JP2005017577A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact printer capable of forming an image of good image quality in accordance with temperature variation while suppressing memory capacity small. <P>SOLUTION: The temperature characteristics of a liquid crystal shutter are previously obtained, a part thereof to be finely corrected is corrected according to the temperature characteristics, and other parts are roughly corrected to reduce the capacity of a look-up table. The temperature range is finely divided from 5 to 15°C and at larger intervals at ≥15°C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has a medium loading chamber in which a recording medium in which a latent image is formed by exposure and the latent image is visualized by development is loaded, according to image data on the recording medium loaded in the medium loading chamber. The present invention relates to a printer that forms a latent image on a recording medium by performing exposure and develops the latent image to record an image on the recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
It has a medium loading chamber in which a recording medium in which a latent image is formed by exposure and the latent image is visualized by development is loaded, and exposure is performed according to image data on the recording medium loaded in the medium loading chamber. Thus, there is a printer that forms a latent image on the recording medium and develops the latent image to record an image on the recording medium. Some of these printers form a latent image on an instant film with an optical head.
[0003]
This optical head is provided with light emitting elements having red, green, and blue emission colors, and the amount of light emitted from these light emitting elements is adjusted by each shutter of the liquid crystal shutter array to record a latent image of a color image. Is done. In adjusting each shutter of this liquid crystal shutter array, the shutter opening time, so-called shutter speed, is controlled for each shutter, and the levels corresponding to the amounts of red, green, and blue given to the film during the opening of the shutters. Key is obtained.
[0004]
By the way, a printer provided with such an optical head is used in regions having different environmental temperatures and throughout the four seasons. Thus, when the printer is used under different environmental temperatures, the gradation of the image recorded on the recording medium may change.
[0005]
Therefore, a device has been devised to provide a temperature correction look-up table in the printer so that the quality of the recorded image is uniform so that the printer can be used in the same manner even if the ambient temperature is different.
[0006]
However, the liquid crystal shutter array has temperature characteristics, the light emitting element also has temperature characteristics, and the film also has temperature characteristics. Therefore, if a table is created for each, the memory capacity becomes enormous. There is.
[0007]
Further, if the increment in each temperature in the lookup table is made fine, the memory capacity will be enormous.
[0008]
In some cases, temperature control is performed using a heater or a cooling mechanism instead of providing a lookup table that increases the capacity of the memory (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, if a heater is used, the capacity of the battery increases, and if the cooling mechanism is provided, there is a problem that the apparatus itself becomes large.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-167611
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact printer capable of forming an image with good image quality in accordance with a temperature change while suppressing a memory capacity.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printer of the present invention that achieves the above object has a medium loading chamber in which a recording medium in which a latent image is formed by exposure and the latent image is visualized by development is loaded, and the recording loaded in the medium loading chamber. In a printer that forms a latent image on a recording medium by performing exposure according to image data on the medium and develops the latent image to record an image on the recording medium.
An image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data from the outside;
A data conversion unit that converts the first image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit into second image data for exposure to the recording medium;
An image exposure unit that exposes the recording medium based on second image data obtained by data conversion in the data conversion unit;
A developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the recording medium by exposure by the image exposing unit;
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature,
The data conversion unit removes at most one lowest temperature region within the usable temperature range of the printer, and allows adjacent temperature regions to be a temperature region having the same temperature range as a whole on the low temperature side. It is divided into temperature regions with narrower temperature ranges, and has a look-up table for converting the first image data into the second image data for each temperature region, the data conversion unit, When converting the first image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit, the conversion is performed using a lookup table corresponding to a temperature region including the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. To do.
[0012]
According to the printer of the present invention, at most one lowest temperature region within the usable temperature range is excluded, and the adjacent temperature region is allowed to be a temperature region having the same temperature range, and the low temperature side as a whole. As the temperature range is narrower, the first image data is converted into the second image data according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit.
