A computer controlled precision film scanner

A flying-spot film scanner was developed, capable of a short sweep in any direction from any of the 1024 × 1024 precise positions on the face of a 5-inch c.r.t. The spot is imaged on a film with 1 : 1 optics. Fine black lines on the film can be located with an accuracy of about 3 ¿m. The width and degree of blackness of these are also recorded and these data are transferred to a computer on its demand. The computer processes the data and provides fresh instructions for the scanner so that the following sweep vector can be optimally specified.