Patent US5866284A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5866284A
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Print method and apparatus for re-writable medium
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1997-05-28
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Granted: 1999-02-02
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Expires: 2017-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A low cost, high speed, high resolution laser printer method and apparatus for re-writable media is presented. Three aspects are presented: 1) a bi-stable, microencapsulated dichroic sphere colorant and surface coating therefore for producing an electric field writable and erasable medium--such as paper or a paper-like display, 2) an electrophotographic printer that is capable of conventional toner-based printing and re-writable "paper" printing and 3) a greatly simplified electrophotographic printer that is dedicated to printing re-writable media. The printer embodiments are based on conventional low cost laser printer designs, and have significant advantages in product cost, printing resolution and speed over the electrode array printer. A laser scanner is used to writably erase the uniform, high voltage charge deposited on the surface of a photoconductor drum or belt. When the re-writable paper is brought in contact with the charge written photoconductor through a biased back electrode roller, fields generated between the photoconductor and back electrode cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres to develop the desired print image.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent D. Vincent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/221; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/47; B41J2/471; B41J3/00; B41J3/407; B41J3/4076; G03G15/04; G03G15/04036; G03G15/04045; G03G15/04072; G03G15/14; G03G15/18; G03G15/65; G03G15/6597; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00443; G03G2215/00447; G03G2215/00518
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A printer for a re-writable medium, the medium having a first recording layer that includes a plurality of polarized dichroic spheres, the printer comprising: photoconductor means for storing a high voltage charge deposited thereon; writing means for writably erasing the charge deposited on the photoconductor means; and support means for holding the re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor means in a nip contact area such that, when the re-writable medium passes the charge written photoconductor means, fields generated from the photoconductor means cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres to develop a print image on the re-writable medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A printer for a re-writable medium, the medium having a first recording layer that includes a plurality of polarized dichroic spheres, the printer comprising: photoconductor means for storing a high voltage charge deposited thereon; writing means for writably erasing the charge deposited on the photoconductor means; and support means for holding the re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor means in a nip contact area such that, when the re-writable medium passes the charge written photoconductor means, fields generated from the photoconductor means cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres to develop a print image on the re-writable medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The printer as set forth in 1, wherein the support means is biased such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor means and the support means and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The printer as set forth in 1, wherein the support means is biased such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor means and the support means and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The printer as set forth in 1, wherein the first recording layer of the re-writable medium is disposed on a substrate including a conductive layer and the conductive layer is biased such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor means and the conductive layer and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The printer as set forth in 1, wherein the first recording layer of the re-writable medium is disposed on a substrate including a conductive layer and the conductive layer is biased such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor means and the conductive layer and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The printer as set forth in 3, wherein the re-writable medium includes a second recording layer disposed on the substrate and opposing the first recording layer, wherein the support means and the conductive layer are biased such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor means and the conductive layer and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres in the first recording layer but not in the second recording layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The printer as set forth in 3, wherein the re-writable medium includes a second recording layer disposed on the substrate and opposing the first recording layer, wherein the support means and the conductive layer are biased such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor means and the conductive layer and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres in the first recording layer but not in the second recording layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The printer as set forth in 1, comprising medium type detection means for detecting presence of the re-writable medium for printing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The printer as set forth in 1, comprising medium type detection means for detecting presence of the re-writable medium for printing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The printer as set forth in 1, comprising medium orientation detection means for detecting proper orientation of the re-writable medium for printing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The printer as set forth in 1, comprising medium orientation detection means for detecting proper orientation of the re-writable medium for printing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The printer as set forth in 6, wherein if the medium orientation detection means detects improper orientation of the re-writable medium for printing, the writing means writably erases the charge deposited on the photoconductor means according to a mirror of the print image such that, when the re-writable medium passes the charge written photoconductor means, fields generated from the photoconductor means cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres to develop the print image properly on the re-writable medium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
