Micro-image viewer-printer machine optical assembly

Claim 3

A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said optical assembly further includes a movable reflecting means positioned in the path of said emitted radiation from said radiation sources for reflecting the emitted radiation from said first radiation source to said viewing screen and movable from said path to pass the emitted radiation from said second radiation source to said reproducing means.

Claim 4

A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for continuously energizing said first radiation source during the entire operation of said device.

Claim 5

A device as recited in claim 3 wherein said optical assembly further includes a movable shutter means positioned in the path of the emitted radiation from said first radiation source during the reproducing operation of said device to prevent the emitted radiation from said first radiation source from passing to said reproducing means and movable from said path during the viewing operation of said device to permit the emitted radiation from said first radiation source to pass to said viewing screen.

Claim 6

A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said shutter means is positioned between said first and said second radiation sources.

Claim 7

A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising means responsive to the movement of each micro-image through said device interrupting the movement of said micro-image through said device to enable the projection of said micro-image to appear at a predetermined location on said viewing screen.

Claim 8

A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second radiation sources are collinearly positioned in said device in a spaced-apart relation along a linear optical axis, said illumination from said first radiation source and said illumination from said second radiation source being directed along said optical axis.

Claim 9

A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said optical assembly further includes a condenser lens assembly for receiving the emitted radiation from said radiation sources and for presenting said radiation in equal amounts to each portion of the surface area of each of said micro-images, wherein the emitted radiation from said first radiation source and the emitted radiation from said second radiation source traverse the same path of travel through said condenser lens assembly.

Claim 12

A device as recited in claim 9 wherein said optical sensor is movable within a predetermined portion of said viewing screen to enable the adjustment of the location of said projection of said micro-image on said viewing screen.

Claim 15

A device as recited in claim 11 wherein said reproducing means includes first means for initiating the movement of both said reflecting means and said shutter means from a first position to a second position and second means for initiating the movement of said reflecting means and said shutter means from said second position to said first position.

Claim 16

A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said first initiating means includes means for moving said shutter means from said first position to said second position prior to the movement of said reflecting means from said first position to said second position.

Claim 17

A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said second initiating means includes means for moving said reflecting means from said second position to said first position prior to the movement of said shutter means from said second position to said first position.

Claim 18

A micro-image viewing and reproduction device for selectively displaying a micro-image on a viewing screen or reproducing a micro-image on a light sensitive member, the combination comprising: a supply of light sensitive copy material, a viewing screen for receiving projected images of said micro-images, an exposure plane for receiving a light sensitive copy sheet, an optical system providing an optical path equipped with first and second radiant energy sources, said first source being continuously energized during the operation of said device, said energy sources being focused at a common location in said optical system, a lens assembly positioned in said optical system to receive the radiant energy from said common foCus location, a first, movable, reflective surface having an operative state and a non-operative state for receiving radiation from said first radiation source for projection to said viewing screen when in said operative state and movable to a position outside said optical path when in said non-operative state, control means associated with said first reflective surface, a second fixed reflective surface in said optical path for directing radiation onto said exposure plane, a shutter mechanism disposed between said first and second radiation sources operable between a closed and open position, a continuously operating conveyor for transporting said copy material along said exposure plane, means for automatically initiating the feed of said copy material to said exposure plane, first sensing means disposed in said exposure plane actuated by the leading edge of said copy material for operating said shutter mechanism to said closed condition and for energizing said control means to place said first reflective surface in its non-operating state, second sensing means in said exposure plane actuated by the leading edge of said copy material for energizing said second radiation source, for deenergizing said control means to place said first reflective surface in its operative state, and for returning said shutter to its open position.

Claim 19

A micro-image viewing and reproduction device for selectively displaying a micro-image on a viewing screen or reproducing a micro-image on a light sensitive member, the combination comprising: a supply of light sensitive copy material, a viewing screen for receiving projected images of said micro-images, an exposure plane for receiving a light sensitive copy sheet, an optical system providing an optical path equipped with first and second radiant energy sources, said first source being continuously energized during the operation of said device, said energy sources being focused at a common location in said optical system, a lens assembly positioned in said optical system to receive the radiant energy from said common foCus location, a first, movable, reflective surface having an operative state and a non-operative state for receiving radiation from said first radiation source for projection to said viewing screen when in said operative state and movable to a position outside said optical path when in said non-operative state, control means associated with said first reflective surface, a second fixed reflective surface in said optical path for directing radiation onto said exposure plane, a shutter mechanism disposed between said first and second radiation sources operable between a closed and open position, a continuously operating conveyor for transporting said copy material along said exposure plane, means for automatically initiating the feed of said copy material to said exposure plane, first sensing means disposed in said exposure plane actuated by the leading edge of said copy material for operating said shutter mechanism to said closed condition and for energizing said control means to place said first reflective surface in its non-operating state, second sensing means in said exposure plane actuated by the leading edge of said copy material for energizing said second radiation source, for deenergizing said control means to place said first reflective surface in its operative state, and for returning said shutter to its open position.

Claim 20

A micro-image viewing and reproduction device operable between a viewing condition in which said micro-image is projected on said viewing screen and an imaging condition in which the micro-image is reproduced on a light sensitive material, the combination comprising: a source supply of micro-images and drive means for transporting said micro-images through said device, a supply of light sensitive copy material, a viewing screen for receiving projected images of said micro-images, an exposure plane for receiving a light sensitive copy sheet, an optical assembly providing an optical path equipped with first and second radiant energy sources for emitting radiation along a common path, said second energy source including a reflector for converging and focusing the emitted radiation for said energy source at a point location and said second energy source being positioned at said point location, said first energy source being energized continuously during the time said micro-images are being transported through said device, said second energy source being energized momentarily for reproducing one of said micro-images on said light sensitive material, and shutter means for blocking the illumination from said first energy source when said copy material is in said exposure plane.

Claim 21

A micro-image viewing and reproduction device operable between a viewing condition in which said micro-image is projected on said viewing screen and an imaging condition in which the micro-image is reproduced on a light sensitive material, the combination comprising: a source supply of micro-images and drive means for transporting said micro-images through said device, a supply of light sensitive copy material, a viewing screen for receiving projected images of said micro-images, an exposure plane for receiving a light sensitive copy sheet, an optical assembly providing an optical path equipped with first and second radiant energy sources for emitting radiation along a common path, said second energy source including a reflector for converging and focusing the emitted radiation for said energy source at a point location and said second energy source being positioned at said point location, said first energy source being energized continuously during the time said micro-images are being transported through said device, said second energy source being energized momentarily for reproducing one of said micro-images on said light sensitive material, and shutter means for blocking the illumination from said first energy source when said copy material is in said exposure plane.

Claim 22

A viewing and reproduction device adapted to handle micro-image records, said micro-image records having recognizable indicia thereon, and operable between a viewing condition in which said micro-images are projected on a viewing screen and an imaging condition in which said micro-images are reproduced on light sensitive material, the combination comprising: a feed supply of micro-image records, an optical assembly providing an optical path equipped with first and second radiant energy sources for emitting radiation along a common path, said first energy source including a reflector for converging and focusing the radiation at a predetermined focal point and said second radiation source being positioned at said predetermined focal point, a viewing screen for receiving a projected image in a predetermined location thereon of a micro-image positioned in said optical assembly, drive means for moving said micro-images relative to said optical assembly from said supply of micro-image records, optical sensor means positioned on said viewing screen in a predetermined location and adapted to recognize the projection of said indicia from said micro-image records, and control means responsive to said sensor means for operating said drive means to locate said micro-image relative To said optical assembly so that said projected image is in said predetermined location on said viewing screen.

Claim 23

A viewing and reproduction device adapted to handle micro-image records, said micro-image records having recognizable indicia thereon, and operable between a viewing condition in which said micro-images are projected on a viewing screen and an imaging condition in which said micro-images are reproduced on light sensitive material, the combination comprising: a feed supply of micro-image records, an optical assembly providing an optical path equipped with first and second radiant energy sources for emitting radiation along a common path, said first energy source including a reflector for converging and focusing the radiation at a predetermined focal point and said second radiation source being positioned at said predetermined focal point, a viewing screen for receiving a projected image in a predetermined location thereon of a micro-image positioned in said optical assembly, drive means for moving said micro-images relative to said optical assembly from said supply of micro-image records, optical sensor means positioned on said viewing screen in a predetermined location and adapted to recognize the projection of said indicia from said micro-image records, and control means responsive to said sensor means for operating said drive means to locate said micro-image relative To said optical assembly so that said projected image is in said predetermined location on said viewing screen.