Image forming method, image forming medium, image receiving medium, and image forming apparatus
AssigneeFuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
InventorsSatoshi Tatsuura, Shigemi Ohtsu, Lyong Sun Pu, Makoto Furuki
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Abstract
The present invention provides an image forming method that (i) yields lower running costs, (ii) produces high resolution and high quality images as it allows for a minimum unit of the image being of molecular size, (iii) provides continuous image gradation, (iv) consists of environmentally friendly manufacturing steps, and (v) offers energy savings, low production cost and high efficiency which results in a versatile process with extensive applications in the related arts.
Claims33
An image forming method, comprising the steps of:
- forming an image forming medium by depositing an electrodeposition layer on an electrode by electrochemically oxidizing or reducing a dye molecule dissolved in an aqueous solution by applying voltage to the electrode so that the dye is rendered insoluble in the aqueous solution and is deposited onto the electrode;
- and
- transferring the dye from the electrodeposition layer to an image receiving medium to form an image on the image receiving medium.
An image forming medium for use of forming an image on an image receiving medium, comprising:
- an electrode;
- and
- an electrodeposition layer containing a dye and being deposited on the electrode, wherein the dye being dissolved in an aqueous solution is electrochemically oxidized or reduced to cause insolubility in the aqueous solution and thus to form the electrodeposition layer on the electrode substantially by action of the dye itself.
A method of making an image forming medium, comprising the step of:
- depositing a dye on a substrate, wherein the dye being dissolved in an aqueous solution is oxidized or reduced so that the dye is insoluble in the aqueous solution to be deposited on an electrode substantially by the action of dye itself.
An image receiving medium to which a dye is transferred from an electrodeposition layer as an image forming medium which is formed on an electrode, the dye being dissolved in an aqueous solution is oxidized or reduced so that the dye is insoluble in the aqueous solution and forms the electrodeposition layer on the electrode substantially by action of the dye itself, the image receiving medium comprising:
- a body member fabricated from a high electrically-resistive material having an electrical resistance of approximately ten megaohms or greater.
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- a container containing an aqueous solution of a dye molecule, wherein said molecule is rendered insoluble in the aqueous solution by electrochemically oxidizing or reducing the dye molecule;
- an electrode immersed in the aqueous solution;
- electrochemically oxidizing/reducing means for forming an electrodeposition layer on the electrode by electrochemically oxidizing or reducing the dye molecule;
- means for setting an image receiving medium;
- and
- means for transferring the dye molecule from the electrodeposition layer to the image receiving medium so as to form an image on the image receiving medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.