The printer as set forth in 6, wherein if the medium orientation detection means detects improper orientation of the re-writable medium for printing, the writing means writably erases the charge deposited on the photoconductor means according to a mirror of the print image such that, when the re-writable medium passes the charge written photoconductor means, fields generated from the photoconductor means cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres to develop the print image properly on the re-writable medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printer as set forth in 1, comprising medium erasure means for erasing the re-writable medium prior to printing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printer as set forth in 1, comprising medium erasure means for erasing the re-writable medium prior to printing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The printer as set forth in 8, wherein the medium erasure means and the photoconductor means are biased so as to apply approximately equal magnitude but opposite direction fields to the re-writable medium when respectively erasing and writing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The printer as set forth in 8, wherein the medium erasure means and the photoconductor means are biased so as to apply approximately equal magnitude but opposite direction fields to the re-writable medium when respectively erasing and writing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The printer as set forth in 1, wherein the support means is biased so as to erase prior orientation of the dichroic spheres of the re-writable medium while printing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The printer as set forth in 1, wherein the support means is biased so as to erase prior orientation of the dichroic spheres of the re-writable medium while printing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The printer as set forth in 10, wherein the support means and the photoconductor means are biased so as to apply approximately equal magnitude but opposite direction fields to the re-writable medium when the photoconductor is respectively charged and discharged.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The printer as set forth in 10, wherein the support means and the photoconductor means are biased so as to apply approximately equal magnitude but opposite direction fields to the re-writable medium when the photoconductor is respectively charged and discharged.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
63 words
The printer as set forth in 1, wherein the printer can enter a toner print mode, such that when in the toner print mode, the photoconductor means and the support means are biased to make charged toner particles deposited on the photoconductor means be transferred to the writable medium, in accordance with the writable erasing of the charge deposited on the photoconductor means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
63 words
The printer as set forth in 1, wherein the printer can enter a toner print mode, such that when in the toner print mode, the photoconductor means and the support means are biased to make charged toner particles deposited on the photoconductor means be transferred to the writable medium, in accordance with the writable erasing of the charge deposited on the photoconductor means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The printer as set forth in 12, comprising fuser means for fusing toner onto the writable medium after printing in the toner print mode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The printer as set forth in 12, comprising fuser means for fusing toner onto the writable medium after printing in the toner print mode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The printer as set forth in 12, comprising medium type detection means for detecting presence of the re-writable medium for printing, and if re-writable medium presence is not detected, causing the printer to enter the toner print mode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The printer as set forth in 12, comprising medium type detection means for detecting presence of the re-writable medium for printing, and if re-writable medium presence is not detected, causing the printer to enter the toner print mode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
87 words
A printing process, the process comprising the steps of: depositing a high voltage charge on a photoconductor; writably erasing the charge deposited on the photoconductor; and holding a re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor in a nip contact area, the re-writable medium having a first recording layer that includes a plurality of polarized dichroic spheres such that, when the re-writable medium passes the charge written photoconductor, fields generated from the photoconductor cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres to develop a print image on the re-writable medium.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
87 words
A printing process, the process comprising the steps of: depositing a high voltage charge on a photoconductor; writably erasing the charge deposited on the photoconductor; and holding a re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor in a nip contact area, the re-writable medium having a first recording layer that includes a plurality of polarized dichroic spheres such that, when the re-writable medium passes the charge written photoconductor, fields generated from the photoconductor cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres to develop a print image on the re-writable medium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of biasing a support holding the re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor and the support and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of biasing a support holding the re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor and the support and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
The process as set forth in 15, wherein the first recording layer of the re-writable medium is disposed on a substrate including a conductive layer, the process comprising the step of biasing the conductive layer such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor and the conductive layer and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
The process as set forth in 15, wherein the first recording layer of the re-writable medium is disposed on a substrate including a conductive layer, the process comprising the step of biasing the conductive layer such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor and the conductive layer and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
72 words
The process as set forth in 17, wherein the re-writable medium includes a second recording layer disposed on the substrate and opposing the first recording layer, the process comprising the step of biasing the support and the conductive layer such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor and the conductive layer and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres in the first recording layer but not in the second recording layer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
72 words
The process as set forth in 17, wherein the re-writable medium includes a second recording layer disposed on the substrate and opposing the first recording layer, the process comprising the step of biasing the support and the conductive layer such that the fields are generated between the photoconductor and the conductive layer and cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres in the first recording layer but not in the second recording layer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of detecting presence of the re-writable medium for printing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of detecting presence of the re-writable medium for printing.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of detecting proper orientation of the re-writable medium for printing.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of detecting proper orientation of the re-writable medium for printing.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
72 words
The process as set forth in 20, comprising the step of: if improper orientation of the re-writable medium for printing is detected, the writably erasing the charge deposited on the photoconductor according to a mirror of the print image such that, when the re-writable medium passes the charge written photoconductor, fields generated from the photoconductor cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres to develop the print image properly on the re-writable medium.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
72 words
The process as set forth in 20, comprising the step of: if improper orientation of the re-writable medium for printing is detected, the writably erasing the charge deposited on the photoconductor according to a mirror of the print image such that, when the re-writable medium passes the charge written photoconductor, fields generated from the photoconductor cause color rotation of the dichroic spheres to develop the print image properly on the re-writable medium.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of erasing the re-writable medium prior to printing.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of erasing the re-writable medium prior to printing.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process as set forth in 22, wherein a medium eraser and the photoconductor are biased so as to apply approximately equal magnitude but opposite direction fields to the re-writable medium when respectively erasing and writing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process as set forth in 22, wherein a medium eraser and the photoconductor are biased so as to apply approximately equal magnitude but opposite direction fields to the re-writable medium when respectively erasing and writing.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of biasing a support, holding the re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor, so as to erase prior orientation of the dichroic spheres of the re-writable medium while printing.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of biasing a support, holding the re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor, so as to erase prior orientation of the dichroic spheres of the re-writable medium while printing.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process as set forth in 24, wherein the support and the photoconductor are biased so as to apply approximately equal magnitude but opposite direction fields to the re-writable medium when the photoconductor is respectively charged and discharged.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process as set forth in 24, wherein the support and the photoconductor are biased so as to apply approximately equal magnitude but opposite direction fields to the re-writable medium when the photoconductor is respectively charged and discharged.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
67 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of entering a toner print mode, such that when in the toner print mode, the photoconductor and a support, holding the re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor, are biased to make charged toner particles deposited on the photoconductor be transferred to the writable medium, in accordance with the writable erasing of the charge deposited on the photoconductor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
67 words
The process as set forth in 15, comprising the step of entering a toner print mode, such that when in the toner print mode, the photoconductor and a support, holding the re-writable medium proximate to the photoconductor, are biased to make charged toner particles deposited on the photoconductor be transferred to the writable medium, in accordance with the writable erasing of the charge deposited on the photoconductor.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in 26, comprising the step of fusing toner onto the writable medium after printing in the toner print mode.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in 26, comprising the step of fusing toner onto the writable medium after printing in the toner print mode.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process as set forth in 26, comprising the step of detecting presence of the re-writable medium for printing, and if re-writable medium presence is not detected, causing the printer to enter the toner print mode.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process as set forth in 26, comprising the step of detecting presence of the re-writable medium for printing, and if re-writable medium presence is not detected, causing the printer to enter the toner print mode.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
A re-writable medium, comprising: a substrate; and a first recording layer on the substrate, the first recording layer including a first plurality of polarized microencapsulated dichroic spheres.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
27 words
A re-writable medium, comprising: a substrate; and a first recording layer on the substrate, the first recording layer including a first plurality of polarized microencapsulated dichroic spheres.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The re-writable medium as set forth in 29, comprising a protective layer, the first recording layer being disposed between the protective layer and the substrate.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
25 words
The re-writable medium as set forth in 29, comprising a protective layer, the first recording layer being disposed between the protective layer and the substrate.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
50 words
The re-writable medium as set forth in claim 29, wherein the substrate includes a conductive layer, and the re-writable medium comprises: a second recording layer on an opposing side of the substrate from the first recording layer, the second recording layer including a second plurality of polarized microencapsulated dichroic spheres.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
The re-writable medium as set forth in 31, comprising a protective layer, the first recording layer being disposed between the protective layer and the substrate.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
25 words
The re-writable medium as set forth in 31, comprising a protective layer, the first recording layer being disposed between the protective layer and the substrate.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
The re-writable medium as set forth in claim 29, wherein the substrate is polymer impregnated.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
The re-writable medium as set forth in claim 29, wherein the substrate includes polymer fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-01 | 2002-08-03 | 2003-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-01 | 2006-08-03 | 2007-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-01 | 2010-08-03 | 2011-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |