Method and apparatus for sequential exposure printing of ultra high resolution digital images using multiple multiple sub-image generation and a programmable moving-matrix light valve

A method for photographically printing a digital color image comprising the steps of:

• inputting a digital raster file of an original color image into a container-file, the digital raster file consisting of an array of picture elements and having a resolution and size;
• extracting sub-files of the container-file to generate a plurality of unique sub-images;
• calculating a plurality of unique overlay coordinates for the plurality of unique sub-images, the overlay coordinates consisting of X and Y interlaced positions that collectively represent the size and resolution of the original color image;
• exposing a latent-image onto photographic media, a latent-image consisting of one unique sub-image being indexed to a calculated X and a calculated Y coordinate by positioning a spatial light modulator relative to the photographic media, the spatial light modulator having a resolution and size, and a physical pixel boundary having active sub-pixels and inactive areas, rastering the unique sub-image on the spatial light modulator, and optically projecting the rastered image at an intensity and length of time for rendering an exposed but undeveloped image;
• calculating X and Y position coordinates for the spatial light modulator, such that repetitive and sequential use of the active sub-pixels results in a logical image array that multiplies the resolution of the spatial light modulator physical array by a factor based on the ratio of logical sub-pixels to physical pixel;
• positioning the active sub-pixels of the spatial light modulator using calculated X and Y coordinates, such that all of the plurality of unique sub-images expose each position of the logical image array and the resultant plurality of unique latent-images reconstruct the original color image on the photographic media, thereby utilizing the inactive areas of the spatial light modulator to increase the printed image resolution;
• and
• reconstructing the original color image by overlaying the plurality of exposed latent-images consisting of the plurality of unique sub-images being overlaid one at a time onto the photographic media by sequentially repeating the previous step of exposing a latent-image onto photographic media.