Image processing method and image processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image processing method including at least one of recording an image onto a thermoreversible recording medium in which transparency or color tone reversibly changes depending upon temperature, by applying a laser beam with the use of a semiconductor laser device so as to heat the thermoreversible recording medium, and erasing an image recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, by heating the thermoreversible recording medium, wherein an intensity distribution of the laser beam applied in the image recording step satisfies the relationship represented by Expression 1 shown below, 1.20≦ I 1 /I 2 ≦1.29   Expression 1 where I 1 denotes an irradiation intensity of the applied laser beam in a central position of the applied laser beam, and I 2 denotes an irradiation intensity of the applied laser beam on a plane corresponding to 95% of the total irradiation energy of the applied laser beam.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An image processing apparatus comprising:
 a laser beam emitting unit that is a semiconductor laser device,   a beam scanning unit disposed on a surface from which a laser beam is emitted in the laser beam emitting unit,   a beam condensing unit configured to condense a laser beam, and   an irradiation intensity distribution adjusting unit configured to change an irradiation intensity distribution of a laser beam,   wherein the image processing apparatus is used in an image processing method which comprises at least one of recording an image onto a thermoreversible recording medium in which transparency or color tone reversibly changes depending upon temperature, by applying a laser beam with the use of the semiconductor laser device so as to heat the thermoreversible recording medium, and erasing an image recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, by heating the thermoreversible recording medium,   wherein the intensity distribution of the laser beam applied in the image recording step satisfies the relationship represented by Expression 1 shown below,
   1.20 —I   1   /I   2 ≦1.29   Expression 1
 
   where I 1  denotes an irradiation intensity of the applied laser beam in a central position of the applied laser beam, and I 2  denotes an irradiation intensity of the applied laser beam on a plane corresponding to 95% of the total irradiation energy of the applied laser beam.   
     
     
         11 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the irradiation intensity distribution adjusting unit is at least any one of a lens, a filter, a mask, a fiber coupling and a mirror. 
     
     
         12 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the lens is at least one of an aspheric element lens and a diffractive optical element. 
     
     
         13 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the laser beam emitting unit is a semiconductor laser diode and the image processing apparatus further comprises a cooling unit configured to cool the semiconductor laser diode while measuring and controlling the temperature of the semiconductor laser diode. 
     
     
         14 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the laser beam emitting unit is a semiconductor laser diode, which has emission wavelengths of 0.70 μm to 1.55 μm. 
     
     
         15 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the beam scanning unit is a galvano mirror, and the beam condensing unit is an fθ lens.