Eastman-Kodak Company

Xerox Corporation

George N Tsilibes

Allen J Rushing

Eric Karl Zeise

David E Hockey

Michael Wilfred Mosehauer

John P Swapceinski

Michael D Stoudt

Pierce B Day

Tomas Roztocil

Wayne L Kidd

Vaidevutis C Draugelis

John E Vineski

John L Steeves

Jerome G Spitzner, Deceased

Stephen C Urciuoli

Dale Smith

David Q McDowell

A reproduction apparatus and method for digitizing a document original for providing selective area treatment during reproduction of the original. The method and apparatus employs a paper or transparent plastic sheet with a magnetic coating over the surface thereof. The magnetic coating is pre-recorded with a grid pattern. The sheet is placed upon a document original to be digitized and the wand is moved over the magnetic sheet until stopped at specific points of interest on the original. Pulses generated by the flux sensor in the wand are counted and comprise data defining the location of these points. The digitized document is then copied by the reproduction apparatus and the reproduction process modified to provide selective erase, accent color, selective screening, annotation, etc. The wand may also include a magnetic write head to record the digital data on the magnetic sheet. This provides a storable magentic record of the digitization process. The magnetic sheet may then be used as a 'key sheet' in a document feeder to set up a copy operation with selective area treatment for the document original.

Apparatus and method for digitizing a document for selective area

Apparatus and method for electrophotographically producing high quality reproductions which contain different content types. Photoconductor image sectors are subjected to separate optical exposures selected for (1) good tone-scale reproduction of continuous-tone image portions and (2) high-contrast reproduction of line-type image portions. Photoconductor background area, which border continuous-tone image portions, are discharged to a level below the system's development level. Color line-art from a black and white original is also provided for in a color-copier by exposing a separate original containing a swatch of the color to be reproduced on the same image frames exposed to the image of the line-art. A digitizing tablet is used in combination with a selective erase means to provide selective screening and/or spot color effects. The digitizing tablet may be incorporated to use the exposure platen and may be of the sonic type or other types not employing grid lines visible to the photoconductor.

Apparatus and method for electrophotographically producing copies from

In an electrophotographic reproduction apparatus and method a corona charger is used for depositing an electrostatic charge of one polarity upon a moving photoconductor prior to making an exposure. In a calibration phase, an electrometer moves across the photoconductor and measures the level of charge at selected locations across the photoconductor to provide data regarding the distribution of charge in a direction of movement. This data is compared with a desired range of values. Where the level of charge is measured at some locations to be outside of the desired range of values, then the level of charge at such locations on the photoconductor is adjusted selectively.

Method and apparatus for controlling charge on a photoconductor

An electrophotographic reproduction apparatus and method are provided for reproducing an original document sheet that includes a continuous tone pictorial information area and a line-type information area. Rather than reproducing the entire document sheet with screening of both types of information, means are provided for selectively screening only the pictorial information area on the reproduction. The means of one preferred embodiment comprises a programmable illumination source that is programmed through inputs by the operator using a digitizing tablet to selectively image portions of a screen onto a charged photoconductive web prior to development of the electrostatic image formed on the web so that only the area on the web receiving the pictorial image is exposed to the screen. In another embodiment the programmable illumination source, such as LED's, modulates the portion of the image frame receiving an optical exposure of the pictorial information with the screen type exposure so that the pictorial information only is reproduced with a screen pattern. In still another embodiment a sensor automatically senses and determines the image portions to be selectively screened.

Electrophotographic reproduction apparatus and method with selective

Image recording apparatus is disclosed in which a laser beam is modulated in accordance with a digital input which includes character information as well as the type of font and the point size. The modulated beam is scanned onto a photoconductive belt to form a latent electrostatic image, and the image is developed by a xerographic process. In order to produce a high-quality print of subject matter which includes a variety of fonts and point sizes, each font is exposed at a preselected level which provides the optimum exposure for that particular font.

Image recording apparatus in which exposure levels are a function of

In an electrophotographic reproduction apparatus and method, a moving photoconductor is charged by a primary corona charger that includes a corona wire. Nonuniformities in the charge pattern produced on the photoconductor by this primary line charger are reduced by subjecting the photoconductor to a second corona charger having point charging electrodes.

Method and apparatus for uniformly charging a surface

An apparatus in which a powder pattern deposited on a support material is permanently affixed thereto. The support material is heated during the movement thereof into thermal communication with a radiant energy output. In this manner, the powder pattern is coalesced and fixed permanently to the support material.

Transfer and fusing method

An optical system in which the non-linearities in a light image are corrected. The optical system includes an opaque, movable belt having a plurality of slits therein. Each slit is of a different area with the width thereof increasing from the central region to the marginal regions thereof. The belt is moved to position a pre-selected slit in the optical light path substantially correcting the non-linearities in the light image.

Optical system for an electrophotographic printing machine

An optical system in which a continuous tone light image of an original document is formed. The optical system is arranged to illuminate the original document and to create a finely divided uniformly distributed light image. A selectable feature therein permits the formation of light images having differing tone gradations.

Screened optical system

An optical system in which a screened light pattern and a light image of an original document are projected onto a common region of a light receiving member forming a modulated light image thereon. Collimated light rays are employed in the formation of the screened light pattern.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

George N Tsilibes