Abstract: A device for turning articles such as envelopes 90 degrees as the articles are moved forward from an entrace location to an exit location. Two flexible endless belts, each having a span contiguous to a corresponding span of the other, move the articles as they are turned. A pair of entrance and exit rollers have the flexible belts wrapped around them. The axis of each of the entrance rollers is horizontally disposed and the axis of each of the exit rollers is turned 90 degrees in the direction of the angular displacement of the article such that the axis of each of the exit rollers is disposed vertically. A pair of idler rollers assist in keeping the belts properly positioned on the entrance and exit rollers.

Abstract: A digital film recorder, peripheral and method adapted to receive high level digital command instructions from a host computer or terminal and to develop a color hardcopy therefrom without further graphics instructions. It includes a digital input interface, local computer ROM and RAM, and a display controller for developing the graphics to be stored in a display memory. A lookup memory exchanges data between the display memory, the local computer, and the display controller and contains user preassigned color and brightness information. The output consists of a video and sync signal which may be either alternating RGB or simultaneous RGB delivered to an analog film recorder preferably incorporated as an integral part of the unit. Print command control is direct from the output of the host computer to the digital input of the digital film recorder.

Abstract: A distributed processor control system for use with a microimage recording apparatus includes a system control unit, a machine control unit and an operator control unit. The system control unit includes a microprocessor that provides supervisory or master control for the overall distributed control system. The machine control unit includes at least one microprocessor for controlling the operations of a plurality of electromechanical components within the microimage recording apparatus in response to commands and parameters provided by the system control unit and for providing status and error information and requests to the system control unit. The operator control unit includes a microprocessor for controlling the display of operational status and error indications and messages for viewing by an operator and for receiving manual operator entries for enabling normal operation of and diagnostics for the microimage recording apparatus.

Abstract: An intelligent interface arrangement is provided for controlling operation of peripheral devices including a video device and a random access slide projector from a computer. The computer via the interface arrangement also controls the audio and video inputs to the system monitor for the selection of either audio channel from the video device, no audio, or mixed audio. The video control includes selection of video from the video device or computer. The computer addresses the interface arrangement with a predetermined unique address code. The address also includes the category of video device to be controlled. Each command sequence from the computer to the interface arrangement includes a start of command byte, one or more command bytes and an end of command byte. Each communication command sequence also includes a video-audio device command byte for selection of desired audio and video modes.

Abstract: A film developing system for a microimage recording apparatus of the type including an elongated film strip movable under tension along a film path. The film strip is of the type utilizing heat for developing latent image areas formed at an exposure station, and the improved developing station includes a support for holding the film strip between spaced apart support elements extending transversely across the film strip on opposite sides of a previously exposed latent image area. A developer shoe having an outwardly convex heated surface is adapted to contact a facing surface of the film strip between the supports for developing the latent image area. The developer shoe is mounted for movement between a first position spaced away from the film path and a second position wherein the film strip is tensioned to conform to the heated surface of the shoe for developing during a selected time period.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting article engagement errors and for calibrating engagement error detection apparatus associated with a plurality of gripper arms (16) of an insertion machine (10). Gripper arms (16) at each of a plurality of insert stations S comprise a first jaw member (24) and a second jaw member (26) which selectively engage articles therebetween. Field-generating means (420) is mounted on one jaw member while a Hall Effect sensor (400) is connected on the other jaw member. The sensed flux density of the generated field is a function of the relative displacement of the first and second jaw members (24,26). A signal generated by the sensor (400) operated in a slide-by mode is related to the separation of the first jaw member (24) and second jaw member (26). If the sensor-generated signal is within predetermined limits of a stored reference signal a proper number of articles are engaged between the first and second jaw members (24,26).

Abstract: An electromechanical automated document encoding apparatus is releasably constructed of modular components for accepting and transporting batch documents from either the left or the right. The apparatus is further capable of printing on a first side of a document or an opposite facing second side. A print module includes two parallel document receiving tracks, and a rotatable print head which moves responsive to movement of a table mounting the two document receiving tracks. The print head has two positions, and is capable of printing either on the front or rear of the document. Neither reversing print modes nor feeding batches of documents of different or varying thicknesses require realigning or repositioning of the printing head. Document sensors are an integral part of an adaptive control system optimizing apparatus productivity.

Abstract: Apparatus for linearly adjusting the position of devices, and in particular, apparatus for adjusting focus of an image on a light sensitive surface of an image sensor device included in an optical character recognition read head. The apparatus includes a first mechanism for adjustably positioning a lens assembly for adjusting focus at the image plane, and a second device for adjustably supporting the image sensor device for adjusting the position of its light sensitive surface to coincide with the plane of the focused image.

Abstract: Sheet transporting apparatus and methods provide an elongate guide for the sheet in contact with the drive belt. The guide is bowed along an arc extending into the transport path in parallel to the direction of sheet transport. The drive belt is bowed by that guide and is driven along the path for moving the sheet along the bowed guide. The sheet guide may also be tilted on an axis extending in the direction of sheet transport. Preferably, the sheet guide is tilted by different angular amounts at different points along the transportation path to provide a skew adjustment for the traveling sheet.

Abstract: Both positive pressure fluid and negative pressure fluid are used in a method and by an apparatus to at least partially separate a sheet prior to the feeding of the sheet. A carriage 22 having registration arms 160 resiliently coupled thereto is rotated toward a sheet lying in a storage position in a hopper 200. The carriage 22 bears both a positive pressure-communicating port 54 and negative pressure-communicating orifice, preferably in the form of two bellows-type sucker cups 56A, 56B. Positive pressure fluid is applied through port 54 in a manner whereby at least a portion of sheet 220 is attracted to a surface 52 in which ports 54 lie. While positive pressure fluid is being applied, the carriage 22 is rotated away from the storage position of the sheet 220, thereby deflecting at least a portion of the sheet about a first axis 208 of the sheet 220.

Abstract: A film developing system for microimage recording apparatus providing computer output on microfilm utilizing an elongated film strip movable along a film path and employing heat for developing latent image areas formed on the film at an exposure station includes a support for positioning said film strip along the film path at spaced apart locations on opposite sides of a previously exposed latent image area in position ready for developing. A tensioning system is provided for exerting tension on the film strip between said support locations and a developer shoe having an outwardly convex, heated, film contacting surface is adapted to contact the facing surface of the film strip between the supports for developing the latent image area thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pancake duplicator for sequentially recording multiple copies of program material on a pancake reel of blank recording tape. The apparatus and method disclosed facilitate and economize the commercial preparation of large numbers of video tape copies of program material. The apparatus includes a video tape drive unit capable of handling large reels or pancakes of raw, unrecorded video tape and transferring the tape past a video recording head to a takeup spool whereby many copies of a particular program are recorded on the pancake. In an alternate form, the recording functions are performed by a conventional recording device using an integrated tape drive capable of transporting tape from a pancake past the recording head to a takeup spool at the appropriate rate.

Abstract: In an insertion machine a track 20 moves groups of items past feed stations 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, during respective machine cycles. The feed stations selectively feed items onto the track 20 for inclusion with a group of items and eventual stuffing into an envelope to which postage need be applied. A master control item 46 fed from station 31 for each group has an indicia 50 thereon which provides an indication from which of the feed stations items can be fed. In order for data processing means 102 to calculate the amount of postage appropriate for the stuffed envelope, an operator uses a keyboard and display 110 to input predetermined per item weight values for items held at select stations. A data processor 102 uses the predetermined values indicative of the per item weight of items held in the stations to obtain a calculated total weight for each group of items.

Abstract: A light tight cartridge for dispensing a light sensitive film strip wound on a spool comprises a container body having an exit port formed between spaced side walls in a transverse wall therebetween for accommodating a film strip extending outwardly of the container on a tangential film path which angularly changes relative to the container as the amount of the film on the spool is varied. A floating light seal is mounted in an exit port enclosure for shifting movement in a direction generally transverse to the film path and continuously provides a light sealing engagement with opposite surfaces of the film strip preventing outside light from entering the container body. The exit port enclosure and floating light seal cooperate to permit relative movement of the floating light seal in a direction generally normal to the path of the film and thereby accommodate different angular paths of film travel from the internal spool toward a fixed locational relationship such as an external film roller.

Abstract: A gripper arm includes jaw members (24,26) between which articles are engaged and from which engaged articles are released in precise placement upon a transport means. Jaw (26) is actuated by solenoid actuating means (28) acting through linkage means (30) to perform the engagement and release operations. The activation of the solenoid actuating means (28) is controlled to be dependent upon the operating speed of a machine in conjunction with which the gripper arm is used. The solenoid actuating means (28) is assisted by biasing means (122) which is preloaded to facilitate the application of a desired holding force on articles engaged between the jaw members (24,26). The jaw member (24) has a piece (162) of high coefficient of friction material embedded in a surface oriented to contact articles engaged between the jaws (24, 26).

Abstract: A microimage recording apparatus of the type utilizing an elongated master film strip movable along a master film processing path and a duplicate film strip movable along a duplicate film strip processing path for making duplicates of successive developed image areas on the master film strip includes a duplication station having a support for the master film strip to position a developed image area thereon in a duplication position along the master film strip path. Support is provided for the duplicate film strip along a segment of the duplicate film processing path merging with the master film strip path at the duplication station. The master and duplicate film strips are biased together in close contact at the duplication station against a glass platen and light is passed through a developed image area on the master film strip to create a latent, duplicate image area on the duplicate film strip for subsequent development.

Abstract: A self-contained COM (Computer Output on Microfilm) microimage recorder provides completed microfiche records of computer generated images. A master film strip travels a path including exposure, developing and duplication stations. An optics assembly at the exposure station exposes a pattern of numerous images provided serially by a cathode ray tube onto an image area of the master film strip. The entire image area is developed by heat at the developing station. A duplicate film strip moves along a path merging with the master film path at the duplication station where an entire pattern of images is duplicated onto an image area of the duplicate film strip from a developed image area of the master film strip. Duplicate film image areas are cut from the end of the strip as individual microfiche records and exit from the recorder as completed records after being developed and cleared.

Abstract: In a high speed mail sorting machine, a mechanism for feeding envelopes one at a time to a pickoff device such as a vacuum belt system. The envelopes are loaded onto a floor panel which inclines from side to side. A chain conveyor moves the envelope supply along the floor panel with each envelope having its lower edge traveling on the floor and one side edge travelling along an inclined side panel. The envelopes are successively discharged from the inclined floor onto a conveyor belt which is driven transversely to the floor and at a greater speed than the chain conveyor. The speed difference causes the envelopes to spread out as they travel downstream. The conveyor belt loads the envelopes onto a driven roller having a spiral groove which feeds the individual envelopes flatly against the vacuum belts of the envelope pickoff device.

Abstract: A desk top microfilm reader for use on horizontal flat surfaces having a housing structure which encloses projection means and microfilm receiving means. A supporting arm extends from the housing structure to reflect images projected from the housing structure onto a flat planar surface which is only optically connected to the projection means. Both the microfilm and the projection surface are in horizontal planes.