Imaging device

Abstract

An imaging device wherein a latent image is formed on a photo and pressure sensitive recording sheet by exposing a light thereon and the latent image is then developed by applying a pressure thereon. The degree of pressing is automatically and/or manually controlled so as to obtain a visible image of stable color deepness and of good quality.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An imaging device comprising: means for exposing a light on a photo and pressure sensitive recording sheet for forming a latent image thereon;   means for applying a pressure on said recording sheet for developing said latent image thereon; .[.and.].   .Iadd.means for detecting a degree of exposure on said recording sheet; and .Iaddend.   means for .Iadd.automatically .Iaddend.controlling a degree of pressing applied to said recording sheet by said pressure applying means .Iadd.in relation to the degree of exposure detected by said detecting means.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. The imaging device according to claim 1 wherein said means for controlling a degree of pressing comprises means for controlling a pressure of said pressure applying means. 
     
     
       3. The imaging device according to claim 1 wherein said pressure applying means comprises a pair of pressing rollers, and said means for controlling a degree of pressing comprises means for controlling rotary speed of said pressing rollers. .[.4. The imaging device according to claim 1 which further comprises means for detecting a degree of exposure on said recording sheet, and wherein said means controlling a degree of pressing automatically controls a degree of pressing depending upon the degree of 
     
     
        exposure detected by said detecting means..]. .[.5.  The imaging device according to claim 1 wherein said means for controlling a degree of 
     
     
        pressing is operated by manual switching means..]. 6. The imaging device according to claim 1 wherein said pressure applying means comprises a pair of pressing rollers, each sides of which being rotatably supported by a pair of upper and lower arms, one ends of said arms being pivoted while the other ends being relatively swingable, and means for biasing said 
     
     
        other end of one of said arms to that of the other one. 7. The imaging device according to claim 6 wherein said biasing means comprises a compression spring mounted on a screw shaft and arranged between said one of arms and a stopper mounted on one end of said screw shaft, said screw shaft being threadably connected to said other end of arms and relatively 
     
     
        slidably and rotatably passing through said one of arms. 8. The imaging device according to claim 7 wherein said stopper comprises a nut threaded 
     
     
        on one end of said screw shaft. 9. The imaging device according to claim 7 wherein said means for controlling a degree of pressing comprises means for rotating said screw shaft so as to vary the compression condition of 
     
     
        said spring. 10. The imaging device according to claim 9 wherein said rotating means comprises a driven gear secured to one end of said screw shaft and a driving gear engaged with said driven gear and rotated by a 
     
     
        stepping motor. 11. The imaging device according to claim 1 wherein said light exposing means comprises a linear-shape light source, and said pressure applying means comprises a pair of pressing rollers, the diameter of at least one of said pressing rollers being decreased from the lateral center portion towards both end portions thereof substantially in proportion to the luminous flux distribution of said linea-shape light 
     
     
        source. 12. The imaging device according to claim 1 wherein said light exposing means is a linear-shape light source, and said pressure applying means comprises a pair of pressing rollers and means for additionally 
     
     
        pressing the central area of said pressing rollers. 13. An imaging device wherein a latent image is formed on a photo and pressure sensitive recording sheet by exposing a light thereon.Iadd., said light having a characteristic curve, .Iaddend.and the latent image is then developed by applying a pressure thereon with a pair of pressing rollers, the improvement which comprises in that the diameter of at least one of said pressing rollers being decreased from the lateral center portion toward both ends portions thereof.Iadd., in a manner corresponding to said 
     
     
        characteristic curve.Iaddend.. .Iadd.14.  An imaging device comprising: means for exposing a light on a photo and pressure sensitive recording sheet for forming a latent image thereon;   means for applying a pressure on said recording sheet for developing said latent image thereon; and   means for controlling a degree of pressing applied to said recording sheet by said pressure applying means, said means for controlling a degree of pressing including electric drive means operatively connected with said pressure applying means and manual switch means for setting a desired degree of pressing, wherein said means for controlling a degree of pressing operates said electric drive means depending upon a desired degree of pressing set by said manual switch means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The imaging device according to claim 14 wherein said pressure applying means comprises a pair of pressing rollers that press a photo and pressure sensitive recording sheet therebetween and said electric drive means comprises a stepping motor operative to adjust a pressure between said pressing rollers. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. An imaging device comprising:   means for exposing a light on a photo and pressure sensitive recording sheet for forming a latent image thereon;   means for applying a pressure on said recording sheet for developing said latent image thereon to obtain a visible image;   means for detecting a degree of a factor which influences the color of said visible image; and   means for automatically controlling a degree of pressing applied to said recording sheet by said pressure applying means according to the degree of said factor detected by said detecting means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. The device in accordance with claim 16 wherein said degree of a factor comprises the degree of exposure of said recording sheet. .Iaddend.