Digital microform imaging apparatus

Abstract

An imaging apparatus comprising a chassis, a light source for directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path, at least a first fold mirror supported within the light path for redirecting light along a second optical axis segment, the at least a first fold mirror having a top edge, a first elongated lead member supported by the chassis, the first elongated lead member forming at least a first substantially straight surface that extends substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment, a first drive mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member, an area sensor aligned for movement with a segment of the light path, wherein the first lead member and the first drive mechanism are located to first and second different sides of the second optical axis segment and wherein each of the first lead member and the first drive mechanism are located at a height below the top edge of the at least a first fold mirror.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis,   a light source supported by the chassis for generating light that travels along a light path, the light source directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path;   a mirror assembly including at least a first fold mirror supported by the chassis within the light path for redirecting light trajectories along the light path, the at least a first fold mirror including a reflecting surface located along the first optical axis segment and redirecting light from the light source along a second optical axis segment of the light path, the at least a first fold mirror having a top edge;   a first elongated lead member supported by the chassis, the first elongated lead member forming at least a first substantially straight surface that extends substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;   a first drive mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member;   a first motor including a first motor shaft that engages the first drive mechanism;   a first carriage coupled to the first lead member for movement there along and coupled to the chassis via the first drive mechanism and the first motor such that rotation of the first motor shaft causes the first carriage to move along the first lead member along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;   an area sensor supported by the first carriage and aligned with a segment of the light path, the area sensor moving with the first carriage, the first carriage moving substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment within a first range to adjust a distance along the light path between the area sensor and the at least a first fold mirror; and   a lens supported by the chassis and positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror along the light path;   wherein the first lead member and the first drive mechanism are located to first and second different sides of the second optical axis segment and wherein each of the first lead member and the first drive mechanism are located at a height below the top edge of the at least a first fold mirror.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the area sensor is located along the second optical axis segment. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 2  wherein a front face of the area sensor is substantially perpendicular to the second optical axis segment. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the area sensor is arranged along a segment of the light path that is not coaxial with the first optical axis segment. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the lens is located between the first drive mechanism and the first lead member. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least a first fold mirror includes a bottom edge and wherein the first drive mechanism is located at a height above the bottom edge of the at least a first fold mirror. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first drive mechanism includes a threaded shaft, the first carriage includes at least one tooth member received in a channel formed between adjacent threads on the threaded shaft, and wherein the first carriage slides along the first lead member as the threaded shaft rotates. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the threads on the threaded shaft have a first shape and the at least one tooth member has a second shape that is different than the first shape so that when the at least one tooth member is received in a portion of the thread, the at least one tooth member contacts the thread at only two points when the thread is viewed in cross section. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the thread is substantially rectilinear and wherein the at least one tooth member is substantially triangular 
     
     
         10 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one fold mirror has a bottom edge and wherein the first drive mechanism is supported at a height above the bottom edge of the fold mirror. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  further including a second carriage supported for movement along an axis that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis, a second motor having a second motor shaft and a second drive mechanism coupled to the second carriage, the lens mounted to the second carriage, the second drive mechanism coupling the second motor shaft to the second carriage so that rotation of the second motor shaft causes the second carriage and lens to move along the second optical axis segment. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the second carriage is independent of and moves independently of the first carriage. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the second motor shaft extends along an axis that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment and the second drive mechanism includes at least a toothed belt and a first threaded member, the first threaded member extending substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment, the toothed belt forming at least a portion of a coupling between the second motor shaft and the first threaded member so that as the second motor shaft rotates, the first threaded member also rotates about the axis parallel to the second optical axis segment, the second carriage including at least one member received in a channel formed between adjacent threads on the first threaded member, and wherein the second carriage and lens move along the second optical axis segment as the first threaded member rotates. 
     
     
         14 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the first threaded member forms a thread on an outside surface thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the first drive mechanism includes a first elongated straight drive member linked between the first motor shaft and the first carriage and the second drive mechanism includes a second elongated straight drive member linked between the second motor shaft and the second carriage, the first and second elongated drive members extending substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment. 
     
     
         16 . The imaging assembly of  claim 15  wherein the first and second motor shafts extend along first and second substantially horizontal axis and wherein the first and second substantially horizontal axis are arranged in substantially the same vertical plane. 
     
     
         17 . The imaging assembly of  claim 16  wherein the first and second substantially horizontal axis are arranges below the top edge of the at least a first fold mirror. 
     
     
         18 . The imaging assembly of  claim 17  wherein the first and second elongated drive members extend from first ends coupled to the first and second motors in a direction generally toward the at least a first fold mirror. 
     
     
         19 . The imaging assembly of  claim 18  wherein each of the first and second elongated drive members have substantially the same length dimension. 
     
     
         20 . The imaging assembly of  claim 19  wherein the first elongated drive member includes a threaded shaft member. 
     
     
         21 . The imaging assembly of  claim 20  wherein the second drive mechanism includes a toothed belt and first and second toothed gears in addition to the second elongated drive member. 
     
     
         22 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the first and second elongated straight drive members extend along first and second substantially horizontal axis and wherein the first and second substantially horizontal axis are arranged in substantially the same vertical plane. 
     
     
         23 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 13  wherein a toothed gear links the toothed belt to the threaded member. 
     
     
         24 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the lens is movable through a second range of motion along the second optical axis and wherein the first and second ranges of motion at least somewhat overlap. 
     
     
         25 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the first and second motors are independently controllable and are simultaneously operated to move the lens and the area sensor at the same time. 
     
     
         26 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the simultaneous operation of the motors is controlled to at least somewhat maintain focus while adjusting zoom. 
     
     
         27 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the lens is supported for movement within a second range along the light path to change the position of the lens with respect to the at least a first fold mirror and the area sensor within the light path. 
     
     
         28 . A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis;   a light source supported by the chassis for generating light that travels along a light path, the light source directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path;   a mirror assembly including at least a first fold mirror supported by the chassis within the light path for redirecting light trajectories along the light path, the at least a first fold mirror including a reflecting surface located along the first optical axis segment and redirecting light from the light source along a second optical axis segment of the light path, the at least a first fold mirror having a top edge;   a first elongated lead member supported by the chassis, the first elongated lead member forming at least a first substantially straight surface that extends substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;   a first drive mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member;   a first carriage supported by the first lead member for movement along a trajectory substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;   a first motor having a first motor shaft, the first motor and the first drive mechanism linking the first carriage to the chassis and the first motor shaft engaging the first drive mechanism to move the first carriage along the substantially straight surface of the first lead member through a first range of motion as the first motor shaft rotates;   an area sensor supported by the first carriage within the light path, the area sensor supported for movement with the first carriage to adjust a distance along the light path between the area sensor and the fold mirror;   a second drive mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member;   a second carriage linked to the second drive mechanism for movement along a trajectory substantially parallel to the first lead member;   a second motor having a second motor shaft and supported by the chassis, the second drive mechanism coupling the second motor to the second carriage to move the second carriage along the trajectory substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment through a second range of motion; and   a lens supported by the second carriage and positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror along the light path;   wherein, the first and second motor shafts extend in the same direction and are arranged along substantially horizontal first and second axis that are located within substantially the same vertical plane.   
     
     
         29 . A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising
 a chassis;   a light source supported by the chassis for generating light that travels along a light path, the light source directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path;   a mirror assembly including at least a first fold mirror supported by the chassis within the light path for redirecting light trajectories along the optical path, the at least a first fold mirror including a reflecting surface located along the first optical axis segment and redirecting light from the light source along a second optical axis segment of the light path, the at least a first fold mirror having a top edge;   a first elongated lead member supported by the chassis, the first elongated lead member forming at least a first substantially straight surface that extends substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;   a first drive mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member;   a first carriage supported by the first lead member for movement along a trajectory substantially parallel to the first lead member;   a first motor having a first motor shaft, the first motor and the first drive mechanism linking the first carriage to the chassis and the first motor shaft engaging the first drive mechanism to move the first carriage along the first lead member through a first range of motion as the first motor shaft rotates;   an area sensor supported by the first carriage for movement therewith to adjust a distance between the area sensor and the fold mirror along the light path, the area sensor aligned with a segment of the light path;   a second drive mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member;   a second carriage supported by the second drive mechanism for movement along a trajectory substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;   a second motor having a second motor shaft and supported by the chassis, the second drive mechanism coupling the second motor to the second carriage to move the second carriage along the trajectory substantially parallel to the first lead member through a second range of motion; and   a lens supported by the second carriage and positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror along the second optical axis segment;   wherein the first lead member is supported to one side of the lens and the area sensor and wherein the first drive mechanism is located at a height below the top edge of the fold mirror and to one side of the lens.   
     
     
         30 . A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis that forms a first cavity and a substantially horizontal window;   a housing cover that forms a second cavity, the cover supported by the chassis with a front portion of the cover positioned above the horizontal window and the second cavity extending rearward from the front portion to a rear portion, the front portion of the housing spaced from the horizontal window by a gap;   a first illumination source supported within one of the cavities for generating light that travels along a light path, the first illumination source directing light along a first optical axis segment of the light path through the horizontal window and the gap and toward the other of the cavities;   a mirror assembly including at least a first fold mirror supported within the other of the cavities within the light path for redirecting light trajectories along the light path, the at least a first fold mirror including a reflecting surface located along the first optical axis segment and redirecting light from the light source along a second optical axis segment of the light path within the other of the cavities, the second optical axis segment forming a substantially 90 degree angle with the first optical axis segment;   a first carriage supported in the other of the cavities for motion along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;   a second carriage supported in the other of the cavities for motion along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis segment;   an area sensor supported by the first carriage within the other of the cavities and aligned within the light path;   a lens supported by the second carriage within the other of the cavities and aligned along the light path between the fold mirror and the area sensor;   a first motor supported in the other of the cavities and coupled to the first carriage for driving the first carriage to positions where the distance along the light path between the area sensor and the at least a first fold mirror is controllable within a first range;   a second motor supported in the other of the cavities and coupled to the second carriage for driving the second carriage to positions where the lens is at different locations along the light path; and   a microform media support structure supported by the chassis and configured to support a microform media within a plane substantially orthogonal to the first optical axis segment and so that the first optical axis segment passes through the microform media, the media support structure located within the gap between the front portion of the housing and the horizontal window.