Micro optic storage and retrieval system

Claim 2

A microfiche and reader for projecting and viewing micro optic information carried by a microfiche having a plurality of lensettes, the reader including a viewing surface against which information is adapted to be projected, the microfiche carrying a plurality of images each defined by a set of sub-images spaced over the microfiche, the sub-images being each adapted to be projected over the multiplicity of parallel, spaced optical axes to the viewing surface, and an apertured mask positioned between the microfiche and the viewing surface, the improvement which comprises: a. an intermediate projection lens positioned between each mask aperture and said viewing surface and having its optic axis coincident with the normal axis of each said mask aperture, b. each mask aperture being aligned with one of said lensettes, the number of lensettes being greater than both the number of projection lenses and mask apertures, c. a plurality of vertical, opaque septa extending from adjacent said surface to adjacent said apertured mask, said septa dividing the space between said surface and said apertured mask into a plurality of cells, there being one such cell for each of said apertures in the mask.

Claim 3

The microfiche and reader of claim 2 wherein each said intermediate lens is carried by a sheet, said sheet positioned parallel to said viewing surface.

Claim 4

The microfiche and reader of claim 2 wherein said sheet and said intermediate lens are integral.

Claim 5

The microfiche and reader of claim 3 wherein all of said intermediate lenses are integral with a single sheet.

Claim 6

A microfiche and reader for projecting and viewing micro optic information carried by a microfiche having a plurality of lensettes, the reader including a viewing surface against which information is adapted to be projected, the microfiche carrying a plurality of images each defined by a set of sub-images spaced over the microfiche, the sub-images being each adapted to be projected over a multiplicity of parallel, spaced optical axes to the viewing surface, and an apertured mask positioned between the microfiche and the viewing surface, the improvement which comprises; a. an intermediate projection lens positioned between each mask aperture and said viewing surface and having its optic axis coincident with the normal axis of each said mask aperture, b. each mask aperture being aligned with one of said lensettes, the number of lensettes being greater than both the number of projection lenses and mask apertures, c. a pair of transparent plates interposed between said apertured mask and said viewing surface, mating surfaces of said plates having cavIties therein which define lens cavities optically aligned with a corresponding one of the apertures in said mask, said lens cavities defining said intermediate projection lenses, the upper surfaces of the uppermost plate defining said viewing surface.

Claim 7

A microfiche and reader for projecting and viewing micro optic information carried by a microfiche having a plurality of lensettes, the reader including a viewing surface against which information is adapted to be projected, the microfiche carrying a plurality of images each defined by a set of sub-images spaced over the microfiche, the sub-images being each adapted to be projected over a multiplicity of parallel, spaced optical axes to the viewing surface, and an apertured mask positioned between the microfiche and the viewing surface, the improvement which comprises; a. an intermediate projection lens positioned between each mask aperture and said viewing surface and having its optic axis coincident with the normal axis of each said mask aperture, b. each mask aperture being aligned with one of said lensettes, the number of lensettes being greater than both the number of projection lenses and mask apertures, c. a pair of transparent plates interposed between said apertured mask and said viewing surface, mating surfaces of said plates having cavIties therein which define lens cavities optically aligned with a corresponding one of the apertures in said mask, said lens cavities defining said intermediate projection lenses, the upper surfaces of the uppermost plate defining said viewing surface.

Claim 8

A microfiche and reader for projecting and viewing micro optic information carried by a microfiche having a plurality of lensettes, the reader including a viewing surface against which information is adapted to be projected, the microfiche carrying a plurality of images each defined by a set of sub-images spaced over the microfiche, the sub-images being each adapted to be projected over a multiplicity of parallel, spaced optical axes to the viewing surface, and an apertured mask positioned between the microfiche and the viewing surface, the improvement which comprises: a. an intermediate projection lens positioned between each mask aperture and said viewing surface and having its optic axis coincident with the normal axis of each said mask aperture, b. each mask aperture being aligned with one of said lensettes, the number of lensettes being greater than both the number of projection lenses and mask apertures, c. the interlensette area on the microfiche being opaque on the same surface of the microfiche as the lensettes.

Claim 9

A microfiche and reader for projecting and viewing micro optic information carried by a microfiche having a plurality of lensettes, the reader including a viewing surface against which information is adapted to be projected, the microfiche carrying a plurality of images each defined by a set of sub-images spaced over the microfiche, the sub-images being each adapted to be projected over a multiplicity of parallel, spaced optical axes to the viewing surface, and an apertured mask positioned between the microfiche and the viewing surface, the improvement which comprises: a. an intermediate projection lens positioned between each mask aperture and said viewing surface and having its optic axis coincident with the normal axis of each said mask aperture, b. each mask aperture being aligned with one of said lensettes, the number of lensettes being greater than both the number of projection lenses and mask apertures, c. the interlensette area on the microfiche being opaque on the same surface of the microfiche as the lensettes.