Apparatus and method for optical annotation of orthophotographs

Claim 1

An orthophotographic printer for producing annotated orthophotographs comprising, in combination: a. a first photocarriage for supporting an aerial photograph with inherent distortions therein, b. means for translating said first photocarriage in a first and a second plane, c. a second photocarriage for supporting sensitized recording film, d. means for translating said second photocarriage in a first and a second plane, said planes being spaced from, but parallel to, the planes within which said first photocarriage is translated, e. an optical transmission train for optically rectifying the inherent distortions in the aerial photograph while projecting images from said photograph onto the recording film, said optical transmission train including: 1. a first light source and a first lens with a narrow scanning slit positioned above the aerial photograph to illuminate selected portions thereof and thus project images therefrom through said first photocarriage and toward said sensitized recording film, and 2. an exposure mask with a narrow slit positioned above said sensitized recording film to allow the projected images to expose only selected areas of te sensitized recording film as the first and second photocarriages are translated relative to one another, f. means for optically annotating the orthophotograph as same is produced on the recording film by successive exposures, said means comprising: 1. projection means disposed in operative relationship to said optical transmission train, 2. a series of transparencies with distinct cartographic images retained within said projection means, 3. a second light source and a second lens positioned in alignment with said projection means for illuminating said transparencies and projecting the cartographic images from said transparencies toward said optical transmission train, and 4. mirror means positioned within said optical transmission train at an acute angle to the images illuminated by said first and second light sources and projected by said first and second lenses, and 5. said mirror means reflecting the images of the transparencies illuminated by said second light source onto said exposure mask positioned above said sensitized recordng film while permitting the image of the selected portion of the aerial photograph illuminated by said first light source to fall onto said exposurE mask.