Abstract: A fluorescent-activated spatially quantitative light detector for sensing light reflected from an information bearing surface, said light detector comprising a generally cylindrical rod containing a fluorescent dye dispersed throughout a generally transparent medium and a photosensor at one end of, and in operative association therewith. The reflected light incident on the light detector is absorbed by said dye and reradiated at the fluorescent wavelength, a portion of this reradiated light reaching the photosensor causing an output signal to be generated.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a beam scanning copying apparatus having transmission function and receiving function of a facsimile apparatus besides reproduction function.

Abstract: An optical data recording system in which during recording the image of the acoustic pulse at the writing surface is made to move at the same relative velocity with respect to the recording medium whereby motion blur is minimized or reduced. The writing beam, such as that generated by a laser, is incident on acousto-optic device (such as a Bragg cell) and may be diffracted (deflected) at an angle determined by the frequency of a source applied to the device. By selecting the system magnification between the device and the recording medium such that the magnification, in one embodiment, is substantially equal to the ratio of the velocity of the recording medium to the velocity of the sound wave in the acousto-optic device; the image of the acoustic pulse follows the surface of the recording medium and permits imaging of the video signal to the recording medium without blurring.

Abstract: A recording apparatus including a beam generator for generating a beam modulated by a modulating signal supplied thereto; a deflector for deflecting the beam generated by the beam generator repeatedly in two directions; a recording member for receiving the beam deflected by the deflector and recording the trajectory of irradiation by the beam; a recording information storage for storing information to be recorded on the recording member; the recording information read from the information storage being supplied to the beam generator as the modulating signal; a beam detector provided in the deflecting area of the beam deflected by the deflector and adapted to release a beam detection signal upon detection of arrival of the deflected beam at the detector; and a signal forming device adapted for selecting either one of two consecutive beam detection signals released from the beam detector thereby forming a reference signal for instructing the initiation of the readout from the recording information storage.

Abstract: A triple function image processing system incorporating, for operation in a first COPY mode, a light/lens imaging system for imaging originals at a viewing station or platen to produce latent electrostatic images thereof on a photoconductive surface. The electrostatic images are developed and transferred to a copy substrate material as in conventional xerographic systems. A flying spot light beam is provided in a second WRITE mode, the flying spot beam writing images on the photoconductive surface in response to image signals input thereto. In this mode of operation, the beam impinges on the photoconductive surface at a location upstream of the developing device. And, in a third READ mode, the beam is impinged on the photoconductive surface downstream of the developing device to scan images developed on the photoconductive surface. The scattered light is collected and converted to image signals representative of the image scanned.

Abstract: A raster scanner has a laser as a source of a scan beam, an optical system including a rotating polygon for scanning the laser beam across the object to be scanned, and a detector pair for identifying the start-of-scan (SOS) and end-of-scan (EOS) positions of the beam scanning path. One or both detectors are modified to incorporate a peak responding circuit which produces a signal whose voltage level represents the maximum light intensity of the scan beam as the scan beam scans across the detector or detectors. The peak responding circuit includes an output tap permitting the peak signal to be read by a suitable voltage reading meter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bar for printing an image. It comprises a stack of conductive plates which are insulated from one another in which one end of each forms a printing stylus and n diagonal matrices for addressing the styli whose columns are constituted by plates and are fed via resistors formed on the plates and whose rows common to the n matrices are constituted by electric conductors connected to the columns via diodes which are also formed on the plates.

Abstract: A recording character configuration changing system is provided with a pulse signal generator for producing pulse signals as a reference. The output signals from the pulse signal generator is inputted to a preset counter which changes the frequency of a signal inputted thereinto in accordance with a value set therein. The signal with the changed frequency is applied to a shift register for effecting parallel-serial convertion of a dot signal. As a result, the exposure time intervals due to the dot signal are changed to change the horizontal size of a character to be recorded. The recording character configuration changing system is further provided with a blanking counter. By setting a proper value into the blanking counter, a time interval between the starts of an exposure scanning to the succeeding exposure scanning is changed to change the vertical size of the character to be recorded.

Abstract: In the image formation effected by combining different original images, a plurality of original images to be combined are photoelectrically converted into time-sequential signals and stored in predetermined memory means, the memory signals corresponding to the original images stored in the memory means are read out with a predetermined time relationship therebetween and the desired memory signals are combined to obtain an image signal, and an image is formed in accordance with the combined image signal.

Abstract: A multiple function image processing system having both light-lens and flying spot beam for producing latent electrostatic images of originals on a photoconductive surface. The images are developed and transferred to a copy substrate material. A flying spot image reading beam enables the developed images to be read. Where multiple copies are desired, the light/lens provides the first image with later copies provided by the flying spot beams which scan each developed image and, using image signals produced by said scanning, write the next successive image until the desired number of copies are produced. Where a relatively large number of copies are desired, the image signals produced by scanning the developed image are stored in memory, which is thereafter used as the source of image signals for subsequent copies.

Abstract: A selective speed xerographic processor having a laser for exposing a photoreceptor at any one of a plurality of different printing rates in response to a video signal is characterized by including an adjustable optical attenuator and an adjustable electrical attenuator for coarsely and more precisely, respectively, normalizing the exposure process. The processor may be used to advantage as a printer for a facsimile systems offering a choice of several different document transmission times.

Abstract: An electronic stencil cutter having a rotatable drum with an original subject sheet and a stencil sheet mounted side by side thereon. Scanning and stencil cutting heads are mounted on a common carriage for simultaneous movement along the original and stencil sheets. The original subject sheet is retained in a holder consisting of a flexible, transparent sheet wrapped about the drum, one end of the retainer sheet being held releasably against the drum by a pressure-sensitive adhesive strip. The ends of the stencil sheet are held by an elongated clamp bar in a slot in the drum, the clamp bar being urged outwardly by springs and manually releasable by latch members at the ends of the bar. The stencil cutting head has a plastic stylus which is deflectible by a solenoid to press a wire electrode against the stencil sheet while cutting the stencil. The solenoid has a soft, felt-like nose which engages the stylus to dampen vibration of the electrode.

Abstract: In a facsimile receiver, a copy medium is advanced between a platen of triangular cross-section and a plurality of stylii mounted on a moving belt. The platen is rotatable so as to allow different edges of the platen at the apices of the triangular cross-section to be placed in contact with the copy medium. In addition, the platen may be rotated to a position where a flat side of the platen is juxtaposed to the copy medium so as to allow the copy medium to be fed between the stylii and the platen during loading and unloading. The stylii are formed from sheet-like members with a broad surface in contact with the copy medium. Three such stylii are mounted on a sheet metal belt through which the stylii are electrically energized as the belt moves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for printing graphic forms simultaneously with information data. A graphic forms master is mounted on a relatively small forms drum which is coupled to rotate simultaneously with a photo-sensitive print drum. Light is reflected from the graphic forms master to a light sensitive transducer from where electrical signals, representing the graphics form, are transmitted to a signals merging circuit. Information data signals are also transmitted to the signals merging circuit. The signals merging circuit is connected to a single light source-optical system to selectively pass light to the photo-sensitive print drum in response to the electrical signals to provide an image thereon representing both the graphic form and the information data. Automatic lateral alignment of the graphic forms data and information data is accomplished through cooperation of an alignment mark on the graphic forms master with a portion of the signals merging circuit.

Abstract: A beam feedback synchronization system for optical sweeping apparatuses is disclosed. The system includes a multi-faceted rotating reflection mirror which acts on a collimated light beam such as a laser beam to cause it to sweep periodically in parallel straight lines across a rotating photoconducting drum. A portion of the light beam is split off and caused to sweep across an equispaced linear array of fiber optic apertures held in place by a fiber optic assembly. The light entering the fiber optic apertures is carried along fiber optic elements to one or more photodetectors which generate periodic electrical signals in response thereto. The frequency of occurrence of the electrical signals from the photodetector is a measure of the velocity of the sweeping light beam across the fiber optic array.

Abstract: A graphic forms overlay apparatus to be used with non-impact printers requiring the use of a movable light sensitive medium such as laser printers is disclosed. Laser printers use a sweeping laser beam and a movable light sensitive medium to image data from a data processing source for printing. A graphic forms pattern is overlayed on the data imaged on the light sensitive medium for simultaneous printing of the data and pattern. To accomplish this a negative of the pattern is mounted on a hollow rotatable forms drum, and inside the drum a fluorescent tube is fixedly mounted for illuminating the negative. A linear portion of the light image of the negative formed thereby is reflected by an optical system of lenses and mirrors onto adjacent linear portions of the light sensitive medium being swept by the laser beam for imaging of data.

Abstract: A reproduction scanning system having intermediate storage between input and output scanning stations wherein an input document is scanned in first and second directions, the first direction being orthogonal to said second direction, and the electrical signals representative of information on said scanned document being stored on an intermediate storage member for storage, signal processing or data manipulation. The information stored in the storage member may be read out and reproduced on a reproducing medium. Other system features include input scan reversal for alternate bound pages during bound volume scanning, synchronization of the system by a clock associated with the storage member, input/output interleaving with a print interrupt feature, image centering and edge fadeout for image reduction, and independent magnification demagnification by separately variable raster spacing.

Abstract: A triple function image processing system incorporating, for operation in a first COPY mode, a light/lens imaging system for imaging originals at a viewing station or platen to produce latent electrostatic images thereof on a photoconductive surface. The electrostatic images are developed and transferred to a copy substrate material as in conventional xerographic systems. A flying spot light beam is provided in a second WRITE mode, the flying spot beam writing images on the photoconductive surface in response to image signals input thereto. In this mode of operation, the beam impinges on the photoconductive surface at a location upstream of the developing device. And, in a third READ mode, the beam is impinged on the photoconductive surface downstream of the developing device to scan images developed on the photoconductive surface. The scattered light is collected and converted to image signals representative of the image scanned.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus for recording information on copy sheets from multiple sources including an optical system for projecting an image of an original in accordance with an optical copying operation, a reproducing device for operation in accordance with an electric signal based reproduction operation, and a receiving tray for receiving copy sheets discharged from the recording apparatus, a sorting tray for receiving discharged copy sheets bearing information resulting from a reproduction operation and disposed for relative movement with respect to the receiving tray so that discharged copy sheets of optical copying operations are directed to the receiving tray and discharged sheets of reproduction operations are directed to the sorting tray.

Abstract: An adapter is provided as an interface between a raster output scanning printer and an electronic image processor which formats digital information for use by the printer in creating printed images. The adapter accepts digital pulses through a structured array of communication lines from the electronic image processor. Each line is dedicated to the provision of certain video or control information which may be utilized by any one of a number of different raster output scanning printers. The electronic image processor is indifferent to the identity of the type of printer to which information is provided as the adapter serves to manipulate the data provided by the electronic image processor in a manner suitable to control the particular printer employed. The adapter is sensitive to the scanning cycles of the printer and accommodates deviations in scan time to increase or decrease the rate of provision of video information in accordance with fluctuations in printer motor speed.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus receives signals representing black, white and various gradations of gray. The apparatus generates a control signal having a magnitude varying with the gradation of gray from white to black corresponding to the gradations of gray at a remotely located document. A stylus for marking on a copy medium is driven by a stylus drive circuitry which generates a stylus drive signal in response to the control signal which is substantially linearly related to the control signal when the magnitude of the control signal is above and below a threshold and has a step change at the threshold.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying apparatus having a photosensitive medium for normal copying operations further includes an electric charge carrying medium for receiving and storing an electrostatic latent image in accordance with external electric signals, as from facsimile transmission. The charge carrying medium is moveable between a first position spaced from the photosensitive medium and a second position in image transferable relationship with the photosensitive medium. Latent image formation on the charge carrying medium is effected at the first position thereof so as to free the photosensitive member for concurrent normal electrophotographic copying operations.

Abstract: Image formation and development apparatus using electrostatic techniques which is suitable for plain paper printing is provided wherein a cathode ray pin tube is used with a flexible discontinuous dielectric member that is moved past the pin tube, the selectively energized pins providing information-bearing areas (i.e. toner attracting areas) on the dielectric member; the latent electrostatic image is developed and may thereafter to transferred to plain paper and fixed for subsequent use. The apparatus includes pin tube cleaning means operative when the belt discontinuity passes the pin tube face.

Abstract: A multiplexing electrostatic copier system employing one or more detachable, portable optical reader units, each including a "memory" or recorder, that may be readily carried about by a user for temporarily recording a "video" image of a printed document or other object to be copied or reproduced. For reproducing the recorded video image, the portable units are selectively connectable to an electrostatic copy making machine at the convenience of the users to transfer the remembered or recorded "video" images to the copy machine for reproducing the stored images and preparing a hard copy of the original document, e.g. a printed copy document on paper. The copier machine may also provide an advanced visual display of each of the transferred "video" images, enabling the users to initially observe the images before the hard copies are made.

Abstract: A multi-purpose optical data processor has shared optics for selective performing light/lens xerographic copying in accordance with a line-by-line scanning pattern and laser reading and writing in accordance with a raster scanning pattern. Among the laser reading and writing functions which such an optical data processor can perform are laser input scanning and laser xerographic printing, and laser photographic and thermographic recording.

Abstract: A device for furnishing an electrical video signal representing the analysis of an image given in the form of radiated energy. It comprises a mobile carrier, a gas or photo-conductor interacting with the incident radiation in order to furnish a non-uniform distribution of electrical charges upon the carrier, and read out means for reading said charge distribution, delivering an electrical video signal representing a line-by-line analysis of the incident image.

Abstract: A printer/copier having the added capabilities of scanning information from photocopying media, for the purpose of storing it in computer memories or transmitting it over communication lines. The printer/copier has a sensing electrode which detects the charge change on a photoconductor surface as it is being scanned by a laser beam. The laser can also be used to expose the photoconductor for the purpose of printing. A deconvolution circuit is also provided to convert the detected charge to a storable or transmittable coded signal.

Abstract: A selective speed xerographic processor having a laser for exposing a photoreceptor at any one of a plurality of different printing rates in response to a video signal is characterized by including an adjustable optical attenuator and an adjustable electrical attenuator for coarsely and more precisely, respectively, normalizing the exposure process. The processor may be used to advantage as a printer for a facsimile systems offering a choice of several different document transmission times.

Abstract: A recording position defining apparatus includes a beam generator for generating a modulated beam in accordance with a signal to be recorded; a beam deflector; a beam detector fixed at a predetermined position; a clock signal generator for generating clock signals of a predetermined frequency; and a record signal applicator for applying a record signal to the beam generator upon detection of a predetermined number of clock signals after the beam is detected by the beam detector.

Abstract: A reproduction scanning system having intermediate storage between input and output scanning stations wherein an input document is scanned in first and second directions, the first direction being orthogonal to said second direction, and the electrical signals representative of information on said scanned document being stored on an intermediate storage member for storage, signal processing or data manipulation. The information stored in the storage member may be read out and reproduced on a reproducing medium. Other system features include input scan reversal for alternate bound pages during bound volume scanning, synchronization of the system by a clock associated with the storage member, input/output interleaving with a print interrupt feature, image centering and edge fadeout for image reduction, and independent magnification demagnification by separately variable raster spacing.

Abstract: Combined copying and printing apparatus is provided by combining a known office copier of the plain paper transfer type with a non-impact printer that uses a black on white cathode ray tube optical display to form a latent electrostatic image on the photoreceptor of the copier apparatus. The cathode ray tube may be fixed or movable, as required, and is of the single sweep type using fiber optics to transmit the optical image to the photoreceptor, which photoreceptor moves relative to the CRT sweep to provide a two-dimensional image that is developed and transferred to plain paper. The non-impact printer of the invention can be used as a stand-alone device without provision for the copying function.

Abstract: In an image information recording apparatus, wherein a light beam is modulated by an information signal to effect recording on a recording medium, there is provided a light beam forming unit, a light beam modulator for modulating the formed light beam in accordance with an image information signal to produced first image information, an image forming lens for focussing the modulated light beam upon the recording medium, a recording medium sensitizer, a scanner for scanning the modulated light beam over the recording medium and additional image information which is overlaid on the first image information to produce an overlaid image on the recording medium.

Abstract: A transceiver system is provided which selectively applies electrical potentials representative of graphical information to a stylus scanning a layer of electrochromic material thereby causing selective coloration of the materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for generating and displaying information on an electronic display screen such as the viewing screen of a cathode ray tube. In one form, fixed and variable information is generated as characters on a display screen which may be viewed for monitoring purposes. The information may originally be generated as digital code information signals which cause the display tube to generate lines of characters across its display screen which make up the display thereof or as characters generated along selected spaces of the screen such as along space locations of forms and other types of displays. Full frame video picture signals may also be employed to modulate an image writing means such as the write beam of a cathode ray tube to generate an image of a document, form, or other type of image.

Abstract: In an electrostatic device for the gating of electromagnetic radiation in response to an electrical signal, including a rod shaped fixed electrode and a resilient variable electrode sheet with a film of insulation interposed therebetween. The variable electrode sheet is pressed into a groove in a base plate. The fixed electrode is mounted in the groove over the variable electrode. The assembly of this simple device requires a minimum of noncritical steps.

Abstract: An electron beam is used for reading signals in the form of surface modulations on a thermoplastic recording. In order to improve the signal to noise ratio the thermoplastic recording is first charged using a flood beam source of electrons and the surface charge so produced repells scanning reading electrons which are then collected by a detector.

Abstract: An optical printer comprises a mechanical scanner, which scans a modulated light beam across a recording medium in a main or horizontal direction at a fixed speed. An acousto-optic deflector performs auxiliary scanning of the beam in a vertical direction onto the mechanical scanner at a constant rate and is connected to a deflection signal generator. The deflection signal generator adjusts the stroke length of auxiliary scan in accordance with the magnification ratio and simultaneously adjusts the frequency of auxiliary scanning by the reciprocal of the magnification rate of the character to be printed. Furthermore, optical density is maintained constant for various character sizes by providing auxiliary gate pulses proportional to the square of the relative character size, which are AND gated with a character information signal to effect a light modulation signal for modulating the beam.

Abstract: A process for patterned storage and reproduction of information in which a photoconductive recording material is altered by an electron beam in correspondence with the information, a free charge is applied to the photoconductive recording material and the flowing off of this charge is made visible differing in correspondence with the pattern.

Abstract: A flying spot scanning system is provided by utilizing reflected light from a multifaceted rotating polygon which is then directed to the scanned medium. A light source illuminates at least one of the facets of the polygon during each scanning cycle to provide a scanning beam of light. In each scanning cycle, information is transmitted to the scanned medium by modulating the light from the light source in accordance with a video signal. A first cylindrical lens is employed in convolution with other optical elements to focus the scanning beam to a spot in a focal plane at the surface of the medium. Start of scan detection is provided for the synchronization of the scanning cycles by means apart from the scan width on the medium. A portion of the beam at the start of scan position is deflected to impinge upon a second cylindrical lens which focuses the deflected beam to a spot received by a detector element.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a means for converting graphic indicia into an electrical representations, a source of a coherent beam of optical radiation at a predetermined wavelength, a modulator for controlling the transmissive characteristics of a crystal which modulates the coherent beam in response to the electrical representations, a light deflector for scanning the modulated coherent beam in a scan pattern forming an image on a surface and means for developing the image from the surface and imaging a representation of graphic indicia by controlling the modulation and scanning of a coherent beam of optical radiation in a controlled pattern forming an image on a surface representative of the graphic indicia and developing the image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for expanding the number of grey scale values in a digital flying-spot scanning system. The scanned recording medium is divided into a plurality of unit cells, each of which is assigned a desired grey scale value, and each unit cell is further divided into a plurality of subcells formed by a plurality of adjacent portions of scan lines comprising digitally controlled segments. The grey scale value of the unit cell is dependent upon the portion of the subcells within the unit cell which are activated or deactivated by the scanning beam. Additionally, the number of grey scale values between particular numbers of activated subcells is expanded by providing varying patterns of predetermined numbers of subcells within the unit cell with the varying patterns producing the optical effect of varying grey scale levels.

Abstract: An electronic halftoning image reproduction system wherein a halftone screen function is combined with pictorial information, typically by addition, to provide a sum function. In a second channel the pictorial signal is averaged over the area corresponding to one period of the halftone screen function and the average is utilized to determine the percent of the area to be turned white within that halftone dot. This is accomplished by thresholding the sum function with a dynamically adjusted threshold for each period of the halftone dot such that the percentage of white matches the average pictorial signal. In another embodiment wherein the desired gray scale of the reproduction is different from that of the original image, the average pictorial signal may be adjusted in some predetermined manner and the percentage of white is matched to the adjusted signal.

Abstract: A dual mode xerographic copier/printer is selectively operable to form a latent image of an original document on a photoconductor, or to raster-scan the photoconductor with a laser printing beam which is under the control of a binary-data-defined image to thereby form a latent image thereof.The latent image, whether it is formed in the copy mode or the print mode, is toner developed. The developed image is then transferred to a sheet of copy paper. This copy paper may be of variable size.In the copy mode, the laser printing beam is controlled to erase the photoconductor bordering that photoconductor area which will coincide with the sheet during transfer, i.e., bordering the latent image of the original document.In the print mode, a data processor formats the binary-data-defined image to fit into a photoconductor area compatible with the size of the copy paper. The resulting electrical signals then control the laser printing beam to erase the entire photoconductor, exclusive of the binary-data-defined image.

Abstract: Printing plate production apparatus wherein a latent image is formed at the surface of photoconductive insulating sheet, either by an optical system for effecting sheet exposure or by a laser emission scanning system which constitutes the terminal of a facsimile transmission system, this latent image is developed by toner particles, for example, which are applied on, but not fixed on the photoconductive sheet, the developed image is temporarily transferred onto a printing plate with which the photoconductive sheet is brought into pressure contact, and the printing plate carrying the developed image is exposed to light which may effect chemical changes in the printing plate to harden portion thereof unprotected by toner particles after which the printing plate receives treatment to remove toner particles and unhardened portions thereof.

Abstract: A composition information operating apparatus and a method of recording composite information, the apparatus utilizing an endless rotatable photosensitive member, components for forming an electrostatic latent image of an original on the member, an electrostatic recording head and a separate charge detecting scanner and transmission head while the method includes the steps of first forming an electrostatic latent image of the original, then forming a further electrostatic latent image with the recording head and detecting and transmitting the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member with the charge detecting scanner and transmission head, the entire process being performed during a single rotation of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: An apparatus which can function either in a copier mode or in a raster scan mode. A first unit of the apparatus, containing elements to produce an information modulated, scanning light beam, is movably mounted upon a second unit of the apparatus, containing optical elements for directing light upon a photosensitive medium, such that the movable unit can be located clear of the document supporting platen of the second unit to provide copier operation or can be located immediately adjacent the platen of the second unit to provide raster scanning operation. Optical means are provided in the movable unit to provide light focusing capabilities for the raster scan mode of operation.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying apparatus for forming on a photosensitive medium electrostatic images corresponding to an original image and for providing copies thereof, comprises an original carriage for carrying thereon the original image, optical scanning means having a plurality of reciprocally movable scanning units for scanning the original image on the carriage, a photosensitive medium, and means for forming on the photosensitive medium electrostatic images corresponding to the original image. The optical scanning units of the optical scanning means are operable to successively scan the original image.

Abstract: A scanning system is employed which utilizes an unmodulated beam for reading a document (original size or microfilm) and utilizes a modulated beam for printing an image (original size or a microimage) which beams both originate from the same laser source and strike the same facets of a polygon scanner at the same location or at spaced vertically aligned locations.

Abstract: A method of recording an electrostatic charge pattern on an insulating layer. The method comprises the steps of scanning a pattern line-wise to produce an electric signal which is composed of a multiplicity of distinct electric signals determined by successively scanned portions of the pattern. The distinct electrical signals are applied to different places of the insulating layer during a period which is greater than the corresponding period during which the corresponding area of the pattern is being scanned. The charge pattern on the insulating layer is developed in a known way to produce a visible image.