Bell + Howell Company

Polaroid Corporation

Thomas R Wells

John W Overman

Delmar R Johnson

Theodore E Dahlen

Bruce A Rady

John R Flint

Rolf B Erikson

Kenyon A Hapke

Kenneth L Hendrickson

John P Bagby

Robert F Johnston

Robert L Kearney

Harold H Benham, Jr

Donald R Jacobs

Microfilm reader

A desk top microfilm reader for use on horizontal flat surfaces having a housing structure which encloses projection means and microfilm receiving means. A supporting arm extends from the housing structure to reflect images projected from the housing structure onto a flat planar surface which is only optically connected to the projection means. Both the microfilm and the projection surface are in horizontal planes.

Desk top microform reader

Microform duplicator

A microfilm card adapted to be used with a microfilm reading device. The card has an image area having a plurality of images arranged in rows and columns, at least one of the images containing an expanded index of the location of the images. An index area adjacent to the image area contains a plurality of indexes thereon, with the index area precisely and accurately positioned with respect to the image area. The indexes relate to their respective expanded index on the image area, the index viewable directly by the operator. There are means on the microfilm reader which interface with the microfilm card to position the card in the reader in the same precise location each time it is to be viewed.

Indexing microfilm

A microfilm duplicator for duplicating images received from a microfiche onto a duplicating medium. Images from the master microfiche are transferred to the duplicating medium at an exposure station. A duplicating medium support frame is operator moveable to cause the duplicating medium to be transported to a developing station wherein the duplicating medium is developed. The duplicating medium is then transported to a clearing station wherein unimaged areas are cleared from the duplicating medium and the duplicate is discharged at a discharge station. While one duplicate is being developed, a second duplicate can be exposed at the exposure station thus increasing throughput of the device.

Microfilm duplicator

A desk top microfilm reader and work station having a rectangular base enclosing a film housing and projection system. The base has a flat top surface which functions as an operator work surface and an image projection surface. A support arm rises vertically from the base and a hood is attached near the top of the support arm. There are illumination lamps and a mirror in the hood. The lamps illuminate the work surface and are turned off when a micro image is to be projected onto the image projection surface. The optical projection path from the projection system to the mirror in the hood and back to the projection surface is unenclosed.

A single sensor system reads a traveling bar code comprising a plurality of marks separated by spaces. Each of the marks may have either of two durations and each of the spaces has a uniform duration. The bar codes are transported, relative to the sensor, at any of many different speeds so that the signals generated by the sensor may have unpredictable durations. The inventive reader determines the speed at which the bar code is being transported and interprets the signals generated by the bar code marks according to the determined speed. As used herein, the reference to 'any of many different speeds' recognizes that different bar code transport devices, owing to their own inherent characteristics, may operate at different speeds although the speed for any given code transport device will tend to be fairly uniform. In some embodiments, the invention accommodates speed fluctuations in the operation of a single transport device.

Bar code reader

An electronically controlled photographic image utilization device is arranged to transport a roll of microfilm having all images printed thereon in separate photographic areas, each area being arranged in a microfiche-type format. The photographic image utilization device has an automatic call-up feature so that any given photographic area may be selected in a first dimension and projected responsive to the push of a button, the operation of a rotary switch or both. A special bar code is printed along the edge of the film and used in conjunction with a closed loop film control system to eliminate the need for precise, clock-controlled synchronization between the film transport and the code reading. Preferably, the bar code is read by optical electronic sensors. Responsive thereto, the electronic control system accurately positions a selected photographic image, on the microfilm, within a viewing area. Thereafter, and while the film transport is being held stationary, any image on the microfilm may be selected for projection by a manual movement in second and third dimensions of a simple lens positioning mechanism which is small, compact, and easily moved. The reader may also be operated manually so that the automatic controls may be bypassed, if desired.

