Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program capable of excellently maintaining appearance of an image formed on a printing medium even when only one of a plurality of colors is developed in the periphery of an image composed of a color mixture of the plurality of colors.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus records an image on a recording medium in which a first layer developing a first color when exceeding first temperature, a second layer developing a second color when exceeding second temperature lower than the first temperature, and a third layer developing a third color when exceeding third temperature lower than the second temperature are arranged in this order in a thickness direction while conveying the recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes a head applying energy to the recording medium from the first layer side and a control unit configured to control the energy to be applied to the recording medium by the head. The control unit develops the second color or the third color (S31 and S33), and then develops the first color (S35). As a result, a color mixture image of the first color, the second color, and the third color is formed on the recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus that records an image on a recording medium in which a first layer that develops a first color when the temperature exceeds a first temperature, a second layer that develops a second color when the temperature exceeds a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and a third layer that develops a third color when the temperature exceeds a third temperature lower than the second temperature are arranged in this order in the thickness direction, while transporting the recording medium. A head that applies energy to the recording medium from the first layer side, A control unit that controls the energy that the head applies to the recording medium. Equipped with, The control unit, After the recording medium is colored with the second or third color, the head is controlled to apply energy to the recording medium so that it is colored with the first color, thereby forming a mixed image of the first, second, and third colors on the recording medium. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following.

2. The control unit, By controlling the time average of the power supplied to the head for the first hour to be equal to or greater than the first average power, energy is supplied to the recording medium, thereby forming an image of only the first color on the recording medium. By controlling the time average of the power supplied to the head for a second time period longer than the first time period to be greater than or equal to a second average power which is less than the first average power, energy is supplied to the recording medium, thereby forming an image of only the second color on the recording medium. By controlling the time average of the power supplied to the head for a third time longer than the second time to be greater than or equal to the third average power which is less than the second average power, energy is supplied to the recording medium, thereby forming an image of only the third color on the recording medium. The power supplied to the head during the first period is controlled to be less than the first average power, and the power supplied to the head during the second period is controlled to be less than or equal to the second average power, thereby forming a mixed image of the first color, the second color, and the third color on the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first color is yellow, the second color is magenta, and the third color is cyan.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first color is yellow, the second color is cyan, and the third color is magenta.

5. The control unit, The power supplied to the head during the first period is controlled to be less than the first average power, and the power supplied to the head during the second period is controlled to be less than the second average power, thereby forming a mixed image of the first color, the second color, and the third color on the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

6. The control unit, The power supplied to the head during the first period is controlled to be less than the first average power, and the power supplied to the head during the second period is controlled to be the same as the second average power, thereby forming a mixed image of the first color, the second color, and the third color on the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

7. An image forming method for recording an image on a recording medium in which a first layer that develops a first color when the temperature exceeds a first temperature, a second layer that develops a second color when the temperature exceeds a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and a third layer that develops a third color when the temperature exceeds a third temperature lower than the second temperature are arranged in this order in the thickness direction, while transporting the recording medium. A first step involves applying energy to the recording medium from a head that applies energy from the first layer side of the recording medium, thereby causing the recording medium to develop the second or third color. After producing the second or third color in the first step, the second step involves applying energy from the head to the recording medium to produce the first color on the recording medium. Equipped with, An image forming method characterized by forming an image on the recording medium that is a mixture of the first color, the second color, and the third color.

8. A recording medium having a first layer that develops a first color when the temperature exceeds a first temperature, a second layer that develops a second color when the temperature exceeds a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and a third layer that develops a third color when the temperature exceeds a third temperature lower than the second temperature, arranged in this order in the thickness direction, is used in a computer of an image forming apparatus that records an image while transporting the recording medium. A first step involves applying energy to the recording medium from a head that applies energy from the first layer side of the recording medium, thereby causing the recording medium to develop the second or third color. After producing the second or third color in the first step, the second step involves applying energy from the head to the recording medium to produce the first color on the recording medium. Make it run, An image forming program characterized by forming an image on the recording medium that is a mixture of the first color, the second color, and the third color.

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