Abstract: An assembly for positioning a piece of photosensitive film into a scanning position on a curved film platen and an internal drum scanner assembly. The film platen is defined by a film feed edge and a film stop edge. An alignment mechanism is positioned proximate the film stop edge and a feed mechanism is positioned proximate the film feed edge. The feed mechanism operates to feed the leading edge of the film from the film feed edge along the film platen towards the film stop edge alignment mechanism, and wherein when the photosensitive film is in the scanning position, the photosensitive film is compressed against the curved film platen in alignment between the alignment mechanism and the feed mechanism. A centering mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) for scanning an image to a lenticular material (43) having a first pressure roller (11), which in combination with the first drive roller (13), forms a nip (10) for moving the lenticular materials (43). An axis (71) of the first pressure roller (11) is skewed at an angle to an axis (73) of the first drive roller (13). A second pressure roller (21) forms a second nip (20) in combination with a tensioning roller (23) for tensioning the lenticular material (43). An axis (61) of the second pressure roller (21) is skewed at an angle to an axis (63) of the tensioning roller (23). A scanner writes an image to the lenticular material (43) as it passes between the first and second nip (10,20).

Abstract: A punch assembly including at least one punch installed and aligned on a carrier plate. The carrier plate includes a plurality of openings which are configured to mate with corresponding precision locator pins on an imaging system. The punch assembly is installed on the imaging system by inserting the precision locator pins through the plurality of openings in the carrier plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roller unit comprising a roller rotatable about a shaft, a bearing for supporting the shaft, and a mechanism for imparting a pre-load to the bearing, characterized in that the mechanism has structure capable of varying the pre-load. This roller unit is mounted on the frame of an imaging apparatus or the like, and is designed such that during the mounting thereof, the pre-load becomes great to thereby eliminate the play (backlash) of the bearing.

Abstract: The present invention is for an image processing apparatus (10) for a method of exposing imagesetter recording film (42) on a color-proofing apparatus. The method comprises the steps of loading a sheet of dye collection support (45) on a vacuum imaging drum (300) and loading a first sheet of imagesetter recording film in registration with the dye collection support. The first sheet of imagesetter recording film is loaded dye side down. An intended image is formed on the first sheet of imagesetter recording film by removing dye from the first sheet of imagesetter recording film which is collected on the dye collection support. Additional sheets of imagesetter recording film and other embodiments are prepared in a similar manner. In a further embodiment, the dye collection support is removed from the vacuum imaging drum as each sheet of imagesetter recording film is removed to provide a blue line image.

Abstract: A film thermal processor assembly for use in an imaging system. The assembly includes a retention member for receiving a plurality of thermal processor rollers and their shaft mounted sleeve bearings which are adapted for snap insertion into snap fingers of the injection molded non-metallic retention member. The rotation member holds bias springs for radially loading the rollers. A direct contact thermal sensor having a large sensing area, which conforms to the shape of the drum, directly measures the surface temperature of the processing drum.

Abstract: In a continuous form printer, a passage of the leading edge of the continuous form sheet is detected by a top sensor located along a feeding path thereof. A system determines whether the detection of the leading edge by the top sensor is correct, by comparing the feeding amount of the continuous form sheet after the feeding is started until the leading edge is detected with the distance between a feeding start position and the top sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is the printing system 1 including the printer 2 and the personal computer 51 through which the command combination is selected according to kind of the print sheet A among four command combinations (the first combination is defined by both the print order standard command and the print direction standard command, and corresponds to pattern 1; the second combination is defined by the sheet plane standard command and the print direction standard command, and corresponds to pattern 2; the third combination is defined by the print order standard command and the sheet direction standard command, and corresponds to pattern 3; the fourth combination is defined by the sheet plane standard command and the sheet direction standard command, and corresponds to pattern 4), further the print condition is determined by the selected command combination, thereby image printing is conducted in the two-sided printing mode by the printer 2 under print control by the personal computer 51 while reversing the feed direct

Abstract: In an electronic white board apparatus, when at power on a screen is not in a screen home position, the screen is moved in a first direction. When the screen reaches the home position during a predetermined movement thereof, the screen is stopped. If the screen does not reach the home position even after it has been moved more than the predetermined movement, the screen is moved in the opposite to the first direction until the screen reaches the home position.

Abstract: An envelope printing system including a laser printer or similar printer operating under control of a microcomputer to print pairs of envelopes. The envelopes are printed with a FIM mark in a manner consistent with the requirements of the U. S. Postal Service. The envelopes are fed, two at a time, from a cassette which includes an identification mark. The envelopes are positioned in the cassette with their upper edges adjacent to the center line of the feed path and the printer controller is programmed to respond to identification of a cassette feeding pairs of envelopes to form an image containing two sub-images to be printed on corresponding envelopes. One of the sub-images is inverted so that the orientation of the printed information on the envelope will be correct.

Abstract: An exposure drum (11) of a CTP newspaper plate-making apparatus has a width (W) which is slightly greater than a vertical measurement (L.sub.1) of one page of a newspaper, a circumference (L) which is slightly greater than a vertical measurement (L.sub.2) of two pages of newspaper, first and second plate-material engaging pins (13a, 13b) spaced from each other on the cylindrical surface of the exposure drum a distance (L.sub.5) which is equal to 1/2 of the circumference (L), second plate-material suction apertures (14a) in the cylindrical surface spaced from the first plate-material engaging pins a distance (L.sub.7) which is slightly smaller than a horizontal measurement (L.sub.4) of two pages of newspaper, first plate-material suction apertures (14a) in the cylindrical surface spaced from the first plate-material engaging pins a distance (L.sub.6) which is slightly smaller than the vertical measurement (L.sub.

Abstract: A laser printer having a manual insertion port through which a pair of lamination sheet members interposing therebetween a printed card is insertable into a sheet feed passage. The laser printer also includes a sheet supply roller, a pair of resist rollers, an image forming unit, and a fixing unit. The pair of lamination sheet members are heat-sealed together by the heat generated at the fixing unit. An operation panel is provided for selecting one of printing mode and lamination mode. If the printing mode is selected, rotation of the resist rollers is temporarily stopped so as to abut a leading edge of the sheet with the resist roller for performing skew correction. If the lamination mode is selected, the skew correction with respect to the lamination sheet members is not performed.

Abstract: A registration apparatus for positioning a medium on a media support surface, includes a moveable member and a registration member. The moveable member is contacted by an edge of a medium, and moves therewith as the medium is moved to a set position on a support surface. The registration member restrains the movement of the moveable member, at the point at which the moveable member contacts the registration member, to position the medium at the set position on the support surface.

Abstract: A sheet supply apparatus according to the present invention has a pawl separator for separating sheets one by one by regulating the tip ends and upper surfaces of tip end portions of the sheets, which pawl separator can be retarded from a sheet regulating position when it is urged by the sheet with a predetermined force. With this arrangement, sheets having small resiliency such as plain sheets are separated one by one by successively riding over the pawl separator, and sheets having great resiliency such as post cards and envelopes urge the pawl separator to a retracted position to pass through the pawl separator and are separated one by one by of another separation.

Abstract: A double-side digital copier reads an image on documents fed into an image reading unit in accordance with a predetermined cycle based on copying conditions such as the number of copies to be made and single/double-side copying, and the number of documents and copy sheets temporarily maintained in the respective circulation paths formed therein. Further the image data obtained by that reading are stored in two memories alternately, one of the memories alone, or both the memories in a predetermined order in accordance with the predetermined cycle, and are read out in a corresponding order, optimizing throughput without increasing the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A media guidance system for substantially reducing media jamming as the leading (head) end of a web of recording media is directed over the drum surface of an internal drum type laser imagesetter during a media loading procedure. The media guidance system includes a hollow shield, at least one outrigger extending laterally away from the hollow shield, and at least one retractable plate assembly for selectively applying a pressure load against the leading end of the recording media as it approaches the exit aperture of the internal drum.

