JP2009214455A - Recording apparatus, and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable information such as an image to be recorded on a rewritable heat-sensitive recording medium in response to the gradation. <P>SOLUTION: A recording controlling section 16 performs a deleting mode wherein the temperature is heated to one in a deletion region to the rewritable heat-sensitive recording medium 3 having coloring and deleting properties, and enabling the heat-sensitive recording to be performed. Then, element numbers for semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h to be ON-controlled in a laser array head 10 are determined for each printing dot by a recording element number controlling section 17 conforming to density information for each printing dot contained in image data. Then, each dot is printed in order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method for recording, for example, two-dimensional image information on a rewritable thermosensitive recording medium.

  As a method for performing recording by scanning a laser beam output from a laser light source in the main scanning direction, for example, there are the following methods. The first method is used for a laser printer, for example, and irradiates a polygon mirror 2 with a laser beam output from a single light source 1 such as a semiconductor laser as shown in FIG. A laser beam is scanned in the main scanning direction A by the rotation or reciprocation of the polygon mirror 2 and, for example, a rewritable thermal recording medium 3 capable of thermal recording is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction B. Two-dimensional image information and the like are recorded in

The second method uses a semiconductor laser array 4 in which a plurality of laser light sources are arranged in a line as shown in FIG. 17, this semiconductor laser array 4 is arranged in the main scanning direction, and the thermal recording medium 3. Are transported in the sub-scanning direction, and two-dimensional image information and the like are recorded on the thermal recording medium 3.
The heat-sensitive recording medium 3 is a rewritable and reversible medium that repeats color development and decoloring by heating control at a specific temperature to enable heat-sensitive recording and heat-sensitive erasure. As shown in FIG. 18, when the melting point of 180 ° C. or higher is applied, the thermal recording medium 3 is in a state in which the dye and developer present in the print layer are melted together, and the dye and developer are rapidly cooled from this state. Crystallizes and develops color while being mixed. On the other hand, when the thermal recording medium 3 is cooled slowly, the dye and the developer are crystallized. As a result, the heat-sensitive recording medium 3 cannot be maintained in a colored state but is in a decolored state. Furthermore, when the heat-sensitive recording medium 3 is heated for a certain time which is a temperature equal to or lower than the melting point of the dye and the developer, the dye and the developer are gradually separated and crystallized to be in a decolored state. The temperature of the decoloring region is, for example, about 130 ° C. to 180 ° C.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information recording technique using heat-sensitive recording paper. In Patent Document 1, a plurality of multicavity laser chips are arranged so that the light emitting points are arranged in a line in a direction parallel to each active layer, and the condensing optical system has an aperture diameter in the direction in which the light emitting points are arranged. A plurality of collimator lenses provided for each multi-cavity laser chip and a plurality of laser beams collimated by these collimator lenses are condensed and formed smaller than the aperture diameter in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. Disclosed is a combined laser device including a condensing lens that converges on an end face of a multimode optical fiber.
JP 2003-158332 A

  As described above, there are various methods for recording on a recording medium, but none of these methods disclose controlling the gradation of the information such as an image recorded on the recording medium, that is, the recording density. Patent Document 1 performs information recording or the like on a thermal recording paper, but is not a technique for controlling the gradation of information such as an image recorded on the thermal recording paper.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and method capable of recording according to the gradation of information such as an image on a recording medium.

  A recording apparatus according to a main aspect of the present invention has a recording head in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged in a line, and sequentially drives each recording element in the recording head in the same main scanning direction as the line direction. In a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium by transporting the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, each of the dots is recorded according to density information of each dot location that records the image on the recording medium. A recording element number control unit is provided for controlling the number of recording elements that perform a recording operation on dot locations.

  A recording method according to a main aspect of the present invention includes a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged in a line, and sequentially drives each recording element in the recording head in the same main scanning direction as the line direction. In a recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by transporting the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, each of the dots is recorded in accordance with the density information of each dot location for recording the image on the recording medium. The number of recording elements that perform the recording operation on the dot locations is controlled.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the recording apparatus and method which can record according to the gradation of information, such as an image, on a recording medium can be provided.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in FIG. 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a recording apparatus. A laser array head 10 is provided as a recording head. As shown in FIG. 2, the laser array head 10 includes, for example, eight semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h, which are laser light sources as a plurality of recording elements, arranged in a line. Each of these semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h outputs a laser beam. For example, a polygon mirror 2 is provided on the optical path of each laser beam output from the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h. The polygon mirror 2 rotates at a constant speed in the direction of arrow C by driving the motor 12, and scans each laser beam output from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h in the main scanning direction A on the surface of the thermal recording medium 3. . The motor 12 is rotationally driven by the motor drive unit 13.

