Computerized information storage and display system directs storage of documents, drawings, photographs, fingerprints, etc., and permits rapid retrieval for real-time viewing on remote consoles

Ritch, E. R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

June 1972	 B72-10267 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Video Information System 
A computerized information storage and display 
system has been developed that can be used by organi-
zations which maintain complex, comprehensive, or 
voluminous records, and require that these records be 
rapidly retrievable. This system will direct the storage of 
documents, drawings, photographs, fingerprints, etc., 
and permit their retrieval for real-time viewing on re-
mote consoles. 
Items to be stored in the system are processed and 
assigned a number or tape address in the image file. They 
are then photographed with a television camera, con- 
verted into television images, and recorded on magnetic 
tape with a videotape recorder. The basic system is de-
signed and used to store information concerning parts 
and reliability data on space hardware. 
The system is unique in that it was the first applica-
tion of professional broadcast video technology in con-
junction with a new tape transport mechanism and a 
digital address system to direct a computer for indexing 
and tape handling. A small computer was utilized for 
system control interfaces. 
Improvements made on the basic system have resulted 
in a current system that can be adapted to commercial 
and governmental uses. 
The greatest improvements have been in the develop-
ment of a vidicon tube display, with picture resolution 
of 1280 lines, compared to the 1050 lines in the basic 
system. A new camera was developed for use with the 
vidicon tube, and an electrostatic hard copy printer was
made available for obtaining hard copy of the informa-
tion being projected on the viewer. 
The system stores approximately 125,000 standard 
8½ x 11-inch size sheets on one 10-inch video tape 
reel, with total capacity being limited only by the 
number of reels used. 
Notes: 
1. This innovation may be of interest to law enforce-
ment agencies, insurance companies, automotive in-
dustries, libraries, and information retrieval services. 
2. Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code A&TS-TU 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B72-10267 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to: 
Patent Counsel, 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code A&TS-PAT 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Source: E. R. Ritch of
Ampex Corporation
under contract to
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MFS-21711) 
Category 02,09 
This document was prepared underthe sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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Video information system

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