JPH0338613A - Method for recording and reproducing charge image - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily obtain a reproduction signal having a high resolution by once transferring the charge image on a recorded charge image recording medium to a member for reproducing constituted by having an optical modulating material layer member. CONSTITUTION:The member PrE for reproducing and the charge image recording medium RM are transferred at the same speed as a feed roller FR is driven to rotate while the surface of the optical modulating material layer member PML of the member PrE for reproducing and the charge image forming surface of the charge image recording medium RM are held in tight contact with each other. The charge image on the charge image recording medium RM is well transferred onto the surface of the optical modulating material layer member PML of the member PrE for reproducing.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a method for recording and reproducing charge images.

(Prior Art) As the demand for recording various information signals at high recording densities has increased, in recent years it has become possible to record information signals using recording media made based on various structural and operating principles. It is well known that high-density recording/reproduction has become available. Conventionally, there are bit-forming types, bubble or concave-convex-forming types, magneto-optical types, and phase-change types (low light transmittance based on thermal energy.

Various formats have been proposed, which can be roughly divided into types such as thermal transformation type (which causes changes in reflectance, absorption rate, etc.), as well as recording,
Many proposals have been made regarding recording media in which the reproducing operation is performed using energy other than light, and various proposals have also been made regarding recording and reproducing apparatuses using these recording media.

However, in the conventional recording and reproducing apparatuses using the various types of recording media described above, the configuration of the apparatus for performing high-density recording is complicated and large-scale, and erasable recording media are also For example, in the case of a magnetic recording medium, erasing is easy, but on the other hand, there is a problem in terms of high-density recording, and in the case of an optical disk, for example, high-density recording However, there is a problem in that it cannot be erased by simple means.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the applicant company has
As illustrated in the figure, a writing head WH consisting of a transparent electrode Etw and a photoconductive layer member PCL, onto which a flux of electromagnetic radiation containing information to be recorded is incident, is used to write at least an electrode E and an electrically charged A charge retention layer member C made using a material (for example, silicone resin) that has an extremely high insulation resistance value that can hold the charge for a long time.
The information to be recorded is recorded on the charge image recording medium RM having a charge image recording medium HL, and the information recorded in the form of a charge image on the charge image recording medium RM as described above is recorded in the charge image recording medium RM. Recording of a charge image optically read out using a reading head RH configured by laminating a transparent electrode Etp and a light modulating material layer member PMLp as illustrated in FIG.
We are proposing a playback device.

In FIG. 5, an electric current @vb is connected between the transparent electrode EtW of the write head WH and the electrode E of the charge image recording medium RM, and the electrode E of the charge image recording medium RM' and the transparent electrode of the write head are connected. When an electric field is formed between Etw and an optical image of the object O is focused on the photoconductive layer member PCL of the writing head WH by the imaging lens L, the electrical resistance value of the photoconductive layer member PCL is The light intensity of the optical image decreases in accordance with the amount of light of the optical image, and a discharge occurs between the charge image recording medium RM and the charge retention layer member CHL, and the charge image recording medium R
A charge image corresponding to the information signal is formed on the M charge retention layer member CHL.

As described above, the charge retention layer member CH of the charge image recording medium RM
The charge image on the recorded recording medium S in which the charge image targeted for recording is formed on L is reproduced by the reproduction system illustrated in FIG. 6, that is.

Recorded Charge Image A charge image reproduction system that reproduces information recorded as a charge image on a recording medium and which is to be reproduced by a reproduction means including a reproduction electromagnetic radiation irradiation means can perform the following operations. is played.

In FIG. 6, a transparent electrode Etp and a light modulating material layer member P made of a material such as lithium niobate single crystal.
The light modulating material layer member PMLp in the reading head RH, which is configured by the charge image recording medium RM, changes the polarization plane of the light passing through it due to the electric field caused by the charge image formed on the charge retention layer member CHL of the charge image recording medium RM. Therefore, the laser beam (electromagnetic radiation When the beam) passes through the charge image recording medium RM after passing through the light modulating material layer member PML.

The plane of polarization of the laser beam changes in correspondence with the charge image recorded on the charge retention layer member CHL. Therefore, the laser beam that has passed through the charge image recording medium RM is passed through the analyzer AL. After being passed through, the photoelectric converter PD is supplied to the photoelectric converter PD by the lens Lr, and the photoelectric converter PD outputs the information recorded on the charge image recording medium RM as an electric signal.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, the information to be reproduced recorded as a charge image on the charge retention layer member CHL in the recorded charge image recording medium is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation for reproduction. In the charge image reproducing system, the charge image is reproduced by a reproducing means including a light modulating material layer member in the reading head RH to which an electric field is applied by the charge image formed on the charge retention layer member CHL of the charge image recording medium RM. The PMLP generates a charge image by changing the shape of the reproducing electromagnetic radiation, ml (e.g. the state of the plane of polarization of the light passing through the light modulating material layer member PMLp in the read head RH), depending on the electric field applied to it. Since the light modulating material layer member PMLP in the reading head RH
In contrast, the charge retention layer member C of the fft image recording medium RM
A high-resolution reproduction signal cannot be obtained unless the electric field generated by the charge image formed on the HL is applied in the correct state.

However, the light modulating material layer member P in the reading head RH
If a gap as shown by d in FIG. 6 exists between the surface of the charge image recording medium MLp and the surface of the charge retention layer member CHL of the charge image recording medium RM, the charge image recording medium Since the electric field due to the charge image recorded on the charge retention layer member CHL in the RM is supplied in an expanded state to the light modulating material layer member PMLp in the read head RH, the charge image read by the read head RH is
The resolution of the charge image is lower than that of the charge image formed on the charge retention layer member CHL of the charge image recording medium RM.

In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, the distance d between the surface of the light modulating material layer member PMLp of the pick-up head RH and the surface of the charge retention layer member CHL of the charge image recording medium RM can be made small; however,
When the distance between the surface of the light modulating material layer member PMI,p of the reading head RH and the surface of the charge retention layer member CHL of the charge image recording medium RM is small, it is difficult to set the distance uniformly, and Light modulating material layer member PM of read head RH
Problems arise, such as unevenness in the thickness of Lp, which adversely affects the reproduced signal.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention reproduces information that is recorded as a charge image on a recorded charge image recording medium and is targeted for reproduction by a reproduction means including an electromagnetic radiation irradiation means. A method for recording and reproducing a charge image, which comprises transferring a charge image on a recorded charge image recording medium to a reproduction member comprising at least a light modulating material layer member, and transferring the charge image as described above. A method for recording and reproducing a charge image is provided, in which a charge image targeted for reproduction is reproduced by irradiating a reproduction member with electromagnetic radiation for reproduction.

(Function) When information to be reproduced recorded as a charge image on a recorded charge image recording medium is reproduced by a reproduction means including an electromagnetic radiation irradiation means, the charge image on the recorded charge image recording medium is of.

- The image is then transferred to a reproduction member comprising at least a light modulating material layer member.

Then, electromagnetic radiation for reproduction is irradiated onto the reproduction member to which the charge image has been transferred as described above, thereby reproducing the charge image targeted for reproduction.

(Example) Hereinafter, specific contents of the charge image recording and reproducing method of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a reproduction system that reproduces a charge image from a reproduction member to which a recorded charge image has been transferred, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show a recorded charge image. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a transfer system for transferring a charge image from a charge image recording medium to a reproduction member; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a medium.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a reproduction system that reproduces a charge image from a reproduction member PrE to which a charge image of a recorded charge image recording medium RM has been transferred. This reproducing member PrE has a laminated structure of an electrode (transparent electrode) Etr and a light modulating material layer member PML, and is used to transfer the charge image of the recorded charge image recording medium RM. It has been kept in a state of being.

Note that the above-mentioned reproduction member PrE may be implemented as one having a structure in which a thin protective film is provided on the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of the configuration of a charge image transfer system used when transferring a charge image on a recorded charge image recording medium RM to a reproduction member PrE. Further, in order to record the information to be recorded on the charge image recording medium RM in a high resolution state, for example, recording may be performed using a recording system having the configuration as already described with reference to FIG. Alternatively, recording may be performed using a laser beam whose intensity is modulated with the information signal to be recorded.

As the charge image recording medium RM for recording the information to be recorded in the form of a charge image, for example, the charge image recording medium RM shown by the symbol RM in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used.
(1) A structure using a polymer material film exhibiting a high insulation resistance value as the charge retention layer member CHL.

For example, as in the charge image recording medium RM shown by the symbol RM in FIG.
Alternatively, although not shown, (3) a laminated structure (for example, a two-layer structure of a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film) consisting of a layer that allows charges to pass through depending on the electric field conditions and a layer that has a charge retention function. What you have, or (4)
A charge image recording medium RM having a switching layer as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-207151 and various other configurations can be used. shape, tape shape.

It can be used in any form such as a sheet or card.

The charge image recording medium RM that records the information to be recorded as a charge image has a high insulation resistance value, for example, like the charge image recording medium RM shown by the symbol RM in FIGS. 2 and 3. If the charge retention layer member CHL is configured using a polymer material film exhibiting the following, the charge image recorded on the charge image recording medium RM will be
Since the electrode (transparent electrode) is formed on the HL, a transfer system as illustrated in FIG. 2 or 3 is used to transfer the electrode (transparent electrode).
The light modulating material layer member P of the reproduction member PrE is configured as a laminated structure of Etr and the light modulating material layer member PML.
When transferring a charge image to the surface of ML, the charge image recording medium R
The surface of the charge retention layer member CHL in M and the regeneration member P
By contacting the surface of rE, the charge image recording medium RM
The charge image formed on the charge retention layer member CHL is destroyed during the transfer operation.

However, the charge image recording medium RM that records information to be recorded as a charge image, for example, (2) to
The configuration as exemplified in (4), that is, the information to be recorded is stored inside the charge image recording medium RM, and is stored inside the above-mentioned charge image recording medium RM. The charge image corresponding to the information is stored in the charge image recording medium R.
When a configuration that can be formed on the surface of M is used, an electrode (transparent electrode) can be formed using a transfer system as illustrated in FIG. 2 or 3. The surface of the charge image recording medium RM is brought into contact with the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML of the reproducing member PrE, which is configured as a layered structure of Etr and the light modulating material layer member PML, to form a charge image recording medium. Even if the charge image formed on the surface of the RM is destroyed during the transfer operation, the charge image corresponding to the information to be recorded stored inside the charge image recording medium RM can be transferred again to the charge image recording medium. Since it can be formed on the surface of the RM, the charge image on the charge image recording medium RM can be prevented from being substantially destroyed even by the above-described transfer operation.

FIG. 4 shows that information to be recorded is stored inside the charge image recording medium RM, and a charge image corresponding to the information stored inside the charge image recording medium RM is recorded as a charge image. As an example of a charge image recording medium RM having a configuration that can be formed on the surface of the medium RM any number of times, fine particles PCG of a photoconductor substance are formed in the dielectric layer IL.
Taking as an example a charge image recording medium RM having a configuration in which . It is a figure for explaining that it can be formed on top.

In FIG. 4, the information to be recorded is stored in the form of charges in the fine particles pca, pca, etc. of photoconductor material mixed in the dielectric layer IL. Fine particles PCG of photoconductor material are mixed into the dielectric layer IL as shown in FIG.

In order to store the information recorded on the PCG in the form of charges, for example, the position of the charge image recording medium RM in the recording system shown in FIG. After positioning the charge image recording medium RM having the configuration shown in FIG. Fine particles PC of photoconductor material mixed in layer IL
As described above, when the charge image recording medium RM is irradiated with light in a wavelength band to which G is sensitive, electron-hole pairs are generated in the fine particles PCG of the photoconductor material mixed in the dielectric layer IL. Fine particles PCG of a photoconductor material in which a charge image corresponding to the charge image formed on the surface of the charge image recording medium RM is mixed in the dielectric layer IL.

It is formed in PCG...

In FIG. 4, an electrode E and an electrode E of a charge image recording medium RM in which a charge image is recorded on fine particles PCO, PCG, etc. of a photoconductor substance mixed in a dielectric layer IL.
A power supply Vc is connected to the electrode Ec and the surface of the charge image recording medium RM to generate a discharge between the electrode Ec and the surface of the charge image recording medium RM, thereby discharging the fine particles PCG of the photoconductor substance mixed in the dielectric layer IL.
When charges having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the charges recorded on the charge image recording medium RM are formed on the surface of the charge image recording medium RM, the above-mentioned dielectric material Fine particles P of photoconductor material mixed in the layer IL
A charge image corresponding to the charge image recorded on CG, PCG, etc. is formed.

In FIG. 4, a voltage is applied between the electrodes E and Ec, and the surface of the charge image recording medium RM is exposed to fine particles pca, pcc of the photoconductor material mixed in the dielectric layer IL.
A charge image corresponding to the charge image recorded in i... is formed.

A charge image 11'a is formed on the surface of the recording medium RM by corona discharge by the charger, and a charge image recorded on the fine particles PCG of the photoconductor substance mixed in the dielectric layer IL, PCG... A corresponding charge image may be formed.

The charge image on the charge image recording medium RM, on which the charge image corresponding to the information to be recorded is formed, is reproduced by a transfer system as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. is transferred to the member PrE.

