JP2001180121A - Thermally reversible presentation medium, printer and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermally reversible presentation medium, a printer and a printing system which always enable attainment of a clear printed image being stable and complete erasure thereof, irrespective of differences in printing- erasing characteristics of the medium. SOLUTION: Information on color-developing and color-vanishing characteristics being the information on the printing-erasing characteristics of the individual thermally reversible presentation mediums 1 having different printing-erasing characteristics from one another is stored in the respective information storing means BC of the mediums 1. According to this constitution, it is possible to acquire the information on the color-developing and color- vanishing characteristics stored in the information storing means BC, by a medium information acquiring means 12 of the printer 5, for instance, and to conduct regulation of a printing-erasing operation of the printer 5 being optimum for the printing-erasing characteristics of each medium 1, on the basis of the information on the color-developing and color-vanishing characteristics. Therefore, clear printing and erasure for the thermally reversible presentation medium 1 can be conducted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a thermoreversible display medium, a printing apparatus for displaying and erasing visible information on the thermoreversible display medium, and a printing system comprising the thermoreversible display medium and a printing apparatus. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the consumption of paper by printers and the like has increased remarkably with the advance of computer and network technology. So-called environmental problems such as an increase in air temperature due to an increase in the amount of paper have occurred, and it is required to reduce paper consumption. In order to solve such a problem, a thermoreversible display medium, which is a medium similar to paper that can be repeatedly recorded and erased, has been developed. In particular, as such a thermoreversible display medium, a card-shaped one has been increasingly used.

An example of a thermoreversible display medium is a substrate such as white polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coated with a dye that develops color by heat, and reaches a predetermined temperature (coloring temperature) from room temperature by heating. Then, the dye develops its color, maintains its color development even when the temperature returns to room temperature, and returns to transparent when heated from room temperature to another predetermined temperature (decolorization temperature), and remains transparent even when returned to room temperature. An indicator has been developed that indicates the color of the substrate to which it is applied.

Further, as another example of a thermoreversible display medium, a thermoreversible display medium has been developed which becomes cloudy when the color development temperature is reached and becomes transparent when the color loss temperature is reached.

[0005] In any of the thermoreversible display media, the coloring / decoloring cycle by heating can be repeated, and the medium can be reused while maintaining the same usability as paper.

[0006]

The coloring and decoloring temperatures of the thermoreversible display medium differ depending on the type of the thermoreversible display medium. For example, the temperature of the thermoreversible display medium using the former dye is different. The coloring temperature is lower than the coloring temperature of the thermoreversible display medium which becomes cloudy due to the latter temperature. Further, even for the same type of thermoreversible display media, the characteristics such as the color development / decoloration temperature and the color development / decoloration speed differ depending on the manufacturer of the thermoreversible display media and the method of mixing the components. I have. If the temperature does not reach the color development / decoloration temperature suitable for the characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium, the color development / decoloration will not be performed completely.

[0007] However, the coloring and decoloring operations of a printing apparatus for printing by coloring a thermoreversible display medium are constant.
With a printing apparatus adapted to the properties of one thermoreversible display medium, it is impossible to completely develop and decolor all thermoreversible display media having other different properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoreversible display medium which can always obtain a stable printed image clearly and can completely erase data, regardless of the difference in printing and erasing characteristics of the thermoreversible display medium. It is to provide a display medium, a printing device and a printing system.

[0009]

The thermoreversible display medium according to the present invention is capable of displaying and erasing visible information by reversibly changing between a colored state and a decolored state by thermal energy. In a thermoreversible display medium having a certain thermoreversible recording layer, the thermoreversible recording medium has information storage means for storing color development / decoloration characteristic information which is information on color development characteristics and color erasure characteristics of the thermoreversible recording layer.

[0010] Therefore, color development / decoloring characteristic information, which is information on the printing / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium, is stored in the thermoreversible display media having different printing / erasing characteristics. Since it is possible to adjust the printing / erasing operation optimal for the printing / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium with respect to the printing apparatus, it is possible to clearly perform printing / erasing on the thermoreversible display medium.

The thermoreversible display medium according to the second aspect of the present invention is a thermoreversible recording layer capable of displaying and erasing visible information by reversibly changing a coloring state and a decoloring state by thermal energy. The thermoreversible display medium having the information storage means includes information storage means for storing identification information associated with information relating to the coloring and erasing characteristics of the thermoreversible recording layer.

Therefore, the identification information associated with the coloring / erasing characteristics information, which is information on the printing / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium, is stored in the thermoreversible display media having different printing / erasing characteristics. By being remembered,
For example, it is possible to adjust the printing / erasing operation optimal for the printing / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium with respect to the printing apparatus, so that the printing / erasing on the thermoreversible display medium can be performed clearly.

The thermoreversible display medium according to the third aspect of the invention is a thermoreversible recording layer capable of displaying and erasing visible information by reversibly changing a color-developed state and a decolored state by thermal energy. The thermoreversible display medium having: (1) information storage means for storing at least one of manufacturer identification number information of the thermoreversible recording layer and production lot number information of the thermoreversible recording layer.

Therefore, the thermoreversible display medium having different printing / erasing characteristics depending on the manufacturer and the production lot is provided with the manufacturer identification number information of the thermoreversible recording layer of each thermoreversible display medium and the thermoreversible recording layer. By storing at least one of the production lot number information of the thermoreversible display medium for the printing device, for example, printing optimal for the printing / erasing characteristics according to the manufacturer identification number information and the production lot number information Since the erasing operation can be adjusted, clear printing and erasing on the thermoreversible display medium can be performed.

The invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the above, the thermoreversible recording layer contains at least a leuco dye and a developer.

Therefore, it is possible to print clearly.

The invention described in claim 5 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the above, the thermoreversible recording layer is a resin layer containing particles of an organic low-molecular compound.

Therefore, printing can be performed at low cost.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
In the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the above, the thermoreversible recording layer contains a low-molecular liquid crystal compound or a high-molecular liquid crystal compound.

Therefore, it is possible to print in multiple colors.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6
In the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the above, the information storage means is a code symbol capable of optically detecting information.

Therefore, it is possible to store information with an inexpensive configuration.

[0023] The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6.
In the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the above, the information storage means is a magnetic layer formed of a magnetic material capable of detecting information magnetically.

Therefore, information can be stored in a rewritable manner.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the printing apparatus, the thermal reversible recording medium of the thermoreversible display medium is reversibly changed between a color-developed state and a decolored state by applying thermal energy thereto. In a printing apparatus including a printing / erasing means for displaying and erasing visible information on a reversible recording layer, a medium information acquiring means for acquiring information stored in an information storage means of the thermoreversible display medium, and the medium Control amount calculating means for calculating a control amount of the printing / erasing operation in the printing / erasing means based on the information obtained by the information obtaining means; and the printing / erasing based on the control amount calculated by the control amount calculating means. Printing / erasing operation adjusting means for adjusting the printing / erasing operation of the erasing means.

Therefore, for example, when information relating to the printing / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium is stored in the thermoreversible display media having different printing / erasing characteristics, this information is used to obtain medium information. The control amount of the printing / erasing operation in the printing / erasing means is calculated based on the obtained information, and the printing / erasing operation of the printing / erasing means is adjusted based on the control amount. This makes it possible to adjust the printing / erasing operation optimal for the printing / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium, so that the printing / erasing on the thermoreversible display medium can be performed clearly.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the medium information acquiring means is a code symbol reading device capable of optically detecting information recorded on the code symbol.

Therefore, it is possible to acquire the information stored in the information storage means of the thermoreversible display medium with an inexpensive configuration.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus of the ninth aspect, the medium information acquiring means is a magnetic head capable of magnetically detecting information recorded on a magnetic layer formed of a magnetic material. is there.

Therefore, it is possible to obtain information stored in the information storage means of the rewritable thermoreversible display medium.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing system comprising:
A thermoreversible display medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a printing device according to claim 9.

Therefore, it is possible to adjust the printing / erasing operation in accordance with the different coloring / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium, so that regardless of the printing / erasing characteristics of the thermoreversible display media, A stable printed image can always be obtained clearly and erasure can be completely performed.

A printing system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is
A thermoreversible display medium according to claim 7 and a printing device according to claim 10 are provided.

Therefore, it is possible to adjust the printing and erasing operations according to the different coloring and decoloring characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium with an inexpensive configuration. Irrespective of this, a stable printed image can always be obtained clearly, and erasing can be completely performed.

The printing system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention
A thermoreversible display medium according to claim 8 and a printing device according to claim 11 are provided.

Therefore, it is possible to adjust the printing and erasing operations according to the different coloring and decoloring characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium. Therefore, regardless of the printing and erasing characteristics of the thermoreversible display media, A stable printed image can always be obtained clearly and erasure can be completely performed.

[0037]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The printing system according to the present embodiment includes a thermoreversible display medium and a printing device.

First, the thermoreversible display medium will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing the thermoreversible display medium 1. As shown in FIG. 1, this thermoreversible display medium 1
The image display layer 3 and the protective layer 4 are sequentially laminated on the support 2. The support 2 is made of a white resin having good heat conductivity, and the protective layer 4 is made of a colorless resin having good light transmittance (for example, PET resin). The support 2
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any light-weight and thin type that can easily perform a writing operation like plain paper may be used. The base is desirably white as in the case of plain paper. However, the base is not necessarily white as long as the writing locus can be read.

The image display layer 3 is a thermoreversible recording layer capable of performing reversible visual display of information and displaying the same.
lor Thermo Chromic) A thermal recording method using a film or the like, a magnetic recording method, a photochromic recording method, an electrochromic method, or the like can be used. In particular, in the present embodiment, a thermosensitive recording method, that is, a thermoreversible recording layer in which optical characteristics are reversibly changed by heat energy and visible information can be recorded and erased is mentioned as a preferable one. As a material capable of performing reversible recording by this heat energy, any of a layer containing at least a leuco dye and a developer, a resin layer containing particles of an organic low-molecular compound, a layer containing a low-molecular or high-molecular liquid crystal compound, etc. Is preferable.

First, the case where a layer containing at least a leuco dye and a developer is applied as the image display layer 3 will be described. The layer containing at least the leuco dye and the developer is formed by dispersing the leuco dye and the developer in a resin binder.Examples of the leuco dye include a phthalide compound, an azaphthalide compound, and a fluoran compound. Known dye precursors such as a phenothiazine compound and a leuco auramine compound are exemplified. Specifically, known leuco dyes described in JP-A-05-124360 can be used.

Examples of the color developing agent include compounds having a structure having a color developing ability to develop a leuco dye in a molecule. For example, it is a compound having a structure in which a phenolic hydroxyl group, a carboxylic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, or the like is controlled with a cohesive force between molecules, or a structure in which a long-chain hydrocarbon group is linked. The linking portion may be via a divalent group containing a hetero atom, or the long chain hydrocarbon group may contain a divalent group containing a hetero atom or an aromatic hydrocarbon group. Specifically, known developers described in JP-A-05-124360 and the like can be used.

Examples of the resin binder include polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl butyral, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene oxide, and the like.
Fluoro resin, polyimide, polyamide, polyamide imide, polybenzimidazole, polystyrene, styrene-based copolymer, phenoxy resin, polyester, aromatic polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylate,
Polymethacrylate, (meth) acrylate copolymer, maleic copolymer, epoxy resin,
Examples thereof include alkyd resins, silicone resins, phenol resins, polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, starch, gelatin, and caseins.

Various curing agents and crosslinking agents may be added for the purpose of increasing the strength of the film of the image display layer 3.
Examples of such a curing agent and a crosslinking agent include a compound having an isocyanate group, a polyamide epichlorohydrin resin, a compound having an epoxy group, glyoxal, and a zirconium compound.

The image display layer 3 can be formed using an electron beam curable or ultraviolet curable binder. Examples of such a binder include compounds having an ethylenically unsaturated bond. Specific examples of these include: 1. Poly (meth) acrylates of aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic polyhydric alcohols and polyalkylene glycols. 2. Poly (meth) acrylates of polyhydric alcohols obtained by adding polyalkylene oxide to aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, or araliphatic polyhydric alcohols. 3. polyester poly (meth) acrylate 4. polyurethane poly (meth) acrylate Epoxy poly (meth) acrylate 6. 6. Polyamide poly (meth) acrylate 7. poly (meth) acryloyloxyalkyl phosphate ester 8. Vinyl or diene compound having a (meth) acryloyl group in a side chain or at a terminal Monofunctional (meth) acrylate, vinylpyrrolidone,
(Meth) acryloyl compound 10. 10. cyano compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond 11. Mono- or polycarboxylic acids having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, and their alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, etc. 12. Ethylenically unsaturated (meth) acrylamide or alkyl-substituted (meth) acrylamide and its multimer 13. Vinyl lactam and polyvinyl lactam compound 14. Mono or polyether having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and its ester 15. Ester of alcohol having an ethylenically unsaturated bond 16. Polyalcohol having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and its ester 17. An aromatic compound having one or more ethylenically unsaturated bonds, such as styrene and divinylbenzene. 18. Polyorganosiloxane-based compound having (meth) acryloyloxy group at a side chain or at a terminal 20. Silicone compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond Multimers or oligoester (meth) acrylate modified compounds of the above-mentioned compounds 1 to 19 and the like.

When the image display layer 3 is formed using an ultraviolet curable binder, a photopolymerization initiator is mixed and used. Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include acetophenones such as dichloroacetophenone or trichloroacetophenone, 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone, benzophenone, Michler's ketone, benzoin, benzoin alkyl ether, benzyldimethyl ketal, tetramethylthiuram monosulfide, thioxanthones, and azoxanthone. Compounds, diaryliodonium salts, triarylsulfonium salts, bis (trichloromethyl) triazine compounds and the like.

The image display layer 3 using the leuco dye and the developer as described above develops and decolors in the process shown in FIG. Heating the initial colorless state (A) the temperature above T ₁ in leuco dye and the developer are colored by mixing and melting (B),
When this state is quenched, it is fixed in the state of color development (C). As the coloring state (C) is heated, the coloring temperature T
Decolored at a lower temperature T ₂ than ₁ (D), the initial and the same decolored state if cooled.

Accordingly, in the transparent portion of the image display layer 3, the white color of the support 2 is visually recognized via the protective layer 4, and in the portion where the color of the image display layer 3 changes to black, the color is changed to the protective layer 4.
It is visually recognized through. Thereby, the thermoreversible display medium 1
Is adjusted so as to reversibly change between a transparent state and a black state by heating.

Next, as a modified example, a case where a resin layer containing particles of an organic low-molecular compound is applied as the image display layer 3 will be described. The light scattering property of the resin layer containing the particles of the organic low-molecular compound has a property that its transparency reversibly changes depending on the temperature.

The resin used for the resin layer containing the particles of the organic low molecular weight compound is a material which forms a layer in which the organic low molecular weight substance is uniformly dispersed and held and which affects the transparency at the maximum transparency. is there. For this reason, the resin base material is preferably a resin having good transparency, mechanical stability, and good film formability. Such resins include polyvinyl chloride; vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate
-Vinyl alcohol copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-
Vinyl chloride copolymers such as maleic acid copolymer and vinyl chloride-acrylate copolymer; vinylidene chloride copolymers such as polyvinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer, vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer Polyester, polyamide, polyacrylate or polymethacrylate or acrylate-methacrylate copolymer; silicone resin. These may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more.

