Am International Incorporated

Addressograph Multigraph Corporation

William R Swift

James Michael Marsh

Clyde Eugene LeFevre

Don W Herrod

Clyde E Le Fevre

A method of reading selected ones of an array of data frames from a microfiche medium substantially without errors attributable to misalignment of the frames. The method, which utilizes a microfiche reader-printer in adjusting for misalignment of the frames, includes the steps of determining the average distance between the frames along a first selected axis (e.g., the X-axis) of the array, and using said average distance in positioning the frames along the axis for reading. The frames are separated from each other by a predetermined nominal distance along the axis. The average distance is determined by dividing the distance between the outermost frames along the axis (the distance between the outermost frames being expressed in terms of the number of stepper motor steps needed to traverse said distance) by one less than the number of frames along said axis to produce a quotient, and adding the quotient to the predetermined nominal distance. A similar calculation of average distance between frames along a second selected axis (e.g., the Y-axis) is performed prior to positioning selected frames along said second axis for reading.

Method of correcting for misalignment of microfiche frames

The microfiche reader printer has multiple format capabilities. A lens support holding one lens for each format is slidable to position a lens into the light path. Positioning of the lens support closes or opens switches which direct a logic circuit to cause a controller to drive the microfiche holding platen in a certain manner dependent on the format. Copying utilizes a rotating xerographic drum. The platen is driven by stepper motors having a digitized sinusoidal input for microstepping drive for constant velocity drive during copying where the movements of the platen and the drum must be coordinated. The platen also takes a half frame back step before printing so that it can accelerate forward over the half step forward to reach constant velocity during scanning of the frame.

Microfiche reader printer having multi-format capabilities

A microfiche carrier assembly is provided comprising a core of flexible but relatively rigid sheet material having a thin cover sheet provided with an adhesive surface for securing the cover sheet to the core so as to seal both faces and one end of the core. The cover sheet extends beyond the other end of the core to provide overhanging flaps forming a pocket therebetween with the adhesive surfaces of the flaps facing inwardly. A marginal edge of a microfiche is positioned in the pocket and is secured therein by the flaps. The microfiche carrier assembly is also provided with selector means in the form of a perforation at a predetermined location in a selector field to permit retrieval of a selected microfiche from a deck of microfiche carrier assemblies contained, for example, in a magazine.

Microfiche carrier assembly

A microfiche carrier is provided comprising a carrier of transparent sheet material having a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive thereon for securing a microfiche to one face of the carrier. The microfiche carrier is adapted to be stacked with other microfiche carriers to form a deck, and the deck is placed into a magazine from which selected microfiche may be partially withdrawn for viewing a particular frame or frames of the microfiche. The microfiche carrier also includes detent means for releasably retaining the microfiche carrier in the magazine, coding means for retrieval of a selected microfiche carrier from the magazine and ramp means to prevent edge interference with adjacent carriers and microfiche in the magazine when a selected microfiche carrier is retrieved from or returned to the magazine.

Microfiche carrier

A cassette is provided for manually transporting a sheet of photographic film from one station to another without exposing the film to ambient light. The cassette comprises a light-tight enclosure provided at one end with a pair of rollers and at the other end with a resilient light seal. The rollers are adapted to be rotated in response to engagement with driven rollers associated with one station for advancing a film sheet into the cassette. The film sheet is positioned within the enclosure with a lead end thereof protruding from the resilient light seal. The cassette is then carried to another station where the lead end of the film is adapted to be inserted into a pair of driven rollers associated with another station for withdrawing the film sheet from the cassette.

Film cassette

A microfiche film pack having a pair of opaque covers, one of which is formed with an offset portion providing a pocket. A sheet of photosensitive material is partially positioned in said pocket, and has a tab which extends from the pocket, there being a light trap in the form of elongated indentations in said covers on opposite sides of said photosensitive sheet. The tab near the indentations is formed with several apertures through which the covers are bonded to each other to cooperate with the indentations in providing the light trap. The covers are provided with an end portion to be held in fixed position relative to the tab on the photosensitive sheet to enable the latter to be pulled from the pocket in the covers.

Growing community of inventors

Placentia, CA, United States of America

William R Swift