Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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l!nis is a divison oE Canadian Applicatlon Serial No, 287,819
filed September 30, 1977.
In its broader sense, the present invention has to
do with an apparatus for producing microform records from hard
copy wherein a ligh-t image reflected from hard copy is reduced
to microimage size in an imaging station and wherein said
light image of microimage size provides imaged microform
records in a microform film, The imaging station includes a
platform for receiving the hard copy and a projection means
for reducing the light image reflected from the hard copy
on the platform for providing ima~ed microform records in the~
microform film,
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- In a more speciEic sense~ the present invention
relates to.the dry~process production of archival microform
records from light reflecting hard copy, such as disclosed
in U,S, Patent No, 3,966l317l granted June 29, 1976, and is
directed to certain improvement therein, which in co~bination
greatly enhance the versatility and simplify the constuction
thereof,
A dry~process apparatus and method for producing
archival microform records from liyht reflecting hard copy~
such as disclosed in said U,S~ Patent No, 3,966~317~ include
an imaging and developing station wherein a light image
reflected from the hard copy is reduced to micro.image si~e
and applied to a dry.~process mask film strip which is photo-
sensitive to and imaged by the light reflecting hard copy and
which is developed by heat to provide microimaged transparencies
therein, The apparatus and method also include an image
transferring station wherein the microimaged transparencles in
the mask film strip are transferred ~y radiant energy above
a certain critical value passing therethrough to a dry~process
microform film which has archival properties and which is
sensitive to and imaged and developed by the radiant energy
above the certain critical value applied thereto through the
dry~process mask film strip to provide imaged microform ;
records therein which conform to the transparen-t microimages
in the dry~process mask film strip and which have archival
properties; Such an apparatus and method also include means
for moviny the
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dry-process mask film strip to the imaging a~d developing
station and to the image trans~erring s~ation, and means
for positioning the dry-process microform ~ilm and
superimposing the dry-process mask film strip and the
dry-process microform ilm in the image transferring station.
The dry-process microform film is preferably
in microfiche form where the microform records therein are
arranged in frames. Hard copy information or data may be
initially transferred at desired ~rames or poin~s on the
micro~orm ~ilm and, later, additional information or data
may be transferred at other desired frames or points
thereo~, the microform film having "add on" capabilities
and being updatable. As a result, a records manager is
able to file microimages o~ records in the same mannex o
organization of paper files, with all the advantages of
microfilm files.
Such an apparatus and method for producing
microform records from light reflecting hard copy utilize
a completely dry-process operation eliminating the need
for wet developing and processing steps, provide microform
records which are not grainy and which have sharp
resolution and high contrast and which have excellent
archival properties so as not to be deleteriously effected
by light, temperature, moisture, degradation or the like
over a period of many years, are simple and straight forward
in use and particularly adaptable for in line continuous
and repetitive use, and are capable of dry-process table
or desk top use.
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One feature o:E the invention of the parent
application res~des, iri th~ ~rovision of an
apparatus and method for proaucing microEorrn records rom
liqht reflectiny hard copy with a means for readily viewinc~
desired micro:Eorm records providecl in the microform film.
Xn this respect, -the imac~ing and developincJ station
of the apparatus and method include a platform f~r receiving
the hard cop~ and a proj ection means for reduclncl a ligh-t
image reflected from the hard copy on -the plat~orm -to
microimage size and appl~incJ th~ same to -the dry-process
mas]c fi.lm strip for producing microimaged transparencies
therein for subsequentl~ providing ;maged micro:Eorm
records .in the dry-process microEorm film in the imac~e
transferring station. The hard copy rece~ved on the
pla~form comprises inEormation or data placed on the
platform wherein the information or data can be a real
object placed on the plat-Eorm, can be ~ontained on a
substrate placed on the platform, can b2 wri.tten on the
platfo.rm or can be an image projec-~ed on the pla-tEorm from ,.
a transpar,ency or from a real object, or -the like,
The apparat~s and method also inclucle means for
mov.ing a desired imacJed micro:Eorm record in the dry-process
microform film to the imaging and developing station, and
means .including said projecting r.leans for expandincJ and
pro~ecting an image of the desired imaged micro:Eorm record
in the dr~-process rnicroform film in expanded normal size
on-to the platform for viewinc~ the same. Pr~ferably the
imaged micro~orm records are loca-ted :in frames in the
micro:Eiche form of -the dr~-process micro:Eorm Ei:lm.
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In this way, a simple mechanism is provided in the apparatus
and method for viewing in -Eull or normal size desired micro~orm
records in the microform ~ilm~
The method and apparatus also provide for successively
moving adjacent desired imaged microform records or frames in
the dry~rocess microform film to the imaging station for
successive viewinc3 of the same. Provision is also made for
printing the expanded normal size image projected onto the
platorm on a photosensitive medium placed on the pl.atEorm,
Another feature of the invention of the parent
application is the provision of a simple means for "annotating"
a desired already existing microform record ln the microform
film, as for example, deleting or adding additional informa-
tion to the existing microform record in a frame of the micro-
fiche form of the microform film,
Here, an image of the desired microform record to
be annotated is irst projected onto the plaiform in e~panded
normal size, as d.iscussed immediately above, so as to be
clearly visible thereon. Then, additional hard copy is
received on the platform in appropriate specific relation to
the expanded normal size image projected onto the platform from
the desired microform record in the microform film for annotat-
in~ purposes, In this way~ the additional hard copy for
annotating purposes is accurately positioned on the platform,
The additional hard copy may include delet.ing material or
additional material to be added to the desired microEorm
record, The additional hard copy received on the platform
comprises information or data placed on the platform, whether
for deletinc3 or adding
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.~poses, and which can he contained on a substrate placed
on the platforrn o~ wri-tten on the plat:Eorm or the like~
Therea-fter, means, including said projection means, reduces
the ima~e of the additional light reflecting hard copy on
the platform and applies the same to the dry~process mask
film strip in the imaging and developing station for
producing a microimaged transparency of the additional hard
copy therein and for providing in the image transferring
station an imaged microform record of the additional hard
:LO copy in the desired imaged microform record previously
projected onto the platform for annotating the same with
the additional hard copy In this way, a simple and
accurate mechanism is provided in the apparatus and method
for annotating or bringing up to date desired microform
records (frames) in the microform film, an extremely
important feature for maintaining current microform records
in the microform films.
In accordance with the invention of the parent
application, -the means for positioning the desired frames of the
~0 microform :Eilm in the image transferring s-tation for providing
microform records therein and the means for moving a desired
ima~ed frame of the microform fllm to the imaging and
developing station for viewing and/or annotating the
microform record therein include X~axis and Y-axis carriages
-for positioning a microform Ei:Lm holder carrying the microform
film and means for moving the X~a~is carriage and the Y~axi.s
carriage and, hence, the microform film holder in the X
and Y directions
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In summary, therefore, the invention oE the paren-t
applica-tion may be seen to provide, in a dry-process me-thod
for producing archival mic.roform records from light relecting
hard copy where.in a light image reflected from the hard copy
is reduced to microi~age.siZe and applled at an imaging
station to a dry~process mask film strip which is photo~
sensitive to and imaged by the light reflecting hard copy
and which is developed by heat to provide microimaged
transparencies therein, and wherein the microimaged trans-
parencies in the mask f.ilm strip are trans:Eerred by radiantenergy above a certain criti.cal value passing therethrough to
a dry-process microform film which has archival properties
and which is sensitive to and imaged and developed by -the
radiant energy above the critical value applied thereto
through the dry~process mask film strip to provide imaged
microform
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records therein which con~orm to the transp~rent microim~ges
i~ the dry-process mask film strip and which have archlval
properties, the improvement wherein the imaging s-tation includes
a platform for receiving the hard copy and a projection means
for reducing the light image reflected from the hard copy on
the plat~orm to microimage size and applying the same to the
dry-process mask film strip for producing microimaged trans-
parencie~ therein ~or providing imaged microform records in
the dry-process microform ~ilm, moving a desired imaged micro-
form record in the dry-process microform film to -the imaging -`
station, and through the pro~ection means expanding and
projecting an image of the desired imaged microform record in
the dry-process microform fllm in expanded normal size onto
the platform for viewing the same.
The above method may be carried out by provîding in
a dry-process apparatus ~or producing archival microform
records from light re~lecting hard copy wherein a light image
reflected from the hard copy is reduced to microimage size
and applied to an imaging station to a dry-process mask film
strip which is photosensltive to and imaged by the light
reflecting hard copy and which is developed by heat to provide
microlmaged transparencies therein, and wherein the microimayed
transparencies in the mask film strip are trans:Eerred by radiant
energy above a certain critical value passing therethrough to
a dry-process microform film which has archival properties and
which is sensitive to and imaged and developed by the radiant
energy above the critical value applied thereto through the
dry-process mas]~ film strip to provide imaged microform records
therein which conform to the transparent microimages in the
dry-process mask film strip and which have archival properties,
the improvement comprising an imaging sta-tion including a plat-
form for receiving the hard copy and a project:ion means for
reducing the light image reflected from the hard copy on -the
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platform to microimage size and applying the same to the dry-
process mask film strip for producing microimaged trans-
parencies therein for providing imaged microform records in
the dry-process microform film, means for moving a desired
imaged microform record in the dry-process microform film to
the imaging station, and means including the projection means
for expanding and projecting an image of the desired imaged
microform record in the dry-process microform film in expanded
normal size onto the platform for viewing the same.
A further improvement, according to the present
invention, is ~ound in the manner of moving the dry~process
mask film strip to the imaging and developing station for
providing microimaged transparencies therein and to the image
transferring station for transferring such microimaged trans-
parencies therein to the microform film for providing archival
microform records in the microform film In this respect the
dry-process mask film strip is contained in a cassette pro-
vided with means for inde~ing the mask film strip therein for
providing successive microimaged transparencies therein, and
the means for moving the mask film strip to the imaging and
developing station and to the image transferring station
comprises means for moving the cassette for doing so.
Thus the invention according -to the present application
may be seen to provide a dry-process apparatus for producing
archival microform records from light reflecting hard copy
~aving an imaging station wherein a liyht image reflected from
the hard copy is reduced to microimage size and applied to
a dry-process mask film strip which is photosensitive to and
imaged by the light reflecting hard copy and which is develop-
able by heat to provide microimaged transparencies therei.n, andan image transferring station wherein the microimage~ trans-
parencies in the mask film strip are transferred by radiant
energy above a certain critical value passing therethrough to
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dry-process microform film which has archival properties
and which is sensitive to and imaged and developed by the
radiant energy above the critical value applied thereto
through the dry-process mask film strip to provide imaged
microform records therein which conform to the transparent
microimages in the dry-process mask film strip and which have
archival properties~ means for moving the dry-process mask
film strip to the imaging station and to the image trans-
ferring station, and means for positioning the dry-proces
microform film and superimposing the dry-process mask film
strip and the dry-process microform film in the image trans-
ferring station, the improvement comprising a cassette con-
taining the dry-process mask film strip and having means for
indexing the mask film strip therein for providing successive
microimaged transparencies therein, and wherein the means
for moving the dry-process mask film strip to the imaging
station and to the image transferring sta-tion comprises means
for moying the cassette for doing so.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will
become apparent to those ski~led in the art upon reference to
the accompanying specification, claims and drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of
a preferred embodiment of this invention.
Fig, 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a portion of
the apparatus looking downwardly and taken substantially along
the line 2-2 of Fig. 1
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Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view
of a portion of the apparatus looking to the left and
taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 i5 a diagrammatic vertical sectional view
of another portion of the apparatus looking to the right
and taken substantially along the line ~-~ of Fig. l.
Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic bottom view of a portion
of the appara-tus looking upwardly and taken substantially
along the line of 5-5 of Fig. l.
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic end ele~ational view of
a portion of the apparatus and looking from the right to
Fig. l.
Fig. 7 is a schematic block wiring diagram
illustrating the relationships between the various
components of the apparatus.
Fig. 8 is a chart illustrating the xecord cycle
of the apparatus.
Fig. 9 is a chart i:Llustrating the read cycle,
the step and repeat cycle and -the print ~ycle o~ the
apparatus.
Figs. lO and ll are simplified schematic views
of the apparatus illustra-ting the relationships of the
platform, the imaging and developing station, the image
transferring station, the mask film strip and the microEorm
film or fiche during the recording cycle.
Fig. 12 is a simplified schematic view of the
apparatus illustrating the relationships of the platform,
the imaging and developing station, the image transferring
station, the mask film strip and the microform film or
fiche during the read cycle and the annotation operatiorl.
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A preferred embodiment of the dry-process
apparatus of this invention for producing archival micro-
~orm records from light reflecting hard cop~ is generally
designated at 10 in the drawings. It includes a housing
having the general outline indicated at 11 and a supporting
frame therein. The frame carries a platform 12 which is
adapted to receive hard copy ~o be microimag~d. Light is
applied to the platform 12 by lamps 13 and reflectors 14.
A light image 15 reflected from the hard copy on the
platform 12 is projected and reduced to microimage size
by mirrors 16 and 17 and a lens 18 in a lens assembly 19.
After passing through the lens 18 the microimage is
reversed and is applied to a mask film strip 49. The
application of the microimage to ~he mask film strip 49
i9 controlled by a shutter 20 having an opening 21 therein.
- The shutter is normally held closed by a spring 22 but is
opened hy energizatîon of a shutter solenoid 23 as
illustrated more clearly in Fig. 2. The~lens assembly 19
is arranged in an imaging and developing station generally
designated at 24. Access to the platform 12 for providing
the same with hard copy to be microimaged and for viewing
images projected onto the platform 12 is provided b~ an
enlarged opening (not shown) in the front of the housing.
