Patent Grant
10133946
The present invention relates generally to using a digital microform imaging apparatus for viewing a microform containing an image of a document, and more particularly to using the microform imaging apparatus for sensing an image mark on the microform containing the image of the document.
Microform images are useful in archiving a variety of documents or records by photographically reducing and recording the document in a film format. Examples of typical microform image formats include microfilm/microfiche, aperture cards, jacketed microfiche, 16 mm or 35 mm film roll film, cartridge film, both positive and negative, and other micro opaques. For example, a microfiche article is a known form of graphic data presentation wherein a number of pages or images are photographically reproduced on a single “card” of microfiche film (such as a card of 3×5 inches to 4×6 inches, for example), or a roll of film. A large number of pages (up to a thousand or so) may be photographically formed in an orthogonal array on a single microfiche card of photographic film. The microfiche film may then be placed in an optical reader and moved over an optical projection path of a film reader until a selected page is in the optical projection path. The reader generates an image of the selected page, which is then presented on an imager screen for viewing. Although other electronic, magnetic or optical imaging and storage techniques and media are available, there exists an extensive legacy of film type records storing the likes of newspapers and other print media, business records, government records, health records, genealogical records, and the like.
Most rolls of microfilm can contain thousands of document images. These documents are generally ordered numerically or chronologically, although any arrangement is possible. Most often when roll film is used, a user may desire to locate or view only one, or just a few, of the documents on the roll. Finding the desired document(s) can represent a significant challenge of using microfilm. Once the roll of film is loaded onto a microform imaging apparatus, a user could search for the desired document by advancing the film slowly while viewing pertinent information, such as numbers or dates on every document. However, to read this information, the film must be advanced very slowly. Using this method to find the one document among the possible thousands would take a very long time. To speed up the search process, the user can employ a trial and error approach, using fast forward and fast reverse roll film motor controls to more quickly move the film to a general location within the roll of film, and then by using the slow roll film motor controls to ultimately find the desired document. Even the most experienced user wastes a great deal of time finding a desired document in this way.
To speed up this search process, over the years and still today, some rolls of microfilm contain, not only the possible thousands of document images, but also an Image Mark (IM) by each image (see
There are several standards used for these IMs, with the “IM Standard ISO 11926” and “IMS Standard Cannon & Kodak” describing the most commonly used IM standards (see
Known microform imaging apparatus have used two basic methods to read these IMs. One method is to put dedicated optical sensors in the film path, whereby the IMs are read directly off the film using only the designated sensor. The other method is to put dedicated optical sensors at the viewing screen to read the IMs projected onto that screen. Here still, the dedicated sensor only reads the IM that is projected on the screen. If the film is not held in the correct position in the film path, these sensors can miss the IM altogether, thereby providing inaccurate results.
What is needed in the art is improved systems and methods that can sense an IM on the microform containing the image of a document.
The present invention provides systems and methods for sensing an image mark on the microform containing the image of a document.
In some embodiments, a system and method for sensing an image mark on a microform using a digital microform imaging apparatus is provided, the apparatus having an area sensor, the system and method comprise sensing at least one image mark on the microform using the area sensor; and sensing an image on the microform using the area sensor.
In some embodiments, a method can include defining an image mark region of interest within the area sensor; and sensing the least one image mark on the microform using the image mark region of interest.
In some embodiments, the area sensor includes a pixel array having a predefined number of pixels, the image mark region of interest having a predefined number of pixels less than the predefined number of pixels of the pixel array.
In some embodiments, the image mark is a single mark for a single image on the microform.
In some embodiments, the image mark is a single mark for two images on the microform.
In some embodiments, sensing the at least one image mark further includes measuring a width of the at least one image mark.
In some embodiments, the at least one image mark has one of only three predefined widths.
In some embodiments, a method can include determining if the at least one image mark is at least one of a batch image mark or a file image mark or a page image mark or an image management code.
In some embodiments, a method can include placing the area sensor into a decimation mode to read less than a maximum number of pixels available on the area sensor.
In some embodiments, a method can include positioning the image mark region of interest on the area sensor to sense the at least one image mark.
In some embodiments, a method can include increasing the gain of the area sensor.
In some embodiments, a method can include, after sensing the image on the microform, displaying the image on a screen of the digital microform imaging apparatus.
In some embodiments, the microform is roll film or cartridge film.
In some embodiments, wherein the microform is duplex mode microfilm, the duplex mode microfilm including a left image and a right image associated with each image mark, and further including selecting one of the left image and the right image for saving as an electronic file.
In some embodiments, a film guide assembly for retaining a microform media on a digital microform imaging apparatus can include a frame; an outside roller assembly supported by the frame; a middle roller assembly supported by the frame; and an inside roller assembly supported by the frame; the outside, middle, and inside roller assemblies forming a film transport path.
In some embodiments, at least two of the outside, middle, and inside roller assemblies form a film slot to load the microform media into the film guide assembly.
In some embodiments, the frame includes a mounting flange to mount the film guide assembly to the digital microform imaging apparatus.
In some embodiments, at least one of the outside, middle, and inside roller assemblies include a user repositionable guiding flange.
In some embodiments, at least one of the outside, middle, and inside roller assemblies include a bearing retention sleeve.
In some embodiments, at least one bearing positioned in the bearing retention sleeve.
In some embodiments, at least one of the outside, middle, and inside roller assemblies include an axle, the axle including threads to thread the axle to the frame.
In some embodiments, the axle further includes a retention member to maintain a position of the axle within the frame.
In some embodiments, a media support lock assembly for retaining a microform media support on a digital microform imaging apparatus includes a body; an adjuster threadably positioned within the body; and a magnet coupled to one end of the adjuster.
In some embodiments, the body includes a yoke for coupling to a rod of the microform media support.
In some embodiments, a media support lock assembly for retaining a microform media support on a digital microform imaging apparatus includes a body to couple to a shaft of the microform media support; and an adjustable magnet coupled to the body.
In some embodiments, a digital microform imaging apparatus includes an area sensor; a film guide assembly for retaining the microform on a film path, the film path including an optical path; a microform support for retaining the microform on the film path; and a media support lock assembly for retaining the microform media support in a predefined position on the digital microform imaging apparatus.
In some embodiments, the film guide assembly further includes a frame; an outside roller assembly supported by the frame; a middle roller assembly supported by the frame; and an inside roller assembly supported by the frame; the outside, middle, and inside roller assemblies forming a film transport path.
In some embodiments, the media support lock assembly further includes a body; an adjuster threadably positioned within the body; and a magnet coupled to one end of the adjuster.
In some embodiments, the area sensor includes an image mark region of interest, the area sensor to sense at least one image mark on the microform using the image mark region of interest, and to sense an image on the microform.
These and other benefits may become clearer upon making a thorough review and study of the following detailed description. Further, while the embodiments discussed above can be listed as individual embodiments, it is to be understood that the above embodiments, including all elements contained therein, can be combined in whole or in part.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the use the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Furthermore, the use of “right”, “left”, “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “top”, or “bottom” and variations thereof herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Referring more particularly to
A microform media support 44 is configured to support a microform media 46 after diffuse window 40 and along first optical axis 42. In the embodiment shown support 44 is an X-Y table, that is, support 44 is movable in a plane which is approximately orthogonal to first optical axis 42. Referring particularly to
Referring to
An imaging subsystem 84 includes a first lead screw 86 and a second lead screw 88 where each lead screw is approximately parallel with second optical axis 72. A lens 90 is connected to a first carriage 92 which is linearly adjustable by rotating first lead screw 86. Lens 90 includes stop 94 and f-stop adjustment 96 which can adjust the aperture of stop 94. Lens 90 can have a fixed focal length of 50 mm, for example. This focal length has the advantage of a relatively large depth of focus. A rough formula used to quickly calculate depth of focus is the product of the focal length times the f-stop divided by 1000, which yields a depth of focus of 0.55 mm for a 50 mm focal length and f11 f-stop adjustment. An optical sensor, i.e., area sensor 97 is connected to a second carriage 98 which carriage is linearly adjustable by rotating second lead screw 88. Area sensor 97 can be an area array CCD sensor with a two dimensional array of sensor elements or pixels, for example, with a 3.5 μm2 pixel size, or other types of sensors and pixel sizes depending on resolution size requirements. The area array nature of sensor 97, when compared to a line sensor, eliminates the need for scanning of the sensor when viewing two dimensional images. The overall novel optical layout of the present invention including the separately adjustable area sensor 97 and lens 90; 45 degree fold mirror 70; and film table 44 location; algorithms for moving the lens and sensor to appropriate respective locations to achieve proper magnification and focus of the image; and the lens focal length and relatively large depth of focus, allows DMIA 22 to autofocus without the need for iterative measurements and refocusing of the lens 90 during magnification changes to accommodate different reduction ratios of different film media. Further, the embodiments can easily accommodate reduction ratios in the range of 7× to 54×, although the present invention is not limited to such a range.
A first motor 100 is rotationally coupled to first lead screw 86 by a timing pulley 120, a belt 122 with teeth, and another timing pulley 124 and a second motor 108 is rotationally coupled to second lead screw 88 by a timing pulley, a belt with teeth, and another timing pulley, similar to timing pulley 120, belt 122 with teeth, and timing pulley 124, respectively. A controller 116 is electrically connected to first motor 100, second motor 108 and area sensor 97, where controller 116 is for receiving commands and other inputs from computer 24 or other input devices, controlling first motor 100 and second motor 108, and other elements of DMIA 22, and for outputting an image data of area sensor 97. Consequently, controller 116 can include one or more circuit boards which have a microprocessor, field programmable gate array, application specific integrated circuit or other programmable devices; motor controls; a receiver; a transmitter; connectors; wire interconnections including ribbon wire and wiring harnesses; a power supply; and other electrical components. Controller 116 also provides electrical energy and lighting controls for LED array 36.
A third motor 118 is rotationally coupled to area sensor 97, where controller 116 additionally controls third motor 118 through electrical connections as with motors 100 and 108. For example, controller 116 can rotate area sensor 97, using motor 118, timing pulley 120, belt 122 with teeth, and timing pulley 124, to match an aspect ratio of microform media 46, and particularly an aspect ratio of images 60. A light baffle 126 can be connected to area sensor 97 to reduce stray light incident on sensor 97 and thereby further improve the resolution and signal to noise of DMIA 22. Light baffle 126 can have an antireflective coating at the front and inside surfaces of the baffle to further reduce stray light incident on sensor 97. Motors 100, 108 and 118 can be DC servomotors, or other motors.
Referring to
By selecting the magnifier glass portion of digital magnifier 176, CUI 156 creates magnifier window 226. An indicator box 228 identifies which subsegment 230 of image data 204 is being illustrated in magnifier window 226. By clicking on indicator box 228 and dragging it around image data 204 a user can pan around image data 204, with the subsegment data of new locations being shown in magnifier window 226. However, the data within indicator box 228 itself is not magnified, and indicator box 228 itself does not provide the functionality to expand indicator box 228. Instead, selecting the arrow portion of digital magnifier 176 selects the digital magnification of the subsegment 230 of image data 204 within magnifier window 226, and magnifier window 226 can be expanded transversely, longitudinally and diagonally by placing the cursor on one of the sides, or a corner, and mouse clicking and dragging to expand magnifier window 226, as is typical in windows of Windows® operating system. Scroll bars 232, 234 of magnifier window 226 can be used to scroll within window 226. Although indicator box 228 moves and expands with magnifier window 226, the data within indicator box 228 is not digitally magnified, in contrast with the data within magnifier window 226.
A programmer with ordinary skill in the art in Windows® operating system including callable subroutines, or other operating systems and their callable subroutines, and C++ or Visual Basic programming language can create the CUI 156 as shown in
Area sensors that support decimation are also contemplated for use. Area sensors that support decimation can read out every other, every third, fourth, fifth, or sixth pixel, as non-limiting examples. Reading fewer pixels reduces resolution, however it also speeds up refresh rate. Refresh rates while in the landscape mode may be reduced. Further, some are sensors allow for the selection of switching the entire sensor from color to grayscale to black and white. It is also to be appreciated that area sensors that can support multiple modes simultaneously are also contemplated for use in the same or similar ways as described above for both color and monochrome sensors.
The spot EDIT button 730 can have four sub-buttons: a pencil tool button 747, a white redact tool button 748, a black redact tool button 749, and a cancel zone button 750. The pencil tool button 747 can allow the user to draw the perimeter of a zone 769. Zones can be rectangular or irregular in shape and can be marked with borders. For example, when the user is finished drawing the perimeter of a zone, the perimeter of the zone 769 may become a magenta border to indicate that the zone is active. The active zone, the selected one for setting the mode (color, grayscale, and black and white), brightness, and contrast, may be marked with a bold border. A zone may be made active by moving a mouse cursor somewhere inside the border and left clicking. In some embodiments, when a zone is made active, the brightness 740, contrast 742, and mode 751 buttons can be highlighted to indicate that they are active. The mode and the brightness and contrast of each zone can be adjusted independently. The mode buttons 751 can be used to adjust the mode of the active zone between different types of modes including color, grayscale, and black and white, as non-limiting examples. The zones created by the user also may be automatically defined by processing unit 604, which may be designed to read the composition of the document, as stated above. The white redact tool button 748 allows the user to make the entire active zone white. The black redact tool button 749 allows the user to make the entire active zone black. The redact tools may be used for security purposes on images that have sensitive information. The user also may just want to remove some of the information because of personal preference. The cancel zone button 750 allows the user to cancel the active zone or, if the cancel zone button 750 is double clicked, cancel all zones. The dashed line identifies a crop box 768. The crop box 768 can define the area to be printed, scanned, or emailed, as non-limiting examples. It is to be appreciated that the multi-mode image can be printed directly, without saving to a file, and retains the same beneficial characteristics of smaller file sizes, preserved image detail, and when selected, the preferred black text on a white background appearance. The user interface 725 can also contain an output screen 752 and a setup screen 753.
The word search button 734 allows the user to search for words in the image, and in some embodiments, without the text having been OCR'd. The INFO Link button 736 allows the user to search for selected words in an internet search engine or other information source. The copy to clipboard button 738 allows the user to copy the image to clipboard for later use by the user. The brightness buttons 740 allow the user to change the brightness of the active zone to the desired level. The contrast buttons 742 allow the user to change the contrast of the active zone to the desired level. The help button 746 brings up a screen to assist the user with various anticipated problems the user might have with the program.
The user interface 725 can also contain a motorized roll film control 754 designed for use with microfilm. The motorized film control 754 contains a rewind button 756, a high speed reverse button 758, a fast reverse button 760, a fast forward button 762, a high speed forward button 764, and a lock button 766. The rewind button 756, high speed reverse button 758, fast reverse button 760, fast forward button 762, and a high speed forward button 764 allow the user to go back and forth on a roll of film at whatever speed is desired by the user. The lock button 766 allows the speed of the film to be held at a consistent slow speed.
Computer environment 600 can include a general-purpose computing device in the form of a computer 602. The components of computer 602 can include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 604, system memory 606, and system bus 608 that couples various system components including processor 604 to system memory 606.
System bus 608 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, such architectures can include an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus also known as a Mezzanine bus, a PCI Express bus, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a Secure Digital (SD) bus, or an IEEE 1394, i.e., FireWire, bus.
Computer 602 may include a variety of computer readable media. Such media can be any available media that is accessible by computer 602 and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.
System memory 606 can include computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 610, and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM) 612 or flash RAM. Basic input/output system (BIOS) 614, containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 602, such as during start-up, is stored in ROM 612 or flash RAM. RAM 610 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently operated on by processing unit 604.
Computer 602 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. By way of example,
The disk drives and their associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for computer 602. Although the example illustrates a hard disk 616, removable magnetic disk 620, and removable optical disk 624, it is appreciated that other types of computer readable media which can store data that is accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, random access memories (RAM), read only memories (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like, can also be utilized to implement the example computing system and environment.
Any number of program modules can be stored on hard disk 616, magnetic disk 620, optical disk 624, ROM 612, and/or RAM 610, including by way of example, operating system 626, one or more application programs 628, other program modules 630, and program data 632. Each of such operating system 626, one or more application programs 628, other program modules 630, and program data 632 (or some combination thereof) may implement all or part of the resident components that support the distributed file system.
One example of an application program 628 is an OCR engine. The OCR engine may be a commercially available program. One such OCR engine is named ABBYY FineReader and is available from ABBYY USA, Inc.
A user can enter commands and information into computer 602 via input devices such as keyboard 634 and a pointing device 636 (e.g., a “mouse”). Other input devices 638 (not shown specifically) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, serial port, scanner, and/or the like. These and other input devices are connected to processing unit 604 via input/output interfaces 640 that are coupled to system bus 608, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universal serial bus (USB).
Monitor 642 or other type of display device can also be connected to the system bus 608 via an interface, such as video adapter 644. In addition to monitor 642, other output peripheral devices can include components such as speakers (not shown) and printer 646 which can be connected to computer 602 via I/O interfaces 640. In addition, monitor 642 may comprise a touch screen so as to allow the user to provide input to the processing unit 604 by simply touching the screen.
Computer 602 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computing device 648. By way of example, remote computing device 648 can be a PC, portable computer, a server, a router, a network computer, a peer device or other common network node, and the like. Remote computing device 648 is illustrated as a portable computer that can include many or all of the elements and features described herein relative to computer 602. Alternatively, computer 602 can operate in a non-networked environment as well.
Logical connections between computer 602 and remote computer 648 are depicted as a local area network (LAN) 650 and a general wide area network (WAN) 652. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.
When implemented in a LAN networking environment, computer 602 is connected to local network 650 via network interface or adapter 654. When implemented in a WAN networking environment, computer 602 typically includes modem 656 or other means for establishing communications over wide network 652. Modem 656, which can be internal or external to computer 602, can be connected to system bus 608 via I/O interfaces 640 or other appropriate mechanisms. It is to be appreciated that the illustrated network connections are examples and that other means of establishing at least one communication link between computers 602 and 648 can be employed.
In a networked environment, such as that illustrated with computing environment 600, program modules depicted relative to computer 602, or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device. By way of example, remote application programs 658 reside on a memory device of remote computer 648. For purposes of illustration, applications or programs and other executable program components such as the operating system are illustrated herein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programs and components reside at various times in different storage components of computing device 602, and are executed by at least one data processor of the computer.
Various modules and techniques may be described herein in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. for performing particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.
An implementation of these modules and techniques may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.”
“Computer storage media” includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer.
“Communication media” typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier wave or other transport mechanism. Communication media also includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. As a non-limiting example only, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.
The present invention is not limited by the DMIA 22 shown as there are other DMIAs, or microfilm or micro opaque readers, scanners, etc., which are available which can be used in conjunction with a computer and the CUI of the present invention. Further, the present invention is not limited by a separate DMIA 22 and computer 602. For example, computer 602 can be integrated into DMIA 22, or can be part of controller 116. Yet further, monitor 642 can be a part of DMIA 22, or one of these variation, instead of a separate device.
Media 46 can include any microform image formats such as microfilm/microfiche, aperture cards, jackets, 16 mm or 35 mm film roll film, cartridge film and other micro opaques. Micro opaques are different than transparent film. Images are recorded on an opaque medium. To view these micro images one needs to use reflected light. The present invention can use LED arrays 37 (
In some embodiments, any of the DMIAs 22, 206, 214, 236 (see
Once the desired document is reached, all or any of a predefined quantity of the pixels in a pixel array 99 of the area sensor 97 (see
As described above, the DMIAs can be designed to accommodate all forms of microfilm. To accomplish this, the microform media support 44 can be movable along the X and Z axes. This media support movement, necessary for other forms of microfilm, creates a challenge when reading IMs. IMs are generally always located in the same position on the roll of film and therefore when reading these IMs, the media support 44 is desirably located and generally fixed in the same position each time a roll of film is loaded.
For IM sensing to work reliably, it is important that the film be positioned in the optical path where an image of the film can be projected onto the area sensor 97 (see
Referring to
Referring to
It has been observed that known film guide designs allowed the film to wander as it moved through known glass flats of the known film plane. It was identified that this wandering was caused by several factors. The first and most obvious is guide roller end play. The second is that known film guides have only two rollers, one roller that has flanges to restrict film movement along the roller axis, while the other roller did not. With one roller only having guiding flanges, this creates a pivot more easily allowing forces influencing the film to skew the film while being transported through the known film plane. One such force is caused by misalignment of the known supply and take-up film spools with respect to the known film guides. This misalignment typically results in the film being skewed in one direction when moving the film forward and skewing the film in the opposite direction when moving the film in reverse. Another influencing factor is static buildup on the film glass plates. This static build up typically causes the film to adhere to the glass creating varying degrees of friction across the width of the film resulting in it pulling the film in one direction or the other. In some embodiments, a conductive coating (not shown) on the glass plates 260 may be included to reduce or eliminate static build up.
In some embodiments, a portion of film 404 can be loaded into the film guide assembly 302 through a film slot 251. On the bottom side of the film slot 251, there can be a film guide shelf 252, which can aid in the loading of the film 404. Also, at least one of the inside, middle, and outside rollers 254, 256, 258 can have a chamfer 253, which can aid in the loading of the film 404 as well. The middle roller 256 is shown to include the chamfer 253.
In some embodiments, end play can be substantially reduced by using the ball bearings 246, 250. In some embodiments, the ball bearings can be press fit or otherwise secured into or onto one or both ends of any or all of the inside, middle, and outside rollers 254, 256, 258. In some embodiments, an “O” ring 240 can be installed onto an end, e.g., the back end of an axle 242 (see
In some embodiments, misalignment between the supply and take-up spools 296, 298 can also be eliminated. The back side of one or more of the three axles 242 (one axle for each of the inside, middle, and outside rollers) can have a groove 300 to accept a retaining member, such as the “O” ring 240, and a slot 301. The slot 301 can accommodate a screw driver and can be used to thread the axle 242 in or out, thereby allowing each of the rollers 254, 256, 258 to be positioned precisely with respect to the supply and take-up spools 296, 298 and with respect to each other. The “O” ring 240 can interfere with the threaded holes 270, thereby providing an axle locking mechanism. This can help to reduce the axle 242 from spinning and thereby go out of adjustment. With the supply spool 296, guide rollers 254, 256, 258, and take-up spool 298 all in alignment, the force of driving the film in the optical path is pulling straight across the optical film plane 304, thereby reducing the tendency of the film to wander.
In some embodiments, the three roller design (e.g., inside, middle, and outside) can further insure film position stability. The majority of image marked film is 16 mm. Due to its narrower width, 16 mm film is more likely to wander than 35 mm film. For 16 mm film, one or both of the film guide assemblies 302 can have one or more rollers, e.g., the outside roller 258 and the middle roller 256, with a guiding flange 266 and/or a recess 268. A guiding flange, e.g., guiding flange 266 as shown on the outside roller 258, can be user positionable between a 16 mm position and a 35 mm position. The 16 mm position can be seen in
As described above, in some embodiments, to eliminate vibration and rattle, the bearings 246, 250 can be pressed into the ends of one or more of the rollers 254, 256, 258. Press fits in metal and plastic typically require very tight tolerances. If the interference is too great, the bearings 246, 250 may not spin freely. If there is not enough interference, the bearings 246, 250 may be loose, resulting in vibration and rattle as well as possibly falling out during assembly or use. To reduce the need for these tight tolerances, an exemplary 0.015 inch thick bearing retention sleeve 282 can be molded into the ends of each roller 254 (see
Referring to
In some embodiments, a socket 328, e.g., a hex socket is shown, of an adjuster 330 can be accessible from the front of the media support lock assembly 310 so precise adjustment can be made possible while viewing an image. Threads 338 within the media support lock assembly body 334 can be formed by five staggered half sections 340, with three on the top and two on the bottom. Other arrangements are possible, such as two on top and three on the bottom, or other quantities, such as four on top and three on the bottom, as non-limiting examples. The threads 338 of the top center half section can be different from the threads 338 of all other half sections in various ways. In some embodiments, the tooth profile can stand higher. The additional thread height can provide interference to hold the adjuster 330 at the adjustment point. The media support lock assembly body 334 can also have a split 342 (see
Referring to
In some embodiments, the area sensor 97 can only support one IM channel 410 at a time with one IM RIO 412 and therefore cannot read both channels simultaneously. In this arrangement, both IM channels can be read but the film requires two passes over the area sensor 97. In other embodiments, the area sensor 97 can support more than one IM channel at a time, e.g., with two IM ROIs 412 and therefore can read both IM channels 410 simultaneously. In some embodiments, the DMIA 236 can allow for the IM ROI 412 to toggle either manually or automatically from one channel to the other.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the locational adjustment of the IM ROI 412 can be made by a click and drag operation. Referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments, the imaging system 20 can be configured to not differentiate between different sized IMs. For example, when a film includes three different sized IMs, the typical configuration is to differentiate between the three sizes so the batch 454, file 456 and pages 458 can be detected. Yet, it may be desired to merely count each IM 400 as a page, for example, so each image 428 would only be sequentially identifiable.
