Abstract: An optical scanner is provided wherein each waveband, i.e. blue, green and red, is detected during successive revolutions of an analyzing drum. A variable scanning aperture disc selectively transmits a different image portion during each waveband scan so that the image portion detected during each waveband scan is transversely displaced along the axis of the analyzing drum. The transverse distance of optical image portion displacement corresponds to and corrects for the transverse distance travelled by the optical scanning head during one revolution of the analyzing drum. Magnification optics are also provided for, inter alia, adjusting the transverse displacement of the image portions.

Abstract: A system for controlling an image printer including a scanning LED array is provided. An image printer control unit receives page profile and raster image data and converts the raster image data into parallel image data corresponding to the configuration of the LED array. Advantageously, the image printer control unit optimizes the number of lines of information printed during a scan to reduce splitting of characters between scans and coordinates printhead and photosensitive medium position. Interlaced scanning for high resolution is also provided. In an alternative embodiment image data is received in parallel vertical slices and bands for which no exposure is to be made are skipped.

Abstract: A dot generator system is provided wherein an LED microchip array having staggered rows of LED's imaged onto the surface of a rotating exposure drum is controlled to create a multiple exposure beam microdot image on the drum surface in a microdot line by microdot line and scanline by scanline exposure scan. Picture values are compared to microdot density values recalled from a dot density profile array using address values incremented with microdot, flyback and scanline increment values in order to produce exposure data bits indicating whether each active LED on the array is to be turned on. Exposure data bits are accumulated into an exposure data word equal in length to the number of active LED's on the LED array and stagger compensation time delays are applied to exposure bits corresponding to the second and subsequent staggered LED rows to create a timed microdot line exposure on the drum surface.

Abstract: A transport belt for an automatic camera vacuum feed and hold down system is provided. The movable, flexible opaque transport belt has a substantially uniform bottom surface facing the exposure platen and a top surface provided with at least one transverse resilient belt flexing member. The belt flexing member is preferably a curved plastic member having memory which assumes a first, curved position to create at least one air channel beneath the belt. The air channels reduce the length of time required to evacuate air beneath the belt. During vacuum hold down for exposure, the resilient belt flexing member assumes a second position, substantially parallel to the platen and the air channels are eliminated, such that the bottom belt surface presents a substantially flat uniform background surface during exposure.

Abstract: A cassette for containing and dispensing a roll of photosensitive material comprising a one-piece generally rectangular cassette body with at least one trihedral corner formed from a sheet of inexpensive material, and providing an orifice therein, a seal along the orifice, molded rectangular cassette end covers disposed at each end of the cassette body and adapted to connect to the ends of the cassette body. The cassette end covers are also adapted to support the roll of photosensitive material within the cassette and to extend beyond the cassette body on the trihedral corners to provide "feet" for the cassette.

Abstract: A non-contact LED-array image printer is provided having a scanning print head driven by a zero backlash threaded lead screw. The LED array is mounted on a substrate bearing an interface control circuit which receives video data through a ribbon cable, and the LED array is imaged by a lens onto an exposure plane on a platen parallel to the direction of scan. Means are provided for conveniently adjusting object and image distances relative to the image plane. The photosensitive medium is driven in registration in forward and reverse directions biased against the exposure platen defining the image plane. A gear, clutch and brake mechanism is provided to ensure that the photosensitive medium remains in taut registration across the exposure platen.

Abstract: An automatic vacuum feed and hold down system is provided having a transport belt with vacuum grippers, a peripheral vacuum channel surrounding the platen, and a lead edge blow apparatus. In the preferred embodiment the transport belt consists of polyester fabric selectively coated with plastisol sealant to define a window area similarly shaped but smaller than the platen and suction grippers within the window area. In the preferred mode of operation a lifting apparatus raises the belt away from the exposed photosensitive sheet on the platen and the natural curl of the sheet, together with the lead edge blow, cause the sheet to release from the platen. The lifting apparatus then lowers the belt and suction is reapplied to the grippers, whereafter the belt and sheet are raised and advanced to deliver the exposed photosensitive sheet for processing.

