Eastman-kodak Company

David F Dalfonso

Roger Stanley Kerr

Kurt Michael Sanger

Robert W Spurr

Thomas A Mackin

John D Gentzke

Ensley E Townsend

Cheryl J Kuberka

The present invention is for an image processing apparatus (,) for writing images to a thermal print media (,). The image processing apparatus (,) comprises a vacuum imaging drum (,). A lead screw (,) moves printhead (,) relative to the vacuum imaging drum (,). A motor (,) rotates the vacuum imaging drum (,). A variable vacuum blower (,) supplies vacuum to an interior portion (,) of said vacuum imaging drum (,) which holds the thermal print media (,) on a surface of the drum. A controller (,) changes a speed of the vacuum blower (,) to vary the vacuum in the vacuum imaging drum (,) when the thermal media (,) is loaded or unloaded.

Vacuum imaging drum with vacuum level control

An image processing apparatus (,) comprises an imaging drum (,) for holding print media (,) and donor material (,) in registration on the imaging drum (,). A print head (,), driven by a lead screw (,) and stepper motor, moves along a line parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) of the imaging drum (,) as the imaging drum (,) rotates. The print head (,) is brought repeatably to a mechanical registration position using sensors. For coarse positioning, the print head (,) is moved to a first linear sensor position, with the drive motor operated in full-step mode. For fine positioning, the drive motor is then operated in microstepping mode, during which a second sensor detects rotational orientation by detecting a rotational indicator mounted on the lead screw (,). The rotational indicator permits straightforward adjustment for fine-tuning, being adjustable to any one of a number of fixed positions relative to lead screw rotation.

Method and apparatus for positioning a writing assembly of an image processing apparatus

The present invention is for a method for adjusting a focus of a multichannel printhead (,) for an imaging processing apparatus (,) performing the steps of establishing a home focus position and moving the printhead (,) in a first direction a predetermined number of coarse density. The printhead (,) is moved to the coarse focus position and then moved in a second direction a predetermined number of fine steps. A series of second test patches is printed on the media (,) at each of the fine steps. A fine focus position is determined by checking a fine density of each of the second test patches and selecting the fine focus position corresponding to the second test patch having a highest fine density.

Method for changing focus and angle of a multichannel printhead

An imaging system having a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing device is provided for focusing a light source which generates a beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The apparatus includes an imaging drum for holding donor sheets and receiver sheets in registration on the drum. A registration device including a non-reflective indicia on the surface of the drum facilitates the proper registration of the donor and receiver sheets.

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Victor, NY, United States of America

David F Dalfonso