United States Patent [19]
`Watanabe
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,061,955
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`[54] MICROFILM READER/PRINTER
`Izumi Watanabe, Kanagawa, Japan
`[75] Inventor:
`[73] Assignee:
`Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Kanagawa,
`Japan
`[21] Appl. No.: 599,940
`[22] Filed:
`Oct. 19, 1990
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Oct. 20, 1989 [JP]
`Japan .................................. 1-272973
`Oct. 20, 1989 [JP]
`Japan .................................. 1-272974
`[51] Int. Cl." .............................................. G03B 13/28
`[52] U.S. Cl. ........................................ 355/45; 355/64;
`355/44; 355/60
`[58] Field of Search ....................... 355/44, 45, 64, 23,
`355/24, 25, 60, 63
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,649,119 3/1972 Rempala et al. ...................... 355/45
`4,737,825 4/1988 Davis ...............
`355/74
`4,857,966 8/1989 Ishii et al. ............................. 355/45
`Primary Examiner—Monroe H. Hayes
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sughrue, Mion, Zinn,
`Macpeak & Seas
`
`
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A microfilm reader/printer for selecting a desired
`image from images recorded on a microfilm roll to print
`the desired image, the images being recorded by the duo
`photographing system in two channels so that the im
`ages recorded in one channel are in the normal orienta
`tion while the images recorded in the other channel are
`in the inverted orientation. Desired images are printed
`by the microfilm reader/printer always in the normal
`orientation irrespective of the orientation thereof re
`corded in either one of the two channels on the duo
`mode microfilm automatically without the need of man
`ual operation. Channel exchanging means and image
`rotating means are combined so that orientation of im
`ages is inverted every time the channel being retrieved
`is exchanged so as to display or print desired images in
`the same orientation. The channel exchanging means
`may be mechanical or optical means, and the image
`rotating means may be optical or electronic image pro
`cessing means. The same object is achieved by the com
`bination of channel exchange position detecting means
`and an image processor associated with an image sen
`Sor.
`
`7 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
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`DIGITAL CHECK CORP. EXHIBIT 1006
`Page 1 of 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 29, 1991
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`Sheet 1 of 5
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`5,061,955
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`FIG. 1
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`36
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`DIGITAL CHECK CORP. EXHIBIT 1006
`Page 2 of 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 29, 1991
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`Sheet 2 of 5
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`5,061,955
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`DIGITAL CHECK CORP. EXHIBIT 1006
`Page 3 of 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
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`Sheet 3 of 5
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`5,061,955
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`DIGITAL CHECK CORP. EXHIBIT 1006
`Page 4 of 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 29, 1991
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`Sheet 4 of 5
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`5,061,955
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`32
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`º
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`28
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`24
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`DIGITAL CHECK CORP. EXHIBIT 1006
`Page 5 of 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 29, 1991
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`Sheet 5 of 5
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`5,061,955
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`DIGITAL CHECK CORP. EXHIBIT 1006
`Page 6 of 12
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`

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`1
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`MICROFILM READER/PRINTER
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`20
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`5,061,955
`2
`A specific object of this invention is to provide such
`a microfilm reader/printer by which a number of de
`sired images to be printed can be designated by putting
`and memorizing corresponding codes in a memory,
`whereby the desired images are successively printed in
`normal orientation without the need of rearranging
`paper sheets bearing the printed images in order.
`According to a first aspect of this invention, the ob
`ject of this invention is achieved by the provision of a
`microfilm reader/printer for selecting a desired image
`from images recorded on a microfilm roll to print said
`desired image, said images being recorded by the duo
`photographing System in two channels so that the im
`ages recorded in one channel are in the normal orienta
`tion while the images recorded in the other channel are
`in the inverted orientation, comprising:
`(a) film transporting means for transporting said mi
`crofilm roll alternately in one and the reverse di
`rections;
`(b) channel exchanging means for exchanging the
`channel so that images in said one channel are
`retrieved while said microfilm roll is transported in
`said one direction and images in said other channel
`are retrieved while said microfilm roll is trans
`ported in said reverse direction;
`(c) an optical system for projecting said desired image
`selected from the searched channel;
`(d) image rotating means disposed in or downstream
`of said optical system for inverting said desired
`image when it is recorded in said other channel in
`the inverted orientation; and
`(e) printing means for printing said desired image in
`the not-inverted or inverted condition; whereby
`said desired image is printed in the normal orienta
`tion irrespective of whether it is recorded in said
`one channel or said other channel.
`The desired image projected through an optical sys
`tem is inverted by optical means to be printed in normal
`orientation when inversion of the image is necessary.
`One example of the preferable optical means for invert
`ing the desired image is an image rotating prism which
`is interposed along the optical axis of the optical system.
`The channel exchanging means may be a mechanism
`by which the microfilm roll is moved along its width
`direction, for example, by shifting a support plate sup
`porting the microfilm roll, or may be a prism or other
`optical means by which the optical axis of the optical
`system is shifted along the width direction of the micro
`film roll.
`According to a second aspect of this invention, there
`is provided a microfilm reader/printer for selecting a
`desired image from images recorded on a microfilm roll
`to print said desired image, said images being recorded
`by the duo photographing system in two channels so
`that the images recorded in one channel are in the nor
`mal orientation while the images recorded in the other
`channel are in the inverted orientation, comprising:
`(a) film transporting means for transporting said mi
`crofilm roll alternately in one and the reverse di
`rections;
`(b) channel exchanging means for exchanging the
`channel so that images in said one channel are
`retrieved while said microfilm roll is transported in
`said one direction and images in said other channel
`are retrieved while said microfilm roll is trans
`ported in said reverse direction;
`(c) an optical system for projecting said desired image
`selected from the retrieved channel;
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a microfilm reader/
`printer for reading and printing an image selected from
`image information recorded by the duo mode in the
`upper and lower channels on a microfilm.
`IO
`2. Prior Art
`As one of the photographic techniques, the duo pho
`tograph method (reciprocal photographing method)
`has been adopted, in which images are recorded succes
`sively in respective frames in one channel on one-half of i
`5
`the film width during one passage of a microfilm roll,
`then the microfilm is loaded in the upside down condi
`tion to record images in the other channel on the unused
`half of the film width. In one conventional microfilm
`reader/printer for reading a microfilm on which images
`are recorded by the duo photographing mode (such a
`film will be referred to as “duo mode microfilm” in the
`following description), transportation of film is auto
`matically stopped after the completion of retrieval
`along one channel to indicate that the operator must
`25
`exchange the channel to be retrieved and turn the im
`ages to be printed to the inverted orientation. In another
`known microfilm reader/printer, only one channel is
`read so that the microfilm roll is once rewound and
`removed from the reader/printer and then reloaded by
`30
`the operator while being turned in the inverted condi
`tion every time when retrieval through one channel is
`completed. Such operations are cumbersome and time
`consuming.
`In reading and printing images recorded on a duo
`35
`mode microfilm, since the orientation of images in one
`channel is in the inverted relationship with the orienta
`tion of images in the other channel, the printed images
`are oriented randomly upside down when the read im
`ages are directly printed on a paper sheet without turn
`ing the images at every channel exchanging operations.
`It is a troublesome task to put the printed images in the
`normal orientation after the completion of printing op
`eration. This poses a serious problem particularly when
`a number of images to be printed is designated by put
`45
`ting the corresponding codes into the memory through
`a keyboard and then the designated images are retrieved
`and printed automatically. Although it is possible to
`exchange the retrieved channel and to invert the orien
`tation of the image by a manual operation, or to remove
`50
`the microfilm roll from the reader/printer and then
`reload it in the upside-down condition by hand, such a
`manual operation is cumbersome and inefficient and
`cannot be adopted in an automated system in which a
`number of image codes is stored in a memory so that
`corresponding images are successively printed.
`OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`An object of this invention is to provide a microfilm
`reader/printer for selecting a desired image from im
`60
`ages recorded on a microfilm roll to print the desired
`image automatically in a normal orientation without the
`need for manual operation of inverting the image or
`reloading the microfilm roll, when the images are re
`corded by the duo photographing mode in two channels
`65
`with the images recorded in one channel being in the
`normal orientation while the images recorded in the
`other channel being in the inverted orientation.
`
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`said channel exchange position detecting means to
`(d) an image sensor for sensing said desired image
`feed the digitized image signal in the same order as
`from the retrieved channel to output an image
`signal;
`received when said desired image is recorded in
`(e) an image processor for digitizing said image signal
`said one channel and to feed the digitized image
`output from said image sensor to feed the digitized
`signal in the reverse order when said desired image
`image signal in the same order as received when
`is recorded in said other channel; and
`(f) printing means for printing said desired image in
`said desired image is recorded in said one channel
`and to feed the digitized image signal in the reverse
`the not-inverted or inverted condition in response
`to the digitized image signal fed thereto; whereby
`order when said desired image is recorded in said
`said desired image is printed in the normal orienta
`other channel; and
`(f) printing means for printing said desired image in
`tion irrespective of whether it is recorded in said
`the not-inverted or inverted condition; whereby
`one channel or said other channel.
`According to the third aspect of the invention, two
`said desired image is printed in the normal orienta
`images including one image recorded in one channel in
`tion irrespective of whether it is recorded in said
`the normal orientation and another image recorded in
`one channel or said other channel.
`According to the second aspect of the invention, the
`the other channel in the inverted orientation are sensed
`by one image sensor simultaneously, and a part of the
`desired image is inverted to be in normal orientation by
`image signal output from the image sensor and corre
`electronic image processing means, when inversion
`sponding to the desired image is selectively extracted to
`thereof is necessary,
`Irrespective of whether the image is inverted by opti
`be printed in the not-inverted condition when the de
`cal means or electronic image processing means, the
`sired image is recorded in the normal orientation or to
`microfilm reader/printer of this invention may be pro
`be printed in the inverted condition when the desired
`vided with channel exchange position detecting means.
`image is recorded in the inverted orientation. Inversion
`of the desired image is effected electronically by feeding
`The channel exchange position detecting means detects
`the selected part of the image signal in the reverse order
`the position or timing, at which the channel under re
`25
`trieval is to be exchanged, to generate an output signal.
`to the printing means, when the desired image is re
`In response to the output signal from the channel ex
`corded in the inverted orientation. Accordingly, the
`channel exchanging means need not be provided al
`change position detecting means, the channel under
`though the channel exchange position detecting means
`retrieval is exchanged by the channel exchange means.
`is indispensable.
`By the provision of the channel exchange position de
`30
`tecting means, adaptability of the microfilm reader/
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`printer for automatic retrieving (or searching) and
`printing may be enhanced. The channel exchange posi
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing the general
`tion detecting means may comprise a photo-sensor for
`arrangement of a first embodiment of the invention;
`detecting and discriminating whether the desired image
`FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing, in an ex
`ploded view, the important parts of the embodiment
`in the retrieved channel is in the normal orientation or
`in the inverted orientation. Alternatively, the channel
`shown in FIG. 1;
`exchange position detecting means may comprise an
`FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the control sys
`arithmetic unit for discriminating the end of one chan
`tem associated with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
`nel by computing the transported length of the micro
`FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing an embodi
`ment of the channel exchange means, in which only the
`film roll. In a further modified embodiment, the channel
`exchange position detecting means may comprise a
`important parts of the channel exchange means are
`diagrammatically shown for simplicity of illustration;
`keyboard through which a channel exchange signal is
`FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a part of a microfilm
`fed to the channel exchange means.
`According to a third aspect of this invention, there is
`roll on which images are recorded in the duo mode
`45
`provided a microfilm reader/printer for selecting a
`system; and
`FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration showing the general
`desired image from images recorded on a microfilm roll
`to print said desired image, said images being recorded
`arrangement of a second embodiment of the invention.
`by the duo photographing system in two channels so
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`that the images recorded in one channel are in the nor
`50
`EMBODIMENTS
`mal orientation while the images recorded in the other
`The present invention will now be described in detail
`channel are in the inverted orientation, comprising:
`by referring to presently preferred embodiments thereof
`(a) film transporting means for transporting said mi
`schematically illustrated in the appended drawings.
`crofilm roll in one direction;
`Initially referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, images are re
`(b) channel exchange position detecting means for
`55
`detecting the position at which the channel to be
`corded on a microfilm roll 2 shown in FIG. 5 in the duo
`retrieved is exchanged to output an output signal;
`mode. The microfilm roll 2 has an upper channel along
`(c) an optical system for projecting two images in
`which images are recorded in plural frames 4. The im
`ages recorded in the frames 4 of the upper channel are
`cluding one image in said one channel and another
`photographed in the order reading from the right to the
`image in said other channel simultaneously;
`(d) an image sensor for sensing said two images in
`left. The microfilm roll 2 also has a lower channel along
`which images are recorded in plural frames 4. The im
`cluding said one image recorded in said one chan
`ages recorded in the frames 4 of the lower channel are
`nel and said other image recorded in said other
`photographed in the order reading from the left to the
`channel to output an image signal;
`(e) an image processor for digitizing said image signal
`right. The orientation of the images in the lower chan
`output from said image sensor and for extracting a
`nel is in the inverted relationship with the orientation of
`part of said image signal corresponding to said
`the images in the upper channel. Each frame 4 is at
`desired image in response to the output signal from
`tached with one document mark or blip mark 6 which is
`
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`5,061,955
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`60 to run in the direction shown by the arrow A in FIG.
`recorded in the marginal zone of the microfilm roll 2.
`These blip marks 6 are used during the retrieving opera
`2 when the microfilm roll 2 is taken up by the reel 20.
`tion to identify individual images. For instance, the
`As a result, the microfilm roll 2 is taken up around the
`positions and lengths of respective blip marks are differ
`reel 2 while being tightly grasped between the belt 50
`and the reel 20. When the cartridge 8 is loaded, the
`entiated to have plural coding informations, such as File
`supply reel 18 is connected to an output shaft of a motor
`No., Block No. and Page No. The microfilm roll 2 is
`62. When it is desired to rewind the microfilm roll 2, the
`contained in a cartridge (see FIGS. 1 to 3) which is
`loaded in a microfilm reader/printer 10.
`motor 62 is actuated to rotate the reel 18 in the direction
`The general arrangement of the reader/printer 10 is
`shown by the arrow B in FIGS. 2 and 3. During this
`rewinding operation, the belt 50 runs following to the
`shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the reader/printer com
`10
`prises a casing 12 having a front face (the upper right
`microfilm roll 2.
`A tension roller 64 engages with the endless belt 50 so
`face as shown in FIG. 1) on which a light transmitting
`that the belt 50 runs under an appropriate tension. The
`screen 14 is arranged. An image in each frame 4 on the
`revolution rate of the tension roller 64 is detected by an
`microfilm roll 2 contained in the cartridge 8 is projected
`encoder 66 which generates output pulse signals. The
`on the screen 14 in an enlarged size. The cartridge 8 is
`output pulse signals from the encoder 66 are fed to the
`loaded in a cartridge receiving port 16 positioned below
`CPU 102 so that the running rate of the endless belt 50
`the screen 14. The leading end of the microfilm roll 2
`is computed to find the length of the microfilm roll 2 fed
`wound around a supply reel 18 in the cartridge 8 is
`to the take-up reel 20.
`drawn out of the cartridge 8 by a loading mechanism to
`The blip marks 6 recorded on the marginal zones of
`be taken up around a take-up reel 20. A light source 22
`20
`the microfilm roll 2 are sensed by two photo-sensor
`is arranged below the microfilm 2 extending between
`pairs which are disposed at the positions closer to the
`the reels 18 and 20. The light emitted from the light
`supply reel 18 by a constant distance 1 than the center
`source 22 passes through the microfilm 2 and an optical
`optical axis of the light from the light source 22, each of
`system 33 to the screen 14, the optical system 33 includ
`the photo-sensor pairs employed in the illustrated em
`ing a projection lens 24, an image rotating prism 26
`25
`bodiment comprise a light emitting element 68 (68a,
`(serving as image rotating means) and plural reflection
`68b) and a light receiving element 70 (70a, 70b). These
`mirrors 28, 30 and 32. As a result, an image recorded on
`photo-sensor pairs are shifted in position by the channel
`one frame 4 on the microfilm roll 2 is enlarged and
`exchanging means E in synchronism with the shifting of
`projected on the screen 14.
`the film transporting mechanism D. The lights emitting
`A retractable mirror 34 is disposed to be moved to a
`30
`from the light emitting elements 68 are shielded by a
`position intermediate of the optical axis from the reflec
`plate having slits 72 so that only the portions of the
`tion mirror 28 to the reflection mirror 30 so that the
`lights passing through the slits 72 are selectively re
`light projecting the image is led to a printing means or
`ceived by the light receiving elements 70, the slits 72
`printing unit 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the
`being faced to the zones in which the blip marks 6 are
`printing unit 36 is a PPC system unit having a photo
`35
`recorded. The outputs from the light receiving elements
`sensitive drum 36a (see FIG. 3) on which a latent elec
`trostatic image is formed upon exposure to light, the
`70 are fed into the CPU 102, so that individual frames 4
`passing below the light receiving elements 70 are identi
`latent electrostatic image being visualized by applying a
`fied by sensing the kinds of individual blip marks and
`toner to be transferred on a paper sheet. The transferred
`integrating the number of blip marks already passing
`toner image is then fixed by any proper means. The
`below the light receiving elements 70. Since the blip
`printing unit 36 has a mask 38 which shields the area
`marks 6 just sensed by the photo-sensors are spaced
`otherwise forming black marginal frames when the
`from the center light axis C by a constant distance 1, the
`images recorded in the microfilm roll 2 are negative
`frame 4 just projected by the light source 22 can be
`images.
`identified by monitoring the channel under retrieval by
`The film transporting means or mechanism D is
`the channel exchange means E and by monitoring the
`shown in FIG. 2. The film transporting mechanism D is
`feed length of the microfilm roll 2 by the encoder 66.
`shiftable along the width direction of the microfilm 2 in
`response to the instruction from channel exchanging
`When a blip mark 6 attached to a frame in which a
`desired image is recorded is sensed, the microfilm roll 2
`means E which will be described in detail hereinafter,
`is passed by a distance 1 toward the take-up reel 20 or
`whereby either one of the upper or lower channel is
`50
`the supply reel 18 to move the frame to the position at
`selectively retrieved and read out. When the cartridge 8
`which the desired image is projected by the light from
`is loaded in the cartridge receiving port 16, a micro
`the light source 22.
`switch 40 detects the loading of the cartridge 8 so that
`As the frame 4, in which the desired image is re
`the loading mechanism is actuated in response to the
`corded, is irradiated by the light having the center opti
`instruction from a CPU 102 which will be described in
`cal axis of C, the image information of the desired image
`detail hereinafter. The leading end of the microfilm roll
`is projected on the screen 14. The magnification degree
`2 is drawn through an opening 8a formed through the
`of the projection lens 24 may be varied by rotating a
`bottom wall of the cartridge 8 while rotating the reel 18
`motor 74, and the degree of rotation of the image ef
`following to the rotation of a roller (not shown). The
`fected by rotating the image rotating prism 26 may be
`thus drawn leading end of the microfilm roll 2 passes
`varied by controlling a motor 76 (see FIG. 3).
`through guide rollers 42 and 44 to be taken up around
`A CCD line sensor 78 which serves as the image
`the take-up reel 20. Sensors 46 and 48 for sensing the
`sensor is held behind the screen 14 by a movable plate
`presence or absence of the microfilm roll 2 are disposed
`80 which is moved in the horizontal direction while
`in the vicinity of the guide rollers 42 and 44. An endless
`being guided by guide rails 82 and 84. As shown in FIG.
`belt 50 is pressed onto the take-up reel 20 so that the
`65
`2, ends of a wire 90 extending around a pair of pulley
`microfilm roll 2 is tightly engaged by the belt 50. The
`wheels 86 and 88 are fixedly connected to the right and
`endless belt 50 runs over guide rollers 52, 54, 56 and a
`left edges of the lower end of the movable plate 80. The
`drive roller 58. The drive roller 58 is driven by a motor
`
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`ations, the codes corresponding to the multiple images
`pulley wheel 88 is rotated by a motor 92 to drive the
`to be printed being memorized previously in the illus
`wire 90 so that the movable plate 80 is moved in the
`trated embodiment. The CPU 102 may be connected to
`horizontal direction.
`an additional reader/printer so that images fed from the
`The channel exchanging means E will now be de
`additional reader/printer are printed by the printer 120.
`scribed with reference to FIG. 4. In the illustrated em
`The CPU 102 also controls the operation of channel
`bodiment, the film transporting mechanism D and the
`exchange position detecting means 122 as shown in
`light emitting elements 68 and the light receiving ele
`FIG. 4. The channel exchange position detecting means
`ments 70 for sensing the blip marks 6 are supported on
`122 receives the output signals from the light receiving
`a common support plate 94 which is connected through
`elements 70 to discriminate individual blip marks 6 to
`a link 97 to an eccentric angular position on a circular
`judge that retrieval of a certain channel is stopped as it
`disk 98 which is rotated by a motor 96. As the circular
`disk 98 is rotated by 180 degrees from the position
`receives a specified blip mark having a certain discrimi
`nating wave form. Otherwise, completion of retrieval of
`..shown in FIG. 4 by actuating the motor 96, the com
`a certain channel may be judged as the length of the
`mon support plate 94 is shifted by a half width of the
`transported film, which is calculated by counting the
`microfilm roll 2. The channel selectively irradiated by
`output signals from the encoder 66, reaches a predeter
`the light from the light source 22 is thus exchanged so
`mined length.
`that the channel to be searched is exchanged from the
`As the channel exchange position detecting means
`upper channel to the lower channel, or vise versa. The
`122 judges that retrieval of a certain channel should be
`channel exchanging means assembled in the illustrated
`stopped, a signal is fed from the CPU 102 to the motors
`embodiment comprises a common support plate 94 on
`20
`96 and 76. Upon receipt of the signal from the CPU 102,
`which the microfilm roll 2 is placed, and film shifting
`the channel exchanging means E exchange the channel
`means for moving the microfilm roll 2 in the width
`or the image rotating prism 26 is rotated to invert the
`direction, the film shifting means including the motor
`orientation of the projected image. As a result, the
`96, the circular disk 98 and the link 97.
`channel exchange operation can be effected automati
`A controller 100 will be described with reference to
`25
`cally so that an image of normal orientation is displayed
`FIG. 3. The controller 100 comprises a digital comput
`ing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 102, input
`on the Screen 14.
`Although the blip marks 6 are sensed to feed signals
`and output interfaces (I/F) 104, 106, a ROM 108 for
`for instructing exchange of the channel to be searched
`storing an operation program and other data, and a
`RAM 110 for storing the image signals sensed by the
`into the CPU 102 in the illustrated embodiment, an
`instruction for exchanging the channel may be put
`line sensor 78 and other various data. The CPU 102
`through the keyboard 112 to the CPU 102 as desired.
