Color image formation in receivers having field-driven particles

Abstract

Apparatus for forming an image, comprising a storage for storing a digitized image and a receiver. The receiver includes a matrix, a thermomeltable material disposed in the matrix having a transition temperature range which is above room temperature wherein the viscosity of the thermomeltable material decreases substantially from below to above the transition temperature range, and field-driven particles immersed in the thermomeltable material, so that the particles change optical densities in response to an applied electric field when the thermomeltable material is above the transition temperature range and is stable at temperatures below the transition temperature range. An array of electrodes selectively applies electric fields at an image forming position on the receiver. The apparatus heats the receiver to control the temperature of the receiver to control the response of the field-driven particles in the receiver. Electronic control circuitry coupled to the heater controls the temperature of the receiver when an electric field is applied and coupled to the electrode array for selectively applying voltages to the electrode array so that electric fields are applied at the image forming position at particular locations on the receiver corresponding to pixels in response to the stored image whereby the electrodes produces an image in the receiver corresponding to the stored image.