Digital microform imaging apparatus

A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:

• a chassis,
• a fold mirror supported by the chassis and including a reflecting surface for directing light from a first substantially vertical optical axis to a second substantially horizontal optical axis;
• a microform media support structure supported by the chassis for supporting a microform media along the first optical axis;
• a first carriage supported by the chassis for movement along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis;
• an area sensor supported by the first carriage for movement along the second optical axis within a first range to adjust a distance between the area sensor and the fold mirror, the area sensor further supported by the first carriage for rotation about an axis parallel to the second optical axis;
• a second carriage supported by the chassis for movement along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis;
• a lens supported by the second carriage for movement along the second optical axis within a second range to adjust the distance between the lens and the fold mirror, the lens positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror;
• a housing that forms an elongated cavity in which the carriages, fold mirror, area sensor and lens are located, the cavity having a horizontal length dimension that extends substantially parallel to the second optical axis;
• a bracket supported by the chassis for movement between forward and rearward positions along a longitudinal trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis;
• and
• a coupler supported by and movable along with the bracket, the coupler supported by the bracket for movement with respect to the bracket perpendicular to the longitudinal trajectory along a transverse trajectory, the media support structure mounted to the coupler for movement therewith.

A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:

• a support structure that forms first and second cavities, the first and second cavities spaced apart to form a substantially horizontal gap there between;
• a microform media support structure mounted within the horizontal gap for movement along a substantially horizontal longitudinal direction and a substantially horizontal transverse direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
• an illumination source mounted within the first cavity to direct light along a first substantially vertical optical axis across the gap and into a front portion of the second cavity;
• a fold mirror including a reflecting surface, the fold mirror supported within the second cavity and aligned with the first optical axis so that at least a portion of the light from the illumination source is directed at the reflecting surface, the reflecting surface forming a substantially 45 degree angle with the first optical axis and directing light that subtends the reflecting surface along a substantially horizontal second optical axis that forms a substantially 90 degree angle with the first optical axis, the second optical axis extending away from the reflecting surface and toward a rear portion of the second cavity;
• an area sensor supported within the second cavity and aligned along the second optical axis, the area sensor supported along the second optical axis for movement there along within a first range of movement;
• and
• a lens supported within the second cavity between the fold mirror and the area sensor for movement along the second optical axis within a second range of movement, the second range overlapping the first range at least somewhat.

A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:

• an assembly support structure that forms first and second cavities, the first and second cavities spaced apart to form a substantially horizontal gap there between;
• an illumination source mounted within the first cavity to direct light along a first substantially vertical optical axis across the gap and into a front portion of the second cavity;
• a fold mirror including a reflecting surface, the fold mirror supported within the second cavity and aligned with the first optical axis so that at least a portion of the light from the illumination source is directed at the reflecting surface, the reflecting surface forming a substantially 45 degree angle with the first optical axis and directing light that subtends the reflecting surface along a substantially horizontal second optical axis that forms a substantially 90 degree angle with the first optical axis, the second optical axis extending away from the reflecting surface and toward a rear portion of the second cavity;
• an area sensor supported within the second cavity and aligned along the second optical axis, the area sensor supported along the second optical axis for movement there along within a first range of movement;
• and
• a lens supported within the second cavity between the fold mirror and the area sensor for movement along the second optical axis within a second range of movement, the second range overlapping the first range at least somewhat;
• a microform media support structure supported by the assembly support structure for movement within the gap along a substantially horizontal longitudinal direction that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis within a first range of motion between a rearward position and a forward position and along a substantially horizontal transverse direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction within a second range of motion between first and second end positions;
• and
• a source roll film attachment and a take up roll film attachment supported by the support structure on opposite lateral sides of the second cavity.