Abstract: A high resolution periodic pattern is formed in a layer of a photosensitive material by means of a beam of light and a lenticular array formed of a plurality of lenslets. The lenticular array is positioned over the layer and the beam of light is directed through the lenticular array onto the layer. The beam of light is scanned across the lenticular array to pass through the individual lenslets which defines the light into a fine beam and thereby exposes a small area of the layer. The beam is shaped to achieve a periodic pattern in the layer as the beam scans across the layer. By moving the layer in synchronism with the scanning, a two dimensional array of the pattern can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in optical lithographic systems which includes in combination a ring field projection system and an optical condenser system for illuminating the ring field in the projection system, the condenser system being constructed and arranged to have lateral color of the right sign and magnitude to complement the radial variation in imagery with wavelength of the ring field projection system.

Abstract: A dual mode image input terminal having a linear scanning array with optical and illumination means supported on a carriage that, in a first scanning mode, reciprocates from a start-of-scan position to an end-of-scan position to scan a document opposite thereto on a transparent platen, and, in a second scanning mode, assumes a predetermined fixed scan position adjacent one side of the platen, with a Constant Velocity Transport (CVT) type document transport for moving the document past the fixed scan position with the document in preset spaced relation above and out of contact with the platen to avoid wear on the platen and allow room for document assisting devices ancillary to the CVT, and with the inside surface of the platen at the fixed scan position only being thicker than the remainder of the platen to raise the image focus point of the scanning array from the surface of the platen to the level of the document transported past the fixed scan position by the CVT.

Abstract: An exposure device for a platemaking apparatus has: a plate material feed unit consisting of a suction mechanism for feeding and stopping a plate material on an exposure unit, conveyor belts, drive motors and the like; two shielding curtains respectively rolled at two ends of the exposure unit and selectively extended on the exposure unit; shielding curtain drive units for independently driving the two shielding curtains; a setting unit for setting exposure conditions of a document image to be formed on the plate material; and a control unit for controlling the motors of the plate material feed unit and the shielding curtain drive units in a given relationship in response to the conditions set in the setting means, wherein an identical document image is formed on different positions of a single plate material a plurality of times.

Abstract: A system for producing images of documents is disclosed. The system provides varying levels of illumination to different areas of the document being recorded, depending upon relative image densities across the document. A slit aperture image area is divided into a plurality of illumination zones and the image density of each zone is sensed and adjusted individually. Efficient and orderly unattended off-loading of photographed documents is accomplished by a movable drawing member over which large documents are automatically draped, properly collated. A catch tray is provided for automatically off-loading and collating smaller documents.

Abstract: An original scanning device includes a scanner for exposing an original and guiding light reflected from the original, and control means for moving the scanning means along the original at a preselected speed. The control means stores only speed data corresponding to the maximum rate of scanning and uses the data to scan at other preselected speeds.

Abstract: An improved document scanning system is realized by using low mass mirrors as optical components. The mirrors consist of a pair of metal structures in honeycomb form sandwiched between a pair of glass skins. The mirrors have a greatly improved stiffness-to-mass ratio compared to conventional mirrors and provide relatively low mass in scan drive components, as well as improved system performance.

Abstract: A photographic roller copier apparatus for photographing original copies having different side lengths onto a ribbon form copier material, the ribbon width corresponding to a desired copy size. The original copies have various formats and are provided in ribbon form, one format lying lengthwise in the ribbon direction and the other format perpendicular thereto. The apparatus consisting of a lens having an adjustable focal length so that from both formats of originals it is possible to make copies that are equal in size and that fill the width of the copier material ribbon, and that in the area of a picture gate the ribbon of originals is provided in a plane parallel to the lens axis. Between the picture gate end of the lens is provided a deflecting part which deflects the beams of light from the picture gate through 90.degree. into a lens. The picture gate with the ribbon of originals, the illuminating apparatus and corresponding film rollers is rotatable around the lens axis through 90.degree.

Abstract: An exposure-scanning apparatus in which an erect, equal-sized light image of an original document is focused on an image-receiving sheet. The apparatus comprises a transparent platen maintained stationary to support the original document. A scanning box is arranged to advance and then to return between first and second positions in parallel to the platen. An optical-exposure unit is arranged to move together with the scanning box. As the scanning box advances, the image-receiving sheet is advanced by means of a sheet-transport device in a direction the same as that of the scanning box at a speed twice that of the advance of the scanning box. A pair of push rollers are rotatably supported on the scanning box to push the image-receiving sheet onto the sheet-transport device at positions immediately before and after the light-image forming region in a direction of advance of the scanning box. The image-receiving sheet may be a photosensitive paper having a photoconductive surface.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying system has an optical system which is movable in the forward and reverse directions to scan an original document to be copied. A drive controller, including spring clutches and an actuating lever are provided to cause improvement of the optical system in the forward and reverse directions. Also provided is a cam for stopping movement of the optical system at a predetermined position.

Abstract: Novel strip chart recorders and strip chart recording paper are provided which are cooperable so that the recorder detects the proximity of a terminal edge of the paper, so that the recorder can signal this occurrence to the user enabling him to insert a new supply of strip chart paper in the recorder to avoid the loss of data. The recorder also cooperates with the strip chart paper to determine when paper is absent from the recorder, for example, when it has been exhausted, thereupon to signal this further occurrence to the user and take steps to avoid damage to the recorder which can result through its operation in the absence of paper in the recorder mechanism.

Abstract: In an exposure apparatus, there is provided projecting means for projecting first and second light beams, in one direction and in another direction, onto an exposure region of a loading board. A mask member is provided between the loading board and the projecting means. The mask member is provided with a shielding member having a white colored face and a supporting member for supporting the shielding member. The shielding member shields, by its white colored face, one portion of the exposure region from the first light beams, and extends along the advancing direction of the second light beams so as to permit the passage therethrough of portion of said second light beams which advances toward the exposure region. The supporting member is formed with a hole permitting the passage therethrough of the second light beams. The lights reflected from the exposure region are guided to a photosensitive member through a guide means.

Abstract: A movable document handling system, or module, is utilized on a modified standard office copier. When the document handling module is moved away from the platen glass area, the document handling module equipment is disabled and the office copier may be used as a standard copier. When, however, the document handling module is moved over the platen glass, other optics and document handling apparatus are now energized and the standard office copier is now converted into a large document copier. Additional mechanical apparatus moves lenses in a predetermined fashion in the document handling module in order to allow for various levels of magnification for reducing the size of the copy from the large input document.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the movement of a movable member includes a drive device for moving the movable member in a first direction from a rest position to an operative position and for moving the movable member in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, from the operative position toward the rest position. A first detector detects the presence of the movable member at the rest position. A second detector detects the presence of the movable member at a location adjacent the rest position but upstream thereof with respect to the second direction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns with a slit illumination system for use in a copying machine or the like, which includes a light source, a first and second elliptical mirrors, a third plane mirror, and a supplemental mirror positioned behind the light source and between the first and second mirrors. The supplemental mirror directs the light which does not contribute to the illumination by the first and second mirror to the original through a light path extending directly to the original and/or a light path extending to the original through the third mirror.

Abstract: A multimode document handling apparatus and reproducing apparatus containing same are described wherein the document handling apparatus comprises an upper frame portion pivotally mounted along its rear edge to a lower base frame portion to provide open and closed positions of the upper frame relative to the lower frame. The lower frame contains a substantially horizontal imaging platen and document transport defining a generally horizontal document transport path. The upper portion contains a vertically inclined document loading chute the lower exit portion of which intersects the generally horizontal document transport path. The document loading chute includes a gate to permit loading of successive copies in the chute while preventing it from being fed as the preceding document is being copied.

Abstract: A small-size image formation optical system including two types of a plurality of Porro prism lenses, with an upper lens surface and a lower lens surface of each Porro prism lens being in the form of mirror images, said Porro prism lenses being combined to form arrays which are shifted by a half period in phase, capable of forming an erect real image.

Abstract: A slit exposure type copying camera comprises an original-mounting glass sheet (4) placed on the upper surface of a camera box (1), a suction member (10) adapted to transfer a rolled photosensitive material (2) in the lower region of the interior of said box, a slit exposure type scanner (5) adapted for being reciprocated in a region between said glass sheet and said photosensitive material, a cutter (6) disposed adjacent an exposure start position to cut the photosensitive material exposed to light by means of said scanner, and conveying means (19, 7) for conveying the exposed cut strip outside the camera.

Abstract: A variable magnification copying apparatus for obtaining a copy changed in size from an original pattern comprises an optical system having an optical axis, a movable carrier on which the optical system is mounted so as to be movable with the carrier and a D.C. motor mounted on the carrier. The carrier is reciprocable relative to a chassis of the copying apparatus in the direction of the optical axis between at least first and second position. The D.C. motor drives the carrier in a self-propelled manner relative to the chassis in the direction of the optical axis between at least first and second positions to thereby move the optical system between at least corresponding first and second positions to enable respective different sizes of the original pattern to be made at the corresponding first and second positions of the optical system.

Abstract: A recirculating document handler (2) is described which includes document circulating means (T1, T2, T3) for delivering documents in turn to a copying station (3) of a photocopier from a storage tray (21) and for returning the documents to the tray, whereby the documents may be circulated and recirculated in sequence past the copying station for repeated copying. The circulating means (T1, T2, T3) is adapted automatically to continuously circulate and recirculate through the storage tray (21) a single document longer (in the direction in which it moves) than the storage tray. A document copier incorporating such a document handler is also described as also is a method of copying documents utilizing these characteristics.

Abstract: A control to automatically adjust the air bleed screw on a pneumatic dashpot to alter the return speed of a scanning carriage. At the start of the carriage flyback, an end of scan position signal is generated and a second signal is generated when the carriage has reached the home position. These two signals conveyed to control logic determine the time period of the scan flyback. The time period of scan flyback is compared to an acceptable window or range of flyback time periods. If the scan flyback time period is outside the range of acceptable time periods, an adjust drive signal is conveyed to an adjust solenoid. The activation of the solenoid causes the solenoid armature to move a ratchet wheel into engagement with the pneumatic dashpot air bleed screw.

Abstract: To provide line or strip form illumination of an object or image carrier, such as a drawing, design, or written material, for projection or copy machine purposes, a point source of light such as a quartz halogen lamp or a pinhole optical system is provided in which the light point is imaged by means of a movable mirror on the object or pattern, the movable mirror scanning the point source of light across the object or pattern to provide, essentially, strip illumination which can be uniform across the scanning strip by selecting an angular deflection speed of the mirror of .omega.=c.multidot.sin.sup.2 .alpha., or varying the deflection speed to have a longer dwell time of the light beam at selected locations to provide for light intensity maxima distributed throughout the scanned image, for example for compensation of distortion.

Abstract: A copy machine for producing both acceptable direct image copies and acceptable reverse image copies in a single machine from the same original object, comprises two independently contained, optical element assemblies mounted side by side and movable selectively into and out of a coping position, and strategically placed light baffling and light blocking devices, all of which combine to overcome the prior art problems of poor focus, poor clarity and poor light distribution.

Abstract: An optical system for scanning a surface to be scanned in a slit-like form includes an image forming optical system for forming the image of the surface to be scanned, and a scanner for scanning the surface to be scanned disposed between the image forming optical system and a position whereat the image of the surface to be scanned is formed. The scanner varies the direction of the optical axis of the system three or greater odd number times to thereby make the direction of the optical axis incident on the scanner and the direction of the optical axis emergent from the scanner into the same direction.

Abstract: The scanning speed and distance of a full-speed mirror are continuously variable in accordance with the copying sheet size, magnification factor and original size.

