Abstract: An adapter for coupling a camera having automatic exposure control to an optical instrument, such as a microscope, for measuring the intensity level of image forming light emanating from the instrument and storing the measurement data, for evaluating the measured light intensity to see if it is in a predetermined range of exposure values, for automatically actuating the camera if the light intensity level is suitable for proper film exposure and thereafter terminating exposure in accordance with the stored data and for inhibiting camera actuation if the measure intensity level is too high or too low for proper exposure.

Abstract: A simply constructed two bladed shutter mechanism is provided for use in a photographic apparatus such as a microfiche camera having a scanning optical system for exposing a plurality of micro image areas on a single cardlike film unit. The camera lens is incrementally advanced to successive imaging positions by a rotatable barrel cam which also carries and rotates one or more shutter control pins for operating the shutter in coordination with advancement of the lens. In response to rotation of the one or more control pins with the barrel cam, shutter opening and closing blades are released sequentially from a cocked position for movement to effect exposure of an image area and thereafter are recocked.

Abstract: A camera having a foldable flash unit, preferably of the electronic strobe type, wherein the flash unit is movable between an operative erect position and a folded storage position wherein a major portion of the flash unit fits into a conforming recess on the front of the camera housing and the camera and flash housings cooperate to form a protective enclosure for the camera's objective lens and a source of illumination or light output window on the flash unit.

Abstract: A hand held, self-processing, electronic imaging camera for electronically recording an image of a scene, for providing a visual display of the recorded image on an electro-optical display device forming part of the camera such that the operator may audit or preview the recorded image and for printing out a hard copy print of the recorded image on a non-photosensitive image receiving sheet.

Abstract: A cassette for releasably holding a photosensitive film unit and locating the film unit at a film plane therein. The cassette includes base and cover sections coupled together in telescoping relation for movement toward and away from each other between releasably latched first and second closed positions. In the first closed position there is minimal pressure applied to the film unit to facilitate its removal from the cassette. When the case and cover sections are located in the second closed position sufficient pressure is applied to the film unit to urge it into intimate contact with a film plane defining bearing surface in the base section. In the illustrated embodiment the cassette is configured for radiographic applications and includes an intensifying screen that is urged into intimate contact with the film unit when the base and cover sections are located in the second closed positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically bonding or laminating a transparent protective cover sheet to the image-bearing surface of a photograph, preferably of the type prepared by a diffusion transfer process. The cover sheet includes a layer of fluid activatable bonding agent on one side thereof. The apparatus is configured to advance a photograph past a fluid treating station where its image-bearing surface is washed and wetted with activating fluid and simultaneously advance a cover sheet from one end of a stack to feed the photograph and cover sheet between a pair of pressure rollers which bring the photograph and cover sheet into superposition to effect the bond therebetween.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus usable with a large format film processor for receiving and supporting a cassette holding an exposed film unit and for unlatching structure on the cassette to substantially reduce pressure on the film unit to facilitate its movement over a film bearing surface as the film unit is advanced from the cassette into the entry of the film processor. The cassette includes differently configured forward and rear pressure latch release members and the apparatus includes conforming forward and rear latch release actuators. The actuators are configured to allow the forward release member to pass by the rear actuator without causing premature actuation of the forward release member.

Abstract: An improved motion picture apparatus for use with a card-like film unit and being of the type including a rotatable barrel cam for reciprocally driving the optical output end of a pivoting periscope boom, forming part of a scanning optical system, stepwise along a given locus over a row of sequential image positions at the film plane wherein the improvement comprises structure for axially displacing the barrel cam to adjust the location of the given locus so that at each of the steps the output end is in registration with a corresponding one of the image positions.

Abstract: A microfiche camera suitable for use in a low cost microfiche system for exposing a plurality of image frame areas on a single card-like film unit, preferably of the self-developing type. The camera includes a lens mounted on a carriage for lateral movement relative to the film unit, a film advancing system for moving the film in increments longitudinally relative to the lens and an exposure system, operable in cooperation to record an orthogonal pattern of micro images on the film unit. A camera actuating system is operable to locate an image frame area in position for exposure in response to movement of an actuating button from a first position to a second position and then to effect exposure of that image frame area in response to return movement of the button to the first position. The film advancing system is also used to advance the film unit into engagement with film processing structure after exposure of the last image frame area.

Abstract: A microfiche camera suitable for use in a low cost microfiche system for exposing a plurality of image frame areas on a single card-like film unit. The camera includes a carriage mounted lens that is moved incrementally through linear passes to expose sequential image frame areas disposed in a laterally extending row on the film unit. A shutter that defines an elongated shutter aperture extending along the length of the row cooperates with a light shield, that moves incrementally with the carriage to maintain a shield aperture in operative relation with the lens, for controlling the transmission of scene light to the film unit such that it passes through the lens at each of its sequential imaging positions to expose a corresponding one of the image frame areas, but is blocked from transmission to the other image frame areas in the row during an exposure interval.

