JP2746789B2 - Stereoscopic image recording method and stereoscopic image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is capable of recording a three-dimensional image on a lenticular recording material having a recording layer integrally formed on the back surface of a lenticular sheet, and is capable of performing image processing such as enlargement / reduction and lenticular sheet. The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image recording method and a three-dimensional image recording apparatus capable of easily coping with a change in specifications of the three-dimensional image and capable of easily producing a high-quality three-dimensional image by a simple process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A three-dimensional image recording using a lenticular sheet is performed by, for example, a lenticular recording material F having a recording layer D on the back surface of a lenticular sheet C, as seen in a two-lens system shown in FIG. A method is known in which original images A ₁ and A ₂ are projected through projection lenses B ₁ and B ₂ , decomposed into linear images by a lenticular sheet C, and recorded as E ₁ and E ₂ . The recording layer image E ₁ projected recorded in D, E _2, eye L of the right and left as shown in Figure 8, by observing through the lenticular sheet C of the lenticular recording material F in R, the original image A ₁ and image a ₂ are stereoscopically.

As a three-dimensional image recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus) for recording a linear image on such a lenticular recording material, an original image which is a transmission image is irradiated by a light source such as a halogen lamp. As shown in 7,
There is known an optical exposure (printing) recording apparatus in which transmitted light of an original image is formed on a lenticular recording material through a lenticular sheet by a projection lens and is exposed as a linear image. , Id. 48-648
Nos. 8, 49-607 and 53-33847 each disclose a recording apparatus which projects two original images onto a lenticular recording material and prints them.

It is also known that a high-quality stereoscopic image can be obtained by increasing the number of original images. Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-7981 discloses a method of sequentially exposing a large number of original images to a lenticular recording material. The device is a Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-31.
No. 578 discloses a recording apparatus which collectively projects a large number of original images on a field lens and then records each original image on a lenticular recording material at a corresponding printing angle by a projection lens corresponding to each original image. ing.

In such an optical three-dimensional image recording apparatus, it is necessary to project a plurality of original images onto a lenticular recording material and expose the same, so that an optical system for projecting the original images onto the lenticular recording material is complicated. Unavoidable structure, and the degree of freedom in designing the optical system is low. In particular, as the number of original images for obtaining high image quality increases, the optical system becomes extremely complicated and large-scale. Furthermore, it is optically compatible with magnification changes such as enlargement and reduction of recorded images,
Restricted mechanically. In addition, the specifications of the lenticular sheet, such as the pitch of the lenticular sheet to be used, are changed in accordance with the change of the viewing distance. In this case, the change of the projection condition (apparatus configuration), such as the change of the projection exposure (printing) angle, is required. It cannot be easily dealt with because it needs to be performed mechanically and mechanically. Similarly, it is also difficult to cope with a change in the recording image size.

In other words, the conventional three-dimensional image recording apparatus that performs optical projection exposure is complicated and difficult to handle, and cannot record a high-quality three-dimensional image with a high degree of freedom with good efficiency. Was.

On the other hand, a three-dimensional image recording method using a relatively simple optical system and capable of easily responding to image processing such as magnification change and sharpness of a recorded image, as well as changes in the recorded image size and specifications of a lenticular sheet. Image recording by scanning exposure is known, and various apparatuses and methods have been proposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-37813 discloses that a plurality of original images are photographed and processed by a TV camera, stored in a frame memory, and the stored image signals are used in accordance with the pitch of a lenticular lens using the image signals. A three-dimensional image recording method is disclosed in which a linear image is sequentially taken out as a (linear) image, a linear image is recorded on a recording material by scanning exposure, and then a lenticular sheet is attached to the recording material.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 1-295296 discloses that steric space coordinate data obtained from image information of a plurality of original images having unique continuous disparity information or time difference information is applied to a lenticular lens of a lenticular sheet. A pixel for a stereoscopic image is formed by performing a division process as a linear image into a corresponding section, and the pixels are arranged in reverse order with respect to the parallax information or the time difference information and recorded on a recording material. A method for creating a three-dimensional, variable pixel forming sheet to be attached to a sheet is disclosed.

[0010]

As is apparent from the above configuration, a recording apparatus for a three-dimensional image by scanning exposure basically converts image information of a plurality of original images obtained by a TV camera or the like into a line. Process as a shape image. This image information is then transferred to a scanning exposure apparatus, and a linear beam of each original image is placed in a predetermined order within one pitch of a lenticular sheet by a light beam modulated according to the image information.
Scanning exposure is performed sequentially so that the recording material G
A linear image is recorded on the. That is, in the case of stereoscopic image recording using four original images a, b, c, and d, as shown in FIG.
The linear images a to d are recorded one by one in a predetermined order, and this recording is repeated for each pitch P, whereby the recording material H is recorded.
Next, the linear images of the original images a to d are sequentially and sequentially recorded.

When the recording of all the original images on the recording material H is completed, the recording cycle of each original image on the recording material E (a → a in the illustrated example)
(period of d) and the pitch P of the lenticular sheet are accurately aligned so that they are pasted together, and the recording of the stereoscopic image is completed.

According to such a recording apparatus of a three-dimensional image by scanning exposure, magnification change such as enlargement or reduction of the recorded image can be achieved by:
Since the read image information can be performed simply by processing it electrically, there is no inconvenience such as complicating the optical system, and various image processing such as sharpness and contour enhancement are also easily performed. be able to. Further, even if the number of original images increases, image recording can be basically performed by one scanning exposure apparatus, so that there is no problem such as an increase in the size and complexity of the apparatus configuration.

However, these recording apparatuses using scanning exposure cannot perform image recording on a lenticular recording material in which a recording layer is integrally disposed on the back side of a lenticular sheet. After recording the linear images of the original images on H, it is necessary to accurately match the recording cycle of each original image with the pitch P of the lenticular sheet C and to bond them together. If the positional relationship between the two goes wrong,
Not only can the recorded image not be suitably viewed in a stereoscopic manner, but also disadvantages such as the generation of an inverted stereoscopic image and a multiple image occur.

Here, the pitch P of the lenticular sheet C
Is 5 for large displays such as displays in large places.
Although there is a case where an object having a diameter of at least mm is used, an object having a size of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm is widely used in a case of a normal stereoscopic photograph or the like. Therefore, the operation of accurately positioning and bonding the lenticular sheet C and the recording material H on which the linear image is recorded is a very skillful and time-consuming operation, and furthermore, the positions of both are accurately determined. Because it is difficult to match, a high-quality stereoscopic image cannot be produced with good efficiency.

Further, in order to record a three-dimensional image via a lenticular sheet by light beam scanning exposure, it is necessary to change the angle of incidence of the light beam on the lenticular sheet for each original image according to the curvature of the lenticular lens. It is necessary to adjust the optical path so that the light beam passes through the center of curvature of the lenticular lens. Therefore, the recording apparatus becomes complicated and large-scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to perform image recording by scanning exposure on a lenticular recording material having a recording layer integrally provided on the back surface of a lenticular sheet. Therefore, it is not necessary to attach the lenticular sheet to the recording material after recording the linear image, and also change the magnification of the recorded image, image processing such as sharpness, change the specification of the lenticular sheet, change the size of the recorded image Another object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional image recording method and a three-dimensional image recording apparatus using a lenticular recording material, which can easily cope with the above, and can produce a high-quality three-dimensional image in a simple process.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above object, a stereoscopic image recording method according to the present invention provides a lenticular recording material having a recording layer on the back side of a lenticular sheet on which lenticular lenses are arranged. When recording a plurality of original images to obtain a stereoscopic image, an optical member that cancels the refractive power of the lenticular lens is arranged on the lenticular sheet, and a light beam modulated according to the original image is optically The lenticular sheet is incident on the lenticular sheet via a member, and the light beam is deflected in the main scanning direction substantially parallel to the generatrix direction of the lenticular sheet with respect to the lenticular recording material, while being deflected in the main scanning direction with the lenticular recording material. By relatively moving the deflected light beam in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction, the light beam To provide a stereoscopic image recording method, which comprises scanning exposure recording layer of the lenticular recording material by beam.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a three-dimensional image recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises a lenticular recording material having a recording layer on the back side of a lenticular sheet on which lenticular lenses are arranged, and a plurality of original images from different viewpoints. A three-dimensional image recording apparatus for recording image information of the plurality of original images, image processing means for obtaining image information to be recorded on the lenticular recording material, and a linear image output from the image processing means. A light beam emitting device that emits a light beam modulated in accordance with information, the light beam emitted from the light beam emitting device is deflected substantially parallel to the generatrix direction of the lenticular sheet to perform main scanning, and the lenticular recording material and An image forming unit having a scanning device that relatively moves the light beam in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction,
A three-dimensional image recording device is provided, comprising: the light beam emitting device; and an optical member that is disposed between the lenticular recording material and cancels a refractive power of the lenticular lens.

Further, in the stereoscopic image recording apparatus of the present invention, the optical member is a compensation lenticular sheet formed by arranging long lenses for canceling the refracting power of the lenticular lens in the sub-scanning direction. Is preferred.

[0020]

The three-dimensional image recording method and three-dimensional image recording apparatus of the present invention perform image recording by scanning exposure on a lenticular recording material in which a recording layer is formed on the back surface of a lenticular sheet on which lenticular lenses are arranged. When obtaining a three-dimensional image by scanning and exposing the lenticular recording material by a light beam modulated according to this image information, obtaining image information of a plurality of original images,
The basic configuration is that a light beam is incident on a lenticular recording material (lenticular sheet) via an optical member that cancels out the refractive power of the lenticular lens.

Conventionally, as an apparatus for recording a three-dimensional image on a lenticular recording material, projection light of a plurality of original images is incident on a lenticular sheet at an exposure angle corresponding to the photographing conditions of the original image, and a linear image is formed by the lenticular sheet. An optical stereoscopic image recording apparatus that exposes a recording layer by decomposing the recording layer into an image is known. However, in order to cope with a change in the magnification of a recorded image such as enlargement or reduction, a change in the size of a recorded image, an increase or decrease in the number of original images for high image quality, a change in the specification of a lenticular sheet, etc. Is extremely complicated, as described above.

On the other hand, the optical system having a relatively simple configuration allows a three-dimensional image to be relatively easily adapted to image processing such as magnification change, increase / decrease of the number of original images, specification of a lenticular sheet, size change of a recorded image, and the like. As a recording method, a method of recording a stereoscopic image by scanning exposure is known. However,
Conventional three-dimensional image recording by scanning exposure cannot directly record an image on a lenticular recording material in which a lenticular sheet and a recording layer (recording material) are integrated, and a linear image of an original image is recorded on various recording materials. After recording the original image, the recording cycle of the original image and the pitch P of the lenticular sheet are accurately adjusted, and the two are attached to each other, which requires an extremely high level of skill, and requires a difficult and time-consuming operation.

On the other hand, the present invention uses an optical member that cancels out the refractive power of the lenticular lens, and a recording layer (recording material) is integrally provided on the back surface of the lenticular sheet via this optical member. The three-dimensional image is recorded on the lenticular recording material by scanning exposure. In the present invention, image information of a plurality of original images is obtained by means of reading an original image by means such as a CCD camera or receiving image information from an image information source such as a computer or a scanner, and corresponding to the pitch of the lenticular sheet. The original image is divided into linear images to be recorded and subjected to image processing such as determination of the recording position of the linear image to obtain image information to be recorded on the lenticular recording material, and a light beam modulated according to this image information Scans the lenticular recording material two-dimensionally. Here, the light beam passes through an optical member that cancels out the refractive power of the lenticular lens forming the lenticular sheet and enters the lenticular recording material (lenticular sheet), so that the light beam does not receive the lens effect of the lenticular lens. And enters the recording layer of the lenticular recording material.