[0013]
For example, when a liquid crystal shutter is used for exposure, the opening / closing time of the liquid crystal shutter, the so-called shutter speed, corresponds to the second image data. It is known that the transient characteristic until the liquid crystal shutter is fully opened fluctuates violently according to the temperature, and the fluctuation becomes more noticeable as the temperature becomes lower.
[0014]
Therefore, while excluding at most one lowest temperature region within the usable temperature range, the adjacent temperature region is allowed to be a temperature region having the same temperature range, and the temperature region having a narrower temperature range on the lower temperature side as a whole. The first image data is converted into second image data for each temperature region, and correction is performed.
[0015]
Then, it is possible to finely perform correction according to the transmission amount characteristic of the liquid crystal shutter, and appropriate exposure can be performed. However, considering regional temperature differences and temperature differences throughout the four seasons, it is convenient to change the lowest temperature range so that it can be changed. It is allowed to expand.
[0016]
In addition, for example, if the light emitting element has a characteristic that the change becomes more severe as the temperature is lower, the lookup table can effectively work to reduce the memory capacity.
[0017]
As described above, according to the printer of the present invention, it is possible to provide a compact printer capable of forming an image with good image quality according to a temperature change while suppressing the memory capacity.
[0018]
The image exposure unit preferably stops exposure to the recording medium when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is outside the usable temperature range.
[0019]
As mentioned above, even though the lowest temperature range has been expanded, high-quality images cannot be obtained at lower temperatures and at temperatures exceeding the usable temperature range. I do not do it.
[0020]
Here, the medium loading chamber is a medium loading chamber in which a recording medium made of an instant film is formed, in which a latent image is formed by exposure and a developer is developed and visualized at the time of delivery,
The developing section develops a developer on the instant film while feeding the instant film on which the latent image is recorded to the outside of the printer.
[0021]
As described above, when the data conversion unit is applied to the printer for recording on the instant film by the image recording unit, the image can be recorded using the print throughout the seasons and in any region where the environmental temperature is different. The same photo is obtained.
[0022]
At that time, the image exposure unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements that emit red, green, and blue light,
A light guide for guiding each color light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements and extending in a predetermined main scanning direction along the recording medium;
A shutter that is arranged in the main scanning direction in which the light guide extends and that irradiates the recording medium with light beams guided by the light guide as light spots arranged in the main scanning direction, and that opens and closes according to the second image data; ,
It is preferable to include a drive unit that moves the guide and the plurality of shutters integrally in the sub-scanning direction that intersects the main scanning direction.
[0023]
By using the light guide in this way, variations are reduced as compared with the case of using the light emitting element array, and density unevenness in the main scanning direction is less likely to occur.
[0024]
In that case, it is desirable that the data conversion unit has a lookup table for each temperature region for each of the plurality of light emitting elements and each of the plurality of shutters.
[0025]
When the light guide is used in this manner, a light emitting element array is not used. Therefore, even if a lookup table for each temperature region is created for each of the light emitting elements and each of the plurality of shutters, the memory capacity is reduced. Reduction can be achieved.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from the front.
[0027]
This printer is used in combination with a mobile phone or the like. The printer receives image data transmitted from the mobile phone and records an image on an instant film. This instant film corresponds to the recording medium referred to in the present invention.
[0028]
Some recent mobile phones are capable of infrared communication conforming to IrDA (Infrared DATA Association). Using this infrared communication, you can send your information to other information devices. If it is a telephone, the image data can be transmitted to this printer.
[0029]
The printer according to the present invention, for example, when image data representing an image taken with a camera-equipped cellular phone or image data transmitted to a cellular phone by e-mail or the like is transmitted to the printer using infrared communication. An image is recorded on an instant film sheet based on the image data, and the recorded image can be re-recorded on another recording medium by operating a print switch.
[0030]
The configuration of the printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0031]
The printer 1 is portable and has a small and lightweight structure that can record an image by holding both the cellular phone and the printer. An instant film pack is loaded in the casing 1a of the printer 1, and an image is recorded on each of a plurality of stacked instant film sheets in the instant film pack.
[0032]
A housing 1a of the printer 1 includes a power switch (hereinafter referred to as a power switch) 11, a print switch (hereinafter referred to as a print SW) 12, a print data correction switch (hereinafter referred to as a print data correction) that instructs turning on and off the power of the printer 1. SW) 13 is provided. An LCD panel 14 is provided at the center, and the remaining number of instant film sheets and the contents of the print data correction SW 13 are displayed on the LCD panel 14. In addition, the light receiving element 15 that receives the image data transmitted by the above-described infrared communication is disposed at a position where the mobile phone can easily face the printer, in this case, at the end of the housing 1a. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 also has a USB port.
[0033]
The print data correction SW 13 is a switch for adjusting the darkness or darkness (Dark or Light) of the image. When the print data correction SW 13 is in the Normal state, the image based on the transmitted image data is directly on the instant film sheet. Is recorded on the instant film sheet when it is switched to the DARK side, and the entire tone of the image based on the image data is recorded on the instant film sheet. Is recorded on the instant film sheet. When the print data correction SW 13 is operated and then the print SW 12 is operated, a plurality of photographs having the same composition but different tastes are obtained.
[0034]
When the print SW is operated, image data is offset by an image processing unit described later, and the density of the entire image is adjusted.
[0035]
In FIG. 2, after a latent image is recorded on the instant film sheet by an optical head, which will be described later, the latent film on the instant film 1001 is visualized and the instant film is discharged from the discharge port of the printer. FIG.
[0036]
In this printer, when image data is transmitted from the outside by infrared communication or USB communication and the printer acquires the image data, a latent image based on the acquired image data is recorded on an instant film by exposure. As shown in FIG. 2, when the instant film 1001 on which the latent image is recorded is discharged, it is visualized and discharged to the outside of the printer 1. Thereafter, when the print SW 12 is operated, the same image as that image is re-recorded on another instant film, and the instant film 1001 is discharged as shown in FIG.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer 1 when the lower surface is viewed obliquely from the rear.
[0038]
A film door 101a for loading the film pack 100 is provided on the lower surface side of the printer 1, the film door 101a is opened, and the film pack 100 is loaded into the film loading chamber 100a as shown in FIG. The This film loading chamber corresponds to the medium loading chamber referred to in the present invention.
[0039]
A battery loading chamber 10a in which a battery 10 serving as a power source for the printer 1 is loaded is also adjacent to the film loading chamber 100a. The battery loading chamber 10a is also provided with a door, the door is opened, and the battery 1b is loaded.
[0040]
Two spring members 1011a and 1012a are provided on the film door side 10a, and the instant film sheet laminated in the film pack 100 by these spring members 1011a and 1012a is on the surface side of the printer 1 on the opposite side of FIG. To be pushed. With such a configuration, the instant film sheet 1001 at the top of the instant film sheets in the instant film pack 100 is pushed up to a position close to the discharge port 11a, and the instant film sheet 1001 is pushed up to that position. A large number of focused light spots are recorded by exposure.
[0041]
Further, when a new film pack 100 is loaded, a light shielding sheet is disposed in a portion close to the discharge port 11a. Therefore, when the film door 101a is closed, the light shielding sheet is discharged to the outside of the printer and placed on the top. A certain film sheet 1001 is disposed at the exposure position.
[0042]
The internal configuration of such a printer 1 will be described.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a view of the inside of the printer with the cover on the front side of the printer 1 removed.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 4, among the instant film sheets stacked in the instant film pack 100 loaded in the printer, the optical head unit 16 is disposed at a position facing the uppermost film sheet 1001. ing.
