US 4,121,249 A · Card recording and reproduction apparatus and method

Abstract

A record system and method for recording and reproducing information relative to record cards is provided wherein the information is in the form of optically scannable parallel tracks containing recordings therein which are defined by variations in the surface topography of the record tracks. A narrow beam of radiation such as that generated by a laser or an electron beam gun is modulated with information such as a video picture signal or digital information and is caused to scan the surface of a record card to generate either a variable topography represented by variations in the widths and/or depths of the narrow recording area of a record track caused by variations in the intensity of the beam of radiation as the beam is deflected to scan the recording track or the card is automatically moved to effect scanning by the beam. The beam may be operable to vaporize or otherwise variably erode and cause a groove or a series of cavities to be formed along the record track wherein the shape and/or depth of the cavities or separations therein represent electro-optically scannable information such as full-frame video picture signals, digital information and the like. In another form, the card may be coated with an erodable material which is vaporized or otherwise eroded to effect information recordings therein.

Claims6

Dependent claims

An apparatus for selectively scanning and visually monitoring optically scannable document information provided as separate full-frame video picture signal recordings of documents and the like, wherein each of said video picture signal recordings extends along one track of a plurality of parallel tracks of a record card comprising in combination:

an optical scanning system including photoelectric detection transducing means having an output and operable for electro-optically scanning selected record tracks of a record card being scanned,
means for receiving and prepositioning said record card with respect to said photoelectric detection means to permit the card to be properly scanned by said photoelectric detection means,
means for causing relative scanning movement between said photoelectric detection means and a selected of the parallel tracks of said record card to bring the scanning axis of said photoelectric detection means and said selected record track of said card into alignment and means for driving said card in a manner thereafter so as to cause said photoelectric detection means to completely scan said recording of said selected record track and to photoelectrically detect video picture signal recording and to thereby generate a video signal on said output, a video monitor including a display means operatively connected to said output for receiving said video signals, and means responsive to each video picture signal received for generating a still image of the document information defined by the video signal recording scanned, on said visual display means for a sufficient time to permit a person viewing said monitor to study and read said document information displayed by said display means of said monitor.

Document storage apparatus for generating visual picture images of information recorded as a plurality of separate optically scannable video recordings wherein each of said separate video recordings occupies a respective elongated narrow strip portion of a record card and wherein said narrow strip portions of each card define record tracks which are parallel to each other, said apparatus comprising:

first means for generating a beam of reading radiation,
second means for prepositioning a record card with respect to said radiation beam generating means,
third means for effecting movement of said card in a manner to cause said beam to scan a selected video recording extending along a selected of said record tracks to cause radiation of said beam to be modulated in scanning the narrow strip portion of said card containing the selected video recording, and
fourth means for receiving the radiation of said beam after it has been modulated by the selected video recording scanned by said beam, said fourth means including light sensitive electrical signal generating means operable to generate a full-frame video picture signal on its output in accordance with the characteristics of the video recording of the track scanned,
fifth means for receiving the signal output of said fourth means, said fifth means including a video monitor having a viewing screen and electronic writing means responsive to said full-frame video signal generated on the output of said fourth means for generating a visually monitorable image on said screen which image is a pictorial representation of the recording on the track of said card scanned, and
means for retaining said image on said screen for an extended period of time to permit it to be viewed by a person and to be monitored.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Card recording and reproduction apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Card recording and reproduction apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6