Abstract: In a camera having a folding electronic flash unit, an improved dual actuator system for sequentially closing a flash charge switch to charge the flash unit's storage capacitor and operating a slider member that closes an internal switch to initiate an automatic cycle of camera operation. A charge switch actuator and slider actuator are mounted in telescoping relation for sequential operation with provisions made for optional independent operation of the slider actuator to bypass charging and operation of the flash unit. When the flash unit is folded, a detent thereon latches the charge switch actuator to inhibit inadvertent operation.

Abstract: A film pack, for use in a self-developing camera, including a film container having improved processing fluid spread control structure embodied in an extended forward wall portion of the container adjacent a film withdrawal slot to locate a spread control surface thereon in closer relation to a pair of pressure rollers in the camera. Although the forward wall is extended, the longitudinal dimension of the container, near its rear wall, has been maintained so that the improved pack will fit existing cameras. Also, the leading end wall of the container has been angled or sloped to improve the upward feed of film units toward an exposure position in the container. An alternative embodiment is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved photographic apparatus for coupling together separate film and print sheet elements of a self-developing film unit and facilitating the presentment of the coupled sheets to the entry of a processing device. The improvements include a displacing device for lifting a flap on a print leader to provide better access, for a coupling tab on the film sheet, to a tab receiving slot on the print leader; a pod cover device for covering a free trailing end of the pod to block the inadvertent insertion of the tab thereunder which would prevent accomplishment of the sheet coupling function; and a print hold back device responsive to movement of a cassette, holding a film sheet, along a portion of the apparatus for moving a hold back finger from a position blocking the path of travel of a print sheet toward the processor to an unblocking position.

Abstract: An improved exposure control system configured for automatic operation in both the ambient light and flash illumination modes of operation and including a pair of displaceably mounted shutter-aperture blades, a blade position sensor operative to detect a blade position indicator on one of the blades, a follow focus system operable in the flash mode for moving at least an element of the sensor along a first sensor path of travel and a trim control device being operative in the flash mode for moving the sensor element along a second sensor path of travel that intersects and is tranversely disposed with respect to the first path. The sensor provides an output signal in response to sensing the blade indicator for temporarily interrupting blade displacement, incidental to flash firing, at a selected aperture value in accordance with the position of the sensor element determined by the combined follow focus and trim control inputs.

Abstract: An improved photographic copy apparatus, usable with an original photographic picture to be copied and a photosensitive image recording material having different normalized image area formats thereby requiring cropping of the projected image of the original, for previewing the original picture, selecting a desired portion thereof to be copied that is compatible with the format of the recording material on a normalized basis, and projecting an image of the selected portion onto the recording material for exposure. The apparatus includes a viewing station having a selecting frame thereat. A viewing station picture holder is mounted for movement over the frame, framing the selected portion.

Abstract: An exposure control system being selectively operable in a plurality of ambient and flash illumination modes of operation. The operator may program the system for a selected one of the modes by setting a corresponding programming combination of two mode selecting switches, one of which is preferably rendered conductive in response to operatively coupling a flash source to a receiving socket thereby indicating the selection of flash mode operation. The system features a pair of shutter/aperture blades adapted to be driven stepwise by a stepper motor and an aperture selecting system that provides a Gray coded binary number indicating the number of steps the blades are to be driven for a particular exposure. In the flash modes, the Gray coded number is provided in response to lens focusing to provide a Gray coded number corresponding to a scene distance related range of exposure aperture values.

Abstract: A compact die cutting apparatus that is particularly well suited for cutting individual image sections out of a multiple image photograph of the type provided by a self-developing camera that takes identification photographs having two or more portrait pictures thereon for use on passports, I.D. credit cards, etc. The die cutting apparatus includes a base section with a punch device pivotally and slidably mounted on a lower portion thereof, an actuator assembly that pivots toward and away from the lower portion of the base section and has a cutting die, an image viewing and registration frame, and photograph support thereon, and aligning structure for automatically maintaining a punch cutting head on the punch device in operative alignment with the cutting die as the die is moved in operative relation with the punch cutting head.

Abstract: A photographic system for coupling together discrete photosensitive and image receiving sheet elements of a self-developing film unit, after the photosensitive sheet element is exposed, bringing the coupled sheet elements into superposition, and applying a compressive pressure progressively along the length of the superposed elements to distribute a processing composition therebetween. The system is especially useful from handling large format, e.g. 8.times.10 size, film units and includes a processor for receiving a cassette holding the photosensitive sheet, and a sheet advancing mechanism for advancing an image receiving sheet into the forward end of the cassette, through an access slot therein, wherein the image receiving sheet element becomes coupled to the photosensitive sheet.

Abstract: In a printing system wherein a ball stylus of a given diameter is brought into repeated engagement with the back side of a transfer sheet to selectively transfer a printing medium on the front side of the transfer sheet to a facing printing medium receiving surface of a recording sheet to printout image defining marks thereon, the improvement wherein one of the transfer and image recording sheets includes a surface provided by an orderly spaced array of raised mesas and recessed areas therebetween to selectively limit the size or area of the marks printed out in this manner.

Abstract: A compact printer for use with electronic image recording apparatus for providing a color print of an electrically recorded image by effecting the selective transfer of colored printing mediums from a transfer sheet to an image-receiving sheet in accordance with electronic image signals that define different color components of the image.