US 5,424,822 A · 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 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 digitized photographic image can be printed in full color, and the photographic image can be computer enhanced. A locally variable attractive field member having an operable surface receives an image in a layer of chromogenic microcapsules. An optomagnetic and/or optoelectric coating on the attractive field member receives light information and generates an attractive field to selectively apply and vary a respective local attractive field associated with discrete locations of the operable surface. A plurality of field attractive microcapsules are attracted to the discrete locations of the operable surface so as to form a layer of field attractive microcapsules which may have a uniform or a varying thickness. The thickness depends on the respective local attractive field associated with discrete locations of the operable surface, and thus depends on the light information impinging on the optomagnetic and/or optoelectric coating. A three-dimensional or two-dimensional microcapsule structure can be formed on the operable surface. This microcapsule structure is image-wise exposed to form a latent image. Upon developing an curing, an observable image is produced which may replicate, for example, the surface variations and texture of a conventionally painted painting, or a photographic image.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A printer for forming an image in a layer of microcapsules, comprising:

image receiving means for receiving an image in a layer of field attractive microcapsules, the image receiving means comprising a locally variable attractive field member and controlling means for controlling the locally variable attractive field member to selectively apply an attractive field at at least one predetermined location of the locally variable attractive field member so that a layer of field attractive microcapsules can be formed by selectively applying a corresponding local attractive field at the at least one predetermined location of the locally variable attractive field member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Three-dimensional color image printer

Life of this patent

Three-dimensional color image printer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19