`
`THE EDC-1000 ELECTRONIC IMAGING SYSTEM
`
`Nello Zuech
`
`ELECTRIM Corporation
`PO. Box 2074
`
`Princeton, New Jersey 08543 USA
`received: 3 November 1989; revised: 2 January 1990
`
`Why should a computer camera cost more than the computer???
`
`The EDC-1000, built by ELECTRIM (ELECTRonic IMaging) Corporation, is a compact,
`digitally controlled/digital output television-like monochrome camera designed and built in the
`United States specifically for the computer technology market The EDC—1000 (see Figure 1) is an
`inexpensive alternative to a standard TV camera attached to special analog—to—digital (A/D) and
`frame—grabber circuitry. The result is the most cost effective way to put image data into a computer
`and let your computer go to work directly on the data.
`
`The EDC-lOOO has applications wherever the power of the computer can be applied to
`image data:
`-
`
`security (surveillance);
`telecommunications (picture phones);
`office automation (document imaging);
`desk top publishing;
`factory automation (robot/machine vision);
`industrial inspection (pattern recognition);
`education; computer—based commercial and graphic art;
`picture databases; and
`astronomy.
`
`
`
`Figure 1. The EDC—1000 imaging system.
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`1
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`© I.A.P.P.P. Communications - Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System
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`Petitioners - Exhibit 1012 Page 1
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`The main features of the EDC—1000 are summarized in Table l. The unit operates fully
`under computer control, and is totally computer compatible. No additional A/D, D/A, or other
`hardware is required The EDC- 1000 significantly reduces the complexity of digitizing stationary
`or moving images. A single half-size plug-in card will permit any IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/S Model
`25 or 30 or compatible computer to control the camera with simple commands. The camera uses a
`charged-coupled device (CCD) detector for the utmost in reliability, ruggedness, high sensitivity,
`and geometric fidelity.
`
`Everything about the EDC—lOOO is easy. Power is derived from the computer bus itself.,
`All timing and video signals as well as power are carried on a single multiconductor cable which
`connects the camera to the computer. The computer connols exposure time and frame scanning
`time. Under computer control, multiple images can be integrated to improve the signal-to-noise
`ratio where low light level conditions are encountered. The EDC-1000 incorporates asynchronous
`scanning techniques, making it possible to trigger the frame reset and scanning to an external
`event. Output from the camera system is an 8-bit digital signal corresponding to the quantized
`value of brightness at serially sampled spatial data points (256 gray levels).
`
`The camera requires an IBM—PC or compatible computer with only a single floppy disc
`drive, 256K RAM, a free expansion slot to install a half size card, and either PC—DOS or MS—DOS
`version 2.1 or higher. Either color or monochrome monitors can be used. Software furnished
`with the EDC—1000 on a 5.25—inch diskette supports CGA, EGA, MCGA, VGA and Hercules
`adaptors. Images can be saved in either TIFF or PCX (PC Paintbrush) format for compatibility
`with desktop publishing software. The software to read and control the camera is written in ”C"
`and assembly language; linkable routines that are compatible with C, Pascal and BASIC are also
`provided. The EDC-1000 continuously acquires gray scale images at up to 30 frames per second.
`Speed will vary depending on exposure time, graphic display mode, and computer clock speed.
`Featuring a solid state image sensor, the camera has the following properties:
`
`The ECD-1000 digital camera is shipped with: lens, cable, interface hardware, software on
`a 5 1/4 inch diskette, owner's manual and one year warranty. The unit can be purchased direct
`from ELECTRIM at the address above (or phone us at 609-799-7248) for $400.00, plus $6.00
`shipping and handling charge. New Jersey residents must add 6% sales tax. Please mention this
`article in your correspondence with us.
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`TABLE 1.
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`pixel array
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`EDC-1000 Technical Specifications
`image size/sensing area
`2.64 mm x 2.64 mm
`pixel size
`13.75 microns x 16 microns
`(13.75 x 8 with interlaced scanning)
`192 (H) x 165 (V)
`(192 x 330 with interlaced scanning)
`60 dB typ.
`10% lyp.
`400-1100 nm
`50% @ 700 nm
`100,000 electrons/pixel
`30 msecs to 30 secs.
`proportional to computer clock speed
`200 gm. (7 oz)
`80 gm. (2.8 oz.)
`16 mm, 171.6
`C
`6 feet
`32 - 110 degrees F
`+5V, 100 ma; +12V, 60 ma; -12V, 50ma
`56K RAM,
`1 floppy disc drive
`
`dynamic range and S/N
`unili)m1ity
`spectral range
`peak quantum efficiency
`saturation signal (single scan)
`exposure time (computer controlled)
`pixel scan rate
`weight (camera head assembly)
`(standard lens)
`
`lens
`lens mount
`cable length
`operating temperature
`power requirements
`minimum computer wnliguration
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`2
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`© I.A.P.P.P. Communications - Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System
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`Petitioners - Exhibit 1012 Page 2
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`Petitioners - Exhibit 1012 Page 2
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