As described above, the light modulating material layer member PML used in the above-mentioned reproduction member PrE, which has a laminated structure of the transparent electrode Etr and the light modulating material layer member PML, may be made of a material such as a lithium niobate single crystal, for example. Even if it is made of
Alternatively, it may be constructed using liquid crystal, but it is a desirable embodiment to use a polymer-liquid crystal film in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a polymer material.

When the light modulating material layer member PML in the regeneration member PrE is made of a material such as lithium niobate single crystal or twisted nematic liquid crystal,
The electromagnetic radiation (light, all) that passes through the light modulating material layer member PML in the reproducing member PrE is transmitted through the light modulating material layer member PM
Since the state of rotation of the plane of polarization changes depending on the intensity of the electric field applied to L, the reproduction member PrE
If it is necessary to convert the light whose rotational state of the polarization plane emitted from the Just do it.

Moreover, the light modulating material layer part' material PM in the reproducing member PrE
If L is configured such that the degree of light scattering changes depending on the electric field strength applied to it,
For example, when a polymer-liquid crystal film in which nematic liquid crystal is dispersed in a polymer material is used, the electromagnetic radiation (light ray) that passes through the light modulating material layer member PML in the reproducing member PrE can be used for optical modulation. Since the light is in a state where the intensity of the light changes according to the intensity of the 7 electric field applied to the material layer member PML, in this case, the emitted light from the reproduction member PrE is given to the analyzer. There's no need.

Now, the charge image on the charge image recording medium RM is transferred to the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML (light modulating material layer member) in the reproduction member PrE using a transfer system as illustrated in FIG. When a thin protective film is formed on the surface of the PML, the image is transferred onto the surface of the thin protective film. In FIGS. The surface of the RM and the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML in the regeneration member PrE (the surface of the thin protective film when a thin protective film is formed on the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML) are the transfer rollers described above. The charge image on the surface of the charge image recording medium RM is brought into close contact with the FR portion, and the charge image on the surface of the charge image recording medium RM is formed on the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML (if a thin protective film is formed on the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML, the thin protective film is formed on the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML). (side).

Although only one transfer roller FR is used in FIGS. 2 and 3, the charge image recording medium RM and the reproducing member Pr
Two transfer rollers may be used to sandwich E.

In configuration example 1 of FIGS. 2 and 3, the regeneration member PrE
FIG. 2 shows a transfer system when the charge image recording medium RM has flexibility, and FIG. 3 shows a transfer system when the charge image recording medium RM has flexibility.

In the transfer system shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the regeneration member Pr
E and the charge image recording medium RM are operated by a feed roller with the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML (or thin protective film) of the reproduction member PrE in close contact with the charge image forming surface of the charge image recording medium RM. By driving and rotating the FR,
The reproducing member PrE and the charge image recording medium RM are transported at the same speed. Arrow F indicates the direction of transport.

The charge image on the charge image recording medium RM is then transferred to the reproduction member Pr.
The light modulating material layer member PML (or thin protective fi
! Transfers well to other surfaces.

In addition, during the above-mentioned transfer operation, (1) regeneration member P
The transparent electrode Etr in rE and the electrode 41iE in the charge image recording medium RM are kept in a short and coarse state to prevent external noise from being recorded during transfer.

(2) A transfer bias voltage is applied between the transparent electrode Etr on the reproduction member PrE and the electrode E on the charge image recording medium RM so that the transfer operation can be easily performed. The bias voltage for transfer may be set to a state where discharge occurs during the transfer operation, or may be set to a state where no discharge occurs during the transfer operation.

b. Any means may be used.

As described above, in the charge image recording and reproducing method of the present invention, the charge image formed in a high resolution state on the surface of the charge image recording medium can be transferred to the surface of the reproducing member PrE with good adhesion. Therefore, a high-resolution charge image is formed on the surface of the reproduction member PrE.

As mentioned above, in the reproduction member PrE in which the charge image is transferred to the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML (or thin protective film) in the reproduction member PrE, it is good for the light modulating material layer member PML. In this state, an electric field due to a charge image is applied.

In FIG. 1, PrE is a reproduction member with a charge image transferred to the surface of the light modulating material layer member PML (or a thin protective film), and is in good condition with respect to the light modulating material layer member PML. Since the electric field due to the charge image is applied, the light modulating material layer member PM in the reproduction member PrE
L is due to the electric field due to the charge image applied to it,
Since it changes the state of the light passing through it, it is emitted from the laser light source LS (a source of electromagnetic radiation for reproduction) and is used by the optical system and deflection system (not shown) to
When a laser beam (electromagnetic radiation beam) deflected in the direction passes through the reproduction member PrE.

The state of light of the laser beam changes in correspondence with the charge image recorded on the reproducing member PrE.

Therefore, the laser beam transmitted through the reproduction member PrE is
When the state of the light is changing in such a way that the plane of polarization is changing due to the electric field caused by the charge image applied to the reproducing member PrE, the light is passed through the analyzer AL and then passed through the lens Lr. When the data is supplied to the photoelectric converter PD, the photoelectric converter PD outputs the information transferred from the charge image recording medium RM to the reproducing member PrE as an electric signal, and the laser beam transmitted through the reproducing member PrE is
When the light shows a change in the state of light, such as a state of light scattering changing due to the electric field caused by the charge image applied to the reproduction member PrE, the light is supplied to the photoelectric converter PD via the lens Lr.

The photoelectric converter PD outputs the information transferred from the charge image recording medium RM to the reproducing member PrE as an electric signal.

In the reproducing system shown in FIG. 1, the reproduction of high resolution information transferred from the charge image recording medium RM to the reproducing member PrE is carried out by the transmitted light of the reproducing member PrE. The electrode Etr in the shown reproduction member PrE is used as an electrode that also serves as a reflective film, and the reproduction light is made incident on the surface side of the light modulating material layer member PML in the reproduction member PrE, and the incident light is transmitted to the light modulating material layer member PML. After passing through the PML, the light is reflected by the reflective film, travels back and forth within the light modulating material layer member PML, and is emitted to be used as reproduction light.

That is, reproduction of high-resolution information transferred from the charge image recording medium RM to the reproduction member PrE is
Of course, it may also be carried out using reflected light from.

Further, the electromagnetic radiation used for reproducing high-resolution information transferred from the charge image recording medium RM to the reproduction member PrE may be projected onto the reproduction member PrE in the form of a single point, a line, or a plane. Furthermore, the mode of scanning may be arbitrarily selected, and the reproduction may be performed without scanning.

The charge image recording and reproducing method of the present invention can be applied not only to the recorded amount of images but also to time-series information such as digital data.

Then, the laser beam is modulated to form a charge image corresponding to the information to be recorded on the charge image recording medium RM,
By transferring and recording the charge pattern onto the reproduction member PrE, time-series information such as digital data can be recorded and reproduced at high recording density.

In addition, a charge image recording medium R on which a high-resolution charge pattern is recorded is also available.
The reproduction member PrE to which the charge image has been transferred from M is used not only for signal reproduction.

For example, it goes without saying that it can be effectively used for printing plates, display information sources, and other uses.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above detailed explanation, the charge image recording and reproducing method of the present invention is applicable to information recorded as a charge image on a recorded charge image recording medium and to be reproduced. A method for recording and reproducing a charge image in which the information to be reproduced recorded as a charge image on a recorded charge image recording medium is reproduced by a reproduction means including an electromagnetic radiation irradiation means. In the case of reproduction by a reproduction means including a radiation irradiation means, the recorded charge image on the recording medium is immediately transferred to a reproduction member comprising at least a light modulating material layer member, and the above-mentioned In this way, the reproduction member to which the charge image has been transferred is irradiated with reproduction electromagnetic radiation to reproduce the charge image, which is the object of reproduction, making it easy to reproduce reproduction signals with high resolution. According to the present invention, the above-mentioned conventional problems can be satisfactorily solved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a reproduction system that reproduces a charge image from a reproduction member to which a charge image of a recorded charge image recording medium has been transferred, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a side view showing a recorded charge image recording medium. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a transfer system for transferring a charge image from a medium to a reproduction member. 5 is a block diagram of a recording system, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional reproduction system. RM: Charge image recording medium, PrE: Reproducing member. E, Etr-・electrode (transparent electrode), PML*P
M L p...light modulating material layer member, IL...dielectric layer, pca...fine particles of photoconductor material, WH...writing head WH1EtP*E j W"...transparent electrode, Vb, Vc - power supply, 0... subject, PCL...
Photoconductive layer member, L...imaging lens, CHL...charge retention layer member, Lr...lens, PD...photoelectric converter, RH...reading head, FR...feed roller, AL ...Analyzer, Lr...Lens, PD...Photoelectric converter.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Recorded Charge Image A method for recording and reproducing a charge image, in which information to be reproduced recorded as a charge image on a recording medium is reproduced by a reproduction means including an electromagnetic radiation irradiation means, the method comprising: a recorded charge image; The charge image on the charge image recording medium is transferred to a reproduction member comprising at least a light modulating material layer member, and the reproduction member to which the charge image has been transferred is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation for reproduction as described above. A charge image recording and reproducing method in which a charge image that is a target for reproduction is reproduced by