WO2010077206A1

WO2010077206A1 - Apparatus for archiving digital content and method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2010077206A1
Application number: PCT/SG2008/000500
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wei Kwang Kelvin Emmanuel Ong; Choon Siew Samuel Ong
Original assignee: Micrographics Data Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-31
Filing date: 2008-12-31
Publication date: 2010-07-08
Also published as: DE112008004240T5

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for archiving digital content are disclosed. The apparatus and method involve displaying an image on a display portion of a display device, the display device being controllable for displaying an image on the display portion. The image is generatable from digital content and the display portion defines a first area. The apparatus and method further involve projecting the image onto at least a portion of a recording medium through an aperture of an image capturing device to thereby archive the digital content onto the recording medium. The image capturing device is adapted for receiving a recording medium disposable adjacent the aperture. The aperture defines a second area. More specifically, the first area of the display portion is substantially at least one hundred times larger than the second area of the aperture.

Description

APPARATUS FOR ARCHIVING DIGITAL CONTENT AND METHOD

THEREFOR

Field of Invention The present invention generally relates to archiving digital content on a recording medium. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method for archiving digital content on a microfilm.

Background Many documents that are digitised, such as medical records, contracts and newspapers amongst others, are archived into recordable digital media, for instance a CD-ROM. This is to ensure that content of these documents are capable of being recovered in the event that the originals are unaccounted for after a certain period of time.

However, there is a possibility that these documents will be lost if they are recorded on digital media that would become obsolete in the foreseeable future. For example, in the recent twenty years or so, recordable digital media have evolved into many different formats, for example into floppy disks, tape cassettes, zip disks, CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Many documents stored in floppy disks and zip disks are now difficult and costly to retrieve as new technology has made these recordable digital media obsolete within a short period of time.

Additionally, the format in which these documents are digitised changes even more rapidly than the rate at which the recordable digital media evolves. This inevitably creates an undesirable problem for archiving and preserving digital documents that are easily retrievable in the years ahead.

Attempts have been made to provide solutions to the foregoing difficulties in archiving documents. One such attempt is to archive the documents using microfilm technology, which stores images of the documents on a strip of microfilm. Microfilm technology is independent of the format changes in which the images of the documents are stored. However, conventional microfilm technology has limitations in archiving documents with satisfactory efficiency.

There is therefore a need for an improved apparatus and method for archiving documents in microfilms.

Summary

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein involve an improved apparatus and method for archiving documents in microfilms.

Therefore, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an apparatus for archiving digital content. The apparatus comprises a display portion with a first area. The display device is controllable for displaying an image on the display portion and the image is generatable from digital content. The apparatus further comprises an image capturing device defining an aperture and adapted for receiving a recording medium disposable adjacent the aperture. The aperture defines a second area. More specifically, the aperture is shaped and dimensioned for projection of the image onto at least a portion of the recording medium therethrough to thereby archive the digital content onto the recording medium, the first area of the display portion being substantially at least one hundred times larger than the second area of the aperture.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed method for archiving digital content. The method involves displaying an image on a display portion of a display device, the display device being controllable for displaying an image on the display portion. The image is generatable from digital content and the display portion defines a first area. The method also involves projecting the image onto at least a portion of a recording medium through an aperture of an image capturing device to thereby archive the digital content onto the recording medium. The image capturing device is adapted for receiving a recording medium disposable adjacent the aperture. The aperture defines a second area. More specifically, the first area of the display portion is substantially at least one hundred times larger than the second area of the aperture.

Brief Description Of The Drawings Embodiments of the invention are disclosed hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of an apparatus for archiving digital content according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of an image capturing device of the apparatus of Fig. 1 according to a first arrangement;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the image capturing device of Fig. 2 according to a second arrangement; and

Fig. 4 is a flow diagram showing a method comprising steps for archiving digital content according to an aspect of the invention.

Detailed Description

With reference to the drawings, embodiments of the invention relate to an improved apparatus and method for archiving documents in microfilms.

For purposes of brevity and clarity, the description of the invention is limited hereinafter to applications related to an improved apparatus and method for archiving documents in microfilms. This however does not limit or preclude embodiments of the invention from other areas of application that archive documents in microfilms or the like recording media. The fundamental inventive principles and concepts upon which embodiments of the invention are based are common throughout the various embodiments. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an apparatus 100 for archiving digital content is described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of the apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The following description of the apparatus 100 is made with reference to an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. The x and y axes extend along a plane on which the apparatus 100 is disposed.

