JP2001142159A - Printing device and photographic processing device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device which obviates the occurrence of color drifts in respective pixels of printed images, allows printing even to the photographic paper of a large size and is low in a manufacturing cost and the cost of the device itself. SOLUTION: LCSs 9R, 9G and 9B are arranged in superposition in an optical axis direction and the surface of the photographic paper P is irradiated with the light rays emitted from the respective LCSs 9R, 9G and 9B via respective rod lens arrays 10R, 10G and 10B. At this time, the respective components are so constituted that the optical axis in the light quantity control region of the arbitrary one LCS passes the transparent regions in the remaining LCSs, that the respective rod lens arrays have the focal lengths varying from each other and that the light quantity control regions of the respective LCSs exist in the focal positions on the light incident side in the corresponding rod lens arrays.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing an image on a photosensitive material by exposing a photosensitive material such as photographic paper, and a photographic processing apparatus provided with the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing of a photograph is performed by irradiating a negative film on which an original image is recorded with light, and irradiating the photographic paper with light transmitted through the negative film. Further, in digital photography, an image is printed by irradiating photographic paper with monochromatic light of red, blue, and green according to image data of an original image.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are explanatory views showing the configuration of a conventional printing apparatus for printing such digital photographs. The printing apparatus 101 shown in FIG.
A blue head 102a, a green head 102b, and a red head 102c for irradiating blue, green, and red monochromatic lights, respectively.

[0004] Each of the heads 102a to 102c is
Lamps 103a to 103c, LCS (Liquid Crystal S)
hutter) 104a to 104c and a refractive index distribution type lens (for example, SELFOC (registered trademark) lens manufactured by Nippon Sheet Glass) SL105a to 105c.

[0005] The lamps 103a to 103c are light sources for generating monochromatic light of blue, green and red, respectively. LCS10
Reference numerals 4a to 104c control the amount of monochromatic light irradiation on photographic paper by transmitting or blocking monochromatic light emitted from the lamps 103a to 103c. Also, S
L105a to 105c are for imaging the monochromatic light transmitted through the LCSs 104a to 104c on the photographic paper P.

In the printing apparatus 101, the lamps 103a to 103 are moved while moving the photographic paper P in the direction of the arrow.
c to generate monochromatic light, and generate LCS1 according to the image data.
The image is printed on the photographic paper P by controlling the light transmission state in the areas 04a to 104c.

In the printing apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 7, monochromatic light transmitted through each of the LCSs 104a to 104c is combined by a combining prism (dichroic combining prism) 111 and passed through a refractive index distribution type lens SL112.
It is set so that the light is emitted toward the same dot on the photographic paper P.

[0008]

However, in the printing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 6, each monochromatic light is applied to different portions on the printing paper P. Therefore, three monochromatic lights are applied to the photographic paper P at different timings based on the transport speed of the photographic paper P so that light of each color corresponding to the same pixel is irradiated on the same point on the photographic paper P. Need to be irradiated.

Here, in the configuration shown in FIG.
104a to 104c are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the printing paper P. These LCSs 104a-
104c are difficult to arrange close to each other for various wiring and structural reasons. That is, the positions where the monochromatic lights are irradiated on the printing paper P are separated from each other by a certain distance. In this case, even if the transport speed of the photographic paper P is controlled to be constant, the photographic paper P slightly bends or expands within the distance between the irradiation positions, so that the color in the pixel of the image to be printed is increased. Misalignment may occur.

In the printing apparatus 110 shown in FIG.
When printing on a wide printing paper P, it is necessary to use an elongated synthetic prism 111. However, it is extremely difficult to manufacture the elongated synthetic prism 111, and the limit of the length of the synthetic prism 111 that can be mass-produced is as follows.
It is about 6 inches. Therefore, there is a problem that the size of the photographic paper P that can be used is limited.

In view of this, a printing apparatus 201 using a cylindrical lens and LCS as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C has been developed. In the printing apparatus 201, white light generated from the lamp 211 and guided by the light guide 212 and the concave mirror 213 is set to be converged by the cylindrical lens 214 and irradiated on the printing paper P.

In the printing apparatus 201, the LCS unit 21 is disposed between the cylindrical lens 214 and the printing paper P.
5 are arranged.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the LCS unit 215. As shown in FIG.
, B cells 221 ..., G cells 222 ... and R cells 22
.. Are arranged one by one for each column (column). These cells 221 to 223 include a liquid crystal driving IC 224.
A simple matrix liquid crystal element driven by 225; Then, it has a function of transmitting or blocking light emitted from the cylindrical lens 214 to the printing paper P by being turned ON / OFF according to the original image.

Each of the cells 221 to 223 includes a filter that transmits only blue light, green light, and red light. Accordingly, the white light incident on the cells 221 to 223 in one row of the LCS unit 215 becomes blue light, green light, and red light, respectively, and is converted into one dot on the photographic paper P by the operation of the cylindrical lens 214 described above. It is designed to be irradiated.

As described above, the printing apparatus 201 can simultaneously irradiate each single color light to one dot of the photographic paper P without using a combining prism. And LCS
ON / OFF of each cell 221 to 223 in the unit 215
By controlling the state, it is possible to set the color of the pixel printed on the photographic paper P.

However, in the LCS section 215 of the printing apparatus 201, all the cells 221 to 223
Is formed as a single liquid crystal element, and has a large and complicated structure. For this reason, there has been a problem that the yield in manufacturing is poor and the manufacturing cost increases.

That is, as shown in FIG.
In 01, it is necessary to provide liquid crystal driving ICs 224 and 225 for driving all the cells 221 to 223 on the same substrate. Therefore, the wiring and patterning from each of the driving ICs 224 and 225 to the cells 221 to 223 are extremely restricted.

For example, the cells 221 and 222 are driven by the same liquid crystal drive IC 224. Therefore,
Wiring 226 from liquid crystal drive IC 224 to cell 222
Must be installed between the cells 221 and 221, and its manufacture is very difficult. In addition, the resolution of the image printed on the printing paper P could not be improved because the intervals between the cells 221...

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG.
In FIG. 15, the row composed of the cells 221 to 223 is arranged side by side in the width direction of the printing paper P.
223 on the photographic paper P.
In order to irradiate as one pixel, it is necessary to make the light irradiated to the LCS unit 215 in the width direction of the printing paper P substantially parallel light. That is, in order to make the light reflected from the concave mirror 213 substantially parallel light, the light emitted from the light guide 212 must be close to a point light source. Therefore, the light applied to the LCS unit 215 is 1
The light was emitted from three point light sources, and the amount of light was sometimes insufficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus of a type for simultaneously irradiating a plurality of monochromatic lights to photographic paper. No color shift occurs in each pixel of the image, printing is possible even on large photographic paper, and
An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus which is low in manufacturing cost and the cost of the apparatus itself, and a photographic processing apparatus using the printing apparatus.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for performing a scanning exposure by relatively moving a photosensitive material. Along with controlling the amount of monochromatic light emitted for each pixel, each pixel has a light amount control region arranged side by side in the main scanning direction and a transparent region that transmits light, A plurality of light quantity control means provided for each type, and light from a pixel in the light quantity control means which is provided on the light emission side of the light quantity control means and is present on the focal length on the incident side, and determines the relative position thereof. Projecting means for projecting onto a photosensitive material disposed on the focal length on the emission side without changing, the plurality of light quantity control means,
While being provided so as to overlap with the direction of the optical axis, the optical axis in the light amount control area of any one light amount control means passes through the transparent area in the remaining light amount control means, and The projection means have different focal lengths, and the light quantity control areas of the respective light quantity control means are located at the focal positions on the light incident side of the corresponding projection means.

In the above configuration, first, a plurality of light amount control means for controlling the amount of monochromatic light emitted from each pixel in accordance with image information is provided for each type of monochromatic light. Therefore,
The structure of the light quantity control means can be simplified as compared with a configuration in which pixels corresponding to all types of monochromatic light are provided in one light quantity control means. As a result, the yield in the production of the light quantity control means can be improved, the production cost can be reduced, and the reliability of the light quantity control means can be increased.

Further, as means for projecting the light emitted from the light quantity control means onto the photosensitive material, the light existing on the focal length on the incident side can be projected onto the focal length on the emitting side without changing its relative position. Projection means for projecting on the arranged photosensitive material is used. Thus, even if the light emitted from the light amount control means is diffused light, the light emission position can be made to correspond to the position of the light irradiated on the photosensitive material. That is,
Diffused light that can be easily obtained can be used without using parallel light that is difficult to create.

For example, when the light amount control means is configured to control the transmission of light from the light source for each pixel, and when it is necessary to use parallel light, the light source may be a point light source. For example, there is a problem of insufficient light amount due to restrictions such as the amount of light. On the other hand, in the above configuration, since the diffused light can be used, the amount of light can be easily increased by a configuration in which a plurality of light sources are arranged.