  On the transport mechanism 14, for example, the rewritable thermal recording medium 3 that enables thermal recording having the coloring and erasing characteristics shown in FIG. 18 is placed. The transport mechanism 14 transports the thermal recording medium 3 in the sub-scanning direction B. The sub-scanning direction B is a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction A. A recording medium storage box 15 is provided on the upstream side of the transport mechanism 14. A plurality of thermal recording media 3 are stored in the recording medium storage box 15. Each thermal recording medium 3 stored in the recording medium storage box 15 is picked up, for example, one by one and placed on the transport mechanism 14.

  The recording control unit 16 is composed of a computer, and when image data P including images, characters, and the like is input, first, the thermal recording medium 3 is brought to the temperature of the decolored area shown in FIG. 18, for example, about 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. The number of semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h to be turned on in the laser array head 10 in accordance with the density information for each dot location (hereinafter referred to as print dot) included in the image data P after performing the operation of the decoloring mode Ma for heating, Then, the operation of the gradation mode Mb for controlling the number of elements of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h is performed. The operation control between the decoloring mode Ma and the gradation mode Mb is performed by a recording element number control unit 17 described later. At the same time, the recording control unit 16 controls the operation of the motor drive unit 13 that rotationally drives the polygon mirror 2 and controls the transport operation of the transport mechanism 14.

First, the operation in the decoloring mode Ma will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the laser beams output from the semiconductor lasers 11 a to 11 h are main-scanned in the main scanning direction A, and the thermal recording medium 3 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction B. In this state, the recording element number control unit 17 sequentially controls on / off of the four semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d at the head of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h in the main scanning direction A at a certain timing, The laser beams output from these semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d are sequentially irradiated onto the thermal recording medium 3.
As a result, the semiconductor laser 11a emits a laser beam when it reaches the position corresponding to the region d1 on the thermal recording medium 3 while moving in the main scanning direction A, and then reaches the position corresponding to the region d2 when it reaches the position corresponding to the region d2. Irradiate. Similarly, the semiconductor laser 11a emits a laser beam each time it reaches the position corresponding to the regions d3, d4,... On the thermal recording medium 3 while moving in the main scanning direction A. Similarly to the semiconductor laser 11a, each of the semiconductor lasers 11b to 11d irradiates a laser beam when reaching the position corresponding to the region d1 on the thermal recording medium 3 while moving in the main scanning direction A, and then corresponds to the region d2. When the position is reached, a laser beam is irradiated. Similarly, the laser beam is irradiated every time the position corresponding to the regions d3, d4,... On the thermal recording medium 3 is reached while moving in the main scanning direction A.

  As a result, each region d3, d4,... On the thermal recording medium 3 is irradiated with each laser beam output from each semiconductor laser 11a to 11d for a total of four times. As a result, the regions d3, d4,... On the thermal recording medium 3 are heated to the temperature of the decolored region shown in FIG. If there is already printing in each area d3, d4,... On the thermal recording medium 3, the printing in these areas d3, d4,.

  Next, the operation in the gradation mode Mb will be described. The image data P includes density information of each print dot that records an image, a character, or the like on the thermal recording medium 3 as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the density information includes any one of five gradation levels “1” to “5” for one print dot. Among these, the gradation level “1” has the lowest gradation level, the gradation level sequentially increases for each gradation level “2” to “4”, and the gradation level “5” has the highest gradation level. For example, the gradation level “1” is “white” and the gradation level “5” is “black”. These gradation levels “1” to “5” are represented by, for example, 3-bit numerical values “000” “001” “010” “011” “100”.

For example, the recording element number control unit 17 controls the operation of the gradation mode Mb using the four semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h on the rear side following the four semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d on the head side. That is, the recording element number control unit 17 puts on each print dot according to the density information composed of the gradation levels “1” to “5” of each print dot that records images, characters, etc. on the thermal recording medium 3. The number of elements of the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h that respectively irradiate the laser beam is controlled.
For example, if the print dot has a gradation level “1”, the number of elements is “0”, for example, and there are no semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h that irradiate the print dot with a laser beam. In the case of a print dot of gradation level “2”, for example, the number of elements is “1”, and the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h that irradiate the print dot with a laser beam are among the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h. One of them. If the print dot has a gradation level of “3”, for example, the number of elements is “2”, and the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h that irradiate the print dot with a laser beam are any of the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h. Or two.

  Similarly, if the print dot has a gradation level of “4”, the number of semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h that irradiate the print dot with a laser beam is any three of the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h. In the case of a print dot of gradation level “5”, the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h that irradiate the print dot with a laser beam are all the four semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h.

  However, the recording element number control unit 17 heats each laser beam output from each of the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h to a temperature of a decoloring region of about 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. on the thermal recording medium 3 by main scanning. The semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h are turned on / off according to the number of elements of density information composed of the gradation levels “1” to “5” each time the positions corresponding to the regions d1 to d4 are sequentially reached. The laser beams output from the on-controlled semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h are applied to the regions d1 to d4 on the thermal recording medium 3, and the regions d1 to d4 are set to a temperature corresponding to density information of a coloring temperature of 180 ° C. or higher. Heat. Since the areas d1 to d4 are printed according to the image data P, they are hereinafter referred to as print dots d1 to d4.

  For example, paying attention to the print dot d1 shown in FIG. 3, if the print dot d1 has a gradation level “1”, there is no semiconductor laser 11e to 11h that irradiates the print dot d1 with a laser beam. If the print dot d1 has a gradation level of “2”, the laser beam output from, for example, one semiconductor laser 11e is applied to the print dot d1. If the print dot d1 has a gradation level “3”, for example, the laser beams output from the two semiconductor lasers 11e and 11f are sequentially applied to the print dot d1. If the print dot d1 has a gradation level of “4”, for example, laser beams output from, for example, three semiconductor lasers 11e, 11f, and 11g are sequentially superimposed on the print dot d1. If the print dot d1 has a gradation level of “5”, for example, laser beams output from, for example, four semiconductor lasers 11e, 11f, 11g, and 11h are sequentially superimposed on the print dot d1.

  Specifically, the recording element number control unit 17 creates a gradation control numerical value “110... 0” including numerical values “1” and “0” for on / off control of the eight semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h. Each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h is turned on / off according to the adjustment control value “110... 0”. For example, the recording element number control unit 17 indicates that the semiconductor lasers 11 a to 11 h are turned on when the numerical value is “1”, and that the semiconductor lasers 11 a to 11 h are turned off when the numerical value is “0”.

  Here, paying attention to the print dot d1, when the print dot d1 is at a gradation level “5” as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the recording element number control unit 17 performs the constant timing t as shown in FIG. For example, the gradation control numerical values “10000000”, “01000000”,..., “00000001” for the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h at the respective times t1, t2,. Among these, for example, if the gradation control value is “10000000”, the semiconductor laser 11a is on, and the semiconductor lasers 11b to 11h are off. Of the gradation control numerical values, the first four digits are the numerical values of the erasing mode Ma, and the latter four digits are the numerical values of the gradation mode Mb.

  The operation input unit 18 operates the start of recording operation, the number of recordings, and the like for the thermal recording medium 3. The operation input unit 18 may input information to be recorded on the thermal recording medium 3.

Next, a recording operation by the apparatus configured as described above will be described.
Each thermal recording medium 3 stored in the recording medium storage box 15 is picked up, for example, one by one and placed on the transport mechanism 14. The transport mechanism 14 places the thermal recording medium 3 and transports the thermal recording medium 3 in the sub-scanning direction B. At this time, the heat-sensitive recording medium 3 placed on the transport mechanism 14 may have no recording of image data such as images and characters, or may record image data such as images and characters.
Before the start of the recording operation on the thermal recording medium 3, the scanning position of each laser beam output from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h is located on the outer side D on the surface of the thermal recording medium 3 as shown in FIG.

When the image data P including images, characters, and the like is input, the recording control unit 16 heats the thermal recording medium 3 to a temperature of a decoloring region of about 130 ° C. to 180 ° C., for example, as shown in FIGS. Gradation control numerical value comprising: a decoloring mode Ma to perform, and a gradation mode Mb for controlling the number of elements of each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h to be turned on in the laser array head 10 in accordance with density information for each print dot included in the image data P Create
At the same time, the recording control unit 16 controls the operation of the motor driving unit 13 that rotationally drives the polygon mirror 2 and controls the conveying operation of the conveying mechanism 14. Thus, the laser beams output from the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h are main-scanned in the main scanning direction A on the thermal recording medium 3 by rotating the polygon mirror 2 at a constant speed in the direction of arrow C, respectively.

  Here, the image data P includes, for example, density information of the print dots d1 to d4 for recording images, characters, and the like on the thermal recording medium 3 as shown in FIG. Regarding the density information of these print dots d1 to d4, for example, the print dot d1 has a gradation level “5”, the print dot d2 has a gradation level “1”, and the print dot d3 has a gradation level “3”. The printing dot d4 has the gradation level “1”. This image data P is “100”, “000”, “010”, and “000” in the order of the print dots d1 to d4 when expressed using the density information shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the density information of the four print dots d1 to d4, but this is for simplifying the explanation, and in actuality, a large number of print dots d1 to dn are formed.

When the density information “100”, “000”, “010”, and “000” of the printing dots d1 to d4 are input, the recording element number control unit 17 inputs gradation control numerical values “100... 0 for each of the eight semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h. And so on. Here, paying attention only to the print dot d1 having the gradation level “5” shown in FIG. 5, the recording element number control unit 17 performs, for example, the print dot d1 in the gradation mode Mb after the decoloring mode Ma. In order to sequentially irradiate the laser beams output from the four semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h in an overlapping manner, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the semiconductor lasers 11a at the respective times t1, t2,. Each gradation control numerical value “10000000”, “01000000”... “00000001” for ˜11h is sequentially created. Of these gradation control numerical values, the first four digits are the numerical values of the decoloring mode Ma, and the latter four digits are the numerical values of the gradation mode Mb.
Similarly, focusing only on the print dot d2 having the gradation level “1” shown in FIG. 5, if the gradation level is “1”, the semiconductor that irradiates the print dot d2 with the laser beam in the gradation mode Mb. There are no lasers 11e to 11h. Thereby, the recording element number control unit 17, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, each gradation control numerical value “00000000” for each semiconductor laser 11 a to 11 h at each time t 1, t 2, t 3,. “10000000” “01000000”... “00000000” are sequentially created. In this gradation control numerical value, the first four digits are the numerical value of the erasing mode Ma, and the latter four digits are the numerical value of the gradation mode Mb.

  At time t1, only the semiconductor laser 11a reaches the printing dot d1, and only the printing dot d1 is irradiated with the laser beam, and the printing dot d2 is not irradiated with the laser beam. The semiconductor laser 11a reaches the printing dot d2 at a timing t after the printing dot d1 is irradiated with the laser beam, and the printing dot d2 is irradiated with the laser beam. Therefore, as described above, the gradation control value becomes “00000000” at time t1, and the gradation control value becomes “10000000” at time t2.

  Similarly, when attention is paid only to the print dot d3 having the gradation level “3” shown in FIG. 5, the recording element number control unit 17, for example, as shown in FIG. , T3,..., T10, the gradation control numerical values “00000000”, “00000000”, “10000000”, “01000000”, “00000000” are sequentially created. In the gradation control numerical values, the first four digits are the numerical values of the decoloring mode Ma, and the latter four digits are the numerical values of the gradation mode Mb.

  At time t1, only the semiconductor laser 11a reaches the printing dot d1, and only the printing dot d1 is irradiated with the laser beam, and the printing dot d3 is not irradiated with the laser beam. Next, also at the time t2 after the timing t after the laser beam is irradiated to the printing dot d1, the semiconductor lasers 11a and 11b reach the printing dots d1 and d2, respectively, and the laser beam is applied to the printing dots d1 and d2. Irradiated and the laser beam is not irradiated to the printing dot d3. The semiconductor laser 11a reaches the print dot d3 at time t3 after timing 2 × t after the print dot d1 is irradiated with the laser beam, and the print dot d3 is irradiated with the laser beam. Accordingly, as described above, the gradation control numerical values are both “00000000” at the times t1 and t2, and the gradation control numerical value is “10000000” at the time t3.

  Next, the recording element number control unit 17 performs a logical sum (OR) on each gradation control numerical value created for each print dot d1 to d3 shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 for each time t1, t2, t3,. And the eight semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h are moved in the main scanning direction A, for example, the printing dot d1 has a gradation level “5”, the printing dot d2 has a gradation level “1”, and the printing dot d3 has a gradation. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the gradation control numerical values “10000000”, “11000000”, “11100,000”,..., T8, etc. at a certain timing t as shown in FIG. “00000101” and the like are created.

  For example, the gradation control value for the print dot d1 at time t1 is “10000000”, the gradation control value for the print dot d2 at time t1 is “00000000”, and the gradation control for the print dot d3 at time t1. Since the numerical value is “00000000”, the gradation control numerical value for recording after the logical sum operation of these gradation control numerical values is “10000000”. The gradation control value for the print dot d1 at time t3 is “00100000”, the gradation control value for the print dot d2 at time t3 is “01000000”, and the gradation control for the print dot d3 at time t3. Since the numerical value is “10000000”, the gradation control numerical value for recording after the logical sum operation of these gradation control numerical values is “11100000”. The recording gradation control numerical value shown in FIG. 9 is a case where attention is paid only to each of the printing dots d1 to d3, so that the recording levels for the actual printing dots d1, d2, d3, d4,. The tone control numerical values are, for example, gradation control numerical values “10000000”, “11000000”, “11100000”... “11110101” as shown in FIG.

  However, the recording element number control unit 17 turns on each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h in the laser array head 10 according to the gradation control numerical values “10000000”, “11000000”, “11100000”,..., “11110101” as shown in FIG. Control the number of elements to be controlled. Among the gradation control numerical values, the first four digits are the numerical values of the erasing mode Ma, and the latter four digits are the numerical values of the gradation mode Mb. Therefore, the recording element number control unit 17 performs each gradation control numerical value for recording. In the first four digits, the operation of the decoloring mode Ma in which the thermal recording medium 3 is heated to the temperature of the decoloring region of about 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. shown in FIG. For example, the operation of the gradation mode Mb is performed according to the density information “100”, “000”, “010”, and “000” of the print dots d1 to d4 shown in FIG.

  However, the recording element number control unit 17 performs the operation of the decoloring mode Ma for heating the thermosensitive recording medium 3 to the temperature of the decoloring region of about 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. shown in FIG. The operation of the gradation mode Mb is performed according to the density information “100” “000” “010” “000” of the print dots d1 to d4 shown in FIG.

Thus, the recording operation on the thermal recording medium 3 is performed according to the recording gradation control numerical values “10000000”, “11000000”, “11100000”... “11110101” as shown in FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the scanning position of the laser beam output from the semiconductor laser 11a at the time t1 when, for example, 2 μs has elapsed as a fixed timing t after the start of the recording operation on the thermal recording medium 3 is performed. Move to a position adjacent to and inside the edge. At this time, the recording element number control unit 17 turns on only the semiconductor laser 11a and turns off the other semiconductor lasers 11b to 11h in accordance with each gradation control numerical value “10000000” for recording at time t1 shown in FIG. As a result, the laser beam output from the semiconductor laser 11a is reflected by the polygon mirror 2 and applied to the region d1.

  Next, at time t2 when 4 μs has elapsed after the start of the recording operation on the thermal recording medium 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the scanning position of each laser beam output from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a and 11b is the position of the thermal recording medium 3. Located on the printing surface. At this time, the recording element number control unit 17 turns on the semiconductor lasers 11a and 11b and turns off the other semiconductor lasers 11c to 11h in accordance with the gradation control numerical value “11000000” for recording at time t2 shown in FIG. . Thereby, each laser beam output from each semiconductor laser 11a, 11b is reflected by the polygon mirror 2, and is irradiated to each area | region d1, d2. Thus, the region d1 is irradiated with the laser beam from the semiconductor laser 11b after the laser beam from the semiconductor laser 11a. The region d2 is irradiated with a laser beam from the semiconductor laser 11b.

  Next, at time t3 when 6 μs has elapsed after the start of the recording operation on the thermal recording medium 3, the scanning positions of the laser beams output from the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11c are printed on the thermal recording medium 3 as shown in FIG. Located on the surface. At this time, the recording element number control unit 17 turns on the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11c and turns off the other semiconductor lasers 11d to 11h in accordance with each gradation control numerical value “11100000” for recording at time t3 shown in FIG. . Thereby, each laser beam output from each semiconductor laser 11a-11c is reflected by the polygon mirror 2, and is irradiated to each area | region d1-d3. Thus, the laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11c is continuously overlapped and irradiated on the region d1. In addition, the laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a and 11b is continuously superimposed on the region d2. The region d3 is irradiated with a laser beam from the semiconductor laser 11c.

  Hereinafter, similarly, at time t4 when 8 μs has elapsed after the start of the recording operation on the thermal recording medium 3, the recording element number control unit 17 performs each gradation control numerical value “11110000” for recording at time t4 shown in FIG. The semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d are turned on, and the other semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h are turned off. As a result, the laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d is continuously overlapped and irradiated on the region d1. The laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11c is continuously overlapped and irradiated on the region d2. The laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a and 11b is continuously overlapped and irradiated on the region d3. The region d4 is irradiated with a laser beam from the semiconductor laser 11d.

  Here, paying attention to the region d1, the laser beam sequentially output from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d is irradiated in such a manner that the laser beam is sequentially overlapped four times in total. Thereby, the region d1 is heated with concentration of heat, and is heated to the temperature of the decoloring region shown in FIG. 18, for example, about 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. However, if there is an existing print in the area d1, the print is deleted.

  As described above, the laser beams sequentially output from the respective semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d are sequentially and continuously superimposed four times in total for each of the regions d2 to d4 at a certain timing t, for example, every 2 μs. Since the irradiation is performed, the regions d2 to d4 are heated with concentrated heat, and are heated to the temperature of the decoloring region shown in FIG. 18, for example, about 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. However, if there is an existing print in each of the areas d2 to d4, the print is deleted.

  Subsequently, at time t5 when 10 μs has elapsed from the start of the recording operation on the thermal recording medium 3, the scanning positions of the laser beams output from the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11e are printed on the thermal recording medium 3 as shown in FIG. Located on the surface. At this time, the recording element number control unit 17 turns on the semiconductor laser 11e in addition to turning on each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d in accordance with each gradation control numerical value “11111000” for recording at time t5 shown in FIG. Each semiconductor laser 11f-11h is turned off. Thereby, each laser beam output from each semiconductor laser 11a-11e is reflected by the polygon mirror 2, and is irradiated to each area | region (henceforth a printing dot) d1-d4.

  As a result, the laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11e is continuously overlapped and irradiated on the printing dot d1. The laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d is continuously superimposed on the print dot d2. The print dots d3 are irradiated with the laser beams from the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11c, which are continuously superimposed. The print dots d4 are irradiated with the laser beams from the semiconductor lasers 11a and 11b, which are continuously superimposed.

  Next, at time t6 when 12 μs elapses after the start of the recording operation on the thermal recording medium 3, the scanning positions of the laser beams output from the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11f are printed on the thermal recording medium 3 as shown in FIG. Located on the surface. At this time, the recording element number control unit 17 turns on the semiconductor laser 11f in addition to turning on each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d in accordance with each gradation control numerical value “11110100” for recording at time t6 shown in FIG. Each semiconductor laser 11e, 11g, 11h is turned off. Thereby, each laser beam output from each semiconductor laser 11a-11d, 11f is reflected by the polygon mirror 2, and is irradiated to each printing dot d1, d3, d4.

  As a result, the laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11f is continuously overlapped and irradiated on the printing dot d1. The printing dot d2 is not irradiated with the laser beam this time. The laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d is continuously superimposed on the print dot d3. The printing dots d4 are irradiated with the laser beams from the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11c, which are continuously superimposed.

  Here, paying attention to the print dot d1, the print dot d1 is printed at the gradation level “5” as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the recording element number control unit 17 sequentially outputs each laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d at a certain timing t, for example, every time 2 μs elapses, and then continues to each semiconductor laser 11e. The laser beams are sequentially output from ˜11h, and these laser beams are successively superimposed on the print dots d1 and irradiated. As a result, the print dot d1 is heated to the temperature of the color erasing region shown in FIG. 18 and then continuously irradiated with each laser beam four times in succession. It is heated to a temperature corresponding to the gradation level “5”.

  Focusing on the print dot d2, the print dot d2 is printed at a gradation level "1" as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the recording element number control unit 17 sequentially outputs each laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d at a certain timing t, for example, every 2 μs, and then outputs each laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h. Do not output.

  Focusing on the print dot d3, the print dot d3 is printed at a gradation level "3" as shown in FIG. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, the recording element number control unit 17 sequentially outputs each laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d at a certain timing t, for example, every 2 μs, and thereafter each semiconductor laser 11e. , 11f, laser beams are sequentially output, and these laser beams are successively and sequentially superimposed on the printing dot d3. As a result, the print dot d3 is heated to the temperature of the decolored region shown in FIG. 18 and then continuously irradiated with the respective laser beams twice in succession. It is heated to a temperature corresponding to the gradation level “3”.

  When attention is paid to the print dot d4, the print dot d4 is printed at the gradation level "1" as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the recording element number control unit 17 sequentially outputs each laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d at a certain timing t, for example, every time 2 μs elapses, similarly to the printing dot d1, and then each of the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11e. From 11h, each laser beam is not output.

  If the print dot has a gradation level of “2”, the recording element number control unit 17 outputs a laser beam from each semiconductor laser 11e at a certain timing t, for example, every 2 μs, and this laser beam is output. Irradiation is performed by successively superimposing on the printed dots. As a result, the print dots are heated to the temperature of the decoloring region shown in FIG. 16 and then successively irradiated with the laser beam, so that the gradation level “2” having a color development temperature of 180 ° C. or higher is obtained. It is heated to the corresponding temperature.

If the print dot is the gradation level “4”, the recording element number control unit 17 sequentially outputs each laser beam from each of the semiconductor lasers 11e to 11g at a certain timing t, for example, every time 2 μs elapses. These laser beams are irradiated sequentially and sequentially on the printing dots. As a result, the print dots are heated to the temperature of the decolored region shown in FIG. 16 and then irradiated with the laser beams successively and successively three times in succession. It is heated to a temperature corresponding to the adjustment level “4”.
As a result, the printing dot d1 is printed at the gradation level “5”, the printing dot d2 is printed at the gradation level “1”, the printing dot d3 is printed at the gradation level “3”, and the printing dot d4 is The key is printed at key level "1".

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the number of elements of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h to be turned on in the laser array head 10 is controlled according to the density information for each of the print dots d1 to d4. The gradation levels “1” of the print dots d1 to d4 on the heat-sensitive recording medium 3 without finely controlling the individual laser power of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h according to the gradation of information such as images and characters. "To" 5 "can be printed at a recording density.

  Further, before the gradation mode for controlling the number of elements of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h to be turned on in the laser array head 10 in accordance with the density information for each of the print dots d1 to d4, the thermal recording medium 3 is shown in FIG. Since the decoloring mode Ma for heating to a temperature in the decoloring region of about 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. is performed, even if information such as images and characters is already recorded on the thermal recording medium 3, this information is erased. Information such as new images and characters can be rewritten.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, among the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h, the operation of the color erasing mode Ma is performed using the four semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d which are on the head side in the main scanning direction A, and the head side In the second embodiment, the operation of the color erasing mode Ma is performed using the four semiconductor lasers 11e to 11h on the rear side following the four semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d. The gradation mode Mb is operated using the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h. In this case, each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h has a laser power for heating the temperature on the thermal recording medium 3 to a color development temperature of 180 ° C. or higher. The number of each of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h is not limited to eight and may be at least two.

  With such a configuration, the number of laser beams applied to the print dots d1 to d4 according to the gradation levels “1” to “5” of the print dots d1 to d4 on the thermal recording medium 3, that is, the respective semiconductors. The number of elements of the lasers 11a to 11h is increased or decreased.

  For example, if the printing dot d1 has a gradation level “1”, the laser beam output from one semiconductor laser 11a is irradiated to the printing dot d1. If the print dot d1 has a gradation level “2”, the laser beams output from the two semiconductor lasers 11a and 11b are sequentially applied to the print dot d1 in an overlapping manner. If the print dot d1 is at the gradation level “3”, the laser beams output from the three semiconductor lasers 11a, 11b, and 11c are sequentially applied to the print dot d1.

Similarly, if the print dot d1 has a gradation level “4”, the laser beams output from the four semiconductor lasers 11a to 11d are sequentially applied to the print dot d1 in an overlapping manner. If the print dot d1 is at the gradation level “5”, the laser beams output from the five semiconductor lasers 11a to 11e are sequentially superimposed on the print dot d1.
As a result, the printing dot d1 is printed at the gradation level “5”, the printing dot d2 is printed at the gradation level “1”, the printing dot d3 is printed at the gradation level “3”, and the printing dot d4 is The key is printed at key level "1".

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.
The first and second embodiments have been described assuming that the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h in the laser array head 10 are eight. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of the semiconductor lasers 11a to 11h is eight or more or eight. Or less.
The gradation levels of the print dots d1 to d4 are not limited to the five gradations “1” to “5”, but can be any multi-gradation.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a laser array head formed by arranging a plurality of semiconductor lasers in a line in the apparatus. The figure which shows the scanning position of each laser beam output from each semiconductor laser before the start of the recording operation with respect to the thermal recording medium in the same apparatus. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of density information including five gradation levels in the apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of gradation levels recorded for each print dot on a thermal recording medium by the apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing gradation control numerical values for a semiconductor laser corresponding to a printing dot of gradation level “5” created by a recording element number control unit in the apparatus. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing gradation control numerical values for a semiconductor laser corresponding to a printing dot of gradation level “1” created by a recording element number control unit in the apparatus. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing gradation control numerical values for a semiconductor laser corresponding to a printing dot of gradation level “3” created by a recording element number control unit in the apparatus. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing recording gradation control numerical values after logical sum operation of gradation control numerical values for each gradation level created by a recording element number control unit in the apparatus. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing final recording gradation control numerical values created by a recording element number control unit in the apparatus. The figure which shows the printing effect | action of each printing dot on the thermal recording medium in the color erasing mode by the same apparatus. The figure which shows the printing effect | action of each printing dot on the thermal recording medium in the color erasing mode by the same apparatus. The figure which shows the printing effect | action of each printing dot on the thermal recording medium in the color erasing mode by the same apparatus. The figure which shows the printing effect | action of each printing dot on the thermal recording medium in the gradation mode by the same apparatus. The figure which shows the printing effect | action of each printing dot on the thermal recording medium in the gradation mode by the same apparatus. The figure which shows the recording system using the conventional laser beam. The figure which shows the recording system using the recording head formed by arranging the some laser light source in the shape of a line in the past. The figure which shows the color development and the erasure | elimination characteristic of a thermal recording medium.

Explanation of symbols

  2: polygon mirror, 3: thermal recording medium, 10: laser array head, 11a to 11h: semiconductor laser, 12: motor, 13: motor drive unit, 14: transport mechanism, 15: recording medium storage box, 16: recording control Part, 17: recording element number control part, 18: operation input part, d1 to d4: printing dot (area), P: image data.

Claims (7)

A recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged in a line; each recording element in the recording head is sequentially driven in the same main scanning direction as the line direction and perpendicular to the main scanning direction; In a recording apparatus for recording an image on the recording medium by conveying the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction,
A recording element number control unit that controls the number of the recording elements that perform a recording operation on each dot location according to density information of each dot location that records the image on the recording medium;
A recording apparatus comprising: Each of the plurality of recording elements is a laser light source that outputs a laser beam,
The recording element number control unit controls the number of the laser light sources that irradiate the laser beam to the dot locations according to the density information.
The recording apparatus according to claim 1. The recording medium is a heat-sensitive recording medium that develops color when heated to a coloring temperature higher than room temperature, and decolors when heated to a decoloring temperature lower than the coloring temperature while maintaining a colored state at room temperature,
The recording element number control unit outputs the laser beam from the laser light source each time the number of the laser light sources according to the density information sequentially reaches a position corresponding to the dot location on the thermal recording medium. And irradiating the dot locations and heating to a temperature according to the density information above the color development temperature,
The recording apparatus according to claim 2. The recording medium is a heat-sensitive recording medium that develops color when heated to a coloring temperature higher than room temperature, and decolors when heated to a decoloring temperature lower than the coloring temperature while maintaining a colored state at room temperature,
The recording element number control unit causes the laser beams to be output from the laser light sources each time a preset number of the laser light sources sequentially reach positions corresponding to the dot locations on the thermal recording medium. The dot spot is irradiated to heat to the decoloring temperature, and then each time the number of the laser light sources according to the density information sequentially reaches a position corresponding to the dot spot on the thermal recording medium. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the laser beam is output from the laser light source, irradiated to the dot portion, and heated to a temperature corresponding to the density information equal to or higher than the color development temperature. A recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged in a line; each recording element in the recording head is sequentially driven in the same main scanning direction as the line direction and perpendicular to the main scanning direction; In a recording method for recording an image on the recording medium by conveying the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction,
A recording method comprising: controlling the number of recording elements that perform a recording operation for each dot location according to density information of each dot location for recording the image on the recording medium. Each of the plurality of recording elements is a laser light source that outputs a laser beam,
The recording medium is a heat-sensitive recording medium that develops color when heated to a coloring temperature higher than room temperature, and decolors when heated to a decoloring temperature lower than the coloring temperature while maintaining a colored state at room temperature,
Each time the number of the laser light sources according to the density information sequentially reaches a position corresponding to the dot spot on the thermal recording medium, the laser beam is output from the laser light source to irradiate the dot spot. Heating to a temperature according to the density information above the color development temperature,
6. A recording method according to claim 5, wherein: Each of the plurality of recording elements is a laser light source that outputs a laser beam,
The recording medium is a heat-sensitive recording medium that develops color when heated to a coloring temperature higher than room temperature, and decolors when heated to a decoloring temperature lower than the coloring temperature while maintaining a colored state at room temperature,
Each time a predetermined number of the laser light sources sequentially reach positions corresponding to the dot locations on the thermal recording medium, the laser beam is output from the laser light sources to irradiate the dot locations. Heating to the decoloring temperature,
Subsequently, each time the number of the laser light sources according to the density information sequentially reaches a position corresponding to the dot location on the thermal recording medium, the laser beam is output from the laser light source to the dot location. Irradiating and heating to a temperature according to the density information above the color development temperature,
6. A recording method according to claim 5, wherein:

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