Photoplotting process and apparatus for high-energy plotting of a computer-stored raster image on a photosensitive record carrier

Claim 1

A process for plotting of a raster image on a light-sensitive record carrier comprising: converting a computer-stored raster image comprising raster points into controllable raster point-related light beams via a light modulator, such that picture elements corresponding to the raster points are plotted on the record carrier; matrix-like dividing of the computer raster image into imaginary computer raster image sub-areas; matrix-like dividing of the record carrier raster image into imaginary record carrier raster image sub-areas, wherein the sub-areas of the computer and record carrier raster image are associated with one another; matrix-like dividing of the imaginary computer raster image sub-areas into n imaginary raster point positions, wherein n is an integer number; matrix-like dividing of the sub-areas of the record carrier raster image into n imaginary picture element positions, wherein n is an integer number; assigning the picture element positions to the raster image positions; simultaneously plotting the picture elements corresponding to the raster points of a sub-area of a record carrier raster image; successively plotting the sub-areas of the record carrier raster image; continuously moving a light modulator relative to the record carrier to capture an entire surface of the record carrier according to the sub-areas of the record carrier raster image; projecting the light modulator for each sub-area of the record carrier raster image with light; during relative displacement between the light modulator and the record carrier, compensating an excursion of the light beams emanating from the light modulator and impacting a sub-area of the record carrier raster image during a time interval T with a displaceable lens disposed between the light modulator and the record carrier, wherein the time interval T is above a value W 1 , which relates to a maximum permissible displacement path for the relative movement for plotting resolution without use of the displacable lens, is below a value W 2 , which relates to a time interval that begins when a first half of the light modulator surface projects into a specified sub-area of the record carrier raster image and that ends when only a second half of the light modulator surface projects into the specified sub-area of the record carrier raster image, and is reduced by a reverse period for the displacable lens; and displacing the displaceable lens, after recording the picture elements in a record carrier raster image sub-area, in a direction opposite to the compensation direction into a starting position for plotting of the next sub-area of the record carrier raster image.

Claim 24

An apparatus for plotting a raster image comprising: an exposure head comprising a light modulator; a light-sensitive record carrier; a plotting drive unit coupled to at least one of the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier, whereby the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier are adapted for relative movement to each other; a lens positioned between the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier; a lens drive unit coupled to the lens, whereby the lens is adapted for movement relative to the exposure head and light-sensitive record carrier; and a light source adapted to emitting a sustained light beam.

Claim 25

An apparatus for plotting a raster image comprising: an exposure head comprising a light modulator; a light-sensitive record carrier; a plotting drive unit coupled to at least one of the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier, whereby the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier are adapted for relative movement to each other; a lens positioned between the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier; a lens drive unit coupled to the lens, whereby the lens is adapted for movement relative to the exposure head and light-sensitive record carrier; and a light source adapted to emitting a sustained light beam.

Claim 27

An apparatus for plotting a raster image comprising: an exposure head comprising a light modulator; a light-sensitive record carrier; a plotting drive unit coupled to at least one of the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier, whereby the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier are adapted for relative movement to each other; a lens positioned between the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier; and a lens drive unit coupled to the lens, whereby the lens is adapted for movement relative to the exposure head and light-sensitive record carrier, wherein the light modulator comprises a tilting mirror element semiconductor chip.

Claim 28

An apparatus for plotting a raster image comprising: an exposure head comprising a light modulator; a light-sensitive record carrier; a plotting drive unit coupled to at least one of the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier, whereby the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier are adapted for relative movement to each other; a lens positioned between the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier; and a lens drive unit coupled to the lens, whereby the lens is adapted for movement relative to the exposure head and light-sensitive record carrier, wherein the light modulator comprises a tilting mirror element semiconductor chip.

Claim 29

An apparatus for plotting a raster image comprising: an exposure head comprising a light modulator; a light-sensitive record carrier; a plotting drive unit coupled to at least one of the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier, whereby the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier are adapted for relative movement to each other; a lens positioned between the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier; and a lens drive unit coupled to the lens, whereby the lens is adapted for movement relative to the exposure head and light-sensitive record carrier, wherein the light modulator comprises a liquid crystal arrangement.

Claim 30

An apparatus for plotting a raster image comprising: an exposure head comprising a light modulator; a light-sensitive record carrier; a plotting drive unit coupled to at least one of the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier, whereby the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier are adapted for relative movement to each other; a lens positioned between the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier; and a lens drive unit coupled to the lens, whereby the lens is adapted for movement relative to the exposure head and light-sensitive record carrier, wherein the light modulator comprises a liquid crystal arrangement.

Claim 31

An apparatus for plotting a raster image comprising: an exposure head comprising a light modulator; a light-sensitive record carrier; a plotting drive unit coupled to at least one of the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier, whereby the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier are adapted for relative movement to each other; a lens positioned between the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier; and a lens drive unit coupled to the lens, whereby the lens is adapted for movement relative to the exposure head and light-sensitive record carrier, wherein the light modulator comprises one of a magneto-optical and ferro-optical electrical arrangement.

Claim 32

An apparatus for plotting a raster image comprising: an exposure head comprising a light modulator; a light-sensitive record carrier; a plotting drive unit coupled to at least one of the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier, whereby the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier are adapted for relative movement to each other; a lens positioned between the exposure head and the light-sensitive record carrier; and a lens drive unit coupled to the lens, whereby the lens is adapted for movement relative to the exposure head and light-sensitive record carrier, wherein the light modulator comprises one of a magneto-optical and ferro-optical electrical arrangement.

Claim 33

An apparatus for plotting of a raster image on a light-sensitive record carrier comprising: a light modulator adapted to convert a computer-stored raster image comprising raster points into controllable raster point-related light beams, wherein picture elements corresponding to the raster points are plotable on the record carrier; a logic device that matrix-like divides the computer raster image into imaginary computer raster image sub-areas, that matrix-like divides the record carrier raster image into imaginary record carrier raster image sub-areas, wherein the sub-areas of the computer and record carrier raster image are associated with one another, that matrix-like divides the imaginary computer raster image sub-areas into n imaginary raster point positions, and that matrix-like divides the sub-areas of the record carrier raster image into n imaginary picture element positions, wherein n is an integer number, wherein the picture element positions are assigned to the raster image positions; a plotting device that simultaneously plots the picture elements corresponding to the raster points of a sub-area of a record carrier raster image and that successively plots the sub-areas of the record carrier raster image; the light modulator being continuously movable relative to the record carrier to capture an entire surface of the record carrier according to the sub-areas of the record carrier raster image; a device that projects the light modulator for each sub-area of the record carrier raster image with light, a displaceable lens disposed between the light modulator and the record carrier, wherein, during relative displacement between the light modulator and the record carrier, an excursion of the light beams emanating from the light modulator and impacting a sub-area of the record carrier raster image during a time interval T are compensated with the displaceable lens, wherein the time interval T is above a value WI, which relates to a maximum permissible displacement path for the relative movement for plotting resolution without use of the displacable lens, is below a value W 1 , which relates to a time interval that begins when a first half of the light modulator surface projects into a specified sub-area of the record carrier raster image and that ends when only a second half of the light modulator surface projects into the specified sub-area of the record carrier raster image, and is reduced by a reverse period for the displacable lens; and a lens displacing device that moves the displaceable lens, after recording the picture elements in a record carrier raster image sub-area, in a direction opposite to the compensation direction into a starting position for plotting of the next sub-area of the record carrier raster image.

Claim 34

An apparatus for plotting of a raster image on a light-sensitive record carrier comprising: a light modulator adapted to convert a computer-stored raster image comprising raster points into controllable raster point-related light beams, wherein picture elements corresponding to the raster points are plotable on the record carrier; a logic device that matrix-like divides the computer raster image into imaginary computer raster image sub-areas, that matrix-like divides the record carrier raster image into imaginary record carrier raster image sub-areas, wherein the sub-areas of the computer and record carrier raster image are associated with one another, that matrix-like divides the imaginary computer raster image sub-areas into n imaginary raster point positions, and that matrix-like divides the sub-areas of the record carrier raster image into n imaginary picture element positions, wherein n is an integer number, wherein the picture element positions are assigned to the raster image positions; a plotting device that simultaneously plots the picture elements corresponding to the raster points of a sub-area of a record carrier raster image and that successively plots the sub-areas of the record carrier raster image; the light modulator being continuously movable relative to the record carrier to capture an entire surface of the record carrier according to the sub-areas of the record carrier raster image; a device that projects the light modulator for each sub-area of the record carrier raster image with light, a displaceable lens disposed between the light modulator and the record carrier, wherein, during relative displacement between the light modulator and the record carrier, an excursion of the light beams emanating from the light modulator and impacting a sub-area of the record carrier raster image during a time interval T are compensated with the displaceable lens, wherein the time interval T is above a value WI, which relates to a maximum permissible displacement path for the relative movement for plotting resolution without use of the displacable lens, is below a value W 1 , which relates to a time interval that begins when a first half of the light modulator surface projects into a specified sub-area of the record carrier raster image and that ends when only a second half of the light modulator surface projects into the specified sub-area of the record carrier raster image, and is reduced by a reverse period for the displacable lens; and a lens displacing device that moves the displaceable lens, after recording the picture elements in a record carrier raster image sub-area, in a direction opposite to the compensation direction into a starting position for plotting of the next sub-area of the record carrier raster image.