Abstract: A laser imaging apparatus includes a laser diode which is controlled to produce a laser beam the power of which varies linearly as a function of a digital image input signal. The laser beam is deflected by scanning optics to expose photosensitive media such as film. When the digital image input signal is in a first range of values to operate the laser diode in its linear region, the laser diode is controlled to operate in an amplitude modulation mode. When the digital image input signal is in a second, lower, range of values which would operate the laser diode in its non-linear operating region, the laser diode is controlled to operate in the linear region but in a pulse amplitude modulation mode.

Abstract: A sheet for use in a printing process has an image receiving surface on one side and an invisible magnetic coating on the reverse side. The magnetic coating contains encoded data used to determine the nonrecording side of the sheet to prevent printing on the wrong side of the sheet. The encoded data is machine readable and contains information on the printing characteristics of the image receiving surface of the sheet.

Abstract: Yellowing, dye fade and thermal pinking of a processed color photographic element is improved by incorporating into the photographic element a non-color forming, oil-soluble, monomeric or oligomeric organic compound having a glass transition temperature between 0.degree. and 150.degree. C. Preferred organic compounds include rosin derivatives, natural resins and oil-soluble sucrose esters, etc. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the above-noted properties are improved by incorporating into the photographic element an oil-soluble rosin derivative, such as abietic acid.

Abstract: A prerecorded magnetic master web (54) and an unrecorded magnetic slave web (14), such as a photographic film having a magnetic coating, are brought into intimate contact for anhysteretic recording by wrapping the moving master web partially around a small diameter gimballed roller (66) positioned in close proximity to a rotating transfer drum (36); wrapping the moving slave web partially around a larger idler roller (34) positioned in close proximity to both the gimballed roller and the transfer drum; wrapping the slave web partially around the transfer drum with the master web wrapped outside the slave web; and evacuating a chamber or volume (68) formed among the webs, rollers and drum, to remove air from between the webs and cause them to converge into intimate contact at a nip upstream of a signal transfer zone in which a magnetic head (70) applies a decaying magnetic field to cause anhysteretic transfer from the master web to the slave web.

Abstract: Novel cyclic azole couplers and photographic elements containing them are described. The couplers are represented by the following structure: ##STR1## wherein: COUP is a cyclic azole coupler moiety;R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently represent hydrogen or a substituent;L is a linking group joining the azole ring and the aryleneoxy group;G is a bi-valent linking group; andm is an integer of 0 to 2.

Abstract: A fixing solution having a pH.gtoreq.7 and comprising a fixing amount of sulfite and a fix accelerating amount of a thioether compound; wherein the fixing solution contains less than 0.05 moles/liter of thiosulfate and a method of processing an imagewise exposed and developed silver halide photographic element comprising fixing in said fixing solution a silver halide photographic element containing at least one emulsion or deposit of silver halide comprising greater than 90 mole % silver chloride.

Abstract: Apparatus (60) for winding strips of web (14) such as photographic film is provided with web storage modules (62, 120) which include a carriage (78, 132) mounted on a track (76, 130), the carriage supporting rollers 96, 98; 152, 154) which can moved along the track to change selectably the length of web stored. Locking plungers (84, 138) engage one of a plurality of bushings (82, 136) to hold the carriages in position and transducers (86-92; 140-150) signal a controller (94) of the length of web stored. Cutting and winding of the web are controlled in response to the signal.

Abstract: A method for aligning a lenticular material for the printing of an image onto a printing surface of a lenticular material for the purpose of forming a 3-D image is disclosed comprising the steps of:a) directing a radiation beam to the lenticular material such that at least one of the lenticules focuses the radiation beam at the printing surface of the lenticular material;b) positioning a radiation sensitive array at a reference position that will yield a maximum sensed radiation when the position of the focused radiation beam on the printing surface of the lenticular material is in correct printing alignment; andc) adjusting the position of the lenticular material to maximize the radiation sensed by the radiation sensitive array.

Abstract: A film registration gate assembly has a gate with focal positioning location for focal positioning of an image frame of a strip film with edge perforations. Undersized first and second pins enter a pair of transversely aligned perforations of the film to register the image frame with the positioning location. An undersized third pin enters a third perforation spaced along the film from the second pin and then pulls the film obliquely to a reference line extending between the first and second pins to nest against the first and second pins the perforations thereat and register the image frame precisely at the aperture. A plate with a window registering with the image frame and aperture clamps the film against the gate. The window, positioning location and image frame are of corresponding size and shape. The pins register the image frame precisely with the positioning location, and the plate maintains the image frame in precise focal position thereat.

Abstract: A process and apparatus in which a thermal dye is not carried by a donor element or sheet, but is provided in liquid form to a reservoir which supplies the dye to the surface of a donor roller. The dye is transferred to a transparent receiver sheet which is in close proximity to the roller surface, by exposure of the dye to an information-bearing radiation beam which is projected through the receiver member. Such a process and apparatus eliminates the need for a separate dye-donor element, and results in a lower cost process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for obtaining emulsions of the core/shell type having a low fog level.The process consists of precipitating, by the double jet method, a photographic emulsion comprising core-shell silver halide grains, the concentrations of halides varying progressively during at least the formation of the core.Application to reversal or negative photographic products is disclosed.

Abstract: In a magnetic playback system using an unshielded MR head and a d.c. free charge constrained recording code, the present invention discloses a playback equalizer and the method of making the equalizer whose response to an isolated pulse, unlike the narrow unidirectional pulse response known in the prior art, is a bidirectional signal having a steep zero crossing corresponding to the peak of an isolated pulse. The bidirectional signal is further characterized by skirts resulting from the excellent low frequency of the unshielded MR head, and, unlike the teaching of the prior art, these skirts overlap contiguous pulse periods without causing intersymbol interference. In combination with the characteristics of the patterns of the d.c. free charge constrained code, the presence of the skirts eliminates false zero crossings by maintaining the signal level above the system base line except at the time of a true signal crossing.

Abstract: A cover interlock mechanism for a thermal printer is diclosed which locks the thermal printer cover when printing is being done and, when the print head is in a disassembled position, unlocks the cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing optimum film exposure time for documents of different reflectances, A photo-sensor is used to produce a signal proportional to the intensity of light reflected from the document to be microfilmed, The signal is integrated and a time is determined for the integrated signal to reach a threshold or reference value, The time needed to reach the threshold value is measured very accurately by a microprocessor, The measured time is then convened to new time by using a look-up table, The new or desired shutter time is controlled by the microprocessor by terminating the exposure when the total time the shutter was open equals new exposure time found in this look-up table.

Abstract: A corona charger wire tensioning mechanism, for a corona charging device for applying a charge to a selected surface within an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus or the like, which facilitates corona wire replacement. The corona charging device comprises at least one corona wire, and a housing. A mechanism, located in the housing, anchors one end of the corona wire thereto and couples an electrical potential source to the corona wire. A tensioning mechanism is removably receivable in the housing in spaced relation to the anchoring mechanism. The tensioning mechanism has an anchor for securing the opposite end of the corona wire thereto, and an arm adapted to engage the housing along a line which forms a pivot axis for the tensioning mechanism. After the corona wire is easily and readily anchored to the tensioning mechanism remotely from the housing, the tensioning mechanism can be received in the housing and pivoted about the pivot axis to a position to apply a preselected tension to the corona wire.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for amplifying and detecting nucleic acid material. The device and method use a label and signalling material responsive to the label to produce a detectable signal. A surprising result of the method and device is that at least one of the wash steps heretofore required has been eliminated without substantially adversely affecting the results.

Abstract: This invention is a system and associated method for monitoring and controlling independently the supersaturation and halide ion concentration, during the precipitation of a silver halide emulsion in a precipitation vessel. The introduction of a silver salt is controlled in accordance with a predetermined program, which in turn is responding to the supersaturation signal measured in the vessel by a supersaturation sensor. The sensor is comprised of a true silver ion electrode and a silver-silver halide electrode. The introduction of the halide salt is controlled in accordance with the predetermined program, which in turn is responding to the halide ion concentration signal measured in the vessel by a silver-silver halide electrode and a reference electrode.

Abstract: An integrated laser module is formed with a laser having an input for receiving power and an output for emitting light being positioned so as to pass through a thermally conductive lower module body such that laser emitted light passes from the lower module body, and the lower housing acts as a heat sink. An HFI shielding substrate assembly is positioned in the lower module body adjacent to the laser with the laser input passing through the shielding substrate. A laser driver circuit is connected to the input of the laser, and an injection circuit is connected to the input to the laser and EMI shielded from the driver circuit. A top module body is fixed to the lower module body to form an EMI shield package around all of the components.

Abstract: Thermally processable imaging elements in which the image is formed by imagewise heating or by imagewise exposure to light followed by uniform heating include an adhesive interlayer interposed between the imaging layer and a protective overcoat layer. The adhesive interlayer, which is comprised of a polymer having epoxy functionality, strongly bonds the overcoat layer to the imaging layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for non-contact cleaning of a web. The method and apparatus involves producing alternating electrostatic forces to separate particles from the surface of the web. The apparatus utilizes an electrode to produce a corona discharge in a gap formed between the electrode and the surface of the moving web being treated. An air supply arrangement is provided to supply air to and remove air from the gap to remove the particles which have been lifted from the surface of the web due to the corona discharge.