US5164741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for forming color image
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1990-04-26
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2010-04-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for forming an image of the present invention comprises an image medium which is made of a heat-sensitive material in and from whcih an image can be thermally recordded and erased. The image medium has at least two display regions having different colors in the same face and having different thermal transition temperatures between a transparent state and a scattering state. A thermal signal applying member is employed for forming an image by thermally scanning said image medium which is characterized by applying to said medium a temperature controlled so that at least two differnt colors are displayed in a one-signal period of thermal scanning. The present invention also provides a method of forming an image using the image forming apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Shuzo Kaneko
- 👤 Toshikazu Ohnishi
- 👤 Takashi Kai
- 👤 Kazuo Yoshinaga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:46
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/36; G09G3/3603; B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/28; B41M5/281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for forming an image comprising: an image medium which is made of a thermally recordable and erasable heat-sensitive material and which has at least two display regions having different colors in a same surface and having different thermal transition temperature between a transparent state and a scattering state; and thermal signal applying means for forming an image by thermally scanning said image medium, said thermal signal applying means being characterized by sequentially applying to said medium thermal signals for controlling heating temperature and heating duration so that at least two different colors are displayed in a one-signal period of thermal scanning.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for forming an image comprising: an image medium which is made of a thermally recordable and erasable heat-sensitive material and which has at least two display regions having different colors in a same surface and having different thermal transition temperature between a transparent state and a scattering state; and thermal signal applying means for forming an image by thermally scanning said image medium, said thermal signal applying means being characterized by sequentially applying to said medium thermal signals for controlling heating temperature and heating duration so that at least two different colors are displayed in a one-signal period of thermal scanning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus for forming an image according to claim 1, wherein said heat-sensitive material has a polymeric liquid crystal material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus for forming an image according to claim 1, wherein each of said display regions having different colors exhibits a temperature difference between an isotropic phase transition temperature T(iso) and a glass transition temperature Tg thereof of 40° C. or more.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for forming an image according to claim 1, wherein the difference between isotropic phase transition temperatures T(iso) of said display regions having different colors is 10° C. or more.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for forming an image according to claim 1, wherein different polymeric liquid crystal materials are respectively used in said display regions having different colors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus for forming an image according to claim 1, wherein said thermal signal applying means is a thermal head or a laser.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of forming an image comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image medium of a thermally recordable and erasable heat-sensitive material having at least two display regions having different colors on a same surface thereof and having different thermal transition temperatures between a transparent state and a scattering state; and (b) thermally scanning said image medium by sequentially applying thermal signals for controlling heating temperature and heating duration to said medium in a one-signal period of time so that at least two colors can be displayed in said one-signal period of time.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of forming an image comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image medium of a thermally recordable and erasable heat-sensitive material having at least two display regions having different colors on a same surface thereof and having different thermal transition temperatures between a transparent state and a scattering state; and (b) thermally scanning said image medium by sequentially applying thermal signals for controlling heating temperature and heating duration to said medium in a one-signal period of time so that at least two colors can be displayed in said one-signal period of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of forming an image according to claim 7 including employing as said heat-sensitive material, a polymeric liquid crystal material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of forming an image according to claim 7, including employing said image medium wherein each of said display regions having different colors exhibits a temperature difference between an isotropic phase transition temperature T(iso) and a glass transition temperature Tg thereof of 40° C. or more.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of forming an image according to claim 7, wherein the difference between isotropic phase transition temperatures T(iso) of said display regions having different colors is 10° C. or more.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of forming an image according to claim 7, including employing different polymeric liquid crystal materials in said display regions having different colors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of forming an image according to claim 7, including employing as said thermal signal applying means, a thermal head or a laser.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |