Abstract: A positioning machine of original films on a base sheet, wherein a base sheet having a pair of first register pin holes and pairs of second register pin holes is placed on a base plate which is provided with a pair of first register pins and pairs of second register pins corresponding to the first and the second register pin holes, by fitting the first register pins into the first register pin holes, and then the original films, each having a pair of second register pin holes, is positioned on the base sheet by fitting the second register pins into the second register pin holes of the base sheet and the original films.

Abstract: A device for the precision positioning of substantially planar materials, especially for use in the lithographic arts. In particular, photographic masks are precisely located for superimposition on photosensitive films or lithographic printing plates held within the frame of a plate making machine.

Abstract: Microfilm carried by a microfilm carrier is moved in a horizontal plane so that a selected area of the microfilm is presented to a film aperture of a microform printing system. The microfilm carrier includes a sliding spacer fixed thereto sliding along a base plate in which the film aperture is formed. The sliding spacer maintains a predetermined distance between the carrier and the base plate during movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A sheet of film, for use in recording the results of non-invasive medical tests, is indexed relative to a lens and shutter assembly to permit the serial formation of multiple images on the film. The indexing is accomplished through the use of a transport mechanism which may be independently moved in two mutually transverse directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a table or a stage having movable parts adapted to be guided by guide rail means slidingly and rectilinearly. At least the movable parts are made of a non-iron light metal material. The sliding surfaces of the movable parts making sliding contact with the guide rail means are made of a self-lubricating material, while the sliding surfaces of the guide rail means making sliding contact with the movable parts are made of a material having a higher hardness and wear resistance than the non-iron light metal material, so that the weight of at least the movable parts is reduced to decrease the weight of the apparatus as a whole.

Abstract: An improved annotatable microfiche film card archival recording system utilizes an intermediate film strip on a movable film head to transfer an image from an initial imaging station to a transfer station where the image on the intermediate film strip is transferred to the microfiche film card. There is provided an optical train including a pair of downwardly facing, inclined and horizontally spaced mirrors at the imaging station, the first of which mirror receives upwardly directed light reflected from hard copy. This mirror arrangement, cooperating with a horizontal film head movement in a direction transverse to the mirror spacing, minimizes the height and width requirements of the equipment. A ball joint supported backing means supporting the entire area of the active portion of the film improves image resolution.

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: Three easel boards having cut outs and positioning means thereon are provided by which a sheet of photo paper may be positioned in order to provide fifteen print patterns on the sheets when exposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a xerographic printer capable of reproducing microfilm or microfiche images over a broad enlargement range. The printer includes a light housing completely enclosed except for an aperture in the bottom wall. Microfilm or fiche images are successively presented adjacent this aperture. The walls of the housing are coated with a diffusely reflective material and cause light from a flash illumination source mounted within the housing to diffusely illuminate the surface of the image adjacent the aperture.

Abstract: By providing a photographic original plate on which an original picture image and a light-shielding mask are formed, two identical pictures can be formed by exposing a sheet of photosensitive material with the original plate placed thereon and repeating the procedure after rotating the original plate 180 degrees about a point which is located outside of the picture image and the light-shielding mask. Though the two printed images are inverted relative to each other, the final prints are eventually cut apart along a central line and no problem arises. Through adoption of the method and the use of the novel photographic original plate, not only the printing process becomes simpler than conventional method but a better result in the final prints can be obtained.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus, suitable for use in a low cost microfiche system, for exposing a plurality of image areas on a single card-like film unit, preferably of the self-developing type. The apparatus has a fixed object plane, where documents to be copied are supported; a fixed film plane spaced from the object plane; a laterally extending row of gate apertures for defining a row of image areas on a film unit at the film plane and a system for advancing a lens laterally over the gate areas in increments which locate the lens at successive imaging positions in imaging relation with a corresponding one of the image areas. At those imaging positions that correspond to an image area which is laterally offset with respect to the object plane center the lens is proportionally offset with respect to the image area center so that an image formed by the lens of an object centered at the object plane is centered with respect to the image areas.

Abstract: A microfilm reader/printer has a plurality of interchangeable film carriers to accommodate microfiche of different sizes and format. The film carriers are normally latched into two orthogonally oriented pairs of spaced, parallel rails so that film movement is limited. However, if a film carrier is unlatched from said rails, one of the carriers may be interchanged for another.

Abstract: A self-developing microfiche camera for exposing a plurality of micro-image areas arranged in rows and columns on a single card-like film unit. The camera includes a system for controlling operation of an electrical motor in an exposure cycle mode during which the motor drives a barrel cam through a rotational increment to operate the shutter and index the objective lens, and in a reset cycle mode during which the motor advances the barrel cam through as many rotational increments as necessary to return the lens and barrel cam to a predetermined starting position. A shutter latching device is provided to disenable shutter operation during each reset cycle.

Abstract: A spot of light is formed upon a photosensitive material which is moved in a scanning direction, and the spot is vibrated to and fro along a vibration direction at a considerable angle to the scanning direction, and the amplitude of vibration, and the center of the vibration path, are controlled so that the spot exposes areas on the photosensitive material which form half-tone dots.

Abstract: A frame for making photocopies, includes a support plate having an upper surface adapted to support photosensitive sheet material and including four edges. At least two covers are provided, for covering respective sections of the upper surface of the plate so as to prevent light penetration onto the latter. Each of the covers is pivotable independently of the other between a first position in which a respective section of the upper surface of the plate is uncovered and a second position in which the respective section of the upper surface is covered. When the covers are in the abovementioned second position, they light sealingly engage the respective edges of the plate.

Abstract: A multiprint easel, comprising a photographic paper supporting base, provided with a raised rear edge, and slots extending parallely in and perpendicularly adjacent to a side of the base, within which spring loaded holding tabs are movably accommodated, which, together with upwardly projecting stationary tabs disposed at a base side oppositely thereto, are intended for insertion and holding of the paper on the base; a frame, mountable over the base, and panels accommodated, respectively, horizontally and vertically slidable therein, causing an opening to appear between the panels however they are manipulated on the frame; an insert placeable within and covering the opening of the frame.

Abstract: Microfilm carried by a microfilm carrier is moved in a horizontal plane so that a selected area of the microfilm is presented to a film aperture of a microform printing system. The microfilm carrier includes a sliding spacer fixed thereto sliding along a base plate in which the film aperture is formed. The sliding spacer maintains a predetermined distance between the carrier and the base plate during movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A process for forming, on a photosensitive support, images presenting a dissolve, this process comprising the steps which consist in forming first and second primary light images by projection on a screen of respective light beams, the light images overlapping and presenting a dissolve, in cutting off the second light beam, in taking a front photograph of the first light image on the photosensitive support by means of an apparatus, in retablishing the second light beam and cutting off the first light beam, in moving the photosensitive support within said apparatus and in taking a front photograph of the second light image.

Abstract: A microfiche camera suitable for use in a low cost microfiche system for exposing a plurality of image frame areas on a single card-like film unit, preferably of the self-developing type. The camera includes a lens mounted on a carriage for lateral movement relative to the film unit, a film advancing system for moving the film in increments longitudinally relative to the lens and an exposure system, operable in cooperation to record an orthogonal pattern of micro images on the film unit. A camera actuating system is operable to locate an image frame area in position for exposure in response to movement of an actuating button from a first position to a second position and then to effect exposure of that image frame area in response to return movement of the button to the first position. The film advancing system is also used to advance the film unit into engagement with film processing structure after exposure of the last image frame area.

Abstract: A format assembler allows an automatic photographic printer to form any desired size, number, and orientation of images to be juxtaposed on a continuous length of print paper with minimal paper waste. This is done with a carriage 10 that moves along a path parallel with the printing plane and extending in the direction of paper advance between the print paper and interchangeable lens modules with different lens arrays. An interchangeable mask 11 carried on the carriage has a shape that allows positioning the mask along the path to block light from predetermined lenses of any array. The mask shape and positioning allows successive exposures through preselected lenses of different lens arrays of a paper area exposable by any one of the lens arrays without advancing the paper. A control system controls the position of the carriage in programmed relation to movement of the other components of the printer.

Abstract: A method of making overlay masks for photoetching of printing plates with printing matter utilizes a photoplotter having an optical exposure head to precisely expose a photosensitive film in a predetermined mask pattern. The pattern may include symbols, "knock out" windows for cropping pictures in both grey and color halftones, and line work such as framing for pictures and other printing matter.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of individual prints on a single sheet of photographic print paper is disclosed herein along with a particular easel arrangement for carrying out this method. The easel arrangement includes a fixed planar surface of sufficient size to support the photographic print paper for movement between a number of different positions, each corresponding to the placement of a particular print on the overall sheet. In order to make the individual prints, this sheet is manually moved to its various positions with the aid of stop members which engage the leading edge of the sheet but which are readily movable out of engagement therewith. In this way, the sheet of photographic print paper can be easily and accurately moved from position to position.

Abstract: Photographic printing apparatus for printing a montage of contiguous images comprising a baseboard above which an enlarger is positioned, a guide mounted atop the baseboard, an easel having an easel base upon which photographic printing paper may be supported and a mask defining an aperture mountable upon the base in a plurality of orientation, and a locator for locating the easel at a plurality of positions along the guide atop the baseboard. The easel also has a cam rotatably mounted beneath a base upper surface to which a leaf spring is secured over the cam, and a lift rod movably mounted between the cam and leaf spring.

Abstract: High resolution, hard copy images are provided by superimposing a plurality of matrix display images on a record medium. The images are offset from one another such that they interleave. The matrix display is illustratively an ac plasma panel; the record medium is illustratively photographic film. Successive images presented on the plasma panel are caused to be offset from one another on the record medium illustratively by interposing a tilted plate of glass between the plasma panel and the record medium.

Abstract: In contrast to standard microfiche devices in which discrete areas of information storage are provided in an x-y array, a scrolling microfiche includes a plurality of parallel rows of information storage areas in which, in at least one of the rows, a plurality of information storage areas contain information which bridges from one area to the next and completes the information stored from one area to the next so that the fiche may be scanned and an area may be read without the observation of frame divisions between frames. The fiche is produced by photographic processes. In one embodiment the process includes the generation of original elongate strip artwork, laying out the strips with respect to a rotary camera, reproducing each strip as a separate row on microfiche film, repeating laying out and reproduction as necessary for completion of the story of the fiche, and subsequent cutting operations and the like to produce a scrolling microfiche.

Abstract: A photographic easel includes a plurality of panels movable separately and independently of each other for exposing sequential portions of photographic material disposed on the easel.

Abstract: The microfiche scanner module constitutes a specially designed modular unit capable of being substituted for a normal microfilm cartridge mechanism in a reader/printer projector to thereby enable the printing and displaying of data information stored on microfiche without requiring any major alterations in the reader/printer projector. The scanner unit includes a frame supporting a carriage for movement in a fore and aft direction, the carriage in turn supporting a film platen for movement in a left and right direction. A microfiche is positioned on the film platen between the normally provided light source and projection lens in the reader/printer projector. Movement of the carriage in a forward direction will scan one column of the microfiche after which the carriage is retracted and shifted to the right so that a second column can be scanned, the process being repeated until all of the information on the microfiche is printed in the printer.

