Color raster scanner for recording cartographic data

A color raster scanner for digitally recording multicolor cartographic data from a cartographic source chart of the type which includes resolute graphic symbology and large area symbology thereon each having multiple different colors with the resolute symbology having solid colors and the large area symbology having alternately solid colors or screen colors, comprising:

• mounting means, for receiving a source chart to be scanned and for moving the source chart in each of two orthogonal coordinates with respect to an optical sensing means;
• optical sensing means, including therein means for illuminating successive small areas of the source chart and for receiving the reflected image from each successively in each of two coordinate planes, said optical sensing means having two apertures including a resolution aperture having a diameter no larger than the smallest graphic symbology to be sensed from the chart and including a screen aperture having a diameter which is much greater than that of the resolution aperture, said resolution aperture and screen aperture having concentric fields of view whereby said screen aperture field of view encompasses an area of the source chart which is larger than the resolution aperture and smaller than the area illuminated;
• and
• signal conversion means, responsive to the reflected images from each of said resolution aperture and said screen aperture for providing in response thereto signals indicative of the color type and number of samples of a common color type received from each of said apertures, said means providing said signal outputs in a digital word format.