Abstract: Using a thermal writing device, an image is drawn on an image-forming sheet that includes a base and a layer of microcapsules, coated over the base, containing microcapsules filled with a dye. The microcapsules are squashed under a predetermined pressure at a temperature falling in a predetermined temperature range. The device includes an elongated body, having a tip-end, designed to be grasped by a user's hand, a heater movably provided on the tip-end of the body, and a spring provided in the tip-end of the body. The spring is associated with the heater to be elastically biased such that, when the tip-end of the body is pressed against the sheet, the heater is depressed against an elastic-force of the spring, thereby exerting the predetermined pressure on the sheet. An electrical driver that electrically energizes the heater to heat to a temperature falling in the predetermined temperature range is also provided.

Abstract: An image-forming liquid medium comprised of a solution containing a surface-active agent, and at least two types of microcapsule mixed with the solution. A first type of microcapsule is filled with a first dye, and a second type of microcapsule is filled with a second dye. A first shell of the first type microcapsule is formed of a first resin that exhibits a first characteristic such that, when the first type microcapsule is squashed and broken under simultaneous application of a first pressure at a first temperature, the first dye seeps from the squashed and broken microcapsule. A second shell of the second type of microcapsule is formed of a second resin that exhibits a second characteristic such that, when the second type microcapsule is squashed and broken under simultaneous application of a second pressure at a second temperature, the second dye seeps from the squashed and broken microcapsule.

Abstract: A plurality of thermal line heads for different colors, extending perpendicularly to a conveyer path of an image-forming sheet, are aligned along the conveyer path. The thermal line heads are controlled to simultaneously generate image-pixels on printing lines shifted in the direction of the conveyer path, on the image-forming sheet. The printing speed is high due to a plurality of colors being simultaneously printed. The thermal line heads can be applied to high-speed printing of a monochrome image on a heat-sensitive paper.

Abstract: An ink transfer printer has an electrically-insulated base plate. An array of electric heater elements, aligned with each other, is provided on a surface of the base plate, the heater elements being selectively and electrically energized in accordance with a series of digital image-pixel signals. A frame member, having an opening, is securely provided on the base plate such that the array of elements is encompassed by the opening of the frame member. A sheet of film covers the frame member such that the opening of the frame member is defined as an ink space fillable with ink, and the film sheet has a plurality of fine pores arranged along the array, with at least one of the plurality of fine pores being allocated to each of the heater elements. A heat dissipating conductor is formed of a thermal conductive material, and is associated with the film sheet such that thermal energy, locally generated by an electrical energization of at least one of the electric heater elements, is promptly dissipated.

Abstract: A rewriteable image-recording substrate has a base sheet, and an image-developing layer coated over a surface of the base sheet. The image-developing layer is composed of a plurality of split-tube elements formed of a shape memory resin exhibiting a predetermined glass-transition temperature. Each of the split-tube elements has a split formed along a central axis thereof, and is securely adhered to the surface of the base sheet such that the split of each split-tube element is oriented away from the surface of the base sheet. An outer peripheral surface of each split-tube element is colored with, for example, white, and an inner cylindrical surface thereof is colored with, for example, black.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for controlling a temperature of a heating resistor included on a thermal head of a printer. The temperature control apparatus includes a sensing circuit for sensing the temperature of the heating resistor from a current flowing through the heating resistor. The temperature control apparatus includes a switching device for switching the current activated by a status signal, and a holding circuit, which holds the status signal indicating whether each heating resister is to be heated. The holding circuit is cleared when the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: In an image-forming system, an image-forming substrate is used that includes a paper sheet, and a microcapsule layer, coated over the paper sheet, which contains at least one type of microcapsule filled with a dye. Each microcapsule exhibits a characteristic such that, when a microcapsule is compacted under a given pressure at a given temperature, the dye seeps from the compacted microcapsule. A pressure/temperature applicator includes a roller platen, a thermal head having at least one arcuate bimetal element associated with the platen such that the substrate can be interposed between the platen and the thermal head, and an electrical energization system that electrically heats the arcuate bimetal element in accordance with image-information data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small-size, small-weight, low-cost artificial respiration apparatus which can easily be used in an ordinary hospital. The artificial respiration apparatus 10 includes: a positive blower 12p for generating a positive air pressure Ap; a negative blower 12n for generating a negative air pressure An; a rotary valve mechanism 54 for alternately selecting the positive pressure Ap generated by the positive blower 12p and the negative pressure An generated by the negative blower 12n and converting them into an oscillating air pressure Apn; and a diaphragm block 56 urged by the oscillating air pressure Apn from the rotary valve mechanism 54 to operate to supply air to a patient P. Use of the positive blower 12p and the negative blower 12n significantly reduces the load, enabling to use ones available on market, i.e., small-size, small-weight, low-consumption blowers.

Abstract: An image-forming system has an image-forming substrate that includes a base sheet, and a layer of microcapsules, coated over the base sheet, containing a plurality of at least one type of microcapsules filled with an ink. When a dot area of the layer of microcapsules is subjected to a pressure in a predetermined pressure range at a temperature in a predetermined temperature range, at least a portion of the plurality of at least one type of microcapsules, included in the dot area, are squashed and broken, thereby causing discharge of the dye from the squashed and broken microcapsules. A thermal printer includes a roller platen for exerting the pressure on the dot area, a thermal head for applying a thermal energy to the dot area to heat the same to the predetermined temperature, and a regulator that regulates a degree of application of the thermal energy to the dot area, thereby enabling a variation in the density of the discharge of the dye at the dot area to be obtainable.

Abstract: An additive is dispersed in a matrix having a larger thermal expansion coefficient, which forms a film that prevents the permeation of the ink at the room temperature while allowing the permeation of the ink at high temperature. An ink roller is formed by covering a roller-like sponge body containing ink (an ink holder) with the film. Along the outer circumference of the ink roller, a thermal head that heats the surface of the ink roller according to a print pattern and a platen roller that sandwiches recording sheet between itself and the ink roller are disposed. Then, by rotating the ink roller and heating the thermal head, the ink permeates through the heated part of the film and is transferred to the recording sheet to form an ink image on the recording sheet.

Abstract: A microcapsule includes a shape memory resin shell wall formed with fissures that do not completely pass through the shell wall, and a dye encapsulated in the shell wall. The shell wall exhibits a temperature/pressure characteristic such that the fissures open, when the shell wall is squashed and compacted under a predetermined pressure at a predetermined temperature, whereby a seepage of the dye frog the squashed and compacted shell wall through the opened fissures is adjustable.

Abstract: When a desired plurality of document data are selected from a recorded plurality of document data and read into a text memory, the selected plurality of document data are combined into a document data string, and cut instruction data is added between any two adjacent document data. Printing lengths of a tape are calculated for the respective document data sectioned by the cut instruction data, so that positions where the tape is cut are calculated and then stored in a cut position memory. In connection with printing of the document string developed into a print data memory from the text memory, a cut instruction signal is output and the tape is cut each time the number of motor driving steps for tape carriage matches a respective one of the cut positions.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive recording apparatus has a pre-coating container that pre-coats a recording sheet prior to a printing operation on the recording sheet. The pre-coating material container, ribbon cassette and an over-coating material container are provided in a recording head, while being movable in a printing direction lead by the pre-coating material container. The printed color-image is protected by an over-coating material dispensed from the trailing over-coating material container.

Abstract: A mode control system is provided for a printer having an internal battery. The mode control system selects at least a charge operation for charging the battery and a printing operation for printing an image on a recording sheet fed into the printer. The mode control system also includes a manually operable member. A duration of an operation of the manually operable member is detected, and one of the charge operation and the print operation is selected in accordance with the duration of the operation of the manually operable member.

Abstract: A plurality of thermal heads for different colors, are disposed in parallel in a line-printing direction, being offset with respect to each other in a transport direction along which an image-forming sheet is moved via a conveyer path. The image forming sheet is a pressure/temperature-sensitive sheet or a temperature-sensitive sheet. The thermal heads are moved in the line-printing direction. Adjacent-opposing ends of adjacent thermal heads are separated in the line-printing direction, and overlap in the transport direction. The thermal heads are controlled so as to simultaneously generate image-pixels on the image-forming sheet. The printing speed is high due to a plurality of colors being simultaneously printed. The thermal heads are used as part of pressure applying unit. The pressure applying unit is provided for selectively applying predetermined pressure to the micro-capsules, when the image-forming sheet is a pressure/temperature-sensitive sheet.

Abstract: In a thermal printer having a plurality of thermal elements arranged in a line, voltage of a battery which is to be applied to the thermal elements is detected. Based on the detected voltage, the period of time during which the thermal elements are driven is determined.

Abstract: The inventive computer includes a RAM which sequentially stores a series of calculation expression data thereto, a proof unit which proves the series of calculation expression data by inputting those data again, and a display which displays calculation data found to be non-coincident in the proof operation. First, when a series of calculation expression data is input to the computer, the computer performs a required calculation on the series of calculation expression data and sequentially stores the data in the RAM. After the series of calculations on the data is completed, the user inputs data on designation of a proof operation to confirm whether the result of the calculation is correct. Thus, the proof mode is selected and a second series of calculation expression data is input.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting running workpiece includes a cutter for cutting, while the workpiece is running, the workpiece continuously supplied to run in a direction, and a travel member secured to the cutter, movable along the workpiece in contact with the workpiece. Since the travel member movable along the workpiece in contact with the workpiece is secured to the cutter, the cutter can follow a workpiece which is straight, curving or curving with a changing curvature. The cutter can be supported to be two-dimensionally movable to cut the workpiece in any form.

Abstract: A cassette casing for holding an ink film ribbon has a discharge outlet for the ink film ribbon. A winding core is rotatably mounted in the cassette casing. An ink film ribbon is wound on the winding core and has one end thereof discharged through the discharge outlet. At least one slide contact member is disposed at the discharge outlet and contacts the ink film ribbon along the full width of the ink film ribbon.

Abstract: A device having a checking function includes a detector for detecting unrelated data included in first inputted calculation data which is not related to a predetermined calculation to be performed on the first inputted calculation data. A memory controller is provided for controlling a memory so as not to store the unrelated data included in the first inputted calculation data when the detector detects the unrelated data. A check mode may be set whereby second inputted calculation data is compared with the stored first inputted calculation data and whereby it is then determined whether the second inputted calculation data is coincident with the stored first inputted calculation data. In addition, an indicator is provided for alerting a user when it is determined that the second inputted calculation data is not coincident with the stored first inputted calculation data.