US2130793A - Multiple transforming printer - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 20, 1938. L. T. ELIEL MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER l0 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 27. 1936 A TToR/VEK L.. T. ELIEL 2,130,793

MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER Filed April 27, 1956 l0 Sheets-Shea?l 2 Sept. 20, 1938.

Amr2,130,793

Sept. 20, 1938. L. T. ELM-:1

MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER Filed April 27, 1936 lO Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 20, 1938. L, TA ELM-1 2,130,793

MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER Filed April 27, 1956 l0 Sheets-Shes?l 4 A TTOR/VEK Sept. 20, 1938. 1 T. ELIEL MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 27. 1956 A TroR/VEK Sept. 20, 1938. L, T ELlEL MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER Filed April 27. 1936 l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. 20, 1938.

L. T. ELIEL MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER Filed April 27. 1956 l0 Sheets-Sheet '7 d TroR/VEY.

Sept. 20, 1938. L, T. ELM-:L

MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER Filed April 27. 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 A TTOR/VEY.

Sept. 20, 1938. L, TA E| |EL 2,130,793

MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER Filed April 27, 19156 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 A rrOR/VEY.

Sept. 20, 1938. L T. ELlEl.

MULTIPLE TRANSFORMING PRINTER Filed April 27, 195e 1o sheets-sheet 1o A rroR/Vfx Patented Sept1 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to transforming printers whereby photographs having images which are distorted, by reason of the fact that they have been taken at oblique angles, are corrected in the printing thereof so as to eliminate the distortion of the image and thereby produce a print wherein the various parts of the image are spaced apart/in accordance with the true scale relationr in which the original parts represented by the image existed at the time the photograph was taken. The invention relates in particular to a transforming printer whereby a plurality of complementary oblique photographs/which have been simultaneously taken may be transformed and. printed on a single sensitized member, such as a photographic negative.

Herein I use the term complementary photographs to indicate two or more photographs simultaneously taken of adjacent sections of an area, and likewise employ the term complementary images to mean the images of photographs simultaneously taken of adjacent sections of an area and which, when properly combined in sideby-side relation, will form a complete picture or image of the total area covered by the complementary images. 'Ihe invention is of especial utility in the art oi' map making, wherein the terrain is photographed by use of a multiple-lens camera in which the lenses are so placed that they will photograph on separate negatives complementary images of complementary sections of an area of the terrain. It has been the customary practice to print each image of a set of complementary images separately by use of a transforming printer, and then join the separate prints together in side-by-gde relation so as to produce a picture of the entire area covered by the set of .complementary photographs.

It is an object of the present invention to provvide a transforming printer whereby the complementary images of a set of complementary photographs may be printed on a single sensitized member, such as a photographic negative, thereby Aforming the complete or composite photograph without the necessity of separate prints as has been heretofore necessary.

It is an object of the invention to provide a transforming printer having a rotary head or photograph support with means thereon to carry a plurality 'of photographs, a rotary print support for carrying a sensitized photographic sheet or plate on which the composite print is to be made, and a lens support carrying a lens in operative position between kthe photograph support and the print support, with means for supporting the foregoing members in such a manner that they may be quickly aligned and so that the positions thereof may be changed at any time to change the focal distances and also the angular relationship of the photograph support and the print support under various selected conditions of operation, such as a change in the focal distance of the lens or the use of the transforming printer with photographs made by a different multiple-lens camera.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a transforming printer of the above character having a removable head or photograph support in duplicate so that one set of complementary images can be printed from photographs held in one of the heads while another set of photographs is being mounted inthe other head in preparation for the transforming and printing thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple means for holding the photograph or analogous means carrying the distorted complementary imagesA in proper position on the rotary head, together with an improved means for bringing the photographs into practical positions of registration. Multiple-lens cameras of the character employed in aerial photography generally provide registration marks in their margins by means of which the relationship of each individual picture with its lens is recorded. My invention provides an effective means, utilizing these registration marks, for locating the photographs on the rotary head of the transforming printer while the rotary head is removed from the printer, and so that the images of the photographs will al1 be in proper position for projection in complementary relation onto a sensitized member carried by the print support.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a transforming printer of the above character having a. mask disposed adjacent the front surface of the print support, this mask exposing on the face of the sensitized member carried by the print support an area which is to receive the transformed image projected from a distorted image carried by the rotary head. The invention also has as an object thereof to provide a means for adjusting this mask to a high degree of precision.

Illumination control in transforming pictures taken by a multiple-lens camera is very troublesome owing to the fact that the pictures arey taken obliquely, one toward the sun', one away from the sun, and-two at right angles to it, or some similar arrangement. Asthe result, at least three out of four of the pictures taken by a fourlens camera, for example, will be produced under different conditions of lighting, with the result that under ordinary practices of transforming the prints separately and then assembling them to produce the complete picture, great difliculty is experienced in matching up the complementary prints so that the same density within reasonable limits will be obtained in all parts of the complete picture. It is an object of my invention to provide a lighting system for the transform-` ing printer adapted to be adjusted in accordance with the requirement of a complete assembly of complementary photographs carried on the rotary head'so that in the printing of the images from these photographs consecutively onto a sensitized member carried by the rotary print support, a practical matching of densities will be accomplished in each of the complementary sections of the completed print.

A further object of the invention is to provide a photoelectric cell for making a nal check of the printing lights used in the printing of the respective images from the photographs before these images are printed onto the sensitized member, together with an arrangement whereby the adjoining edges are matched with a high degree of precision by the checking of the printing light through the overlapping edges of the respective complementary images. 'I'he `result of the foregoing is that the composite prints obtained by the use of my transforming printer are far superior, from the standpoint of color matching and detail matching. to results obtainable when all of the transformations of a set of distorted images are individually transformed and the prints therefromv subsequently trimmed and assembled. v

The problem of proper illumination is further complicated by the fact that those sections of the transformations whichk are enlarged require greater illumination than the sections which are either not enlarged or are reduced in the printing thereof. It is an object of the invention to provide means for light distribution and control which are adjustable so as to compensate for the variations hereinabove set forth.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident throughout the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only, y

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the relationship of a group of complementary photo graphs taken by a multiple-lens camera with a photographed area and with the composite picture of such area.

Fig. 2 is a -plan view of a preferred form of my transformer.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, but with the head supporting easel turned into a plane perpendiculsr tto the longitudinal axis of the supporting bed p a e.

Fig. 4 is a face view of the rotary head, viewed as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view taken as indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on a plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged plan View of the adjusting jig in place on the rotary head.

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken substantially as indicated by the line 8 8 of Fig. '.7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the adjusting jig with the telescope holder thereof removed so as to show the underlying parts and the manner in which engagement with the plate holder is made.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line ill--lilboi Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a partly sectioned elevational view of the printing head easel.

Fig. 12 is a face view taken substantially as indicated by the line l2-I2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line,i3-I3 o Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the plane II-il of Fig. l2.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary, partly sectioned view showing the means which I employ for checking the projected light through use of a photoelectric cell.

Fig. 16 is a sectional View taken as indicated by the line Iii-I6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an electrical diagram showing the means for controlling the printing light.

In Fig. 1, which is purely schematic, I show an area 2i, consisting of complementary areas A, B, C, and D, which is to be photographed. This area 2| may be a portion of a terrain which, to the eyes of a person in a position of elevation thereabove, presents a picture. This area 2| may be of such size that it cannot be suitably photographed through a single lens; therefore, to produce a picture thereof, a multiple-lens camera is employed.

Although the multiple-lens camera used may have various 'numbers of lenses, I shall in this description of the adaptability of the invention limit the description to the use of a four-lens camera 22 having four negative plates or films A', B', C', and D adapted to respectively receive the images of the areas A, B, C, and D. Owing to the fact that the optical axes on which the negatives A', B', C', and D are photographed are oblique, the areas photographed upon the negatives A', B', C', and D' will be of the character of the respective areas a', IJ', c', and d' indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and which radiate from a common center P. Further, in view of the oblique setting of the negatives A', B', C', and D' relative to the surface of the terrain, the complementary areas A, B, C, and D will be each represented on the negatives A', B', C', and D by distorted images indicated by dotted lines 23. It is Well known that in order to produce a rectied picture of the area 2|, or pictures of the areas A, B, C, -and D, it is necessary to use a transforming printer, wherein the negative and the sensitized member on which `the print is to be made are disposed at predetermined angles so` that the images projected onto the plane in which the sensitized member is held will be of the shape of the area a', b', c', or d' originally photographed. l

In Fig. 2 Ishow a photograph A' which may be the negative transparency indicated in Fig. 1 or may be a positive transparency directly print'- ed therefrom. This member A' is mounted on a rotary head 23 in such position that light may be projected therethrough and along a path indi, cated by dotted lines 24 to a lens 25 by which the image is projected forwardly, :is indicated by dotted lines 2E, to a plate or sheet of sensitized material 2'? mounted on a rotary print holder 2l, the members iii?, ii, and 'li g disposed in the proper angular ticnship to; transforming the image of the aber fi in the printing thereof on the sensitized member 21, If the member A shown in Fig. 2 carries a negative image, the transformed print obtained on the sensitized member 21 will be a positive print. It is customary in practice, however, to prepare positive photographs by direct contact from the negative taken from the aerial camera, so that the print obtained on the sensitized member 2,1 will be a negative print from which a positive direct print ,35. Each table 32 or 33 is adjustable in all di# rections on the bed plate 29. For example, there are vertical screws 31 threaded through the horizontal wall 35 and -having plates 36 at the lower ends thereof for engaging the y,upper wall 39 of the bed plate 29, as shown in Fig. 3, and in the side walls 36- there are side screws 4i for engaging `the side faces 42 of the bed plate 29. At the forward and rearward ends of each table 32 and 33 are hold-down brackets 43 which are bolted to the upper wall 39 of the bed plate 29 by use of bolts 44. Each of the brackets 43 has a ver tical wall 45 and an inwardly extending wall 46 projecting over a portion of the associated table 32 or 33. In each of the vertical walls 45 there are two adjusting screws 41 adapted to engage an edge of the table 32 or 33, and through each wall 46 there is a hold-down screw 48 adapted to engage the table with which each bracket is asso ciated. Mounted on the upper face of the table 32, as shown in Fig. 3, there is a head supporting easel 43 having a base portion 5l which may be prepared so that the easel may be swung on vertical axis, by using slots 52 through which extend studs 53 byfwhich the easel 49 is secured to thetable 32.

'The upper end of the easel 43 has a horizontal bore 54 in which a forwardly projecting stub shaft 55 is secured, which may be by use of a pin 56. ,The stub shaft 55 has an axial bore 51 with a counterbore 56 at the rearward or ieftward end thereof for receiving a compression spring 59 position to engage the head 6I of a bar 62 which extends through the bore `51 and the counterbore 58 of the stub shaft 55. A plate 63 is secured by" screws 64 to the leftward end of the stub shaft and this plate 63 has an `opening 65 through which an end 66 of the bar 62 projects. On the forward or rightward end of the bar 62 there is a transverse pin 68 adapted tov engage diametraliy opposed depressions 69 in the front iace of a cap 1| having an opening 12 through which the end 61 of the bar"62 may pass, and likewise having transverse notches 13 radiating from the opening 12 and being of such size that the ends of the pin 68 may pas/s therethrough when the cap 1i is rotated through an angle vof 90 from the position in which it is shownso that the notches 13 are in alignment with the ends ofthe pin 66. 'I'he rotary head 23, which is essentially a circular disc, has a hub 14 with a lbore 15 adapted to closely fit the shaft 55. It is the function of the cap 1i to hold the hub 14 against the shoulder 16 at the upper end of ythe easel 43. With the cap 1i removed from ther position in which it is shown, the

rotary head 23 is placed upon the stub shaft 55;

Then, by rightward pressure against the project" ing end 86 of the bar 32, such bar is moved right wardly against the force of the spring 53 so that the rightward end of the par 62 will move :into lthe position indicated by dotted lines 11. The cap 1i .is then slipped over the rightward end 61 of the bar 62 and past the ends of the pin t6.,r

whereupon the 'cap 1i is rotated so as to bring the 'depressions 69 into alignment with the ends of "the pin 68, and, the pressure against the leftward end 66 of the bar 62 is released so that the spring 59 will .force the bar 62 leftwardly and will transmit a leftward force throng the pin 68 and the cap 1I tothe hub 14 of the rotary head 23 to hold such rotary head against the shoulder 15.

The rotary head 23 has a number of openings` 16 therein corresponding 'to the number of photographic plates to be transformed onto a single print. in the present instance, where the invention is being used with a four-coupled aerial j camera, there are four of such openings 18 evenly supports has a base frame 3i consisting of four side members i12 from which lips or shelves 33 project inwardly so that a photographic plate 34, or other image carrying transparency, may he supported thereon, as shown in Fig. 6. To hold the photographic plates 84 in place in the base frame 8 i, cover frames 85 are provided which are essentially the same sizeas the base frame 9i. "jachicover frame 85 carries an optical flat glass 3S having downwardly converging edge faces 8l engaging the frames S5 and 3l in the manner shown in Fig. 6. 'he lower face B8 of each glass may "near directly against the photographic plate at, or a piece of transparent material 83, such as Celluloid, may be placed between the face S8 and the upper face of the member 84 to prevent the face t3 from becoming scratched. The glasses are held in the cover frames 85 "ny means of small plates or clips 9i which are secured by means of screws Q2 so as to project over the edges oi the plates 3G.

The photograph supporting means 19 are adjustabiy secured in place by means of lugs 93, two of which project fro-in each base frame Each iug has an opening 3G therein through which a stud of considerabiy smaller diameter,

washer downwardly against 'the upper face a lug so as to clamp the lug 93 tightly against the face of the rotary head 23. Prior to the tightening of the nut 96, the photograph holding means i9 may be .adjusted on the face of the rotary' head 2E within reasonable limits.

.As shown at the top and right-hand side of Fig. fi, each base frame Si has lugs 98 projecting outwardly therefrom to which leaf springs 99 are pivotally secured by such means as screws llii, so that they may be swung outwardly as shown. Each cover frame 35, as shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 4 and also in Figs. 5 and 6, has lugs H22 projecting outwardly near the corners thereof and in such positions that when the leaf springs 99 are swung inwardly, the free ends thereof may be rested upon the lugs S32 to apply downwardly pressure to hold the -cover frames 85 member A', and the telescopes |35 of the jig may be adjusted so as tobring the cross lines |53 thereof, which are projected kin dotted lines in 9, intoregistration with the registration marks |49; After being so adjusted, the telescopes |35 are locked in position, and thereafter the adjusting of the supporting means 19 to bring the ,photographic plates into proper position on the rotary head 23 is accomplished by use of the .jig` |03 which is consecutively placed over each of the photograph holders, so that while the jig A|03 isso placed the adjusting screws |22 and |25 `lines |53 of the telescopes of the jig |03.

When the rotary head 23 is mounted in operative position on the easel 49, as shown in Figs. 2

and 3, the registration or aligning openings ||3 of the rotary head 23 are employed to position the rotary head 23 so that the photographic plates carrying the distorted images may be successively brought into exact positions of cooperation with the lens 25. For this purpose a bracket |54, Figf3, is mounted on the easel 49, this bracket having a horizontal opening |55 through which a pin |56 extends,'such pin |56 being movable back and forth into and out of engagement with the successive registration openings I3 when the rotary head 23 is rotated from one position to another.

As shown in Figs. 2, 1l, and 12, the rotary print holder 28 comprises a metal disc having a rearwardly extending hub |51 which rotates in the bore |58 of an easel or standard |59 having a base plate |6| so that it may be secured to the table 3| ofthe base plate 29 by means of studs |62 and nuts |63. The sensitized sheet 21 which is to form the transformed print may, in accordance with the practice of the invention, be a sheet of .sensitized photographic paper or may be a transparency with a sensitized photographic emulsion thereon. In the present instance the member 21 is square and is to receive four complementary images thereon, such images being disposed around the center of the member 21 as defined by the axis of rotation of the print supporting head 28. To hold the member 21 against the front face of the member 28, a grille of crossing channels |64 is provided,'such channels |64 being connected to a central opening |65, Fig. 11, which projects within the hub |51 of the member 21 and communicates through radial openings |66 with a channel |61 formed in the bore |58, such channel |61 being connected to an exhaust pump through a tube |68. The tube |68 may be provided with a suitable two-way valve |69 for control of and release of rthe vacuum to be applied to the4 channels |64 ofthe member 28.

Bymeans of ,afregistrationpin |1|, carried on thegeasel; |59. byqmeans of aabracket., |12, a; divid-y ingeof'tlie rotary,-print.lfiolder 28 into, a desired number l.of .divisions or seetionsvis" accomplished. In the present,instancethenmember 28and'vthe sensitized;membertgflgsuppolgted thereby `,are to be ,divided int c, iou,r` sections, which is accomplished by@previdriathefmember 28 with four eVenIyspaedregistrationopenings. |13 `in posi,y f

adaptedto berotated-fromthe position `in which it is shown in full lines in Fig. 11 against the face of the sensitized member 21, into a retracted'position indicated by dotted lines |16. The mask |14 has a plate portion |11 with a notch |18 at the rightward side thereof, as viewed in Fig. 12. To the edge walls |19 of the plate |11 forming the notch |18, adjustable edge strips |8| are secured by means of screws |82, as shown in Fig. 14. These edge strips |8| have accurately ground knife edges |83 which, by adjustment of the edge strips |8|, may be caused to l'ie exactly on lines diverging at an angle of 90. With the knife edges |83 disposed at an angle of exactly 90, the mask |14 may be adjusted so that the point of meeting of the inner ends of the knife edges |83 will coincide with the axis of rotation p of the rotary member 28, which axis p will pass `through the exact center of the print formed on the sensitized member 21. A small saw cut |80 on the' member |83 is radially disposed at point p, so that a center cross will be formed on the transformation 21, and notches |90 on the member |83 provide registration marks on the transformation by means of which principal point p may also be located.

The mask |14 may be adjustedl in all directionsA by use of the following means. A bracket |84 is secured to the lower part of the easel |59 in forwardly extending relation, this bracket having a threaded bore |85, Fig'. l2, centralized on a horizontal axis which is likewise parallel to the plane defined by the front face of the rotary member 28.. Threaded into the bore |85 are laterally adjustable sleeves |86 which serve as bearings for a shaft |81 having outwardly extending squared ends |88 which support' legs |89 of a connector plate |9| which is adjustably secured to the lower portion of theplate |11 by means of screws |92 which pass through enlarged openings |93 in the member |9|. Adjusting screws |94 are mounted on opposite sides of a notch |95 in the member |9|, through which notch |95 a lug |96 projects from the plate |11. The legs |89 of the plate |9| have bosses |91 at the lower ends thereof with squared openings |98 therethrough, through which the squared ends |88 of thegshaft |81 extend.

Perpendicular adjustment screws |99 are threaded through the walls of the` bosses |91 into engagement with plates 20| which fit against the upper and lower faces of the squared shaft ends |88, and end plates 202 having rectangular openings 203 therein are fitted on the outer ends of the squared shaft ends |88, these end plates 202 having horizontal adjusting screws 204 adapted to bear against the opposing horizontal portions thereof, which slots 2705 receive. horizontal pins 206 which are projected outwardly from thebosses |91. Washers 201,and nuts 208 are yapplied to theouter ends of the ysquared, shaft portions |88and spacing plates or washers 209' fare disposed between the inner faces of the bosses |91 and the endsof the sleeves |86,"as shown in Fig. 12. The foregoing arrangement of parts may b'e`employedto adjust themask `|14 in any n desired direction so-as to bring the'point of meet--k ing'of the knife edges |834 into registration with the axis p.

The imageprojected'by the lens v25 from the I photographic member,such as A aligned therewith,y will have a shape somewhat of the characv terindicated by ldotted lines2|| of Fig. 12. The

two inner edge portions of the image 211 will 'be cut off by the mask 114, and the Vouter edge portions 212 of the image 211 will fall beyond the edges 213 of the sensitized member 21. The knife edges 183 accurately define the lines of division or engagement of the complementary images received by the sensitized member 21, these images meeting accurately on the lines of division Without overlapping or without unexposed strips therebetween.

As indica-ted by dotted lines 214 in Fig. 2, a light box or housing 214 is mounted behind the rotary head 23 in alignment with the axis of the l'ens 25 so that light will be produced behind the photographic plate A', or` other photographic plate aligned with the lens 25. The lamp housing 214 carries a group of electric lamps adapted to be individually adjusted. In the present practice of the invention I employ six lamps L1 to Le inclusive as shown in Fig. 1'7 which may be distributed within the light housing 214 in a manner which may be readily determined by experimentation. Each lamp has four adjustable, separately and selectively used controls which may be adjusted with respect to the four photographic plates A', B', C', and D before the sensitized member 21 is placed on the head 28. To accomplish this control, I provide a control panel 215 having four sections Si, Sz. S3, and S4 across which conductors 216 extend from the lamps L1 to Ls inclusive, the other sides of these lamps being connected through conductors 211 with a common conductor 218 leading to a source of electric current such as a generator 219. Each section S1 to S4 inclusive has six rheostats R1 to Re inclusive, all being connected to a common conductor 220 which leads to the generator 219, and each rheostat R1 to Rs being connectable through a switch 22| with a conductor 216 leading to a corresponding lamp of the group of lamps L1 to Le. There are six of the switches 221 in each section, and all of the switches 22| of each group are adapted to be simultaneously closed and opened so as to close electric circuits including the lamps L1 to La inclusive and the associated group of rheostats R1 to Re inclusive. This is accomplished by the use of iour solenoids 222 connected'by conductors 223 with a common conductor 224 leading to the side of the generator 219 to which the conductor 218 is attached, and being connectable through manually operable switches 225 with the common conductor 220. The selective operation of the switches 225 accomplishes a selective bringing of the groups of rheostats in the sections S1 to S4 into circuits including the lamps L1 to Le and the generator 219.

Four complementary photographic plates are mounted on the rotary head 23, and the individual sections of rheostats are adjusted in accordance with the light requirements of each photographic plate before the sensitized member 21 is mounted on the rotary support 28. Each section of rheostats Si to S4 is adjusted independently of the remaining sections and entirely in accordance with the strength and distribution of light required by the photographic plate to which the section of rheostats corresponds in the operation of the transforming printer. In this manner such variations in density existing in and between the photographic plates is compensated for, with the result that a practical control of the densities of the complementary images obtained on the print formed from the sensitized member is attained. It is an especial feature of the invention to provide means for precisely controlling the lighting of the adjacent or matching edges of the complementary images projected onto the sensitized member 21. This I accomplish by the use of light measuring device 226, Fig. 15, which operates in conjunction with means 221 for projecting desired portions of the images projected by the lens 21 to the light responsive and measuring device 226.

It will be understood that the transforming printer is preferably to be used in a dark room and that portions thereof may be housed-in as required to protect the sensitized member 21 from light other than the image projected thereon by the lens 25. As indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, a wall 228 may be placed across the iront of the easel 34 so that the lens structure 25 may project therethrough. As shown in Fig. 15, the light responsive device 226 may be mounted on the Wall 228 adjacent the forward end of the lens 25, and the image projecting means 221 may be mounted on the wall 228 by means ol' a bracket 229 so that it may be swung from a retracted position indicated by dotted lines 231 into a position before the lens 25, as indicated in full lines.

The member 221 has a front wall 232 carrynrO a lens 233 adapted to be aligned with the objc@ tive lens 25, a diagonal wall 234 carrying a plane reflecting mirror 235 which will project the image from the lens 233 toward a lens system 236 carried by a side wall 231 of the device 221 in such position that it will direct the image to a photoelectric cell 238 forming a part of the light responsive means 226. The use of a photoelectric cell for the measurement of light is old. Accordingly, the light responsive means 226 has been shown diagrammatically. For the present purposes the light responsive means 226 is shown with an ampere meter 239 adapte-d to be placed at a point convenient to the operator of the transforming printer and to be connected to the remaining electrical parts of the device 226 by means of conductors 241, this meter 239 having an indicator 242 which moves in accordance with the light received .by the photoelectric cell 238.

As shown in Fig. 16, the side wall 231 of the device 221 has a mask 243 mounted thereon so as to partly cover the area of the lens system 236. This mask has two slots or openings 244 therein through which the matching edge portions of the images projected from the lens 25 may pass to the lens system 236 under control of shutters 245 and 246 which are interconnected in such a manner that when the shutter 246 closes the lower opening 244, the shutter 245 will expose the upper opening 244 of the mask 243. The shutter 245 consists of a metal strip having its inner end 241 hinged on a pivot 248'which may be mounted on the mask 243. The rightward or outer end of the `shutter 245 has a slot 249 therein and a projecting handle 251 whereby the shutter may be raised and lowered. The lower shutter 246 is mounted on a pivot 252 disposed at its inner end and has a pin 253 at its outer end which engages the slot 249 in the shutter 245. .When the shutter 245 is raised, the engagement of the pin 253 with the slot 249 Will raise the shutter 246 into closed position relative to the lower mask opening 244, and as the shutter 245 is swung downwardly into closed position relative to the upper mask opening 244, as indicated by dotted lines 254, the shutter 246 will be swung into lowered position, or open relation to the lower mask opening 244, as

indicated by dotted lines 255. An auxiliary mask 256 is provided which may be swung on a pivot 251 from the open position in which it is shown in full lines to closed position indicated by dotted lines 258 wherein it will cover the inner halves of both upper and lower mask openings 244.

As shown in the schematic Fig. 1, the portions or images a', b', c', and d of the terrain which are projected photographically to the respective photographic plates A', B', C', and D' have overlapping edge areas 259. 'I'he transformed images which are projected from the photographic plates in the transforming printer and onto the sensitized member 21 are of the same shape as the areas a', b', c', and d' of Fig. 1, as indicated by the image 2H shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12. With relation to the transformed images, and

likewise with relation to thebriginal images a',v

b', c', and d', the mask openings 244 correspond to the overlapping areas 259 at the edges of the images. Accordingly, in preparation for the printing of the complementary images on the sensitized member 21, each photographic plate, such as the plate A' shown in Fig. 2, is moved into printing position, and by use oi lights obtained from the lamps L1 to La inclusive, the image thereof is projected onto a sheet of paper carried on the face of the rotary member 28. The rheostats R1 to Re in the control section corresponding to the photographic plate at this time in alignment with the lens 25 are given an initial adjustment while the intensity and distribution of light on the paper carried by the rotary member 28 is visually checked. The member 221 may be then swung from its retracted position shown in dotted lines 22| of Fig. 15 into full line position, andthe matching edge areas of the image may be individually checked by use of the photoelectric cell 238. With the auxiliary mask 256 in retracted position as shown in full lines in Fig. 16, the upper matching edge area o'f the projected image is permitted to pass through the upper mask opening 244, whereupon the reading of the meter 239 is noted. The handle 25| of the shutter 245 is then swung downwardly so that the lower mask opening 244 will be opened and the upper opening 244 closed, whereupon the quantity of light constituting the lower matching edge area of the image may be noted on the meter 239. If there is a discrepancy between these readings, or., in other words, a deviation from a standard reading, the rheostats at this time connected with the lamps L1 to La inclusive may be readjusted to balance the light passed through the upper and lower mask openings 2413.

Two like readings obtained through the upper and lower openings 244 and 245 of the mask 243, with the auxiliary mask 256 in retracted position, indicate only that the quantities of light passed through the openings 244 are the same, but do not show whether or not the light at the inner end of an opening 244 may be stronger or 4weaker than the light at the outer end of the opening. To determine whether the light passing through the inner and outer halves of the openings 244 is balanced, the auxiliary shutter 256 is moved into the position in which it is indicated in dotted lines 258, wherein the inner halves of each oi the openings 244 are covered. Light is then projected through the remaining or outer portions oi.' the openings 244 by use of the shutters 245 and 246 as previously described, and the lights adjusted until the reading is the same on both outer portions. At the conclusion of the balancing of the complementary whole strips and half stri the total illumination oi the strips is identical and the illumination of the half strips is identical, thereby providing for identical illumination along the matching lines.

It will be apparent that the lamps L1 to Le inclusive comprise a bank of lamps that, by virtue of the control system indicated in Fig. 17, is adjustable with respect to the pattern of inten- ,sity in cross-section oi' the light projected from the bank, and that such a bank of lamps may be adjusted for a beam pattern so related to the pattern of the light-transmitting character of the photographic plate as to produce a desired distribution of intensity over the image cast on the printingmember. Thus, if it is desired to have an image of substantially uniform intensity, the bank of lamps will be adjusted to project a beam having a cross-sectional pattern of light intensity substantially complementary to the pattern of the light-transmitting character of the photographic plate. The required adjustment of the projected light beam is possible because each individual lamp of the bank projects its own beam and the beam from the bank as a whole is a combination of these individual beams. With the light measuring means described, it is conveniently possible to measure the light intensity rof selected portions of the image to determine the particular pattern of light beam projected from the bank of lamps that will be required to give the desired effect at the printing member ci the apparatus.

After adjustment of each of the sections S1 to Si, inclusive, of the rheostats R, the sensitized member 21 may be placed on the rotary member 28, and the complementary images carried by the photographic plates held on the rotary member 23 may be consecutively projected onto consecutive portions of the sensitized member 21 while the mask 114 is in raised position as shown in Figs. 2, 1l, and 12. This consecutive projection of the images so that they will become consecutively printed on the sensitized member 21 isy accomplished by consecutively rotating the head 23 and the print supporting member 28 from position to position, and using the different sections oi rheostats S1 to S4 with the respective photographic plates for which they have been adjusted.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in simple and practical form, it is recognized that certain parts or elements thereof are representative of other parts, elements, or mechanisms which may be used in substantiallj7 g the same manner to accomplish substantially the member; a light source and an optical systemv by which printing light can be transmitted successively through said photographic members upon corresponding areas of said light sensitive member; means for varying the intensity and cross sectional pattern of said printing light to compensate for varying densities of said photographic members; a light intensity indicating device positioned upon said printer, including an element movable into and out of the path of said light, for measuring the intensity of the light transmitted through each individual photographic member; and means for restricting the light reaching said device to that transmitted through selected areas of said individual photographic member to indicate the variation of the cross sectional pattern of said printing light which will match the contiguous margins of the individual images printed upon said light sensitive member when projected thereon, so that the photographic members can be successively printed upon said light sensitive member to produce a print having substantially uniform density.

2. In a photographic printer for printing contiguous complementary images on a single light sensitive member from a plurality or" complementary photographic members to produce a consolidated print, the combination of: supporting means for said plurality of photographic members; supporting means for said light sensitive member; a light source and an optical system by which printing light can be transmitted successively through said photographic members upon corresponding areas of said iight vsensitive member; an individual control means corresponding to each said photographic member for varying the intensity and cross sectional pattern of said light to compensate for varying densities or" said photographic members; a light intensity indicating device positioned upon said printer,- including an element movable into and out oi the path oi said light, for measuring the intensity oi the light transmitted through each individual photographic member; and means ior restricting the light reaching said device to that transmitted through selected areas of said individual photographic member to indicate the variation of the cross sectional pattern of said printing light by the corresponding control means which will match the contiguous margins of the individual images printed upon said light sensitive member when projected thereon, so that the photographic members can be successively printed upon said light sensitive member to produce a print having substantially uniform density.

3. In a photographic printer` or printing contiguous complementary images on a single light sensitive member from a plurality or" complementary photographic members to produce a con-1 solidated print, the combination oi: supporting means for said plurality of photographic members; supporting means for said light sensitive member; a light source and an optical system by which printing light canbe transmitted successively through said photographic members upon corrresponding areas of said light sensitive memu ber; means for varying the intensity and cross sectional pattern of said light to compensate i'or varying densities of said photographic members; a light intensity indicating device positioned upon said printer, including an element movable into and outof the path of said light, for measuring the innsity of the light transmitted through each individual photographic member;

- and mask means movable into andout or the tional pattern of said printing light which will* match the contiguous margins of the 'individual images printed upon said light sensitive member when projected thereon, so that the photographic members can be successively printed upon said light sensitive member to produce a print having substantially uniform density.

4. In a photographic printer for printing contiguous complementary images on a single light sensitive member from a plurality' of complementary photographic members to produce a consolidated print, the combination of supporting means for said plurality of photographic meinbers; supporting means for said light sensitive member; and an optical system and a light source including a plurality of lamps by which printing iight can be transmitted successively through said photographic members upon corresponding areas of said light sensitive member; means for varying the energization of each of said lamps to vary the intensity and cross sectional pattern of said light to compensate for varying densities oi said photographic members; a light intensity indicating device positioned upon said printer, including an element movable into and out of the path of said light, for measuring the intensity of the light transmitted through each individual photographic member; and meancx ior restricting the light reaching said device to that transmitted through selected areas of saidindividual photographic member to indicate the variation o the cross sectional patternv or? said printing light which will match the contiguous margins oi the individual images printed upon said light sensitive member when projected thereon, so that the photographic members can be successively printed upon said light sensitive member to produce a print hav-- ing substantially uniform density.

5. In a photographic printer :for printing contiguous complementary images on a single iight sensitive member from a plurality or complementary photographic members to produce a consolidated print, the combination oi: supporting means `ior said plurality oi photographic members, supporting means for 'said light sensitive member; a light source and an optical system by which printing light can he transmitted succesu sii/ely through said photographic members upon corresponding areas of said light sensitive member; a presettable control means corresponding to each ksaid photographic member ior varying the intensity and cross sectional pattern oi said iight to compensate for varying densities of said photographic member; a light intensity indicating device positioned upon said printer, including an element movable into and outA or the iight path, for measuring the intensity of the light transmitted through each individual photographic member; the iight reaching said device to that transmitted through selected areas of said individual photographic member to indicate which setting o the corresponding control means will vary the cross sectional pattern oi said printing light to match the contiguous margins of the individual images printed upon said light sensitive member when projected thereon, so that said control. means can be preset and successively operated and the corresponding ;photographic members successively printed upon said light sensitive member to produce a print having substantially uniform density.

6. In a photographic printer for printing contiguous complementary images on a single light sensitive member from a plurality of complementary photographic members to produce a and means for restricting consolidated print, the combination of: supporting means for said plurality of photographic members; supporting means for said light sensitive member; and an optical system and a light source including a plurality of lamps by which printing light can be transmitted successively through said photographic members upon corresponding areas of said light sensitive member; presettable control means corresponding to each photographic member for varying the energization of each of said lamps to vary the intensity and cross sectional pattern of said light to compensate for varying densities of said photographic members; a light intensity indicating device, including an element movable into and out of the path of said light, for measuring the intensity of the light transmitted through each individual photographic member; and means for restricting the light reaching said device to that transmitted through selected areas oi said individual photographic member to indicate which setting oi' said control means will vary the cross sectional pattern of said printing light to match the contiguous margins of the individual images printed upon said light sensitive member when projected thereon, so that the control means can be preset and successively operated and the corresponding photographic members successively printed upon said light sensitive member to produce a print having substantially uniform density.

7. In a photographic printer for printing contiguous complementary images on a single light sensitive member from a plurailty of comple- 35 mentary photographic members to produce a consolidated print, the combination of: supporting means for said plurality of photographic members; supporting means for said light sensitive member; an optical system and a light source including a plurality of lamps by which printing light can be transmitted successively through said photographic members upon corresponding areas of said light sensitive member; presettable control means corresponding to each said photographic member, each control means including a presettable means for each of said lamps for varying the energization of each of said lamps to vary the intensity and cross jsectional pattern of said light to compensate for varying densities of said photographic members; a. light intensity indicating device positioned upon said printer, including an element movable into and out of the path of said light, for measuring the intensity of the light transmitted through each individual photographic member; and mask means for restricting the light reaching said device to that transmitted through selected areas oi' said individual photographic member to indicate which setting of the resistors of each control means will vary the cross sectional pattern of said printing light to match the contiguous margins of the individual images printed upon said light sensitive member when projected thereon, so that the control means can be preset and successively operated and the corresponding photographic members successively printed upon said light sensitive member to produce a print having substantially uniform density.

LEON T. ELIEL.

Images