Terminal Data Corporation

Robert D Therien

Michael W Rudy

Robert D Williams

Forrest L Langford

Edward J Kraemer

Thomas D Horning

Michael Rothbart

Ronald Bell

Han J Lee

Thomas W Oliver

Thomas W Roller

Armond Motamed

Frederick E Walsh

Cine-mode camera

A high speed document manipulator providing high resolution digital video-signal output. A document transport moves the documents at a high speed for entrance, flip-over and exit, and at about one-fifth that speed for video scanning while moving for producing the video signal. Servo control provides a forward and back initial motion to obtain top to bottom scanning. The servo circuit is electrically protected. The video sensor is firmly coupled to the optical system. An elongated light source, elliptical reflector and 'cool' mirror provide an elongated transverse illuminated area on the document as it moves through.

Document video digitizer

A high precision strip film drive, typically for microfiche film, that includes two spaced-apart drive rollers, separately driven by two servo electric motors. The motors are biased against each other and so maintain a constant tension on the film, while it is stationary or moving. The motors are logic controlled through a pair of rotary encoders. Each encoder is driven by one roller. The outputs of the encoders are combined to give a single servo control signal, devoid of film squew, for accurately spacing the frames upon the microfiche. The encoder electrical outputs are differently handled to provide film velocity information, and still further differently handled to provide direction of motion of the film information. Transverse orthogonal motion of the film is provided by a carriage that supports the rollers, a linear encoder, and a cable system actuated by a third servo motor. The encoder electrical outputs are even further differently handled to accurately finally position the film, as preselected.

Orthogonal film drive

A system for microfilming documents that employs microprocessor control to insure fault-free operation. The aspects of operation; such as document present, size of document, size of photographic mask, the exposure parameter, and system 'ready', must meet necessary criteria, or the microprocessor will halt operations and present a human-readable response as to the cause. Substitutional tables for supporting documents are available, to relate to the characteristics of the document. Simultaneous conflicting commands are executed sequentially according to a priority sequence.

Microfilming system

A microfilm camera, typically for 16 mm film, having plural coplanar friction-driven belts. The film is held to the belts by vacuum, so that the film and the belts move together. Vacuum film-loop chambers allow accurate low-inertia control of the film positioning for exposure. An intermittently rotatable shutter may be provided for appropriate exposure of the desired image upon the film. Programmable logic receives data from plural sensors and its controls drive means to correlate significant film movement and stationary periods with the functioning of opto-mechanical elements for exposing the film while it is stationary.

Belt microfilm camera

Growing community of inventors

Newbury Park, CA, United States of America

Robert D Therien