US6064410A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing continuous tone images on receivers having field-driven particles
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1998-03-03
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Granted: 2000-05-16
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Expires: 2018-03-03
Abstract
Abstract An electronic printing apparatus responsive to a digital image for providing continuous tone optical density pixels forming an output image on a receiver includes a receiver including field-driven particles in a matrix that can change optical density in response to an applied electric field, the field-driven particles being responsive to fields of different amplitude and duration to change the optical density of the pixels formed in the receiver; an array of electrodes associated with the receiver for selectively applying electric fields according to the digital image forming pixels across the receiver; and electronic control circuitry coupled to the array and responsive to the digital images for computing appropriate voltage waveforms having amplitudes and durations selected so that, when the voltage array forms are applied to the array, fields are produced by the array and applied to the receiver to provide continuous tone pixels having optical densities corresponding to pixels in the digital image.
Inventors
- 👤 Xin Wen
- 👤 Steven D. MacLean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:43
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An electronic printing apparatus responsive to a digital image for providing image pixels of continuous tone optical density in an output image on a receiver, comprising: a) a receiver including field-driven particles in a matrix, the field-driven particles being responsive to applied electric fields of different amplitude and duration to change the optical density on the receiver; b) an array of electrodes associated with the receiver for selectively applying electric fields according to the digital image to form image pixels across the receiver; and c) electronic control means coupled to the array and responsive to the digital images for computing properly modulated voltage waveforms by selecting amplitudes and durations of voltage pulses applied to the electrode array so that, when the voltage waveforms are applied to the array, fields are produced by the array and applied to the receiver to provide continuous tone pixels having optical densities corresponding to the digital image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
An electronic printing apparatus responsive to a digital image for providing image pixels of continuous tone optical density in an output image on a receiver, comprising: a) a receiver including field-driven particles in a matrix, the field-driven particles being responsive to applied electric fields of different amplitude and duration to change the optical density on the receiver; b) an array of electrodes associated with the receiver for selectively applying electric fields according to the digital image to form image pixels across the receiver; and c) electronic control means coupled to the array and responsive to the digital images for computing properly modulated voltage waveforms by selecting amplitudes and durations of voltage pulses applied to the electrode array so that, when the voltage waveforms are applied to the array, fields are produced by the array and applied to the receiver to provide continuous tone pixels having optical densities corresponding to the digital image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The electronic printing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic control means further includes a look-up table responsive to the digital image to provide output signals and means responsive to such output signals to produce appropriate voltage waveforms to provide the continuous tone image pixels on the receiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
An electronic printing apparatus responsive to a digital image for providing image pixels of continuous tone optical density in an output image on a receiver, comprising: a) a receiver including field-driven particles in a matrix, the field-driven particles being responsive to applied electric fields of different amplitude and duration to change the optical density on the receiver; b) an array of electrodes associated with the receiver for selectively applying electric fields according to the digital image to form image pixels across the receiver; c) a heater for heating the receiver to increase the temperature of the matrix so as to increase the mobility of the field-driven particles in the matrix; d) means for sensing the temperature of the receiver; and e) electronic control means coupled to the array and responsive to the digital images and the receiver temperature for computing voltage waveforms having amplitudes and durations selected so that, when the voltage array forms are applied to the array, fields are produced by the array and applied to the receiver to provide continuous tone pixels having optical densities corresponding to the digital image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
183 words
An electronic printing apparatus responsive to a digital image for providing image pixels of continuous tone optical density in an output image on a receiver, comprising: a) a receiver including field-driven particles in a matrix, the field-driven particles being responsive to applied electric fields of different amplitude and duration to change the optical density on the receiver; b) an array of electrodes associated with the receiver for selectively applying electric fields according to the digital image to form image pixels across the receiver; c) a heater for heating the receiver to increase the temperature of the matrix so as to increase the mobility of the field-driven particles in the matrix; d) means for sensing the temperature of the receiver; and e) electronic control means coupled to the array and responsive to the digital images and the receiver temperature for computing voltage waveforms having amplitudes and durations selected so that, when the voltage array forms are applied to the array, fields are produced by the array and applied to the receiver to provide continuous tone pixels having optical densities corresponding to the digital image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The electronic printing apparatus of claim 3 wherein the electronic control means further includes a look-up table responsive to the digital image and the temperature sensing means to provide output signals and means responsive to such output signals to produce appropriate voltage waveforms having amplitudes and durations to provide the continuous tone pixels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electronic printing apparatus of claim 4 further including means for controlling the heater so that the receiver is at one of a plurality of temperature ranges and the look-up table being responsive to the temperature of the receiver sensed by the temperature sensing means and the input signal for producing the output signals.
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) | 2003-05-16 | 2003-11-15 | 2004-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-16 | 2007-11-15 | 2008-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-16 | 2011-11-15 | 2012-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |