WO2005079052A2

WO2005079052A2 - A digital image print engine

Info

Publication number: WO2005079052A2
Application number: PCT/IN2005/000008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vimal J. Soni
Original assignee: Soni Vimal J
Priority date: 2004-01-06
Filing date: 2005-01-06
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: WO2005079052A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a digital image print engine to convert the Analogue printer to Digital printer. Said digital print engine comprises a housing having a base and a top cover; a Light Emitting Diode (LED) as a light source; a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) having an image and positioned to receive the light from said LED; a diffuser positioned to evenly transmit the light from said LED to said LCD wherein the LCD is mounted on a frame; said frame capable of moving within predetermined positions in a horizontal plane and simultaneously the LED flashing the light of primary colours for obtaining the image with good resolution.

Description

TITLE

A DIGITAL IMAGE PRINT ENGINE.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to photo image printing and in particular to digital image printer more particularly to a means to convert an analogue printer to the digital image printer.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, film roll is printed by negative developing and image from the negative is then exposed on photosensitive paper in a photo-processing laboratory. In a typical photo-finishing operation, a film roll is chemically developed and then passed through a printer to obtain hard copies of the image are prepared.

The conventional analogue image printer in Photo Printing lab consists of a halogen lamp, a filter wheel (RGB/YMC), a diffuser, a Negative carrier, Shutter, Lens, Photographic (Photosensitive) paper. The photosensitive paper is generally exposed to print a photo image. The light from the halogen lamp passes through the colour filter wheel, first diffuser and has to pass through passage of four walled mirror surface, second diffuser and the negative placed on the negative carrier and simultaneously the shutter opens, the image of the negative passes through the lens and falls on the photosensitive paper. The exposed photosensitive paper is then chemically developed to yield final hard copy of print.

The conventional printers are bulky. Further, it is unlikely to modify the photo according to the requirement of the user such as background, darkness, shading of the image and the like as the^' photo or image on the negative is directly exposed for printing in conventional printers.

However, due to the technical innovation, digital cameras are available. The image of developed negative can be converted into a digital image by means of negative scanner. It is more convenient than the conventional method as the digital images can be stored on digital storage media. This digital image obtained can be modified according to background, darkness, or shading of the image, and after modification the same can be printed on the photosensitive paper whenever required with the help of digital image printer.

A digital kit is also known in the art to convert an analogue printer to a digital Printer. The digital kit comprises a moving LCD panel and a controller board that replaces the Negative carrier and the negative of the conventional analogue printer. However, it requires the Halogen Lamp for exposing light, and the same construction of the conventional printer.

Besides, the LCD is mounted on a block & the entire block is moved in horizontal plane with the help of Piezos. The arrangements of the Piezos obstruct the movement of the Piezos. Further, problem with such digital kits are similar to that of with the conventional analogue printer except for the negative carrier and negative. The arrangement of the moving and rotational parts is complex and makes the system cumbersome. The halogen lamp requires time to warm up and hence is required to be continuously ON while printing therefore the life of the Halogen lamp is limited and it becomes necessary to change the halogen lamp regularly after every 1-3 months. A US 6,600,506 discloses a printer with an LED light source for emitting illuminating light. An LCD panel for displaying an image, and emits printing light upon being illuminated with the illuminating light. An exposing optical system focuses the printing light on a photosensitive surface of an instant photo film unit. A movable mirror is disposed so that a movable panel lying on its rear constitutes one portion of a printer outer surface. The movable panel is movable between first and second positions, and protrudes from the printer outer surface when set in the first position, for the movable mirror to form a printing light path from the exposing optical system to the instant photo film unit. The movable panel is flush with the printer outer surface when set in the second position, for the movable mirror to prevent forming of the printing light path. However, this is related to printing image on an instant Photo Film. This system is described as film recording system and uses moving mirror for printing of the image and are complex. The US patent comments the digital image into a neative (roll) and then positive is printed. Constructionally it is more complex. Further, this printer may not be used to convert an analogue printer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a digital image print engine to convert a conventional analogue printer in a compact digital image printer with a good resolution of an image.

Further object of the said invention is to provide a digital image print engine that simplifies the construction of the image printer by reducing the number of the moving and rotating parts. The present invention provides a digital image print engine comprising a housing having a base and a top cover; a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel as a light source; a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) having an image and positioned to receive the light from said LED; a diffuser positioned to evenly transmit the light from said LED to said LCD wherein the LCD is mounted on a frame; said frame capable of moving within predetermined positions and simultaneously flashing the light for obtaining a print of the image with good resolution.

As per the present invention the frame has arms for mounting Piezos capable of moving the LCD within the predetermined positions. The

Piezos and LED are electrically connected to the control panel for moving the LCD mounted on the frame between the predetermined positions. Therefore, The LCD mounted on the said frame moves atleast four predetermined positions for each of the primary colours of light emitted by the LED thereby obtaining good resolution of the image. The distance between the two predetermined positions of the frame is between 6 and 15 microns and is depends on the pixel in the LCD used.

The polarizing filters are adapted for allowing perpendicular light to pass to and from the LCD panel are encapsulated above and below of the LCD panel mounted on a frame. The LCD panel mounted on a frame is encapsulated with the polarizing filter in LCD housing.

The LED panel is mounted on a frame to form a Lamp house with a fan and a heat sink for cooling. The LED panel emits light of Red Green Blue (RGB) primary colours or Yellow Magenta Cyan (YMC) colours. The LCD housing is mounted on the window of the base over that diffuser and Lamp house is fitted. This assembly is then enclosed along with controller by the top cover to form a digital image print engine.

As per another embodiment of the present invention, the digital image printer comprising the digital image print engine for printing a digital image on the photosensitive paper.

Therefore, the construction of the print engine according to the present invention makes it possible to easily convert an analogue printer to a compact digital^" printer.

Further, as less components are used in the print engine of the printer it reduces the time arid cost for the maintenance.

The print engine of the present invention is very simple in construction in comparison to the existing prior art . printers and the resolution of the. images obtained using the print engine of the present invention is substantially better than the existing printer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows the digital image print engine as per the present; invention.

Fig. 2 shows the exploded view of the digital image print engine according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows the, frame with the pair of the Piezos according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows the digital image-print engine according to the present invention mounted on an image printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description considered along with the schematic drawings.

The digital image-print engine (10) according to the present invention is shown in the Fig. 1 and 2. The digital image-print engine comprise a housing (12) having a base (12B) and a top cover (12A); a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel (22) as a light source; a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) (31 ) having an image and positioned to receive the light from said LED (22); a diffuser (3-2) positioned to evenly transmit the light emitted by said LED (22) to said LCD (31 ) wherein the LCD (31 ) is mounted on a frame

(33); ^"said frame (33) being moved atleast four predetermined positions in the horizontal plane and simultaneously the LED (22) flash the light of primary colours for obtaining the print of the image with good resolution.

The frame (33) as shown in Fig 3 has two arms (34A, 34B). A Piezo (35A, 35B) is mounted on each arm (34A, 34B) of the frame for moving the LCD

(31 ).- The Piezos (35) and the LED (22) are electrically connected to the control panel (40) for moving the LCD (31 ) mounted on the frame (33) and simultaneously flashing¹ primary colours of light in timely fashion. The LCD

(31 ) mounted on the frame (33) is moved atleast four timeTor each of the primary colour timely flashed by the LED (22) and the predetermined positions for each movement of the LCD (31 ) is between 6 and 15 microns preferably 1 1.5 microns. The control panel (40) activates the Piezos (35A,

35B) alternatively to move the LCD (31 ) mounted on the frame. The Piezo

(35A) mounted on thβ' arm (34A) moves forward and backward the frame (33) in 'X' direction and other Piezo (35B) moves the frame (33) in the Υ direction perpendicular to 'X' direction so that the LCD moves atleast four predetermined positions to achieve good resolution of the image on the photosensitive paper. The frame (33) is mounted on the window (14) of the base (12B) of the housing with the spring (not shown) and screw (not shown) to enable the frame (33) move in a horizontal plane due to the activation of the Piezos (35A, 35B). Therefore the LCD (31 ) moves in horizontal plane for good resolution of the image on the photosensitive paper (not shown).

Two polarizing. filters (36A, 36B) are encapsulated with the LCD (31 ) mounted o the frame (33) in housing (30) and is being adapted . for allowing only perpendicular light to pass to and from the LCD panel (31 ).

The LED panel (22) is' mounted on LED frame (28) along with a fan (26) and a heat sink (24) for cooling. This assembly, is hereinafter referred to as a Lamp house (20). The LED panel (22) emits light of primary colours in timely fashion such as Red' Green Blue (RGB)ϊ colour light or Yellow

Magenta Cyan (YMC) colour light,

The cover (12A) and the base (12B) of the housing (12) have a window (14). Thie LCD housing (30) comprising LCD panel (31 ) mounted on the frame (33) with polarizing filters (36A, 36B) which is encapsulated by top cover (37) and bottom cover (38). This LCD housing (30) is mounted._.on thewindow (14) of the base (12B) by screwing Hie arms (34A, 34B) of the frame (33). The diffuser (32) is. placed over the top cover (37) of the LCD housing (30) over, which the Lamp house, is fitted (20). The LED (22), LCD (33)^':and the Piezos (35A, 35B) are electrically connected to the control panel (40). This assembly is closed with the cover (12A) to form a compact digital image print engine (10) as shown in Fig 1 . This digital print engine (10) has electrical connection for the controller and a port for the connection of the LCD with the computer, digital camera or other devices such as memory card, diskettes, and floppy to project the digital image on the LCD panel.

The Analogue printer is converted into a digital image printer (100) as shown in Fig 4 by mounting the digital image print engine (10) on the printer which replaces halogen lamp, colour^' filter wheel, negative, negative carrier, and a shutter (all not shown).

While, printing the scanned image or a digital image on the storage disc such as> memory card,- floppy, hard disc of computer etc. is projectedon the LCD. (33). The LED (22) flashes primary colours (RGB/YMC) in timely fashion on the LCD, which is exposed on the photosensitive paper through the zoom lens^, (not shown) for printing image: The image exposed 12 times called as splitting of the image on the photosensitive paper as the

LCD is moved atleast four predetermined positions in the horizontal plane by moving in 'X'- and Υ direction (as shown in Fig.3) for each of primary- colours of light emitted by the LED to get good resolution of the image.on the photosensitive paper. -The exposed photosensitive- paper is then chemically treated, washed and dried to yield a hard copy of the image i.e. photo.

The advantage of this invention is that it makes easy to convert the any analogue printer in the compact digital printer. Also it does not contain any rotating part which results in the less maintenance cost. Mainly it replaces Halogen Lamp, which results in the cost saving as well as in electricity.

Claims

CLAIM

1. A digital image print engine comprising: a housing having a base and a top cover; a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel as a light source; a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) having an image and positioned to receive the light from said LED; a diffuser positioned to evenly transmit the light from said LED to said LCD; wherein the LCD is mounted on a frame; said frame being moved within predetermined positions and simultaneously flashing the light on the image thereby obtaining a print of the image with good resolution.

2. A digital image print engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said frame has arms for mounting Piezos capable of moving the LCD within the predetermined distance.

3. A digital image print engine as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprises a control panel wherein Piezos and LCD are electrically connected to the said control panel for moving the LCD mounted on the frame between predetermined positions.

4. A digital image print engine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the LCD mounted on the said frame moves atleast four predetermined positions in the horizontal plane for each colour of light emitted by the LED.

5. A digital image print engine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the distance between the two predetermined positions of moving of the frame is between 6 and 15 microns.

6. A digital image print engine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the piezos moves the said frame in horizontal plane.

7. A digital image print engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the LED panel is mounted on a frame with a fan and heat sink for cooling.

8. The digital image print engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said LED panel emits light of Red Green Blue (RGB) primary colours or Yellow Magenta Cyan (YMC) colours.

9. The digital image print engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the LCD mounted on a frame and the polarizing filter is encapsulated in LCD housing.

10. The digital image print engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base and the top cover of the housing of the print engine has a window.

11 . The digital image printer comprising a digital image print engine as claimed in claims 1 to 12 and as herein described with reference to the drawings of the accompanying specification.