Method to image transparent media utilizing integrated scanning

An electro-optical technique for the efficient scanning of many different forms of transparent media. The method utilizes synchronous closed loop scanning (integrated scanning). The subject is illuminated with a predetermined light source level. The source is directed by a scanner to the transparent media. The illumination is then electro-optically processed and immediately fed back through the same scanner to the subject media. The resulting feedback creates an image signal that actively illuminates the media, providing only as much light as is required to detect the image. The signal thus created can be used to create a very high resolution reproduction of the subject image. The image can be reproduced immediately for viewing and transmission or stored as a video record. In addition, the image can be manipulated or integrated with other images for analysis, measurement, or presentation purposes. Embodiments of the present invention include film negative and fiche scanners, microscopes, transparency scanners, and computer accessories.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is related to the field of transparent media imaging 
devices, and more specifically, is a method to image transparent media 
utilizing integrated scanning. This invention relates to applicant's 
pending application for an Integrated Scanning Imaging System, Ser. No. 
169,791, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed toward transparent media imaging devices 
utilizing an integrated scanning imaging system, i.e., a system by which 
an object is simultaneously imaged and reproduced by the system. 
Scanning systems have the function of imaging objects or reproducing images 
of the objects on a medium. "Scanning" refers to the typical 
point-by-point method by which an object is imaged and/or an image 
reproduced. A common example of a scanning system which is used to 
reproduce images is television. A television set uses a raster scan 
technique for creating images on the screen of a cathode ray tube. 
In general, the organization of a scanning imaging system has a radiation 
source element which directs radiation toward the subject object, a 
detector element which receives the radiation reflected by the object and 
converts the radiation into electrical signals, an element for processing 
the electrical signals, and an imaging element for converting the 
processed signals into a reproduced image of the object. 
The use of the unique integrated scanning system disclosed in the 
inventor's pending application, an Integrated Scanning Imaging System, 
Ser. No. 169,791, allows many imaging devices currently in use to be 
vastly improved upon. 
Imaging systems currently in use require specialized hardware. If the 
system needs a high degree of resolution, precision optical 
hardware--lenses, fiber optics or the like--is required. Even low 
resolution systems require a good deal of space to accommodate the 
necessary hardware. 
Accordingly, problems inherent in current art imaging systems are that the 
devices are bulky, require precision hardware, and are costly to 
manufacture. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the present invention provides for transparent media imaging 
devices utilizing an integrated scanning imaging system. The present 
invention uses real time feedback to create a high resolution reproduction 
of the image. Because the scanning and display of the image can be 
performed without storage of the signal in memory, a great savings in 
operation time is realized. Further, since the feedback controls the 
resolution instead of being dependent the pixel geometry of an imaging 
array (picture elements), the present invention can be used to create near 
studio quality video at a very low cost. 
The savings in operation time is of paramount importance to the embodiments 
disclosed herein. If digital video methods were used, e.g. storing the 
image in a computer for transmitted display, the response time would 
simply be too slow. A computer based system would have to operate at on 
the order of 10,000 mHz to perform the function of the present invention. 
The present invention scans 60 screens per second with a screen composed 
of a 748.times.480 dot raster, requiring the scanning of 21,542,400 
dots/sec. Each dot is exposed to four sensors--red, green, blue, and 
luminance--with 256 levels of grey scale possible. Thus, 
21,542,400.times.4.times.256 =22,059,417,000 operations per second.) 
Therefore, a simultaneous image display with high resolution would not be 
economically feasible without the integrated scanning of the present 
invention. 
The present invention has a scanning CRT which emits light through a 
transparency. The emitted light is sensed and processed into a standard 
NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) video signal which is fed 
back to the scanning CRT. The feedback allows the scanning CRT to adjust 
the amount of light emitted so that light areas of the image are not 
saturated with light and washed out, and dark areas are exposed to enough 
light so that they can be clearly reproduced. This creates a very sharply 
defined image which can be sent to a display CRT or processed in various 
ways. 
Embodiments of the present invention are many. The first embodiment 
described below is for a transparency scanner. This device can be combined 
with a video effects generator to provide a home video production unit. 
The present invention can also be embodied as an x-ray viewer, a microfiche 
reader, an overhead projector, a microscope, a home video game or 
information storage unit, an eyeblink triggered pointing device, and a 
computer interface. 
The scanning system of the present invention allows fairly complex optical 
devices to be manufactured for a fraction of their current cost, yet the 
devices utilizing the present invention retain equal, and in most cases 
superior, performance. 
These and other objects and advantages will become apparent to those 
skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known 
mode of carrying out the invention and the industrial applicability of the 
preferred embodiments as described herein and as illustrated in the 
drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a transparency scanning 
system 10 utilizing an integrated scanning circuit 12 as shown in FIG. 1. 
The circuit 12 drives a monochrome scanning CRT 14 and displays the 
subject image 16 on a display CRT 18. The display CRT 18 will generally be 
a color CRT, although a monochrome CRT could certainly be used if desired. 
The process is initiated by a white level circuit 20 generating a reference 
signal. The white level reference signal passes through a mixer 22 to the 
gun of the scanning CRT 14. The beam of the gun of the scanning CRT 14 is 
controlled by the scanning circuit 12 and the CRT 14 coils. 
The scanning CRT 14 emits white light which passes through a transparent 
medium 24 containing the subject image 16, in this case a star. The 
properties of the light are changed depending upon the color and density 
of the region of the image 16 through which the light passes. 
The light, now having characteristics established by its passing through 
the transparency 24, enters an inlet pupil 26 of an integrating sphere 28. 
The purpose of the integrating sphere 28, well known to those skilled in 
the art, is to uniformly disperse the light so that it is homogeneous 
throughout the sphere 28. This means that a first detector placed anywhere 
on the sphere 28 would detect light identical to that detected by a second 
detector placed at any other site on the sphere 28. This uniform dispersal 
is essential so that all detectors "see" the same image. This makes 
possible a true replication of the subject image 16. 
The integrating sphere 28 is necessary only if multiple detectors are being 
used, i.e. when a color display is desired. If a monochrome display is 
desired, only a single detector is required, and it can be placed directly 
in line with the light emitted from the scanning CRT 14. 
To obtain a color display of the subject image 16, four detectors 30 are 
placed in outlet pupils 32 in the integrating sphere 28. A first detector 
34 analyzes the light in the sphere 28 after it is passed through a red 
filter. Similarly, a second detector 36 analyzes the light after it is 
passed through a green filter, and a third detector 38 analyzes the light 
after it is passed through a blue filter. A fourth detector 40 analyzes 
the light directly for luminance only, i.e. a black and white image. 
The signals from the detectors 30 are transmitted to an NTSC video circuit 
40 internal to the scanning CRT 14. The function of the NTSC video circuit 
40 is well known to those skilled in the art. Its output includes both a 
standard black and white signal as well as a red/green/blue signal for 
color monitors. 
The black and white portion of the NTSC video feed (the luminance) is then 
fed to the mixer 22 which controls the signal delivered to the gun of the 
scanning CRT 14. Thus, a feedback loop to the gun of the scanning CRT 14 
is established. 
Three things result from the feedback received by the mixer 22 from the 
luminance signal: (1) The signal to the gun of the scanning CRT 14 may be 
strengthened or weakened depending on the density of the image 16 on the 
medium 24. (2) A crisply defined display of the image 16 will appear on 
the face of the scanning CRT 14. (3) Density information from the image 16 
is preserved because, due to the strengthening or weakening of the signal 
dependant on the density of the image 16, the medium 24 is not saturated 
by the light from the scanning CRT 14. 
The sharp definition of the edges of a displayed image 44 is due to the 
constant feedback actively turning the intensity of the scanning CRT 14 up 
or down to exactly reflect the amount of light passed through the medium 
24. 
The use of the feedback loop has the further effect of allowing non-contact 
scanning of the subject image 16. So long as the transparent medium 24 is 
within the range of the scanning CRT 14 (approximately 1/8 inch), the 
device 10 will function properly. Thus, the need for any precision 
calibration of the components of the system is eliminated. This results in 
a huge savings in cost, as well as providing greater ease of operation. 
(The circuitry of the primary scanning loop is described in detail below.) 
A second scanning function, synchronous with the first, provides a 
separate, high quality display of the image 16 on the display CRT 18. The 
display scanning loop is created by feeding the NTSC video output to the 
display CRT 18. The second loop also includes the same scanning circuit 12 
that controls the scanning CRT 14. Thus, synchronization of the two 
functions, scanning and display, is controlled by the same synchronization 
and scanning circuit 12. 
The circuitry required for the imaging feedback loop described above is 
shown in detail in FIG. 2. The device is powered by batteries 45. The 
pre-amp portion 46 of the circuit is a common video speed op-amp. The 
signals received from the detectors 30 are differentially sampled, 
decoupled, and amplified. The op-amp 46 has both positive and negative 
outputs, for true or inverted video signals (at point A). Thus the user, 
by selecting the proper output, can convert a negative to a positive 
image, positive to negative, or leave the type of image unchanged. 
The signal then passes through decoupling means 48, bias balancing means 
50, and an amplifier 52. The amplifier 52 also corrects some of the 
non-linearity of the circuit. The signal then enters the mixer 22 portion 
of the circuit where the sync pulse and the black level information is 
added. The sync pulse and black level information is provided by a timing 
generator chip 54, a standard video item. The chip 54 generates all of the 
horizontal and vertical sync information required to properly display an 
image. The black level information is necessary to ensure that the grey 
scale is reproduced accurately. The default white level of the CRT 14 is 
controlled internally in the NTSC video circuit 40. 
The output of the mixer 22 portion of the circuit is standard NTSC black 
and white composite video, and is fed directly to the NTSC video circuit 
42 of the scanning CRT 14 to complete the feedback loop. 
The function of the circuit as described above is to improve the resolution 
of the image displayed. Without the real time feedback, the displayed 
image would be of very poor quality. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 display waveforms of the signal at indicated points in the 
circuit. Waveform A (FIG. 3) is the pre-amplified output of the scanning 
CRT 14 when no image 16 is being scanned, i.e. the signal for a blank 
white display. Waveform B (FIG. 4) is the signal when an image has been 
scanned, each vertical pulse being a raster line of the image. The dead 
band (blank area in the waveform) is the segment of the signal where the 
sync pulse and the clamp (also establishing the black level) are added. 
Waveform C (FIG. 3) is the inverted sync pulse. Waveform D (FIG. 4) is the 
output of the scanning system. It is the image as scanned with the sync 
pulse and clamp added. 
In the embodiments described below, those elements common to embodiments 
described earlier will retain the same designating number, added to a 
multiple of one hundred. For example, the scanning CRT will be 14, 114, 
214, etc. throughout the descriptions of the various devices. 
Transparency Scanner 
One embodiment of the transparency scanning system 10 is the transparency 
scanner 160 shown in FIG. 5. It is envisioned that the scanner 160 will be 
used with photographic films. 
The scanner 160 has a size adjustment means 162 to allow the device to 
handle various sizes of transparent media. In this embodiment, the size 
adjustment means 162 is simply a spring loaded plate that is depressed 
when a transparency is inserted into a slot 164. The size adjustment means 
162 contacts a transparency sensor 166 which activates the scanner 160. 
Since the size adjustment 162 is spring loaded, the necessary contact will 
occur for various sizes of media, while still allowing the transparency to 
be properly aligned with the scanning CRT 114. 
The transparency is scanned by the scanning CRT 114. The light from the CRT 
114 is diffused in the integrating sphere 128 and a signal is then 
generated by the detectors 130. 
That signal is processed as described above. The processing circuitry is 
contained on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 170. The PCB 170 is equipped 
with an outlet jack 172 to provide a connection for the display CRT (not 
shown). 
The scanner 160 is also equipped with an effects controller connector 174. 
The effects controller is a device (described below), which allows the 
user to add various video effects to the subject image. 
The scanner 160 is further equipped with a positive/negative switch 176. 
The switch 176 is connected to the op-amp acting as a pre-amp for the 
video output. The op-amp (at point A in FIG. 2) has both positive and 
negative outputs, for true or inverted video signals. Thus the user, by 
selecting the proper output, can convert a negative to a positive image, 
positive to negative, or leave the type of image unchanged. 
Video Effects Generator 
FIGS. 6A and 6B show the components of the video effects generator 261. The 
video effects generator 261 is a device designed to be used in conjunction 
with the transparency scanner 160. The addition of the effects generator 
261 adds three additional functions to the scanner 160: (1) The ability to 
crop (zoom) and to move (fly) the cropped field to other portions of the 
display screen. (2) To modify the scan raster pattern to deliberately 
distort the image. (3) To mix video from any compatible source to create 
new images. 
The video effects generator 261 contains two major circuitry elements, the 
title keyer 262 and the crop/move/effects controller 264. The title keyer 
262 (FIG. 6A) has a standard video equipment configuration. An exterior 
video input signal passes through the sync strip circuit 266, where the 
exterior sync is removed. The stripped signal is sent directly to the 
scanning circuit of the display so that the exterior signal and the signal 
generated by the scanner 260 are synchronized. 
The stripped exterior video signal is processed through an adder 268 and a 
colorizer 270. These elements control the priority of signals, i.e. 
whether the exterior video signal will be dominant or recessive when mixed 
with the image being displayed by the scanner 160. (A dominant signal 
appears as superimposed over a recessive signal.) Finally, the keyer 272 
can be used to extract certain information from the exterior video signal. 
The resulting signal is then synchronously added to the signal generated 
by the scanner 160, and the combined images are displayed. The title keyer 
262 enables the user to combine two video signals, manipulate the color 
content of the picture, or eliminate certain intensities or colors from 
the picture completely. 
A diagram of the crop/move/effects controller 264 is shown in FIG. 6B. It 
can be used in conjunction with the title keyer 262 or separately. The 
function of the crop/move/effects controller 264 is essentially to control 
the size, position, and shape of the scan raster. 
A crop control 274 provides an x-axis scan size adjustment means 276 and a 
y-axis scan size adjustment means 278. The crop control 274 simply changes 
the size of the scanning raster. This allows a "zoom" effect to be 
created. The scanning raster size is reduced to scan the subject image, 
but is displayed at full size. 
A joystick 280 (which operates a potentiometer) is provided to enable the 
user to move the center point around which the scan field is centered. 
This causes the raster, whatever its size, to move about as controlled by 
the joystick 280. Thus, any portion of the subject image can be cropped 
and moved (flown) about the display. Some of the effects that can be 
created using the video effects generator 261 are illustrated in FIGS. 
7A-C and FIGS. 8A-B. Zoom and rotate can be accomplished mechanically by 
moving the coils of the CRT. This method could be suitable in low cost 
applications. 
A state selector 282 allows the user to utilize various Amperex Digital 
Optical type effects (ADO's). A state machine 284 makes the appropriate 
modification of the raster to achieve the desired effect. Analog/digital 
convertors 285 then convert the signal to analog form. Some of the 
available ADO's are: (1) Bowtie. The center of the image is reduced in 
size. (2) Pseudo-sphere. Display the image as if wrapped around a ball. 
(3) Keystone. Forces the image into the shape of a keystone. An example of 
the keystone effect is shown in FIG. 8C. (4) Corner peel. Creates the 
effect of the image being peeled off the screen. (5) Center burst. 
"Explodes" the image. 
FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of the video effects generator 261 
connected to the scanner 160. The joystick 280, the crop control 274, the 
state selector 282, and function selection switches 286 are readily 
accessible on the exterior of the device. The function selection switches 
286 activate the crop, move, effects, and video in functions. 
FIG. 9B shows the expected conformation of the scanner 160/video effects 
generator 261 in home use. An external video means 288, such as a 
camcorder, is connected serially with the scanner 160/video effects 
generator 261 combination. The scanner/effects combination joins the 
signal from the external video means 288 with the image from a transparent 
medium 224, performs any desired manipulation, and transmits the signal to 
be either recorded on a video tape 290 by a VCR 292 or directly displayed 
on a TV 294. 
With this configuration, many video manipulations are possible. The user 
can archive, to video tape, negatives (as negatives or as positive images) 
or slides. The negatives or slides can be viewed directly for presentation 
or review of the contents. Titles and text from transparencies can be 
combined with moving video as introductory or explanatory material 
Medical/Fiche Scanner 
Another embodiment of the present invention as a medical/fiche scanner 360 
is shown in perspective view in FIG. 10. The medical/fiche scanner 360 
utilizes the transparency scanning system 10 of the present invention in 
conjunction with the video effects generator 261 (with ADO's eliminated) 
to create a form particularly adapted to viewing microfiche. It is 
envisioned that this embodiment would be particularly useful in the 
medical field. 
The medical/fiche scanner 360 encloses a transparency scanning system 10 in 
a specialized external housing 362. A media storage area 364 is provided 
to the side of a display CRT 318. A pivoting media tray 366 moves the 
media 368 into position above a scanning CRT. 
Also visible on the housing 362 are a joystick 380 that controls the 
positioning of the center of the scan raster, a crop control 374 that 
controls the size of the raster, and a set of function selection switches 
386. It is envisioned that one of the functions available on the 
medical/fiche scanner 360 is preset levels of magnification (through 
preset crop levels). 
In this embodiment of a medical/fiche scanner 360, the CRT's used would be 
of higher resolution than normal. The CRT's would have 1200 line 
resolution with the ability to fly the raster pattern from one page or 
image to the next. 
It is also envisioned that the device could be adapted to provide input to 
a computer to allow further manipulation and/or analysis. 
Overhead Projector 
FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the present invention as an overhead 
projector 460. In this embodiment, a scanning CRT 414 would take the place 
of a current art overhead projector's fersenel illumination surface. An 
integrating sphere contained in an image pickup head 462 would replace the 
normal optic head. Operation of the projector 460 would be controlled by a 
set of controls 464. 
The image as scanned could be displayed on any number of TV monitors, 
making this embodiment particularly useful for educational applications. 
Microscope 
Another embodiment of the present invention is the microscope 560 shown in 
FIGS. 12 and 12A. A video effects generator is included so that the image 
may be manipulated with a crop control 574 (for zoom) and a joystick 580 
(for fly). Power to the unit is controlled by an on/off switch 561. 
A tiny scanning CRT 514 scans a microscope slide 562 positioned on a fixed 
stage 563. The stage 563 is equipped with depressions 565 to allow the 
slide 562 to be easily picked up. An integrating sphere 528 receives the 
light transmitted through the slide 562. The integrating sphere 528 is 
mounted on a rotating head 564. 
If the user wants to have the microscope function as a stereo microscope, 
he rotates the head 564 180.degree. so that a set of stereo detectors 566 
are brought into alignment with the scanning CRT 514. When the head 564 is 
rotated, an internal sensing switch (not shown) is activated to enable the 
appropriate set of circuitry, either for normal perspective or for stereo 
microscopy. 
Each of the detectors 566 contains a single black and white luminance 
detector. The resulting images are left and right perspective views of the 
specimen on the slide 562. The images are displayed on two separate 
screens and viewed through a stereo hood 568. 
Magnification is achieved by displaying the images on standard size display 
CRT's. Further magnification can be achieved by using the crop function of 
the microscope 560 to focus on a small section of the slide 562. Using 
this technique, magnification of 600x can be easily attained without 
degradation of the displayed image. 
An advantage of the microscope scanner 560, in addition to the elimination 
of the optical hardware, is that it can be simultaneously viewed by a 
group, making it an excellent teaching tool. 
A further advantage is that no focusing is required, thus eliminating the 
possibility of destroying the lens and/or specimen as is common with 
current art microscopes in which a mechanical stage is moved. In fact, 
since the microscope has the crop and fly capabilities to enable isolation 
of any portion of the slide 562 within the field of the scanning CRT 514, 
the need for a moveable stage is completely eliminated. 
The output of the microscope 560 can be stored on video tape or used as 
input to a computer via transmission means 567. The microscope 560 can 
also be used with various filters or polarizers. 
Home Video Game/Fiche Scanner 
An inexpensive video game/fiche scanner 660 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. 
The mechanical configuration of the device is similar to that of a 
head/disk assembly in a computer. Any known method of providing 
information to the scanner 660 will suffice. In this embodiment, the 
information is supplied via a removable film disk 662. 
The accessing of information stored on the film disk 662 is controlled by 
two motors, a first motor 664 that spins the film 662, and a scanner/servo 
motor 666 that, with a lead screw 668, controls the positioning of the 
scanning assembly 670. A computer board 672 controls the operation of the 
two motors 664 and 666. The computer board 672 derives the positioning 
information from a ROM (Read Only Memory) imbedded in the frame of the 
film 662. 
When the disk 662 is in the proper position, a scanning CRT 614 reflects 
light off a mirror 673 so that the light passes through the video disk 
662. The light is received by an integrating sphere 628 and processed in 
the manner of the present invention. 
FIG. 14 shows the external appearance of the video game/fiche scanner 660. 
The unit is supplied with two control inputs 674 to enable the user to 
select control by keyboard or joystick The scanner 660 also has a video 
input 676 and an audio input 678. It is equipped with an on/off switch 680 
and a reset button 682. 
The data stored on the film disk 662 can be either pictorial or verbiage. 
If the data is text, the device would be used as a fiche scanner, enabling 
the user to establish a home dictionary or other text sources. If the data 
is pictorial, it can be either simply storage of the user's pictures, or 
the background for video games. 
When the scanner 660 is being used in a game mode, the background video is 
supplied by the disk 662. Using the techniques for the video effects 
generator 261 previously disclosed in this application, the scanner 660 
can distort the picture, zoom, fly, or add graphics. Note too that the 
background provided could be actual terrain. For instance, there could be 
games involving specific countries or regions. Further, any particular 
area of interest could be filmed by the user. 
The computer 672 supplies the small areas of active graphics. This frees 
the scanner 660 to apply its capacities to the animation of "sprites" 
(e.g. cars, people, planes, etc.). The scanning circuitry would also 
detect collisions of the sprites with each other or with other objects and 
control the effects of these collisions. 
Video Game Interface 
Another embodiment of the present invention is a video game interface 760 
as shown in FIGS. 15A-B. The interface 760 includes a pair of glasses 762 
equipped with a miniaturized embodiment of the scanning system 10. A lens 
764 focuses the light received from the video game display 766. Before the 
light is sensed by a detector 740, all but a small portion of it is 
blocked by a screening aperture 770. 
The screening aperture 770 is in the shape of a desired marker, such as a 
cross or a circle. The shape, through the feedback process appears on the 
screen at the point where the user is directing his line of eyesight. The 
user can move the marker around the screen simply by moving his head. 
When the user has the marker positioned properly, an eyeblink switch 772 
(capable of detecting the passage of the eyelid in front of the eyeball) 
triggers the appropriate action depending on the game, e.g. firing a 
rocket, torpedo, or the like. An optional additional control 774 may be 
added if the game is complex enough so that all actions cannot be 
controlled by the movement of the user's head. 
Non-Contact Computer Mouse 
The present invention can also be embodied as a non-contact computer mouse 
860 as shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18. The mouse 860 is designed to be 
adaptable to an ordinary personal computer (PC). 
The scanning system 10 of the present invention is combined with a PC to 
enable the user to perform the functions of a mouse by simply pointing his 
fingers. 
A video pickup 862 is attached to the monitor of the PC. When the user 
places his hand in front of a command menu 864, an image of the user's 
hand, created by the feedback loop of the scanning system, is displayed on 
the monitor. 
The signal from the video pickup 862 is added to that of the PC screen, 
then the overlapping areas are deleted. This allows analysis of the image 
by software 866 (available for the PC) to determine where the end of the 
user's finger is located. (See FIG. 17.) 
When the point coincides with a command, the appropriate action is taken. 
Similarly, text manipulation can be achieved by the user simply pointing 
at the monitor. For example, the user could touch a "block copy" command, 
then mark the block simply by bracketing the desired text with his 
fingers, as illustrated in FIG. 18. 
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
It is expected that the present invention will enjoy very high demand in 
the market place. It allows the manufacture of many video devices at a 
fraction of the usual cost, and still provides for higher resolution. 
In addition to the specific embodiments disclosed above, it is envisioned 
that the present invention will be used for many other applications as 
well. Heavy industry applications include shadow inspection equipment, 
industrial microscopes, and fiche readers. Medical applications include 
the microscope, x-ray scanners, and file readers. The education industry 
should find great use for the overhead projector and replacements for 
slide and motion film projectors. 
Further, it is envisioned that the present invention will be embodied as 
substitute test cameras, as telecines, and to input negatives/slides to 
computer storage. 
In the home, the present invention will also be used for creating video 
game systems and microfilm files storing any desired information. 
The myriad applications and enormous advantages of the present invention 
leave little doubt that it will enjoy tremendous commercial success.