Matrix-addressed heat image forming device

A digital image forming device useful for ink printing with an ink-based digital printing system having a rotatable reimageable latent imaging roll, comprising:

• a heating array disposed as a layer of the rotatable reimageable latent imaging roll proximate an outer surface of the latent imaging roll, the heating array including a pixelated array of controllable heating elements spread about the layer, with each heating element corresponding to a respective pixel of the pixelated array, wherein a fluid is deposited over the rotatable reimageable latent imaging roll;
• driving circuitry communicatively connected to the heating array for selectively temporarily heating the heating elements in a patterned image to an elevated temperature;
• the selectively temporarily heated heating elements configured to heat portions of the rotatable reimageable latent imaging roll outer surface proximate the heating array as a heated patterned image when the selected heating elements are at the elevated temperature, the heated patterned image configured to modify the deposited fluid over the rotatable reimageable latent imaging roll to produce a latent image of fluid on the rotatable reimageable latent imaging roll surface based on the patterned image;
• an inking apparatus configured to apply ink to the latent image and produce an inked image based on the patterned image;
• and
• an ink transfer nip for transferring the inked image to a print substrate.