US5521371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rewritable bar code display medium, and image display method and image display apparatus using the same
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1994-12-23
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Granted: 1996-05-28
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Expires: 2014-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A rewritable bar code display medium is disclosed, which is composed of a support and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer for reversibly forming bar codes therein formed on the support, which reversible thermosensitive recording layer varies in transparency with change in temperature, and an image display method using the rewritable bar code display medium, and an apparatus for implementing the image display method are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshihiko Hotta
- 👤 Keishi Kubo
- 👤 Shoji Maruyama
- 👤 Takashi Yano
- 👤 Hajime Takayama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0147; B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/36; B41M5/363; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/12; G06K1/126; G06K17/00; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06018; G06K19/06028; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06281; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S235/00; Y10S235/90; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An image display apparatus comprising: (a) a bar code reading means for optically reading a bar code formed on a rewritable bar code display medium comprising a support and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer formed thereon which varies in transparency with change in temperature and which comprises a resin matrix and a low-molecular weight organic compound dispersed in said resin matrix; (b) a bar code erasing means for erasing an optically read bar code formed on said bar code display medium, and (c) a bar code formation means for forming a bar code by application of heat to said rewritable bar code display medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An image display apparatus comprising: (a) a bar code reading means for optically reading a bar code formed on a rewritable bar code display medium comprising a support and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer formed thereon which varies in transparency with change in temperature and which comprises a resin matrix and a low-molecular weight organic compound dispersed in said resin matrix; (b) a bar code erasing means for erasing an optically read bar code formed on said bar code display medium, and (c) a bar code formation means for forming a bar code by application of heat to said rewritable bar code display medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of the temperature range in which said reversible thermosensitive recording layer is transparent is 15 to 80 degrees C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The image display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wavelength of a light beam for reading said bar code is in the range of 1/8 to 2 times the average particle diameter of the low-molecular weight organic compound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said low-molecular organic compound has an average particle diameter in the range of 0.1 μm to 2.0 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light reflection layer which is interposed between said support and said reversible thermosensitive recording layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The image display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pigment layer which is interposed between said support and said reversible thermosensitive recording layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light reflection layer which is provided on the back side of said support opposite to said reversible thermosensitive recording layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pigment layer which is provided on the back side of said support opposite to said reversible thermosensitive recording layer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-28 | 1999-11-27 | 2000-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-28 | 2003-11-27 | 2004-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-28 | 2007-11-27 | 2008-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |