Patent ID: 7193641
Filing Date: 2007-03-20
Classification: B41C,G03F,G06K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for exposing imaging data onto a sensitized medium, the apparatus comprising: means for exposing a first number denoted K of sets of a number denoted N of tracks on to a sensitized medium using, the means for exposing arranged to expose at least N tracks simultaneously on to the medium according to provided imaging data, the N tracks oriented adjacent to each other in a slow scan direction, each successive N-track set of the K-sets being a pixel distance apart in a fast scan direction, the imaging system arranged to provide relative motion between the set of tracks and the medium in the fast scan direction and to provide relative motion between the set of N tracks and the medium in the slow scan direction, the number N being at least 1, the exposing of the K sets according to the corresponding part of the imaging data; means for exposing a second number denoted L of sets of N tracks onto the medium with an offset of M pixels in the slow scan direction, each successive N-track set of the L-sets being a pixel distance apart in a fast scan direction, the exposing based on imaging data shifted such that the exposing of the L sets matches in continuity with the previous exposing of K sets; means for repeating alternately exposing K sets and L sets of N tracks until the complete length in the fast scan direction of the medium is exposed; and means for progressing in the slow scan direction during or after the alternately exposing K sets and L sets, such that after exposing the complete length of N tracks of exposed pixels, the next N tracks match along the medium at the start of the next N tracks, such that no pixel location is exposed more than once, and such that the visibility of exposure differences between adjacent N imaging tracks recorded by the imaging system on the medium is reduced compared to continually recording a number of tracks for a complete medium distance in the fast scan direction.