JP2000006449A - Recording apparatus, recording method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To realize simple and high-quality recording. SOLUTION: A recording medium having a color coloring layer formed by alternately and continuously arranging a plurality of coloring materials having different hues to form a thin stripe pattern, and the color coloring layer in a sub-scanning direction. A recording head that emits the coloring material in a range having a length equal to the stripe width of the color material to be formed, and a length in the main scanning direction obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the coloring material; Printhead driving means for driving the printhead in accordance with image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording a color image, a recording method, and a recording medium used therefor. For example, a recording apparatus for recording a color image using a recording head such as a thermal head, and a recording method. And a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many recording systems for obtaining images such as characters and natural images have been developed and commercialized. For example, a thermal recording method using an ink sheet containing a pigment or dye ink and a recording paper is widely known. In this thermal recording system, a heating element (heating resistor) is provided on the ink sheet.
The image recording is performed by selectively applying energy by a thermal recording head such as a thermal head having a plurality of thermal transfer heads to thermally transfer the pigment or dye ink of the ink sheet to recording paper. The amount of heating (heating energy) of the heating element is controlled by the number, time width, applied voltage, and the like, thereby achieving gradation recording. However, the recording method using the above-described ink sheet and recording paper generally has a problem that the image quality is poor.

[0003] On the other hand, there is a type in which energy is directly applied to a recording medium itself to perform image recording. For example, an optical recording method for writing on an instant camera film using a fluorescent tube composed of a plurality of phosphors (recording elements), and a recording medium containing photosensitive microcapsules is recorded with an optical recording head (laser, LED, liquid crystal, etc.). There are a cycolor system in which recording is performed by exposing the capsule to light and the capsule is destroyed, and a three-way reciprocating thermoautochrome system in which a color is formed by a thermal recording head and fixed by ultraviolet rays. In these methods, a special paper is used as a recording medium, and light energy or heat energy is applied while being modulated, so that an image quality close to a photograph is obtained. However, generally, the recording method as described above is
Since a plurality of fixing devices used for fixing an image are required, the apparatus becomes large and expensive. In addition, there is a problem that control is complicated.

[0004] On the other hand, as a simple recording method, a recording medium in which a plurality of color material patterns and a rewritable layer capable of changing reversibly between transparent and non-transparent (white turbidity) depending on temperature on a substrate is used. The method used is known. Hereinafter, an example of the recording method will be described.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a recording medium in a conventional recording method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-80682. In FIG. 12, 1 is a recording medium, 1
0 is a base layer, 20 is a colored layer in which yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C coloring materials are alternately formed in a thin striped pattern, 21 is transparent / non-transparent (white turbid) depending on temperature.
Is a rewritable layer, which changes reversibly, and 22 is a surface protective layer.

The operation of the recording method of the recording medium 1 configured as described above will be described below. Recording medium 1
In order to perform recording, first, the entire surface of the recording medium 1 is heated to make the rewritable layer 21 transparent.
In this state, the coloring layer 20 passes through the rewritable layer 21.
A gray color, which is a mixed color of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C, is visually recognized.

Next, the recording medium 1 in this state is irradiated with blue light according to the image data. Then, only the yellow Y color of the colored layer 20 absorbs the blue light and generates heat. Due to this heat, only the rewritable layer 21 in the region corresponding to the yellow Y becomes cloudy, and the mixed color of magenta M and cyan C Blue will be visible.

Similarly, when the recording medium 1 is irradiated with blue and red light corresponding to the image data, the rewritable layer 21 in the area corresponding to both yellow Y and cyan C of the colored layer 20 becomes cloudy, and magenta Only M becomes visible. In addition, when light of three colors of blue, green, and red is irradiated, the entire surface of the irradiated region becomes clouded, and the colored layer 20 is blocked.

As described above, according to the conventional recording method using a recording medium formed from a plurality of color material patterns and a rewritable layer, the recording medium is irradiated with light having a wavelength corresponding to image data. A color image can be recorded while being simple. However, since the transparency of the rewritable layer is slightly poor, there is a limit to high-quality recording.

[0010]

As described above, the conventional recording method using the ink sheet and the recording paper has a problem that the image quality is generally poor. In addition, the conventional recording method using a special paper, such as a three-way reciprocating thermo-auto chrome method, requires a plurality of fixing devices, so that the apparatus becomes large, expensive, and has complicated control. There were problems such as becoming. Further, for example, a conventional simple recording method using a recording medium having a rewritable layer formed thereon has a problem in that high-quality recording is limited because the transparency of the rewritable layer is slightly poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to realize simple and high-quality recording.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus having a color coloring layer in which a plurality of coloring materials having different coloring hues are alternately and continuously arranged in a thin stripe pattern. The medium and the length range equal to the stripe width of the color material forming the color developing layer in the sub-scanning direction, and the length range obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the color material in the main scanning direction. And a recording head for driving the recording head in accordance with image data to be recorded.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to the next invention, the recording head is configured to be driven while dividing a coloring range in the main scanning direction into a plurality of parts, and the recording head driving means is configured to control the recording of the image data to be recorded. According to the gradation signal, the recording head is driven for each color range divided in the main scanning direction.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to the next invention, the recording head is configured to be driven while dividing a coloring range in the sub-scanning direction into a plurality of parts, and the recording head driving means is configured to control the recording of the image data to be recorded. The recording head is driven for each color range divided in the sub-scanning direction according to a gradation signal.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to the next invention, the recording medium has a monochromatic coloring layer formed by disposing a coloring material for producing a single hue over the entire surface, and the recording head is provided with the coloring material. The recording head driving means is configured to drive the recording head by adjusting driving energy according to the image data to be recorded. It is.

Further, a recording apparatus according to the next invention is provided with an ultraviolet fixing means for irradiating an ultraviolet ray to a recording medium on which an image is recorded.

Further, a recording method according to the next invention is as follows.
For a recording medium having a color coloring layer formed by a plurality of coloring materials having different hues to be formed being arranged alternately and continuously in a thin stripe pattern, in the sub-scanning direction in accordance with the image data to be recorded. Develops the coloring material in a range having a length equal to the stripe width of the coloring material forming the color coloring layer, and in the main scanning direction, in a length range obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the coloring material. Things.

Still further, a recording medium according to the next invention is:
A plurality of types of coloring materials having different hues to be colored are arranged alternately and continuously in a thin stripe pattern, each having a length equal to the stripe width of the coloring material in the sub-scanning direction, and the same in the main scanning direction. A color developing layer is provided for each of a range of lengths obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the color materials to form a square pixel having the plurality of types of color materials as a set.

A recording medium according to another aspect of the present invention includes the above-described color-developing layer, and a single-color-developing layer formed by disposing a color material that emits a single hue over the entire surface. Alternatively, the number of types of the coloring materials in the monochromatic coloring layer is equal to the stripe width of the coloring material forming the color coloring layer in the sub-scanning direction and the stripe width in the main scanning direction. Are formed for each of the length ranges multiplied by a square to form a square pixel in which a plurality of types of coloring materials of the color coloring layer and / or a coloring material of the single color coloring layer are set.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a recording medium according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the recording medium, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the recording medium.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording medium on which an image is recorded, which comprises a base layer 10 and a color developing layer 11. The base layer 10 serves as a support for supporting the recording medium 1 and may be made of glass, metal, a polymer film, paper, or the like.

The color coloring layer 11 is formed by alternately and continuously arranging a plurality of types of coloring materials having different hues to form a color in a thin stripe pattern. Each color material is colored in a range of a length equal to the stripe width of the color material, and in the main scanning direction, a color is formed in a range of a length obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the color material. Is formed as a set of the color materials.

As the hues of the color materials, for example, yellow Y, magenta M and cyan C, which are the three primary colors of the color image, are selected as shown in the figure. In this case, the color materials of these hues are yellow Y and magenta M , Cyan C, yellow Y,
Are repeatedly arranged in the order of magenta M, cyan C,.
Further, one recording pixel is formed of three stripe-shaped color materials of the yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C,
The visible hue is determined by the combination of the coloring materials to be colored.

The material of the coloring material may be a material which develops color by heat, and may be a material which is used for a usual thermosensitive recording paper (used for facsimile or the like). Specifically, if it is a leuco dye, it is crystal violet or the like, which is white in a normal state and develops any of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C by heating.

The width (stripe width) of each color material is appropriately selected according to the use of the recording medium 1, and is usually in the range of 10 μm to 10 mm. For example, if the recording medium 1 is used in a size such as a prepaid card, the size is preferably about 20 μm to 200 μm. In this embodiment, the width of each color material is 100 μm.
And

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2A shows a main part of the recording apparatus. The same parts as those in FIG.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a recording head for coloring the color coloring layer 11 of the recording medium 1 by heat, and a plurality of heating elements (heating resistors) 6 for generating heat are arranged in the depth direction of the drawing. In this embodiment, the recording head 2
Is approximately equal to the width of the recording medium 1 in the main scanning direction, and an image can be recorded on the recording medium 1 without reciprocating in the sub-scanning direction.

Reference numeral 3 denotes recording head driving means for driving the recording head 2 according to image data to be recorded. 4
Is a roller for conveying the recording medium 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a roller driving unit that drives the roller 4.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the heating element 6 of the recording head 2. Each heating element 6
Is a length range equal to the stripe width of the color material forming the color coloring layer 11 in the sub-scanning direction, and a length range obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the color material in the main scanning direction. Generates heat. In the present embodiment, the color material of the color coloring layer 11 has a width of 100 μm.
Color materials (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C)
Is used, the sub-scanning length of each heating element 6 is 100 μm, which is equal to the width of each color material of the color coloring layer 11, and the main scanning length is 300 μm, which is 3 multiplied by 3.

That is, the recording head 2 having a plurality of the heating elements 6 has the same length as the stripe width of the color material forming the color coloring layer 11 in the sub-scanning direction and the recording head 2 in the main scanning direction. The coloring material is colored in a range of a length obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the coloring material.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the recording apparatus.
First, the operation starts when image data is input from an external host device or the like. The roller driving means 5 is the roller 4
, The rollers 4 convey the recording medium 1 in the direction of arrow A, and a sensing means (not shown) detects the leading end of the recording medium 1 and sets the recording medium 1 at a predetermined position ( Step S1).

Next, the recording head driving means 3 responds to the image data from the external host device or the like by using the recording head 2.
The plurality of heating elements 6 are driven to selectively heat the yellow Y color material of the color coloring layer 11 to develop a color (step S2).

That is, the recording head driving means 3 synchronizes the scanning of the recording medium 1 by the roller driving means 5 (in the direction of the arrow A) with the driving timing of the heating element 6 in the recording head 2, and according to the image data. When each heating element 6 is selectively driven, the color developing layer 11 is heated by the heat of the heating element 6 and develops a color. At this time, the color coloring layer 1
1, the width of each color material is 100 μm, and the heating range of each heating element 6 is 100 μm in the sub-scanning direction and 300 μm in the main scanning direction.
Therefore, only the yellow Y color material of the color coloring layer 11 develops a color every 300 μm in the main scanning direction according to the image data.

Next, when the roller driving means 5 drives the roller 4 by one pitch, the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A (step S).
3). Here, one pitch corresponds to the width of the color material, and the color material of magenta M of the recording medium 1 moves to the position of the heating element 6 by conveying the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A.

Then, the recording head driving means 3 drives a plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 according to image data from the external host device or the like, and the magenta M Is selectively heated to develop a color (step S4). Then, as in the case where the yellow Y color material of the color coloring layer 11 develops a color, only the magenta M coloring material of the color coloring layer 11 becomes
The color is developed every 300 μm in the main scanning direction according to the image data.

Further, the roller driving means 5 drives the roller 4 by one pitch, and after the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A (step S).
5) The recording head driving unit 3 drives the plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 according to image data from the external host device or the like, and the color of the cyan C of the color coloring layer 11 is changed. The material is selectively heated to develop a color (step S6). Then, similarly to the case where the yellow Y or magenta M coloring material of the color coloring layer 11 develops a color,
Only the cyan C color material of the color developing layer 11 develops a color every 300 μm in the main scanning direction according to the image data.

Thereafter, the roller driving means 5 further drives the roller 4 by one pitch, and the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A (step S7).

As in steps S2 to S7,
While the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 one pitch at a time in the direction of arrow A, the plurality of heating elements 6 selectively heat the striped color material of the color developing layer 11 of the recording medium 1 according to image data. When the recording medium 1 is conveyed by three pitches by the rollers 4, a color image of one recording pixel is recorded on the recording medium 1 in the sub-scanning direction. The mixed color of the materials is visible.

That is, one recording pixel is formed of three stripe color materials of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C. For example, when recording blue according to the image data, the heating pixel The element 6 heats the magenta M and cyan C coloring materials of the color coloring layer 11 to form a color, so that blue, which is a mixed color of magenta and cyan, is visually recognized on the recording medium 1.

The stripe width of the coloring material of the color coloring layer 11 is 100 μm, and the heating range of the plurality of heating elements 6 is 100 μm in the sub-scanning direction.
m, 300 μm in the main scanning direction.
One recording pixel composed of three color materials of magenta M and cyan C is formed of a square pixel of approximately 300 μm × 300 μm.

Thereafter, the above-described operations from step S2 to step S7 are repeated until the input of the image data is completed (step S8), and the recording of the color image of one screen is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, three kinds of color materials having different hues which develop color by heat are 100 μm
For a recording medium having a color coloring layer formed by being arranged alternately and continuously in a stripe-shaped pattern having a width,
According to the image data to be recorded, a range of 100 μm which is the same length as the stripe width in the sub-scanning direction, and a length of 300 μm which is the length obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the color materials in the main scanning direction. By driving a recording head having a plurality of heating elements that generate heat in a range,
Since a color image can be recorded with square pixels of μm × 300 μm, higher quality recording can be realized.

Also, three types of coloring materials having different hues to be colored are alternately and continuously arranged in a thin stripe pattern, and each of them is equal to the stripe width of the coloring material forming the color coloring layer in the sub-scanning direction. Colors are formed in a range of 100 μm, which is the length, and in a range of 300 μm, which is the length obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the color materials in the main scanning direction, to form a set of the three types of color materials. By using a recording medium having a color developing layer for forming square pixels, 3
Since a color image can be recorded with square pixels of 00 μm × 300 μm, higher quality recording can be realized.

In this embodiment, various changes can be made. For example, as the heating element of the recording head, the sub-scanning length of the heating element is equal to the stripe width of the coloring material forming the color developing layer of the recording medium, and the main scanning length is obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the coloring material. Although the case where the length is equal to the length has been described, the size of the coloring material that is heated by the heating element and generates color may be as described above,
Even if the size of the heating element is changed according to the heating accuracy of the heating element, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, the case where a recording medium composed of a base layer and a color developing layer is used as the recording medium has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the strength of the color-developing layer is sufficient, the base layer can be omitted or shared, and the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained. Although the image quality may be degraded by the transparency, a surface protective layer may be provided if necessary.

Further, the case where three types of color materials of yellow, magenta, and cyan are used as the color materials for forming the color coloring layer of the recording medium has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, black may be added as a coloring material. In this case, a higher quality color image can be recorded. Further, for example, the hue that can be visually recognized is limited as compared with the case where three or four types of color materials are used, but any two types of the above color materials may be used.

Also, the case has been described in which the color coloring layer is formed by a plurality of coloring materials having different hues, which are colored by heat, being alternately and continuously arranged in a thin stripe pattern. The color material arrangement method is not limited to this. Any arrangement method that can form a square pixel by combining the plurality of color materials may be used. For example, color materials having different hues include yellow, magenta, cyan, cyan, magenta, yellow, yellow, magenta,. , The same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained. Further, for example, even when a plurality of color materials having a stripe pattern are formed as a set and each set is arranged in a mosaic shape, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

Also, the case has been described where the recording head driving means determines the driving timing of the recording head so as to synchronize with the scanning of the recording medium by the roller driving means.
The determination of the print head drive timing is not limited to this. For example, a marker is provided on the surface of the recording medium,
The drive timing of the recording head may be determined by detecting this marker. In this case, a color material pattern unit of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C, or a group unit of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C can be arbitrarily set. Further, a marker may be provided on the back surface of the recording medium, and there is no particular limitation. Further, a color coloring layer may be used instead of the marker. That is, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained even when the recording medium is heated by the recording head and a part of the color coloring layer is colored and read by a photosensor or the like.

Further, the case of using a recording medium having a color developing layer which develops a color by heat and heating the recording medium to form a color has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even with an optical recording device, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained. In this case, as a color material for forming a color coloring layer of the recording medium, a material that develops a different hue by light irradiation with different wavelengths is used.
Alternatively, a plurality of coloring materials having different hues that develop color by light irradiation are used. As a material of the coloring material, for example, a coloring pigment, a dye, or the like is used. The recording head includes an LED, a laser light source, and the like, and has a light irradiation range in the sub-scanning direction having a length equal to the stripe width of the color material forming the color coloring layer, and in the main scanning direction. A stripe having a length in a range obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the coloring materials is used.

Embodiment 2 In the above-described embodiment, one heating element is used for one square pixel. Next, an embodiment in which this heating element is divided in the main scanning direction to realize gradation recording will be described. .

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the heating element 6 of the recording head 2 and the recording medium 1 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, three heating elements 6 in the above-described embodiment are arranged in the main scanning direction (small heating element unit 6A, small heating element unit 6B, small heating element unit 6B).
C).

The recording head driving means 3 for driving the recording head 2 having the heating element 6 converts the heating element small units 6A, 6B, 6C of the heating element 6 according to the gradation signal of the input image data. Drive each. The configuration of the recording apparatus other than the above and the configuration of the recording medium 1 are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, similarly to the above-described embodiment, when image data is input from an external host device or the like, the roller 4 is driven by the roller driving unit 5, and the recording medium 1 is set at a predetermined position.

Then, the recording head driving means 3 responds to the image data including the gradation signal from the external host device or the like by heating element small units 6A, 6B, 6C of the plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2. Are respectively driven to form the color developing layer 1
One yellow Y color material is selectively heated to develop a color.

Specifically, according to the area gradation pattern shown in FIG. 5, the heating element small units 6A, 6A, 6B and 6C are driven. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an area gradation pattern. That is, for example,
When the gradation signal is 1, only the heating element small unit 6A is driven in accordance with the pattern (b). For example, when the gradation signal is 3, all the heating element small units 6A, 6B, 6C are driven according to the pattern (d).

As described above, when the heating element small unit is driven in accordance with the gradation signal of the image data, the yellow Y color material of the color coloring layer 11 heated by the heating element small units 6A, 6B, 6C. Of the color-developing layer 11 corresponding to the color-developing layer 11
The yellow Y color material develops in four gradations.

Further, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the stripe width of each color material of the color coloring layer 11 is 100 μm, and the heating range of each heating element 6 is 100 μm in the sub-scanning direction.
m, and 300 μm in the main scanning direction.
Only one yellow Y color material develops in four gradations every 300 μm in the main scanning direction.

Next, similarly to the above-described embodiment, when the roller driving means 5 drives the roller 4 by one pitch, the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A, and performs recording. The color material of magenta M of the medium 1 is the heating element 6
Move to the position.

Then, the recording head driving means 3 responds to the image data including the gradation signal from the external host device or the like, and the heating element small units 6A, 6B, 6C are respectively driven to selectively heat the magenta M coloring material of the color coloring layer 11 to develop a color. Then, similarly to the case where the yellow Y color material of the color coloring layer 11 develops color, only the magenta M coloring material of the color coloring layer 11 is moved in the main scanning direction in accordance with the image data including the gradation signal. Color is generated at four gradations every 300 μm.

Further, the roller driving means 5 drives the roller 4 by one pitch, and after this roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A, the recording head driving means 3 turns the external The heating element subunits 6A, 6B, and 6C of the plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 are driven according to image data including a gradation signal from a host device or the like, and the cyan C of the color coloring layer 11 is driven. The coloring material is selectively heated to develop a color. Then, similarly to the case where the yellow Y or magenta M color material of the color coloring layer 11 develops a color, only the cyan C coloring material of the color coloring layer 11 is changed according to the image data including the gradation signal. Main scanning direction 30
Colors are developed in four gradations every 0 μm.

Thereafter, the roller driving means 5 further drives the roller 4 by one pitch, and the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A.

As described above, while the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A, the heating elements 6
The heating element subunits 6A, 6B, and 6C selectively heat the stripe-shaped coloring material of the color coloring layer 11 of the recording medium 1 according to image data including a gradation signal, thereby forming a color. The recording medium 1 is moved by the roller 4 to 3
At the point of time when the recording medium 1 is conveyed by the pitch, a color image of one recording pixel is printed on the recording medium 1 in the sub-scanning direction by 4 per color material.
The mixed color of the color materials recorded by the square pixels having the gradations of the steps and developed by heating is visually recognized.

That is, the stripe width of the coloring material of the color developing layer 11 is 100 μm, and the heating range of the plurality of heating elements 6 is 100 μm in the sub-scanning direction.
μm, 300 μm in the main scanning direction, and the heating element small units 6A, 6B, 6C of the heating element 6 according to the gradation signal of the image data from the external host device or the like.
, One recording pixel composed of three color materials of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C is approximately 300 μm × 300 μ with four gradations per color material.
m square pixels.

After that, the above operation is repeated until the input of the image data is completed, and the recording of the color image of one screen is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, three types of color materials having different hues which develop color by heat are 100 μm
For a recording medium having a color coloring layer formed by being arranged alternately and continuously in a stripe-shaped pattern having a width,
According to the image data to be recorded, a range of 100 μm which is the same length as the stripe width in the sub-scanning direction, and a length of 300 μm which is the length obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the color materials in the main scanning direction. When driving a recording head having a plurality of heating elements that generate heat in a range, the heating elements are heated in small heating element units divided into three in accordance with a gradation signal of the image data to form a color. 300 μm × 300 μ with four gradations per color material
Since a color image can be recorded with m square pixels, higher quality recording can be realized.

In this embodiment, various changes can be made in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. For example,
The drive timing of the recording head may be determined by providing a marker on the recording medium, and there is no particular limitation.

Further, according to the gradation signal of the image pattern,
Although the case where gradation recording is performed using the area gradation pattern shown in FIG. 5 has been described, the invention is not limited to this. For example,
The same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained even with a pattern of a dispersed area gradation as shown in FIG.

Further, the case where the heating element is divided into three small heating elements and used is described, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the heating element may be divided into four or five small heating element units. In this case, the number of gradations per color material is 5 or 6, and higher quality recording is obtained. That is, from the viewpoint of the number of gradations, the higher the number of divisions of the heating element, the higher the image quality recording can be obtained.

Embodiment 3 In the above-described embodiment, gradation recording is realized by dividing the heating element in the main scanning direction. Next, an embodiment in which gradation recording is realized by dividing the heating element in the sub-scanning direction. Is shown.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the heating element 6 of the recording head 2 and the recording medium 1 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the sub-scanning length of the heating element 6 is １ ／ of the width of one color material forming the color coloring layer 11.
Is formed. Note that the main scanning length of the heating element 6 is equal to the length obtained by multiplying the width of one color material forming the color coloring layer 11 by the number of types of the color material, as in the above-described embodiment. The heating element 6 in the present embodiment has a main scanning length of 300
μm, and the sub-scanning length is 50 μm.

That is, the heating element 6 has a length in the sub-scanning direction which is equal to half the stripe width of the color material forming the color-forming layer 11, and a width in the main scanning direction equal to the stripe width. Generates heat in a range of length multiplied by the number of types of coloring materials. The other configurations of the recording apparatus and the configuration of the recording medium 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, similarly to the above-described embodiment, when image data is input from an external host device or the like, the roller 4 is driven by the roller driving unit 5, and the recording medium 1 is set at a predetermined position.

The recording head driving means 3 drives a plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 according to image data including a gradation signal from the external host device or the like, and The color material of yellow Y is selectively heated to develop color. Then, the width of each color material of the color coloring layer 11 is 100 μm, and the sub-scanning length of each heating element 6 is 5 μm.
Since the main scanning length is 0 μm and the main scanning length is 300 μm, the first half of the yellow Y color material of the color coloring layer 11 is
Only the width of the color develops every 300 μm according to the image data.

Subsequently, when the roller driving means 5 drives the roller 4 by ピ ッ チ pitch, the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by ピ ッ チ pitch in the direction of arrow A, and The remaining half of the yellow Y color material moves to the position of the heating element 6.

Further, the recording head driving means 3 drives a plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 according to image data including a gradation signal from the external host device or the like, and Is selectively heated to develop a color. Then, the color coloring layer 1
Only the remaining half width of one yellow Y color material develops a color every 300 μm according to the image data.

As described above, according to the area gradation pattern shown in FIG. 8, the recording medium 1 is stored in the recording medium 1 according to the gradation signal (0 to 2 signals) of the image data from the external host device or the like.
The heating element 6 is driven by being transported at a pitch of / 2 pitch. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an area gradation pattern. That is, for example, when the gradation signal is 1,
According to the pattern (b), the heating element 6 is driven by the first half of the yellow Y color material of the color developing layer 11. Further, for example, when the gradation signal is 2, the heating element 6 is driven by the first half and the remaining half of the yellow Y color material of the color coloring layer 11 according to the pattern (c).

As described above, when the heating element 6 is driven according to the gradation signal of the image data, the area of the yellow Y color material of the color developing layer 11 heated by the heating element 6 changes. In response to this, the color-forming area changes, and the yellow Y color material of the color-color-forming layer 11 colors in three gradations. The stripe width of each color material of the color developing layer 11 is 100 μm, and the heating range of each heating element 6 is 50 μm in the sub-scanning direction and 300 μm in the main scanning direction.
Therefore, according to the image data including the gradation signal, only the yellow Y color material of the color coloring layer 11 develops a color in three gradations every 300 μm in the main scanning direction.

Further, when the roller driving means 5 drives the roller 4 by ピ ッ チ pitch, the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by ピ ッ チ pitch in the direction of arrow A, and the magenta The first half of the M color material moves to the position of the heating element 6.

Then, similarly to the case of the yellow Y color material of the color developing layer 11, the recording head driving means 3 controls the recording head in accordance with image data including a gradation signal from the external host device or the like. After the plurality of heating elements 6 in each of the color developing layers 2 are driven to selectively heat the first half of the magenta M coloring material of the color developing layer 11 to develop a color,
The recording medium 1 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by ピ ッ チ pitch,
Further, the plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 are driven in accordance with the image data including the gradation signal, and the remaining half of the magenta M color material of the color developing layer 11 is selectively formed. To form a color.

Then, according to the image data including the gradation signal, only the magenta M color material of the color coloring layer 11 develops a color in three gradations every 300 μm in the main scanning direction.

Further, the roller driving means 5 drives the roller 4 by ピ ッ チ pitch, and after this roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by ピ ッ チ pitch in the direction of arrow A, the roller 4 As in the case of the color material of yellow Y and the color material of magenta M, the color material of cyan C is selectively heated to develop color. Then, according to the image data including the gradation signal, only the cyan C color material of the color coloring layer 11 develops a color in three gradations every 300 μm in the main scanning direction.

Thereafter, the roller driving means 5 further drives the roller 4 by ピ ッ チ pitch, and the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by ピ ッ チ pitch in the direction of arrow A.

As described above, while the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 in the direction of arrow A by １ ／ pitch at a time, the plurality of heating elements 6 apply the striped color material of the color coloring layer 11 of the recording medium 1. When the recording medium 1 is conveyed for three pitches by the rollers 4 by selectively heating and developing a color in accordance with image data including a gradation signal, the recording medium 1 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. A color image for one recording pixel is recorded with square pixels having three gradations per color material, and a mixed color of the color materials generated by heating is visually recognized.

That is, the stripe width of the color material of the color developing layer 11 is 100 μm, and the heating range of the plurality of heating elements 6 is 300 in the main scanning direction.
.mu.m, 50 .mu.m in the sub-scanning direction, and the recording medium 1 is conveyed by 1/2 pitch at a time, and the heating element 6 is driven in accordance with a gradation signal of image data from the external host device or the like. Y, Magenta M, Cyan C
One recording pixel composed of one color material is approximately 300 μm × 300 μm with three gradations per color material.
Are formed by square pixels.

Thereafter, the above operation is repeated until the input of the image data is completed, and the recording of the color image of one screen is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, three types of color materials having different hues to be colored by heat have a thickness of 100 μm.
The width of the stripe in the sub-scanning direction depends on the gradation signal of the image data to be recorded on a recording medium having a color coloring layer formed by being alternately and continuously arranged in a stripe pattern having a width of 50 μm which is half the length of
By driving a recording head having a plurality of heating elements that generate heat in a range of 300 μm, which is a length obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the coloring materials in the main scanning direction, one coloring material 300μ with three gradations per
Since a color image can be recorded with square pixels of m × 300 μm, higher quality recording can be realized.

Note that, in this embodiment, various changes can be made in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. For example, a marker may be provided on the recording medium to determine the drive timing of the recording head, and there is no particular limitation.

Further, according to the gradation signal of the image pattern,
Although the case where gradation recording is performed using the area gradation pattern shown in FIG. 8 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example,
The heating range of the heating element in the sub-scanning direction may be set to 1/3 or 1/4 of the stripe width of the color material forming the color developing layer. In this case, the number of gradations per color material is 4
Or, it becomes 5, and higher image quality recording can be obtained. From the viewpoint of the number of gradations, the higher the sub-scanning length of the heating element 6 is, the higher the recording quality can be obtained.

Further, Embodiment 2 and this embodiment may be combined. For example, the heating range of the heating element in the sub-scanning direction is one of the stripe width of the color material forming the color coloring layer.
The heating element of / 2 may be divided into two heating element small units and used. In this case, gradation recording can be performed with the area gradation pattern shown in FIG. That is,
From the viewpoint of the number of gradations, the higher the number of divisions of the heating element 6 and the shorter the sub-scanning length, the higher the recording quality.

Embodiment 4 In the above-described embodiment, the recording medium is composed of a base layer serving as a support and a color coloring layer formed of a plurality of coloring materials.
An embodiment in which a monochromatic coloring layer formed of a single hue color material is further provided on a recording medium will be described.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 10, the same or corresponding portions as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The difference from the above-described embodiment is that the recording medium 1
And the recording head driving means 3.

In the present embodiment, the recording medium 1 has a single-color coloring layer formed by disposing a single-color coloring material which is colored by heat over the entire surface between the base layer 10 and the color coloring layer 11. It has a three-layer structure, and here, as this monochromatic coloring layer, a black coloring layer 12 that develops black B by heat is used.

The material of the coloring material forming the black coloring layer 12 may be any material that develops color by heat, and a material used for a normal (used for facsimile or the like) thermal recording paper is used. be able to. Specifically, if it is a leuco dye system, it is crystal violet, etc.,
A material that is white in a normal state and develops a black color when heated is used.

As described above, as a material of the color material forming the color developing layer 11, a material which is white in a normal state and develops any of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C by heating is used. However, the color materials of the color coloring layer 11 and the black coloring layer 12 having different sensitivities are used.

That is, for example, as a coloring material of the color coloring layer 11, any one of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C of the color coloring layer 11 is colored when a predetermined energy Ec is applied to the recording head 2. As the coloring material of the black coloring layer 12, a material in which black B of the black coloring layer 12 located below the color coloring layer 11 develops color when an energy Eb higher than the energy Ec is applied.

The recording head driving means 3 drives the recording head 2 by adjusting the driving energy to energy Ec or energy Eb according to the image data to be recorded.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, similarly to the above-described embodiment, when image data is input from an external host device or the like, the roller 4 is driven by the roller driving unit 5, and the recording medium 1 is set at a predetermined position.

Then, the recording head driving means 3 drives the plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 according to the image data from the external host device or the like, and the yellow Y color material of the color developing layer 11 is formed. Alternatively, the black B coloring material of the black coloring layer 12 is selectively heated to develop a color.

That is, when the color material of yellow Y is to be colored according to the image data from the external host device or the like, the recording head driving means 3 drives the heating element 6 in the recording head 2 with the energy Ec. Drive. When the black B color material is to be colored, the recording head driving means 3 drives the heating element 6 in the recording head 2 with an energy Eb higher than the energy Ec.

Then, since the color material of the color color layer 11 and the color material of the black color layer 12 have different sensitivities, the color material of the color color layer 11 is changed according to the energy driven by the recording head driving means 3. The color material of yellow Y or the color material of black B of the black coloring layer 12 selectively develops a color every 300 μm in the main scanning direction.

Next, similarly to the above-described embodiment, when the roller driving means 5 drives the roller 4 by one pitch, the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A, and performs recording. The color material of magenta M of the medium 1 is the heating element 6
Move to the position.

The recording head driving means 3 drives a plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 in accordance with image data from the external host device or the like, and the magenta M of the color developing layer 11 is driven. Coloring material or black coloring layer 12
Is selectively heated to develop a color. Then, similarly to the case where the yellow Y color material of the color color layer 11 or the black B color material of the black color layer 12 develops color, the color color layer 1
The one magenta M color material or the black B color material of the black coloring layer 12 develops a color every 300 μm in the main scanning direction.

Further, the roller driving means 5 drives the roller 4 by one pitch, and after this roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A, the recording head driving means 3 turns the external A plurality of heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 are driven in accordance with image data from a host device or the like, and a color material of cyan C of the color coloring layer 11 or a color material of black B of the black coloring layer 12 is changed. Selectively heat to develop color. Then, similarly to the case where the color material of yellow Y and magenta M of the color coloring layer 11 or the color material of black B of the black coloring layer 12 develops the color, the color is changed according to the image data including the gradation signal. The color material of cyan C of the color forming layer 11 The color material of black B of the black color forming layer 12 develops a color every 300 μm in the main scanning direction.

Thereafter, the roller driving means 5 further drives the roller 4 by one pitch, and the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A.

As described above, the color coloring layer 11 formed by arranging three kinds of coloring materials in a stripe pattern and the black coloring layer 12 formed by arranging the black B coloring material over the entire surface are provided. While the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by one pitch in the direction of arrow A, the driving energy applied to the recording head 2 by the recording head driving means 3 according to the image data is controlled, and a plurality of heating The element 6 selectively heats the coloring material of the color coloring layer 11 or the coloring material of the black coloring layer 12 of the recording medium 1 to form a color, whereby the recording medium 1 is transported by the roller 4 for three pitches. At this point, a color image of one recording pixel is recorded with square pixels in the sub-scanning direction.

At this time, the color developing layer 1 of the recording medium 1
Since the color material of one stripe or the color material of the black coloring layer 12 of the recording medium 1 is colored, an image with good contrast can be obtained. That is, for example, the luminance information of the image data is represented by black of the black coloring layer 12, the color information is represented by the color coloring layer 11, and the edge of the image data is represented by black of the black coloring layer 12, This is because portions other than the edge portion can be expressed by the color coloring layer 11.

Thereafter, the above operation is repeated until the input of the image data is completed, and the recording of the color image of one screen is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, as a recording medium, three types of color materials having different hues to be generated by heat are alternately continuously formed in a stripe pattern. A recording head having a color coloring layer formed and arranged in a uniform manner and a black coloring layer formed and formed entirely on a color material of black B is used, and the driving energy of the recording head is adjusted in accordance with image data. By coloring the color material of the color-forming layer and / or the single-color-forming layer, for example, luminance information of image data can be expressed by a black color-forming layer, or an edge portion of image data can be expressed. It is possible to obtain a high quality image with good quality.

Further, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, a color-developing layer formed by alternately and continuously arranging three kinds of color materials having different hues to be colored by heat in a striped pattern, By using a recording medium having a black coloring layer formed by disposing the B color material over the entire surface, a high-quality image with good contrast can be obtained.

In this embodiment, various changes can be made as in the above-described embodiment. For example, a heating element in which the heating range of the heating element in the sub-scanning direction is の of the stripe width of the color material forming the color developing layer may be divided into two heating elements and used.

The case where the recording medium has the black coloring layer between the base layer and the color coloring layer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a black coloring layer may be provided on the color coloring layer. In this case, as the coloring material of the black coloring layer, it is desirable that the coloring material be colored with an energy Eb lower than the predetermined energy Ec at which the coloring material of the color coloring layer is colored.

Also, the case where yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C are used as the hues of the color materials forming the color developing layer, and black B is used as the hue of the color materials forming the single color developing layer has been described. It is not limited to this. For example, black B, magenta M, and cyan C may be used as the hues of the color materials that form the color developing layer, and yellow Y may be used as the hue of the color materials that form the single color developing layer. The same effect as in the embodiment can be obtained.

Further, the case where the single color developing layer is one layer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the coloring material of each layer is a coloring material that develops a different energy for each layer, and the recording medium is a black coloring layer formed of a black B coloring material and a yellow coloring layer formed of a yellow Y coloring material. And a color-developing layer formed of two types of striped coloring materials of magenta M and cyan C. In this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 5 FIG. In the above-described embodiment, high-quality recording is realized by recording a color image with square pixels. Next, an embodiment in which this high-quality recording is fixed by irradiation with ultraviolet rays will be described.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same or corresponding portions as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 7 denotes an ultraviolet fixing unit for fixing an image recorded on the recording medium 1 by irradiating ultraviolet rays.
The recording head 2 is disposed such that the drawing depth direction is the longitudinal direction in the moving direction of the recording medium 1 with respect to the recording head 2.

In the present embodiment, a mixture of a diazonium compound and a coupler compound is used as a material of a coloring material of the color developing layer 11 constituting the recording medium 1.
The coloring material containing this material is supplied to the heating element 6 of the recording head 2.
When heated, the diazonium compound and the coupler compound react in the heated portion to develop color. Then, when the entire surface is irradiated with ultraviolet light after color development, the diazonium compound is decomposed in the unheated portion, so that the color development is further suppressed. As the diazonium compound used as the coloring material, for example, para-diazo N or P-
Examples thereof include diazo-N-ethyl, and examples of the coupler compound include phenol and α-naphthol.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.
To perform recording by this recording apparatus, first, the ultraviolet fixing means 7 is turned on to stabilize the irradiation light, and then image data is input from an external host device or the like. Then, when image data is input from the external host device or the like, the roller 4 is driven by the roller driving means 5 to set the recording medium 1 at a predetermined position.

Next, the recording head driving means 3 selectively drives the recording head 2 according to image data from an external host device or the like. That is, the recording head driving means 3
Scanning of the recording medium 1 by the roller driving means 5 (arrow A
Direction) and the drive timing of the heating elements 6 in the recording head 2 are synchronized, and each heating element 6 is selectively driven according to the image data while conveying the recording medium one pitch at a time. Then, due to the heat of the heating element 6, the yellow Y color material of the color coloring layer 11 is heated and colored.

When the above operation is repeated until the roller 4 conveys the recording medium 1 by three pitches as in the above-described embodiment, the heat of the heating element 6 causes the color developing layer to correspond to the image data. The three color materials of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C of 11 are heated and colored, and the mixed color is visually recognized.

Thereafter, the roller 4 is further driven by the roller driving means 5, and the recording medium 1 having passed through the recording head 2 is conveyed to the ultraviolet fixing means 7. When the ultraviolet fixing means 7 irradiates the entire surface of the recording medium 1 with ultraviolet light, the image recorded on the recording medium 1 is fixed, and a color image is formed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, after the coloring material of the color coloring layer constituting the recording medium is colored, the ultraviolet irradiation is performed. Color development is prevented from progressing during storage of the recording medium, and a high-quality image with excellent fixability can be easily obtained.

In this embodiment, various changes can be made as in the above-described embodiment. For example, a similar effect can be obtained even if a marker is provided on the recording medium to determine the drive timing of the recording head, and there is no particular limitation.

Further, the same effect can be obtained by further providing a black coloring layer on the recording medium, recording the image on the black coloring layer, and irradiating ultraviolet rays to fix the image. Yes, it is not particularly limited.

In all of the above embodiments, the driving energy of the recording head driving means may be adjusted to change the amount of coloring of the color material and perform gradation recording. The gradation can be expressed more finely, and higher image quality recording can be realized. In the case of using a recording medium having a color coloring layer and a monochromatic coloring layer, gradation recording is realized within a range of driving energy according to each layer.

[0125]

As described above, according to the recording apparatus of the present invention, the color coloring layer formed by alternately and continuously arranging a plurality of coloring materials having different hues to be colored in a thin stripe pattern is formed. According to the image data to be recorded, the recording medium having a range of a length equal to the stripe width of the color material forming the color coloring layer in the sub-scanning direction and the stripe width in the main scanning direction. By driving a recording head that emits the coloring material for each length range multiplied by the number of types of materials, a color image can be recorded with square pixels, so that higher quality recording can be realized. .

Further, according to the recording apparatus of the next invention, the recording head is configured so as to be driven while dividing the color developing range in the main scanning direction into a plurality of parts, and according to the gradation signal of the image data to be recorded. By driving this recording head for each color range divided in the main scanning direction, a color image can be recorded with square pixels having a plurality of gradations, so that higher quality recording can be realized. .

Further, according to the recording apparatus of the next invention, the recording head is configured so as to be driven while dividing the color developing range in the sub-scanning direction into a plurality of sections, and according to a gradation signal of image data to be recorded. By driving the recording head for each color range divided in the sub-scanning direction, a color image can be recorded with square pixels having a plurality of gradations, so that higher quality recording can be realized. .

Further, according to the recording apparatus of the next invention, the recording medium has a monochromatic coloring layer in which a coloring material for producing a single hue is formed over the entire surface, and is formed in accordance with image data. By adjusting the driving energy of the recording head to cause the color material of the color coloring layer and / or the single color coloring layer to be colored, for example, the brightness information of the image data can be expressed by the black coloring layer, or the edge portion of the image data can be expressed. Therefore, a high-quality image with good contrast can be obtained.

Further, according to the recording apparatus of the next invention, the recording medium on which the image is recorded is irradiated with ultraviolet rays,
The progress of color development during storage of the recording medium is suppressed, and a high-quality image with excellent fixability can be easily obtained.

Furthermore, according to the recording method of the next invention, a recording medium having a color coloring layer in which a plurality of coloring materials having different coloring hues are alternately and continuously arranged in a thin striped pattern. On the other hand, according to the image data to be recorded, the length of the color material in the sub-scanning direction is equal to the stripe width of the color material forming the color developing layer, and the type of the color material is the stripe width in the main scanning direction. By coloring the color material for each length range multiplied by a number, a color image can be recorded with square pixels, so that higher quality recording can be realized.

Furthermore, according to the recording medium of the next invention, a plurality of types of coloring materials having different hues to be colored are arranged alternately and continuously in a thin stripe pattern, and each of the coloring materials is arranged in the sub-scanning direction. In the main scanning direction, a color is formed for each length range obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the coloring materials in the main scanning direction. Since a color image can be recorded with square pixels by providing a color-developing layer for forming pixels, higher-quality recording can be realized.

Further, according to the recording medium of the next invention, the recording medium includes the color coloring layer and a monochromatic coloring layer formed by disposing a coloring material for producing a single hue over the entire surface. And / or the color material of the monochromatic coloring layer has a length in the sub-scanning direction equal to the stripe width of the coloring material forming the color coloring layer, and the type of the coloring material in the stripe width in the main scanning direction. Colors are formed for each range of length multiplied by a number, and by forming a square pixel having a plurality of color materials of the color coloring layer and / or a color material of the single color coloring layer as a set, color is formed by square pixels. An image can be recorded and, for example, the luminance information of the image data can be expressed by the black coloring layer, and the edge portion of the image data can be expressed, so that a high-quality image with good contrast can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a recording medium according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between a heating element and a recording medium of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example of an area gradation pattern according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is another example of the area grayscale pattern according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between a heating element and a recording medium of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an example of an area gradation pattern according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is another example of the area gradation pattern according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a recording medium in a conventional recording method.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording medium 2 Recording head 3 Recording head driving means 4 Roller 5 Roller driving means 6 Heating element 6A, 6B, 6C Heating element small unit 7 Ultraviolet fixing means 10 Base layer 11 Color coloring layer 12 Black coloring layer 20 Striped colored layer 21 Rewritable layer 22 Surface protective layer

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium having a color coloring layer formed by alternately and continuously arranging a plurality of coloring materials having different hues to form a thin stripe pattern, and the color coloring layer in a sub-scanning direction. A recording head for coloring the color material in a range of a length equal to the stripe width of the color material forming the color material, and in the main scanning direction, a range of a length obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the color material; A printhead driving means for driving the printhead in accordance with image data to be printed. 2. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein said recording head is driven by dividing a coloring range in a main scanning direction into a plurality of parts, and said recording head driving means performs said recording in accordance with a gradation signal of said image data to be recorded. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is configured to drive the head for each of the coloring ranges divided in the main scanning direction. 3. The recording head is configured to be driven while dividing a coloring range in the sub-scanning direction into a plurality of sections, and the recording head driving unit performs the recording in accordance with a gradation signal of the image data to be recorded. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is configured to drive the head for each of the coloring ranges divided in the sub-scanning direction. 4. The recording medium has a monochromatic coloring layer formed by arranging a coloring material that produces a single hue over the entire surface, and the recording head is configured to control the color of the monochromatic coloring layer and / or the color of the monochromatic coloring layer. The recording head driving unit is configured to color the material, and the recording head driving unit is configured to drive the recording head by adjusting driving energy according to the image data to be recorded. Item 4. The recording device according to any one of Items 3. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet fixing unit that irradiates an ultraviolet ray to a recording medium on which an image is recorded. 6. A recording medium having a color coloring layer formed by alternately and continuously arranging a plurality of coloring materials having different hues to form a thin stripe pattern in accordance with image data to be recorded. In the sub-scanning direction, the length is equal to the stripe width of the color material forming the color coloring layer, and in the main scanning direction, the stripe width is multiplied by the number of types of the coloring material. A recording method characterized by coloring a coloring material. 7. A plurality of types of coloring materials having different hues to be colored are arranged alternately and continuously in a thin stripe-like pattern, each having a length equal to the stripe width of the coloring material in the sub-scanning direction. In the scanning direction, a color is generated for each range of the stripe width multiplied by the number of types of the coloring materials,
A recording medium, comprising: a color-developing layer that forms a square pixel in which the plurality of types of color materials constitute one set. 8. A color-developing layer comprising: a color-developing layer; and a single-color-developing layer formed by disposing a colorant that produces a single hue over the entire surface. In the sub-scanning direction, for each of the length ranges equal to the stripe width of the color material forming the color developing layer, and in the main scanning direction, for each of the length ranges obtained by multiplying the stripe width by the number of types of the coloring material. The recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the recording medium is colored to form a square pixel including a plurality of types of coloring materials of the color coloring layer and / or a coloring material of the single color coloring layer.