Apparatus and method used for forming a matrix of dots as a latent image on photographic paper

An apparatus for manufacturing a photographic paper, comprising:

• a light source for emitting light;
• a feed mechanism for feeding a photographic paper;
• a light guide, said light guide comprising a plurality of plastic fibers spaced at a first pitch and a box-shaped housing which supports the plastic fibers;
• a fiber array, comprising a mask having an array of openings arranged at the first pitch for directing light from said light guide to the photographic paper;
• and
• a light emission controller for energizing said light source each time the photographic paper is fed a second pitch by said feed mechanism to form a matrix of dots arranged at the first pitch in the horizontal direction and the second pitch in the vertical direction as a latent image on the photographic paper.

An apparatus for manufacturing a photographic paper comprising:

• a light source for emitting light;
• a feed mechanism for feeding a photographic paper;
• a light guide, said light guide comprising a diffusion plate;
• a fiber array, comprising a mask having an array of openings arranged at a first pitch for directing light from said light guide to the photographic paper;
• and
• a light emission controller for energizing said light source each time the photographic paper is fed a second pitch by said feed mechanism to form a matrix of dots arranged at the first pitch in the horizontal direction and the second pitch in the vertical direction as a latent image on the photographic paper.

An apparatus for manufacturing a photographic paper, comprising:

• a light source for emitting light;
• a feed mechanism for feeding a photographic paper;
• a fiber array for directing light to the photographic paper;
• a light emission controller for energizing said light source each time the photographic paper is fed a second pitch by said feed mechanism to form a matrix of dots arranged at the first pitch in the horizontal direction and the second pitch in the vertical direction as a latent image on the photographic paper;
• and
• a light guide, wherein said light guide comprises:
• a plurality of first plastic fibers;
• a first housing for supporting said first plastic fibers at a third pitch;
• a plurality of second plastic fibers arranged in bundles, wherein each of said bundles comprise between four or five of said second plastic fibers at said third pitch;
• and
• a second housing for supporting said bundles of said plurality of second plastic fibers.

An apparatus for manufacturing a photographic paper, comprising:

• a light source for emitting light;
• a feed mechanism for feeding a photographic paper;
• an array of light transmission members arranged at a first pitch for transmitting light from said light source to the photographic paper;
• and
• a light emission controller for energizing said light source each time the photographic paper is fed a second pitch by said feed mechanism to form a matrix of dots arranged at the first pitch in the horizontal direction and the second pitch in the vertical direction as a latent image on the photographic paper, said light emission controller comprising:
• a distance detector for detecting a distance by which said photographic paper is fed by said feed mechanism;
• a pitch detector which outputs a trigger signal when the distance detected by said distance detector is equal to said second pitch;
• and
• a light source energizer for supplying a drive signal having a predetermined pulse duration to said light source in response to the trigger signal outputted by said pitch detector.

A method of manufacturing a photographic paper, comprising the steps of:

• providing an array of light transmission members arranged at a first pitch for transmitting light from a light source to a photographic paper;
• detecting a distance by which said photographic paper is fed by a feed mechanism;
• outputting a trigger signal when the distance detected is equal to a second pitch;
• and
• energizing said light source to emit light each time a trigger signal is outputted to form a matrix of dots arranged at the first pitch in the horizontal direction and the second pitch in the vertical direction as a latent image on the photographic paper.