Abstract: An alignment detection system is disclosed for determining whether a modulated illumination field in an imaging system employing an illumination modulator is mis-aligned. The alignment detection system includes a modulator adjustment unit for providing a test pattern on the illumination modulator, a detector for receiving a modulated illumination field from the illumination modulator, a sampling unit for determining at least two sample values (A and C) for each of two areas of the modulated illumination field respectively, and an evaluation unit for determining whether the value |A?C| is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed including a first illumination source for producing a first illumination field, a modulation system for modulating the first illumination field, and an optical imaging system for directing the modulated illumination field to an imaging surface along a first optical path. In accordance with an embodiment, the imaging system includes a second illumination source for producing a second illumination field, a first sub-assembly, a second sub-assembly and a control assembly. The first sub-assembly is for directing the second illumination field toward the imaging surface along a second optical path that is different than and non-parallel with said first optical path. The first sub-assembly includes a beam splitter sub-assembly that includes a beam splitter and at least one lens. The second sub-assembly is for receiving a portion of the second illumination field from the imaging surface, and includes a lens and a sensor for producing a sensor output signal.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed for imaging and registering recordable media. The imaging system includes an input opening through which recordable media may be input to the imaging system, an imaging unit, a registration unit and an output opening through which registered imaged media may exit the imaging system. The imaging unit is for imaging the recordable media that is received through the input opening, and provides imaged media. The registration unit is for receiving imaged media from the imaging unit, and for registering the imaged media by creating registration features in the imaged media. The registration unit provides registered imaged media.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for analyzing an illumination field of a line of laser illumination. The system includes a first movable unit, a second movable unit, and a sensor unit. The first movable unit includes a first opening through which at least a portion of the illumination field may pass. The first movable unit is adapted for movement in a first direction. The sensor unit is adapted to receive illumination and to produce a sensor output signal representative a characteristic of the illumination field. The second movable unit includes a second opening through which at least a portion of the illumination field may pass. The second movable unit is positioned between the first movable unit and the sensor unit and is adapted for movement between at least a first position in which very little or no light from the illumination field may reach the sensor unit, and a second position in which a relatively high amount of light from the illumination field may reach the sensor unit.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed that includes an illumination source, a modulator and a variable Fourier diaphragm. The illumination source produces a first illumination field having a first frequency and a second illumination field having a second frequency. The modulator receives the first illumination field and the second illumination field, and produces a first modulated illumination field and a second modulated illumination fields. The variable Fourier diaphragm selectively passes one of the first modulated illumination field and the second modulated illumination field.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for analyzing an illumination field of a line of laser illumination. The system includes a first movable unit, a second movable unit, and a sensor unit. The first movable unit includes a first opening through which at least a portion of the illumination field may pass. The first movable unit is adapted for movement in a first direction. The sensor unit is adapted to receive illumination and to produce a sensor output signal representative a characteristic of the illumination field. The second movable unit includes a second opening through which at least a portion of the illumination field may pass. The second movable unit is positioned between the first movable unit and the sensor unit and is adapted for movement between at least a first position in which very little or no light from the illumination field may reach the sensor unit, and a second position in which a relatively high amount of light from the illumination field may reach the sensor unit.

Abstract: In an imaging system and method are disclosed, including a first illumination source for producing a first illumination field, a modulation system for modulating the first illumination field, and an optical imaging system for directing the modulated illumination field to an imaging surface. The optical imaging system includes at least one optical lens for directing the modulated illumination field toward the imaging surface along the optical axis of said optical lens. The at least one optical lens includes a first surface facing the modulation system and a second surface facing the imaging surface. The optical imaging system also includes a second illumination source for producing a second illumination field. The second illumination field has a frequency that is different than the frequency of the first illumination field.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved illumination system for use in imaging systems that may produce a non-overlapped near field image in the slow axis direction, and a far field image of the illumination source in the slow axis direction at a light modulator. In an embodiment, the illumination system produces an area of illumination for a light modulator along a slow axis direction and along a fast axis direction, and includes a plurality of laser diode emitters, a first array of first micro lenses, and a second array of second micro lenses. The plurality of laser diode emitters are arranged in an array, and each of the laser diode emitters produces illumination in a slow axis direction and in a fast axis direction. Each first micro lens in the first array corresponds to one of the laser diode emitters, and collimates illumination in the slow axis direction. Each of the second micro lenses of the second array corresponds to one of the first micro lenses.

Abstract: A media receiving cassette is disclosed for use in a system in which a web of media is transferred from a supply cassette to the receiving cassette. The media receiving cassette includes a housing, a rotatable core, and a spring biased grasping mechanism. The housing includes first and second opposing ends, and at least one of the ends includes a generally circular track therein that includes an extended portion which extends radially outwardly. The rotatable core is coupled to the first and second opposing ends of the housing such that an axis of rotation of the core extends through each of the first and second ends. The spring biased grasping mechanism is attached to the rotatable core via at least one spring.

Abstract: A guide method and apparatus is provided for use in an imaging system in which media is moved through the system in a first direction. The guide apparatus includes a roller unit for contacting a surface of the media and maintains contact with the surface of the media as the media moves in the first direction, and a retraction unit for separating the roller unit from the media. In an embodiment, the guide apparatus includes a carriage that moves radially toward and away from an internal drum so that the leading portion of media may be held against the internal drum. In other embodiments the guide apparatus includes a carriage that moves along the inner surface of an internal drum together with the leading portion of media. The method guides media in an imaging system in which media having a curled leading edge is moved through the system in a first direction along an inner surface of a cylindrical drum.

Abstract: A media supply cassette is disclosed for use in an imaging system for processing a web of imageable media. The media supply cassette includes a first roller and a second roller for providing a nip through which the media exits the supply cassette through rotation of the first roller. The supply cassette also includes a third roller coupled to the first roller such that rotation of the third roller causes the first roller to rotate. The third roller is positioned to contact a fourth roller in the imaging system such that rotation of the fourth roller causes the third roller to rotate thereby providing rotation of the first roller which causes the media to exit the cassette and enter the imaging system.