Device and method for an exposure by lines

Abstract

A linear exposure device includes a housing configured to receive a photosensitive medium, a light source coupled to the housing and configured to emit light along a light path toward an exposure area, an actuator coupled to the housing and configured to reposition the photosensitive medium relative to the exposure area, and a controller operatively coupled to the light source and the actuator. The controller is configured to receive image data corresponding to a desired image, control the light source to emit light corresponding to a first portion of the desired image, control the actuator to reposition the photosensitive medium relative to the exposure area, and control the light source to emit light corresponding to a second portion of the desired image.

Description

Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601LINEAR EXPOSURE DEVICE AND METHODCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 722,386, filed on November 19, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to photography and printing. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to utilizing film to capture a desired image.BACKGROUND

[0003] Film may be exposed to light to form a desired image. The exposed film may then be treated with a photo development paste to permanently fix the desired image to the film. Instant photo paper includes a backing containing the photo development paste, and the paste can be ejected out of the backing to fix the desired image immediately after exposure.SUMMARY

[0004] At least one embodiment relates to a linear exposure device. The linear exposure device includes a housing configured to receive a photosensitive medium, a light source coupled to the housing and configured to emit light along a light path toward an exposure area, an actuator coupled to the housing and configured to reposition the photosensitive medium relative to the exposure area, and a controller operatively coupled to the light source and the actuator. The controller is configured to receive image data corresponding to a desired image, control the light source to emit light corresponding to a first portion of the desired image, control the actuator to reposition the photosensitive medium relative to the exposure area, and control the light source to emit light corresponding to a second portion of the desired image.

[0005] Another embodiment relates to a printer. The printer includes a housing configured to receive a photosensitive medium, a conveyor configured to move the photosensitive-1-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 medium along a conveyance direction toward an exposure area, a light source coupled to the housing and configured to emit light in the conveyance direction, a mirror coupled to the housing and configured to redirect the light toward the exposure area, and a light shield coupled to the housing and positioned to prevent the light from reaching the photosensitive medium outside of the exposure area.

[0006] Another embodiment relates to a method of forming a desired image on a photosensitive medium. The method includes receiving image data defining the desired image, identifying a first portion of the desired image and a second portion of the desired image based on the image data, positioning the photosensitive medium such that a first portion of the photosensitive medium is contained within an exposure area, controlling a light source to emit first light toward the exposure area to form the first portion of the desired image on the first portion of the photosensitive medium, repositioning the photosensitive medium such that a second portion of the photosensitive medium is contained within the exposure area, and controlling the light source to emit second light toward the exposure area to form the second portion of the desired image on the second portion of the photosensitive medium.

[0007] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0009] FIG. l is a block diagram of an image forming system, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side section view of a printer of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.-2-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601

[0011] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the printer of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a method of operating a printer to form a desired image on a photosensitive medium, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating placement of exposure lines on a desired image, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating placement of exposure lines on a desired image when the desired image is skewed, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side section view of a printer of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a detail view of the printer of FIG. 8.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the printer of FIG. 8.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a side section view of a printer of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0019] FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of the printer of FIG. 11.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0021] Referring generally to the figures, an image forming system includes an image data source and a printer usable to form a desired image on film. The image forming system may be utilized for hybrid instant photography, such as instant photo cameras and printers. When applied as a hybrid instant photo camera, the image data source includes a digital image sensor (e.g., a camera) that captures the desired image, and the printer exposure device forms-3-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 the image onto a photosensitive medium, such as photosensitive film or instant film. When applied as an instant photo printer, the image data source is another device, such as a PC, a tablet, or a mobile phone. A hybrid instant camera may also function as an instant photo printer.

[0022] The printer includes a light-tight housing containing a tray, upon which are stacked sheets of instant film. A conveyor that removes the sheets from the stack and moves the sheets in a conveyance direction. The printer further includes a light source, such as a projector or display, that emits light along a light path that extends parallel to the conveyance direction and to the face of the sheet where the image is formed. A mirror positioned along the light path redirects the light toward an exposure area positioned along the path of the sheets of the instant film. A light shield extends between the light path and the tray, preventing the emitted light from encountering the sheets anywhere other than the exposure area. After exposure, the conveyor moves the sheets through a pair of opposing rollers that eject (e.g., squeeze) a photo developing paste out of the sheet to fix the desired image.

[0023] A controller of the printer receives image data describing the desired image and divides the desired image into a series of exposure lines. Each exposure line extends the full width of the desired image and a small portion of the height of the desired image. The controller controls the light source to emit light corresponding to a first exposure line. The controller then causes the conveyor to move the sheet a short distance in the conveyance direction and subsequently causes controls the light source to emit light corresponding to a second exposure line. This process may be repeated until the entire desired image is formed onto the sheet.

[0024] Other exposure devices utilize a light source that emits light perpendicular to a face of a sheet of film. In such devices, the light source exposes the entire desired image at one time. Additionally, the emitted light is required to pass through a collimator or other limiting member to produce an accurate image. The perpendicular arrangement of the light source and the inclusion of a collimator increases the thickness of the exposure device. The inclusion of a collimator may also blur or otherwise distort the image. Additionally, the-4-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 resolution of the resultant image is limited by the resolution of the light source and the collimator.

[0025] The printer of the present application omits the collimator, instead exposing smaller portions of the film individually and repositioning the film in between exposures. By omitting the collimator, the printer eliminates the potential for collimator image distortion and removes collimator-driven limits on image resolution. Orienting the light path parallel to the face of the sheets permits the light source to be positioned nearby the sheets instead of offsetting the light source to provide space for the collimator.Image Forming System

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system, linear exposure system, or printing system is shown as system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. The system 10 includes an image forming apparatus, linear exposure device, printer, or digital image to photosensitive media transfer apparatus, shown as printer 12, that is in communication with a source of image data (e.g., a digital camera, user device, a server, etc.), shown as image data source 14. During operation, the image data source 14 provides image data to the printer 12. The image data includes a desired image or target image to be formed by the printer 12 on photosensitive media (e.g., photosensitive film, instant film, etc.), shown as photosensitive media 16. The printer 12 exposes the photosensitive media 16 to light based on the image data, forming the desired image on the photosensitive media 16.

[0027] The photosensitive media 16 may include any type of film or other photosensitive media that is capable of forming a desired image in response to exposure to light corresponding to the desired image. In some embodiments, the photosensitive media 16 includes an instant film. An instant film may include a film as well as one or more developing chemicals (e.g., a developer, a photo development paste, etc.) required to develop the film and fix the desired image onto the film. The developing chemicals may be released from the instant film by, for example, pressing or squeezing the instant film between a set of rollers. In some embodiments, the photosensitive media 16 includes another type of photosensitive film (e.g., a film that is manually developed after exiting the printer 12).-5-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601

[0028] The printer 12 includes a light-tight enclosure, frame, structure, or housing, shown as enclosure 20. The enclosure 20 defines an internal volume, shown as enclosed volume 22, that contains the photosensitive media 16 and other components of the printer 12. Other components of the printer 12 may be coupled to the enclosure 20, such that the enclosure 20 supports the other components of the printer 12. In some embodiments, the enclosure 20 is light-tight (e.g., opaque and fully enclosed), such that the enclosure 20 prevents ingress of external light from outside of the printer 12 into the enclosed volume 22. The enclosure 20 may accordingly prevent undesirable, accidental exposure of the photosensitive media 16 that would unintentionally mark the photosensitive medium 16 and prevent the photosensitive media 16 from forming the desired image.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the enclosure 20 further defines an aperture or passage, shown as media outlet 24, in communication with the enclosed volume 22. The media outlet 24 may permit the photosensitive media 16 to exit the enclosure 20 after the desired image has been formed on the photosensitive media 16. In some embodiments, the enclosure 20 includes a cover for the media outlet 24 that prevents light from entering the enclosed volume 22 through the media outlet 24.

[0030] The printer 12 further includes a storage area, cassette, container, tray, receptacle, holder, canister, or case, shown as media container 26. The media container 26 supports and / or contains one or more of the photosensitive media 16. The media container 26 may hold the photosensitive media 16 in a desired starting position or staging position until a photosensitive medium 16 is required for forming the desired image. In some embodiments, the photosensitive media 16 are formatted as separate flat sheets, and the media container 26 includes a tray containing a stack of the photosensitive media 16. In such an embodiment, the photosensitive media 16 may be dispensed from the media container 26 by engaging and pulling a top or bottom sheet from the stack. In some embodiments, the photosensitive media 16 are formed into a continuous strip that is wrapped around itself to form a roll. In such an embodiment, the media container 26 may include a tray or housing that contains the roll and permits rotation of the roll to dispense the photosensitive media 16 from the media container 26. After exposure, individual portions of the roll may be separated from the portion of the-6-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 roll remaining within the media container 26 (e.g., by cutting or tearing the photosensitive medium 16).

[0031] The printer 12 further includes a conveyor assembly, transport system, roller system, media movement system, or transfer system, shown as conveyor system 30. During operation, the conveyor system 30 may engage (e.g., push, grab, etc.) and move (e.g., convey, transport, transfer, propel, etc.) each photosensitive medium 16 throughout the printer 12.The conveyor system 30 may (a) remove a photosensitive medium 16 from the media container 26, (b) transfer the photosensitive media 16 through an exposure area (e.g., the exposure area 118) where the photosensitive medium 16 is exposed to light, and (c) dispense the exposed photosensitive medium 16 through the media outlet 24.

[0032] The conveyor system 30 includes one or more actuators, shown as conveyor motors 32. By way of example, the conveyor motors 32 may be or include electric motors that provide rotational mechanical energy to the rollers 34 in response to receiving electrical energy. The conveyor motors 32 are coupled to one or more conveyor elements, shown as rollers 34. During operation, the conveyor motors 32 drive the rollers 34 to move the photosensitive media 16 throughout the printer 12. The rollers 34 are positioned to engage or otherwise be in contact with the photosensitive media 16 as the photosensitive media 16. As the rollers 34 rotate, the rollers 34 move the photosensitive media 16 along a conveyance direction 36 through the exposure area and toward the media outlet 24.

[0033] The conveyor system 30 includes one or more sensors or transducers, shown as conveyor position sensors 40. The conveyor position sensors 40 may provide sensor data indicating a position of one or more of the rollers 34 or another related measurement (e.g., speed, acceleration, etc.). By way of example, the conveyor position sensors 40 may include an encoder, potentiometer, or other sensor that directly measures a rotational position of a roller 34. By way of another example, the conveyor position sensors 40 may include a Hall effect sensor that measures a rotational position of a roller 34 by detecting the presence of a permanent magnet fixedly coupled to a roller 34 (e.g., positioned such that each rotation of the roller 34 causes the magnet to move into detection range of the conveyor position sensor 40). In other embodiments, the conveyor position sensors 40 are omitted from the printer 12.-7-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601

[0034] The rotational position of a roller 34 may indicate a position of a photosensitive medium 16. By way of example, one rotation of a roller 34 that is in engagement with a photosensitive medium 16 may cause the photosensitive medium 16 to move a distance in the conveyance direction 36 equal to the circumference of the roller 34, assuming the photosensitive medium 16 does not slip relative to the roller 34. Accordingly, the circumference of the roller 34 may be predetermined and multiplied by the number of rotations of the roller 34 (e.g., as measured by the conveyor position sensors 40) to determine a current position of the photosensitive medium 16 along the conveyance direction 36.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyor system 30 includes one or more position tracking sensors or transducers, shown as media position sensors 42. The media position sensors 42 may provide sensor data indicating a position or orientation of one of the photosensitive media 16. By way of example, the media position sensors 42 may indicate a position of a photosensitive medium 16 along the conveyance direction 36 (e.g., how far the photosensitive medium 16 has moved along the conveyance direction 36, where the photosensitive medium 16 is in relation to the media container 26, the exposure area, or the media outlet 24, etc.). By way of another example, the media position sensors 42 may indicate an orientation of a photosensitive medium 16 relative to the conveyance direction 36 (e.g., a skew angle of the photosensitive medium 16, etc.). In other embodiments, the media position sensors 42 are omitted from the printer 12.

[0036] By way of example, a media position sensor 42 may include (a) a roller positioned to engage a surface of a photosensitive medium 16 being moved by the conveyor system 30 and (b) an encoder, potentiometer, or other sensor that monitors (e.g., measures) rotation of the roller. As the photosensitive medium 16 moves along the conveyance direction 36, the engagement between the photosensitive medium 16 and the roller causes the roller to rotate, and the amount of rotation may be measured by the sensor. A relationship between the distance traveled by the photosensitive medium 16 and the amount of rotation of the roller may be predetermined and used to determine a current position of the photosensitive medium 16 along the conveyance direction 36 based on the sensor data from the media position sensors 42.-8-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601

[0037] In some embodiments, the printer 12 includes a pair of media position sensors 42 that are laterally offset from one another (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction 36 as shown in FIG. 3). By way of example, a first media position sensor 42 may measure the distance travelled by a first side (e.g., a left side) of the photosensitive medium 16, and a second media position sensor 42 may measure the distance travelled by a second side (e.g., a right side) of the photosensitive medium 16. A difference in the distances travelled by the left and right sides of the photosensitive medium 16 may indicate that the photosensitive media 16 is skewed or rotated relative to the conveyance direction 36. A relationship between (a) the difference in the distances travelled by the left and right sides of the photosensitive medium 16 and (b) an angular orientation of the photosensitive medium 16 may be predetermined and used to determine a current angular orientation of the photosensitive medium 16.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the printer 12 further includes a series of alignment features, guides, stops, bumpers, rails, or slides, shown as guides 44. The guides 44 may be fixedly coupled to the enclosure 20. The guides 44 may be formed separately from the enclosure 20 and subsequently coupled to the enclosure 20, or the enclosure and the guides 44 may be formed as a single, continuous piece. The guides 44 are positioned on opposing sides of the photosensitive medium 16 as the photosensitive medium 16 moves along the conveyance direction 36. As shown, a first set of guides 44 face toward a left side of the photosensitive medium 16, and a second set of guides 44 face toward a right side of the photosensitive medium 16. The guides 44 are positioned to engage the sides of the photosensitive medium 16 to limit lateral movement of the photosensitive medium 16 and rotation of the photosensitive medium 16. By way of example, if the photosensitive medium 16 begins moving in a lateral direction, the photosensitive medium 16 may engage a guide 44, which pushes against the photosensitive medium 16 to prevent further movement in that lateral direction. By way of another example, rotation of the photosensitive medium 16 about a vertical axis may cause the sides of the photosensitive medium 16 to move laterally outward. The guides 44 may engage the sides to limit this rotation. Accordingly, the guides 44 may reduce or eliminate the need for software-based correction of the image formed on the photosensitive medium 16 due to lateral movement and / or rotation of the photosensitive-9-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 medium 16. In other embodiments, the media position sensors 42 and / or the guides 44 are omitted.

[0039] Referring still to FIG. 1, the printer 12 further includes a projection device, exposure device, or light generator, shown as light source 50. During operation, the light source 50 may emit light corresponding to a portion of the desired image. In some embodiments, the light source 50 includes a digital display (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor (TFT) display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display, a mini light-emitting diode (mini LED) display, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, or another type of display). Such a display may include an active area or surface that illuminates to generate a two-dimensional representation of the portion of the desired image. The light corresponding to the portion of the desired image may be emitted from the surface of the digital display. In some embodiments, the light source 50 includes a digital projector (e.g., an LCD projector, a laser projector, or another type of projector). Such a projector may emit a beam of light including the portion of the desired image. The beam of light from the projector may expand as the beam moves away from the projector.

[0040] The light source 50 may be positioned to emit the light toward one or more reflectors, shown as mirror 52. The mirror 52 may reflect and redirect the emitted light toward the exposure area, such that the emitted light is incident on any photosensitive media 16 within the exposure area. Accordingly, the portion of the desired image may be formed on a portion of a photosensitive medium 16. In some embodiments, the mirror 52 is a surface mirror in order to prevent ghosting from internal reflections and refractions within the mirror 52.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 12 further includes an actuator, shown as mirror actuator 54. The mirror actuator 54 may include an electric actuator, such as a servo motor. The mirror actuator 54 may reposition and / or reorient the mirror 52 to vary a path of the light emitted by the light source 50. By way of example, by rotating the mirror 52 the mirror actuator 54 may cause the light to expose a different portion of a photosensitive medium 16 without requiring the conveyor system 30 to move the photosensitive medium 16. By way of-10-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 another example, the mirror actuator 54 may move the mirror 52 back and forth in the conveyance direction 36. In such an example, the mirror actuator 54 may also move the light source 50 along with the mirror 52 (e.g., maintaining a constant distance between the light source 50 and the mirror 52 as the light source 50 and the mirror 52 move relative to the enclosure 20).

[0042] The printer 12 further includes a processing circuit, shown as controller 60. The controller 60 may control operation of the printer 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 60 is operatively coupled to (e.g., in communication with) the conveyor motors 32, the conveyor position sensors 40, the media position sensors 42, the light source 50, and the mirror actuator 54. The controller 60 includes a processor 62 and a memory device, shown as memory 64. The memory 64 may store one or more instructions that, when executed by the processor 62, cause the controller 60 to perform the processes described herein.

[0043] The controller 60 may receive sensor data from the conveyor position sensors 40 and the media position sensors 42. The controller 60 may provide commands to the conveyor motors 32, the light source 50, and / or the mirror actuator 54. By way of example, the controller 60 may control the speed and direction of the conveyor motors 32 (e.g., by controlling a flow of electrical energy to the conveyor motors 32). By way of another example, the controller 60 may control the light emitted by the light source 50 (e.g., the color, intensity, and pattern of the light emitted by the light source 50). By way of another example, the controller 60 may control the position of the mirror actuator 54.

[0044] The controller 60 includes a communication interface (e.g., a network interface), shown as communication interface 66. The communication interface 66 may facilitate communication with (e.g., receiving information from, providing information to) the image data source 14. The communication interface 66 may facilitate wired communication (e.g., through an Ethernet connection) or wireless communication (e.g., over a cellular network, through a Bluetooth® connection, etc.). The communication interface 66 may facilitate direct communication between the controller 60 and the image data source 14 and / or indirect communication (e.g., communication over a network). By way of example, the-11-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 communication interface 66 may facilitate wireless communication between the printer 12 and a smartphone that serves as the image data source 14.

[0045] The printer 12 further includes a source of electrical energy, shown as electrical energy source 70. The electrical energy source 70 may supply electrical energy to power various functions of the printer 12 (e.g., the conveyor motors 32, the light source 50, mirror actuator 54, the controller 60, etc.). The electrical energy source 70 may include an energy storage device (e.g., a battery, a capacitor, etc.). The electrical energy source 70 may include a connection to an external source of electrical energy (e.g., a power grid).

[0046] The image data source 14 may provide image data including the desired image to the printer 12 through the communication interface 66. In some embodiments, the image data source 14 is a device separate from the printer 12. By way of example, the image data source 14 may be a user device (e.g., a smartphone, a table, a laptop computer, etc.). By way of another example, the image data source 14 may be a server or other remote device. In other embodiments, the image data source 14 and the printer 12 are formed together as a single device. By way of example, the image data source 14 and the printer 12 may form an instant camera that is capable of both capturing an image and forming the image on a photosensitive medium 16. In one such example, the image data source 14 and the printer 12 are both contained within the enclosure 20.

[0047] In some embodiments, the image data source 14 generates the image data. As shown in FIG. 1, the image data source 14 may include an image capture device, image generator, or photo sensor, shown as camera 80. The camera 80 may capture an image of a surrounding environment and generate the image data based on the captured image. The image data source 14 may transfer the generated image data to the printer 12 along with an instruction indicating that the generated image is a desired image to be formed on photosensitive media 16.

[0048] In some embodiments, the image data source 14 includes a storage device or memory, shown as image data storage 82, that stores image data corresponding to one or more images. A user may select a desired image from the image data storage 82 (e.g., through a user interface). In response to a user selection, the image data source 14 may-12-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 transfer the image data corresponding to the selected image to the printer 12 along with an instruction indicating that the selected image is a desired image to be formed on photosensitive media 16.Printer Configuration

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the printer 12 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the printer 12 utilizes photosensitive media 16 formatted as instant film sheets. Each instant film sheet includes a layer of support material, shown as base material 100, coupled to a sheet of photosensitive film, shown as photosensitive area 102. The base material 100 may support and provide structure to the photosensitive area 102. Additionally, the base material 100 may contain a developing chemical (e.g., a photo developing paste) that develops the photosensitive area 102 once exposed to light from the light source 50 and fixes the desired image onto the photosensitive area 102.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the instant film sheets of the photosensitive media 16 are flat, facilitating the instant film sheets being stacked atop one another. The media container 26 includes a tray that supports and contains the stack of the photosensitive media 16. The media container 26 is oriented such that the uppermost of the photosensitive media 16 within the media container 26 extend substantially parallel to the conveyance direction 36 (e.g., horizontally). The media container 26 may feed from the top, such that the uppermost photosensitive medium 16 is dispensed by the conveyor system 30.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the conveyor system 30 includes a pair of rollers 34 that draw the photosensitive media 16 along the conveyance direction 36. With the printer 12 oriented horizontally, the conveyance direction 36 extends substantially horizontally and longitudinally along a length of the enclosure 20. The rollers 34 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction 36, extending laterally and horizontally. The rollers 34 are coupled to a conveyor motor 32 that drives rotation of the rollers 34 to move the photosensitive media 16 along a conveyance path that extends between the rollers 34. As the photosensitive media 16 move between the rollers 34, the rollers 34 compress the photosensitive media 16, releasing the developing chemicals from the base material 100 and facilitating development of the photosensitive media 16. The pair of rollers 34 that compress-13-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 photosensitive medium 16 may be offset a distance in the conveyance direction 36 from the media container 26 to prevent the released developing chemicals from coming into contact with the other photosensitive media 16 in the media container 26. In some embodiments, the printer 12 further includes additional rollers 34 to facilitate conveying the photosensitive medium 16 through the enclosed volume 22. The rollers 34 may be rotationally linked to one another (e.g., by a geartrain) such that rotation of one roller 34 causes a corresponding rotation of another roller 34.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, a conveyor position sensor 40 is coupled to the conveyor motor 32. The conveyor position sensor 40 may provide sensor data to the controller 60 indicating a rotational position (e.g., an angular orientation) of the conveyor motor 32. The conveyor motor 32 is directly coupled to one of the rollers 34, such that the conveyor position sensor 40 also indicates a rotational position of the roller 34. A relationship between (a) the rotational position of the conveyor motor 32 and the roller 34 and (b) a distance traveled along the conveyance direction 36 by a photosensitive medium 16 engaging the rollers 34 may be predetermined and stored in the memory 64.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 12 includes a pair of media position sensors 42. A first media position sensor 42 is positioned on a left side of the printer 12 and engages a left side of a photosensitive medium 16, and a second media position sensor 42 is positioned on a right side of the printer 12 and engages a right side of the photosensitive medium 16. Each of the media position sensors 42 may provide sensor data to the controller 60 indicating a distance traveled by the corresponding side of the photosensitive medium 16. A relationship between these distances and an angular orientation of the photosensitive medium 16 may be predetermined and stored in the memory 64. In an alternative embodiment, one of the media position sensors 42 is omitted, and one media position sensor 42 is used to monitor the position of the photosensitive medium 16.

[0054] In the printer 12 of FIGS. 2-4, the light source 50 is configured as a display including a display area, active area, or display, surface, shown as active area 110. The active area 110 emits light corresponding to a portion of the desired image to be formed on a photosensitive medium 16. To control the emitted light to correspond to the desired image,-14-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 the active area 110 may include subdivisions (e.g., pixels) that may be independently controlled (e.g., to produce different brightnesses, different wavelengths, etc.). The controller 60 may utilize the image data provided by the image data source 14 to determine how each pixel of the active area 110 should be controlled to reproduce a portion of the desired image on the photosensitive medium 16.

[0055] As shown, a width of the active area 110 measured in a lateral direction is larger than a height of the active area 110 measured in a vertical direction. In some such embodiments, the active area 110 has a width greater than or equal to a width of the photosensitive area 102. In some embodiments, the active area 110 is sized to produce a full width of the desired image at one time, but only a portion of the height of the desired image. To produce the full desired image, the light source 50 may perform multiple exposures, with each exposure forming a different portion of the desired image on a different area of the photosensitive medium 16. Beneficially, by reducing the height of the active area 110, the overall size of the printer 12 may be reduced.

[0056] The light emitted by the active area 110 of the light source 50 (e.g., the emitted light, an emitted light beam, etc.) travels along a light path 112 extending away from the active area 110. The light path 112 includes a first portion 112A that extends between the active area 110 and the mirror 52, and a second portion 112B that extends between the mirror 52 and a photosensitive medium 16 transported by the conveyor system 30. As shown, the first portion 112A of the light path 112 extends along the conveyance direction 36 (e.g., substantially parallel to the conveyance direction 36) as the light path 112 exits the light source 50. The first portion 112A extends substantially perpendicular to the active area 110.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the printer 12 further includes one or more lenses or optical elements, shown as lens system 114. The lens system 114 may include one or more lenses (e.g., converging lenses, diverging lenses, etc.) or pinholes. The lens system 114 is positioned along the light path 112, between the active area 110 and the mirror 52. As shown, the lens system 114 is approximately midway between the active area 110 and the mirror 52 in the conveyance direction 36, such that the lens system 114 is offset from the light source 50 in the conveyance direction 36. The lens system 114 receives a portion of the-15-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 light emitted by the active area 110 and redirects or otherwise modifies (e.g., focuses, magnifies, resizes, etc.) the image contained in the emitted light. The lens system 114 then passes the modified light along the light path 112 to the mirror 52. As shown, the emitted light narrows as the emitted light passes along the first portion 112A to the lens system 114, then widens as the emitted light passes along the first portion 112A to the mirror 52.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 12 further includes a barrier, shield, or light-tight limiting member, shown as lens light shield 116. The lens light shield 116 can be made of an occlusive material, for example. The lens light shield 116 surrounds the lens system 114 and extends vertically and laterally across the printer 12. The lens light shield 116 may be opaque, such that the lens light shield 116 prevents light from passing directly from the active area 110 to the mirror 52 without first passing through the lens system 114. Beneficially, the lens light shield 116 may ensure that the light used to form the desired image on the photosensitive medium 16 is all modified by the lens system 114. In other embodiments, the lens light shield 116 is omitted.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, after exiting the lens system 114, the emitted light encounters or contacts a reflective surface of the mirror 52. The mirror 52 reflects the emitted light, redirecting the light path 112 toward the photosensitive medium 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the second portion 112B of the light path 112 extends substantially vertically, such that the second portion 112B is not parallel with the first portion 112A and the photosensitive media 16. The exact orientation of the second portion 112B may be based on the orientation of the mirror 52 relative to the first portion 112A (e.g., based on an angle of reflection of the light path 112 on the mirror 52). The mirror actuator 54 may rotate the mirror 52 about a lateral axis to adjust the orientation of the second portion 112B. Alternatively, the mirror actuator 54 may be omitted, and the orientation of the second portion 112B may be fixed.

[0060] In other embodiments, the mirror 52 is omitted from the printer 12, and light from the light source 50 passes directly from the active area 110 to the photosensitive medium 16 or from the active area 110 to the photosensitive medium 16 through the lens system 114. In such an embodiment, the light path 112 may not be parallel to the photosensitive medium 16, such that the light path 112 intersects the photosensitive medium 16 and the light is incident-16-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 on the surface of the photosensitive medium 16. In some such embodiments, the mirror actuator 54 is repurposed to rotate the light source 50 relative to the photosensitive medium 16 and adjust a position where the light path 112 is incident on the photosensitive medium 16. In other embodiments, the light source 50 is fixed in place.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the emitted light encounters the photosensitive medium 16 within an exposure area 118. The exposure area 118 may represent a range of locations along a top surface of the uppermost photosensitive medium 16 that are exposed to the emitted light from the light source 50. Any portions of the photosensitive media 16 that are not within the exposure area 118 may not be exposed to the emitted light. Accordingly, the emitted light may expose only a portion of the photosensitive area 102 at a given time.

[0062] To expose other portions of the photosensitive area 102 to the emitted light, the photosensitive medium 16 may be repositioned relative to the second portion 112B of the light path 112 and the exposure area 118. The photosensitive medium 16 may be repositioned relative to the exposure area 118 using the conveyor system 30. By way of example, after exposing a first portion of the photosensitive area 102, the conveyor motor 32 may drive the rollers 34 to move the photosensitive medium 16 along the conveyance direction 36, which repositions the exposure area 118 along the surface of the photosensitive medium 16. Additionally or alternatively, the photosensitive medium 16 may be repositioned relative to the exposure area 118 using the mirror actuator 54. By way of example, the mirror actuator 54 may be used to rotate the mirror 52 and vary the orientation of the second portion 112B of the light path 112, which repositions the exposure area 118 along the surface of the photosensitive medium 16. By way of another example, the mirror actuator 54 may be used to move the mirror 52 and / or the light source 50 back and forth along the conveyance direction 36 to reposition the exposure area 118.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 2, to prevent unintentional exposure of a portion of the photosensitive area 102 from the light emitted by the light source 50, the printer 12 includes a barrier, shield, or light-tight limiting member, shown as light shield 120. The light shield 120 is shown as a horizontal plate member that extends laterally and longitudinally. The light shield 120 extends between the first portion 112A of the light path 112 and the uppermost of-17-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 the photosensitive media 16. The light shield 120 may be opaque, such that the light shield 120 prevents light from the light path 112 from passing through the light shield 120 and reaching the photosensitive area 102. By placing the light shield 120 between the light path 112 and the photosensitive media 16, the light shield 120 may ensure that the photosensitive area 102 is only exposed to light within the exposure area 118.Linear Exposure Method

[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, a method of operating the printer 12 to form a desired image on a photosensitive medium 16 is shown as method 150 according to an exemplary embodiment. The method 150 may be performed by the controller 60 and / or other components of the system 10. As shown, the method includes steps 150-164. In some embodiments, one or more of the steps are omitted. In some embodiments, one or more of the steps are repeated.

[0065] In step 152 of the method 150, image data including a desired image to be formed is received. The image data may be transmitted to the controller 60 by the image data source 14 through the communication interface 66. By way of example, a user may operate the camera 80 to capture an image of a desired subject, and the image data source 14 may transfer image data including the captured image along with a command to form the captured image as the desired image on a photosensitive medium 16. By way of another example, a user may operate the image data source 14 to select an image from a database within the image data storage 82, and the image data source 14 may transfer image data including the selected image along with a command to form the selected image as the desired image on a photosensitive medium 16.

[0066] In step 154 of the method 150, the desired image is divided into exposure lines by the controller 60 (e.g., exposure lines are identified). Referring to FIG. 6, an example of a desired image is shown as desired image 200. The desired image 200 has a lateral dimension, shown as width W, and a vertical or longitudinal dimension, shown as height H. In some embodiments, the width W and the height H are less than or equal to the corresponding dimensions of the photosensitive area 102 of the photosensitive medium 16, such that the desired image 200 fits within the photosensitive area 102 after printing. In other embodiments, the width W and / or the height H are larger than the corresponding dimensions-18-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 of the photosensitive area 102, such that the photosensitive area 102 accommodates only a portion of the desired image 200. The dimensions of the photosensitive area 102 may be predetermined and stored in the memory 64 of the controller 60. The controller 60 may scale the desired image 200 up (e.g., make the desired image 200 larger while retaining the same shape) if the desired image 200 is smaller than both the width and the height of the photosensitive area 102. The controller 60 may scale the desired image 200 down (e.g., make the desired image 200 smaller while retaining the same shape) if the desired image 200 is too large to fit within the photosensitive area 102.

