Abstract: An imaging system having a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing device is provided for focusing a light source which generates a beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The apparatus includes an imaging drum for holding donor sheets and receiver sheets in registration on the drum. A registration device including a non-reflective indicia on the surface of the drum facilitates the proper registration of the donor and receiver sheets.

Abstract: A servo controlled film drive for an automatic microfilm camera wherein the rotation of the metering roller of the film drive is electroncially synchronized to the rotation of the drive rollers of the document transport. The film drive is powered by a DC motor, while the document transport is powered by an AC motor (main drive motor). The variable speed film drive is computer programmable and uses phase-locked loop control circuits and optical incremental shaft encoders to maintain precise synchronization between the metering roller and the drive rollers at a predetermined ratio. The angular motion of the metering roller relative to the angular motion of the drive rollers is directly proportional to the linear velocity of the film relative to the linear velocity of the document in the transport. This relationship is directly proportional to the reduction ratio of the microfilm camera.

Abstract: A microfilm camera is capable of automatically selecting one of a plurality of different focal lengths available on a zoom lens to obtain the desired optical reduction ratio. A user operator enters, via a keyboard, the desired optical reduction ratio into the main or host computer resident in the microfilm camera. The computer through appropriate communication with a microcomputer atuomatically adjusts the lens to the appropriate lens focal length that corresponds to the selected optical reduction ratio and automatically establishes the film tansport speed that will be synchronized in the correct ratio to the document transport speed in accordance with the desired reduction ratio.

Abstract: A microfilm camera of the continuous type in which both the document and the film move continuously during filming, includes means whereby a user operator enters a desired optical reduction ratio into the keyboard of a main or host computer associated with the microfilm camera. The main computer, through appropriate communication with a microcomputer, automatically selects a lens of the appropriate focal length corresponding to the optical reduction ratio selected, and automatically establishes the correct film transport speed in accordance with the requested reduction ratio so that the relationship between the fixed transport speed of the document and the adjusted transport speed of the film causes the film image to have the same magnification ratio in the direction of movement as it has in the transverse direction. The provision of the appropriate lens and the adjustment of the film speed are accomplished by respective motors controlled by the mcicroprocessor.

Abstract: A cassette is disclosed for use in combination with a host device, such as a photographic device, having a cassette chamber for receiving the cassette in an operative position, such that when the cassette is operatively positioned in the cassette chamber, an optically coupled interface is established between the cassette and the host device. This interface provides for establishing a two-way communications path between semiconductor memory circuits in a microcontroller within the cassette and a microprocessor, or computer in the photographic device. Thus, the computer in the photographic device can retrieve information stored within the memory of the cassette to automatically make appropriate adjustments within the photographic device. A source of power is carried by the cassette to operate the memory and the optically coupled interface.

Abstract: A cassette has semiconductor memory circuits in a microcontroller and display means which are capable of presenting information from the memory about both the cassette and the web material contained therein. A power source is provided in the housing to operate both the memory and the display when the cassette is not associated with a host photographic device. When the cassette is operatively positioned in the host photographic device, interfacing means are provided for establishing a two-way communications path between the memory in the cassette and the photographic device. Recording means associated with the photographic device are provided for renewing or updating a portion of the data recorded in the memory within the cassette via the interface. In addition, reproducing means associated with the photographic device reproduces a portion of the data previously stored in the memory in the cassette for use by the photographic device.

Abstract: A reversible film cassette is disclosed for use with a photographic device such as a microfilm camera. A microcontroller including semiconductor memory circuits and a power source are resident in a film cassette. When the cassette is operatively positioned in the host photographic device, interfacing means are provided for establishing a two-way communication path between the microcontroller in the cassette and a microprocessor, or computer in the photographic device. Interface means are provided on opposite sides of the cassette for establishing a first communication path between the cassette and the photographic device when the cassette is loaded into the device in a first orientation. A second communication path is established when the cassette is loaded into the device in a second orientation. The microcontroller within the film cassette can determine the orientation of the cassette in the photographic device by determining on which path the communications occurred.