Abstract: An imager apparatus for exposing a film with a plurality of recorded images separated by border areas includes an exposure site, a primary film path along which unexposed films are fed to the exposure site, a secondary film path along which exposed films are taken away from the exposure site, and a film driver at the exposure site. The film driver drives films between the primary and the secondary film paths. The film support for holding the film at the exposure site during exposure includes at least one rod on which the film rests. The rod contacts the film at only the border areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a scanning gate of a photographic film scanning apparatus utilizes a reversible m s , stepping motor, and a system driven by the motor for moving the gate in a pendulum-like manner. The means comprises a shaft, a gear sector fixedly connected on the shaft and a crank arm fixedly connected on the shaft so as to operatively engage the scanning gate, and a worm configured to be driven by the motor. A biasing device is arranged between the gear sector and a chassis of the scanning apparatus to maintain a positive engagement between the worm and the gear sector. Additional biasing devices are connected between the crank arm and the gate to provide for adjustment of the gate about two axes.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a film cartridge, having a spool end and a film ingress/egress slot, containing an exposed photographic film through a photofinishing process comprises a pallet adapted to hold the film cartridge. The pallet includes an interior opening for holding a film cartridge in fixed relation to the pallet with the spool end and the film ingress/egress slot of the film cartridge exposed to permit the spool end to be rotated to thrust the photographic film out of the film cartridge and to return the photographic film to the film cartridge.

Abstract: A chassis for mounting components in a photographic film scanning apparatus cabinet includes a planar base member, and bearing mounts integral with the base member. The mounts sized and configured to hold bearings against which an arcuate wear plate of a gate of the scanning apparatus registers. The gate is configured to move in a pendulum-like manner across the bearings, with an aperture in the planar member for rotatably accommodating a shaft of a drive system for moving the gate in the pendulum-like manner. Mounts integral with the planar base member are provided for holding an optical system of the scanning apparatus. A continuous integral rib is arranged on the rear surface of the planar member is tuned to a higher natural frequency than that of the scanning frequency for vibrationally isolating the planar base member from other components in the cabinet.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing images recorded on a photographic filmstrip wound on a film spool contained in a cartridge, the photographic filmstrip having machine-readable frame numbers associated with the images recorded thereon and the photographic filmstrip being associated with a device for storing film related data including frame numbers identifying selected images to be reproduced.

Abstract: A projection aligner includes a light source for emitting light, a mask including a focusing pattern and a condensing lens for condensing the light on the mask. Light-intercepting members and light-transmitting portions are alternatingly arranged in the focusing pattern. The projecting aligner includes a projecting lens for condensing the light on a surface of a wafer and a sensor for measuring the amount of the light transmitted through the focusing pattern after the light has passed through the focusing pattern on the mask and been reflected from the surface of the wafer.

Abstract: Scanners for use in photofinishing operations are well-known. However, many known devices suffer from the problem of being bulky and/or having a limited range of functions. Described herein is a scanner (10) formed by a bundle of optical fibres which enables information on a film (12) to be determined. The bundle of optical fibres is divided into two sets, one which scans the film (12) through slit 1 for information relating to frame (20), and a second set which scans the film (12) through slits (2, 3, 4, 5) for other information such as DX codes (24), frame numbers or sprocket holes (26) contained in the edge (22) of the film (12). Information from the film (12) is passed to a computer (30) via an interface (28) and the information derived is used to actuate means (32).

Abstract: An arc-segment-shaped gate for a photographic film scanning apparatus has a six inch radius from a pivot shaft of the gate to the outermost surface at which the scanning of the film is to occur. The gate is pivoted around a pivot axis through an optical chassis of the scanning apparatus and is driven by a worm-gear segment arrangement via a reversible electric motor. The gate swings through an arc of approximately 61/2.degree. on each side of a vertical initializing position of the gate and has an aperture at which a frame of the film can be held against the gate by a clamping arrangement which is moved with the gate. The gate of the present invention is that the gate is mounted to be adjusted about a spherical bearing by the use of bearings mounted on eccentric shafts against which a wear plate on the gate is registered. Pins and biasing springs mounted on the gate and the gate system drive allow adjustment of the gate in .THETA. X and .THETA. Z directions for obtaining precise optical alignment.

Abstract: A plate making machine of a compact size has a mechanism for dealing with jamming, by which jammed master paper can be easily removed, and the maintenance of an exposure stage and a supply transfer system can be performed without disassembling the machine body. The supply transfer system for feeding the master paper X to the exposure stage 9 is provided in a generally horizontal direction at an upper portion of the plate making machine body 1. A lamp house 13 for projecting the original image is provided above the exposure stage 9. An exposure plate 24 is provided at the exposure stage 9, and the exposure plate is tiltable about tilting shaft 25 provided at the side thereof opposite to the supply transfer system. An endless feed belt 33 for feeding and discharging the master paper X relative to the exposure plate 24 is provided in surrounding relation to the exposure plate 24.

Abstract: A negative film supplying device for successively supplying a plurality of negative films to a printing device including: a guide path connected to a negative film guide path of the printing device; a negative film holding member for holding superposed negative films, including guide portions and a base portion interposed between the guide portions, both side portions of the negative films being interposed between the guide portions, and as opposing surfaces of the guide portions move away from the base portion, the opposing surfaces are inclined in directions of approaching each other, and a length of the base portion between said guide portions is smaller than a width of the negative film so that the negative films are curved into convex shapes in the negative film holding member; moving means for moving the negative film holding member by rotating the negative film holding member between a guiding position, at which the base portion of the negative film holding member is disposed on the guide path, and a w

Abstract: This projection imaging system has large-area exposure capability, high exposure throughput, and high resolution, and comprises: (a) a stage for holding in fixed juxtaposition a mask and a substrate, and capable of scanning in one dimension, and when not scanning in that dimension, capable of moving laterally in a direction perpendicular to the scan direction so as to position itself for another scan, the stage exposing the full substrate by breaking up the substrate area into parallel strips, and exposing each strip by scanning the length of the strip across a fixed illumination region; (b) an illumination system having an effective source plane of a predetermined shape, and capable of illuminating on the mask a region of the above predetermined shape; (c) a projection assembly having an object-to-image magnification ratio of unity, having means to render the image in the same orientation as the object, and having an image field of the above predetermined shape and of an area smaller than the substrate area;