PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING IMAGE ELEMENTS TO ELECTRIC IMPULSES

• US 3,719,777 A
• Filed: 04/19/1971
• Issued: 03/06/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fernando Von Reichenbach
• Original Assignee: Fernando Von Reichenbach
• Inventors: von Reichenbach, Fernando
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US05/135,006
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 178/DIG.1,DIG.4,DIG.22,DIG.36 235/61.6A,61.6B
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/03 using pick-up means for reading recorded waves, e.g. on rotating discs drums, tapes or wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 84/06 Cathode-ray tube

Abstract

Process and apparatus by which numerical values or image elements represented in graph form on paper or other similar material are converted into electric impulses. In a preliminary stage, the graphic numerical values can be successively analyzed and modified, readjusting them to the requirements of the case, in relation to the electric impulses they generate. The graphic numerical values are converted into variable electrical voltages in order to program processes controlled by voltage or intensity, but they can also be utilized in the programming of processes controlled by pulses of variable duration or by counting the pulses.

Claims

1. A process for converting multi-channel analog graphs into DC voltages, and also for translating analog drawn scores into electronically generated sound, by the aid of an integrated system, a closed TV circuit, and an electronic music synthesizer operated by voltage control, the process comprising the steps of providing a TV camera and a TV monitor, and rotating the same about 90*, placing a graph, containing at least one variable in at least one curve, before said camera, so that the horizontal deflection of the latter crosses said graph from its bottom to its top, converting said variables into video signals in said camera, so that said signals contain one pulse for each intersection with said graph, including differentiating, gating and subsequently shaping and then counting said pulses, and producing from successive pulses, that represent successive intersections on said graph, output pulses directly proportional to the distance of said variables on said graph, rectifying and integrating said output pulses into DC voltages proportional to each magnitude for a desired coincidence point of different curves on said graph, selecting thus at least one adjacent line, and selecting said lines in each frame, optionally positioning said lines along said frames, by controlling the pulse width of a variable multivibrator, said pulse width determining what position said lines will have on said monitor, directly converting said video signals into electric control signals, including adjusting a low-frequency saw-tooth generator so as to scan slowly at least a part of the whole image field, determining which line one after the other is being selected, sYnchronizing horizontal and vertical pulses, determining that only said one line is selected at a given time for each frame, displaying said lines on said monitor, superimposing said lines onto an image which shows the outlines of said graph, visually following the entire process of taking voltages from said variables of the curves in real time, aurally following said output pulses, and making corrections in said variables until the desired effect is obtained.