~rame portions 28 and 29 of the frame provide
a support for a bridge extendîng across the top portion
of the apparatus. Here, the frame portion 28 carries a
pair of ~rackets 30 which, in turn, carry a support plate
31 and a block 32 in which the ends of a pair of rods 33
are secured. The other ends of the rods 33 are secured in
a block 34 carried by a plate 35 which, in turn, is secured
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by brackets 36 ~o the other frame portion 29. Another
brac]cet 37 depending from the plate 35 carries a flash
lamp housing 38 in which is located a flash lamp 39 for
projecting radiant energy such as a Xenon f~ash, through a
transparent window 40. The flash lamp assembly comprises
an image transferring station generally designatea at 41.
A mask film strip carriage 45 is provided with
bearings 46 for slideably mounting the same on the
stationary rods 33. The mask film carriage 45 has a
bracket 47 for removably receiving a cassette 48 carrying
a dry-process mask film strip 49 which is photosensitive
to and imaged by the light reflecting hard copy on the
platform 12 and which is developed by heat to provide
microimaged transparencies therein. As shown more clearly
in Figs, 3 and 5, the unimaged mask film strip 49 is carried
in roll form by a pay off reel 50. The mask film strip 49
courses over a roll 51 and under a roll 52 past an opening
53 in the cassette 48 and under a roll 54 and over an
indexing roll 55 and is rolled onto a take up reel 56.
The opening 53 in the cassette 48 for exposing the mask
film strip 49 overlies the lens assembly l9 in the imaging
and developing station 24. The mask film strip 49 is
incremently advanced or indexed from the pay off reel 50 to
the take up reel 56 and such indexing of the mask film
strip 49 presents an unimaged area to be imaged by the
light reflecting hard copy in the imaging and developin~
station 24.
The take up reel 56 is driven by an index motor
57 carried by the bracket 47 and the pay off reel 50 is
provided wi-th a suitable sl.ip brake 58, also carried by
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the bracket 47, for applying resistance to the pay of-f reel
50. The roller 55 engaged by the mask film strip 49 operates
an indexing counter comprising a small disc 59 rotated by
thè roller 55 and having circumferentially arranged
reflecting and nonreflecting sectors and a light source and
photocell assembly 60 which directs light onto the disc 59
and which counts the interruptions of the light as the disc
59 is rotated by the roller 55. The index motor 57 is
controlled by the indexing counter to assure that the mask
film strip 49 is advanced a fixed linear distance each time
that the mask film strip is advanced. Suitable releasable
couplings are provided between the pay off reel 50 and the
slip brake 58, the take up reel 56 and the index motor 57,
and the roller 55 and the rotatable disc 59 of the indexing
counter 60 so that the cassette 48 containing the mask film
strip 49 may be readily applied to and removed from the
apparatus as a unit. An opening (not shown) is provided in
the front of the housing to provide access ~or the application
and removal of the mask film strip cassette 48.
A mask film hold down apparatus is provided for
holding the mask film 49 against the lens assembly 19 while
a microimage of the hard copy on the plateform 12 is being
applied to the mask film strip 49. This apparatus assures
that the mask film strip 49 i5 maintained in proper focal
relation with the lens 18 during tha .imaging operation. In
this connection, the apparatus includes a pair of fingers
63 which extend into the cassette 48 above the mask film
strip 49. This pair of fingers 63 is carried by a pair
of arms 64 connected to a plate 65 whichr in turn, is
secured to an armature of a solenoid 66. The armature of
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the solenoid 66 is normally maintained in a raised position
by a spring and is moved to a lowered position upon
energization of the solenoid 66 to cause the fingers 63 to
press the mask fllm strip 49 against the lens assembly 19.
After an image is so applied to the mask film
strip 49, the image is heat developed by a heater 68 carried
by a plunger 69. The heater 68 is suitably electrically
heated by a heating element contained therein. The plunger
69 is raised and lowered through racX and pinion teeth, by
; 10 a pinion 70 rotated by a ~o~ary solenoid 71. When the
solenoid 71 is de-energiæed the plunger 69 is in an elevated
position as illustrated in E'ig. 1. When the solenoid 71
is enexgized the plunger 69 is lowered to contact the
heater 68 with the mask film strip 49 for heat developing
` the image in the mask film strip 49 to provide a microimaged
transparency therein. The cassette 48 is provided with
suitable openings therein for accomodating the heater 68
and the plunger 69. ~
Thus, in the imaging and developing station 24
the mask film strip 49 is imaged from the hard copy on the
platform 12 and is heat developed to provide microimaged
transparencies in the mask film strip 49 corresponding to
the hard copy on the platform 12. While the imaging of the
mask film strip 49 and the development thereof are disclosed
to occur in the same posi-tion in the imaging and development
station 24, the development of the mask ~ilm strip 49 could
take place at a position therein which is different from
the position where the imaging takes place.
The carriage 45 also carries a read illuminator
75. The read illuminator 75 includes a light source 76 and
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a reflector 77 for directing light through a lens system 78
and a mirror 79 onto a lens 80, the lens being provided
with a fiche focusing device 81 comprising a transparent
window. When a frame of a fiche is positioned over the lens
assembly 19 and the fiche illuminator 75 is moved by the
carriage 45 over the lens assembly 19 in the imaging and
developing station 24, the fiche focusing device ~1 operates
to press a desired frame of the fiche against the lens
assembly 19 to assure proper focusin~ of the information in
the rame of the iche to provide clear focusing of the light
from the lamp 76 through the lens ~ssembly onto the platfo~
12. In this way, the information in a frame of a fiche may
be accurately projected and expanded to normal size onto the
platform 12. The read illuminator 75 may he cooled by fan
82 to prevent the building up of excessive heat therein.
The frame of the apparatus rigidly carries a plate
85 provided with a depending flange 86, as shown more clearly
in Figs. 1, 4 and 6. The plate 85 carries a transfer solenoid
87 whose armature operates a plunger 88 having a resilient
transfer pad 8g. When the solenoid 87 is de-energized; the
plunger 88 is in a lowered position. When the solenoid 87
is energized, the plunger 88 is raised to cause the pad 89
to provide intimate contact between the fiche and the mask
film strip 49 and to press them against the transparent
window 40 of the flash assembly 37 to assure accurate
contact printing between the developed mask film strip and
the fiche when energy, such as Xenon flash energy, is
projected from the flash lamp 39 through the mask film strip
49 onto the fiche for providing accurate reproduction of the
3~ microimage of the mask film strip in the fiche.
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A spring motor 90, as shown more clearly in Figs.
1 and 5, is carried by the bridge and is conne~-ted by a cable
91 to one end of the mask film carriage 45 for continuously
urging the mask films carriage to the le~t as illustrated
in these Figures. A mask film carriage motor 92 also
carried by the bridge rotates a wheel 93 which is connected
by a cable 94 to the other end of the mask film carriage 45.
When the mask film motor 92 is energized, the wheel 93
operates to move the mask film carriage 45 from the left
hand position, as illustrated in Eigs. 1 and 5, to the right
hand position where the mask film strip 49 in its cassette
48 is moved to the image transferring station 41 under the
transparent window 40 and above the transfer pad 89~ The
bridge also carries a mask film carriage limit switch 95
which is engaged by the mask film carriage, to interrupt
the power to the mask film motor 92. The bridge also
carries a mask film carriage latch having a solenoid 96
operating a latch 97~ When the solenoid ~6 is de-energized,
~he latch 97 is maintai~ed in a raised position by means of
springs or the like. The mask film carriage 45 is provided
with an extension 98 having a latch surface 99. When the
mask ~ilm carriage 45 is moved to the right by the mask film
carriage motor 92, to engage the limit switch 95, the solenoid
96 is energized to cause the latch 97 to move downwardly
and engage the latch suxface 99 to latch the mask film
carriage 45 in the right hand position.
As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, 4 and 6, the
stationary frame plate 85 is provided with a pair of ~locks
102 and 103 adjacent the ends thereof in which blocks a pair
of rods 104 are rigidly secured. A bar 105 is secured to the
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stationary plate 85 and it has a plurality of latch teeth
106 (7 in number) on the upper sur~ace thereof. The bar 105
also carries a plurality of photo-transistors 107 l7 in
number) assoclated respectively with the latch tee-th 106.
The Y-axis carriage 110 is provided with two
pairs of bearings 111 and 112, receiving the ro~s 104 for
slideably mounting the Y-axis carriage on the rods~ The
Y-axis carriage is provided with a depending plate 113 which
carries a light 114 which is adapted to traverse the
phototransistors 107 as the carriage 110 is moved forwardly
or rearwardly on the rods 104. ~ Y-carriage latch 115,
operated by a latch solenoid 116 carried by the Y-axis
carriage 110 is adap-ted to engage the various latch teeth
106 on the bar 105 depending upon the position of the Y-axis
carriage. The latch 115 is normally retracted but is moved
into engagement with the latch teeth 106 when the solenoid
116 is energized to latch the Y-axis carriage 110 is a
desired position to which i-t has been moved.
A spring motor 118 carried by the stationary flange
86 i5 connected by a cable 119 to the Y-axis carri.age 110,
as by being connected to the plate 113, for urging the Y-axis
carriage 110 to the home position as illustrated in Figs. 4
and 6, The stationary plate 85 also carries a Y-axis
carriage motor 120 which is provided with a wheel 121 which,
in turn/ is connected by a cable 122 to the Y-axis carriage
110, as for example, to the plate 113 -thereof, When -the
Y-carriage motor 120 is energi~ed, it advances the Y-axis
carriage 110 to the le~t against the action of the spring
motor 11~ to a desired selected posi-tion as determined by
the light 11~ co-operating with the phototransistors 107.
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The latch solenoid 116 is then energized to engage the
latch 115 with the appropriate latch tooth 106 for latching
the Y-axis carriage 110 in the desired position. The plate
of the Y-axis carriage 110 is provided with a slot which
accomodates the plunger 88 to allow the aforementioned Y
movement of the carriage 110.
The Y-axis carriage 110 is provided along its side
edges with a pair of brackets 125 and 126. A bar 127 is
connected at one end to the bracket 125 and is connected
intermediate its ends to the bracket 126. The other end of
the bar 127 is connected to a block 128. A pair of rods 129
are secured at its ends to the bracket 125 and the block 128
The bar 127 is provided with a plurality of downwardly
extending latch teeth 130 (21 in number), The bar 127 is
also provided with a plurality of phototransistors 131. The
phototransistors 131 are preferably arranged in 2 sets of 14
phototransistors which are in staggered relation, as
illustrated more clearly in Fig. 7, with some of the
phototransistsrs overlapping and providing 21 phototransistors
along the length of the bar 127. The phototransistors 131
are located in relation to latch teeth 130.
An X-axis carriage 134, as shown more clearly in
Figs. 1, 2 and 4, is provided with 2 pairs of bearings 135
and 136 which are mounted for sliding movement on the rods
129 of the Y-axis carriage. A latch solenoid 137 carried by
the X-axis carriage 134 operates a latch 138 with respect to
the latch teeth 130 on the bar 127. The latch 138 is normally
held out of engagement with the latch keeth 130 but is moved
into engagement therewith upon energization of the latch
solenoid 137. The latch 138 is adapted to engage desired
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latch teeth 130 on the bar 127 to latch the X-axis carriage
134 in any desired position along the rods 129 to which it
may be moved. The X-axis carriage 134 also carries a pair
oE lights 139 co-operating with the phototransistors 131 for
controlling the positioning and latching of the X-axis
carriage in desired positions.
The bracket 125 of the Y-axi~ carriage 110 carries
a spring motor 141 which is connected by a cable 142 to the
X-axis carriage 134. The spring motor 141 operates to move
the X-axis carriage 134 to the home position illustrated in
Figs. 1 and 2. The bracket 125 of the Y-axis carriage 110
also carries a motor 143 provided with a wheel 144 which is
connected by a cable 145 which, in turn, courses a pulley 146
mounted on the block 128 and which is connected to the X-axis
carriage 134. When the motor 143 is energized, the X-axis
carriage 134 is moved to the left from the home position
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 to position the X-axis carriage
to desired positions along the X-axis. The position of such
movement of the X-axis carriage 134 is controlled by the
lights 139 co-operating with the phototransistors 131 and
after the X-axis carriage 134 is moved to the desired
position, the latch solenoid 137 is energized to cause the
latch 138 thereof to engage the appropriate latch tooth 130
on the bar 127 to latch the X-axis carriage 134 in the
desired position.
The X-axis carriage 134 is provided with a pair of
keepers 147 which have tapered edyes 148 which in turn are
under cut for receiving a tapered end of a fiche holder 149.
The tapered and under cut edges 148 of the keepers 147
operate to accurately position and secure the fiche holder
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: 149 in the X-axis carriage 134. The fiche holaer 149 is
provided with a cut-out 150 for receiving a fiche 151. An
opening (not shown) is provided in the front of the housing
to provide for inserting and removing the fiche holder 149
in the X-axis carriage 134.
The fiche 151 is a dry-process microform film which
has archival properties and which i5 sensitive to and imaged
and developed by radiant energy above a certain critical
value applied thereto through thè dry-process mask film strip
49 to provide imaged microform records therein which conform
to the transparent microimages in the dry-process mask film
strip 49 and which have archival propertiesO The imaged
microform records in the microform film 151 are also
preferably in the form of microtransparencies. The dry-
process microform ~ilm 151~ in the form of a fiche, has a
: plurality of frames therein which are arranged in rows B to
H and in columns l to 14 as illustrated in Fig. 2~ The fiche
151 also has a port}on for receiving a heading for identifying
a particular fiche~ The ~iche 151 is inserted in the opening
150 in the holder 149 in a reverse position with the heading
of the fiche facing outwardly~ The home position of the
holder 149, as determined by the home positions of the Y-axis
carriage llO and the X-axis carriage 134, is such as to place
the frame H-14 in the image transferring station 41 including
the flash assembly 38 and the transfer pad solenoid 87~ When
an image of the hard copy is applied to the mask film strip
49 at the imaging and developing station 24, the image so
applied is inverted by the lens 18 of the imaging and
developing station 24. When the image in the mask film strip
49 is moved from the imaging and developing station 24 to the
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image transferring station 41, and radiant energy from the
flash assembl~ 38 is applied through the image in the mask
film strip to the fiche 151, ~he image applied to the frame
of the fiche 151, due to the reversed position of the fiche
151 in the fiche holder 149~ becomes right reading~ The
fiche holder 149 and hence the fiche 151 are moved to desired
positions by the movemen-t of the Y-axis carriage 110 and the
X-axis carriage 134 so as to present any desired frame o~
the fiche 151 to the image transferring station 41, as or
1~ example, B-l, E-7, and the like, for transferring the-image
in the mask film strip 49 to such desired frame.
Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of th~ various
components of the dry-process apparatus of this invention
setting forth the circuitry between the various components
thereof for controlling the operation of the apparatus. In
this connection the apparatus includes a control panel 155,
~`
as illustrated in Fig. 1, carried by the front of the housing,
which includes an A.C. power key and light 156, a "ready"
lamp 157 indicating that the system is rea~y for operation,
a Y-address key 158 and an X-address key 159 for addressing
the position of the fiche 151 in the apparatus. An indicator
160 includes a plurality of lamps numbered 1 to 14 for
indicating the X or row addressed positions for the fiche 151
and includes a plurality of lamps numbered B to H for
indicating the Y or column addres~ed positions of the fiche
151. The control panel also includes a record key and light
161, a read key and light 162, a step and repeat key 163 and
and a print key 164. The control panel 155 also includes
an exposure control 165 for controlling the time during which
the shutter 20 is open.
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The apparatus includes a 110 volt A.C. power supply
170 connected to a D.C. power supply 171 and to a high
voltage supply 172. The A.C. power supply 170 and the D.C.
power supply 171 are connected to the drive circui ry 173 for
supplying A.C. power and D.C~ power thereto. The high voltage
supply 172 is applied to the transfer flash assembly 3~ which
is con~rolled by a flash trigger 177. The drive circuitry
173 is controlled by a control logic 174, such as a
conventional micro-processor including logic, ti~ing and
memory functions, and alsot if desired, a further memory unit
175.
The A.C. power key 156 enexgizes the circuit~y and
~he read~ lamp 157 indicates when the circuitry is ready for
operation. The X-address key 15~ and the Y-address key 158
operate to store in the control logic 174 and memory 175 the
desired column and row addresses or positions to be assumed
~y the fiche 151 operated by the X and Y axis carriages of
the apparatus and to indicate the desired X and Y address
positions on the ind~cator 160~ The record key and light 161,
which is a momentary contact key, operates to start and
complete a "record" cycle in the apparatus. The read key
and light 162, which is a push on and push off key, operates
to start and stop a "read" cycle of the apparatusL The step
and repeat key 163 operates to provide a "step and repeat
cycle" for the read cycle. The print key 174 operates to
~rovide a "print" cycle for the read cycle. These various
keys and the indicators 160 are connected into the control
logic 174 and the memory 175 for providing the aforementioned
cycles of operation. The mask film carriage limit swi~ch 95
and the mask film strip counter 60 are also connected into
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the control logic 74 as is the exposure control 165 and
the memory 175. The Y-axis phototransistors 107 controlled
by the light 114 and the X-axis phototransistors 131
controlled by the light 139 are connected into the memory
175 and the ~ontrol logic 174. The control logic 174 and
the memory 175 are connected into the drive circuitry 173
and operate to control the drive circuitry.
The drive circuitry 173 is connected to and
controls the hard copy illuminator 13, the shutter solenoid
23, the flash trigger 177 for the transfer flash 39, the
transfer pad solenoid 87, the mask film carriage motor 92,
the mask film carriage latch 96, the mask film index motor
57, the mask film hold down solenoid 66, the development
heater 68, the development solenoid 71, the Y-carriage motor
120, the Y-carriage latch 116, the X-carriage motor 143, the
X-carriage latch 137, the fiche hold down 81, and the read
illuminator 75 and illuminator fan 82.
The record cycle of the apparatus of this invention
is illustrated in Fig. 8 which plots the various functions of
the elements of the apparatus against time, in seconds. When
the A.C. power Xey 156 is pushed, the development heater 68
is energized and after the heater is brought up to the
desired temperature the ready lamp 157 is lit. The mask film
carriage is in its home position to the left as illustrated
in Figs. 1 and 5. The Y-axis carriage 110 is in its home
position as illustrated in Figs. 2, 4 and 6 and the X-axis
carriage 134 is in its home position as illustrated in Figs.
1 and 2. The cassette 48 containing the mask film strip 49
is in the imaging and developing station 24 above the lens
assembly 19 and the frame H-14 of the fiche 151 is in the
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image transferring station 41 below the flash assembly
window 40 and above the transfer pad solenoid 87, Hard copy
to be microimaged is applied to the platform 12.
The record key 161 is depressed to make a
momentary contact which illuminates the record key light
therein to indicate the existance of the record cycle and to
start the record cycle. In the record cycle the hard copy
lights 13 are turned on and the mask film index motor 57 is
indexed under the control of the index counter 60 to present
an unimaged portion of the mask film strip 49 above the lens
assembly 19 of the imaging and developing skation 24. After
the mask film strip 49 has been so indexed, it is held
against the lens assembly 19 by energization of the mask film
hold down solenoid 66, While the mask film strip is being
so held do~, the shutter solenoid 23 is energized to open
the shutter 20 to expose the mask film strip 49 to the image
` which is reflected from the hard copy on the platform 12 and
which is projected and reduced and applied through the
shutter opening 21 onto the mask film strip 49. The exposure
control 165 operates to control the length of time during
which the shutter 20 is open. In about 1 1/2 seconds after
the start of the record cycle, the hard copy lights 13 are
turned off and the mask film hold down solenoid 66 and the
shutter solenoid 23 are de-energized. At this time, the
development solenoid 71 is energized to press the development
heater 68 against the mask ~ilm strip 49 for the purpose of
heat developing the microimage in the mask film strip 49 into
a microfilm transparency. This development period lasts for
about three seconds, whereupon the development solenoid 71 is
de-energized to move the development heater ~8 upwardly.
bm~
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At the end of the development period, the mask
film carriage motor 92 is energized to move the mask ~ilm
carriage 45 to the right, as indicated in Figs. 1 and S, to
move the cassette 4~ to the image transferring sta-tion 41
where the microimaged transparency of the mask film s-trip
49 is interposed over the fiche 151 and under the flash
assembl~ window 40. When the mask film carriage ~5 reaches
the right hand position, it causes the mask film limit switch
95 to de-energize the mask film carriaye motor 92 and to
energize the mask film carriage latch 96 for latching the
mask film carriage 45 in the right hand position.
Prior to the ïnitiation of the record cycle, the
Y-address key 158 and the X-address key 159 are manipulated
to store in the control logic 174 and -the memory 175 the
desired X and Y positions of the fiche 151, as for example,
the position G-13, which are indicated by the indicator 160.
At the end of the development period, -the X-carriage motor
143 and the Y-carriage motor 120 are energi~ed to move the
X-a~is carriage 134 and the Y-axis carriage 110 from their
home positions (H-l~). When the X axis carriage 134 and the
Y-axis carriage 110 reach the desired positions, as for
e~ample G-13, the light 139 co-operating with the photo-
transistors 131 and the light 114 co-operating with the
phototransistors 107 match the signals in-troduced by the
X-address key 159 and the Y-address key 158 in the logic
control 174 and memory 175 to position the X-carriage motor
143 and the Y-carriage mQtor 120 in the approp~ia-te positions~ as ~or
example G13, and following a mo-tor operating time interval o-f a li-t-ter over
a second the X-carriage motor 1~3 and the Y-carriage motor
120 are de-energized. At this time, the X-carriage latch 137
~ 23-
bm:~0
~9~S5Z
and the Y-carriage latch 116 are energized to latch the
X-axis carriage 134 and the Y-axis carriaye 110 in the
d~sired positions, as for example G-13, In this way, the
fiche carrier 149 positions the fiche 151 in the desired
position in the image transferring station 41. While the
X-axis carriage 134 and the Y-axis carriage 110 are so
latched, the transfer pad solenoid 87 is energized to raise
the transfer pad 89 to clamp the overlapping mask film strip
49 and fiche 151 in the image transferring station 41 between
the trans~er pad 89 and the window 4Q of the flash assembly
38. While the mask film strip 49 and the fiche 151 are so
clamped in contact print relation, the transfer ~lash trigger
177 is operated to cause the flash lamp 34 to pass radiant
energy through the transparency in the mask film strip 49
to the fiche 151 to provide an imaged microform record in
the frame G-13 of the fiche 151 which conforms to the
transparent microimage in the dry-process mask film strip 49,
At the end of the record cycle, following the transfer of the
microimage in the mask film strip 49 to the fiche 151, the
mask film latch 96, the X-carriage latch 137, and ~he
Y-carriage latch 116 are released and the transfer pad
solenoid 87 is de-energized, so that the mask film carriage
45, the X-axis carriage 134 and the Y-axis carriage 110
are moved by the spring motors 90, 141 and 118 to return
these carriages under spring power to their home positions,
to again position the fiche 151 in its home position (H~14)o
This movement is freely permitted since the transfer pad
solenoid 87 is also de-energized. Following the
de-energization and releas,ing ~f the latches, the carriages
are returned to their home positions within a total recoxd
24-
bm:~G
~9g5s~
-ycle period of a~out 6 1/2 seconds to make ready for a
subsequent record cycle which is substantially the same as
that discussed above~ When the record c~cle in comp1eted
as described above, the record key li~h-t in the record k~
161 is also ex~in~uished to infoxm the op~rator that the
apparatus is ready for another record c~cle.
The roregoing record cycle is schematicall~
illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. In Fig~ 10 hard cop~, such
as information ox data on a substrate 180~ illustrated as
~ B C, is carriea by the platform 12 and that h~rd copy is
microimaged and developed in the mask film strip ~9 in the
imaging and developing station 24. Also, as ~or example,
the fiche 151 is positioned by the X ana Y axis carriages to
present the frame of G-13 of the fiche 151 to the image
transferring station 41. Following khe imaging and
aeveloping o the mask film strip 4g in the imaging and
developing station 24, it is moved b~ the mask film carriage
to the image transferxing station 41 wherein the micxoimage
just proauced therein overlies the -frame G~13 of the iche
151 in the image transferring station 41 and the microimage
txansparenc~ in the mask film strip 49 is txansferred to the
frame G-13 of the fiche 151 by the radiant energy. ~en the
mask film carriage 45 is moved to present the mask film s~rip
49 to ~he image transferring station 41, ~he read illumina-~or
75 incluaing ~he lamp 76 and the mirror 79 is moved ~o the
imaging an~ developing station 24, but during the record
cycle the reaa illumina~or performs no function.
The apparatus of this inven~ion also proviaes ~or
a rea~ cycle wherein the microform record in an~ -frame of
the microfiche 151 m~y be projected and expanded to normal
-25-
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~6~9~:~S~
size onto the platform 12 for viewing and reading the
microform information contained in any desired frame of the
microfiche 151. Such a read cycle is set forth in Fig, 9
wherein the operation o~ the relevant components for the read
cycle are plotted against time, in seconds, Before starting
the read cycle, ~he X-address key 159 and the Y-address key
158 are manipulated to present to the contxol logic 174 and
memory 175 the particular frame of the fiche 151 to be read
in the imaging and developing station 24, this information
being indicated by the lamps 1 to 14 and B to H in the
indicator 160. The read key 162, which is a push on key and
a push off key, is pushed on and the read key light in the
read key 162 is illum;nated. At -the same time, the lamp 76
of the read illuminator 75 is turned on as ~ell as the read
illuminator fan 82, Also~ at this same time, the X-carriage
motor 143, the Y-carriage motor 120 and the mask film
carriage motor ~2 are all energized, The X-carriage motor
143 and the Y-carriage motor 120 operate to position the
X-axis carriage 134 and the Y-axis carriage 110 to the
2Q appropriate position determined by the X~address and Y-address
signals sent to the control logic 174 and the memor~ 175,
the position of the X-axis carriage 134 be.ing determined by
the li~hts 139 with respect to t~e phototransistors 131 and
the position of the Y-axis carriage llQ being determined by
the light 114 with respect to the ~hototransistors lQ7~ In
this way, any of the frames B-l to H-14 may be moved to the
imaging and developing station 24 including the lens assembly
19 .
At the same time, the mask film carriage 45 is
moved to the right so that the read illumina-tor 75 including
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55~'~
the lamp 76, mirror 79 and lens ~0 is moved to the imaginy
and developing station 24 Thus, the read illuminator is
positioned over the selected frame of the fiche 151 in the
imaging and developing station 24. Follow;.ng a time interval
of slightly over 1 second, the X-carriage motor 1~3 and ~e
Y-carriage motor 120 are de-ene~gized and the X-carr.iage latch137 and
the~'-carriage latch~ll6 are energize~ to latch ~he X-a~:is carriage 134 and
the Y~axis carriage 110 in -the selected positions. When ~he
mask film carriage 45 is moved to the right, the limit switch
95 is operated to de-energize the mask film carriage motor 92
and to energize the mask film carriage latch 96 to latch the
mask film carriage 45 in the right hand position wi~h the lens
~0 o-f -the read illuminator 75 over the lens assembly 19~
When such latching occurs, the fiche hold down 81 is moved
downwardly to clamp the fiche 151 against the lens assembly
19 to assure accurate focusing of the fiche 151 with respect
to the lens assembly 19. Also at this time, the shutter
solenoid 23 is energized to open the shutter 20 and allow
light from the read illuminator 75 -to pass through the desired
frame of the fiche 151 and the lens assembly 19 to project
and expand the light image through the selected frame of the
fiche 151 onto the platform 12 in normal size. In this way,
the microimage in any frame of the fiche may be read in
normal size on the platform 12.
After the normal sized image projected onto the
platform 12 has been viewed, the read key 162 is pushed off
to terminate the read cycle whereupon the read key light is
turned off, the read illuminator lamp 76 is turned off, the
read illuminator fan ~2 is turned off, the X-carriage latch
137 is de-energized, the ~-carriage latch 116 is de-energized,
-27-
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the mask film carriage latch 96 is de-energized, the fiche
hold down 81 is de-energized and the shutter solenoid 23 is
de-energized. All o the carriages including the X-axis
carriage 134, the Y-axis carriage 110 and the mask film
carriage 145 are returned to their home positions by the
spring motors associated with these carriages. The control
logic 174 and the memory 175 are also reset to home (H-14)
so as to prepare the apparatus for another read cycle or a
record cycle~
As an example, Fig. 12 illustrates a read cycle
condition wherein the fiche 151 is positioned to superimpose
the ~rame G-13 thereof in the imaging and developing station
24 over the lens assembly 19l and the mirror 79 and lens 80
of the read illuminator 75 are moved to the imaging and
developing station 24 over the selected frame G-13 of the
fiche 151. The read illuminator 75 projecting light through
that ~rame of the fiche 151 produces a projected normal size
image on the platform 12 corresponding to the microimage
previously recorded in that frame of the fiche 151. The
expanded image projected on the platform 12 is a negative of
the initial data or information of the hard copy on the
substrate 180 previously recorded on the fiche l51 since, as
here contemplated, the mask film 49 is negative working to
provide a negative transparency therein and the microform
film of the fiche 151 is positive working to provide a
transparency therein whlch is positive with respect to the
negative transparency on the mask film s-trip 49 and, hence
negative with respect to the hard copy 180 previously
recorded.
This invention also provides a simple method and
-28-
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means for "annotating" a desired already existing microform record in
the microform film, as for example, deleting or adding additional
information or data to the existing microform record in a -frame of the
microfiche which has previously been microimaged. This annotating
feature of this invention is also diayramatically illustrated in Fig.
12. As expressed akove, the data or information on -the frame G-13 of
the microfiche 151 is expanded and pro~ected onto the platform 12.
Thereaf-ter, additional hard copy having additional data and informa-tion,
such as on a substra-te 181, illustra-ted as D E F, is applied to the
platform 12 and in so doing the additional hard copy 181 may be
appropriately positioned with respec-t to the previously reoorded data
or information projected on the platform 12, Thus, accurate relationships
be-tween the additional hard copy 181 and the previously recorded image in
the fiche 151 is assured. Also, if it is desired to delete any of the
previously recorded data or information suitable deleting material may
be placed over the portion of the image projected on the platform 12 to
be deleted. As for example, the projected le-tter C may be covered with
the deleting material.
I'he annotation is accomplished by operating the apparatus in
accordance with the record cycle described above wherein the frame oE
G-13 of the fiche 151 is positioned in the image transf~rring sta-tion 41
as indicated in Fig. 10, and the mask fi~n strip 49 is indexed in the
imaging and developing station 24 to receive an image of the additional
hard copy incluc~ng any additional material or dele-tion ma-terial. m e
mask film strip 49 containing the additional ma~-rial or deletion
material is then moved frc2m the imaging and developing s-ta-tion 24 to the
image transferring s-ta-tlon 41 over the frame G 13 as illustra-ted in
Fig. 11, so as to image that frame with the adclitional material or
deletion l~aterial and, hence annotate that frame. The additional hard
copy 181 instead of being on a substra-te or the like, may c~mprise
writing directly on the platform 12 and the deleting material may
-29-
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5S2
comprise writing over the information projected frGm the p~eviously
recorded micro~onm record in the frame G-13 of the fiche 151. Follcwing
the annotation, such writing on the platform 12 may be removed by
washing or the like. Also, if desired, the initial hard copy on ~he
platfonm 12, as illus~rated in Fig. 10, may be acccmplished by writing
on the platform 12 or b~ projecting a~ image on the platfonm 12 as
discussed above,
As set forth in Fig. 9, the apparatus of this invention also
includes a "s-tep and repeat" cycle for serially viewing the microform
records in the frames of the fiche 1510 In this respect, the step and
repeat cycle includes the first part of the read cycle The read key 162
is pushed on to perform the read cycle~ After the data an~ information
of a framR is view-ed on the platfoLm 12, the step and repeat key 163 is
pushed and thereupon the X-carriage latch 137 and the fiche hold do~n
device 81 are released and thR X-axis carriage 134 is moved ~y one step,
by spring power, whereupon the X-cæriage latch ana fiche hold down are
energized a~ain. In this way, the ne~t adjacent ~rame ma~ be viewed.
This operation is repeated up to X=14 in a row, Thereafter, when the
ste~ and repeat key 163 is pushed again, the Y-carriage latch 116 and the
fiche hold dcwn 81 are released, and the Y-axis carriage 110 is moved b~
one step, by spring p3werf to present the ne~t adjacent rcw, and the
X~axis carriage 134 is moved by the X-axis motor 143 to X=l, for
repetition of the step and repeat cycle. The step a~d repeat cycle is
terminated by pushing off the read key 162.
As set forth also in Fig. 9,- this invention also contemplates
a "pr~nt cycle" wherein the mlcroform Lmage in a desired frame of the
fiche 151 may ke reproduced. In this connection, a photosensitive
medium such as a film or paper or the like, is placed on the platfonm 12
and the read cycle, as discussed above, is brought into operation for
imaging the photosensitive medium. The print cycle is the same as the
read cycle except that the open time of the shutter 20 is controlled for
proper imaging of the photosensi-tive medium. After -the print cycle is
-30~
J
~9SsSi~Z
oompleted, by closure of the shutter 20, the imaged photosensitive medium
on the plat~orm 12 may be removed and developed in the appropriate
manner.
As expressed cibove, the dry-process mask -filn strip 49 is
photosensitive to and imaged by the light reflecting hard copy clnd is
developed by heat to provide micxoimaged transparencies there m. The
dry-process mask film strip 49 may ke like that described in the aforesaid
Patent No. 3,966,317. The mask film strip 49 prefercibly includes a
flexible and substantially transpc~rent synthetic plastic substrate, such
as a Mylar* or its equivc~lent. Coated on the substrate is a layer which
is photosensitive to and imaged by light and dry developed ~y heat to
provide imaged transparencies therein. The photosensitive layex, where
negative i~aging is desired, i5 substantially transparent and preferabl~
includes an admixture of an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent an~ a
cataly ~ former ccmpound which forms free silver nuclei on exposure to
ligh., all dispersed in a resin binder. More specifically, as an example,
the ad~i~ture ccmprises silver behenate as the cxidizing agent,
hydroquinone as the reducing agent~ silver chloride as the catalyst former
and a copolymer of butadiene and styxene as the resin binder. Cnly the
silver chloride is photosensitive. When a light image is applied to be
substantially transparent mask film strip 49, photolytic silver is formed
in the silver chloxide c~ly where the light is applied to the mask film
strip to provide latent images therein. When heat is applied to the mask
i~m strip 49, by the heating element 68, the photolytic silver in the
latent image catalyses a reactian between the silver behenate oxidizing
agent and the hydroquinone reducing agent and the silver kehenate is
reduced to forn relatively opaque silver crystal images in the areas of
the initial latent images, The imaged and d~veloped dry-process ~ask
film strip 49 has substantially transparen~ areas corresponding to the
black areas of the hard copy and substantially opaque areas corresponding
* Trademark
-31-
}m J D
~95S~
to the white areas of the hard copy. Thus, -the mask film
strip ~9 is negative working and the imaged -transparency
thereo~ a negative of the hard copy.
The dry-process micro~orm film 151, may be substantially
like that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,966,317 and, as
stated above, it is preferably in the form of a microfiche.
It is substantially opaque and is essentially not photo-
sensitive to light, it having archival properties, but it is
sensitive to and imaged and developed by radiant energy above
a certain critical value applied thereto through the dry-
process mask film strip 49 to provide imaged microform records
therein which conform to the transparent microimages in the
dry-process mask film strip 49 and which have archival proper-
ties. Such a dry-process microform film may be like those
disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 987,490 of Robert W. ~Iallman,
Stanford R. Ovshinsky and John P. DeNeufville issued April 20,
. . I
1976 and assigned to the assignee of the present applicationl.
As one example, the microform film or fiche 151 may include
a flexible and substantially transparent synthetic plastic
substrate and a solid substantially opaque thin film of dis-
persion imaging material, such as bismuth or the like,
deposited on the substrate, preferably by evaporation or the
like. A protective overcoat is suitably applied over the
dispersion imaging film and it preferably comprises a substant~
ially transparent synthetic plastic or polymer film.
The substantially opaque film of the dispersion imaging
material, upon the application of radiant ener~y thereto
through the mask film strip 49 in an amount sufficien-t to
increase the absorbed energy in the dispersion imaging ma-terial
above a certain critical value r changes to a substantially
fluid state in which the surface tension of the material acts
- 32 -
i5~
to cause the substantially opaque ~ilm, where subject to
said energv, to disperse and change -to a discontinuous film
comprising openings and deformed material which are frozen
in place following said application of energy and -through
which openings light can pass. The so ima~ed microform
film or fiche 151 has substantially transparent areas,
afforded by the discontinuous film comprising the openings
and deformed material, which correspond to the substantially
transparent areas of the mask film strip ~9 and substantially
opa~ue areas corresponding to the substantially opaque areas
of the mask film strip. Thus, the microform film or fiche
151 is positive working with respect -to the mask film strip
49 and, where the mask film strip ~9 is negative working, the
imaged transparencies of the microform film or fiche are
negatives of the hard copy.
Where the gamma of the microform film or fiche 151 is
high, as for example 10 or more, the certain critica] value of
the absorbed energy is a threshold value which causes the
dispersion of the imaging material in the discontinuous film
areas to be substantially complete and comprises substantially
spaced apart globules in free space on the substrate to
provide for maximum light transmission through the dlspersed
areas of the microform film.
However r as disclosed in Canadian Application Serial
No. 2~3,771, filed Jul~ 29, 1977 b~r Masatsugu Izu and
Stanford R. Ovshins~y, and assigned to the assignee of the
present application, means may be associa-ted with the film
of imaging material in the microform film or fiche 151 for
retarding the change to the discontinuous film, caused by
the surface tension, and for controlling the amoun~ of such
change in accordance with the intensity of the energ~ applied
to the microfilm or fiche, through -the mask film s-trip ~9,
33 -
jrr;~
~L~9~55;~
above said cer-tain critical value to increase the amount of
such change and the area o~ the openinas in the film and
decrease the area of the deformed material and, therefore, the
optical densit~ o~ the film in accordance with the intensity
of the applied energy above said certain critical value for
providing continuous tone imaging of the microform film or
fiche. Such a microform film or fiche has a relativel~ low
gamma, for example about 2 or so, providi.ng a continuous -tone
dry-process imaging. As an example r the retarding and control-
ling means may comprise multiple components and phase bound-
aries in the substantiall~ opaque film of dispersion imaging
material prior to dispersion thereof, as explained in the afore-
mentioned Canadian Application Serial No. 283,771.
Furthermore, as disclosed in said Canadian Application
Serial No. 283,771, the substantia].l~ opa~ue film of dispersion
imaging material in the microform film or fiche 151 may com-
prise an alloy of a plurality of substantiall~ mutually
insoluble solid components having a low melting point eutec-tic
within its system. Such a dispersion imaging matexia]. is
more sensitive to the applied energy and is changed to the
substantially fluid state with a lesser amount of energy applied
thro~gh the mask film strip.
The dry-process microform film or Eiche 151, which i5
essentially no-t photosensitive to light but which is sensitive
to and imaged and developed by radiant energy above a
certain critical value applied thereto through the dry-process
mask film strip 49, encompasses the use of the aforementioned
high gamma, low ga~.a and high sensi-tivity dispersion imagi.ng
materials as disclosed in the aforementioned U.~. Patent
No. 3r966,317, Canadian Patent 987,490 and Canadian Application
Serial No. 283,771. The dry-process mask film strip 49, which
is photosensitive to and imaged by the iyht reflec-ting hard
~r. r~7 . ~ 34 ~
copy and is developed by heat to provide microimaged trans-
parencies therein, encompasses the use of the mask film
strip disclosed in the aforementioned Patent No. 3,966,317
and in the dry silver films developed by 3M Company and
referred to in said patent.
While for purposes of illustration one preferred form
of this invention has been disclosed herein, other forms
thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the ar~ u on
reerence to this disclosure and, accordingly, this invention
is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
- 35 -
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