Automatic image rotator for micro-image reader-printer

Claim 2

Apparatus for automatically rotating a projected image comprising: optical means interposed in the image light path for angularly displacing the projected image; drive means for imparting movement to said optical means for varying the arc through which the image is displaced; and selectively operable control means for automatically controlling operation of said drive means for movement of said optical means from a home position through a prescribed angle to an operating position, including switch means and switch actuator means mounted for actuating the switch means responsive to movement of the optical means to each of said home and operating positions and control means energized by said switch means for reversing the direction of said drive means with the optical means in each of said positions for movement of the optical means to the other position.

Claim 3

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including additionally: a rotatably supported carrier supporting said optical means; and wherein said drive means comprise a drive motor coupled to the carrier for imparting angular movement thereto about an axis generally parallel to the entering and emerging image light path through said optical means, said control means including relatively movable switch actuating means and a switch coupled to said drive motor.

Claim 4

The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said optical means comprise a prism; said control means comprising a pair of spaced-apart switches disposed adjacent said carrier and coupled to said drive motor; said switch actuator being secured to said carrier, and wherein said actuator and the other switch define the operational position of said carrier.

Claim 5

The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including additionally: a pair of switch brackets each carrying one of said switches mounted for pivotal movement relative to said prism, and means for moving each of said brackets for adjusting the home and operational limit positions of said prisms.

Claim 6

A micro-image reader-printer comprising a light source; a projection screen; an image projection system disposed between the light source and the screen for projecting an enlarged image; a printing station including an image plane; means for selectively directing the enlarged image from the projection system onto the screen or the image plane; automatic image reorienting means including a prism disposed in the image light path and mounted for angular movement between a home position for projecting the enlarged image onto the screen in a first image orientation and an operational printout position for projecting the enlarged image onto the image plane in a second image orientation; motor means drivingly coupled to said prism for moving the prism between said home and printout positions, switch means for controlling said motor means for moving the prism from one of said positions to the other, and actuator means mounted for relative movement with respect to said switch means for actuating said switch means with the prism in either home or opeRational printout position to move the prism to the other of said positions, whereby on moving said image from the projection screen to the image plane the drive motor moves the prism from home position to operational printout position and is re-energized to return the prism to home position on return of the projected image to the screen.

Claim 7

A micro-image reader-printer comprising a light source; a projection screen; an image projection system disposed between the light source and the screen for projecting an enlarged image; a printing station including an image plane; means for selectively directing the enlarged image from the projection system onto the screen or the image plane; automatic image reorienting means including a prism disposed in the image light path and mounted for angular movement between a home position for projecting the enlarged image onto the screen in a first image orientation and an operational printout position for projecting the enlarged image onto the image plane in a second image orientation; motor means drivingly coupled to said prism for moving the prism between said home and printout positions, switch means for controlling said motor means for moving the prism from one of said positions to the other, and actuator means mounted for relative movement with respect to said switch means for actuating said switch means with the prism in either home or opeRational printout position to move the prism to the other of said positions, whereby on moving said image from the projection screen to the image plane the drive motor moves the prism from home position to operational printout position and is re-energized to return the prism to home position on return of the projected image to the screen.

Claim 8

The micro-image reader-printer as set forth in claim 5 wherein said actuator means is mounted for movement coincident with said prism and said switch means includes first and second switches positioned to be actuated by said actuator, each mounted adjacent to said prism, and means adjustably supporting each of said switches relative to said actuator for varying the limit of movement to which said prism is rotated and adjusting the arc through which the projected image is reoriented.