Abstract: An automatic exposure control device for use in a copying machine in which a light source for illuminating the light to an original document is controlled based on the signal representing the light amount of the original document sensed by a light senses. There are two kinds of HIGH level limiter for limiting the upper limit of the power supplied to the light source. The HIGH level limiters are selected depending on whether the amount of light of the light source has been raised sufficiently or not, whereby over exposure copy or foggy copy can be prevented.

Abstract: A photosensitive material is exposed to light from a light source in an exposure corresponding to the image density of each picture element by selecting a plurality of light output modulation steps from the light output of the light source, selecting a plurality of exposure time modulation steps, computing the exposure as sets of a light output modulation step and an exposure time modulation step, selecting from them a set corresponding to the maximum exposure time modulation step as exposure parameters, and exposing the photosensitive material in accordance with the selected exposure parameters. An exposure apparatus for carrying out such optimum exposure include a light source, a light detector, an exposure parameter computing unit, and a driver for the light source.

Abstract: An exposure device includes a light source, means for transmitting radiation from the light source to the surface of a photosensitive film, and photosensitive information outputting means for measuring and outputting information which represents the state of exposure of the surface of the photosensitive film. A suitable exposure can be determined by detecting changes in the properties of the resist. In consequence, exposure can be adjusted to fit the exposed state of the photosensitive film which would be impossible in the prior art. Further, variations that occur in exposure can be decreased, and yield can be improved.

Abstract: A photographic enlarger for carrying out a printing operation using exposure data fed directly from an external analyzer by converting the data into suitable exposure data for the enlarger. The enlarger can function efficiently even when a condition of the optical system of the enlarger, for example, the magnification or aperture size, of the optical system, is changed.

Abstract: An exposure determining method. Light is measured with respect to a plurality of portions of film images into which images on films to be subjected to printing are divided, thereby obtaining photometric data. The printing exposure condition for a reference film type is corrected with respect to at least one color selected on the basis of the difference in the three color balance of one of the films to be subjected to printing, from that of the reference film type. The exposure is determined on the basis of the corrected printing exposure condition and on the basis of image densities with respect to three colors which are calculated on the basis of photometric data belonging to a specific color region.

Abstract: A multi-field latent image bar code is photographically recorded in every half frame of a strip of photographic film, at least one of the fields of the code representing information pertaining to film type and another one of the fields representing the half-frame number.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a laser beam radiating unit utilized as a light source, and an optical system that the surface of an original reflects a laser beam radiated from the radiating unit to project a image reflected from the original onto a photosensitive member. In this apparatus, an image is formed selectively in a print mode that an image results from turning on and off the laser beam, in a copy mode that a copy of an original results from exposure of the photosensitive member to the laser beam reflected from the surface of an original or in a composite mode that a composite image is formed of a copy of an original and an image resulting from turning on and off the laser beam. Further, this apparatus comprises a transporting unit for transporting a sheet on which a latent image formed on the photosensitive member is transferred onto the original glass, so that a sheet once discharged from the main body can be reused as an original.

Abstract: A microfilm projecting apparatus for projecting an image of a microfilm on a screen and projecting the same on a photoreceptor, the microfilm projecting apparatus including a reflector movably provided between a first position out of an image projecting light path and a second position in the image projecting light path. The image projecting light travels to the screen when the reflector is at the first position. The reflector moves from the first position to the second position along a plane including the reflecting surface thereof and reflects the image projecting light to the photoreceptor at the second position. A detector is arranged for detecting the density of the image by receiving the image projecting light reflected by the reflector while the reflector is moving from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printing system which makes use of a color exposure determination algorithm. If the printing system permits operator controlled reprinting, then the algorithm's coefficients may be optimized by reprinting negatives using exposures that have been precisely corrected by the operator. This invention teaches that a most efficient way to select the negatives for reprinting is to chose those which lie in two ranges of the "hat" statistic for any or all of the color exposure determination algorithm equations used to make the print. It also teaches how to automatically re-optimize the algorithm coefficients on a periodic basis using data collected automatically during the reprinting operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing photographic prints has a negative exposing section, including a light source, an optical light filter system forming a beam of light along a path, a film transporting system for passing the negative film to be printed through the optical path of the light system, and a lens for projecting the virtual image to be printed onto the printing paper. A mirror is pivoted along one of its edges so that it can be raised into the light path to selectively reflect the light from the light source to a color analyzing system and optionally to a densitometer system. The color analysis system as positioned ahead of the negative printing station along the negative film transport path. The mirror is controlled to transmit light through the negative film when printing is taking place and to deflect all of the light to the color analysis and densitometer systems when printing is not taking place.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detector for detecting light intensities of light from a light source, and a discrimination unit for obtaining the relative ratio of chroma signals of light with two or more wavelengths at the light intensities of the light source detected by the detector, to thereby discriminate life expiration of the light source. Data of the relative ratio of chroma signals of light with two or more wavelengths at a time of life expiration of the light source is obtained in advance. Thereafter, the light intensity of the light source is detected to obtain the actual relative ratio of the chroma signals of light with two or more wavelengths. Based on these data, the life expiration of the light source is discriminated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a media cartridge that accommodates a roll of a light receiving sheet, a leader sheet for automatic loading being connected to the leading edge of said light receiving sheet, wherein said apparatus comprises: sensitivity information recording means, provided on the leader sheet, for recording information relating to the sensitivity of the light receiving sheet for the formation of a full color image; a sensitivity information sensor to read the sensitivity information recorded on the sensitivity information recording means; and a color correcting means for correcting colors according to the sensitivity information read by the sensitivity information sensor.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, a relatively long film having a photosensitive surface composed of photosensitive microcapsules is withdrawn from a supply spool and selectively exposed to light to form a photographed film frame prior to being passed through a nip between urged-together press rollers and then wound onto a take-up spool, sheets of developing paper are delivered one at a time by a paper supply roller from a stack of the sheets for passage between the press rollers with each delivered sheet facing a respective exposed area of the film so as to be pressed together therewith, and a roller drive assembly including a first reversible motor operative in first and second directions in printing and rewinding modes, respectively, a first transmission including a first one-way clutch through which the first motor drives the paper supply roller means only when the first motor operates in the first direction in the printing mode, a second transmission including a second one-way clutch through which the supply spoo

Abstract: A color photographic printing method of printing a film on the basis of the printing condition of a reference film type, comprises comparing the film characteristic of the reference film type with the film characteristic of the type of a film to be printed and correcting the printing condition of the reference film type on the basis of the result of this comparison. Accordingly, the proper printing condition of each type of film to be printed can be obtained from the printing condition of a single reference film type.

Abstract: The power supplied to a new printing lamp which replaces an old lamp is set automatically. The light output of the new printing lamp is measured with an exposure control sensor while the power supplied to the new printing lamp is changed in predetermined step units under control of CPU. The power supplied to the new printing lamp is fixed when the measured light amount coincides with a predetermined reference light amount. The automatically fixed lamp power is stored in a memory, and is read out therefrom to drive the new printing lamp when making a photographic print, to ensure the same light output as that of the old printing lamp.

Abstract: A method is taught for automatically adjusting the balance coefficients of printer exposure determination algorithms based on an examination of the corrections made by the operator when reprinting negatives from unsatisfactory prints. The adjustment is based on the average correction and the standard deviation of the corrections made to each balance coefficient of the exposure determination equation.

Abstract: A photographic printing method and apparatus therefor having a pulse motor for transporting a photograhic film to place a picture frame in a printing position. In order to avoid an occurrence of cumulative position error, position data of each picture frame is provided in the form of a combination of the number of perforation holes and the number of driving pulses applied to the pulse motor while edges of each two adjacent perforation holes are detected. In a film inspection process, the position data is stored in a memory after having placing each picture frame in the printing position. The position data of each picture frame is read out in a printing process and compared with present position signals of the picture frame of the film being transported.

Abstract: A rotatable disc is provided, for use in a photographic printer, supporting both scanning and large area transmissive filters. The disc is used to selective position a scanning or large area filter between a photographic negative and a single light sensor. The disc thus permits the single light sensor to be used to measure both the scanned and large area transmissive characteristics of the photographic negative.

