Abstract: A branched fiber optic assembly having a trunk at one end is employed. Each original optical pattern is individually projected onto the input end of a respective coherent sub-bundle of the fiber optic device. The exiting light from the trunk of the fiber optic assembly is projected onto a single photosensitive surface, such as that of a photosensitized silicon wafer.

Abstract: An optical reader for magnifying and viewing stored optical images, such as microimages on a microfiche. Each of a plurality of stacked and internally reflecting sheets is provided at its input end with its own lens, the lens lying within the sheet. The other or output end of each sheet is skived at an angle of 45 degrees to project light, which passes along and within the sheet, orthogonally out of the plane of the sheet for viewing. The skived ends of the stacked sheets are staggered or spaced from each other. Input light, as for example light from a microimage, is projected onto the input ends of the stacked sheets. Each sheet receives its corresponding portion of the input image. The lens of each sheet magnifies that sheets light portion or share as the light passes along the sheet towards the skived output edge for viewing. Magnification is achieved in one direction by the (sheet contained) lenses, and in an orthogonal direction by the spacing between the staggered, skived output ends.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for the deflection of a stationary beam of light to move the beam over two mutually perpendicular directions for projection onto a viewing screen. By suitably modulating the beam of light, images may be produced on the screen, as in the manner of TV images. The apparatus is defined by a piezoelectric bimorph of a known type which has been modified according to this invention so as to make each bimorph layer totally internally reflecting. The light deflection apparatus, also according to this invention, is made from a single bimorph provided with an extension of lesser mass and hence of lesser inertia. The main bimorph portion is electrically stimulated to oscillate it in a vertical (Y-axis) direction, and the extension is electrically stimulated to move it in a horizontal (X-axis) direction. The stationary beam of light is projected through the bimorph and onto the screen.

Abstract: An exposure package for holography. A transparent substrate carries a photographic emulsion layer on both surfaces thereof. After exposure the emulsion layers are developed while remaining on the transparent substrate. The use of two emulsion layers yields greater fidelity upon readout than a single layer because of the greater recording volume and because of a filtering action to inhibit optical noise resulting from the spaced apart, accurately registered phase relations recorded in and carried by the two emulsions.

Abstract: A laser window is formed of spaced transparent strips with a high total surface area that lends itself to cooling by conduction heat transfer to metal channels between the strips. The metal channels carry either a fast flowing refrigerant or heat-pipe wick and fluid. One or both sides of the metal cooling channels can act as mirrors.

Abstract: A prism sheet for a compact microfiche reader. Light from a microfiche or cassette microfilm is projected and undergoes several reflections in the reader apparatus prior to striking a viewing screen. One of the reflecting surfaces is defined by the prism sheet of this invention, the sheet having a multiplicity of prisms. Light is both reflected by and passes through the prism sheet, the prism sheet thus defining a dual-function optical surface. This makes possible a more compact viewer.

Abstract: A microfiche construction embodying Cassegrainian reflecting surfaces. A fixed projection sheet is provided with convex lenses on its top surface, the lower peripheries of which are internally mirrored. An indexable lensfiche is provided with sunken convex reflecting mirrors on its top surface which are optically aligned with corresponding upper lens of the projection sheet to define Cassegrainian surfaces. Light modulated by microimages on the lensfiche strikes the Cassegrainian surfaces and passes to a viewing screen. In an embodiment, the projection sheet carries both Cassegrainian reflectors.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of adjacent light pipe elements, the light pipe elements adapted for use in illuminating a microfiche. The ends of the light pipe elements are spaced apart from each other, to thereby coincide with spaced microimages on a microfiche. The method includes the steps of die-deforming a plastic sheet in the general form of a flat elbow, placing saw-tooth cuts at one end thereof, and subsequently rolling the sheet about an axis.

Abstract: A compact microfiche reader. Light from a microfiche or cassette microfilm is projected and undergoes several reflections prior to striking a viewing screen. One of the reflecting surfaces is defined by a prism sheet having a multiplicity of prisms. Light is both reflected by and passes through the prism sheet, the prism sheet thus defining a dual-function optical surface. This makes possible a more compact viewer. Several embodiments employ foldable reflecting surfaces and a foldable viewing screen to further reduce the size of the reader.

Abstract: A device for producing an array of point sources of light. A number of parallel optical fibers or strips are positioned on a substrate. One end of the fibers or strips is illuminated by a light source. Light passing through and along each fiber or strip is reflected at spaced longitudinal reflecting faces integral with the fiber or strip. The device exhibits particular utility in illuminating microimages carried by a fiche.

Abstract: An indexing construction for microfiche elements of the type wherein the microfiche is provided with integral lens elements to define a lensfiche. The improvement comprises altering surface(s) of the microfiche to thereby define a plurality of indexing nodules. These nodules cooperate with complementary nodules on either a viewing screen or a hardness member. By virtue of this construction both alignments of the lensfiche and indexing thereof relative to a viewing screen are facilitated.

Abstract: A projection lens plate for a microfiche and method of its manufacture. A base or substrate having greater dimensional stability against creepage, humidity, and thermal cycling than the optic material carries a plurality of openings for receiving extruded optic material, the optic material forming lenses after hardening. Extrusion passages in a die head carry the optic material to the substrate openings. The die head is provided with accurately spaced lens-forming cavities onto which the optic material flows to thereby form lenses. By this process and apparatus the lenses are very accurately located relative to each other, while the openings in the substrate need not be accurately located relative to each other. The substrate openings are larger than the diameter of the lenses. Further, by fashioning the substrate of a dimensionally stabler material than the lens material, accurate registry of the lenses vis a vis each other is maintained.

Abstract: A combined microfiche camera and projection apparatus. The apparatus includes an objective lens for forming a real image on the input end of a coherent bundle of light fibers (internally reflecting glass fibers). The output end of the bundle is dispersed into a plurality of spaced-apart coherent fiber sub-bundles. The ends of the latter terminate contiguous to the emulsion of a microfiche. A projection screen is spaced from the microfiche. The device functions both to record and to read out.

Abstract: A light amplification device displaying particular utility in the display of micro intelligence. In a known light amplifier construction employing transparent sheets between which an electric field is impressed, and which employs a photoconductive sheet and an electrically optically active sheet such as a liquid crystal sheet, a novel lattice member is inserted between the photoconductive sheet and the liquid crystal sheet. In one embodiment, the lattice is defined by a plurality of metallic studs mounted in a dielectric sheet. The studs localize the electric field impressed upon the liquid crystal sheet. The resultant display is a gravure display, the studs defining the gravure points. In several embodiments, the location and form of the gravure points are varied. Color displays are also made. The introduction of the lattice lowers the power requirements of the light amplifier.

Abstract: A method of making copies of information sets of the type carried by microfiche elements having integral lenses on one surface thereof. The copy is made by embossing the top surface of a plastic, planar blank to form the integral lenses. The bottom surface of the blank is provided with a thin, opaque coating. The coating is ruptured by a stamping block, the ruptured portions forming optical apertures in the coating. These apertures function in a manner analogous to developed images in a photographic emulsion. Thus, microfiche copies may be made without the use of silver bromide. The selective rupture process may also be employed in the duplication of motion picture film.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as both a camera and a viewer. As a camera, light from an object is broken up by a planar array of N lenses into N identical images which fall onto an opaque mask. A small aperture lies within each image, but at a different relative zone so that the apertures are non-homologous with respect to the image. Light passing through the apertures strikes virgin photographic emulsion of a lensfiche. The lensfiche is indexed and the process repeated for the next object. After emulsion development, the lensfiche is sequentially illuminated from the rear and each object (macroscene) sequentially reconstructed by projection on a viewing screen. For one embodiment, the method of recording consists of forming N identical and non-overlapping images, taking one portion from each of the N images, the N portions being non-homologous and dispersed from each other, and photographically recording N non-homologous portions.

Abstract: A method of making illuminating sheets for microfiche readers. The illuminating sheet includes light conducting channels in a base or carrier having low creepage and low coefficients of thermal and of humidity expansion which terminate at different points accurately located over the surface of the sheet. The channel termini have mirrors which reflect light and thereby illuminate microimages on a microfiche. The method includes embossing elongated channels of different lengths onto a transparent, plastic sheet by means of an embossing roll. The roll carries spaced discs, the discs having peripheries of different lengths to thereby form channels of different lengths. The channels are then filled.

Abstract: A compact optical viewer and recorder which employs a Philips-type cassette. Small lenses project microimages from the film strip wound upon the cassette upwardly and onto a plurality of mirrors. The mirrors function to compress the throwing distance of the lenses, the final image appearing on a screen.

Abstract: An electro-optic device having utility in (a) the display of parallel information such as a projected microimage, and (b) both the display and recording of series information such as TV signals. The device includes a photoconductive sheet and an electro-optic sheet (and may also employ a gravure lattice member) and carries X and Y addressors.

Abstract: A microfiche structure consisting of a laminate of an opaque, apertured web sandwiched between two transparent sheets. The transparent material partially extends into each aperture to thereby define, for each aperture, an optical doublet. The laminate may be continuously formed by compression, as by rolls.