# US 4,397,537 A · Image forming method and apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,397,537 A - Document ID: US4397537A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/238,564 - Filed: 1981-02-26 - Granted: 1983-08-09 - Earliest claimed: 1980-03-04 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Yasuyuki Tamura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397537A ## CPC - H04N 1/3871: {the composed originals being of different kinds, e.g. low- and high-resolution originals} - G03B 27/725: {Optical projection devices wherein the contrast is controlled electrically (e.g. cathode ray tube masking)} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract An image combining system for forming on a recording medium combined images based on at least two different types of original information has the steps of modulating a light beam in accordance with electrical signal information, scanning an original by the modulated light beam, and projecting the light beam having scanned the original onto the surface of the recording medium to thereby effect recording on the surface of the recording medium. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image combining method for forming a combined image on a recording medium based on at least two different types of image information, comprising the steps of: modulating a light beam in accordance with electrical signal information constituting a first type of image information; scanning an original carrying a second type of image information with the modulated light beam; and projecting the light beam, after having scanned the original, onto the surface of the recording medium to thereby effect recording on the surface of the recording medium of the first and second types of image information. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An image combining method according to claim 1, wherein in said step of modulating the light beam, the light beam is subjected to a modulation for reproducing a negative image in which the light beam is turned off in a signal portion and turned on in a background portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) An image combining method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second type of image information carried by the original used in said step of scanning the original is a positive image. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An image combining method according to claim 1, wherein in said projecting step, the light beam having scanned the original is transmitted through the original and is thereafter projected onto the surface of the recording medium. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An image combining method according to claim 1, wherein in said projecting step, the light beam having scanned the original is reflected from the original and is thereafter projected onto the surface of the recording medium. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1, 2) An image combining method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light beam in said step of modulating the light beam is a laser light emitted from a laser light source. ### Claim 7 An image combining apparatus for forming a combined image on a recording medium based on at least two different types of image information, comprising: means for generating a light beam modulated in accordance with electrical signal information constituting a first type of image information; original holding means for holding an original that carries a second type of image information; means for directing the light beam from said light beam generating means so as to scan an original held by said original holding means; a recording medium; and means for projecting onto the surface of said recording medium the light beam, after having scanned the original held by said original holding means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An image combining apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said light beam generating means accomplishes a modulation in which the light beam is turned off in a reproduction information portion and turned on in a non-information portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) An image combining apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said projecting means projects the light of the light beam, for transmission through the original to scan the original. ### Claim 10 An image combining apparatus for forming a combined image on a recording medium based on at least two different types of image formation, comprising: an original supporting surface for supporting an original thereon; a laser light source for irradiating said original supporting surface; an original supporting surface cover; and original supporting surface cover locking means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An image combining apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said locking means maintains its locking operation during the on condition of said laser light source. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) An image combining apparatus according to claim 10, further having means for detecting the opening-closing of said original supporting surface cover. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) An image combining apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said projecting means projects the light of said light beam for reflection by the original to the recording medium. ### Claim 14 A method of forming on a recording medium a combined image based on different pieces of information, comprising the steps of: scanning one piece of information with a beam containing a second piece of information; and applying the beam which has scanned said one piece of information, to a surface of the recording medium. ### Claim 15 A device for forming on a recording medium a combined image based on different pieces of information, comprising: means for generating a beam containing one piece of information; means for scanning a second piece of information with the beam containing said one piece of information; and means for applying the beam which has scanned said second piece of information, to the recording medium.