The organic low molecular weight compound used in the resin layer containing the particles of the organic low molecular weight compound generally has a melting point of 30 to 200 ° C., preferably about 50 to 150 ° C. Such organic low molecular weight compounds include: alkanol; alkanediol; halogen alkanol or halogen alkane diol; alkylamine; alkane; alkene; alkyne; halogen alkane; halogen alkene; Or unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids or their esters, amides or ammonium salts; saturated or unsaturated halogen fatty acids or their esters, amides or ammonium salts; allylcarboxylic acids or their esters, amides or ammonium salts; Or their esters, amides or ammonium salts; thioalcohols; thiocarboxylic acids or their esters, amines or ammonium salts; And the like carboxylic acid ester. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. These compounds have 10 to 10 carbon atoms.
60, preferably 10 to 38, particularly preferably 10 to 30. The alcohol group in the ester may be saturated or non-saturated, and may be halogen-substituted. In any case, the organic low molecular weight compound contains at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and halogen in the molecule, for example, -OH, -COOH, -CONH-, -COOR, -N
_{H -, - NH 2, -S} -, - S-S -, - O-, it is preferably a compound containing a halogen and the like. Further, in order to widen the range of temperatures at which transparency can be achieved, the above-described organic low-molecular compound may be appropriately combined, or an organic low-molecular compound may be combined with another material having a different melting point. These are described, for example, in JP-A-63-39378 and JP-A-63-130380.
And Japanese Patent Application No. 63-14754, Japanese Patent Application No. 1
This is disclosed in the specification such as -140109, but is not limited thereto.

The image display layer 3 composed of a resin layer containing particles of the organic low-molecular compound composed of the organic low-molecular compound and the resin becomes transparent or cloudy in the process shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a graph showing a change in transparency due to heat. The image display layer 3 mainly composed of a resin and an organic low-molecular compound dispersed in the resin is, for example, cloudy and opaque at room temperature of T ₀ or lower. In state. This became clear when heated to a temperature T _2, which remains also clear again returned to the normal temperature of T ₀ or less in this state. Upon further heating to T ₃ or more temperature becomes translucent state intermediate between the maximum transparency and the maximum opacity. Next, when the temperature is lowered, the state returns to the original cloudy and opaque state without taking the transparent state again.
When the opaque state is heated to a temperature between T _{1 and} T ₂ and then cooled to room temperature, that is, a temperature lower than T ₀ , an intermediate state between transparent and opaque can be obtained. Also,
Which became clear at room temperature returns to the white turbid opaque state again by returning to room temperature after heating again T ₃ or higher.

Further, as a modification, a case where a layer containing a low-molecular or high-molecular liquid crystal compound is applied to the image display layer 3 will be described. As the high-molecular liquid crystal compound used in the image display layer 3, a main-chain type or side-chain type liquid crystal having a mesogen (molecule having liquid crystallinity) bonded to a main chain or a side chain is used. The polymer liquid crystal compound can be usually produced by polymerizing a polymerizable mesogenic compound (referred to as mesogenic monomer) or by adding a mesogen compound capable of undergoing an addition reaction to a reactive polymer such as hydrogenated polysilicone. . Such a technique is described in Makromol. Chem., 1
79, p273 (1978), Eur, Poly.J., 18, p651 (1982) and Mol. Cry
St. Liq. Cryst., 169, p167 (1989). The polymer liquid crystal compound used in the present invention can be produced in a similar manner.

The mesogen monomer and the mesogen compound capable of addition reaction include biphenyl, phenylbenzoate, cyclohexylbenzene, azoxybenzene, azobenzene, azomethine, phenylpyrimidine, diphenylacetylene, biphenylbenzoate, and cyclohexyl. Typical examples include various compounds in which an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, or a vinyl group is bonded to a biphenyl-based or terphenyl-based rigid molecule (mesogen), preferably via an alkyl spacer having a predetermined length. It is mentioned as a typical thing.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the types of thermoreversible display media are different, and even if the same type of thermoreversible display media is used, the components, manufacturers, and manufacturing lots are different. In order to cope with the difference in the coloring and decoloring characteristics of the image display layer 3 as shown in FIG. A bar code BC which is a code symbol obtained by coding identification information associated with color characteristics
Are printed on the image display layer 3 in advance. That is, the barcode BC functions as information storage means. In this embodiment, the barcode BC is
The printing is performed by the printing thermal head 9 (see FIG. 5) of the printing device 5 described later, but the printing is not limited thereto, and printing may be performed by ink or the like. When the barcode BC is printed with ink or the like, the barcode BC is not erased even when the entire surface of the image display layer 3 is erased. The bar code BC is formed at the downstream end of the thermoreversible display medium 1 in the transport direction A of the printing device 5.

Next, the thermoreversible display medium 1 as described above
With reference to FIG. 5, the internal structure of the printing apparatus 5 for performing printing / erasing with heat energy will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the printing device 5 includes a pair of transport rollers 6 which rotate using a motor M (see FIG. 6) as a drive source and function as a medium transport member. A medium transport path 7 which is a path for transporting the reversible display medium 1 in the transport direction A is provided. On the medium transport path 7, an erasing thermal head 8 having a large number of heating elements and a printing thermal head 9 having a large number of heating elements are provided. These thermal heads 8 and 9 have substantially the same length in the width direction of the thermoreversible display medium 1 and are arranged orthogonal to the transport direction A.
Further, platen rollers 10 and 11 are provided to face these thermal heads 8 and 9. The platen rollers 10, 11 also function as medium transport members by rotating with the motor M (see FIG. 6) as a drive source.

The erasing thermal head 8 and the printing thermal head 9 can be shared by the same thermal head. In this case, the size of the apparatus can be reduced. Further, the erasing thermal head 8 can be replaced with a simple heater. In this manner, when the erasing thermal head 8 is replaced with a heater, erasing is not performed for each dot, but the entire portion in contact with the heater is erased, and the entire surface of the paper is erased. This makes it impossible to control the erasure area.
However, the price of the heater is lower than that of a thermal head in which the heating elements are arranged in the size of the print dot,
A cheaper printing device can be configured.

In addition, at a position upstream of the thermal heads 8 and 9 in the transport direction A of the printing device 5, the bar code BC functions as a medium information acquisition unit and is included in the bar code BC formed on the thermoreversible display medium 1. A bar code reader 12 for optically detecting identification information to be detected is provided. The barcode reader 12 is provided at a position facing the barcode BC of the thermoreversible display medium 1 conveyed in the conveyance direction A. Therefore, the bar code reader 12, the erasing thermal head 8, and the printing thermal head 9 are arranged in this order from the upstream in the transport direction A of the printing device 5.
This barcode reader 12 is an LED (Light Emitting
The surface of the thermoreversible display medium 1 is illuminated by a diode (light emitting diode) or the like, and the intensity of light reflected from the surface of the thermoreversible display medium 1 is measured using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).
And bar code B
It reads the identification information contained in C.

Next, the electrical connection of each part built in the printing device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing device 5 has a built-in control device 13 that is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like, stores a control program, and centrally controls each unit. The controller 13 includes the erasing thermal head 8, the printing thermal head 9, the bar code reader 12, and the motor M.
Are connected via the I / O / memory bus 14 and various drivers. That is, the control device 13 controls the drive of the motor M so that the thermoreversible display medium 1 is conveyed at an appropriate speed by the conveying roller pair 6 and the platen rollers 10 and 11 which are the medium conveying members. Is controlled to an appropriate temperature to display and erase visible information on the image display layer 3 of the thermoreversible display medium 1. Here, the printing / erasing means is realized. In addition, the control device 13 obtains the identification information included in the barcode BC by controlling the drive of the barcode reader 12.

In addition, a print / erase control amount calculator 15 is connected to the controller 13 via an I / O / memory bus 14. This print / erase control amount calculating device 15
Calculates a control amount relating to drive control of the thermal heads 8, 9 and the motor M by the control device 13, and determines the control amount from the barcode reader 12 based on identification information included in the barcode BC. Things. The print / erase control amount calculating device 15 includes a CPU 16 and a memory 17.
And so on. The memory 17 stores a control amount storage table 18 (see FIG. 7). here,
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the data structure of the control amount storage table 18. As shown in FIG. The control amount storage table 18 stores various optimum control amounts (coloring / decoloring) according to the difference in the coloring and decoloring characteristics of the image display layer 3 which varies depending on the components and types of the thermoreversible display medium 1, the manufacturer, and the manufacturing lot. The characteristic information x) is stored, and is determined based on the erasing temperature a of the erasing thermal head 8, the coloring temperature b of the printing thermal head 9, and the conveying speed of the thermoreversible display medium 1 during erasing by the medium conveying member. Coloring / erasing characteristic information x composed of a certain decoloring speed c and a coloring speed d which is a transport speed of the thermoreversible display medium 1 by the medium transport member during printing is stored in association with a characteristic number n. is there. That is, the identification information included in the barcode BC is the characteristic number n, and the control device 13 uses the control amount storage table based on the identification information (characteristic number n) included in the barcode BC read by the barcode reader 12. 18 to obtain predetermined color forming / erasing characteristic information x, drive and control the thermal heads 8, 9 and the motor M according to the color developing / erasing characteristic information x, and print / erase the thermoreversible display medium 1. I do.

The control device 13 is generally configured using a CPU, a memory, and the like. However, if the calculation and storage functions of the CPU 16 and the memory 17 of the print / erase control amount calculation device 15 are sufficient, the printing / Erasure control amount calculation device 15
Can perform not only the control amount calculation but also the control operation. In this case, the control device 13 and the print / erase control amount calculation device 15 may be provided integrally.

The printing / erasing function, which is a function executed by the control device 13 in accordance with the control program in the printing apparatus 5 having such a configuration, will be described. Here, FIG. 8 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of the printing / erasing process, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state where the thermoreversible display medium 1 is printed / erased by the printing device 5. As shown in FIG. 8, in the printing / erasing process, first, the drive of the motor M is started to rotate the transport roller pair 6 as the medium transport member at an appropriate speed (initial value). The transport of the thermoreversible display medium 1 in the transport direction A is started (step S1).

In the subsequent step S2, the bar code BC of the thermoreversible display medium 1 reaches below the bar code reader 12 as the thermo reversible display medium 1 is conveyed. The identification information included in the BC is read and temporarily stored in the memory 17. Here, since the barcode BC is formed at the downstream end of the thermoreversible display medium 1 in the transport direction A, the barcode BC is read at the beginning of the printing operation. After the adjustment of the control amount, the printing / erasing operation based on the control amount is reliably executed.

Subsequently, a control amount required for printing / erasing the thermoreversible display medium 1 is calculated based on the identification information stored in the memory 17 (step S3). Here, the function of the control amount calculating means is executed. More specifically, the control amount storage table 18 is searched based on the identification information stored in the memory 17 to obtain predetermined coloring / erasing characteristic information x. For example, when the identification information (characteristic number n) included in the barcode BC is “2”, the thermoreversible display medium 1
The color developing / erasing characteristic information x is “color erasing temperature a: color developing temperature b: color erasing speed c: color developing speed d = 120: 150: 30: 90”, and is predetermined according to the color developing / erasing characteristic information x. Of the head and the transport speed are calculated.

Next, according to the control amount calculated based on the coloring / erasing characteristic information x in step S3, the motor M
By heating the thermoreversible display medium 1 to a predetermined temperature by controlling the thermal head 8 and the erasing thermal head 8, as shown in FIG. 9, the old document printed on the thermoreversible display medium 1 is erased. (Step S4). Here, the function of the printing / erasing operation adjusting means is executed.

Subsequently, the motor M is applied to the thermoreversible display medium 1 from which the old document has been erased, in accordance with the control amount calculated based on the coloring / erasing characteristic information x in step S3.
The printing operation is performed by heating the thermoreversible display medium 1 to a predetermined temperature by controlling the printer and the printing thermal head 9 to print a new document on the thermoreversible display medium 1 as shown in FIG. (Step S5). Here, the function of the printing / erasing operation adjusting means is executed.

As described above, by using the thermoreversible display medium 1 and the printing device 5, it is possible to obtain different coloring and decoloring characteristics depending on the manufacturer, production lot number, component, and type of the thermoreversible display medium 1. Since it is possible to perform appropriate heating control and transport control, a stable printed image can always be obtained clearly regardless of the printing / erasing characteristics of the thermoreversible display medium 1, and erasing can be completely performed. Can be.

In the present embodiment, the bar code BC is applied as a code symbol. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a two-dimensional code or the like may be applied. When a two-dimensional code or the like is applied as a code symbol, a code symbol reader that optically reads the two-dimensional code or the like must be provided instead of the barcode reader 12.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those described in the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment,
The printing device 5 according to the first embodiment uses a thermoreversible display medium 20 instead of the thermoreversible display medium 1 according to the first embodiment.
This is different only in that a printing device 22 is used instead of.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the thermoreversible display medium 20. As shown in FIG. 10, the thermoreversible display medium 20 is different from the thermoreversible display medium 1 of the first embodiment in that a magnetic recording medium containing a magnetic material between a support 2 and an image display layer 3 is used. The difference is that a layer 21 is provided.

The magnetic recording layer 21 is formed by applying a magnetic recording layer forming liquid on the support 2 with a wire bar and drying it to a thickness of about 10 μm. Note that the magnetic recording layer 21
It is not necessary to apply it to the entire surface of the support 2, but it may be a part. Here, the magnetic recording layer forming liquid is adjusted in the following configuration.

[0071]

[Table 1]

Here, specific examples of the respective compositions of the image display layer 3 and the protective layer 4 will also be described. First, the image display layer 3 will be described. The image display layer 3 is formed by an image display layer forming liquid based on the composition adjusted by the following configuration.

[0073]

[Table 2]

The above composition was pulverized and dispersed using a ball mill to an average particle size of 0.1 to 3 μm, and Coronate HL (Adduct hexamethylene diisocyanate 75% ethyl acetate solution) manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Co., Ltd. 20 The resulting mixture was stirred well to prepare an image display layer forming solution.

The image display layer forming liquid is applied to the surface of the magnetic recording layer 21 on the support 2 using a wire bar.
After drying at 100 ° C. for 2 minutes, it is heated at 60 ° C. for 24 hours to form an image display layer 3 having a thickness of about 8.0 μm.

Next, the protective layer 4 will be described. The protective layer 4 is formed by a protective layer forming solution adjusted by the following configuration.

[0077]

[Table 3]

After applying such a protective layer forming solution to the image display layer 3 using a wire bar, the irradiation energy 8
The protective layer 4 having a thickness of 2 μm was formed by curing under a UV lamp of 0 W / cm at a transport speed of 9 m / min, thereby producing a thermoreversible display medium 20.

The magnetic recording is performed on the magnetic recording layer 21 of the thermoreversible display medium 20 as described above, and the image display layer 3 and the protective layer 4 are sequentially coated on the magnetic recording layer 21. The output level when no coating was performed on the magnetic recording layer 21 was measured. The output level when the image display layer 3 and the protective layer 4 were sequentially coated on the magnetic recording layer 21 was as follows.
88% of the case where nothing is applied on the magnetic recording layer 21
Output level. Therefore, it has been found that even when the image display layer 3 and the protective layer 4 are sequentially applied on the magnetic recording layer 21, the magnetic recording of the magnetic recording layer 21 can be satisfactorily obtained.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the types of thermoreversible display media are different, and even if the same type of thermoreversible display media is used, the components, manufacturers, and manufacturing lots are different. In order to cope with the difference in the coloring and decoloring characteristics of the image display layer 3 due to this, the thermoreversible display medium 20 is associated with each of the coloring and decoloring characteristics in order to specify the coloring and decoloring characteristics. The identification information is coded and recorded in advance by regularly magnetizing the magnetic recording layer 21. The identification information of the magnetic recording layer 21 is:
In the present embodiment, the data is written and recorded by a magnetic head 23 (see FIG. 11) of the printing device 22 described later. The identification information is formed at the downstream end of the thermoreversible display medium 20 in the transport direction A in the printing device 22.

Next, the thermoreversible display medium 2 as described above
The internal structure of the printing device 22 that performs printing / erasing with respect to 0 using thermal energy will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, the printing device 22 differs from the printing device 22 only in that a magnetic head 23 is used instead of the barcode reader 12 of the first embodiment. This magnetic head 23
Functions as medium information acquisition means, and is provided at a position facing the magnetic recording layer 21 of the thermoreversible display medium 20 conveyed in the conveyance direction A. This magnetic head 23
Is for reading identification information magnetically recorded on the magnetic recording layer 21 of the thermoreversible display medium 20 using a Hall element, a magnetoresistive element, or the like. In addition, the magnetic head 23
As described above, the magnetic recording layer 21 of the thermoreversible display medium 20
Can also be written. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic head 23 is connected to the control device 13 via the I / O / memory bus 14 and the driver, and is driven and controlled by the control device 13 to perform magnetic recording on the thermoreversible display medium 20. The identification information recorded on the layer 21 is obtained.

The printing / erasing function of the printing apparatus 22 having such a configuration is described in step S2 (FIG. 8).
The readout of the identification information in (2) causes the magnetic recording layer 21 of the thermoreversible display medium 20 to reach below the magnetic head 23 as the thermoreversible display medium 20 is transported. The only difference is that the identification information included in 21 is read out, and the other operation and effects are the same.

In each embodiment, the barcode BC as the information storage means and the characteristic number n as the identification information are stored in the magnetic recording layer 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be directly stored in the barcode BC or the magnetic recording layer 21 as information storage means.

Further, the manufacturer identification number indicating the manufacturer and the manufacturing lot number information indicating the manufacturing lot may be directly stored in the barcode BC or the magnetic recording layer 21 as the information storage means.

[0085]

According to the thermoreversible display medium according to the first aspect of the present invention, heat can be used to display and erase visible information by reversibly changing between a colored state and a decolored state by thermal energy. In a thermoreversible display medium having a reversible recording layer, the thermoreversible recording medium has information storage means for storing color development / decoloration characteristics information that is information on the color development characteristics and the color erasure characteristics of the thermoreversible recording layer. Printing / printing of each thermoreversible display medium on thermoreversible display media with erasing characteristics
By storing the coloring / erasing characteristic information, which is information relating to the erasing characteristic, for example, it is possible to adjust the printing / erasing operation optimal for the printing / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium for the printing apparatus. Printing and erasing on a reversible display medium can be performed clearly.

According to the thermoreversible display medium according to the second aspect of the invention, the thermoreversible display medium can display and erase visible information by reversibly changing between a colored state and a decolored state by thermal energy. In a thermoreversible display medium having a recording layer, the thermoreversible recording layer has information storage means for storing identification information associated with information on the coloring and erasing characteristics of the thermoreversible recording layer, and has different printing / erasing characteristics. By storing the identification information associated with the coloring / erasing characteristic information, which is information on the printing / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium, in each thermoreversible display medium, It is possible to adjust the printing and erasing operations optimal for the printing and erasing characteristics of the reversible display medium, so that the printing and erasing on the thermoreversible display medium can be performed clearly.

According to the thermoreversible display medium of the third aspect of the invention, the thermoreversible display medium is capable of displaying and erasing visible information by reversibly changing between a colored state and a decolored state by thermal energy. In a thermoreversible display medium having a recording layer, the thermoreversible recording medium has information storage means for storing at least one of manufacturer identification number information of the thermoreversible recording layer and production lot number information of the thermoreversible recording layer. , The manufacturer identification number information of the thermoreversible recording layer of each thermoreversible display medium and the production lot number of the thermoreversible recording layer on thermoreversible display media having different printing / erasing characteristics depending on the manufacturer and production lot By storing at least one of the information, it is optimal for printing / erasing characteristics according to the manufacturer identification number information and manufacturing lot number information of each thermoreversible display medium for the printing device, for example. Since it is possible to adjust the printing-erasing operation can be performed clearly printing and erasing for a thermoreversible display medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the first to third aspects,
Since the thermoreversible recording layer contains at least a leuco dye and a color developer, clear printing can be performed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the first to third aspects,
Since the thermoreversible recording layer is a resin layer containing particles of an organic low-molecular compound, printing can be performed at low cost.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the first to third aspects,
Since the thermoreversible recording layer contains a low-molecular liquid crystal compound or a high-molecular liquid crystal compound, multicolor printing can be performed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
Since the information storage means is a code symbol capable of optically detecting information, the information can be stored with an inexpensive configuration.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the thermoreversible display medium according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
Since the information storage means is a magnetic layer formed of a magnetic material capable of magnetically detecting information, the information can be rewritably stored.

According to the printing apparatus of the ninth aspect,
Printing / displaying and erasing visible information on the thermoreversible recording layer by reversibly changing a coloring state and a decoloring state by applying thermal energy to the thermoreversible recording layer of the thermoreversible display medium. In a printing apparatus including an erasing unit,
Medium information acquisition means for acquiring information stored in the information storage means of the thermoreversible display medium, and control of a print / erase operation in the print / erase means based on the information acquired by the medium information acquisition means A control amount calculating means for calculating an amount, a printing / erasing operation adjusting means for adjusting a printing / erasing operation of the printing / erasing means based on the control amount calculated by the control amount calculating means, When information on the printing / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium is stored in the thermoreversible display media having different printing / erasing characteristics, this information is obtained by the medium information obtaining means, and The control amount of the printing / erasing operation in the printing / erasing means is calculated based on the acquired information, and the printing / erasing operation of the printing / erasing means is adjusted based on the control amount. Accordingly, since it is possible to adjust the optimum printing and erasing operation on the printing and erasing characteristics possessed by each thermoreversible display medium can be performed clearly printing and erasing for a thermoreversible display medium.

According to the tenth aspect, the ninth aspect is provided.
In the printing device described above, the medium information acquiring unit is a code symbol reading device capable of optically detecting information recorded on a code symbol, so that the information storage unit of the thermoreversible display medium has an inexpensive configuration. Can be obtained.

According to the eleventh aspect, according to the ninth aspect,
In the printing apparatus described above, the medium information acquisition unit has a rewritable thermoreversible display medium by being a magnetic head capable of magnetically detecting information recorded on a magnetic layer formed of a magnetic material. The information stored in the information storage means can be obtained.

According to the printing system of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by providing the thermoreversible display medium of any one of the first to sixth aspects and the printing device of the ninth aspect, each of the heat-reversible display media is provided. Adjustable printing and erasing operations according to the different coloring and erasing characteristics of the reversible display medium, so that a stable printed image is always clear regardless of the difference in the printing and erasing characteristics of the thermoreversible display medium. In addition to
Erasing can also be performed completely.

According to the printing system of the thirteenth aspect, the thermoreversible display medium of the seventh aspect and the tenth aspect of the present invention.
By providing the printing device described above, it is possible to adjust the printing / erasing operation according to the different coloring / erasing characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium with an inexpensive configuration. Irrespective of the difference in printing / erasing characteristics, a stable printed image can always be obtained clearly and erasing can be completely performed.

According to the printing system of the fourteenth aspect, the thermoreversible display medium of the eighth aspect and the eleventh aspect of the invention.
By providing the printing device described above, it is possible to adjust the printing and erasing operations according to the different coloring and decoloring characteristics of each thermoreversible display medium.
Irrespective of the difference in erasing characteristics, a stable printed image can always be obtained clearly and erasing can be completely performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing a thermoreversible display medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a process in which a thermoreversible recording layer using a leuco dye and a developer develops and decolors.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a process in which a thermoreversible recording layer composed of a low-molecular organic compound and a resin becomes transparent and cloudy.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a thermoreversible display medium.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical connection of each unit built in the printing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data structure of a control amount storage table.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of a printing / erasing process.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which a thermoreversible display medium is printed / erased by a printing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional side view showing a thermoreversible display medium according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical connection of each unit built in the printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1,20 Thermoreversible display medium 3 Thermoreversible recording layer 5,22 Printing device 12 Medium information acquisition means, code symbol reader 21 Information storage means, magnetic layer formed of magnetic material 23 Medium information acquisition means, magnetic head BC information storage means, code symbol n identification information x color development / decoloration characteristic information

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B41M 5/26 102 (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Furuta 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo RICOH COMPANY, LTD. (72) Inventor Koji Tsutsui 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiromi Furuya 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masafumi Torii 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2C005 JC02 LA26 LB02 LB04 2H026 AA07 AA09 BB02 BB21 EE05 FF01 FF13 GG03 2H111 HA07 HA23 HA34 HA35

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A thermoreversible display medium having a thermoreversible recording layer capable of displaying and erasing visible information by reversibly changing a color-developed state and a decolored state by thermal energy. A thermoreversible display medium, comprising: information storage means for storing color development / decoloration characteristics information, which is information relating to the color development characteristics and color erasure characteristics of a recording layer. 2. A thermoreversible display medium having a thermoreversible recording layer capable of displaying and erasing visible information by reversibly changing a color-developed state and a decolored state by thermal energy, A thermoreversible display medium, comprising: information storage means for storing identification information associated with information relating to color development characteristics and color erasure characteristics of a recording layer. 3. A thermoreversible display medium having a thermoreversible recording layer capable of displaying and erasing visible information by reversibly changing between a colored state and a decolored state by thermal energy, A thermoreversible display medium, comprising: information storage means for storing at least one of manufacturer identification number information of the recording layer and production lot number information of the thermoreversible recording layer. 4. The thermoreversible display medium according to claim 1, wherein the thermoreversible recording layer contains at least a leuco dye and a developer. 5. The thermoreversible display medium according to claim 1, wherein the thermoreversible recording layer is a resin layer containing particles of an organic low molecular weight compound. 6. The thermoreversible display medium according to claim 1, wherein the thermoreversible recording layer contains a low-molecular liquid crystal compound or a high-molecular liquid crystal compound. 7. The thermoreversible display medium according to claim 1, wherein said information storage means is a code symbol capable of optically detecting information. 8. The thermoreversible display according to claim 1, wherein said information storage means is a magnetic layer formed of a magnetic material capable of detecting information magnetically. Medium. 9. The visible information is displayed on the thermoreversible recording layer of the thermoreversible recording medium by applying heat energy to the thermoreversible recording layer of the thermoreversible recording medium to change reversibly between a colored state and a decolored state. And a printing / erasing means for erasing, a medium information obtaining means for obtaining information stored in an information storage means of the thermoreversible display medium, and a printing method based on the information obtained by the medium information obtaining means. Control amount calculating means for calculating the control amount of the printing / erasing operation in the printing / erasing means, and adjusting the printing / erasing operation of the printing / erasing means based on the control amount calculated by the control amount calculating means. And a printing / erasing operation adjusting means. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said medium information obtaining means is a code symbol reading device capable of optically detecting information recorded on the code symbol. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said medium information obtaining means is a magnetic head capable of magnetically detecting information recorded on a magnetic layer formed of a magnetic material. 12. A printing system comprising: the thermoreversible display medium according to claim 1; and a printing device according to claim 9. 13. A printing system comprising: the thermoreversible display medium according to claim 7; and the printing device according to claim 10. 14. A printing system comprising: the thermoreversible display medium according to claim 8; and the printing device according to claim 11.