[0045]
A rack member 161 is provided at the end of the optical head portion 16, and the rack member 161 is elastically screwed into a screw of a lead screw 161a supported by the housing 1a. A guide bar 1611a is provided on the side of the optical head portion 16 opposite to the side on which the rack member 161 is provided, and the end of the optical head 16 is engaged with the guide bar 1611a. While the optical head 16 is guided in parallel by the guide rod 1611a, the optical head 16 is moved by screwing of the lead screw 161a and the rack member 161.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 4, a flat cable 170 is connected to the optical head 16, and a control signal corresponding to image data is supplied from the print control unit described later via the flat cable 170. This control signal controls the shutter speed of each shutter of a liquid crystal shutter array, which will be described later, in the optical head 16, and controls the shutter speed of each shutter according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 180A attached to the optical head. It is something to control. The shutter speed of each liquid crystal shutter is controlled according to the image data, light corresponding to each of RGB is irradiated onto the instant film, and a latent image consisting of 480 light spots (dots) is recorded in the width direction of the instant film. Is done. In the following description, this width direction, that is, the direction in which the shutters are arranged one-dimensionally is referred to as a main scanning direction. Therefore, each shutter is electronically scanned in the main scanning direction, and 480 light spots for one line are recorded on the instant film sheet 1001. When a light spot consisting of 480 dots is recorded in the main scanning direction of the instant film 1001 by electronic scanning of the optical head 16, the motor 162a is driven based on a control signal from a print control unit described later, and the lead screw 161a is predetermined. Then, light spots of 480 dots are sequentially recorded by the optical head 16 in the direction intersecting with the main scanning direction. In the following description, the direction intersecting with the main scanning direction is referred to as the sub-scanning direction. In this sub-scanning direction, 640 lines of light spots are recorded over the entire instant film, with one light spot of 480 dots recorded in one main scan of the optical head as one line.
[0047]
The optical head 16 hits the image exposure unit, and the lead screw 161a for driving the optical head, the motor 162a, and the head key 161 fixed to the end of the optical head correspond to the driving unit referred to in the present invention.
[0048]
When a latent image representing an image is recorded by the collection of light spots, the developing film 17 sandwiches the instant film sheet 1001 to develop the developer in the instant film on the entire instant film sheet 1001 to visualize the latent image. Send it out of the printer. This instant film sheet 1001 is a self-development processing type photosensitive material, and when the instant film 1001 is sandwiched between the developing rollers 17, the developer filled in the instant film is uniformly spread over the entire instant film sheet, The latent image is visualized. In this way, light spots arranged in the main scanning direction intersecting with the sub-scanning direction while moving in the predetermined sub-scanning direction by the optical head are irradiated in accordance with the image data to cause the latent film on the instant film. An image is recorded. The developing motor 17 and the developing roller 17b correspond to the developing unit referred to in the present invention.
[0049]
Here, the configuration of the optical head 16 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0050]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical head.
[0051]
FIG. 5 shows the arrangement order of the light emitting elements 163R, 163G, and 163B disposed at the end of the light guide 164 and the traveling direction of the R, G, and B light irradiated as light spots on the instant film. Is schematically indicated by an arrow.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 5, the optical head 16 includes light emitting elements 163R, 163G, and 163B for R, G, and B, which are the three primary colors of light, a light guide 164, the liquid crystal shutter array 165, and a selfoc lens. (Registered trademark) 166.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting elements 163R, 163G, and 163B of the three primary colors are disposed at the end portions of the light guide 164, and light emitted from these light emitting elements is sequentially sent to the instant film by the light guide 164. Guided to the 1001 side. The path of the light guided to the instant film sheet 1001 side is changed by the light guide 164, and the instant film sheet 1001 is irradiated in the order of red, green, and blue. Each time the red, green, and blue light is sequentially irradiated, each light passes through each shutter of the liquid crystal shutter array 165, passes through the Selfoc lens (registered trademark) 166, and reaches the same point on the instant film 1001. Reach up to. Light whose red, green, and blue light amounts are adjusted by the respective shutters of the liquid crystal shutter array 165 is converged to one point on the instant film 1001 by the SELFOC lens (registered trademark), and the focused light spot is the instant film. A large number are recorded on 1001. Here, by controlling the shutter speed of each shutter according to the image data using the liquid crystal shutter array 165 having 480 elements, 480 light spots having gradation corresponding to the image data are recorded on the instant film 1001. This is recorded for 640 lines also in the sub-scanning direction, and a light spot of 480 × 640 is recorded as a latent image on the instant film. This latent image is a latent image representing a color image in which light of three colors R, G, and B is recorded at the same light spot by the lens 166. An image exposure unit includes an optical head including the light guide 164, a liquid crystal shutter array 165, and a SELFOC lens (registered trademark) 166, the motor 162a, the lead screw 161a, and a head key fixed to the end of the optical head. Is configured.
