Printing apparatus of photosensitive microcapsule type and image processing system using the same

Abstract

A printing apparatus of a photosensitive microcapsule type comprises a chassis, a cassette for storing printing paper containing photosensitive microcapsules, a printing paper feeding device for intermittently feeding the printing paper in a feeding direction, and a printing paper pickup device for feeding the printing paper from the cassette to a preselected location from which the printing paper is intermittently fed by the printing paper feeding device. A scan shaft is mounted on the chassis for undergoing rotation about a rotational axis extending generally perpendicular to the feeding direction of the printing paper. A first spiral groove is formed in the scan shaft along a clockwise direction and has opposite ends. A second spiral groove is formed in the scan shaft along a counterclockwise direction and has opposite ends each connected to a respective end of the first spiral groove so that the first and second spiral grooves form a loop. A carriage is slidably mounted on the scan shaft for undergoing reciprocal movement along the scan shaft during rotation of the scan shaft. Light emitting diodes are disposed on the carriage for selectively irradiating onto the printing paper light corresponding to image data when the carriage is reciprocated along the scan shaft. A pressurizing device applies pressure to the printing paper to which light is irradiated by the light emitting diodes to collapse the photosensitive microcapsules contained in the printing paper to form an image on the printing paper.