Three- and two-dimensional images formed by suspended or transitory colorant in a volume
US6644768B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/01
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An arbitrary 3D or 2D shape is formed by construction from colorant in a volume—which may be cylindrical, annular, or of arbitrary cross-section, depending on form of the invention. In some forms, a 2D-extended array of colorant-ejecting nozzles is disposed in a particular linear direction relative to the volume, and a programmed processor controls ejection of colorant from the nozzles to pass through the volume. A 2D colorant-retrieving frame (ideally back-to-back with the array) is disposed in a second linear direction opposite to the one particular direction, from the array, to recover the colorant and thus erase the image—which can then be refreshed, with animation changes if desired, by the writing array. Colorant is moved through the volume by gravity, or by continuous ejection of material from the array and suction at the frame to form a suspending fluid flow—the array moving at equal but opposite velocity so that the image is stationary. The frame is a passive sump for colorant recovery, or has a pump for returning colorant to the array for reuse—in which case the array best ejects colorant of plural properties and the device has filters to separate …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.