Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
In a copying machine comprising an image signal generating unit including an image pickup element for converting an optical image of an original into an electrical signal, an ion generating source, an electrostatic image forming unit including a charge flow control device which comprises control electrode means and common electrode means facing each other through a layer of electrically insulating material, said electrode control means comprising at least one row of mutually electrically insulated control electrodes, said charge flow control device having a plurality of fine openings therethrough with one opening extending through each of said control electrodes, and control means applying a first control voltage to said control electrode in accordance with the signal derived from said signal generating unit to control the charge flow through said openings to form an electrostatic image upon a charge holder, the improvement comprising forming said common electrode means of at least two mutually electrically insulated electrodes with each common electrode being positioned opposite a different group of control electrodes, and means deriving a second control voltage applied to said common electrodes for controlling the flow of ions from the control electrodes in the group opposite that common electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
In a copying machine comprising an image signal generating unit including an image pickup element for converting an optical image of an original into an electrical signal, an ion generating source, an electrostatic image forming unit including a charge flow control device which comprises control electrode means and common electrode means facing each other through a layer of electrically insulating material, said electrode control means comprising at least one row of mutually electrically insulated control electrodes, said charge flow control device having a plurality of fine openings therethrough with one opening extending through each of said control electrodes, and control means applying a first control voltage to said control electrode in accordance with the signal derived from said signal generating unit to control the charge flow through said openings to form an electrostatic image upon a charge holder, the improvement comprising forming said common electrode means of at least two mutually electrically insulated electrodes with each common electrode being positioned opposite a different group of control electrodes, and means deriving a second control voltage applied to said common electrodes for controlling the flow of ions from the control electrodes in the group opposite that common electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a copying machine, the improvement according to claim 1, in which the image signal generating unit includes an optical system for focusing a light bearing the picture image of an original upon said image pickup element, and in which the control means includes a driving circuit for driving the image pickup element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a copying machine, the improvement according to claim 2, in which the optical system and the image pickup element are formed as a single unit moving together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a copying machine, the improvement according to claim 1, in combination with means controlling the voltage level to be applied to the common electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a copying machine, the improvement according to claim 4, in combination with means producing a pre-set reference voltage corresponding to a color to be recorded, and in which the first control voltage corresponds to the difference between said reference voltage and the said signal voltage.