US4755831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-layer full-color thermosensitive sheet recording method
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1986-06-30
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Granted: 1988-07-05
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Expires: 2006-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A multi- and full-color thermosensitive recording method of recording multi- or full-color images on a multi-color thermosensitive recording sheet capable of forming 2 to 4 different colors by use of a thermal head is disclosed, with the improvement that the picture elements of a thermal head are grouped so as to be operative in the form of a matrix consisting of n picture elements in the main scanning direction and m picture elements in the sub-scanning direction, each matrix is assigned to 2 to 4 alternatively independent colorings and thermal recording is performed in such a manner that, of the n×m picture elements in each matrix, the number of the picture elements for each color formation is changed, whereby multi- and full-color recording with a multi-step pseudo density gradation is attained.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Sakamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:44
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/34; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
In a multi- and full-color thermosensitive recording method of recording multi- or full-color images on a multi-color thermosensitive recording sheet capable of forming 2 to 4 different colors by use of a thermal head, the improvement comprising: said thermal head having picture elements which are grouped so as to be operative in the form of a matrix consisting of n picture elements in the main scanning direction and m picture elements in the sub-scanning direction, wherein m and n each are an integer, each matrix is assigned to 2 to 4 alternatively independent colorings and thermal recording is performed in such a manner that, of the n×m picture elements in each matrix, the number of the picture elements for each color developed is changed in accordance with the density gradation of each color to be reproduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a multi- and full-color thermosensitive recording method of recording multi- or full-color images on a multi-color thermosensitive recording sheet capable of forming 2 to 4 different colors by use of a thermal head, the improvement comprising: said thermal head having picture elements which are grouped so as to be operative in the form of a matrix consisting of n picture elements in the main scanning direction and m picture elements in the sub-scanning direction, wherein m and n each are an integer, each matrix is assigned to 2 to 4 alternatively independent colorings and thermal recording is performed in such a manner that, of the n×m picture elements in each matrix, the number of the picture elements for each color developed is changed in accordance with the density gradation of each color to be reproduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The multi- and full-color thermosensitive recording method of claim 1, wherein said different colors formed by said multi-color thermosensitive recording sheet are selected from the group consisting of cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multi- and full-color thermosensitive recording method of claim 1, wherein said thermosensitive recording sheet comprises a low-temperature thermosensitive coloring layer, a medium-temperature termosensitive coloring layer and a high-termperature thermosensitive coloring layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
The multi- and full-color thermosensitive recording method of claim 1, wherein, as said thermal head comes into contact with said thermosensitive recording sheet, a first color is produced by application of a small quantity of thermal energy ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 mJ/dot, a second color is produced by the application of a medium quantity of thermal energy ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 mJ/dot and a third color is produced by the application of a large quantity of heat ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 mJ/dot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The multi- and full-color thermosensitive recording method of claim 1, wherein said thermal head is provided with heating resistor elements in a density of 23 lines/mm or 16 lines/mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multi- and full-color thermosensitive recording method of claim 1, wherein the dyes within the layers of said recording sheet are leuco dyes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The multi- and full-color thermosensitive recording method of claim 6, wherein the leuco dye of any given dye layer is a member selected from the group consisting of triphenylmethane-type leuco compounds, fluoran-type leuco compounds, phenothiazine, type leuco compounds, auramine-type leuco compounds and spiropyran-type leuco compounds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-05 | 1992-01-04 | 1992-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-05 | 1996-01-04 | 1996-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-05 | 2000-01-04 | 2000-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |