Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
itle: Microform Printing System Including a Print
Scribe Assembly for Simultaneously Printing
Additional Micrographics
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to a
microform printing system and in particular to a
microform printing system adapted to print annotation
micrographics simultaneously with the printing of the
microform images.
~ACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Microfor~ images greatly reduce the space required
to store documentation. These microform images may
appear for example on microfilm, microfiche or aperture
cards. Many printing systems exist to print the images
carried by the microform onto plain paper copies.
Reference may be had for example to U.S. Patent No.
4,860,060 for an exemplary showing of a microfiche
printing system and method, which patent is owned by the
assignee of the present invention.
The person copying the microform image may desire
to include additional annotation information on the
plain paper copy which does not appear on the microform
image. For example, it may be desired to include
information such as the time and date of making the
copy, the department making or receiving the copy and
the status of the copy. In this latter` context, the
annotated printed copy may indicate, for example, DRAFT,
or PRELIMINARY, or FINAL, or CONFIDENTIAL or for bid
purposes only, etc.
One way of adding information to a printed oopy is
to apply a stamp thereto after the printing process has
been completed. However, a dedicated stamp or indexable
sta~p must generally be provided for every message
desired. One or more stamps may inadvertently be
removed or lost further reducing discretion in applying
additional annotation information to the prints. The
stamps usually include rather large letters often
displayed on more than one line. This reduces
flexibility in applying the stamp to the document and
may require stamping over information on the document.
Stamps are often used to apply annotation information to
the back of the printed copy to avoid obscuring
information on the face of the document.
Still another method of applying additional
annotation information to a printed copy is an ink jet
printer. Annotation information may be programmed into
the ink jet printer system and applied to the printed
paper copy in a subsequent printing operation.
These annotation techniques require at least one
post printing or copying step. The substance of the
annotation information may also be limited. The
position of the annotation information may vary from
document to document and may obliterate or obscure
original informatlon on the print.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention adapts a microform printing
system to apply annotation micrographics to the
microform print simultaneously with the copying of the
main microform image. The annotation micrographics to
be simultaneously printed can be pre-programmed into an
80 character field, which will appear on the selected
portion of the copied document. This simultaneous
printing saves subsequent steps and time, and the size
of the character field provides for flexibility in
custom creating the annotation micrographics desired.
The microform printing system is provided with a
sec~ndary optics system utilizing digitized fiber
optics. This secondary optics system may be placed
adjacent the rotating photoconductive drum to emit light
bursts onto the photoconductive drum to create the
latent imaye of the annotation micrographics thereon in
a dot matrix type format.
The secondary optics system can be adjusted to
preselect the position of the annotation micrographics
on the paper or to retain the same relative position for
the annotation micrographics on different paper sizes.
For this purpose, fiber optic strands lead from a bank
of programmable LEDs to a scribe printing head. The
scribe printing head may be adjustably moved relative to
the rotating photoconductive drum to change the relative
position of the resultant annotation micrographics on
the paper.
The secondary digitized fiber optic system is
inter-related with the main optics of the microform
printing system to allow the microform image and
annotation micrographics to be simultaneously printed
without interference. The side masks of the main
printing optics are controlled to create a "window" on
the photoconductive drum adapted to be exposed to the
digitized fiber optic light emissions.
The secondary digitized fiber optic system may be
conveniently received in the conventional corona
assembly, particularly for the negative printing process
used for most microform image duplication. This corona
assembly is positioned immediately adjacent the rotating
photoconductive drum to permit easy installation of or
maintenance to the secondary fiber optics system. This
positioning provides focused print scribing for the
annotation micrographics.
These and other objects and advantages of the
pre~ent invention will become apparent as the following
description proceeds.
The invention, then comprises the features
hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out
in the claims, the following description and annexed
drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative
embodiments of the invention, these being indicative,
however, of but a few of the various ways in which the
principles of the invention may be embodied.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical cross section
through the microform printing system showing the
secondary fiber optics system for the annotation
micrographics;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the corona assembly taken
generally along the plane 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the
print scribe assembly utilized in the secondary fiber
optics system;
Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of the corona
assembly taken generally along the plane 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary bottom view taken along
the plane 4-4 in Fig. 3 illustrating the linearly
arranged ends of the fiber optic strands as contained in
the adjustable scribe printing head;
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the
termination block and interface bar illustrating the
alignment between the light emitting diodes (LEDs) and
one end of the fiber optic strands;
Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section of the
termination block, interface bar and tie plate taken
generally along the plane 6-6 in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the side edge mask
assembly in the main printing optics;
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the side edgé mask
assembly of Fig. 7; and
Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of a paper
copy from ~he mioro~orm printing syst~m illustrating the
annotation mic,rographics along one marginal edge
therec)f .
Turning now in more detail to the dxaw~n~s and
initially to ~ig. 1, a ~iaro~orm printinq system,
indic~ted generally at 1, includes the main optics
system, indicated generally at 2, and a seaondary
digitized fiber optics syste~, in~icated generally at 3~
The microform printing system is used to print microform
images onto plain paper copies. As used herein, the
term microform generically descri~es microfilm,
microfiche and aperture cards.
Turning first to the main optical syste~ 2, a
light source 5 emits a be~m of light traveling through
the main optical system in a light path, indicated
qenerally at 6. The central portion of the optiaal aone
alon~ the center line 7 o~ the light bQam in the main
op~ics system is used to print the miCro~orm image,
while the unused portion ~ of the optical ~one may be
di~ec~ed by mirror 9 to a pilot screen 10.
The light beam emana~ing ~rom sourae 5 passes
through a condensing lens 12 operative to facus the
light beam on ~he microform image 13 in alignment
therewith. For example, a sheet containing a number of
microfiche images may ~e ~equentially indexed through
the light bea~ of the main optics system to opticall~
transmit the microfiche ima~es through the system.
Although a microfiche image duplication is illus~ra~ed,
it will ~e understood ~hat miorofil~ and/or aperture
cards may be indexed or passed throu~h the light path 6
of the main optics sys~em for copyin~.
The light passing through the microform image
enters an objective lens 14. The light beam emanating
from objective lens 14, which optically carries the
microfiche image scanned, is reflected by mirror 15 to
a pair of zoom mirrors 17.
The zoom mirrors are simultaneously adjustable to
reposition the same for the magnification required to
enlarge from the microform image size being printed to
the desired print or copy size. The light beam of the
main optic system is sequentially reflected off the pair
of zoom mirrors 17 toward a pivotal shutter 18.
In the full line position shown, shutter 18
reflects the light beam toward a sensing apparatus 19,
which is described in more detail in the above-
referenced U.S. Patent No. 4,860,060. In the full line
position, the pivotal shutter 18 is acting as an edge
mask between respective microform images being scanned
by the main optic system.
In the dotted line position 18A, the pivotal
shutter allows the light beam to move therepast to
reflective mirror 21. The light beam is reflected off
mirror 21 and directed toward the photoconductive
reproduction drum, indicated generally at 22. The
optical path between mirror 21 and drum 22 passes
through an edge mask assembly, indicated generally at
23. This side edge mask assembly 23, which will be
described in more detail below, works in conjunction
with the secondary digitized fiber optics system to
allow the microform images and annotation micrographics
to be printed simultaneously.
Turning now to the secondary digitized fiber
optics system 3, as best illustrated in Figs. 2 through
6, ~ corona assembly, indicated generally at 25, can
advantageously be used to enclose this secondary optics
syster~. The corona assembly 25 is positloned
i~mediately adjacent the ro~ating photoconductive d~um
22 and i~ a conventional component in the main microform
printin~ system. ~he corona a~sembly 25 inaludes a
housing 26 enclosing t~e seoondary fiber optics sys~em.
A printed circuit board 28 ~s mounted in
housing 26. This printed cir~uit board includes ~e
electronics for the seeondary optic ~yst~m. ~he ci~cUi~
boar~ includes drivers for a bank of light emitting
diodes (1EDs~, indicated generally at 29. As best shown
in Figs. 5 and 6, seven LEDs 29A-29G are respec~ively
individually mounted in a first set of bores 30 in an
interface bar 31. The surface of the in~erface bar 31
on ~he side of light emission from the L~Ds is in
abutment with a surface 32 on a termination blo~k 33.
The termination block 33 includes a well 35
and a second set o~ spaced bores ~6 extending from the
bottom of well 35 to surface 32. ~he ~ir~t ends of
seven f iber optic waveguides or strands 38A-38G pa~s
through we~l 35 and are re~pe~tively individually
reGeived in the individual ~ores of ~he second set of
bores 36. The first ends of fiber optio strands 38A-38G
terminate at surface 32 on termination blo~k 33 and are
oo-planar therewith. The fiber optic strands are held
in such position by a layer of epoxy or adhesive 40
received in well 35.
The ~iber optic strands 38A-3~G are held in
alignment with and abutment against the LEDs 2~A through
2g~. ~he surfa~e 3 ~ and the co-planar ends of the fiber
op~ic ~rands 38A-38G ~re polished so that light buxsts
emit~ed from the LE~s may be received by and transmi~ted
along the fiber optio strands o~ waveguides. ~he
interface betweerl the interface bar and termina~ion
block is maintained by a tie plate 42 spanning ~he top
. ~
s~rface of both such members. As best sho~n in Fig. 6,
the tie plate is secured by fasteners 43 to the inter-
face ba~ and termin~tion block to create a ri~id
termination asse~bly therebetween.
l'he progr~m~ed light b~rs~s emitted by ~EDs
29A-2~ tra~el along the length of the fiber optic
strands. ~hese strands extend down the central channel
45 in corona housing 26. The leng~h of the fiber optic
st~ands is sufficiently long to provide slack therein as
indicated generally at 46~ In ~ddition, the s~rands are
prefer~bly held together toward ~heir other end a~
ill~strated to avoid tangling or twistin~ of the
s~rands.
The other or second ends of the f ibe~ optic
strands 38A-38~ arB received 1n ~ ~cribe pr~nting head,
indic~ted generally at 47. The scribe prin~ing head
includes a main ~ody 49, stop arms 50 extendlng upwardly
therefrom and an ~lignment member 51 ~o~perating
therewith.
The ali~nment me~ber 51 includes a ¢hannel 52
in it6 upper ~urface extending the full length thereof.
The fiber op~ic str~nds 38A-38G are laid in side-by-side
relationship along ~he channel and adhesively secured in
that position~ The second ends of the fiber optic
str~nds terminate at the end of the alignment ~ember 51.
For assembly, once the f iber op~ic strand~
have been secured in side-by-side relationship in
channel 52, the alignment member Sl i5 positioned
ag~inst the angular faae 53 of ~ody membe~ 4g and
secured thereto ~y fastener~ 5S. The fiber opti~
strands are retained in asse~bled posit~on, without
tension thereon, by being strun~ around screw 5fi
extending between ~he stop shoulders 50 and by b~ing
shoulders 50 and by being captured between the alignment
member 51 and the head body 49.
As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the bottom ends of
alignment member 51 and main body 4g cooperatively form
a surface 57, with the second ends of the seven fiber
opt.ic strands terminating in the plane of that surface.
Surface 57 and the ends of the fiber optic strands are
polished to allow the burst of light transmitted along
the fiber optic strands or waveguides to be emitted from
the print scribe head 47.
The light bursts pass from the linear array of the
fiber optic strand ends through a slot 59 in corona
housing 26 toward the photoconductive drum 22 for
exposure of that drum, as schematically illustrated in
Fig. 1. The slot 59 is normally used in conjunction
with erase lamps in a positive printing system.
~owever, these erase lamps are unnecessary for a
negative printing process and are thus removed to
readily provide an elongated slot for cooperation with
the scribe printing head 47. The position of the print
scribe head 47 and the linear fiber optic strand array
carried thereby may be varied along slot 59 relative to
the rotating photoconductive drum 22.
For that purpose, the main body 49 may have an
apex nut 60 fixedly mounted therein. The internal
threads on the a~ex nut 60 mate with the external
threads on elongated apex screw 61, rotatably mounted in
and extending longitudinally of the corona housing 26.
The apex screw 61 is rotatably driven by a stepper motor
63. When motor 63 is actuated to rotate screw 61, the
threaded connection between the screw and nut will drive
the print scribe head 47 along the length of the screw.
The~-direction of screw rotation will determine the
longitudinal direction of print scribe head movement,
with the slack in the fiber optic strands accommodating
such movement. The print scribe head is automatically
moved to a longitudinal location along the screw 61
which is consistent with the relative spacial position
required between the head and drum to print the
annotation micrographics on the paper at the selected
position.
The relative position of the print scribe head 47
can be continuously monitored through the number of
steps the stepper motor has taken relative to its home
position. This home position is established by a
photosensor 65 mounted in the wall of housing ~6
adjacent the outer end of slot 59. This photosensor 65
cooperates with a photosensitive tab on the stop arms
50, which extend upwardly from the head body 49. When
the photosensitive tab is in alignment with photosensor
65, the print scribing head 47 is at its outermost
position and the stepper motor 63 will not drive the
head any further in that direction. It will be
appreciated that the home position could be established
anywhere along screw 61.
The relative position of the print scribing head
is continuously monitored and fed back to the printed
circuit board 28. This printed circuit board provides
electronic controls for the secondary digitized fiber
optics system and interrelated control with the main
optics system.
The desired annotation information can be
programmed into the system along with the desired copy
paper size and desired position for the annotation
micrographics on that paper. The secondary fiber optic
system is provided with a micrographics scribing line of
up to 80 alpha-numeric characters. As shown in Fig. 9,
the annotation micrographics, indicated generally at 67,
can appear along a margin of the document, such as
drawing 68. The digitized fiber optics system allows
the annotation micrographics to appear, for example, on
the same location of every drawing copied irrespective
of the drawing size. By programming the paper size to
be used into the system, the print scribe head 47 will
automatically be moved along screw 61 to accommodate
that paper size and to print the annotation
micrographics in the same relative location of each such
paper size. Alternatively, the desired location of the
annotation micrographics can be varied to print at any
selected location on the resultant print to accommodate
unique informatio~ or graphic formats on the microform
image being copied~
The secondary fiber optics system has to be
interrelated with the primary optics system through the
side edge masks to allow the systems simultaneously to
print the microform images and annotation micrographics
without interference therebetween. For that purpose,
the present microform printing system is a negative
system in that the microform images being copied have a
dark background with the words, characters or graphics
constituting clear film. To accommodate printing these
microform images, the photoconductive drum reproduction
technique is conventional except that the charges on the
drum and toner are opposite to the conventional positive
reproduction system. Thus, light that has passed
through the dark background of the microform images at
the location desired for the micrographics must be
blocked or masked so that the portion of the drum which
would otherwise be in alignment therewith may have the
annotation micrographics exposed thereon for subséquent
transfer to the paper. The top and bottom edge masks
are used for this purpose.
~ urning now to Figs. 7 and 8, the edge mask
assembly, indicated generally at 23, includes a left
edge mask 70 and a right edge mask 71. The left and
right edge masks are formed by two strips 72 and 73 of
thin and narrow, flexible strip material respectively
wound on spools 75 and 76. These strips ~re driven
toward or away from one another by a stepper motor or
motors. The details of the side mask assembly are set
forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,860,060, which is
incorporated herein by reference thereto.
For purposes of masking the portion of the light
beam in the main optical system which will ultimately be
required for printing the annotation micrographics, the
right edge mask will be advanced further than the left
edge mask for a brief period of time. This further
advancement of the right edge mask will be coor~inated
with the scanning of the microform image and the
micrographics position selected to temporarily block the
light path of the main optic system to in effect provide
a window on the photoconductive drum to receive exposure
from the light bursts of the secondary printing system.
These light bursts pass through the slot 59 in
corona housing 26 in preselected sequences and intervals
and then impinge upon the photoconductive drum to
provide an exposed latent micrographics image on that
drum. The bursts of light emitted from the ends of the
fiber optic strands are controlled to create dot matrix
printing for the selected annotation micrographics~ By
having a linear array of fiber optic strands coupled
with rotary movement of the photoconductive drum, the
entire alphabet and numeric system can be printed by the
secondary digitized fiber optics system 3.
~- Although the operation of the microform printing
system including a print scribe assembly is believed
13
apparent from the above, a brief description of the
in~ention is included for purposes of completeness.
Initially, the operator of the microform printing
system decides how many copies are to be made, what size
paper is to be used, what the content of the annotation
micrographics message is to say and where the annotation
micrographics are to be located on the copy. I'his
information is then programmed into the system, and
software is provided for that purpose. The microform
printing system will be automatically conditioned for
the desired operation before the printing process
begins.
For this purpose, the print scribing head ~7 will
be moved along screw 61 to the required position for the
paper size being used and for the desired location of
the annotation micrographics on that papér. The
printing process then begins.
The main optic system 2 optically scans the
microform image and creates a latent image thereof on
the photoconductive drum 22. Simultaneously, the
secondar~v digitized fiber optics system 3 emits a series
of light bursts to expose the photoconductive drum and
thereby create a latent image thereon of the annotation
micrographics in dot matrix format. The simultaneous
drum application of the latent images of the microform
image and the annotation micrographics is permitted by
controlling the edge masking of the main optical system
to prevent interference therebetween. The latent images
of the microform image and the annotation micrographics
on the drum surface are then transferred by rotation of
the drum to the paper travelling therepast. This paper
moves along paper feed path 78 toward the delivery bin
of thé system.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that
changes may be made in the details of construction and
configuration without departing from the spirit of the
invention as defined in the following claims.
