Optical printing system

Abstract

In an optical printing system for printing an image on a recording sheet, adopted as the recording sheet is a sheet coated with microcapsules on one surface thereof. Each microcapsule envelopes a first component which changes color when reacts with a second component. The second component may be coated on the recording sheet or may be coated on a separate developing sheet. The microcapsule further envelopes a third component which varies the mechanical strength of microcapsule when light is projected thereto. An image is formed on the recording sheet by selectively exposing a light thereto in accordance with the image to be printed thereon, and the microcapsules on the recording sheet whose mechanical strength is low are then ruptured by rupturing means. Thereby, the color is developed or the recording sheet on the separate developing sheet by the reaction of the first component with the second component.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.