JP3605316B2 - Image forming system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming system that forms an image on recording paper using a color material (ink, color former, and the like).
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming system for transferring a color material (ink or the like) to recording paper or the like, an ink jet printer that ejects fine particles of ink from a nozzle and sprays the recording paper, or a special type of printer in which a capsule layer containing ink is formed. An image forming system for forming an image by heating and exposing a sheet is known.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such an image forming system requires a relatively large device such as a printer, and has a problem that it is difficult to carry.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image forming system that is small and easy to carry.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming system according to claim 1 of the present invention includes: Includes multiple types of capsules constructed by enclosing multiple types of color materials in different types of wall films for each color so that different types of wall films can be broken at different temperatures and pressures Construct an image forming sheet and attach it to the tip of the body. Has multiple heating elements that can be independently pressurized and heated A thermal head is attached, a control unit for controlling heat generation of the thermal head is provided inside the body to constitute an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is moved on a sheet. The control unit controls the thermal head according to the color to be colored on the sheet. Selectively heat capsule layer And selectively By applying pressure, the color material inside the wall film is released by breaking the wall film, Color Forming an image. The image forming apparatus thus configured is small in size and excellent in portability, and can freely draw freehand like a pen.
[0006]
Further, according to the image forming system of the present invention, a capsule is formed by enclosing a coloring material in a wall film, a capsule layer is provided on a base, and an image forming sheet is formed. Arranged two-dimensionally on the bottom of Can be independently pressurized and heated A control unit that attaches a plurality of heating means and controls the heat generation of the heating means inside the body And a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure at which the heating means is pressed against the sheet To form an image forming apparatus, and heat generating means on a sheet. Once strong Pressing, Then, when the pressing pressure was gradually reduced, the control unit, based on the output of the pressure sensor, sequentially controls the heating of the plurality of heating units according to the color of the sheet, Selectively heat capsule layer And selectively By applying pressure, the color material inside the wall film is released by breaking the wall film, Color Forming an image. With this configuration, an image forming apparatus such as a stamp, in which an image is formed only by pressing the bottom surface of the body against the sheet, is obtained, and a color image can be formed by a single stamp operation.
[0007]
An image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein an image forming sheet that develops color in accordance with applied temperature and pressure is provided. Color An image forming apparatus for forming an image, wherein a body to be gripped by a user, a plurality of heating elements provided at an end of the body, and the plurality of heating elements are applied to the image forming sheet. When we touched, To color the desired color on the sheet, The plurality of heating elements , At different predetermined pressures, the image forming sheet Selectively Urging Let Biasing means; The image forming sheet was selectively pressed Control means for controlling heat generation of each of the plurality of heating elements so that each of the plurality of heating elements has a predetermined temperature.
[0008]
Further, the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect provides an image forming sheet that develops color according to the applied temperature and pressure. Color An image forming apparatus for forming an image, wherein a bottom surface is formed as a flat surface, and a body gripped by a user and two-dimensionally arranged on the bottom surface of the body, each of which is driven to generate heat at a different temperature. A plurality of heating element groups each including a predetermined number of heating elements, and a heating element group on the bottom surface. Selective pressing force on the image forming sheet And a pressure sensor for detecting the output of the pressure sensor, when the pressing pressure is gradually reduced after the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus is once strongly pressed against the image forming sheet. On the sheet It is formed Color Based on the image pattern, the heating element of the plurality of heating element groups Selectively Fever And pressurization And a control unit for controlling.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of an image forming sheet 10 used in the image forming system of the first embodiment. The sheet 10 is formed by forming a layer of fine microcapsules (capsule layer 12) in which liquid ink is sealed on a base material 11. The capsule layer 12 includes three types of microcapsules 21, 22, and 23 in which inks of three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow are respectively enclosed. The microcapsules 21, 22, and 23 have a diameter of several micrometers, and have wall films 21a, 22a, and 23a formed of a shape memory resin.
[0010]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the relationship between the elastic modulus of the shape memory resin and the temperature. At the glass transition temperature Tg or more (region b), the shape memory resin activates the micro-brown motion of the molecular chain and exhibits rubber elasticity, and at the glass transition temperature Tg or less (region a), the micro-brown motion freezes to change the glass state. Show. That is, the shape memory resin can be deformed into a free shape by heating to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature Tg, and the shape can be fixed by cooling to a temperature equal to or lower than the glass transition temperature Tg. When heated to the glass transition temperature Tg or higher again, the shape memory resin returns to its original shape. As such a shape memory resin, for example, a resin made of polynorbornene, trans-1,4-polyisoprene, polyurethane, or the like is known. The present invention utilizes the property of the shape memory resin that "the elastic coefficient changes greatly at the boundary of the glass transition temperature Tg".
[0011]
FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the pressure at which the wall films 21a, 22a, and 23a of the microcapsules are crushed (hereinafter referred to as the rupture pressure) and the heating temperature by a solid line, a one-dot chain line, and a two-dot chain line, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the materials of the wall films 21a, 22a, and 23a are selected such that the glass transition temperatures Tg1, Tg2, and Tg3 become higher in the order of the wall films 21a, 22a, and 23a (Tg1 <Tg2 <Tg3). ing. In the present embodiment, the glass transition temperatures of the wall films 21a, 22a, and 23a are set to Tg1 = 70 ° C., Tg2 = 110 ° C., and Tg3 = 130 ° C.
[0012]
On the other hand, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the wall films 21a, 22a, and 23a of the microcapsules 21, 22, and 23 are configured to be thinner in this order. Therefore, the microcapsules 21, 22, and 23 are formed such that the higher the glass transition temperature is, the thinner the wall film is (the more easily it is crushed). In the present embodiment, the pressures P1 to P4 in FIG. 3 are 0.02 MPa, 0.2 MPa, 2 MPa, and 20 MPa, respectively.
[0013]
With this configuration, even if the capsules 21, 22, and 23 are simultaneously heated and pressurized, the temperature and pressure are maintained in the environment of the region A shown in FIG. 3 (temperature 70 ° C. to 110 ° C., pressure 2 MPa). At ２０20 MPa), only the cyan capsule 21 is crushed, and the magenta and yellow capsules 22 and 23 are not crushed. Similarly, under the environment of the area B (temperature: 110 ° C. to 130 ° C., pressure: 0.2 MPa to 2 MPa), only the magenta capsule 22 is crushed, and the cyan and yellow capsules 21 and 23 are not crushed. Under the environment of the area C (temperature: 130 ° C. to 150 ° C., pressure: 2 MPa to 20 MPa), the yellow capsule 23 is crushed, but the cyan and magenta capsules 21 and 22 are not crushed. Therefore, by appropriately setting the temperature and the pressure, the microcapsules 21, 22, and 23 can be selectively crushed and a desired color can be developed.
[0014]
As schematically shown in FIG. 5, when the microcapsules (the microcapsules 21 in FIG. 5) are crushed, the ink sealed in the wall film 21a goes out and takes on a cyan color. The debris of the torn wall film 21a remains on the base material 11 as it is, but does not affect the color of the ink because the wall film 21a is thin. Note that a colorless and transparent protective film 13 is laminated on the capsule layer 12 in order to prevent discoloration of the ink that has come out of the microcapsules and to protect a heating element of a thermal head (described later). The wall film and the substrate 11 are both white. The same applies to the other microcapsules 22 and 23.
[0015]
6 and 7 are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view illustrating a pen-type image forming apparatus 100 used in the image forming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a block diagram for explaining a control system of the first image forming apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a pen-shaped body 110 and a thermal head 30 having three types of heating elements 31, 32, and 33 attached to a tip end thereof. The thermal head 30 is driven to generate heat by a drive circuit 121 provided in the body 110 and controlled by the control unit 120. In the body 110, a chargeable secondary battery (nickel cadmium battery) 125 for driving the thermal head 30 is accommodated.
It is preferable that the control unit 120 and the battery 125 be stored in the body 110 from the viewpoint of portability, but from the viewpoint of operability at the time of image formation, the body 110 is easy to grasp and lightweight. Is preferred. For this reason, a configuration in which the control unit 120 and the battery 125 are installed in a housing separate from the body 110 and are connected and used by a cable is also possible.
[0016]
The heating elements 31, 32, and 33 of the thermal head 30 are attached to a support substrate 35 provided at the tip of the body 110. The support substrate 35 is a flexible substrate, and three coil springs 36, 37, and 38 having different spring constants are provided between the support substrate 35 and the body 110. The coil springs 36, 37, and 38 face the heating elements 31, 32, and 33 (with the support substrate 35 interposed therebetween). When the user grips the body 110 and presses the thermal head 30 against the sheet 10 until the tip of the body 110 contacts the sheet 10, the wall film 21a corresponding to the areas A, B, and C in FIG. , 22a, and 23a are configured so that the coil springs 36, 37, and 38 press the heating elements 31, 32, and 33 against the sheet 10 with a predetermined pressing force necessary to break the sheet. In the present embodiment, the heating elements 31, 32, and 33 are provided on the same support substrate 35. However, each heating element is provided on a separate board, and each coil spring is provided on a corresponding substrate (one heating element). ) May be configured to be pressed with a predetermined pressure.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 7, a slide switch 165 for controlling the amount of heat generated by the heating elements 31, 32, and 33 of the thermal head 30 is provided outside the body 110. When the knobs corresponding to cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) of the slide switch 165 are moved up and down, the position is detected by the slide switch position detecting means 130 (see FIGS. 6 and 18), and control is performed. The position information of each switch is sent to the unit 120. The control unit 120 controls the drive circuit 121 based on the position of the slide switch 165 to control the amount of heat generated by the heating elements 31, 32, and 33. Specifically, temperature sensors 141, 142, and 143 (see FIG. 18) are arranged near each of the heating elements 31, 32, and 33, and are detected via A / D converters 144, 145, and 146. The temperature is input to the control unit 120. The control unit 120 performs feedback control on each of the heating elements 31, 32, and 33 so that the heating temperature of each heating element detected by the temperature sensor becomes a temperature corresponding to the setting of the slide switch 165.
[0018]
Microswitches 151, 152, 153 are provided in the vicinity of the heating elements 31, 32, 33, for example, between the concave portions at the end of the device or between the support substrate 35 and the coil springs 36, 37, 38. The microswitches 151, 152, 153 detect whether or not the heating elements 31, 32, 33 have been pressed by an amount necessary for image formation, respectively, and are turned on when pressed. The outputs of the micro switches 151, 152, 153 are input to the control unit 120, and the control unit 120 pushes all three heating elements 31, 32, 33 by a required amount, and turns on all the micro switches 151, 152, 153. Only in the state, the LED (Light Emitting Diode) driving circuit 154 is controlled to turn on the LED 155. The heating elements 31, 32, and 33 are driven by pressing the heating switch 50 (described later). However, when all the micro switches 151, 152, and 153 are not turned on, the heating switch 50 is pressed. Even if it is performed, the heat generation drive may not be performed.
[0019]
When a color image is formed on the sheet 10 by the image forming apparatus 100, the color of the color image to be formed is set by appropriately setting each knob of the slide switch 165, the body 110 is held, and the heat generation switch 50 is pressed. , Is drawn on the sheet 10. The control unit 120 drives the heating elements 31, 32, and 33 only while the heating switch 50 is being pressed. When the slide switch 165 is set as shown in FIG. 8A, the heating element 31 (for cyan) generates heat at a temperature corresponding to the area A in FIG. 3, and the heating element 33 (for yellow) does not generate heat. The heating element 32 (for magenta) generates heat at a relatively low temperature in the region B. Therefore, cyan is dark, magenta is light, and yellow is not. A desired color can be set by appropriately adjusting the amount of heat generated by each of the heating elements 31, 32, and 33. For example, when the slide switch 165 is set as shown in FIG. 8B, the heating element 31 (for cyan) does not generate heat, and the heating element 33 (for yellow) and the heating element 32 (for magenta) respectively. Heat is generated at a high temperature in the regions B and C. As a result, a red image can be formed. Similarly, green, blue, gray, and black images can be formed by setting the slide switches as shown in (c) to (f). The colors that can be set are not limited to the above. If it is assumed that each slide switch 165 can set the heating value in (n + 1) steps from 0 to n, the setting of each of the cyan, magenta, and yellow slide switches 165 is possible. By the combination of positions, (n + 1) ³ -1 type of color can be set.
[0020]
As the slide switch position detecting means 130, for example, a means for detecting a change in voltage due to a change in the resistance value of the variable resistor, a means for detecting the position of the slide switch 165 using a code pattern or the like, and the like are known. Various detection means can be used.