[0054]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a controller that drives the optical head 16 and the motor 162a.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 180 is directly supplied with electric power from the battery 1b so that the printer 1 can be controlled even when the power of the printer 1 is turned off. In addition, power is directly supplied from the battery 1b to the power supply unit 181 and the deployment motor driver 17a. However, the power supply unit 181 and the deployment motor driver 17a do not operate unless instructed by the CPU 180, so that power is not consumed. The power supply to the image processing unit 182, the motor 1621 a, the print processing unit 183, the volatile memory RAM 184, the nonvolatile memory FLASHMEMORY 185, and the external IF 1821 in the image processing unit 182 is controlled by the CPU 180. Unless there is, power is not supplied to each part. In FIG. 6, a supply line for supplying power from the battery is indicated by a bold line. In FIG. 6, control lines and detection lines are also shown by dotted lines.
[0056]
With such a configuration, power can be supplied only to a necessary place by the CPU 180 and the power supply unit 181 and the life of the battery 1b can be extended. As described above, when the battery 1b is loaded in the battery loading chamber 10a of the printer 1, the printer 1 is used for a long time with the battery 1b.
[0057]
Further, various switches 10 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the CPU 180, and each part of FIG. 6 is controlled in accordance with operations of these various switches 10. Among these various switches, when image data is sent from the outside by infrared communication or USB communication after the power SW 11 is turned on, the operation of the printer 1 is controlled by the CPU 180 and the image is recorded on the instant film. Done. When the print SW 12 is subsequently operated, the operation of the printer 1 is controlled by the CPU 180, and the same image is re-recorded on another recording medium. Further, the CPU 180 is supplied with detection signals from a temperature sensor 180A that detects the temperature of the optical head, an origin sensor 180B that detects the recording start position of the optical head, and a termination sensor 180C that detects the termination position of the optical head. Yes. The CPU 180 causes the print control unit 183 to control the shutter speed of each shutter in the optical head 17 in accordance with the detection signal from the temperature sensor 180A, and the movement start position and the end point when the optical head 17 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. The position is detected by the origin sensor and the end sensor, respectively, and the print control unit 183 controls the motor.
[0058]
Here, what operation the CPU 180 causes each unit to perform when image data is transmitted from the outside after the power SW 11 is turned on will be described.
[0059]
When image data is sent from the outside to the printer 1 by infrared communication, the image processing unit 182 having the external I / F 1821 outputs a signal indicating reception to the CPU 180 when the infrared ray is received by the light receiving element 15. . Upon receiving this signal, the CPU causes the image processing unit 182 to receive the image data, and stores the image data in the RAM 184 via the bus. The CPU 180, the image processing unit 182 and the RAM 184 correspond to the image data acquisition unit referred to in the present invention.
[0060]
When the image acquisition unit acquires image data from the outside, the CPU 180 causes the image processing unit 182 to read the image data stored in the RAM 184, and causes the image processing unit 182 to generate print data. The print data refers to data that has been subjected to appropriate processing by the image processing unit and can control the shutter speed of each shutter of the optical head 17, and is acquired by the image acquisition unit. Different from image data. In the following description, in order to distinguish both data, the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit and stored in the RAM for the print data is referred to as pre-print data. This pre-print data corresponds to the first image data according to the present invention, and the print data corresponds to the second image data according to the present invention.
