Abstract: A thermal transfer printer is used for printing colored patterns on a flexible material. A conductive-color-ink ribbon contains inks of cyan, magenta and yellow in which conductive powders are added. The colored pattern formed by using this ink ribbon has conductivity. The colored patterns are separated by color every pattern through which an identical circuit signal is carried. As to the color-coded patterns, it is possible to distinguish the pattern through which another circuit signal is carried. An FPC comprising the color-coded patterns has high pattern-visibility so that it is possible to prevent improper connection or the like from occurring.

Abstract: An image recording surface of an exposed instant film is held so as to face an optical head module. Read light (white light) emitted from a light source passes a transparent portion of a color-separation filter, a first mirror, a first graded-index-type optical fiber array, and a second mirror in order. Then, the read light is radiated toward an instant film from an opening of the optical head module. The second mirror is set to a read position where the read light is inclined by a predetermined angle relative to the instant film. The read light is reflected by the image recording surface of the instant film and enters a line-CCD sensor via a second graded-index-type optical fiber array. By moving the optical head module in a sub-scanning direction, it is possible to read an image from the instant film.

Abstract: A magenta fixing unit comprises an ultraviolet lamp and a reflector. The ultraviolet lamp is set in a width direction of a color thermosensitive recording paper. The reflector is disposed so as to cover the ultraviolet lamp. The fixing unit is structured such that the center of the ultraviolet lamp is near to a left edge of the reflector rather than a right edge thereof. By this structure, illuminance is heightened at a left side of a fixation area in comparison with a conventional fixing unit. When using the ultraviolet lamp having conventional light intensity, ultraviolet rays of a lager amount are radiated to an end portion of a record area at the time of stop fixation, in comparison with the conventional one. Time to be taken for the stop fixation is shortened.

Abstract: A printer-incorporated electronic still camera has a pack loading chamber in which a film pack is loaded by opening a pack loading door. The film pack contains a predetermined number of self-developing type instant film sheets. A film pack detection switch is provided in the pack loading chamber, and is turned on upon being pressed by the loaded film pack. A film counter mechanism cooperating with a pair of spread rollers is provided for outputting a signal each time the instant film sheet is ejected through the spread rollers out of the camera. When the film pack detection switch is turned on, a system controller sets the predetermined number as an initial value, and counts down from the initial value each time it receives the signal from the film counter mechanism, to determine the remaining number of instant film sheets. If the user designates a greater number of hard copies to print than the remaining number of instant film sheets, an alarm is given to the user.

Abstract: An image recording surface of an exposed instant film is held so as to face an optical head module. Read light (white light) emitted from a light source passes a transparent portion of a color-separation filter, a first mirror, a first graded-index-type optical fiber array, and a second mirror in order. Then, the read light is radiated toward an instant film from an opening of the optical head module. The second mirror is set to a read position where the read light is inclined by a predetermined angle relative to the instant film. The read light is reflected by the image recording surface of the instant film and enters a line-CCD sensor via a second graded-index-type optical fiber array. By moving the optical head module in a sub-scanning direction, it is possible to read an image from the instant film.

Abstract: An APS (Advanced Photo System) film of new type has a plurality of image recording areas along the center thereof, a first longitudinal side edge of the film is formed to have perforations corresponding to the image recording areas, and a second longitudinal side edge of the film is formed to have optical information recording areas corresponding to the image recording areas. While the APS film is being conveyed in its longitudinal direction the perforations are sensed and optical information in the optical information recording areas is read with the sensed perforations serving as a reference.