Image bar with electrochromic switching system

Claim 2

An image bar comprising a linear light valve array with a plurality of discrete, independently addressable pixel portions activatable between light transmitting, partially transmitting, and non-transmitting wavelengths by selective application of an electrical field, wherein said pixel portions comprise, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate; a transparent electrode in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to a variable current, variable voltage source; a single thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrode; a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film; a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to said variable current, variable voltage source; and a second substrate.

Claim 3

An improved image bar for an imaging apparatus with a photoconductive member, means for pre-charging the photoconductive member prior to the formation of latent electrostatic images, means for developing the latent images, means for transferring the developed images to substrates, and means for cleaning the photoconductive member prior to pre-charging, the image bar containing at least one row of dot shutters which selectively pass light in response to digitized data signals, during the operating mode of the imaging apparatus, to discharge selectively the pre-charged photoconductive member and thus form the latent images on the photoconductive member line by line, which image bar comprises, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate; a plurality of transparent electrodes in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources; a single thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrode; a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film; a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources; and a second substrate.

Claim 4

An improved image bar for an imaging apparatus with a photoconductive member, means for pre-charging the photoconductive member prior to the formation of latent electrostatic images, means for developing the latent images, means for transferring the developed images to substrates, and means for cleaning the photoconductive member prior to pre-charging, the image bar containing at least one row of dot shutters which selectively pass light in response to digitized data signals, during the operating mode of the imaging apparatus, to discharge selectively the pre-charged photoconductive member and thus form the latent images on the photoconductive member line by line, which image bar comprises, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate; a plurality of transparent electrodes in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources; a single thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrode; a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film; a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources; and a second substrate.

Claim 5

An image bar comprising a linear light valve array with a plurality of discrete, independently addressable pixel portions activatable between light transmitting, partially transmitting, and non-transmitting wavelengths by selective application of an electric field, comprising: a first transparent substrate; a second substrate; a plurality of first transparent electrodes; a second counterelectrode situated between said first and second substrates, such that said first transparent electrodes are situated on said first transparent substrate and said second counterelectrode is situated on said second substrate; a single thin film comprising an electrochromic material, said film being situated on said first transparent electrodes; and an electrolytic material situated between said thin film and said second counterelectrode; wherein said first transparent electrodes are connected to variable current, variable voltage sources and said second counterelectrode is connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources.

Claim 6

An image bar comprising a linear light valve array with a plurality of discrete, independently addressable pixel portions activatable between light transmitting, partially transmitting, and non-transmitting wavelengths by selective application of an electric field, comprising: a first transparent substrate; a second substrate; a plurality of first transparent electrodes; a second counterelectrode situated between said first and second substrates, such that said first transparent electrodes are situated on said first transparent substrate and said second counterelectrode is situated on said second substrate; a single thin film comprising an electrochromic material, said film being situated on said first transparent electrodes; and an electrolytic material situated between said thin film and said second counterelectrode; wherein said first transparent electrodes are connected to variable current, variable voltage sources and said second counterelectrode is connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources.

Claim 7

An imaging apparatus comprising a photoconductive member; means for pre-charging the photoconductive member prior to the formation of latent electrostatic images; means for developing the latent images with toner particles; means for transferring the developed images to substrates; means for cleaning the photoconductive member prior to pre-charging; an image bar containing at least one row of dot shutters which selectively pass light in response to digitized data signals, during the operating mode of the imaging apparatus, to discharge selectively the pre-charged photoconductive member and thus form the latent images on the photoconductive member line by line, said image bar comprising, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate, a plurality of transparent electrodes in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources, a single thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrodes, a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film, a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources, and a second transparent substrate in contact with said counterelectrode; means for illuminating elements of said array with light; and addressing means for activating predetermined of said array pixels during a line exposure period in accordance with pixel transmission information of a line of the image to be reproduced.

Claim 8

An imaging apparatus comprising a photoconductive member; means for pre-charging the photoconductive member prior to the formation of latent electrostatic images; means for developing the latent images with toner particles; means for transferring the developed images to substrates; means for cleaning the photoconductive member prior to pre-charging; an image bar containing at least one row of dot shutters which selectively pass light in response to digitized data signals, during the operating mode of the imaging apparatus, to discharge selectively the pre-charged photoconductive member and thus form the latent images on the photoconductive member line by line, said image bar comprising, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate, a plurality of transparent electrodes in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources, a single thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrodes, a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film, a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources, and a second transparent substrate in contact with said counterelectrode; means for illuminating elements of said array with light; and addressing means for activating predetermined of said array pixels during a line exposure period in accordance with pixel transmission information of a line of the image to be reproduced.

Claim 9

An imaging apparatus comprising: a photoconductive member; means for pre-charging the photoconductive member prior to the formation of latent electrostatic images; means for developing the latent images with toner particles; means for transferring the developed images to substrates; means for cleaning the photoconductive member before it is pre-charged; an image bar containing at least one row of dot shutters which selectively pass light in response to digitized data signals, during the operating mode of the imaging apparatus, to discharge selectively the pre-charged photoconductive member and thus form the latent images on the photoconductive member one line at a time, said image bar comprising, a first transparent substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of first transparent electrodes and a second counterelectrode situated between said first and second substrates, such that said first transparent electrodes are situated on said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources, and said second counterelectrode is situated on said second substrate and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources, a single thin film comprising an electrochromic material, said film being situated on said first transparent electrode, and an electrolytic material situated between said thin film and said second counterelectrode; means for illuminating elements of said array with light; and addressing means for activating predetermined of said array pixels during a line exposure period in accordance with pixel transmission information of a line of the image to be reproduced.

Claim 10

An imaging apparatus comprising: a photoconductive member; means for pre-charging the photoconductive member prior to the formation of latent electrostatic images; means for developing the latent images with toner particles; means for transferring the developed images to substrates; means for cleaning the photoconductive member before it is pre-charged; an image bar containing at least one row of dot shutters which selectively pass light in response to digitized data signals, during the operating mode of the imaging apparatus, to discharge selectively the pre-charged photoconductive member and thus form the latent images on the photoconductive member one line at a time, said image bar comprising, a first transparent substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of first transparent electrodes and a second counterelectrode situated between said first and second substrates, such that said first transparent electrodes are situated on said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources, and said second counterelectrode is situated on said second substrate and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources, a single thin film comprising an electrochromic material, said film being situated on said first transparent electrode, and an electrolytic material situated between said thin film and said second counterelectrode; means for illuminating elements of said array with light; and addressing means for activating predetermined of said array pixels during a line exposure period in accordance with pixel transmission information of a line of the image to be reproduced.

Claim 11

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said counterelectrode is transparent.

Claim 12

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said counterelectrode is transparent.

Claim 13

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said second substrate is transparent.

Claim 14

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said second substrate is transparent.

Claim 15

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said image bar operates by means of DC voltage.

Claim 16

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said image bar operates by means of DC voltage.

Claim 17

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said electrochromic material is selected from the group consisting of: phthalocyanines, polymeric materials prepared by an electropolymerization process, and anthraquinones.

Claim 18

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said electrochromic material is selected from the group consisting of: phthalocyanines, polymeric materials prepared by an electropolymerization process, and anthraquinones.

Claim 19

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said electrochromic material is selected from the group consisting of 2(3), 6(7), 10(11), 14(15)-tetratertiarybutyl phthalocyanine, 2(3), 6(7), 10(11), 14(15)-tetrachloro phthalocyanine, bis(phthalocyaninato) neodymium(III), bis(phthalocyaninato) neodymium(IV), bis(phthalocyaninato) lutetium(III), bis(phthalocyaninato) ytterbium(III), 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyanoanthraquinone, 1,8-diamino-4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone, 1,4,5,8-tetraaminoanthraquinone, electropolymerized polypyrrole, electropolymerized poly-3-methyl thiophene, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 20

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said electrochromic material is selected from the group consisting of 2(3), 6(7), 10(11), 14(15)-tetratertiarybutyl phthalocyanine, 2(3), 6(7), 10(11), 14(15)-tetrachloro phthalocyanine, bis(phthalocyaninato) neodymium(III), bis(phthalocyaninato) neodymium(IV), bis(phthalocyaninato) lutetium(III), bis(phthalocyaninato) ytterbium(III), 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyanoanthraquinone, 1,8-diamino-4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone, 1,4,5,8-tetraaminoanthraquinone, electropolymerized polypyrrole, electropolymerized poly-3-methyl thiophene, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 21

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said thin film is prepared by thermal vacuum evaporation techniques.

Claim 22

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said thin film is prepared by thermal vacuum evaporation techniques.

Claim 23

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said thin film is prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett techniques.

Claim 24

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said thin film is prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett techniques.

Claim 25

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said electrochromic material is selected from the group consisting of bis(phthalocyaninato) neodymium(IV), bis(phthalocyaninato) lutetium(III), 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano anthraquinone, 1,4,5,8-tetraamino anthraquinone, electropolymerized polypyrrole, and electropolymerized poly-3-methylthiophene.

Claim 26

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said electrochromic material is selected from the group consisting of bis(phthalocyaninato) neodymium(IV), bis(phthalocyaninato) lutetium(III), 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano anthraquinone, 1,4,5,8-tetraamino anthraquinone, electropolymerized polypyrrole, and electropolymerized poly-3-methylthiophene.

Claim 27

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said electrochromic material is selected from the group consisting of tetratertiarybutyl metal-free phthalocyanine, 1,8-diamino-4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone, 1,8-dinitro-4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone, and 4,8-dinitro-1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone, and tetrachloro metal-free phthalocyanine.

Claim 28

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said electrochromic material is selected from the group consisting of tetratertiarybutyl metal-free phthalocyanine, 1,8-diamino-4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone, 1,8-dinitro-4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone, and 4,8-dinitro-1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone, and tetrachloro metal-free phthalocyanine.

Claim 29

An image bar comprising a linear light valve array with a plurality of discrete, independently addressable pixel portions activatable between light transmitting, partially transmitting, and non-transmitting wavelengths by selective application of an electrical field, wherein said pixel portions consist essentially of, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate; a transparent electrode in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to a variable current, variable voltage source; a thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrode; a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film; a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to said variable current, variable voltage source; and a second substrate.

Claim 30

An image bar comprising a linear light valve array with a plurality of discrete, independently addressable pixel portions activatable between light transmitting, partially transmitting, and non-transmitting wavelengths by selective application of an electrical field, wherein said pixel portions consist essentially of, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate; a transparent electrode in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to a variable current, variable voltage source; a thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrode; a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film; a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to said variable current, variable voltage source; and a second substrate.

Claim 31

An improved image bar for an imaging apparatus with a photoconductive member, means for pre-charging the photoconductive member prior to the formation of latent electrostatic images, means for developing the latent images, means for transferring the developed images to substrates, and means for cleaning the photoconductive member prior to pre-charging, the image bar containing at least one row of dot shutters which selectively pass light in response to digitized data signals, during the operating mode of the imaging apparatus, to discharge selectively the precharged photoconductive member and thus form the latent images on the photoconductive member line by line, which image bar consists essentially of, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate; a plurality of transparent electrodes in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources; a thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrode; a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film; a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources; and a second substrate.

Claim 32

An improved image bar for an imaging apparatus with a photoconductive member, means for pre-charging the photoconductive member prior to the formation of latent electrostatic images, means for developing the latent images, means for transferring the developed images to substrates, and means for cleaning the photoconductive member prior to pre-charging, the image bar containing at least one row of dot shutters which selectively pass light in response to digitized data signals, during the operating mode of the imaging apparatus, to discharge selectively the precharged photoconductive member and thus form the latent images on the photoconductive member line by line, which image bar consists essentially of, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate; a plurality of transparent electrodes in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources; a thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrode; a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film; a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources; and a second substrate.

Claim 33

An image bar comprising a linear light valve array with a plurality of discrete, independently addressable pixel portions activatable between light transmitting, partially transmitting, and non-transmitting wavelengths by selective application of an electric field, consisting essentially of: a first transparent substrate; a second substrate; a plurality of first transparent electrodes; a second counterelectrode situated between said first and second substrates, such that said first transparent electrodes are situated on said first transparent substrate and said second counterelectrode is situated on said second substrate; a thin film comprising an electrochromic material, said film being situated on said first transparent electrodes; and an electrolytic material situated between said thin film and said second counterelectrode; wherein said first transparent electrodes are connected to variable current, variable voltage sources and said second counterelectrode is connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources.

Claim 34

An image bar comprising a linear light valve array with a plurality of discrete, independently addressable pixel portions activatable between light transmitting, partially transmitting, and non-transmitting wavelengths by selective application of an electric field, consisting essentially of: a first transparent substrate; a second substrate; a plurality of first transparent electrodes; a second counterelectrode situated between said first and second substrates, such that said first transparent electrodes are situated on said first transparent substrate and said second counterelectrode is situated on said second substrate; a thin film comprising an electrochromic material, said film being situated on said first transparent electrodes; and an electrolytic material situated between said thin film and said second counterelectrode; wherein said first transparent electrodes are connected to variable current, variable voltage sources and said second counterelectrode is connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources.

Claim 35

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the image bar consists essentially of, in the order stated, a first transparent substrate, a plurality of transparent electrodes in contact with said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources, a thin film comprising an electrochromic material in contact with said transparent electrodes, a transparent electrolytic material in contact with said thin film, a counterelectrode in contact with said transparent electrolytic material and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources, and a second transparent substrate in contact with said counterelectrode; means for illuminating elements of said array with light; and addressing means for activating predetermined of said array pixels during a line exposure period in accordance with pixel transmission information of a line of the image to be reproduced.

Claim 36

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the image bar consists essentially of a first transparent substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of first transparent electrodes and a second counterelectrode situated between said first and second substrates, such that said first transparent electrodes are situated on said first transparent substrate and connected to variable current, variable voltage sources, and said second counterelectrode is situated on said second substrate and connected to the common terminal of said variable current, variable voltage sources, a thin film comprising an electrochromic material, said film being situated on said first transparent electrode, and an electrolytic material situated between said thin film and said second counterelectrode.

Claim 37

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said electrolytic material is a solid material.

Claim 38

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said electrolytic material is a liquid material.

Claim 39

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said electrolytic material is selected from the group consisting of CaF 2 , ZrO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , TiO 2 , β-Al 2 O 3 , Cul, Agl, KCl, NaCl, SnO 2 , In 2 O 3 , Sb 2 O 3 , LiF, MgF 2 , sulfonated polystyrene, and poly(2-acrylamino-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic)acid, LiClO 4 , tetrabutyl ammonium perchlorate, tetraethyl ammonium perchlorate, and tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoborate.

Claim 40

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said electrolytic material is a solid material.

Claim 41

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said electrolytic material is a liquid material.

Claim 42

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said electrolytic material is selected from the group consisting of CaF 2 , ZrO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , TiO 2 , β-Al 2 O 3 , Cul, Agl, KCl, NaCl, SnO 2 , In 2 O 3 , Sb 2 O 3 , LiF, MgF 2 , sulfonated polystyrene, and poly(2-acrylamino-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic)acid, LiClO 4 , tetrabutyl ammonium perchlorate, tetraethyl ammonium perchlorate, and tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoborate.

Claim 43

An image bar in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said thin film comprising an electrochromic material is of a thickness of from about 10 nanometers to less than about 0.1 micron.

Claim 44

An imaging apparatus in accordance with claims 4 or 5 wherein said thin film comprising an electrochromic material is of a thickness of from about 10 nanometers to less than about 0.1 micron.