US3802773A

US3802773A - Automatic photo-composer

Info

Publication number: US3802773A
Application number: US00267950A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Schneider
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-06-30
Filing date: 1972-06-30
Publication date: 1974-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-09

Abstract

This invention transfers a graphic image from a reduced film image to the appropriate location on a film photo-composed page. The preferred embodiment of this invention consists of an aperture card (microfilm mounted on computer punch card) handling system for feeding and positioning the reduced image film; an image copying system which projects light through the reduced image and focuses it onto the correct horizontal position on the output photocomposed page; and a system for accurately positioning the photo-composed page film.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 Schneider AUTOMATIC PHOTO-COMPOSER [76] Inventor: Walter Schneider, 515 S. Riverside Dr., Villa Park, Ill.

[22] Filed: June 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 267,950

[52] US. Cl .Q 355/43; 355/45, 355/65 [51] Int. Cl. G03b 27/70 [58] Field of Search; 95/4.5 R; 355/40-43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 53, 54, 64-66 [56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,458,253 7/1969 Hansen 355/43 X 3,225,649

12/1965 Timares et a1; 355/42 v Apr. 9, 1974 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRichard A. Wintercorn Attorney, Agent, or Firm'.iames A. Geppert [57] ABSTRACT This invention transfers a graphic image from a reduced film image to the appropriate location on a film photo-composed page. The preferred embodiment of this invention consists of an aperture card (microfilm mounted on computer punch card) handling system for feeding and positioning the reduced image film; an image copying system which projects light through the reduced image and focuses it onto the correct horizontal position on the output photocomposed page;

and a system for accurately positioning the photocomposed page film.

13 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures .26 25 CARD (5 AQ B C 151 29 HORIZONTAL REPOSITIONING SYSTEM PATENTEBAPR 9 m4 $802,773

sum

5 or 5 ROTATE MOVE MOVE MOVE MOVE ROTATE POSITION GLOGKWISE mm UP DOWN LEFT acumen comm @725 L LOEKWlE mum/m1 i T0 MOTOR REED RELAYS M004; mm 0550 u 7 222: iii? /Bv no: 0000a MEET INPUT PAGE FILM OUTPUT PAGE FILM EXAMPLE INPUT CARDS 45 I 7 I b l AUTOMATIC PHOTO-COMPOSER This invention provides a method whereby graphic material can be placed on a photo-composed page for the purpose of photo-composition. The :input to this device is a reduced'film copy of the graphic image labeled by its location on the page to produce photo-composed pages with the graphic material properly positioned on the page.

There are presently many devices for photo typesetting of text material which can photo-compose the text of a page. At'present there is no system of automatically merging graphics material with the text. This invention accomplishes just that.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of an automatic photo-composer for use in adding graphic images to a previously photo-typeset film, which vwill accurately and precisely position the devise is controlled jbya minicomputer r utilizing punched computercards having a film mounted in an aperture in the card with the desired image on the film.

The film image is projected onto the typeset output film.

Another object of the present invention is the provisionof an automatic photo-composer having an image correction system which can correct error from film mounting and operative card handling. The image correction system utilizes a semi-conductor correcting target with a photocell matrix receiving a hairline light beam from the aperture card. The photocell matrix controls motor reed relays which will cause movement of one or more mirrors in the image projection system to cause movement of the image up or down, right or left, or rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, and then indicate when .the image position is correct.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic photo-composing device with a system to position the image in the proper horizontal column. This system utilizes a series of pairs of mirrors which may be inserted into the image light beam to change the light path depending on which column the imageisto be positioned as controlled by the punched aperture cards.

The present invention also comprehends theprovision of an electronic control system for the automatic ploto-composing device which will accurately control the positioning and projection of the graphic images from the aperture cards 'to the typeset film.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economyand ease of as-. sembly and operation and such further objects, advantages and 'capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby In the drawings:

'FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the major components of the system.

FIG. 2 shows the output film where the graphic images have been copied thereon.

' FIG. 3 shows an'input aperture card containing a graphic image.

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic showing of the electronic and electrical subsystems of the'invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing of the horizontal column beam repositioning system.

of the image correction graphic images onto the proper pages on the film. This FIGS. 7a-'7e show the hairline photo-cell matrix device and the projection of various hair lines on it.

. FIG. 8 is a showing ofa sample film input to and completed film output from this device, and image input cards for the film input. 7

FIG. 9 is a schematic showing of the continuous horizontal repositioning apparatus.

An example of the use of this device would be in the setting of a yellow pages section of a phone book. The text would be set by a photo-typesetting device with white space left for ads, the input page film in FIG. 8 being an example. As a computer program produces the photo-type-setting magnetic tape for the phototypesetter, it would also produce a tape containing the identification number, location, and magnification of each ad in the book. Then, aperture cards (see FIG. 3) containing the reducedv negative copy of the ad 112, and the punched ad identification number 107, are read into a'computer which then punches the page on which the ad is to occur at 108, the leading from the top of the page at 109, the column in which the ad starts at 110, and a code indicatingwhat magnification onto the appropriate location on the typeset film. The

end result is a complete page, similar to the output film shown in FIGS. 2 and 8.

The system disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 6, illustrates one embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment the image is transferred optically from the reduced film input to the output film. The primary components of this system are: 1) a system for handling the output page onto which film images are copied; 2) a system for feeding, reading, and positioning aperture cards; and 3) a system for copying the image from the aperture card to the output film.

The output film handling system feeds film from a normal photo-typesetting machine past the graphic imaging system, and to a take-up reel. I

Referring-to FIG. 1, the typeset output film l is fed from roll 2 containedin film cartridge 3 over sprockets 4, 8 and roller 14 to be taken up on take-up reel 15 in cartridge 16. A DC motor 19 is actuated whenever the film'loop 5 gets so small that micro-switch 7 is closed. Thereafter motor 19 drives the sprocket 4 playing out film until the film contacts micro-switch 6, stopping motor 19.

Stepping motor 20 operates sprocket 8 which keeps the film taut over metal plate 22. The stepping motor allows for very accurate positioning of the film l and, in conjunction with metal plate 22, keeps the film taut where the image beam 18 contacts the film. This allows for very fast and accurate positioning of the film.

Before the image beam 18 contacts the film l, a portion of the beam is blocked by shield 10 which marks portions of the input film image containing correction and identification marks. After passing through the shield the image passes through a removable photographic line screen 9 and then onto film 1. When images requiring half-tone processes are to be copied, screen 9 is in place in order that halftone images are projected onto the film. Screen 9 is removed for line work or other graphic material not requiring halftone screening.

Microswitch -17 is designed to determine the beginning of pages on the film 1. With reference to FIG. 2, several leading photo-typesetting machines put

notches

76, 77 on'the output film to indicate the start of page positions; Whenever one of these

notches

76 or 77 passes under mircroswitch 17, a pulse is sent to the computer indicating that a new page is positioned under the image beam 18. Since the computer system pulses stepping motor 20 and reads page indications from micro-switch '17, an internal counter indicates what portion of film, is positioned under the image screen.

As the film passes across metal plate 22, it passes under the crosshair projection lamp 94. This lamp is turned on when the appropriate portion of film 1 passes under it to copy a printers crosshair onto the film for use for later alignment. As film loop 11 increases, micro-switchlZis closed activating motor 21, causing take-up'reel 15 to turn, winding up'film untilmicroswitch 13 is'closed. I t

v v CARD HANDLING I The card handling system feeds the cards, reads the punched holes, physically positions the cards, and then optically positions the images The card feeding process (see FIG. 1) takes the cards from the inputhopper 24, passes them under rollers and under the card reading head 26 to the film cleaning head 27', and then under the card imaging system 64 where the image is'copied onto the output film. After the images have been copied, the cards are fed into card hopper 28, It is important to .note, that the punched information of the second card has been read before the first cards image is copied with the punched information of both cards kept in the devices computer memory. The purpose of having the'information for both cards stored will be explained in the image copyingsystem.

For fuller explanation, the processing of one aperture card will be followed through the card handling system. On the first-feed cyclethe card is fed onto the path 29 from the input hopper24. On the second feed cycle the card moves .underthe card reading head 26. At this point, the punched data is read from the card. During the third feed cycle, the card passes under the film cleaner 27 and is positioned under the card imaging system 64'for image copying. When the card blocks the light on photocell 30 the card .feed mechanism is braked to stop the card immediately. At this point physical positioning of theaperture card is complete.

IMAGE CORRECTION Because of inaccuracies in mounting the mm. film on the aperture card and theexaggeration of these errors by the magnification process, each input image must be repositioned. FIG. 3 shows a typical input aperture card 34 with an aligning crosshair 106 photographed onto the film. By accurately positioning this crosshair, the film image is correctly aligned for projection and errors in mounting the film on the aperture and in card positioning are compensated for.

The image correction system (see FIGS. 1 and 4) projects the reduced film image onto two sets of front surfaced mirrors or Dove prisms which reposition the image vertically, horizontally and rotationally, Light from lamp 31 passes through condensing lens 32 and the reduced film image 33, projecting the image onto reflecting mirrors or

Dove prisms

35 and 41. The light beam then passes through a projecting lens 42 and a beam splitter 43.. A portion 47 of the beam passes through a second lens 44 to a semi-conductor correctingtarget 45. A front view of semi-conductor target 45 is shown enlarged in FIG. 7a.

The image correction circuit consists of three DC motors and a photocell matrix. The photocell matrix on target 45 provides seven output lines which drive each motor forward or in reverse and indicate when the cormotion. is complete. FIG. 7a is an enlarged view of the photocell matrix and indicates the output lines. These output lines are coupled to electronic or electromechanical switches which activate the image positioning motors. Current will not energize a motor'unless the hairline light beam crosses two of the photocell sections that control the motor. I

FIGS. 7b7e explain in greater detail just how the hairline is positioned. The dotted line represents light from the film hairline. The light in FIG. 7b crosses

photocells

65, 66, 70, 72. This causes the move left switch to close. Referring to FIG. 4, motor 115 is actuated to rotate pinion gear 114 and move rack gear 113 and therefore motor 37 and mirror or Dove prisms 35 to the left, thus causing the hairline to move to the position shown in FIG. 70. The hairline in FIG. 7c falls on .

photocells

65, 66, 70, 71. Photocells-70 and 71 close the rotatecounter-clockwise switch and actuate motor 37 to rotate mirror or Dove prisms 35, while motor continues to move the mirror or Dove prisms 35 to the. left due to light on

photocells

65 and 66. In FIG. 7d, the hairline crosses only photocells 66 and 67 and thevertical portion of photocell 73. The

. SHUTTER CONTROL FIG. 4 shows the shutter 83 which normally blocks light beam 18. The minicomputer switches the shutter 83 on and off to either block or allow the light beam 18 to pass to light sensitive'recording member l. I

Q HORIZONTAL COLUMN REPOSITIONING SYSTEM The horizontal column repositioning system shown in I FIG. 6 consists primarily of sets of mirrors arranged to project the graphic image to one of a set of horizontal locations on the output film. As indicated in FIG. 6, the

distance the light beam travels from shutter.83 to the light sensitive recording member 1 (output page film) is held constant in order to keepthe image focused while it is being horizontally repositioned.

Each set of mirrors consists of two front surface mirrors 56 and 57, 54 and 55, 52 and 53 or 50 and'5l mounted equidistant from an apex of a guide.87,88,89

or 90, respectively. 87, 88, 89 mirror guides are installed in

mirror guide runners

92 and 93. The mirror guide 87 for column one is positioned and fastened so that the center of mirror 56 intersects light beam' 18. With mirrors 56 and 57 positioned on guide 87 equidistant from theiapex 91, the graphic image can be projected 'sothat its left edge falls on the left edge of column oneon the light sensitive recording member 1.

- Horizontal repositioning for columns two, three, and four is handled basically the same way except that mirrors 50, 52'and 54 are retractable. Mirrors 50, -52 and 54 are mounted on

solenoids

84, 85 and 86, respectively, so that they reflect the light beam'only when their appropriate solenoid is activated. In FIG. 6, mirror 52 is shown extended. In this case, light beam 18 is reflected down lightpath '60 and horizontally displaced so that the left edge is located on the left edge of column three. Light beam 18 will travel down light path 58 if no solenoids are activated; path 59, if solenoid 86 is activated; path 60, if 85 is activated; and path 61, if solenoid 84 is activated. Thus, by activating

solenoid

84, 85 or 86, the image can be projected to any of the predetermined horizontal positions.

CONTINUOUS HORIZONTAL REPOSITIONING 1 SYSTEM I ln situations where the graphic images are not set in Y column format, a moving mirror pair shown in FIG.- 9 isused. A minicomputer pulses stepping motor 100 which in turn rotates spur gear 99 moving rack gear 98. This in turn moves the pair of front surfaced mirrors 97, which deflect light beam 18, This system has the ad- In order to produce full color images for printing, four copies of the original graphic material, must be made, one each for yellow, magenta, cyan and black. To accomplish this, four output page films are made. Referring to FIG. 4, for copying the black portion of the image, filter 62 is a modified filter With this filter in place the black portions of the image are transferred onto the phototypeset output film giving an end result similar tothat' in FIG. 2. After all the cards have been run through for the black portion of the image, the aperture'cards are run through three more times with the respective filters in place to produce yellow, magenta and cyan portions of the image on bulk film which is spaced tothe appropriate location for the image to be copied onto it.

ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM Although a hard wired system could accomplish the control of the equipment described, the preferred em bodiment of this invention employs a minicomputer to increase its versatility. Inputs to the minicomputer (FIG. 5) are data from card reader 26, photocell 30, crosshair correction indicator 73, page sensingswitch 17, film sensing switch 75, and a teletype input. Outputs from the minicomputer control the card feeding system, the image correction system, magnification lens system 63, shutter 83,

mirror controlling solenoids

84, 85, 86, stepping motor 20, printers hairline projector 94, and a teletype output.

The controlling circuits and their functions can be illustrated by following the procedure for setting a two 6 page book with three graphic images. FIG. 8 shows the input aperture cards79, and 81, input typeset page film 78, and the output page film 82. FIGS schematically shows the controlling operation.

To initiate operation, 1) input film 78 which was previously typeset on a conventional photo-typesetting machine is mounted in the page film handling system; 2) the three aperture cards are loadedinto card hopper 24; 3) power is turned on; and 4) the number of the first page is typed into the teletype. The minicomputer then pulses stepping motor 20 until the first page indicator notch 76 is sensed by switch 17. At this point the internal page film counter-104 is'set to the page number that was typed in, in this case page 1, with vertical leading set at zero. The computer turns on the printers hairline projector 94 (FIG. 1) which copies a hairline (FIG. 8) onto the output film 82. The printers hairline is' copied to allow for later alignment of printing plates, particularly in the use of color.

- The card handling system feeds

cards

79, 80 and 81 such that when card 79 is'at the imaging station 64, card 80 has passed under the reading head 26 and is ready to be fed into the imaging station, and card 81 has been fed and is ready to be fed past reading head 26. The punched information from card 79 was read by reading head 26 and stored in the image card storage indicator 103 of the minicomputer. The punched information of card 80 is stored in the buffered card storage indicator 102.

