Patent ID: 6417915
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An image-forming system, comprising:an image-forming substrate that includes a base member, and a layer of microcapsules on said base member, said layer of microcapsules containing at least one type of microcapsules filled with a dye, said microcapsules exhibiting a temperature/pressure characteristic so as to be squashed when being simultaneously subjected to a predetermined pressure above atmospheric pressure and a predetermined temperature above ambient temperature, resulting in a discharge of said dye from said squashed microcapsule; and an image-forming apparatus that forms an image on said image-forming substrate, said image-forming apparatus including a pressure applicator that locally exerts said predetermined pressure on said layer of microcapsules, and a thermal heater that selectively heats a localized area of said layer of microcapsules, on which said predetermined pressure is exerted by said pressure applicator, to said predetermined temperature in accordance with an image-information data, such that said microcapsules in said layer of microcapsules are selectively squashed, and an image is produced on said image-forming substrate.