JPH04211966A - Rewritable recorder and rewritable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a rewritable recording medium and a rewritable recorder which ensure the recording and erasing of an image in an easy manner. CONSTITUTION:A recording electric conduction control part 34 outputs image recording signals in accordance with a required indication image to a heating means 3 to heat the heating means 3 with a first thermal energy. The heating means 3 applies the first energy to a recording medium 1, which is provided with a recording layer exhibiting color developing properties by the application of the first thermal energy and color reducing properties by the application of a second thermal energy, whereby the required indication image is obtained on the recording medium 1. On the other hand, an erasing electric conduction control part 35 outputs image erasing signals in accordance with a required erasing area to the heating means 3 to heat the heating means 3 with the second thermal energy. The heating means 3 applies the second thermal energy to the recording medium 1, whereby the image recorded on the recording medium 1 is erased.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rewritable recording medium on which image information can be rewritten, which is used, for example, in a facsimile machine, and a rewritable recording apparatus using the same.

0002

[Prior Art] Thermal recording devices and thermal transfer recording devices that use a thermal head or the like to record image information on a recording medium such as paper have relatively simple configurations, and are used in various devices such as printers and facsimile machines. It is widely used as a recording device.

As an example, a recording device for a facsimile machine using thermal recording paper will be described. First, when a recording signal is input to the recording device of a facsimile machine, the heating element on the thermal head selectively generates heat at the required timing according to this recording signal, and the thermal recording paper at the required position develops color. The basic operation is to form an image on this thermal recording paper.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] In such conventional recording devices such as facsimile machines, once an image is formed by coloring the thermal recording paper, the image on the thermal recording paper is erased. I can't. Therefore, it has been impossible to form different desired images on the same thermal recording paper. This naturally means that the running cost required for recording increases, and especially in the case of low-end machines such as home facsimile machines, it has become necessary to reduce this running cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rewritable recording medium and a rewritable recording device on which image information can be recorded, erased, and rerecorded.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A rewritable recording device according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a recording device that exhibits color development by applying a first thermal energy and exhibits a color reducing characteristic by applying a second thermal energy. Heating means for applying first or second thermal energy to a recording medium having a layer, and recording for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat using the first thermal energy. The apparatus is provided with a control means and an erasure control means for outputting an image erasure signal corresponding to a desired erasure range to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy.

[0007] A rewritable recording medium according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a recording layer that exhibits color developing property when a first thermal energy is applied and a color reducing property when a second thermal energy is applied; A marker section is provided on which a mark indicating the mark is recorded.

[0008] A rewritable recording device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties when a first thermal energy is applied, and exhibits color reducing properties when a second thermal energy is applied. a heating means for applying first or second thermal energy; and a heating means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means to cause the heating means to generate heat by the first thermal energy; A recording control means having a marker recording means for recording a mark on the area, and an erasure control means that outputs an image erasure signal corresponding to a desired erasure range to the heating means and causes the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy. It is something that

[0009] A rewritable recording device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties by application of a first thermal energy and exhibits color reducing properties by applying a second thermal energy. a heating means for applying first or second thermal energy; a recording control means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat by the first thermal energy; an erasure control means that outputs an image erasure signal corresponding to the erasure range to the heating means and causes the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy; and an erasure control means that detects a mark of a marker portion recorded on the recording medium or a leading edge of the recording medium The apparatus is provided with a detection means for outputting a detection signal, and a position control means for controlling the position of the recording operation of the recording control means and the erasing operation of the erasure control means in accordance with the detection signal from the detection means.

[0010] A rewritable recording device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties when a first thermal energy is applied and that exhibits color reducing properties when a second thermal energy is applied. a heating means for applying first or second thermal energy; a recording control means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat with the first thermal energy; An erasure control means is provided which outputs an image erasure signal for an unnecessary image portion of the recording medium to the heating means in advance during the image recording operation by the control means, and causes the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy.

[0011] A rewritable recording device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties by application of a first thermal energy and exhibits color reducing properties by applying a second thermal energy. a recording heating means for applying a first thermal energy; and an erasing heating means having a heating element area larger than the area of the heating element of the recording heating means and applying a second thermal energy to the recording medium, as desired. a recording control means that outputs an image recording signal corresponding to the displayed image to the recording heating means and causes the recording heating means to generate heat using the first thermal energy; and an erasing heating means that outputs an image erasing signal corresponding to a desired erasing range. and an erasing control means for outputting a second thermal energy to cause the erasing heating means to generate heat using the second thermal energy.

0012

[Operation] In the first aspect of the present invention, the heating means heats the recording medium with first thermal energy in response to an image recording signal from the recording control means, and heats the recording medium with first thermal energy in the recording medium. The portion of the recording medium that receives the second thermal energy exhibits color development and forms an image on the recording medium, and the portion of the recording medium that receives the second thermal energy heats the recording medium with second thermal energy in response to the image erasing signal. exhibits color reducing properties and erases the image formed on the recording medium.

[0013] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rewritable recording medium having a recording layer which exhibits color developing properties when first thermal energy is applied and which exhibits color reducing properties when a second thermal energy is applied. The marker portion allows the image recording position and image erasing position on the rewritable recording medium to be accurately recognized.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the heating means heats the recording medium with the first thermal energy in accordance with the image recording signal from the recording control means, and the heating means heats the recording medium with the first thermal energy in the recording medium. The portion of the recording medium that receives the second thermal energy exhibits color development and forms an image on the recording medium, and the portion of the recording medium that receives the second thermal energy heats the recording medium with second thermal energy in response to the image erasing signal. exhibits a color reducing property to erase the image formed on the recording medium, and the marker recording means in the recording control means records a mark at a predetermined position on the recording medium to accurately recognize the image recording position and the image erasing position on the recording medium. urge

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the heating means heats the recording medium with the first thermal energy in accordance with the image recording signal from the recording control means, and heats the recording medium with the first thermal energy in the recording medium. The portion of the recording medium that receives the second thermal energy exhibits color development and forms an image on the recording medium, and the portion of the recording medium that receives the second thermal energy heats the recording medium with second thermal energy in response to the image erasing signal. exhibits a color reducing property to erase the image formed on the recording medium, and the position control means accurately determines the image recording position and the image erasing position on the recording medium in response to a detection signal indicating the position of the recording medium detected by the detection means. make them recognize it.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the heating means heats the recording medium with the first thermal energy in accordance with the image recording signal from the recording control means, and The exposed portion exhibits color development and forms an image on the recording medium, and the recording medium is heated with second thermal energy in response to an unnecessary image erasing signal from the erasing control means. The portion that receives the thermal energy exhibits a color-reducing property, causing the image formed on the recording medium to be erased.

In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the recording heating means heats the recording medium with the first thermal energy in response to the image recording signal from the recording control means, and heats the recording medium with the first thermal energy. The portion receiving the thermal energy develops color and forms an image on the recording medium, and the erasing heating means, which has a heating element area larger than the area of the heating element of the recording heating means, responds to the image erasing signal. The recording medium is heated with the second thermal energy, and the portion of the recording medium that has received the second thermal energy exhibits a color-reducing property, thereby erasing an area larger than the area of the image formed on the recording medium.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Example 1. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(a) shows a schematic configuration diagram of a rewritable recording device used, for example, for test printing for a word processor or as an electronic blackboard. , in Figure 1, 1
exhibits color development upon application of the first thermal energy h1 to form a colored (for example, blue) image and has a memory property in a normal environment (temperature, humidity), and when the second thermal energy h2 is applied,
By applying the first heat energy h1, the recorded image exhibiting color reducing properties is erased, and by applying the first thermal energy h1 again, it exhibits color developing properties and a colored (for example, blue) image is formed. ) is a rewritable recording medium that has memory properties and a recording layer that can repeatedly form and erase images. ), a marker section 23 in which a mark with a different optical reflectance indicating a predetermined position is recorded is formed for each screen, and in this embodiment, this marker section 23 is used for film advance and record erasing. This is used to control the starting point, etc.

Reference numerals 2a and 2b are supporting means which are arranged at regular intervals, one screen in this embodiment, and support the endless belt on which the above-mentioned rewritable recording medium 1 is stretched. It consists of a roller, and rotation in the left or right direction can be selected depending on the recording or erasing conditions using a motor etc. (not shown).
The rotating speed is such that it rotates at the same speed to advance the screen of the rewritable recording medium 1, and also rotates at a different speed to remove the deflection when the rewritable recording medium 1 is deflected.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a heating means for applying first or second thermal energy to the rewritable recording medium 1, which presses against the supporting means 2a during recording and erasing to apply the first or second thermal energy to the rewritable recording medium 1. In this embodiment, it is composed of a heating head such as a thermal head, and the size is the same as that of the above-mentioned rewritable recording medium 1.
For example, if the viewing range of the rewritable recording medium 1 is A4 size, it has about 2,500 heating elements (not shown) based on the width.

