CA1099552A - Dry process production and annotation of archival microform records from hard copy - Google Patents

Abstract

DRY PROCESS PRODUCTION AND ANNOTATION
OF ARCHIVAL MICROFORM RECORDS
FROM HARD COPY

Abstract of the Disclosure Light reflected from hard copy is reduced to microimage size and applied at an imaging and developing station to a dry-process mask film strip which is photosensitive to the reflected light and which is developed by heat to provide microimaged transparencies therein. Such microimaged transparencies in the mask film strip are transferred in an image transferring station to a dry process microform film which has archival properties and which is sensitive to and imaged and developed by raidant energy above a certain critical value applied thereto through the mask film strip to provide imaged microform records therein which conform to the transparent microimages in the mask film strip and which have archival properties. The imaging and developing station includes a platform for receiving the hard copy and a projection means for applying the reduced microimage of the hard copy to the mask film strip for producing the microimaged transparencies therein and for providing the imaged micro-form records in the microform film. Means are provided for moving a desired imaged microform record in the microform film to the imaging and developing station, and means, including said projection means, are provided for expanding and projecting an image of said desired imaged microform record in the microform film in expanded normal size onto the platform for viewing the same. Additional hard copy may be received on the platform in specific relation to the expanded normal size image projected onto the platform for annotation purposes, and the light image reflected from the additional hard copy may be reduced to microimage size and applied to the mask film strip for producing a micro-imaged transparency of the additional hard copy therein and for providing an imaged microform record of the additional hard copy in the desired imaged microform record of the microform film previously projected onto the platform for annotating the same with the additional hard copy.

Description

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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, sd/ ~

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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 sd/ ~ 2 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 5~2 .~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 scl/ ~.6 5~i2 ;

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 sd/ ~7 s~

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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 dy/~ " -7a-~9~s~

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 ~p99~
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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 sd/~ 7c-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 bm Jc :
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 bm~

~9~S~2 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 ~11--bm~

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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 bm:~

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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 bm:J ~

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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 bm:~u SS~

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 bm: ~J

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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 bm~

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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 -20~
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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 bm:~

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.

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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 bm:~G

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-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 bm:l, ~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 bm~

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, bm ~

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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 bm:~

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 bm~

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~
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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 }m J D

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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 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, jrr;~

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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.

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Claims (2)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In a dry-process apparatus for producing archival microform records from light reflecting hard copy having an imaging station wherein a light 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 therein, and an image transferring station wherein the microimaged trans-parencies in the mask film strip are transferred 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 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 transferring station, and means for positioning the dry-process microform film and superimposing the dry-process mask film strip and the dry-process microform film in the image transferring station, the improvement comprising a cassette containing 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 station comprises means for moving the cassette for doing so.

2. The dry-process apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the cassette and the mask film strip therein are arranged to be moved laterally to the imaging station and to the image transferring station.