JPS62144026A - Thermal recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain sharp recording free from fading, by a method wherein thermal recording paper having such a property that a color is developed by heat and fixed or erased by light is used and a light (ultraviolet rays) source fixing or erasing the developed color of the recording paper is provided to an X-Y recorder. CONSTITUTION:A thermal head 2 is mounted to the under surface of an Y-bar and provided with a thermal element row 21 and a light emitting element row 22 and slides to an X-direction on thermal recording paper. In this case, a signal to be measured is converted to a digital value by A/D converters 71, 72, 73 while said digital value is inputted to a computer 8 to be divided into a recording signal and a color signal and both signals operate the light emitting element row 22 and the thermal element row 21 through each processing means. A delay circuit 9 is provided so as to allow the acting position of the thermal element row 21 to coincide with that of the light emitting element row 22. By this constitution, sharp recording free from fading is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an X-Y recorder using photo-fixable and photo-erasable thermal recording paper, and particularly to an x-y recorder for two-color recording.

[Conventional technology]

There is a type of photo-fixable or photo-decolorable thermal recording paper as shown in FIG.

In the figure, a thermal recording paper 1 has a base paper 11 on which a coloring agent A and colorless dyes B and C are applied. When heated to temperature T by the thermal head 2, the first
As shown in the step, colorless dye B and colorless dye C develop color, and the first color is developed as a mixture of both colors. and the second
In this step, light (ultraviolet light) is irradiated to decolor the colorless dye B. Next, in a third step, coloring is performed using only the colorless dye C by the thermal head 2, and a second color is developed.

In this way, by using this thermal recording paper 1,
Two-color recording can be performed, and if heat-sensitive recording paper without colorless dye C is used, monochrome recording with good storage stability can be obtained.

By the way, in conventional thermal recording methods, particularly in two-color recording methods, the temperature of the thermal head 2 must be strictly controlled in order to manage color development reactions due to temperature differences.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In other words, strict temperature control technology for such a thermal head has been difficult.

It also had the disadvantage of being weak against acids, alcohols, etc.

[Means for solving problems]

Therefore, in the present invention, the above-mentioned special heat-sensitive recording paper is used, and the X-Y recorder is further provided with a light (ultraviolet) source for fixing or erasing the color of the heat-sensitive recording paper.

[Effect]

For example, when performing two-color recording, first the first color is recorded, then light is irradiated, and the second color is recorded.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, including a sectional view of the main part of FIG. 1 (al is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 1(b) is FIG. is an explanatory diagram of the operation of two-color recording.

In FIG. 1, 3 is an X-Y recorder, 4 is a Y bar, 5 is a carriage, 6 is a thermal pen, and 41 is a light source.

The Y-bar 4 has two parts, the front part of which has a structure in which a heat pen 6 can be installed, and the rear part of which can be installed with a light source 41. Although not shown, the Y-bar drive The means moves in the X direction. Further, a potentiometer 51 and the like for detecting the sliding position of the carriage 5 with respect to the Y bar 2 is attached to the Y bar 4. Further, the carriage 5 is provided with means (not shown) for supplying power on and off to the thermal pen 6 in response to a recording signal.

The recording operation will be explained.

First, the first color is recorded as shown in FIG. 1(C).

This corresponds to the recording signals (X signal and y signal) in the same way as a normal X-Y recorder (FIG. 3, step 1).

When the recording of the first color is completed, the Y par 2 stops at one end of the recording surface, moves at a constant speed by applying the light tA41, and scans the entire surface of the thermal recording paper 1 (FIG. 3, second step). Next, a recording operation for the second color is performed (third step in FIG. 3).

In this embodiment, the first color and the second color, that is, the first channel and the second channel are recorded separately. The signal under test is digitally processed and stored in memory (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which a thermal head 2 is used in place of the thermal pen 6.

The thermal head 2 is attached to the lower surface of the Y bar 4 as shown in FIG. 2(a). The thermal head 2 has a thermal element array 21 and a light emitting element array 22 formed thereon, and slides on the thermal recording paper 7 in the X direction.

FIG. 2 (bl is an example of a control circuit for the heat-sensitive element 21 and the light-emitting element 22. The signal to be measured is from the A/D converter 71.
．． After being converted into a digital value by 72 and 73, the signal is input to the computer 8 and is divided into a recording signal (ie, a heat-sensitive element drive signal) and a color signal (ie, a light-emitting element drive signal). The light emitting element 2 is then processed through each processing means.
2 and the light emitting element 21 are operated. In addition, Fig. 2 (b
The delay circuit 9 shown in ) is used to align the operating positions of the heat-sensitive element 21 and the light-emitting element 22.

[Effect of idea]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an X-Y recorder that provides clearer recording without fading.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1 and 2 are structural explanatory diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory diagram showing an example of thermal recording paper used in the apparatus of the present invention. l...Thermal recording paper, 2...Thermal head, 3...-X-
Y recorder, 4-・-Y bar, 5-・-carriage, 6 thermal pen Fig. i (α) Fig. 2 (O,)

Claims (1)

[Claims] An X-Y recorder that uses recording paper that develops color with heat and fixes or erases color with light; X-Y provided with a light emitting means that emits light to fix or erase the color on the recording paper
recorder