In order to request a scan of one or multiple pages 450 from the film 404, a user can access any one of a hard copy or electronic copy of the index for the specific roll of film being viewed. An index can be on a sheet of paper for example, or can be in a spreadsheet file or other database that can electronically communication with the imaging system 20. The user would identify the desired page or pages from the hard copy index, and then enter the desired page or pages in the Image Mark Sensing window 434 for scanning. When multiple pages for scanning are requested, the user can enter the pages in any convenient order in the Target Address box 462 and select the Scan button 464. As non-limiting examples, pages can be entered sequentially, or in groups, or in ranges, or any combination. The imaging system 20 then can advance and rewind the film as needed to sense the IMs 400 for locating the requested pages, acquire an image, and move to the next page until all scans have been completed. The imaging system 20 can acquire images in any order, and then electronically rearrange the scanned images so the images appear in the order requested by the user, for printing (Print button 466) or as an electronic file, for example.
In some embodiments, as the imaging system 20 advances a particular roll of film for the first time and senses the IMs 400 in the IM channel 410, an electronic index can be created to allow the imaging system 20 to “learn” the particular roll of film. The imaging system 20 can generate the electronic index as the roll of film is advanced during use, allowing only a partial electronic index to be generated and stored, e.g., the roll of film does not need to be advanced from start to finish prior to use.
Particularly when multi-level film is used, the imaging system 20 does not know how many batch IMs, file IMs and page IMs are on the film. When the imaging system 20 does not know how many batch 454, file 456, pages 458 are on the film 404, the system can “overshoot” a selected page during the page location process before the imaging system 20 changing direction of the film 404 and returns the desired page. In some embodiments, the DMIA 236 can attempt to decelerate the film 404 as quickly as possible to minimize the amount of overshoot, and the deceleration can take place upon sensing the selected page. In some embodiments, the imaging system 20 is only allowed to overshoot a selected page for a predefined time period (e.g., 0.1 second, 1.0 second, 5 seconds as non-limiting examples). During the page locating process, the film 404 is moving past the area sensor 79 at a high rate of speed, and a width 432 (see
With the electronic index created for a particular roll of film, the imaging system 20 can now be “intelligent” for the particular roll of film because it is aware of each batch, file and page on the roll of film. The electronic index allows the imaging system 20 to advance and rewind directly to the specific page requested, which improves speed and accuracy of the system 20. The electronic index also allows the imaging system 20 to recognize when a wrong page number is requested and to provide a message to the user. The electronic index can also be integrated with other systems to automate the image retrieval process.
In some embodiments, the Image Mark Sensing window 434 can also include Begin 470 and End 472 buttons. The Begin button 470 can populate the Target Address box 462 with the value of the Present Address 442. Similarly, the End button 472 can populate the Target Address box 462 with the value of the Present Address 442. The Begin and End buttons can be used when the film 404 is mismarked or is poorly marked, or when the index is incorrect, for example.
In some embodiments, the Image Mark Sensing window 434 can also include one or more additional functions. For example, a Verify 476 check box (or any other indication) can be used to require verification that the present address is correct. In some embodiments, this can require a second selection (tap) of the Scan button 464. Other functions can include a Straighten/Crop button 480 and an Auto-Brightness button 482 as non-limiting examples. A Crop box 768 is shown in
Referring to
Referring to
The Customize tab 498 can also include an Ignore Image Management Code (IMC) check box 510 (or any other indication). Image Management Codes are IM like features within the IM channel 410. In some applications, the Image Management Codes can be ignored, and selecting the IMC check box 510 allows the controller 116 to ignore the IMCs.
The present disclosure describes embodiments with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The described features, structures, or characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. Various modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/155,280, filed Apr. 30, 2015, and entitled “Image Mark Sensing Systems and Methods,” which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/243,944, filed Oct. 20, 2015, and entitled “Image Mark Sensing Systems and Methods,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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|---|---|---|---|
| 4931828 | Fujita | Jun 1990 | A |
| 20080288888 | Kahle | Nov 2008 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0785666 | Jul 1997 | EP |
| S6081966 | Oct 1985 | JP |
| Entry |
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| PCT/US2016/030175, ISR&WO, dated Jul. 22, 2016; 10 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160321514 A1 | Nov 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62155280 | Apr 2015 | US | |
| 62243944 | Oct 2015 | US |
