US3756696A - Optical image transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Optical image transfer apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3756696A
US3756696A US00205574A US3756696DA US3756696A US 3756696 A US3756696 A US 3756696A US 00205574 A US00205574 A US 00205574A US 3756696D A US3756696D A US 3756696DA US 3756696 A US3756696 A US 3756696A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
array
characters
images
image
line
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00205574A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
C Gardiner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
Original Assignee
Itek Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Itek Corp filed Critical Itek Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3756696A publication Critical patent/US3756696A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
    • G02B27/1066—Beam splitting or combining systems for enhancing image performance, like resolution, pixel numbers, dual magnifications or dynamic range, by tiling, slicing or overlapping fields of view
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
    • G02B27/14—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only
    • G02B27/143—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only using macroscopically faceted or segmented reflective surfaces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/12—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers by photographic printing, e.g. by laser printers
    • G06K15/1233—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers by photographic printing, e.g. by laser printers using a cathode-ray tube or an optical-fibre tube

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for transferring a plurality of characters from a first medium wherein said characters are arranged in a first array to a second medium wherein the same characters are rearranged into a second array difierent from the first array.
  • the technique employs an arrangement of mirrors or other optical elements positioned to optically divide the first array of characters into a plurality of segments and to then reassemble those segments together into the second array.
  • the system is particularly designed for use in Computer-Output-MicrofilirT recording units to transfer data from the face of an inexpensive cathode ray tube read out display to microfilm but may also be employed in many other image transfer operations. Large expensive CRT readout displays are thus eliminated for COM operations.
  • the present invention relates to an optical assembly for manipulating an array of characters. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transferring characters from a first medium wherein the characters are arranged in a first array to a second medium wherein the same characters are rearranged into a second array different from the first array.
  • a conventional T. V. tube does not have sufficient resolution to display 132 alphanumeric characters on a single line, it is capable of displaying that many characters over its entire surface. Therefore, if a suitable optical system can be provided to assemble the characters displayed on the screen into one long line for recordation on the microfilm, the effective resolution of the T.V. tube may be increased sufficiently to enable its use in a COM unit.
  • the system employs an arrangement of mirrors capable of optically dividing an array of characters into segments and then reassembling those segments to form them into a second array.
  • the structure can also be used to convert one line into a plurality of lines as well as perform a myriad of other manipulations to produce desired character arrays.
  • the present system also overcomes many of the problems found therein. Initially, it is not as sensitive to image drift as many prior art devices and in general, slight amounts of drift will not affect the alignment of the final image. Furthermore, the system is quite simple in design and will not become unduly complex as the number of lines being manipulated increases. Also, it may be assembled and positioned with little difficulty and requires a minimum number of components. Finally, it is constructed of common, inexpensive materials making it readily usable in a wide variety of image transfer operations.
  • FIG. I illustrates, in schematic form, a top view of the optical system of the present invention employed in conjunction with a COM unit.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the optical system of the present invention looking in the direction of arrows 22 in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an image displayed on the face of the cathode ray tube of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 are provided to illustrate the operation of the optical system of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the realigned image which may be recorded on the microfilm of FIG. 1 and the manner in which that image may be produced.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates masking structure that may be employed with the optical system.
  • FIG. I illustrates, in schematic form, a top view of a preferred form of the optical system of the present invention (generally designated by the reference number 1) being employed to transfer information from a CRT to microfilm.
  • Reference number 2 refers to a cathode ray tube which in the preferred embodiment comprises a commerical TV monitor of conventional type.
  • a goal of the invention is to be able to record a line of I32 alphanumeric characters onto microfilm to correspond to the 132 character line of conventional line printers.
  • the face of a conventional T.V. tube does not have sufficient resolution to display that many characters on a single line, but it can adequately display four lines having 33 characters on each line.
  • appropriate logic is provided in the COM unit (or alternatively, in the computer) to display the 132 character line printed out by the line printer in an array of four lines or segments aligned consecutively reading from left to right and from top to bottom in the normal manner.
  • Such a display is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the face 3 of the CRT contains four lines 6-9 of 33 alphanumeric characters each (for ease of illustration, only eight characters are shown in each line).
  • the optical system 1 of the present invention is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 1, this system includes four sets of mirror pairs 11a and 11b, 12a and 12b, 13a and 13b, and 14a and 14b suitably mounted by structure to be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 2.
  • the mirrors are positioned such that the image on the face 3 of the CRT will be reflected off of each mirror Ila, 12a, 13a and 14a onto mirrors 11b, 12b, 13b and 1417, respectively, and then into a lens 16 incorporated in a microfilm camera 17.
  • Each of the two mirrors forming a mirror pair are aligned in parallel, and, as understood by those skilled in the art, act to shear" the image on the CRT face (i.e., displace it laterally without rotation as seen by the lens 16).
  • the amount of image displacement is a function of the spacing between the mirrors and the angle between the mirrors and the CRT face.
  • the mirrors are positioned to place the four images in alignment and directly adjacent each other as illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein images 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d may be seen by lens 16.
  • the relative displacement between the images 3a 3d can be accomplished by tilting the TV face 3 through a small angle, in which case the camera lens 16 would see” the image shown in FIG. 5. In this arrangement, however, it would also be necessary to tilt the camera so that the film 18 would be aligned properly to position line 19 thereon as shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 2 is a view of the system of FIG. 1., looking in the direction of arrows 2-2 with portions removed for clarity.
  • the mirrors are mounted on a support table 22 having appropriate legs 23 and 24 (only two of which are shown).
  • the legs are adjstable in height to enable the table 22 and hence the mirrors to be tilted relative to the TV screen 3 and the camera (not shown). I have found that by properly choosing the angle of tilt, which will generally be around 6, an image as illustrated in FIG. 6 will be presented to the lens 16 of camera 17 wherein line 19 is aligned horizontally for recordation on film 18.
  • FIG. 4 and 5 would never be actually presented to the lens 16 when the mirrors are tilted relative to the camera and T.V. screen as shown in FIG. 2 but that image in FIG. 6 is the one seen" by the lens.
  • the images of FIG. 4 and 5 are illustrated simply for explanation of the invention. It should also be understood that the image in FIG. 6 is actually identical to that shown in FIG. 5 except for being tilted so that the line 19 will appear horizontal.
  • the mask 26 is positioned in the area shown schematically in FIG. I. If it were placed closer to the TV screen where the light beams intersect each other, positioning would be much more difficult.
  • each of these mirrors 11b 14b act as apertures, at least portions of the lens will receive light from the entire images and thus, the entire images will be seen" by the lens. Due to vignetting, however, these portions of the characters will not be as bright as other portions of the characters, but they are clear and sufficiently bright to form a good image on the film. This phenomenon is well understood by those skilled in the art and a more detailed discussion of the optical theory involved need not be discussed here. Suffice it to say that a clear image of line 19 may be readily recorded onto the microfilm 18 in its entirety.
  • the positioning of the mirrors to align the images in the prescribed manner is important but not particularly difficult.
  • the basic requirements in this preferred embodiment is that the mirror pairs lla 11b, 12a 12b, and so forth be parallel to each other to act as shearing mirrors to displace the images laterally.
  • the mirrors should also be positioned such that they will not interfere with light beams reflected 011' of other mirrors. This again can be readily done with slight amount of experimentation.
  • the mirror pairs may be positioned in many different ways, both symmetrical and non-symmetrical, to achieve the same final image illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • the optical system of the present invention could be used to separate one long line of characters limbalo four lines to be picked up by an ordinary TV camera and sent over long distances to a TV receiver. Another optical system can then be provided at the receiver to reconvert the four lines into the original one line for recordation. Accordingly, it should be understood that numerous alterations, omissions, and additions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it should'be limited only as required by the scope of the following claims.
  • optical means for optically multiplying said first character array to produce a plurality of images of said first array
  • c. means for aligning a first portion of the first image of said first array with a second portion of the second image of said first array and so forth throughout said plurality of images of said first array to form an image of a second array consisting of said plurality of characters rearranged into a second number of lines;
  • Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said optical means includes means for optically multiplying said first array to produce a number of images of said first array equal to the number of lines in said first array, and wherein said aligning means includes means for displacing said plurality of images relative to each other to align the first line of characters from the first image of said first array with the second line of characters from the second image of said first array and so forth throughout said plurality of images of said first array to fonn said single line of said characters.
  • said optical means comprises a first plurality of reflecting means upon which said first array is imaged and a second plurality of reflecting means for receiving said images reflected ofi said first plurality of reflecting means and for placing said plurality of images in alignment.
  • aligning means comprises means for mounting said plurality of first and second reflecting means at an angle relative to said first array.
  • first and second reflecting means comprise a plurality of parallel mirror pairs, said first array being imaged on the first mirror of each of said mirror pairs and reflected therefrom onto the second mirror of each of said mirror pairs for placing said plurality of images in alignment.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)
  • Projection-Type Copiers In General (AREA)
  • Exposure Or Original Feeding In Electrophotography (AREA)
US00205574A 1971-12-07 1971-12-07 Optical image transfer apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3756696A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US20557471A 1971-12-07 1971-12-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3756696A true US3756696A (en) 1973-09-04

Family

ID=22762754

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00205574A Expired - Lifetime US3756696A (en) 1971-12-07 1971-12-07 Optical image transfer apparatus

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3756696A (ja)
JP (1) JPS4865954A (ja)
CA (1) CA976394A (ja)
DE (1) DE2259936A1 (ja)
GB (1) GB1417412A (ja)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2290679A1 (fr) * 1974-11-05 1976-06-04 Nippon Kogaku Kk Systeme optique a plusieurs chemins optiques ayant une partie commune
US4940309A (en) * 1987-04-20 1990-07-10 Baum Peter S Tessellator

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2207236A (en) * 1939-07-29 1940-07-09 Jacob T Uden Photographic camera
US2390439A (en) * 1943-02-02 1945-12-04 Ibm Optical record interpreter
US2627199A (en) * 1948-10-02 1953-02-03 O'brien Brian Optical image dissecting apparatus
US2727428A (en) * 1948-11-13 1955-12-20 Northrop Aircraft Inc Means for photographing a path of greater linear dimension than that of the camera field of view
US2900884A (en) * 1953-10-23 1959-08-25 Mergenthaler Linotype Gmbh Photocomposing machine
US3216317A (en) * 1962-09-07 1965-11-09 Sperry Rand Corp Transposition device and document processor in character sensing
US3564128A (en) * 1965-08-03 1971-02-16 Goodyear Aerospace Corp Multiple scan optical recording apparatus

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2207236A (en) * 1939-07-29 1940-07-09 Jacob T Uden Photographic camera
US2390439A (en) * 1943-02-02 1945-12-04 Ibm Optical record interpreter
US2627199A (en) * 1948-10-02 1953-02-03 O'brien Brian Optical image dissecting apparatus
US2727428A (en) * 1948-11-13 1955-12-20 Northrop Aircraft Inc Means for photographing a path of greater linear dimension than that of the camera field of view
US2900884A (en) * 1953-10-23 1959-08-25 Mergenthaler Linotype Gmbh Photocomposing machine
US3216317A (en) * 1962-09-07 1965-11-09 Sperry Rand Corp Transposition device and document processor in character sensing
US3564128A (en) * 1965-08-03 1971-02-16 Goodyear Aerospace Corp Multiple scan optical recording apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2290679A1 (fr) * 1974-11-05 1976-06-04 Nippon Kogaku Kk Systeme optique a plusieurs chemins optiques ayant une partie commune
US4940309A (en) * 1987-04-20 1990-07-10 Baum Peter S Tessellator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1417412A (en) 1975-12-10
JPS4865954A (ja) 1973-09-10
DE2259936A1 (de) 1973-06-20
CA976394A (en) 1975-10-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4734779A (en) Video projection system
US4571616A (en) Device for displaying three-dimensional images
US5016109A (en) Apparatus and method for segmenting a field of view into contiguous, non-overlapping, vertical and horizontal sub-fields
US5136675A (en) Slewable projection system with fiber-optic elements
US8441526B2 (en) Structure of stereoscopic image data, stereoscopic image data recording method, reproducing method, recording program, and reproducing program
US4062045A (en) Three-dimensional television system
EP0435523A2 (en) Helmet display
US5099320A (en) Method of and installation for the production of orthostereoscopic images
US4290083A (en) Stereoscopic television (unaided) on standard bandwidth-method and apparatus
NL8301864A (nl) Hoofdtelevisie ofwel inrichting voor het individueel weergeven van beelden.
JPS61500042A (ja) ステレオスコ−プ式録画方法と装置および再生方法と装置
EP0040973B1 (en) An image reading out and recording apparatus
US5416509A (en) Method and apparatus for the generation of a stereoscopic presentation
US4962422A (en) Stereoscopic image display apparatus
JP3970979B2 (ja) スプリットビームを用いた光学式文字読み取り装置
US3756696A (en) Optical image transfer apparatus
US3479652A (en) Parallel input mechanism for memory unit
US2900884A (en) Photocomposing machine
US3055265A (en) Motion picture camera for making panoramic pictures
CA1146260A (en) Stereoscopic television(unaided) on standard bandwidth method and apparatus
US3138663A (en) Photographic recording apparatus having cathode ray readout of a character mask
US3254579A (en) High speed data display and recording apparatus
US3338131A (en) Apparatus for selectively superimposing projected images
US3161885A (en) Framing camera with rectangularly grouped frame area
US20060082880A1 (en) Device for recording and device for reproducing three-dimensional items of image information of an object