Dual Mode Imaging System With Integrated Media Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems are inadequate for handling both erasable and non-erasable media, requiring dedicated equipment and specific conditions for imaging and erasing erasable media, which limits their versatility and compatibility with non-erasable media.

Innovation Solution

A dual mode imaging system incorporating an ink jet device for non-erasable media, a write device for erasable media, and a heat source integrated into the media transport subsystem to establish a suitable temperature for imaging erasable media, allowing interchangeable use of imaging components for both media types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated equipment is used for imaging erasable media, then imaging quality and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging reliabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between erasable media imaging mode and non-erasable media imaging mode. The same imaging components (light source, photodetector, transport mechanism) are used for both media types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated equipment while maintaining imaging reliability through mode-specific parameter adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If specific temperature parameters are maintained for imaging and erasing, then imaging quality is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies heat periodically and locally only when erasable media is being imaged or erased, rather than maintaining constant temperature. The heat source is activated during imaging/erasing operations and deactivated otherwise, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining required temperature precision during critical operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The media is pre-heated to the required temperature before imaging or erasing operations begin. This preliminary heating ensures that when the imaging process starts, the media is already at the optimal temperature, maintaining imaging precision without requiring continuous energy input throughout the entire operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If separate imaging systems are used for erasable and non-erasable media, then imaging performance is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging performanceVSAvoidimaging productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A single imaging device handles both erasable and non-erasable media through mode switching. The system can process different media types sequentially using the same hardware components, eliminating the need for separate imaging systems and thereby improving productivity through consolidated processing while maintaining imaging performance through mode-specific parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging system dynamically adjusts its parameters (light source wavelength, photodetector sensitivity, transport speed, temperature) based on the detected media type. This dynamic adaptation allows the same physical hardware to optimize its performance for different media types, maintaining high imaging quality across both erasable and non-erasable media without requiring separate dedicated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and selective imaging of both erasable and non-erasable media using a single device, reducing environmental impact by allowing reuse of erasable media and minimizing equipment costs through shared imaging components.

Implementation Method 1

a heat source incorporated into a media transport subsystem, the heat source heating erasable media to a temperature suitable for imaging at the write device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

photochromic materials can undergo reversible or irreversible photoinduced color changes in the photochromic containing layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentUS8358323B2Write heating architecture for dual mode imaging systems

Publication Date: 2013.01.22 XEROX CORP

AI summary

A dual mode imaging system includes an ink jet device for imaging non-erasable media and a write device for imaging erasable media. A media transport subsystem is provided for supplying non-erasable and erasable media to one of the ink jet device and the write device. A heat source is incorporated into the media transport subsystem, and particularly in connection with a guide baffle of the ink jet device, the heat source heating erasable media to a temperature suitable for imaging at the write device.