EP0098013A2 - Imprimante optique utilisant des éléments commutateurs de lumière - Google Patents

Imprimante optique utilisant des éléments commutateurs de lumière Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0098013A2
EP0098013A2 EP83200923A EP83200923A EP0098013A2 EP 0098013 A2 EP0098013 A2 EP 0098013A2 EP 83200923 A EP83200923 A EP 83200923A EP 83200923 A EP83200923 A EP 83200923A EP 0098013 A2 EP0098013 A2 EP 0098013A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light switching
light
switching elements
self
mask
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP83200923A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0098013B1 (fr
EP0098013A3 (en
Inventor
Bernhard Dr. Hill
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philips Intellectual Property and Standards GmbH
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH
Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken NV
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH, Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken NV, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH
Publication of EP0098013A2 publication Critical patent/EP0098013A2/fr
Publication of EP0098013A3 publication Critical patent/EP0098013A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0098013B1 publication Critical patent/EP0098013B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/435—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/465—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using masks, e.g. light-switching masks

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an optical printer with a light source, a light switching mask with light switching elements and an optical imaging system arranged between the light switching mask and the light-sensitive recording medium for transmitting the light spot patterns generated in the light switching mask on the recording medium.
  • Such an optical printer is known for example from DE-OS 28 12 206 and is shown in principle in FIG. 1.
  • a magneto-optical line of light switching elements is used as the light switching mask, the structure and mode of operation of which are described in DE-OS 26 06 596.
  • Other optical printheads contain rows of light switching elements that are manufactured using the technique of liquid crystals.
  • Yet another technique uses ceramic electro-optical materials to build a light switch line.
  • Optical printheads are used e.g. in electrophotographic printers for line-wise exposure of an optically sensitive recording medium or intermediate carrier, from which e.g. an optical image is produced by a photographic process or, in the case of electrophotography, by an electrophotographic process.
  • electrophotographic printers are of increasing importance for printing and office technology for the production of text or graphics on normal paper with high quality.
  • the highest possible density of electronically individual switching is used in optical printheads bar en light points sought in order to increase the image quality.
  • the aim is at least 10 light points per millimeter.
  • a resolution of up to 16 light points per millimeter is already achieved with so-called laser beam print heads.
  • the point density can reach the required size, but the absolute length of a light switch line is limited by the manufacturing technology.
  • the magneto-optical light switching masks described above are manufactured using a photolithographic mask technique. You can only reach lengths of a maximum of a few centimeters.
  • Light switching masks based on the magneto-optical principle which contain up to 512 switching elements integrated on a carrier with a density of 16 switching elements / mm. Point densities of 20 switching elements / mm can also be achieved without difficulty using today's technology.
  • an optical printer In order to expose a line on a paper page of A4 format in an optical printer, it is then necessary to assemble several such light-switching masks with a line of light-switching elements in a modular manner.
  • an optical printer has been proposed in which a plurality of light switching lines are arranged next to one another and each light switching line is imaged on the recording medium with its own lens.
  • a disadvantage of this design of an optical print head is that the imaging distance between the object plane of the light switch mask and the image plane of the recording medium is relatively large, since when using On lens for imaging a line that is several centimeters long, the opening and focal length are limited. Typical imaging distances for the imaging of approx. 500 light points with a grid of 16 dots / mm are 15 to 20 cm. The diameter of the lenses must also be relatively large so that a large aperture ratio is achieved and as much light as possible from the object points is detected. The relatively high costs for such individual lenses are also disadvantageous.
  • a reduction in the claimed imaging volume can in principle be achieved by dividing it into shorter light switching masks with a correspondingly larger number of imaging lenses.
  • the reason for this is that the focal length of lenses can be chosen to be shorter with a smaller object field to be imaged.
  • a disadvantage of this solution is that the assembly costs increase. because a larger number of light switch masks and lenses are used, all of which have to be positioned exactly one below the other so that a complete and straight line of light points is created on the record carrier in the image plane.
  • the invention has for its object to provide an optical printer of the type mentioned, in which on the one hand the lines with the highest possible degree of integration, i.e. high number of pixels are recorded on a substrate, which on the other hand only requires simple and inexpensive imaging optics with a small imaging volume.
  • the light switching elements arranged at regular intervals on the light switching mask are combined into groups which are each separated by an equidistant space in which no light switching elements are provided and which is opaque It is annoying that the optical imaging system consists of a series of self-focusing lenses of the same dimensions and the same imaging properties, which are arranged at uniform intervals, and that each group of light switching elements is assigned to a self-focusing lens.
  • the invention has the advantage that, despite the different distances between the light switching elements, which are caused by the gaps between the individual element groups, a grid is achieved that has the same distances between each grid point.
  • FIG. It contains a linear light source L, which is preceded by a light switching mask S, which consists of a solid support T, on which a row of magneto-optical light switching elements LZ is applied.
  • a light switching mask S can be produced, for example, from a round solid-state disk, as shown in FIG. 4, in which a large number of light switch elements are applied in a known manner in a square division and which is then sawn into strips along the side lines of the squares.
  • the optical imaging system A for transmitting the image patterns generated in the light switching elements LZ is arranged between the recording medium Z and the light switching mask S. This imaging system A thus generates an imprint point on the recording medium for each switched light switching element. The distances between these impression points thus correspond to the distances between the light switching elements.
  • self-focusing lenses or gradient lenses LS are used as imaging system A.
  • These known lenses consist of a glass cylinder in which a concentric refractive index gradient is generated. This refractive index gradient achieves a light-focusing effect that can be used to image light spot patterns.
  • a gradient lens has flat entry and exit surfaces.
  • the length of the lens and the size of the refractive index gradient determine the imaging properties, e.g. the effective focal length.
  • the lens can be dimensioned such that, in the limit case, the object plane is in the entry plane of the lens and the image plane is in the exit plane, that is to say the beam path for imaging is entirely within the glass rod.
  • a matrix or line-shaped arrangement of many such lenses can be produced as a coherent, compact component.
  • a coherent series of gradient lenses LS are used, which are dimensioned such that the object plane is located a short distance from the entry surface of the lens, and this distance is the optical thickness of the carrier T of the light switching mask S corresponds.
  • the light switch Cells LZ are located on the surface of the carrier T.
  • a group M of light switching elements LZ is arranged within the opening of a gradient lens LS and covers a width that is smaller than the diameter of a lens.
  • the associated light spot pattern is slightly enlarged so that a width R is covered in the image plane of the lens and thus on the recording medium Z, which corresponds to the width of the lens LS.
  • R also determines the pitch of the lenses LS1 to LSn.
  • the focal length of the lenses is only a few millimeters, so that there is a short distance between the object plane of the light switching mask S and the image plane Z.
  • the light switching elements LZ are arranged in groups M in the light switching mask S such that the center distance of the groups M corresponds to the grid dimension R of the gradient lenses LS.
  • the free, unused space a between the individual groups of light switching elements LZ determines the magnification that is necessary so that in the image plane Z the depicted light points just meet "without gaps" and form a line of light points at equidistant intervals.
  • any light Switch mask S is chosen to be as large as possible so that as few light switch masks as possible have to be positioned relative to one another.
  • the free space a between the groups of light switching elements LZ of a light switching mask is chosen so large that when a plurality of light switching masks S1, S2 ... are placed together, the distance b between the light switching masks can be selected such that the groups M of different light switching masks-S from one another also are arranged in an equidistant grid dimension R.
  • the minimum width of the spaces a is determined from the width which is required for the saw cut. This then makes it possible to produce the groups M of many light-switching masks S in the context — in accordance with FIG. 4 — on a solid-state disk, and then to cut out a certain number of groups M in connection as a light-switching mask S in accordance with optimal technological aspects. This results in an optimal use of the disc area during manufacture.
  • Each group M represents a square on the solid-state disk, which is designated by numbers. A saw cut can be made along these square sides so that light switching masks S of different lengths can be created.
  • the described structure of the optical printhead with the light switching masks mentioned can in principle also be applied to printheads which contain rows of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
  • LEDs light-emitting diodes
  • the beam path sketched by way of example in FIG. 2 when imaged by a gradient lens produces a positionally inverted image of the object points of a group M. If, for example, the number of light switching elements LZ in a group M is 32 and the length of the group M is 1.6 mm, 32 pixels are shown on the recording medium Z, the total length R being 2.0 mm.
  • gradient lenses can also be produced in such a way that the object points are imaged twice with an intermediate image within the lens. This results in a non-inverted image. This can offer advantages for the data organization when controlling the light switch mask.

Landscapes

  • Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)
EP83200923A 1982-06-30 1983-06-22 Imprimante optique utilisant des éléments commutateurs de lumière Expired EP0098013B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3224356 1982-06-30
DE19823224356 DE3224356A1 (de) 1982-06-30 1982-06-30 Optischer drucker mit lichtschaltelementen

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0098013A2 true EP0098013A2 (fr) 1984-01-11
EP0098013A3 EP0098013A3 (en) 1984-07-04
EP0098013B1 EP0098013B1 (fr) 1987-11-11

Family

ID=6167193

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83200923A Expired EP0098013B1 (fr) 1982-06-30 1983-06-22 Imprimante optique utilisant des éléments commutateurs de lumière

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4480257A (fr)
EP (1) EP0098013B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS5912877A (fr)
AU (1) AU558949B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA1204617A (fr)
DE (2) DE3224356A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0131320A1 (fr) * 1983-06-13 1985-01-16 Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH Tête d'impression optique et imprimante pourvue d'une telle tête
EP0177093A2 (fr) * 1984-09-27 1986-04-09 Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH Tête d'impression magnéto-optique
EP0279505A2 (fr) * 1987-01-14 1988-08-24 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Appareil laser pour le marquage répétitif d'une feuille en cours de mouvement
EP0348003A2 (fr) * 1988-06-21 1989-12-27 Rohm Co., Ltd. Appareil pour l'enregistrement optique d'information
US4961080A (en) * 1988-02-16 1990-10-02 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Laser marker with mask scanning
US5352495A (en) * 1989-02-16 1994-10-04 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Treatment of a surface by laser energy

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58114978A (ja) * 1981-12-28 1983-07-08 Seiko Epson Corp 液晶光学的印写装置
US4639127A (en) * 1985-12-10 1987-01-27 Itt Corporation Exposure apparatus for printing system
US4692016A (en) * 1986-03-14 1987-09-08 Fondation Suisse Pour La Recherche En Microtechnique Process for electrophotographic matrix printing and device for carrying out the process
ATE58605T1 (de) * 1986-07-11 1990-12-15 Siemens Ag Thermo-transfer-druckeinrichtung.
US4967265A (en) * 1989-04-04 1990-10-30 Xerox Corporation Color correction system for an electrophotographic copying machine

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2445150B1 (de) * 1974-09-20 1975-12-04 Max Planck Gesellschaft Abbildungssystem mit einem Wellenleiter
DE2461253A1 (de) * 1974-12-23 1976-07-01 Berkel Patent Nv Vorrichtung zum aufzeichnen von daten, insbesondere bei einer waage
DE2606596A1 (de) * 1976-02-19 1977-08-25 Philips Patentverwaltung Integrierte lichtmodulationsmatrix fuer die bilddarstellung und bildprojektion
DE2924882A1 (de) * 1978-06-20 1980-01-03 Ricoh Kk Faseranordnung
US4258978A (en) * 1978-12-05 1981-03-31 American Optical Corporation Image reversing array utilizing gradient refractive index elements

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2812206A1 (de) * 1978-03-20 1979-10-04 Philips Patentverwaltung Optischer drucker
DE2938224A1 (de) * 1979-09-21 1981-04-09 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Optische vorrichtung zum beruehrungslosen schreiben

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2445150B1 (de) * 1974-09-20 1975-12-04 Max Planck Gesellschaft Abbildungssystem mit einem Wellenleiter
DE2461253A1 (de) * 1974-12-23 1976-07-01 Berkel Patent Nv Vorrichtung zum aufzeichnen von daten, insbesondere bei einer waage
DE2606596A1 (de) * 1976-02-19 1977-08-25 Philips Patentverwaltung Integrierte lichtmodulationsmatrix fuer die bilddarstellung und bildprojektion
DE2924882A1 (de) * 1978-06-20 1980-01-03 Ricoh Kk Faseranordnung
US4258978A (en) * 1978-12-05 1981-03-31 American Optical Corporation Image reversing array utilizing gradient refractive index elements

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0131320A1 (fr) * 1983-06-13 1985-01-16 Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH Tête d'impression optique et imprimante pourvue d'une telle tête
EP0177093A2 (fr) * 1984-09-27 1986-04-09 Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH Tête d'impression magnéto-optique
EP0177093A3 (fr) * 1984-09-27 1989-01-04 Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH Tête d'impression magnéto-optique
EP0279505A2 (fr) * 1987-01-14 1988-08-24 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Appareil laser pour le marquage répétitif d'une feuille en cours de mouvement
EP0279505A3 (en) * 1987-01-14 1988-09-07 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Laser apparatus for repetitively marking a moving sheet
US4874919A (en) * 1987-01-14 1989-10-17 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Laser apparatus for repetitively marking a moving sheet
US4961080A (en) * 1988-02-16 1990-10-02 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Laser marker with mask scanning
EP0348003A2 (fr) * 1988-06-21 1989-12-27 Rohm Co., Ltd. Appareil pour l'enregistrement optique d'information
EP0348003A3 (fr) * 1988-06-21 1991-09-25 Rohm Co., Ltd. Appareil pour l'enregistrement optique d'information
US5352495A (en) * 1989-02-16 1994-10-04 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Treatment of a surface by laser energy

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3374468D1 (en) 1987-12-17
US4480257A (en) 1984-10-30
CA1204617A (fr) 1986-05-20
EP0098013B1 (fr) 1987-11-11
JPS5912877A (ja) 1984-01-23
DE3224356A1 (de) 1984-01-12
AU1633483A (en) 1984-01-05
EP0098013A3 (en) 1984-07-04
AU558949B2 (en) 1987-02-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE60119612T2 (de) Mehrstrahlenbelichtungsgerät
DE69504782T2 (de) Optisches Mehrstrahlsystem mit Linsenrastern in Mehrstrahl-Laserdruckern und -Aufnahmegeräten
DE69017668T2 (de) Thermodrucker.
DE69017664T2 (de) Thermodrucker.
DE19827423C2 (de) Zweidimensionale Laserdiodenanordnung
DE69110692T2 (de) Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsapparat und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf.
EP1168813B1 (fr) Source laser d'illumination à plusieurs faisceaux et procédé d'entrelacement de lignes de balayage à trame pour l'exposition de plaques d'impression
DE69805913T2 (de) Druckkopf mit individuell adressierbarem Laser-Diodenarray
EP0098013B1 (fr) Imprimante optique utilisant des éléments commutateurs de lumière
DE3050986C2 (fr)
DE3438949A1 (de) Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung
DE3223031A1 (de) Drucker mit einem optischen druckkopf zum zeilenweisen aufzeichnen von graphik- und textinformationen
DE2812206A1 (de) Optischer drucker
DE3322247C2 (de) Einrichtung zur Aufzeichnung eines Punktmusters auf einen lichtempfindlichen Aufzeichnungsträger
EP0340448A2 (fr) Procédé pour la fabrication d'une plaque de fond avec incrustation obtenue par gravure pour tête pour imprimante par jet d'encre
DE19716240C2 (de) Fotoplott-Verfahren und Anordnung zur Aufzeichnung eines computergespeicherten Rasterbildes auf einen ebenen lichtempfindlichen Aufzeichnungsträger
DE3521514A1 (de) Bildinformation-lesevorrichtung
DE3321346C2 (de) Optischer Druckkopf
EP1580980A2 (fr) Procédé et carte d'échantillonnage pour égaliser les têtes d'exposition dans une unité d'exposition des données d'impression
DE60032485T2 (de) Mehrstrahl diodengepumpter optisches abbildungssystem
DE19615050A1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufzeichnen auf einem Thermomedium
DE2729358A1 (de) Lichtpunkt-abtastsystem
DE10325285A1 (de) Lichtquellenvorrichtung und optischer Scanner
DE69511047T2 (de) Bildaufzeichnungsgerät
EP1530151A2 (fr) Procédé pour corriger l'obliquité d'enregistrement lors de l'illumination d'une maquette d'impression

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): DE FR GB SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): DE FR GB SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19840823

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19860401

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: N.V. PHILIPS' GLOEILAMPENFABRIEKEN

Owner name: PHILIPS PATENTVERWALTUNG GMBH

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3374468

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19871217

ET Fr: translation filed
GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19890622

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19890623

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19900228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Effective date: 19900301

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 83200923.7

Effective date: 19900418