Abstract: A light collection device for use in a film image digitizing apparatus comprises a housing having an elongated aperture extending along a light beam scan line. The aperture receives light transmitted through a sheet of film from a light source. A diffusing member, disposed within the aperture and extending along the scan line, optically diffuses the light received by the aperture. The housing may include one or more reflective interior surfaces. A linear array of photodiodes, disposed within the housing and extending along the scan line, detects the light diffused by the diffusing member. Each of the photodiodes generates an analog signal representing an intensity of the detected light for each of a plurality of pixels. A summing circuit, coupled to each of the photodiodes, sums the analog signals generated by the photodiodes for each of the pixels to produce an output analog signal representing an overall intensity of the light transmitted through the sheet of film for each of the pixels.

Abstract: A multi-user digital laser imaging system for imaging film from bar coded cartridges as a function of image values representative of the images to be printed. The imaging system includes memory for storing transfer functions and film models for each of several users. The transfer functions characterize the relationships between image values and expected imaged film transmittance quantities. The film models characterize the relationship between the transmittance quantities and laser drive values that will provide the appropriate film exposure. An image management subsystem generates lookup tables characterizing the relationship between image values and laser drive values on the basis of user-selected transfer functions and film models selected by the system through the use of film identification information read from the bar code. During imaging operations the image management subsystem accesses the lookup tables as a function of the image values to obtain the appropriate laser drive values.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that can be charged with a sheet cassette with a resealable flexible cover includes a roller member engageable with and translatable across the cover to wind the cover on the roller member. The size of the sheet material accommodated in the sheet cassette can be determined from a bar code and the movement of the roller member can be adjusted in accordance with the size of the sheet material. Timers can be set to provide predetermined time periods relative to the translating opening and closing movement of the roller member and, if these time periods expire, an indicator can be provided to the operator.

Abstract: A developer replenishment control system for a continuous tone digital imaging system of the type including a laser imager for exposing pixels on sheets of photographic film as a function of digital exposure values representative of an image and a film processor with a developer replenishment mechanism for developing the imaged film. The replenishment control system includes lookup table memory and processing circuitry. Developer replenishment data in the form of an array of digital exposure values and corresponding incremental developed emulsion areal density values representative of the amount of developer required to develop the associated exposed film pixels is stored in the lookup table memory. The processing circuitry accesses the lookup table memory as a function of the digital exposure values to determine the associated incremental developed emulsion density values. The incremental developed emulsion density values for each sheet of imaged film are summed to generate replenishment control signals.

Abstract: An opening and closing mechanism for photographic film cartridges of the type having a film-receiving tray with outwardly extending front and side lips and a flexible cover for the tray resealably engaged with the lips. The opening and closing mechanism includes a cartridge-receiving base with front and side lips for supporting the front and side lips of the tray. A carriage is mounted for movement with respect to the base. An elongated roller including cartridge cover-engaging fingers is rotatably and movably mounted to the carriage. Springs bias the roller toward engagement with the lips of the base. A carriage drive assembly includes a roller drive linkage, a track drive linkage, a motor and a shuttle linkage. A rack is mounted adjacent to the base for engagement by the track drive linkage.

Abstract: A film densitometer for generating digital density values as a function of analog transmittance signals received at an input. A comparator coupled to the input compares the transmittance signals to one or more range references characterizing a plurality of ranges of transmittance signal magnitudes, and provides digital transmittance range signals as a function of the comparison. An amplifier amplifies the transmittance signals to provide amplified transmittance base signals. A gain control circuit coupled to the amplifier and the comparator controls the gain factor of the amplifier as a function of the magnitudes of the transmittance signals. The amplified transmittance base signals are converted to digital transmittance base values by an analog-to-digital converter. A lookup table of data characterizing the logarithmic relationship between transmittance base values and density base values is stored in base memory.

Abstract: A mold 300 for making a member having at least one first section of a first material and at least one second section of a second material includes first and second plates or mold halves 332,334 adapted to cooperate with each other when positioned in opposing relationship along a mold-closing axis and reciprocally movable relative to one another along the axis during a molding cycle. The first and second plates or mold halves 332,334 define a member-forming area therein when the mold is in a closed position. Sprues in the first and second plates or mold halves are in communication with the portions of the first and second sections respectively of the member-forming area. An ejector 348 for ejecting an eventually mold member includes one surface defining a boundary of the member-forming area. The ejector is movably disposed in one of the plates and is movable into the member-forming area.

Abstract: An environmentally sealed electrical connector is comprised of plug and receptacle housing members, each member having a rigid portion and a flexible portion secured to one end thereof, and at least one electrical terminal receiving passageway extending through the rigid and flexible portions. The flexible portions of the passageways are dimensioned to accommodate and sealingly engage a variety of wire sizes terminated to electrical terminals which are received and disposed in the passageways of the assembled member. The plug member may be further comprised of a second flexible section secured at the other end of the rigid section, the second flexible section providing a resilient sealing member for environmentally sealing the interface when the receptable and receptacle members are mated.

Abstract: A flat multi-conductor power cable is disclosed which includes a plurality of generally parallel, spaced apart, flat conductors which are surrounded by two layers of insulation material. An internal layer is extruded around each of the flat conductors and is intimately bonded to each conductor. A single external layer is extruded around all of the internal layers and is intimately joined to all of the internal layers. Preferably, the external layer comprises a thermoplastic elastomer and the internal layer comprises a polyolefinic ionomer. A method and apparatus for making such a flat multi-conductor power cable is also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrical connector having in-line manufactured seals and method of manufacturing such connectors. The method includes the steps of providing a connector housing defining a cavity in at least one end thereof, and forming a sealing member directly within each said cavity. According to a presently preferred embodiment, forming assemblies are mounted to the connector housing; and a low-temperature curing elastomeric material is injected into each said cavity and cured therein to form the sealing members. The forming means includes means for forming passageways through said sealing members generally aligned with passageways in said connector housing for receiving electrically conductive means therein; and the passageways in the sealing members include means for reliably sealing around the electrically conductive means. The connector housing is preferably molded of a relatively rigid plastic and includes means for retaining the sealing members locked in place within the cavities.

Abstract: Circuitry and apparatus for stabilizing the output of a laser diode when modulated with a wideband analog signal. The circuitry provides for continuous operation of the laser diode with a pin diode positioned for receiving a portion of the output from the laser diode via optics positioned between the laser diode and the pin diode. The optics includes a collimator, a linear polarizer and a polarization beam splitter. The circuitry includes a high gain amplifier which receives the analog signal with a compensating network connected between the amplifier output and the laser diode. The circuitry also has a feedback circuit portion including the pin diode connected to one input of the amplifier.

Abstract: An ethylene propylene diene terpolymer composition is suitable for use as an insulator in high voltage electrical connector applications, said insulator being characterized by excellent flame retardancy and resistance, low cost, excellent tensile strength, elongation and Shore "A" Hardness with good flow during molding, the insulator comprising a cured and molded product formed from a composition comprising ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, fillers, a synergistic mixture of flame retardant agents comprising at least a brominated organic flame retardant, a hydrated alumina, antimony oxide, and a flow improver.