Abstract: A magnification enlargement type copying machine in which the image of a picture on a film is projected onto a screen or a photo-sensitive drum by an image enlarging lens to be observed and copied. The size of a picture on a film to be copied and a size of a copying sheet on which an enlarged image of said picture are inputted to the system. An enlargement magnification is then observed and following correct placement on the proposed sheet, the film is moved from the observation position to a scanning start position according to the size of the picture on the film. The film is then scanned at a speed corresponding to a set magnification thereby to form the image of the picture on a photosensitive drum. An arithmetic control unit is used for calculating a distance between an observation position and a scanning start position from a size of a picture on the film and calculates the film scanning speed from a set magnification.

Abstract: Compact optical imaging apparatus for projecting in focus an upright and wrong-reading light image of an information bearing document in an object plane onto a parallel image plane. The apparatus comprises a plurality of lenses located between the object plane and the image plane for projecting a plurality of overlapping segments of a light image along an optical path. A light image of an information bearing document in the object plane is directed to the lenses. A plurality of roof mirrors (i) receive such image segments from the lenses, (ii) reverse and invert such image segments, and (iii) reflect the image segments back through the lenses along the path toward the image plane. The image segments are then directed from the lenses to the image plane to form an upright and wrong-reading image of the information bearing document in the image plane.

Abstract: A mobile copier structured to be held in the hand and moved across the surface of the matter to be copied, comprising a support, a printable paper mounted on the support movable increment-by-increment across the matter to be printed in consonance with movement of the support thereacross, an optical train on the support for focusing the matter to be printed on the printable paper, a source of light for intermittently illuminating the matter to be printed and, optionally, a fixing and developing medium. The support is structured in two parts detachably connected, one of which contains the printable paper and the fixing and developing mediums, if employed, and is removable from the other part for replenishing the paper and developing medium.

Abstract: An intermediate film strip cassette and associated drive apparatus provide a film dispensing system for positioning of intermediate images carried on the filmstrip as it is moved from an exposure station to a final station for image transfer to an archival microfiche film under conditions where bowing stresses are applied to the intermediate film at one or more of the processing stations. The cassette performs both supply and takeup functions, and requires no threading by the operator during film replacement. A combination of external locking drive motors engaging the cassette elements and a compliantly loaded takeup idler within the cassette provides a compliant tension to the film element extended into an imaging area, and suppresses erratic film shifts at the various stations while allowing adequate protection against film breakage arising from said bowing.

Abstract: A two-drum copying machine having rotatable memory and transfer drums in which an optical path between an object point on the memory drum and an image point on the transfer drum is arranged obliquely with respect to the optical axis of a lens focusing light reflected from the object point onto the image point. A rotatable mirror is first set in a position to reflect light from an original to be copied onto the memory drum. After the memory drum has been rotated through one complete revolution and an image of the original formed thereon, a light source is turned on to project light directly onto the memory drum to illuminate the image. The mirror is then rotated out of the optical path to open the optical path through the lens between the object and image points. In a preferred embodiment, the sum of the angles of incidence and reflection of light at the object point is set to be twice the angle formed between the optical path and the optical axis of the lens.

Abstract: A conveyor unit for a book carrier includes a book carrier on which an original having substantial thickness such as a book is placed, and conveys it to an exposure station in order to form an electrostatic latent image of the original in a copying machine. A driven member in the form of a rack is formed on the book carrier, and is driven by a drive member in the form of a pinion which is provided on the part of the copying machine. Elements are provided to maintain such drive relationship. In this manner, a book carrier is positively and reliably conveyed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a copying machine for use in photomechanical process, which has a substantially box-shaped structure in appearance and employs a slit exposure system. A sensitive material is transferred along the ceiling surface, side wall and bottom surface of the box-shaped body of the machine in this order so that it can be exposed, developed and dried successively while it is being transferred. A slit exposure scanner makes reciprocatory movements horizontally in a space between an exposure zone positioned below the ceiling surface where the sensitive material is exposed while it is transferred horizontally along the ceiling surface and an original picture stand arranged immediately below the exposure zone so as to oppose thereto. On the bottom surface of the body, there are arranged a development tank, drying means, and a take-out tray for taking out the sensitive material after developed and dried.

Abstract: An optical system for scanning a document in an object plane includes a pivoting mirror and a projection lens which projects an image onto the surface of a photoreceptor. By rotating and translating the projection lens while simultaneously moving an aperture slit in a direction of movement opposite to the movement of the photoreceptor, a condition is constantly maintained wherein the object plane, lens plane and image plane are maintained parallel thereby eliminating field tilt. With this configuration, the image is also precessed onto the photoreceptor providing a precession distance which can be used to relax constraints normally imposed by scan return conditions. In a specific embodiment, a double reflector arrangement on the image side of the projection lens is used to maintain total system conjugate.

Abstract: A multi-bounce, folded path scanning system, including a first and second pair of stationary tracks, the second pair of tracks being angled with respect to the first pair of tracks, and a movable carriage slidably mounted on the first pair of stationary tracks.

Abstract: A light-shield plate for correcting the ununiform exposure distribution in an original reading apparatus for example a facsimile resulting from so-called cosine fourth power rule is composed of an easily produceable single member having an arc of a radius R and is positioned in front of or behind an imaging lens at an axial distance L from the lens and at a perpendicular distance H from the center of the arc to the optical axis in such a manner as to be parallel to the light beam entering or emerging from the lens corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the illuminated area on the original and as that the amounts L, H and R are selected to satisfy a certain relationship.

Abstract: In a slit exposure scanning type copying machine or the like, a thin white member is fixedly disposed in the image forming main optical path from the vicinity of the end of an original stopping reference member or the vicinity of the end of an original carriage keep member, whereby the image forming main light beam from said vicinity of the end is not effectively transmitted to an image plane but instead, part of an illuminating light beam for illuminating an original from the opposite sides thereof is reflected by the white member, thereby forming predetermined blank spaces at the end portions of copy paper corresponding to the scanning starting end and the scanning terminating end. The white member is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the original by taking the scanning direction into account so that the shadow thereof imparted to the slit exposure area on the original surface does not greatly decrease the quantity of light of the illuminating light beam which contributes to image formation.

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: An imaging system is provided for scanning stationary objects in an object plane and projecting the image onto a moving flat photoreceptor in such a manner that the image moves in a direction opposite the photoreceptor movement. In a preferred embodiment, the scanning illumination elements comprise a modified dual rate mirror system where the second mirror is moving at less than 1/2 the speed of the scan mirror thereby causing a resultant increase in platen-to-lens distance. This increase is compensated for, and image precession obtained, by moving the lens and mirror assembly along the optical axis in a direction opposed to that of the photoreceptor.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic copying apparatus of the type using a slit exposure optical system, two carriages carrying a light source and the means for directing an image toward a projection lens are driven relatively to one another through a wire sheave device. The impact energy of said carriages at travel end is absorbed not only by a compressible spring positioned between them, but also by the stretching of the wire which moves them relatively to one another.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an object scanning system wherein a dual-rate mirror assembly scans a document on a platen and the scanned image is projected onto a photoreceptor via a corner mirror assembly. The corner mirror assembly is linearly translated during a scan cycle so as to cause the image to be projected onto the photoreceptor in a direction opposite to the photoreceptor movement. The precession rate can be set relative to scanning flyback time so as to reduce or eliminate the interdocument gap on the photoreceptor and to relax rescan time requirements.

Abstract: An optical imaging system for a copier comprising at least a pair of multilens plates made from the same mold to have matched surface configurations. One of the pair of multilens plates is arranged to be rotated from the position of the other multilens plate through 180 degrees about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the other multilens plate. A reflecting surface is positioned parallel to the axis of rotation for deflecting the optical path between the pair of multilens plates once or an odd number of times whereby a clear image is provided despite imperfections from molding.

Abstract: A multimagnification mode optical system for projecting an image from an object plane to an image plane including a viewing platen, a lens, at least one reflecting surface on each of the object side and image side of the lens, the lens being mounted to move from a first position providing a first magnification to a second position providing a second magnification by simultaneously rotating and translating about a stationary lens shaft from said first position to said second position whereby the optical axis of the lens is also altered. In a specific application of the optical system the corner registration of the image at the image plane on a photosensitive surface mounted on a rotatable drum is maintained at both the first and second lens position.

Abstract: A controllable film holding and tensioning system for a movable intermediate film strip dispensing head provides a stable and non-film damaging positioning of intermediate images carried on the film strip as it is moved from an exposure station to a final station for image transfer to an archival microfiche film under conditions where bowing stresses are applied to the intermediate film at one or more of the processing stations. An improved pretensioning feature for the source reel minimizes the occasional jamming encountered with conventional cassette film dispensers. Automatic protection is provided by an intermediate film strip break sensor and an end-of-film sensor to guard against archival record loss from these causes. Unique film cassette designs are also described.

Abstract: A scanning projection apparatus including a first imaging optical system, a first plane provided on one side of the optical system, a deflector for deflecting a light beam emerging from the first plane and passing through the first imaging optical system, a second imaging optical system for receiving the light beam deflected by the deflector and a second plane provided at the focusing position of the light beam by the second imaging optical system, whereby the first plane is scanned with a slit of a width .DELTA.S, using the deflector, and the thus obtained slit image of the first plane is projected in succession on a determined position in said second plane, wherein the slit width .DELTA.S is selected to satisfy a relation .DELTA.S<1/Rp in which Rp represents the resolving power of the image on the second plane, and wherein the first or second imaging optical system includes elements for correcting the image magnification in the longitudinal direction of the slit.

Abstract: A document drum and a transparent drum are mounted on a common shaft. The two drums are coaxial with each other and with the shaft. An optical system is provided for forming an image of a slit-like rectangular area of a document mounted on the external surface of the document drum onto a similar slit-like imaging area on the imaging drum. The optical system comprises a first mirror for reflecting light rays from the document drum to a lens, and second and third mirrors for reflecting light rays from the lens through the transparent drum. The optical axis of the lens is tilted relative to the light paths of the first mirror and the second mirror so that the light rays can be directed around the shaft.

Abstract: Provided is a laser beam optical scanner apparatus as a component in a system for the scanning of an original and the simultaneous exposure of a light sensitive surface of a printing master with the image of the original for the production of a printing plate. Said apparatus comprises rotating reflective means having at least one planar reflective segment. Said segment defines a tilt angle which is off normal to the axis of rotation of said rotative, reflective means. The system further comprises means for rotating said reflective means about its axis of rotation; means for supporting said reflective means at a position interposed in the common path of a read and write laser beam for deflecting said laser beam into a roof mirror arrangement and for receiving the same beam reflected out of said roof mirror arrangement, to scan a line at an output plane in space.

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: Optical scanning apparatus including a rotating pyramidal mirror scanning wheel with reflector segments for deflecting a laser beam into and away from a doublet mirror roof reflector associated with said scanning wheel. The scanning wheel introduces components of vertical and horizontal angular deviation into the beam, the vertical deviation component being cancelled by inversion through the roof reflector while the horizontal angular component is doubled upon the second reflection from the scanning wheel so that the output beam is vertically wobble-free and stable while the beam is scanned through the sum of the horizontal angular components introduced by the wheel.

Abstract: An optical system for forming a spot object or an arcuate object into an arcuate image or a spot image. This optical system has a band-like spherical mirror obtained by sectioning a concave spherical mirror. By the band-like spherical mirror, the spot object disposed on the rotational symmetry axis other than the center of curvature may be imaged into an arcuate form on a certain surface perpendicular to the rotational symmetry axis. Conversely, an arcuate object on said certain surface may form a spot image at the position whereat the spot object is disposed.

Abstract: An optical scanning system is provided wherein a document in an object plane is incrementally scanned by movement of a web provided with an elongated window therethrough. Light, reflected from the document in imagewise fashion, passes through the window and is reflected by a mirror moving a synchronism with said window through a projection lens onto an imaging plane.