Patent ID: 8508791

Claim:
A printing system to project an image on a reimageable surface layer on a rotating imaging member, the system having at least one imaging module each placed at individual zones adjacent to each other across from the imaging member to form a scanline of the image, each imaging module comprising: an energizable laser source for generating a laser beam when energized; a look ahead buffer for storing scanline data of the image to be projected on the imaging member, wherein the look ahead buffer has top scanline data and bottom scanline data; an optical assembly positioned to direct the laser beam at the individual zones to project the top scanline data in the look ahead buffer on the imaging member; and a logic circuit to selectively power the energizable laser source based on the scanline data in the look ahead buffer by: determining if the scanline data in the look ahead buffer has at least one pixel to be illuminated by the laser beam; if the scanline data in the look ahead buffer has at least one pixel to be illuminated then energizing the laser source so that the optical assembly can project the top scanline data on the imaging member; else deenergizing the laser source by interrupting electrical power to the laser source.