Laser COM device

A laser COM device in which a platen securing a film strip to a base plot may be moved between two mutually perpendicular positions to orient the delivery direction of the film strip parallel to either a main or auxiliary scanning direction. The platen is mounted over an aperture in the base plate at the other side of which is disposed a laser scanner. In one embodiment the aperture is round, and a cylindrical sleeve extends from the platen into the aperture. A slot in the base plate and a mating protrusion extending from the platen prevent rotation. In another embodiment, the aperture is square with a mating square sleeve extending from the platen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a laser COM (Computer Output Microfilm) 
device capable of recording information on a strip of recording film in 
either a cine mode or a comic mode. A COM device in which an output signal 
of a computer is directly recorded on a recording film as a micropicture 
image has hitherto been used as a microfilm photographing device. In such 
COM devices, in a first known construction an output signal from the 
computer is displayed on a cathode-ray tube and the displayed picture 
image is focussed onto a recording film through an optical system while in 
a second known construction a micro-picture image is directly recorded on 
a recording film by scanning the recording film with a minute diameter 
laser flux which is modulated in accordance with the computer output 
signal. The latter type device is generally termed a laser COM device. In 
such a device either photosensitive or thermosensitive recording film can 
be used. In a type of a thermosensitive recording film in which a 
recording layer is melted or vaporized due to heat generated by the laser 
beam and converted to a transparent material, it is possible to observe 
the recorded condition simultaneously with the recording operation as a 
so-called instant or real-time recording output without a separate 
developing process. Accordingly, with such a fim type, the COM device 
functions at a high efficiency as a high speed output device. 
Microfilm may have various configurations. For example, in a typical 
fiche-type microfilm, picture images are recorded on a recording film and 
frames are distributed in a two-dimension arrangement. Also a roll film in 
the form of film strips is known in which frames are arranged one-by-one 
along its longitudinal direction. The fiche film is formed into individual 
units by cutting a long recording film at a predetermined interval after 
the picture images are recorded thereon. In any case, the recording film 
for the recording process is initially a long film in the form of a strip. 
However, for either a fiche film or a roll film, the long recording film 
strips are, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, classified into a cine mode and a 
comic mode according to the direction of the recorded images with respect 
to the longitudinal direction of the strip. That is, in the cine mode, as 
shown in FIG. 1A, the longitudinal directions of the picture image and the 
film strip are coincident with each other while in the comic mode, as 
shown in FIG. 1B, the longitudinal direction of the picture images and a 
widthwise direction of the long film are coincident with each other. In 
the aforedescribed cathode-ray tube type COM device, when the image is 
recorded on the microfilm in either a cine mode or a comic mode, the mode 
variation can be readily carried out by reversing the input XY deflection 
signals which control the deflection of the beam of the cathode-ray tube. 
However, in a laser COM device, it is very difficult to changeover the 
scanning direction, that is to redirect the laser beam at a right angle. 
Namely, since different deflecting elements are used for primary scan 
lines (X-deflection) and auxiliary scan lines (Y-deflection), it is 
impossible to interchange the primary and auxiliary scan lines with each 
other. On the other hand, in the case where the laser optical system is 
maintained as it is, and to effect the interchange the camera system, 
including a base plate, platen, a microfilm delivering mechanism and a 
control mechanism therefor, as a whole is turned by 90.degree., the 
mechanism which would be required for performing such a operation is too 
large in size and complicated in construction since the dimensions and the 
weight of the camera system are rather large. Further, where a monitor 
device capable of observing the recorded state is provided in the camera 
system such as for instance that described in Japanese Patent Application 
No. 52-31353, a much more complicated mechanism is required. In another 
case where an optical member such as an image rotator is inserted in the 
laser optical system, such optical system must have a large viewing angle 
and various space limitations must be imposed between the lens and the 
microfilm. Accordingly, such a method is unsuitable as a practical matter. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a laser COM device capable 
of recording information in either a cine mode or a comic mode using a 
longitudinal recording film. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a laser COM 
device capable of recording an image displayed in a monitor device 
operated in either a cine mode or a comic mode. 
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing 
a laser COM device including a platen supporting a strip-shaped recording 
film and fastened on a base plate, a delivering mechanism for delivering 
the recording film to the platen and a laser-optical system capable of 
recording micro-picture images by scanning the recording film with a 
modulated laser light in two-dimensions. In accordance with the invention 
the platen is fastened on a base plate so that, alternatively, a delivery 
direction (longitudinal direction) of the recording film and a direction 
of a main scan of the laser optical system substantially coincide with 
each other or the delivery direction and a direction of a sub-scan of the 
laser optical system also substantially coincide with each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
A laser optical system such as may be used in the present invention is 
well-known but will nonetheless be briefly discussed. In the laser COM 
device, the laser beam emitted from the laser light source is modulated in 
accordance with the data output from a computer and the modulated laser 
beam is scanned upon the recording film whereby the data stored in the 
computer is suitably selected and recorded on the recording film as micro 
picture images. The laser COM device includes as basic elements a laser 
light source, a modulator connected to the computer for modulating the 
laser beam, a scanning mechanism for the laser beam and associated 
electrical or optical components, a laser optical system, a platen 
fastened to a base plate at least for the scanning of the laser beam and 
capable of supporting the recording film to be delivered, and a delivery 
mechanism for delivering the recording film. 
Various laser recording systems for scanning microfilm with a laser beam in 
two-dimensions are well known such as the system disclosed, for example, 
in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 53-13727. Various camera 
mechanisms which include a platen for supporting microfilm and delivering 
microfilm segments one after another are also well known as described, for 
example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 53-3816 and Japanese 
Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 53-6640 and 53-6641. Also, Japanese 
Patent Application No. 52-136451 discloses such a mechanism. In any of 
these camera mechanisms, after picture images are recorded on the 
recording film strip, they are utilized according to the usual practice 
for roll films or fiche films. 
In the laser COM device according to the present invention, the arrangement 
of the platen is so modified that alternative recording between the comic 
mode and the cine mode on the recording film can readily be achieved. A 
primary object of the present invention is to provide a laser COM device 
in which the surface to be scanned by the laser beam of the strip-shaped 
recording film supported by the platen is scanned by the scanning beam of 
the laser optical system with the delivery direction and the direction of 
the main scan of the laser optical system substantially coincident with 
each other or, alternatively, the delivery direction of the recording film 
and the direction of the sub-scan of the laser optical system normal to 
the main scan direction are made substantially coincident with each other. 
The present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the 
accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a laser COM device 
according to the present invention while FIG. 3 is a perspective view of 
the laser COM. In FIG. 2, a laser optical system is provided below the 
midportion of a base plate 10 while a camera mechanism is disposed on the 
opposite side thereof. The laser optical system includes a laser light 
source 11, a light modulator 12, light deflectors 13 and 14, and a lens 
15. In this system, a beam of light 16 is modulated by the light modulator 
12 and subsequently is deflected in two-dimensions by the light deflectors 
13 and 14 and is converged into a small point of light by the lens 15. 
This beam passes through an aperture 18 formed in the base plate 10 and 
scans a recording film fastened by a platen on the camera side. 
In the camera system, the recording film 21, initially wound on a feeding 
roller 20, is introduced to the platen 24 through a pair of rollers 22 and 
a single movable roller 23 and the recorded microfilm 25 is introduced 
onto a winding roller 28 through a single movable roller 26 and a pair of 
rollers 27. In the figures, a motor required for performing the winding 
operation, and other components, the detailed structure of which do not 
form a part of the invention, are omitted. The platen 24 is provided with 
projections 30 and 31 which are engaged with the aperture 18 and with a 
slot 19 formed in the base plate 10, respectively, so that the platen 24 
is fastened so as to prevent rotation and vibration. The platen 24 is 
schematically illustrated in cross-section in the recording region of the 
recording film in FIG. 2 and a more detailed perspective view is shown in 
FIG. 3. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, the platen 24 and the associated mechanism will be 
described. The platen 24 shown in FIG. 3 is adapted to clamp the recording 
film 21 which has a relatively narrow width of, for example, 16 mm between 
a first pair of rollers 32 and 33 on the trailing side and between a 
second pair of rollers 34, 35 and 36, 37 on the leading side. The 
recording film 21 is in close contact with a film supporting plate 38 
between the paired rollers. The film supporting plate 38 is made of a 
transparent material such as a glass plate. Reference numeral 39 
designates a motor for delivering the recording film 21 by driving the 
roller 37 through a gear mechanism 40 to thereby deliver the recording 
film 21 at a predetermined length while the film is clamped by the paired 
rollers 36 and 37. The roller 41 is provided for guiding the film on the 
feed-out side. 
The platen 24 may be, for example, made separately of a body 42 and a cap 
member 43. The platen 24 as shown in FIG. 3 is made of separate members. 
The rollers 33, 35 and 37, the motor 39 and the gear mechanism 40 are 
provided on the body 42 side while the rollers 32, 34, 36 and 41 and the 
film supporting plate 38 are provided on the side of cap member 43. The 
body 42 and the cap member 43 are connected to each other on one side 
thereof by a hinge. The body 42 and the cap member 43 are urged towards 
the open position at a border 45 by a spring 44. A knob 46 secures the 
body 42 and cap member 43 as a unit against the spring force of the spring 
44. 
With such a structure, in order to set the recording film 21 in the platen 
24, first the knob 46 is pulled to release the cap member 43 from the body 
member 42. The cap member 43 is closed with the knob after the roll film 
21 is set in the platen. 
In the laser COM device according to the present invention, a hollow sleeve 
47 extending from a lower surface of the body 42 of the platen is inserted 
into a hole 48 formed in the base plate 10 whereby the platen 24 is 
detachably secured to the base plate 10. The hollow sleeve 47 and an 
aperture 48 correspond to the extension 30 and the aperture 18 shown in 
FIG. 2, respectively. In FIG. 3, since the hollow sleeve 47 is 
cylindrical, in order to secure the hollow sleeve 47 to the base plate 10, 
the projection 31 is, as shown in FIG. 2, inserted into the slot 19 formed 
in the base plate 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the aperture 18 
shown in FIG. 2 is circular and the projection 30 in FIG. 2 is formed as 
the hollow cylindrical sleeve 48. Of course other configurations can be 
used as well. For example, a hollow post having a regular square 
cross-section may be used instead of the hollow sleeve 47. In this case, 
since the hollow post can be tightly secured to the base plate 10 so as to 
prevent rotational movement, the projection 31 and the associated slot 19 
formed in the base plate 10 are unnecessary. That is, it is sufficient 
that the hollow sleeve secured at both points, the position of the two 
points being such that the lines defined by respective positions and the 
center of the main aperture formed in the base plate form a right angle. 
As mentioned above, by turning the platen from a first position to a 
second position or from the second position to the first position, the 
platen may be fastened to the base plate 10. Once the platen is dismantled 
from the base plate, it may easily be moved to the other position. 
However, it is also easy to change the stationary position of the platen 
through an angle of 90.degree. using a well-known gear mechanism and 
associated mechanism elements. 
FIGS. 4 and 5 show two different positions of the platen 24 secured to the 
base plate 10. In FIG. 4, the platen 24 is secured to the base plate 10 so 
that the direction of delivery of the microfilm on the platen and the 
direction of the main scan of the laser optical system are made 
substantially coincident with each other. In contrast, in FIG. 5, the 
platen 24 is secured to the base plate 10 so that the delivery direction 
of the microfilm on the platen and the direction of the auxiliary scan of 
the laser optical system are made substantially coincident with each 
other. The converse may also be true. That is if FIG. 4 shows a state in 
which the delivery direction of the microfilm on the platen 24 and the 
auxiliary scan direction of the laser optical system are coincident with 
each other, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the delivery direction and the 
main scan direction are coincident with each other. In any case, it is 
possible to interchange the two operational states with each other by 
rotating or replacing the platen. 
In FIG. 4, for example, the platen is positioned for comic mode recording. 
In this case, the film delivery direction and the main scan direction of 
the optical system are coincident with each other. The film 21 fed from 
the roll 20 is introduced into the platen 24 through the paired rollers 22 
and the single movable roller 23 and secured on the platen 24. As after a 
recording operation in the comic mode is carried out, the film is fed at a 
desired speed through the platen and the film exiting the platen is wound 
onto the roll 27 through the movable roller 25 and the paired rollers 26. 
In FIG. 5, the position of the platen is changed for cine mode recording. 
In this case, the film delivery direction and the auxiliary scan direction 
of the optical system are coincident. In the same manner as in FIG. 4, the 
film 20 fed out of the roller 20 passes through the paired rollers 22 and 
the movable roller 23 and then is directed to the platen 24 by a direction 
converting the roller 51. The film 21 is secured at the platen 24 after 
which recording in the cine mode may be carried out. Thereafter, the film 
20 is fed at a predetermined rate and the film is directed by the roll 27 
through the movable roller 25 and the paired rollers 26 to wind the film 
onto the roll 27. 
Thus, according to the present invention, in a laser COM device using a 
laser optical system, change-over between the cine and comic modes can be 
readily carried out with a simple mechanism as described.