CA1178475A - Microfilm card with optical coding field on film for sorting - Google Patents
Microfilm card with optical coding field on film for sortingInfo
- Publication number
- CA1178475A CA1178475A CA000427315A CA427315A CA1178475A CA 1178475 A CA1178475 A CA 1178475A CA 000427315 A CA000427315 A CA 000427315A CA 427315 A CA427315 A CA 427315A CA 1178475 A CA1178475 A CA 1178475A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- film
- coding
- microfilm
- card
- cards
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K1/00—Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion
- G06K1/12—Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion otherwise than by punching
- G06K1/126—Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion otherwise than by punching by photographic or thermographic registration
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Projection-Type Copiers In General (AREA)
- Silver Salt Photography Or Processing Solution Therefor (AREA)
- Conveying Record Carriers (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
In a microfilm card, sorting criteria are applied to a coding field of the microfilm optically instead of in the form of perforations. This coding field is provided on A narrow side of the microfilm card. As a result, for coding, the necessary data can be read off directly from the original to be photo-graphed, The process for producing such microfilm cards does away with the hitherto necessary coding station with the film-card reader, the punch and the hold duplicator. It also permits larger and more legible clear script at the top edge of the microfilm card.
In a microfilm card, sorting criteria are applied to a coding field of the microfilm optically instead of in the form of perforations. This coding field is provided on A narrow side of the microfilm card. As a result, for coding, the necessary data can be read off directly from the original to be photo-graphed, The process for producing such microfilm cards does away with the hitherto necessary coding station with the film-card reader, the punch and the hold duplicator. It also permits larger and more legible clear script at the top edge of the microfilm card.
Description
~178~
TITLE: MICROFILM CARD A~D PROCESS AND CAMERA F'OR
MAKING THE SAME
This invention relates to a process for producing mechanically sortable and selectable microEilm cards which have, in a film gate, a photographic film as an optical data carrier and which additionally have a coding for sorting criteria such as, for example, drawing numbers and drawing titles. Further-more, the invention relates to a microfilm card with a film gate in which a photographic film is provided as an optical data carrier and which has a coding field for sorting criteria such as, for example, drawing numbers and drawing titles. The invention relates also to microfilm cards.
For more than 20 years, valuable documents, such as, for example, technical drawings, plans or patent specifications, have been stored on film aperture cards. Three machines are needed for transferring originals to film aperture cards, namely, an aperture-card camera for producing the film, a duplicating machine for producing duplicate cards and a combined punch and hole-duplicator for punching the original and dupli-cat~e cards. Whereas the camera and duplicating machine are simple to operate, because the photographic processes in the aperture-card camera and in the duplicating machine take place largely automatically after buttons have been pressed, operation S
of the punch requires special knowledge, great dexterity and close attention on the part oE the operator. The usually multi-digit, alphanumeric coding oE the original has to be converted into perforations~ Even if only one characteristic is punched incorrectly in the 55 possible columns and 11 rows, per number or letter, the film aperture card is useless.
Film aperture cards have to be produced in two operations, the costs of which, amounting to about 25 cents for each card, are approximately equal: In the first operation (the photo-graphic part), the film card is produced in the aperture-card camera and subsequently the desired number of duplicate cards is produced in the duplicating machine. In the second operation (punching of the cardboard), the original and duplicate cards are coded in the punch. An additional difficulty is presented, for example, during the filming of drawings, by the reading and coding of the drawing number. In all drawings, this is accom-modated in the bottom right-hand corner inside a text box which is full of details. If reading from the originals were intended, the uppermost drawing of the stack would have to be removed after each reading, and this would be an additional complicated operation. To avoid this, the still unpunched camera cards are conventionally allowed to run through a reader on which the drawing number, magnified, can be read off. Then, a data card is first punched, and the perforations are checked by means of a double input. The checked data card is then 1178as~S
punched, together with the original film card and the assocLated duplicate cards, in the hole-duplication operation. In general, therefore, production of perfectly coded Eilm aperture cards has hitherto been complicated, time-consuming and expensive.
Furthermore, a serious disadvantage of film aperture cards is that the possibilities of coding them by means of the 55 columns and 12 rows are too restricted. In many businesses, more characteristic symbols need to be coded than the film aperture card allows.
An object of this disclosure is to provide a process of the type mentioned in which microfilm cards can be coded with as low an outlay as possible and with considerably less probability of error than coding processes known hitherto.
Another object is to provide a microfilm card.
Still another object is to provide a microfilm camera for producing the microfilm cards.
Consistent with the object mentioned first, a process for producing mechanically sortable and selectable microfilm cards whlch have, in a film gate, a photographic film as an optical data carrier and which additionally have a coding for sorting criteria, comprising exposing the coding optically onto the film and then developing the film, is provided.
Consistent with the second object, a microfilm card comprising a film gate and a photographic film disposed in the 117~ X
film gate as an optical data carrier, said film having an optical coding field ~or sorting criteria, is provided.
Consistent with the third object, a microfilm camera for producing microfilm cards, comprising an optical coding device for transmitting a coding to the microfilm by exposure, is provided.
The advantages of the new process arise primarily because coding no longer has to be carried out on an expensive device provided after the microfilming and designed especially for this purpose, namely, on the punch, but can be carried out at the same workplace as the filming of the original. As a result, by means of the process microfilm cards with coding can be produced sub-stantially more quickly than in the known process for producing film aperture cards.
It must also be emphasized that the frequency of error when the code is exposed into the new microfilm card is much lower than in the separate punching of the film aperture cards. This is because, for example, a long alphanumeric drawing number, which is to be inputted as a code into the new microfilm card, can he read off directly from the head of the drawing and transferred to a keyboard located next to the drawing. The novel process does away with the complicated acquisition of the 11~7~ 5 drawing number frorn the screen of a reader and the preparation of a data card serving this purpose only.
The process is much less expensive than the production of film aperture cards since it does away with one operation and the possibilities of error.
Expressed in figures: Whereas a film aperture card with 40 characteristic symbols costs approximately 2 x 25 cents = 50 cents, only the outlay for keying the optical code in the camera, which can be set at approximately 1.7 cents, has to be lQ added to the photographic part of 25 cents in the production of the microfilm card. Moreover, in the film code system, the operation of hole duplication for the duplicates is omitted, because when the duplicate cards are produced in the duplicating machine the photographic code is transferred at the same time as the negative. The difference in the ratio of outlay to benefit between the new microfilm cards and film aperture cards is even considerably greater when it is remembered that the former have a con-siderably larger storage capacity than film aperture cards.
2Q It is advantageous if the coding is applied to a narrow side of the film because a conventional film with a width of, for example, 35 mm can then be used.
When the coding has altogether two 7-track code lines, each with 32 places, the coding field is sufficient for coding double the quantity of data in comparison with conventional film aper-1178~}`75 ture cards, without the space required on the film becoming undesirably large.
As regards the work cycle, it is especially favorable if the data for coding are read off directly from the original before the original is photographed and are converted into optical signals for exposing the coding field of the film. In this method of operation, when the text box of the drawing is read for the purpose of coding, the drawing as a whole can at the same time be checked as regards its correct position and drawing quality or folds and creases.
The microfilm camera becomes especially simple when the optical signals are transmitted consecutively from a keying-in memory during the feed of the microfilm cards in the microfilm camera.
It is possible to examine the coding easily and, if necessary, correct it before the film is exposed, if the inputted coding is displayed before the exposure of the film.
As a result of this measure, the reject rate for microfilming becomes particularly low.
The object mentioned second, namely, the provision of a microfilm card, is achieved, because the coding field is an optical coding field on the film. The advantages of such a microfilm card emerge accordingly from the said advantages of the new process. It can be produced more simply and more cheaply than film aperture ~17~4~7~i cards conventional hitherto. In an appropriate change-over to optical coding, the microEilm card can be used in exactly the same way as previous film aperture cards. Its headline can be generated, for exampl~, in a reading printer which reads the optical code and, as a result, performs the printing. The new microfilm cards can be sorted in an appropriate open-mouthed sorter which must of course contain a photodiode line instead of a hole-reading device.
The microfilm card, which could be referred to as a film code card, can be identical to a film aperture card as regards its external dimensions and the size and position of the film image. However, in contrast to this, the piece of film is extended in it, for example, towards the left-hand side and, for example, by 15 mm. This extended piece of film serves for receiving an optical code which takes the place of the card perforations.
A further advantage of the microfilm card is that, despite its small area, its optical code offers many more coding possibilities than the cardboard perforations. This is illustrated by the following figures:
The maximum number of possible characters in the film aperture card is 53. On the other hand, because of its high resolving power, the film offers the possibility of applying a photographic code having a capacity many times greater.
11';'8~.JS
If a photographic code with a squared space requirement o~
1 mm /bit is applied by exposure and if it needs 7 binary digits (for example, the ASCII Code) for one character, then 64 characters can be placed on a field of a size of, for example, S 14 mm x 32 mm which is located next to the film surface. If the bit edge length is halved, the space requirement of one bit drops to 0.25 mm2. Two hundred and fifty-six characters can now be accommodated on the same area.
Since the code is applied and evaluated optically, dimensions of this kind for the purpose of increasing the storage capacity present no problems.
The increased number of character variations is of great importance in electronic data-processing and considerably increases the benefit and practicability of the microfilm card in relation to the film aperture card. This is illustrated by way of example by three areas of use:
In the~storage of drawings, it is possible, because of the high storage capacity of 256 characters, to input into the microfilm card, according to the invention, as early as the filming stage, definition, design and origin information and all sorting criteria of the most diverse kind which occur in practice, such as information on materials, the processing of the same, etc.
li'7~34'~
In the storage of patent speci~icAtions, many more criteria can be inputted than has been possible hitherto, with the result that classification and delimitation become easier.
Since the storage volume oE the microfilm card, is used in electronic data-processing, all alphanumeric data of drawings or patent specifications as well as additional data existing, already coded, on the microfilm card, can be inputted quickly and without error. The film code is automatically read in from the periphery of a computer and entered in sorting files prepared and defined by the user.
Since as many sorting and search criteria as desired are available to the user, much quicker, more reliable and therefore more efficient access to the drawings or patent specifications in the establishment is possible than with the film aperture card. Moreover, the data acquired are available for other electronic data-processing operations.
In addition, the microfilm card, offers the advantage of applying reading information consisting of letters, figures or characters in any desired size on the entire card surface in a clearly arranged manner, since there is DO need for the previous space limitation of the clear text to a height of 3 mm and the topmost line which was neces-sary because of the perforation. The form and size of the script of the clear text can now be selected freely.
~'78~7S
Whereas the film aperture card contains no coding for small letters and control characters, the new microfilm card, offers both possibilities. Consequently, as a result of its considerably greater capacity, the optical code goes a long way to meeting the needs of many users.
The new card, also offers the advantage that the clear text on it in the annotation strip can be chosen in any size. On the other hand, in a known film aperture card, the clear text can only have a size of 3 mm, that is to say, it is difficult to read, because of the position of the topmost row of perforations. Large, clear script makes work much easier during the handling of the film aperture card according to the invention, for example, when individual cards are sorted out.
An advantage of the new microfilm card is that the duplicate cards are automatically coded at the same time as the duplication of the film in it. In contrast, as regards film aperture cards, a special operation in the punch/duplicator is necessary for this purpose.
The object mentioned last, namely, the provision of a microfilm camera, is achieved, by providing an optical coding device for exposing a coding on the microfilm in the microfilm camera. Such a microfilm camera makes it possible, in the filming of an original, to apply an optical coding on the film in a simple way. The microfilm 117~1~7S
camera is especially simple in terms o construction when it is designed with a coding device comprising two rows of luminous diodes located at the entrance of the microfilm camera.
In the event of extensive coding, the arrangement of the necessary number of luminous diodes in the coding station may present difficulties. Such problems of space can be avoided if the coding station has a cathode-ray tube instead of the luminous diodes.
A coding consisting of two lines of 7 tracks with 32 places can be generated especially simply, when means are provided for advancing the microfilm cards line-by-line in the coding station. Such a coding can be produced in a simple way in 14 steps, that is to say, the microfilm camera is exposed 14 times with coding characters. When suitable cathode-ray tubes are used, there is no need for exposure in steps since these tubes can deflect the beam itself.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a microfilm card embodying the invention;
,; .
11~7~4'~S
Figure 2 is a plan view oE a recorder with a microfilm camera; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the construction of the microfilm camera.
Figure 1 shows a microfilm card 1 which is made of card-board which has a photographic film 3 in a film gate 2. The microfilm card can have the same external dimensions as the film aperture cards used hitherto. However, the film gate 2 is some-what longer than is customary, for example, 63 mm, instead of 48 mm, so that a coding field 4 for optical coding can be provided on a narrow side of the film 3. In the microfilm card 1, the image field can be arrànged in the same place and in the same size as in conventional film aperture cards. The coding ield 4 can have different designs as regards its capacity. It preferably has two code lines with 7 tracks each having 32 places.
As is customary in film aperture cards, there is, above the film gate 2, a head strip 5 which serves for receiving a text to describe the picture content.
The microfilm cards 1 are exposed, coded and developed in a recorder 6 which is illustrated in Figure 2. This recorder 6 has an original table 7 on which rests a drawing 8 which is to be filmed and which has a text box 9. As is customary, a drawing number 10 is entered in the text box 9.
117B~S
Above the original table 7, a microfilm camera 12 is attached to a column 11 so as to ~e vertically adjustable. In the front right-hand corner of the original table 7, as seen from the operating side, there is a control desk 13 with a keyboard 14 and a conversational display lS.
To code a microfilm card 1, the drawing number 10 is read off from the drawing 8 by an operator and is keyed in by means of the keyboard 14 which is arranged favorably for viewing and manipulating. The drawing number then appears first on the conversational display 15 on the top edge of the control desk 13. By comparing the drawing numbers, located underneath one another, on the original and the conversational display 15, the operator can check whether he has entered the drawing number correctly. As soon as this has been ascertained, a release key is pressed. Then, the code is first exposed and subsequently the drawing 8 exposed in the microfilm camera 12. Fixing, washing, drying and ejection of the finished microfilm card 1 then follow. Reference may be made to Figure 3 for a more detailed description.
Figure 3 shows the path of a microfilm card from a film-card stack 16 through the microfilm camera 12 to a depositing pocket 17. In the microfilm camera 12, the microfilm card passes successively through a coding station 18, then an exposure station 19 and subsequently a developing, fixing and drying station 20. In this embodiment, the coding station 18 1~7~ 5 1~
contains a cathode-ray tube 21 by means of which the film 3 can be exposed according to the coding entered. It is appropriate to convey the microfilm card in one-line steps in the region of the coding station 18 and to expose one coding line with each step.
Instead of the cathode-ray tube, there can also be, for example, 2 x 7 luminous diodes over which the microfilm cards run, so that their coding fields 4 are exposed according to the coding. In this embodiment, 21 represents the rows of luminous diodes. Other light sources, for example, glass fibers or laser beams, can also be used to apply the code by exposure.
It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description that the objects set forth at the outset to the specification have been successfully achieved. Moreover, while there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it i5 to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.
TITLE: MICROFILM CARD A~D PROCESS AND CAMERA F'OR
MAKING THE SAME
This invention relates to a process for producing mechanically sortable and selectable microEilm cards which have, in a film gate, a photographic film as an optical data carrier and which additionally have a coding for sorting criteria such as, for example, drawing numbers and drawing titles. Further-more, the invention relates to a microfilm card with a film gate in which a photographic film is provided as an optical data carrier and which has a coding field for sorting criteria such as, for example, drawing numbers and drawing titles. The invention relates also to microfilm cards.
For more than 20 years, valuable documents, such as, for example, technical drawings, plans or patent specifications, have been stored on film aperture cards. Three machines are needed for transferring originals to film aperture cards, namely, an aperture-card camera for producing the film, a duplicating machine for producing duplicate cards and a combined punch and hole-duplicator for punching the original and dupli-cat~e cards. Whereas the camera and duplicating machine are simple to operate, because the photographic processes in the aperture-card camera and in the duplicating machine take place largely automatically after buttons have been pressed, operation S
of the punch requires special knowledge, great dexterity and close attention on the part oE the operator. The usually multi-digit, alphanumeric coding oE the original has to be converted into perforations~ Even if only one characteristic is punched incorrectly in the 55 possible columns and 11 rows, per number or letter, the film aperture card is useless.
Film aperture cards have to be produced in two operations, the costs of which, amounting to about 25 cents for each card, are approximately equal: In the first operation (the photo-graphic part), the film card is produced in the aperture-card camera and subsequently the desired number of duplicate cards is produced in the duplicating machine. In the second operation (punching of the cardboard), the original and duplicate cards are coded in the punch. An additional difficulty is presented, for example, during the filming of drawings, by the reading and coding of the drawing number. In all drawings, this is accom-modated in the bottom right-hand corner inside a text box which is full of details. If reading from the originals were intended, the uppermost drawing of the stack would have to be removed after each reading, and this would be an additional complicated operation. To avoid this, the still unpunched camera cards are conventionally allowed to run through a reader on which the drawing number, magnified, can be read off. Then, a data card is first punched, and the perforations are checked by means of a double input. The checked data card is then 1178as~S
punched, together with the original film card and the assocLated duplicate cards, in the hole-duplication operation. In general, therefore, production of perfectly coded Eilm aperture cards has hitherto been complicated, time-consuming and expensive.
Furthermore, a serious disadvantage of film aperture cards is that the possibilities of coding them by means of the 55 columns and 12 rows are too restricted. In many businesses, more characteristic symbols need to be coded than the film aperture card allows.
An object of this disclosure is to provide a process of the type mentioned in which microfilm cards can be coded with as low an outlay as possible and with considerably less probability of error than coding processes known hitherto.
Another object is to provide a microfilm card.
Still another object is to provide a microfilm camera for producing the microfilm cards.
Consistent with the object mentioned first, a process for producing mechanically sortable and selectable microfilm cards whlch have, in a film gate, a photographic film as an optical data carrier and which additionally have a coding for sorting criteria, comprising exposing the coding optically onto the film and then developing the film, is provided.
Consistent with the second object, a microfilm card comprising a film gate and a photographic film disposed in the 117~ X
film gate as an optical data carrier, said film having an optical coding field ~or sorting criteria, is provided.
Consistent with the third object, a microfilm camera for producing microfilm cards, comprising an optical coding device for transmitting a coding to the microfilm by exposure, is provided.
The advantages of the new process arise primarily because coding no longer has to be carried out on an expensive device provided after the microfilming and designed especially for this purpose, namely, on the punch, but can be carried out at the same workplace as the filming of the original. As a result, by means of the process microfilm cards with coding can be produced sub-stantially more quickly than in the known process for producing film aperture cards.
It must also be emphasized that the frequency of error when the code is exposed into the new microfilm card is much lower than in the separate punching of the film aperture cards. This is because, for example, a long alphanumeric drawing number, which is to be inputted as a code into the new microfilm card, can he read off directly from the head of the drawing and transferred to a keyboard located next to the drawing. The novel process does away with the complicated acquisition of the 11~7~ 5 drawing number frorn the screen of a reader and the preparation of a data card serving this purpose only.
The process is much less expensive than the production of film aperture cards since it does away with one operation and the possibilities of error.
Expressed in figures: Whereas a film aperture card with 40 characteristic symbols costs approximately 2 x 25 cents = 50 cents, only the outlay for keying the optical code in the camera, which can be set at approximately 1.7 cents, has to be lQ added to the photographic part of 25 cents in the production of the microfilm card. Moreover, in the film code system, the operation of hole duplication for the duplicates is omitted, because when the duplicate cards are produced in the duplicating machine the photographic code is transferred at the same time as the negative. The difference in the ratio of outlay to benefit between the new microfilm cards and film aperture cards is even considerably greater when it is remembered that the former have a con-siderably larger storage capacity than film aperture cards.