A plurality of light quantity control means are provided so as to overlap in the direction of the optical axis, and the optical axis in the light quantity control area of any one light quantity control means is the same as that of the remaining light quantity control means. It is configured to pass through a transparent area. This makes it possible to reduce the distance between the optical axes emitted from the respective light quantity control means. Furthermore, since each projection unit has a different focal length from each other, and the light amount control area of each light amount control unit is located at the focal position on the light incident side in the corresponding projection unit,
Light emitted from the light quantity control area of the light quantity control means is applied to a close position on the photosensitive material.

Therefore, in the space between the monochromatic lights irradiated on the photosensitive material, the photosensitive material hardly bends or expands and contracts, and the color shift accompanying this hardly occurs. That is, since an image can be printed on a photosensitive material in a state where color shift does not occur, a printed image having good image quality can be provided.

Also, as in the configuration shown in FIG.
Since it is not necessary to use a synthetic prism that is long in the width direction of the photosensitive material, it is possible to design a configuration that can handle a wide photosensitive material without any problem.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the light amount control means includes:
The liquid crystal display element controls the transmission amount of light emitted from the light source.

According to the above configuration, since the amount of light transmitted through each pixel is controlled by the liquid crystal display element having high technical perfection, the reliability is high and the image information is faithfully reflected. Image light can be irradiated onto the photosensitive material.

The photographic processing apparatus according to the third aspect is the first aspect of the invention.
Or a developing unit for developing the photosensitive material, which has been printed by the printing apparatus, by using a developing solution, and drying the photosensitive material that has been developed in the developing unit. And a drying unit for drying.

According to the above configuration, the printing, developing, and drying processes for the photosensitive material can be continuously performed under centralized management, so that a large amount of operation can be performed without imposing a burden on the user in operation. Photos can be printed continuously.

In the structure of the first aspect, if the light shielding means is provided between the optical paths from the respective light quantity control means to the corresponding projection means, the light source can correspond to the projection means. Since no light from the light amount control means is mixed, the image quality of the printed image can be improved.

[0033] Further, in the structure according to claim 2, a plurality of the light sources are provided for each type of monochromatic light, and reflecting means for reflecting light from each light source in the direction of the light incident surface of the corresponding liquid crystal display element. If the liquid crystal display element further comprises, since only light from the corresponding light source is reflected by the reflection means and enters, the light of a color component other than the corresponding color is incident on the liquid crystal display element. Can be suppressed.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment prints a photosensitive material on the basis of image data of an original image.
A digital photographic printer that prints an original image on a photosensitive material by performing development and drying processes.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the above-mentioned photographic processing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the photographic processing apparatus includes an exposure unit 1, a photographic paper storage unit 2, a development unit 3, a drying unit 4, and a PC (Personal Computer) 5.

The photographic paper storage unit 2 stores photographic paper, which is a photosensitive material, and supplies it to the exposure unit 1 at the time of printing. The exposure unit 1 prints an image by subjecting the photographic paper supplied from the photographic paper storage unit 2 to scanning exposure according to the image data of the original image. Details of the exposure unit 1 will be described later.

The developing section 3 develops an image by transporting the photographic paper subjected to the printing process while applying various developing solutions. The drying unit 4
This is for drying the photographic paper subjected to the development processing. The PC 5 functions as a control unit that controls various operations in the photo processing device, and has a function of storing image data of an original image, a function of performing data processing on image data, and the like. .

Next, the configuration of the exposure unit 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the exposure unit 1 and the photographic paper storage unit 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the photographic paper storage unit 2 located above the exposure unit 1 includes two paper magazines 2a and 2b for storing roll-shaped photographic paper P. Each of the paper magazines 2a and 2b stores photographic paper P of a different size, and is set so that the photographic paper P to be supplied can be switched according to the size of the output image required by the user. Exposure unit 1
Performs scanning exposure on the photographic paper P supplied from the photographic paper storage unit 2 as described above.
And transport rollers R1 to R5.

The printing section 6 irradiates light for exposure to the photographic paper P being transported by the transport rollers R1 to R5. The transport rollers R1 to R5 feed the photographic paper P supplied from the photographic paper storage unit 2 to the developing unit 3 via the printing unit 6.

Next, the configuration of the printing section 6 will be described.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the printing section 6 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing unit 6 includes a light source unit 7, a mirror unit 8, an LCS unit 9, and a rod lens array unit (projection unit) 10. The light emitted from the light source unit 7 passes through the mirror unit 8, the LCS unit 9, and the rod lens array unit 10 in this order, and the photographic paper P
Irradiated on top. In FIG. 1, it is assumed that scanning exposure is performed by transporting the photographic paper P from right to left.

The light source unit 7 includes an LED (Lig) for emitting red light.
ht Emitting Diode) 7R, LED7 that emits green light
G, and an LED 7B that emits blue light. A plurality of these LEDs are arranged in a direction parallel to the lateral width direction of the printing paper P, that is, in FIG. 1, in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

The mirror section 8 reflects the light emitted from the light source section 7 in the direction in which the LCS section 9 is arranged, and is composed of mirrors 8R, 8G, and 8B. These mirrors have a shape that extends long in a direction parallel to the width direction of the printing paper P, in FIG. 1, in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

The LCS section 9 is composed of three LCSs (liquid crystal display elements) 9R, 9G, and 9B.
Based on image data of red, green, and blue components in the original image, transmission and blocking of light of each pixel are controlled. These LCSs are arranged so as to overlap each other in the direction of the optical axis from the mirror section 8 to the rod lens array section 10. Note that these LCS9R / 9G
Details of the configuration and arrangement of 9B will be described later.

The rod lens array section 10 is composed of rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B.
These rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, 10B
Has a configuration in which two to several rows of Selfoc lenses are arranged in a direction parallel to the width direction of the photographic paper P.

The selfoc lens is a solid lens having a cylindrical shape, and has a refractive index that increases toward the center in a section perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder. Light emitted from one point at a conjugate focal length in the SELFOC lens is focused on a certain point on the imaging plane, and its position does not change. That is, the position of the light emitting point and the position of the image forming point correspond one-to-one without being affected by the relative position between the light emitting point and the Selfoc lens. In addition, as the rod lens array unit 10, any one having the same function as the above-described Selfoc lens may be used, for example,
It is also possible to use a roof mirror lens array (registered trademark) manufactured by Ricoh Optical Co., Ltd.

Next, the configuration of the LCSs 9R, 9G, and 9B will be described. In addition, LCS9R ・ 9G ・ 9B
Are the same as each other in the configuration itself, and therefore, the configuration of the LCS 9R will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the LCS 9R. As shown in FIG. 4, the LCS 9R includes a liquid crystal element 12 having a liquid crystal layer therein, and polarizing plates 13 provided on a light incident surface and a light exit surface of the liquid crystal element 12.
And an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) cable 14. In the LCS 9R, a plurality of pixel openings 15 are provided so as to be alternately arranged in two rows. The direction of the column formed by the plurality of pixel openings 15 is a main scanning direction in scanning exposure, that is, a direction parallel to the width direction of the printing paper P.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of the pixel opening 15 when viewed from the direction A in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in the liquid crystal element 12, transparent electrodes 18 and 19 are formed on translucent substrates 16 and 17 which are arranged to face each other, and a liquid crystal layer 20 is interposed between the transparent electrodes 18 and 19. Are arranged.

Further, a mask 21 made of a material having a light-shielding property is formed on the light-transmitting substrate 16. The mask 21 is provided so as to overlap the region where the polarizing plate 13 is formed when the LCS 9R is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the light incident surface, and has openings at positions corresponding to the pixel openings 15. Is provided. Note that FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. Therefore, only one pixel opening 15 is shown. Are provided alternately.

The transparent electrodes 18 and 19 are electrodes made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer 20. These transparent electrodes 18 and 19 have
The FPC cable 14 shown in FIG. 4 is connected, and a voltage from a drive circuit (not shown) is supplied via the FPC cable 14.

The liquid crystal layer 20 is a layer in which a liquid crystal material whose orientation changes according to the voltage applied by the transparent electrodes 18 and 19 is sealed. The liquid crystal layer 20 has a function of changing the polarization state of light transmitted through the polarizing plate 13 according to the alignment state of the liquid crystal material.

That is, the liquid crystal layer 20 is set to be in an alignment state in which the polarization direction of the light transmitted through the polarizing plate 13 is rotated by about 90 ° when the applied voltage is less than a predetermined threshold. ing. On the other hand, when the applied voltage is equal to or higher than the threshold, the liquid crystal layer 20 is in an alignment state in which linearly polarized light transmitted through the polarizing plate 13 is transmitted without affecting the polarization state. The directions of the polarization axes of the polarizing plate 13 on the light incident side and the polarizing plate 13 on the light emitting side are set to be a right angle. Therefore, the LCS 9R transmits light when a voltage higher than the threshold is not applied,
It is a normally white liquid crystal display element.

When the LCS 9R is viewed from the direction perpendicular to the light incident surface, the area AR1 where the polarizing plate 13 is provided is provided.
In regions other than the (light amount control region), light is always transmitted regardless of the alignment state of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer 20. Hereinafter, the area that always transmits this light is referred to as a transparent area A.
Called R2.

As described above, LCS9R / 9G / 9B
Is provided so that the pixel openings 15 are alternately arranged in two lines, so that when scanning exposure is performed on the photographic paper P, exposure can be performed such that the ends of adjacent pixels overlap. . That is, the mask 21 between the pixel openings 15 in each column is not printed on the printing paper P as an unexposed portion. Therefore, LC having a relatively small aperture ratio
Even if S is used, printing can be performed without any problem.
Cost can be reduced.

Next, the three LCSs 9 in the LCS section 9 are
The arrangement of R, 9G, and 9B will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the LCSs 9R, 9G, and 9B are arranged so as to overlap each other in the direction of the optical axis from the mirror unit 8 to the rod lens array unit 10. When viewed from the light incident side in the LCS unit 9, the LCS 9R, 9G, 9B
Are shifted in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the photographic paper P such that the rows of the pixel openings 15 in each of the above, in other words, the light amount control areas AR1 are arranged in parallel at different positions. Are arranged. That is, the optical axes passing through the pixel openings 15 in each of the LCSs 9R, 9G, and 9B are spaced at predetermined intervals, respectively.
This means that the printing paper P is displaced parallel to the transport direction, in other words, the sub-scanning direction.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, LCSs 9B, 9G, and 9R are arranged in order from the mirror section 8 in the direction of the optical axis from the mirror section 8 to the rod lens array section 10. The optical axis passing through the pixel openings 15 in the LCS 9R passes through the center of the rod lens array 10R,
The LCS 9B, 9G, 9R and the rod lens such that the optical axis passing through the pixel openings 15 in 9G passes through the center of the rod lens array 10G and the optical axis passing through the pixel openings 15 in LCS 9B passes through the center of the rod lens array 10B. Arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B are arranged.
The mirrors 8R, 8G, and 8B are LCS9R, respectively.
And 9G and 9B are arranged on the optical axis passing through the pixel openings 15.

That is, the red light emitted from the LED 7R is reflected by the mirror 8R, passes through the transparent area AR2 in the LCS 9G and 9B, and passes through the pixel openings 15 in the LCS 9R. And the rod lens array 10R
Is applied to the photographic printing paper P through the.

The green light emitted from the LED 7G is:
Reflected by mirror 8G, transparent area A in LCS 9R
R2 passes through the pixel openings 15 in the LCS 9G. Then, the light passes through the transparent area AR2 in the LCS 9B, and is irradiated onto the photographic paper P via the rod lens array 10G.

The blue light emitted from the LED 7B is
The pixel aperture 1 in the LCS 9B is reflected by the mirror 8B.
Pass through 5 ... Then, the light passes through the transparent area AR2 in the LCS 9R / 9G and is irradiated on the photographic paper P via the rod lens array 10B.

As described above, in the above configuration, one set of rod lens arrays is provided for each optical path corresponding to each color. Therefore, rod lens arrays composed of selfoc lenses optimal for each color component are provided. This makes it possible to eliminate the problem of a shift in focal length due to different wavelengths.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the mirror 8R
Light shielding materials 11A and 11B are provided so that the red light, green light, and blue light reflected by 8G and 8B do not enter the uncorresponding LCS 9R, 9G, and 9B and the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B. Have been.

The light shielding material 11A is a region extending from the lower surface of the LCS 9B to the upper surfaces of the rod lens arrays 10R and 10G.
It is provided in an area between the optical path of red light from the mirror 8R to the rod lens array 10R and the optical path of green light from the mirror 8G to the rod lens array 10G. Further, the light shielding material 11B is provided in a region extending from the lower surface of the LCS 9B to the upper surfaces of the rod lens arrays 10G and 10B.
It is provided in a region between the optical path of green light from G to the rod lens array 10G and the optical path of blue light from the mirror 8B to the rod lens array 10B.

By providing the light shielding members 11A and 11B as described above, the respective optical paths of the red light, the green light and the blue light do not cross each other, and the LCSs 9R, 9G and 9B and the rod lenses which do not correspond to each other. The light does not enter the arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B. Therefore, the light emitted from the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B onto the photographic printing paper P becomes image light of a red component, a green component, and a blue component, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in image quality of a printed image due to mixing of light of a color component that does not correspond to light irradiated on the printing paper P from each of the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B. .

In the above-described configuration, in order to prevent light of an uncorresponding color component from being mixed into the light irradiated onto the photographic paper P from each of the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B. As described above, the light shielding material 11A-1
Although 1B is provided, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, rod lens arrays 10R and 10G
The same effect as the above-described configuration can be obtained by providing a color filter that transmits only the corresponding color component on each of the light incident side and the light output side of 10B.

Next, the relationship between the positions of the LCSs 9R, 9G, and 9B and the positions of the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B will be described. Rod lens array 1
The selfoc lenses forming the OR, 10G, and 10B have different TC (Total Conjugate length) values. Here, the TC value indicates a conjugate length in the Selfoc lens, and indicates a distance from a focal position on the light incident side to a focal position on the emission side.

In this embodiment, the rod lens array 10
As a Selfoc lens constituting R, the TC value is 32.
(mm), the TC value is 38 (mm) as a selfoc lens constituting the rod lens array 10G, and the TC value is 43 (mm) as a selfoc lens constituting the rod lens array 10B. ).

Then, the rod lens arrays 10R and 10R
G and 10B each set the position of the photographic paper P so that the photographic paper P is disposed at the focal position on the light emission side.
That is, the rod lens array 10R made of a selfoc lens having the shortest TC value is arranged at a position closest to the printing paper P, and the rod lens array 10B made of a selfoc lens having the longest TC value is placed on the printing paper P. It is located far away. In addition, LCS9R ・ 9G ・ 9
B is the rod lens array 10R
It is located at the focal position on the light incident side in 10G and 10B.

As described above, by arranging the LCS 9R, 9G, 9B and the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, 10B, the light emitted from each of the LCS 9R, 9G, 9B is placed on the photographic paper P on each of the pixels. Irradiation can be performed in a one-to-one correspondence without changing the relative position.

Next, the positional relationship between the red light, the green light and the blue light irradiated on the photographic paper P will be described.
As described above, the LCSs 9R, 9G, and 9B
Are arranged so as to overlap with each other in the direction of the optical axis from to the rod lens array unit 10. And LCS
The optical axes passing through 9R, 9G, and 9B are arranged so as to pass through the transparent areas AR2 in different LCSs.
Therefore, the distance between the optical axes passing through the LCSs 9R, 9G, and 9B can be made close to a considerable extent.

However, when the above optical axes are brought extremely close to each other, the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, 1
The width of 0B in the sub-scanning direction must also be reduced.
That is, each of the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, 10
The amount of light incident on B becomes small, and the amount of light required when printing an image on the photographic paper P becomes insufficient.

As described above, according to the output of the light source unit 7, the configuration of the optical system in the mirror unit 8, the LCS unit 9 and the like, the amount of light irradiated on the photographic paper P is sufficient.
By setting the width of the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B in the sub-scanning direction, the distance between the optical axes is determined. In the present embodiment, the interval D between the optical axes, that is, the interval D between the irradiation positions of the red light and the green light, and the green light and the blue light on the photographic paper P is 4.8 mm. .

On the other hand, for example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 6 shown in the prior art, the interval between each color light irradiated on the photographic paper P is about several tens to several hundreds mm. I have. This is, as described above, the LCS 104a-1
04c are arranged side by side in the direction parallel to the transport direction of the photographic paper P, and it is difficult to arrange them close to each other for various wiring and structural reasons.

As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the interval between the respective color lights irradiated onto the photographic paper P can be remarkably reduced as compared with the conventional configuration. Further, the interval between the respective color lights irradiated on the photographic paper P is
As described above, since it is about several mm, the photographic paper P hardly bends or expands or contracts within the interval between the respective color lights. Therefore, an image can be printed on the photographic printing paper P in a state where no color shift occurs, and it is possible to provide a printed image with good image quality.

Further, as in the configuration shown in FIG.
Since it is not necessary to use a synthetic prism that is long in the width direction of the printing paper P, a configuration that can cope with a wide printing paper P can be designed without any problem.

In the configuration shown in FIG.
In S unit 215, all cells 221 corresponding to each color
To 223 are formed as one liquid crystal element.
The structure is large and complicated, and there is a problem of an increase in manufacturing cost due to a decrease in yield. However, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, such a problem does not occur. This is because, in the present embodiment, LCS9R / 9G / 9B corresponding to each color
This is because each of the LCSs 9R, 9G, and 9B can be designed independently, so that it is possible to have a structure with a margin and improve the yield.

In the structure of the present embodiment, LC
Since the structures of the S9R, 9G, and 9B are all the same, the cost of the device itself can be reduced as compared with the case of using an LCS having a different structure for each color.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG.
In order to make the light reflected from the light source 3 substantially parallel light, the light emitted from the light guide 212 must be close to a point light source, and there is a problem that the light quantity becomes insufficient. According to the configuration of the embodiment, such a problem is solved. This is because, in the present embodiment, the position of the light emitting point and the position of the image forming point are projected on the photographic paper P by the selfoc lens corresponding to the one-to-one correspondence.
The reason is that the light to be incident on 9G and 9B may be diffused light, so that a plurality of light sources arranged in the main scanning direction can be used.

The printing operation in the printing section 6 having the above configuration is as follows. LED7R in the light source unit 7
The red light, green light, and blue light emitted from 7G / 7B are reflected by mirrors 8R, 8G, and 8B in mirror unit 8, and are applied to LCSs 9R, 9G, and 9B, respectively. Then, according to the image data, LCS9R.
In each of 9G and 9B, transmission and blocking of light in the pixel openings 15 are controlled, and red light, green light, and blue light are emitted as image light reflecting image data. Thereafter, the red light, the green light, and the blue light are incident on the rod lens arrays 10R, 10G, and 10B in the rod lens array unit 10, respectively, and then irradiated onto the printing paper P.

Then, while transporting the printing paper P, the LC
Scanning exposure is performed by changing the transmission state of light in S9R, 9G, and 9B according to image data, and a two-dimensional image is printed on photographic paper P.

In the above configuration, each color light emitted from the light source section 7 is reflected by the mirror section 8 so that its optical axis is bent by 90 °, and thereafter enters the LCS section 9. However, a configuration may be adopted in which each color light emitted from the light source unit 7 is directly incident on the LCS unit 9 without providing the mirror unit 8. In this case, LCS9R ・ 9G ・ 9B
On the optical axis passing through the pixel openings 15.
7G and 7B are respectively arranged. However, if the mirror unit 8 is provided, the LCS 9R
Light of a color component other than the corresponding color can be suppressed from being incident on each of 9G and 9B.

In the above configuration, the light source unit 7
LED7R ・ 7G ・ 7B is provided, but the light source is LED
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a halogen lamp or the like can be used. In this case, it is necessary to provide a color filter that transmits only each color component somewhere on the optical path from the light source unit 7 to the printing paper P.

Here, a comparison of performance when the LED is used as the light source unit 7 and when the halogen lamp is used will be described. First, with regard to heat dissipation, LEDs emit little heat, whereas halogen lamps emit large amounts of heat. Therefore, when a halogen lamp is used, means for cooling the rise in temperature due to the released heat is required.

When the LED is used, the performance is hardly deteriorated due to dust entrapment. However, when the halogen lamp is used, the performance is degraded due to dust entrainment. It is necessary to perform maintenance such as.

As for the output, the halogen lamp can output a sufficient amount of light for printing, but since the LED has a relatively small amount of light, it is necessary to take measures such as providing a plurality of LEDs. On the other hand, regarding power consumption, LEDs have excellent luminous efficiency and can emit light with extremely low power.However, halogen lamps also emit a large amount of heat when emitting light, so that luminous efficiency is poor and a large amount of light is emitted. Power will be consumed.

Further, since the rising of the light quantity when the power is turned on and the falling of the light quantity when the power is turned off are relatively slow in the halogen lamp, it is necessary to accurately control the exposure time. It is necessary to provide a mechanical shutter or the like on the optical path of the light emitted from the halogen lamp. On the other hand, as for the LED, the rise of the light quantity when the power is turned on and the fall of the light quantity when the power is turned off are steep, so that the exposure time can be controlled only by turning the power on / off. It is.

Regarding the service life, the LED can be used for a relatively long time without replacement, but the halogen lamp has to be replaced each time since a failure such as a breakage of a filament portion occurs in a relatively short time. There is.
Regarding the temperature characteristics, the light emission state of the LED slightly changes depending on the ambient temperature, but the light emission state of the halogen lamp hardly changes due to the ambient temperature.

[0088]

As described above, the printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs scanning exposure by relatively moving a photosensitive material. Along with controlling the amount of emitted monochromatic light, a plurality of pixels are provided for each type of monochromatic light, including a light amount control region arranged side by side in the main scanning direction and a transparent region that transmits light. The light quantity control means and the light quantity control means are provided on the light emission side of the light quantity control means, respectively, and emit light from the pixels in the light quantity control means existing on the focal length on the incident side without changing their relative positions. Projecting means for projecting on a photosensitive material arranged on the focal length of the side,
The plurality of light quantity control means are provided so as to overlap with each other in the direction of the optical axis, and the optical axis in the light quantity control area of any one light quantity control means corresponds to the transparent area in the remaining light quantity control means. While passing, each of the projection means has a different focal length from each other, and the light quantity control area of each of the light quantity control means is located at the focal position on the light incident side of the corresponding projection means. Configuration.

As a result, the structure of each light quantity control means can be simplified, so that the yield in the production of the light quantity control means can be improved, the production cost can be reduced, and the reliability of the light quantity control means can be improved. It has the effect of being able to increase.

Further, by using the projection means as described above, even if the light emitted from the light quantity control means is diffused light, the emission position of the light corresponds to the position of the light irradiated on the photosensitive material. This makes it possible to use easily obtained diffused light without using parallel light or the like that is difficult to create.

In addition, since the diffused light can be used as described above, it is possible to easily increase the amount of light by arranging a plurality of light sources side by side.

Further, the light emitted from the light amount control area of the light amount control means is applied to a close position on the photosensitive material, and therefore, within the interval between the monochromatic lights irradiated on the photosensitive material, The bending or expansion and contraction of the photosensitive material hardly occurs, and the color shift accompanying this hardly occurs. That is, since an image can be printed on a photosensitive material in a state where no color misregistration occurs, there is an effect that a printed image with good image quality can be provided.

Also, as in the configuration shown in FIG.
Since it is not necessary to use a synthetic prism that is long in the width direction of the photosensitive material, there is an effect that a configuration capable of coping with a wide photosensitive material can be designed without any problem.

The printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is configured such that the light amount control means is a liquid crystal display element for controlling the transmission amount of light emitted from the light source for each pixel.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the structure of claim 1, the liquid crystal display element having high technical perfection can
Since the amount of light transmission in each pixel is controlled, there is an effect that the photosensitive material can be irradiated with image light having high reliability and faithfully reflecting image information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic processing apparatus comprising: a printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect; and a photosensitive material which has been printed by the printing apparatus, is developed by using a developing solution. And a drying unit for drying the photosensitive material that has been subjected to the development processing in the developing unit.

As a result, a printing process for the photosensitive material,
Since the developing process and the drying process can be continuously performed under the unified management, an effect that a large number of photographs can be continuously printed without imposing an operational burden on a user is achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing unit included in a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the photographic processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an exposure unit and a photographic paper storage unit provided in the photographic processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an LCS provided in the printing section.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view near the pixel opening in the LCS.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional printing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional printing apparatus having a synthetic prism.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus using a cylindrical lens and a liquid crystal shutter.

9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an LCS unit in the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 exposure unit 2 photographic paper storage unit 3 developing unit 4 drying unit 5 PC 6 printing unit 7R, 7G, 7B LED (light source) 8R, 8G, 8B mirror 9R, 9G, 9B LCS (liquid crystal display element) 10R, 10G, 10B Rod lens array (projection means) 11A / 11B Light shielding material P Printing paper (photosensitive material)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for performing scanning exposure by relatively moving a photosensitive material, wherein the amount of monochromatic light emitted from each pixel is controlled in accordance with image information, and each pixel is used as a main unit. A plurality of light quantity control means provided with a light quantity control area arranged side by side in the scanning direction and a transparent area for transmitting light, and a plurality of light quantity control means provided for each type of monochromatic light; Projection for projecting light from a pixel in the light amount control means provided on the incident side focal length on a photosensitive material disposed on the exit side focal length without changing its relative position. A plurality of light quantity control means are provided so as to overlap with each other in the direction of the optical axis, and the optical axis in the light quantity control area of any one light quantity control means is the remaining light quantity control means. Transparency in means While passing through the area, each of the projection means has a different focal length from each other, and the light quantity control area of each of the light quantity control means is located at the focal position on the light incident side of the corresponding projection means. A printing apparatus characterized by performing. 2. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light amount control means is a liquid crystal display element for controlling a transmission amount of light emitted from a light source for each pixel. 3. A printing device according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive material which has been printed by the printing device is subjected to a developing process using a developing solution, and the developing unit performs development. A photographic processing apparatus comprising: a drying unit for drying the processed photosensitive material.