Patent ID: 6359676
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
An apparatus for imaging photographic negatives onto light-sensitive photoprint material, said apparatus comprising a platform defining an image plane for supporting the photoprint material during imaging; an analog image projection system, having a light source and a photographic negative holder, for projecting a negative image via a first light ray path onto the photoprint material while it is disposed on said platform, said first light ray path being perpendicular to said image plane; a digital image projection system, having an electronic image generator, for projecting an electronically generated image via a second light ray path onto the photoprint material while it is disposed on said platform, said second light ray path being non-perpendicular to said image plane; wherein the image generator is placed outside the first light ray path of the analog image projection system, wherein the projection systems are so constructed and disposed that the photoprint material disposed on said platform can receive images from both projection systems simultaneously, or one after the other, and wherein each said projection system is capable of projecting each of their respective images onto the same exact area of the said photoprint material while it is disposed on said platform, said images being either the same as or larger than the full size, and, if a change is made for the projection of images by one projection system to another, the two light ray paths remain unchanged.