Image-wise toner layer charging via air breakdown for image development
 A novel image development method and apparatus are disclosed, whereby image-wise charging of a toner layer is accomplished by induce air breakdown electrical discharge such that free mobile ions are introduced in the vicinity of an electrostatic latent image coated with a layer of developing material. The latent image causes the free mobile ions to flow in an image-wise ion stream corresponding to the latent image, which, in turn, leads to image-wise charging of the toner layer, such that the toner layer itself becomes the latent image carrier. The latent image carrying toner layer is subsequently developed and transferred to a copy substrate to produce an output document. 
Xerox Corporation
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Chu-heng Weizhong
Liu Zhao