Digital laser image recorder including delay lines

Abstract

The digital laser image recorder includes a data manipulation and control system which may provide digital data to a digital light source for conversion to an analog modulated light beam. A scanner may also be provided to direct the light beam toward a writing surface which may be disposed on the interior of a rotatable cylinder. A film handling device operable to deliver sheet film to the writing surface may also deliver sheet film from the writing surface to an associated output tray after writing. In another embodiment, beam shaping optics may be provided to convert the analog modulated light beams to collimated beams of a predetermined size and circular distribution. The beam shaping optics may also incorporate a power control filter to control the intensity of the collimated beams. In yet another embodiment, a shutter may be provided. The shutter may have a reflective surface with a first position in which the shutter reflects the light beams away from the scanner, and a second position in which the light beams strike the scanner. A photodiode may also be provided to measure the intensity of the reflected light beams. In still another embodiment, focusing optics may be provided to focus the collimated beams to form laser beams which may be directed toward the scanner.