Abstract: Embodiments include forming optically visible marks in a radiation-sensitive coating disposed on an optical disc using electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength and bleaching a background of the radiation-sensitive coating using electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength.

Abstract: A radiation image-able coating includes a first phase including a radiation curable polymer matrix and an activator disposed in the radiation curable polymer matrix, a second phase insolubly distributed in the first phase, the second phase including a color-former, and a hybrid antenna dye package distributed in at least one of the first and second phase, wherein the hybrid antenna dye package includes at least a first antenna dye having a high extinction coefficient and a second antenna dye having a low extinction coefficient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a temperature monitoring system including a circuit board and a thermochromic coating covering at least a portion of the circuit board, wherein the thermochromic coating is capable of indicating a temperature gradient on the circuit board. The thermochromic coating may comprise a color forming leuco dye, an activator, and optionally a deprotecting agent.

Abstract: An integrated system for individually labeling a recording medium at the time that digital information is recorded thereon, by recording write data with a digital recorder on the read/write surface of the recording medium and recording image data by inducing visible color change with a laser in laser sensitive materials on the opposite surface of the recording medium.

Abstract: A substrate has a first dye layer that locationally changes in color to a first color upon exposure to an optical beam at a first power level, and a second dye layer that locationally changes in color to a second color upon exposure to the optical beam at the second power level. The optical beam impinges a region of the substrate to render the region with a color selected from at least one of the first color and the second color. The optical beam impinges the region at a power level selected from at least the first power level and the second power level.

Abstract: A light activated imaging medium comprises a substrate and an imaging composition disposed on the substrate, the composition comprising a matrix and a color-forming agent within the matrix and an alloy of at least two leuco dyes, the leuco dyes having at least first and second melting points, respectively, and the alloy having a melting point between at least two of the melting points.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for an optical storage medium comprises a first portion that is installed on the optical storage medium and a second portion that is lockable to the first portion. When the first and second portions are locked together, the optical storage medium is unusable to access data stored thereon.

Abstract: A system for recording and/or transmitting optical data or visual images includes an optical data or visual image recording medium and a light and/or heat source. The medium includes a markable coating established on a substrate. The markable coating includes a leuco dye and a developer precursor including a compound that undergoes rearrangement in response to a stimulus, thereby forming a developer that reacts with the leuco dye. The light/heat source is positioned so as to illuminate and/or heat the medium in a predetermined manner to i) cause photochemical and/or photothermal rearrangement of the developer precursor to form the developer which reacts with the leuco dye to form an optically detectable mark, or ii) cause at least one optically detectable mark previously formed on the markable coating to produce at least one readable pattern.

Abstract: A printer comprises an arm mounted on a pivot member. The arm has a first portion adapted to move along an arcuate path. A drive motor rotates the arm about the pivot member. An electromagnetic radiation emitter mounted on the first portion is adapted to emit pulses onto an electromagnetic radiation-sensitive medium.

Abstract: A radiation image-able coating includes at least one color former, and a radiation curable matrix including an activator and at least one water soluble monomer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for production of color images having increased light stability and reduced browning are described. The color forming composition can include a leuco dye, an infrared absorber, and at least one of a stabilizer and an anti-fade agent. The color forming compositions can be stabilized such that less than about a 30% decrease in optical density occurs over a three year period. The stabilizers can include chroman, thiolane-nickel complexes, spiroindanes, while suitable anti-fade agents can include vitamin E, vitamin E analogs, astaxanthin, chroman, ascorbic acid, carotene, and mixtures thereof. The color forming compositions are ambient light stable and are useful in forming images on a wide variety of substrates such as optical disks.

Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes an imaging material in which radiation energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The antenna material may be chosen from the group consisting of phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines.

Abstract: Imaging layers, image recording media, and methods of preparation of each, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved system for inkjet printing which results in images with increased permanence as measured by transfer of color from the image when the image is subjected to mechanical and/or chemical abrasion. The invention provides a fusible material that may be combined with any or all of the color inks used to create the image, or it may be used as a colorless fluid applied pre- or post-printing. The permanence of images produced by the system are comparable to those produced by electrophotography. The invention also relates to a printing apparatus that contains a means for fusing the image using heat applied after the printed substrate is ejected from the printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of labeling optical disk recording media using black leuco dyes in an electromagnetic radiation sensitive composition are described. Black leuco dyes containing isobenzofuranone are prepared in various compositions that can include activators, radiation absorbers, non-leuco colorants, and/or a variety of carriers. The leuco dye compositions can be applied and prepared to achieve a desired visual effect upon development of the black leuco dye.

Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes a multiphase imaging material in which energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The absorbed energy causes the reaction of an oxidizer and a leucozine dye.

Abstract: A method and a medium for laser imaging is herein disclosed. The medium incorporates one or more types of microstructures having a predetermined heat or radiation modifiable optical characteristic such as color, scattering, diffusion, diffraction, interference and iridescence. Associated intimately with the microstructures is a radiation antenna that acts to absorb radiation from a radiation source. The radiation antenna and source are attuned to one another to efficiently transfer energy therebetween and subsequently to the microstructures; this transfer of energy results in the modification of an optical characteristic of the microstructures to form an image on the medium. The medium has one or more layers that may include both the radiation antenna and the microstructures. Alternatively, the microstructures and radiation antenna may be included in separate layers. Coatings that incorporate one or more layers that include distinct microstructures and radiation antennae are also contemplated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for visually marking a recording medium by inducing a phase change in a light-sensitive surface by heat absorption from laser radiation. The method includes applying the laser radiation to a desired portion of the light-sensitive surface according to a first power profile for a first period sufficient to substantially obtain a color change at the desired portion, and applying the laser radiation to the desired portion of the light-sensitive surface according to a second power profile for a second period sufficient to complete the color change at the desired portion.

Abstract: An optical recording medium, comprises a substrate, and an imaging medium disposed on the substrate, the imaging medium comprising: a marking layer including a thermochromic compound and an interference layer tuned to absorb light having a predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: An integrated system for individually labeling a recording medium at the time that digital information is recorded thereon, by recording write data with a digital recorder on the read/write surface of the CD/DVD and recording image data by inducing visible color change with a laser in laser sensitive materials on the opposite surface of the CD/DVD.