Printing system and method using a staggered array spatial light modulator having masked mirror elements

A system for independently illuminating a plurality of areas on an object, said system comprising:

• a light source positioned on a light path, said light source for transmitting light along said light path;
• a mask on said light path for blocking portions of said transmitted light and for allowing portions of said transmitted light to pass;
• a movable mirror device on said light path for receiving light passing through said mask from said light source and reflecting selected portions of said light corresponding to said areas to be illuminated on said object, said movable mirror device comprising sets of n rows of independently modulated pixels wherein said mask prevents more than 1/nth of each said row from receiving and reflecting said light at any point in time, wherein n is an integer greater than one;
• and
• a scanner positioned on said light path between said light source and said movable mirror device, said scanner for imaging said light on some of said rows of independently modulated pixels;
• wherein said object is illuminated by receiving said reflected light from said movable mirror device, said areas being illuminated comprising p columns such that each of said columns on said object is illuminated by one of said n rows of said pixels;
• and
• wherein said movable mirror device comprises a plurality of pixels, each of said pixels including a deflectable beam, an address electrode adjacent said beam, and a landing electrode adjacent said beam, such that a voltage applied between said beam and said address electrode deflects said beam toward said address electrode, and said landing electrode is located to contact said beam deflected toward said address electrode and prevent said deflected beam from contacting said address electrode.

A system for independently illuminating a plurality of areas on an object, said system comprising:

• a light source positioned on a light path, said light source for transmitting light along said light path;
• a mask on said light path for blocking portions of said transmitted light and for allowing portions of said transmitted light to pass;
• and
• a spatial light modulator on said light path for receiving light from said light source passing through said mask and reflecting selected portions of said light corresponding to said areas to be illuminated on said object, said spatial light modulator comprising at least one set of three rows of independently modulated pixels wherein said mask prevents more than one third of each said row from receiving and reflecting said light at any point in time;
• wherein said object is illuminated by receiving said reflected light from said spatial light modulator, said areas being illuminated comprising p columns such that each of said columns on said object is illuminated by one of said n rows of said pixels.

A printing system comprising:

• a light source located on a light path, said light source for producing a beam of light along said light path;
• a first lens on said light path for receiving light from said light source;
• a scanner on said light path for receiving light from said first lens;
• a second lens on said light p for receiving light from said scanner;
• a mask on said light path for blocking portions of said transmitted light and for allowing portions of said transmitted light to pass;
• and
• a spatial light modulator on said light path for receiving light from said second lens and reflecting selected portions to an imaging lens, said spatial light modulator comprising at least n rows of independently modulated pixels wherein said mask allows only 1/nth of each said rows to receive and reflect said light at any point in time;
• and
• a printing drum on said light path for receiving said reflected light from said imaging lens, said printing drum including areas for being selectively and independently illuminated, said areas comprising p rows such that each of said columns on said object is illuminated by a corresponding row of said pixels.

A method independently illuminating a plurality of areas on an object, said method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting light through a mask to a spatial light modulator, said mask being spaced from said spatial light modulator;
• receiving said light at said spatial light modulator, said spatial light modulator comprising at least one set of n rows of independently modulated pixels wherein only 1/nth of each said rows is allowed to receive and reflect said light at any point in time, wherein n is an integer greater than one;
• reflecting a modulated version of said light from said spatial light modulator toward an object to be illuminated;
• and
• receiving said reflected light from said spatial light modulator at object to be illuminated, said areas being illuminated comprising p columns such that each column on said object is illuminated by a corresponding row of said pixels.

A system for independently illuminating a plurality of areas on an object, said system comprising:

• a light source positioned on a light path, said light source for transmitting light along said light path;
• a mask on said light path for blocking portions of said transmitted light and for allowing portions of said transmitted light to pass;
• and
• a spatial light modulator on said light path for receiving light from said light source and reflecting selected portions of said light corresponding to said areas to be illuminated on said object, said spatial light modulator comprising sets of n rows of independently modulated pixels, each of the independently modulated pixels including a reflective region, wherein said mask allows illumination of only a portion of the reflective region of each of the independently modulated pixels by the light from the light source;
• wherein said object is illuminated by receiving said reflected light from said spatial light modulator.