Other

Rca Inc.

Jan Aleksander Rajchman

John Guiry Endriz

Carmen A Catanese

John A Van Raalte

An electronic microcopier apparatus includes a reading head, an electronic memory and a writing head, all contained within a small case that may be held in the hand. In the reading mode the instrument is passed over images, such as written text, where photosensors read the optical information and transmit that information to the electronic memory. The electronic memory stores the information until the device is used in the writing mode. In the writing mode, the information from the electronic memory is fed to a writing head and is faithfully reproduced on a piece of paper. A wheel with angular markings rolls as the copier is displaced over the textural material in both reading and writing modes and thereby makes it possible to ascertain the position of the copier. The invention has the advantage of extreme portability. Several alternative embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Electronic microcopier apparatus

An electronic apparatus is used to measure distance by the detection and counting of a train of hot spots. The apparatus essentially comprises a heat producing means, a hot spot detecting means and electronic circuitry for energizing the heat producing means in response to the detection of a hot spot by the hot spot detecting means, whereby a train of hot pulses is produced that are spaced by the distance L between the heat producing and hot spot detecting means. A counter is used to record the number of hot spots detected by the hot spot detecting means. As the apparatus is moved, the device measures distance in increments of the separation L. An alternative embodiment is disclosed that produces two hot spots simultaneously and uses a single hot spot detecting means. The apparatus is preferably employed as part of the position reckoning means in a microcopier. However, other applications such as measuring the distance on maps, are also possible.

Electronic method and apparatus for distance measurement through the use

An array of picture elements is disclosed for providing a display having selectivitely light or dark areas. The array includes light valves each comprising a pair of light transmissive elements having facing phase gratings, preferably sinusoidal, of like periodicity and parallel grating lines. The pair of elements are selectively positioned in two positions. In the first position, (the relatively dark transmissive position) the maxima and minima of one of the light transmissive elements are respectively coincident with the maxima and minima of the other light transmissive element. In the second position, (the relatively dark transmissive position) the maxima and minima of one of the light transmissive elements are respectively coincident with the minima and maxima of the other light transmissive element. Preferably the gratings comprise two sets of gratings having lines at right angles to each other, and at 45.degree. to the direction of motion which is used to position the two light transmissive elements from one selected position to the other. They alternatively may comprise three sets of lines at 60.degree.. The two selected positions may be defined by stops. Alternatively, the two positions may be defined by grating facing, complementary complex wave forms. One of the grating lines of one pair of light transmissive elements may be embossed from the other element of the same pair. The individual picture elements are defined by the intersections between rows and columns of the light transmissive elements. The rows employ piezoelectric elements, preferably using PVF.sub.2, to lock in place all the picture elements of the rows of the array except, when desired, a selected row, which is free to move, in order to change relative positions of the elements. The columns employ bimorphs, also preferably using PVF.sub.2.

Display device and method utilizing phase gratings

A light valve comprises a pair of elements of transparent material each comprising a diffraction grating of like periodicity facing each other with parallel grating lines. Such a light valve is termed herein a bigrate. The transmission of light through the bigrate will depend on the relative position of the pair of gratings in the direction perpendicular to the grating lines and means may be provided for moving the elements relative to each other in that direction. One of the gratings may be embossed on a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF.sub.2) strip and moved by piezoelectric means, which may be a portion of such a strip. One strip may then be moved relative to the other in response to an electrical signal to control the zero diffraction order light transmission from no transmission to full transmission, or any desired intermediate transmission. Two intersecting sets of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF.sub.2) strips are arranged to form a matrix of bigrates, which, when uniformly illuminated produce a display of images, such as television images. In one set video signals produce motion perpendicular to the horizontal grating lines. The other set is made to move in a direction perpendicular to its surface in order to lock the strips of the first set in desired positions, or to unlock them, for example, a line at a time. Line-at-a-time TV signals may thus control the images. Three superimposed matrices each with diffraction lines of grating depth different from the others may provide color images.

Light valve, light valve display, and method

In an image having a plurality of cathode stripes, individual cathodes may be addressed using a system having a first resistor at one end of each of the cathodes and a second resistor at the other end of each of the cathode stripes. The first resistors are bussed so that X number of adjacent first resistors are connected in common to form Y groups; wherein X times Y equals the total number of cathode stripes. A plurality of first switches are connected to the groups of first resistors to selectively apply one of two voltage levels to each group. The second resistors are connected into X groups each having Y resistors. A plurality of second switches selectively switch one of two voltage levels to each group of second resistors.

Cathode addressing system

An evacuated envelope includes a transparent front panel having a cathodoluminescent screen thereupon and a back panel interconnectably sealed to the front panel. The back has a plurality of cathode stripes thereon. A plurality of vanes, spaced from and parallel to each other, extend between the front and back panels orthogonal to the cathode stripes. Electrodes to control the operation of the device are formed directly on the vanes. Any two adjacent vanes form an electron multiplier in which a self sustaining source of electrons is created only at a location along the vanes which is determined by the proper energizing of the cathode stripe at that location.

Parallel vane structure for a flat display device

A flat panel display device has a cathodoluminescent screen which is bombarded by a flow of electrons. The screen becomes electrically charged due to the electron bombardment. The charge striking various points on the screen is directly related to the image brightness at those points. The flow of electrons to each point is modulated by sensing the electrical charge which strikes the screen's surface at each point and comparing it to the image brightness signal for the display. When a predetermined relationship between the charge and the signal exists, indicating that the proper brightness level has been reached, the electron flow is terminated. The sensing system may be multiplexed to reduce its complexity.

Apparatus and method for modulating a flat panel display device

The structure comprises an evacuated envelope that includes a transparent front panel having a cathodoluminescent screen thereon and a back panel interconnectably sealed to the front panel. A plurality of first vanes, spaced from and parallel to each other, are perpendicular to and in contact with the back panel and a plurality of second vanes, spaced from and parallel to each other, are perpendicular to and in contact with the front panel. The first and second vanes are transverse to each other and provide mutual support for each other. Electroding to control operation of the device is formed directly on the vanes.

Growing community of inventors

Princeton, NJ, United States of America

Jan Aleksander Rajchman