Abstract: Methods are provided to image patterns on a media. A pitch of a repeating pattern of sub-regions is determined and an imaging head is operated which has an array of individually addressable channels to direct imaging beams to form an image swath on the media. The individually addressable channels are controlled to image the repeating pattern of features and the pitch of the repeating pattern of features is adjusted to equal substantially the pitch of the repeating patterns of sub-regions.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an image on a media while the media is moved relative to an imaging head. The media can include a pattern of registration sub-regions, such as a matrix. The image can include one or more patterns of features, such as color features for a color filter which can be registered with the pattern of registration sub-regions. The images can be formed by a laser-induced thermal transfer process. The method can include the steps of operating an imaging head to emit imaging beams. A first portion of the image is formed while scanning a first group of imaging beams in a first direction over the media at a first scanning speed and a second portion of the image is formed while scanning a second group of the imaging beams in a second, opposite direction over the media at a second, different scanning speed.

Abstract: A rotatable roller is provided which includes a first end and a second end and a surface adapted to wrap a portion of the media thereupon. A carriage conveys the roller along a path. The roller is moved by first and second drives. The first and second drives can be differentially operated to reorient the roller with respect to a direction along the path. The first drive and the second drive can be operated, differentially or non-differentially, to move the carriage along the path. The reoriented roller can be rotated about its axis while conveying the media to wrap the portion of the media onto the surface. The portion of the media can be sized to wrap over the surface of the reoriented roller without overlapping itself. The first drive and the second drive can be operated non-differentially to convey the reoriented roller along a portion of the path.

Abstract: Methods are provided for imaging patterns on a media. The steps of the method include operating a first imaging head with individually addressable channels to direct imaging beams to form a first image on the media while scanning over the media along a scan path. A second imaging head with individually addressable channels is operated, either at the same time or a different time, to direct imaging beams to form a second image on the media while scanning over the media along a second scan path. It is possible that the first scan path may or may not be parallel to the second scan path, and that the first image may or may not be aligned with the second image. The first image may or may not be skewed with respect to the second image.

Abstract: A method is provided which includes operating a first multi-channel imaging head to direct imaging beams along a scan path to transfer a first non-contiguous feature and a second non-contiguous feature from a donor element to the receiver element by a thermal transfer process. The first and second non-contiguous features are spatially separated from one another at least in a sub-scan direction. The method also includes operating a second multi-channel imaging head to direct imaging beams to direct imaging beams to transfer a third non-contiguous feature from the donor element to the receiver element by the thermal transfer process. The third non-contiguous feature is between the first and second non-contiguous features and is spatially separated from each of the first and second non-contiguous features at least in the sub-scan direction.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an image on a media while the media is moved relative to an imaging head. The media can include a pattern of registration sub-regions, such as a matrix. The image can include one or more patterns of features, such as color features for a color filter which can be registered with the pattern of registration sub-regions. The images can be formed by a laser-induced thermal transfer process. The method can include the steps of operating an imaging head to emit imaging beams. A first portion of the image is formed while scanning a first group of imaging beams in a first direction over the media at a first scanning speed and a second portion of the image is formed while scanning a second group of the imaging beams in a second, opposite direction over the media at a second, different scanning speed.

Abstract: A rotatable roller is provided which includes a first end and a second end and a surface adapted to wrap a portion of the media thereupon. A carriage conveys the roller along a path. The roller is moved by first and second drives. The first and second drives can be differentially operated to reorient the roller with respect to a direction along the path. The first drive and the second drive can be operated, differentially or non-differentially, to move the carriage along the path. The reoriented roller can be rotated about its axis while conveying the media to wrap the portion of the media onto the surface. The portion of the media can be sized to wrap over the surface of the reoriented roller without overlapping itself. The first drive and the second drive can be operated non-differentially to convey the reoriented roller along a portion of the path.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an image of a pattern of features on media with radiation beams emitted by an imaging head while scanning over the media along a scan direction. The method includes determining a pitch of a pattern of features along a first direction and controlling the imaging head to selectively emit the radiation beams to form the pattern of features on the media with a plurality of pixels that can include imaged pixels and non-imaged pixels. The plurality of pixels can include a first pixel having a first size along the scan direction and a second pixel having a second size along the scan direction. The second size can be different from the first size and is determined based at least on the pitch of the features along the first direction and the first size.

Abstract: In the field of imaging systems where multi-channel imaging heads are used, there is a possible problem of formation of artifacts in the product material such as pinholes, banding, edge discontinuities due to variation in beam intensity of the individual channels. The visual observation of these artifacts can be minimised by using a plurality of multi-channel heads and having their scan paths interconnected. The visually observable variations in the image caused by uneven characteristics of the first multi-channel head are minimised by using a second multi-channel head and imaging the patterns using an imaging scan path which combines output from both of the imaging heads.

Abstract: Methods are provided for imaging patterns on a media. The steps of the method include operating a first imaging head with individually addressable channels to direct imaging beams to form a first image on the media while scanning over the media along a scan path. A second imaging head with individually addressable channels is operated, either at the same time or a different time, to direct imaging beams to form a second image on the media while scanning over the media along a second scan path. It is possible that the first scan path may or may not be parallel to the second scan path, and that the first image may or may not be aligned with the second image. The first image may or may not be skewed with respect to the second image.

Abstract: Methods are provided to image patterns on a media. A pitch of a repeating pattern of sub-regions is determined and an imaging head is operated which has an array of individually addressable channels to direct imaging beams to form an image swath on the media. The individually addressable channels are controlled to image the repeating pattern of features and the pitch of the repeating pattern of features is adjusted to equal substantially the pitch of the repeating patterns of sub-regions.