Abstract: An apparatus for searching for expressions that appear on a microform medium, the apparatus comprising a microform imager including a sensor for generating digital microform images of one segment of the microform medium at a time, a display screen; and a processor programmed to, while the microform imager is generating a digital microform image: (i) use the digital microform image generated by the microform imager to drive the display screen, (ii) search the digital microform image presented via the display screen for instances of a search expression and (iii) visually distinguish the located search expressions in the digital microform image presented via the display screen.

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 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.

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.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus that can OCR an image, or selected portions of an image, and then provide options to a user for use of the results of the OCR, including passing the results of the OCR to a software program so the software program can perform some action on the results of the OCR.

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.

Abstract: A digital microform imaging apparatus which includes an approximately monochromatic illumination source transmitting an incident light through a diffuse window along a first optical axis of the apparatus. A microform media support is configured to support a microform media after the diffuse window and along the first optical axis. An approximately 45 degree fold mirror reflects the incident light transmitted through the microform media approximately 90 degrees along a second optical axis. An imaging subsystem includes a lens connected to a first carriage which is linearly adjustable approximately parallel with the second optical axis, and an area sensor connected to a second carriage which is linearly adjustable approximately parallel with the second optical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for searching for expressions that appear on a microform medium, the apparatus comprising a microform imager including a sensor for generating digital microform images of one segment of the microform medium at a time, a display screen; and a processor programmed to, while the microform imager is generating a digital microform image: (i) use the digital microform image generated by the microform imager to drive the display screen, (ii) search the digital microform image presented via the display screen for instances of a search expression and (iii) visually distinguish the located search expressions in the digital microform image presented via the display screen.

Abstract: A digital microform imaging apparatus which includes an approximately monochromatic illumination source transmitting an incident light through a diffuse window along a first optical axis of the apparatus. A microform media support is configured to support a microform media after the diffuse window and along the first optical axis. An approximately 45 degree fold mirror reflects the incident light transmitted through the microform media approximately 90 degrees along a second optical axis. An imaging subsystem includes a lens connected to a first carriage which is linearly adjustable approximately parallel with the second optical axis, and an area sensor connected to a second carriage which is linearly adjustable approximately parallel with the second optical axis.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of viewing a microform segment which has been imaged by a digital microform imaging apparatus connected to a computer. The digital microform imaging apparatus images the microform segment and provides a corresponding image data of the microform segment to the computer. The method comprises the steps of: displaying the image data of the microform segment on a display connected to the computer using a computer user interface having a display area; and creating a magnification window within the computer user interface.

Abstract: An electrostatic image developer dispenser forms a uniformly thick and uniformly charged layer of developer particles on a transport surface of a conveyor for delivering particles from a reservoir to a development region adjacent to a photoreceptor. A magnet bar assembly inside the tubular conveyor attracts particles to the transport surface for conveyance to the development region. A magnetic doctor blade presents a surface parallel to the transport surface to establish a regulating gap between the doctor blade surface and the transport surface. The doctor blade extends in the transport direction from opposite one pole of the magnet bar assembly toward an opposite pole downstream from the one pole, to concentrate and orient the magnetic field in the particle layer formation area. In one embodiment, the magnet bar assembly has a pole plate opposite from the doctor blade surface and angularly offset therefrom in a direction opposite to the transport direction.

Abstract: An assembly for rotating an image formed by a group of light rays has a first prism with a transparent first facet through which the light rays enter. The image light rays entering the first facet strike a second facet at angles of incidence greater than the critical angle and are reflected toward a third facet. The third facet is silvered to reflect substantially all of the image light rays back toward the second facet so that the light rays strike the second facet at less than the critical angle and exit the first prism. A second prism is spaced from the first prism to receive light rays from second facet. After entering the second prism, such light rays strike one of its facets and are reflected toward and through an exit facet. The facets of the second prism are angled to minimize image distortion and compensate for lateral offset of the light rays exiting the assembly. A version of the assembly is described in which the second prism is replaced by a mirror.

Abstract: A microfilm viewer/printer projection system particularly adapted for full plane plain paper copying has a first, a second and a third mirror which selectively project a document image from a horizontal object plane to a vertical viewing plane or a horizontal exposure plane. In the view mode, the first and second mirrors reflect the document image to a screen which defines the viewing plane. An AC motor movement drives the first and second mirrors to a print mode, in which the second mirror is parked in a parking zone which is enveloped by the projection path from the object plane to the exposure plane, which is defined by a belt type photoreceptor. In the print mode, the first mirror reflects the entire document image to the third mirror, which is a black mirror, and the third mirror reflects the entire document image to the photoreceptor, to expose the photoreceptor to the entire document image simultaneously.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copier includes a transfer/charge section, a developer/cleaner section, and a photoreceptor having a surface with first and second image areas. Copies are produced by moving the photoreceptor a half revolution so that the first image area passes through the transfer/charge section in which a uniform charge is applied to the first image area. The charged first image area is exposed to a light image producing an electrostatic image on a surface of the photoreceptor. Toner is applied to the exposed first image area as it passes through the developer/cleaner section. The toned image is transferred to paper by moving the first image area through the transfer/charge section, after which the toner is fused onto the paper. When an another copy is to be made, the second image area passes through the transfer/charge section to apply a uniform charge to that image area while the developer/cleaner section removes residual toner from the first image area.

Abstract: A multiple lens image rotation system includes an elongated base fixedly mounted to a microfilm reader apparatus having a plurality of projection lenses with different magnification levels on a carrier movably mounted with respect to the base. The carrier is adapted to move along an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base defining a first position wherein one projection lens is aligned with an image projection path and a second position and subsequent positions wherein other projection lenses are aligned with the image projection path. A single image rotation prism is rotatably mounted in the image projection path for use with the plurality of projection lenses one at a time. The image rotation prism is adapted to rotate about an axis generally coaxial with the image projection path.

Abstract: A reader-printer apparatus is disclosed for displaying and printing microimages, such as microimages of computer data, from microfiche having a plurality of frames wherein the major axis of each frame is oriented transversely. The apparatus is adapted to print such microimages lengthwise onto a sheet of standard recording paper without the use of a prism to rotate the image. The microfiche is received into a carriage defining an object plane. The microimage may be selectively displayed on a viewing screen or alternatively recorded on standard paper. In the print mode, the image is scanned and consecutively projected onto a photoconductive drum which is rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the viewing plane.