Printing apparatus for photosensitive media having a hybrid light source
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsJames E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A writing apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data onto color motion picture film or other photosensitive media (32), the apparatus employing a single spatial light modulator (30) and having a hybrid light source (20) with three components: a red laser (40), a green laser (42), and one or more blue LEDs (18). Each component of the light source is adapted to the sensitometric response characteristics of a particular motion picture film type. The apparatus allows high-speed imaging to photosensitive media (32).
Claims75
A writing apparatus for forming a color image from digital data onto a photosensitive medium, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a spatial light modulator comprising an array of pixel sites, each pixel site capable of modulating an incident light beam having a predetermined color in order to form an array of image pixels according to said digital data;
- (b) a light source for providing said incident light beam, said light source comprising:
- (b1) a first laser for emitting said incident light beam having a first color;
- (b2) a second laser for emitting said incident light beam having a second color;
- (b3) a concave LED array for emitting said incident light beam having a third color;
- (c) wherein beams from said first and second lasers are on a common optical axis;
- and
- (d) wherein said common axis is at a center of said LED array.
A writing apparatus for forming a color image from digital data onto a photosensitive medium, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a spatial light modulator comprising an array of pixel sites, each pixel site capable of modulating an incident light beam having a predetermined color in order to form an array of image pixels according to said digital data;
- and
- (b) a light source for providing said incident light beam, said light source comprising:
- (b1) a laser for emitting said incident light beam having a first color;
- (b2) concave LED array comprising at least one second color LED for emitting said incident light beam having a second color at least one third color LED for emitting said incident light beam having a third color;
- and
- (c) wherein a center of curvature of said LED array share a common optical axis with said laser.
In a writing apparatus that uses a spatial light modulator for forming an image from digital data onto a photosensitive medium, a method for providing a light beam having a predetermined color adapted to sensitometric characteristics of the photosensitive medium, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a first laser for emitting said light beam having a first color;
- (b) providing a second laser for emitting said light beam having a second color;
- (c) providing an LED curved array for emitting said light beam having a third color;
- (d) wherein said first and second color light beams are on a common optical axis;
- and
- (e) wherein said common axis is at a center of said LED array.
In a writing apparatus that uses a spatial light modulator for forming an image from digital data onto a photosensitive medium, a method for providing a light beam having a predetermined color adapted to sensitometric characteristics of the photosensitive medium, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a first laser for emitting said light beam having a first color;
- (b) providing a curved LED array comprising at least one second color LED for emitting said light beam having a second color and at least one third color LED for emitting said light beam having a third color;
- and
- (c) wherein a center of curvature of said LED array shares a common optical axis with said first laser.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.