3a is a recording control means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means 3 and causing the heating means 3 to generate heat using first thermal energy; and an image erasing signal corresponding to a desired erasing range. This control means has an erasure control means for outputting the above-mentioned heating means 3 to the heating means 3 and causing the heating means 3 to generate heat by the second thermal energy.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an external device for generating an image recording signal and an image erasing signal for the control means 3a, and is, for example, an image data generation source such as a computer or a word processor. 5 is a detection means for detecting the mark of the marker section 23 recorded on the rewritable recording medium 1 or the leading edge of the rewritable recording medium 1 and outputting a detection signal.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the rewritable recording medium 1 includes a support 22, a leuco dye formed on the support 22, and a leuco dye that thermally reacts with the leuco dye to make it visible. It is composed of a recording layer 21 made of a developer and a binder for color and color reduction, and a protective layer 20 formed on this recording layer 21 to improve durability.

[0024] Then, high temperature and short-time first thermal energy h1 is applied to this rewritable recording medium 1 from the direction of arrow A.
, for example, 1 to 3 msec at a high temperature of about 200 to 350°C.
For example, a blue image is formed by applying thermal energy of about c, and second thermal energy h2 at a low temperature and for a long time
, for example, at a low temperature of about 80 to 150°C for 5 msec to 2
The formed image is erased by applying thermal energy for a long time on the order of seconds.

Next, to explain the structure of the rewritable recording medium 1 in more detail, the color developer and subtractor in the recording layer 20 is developed by the action of heat against the leuco dye, as shown in FIG. 2(b). A compound that has a group that exhibits color and a group that exhibits color reduction in the same molecule, and exhibits acidic properties or basic properties by the action of heat, such as a salt of a phenolic carboxylic acid and an organic amine. .

Generally, when a leuco dye reacts thermally with a phenolic compound, the lactone ring of the leuco dye opens and the color changes from colorless to colored. However, when a colored compound with an open lactone ring comes into contact with a basic substance, the ring closes and returns to the original colorless compound with a lactone ring.

As shown in FIG. 2(c), due to the reversibility of the developer and the leuco dye, the developer and the leuco dye can convert the colorless leuco dye into lactone rings by controlling only thermal energy. It can be ring-opened to form a colored compound, or ring-closed to return to a colorless leuco dye.

Next, the operation of the rewritable recording apparatus constructed in this manner will be explained. First, when the power source (not shown) is turned on, the support means 2a and 2b are rotated counterclockwise by a motor control means (not shown), and the rewritable recording medium 1 is rotated by the arrow shown in FIG. The film is fed in the C direction. A marker section 2 indicates the recording (image formation) start position on the rewritable recording medium 1.
3 comes under the detection means 5, a detection signal from the detection means 5 instructs a motor control means (not shown) to stop the film advance, and the rewritable recording medium 1 stops at a predetermined position.

When recording an image on the rewritable recording medium 1 in such a state, it is performed as follows. That is, image information such as characters and figures created by a word processor or the like which is the external device 4 or image information read by a scanner or the like is transferred to the control device 3a together with a control command. Here, the control command is, for example, instructing the recording mode, instructing the image information size, or instructing the start of recording. Further, the external device 4 and the control device 3a are connected through a predetermined interface.

The control commands transferred from the external device 4 are sequentially interpreted within the control device 3a, and the image information is sequentially transmitted from the control device 3a as a voltage pulse signal for a bit image in units of one line to the heating means 3 consisting of a thermal head.
will be forwarded to. Then, the corresponding element of the heating means 3 is energized for a certain period of time to generate heat and transmit the Joule heat (first thermal energy) to the rewritable recording medium 1. As a result, corresponding to one line of information in the image information,
The rewritable recording medium 1 is colored. Then, the rewritable recording medium 1 is fed by one line in the direction of arrow C in FIG. A voltage pulse signal for the image is transferred to the heating means 3 and the rewritable recording medium 1 is colored in the same manner as described above. This operation is repeated in sequence to record one screen of image information on the rewritable recording medium 1.

Further, when erasing an image recorded on the rewritable recording medium 1, it is performed as follows. First, the supporting means 2a and 2b are rotated to the left by a motor control means (not shown), and the rewritable recording medium 1 is fed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. When the marker section 23 indicating the image erasing start position on the rewritable recording medium 1 comes below the detection means 5, a detection signal from the detection means 5 instructs the motor control means (not shown) to stop the film advance. Then, the rewritable recording medium 1 stops at a predetermined position.

Then, a control command from the external device 4 instructs the erase mode. When the control device 3a receives the erase mode command, it starts the erase operation. That is, the heating means 3 transfers the same signal as the data at the time of recording or all black data (data that causes the element to generate heat),
Generates heat for a certain period of time. However, the thermal energy applied here is second thermal energy, and is applied at a low temperature for a long time. This erases one line of image information. Next, the rewritable recording medium 1 is advanced by one line, and one line of image information is similarly erased. This operation is repeated in sequence to erase one screen worth of image information from the rewritable recording medium 1. An image can be recorded again on the screen of the rewritable recording medium 1 that has been erased in this way using the method described above.

