Abstract: A roll film reader/printer transports film to a selected photographic area of imagery. Transparent areas are also left at any one or more selected locations on the roll film. When it is necessary or desirable to read an image on a separate and discrete piece of film, the roll of film is transported through the reader/printer in order to display a transparent area. There, a carrier for the separate and discrete piece of film is manually inserted into the reader/printer and over the transparent area on the roll film. An optically detectable symbol may be provided on the carrier so that a signal may be given when the carrier is in a reading position. Either suitable interlock switches or signals responsive to the optically detected symbol may disable the roll film transport mechanism while the carrier for the manually inserted film is in the reader/printer.

Abstract: A microfilm viewing monitor, that is adapted to illuminate and enlarge microphotographic material and display images thereof on a viewing screen, is provided for use in environments that include substantial ambient light. The monitor includes an improved illumination-display system in which the viewing screen comprises a two-element sandwich, including a Fresnel lens for receiving and converging illuminated image bearing light rays with a semi-specular lens for diffusing and focusing those rays, and an image enhancing lens positioned forwardly of the viewing screen operates to reduce the effect of ambient light, thereby providing for improved image resolution. For further image enhancement, the lens may be tinted, and cooperates with housing walls to provide a hood-like effect forwardly of the viewing screen. The viewing monitor preferably is for use in a motor vehicle, and may be arranged to assist the vehicle operator with route navigation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a microfilm reader/printer having a back-projection viewing screen, a printing station having a printing plane and a movable reflecting member adapted to reflect a microfilm image onto the printing plane when the member is in a printing position and onto the screen when the member is in a reading position, said moving member having reflecting surfaces on opposite sides thereof one of which is used in the reading position and the other of which is used in the printing position.

Abstract: A film transport and control system for a microfilm image projection system having a single joy-stick operator device which controls both vertical scan and film speed in foreward and reverse. At higher film speeds, in both directions, the glass flats between which the film passes across the projection station are separated to prevent scratching the film.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning microimages containing graphic information which iudes a film provided with a matrix of microimage spaces, at least some of the spaces being occupied by microimages, and a light source for illuminating the microimages to generate light images of the graphic information contained on the microimages. The apparatus further includes light sensing devices for generating analog signals which represent the graphic information contained upon the microimages and missing image sensors for generating a signal which signifies that a given microimage space of the matrix is not occupied by a microimage.

Abstract: A roll film reader/printer transports film to a selected photographic area. Transparent areas are also left at any one or more selected locations on the roll film. When it is necessary or desirable to read an image on a separate and discrete film, "card", the roll of film is transported through the reader/printer in order to display a transparent area. There, the separate and discrete film "card" is manually inserted into the reader/printer, over the transparent area on the roll film. Suitable interlock switches disable the roll film transport mechanism while the manually inserted film is in the reader/printer.

Abstract: A pocket-sized microform reader is realized by employing a unique lenticular (screen) assembly and a projection lens assembly, the latter permitting a fold in the middle of an optical path allowing the size requirements of such a reader to be met. The cooperation between the lenticular screen and the projection lens assemblies permits sufficient brightness to be obtained and the lenticular screen assembly defines a non wasteful exit pupil of limited dimensions consistent with a pocket-sized reader.

Abstract: The inventive microfilm reader and reader-printer has a film gate which is anchored to the chassis of the reader or reader-printer and which is entirely separate from a light system, lens mount, and focusing system which float up and down with respect to the film gate and chassis. The floating system is mounted on an elevator mechanism which lifts or lowers it relative to the film gate to scan across the width of the film. A prism is included in the lens system to rotate and vertically align the projected image. A combination of the movements of the elevator mechanism and prism enables any vertical segment of the microfilm to be scanned, selected, and read in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A microfiche viewer structured for examining new microfiche film. The film is typically still in roll form as it comes from the microfiche camera. Plural magnifications of the microfiche image are selectively available; one, to reproduce a whole fiche upon the viewing screen for general observation of photographic quality, the other, to reproduce perhaps four frames of a whole microfiche for detailed observation of quality. The apparatus is structured for convenience in viewing. The different magnifications are obtained by selectively interposing objective lenses of different focal length in the light path adjacent to the microfiche film on the side opposite to that occupied by a light source. Motor driven film transport means are provided atop the apparatus proper.

Abstract: A portable microform reader is provided with a microform carrier and a projection system for projecting an enlarged real image of the information carried on a portion of the microform onto a viewing screen. A binocular magnifying system is arranged for viewing the screen and for further enlarging the image thereon to produce a virtual image of acceptable reading size. The projection system comprises a source of illumination, a condenser lens, and a projection lens for projecting an image of the information carried on the microform onto the screen. The magnifying system may consist of appropriate binocular lenses where such lenses, in combination with prismatic converging means, produce the desired magnification. Beam splitting means may alternately be provided to eliminate the need for prismatic converging means, and a mirror arrangement may be provided to "fold" the projected beams for further limiting the size of the reader.

Abstract: A film projection viewing system employs a projector to receive cartridges loaded into the projector in a manner completing a light path through the projector to a viewing screen. A film projector and cartridge having a substantially self-contained film transport therein cooperates to provide a system having a lens system with a focal length settable to a predetermined position in response to insertion of a cartridge into the projector.

Abstract: A compact viewer having an active display belt supported for movement around an endless loop and a projection station for scan-exposing successive image portions, from the image medium to be viewed, onto successive portions of the belt where they are temporarily stored for viewing. In a preferred embodiment images are selectively scan exposable at opposite sides of the viewing station to facilitate bidirectional image retrieval. An erasure station is provided along the belt path at a location spaced from the viewing station to prepare the belt for display of new images.

Abstract: A data film capstan about which a high speed data microfilm is wrapped is directly mechanically linked by a gear speed reduction mechanism to an index film capstan having an index film wrapped thereabout for driving the index film in synchronism and at a predetermined reduced speed for easy index data viewing.

Abstract: A film reader, including an irradiator for the film on which information is recorded, an optical system for projecting the information recorded on the film, an information storage body having an electrocromic substance, which changes color when a voltage is applied thereto, mounted between a pair of electrodes for recording and erasing information projected by the optical system, the whole area of the information storage body being irradiated with light.

Abstract: A bidirectional web medium drive for moving a web of material such as a roll of microfilm between two reels consisting of a pair of reversible motors coupled through irreversible drives to corresponding spindles which receive and support each of the film reels. A torque controller is coupled to one of the motors for applying a constant output torque to that motor while a variable speed controller is coupled to the other motor for controlling the output speed of that motor. In one embodiment, a switch is provided so that when the switch is in a first position, the torque controller is connected to one of the motors to apply a constant torque to its spindle so that its associated reel becomes the take-up reel while the speed controller is connected to the other motor so that its reel becomes the supply reel and both motors rotate in the same direction.

Abstract: A plastic microfiche carrier is made from two clear plastic sheets, which fit together in a face-to-face relationship to form an envelope that is open on one end and sealed on the other end and along two sides. One of the plastic sheets is embossed to provide a central clearance between the sheets for enabling insertion of a replaceable microfiche film. The clearance formed by the embossment on the other side enables the carrier to be slipped into a cartridge without binding in the thickness dimension. The corners of the carrier are tapered to facilitate an alignment of the microfiche library file within the cartridge. The edges of the carrier are notched to releasably hold the microfiche library film while it is inside the cartridge.

Abstract: A projector containing a group of eigth film cassettes which are selectively slidable into a position between a lens and an electric light so to project an image upon a screen upon a front side of a case that contains the entire device, the film cassettes containing micro file upon which sheet music is photographed so that the cassettes contain a large library of sheet music, and the case being adaptable for placement upon a piano or in front of a musician playing any other instrument.

Abstract: A film projection viewing system employs a projector to receive cartridges loaded into the projector in a manner completing a light path through the projector to a viewing screen. A film projector and cartridge having a substantially self-contained film transport therein cooperates to provide a system having a lens system with a focal length setable to a predetermined position in response to insertion of a cartridge into the projector.

Abstract: An automatic film retrieval system of the type which utilizes film having a plurality of frames, each frame including document images and an adjacent frame marker to facilitate sensing and counting of the frames has an improved film speed drive control circuit which causes the film to be driven at high speed when a desired film frame is greater than a fixed given number of frames away from the actual present frame and at low speed when the desired film frame is less than or equal to a fixed given number of frames away from the actual present frame. The system additionally has an automatic film drive direction control circuit and a stop-go and reset control circuit.

Abstract: A mark counter is able to count frame marks in one film margin adjacent to corresponding frames and group marks in the other film margin adjacent to the first frames of each group of frames regardless of which margin contains the frame marks and which margin contains the group marks. The marks in both margins are sensed, and analogous signals are fed into an OR gate and an AND gate. The output of the OR gate is the logical sum of the number of sensed frame and group marks which is numerically equal to the number of sensed frame marks, and the output of the AND gate is the logical product of the number of sensed frame and group marks which is numerically equal to the number of sensed group marks.