Abstract: A spatial light modulator (SLM) and methods of operating the same are described. The SLM includes an array of pixels formed on a substrate, each pixel including a one or more electrostatically operable optical modulators, a receiver, a memory coupled to the receiver, and a driver including a number of drive channels coupled to the memory. Each of the drive channels is coupled to one of the pixels to drive the optical modulators in the pixel to one of a number of discrete modulation levels. The receiver receives reduced depth programming data in a predetermined sequence whereby the location of the programming data in the received data sequence implies the associated pixel address within the pixel array. The memory includes look-up-table circuitry to convert the reduced depth programming data to full depth programming data. Generally, the receiver, memory and driver are integrally formed on the same substrate with the array.

Abstract: A film recorder including a linear diffractive spatial light modulator (LDSLM) and methods of using the same to record a digital image on a strip of photographic film are provided. In one embodiment, the recorder includes: an illuminator including at least one monochromatic light source generating a light beam; a spatial light modulator assembly including at least one linear diffractive spatial light modulator (LDSLM) to receive the light beam from the illuminator and modulate the light beam from the illuminator; a film transport for transporting a photographic film on an imaging plane; and imaging optics disposed in a light path between the LDSLM and the imaging plane to image the light beam simultaneously on a substantially linear portion of the photographic film to record an image on the photographic film. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A film recorder including a linear diffractive spatial light modulator (LDSLM) and methods of using the same to record a digital image on a strip of photographic film are provided. In one embodiment, the recorder includes: an illuminator including at least one monochromatic light source generating a light beam; a spatial light modulator assembly including at least one linear diffractive spatial light modulator (LDSLM) to receive the light beam from the illuminator and modulate the light beam from the illuminator; a film transport for transporting a photographic film on an imaging plane; and imaging optics disposed in a light path between the LDSLM and the imaging plane to image the light beam simultaneously on a substantially linear portion of the photographic film to record an image on the photographic film. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A method of providing drive signals to an illuminator module having a plurality of channels in a printing application. Binary image data including image bits is provided from a data source to the illuminator module. Each image bit is converted to a multi-bit amplitude value within the illuminator module, wherein the conversion of each image bit to the multi-bit amplitude value depends at least on a value of the image bit and which channel is associated with the image bit. Pulse width modulation (PWM) may be applied to the drive signals using programmable transition delays. Apparatus for performing the aforementioned method are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of providing drive signals to an illuminator module having a plurality of channels in a printing application. Binary image data comprising image bits is provided from a data source to the illuminator module. Each image bit is converted to a multi-bit amplitude value within the illuminator module, wherein the conversion of each image bit to the multi-bit amplitude value depends at least on a value of the image bit and which channel is associated with the image bit. Pulse width modulation (PWM) may be applied to the drive signals using programmable transition delays. Apparatus for performing the aforementioned method are also disclosed.