Abstract: A laser COM device in which a platen securing a film strip to a base plot may be moved between two mutually perpendicular positions to orient the delivery direction of the film strip parallel to either a main or auxiliary scanning direction. The platen is mounted over an aperture in the base plate at the other side of which is disposed a laser scanner. In one embodiment the aperture is round, and a cylindrical sleeve extends from the platen into the aperture. A slot in the base plate and a mating protrusion extending from the platen prevent rotation. In another embodiment, the aperture is square with a mating square sleeve extending from the platen.

Abstract: An X-Y movement mechanism, having right-handed and left-handed lead screws arranged in parallel with each other and drive sources for individually rotating the lead screws. Gears placed over nuts engage the lead screws, the gears having teeth coaxially with said nuts. A base plate, either flat or cylindrical has a stage slidable thereon. A rack is fixedly provided on the stage to engage the gears. The gears operate as a gear transmission mechanism permitting the rack to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the axes of the lead screws and in the direction of the axes of the lead screws.

Abstract: Microfilm carried by a microfilm carrier is moved in a horizontal plane so that a selected area of the microfilm is presented to a film aperture of a microform printing system. The microfilm carrier includes a sliding spacer fixed thereto sliding along a base plate in which the film aperture is formed. The sliding spacer maintains a predetermined distance between the carrier and the base plate during movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A film positioning mechanism for a microfilm camera includes a movable platen 12 mounting a rotary shaft member 19, 22 and brake means 23, 28 for selectively locking the shaft member against rotation. When the brake means is engaged, a film strip held to the platen by vacuum pressure is advanced along with the platen by a drive motor 14, whereas when the brake means is disengaged from the shaft member and the platen is arrested by a stop pin 31 or 31', a film driving roller 25 is driven by the motor 14 via the shaft member and a belt 24, thereby advancing the film while the platen remains stationary. Thus, a single motor both feeds the film and moves the platen. The mechanism can operate in both a roll-to-roll mode and a roll-to-sheet mode, the latter employing a film cutter 49, 50.

Abstract: Original information is converted to digital signals and recorded on a digital signal recording medium such as a paper tape. The digital signal recorded on the tape or the like is converted to binary signals. A photosensitive material is fed in synchronization with the conversion of the digital signal to binary signals. The photosensitive material is exposed to light from a light source controlled in accordance with the binary signals. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a print out typewriter is connected with the circuit which converts the digital signals to the binary signals to print out the information being recorded on the photosensitive material on an output sheet in the form of the original information.