Abstract: A transfer cartridge for photosensitive material includes an enclosure with an entry slot in one of its walls, and end caps to seal the opposite ends of the enclosure. A pair of rollers is disposed in aligned, parallel relationship within the enclosure, and a flexible, opaque belt extends between the rollers, preferably in figure 8-fashion. One roller is rigidly mounted upon an elongated shaft, while the second roller is elastically mounted upon a second elongated shaft through the use of a torsion spring. Drive gears on the exterior of the cartridge impart rotational movement to the rollers and the nip between the rollers grasps the leading edge of a length of photosensitive material and introduces same into the belt. The continued rotation of the rollers in opposite directions causes the belt to wrap the photosensitive material several times about one roller in a sandwich-like fashion.

Abstract: A system for coding photographic materials is provided wherein a code pattern disposed on a cassette containing photosensitive material is read by an optical code reading unit associated with a photographic apparatus adapted to receive the cassette. Preferably, a grey reference patch is provided and the code is a tertiary code defined by black, white and grey printed patches. The type of photosensitive material contained in the cassette is identified from the tertiary code and appropriate exposure and/or development settings can be made by the photographic apparatus. The absence of a recognizable code pattern indicates use of an authorized supply material.

Abstract: An optical printhead for contact or non-contact printing on a photosensitive material. The printhead traverses the photosensitive material and is provided with a substrate having a light emitting diode matrix and an interface circuit therein. A lens barrel provided with an optical system therein focuses the diode matrix onto the photosensitive material.

Abstract: An automatically operated vacuum feed system for cameras is disclosed. Such system includes an opaque, flexible transport belt that is secured between rollers situated at opposite sides of the platen of the camera. A manifold is secured to a vacuum pick-up bar that is adhesively joined to the transport belt, and a central bore and depending channels are defined in the bar.The channels are aligned with openings passing through the belt so that suction forces can be introduced to the underside of the belt to cause photosensitive materials to adhere thereto. The pick-up bar is suspended between a pair of C-shaped tracks that is secured inboard of a pair of side frames for a rigid belt frame. Lift links join the tracks to the side frames, and a lift motor periodically elevates the tracks, thus lifting the manifold and the belt.A reversible motor, a drive sprocket, idlers, and an endless chain are situated outboard of one of the side frames.

Abstract: In a phototypesetter, an array of light emitting diodes is energized in synchronization with an associated staggered array of fiber optic filaments. The array of filaments is slanted relative to the direction of movement, and type may be set in both forward and reverse directions. Type font data is stored in a compressed form in a first microprocessor subsystem. That compressed data is expanded in real time for each character in a high speed microprocessor subsystem. Character image data in the form of character contours is written into alternating RAM groups. The contour data is then read from the RAM groups on a slice basis and color data is generated. The alternate RAM groups allow for proper coloring of overlapping character images. The expanded data is then handled by a logic unit to allow for the staggered fiber optic filaments and for the slant of the fiber optic filament head in both forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: In a flexible, fiber optic belt 16 for the coherent transmission of light from an LED light source 22 a planar array of fiber optic filaments 34 extend along the length of the belt 16 and are positioned by transverse elements 79 along the major neutral plane of the belt. The fiber optic belt 16 is restrained to movement only in the direction normal to the major neutral plane by means of one or more rigid flat strips 25 parallel to the major neutral plane and the light source 22 is thermoelectrically cooled to improve the availability of light supplied by the diodes. In a method for producing the fiber optic cable, transverse positioning elements 79 are layered on a cable mold 56, one or more fiber optic filaments 34 are placed upon the transverse positioning elements 79. Fiber optic filaments 34 are pressed onto an adhesive layer adjacent to the LED's 48 and bonded by the melting of the adhesive.

Abstract: A non-deformable metallic pulley is coated with a urethane layer having a thickness of about 0.0005 inches. A drive belt, coupled to a recording head, is positioned over the urethane layer of the pulley, which in turn is driven by a stepping motor. The drive pulley is non-deformable, to eliminate backlash and yet has a very high coefficient of friction, about double that of steel, which is maintained consistent throughout the operation of the drive system, regardless of exposure to paper dust, dirt, oil and the like.