[0067] When preparing to form the desired image, the controller 60 may orient the desired image 200 such that the height H extends parallel to the conveyance direction 36 and the width W extends perpendicular to the conveyance direction 36. This orientation may correspond to the orientations of the photosensitive media 16 while within the media container 26 and an intended orientation of the photosensitive medium 16 as the photosensitive medium 16 travels through the enclosure 20.

[0068] The controller 60 divides the desired image 200 into a series of laterally-extending sections, partitions, or portions, shown as exposure lines 202 (e.g., multiple exposure lines 202 of the desired image 200 are identified). Each exposure line 202 may extend across the entire width W of the desired image 200 and may generally extend parallel to the width W. Each exposure line 202 may have a height corresponding to a portion of the height H of the desired image 200. Accordingly, each exposure line 202 may have a width equal to the width W and a height less than the height H. The exposure lines 202 may each abut one or two other exposure lines 202. Although some of the exposure lines 202 have omitted from FIG. 6 to avoid cluttering the illustration, it should be understood that the exposure lines 202 may cover the entirety of the desired image 200.

[0069] The sizes of the exposure lines 202 may correspond to the highest resolution image that the light source 50 is capable of producing. By way of example, the smallest individual portion of the active area 110 that the light source 50 is capable of independently modifying may be referred to as a pixel. The pixels may be square and arranged in rows extending in the width direction. Each row contains multiple pixels, and is a single pixel high. In some-19-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 embodiments, such as the printer 12 shown in FIG. 2, the active area 110 is one pixel high (i.e., the active area 110 includes only one row of pixels). In other embodiments, such as the printer 250 shown in FIG. 8, the active area 110 is more than one pixel high (i.e., the active area 110 includes multiple rows of pixels). Similarly, a light source 50 including a projector (e.g., the embodiment of FIG. 9) may be capable of producing one row of pixels or more than one row of pixels.

[0070] The resolution of the light source 50 in the width direction is equal to the number of pixels in each row divided by the width of the produced image. The resolution of the light source 50 in the height direction is the inverse of the distance that the exposure area 118 moves between each exposure (e.g., one new row is formed each time the exposure area 118 is shifted). Accordingly, as the resolution increases, the size of the pixels decreases and the sharpness of the resultant image increases. In some embodiments, the distance moved between each exposure is set such that the resolution in the width direction is equal to the resolution in the height direction. In some embodiments, the resolution is at least 300 dots per inch or lines per inch. In some such embodiments, the resolution is at least 600 dots per inch. In some embodiments, the height of each exposure line 202 is one the height of one pixel.

[0071] In step 156, the light source 50 is controlled to expose a first portion of the photosensitive medium 16. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the controller 60 controls the light source 50 to emit light corresponding to a first one of the exposure lines 202. The emitted light passes along the first portion 112A of the light path 112, through the lens system 114, and meets the mirror 52. The mirror 52 reflects the emitted light downward toward the photosensitive medium 16. A portion of the photosensitive area 102 within the exposure area 118 is exposed to the light from the light source 50. Through exposure to this light, the portion of the desired image 200 corresponding to the first one of the exposure lines 202 is formed on the photosensitive area 102.

[0072] In step 158, the photosensitive medium 16 is repositioned relative to the light path 112. Specifically, the controller 60 may cause the photosensitive medium 16 to move relative to the light path 112 in the conveyance direction 36 by a distance equal to the height of one of-20-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 the exposure lines 202. This repositioning causes a portion of the photosensitive area 102 adjacent to the portion that was most recently exposed to be moved into the exposure area 118. The controller 60 may cause this repositioning by one or both of (a) controlling the conveyor motor 32 to move the photosensitive medium 16 along the conveyance direction 36 or (b) controlling the mirror actuator 54 to redirect the second portion 112B of the light path 112 such that the exposure area 118 moves opposite the conveyance direction 36. Each of these actions causes the photosensitive medium 16 to move in the conveyance direction 36 relative to the exposure area 118.

[0073] When controlling the conveyor system 30 to move the photosensitive medium 16 in the conveyance direction 36, the controller 60 may monitor a current position of the photosensitive medium 16 using sensor data from the conveyor position sensors 40 and / or the media position sensors 42. By way of example, the controller 60 may directly monitor the position of the photosensitive medium 16 using the media position sensors 42. By way of another example, the controller 60 may monitor rotation of the rollers 34 using the conveyor position sensors 40 and calculate the distance traveled by the photosensitive medium 16 based on a predetermined relationship between the distance traveled and a rotation amount of the rollers 34. By way of another example, the controller 60 may utilize a conveyor motor 32 that rotates a fixed amount for a given input, such that positional feedback is not required. In one such example, the conveyor motor 32 is a stepper motor that rotates a fixed amount each time an instruction to rotate is received. By counting the number of instructed steps for the stepper motor, the controller 60 may determine how far the rollers 34 have rotated and thus how far the photosensitive medium 16 has been transported.

[0074] The controller 60 may utilize the determined position of the photosensitive medium 16 as feedback when controlling the conveyor system 30. The controller 60 may control the conveyor system 30 to move the photosensitive medium 16 until the change in position of the photosensitive medium 16 is equal to a desired distance (e.g., the height of one of the exposure lines 202). If the controller 60 determines that the photosensitive medium 16 has moved greater than the desired distance, the controller 60 may reverse the direction of the conveyor system 30. Accordingly, the sensor data from the conveyor position sensors 40 and-21-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 the media position sensors 42 may facilitate advancing the photosensitive medium 16 a consistent distance each time.

[0075] In step 160 of the method 150, the exposure lines 202 are adjusted to compensate for rotation of the photosensitive medium 16. The photosensitive medium 16 may unintentionally be rotated during conveyance by the conveyor system 30 (e.g., due to one side of the photosensitive medium 16 moving faster than the other). As shown in FIG. 7, this rotation may cause the desired image 200 to become skewed relative to the conveyance direction 36 by a skew angle A (e.g., an amount of rotation of the photosensitive medium 16 relative to the conveyance direction 36, an amount of rotation of the photosensitive medium 16 relative to the enclosure 20, etc.). If the skew angle A is not accounted for, the rotation of the photosensitive medium 16 may cause distortion in formation of the desired image 200.

[0076] The controller 60 may determine the skew angle A using the media position sensors 42. By way of example, the controller 60 may compare the sensor data from the media position sensors 42 to determine if one side of a photosensitive medium 16 has moved farther in the conveyance direction 36 than the other side. A relationship between (a) a difference in the positions of the left and right sides of the photosensitive medium 16 along the conveyance direction 36 and (b) the skew angle A of the photosensitive medium 16 may be predetermined and stored in the memory 64.

[0077] In response to a determination that the photosensitive medium 16 has rotated, the controller 60 may adjust the exposure lines 202 to compensate for the skew angle A. As shown in FIG. 7, the adjusted exposure lines 202 are angularly offset by the skew angle A, such that the adjusted exposure lines 202 extend perpendicular to the conveyance direction 36. Adjusting the exposure lines 202 in this way varies the portion of the desired image 200 that is included in each exposure line 202. By adjusting the exposure lines 202, the controller 60 may ensure that the entire desired image 200 is produced on the photosensitive medium 16, even with the rotation of the photosensitive medium 16. In other embodiments, step 160 is omitted from the method 150, and the controller 60 does not compensate for rotation of the photosensitive medium 16.-22-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601

[0078] In step 162, the light source 50 is controlled to expose a second portion of the photosensitive medium 16. After the repositioning of step 158, a second portion of the photosensitive area 102 is positioned within the exposure area 118. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the controller 60 controls the light source 50 to emit light corresponding to a second one of the exposure lines 202. The emitted light passes along the first portion 112A of the light path 112, through the lens system 114, and meets the mirror 52. The mirror 52 reflects the emitted light downward toward the photosensitive medium 16. The portion of the photosensitive area 102 within the exposure area 118 is exposed to the light from the light source 50. Through exposure to this light, the portion of the desired image 200 within the second one of the exposure lines 202 is formed on the photosensitive area 102.

