Patent US4338615A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4338615A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatic printer having LED array write head
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1980-06-02
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Granted: 1982-07-06
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Expires: 2000-06-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for printing on plain paper, utilizing a solid-state write head to electrostatically release a pattern of dry toner particles from an informationless toner carrier. The pattern of released toner particles is accelerated across an air gap by an electrical field to impact on the paper.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Nelson
- 👤 Gene D. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:29
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/34; G03G15/344
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for generation of a permanent visible image from a set of electrical signals, comprising: means including an electrically charged photoconductive layer for providing a continuous unpatterned supply of a particulate medium for development of said image; means for selecting and releasing a particular pattern of particles of said medium from said supply of medium; and means for transferring said pattern of particles across an air gap to a substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for generation of a permanent visible image from a set of electrical signals, comprising: means including an electrically charged photoconductive layer for providing a continuous unpatterned supply of a particulate medium for development of said image; means for selecting and releasing a particular pattern of particles of said medium from said supply of medium; and means for transferring said pattern of particles across an air gap to a substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for providing a continuous unpatterned supply of medium comprises a thin, flexible, belt-type sheet, and unpatterned medium comprises toner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for selecting and releasing a pattern of particles comprises a solid-state LED array write head having discretely addressable segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for transfer of pattern of particles across an air gap comprises an electrode located behind said substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for providing a continuous unpatterned supply of medium comprises a transparent substrate material, having said layer of photoconductive substance between layers of or on one side of said material, formed as a continuous belt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means for selection and release of a pattern of particles comprises a LED array for discharge of sites on said photoconductive substrate to release said pattern of particles.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for printing on plain paper, comprising the following steps; (a) delivering a constant supply of unpatterned particulate medium on an electrically charged substrate incorporating a photoconductive substance; (b) selecting and releasing a pattern of particles of said medium from said supply; (c) transferring said released pattern of particles across an air gap to a substrate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for printing on plain paper, comprising the following steps; (a) delivering a constant supply of unpatterned particulate medium on an electrically charged substrate incorporating a photoconductive substance; (b) selecting and releasing a pattern of particles of said medium from said supply; (c) transferring said released pattern of particles across an air gap to a substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for selecting and releasing of said pattern of particles provided in accordance with claim 7, including the step of generating sharply defined electrical fields capable of repelling said pattern of particles from said continuous supply.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for providing a continuous supply of unpatterned particulate medium, comprising subjecting a moving substrate to an electrostatic charging process, thereby causing said substrate to become electrically charged; applying said particulate medium to said charged substrate which attracts and carries said particulate medium due to said electrical charge; and selecting and releasing a pattern of particles from the substrate, including the step of modulating an LED array to discharge selected sites on said substrate, thereby releasing said pattern of particles.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for providing a continuous supply of unpatterned particulate medium, comprising subjecting a moving substrate to an electrostatic charging process, thereby causing said substrate to become electrically charged; applying said particulate medium to said charged substrate which attracts and carries said particulate medium due to said electrical charge; and selecting and releasing a pattern of particles from the substrate, including the step of modulating an LED array to discharge selected sites on said substrate, thereby releasing said pattern of particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as in claim 9, further including the step of attracting said released patterns of particles across an air gap to a substrate, by placing an electrode opposite said continuous supply of medium and behind said substrate, thereby released pattern of particles are attracted across air gap to the substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-05 | 1986-01-04 | 1986-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-05 | 1990-01-04 | 1990-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-05 | 1994-01-04 | 1994-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |