Patent US2720180A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4097848A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5515084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for non-impact printing utilizing a multiplexed matrix of controlled electrode units and device to perform method
Assignee: Array Printers AB
•
Filing: 1993-05-18
•
Granted: 1996-05-07
•
Expires: 2013-05-18
Abstract
Abstract Method and device for high quality printing with substantially reduced cross-coupling while reducing the manufacturing cost of printers that use a matrix of individual control electrode units by connecting individual control electrode segments in series to reduce the number of electronic drive circuits. An information carrier such as paper is placed between a back electrode and an electrode matrix both of which are connected to voltage sources. Voltage sources connected to the control electrode unit matrix at least partially open and close passages through the electrode matrix; charged pigment particles attracted from a particle carrier through the open passages are deposited on the information carrier to form visible images.
Inventors
- 👤 Ove Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:38
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/385; B41J2/41; B41J2/415; B41J2/4155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An image recording apparatus for depositing charged particles in an image configuration on an information carrier, comprising: a) a back electrode; b) a particle source positioned to convey said charged particles to a position adjacent to the back electrode; c) a particle receiving information carrier positioned between the back electrode and the particle source; d) an electrode matrix formed on a single surface of a substrate layer interposed between the back electrode and the particle source, said electrode matrix disposed adjacent to the information carrier, the electrode matrix comprising a plurality of control electrode units, each unit comprising a plurality of separate electrode segments; e) a first voltage source connected to apply an electrostatic potential to said back electrode, said electrostatic potential having sufficient magnitude to initiate transport of charged particles from said particle source to the information carrier; and f) a plurality of variable voltage source with control circuitry connected to apply control potentials to at least one electrode segment of each control electrode unit, said control potentials having sufficient magnitude to selectively permit and restrict transport of the charged particles from the particle source to the information carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
An image recording apparatus for depositing charged particles in an image configuration on an information carrier, comprising: a) a back electrode; b) a particle source positioned to convey said charged particles to a position adjacent to the back electrode; c) a particle receiving information carrier positioned between the back electrode and the particle source; d) an electrode matrix formed on a single surface of a substrate layer interposed between the back electrode and the particle source, said electrode matrix disposed adjacent to the information carrier, the electrode matrix comprising a plurality of control electrode units, each unit comprising a plurality of separate electrode segments; e) a first voltage source connected to apply an electrostatic potential to said back electrode, said electrostatic potential having sufficient magnitude to initiate transport of charged particles from said particle source to the information carrier; and f) a plurality of variable voltage source with control circuitry connected to apply control potentials to at least one electrode segment of each control electrode unit, said control potentials having sufficient magnitude to selectively permit and restrict transport of the charged particles from the particle source to the information carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substrate has a plurality of apertures, at least one of which is located substantially in the center of the electrode segments which form a control electrode unit; said apertures arrayed in a pattern for effecting the transfer of particles through the apertures and onto the information carrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the charged particles deposited on an information carrier produce a visible image pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the charged particles are pigment particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said particle source comprises a rotating sleeve which encloses a multiple magnet core for the attraction of particles toward said rotating sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a container for holding pigment particles, also supports the electrode matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the charged particles deposited on an information carrier produce a latent electrostatic image pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the information carrier is comprised of a dielectric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrode segments are arc shaped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrode segments are linearly or rectangularly shaped.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control electrode units are arranged in parallel rows and parallel columns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one electrode segment in each control electrode unit in each row is in electrical series connection, and wherein at least one electrode in each control electrode unit in each column is in electrical series connection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the rows are arranged at an angle other than 90 degrees to the columns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each voltage source supplies voltage V w to its associated row or column, such that if either the row or the column voltage source is at voltage V w , the passage is closed to passage of charged particles and a nonprint condition exists at that passage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each voltage source supplies voltage V b to its associated row or column, such that if both the row and the column voltage source is at voltage V b , the passage is open to passage of charged particles and a print condition exists at that aperture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control electrode units are located on a single layer of the substrate.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of printing in which an electrical potential pattern is produced by an electrode matrix arranged on a single surface of a substrate layer disposed between a particle source and a back electrode, said electrode matrix comprising a plurality of control electrode units, each control electrode unit comprising separate electrode segments comprising the steps of: a) applying an electrostatic potential to the back electrode, said electrostatic potential having sufficient magnitude to initiate transport of particles from the particle source to the information carrier; b) connecting voltage sources with control circuitry to at least one segment of each control electrode unit; and c) supplying from said voltage sources a pattern of electrical potentials to the electrode matrix, said electrical potentials having sufficient magnitude to permit and restrict transport of particles from the particle source to the information carrier.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of printing in which an electrical potential pattern is produced by an electrode matrix arranged on a single surface of a substrate layer disposed between a particle source and a back electrode, said electrode matrix comprising a plurality of control electrode units, each control electrode unit comprising separate electrode segments comprising the steps of: a) applying an electrostatic potential to the back electrode, said electrostatic potential having sufficient magnitude to initiate transport of particles from the particle source to the information carrier; b) connecting voltage sources with control circuitry to at least one segment of each control electrode unit; and c) supplying from said voltage sources a pattern of electrical potentials to the electrode matrix, said electrical potentials having sufficient magnitude to permit and restrict transport of particles from the particle source to the information carrier.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of making an image recording apparatus for depositing particles in an image configuration on an information carrier, comprising the steps of: a) positioning a particle source for conveying said particles adjacent to a back electrode; b) positioning an image receiving information carrier between the back electrode and said particle source; c) positioning an electrode matrix formed on a single surface of a substrate layer adjacent to the information carrier, said electrode matrix comprising a plurality of control electrode units, each electrode unit comprising a plurality of segmented electrode sections; d) connecting a first voltage source to the back electrode to apply an electrostatic potential to the back electrode sufficient to initiate passage of the particles from the particle source to the information carrier; and e) connecting at least one variable voltage source with control circuitry to the segmented electrode sections of each control electrode unit to apply control potentials to the electrode matrix sufficient to permit and restrict passage of the particles from the particle source to the information carrier.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of making an image recording apparatus for depositing particles in an image configuration on an information carrier, comprising the steps of: a) positioning a particle source for conveying said particles adjacent to a back electrode; b) positioning an image receiving information carrier between the back electrode and said particle source; c) positioning an electrode matrix formed on a single surface of a substrate layer adjacent to the information carrier, said electrode matrix comprising a plurality of control electrode units, each electrode unit comprising a plurality of segmented electrode sections; d) connecting a first voltage source to the back electrode to apply an electrostatic potential to the back electrode sufficient to initiate passage of the particles from the particle source to the information carrier; and e) connecting at least one variable voltage source with control circuitry to the segmented electrode sections of each control electrode unit to apply control potentials to the electrode matrix sufficient to permit and restrict passage of the particles from the particle source to the information carrier.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A printhead for direct electrostatic printing comprising: a) a substrate layer having an insulating surface region and an array of apertures disposed therethrough; and b) a matrix of control electrode units formed on the insulating surface region, each electrode unit comprising a plurality of segmented electrode sections disposed substantially adjacent to an aperture.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
A printhead for direct electrostatic printing comprising: a) a substrate layer having an insulating surface region and an array of apertures disposed therethrough; and b) a matrix of control electrode units formed on the insulating surface region, each electrode unit comprising a plurality of segmented electrode sections disposed substantially adjacent to an aperture.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The printhead of claim 19, wherein the segmented electrode sections are electrically connected in a multiplexed arrangement.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of electrostatic printing comprising the steps of: b) positioning an image receiving medium adjacent to an array of control electrode units disposed on a single surface of a substrate layer, each control electrode unit comprising a plurality of segmented electrode sections, said array of control electrode units disposed between a source of toner particles and a back electrode; b) conveying toner particles to a position adjacent to the back electrode; c) applying an electrostatic potential to the back electrode, said electrostatic potential having sufficient magnitude to initiate passage of toner particles from the source of toner particles to the image receiving medium; d) applying a plurality of control potentials to the array of control electrode units, said control potentials having sufficient magnitude to permit and restrict passage of toner particles from the source of toner particles to the image receiving medium.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of electrostatic printing comprising the steps of: b) positioning an image receiving medium adjacent to an array of control electrode units disposed on a single surface of a substrate layer, each control electrode unit comprising a plurality of segmented electrode sections, said array of control electrode units disposed between a source of toner particles and a back electrode; b) conveying toner particles to a position adjacent to the back electrode; c) applying an electrostatic potential to the back electrode, said electrostatic potential having sufficient magnitude to initiate passage of toner particles from the source of toner particles to the image receiving medium; d) applying a plurality of control potentials to the array of control electrode units, said control potentials having sufficient magnitude to permit and restrict passage of toner particles from the source of toner particles to the image receiving medium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the control potentials are generated by multiplexing sources of electrostatic potential.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3689935A
Cited
US4274100A
Cited
US4498090A
Cited
US4384296A
Cited
US4478510A
Cited
US4470056A
Cited
US4814796A
Cited
US5036341A
Cited
US5028812A
Cited
US4860036A
Cited
WO1990014960A1
Cited
US5038159A
Cited
US5121144A
Cited
US5170185A
Cited
US5083137A
Cited
US5204696A
Cited
US5214451A
Cited
US5257045A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-07 | 1999-11-06 | 2000-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-07 | 2003-11-06 | 2004-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-07 | 2007-11-06 | 2008-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |