Abstract: A method of fabricating from a single piece of copper foil the extremely fragile recording element structure of a multi-channel magnetic recording head having a linear array of bi-metal recording elements, in which the elements are comprised of elongated substantially parallel finger portions terminating in a common return, with each having a minutely thinned down recording zone. For high resolution recording head structures, the dimensions of the elements at the recording zone may typically be as thin as 0.1.times.10.sup.-3 inches with a width of 1.5.times.10.sup.-3 inches and length of 3.5.times.10.sup.-3 inches, where the total length of the recording elements may nevertheless be as long as three inches. The process comprises an etching technique and the application of one or more supports at appropriate times in the fabrication to protect the structure at its most vulnerable times.

Abstract: In a high-quality, high-speed magnetographic apparatus, an arrangement for developing the latent magnetic images of a readily-imagable magnetizable medium (in particular a relatively high-coercivity medium) with magnetically attractable toner particles. A rotatable toner developer is positioned proximate to the medium to define therebetween a toning zone, with the developer being structured to magnetically provide toner particles in contact with the medium at the toning zone and to impart to the toner particles at least at and approaching the toning zone a direction of movement relative to the medium which is in opposition to the latter. A concentration of substantially fluidized and magnetically confined toner particles is thus provided which is urged into contact with the medium for effectively developing the latent images even with the medium moving at high speed relative to the developer and without adversely affecting the latent magnetic images of the medium.

Abstract: A digital image processing system is disclosed wherein a cathode ray tube (CRT) binary display device has visual images created under control of a computer system. The visual images are screened facsimiles of a continuous tone image represented by digital raster image signals stored in the computer system. An image of an airbrush tip is superimposed by a cursor means in the computer system over a small (0.22.times.0.22 inch) region of a visual image on the display and is moved to different locations over the visual image by a pointer device manipulated by a viewer. The pointer supplies position signals X and Y to the cursor means. When a viewer simultaneously moves the pointer and depresses either buttons A or C on the pointer, the stored raster image signals associated with the visual image under the image of the airbrush tip have their tone changed. Depression of the A button causes an increase in tone and depression of the C button, a decrease in tone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for making 35 mm color slides from a color image created on a color cathode ray tube (CRT) terminal. The color terminal transmits commands to a remote central processing unit (CPU) that in turn operates a 35 mm camera device to expose 35 mm color slide film. Prior to transmitting the commands, a black on white facsimile of the color image is created by a graphic printer located at the color terminal. The black and white facsimile uses different halftone dot patterns in a monochrome graphic image to simulate the different colors created at the color terminal. The halftone dot pattern density is related to the luminance of the color it represents and the scale of the dot pattern is large to enable ready detection by the human eye. Also, different dot patterns are used for different colors and on edge enhancement technique is used to distinguish one simulated color region from another in the monochrome image.

Abstract: A thin film of polyvinylidene fluoride is operated in the piezoelectric thickness mode to stimulate fluid drop formation for ink jet printing systems. The film is placed against a rigid wall of either rectangular, cylindrical or spherical chambers having at least one nozzle for emitting a continuous stream of fluid from which the drops are formed. The frequency of the drop generation is related to the frequency of an AC voltage applied across the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: A novel, dynamically electrostatically scanning ink jet system is provided by applying a time varying potential to an electrode located adjacent the continuous stream portion of ink emitted by a jet at a location prior to break-up of the continuous stream portion into droplets.

Abstract: Positive form overlays are used to make composite images with a positive mode xerographic printer having a laser scan exposure mechanism. The laser scan or electronic exposure mechanism uses an oscillating galvanometer mirror to sweep a scanning spot over a cylindrical shape photoconductor. The xerographic processor includes a transfer drum able to recycle a sheet relative to the photoconductor to transfer at least two sequentially generated xerographic toner images to the same side of the same support in registration. One image is made in response to electronic signals and the other from the positive overlay thereby yielding a composite toner image.

Abstract: Optical fibers are used to sense fluid ink drops along the x, y and z axis of an orthogonal coordinate system. A drop sensing zone is defined in the narrow space between the faces of a single input fiber and two output fibers. An LED infrared light source is coupled to a remote end of the input fiber. Infrared sensitive photodiodes are coupled to the remote ends of each output fiber. The photodiodes are in turn coupled to a differential amplifier whose output represents a displacement error for the x and y axis and represents a time reference for the z axis for the case where the drop flight path is along the z axis. A plurality of sensors are disclosed in an ink recording system having a plurality of nozzles and in an ink recording system having an ink generator traversing the length of a high speed rotating drum.

Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetic recorder for rapidly optically scanning an original document at a distance and for producing a latent magnetic image thereof. An electronic interface between the optical scanner and the magnetic recording head includes optional electronic halftoning circuitry, circuitry for controlling system and subsystem timing; memory circuits; write drivers and circuitry for controlling pixel alignment.

Abstract: Ink jet and xerographic binary graphic printers are disclosed which make reproductions by marking the pixels within a raster pattern on a copy sheet with a high or low density (e.g. black or white) mark in response to electrical printing signals. The printing signals are generated by comparing the magnitude of video signals representative of a continuous tone raster image with electrical screen signals organized into halftone cells according to a pattern. A shift circuit processes received video signals and identifies the center of the black (or white) video signals within the confines of a screen halftone cell. The pattern of screen signals within a halftone cell is shifted to the center of the black video signals. The cell shifting suppresses beat frequencies in reproductions of originals containing screens or image detail with frequencies near that of the electrical screen.

Abstract: An electrical screening system for binary displays or binary graphic recording systems is disclosed which suppresses false contours. The suppression is achieved by increasing the number of gray levels that a given m.times.n matrix of pixels can represent. Each pixel can only represent one of two gray levels in a binary display or graphic system. A conventional m.times.n halftone cell is able to reproduce m.times.n+1 gray levels. The extra gray levels above the m.times.n+1 quantity are achieved for a given m.times.n halftone cell by dynamically changing the values of the m.times.n screen signals associated with a halftone cell. The amount of the change is limited to a value between zero and D inclusive where D is the difference between two adjacent screen signal values.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying system is disclosed wherein the DC charging and DC transfer corotrons are powered with an unfiltered full wave rectified voltage derived from a 110 volt, 60 hertz line source. The DC corotrons are regulated along with AC corotrons used for detack and erase operations. The regulation is achieved by a feedback loop coupled to only one of the corotrons.

Abstract: A pictorial ink jet printer is disclosed. The printer uses a linear array of nozzles each of which records a segment of a row of pixels in a given raster pattern. The pixel segment is recorded by electrostatically deflecting the ink drops from a nozzle to the pixels contained within the segment. The drops from adjacent nozzles are "stitched" or aligned to these ideal pixel positions by aligning the ink drop streams to drop position sensors. Two sensors are used for each nozzle. Preferably, adjacent nozzles share sensors. The sensors are spaced relative to each other to very close tolerances. Consequently, alignment of each nozzle to its two drop position sensors means that the drops from adjacent nozzles are aligned or "stitched.

Abstract: A color copier having high resolution projection optics is modified to include low resolution electrical correction method and apparatus. A latent electrostatic image of an original is generated with conventional lamp and lens projection optics. This optical latent image is corrected for tone or color in real time by a parallel raster exposure arrangement. A raster input scanner (RIS) generates electrical raster image signals representative of the original. A processor converts electrical correction signals according to a prescribed scheme from the raster image signals. A raster output scanner (ROS) generates a raster latent image generated in registration with the optical latent image in response to the electrical correction signals. The RIS uses charge coupled devices (CCD's) to generate the electrical raster signals and the ROS uses a laser, and galvanometer to generate the raster latent image.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying system is disclosed that employs a mixture of AC and DC corotrons energized by a common power supply. The DC corotrons are energized with an unfiltered, rectified AC voltage derived from the same source as the AC voltage applied to the AC corotrons so that all the corotrons are driven by voltages having a common wave shape. One of the corotrons is regulated by a feedback circuit coupled between the regulated or master corotron and the power supply. The other corotrons track the regulation of the master corotron.

Abstract: Reproductions of originals are obtained electro-photographically by exposing a charged photoconductor sequentially to at least two electro-optically regulated laser beam exposures, each exposure representing a separate color component of the original. Full color reproduction is possible.Alternatively a laser beam exposure may be accompanied, preferably substantially simultaneously, by exposures from either an opaque original or a transparency or both.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is disclosed employing a row of multiple ink jet nozzles aimed at a moving target or copy sheet. Each nozzle has a separate charging electrode associated with it but all the nozzles share a pair of common deflection plates that divert charged droplets over a shared gutter toward the target. Uncharged droplets go into the gutter. An electrostatic lens is shared by all the nozzles being positioned in the path of the charged droplets deflected toward the target. The lens aligns or focuses charged droplets from all the nozzles to a focus line on the target despite misalignment of nozzles relative to a print line on the target.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is disclosed of the type wherein a plurality of nozzles emit parallel streams of droplets toward a target. Each nozzle has a charging electrode to charge droplets selectively depending upon whether a particular droplet is intended for the target or a gutter. A pair of deflection plates span the paths of the droplet streams and deflects the charged droplets according to information to be printed. A multiple field electrostatic lens is used to align charged droplets from different nozzles to a common line on the target despite misalignments between nozzles relative to the common line.

Abstract: An ink jet printing system is disclosed of the type wherein selected droplets from a continuous stream of droplets are charged and deflected toward a target. The droplet placement on the target is determined by the amount of charge. The system uses an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) exciter to generate the continuous stream. The exciter is composed of one, two, three or more pump electrodes of a length equal to about one half the droplet spacing. The multiple pump electrode embodiments are spaced at intervals of multiples of about one half the droplet spacing or wavelength.

Abstract: A storage buffer for a moving web comprises a collection bin having an opening through which the web can be randomly dumped under the influence of gravity; means for floating randomly dumped web within the collection bin upon a cushion of gas without mechanical support of said web; a web exit within a wall of said collection bin; and means for guiding pressurized gas over web passing through the web exit.