Apparatus and a method for creating an image by applying voltage signals and ...

1. Apparatus for creating an image comprising:

at least one conductor for applying voltage in a time-dependent manner to given locations on a first surface of a two-dimensional dielectric element thereby causing positive and negative apparent surface voltages on a second surface of said dielectric element,

a charge source for supplying a flow of non-visible charges of either polarity to given locations on a second surface of said two-dimensional dielectric element wherein said flow is operative to temporarily neutralize the apparent surface voltages at said given locations of said second surface; and

wherein terminating the supply of charges at given locations on said two-dimensional dielectric element in a time-dependent manner, thereby freezes the charge at such given locations, the quantity of the charge retained at each given location being related to the voltage applied to said given location at the time of terminating the supply of charges thereto, whereby the time relationship between the applying of the voltage and the terminating the supply of charges provides an imagewise charge pattern on the dielectric element.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and also comprising development apparatus operative to develop said spatial charge pattern creating a developed, visible image.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 and also comprising transfer apparatus operative to transfer said developed, visible image to a final print substrate.

4. A method for creating an image and including the steps of:

applying voltage in a time-dependent manner to given locations on a first surface of a two-dimensional dielectric element thereby causing positive and negative apparent surface voltages of either polarity at given locations on a second surface of said dielectric element;

supplying a flow of non-visible charges of either polarity to a second surface of said two-dimensional dielectric element wherein said flow of non-visible charges temporarily neutralizes the apparent surface voltage at said given locations on said second surface;

terminating the supply of charges at given locations on said two-dimensional dielectric element in a time-dependent manner, thereby freezing the charge at such given locations, the quantity of the charge retained at each given location being related to the voltage applied to said given location at the time of terminating the supply of charges thereto, whereby the time relationship between the applying the voltage and the terminating the supply of charges provides an imagewise charge pattern on the dielectric element.

5. A method according to claim 4 and also comprising the step of developing said imagewise charge pattern to create a visible developed image.

6. A method according to claim 5 and also comprising the step of transferring said visible developed image to a final print substrate.

7. Apparatus for reading an electrostatic image comprising:

at least one conductor coupled to at least one capacitance for receiving electric signals from given locations of a two-dimensional dielectric element;

a charge source for supplying a flow of non-visible charges of either polarity to said two-dimensional dielectric element and wherein said flow of non-visible charges temporarily neutralizes the potential across said dielectric element;

wherein terminating the net supply of charges at given locations on said two-dimensional dielectric element in a time-dependent manner generally unifying the potential at each given location, the electrical signals received from each given location being related to the charge deposited at each given location at the time of commencing the supply of charges thereto, whereby the time relationship between the supply of charges and receiving the electrical signals converts a charge pattern on the dielectric element to electrical signals.

8. A method for reading an electrostatic image and including the steps of:

receiving electric signals from given locations of a two-dimensional dielectric element;

supplying a flow of non-visible charges of either polarity to said two-dimensional dielectric element and wherein said flow of non-visible charges temporarily neutralizes the potential across said dielectric element;

terminating the net supply of charges at given locations on said two-dimensional dielectric element in a time-dependent manner, thereby generally unifying the potential at each given location, the electrical signals received from each given location being related to the charge deposited at each given location at the time of commencing the supply of charges thereto, whereby the time relationship between the supply of charges and receiving the electrical signals converts a charge pattern on the dielectric element to electrical signals.