That is, according to the method and apparatus for recording a three-dimensional image of the present invention having an optical member for canceling the refracting power of a lenticular lens, it is possible to perform scanning exposure with a light beam on a normal recording material other than a lenticular recording material. Under substantially the same conditions, a stereoscopic image can be recorded on a lenticular recording material by scanning exposure.

According to the present invention, since a three-dimensional image can be directly recorded on a lenticular recording material having a recording layer on the back surface of a lenticular sheet, a linear image of an original image is recorded on the recording material. Later, there is no need to perform skilled and time-consuming work of aligning and bonding the recording material and the lenticular sheet with high precision,
A three-dimensional image can be recorded with extremely high efficiency in a conventional three-dimensional image recording apparatus using scanning exposure.

Further, since it is not necessary to adjust the angle of incidence of the light beam on the lenticular sheet for each original image, it is possible to record a three-dimensional image in the same manner as image recording by ordinary scanning exposure. It can be simple.

In addition, since the image information of the original image is obtained, the lenticular recording material is exposed by scanning the light beam modulated according to the information, and this image is recorded on the lenticular recording material. And simple optical system adjustments, it is possible to change the thickness (especially the line width expansion), interval, and density of the linear image, and it is also easy to change and adjust the image recording area, image density, etc. Can be done.
Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with an increase / decrease in the number of original images, a change in magnification of a recorded image, image processing such as shading correction, a change in specifications of a lenticular sheet, a change in the size of a recorded image, and the like.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a high-quality stereoscopic image obtained by performing various kinds of image processing according to the specifications of the lenticular sheet, the recording image size, etc., with extremely simple workability using a device having a simple configuration. Can be recorded with a high degree of freedom.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a stereoscopic image recording method of the present invention and a stereoscopic image recording apparatus for carrying out the method will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 conceptually shows an example of the stereoscopic image recording apparatus of the present invention. A stereoscopic image recording device (hereinafter, referred to as a recording device) 10 shown in FIG.
A plurality of original images obtained from different viewpoints are read, and a stereoscopic image is recorded on the lenticular recording material F.
Note that the following description is made for a case where a stereoscopic image is recorded from the four original images a, b, c, and d, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The lenticular recording material F has a predetermined curvature (for example, a cylindrical surface, a parabolic surface, etc.) on the surface side on which a light beam enters, and a lenticular lens in which a number of lenticular lenses having refractive power are arranged only in the direction having the curvature. The recording layer D having the base layer K is formed on the back surface of the sheet C (or a recording material is attached). The present invention
On such a lenticular recording material F (lenticular sheet C), a compensation lenticular sheet 50 for canceling the refractive power of the lenticular lens is arranged, and the light beam L modulated according to the image information of the original image is subjected to lenticular recording. The light is incident on the material F and a stereoscopic image is recorded by so-called scanning exposure.

Basically, such a recording apparatus 10 photoelectrically reads the original images a, b, c, and d by the image processing means 12 to perform image processing, and converts the completed three-dimensional image into a lenticular recording material F. The image beam is output as image information that can be viewed correctly when viewed from the front side, and the light beam L modulated by the image forming unit 14 based on the image information from the image processing unit 12 is deflected in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow x in FIG. 1). In addition, by transporting the lenticular recording material F in a sub-scanning direction (y direction in FIG. 1) substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction,
The lenticular recording material F is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam L via the compensation lenticular sheet 50,
Record a stereoscopic image.

The image processing means 12 includes a reading device 18 for reading the original images a, b, c and d, and image information of a linear image to be recorded on the lenticular recording material F by the image information read by the reading device 18. And a linear image processing apparatus 20 for performing the processing.

The reading device 18 photoelectrically reads the original images a, b, c, and d by using solid-state imaging means such as a CCD camera, a CCD sensor, and an image scanner, and obtains color image information (for example, R, G, Image information of the three primary colors B)
Is transferred to the linear image processing apparatus 20. The original image (image information) is not limited to a color image, but may be a monochrome image, and is not limited to a general photographic image, and may be a medical photograph such as an X-ray photograph or a fundus photograph. It may be. Further, the transferred image information may be any of digital information and analog information. As will be described in detail later, the read image information is used as a linear image to be subsequently recorded on the lenticular recording material F. Therefore, reading of image information 1 by reading device 18
The line may be formed corresponding to the linear image, and the division into the linear image by the linear image processing device 20 may not be necessary.

The reading device 18 used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and a device for scanning and reading an original image by slit scanning, raster scanning, a drum scanner, or the like using the above-mentioned CCD sensor or the like, Any of various known image reading apparatuses, such as an apparatus that reads in a one-shot manner, can be applied. Further, a plurality, preferably has a reading device 18 of the number of the original image may be one that reads a plurality of original images at a time, or those read sequentially original image by one of the reading device 18 There may be.

The recording apparatus 10 in the illustrated example may be configured so that the main subject of each original image can be set by means such as designation by a digitizer, a display provided on the reading device 18 and designation by a mouse or the like. Note that the main subject setting means is not limited to being arranged in the reading device 18 and may be arranged in a linear image processing device 20 to be described later, or may be arranged in accordance with the read image information. Alternatively, the main subject may be set by automatically judging by the linear image processing device 18.

Original image a read by reading device 18
Are transferred to the linear image processing apparatus 20. The linear image processing device 20 divides the image information of the original images a to d into linear images to be recorded on the lenticular recording material F for each original image (electrically forms a linear image), and completes the three-dimensional image. The recording position of the linear image of each original image on the lenticular recording material F is determined (array of linear images) so that the image can be correctly viewed when viewed from the front side of the lenticular recording material F, and further, the lenticular sheet to be used. C specifications,
The recording (arrangement) interval of the linear image, the width of the linear image, the image recording area, and the like are set according to the recording conditions such as the image recording magnification, and the density and the color balance are adjusted as needed, and the sharpness and the like are adjusted. After performing image processing, the image information of the stereoscopic image recording is transferred to the image forming apparatus 14.

In the linear image processing apparatus 20, first,
Based on the image information of the original images a to d sent from the reading device 18, it is determined whether various types of image processing, that is, various corrections such as color balance, density balance, sharpness, outline enhancement, and image processing are necessary or unnecessary. These image processes are performed as necessary. Note that these corrections and image processing may be performed by an operator in response to the input, or the automatic determination by the linear image processing apparatus 20 and the input by the operator may be used in combination. Also, this processing may be performed by the image forming apparatus 14 described later without performing the processing by the linear image processing apparatus 20.

Next, the original image is divided from the processed image information, and a linear image is formed electrically for each original image.
As described above, in optical stereoscopic image recording in which the projection light of an original image is printed on a recording layer of a (lenticular) recording material, the projection light of each original image is projected through a projection lens.
The projection light of each original image is decomposed into a linear image by the lenticular sheet C and recorded on the recording layer (see FIG. 7).

On the other hand, the recording apparatus 10 of the present invention photoelectrically reads an original image and records a three-dimensional image by scanning exposure. By the image information processing by the processing, a linear image to be recorded on the recording layer D in a state in which the original image is divided according to the specification of the stereoscopic image to be recorded and the lenticular sheet C is formed. Usually, the read image information by the device 18, the reader 18 read 1 since Ru is transferred to the linear image processing unit 20 as line image information corresponding to the line, the reader 18 one line and to record linear images read by When the recording layer D corresponds to the recording layer D, the line image information from the reading device 18 or the line image information is synthesized (or divided) as necessary.
2, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, linear images a ₁ , a ₂ , a ₃ , a ₄ .
..., linear images b ₁ , b ₂ , b ₃ , b ₄ from the original image b
From the original image c to linear images c ₁ , c ₂ , c ₃ , c ₄ .
..., linear images d ₁ , d ₂ , d ₃ , d ₄ from the original image d
For example, a linear image in which each original image is divided is formed.

The linear image is formed (division of the original image) by the resolution of the reading device 18 (the number of scanning lines to be read), the pitch P of the lenticular sheet C, the recording magnification of the stereoscopic image (or the recording size with respect to the original image size), Lenticular recording material F
The spot diameter (effective writing spot diameter) of the light beam L incident on the recording medium F, the number of original images, the pitch number of the lenticular recording material F, etc. Just do it.

The recording conditions of the three-dimensional image, that is, the specifications of the lenticular sheet C such as the pitch P, the size of the three-dimensional image to be recorded, the recording magnification of the three-dimensional image, and the like, are input by the operator in advance. Or pre-scan (look-ahead) of the original image
Alternatively, it may be set automatically by selecting the lenticular recording material F to be used or the like. Alternatively, the recording conditions may be set by using both of them.

However, as described above, one line of image information reading by the reading device 18 is performed in correspondence with this linear image. Preferably, the number of reading scanning lines and the total number of lenticular lenses are equal, and If the spot diameter of the light beam has an appropriate diameter (recording width), the linear image processing device 2
The formation of the linear image in 2 may not be necessary. Also,
In the reading device 18, the reading 1 by the CCD sensor or the like is performed.
The line width may be adjustable, and the width of one line for image reading may be adjusted according to the linear image to be recorded.

The image information of the linear image of each original image is as follows.
Then, the completed stereoscopic image is passed through the lenticular sheet C.
Make sure that the image looks correct when viewed.
The recording position on the cellular recording material F is determined. That is, each
Linear images are arranged. For example, in the example shown, four original pictures
Since images a to d are read and a stereoscopic image is recorded,
Line of each original image arranged within one pitch P of the ura sheet C
By combining the corresponding parts of the shape image, as shown in FIG.
And a₁ , B₁ , C₁ , D₁ , A_Two , B _Two , C_Two , D
_Two , A_Three , B_Three , ……… and the linear images of each original image are arranged
I do.

The arrangement of the linear images is based on the set main subject (for example, reference numeral 28 in FIG. 2) and the three-dimensional image finally formed on the recording layer D according to the front and back of the original image. When the image is viewed through the lenticular sheet C, it is needless to say that the image is formed so as to be a suitable stereoscopic image.

The linear image information of each of the original images arranged in a predetermined order is then converted into the set recording conditions and the like, for example, the number of formed linear images (or the number of scanning lines to be read), the lenticular sheet C The pitch P, the recording magnification (or this may be set based on the size of the original image and the recorded image), the number of original images, the beam spot diameter of the light beam L of the image forming apparatus 14, the total number of lenticular lenses, and the like. Image information is processed, and the image information is to be recorded on the lenticular recording material F.

In the recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, such a linear image processing apparatus 20 is not limited to being provided only in the recording apparatus 10; for example, one linear image processing apparatus is provided for each original image. There may be more than one, such as one each. Further, the processed image information may be stored in a memory (line memory) for each original image, and transferred to the image forming apparatus from here.

The image information processed by the linear image processing device 20 is sent to the image forming means 14. The image forming means 14 includes a light beam emitting device 22 that emits a light beam L modulated according to the formed linear image, and a light beam L emitted from the light beam emitting device 22 and a bus of the lenticular sheet C. Substantially the same main scanning direction (arrow x direction in FIG. 1)
And the lenticular recording material F is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of the arrow y in FIG. 1) substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction. As a result, the lenticular recording material F is two-dimensionally scanned by the light beam L. And a scanning device 24 for enabling.

The light beam emitting device 22 includes an exposure control circuit 3
0, a light source 32, a nonlinear amplifier 35, an AOM (acoustic optical modulator) 39, a light beam multiplexing optical system, and the like.

The linear image information transferred from the linear image processing device 20 is transmitted to the exposure control circuit 30 of the light beam emitting device 22.
Is forwarded to The exposure control circuit 30 outputs the linear image information from the linear image processing device 20, that is, the R (red) signal,
(Green) signal and B (Blue) signal information are received, D / A conversion, various exposure corrections and signal processing are performed in accordance with the image information signal, and one line of each pixel for each color is performed for each color. The exposure amount is calculated, and each light source 32 (32R,
32G, 32B), the exposure amount (modulation amount) of each pixel for one line is determined, and the image information signal is transferred to the nonlinear amplifier 35.

The non-linear amplifier 35 is mainly for compensating the non-linearity of the AOM (acoustic optical modulator) 39, and the image information signal corrected by the non-linear amplifier 35 is AO (Acoustic-Optic Modulator).
The data is transferred to the drive circuit 37 (37R, 37G, 37B) of the M39, and the AOM 39 (39R, 39G, 39B) is driven.

On the other hand, the light source 32 is a photosensitive layer provided on the recording layer D of the lenticular recording material F, for example, a red (R)
Photosensitive layer, green (G) light-sensitive layer, and a Blu (B) light beam light source for emitting light in a narrow band wavelength light to a photosensitive layer, the light source 32R is exposing the R sensitive layer in the lenticular recording material F The light beam L _R , the light source 32 G emits the light beam L _G for exposing the G photosensitive layer, and the light source 32 B emits the light beam L _B for exposing the B photosensitive layer with constant output.

There is no particular limitation on the light source of the light beam used in the present invention, and any light source such as a gas laser such as a He-Ne laser, various solid-state lasers, semiconductor lasers, and LEDs can be used. What is necessary is just to select suitably according to the recording layer D etc. of the lenticular recording material F. For example, if the recording layer D of the lenticular recording material F has a spectral sensitivity in the visible light region, the He- layer corresponding to the R photosensitive layer
Ne laser, Ar laser corresponding to G photosensitive layer, and B
A He-Cd laser or the like corresponding to the photosensitive layer is preferably used as a light source. When the recording layer is a false color photosensitive material, a semiconductor laser (LD) or the like is suitably used as a light source. Further, a light valve or the like may be used.

Light beams L _R and L _G emitted from each light source
The light beam diameter and the like of L and L _B are adjusted by light beam shaping means 40 (40R, 40G, 40B) such as a beam expander and a collimator lens arranged corresponding to each.

Each light beam that has passed through the shaping means 40 has a corresponding AOM 39 (39R, 39G, 39A).
B). Here, since each AOM 39 is driven according to the image (linear image) to be recorded as described above, each light beam incident on the corresponding AOM 39 has an intensity corresponding to the image to be recorded. Modulated. The optical modulator used in the recording apparatus 10 of the present invention is not limited to the AOM 39 in the illustrated example, and any of various optical modulators such as a magneto-optical modulator and an electro-optical modulator can be applied.

[0056] emitted from the light source 32, the light beams L _R modulated by AOM39, L _G, and L _B are dichroic mirrors 42, 44, and one of light by multiplexing optical system composed of mirrors 46 The beam is combined with the beam L. A plurality of light beams are multiplexed into one light beam by a multiplexing optical system, whereby the lenticular recording material F
Is scanned and exposed, so that a light beam optical system
Is simple, the position of incidence of each light beam on the recording material can be adjusted easily and with high accuracy, there is no color shift or image flickering, and good stereoscopic vision can be obtained. It is possible to record a stereoscopic image of high quality.

In the multiplexing optical system shown in the drawing, the dichroic mirror 42 has a characteristic of reflecting a light beam having the wavelength of the light beam _LR and transmitting the other light beams.
4 Other reflects the light beam of the wavelength of the light beam L _G are those having a characteristic of transmitting the light beam L _B is mirror 4
6 is reflected, transmitted through the dichroic mirror 44 and 42, the light beam L _G is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 42 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 44, is further light beam L _R is reflected by the dichroic mirror 42 As a result, the three light beams are combined into one light beam L.

The present invention is not limited to a so-called multiplex type optical system for recording an image by multiplexing a plurality of light beams as shown in the example shown in FIG. Travel at different angles, form images at different positions on the same scanning line on the lenticular recording material F, and sequentially scan the scanning lines at time intervals, or A non-multiplexing type optical system that is incident on one point may be used.

The multiplexed light beam L is
Is deflected in the main scanning direction, and enters a scanning device 24 that conveys the lenticular recording material F in the sub-scanning direction. The scanning device 24 basically includes the polygon mirror 34, the fθ lens 48, the falling mirror 49, and a transport unit (not shown) that transports the lenticular recording material F in the sub-scanning direction.

The multiplexed light beam L emitted from the light beam emitting device 22 first enters the polygon mirror 34 as an optical deflector in the scanning device 24 and is deflected in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow x). You. The optical deflector used in the recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the polygon mirror 34 in the illustrated example, and any of various known optical deflectors such as a galvanometer mirror and a resonant scanner may be used. It is needless to say that a surface tilt correction optical system of the polygon mirror 34 such as a cylindrical lens or a cylindrical mirror may be provided with the polygon mirror 34 (optical deflector) interposed therebetween, if necessary.

The light beam L deflected in the main scanning direction is given by f
The θ lens 48 is adjusted so that an image is formed at a predetermined position on the lenticular recording material F (recording layer D) with a predetermined beam diameter, reflected by the falling mirror 49 in a predetermined direction, and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. Then, the light is incident on a predetermined position of the lenticular recording material F , and a main scanning line SL is defined to scan and expose the photosensitive layer D. Here, in the present invention, the lenticular sheet C is provided above the lenticular recording material F.
An optical member that cancels out the refractive power of the lenticular lens is disposed. In the recording apparatus 10 in the illustrated example, the compensation lenticular sheet 50 formed by arranging long lenses that cancel out the refractive power of the lenticular lens has a lenticular lens. It is placed on the recording material F and is integrally adhered to it.

As shown in FIG. 3, the compensating lenticular sheet 50 has a configuration in which long lenses in the form of concave lenses having a curvature completely opposite to the lenticular lens constituting the lenticular sheet C are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. This long lens cancels out the refractive power of each lenticular lens.

Usually, when the lenticular recording material F is scanned and exposed by the light beam L via the lenticular sheet C, it is necessary to record a linear image of each original image at a predetermined position according to the photographing conditions of the original image and the like. It is necessary to obliquely enter the light beam L according to the refractive power of the lenticular lens constituting the lenticular sheet C, and operations such as adjusting the optical path of the light beam L and tilting the lenticular recording material F are performed. This complicates the configuration of the recording device. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, a method of recording a linear image on a recording material H and then attaching a lenticular sheet C to the recording material H is generally performed. As described above, the work of aligning and pasting to the position requires skill and time.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, the scanning exposure by the light beam is performed through an optical member for canceling the refracting power of the lenticular lens. In the recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The sheet 50 is arranged, thereby canceling out the refractive power of the lenticular lens constituting the lenticular sheet C. Therefore, the light beam L incident on the lenticular recording material F
As a result, the light can enter the recording layer C in almost the same state as the case without the lenticular sheet C, and as shown in FIG. The scanning exposure of the lenticular recording material F by the light beam L can be performed in the same manner as the scanning exposure.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to record an image on a lenticular recording material F having a recording layer on the back surface of a lenticular sheet C by scanning exposure with a recording apparatus having a simple configuration, and furthermore, it is possible to record a linear image at a recording position. Adjustment of line width,
You can easily change and adjust the image recording area and image density, increase or decrease the number of original images, change the magnification of the recorded image, perform image processing such as shading correction, change the specifications of the lenticular sheet, change the size of the recorded image, etc. Can be easily handled.

If the position of the compensation lenticular sheet 50 is in the optical path of the light beam L, the lenticular sheet C
There is no particular limitation on what is placed on and adhered to the top, but in order to prevent the diffusion of the light beam L and the occurrence of flare associated therewith, it is placed on the lenticular sheet C as shown in the figure.
It is preferred that they adhere. Further, the specifications of the compensation lenticular sheet 50 may be appropriately set in accordance with the specifications of the lenticular sheet C, and the manufacturing method may be the same as that of the lenticular sheet C.

The optical member used in the present invention for canceling the refracting power of the lenticular lens is not limited to the compensating lenticular sheet 50 in the illustrated example, but is provided in the optical path of the light beam L. Various examples include cylindrical concave lenses that cancel forces.

As described above, the lenticular recording material F
(And compensation lenticular sheet 50) are lenticular
Generic line direction of sheet C (longitudinal direction of lenticular lens)
And the main scanning direction substantially coincide with each other,
The sub-scanning direction, which is substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction,
(In the direction of arrow y). Therefore, the light beam L
Results in two-dimensional scanning exposure of the lenticular recording material F.
3 (the main scanning direction corresponds to the drawing).
As shown in the vertical direction).
Each original image according to the image information set by the device 20
The linear image of ₁ , B₁ , C₁ , D₁ , A_Two , B_Two ,
... Are sequentially recorded at predetermined positions.

The linear image of each original image is not limited to the one recorded by one scanning of the light beam L, and one linear image is formed by scanning the light beam a plurality of times according to the set width of the linear image. An image may be recorded. Note that it is preferable that at least one scanning line SL for the number of original images is defined within one pitch P of the lenticular recording material F.

In image recording for obtaining a stereoscopic view using the lenticular sheet C, it is known that it is effective to widen the line width of a linear image to be recorded by an appropriate amount. It is preferable to fill one pitch P with no gap or overlap by the linear image of the image, that is, to adjust the recording width of each linear image so that a ₁ + b ₁ + c ₁ + d ₁ = P in the illustrated example. . There is no particular limitation on the method of adjusting the recording width of a linear image, and a method of forming one linear image by performing a plurality of scans can be performed by using a beam expander or the like when recording a linear image in one scan. And a method of expanding the diameter of the light beam.

The main scanning direction and the generatrix direction of the lenticular sheet C do not necessarily have to coincide with each other. It goes without saying that image recording may be performed by making the subscanning direction coincide with the generatrix direction. It is advantageous to match the main scanning direction with the generatrix direction as shown in the figure, in terms of ease of aiming, the ability to continuously record one linear image, and the like. We can expect record.

The sub-scanning conveyance means for the lenticular recording material F is not particularly limited.
A method using two nip roller pairs, a method using an exposure drum supporting the lenticular recording material F and two nip rollers arranged to sandwich the scanning line SL and pressing the exposure drum, and fixing the lenticular recording material F at a predetermined position by suction or the like Method using an exposure table moved by a screw transmission device and the like, a method using a belt conveyor, etc.
Any known method of transporting various sheet-like materials may be used.

The recording device 10 shown in FIG.
Although the light beam is modulated by an optical modulator such as the light modulator 9, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light emission of the light source 32 may be modulated by pulse width modulation. May be electrically modulated. FIG. 4 shows an example of a recording apparatus using pulse width modulation. The recording apparatus shown in FIG. 4 has the same configuration as the above-described recording apparatus 10 except that the method of light beam modulation is different.
The same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, each light source 32 (32R, 32R) is determined by the exposure control circuit 30.
G, 32B), the exposure of each pixel for one line is
The data is transferred to the modulation circuit 36. The modulation circuit 36 modulates the pulse width of the light emitted from the light source 32 in a predetermined repetition cycle set in advance, for example, in one pixel cycle.
In the pulse width modulation in this image exposure method, the light output of the light source 32, which is the light source, is set to be constant, and the time during which the light source 32 continuously emits light within one pixel period, that is, one time (one pixel) The continuous exposure time is output to the drive circuit 38.

Drive circuit 38 (38R, 38G, 38B)
Is a driving circuit for driving the light source 32. In the case of pulse width modulation, the driving circuit
A driving current corresponding to a light output preset for each light source is supplied to the light source 32. As a result, the light source 32 emits light at a light output preset for each light source for a time determined according to one pixel for each light source. This is performed over one line, and the light source 32 performs one-line exposure.

Each light beam L _R emitted from the light source 32,
L _G, and L _B are shaping means 40 which are arranged corresponding to each (40R, 40G, 40B) is shaped by, then the light beam multiplexing of one by later-described light beam combining system, similar The lenticular recording material F is exposed by scanning.

As described above, the recording apparatus 10 records an image on the lenticular recording material F moving in the sub-scanning direction by the light beam L deflected in the main scanning direction. In addition, the generatrix direction of the lenticular sheet C and the main scanning direction are substantially in agreement. Therefore, when the lenticular recording material F is continuously conveyed, the scanning line S defined by the light beam L
L becomes oblique to the generatrix of the lenticular sheet C.

In a normal image recording apparatus, the displacement of the scanning line SL does not cause a serious problem. However, in the recording of a three-dimensional image using the lenticular sheet C as in the present invention, the scanning line SL The displacement of the SL causes a large deterioration in image quality. In addition, when the sub-scanning speed of the lenticular recording material F is higher than the main scanning speed of the light beam L, or when the pitch P of the lenticular sheet is small, the scanning line The SL may be defined over two pitches. Therefore, the deviation angle of the scanning line SL is calculated from the relationship between the sub-scanning speed and the main scanning speed, and the light beam L
May be set at an angle θ such that the scanning line SL coincides with the generatrix direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the width of the lenticular recording material F in the main scanning direction is H, the sub-scanning speed is V, and the main scanning speed is v, the scanning start and end points of the light beam L are In the sub-scanning direction is represented by the equation “Δy = H × (V /
v) ". Therefore, the angle θ of the defined scanning line SL is expressed by the equation “θ = Δy / H = V / v”. By setting the main scanning direction x in consideration of the angle θ, the scanning line SL defined by the light beam and the generatrix of the lenticular sheet C can be substantially matched, and a good stereoscopic image is recorded. be able to. In addition,
This adjustment may be performed by adjusting the angle of the lenticular recording material F.

The method of making the scanning line SL coincide with the generatrix of the lenticular sheet C is not limited to the above-described method. For example, the lenticular recording material F is repeatedly transported and stopped for sub-scanning transport. The conveyance of the lenticular recording material F and the modulation of the light beam (image recording) may be controlled so that the image recording by L is performed.

In recording a stereoscopic image using the lenticular sheet C, it is important to record a predetermined linear image accurately within one pitch P of the lenticular sheet C in order to obtain a good stereoscopic image. Therefore, in the present invention, it is preferable to have a positioning unit for image recording of the lenticular recording material F.

There is no particular limitation on the positioning means. A detecting means such as a sprocket hole or a notch is formed in the lenticular recording material F, or a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged in accordance with the unevenness of the lenticular sheet. An optical method of adjusting the recording position based on a change in the amount of light caused by the detection light from the light-emitting element passing therethrough, a method of mechanically detecting the unevenness of the lenticular sheet by air or the like, or a lenticular sheet A method of detecting sprocket holes and notches formed in the recording material F by a mechanical method, or an encoder or the like disposed on a transport roller or the like of the lenticular recording material F to detect a position of the recording material, A method of performing image recording alignment is also preferably exemplified.

Such alignment of the image recording may be performed only at the start of the recording. Periodically or continuously, the detection by light detection or the like is performed, and the detection result is fed back to periodically or continuously. The position of the image recording may be appropriately adjusted.

The recording apparatus described above deflects the light beam L in the main scanning direction and conveys the lenticular recording material F in the sub-scanning direction, thereby scanning and exposing the lenticular recording material F to record a stereoscopic image. The sub-scanning of the light beam is performed by changing the angle of the optical deflector of the polygon mirror 34 and the falling mirror 49 in the sub-scanning direction by moving the optical system of the light beam L in the sub-scanning direction. For example, the scanning line SL may be moved in the sub-scanning direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a drum 58 for fixing the lenticular recording material F to a cylindrical drum 58 is used, and while the light beam L is incident on a predetermined exposure position, the drum 58 is moved in the main scanning direction. A so-called drum scanner that rotates in the (x-direction) and moves in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of the arrow y) to scan the lenticular recording material F two-dimensionally may be used. Also in this case, the sub-scanning may be performed by changing the angle of the optical deflector or the mirror or by moving the optical system.

In the example described above, four original images a to d are read by one or a plurality of reading devices 18.
And a three-dimensional image (linear image) is recorded line-sequentially on the lenticular recording material F. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one or more original images can be read. Alternatively, the recording of the three-dimensional image may be performed by alternately recording the linear image.

In this case, for example, the original image a is read first, the same image processing is performed by the image processing means 12, and the image information is transferred to the image forming means 14. depending on a predetermined position of the lenticular recording material F the linear images of the formed original images a, i.e., linear images a ₁ of the original image a in the example shown in FIG. 3, a
_2, a _3, a ₄ are sequentially recorded on a predetermined position .......
When the recording of the original image a is completed, the original image b,
The reading of each original image and the recording of the linear image are sequentially performed with the original image c, and the recording of the stereoscopic image is completed.

The reading of the original image and the image recording may be performed in parallel. When one scanning line or one linear image of the original image a is read by the reading device 18, the image information is sequentially transferred to the image processing unit 12, the same image processing is performed, and the processing is completed. The image information is sequentially transferred to the image forming unit 14.

The image forming means 14 having received the image information records a linear image in accordance with the sent image information, and a ₁ , a 2
₂ , a ₃ , a ₄ ... As shown in FIG.
Is recorded. That is, in this aspect, the recording of the linear image is performed in parallel with the reading of the original image a with a delay of one to several scanning lines.

Further, when the image processing means 12 for the number of original images (or the linear image processing apparatus 20 for the number of original images in one reading device 18) is provided, a plurality of original images are read simultaneously or sequentially. Image processing is performed by a separate linear image processing device 20 for each original image, and the image forming means 14 and each linear image processing device 20 are switched and sequentially connected for each recording of one linear image using a switcher or the like. , Linear image information of each original image is represented by a ₁ , b ₁ , c ₁ , d ₁ , a ₂ , b ₂ ,
.. May be sequentially transferred to the image forming means 14 and recorded on the lenticular recording material F in line order.

