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Aligner, exposure method and printer

  • US 6,130,700 A
  • Filed: 06/08/1998
  • Issued: 10/10/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An exposure apparatus comprising:

  • an integer number (m) of light-emitting element groups that emit light for exposure of a photosensitive sheet;

    a power control circuit portion operatively connected for controlling power to be supplied to said light-emitting element groups;

    a time control circuit portion operatively connected for controlling duration of exposure by said light-emitting element groups;

    a gradation control circuit portion operatively connected to establish a gradation level for gradation expression using one of said power control circuit portion and said time control circuit portion;

    said gradation control circuit portion having a main gradation level control portion for receiving a gradation information signal capable of specifying at least an integer number (n) of distinct gradation levels, said gradation control circuit portion further including integer number (m) of gradation level setting portions operatively connected to said main gradation level control portion, each gradation level setting portion for establishing a gradation level of a corresponding light emitting element group, each gradation level setting portion selectively configurable to establish an integer number (l) of different gradation levels to its corresponding light emitting element group, where the integer number (l) is equal to or greater than an integer obtained by dividing the integer number (n) by the integer number (m);

    wherein said main gradation level control portion sets a desired total gradation level of integer number (i) by;

    setting a gradation level of integer number (j) into integer number (m-k) of said gradation level setting portions, wherein the integer number (j) is obtained by dividing the integer number (i) by the integer number (m), and integer number (k) is a remainder obtained by the same division, andsetting a gradation level of integer number (j+1), into integer number (k) of said gradation level setting portions.

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