DIGITAL MICROFORM IMAGING APPARATUS
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.
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/931,583 which is pending, filed on Nov. 3, 2015, which is titled “Digital Microform Imaging Apparatus”, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/497,390, filed on Sep. 26, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/968,080, filed on Aug. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,019, dated Nov. 3, 2015, which was titled “Digital Microform Imaging Apparatus,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/560,283, filed on Jul. 27, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,537,279, dated Sep. 17, 2013, which was titled “Digital Microform Imaging Apparatus,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/748,692, filed on May 15, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,269,890, dated Sep. 18, 2012, and titled “Digital Microform Imaging Apparatus,” each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure relates to a digital microform imaging apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREMicroform images are useful in archiving a variety of documents or records by photographically reducing and recording the document in a film format. Examples of typical microform image formats include microfilm/microfiche, aperture cards, jackets, 16 mm or 35 mm film roll film, cartridge film and other micro opaques. A microfiche article is a known form of graphic data presentation wherein a number of pages or images are photographically reproduced on a single “card” of microfiche film (such as a card of 3×5 inches to 4×6 inches, for example). Any suitable number of pages (up to a thousand or so) may be photographically formed in an orthogonal array on a single microfiche card of photographic film. The microfiche film may then be placed in an optical reader and moved over a rectilinear path until an image or a selected page is in an optical projection path leading to a display screen. Although other electronic, magnetic or optical imaging and storage techniques and media are available, there exists an extensive legacy of film type records storing the likes of newspapers and other print media, business records, government records, genealogical records, and the like.
Past microfilm readers included an integral display which made the reader quite large, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,654. As the number of images that can be put on a standard size varies, and also the size of the record, for example a typical newspaper page is larger than a typical magazine page, images are recorded on film within a range of reduction ratios (original size/reduced size), and aspect ratio (ratio of height to width of the image, or vice versa). A typical microfilm reader may have a range of zoom or magnification available to accommodate a portion of the reduction ratio range; however, this zoom range is limited and does not accommodate all reduction ratios. Further, in a microfilm reader of the type in the '654 patent, the optical system is enclosed and relatively fixed, and cannot be modified by a user to accommodate a range of reduction ratios for which it is not designed. With the adoption of new storage media such as CDs and DVDs, and the prevalent use of desktop computers in libraries and other facilities which store records, it became apparent that a microfilm reader which acts as a peripheral device to a desktop computer and uses the computer's display for displaying the film's images has several advantages. Such a device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,941, for example.
One of the advantages is that a single workstation can accommodate a variety of media such as microfiche or other film, optical media such as CDs and DVDs, and other electronic and magnetic media. Another advantage is that a single display is used for displaying a variety of media images. These advantages have led to the development of microfilm readers which work in conjunction with a desktop computer; however, known peripheral device microfilm readers still have the problem of accommodating a relatively large range of reduction ratios for the film images. One known solution is to provide a peripheral device microfilm reader with multiple zoom lenses to cover the full range of magnification required by the relatively large range of reduction ratios. There are several disadvantages to this approach which include the lenses end up missing or misplaced, the microfilm reader becomes undesirably large, and/or special instructions are required to swap out lenses which makes the different zoom lenses difficult to use. An apparatus and/or method is needed which can accommodate a relatively large range of reduction ratios without the need for changing out parts of the apparatus such as the lenses, or without the need for very expensive zoom lenses.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,398 discloses an apparatus for processing microfiche images where two carriages ride on common rails, driven by lead screws and small DC servomotors, where one carriage carries the CCD camera board, and the other carriage carries an objective lens mounted upon a vertically moving lens board. In operation, the system's digital controller solves a simple lens equation based upon three variables: lens focal length, optical reduction ratio and pixel resolution at original document scale, or “dots per inch” (dpi). It then drives the Z-axis carriages to their calculated positions. The controller then commands a succession of image scans, each time displacing the lens carriage slightly. It analyzes the images and then returns the lens carriage to the position giving best focus. Although this system can accommodate a variable optical reduction ratio, it has several disadvantages or limitations. Disadvantages include that the lens carriage is iteratively focused which can cause eye strain if a person is viewing the image during the focusing process, and this process takes time. Another disadvantage is that the leads screws include backlash when reversing direction, which can make the iteratively focusing process difficult and/or imprecise, and the '398 patent is absent disclosure which discusses how to rectify such a problem. Yet another disadvantage is that illumination system, film holder, lens and camera are all in line which creates a bulky system. Yet further, the '398 patent is absent disclosure which indicates what range of reduction ratios it can accommodate.