Further, the recording apparatus 10 of the present invention may have a plurality of image forming means 14 and record a plurality of linear images in parallel. In particular, in the case where the same number of original images as image processing means 12 and image forming means 14 are provided and reading of all original images and recording of linear images are performed at the same time, recording of an extremely efficient three-dimensional image is performed. It can be carried out.

Although the (stereoscopic image) recording apparatus 10 of the present invention described above has a configuration in which the image processing means 12 and the image forming means 14 and the like are connected, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the image information output from the image processing unit 12 or the like can be transferred to a floppy disk, an optical disk, or the like by separately configuring the image processing unit 12 and the image forming unit 14 or separately configuring the reading device 18. The image data may be stored in a recording medium, and the linear image information of the original image may be supplied to the image forming unit via the recording medium. Further, the image processing means 12 does not have the reading device 18 in particular, and an image information source such as a computer, a recording medium such as a floppy disk,
The image information of the original image may be obtained from a separate reading device such as a scanner.

The lenticular lenticular recording material F on which the three-dimensional image has been recorded in this manner is subjected to a development process according to the type of the recording material (photosensitive layer), and is converted into a three-dimensional image using the lenticular sheet C. . The antihalation layer AH formed below the recording layer D is of course made colorless by the development process. Further, a white layer, a protective layer, and the like may be formed on the back surface of the lenticular recording material F, if necessary, after the image recording is completed, before and / or after the development processing.

Although the stereoscopic image recording method and the stereoscopic image recording apparatus of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, changes may be made.

[0095]

As described above in detail, according to the method and apparatus for recording a three-dimensional image of the present invention, a three-dimensional image can be directly recorded on a lenticular recording material having a recording layer on the back surface of a lenticular sheet. Therefore, after recording the linear image of the original image on the recording material, there is no need to perform a skill- and time-consuming operation of positioning and bonding the recording material and the lenticular sheet with high precision, and the conventional scanning exposure A three-dimensional image can be recorded with extremely high efficiency in a three-dimensional image recording apparatus.

In order to record a stereoscopic image through a lenticular sheet by scanning exposure, the angle of incidence of the light beam on the lenticular sheet is changed for each original image, and the light beam is focused on the center of curvature of the lenticular lens. However, in the present invention, these operations and adjustments are not necessary, and a stereoscopic image can be recorded with an optical system almost similar to an image recording apparatus using ordinary scanning exposure.
The recording device can be simplified.

Further, since a three-dimensional image is recorded on the lenticular recording material by scanning exposure with a light beam modulated according to the image information of the original image, linear image processing can be performed by electric image information processing and simple optical system adjustment. The thickness (especially, line width expansion), interval, and density of the image can be changed, and the change and adjustment of the image recording area and the image density can be easily performed. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with an increase / decrease in the number of original images, image processing such as a change in magnification and shading of a recorded image, a change in specifications of a lenticular sheet, a change in the size of a recorded image, and the like.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a high-quality stereoscopic image obtained by performing various image processings according to the specifications of the lenticular sheet, the size of the recorded image, and the like with extremely good workability can be obtained with a high degree of freedom. Can be recorded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a stereoscopic image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing formation of a linear image from an original image in the stereoscopic image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view conceptually showing recording of a linear image on a lenticular recording material in the stereoscopic image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing another example of the stereoscopic image recording device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of correcting a scanning line with respect to a generating line in the stereoscopic image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of main scanning and sub-scanning means used in the stereoscopic image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing image recording on a conventional lenticular recording material.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the principle of stereoscopic viewing of an image recorded on a lenticular recording material.

FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a conventional stereoscopic image recording operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 stereoscopic image recording device 12 image processing means 14 image forming means 18 reading device 20 linear image processing device 22 light beam emitting device 24 scanning device 28 main subject 30 exposure control circuit 32 (32R, 32G, 32B) light source 34 polygon mirror 36 (36R, 36G, 36B) Modulation circuit 38 (38R, 38G, 38B) Drive circuit 40 (40R, 40G, 40B) Shaping means 42, 44 Dichroic mirror 46 Mirror 48 fθ lens 49 Falling mirror 50 Compensating lenticular sheet 58 Drum C Lenticular sheet D Recording layer F Lenticular recording material

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] When recording a plurality of original images from different viewpoints on a lenticular recording material having a recording layer on the back side of a lenticular sheet on which a lenticular lens is arranged to obtain a stereoscopic image, An optical member that cancels out the refractive power of the lenticular lens is disposed, a light beam modulated according to the original image is incident on the lenticular sheet via the optical member, and the light beam is applied to the lenticular recording material. While deflecting in the main scanning direction substantially parallel to the generatrix direction of the lenticular sheet, the lenticular recording material and the light beam deflected in the main scanning direction are relatively deflected in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Moving the recording layer of the lenticular recording material by scanning with the light beam. 3D image recording method. 2. A three-dimensional image recording apparatus for recording a plurality of original images from different viewpoints on a lenticular recording material having a recording layer on a back surface side of a lenticular sheet on which a lenticular lens is arranged. Image processing means for obtaining image information and image information to be recorded on the lenticular recording material; a light beam emitting device for emitting a light beam modulated according to the linear image information output from the image processing means; Main scanning by deflecting the light beam emitted from the light beam emitting device substantially parallel to the generatrix direction of the lenticular sheet,
An image forming unit having a scanning device that relatively moves a lenticular recording material and a light beam in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction; and an image forming unit that is disposed between the light beam emitting device and the lenticular recording material. An optical member for canceling the refractive power of the lenticular lens. 3. The three-dimensional image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optical member is a compensation lenticular sheet formed by arranging long lenses for canceling the refractive power of the lenticular lens in the sub-scanning direction.