Patent ID: 6246423
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A thermal writing device that forms an image on an image-forming substrate including a base member and a layer of microcapsules, coated over the base member, the layer containing microcapsules filled with a dye, the microcapsules exhibiting a pressure/temperature characteristic such that the microcapsules are squashed under a predetermined pressure at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range, the device comprising:an elongated body, having a tip-end and configured to be handholdable;a heater element movably provided on said tip-end of said elongated body, said heater element being positioned to extend beyond a level defined by an end face of said tip-end, when said heater element does not contact the image-forming substrate;an elastic element, generating an elastic-force, provided in said tip-end of said elongated body and associated with said heater element to be elastically biased such that, when said tip-end of said elongated body is pressed against said image-forming substrate, said heater element is depressed against said elastic-force of said elastic member, thereby exerting said predetermined pressure on said image-forming substrate;an electrical driver that electrically energizes said heater element to said temperature within said predetermined temperature range;a determiner that determines whether said heater element is withdrawn from the extended position, to a level defined by said end face, when said tip-end of said elongated body is pressed against the image-forming substrate; anda controller that controls said electrical driver such that said electrical energization of said heater element is started, when the withdrawal of said heater elements from the extended position is confirmed by said determiner;an indicator that indicates that said pressure, exerted by said heater element on said image-forming substrate, reaches said predetermined pressure, when the withdrawal of said heater elements from the extended position is confirmed by said determiner;wherein a pressure, exerted by said heater element on said image-forming substrate, reaches said predetermined pressure when said heater element is withdrawn from the extended position, when said tip-end of said elongated body is pressed against said image-forming substrate.