Patent EP0321143A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0321143A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for direct color printing
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1988-12-08
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2008-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A color printing system employing a large area pattern of controllable light sources, where the pattern includes rows that are aligned substantially with the movement of a print medium in relation to the light sources. All of the light sources in each row contribute to the exposure of each pixel in a corresponding row of the resulting color print. The large area pattern of light sources can be realized with a range of approaches, from the use of a plurality of light sources to the use of a single light source coupled with an appropriate light modulator. In one embodiment, a liquid crystal light modulator was employed for each of the three primary colors.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Virgil Kollarits
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/129; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/024; H04N1/032; H04N1/036; H04N1/40; H04N1/40025; H04N1/40031; H04N1/46; H04N1/50; H04N1/502
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for applying an image onto a print medium (10) characterized by a two dimensional array of exposure-producing elements (30) for developing exposure-producing excitation that is applied to said print medium: means (42,43) for moving said print medium in one dimension relative to said array: and a controller (80) responsive to applied input signals representative of said image for determining the effect of said exposure-producing elements on said print medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for applying an image onto a print medium (10) characterized by a two dimensional array of exposure-producing elements (30) for developing exposure-producing excitation that is applied to said print medium: means (42,43) for moving said print medium in one dimension relative to said array: and a controller (80) responsive to applied input signals representative of said image for determining the effect of said exposure-producing elements on said print medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said exposure-producing elements form a two-dimensional array that includes rows which are aligned with the movement of said print medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said exposure-producing elements controllably contributes either zero or a preselected non-zero quantum of exposure-producing energy to said print medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said exposure-producing elements comprises a number of groups, with each group causing a different effect on said medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each group causes a different color to be developed at said print medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said exposure producing elements are luminaries.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said luminaries have a trapezoidal shape (Fig. 6).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said luminaries are light valves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said luminaries are light sources.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said luminaries are light modulators.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said controller comprises a light source for applying light to said array of luminaries.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller further comprises means for collimating the light output of said light source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said array comprises rows of exposure-producing elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means for moving effects a movement of said print medium, relative to said array, in parallel to said rows.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said array further comprises columns, with some columns connected to some rows, and other columns connected to other rows.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said controller comprises means for applying input signals of different colors to different columns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said controller further comprises means for applying a common effective threshold for changing the operational state of said exposure-producing elements in a column, and different effective thresholds for different columns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising means for disabling selected columns.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
122 words
In an arrangement comprising a print medium and an array of exposure-producing elements having rows of elements, where each of said exposure-producing elements creates a visible contrast in said print medium when said print medium is placed in responsive physical coupling with said element and said element is activated, a method for developing prints on said print medium comprising: a step of moving said print medium in responsive coupling with said array and in parallel with said rows; a step of repeatedly identifying, based on applied input signals, those of said exposure-producing elements in said rows that must be activated; and activating appropriate ones of said exposure-producing elements, based on said step of identifying, in the course of said step of moving.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
In an arrangement comprising a print medium and an array of exposure-producing elements having rows of elements, where each of said exposure-producing elements creates a visible contrast in said print medium when said print medium is placed in responsive physical coupling with said element and said element is activated, a method for developing prints on said print medium comprising: a step of moving said print medium in responsive coupling with said array and in parallel with said rows; a step of repeatedly identifying, based on applied input signals, those of said exposure-producing elements in said rows that must be activated; and activating appropriate ones of said exposure-producing elements, based on said step of identifying, in the course of said step of moving.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.