Description
GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER
This class deals with the communication or reproduction ofa static image or sequence of static images in which the local light, ordensity variations composing the image do not vary with time (e.g., adocument image) by a method or apparatus involving at leastone of the following steps: (1) scanninga static image to capture an image-containing area by resolvingit into an area or a plurality of areas of which at least one ofthe two dimensions is elemental, simultaneously or in a sequence, andthe generation in response thereto of an image-representativesignal or image-representative data; (2) communicationof an image-representative signal or image-representativedata over any supporting communication network; or (3) reproductionof an image-containing area in response to an image-representativesignal or image-representative image data by reproducinga corresponding image area or a plurality of image areas of whichat least one of the two dimensions is elemental, simultaneouslyor in a sequence.
In this class, a facsimile system or method is asystem or method for the communication or reproduction of an arbitrarilycomposed image in which the local light, or density variationscomposing the image do not vary with time, such as documents (bothwritten and printed), maps, charts, photographs, etc., butnot motion picture film or video.
Communication of an image-representative signal or image-representativedata (i.e., facsimile communication) isover an analog network or a digital network and involves one ormore of the means or steps of transmitting, receiving, relaying, storing& forwarding, storing & retrieving, etc. Reproductioninvolves the presentation of an image-representative signalor image-representative data on a fixed medium, suchas paper (i.e., static datapresentation or printing).
This class also provides for a system or method for processingan image-representative signal or image-representativedata in combination with, or to specifically enable orenhance, communication or reproduction thereof.
This class also provides for a system or method for processingan image-representative signal or image-representativedata to engrave a printing form, and where not otherwiseclassified, provides for the mechanical or structural arrangements, andcontrol thereof, for engraving a printing surface to createa printing form.
SUBCOMBINATIONS OF FACSIMILE COMMUNICATION AND STATIC DATAPRESENTATION SYSTEMS
This class includes circuits, devices, orsystems specially designed for dealing with communication of an image-representativesignal or image-representative data (i.e., facsimilecommunication) and static data presentation of an image-representativesignal or image-representative data (i.e., printing), asdistinct from merely signals or data corresponding to a particularfrequency range. Electrical or electronic circuits, devices, orsystems not specific to facsimile communication and static datapresentation, which may constitute sub combinations ofsuch apparatus, are classified in the appropriate classfor such circuits, devices, or systems.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS COMBINATIONSOF OTHER APPARATUS WHICH INCLUDE APPARATUS OF THIS CLASS
This class does not include the following subject matter:
1. Systems in which an alphanumeric or like character ofan image-representative signal or image-representativedata, which may be generated according to step (1) above, isrecognized by comparison with stored information or by other means, aredealt with elsewhere. (See References to OtherClasses, below.)
2. Systems for photographic copying or photocopying bydirect optical reproduction of an original image in which a signalor data of a characteristic of the image may be derived and employedto modify the operation of the system, are dealt with elsewhere. (SeeReferences to Other Classes, below.)
3. Systems for the reproduction of an image as instep (3) above, but which involve animage-representative signal or image-representativedata corresponding to graphical image data or an alphanumeric orlike character, which, unlike step (3) above, isproduced from a signal generated by cams, punched card, ortape, or from a coded control signal or by other means (e.g., computer generated), aredealt with elsewhere. (See References to OtherClasses, below.)
4. Facsimile communication over a telephone lineor network is dealt with elsewhere. (See Referencesto Other Classes, below.)