Example 2. In the first embodiment described above, the entire screen is erased as the image erasing operation of the rewritable recording medium 1, but as shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. It is also possible to perform arbitrary deletion within the frame (within a frame) or deletion of multiple screens. That is, FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which such partial erasure is performed, and FIG. 3(a) is a block diagram showing the structure of the control device 3a.

In this control device 3a, when a control command is input to the input terminal 30 in the recording mode, the content of the command is interpreted by the recording/erasing control section 33. On the other hand, the data receiving section 31 receives image information. The selector 37, selector 38, and selector 39 are selected to the upper side in the figure by a signal from the recording/erasing control section 33, and the image information received by the data receiving section 31 is passed through the recording energization control section 34 and sent to the thermal head as an image recording signal. It is transferred to the heating means 3 consisting of. The recording energization control section 34 sets the energization pulse width for obtaining the first thermal energy necessary for recording, and also controls the heating means 3 consisting of a thermal head, and the above-mentioned data reception section 31 And,
This constitutes a recording control means for controlling recording on the heating means 3.

On the other hand, in the erase mode, when a control command is input to the input terminal 30, the contents of the command are interpreted by the recording erase control section 33, and the instruction of the control command is followed. In other words,
When the input terminal 30 receives the message “Erase only the lower half” (erase command and coordinate command indicating the erase position) corresponding to (c) in FIG. give instructions. Data creation section 3
In 2, when performing the erasure shown in FIG. 3(c), erase pattern data is created in which the upper half is a "0" signal (a signal that does not generate heat) and the lower half is a "1" signal (a signal that generates heat). . Further, the selector 37, the selector 38, and the selector 39 are selected to the lower side in the figure by a signal from the recording/erasing control section 33. The erase pattern data created in the data generator 32 is transferred to the erase energization controller 35 via selectors 37 and 38, and the erase energizer controller 35 generates an image erase signal. The heating means 3 is controlled based on this image erasing signal, and the area within the dotted line frame shown in FIG. 3(c) is erased.

The recording/erasing control section 33, data creation section 32, and erasing energization control section 35 operate in this erasing mode.
3 constitutes an erasure control means, and the record erasure control section 33 interprets the control command and causes the data creation section 32 to create erasure pattern data.
It is also possible to erase within a dotted line frame as shown in (a), which makes it possible to erase any range.

Example 3. In the first embodiment, one screen is erased, but a plurality of screens may be erased at once, or it may be attached to a device that outputs an erase command. Figures 4 and 5
1 shows a third embodiment of such a device, and in the figure, 40 is an operation panel attached to the lower part of the rewritable recording medium 1, and 51 is a panel provided on this operation panel 40 for instructing image erasure. , 52 is a right feed key for instructing to send the rewritable recording medium 1 provided on the operation panel 40 to the right, and 53 is a right feed key for instructing to send the rewritable recording medium 1 provided on the operation panel 40 to the left. 54 is a partial erase key provided on the operation panel 40 for instructing to erase a partial image; 55 is a key input input using a key provided on the operation panel 40; A set key 56 is provided on the operation panel 40 and is a numeric keypad for inputting information such as the erasing range.

The third embodiment configured as described above also operates in the same manner as the first embodiment in the recording mode and erasing mode, and an example of how the operation panel 40 is used will be described in particular. When erasing all of one screen, one screen erasure is set by pressing "1" on the numeric keypad 56, the erase key 51, and the set key 55 in this order, and one screen erasure is performed by the control device shown in FIG. 3, for example. .

When all two screens are to be erased, two screens are set by pressing "2" on the numeric keypad 56, the erase key 51, and the set key 55 in order.For example, the control device shown in FIG. The screen will be erased.

Further, when erasing only within a specified range, input the coordinates to be erased using the numeric keypad 56 and press down the partial erase key 54 and set key 55 to set partial screen erasure of the desired range. For example, Figure 3
The control device shown in FIG. 3 interprets the data in its record erasure control unit 33 and erases the desired partial screen.

Example 4. In the first embodiment described above, the recording (image formation) start position and the image erasure start position are set to the marker portion 23 provided on the rewritable recording medium 1. However, in order to perform more complete erasure, the following procedure may be performed. It's good. That is,
In the recording mode, the detection means 5 detects the marker section 23 provided on the rewritable recording medium 1, and after a certain period of time has passed after receiving this detection signal, the rewritable recording medium 1
In erasing mode, the detection means 5 detects the marker section 23 provided on the rewritable recording medium 1, and immediately starts erasing the image on the rewritable recording medium 1 upon receiving this detection signal.

With this configuration, the image erasing range in erasing mode is larger than the image recording range in recording mode, so erasing accuracy is improved.

Example 5. In the above embodiment, the rewritable recording medium 1 is annular, but the rewritable recording medium 1 may be a cut paper type as shown in FIG. 6. Even with this configuration, it operates in the same way as the one shown in the first embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained.

In this fifth embodiment, the rewritable recording medium 1 may be provided with a marker portion 23 in order to detect the image formation start position and the image erasure start position, as in the above embodiment, or Alternatively, the detection means 5 may detect the leading edge of the rewritable recording medium 1 to detect the image formation start position and the image erasure start position without providing the marker section 23.

Example 6. In the above embodiment, the rewritable recording medium 1 is provided with the marker section 23, but a rewritable recording medium 1 without the marker section 23 may also be used. In this case, the marker portion may be recorded on the rewritable recording medium 1 by the heating means 3, and the marker recording means 70 may be provided inside the data receiving section 31 as shown in FIG. 7(a). For example, this marker recording means 70 detects the start and end of image information in the recording mode, and corresponds to a predetermined position of the rewritable recording medium 1 at the start and end, for example, the upper end as shown in FIG. 7(b). The recording energization control unit 34 is provided with a marker forming signal that applies the first thermal energy to the heating means 3 at the position where the marker is formed.

Further, in FIG. 7(a), 72 controls a motor or the like 73 that rotates the supporting means 2a, 2b to the rotational speed corresponding to the time of image erasing in response to the detection signal from the detection means 5 in the erasing mode. , is a position control means for controlling the recording/erasing control section 33 to control the start/end position of the image erasing operation.

In the sixth embodiment, recording markers 24 are formed on the rewritable recording medium 1 by the marker recording means 70 at the same time as the image is recorded on the rewritable recording medium 1. The recording marker 24 is formed between the images recorded on the rewritable recording medium 1 as shown in FIG. 7(b). To erase an image on the rewritable recording medium 1, a control command indicating an erase mode is input from the input terminal 30, and a recording erase control section 33
The supporting means 2a, 2b are erased by the erasing motor 73 or the like.
The rewritable recording medium 1 is sent at high speed via the rewritable recording medium 1. When the detection means 5 detects the recording marker 24, this detection means 5
The position control means 72 controls the motor 73 by the detection signal from the
The rotational speed is rotated to a rotational speed suitable for erasing the image, and the recording/erasing control section 33 is instructed to start erasing, thereby erasing the image. Thereafter, when the detection means 5 detects the recording marker 24 again, the position control means 72 rotates the rotation speed of the motor 73 at high speed again to feed the rewritable recording medium 1.
When the screen has been moved, the feeding of the rewritable recording medium 1 is stopped, and erasing of the image is completed.

In the sixth embodiment, only the area in which the image sandwiched between the recording markers 24 is recorded is erased.
In other words, it is only necessary to supply power to the heating means 3, so
Power consumption can be reduced, and the portion of the rewritable recording medium 1 where no images are recorded can be sent at high speed.
It is also possible to shorten the erasing time.

In the sixth embodiment, the rewritable recording medium 1 is explained using the case where the marker section 23 is not formed, but as shown in FIG. 7(c), the rewritable recording medium 1 is A similar effect can be obtained even if the marker section 23 is provided at the tip of the screen.

In the sixth embodiment, the recording marker 24 is recorded on the rewritable recording medium 1 at both the image erasure start position and the image erasure end position by the marker recording means 70, but the image formation The recording marker 24 may be recorded on the rewritable recording medium 1 only at the starting position. In this case, in the erase mode, erasing may be started by detecting the recording marker 24 at the image erasing start position, and the image erasing end position may be managed by the time or number of lines from the erasing start position. be.

Example 7. In each of the above embodiments, when re-recording an image, the erase operation for one screen is performed and then the image is re-recorded on the screen to be erased.
A new image (hereinafter referred to as the second image) is recorded on the screen of the rewritable recording medium 1 on which the first image (hereinafter referred to as the first image) is recorded while erasing the first image. is also good. Embodiment 7 can also be configured with the same configuration as that described above, and the operation of recording the second image while erasing the first image based on FIGS. 1 and 3 Explain.

In FIG. 3, when a control command for the recording/erasing mode (a mode in which a second image is recorded while erasing the first image) is input to the input terminal 30, the recording/erasing control section 33 switches to the erasing/recording mode. It functions to perform the following actions. At this time, first, one line of erase data is created in the data creation section 32, and the heating means 3 is heated with second thermal energy through the erasure energization control section 35, and the first line recorded on the rewritable recording medium 1 is heated. The data of the first line in the image is erased.

Subsequently, the data receiving section 31 that receives the second image information from the input terminal 30 outputs 1 in the second image.
The image information of the line is transferred to the recording energization control unit 34,
The recording energization control unit 34 causes the heating means 3 to generate heat with the first thermal energy based on this image information, so that the image of the first line in the second image is replaced by the erased first line of the first image. It is recorded.

After that, the supporting means 2a,
2b is rotated to feed the rewritable recording medium 1 by one line, and the erasing and recording operations are repeated in the same manner as above. By repeating this operation, a new second image such as characters or figures can be newly recorded on the previously formed first image.

Example 8. In the seventh embodiment, erasing and recording are performed using one heating means 5, but as shown in FIG. 8, recording and erasing heating means 80 and 81 may be provided separately. be. In the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the recording and erasing heating means 80 and 81 are constituted by thermal heads, and the recording and erasing heating means 80 and 81 are provided separately. The selectors 37, 38, and 39 as in the embodiment shown in 3 are not necessary, and the data receiving section 31 and the recording energization control section 34 are directly connected, and the data creation section 32 and the erasing energization control section 35 are directly connected. This is what I did.

In this embodiment 8, the recording heating means 80 and the erasing heating means 81 are installed side by side or at a certain distance with the erasing heating means 81 at the front in the advancing direction. While the heating means 81 generates second thermal energy to erase the image on the rewritable recording medium 1, the recording heating means 80 generates the first heat energy based on the image information.
The image is recorded on the portion of the rewritable recording medium 1 that has been erased by the erasing heating means 81 by generating heat energy.

Recording heating means 80 and erasing heating means 81
The timing of the heat generation between the erasing heating means 81 and the recording heating means 80 may be such that the erasing heating means 81 generates heat earlier than the recording heating means 80, or both may generate heat at the same time. The timing of this heat generation is controlled by the recording/erasing control section 33. If the recording heating means 80 and the erasing heating means 81 generate heat at the same time, the speed can be increased, and if the erasing heating means 81 generates heat earlier than the recording heating means 80, power consumption can be reduced. This is something that can be achieved.

Example 9. In the eighth embodiment, the area of the heating elements of the recording heating means 80 and the erasing heating means 81 are the same;
The area of the heating element of the heating means 81 for erasing is determined by the heating means 8 for recording.
The area of the heating element may be larger than that of 0. In this case, the erasing heating means 81 starts erasing,
Even if the starting position of recording by the recording heating means 80 is slightly shifted, a screen of the rewritable recording medium 1 without any remaining images from the previous image can be obtained.

This will be explained in more detail based on FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, 91 is a power source, and 92 is a heating element of the recording heating means 80 and the erasing heating means 81. This heating element 92 performs a switching operation by a driver IC (not shown) provided for each heating element 92, and current is selectively passed from the power source 91 to generate heat. At this time, the heating element 9 of the erasing heating means 81
By increasing the area of 2 vertically as shown in FIG. 9(b) or horizontally as shown in FIG. 9(c), the image can be erased reliably. In addition, when erasing one line by making all the heating elements 92 in one line generate heat, as shown in FIG. The number of wirings between the heating element 91 and the driver IC of the heating element 92 may be reduced.

In each of the above embodiments, the recording layer 21 in the rewritable recording medium 14 is shown in FIG.
) As shown in (c), a film using a dye-based material is shown, but the film is not limited to this, and any film that can be repeatedly recorded and erased may be used. It is also possible to use a resin that utilizes a change in transparency, that is, an organic low-molecular substance type, thermochromic type, or polymer blend type resin.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, thermal heads are used as the heating means 3, recording heating means 80, and erasing heating means 81 for recording and erasing on the rewritable recording medium 14. Any heating means may be used, and heating means using a light source or the like may be used.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the heating means 3, the recording heating means 80, and the erasing heating means 81
A fixed thermal head was used as the
A scanning type thermal head may also be used.

In each of the above embodiments, the control device 3a is used for recording and erasing, but it may be configured as separate devices, and the installation position may be different. It's a good thing.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the supporting means 2a and the heating means 3 are pressed together, but other rollers may be used.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an endless belt-like rewritable recording medium 1 is shown, but it may be wound around the supporting means 2a and 2b as shown in FIG. It may be in the form of a sheet or a plate.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the rewritable recording medium 1 is fed in the horizontal direction, but it may be fed in the vertical direction.

Furthermore, the number or installation position of the detection means 5 is not limited to those shown in the above embodiments, and may vary depending on the shape of the marker section 23 provided on the rewritable recording medium 1,
The number and formation position are not limited to those shown in the above embodiments, and it may also be something like a bar code.

[0068] Furthermore, the data receiving section 3 in the above embodiment
1 or regarding the memory property of the data creation unit 32, 1
It may be a memory that stores lines, one or less lines, one or more lines, or one or more screens.

Further, in the above embodiment, the data for erasing is generated within the device, but the data for erasing may be transferred from the external device 4 or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, a thermal head is used as the erasing heating means 81, but a heat source such as a heat roller may also be used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, static heat generation (low temperature, long time) is performed using an erasing heat source 100 as an erasing heating means 81. At this time, the size of the erasing heat source 100 is (a)
As shown in FIG. 2, it may be the same size as the recording heating means 3 constituted by a thermal head, and may be larger or smaller.

When the size of the erasing heat source 100 and the size of the recording heating means 3 are reduced as shown in FIG.
Erasing may be performed in conjunction with the direction of the arrow E in the rewritable recording medium 1 shown in the figure. In this case, costs can be reduced.

Further, in the above embodiment, line-type thermal heads are used as the heating means 3, 80, 81, but serial-type thermal heads may also be used. Heating means 3, 80, 81
In order to keep the power consumption low, the same effect can be obtained even if one line is divided and sequentially driven for recording or erasing. Further, the number of heating means 3, 80, 81 is not limited to the above embodiment, and the greater the number, the shorter the recording or erasing time. In addition, the numbers for recording and erasing may be different.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12(a), for example, when recording after erasing the rewritable recording medium 1 on which an image has been formed using a cut sheet, erasing is performed in the direction of arrow F, and then in the direction of arrow H. A configuration in which recording is performed in the direction of arrow F, or erasing may be performed in the direction of arrow F, and recording may be performed in the same direction of arrow F. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12(b), even when a roll-shaped rewritable recording medium 1 is used, it may be configured such that recording is performed in the direction of the arrow H and erasing is performed in the direction of the arrow I. The feeding direction and recording/erasing direction of the medium 1 are not limited.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 40 is mounted inside the device, that is, on the rewritable recording medium 1, but it may also be operated by a remote control or by wire.

Further, in the above embodiment, the marker section 23 provided on the rewritable recording medium 1 is used to indicate the recording/erasing start position. It may also be used by recording a certain period of time beforehand.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the heating means 3
, 80 and 81, the heating elements of the thermal head are arranged in one row, but the heating elements may be arranged in two or more rows or in a staggered pattern. One column may be used for recording and one column for erasing.

Further, in the above embodiment, the recording energization control section 34 and the erasing energization control section 35 are provided separately, but the same one may be used. In this case, the thermal energy is used for recording. and heating means 3 and 8 for erasing.
Any device that can be controlled so that it can be generated from 0.81 is sufficient.

[0078]

Effects of the Invention As described above, the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a recording layer which exhibits color development upon application of the first thermal energy and exhibits color reduction upon application of the second thermal energy. heating means for applying first or second thermal energy to a recording medium, and recording control means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat using the first thermal energy. and an erasing control means that outputs an image erasing signal according to the desired erasing range to the heating means and causes the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy, so it is a rewritable device that can easily record and erase images. This has the effect of providing a recording device.

[0079] A second aspect of the present invention is a recording layer which exhibits color developing property by application of first thermal energy and exhibits color reducing property by application of second thermal energy, and a recording layer in which a mark indicating a predetermined position is recorded. Since a marker portion is provided, it is possible to obtain a rewritable recording medium in which images can be easily recorded and erased, and the position of image recording and erasing can be easily controlled.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a recording medium having a recording layer which exhibits color developing property by application of first thermal energy and exhibits color reducing property by application of second thermal energy. a heating means for applying thermal energy of 1, and an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image is output to the heating means to cause the heating means to generate heat with the first thermal energy, and a mark is recorded on a marker portion of the recording medium. The recording control means having a marker recording means and the erasure control means which outputs an image erasure signal corresponding to a desired erasing range to the heating means and causes the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy are provided, so that it is easy to erase images. This has the effect that a rewritable recording device can be obtained in which recording and erasing of images can be performed, marker portions can be appropriately formed on the rewritable recording medium, and the position of recording and erasing of images can be easily controlled.

[0081] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium having a recording layer which exhibits color developing property by application of first thermal energy and exhibits color reducing property by application of second thermal energy. a recording control means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat by the first thermal energy; An erasure control means that outputs an image erasure signal to the heating means and causes the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy; and an erasure control means that detects a mark in a marker portion recorded on the recording medium or a leading edge of the recording medium and outputs a detection signal. Since the detection means and the position control means control the position of the recording operation of the recording control means and the erasing operation of the erasure control means in accordance with the detection signal from the detection means, it is possible to easily record and erase images. This has the effect of providing a rewritable recording device in which recorded images can be updated easily and at high speed, and the position of recording and erasing images can be easily controlled.

[0082] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium having a recording layer which exhibits color developing property by application of first thermal energy and exhibits color reducing property by application of second thermal energy. a heating means for applying thermal energy of 1, a recording control means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat by the first thermal energy; and an image recording method using the recording control means. Since an erasing control means is provided which outputs an image erasing signal for an unnecessary image portion of the recording medium to the heating means in advance during operation and causes the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy, it is easy to record images and eliminate unnecessary images. This has the effect of providing a rewritable recording device in which image portions can be erased.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is to apply the first thermal energy to a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties when the first thermal energy is applied and exhibits color reducing properties when the second thermal energy is applied. a recording heating means for applying a second thermal energy to the recording medium, an erasing heating means having a heating element area larger than the heating element area of the recording heating means and applying a second thermal energy to the recording medium, and an erasing heating means for applying a second thermal energy to the recording medium; Recording control means outputting an image recording signal to the recording heating means to cause the recording heating means to generate heat using first thermal energy; outputting an image erasing signal corresponding to a desired erasing range to the erasing heating means; Since the erasing heating means is provided with the erasing control means that generates heat using the second thermal energy, a rewritable recording device that can easily record and erase images and also that can reliably erase the recorded images is obtained. This has the effect that

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram and an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a rewritable recording medium 1 used in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a control device and a diagram showing an image erasing portion in the rewritable recording medium 1 in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation panel 40 in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a control device in Embodiment 6 of the present invention and markers 24 recorded on the rewritable recording medium 1;
Diagram for explaining.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a control device in Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 9: Heating means 80, 8 in Embodiment 9 of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of No. 1;

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of another rewritable recording medium 1 in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of still another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Rewritable recording medium 2a Support means 2b Support means 21 Recording layer 23 Marker section 3 Heating means 3a Control device 34 Recording energization control section 35 Erase energization control section 5 Detection means 80 Heating means for recording 81 Heating means for erasing

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claim 1: Heating in which first or second thermal energy is applied to a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties when first thermal energy is applied and that exhibits color reducing properties when second thermal energy is applied. recording control means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat using first thermal energy; A rewritable recording device comprising an erasing control means for outputting second thermal energy to cause the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy. 2. A rewritable recording comprising: a recording layer that exhibits color development upon application of first thermal energy and exhibits color reduction upon application of second thermal energy; and a marker portion on which a mark indicating a predetermined position is recorded. Medium. 3. Heating in which the first or second thermal energy is applied to a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties when the first thermal energy is applied and that exhibits the color reducing properties when the second thermal energy is applied. The means includes a marker recording means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means to cause the heating means to generate heat using first thermal energy, and recording a mark on a marker portion of the recording medium. A rewritable recording device comprising: a recording control means that outputs an image erasure signal according to a desired erasing range to the heating means, and causes the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy. 4. Heating in which first or second thermal energy is applied to a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties when the first thermal energy is applied and that exhibits color reducing properties when the second thermal energy is applied. recording control means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat using first thermal energy; an erasing control means for causing the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy; a detection means for detecting a mark of a marker portion recorded on the recording medium or a leading edge of the recording medium and outputting a detection signal; A rewritable recording device comprising a position control means for controlling the position of the recording operation of the recording control means and the erasing operation of the erasure control means in response to a detection signal from the detection means. 5. Heating in which the first or second thermal energy is applied to a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties when the first thermal energy is applied and that exhibits the color reducing properties when the second thermal energy is applied. means, recording control means for outputting an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat using first thermal energy; A rewritable recording device comprising an erasing control means for outputting an image erasing signal for an unnecessary image portion to the heating means and causing the heating means to generate heat using second thermal energy. 6. Recording heating means for applying first thermal energy to a recording medium having a recording layer that exhibits color developing properties upon application of first thermal energy and exhibits color reducing properties upon application of second thermal energy. , an erasing heating means having a heating element area larger than the area of the heating element of the recording heating means and applying second thermal energy to the recording medium; Recording control means for outputting to a heating means to cause the recording heating means to generate heat using first thermal energy; outputting an image erasing signal corresponding to a desired erasing range to the erasing heating means to cause the erasing heating means to generate heat; A rewritable recording device including an erasing control means that generates heat using second thermal energy.