Patent · US Expired

Color image formation in receivers having field-driven particles

US6177947A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
6References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 2, 1998
Grant dateJan 23, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 2, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41M5/36
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for forming an image, comprising a storage for storing a digitized image and a receiver. The receiver includes a matrix, a thermomeltable material disposed in the matrix having a transition temperature range which is above room temperature wherein the viscosity of the thermomeltable material decreases substantially from below to above the transition temperature range, and field-driven particles immersed in the thermomeltable material, so that the particles change optical densities in response to an applied electric field when the thermomeltable material is above the transition temperature range and is stable at temperatures below the transition temperature range. An array of electrodes selectively applies electric fields at an image forming position on the receiver. The apparatus heats the receiver to control the temperature of the receiver to control the response of the field-driven particles in the receiver. Electronic control circuitry coupled to the heater controls the temperature of the receiver when an electric field is applied and coupled to the electrode array for selectively applying voltages to the electrode array so that electric fields are applied at the image…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.