Random-access electronic camera

The method of scanning an object comprising the steps of:

• (a) focusing the object to be scanned at the image focal lane of an imaging lens;
• (b) moving an array of light-sensitive devices in the image focal plane of said lens, such that light from the object focused at said image focal plane falls upon said light-sensitive devices, to thereby scan said image thereby generating a train of output pulses from said array;
• (c) decoding commands, which commands include mechanical positional parameters and electronic scan parameters, to produce first and second decoded command signals, said positional parameters in said command being qualified by said first decoded command signals and said electronic scan parameters in said command being qualified by said second decoded command signals;
• (d) mechanically positioning said array in accordance with said positional parameters in said command as qualified by said first decoded command signals;
• and,
• (e) utilizing the output of said array at sequential position intervals of said array with respect to the relative position of said array in the image focal plane of said lens by selectively gating particular ones of said pulses in said train of output pulses from said array in accordance with said electronic scan parameters in said command as qualified by said second decoded command signals.

For use with a scanner which includes a focusing lens for focusing, at the image focal plane of said lens, the image of an object to be scanned;

• an array of the type which scans light-sensitive devices in accordance with a scanning cycle to provide a train of output pulses proportional in magnitude to the light intensity falling upon each successively scanned light-sensitive device;
• means for holding said array in the image plane of said lens, said means including means for allowing movement between said array and said lens such that relative motion between said array and said lens is allowed corresponding to a measured distance in said image plane;
• and
• means for causing relative motion between said array and said lens;
• a random access controller for controlling access to information within said scanned image, said controller comprising:
• first means for receiving commands, said commands including mechanical positional parameters and electronic scan parameters,
• said first means including means for decoding said commands to produce first and second decoded command signals, said positional parameters in said command being qualified by said first decoded command signals and said electronic scan parameters in said command being qualified by said second decoded command signals;
• second means connected to said first means responsive to said first decoded command signals for mechanically positioning said array in accordance with said positional parameters in said command, said positional parameters in said command being qualified by said first decoded command signals;
• and,
• third means connected to said first means responsive to said second decoded command signals for selectively gating particular ones of said pulses in said train of output pulses from said array in accordance with electronic scan parameters in said command, said electronic scan parameters in said command being qualified by said second decoded command signals.