Compact video printer employing a liquid crystal panel

Claim 1

A video printer in which a video signal representing an image is received so as to record a visible image from the video signal on a photosensitive recording medium comprising: an input terminal means for receiving the video signals as an input thereto; a recording medium accommodating means for accommodating the photosensitive recording medium; a liquid crystal panel means fixed to a photosensitive surface of the photosensitive recording medium and responsive to the video signal to display the image as a monochrome image; a light source for producing a visible light; an optical system for directing the visible light from said light source substantially in the form of a collimated beam to said liquid crystal panel; a housing having mounted therein said input terminal means, said recording medium accommodating means, said liquid crystal panel means, said light source, and said optical system; developing means arranged in said housing for developing the photosensitive recording medium from said recording medium accommodating means , and for ejecting the medium from said housing; and an electronic circuit mounted in said housing for receiving the video signal from said input terminal means and for driving said liquid crystal panel means in response to the video signal so as to control said liquid crystal panel means and said light source; wherein said electronic circuit drives said liquid crystal panel means in response to the video signal such that said light source emits light and exposes the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive recording medium via said optical system and said liquid, crystal panel means, and causes said developing means to devolop the photosensitive recording medium, and to eject the medium.