Further, instead of a slide switch for each color component, a color chart and a lever or dial for selecting a desired color in the color chart are provided, and the ratio of each color component corresponding to the color selected by the lever (dial) is controlled by the control unit 120. May be calculated to drive each heating element.
[0021]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, a color image of a desired color is formed by heating and pressing the sheet 10 at a temperature and pressure corresponding to the regions A, B, and C shown in FIG. can do. Thus, an image forming apparatus that is small, has excellent portability, and can perform freehand color drawing can be obtained.
If the control unit 120 is configured to automatically change the heating value of each heating element at random or automatically at a predetermined cycle, the color changes variously while the user is drawing an image. Can also be used.
[0022]
Instead of providing the three types of heating elements 31, 32, and 33 on the thermal head 30, the number of heating elements may be one, and a monochrome image may be used.
Further, when the number of the heating elements is one, the user himself / herself adjusts the pressure for pressing the thermal head 30 against the sheet 10 and draws while weakening the pressing pressure in the order of cyan, magenta and yellow. A configuration is also possible. In this case, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for informing the user how much pressure is applied to the thermal head 30.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, each heating element (the heating element 31 for cyan in FIG. 9) can be further subdivided to control the heating. With this configuration, the area of the heat generating surface of each thermal head can be reduced, so that the temperature difference between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the heat generating surface can be reduced. In this case, it is possible to adjust the density of the color by changing the number of the fine elements 311 that generate heat.
[0024]
Further, a detection sensor (not shown) for detecting that the thermal head 30 has been pressed against the sheet 10 is provided at the lower end of the body 110, and the control unit 120 controls the heat generation of the thermal head 30 by a signal from the detection sensor. It may be configured to start. Alternatively, as described above, since the micro switches 151, 152, and 153 detect whether or not each of the heating elements 31, 32, and 33 is pressed, the heating switch 50 is not provided, and the micro switches 151, 152, and The heating elements 31, 32, 33 may be driven only when all the switches 153 are ON.
[0025]
Next, a modified example using another microcapsule in the first embodiment will be described.
In the modification shown in FIG. 10, a color material (cyan, magenta, yellow) that is solid at normal temperature is enclosed in three microcapsules 18C, 18M, and 18Y. As in the first embodiment, the microcapsules 18C, 18M, and 18Y form the capsule layer 12 on the base material 11. The capsule layer 12 is covered with the same protective film 13 as in the first embodiment, and the base material 11, the capsule layer 12, and the protective film 13 constitute a sheet 10A.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 11, the wall films of the microcapsules 18C, 18M, and 18Y are formed of resins having elastic coefficients EC, EM, and EY, respectively, and their thicknesses WC, WM, and WY satisfy WC>WM> WY. In a relationship. As shown in FIG. 12, in the temperature range of 0 to 250 degrees Celsius given to the microcapsules, there is substantially no change in the elastic coefficients EC, EM, and EY due to the temperature.
[0027]
On the other hand, the coloring material encapsulated in the microcapsules 18C, 18M, and 18Y exhibits a solid phase at normal temperature (about 25 degrees), but melts at a high temperature. The temperature changes of the elastic coefficients of the cyan, magenta, and yellow color materials are shown by E1, E2, and E3 in FIG. The elasticity of the cyan coloring material sharply decreases at the temperature TC, and melts at the temperature FC. Further, the magenta color material sharply decreases in elastic modulus at the temperature TM and melts at the temperature FM. Further, the elasticity of the yellow color material sharply decreases at the temperature TY and melts at the temperature FY. Here, FC <FM <FY.
[0028]
Therefore, if the temperature and pressure applied to the microcapsules 18C, 18M, and 18Y of the capsule layer 12 of the sheet 10A by the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 6) are controlled based on FIG. 12, the microcapsules 18C, 18M, and 18Y are selected. Can be destroyed.
[0029]
FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature and pressure applied to the microcapsules and the color development.
In a region C (temperature is equal to or higher than FC and lower than FM in FIG. 12) in FIG. 13, only the cyan coloring material is melted, and the magenta and yellow coloring materials are solid. Therefore, only the cyan microcapsules 18C are relatively easily crushed. Then, when a pressure necessary to crush the cyan microcapsules 18C is applied to each microcapsule in this temperature range, only the cyan microcapsules 18C are crushed and the cyan coloring material (liquid) is released.
[0030]
In a region M (the temperature is equal to or higher than FM and lower than FY in FIG. 12) in FIG. 13, the cyan and magenta coloring materials are molten, and the yellow coloring material is solid. Further, due to the difference between the thickness of the wall film and the elastic coefficient, the magenta microcapsules 18M are more easily crushed than the cyan microcapsules 18C. Therefore, in this temperature range, if the cyan microcapsules 18C are not crushed and the pressure necessary to crush the magenta microcapsules 18M is applied to each microcapsule, only the magenta microcapsules 18M are crushed and the magenta coloring material ( Liquid) is released.
[0031]
In a region Y (temperature is equal to or higher than FY in FIG. 12) in FIG. 13, all of the cyan, magenta, and yellow coloring materials are melted. Most easily crushed. Therefore, in this temperature range, the cyan and magenta microcapsules 18C and 18M are not crushed, and the pressure required to crush the yellow microcapsules 18Y is applied to each microcapsule. Color material (liquid) is released.
[0032]
Thus, a color image can be easily formed even by using a microcapsule in which a solid colorant is sealed at room temperature.
It should be noted that a color former such as a leuco dye can be enclosed in the microcapsule. In this case, a color developer can be applied to the surface of the base material 11 in advance, and the color developer released from the microcapsules can react with the color developer to exhibit cyan, magenta, and yellow. .
[0033]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image forming system of the second embodiment forms an image on a sheet 10 (FIG. 1) similar to that of the first embodiment by using a stamp-type image forming apparatus 200.
14 and 15 are a perspective view and a side sectional view showing an image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a block diagram for explaining a control system of image forming apparatus 200.
The image forming apparatus 200 has a body 202 in which a grip portion 201 to be gripped by a user is integrally formed, and a thermal head 203 in which a plurality of pixels 230 are two-dimensionally arranged on the bottom surface of the body 202. Is provided.
[0034]
The plurality of pixels 230 are fixed to a common substrate 235, and the substrate 235 is attached to the lower surface of the body 202 via a plurality of coil springs 236 having the same spring constant. The coil spring 236 prevents the pressure of each heating element, which will be described later, on the sheet from exceeding the pressure P4 in FIG. 3 in a state where the bottom surface of the body 202 is in contact with the sheet 10 and the thermal head 203 is completely pushed into the body 202. Strength is set. The plurality of coil springs 236 uniformly urge the surface of the thermal head 203 that contacts the sheet over the entire area of the sheet. As shown in FIG. 16, one pixel 230 is configured as a heating element group including three heating elements 231, 232, and 233, and the individual heating elements 231, 232, and 233 are provided in the grip 201. The heat is driven by the drive circuits 251, 252, 253 controlled by the control unit 220 (FIGS. 14, 19). The drive circuits 251, 252, and 253 drive the heating elements 231, 232, and 233 of each heating element group, respectively. The heating elements 231, 232, and 233 have different resistance values so that when a predetermined voltage is applied for a predetermined time, the temperatures thereof are equal to or higher than the glass transition temperatures Tg 1, Tg 2, and Tg 3 of the microcapsules 21, 22, 23. It has become. Accordingly, a two-dimensional image of a cyan component is formed by the driving circuit 251, a two-dimensional image of a magenta component is formed by the driving circuit 252, and a two-dimensional image of a yellow component is formed by the driving circuit 253.
Note that a nicad battery 225 for driving the thermal head 203 is accommodated in the grip 201.
[0035]
When an image is formed on the sheet 10 (FIG. 1) using the image forming apparatus 200, an image pattern for each color is input in advance to the control unit 220 from an external input device (not shown) by infrared communication or the like. The control unit 220 has a memory 221 (FIG. 19) for storing an image pattern for each color, and the receiving unit 222 stores the image pattern received from the external input device in the memory 221. With the image pattern stored in the memory 221, the grip portion 201 is gripped and the thermal head 203 is strongly pressed against the sheet 10, and then the pressure is gradually reduced. This pressure change results from the normal stamping and releasing action.
[0036]
The pressing pressure is measured by a pressure sensor 223 (FIG. 19) provided on the body 202 of the image forming apparatus 200. As the pressure sensor 223, for example, a strain gauge provided between the concave portion of the body 202 and the substrate 235 can be used. The output signal of the pressure sensor 223 is input to the control unit 220 via the A / D converter 224. The control unit 220 causes the heating elements 231, 232, and 233 corresponding to each color to generate heat at a predetermined temperature according to the image pattern of each color according to the change (decrease) of the pressing pressure detected by the pressure sensor 223. , The sheet 10 is selectively heated and pressed at the temperature and pressure in the regions A, B and C.
[0037]
FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the passage of time, the change in pressing force, and the temperature of each of the heating elements 231, 232, and 233 when an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 200. The pressures Pa, Pb, and Pc in FIG. 17 have the following relationship with the pressures P1 to P4 in FIG.
P1 <Pa <P2 <Pb <P3 <Pc <P4
The temperatures T1 to T3 shown in FIG. 17 are the heating temperatures of the heating elements 231, 232, and 233, respectively, and have the following relationship with the transition temperatures Tg1 to Tg3 in FIG.
Tg1 <T1 <Tg2 <T2 <Tg3 <T3
First, the user presses the image forming apparatus 200 against the sheet 10 with a sufficiently strong force (time t0 to ts in FIG. 17). During this time, the pressing pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 223, and when the pressure exceeds the first reference value R1 (time tp in FIG. 17), the control unit 220 controls the LED driving circuit 225 to turn on the LED 226. The first reference value R1 is a value larger than the pressure Pc set for breaking the cyan capsule. However, due to the structure of the image forming apparatus 200, the pressing pressure does not exceed P4 at the maximum. The user presses the image forming apparatus 200 against the sheet 10 and, when the LED 226 is turned on, stops pressing and starts the operation of separating the image forming apparatus 200 from the sheet 10 (time ts).
[0038]
From time ts, the pressure starts to decrease. At this time, when the pressure reaches the second reference value R2 (time tc), the control unit 220 controls the drive circuit 251 so that the temperature of the heating element 231 is adjusted to the temperature T1 at the time (t1) when the pressure becomes Pc. Drive. Note that, as shown in the figure, R1>R2> Pc, and as described above, P3 <Pc <P4. Next, when the pressure reaches the third reference value R3 (time tm), the control unit 220 controls the drive circuit 252 so that the temperature of the heating element 232 is adjusted to the temperature T2 when the pressure becomes Pb (t2). Drive. Here, R3>Pb> P2. Then, when the pressure further decreases and reaches the fourth reference value R4 (time ty), the control unit 220 controls the drive circuit 253 so that the temperature becomes T3 at the time (t3) when the pressure becomes Pa. The heating element 233 is driven. Here, R4>Pa> P1.
The times tc, tm, and ty are determined in consideration of the time required for the heating elements to reach the temperatures T1, T2, and T3, respectively, and the reference values R1 to R3 correspond to the times tc, tm, ty and the pressure decrease. Is a value determined based on the graph showing
[0039]
With such a configuration, with the use of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to form a color image according to an image pattern input in advance only by performing a normal stamp operation. Further, since the image forming process is not executed unless the image forming apparatus 200 is pressed against the sheet 10 so that the pressure first exceeds the predetermined value, it is possible to avoid a problem that the cyan component image is not formed due to insufficient pressure. it can.
An image may be formed based on the same monochrome image pattern for each color component, and the user may set the color of the monochrome image as in the first embodiment.
A configuration in which the number of heating elements of each pixel 230 of the thermal head 203 is one and a monochrome image is formed is also possible.
Although the second embodiment is configured to receive an image pattern from an external device through communication, several types of image patterns may be stored in advance and selected. Alternatively, a plurality of patterns may be received and stored by communication, and an image may be formed by selecting one of the patterns. Further, in the second embodiment, the image pattern is obtained by communication. However, a configuration in which the image pattern is obtained via a storage medium such as a memory card is also possible.
[0040]
In the second embodiment, as in the modification of the first embodiment, a sheet 10A (FIG. 10) including microcapsules in which a solid colorant is sealed at room temperature can be used.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming system of the present invention, an image forming apparatus that is small, has excellent portability, and can easily draw images can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image forming sheet.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between an elastic coefficient of a shape memory resin and a temperature.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing a relationship between a pressure at which a wall film is crushed and a temperature.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing each microcapsule.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the microcapsules are crushed.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing various color settings by a slide switch.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a heating element of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming sheet having microcapsules enclosing a colorant solid at room temperature.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a microcapsule.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a temperature characteristic of an elastic coefficient of the microcapsule of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing temperature and pressure applied to the microcapsule of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a side sectional view showing the image forming apparatus of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a heating element of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 14;
FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship between pressure during image formation and driving of a heating element according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 sheets
12 capsule layer
21, 22, 23 microcapsules
21a, 22a, 23a Wall membrane
30 thermal head
31, 32, 33 Heating element
100 Image forming apparatus
110 body
120 control unit
200 Image forming apparatus
202 body
203 thermal head
220 control unit
231,232,233 Heating element

Claims (10)

An image forming sheet including a plurality of types of capsules configured by enclosing a plurality of types of color materials in different types of wall films for each color, and configured to break the different types of wall films at different temperatures and pressures ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements that can be independently pressurized and heated at a front end of a body; and a control unit configured to control heat generation of the thermal head inside the body. , And,
When the image device is moved on the sheet , the control unit controls the thermal head according to a color to be colored on the sheet , and selectively heats and selectively heats the capsule layer. A color image is formed on the sheet by applying pressure to break the wall film and release a color material therein. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the thermal head is attached to a tip portion of the body via a spring member. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a switch for setting a heat value of each of the plurality of heating elements by a user. The method according to claim 1, wherein the color material is a solid ink, and the pressurization and the heating melt the solid ink, break the wall film, and release the melted ink. An image forming system according to any one of the above. 4. The color material is liquid ink, and when the wall film is broken by the heating and the pressurization, the liquid ink is released outside the wall film. 3. The image forming system according to 1. An image forming sheet comprising a capsule formed by enclosing a colorant inside a wall film and providing a layer of the capsule on a base;
Independently to the bottom surface of the body mounting by arranging a pressurization and a plurality of heating means capable of heating the two-dimensionally, and a controller for controlling heat generation of the heat generating means in the interior of the body, the heating means is the sheet And an image forming apparatus provided with a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure pressed against the
When the heating means is once strongly pressed onto the sheet, and then the pressing pressure is gradually reduced, the control unit, based on the output of the pressure sensor, according to the color to be colored on the sheet sequentially heating control a plurality of heating means, the capsule layer, by selectively pressurizing with to selectively heat, breaking the wall membrane to release the wall film inside the color material, onto the sheet An image forming system, which forms a color image. The image according to claim 6, wherein the color material is a solid ink, and the pressurization and the heating cause the solid ink to melt, the wall film torn, and the melted ink to be released. Forming system. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the color material is liquid ink, and when the wall film is broken by the heating and the pressurization, the liquid ink is released outside the wall film. system. An image forming apparatus for forming a color image on an image forming sheet that develops color according to the applied temperature and pressure,
A body gripped by the user,
A plurality of heating elements provided at the tip of the body;
Said plurality of heating elements when brought into contact with the image forming sheet, in order to color a desired color on the sheet, the plurality of heating elements, in the image forming sheet by a predetermined pressure different from each Biasing means for selectively biasing the
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls heat generation of the plurality of heating elements selectively pressed to the image forming sheet so that each of the plurality of heating elements has a predetermined temperature. An image forming apparatus for forming a color image on an image forming sheet that develops color according to the applied temperature and pressure,
A body whose bottom is formed as a flat surface and which is gripped by a user,
A plurality of heating element groups, each consisting of a predetermined number of heating elements, each of which is two-dimensionally arranged on the bottom surface of the body and each of which is driven to generate heat at a different temperature,
A pressure sensor for detecting a selective pressing force on the image forming sheet of the heating element group on the bottom surface,
After the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus is once strongly pressed against the image forming sheet, the output of the pressure sensor and the color image pattern formed on the sheet are gradually reduced when the pressing pressure is gradually reduced. An image forming apparatus comprising: a controller configured to selectively control heat generation of the heating elements included in the plurality of heating element groups based on the control information.

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