Highlight color imaging with first image neutralization using a scorotron
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorRichard P. Germain
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Highlight color imaging method and apparatus including structure for forming a single polarity charge pattern having at least three different voltage levels on a charge retentive surface wherein two of the voltage levels correspond to two image areas and the third voltage level corresponds to a background area. Interaction between developer materials contained in a developer housing and an already developed image in one of the two image areas is minimized by the use of a scorotron to neutralize the charge on the already developed image.
Claims34
Highlight color imaging apparatus including means for forming a single polarity charge pattern having at least three different voltage levels on a charge retentive surface wherein two of the voltage levels correspond to two image areas and the third voltage level corresponds to a background area, said apparatus comprising:
- means including a first developer housing containing developer materials for forming a first contrasting image in one of said two image areas;
- means including a second developer housing containing developer materials for forming a second contrasting image in the other of said two image areas;
- and
- means operative independently of said means including said first and second developer housings for effecting reduction in the interaction of the developer materials in said second developer housing with said first contrasting image on said charge retentive surface, said interaction reducing means comprising means for reducing the charge level of said first contrasting image prior to its movement past said second developer housing.
The method of forming highlight color images including means for forming a single polarity charge pattern having at least three different voltage levels on a charge retentive surface wherein two of the voltage levels correspond to two image areas and the third voltage level corresponds to a background area, said method including the steps of:
- forming a first contrasting image in one of said two image areas with developer contained in a first developer housing;
- forming a second contrasting image in the other of said two image areas with developer contained in a second developer housing;
- and
- modifying said first contrasting image for minimizing the interaction of the developer materials in said second developer housing with said first contrasting image on said charge retentive surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.