At this point the normal operation of the device has begun. Whenphotocell 30 is blocked by card 79 at the imaging station, the computer switches on the optical hairline correction system. The information from the image card storage column indicator selects which

solenoid

84, 85 or 86 in the horizontal repositioning system is to be activated to position a particular mirror in light beam 18. Or, in the continuous column repositioning system, the number of pulses the stepping motor receives. Lens system 63 is operated so the lenses are in the correct position for the magnification code specified on the image card. When the image is correctly positioned, as indicated by cross hair indicator 73 and the appropriate column mirror. is positioned, an image-ready-to-be-copied switch 122 is set in the computer;

During all of this time, the computer has been going through a page film advance cycling procedure which consists of the computer pulsing the stepping motor 20, incrementing the internal page film leading counter 104, and comparing the internal page film counter 104 with the page and leading information from the image card storage indicator 103. If the film page number and/or leading is larger than the information from the image card storage indicator 103, the machine stops and an alarm rings. If smaller, the computer pulses motor 20, increments the counter 104 and compares again.

When the page and leading values of the image card storage indicator 103 and internal page film leading counter 104 are equal, the copy cycle begins. First the image-ready-to-be-copied switch 122 is checked con- Y tinuously until it indicates ready. The shutter 83 is then opened to allow light beam 18 to pass through for a prescribed perior of time. The image is now in proper position on the output page film. I

The graphic material on the aperture card 79 film was a 4 column by 3 inch graphic image in this exam-- i 7 ple.-The graphic image was positioned onto the page so that the left edge of the image aligns with the left edge of column 1, and the top ofthe graphic image falls at aleading of 3.50 inches from the top of the page, as indicatedby punched information from the image card. By positioning theleft and top edge of the graphic image, its location is fullyidetermined. The area of the page film receiving light is determined by the original material. In this way a three column by 2 inch graphic original will be a three column by '2 inch graphic on the page film if no magnification is indicated.

lf magnification is indicated the minicomputer outputs pulses to the lens system 63 which repositions the lenses to-the desired magnification. Magnification is normally done only when the continuous horizontal repositioning system is used. The minicomputer calculates the horizontal and vertical displacement that results from the magnification and inserts these corrected values in the image card, storageindicator 103. With these corrected values the system works as previously described. a

After the image from card 79 is copied, the machine feedsin a new card and prepares for copying it. After shutter 18 closes, the image-ready-to-be-copied switch 122 is turned off, the contents of the buffered cardindicator are moved into the image card storage indicator, and the page, film advance cycle is started. As the pagefilm is advanced, page film notch 77 passes under page sensing switch 17. When theswitch is closed the computer increments the internal page film page counter '104,resets, the. internal page film leading to zero, and turns on hairline projector 94 which copies a'printers hairline 96 onto the page film.

Since the next graphic image 80 is to appear in column 2-the computer activates solenoid 86, extending mirror 54 to cause the left edge-of the graphic image to align with the left edge of column 2. The card image is then copied in the same manner as card 79, but on page 2 with a vertical leading of 2.10 inches and the left edge, aligned with column 2s left edge.

The machine then cycles again and card 81s image is also copied. in this way a book of any length, with any number of pages (maximum 10,000) and any numberof graphic images can be merged with'type completely automatically.

When the minicomputer cannot continue, in situations such as a card jam, card out of order, too few cards, inability to position correcting crosshair, or end of page film, the machine stops, sounds an alarm to gain operator attention, and specifies the problem via the teletype.

This invention is also operablewith' any electrical or optical projection system, e.g., a television camera converting the film image to electrical signals and a cathode ray tube to convert the electrical signals to light which is then focused onto the film.

While the forms of apparatus herein described conlocation on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitive recordingmember which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them ontothe recording member, means for projecting an image beam through the film image onto the recording member, means for intermittently moving the recording member relative to the, image beam, and a correction system for correcting errors in positioning of the film comprising a photo-electric target receiving an indicator image from the film copy of the graphic image, and means to reposition the image beam from the film copy to the recording member to correct for horizontal, vertical and rotational errors to a standard position indicated by the target. I

2.- An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in which the correction indicator image is accurately positioned on the film copy of the graphic 'image to be copied by photographing 'the indicator image onto the film copy when the original graphic image is photographed thereon. I

3. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in whichsaid repositioning means includes one or more rotating mirrors or Dove prisms and individual motors actuating the mirrors or Dove prisms for horizontal, vertical and rotational movement.

4. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in which said target includes a photocell matrix providing'seven matrix lines, and electrical activating means connected to said matrix lines'to actuate the repositioning means. I

5. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in which said projection means includes an enlarging lens, a beam splitter dividing the image beam into two parts, one of which is projected onto the photo-electric target, and means to deflect the remainder of the beam to variable positions on the recording member.

6. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, including optical means for projecting the image beam with'horizontal displacement onto the rewhich may contain photo '-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an image beam through the film image, means for intermittently-moving the recording member relative to the image beam, and means for projecting the image with horizontal displacement onto the recording member, wherein information indicating the position that the film image is to occupy on the recording member is coded onto the film containing the image or the mounting card therefor, the information being used by the apparatus to position the film image onto the recording member. 5

8. An automatic photo-composing system as set fort in claim 7, including a card hopper receiving the aperture cards, a card reading device under which each card is fed, and a projection system where each card is positioned such that light is projected through the film image of the aperture card.

9. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images, line drawings and half-tones in either color or black and white from film copies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and vertical ing the image beam onto the recording member, and

beam deflection means including at least one pair of mirrors positioned in the image beams path whereby the image is horizontally deflected with the focal length of the image beam remaining 'constant, and means to position the mirrors such that the light is deflected horizontally from the first mirror to the second mirror such that the angle of the second mirror has an angle of incidence with the image beam of 90 minus the angle of incidence of the beam with the first mirror.

10. An automatic photocomposing system. as set forth in claim 9, in which one pair of mirrors intersect each other at and are secured to a rack, a pinion engaging the rack, and a motor actuating the pinion to move the rack and mirrors such that as the distance between the image source and the mirrors decreases, the distance. the light beam travels between the two mirrors decreases in such a way as to decrease the horizontal displacement of the image while keeping the beam length from the film image to the light sensitive recording member constant.

11. An automatic photo-comprising system as set forth in claim 9, in which the mirror positioning means includes a pair of mirrors for each column on the page to be printed, a guide for each pair of mirrors with the mirrors mounted equidistant from the apex of the guide, each pair of mirrors being positioned on its guide to deflect the light beam to a desired column, one mirror of each pair adapted to be positioned in the initial path of the light beam, the first mirror for one column being stationary, and a'solenoid for the first mirror of each additional pair to project its mirror into the initial path of the light beam and deflect the light beam to a column in a different horizontal position relative to said one column. I

12. An automatic photo-comprising system for copying graphic images, line drawings and half-tones in either color or. black and white from film copies of the desired images to the correct'horizontal and vertical location on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitive recording member which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an image b'eam through the film image, optical means for projecting the image beam onto the recording member, and a handling system for the light sensitive recording member including an input roll of the recording member, means for pulling the recording member off of the input roll to produce a loop, means to retain the recording member taut where the projected image beam contacts it, means to advance the recording member under the image beam,.means to sense the beginning of a page on the recording member, a light shield to prevent unwanted portions of the image beam from contacting the member, and means for taking up the recording member after the member has passed through the image copying device.

' 13. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images, line drawings and half tones in either color or black and white from film copies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and vertical location on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitive recording member which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an image beam through the film image, means for intermittently moving the recording member relative to the image beam, an optical correction system for correcting errors in film repositioning comprising a photo-electric target receiving an indicator image, one or more rotating mirrors or Dove prisms acting to reposition the image to a standard position to copy the film image onto the recording member, motors actuating the mirrors and Dove prisms, and optical means for projecting the image beam with horizontal displace ment onto the recording member including an enlarging lens, a device which splits the beam into two parts, one of which is projected through a lens to the photoelectric target, a film shutter and means to deflect the remainder of the beam to variable positions on therecording member.

Claims

1. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images, line drawings and half-tones in either color or black and white from film copies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and vertical location on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitive recording member which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an image beam through the film image onto the recording member, means for intermittently moving the recording member relative to the image beam, and a correction system for correcting errors in positioning of the film comprising a photo-electric target receiving an indicator image from the film copy of the graphic image, and means to reposition the image beam from the film copy to the recording member to correct for horizontal, vertical and rotational errors to a standard position indicated by the target.

2. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in which the direction indicator image is accurately positioned on the film copy of the graphic image to be copied by photographing the indicator image onto the film copy when the original graphic image is photographed thereon.

3. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in which said repositioning means includes one or more rotating mirrors or Dove prisms and individual motors actuating the mirrors or Dove prisms for horizontal, vertical and rotational movement.

4. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in which said target includes a photocell matrix providing seven matrix lines, and electrical activating means connected to said matrix lines to actuate the repositioning means.

6. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, including optical means for projecting the image beam with horizontal displacement onto the recording member.

7. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images, line drawings and half-tones in either color or black and white from film copies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and vertical location on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitive recording member which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an image beam through the film image, means for intermittently moving the recording member relative to the image beam, and means for projecting the image with horizontal displacement onto the recording member, wherein information indicating the position that the film image is to occupy on the recording member is coded onto the film containing the image or the mounting card therefor, the information being used by the apparatus to position the film image onto the recording member.

8. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 7, including a card hopper receiving the aperture cards, a card reading device under which each card is fed, and a projection system where each card is positioned such that light is projected through the film image of the aperture card.

9. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images, line drawings and half-tones in either color or black and white from film copies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and vertical location on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitive recordinG member which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an image beam through the film image, means for intermittently moving the recording member relative to the image beam, optical means for projecting the image beam onto the recording member, and beam deflection means including at least one pair of mirrors positioned in the image beam''s path whereby the image is horizontally deflected with the focal length of the image beam remaining constant, and means to position the mirrors such that the light is deflected horizontally from the first mirror to the second mirror such that the angle of the second mirror has an angle of incidence with the image beam of 90* minus the angle of incidence of the beam with the first mirror.

10. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 9, in which one pair of mirrors intersect each other at and are secured to a rack, a pinion engaging the rack, and a motor actuating the pinion to move the rack and mirrors such that as the distance between the image source and the mirrors decreases, the distance the light beam travels between the two mirrors decreases in such a way as to decrease the horizontal displacement of the image while keeping the beam length from the film image to the light sensitive recording member constant.

11. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 9, in which the mirror positioning means includes a pair of mirrors for each column on the page to be printed, a guide for each pair of mirrors with the mirrors mounted equidistant from the apex of the guide, each pair of mirrors being positioned on its guide to deflect the light beam to a desired column, one mirror of each pair adapted to be positioned in the initial path of the light beam, the first mirror for one column being stationary, and a solenoid for the first mirror of each additional pair to project its mirror into the initial path of the light beam and deflect the light beam to a column in a different horizontal position relative to said one column.

12. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images, line drawings and half-tones in either color or black and white from film copies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and vertical location on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitive recording member which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an image beam through the film image, optical means for projecting the image beam onto the recording member, and a handling system for the light sensitive recording member including an input roll of the recording member, means for pulling the recording member off of the input roll to produce a loop, means to retain the recording member taut where the projected image beam contacts it, means to advance the recording member under the image beam, means to sense the beginning of a page on the recording member, a light shield to prevent unwanted portions of the image beam from contacting the member, and means for taking up the recording member after the member has passed through the image copying device.

13. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images, line drawings and half tones in either color or black and white from film copies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and vertical location on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitive recording member which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an image beam through the film image, means for intermittently moving the recording member relative to the image beam, an optical correction system for correcting errors in film reposItioning comprising a photo-electric target receiving an indicator image, one or more rotating mirrors or Dove prisms acting to reposition the image to a standard position to copy the film image onto the recording member, motors actuating the mirrors and Dove prisms, and optical means for projecting the image beam with horizontal displacement onto the recording member including an enlarging lens, a device which splits the beam into two parts, one of which is projected through a lens to the photo-electric target, a film shutter and means to deflect the remainder of the beam to variable positions on the recording member.