High speed optical read-out of data stored in an array

A method for sensing discrete levels of optical density located at predetermined data locations in a known pattern on a moving film, said pattern of locations being repeated on the film in the direction of motion, and for presenting these levels in the form of a time-ordered electrical signal, comprising:

• a. detecting the location of the pattern on the moving film;
• b. triggering the flashing of an illumination means in response to the detection of the pattern;
• c. illuminating the film with the flashes of light from the illumination means;
• d. imaging the data location pattern onto a detecting means, whereby the group of electrical outputs indicative of the optical density at predetermined locations in the pattern are developed by the detecting means;
• and
• e. successively sampling the electrical outputs of the detecting means in a predetermined order to form a time-ordered electrical signal.

Read-out apparatus for sensing discrete levels of optical density located at predetermined regions in successive frames on a movable film and for presenting these levels in the form of a time-ordered electrical signal, comprising:

• a. synchronization means for sensing when successive frames on the film arrive at a predetermined position and for generating at such times successive signals for initiating the illumination of successive frames;
• b. radiant energy source means for illuminating the successive data frames with pulses of radiant energy of different wavelengths in response to the signals generated by said synchronization means;
• c. optical means to form a real image of each successive illuminated frame, the image positions being spatially separated as determined by the wavelength of the radiant energy;
• d. a plurality of detecting means, each located at a corresponding one of the successive real images of the successive frames, each disposed to receive the light of the corresponding image and having a plurality of discrete detecting elements located at positions substantially matching one-for-one the predetermined regions of the frames for producing electrical output signals in response to the light;
• and
• e. multiplexing means for successively sampling the electrical output signals of the elements of said detector means to form a time-ordered electrical signal.

A method for sensing discrete levels of optical density located at predetermined regions in successive frames on a movable film and for presenting these levels in the form of a time-ordered electrical signal, comprising the steps of:

• a. sensing when successive frames on the film arrive at a predetermined position and generating at such times sucessive signals for initiating the illumination of successive frames;
• b. illuminating the successive data frames with flashes of light of different colors in response to the signals generated in the sensing step;
• c. forming a real image of each successive illuminated frame, the image positions being spatially separated as determined by the color of the light;
• d. detecting the light in each predetermined region of each successive frame image and producing a separate electrical output signal for each predetermined region in response to the light;
• e. successively sampling the electrical output signals corresponding to each predetermined region, to form a time-ordered electrical signal.