Other noted U.S. patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,137,347; 5,726,773; 3,836,251; and 5,061,955. However, these patents, along with the other cited patents, together or separately, fail to disclose or suggest a compact digital microform imaging apparatus which can easily adapt to a broad range of reduction ratios, and also fail to disclose or suggest such a device while offering other modern features leveraging the potential versatility available in such a system used in conjunction with a computer system.
What is needed in the art is a compact and versatile digital microform imaging apparatus which can easily adapt to a broad range of reduction ratios and media types while providing good resolution of the images and ease of use.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThe invention comprises, in one form thereof, a digital microform imaging apparatus which includes a chassis which has a microform media support structure, and an area sensor rotatably connected to the chassis.
The invention comprises, in another form thereof, 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.
The invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a digital microform imaging apparatus which includes a chassis and an imaging subsystem connected to the chassis. The imaging subsystem has a first lead screw and a second lead screw approximately parallel with the first lead screw. Each lead screw is connected to the chassis. The imaging subsystem includes at least one approximately L-shaped carriage with a first leg threadingly coupled to the first lead screw and slidingly coupled to the second lead screw.
An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a compact microfilm viewer/scanner.
Another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that it can accommodate a broad range of image reduction ratios without the need to change zoom lenses.
Yet another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that it can accommodate a broad range of microform media types such as all film types and micro opaques.
Yet other advantages of an embodiment of the present invention are that it uses an area sensor to sense the image being displayed thereby eliminating the need for scanning individual images with a line sensor, and resulting in high resolution scans in a relatively short amount of time, for example one second.
Yet another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that it provides 360° image rotation.
Yet another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that it has low energy usage.
Yet other advantages of an embodiment of the present invention are that it has either autofocus or manual focus.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSUREReferring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Computer 24 can be connected to a printer (not shown) or connected/networked to other computers or peripheral devices (also not shown) to print, store or otherwise convey images produced by DMIA 22. Although cable 34 is described as an electrical type cable, alternatively DMIA 22 and computer 24 can communicate via fiber optics, or wirelessly through infrared or radio frequencies, for example.
Referring more particularly to
A microform media support 44 is configured to support a microform media 46 after diffuse window 40 and along first optical axis 42. In the embodiment shown support 44 is an X-Y table, that is, support 44 is movable in a plane which is approximately orthogonal to first optical axis 42. Referring particularly to
Referring particularly to
An imaging subsystem 84 includes a first lead screw 86 and a second lead screw 88 where each lead screw is approximately parallel with second optical axis 72. A lens 90 is connected to a first carriage 92 which is linearly adjustable by rotating first lead screw 86. Lens 90 includes stop 94 and f-stop adjustment 96 which can adjust the aperture of stop 94. Lens 90 can have a fixed focal length of 50 mm, for example. This focal length has the advantage of a relatively large depth of focus. A rough formula used to quickly calculate depth of focus is the product of the focal length times the f-stop divided by 1000, which yields a depth of focus of 0.55 mm for a 50 mm focal length and f11 f-stop adjustment. An area sensor 97 is connected to a second carriage 98 which carriage is linearly adjustable by rotating second lead screw 88. Area sensor 97 can be an area array CCD sensor with a two dimensional array of sensor elements or pixels, for example, with a 3.5 μm2 pixel size, or other types of sensors and pixel sizes depending on resolution size requirements. The area array nature of sensor 97, when compared to a line sensor, eliminates the need for scanning of the sensor when viewing two dimensional images. The overall novel optical layout of the present invention including the separately adjustable area sensor 97 and lens 90; 45° fold mirror 70; and film table 44 location; algorithms for moving the lens and sensor to appropriate respective locations to achieve proper magnification and focus of the image; and the lens focal length and relatively large depth of focus, allows DMIA 22 to autofocus without the need for iterative measurements and refocusing the of lens 90 during magnification changes to accommodate different reduction ratios of different film media. Further, the present invention can easily accommodate reduction ratios in the range of 7× to 54×, although the present invention is not limited to such a range.
A first motor 100 is rotationally coupled to first lead screw 86 by timing pulley 102, belt 104 with teeth, and timing pulley 106, and a second motor 108 is rotationally coupled to second lead screw 88 by timing pulley 110, belt 112 with teeth, and timing pulley 114. A controller 116 is electrically connected to first motor 100, second motor 108 and area sensor 97, where controller 116 is for receiving commands and other inputs from computer 24 or other input devices, controlling first motor 100 and second motor 108, and other elements of DMIA 22, and for outputting an image data of area sensor 97. Consequently, controller 116 can include one or more circuit boards which have a microprocessor, field programmable gate array, application specific integrated circuit or other programmable devices; motor controls; a receiver; a transmitter; connectors; wire interconnections including ribbon wire and wiring harnesses; a power supply; and other electrical components. Controller 116 also provides electrical energy and lighting controls for LED array 36. The lead screws serve a dual function of providing guiding elements as well as drive elements for lens and sensor carriages. It is contemplated that the present invention can include alternate designs which can separate these two functions of guiding and driving using, for example, rails or unthreaded rods or a combination thereof for guiding, and a belt or rack and pinion arrangement or a combination thereof for driving.
A third motor 118 is rotationally coupled to area sensor 97, where controller 116 additionally controls third motor 118 through electrical connections as with motors 100 and 108. For example, controller 116 can rotate area sensor 97, using motor 118, timing pulley 120, belt 122 with teeth, and timing pulley 124, to match an aspect ratio of microform media 46, and particularly an aspect ratio of images 60. A light baffle 126 can be connected to area sensor 97 to reduce stray light incident on sensor 97 and thereby further improve the resolution and signal to noise of DMIA 22. Light baffle 126 can have an antireflective coating at the front and inside surfaces of the baffle to further reduce stray light incident on sensor 97. Motors 100, 108 and 118 can be DC servomotors, or other motors.
In order to autofocus DMIA 22 without iterations and successive measurements, and for other reasons, it is important that backlash is minimized or eliminated when rotating lead screws 86, 88 to linearly actuate carriages 92, 98. Further, lens 90 and area sensor 97 require a stable platform in order to maintain optical alignment. Referring more particularly to
Lens carriage assembly 127 can include a three point adjustable mount for lens 90 by mounting lens 90 to first carriage 92 using plate 148, ring 150, fasteners 152 and springs 154.
Computer 24 can include a software computer user interface (CUI) 156 displayed by display 26 with user inputs to control DMIA 22 in general, and particularly, illumination system 36, motors 100, 108 and 118, and other elements of DMIA 22. Referring to
Illumination source 36 can alternatively include lasers or laser diodes, electroluminescent panels, light sources with narrow band light filters, or other monochromatic sources. Media 46 can include any microform image formats such as microfilm/microfiche, aperture cards, jackets, 16 mm or 35 mm film roll film, cartridge film and other micro opaques. Micro opaques are different than transparent film. Images are recorded on an opaque medium. To view these micro images one needs to use reflected light. The present invention can use LED arrays 37 (
In the embodiment of
A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail. Many modifications and variations to the preferred embodiment described will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the embodiments described. Rather, in order to ascertain the full scope of the invention, the claims which follow should be referenced.
Claims
1. A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis,
- a light source supported by the chassis for generating light that travels along a light path, the light source directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path;
- a mirror assembly including at least a first fold mirror supported by the chassis within the light path for redirecting light trajectories along the light path, the at least a first fold mirror including a reflecting surface located along the first optical axis segment and redirecting light from the light source along a second optical axis segment of the light path, 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;
- a first motor including a first motor shaft that engages the first drive mechanism;
- a first carriage coupled to the first lead member for movement there along and coupled to the chassis via the first drive mechanism and the first motor such that rotation of the first motor shaft causes the first carriage to move along the first lead member along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;
- an area sensor supported by the first carriage and aligned with a segment of the light path, the area sensor moving with the first carriage, the first carriage moving substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment within a first range to adjust a distance along the light path between the area sensor and the at least a first fold mirror; and
- a lens supported by the chassis and positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror along 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.
2. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the area sensor is located along the second optical axis segment.
3. The imaging apparatus of claim 2 wherein a front face of the area sensor is substantially perpendicular to the second optical axis segment.
4. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the area sensor is arranged along a segment of the light path that is not coaxial with the first optical axis segment.
5. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lens is located between the first drive mechanism and the first lead member.
6. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least a first fold mirror includes a bottom edge and wherein the first drive mechanism is located at a height above the bottom edge of the at least a first fold mirror.
7. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first drive mechanism includes a threaded shaft, the first carriage includes at least one tooth member received in a channel formed between adjacent threads on the threaded shaft, and wherein the first carriage slides along the first lead member as the threaded shaft rotates.
8. The imaging apparatus of claim 7 wherein the threads on the threaded shaft have a first shape and the at least one tooth member has a second shape that is different than the first shape so that when the at least one tooth member is received in a portion of the thread, the at least one tooth member contacts the thread at only two points when the thread is viewed in cross section.
9. The imaging apparatus of claim 8 wherein the thread is substantially rectilinear and wherein the at least one tooth member is substantially triangular
10. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one fold mirror has a bottom edge and wherein the first drive mechanism is supported at a height above the bottom edge of the fold mirror.
11. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further including a second carriage supported for movement along an axis that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis, a second motor having a second motor shaft and a second drive mechanism coupled to the second carriage, the lens mounted to the second carriage, the second drive mechanism coupling the second motor shaft to the second carriage so that rotation of the second motor shaft causes the second carriage and lens to move along the second optical axis segment.
12. The imaging apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second carriage is independent of and moves independently of the first carriage.
13. The imaging apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second motor shaft extends along an axis that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment and the second drive mechanism includes at least a toothed belt and a first threaded member, the first threaded member extending substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment, the toothed belt forming at least a portion of a coupling between the second motor shaft and the first threaded member so that as the second motor shaft rotates, the first threaded member also rotates about the axis parallel to the second optical axis segment, the second carriage including at least one member received in a channel formed between adjacent threads on the first threaded member, and wherein the second carriage and lens move along the second optical axis segment as the first threaded member rotates.
14. The imaging apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first threaded member forms a thread on an outside surface thereof.
15. The imaging apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first drive mechanism includes a first elongated straight drive member linked between the first motor shaft and the first carriage and the second drive mechanism includes a second elongated straight drive member linked between the second motor shaft and the second carriage, the first and second elongated drive members extending substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment.
16. The imaging assembly of claim 15 wherein the first and second motor shafts extend along first and second substantially horizontal axis and wherein the first and second substantially horizontal axis are arranged in substantially the same vertical plane.
17. The imaging assembly of claim 16 wherein the first and second substantially horizontal axis are arranges below the top edge of the at least a first fold mirror.
18. The imaging assembly of claim 17 wherein the first and second elongated drive members extend from first ends coupled to the first and second motors in a direction generally toward the at least a first fold mirror.
19. The imaging assembly of claim 18 wherein each of the first and second elongated drive members have substantially the same length dimension.
20. The imaging assembly of claim 19 wherein the first elongated drive member includes a threaded shaft member.
21. The imaging assembly of claim 20 wherein the second drive mechanism includes a toothed belt and first and second toothed gears in addition to the second elongated drive member.
22. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first and second elongated straight drive members extend along first and second substantially horizontal axis and wherein the first and second substantially horizontal axis are arranged in substantially the same vertical plane.
23. The imaging apparatus of claim 13 wherein a toothed gear links the toothed belt to the threaded member.
24. The imaging apparatus of claim 13 wherein the lens is movable through a second range of motion along the second optical axis and wherein the first and second ranges of motion at least somewhat overlap.
25. The imaging apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first and second motors are independently controllable and are simultaneously operated to move the lens and the area sensor at the same time.
26. The imaging apparatus of claim 25 wherein the simultaneous operation of the motors is controlled to at least somewhat maintain focus while adjusting zoom.
27. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lens is supported for movement within a second range along the light path to change the position of the lens with respect to the at least a first fold mirror and the area sensor within the light path.
28. A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a light source supported by the chassis for generating light that travels along a light path, the light source directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path;
- a mirror assembly including at least a first fold mirror supported by the chassis within the light path for redirecting light trajectories along the light path, the at least a first fold mirror including a reflecting surface located along the first optical axis segment and redirecting light from the light source along a second optical axis segment of the light path, 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;
- a first carriage supported by the first lead member for movement along a trajectory substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;
- a first motor having a first motor shaft, the first motor and the first drive mechanism linking the first carriage to the chassis and the first motor shaft engaging the first drive mechanism to move the first carriage along the substantially straight surface of the first lead member through a first range of motion as the first motor shaft rotates;
- an area sensor supported by the first carriage within the light path, the area sensor supported for movement with the first carriage to adjust a distance along the light path between the area sensor and the fold mirror;
- a second drive mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member;
- a second carriage linked to the second drive mechanism for movement along a trajectory substantially parallel to the first lead member;
- a second motor having a second motor shaft and supported by the chassis, the second drive mechanism coupling the second motor to the second carriage to move the second carriage along the trajectory substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment through a second range of motion; and
- a lens supported by the second carriage and positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror along the light path;
- wherein, the first and second motor shafts extend in the same direction and are arranged along substantially horizontal first and second axis that are located within substantially the same vertical plane.
29. A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising
- a chassis;
- a light source supported by the chassis for generating light that travels along a light path, the light source directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path;
- a mirror assembly including at least a first fold mirror supported by the chassis within the light path for redirecting light trajectories along the optical path, the at least a first fold mirror including a reflecting surface located along the first optical axis segment and redirecting light from the light source along a second optical axis segment of the light path, 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;
- a first carriage supported by the first lead member for movement along a trajectory substantially parallel to the first lead member;
- a first motor having a first motor shaft, the first motor and the first drive mechanism linking the first carriage to the chassis and the first motor shaft engaging the first drive mechanism to move the first carriage along the first lead member through a first range of motion as the first motor shaft rotates;
- an area sensor supported by the first carriage for movement therewith to adjust a distance between the area sensor and the fold mirror along the light path, the area sensor aligned with a segment of the light path;
- a second drive mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member;
- a second carriage supported by the second drive mechanism for movement along a trajectory substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;
- a second motor having a second motor shaft and supported by the chassis, the second drive mechanism coupling the second motor to the second carriage to move the second carriage along the trajectory substantially parallel to the first lead member through a second range of motion; and
- a lens supported by the second carriage and positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror along the second optical axis segment;
- wherein the first lead member is supported to one side of the lens and the area sensor and wherein the first drive mechanism is located at a height below the top edge of the fold mirror and to one side of the lens.
30. A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis that forms a first cavity and a substantially horizontal window;
- a housing cover that forms a second cavity, the cover supported by the chassis with a front portion of the cover positioned above the horizontal window and the second cavity extending rearward from the front portion to a rear portion, the front portion of the housing spaced from the horizontal window by a gap;
- a first illumination source supported within one of the cavities for generating light that travels along a light path, the first illumination source directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path through the horizontal window and the gap and toward the other of the cavities;
- a mirror assembly including at least a first fold mirror supported within the other of the cavities within the light path for redirecting light trajectories along the light path, the at least a first fold mirror including a reflecting surface located along the first optical axis segment and redirecting light from the light source along a second optical axis segment of the light path within the other of the cavities, the second optical axis segment forming a substantially 90 degree angle with the first optical axis segment;
- a first carriage supported in the other of the cavities for motion along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;
- a second carriage supported in the other of the cavities for motion along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;
- an area sensor supported by the first carriage within the other of the cavities and aligned within the light path;
- a lens supported by the second carriage within the other of the cavities and aligned along the light path between the fold mirror and the area sensor;
- a first motor supported in the other of the cavities and coupled to the first carriage for driving the first carriage to positions where the distance along the light path between the area sensor and the at least a first fold mirror is controllable within a first range;
- a second motor supported in the other of the cavities and coupled to the second carriage for driving the second carriage to positions where the lens is at different locations along the light path; and
- a microform media support structure supported by the chassis and configured to support a microform media within a plane substantially orthogonal to the first optical axis segment and so that the first optical axis segment passes through the microform media, the media support structure located within the gap between the front portion of the housing and the horizontal window.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 12, 2018
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2018
Inventor: Todd A Kahle (Hartford, WI)
Application Number: 16/033,421