Abstract: An optical system is described for combining separate deformable mirror device images into a single image. The resulting image is a single continuous image comprising left and right halves corresponding to the original individual images. The system is particularly useful for presenting spatial light modulator images to the printing drum of a xerographic process for letter quality documents. The combined image width allows a substantially greater printing width than was previously possible.

Abstract: A stereolithographic apparatus is disclosed comprising a vat, a working surface in the vat, an elevating mechanism for controlling the level of liquid within the vat relative to the working surface, an illumination source for emitting radiation, and an area array deformable mirror device. The illumination source emits radiation which is operable to harden a stereolithographic liquid, while the deformable mirror device is operable to reflect the incident radiation onto the surface of the liquid. The deformable mirror device can harden an entire lamina of liquid in one brief exposure interval increasing throughout without sacrificing resolution.

Abstract: There is disclosed a modularly adapted printing system and method of operation which allows the exposure unit, the toner unit, the printing surface and the fuser unit to be separately removed for servicing and repair. Each of the units can be replaced as necessary without disturbing the other units.

Abstract: A resonant mirror is disclosed which comprises a deflectable mirror generally planar with the stop surface of a substrate. The mirror is suspended adjacent the top surface by at least two supporting elements. At least one supporting element is displaced from an edge of the mirror. The supporting elements, being collinear, define an axis of rotation about which the mirror may oscillate to steer incident light through an angle.

Abstract: A device for steering light and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The device in the preferred embodiment consists of a multi-layer structure on a substrate. The substrate contains at least one electrode (36) for addressing a deflectable element (16) causing it to deflect towards the activated electrode (36). Upon the deflectable element (16) is at least one support post (62) which is positioned approximately along the axis of rotation (24) of the deflectable element (16). A reflecting element (61) is supported by the post (62) and deflects as the first element (16) deflects. The second element (62) is of far greater extent than the first element (16). Additionally, the method of manufacture of such a device is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for periodically steering a beam of light is disclosed comprising the steps of reflecting a beam of light off of a mirror suspended by at least two supporting elements. At least one of the supporting elements is displaced from an edge of the mirror. A periodic voltage is applied to an electrode displaced from the mirror to cause the mirror to rotate about an axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for assembling all of the parts of a xerographic system in a unitary housing. The unitary molded housing contains the xerographic optics, the modulator, the toner and developer cartridges as well as the printr drum. Using this unitary housing, the modulator can be aligned by using optical sensors in substitution for the printing drum during assembly.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of groups of colored mirrors controllable by electronic circuitry. Each group of colored mirrors absorb or reflect specified wavelengths of visible light. The electronic signals control the pathways on which each individual mirror reflect incident light. A first process for manufacturing such a color deformable mirror device ("DMD") includes aligning a dye-bearing substrate over the deformable mirror device and causing specified portions of the dye to sublimate off of the substrate and condense onto particular mirror elements of the deformable mirror device. A second process for producing a colored deformable mirror device places an electro static charge in a dye cloud and introduces the charged cloud to the DMD. The dye migrates to those selected mirrors containing an opposite electrical charge.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optic system for illuminating a DMD array in a manner for efficient light transfer to an imaging lens. The DMD is positioned between the light source and the lens aperture. An anamorphic optic path is arranged such that the vertical component of the light is compressed to match the physical shape of the DMD array. In this manner the horizontal light component is focused directly on the aperture while the vertical light component is focused optically ahead of the aperture. Together the two light components entirely fill the lens aperture while providing more light intensity at the DMD.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optic system for illuminating a DMD array in a xerographic printing process consisting of an array of LED emitters constructed to efficiently replace the conventional tungsten source used in prior art. The array can be geometrically configured or electrically operated by strobing or varying the brightness of individual pixels to compensate for other system optical deficiencies and results in improved printing process. By exposure strobing the LED source correction for fuzzy line edges can be achieved.

Abstract: There is disclosed a deformable mirror device (DMD) exposure unit and method of operation for use in a xerographic printing system. The exposure unit is constructed with an integral unmodulated light source condensing light onto a substrate containing, in one embodiment, a multi-row set of deflectable mirrors. The deflection of each mirror is controlled by electronic circuitry established on the same monolithic integrated substrate. The substrate is arranged with mirror elements which can be adjusted easily during assembly to eliminate time consuming construction or maintenance routines. An optic structure, using integral light baffles and deflection edges, assures the proper contrast and light energy level at the image. In the case of multiple rows of pixels, the on-chip circuitry acts to reregister the spatially separated images through a suitable time delay.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manufacturing method and apparatus which allows for the efficient assembly of the exposure module of a xerographic reproduction system. The system uses an array of deformable mirrors fabricated in one embodiment, on a monolithic silicon substrate as a light modulation element. The substrate package is positioned with respect to a set of molded support brackets such that a multi-axis adjustment of this single element allows for the alignment of the entire optical set. A system of cameras is used, in conjunction with a computer, to control the substrate positioning and to determine optimum efficiency of the system. The computer adjusts the package around the various rotational axis in sequential fashion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for enhancing resolution of a xerographic process by submodulation of each individual pixel. The submodulation is achieved by anamorphically reducing the square pixel presentation of light rays to a rectangle having a number of controllable segments within each square pixel scan line. By controlling the presentation of light rays to selected segments within each pixel gray scale an enhanced resolution can be achieved.

Abstract: An optical system is described for combining separate deformable mirror device images into a single image. The resulting image is a single continuous image comprising left and right halves corresponding to the original individual images. The system is particularly useful for presenting DMD images to the printing drum of a xerographic process for letter quality documents. The combined image width allows a substantially greater printing width than was previously possible.

Abstract: There is disclosed a light energy management system for use in conjunction with, in one embodiment, the exposure unit of a xerographic reproduction system. The light management system serves to funnel the unmodulated light for proper impact on a modulating device and to maintain the dark effect of the device when in the unmodulated mode. Light baffles are used for this purpose, some of which are formed as a series of angular steps designed to eliminate unwanted light along the longitudinal axis of the modulated light path. The angular step, in one embodiment, takes the shape of a semi-circular bee thorax. The modulated light path includes a light focus lens and a pair of mirrors for sending the modulated light pulses to the reproduction process surface.

Abstract: A method of resetting deflectable pixels of a spatial light modulator is disclosed. A pulse train of voltage is applied to the device to cause it to mobe from its deflected position.

Abstract: There is disclosed an exposure unit and method of operation having advantage of deformable mirror device (DMD) technology. The exposure unit is used to provide front end image processing for a xerographic process printing system. The unit, in one embodiment, is constructed as a unitary member having a lamp socket, a support for holding a flat DMD substrate, a set of light focusing lenses, an image focusing lens, a light baffle and an extra light trap chamber. The unit is separated from the xerographic drum by a solid base which contains a slot positioned so that the image from the image lens passes therethrough for supplying the image to the drum. The light bundle is directed to the xerographic drum location along an optical path formed by a system of fold mirrors in the lower body of the unitary member.