US3732430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoelectric scanning apparatus
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
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Filing: 1971-09-29
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A photoelectric scanning apparatus which detects one or more rows of information encoded in or on travelling webs or interconnected photographic films or prints has one or more pairs of mirror symmetrical light-conducting rods which are embedded in a support adjacent to the path of the web so that their axes intersect at a point of the path which is in line with the row of information to be scanned. The support is formed with two chambers each of which is located behind a different rod and each of which receives a removable clip. One of the clips contains one or more removable lamps and the other clip contains one or more removable photosensitive elements. A lamp in the properly inserted clip emits a light beam which passes through the respective rod and is normally reflected on the travelling web to thereupon pass through the other rod and to impinge on the photosensitive element behind the other rod. If the encoded information is in the form of notches or perforations, the reflection of light is interrupted whenever a notch or perforation register with the intersection of the axes of the rods whereby the photosensitive element generates a signal.
Inventors
- 👤 F Hujer
- 👤 H Fengler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/86
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for photoelectrically scanning webs of flexible material, such as photographic films or paper webs, particularly to detect portions of reduced reflectivity, comprising support means having a convex guide surface defining a portion of an elongated path for webs of flexible material; means for advancing successive webs along said path in a predetermined direction; means for biasing the webs in said portion of said path against said guide surface; a light source removably mounted in said support means; a photosensitive element removably mounted in said support means; a first rod-shaped light-conducting member at least partially embedded in said support means between said light source and said guide surface to direct a beam of light which issues from said light source against the web at a predetermined point of said portion of said path whereby the web reflects said light beam; and a second rod-shaped light-conducting member at least partially embedded in said support means to direct said reflected light beam against said photosensitive element, each of said light-conducting members having a smooth end face adjacent to said portion of said path and located in a plane which is substantially normal to the axis of the respective lightconducting member, the axes of said light-conducting members making identical acute angles with a plane which includes said point and is located midway between said light-conducting members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for photoelectrically scanning webs of flexible material, such as photographic films or paper webs, particularly to detect portions of reduced reflectivity, comprising support means having a convex guide surface defining a portion of an elongated path for webs of flexible material; means for advancing successive webs along said path in a predetermined direction; means for biasing the webs in said portion of said path against said guide surface; a light source removably mounted in said support means; a photosensitive element removably mounted in said support means; a first rod-shaped light-conducting member at least partially embedded in said support means between said light source and said guide surface to direct a beam of light which issues from said light source against the web at a predetermined point of said portion of said path whereby the web reflects said light beam; and a second rod-shaped light-conducting member at least partially embedded in said support means to direct said reflected light beam against said photosensitive element, each of said light-conducting members having a smooth end face adjacent to said portion of said path and located in a plane which is substantially normal to the axis of the respective lightconducting member, the axes of said light-conducting members making identical acute angles with a plane which includes said point and is located midway between said light-conducting members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the extensions of axes of said light-conducting members intersect each other at said point of said portion of said path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said support means is provided with chambers for said light source and said photosensitive element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for biasing compriSes at least one roller adjacent to said portion of said path opposite said guide surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said guide surface is provided with a continuous groove through which the light from said source passes between said point and said members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the width of said groove slightly exceeds the diameters of said members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional pair of light-conducting members in said support means, an additional light source behind one of said additional members and an additional photosensitive element behind the other of said additional members, said additional members being laterally offset with reference to said first-mentioned members so as to cause a light beam issuing from said one additional member to impinge on a web in said path at a second point which is offset with reference to said first-mentioned point transversely of said path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said support means defines a first chamber behind said one members and a second chamber behind said other members, and further comprising a first insert removably accommodating said light sources and a second insert removably accommodating said elements, said first and second inserts being respectively received in said first and second chambers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |