Support

BlipChip Nova Controller SERVICE AND SUPPORT FOR CMI/MRS RETRIEVAL DEVICES BlipChip was informed, and has confirmed, that the purchase of Connecticut Micrographics (CMI) by ALOS Micrographics Corp., effective November 1, 2004, as announced in The Green Sheet, did not include the CMI/MRS line of microfilm retrieval devices. The first product that CMI introduced when it began as a marketing company in 1978 was BlipChip’s BlipChip I counter that was sold by CMI also as the MRS100 after 1987. Likewise, CMI sold BlipChip’s BlipChip II, III, and IV until 1987 and also as MRS200, MRS300, and MRS400 respectively after 1987. Beginning in 1987 BlipChip’s controller for the Kodak Oracle film, at that time BlipChip Oracle, was sold by CMI as the MRS450. CMI’s unilateral decision to market it’s own controllers (MRS60 & MRS80) and blip counter (MRS100) ended it’s 12-year relationship (see below) with BlipChip’s parent company, Robin Baker Associates, Inc. (RBA) in November, 1990, after which time RBA began marketing its products under its registered trademark, BlipChip, as BlipChip Products Company. Among the other products on BlipChip’s web site, BlipChip continues to sell the original BlipChip I and II. BlipChip IV (MRS400) was upgraded and is BlipChip’s BlipChip Nova controller shown here. It is comparable capability-wise to the MRS60 and the Minolta Mars Mini 2 Controller, but at lower cost. At higher cost than the MRS60, but much less costly than the Minolta Mars Controller 4 and the Canon FS Controller III, BlipChip’s BlipChip V (BC5) controller reads all three ANSI blip sizes and has special provisions for unblipped film using BlipChip’s unique, 1993-introduced image edge sensor. BlipChip’s Oracle controller was renamed BlipChip Omega at Kodak’s request and has been upgraded twice since the MRS450 version and after the RBA-made Oracle Retrieval Accessory for the Kodak ImageLink Digital Workstation (IDW) in the mid 90’s. BlipChip continues to service and support its products that were sold by CMI and will do its best to repair those that are no longer being manufactured. For CMI-manufactured microfilm retrieval devices, customers and dealers are welcome to contact BlipChip for ongoing service and support, or for upgrading to a BlipChip if necessary. Note: From 1979 to 1984 CMI had exclusive use of the BlipChip name and all products using the BlipChip name. CMI continued non-exclusive use of the BlipChip name until adopting its MRS name in 1987.