Image feedforward laser power control for a multi-mirror based high power imager

A power conservation method for at least one imaging module in a digital printing system with a reimageable surface layer on a rotating imaging member, each imaging module placed at individual zones adjacent to each other across from the imaging member to form a scanline of an image, the method comprising:

• generating a laser beam from an energizable laser source when energized;
• storing in a look ahead buffer scanline data of the image to be projected on the imaging member, wherein the look ahead buffer has top scanline data and bottom scanline data;
• directing with an optical assembly the laser beam at the individual zones to project the top scanline data in the look ahead buffer on the imaging member;
• and
• selectively powering the energizable laser source based on the scanline of image data in the look-ahead buffer by a logic unit performing the steps of:
• determining if the scanline data in the look ahead buffer has at least one pixel to be illuminated by the laser beam;
• if the scanline data in the look ahead buffer has at least one pixel to be illuminated then energizing the laser source so that the optical assembly can project the top scanline data on the imaging member;
• else deenergizing the laser source by interrupting electrical power to the laser source.

A printing apparatus with at least one imaging module each placed at individual zones adjacent to each other to form a scanline of an image on a moving surface, the printing apparatus comprising:

• at least one energizable laser source for generating a laser line beam when energized;
• at least one look ahead buffer for storing scanline image data of an image to be ablated on the moving surface;
• at least one optical projection system positioned to direct the laser line beam for projecting a scanline of image data onto a target area of the moving surface;
• a control system for controlling the at least one energizable laser source whenever the target area on the moving surface has moved a distance in a process direction by performing the steps of:
• determining if a scanline of the scanline image data in the at least one look ahead buffer to be projected on the moving surface has at least one pixel to be ablated by the at least one energizable laser source;
• if the scanline of the scanline image data has at least one pixel to be ablated on the target area of the moving surface then energizing the at least one energizable laser source;
• else deenergizing the at least one energizable laser source by interrupting the electrical power.