Micrographic reader with digitized image
AssigneeAnacomp, Inc.
InventorsSemyon Nodelman, David M. Rose, Robert A. Poyner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microfilm reader is provided which not only permits an operator to visually examine previously created images, stored on microfilm, but also to create a digitized representation of the image being viewed. The reader includes an opto-mechanical system for displaying a selected image and also for directing the image to a digitizing sensor. The sensor is coupled to electronic circuitry for storing the digitized representation either in black and white form or with a gray scale. The contents of the storage unit can be accessed a microcomputer coupled to the reader for purposes of manipulating the digitized representation or for transmitting it to another display or an output device, such as a facsimile machine.
Claims19
An imaging system for viewing and providing a digital representation of a two-dimensional image carried on a film medium comprising:
- a housing;
- a source of radiant energy carried by said housing;
- a support carried by said housing for positioning the medium relative to said source for projection of a selected image carried thereon;
- a linear motion apparatus carried by said housing, wherein said apparatus has a linearly movable slide with a viewing position and a digitizing position;
- first and second mirrors carried linearly by said slide wherein said first mirror reflects said projected image onto said display surface when said slide is in said viewing position;
- a sensor, carried by said housing, wherein said second mirror reflects said projected image onto said sensor when said slide is in said digitizing position;
- a unit for storage of a digitized representation;
- and
- a control circuit coupled between said sensor and said storage unit for generating a digitized representation of an image incident on said sensor, and for directing the digitized representation to said unit for storage.
An imaging system as in 6 including further optical limit switches carried by said housing for limiting movement of said sensor.
A method of viewing and digitizing a projectable image prestored on a film medium using first and second reflectors, comprising:
- positioning the first reflector at a selected position;
- projecting the image from the film medium, using the first reflector, onto a viewing region;
- linearly moving the first reflector from the selected position and linearly moving the second reflector thereto;
- projecting the image from the film medium, using the second reflector onto a digitizing region;
- and
- digitizing the image.
An apparatus for displaying images prestored on a movable medium and for generating a digitized representation thereof comprising;
- a housing;
- a medium support carried by said housing;
- a source of radiant energy directed to impinge on and pass through, at least in part, an image prestored on a medium carried on said medium support so as to create a projected image;
- a scanning stage having first and second parts, carried by said housing, movable relative to one another, and linked via a coupling member, said scanning stage being movable between a displaying position and a digitizing position, said first part carrying a lens, and said second part carrying a sensor;
- a motor coupled to said second part for moving said stage in said first direction to a digitizing position wherein said lens is positioned to permit said projected image to pass therethrough and for subsequently moving only said second part opposite said first direction thereby scanning the image.
An image displaying and digitizing device for displaying or digitizing images on a moveable medium comprising:
- a housing;
- a medium support carried by said housing;
- and
- a two part structure for scanning an image projected from said medium, said structure having first and second parts movably mounted on said housing, and movable relative thereto, wherein said structure is movable from a non-digitizing position to a digitizing position wherein said second part is movable relative to said first part so as to scan across the image, said first part having a reformatting lens and said second part having a sensor, said reformatting lens permitting said projected image to pass therethrough when in said digitizing position, said reformatting lens being spaced from said projected image when in said non-digitizing position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.