Three-dimensional color image printer

Abstract

A printer for forming an image by image-wise exposure of a layer of chromogenic microcapsules. The observable image produced in accordance with the present invention may have a three-dimensional topographical structure, such as to form the bumps of the braille alphabet, or to replicate the surface variations and texture of brush strokes of a conventional painting. A locally variable attractive field plate having an operable surface is provided for receiving an image in a layer of chromogenic microcapsules. A plurality of individually controllable attractive field sources are provided, each in operable connection with a corresponding discrete location of the operable surface. Each individually controllable attractive field source is controlled to selectively apply and vary a respective local attractive field associated with each corresponding discrete location of the operable surface. A plurality of field attractive microcapsules are supplied to be attracted to the discrete locations of the operable surface so as to form a layer of field attractive microcapsules having a thickness. The thickness depends on the respective local attractive field associated with each corresponding discrete location of the operable surface. A three-dimensional structure of the layer of field attractive microcapsules having a varying thickness can be formed by selectively applying a different local attractive field at two or more corresponding discrete locations of the operable surface. This three-dimensional structure can be image-wise exposed to form a latent image. Upon developing and curing, an observable image is produced.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.