Abstract: A storage jacket-film strip segment insertion apparatus having enhanced strip viewing and ease of use capabilities. A platform assembly having a tray is provided for receiving a storage jacket into which film strip segments are inserted by an associated film strip feed head. The tray is light-translucent or transparent to allow the jacket to be back-lit for viewing or copying through a provided transparent tray cover and projection lens. The tray and feed head are movable with respect to one another to provide feed head access to various portions of the storage jacket and a track assembly is provided attached to the tray for positive engagement and alignment of the tray with the feed head. The tray cover is attached to the platform assembly in such a manner as to cause the track to disengage from the feed head when the cover is raised, allowing the tray and feed head to be repositioned with respect to one another.

Abstract: A synchronous copying and collating system 10 uses side-by-side original document and copy paper feed paths having reprographic portions 11 and 20 extending vertically downward. Endless belts 24 and 54 with drive perforations 26 driven by pinwheel drives 34 and 34c advance simultaneously at the same speed for moving original paper and copy paper synchronously in a continuous succession through their respective reprographic paths 11 and 20. Endless drive belts have alignment tabs 25 arranged to locate sheet boundaries at predetermined and regular intervals on endless belts to keep originals and copies registered with reprographic reading and imaging devices. These include fiber optic lens arrays 12, 14, 16, and 18 adjacent the original path for reading moving information, optical fibers for transferring the information to the copy paper, and reprographic imaging devices arranged for copying the information onto the moving copy paper.

Abstract: An original to be copied is placed in a given position. An exposure optics including a movable part is employed to focus an optical image of slitwise segment of the original on a photosensitive member. The photosensitive member moves in a given direction and at a given speed throughout the exposure. The location where the image of slitwise segment of the original is focused moves through the space of the arrangement at a given speed and in a direction opposite from the direction of movement of the photosensitive member throughout the exposure. Consequently, the location corresponding to the initiation of the exposure is situated downstream as viewed in the direction of movement of the surface of the photosensitive member while the location corresponding to the end of the exposure is situated upstream as viewed in the same direction.

Abstract: An optical projection system of unit magnification for transmitting a real erect image of an object from an object plane to an image plane, comprises a plurality of lenses having parallel optical axes and being arranged in one or more rows. Each lens comprises three or four lens elements arranged along a common optical path extending between the object and image planes, and includes at least two aperture masks which subtend light rays from the axial and off-axis object points in the object plane. These aperture masks are arranged in positions where the image-forming pencil of light rays passing through the lens has a relatively large cross-section.

Abstract: The proposed method for making half-tone images on printing plates comprises a step of individually controlling light beams to switch them on and off according to whether a reference value representing a photographic density of minute point of an original picture is or is not smaller than numeral signals allotted to many divisional elements constituting each of many small dots, wherein a unit area corresponding to single dot area is divided into plural fine network patterns each having its own tone reproduction characteristic different from those of other patterns whereby the resulting soft dots can be dot-etched for color retouching of the half-tone images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of stopping a film containing a plural number of frames having images recorded thereon. First and second detectors each having at least one photo-electric transducer element are arranged along the feed path of the film. The first and second detectors are disposed in such a manner that when the first detector receives the light from the frame, the second detector receives the light from the blank portion (non-image portion) between frames. A signal is produced only when the first detector detects a desired frame and the second detector detects the blank portion at the same time during the feeding of the film. After the generation of the signal, the film is further advanced in a determined direction by a determined length of the film and then the film feeding is stopped to stop the desired frame in the film at a determined position.

Abstract: A copying apparatus of the type in which an original-support device is mounted reciprocably on a housing through a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism is comprised of an outside rail fixed to one of the original-support device and the housing, an inside rail fixed to the other of said original-support device and housing, and disposed between the outside and inside rails, a holding plate rotatably holding a plurality of balls which contact both of the outside and inside rails. Each of the opposite ends of one of the outside and inside rails has disposed thereat a stop face against which each of the opposite ends of the holding plate can abut, and one end portion of the other of said outside and inside rails has disposed thereat a stop face against which one end of the holding plate can abut. A stop member defining a stop face against which the other end of the holding plate can abut is detachably disposed at the other end portion of the other of said outside and inside rails.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improvement to a compact copying apparatus of a slit exposure scanning type. A plurality of sheets of plastic lens elements provide an array of optical erecting lens systems that combine to provide overlapping images of an original on an image recording member. The optical system is designed to comply with predetermined parameters of distance between the original and the image recording planes, the magnification of the inverted real image, the maximum effective aperture of the lens system, and the distance between respective edges of maximum effective apertures of adjacent lens systems.

Abstract: A very high speed, fully automated reproduction system is disclosed having a document handling apparatus, copy sheet processor, and a finishing station. For very high reproduction rates, post-collation of copy sheets into copy sets is utilized. In this arrangement the document apparatus is arranged to expose each document sheet of a document a predetermined number of times before a succeeding document sheet is brought into exposure position so that for each complete circulation of all the document sheets, the document would have been copied a number of times equal to said predetermined number. A sorter bin array having a number of bins equal to said predetermined number is arranged to collate the resultant copy sheets into corresponding copy sets. The copy sets are removed from the bin array for stapling and stacking or non-stapling and stacking.

Abstract: A transport device conveys film sections, possibly equipped with a reorder strip and mounted on a carrier strip, stepwise through an inspection section. An entering keyboard is provided to read the data to be assigned to each image frame of the film strips into a memory. The input keyboard is coupled by means of a computer with a display device in order to display the data entered.To render the inspection and possibly the correction of data entered for film sections located in the inspection section possible, at least a part of the display device extends essentially along the entire inspection field, while the computer is equipped to cause the data displayed on this part of the display device to run in an essentially synchronous manner with the conveying motion of the film sections on the carrier strip.

Abstract: A projection apparatus for forming an image of original on a photosensitive material opposed to the plane of the original. The projection apparatus has a projecting system composed of a plurality of projection optical system arrays. Each individual projection optical system is composed of a first and a second lens coaxially disposed and having a relatively large length as compared with its effective lens diameter respectively. The first lens is an exit side telecentric lens whereas the second one is an incident side telecentric lens. The first lens forms an intermediate image of a portion of the original on a plane between the first and second lenses and the second lens reforms the intermediate image on the photosensitive material.

Abstract: For a document sheet feeding and registration apparatus and method for deskewing and registering a document sheet relative to a registered copying position on a copier platen by feeding it against a sheet aligning document registration member, there is disclosed apparatus for initially feeding the document sheet towards the registration means with a first document sheet feeder exemplified by a widely transversely spaced pair of high friction sheet feeding rollers, which resist skewing of the document sheet, and removing the first document sheet feeder from the document sheet after its lead edge is engaged by a second document sheet feeder and before the document sheet engages the registration edge stop so that final skewing control of the document sheet is only by the second document sheet feeder, this second document sheet feeder being a single sheet feeding roller positioned centrally of the document sheet lead edge area and positioned closely adjacent the registration edge.

Abstract: A placing stand for use with a microfilm copying device or the like is driven by means of a step motor connected to the stand by wires or the like. A flywheel is coupled to the shaft of the step motor via a one way clutch so as to damp vibrations of the step motor, while allowing the stand to be quickly returned; the flywheel is not a load on the motor in the return direction.

Abstract: A projecting device is disclosed which has plural element lens systems arranged in at least two rows in a staggered fashion in two grooved blocks, with one row displaced relative to the adjacent row by a distance equal to half the pitch of the adjacent row. Each lens system is composed of at least one bar lens for imaging a part of the object as a part of the corresponding image. An opaque elastomer material fills the space between the rows for preventing light from entering into the space while allowing the positional relation between the rows to be fine-adjusted.

Abstract: This specification discloses a projection device in which bar lenses of plastic, each having a great length in the direction of its optical axis as compared with its effective diameter, of the lenses are arranged in the form of a predetermined array. The bar lenses are shielded from the outside atmosphere by a holding member capable of easily setting the lenses. Further, transparent plates, such as glass plates or the like, are provided at the incidence end and the emergence end to seal the holding member, so that there occurs no deterioration of the predetermined optical performance resulting from variations in the environmental humidity which would otherwise cause variations in the plastic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system for a multi-magnification copier which employs a plurality of gradient index lens arrays to provide a 1.times. as well as a magnification capability. The magnification range of the copier is extended beyond the discrete value associated with each lens array by changing the speed at which the document is normally scanned in the isometric mode so that the image is anamorphically magnified in the scanning direction. This magnification either enlarges or compresses the image at the imaging plane and, due to the narrow scan slit employed with gradient index lens arrays, retains adequate resolution in the developed image.

Abstract: In a precollation copying apparatus with a recirculating document handler (RDH) in which a set of plural original document sheets is placed and normally plurally recirculated and copied once per circulation at the copier imaging station to produce a selected plural number of precollated copy sheet sets therefrom in a normal copy sheet output path, the improvement including a selectable alternative copy sheet path for feeding copy sheets from said normal copy sheet output path of said copier into an input station of said RDH with a selectably actuatable copy sheet output path deflector diverting a first set of copy sheets made from original document sheets into said alternative copy sheet path; and wherein the RDH automatically ejects the original document sheets without circulating them after they have been copied only once, and then the RDH automatically plurally recirculates the set of copy sheets in lieu of and as if they were original document sheets to copy the remainder of the selected number of copy se

Abstract: A constant velocity transport for moving documents of various thicknesses at a uniform rate across the scan aperture of a raster input scanner employing one or more solid state arrays for scanning the document through the aperture line by line. A floating viewing element is disposed in the scan aperture with the document transport comprising a single feed roll disposed opposite the viewing element and in engagement therewith. The viewing element and the feed roll cooperate to form a nip between which the document being scanned passes. A pair of leaf springs bias the viewingelement into operative engagement with the feed roll while permitting various thickness documents to be fed. A controlled friction surface is provided on the viewing element at the point where contact between the feed roll and viewing element is established to obviate velocity perturbations in the feed roll resulting from changeover from a no document feed to a document feed state and vice versa.

Abstract: A microfilm camera employs a reciprocating lens to optically arrest motion of documents traveling in a high-speed stream for photographic exposure onto stationary, incrementally advanced photographic film. The reciprocation of the lens is controlled by a closed loop servo system. To enhance performance of the servo system, the lens is supported by a four-bar linkage comprising relatively stiff light-weight arms interconnected by crossed leaf spring hinges.

Abstract: This specification discloses a projection device in which a plurality of element lens systems for projecting a part area of an object onto a predetermined part area on the image plane at erect one-to-one magnification are arranged parallel to one another in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. Each element lens system is a telecentric system comprising three thin lenses of the same shape arranged in the direction of the optical axis, and an intermediate lens is provided at a position deviated from the intermediate point between the object side lens and the image plane side lens.

Abstract: This specification discloses an apparatus for photographing originals successively on a long footage of film. Originals of various sizes such as checks, stock-certificates, vouchers, etc. are photographed on the film. When originals of various sizes are photographed on unphotographed film, how may originals can be photographed on the unphotographed film is displayed. The number of originals photographable on the unphotographed film can be known for each size of original and can also be known as the number of originals having an average size which have hitherto been photographed or as the number of originals having a minimum or a maximum size. Also, in a photographing apparatus wherein photographed film is temporally stored in a storage portion and then fed to a developing portion, how many originals can be photographed on the film that is to be stored in the storage portion is displayed.

Abstract: A copying machine has plural infeed capabilities, being provided for example with plural sheet supply units supplying sheets of different respective types or formats. A control panel is provided with a plurality of operator-activated dual-purpose select-and-start switches. When the operator activates one of these switches, this both selects the respective infeed capability and also commands initiation of copying, so that the operator need not thereafter press a second switch merely to initiate copying. The select-and-start switches are pushbutton switches the pushbuttons of which are translucent and provided, behind them, with respective signal lamps. During a copying operation, the signal lamp behind the one of the select-and-start switches which commanded copying lights up, to indicate that copying is occurring. If one of the supply units is exhausted, the respective signal lamp begins to blink, thereby indicating this to the operator.

Abstract: A projecting device having an array, in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, of plural element lens systems each axially provided with two bar lenses of an axial length larger than the effective diameter thereof, characterized by the presence of an intermediate ring positioned between two bar lenses for extracting the effective beam emerging from the first bar lens and entering the second bar lens and providing a determined light intensity distribution on the projection plane.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for providing a display of objects in a plane wherein two dimensions of the objects are represented by the coordinates of the images representing the objects, and a third dimension such as the distance of an object from a reference plane and from other objects is represented by the contrast of the image. Apparatus for determining the angular coordinates of an object from a reference plane is described which permits the calculation of the distance from the reference plane to the object. Distances to the object may be ascertained by passive methods which illuminate the object with natural light or by active methods which illuminate the object with a laser.

Abstract: A device for driving the copy board of a copying machine comprising a driving member adapted to perform a reciprocating movement during the copying operation, a copy board engaged with the driving member, and at least one switch adapted to detect whether or not the copy board has been disengaged from the driving member when the copy board and driving member are in the vicinity of the starting position. The copy board is disengaged from the driving member by a force greater than a predetermined level of force applied thereto in the direction of reciprocation.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing microform records from computer stored data or other electrical data signal sources forms on the screen of a cathode ray tube at rapidly occuring intervals successive hard copy-appearing images of such data which is reduced in size by a bundle of tapered fiber optic filaments with a wide light receiving end encompassing the screen of the cathode ray tube and a narrow light projecting end encompassing an area of the frame of a microfiche card. The successively produced images at the narrow end of the fiber optic filament bundle are applied to successive frames of a heat developable masking film strip requiring more time to develop than the imaging intervals and moved in step-by-step fashion past the narrow end of the fiber optic bundle, a heating bar and an image transfer station where a flash of light is passed through the masking film strip to transfer a negative image thereon to a frame of an archival add-on microfiche card-forming film.

Abstract: A forward and reverse chain drive systems for a scanner has a one-way clutch mounted on the drive shaft for the scanner cable pulley. The clutch has a sprocket wheel linked by a chain drive to a reverse motor to turn the drive shaft in a first rotation direction when the reverse motor is energized. The sprocket wheel is free to rotate in the other rotation direction independently of the drive shaft so that when the reverse motor is de-energized at the end of the scanner reverse movement, the chain drive may move the clutch sprocket wheel in that other direction, as the chain reacts to reverse motor turn-off, without changing the position of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An original feeding system having a rotary drum provided with sheet original hold-down claws for clamping the leading edge of the sheet original against the surface of the periphery of the rotary drum and with a control mechanism for keeping the claws in clamping engagement with the sheet and releasing the claws from clamping engaging therewith. A belt drive is provided for feeding the copy sheet by holding same between the rotary drum and the belt. The rotary drum is adapted to be stopped in its rotation before it completes one revolution, while the belt drive continues to be driven to feed the sheet original, which is subjected to the frictional force exerted by the belt and slides along the surface of the rotary drum. Therefore, it is possible to feed a sheet original having a length larger than the circumferential length of the rotary drum.

Abstract: In a copying machine having a movable carriage 5 for carrying the original, the correct velocity ratio between the carriage and the drive shaft 18 which advances the photosensitive sheet 21 (or photosensitive drum) is established by driving the carriage from a shaft 25 at overspeed through a friction clutch 38 and limiting the carriage velocity to the correct value by a coupling (rack 32, gears 40,43, one-way clutch 29) between the carriage 5 and the drive shaft 18. The correct velocity is thereby maintained irrespective of wear and tolerances in the drive to the carriage and the carriage guides.

Abstract: A copying machine comprises an imaging mechanism and a recording mechanism. An imaging sub-scan carriage of the imaging mechanism is scanned in the sub-scanning direction between an imaging start position and an intermediate position to image a master. The recording mechanism includes a recording medium such as a recording drum and a recording sub-scan carriage. The recording medium rotates in the main scanning direction while the recording sub-scan carriage scans in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. When the imaging sub-scan carriage is scanning for one line, the recording sub-scan carriage is also scanning for one line, during which the recording medium performs one main scan so that a latent image of one line of the master can be formed on the recording medium.

Abstract: In a slit exposure type copying machine, a projection device basically includes transmission type element lens systems each including a lens having a great length in the direction of the optic axis thereof as compared with the effective diameter thereof. A part area of an original is projected upon a predetermined part area on an image plane and the light intensity distribution of the projected part area has a predetermined central area controlled by lens aperture eclipse and extending diametrically from at least the optic axis and a marginal area lying outwardly of the central area and weak in light intensity. A plurality of such element lens systems are substantially equidistantly arranged in the lengthwise direction of the slit in a plane perpendicular to the optic axis so that the marginal areas in at least the element lens systems are superposed upon one another.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes a splice detector for detecting the presence of a splice in a photographic paper web. The splice detector is positioned upstream of the printing aperture of the printer, and provides a signal indicative of the presence of a paper splice prior to the time that the splice reaches the printing aperture. Following detection of the splice, the paper feed control of the printer advances the web a number of additional feeds sufficient to advance the splice past the printing aperture. As a result, recording of a photographic image on the portion of the print paper web containing the splice is avoided.

Abstract: A photographic reprint system utilizes film segments or strips which are attached to an elongated tab. Information relating to the printing of each frame, including the desired print quantity, the color balance setup to be used in printing the frame, and exposure corrections used in printing that frame are stored sequentially in a storage medium such as a floppy disk. After the tab with attached film segments has been prepared, it is taken to a photographic printer where the tab with attached film segments is advanced sequentially and the film frames are printed. This printing is based upon information which is retrieved sequentially from the storage medium. The photographic printer includes displays for displaying the print quantity, color balance setup, and exposure corrections for each frame. In addition, the printer includes a display for displaying the order number, strip number, and frame number corresponding to the information retrieved from the storage medium.

Abstract: A photographic reprint system includes a preparation station at which film segments or strips are attached to an elongated paper tab. Holes are punched in the tab to indicate the location of each film frame to be printed. Information relating to the printing of each film frame, including the desired print quantity, is stored sequentially in a storage medium, such as a floppy disk. In addition, the desired print quantity is printed in human readable form on the tab. After the tab with attached film segments has been prepared, it is taken to a photographic printer, where the tab with the attached film segments is advanced sequentially and the negatives are printed. Prior to the printing of each film frame, the desired print quantity which was stored in the storage means is retrieved and displayed. If the desired print quantity exceeds a predetermined number of prints, the printer waits for verification from the operator before printing.

Abstract: A copying apparatus is provided with original feeding device for feeding an original to an exposure position and discharging the original from the exposure position after termination of exposure, image formation device for forming an image corresponding to the image of the original, start instruction device for instructing the apparatus to start copying, detector for detecting the original placed at the exposure position when copy start has been instructed by the instruction means, and control device for causing the original feeding device to discharge the original after a predetermined number of copies have been produced for the original when there is an output of the detector.

Abstract: This specification discloses a compact projection device in which lens systems extending in the direction of the optic axis for projecting a part area of an object upon a predetermined part area on an image plane (hereinafter referred to as element lens systems) are initially set by a lens holding member having groove portions or hole portions extending in the direction of the optic axis, the distributions of intensity of light of the element lens systems on the image plane are controlled by an aperture eclipse such that the intensity of light is weaker in the marginal area than at least in the central area, a plurality of such element lens systems are arranged in a predetermined direction in a plane perpendicular to the optic axis and the distributions of intensity of light of the element lens systems are suitably superposed upon one another at least in the marginal area to provide uniformity of the distribution of the exposure amount integrated in the scanning direction with respect to the lengthwise direct

Abstract: A photographic reprint system includes a preparation station at which film segments or strips are attached to an elongated tab. Indicia (typically in the form of holes) are formed in the tab to indicate the location of each film frame, to signify the end of the film segment, the end of a customer order, and the end of a reel. Information relating to the printing of each film frame, including the number of holes in the tab adjacent that frame, is stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk. At a photographic printer, the tab and attached film segments are advanced sequentially to a print gate, where printing occurs based upon the data which is sequentially retrieved from the storage medium. A first hole sensor located upstream of the print gate counts the number of holes in the tab as each frame is advanced to the print gate, and this number is compared with the stored number which has been retrieved from the storage medium.

Abstract: A registration mechanism registers document sheets on a copier platen at an edge of the platen surface. The mechanism includes a unique gate member that moves relative to the platen edge to either register a document sheet or to permit the sheet to be driven past the edge and over a sheet deflector. For duplex copying, the deflector can be raised to guide the leading edge of the sheet over the platen edge as the sheet is returned to the platen for copying a second side of the sheet.

Abstract: An image strip on a long film can be efficiently magnified and printed on a long photosensitive material by making run a film in the direction falling at right angles with optical axis at the light source side, making run a photosensitive material in a contrary direction to the direction in which the film is running at the exposuring side, and exposuring the photosensitive material by the light passing through a slit which is set near by the surface of the photosensitive material and the longitudinal axis of the slit falls at right angles with the direction in which the photosensitive material is running, wherein running speed of the film is equal to a chosen multiple of the running speed of the film.

Abstract: A copying system for copying either duplex or simplex original document sets as pre-collated copy sets, utilizing a document handling system providing selective automatic recirculative pre-collation copying of either duplex or simplex document sheets, with selective automatic sheet inversion. Also described is an integral sheet stack normal force/jogger unit for continuous and simultaneous top loading and bottom feeding from either opposite or common directions from a stack of document or copy sheets.

Abstract: A pair of infeed rollers located upstream of an exposure window and a pair of outfeed rollers downstream thereof transport an original across the exposure window so that successive portions of the transported original be imaged onto successive portions of copying medium whose transport speed corresponds to that of the original. The lower infeed and outfeed rollers are stationary, but the upper ones are located at the coupling links of a four-or five-link transmission mechanism comprised of cranks and rockers. A tension spring tightened by an electromagnet causes the upper infeed roller to move down and press against the lower infeed roller.

Abstract: A copying-machine projection system successively projects successive strip-shaped zones of an original onto successive strip-shaped zones of a photosensitive surface. The projection system is of the type comprising at least one row of component projection objectives extending transverse to the direction of relative movement as between projection system and photosensitive surface. The individual component projection objectives are constituted by corresponding lenticular elements of plural lens bars, the lens bars extending transverse to the relative-movement direction and being provided with respective rows of lenticular elements. The projection system projects a strip-shaped image onto the photosensitive surface but also forms an intermediate image plane.

Abstract: A copying machine with an exposure carriage adapted for reciprocating movement along the top wall of the machine and to receive an object from which a copy is intended to be made wherein this exposure carriage comprises an angle-shaped rail member overlying one of the upper longitudinal edges of the machine and extending into the machine in engagement with reciprocating motive means within the machine, the carriage rail holding by a releasable clamping engagement a glass plate in a position overlying the top wall of the machine and adapted to support a copying object, as well as a hinge member in which is mounted an elastic pressure mat forming a cover for the glass plate. The pressure mat together with the hinge member may be pulled out of the carriage rail for providing an unimpeded access to the glass plate copying area, or may be locked in the carriage rail by e.g. a top mounted stop ledge.

Abstract: Documents are fed to a platen of a copier from two different feeding apparatus, one of which is a recirculating feeder adapted to sequentially feed a plurality of document sheets from one document to the platen for copying each sheet in a known manner. Typically the recirculating feeder is used in making most of the copies, and it may be used to keep the machine running substantially continuously. The platen also can receive one or more sheets of another document from a document positioner. For example, the positioner can feed a document sheet that is too large to be accommodated by the recirculating feeder, or it can feed a document sheet that may not be reliably handled by the recirculating feeder (such as a document sheet made by assembling copy onto a backing sheet), or the positioner can feed documents comprising a single sheet. Also, the positioner can be used for making document masters that are then copies using the recirculating feeder.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a locator, e.g. a notch, perforation or mark, associated with each frame of an elongated film strip that is advanced through the apparatus. The apparatus includes guide members that are supported adjacent opposite longitudinal edges of the strip and a detector, such as a photoelectric cell and a light source, for sensing the locators. The guide members and the detector are coupled for movement in a direction transverse to the general direction of advancement of the strip and move in response to transverse wavering movement of the strip to ensure proper positioning of the detector relative to the locators as the locators approach the detector.

Abstract: A system is provided for a step optical printer to detect an out-of-frame condition in the printer projector and/or camera sections. The out-of-frame detector comprises a free wheeling encoder driven by film entering a gate of the printer and a second encoder driven by the printer drive mechanism. A comparator is connected to the outputs of the encoders to detect a lack of correspondence between the length of film entering the gate and the length of film being driven. Such lack of correspondence being indicative of an out-of-frame condition.

Abstract: A recirculating document feeder feeds document sheets to an exposure station wherein the sheets can be exposed for copying. The feeder includes a support which receives and holds one or a plurality of document sheets. A vacuum feeder sequentially removes sheets from the bottom of the stack in the support. A vacuum belt sheet transport picks up the sheets removed from the support and circulates the sheets from the support to the exposure station and then away from the exposure station. The transport is of a size to simultaneously circulate a plurality of document sheets. At the appropriate time in the machine cycle a separator removes the sheet from the sheet transport and directs the removed sheet back to the support and on to the top of any other document sheets in the support.

Abstract: Relative movement is effected between the original and the projection system of the copying machine, and the latter projects images of successive transverse strip-shaped sections of the original onto the recording medium. The projection system comprises a plurality of lens-row systems. Each lens-row system includes a first lens row which receives light from a strip-shaped section of the original and projects into an intermediate image plane, and a second lens row which receives light from the intermediate image plane and projects that light onto the recording medium. The lens-row systems are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the direction of elongation of the individual lens rows. The light passing through each lens-row system includes a plurality of central rays, each passing through the optical center of one lens element of the first lens row and through the optical center of the corresponding lens element of the second lens row.

Abstract: Device for illuminating and adjusting the amount of light in machines for electrostatically preparing printing matrices, wherein at least one pair of light sources are arranged on a driven carriage, also carrying a selectively shaped diaphragm, the aperture of which varies as a function of the carriage position.

Abstract: An erect optical imaging system for copying apparatus and method of producing the same is provided. A first pair of array sets of thick object lenses is optically aligned with a second pair of array sets of thick relay lenses to provide a scan line of a plurality of optical paths across an object surface. The refractive powers of the first set of lenses produce a real image in a space between the lens sets and an erect image on an image surface. Each array set comprises two parallel but offset rows of lens elements to provide an overlapping field angle. The use of the thick lenses helps eliminate vignetting problems. Spherical aberration and field curvature is controlled by minimizing the aperture opening of each set of lenses to 4mm.sup.2. The lenses can be made by either molding plastic or by individually grinding square glass bars. Demagnification can be achieved with the use of spherical optical path compensators.