`receives various signals through the input I/F. For
`Since the printer unit 36 is assembled in the illustrated
`example, it receives the image signals a sensed by the
`embodiment, all of the printed images are put in order
`line sensor 78, and output signals from the micro switch
`to be oriented in the same orientation irrespective of
`40, sensors 46, 48, the light receiving elements 70 and
`either one of the channels, in which images are re
`the encoder 66. A code for identifying one desired
`image or codes for identifying multiple desired images
`corded in the inverted relationship with each other, are
`retrieved and printed. Accordingly, cumbersome oper
`to be printed may be put through a keyboard 112 into
`ation of inverting the sheets on which images are
`the CPU 102.
`printed in false orientation is not required.
`Reference numeral 114 designates a manually oper
`As will be appreciated from the foregoing, by using
`ated feed setting dial 114 through which the feed direc
`the embodiment of the invention described above, ori
`tion and the feed rate of the microfilm roll 2 are put into
`entation of images can be inverted at every time when
`the CPU 102. The operation knob 116 of the feed setting
`the channel to be retrieved is exchanged to display
`dial has an intention to return to the neutral position,
`desired images always in normal orientation and to print
`and as the knob 116 is turned to the left or right by a
`the desired images in the same orientation. Neither a
`certain angle the revolution rate corresponding to the
`manual operation for exchanging the channel or rotat
`turned angle is put into the CPU 102. The CPU 102
`ing the image nor reloading of the microfilm roll in the
`controls the transport direction and transportation rate
`inverted condition after rewinding of the microfilm is
`of the microfilm roll 2 in response to the direction and
`necessary. Accordingly, the image searching operation
`angular dislocation of the knob 116 from the neutral
`50
`can be simplified to improve the operation efficiency.
`position. In detail, the microfilm roll 2 is stopped when
`A second embodiment of the invention is shown sche
`the knob 116 is set to the neutral position, the microfilm
`matically in FIG. 6. The general construction of the
`roll 2 is transported in the left direction as viewed in
`second embodiment excluding the parts shown in FIG.
`FIG. 3 when the knob 116 is turned to the left, and the
`6 is similar to that of the first embodiment, and the
`microfilm roll 2 is transported in the right direction as
`description thereof will not be given for the simplicity
`viewed in FIG. 3 when the knob 116 is turned to the
`of explanation.
`right.
`The CPU 102 used in the second embodiment serves
`Reference numeral 118 designates an odometer for
`as an image processor for processing the image informa
`indicating the transported length of the microfilm roll 2
`tions sensed by the image sensor 78 in addition to vari
`measured from the leading end of the microfilm roll 2.
`ous services or functions, for example, for detecting the
`The running length of the endless belt 50 which runs in
`channel exchange position as in the first embodiment. In
`synchronism with the microfilm roll 2 can be computed
`by adding or subtracting the output pulse signals from
`detail, in the second embodiment, the CPU 102 serves
`both as an image processor 124 and as channel exchange
`the encoder 66, and the result of computation is dis
`position detecting means 122. The image processor 124
`played on the odometer 118.
`65
`receives an image signal a from the line sensor 78 to
`Reference numeral 120 designates a digital mode
`digitize and memorize the signal in a frame memory in
`printer which is used to print multiple images sensed by
`the RAM 110 or in another independent frame memory
`the line sensor 78 successively through automated oper
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`DIGITAL CHECK CORP. EXHIBIT 1006
`Page 10 of 12
`
`

`
`5,061,955
`10
`to output a digitized image signal b which is fed to the
`achieved by the provision of the printing unit 120. The
`image processor 124 may comprise an independent
`printer 120. The channel exchange position detecting
`digital processing unit other than using the CPU 102.
`means 122 receives the outputs from the light receiving
`Although a linear image sensor 78 is arranged behind
`elements 70 to discriminate individual blip marks 6 to
`the screen 14 so that scanning of each frame is effected
`judge when retrieval of a certain channel should be
`by mechanically moving the linear image sensor 78 in
`stopped from the wave form of a certain blip mark 6 to
`exchange the channel to be retrieved. Otherwise, com
`the horizontal direction in the aforementioned embodi
`pletion of retrieval of a certain channel may be judged
`ments, the image sensor 78 may be disposed at a position
`as the length of the fed film, which is calculated by
`just above