VIDEO SIGNATURE DECODER AND COMPARATOR AND METHOD

• US 3,889,056 A
• Filed: 07/10/1972
• Issued: 06/10/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Opticode, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David L. Dobbins, George L. Mayer Jr
• Inventors: Mayer, George L. Jr., Dobbins, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US05/270,053
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 178/DIG.1,DIG.3,DIG.6,DIG.23,7.9,7.91,5.1 350/167 356/162,163,165,166,168,71,72,73 250/557 355/91
• US Class Current: 380/54
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/243 visually, e.g. by comparing in a viewer the written signature with a reference on the pass
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1004 using two-dimensional electrical scanning, e.g. cathode-ray tubes using two-dimensional arrays H04N1/195

Abstract

Apparatus and method for decoding recorded encoded data for viewing and visual comparison with other matter on a television screen. The method comprises utilizing a multiple-array lens, otherwise known as a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'fly'"'"''"'"'s eye'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' lens for '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'unscrambling'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' data that has been encoded, or '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'scrambled,'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' by a similar lens and recorded on a document (a signature on a bank check, for example). In instances where the encoded data has been recorded on a reduced scale, magnifying means is included to enlarge the encoded data to its original size during the decoding thereof.

Claims

1. The method of decoding encoded, recorded data comprising an array of discrete images obtained by the use of a fly'"'"''"'"'s eye lens for comparison with other data, comprising the steps of:

decoding the encoded data and producing an image thereof by positioning a similar fly'"'"''"'"'s lens in confronting relation to the encoded data;

simultaneously scanning, with television camera means, said decoded image and the data to be compared therewith; and

transmitting the video signals from said camera means to a television set to visually present a picture of the decoded image and the matter to be compared therewith on the screen of said television set.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, including the steps of:

providing illumination for the camera means;

continuously operating the camera means while illuminated; and

interrupting the operation of the camera means upon failure of the illumination.

3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the encoded data is that of a handwritten signature, and the matter to be compared therewith is a handwritten signature, includng the step of:

making a comparison of the images of the two signatures.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the encoded data comprises a printed record of an array of discrete images and wherein the image scanned by the camera means is the decoded image appearing on the side of the fly'"'"''"'"'s eye lens remote from the encoded data.

5. The method as defined in claim 4, including the step of:

interposing a magniFying lens between the fly'"'"''"'"'s eye lens and the lens of the camera means.

6. The method as defined in claim 4, including the step of:

enlarging the image on the fly'"'"''"'"'s eye lens to approximately the same size as that of the original uncoded data at the time of encoding, and wherein the image scanned by the camera means is the enlarged image.

7. The method defined in claim 4, including the step of:

holding the encoded data and the data to be compared therewith in fixed position relative to the fly'"'"''"'"'s eye lens and the camera means.

8. The method as defined in claim 4, wherein the encoded data and the data to be compared therewith are on the same document;

and applying suction to one side of the document to hold it in place with respect to the fly'"'"''"'"'s eye lens and the camera means.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the camera means comprises two cameras, one to scan the decoded data and the other to scan the material to be compared therewith, and including the steps of:

mixing the video signals from the two cameras; and

transmitting the composite video signal to the video input of the television set for simultaneous viewing of images of the camera outputs on the screen of said television set.

10. The method as defined in claim 9, including the step of:

shifting one image relative to the other to faciliate comparison.

11. The method as defined in claim 10, including the step of:

superimposing one image in overlying relation on the other on the television screen.

12. The method defined in claim 1, including the step of:

simultaneously transmitting the same video signals of the camera means to the video input of a remotely located television set.

13. The method defined in claim 12, including the step of:

sending a signal to the area of the remotely located television set to call attention to the images being transmitted to the screen of said remotely located television set.

14. The method defined in claim 13, including the step of:

sending a signal from the area of the remote television set to the area of original image transmission to indicate identity or non-identity of the images being transmitted.

15. Video apparatus for decoding recorded encoded data for visual comparison with non-encoded data, comprising:

television camera means;

means for holding the encoded data and non-encoded data for simultaneous scanning by said camera means, said encoded data comprising an array of discrete images;

decoding means between said encoded data and camera means for presenting an image of the decoded data to said camera means;

a television set having a viewing screen; and

means connected to transmit the video signals of said decoded data and said non-encoded data from said camera means to the video input of said television set for presenting the matter scanned by said camera means for viewing on the television screen.

16. Video apparatus as defined in claim 15, including magnifying means disposed between the decoding means and the television camera means for enlarging the decoded data to approximately its initial size.

17. Video apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the means for decoding the encoded data is a lens similar to that employed in encoding said data.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 15, in which the decoding means is a fly'"'"''"'"'s eye lens having a plain side and a side provided with lenslets, and having its lenslet side disposed closest to the encoded data, and having its plain side confronting the television camera means.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 15, including a cabinet;

a partition in said cabinet; and

means adjustably mounting the television camera means on said partition.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 15, including at least one additional television set at a remote point;

and means connected to transmit the video signals from said television camera means to said remote television set.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20, including signal means arranged between the areas of the two television sets for sending signals back and forth between said areas.

22. Video apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the camera means includes two television cameras, one of said cameras being positioned to scan the decoded data and the other positioned to scan the data to be compared therewith;

a video mixer;

means connected to transmit the video signals from the two cameras to the video mixer; and

means connected to transmit a composite video signal from the mixer to the television set for simultaneous presentation of images on the viewing screen of the matter scanned by the two television cameras.

23. Video apparatus as defined in claim 22, including means for horizontally and vertically shifting one of the images on the television screen relative to the other.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 22, including a cabinet contaiing a partition, and wherein the two television cameras are adjustably mounted on the partition one above the other.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 24, in which the lower portion of the lens of the upper camera is obstructed and in which the upper portion of the lens of the lower camera is obstructed to limit the areas scanned by the television cameras to the decoded data and the matter to be compared therewith.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the decoding means is a lens comprising an element of a decoding unit, and wherein the lens is arranged to confront encoded matter on a document, said lens having the lenslet side thereof spaced one focal length away from said document and its plain side disposed in confronting relation to the television camera means.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, in which decoding unit comprises a base;

a block slidably mounted upon said base, said decoding lens being supported by said block; and

means connectd with that block for adjusting said decoding lens toward and away from the document containing the encoded material.

28. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, in which the decoding unit includes a strip pivotally mounted upon the block, and wherein the decoding lens is mounted upon said strip;

and adjusting means carried by said strip for adjusting the same relative to said block for positioning the decoding lens in parallel relation to the document containing the encoded data for sharp focusing.

29. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein the decoding unit comprises a strip having the decoding lens mounted thereon and also having a magnifying lens mounted adjacent to the decoding lens for enlarging the image of the decoded data appearing upon the side of the decoding lens adjacent to said magnifying lens.

30. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein the decoding unit comprises a movable block having the decoding lens mounted thereon;

and means for adjusting the decoding lens both horizontally and vertically relative to the encoded data appearing on the document.

31. Apparatus as defined in claim 30, including means for moving the decoding lens and magnifying lens toward and away from the document containing the encoded data.

32. Apparatus as defined in claim 31, including a light source positioned to illuminate the television camera means, the encoded data, and the data to be compared therewith while being scanned by said television camera means.

33. Apparatus as defined in claim 32, in which the light source comprises lamps positioned above the decoding unit and above the television camera means.

34. Apparatus as defined in clam 32, including an electric eye responsive to the light source, said electric eye being arranged to control current to the television camera means so that with light present the camera means is rendered operative, and in the absence of light the camera means is rendered inoperative.

35. Apparatus as defined in claim 31, including a cabinet having a slot in one wall thereof to receive a document containing encoded data;

means within the cabinet adjacent to said slot comprising two plates spaced apart to receive thE document therebetween, and an electrical eye carried by one of said plates and connected in circuit with said television set for activating said set upon the insertion of said document in the space between said plates.

36. Apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein one of the plates between which the document is received has a plurality of openings formed therein;

a closed housing mounted upon said one plate and overlying said openings;

a suction pump having an intake; and

a conduit connecting said housing with the intake of such suction pump for holding said document against said one plate.

37. Apparatus as defined in claim 36 wherein the cabinet includes a horizontal partition, and the suction pump is mounted upon said horizontal partition.

38. The method of decoding encoded, recorded matter comprising an array of discrete images obtained by the use of a fly'"'"''"'"'s eye lens, comprising the steps of:

decoding the encoded matter and producing an image thereof by positioning a similar fly'"'"''"'"'s eye lens in confrontng relation to the encoded matter;

scanning the image of the decoded matter with television camera means; and

transmitting the video signals from said television camera means to a television set to visually present a picture of the decoded image on the screen of the television set.

39. The method defined in claim 38, including the step of:

simultaneously transmitting the same video signals of the television camera means to the video input of at least one other television set that is remotely located relative to the first-mentioned television set.

40. Video apparatus for decoding recorded, encoded matter, comprising:

television camera means;

means for holding the encoded matter for scanning by said television camera means, said encoded matter comprising an array of discrete images;

decoding means between said encoded matter and said television camera means for presenting an image of the decoded matter to said television camera means;

a television set having a viewing screen; and

means connected to transmit the video signals of said decoded matter from said television camera means to the video input of said television set for presenting the decoded matter scanned by the television camera means for viewing on the television screen.

41. Apparatus as defined in claim 40, including at least one additional television set located at a remote point;

and means connected to transmit the video signals from said television camera means to said remote television set.