Abstract: A printing method and apparatus (100) for pre-exposing a digital watermark image onto a photosensitive medium (140) at the time of manufacture is disclosed. For exposure energy, the apparatus employs a single color light source (60) consisting of an array of LEDs. The LEDs are spatially modulated in intensity by means of a reflective LCD array (91). The photosensitive medium (140) may be compensated to allow such single color pre-exposure while avoiding hue shift and contrast loss. The exposure at the film may be increased by: employing partial frame illumination, pulsing the LEDs with high currents with short pulse durations and low duty cycles, employing two LCD devices (91, 92) to utilize both polarizations, and dichroically combining two LED (60, 61) arrays of slightly different wavelengths.

Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (100) for printing digital images onto a photosensitive medium (140) employing, for exposure energy, a light source (20) that uses various arrays of LEDs (32). The printing apparatus (100) may form the print image using sequential modulation, one color at a time, or by applying all colors simultaneously. Arrangements of discrete LEDs (32) may include high-intensity devices configured with collector cones (41) arranged as a multicone structure (141), with parabolic reflectors (65), or collimating lenses (36). Large area LEDs (46) may alternately be used, arranged on an angled mounting surface (64), for example.

Abstract: A color printer (10) for imaging onto a photosensitive medium (140) that contains four or more layers for providing images having an expanded color gamut. Color printer (10) directs polarized light from each of four or more light sources (12) to a spatial light modulator (20) for forming an image to be printed. Modulated light is conditioned as necessary, then focused through a print lens (110) onto photosensitive medium (140). Light sources 12 can be lasers, LEDs, or other suitable components. Embodiments may use a single spatial light modulator (20) shared with each color path or a spatial light modulator (20) in each of the four color paths.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (110) for selectively printing an image from image data either onto any member of a set of photosensitive media (140), including a first photosensitive medium (140) having a relatively low contrast response and a second photosensitive medium (140) having a relatively high contrast response. The printing apparatus (110) uses a spatial light modulator (136) for forming an image, having at least a first set of setup voltage conditions for printing onto the first photosensitive medium (140) and a second set of setup voltage conditions for printing onto the second photosensitive medium (140). An adjustable polarizing component in the path of output light from the spatial light modulator (136), has at least a first contrast setting for the first photosensitive medium (140) and a second contrast setting for the second photosensitive medium (140).

Abstract: A display apparatus (10) for projection of a color image from digital data onto a surface (140) comprises a first modulation system which provides a first modulated beam. The first modulation system comprises a first spatial light modulator for modulating a first incident light beam in order to form the first modulated beam according to the digital data; a first light source provides a first color beam as the first incident light beam; and a second light source provides a second color beam as the first incident light beam. A second modulation system provides a second modulated beam. The second modulation system comprises a second spatial light modulator for modulating a second incident light beam in order to form the second modulated beam according to the digital data; a third light source provides a third color beam as the second incident light beam; and a fourth light source provides a fourth color beam as the second incident light beam.

Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.

Abstract: A display apparatus (10) for projection of a color image from digital data onto a surface (140) comprises a first modulation system which provides a first modulated beam. The first modulation system comprises a first spatial light modulator for modulating a first incident light beam in order to form the first modulated beam according to the digital data; a first light source provides a first color beam as the first incident light beam; and a second light source provides a second color beam as the first incident light beam. A second modulation system provides a second modulated beam. The second modulation system comprises a second spatial light modulator for modulating a second incident light beam in order to form the second modulated beam according to the digital data; a third light source provides a third color beam as the second incident light beam; and a fourth light source provides a fourth color beam as the second incident light beam.

Abstract: A method and projection system (10) for increasing the color gamut of images projected onto a display surface (140) by using four or more light sources (12), where the light sources (12) are selected for high brightness and narrow wavelength characteristics and are selected from optimal wavelengths for color gamut expansion. Light sources (12) for large-scale projection environments are preferably lasers. Smaller systems may employ LEDs or other relatively saturated, relatively bright light sources (12).

Abstract: A method and projection system (10) for increasing the color gamut of images projected onto a display surface (140) by using four or more light sources (12), where the light sources (12) are selected for high brightness and narrow wavelength characteristics and are selected from optimal wavelengths for color gamut expansion. Light sources (12) for large-scale projection environments are preferably lasers. Smaller systems may employ LEDs or other relatively saturated, relatively bright light sources (12).

Abstract: A writing apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data onto color motion picture film or other photosensitive media (32), the apparatus employing a single spatial light modulator (30) and having a hybrid light source (20) with three components: a red laser (40), a green laser (42), and one or more blue LEDs (18). Each component of the light source is adapted to the sensitometric response characteristics of a particular motion picture film type. The apparatus allows high-speed imaging to photosensitive media (32).

Abstract: A system and method for reducing or eliminating the speckle intensity distribution of a laser imaging system. In one embodiment of the invention, a radio frequency signal is injected into a semiconductor laser light source (12) for a projection system (10) to create different speckle patterns that blend together on a projection surface (19). In another embodiment of the invention, optical feedback is used to induce a laser light source for a projection system (10) to create different speckle patterns that blend together on a projection surface (19). In another embodiment of the invention, the laser light source wavelength is Doppler shifted to produce different speckle patterns. In another embodiment of the invention, a means of deflection is used to directionally move the beam to reduce noticeable speckle.

Abstract: A writing apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data onto color motion picture film or other photosensitive medium (32), the apparatus employing a single spatial light modulator (30) and having an illumination system (14) comprising a dichroic prism (26) and a plurality of light sources (20). The dichroic prism (26) directs light from each light source (20) onto a common output axis, thereby providing an incident light beam for modulation by the spatial light modulator (30). The apparatus allows high-speed imaging optimized for photosensitive media (32). Additional sensor (12) and logic components allow writing apparatus (10) to adapt to different types of photosensitive media (32) without requiring any retooling or manual adjustment.

Abstract: A color printer (10) for imaging onto a photosensitive medium (140) that contains four or more layers for providing images having an expanded color gamut. Color printer (10) directs polarized light from each of four or more light sources (12) to a spatial light modulator (20) for forming an image to be printed. Modulated light is conditioned as necessary, then focused through a print lens (110) onto photosensitive medium (140). Light sources 12 can be lasers, LEDs, or other suitable components. Embodiments may use a single spatial light modulator (20) shared with each color path or a spatial light modulator (20) in each of the four color paths.

Abstract: An imaging camera apparatus (20) for capturing images electronically and providing output data for four separate color channels, red, green, blue, and a fourth saturated primary color, expanding the color gamut over conventional three color channel cameras. An image acquisition unit (120) directs input light to one, two, or four photosensors (30) for obtaining four-color image data.

Abstract: A writing apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data onto color motion picture film or other photosensitive medium (32), the apparatus employing a single spatial light modulator (30) and having an illumination system (14) comprising a dichroic prism (26) and a plurality of light sources (20). The dichroic prism (26) directs light from each light source (20) onto a common output axis, thereby providing an incident light beam for modulation by the spatial light modulator (30). The apparatus allows high-speed imaging optimized for photosensitive media (32). Additional sensor (12) and logic components allow writing apparatus (10) to adapt to different types of photosensitive media (32) without requiring any retooling or manual adjustment.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing or eliminating the speckle intensity distribution of a laser imaging system. In one embodiment of the invention, a radio frequency signal is injected into a semiconductor laser light source (12) for a projection system (10) to create different speckle patterns that blend together on a projection surface (19). In another embodiment of the invention, optical feedback is used to induce a laser light source for a projection system (10) to create different speckle patterns that blend together on a projection surface (19). In another embodiment of the invention, the laser light source wavelength is Doppler shifted to produce different speckle patterns. In another embodiment of the invention, a means of deflection is used to directionally move the beam to reduce noticeable speckle.

Abstract: A system and method of stabilizing laser output levels includes a laser (10), an injection circuit for injecting a radio frequency waveform, and a control circuit for energizing and stabilizing the laser. The radio frequency waveform injected by the injection circuit has a high duty cycle to maintain high output power while providing a stable multimode spectrum. A back facet photodiode sensor (102) detects radiation emitted from a back facet semiconductor laser (101) and provides a feedback signal to the control circuit (41) for maintaining the laser output power. The response of the photodiode is not fast enough to track intensity variations due to the RF waveform, and thus provides feedback to the control circuit (41) only when there is a substantial need to adjust laser power.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data, typically for printing or projection, the apparatus employing a spatial light modulator (30). The spatial light modulator (30) has a mounting (70) that is flexible in at least one direction in the plane that contains the surface of the spatial light modulator (30). An actuator (80) moves the mounting (70) at a speed that is at least a multiple of the refresh rate of the spatial light modulator (30), causing the movement of the spatial light modulator (30) to effect dithering of output pixels. This enlarges the effective pixel size to improve fill factor and reduce pixelization anomalies.

Abstract: A two level image writer (10) for forming an image from digital data onto a photosensitive medium comprising an illumination system on a first level for providing incident light beams. The illumination system comprising a first source (20) for emitting a first polarized light beam having a first color; a second source (22) for emitting a second polarized light beam having a second color; and a third source (26) for emitting a third polarized light beam having a third color. A fold mirrors directs each beam to a second level and three polarizing beamsplitters (73, 75, 77) on the second level receive the polarized beams from the fold mirrors. Each polarizing beamsplitter isolates polarization states of each of the first, second, and third polarized light beam.