Abstract: An image-setter and a scanning method are disclosed. The image setter includes at least two scanning surfaces, a media conveying system for conveying at least two light sensitive media to respective ones of the scanning surfaces, and an optical system for scanning substantially simultaneously the at least two light sensitive media on said respective scanning surfaces. The scanning method includes the steps of providing at least two scanning surfaces, conveying at least two light sensitive media to respective ones of said scanning surfaces, and employing an optical system for scanning substantially simultaneously the at least two light sensitive media on said respective scanning surfaces.

Abstract: An electrophotographic laser printing process using dry low gloss toner formulations for producing either low gloss images or high gloss images. In an instance when a low gloss image is produced, the process selects a low gloss paper, and all other parameters of the process of printing low gloss images are consistent with known parameters for the production of electrophotographic low gloss images using dry toner formulations. In order to produce a high gloss image using a low gloss toner formulation, the method involves selecting a high gloss media, if available, from a media source and reducing the feed speed of the media through the process. Additionally, the fuser roller temperature is increased to ensure maximum fixing and fusing of the toner to produce a single voidless plane of toner on top of the media which exhibits a high reflective index and results in less light scattering at the surface of the toner.

Abstract: A virtual-drum capstan-driven device for outputting images from electronic files onto paper, film or plate material has increased output speed and reduced cost compared to an internal drum device. A capstan drive moves web type image recording media through a curved media platen having an upper curved surface and a lower curved surface which form the media into a virtual drum. The optical system has a rotating reflective spinner at the center of curvature of the virtual drum to scan modulated image date across media while being continuously driven. A tensioning mechanism maintains the media in a taught configuration and works in cooperation with the capstan drive to accurately control the motion of the media during imaging.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing graphic images by laser thermal transfer uses a laser source and a programmable pulse generator to transmit a pulsed infrared laser beam in accordance with a printing program of image data to print graphic images on sheet material. The pulsed laser beam is transmitted through a focusing lens, and the focused beam is in turn scanned by a scanning device through a laser window assembly into an ink web along a line of laser impingement. The ink web contains a layer of printing ink and overlies the sheet material supported on a roller platen. The laser window presses the ink web into the sheet material against the roller platen along the line of laser impingement to facilitate the transfer of ink from the web to the sheet in accordance with the printing program of image data.

Abstract: A web is punched with registration holes and imaged prior to cutting the web into individual imaged plates particularly for use as printing plates. The web with an imageable surface is serially punched, imaged and sheeted with the punched holes being utilized to assure registration and alignment in the imaging operation and in the subsequent use of the plates on a printing press. The punching and imaging may be performed at separate stations or at a single punching and imaging station. The web is preferably advanced under tension and tension and/or vacuum may be used to hold the web flat on the imaging platen.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has a support shoe with an at-least-partially cylindrical inner surface for receiving a recording media. A rotor is simultaneously rotatable about, and linearly translated along, a fixed axis; and a write head assembly is carried by the rotor to write on recording media received on the inner surface of the support shoe. A pair of disks, having arcuate outer peripheries, are supported within the support shoe for movement with the rotor along the fixed axis on opposed axial sides of the rotor. One of the disks leads the translation of the rotor along the fixed axis as the rotor moves in either axial direction during a write operation. The disks are rotationally fixed relative to the support shoe and have circular outer peripheries.

Abstract: An air-bearing imaging platen (20) for supporting imaging medium (40). The imaging platen (20) is comprised of an array of disks (62). Each disk has an air exit hole (64) in an approximate center of the disk (62) and a pneumatic system provides air to each disk. Air exits the hole (64) and flows in a radial direction across a surface (69) of the disk (64) creating a negative pressure in the area between the hole (64) and an edge (68) of the disk (62). The negative pressure holds the imaging medium (40) close to the hole (64), and the air flow provides a cushion which supports the imaging medium (40), thus insuring frictionless support while holding the image medium (40) in a curved shape. The air flow exits at the edge (68) of each disk. In various embodiments the contour of the surface (69) of the disk (62) may have various cross sectional shapes such as flat, conical, or spherical.

