US5410335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for recording an image on a multicolor thermal recording material
Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1992-07-01
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Granted: 1995-04-25
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Expires: 2012-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A method for recording an image on a thermal recording material in which a plurality of color-development layers are laminated, the plurality of color-development layers being adapted to develop different colors, respectively, upon supply of thermal energy thereto and to form a substantially black color when all of the plurality of color-development layers undergo color development with a substantially identical density. With respect to a portion where a color other than black is to be developed, recording is effected such that a color-development density of each of the plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of each of the plurality of color-development layers. Meanwhile, with respect to a portion where black is to be developed, recording is effected such that the color-development density of each of the plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where black is to be developed. Accordingly, the density of black becomes higher than the densities of colors other than black, so that a sharp contrast is produced in the black color of the image recorded on the recording material.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuru Sawano
- 👤 Mitsuyuki Tsurumi
- 👤 Yutaka Fujita
- 👤 Yuichi Itabashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:09
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C1/00; G03C1/494; G03C1/498; G03C1/49881; B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/34; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for recording an image on a thermal recording material in which a plurality of color-development layers are laminated, said plurality of color-development layers being adapted to develop different colors, respectively, upon supply of thermal energy thereto and to form a substantially black color when all of said plurality of color-development layers undergo color development with a substantially identical density, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing said thermal recording material in which said plurality of color-development layers are laminated; and (b) effecting recording such that, with respect to a portion where a color other than black is to be developed, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and effecting recording such that, with respect to a portion where black is to be developed, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where black is to be developed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for recording an image on a thermal recording material in which a plurality of color-development layers are laminated, said plurality of color-development layers being adapted to develop different colors, respectively, upon supply of thermal energy thereto and to form a substantially black color when all of said plurality of color-development layers undergo color development with a substantially identical density, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing said thermal recording material in which said plurality of color-development layers are laminated; and (b) effecting recording such that, with respect to a portion where a color other than black is to be developed, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and effecting recording such that, with respect to a portion where black is to be developed, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where black is to be developed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 1, wherein in step (b) said recording is effected by supplying to each of said plurality of color-development layers thermal energy corresponding to said each of said plurality of color-development layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 1, wherein said recording in step (b) includes the steps of: (c) applying light of a wavelength region corresponding to each of said plurality of color-development layers to form a latent image; and (d) heating the thermal recording material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of color-development layers are constituted by three color-development layers adapted to develop mutually different colors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 1, wherein in said recording in step (b) the color development of said plurality of color-development layers is effected consecutively beginning with an uppermost one of said color-development layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 2, wherein the color development of said plurality of color-development layers is effected consecutively beginning with a color-development layer for which thermal energy for causing color development is the lowest among said plurality of color-development layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: (e) fixing the color of the color-development layer which undergoes color development earlier of two color-development layers which are made to undergo color development consecutively among said plurality of color-development layers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 7, wherein in said fixing step (e) the fixing of only unnecessary color-development components is completed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for recording an image on a thermal recording material in which a plurality of color-development layers are laminated, said plurality of color-development layers being adapted to develop different colors, respectively, upon supply of thermal energy thereto and to form a substantially black color when all of said plurality of color-development layers undergo color development with a substantially identical density, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing said thermal recording material in which said plurality of color-development layers are laminated; and (b) with respect to a portion where an image other than a character is to be recorded, recording said image other than said character such that a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and with respect to a portion where a character image is to be recorded by causing at least one of said plurality of color-development layers to undergo color development, recording said character image such that the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where said character image is to be recorded.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for recording an image on a thermal recording material in which a plurality of color-development layers are laminated, said plurality of color-development layers being adapted to develop different colors, respectively, upon supply of thermal energy thereto and to form a substantially black color when all of said plurality of color-development layers undergo color development with a substantially identical density, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing said thermal recording material in which said plurality of color-development layers are laminated; and (b) with respect to a portion where an image other than a character is to be recorded, recording said image other than said character such that a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and with respect to a portion where a character image is to be recorded by causing at least one of said plurality of color-development layers to undergo color development, recording said character image such that the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where said character image is to be recorded.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 9, wherein in step (b) said recording is effected by supplying to each of said plurality of color-development layers thermal energy corresponding to said each of said plurality of color-development layers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 9, wherein said recording in step (b) includes the steps of: (c) applying light of a wavelength region corresponding to each of said plurality of color-development layers to form a latent image; and (d) heating the thermal recording material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of color-development layers are constituted by three color-development layers adapted to develop mutually different colors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 9, wherein in said recording in step (b) the color development of said plurality of color-development layers is effected consecutively beginning with an uppermost one of said color-development layers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 10, wherein the color development of said plurality of color-development layers is effected consecutively beginning with a color-development layer for which thermal energy for causing color development is the lowest among said plurality of color-development layers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 9, further comprising the step of: (e) fixing the color of the color-development layer which undergoes color development earlier of two color-development layers which are made to undergo color development consecutively among said plurality of color-development layers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 15, wherein in said fixing step (e) the fixing of only unnecessary color-development components is completed.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of recording an image onto a thermal recording material in which a plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers are laminated, said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers having mutually different sensitivities and being adapted to develop mutually different hues of color, comprising the steps of: (a) causing a recording head to effect the scan recording of each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers; (b) fixing said each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers scan recorded by application of light thereto; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to record an image onto said thermal recording material, wherein the application to said thermal recording material of light capable of fixing a color to be developed by an nth scan recording (n is an integer) is continued after the starting of an (n+1)th scan recording.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of recording an image onto a thermal recording material in which a plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers are laminated, said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers having mutually different sensitivities and being adapted to develop mutually different hues of color, comprising the steps of: (a) causing a recording head to effect the scan recording of each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers; (b) fixing said each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers scan recorded by application of light thereto; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to record an image onto said thermal recording material, wherein the application to said thermal recording material of light capable of fixing a color to be developed by an nth scan recording (n is an integer) is continued after the starting of an (n+1)th scan recording.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 17, wherein step (b) is performed during a period when the fixing of unnecessary color-development components of said each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers is completed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 17, wherein said application is continued at least until the fixing of unnecessary uncolored components of said each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers is completed.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of recording an image onto a thermal recording material in which a plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers are laminated by imparting energy thereto in correspondence with a predetermined density value set on the basis of a level of an image signal, said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers having mutually different sensitivities and being adapted to develop mutually different hues of color, comprising the steps of: (a) causing a recording head to effect the scan recording of each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers; (b) fixing said each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers scan recorded by application of light thereto; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to record an image onto said thermal recording material, wherein maximum energy of the energy imparted to the color-development layer for which the scan recording has already been completed is imparted to a portion where an indicated density at least based on said image signal is 0.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of recording an image onto a thermal recording material in which a plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers are laminated by imparting energy thereto in correspondence with a predetermined density value set on the basis of a level of an image signal, said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers having mutually different sensitivities and being adapted to develop mutually different hues of color, comprising the steps of: (a) causing a recording head to effect the scan recording of each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers; (b) fixing said each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers scan recorded by application of light thereto; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to record an image onto said thermal recording material, wherein maximum energy of the energy imparted to the color-development layer for which the scan recording has already been completed is imparted to a portion where an indicated density at least based on said image signal is 0.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of recording an image onto a thermal recording material in which a plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers are laminated by imparting energy thereto in correspondence with a predetermined density value set on the basis of a level of an image signal, said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers having mutually different sensitivities and being adapted to develop mutually different hues of color, comprising the steps of: (a) causing a recording head to effect the scan recording of each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers; (b) fixing said each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers scan recorded by application of light thereto; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to record an image onto said thermal recording material, wherein maximum energy for an (n 1)th scan recording (n is an integer) is imparted to a portion where an indicated density based on said image signal is 0, during an nth scan recording.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of recording an image onto a thermal recording material in which a plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers are laminated by imparting energy thereto in correspondence with a predetermined density value set on the basis of a level of an image signal, said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers having mutually different sensitivities and being adapted to develop mutually different hues of color, comprising the steps of: (a) causing a recording head to effect the scan recording of each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers; (b) fixing said each of said plurality of thermosensitive color-development layers scan recorded by application of light thereto; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to record an image onto said thermal recording material, wherein maximum energy for an (n 1)th scan recording (n is an integer) is imparted to a portion where an indicated density based on said image signal is 0, during an nth scan recording.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of recording an image according to claim 21, wherein said nth scan recording is the scan recording of a final layer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
144 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a heat source for supplying thermal energy to a thermal recording layer in which a plurality of color-development layers adapted to develop different colors in correspondence with an amount of energy supplied thereto are laminated; and control means for controlling said heat source such that, with respect to a portion Where a color other than black is to be developed, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and for controlling said heat source such that, with respect to a portion where black is to be developed, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where black is to be developed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
144 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a heat source for supplying thermal energy to a thermal recording layer in which a plurality of color-development layers adapted to develop different colors in correspondence with an amount of energy supplied thereto are laminated; and control means for controlling said heat source such that, with respect to a portion Where a color other than black is to be developed, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and for controlling said heat source such that, with respect to a portion where black is to be developed, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where black is to be developed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
85 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising: irradiating means for irradiating said plurality of color-development layers with light, wherein said control means controls the irradiation such that, to ensure that a portion of said each of said plurality of color-development layers which has not undergone color development will not undergo color development after said each of said plurality of color-development layers has undergone color development, the light of a wavelength corresponding to said each of said plurality of color-development layers is radiated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said control means controls said heat source such that said plurality of color-development layers are consecutively made to undergo color development in an order starting with a color-development layer which undergoes color development with a smallest amount of thermal energy.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
164 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a heat source for supplying thermal energy to a thermal recording layer in which a plurality of color-development layers adapted to develop different colors in correspondence with an amount of energy supplied thereto are laminated; and control means for controlling said heat source such that, with respect to a portion where an image other than a character is to be recorded, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and for controlling said heat source such that, with respect to a portion where a character image is to be recorded by causing at least one of said plurality of color-development layers to undergo color development, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where said character image is to be recorded.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
164 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a heat source for supplying thermal energy to a thermal recording layer in which a plurality of color-development layers adapted to develop different colors in correspondence with an amount of energy supplied thereto are laminated; and control means for controlling said heat source such that, with respect to a portion where an image other than a character is to be recorded, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and for controlling said heat source such that, with respect to a portion where a character image is to be recorded by causing at least one of said plurality of color-development layers to undergo color development, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where said character image is to be recorded.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
85 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising: irradiating means for irradiating said plurality of color-development layers with light, wherein said control means controls the irradiation such that, to ensure that a portion of said each of said plurality of color-development layers which has not undergone color development will not undergo color development after said each of said plurality of color-development layers has undergone color development, the light of a wavelength corresponding to said each of said plurality of color-development layers is radiated.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said control means controls said heat source such that said plurality of color-development layers are consecutively made to undergo color development in an order starting with a color-development layer which undergoes color development with a smallest amount of thermal energy.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
179 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: irradiating means for applying light to a thermal recording layer having a plurality of layers whose color development is suppressed as the light of different ultraviolet wavelength regions is applied to said plurality of layers, so as to expose said thermal recording material; control means for controlling an exposure by said irradiating means such that, with respect to a portion where a color other than black is to be developed, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and for controlling the exposure by said irradiating means such that, with respect to a portion where black is to be developed, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where black is to be developed; and a heat source for heating said thermal recording material exposed, so as to effect heat development of said thermal recording material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
179 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: irradiating means for applying light to a thermal recording layer having a plurality of layers whose color development is suppressed as the light of different ultraviolet wavelength regions is applied to said plurality of layers, so as to expose said thermal recording material; control means for controlling an exposure by said irradiating means such that, with respect to a portion where a color other than black is to be developed, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and for controlling the exposure by said irradiating means such that, with respect to a portion where black is to be developed, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where black is to be developed; and a heat source for heating said thermal recording material exposed, so as to effect heat development of said thermal recording material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
199 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: irradiating means for applying light to a thermal recording layer having a plurality of layers whose color development is suppressed as the light of different ultraviolet wavelength regions is applied to said plurality of layers, so as to expose said thermal recording material; control means for controlling an exposure by said irradiating means such that, with respect to a portion where an image other than a character is to be recorded, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and for controlling the exposure by said irradiating means such that, with respect to a portion where a character image is to be recorded by causing at least one of said plurality of color-development layers to undergo color development, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where said character image is to be recorded; and a heat source for heating said thermal recording material exposed, so as to effect heat development of said thermal recording material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
199 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: irradiating means for applying light to a thermal recording layer having a plurality of layers whose color development is suppressed as the light of different ultraviolet wavelength regions is applied to said plurality of layers, so as to expose said thermal recording material; control means for controlling an exposure by said irradiating means such that, with respect to a portion where an image other than a character is to be recorded, a color-development density of each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes lower than a maximum color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers, and for controlling the exposure by said irradiating means such that, with respect to a portion where a character image is to be recorded by causing at least one of said plurality of color-development layers to undergo color development, the color-development density of said each of said plurality of color-development layers becomes higher than a maximum value of color-development density of a portion surrounding the portion where said character image is to be recorded; and a heat source for heating said thermal recording material exposed, so as to effect heat development of said thermal recording material.
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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) | 1998-04-24 | 1998-10-24 | 1999-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-24 | 2002-10-24 | 2003-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-24 | 2006-10-24 | 2007-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |