Abstract: An antenna comprises a polarizer, a phasing network and a field radiating element such as a horn. The polarizer and phasing network generate a plurality of phase shifted circularly polarised waves which are superimposed to produce multiple antenna field patterns from a single antenna aperture.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna for use, for example, in a wireless communications network, employs multi-resonant microstrip dipoles that resonate at multiple frequencies due to microstrip “islands.” Gaps in the microstrips create an open RF circuit except for desired frequencies. At a desired frequency, RF energy sees a gap as a short circuit between an island and the rest of a dipole antenna, thus, resonating at the desired frequency. In one instance, the multi-band antenna includes a first, second, third, and fourth dipole elements. Gaps between the first and third dipole elements and the second and fourth dipole elements are sufficiently small that the first, second, third, and fourth dipole elements form a second dipole having a corresponding dipole wavelength longer than that of the first dipole.

Abstract: Folded dipole antenna elements (2, 4) are disposed generally in parallel, being spaced by a distance smaller than a half of the wavelength employed. The antenna elements (2, 4) are connected to a combiner (16) via feeders (12, 14) having different lengths. The difference in length between the feeders (12, 14) is such that received signals resulting from a radio wave coming to the antenna elements (2, 4) from the front and received by the antenna elements (12, 14) are in phase with each other at the inputs (16a, 16b) of the combiner (16), whereas received signals resulting from a radio wave coming to the antenna elements (2, 4) from the back and received by the antenna elements (12, 14) are 180° out of phase with each other at the inputs (16a, 16b) of the combiner (16).

Abstract: A facade or cover for a satellite dish has a magnet or magnetic base by which the facade is removably attachable to the parabolic structure of the satellite dish. The magnet or magnetic base is magnetically attracted to the metal composition of the parabolic structure of the satellite dish. The facade may have indicia. The facade may comprise a body having a magnetic base and a face coupled to the base. The body is oriented so that the magnetic base is oriented to the rear of the body, and the face is oriented to the front of the body, so that when the body is placed onto the surface of the parabolic structure P the face is visible to onward observers and the magnetic base is adjacent to and coupled with the surface of the parabolic structure.

Abstract: Photonic Band Gap (PBG) structures are utilized in microwave components as filters to suppress unwanted signals because they have the ability to produce a bandstop effect at certain frequency range depending on the structural dimensions. The unique property of PBG structures is due to the periodic change of the dielectric permittivity so interferences are created with the traveling electromagnetic waves. Such periodic arrangement could exist either inside of the dielectric substrate or in the ground plane of a microstrip transmission line structure. This invention provides tunable or switchable planar PBG structures, which contains lattice pattern of periodic perforations inside of the ground plane. The tuning or switching of the bandstop characteristics is achieved by depositing a conducting island surrounded by a layer of controllable thin film with variable conductivities.

Abstract: A tiled display may be formed by temporarily securing a plurality of modules to a substrate. Thereafter, the tiled array may be tested to insure that each module is functional. If each module is functional, the modules may be permanently secured to the substrate. If any modules are defective, they may be replaced and the tiled array may be retested.

Abstract: A plasma display panel with an improved sustain electrode structure and capable of enhancing optical efficiency includes: a rear substrate; address electrodes arranged in a predetermined pattern on the rear substrate; a lower dielectric layer arranged to cover the address electrodes; barrier ribs arranged on the lower dielectric layer; phosphors arranged to be applied to internal sections of discharge cells defined by the barrier ribs; a front substrate arranged opposite the rear substrate; sustain electrodes including bus electrodes arranged in a predetermined pattern and transparent electrodes having relatively wider widths than that of the bus electrodes and arranged to extend toward the internal sections of the discharge cells from the bus electrodes, the transparent electrodes including lead-in parts each having a width equal to 0.5 to 1.

Abstract: An electrode structure for a front board of a plasma display panel (PDP). The electronic structure connects all the sustain electrodes on the front board to prevent data transformation errors caused by holes. The fabrication method of the electronic structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A display device (1) of the matrix type is addressed using partial line doubling, i.e. a method in which one or more sub-fields for pixels are doubled, meaning that the same data is used for a set of pixels. Adjacent pixels in a row are addressed using different grey level realizations by applying different combinations of subfields. Partial line doubling is performed on sets of adjacent pixels in a column that are addressed using the same grey level realization. Two different addressing schemes may be used by applying either the standard pattern A/B or the second pattern (n×1 A/B). When applying the latter pattern partial line doubling is performed in a line skipping fashion.

Abstract: A method of driving a display device capable of obtaining a luminance of constant level irrespective of temperature change is provided. A change in luminance of an EL element due to temperature change is prevented by controlling the luminance of the EL element with current instead of voltage. Specifically, a TFT for controlling the amount of current flowing into the EL element is operated in a saturation range. Then a current value IDS of the TFT is hardly changed by VDS but is determined solely by VGS. Accordingly, the amount of current flowing in the EL element is kept constant by setting VGS to such a value as to make the current value IDS constant. The luminance of the EL element is substantially in proportion to the amount of current flowing through the EL element, and a change in luminance of the EL element upon temperature change can thus be prevented.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pixel circuit for a luminescent display, in which plural pixel circuits are formed in a plurality of pixels defined by a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines.

Abstract: An image display is provided with a display area including pixels, each including illuminating means. A control circuit turns the illuminating means of the pixels on and off. A capacitance is provided having a first node connected to an input terminal of the control circuit. A display signal voltage generation circuit generates display signal voltages for the pixels, while a pixel drive voltage generation circuit generates pixel drive voltages for the pixels. In addition, a connecter is provided for connecting either one of the display signal voltages or the pixel drive voltages to a second node of the capacitance.

Abstract: A driving device which supplies a current to a plurality of current-driven optical elements to drive the optical elements includes at least a driving current supply circuit which supplies a driving current to each optical element for a predetermined period, and a control voltage applying circuit which applies a charge voltage having a voltage value corresponding to a voltage to be applied to each optical element using the driving current, before the driving current is supplied. The driving current supply circuit includes a single constant current generating circuit which outputs a constant current having the same current value as that of a driving current, and a plurality of current storage circuits which sequentially receive and hold the constant current and output the driving current on the basis of the constant current.

Abstract: A control circuit for a common line is provided. The control circuit is connected to each of common lines of a liquid crystal display. The control circuit modulates the voltage of each individual common line. The control circuit controls the switching time of the common line according to a pass pulse, and switches the voltage of the common line according to two switching signals. The two switching signals have opposite logic levels in the same frame time.

Abstract: In an RGBW-type liquid crystal display device, luminance is improved by the addition of W sub-pixels while an image is displayed without any change in chromaticity of halftones. Digital corrected values of red, green and blue are obtained by adding a predetermined digital value for driving a W sub-pixel to each of RGB digital values which correspond respectively to pixels of an acquired image. A converting calculation is effected on the digital corrected values such that the ratio of these digital corrected values for red, green and blue is made equal to the ratio of the red, green and blue digital values corresponding to the pixels of said acquired image. The RGBW sub-pixels are driven with the converted values and the predetermined digital value of driving W sub-pixel to thereby display an image.

Abstract: In a method for driving a display, a display, and a program therefor, a memory stores uncorrected video data for a desired frame and for a current frame until a next frame. Meanwhile, a correction section reads uncorrected video data for the previous frame and the current frame from the memory and corrects the video data for the current frame. Further, a processing section corrects video data for the next frame based on the corrected video data for current frame so as to facilitate a grayscale level transition from the current frame to the next frame.

Abstract: A gate driving apparatus for driving a pixel array on a panel. The apparatus includes a driver chip having a first transistor with a gate coupled to receive a Nth gate driving signal, a source coupled to receive a first voltage and a drain coupled to a Nth scan line of the pixel array, and a driving circuit formed on the panel, providing a second voltage to the Nth scan line when the first transistor in the driver chip is turned off by the Nth gate driving signal and providing the first voltage to the Nth scan line when the first transistor is turned on by the Nth gate driving signal.

Abstract: A display device, which is capable of performing gamma correction of a video signal voltage applied to respective pixels, includes a drive circuit which supplies a video signal voltage to a plurality of video signal lines. The drive circuit includes a storage circuit which stores display data inputted from the outside, a reference data generating circuit which generates reference data, a ramp voltage generating circuit, a plurality of comparing circuits which compare display data stored in the storage circuit and reference data generated by the reference data generating circuit, and a plurality of sampling circuits which sample the ramp voltage based on a result of comparison by the comparing circuit and which output the sampled ramp voltage as a video signal voltage to respective video signal lines, wherein the reference data generated by the reference data generating circuit is changed non-linearly with respect to time.

Abstract: An illumination device is provided which can reduce a movement blur and a tailing phenomenon on a motion picture display while a drop in display brightness is suppressed, and which can suppress power consumption, can be made small and light, and can prolong the lifetime, and a liquid crystal display device using the same is provided. A light source control part of a control circuit synchronizes a latch pulse signal outputted from a gate driver control part to a gate driver, and outputs light emission control signals to respective light source power supply circuits. The respective light source power supply circuits change emission states of cold cathode fluorescent lamps to one of a first to a third emission states on the basis of the inputted light emission control signals, and illuminate an LCD panel from a rear surface of a display area.

Abstract: The display system comprises a screen (1) made of an array of metal triangular facets (30) which are driven in and out by an array of pneumatic pistons (2) located behind the screen (1). The rear ends of the pistons (2) are flexibly connected by damped pivots (8) to a structural frame (7). The front ends of the pistons (2) are flexibly coupled to connection nodes between the facets (30) by connection devices (10) which have legs (13) which may splay apart as the pistons are pushed forwards. The pistons (2) may therefore be used to give the screen (1) of the facets (30) a visible 3-dimensional surface effect such as a sinusoidal deformation (101). The display system also includes an electronic control system for driving the pistons (2). The electronic control system may use a stored data file to produce a particular surface effect on the screen (1). Alternatively, the control system may respond in real-time to an input such as ambient sound, ambient lighting conditions or the like.

Abstract: In a personal data assistant, a main body includes an input sheet, which is turnable between a first position where at least a part of a display unit of the personal data assistant is covered and a second position where the display unit is not covered. The input sheet has various types of keys formed thereon. When any one of the keys is pressed on the input sheet, a pressure is applied to an input device formed on the display unit, and an input coordinate is detected by the change of, for example, the resistance value of the input device. Since the surface of the display unit is not entirely covered with the input sheet, the display in the range of the display unit which is not covered with the input sheet is not made dark. Further, since the input device is not directly touched with a finger, the input device is prevented from being made dirty, and the display of the display unit under the input device is prevented from being difficult to be seen.

Abstract: A substantially flat control device which a user pushes with two or more fingertips to generate an input, the input being associated with the direction and strength of the combined force applied to the device. The device may be a platform which fingertips rest on and push against, or a platform with a shallow edge which the fingertips grip and push. The device may be positioned on the wrist rest area in front of the keyboard of a laptop computer.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed gaming device for a user that includes a semi-flattened hemispherical ovoid base, that is contoured into a general hand imprint shape with finger and thumb grooves and fingertip provisions to accommodate the user's index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger and thumb. A plurality of adjustment screws on the thumb side allows for tilting adjustments for the general hand imprint shape. A plurality of tactile buttons and dual rocker switches are provided in the fingertip recesses for the user to operate functions normally performed from a keyboard in a computer game.

Abstract: A method and system uses an acceleration curve to enhance data navigation. In a preferred embodiment, the scrolling algorithm of an input device with a rotational member accelerates a resultant scroll amount in direct relation to a rotational speed of the rotational member. The acceleration curve may be implemented in a look-up table in the mouse driver. Different acceleration curves may be used based upon whether a user is scrolling up or scrolling down. In a further embodiment, acceleration is temporarily inhibited upon the occurrence of a change in the direction of rotation of the rotational member.

Abstract: A sensing device for generating indicating data, when positioned or moved relative to a surface having coded data disposed upon it, the indicating data being indicative of an orientation of the sensing device relative to the surface, the sensing device including: orientation sensor configured to generate the indicating data, using at least some of the coded data; and communications means configured to communicate the orientation data to a computer system.

Abstract: The invention presents an information processing apparatus having a simple structure and which is capable of distinguishing between states of use, automatically changing over the display direction of the display screen, and excellent in shock durability, protection from water drops and dust, as well as power savings. The information processing apparatus includes a main body having a first contact-free sensor element, a display unit having a display panel and a second contact-free sensor element, a hinge having axes of rotation for coupling the main body and the display unit, and a display processor for rotating the display of the display panel. At least either the first contact-free sensor element or the second contact-free sensor element sends a first signal to the display processor when the first contact-free sensor element and the second contact-free sensor element are placed face to face, and the display processor rotates the display of the display panel according to the first signal.

Abstract: A touch sensing device includes a plurality of sensors and an emitting transducer coupled to a touch panel. The transducer induces bending waves in the touch panel. The sensors sense bending waves in the touch panel and generate a bending wave signal responsive to the sensed bending waves. A controller identifies an untouched condition signal responsive to the induced bending waves. The controller compares the untouched condition signal to the bending wave signal, and detects a touch on the touch panel based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method and system are defined which determine one or more alternate textual interpretations of each sequence of inputs detected within a designated auto-correcting keyboard region. The actual contact locations for the keystrokes may occur outside the boundaries of the specific keyboard key regions associated with the actual characters of the word interpretations proposed or offered for selection, where the distance from each contact location to each corresponding intended character may in general increase with the expected frequency of the intended word in the language or in a particular context. Likewise, in a mechanical keyboard system, the keys actuated may differ from the keys actually associated with the letters of the word interpretations. Each such sequence corresponds to a complete word, and the user can easily select the intended word from among the generated interpretations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method and medium for receiving and acting upon user input. In one embodiment, the user may only have access to a limited input device, like a stylus. Using the present invention, a user is provided with intuitive responses from the system based on inputs from the limited input device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display configured to display images that includes multiple display elements capable of controlling light within a visible-light spectrum. The display elements are arranged over a display surface of the display. The display also includes one or more receivers arranged with the display elements over the display surface of the display. The receivers are coupled with the display elements and receive transmitted image information. The receivers activate the display elements in response to, and in correspondence with, the image information.

Abstract: A driving circuit of an electro-optical panel includes a shift register circuit to sequentially output transmission signals, a sampling circuit to sample an image signal by using a sequentially-output n-th (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) transmission signal as a sampling-circuit driving signal and writing the sampled image signal to data lines, and a precharge circuit to write a precharge signal of a predetermined potential to the data lines prior to supplying the image signal to the data lines by using a sequentially-output (n?1)-th transmission signal as a precharge-circuit driving signal, all of which are formed on a substrate.

Abstract: A method and device for overdriving a liquid crystal display is provided, which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of prior arts. The invention can reduce the optical response time of liquid crystal to the driving voltage so that dynamic images can be displayed with superior quality. To achieve the objective of accelerating liquid crystal optical response, the basic pixel structure of the overdrive device provided by the invention contains a first gate line, a second gate line, a first data line, a second data line, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, an output line, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The first transistor has its gate connected to the first gate line, its source connected to the first data line, and its drain connected to the output line, the first capacitor, and the second transistor's drain.

Abstract: A low power apparatus used in a display device, which cuts off unnecessary power to the display device in the event of abnormal inputs of horizontal and/or vertical synchronous signals. The low power apparatus comprises a synchronous signal checking unit to check whether the inputs of horizontal and vertical synchronous signals are normal or abnormal, and a control unit to respond to the output of the synchronous signal checking unit to decide whether the operational power thereof is supplied or cut off and to detect normal or abnormal inputs of horizontal and vertical synchronous signals to determine whether to reset the synchronous signal checking unit. It is possible to cut off unnecessary power in a DPMS mode so that energy can be saved. Further, effective circuit integrations and cost reductions can be accomplished by reducing the switching devices used in the power stage.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for generating a representation of a feature in a surface defined by a mesh representation, the mesh comprising at a selected level a plurality of points including at least one point connected to a plurality of neighboring points by respective edges, the feature being defined in connection with the vertex and at least one of the neighboring points and the edge interconnecting the vertex and the at least one of the neighboring points in the mesh representation. The feature generating arrangement comprises a weight vector generator module and a feature representation generator module. The weight vector generator module is configured to generate at least one weight vector based on a parameterized subdivision rule defined at a plurality of levels, for which a value of at least one parameter differs at at least two levels in the mesh.

Abstract: A method of rendering a plurality of graphical objects, each having a predetermined object outline, a predetermined z-order, and an associated fill, the object outline for a particular object defining an area in which the particular object is filled, includes the steps of (a) combining each of the objects to form a grouped object, the grouped object having a grouped object outline and an associated compound fill, the compound fill comprising a plurality of fill data structures describing the fills associated with the graphical objects, and (b) rendering the grouped object according to the grouped object outline, wherein one or more fills used to render the grouped object are determined according to the compound fill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for surface approximation without cracks. In one or more embodiments, a surface to be rendered is split into multiple adjacent regions (e.g., subdivision surfaces or patches). A data structure is associated with each boundary edge between two regions for storage of adjacency information in the form of a sequence of tessellation vertices. Adjacency information for a given edge is written into the data structure when an adjacent region is first tessellated. When the remaining adjacent region is tessellated, the adjacency information is read from the data structure and used to achieve tessellation without cracks. In one embodiment, visible cracks due to T-vertices are prevented by forming an overlap of adjacent regions at the location of each T-vertex. This technique allows regions to be tessellated and rendered without any advance knowledge of how the adjacent regions will be split.

Abstract: A method for utilizing software to implement multiple power-up graphics in a single computer platform. The computer platform receives a power-up graphic mode and determined whether the power-up graphic mode is multiple graphic mode or general graphic mode. The computer platform then displays corresponding power-up graphics according to the power-up mode during power-up, implementing multiple power-up graphics to match IA functions or satisfy user preference.

Abstract: The computer graphics system is configured to improve the performance of a stencil shadow volume method for rendering shadows. The apparatus and methods utilize a combination of compressed and uncompressed stencil buffers in coordination with compressed and uncompressed depth data buffers. An uncompressed stencil buffer is capable of storing stencil shadow volume data for each pixel and a compressed stencil buffer is capable of storing stencil shadow volume data for a group of pixels. The compressed stencil buffer is utilized with a compressed stencil buffer cache to perform a stencil shadow volume operation more efficiently than present methods.

Abstract: A video and graphics system processes video data including both analog video, e.g., NTSC/PAL/SECAM/S-video, and digital video, e.g., MPEG-2 video in SDTV or HDTV format. The video and graphics system includes a video decoder, which is capable of concurrently decoding multiple SLICEs of MPEG-2 video data. The video decoder includes multiple row decoding engines for decoding the MPEG-2 video data. Each row decoding engine concurrently decodes two or more rows of the MPEG-2 video data. The row decoding engines have a pipelined architecture for concurrently decoding multiple rows of MPEG-2 video data. The video decoder may be integrated on an integrated circuit chip with other video and graphics system components such as transport processors for receiving one or more compressed data streams and for extracting video data, and a video compositor for blending processed video data with graphics.

Abstract: Multi-component data is managed. Pixel image data is stored in a machine readable memory device. The pixel image data is decomposed into multiple colorspace components. The multiple colorspace components are stored in one continuous machine-readable memory segment of a machine-readable memory. The machine-readable memory has one or more burst boundaries.

Abstract: A system of scaling is disclosed. A data structure is provided including a control word indicative of a number of input pixels associated with a scaling cycle, a number of output pixels associated with a scaling cycle, a number of available phases and a shift variable. Scaling is performed by incrementing a current phase to obtain a adjusted value, decrementing the adjusted value to obtain a second adjusted value, and determining an index value to access a coefficient by right-shifting the second adjusted value.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus (1) and computer readable media for rendering at least one graphic object (80, 90) described by at least one edge (82-86, 92-98) into a raster pixel image (78) having a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of pixel locations on each scan line. For each scan line, coordinates of intersection of those edges of the objects that intersect the scan line are determined in a predetermined order. This is preferably achieved by processing edge records (418) using a number of buffers (402, 404,406, 412,420, 422) thereby enabling efficient sorting of edge intersections into order. For each adjacent pair of edge intersections, information (530) associated with the corresponding object is examined to determining a set of active objects (508, 510) for a span of pixel locations between the corresponding pair of edge intersections. For each span of pixel locations, the corresponding set of active objects is used to determine (600) a value for each of the locations within the span.

Abstract: The invention provides an easy and simple method of converting the resolution of image data, which is capable of generating the high-resolution image data without incongruity, does not make a circuit in the display device complicated and does not increase the power consumption. This invention can include a portable terminal device, such as a mobile telephone or a PDA, that processes and displays image data transmitted from the outside. Image data with a plurality of grayscales can be displayed by controlling the display state of each pixel in a display unit in accordance with grayscale control pulses corresponding to the number of grayscales. For example, when a 64 grayscale display is performed, a grayscale level is defined using sixty four grayscale control pulses. Thus, it is possible to emit light from pixels in the display unit by sixty four grayscale levels.

Abstract: Devices for reducing and determining the skew between colour video signals transmitted over at least two different video cables are described. A KVM extender including such devices is also described. The skew reduction device includes a plurality of video signal transmission tracks selectably connectable to each of the video cables to increase the video signal transmission path length so as to more closely matching the total video signal path length for each of the colour video signals. The skew determination device comprises a processing device, a signal generator for applying measuring signals to each of the video signal cables and signal detection circuitry to receive measuring signals transmitted over the video signal cables. Detection signals are output to the processing device which is programmed to determine an indication of the transmission path length difference between the video signal cables.

Abstract: A matrix panel drive control apparatus having improved display peak luminance and reduced black level luminance, permitting further improved contrast, includes a row selection circuit for selecting at least one row from among a plurality of rows of the matrix panel, a column drive circuit for supplying a modulation signal based on pixel data to a plurality of columns of the matrix panel, a clock signal supplying circuit for supplying a reference clock signal for controlling at least the pulse width of the modulation signal to the column drive circuit, and a control circuit for setting the length of the selection period and the cycle of the reference clock signal for each selected row on the basis of the pixel data. The control circuit carries out control so as to extend the cycle of the reference clock signal for a selected row having a longer selection period.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus having a cold cathode fluorescent lamp includes a central processing unit (CPU) controlling a scan unit to be in one of the stand-by mode, a scan mode and a sleep mode and outputting a PWM signal having a variable duty ratio based on an operation mode of the scan unit; a filter unit receiving the PWM signal from the CPU, filtering the PWM signal, and outputting the filtered signal; a feedback unit detecting the voltage applied to the fluorescent lamp and outputting a feedback signal; a controlling unit controlling the illumination of the fluorescent lamp based on the voltage input from the feedback unit, the controlling unit outputting a control signal variably controlling the voltage applied to the fluorescent lamp depending on the filtered signal; and a lamp drive unit applying variable AC voltage to the fluorescent lamp based on the control signal, thereby driving the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes one or more shutters that selectively permit passage of light.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus is provided that enables a recording medium that has undergone heat-fixing to be separated smoothly from a heating medium without causing a sheet jam or image disturbance. In this apparatus, there are provided on the guide surface of a separator two step parts raised along the guide surface guide width direction. Recording paper is transported gripped by a fixing nip, is guided so as to come into contact with only the apex parts of step parts, and is separated from the surface of a fixing belt. Thus, a gap is formed between the guide surface and the heat-fixing surface of recording paper guided along the guide surface, the contact area between the heat-fixing surface of recording paper and the guide surface decreases, the heat-fixing surface of recording paper becomes less prone to adhere to the guide surface of the separator, and recording paper is smoothly separated from the fixing belt without causing a sheet jam or image disturbance.

Abstract: In a thermal transfer printer, before a thermal head transfers an ink component of a yellow region on a recording paper, the thermal head is preheated up to a transfer temperature and by sublimating a black ink component constituting a mark pattern during preheating, records used information in the mark pattern. After turn-on of an electric power, when an optical sensor reads the used information, an ink ribbon driving mechanism is driven until the optical sensor detects the rear mark pattern in which the used information is not recorded to locate the start of an unused region of an ink ribbon. Thus, residual amount of the ink ribbon is grasped accurately and the start of the unused region is located accurately without increasing the costs of ink ribbon.

Abstract: One embodiment described pertains to a thermal printer is provided having a spatial light modulator (SLM) to modulate light from a laser source to record information on a thermal-sensitive surface of a recording medium, and a heater adjacent to the medium to preheat the thermal-sensitive surface prior to recording of information thereon. The printer may further include illumination optics for focusing the light beam onto the SLM, and imaging optics to image the light on the thermal-sensitive surface. The heater may comprise a resistive, a convective or a radiant heater. The printer may further include a feed mechanism with a roller having an outer surface in contact with the recording medium for feeding it past the imaging optics, and the heater may be disposed inside of the roller to heat the recording medium in contact with the roller. The heater may be arranged to heat the entire outer surface of the roller, or only a portion thereof. Other embodiments are also described.