JP2002014431A - Photographic processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form exact images by maintaining the image exposure timing to photosensitive materials by an exposure means and the transportation timing of the photosensitive materials by a transporting means always constant. SOLUTION: This photographic processing device 1 has the transporting means 324 for transporting the photosensitive materials 2 to an exposure position, the exposure means for exposing the images by one line each to the photosensitive materials in the exposure position and a start signal generating means 127 for generating a start signal in order to drive the transporting 324 and the exposure means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus, and more particularly to a photographic processing apparatus that forms an image on a photosensitive material by performing scanning exposure using an exposure unit having a light source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photographic processing apparatus for forming an image of a photographic film such as a negative film or a positive film or image data or the like photographed by a digital camera and stored in an IC card (memory card) on a photosensitive material by exposure means. With the exposure means, while irradiating the image in the main scanning direction, by the conveying means, the photosensitive material is conveyed in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction to expose the photosensitive material, and then developed, fixed, A drying process was performed to form a color image (or a monocolor image) on the photosensitive material.

[0003]

In a photographic processing apparatus, it is necessary to drive the photosensitive material in synchronization with the timing of exposing the photosensitive material to the image by the exposure means and the conveyance of the photosensitive material by the conveying means.

However, if the timing of exposing the photosensitive material to the image by the exposure means and the timing of transporting the photosensitive material by the transport means are slightly deviated, a transport error occurs and adversely affects the image quality.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to form an accurate image by always keeping the timing of exposing an image to a photosensitive material by an exposure means and the timing of transporting the photosensitive material by a transport means constant. To provide a photographic processing apparatus.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to a conveying means for conveying a photosensitive material to an exposure position, and exposing an image to the photosensitive material line by line at the exposure position. And a start signal generating means for generating a start signal for driving the transporting means and the exposing means.

[0007] According to the above arrangement, the photosensitive material is transported to the exposure position by the transport means, and at the exposure position, the image is exposed line by line to the photosensitive material by the exposure means. When the start signal is generated by the start signal generation means, the transport means and the exposure means are driven and the timing is adjusted.

The start signal generating means includes a pulse generator and a pulse counter for counting pulses generated by the pulse generator, and generates a start signal when the pulse counter counts a predetermined number of pulses. According to item 2), when the pulse counter counts a predetermined number of pulses, a start signal is sent to the transport unit and the exposure unit.

Further, the start signal generating means is an exposure start sensor for detecting the start of exposure of the exposure means (claim 3). A start signal is sent.

The exposure means includes a laser beam generating section and a laser intensity modulating means for modulating and outputting the intensity of the laser input from the laser beam generating section. A laser beam is generated, and this laser beam is modulated by a laser intensity modulating means into a laser output corresponding to the image data.

Further, since the laser intensity modulating means is an acousto-optic modulator, the laser output is modulated by the acousto-optic modulator.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a photographic processing apparatus using a laser beam scanning unit according to the present invention. The laser beam scanning unit will be described below with reference to FIG.

The photographic processing apparatus 1 is a film (negative, positive)
Exposure to expose an image such as image data read by a line CCD scanner, image data photographed by a digital camera, or image data created by a personal computer onto photographic paper 2 (see FIG. 2) as a photosensitive material. A laser beam scanning unit 100 that functions as a unit, a photosensitive material unit 200 that stores the photographic paper 2 wound in a roll shape, cuts it into a predetermined size, and supplies it to the laser beam scanning unit 100, and a laser beam scanning unit 100 The developing unit 300 includes a developing unit 300 for developing, bleach-fixing, and stabilizing the photographic paper 2 exposed to the photographic paper 2 and a drying unit 400 for drying the photographic paper 2 subjected to the stabilizing processing.

The photosensitive material unit 200 is provided below the laser beam scanning unit 100, and houses a photographic paper magazine 201 which is built in so as not to expose the photographic paper 2 (see FIG. 2) wound in a roll shape. ing. An example of a new photographic paper 2 wound in a roll shape has a length of about 180 m and a weight including the photographic paper magazine 201 of 14 kg. Therefore, inside the door 202 opened, a pull-out support rail (not shown) for mounting the photographic paper magazine 201 and storing it inside the photosensitive material unit 200 is provided. When the photographic paper magazine 201 is loaded in the photosensitive material unit 200, the photographic paper 2 is pulled out from the photographic paper magazine 201,
After being cut to a predetermined size by a cutter (not shown), it is conveyed to the laser beam scanning unit 100.

The laser beam scanning unit 100 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 2. The laser beam generating unit 104 and a laser intensity modulating unit 108 for modulating the intensity of the laser beam generated by the laser beam generating unit 104 will be described.
And a support (not shown) for supporting these components, and a housing 10 surrounding these components and the support.
2 at least. Note that the housing 102 may be configured to support components such as the laser beam generating unit 104 and the laser intensity modulation unit 108 and perform the function of a support.

The developing unit 300 develops, bleach-fixes and stabilizes the photographic paper 2 exposed as described above. At least during the entire developing process and at the beginning of the fixing process, the photosensitive unit 2 is exposed to stray light from the outside. There must not be. Therefore, the inside 301 of the developing unit 300 is configured as a dark room.

The photographic paper 2 which has been developed, bleach-fixed and stabilized by the developing unit 300 is conveyed to the drying unit 400, after being dried, discharged from the outlet 401 on the upper part of the drying unit 400 and subjected to the first conveyance. Belt 302
For example, as many as the number of frames photographed on one film are stacked. When the processing for one film is completed, the second conveyor belt 303 is moved by the first conveyor belt 302.
It is moved up and held on the second transport belt 303.
A plurality of photographs (dried photographic paper 2) can be placed on the second transport belt 303.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a laser beam scanning unit of the photographic processing apparatus. The laser beam scanning unit will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, the upper portion of the casing 102 is omitted from the illustration, but no external light enters the casing 102 and the laser beam does not leak from the casing 102 to the outside. It is constructed in a dark room and is sealed so that dust does not enter.

The laser beam scanning unit 100 is a housing 1
02 that functions as a laser beam generating unit 104
It has three GB laser light sources 104R, 104G, and 104B.

The laser light source 104R emits a laser beam of R (red) wavelength (for example, 685 nm) (hereinafter, referred to as R laser beam) (Laser Diode = Laser Diode).
LD) 104XR.

Similarly, the laser light source 104G outputs a semiconductor laser 104XG for emitting a laser beam and a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 104X to, for example, 532n.
Second Harmonic Generator (SHG) 104YG for converting into a G laser beam of m wavelength
It is composed of Note that the second harmonic generator generates 532
The oscillation wavelength of the laser beam by the semiconductor laser 104XG is determined so that a laser beam having a wavelength of nm is emitted.

Similarly, the laser light source 104B outputs a semiconductor laser 104XB for emitting a laser beam and a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 104XB to, for example, 473.
It comprises a second harmonic generator 104YB that converts the laser beam into a B laser beam having a wavelength of nm. The oscillation wavelength of the semiconductor laser 104XB is determined so that a laser beam having a wavelength of 473 nm is emitted from the second harmonic generator 104YB.

Laser light sources 104R, 104G, 104B
A collimator lens 106 and an acousto-optic modulation element (Acoust
o-Optic Modulator, hereinafter simply referred to as AOM) 10
8, a laser shaping aperture 107 and a mirror 110 are arranged in this order, and a spherical lens 112, a cylindrical lens 114, and a polygon mirror 118 are arranged in this order on the laser reflection side of the mirror 110.

On the laser emission side of the polygon mirror 118, an fθ lens 120, a cylindrical lens 122,
A mirror 124 and a mirror 126 are arranged in order. The photographic paper 2 conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 321 and 322 from the direction of arrow C is irradiated with the R, G, and B laser beams reflected by the mirror 126, and is image-exposed. Note that the laser shaping opening 107 and the mirror 126
The lens, the mirror, and the like constitute the optical system 150. AOM10 is located on the left side of the mirror 124.
An exposure start sensor 127 that receives a laser beam from 8 and generates an exposure start signal is provided.

The AOM 108 will be described in detail. AO
M108 is a laser light source 104R, 104G, 104B
Three laser light sources 104R, 104G, and 104B are arranged at required positions of the housing 102 so that the laser beam incident from the AOM 108 passes through the acousto-optic medium inside the AOM 108, and a lower part of each AOM 108 Each of the transducers 109 functioning as an ultrasonic oscillator is provided.
It is connected to the M driver 111. The specific connection between the transducer 109 and the AOM driver 111 is not shown.

When a signal (output for each of R, G, B) corresponding to the R, G, B density of an image is input from the AOM driver 111 to the transducer 109, the AOM 108
The ultrasonic optical effect according to the output of the AOM driver 111 acts on the acousto-optic medium of the AOM 108 to cause diffraction, and the laser beam incident on the AOM 108 becomes an intensity corresponding to the intensity and amplitude of the ultrasonic wave. Injected
It reaches the photographic paper 2 and forms an image.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the main part of the present invention, which will be described below with reference to FIG.

The laser beam scanning unit 100 functioning as an exposure means, the transport means 324, a pulse generator 325 for generating a pulse, and a pulse counter which counts the pulses generated by the pulse generator 325 and is connected to the transport means 324 327.

The conveying means 324 receives information on the number of pulses counted by the pulse counter 327, and generates a start signal (drive signal) for driving the drive motor 323 and a drive motor driver 326 for generating a start signal to the image processing board 105. And a pair of transport rollers 321 and 324 for transporting the photographic paper 2, and a pair of transport rollers 321 and 32 according to the drive signal received from the drive motor driver 326.
4 for driving the drive motor 4.

The laser beam scanning unit 100 modulates the light from the laser light sources 104R, 104G, and 104B with the start signal input to the image processing board 105, and exposes the photographic paper 2 to the AOM 108 and the AOM 10.
AOM driver 111 for driving the image data 8 according to image data
It is composed of

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation based on the configuration of the main part shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS.

First, a certain timing generated by the pulse generator 325 is set at time t0, and is set as a reference time for operating various components.

At time t0, the drive motor driver 326 transmits a start signal (drive signal) to the drive motor 323 and the polygon drive motor 118a based on the pulse signal.

The drive motor 323 starts transporting the photographic paper 2 in response to this drive signal, and transports the photographic paper 2 until time t2 two pulses later.

On the other hand, based on the start signal input to the polygon drive motor 118a, N (sec)
c) From the subsequent time t4 to t5, the laser light sources 104R,
The laser beams generated in the 04G and 104B are modulated by the AOM 108, and the photographic paper 2 is exposed for one line on the Xth line according to the image data.

Thereafter, at time t6, when the pulse counter 327 counts 10 pulses from the start signal at time t0, the drive motor driver 326 outputs a start signal (drive signal) based on this signal.
3 and transmitted to the polygon drive motor 118a.

The drive motor 323 starts conveying the photographic paper 2 in response to the drive signal, and conveys the photographic paper 2 until time t8 after two pulses.

On the other hand, based on the start signal input to the image processing board 105, the laser light sources 104R and 104R are used from time t10 to time t11 after N (sec) from time t6.
G, 104B, the laser light generated by the AOM driver 11
1, the photographic paper 2 is modulated by the AOM 108 and one line of the (X + 1) -th line is exposed according to the image data.

Thereafter, at time t12, when the pulse counter 327 counts 10 pulses from the start signal at time t6, (X + 2) corresponding to the image data is obtained.
The exposure process for one line in the row is started. Thereafter, exposure of the photographic paper 2 for each line is repeated until the last line. In this embodiment, the drive motor driver 326 to the drive motor 323 and the image processing board 10
5 can be transmitted simultaneously.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention, in which an exposure start sensor 127 is provided instead of the pulse generator 325 and the pulse counter 327 in the previous embodiment.

It comprises a laser beam scanning unit 100 functioning as an exposure means, a transport means 324, and an exposure start sensor 127 for generating an exposure start signal.

The transport means 324 is provided with the exposure start sensor 12
7, a drive motor driver 326 for generating a drive signal for driving the drive motor 323, and a drive motor 326 for transporting the printing paper 2 in accordance with the drive signal received from the drive motor driver 326. And a drive motor 323.

The laser beam scanning unit 100 receives the start signal (drive signal) sent from the exposure start sensor 127, the image processing substrate 105, and the image processing substrate 1
AOM driver 1 that drives the AOM 108 by using the 05
With the start signal input as 11, the laser light source 104R,
A for modulating light from G and B and exposing it to photographic paper 2
OM108. The exposure start sensor 127 is modulated by the AOM 108 as shown in FIG. 2, and generates an exposure start signal by receiving a laser beam in an optical system 150 formed by a polygon mirror or the like.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation based on the configuration of another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and will be described below also with reference to FIGS.

First, the X generated by the start sensor 127 is
The time t20 is set by the start signal of the row.

At a time t21 after N (sec) from the time t20, the drive motor driver 326 transmits a start signal (drive signal) to the drive motor 323.

The drive motor 323 starts transporting the photographic paper 2 in response to the drive signal, and transports the photographic paper 2 until time t22.

On the other hand, based on the start signal input to the image processing substrate 105 at time t23 after N (sec) from time t20, the laser light sources 104R, G,
The laser light generated in B is converted into A by the AOM driver 111.
The light is modulated by the OM 108 and exposed on the photographic paper 2, and the exposure for one line on the Xth line according to the image data is completed.

Thereafter, at time t25, the start sensor 127 transmits a (X + 1) -th row start signal.

At a time t26 after N (sec) from the time t25, the drive motor driver 326 transmits a start signal (drive signal) to the drive motor 323.

The drive motor 323 starts transporting the photographic paper 2 at time t26 in response to the drive signal, and transports the photographic paper 2 to the photographic paper 2 until time t27.

On the other hand, based on the start signal input to the image processing substrate 105 at time t28 after N (sec) from time t25, the laser light sources 104R, G,
The laser light generated in B is converted into A by the AOM driver 111.
The light is modulated by the OM 108 and exposed to the photographic paper 2, and the exposure for one line on the (X + 1) th line according to the image data is completed.

Thereafter, at time t30, upon receiving the start signal of the (X + 2) -th line generated by the start sensor 127, the exposure process for the first line of the (X + 2) -th line according to the image data is started. Thereafter, exposure of one line on the photographic paper 2 is repeated until the last line.
In this alternative embodiment, the start sensor 127
It is possible to transmit the start signal to the drive motor driver 326 and / or the image processing board 105 at the same time based on the start signal of the (X + n) -th row generated in the above, or to provide a delay time as appropriate. It is also possible.

As described in detail above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transport start timing of the transport unit and the exposure start timing of the exposure unit are synchronized, so that transport unevenness of the photosensitive material by the motor of the transport unit is eliminated. , Image quality is improved.

Although the present embodiment has been described in detail, it can be modified as shown below.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the laser beam scanning unit 100 is applied as the exposure means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
Line exposure of light from the light source to a photosensitive material, for example, PLZT
It is also possible to apply a shutter array composed of elements. In this case, if an exposure start sensor is used as the exposure start generating means, the exposure start sensor may be provided in the vicinity of the light source and at a place where the light of the light source can be detected.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the laser beam scanning unit 100 is applied to the photographic processing apparatus 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a medical CT scanner may be used. It is also possible to apply to.

In the above-described embodiment, the AOM 108 is applied as the laser intensity modulation means, and the intensity of the laser beam is modulated by the AOM 108.
It is also possible to apply an electro-optic modulator (EOM) or a magneto-optic modulator (MOM) in place of 108 to perform intensity modulation of the laser beam.

In the above embodiment, the components of the laser beam scanning unit 100 are laid out in a plane on the housing 102. However, a polygon mirror is arranged below (upper) the laser light source 104, Mirror 11
It is also possible to adopt a three-dimensional layout in which the mirrors 124 and 126 are arranged below (upper) the zero.

In the above-described embodiment, the roll paper is cut before the exposure and is conveyed to the exposure unit. However, it is also possible to apply the cut paper cut from the beginning and to perform photographic processing by exposing.

[0062]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveying means for conveying a photosensitive material to an exposure position, an exposing means for exposing an image on the photosensitive material line by line at the exposure position, and the conveying means. Means and a start signal generating means for generating a start signal to drive the exposure means.

According to the above construction, when the start signal is generated by the start signal generating means, the transport means and the exposure means are started to be driven and the timing is adjusted.
A stable, high-quality image is always formed without deteriorating the image quality.

According to the second aspect, the configuration is simple because the pulse counter sends the start signal to the transporting means and the exposing means.

According to the third aspect, since the exposure start sensor sends a start signal to the transport means, the configuration becomes extremely simple without adding any additional components.

According to the fourth aspect, since the present invention is applied to an exposure unit having a laser beam generator driven at a high speed,
High-speed photographic processing is possible.

According to the fifth aspect, the modulation of the laser output can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a laser beam scanning device of a photographic processing device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a laser beam scanning unit of the photographic processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an operation based on the configuration of a main part shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation based on the configuration of another embodiment shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photo-processing apparatus 2 Photosensitive material 100 Laser beam scanning unit (exposure means) 104 Laser light source (laser beam generation part) 108 Acousto-optic modulation element (laser intensity modulation means) 127 Start sensor (start signal generation means) 324 Transport means 325 pulse Generator 327 Pulse counter

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A conveying means for conveying a photosensitive material to an exposure position, an exposing means for exposing an image on the photosensitive material line by line at the exposure position, and a start signal for driving the conveying means and the exposing means are generated. A photographic processing apparatus comprising: a start signal generating unit. 2. The start signal generating means includes a pulse generator and a pulse counter for counting pulses generated by the pulse generator, and generates a start signal when a predetermined number of pulses are counted by the pulse counter. 2. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said start signal generation means is an exposure start sensor for detecting the start of exposure of said exposure means. 4. The exposure means includes: a laser beam generator;
4. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a laser intensity modulation unit that modulates and outputs the intensity of the laser input from the laser beam generator. 5. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said laser intensity modulation means is an acousto-optic modulation element.