Abstract: Characters are encoded in digital data, and this data is then used to modulate a display to image the characters. Characters are typically displayed on a display baseline which corresponds to the physical character baseline encoded in data. Where the distance of a character from its physical baseline in a first dimension exceeds the boundary limit of a display, the location of the character baseline and the display physical baseline corresponding thereto may be shifted in the opposite direction and in the same dimension in extent equal to the amount said character exceeds the display and until the character fits within the display. Alternately, where the character at its display size is larger than the display in any display dimension, the character may be segmented into parts and logical baselines inserted into each separate section. These logical baselines may be referenced to the character physical baseline relative to the distance in a first dimension therebetween.

Abstract: A variable laser beam attenuator for typographical composing and printing machines is disposed in the optical axis of a laser light source emitting polarized light of only one polarization. A rotatable filter wheel having a plurality of absorption filters therein for obtaining a coarse adjustment is followed by a fine adjustment means comprising two plane-parallel glass plates disposed in a mutually symmetrically inclined manner in a holder for infinitely variable attenuation without deflection of the laser light beam. The inclination of the glass plates is selected such that the angle of laser beam incidence is approximately equal to the Brewster Angle. The holder is adapted to pivot together with the glass plates as a unit, about the optical axis.

Abstract: A film cassette having a take-up reel with a clamping mechanism for gripping the leading end of a film strip and which reel is motor driven to wind exposed film into the cassette; the drive motor is disconnected from the reel to permit the reel to be freely rotated and exposed film wound thereon to be unwound and removed from the cassette. An actuating lever is provided to close the clamping mechanism and connect the motor to the take-up reel and to open the clamping mechanism and disconnect the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a photocomposing machine for placing character images in side by side relationship on a recording medium, which apparatus comprises two periscopes arranged such that the exit axis of the first periscope coincides with the entrance axis of the second periscope and in which both periscopes are swingable about axes that coincide with the entrance axes of the respective periscopes.