JP2011237605A - Device and method for recording image on electronic paper - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the quality of an image recorded on electronic paper.SOLUTION: A first process for forming an image by causing electronic paper, which has charged color particles and displays the image as a result of the charged color particles migrating in a thickness direction, to be conveyed to a gap between two members, where an electric field is generated, by a conveyance member is carried out. Then, a second process for forming the image by causing the electronic paper, which has come out from the gap therebetween, to be further conveyed again to the gap therebetween by the conveyance member is carried out. Moreover, the image is recorded in the electronic paper in such a manner that dots formed in the first process are larger than dots formed in the second process.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for electronic paper and an image recording method for electronic paper.

  An electronic paper having colored charged particles and displaying an image and a background image by moving the colored charged particles in the thickness direction is already well known. An image is recorded on the electronic paper. An exposure unit that radiates electromagnetic waves, an image carrier that carries a latent image composed of dots formed by the exposure unit radiating electromagnetic waves, and an image carrier. A counter member that has colored charged particles, and the colored charged particles move in the thickness direction, thereby conveying an electronic paper that displays an image corresponding to the latent image, and the electronic paper is opposed to the image carrier. In some cases, the image recording apparatus includes an electric field generating unit that generates an electric field along the thickness direction and moves the colored charged particles in the thickness direction.

JP 2009-251048 A

  By the way, when an image is recorded on the electronic paper by the image recording apparatus, there is a case where the contour of the image cannot be recorded smoothly. For example, when the character “person” is recorded as the image, the outline of the character may not be displayed smoothly. In such a case, the image quality of the image recorded on the electronic paper is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to improve the image quality of an image recorded on electronic paper.

The main present invention comprises an exposure part that irradiates electromagnetic waves,
An image carrier that carries a latent image constituted by dots formed by the exposure unit irradiating the electromagnetic wave;
A facing member facing the image carrier,
A conveying member that conveys electronic paper displaying the image corresponding to the latent image by moving the colored charged particles in the thickness direction.
When the electronic paper is positioned between the image carrier and the facing member, an electric field generating unit that generates an electric field along the thickness direction between the electronic paper and moves the colored charged particles in the thickness direction,
The electronic paper is transported to the transport member, and different parts of the electronic paper are sequentially fed between the image carrier carrying the latent image composed of the dots of a predetermined size and the opposing member. , Causing the electric field generation unit to perform a first process for sequentially displaying images corresponding to the latent images on the parts sent in the meantime,
The electronic paper is further transported to the transport member, and the part once passed between the image carrier and the opposing member for carrying the latent image composed of the dots smaller than the predetermined size, A controller that causes the electric field generation unit to execute a second process of sequentially displaying again the images corresponding to the latent image again on the portion that has been fed in between.
It is an image recording device to electronic paper characterized by having.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of an electronic paper 100. FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed the mode of the colored charged particle in a black image part and a white image part. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image recording apparatus 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image recording apparatus 1. FIG. It is a graph which shows the intensity distribution of the laser which the 1st photoconductor 20a receives. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the potential of the first photoconductor 20a and an image transferred to the electronic paper 100 in the first processing. It is a graph which shows intensity distribution of the laser which the 2nd photoconductor 20b receives. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the potential of the second photoconductor 20b and an image transferred to the electronic paper 100 in the first processing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the dot recorded on the electronic paper 100 by the 1st process and the 2nd process. It is explanatory drawing at the time of recording a single line | wire on the electronic paper 100 by a prior art. It is explanatory drawing at the time of recording a single line | wire on the electronic paper 100 with the image recording apparatus 1 to the electronic paper of this embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a photoconductor 20. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the potential of the first photoconductor 20a and an image transferred to the electronic paper 100 in the first processing. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the image recording apparatus 1 which concerns on other embodiment.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

An exposure part that emits electromagnetic waves;
An image carrier that carries a latent image constituted by dots formed by the exposure unit irradiating the electromagnetic wave;
A facing member facing the image carrier,
A conveying member that conveys electronic paper displaying the image corresponding to the latent image by moving the colored charged particles in the thickness direction.
When the electronic paper is positioned between the image carrier and the facing member, an electric field generating unit that generates an electric field along the thickness direction between the electronic paper and moves the colored charged particles in the thickness direction,
The electronic paper is transported to the transport member, and different parts of the electronic paper are sequentially fed between the image carrier carrying the latent image composed of the dots of a predetermined size and the opposing member. , Causing the electric field generation unit to perform a first process for sequentially displaying images corresponding to the latent images on the parts sent in the meantime,
The electronic paper is further transported to the transport member, and the part once passed between the image carrier and the opposing member for carrying the latent image composed of the dots smaller than the predetermined size, A controller that causes the electric field generation unit to execute a second process of sequentially displaying again the images corresponding to the latent image again on the portion that has been fed in between.
It is an image recording device to electronic paper characterized by having.

  According to the image recording apparatus for electronic paper, the image quality of the image recorded on the electronic paper can be improved.

  In this image recording apparatus for electronic paper, the beam width of the electromagnetic wave irradiated by the exposure unit when the first process is executed is determined by the exposure unit when the second process is executed. An image recording apparatus for electronic paper, wherein the image recording apparatus is larger than a beam width of the electromagnetic wave.

  According to such an image recording apparatus for electronic paper, the image outline is smoothly recorded by irradiating the image carrier with electromagnetic waves superimposed on the irradiated surfaces having different sizes in the first process and the second process. Therefore, the image quality of the image recorded on the electronic paper can be improved.

In this image recording apparatus for electronic paper, as the image carrier, a first image carrier having a first photosensitive layer thickness, and a second photosensitive layer thickness smaller than the first photosensitive layer thickness. A second image carrier having,
The controller is
The electronic paper is transported to the transport member, and different parts of the electronic paper are placed between the first image carrier that carries the latent image composed of the dots of a predetermined size and the opposing member. Sequentially feeding, causing the electric field generator to perform a first process for sequentially displaying images corresponding to the latent images on the parts fed in between,
The electronic paper is further conveyed to the conveying member, and the portion once passed through the gap is opposed to the second image carrier that carries the latent image composed of the dots smaller than the predetermined size. Electronic paper, wherein the electric field generator is caused to execute a second process of sequentially sending images to and from a member again, and sequentially displaying images corresponding to the latent images again on the parts fed between the members. An image recording apparatus.

