Abstract: A base pair of minutia is selected in the latent fingerprint under consideration and each tenprint or reference fingerprint. For each selected base pair, those sets of minutia pairs are selected which satisfy apriori constraints including angle, distance and ridge counts, to generate a first set of minutia which support the fingerprint correspondence. A second set of the supporting minutia pairs is generated from the first set, which doesn't contain pairs which are inconsistent with the base pair/bias angle. A third set is established using "dynamic programming" to determine the largest topologically self-consistent subset of the second set. The minutia pairings are counted in the third set, to thereby establish a merit of the base pair. For each of the minutia of the latent fingerprint, a correspondence group is generated, of a predetermined number of minutia of the tenprint which have the greatest merit.

Abstract: An image comparison arrangement uses an electronic computer to compare digitized fingerprint minutia maps of fingerprints of an unknown fingerprint set with corresponding maps of reference fingerprint sets which are stored in memory, in order to identify unknown fingerprints or to match fingerprints. The matching is performed by converting all the fingerprints to attributed relation graphs (ARGs) including nodes and branches, to which attributes are appended. For each fingerprint pair being compared, a distance matrix is generated, the elements of which are the similarities of stars. The highest-ranking star pair is selected as the starting point of a comparison tree, by which attempts are made to fill a match core with elements representing the matching stars. The comparison is of the various attributes of the nodes and branches of each star.

Abstract: The drawings illustrate the principles involved in an inertial shuttle device originally constructed to operate as an optical character recognition device and adapted to rapid photocomposition.The shuttle is a scanning device which is inherently a very uniform and smooth scanning velocity device and utilizes only a minute amount of driving power. This combination is achieved by means of energy conserving springs which reverse the head very rapidly at the end of each stroke with windage and friction losses made up by a lightweight, low inertia drive motor which itself is variable in power input by alteration of current intensity supplied to the motor.

Abstract: A rotary receptacle for supplying electric power to a rotating power-using device includes a nonrotating housing separated into two compartments by a rotary insulating disk. Each face of the disk carries a brush which runs against the interior surface of a slip ring housed within the corresponding compartment and shaped and dimensioned so as to provide maximum spacing between each slip ring and the periphery of the insulating disk.

Abstract: In a photocomposition machine, a method for projecting characters at a selected point size. A first reference position and a second reference position are defined. The variator lens and the collimator lens of the machine are driven to the first and second reference positions, respectively, in predetermined directions. The variator lens is then driven from the first reference position to a first composing position, and the collimator lens is driven from the second reference position to a second composing position. The composing positions are determined by the point size data, and each lens is moved to a composition position only in a direction opposite the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A guide means is provided for guiding diazotype copy sheet material through a developing apparatus over and in contact with a pair of rotatable applicator rollers positioned in axially spaced apart parallel relation. Developer liquid is supplied to the surface of the rollers for developing the copy sheet. The guide means includes a first and a second set of fine, filament-like guide wires strung taut across the rollers in the direction of movement of the sheet material through the developing apparatus. The guide wires of each set are positioned in spaced apart parallel relation, and the wires of one set are offset axially from the wires of the other set. The guide wires prevent the sheet material from becoming wrapped about the applicator rollers during passage of the material through the developing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for developing diazotype copy material by the application thereto of a quantity of liquid developer and comprises a heated enclosure for housing a pair of rotatable applicator rollers positioned in axially spaced apart parallel relation. Developer liquid is supplied to the surface of the rollers, and a pair of blade members is mounted adjacent each of the rollers for engagement therewith. One of the blade members of each pair meters the developer liquid on the roller and the other blade member forms a developing zone through which copy sheets are passed to be developed.

Abstract: A developing station for developing microfiche includes a pair of closely spaced walls, an inflatable tube defining the developing region of the station, a system for inflating the tube to seal the region, and a member for transporting a copy sheet into the region. The transporting member is withdrawn from the region during the developing step and moved back into the region subsequent to the developing step to transport the copy sheet from the developing region.