[0079] Steps 158, 160, and 162 may be repeated to form additional exposure lines 202 on the photosensitive medium 16 until all of the exposure lines 202 have been formed. At this point, the method 150 may proceed to step 164. In step 164 of the method 150, the photosensitive medium 16 is ejected after formation of the desired image. The controller 60 may control the conveyor system 30 to eject the photosensitive medium 16 through the media outlet 24. While being ejected, the photosensitive medium 16 may be pressed between the rollers 34 to release and spread the developing chemicals over the photosensitive area 102, causing the desired image to be developed and fixed. Upon completion of the method 150, a user may be presented with a complete instant photo containing the desired image.

[0080] The printer 12 may be configured to form a single exposure line 202 each time the light source 50 is activated (e.g., in step 156 and each step 162). In some such embodiments, the portion of the photosensitive area 102 corresponding to the exposure area 118 is fully exposed (i.e., the exposure is complete) after a single activation of the light source 50. Additionally, a length of the exposure area 118 in the conveyance direction 36 may be equal to a height of one of the exposure lines 202. With such a printer 12, a first exposure line 202 may be fully formed on the photosensitive area 102 in step 156. The exposure area 118 may be repositioned a distance equal to the height of one exposure line 202 in step 158. Then a second exposure line 202 may be fully formed on the photosensitive area 102 in step 162. The second exposure line 202 may be adjacent to (e.g., touching, in contact with, bordering,-23-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 etc.), the first exposure line 202. Accordingly, the desired image 200 may be formed such that no portion of the photosensitive area 102 is exposed multiple times.

[0081] In some embodiments, each activation of the light source 50 to expose the photosensitive area 102 is completed before moving the exposure area 118 (e.g., step 156 is completed before beginning step 158). In other embodiments, the exposure area 118 is shifted while operating the light source 50 to expose the photosensitive area 102 (e.g., steps 156 and 158 occur simultaneously). Accordingly, the light source 50 may operate continuously.

[0082] In order to produce an evenly exposed image, it may be desirable for each section of the photosensitive area 102 to receive a similar amount of exposure (e.g., exposed at a similar brightness and for a similar amount of time). However, in some embodiments, the speed at which the exposure area 118 moves relative to the photosensitive medium 16 may be difficult to control precisely. By way of example, the speed of the conveyor system 30 may be inconsistent for a given commanded speed. Accordingly, the controller 60 may control the printer 12 to compensate for any inconsistencies in movement speed of the exposure area 118.

[0083] In some embodiments, the controller 60 controls the printer 12 such that each exposure line 202 is exposed for the same amount of time, regardless of the movement speed of the exposure area 118. By way of example, the controller 60 may set a target exposure time for each exposure line 202 and monitor the movement of the exposure area 118 using the conveyor position sensors 40 and / or the media position sensors 42. If the exposure area 118 is moving faster than desired, such that an exposure line 202 is at risk of being underexposed, the controller 60 may halt movement of the exposure area 118 (e.g., by shutting off the conveyor motors 32 or the mirror actuator 54) until the target exposure time is reached. If the exposure area 118 is moving more slowly than desired, such that an exposure line 202 is at risk for being overexposed, the controller 60 may shut off the light source 50 until the exposure area 118 moves to the location of the next exposure line 202.

[0084] In some embodiments, the controller 60 controls the light source 50 to vary the brightness of the emitted light to account for variations in the movement speed of the-24-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 exposure area 118. By way of example, the controller 60 may monitor the movement of the exposure area 118 using the conveyor position sensors 40 and / or the media position sensors 42. The controller 60 may store a predefined relationship between the movement speed of the exposure area 118 and the brightness of the light source 50. If the exposure area 118 is moving faster than desired, such that an exposure line 202 is at risk for being underexposed, the controller 60 may increase the brightness of the light source 50. If the exposure area 118 is moving more slowly than desired, such that an exposure line 202 is at risk for being overexposed, the controller 60 may decrease the brightness of the light source 50.

[0085] In some embodiments, the distance moved between each exposure is less than the height of one pixel (e.g., the smallest image height that the light source 50 is capable of producing). In such embodiments, the height of each exposure line 202 may be smaller than the height of one pixel (e.g., such that the light source 50 exposes multiple exposure lines 202 at once). The light source 50 may perform multiple overlapping exposures to form the desired image 200. By way of example, the light source 50 may be capable of producing pixels having a height that is equal to the combined height of two exposure lines. When determining how to control the light source 50 to form the exposure lines 202, the controller 60 may compare the outputs for two adjacent exposure lines 202 (i.e., a first exposure line 202 and a second exposure line 202) and interpolate or average these outputs. The controller 60 may control the light source 50 to partially expose the photosensitive medium 16 with this determined output, then advance the exposure area 118 by the height of one exposure line 202. The controller 60 may then compare the outputs for the next two adjacent exposure lines 202 (i.e., the second exposure line 202 and a third exposure line 202) and interpolate or average these outputs. The controller 60 may control the light source 50 to partially expose the photosensitive medium 16 with this determined output.

[0086] By shifting the exposure area 118 a short distance and performing multiple overlapping partial exposures, the resolution of the printer 12 may be increased without increasing the resolution of the light source 50 in the height direction. Additionally, this technique facilitates maintaining a high picture quality, even if the printer 12 experiences errors in exposure timing. Such errors may become more common when operating the printer 12 to expose at higher speeds (e.g., a higher throughput speed along the conveyance-25-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 direction 36), although operating at high speeds may be beneficial to reduce the overall time required to produce an image. Because each exposure line 202 is partially exposed multiple times, even if the image is exposed incorrectly once due to a timing error, the effect of the incorrect exposure is minimized by the other correct exposures of the same exposure lines 202. Accordingly, by performing multiple overlapping exposures, the printer 12 may reduce the time required to expose a photosensitive medium 16 while maintaining consistent exposure density and image sharpness.

[0087] Some image forming systems experience vignetting, a phenomenon in which the exposure of an image is uneven, such that the brightness or saturation of a produced image is reduced near the edges of the produced image. By way of example, this may occur due to a central portion of an image being exposed to a greater portion of the light emitted from a light source than an edge portion of the image. This undesirable, as it causes a reduction in image uniformity. The printer 12 may include various structural and / or software features that reduce the prevalence of vignetting in images formed by the printer 12.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 8, the light source 50, the lens system 114, and the mirror 52 cooperate to shape the exposure area 118, such that the exposure area 118 is very narrow in the conveyance direction 36. Because the exposure area 118 is so narrow, there is minimal opportunity for a change in brightness or saturation to occur across the exposure area 118 in the conveyance direction 36. To compensate for this narrowed exposure area 118, the exposure area 118 moves along the conveyance direction 36 and is re-exposed, such that the photosensitive medium 16 is exposed in segments. This process reduces or eliminates the possibility of vignetting in the conveyance direction 36, as each exposure line 202 experiences a similar exposure.

[0089] The printer 12 may also include features that reduce vignetting in the lateral direction. In some embodiments, the light source 50, the lens system 114, and / or the mirror 52 manipulate the light emitted from the light source 50 to reduce vignetting. By way of example, the lens system 114 and / or the mirror 52 may reduce the brightness of the light emitted near the center of the active area 110. By way of another example, the lens system-26-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601114 may collimate the light emitted by the light source 50, such that the light is distributed more evenly across the lateral width of the exposure area 118.

[0090] In some embodiments, the controller 60 controls the light source 50 to compensate for variations in brightness and actively reduce the vignetting. By way of example, the printer 12 may be tested to produce a predetermined image or calibration image having known properties (e.g., an image of uniform color and brightness). The resultant image may be observed (e.g., by a scanner) to measure a degree of vignetting produced by the printer 12. By way of example, a scanner may measure a brightness of the resultant image at different lateral positions. The controller 60 may then adjust the light source 50 based on the measured vignetting to increase or decrease the brightness of the active area 110 across the width of the active area 110 in order to compensate for the vignetting and produce a more uniform image.Printer with Multiple Exposure Lines

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 8-10, an image forming apparatus, linear exposure device, printer, or digital image to photosensitive media transfer apparatus, is shown as printer 250 according to an exemplary embodiment. The printer 250 may be substantially similar to the printer 12 except as otherwise specified. Additionally, the printer 250 may be utilized in the system 10 and with the method 150 in place of the printer 12.

[0092] In the printer 250 of FIGS. 8-10, the light source 50 is configured as a display including an active area 110 that emits light corresponding to multiple exposure lines 202 simultaneously (e.g., the height of the active area 110 includes multiple pixels). By way of example, the active area 110 may emit light corresponding to two, three, four, or more exposure lines 202. As shown in the example of FIG. 9, the emitted light includes light to form a first exposure line 202A, a second exposure line 202B, a third exposure line 202C, and a fourth exposure line 202D. The first exposure line 202 A, the second exposure line 202B, the third exposure line 202C, and the fourth exposure line 202D may form sequential and / or adjacent sections of the desired image 200.-27-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601

[0093] The active area 110 may have a similar width to the active area 110 of the printer 12, but the active area 110 of the printer 250 may be taller than the active area 110 of the printer 12 to facilitate formation of multiple exposure lines 202 simultaneously. Similarly, the length of the exposure area 118 in the conveyance direction 36 may be greater than the height of one exposure line 202, corresponding with the height of the active area 110.

[0094] The printer 12 may be used to form multiple exposure lines 202 each time the light source 50 is activated (e.g., in step 156 and each step 162). Due to the inclusion of multiple exposure lines 202, the portion of the desired image 200 formed in a single exposure may change along the conveyance direction 36. By way of example, the first pixel in a first exposure lines 202 may form a black section. The first pixel in an adjacent, second exposure line 202 may form a green section. Accordingly, the resultant image from a single exposure changes from green to black in the conveyance direction 36.Multiple Exposure Lines - Overlapping Exposures

[0095] In some embodiments, the light source 50 is sized to exposure multiple exposure lines 202 simultaneously, and each portion of the photosensitive area 102 is exposed multiple times to form the desired image 200. Between each activation of the light source 50, the controller 60 may reposition the exposure area 118 a distance that is less than the length of the exposure area 118 in the conveyance direction 36. By way of example, the exposure area 118 may be four pixels long, and the controller 60 may reposition the exposure area 118 by a distance equal to the height of one pixel after each exposure. In such an example, each exposure line 202 on the photosensitive medium 16 is exposed four times. By way of another example, the exposure area 118 may be two pixels long, and the controller 60 may reposition the exposure area 118 by a distance equal to the height of two pixels between each exposure. In such an example, each exposure line 202 on the photosensitive medium 16 is exposed twice.

[0096] Because each exposure line 202 is exposed multiple times, the length of each exposure required to fully form the desired image 200 is shortened. Accordingly, the delay between movements of the exposure area 118 may be reduced without negatively impacting picture quality. This control strategy increases the transport speed of the photosensitive-28-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 medium 16 along the conveyance direction 36 (e.g., relative to the printer 12), reducing the overall time needed to form the desired image 200. Additionally, the reduced delay may cause the photosensitive medium 16 to move more smoothly, which may positively impact the experience of a user.

[0097] When utilizing a control scheme where the exposure lines 202 are exposed multiple times, the controller 60 may control the light source 50 such that the desired image 200 scrolls across the active area 110, matching the speed at which the exposure area 118 moves relative to the photosensitive medium 16. By way of example, the controller 60 may initially control the light source 50 to expose a first exposure line 202, a second exposure line 202, and a third exposure line 202. The controller 60 may shift the exposure area 118 (e.g., by the length of one pixel) and then expose the second exposure line 202, the third exposure line 202, and a fourth exposure line 202. At this point, the second and third exposure lines 202 have been exposed twice, and the fourth exposure line 202 has been exposed once. The controller 60 may shift the exposure area 118 (e.g., by the length of one pixel) a second time and then expose the third exposure line 202, the fourth exposure line 202, and a fifth exposure line 202. At this point, the third exposure line 202 has been exposed three times, the fourth exposure line 202 has been exposed twice, and the fifth exposure line 202 has been exposed once. This process may be repeated until all of the exposure lines 202 have been exposed three times and are fully formed. By exposing each exposure line 202 of the desired image 200 multiple times and gradually moving along the length of the desired image 200, this process may avoid undesirable image distortions. By way of example, this process may eliminate color banding, which could be experienced if several exposure lines 202 were exposed simultaneously and the exposure area 118 was moved to new, non-overlapped set of exposure lines 202.

[0098] While following this process, the controller 60 may control the light source 50 and the shifting of the exposure area 118, such that each exposure line 202 of the desired image 200 is exposed an equal number of times (e.g., to ensure that the desired image 200 is evenly exposed). The controller 60 may perform various actions to ensure that this also occurs near the ends of the desired image 200. In some embodiments, the controller 60 controls the light source 50 to expose the end portions of the desired image 200 multiple times without moving-29-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 the exposure area 118 to ensure that the exposure lines 202 near the ends of the desired image 200 are evenly exposed. In other embodiments, the controller 60 moves the exposure area 118 beyond the ends of the desired image 200, such that the light source 50 may expose each exposure line 202 an equal number of times while moving the exposure area 118 at a consistent speed.Multiple Exposure Lines of Different Colors

[0099] In some embodiments, the light source 50 is sized to include multiple rows of pixels, and each row of pixels has a corresponding dedicated color. By way of example, one row may include pixels that emit only red light (i.e., a red row), another row may include pixels that emit only green light (i.e., a green row), and another row may include pixels that emit only blue light (i.e., a blue row). By exposing a portion of the photosensitive area 102 to the red light, the green light, and the blue light and varying the brightness and / or exposure time, the light source 50 may achieve any desired color on the portion of the photosensitive area 102.

[0100] By way of example, the desired image 200 may include a pixel having a desired color. The controller 60 may analyze the desired color and determine the corresponding red, green, and blue components required to achieve the desired color. When exposing the exposure line 202 containing the pixel, the controller 60 may first move the exposure area 118 such that the red row aligns with the exposure line 202. The controller 60 may control the corresponding pixel of the red row to provide the determined red component of the desired color (e.g., by varying exposure time and / or brightness). The controller 60 may then shift the exposure area 118 such that the green row aligns with the exposure line 202. The controller 60 may control the corresponding pixel of the green row to provide the determined green component of the desired color (e.g., by varying exposure time and / or brightness). The controller 60 may then shift the exposure area 118 such that the blue row aligns with the exposure line 202. The controller 60 may control the corresponding pixel of the blue row to provide the determined blue component of the desired color (e.g., by varying exposure time and / or brightness). This process may be performed for each pixel of each exposure lines 202 to form the desired image 200.-30-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601Multiple Exposure Lines - Single Exposure

[0101] In some embodiments, the portion of the photosensitive area 102 corresponding to the exposure area 118 is fully exposed (i.e., the exposure is complete) after a single activation of the light source 50. In such an embodiment, the controller 60 may control the conveyor system 30 to reposition the exposure area 118 a distance equal to the total height of the exposure lines 202 included in the emitted light. The length of time required for each exposure may be similar to that of the printer 12, but the printer 250 may require fewer exposures than the printer 12 when utilizing this technique due to forming multiple exposure lines 202 at once. Accordingly, the printer 250 may form the desired image 200 more quickly than the printer 12.

[0102] When performing the method 150 utilizing such a printer 250, a first group of exposure lines 202 (e.g., the quantity of exposure lines 202 corresponding to the size of the active area 110) may be fully formed on the photosensitive area 102 in step 156. The exposure area 118 may be repositioned a distance equal to the height of the group of exposure lines 202 in step 158 (e.g., a distance equal to the height of one pixel times the number of exposure lines 202 in the first group). Subsequently, a second group of exposure lines 202 may be fully formed on the photosensitive area 102 in step 162. The second group of exposure lines 202 may be adjacent to (e.g., touching, in contact with, bordering, etc.), the first group of exposure lines 202.

[0103] When nearing the end of the desired image 200, the number of exposure lines 202 left to be formed may be less than the number of exposure lines 202 that the active area 110 is capable of forming at a given time. In such a situation, the controller 60 may deactivate portions of the active area 110 such that the active area 110 only emits light corresponding to the exposure lines 202 are still needed. Alternatively, the unneeded portions of the active area 110 may emit light that is incident on the base material 100 of the photosensitive medium 16 and thus does not contribute to exposure of the photosensitive area 102.-31-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601Printer with Projector

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, an image forming apparatus, linear exposure device, printer, or digital image to photosensitive media transfer apparatus, is shown as printer 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. The printer 300 may be substantially similar to the printer 12 or the printer 250 except as otherwise specified. Additionally, the printer 300 may be utilized in the system 10 and with the method 150 in place of the printer 12.

[0105] In the printer 300, the light source 50 is configured as a projector (e.g., an LCD projector, a laser projector, or another type of projector). The projector emits a beam of light including portions of the desired image. The printer 300 omits the lens system 114 and the lens light shield 116, such that the emitted light passes directly from the light source 50 to the mirror 52 without modification. Accordingly, the first portion 112A of the light path 112 passes directly from the light source 50 to the mirror 52. As shown in FIG. 12, the beam of light produced by the light source 50 is narrowest at the outlet of the projector and widest at the mirror 52, such that the beam of light expands laterally as the emitted light moves along the first portion 112A. The projector of the light source 50 may produce a single row of pixels (e.g., similar to the printer 12) or multiple rows of pixels simultaneously (e.g., similar to the printer 250).

[0106] As utilized herein with respect to numerical ranges, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms generally mean ± 5% or ± 10% of the disclosed values. When the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are applied to a structural feature (e.g., to describe its shape, size, orientation, direction, etc.), these terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.-32-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601

[0107] It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

[0108] The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

[0109] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0110] The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware-33-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.[OHl] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine- readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the -34-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601 scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

[0112] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0113] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system 10 as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. For example, the printer 300 shown in at least FIG. 11 may be incorporated in the system 10 of the exemplary embodiment shown in at least FIG. 1. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.-35-4937-0633-7145

Claims

Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-1601WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A linear exposure device, comprising: a housing configured to receive a photosensitive medium; a light source coupled to the housing and configured to emit light along a light path toward an exposure area; an actuator coupled to the housing and configured to reposition the photosensitive medium relative to the exposure area; and a controller operatively coupled to the light source and the actuator and configured to: receive image data corresponding to a desired image; control the light source to emit light corresponding to a first portion of the desired image; control the actuator to reposition the photosensitive medium relative to the exposure area; and control the light source to emit light corresponding to a second portion of the desired image.

2. The linear exposure device of Claim 1, wherein the desired image has a width and a height, and wherein the first portion of the desired image has a width equal to the width of the desired image and a height less than the height of the desired image.

3. The linear exposure device of Claim 1, wherein the light source includes a projector configured to emit the light along the light path.

4. The linear exposure device of Claim 3, further comprising a mirror positioned along the light path and configured to redirect the light path toward the photosensitive medium, and wherein the projector and the mirror are positioned such that the light emitted by the light source passes from the projector to the mirror.-36-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-16015. The linear exposure device of Claim 1, wherein the light source includes a display configured to emit the light along the light path.

6. The linear exposure device of Claim 5, further comprising a lens offset from the display, wherein the light path passes through the lens.

7. The linear exposure device of Claim 1 , further comprising a mirror positioned along the light path and configured to redirect the light path toward the photosensitive medium.

8. The linear exposure device of Claim 7, wherein the actuator is coupled to the mirror and configured to reposition the photosensitive medium relative to the exposure area by moving the mirror relative to the housing.

9. The linear exposure device of Claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to reposition the photosensitive medium relative to the housing.

10. The linear exposure device of Claim 9, further comprising a roller rotatably coupled to the housing and configured to engage the photosensitive medium, wherein the actuator is a motor configured to rotate the roller to reposition the photosensitive medium relative to the housing.

11. The linear exposure device of Claim 9, wherein the actuator is configured to move the photosensitive medium relative to the housing in a conveyance direction, and wherein the light path extends away from the light source in the conveyance direction.

12. The linear exposure device of Claim 11, further comprising a mirror positioned along the light path, wherein a first portion of the light path extends away from the light source in the conveyance direction and toward the mirror, and wherein a second portion of the light path extends between the mirror and the exposure area.-37-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-160113. The linear exposure device of Claim 12, further comprising a light shield configured to block the light emitted by the light source and positioned to extend between the first portion of the light path and the photosensitive medium.

14. The linear exposure device of Claim 1, further comprising a sensor operatively coupled to the controller and configured to provide sensor data indicating an amount of rotation of the photosensitive medium, wherein the controller is configured to control the light source to emit the light corresponding to the second portion of the desired image based on the amount of rotation of the photosensitive medium.

15. The linear exposure device of Claim 14, further comprising a guide coupled to the housing and configured to engage the photosensitive medium to limit the rotation of the photosensitive medium.

16. The linear exposure device of Claim 1, further comprising a guide coupled to the housing and configured to engage the photosensitive medium to limit a rotation of the photosensitive medium.

17. A printer system, comprising: a housing configured to receive a photosensitive medium; a conveyor configured to move the photosensitive medium along a conveyance direction toward an exposure area for printing thereon; a light source coupled to the housing and configured to emit light in the conveyance direction; a mirror coupled to the housing and configured to redirect the light toward the exposure area; and a light shield coupled to the housing and positioned to prevent the light from reaching the photosensitive medium outside of the exposure area.-38-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-160118. The printer system of Claim 17, wherein the photosensitive medium is a first photosensitive medium, further comprising a tray configured to support a stack of photosensitive media including the first photosensitive medium and a second photosensitive medium.

19. The printer system of Claim 17, wherein the mirror is configured to redirect the light toward the exposure area to expose a surface of the photosensitive medium to the light, and wherein the surface of the photosensitive medium extends substantially parallel to the conveyance direction.

20. A method of forming a desired image on a photosensitive medium, the method comprising: receiving image data defining the desired image; identifying a first portion of the desired image and a second portion of the desired image based on the image data; positioning the photosensitive medium such that a first portion of the photosensitive medium is contained within an exposure area; controlling a light source to emit first light toward the exposure area to form the first portion of the desired image on the first portion of the photosensitive medium; repositioning the photosensitive medium such that a second portion of the photosensitive medium is contained within the exposure area; and controlling the light source to emit second light toward the exposure area to form the second portion of the desired image on the second portion of the photosensitive medium.

21. The method of Claim 20, wherein the first portion of the photosensitive medium overlaps the second portion of the photosensitive medium, and wherein the first portion of the desired image is formed using both the first light and the second light.-39-4937-0633-7145Atty. Dkt. No.: 130952-160122. The method of Claim 20, wherein identifying the first portion of the desired image and the second portion of the desired image based on the image data includes dividing the desired image into a plurality of exposure lines, wherein the first portion of the desired image is a first exposure line of the plurality of exposure lines, and wherein the second portion of the desired image is a first exposure line of the plurality of exposure lines; and wherein controlling the light source to emit the second light includes controlling the light source to emit the second light toward the exposure area to form both (a) the second exposure line and (b) a third exposure line of the plurality of exposure lines on the second portion of the photosensitive medium.-40-4937-0633-7145

Images