JP2001183747A - Printing device and photographic processing device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device which prints images to photosensitive materials by using an optical modulation element, such as a liquid crystal display device, does not give rise to the unevenness by the visual angle characteristic possessed by the optical modulation element on the images casting to the photosensitive materials and allows the diversion of the conventional analog printer. SOLUTION: The light emitted from a light source 8 passes an LCD 9 on which the images are displayed. The light is then made incident on a variable focal lens 10 via a condenser lens 12 and is projected onto photographic paper 11. The focal length of the condenser lens 12 is so set that only the light emitted as parallel light beams from the LCD 9 is cast via the variable focal lens 10 onto the photographic paper 11.

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 by irradiating a photosensitive material with light using a light modulation element such as a liquid crystal display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, research and development of a printing apparatus as a so-called digital exposure device using, for example, a liquid crystal display as an image display apparatus have been actively pursued.
This type of printing apparatus controls the transmission of light from a light source for each pixel by driving each pixel of the liquid crystal display device in accordance with image information, and irradiates the transmitted light to a photographic paper to form the image information. Is printed on photographic paper.

FIG. 9A shows a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LC).
D) is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an exposure unit in a conventional printing apparatus provided with a conventional printing apparatus. The exposure unit includes a light source 51,
The configuration includes an LCD 52 and a varifocal lens 53. Although not shown, the exposure unit includes a mirror tunnel for removing light amount unevenness in the light source 51 and only light of each color component of blue (B), green (G), and red (R). And a configuration such as a BGR rotation filter including three filters that transmit light.

[0004] The light source 51 is composed of a lamp portion such as a halogen lamp for emitting white light, a reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the lamp portion toward the LCD 52, and the like. The LCD 52 is configured by a liquid crystal display device in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, and displays image data of a color component selected by the BGR rotation filter. The varifocal lens 53 is a normal variable focus lens, and can change the focal length continuously by moving a part of the constituent lens along the optical axis and changing the interval between the constituent lenses. is there. As shown in FIG. 9A, the varifocal lens 53 is provided with an aperture 53A. By changing the aperture of the aperture 53A, the sharpness of an image printed on the photographic paper 54 is adjusted. can do.

[0005] The printing operation of the conventional printing apparatus having the above configuration is as follows. When the light emitted from the light source 51 passes through a mirror tunnel (not shown), the light amount unevenness is removed. The light emitted from the mirror tunnel passes through a filter disposed on the optical path in a BGR rotation filter (not shown), and is converted into light of a corresponding color component.
Incident on. In the LCD 52, the light transmission state is controlled for each pixel based on the image data of the corresponding color component. Then, the image light emitted from the LCD 52 is irradiated onto the photographic paper 54 via the varifocal lens 53.
By sequentially performing such printing operation for each color component, a color image is printed on the printing paper 54.

[0006]

In the printing apparatus having the above-described structure, even if the LCD used as a means for displaying an image has sufficient in-plane uniformity in light transmission control performance. In some cases, the amount of exposure to the photographic paper is not uniform in the plane, causing unevenness in the printed image as shown in FIG. This is because a TN (Twisted Nematic) type liquid crystal display device usually used as an LCD has a large viewing angle characteristic, that is, a dependence of transmitted light intensity on an incident / emission angle.

Here, the viewing angle characteristics occurring in the LCD will be described. FIG. 11C shows a general LCD.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the viewing angle characteristic in. FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the direction of the viewing angle in FIG. 1C and the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the LCD. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing the direction of the viewing angle in FIGS. 1C and 1B. It is assumed that the LCD is set to a normally white mode.

FIG. 11C shows four viewing angle directions with respect to the LCD and the display density of the LCD when viewed from each direction. As described above, the LCD performs the display in a state where the density is different depending on the viewing direction when the halftone display is performed. For example, in the figure, it is the brightest at the viewing angle a and the darkest at the viewing angle c. In this regard, for example, as shown in FIG.
Has a larger angle with respect to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. As a result, the amount of phase difference generated by the liquid crystal molecules in the light in the viewing angle a direction increases, so that the amount of light transmitted through the two polarizing plates increases. Further, for example, the viewing angle c is smaller in angle with respect to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. Therefore,
In the light in the viewing angle c direction, the amount of phase difference generated by the liquid crystal molecules is reduced, and the amount of light transmitted through the two polarizing plates is reduced. For such a reason, in the LCD, FIG.
The viewing angle characteristics as shown in FIG.

[0009] In the printing apparatus shown in FIG.
The light emitted near the center of the CD 52 and irradiated on the printing paper 54 is emitted almost vertically from the LCD 52, but emitted near the end of the LCD 52 and irradiated on the printing paper 54. Are emitted obliquely from the LCD 52. That is, the image printed on the photographic printing paper 54 has a different angle of emission from the LCD 52 depending on its position, and is thus affected by the viewing angle characteristics as described above. That is, FIG.
When printing is performed by the configuration as shown in FIG. 10A, unevenness of the viewing angle characteristics as shown in FIG. Such unevenness significantly impairs the image quality of the printed image.

As a configuration for preventing such unevenness due to the viewing angle characteristics, a configuration as shown in FIG. 9B has been proposed. In the configuration shown in FIG. 9B, a one-side telecentric lens 55 is provided instead of the varifocal lens 53 in the configuration shown in FIG. 9A. The one-sided telecentric lens 55 is a lens used for imaging only when the light incident on the lens is substantially parallel to the normal direction at the center of the lens by providing the diaphragm 55A between the lens and the printing paper. is there.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 9 (b), the light irradiated on the photographic printing paper 54
The light is emitted from the LCD 52 almost vertically. In other words, the angle of emission of the image printed on the photographic printing paper 54 from the LCD 52 is almost constant at any position, so that the viewing angle characteristic is hardly affected. That is, if the printing is performed by the configuration as shown in FIG. 9B, the image on the photographic paper 54 has almost no unevenness of the viewing angle characteristics.

[0012] However, the configuration shown in FIG.
As described above, the varifocal lens 53 in the configuration shown in FIG. 9A is eliminated, and a one-side telecentric lens 55 is provided instead. Basically, it is difficult for a one-sided telecentric lens to have a focus adjustment mechanism due to its configuration. Therefore, such a configuration has a problem that it is impossible to change the printing magnification.

As a printing apparatus widely used in the past, an analog exposure printing apparatus which irradiates light onto a negative film and irradiates the transmitted light onto photographic paper via a varifocal lens as a printing lens. (Hereinafter referred to as an analog printer). A general configuration of this analog printer includes a mechanism for transporting photographic paper to an exposure position, an exposure unit main body having a varifocal lens provided therein, and a negative film externally attached to the exposure unit main body. A mechanism called an auto-negative mask for transporting the light to the exposure position, and a light source unit are provided.

In such an analog printer, if the auto negative mask is removed and a unit having an LCD is attached, it is possible to change to a digital exposure type printing apparatus as shown in FIG. In other words, it is possible to change the digital exposure method from the analog exposure method to the digital exposure method by diverting the exposure unit main body of the analog printer that has been used in the past. Can be suppressed.

However, in order to adopt the configuration shown in FIG. 9B, the varifocal lens provided inside the exposure unit main body of the analog printer is removed,
It becomes necessary to install a one-sided telecentric lens.
Further, depending on the amount of change in the focal length due to the change from the varifocal lens to the one-sided telecentric lens, it may be necessary to move the path for transporting the photographic paper. In other words, it is necessary to change the design of the exposure unit itself, and the merit of diverting an analog printer that has been used conventionally becomes extremely small.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus for printing an image on a photosensitive material using a light modulation element such as a liquid crystal display device. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus which does not cause unevenness in an image to be irradiated due to the viewing angle characteristics of a light modulation element, and which can use a conventional analog printer, and a photographic processing apparatus including the printing apparatus.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for printing an image by irradiating a photosensitive material with light.
A light source, and a light modulating unit that modulates light from the light source for each pixel in accordance with image information, a projecting unit that projects light from the light modulating unit onto the photosensitive material, and a light modulating unit. Light condensing means for condensing the emitted light and making it incident on the projection means.

In the above arrangement, the light emitted from the light modulation means for modulating the light from the light source for each pixel in accordance with the image information is condensed by the light condensing means and then incident on the projection means. Light is projected onto the photosensitive material by the projection means. As described above, when the light emitted from the light modulating unit is condensed by the condensing unit and then incident on the projecting unit,
Only light that has exited the light exit surface of the light modulating means in a specific range of directions will enter the projecting means. In other words, the image printed on the photosensitive material has an angle at which the light modulating means exits in a specific range at any position. Therefore, even if the light modulating means has a viewing angle characteristic. In addition, it is possible to reduce the influence of the viewing angle characteristic on a printed image. That is, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven viewing angle characteristics in an image on the photosensitive material.

Further, according to the above configuration, it is possible to use, as the projection means, a projection means such as a varifocal lens which is conventionally provided inside a printing unit in an analog printer. Therefore, by attaching the components such as the light modulating means and the light condensing means to the printing portion of the conventional analog printer, it becomes possible to use the printer as a digital printer. Therefore, the cost required when changing from the analog exposure method to the digital exposure method can be reduced.

Further, since the light emitted from the light modulating means is condensed and then incident on the projecting means, the proportion of the light emitted from the light modulating means which contributes to the projection on the photosensitive material, in other words, If this is the case, it becomes possible to improve the light use efficiency.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, only the light emitted from the light condensing means as substantially parallel light from the light modulating means is transmitted through the projection means to the photosensitive material. It is characterized in that its focal length is set so that it is irradiated upward.

According to the above arrangement, the light irradiated on the photosensitive material is emitted from the light modulating means as substantially parallel light at any position on the light modulating means. In other words, the image printed on the photosensitive material has an almost constant angle of exit from the light modulating means at any position. Therefore, even if the light modulating means has a viewing angle characteristic, The effect of the viewing angle characteristics hardly occurs on the printed image. That is, it is possible to make the viewing angle characteristics of the image on the photosensitive material hardly uneven.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for printing an image by irradiating light to a photosensitive material, wherein light from the light source is supplied to each pixel in accordance with a light source and image information. A light modulating means for modulating the light, a projecting means for projecting the light from the light modulating means onto the photosensitive material, a condensing lens, and one side comprising a stop arranged on the light exit side of the condensing lens. A telecentric lens optical system, wherein light emitted from the light modulating means is incident on the projecting means via the one-sided telecentric lens optical system.

In the above arrangement, the light emitted from the light modulating means for modulating the light from the light source for each pixel in accordance with the image information is incident on the projecting means via the one-sided telecentric lens optical system. Light is projected onto the photosensitive material by the means. The one-sided telecentric lens optical system is an optical system that is used for imaging only when light incident on the condenser lens is substantially parallel to the normal direction at the center of the condenser lens. Therefore, only light emitted from the light emitting surface of the light modulating means in a direction substantially parallel to the normal direction at the center of the condensing lens enters the projecting means. In other words, the image printed on the photosensitive material has an angle at which the light modulating means exits in a specific range at any position. Therefore, even if the light modulating means has a viewing angle characteristic. In addition, it is possible to reduce the influence of the viewing angle characteristic on a printed image. That is, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven viewing angle characteristics in an image on the photosensitive material.

Further, according to the above arrangement, it is possible to use, as the projection means, a projection means such as a varifocal lens which is conventionally provided inside a printing unit in an analog printer without any change. Therefore, it is possible to use the analog printer as a digital printer by attaching the components such as the light modulation means and the one-side telecentric lens optical system to the printing portion of the analog printer. Therefore, the cost required when changing from the analog exposure method to the digital exposure method can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for printing an image by irradiating a light-sensitive material with light, wherein the light from the light source is supplied to each pixel in accordance with a light source and image information. Light modulating means for modulating the light, the projecting means for projecting the light from the light modulating means onto the photosensitive material, and an optical fiber array comprising a plurality of optical fibers, light emitted from the light modulating means, The light is incident on the projection means via the optical fiber array.

In the above arrangement, the light emitted from the light modulating means for modulating the light from the light source for each pixel in accordance with the image information enters the projecting means via the optical fiber array, and is exposed by the projecting means. Light is projected on the material. An optical fiber array composed of a plurality of optical fibers has a property that only light incident at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture of each optical fiber is emitted from the surface on the light emission side. Therefore, the light exit surface of the light modulating means
Only light emitted at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture of each optical fiber will enter the projection means. In other words, the image printed on the photosensitive material has an angle at which the light modulating means exits in a specific range at any position. Therefore, even if the light modulating means has a viewing angle characteristic. In addition, it is possible to reduce the influence of the viewing angle characteristic on a printed image. That is, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven viewing angle characteristics in an image on the photosensitive material.

Further, according to the above arrangement, it is possible to use, as the projection means, a projection means such as a varifocal lens which is conventionally provided inside a printing unit in an analog printer. Therefore, by attaching the components such as the optical modulation means and the optical fiber array to the printing portion of the conventional analog printer, it becomes possible to use the printer as a digital printer. Therefore, the cost required when changing from the analog exposure method to the digital exposure method can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fourth aspect, as the optical fiber array moves away from the center where the optical axis passes in the optical axis direction, the direction of the incident light moves inward, that is, toward the center. It is characterized by a shape that bends.

According to the above configuration, light incident near the center of the optical fiber array travels straight without changing its direction, but light incident near the periphery of the optical fiber array changes its direction in the optical fiber array. It will be bent gently toward the center. As a result, the direction of light emitted from any position on the light exit surface of the optical fiber array is directed to the vicinity of the opening of the projection means. The difference between the amount of light emitted from the vicinity of the center and the amount of light emitted from the vicinity of the periphery of the light emitting surface of the array can be reduced. Therefore, the light irradiated on the photosensitive material via the projection means can be made substantially uniform regardless of the emission position from the optical fiber array.

In a preferred embodiment, the light emitting direction of each optical fiber in the optical fiber array is directed to the opening of the projection means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the optical fiber array is
It is characterized in that the surface on the light emission side is inwardly concave.

In the above configuration, in the optical fiber array, the distance between the light incident side surface and the light emitting side surface is short near the center and becomes longer toward the periphery. Is designed.
With such a shape, by setting the focal length of the projecting means as appropriate, it is possible to arrange almost all the light emitting points from the optical fiber array almost on the focal length on the light incident side of the projecting means. Becomes Therefore, it is possible to almost completely focus on all positions of the image.

The most preferable shape is as follows, from an arbitrary position on the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array.
So that the distances to the openings of the projection means are all equal,
The surface on the light emission side is designed to have a partially spherical shape.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the light modulating means is a liquid crystal display.

According to the above configuration, the transmission of light in each pixel is modulated by the liquid crystal display device having high technical perfection to control the emission of light, so that the reliability is high.
In addition, it is possible to irradiate the photosensitive material with image light that faithfully reflects image information.

The photographic processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect is characterized in that
7. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 7, a developing section for developing the photosensitive material which has been printed by the above-described printing apparatus by using a developing solution, and a developing process in the developing section. And a drying unit for drying the photosensitive material.

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

[0039]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The photographic processing apparatus includes a printing unit 1, a developing unit 2, and a drying unit 3.

The printing unit 1 exposes photographic paper as a photosensitive material conveyed from the paper magazine 4 by irradiating light transmitted through a negative film or a liquid crystal display device. The developing unit 2 performs the developing process by transporting the photographic paper exposed in the printing unit 1 while spraying or immersing the photographic paper in the developing solution. The drying unit 3
The final processing of printing is performed by drying the photographic paper subjected to the development processing in the development processing unit 2.

As described above, the photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which exposure, development, and drying of photographic paper are continuously performed under centralized management. Therefore, it is possible to print a large number of photographs continuously without putting a burden on the user in operation.

A light source unit 5, a light guide unit 6, and an optical unit 7 are provided outside the printing unit 1. In addition,
Various embodiments of the optical unit 7 will be described later.
Will change in size and shape.

Although not shown, the light source unit 5 includes a light source, a BGR rotation filter, and the like. The light source supports, for example, a lamp unit including a halogen lamp, and a reflector that reflects light emitted from the lamp unit in a direction in which the BGR rotary filter is arranged, a lamp unit and a reflector at predetermined positions,
It is composed of a socket section for supplying electric power to the lamp section, and the like. The light emitted from the lamp unit is light containing all the light components of each of the blue, green, and red colors, and is a slightly reddish white light. The reason why the white light is slightly reddish is to make up for the fact that the red coloring property of the photographic paper is weaker than other colors.

The BGR rotary filter has a disk shape. Filters respectively corresponding to blue, green and red are provided in a fan-shaped region which divides the central angle into three, and rotates around the center. It has a possible configuration. Then, by selectively disposing the filters corresponding to the respective colors on the optical path, the white light emitted from the light source is converted into light of the color component.

It is to be noted that, in place of the BGR rotary filter, a configuration may be employed in which filters for respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are provided, and a dimming filter for dimming by a color reduction method is provided. Good. Each of these color filters includes two filters, and the two filters are arranged on both sides of the optical path of the light emitted from the light source. Then, in the filters of each color, the corresponding color component is adjusted by changing the interval between the two filters sandwiching the optical path, in other words, by changing the amount of inserting each color filter into the optical path. . The light emitted from the light source can be adjusted to white light, blue light, green light, red light, or the like by the dimming of the dimming filter, and can be incident on an optical system thereafter.

The light guide section 6 guides the light from the light source section 5 to the inside of the printing section 1, and includes a cold mirror, a mirror tunnel (light equalizing means), and the like. The cold mirror transmits the infrared component light of the light from the light source unit 5 and reflects the other component light. That is, by causing the light reflected by the cold mirror to enter the printing unit 1, a subsequent rise in the temperature of the optical system can be suppressed.

The mirror tunnel has a light reflecting surface 52 on its inner peripheral surface.
Are formed, and a diffusion plate provided at both the light entrance side and the light exit side openings of the mirror tunnel body. The light that has entered the mirror tunnel is diffused by the diffusion plate on the light incident side and enters the inside of the mirror tunnel body. Then, the entered light is repeatedly reflected and diffused by the light reflection surface inside the mirror tunnel main body, and is diffused again by the diffusion plate on the light emission side. By this mirror tunnel, light source unevenness of the light source can be removed, and uniform light can be made incident on the subsequent optical system.

In the photographic processing apparatus of this embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, an ANM unit is mounted at a position where the optical unit 7 is provided, and an image recorded on a negative film is printed on photographic paper. It is based on devices used as analog printers. The ANM unit is a unit provided with an auto-negative mask. The auto-negative mask has a function of transporting a negative film, moving an image to be printed to an exposure position, and shielding light around the image. is there. Such an analog printer has a configuration in which the ANM unit 8 is replaced according to the size of the negative film, so that the ANM unit can be basically easily removed.

The photographic processing apparatus of the present embodiment
The NM unit includes an optical unit 7 having a connection portion that is compatible with a connection portion with a housing constituting the printing unit 1, and the optical unit 7 is attached to the printing unit 1 instead of the ANM unit. Is possible. In other words, the connection structure between the ANM unit and the housing and the connection structure between the optical unit 7 and the housing have compatibility. As a result, in an analog printer that has been widely used in the past, by replacing only the ANM unit with the optical unit 7 and mounting it, it becomes possible to use it as a digital printer as described later. That is, an analog printer can be used as a digital printer only by newly adding the optical unit 7, so that equipment investment for performing digital printing can be minimized. Also,
Since the conventionally used analog printer can be used as it is, it greatly contributes to effective use of resources and reduction of waste.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an outline of the most basic configuration in the exposure optical system of the present embodiment. The exposure optical system includes a light source 8, an LCD 9, and a varifocal lens (projection unit) 10. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the light source 8 and the LCD
9 and the like, the above-described components such as the BGR rotary filter, the cold mirror, and the mirror tunnel are provided.
On the optical axis extending from the light source 8 to the printing paper 11, an LCD 9 and a varifocal lens 10 are arranged in this order from the light source 8 side.

The light source 8 is composed of a lamp section composed of a halogen lamp for emitting white light, a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the lamp section toward the LCD 9 and the like. The LCD 9 is configured by a liquid crystal display device in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, and displays image data of a color component selected by the BGR rotation filter. The varifocal lens 10 is a normal variable focus lens, and can continuously change the focal length by moving a part of the constituent lens along the optical axis and changing the interval between the constituent lenses. is there. This varifocal lens 10
Is provided with a stop 10A as shown in FIG. 3, and by changing the stop of the stop 10A,
The sharpness of the image printed on the printing paper 11 can be adjusted.

The printing operation of the exposure optical system having the above configuration is as follows. The light emitted from the light source 8 is
By passing through a mirror tunnel (not shown), the light amount unevenness is removed. Then, light emitted from the mirror tunnel passes through a BGR rotation filter (not shown).
By passing through a filter arranged on the optical path, the light is converted into light of a corresponding color component and enters the LCD 9. In the LCD 9, the light transmission state of each pixel is controlled based on the image data of the corresponding color component. And
The image light emitted from the LCD 9 is transmitted to the varifocal lens 1.
The light is radiated onto the photographic paper 11 through the reference numeral 0. By sequentially performing such printing operation for each color component, the printing paper 1
1 will be printed with a color image.

In the above configuration, the light source 8 is arranged inside the light source unit 5 in FIG. 2, the LCD 9 is arranged inside the optical unit 7, and the varifocal lens 10 is It will be located inside. That is, by removing the ANM unit from the analog printer and attaching the optical unit 7 having the LCD 9 therein, the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 3 is realized. In the exposure optical system shown in FIG.
9 is preferably arranged at the same position where the negative film is arranged in the analog printer.

However, the exposure optical system shown in FIG.
The optical system itself is equivalent to the configuration shown in FIG. 9A in the related art, and has a problem that unevenness due to the viewing angle characteristics as described above occurs.

FIG. 1 shows an LCD inside an optical unit 7.
9 shows a schematic configuration of an exposure optical system in a configuration provided with a condenser lens 9 and a condenser lens (light collecting means) 12. That is, the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 1 includes a light source 8, an LCD 9, a condenser lens 12, and a varifocal lens 10. As described above, although not shown in FIG. 1, between the light source 8 and the LCD 9, the above-described components such as the BGR rotary filter, the cold mirror, and the mirror tunnel are provided. On the optical axis from the light source 8 to the printing paper 11, an LCD 9, a condenser lens 12, and a varifocal lens 10 are arranged in this order from the light source 8 side. Since the light source 8, the LCD 9, and the varifocal lens 10 have the same configuration as that described in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted here.

The condenser lens 12 is a lens having a function of condensing incident light, and is arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the LCD 9 on the light emission side. Thus, L
Since the light emitted from the CD 9 is condensed before being incident on the varifocal lens 10, the ratio of the light emitted from the LCD 9 that contributes to the projection onto the photographic paper 11, in other words, the light use efficiency Can be improved.

The surface of the condenser lens 12 which is in contact with the LCD 9 is flat.
The light emitting side surface of the CD 9 and the light incident side surface of the condenser lens 12 are in contact with each other over the entire surface. The focal length of the condenser lens 12 is LC
It is set so that only light emitted from D9 as substantially parallel light is irradiated onto the photographic paper 11 via the varifocal lens 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, only light emitted from the LCD 9 in a direction substantially parallel to the normal direction of the light emitting surface of the LCD 9 enters the varifocal lens 10 via the condenser lens 12 and passes through the aperture 10A. Thus, the light is irradiated onto the printing paper 11.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the focal length of the condenser lens 12 is set to be equal to the distance between the position of the condenser 12 and the position of the varifocal lens 10 on the optical axis. For example, as described above, only light emitted from the LCD 9 in a direction substantially parallel to the normal direction of the light emitting surface of the LCD 9 is irradiated on the photographic paper 11.

Also, as described above, the condenser lens 12
When the focal length is set to
The light emitted in the direction deviated from the normal direction of the light emitting surface of the light emitting surface 9 does not enter the varifocal lens 10, or even if it enters, it is not irradiated on the photographic paper 11. That is, such light is not used for imaging on the photographic paper 11.

As described above, by providing the condenser lens 12 on the light emission side of the LCD 9, the light irradiated on the photographic paper 11 can be transmitted to the L at any position on the LCD 9.
The light is emitted almost perpendicularly from the CD 9. In other words, the angle of emission of the image printed on the photographic printing paper 11 from the LCD 9 is almost constant at any position, so that the effect of the viewing angle characteristics is hardly caused. That is, if printing is performed by the configuration as shown in FIG. 1, unevenness of the viewing angle characteristics hardly occurs in the image on the printing paper 11.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a varifocal lens conventionally provided inside the printing unit 1 in an analog printer can be used as the varifocal lens 10 as it is. Therefore, in the conventional analog printer, by removing the ANM unit from the printing unit 1 and attaching the optical unit 7 having the LCD 9 and the condenser lens 12 therein, a digital printer having an exposure optical system as shown in FIG. Can be realized.

In the structure shown in FIG. 1, when the printing magnification is changed by adjusting the focal length of the varifocal lens 10, there are the following two methods. The first method is to replace the condenser lens 12 with a lens having a different focal length in accordance with the printing magnification of the varifocal lens 10. In the case of this method, it is necessary to prepare the condenser lenses 12 by the number of types of the printing magnification that may be used.

As a second method, the condenser lens 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a method in which an optical axis is movable in a region between the LCD 9 and the varifocal lens 10 in the optical axis direction, and in FIG. That is, according to the printing magnification by the varifocal lens 10,
This can be dealt with by changing the position of the condenser lens 12 in the optical axis direction. In the case of this method, a structure for moving the condenser lens 12 in the optical axis direction is required, but it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of condenser lenses.

However, since the distance between the LCD 9 and the condenser lens 12 is increased, a problem of color shift due to occurrence of chromatic aberration in the condenser lens 12 occurs. To be more specific, if one traces a point on the photographic paper 11 in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of light,
When the light enters the condenser lens 12, the traveling direction of each color component is shifted due to the prism effect of the lens. At this time, the condenser lens 12 and the LCD
9 is small, the shift amount of each color component is negligible, but as the distance between the condenser lens 12 and the LCD 9 increases, the shift amount of each color component increases. That is, the condenser lens 12 and the LCD 9
When the distance between the photographic paper 1 and the photographic paper 1 is large, light emitted from different positions for each color is
The light is irradiated to the same position on 1, and a color shift occurs.

FIG. 4 shows an LCD inside the optical unit 7.
9, one side telecentric lens (condensing lens) 13,
3 shows a schematic configuration of an exposure optical system in a configuration in which an aperture 14 and a condenser lens 15 are provided. That is,
The exposure optical system shown in FIG. 4 includes a light source 8, an LCD 9, a one-sided telecentric lens 13, a diaphragm 14, a condenser lens 15, and a varifocal lens 10. As described above, although not shown in FIG. 4, the BGR described above is provided between the light source 8 and the LCD 9.
Configurations such as a rotating filter, a cold mirror, and a mirror tunnel are provided. On the optical axis extending from the light source 8 to the printing paper 11, the LCD 9, the one-side telecentric lens 13, the aperture 14, the condenser lens 15,
A varifocal lens 10 is provided. Light source 8,
Since the LCD 9 and the varifocal lens 10 have the same configuration as the configuration described in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted here.

The one-sided telecentric lens 13 is used for imaging only when the light incident on the lens is substantially parallel to the normal direction at the center of the lens by providing the stop 14 on the light exit side of the lens. Lens
The one-side telecentric lens 13 and the stop 14 constitute a one-side telecentric lens optical system. The condenser lens 15 is a lens having a function of condensing incident light. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the light flux passing through the diaphragm 14 and being diffused is transmitted to the varifocal lens 10. On the other hand, the light is condensed and made to enter.

As shown in FIG. 4, light entering the condenser lens 15 through the stop 14 is emitted almost parallel to the normal direction of the light emitting surface of the LCD 9 at any position on the LCD 9. Becomes That is, the image printed on the printing paper 11 from the condenser lens 15 via the varifocal lens 10 can be placed at any position.
Since the angle at which the light is emitted from the LCD 9 is substantially constant, the influence of the viewing angle characteristics is hardly generated. That is, if printing is performed with the configuration as shown in FIG. 4, the image on the photographic paper 11 has almost no unevenness of the viewing angle characteristics.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, as the varifocal lens 10, a varifocal lens conventionally provided inside the printing unit 1 in an analog printer can be used as it is. Accordingly, in the conventional analog printer, the ANM unit is removed from the printing unit 1 and the optical unit 7 including the LCD 9, the one-side telecentric lens 13, the aperture 14, and the condenser lens 15 is attached inside as shown in FIG. A digital printer having an exposure optical system can be realized. In the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the condenser lens 15 is disposed at the same position as the position where the negative film is disposed in the analog printer.

When the printing magnification is changed by adjusting the varifocal lens 10 in the configuration shown in FIG. 4, there are the following two methods. As a first method, the condenser lens 15 is
This is a method of replacing lenses with different focal lengths in accordance with the printing magnification of the varifocal lens 10.
In the case of this method, it is necessary to prepare the condenser lenses 15 by the number of types of the printing magnification that may be used.

As a second method, the condenser lens 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a method in which the movable member 5 is movable in the optical axis direction in a region between the diaphragm 14 and the varifocal lens 10, and is movable in the left-right direction in FIG. That is, according to the printing magnification by the varifocal lens 10,
This can be dealt with by changing the position of the condenser lens 15 in the optical axis direction. In the case of this method, a structure for moving the condenser lens 15 in the optical axis direction is required, but it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of condenser lenses.

For example, in the exposure optical system shown in FIG.
Since the focal point in the optical path is one place, the photographic paper 1 is displayed in a state where the vertical and horizontal relations of the image on the LCD 9 are reversed.
1 will be printed. On the other hand, in the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 4, since there are two converging points in the optical path, the vertical and horizontal relationship of the image on the LCD 9 is printed on the photographic paper 11 as it is.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the optical unit 7 includes an LCD.
9, graded index lens array 16, and FOP (Fib
2 shows a schematic configuration of an exposure optical system in a configuration in which an optical fiber array 17 configured by an optical fiber (Electric Plate) or the like is provided. That is, the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 5 includes a light source 8, an LCD 9, a gradient index lens array 16, an optical fiber array 17, and a varifocal lens 10.
It is composed of In addition, similarly to the above, although not shown in FIG.
The components such as the above-described BGR rotary filter, cold mirror, and mirror tunnel are provided. On the optical axis extending from the light source 8 to the printing paper 11, the LCD 9 is arranged in order from the light source 8 side.
Refractive index distributed lens array 16, optical fiber array 1
7. A varifocal lens 10 is provided. Since the light source 8, the LCD 9, and the varifocal lens 10 have the same configuration as that described in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted here.

The gradient index lens array 16 has a plate-like configuration having a light incident surface and a light exit surface by bundling a plurality of gradient index lenses. Examples of the refractive index distribution type lens include a SELFOC (registered trademark) lens. The selfoc lens is a solid lens having a cylindrical shape, and has a configuration in which the refractive index increases toward the center in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder. When light enters from one end face of such a SELFOC lens, it travels inside the SELFOC lens while meandering at a constant cycle, and exits from the other end face.

In the refractive index distribution type lens array 16 having the above-described structure, one lens located at the focal length on the light incident side.
The light incident on the gradient index lens array 16 from a point is
Focusing on one point also on the image plane on the light emission side,
It is characterized in that its position does not change. That is, regardless of the relative position between the point located on the light incident side focal length and each of the gradient index lenses forming the gradient index lens array 16, the point located on the light incident side focal length The position corresponds to the position of the imaging point on the light emission side on a one-to-one basis.

The optical fiber array 17 has a plate-like configuration having a light incident surface and a light emitting surface by bundling a plurality of optical fibers. The optical fiber is a transparent fiber having a double structure consisting of a high refractive index region called a core and a low refractive index clad surrounding the core,
It is made of quartz glass (SiO ₂ ), multi-component glass, fluoride glass, heavy metal glass, plastic or the like. Light incident on such an optical fiber at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture determined by the refractive index difference between the core and the clad repeats total reflection inside the core and propagates in the axial direction of the optical fiber. The optical fiber array 17 composed of optical fibers having such properties has a property that only light incident at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture of each optical fiber is emitted from the surface on the light emission side.

LCD 9, gradient index lens array 1
6 and the arrangement position of the optical fiber array 17 are set as follows. First, the LCD 9 is arranged such that each pixel is located on the focal length on the light incident side of the gradient index lens array 16 in the optical axis direction. Further, the optical fiber array 17 has a light incident side surface,
In the optical axis direction, it is arranged so as to be located on the focal length on the light emission side of the gradient index lens array 16.

Here, assuming a configuration in which the optical fiber array 17 is arranged so as to be in contact with the LCD 9 without the intervention of the gradient index lens array 16, in this case, the LC
An interval corresponding to the thickness of the glass on the surface of the LCD 9 is provided between each pixel in D 9 and the light incident surface of the optical fiber array 17. Since the optical fiber array 17 basically has the property that the incident image is out of focus even if there is an interval corresponding to the thickness of the glass, the optical fiber array 17 has such a configuration. Therefore, it is impossible to print an image in focus on the printing paper 11.

On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, as described above, each pixel of the LCD 9 is arranged on the focal length on the light incident side with respect to the refractive index distribution type lens array 16, and Since the light incident surface of the optical fiber array 17 is arranged at the image forming position, it is possible to make the optical fiber array 17 receive an image in a completely focused state.

As described above, the optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array 17 have such a property that only light incident at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture is emitted from the surface on the light emission side. Therefore, only the light emitted from the LCD 9 at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture of each optical fiber is emitted from the light emitting side surface of the optical fiber array 17. That is, by using the optical fiber array 17 having a numerical aperture such that the viewing angle characteristics of the LCD 9 do not change, almost no unevenness of the viewing angle characteristics occurs in the image on the printing paper 11. It has been confirmed that in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, if the optical fiber array 17 having a numerical aperture of 1.0 is used, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the uneven viewing angle characteristics of the LCD 9.

In the above description, when the optical fiber array 17 is arranged so as to be in contact with the LCD 9 without the intervention of the gradient index lens array 16, the image emitted from the optical fiber array 17 is out of focus. However, depending on the numerical aperture of the optical fiber array 17, the degree of defocusing of the image may be within the practical range if the interval is about the thickness of the glass of the LCD 9. For example, if the numerical aperture of the optical fiber array 17 is about 0.35, the LCD 9 and the optical fiber array 1 can be connected without the intervention of the gradient index lens array 16.
7 can be printed with a practically sufficient focused image.

However, when the numerical aperture of the optical fiber array 17 is made extremely small in this way, there is a problem that the amount of light emitted from the optical fiber array 17 also becomes extremely small. In this case, it is necessary to take measures such as increasing the light amount of the light source 8 or lengthening the exposure time, which causes new problems such as an increase in running cost and a decrease in processing capacity. Further, even if the numerical aperture of the optical fiber array 17 is reduced as described above, the focus will be slightly out of focus, so that it is impossible to print a sharpest image as much as possible.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, as the varifocal lens 10, a varifocal lens conventionally provided inside the printing unit 1 in an analog printer can be used as it is. Therefore, in the conventional analog printer, the printing unit 1
By removing the unit and attaching the optical unit 7 having the LCD 9, the gradient index lens array 16 and the optical fiber array 17 inside, a digital printer having an exposure optical system as shown in FIG. 5 can be realized. . In the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable that the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array 17 is arranged at the same position as the position where the negative film is arranged in the analog printer.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, since the image light emitted from the light emitting side surface of the optical fiber array 17 directly enters the varifocal lens 10, the focal length of the varifocal lens 10 must be adjusted. Thus, the printing magnification can be changed freely.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a configuration in which an optical fiber array 18 having a different shape is provided in the optical fiber array 17 in the exposure optical system shown in FIG.
That is, in the configuration shown in FIG.
, An LCD 9 and a gradient index lens array 1
6 and an optical fiber array 18 are provided.
As described above, although not shown in FIG. 6, between the light source 8 and the LCD 9, the above-described components such as the BGR rotary filter, the cold mirror, and the mirror tunnel are provided. On the optical axis extending from the light source 8 to the printing paper 11, an LCD 9, a gradient index lens array 16, an optical fiber array 18, and a varifocal lens 10 are arranged in this order from the light source 8 side. Since the light source 8, the LCD 9, and the varifocal lens 10 have the same configuration as that described in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted here.
Also, the refractive index distribution type lens array 16 has the same configuration as that described with reference to FIG. 5, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The optical fiber array 18 shown in FIG. 6 has a plate-like configuration having a light incident surface and a light emitting surface by bundling a plurality of optical fibers, similarly to the optical fiber array 17 shown in FIG. That is, the optical fiber array 18 has a property that only light incident at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture of each optical fiber is emitted from the surface on the light emission side.

The optical fiber array 18 corresponds to FIG.
As shown in (2), in the optical axis direction, as the distance from the center through which the optical axis passes, the shape of the incident light is bent inward, that is, toward the center. In other words,
Light incident near the center of the optical fiber array 18 goes straight without changing its direction, but light incident near the periphery of the optical fiber array 18 gently bends its direction in the optical fiber array 18 toward the center. Will be done. As a most preferable shape, a direction in which light is bent at each position of the optical fiber array 18 is designed so that the direction of light emitted from the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array 18 is all directed to the opening of the varifocal lens 10. Shape.

By designing the shape of the optical fiber array 18 in this manner, the optical fiber array 1
The optical axis of the light emitted from any position of the light emitting surface in 8 will be directed to the opening of the varifocal lens 10.

Here, in comparison with the configuration shown in FIG. 5, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the optical axis of the light emitted from each position of the light emitting surface in the optical fiber array 17 is in the direction normal to the light emitting surface. In other words, the light source 8
The direction is parallel to the optical axis reaching from the photographic paper 11 to the photographic paper 11.
In this case, the optical axis of the light emitted from the vicinity of the center of the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array 17 passes through the opening of the varifocal lens 10, but emitted from the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array 17. The optical axis of the light passes through a position different from the opening of the varifocal lens 10. That is, of the light irradiated on the photographic printing paper 11 via the varifocal lens 10, the amount of light emitted from near the center of the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array 17 is larger than the amount of light emitted from near the peripheral portion. There is a problem that it becomes larger than that.

On the other hand, in the optical fiber array 18 shown in FIG. 6, as described above, the optical axis of the light emitted from any position on the light emitting surface is directed to the opening of the varifocal lens 10. The light irradiated onto the photographic paper 11 via the varifocal lens 10 can be made substantially uniform regardless of the emission position from the optical fiber array 18.

LCD 9, gradient index lens array 1
6 and the arrangement position of the optical fiber array 18 are shown in FIG.
Are set as follows, similarly to the configuration shown in FIG. First, L
The CD 9 is arranged such that each pixel is located on the focal length on the light incident side of the gradient index lens array 16 in the optical axis direction. The optical fiber array 18
Are arranged so that the surface on the light incident side is located on the focal length on the light emission side of the gradient index lens array 16 in the optical axis direction. According to such a configuration,
An image in a completely focused state can be incident on the optical fiber array 18.

As described above, the optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array 18 have such a property that only light incident at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture is emitted from the surface on the light emission side. Therefore, only the light emitted from the LCD 9 at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture of each optical fiber is emitted from the light emitting side surface of the optical fiber array 18. That is, by using the optical fiber array 18 having a numerical aperture such that the viewing angle characteristics of the LCD 9 do not change, almost no unevenness of the viewing angle characteristics occurs in the image on the printing paper 11. In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, it has been confirmed that the use of the optical fiber array 18 having a numerical aperture of 1.0 can sufficiently suppress the uneven viewing angle characteristics of the LCD 9.

Incidentally, similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, for example,
If the numerical aperture of the optical fiber array 18 is set to about 0.35, even if the refractive index distribution type lens array 16 is not interposed, L
If the CD 9 and the optical fiber array 18 are arranged in contact with each other, it is possible to print a practically sufficient focused image. However, in the case of this configuration, similarly to the above, there is a problem that the amount of light emitted from the optical fiber array 18 becomes extremely small and a problem that it becomes impossible to print a sharpest image as much as possible. Will happen.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, as the varifocal lens 10, a varifocal lens conventionally provided inside the printing unit 1 in an analog printer can be used as it is. Therefore, in the conventional analog printer, the printing unit 1
By detaching the unit and attaching the optical unit 7 including the LCD 9, the gradient index lens array 16 and the optical fiber array 18 therein, a digital printer having an exposure optical system as shown in FIG. 6 can be realized. . In the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array 18 is arranged at the same position as the position where the negative film is arranged in the analog printer.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, since the image light emitted from the light emitting side surface of the optical fiber array 18 directly enters the varifocal lens 10, the focal length of the varifocal lens 10 must be adjusted. Thus, the printing magnification can be changed freely.

FIG. 7 schematically shows a configuration in which an optical fiber array 19 having a different shape is provided in the optical fiber array 18 in the exposure optical system shown in FIG. That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the LCD 9, the gradient index lens array 16, and the optical fiber array 19 are provided inside the optical unit 7. Note that, similarly to the above, although not shown in FIG. 7, between the light source 8 and the LCD 9, the above-described components such as the BGR rotary filter, the cold mirror, and the mirror tunnel are provided. On the optical axis extending from the light source 8 to the printing paper 11, an LCD 9, a gradient index lens array 16, an optical fiber array 19, and a varifocal lens 10 are arranged in this order from the light source 8 side. Since the light source 8, the LCD 9, and the varifocal lens 10 have the same configuration as that described in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted here. Also, the refractive index distribution type lens array 16 has the same configuration as that described with reference to FIG. 5, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The optical fiber array 19 shown in FIG. 7 has a plate-like shape having a light incident surface and a light emitting surface by bundling a plurality of optical fibers like the optical fiber array 17 shown in FIG. 5 and the optical fiber array 18 shown in FIG. The configuration is as follows. That is, the optical fiber array 19 has such a property that only light incident at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture of each optical fiber is emitted from the surface on the light emission side.

Next, the shape of the optical fiber array 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b). FIG. 8A is a side sectional view of the optical fiber array 19, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the optical fiber array 19. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the optical fiber array 19 has such a shape that the direction of the incident light is bent inward, that is, toward the center, as the distance from the center through which the optical axis passes in the optical axis direction. ing. In other words, the light that has entered the vicinity of the center of the optical fiber array 19 travels straight without changing its direction, but the light that has entered the vicinity of the periphery of the optical fiber array 19 has its direction directed toward the center in the optical fiber array 19. It will be bent gently. As a most preferable shape, a direction in which light is bent at each position of the optical fiber array 19 is designed so that the direction of light emitted from the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array 19 is all directed to the opening of the varifocal lens 10. Shape.

By designing the shape of the optical fiber array 19 in this manner, the optical fiber array 1
Since the optical axis of the light emitted from any position of the light emitting surface of the photographic paper 9 is directed to the opening of the varifocal lens 10, the photographic paper 11 is passed through the varifocal lens 10.
The light irradiated upward can be made substantially uniform regardless of the emission position from the optical fiber array 19.

The optical fiber array 19 is characterized in that the surface on the light emission side has a concave shape inward. More specifically, the optical fiber array 19
In the above, the shape of the surface on the light emitting side is designed such that the distance between the surface on the light incident side and the surface on the light emitting side is short near the center and becomes longer toward the periphery. As the most preferable shape, the light emitting side surface is designed to be partially spherical so that the distance from an arbitrary position on the light emitting side surface of the optical fiber array 19 to the opening of the varifocal lens 10 is all equal. Shape. If the surface on the light emitting side of the optical fiber array 19 has such a shape, the focal length of the varifocal lens 10 is set as appropriate, so that the focal length of the varifocal lens 10 is substantially on the light incident side. Almost all light emission points from the optical fiber array 19 can be arranged.

For example, the optical fiber array 1 shown in FIG.
In 8, the light-emitting side surface is flat. In this case, on the light emitting side surface of the optical fiber array 18,
In the vicinity of the center and the vicinity of the periphery, the varifocal lens 1
This means that the distance to the opening of 0 is different. Therefore, it is impossible to arrange almost all the light emitting points from the optical fiber array 18 on a substantially focal length on the light incident side of the varifocal lens 10, so that all the points of the image are completely focused. Can not do.

On the other hand, FIG. 7 and FIG.
If the optical fiber array 19 is as shown in FIG.
As described above, almost all the light emission points from the optical fiber array 19 can be arranged almost on the focal length on the light incident side of the varifocal lens 10, and therefore, almost completely at all positions of the image. It is possible to focus.

LCD 9, gradient index lens array 1
6 and the arrangement position of the optical fiber array 19 are shown in FIG.
Similarly to the configuration shown in FIG. First, the LCD 9 is located on the focal length on the light incident side of the gradient index lens array 16 in the optical axis direction.
It is arranged so that each pixel is located. Further, the optical fiber array 19 is arranged such that the light incident side surface is located at the focal length on the light emission side of the gradient index lens array 16 in the optical axis direction. According to such a configuration, it is possible to cause the image in a completely focused state to enter the optical fiber array 19.

As described above, the optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array 19 have such a property that only light incident at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture is emitted from the surface on the light emission side. Therefore, only the light emitted from the LCD 9 at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture of each optical fiber is emitted from the light emitting side surface of the optical fiber array 19. That is, by using the optical fiber array 19 having a numerical aperture that does not change the viewing angle characteristics of the LCD 9, almost no unevenness of the viewing angle characteristics occurs in the image on the photographic paper 11. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, it has been confirmed that if the numerical aperture of the optical fiber array 19 is 1.0, the unevenness of the viewing angle characteristics of the LCD 9 can be sufficiently suppressed.

As in the configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, the numerical aperture of the optical fiber array 19 is set to 0.3.
If it is set to about 5, it is possible to print a practically sufficient focused image without the intervention of the gradient index lens array 16 by arranging the LCD 9 and the optical fiber array 19 in contact with each other. However, in the case of this configuration, similarly to the above, there is a problem that the amount of light emitted from the optical fiber array 19 becomes extremely small and a problem that it becomes impossible to print a sharpest image as much as possible. Will be.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, as the varifocal lens 10, a varifocal lens conventionally provided inside the printing unit 1 in an analog printer can be used as it is. Therefore, in the conventional analog printer, the printing unit 1
By detaching the unit and attaching the optical unit 7 including the LCD 9, the gradient index lens array 16 and the optical fiber array 19 therein, a digital printer having an exposure optical system as shown in FIG. 6 can be realized. . In the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array 19 is arranged at the same position as the position where the negative film is arranged in the analog printer.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, since the image light emitted from the light emitting side surface of the optical fiber array 19 directly enters the varifocal lens 10, the focal length of the varifocal lens 10 must be adjusted. Thus, the printing magnification can be changed freely.

[0108]

As described above, the printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints an image by irradiating light to a photosensitive material, and according to a light source and image information, Light modulating means for modulating light from the light source for each pixel, projecting means for projecting light from the light modulating means onto the photosensitive material, and condensing light emitted from the light modulating means And a light condensing means for making the light incident on the projection means.

As a result, only the light emitted from the light emitting surface of the light modulating means in the direction of a specific range is incident on the projecting means, and the image printed on the photosensitive material is located at any position. Also, since the angle at which the light modulating means exits is within a specific range, even if the light modulating means has a viewing angle characteristic, the influence of this viewing angle characteristic on a printed image can be reduced. . That is, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unevenness in viewing angle characteristics in an image on the photosensitive material.

Further, by attaching the components such as the light modulating means and the condensing means to the printing portion of the conventional analog printer, it is possible to use the digital printer as a digital printer. This has the effect of reducing the cost required to change to.

In the light emitted from the light modulating means,
The ratio of light contributing to the projection on the photosensitive material, in other words, the light use efficiency can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus, only the light emitted from the light condensing means as substantially parallel light from the light modulation means is irradiated onto the photosensitive material via the projection means. In this configuration, the focal length is set.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the angle of emission of the light modulating means of the image printed on the photosensitive material is substantially constant at any position. Even if the light modulating means has a viewing angle characteristic, the effect of the viewing angle characteristic hardly occurs on a printed image. That is, there is an effect that it is possible to make the viewing angle characteristic of the image on the photosensitive material hardly uneven.

A printing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints an image by irradiating a photosensitive material with light, and outputs light from the light source according to a light source and image information. Light modulating means for modulating each pixel, and projecting means for projecting light from the light modulating means onto the photosensitive material,
A condensing lens, and a one-sided telecentric lens optical system including a stop arranged on the light exit side of the condensing lens, and light emitted from the light modulating means is transmitted through the one-sided telecentric lens optical system. In this configuration, the light is incident on the projection means.

As a result, only light emitted from the light exit surface of the light modulating means in a direction substantially parallel to the normal direction at the center of the condenser lens enters the projection means.
The image printed on the photosensitive material has an angle at which the light modulating means exits in a specific range at any position. Therefore, even if the light modulating means has a viewing angle characteristic, The influence of the viewing angle characteristics on the printed image can be reduced. That is, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unevenness in viewing angle characteristics in an image on the photosensitive material.

Also, by attaching the components such as the optical modulation means and the one-sided telecentric lens optical system to the printing portion of the conventional analog printer, it becomes possible to use the digital printer as a digital printer. This has the effect of reducing the cost required when changing to the exposure method.

A printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus for printing an image by irradiating a photosensitive material with light, and outputs light from the light source according to a light source and image information. Light modulating means for modulating each pixel, and projecting means for projecting light from the light modulating means onto the photosensitive material,
An optical fiber array comprising a plurality of optical fibers, wherein the light emitted from the light modulating means is incident on the projecting means via the optical fiber array.

As a result, only light emitted from the light emitting surface of the light modulating means at an angle smaller than the numerical aperture of each optical fiber enters the projecting means, and the image printed on the photosensitive material is At any position, the angle at which the light modulating means exits is within a specific range. Therefore, even if the light modulating means has a viewing angle characteristic, the effect of this viewing angle characteristic on a printed image is reduced. be able to. That is, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven viewing angle characteristics in an image on the photosensitive material.

Further, by attaching the components such as the light modulating means and the optical fiber array to the printing portion of the conventional analog printer, it becomes possible to use the digital printer as a digital printer. There is an effect that the cost required for the change can be kept low.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the optical fiber array has such a shape that in the optical axis direction, the direction of the incident light is bent inward, ie, toward the center, as the distance from the center through which the optical axis passes. Configuration.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the configuration of the fourth aspect, the direction of light emitted from any position on the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array is directed to the vicinity of the opening of the projecting means. The difference between the amount of light emitted from the vicinity of the center of the light emitting surface of the optical fiber array and the amount of light emitted from the vicinity of the peripheral portion of the light irradiated on the photosensitive material via the light emitting surface can be reduced. Therefore, there is an effect that the light irradiated onto the photosensitive material via the projection means can be made substantially uniform regardless of the emission position from the optical fiber array.

A printing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is configured such that the optical fiber array has a shape in which a surface on the light emitting side is depressed inward.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the fourth or fifth aspect, by setting the focal length of the projection means as appropriate, the focal length on the light incident side of the projection means is substantially reduced.
Since almost all the light emission points from the optical fiber array can be arranged, it is possible to achieve almost perfect focusing at all positions of the image.

A printing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is configured such that the light modulating means is a liquid crystal display.

Thus, in addition to the effect of any one of the first to sixth aspects, the transmission of light in each pixel is modulated by the liquid crystal display device having high technical perfection, thereby controlling the emission of light. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to irradiate the photosensitive material with image light having high reliability and faithfully reflecting image information.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic processing apparatus using the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects and the photosensitive material baked by the printing apparatus using a developing solution. The image processing apparatus includes a developing section for performing a developing process, and a drying section for drying the photosensitive material that has been subjected to the developing process in the developing section.

As a result, since the printing, developing, and drying processes for the photosensitive material can be performed continuously under centralized management, a large number of photographs can be continuously printed without imposing an operational burden on the user. This has the effect of enabling printing to be performed in a targeted manner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration example including a condenser lens in an exposure optical system provided 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 a schematic diagram schematically showing another configuration example of the exposure optical system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a configuration example having a one-side telecentric lens in the exposure optical system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an outline of an example of a configuration of the exposure optical system including a gradient index lens array and an optical fiber array.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a configuration example in which an optical fiber array has a different shape in the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a configuration example in which the shape of an optical fiber array is further different in the exposure optical system shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

8 shows the shape of an optical fiber array provided in the exposure optical system shown in FIG. 7, wherein FIG. 8 (a) is a side sectional view and FIG. 8 (b) is a perspective view.

FIG. 9A is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an exposure unit in a conventional printing apparatus including an LCD, and FIG. 9B is a conventional printing apparatus including an LCD and a one-sided telecentric lens. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of an exposure unit in the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of unevenness in a printed image due to a viewing angle characteristic.

FIG. 11C is an explanatory view showing viewing angle characteristics in a general LCD, and FIG. 11B is a view showing the viewing angle direction in FIG. 11C and the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the LCD. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship with a direction, FIG.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the direction of the viewing angle in (b).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Baking part 2 Developing part 3 Drying part 4 Paper magazine 5 Light source part 6 Light guide part 7 Optical unit 8 Light source 9 LCD 10 Varifocal lens (projection means) 10A Aperture 11 Printing paper (photosensitive material) 12 Condenser lens 13 One side telecentric Lens (condensing lens) 14 Aperture 15 Condenser lens (condensing means) 16 Refractive index distribution type lens array 17.18.19 Optical fiber array

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for printing an image by irradiating light to a photosensitive material, comprising: a light source; and light modulation means for modulating light from the light source for each pixel in accordance with image information. A projection unit that projects light from the light modulation unit onto the photosensitive material; and a light collection unit that collects light emitted from the light modulation unit and causes the light to enter the projection unit. Baking equipment. 2. A focal length of said light condensing means is set so that only light emitted from said light modulating means as substantially parallel light is irradiated onto said photosensitive material via said projecting means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. A printing apparatus for printing an image by irradiating light to a photosensitive material, comprising: a light source; and a light modulation means for modulating light from the light source for each pixel according to image information. A projection means for projecting the light from the light modulation means onto the photosensitive material; a condensing lens; and a one-sided telecentric lens optical system including a stop arranged on the light exit side of the condensing lens. A printing apparatus, wherein the light emitted from the light modulating means is incident on the projecting means via the one-side telecentric lens optical system. 4. A printing apparatus for printing an image by irradiating light to a photosensitive material, comprising: a light source; and light modulation means for modulating light from the light source for each pixel according to image information. A projection unit for projecting light from the light modulation unit onto the photosensitive material, and an optical fiber array including a plurality of optical fibers, wherein light emitted from the light modulation unit is transmitted through the optical fiber array. A printing device, which is incident on projection means. 5. The optical fiber array according to claim 1, wherein in the optical axis direction, the direction of the incident light is bent inward, that is, toward the center, as the distance from the center of the optical axis passes. 4. The printing apparatus according to 4. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the optical fiber array has a surface on the light emitting side that is concave inward. 7. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light modulating means is a liquid crystal display. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive material printed by the printing apparatus is:
A photographic processing apparatus comprising: a development processing section that performs development processing by using a development processing liquid; and a drying section that dries a photosensitive material that has been subjected to development processing in the development processing section.