Electronically controlled microfilm photographic image utilization device

A roll film reader/printer transports film to a selected photographic area. Transparent areas are also left at any one or more selected locations on the roll film. When it is necessary or desirable to read an image on a separate and discrete film, 'card', the roll of film is transported through the reader/printer in order to display a transparent area. There, the separate and discrete film 'card' is manually inserted into the reader/printer, over the transparent area on the roll film. Suitable interlock switches disable the roll film transport mechanism while the manually inserted film is in the reader/printer.

Roll film reader/printer with manually insertable discrete film

A film cassette sensing and retaining unit for film handling apparatus. The unit is responsive to completed insertion of a cassette into the film handling apparatus to mechanically latch the cassette in position and to electrically condition and actuate the film handling apparatus. Upon termination of operation of the film handling apparatus, the unit is effective to unlatch and eject the cassette and thereby deactuate the film handling apparatus. A disabling mechanism is provided to prevent premature unlatching and ejection of the cassette in a particular circumstance.

Film cassette sensing and retaining unit

A microfiche reader stores a library file of microfiche in a cartridge which may be inserted into the reader, so that it is not necessary to manually manipulate the individual microfiche. The reader automatically extracts and feeds a selected microfiche from a cartridge and then returns it to the vacated cartridge location. A right angle rack and pinion causes the extractor mechanism to provide an automatic feed mechanism which moves over a horizontal advance, raise, drop and back path so that hooks may be removed from and then returned into notches in a microfiche carrier, without damaging them. An automatic elevator mechanism positions the cartridge so that any selected microfiche may be placed on display.

Microfiche reader

A microfiche reader providing varying optical paths of projection of a microfiche image. Variable hood means provide self-contained viewing, or projection of the image on a screen, wall or ceiling. The light source for the reader may be removed and readily replaced without the operator touching the sensitive lamp. Dual image forming floating lenses having a universal focusing system provide multiple magnification capabilities with uniform focusing in all positions of the microfiche. Additional means prevent chipping of the glass plates holding the microfiche when the floating lenses are removed from contact with the glass plates.

Optical structure for microfiche reader

A microfiche reader providing varying optical paths of projection of a microfiche image. The light source for the reader may be removed and readily replaced without the operator's touching the sensitive lamp. Dual image forming, floating lenses having a universal focusing system provide multiple magnification capabilities with uniform focusing in all positions of the microfiche. The focusing system is self-compensating for mechanical tolerances. Additional means prevent chipping of the glass plates holding the microfiche when the floating lenses are removed from contact with the glass plates.

An electronically controlled photographic image utilization device is arranged to transport a roll of microfilm having all images printed thereon in separate photographic areas, each area being arranged in a microfiche-type format. The photographic image utilization device has an automatic call-up feature so that any given photographic area may be selected and projected responsive to the push of a button, the operation of a rotary switch or both. A special bar code is printed along the edge of the film and used in conjunction with a closed loop film control system to eliminate the need for precise, clock controlled synchronization between the film transport and the code reading. Preferably, the bar code is read by optical electronic sensors. Responsive thereto, the electronic control system accurately positions a selected photographic image, on the microfilm, within a viewing area. Thereafter, and while the film transport is being held stationary, any image on the microfilm may be selected for projection by a manual movement of a simple lens positioning mechanism which is small, compact, and easily moved. The reader may also be operated manually so that the automatic controls may be bypassed, if desired.

A microfiche reader has a carrier which includes means for transporting a microfiche film with a rectilinear movement. The carrier has two plates of glass for receiving a microfiche between them, one of the glass plates being hinged to raise and lower relative to the other. As the carrier moves to one extremity of its rectilinear movement, the cover glass automatically swings on its hinge pin to open and thereby enable manual access to the microfiche between the glass. Regardless of how far the carrier does or does not move, near the extremity of the movement, this glass opening device has an ability to lift the cover glass to a position where its center of gravity closely approaches, but does not cross, the hinge pin.

Growing community of inventors

Des Plaines, IL, United States of America

Thomas R Wells