Electrostatic recording method and apparatus

Claim 3

The method as in claim 1 in which the increments in said second direction are equal.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 further comprising the prior step of deriving the binary signals from the reflectance desired for each line recorded in said first direction.

Claim 5

A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein for each recorded line in said first direction said translocation in said second direction is effected through a plurality of said predetermined increments.

Claim 6

A method of facsimile transmission and recording in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the prior steps of: scanning an original document to be transmitted and recorded, line by line; and producing and transmitting a binary signal representing variations in reflectance in each line.

Claim 7

A method in accordance with claim 5 in which the lines scanned in the original document are separated by increments equal to said predetermined increments in said second direction.

Claim 8

The method as in claim 5 in which a plurality of increments in said second direction corresponds to each scanned line on the original document.

Claim 11

A graphic recording system for recording binary signals through a recording stylus on an electrostatic recording medium during relative translatory motion therebetween, comprising: first and second potential sources; means for effecting relative translatory motion in a first direction between said recording stylus and said medium; electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have a first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the second potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value; and means for effecting relative translocation between the electrostatic recording medium and the stylus in predetermined increments in a second direction in the plane of the medium normal to the first direction, wherein said predetermined increments are less than the dimension of said predetermined area in said second dIrection.

Claim 12

A graphic recording system for recording binary signals through a recording stylus on an electrostatic recording medium during relative translatory motion therebetween, comprising: first and second potential sources; means for effecting relative translatory motion in a first direction between said recording stylus and said medium; electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have a first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the second potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value; and means for effecting relative translocation between the electrostatic recording medium and the stylus in predetermined increments in a second direction in the plane of the medium normal to the first direction, wherein said predetermined increments are less than the dimension of said predetermined area in said second dIrection.

Claim 13

Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising: means for scanning an original document to be transmitted and recorded, line by line; and means for producing and transmitting a binary signal representing variations in reflectance in each line.

Claim 14

The system as in claim 9 in which the increments are equal.

Claim 15

The system as in claim 9 in which each increment is shorter than the dimension of the stylus in said second direction.

Claim 16

The system as in claim 9 further comprising means for deriving the binary signals from the reflectance desired for each recorded line in said first direction in the recording medium.

Claim 17

The system as in claim 13 in which a plurality of increments in said second direction corresponds to each recorded line in said first direction.

Claim 18

A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said recording system includes a plurality of styli.

Claim 21

The method of claim 16 wherein said plurality of binary signals for each cell comprise a train of signals, each having a first value for a time duration proportional to the desired reflectance for said cell.

Claim 22

The method of claim 16 further comprising the prior steps of: producing an analog signal proportional to the amplitude of the desired reflectance for each cell; sampling the analog signal at a clock rate; and producing a series of binary signals at the clock rate each having a time duration at said first value proportional to the amplitude of corresponding samples.

Claim 23

The method as in claim 16 further comprising the prior steps of: generating for each of said cells a plurality of signals cor-responding to a plurality of trace lines to be recorded on said recording medium; producing for each of said trace lines a plurality of binary signals for each cell, the total number of signals of said first value for the sum of said trace lines being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell.

Claim 24

The method as in claim 16 wherein for each of said cells said plurality of binary signals are derived such that the total number of said signals at said first value is proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell.

Claim 27

The method of claim 21 wherein said plurality of binary signals for each cell comprise a train of signals, each having a first value for a time duration proportional to the desired reflectance for said cell.

Claim 28

The method of claim 21 further comprising the prior steps of: producing an analog signal proportional to the amplitude of the desired reflectance for each cell; sampling the analog signal at a clock rate; and producing a series of binary signals at the clock rate each having a time duration at said first value proportional to the amplitudes of corresponding samples.

Claim 29

The method as in claim 21 wherein for each of said cells, said plurality of binary signals are derived such that the total number of binary signals at said first value is proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell on said scan line.

Claim 30

The method as in claim 21 further comprising the prior steps of: generating for each of said lines scanned on the original document a plurlaity of trace lines to be recorded on said recording medium; and producing for each of said trace lines a plurality of binary signals having a first value for each cell along said scan lines, the total number of binary signals at said first value for the sum of said trace lines being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell on said scan line.

Claim 31

A facsimile grey scale transmitting and recording system comprising: means for scanning in a first direction an original document to be transmitted and recorded, line by line, and for producing binary signals representing the reflectance of said original document for a series of specific areas, defined as cells, along said scanning line; a recording stylus and means for effecting relative translatory motion in said first direction between said recording stylus and an electrostatic recording medium; first and second potential sources; and electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have a first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the second potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value; said means for producing said binary signals producing, for each cell along said scanning line, a plurality of binary signals at said first value, the sum of the time durations when said plurality of binary signals has said first value being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell.

Claim 32

A facsimile grey scale transmitting and recording system comprising: means for scanning in a first direction an original document to be transmitted and recorded, line by line, and for producing binary signals representing the reflectance of said original document for a series of specific areas, defined as cells, along said scanning line; a recording stylus and means for effecting relative translatory motion in said first direction between said recording stylus and an electrostatic recording medium; first and second potential sources; and electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have a first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the second potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value; said means for producing said binary signals producing, for each cell along said scanning line, a plurality of binary signals at said first value, the sum of the time durations when said plurality of binary signals has said first value being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell.

Claim 33

A system in accordance with claim 26 wherein said means for producing for each of said cells a plurality of binary signals, produces a total number of binary signals at said first value proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell on said scan line.

Claim 34

A system in accordance with claim 26, wherein said means for producinG binary signals includes: means for producing analog signals proportional to the amplitude of the desired reflectance; and means for sampling each analog signal at equal intervals of time and producing a plurality of corresponding binary signals, each signal having said first binary value for a time duration proportional to the amplitude of corresponding samples.

Claim 35

The system of claim 28 in which the means for producing analog signals and the means for sampling includes: a ramp signal generator for producing a plurality of ramp voltages at a predetermined rate; and a conversion system arranged to produce a series of output pulses, each having a pulse width equal to the time that a corresponding ramp voltage exceeds the amplitude of an analog signal.

Claim 36

A system in accordance with claim 26 including means for generating for each of said lines scanned on the original document a plurality of trace lines on said recording medium and wherein said means for producing binary signals include means for producing for each of said trace lines a plurality of binary signals, the total number of said binary signals at said first value for the sume of said trace lines being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell on said scan line.

Claim 37

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 and further including memory means for storing, for each value of reflectance information sufficient to produce a predetermined pattern of binary signals at said first value on each of said trace lines for each cell.

Claim 38

A graphic recording system for recording binary signals through a recording stylus on an electrostatic recording medium during relative translatory motion therebetween, comprising: means for producing binary signals derived from the reflectance desired for a specified area, defined as a cell; said means producing for each cell a plurality of binary signals at a first value, the sum of the time durations when said plurality of binary signals has said first value being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell; means for effecting relative translatory motion between said recording stylus and said electrostatic recording medium; first and second potential sources; electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have said first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the second potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value.

Claim 39

A graphic recording system for recording binary signals through a recording stylus on an electrostatic recording medium during relative translatory motion therebetween, comprising: means for producing binary signals derived from the reflectance desired for a specified area, defined as a cell; said means producing for each cell a plurality of binary signals at a first value, the sum of the time durations when said plurality of binary signals has said first value being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell; means for effecting relative translatory motion between said recording stylus and said electrostatic recording medium; first and second potential sources; electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have said first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the second potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value.

Claim 42

The method as in claim 33 wherein for each of said cells, said plurality of binary signals are derived such that the total number of said signals at said first value is proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell.

Claim 43

The method of claim 33 wherein said plurality of binary signals for each cell comprises a train of signals at said first value, each having a time duration proportional to the desired reflectance for said cell.

Claim 44

The method of claim 33 further comprising the prior steps of: producing an analog signal proportional to the amplitude of the desired reflectance for each cell; sampling the analog signal at a clock rate; and producing a series of binary signals at said first value at the clock rate each having a time duration proportional to the amplitudes of corresponding samples.

Claim 45

The method as in claim 33 further comprising the prior steps of: generating for each of said cells a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of trace lines to be recorded on said recording medium, each of said trace lines being separated in said second direction by said predetermined increments; and producing for each of said trace lines a plurality of binary signals of said first value for each cell, the total number of signals for the sum of said trace lines being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell.

Claim 48

The method of claim 38 wherein said plurality of binary signals for each cell comprise a train of signals, each having a first value for a time duration proportional to the desired reflectance for said cell.

Claim 49

The method of claim 38 further comprising the prior steps of: producing an analog signal proportional to the amplitude of the desired reflectance for each cell; sampling the analog signal at a clock rate; and producing a series of binary signals at the clock rate each having a time duration at said first value proportional to the amplitudes of corresponding samples.

Claim 50

The method as in claim 38 further comPrising the prior steps of: generating for each of said lines scanned on the original document a plurality of trace lines to be recorded on said recording medium, each of said trace lines being separated in said second direction by said predetermined increment; and producing for each of said trace lines a number of binary signals having a first value for each cell along said scan lines, the total number of binary signals at said first value for the sum of said trace lines being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell on said scan line.

Claim 51

The method as in claim 38 wherein for each of said cells, said plurality of binary signals are derived such that the total number of said signals at said first value is proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell on said scan line.

Claim 52

A graphic recording system for recording binary signals through a recording stylus on an electrostatic recording medium during relative translatory motion therebetween, comprising: first and second potential sources; means for effecting relative translatory motion in a first direction between said recording stylus and said medium; means for producing binary signals derived from the reflectance desired for a specified area, defined as a cell, in the recording medium, said means producing for each cell a plurality of binary signals the sum of the time durations when said plurality of binary signals has a first value being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell; electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have said first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the second potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value; and means for effecting relative translocation between the electrostatic recording medium and the stylus in predetermined increments in a second direction in the plane of the medium normal to the first direction, wherein said predetermined increments are less than the dimension of said predetermined area in said second direction.

Claim 53

A graphic recording system for recording binary signals through a recording stylus on an electrostatic recording medium during relative translatory motion therebetween, comprising: first and second potential sources; means for effecting relative translatory motion in a first direction between said recording stylus and said medium; means for producing binary signals derived from the reflectance desired for a specified area, defined as a cell, in the recording medium, said means producing for each cell a plurality of binary signals the sum of the time durations when said plurality of binary signals has a first value being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell; electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have said first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the second potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value; and means for effecting relative translocation between the electrostatic recording medium and the stylus in predetermined increments in a second direction in the plane of the medium normal to the first direction, wherein said predetermined increments are less than the dimension of said predetermined area in said second direction.

Claim 54

A facsimile grey scale transmitting and recording system comprising: means for scanning in a first direction an original document to be transmitted and recorded, line by line, and for producing binary signals representing the reflectance of said original document for a series of specific areas, defined as cells, along said scanning line; a recording stylus and means for effecting relative translatory motion in said first direction between said recording stylus and an electrostatic recording medium; means for effecting relative translocation between the electrostatic recording medium and the stylus in predetermined increments in a second direction in the plane of the medium normal to the first direction, wherein said predetermined increments are less than the dimension of said cell area in said second direction; first and second potential sources; electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have a first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the seconD potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value; said means for producing said binary signals producing, for each cell along said scanning line, a plurality of binary signals at said first value, the sum of the time durations when said plurality of binary signals has said first value being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell.

Claim 55

A facsimile grey scale transmitting and recording system comprising: means for scanning in a first direction an original document to be transmitted and recorded, line by line, and for producing binary signals representing the reflectance of said original document for a series of specific areas, defined as cells, along said scanning line; a recording stylus and means for effecting relative translatory motion in said first direction between said recording stylus and an electrostatic recording medium; means for effecting relative translocation between the electrostatic recording medium and the stylus in predetermined increments in a second direction in the plane of the medium normal to the first direction, wherein said predetermined increments are less than the dimension of said cell area in said second direction; first and second potential sources; electronic circuit means adapted for connecting the first potential source with a first polarity with respect to a point of potential reference to the recording stylus for time durations equal to the time durations when the binary signals have a first value to deposit charges of one polarity and produce a charged field of predetermined area on the recording medium while said medium and said recording stylus are undergoing relative translatory motion in said first direction and for maintaining the seconD potential source connected as a canceling potential with respect to said point of potential reference to the recording stylus with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first potential source to cancel charges of said one polarity when the binary signals have a second value; said means for producing said binary signals producing, for each cell along said scanning line, a plurality of binary signals at said first value, the sum of the time durations when said plurality of binary signals has said first value being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell.

Claim 56

A system in accordance with claim 44 wherein said means for producing binary signals includes: means for producing analog signals proportional to the amplitude of the desired reflectance; and means for sampling each analog signal at equal intervals of time and producing a plurality of corresponding binary signals, each signal having said first binary value for a time duration proportional to the amplitude of corresponding samples.

Claim 57

The system of claim 45 in which the means for producing analog signals and the means for sampling includes: a ramp signal generator for producing a plurality of ramp voltages at a predetermined rate; and a conversion system arranged to produce a series of output pulses, each having a pulse width equal to the time that a corresponding ramp voltage exceeds the amplitude of an analog signal.

Claim 58

A system in accordance with claim 44 including means for generating for each of said lines scanned on the original document a plurality of trace lines separated in said second direction by said predetermined increments on said recording medium and wherein said means for producing binary signals includes means for producing for each of said trace lines a number of binary signals at said first value for each cell along said scan lines, the total number of said binary signals at said first value for the sum of said trace lines being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell on said scan line.

Claim 59

Apparatus in accordance with claim 47 and further including memory means for storing, for each value of reflectance information suf-ficient to produce a predetermined pattern of binary signals at said first value on each of said trace lines for each increment.

Claim 60

A system in accordance with claim 44 including means for generating for each of said cells a number of binary signals at said first value, the total number of said binary signals at said first value being proportional to the value of reflectance for each cell on said scan line.