Abstract: The present disclosure provides a heating device for the removal and/or prevention of ice masses or snow. The heating device can include a heating cable formed in a pattern of loops, arcs, or other shapes. Power can be applied to the heating cable and, when placed on top of an ice mass or within a concrete or asphalt surface, the heating device can melt the ice mass or snow.

Abstract: A digital microform imaging apparatus includes a bracket movably coupled to a chassis. A microform media support is coupled to the bracket and includes a frame and a window supported by the frame. An illumination source is provided to direct light through the window of the microform media support along an optical axis. An optical sensor is positioned along the optical axis. A motor is operatively engaged with the microform media support to move the bracket and frame relative to the chassis along an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a digital microform imaging apparatus for sensing an image mark on the microform containing the image of a document. The use of an area sensor with an adjustable region of interest can be used to improve the detection speed of image marks as a roll of microform is being transported.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a digital microform imaging apparatus for sensing an image mark on the microform containing the image of a document.

Abstract: A digital microform imaging apparatus includes a bracket movably coupled to a chassis. A microform media support is coupled to the bracket and includes a frame and a window supported by the frame. An illumination source is provided to direct light through the window of the microform media support along an optical axis. An optical sensor is positioned along the optical axis. A motor is operatively engaged with the microform media support to move the bracket and frame relative to the chassis along an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: A digital imaging system and method for searching for expressions that appear on a microform medium, the system having a computer including a processor and an input device, and a digital microform imaging apparatus having an area sensor generating a digital microform image of the microform medium. The computer is configured to receive a search expression from the input device, create an expression template representing a shape of the search expression, and search the digital microform image for instances of the expression template.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a digital microform imaging apparatus for sensing an image mark on the microform containing the image of a document.

Abstract: A digital imaging system and method for searching for expressions that appear on a microform medium, the system having a computer including a processor and an input device, and a digital microform imaging apparatus having an area sensor generating a digital microform image of the microform medium. The computer is configured to receive a search expression from the input device, create an expression template representing a shape of the search expression, and search the digital microform image for instances of the expression template.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising a chassis, a light source for directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path, at least a first fold mirror supported within the light path for redirecting light along a second optical axis segment, the at least a first fold mirror having a top edge, a first elongated lead member supported by the chassis, the first elongated lead member forming at least a first substantially straight surface that extends substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment, a first drive mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member, an area sensor aligned for movement with a segment of the light path, wherein the first lead member and the first drive mechanism are located to first and second different sides of the second optical axis segment and wherein each of the first lead member and the first drive mechanism are located at a height below the top edge of the at least a first fold mirror.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a digital microform imaging apparatus for sensing an image mark on the microform containing the image of a document.

Abstract: A digital imaging system and method for searching for expressions that appear on a microform medium, the system having a computer including a processor and an input device, and a digital microform imaging apparatus having an area sensor generating a digital microform image of the microform medium. The computer is configured to receive a search expression from the input device, create an expression template representing a shape of the search expression, and search the digital microform image for instances of the expression template.

Abstract: A digital imaging system for real-time searching for expressions that appear on a microform medium, the system comprising a computer including a processor, a display, a temporary memory, and a non-volatile memory, and a digital microform imaging apparatus including a controller and an area sensor generating a real-time digital microform image of the microform medium. The controller is in communication with the area sensor and receives the image. The controller is in communication with the processor and outputs the image to the processor that temporarily stores the image in the temporary memory. The processor uses the image output by the controller to drive the display with the image being generated by the area sensor in real-time. The processor searches the image used to drive the display for instances of a search expression, the processor visually distinguishing identified instances of the search expression on the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods to generate a multi-mode image containing different modes such as color, grayscale, and black and white to minimize digital file size while retaining the desired modes for selected portions of the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a digital microform imaging apparatus for sensing an image mark on the microform containing the image of a document. The use of an area sensor with an adjustable region of interest can be used to improve the detection speed of image marks as a roll of microform is being transported.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a digital microform imaging apparatus for sensing an image mark on the microform containing the image of a document.

Abstract: Systems and methods to generate a multi-mode image containing different modes such as color, grayscale, and black and white to minimize digital file size while retaining the desired modes for selected portions of the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods to generate a multi-mode image containing different modes such as color, grayscale, and black and white to minimize digital file size while retaining the desired modes for selected portions of the image.

Abstract: A digital imaging system for real-time searching for expressions that appear on a microform medium, the system comprising a computer including a processor, a display, a temporary memory, and a non-volatile memory, and a digital microform imaging apparatus including a controller and an area sensor generating a real-time digital microform image of the microform medium. The controller is in communication with the area sensor and receives the image. The controller is in communication with the processor and outputs the image to the processor that temporarily stores the image in the temporary memory. The processor uses the image output by the controller to drive the display with the image being generated by the area sensor in real-time. The processor searches the image used to drive the display for instances of a search expression, the processor visually distinguishing identified instances of the search expression on the display.

Abstract: A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising a chassis, a fold mirror supported by the chassis and including a reflecting surface for directing light from a first substantially vertical optical axis to a second substantially horizontal optical axis, a microform media support structure supported at a location intersected by the first optical axis, a first carriage supported for movement along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis, an area sensor supported for movement along the second optical axis, the area sensor further supported by the first carriage for rotation about an axis parallel to the second optical axis and a lens supported for movement along the second optical axis, the lens positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror, a first motor mounted to the first carriage and linked to the area sensor for rotating the area sensor between at least two positions for obtaining portrait and landscape images of a microform media.

Abstract: A microform imaging apparatus comprising a chassis including a microform media support structure configured to support a microform media within a plane substantially orthogonal to a first optical axis, a fold mirror supported along the first optical axis to reflect light along a second optical axis that is angled with respect to the first optical axis, a lens supported along one of the first and second optical axis, an area sensor supported along the second optical axis, a first adjuster for moving the area sensor along at least a portion of the second optical axis and a second adjuster for moving the lens along at least a portion of the one of the first and second optical axis.