2Q It is advantageous if the coding is applied to a narrow side of the film because a conventional film with a width of, for example, 35 mm can then be used.
When the coding has altogether two 7-track code lines, each with 32 places, the coding field is sufficient for coding double the quantity of data in comparison with conventional film aper-1178~}`75 ture cards, without the space required on the film becoming undesirably large.
As regards the work cycle, it is especially favorable if the data for coding are read off directly from the original before the original is photographed and are converted into optical signals for exposing the coding field of the film. In this method of operation, when the text box of the drawing is read for the purpose of coding, the drawing as a whole can at the same time be checked as regards its correct position and drawing quality or folds and creases.
The microfilm camera becomes especially simple when the optical signals are transmitted consecutively from a keying-in memory during the feed of the microfilm cards in the microfilm camera.
It is possible to examine the coding easily and, if necessary, correct it before the film is exposed, if the inputted coding is displayed before the exposure of the film.
As a result of this measure, the reject rate for microfilming becomes particularly low.
The object mentioned second, namely, the provision of a microfilm card, is achieved, because the coding field is an optical coding field on the film. The advantages of such a microfilm card emerge accordingly from the said advantages of the new process. It can be produced more simply and more cheaply than film aperture ~17~4~7~i cards conventional hitherto. In an appropriate change-over to optical coding, the microEilm card can be used in exactly the same way as previous film aperture cards. Its headline can be generated, for exampl~, in a reading printer which reads the optical code and, as a result, performs the printing. The new microfilm cards can be sorted in an appropriate open-mouthed sorter which must of course contain a photodiode line instead of a hole-reading device.
The microfilm card, which could be referred to as a film code card, can be identical to a film aperture card as regards its external dimensions and the size and position of the film image. However, in contrast to this, the piece of film is extended in it, for example, towards the left-hand side and, for example, by 15 mm. This extended piece of film serves for receiving an optical code which takes the place of the card perforations.
A further advantage of the microfilm card is that, despite its small area, its optical code offers many more coding possibilities than the cardboard perforations. This is illustrated by the following figures:
The maximum number of possible characters in the film aperture card is 53. On the other hand, because of its high resolving power, the film offers the possibility of applying a photographic code having a capacity many times greater.
11';'8~.JS
If a photographic code with a squared space requirement o~
1 mm /bit is applied by exposure and if it needs 7 binary digits (for example, the ASCII Code) for one character, then 64 characters can be placed on a field of a size of, for example, S 14 mm x 32 mm which is located next to the film surface. If the bit edge length is halved, the space requirement of one bit drops to 0.25 mm2. Two hundred and fifty-six characters can now be accommodated on the same area.
Since the code is applied and evaluated optically, dimensions of this kind for the purpose of increasing the storage capacity present no problems.
The increased number of character variations is of great importance in electronic data-processing and considerably increases the benefit and practicability of the microfilm card in relation to the film aperture card. This is illustrated by way of example by three areas of use:
In the~storage of drawings, it is possible, because of the high storage capacity of 256 characters, to input into the microfilm card, according to the invention, as early as the filming stage, definition, design and origin information and all sorting criteria of the most diverse kind which occur in practice, such as information on materials, the processing of the same, etc.
li'7~34'~
In the storage of patent speci~icAtions, many more criteria can be inputted than has been possible hitherto, with the result that classification and delimitation become easier.
Since the storage volume oE the microfilm card, is used in electronic data-processing, all alphanumeric data of drawings or patent specifications as well as additional data existing, already coded, on the microfilm card, can be inputted quickly and without error. The film code is automatically read in from the periphery of a computer and entered in sorting files prepared and defined by the user.
Since as many sorting and search criteria as desired are available to the user, much quicker, more reliable and therefore more efficient access to the drawings or patent specifications in the establishment is possible than with the film aperture card. Moreover, the data acquired are available for other electronic data-processing operations.
In addition, the microfilm card, offers the advantage of applying reading information consisting of letters, figures or characters in any desired size on the entire card surface in a clearly arranged manner, since there is DO need for the previous space limitation of the clear text to a height of 3 mm and the topmost line which was neces-sary because of the perforation. The form and size of the script of the clear text can now be selected freely.
~'78~7S
Whereas the film aperture card contains no coding for small letters and control characters, the new microfilm card, offers both possibilities. Consequently, as a result of its considerably greater capacity, the optical code goes a long way to meeting the needs of many users.
The new card, also offers the advantage that the clear text on it in the annotation strip can be chosen in any size. On the other hand, in a known film aperture card, the clear text can only have a size of 3 mm, that is to say, it is difficult to read, because of the position of the topmost row of perforations. Large, clear script makes work much easier during the handling of the film aperture card according to the invention, for example, when individual cards are sorted out.
An advantage of the new microfilm card is that the duplicate cards are automatically coded at the same time as the duplication of the film in it. In contrast, as regards film aperture cards, a special operation in the punch/duplicator is necessary for this purpose.
The object mentioned last, namely, the provision of a microfilm camera, is achieved, by providing an optical coding device for exposing a coding on the microfilm in the microfilm camera. Such a microfilm camera makes it possible, in the filming of an original, to apply an optical coding on the film in a simple way. The microfilm 117~1~7S
camera is especially simple in terms o construction when it is designed with a coding device comprising two rows of luminous diodes located at the entrance of the microfilm camera.
In the event of extensive coding, the arrangement of the necessary number of luminous diodes in the coding station may present difficulties. Such problems of space can be avoided if the coding station has a cathode-ray tube instead of the luminous diodes.
A coding consisting of two lines of 7 tracks with 32 places can be generated especially simply, when means are provided for advancing the microfilm cards line-by-line in the coding station. Such a coding can be produced in a simple way in 14 steps, that is to say, the microfilm camera is exposed 14 times with coding characters. When suitable cathode-ray tubes are used, there is no need for exposure in steps since these tubes can deflect the beam itself.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a microfilm card embodying the invention;
,; .
11~7~4'~S
Figure 2 is a plan view oE a recorder with a microfilm camera; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the construction of the microfilm camera.
Figure 1 shows a microfilm card 1 which is made of card-board which has a photographic film 3 in a film gate 2. The microfilm card can have the same external dimensions as the film aperture cards used hitherto. However, the film gate 2 is some-what longer than is customary, for example, 63 mm, instead of 48 mm, so that a coding field 4 for optical coding can be provided on a narrow side of the film 3. In the microfilm card 1, the image field can be arrànged in the same place and in the same size as in conventional film aperture cards. The coding ield 4 can have different designs as regards its capacity. It preferably has two code lines with 7 tracks each having 32 places.
As is customary in film aperture cards, there is, above the film gate 2, a head strip 5 which serves for receiving a text to describe the picture content.
The microfilm cards 1 are exposed, coded and developed in a recorder 6 which is illustrated in Figure 2. This recorder 6 has an original table 7 on which rests a drawing 8 which is to be filmed and which has a text box 9. As is customary, a drawing number 10 is entered in the text box 9.
117B~S
Above the original table 7, a microfilm camera 12 is attached to a column 11 so as to ~e vertically adjustable. In the front right-hand corner of the original table 7, as seen from the operating side, there is a control desk 13 with a keyboard 14 and a conversational display lS.
To code a microfilm card 1, the drawing number 10 is read off from the drawing 8 by an operator and is keyed in by means of the keyboard 14 which is arranged favorably for viewing and manipulating. The drawing number then appears first on the conversational display 15 on the top edge of the control desk 13. By comparing the drawing numbers, located underneath one another, on the original and the conversational display 15, the operator can check whether he has entered the drawing number correctly. As soon as this has been ascertained, a release key is pressed. Then, the code is first exposed and subsequently the drawing 8 exposed in the microfilm camera 12. Fixing, washing, drying and ejection of the finished microfilm card 1 then follow. Reference may be made to Figure 3 for a more detailed description.
Figure 3 shows the path of a microfilm card from a film-card stack 16 through the microfilm camera 12 to a depositing pocket 17. In the microfilm camera 12, the microfilm card passes successively through a coding station 18, then an exposure station 19 and subsequently a developing, fixing and drying station 20. In this embodiment, the coding station 18 1~7~ 5 1~
contains a cathode-ray tube 21 by means of which the film 3 can be exposed according to the coding entered. It is appropriate to convey the microfilm card in one-line steps in the region of the coding station 18 and to expose one coding line with each step.
Instead of the cathode-ray tube, there can also be, for example, 2 x 7 luminous diodes over which the microfilm cards run, so that their coding fields 4 are exposed according to the coding. In this embodiment, 21 represents the rows of luminous diodes. Other light sources, for example, glass fibers or laser beams, can also be used to apply the code by exposure.
It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description that the objects set forth at the outset to the specification have been successfully achieved. Moreover, while there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it i5 to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (11)
1. A process for producing mechanically sortable and selectable microfilm cards which have, in a film gate, a photographic film as an optical data carrier and which additionally have a coding for sorting criteria, comprising exposing the coding optically onto the film and then developing the film.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising exposing the data on the film after exposing the coding but before the film is developed.
3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coding is applied to a narrow side of the film.
4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coding comprises two 7-track code lines, each having 32 places.
5. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data for the coding are read off directly from the original and are con-verted into optical signals for exposing the coding field of the film before the original is photographed.
6. The process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the optical signals are keyed-in to a memory and transmitted from the memory to exposing means during the feed of the microfilm cards in a microfilm camera.
7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inputted coding is displayed on a visual display before the film is exposed.
8. A microfilm card comprising a film gate and a photo-graphic film disposed in the film gate as an optical data carrier, said film having an optical coding field for sorting criteria.
9. The microfilm card as claimed in claim 8, wherein the film is rectangular and the coding field is provided on a narrow side of the film.
10. The microfilm card as claimed in claim 8, wherein the coding field has two 7-track code lines each having 32 places.
11. The microfilm card as claimed in claim 9, wherein the coding field has two 7-track code lines each having 32 places.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH2689/82-7 | 1982-05-03 | ||
| CH268982 | 1982-05-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1178475A true CA1178475A (en) | 1984-11-27 |
Family
ID=4239360
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000427315A Expired CA1178475A (en) | 1982-05-03 | 1983-05-03 | Microfilm card with optical coding field on film for sorting |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0093291A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS58199334A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1178475A (en) |
| DD (1) | DD210593A5 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES281865Y (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4777495A (en) * | 1987-04-24 | 1988-10-11 | Ncr Corporation | Aperture card plotter |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3411848A (en) * | 1966-06-16 | 1968-11-19 | Magnavox Co | Coder-exposer |
| DE1949027A1 (en) * | 1969-09-27 | 1971-04-01 | Wochele Ulrich Dipl Kfm | MICRO - film card |
| US3775594A (en) * | 1970-10-09 | 1973-11-27 | Polaroid Corp | Encoded identification card system |
| FR2430639A1 (en) * | 1978-07-07 | 1980-02-01 | Oller Expl Pari Mutuel | INFORMATION STORAGE DEVICE, PARTICULARLY INFORMATION CONTAINING ON DOCUMENTS MATERIALIZING TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO SUMS OF MONEY |
-
1983
- 1983-04-14 EP EP83103581A patent/EP0093291A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1983-04-20 JP JP6845683A patent/JPS58199334A/en active Pending
- 1983-05-02 DD DD25050783A patent/DD210593A5/en unknown
- 1983-05-02 ES ES1983281865U patent/ES281865Y/en not_active Expired
- 1983-05-03 CA CA000427315A patent/CA1178475A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES281865U (en) | 1985-05-01 |
| DD210593A5 (en) | 1984-06-20 |
| EP0093291A3 (en) | 1984-05-16 |
| ES281865Y (en) | 1985-12-01 |
| JPS58199334A (en) | 1983-11-19 |
| EP0093291A2 (en) | 1983-11-09 |
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| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |