US6407766B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for printing to a photosensitive media using multiple spatial light modulators
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 2000-07-18
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Granted: 2002-06-18
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Expires: 2020-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of printing ( 10 ) to a photosensitive media contains the step of imaging light from a light source through an optics assembly to a polarization beamsplitter ( 80 ). The polarization beamsplitter ( 80 ) produces a first polarized state and a second polarized state. The first polarized state is directed to a first filter to a first spatial light modulator. The first spatial light modulator is addressed with a first color signal to modulate the first polarized beam which is reflected back through the polarization beamsplitter ( 80 ). A second polarized light is passed through a second filter to a second spatial light modulator. A second color signal causes said second spatial light modulator to reflect a second modulated light beam through the polarization beamsplitter ( 80 ). The first and second modulated light beam are focused through print lens ( 110 ) onto a photosensitive media.
Inventors
- 👤 Sujatha Ramanujan
- 👤 David Kessler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/50; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/465; G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/28; G02B27/283; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/1238; G06K15/1257; G06K15/1271
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A method of printing two-dimensional swaths of area onto a photosensitive media comprising the steps of: imaging light from a light source through an optics assembly; passing said light from said optics assembly through a polarization beamsplitter element to produce a first polarization state of said light and a second polarization state of said light; directing said first polarized light to a first color filter; passing said first polarized light from said first color filter to a first spatial light modulator to create an essentially telecentric illumination at said first spatial light modulator; addressing said first spatial light modulator with a first color signal to create a first modulated light beam; imaging said first modulated light beam through a print lens assembly on said photosensitive media; directing said second polarized light to a second color filter; passing said second polarized light from said second color filter to a second spatial light modulator to create an essentially telecentric illumination at said second spatial light modulator; addressing said second spatial light modulator with a second color signal to create a second modulated light beam; imaging said second modulated light beam through the print lens assembly on said photosensitive media; addressing said second spatial light modulator with a third color signal to create a third modulated light beam; imaging said third modulated light beam through the print lens assembly on said photosensitive media; and wherein said second signal and said third color signal are processed simultaneously with said first color signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
248 words
A method of printing two-dimensional swaths of area onto a photosensitive media comprising the steps of: imaging light from a light source through an optics assembly; passing said light from said optics assembly through a polarization beamsplitter element to produce a first polarization state of said light and a second polarization state of said light; directing said first polarized light to a first color filter; passing said first polarized light from said first color filter to a first spatial light modulator to create an essentially telecentric illumination at said first spatial light modulator; addressing said first spatial light modulator with a first color signal to create a first modulated light beam; imaging said first modulated light beam through a print lens assembly on said photosensitive media; directing said second polarized light to a second color filter; passing said second polarized light from said second color filter to a second spatial light modulator to create an essentially telecentric illumination at said second spatial light modulator; addressing said second spatial light modulator with a second color signal to create a second modulated light beam; imaging said second modulated light beam through the print lens assembly on said photosensitive media; addressing said second spatial light modulator with a third color signal to create a third modulated light beam; imaging said third modulated light beam through the print lens assembly on said photosensitive media; and wherein said second signal and said third color signal are processed simultaneously with said first color signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first color signal is red.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second color signal is green and said third color signal is blue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first color filter is part of said first spatial light modulator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second color filter is part of said second spatial light modulator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first color filter is integral with said beamsplitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second color filter is integral with said beamsplitter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first color filter is switchable between multiple wavelengths.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second color filter is switchable between multiple wavelengths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said spatial light modulators is moved to spatially dither at least one of said modulated light beams.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first spatial light modulator and said second spatial light modulator are moved in synchronization to dither said first modulated light beam and said second modulated light beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said light source is selected from a group comprised of LEDs, halogen light sources, or lasers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first color filter is a red filter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second color filter is a switchable blue and green filter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second color filter is a color filter wheel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said light source produces a first, second, and third color simultaneously.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said light source produces a first color continuously and a second and third color sequentially.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second filter is a multiple wavelength filter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-12-17 | 2006-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-17 | 2009-12-17 | 2010-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-17 | 2013-12-17 | 2014-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |