US1972444A - Picture transmission and reception system - Google Patents

Description

C. W. HOUGH PICTURE TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION SYSTEM Sept. 4, 1934.

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ATTORNEY S Evx 5 3 td fi u 335 n w M N\ d NII a? M MFHI P lg Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PICTURE TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION SYSTEM Original application June 12, 1928, Serial No.

284,768. Divided and this application September 7, 1929, Serial No. 391,039

4 Claims. (Cl. 178-695) My invention relates to systems for the transmission and reception of a plurality of individual pictures and more particularly to systems wherein such pictures comprise the individual pictures of a motion picture film.

An object of my invention is to provide a synchronizing system employed in systems for the transmission and reception of motion pictures.

Another object of my invention is to provide a system for the transmission and reception of motion pictures where synchronization of the transmitter and receiver is maintained.

A'further object of my invention is to provide a synchronizing system for motion picture transmitters, and receivers whereby the synchronization is automatically maintained.

A better understanding of my invention can be had from the specification following and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates the apparatus I employ in the transmission of motion pictures; Fig. 2 illustrates the'scanning wheel I employ in the apparatus of my invention; Fig. 3 shows further details of the scanning wheel or band and illustrates the perforations for interrupting or scanning; Fig. 4 shows further details of the perforations in the scanning wheel or band; Fig. 5 illustrates the relative spacing of the perforations in the scanning wheel or band; Fig. 6 illustrates the synchronizing method and the system I employ for the reception of motion pictures; and Figs; 7 and 8 are diagrammatic illustrations of my system for the transmission and reception of motion pictures, by space radio and wired radio systems respectively.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings the transmission apparatus is mounted on a base 1. Base 1 has an upstanding member 36 upon which are mounted film reels 5 and 6. A case 14 for the motor 2 together with reflector 8, projection lamp 9, and condensing lens 10, is mounted on the-common base 1. A base 3 supporting motor 2, reflector 8, projection lamp 9 and condensing lens I is mounted on case 14. An upstanding member 38 supports driving mechanism for reels and 6, and film 46. The driving'mechanism includes motor 2, chain or belt 15, pulleys and sprockets 4 and 7 and Geneva star or cam movements 16. Upstanding member 36 supports in addition to the driving mechanism for film 46, focusing lens 11 and light sensitive cell 12 enclosed by cover 51. An opening 1'! is provided through the case 14 and is of similar dimensions to one picture frame of film 46.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings, the scanner wheel 22 has an upstanding rim 23 which is perforated to interrupt the rays of light. Scanner wheel 22 is made rigid by ribs 21 pressed therein. A hub 30 has a key whereby the exact position of scanner wheel can be determined in respect to the lens and other equipment, thus enabling synchronization of both transmission and reception equipment.

- This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 284,768, filed June 12, 1928, certain descriptions of the system in its entirety being more completely set forth therein.

Fig. 3 shows the scanner wheel 22 and scanner band 23 with perforations 2'7, the perforations being arranged in a width 25 on the band 23 corresponding to the width of the film frame. A hub and hole 29 indicate 'the mounting of the scanner wheel 22 on the shaft of the motor 2 illustrated in Fig. 1. Numeral 28 represents the circular degree of perforations while 26 represents that portion of the band 23 which is opaque or not perforated.

Figs. 4 and 5 show the scanner band 23 of scanner wheel 22 in greater detail. The reference characters here are the same as those of Fig. 3 wherein, 23 represents the scanner band in its entirety, 25 represents the width of the area 28 which is perforated. The perforations 27 are spaced along a. diagonal line and spaced the height of the film frame. The portion 26 is opaque and not perforated and constitutes 25% of the circular measure of the scanner band 23. The scanner band 23 is a development of scanner wheel 22 although it might be otherwise constructed of suitable material and secured to the scanning wheel by rivets or machine screws.

Fig. 6 shows the receiving apparatus and includes a base 1 similar to the base 1 of the transmitter illustrated in Fig. 1. A case 14 is mounted on base 1 and supports the sub-base 3 upon which are mounted motor 2, reflector 8, high frequency are light or glow discharge tube 40 and condensing lens 10. An upstanding member mounted on base 3 supports an adjustable shaft 41 for adjusting the apparatus in synchronism with ,the transmitting apparatus. Shaft 41 has a knob or dial 42- for synchronization adjustment. Scanner wheel 22 is mounted on the shaft of motor 2 and movable therewith. 105 Inclosure case 14 also provides a support for focusing lens 11 and color filter 44. Color filter 44 is mechanically connected with the shaft of motor 2 by shaft 43 and is adjusted for synchronization with scanning wheel 22. Color filter ll Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of my system for transmission and reception of motion pictures by space radio, reference-numbers corresponding to those in the preceding Figs. 1 and 6. Variations of current are amplified and modulate the output of the space radio transmitter.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of my system ,for the transmission and reception of motion pictures by wired-radio, reference numbers corresponding to those in Figs. 1 and 6. Variations of current are amplified and caused to modulate the output energy of a wired radio transmitter. The wired radio transmitter is connected electrically with the receiver.

The standard speed of projection is at the rate of sixteen frames per second. The opaque section 26 of scanning band 23 cuts oil the projecting light during the downward movement of the film. The film is then held stationary and the perforated section 25 of the scanning band 23 allows the light to be projected through the picture and on the light sensitive cell 12. The opaque portion 26 of the scanning band 23 shuts off the light and the film is again moved down one frame and the cycle repeated. At the rate of sixteen projections per second, the time required for a complete cycle is 4/64 second. Of this, roughly 1/ 64 second is devoted to the movement of the film and during this interval the light sensitive cell 12 is dark. 3/64 second is devoted to the projection. This means that each individual frame" of the motion picture film 46 must be scanned, transmitted, received and reproduced in 3/64 second. The synchronizing system employed is operated during the 1/64 second interval when no picture is being trans- -mitted. The method of synchronizing employed with my system for transmission and reception is shown. Scanning wheel 22 is shown with scan-, ning band 23. The opaque portion 26 of scanning band 23 is illustrated as constituting a 90 are or A the circumference of scanning band 23. Synchronizing magnet 31 is mounted on scanning wheel 22. Synchronizing coil system 32 is stationary and may be mounted on the scanning wheel case 14. The scanning wheel 22 rotates in synchronism with the transmitter scanning wheel and therefore the beam of light 75 of electric current supply of 60 cycles, synchronisni lows;

occupies the same relative position on the receiving screen at each instant. The projection lens mounting 11 is movable in and out so that the images may be focused properly on a receiving screen of varying dimensions. A rotating color filter 44 is shown revolving in front of the projector lens system. This is operated bysuitable mechanical connection 43 to the driving motor 2. There are two color screens in this element. The screens are made of two compensated complementarycolors which give the effect to the eye of natural colors. This two part screen rotates at one-half the speed of the standard scanning wheel.22, showing alternate pictures through the different colored portions of the screen. The filter 44 may be located anywhere in the light path but it is convenient to place it where it may be removed if monochrome pictures are preferred or if at any time ordinary instead of colored motion pictures are being sent out by the transmitter.

The manner in which synchronism of the transmitter and receivers is obtained when the receivers and transmitter'operate on the same system I 44 intercepts light rays projected on the screen inherent in the 60 cycle supply can usually be depended upon. This is largely true in stations that are interconnected in super power systems. Ordinary 60 cycle synchronous motors may be used and the scanning wheel adjusted arounezas axis, until the picture becomes sharp and theri fixed in this position. For space radio and where the 60 cycle motors do not operate on the same system another method must be used to periodically correct any tendency to get out of step. The system of my invention employs a synchronizing impulse in the form of modulated high frequency energy during the period that the picture frame is being moved, the opaque section of the scanning member shutting off the light beam and no impulses caused by variations of light being transmitted.

In the transmitter, as shown in Fig. 1 of the past the stationary core 53 there is generated-an:

electrical impulse in the winding of stationary coil 33. This generated impulse iszamplifiedand caused to modulate the carrier energy of transmitter. 7

The impulse is received and amplified and caused to energize a similar arrangement at the receiver. The receiver is shown-in detail.in.:.Fig. 5. The energization of the coil 33 in the receivein will act of a similar electromagnet or permanent magnet 31 on the scanning wheel :22 ofitherea' ceiver and retard or advance the'scanning; wheel-i Thus a synchronizing impulse will be eirert'ed during each revolution of scanning wheel.23 dun: ing the interval when no picture is being. trans-i mitted. Sound could also be recorded on-the motion picture film to be transmitted'and at-the. rcceiving station the pictures in natural: colors could be reproduced accompanied by the-reproeduced sound.

It is obvious that the picture transmission was tem of my invention presents many advantages over systems employed heretofore. It is. essen's tial to my invention that the transmissionof the impulse for synchronizing the receiver'scannina' member with that of the transmitter muststm place during the time that each picture framez-is;

moved to or from transmitting .position. Omdia.

- narily this interval of time-contributes nothingtto the transmission or reception of the image.

From the accompanying drawings and the ores going specification it is pointed :out that the synchronization force is generated'ande received during the interval between the exposureof the successive picture frames of the .motionapicture film. In this mannerI provide .a synchronizingor correcting means for each picture frame. ofthe motion picture film. f

It is obvious that many systems. for the trans mission and reception of motion pictures-may be employed without departing fromihespirit ot my invention, and I do not intend: to limit. invention to the foregoing specification or toithe accompany drawings but only by the restriotions imposed by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secuire bii Letters Patent of the United States is asioi- 1. In a system for the transmission and renizing the movement of said shutter with the ception of motion pictures the combination of a motion picture film, means for producing current variations corresponding to light and dark areas of said motion picture film, means for producing light variations from said current variations corresponding to said light and dark areas, means for preventing the transmission and reception of said current variations when the individual pictures of said motion picture film are being moved to and from the position for transmitting, means for producing an electrical impulse when no picture is being transmitted and means for receiving said electrical impulse whereby said transmitting means and said receiving means are synchronized during the period between the transmission of successive pictures.

2. In a system for the transmission and reception of pictures, a motion picture film, a rotary shutter having a plurality oi perforations for directing a plurality of beams of light over the respective light and dark areas of said film, means for producing variations 01' current corresponding to said light and dark areas, means for obstructing said current variations when said film is in motion, means for synchronizing the movement of said film with the rotary movement of said shutter, means for producing lightvariations from said current variations, means for directing said light variations on respective portions of a visible screen, means for producing electrical impulses during the time that said film is in motion and means for synchronizing said transmission and reception means by said electrical impulses.

3. In a picture transmission and receiving system the combination of a picture film, a revolving shutter having perforations for directing beams of light onto and through light and dark areas of said film and actuating a light sensitive cell, said shutter having an opaque section for obstructing saidbeam of light, means for synchrochanging oi' successive pictures 01' said film whereby said light sensitive cell is not actuated when said pictures are being changed, means including a channel for transmitting impulses initiated by said light sensitivecell, motor driven receiving apparatus arranged to respond to said impulses and to reconstruct the light and dark areas of said film in view of an observer, and an impulse initiating device operable under the control of said revolvingshutter for transmitting periodically to said receiving apparatus an impulse whereby the motor of said receiving apparatus may be synchronized with said revolving shutter.

4. In a system for the transmission and reception 01' motion pictures by electrical systems, a motion picture film, means for transmitting said picturescomprising means for intermittentlymoving said motion picture film, means for successively scanning elemental portions or each successive picture on said film with beams of light, light sensitive means to produce variations of current corresponding to light and dark areas of said pictures, means for obstructing said beams of light duringthe time interval that said pic- 3 tures 'are being moved to or from the immediate transmitting position; means for synchronizing the intermittent movement of said film and said scanning means, means for generating an electrical impulse during the time interval that said pictures are in motion; amplifying, modulating and generating means associated with said light sensitive means and .said electrical impulse, generating means; and receiving apparatus comprising means responsive to variations of current for reconstructing the light and dark areas of said pictures and further means responsive to said electrical impulses ior synchronizing said receiving apparatus with said transmitting means.

I CLINTON W. HOUGH.

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