High resolution photographic film printer
AssigneeTruvel Corporation
InventorRichard K. Gerlach
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A photographic film printer that forms an image on film based upon received or stored digital information is provided. While maintained in a stationary position, the film is exposed in a sequence of raster scans by a rotating disk traversing the photographic film surface. At least one optical film is attached to the rotating disk in a manner that transmits optical energy directed towards the center of the disk to a peripheral location on the disk. Exposure of the film occurs by controlling the emission of optical energy by the fiber in accordance with the received or stored digital information as the peripheral edge of the disk rotates past the film surface.
Claims9
A film printer for exposing photographic film based upon received digital information comprising:
- means for maintaining a surface of photographic film in a fixed, stationary position during the exposure thereof;
- and
- a spinning disk exposure assembly, comprising:
- an exposure disk, having an axis of rotation, and a central hub and a peripheral edge, both concentric with said axis of rotation;
- at least one optical fiber mounted on said exposure disk, said fiber having a first end located proximate to said central hub and having a second end located proximate to said peripheral edge;
- means for rotatably supporting said exposure disk within the spinning disk assembly;
- means for laterally translating said spinning disk exposure assembly across said surface of photographic film during the exposure thereof;
- a source of optical energy directed towards said first end of said optical fiber;
- and
- means for controlling the emission of said optical energy of said source in response to said received digital data and for coordinating said emission with the rotation of said exposure disk and with the lateral translating of said disk of exposure assembly.
A fiber optic photographic film printer for translating digital information to an optical image, comprising:
- a semi-circular, cylindrical stationery film support:
- an expanse of photographic film selectively received by said stationery film support, forming an inner, light sensitive surface;
- a rotatable disk received within the cylindrical film support, said rotatable disk having a peripheral arc substantially conforming to said inner, light-sensitive surface;
- an optical fiber attached to said rotatable disk in a manner permitting the transmittal of optical energy from a central location on said disk to a peripheral location on the disk adjacent to the inner, light-sensitive surface during the exposure thereof;
- means for moving said rotatable disk both rotationally about said peripheral arc and translationally along an axis parallel to the cylindrical film support during exposure of the inner, light-sensitive surface;
- and
- means responsive to said digital information for controlling the transmission of optical energy during the rotational and translational movement of the rotatable disk.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.