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Microfilm and microfiche (microform) can only be viewed with a special viewer. These viewers are generally standalone machines that magnify the image and have a screen for viewing the images. They may also include a printer function. These printers are expensive, use a lot of energy and require the user to purchase special printing supplies. New microform readers may include the ability to digitally store images, but still have a screen and are standalone machines. As a result, these machines are very expensive.
Thus there exists a need for an inexpensive microform reader.
A digital microform reader that overcomes these and other problems includes a form carrier. A light projection system projects light onto the form carrier. A digital imaging system images a portion of the form carrier. A computer communication data interface system receives an electronic image from the digital imaging system, wherein the digital microform reader does not contain a viewer. In one embodiment, the digital microform reader uses a low power projection lamp that is rated less than 25 watts. This saves on operating expenses. A light diffusion sheet may be used with a condenser lens of the light projection system. The digital imaging system includes a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) detector. CMOS detectors are able to capture an image much faster than CCD (Charge Coupled Device) detectors. Because the system does not have a separate viewer it is much less expensive than prior art systems. The system also uses less energy than prior art machines because of its use of light diffusion sheets with the condenser lens and as a background for the microform.
In operation, the user first installs a camera driver on their computer. The user then installs an image capture software. The digital microform reader is connected to the computer using a standard computer communication cable, such as a USB cord. The user then places the microform in the form carrier and turns on the light. The user then adjusts the focus using a focus knob. The zoom is controlled by moving the housing holding the CMOS camera up and down. Once an image is viewed on the computer with the camera driver software it can be captured and manipulated using the image capture software. Because the system uses a computer it does not need a viewer, it also can use off the shelf image capture software. This significantly reduces the cost of the microform reader. It also significantly increases the value over a standalone viewer. Since the images are already stored on a computer they can be cropped, rotated, combined with other images and easily sent to other computers.
The invention is directed to a digital microform reader that has a form carrier. A light projection system projects light onto the form carrier. A digital imaging system images a portion of the form carrier. A computer communication data interface system receives an electronic image from the digital imaging system, wherein the digital microform reader does not contain a viewer. In one embodiment, the digital microform reader uses a low power projection lamp that is rated less than 25 watts. This saves on operating expenses. A light diffusion sheet may be used with a condenser lens of the light projection system. The digital imaging system includes a CMOS ((Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) detector. CMOS detectors are able to capture an image much faster than CCD (Charge Coupled Device) detectors. Because the system does not have a separate viewer it is much less expensive than prior art systems. The system also uses less energy than prior art machines because of its use of light diffusion sheets with the condenser lens and as a background for the microform.
In operation, the user first installs a camera driver on their computer. The user then installs an image capture software. The digital microform reader is connected to the computer using a standard computer communication cable, such as a USB cord. The user then places the microform in the form carrier and turns on the light. The user then adjusts the focus using a focus knob. The zoom is controlled by moving the housing holding the CMOS camera up and down. Once an image is viewed on the computer with the camera driver software it can be captured and manipulated using the image capture software. Because the system uses a computer it does not need a viewer, it also can use off the shelf image capture software. This significantly reduces the cost of the microform reader. It also significantly increases the value over a standalone viewer. Since the images are already stored on a computer they can be cropped, rotated, combined with other images and easily sent to other computers.
The housing 24 is attached to the guide 22 by a guide mechanism 38 The guide mechanism 38 holds the housing to the guide 22 and includes a guide attachment mechanism 38 to move the housing 24 closer or farther from the form carrier 20. The guide attachment mechanism 38 is operated using a knob 40 in one embodiment. The guide attachment mechanism is well known in the art of microform systems and any of these attachment mechanism are within the scope of the present invention. Inside the housing 24 is a light projection system 40. The light projection system 40 includes a light source 42, a condenser lens 44, and a light diffuser 46. The housing 24 includes a digital imaging system 48. The digital imaging system 48 includes a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera 50, which includes a CMOS detector. Imaging optics 52 focus the camera 52 on the form. The imaging optics 52 includes a focusing system that is operated by the focus knob 54. The camera 50 is in communication with a computer communication data interface system 56. The computer communication data interface system 56 connects to a standard computer cable 18 such as a USB cable.
Thus there has been described a simple to use, inexpensive digital microform reader. The use of a CMOS digital camera allows the reader to quickly acquire images compared to CCD type cameras. The reader takes advantage that most users have computers and integrates with an existing computer. This increases the feature set while reducing the cost of the microform reader. It also eliminates the need for a built in viewer and a built in printer. This saves the user the additional cost associated with a built in printer, the high energy consumption of these built in printers and saves them from having to buy expensive supplies for these built in printers.
In operation, the user attaches the articulating arm 122 to the microform reader 128. The user then positions the articulating arm 122 so that camera 124 is pointed at the microform screen 138. The camera driver 134 is installed on the computer 132. The communication cable 126 is attached to the camera 124 and the computer 132. The camera 124 is turned on and focused on the screen 138. The user can then use image capture software 134 to print the image on the printer 136 or to edit the image or send the image to another computer.
In one embodiment, the digital camera is not auto-focusing. It has been found that auto-focusing cameras do not focus well on light sources.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alterations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations in the appended claims.
The present invention claims priority on Provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/412881, filed on Nov. 12, 2010, entitled “Digital Microform reader” and is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61412881 | Nov 2010 | US |