Fuji Photo Film Company, Limited

Akihiko Machida

Nobuo Katsuma

Yoshihiro Yamaguchi

Hiroyuki Matsukawa

Kenichi Inatsuki

Satoru Ikeya

A thermal printer in which color thermosensitive recording material is used is provided. A thermal head records an image to the recording material by applying heat thereto. One or two photo fixing xenon flash lamps apply electromagnetic rays to the recording material, to fix the image. The electromagnetic rays are emitted in the first and second wavelength ranges, and are ultraviolet or visible. A controller changes over electromagnetic rays received by the recording material from the xenon flash lamps. The controller, when in a first step, sets the electromagnetic rays in the first wavelength range by means of a UV absorbing filter, to fix a first coloring layer for yellow. In a second step next to the first, the electromagnetic rays are set in the second wavelength range, to fix a second coloring layer for magenta.

Thermal printer and electromagnetic wave source device

A yellow luminous-element array, which is an optical fixing unit, includes a large number of yellow LEDs emitting ultraviolet rays. The LEDs in each of lines extending in a feeding direction are connected in series. Integral illuminance of each line is adjusted by changing electrical energy to be supplied to the respective lines. The integral illuminance of each line extending in the feeding direction is measured to obtain illuminance distribution relative to a scanning direction when the yellow luminous-element array is examined at the time of manufacture thereof. The integral illuminance of each line is corrected so as to even the illuminance distribution.

Optical fixing unit, illuminance correcting method for the same, and thermal printer

A flat fluorescent lamp has a vessel or housing including first and second substrates opposed to each other at a small distance, and having discharge gas enclosed therein. A first planar electrode layer being transparent is disposed on an inner surface of the first substrate. A second planar electrode layer is disposed on an inner surface of the second substrate, for electrical discharge in cooperation with the first planar electrode layer. First and second dielectric layers are disposed on respectively the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates to cover the first and second planar electrode layers. First and second fluorescent layers are overlaid on respectively inner surfaces of the first and second dielectric layers, for emitting electromagnetic rays upon the electrical discharge between the first and second planar electrode layers. A pattern of plural projections is formed with the inner surface of the second dielectric layer.

Growing community of inventors

Saitama, Japan

Akihiko Machida