Abstract: A film supporting and positioning system includes a film holding or gripping head for engaging an edge portion of the film and supporting the same in a cantilever fashion. The gripping head may include a frictional contact gripping arrangement or a vacuum head by which the film is held along one edge thereof. The gripping head is displaceable in a plurality of orthogonal directions so that the film may be inserted into and oriented relative to the image plane of an optical recording/reproducing system. In the vicinity of this image plane, a film support bearing is provided, in order that a prescribed region of the film, in which information may be recorded may be properly irradiated by a light beam. Preferably, the film support bearing is provided by a fluid bearing platen which is thermodynamically non-throttling.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in making printing plates in which a sheet of photo-sensitive material is held by a hanger and moved horizontally and vertically. Successive areas are, in this manner, aligned with a projector and exposed to separate images, each image corresponding to one page of a book. Telescoping cylinders produce the desired movement of the sheet in discrete steps so the position of the sheet need not be manually adjusted for each image. Fine adjustment of the position of the image on the sheet is obtained by moving two positioning rollers while the image is projected onto a movable registration screen that blocks the projection of the image onto the sheet until after the adjustment has been made.

Abstract: A microfiche recorder has an X carriage movable along a guide in the X direction and a Y carriage mounted on the X carriage and movable in the Y direction. The guide provides a pivot connection wherein the X carriage and the Y carriage are swingable in a Z direction toward an away from a microfiche holding platen.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically producing microfiche from microfilm and microfilm from microfilm in different formats or reductions. In particular, a reel of microfilm having frames of sequentially recorded photographic images thereon is loaded into a microfilm film transport and the microfilm is automatically stepped, frame by frame, past a film-illuminating device. The frames on the microfilm are reduced in size by a reducing lens and imaged at a plane within a microfilm recorder device. The microfilm recorder device is automatically controlled in a manner whereby film contained therein is movable in two dimensions in a plane which is coplanar with the image focal plane. The movement of the film is such that a plurality of frames or microimages arranged in columns and rows and corresponding to the microfilm frames being illuminated are arranged on the film in a preselected microfiche format.

Abstract: A mask photorepeater apparatus for the production of small size masks has an objective-holder whose lens has a magnification very much less than 1 and an object-holder able to move in a plane. For each printing operation, under the action of servomechanisms, the objective-holder rises or drops to bring its object plane within the plane of the object to be printed.

Abstract: A film positioning mechanism for a microfilm camera includes a movable platen 12 mounting a rotary shaft member 19, 22 and brake means 23, 28 for selectively locking the shaft member against rotation. When the brake means is engaged, a film strip held to the platen by vacuum pressure is advanced along with the platen by a drive motor 14, whereas when the brake means is disengaged from the shaft member and the platen is arrested by a stop pin 31 or 31', a film driving roller 25 is driven by the motor 14 via the shaft member and a belt 24, thereby advancing the film while the platen remains stationary. Thus, a single motor both feeds the film and moves the platen. The mechanism can operate in both a roll-to-roll mode and a roll-to-sheet mode, the latter employing a film cutter 49, 50.

Abstract: Light reflected from hard copy is reduced to microimage size and applied at an imaging and developing station to a dry-process mask film strip which is photosensitive to the reflected light and which is developed by heat to provide microimaged transparencies therein. Such microimaged transparencies in the mask film strip are transferred in an image transferring station to a dry-process microform film to provide imaged microform records therein which conform to the transparent microimages in the mask film strip and which have archival properties. The imaging and developing station includes a platform for receiving the hard copy and a projection means for applying the reduced microimage of the hard copy to the mask film strip. Projection means are provided for expanding and projecting an image of said desired imaged microform record in the microform film in expanded normal size onto the platform for viewing the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for photographic recordation of multiple images having high information density is disclosed. A plurality of camera original photographs, of a first size and arrangement as a first group are mounted into receptacles in a copy frame and uniformly illuminated. The illuminated copy frame is located before a copy camera having independent lenses, for projecting independent, total images onto the image or film plane of the copy camera. A target area is located on the image or film plane. Each lens is adjusted to project a portion of its total image on the target area. The cumulative image on the target area comprises a selected portion of each independent total image, and each selected portion consists of an image of a different portion of the copy frame displaying independent images of the camera originals in a second size and arrangement as a second group distinct from the first group.

Abstract: A device for use with a photographic apparatus adapted to project an image, the device having a base dimensioned to receive a photographically sensitized sheet in fixed position; and a shield borne by the base for overlaying a sensitized sheet received on the base and having a flap portion movable between a first position in which the image can be projected on the flap portion for test purposes and a second position in which a portion of the sensitized sheet is exposed to the projected image.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in making printing plates in which a sheet of photo-sensitive material is held by a hanger and moved horizontally and vertically. Successive areas are, in this manner, aligned with a projector and exposed to separate images, each image corresponding to one page of a book. Telescoping cylinders produce the desired movement of the sheet in discrete steps so the position of the sheet need not be manually adjusted for each image. In an embodiment that uses aperture cards containing micrographic images, the card holding portion of the projector is rotatable to invert the images as required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for organizing and preparing photogenerated printing media for multi-page printing including a method and the apparatus for carrying out the method in which the sequence in which the proof pages of the pages to be printed are to be sorted and arranged, are recorded on a film strip and the film strip is transorted through a viewer. The film strip is viewed through a viewer and the pages are sorted and arranged. The sorted and arranged papers are then affixed to segments of a conveyer sheet advanced through a paste-up machine. The sheet, after the proof pages have been affixed thereto is transported across a copy board and the images of the copy to be printed and which appear on the proof pages affixed to the conveyer sheet are photographically reproduced on a strip of roll film advanced through a camera. The film is then processed and the processed film is used to photosensitize printing plates.

Abstract: A system for exposing photoresists "on-the-fly" is disclosed. The system incorporates a dye laser having an output pulse duration of less than about 250 nanoseconds to expose the photoresist while the photoresist is moving. Means are provided to synchronize the output of the laser to the motion of a photoresist coated surface and to insure spatial uniformity of energy across an object plane of an optical projection system.

Abstract: A photographic developing apparatus comprising a rectangular easel with upper and lower edges, opposed first and second side edges and opposed top and bottom surfaces, the easel including sidewalls that form the top surface into a paper support surface capable of supporting a sheet of photographic print paper, a plurality of covers arranged in first and second parallel columns in a covering relationship on the paper support surface and hinged to the sidewalls such that the covers are capable of being selectively opened and closed and a plurality of lateral grooves formed in the bottom surface, and an easel support including a planar surface having a central area corresponding to a predetermined location, four rectangular elements each including an inner locating surface so as to provide opposed first and second side surfaces and opposed upper and lower surfaces, the side surfaces and the upper and lower surfaces having a dimension such that when the easel is positioned on the planar surface with its lower edg

Abstract: This describes an apparatus and method especially adapted for positioning a semiconductor wafer in a preferred plane with respect to a photomask so as to achieve improved photolithographic focusing. The apparatus comprises a holder, provided with a surface for receiving a semiconductor wafer thereon, mounted in a chuck which mates with an adaptor ring containing both driver mechanisms and sensors for sensing and positioning the wafer. The sensors define a reference plane and converts the spacing between the reference plane and the front surface of the semiconductor wafer into electrical signals which can be fed to the driver mechanisms to position, with both rotational or translational motion, the plane of the wafer by moving the holder until all the signals from the sensors are nulled.

Abstract: A compound optical system apparatus, having a main optical path with a reflector, a shutter, an objective lens, and an image-receiving surface; and an alternately activated folded auxiliary optical path, with quasi-collimative reflective elements, one closely peripherally disposed to the main optical path, for passing a relatively small auxiliary image through the objective lens and displaying it upon the image-receiving surface on the side of the main image that is opposite to the side where the one reflective element is positioned with respect to the objective lens.

Abstract: A microfiche editing device for mechanically aligning a portion of one microfilm with respect to a second microfiche along an optical path. The first microfilm may be a microfiche held and aligned by a rectangular toothed rack or a microfilm held and aligned by a double spool mechanism.

Abstract: An improved multi-image film cassette holder especially adapted to produce hard copy images from the oscilloscope display of radio-isotropic, ultrasonic, thermographic or computerized axial tomographic devices which utilize an oscilloscope to produce soft images. The film cassette holder includes guides at 90.degree. to each other and suitable masks or curtains so that predetermined portions of the film within the cassette can be exposed one at a time by manually moving the cassette to predetermined positions with respect to an imaging system such as an oscilloscope camera. The film cassette holder can be adapted to fit a wide variety of such cameras while using a conventional film cassette.

Abstract: A high-precision mask photorepeater projects the image of a mask upon a sample. The sample upon which an impression is to be made is a thin plate of semiconductor material with dimensions of the order of 10 centimeters. Each zone to be recorded is brought opposite the lens. A system of pneumatic sensors brings the center of the zone to be recorded into the correct plane and positions this zone in the focal plane of the lens.

Abstract: A microform editing and recording device for transmitting a microimage from a first microimage bearing film to a second microform film carried in a microform camera having a stepping arrangement for moving the second film so that the microform image selected from the first microform film can be located in a predetermined frame position on the second film; arrangements are provided for moving the first film with respect to the camera in a frame which is fixedly supported in a housing of the editing and recording device; in one embodiment the frame holding the first film is hinged to the housing and an adaptor can be provided for converting the frame from a microfiche holder to a microfilm holder; in a second embodiment the editing and recording device is brought into use by means of a hinged edit mirror so that the camera can be converted from a conventional microform copying camera to a microform editing and recording camera; in a third embodiment a viewing device is provided to enable the first microform fil

Abstract: An optical system for reading a microrecord in which a plurality of data sets are formed on a record medium, each set representing a reduced scale image of a distinct page and being dissected into a multiplicity of data sub-sets. The sub-sets, which together form a data set, are dispersed on the medium in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the dispersed sub-sets forming the plurality of data sets being interlaced with each other whereby each data set occupies a distinct position on the medium and may be optically extracted therefrom. The optical system includes an array of lensettes each constituted by a reflective concave element associated with a reflective spherical element, the elements of each lensette being optically aligned with a respective data sub-set whereby the image of the sub-set formed on the concave element is reflected by the spherical element onto a screen.

Abstract: Copying apparatus for copying a selected frame from one of a plurality of rolls of microfilm, contained in the apparatus, onto a selected position on a microfiche; the rolls of microfilm are carried on an X and Y axis moveable carriage which is moveable in relation to a camera lens, and the microfiche is also moveable in the X and Y axis relative to the lens; detectors may be provided on the carriage for detecting the position of the selected frame of microfilm and electrical means are provided to hold the selected film in the lens axis for transfer to the microfiche; suitable programming can select a sequence of microfilm images to be recorded in a set sequence on the microfiche.

Abstract: In a photocomposition machine environment the apparatus and method show the concept of advancing the photosensitive material into position normally occupied for composition of text. The known apparatus and method are then modified by providing reverse leading for the paper and re-advance to the starting point followed by composition of a second column lateral to and aligned with the first column. A particular advance in the art is the ability to compose a complex mathematical formula with greatly simplified software using the improved hardware.The point of reference is established by a sensor which is activated upon advance of the paper to the sensor and therefore reversal and re-advancement of the paper will cause an exact repositioning of the paper for each column.

Abstract: This describes an apparatus and method especially adapted for positioning a semiconductor wafer in a preferred plane with respect to a photomask so as to achieve improved photolithographic focusing. The apparatus comprises a holder, provided with a surface for receiving a semiconductor wafer thereon, mounted in a chuck which mates with an adaptor ring containing both driver mechanisms and sensors for sensing and positioning the wafer. The sensors define a reference plane and converts the spacing between the reference plane and the front surface of the semiconductor wafer into electrical signals which can be fed to the driver mechanisms to position, with both rotational or translational motion, the plane of the wafer by moving the holder until all the signals from the sensors are nulled.