MECHANICAL OPTICAL SCANNER

• US 3,734,605 A
• Filed: 07/21/1971
• Issued: 05/22/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George J. Yevick
• Original Assignee: George J. Yevick
• Inventors: Yevick, George J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prince, Louis R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Application Number:
  US05/164,744
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 353/30,98,121,122 178/7.6 355/8,47,51,64,65,50,44,45 356/24
• US Class Current: 353/30
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/11 for microfilm reading

Abstract

A magnifying and reading device for microfiche films. The required magnification is achieved by breaking up the object into a series of narrow segments and sequentially projecting them onto a viewing screen by a rocking mirror.

Claims

1. An optical magnifying system for projecting an image of an object onto a screen including:

A. A source of illumination for illuminating said object, B. A projecting lens, C. Scanning mean for sequentially transmitting light from adjacent scanned segments of said object to said projecting lens, the projecting lens in turn forming an image of each of the scanned segments, D. Movable reflector means positioned to intercept and reflect the imaging light to the screen so that the image of each of the scanned segments is projected onto the screen, the reflector means being movable to reflect the projected images of each of the scanned segments to different areas of the sCreen, E. Means for coupling the scanning means and the movable reflector means such that adjacent segments of the object will be projected to adjacent areas on the screen so that the system projects an image of the entire scanned object onto the screen as the object is scanned. 2. The system of claim 1 including, a. a plurality of mirrors positioned in the optical path between said lens and said movable reflector means and intercepting the light from the illumination source, b. said mirrors reflecting the light from said lens in a back and forth, serpentine, accordion, manner.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the optical axis of said lens is generally parallel to the plane of said viewing screen, and wherein the reflecting surfaces of said plurality of mirrors are substantially perpendicular to said viewing screen.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said (c) means is defined by a pair of plane, oscillating reflecting elements spaced from each other and between which a film is adapted to be placed, one of said pair receiving light directly from said source of illumination, and the other of said pair transmitting light to said projection lens.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said (c) means is defined by a pair of rotatable, polygonal, flat sided reflecting elements spaced from each other, a fixed support mirror, and a partially-transmitting, partially-reflecting mirror first receiving light from said source, the transmitted light from said source then striking, in sequence, said pair of rotatable reflecting elements, thence said fixed support mirror, and back for reflection to said projecting lens from said partially-reflecting mirror.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said (c) means is defined by a pair of oscillating or rotatable, square in cross-section, refracting elements spaced from each other and between which a film is adapted to be placed, one of said pair receiving light directly from said source of illumination, and the other of said pair transmitting light to said lens.