Abstract: A method of issuing a wireless tag includes a step of printing visual information corresponding to at least part of predetermined information to be stored in a nonvolatile memory of the tag on an image recording area of the tag, a step of writing the predetermined information into the memory by transmitting the information to the wireless tag by radio, and a step of reading the information written into the memory therefrom by radio and checking the read information with the predetermined information before writing. The number of checks made on a wireless tag is counted. A wireless tag for which the number of checks made reaches a predetermined number is recalled as defective.

Abstract: A wireless data storage medium comprising an image recording section for rewritably recording and displaying a visible image, and wireless data storage means less in flexibility produced by bonding the wireless data storage section with the image recording section in such a manner that only part of a whole structure of the wireless data storage section is superposed on part of a whole structure of the image recording section, for storing and reading data on a memory for storing data by performing communication with an external system by use of the memory and an antenna.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus that includes ink with including fine particles and the apparent viscosity being changeable apparently by receiving an electric field, and a voltage applying unit for forming the electric field to make the ink walls. The ink walls are formed by lining up the fine particles in the ink. The ink walls make ink flow channels to flow and discharge ink to form image on a recording medium based on the recording information.

Abstract: A recording head of an image forming apparatus comprises an insulating base, a plurality of ejection electrodes formed on the base, and an ink tank arranged on the upper surface of the base so as to cover the ejection electrodes. An ejection point at the distal end of each ejection electrode projects outside the ink tank through a slit in the ink tank. A grounded platen roller is provided at a position to sandwich a paper sheet with the ejection electrodes. A bias power supply for applying a bias voltage to a certain ejection electrode selected in accordance with an image signal, and a recording voltage generation section for applying a recording voltage to this ejection electrode are connected to the rear ends of the ejection electrodes. The recording voltage consists of an agglomeration voltage for collecting charged coloring material particles at the selected ejection electrode, and an ejection voltage for ejecting the coloring material particles at the selected ejection electrode.

Abstract: Capacitors 32 connected to their corresponding matrix-shaped picture elements 33 are connected to an image forming unit 20 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. Switching elements 31 are also connected to the image forming unit 20. When the switching elements 31 are made conductive, their corresponding capacitors 32 are charged from a power source arranged outside, and a potential appears in each of their corresponding picture elements 33. Therefore, the electrostatic latent image can be more stably formed on these matrix-shaped picture elements over a time period which is determined by time constant. AS the result, electrostatic latent image formation can be achieved without using any ozone-generating pre-charger. In addition, the electrostatic latent image forming unit can keep its toner holding force even after the developing process to enable an image to be more reliably and clearly reproduced.

Abstract: A data storing medium comprising a substrate, a first display portion, provided on the substrate, for displaying predetermined data, the first display portion having a first recording material storing data by first recording energy and erasing stored data of history of the use by predetermined erasing energy, and a second display portion, provided on the substrate, for displaying the same data as displayed by the first display portion, the second display portion having a second recording material for storing the data by a second recording energy different from the first recording energy, and stored data being impossible to be erased.

Abstract: A magnetic recording layer is formed on one surface of a card-shaped base plate. A printing layer, for printing visible information such as "matters to be attended", is formed on the magnetic recording layer. A laser recording layer is formed on the other surface of the base plate. A visible image, which can be color-developed by radiation of a laser beam, can be recorded on the laser recording layer. The surface of the recording layer is coated with a transparent protection film, and a predetermined pattern is printed on the protection film. The laser recording layer includes a photothermic conversion material and a thermosensitive recording material. The photothermic conversion material has a major absorption wavelength corresponding to a major wavelength of the laser beam. A visible image can be recorded on the card by means of a laser beam without damaging a predetermined pattern on the protection film.

Abstract: A data storing medium comprising a substrate, a first display portion, provided on the substrate, for displaying predetermined data, the first display portion having a first recording material storing data by first recording energy, and erasing stored data of history of the use by predetermined erasing energy, and a second display portion, provided on the substrate, for displaying the same data as displayed by the first display portion, the second display portion having a second recording material for storing the data by a second recording energy different from the first recording energy, and stored data being impossible to be erased.

Abstract: A thermal recording medium is provided for recording dot thereon by an opaque state thereof when applied with thermal recording energy and for erasing dot therefrom by a transparent state when applied with thermal erasing energy. The thermal energy is supplied from a thermal head to the recording medium as multiple pulses in a one-dot forming period. Heat generated from the thermal head is controlled by an activation pulse computing section to gradually increase the recording energy and erasing energy to be applied to the recording medium to provide a gentle change in the temperature rise of the recording medium, thereby reducing the temperature change per unit time and ensuring finer control, thus accomplishing stable information recording and erasing.

Abstract: A magnetic recording layer is formed on one surface of a card-shaped base plate. A printing layer, for printing visible information such as "matters to be attended", is formed on the magnetic recording layer. A laser recording layer is formed on the other surface of the base plate. A visible image, which can be color-developed by radiation of a laser beam, can be recorded on the laser recording layer. The surface of the recording layer is coated with a transparent protection film, and a predetermined pattern is printed on the protection film. The laser recording layer includes a photothermic conversion material and a thermosensitive recording material. The photothermic conversion material has a major absorption wavelength corresponding to a major wavelength of the laser beam. A visible image can be recorded on the card by means of a laser beam without damaging a predetermined pattern on the protection film.

Abstract: A magnetic recording layer for storing information is formed on the lower surface of a card, and a protective film is formed on the magnetic recording layer. Permanent information, e.g., the valid term of the card and the name of a user, and variable information, e.g., card use history information, are magnetically recorded on the magnetic recording layer. A printed layer is formed on the upper surface of the card. Permanent information such as the valid term of the card and the name of the user is printed on the printed layer. A braille portion indicating purpose of the card in braille is formed on the upper surface of the card.

Abstract: The light-transmitting electrode is arranged in correspondence with a pixel, and the photoconductive element and the capacitor element which are arranged on one surface of the light-transmitting electrode and connected in series with each other through the light-transmitting electrode are arranged on a substrate. The plurality of photoelectric converters each of which can apply a voltage across the corresponding photoconductive and capacitor elements are two-dimentionally arranged, and the photoconductive elements and the capacitor elements are commonly connected to each other. A voltage is applied across the photoconductive elements and the capacitor elements.

Abstract: A printing system for recording and erasing a visible image onto and from a recording medium presenting two states, recording and erasing, by different heating processes, comprises a temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature, a thermal head, a circuit for computing the temperature difference between a reference ambient temperature and the ambient temperature obtained from the sensor, a circuit for controlling the electrically energizing time of the thermal head in accordance with the temperature difference obtained at the computing circuit, and means for controlling the supply voltage to the thermal head according to the temperature difference. When ambient temperature around the system is lower than the reference ambient temperature, the electrically energizing time of the thermal head is increased. When the ambient temperature is higher than the reference ambient temperature, the supply voltage to the thermal head is decreased.

Abstract: An energy computing section computes recording energy when target pixels are mark dots or computes erasing energy when target pixels are space dots. A reading section reads out recording-number information specifying recording times from the magnetic recording portion of a recording medium at the time of recording a visible image. An energy compensating section compensates for the energy, computed by the computing section, based on the recording-number information from the reading section. An image recording/erasing section selectively applies the compensated energy to the recording medium through a thermal head, thereby recording a new visible image over an old one. A counter updates the recording-number information from the reading section. A recording section records the updated recording-number information on the magnetic recording portion of the recording medium as new recording-number information.

Abstract: A visible image displaying medium comprises a substrate on which a visible image is formed, and a displaying layer, disposed on the substrate, when the displaying layer is heated to a first temperature, changing to a transparent state to display the visible image and when the displaying layer is heated to a second temperature higher than the first temperature, changing to a cloudy state to shut the visible image.

Abstract: A thermal recording system having a plurality of thermal elements, accurately records and erases images on a recording medium. The images are recorded on or erased from the recording medium by selectively supplying the recording energy or erasing energy to the thermal elements. The system calculates a dot ratio concerning the proportion of the total value of mark dots and space dots to the number of total dots, in a reference area on the recording medium. Moreover, the system has a plurality of weighting tables in accordance with the dot ratio, the weighting tables include correction value respectively. The system selects one of the weighting tables and control the recording energy and the erasing energy to be supplied to the thermal elements, with reference to the correction value of the selected weighting table.

Abstract: With an automatic wicket apparatus, a commutation ticket is provided With a second record section for recording a character pattern corresponding to information for entrance or exit in the form of a magnetic latent image, besides a first record section for encoding and recording the information for entrance or exit. At the time of entrance, a character pattern including the date of entrance and entraining station name is recorded as a magnetic latent image in the second record section. At the time of exit, a character pattern including the date of exit and alighting station name is recorded as a magnetic latent image in the second record section. In case of suspicion, the character pattern in the form of a magnetic latent image in the second record section of the record medium is visualized by using a magnetic latent image-visible image conversion member.

Abstract: A printing system for recording and erasing a visible image on/from a recording medium being changed between transparent and non-transparent states depending on a heating temperature. A thermal recording device which includes a section for electrically energizing a heating element using a driving pulse train is used to head the recording medium, thereby changing its state. The first driving pulse train has a plurality of pulses of a first duty factor in one dot formation period for recording each non-transparent dot on the recording medium. A second driving pulse train for electrically energizing the heating elements has pulses of a second duty factor which are different from the first duty factor, the number of second pulses being substantially the same as that of the first driving pulse train in order to record the transparent dot on the recording medium or to erase the non-transparent dot from the recording medium.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus which records and erases a visible image on a recording medium. On the recording medium, the visible image is recorded by supplying first thermal energy thereto, and the recorded visible image is erased by supplying second thermal energy thereto.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes a platen for transporting a recording medium at a prescribed speed, a ribbon drive for transporting a thermoplastic ink ribbon which has a thermoplastic agent and thermal expansible particles contained in the thermoplastic agent in parallel with the recording medium at a speed slower than the transporting speed of the recording medium and a heater for selectively heating the thermoplastic ink ribbon so as to transfer the thermoplastic agent onto the recording medium.