changing optics, and a light-sensitive imagereceiving surface. Each matrix character has an associated binary four bit code positioned on the disc representing the width value of the character. The elements or bits of each code are arranged serially (rather than parallel) so that the bits are sensed one after another as they pass a sensing station. The control circuit of the machine recognizes the width codes in terms of their value plus three, in order that a given binary four bit code may represent any standard character width value up to 18 relative units.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATEN I ED W22 I975 KEYBOARD SHEET 1 0F 2 CHARACTER BUFFER EQUALITY FUNCTION CODE FLASH MULTIPLY READ RELATIVE RELATIVE DISC WIDTH DISCWIDTH FIG. 1

INVENTOR GRANT T. MORGAN ATTORNE PATENTEU MAY 22 I975 3 733 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR GRANT T. MORGAN ATTORNEY PI-IOTOGRAPHIC TYPE-COMPOSING MACHINES BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a photocomposing machine which produces headlines and display type in continuous strips from a direct keyboard input. In addition to the keyboard, the machine basically consists of a con tinuously spinning character disc, a light source, focusing optics, and an image-receiving surface.

One of the most important yardsticks for measuring the effectiveness of a headline/display composing machine is its ability to vary the point size, width, and relative spacing of the character images which are projected onto the image-receiving surface (normally film or sensitized paper). In addition to providing a large variety of point sizes within the 18 to 72 point (or higher) range by the inclusion of a zoom lens, the present invention allows a user to vary the width of the projected character images, and to vary the space between the character images by reducing the normal amount of white space between projected character or letter images on the film (which is preferably 35 millimeters wide). The character images may be base-aligned, or they may be clotheslined to permit the shingling of output on a copy board.

While the broad concept of placing coded character width values on the matrix is well-known (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,805,333), nowhere in the prior art is there a suggestion of the unique concept of character width value storage as disclosed in the present invention. Specifically, a unique character width code is associated with each and every character on the matrix. This consists of a binary four bit code which enables characters having a width up to 18 relative units to be read by a single photodiode arrangement. Since there are no characters having a relative width value of less than three units, binary values thru 2 are unuseable; the present invention exploits this fact by employing a concept which will be designated binary excess three. Instead of the usual condition where zero equals zero, three is made equal to zero, so that the present control circuit recognizes width codes in terms of their value plus three. Therefore, in a four bit binary code the range of the relative width values attainable by using the present invention is three to 18 relative units, rather than zero to units, as in conventional applications.

Moreover, the width code for each character is arranged serially, rather than in parallel. This arrangement enables a single photodiode to be used for the sensing of the width value of each character, instead of four separate photodiodes, thus reducing the circuitry of the machine, as well as conserving valuable space on the disc which can be used to increase the character storage capacity thereof.

Furthermore, this single photodiode is utilized to read any of the four different character styles which are normally arranged in four separate rows on the matrix. This is accomplished by mounting the flash lamps and photodiodes on the base of the machine, so that they do not move relative to the rotatable character matrix. When it is desired to change from one character style or row to another, the disc (which is hinged on the base of the machine) is swung to the appropriate position so that the correct character style is properly aligned along the optical path of the machine. When this movement is complete, the flash lamp is aligned with the cor rect character row, and the photodiode is in registration with the correct width track. Of course, the number of rows and styles may be varied, if desired.

Other features of the machine include a four character buffer for the purpose of overcoming operator short term burst speed, as well as a provision for including the character width relative units in the keys of the keyboard for fixed spaces only. The foregoing features will be more fully explained in the detailed description which follows.

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a schematic representation of the manner in which characters are flashed and their widths are escaped;

FIG. 2 represents a sector of the character matrix showing timing slits, characters, and character width codes; and

FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the serial four bit character width codes for the respective characters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, in order to flash a character and/or escape film the proper distance, the appropriate key on keyboard 10 is depressed and the associated code is read into a predetermined location in the buffer storage area 12. At the proper time the code is transferred to an equality circuit and if a character is to be exposed (instead of a function code), a strobe flash occurs when the rotatable matrix disc is properly positioned, as determined by the character equality circuit 14.

After the character has been exposed, by energizing strobe flash l6, escapement of the width of the flashed character on the film or paper must occur, in order that the next character exposed will be placed in the desired position relative thereto. This is accomplished by reading a relative width code 18 from the disc matrix immediately after flashing the associated character, and multiplying it by a factor 20 determined by the magnification used. This absolute character width value is set into a detector circuit which pulses a stepping motor with the proper sequence and number of pulses to drive the paper or film the required distance for proportional spacing of characters thereon. This procedure is represented by box 22 of FIG. 1.

When it is necessary to move or escape the film without flashing a character, function code control 24 is actuated, thereby inhibiting flash 16. In this case, the keyboard code is treated as the width code, and is multiplied by the magnification factor in the same manner as before, in order to obtain an absolute width value.

Inter-character spacing may be modified by the use of a letter space switch which can add or subtract a predetermined number of relative units from the width specified for any given character on the matrix. This is a manual functionand is used at the discretion of the machine operator. This switched width modification is introduced prior to the multiplication stage.

A further modification of escapement or character spacing is accomplished by a white space reduction circuit, which is used for decreasing the white space between characters as the point size thereof increases. This is an automatic function which is dependent on the point size and character style used.

