Spatial light modulator calibration
First Claim
1. A method for calibrating a spatial light modulator in a printing system, the method comprising:
- detecting intensity levels of light provided by elements of the spatial light modulator; and
determining control levels for the elements of the spatial light modulator to undercompensate for spatial variations in intensity across the spatial light modulator in order to simultaneously regulate pulse width changes for the elements of the spatial light modulator.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for calibrating a spatial light modulator, such as a GLV in a printing system detects intensity levels of light provided by elements of the spatial light modulator. It determines control levels for the elements of the spatial light modulator that will compensate for spatial variation in the intensity of light across the spatial light modulator. These changes in intensity can be a result of the changes in properties of the GLV across its length. It can also be the result of changes in the intensity of light provided by the LIM across the spatial light modulator. The compensation comprehends the pulse width changes of the elements of the spatial light modulator, due to changes in the control levels due to the spatial variation compensation. This second level of compensation ensures that changes to the spot size that may result from conventional compensation are comprehended in generating a total compensation scheme that accounts for the dynamics in the operation of the spatial light modulator. Specifically, in one implementation, control levels for the elements of the spatial light modulator are selected to under compensate for the spatial variations to account for changes in the control levels due to the spatial variation compensation.
13 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for calibrating a spatial light modulator in a printing system, the method comprising:
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detecting intensity levels of light provided by elements of the spatial light modulator; and
determining control levels for the elements of the spatial light modulator to undercompensate for spatial variations in intensity across the spatial light modulator in order to simultaneously regulate pulse width changes for the elements of the spatial light modulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A calibration system for a platesetter or imagesetter having an imaging engine comprising a support structure such as a drum, and a carriage including a light source and a spatial light modulator for selectively exposing media held against the drum, the calibration system comprising:
a calibration sensor relative to which the spatial light modulator is scanned; and
a controller that analyzes the response of the calibration sensor to generate calibration information determining control levels for the elements of the spatial light modulator to compensate for spatial variations in intensity across the spatial light modulator and pulse width changes for the elements of the spatial light modulator due to changes in the control levels due to the spatial variation compensation.- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for calibrating a spatial light modulator in a printing system the method comprising:
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detecting intensity levels of light provided by elements of the spatial light modulator;
determining control levels for the elements of the spatial light modulator to compensate for spatial variations in intensity across the spatial light modulator; and
selecting control levels for the elements of the spatial light modulator to under-compensate for the spatial variations to account for pulse width changes for the elements of the spatial light modulator due to changes in the control levels due to the spatial variation compensation.
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19. (canceled)
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23. (canceled)
Specification