Abstract: An optical system for projecting an image having x and y axes onto a image plane is provided. The system includes an SLM device spaced from the image plane, the SLM device having a plurality of pixels operable to project pixels of the image onto the image plane and positioned such that the individual pixels of the projected image are oriented at substantially 45 degrees relative to the x and y axes of the image. The system further includes an optic element disposed between the SLM device and the image plane and a linear displacement device operatively connected to and operable to selectively displace at least one of the SLM device and the optic element. A method for projecting an image onto a image plane is also provided.

Abstract: An image data control unit for an SLM-based photofinishing system. The control unit is typically used with a photofinishing system in which the SLM provides an exposure region that is smaller than the image to be printed or otherwise produced. Thus, the output image is in motion relative to the SLM, such as by moving the photographic medium under the SLM. To meet system throughput requirements, such systems use an exposure algorithm that exposes each line of the output image with multiple rows of the SLM. The control unit implements the exposure algorithm by reformatting source image data and loading the SLM with SLM settings. It synchronizes these functions to the motion of the photographic medium upon with the image is printed.

Abstract: A dithered offset correction method wherein, according to a first embodiment, updates are made of the offset correction during each iteration and, after four iterations, the offset for each pixel or detector element is updated from all of its neighbors to provide faster convergence than is obtainable by the prior art. In accordance with a second embodiment, the offset for each detector element is updated for every iteration and, for each update, the update is made with information from an entire row or an entire column of data. After four iterations, each offset has been updated with information from every detector element in the focal plane array. This provides even more rapid convergence compared to the prior art.