The apparatus 100 comprises a computer 102, a control device 104, a display device 106 and an image capturing device 108. The computer 102 has a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (not shown) for storing digital content 110. A software application is installed in the computer 102 for operating the apparatus 100 and for processing the digital content 110 to be archived.

The apparatus 100 has a housing 112 that is shaped and configured for providing an enclosure to the control device 104, the display device 106 and the image capturing device 108. The housing 1 12 has a removable door 1 14 and a cover 1 16 for allowing access to its interior and the image capturing device 108 respectively.

The control device 104 and the display device 106 are mounted within the housing 1 12. More specifically, the control device 104 is mounted on a first side 118 of the housing 1 12 parallel to the z-y plane, while the display device 106 is mounted on a second side 120 of the housing 112 parallel to the x-y plane and adjacent to the first side 1 18 of the housing 112. The image capturing device 108 is mounted on a third side 122 of the housing 1 12. The third side 122 of the housing 1 12 is parallel to the x- y plane and opposite to the second side 120 of the housing 1 12.

The computer 102 is connected to each of the display device 106 and the control device 104. The control device 104 is connected to the image capturing device 108. The control device 104 receives instructions from the computer 102 for controlling the operation of the image capturing device 108. The control device 104 preferably comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown) with a dimension of preferably 140 by 80 millimetres (mm). The computer 102 sends the digital content 110 to the display device 106 for display. The display device 106 has a graphical interface 124 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen for displaying the digital content 110 as an image 126. The image 126 is directed as light 125 towards the third side 122 of the housing 112 whereon the image capturing device 108 is mounted. The graphical interface 124 has a display area of at least 654.36 mm by 408.58 mm or a ratio of the length to breadth being 1 : 1.4 and a resolution of 3280 by 2048 pixels or six Mega pixels. The graphical interface 124 is therefore capable of displaying an image having an area that is equivalent to an A2 size paper.

With reference to Fig. 2, an aperture 128 is formed at the interface between the third side 122 of the housing 112 and the image capturing device 108. A shutter (not shown) is provided below the aperture 128. The shutter is controllable by the control device 104 between a closed state and an open state for respectively preventing and enabling passage of the light 125 to the image capturing device 108 via the aperture 128. The image capturing device 108 has a first roller 130 and a second roller 132, each of which is adapted for receiving a recording medium 134 such as a reel of microfilm or the like recording media. The microfilm 134 for example, is laid across the aperture 128 between the first roller 130 and the second roller 132. A motor (not shown) is preferably used to drive either the first roller 130 or the second roller 132. Alternatively, the motor is used to drive both the first roller 130 and the second roller 132. The motor is preferably controlled by the control device 104. The aperture 128 preferably has an area of approximately 46.2 mm by 33.7 mm.

The aperture 128 receives light 125 emanating from the graphical interface 124. A lens 136 is positioned to focus the light 125, through the aperture 128, towards the microfilm 134 for exposing the microfilm 134 to the incoming light 125. The image 126 of the digital content 1 10 is formed on the microfilm 134 after exposing the microfilm 134 to the incoming light 125 for a predetermined exposure time. More importantly, the ratio of the display area of the graphical interface 124 to the area of the aperture 128 is approximately equal to or greater than one hundred (100). Additionally, the aperture 128 is preferably approximately 650 mm away from the display area of the graphical interface 124.

Once the image 126 of the digital content 110 is formed on the microfilm 134, the control device 104 activates the shutter to prevent the light 125 from entering the image capturing device 108. The control device 104 then activates the motor to rotate at least one of the first and second rollers 130, 132 for displacing the microfilm 134 to be reeled onto the first or second roller 130/132.

The apparatus 100 is now ready to repeat the foregoing process for forming another image on the microfilm 134. In this manner, the digital content 110 is converted from a digitised format into an analogue format.

The image capturing device 108 is capable of supporting two standard widths of microfilm, namely 16 and 35 mm. The default arrangement of the apparatus 100 as shown in Fig. 2 is for utilising microfilms with a width of 35mm. The lens 136 is omitted from Fig. 3 to impart clarity to the figure. In order to utilise microfilms with a width of 16 mm, an aperture mask 300 is used for reducing the size of the aperture according to another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Fig. 3, the aperture mask 300 is provided and is preferably positioned within the aperture 128. Alternatively the aperture mask 300 is positioned proximal to the aperture 128. For example, the aperture mask 300 is positionable over or beneath the aperture 128. The aperture mask 300 has an opening 304 that is substantially smaller than the aperture 128. This reduces the area through which light emanating from the graphical interface 124 passes and allows a smaller image of the digital content 1 10 to be formed on microfilms with a width of 16mm.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the apparatus 100 is preferably used for implementing a method 400 for archiving digital content as described hereinafter. Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of the method 400 according to the other aspect of the invention. The method 400 comprises a step 402 of providing a display device having a display area. The display area is for displaying digital content that is storable in a storage medium.

The method 400 also comprises a step 404 of providing an image capturing device that is shaped and configured for forming an aperture therein. The aperture defines an area for receiving light emanating from the display area to thereby form an image of the digital content.

The method 400 further comprises a step 406 of forming the image of the digital content on a recording medium that is disposable adjacent to the aperture. More specifically, the ratio of the display area to the area of the aperture is approximately equal to or greater than one hundred.

In the foregoing manner, an apparatus and a method for archiving digital content are described according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention for addressing the foregoing disadvantages of conventional method of archiving digital content. Although only a few embodiments of the invention is disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for archiving digital content, the apparatus comprising: a display device comprising a display portion with a first area, the display device being controllable for displaying an image on the display portion and the image being generable from digital content; and an image capturing device defining an aperture and adapted for receiving a recording medium disposable adjacent the aperture, the aperture defining a second area, wherein the aperture is shaped and dimensioned for projection of the image onto at least a portion of the recording medium therethrough to thereby archive the digital content onto the recording medium, the first area of the display portion being substantially at least one hundred times larger than the second area of the aperture.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, the image capturing device comprising a shutter, the shutter being operable between an open state and a closed state for respectively enabling and impeding projection of the image through the aperture.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising a storage medium for storing the digital content, the digital content being transmittable from the storage medium to the display device for display.

4. The apparatus as in claim 3, further comprising a control device in data communication with the storage medium and the image capturing device, the control device operating the shutter initially towards and subsequently away from the open state in response to the digital content being transmitted to the display device for display thereby, the shutter of the control device being biased towards the closed state.

5. The apparatus as in claim 4, the control device comprising a printed circuit board.

6. The apparatus as in claim I₅ wherein the display device has a length and a breadth, the ratio of the length and breadth of the display device being substantially 1 :1.4.

7 The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the display device has a resolution of substantially at least 3280 by 2048 pixels.

8. The apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a disk drive connectable to a computer.

9. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a microfilm.

10. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the size of the aperture is variable.

1 1. The apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising: an aperture mask configurable with the image capturing device for masking at least a portion of the aperture defined thereby.

12. A method for archiving digital content, the method comprising: displaying an image on a display portion of a display device, the display device being controllable for displaying an image on the display portion, the image being generatable from digital content, the display portion defining a first area; and projecting the image onto at least a portion of a recording medium through an aperture of an image capturing device to thereby archive the digital content onto the recording medium, the image capturing device being adapted for receiving a recording medium disposable adjacent the aperture, the aperture defining a second area, wherein the first area of the display portion is substantially at least one hundred times larger than the second area of the aperture.

13. The method as in claim 12, further comprising: providing a shutter, the shutter being operable between an open state and a closed state for respectively enabling and impeding projection of the image through the aperture.

14. The method as in claim 13, further comprising: providing a storage medium for storing the digital content, the digital content being transmittable from the storage medium to the display device for display.

15. The method as in claim 14, further comprising: providing a control device in data communication with the storage medium and the image capturing device, the control device operating the shutter initially towards and subsequently away from the open state in response to the digital content being transmitted to the display device for display thereby, the shutter of the control device being biased towards the closed state.

16. The method as in claim 12, displaying an image on a display portion of a display device comprises providing the display device having a length and a breadth, the ratio of the length and breadth of the display device being substantially 1 : 1.4.

17. The method as in claim 12, displaying an image on a display portion of a display device comprises providing the display device having a resolution of substantially at least 3280 by 2048 pixels.

18. The method as in claim 14, displaying an image on a display portion of a display device comprises providing the storage medium as a disk drive connectable to a computer.

19. The method as in claim 12, projecting the image onto at least a portion of a recording medium comprises providing the recording medium as a microfilm.

20. The method as in claim 12, projecting the image onto at least a portion of a recording medium comprises varying the size of the aperture.

21. The method as in claim 12, projecting the image onto at least a portion of a recording medium comprises providing an aperture mask, the aperture mask being configurable with the image capturing device for masking at least a portion of the aperture defined thereby.