Digital microform imaging apparatus

A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:

• a chassis;
• a fold mirror supported by the chassis, the fold mirror including a reflecting surface for directing light from a first optical axis to a second optical axis;
• a microform media support structure aligned with the first optical axis;
• a first elongated lead member supported by the chassis and extending substantially parallel to the second optical axis;
• a second elongated lead member supported by the chassis and extending substantially parallel to the second optical axis, the second lead member spaced apart from the first lead member and extending along the side of the first lead member;
• a first carriage slidingly coupled to the first lead member;
• a second carriage slidingly coupled to the second lead member;
• first and second drive motors;
• a first driving mechanism extending at least in part substantially parallel to the second lead member, the first drive mechanism linking the first motor to the first carriage and controllable to drive the first carriage along the second optical axis;
• a second driving mechanism extending at least in part substantially parallel to the first lead member, the second drive mechanism linking the second motor to the second carriage and controllable to drive the second carriage along the second optical axis;
• an area sensor supported by the first carriage for movement therewith to adjust a distance between the area sensor and the fold mirror;
• and
• a lens supported by the second carriage for movement therewith, the lens positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror.

A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:

• a chassis;
• a fold mirror supported by the chassis;
• a first elongated and substantially strait lead member supported by the chassis;
• a first carriage slidingly coupled to the first lead member;
• an area sensor supported by the first carriage for movement therewith to adjust a distance between the area sensor and the fold mirror;
• a lens supported by the chassis and positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror;
• and
• a first motor coupled to the first carriage via a first belt for moving the first carriage within a range of motion along at least a portion of the first lead member.

A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:

• a chassis including a microform media support structure configured to support a microform media;
• an illumination source directing light toward the microform media supported by the support structure to generate an image of the microform media that is projected along an optical axis;
• a lens supported along the optical axis;
• an area sensor supported along the optical axis to sense the projected image, the area sensor supported for rotation about an axis parallel to the optical axis;
• a first adjuster for moving the area sensor along at least a portion of the optical axis;
• and
• a second adjuster for moving the lens along at least a portion of the optical axis;
• a controller for controlling the first and second adjusters to simultaneously reposition the lens and area sensor to affect a change in magnification while adjusting focus;
• and
• an electronic display for receiving images obtained by the area sensor and displaying the images during zooming and focusing processes.

A digital microform imaging apparatus comprising:

• a chassis;
• a first elongated and substantially strait lead member supported by the chassis and having first and second ends;
• a second elongated and substantially strait lead member supported by the chassis approximately parallel with the first lead member and extending alongside the first lead member and having first and second ends, the first and second lead members located at a first height;
• a fold mirror supported by the chassis proximate the first ends of the first and second lead members, the fold mirror including a reflecting surface for directing light from a first optical axis to a second optical axis, at least a portion of the reflecting surface located at a height above the first height;
• a microform media support structure aligned with the first optical axis and located at a height below the first height;
• a first carriage slidingly coupled to the first lead member and extending between the first and second lead members;
• a second carriage slidingly coupled to the second lead member and extending between the first and second lead members;
• an area sensor supported by the first carriage for movement therewith to adjust a distance between the area sensor and the fold mirror;
• a lens supported by the second carriage for movement therewith, the lens positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror;
• first and second motors supported by the chassis proximate the second ends of the first and second lead members;
• a first toothed belt coupled to the first motor and to the first carriage for driving the first carriage within a range of motion along at least a portion of the first lead member;
• and
• a second toothed belt coupled to the second motor and to the second carriage for driving the second carriage within a range of motion along at least a portion of the second lead member.

A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:

• a chassis;
• a fold mirror supported by the chassis and including a reflecting surface aligned with first and second optical axis;
• a first elongated and substantially strait lead member supported by the chassis, the first lead member substantially parallel to the second optical axis;
• a first driving mechanism supported by the chassis and extending alongside and spaced apart from the first lead member;
• a first motor supported by the chassis and linked to the first driving mechanism, the first motor having a first shaft;
• a first carriage extending between the first lead member and the first driving mechanism, the first carriage slidingly coupled to the first lead member and linked to the first driving mechanism, wherein, rotation of a first shaft causes the first driving mechanism to move the first carriage along the first lead member among positions within a range;
• an area sensor supported by the first carriage for movement therewith to adjust a distance between the area sensor and the fold mirror, the area sensor aligned along the second optical axis and positioned at least in part between the first lead member and the first driving mechanism;
• a lens supported by the chassis along the second optical axis and positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror.