DE1698003A1 - Multicolor electrographic inking and printing device - Google Patents

Description

PATENT LAWYERS

DR. CLAUS REINLÄNDER 1 ρ Ο π η η ο

DIPL-INaKLAUSBERNHARDT ^{llv! G}

D; -8 MUNICH 23 "' ^Ρ1 5» D

MAINZER STRASSE 5

VARIAN AGSOCIAi ¹ IiIS

Palo Alto, California

V. St, v. America

Multicolor slectrographic coloring and printing device

Priorities »January 30, 1967 - United States of America Serial Nos. 612 47I and 612 540

It is described _for an electrographic recording apparatus, a line consisting of an electrostatic charge on a charge receiving surface of a strip of recording paper elektrographisohem laying down. In one embodiment, the transverse position of the line-shaped charge image on the recording strip represents the amplitude of the recorded signal. Multiple coloring fixtures, each a different color of a charged pigment

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release ₌ are arranged in such a way that charge images are colored within separate strip-shaped zones of the recording strip. The colored electrostatic image then has a color which depends on the amplitude range to which the image happens to correspond at any point in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The transverse position of the boundaries between different colors can be adjusted by moving or pivoting the coloring devices so that the differently colored amplitude ranges can be adjusted. In other embodiments, a multi-channel recording or printing device results in which the signals corresponding to the various channels are each recorded in the associated separate strip-shaped zone of the recording paper. Each separate recording zone is assigned its own separate coloring device with a pigment that has a different color than its neighbors.

An electrographic color printing and reproduction machine is further disclosed in which a colored image is reproduced should be, line by line with a flying spot scanner as a recording device is scanned. The recording device has three channels, one each for the primary colors red, green and blue. One line at a time The arrangement of pen-shaped electrical writing electrodes is transverse over the charge receptive surface of a moving strip arranged from elektrographis.chem recording paper. The electrodes are arranged in groups of three. One electrode each Group is connected to the "red" channel! another electrode with the "green" channel and the last electrode of each group with the "blue"

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Channel. The electrode groups are scanned one after the other and with Writing voltage excited, synchronous with the three separate output voltages of the flying spot scanner. Three separate inking devices, one for each of the three colors, are arranged across the strip in order to color the lenticular charge images The writing electrodes are placed on the running electrograph paper. Each inking device contains a number of inking slots, with which paint is applied to narrow, linear paint zones on the strip. The slots in each paint dispenser are aligned with the associated electrode, and thus with the line charge images corresponding to the respective color « In this way, the colored images that are scanned are reproduced on the strip.

Up to now, electrographic recording devices have been used to determine the charge image colored with a pigment color, regardless of the transverse orientation of the image on the recording paper, it is desirable that one electrographic recorder the color of the recorded Curve changes when the signal falls below a specified value or exceeds a predetermined value. For example, if the temperature any device recorded with the recording device should be, it is desirable that the curve is in a color for example green, appears when in the normal operating temperature range and is given a different color, for example red, if the temperature is outside the normal operating range.

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With multi-channel recording devices in which each recording channel a certain stripe-shaped zone is assigned on the recording paper, it is also desirable that the recorded signals of the different channels recorded with a different colored track so that the different channels can be more easily distinguished by the viewer.

Color electrophotographic prints have heretofore been made in the manner been that a xerography plate through a red filter was exposed with the color image, then the red image with its complementary color (blue-green) and then the blue-green powder image was transferred to a sheet of white paper. The xerographic Plate was then exposed to the color image through a green filter. The image was then developed on the plate with purple toner and that Transfer the powder image to the paper and the blue-green powder image superimposed. The xerographic plate was then exposed to the color image through a blue filter. The plate was then treated with a yellow toner developed. The yellow powder image was then applied to the white sheet of paper transferred and superimposed on the blue-green and purple powder image, so that a composite color image resulted, which then in the usual Way was fixed by heating. The problem with this procedure is the need for a xerographic plate and registration problems occur so that with each successive powder development and the transfer of the powder image onto the paper, this transfer must be done with precise fits.

The invention seeks to provide an improved electrographic record or Printing device available.

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According to the invention, an electrographic recording or Printing device made available with two or more inking devices that apply charged pigment particles of different colors • give up separately ^, strip-shaped zones of the recording medium, so that charge images that are within the separate stripe zones of the recording medium are recorded in different colors to be recorded. In one embodiment of the invention can it can be ensured that the color of a recorded signal changes when the signal amplitude deviates from an amplitude range moved to a different amplitude range. In another embodiment According to the invention, separate signal channels can be separate strip-shaped Zones of the recording medium are assigned in order to record the signals of the separate channels in different colors.

According to a further development of the invention, the boundary between adjacent colored strips can be set in that the positions of the different inking devices relative to the recording medium can be set. In one embodiment of the invention, thereby the amplitude range of the recorded signal or signals can be changed according to the separated colors. With a multi-channel This allows recording device to * the width of the recording strip to change according to each of the separate channels.

According to another development of the invention, an electrode structure is used used, with which a Ladungsbildes ter on a Ladungsempfängliohe Surface of a recording medium8 is laid down, which is colored with the three basic colors, so this is a color print

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is formed. The image pattern appears in a series of charge lines which are arranged in groups of three lines each, one line each for the basic colors. Three primary color inking devices are provided. Each inking device has a number of applicators on, with which the color is only in the associated linear Charge zone is applied to the recording medium in accordance with the associated basic color, so that color images are generated.

According to a special design of this embodiment, there is Electrode structure with which the line charge image is deposited, made up of a series of electrodes that are positioned across the recording medium are sufficient. These electrodes are grouped in groups of three, with one electrode in each group being used for the three primary colors.

There are three separate electrical channels for scanning and recording

en / take the electrical signals according to the basic color content a color image to be printed is provided, and the outputs of these three Channels are used to attach the appropriate "staining" electrodes To excite arrangement.

According to a special embodiment of the invention, the color dispensing devices each have a series of slots that act as applicators serve, with which the color on the respective line-shaped ' Zones of the recording medium are applied.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following Description in connection with the drawing; show it

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Fig. 1 schematically shows an electrographic recording device according to the invention;

Fig »2 schematically shows an adjustable inking device according to the Invention;

5 shows another embodiment of an adjustable color dispensing device; "

4 schematically shows a further embodiment of an adjustable one Inking device;

Figo 5 schematically shows another embodiment of an according to the invention Recording device;

Fig. 6 schematically shows a color image printer according to the invention; and

FIG. 7 schematically that enclosed in FIG. 6 with the line 7-7. Part.

In Fig. 1, there is an electrographic recording apparatus 1 shown according to the invention. An electrical input signal to be recorded is available via two input terminals 2 and 3 «The input signal is fed to a deviation detector 4 in which the Input signal is compared with a reference voltage determined by a potentiometer 5 is derived to a deviation or To form the difference signal which is fed to an amplifier 6. The output of the amplifier 6 is fed to a reversible motor 7. The output shaft of the motor 7 drives the tap 8 of the potentiometer 5 through a mechanical link 9 * a recording pen 11 is coupled to the mechanical connection 9 in such a way that it extends across a corresponding to the position of the tap 8 moving recording tape 12 moved.

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An electrical writing potential of, for example, -800 volts against Earth is on the pen 11. An insulating capacitor 13 separates the Reference voltage from the write voltage. The recording tape or the Strip 12 is, for example, an electrographic recording paper having a charge retentive dielectric film on the surface attached to the pen 11 and a conductive one Paper back in contact with a conductive plate 14, that works on earth potential.

The pen 11 is thus caused to be in a transverse position (Ordinate position along the = O-axis) on the recording strip or tape 12, according to the reference voltage as it is taken from the potentiometer 5 and just the one to be recorded Input signal compensates * The ordinate position of the pin 11 corresponds to the amplitude of the input signal. The strip 12 moves in the abscissa direction A corresponding to a puncture, against which the input signal is to be measured. When the input signal for example, to be measured as a function of the time, the strip 12 is in direction A at a predetermined speed passed the pen.

The pen 11 strikes a line-shaped charge image 15 on the charge retentive surface of the strip 12 down. Two coloring devices (pigment applicators) 16 and 17 are above the strip arranged to apply charged pigment particles to the charge images, to develop (color) them. As coloring precautions

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16 and 17 of any of various types can be used. For example, hollow profile elements can be used that have a have open side near the strip 12 in which powdery Pigment is carried as a colloidal suspension in a stream of air. the Particles are drawn out of the suspension by the electrostatic attraction of the charge images. In a preferred embodiment the pigment particles are applied with a channel with an open side, containing a flow of charged pigment particles colloidally suspended in a liquid carrier. The liquid has less than atmospheric pressure, so the strip against the open Side of the color channel is pressed and seals it. A suitable one The liquid color channel is in the earlier application V34 395 IXa / 57e described and claimed by the applicant.

The color channels 16 and 17 contain differently colored pigment particles and are arranged across the strip 12 so that they color separate strip-shaped zones 18 and 19 of the strip 12. The part of the charge image which falls into the zone 18 is therefore colored in a first color, for example red, while the part of the charge image falling in zone 19 is colored with a second color, for example green. Since zones 18 and I9 are different Correspond to the amplitude ranges of the recorded signal, occurs, the recording in red when the amplitude of the recorded Signal has a predetermined value corresponding to a dividing line 21 between the red ^ and green zones 18 and 19 respectively. That is particularly desirable when observing, because it is used to help the operating personnel warning to draw attention to the fact that the signal is above

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of a certain range of values, and this is easily recognizable, ~ even if the recording is only observed very cursory.

The separation level 21 between the different color zones 18 and 19 is easily adjusted in that the Parbgabevorrxchtung 16 and across the strip 12 are brought into a new position, whereby the Separation line '21 * relative * to * "iK.r is moved from its original position.

In Pig. 2 shows a color display system is shown in which the Farbgabevorriohtungen 16 and 17 are movable as a unit transversely to the strip ⁼ 12 to the position of the dividing line 21 between the red and green zone to change 18 and 19 respectively.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment with which the dividing line can be adjusted. In this case, a separating element 22, which separates the paint chamber parts of the paint channels 16 and 17, is transverse to the Strip 12 slidable to move the parting line 21.

In Fig. 4, another embodiment is shown with which the Separation line 21 between the ink zones 18 and 19 can be moved. In this case, the color channels 16 and 17 are at points 23 and 24 pivotable. The inking provisions 16 and 17 are respectively pivoted into positions in which adjacent strip-shaped zones 18 and 19 are painted over on the strip 12. The dividing line 21 is defined by the boundary between zones 18 and 19.

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In Fig. 5 is another multi-channel embodiment of an inventive Recording device shown. In this case two separate recording channels 25 and 26 are provided, each one for itself correspond to the recording device 1 of FIG. 1, and these "both are arranged within a single recording device 27, see above that the separate input signals on separate strip-shaped Zones 18 "and 19, respectively, are recorded on a common recording strip 12 will. Two inking devices 16 and 17 are arranged so that they form the charge images in the separate stripes Color zones 18 and 19 respectively. Different colored pigments will be used in the separate inking device 16 and 17, so that each channel is recorded in a different color, so the Separation of the recording of the two separate channels takes place will.

In Fig. 6, a color image printer 31 according to the invention is shown. This printer 31 consists of a series of pen-shaped writing electrodes J2, which via an electrographic recording means 33 is sufficient, for example a strip of electrographic recording paper. Such a recording paper is made of a thin dielectric Film on conductive paper backing. The film serves as the charge retentive surface of the recording paper. A suitable one The recording paper is the electrographic paper lot 65-5O-B from Plastic Coating Corporation, Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. The recording tape or paper 33 is taken from a supply roll on the row of write electrodes 33 by any suitable means pulled past, for example a motor-driven friction wheel 40,

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which rests on the paper 33.

The writing electrodes 32 are arranged in groups of three 34, each one for the three basic colors (see Fig. 7). Each of the electrodes

32 is with the associated color rail 35t 36 or 37 by switching transistors 30 »39 or 4I connected. An electrode 42 in the form A conductive bar is under the ends of the pin electrodes 32 on the conductive side of the recording strip or paper arranged. The plate electrode is connected to a voltage source of for example + 600 volts connected. Each of the colored rails is with a source for a voltage of for example + 400 volts connected, which is just above, that is, a little more positive than the tension which ensures) that a charge image on the charge-retaining Surface of the recording paper 33 is deposited when they are applied to the writing electrodes 32 relative to the plate electrode will. So if a negative "color" signal is missing that indicates the "Stain" rails 35, 36 and 37 are superimposed on the paper

33 no charge images put down.

A counting counter 43 of the usual construction as in the earlier application V 34 502 IXb / 42d of the applicant is described with its outputs via lines 44 to the switching transistors 38 connected to the potentials on the color rails 55 »36 and 37 to be connected successively to the respective groups 34 of writing electrodes 32. The gate transistors 38 through 4I of each group 34 are all parallel at the outputs 44 of the ring counter, so that

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simultaneously all three electrodes of the selected group 34 with the associated rails 35 »36 and 37 are connected.

A scanning synchronous pulse generator 46 supplies a pulse train to the ring counter 43 »in order to ensure that the ring counter excites the groups 34 of the writing electrode 52 one after the other. The scanning synhron pulse generator 46 also supplies its output voltage to a flying spot scanner 47 »in order to ensure that this scanner guides a white light spot over a color image 48 to be reproduced. The light point scans the image 48 line by line, the movement of the light spot representing a sequence of steps for each line ο The steps are carried out according to the pulses from the scanning synchronous pulse generator 46 and are therefore synchronous with the sequence of output voltages of the ring counter 43 Recording paper 35 νίτά. advanced according to each line feed of the flying spot scanner 47.

The light reflected from the illuminated spot on the image 48 to be reproduced passes through a mirror 49 which is silvered to a third, the flat surface of which is inclined at 45 ° to the axis of the reflected light beam 51. One third of the light reflected by the spot passes through a red filter 52, which only allows the red spectral components to pass through to a photodetector 53. The direct output of the botlight photodetector 53 is fed to a "Rof recording amplifier 54, which amplifies the red light signal and feeds it to the" Rof rail 35 via an adjustable resistor 55, which serves as a variable gain control.

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Two thirds of the light reflected from the Fleok comes from the mirror 49 * reflected on a semitransparent silver-plated mirror 56. A Third of the total, reflected by the spot light is transmitted through a mirror 56 to a blue filter 57, which only the blue The spectral component of the light is fed to a second photodetector 58. The DC output of the photodetector receiving the blue light 58 becomes a "blue" recording amplifier 59 and from this the "Blue" rail 37 fed through a variable resistor 61, which serves as a "blue" gain control »

One third of the total light reflected by the Fleok that emanates from the Mirror 56 is reflected is fed to a green filter 62 which the green spectral component passes to a photodetector 63. The Gleioh output of the photodetector 63 becomes a "green" pickup amplifier 64, and runs from there to the "green" rail 36 via a variable resistor 65 * as a variable gain control serves.

The "red", "green ¹¹ " and "blue" signal outputs are negative DC voltages which are superimposed on the positive DC voltage of rails 351 36 and 37. As previously mentioned, these rails are biased to a potential slightly above the threshold voltage, i.e. "H · they are somewhat more positive than this, so that no charge image is deposited on the paper if there is no color signal. The color signals are subtracted from the bias voltage, so that there is a higher voltage drop across the gap between the gated writing electrode

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32 and the opposite base plate electrode 42 results. This The voltage drop is sufficient to create a charge image on the charge-retaining one Layer of recording paper 33 to deposit.

The Sohrei electrodes 32 strike charge images after Sattern and excitation on the recording paper 33 in lenticular zones 71, respectively the width of the individual electrodes 32, which develops (colored) "The electrodes 32 become as narrow as possible made, for example, they have a width in the order of magnitude of a few hundredths of a millimeter, and are as close together as possible arranged, for example, 0.025 mm (1 mil) apart.

Three primary color inking units 72, 73 and 74 are across the width of the notice paper 33 is arranged. The color donors exist in each case from a hollow channel containing an elongated chamber connected to a colloidal suspension is filled with pigment particles. The particles can be in a stream of air or in a stream of a quick drying dielectric liquid be suspended through the channels 72, 73 and 74 flows · In a colloidal suspension, the particles are charged and a suspension is chosen in which the particles with another Are charged in sign than it has the electrical charge carried by the Electrodes 32 has been deposited on the recording paper 33. The colored pigment particles are then from the charge images that are on are deposited on the paper 33, attracted and held electrostatically.

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The color channels 72, 73 and 74 are open on the side facing the paper 33, with a series of slits 75, J6 and 77 "which" establish a connection between the charge retentive surface of the recording paper 33 and the ink supply which is passed through the color channels 72, 73 and 74 specifically includes. the slots of each row are aligned with the special color image region 71 on the paper, corresponding to the relevant color to be printed or dyed,. words, the slots 75 of the red color encoder JZ only with the line-shaped image zones 71 which are aligned with the "red" writing electrodes 32 of the electrode arrangement in the same way, the slots 77 of the blue color generator 74 are only aligned with the line-shaped image zones 71, which are marked with the "Bla ^ '- Sch friction electrodes are aligned. The ink slots 75, 76 and 77 are preferably formed elongated in the direction parallel to the direction of the line-shaped ink zones 71 in order to ensure that a sufficient amount of ink flows to the color images to be inked. The width of the slots 75 »76 and 77 essentially corresponds to the width of the zones 71 to be colored. The slots 75» 76 and 77 are preferably formed by photo-graphically etching a thin metal plate according to the desired soleplate pattern. The soled metal plate is then preferably with a thin. Coated insulating layer and touched with the edges tightly over the open side of the color channel. The color channels are preferably in their position transverse to the paper 33

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adjustable so their slot positions for exact alignment can be set with the associated color zones 71.

When the recording paper 33 is attached to the electrode assembly 32 and the, three color donors 72, 73 and 74 has passed, the color image is 48 reproduced and printed in color on paper 33.

The color printing machine 31 is in connection with a digital one Scanning mechanism has been described, instead of which, of course, can also analog sampling can be used. In this case the ring counter would contain a circuit that develops a voltage, the amplitude of which corresponds to the digital count at each moment. This output voltage would be compared in a deviation detector to an analog sync wobble signal, i.e., itself repetitive ramp voltage, or a sawtooth, giving an error signal with which a pulse generator is controlled, which ensures that the counter follows the sawtooth signal. The synchronization sawtooth signal would also control the flying spot scanner. Any of a variety of scanners can be used to capture the three primary color signals to develop, which are fed to the color rails 35 »3 & wd 37 will. For example, a color television camera can be used for this purpose to form the three color signals.

The primary colors red, blue and green have been used instead however, other basic colors can also be used, for example Purples, Teal, and Yellows.

/ Claims

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Claims (1)

V1 PI56 D Patent claims ΓΙ. Jilektrographische inking and printing device with a Einriah- /
._, / device for depositing an electric charge image on the charge-retaining surface of an electrographic recording medium and a developing device for the deposited charge image, with which charged pigment particles are applied to the charge-retaining surface of the recording medium, characterized in that the developing device (16, 17) has a first applicator part (16) with which; charged pigment particles of a first color in at least one strip-shaped zone (1S) of the recording medium to be applied, and a second applicator ^ part (17)> ^w ith äem charged pigment particles are applied (19) of Aufzeichnungsmitteis a second color in at least one other strip-shaped zone so that charge images in the first zone (18) are colored with a first color and charge images in the second zone (19) are colored with a second color. 2. Device according to. Claim 1, "wherein the device is an electrographic A recording device is provided with a device, responsive to an input signal to be recorded, with which a charge image is deposited on the recording medium that the charge is deposited in a position on the recording medium which the vector sum of two mutually orthogonal ordinates and abscissas 109825/0350 ORIGINAL / a Corresponds to large, where the ordinate position of the charge image is Corresponds to the amplitude of the input signal to be recorded, thereby characterized in that both strip-shaped color zones (18, 19), parallel are directed to each other and parallel to the abscissa axis, so that the signal to be recorded in a certain amplitude range in the • is colored in the first color and in a second amplitude range in the second color * The jo device of claim 1, wherein the electrographic device has multiple channels that respond to multiple input signals, to deposit several separate charge images on the recording medium in accordance with the separate input signals, thereby characterized in that the plurality of charge images in the separated strip-shaped color zones (19, 18) of the recording means (12) be knocked down, leaving a signal of a first channel with a first color pigment in the first color zone (.18) and a second signal channel in a second color pigment in the second color zone (19) is colored » 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electrographic device is a multi-channel recording device, characterized in that · the multi-channel device (25 »26) the separate charge images in layers in the separate color zones according to the amplitudes of the - separate input signals -A3- 109825/0350 5. Device according to one of claims 1-4, characterized by a Device (22) with which the positions of the two applicator parts (16, 17) 'are set relative to the position of the recording medium to adjust the relative positions of the strip-shaped color zones. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 »characterized in that the adjusting device contains a device with which the two applicator parts (16, 17) are offset in a straight line relative to the path of the recording medium can be. (Fig. 2) 7. Device according to one of claims 1-5 »characterized by a Device with which the position of the first pigment applicator part (16) adjustable relative to the position of the second pigment applicator part (17) is the relative widths of the two ink zones on the recording medium to adjust. dg device according to claim 7> characterized in that the setting device has devices (2J, 24) with which the two pigment applicators parts (16, 17) are adjustable relative to each other (Fig. 4) 9 · Device according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterized by a Means (22) with which the widths of the two pigment applicator parts (16, 17) can be set that the relative widths of the two color zones can be set on the recording medium can. (Fig. 3) -14- 109825/0350 • AC 10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a device ■ (54) is provided with a series of linear charge zones on a charge retentive surface of a recording medium (33) can be deposited, with these linear charge zones correspond to a color image to be printed and the lines in groups of three are grouped, each with a line for the three primary colors, that the developing device has three color applicators (72, 75 »74) has, with the colored pigment particles in each of the linear Charging zones can be brought into that the paint applicators each one Set of applicators (75> 76, 77) that are in accordance with the associated linear charge zones (4Ό on the recording medium are aligned in order to color mainly only these line-shaped charge zones, which correspond to the associated basic color of the pigment «' particles of the respective inking correspond, so that a composite Charge image is printed in color. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the device for depositing the series of linear charge zones has a series of electrodes which are positioned across the recording j means are arranged, and that the row of electrodes (32) in Groups of three (34) are grouped with one electrode of each group for depositing a charge in a linear zone in each case corresponds to one of the three basic colors. 12. The device naoh claim 11, characterized in that three separate electrical channels (35i 36 »37) are provided with which electrical -A5- 109825/0350 en /
Signals corresponding to the basic color content of a color image to be printed are scanned and recorded, and that the outputs of the three separate channels are used to excite the three associated separate electrodes of each electrode group of the electrode arrangement. ^ • Device according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that that the three color applicators each have a chamber that extends over the recording medium and a suspension of charged pigment particles, which make up the color contains ^ that each color donor · a series of openings that establish a connection between the ladongs holding Establish surface of the recording medium and the chamber, and that the series of openings in correspondence substantially only with the line-shaped charge zones are arranged on the recording medium, which are colored with the colored pigments in the respective color donor should be o 14 · Device according to claim 13 »characterized in that the openings. (751 76, 77) are narrow slits elongated in the direction parallel to the line-shaped charge zones deposited on the recording medium (35). - - 15 »Device according to one of claims 1« 14 »characterized by the Combination with a sheet of electrographic paper (12, 53)> which forms the recording medium and which forms a dielectric film a conductive paper backing, this film the charge « holding surface of the electrographic paper forms on the the color image is printed. 10 9 3 2 5/0350 _BA0 ORIGINAL Blank page