Abstract: A color image forming method and apparatus using larger microcapsules each of which contains a plurality of kinds of smaller microcapsules scattered within the larger microcapsule, reacting substances that are mixed with each other to perform a coloring reaction being scattered inside and outside the smaller microcapsule. A protective wall of each smaller microcapsule is broken with a corresponding predetermined ultrasonic stimulus depending upon color component information to thereby cause the reacting substances to diffuse with each other to perform a coloring reaction and hence image printing. The conditions for breaking the protective walls of the respective smaller microcapsules that contain a color former component vary from smaller microcapsule to smaller microcapsule, or are determined depending upon the outer shapes, materials and thickness of the protective walls of the smaller microcapsules.

Abstract: Ink for use in an ink-jet color recording apparatus and a plurality of kinds of small microcapsules dispersed in the solvent, each small microcapsule having an outer shell destroyable with ultrasonic waves of a predetermined resonant frequency, each small microcapsule containing a color former within its outer shell with the outer surface of the outer shell covered with a developer. The plurality of kinds of small microcapsules are destroyed selectively with the corresponding predetermined stimuli to thereby produce magenta, cyan, yellow or black. The ink is colorless before producing the color. The ink-jet color recording apparatus irradiates the plurality of small microcapsules with ultrasonic waves of a selected frequency corresponding to a desired color to thereby change the color of the ink on a path through which the ink is fed from a color ink feeding device to an ink cartridge.

Abstract: A color image forming method and apparatus using larger microcapsules each of which contains a plurality of kinds of smaller microcapsules scattered within the larger microcapsule, reacting substances that are mixed with each other to perform a coloring reaction being scattered inside and outside the smaller microcapsule. A protective wall of each smaller microcapsule is broken with a corresponding predetermined ultrasonic stimulus depending upon color component information to thereby cause the reacting substances to diffuse with each other to perform a coloring reaction and hence image printing. The conditions for breaking the protective walls of the respective smaller microcapsules that contain a color former component vary from smaller microcapsule to smaller microcapsule, or are determined depending upon the outer shapes, materials and thickness of the protective walls of the smaller microcapsules.