EP0104285A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing images on radiation sensitive recording mediums
Assignee: Delta Scan Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-09-28
Abstract
Abstract @ An apparatus and method for producing images on radiation sensitive recording mediums. The apparatus includes a plurality of radiation sources (50) which are independently selectively operable to produce a plurality of radiation signals at a predetermined location (32) from the radiation sources. The plurality of radiation signals are arranged to define a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1, and the matrix of signals is of a predetermined size at the predetermined location. A radiation sensitive recording medium is mounted for relative movement relative to the radiation sources so that respective portions of the recording medium are presented at the predetermined location from the radiation sources. The radiation sources are selectively operated at selected intervals as the radiation sources and recording medium move relative to one another to thereby produce one or more radiation signals to thereby expose a series of dot areas on the recording medium to produce a desired image. Each of the exposed dot areas is produced during one of the selected intervals and comprises one or more exposed subdot areas (30) corresponding in number to the number of radiation signals selectively produced during the one interval whereby the size of the exposed dot area is less than or equal to the predetermined size and corresponds to the size at the predetermined location of the radiation signals selectively produced. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the radiation means is operated during relative movement of the radiation means and the recording medium to expose the recording medium with radiation in a pattern of dot areas to produce an image, at least one of the dot areas including at least one subdot area having a density which is below a predetermined value. Thereafter, at least one portion of the at least one subdot is manipulated so as to modify the size of the exposed dot area to thereby produce the desired image.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Marshall Berman
- 👤 Ernest Bruce Feldgus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/04; H04N1/19; H04N1/195; H04N1/19505; H04N1/19515; H04N1/19521; H04N1/19573; H04N1/40; H04N1/40025; H04N1/40031; H04N1/40081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
326 words
Apparatus for producing an image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, comprising: radiation signal means operable for producing a plurality of radiation signals at a predetermined location from said radiation signal means, said plurality of radiation signals being arranged to define a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1, and said matrix of signals being of a predetermined size at said predetermined location; mounting means for mounting a radiation sensitive recording medium and said radiation signal means to provide relative movement between said recording medium and said radiation signal means so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined location from said radiation signal means; and control means for selectively operating said radiation signal means so as to selectively produce at selected intervals one or more of said radiation signals as said radiation signal means and said recording medium move relative to one another to thereby expose a series of dot areas on said recording medium to produce said image, each of said exposed dot areas being produced during one of said selected intervals and comprising one or more exposed subdot areas corresponding in number to the number of said radiation signals selectively produced during said one interval to produce said exposed dot area whereby the size of said exposed dot area is less than or equal to said predetermined size and corresponds to the size at said predetermined location of said radiation signals Selectively produced for said selected interval, said control means being operable so that said radiation signals selectively produced during each of said intervals are in a corresponding preselected pattern dependent on the number of radiation signals selectively produced during each said interval, there being a one to one relationship between the number of radiation signals selectively produced and said corresponding preselected pattern of said radiation signals selectively produced for exposing said dot areas on said recording medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
326 words
Apparatus for producing an image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, comprising: radiation signal means operable for producing a plurality of radiation signals at a predetermined location from said radiation signal means, said plurality of radiation signals being arranged to define a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1, and said matrix of signals being of a predetermined size at said predetermined location; mounting means for mounting a radiation sensitive recording medium and said radiation signal means to provide relative movement between said recording medium and said radiation signal means so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined location from said radiation signal means; and control means for selectively operating said radiation signal means so as to selectively produce at selected intervals one or more of said radiation signals as said radiation signal means and said recording medium move relative to one another to thereby expose a series of dot areas on said recording medium to produce said image, each of said exposed dot areas being produced during one of said selected intervals and comprising one or more exposed subdot areas corresponding in number to the number of said radiation signals selectively produced during said one interval to produce said exposed dot area whereby the size of said exposed dot area is less than or equal to said predetermined size and corresponds to the size at said predetermined location of said radiation signals Selectively produced for said selected interval, said control means being operable so that said radiation signals selectively produced during each of said intervals are in a corresponding preselected pattern dependent on the number of radiation signals selectively produced during each said interval, there being a one to one relationship between the number of radiation signals selectively produced and said corresponding preselected pattern of said radiation signals selectively produced for exposing said dot areas on said recording medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said radiation signal means comprises a plurality' of individual independent radiation sources selectively operable to produce a corresponding plurality of radiation signals, and focusing means for focusing said radiation signals produced by said radiation sources at said predetermined location from said radiation sources so that said radiation signals at said predetermined location define said matrix having m rows and n columns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said -control means selectively operates said radiation sources at said selected intervals and for a preselected period during each of said intervals to produce said one or more radiation signals as said plurality of radiation sources and said recording medium move relative to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said plurality of individual radiation sources comprises a plurality of light sources, and wherein said focusing means comprises a plurality of fiber optic conductors corresponding in number to said plurality of light sources, one end of each of said fiber optic conductors being coupled to one of said plurality of light sources and the other ends of said fiber optic conductors being arranged in a matrix having m rows and n columns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein said focusing means further, includes an objective lens having a focal point for reducing, the size of said radiation signals produced at the location of said matrix of said other ends of said fiber optic conductors, and wherein said predetermined location comprises the focal'point of said objective lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said matrix of radiation signals has m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than four.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said control means includes density control means for controlling the photographic density of said subdot areas exposed on said recording medium so that said dot areas have a predetermined density gradient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said density control means comprises intensity control means for controlling the intensity of said radiation signals selectively produced for exposing said subdot areas on said recording medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein said radiation sources comprise light emitting diodes, and wherein said intensity control means comprises means for selectively controlling the current through said light emitting diodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein said means for selectively controlling the current through said light emitting diode comprises a plurality of current sources for each of said light emitting diodes and means for selectively coupling at said selected intervals one of said current sources to each of said light emitting diodes which is selectively operated at said selected intervals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
1 1. The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said recording medium has an intensity threshold response level such that subdot areas are only exposed on said recording medium by radiation signals of an intensity above a prede- termined intensity; wherein said apparatus further includes pre-exposure means for operating said radiation sources to produce pre-exposure radiation signals having an intensity below said predetermined intensity as said recording medium and said radiation sources are moved relative to one another; and wherein said control means is operative to selectively increase the intensity of said selectively operated radiation sources for producing said one or more radiation signals to a value above said predetermined intensity to thereby expose said dot areas on said recording medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of Claim 11 wherein said pre-exposure means is operative to continuously operate said radiation sources to produce said pre-exposure radiation signals duping the entire period of relative movement on said radiation sources and said recording medium, and wherein said control means is operative to increase the intensity of said selectively operated radiation sources at said selected intervals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises first support means for supporting said radiation signal means, second support means for supporting said radiation sensitive recording medium, and moving means for moving at least one of said first and second support means so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined location from said radiation signal means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
1 4 . The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein said moving means is operable to move said second support means so that said radiation sensitive recording medium moves in a first direction, and is operable to move said first support means in a second direction which is transverse to said first direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
313 words
Apparatus for producing an image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, comprising: radiation signal means operable for producing a plurality of radiation signals at a predetermined location from said radiation signal means, said plurality of radiation signals being arranged to define a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1, and said matrix of signals being of a predetermined size at said predetermined location; first support means for supporting said radiation signal means; second support means for supporting said radiation sensitive recording medium; moving means for moving at least one of said.first and second support means to provide relative movement in a predetermined direction between said first and second support means so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined location from said radiation signal means, said radiation signal means being supported by said first support means so that said matrix of radiation signals is oriented at an acute angle to said predetermined direction of relative movement between said first and second support means; and control means for selectively operating said radiation signal means so as to selectively produce at selected intervals one or more of said radiation signals as said radiation signal means and said recording medium move relative to one another to thereby expose a series of dot areas on said recording medium to produce said image, each of said exposed dot areas being produced during one of said selected intervals and comprising one or more exposed subdot areas corresponding in number to the number of said radiation signals selectively produced during said one interval to produce said exposed dot area whereby the size of said exposed dot area is less than or equal to said predetermined size and corresponds to the size at said predetermined location of said radiation signals selectively produced for said selected interval.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
313 words
Apparatus for producing an image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, comprising: radiation signal means operable for producing a plurality of radiation signals at a predetermined location from said radiation signal means, said plurality of radiation signals being arranged to define a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1, and said matrix of signals being of a predetermined size at said predetermined location; first support means for supporting said radiation signal means; second support means for supporting said radiation sensitive recording medium; moving means for moving at least one of said.first and second support means to provide relative movement in a predetermined direction between said first and second support means so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined location from said radiation signal means, said radiation signal means being supported by said first support means so that said matrix of radiation signals is oriented at an acute angle to said predetermined direction of relative movement between said first and second support means; and control means for selectively operating said radiation signal means so as to selectively produce at selected intervals one or more of said radiation signals as said radiation signal means and said recording medium move relative to one another to thereby expose a series of dot areas on said recording medium to produce said image, each of said exposed dot areas being produced during one of said selected intervals and comprising one or more exposed subdot areas corresponding in number to the number of said radiation signals selectively produced during said one interval to produce said exposed dot area whereby the size of said exposed dot area is less than or equal to said predetermined size and corresponds to the size at said predetermined location of said radiation signals selectively produced for said selected interval.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
310 words
16 - Apparatus for producing an image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, comprising: a plurality of individual independent radiation sources selectively operable to produce a corresponding .plurality of radiation signals, said plurality of independent radiation sources being arranged so that the radiation signals selectively produced thereby are in an array other than a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1; focusing means for focusing said radiation signals produced by said independent radiation sources at a predetermined focused location from said radiation sources so that said radiation signals at said predetermined focused location define a matrix having m rows and n columns, said matrix of radiation signals being of a predetermined size at said predetermined :focused location; mounting means for mounting a radiation sensitive recording medium and said independent radiation sources and said focusing means to provide relative movement between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined focused location; and control means for selectively operating said independent radiation sources so as to selectively produce at selected intervals one or more of said radiation signals as relative movement is provided between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location to thereby expose a series of dot areas on said recording medium to produce said image, each of said exposed dot areas being produced during one of said selected intervals and comprising one or more exposed subdot areas corresponding in number to the number of said radiation signals selectively produced during said one interval to produce said exposed dot area whereby the size of said exposed dot area is less than or equal to said predetermined size and corresponds to the size at said predetermined focused location of said radiation signals selectively produced for said selected interval.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
310 words
16 - Apparatus for producing an image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, comprising: a plurality of individual independent radiation sources selectively operable to produce a corresponding .plurality of radiation signals, said plurality of independent radiation sources being arranged so that the radiation signals selectively produced thereby are in an array other than a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1; focusing means for focusing said radiation signals produced by said independent radiation sources at a predetermined focused location from said radiation sources so that said radiation signals at said predetermined focused location define a matrix having m rows and n columns, said matrix of radiation signals being of a predetermined size at said predetermined :focused location; mounting means for mounting a radiation sensitive recording medium and said independent radiation sources and said focusing means to provide relative movement between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined focused location; and control means for selectively operating said independent radiation sources so as to selectively produce at selected intervals one or more of said radiation signals as relative movement is provided between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location to thereby expose a series of dot areas on said recording medium to produce said image, each of said exposed dot areas being produced during one of said selected intervals and comprising one or more exposed subdot areas corresponding in number to the number of said radiation signals selectively produced during said one interval to produce said exposed dot area whereby the size of said exposed dot area is less than or equal to said predetermined size and corresponds to the size at said predetermined focused location of said radiation signals selectively produced for said selected interval.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of Claim 16 wherein said control means selectively operates said radiation sources at said selected intervals and for a preselected period during each of said intervals to produce said one or more radiation signals as relative movement is provided between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
18 . The apparatus of Claim 17 wherein said plurality of independent radiation sources comprises a plurality of light sources, and wherein said focusing means comprises a plurality of fiber optic conductors corresponding in number to said plurality of light sources, one end of each of said fiber optic conductors being coupled to one of said plurality of light sources and the other ends of-said fiber optic conductors being arranged in a matrix having m'rows and n columns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
19 . The apparatus of Claim 18 wherein said focusing means further includes an objective lens having a focal point for reducing the size of said radiation signals produced at the location of said matrix of said other ends of said fiber optic conductors, and wherein said predetermined focused location comprises the focal point of said objective lens.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of Claim 17 wherein said control means includes density control means for controlling the photographic density of said subdot areas exposed on said recording medium so that said dot areas have a predetermined density gradient.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
21 . The apparatus of Claim 20 wherein said density control means comprises intensity control means for controlling the intensity of said radiation signals selectively produced for exposing said subdot areas on said recording medium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
22 . The apparatus of Claim 21 wherein said radiation sources comprise light emitting diodes, and wherein said intensity control means comprises means for selectively controlling the current through said light emitting diodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
63 words
2 3 . The apparatus of Claim 22 wherein said means for selectively controlling the current through said light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of current sources for each of said light emitting diodes and means for selectively coupling at said selected intervals one of said current sources to each of said light emitting diodes which is selectively operated at said selected intervals.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
117 words
The apparatus of Claim-20 wherein said recording medium has an intensity threshold response level such that subdot areas are only exposed on said recording medium by radiation signals of an intensity above a predetermined intensity; wherein said apparatus further includes pre-exposure means for operating said radiation sources to produce pre-exposure radiation signals having an intensity below said predetermined intensity as said recording medium and said predetermined focused location are moved relative to one another; and wherein said control means is operative to selectively increase the intensity of said selectively operated radiation sources for producing said one or more radiation signals to a value above said predetermined intensity to thereby expose said dot areas on said recording medium.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of Claim 24 wherein said pre-exposure means is operative to continuously operate said radiation sources to produce said pre-exposure radiation signals during the entire period of relative movement of said recording' medium and said predetermined focused location, and wherein said control means is operative to increase the intensity of said selectively operated radiation sources at said selected intervals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
342 words
Apparatus for producing an image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, comprising: a plurality of light emitting diodes selectively operable to produce a corresponding plurality of light signals; a plurality of fiber optic conductors corresponding in number to said plurality of light emitting diodes, one end of each said fiber optics conductors being coupled to one of said plurality of light emitting diodes and the other ends of said fiber optic conductors being arranged in a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1, said fiber optic conductors being operative to direct light signals from said light emitting diodes to a predetermined focused location from said light emitting diodes so as to define a corresponding matrix of light signals having m rows and n columns, and said matrix.of light signals being of a predetermined size at said predetermined focused location from said light emitting diodes; mounting means for mounting a radiation sensitive recording medium and said plurality of light emitting diodes and corresponding plurality of fiber optic conductors to provide relative movement between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined focused location; and control means for selectively operating said lighting emitting diodes so as to selectively produce at selected intervals one or more of said light signals as relative movement is provided between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location to thereby expose a series of dot areas on said recording medium to produce said image, each of said exposed dot areas being produced during one of said selected intervals and comprising one or more exposed subdot areas corresponding in number to the number of said light signals selectively-produced during said one interval to produce said exposed dot area whereby the size of said exposed dot area is less than or equal to to said predetermined size and corresponds to the size at said predetermined focused location of said light signals selectively produced for said selected interval.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
342 words
Apparatus for producing an image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, comprising: a plurality of light emitting diodes selectively operable to produce a corresponding plurality of light signals; a plurality of fiber optic conductors corresponding in number to said plurality of light emitting diodes, one end of each said fiber optics conductors being coupled to one of said plurality of light emitting diodes and the other ends of said fiber optic conductors being arranged in a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1, said fiber optic conductors being operative to direct light signals from said light emitting diodes to a predetermined focused location from said light emitting diodes so as to define a corresponding matrix of light signals having m rows and n columns, and said matrix.of light signals being of a predetermined size at said predetermined focused location from said light emitting diodes; mounting means for mounting a radiation sensitive recording medium and said plurality of light emitting diodes and corresponding plurality of fiber optic conductors to provide relative movement between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined focused location; and control means for selectively operating said lighting emitting diodes so as to selectively produce at selected intervals one or more of said light signals as relative movement is provided between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location to thereby expose a series of dot areas on said recording medium to produce said image, each of said exposed dot areas being produced during one of said selected intervals and comprising one or more exposed subdot areas corresponding in number to the number of said light signals selectively-produced during said one interval to produce said exposed dot area whereby the size of said exposed dot area is less than or equal to to said predetermined size and corresponds to the size at said predetermined focused location of said light signals selectively produced for said selected interval.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of Claim 26 further including an objective lens arranged between said matrix of said other ends of said fiber optic conductors and said predetermined focused location for reducing the size of said light signals at the location of said matrix of said other ends of said fiber optic conductors, and wherein said predetermined focused location comprises the focal point of said objective lens.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
28 . The apparatus of Claim 26 wherein said control means includes density control means for controlling the photographic density of said subdot areas exposed on said recording medium so that said dot areas have a predetermined density gradient.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
29 .The apparatus of Claim 28 wherein said density control means comprises intensity control means for controlling the intensity of said light signals selectively produced for exposing said subdot areas on said recording medium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
- 30. The apparatus of Claim 29 wherein said intensity control means comprises means for selectively controlling the current through said light emitting diodes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
61 words
31 . The apparatus of Claim 30 wherein said means for selectively controlling the current through said light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of current sources for.each of said light emitting diodes and means for selectively coupling at said selected intervals one of said current sources to each of said light emitting diodes which is selectively operated at said selected intervals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
122 words
32 . The apparatus of Claim 28 wherein said recording medium has an intensity threshold response level such that subdot areas are only exposed on said recording medium by light signals of an intensity above a predetermined intensity; wherein said apparatus further includes pre-exposure means for operating said light emitting diodes to produce pre-exposure light signals having an intensity below said predetermined intensity as said recording medium and said predetermined focused location are moved relative to one another; and wherein said control means is operative to selectively increase the intensity of said selectively operated light emitting diodes for producing said one or more light signals to a value above said predetermined intensity to thereby expose said dot areas on said recording medium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of Claim 32 wherein said pre-exposure means is operative to continuously operate said light emitting diodes to produce said pre-exposure light signals during the entire period of relative movement between said recording medium and said predetermined focused location, and wherein said control means is operative to increase the intensity of said selectively operative light emitting-diodes at said selected intervals.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of producing a desired image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, said method com-. prising: providing radiation means operable to produce radiation at. a predetermined location from said radiation means; mounting a radiation sensitive recording medium and said radiation means to provide relative movement between said recording medium and said radiation means so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined location from said radiation means; operating said radiation medium as said radiation means and said recording medium move relative to one another to expose said recording medium with radiation in a pattern of dot areas to produce an image, at least one of said dot areas including at least one subdot area having a density which is below a predetermined value; and thereafter manipulating at least one portion of said at least one subdot area of said at least one dot areas so as to modify the size of said at least one dot area to thereby produce the desired image.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of producing a desired image on a radiation sensitive recording medium, said method com-. prising: providing radiation means operable to produce radiation at. a predetermined location from said radiation means; mounting a radiation sensitive recording medium and said radiation means to provide relative movement between said recording medium and said radiation means so that respective portions of said recording medium are presented at said predetermined location from said radiation means; operating said radiation medium as said radiation means and said recording medium move relative to one another to expose said recording medium with radiation in a pattern of dot areas to produce an image, at least one of said dot areas including at least one subdot area having a density which is below a predetermined value; and thereafter manipulating at least one portion of said at least one subdot area of said at least one dot areas so as to modify the size of said at least one dot area to thereby produce the desired image.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of Claim 34 wherein said step of manipulating comprises eliminating from said recording medium said at least one portion of said at least one subdot area of said at least one dot area to reduce the size of said at least one dot area to thereby produce said desired image.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
36 . The method of Claim 35 wherein said step of eliminating comprises etching said at least one portion of said at least one subdot area of said at least one dot area on said radiation sensitive recording medium.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of Claim 36 wherein said step of etching comprises etching said at least one subdot area entirely from said recording medium.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of Claim 34 wherein said step of operating said radiation means comprises controlling the intensity of radiation produced by said radiation means so that said at least one subdot area is exposed by radiation having an intensity below a predetermined intensity level.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of Claim 34 wherein said step of operating said radiation means comprises operating said radiation means to produce a pattern of dot areas on said recording medium in which each of said dot areas is comprised of one or more subdot areas, and wherein at least one of said subdot areas of at least one of said dot areas has a density which is below said predetermined value.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
133 words
The method -of Claim 34 wherein said step of providing radiation means comprises providing a plurality of radiation sources operable to produce a plurality of radiation signals at said predetermined location from said radiation sources, and wherein said step of operating said radiation means comprises selectively operating said radiation sources to produce one or more radiation signals at selected intervals during relative movement of said recording medium and said radiation sources so that said pattern of dot areas are produced on said recording medium, each of said dot areas being produced during one of said selected intervals and comprised of one or more subdot areas produced by one or more of said radiation signals, and at least one of said dot areas having a plurality of subdot areas each having different density values.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of Claim 40 wherein said step of selectively operating said radiation sources comprises selectively controlling the intensity of said radiation signals produced by said radiation sources.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of Claim 41 in which said radiation sources comprises light sources, and wherein said step of operating said radiation sources comprises selectively illuminating selected ones of said light sources so as to produce at selected intervals one or more light signals to produce said pattern of dot areas comprised of one or more subdot areas, each of said subdot areas being produced by one of said light signals.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of Claim 9 wherein said step of selectively controlling the intensity of said radiation signals comprises selectively controlling the current through said light sources.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of Claim 43 wherein said at least one subdot area having a density below said predetermined value is produced by a light signal having an intensity below a predetermined intensity value.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method of Claim 41 in which said recording medium has a threshold exposure level in which light signals of an intensity below said threshold exposure level will not produce an image on said recording medium, wherein said step of operating said radiation sources further includes the step of continuously illuminating said light sources to produce light signals having an intensity below said threshold exposure level to pre- expose said radiation medium, and wherein said step of selectively controlling the intensity of said radiation signals comprises selectively increasing at said selected intervals the intensity of said radiation signals to a value above said threshold exposure level.
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