Abstract: A system and method for detecting a latent image formed with an invisible ink. A mechanism, such as a heater for heating the ink, provides a temperature differential between the ink and the substrate. An ink delivery system such as an ink jet printer applies the ink to the substrate to form a latent image thereon. A heat-sensitive scanning device scans the substrate and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the temperature differential between the ink and the substrate before the ink reaches thermal equilibrium with the substrate. The electrical signal includes information representative of the image on the substrate, and may be displayed, recorded and/or processed as desired to verify the image.

Abstract: A laser marker system for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length and a single laser source. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The single laser source is arranged so that its energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The single laser source includes segmented reflecting means for generating a plurality of output energy beams to create a column of spots on the substrate with a higher resolution. The segmented reflecting means is comprised of a back-reflecting mirror which is formed of a plurality of different mirror segments. A device is provided for moving each of the plurality of different mirror segments between a lasing position and a non-lasing position to vary the number of output energy beams and thus the number of spots on the substrate.

Abstract: Laser marker apparatus for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length, a plurality of lasers, a plurality of turning mirrors, and at least one directing mirror. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The plurality of lasers is arranged so that their energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The plurality of turning mirrors are positioned along the beam path of each respective laser and are oriented to reflect the output beams at predetermined angles. The directing mirrors redirect the output beams to form a column of spaced apart spots on the substrate. One of the directing mirrors is then moved in a first direction so as to form another column of spots on the substrate. Movement in another direction forms a third column of spots on the substrate. The columns are interleaved to create a composite column of higher resolution for marking Alpha-numeric characters.

Abstract: Laser marker apparatus for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length, a plurality of lasers, a plurality of turning mirrors, and at least one directing mirror. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The plurality of lasers is arranged so that their energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The plurality of turning mirrors are positioned along the beam path of each respective laser and are oriented to reflect the output beams at predetermined angles. The directing mirrors redirect the output beams to form a column of spaced apart spots on the substrate. One of the directing mirrors is then moved in a first direction so as to form another column of spots on the substrate. Movement in another direction forms a third column of spots on the substrate. The columns are interleaved to create a composite column of higher resolution for marking Alpha-numeric characters.

Abstract: A laser marker system for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length and a single laser source. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The single laser source is arranged so that its energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The single laser source includes segmented reflecting means for generating a plurality of output energy beams to create a column of spots on the substrate with a higher resolution. The segmented reflecting means is comprised of a back-reflecting mirror which is formed of a plurality of different mirror segments. A device is provided for moving each of the plurality of different mirror segments between a lasing position and a non-lasing position to vary the number of output energy beams and thus the number of spots on the substrate.