Abstract: Disclosed is a trimming device for use with a photographic printer having a fixed window mask unchangeable in size and a variable window mask having a movable window frame for changing a window size. Each window of the fixed window mask and the variable window mask is shaped symmetrically in the optical axis of exposure light so that exposure light is projected through smaller window among the fixed window mask and the variable window mask. There is provided a film guide plate for guiding a film frame to be printed into exposure light. The film guide plate is adapted to allow a film frame to move in X and Y directions, and the movable window frame is also adapted to change a window size in the both X and Y direction, Symmetrically in the optical axis of exposure light.

Abstract: A reader-printer with an image size judging function, which has a plurality of sensors for judging a size of a desired image retrieved out of a multiplicity of images recorded on a microfilm. These sensors are arranged along a film transport direction to allow them to have a predetermined detection area.

Abstract: A driving device for causing said optical device disposed in a photographic printer to move between the off-optical-axis position and the on-optical-axis position of the optical device. The optical device is driven by combination of a driving wheel, a driven wheel, and a flexible elongated member passed around the driving wheel and the driven wheel. A tension member is inserted between both ends of the elongated member in a looped state thereof. After the optical device has been driven by a predetermined distance, the driving wheel is further driven by a slight amount even after the first stopper of the optical device has come into contact with the second stopper to thereby loosen the portion of the elongated member defined between the driving wheel and the first stopper as well as to expand the tension member.

Abstract: A method for determining the exposure time in photographic copying includes measuring the light intensity at different measuring points of the projected picture of the original to be copied for an initial copying light intensity, and forming a mean value of the light intensity values measured at such points; the exposure time for a current copying light intensity is determined by modifying the aforementioned mean value with a proportional action factor corresponding to the ratio of the light intensity value measured at a selected one of the measuring points for the current copying light intensity relative to the light intensity value measured at the same point for the initial copying light intensity.

Abstract: An original film is provided with main numbers and sub numbers which are alternately located at intervals equivalent to the length of one half-size frame image, as well as bar codes which represent the main numbers and the sub numbers. Since the frame images on the original film can be specified by reading with a reading means the main numbers and/or the sub numbers located at the sides of the frame images to be printed onto the printing paper, the main numbers and/or the sub numbers are provided on the printing paper so as to identify the frame images on the original film.

Abstract: A photographic printing tape puncher for recording, on a paper tape, information on exposure correction for each of image frames formed on an original picture film before the film is used to perform printing. A frame number reading means reads bar codes which represent frame numbers and which are recorded on a part of the original picture film. The information thereby read is recorded on the paper tape along with items of information on exposure correction for the corresponding image frames. The items of exposure correction information and the frame numbers relating to the image frames are recorded on the paper tape constantly in correspondence with each other. It is therefore possible to easily obtain desired exposure correction information by searching a corresponding image frame number on the paper tape.

Abstract: An optical image transfer system for transferring images to a photosensitive medium, which has a light source for generating a radiation having a first wavelength, and a wavelength converter disposed in a light path between the light source and the photosensitive medium, for converting the first wavelength of the radiation generated by the light source, to a second wavelength which is shorter than the first wavelength and to which the photosensitive medium is sensitive. The wavelength converter may be used in a system wherein images are transferred to a color-imaging photosensitive medium.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for exposing, to a pattern of a first object, a second object by use of light is disclosed. The apparatus includes a light source for supplying light having a predetermined wavelength, for exposing the second object to the pattern of the first object, a detecting device for detecting a change in the wavelength of the light from the light source, and a control device operable in response to a signal from the detecting device, to bring the second object substantially unexposed to the pattern of the first object.

Abstract: A light adjusting apparatus comprising a lamp connected to a commercial a.c. power supply via a triac, and a switching control circuit operable by a direct current obtained by directly rectifying the current of the power supply for controlling the conduction timing of the triac based on the zero-cross timing of the power supply. The conduction timing of the triac is controlled by a signal obtained by producing a pulse-width modulated light adjusting signal from a signal generating circuit by a light-emitting element, causing a photodetector in the control circuit to receive the adjusting signal and subjecting the resulting output of the control circuit to pulse-width demodulation.

Abstract: A photographic printer has a black-and-white CRT which is used as a light source for illuminating an original film with a flying light spot when making a print of a frame of the original film in a three color frame sequential exposure. While making prints of the respective frames of the original film, image signals are stored in a memory by color on a frame by frame basis. The image signals are read out from the memory after every predetermined number of frames, and are electrically processed to provide composite video image signals which are displayed on a CRT as an inlaid composite video image of the predetermined number of frames to which a photographic paper is exposed. A mirror, which may be either a half or a full mirror, is provided to reflect the flying spot light passed through the original film to a light detecting device from which output signals are transmitted to the memory.

Abstract: An alignment and exposure apparatus for aligning an original such as a reticle and a workpiece such as a wafer and for photolithographically transferring a pattern of the original onto the workpiece. The alignment of the original and the workpiece is achieved by detecting diffractively scattered light from alignment marks of the original and the workpiece. For this alignment, plural and different wavelengths are used. One of the wavelengths which is close to an exposure wavelength is used to detect both the original and the workpiece. Another wavelength is used to detect only the workpiece. By this, high-accuracy alignment of the original and the workpiece is ensured.

Abstract: A photographic printing apparatus is provided with at least two illumination lamps selectively placed in a printing path for printing an image of an original on a photographic material and a lamp detector for detecting which illumination lamp is in the printing path, and then sending a signal to a controller. The controller excites the lamp detected in the printing path and designates a data channel of a memory corresponding to the detected lamp in order to read out lamp data such as a lamp slope coefficient and lamp balance therefrom and then determine an exposure time. The lamp detector effects the detection of the lamp and generates a signal when the lamp in use is broken and is replaced with a spare.

Abstract: An image reader is disclosed which is provided with a screen for an image recorded on a microfilm to be projected thereon and a photoelectric transferring element for transforming the image into electric signals. In a light path originating in a light source and reaching the photoelectric transferring element, a beam attenuating filter for attenuating the luminous energy of the beam of light exposed on the photoelectric transferring element is disposed and used for decreasing the difference in the illuminance of the light source during the reader mode for causing the image to be projected on the screen and during the transforming mode for causing the image to be exposed on the photoelectric transferring element. The illuminance of the light source is controlled by the variation of the intermittent frequency of the voltage applied to the light source.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for illuminating objects with lights has a rotary member having a plurality of types of fluorescent materials, a driving device for driving the rotary member, a lighting device for causing the fluorescent materials to emit lights, and a plurality of light paths for guiding the lights from the fluorescent materials to a plurality of objects. A recording apparatus making use of the illuminating apparatus has an image reading device capable of reading an image by device of an illuminating light, an image forming device capable of forming an image on the recording member by device of an illuminating light, a first illuminating light path through which the light emitted from one of the fluorescent materials is guided to the image reading device, a second illuminating light path through which the light emitted from one of the fluorescent materials is guided to the image forming device.

Abstract: Cartridges which contain exposed photographic roll films are admitted into a duct to descend past a reader which reads the bar codes of the cartridges and transmits to a microprocessor signals denoting the type and the length of each film. The microprocessor evaluates such signals and permits automatic splicing of films of a selected type end-to-end preparatory to introduction into a developing machine. Cartridges with films of other types are segregated from cartridges with films of the selected type, the same as cartridges which do not bear any bar codes. The microprocessor compares the encoded information pertaining to the length of each film with information denoting the actual length of the respective film and causes a printer to encode the information on envelopes for the exposed and developed films. The reels for films which are shorter than denoted by the respective bar codes are removed by an attendant and are inspected for the possible presence of one or more exposed frames.

Abstract: A photographic printing system equipped with an analyzer for displaying on a CRT an image equivalent to that of the print and a plurality of enlargers for performing printing based upon data obtained by means of the analyzer. In the analyzer, the data displayed on the CRT are transduced into printing condition data for each enlarger and stored on a storage medium for each of the enlargers so that an optimum print may be obtained at each of the enlargers. The enlargers select the corresponding printing condition data from the storage medium and perform printing. The data displayed on the CRT are transduced into the printing condition data for each of the enlargers, so that the same print can be obtained even when printing is performed based upon the same data displayed on the CRT using a plurality of enlargers with different exposure systems.

Abstract: A negative-positive microfilm discriminating system for use in a microfilm reader/printer apparatus, comprising a reflector mirror for projecting a beam of light bearing an image detected from a microfilm strip, a sensor disposed in the path of light from the reflector mirror for detecting the densities in each of a plurality of blocks of a patterned image zone of the microfilm strip, and a control circuit for selecting out of the blocks the blocks having acceptable degrees of contrast, determining whether the image zone within each of the selected blocks is a negative or is a positive and determining whether the micrifilm strip is a negative or is a positive.

Abstract: A density measuring device for originals in an enlarging/reducing projector, which is installed in a electrophotographic copying machine or in an image sensor to measure original densities for enlarged/reduced printing under automatic exposure control. The device includes a light sensor, which receives light from an original via mirrors, and moves to keep a constant distance between the sensor and the original when the mirrors move in response to the change of projective magnification. The length of optical path for original density measurement is corrected by moving the sensor separately from but in accordance with the projection lens as the lens moves to change projective magnification.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying radiation to an object, such as pulsed laser light for exposing a semiconductor substrate, for example, applied through a shutter, includes a control system that determines the amount of light applied to the object. In one embodiment, the timing of light pulses ensures that a pulse is emitted at the time of complete shutter opening and also at the time of the start of shutter closing. In another embodiment, the period from the commencement of shutter closing to the completion of shutter closing is controlled so that it is an integer times the light pulse repetition period. The apparatus may also include a light energy detector, and the control system may calculate the amount of applied radiation and shutter operating periods.

Abstract: A reader-printer has a first mirror rotatable to a first position in which it is capable of forming a reader optical path for projecting an image light onto a screen and a second position in which it is capable of forming a printer optical path for projecting the image light onto a photosensitive surface, a second mirror disposed in the reader optical path for disposed in the reader optical path for directing the light from the first mirror to the screen, a third mirror disposed in the printer optical path for directing the light from the first mirror to the photosensitive surface, a driving device for rotating the first mirror to the first position and the second position, and a detecting device disposed outside the reader optical path and the printer optical path for receiving the reflected light from the first mirror during the rotation of the first mirror and detecting the image density.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing imagewise exposure of a light-sensitive material whose spectral sensitivity is dependent on wavelength, uses a light source that emits light at a wavelength in the neighborhood of a narrow wavelength range and which is compensated for variations in its optical output level and wavelength on account of the change in the temperature of the light source. A drop in the exposure sensitivity of the light-sensitive material is prevented and a high-quality image is produced by electrically compensating for variations in the optical output level of the light source on the basis of the sensitivity vs. wavelength characteristics of the light-sensitive material and the wavelength vs. temperature characteristics of the light source so that the light source will produce a constant optical output in spite of the variations in wavelength due to the changes in its temperature.

Abstract: Light containing blue, green and red radiation is passed through a colored original which is to be printed on color copy material. The transmitted light is spread out into a color spectrum which extends across a first wavelength range generally corresponding to the blue portion of the spectrum, a second wavelength range generally corresponding to the green portion of the spectrum and a third wavelength range generally corresponding to the red portion of the spectrum. The intensity of the transmitted light is measured throughout the spectrum and average of the resulting raw intensities are taken oer each of a series of wavelength intervals which are much shorter than the first, second and third ranges. The copy material has a gamma value for each wavelength interval and such gamma value represents the spectral sensitivity of the copy material in the corresponding interval. The average intensity for each wavelength interval is multiplied by the respective gamma value to yield a corrected intensity.

Abstract: A simulator for automatic color photographic printers which are adapted to print an image recorded on a film on a sheet of printing paper as a final print. Said image is picked up by an image sensor and displayed on a CRT as an image that is identical with the final print. The simulator includes a gamma correction circuit which processes the output signals from the image sensor without transducing them logarithmically, performing gamma correction such that the total gamma of said CRT and the output signals of said gamma correction circuit is made equal substantially equal to the gamma of the printing paper, whereby the image simulated can be displayed on the CRT with a high accuracy without deterioration of the image signals detected by the image sensor.

Abstract: In a light source device in which one or more light emitting tubes are adapted to emit light sequentially, there are provided one or more counters for counting the number of times of failure of light emission of the light emitting tubes, and comparator or judging circuit for comparing the number counted by the counters with a predetermined number to produce an interruption signal when the counted number is over the predetermined value, a control unit acts to interrupt the light emission of the light emitting tube in response to the interruption signal and a warning device is activated for indicating a warning in response to the interruption signal.

Abstract: A digital device for controlling the power supply to various loads, by converting the state of the loads or the peak value of the power supply voltage into digital values and instantly determining the power supply to the loads.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading a transparent film has a light source, an exchangeable adjusting board corresponding to the transmission factor of the film, an imaging device for receiving and imaging the light passing through the adjusting board and the film, a comparison function for detecting the output of the imaging device and comparing the output of the imaging device with a predetermined output level, a control device for outputting power source control signals in response to the output of the comparison device, and a power source for energizing the light source in response to the power source control signals. Whereby, the adjusting board is imaged before the film is imaged by the imaging device, and in case the light amount of the light source is not adequate for the film, the extent of energizing the light source is adjusted for adequately imaging the film.

Abstract: In a method of producing additional prints, detection is made as to data relative to an image on an original-image film and data relative to an image printed on a printed sheet of photographic paper from the original-image film. On the basis of the above-mentioned data, arithmetic operations are performed upon the amount of exposure required for printing the image on the photographic paper from the orignal-image film. On the basis of the results of the arithmetic operations, exposure control relative to the printing is performed to finish the color characteristics of an image to be reprinted on the photographic paper so that the color characterisitcs may be made substantially the same as the color characteristics of the image printed on the printed sheet.

Abstract: A negative-positive microfilm discriminating system for use in a microfilm reader/printer apparatus, comprising a sensor for detecting the densities at a plurality of spots within an image zone of a microfilm strip, and a control circuit for discarding a fraction of the density data when the fraction of the data is representative of a density occurring at less than a predetermined percentage of the total number of spots and discriminating whether the microfilm strip is a negative or a positive on the basis of the remaining fraction of the density data.

Abstract: A flash exposure photocopier provides a mechanism for automatically controlling photoreceptor exposure levels to compensate for the effects of documents having backgrounds of different densities. A photosensor and lens assembly is located within a flash housing in a position whereby a large portion of the document is imaged by the lens onto the surface of a chip having a plurality of individual photosensors contained thereon. The outputs of each photosensor are integrated and applied to a comparator set at a particular reference level. The comparator output controls the duration of the flash source so as to quench lamp operation when an input level is reached corresponding to the particular reference level set. The integrated photosensor outputs are also summed and a signal representing their average value is compared to the signal which triggers the comparator. The ratio of these signals is used to identify documents with high area coverage and hence high toner usage.

Abstract: An optical illumination device for a copying apparatus which includes a light source, a series of reflectors, and a light detecting member for detecting the amount of light reflected off of the original document to control the intensity of the light source. The series of reflectors includes two reflectors on the opposite side of the optical path from the light source which are integrally formed to provide an L-shape configuration in cross section. One of the integrally formed reflectors reflects the light from the document onto the light detecting member.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the exposure of a photographic negative to be printed in a cropped, enlarged format. The method is performed by defining a region of the negative to be printed, measuring selected density characteristics of the negative in only that region, and determining the exposure based on those measured density characteristics. The method is implemented in an enlarging photographic printer including means for defining the region of the negative to be printed, and means for measuring the selected density characteristics of the negative only in that region. Means are provided for using the selected density characteristics to calculate an exposure for the negative region, and for exposing the negative region onto photographic paper in accordance with the calculated exposure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reader-printer capable of being changed over between a reader mode in which the light image of an original is projected onto a screen and a printer mode in which the light image of the original is projected onto a photosensitive medium. The reader-printer has first optical means for forming a first optical path for projecting the light image onto the screen and second optical means for forming a second optical path for projecting the light image onto the photosensitive medium. The second optical means includes a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror is movable so that it is positioned outside the first optical path during the reader mode and is positioned in the first optical path during the printer mode. The second mirror is movable with the first mirror.