Abstract: A gray scale filter for image data is described which forces a least significant bit of a current pel equal to a most significant bit of the current pel when the most significant bit of the current pel is equal to the most significant bit of a previous and a next pel on a scan line of an image. The invention is embodied in a logic structure employing exclusive ORs to make comparisons between the previous, next and current pels and logic gates to gate the value of the most significant bit of the most current pel to an output representing a filtered least significant bit of the current pel. It should be noted that the value of the most significant bit of the current pel is not changed since only changes between gray-white and white or gray-black and black are filtered by the present invention.

Abstract: A method is described for selectively reinking a resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing ribbon, comprising:(1) positioning a used resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing ribbon in a colloidal dispersion of electrophoretically depositable ink prepared(a) heating a water-insoluble polymeric binder having a melting point in the range of 85.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A color facsimile transmission apparatus wherein a beam of white light is dispersed into component colors by a prism. The color dispersed bands of illumination are focused to irradiate a portion of a moving document. The reflected, colored light from the document is focused on the surface of three charge coupled devices (CCDs) so that the red illuminating band irradiates a first CCD and the green and blue bands respectively irradiate the second and third CCDs. The movement of the document causes each line of the document to scroll through the illuminating band over each of the CCDs. The CCDs are operated in the time delay and integration mode to generate charge packets corresponding to the picture elements of the red, green and blue component line images of each line of the document.

Abstract: A doctor blade is used to apply a powdered toner to the depleted regions of a resistive thermal transfer ribbon. The ribbon is then moved adjacent a heating electrode that passes current through a resistive substrate of the ribbon so that a transverse line on the ribbon is heated and the added toner is fused in the depleted regions of the ribbon. The heated area of the ribbon is thereafter compressed by a cold roller to provide a uniform re-inked surface.

Abstract: A micromist printing arrangement wherein a micromist of ink particles, provided by an ultrasonic nebulizer, is forced through a small nozzle to form an aerosol jet. The micromist ink particles are entrained in the jet and focused to print a narrow width region which is substantially smaller in size than the overall jet diameter and the nozzle opening. Particle size, jet stream velocity and air or other carrier gas viscosity are considered in establishing focusing characteristics of the aerosol jet, which is directed against the paper to wet the same, thereby obtaining dense, well defined print lines. According to a first embodiment, modulation of the aerosol jet is achieved by fluid logic control whereby a vacuum is introduced into the path of the aerosol jet to shunt it from its printing path. In another embodiment, control may be achieved through the use of sonic excitation of turbulence into the aerosol jet.

Abstract: Selective or controlled "wetting" of particles to the surface of a substrate or medium is effected by ultrasonically generating a micromist of small nebulized magnetic particles, typically of micron or submicron size. In the absence of a magnetic field, exposure of the surface of the substrate or medium to the micromist fails to produce any "wetting" of the particles to the surface. In the presence of a magnetic field, however, the particles are caused to locally "wet" the surface in accordance with the field pattern. Use of a micromist of magnetic ink particles for printing, typing and copying applications is described.

Abstract: An improved lithographic printing plate includes a substrate layer of a nonconducting, hydrophobic polyester, an intermediate film of conducting, hydrophilic material such as aluminum and a top protective film of relatively hard hydrophilic dielectric material, such as aluminum oxide. A printing image is formed in the lithographic printing plate by an electroerosion process wherein erosion electrodes are pulsed with voltage to break down the dielectric in areas adjacent to the erosion electrodes and to evaporate or otherwise remove corresponding portions of the conducting film, thereby creating holes that extend through the dielectric and conducting films and that expose portions of the surface of the underlying hydrophobic substrate.