If desired, white space between characters of a given style can also be changed manually. This can be accomplished by changing the output of the white space reduction circuit with a specially wired matrix plug which is easily removed or changed according to user requirements. This modification of character spacing is introduced in the same manner as the letter space switch modification, i.e., prior to multiplication.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, on each disc 30 there are four 9 point, 100 character rows, generally designated 32. Outboard of these character rows is the timing slit track 34, one slit for each character plus one widened slit for resetting a counter. lnboard of the character rows are four character width rows 18, one row for each character row. As is more clearly shown in FIG. 3, each character has associated with in fixed relation thereto, a width value contained in a unique code which comprises a plurality of sensible (i.e., capable of being sensed) elements, in the preferred embodiment a binary four bit code. The presence or absence of these light-transmitting width slits or marks in combination determines the escapement allotted for the character. For example, the letter A has width value 36 associated therewith. As is apparent from an examination of FIG. 3, the width codes are arranged serially, rather than in parallel. This enables a single photodiode to sense the bits in a given character width code one after another as the bits pass the sensing station, thereby obviating the need for four separate photodiodes.

The disc itself is preferably driven at revolutions per second by a synchronous motor and is mounted on a hinged arm. When an operator selects a particular character style on the control panel, he is actually swinging this hinged disc arm into the position where the desired character row is properly placed in the machines optical axis. This approach is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 2,951,428, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The means for sensing the coded width values consists of a light source (such as a flash lamp) and a lightsensitive element (such as a photodiode pickup) which are mounted to the machine base and do not move. The lamp and photodiode used to read the outer timing slit track is hinged on the same center as the disc arm and moves with the disc to maintain proper character position on the optical axis for all four rows. Motion of the disc arm also moves an encoder assembly to indicate the row selected to the electronic circuitry of the machine.

A character image point size-changing means (such as a zoom lens) is used in this machine to vary the output point size. With a 9 point character on the disc and a desired 18 through 72 point output size the resulting magnification range is 2 to 1 through 8 to 1. As the operator selects any one of the nine sizes of output available the aperture is automatically adjusted to keep the illumination at the image plane constant thereby obtaining correctly exposed copy at all point sizes.

In summary, from the foregoing description it is evident that the present invention significantly upgrades the effectiveness of a headline/display photocomposing machine by expanding its ability to vary the relative width and relative spacing of the character images which are projected onto the film, and by greatly simplifying the procedure for ascertaining the width value of each character whose image has been projected.

The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only. Various changes or modifications may occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the character matrix could comprise a drum, a belt or the like, as well as a disc. Also, the coded width values on the matrix could comprise magnetic marks or spots or the like, instead of light-transmitting elements. It is understood, therefore, that all such modifications which would be apparent to one skilled in the art are included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a photographic type composing machine having a character matrix with a plurality of characters arrayed thereon, means for repetitively moving said matrix characters through a projection area, means for selecting characters to be composed, means for projecting images of selected characters onto an imagereceiving surface, and means for spacing said projected characters from one another on said image-receiving surface in proportion to their respective widths:

a multiplicity of codes representative of character width values arranged on said movable matrix, means for sensing said coded width values, each of said matrix characters having associated therewith in fixed relation thereto, a unique coded width value comprising a plurality of sensible elements, the elements of each unique coded width value being positioned relative to one another in such a manner that said elements are sensed one after another such that all of the elements of each coded width value associated with a matrix character are sensed by a single sensing means in order that projected character images are spaced from one another on said image-receiving surface in proportion to their respective widths.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which at least some of said elements comprise light-transmitting marks, and the sensing means consists of a light source and a lightsensitive element for receiving light transmitted from said source through said marks.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein said codes represent character width values in relative units, said machine including a character image point-size changing means, and circuit means for multiplying the coded width value in relative units of a projected character image by the point size in use in order to determine the width in absolute units of a projected character image so that said spacing means may space said images from one another on said image-receiving surface in accordance with their respective absolute widths.

4. The machine of claim 1 in which each of said coded width values consists of a binary four-bit code representing a character width value in relative units, said machine including a control circuit which recognizes codes in terms of their value plus three, in order that said binary four-bit codes may represent character width values up to 18 relative units.

k I i i

Claims (4)

1. In a photographic type composing machine having a character matrix with a plurality of characters arrayed thereon, means for repetitively moving said matrix characters through a projection area, means for selecting characters to be composed, means for projecting images of selected characters onto an image-receiving surface, and means for spacing said projected characters from one another on said image-receiving surface in proportion to their respective widths: a multiplicity of codes representative of character width values arranged on said movable matrix, means for sensing said coded width values, each of said matrix characters having associated therewith in fixed relation thereto, a unique coded width value comprising a plurality of sensible elements, the elements of each unique coded width value being positioned relative to one another in such a manner that said elements are sensed one after another such that all of the elements of each coded width value associated with a matrix character are sensed by a single sensing means in order that projected character images are spaced from one another on said image-receiving surface in proportion to their respective widths.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which at least some of said elements comprise light-transmitting marks, and the sensing means consists of a light source and a light-sensitive element for receiving light transmitted from said source through said marks.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein said codes represent character width values in relative units, said machine including a character image point-size changing means, and circuit means for multiplying the coded width value in relative units of a projected character image by the point size in use in order to determine the width in absolute units of a projected character image so that said spacing means may space said images from one another on said image-receiving surface in accordance with their respective absolute widths.

4. The machine of claim 1 in which each of said coded width values consists of a binary four-bit code representing a character width value in relative units, said machine including a control circuit which recognizes codes in terms of their value plus three, in order that said binary four-bit codes may represent character width values up to 18 relative units.

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