Abstract: An electronic semiconductor module, either memory or logic, having a driver circuit which includes a multiplicity of driver transistors, together with circuitry for simultaneously applying a first positive bias to a first select number of driver transistors to activate them to an operational state, a second positive bias to a second select number of driver transistors to place them in readiness for activation, and a negative bias to the remaining driver transistors to place them in a fully inactive state thereby reducing noise in the driver circuit. The first positive bias is greater than the transistor threshold voltage, preferably greater than two volts, the second positive bias is less than the threshold voltage, preferably less than one volt, and the negative bias is in the order of minus 0.3 volt.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor module of reduced impedance and method utilizing a given chip architecture of the type having a memory circuit and a plurality of off-chip drivers and their I/O pads, the module being constructed in a configuration for operation of said memory circuit with less than the number of available drivers such that there are a number of excess drivers and output pads not used for driver operations, and one or more of these excess drivers and their pads are connected to the power terminals of the chip to provide one or more power paths through these drivers and their associated pads in parallel with the power paths of the operational drivers, and the method includes connecting the excess drivers and their output pads to the power terminals of the chip during its fabrication in a manner to provide additional power paths.

Abstract: The assembly of a support and a slide carried by the support for translational movement relative thereto in which the support defines a slide opening having opposed end edges and opposed side edges, the side edges diverging from each other proceeding from one of said end edges toward the other of said end edges and defining guide means also so diverging, the slide having a pair of side edge formations complementing the guide formations and being of a length less than the distance between the end edges of the slide opening so that upon movement away from the one end edge of the slide opening, a sliding clearance develops between the edge formations of the slide and the guide formations in the opening.

Abstract: The assembly of a support and a slide carried by the support for translational movement relative thereto in which the support defines a slide opening having opposed end edges and opposed side edges, the side edges diverging from each other proceeding from one of said end edges toward the other of said end edges and defining guide means also so diverging, the slide having a pair of side edge formations complementing the guide formations and being of a length less than the distance between the end edges of the slide opening so that upon movement away from the one end edge of the slide opening, a sliding clearance develops between the edge formations of the slide and the guide formations in the opening.

Abstract: A copier for providing photographic copies of different sized originals, having an optical system variable for altering the magnification of an original, a scale member movable to locate the end of each respective size of original on the copier, and a link mechanism intercoupling the optical system and the scale to automatically vary the system magnification in accordance with the location of the scale.

Abstract: A method of and system for defining and photographing computer graphic images involves using photographic exposure adaptor (PXA) circuitry, providing an interface between a computer having a CPU and a film printer. The interface circuitry includes a page register. A cathode ray tube controller is operatively arranged to provide address, vertical synchronization and horizontal synchronization signals when an image is being displayed on a CRT in the film printer. A display random access memory array is operatively arranged to be filled with pixel data under control of the CPU. When an image is to be displayed, control of the array is given to the controller. A multiplexer selects addressing lines to the array. A display random access memory data buffer enables output from the array to be placed on the internal data bus. An exposure mapping table is operatively arranged to be accessed by either the CPU or the controller.

Abstract: A motor driven camera back for instant film carrying machine readable indicia representative of parameters of the film. The back includes a pair of processing rollers driven by a motor between an initial spaced relationship and an operative pressure nip relationship and also in rotation in the operating relationship to process and discharge an exposed film unit from the back. A sensor and motor control circuitry is provided so that upon initial withdrawal of film unit portions, information supplied to the circuitry by the film carried indicia will operate the motor only if the processing parameters of the film unit are suitable to those of the camera back.

Abstract: A vehicle identification camera arrangement for photographing a vehicle identification number (VIN) plate through a vehicle windshield includes a housing having an object window at its distal end forwardly of the lens and an aperture stop adjoining the lens with the length of housing from the lens establishing the distance to the windshield. The aperture stop sufficiently reduces the aperture to increase the depth of field to encompass the variations in distance of the VIN plate behind the vehicle windshield. Preferably, the arrangement is provided as an adapter housing whose interior is divided into an upper lightbox section and a lower exposure section by an opaque baffle and a diffusing screen. The lightbox section receives flash illumination and directs it at a sharp angle with respect to the optical axis of the camera objective to illuminate the VIN plate through the windshield with a minimum of reflection from the windshield along the camera exposure axis.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus for providing an instant film system for transmission electron microscopes includes a film carrier and film unit handling apparatus compatable with existing TEM equipment. Film carrier plates, each standardized to accept an instant film sheet and to subsequently enable automatic separation of the latter, are varied in exterior configuration to conform to each type of TEM unit, and a single processor is provided for handling film processing with carrier plates utilized in any of the TEM units. The carrier plates are standardized to enable automated separation of individual exposed film sheets from the respective carrier plates in the processor, and a transfer base or transfer box is provided to cooperate with the receiver box of a given TEM design and with the processor which includes a reciprocating slide feed mechanism by which each individual film unit is ejected from the box.

Abstract: A flash illumination apparatus in which an original is simultaneously illuminated over the whole surface thereof by means of a single or plurality of flash lamps, wherein light reflected by the original is focused onto a light sensitive material for exposure thereof, characterized in that a collecting and diffusing optical element is disposed immediately before the flash lamp within a range of luminous flux so that the luminous flux illuminates a particular range of the original thereby improving the uniformity in illumination on the original.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is arranged to comprise a removable film pack holder at a predetermined position of a main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein a film of the film pack loaded in said holder is exposed to an image of an original in the state in which a light shield plate for preventing sensitization is withdrawn, characterized in that there are provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus lock means for preventing removal of said film pack holder, the lock means being locked in the state in which said light shield plate is withdrawn, and lock releasing means for releasing the lock means from the locked state in linkage with insertion of the light shield plate into the film pack holder, thereby preventing the film pack holder from being removed in the state where the light shield plate is withdrawn.

Abstract: An image bearing template adapted for use with an exposure window of an instant film pack and being made up of a thin sheet and a pair of rigid strips. The thin sheet has a lateral dimension substantially the same as or less than the width of the exposure window, and a longitudinal dimension greater than the length of the exposure window. Each of the rigid strips has a length equal to or slightly less than the lateral dimensions of the window and extends laterally across the sheet so that upon insertion of the template within the film pack, the strips preclude movement of the template and stiffen the template so as to keep the sheet flat. The strips also serve to facilitate insertion and removal of the template by providing upstanding edges for grasping.

Abstract: A black, infrared pass filter is disposed in front of the strobe element of an automatic rangefinding camera to provide an infrared ranging wink for ranging during the pre-exposure steps of a camera cycle. As the cycle continues, the filter is temporarily displaced from in front of the strobe element to allow a visible light, flash firing for scene illumination. Once the exposure firing is complete, the filter resumes its original position in front of the strobe element such that the filter allows only infrared light to be transmitted from the strobe element except during exposure strobe firing.

Abstract: A wet film cassette and transport system for photographic diffusion transfer films having initially separate wet and dry film components. At least the wet component is contained in a tightly sealed enclosure defined by a cassette having inner and outer, relatively rotatable receptacles. Each of the receptacles is provided with a peripheral axially oriented slot, a leading end portion of the wet film projecting at all times through the slot of the inner receptacle but being capable of retraction into an annulus between the inner and outer receptacles by relative rotation of the two receptacles. Retracting movement of the inner receptacle moves a sealing pad carried thereon to a position closing the slot opening of the outer receptacle.

Abstract: A camera having an automatic exposure system for providing decreasing aperture-interval values with increasing ambient light levels including an ambient light level sensor element for detecting an ambient light level equal to a predetermined high ambient light level and a control system for overriding the automatic exposure system in response to detecting of said predetermined level for providing a fixed effective aperture and fixed exposure time interval corresponding to the aperture-interval value defined by the automatic exposure system at the predetermined level whereby increased exposure is provided at light levels greater than the predetermined level to thereby provide a scene overexposure increasing with the amount of ambient light exceeding the predetermined level so as to provide acceptable exposure of a subject within that high light level scene.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus for providing an instant film system for transmission electron microscopes includes a film carrier and film unit handling apparatus compatable with existing TEM equipment. Film carrier plates, each standardized to accept an instant film sheet and to subsequently enable automatic separation of the latter, are varied in exterior configuration to conform to each type of TEM unit, and a single processor is provided for handling film processing with carrier plates utilized in any of the TEM units. The carrier plates are standardized to enable automated separation of individual exposed film sheets from the respective carrier plates in the processor, and a transfer base or transfer box is provided to cooperate with the receiver box of a given TEM design and with the processor which includes a reciprocating slide feed mechanism by which each individual film unit is ejected from the box.

Abstract: A positive vignetting accessory having a simple, lightweight snap-on plastic construction and adapted for use with a camera having a flash unit. The positive vignetting accessory diverts a portion of the flash illumination produced during a normal flash exposure cycle and directs this diverted illumination in a selected pattern toward the camera lens to effect positive vignetting.