  According to such an image recording apparatus for electronic paper, it is possible to smoothly record the contour of an image by using an image carrier of a photosensitive layer having a different film thickness in the first process and the second process. It becomes possible to improve the image quality of the image recorded on the paper.

An image recording apparatus for such electronic paper, wherein the controller includes:
When the first process is executed, the opposing member having a first voltage that is larger than the smaller one of the potential in the region where the dots are formed and the potential in the region where the dots are not formed is smaller than the larger one. To the electric field generator
When the second process is performed, the first voltage is smaller than the larger one of the potential in the region where the dots are formed and the potential in the region where the dots are not formed. An image recording apparatus for electronic paper, wherein the electric field generation unit is configured to apply a different second voltage to the facing member.

  According to such an image recording apparatus for electronic paper, it is possible to appropriately adjust the size of the intermediate color region between the color of the image and the color of the background image at the inner edge of the boundary between the image and the background image. The boundary with the background image can be recorded smoothly.

=== About Configuration Example of Image Recording Apparatus 1 ===
Next, a configuration example of the image recording apparatus on the electronic paper 100 according to the first embodiment, that is, the image recording apparatus 1 that records an image on the electronic paper 100 will be described.
In the following, prior to the description of the image recording apparatus 1, first, the configuration of the electronic paper 100 will be described. Subsequently, the configuration of the image recording apparatus 1 will be described.

<<< Example of Configuration of Electronic Paper 100 >>>
Here, a configuration example of the electronic paper 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the electronic paper 100. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state of colored charged particles in the black image portion and the white image portion.

  The electronic paper 100 has colored charged particles and displays an image and a background image by moving the colored charged particles in the thickness direction. In other words, the electronic paper 100 displays an image and a background image using electrophoresis of colored electrophoretic particles.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic paper 100 according to this embodiment includes a display layer 103, an upper insulating layer 141 provided on the upper surface of the display layer 103, and a lower insulating layer provided on the lower surface of the display layer 103. 142 and a sealing portion 107.

  In the electronic paper 100, the upper insulating layer 141 constitutes the display surface 121, and when the display layer 103 is visually recognized through the upper insulating layer 141, an image and a background image can be recognized. Yes. The electronic paper 100 may be either flexible or non-flexible, but the electronic paper 100 according to the present embodiment has flexibility.

  The display layer 103 includes negatively charged black particles and positively charged white particles as an example of colored charged particles (first color negatively charged particles and second color positively charged particles having different polarities and colors, and different from each other. The microcapsule 131 and the binder 132, which are accommodation portions of black charged particles and white charged particles having polarity and color), are fixed (held) by the binder 132. It is constituted by. In addition, the plurality of microcapsules 131 are disposed as a single layer (one by one without overlapping in the thickness direction) so as to be arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions between the upper insulating layer 141 and the lower insulating layer 142. .

  Each microcapsule 131 has a capsule body 133 which is a shell, and the inside (internal space) is filled (enclosed) with an electrophoretic dispersion. The electrophoretic dispersion filled in the capsule body 133 is obtained by dispersing (suspending) positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles in a liquid phase dispersion medium. For dispersion of positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles in the liquid phase dispersion medium, one or more of paint shaker method, ball mill method, media mill method, ultrasonic dispersion method, stirring dispersion method and the like are used. Can be combined.

  Positively charged white particles are positively charged white electrophoretic particles, and negatively charged black particles are negatively charged black electrophoretic particles. As described above, by using the positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles, monochrome display on the electronic paper 100 is possible. In the present embodiment, the charge amount of the positively charged white particles is smaller than the charge amount of the negatively charged black particles (the positively charged white particles are slightly charged).

  As the positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles, any particles can be used as long as they have electric charges. Although not particularly limited, pigment particles, resin particles, or composite particles thereof can be used. At least one is preferably used.

  Examples of the pigment constituting the pigment particles include black pigments such as aniline black, carbon black, and titanium black, white pigments such as titanium oxide and antimony oxide, and one or more of these are combined. Can be used. Of these, titanium black is preferably used as negatively charged black particles and titanium oxide is preferably used as positively charged white particles (these are also used in this embodiment).

  Examples of the resin material constituting the resin particles include acrylic resin, urethane resin, urea resin, epoxy resin, polystyrene, polyester, and the like, and one or more of these are combined. Can be used.

  The composite particles include, for example, those in which the surface of the pigment particles is coated with a resin material or other pigment, those in which the surface of the resin particles is coated with a pigment, or a mixture in which the pigment and the resin material are mixed at an appropriate composition ratio. And particles composed of Examples of particles obtained by coating the surface of pigment particles with other pigments include those obtained by coating the surface of titanium oxide particles with silicon oxide or aluminum oxide.

  Regarding positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles, smaller particles are preferably used in consideration of dispersibility in a liquid phase dispersion medium. Specifically, the average particle size is preferably about 10 to 500 nm, and more preferably about 20 to 300 nm. By setting the average particle diameter of the positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles in the above range, aggregation of the positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles and sedimentation of the positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles can be prevented. The positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles can be maintained in the liquid phase dispersion medium.

  Then, when such positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles move in the thickness direction of the electronic paper 100 within the microcapsule 131, an image and a background image are displayed.

  That is, although details will be described later, in a portion (that is, a black image portion) where an image is displayed on the electronic paper 100, the negatively charged black particles are on the upper insulating layer 141 (display surface 121) side in the thickness direction. The positively charged white particles move to the lower insulating layer 142 side (see the left diagram in FIG. 2), and at the portion where the image is not displayed (that is, the white background image portion), the positively charged white particles are in the thickness direction. The movement of the particles is controlled so that the negatively charged black particles move to the lower insulating layer 142 side on the upper insulating layer 141 (display surface 121) side (see the right diagram in FIG. 2). Black and white display on the paper 100 is made. The movement control of the particles causes the image recording apparatus 1 to generate an electric field along the thickness direction, and the direction of the electric field is downward (the direction from the upper insulating layer 141 toward the lower insulating layer 142) in the former part. 2) (see the left diagram in FIG. 2), and in the latter part, the direction of the electric field is upward (the direction from the lower insulating layer 142 toward the upper insulating layer 141) (see the right diagram in FIG. 2). It will be realized by controlling the direction of.

  In the above description, the portion where the image is displayed is described as the black image portion, and the portion where the image is not displayed is described as the white background image portion (hereinafter referred to as a normal case for convenience). There may be rare cases where a portion where no image is displayed in the white image portion is a black background image portion (hereinafter referred to as an inversion case for convenience) (one of the image and the background image is black and the other is white). For example, when the image represents character information, the image portion (that is, the character) is usually black and the background image portion (that is, the portion other than the character of the electronic paper 100) is usually white. However, there are cases where white characters are displayed with the image portion (that is, the character) white and the background image portion (that is, the portion other than the character of the electronic paper 100) is black (which may be rare). (It depends on the image data generated by the host computer etc.)

  When the image portion is white and the background portion is black, the above-described matters are as follows (change). That is, in a portion (that is, a white image portion) where an image is displayed on the electronic paper 100, positively charged white particles are on the upper insulating layer 141 (display surface 121) side in the thickness direction, and negatively charged black particles are on the lower insulating side. The negatively charged black particles are moved to the layer 142 side (see the right diagram in FIG. 2) and the image is not displayed (that is, the black background image portion). ) Side, the positively charged white particles move to the lower insulating layer 142 side (see the left figure of FIG. 2), and the movement of the particles is controlled, so that black and white display on the electronic paper 100 is achieved. The

  That is, as understood from the above matters, regardless of whether it is an image portion or a background image portion, in the black image portion (for convenience, the one including the black image portion and the black background image portion is expressed in this way) The movement of the particles is controlled so that the negatively charged black particles move toward the upper insulating layer 141 (display surface 121) in the thickness direction, and the positively charged white particles move toward the lower insulating layer 142, respectively. Become. Regardless of whether it is an image portion or a background image portion, in the white image portion (for the sake of convenience, the one including the white image portion and the white background image portion is expressed in this way), the positively charged white particles are in the thickness direction. The movement of the particles is controlled so that the negatively charged black particles move to the lower insulating layer 142 side on the upper insulating layer 141 (display surface 121) side.

  The specific gravity of the positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles is preferably set so as to be approximately equal to the specific gravity of the liquid phase dispersion medium. Thereby, the positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles can stay in a certain position in the liquid phase dispersion medium for a long time even after being subjected to the action of an electric field.

  The binder 132 is supplied, for example, for the purpose of bonding the upper insulating layer 141 and the lower insulating layer 142, and for fixing each microcapsule 131 between the upper insulating layer 141 and the lower insulating layer 142. For the binder 132, a resin material that is excellent in affinity (adhesion) with the upper insulating layer 141, the lower insulating layer 142, and the capsule body 133 and that has excellent insulating properties is preferably used.

  Each of the upper insulating layer 141 and the lower insulating layer 142 disposed to face each other with the display layer 103 interposed therebetween is configured by a sheet-like (flat plate) member having insulation properties. Such an upper insulating layer 141 and a lower insulating layer 142 have a function of protecting the display layer 103 (microcapsule 131).

  The upper insulating layer 141 is light transmissive in order to form the display surface 121, that is, substantially transparent (colorless transparent, colored transparent, or translucent). Thereby, the state of the display layer 103 (the state of positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles in each microcapsule 131), that is, the image (information) displayed on the electronic paper 100 is visually recognized from the display surface 121 side. can do. On the other hand, the lower insulating layer 142 may or may not be light transmissive like the upper insulating layer 141 (in the present embodiment, the lower insulating layer 142 is substantially opaque).

  The sealing portion 107 is for preventing moisture from entering the electronic paper 100 and suppressing deterioration of display performance of the electronic paper 100. The sealing portion 107 is provided between the upper insulating layer 141 and the lower insulating layer 142 so as to be along the edge portions thereof. The sealing layer 107 hermetically seals the display layer 103.

<<< Example of Configuration of Image Recording Apparatus 1 >>>
Next, a configuration example of the image recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the image recording apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image recording apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes two recording units 10 (hereinafter referred to as a first recording unit 10a and a second recording unit 10b), and a transport unit 60 as an example of a transport member. And a controller 80 (see FIG. 4) that controls these and controls the operation of the image recording apparatus 1.

  The two recording units 10 include a photoconductor 20 as an example of an image carrier, a charging unit 30 having a charging roller 32, an exposure unit 40, a counter roller 52 and an electric field generator 54 as examples of a counter member, respectively. Is provided.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the first recording unit 10a includes a first charging unit 30a having a first charging roller 32a, a first exposure unit 40a, A first electric field generating unit 50a having a first opposing roller 52a and a first electric field generating portion 54a (see FIG. 4) is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second recording unit 10b includes a second charging unit 30b having a second charging roller 32b, a second exposure unit 40b, and a second opposing surface along the rotation direction of the second photoconductor 20b. A second electric field generating unit 50b having a roller 52b and a second electric field generator 54b (see FIG. 4) is provided.

  In addition, since the structure of the 1st recording part 10a and the 2nd recording part 10b is the same, hereafter, the 1st recording part 10a is demonstrated.

  The first photoconductor 20a includes a metal cylindrical conductive substrate and a resin photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface for holding static electricity. The first photoconductor 20a is rotatable around a central axis, and in the present embodiment, rotates in the clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in FIG.

  The first charging unit 30a is for charging the first photoconductor 20a. The first charging unit 30a includes a first charging roller 32a. In the present embodiment, the first charging roller 32a charges the first photoconductor 20a to V1 = −500 volts. It has become.

  The first exposure unit 40a irradiates a laser with a latent image (in this section) having an image corresponding area corresponding to an image and a background image corresponding area corresponding to a background image on the charged first photoconductor 20a. The latent image corresponds to not only the image but also the background image). The first exposure unit 40a has a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and is modulated based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. Is irradiated onto the charged first photoconductor 20a.

  In the present embodiment, the portion corresponding to the black image portion is irradiated with laser, and the potential of the portion changes from V1 = −500 volts to V2 = −50 volts. That is, when the first exposure unit 40a emits a laser beam, a substantially circular dot is formed on the first photoconductor 20a. Here, the dot is a region where the potential is increased by the laser irradiation and is higher than a voltage V3 applied to the first opposing roller 52a described later. Here, the dot is a portion corresponding to a black image portion. Then, by forming one or more dots on the first photoconductor 20a, a portion corresponding to a black image portion of V2 = −50 volts and a portion corresponding to a white image portion of V1 = −500 volts. A latent image having the following is obtained.

  The first electric field generating unit 50a is for generating an electric field in the thickness direction of the electronic paper 100 and moving the positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles of the electronic paper 100 in the thickness direction. The first electric field generating unit 50a includes a first opposing roller 52a and a first electric field generating unit 54a (see FIG. 4).

  The first facing roller 52a is a rotatable roller that faces the first photoconductor 20a. When the electronic paper 100 is positioned between the first photoconductor 20a and the first counter roller 52a, the first counter roller 52a is pressed against the electronic paper 100 in cooperation with the first photoconductor 20a. (In other words, the first photoconductor 20a and the first counter roller 52a are in pressure contact with the electronic paper 100 sandwiched between the nip portions), and the rotation direction of the first photoconductor 20a is changed with the rotation of the first photoconductor 20a. Rotates in the opposite direction. The contact portion of the first facing roller 52a that contacts the first photoconductor 20a via the electronic paper 100 is made of rubber.

  The first electric field generator 54a applies an applied voltage to the first counter roller 52a when the electronic paper 100 is positioned between them (that is, the first counter roller 52a functions as an electric field generator). Have). Thus, an electric field along the thickness direction of the electronic paper 100 is generated between the first photoconductor 20a and the first counter roller 52a, and the positively charged white particles and the negatively charged black particles of the electronic paper 100 are thickened. By moving in the direction, an image and a background image for the latent image are displayed on the electronic paper 100. The specific application voltage applied by the first electric field generation unit 54a (and the second electric field generation unit 54b) will be described in detail later.

  The transport unit 60 is for transporting the electronic paper 100. The transport unit 60 includes a paper cassette 62, a paper feed roller 64 positioned above the paper cassette 62, a transport roller 66 positioned on the photoconductor 20 side when viewed from the paper feed roller 64, and paper discharge (not shown). And a roller. The paper feed roller 64 is a roller for feeding the electronic paper 100 accommodated in the paper cassette 62. The transport roller 66 is a roller that transports the electronic paper 100 fed by the paper feed roller 64 between the photoconductor 20 and the opposing roller 52. The paper discharge roller is a roller for discharging the electronic paper 100 on which an image is displayed from the image recording apparatus 1. These rollers are driven by a motor (not shown).

  The controller 80 is a control unit (control unit) for controlling the image recording apparatus 1. The controller 80 includes an interface unit 81, a CPU 82, a memory 83, and a unit control circuit 84.

  The interface unit 81 transmits and receives data between the host computer which is an external device and the image recording apparatus 1. The CPU 82 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire image recording apparatus 1. The memory 83 is for securing an area for storing a program of the CPU 82, a work area, and the like, and includes storage elements such as a RAM and an EEPROM. The CPU 82 controls each unit via the unit control circuit 84 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 83.

=== Example of Operation of Image Recording Apparatus 1 ===
Next, an operation example of the image recording apparatus 1, that is, an operation example when the image recording apparatus 1 records an image on the electronic paper 100 will be described.
Various operations of the image recording apparatus 1 are realized mainly by the controller 80. In particular, in the present embodiment, the program is realized by the CPU 82 processing a program stored in the memory 83. And this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for performing the various operation | movement demonstrated below.

  When an image signal and a control signal from the host computer are input to the controller 80 via the interface unit 81, the photoconductor 20 rotates under the control of the unit control circuit 84. Note that the paper cassette 62 contains the electronic paper 100 on which no image is displayed.

  The first photoconductor 20a is sequentially charged to V1 = −500 volts by the first charging unit 30a at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged area of the first photoconductor 20a reaches the exposure position as the first photoconductor 20a rotates, and a latent image is formed in the area by the first exposure unit 40a. That is, if the area corresponds to the black image portion, the area is irradiated with laser. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the intensity distribution of the laser irradiated by the first photoconductor 20a. As shown in the figure, the intensity of the laser is strongest at E1 at the center of the laser and decreases with increasing distance from the center. Here, the distance from the center where the intensity is E1 × 1 / e is L1 / 2 (e is the number of Napiers), and this diameter L1 is the beam width.

  In the charged region of the first photoconductor 20a, the potential rises from V1 = −500 volts in the region irradiated with the laser. The increase in the potential increases as the irradiation intensity of the laser increases. At the center of the irradiated surface of the first photoconductor 20a, the laser irradiation intensity is the strongest, and the potential V2 = −50V. In addition, a region having a potential higher than V1 = −500 volts is formed on the first photoreceptor 20a corresponding to the substantially circular irradiated surface by one laser irradiation.

  As a result of the laser irradiation, a latent image having a portion corresponding to a black image portion where V2 = −50 volts and a portion corresponding to a white background image portion where V1 = −500 volts remains is first photosensitive. Formed on the body 20a.

  The latent image formed on the first photoconductor 20a reaches a position facing the first counter roller 52a as the first photoconductor 20a rotates. On the other hand, the electronic paper 100 is transported between the first photoconductor 20a (in other words, a latent image) and the first counter roller 52a by the transport unit 60, and is positioned therebetween. Then, with the electronic paper 100 positioned between them, an applied voltage is applied to the first counter roller 52a by the first electric field generator 54a, and an electric field along the thickness direction of the electronic paper 100 is generated therebetween. As a result, an image corresponding to the latent image and a background image are recorded on the electronic paper 100.

  Specifically, the first electric field generation unit 54a applies to the first opposing roller 52a the potential in the image corresponding region and the potential in the background image corresponding region (in other words, the potential and black in the portion corresponding to the white image portion). A DC applied voltage (this embodiment) that is larger than the smaller one (of the potential corresponding to the image) (V2 volts in this embodiment) and smaller than the larger one (V1 volts in this embodiment). In this case, V3 = −275 volts) is applied.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the potential of the first photoconductor 20a and the image transferred to the electronic paper 100 in the first processing. As shown in the figure, when the portion corresponding to the white image portion is located at the facing position, when the application is made, the first photoconductor 20a side (upper side) is V1 = −500 volts, Since the one opposing roller 52a side (lower side) becomes V3 = −275 volts, an electric field upward (direction from the lower insulating layer 142 to the upper insulating layer 141 in the electronic paper 100) is generated. Then, due to the action of the electric field, the negatively charged black particles in the electronic paper 100 move to the lower insulating layer 142 side, and the positively charged white particles move to the upper insulating layer 141 (display surface 121) side. A white image is displayed at a portion located between 100 (the portion becomes a white image portion). On the other hand, when the portion corresponding to the black image portion is located at the facing position and the application is made, the first photoconductor 20a side (upper side) is V2 = −50 volts, and the opposing roller 52 side (lower side). Side) V3 = −275 volts, an electric field is generated downward (in the direction from the upper insulating layer 141 to the lower insulating layer 142 of the electronic paper 100). Since the positively charged white particles in the electronic paper 100 move to the lower insulating layer 142 side and the negatively charged black particles move to the upper insulating layer 141 (display surface 121) side by the action of the electric field, the electronic paper. A black image will be displayed at a portion located between 100 (the portion becomes a black image portion). That is, when the portion corresponding to the black image portion of the latent image is located at the facing position, the electronic paper 100 displays a black image, and when the portion corresponding to the white image portion of the latent image is located at the facing position. Since the electronic paper 100 displays a white image, a latent image having a black image portion and a white image portion is transferred (copied) to the electronic paper 100.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first electric field generation unit 54a applies an applied voltage to the first counter roller 52a, so that the first photoconductor 20a and the first counter roller 52a are arranged in the thickness direction. An electric field along the line is generated, and the colored charged particles are moved in the thickness direction, whereby an image corresponding to the latent image and a background image are displayed on the electronic paper 100. That is, the controller 80 sets the magnitude of the DC applied voltage to a value V3 that is smaller than the potential (V2 volts) in the portion corresponding to the black image and larger than the potential (V1 volts) in the portion corresponding to the white image portion. The first electric field generator 54a applies an applied voltage of V3 volts under the control of volts. As a result, the first electric field generator 54a causes the direction of the electric field generated between the portion corresponding to the black image of the first photoconductor 20a and the first counter roller 52a and the negatively charged black particles ( The moving direction of the positively charged white particles), the direction of the electric field generated between the portion corresponding to the white image portion of the first photoconductor 20a and the first counter roller 52a, and the negatively charged black particles (positively charged white) due to the electric field. The black and white image and the background image corresponding to the latent image are displayed on the electronic paper 100 by reversing the moving direction of the particles.

  And the operation | movement for displaying the image and background image which were mentioned above is performed continuously. That is, the controller 80 transports the electronic paper 100 to the transport unit 60, sequentially feeds different parts of the electronic paper 100 into the space (nip part), and corresponds to the latent image in the part fed in the meantime. The first electric field generation unit 54a is caused to execute processing for sequentially displaying the image to be performed and the background image (hereinafter referred to as “first processing”). As a result, an image corresponding to the latent image and a background image are sequentially displayed on the portion of the electronic paper 100 during this period (the latent images are sequentially transferred to the electronic paper 100).

  Next, after executing the first process, the controller 80 further transports the electronic paper 100 to the transport unit 60, and the second photoreceptor 20b and the second opposing roller 52b The second electric field generation unit 54b is caused to execute a second process for sequentially displaying the images corresponding to the latent image and the background image again on the portions that are sent in between.

  This will be specifically described. The second photoconductor 20b is sequentially charged to V1 = −500 volts by the second charging unit 30b at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged region of the second photoconductor 20b reaches the exposure position with the rotation of the second photoconductor 20b, and is the same as the latent image (the latent image formed by the first exposure unit 40a) by the second exposure unit 40b. Is formed in the region. That is, if the area corresponds to the black image portion, the area is irradiated with laser. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the intensity distribution of the laser irradiated by the second photoconductor 20b. As shown in the figure, the intensity of the laser is strongest at E2 at the center of the laser and decreases with increasing distance from the center. Here, the distance from the center where the intensity is E2 × 1 / e is L2 / 2 (e is the number of Napier), and the diameter L2 is the beam width.

  The first exposure unit 40a and the second exposure unit 40b are provided so that the beam width in the second process is smaller than the beam width in the first process. For example, by adjusting the position of the lens of the exposure unit 40, the beam width of the laser irradiated from the second exposure unit 40b can be made smaller than the beam width of the laser irradiated from the first exposure unit 40a. (That is, distance L2 <distance L1).

  In the charged region of the second photoconductor 20b, the potential rises from V1 = −500 volts in the region irradiated with the laser. The increase in the potential increases as the irradiation intensity of the laser increases. At the center of the irradiated surface of the second photoconductor 20b, the laser irradiation intensity is the strongest, and the potential V2 = −50V. In addition, a region having a potential higher than V1 = −500 volts is formed on the second photoconductor 20b corresponding to the substantially circular irradiated surface by one laser irradiation.

  As a result of the laser irradiation, a latent image having a portion corresponding to a black image portion of V2 = −50 volts and a portion corresponding to a white image portion of V1 = −500 volts is formed on the second photoconductor 20b. Is done.

  The latent image formed on the second photoconductor 20b reaches a facing position facing the second counter roller 52b as the second photoconductor 20b rotates. On the other hand, the electronic paper 100 is transported between the second photoconductor 20b (in other words, a latent image) and the second counter roller 52b by the transport unit 60, and is positioned therebetween. Then, with the electronic paper 100 positioned between them, an applied voltage is applied to the second opposing roller 52b by the second electric field generator 54b, and an electric field along the thickness direction of the electronic paper 100 is generated therebetween. As a result, the image and the background image corresponding to the latent image are displayed again on the electronic paper 100.

  Specifically, the second electric field generation unit 54b causes the second opposing roller 52b to take out the potential in the image corresponding region and the potential in the background image corresponding region, as in the first processing (first electric field generation unit 54a). (In other words, out of the potential in the portion corresponding to the black image portion and the potential in the portion corresponding to the white image) larger than the smaller one (V1 volt in this embodiment) (this embodiment) In this embodiment, a DC applied voltage (in this embodiment, V3 = −275 volts) smaller than V2 volts) is applied.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the potential of the second photoconductor 20b and the image transferred to the electronic paper 100 in the first process. As shown in the figure, the second electric field generator 54b generates an electric field along the thickness direction between the second photoconductor 20b and the second opposing roller 52b, and moves the colored charged particles in the thickness direction. An image corresponding to the latent image and a background image are displayed on the electronic paper 100. As in the first processing, when the portion corresponding to the black image portion of the latent image is located at the facing position, the electronic paper 100 displays a black image, and the portion corresponding to the white image portion of the latent image. Since the electronic paper 100 displays a white image when positioned at the opposite position, a latent image having a black image portion and a white image portion is transferred (copied) to the electronic paper 100.

  As is apparent from a comparison between FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the dots formed on the first photoconductor 20a in the first process are more than the dots formed on the second photoconductor 20b in the second process. large. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing enlarged dots recorded on the electronic paper 100 by the first process and the second process. As shown in the figure, the first dot 221 is recorded on the electronic paper 100 by the first process, and the second dot 222 is recorded on the electronic paper 100 by the second process. The second dot 222 is included in the first dot 221, and a dark black image is recorded in an area where the first dot 221 and the second dot 222 overlap with each other at the outer edge of the second dot 222. Thus, a thin black image is recorded in the area within the first dot 221.

  Then, the electronic paper 100 for which image redisplay by the second process has been completed is discharged from the image recording apparatus 1 by a discharge roller.

=== Effectiveness of Image Recording Apparatus 1 ===
According to the image recording apparatus 1 for electronic paper of the present embodiment, the exposure unit 40 that irradiates electromagnetic waves, and the photoconductor 20 that carries a latent image formed by dots formed by the exposure unit 40 irradiating electromagnetic waves. A counter roller 52 facing the photoconductor 20, and a transport unit 60 that transports the electronic paper 100 that has colored charged particles and displays the image corresponding to the latent image by moving the colored charged particles in the thickness direction. When the electronic paper 100 is positioned between the photoconductor 20 and the opposing roller 52, an electric field generating unit 54 that generates an electric field along the thickness direction between them to move the colored charged particles in the thickness direction, and the electronic paper 1st photoconductor which carries 100 to the conveyance unit 60, and carries the latent image comprised from the dot of a predetermined size in the mutually different site | part of the electronic paper 100 The first electric field generator 54a performs a first process of sequentially feeding between 0a and the first opposing roller 52a, and sequentially displaying images corresponding to the latent images on the parts fed between the electronic paper 100 and the electronic paper 100. The portion that has been further transported by the transport unit 60 and has once passed through the space is sequentially sequentially again between the second photoconductor 20b carrying the latent image composed of dots smaller than the predetermined size and the second counter roller 52b. An image recorded on the electronic paper by having a controller 80 that causes the second electric field generation unit 54b to perform a second process of sequentially sending images corresponding to the latent images again to the parts fed in between Image quality can be improved.

  Specifically, in the first process, an image is recorded with a large-sized dot (first dot 221), and in the second process, a small-sized dot (first dot) is stored inside the large-sized dot recorded in the first process. By recording an image with two dots 222), a dark black image can be recorded in an area recorded by overlapping a large size dot and a small size dot. Further, an area that is an outer edge portion of a small-sized dot and is recorded with a large-sized dot (an area recorded once in the first process) can be recorded with a thin black image. That is, since the image recording apparatus 1 cannot record an image in more detail than the size of a dot, irregularities corresponding to the size of the dot are generated in the contour of the image. By performing anti-aliasing processing, this unevenness can be made inconspicuous. In other words, since the dark black image is recorded at the center of the image, the image becomes clear, while the boundary inner edge between the image and the background image is recorded as a thin black image, so that the black image has a smooth outline. Can be recorded to look like.

Hereinafter, the prior art will be described in comparison with the present embodiment.
In the prior art, different portions of the electronic paper 100 are sequentially fed between the photosensitive member 20 carrying the latent image composed of dots of a predetermined size and the opposing roller 52, and the latent image is fed to the portion fed in between. In this case, the electric field generation unit 54 executes the process of sequentially displaying images corresponding to the above. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view enlarging a state in which a single line is recorded on the electronic paper 100 by this conventional technique. As shown in the figure, in the prior art, the black image 231 and the white background image 232 are recorded in two colors, so that the contour of the black image is clearly visible.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 is an enlarged explanatory view of a state in which a single line is recorded on the electronic paper 100 by the image recording apparatus 1 for electronic paper according to the present embodiment. As is clear by comparing FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 from a distance, according to the present embodiment, the central portion of the single line is recorded twice as a dark black image 241. Therefore, the single line is clearly visible in the recording according to the present embodiment than in the prior art. Further, according to the present embodiment, a thin black image 242 is recorded at the boundary inner edge between the single line black images 241 and 242 and the white background image 243. That is, by sandwiching the thin black image 242 between the dark black image 241 and the white background image 243, the outline of the black image becomes more unclear in the recording according to the present embodiment than in the prior art, and the visual effect The outline of the single line image looks smooth. Thereby, the image quality of the image recorded on the electronic paper 100 can be improved.

=== Second Embodiment ===
Moreover, in said 1st embodiment, when the 1st process is performed, the 2nd exposure unit 40b irradiates the beam width of the laser which the 1st exposure unit 40a irradiates when a 2nd process is performed. The size of the dots formed in the first process is made larger than the size of the dots formed in the second process by making it larger than the beam width of the laser. However, in the second embodiment, in the second processing, the film thickness of the first photosensitive layer included in the first photoconductor 20a is made larger than the film thickness of the second photosensitive layer included in the second photoconductor 20b. The size of the dots formed in the first process is made larger than the size of the dots to be formed.

  More specifically, the controller 80 includes a first photosensitive member 20a having a first photosensitive layer and a second photosensitive member 20b having a second photosensitive layer thickness smaller than the first photosensitive layer thickness. The electronic paper 100 is transported to the transport unit 60, and different parts of the electronic paper 100 are placed between the first photoconductor 20a carrying the latent image composed of dots of a predetermined size and the first counter roller 52a. The first electric field generating unit 54a performs the first process of sequentially feeding and sequentially displaying the images corresponding to the latent images on the parts fed in between, and further transporting the electronic paper 100 to the transport unit 60. Are once again sent sequentially between the second photoconductor 20b carrying the latent image composed of dots smaller than the predetermined size and the second counter roller 52b, and sent in between the parts. It was decided to perform the second process in the second field generator 54b which again sequentially displays an image corresponding to the latent image site.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the photoconductor 20. As shown in the figure, the photoconductor 20 includes a charge transport layer 521, a charge generation layer 522, and a base 523 in order from the outer peripheral side. The first photosensitive layer and the second photosensitive layer described above correspond to the charge transport layer 521 in FIG. Here, when the film thickness of the photosensitive layer is thick, the charge tends to move and spread with the passage of time. That is, the dots formed on the photoconductor 20 tend to increase with time. In the second embodiment, the first photosensitive layer has a thickness of 20 μm and the second photosensitive layer has a thickness of 10 μm, so that the dots of the first photosensitive layer are larger than the dots of the second photosensitive layer as time passes. Make it easier. As a result, an image is recorded with a large size dot (first dot 221) in the first process, and a small size dot (second dot) inside the large size dot recorded in the first process in the second process. 222) an image can be recorded.

=== Third embodiment ===
In the first embodiment described above, the beam width of the laser irradiated by the exposure unit 40 is made larger during the first process than during the second process, and in the second embodiment. By making the film thickness of the first photosensitive layer of the first photoconductor 20a larger than the film thickness of the second photoconductive layer of the second photoconductor 20b, the size of the dots formed in the second process is made larger. Therefore, the size of dots formed in the first process is increased.

  Furthermore, in 3rd embodiment, the size of the dot formed by a 1st process and a 2nd process is adjusted by adjusting the voltage V3 applied to the 1st opposing roller 52a. Thereby, the size of the region of the thin black image at the inner edge of the boundary between the image and the background image can be adjusted appropriately, and the contour of the image can be shown smoothly.

  Specifically, when the controller 80 executes the first process, the controller 80 is smaller than the smaller one (V1 = −500 volts) of the potential in the region where dots are formed and the potential in the region where dots are not formed. The electric field generator 54 is made to apply the first voltage (V3 = −400 volts), which is larger and smaller than the larger one (V2 = −50V), to the first counter roller 52a. When the controller 80 executes the second process, the controller 80 is larger and larger than the smaller one (V1 = −500 volts) of the potential in the region where dots are formed and the potential in the region where dots are not formed. The electric field generator 54 is caused to apply a second voltage (V3 = −275 volts) that is smaller than the first voltage (V2 = −50 V) and different from the first voltage to the second opposing roller 52b.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the potential of the first photoconductor 20a and the image transferred to the electronic paper 100 in the first processing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the laser irradiated by the first exposure unit 40a in the first process has the strongest intensity at the center and decreases in intensity toward the outer edge. When such a laser is irradiated onto the first photoconductor 20a, as shown in FIG. 13, the potential of the first photoconductor 20a charged in the central portion where the intensity of the laser is strong is greatly reduced, As the strength decreases, the decrease in potential of the first photoconductor 20a decreases. Here, since the voltage V3 applied to the first counter roller 52a is −400 volts, a region having a higher potential than V3 = −400 volts on the first photoconductor 20a is a portion (a dot is a dot). Equivalent).

  Here, as apparent from a comparison between FIG. 6 and FIG. 13, the dots formed when the voltage V3 applied to the first counter roller 52a is −400 volts are applied to the first counter roller 52a. The applied voltage V3 = −275 volts, which is larger than the dots formed. Thus, the dot size can be adjusted by adjusting the voltage applied to the first counter roller 52a.

On the other hand, a 2nd process is performed similarly to 1st embodiment or 2nd embodiment.
As described above, according to the third embodiment, the size of the dots formed in the first process can be adjusted by adjusting the voltage V3 applied to the first counter roller 52a. This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the difference between the size of the dots formed in the first process and the size of the dots formed in the second process, and thus a thin black image at the inner edge of the boundary between the image and the background image. The size of the area can be adjusted appropriately. As described above, if the size of the region of the thin black image can be adjusted appropriately, the contour of the image can be made smoother, and the image quality of the image recorded on the electronic paper 100 can be improved.

  Here, in the first process, the voltage V3 applied to the first opposing roller 52a is adjusted to adjust the size of the area of the thin black image at the inner edge of the boundary between the image and the background image. Not limited to. For example, you may adjust the voltage V3 applied to the 2nd opposing roller 52b in a 2nd process.

=== Fourth Embodiment ===
The image recording apparatus 1 according to the first to third embodiments (hereinafter referred to as “the above-described embodiments”) includes two photoreceptors 20, a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, and an electric field generation unit 50. Although it was set as the structure provided one by one, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, an image recording apparatus 1 including each of the above units may be used.

  That is, in the image recording apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment, two sets of the photoconductor 20 and the electric field generation unit 50 are provided, and the image and the background image are repeatedly recorded by sending each one once. In the image recording apparatus 1, a set of the photoconductor 20 and the counter roller 52 is provided, and the image and the background image are repeatedly recorded by feeding the same to the same place twice.

  The electronic paper 100 used in the image recording apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration and function as the electronic paper 100 used in the image recording apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment.

  The photoconductor 20 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration and function as the photoconductor 20 of the image recording apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment, and the charging unit 30 according to the fourth embodiment is related to the above embodiment. This is the same as the charging unit 30 of the image recording apparatus 1.

  The exposure unit 40 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration and function as the exposure unit 40 of the image recording apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment.

  The electric field generation unit 50 according to the fourth embodiment includes a counter roller 52 and an electric field generation unit 54, and has the same configuration and function as the electric field generation unit 50 of the image recording apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment.

  In addition, the transport unit 60 according to the fourth embodiment is for transporting the electronic paper 100. As shown in FIG. 14, the transport unit 60 includes a paper cassette 62, a paper feed roller 64 positioned above the paper cassette 62, and a transport roller 66 positioned on the photoconductor 20 side when viewed from the paper feed roller 64. And a guide part (not shown) and a paper discharge roller (not shown). The paper feed roller 64 feeds the electronic paper 100 stored in the paper cassette 62. The transport roller 66 transports the electronic paper 100 fed by the paper feed roller 64 between the photoconductor 20 and the opposing roller 52. Then, the guide unit guides the electronic paper 100 on which the first process has been performed in the transport direction indicated by the arrow Q, and the transport roller 66 transports again between the photoconductor 20 and the counter roller 52. Further, the electronic paper 100 that has been subjected to the second process is guided in the transport direction indicated by the arrow P by the guide unit, and the paper discharge roller is discharged from the image recording apparatus 1.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above embodiments are mainly described for an image recording apparatus for electronic paper, but also include disclosure of an image recording method for electronic paper and the like. The above-described embodiments are for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the positively charged white particle and the negatively charged black particle were mentioned as an example as a colored charged particle, it was not limited to this.

  For example, the white particles may be negatively charged and the black particles may be positively charged. Further, the color is not limited to white and black, and any color may be used as long as both colors are different. For example, it can be appropriately selected from chromatic colors such as red, blue and green, and metallic luster colors such as gold and silver according to the purpose. Further, when only one of the two color particles is charged and the other is not charged (uncharged) (for example, the white particles are uncharged, the colored charged particles are negatively charged black particles. In such a case, the present invention can be applied.

  In the above embodiment, the upper insulating layer 141 of the electronic paper 100 is light transmissive (substantially transparent), while the lower insulating layer 142 is not light transmissive (substantially transparent). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, both the upper insulating layer 141 and the lower insulating layer 142 may be light transmissive (substantially transparent). In this case, any of the upper insulating layer 141 and the lower insulating layer 142 may be used. Can also be made the display surface 121.

  In the above embodiment, the image corresponding area is the black image portion and the background image corresponding area is the white image portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image corresponding area is the white image portion and the background image corresponding area is the black image portion. It is good also as a part.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the latent image is formed by irradiating the image corresponding area of the photoconductor 20 from the exposure unit 40 to form a latent image. A latent image may be formed by irradiating the corresponding region with a laser.

  In the above embodiment, the applied voltage is a DC applied voltage. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the applied voltage may be an AC applied voltage. In the present specification, the value of the applied voltage means an average value of the AC applied voltage when the applied voltage is an AC applied voltage.

1 image recording device 10 recording unit 10a first recording unit 10b second recording unit 20 photoconductor 20a first photoconductor 20b second photoconductor 30 charging unit 30a first charging unit 30b second charging unit 32 charging roller 32a first charging Roller 32b second charging roller 40 exposure unit 40a first exposure unit 40b second exposure unit 50 electric field generation unit 50a first electric field generation unit 50b second electric field generation unit 52 counter roller 52a first counter roller 52b second counter roller 54 electric field Generation unit 54a First electric field generation unit 54b Second electric field generation unit 60 Conveyance unit 62 Paper cassette 64 Paper feed roller 66 Conveyance roller 80 Controller 81 Interface unit 82 CPU
83 Memory 84 Unit control circuit 100 Electronic paper 103 Display layer 107 Sealing portion 121 Display surface 131 Microcapsule 132 Binder 133 Capsule body 141 Upper insulating layer 142 Lower insulating layer 221 First dot 222 Second dot 521 Charge transport layer 522 Charge Generation layer 523 substrate

Claims (5)

An exposure part that emits electromagnetic waves;
An image carrier that carries a latent image constituted by dots formed by the exposure unit irradiating the electromagnetic wave;
A facing member facing the image carrier,
A conveying member that conveys electronic paper displaying the image corresponding to the latent image by moving the colored charged particles in the thickness direction.
When the electronic paper is positioned between the image carrier and the facing member, an electric field generating unit that generates an electric field along the thickness direction between the electronic paper and moves the colored charged particles in the thickness direction,
The electronic paper is transported to the transport member, and different parts of the electronic paper are sequentially fed between the image carrier carrying the latent image composed of the dots of a predetermined size and the opposing member. , Causing the electric field generation unit to perform a first process for sequentially displaying images corresponding to the latent images on the parts sent in the meantime,
The electronic paper is further transported to the transport member, and the part once passed between the image carrier and the opposing member for carrying the latent image composed of the dots smaller than the predetermined size, A controller that causes the electric field generation unit to execute a second process of sequentially displaying again the images corresponding to the latent image again on the portion that has been fed in between.
An image recording apparatus for electronic paper, comprising: The image recording apparatus for electronic paper according to claim 1,
The beam width of the electromagnetic wave irradiated by the exposure unit when the first process is executed is larger than the beam width of the electromagnetic wave irradiated by the exposure unit when the second process is executed. An image recording device for electronic paper. The image recording apparatus for electronic paper according to claim 1,
As the image carrier, a first image carrier having a first photosensitive layer thickness, and a second image carrier having a second photosensitive layer thickness thinner than the first photosensitive layer thickness,
The controller is
The electronic paper is transported to the transport member, and different parts of the electronic paper are placed between the first image carrier that carries the latent image composed of the dots of a predetermined size and the opposing member. Sequentially feeding, causing the electric field generator to perform a first process for sequentially displaying images corresponding to the latent images on the parts fed in between,
The electronic paper is further conveyed to the conveying member, and the portion once passed through the gap is opposed to the second image carrier that carries the latent image composed of the dots smaller than the predetermined size. Electronic paper, wherein the electric field generator is caused to execute a second process of sequentially sending images to and from a member again, and sequentially displaying images corresponding to the latent images again on the parts fed between the members. Image recording device. In the image recording apparatus to the electronic paper according to claim 2 or 3,
The controller is
When the first process is executed, the opposing member having a first voltage that is larger than the smaller one of the potential in the region where the dots are formed and the potential in the region where the dots are not formed is smaller than the larger one. To the electric field generator
When the second process is performed, the first voltage is smaller than the larger one of the potential in the region where the dots are formed and the potential in the region where the dots are not formed. An image recording apparatus for electronic paper, wherein the electric field generation unit is configured to apply a different second voltage to the facing member. When the colored charged particles have colored charged particles and move in the thickness direction, the electronic paper displaying the image corresponding to the latent image is conveyed to a conveying member, and different parts of the electronic paper are The exposure unit sequentially feeds between an image carrier that carries a latent image formed of dots of a predetermined size formed by irradiating electromagnetic waves, and an opposing member that faces the image carrier,
A first process for sequentially displaying an image corresponding to the latent image on the portion fed in between by generating an electric field along the thickness direction in the meantime and moving the colored charged particles in the thickness direction. To cause the electric field generator to execute
The electronic paper is further transported to the transport member, and the part once passed between the image carrier and the opposing member for carrying the latent image composed of the dots smaller than the predetermined size, In order again during
Causing the electric field generation unit to execute a second process for sequentially displaying again the images corresponding to the latent images on the parts sent in the meantime;
A method of recording an image on electronic paper, comprising:

Images