Abstract: In the production of a screen printing stencil, a thin-walled hollow cylinder having a light responsive layer on the outside is rotated about its cylinder axis and exposed by means of a laser beam impinging on it. The laser beam is focused in the region of the light responsive layer. The laser beam is moved in the direction of the cylinder axis, and is switched on and off in agreement with a desired stencil pattern. A radial deviation of the actual position of the wall of the hollow cylinder from its ideal position is determined from at least one measuring position fixed relative to the laser beam for a multiplicity of circumferential positions of the hollow cylinder. A first actuating signal is then derived from at least one of the radial positional deviations obtained at the measuring positions.

Abstract: A printer includes a tractor unit for feeding continuous form paper, encoders driven in synchronization with a tractor belt, and detecting sensors for detecting rotation of the encoders to generate feed pulses at a standard interval. The printer further includes a paper top sensor which detects a leading edge of the continuous form paper to generate a paper top signal and is arranged to control the feeding of the paper based on a feed pulse generated after the paper top signal. In order to compensate for a delay of the paper top signal, the printer controller is arranged to determine if there is a delay in the paper top signal by comparing the time interval between the paper top signal and the feed pulse with a threshold value. The printer is so arranged that the threshold value is stored in a non-volatile memory and can be set after assembly of the printer.

Abstract: An identity card, especially a credit card, having a picture section, which contains a photo of the card holder. In this section, pixels of different absorptions, especially the gray and black parts, are burned by a laser beam point-by-point into a surface layer and/or an intermediate layer located below a transparent surface layer of the identity card. In addition, a colored part is applied, particularly using the thermal transfer process, which covers the same area as the image. Security features can also be introduced into the image division.

Abstract: 278 An image recording apparatus, which records an image on a recording medium by performing a sub-scan operation by conveying the recording medium by a predetermined amount upon completion of each main scan operation of a recording unit, is disclosed. The apparatus stops a convey operation of the recording medium after a first image is recorded on the recording medium. When a recording start command is generated within a predetermined period of time after the convey operation is stopped, a re-convey operation of the recording medium is started in response to this command, and a second image is recorded by the recording unit on the recording medium on which the first image is recorded. When the recording start command is not generated within the predetermined period of time, the recording medium on which the first image is recorded is automatically ejected.A plurality of images can be synthesized on a single recording medium before the medium is ejected without using a large-capacity memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing contact between a donor sheet and a receptor sheet in a laser-induced thermal transfer printer make use of a support means for supporting a receptor sheet, means for mounting a donor sheet proximal to the receptor sheet over the support means, and means for applying tension to the donor sheet to draw the donor sheet into contact with the receptor sheet. The means for mounting the donor sheet and applying tension may be a clamp mechanism mounted on the support means. The clamp mechanism has a first clamp for holding a first end of the donor sheet and a second clamp for holding a second end of the donor sheet. The second clamp is movable relative to the first clamp to apply tension to the donor sheet, thereby drawing the donor sheet into contact with the receptor sheet.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a carriage for holding a recording head for recording on a recording medium; a platen positioned opposite to the recording head for supporting the recording medium at a recording area; a conveying device rotatable for introducing the recording medium into the recording area; a passage for introducing, after the recording medium passes the recording head, the recording medium into the conveying device by rendering a lower end of the recording medium as a front end in a conveyance direction; and a line buffer memory for temporarily storing serial recording data of one scanning line of the recording head, the recording data being expandable to H stages and M columns.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately guiding a web of light-sensitive recording media into a cylindrical support shoe of a printer includes a metering roller at the inlet side of a stationary support shoe around which a received media web is wrapped. At least one media guide belt is mounted about a set of pulleys to guide media toward a nip between a pressure roller and the metering roller through which the media is driven into the stationary support shoe. The metering roller is mounted to rotate about a predetermined axis, and the pressure roller has one end held in a frame and is spring loaded into the frame and the metering roller.

Abstract: A printer has (1) a support shoe with a cylindrical inner surface and (2) a write head carried by a rotor which is simultaneously rotatable about and linearly translated along the axis of the cylindrical surface. A media guide member is mounted for movement along the axis of rotation of the rotor. The media guide member is moved to a position within the cylindrical inner surface of the support shoe so as to form a gap between the inner surface of the support shoe and the outer surface of the media guide member. The recording media can advance around a gap formed between the outer surface of the media guide member and inside of the cylindrical inner surface of the support shoe. The rotor is carried by a rotor support member in fixed spacial relationship to the media guide member for simultaneous linear translation along the axis of rotation of the rotor. The rotor support member is attached to a carriage assembly which is supported for movement along a pair of guide rods.

Abstract: A data processing form for use with photo-sensing apparatus that detect the presence of indicia at indicia-receiving locations on the form. The form is composed of a sheet of carrier material and plurality of indicia-receiving locations. The indicia-receiving locations are defined by a mutable colored composition including a mutable colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber such that the indicia-receiving locations are adapted to become substantially undetectable by photo-sensing apparatus upon irradiating the colored composition with ultraviolet radiation at a dosage level sufficient to irreversibly mutate the colorant. The colored composition may be irradiated with radiation in the ultraviolet region of the ultraviolet spectrum.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus comprises a facsimile unit for sending data corresponding to image data that has been received, and a printer unit for performing image recording by discharging ink droplets in accordance with data sent from the facsimile unit. A first CPU for the control of the facsimile unit sends, after one page of image data, data in a predetermined pattern and further a paper exhausting command to the printer. A second CPU of the printer unit performs a paper exhausting operation upon receiving the paper exhausting command, after recording of the predetermined pattern, and upon conveying the recording paper up to a predetermined position, sends a signal for starting detection of the predetermined pattern to the first CPU. The first CPU thereby receives a detection signal from a photo sensor. The second CPU further conveys the recording paper, and at a timing of exhausting out of the apparatus, sends a signal for the detection end of the predetermined pattern to the first CPU.

Abstract: A scanner printer includes a scanner portion for reading written information on an original manuscript paper and a printer portion for printing written information on printing paper, both of which are integrally combined within a single casing. The respective paper feeding into the scanner portion and the printer portion is performed through a common feeding passage. Thus, the overall dimension of the scanner printer can be downsized. A pointer directs the original manuscript and the printing paper into an original manuscript passage and into the printer portion, respectively. Hence, wear an on a surface of a photo-sensitive drum of the printer portion can be greatly reduced thus maintaining accurate and sharp printing characteristics.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus forming an electrostatic latent image on a surface of a photosensitive body by exposing the charged photosensitive body, developing the latent image using a toner to form a toner image, transferring the toner image to a image holding body, and erasing the remaining charge on the surface of the photosensitive body after completion of the transferring, the photosensitive body is formed of a base material consisting of As.sub.2 Se.sub.3 or a-Si, and wherein the wavelength .lambda..sub.0 of the writing light used for the exposure is limited to a wavelength not larger than 780 nm, the wavelength .lambda..sub.1 of charge erasing light used for the charge erasing is limited to a wavelength smaller than 680 nm, and the time T.sub.1 from completion of the exposure to initiation of the development is limited within the range of 70 milliseconds to 300 milliseconds.

Abstract: A method for controlling paper conveyance of an electrophotographic reproduction device which receives data to be printed from an external device through a data transmission medium comprises the steps of conveying a paper to a paper registration position upon initial reception of input data to be printed transmitted through a data transmission medium and conveying the paper to a transfer unit in the electrophotographic reproduction device for enabling received data to be printed on the registered paper when the received data reaches a set unit amount of data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining contact between the recording media and the media support surface of a scanning system. A pressure load is applied on the recording media in the immediate vicinity of a scanning laser beam, thereby ensuring surface to surface contact between the recording media and the media support surface while scanning.

Abstract: In a page or a line printer, a printer head comprises a resilient substrate, as of borosilicate glass, a strain responsive film of a first ferroelectric material, such as lead zirconate titanate, on the substrate, and a voltage responsive film of a second ferroelectric material, such as lead lanthanum zirconate titanate, on the strain responsive film to form a stack. Responsive to a driving signal representative of a pattern, a piezoelectric driving member inverts, into an inverted residual polarization representative of the pattern as a latent image, an initial residual polarization which is preliminarily produced in the voltage responsive film in its thickness direction by application of a driving voltage to the piezoelectric driving electrode member. The signal or the voltage produces in the substrate a travelling elastic wave which gives a strain and an electric voltage in compliance with the strain. The electric voltage gives rise to the residual polarization.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll paper web feeding system for a laser printer. The paper web is unwound from a roll supported in the unwind machine by a single conveyor belt driven at a speed that varies to match the web feed to the speed of the printer. A pivotably mounted beam houses the belt and can be raised to permit replacement of the roll. A shock absorber acts between the beam and the machine frame to maintain contact between the belt and the paper roll. Replacement of the belt is facilitated by a unique latch acting on the support shaft for a sprocket at the free end of the beam provided for the belt. The paper web is rewound on a roll provided in the rewind machine. Tension must be kept high enough in the paper web to assure a tightly wrapped roll in the rewind machine. This fact requires a friction, or drag roller, to maintain at least one free loop of web, and this drag roller can be replaced quickly as a result of shifting it laterally to decouple the coupling provided at one end of the drag or friction roller.

Abstract: An aminium salt compound has the structure expressed by the following formula (I) or (II), and an optical recording layer has a recording layer containing the aminium salt compound. ##STR1## wherein X.sup.- indicates a monovalent metal complex anion; and R.sub.1 through R.sub.8 each indicate a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic residue, and at least one of R.sub.1 through R.sub.8 is a monovalent organic residue selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyalkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group and substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group; and n is 1 or 2; and ##STR2## wherein X.sup.- indicates a monovalent metal complex anion; and R.sub.1 ' through R.sub.8 ' indicate the atoms that, when taken together in combination R.sub.m ' and R.sub.

Abstract: In order to permit a printing form to be produced by laser-induced thermotransfer in a simple manner that can be integrated into the printing machine, without the gases which arise during laser imaging detectably disturbing the transfer of material from the transfer foil, i.e., the image quality, a strip-type transfer foil with a strip width that is small relative to the printing form width is used. During imaging, this transfer foil is conveyed continually between the printing form and the laser beam, close to the printing form surface, and is thereby moved simultaneously and synchronously with the movement of the laser beam across the printing form width.

Abstract: A scanning system which includes a medium support unit for supporting a medium in a generally curved orientation by contacting substantially less than the entire surface area of the medium and a scanning unit for scanning the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing photosensitive materials includes a plurality of light sources for generating beams having different wavelengths, a polygon mirror for scanning and exposing the beams toward a color photosensitive material, and one or more f.theta. lenses disposed on an optical path between the photosensitive material and the polygon mirror. The polygon mirror and the f.theta. lenses are arranged, with respect to the beam from a light source having an intermediate wavelength among the light sources, such that reflection points corresponding to both ends of beam scanning on reflection surfaces of the polygon mirror pass through an identical point on an optical axis of the f.theta. lenses, and light beams at the both ends of beam scanning have line symmetry with respect to the optical axis of the f.theta. lenses.

Abstract: A magnetic recording layer is formed on one surface of a card-shaped base plate. A printing layer, for printing visible information such as "matters to be attended", is formed on the magnetic recording layer. A laser recording layer is formed on the other surface of the base plate. A visible image, which can be color-developed by radiation of a laser beam, can be recorded on the laser recording layer. The surface of the recording layer is coated with a transparent protection film, and a predetermined pattern is printed on the protection film. The laser recording layer includes a photothermic conversion material and a thermosensitive recording material. The photothermic conversion material has a major absorption wavelength corresponding to a major wavelength of the laser beam. A visible image can be recorded on the card by means of a laser beam without damaging a predetermined pattern on the protection film.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus provided with a document feeder, and in which a plurality of originals are set on a platen glass and read in a single reading operation to obtain image data. The obtained image data are stored in an image memory. The number of originals which can be placed on the platen glass varies in accordance with the size of the originals to maximize the number of originals to be placed on the platen glass.

Abstract: An image forming device having a rotating drum around which an image forming material is trained, an ink sheet conveying mechanism which conveys an ink sheet synchronously with rotation of the rotating drum, an ink transfer device which fits the image forming material and the ink sheet together and effects either heating or pressing such that ink is transferred onto the image forming material, and a fitting/conveying device which moves an image receiving material with respect to a peripheral surface of the rotating drum synchronously with the rotation of the rotating drum and which fits the image forming material and the image receiving material together and applies either a predetermined pressure or a predetermined temperature so that ink is transferred from the image forming material to the image receiving material; and an image forming method including above-described processes. Exposure need be effected only once for each color, and the image forming materials can be used repeatedly.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus comprises a temporary storing magazine for temporarily retaining a recorded photosensitive material sheet. The temporary storing magazine stocks the recorded photosensitive sheet received therein from an image recording section while discharging the recorded photosensitive material sheet into an automatic developing machine. Hence, image recording is executed without interruption and parallel to discharge of the recorded photosensitive material sheet into the developing machine, enhancing the capability of the image recording apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing laser dye ablation printing utilizing a laser diode with improved contrast and uniformity produces exposed film having a minimum optical density (Dmin) of less than 0.11 and exhibiting significant reductions in visible raster lines. Specifically, a laser printing apparatus is provided that includes a mechanism for retaining a film to be exposed, a laser diode source for generating a write beam, and a mechanism for scanning the write beam across the film to generate an image. The intensity of write beam generated by the laser diode source at the film is preferably at least 1.0 mW/square micron. During operation, a film to be exposed is placed in the retaining mechanism and the write beam is scanned across the film to generate an image.

Abstract: A photosetting apparatus is provided having a cylindrical bed into which sheet-shaped photo-material is transported and placed against an inside thereof. The cylindrical bed has a longitudinal axis positioned in spaced relation from an inside surface of the bed and such that the cylindrical bed inside surface curves in cylindrical fashion partially around the longitudinal axis. An exposure optics exposes the sheet-shaped photo-material, the exposure optics being displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bed. A conveyor mechanism conveys the photo-material parallel to and in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bed into a position adjacent the inside surface of the bed. A guide mechanism having movable elements presses the photo-material against the inside surface of the cylindrical bed from inside.

Abstract: An image reading and recording apparatus has a first feed system for feeding an image-bearing sheet with image information recorded thereon to an image reading and recording device, and a second feed system for feeding a thermosensitive recording sheet to the image reading and recording device, the thermosensitive recording sheet having a support coated with a coloring agent, a color developer, and light-absorbing dyes, the thermosensitive recording sheet being capable of producing a color whose density depends on the thermal energy of a laser beam irradiated thereto. An optical laser beam scanning system scans the image-bearing sheet and the thermosensitive recording sheet with a laser beam in a main scanning direction while the image-bearing sheet and the thermosensitive recording sheet are fed in an auxiliary scanning direction in the image reading and recording means, to read the image information from the image-bearing sheet and record image information on the thermosensitive recording sheet.