US4392141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming method
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1981-05-14
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Granted: 1983-07-05
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Expires: 2001-05-14
Abstract
Abstract An image forming method comprises a first process step of introducing a thermal or electrical information into a recording medium as an input thereto, and converting said information into an absorption pattern of radiation rays, the wavelength of which ranges from a visible region to an infrared region; and a second process step of effecting irradiation of the radiation rays to said recording medium to carry out the radiation heating.
Inventors
- 👤 Eiichi Inoue
- 👤 Yasushi Takatori
- 👤 Masahiro Haruta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:25
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/20; B41M5/26; B41M5/30; B41M5/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A high speed image forming method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a visible image at high speed in a heat-sensitive recording medium by imagewise exposing said recording medium with low energy radiant thermal information to thereby form said visible image and a non-image portion, said visible image having a visible contrast with respect to said non-image portion and being capable of absorbing radiation rays, the wavelength of which ranges from the visible to the infrared region; and (b) irradiating said recording medium with said radiation rays, whereby said visible image absorbs more radiation than said non-image portion to thereby selectively increase the optical density of said visible image relative to the optical density of said non-image portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A high speed image forming method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a visible image at high speed in a heat-sensitive recording medium by imagewise exposing said recording medium with low energy radiant thermal information to thereby form said visible image and a non-image portion, said visible image having a visible contrast with respect to said non-image portion and being capable of absorbing radiation rays, the wavelength of which ranges from the visible to the infrared region; and (b) irradiating said recording medium with said radiation rays, whereby said visible image absorbs more radiation than said non-image portion to thereby selectively increase the optical density of said visible image relative to the optical density of said non-image portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said process steps (a) and (b) are carried out substantially simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said process step (b) is effected subsequent to said process step (a).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiation rays in the process step (b) have wavelengths principally ranging from a visible region to a near infrared region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the required time for thermal information input in said process step (a) is in a range of from 0.05 millisecond to 1 millisecond.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal information is given by heated conduction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermal information is given by radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an increase in reflection density takes place only at the visible image portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recording medium comprises a substrate, a recording layer and on intermediate layer provided between the substrate and recording layer, said intermediate layer having an intercepting effect of the radiation rays and low thermal conductivity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a thin metal layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said intermediate layer comprises aluminum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a resin and a pigment having its absorption band in the near infrared region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-04 | 1987-01-03 | 1987-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-04 | 1991-01-03 | 1991-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-04 | 1995-01-03 | 1995-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |