Imaging device and method for developing, duplicating and printing graphic media
OwnerAndrew S. Filoinventor
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Abstract
The present invention provides an imaging device and method for developing, duplicating and printing graphic media. The imaging device of the present invention is utilized in devices such as copiers, printers, game cards and the like, and comprises a substrate bearing an infrared image producing layer, a thermal image forming layer and a light source. A brief but intense flash of visible light from the light source causes latent heat properties of the infrared layer to generate heat and convert visible light into far infrared light. This far infrared light develops or marks portions of the thermal layer which are adjacent the infrared layer.
Claims56
Apparatus for reproducing an image, comprising:
- a substrate;
- an image on the substrate, the image being responsive to visible light applied thereto for converting the applied visible light into infrared light;
- means for applying pulses of visible light to the image on the substrate, the intensity and duration of the applied pulses being controlled to result in the conversion of said pulses into an infrared light replica of said image;
- and
- an image forming layer responsive to said infrared light replica to develop a visible replica of said image.
A method for reproducing an image, comprising the step of:
- applying pulses of visible light to the image on a substrate, the intensity and duration of the applied pulses being controlled to result in the conversion of the pulses into an infrared light replica of said image;
- and
- applying the infrared light replica of the image to a thermographic layer to develop a visible replica of said image.
Apparatus for reproducing an original image, comprising:
- light source means for applying visible light to the original image;
- means, mounted for motion with respect to the original image and responsive to energy from the original image resulting from the application of visible light thereto, for producing a pattern of infrared energy related to the original image;
- and
- thermographic means for developing a visible copy of the original image in response to the pattern of infrared energy.
The method of reproducing an original image, comprising the steps of:
- applying first pulses of visible light to the original image;
- converting the applied first pulses of visible light into a pattern of infrared energy related to the original image;
- and
- developing a visible copy of the original image in response to the pattern of infrared energy.
Imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a source of visible light;
- means for converting the visible light into a pattern of first infrared energy;
- thermographic means for forming a visible image in response to the pattern of first infrared energy;
- a source of second infrared energy;
- means for converting the second infrared energy into a second pattern of infrared energy to provide verification of the visible image.
A method of producing a verified image, comprising the steps of:
- converting visible light into a first pattern of infrared energy;
- thermographically forming a visible image in response to the first pattern of infrared energy;
- and
- converting additional infrared energy into a second pattern of infrared energy to provide verification of the visible image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.