Abstract: Laser engraving system suitable for use in the production of artwork for printed circuit boards. The system includes a massive base table to reduce vibration and thermally induced variations, and modulation of the writing beam is controlled by a reference signal generated by a non-linear reticle scanned concurrently with the writing beam to compensate for spherical aberration in the optical system. Modulation of the writing beam is further synchronized in accordance with the position of the carriage which holds the output medium on which an image is formed by the writing beam.

Abstract: Optical scanning apparatus including a rotating pyramidal mirror scanning wheel with reflector segments for deflecting a laser beam into and away from a doublet mirror roof reflector associated with said scanning wheel. The scanning wheel introduces components of vertical and horizontal angular deviation into the beam, the vertical deviation component being cancelled by inversion through the roof reflector while the horizontal angular component is doubled upon the second reflection from the scanning wheel so that the output beam is vertically wobble-free and stable while the beam is scanned through the sum of the horizontal angular components introduced by the wheel.

Abstract: System and method utilizing a computer and a laser platemaker for the reproduction of information on photosensitive surfaces, as in the production of printing plates. The platemaker includes a reading beam for scanning data such as text, logotypes, line art and halftones from a read platen or copy board and a writing beam for imaging data on a writing surface or platen. Data from the reading beam is transferred to the computer which controls the modulation of the writing beam. The system provides high speed electronic composition or pagination of any combination of data created by the computer or scanned by the reading beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical read-write system including a first laser scanner for linearly scanning an object and generating a digital signal for the line scan. The digital signal is stored in a buffer at a read clock rate which is correlated to the scan of the first laser scanner. The digital signal is read-out of the buffer at a write clock rate and is applied as a control signal for a second laser scanner which linearly scans an image plane to develop an image. The second scanner scans at the same scan rate and distance as the first scanner, and the size of the image compared to the object size is determined by the differential of the read clock rate and the write clock rate.

Abstract: Multiple size plate registration system having a platen with a top planar surface. Channels are formed in the platen and open through the top planar surface. Parallel grooves are formed in the platen spaced transversely of the platen, extending longitudinally of the platen and opening through the top planar surface. Endless belts travel in the grooves and are used for advancing a plate onto the planar surface of the platen. First and second stop pins are mounted in the platen and are extendable above the top planar surface. Controls are provided for causing the stop pins to be selectably movable between retracted positions below the top planar surface and extended positions above the top planar surface. A guide is carried by the top surface of the platen and extends longitudinally of the platen on one side of the planar surface.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus for producing printing masters utilizing modulated laser light as the exposure source and a continuous process for producing such printing masters involving the steps of plate conveyance, synchronous charging and exposure, and electrostatic development and fusing of electrophotographic printing masters suitable for use in offset or lithographic printing processes. The apparatus comprises a transport system for sequentially conveying printing masters to the exposure platen which retains the masters in a fixed plane for synchronous charging and exposure, utilizing as a light source, a modulated laser beam. The optical and deflecting components of the exposure system are mounted in a moveable carriage member adapted to traverse a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the exposure platen such that the exposure laser will raster scan the platen area.

Abstract: Gimballed coupling for use with a lead screw and nut assembly having a housing with the nut mounted in the housing and the nut threadedly engaging the lead screw. A transfer plate is provided. A thrust bearing assembly is carried by the transfer plate. First and second bearing members are provided which are disposed between the nut and the thrust bearing assembly. The first bearing member engages the housing and the second bearing member engages the thrust bearing. The first and second bearing members have cooperative spherical surfaces to permit the pivotal movement of the nut with respect to the transfer plate. Means is carried by the transfer plate and the housing for yieldably urging the housing towards the transfer plate. Additional means is provided for preventing rotation of the housing with respect to the transfer plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a facsimile system having a transmitter for optically scanning input copy to produce modulated electrical signals to be transmitted to a receiver. The receiver responsively controls output optical scanning to form output copy as a reproduction of the input copy. Signal processing in both the transmitter and receiver employs spatial coding. In the transmitter scanner, a spatially coded reference signal, generated by the scanning beam and a spatial mask, is employed. In the receiver scanner, a spatially coded reference signal, generated by the scanning beam and an identical spatial mask is employed also. Therefore, the transmitter and receiver scanners are spatially synchronized without the need for real-time synchronization.

Abstract: An interference spectrometer which analyzes an unknown light beam for determining the presence and amount of particular frequency by passing the light beam through an interferometer with a moving mirror, which transforms the beam into a first signal which represents the inverse Fourier transform of the electrical light beam. An associated laser beam is also processed by the interferometer and detected to give a second signal. The first signal is sampled at each periodic variation of the second to generate a discrete signal which is then digitized. A digital Fourier series frequency component synthesizer synthesizes preselected discrete frequency components of the incoming beam which correspond, for example, to the gaseous components of interest. A particular gas handling apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to handle unstable inhomogeneous gases such as automobile exhaust fumes.

Abstract: An interferometer for analyzing electromagnetic frequency spectra including a movable mirror supported on two air bearings such that the center of support of the bearings continuously coincides with the center of gravity of the movable mirror during the motion of the mirror. The air bearings engage two parallel, spaced apart lateral rods that maintain the optical alignment of the mirror. To facilitate making spectral measurements, the interferometer also incorporates a laser for producing monochromatic light that is directed through a primary beam splitter to provide a periodic fringe pattern as the mirror moves and a white light directed through a secondary beam splitter to provide a reproducible reference point.