Reproduction scanning system having intermediate storage between input and output scanning stations

A method for scanning information formed on an information containing original supported at a first location and reproducing the information on a medium at a second location comprising the steps of:

• scanning said original and producing electrical signals corresponding to the information contained on said original, said original being scanned as a plurality of scan lines,
• loading said electrical signals into a buffer memory in a first mode of operation,
• unloading said electrical signals from said buffer memory into a memory in said first mode of operation,
• loading said electrical signals from said memory into said buffer memory in a second mode of operation, and
• unloading said electrical signals in said buffer memory in said second mode of operation and coupling said electrical signals to a modulator, said modulator being adapted to modulate a light beam incident thereon in accordance with the electrical signals coupled thereto, said modulated light beam being scanned across said medium on a line to line basis in spatial correspondence with the scanning of said input original whereby said information is reproduced.

A system for converting image data representing originals to electrical signals for subsequent use in producing copies of said originals comprising:

• means for scanning said originals to produce electrical signals corresponding to the information contained on said originals,
• memory means for storing said electrical signals,
• means for producing copies from said electrical signals stored in said memory means;
• and
• control means for operating said scanning means and said copy producing means to store electrical signals of said originals in said memory means and to produce copies of said originals selectively from the electrical signals stored in said memory means, said control means including means for varying the number of said electrical signals whereby the size of the copies produced by said copy producing means is changed.

A method for converting image data representing originals to electrical signals for subsequent use in producing copies of said originals comprising the steps of:

• scanning said originals to produce electrical signals corresponding to the information contained on said originals,
• storing said electrical signals in a memory,
• producing copies from said electrical signals stored in said memory,
• controlling the scanning of said originals and the production of said copies in a manner to store electrical signals of said originals in said memory and to produce copies of said originals selectively from electrical signals stored in said memory;
• and
• varying the number of said electrical signals whereby the size of the copies produced is changed.