MXPA99006013A - System for the transfer of digitized images to an image support or vice-versa - Google Patents

Abstract

Photoplotter for obtaining high resolution films (3) from computer digitized images (S) equipped with active plate system (1) with a plurality of luminous sources (11) and a counter-plate (2) which form an air cushion within which is inserted the film to be exposed (3), supported on one side by a plotter movement system (4-5) that moves it within a field of a portion (n) of the entire image divided into a raster, so that the entire image can be obtained with corresponding (n) luminous sources (11).

Description

SYSTEM TO TRANSFER DIGITIZED IMAGES IN SENSITIVE SUPPORT OR VICEVERSA FIELD OF THE INVENTION The object of this invention is a system for the transfer of digitized images in sensitive support or vice versa. The machine for obtaining said system is also an object of the present invention. The innovation finds specific application, but not exclusive, in the field of high resolution images, such as in the manufacture of films. In this field of high resolution, the resolution has a considerable importance, therefore of a professional nature, and can be considered accurately, although not in a limiting manner, as part of the value of 10 microns of density between pixels, which is the distance between one pixel and another. Of course, pixel means, in the language of computers, the known points that together make up an image. Also, usually, that value is defined as a plot = 10. The procedure itself for the transfer of the image digitized in pixels, from the computer to the machine that carries out the reproduction, is here defined as a framework procedure.

One of the main purposes, although not exclusive, is the production of printed circuits. However, nothing prevents the system and the machine from being used in any other field in which a photographic film is required, such as, for example, the field of typography, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Machines for sensitizing films for cameras with different photosensitive materials and for various purposes are already known.

High resolution machines are essentially based on the use of a light head that sensitizes the photosensitive material, or the use of a laser head for more advanced techniques solutions. The machine includes a flat support or a cylindrical support for the photosensitive material. When a cylindrical support is used, there are two solutions, whether the drum is rotating and the head is moving transversely in a movement from one side to the other, or that the cylinder is fixed and hollow; the photosensitive sheet is inserted inside it and the head is placed forming an axis, and not only moves alternately in a movement from side to side, but also rotates. In this way, with the respective movements properly coordinated, the digitized image is reconstructed by taking the respective points one behind the other, based on the respective coordinates, until completing the reconstruction of the image. The solution in the flat support is less used, because it is considered complex and expensive, if compared with the previous ones and essentially the same principle is used, with the difference that it works as a plotter in which the graphing head moves on said surface by the respective coordinates, just like a plotter of planes in a computer. For example, the X-Y movement of the image support material is described in GB-A-2187855. The idea is to use several light sources, for example, described in WO-A-93/24326, but with a new method that allows a considerable decrease in work. All these solutions are expensive and difficult and in any case require long reproduction times. Of course, the resolution is higher in the laser versions, but the time and costs of purchase and maintenance of the machine are still very high; also by the presence of important mechanical parts in motion. When analyzing this type of machines, without exception, you can notice the presence of a single operating head that can send one or more points at the same time in a logical sequence until completing the entire image on the surface chosen for the exposure, starting, example, from a superior angle until reaching the diametrically opposite lower angle. The logical succession of these steps makes practically impossible the considerable increase in operating speeds. As mentioned previously, GB-2187855 discloses a photographic device employing a single light source light valve device, a support for a sheet of photosensitive material for exposure and a light valve device interposed between the light source and the dividing sheet. the image of the sheet in a variety of spaced sub-areas or pixels, whose light transmissivity is controlled individually through an associated computer to render the exposure as that of a desired graphic or work of art. The light valve device can be moved relative to the sheet to expose the areas corresponding to those originally associated with the space between the pixels. This solution is very interesting, but has the disadvantage of not being able to control the whole figure, due to the shadow of said light valve device. As mentioned previously, WO-A-93/24396 describes a method and a device for retaining a thin element between two bodies. In particular, in order to see a faster and better exposure of the element, electronic integrated circuits have been developed by means of which a variety of light channels can be housed with modulation by selection. These integrated circuits can be used to construct a crossbar to the exposure element, so that it is illuminated in a coherent line in all its amplitude (US4899222, US5030970, GB187855). Starting from these lessons, the objective of this invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and, in particular, to produce an economical, reliable and fast machine that requires minimum maintenance, that is easy to use and in which the level of resolution can be the largest, that is, without risking in any way the appropriate level of resolution, as already mentioned, through the instruction of US 4176947 that describes the method and repeats the mechanism. In particular, it relates to an apparatus for transferring the material of the sheet, in principle a microfiche, to a plurality of positions on X and Y axes, by means of a gas cushion formed on a plate in which the material of the sheet It changes by sweeps or jets of piped gas. This and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the claim of a system for transferring digitized images from a computer to an image support material with optional photosensitivity or vice versa, employing dotted light sources, further characterized because it includes: means or exposure detectors in an active flat plate for said image support material, in which the image support material can be placed; the plate comprises a plurality of (n) light sources of means or punctiform exposure detectors, placed therein fixedly with a source per frame in a frame of (n) frames, connected or connectable to the respective computer system to the digital image to be treated, and enabling, with appropriate software, one or the other of said means or punctiform exposure detectors that will be scanned with illumination, according to the digitized image that will be transferred, in which a single point corresponding to a only pixel by frame (n) is directed at any time, to each frame (n) of the frame to be able to include a diversity of pixels or points of the image equivalent to (x), so that the total of the pixels or points of the whole image is equal to (nx). - support means for the image support material, on said active plate exposure means, and means for the movement of said active plate and / or said image support material, to allow the movement of one of these with respect to to the other, according to the digitized coordinates corresponding to at least one frame (n) of the whole image to be digitized, and, for the successive points of said frame (n), activate the corresponding light sources (n) of the means or the punctiform exposure detector, each time and step by step, so that each mentioned source (n) (11) exposes or scanned the entire surface corresponding to its own square (n) of the material to be sensitized, to obtain a sensitized frame (n) of the image support material, and in addition, to obtain the desired complete image with the help of the other light sources (n), each located in the corresponding frame (n) of the frame.

In this way, there is the immediate advantage of increasing the speed of sensitization and transfer the same number of times as the sections of the frame. This, of course, considering the theoretical side and the fact that the electronic transfer operation moves at the speed of light. In addition, it is considered that there is a more complex calculation and processing; the operating times are reduced by more than 70%, with the additional advantage of a major simplification of the system and lower manufacturing costs (for the active board is sufficient with a common "LED") etc. Conveniently, the movement is communicated to the photosensitive sheet which is held suspended between the active plate and the counterplate on an air mattress. In this way, the movement is very subtle, fast and does not involve large movements. In addition, the photosensitive material does not touch the surface of the active plate and therefore is not damaged. Conveniently, said air support is formed by various punctiform air jets in the opposing plates so that the sheet remains suspended between the two surfaces, while, the mechanism in motion will secure the sheet on one side to achieve a simple movement and limited.

These and other advantages will appear in the following modalities with the help of the included drawings, the details of which will not be considered limiting, but are provided only as an example. Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the sensitizing active plate; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion "n" of the subdivision screen which, in theory, is formed with the image to be copied, including a diversity "x" of points or pixels that make up the image. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the machine including the active plate, the counterplate and the mechanism with the respective sensing leaf suspended, moving between the two plates. Figure 4 is a schematic view of the movement scheme for transferring the computer image to the sensitive support; the inverse operation is possible in a similar and symmetric way. As regards the figures mentioned above, it is described that: the active plate is indicated by 1 and contains a cross-linking of "n" frames, each of which includes an LED, according to the program (11) capable of sensitizing in a punctiform manner a photosensitive film that will be exposed (3) and that is placed between said active plate 1 and a counterplate 2. The active plate 1 and the counterplate 2 are equipped with a variety of holes (12) preferably evenly distributed which release a jet of compressed air (f), to allow the support of the leaf suspended between both plates, self-centered in a respective air support, as can be seen schematically in figure 3. Conveniently, the jet orifices of air are placed in the middle of the exposure LED 11 of the film 3. The film or photosensitive sheet to be exposed (3) is inserted between plates 1 and 2 by means of a charger, as in prior art, and is secured by fasteners or appropriate fastening means 4 and remains suspended thereon. In particular, the plates approach in a guide position and the active plate 1 is also in position with the respective LED (11) to expose the film 3. The support of the film 4 can be moved by the use of prior art means. which are like a plotter to operate the transfer of the image through a scanning system. As described in Figure 4, the computer image S is divided into several sectors, similar to a checkerboard, in which each sector of the respective frame "n" is a portion to be scanned. Also, the operation can be carried out digitally by means of a control software, and in this way a specular movement will be obtained A-B-C-D, which through translators, decoders, encoders and processors, will be transmitted appropriately in the film of the photosensitive sheet 3 or vice versa with a reverse procedure. Returning to the inventive concept, as mentioned, the invention relates to a system for transferring digitized images from a computer (S) to a photosensitive support (3) or vice versa, further characterized because it comprises: The means of exposing the flat active plate (1) of the photosensitive material (3), in which said photosensitive material (3) to be exposed can be placed, include a variety of (n) point-like exposure light sources (11), arranged in a fixed manner in a frame of ( n) frames, connected or connectable to the computer system (S) in relation to the digital image; and by means of suitable software, one or the other (1 1) must be illuminated according to the digitized image that will be transferred, but carrying a single point (p) corresponding to a single pixel (p) per frame (n) at a time. Each frame (n) of the frame can include different pixels or points of the image equal to (x), so that the total of the pixels or points of the whole image equals (nx). supporting means (4) of the photosensitive material (3) on said means for exposing said active plate (1); and means of movement (5) of said active plate (1) and / or of said sensitive material (3) can move one and / or the other with respect to the opposite, according to the digitized coordinates corresponding to at least said portion (n) of the complete image to be scanned; and can be activated by the light sources of the successive points of punctiform exposure, each time and step by step, for exposure in said photosensitive material (3). In this way, each source will sensitize the complete surface corresponding to each frame (n) of the material that will be sensitized to obtain all the desired image with the help of the light sources (n), each separated, for this purpose, in relation to each frame (n) of the plot. Of course, the system is included in a machine comprising two opposing plates, one active for the sensitization of the photosensitive sheet and the other opposite. Both plates have opposite air jet holes to support the photosensitive sheet, i.e., the film, between the two. The securing system of the blade that is between the plates will provide the movement. More specifically, with respect to the figures, it is described that the photosensitive sheet is only inserted between two surfaces, one of which represents the support of numerous light sources. The light sources are arranged to cover the entire surface of the photosensitive sheet (film). The relative displacement between the film and the light sources allows to illuminate any point of the film and, therefore, sensitize it with the digitized image as desired and at the desired resolution level.

The machine consists of a pedestal inside which a box with the films and the system for loading them is placed (the system is not described, but belongs to the prior art, as for example, those used in the automatic sheet loaders) . For the transfer of each sheet in the exhibition area that is located between the opposite plates mentioned. The film is fixed before exposure in a biaxial motion system. From the orifices of the plates there are jets of air that always keep the sheet centered to avoid contact with the opposite surfaces. The plates are placed close to one another, but without making contact, to obtain an air cushion between both surfaces in a relative movement. The system can be made operational by means of a suitable software that will be in charge of giving the instructions during the use, that is to say: To gather the digital data of the image; Prepare them in the manner corresponding to the size and resolution required by the exposure device, so that they can be transmitted to the simple luminous modulators in correlation with the trajectory described in the exposure procedure. The entrance to the exhibition procedure is always digital.

The original image can also be digitized from a simple photo or similar support, by using a scanner or other image digitizers. If the image has vector data, these are entered through the use of exposure resolution. Before starting the exposure procedure it is necessary to adapt the size and resolution of the image to the size and variable parameters of the exposure device. The pixel: pixel ratio is established. This is determined by the mechanical characteristics of the exposure device and the measurement of the original image. Therefore, an image of type "bitmap" is obtained. This can reduce the space needed and also be in compressed form. As a result, the image is divided into simple sectors corresponding to the positions of the tables (n). In addition, the data of each sector is stored in a sequence corresponding to the movement between the exposure device and the exposed object. The data is transmitted to the simple modulators (light sources) in synchrony with the relative displacement of the position, to cover the entire surface of the area to be developed. The displacement of the films occurs on two axes.

The density of the displacement also defines the resolution that the machine can give and which can be different for each axis. The route of each of the axes is determined by the distance between two adjacent points (spots). When the trajectory of the first axis ends, the second axis moves in a distance equivalent to that between two points. The exhibition ends when the second axis completes the entire route. It should be noted that the adopted solution allows a movement of the film with minimal movement. Since the path is defined by the distance between the "spots" of the light rays, it can be reduced to a minimum. In this way, you get a very short total time of exposure and a definitely high precision, when compared with traditional solutions. Of course, the system can also be used in reverse, that is, to transfer a graphics image always as a digitized image, from a respective external support (for example, paper) to a computer.

Claims (7)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A system for transferring scanned images from a computer (S) to an image support material with optional photosensitivity (3) or vice versa, using light-emitting point sources, further characterized in that it comprises: means or exposure detectors on an active flat plate ( 1) for said image support material (3) in which said image support material (3) can be placed. The plate comprises a plurality of light sources (n) of detectors or punctiform exposure means (1 1), on which these are fixedly placed with one source per frame in a frame of (n) panels connected or connectable to a computer system (S) respective to the digital image to be treated. By means of suitable software, one or the other of said detectors or punctiform exposure means (11) will be enabled, which will be scanned with illumination according to the digitized image that will be transferred, in which a single point will be directed at any time (p. ) corresponding to a single pixel (p) per frame (n). Each frame (n) of the frame can include a diversity of pixels or points of the image equivalent to (x), so that the total of the pixels or points of the whole image equals (nx). Support means (4) for the image support material (3) in said means for exposing the active plate (1). Means for the movement (5) of said active plate (1) and / or of said image support material (3) that allows the movement of one of these with respect to the other, according to the corresponding digitized coordinates at least to a frame (n) of the complete image that will be scanned; as well as means for activating the respective light sources (n) of the detector or the punctiform exposure means, for the successive points of said table (n), each time and step by step, so that each source mentioned (n) (1 1) ) expose or scan the entire surface corresponding to its own frame (n) of the material to be sensitized, to obtain a sensitized frame (n) of the image support material (3); and in addition, to obtain the desired complete image with the aid of additional light sources (n), each located in the corresponding frame (n) of the frame.

2. The system according to claim 1 and 2, further characterized in that the movement is communicated to the photosensitive sheet (3) that remains suspended between the active plate (1) and the counterplate (2) in an air mattress .

3. The system according to claim 3, further characterized in that said air cushion is obtained by a plurality of punctate air jets (12-f) formed in the opposing plates (1, 2), then said photosensitive sheet ( 3) will remain suspended between the two surfaces.

4. - The system according to claim 3, further characterized in that the movement mechanism (4-5) secures the single-sided sheet.

5. A machine for transferring scanned images from a computer (S) to a photosensitive support on a sheet (3), which is made and operated according to the system mentioned in the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: a active plate (1) with a variety of exposure light sources (11) for photosensitive material, which is activated or not by illumination, one independently of the other; means for supporting a photosensitive sheet on said plate (4-12-f); means for reciprocating said leaf (4-5) at least with respect to said active plate (1) or vice versa; said machine is associated with means for switching said light sources on and off in a programmed manner.

6. A machine for transferring scanned images from a computer (S) to a photosensitive support on a sheet (3) that is made and operated according to the system mentioned in the preceding claims, further characterized because it includes: a plate active (1) with a variety of exposure light sources (11) for photosensitive material (3), which is activated or not by illumination, one independent of the other; a counterplate (2) spaced by the first (1) and leaving a space to receive a photosensitive sheet or film (3); means (2) to allow air to enter, in the opposite direction (f) between the surfaces and therefore, keeping said sheet (3) suspended between them (1, 2); means for reciprocating said blade (3) at least with respect to said active plate (1); said machine is associated with means for switching on and off said exposure light sources (11) in a programmed manner.

7. The machine according to the preceding claim, further characterized by including an automatic sheet loader between said plates.