Abstract: A high speed translation device for use with radiographic media with a scanning stage (10) adapted for movement in a first and second direction (11, 13) along a first axis (14); a second scanning module stage (12) disposed opposite the first scanning stage for movement in a third and fourth direction (15, 16) along a second axis (17); a first and a second scanning module mounted on the first and second scanning stages, respectively; a control processing unit (58) adapted to combine the scanned images from each scanning module; and a continuous drive cable (20) with a first pin (22) for sequentially moving the scanning stage from a first position (25) to a second position (27); a second pin (30) for moving the balancing stage simultaneously with the scanning stage initially in a third position (29) to the fourth position (31); wherein the first pin moves the balancing stage from the fourth position to the third position while second pin moves the scanning stage from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A high speed scanning device and film writer for use with radiographic media with a first scanning stage (10) adapted for movement in a first and second direction (11, 13) along a first axis (14); a second scanning stage (12) disposed opposite the first scanning stage for movement in a third and fourth direction (15, 16) along a second axis (17); a scanning module (18) mounted on the first scanning stage; a film writer (19) disposed on the second scanning stage; a control processing unit adapted to combine the scanned images from each scanning module; and a continuous drive cable (20) with a first pin (22) for sequentially moving the scanning stage from a first to a second position; a second pin (30) for moving the balancing stage simultaneously with the scanning stage initially in a third to the fourth position (29, 31); wherein the first pin moves the balancing stage from the fourth to the third position while second pin moves the scanning stage from the second to the first position (27, 25).

Abstract: A raster scanning system for scanning photo-stimulatable radiographic media (14) comprises a flying spot light source (10) adapted to fire a beam (11) at a rotating mirror (12) to form a stimulated area (13) of radiographic media generating emitted light (15). Collection optics (16) collect the emitted light and reflected light (17) from the radiographic media. A filter (18) permits the emitted light to pass to a charge coupled detector (CCD) (20). An analog to digital converter (22) receives the signal from the CCD. A control process unit (CPU) (24) receives the converted signal. An output device (26) processes the signal from the CPU.

Abstract: The scanning device for radiographic media (28) is made of a rotatable vacuum drum (40) has an external surface (42) that, rotates about a longitudinal axis (7); the radiographic media is disposed on the external surface; a moveable scan bar (24) is mounted on two translation rods adjacent the drum; at least one scan module is mounted on the moveable scan bar; a translation drive is connected to the moveable scan bar for moving the moveable scan bar perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; an analog to digital converter (32) in communication with the scan modules receives scanned signals from the scan modules; a control process unit (34) receives scanned signals; and an output device (36) for writes the received scanned signals onto diagnostic media.

Abstract: A raster scanning system for scanning photo-stimulable radiographic media (14), comprises a light emitting diode array (10) adapted to fire a beam (11) to form a stimulated area (13) of radiographic media generating emitted light (15). Collection optics (16) adapts to collect emitted light and reflected light (17) from the radiographic media. A filter (18) permits the emitted light to pass to a charge coupled detector (CCD) (20). An analog to digital converter (22) receives the signal from the charge coupled detector. A control processing unit (CPU) (24) receives the converted signal. An output device (26) processes the signal from the control processing unit.

Abstract: A scanning module (8) and scanning system, wherein the system includes a housing (10) having a channel (12), a cylindrical center chamber (25) in communication with the channel including a mirrored surface, a first opening (14) communicating with the cylindrical chamber and a second opening (16) communicating with the cylindrical chamber, an analog to digital converter (54) adapted to receive a signal from the light detector (58a), a control processing unit adapted to receive the signal from the analog to digital converter (58b), wherein the control processing unit stores the signal (58c) and an output device (56) adapted to receive the signal from the control processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for processing media contains microcapsules (46) which contain a first segmented rupturing roller (110) having multiple roller segments. A second segmented rupturing roller (112) has multiple roller segments. The roller segments on the first segmented rupturing roller are offset from roller segments on the second rupturing roller. The multiple roller segments rupture unexposed microcapsules (40) in the media.

Abstract: A method of registering a molded lenslet array (14) with an array of light emitting elements (54) comprises etching an array of light source registration recesses (42) in a silicon pad (28). At least two registration recesses (30) are etched in the silicon pad. The registration recesses and the light source registration recesses have the same depth. Sidewalls of the registration recesses and the light source registration recesses have the same slope angle. A light emitting element is located in at least one of the light source registration recesses. The molded lenslet array is located at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the registration recesses (36). The molded lenslet array which is in a x-direction is located by matching a tapered locating surface of a first and second registration pin (72, 74) to a first and second tapered locating surface (68, 70) of a first and second registration recess (76, 78).

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (10) for exposing an image on a photosensitive media (44) utilizing microcapsules (46) with an image-forming material encapsulated within, image wise exposing desired microcapsules within the photosensitive media with a multiple channel image exposure device to harden the desired microcapsules. Applying pressure with a magnetic rupturing device (50) to the exposed photosensitive media (58) rupturing the unexposed microcapsule (40), releasing an image-forming material encapsulated within to form an image on the photosensitive media.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (10) to image wise expose desired microcapsules (38) within a photosensitive media (44) with an image exposure device (12) to harden the desired microcapsules applying pressure to the exposed photosensitive media rupturing the unexposed microcapsule (40), releasing the image-forming material (48) encapsulated within to form an image on the photosensitive media, the exposure device having a molded lenslet array (14) with a printed lens mask improving channel cross talk, aberrations, and reducing flair.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for printing a multibit per pixel image (10) from a halftone binary digital bitmap having pixels having a multibit per pixel image memory for receiving the multibit per pixel image; a lookup table (16) external to the memory disposed in a programmable gate array (18) for converting the multibit per pixel image to a base duty cycle (20) wherein the base duty cycle is disposed in the programmable gate array and is adapted for creating a modulated drive signal (22) from the base duty cycle to modulate an exposure (24) for each pixel in the multibit per pixel image; and a printer (28) adapted for using the modulated exposure to print an image, having a dpi greater than 1400, further comprising a drum (32) capable of spinning, and an encoder (34) disposed on the drum for providing a home signal (36) and a pixel rate (38).

Abstract: A method for printing multiple binary bitmaps (10) with an original density level (12a) and a color (18), wherein the color (18) is the same for all the multiple binary bitmaps (10), by combining “n” number of binary bitmaps into “p” bits of a multibit image forming a “p” bit image (20), identifying at least one overprint (24a), predicting an overprint density (26a) for each overprint, calculating a set of exposures (28) needed to image each overprint density (24a) and original density (12a), setting a maximum exposure level (30) that is a number greater than or equal to the maximum of the set of exposures (28), calculating pulse width modulation levels (30) for the set of exposures (28) using the set maximum exposure level (30), and printing the color (28) at the set maximum exposure level (30) using the pulse width modulation levels (30) for each level of the “p” bit image (20) in a single pass.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of adjusting a color in a color proof (112) printed with primary colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

Abstract: A method for laminating a dual sided pre-press proof (140) comprises laminating a first side of a receiver stock (150) with a first pre-laminate sheet (210) and laminating a second side of the receiver stock (155) with a second pre-laminate sheet (215). The first pre-laminate sheet support layer (160) and the second pre-laminate sheet support layer (162) are removed forming a pre-laminated receiver stock. A first imaged clear receiver sheet (250) and a second imaged clear receiver sheet (260) are laminated to the pre-laminated receiver stock (145) such that the registration marks on the first and second imaged clear receiver sheets are visibly positioned on top of each other and are in registration with each other. The first clear support layer (164) and the second clear support layer (166) is removed forming a dual sided pre-press proof (140), wherein the images are in registration with each other.

Abstract: A method for laminating a dual sided pre-press proof (140) that comprises laminating a first side of a receiver stock (150) with a first pre-laminate sheet (210). The first pre-laminate sheet (210) has a first pre-laminate sheet support layer (160) and a first pre-laminate sheet release layer (180). Laminating a second side of the receiver stock (155) with a second pre-laminate sheet (215). The second pre-laminate sheet (215) has a second pre-laminate sheet support layer (162) and a second pre-laminate sheet release layer (182). Both the first and second pre-laminate sheets could be laminated to the receiver stock (145) at the same time. The first pre-laminate sheet support layer (160) and the second pre-laminate sheet support layer (162) are removed forming a pre-laminated receiver stock. A first imaged clear receiver sheet (250) with a first clear support layer (164), first clear release layer (184), and first image registration marks are created.

Abstract: A stepper motor that turns a lead screw runs in microstepping mode. To compensate for positional error in microstepping, the method utilizes the characteristic sinusoidal positional error behavior that is measured at four times the frequency of the composite microstepping current waveform, using a correction factor that is in phase with this positional error.

Abstract: The present invention is for an image processing apparatus (10) for sheet thermal print media. The image processing apparatus (10) comprises a vacuum imaging drum (300) for holding thermal print media (32) and dye donor material (36) in registration on the vacuum imaging drum (300). A print head (500), mounted on a translation stage member (220) that is moved by a lead screw (250) moves along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis (301) of the vacuum imaging drum (300) as the vacuum imaging drum (300) rotates. The print head (500) receives information signals and produces radiation which is directed to the dye donor material (36) which causes color to transfer from the dye donor material (36) to the thermal print media (32).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a laser printer including a printer controller, a printhead including a plurality of lasers formed in an array for receiving modulating image data from the printer controller, a variable magnifying means such as a zoom lens, and a drum on which a receiver member is mounted on which an image is to be printed. The printer controller is arranged to selectively use any one of a set of predetermined microdot matrixing values and a separate sub-microdot matrix associated therewith, and distribute image data to the plurality of lasers based on such microdot and sub-microdot matrixing values. The variable magnification means (e.g., a zoom lens) applies optical magnification or demagnification to light beams from the array of lasers to provide selective variable microdot matrixing values between the predetermined microdot matrixing values of the set.

Abstract: A holder for a thermal print medium is disclosed. The holder is adapted to be used in a thermal printer in which a donor element in a thermal print medium transfers dye to a receiver element upon receipt of a sufficient amount of thermal energy. The printer includes a plurality of diode lasers which can be individually modulated to supply energy to selected dots on the medium in accordance with an information signal. The print head of the printer includes a fiber optic array having a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the diode lasers. The holder for the thermal print medium includes a rotatable vacuum drum, and the fiber optic array is movable relative to the drum. The vacuum drum includes separate vacuum supplies for the donor sheet and for the receiver sheet so that the sheets can be independently handled.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the calibration of a multichannel printer. The printer comprises a plurality of diode lasers which are modulated in accordance with an information signal. Radiation from the diode lasers is imaged onto a receiving medium such as a thermal print medium. The thermal print medium is supported on a drum which is rotatable about an axis. In order to balance the output from the diode lasers, test patterns are formed on the receiving medium with each of the lasers using known power inputs. The density of each of the test patterns is measured, and the density values obtained are correlated with the input power levels for each of the lasers. The measurement of densities produced by a single laser is facilitated by slowing the print head down by a factor of the number of lines normally printed and writing with one line source at a time.