Abstract: An image recording apparatus is capable of reducing a vibration of a hologram recording medium so that a holographic stereogram which provides an excellent reproduced image can be prepared in a short time period. A vibration member 55 is provided on the light path of reference light L4, and a hologram recording medium 10 is intermittently fed with the medium 10 kept in contact with an end portion 55a of the member 55. The reference light L4 passes through a slit 56 of the vibration restriction member 55 and is irradiated onto the hologram recording medium 10 through an opening portion 57 opened at the end side 55a.

Abstract: An inventive system and method for continually advancing film through an air-bearing film flattening system having at least one scanning area through which the air-flattened film may be scanned. The film is provided to an air-bearing mechanism comprising two opposing air-bearing plates which create opposing air cushions for maintaining the planarity of the film. The scanning area may comprise at least one optical aperture in the air-bearing plate or plates through which the scanner views the film, or a "viewing" area occupied by bundled coherent optical fibers which sequentially pick up image information from aligned regions of the image. The system provides for time efficient, clean, and error-free reading of the scanned image.

Abstract: A motion picture apparatus and method for intermittently advancing motion picture film by forced air. The film is initially placed into successive loops formed by a cam-driven flipper. The loops and thus the film are advanced through the projector or camera pathway by a forced air blower which propels the successive loops through a projection pathway. Vacuum pressure may also be applied to the film through a gate to secure the film to the gate with linearly arranged register pins steadying the film over a projection aperture. The film is rewound through the projector by a motorized rewind with a positive pressure applied to the film through the gate.

Abstract: A motion picture apparatus and method for the advancing motion picture film through the apparatus sequence by forced air. The film is initially placed into successive looped configurations formed by a cam-driven flipper. The loops and thus the film are advanced through the projector or camera pathway by a forced air blower which propels the loop through a projection pathway. Vacuum pressure is also applied to the film through a gate to secure the film to a gate with linearly arranged register pins steadying the film over a projection aperture. The film is rewound through the projector by a motorized rewind with a positive pressure applied to the film through the gate.

Abstract: A motion picture apparatus for the projection of motion picture film which advances the film through the projection sequence by forced air. The film is initially placed into successive looped configurations formed by a cam-driven flipper. The loops and thus the film are advanced through the projector pathway by a forced air blower which propels the loop through a projection pathway. Vacuum pressure is also applied to the film through a gate to secure the film to a gate with linearly arranged register pins steadying the film over a projection aperture. The film is rewound through the projector by a motorized rewind with a positive pressure applied to the film through the gate.

Abstract: A wet scanning gate for use in the production of enlargements from picture material in the form of individual photographic negative images or transparencies connected to form a contiguous strip hasa two-part housing defining a channel through which the contiguous strip is drawn.

Abstract: A web flattening system for holding a filmstrip (web) or filmstrip and paper carrier combination (web) against the aperture of a linear array scanner. The foregoing is accomplished by providing: a platen having at least two orifices over which the bottom surface of a web moves; a plate that is positioned above the top surface of the web and the platen so that the bottom surface of the web will be positioned in close proximity to the orifices; and means for supplying a high velocity gas stream to the orifices so that a pressure differential will exist between the top and bottom surfaces of the web; whereby the pressure differential will push the bottom surface of the web towards the orifices and a thin layer of gas will form between the bottom surface of the web and the platen.

Abstract: A rigid transparent cylinder is rotated about its axis of symmetry at a relatively high rate of speed by means of a motor. Around a portion of the circumference of the rotating cylinder is wrapped a flexible imaging medium such as photographic film, to which is applied longitudinal tension through means of a film transport. The film conforms to the curvature of the drum, but is held a small distance above the surface of the cylinder in equilibrium between the aerodynamic forces created by the rotating cylinder and the applied tension of the film transport, thus effecting a compliant surface air bearing. A stationary lamp within or behind the transparent cylinder passes light through the cylinder to project an image from the film onto a scanning element by use of a conventional optical system.

Abstract: A rigid cylinder is rotated about its axis of symmetry at a relatively high rate of speed by means of a motor. Around a portion of the circumference of the rotating cylinder is wrapped a flexible imaging medium such as photographic film, to which is applied longitudinal tension through means of a film transport. The film conforms to the curvature of the drum, but is held a small distance above the surface of the cylinder in equilibrium between the aerodynamic forces created by the rotating cylinder and the applied tension of the film transport, thus effecting a compliant surface air bearing. A scanning beam is used to write on the film in the line direction. Longitudinal movement of the film is used to affect scanning in the page direction.

Abstract: An exposure station and a film transport comprise apparatus for recording a series of strip holograms on a continuous length of non-perforated film. The apparatus includes a vacuum-platen for keeping the film stable during holographic recording and a film stepping mechanism for advancing the film in equal steps between successive exposures. The film stepping mechanism is operationally coupled to the vacuum-platen and includes a drive arm that grips the film during each advance and releases the film without backlash between successive film advances. The film stepping mechanism includes a single-acting vacuum cylinder for moving the drive arm. The apparatus does not introduce strain in the film during the transport process which could result in non-uniform demodulation of the successive strip holograms. The stepping increment (holographic strip width) is adjustable with accurate increments as small as 0.005" being obtainable.

Abstract: A fluid bearing platen for a film gate structure contains a pair of cavities to which pressurized fluid, such as air, to be applied against the opposing surfaces of a photographic film, is supplied. Between each respective cavity and one side of the film there is disposed a thermodynamically non-throttling material, such as porous stainless steel, through which the pressurized fluid from the cavities passes, to be directed against the opposite sides of the film. The non-throttling material effectively creates an adiabatic transfer from the cavities to the film's opposing surfaces, thereby eliminating temperature loss and avoiding the wrinkling or warpage of the film.

Abstract: A photographic film like a microfilm is maintained on a focal plane by suction. A film support having a vacuum suction holes is made of a drafty material to allow draft while the film is maintained flat on the surface thereof by suction. Further, the film support has cushion to protect the film from scratches. Thus, the film can be fed on while being kept flat on a focal plane on the film support.

Abstract: A system for projecting an image, via projection optics, from multiple circuits formed on a glass master onto a photoresist coated PCB panel. The projection optics precisely magnifies the reduced pattern formed on the master to full scale while maintaining the image-plane light uniformity. To insure proper magnification, the conjugate distances between the master and the projection optics and between the projection optics and the PCB panel are precisely controlled. Further, the relevant planes containing the master, optics and PCB panel are controlled to insure substantial perpendicularity with respect to the optical axis. A registration subsystem is also provided to register the PCB panelholding platen.

Abstract: A system for assuring the correct positioning of a film cassette in a cassette holder in a device in which documents are withdrawn from a holder and transported to a position where they are photographed utilizing the film in the cassette, in which at least one suction cup is attached to the cassette holder with the cup having an opening lying in a plane corresponding to the correct position of the cassette in the holder and the suction cup is connected to a vacuum system and a pressure-sensitive device which is responsive to the correct or incorrect position of the cassette in the holder to operate or disable the document withdrawal mechanism or its drive source.

Abstract: A film passing by an aperture of a film gate for purpose of projection or exposure is immersed in a liquid in order to minimize the effect of optical imperfections in or upon the film. When changing from one reel or roll of film to the next sufficient liquid is withdrawn so that the new film can be threaded into the film gate in a dry state; however, the interior glass surfaces of the gate are not permitted to become dry, but instead are continuously washed with liquid so as to prevent the accumulation of particulate matter or other foreign material that would tend to degrade the quality of the image.

Abstract: A microfilm recording machine of the type which makes a photographic reproduction of each document processed therethrough has an improved document transport system for presenting the documents in a predetermined focal plane within the machine document scanning zone. The transport system includes a single glass plate having a longitudinal major surface within the predetermined focal plane and a transverse axis forward of the major surface. A pair of cooperating transport rollers on each side of the glass plate form nips for engaging the documents. The nips are forward of the glass plate major surface and the rollers are rotatable about axes to transport each document through the scanning zone. The plane embracing the axes of rotation of each respective roller pair converges upon the transverse axis so that each document is directed toward and against the major surface as it is transported through the scanning zone.

Abstract: A microfilm camera which includes a suction plate for holding a sheet of film. The suction plate is movable in steps across a picture gate. Between the objective lens and the contact surfaces of the picture gate there is a chamber formed at one end by a glass plate. The chamber is connected to a vacuum pump through a suction conduit. The suction conduit can be closed by a valve.