[0061]
When the CPU 180 generates the print data in the image processing unit 182, the CPU 180 causes the image processing unit 182 to transfer the print data, and causes the print control unit 183 to control the shutter speed of each shutter. Then, according to the print data, the opening time of each shutter arranged in the main scanning direction, that is, the shutter speed is controlled, and the light amounts of the R, G, and B colors passing through each shutter are adjusted. At this time, the temperature correction table is referred to, and print data corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 180A is generated. Further, the print control unit 183 controls the motor driver 1621a, and the motor 162a scans the optical head 16 in the sub-scanning direction, and the shutter speed of each shutter is set to the print control unit 183 according to the print data each time the scan is performed. The amount of light at each light spot in the sub-scanning direction is adjusted. In this way, the light quantity of all the light spots is adjusted, and a latent image representing an image made up of a collection of these light spots is recorded on the instant film. The print processing unit 183, the optical head 17, the motor 162a, and the motor driver 1621a constitute an image exposure unit.
[0062]
After the latent image is recorded on the instant film by the image exposure unit, the CPU 180 turns off the output of the power supply unit and drives the developing motor 17 by the developing motor driver 17a.
[0063]
When the developing roller 17b is rotated by the developing motor 17 and sent out of the printer while sandwiching the instant film, the developing solution is developed on the entire instant film, the latent image is visualized, and the instant film is moved outside the printer. Let it drain.
[0064]
The above is the processing that the CPU 180 causes each unit to perform when image data is sent by infrared communication or USB communication after the power source SW11 is turned on.
[0065]
Next, processing that the CPU 180 causes each unit when the print SW 12 is operated will be described.
[0066]
In response to the operation of the print SW 12, the CPU 180 causes the image processing unit 182 to read the image data stored in the RAM 184. Based on the read image data, the image processing unit 182 generates print data and transfers the print data to the print processing unit 183. Based on the print data, the print processing unit 183 controls each shutter of the optical head 17 to adjust the amount of light irradiated on the instant film. By adjusting the light quantity of each light spot, the light quantity corresponding to the image data is irradiated on the instant film, and a latent image corresponding to the image data is recorded.
[0067]
In response to the completion of the recording of the latent image, the CPU 180 issues an instruction to turn off the output of the power supply unit 181 to the power supply unit 181 and issues a drive instruction for the development motor 17 to the development mode driver 17a.
[0068]
A claw (not shown) for feeding the instant film to the developing roller 17b side is driven by the developing motor 17, the instant film is sent to the developing roller 17b side, and the instant film is sandwiched by the developing roller 17b. To the outside of the printer. By being sandwiched by the developing roller 17b, the developer filled in the instant film is developed on the entire instant film, and the latent image is visualized.
[0069]
When the print SW 12 is thus operated, an image based on the image data stored in the RAM 184 is recorded as a latent image on the instant film.
[0070]
Here, how the pre-print data is corrected when the print data correction SW is operated will be described with reference to FIG.
[0071]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a correction state of pre-printer data when the print data correction SW is operated. The vertical axis in FIG. 7 shows the corrected print data, and the horizontal axis shows the print data. The corrected print data does not change when it is in the normal state, and when it is switched to the DARK side, the print data is corrected to a hexadecimal number smaller than that in the normal state, and is corrected to a smaller print data when it is switched to the LIGHT side. Is corrected to large pre-print data. Here, for example, when the image data becomes large in hexadecimal, the opening time of the shutter becomes long, and conversion is performed such that the amount of light integrated is increased according to the shutter speed.
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 7, the correction data α added to the hexadecimal print data is also a hexadecimal number. When the print data correction SW is switched to the LIGHT side, the correction data α is added to the print data corresponding to Normal. Is corrected. In this way, α is added to make the print data a large hexadecimal number, and when the print data is converted into print data by a look-up table to be described later, the amount of light to be integrated increases, resulting in a bright image as a whole. When the print data correction SW is switched to the dark side, the entire image becomes darker.
[0073]
As described above, the image data acquired in the RAM 184 via the external I / F 1821 by infrared communication is immediately read out to the image processing unit, converted into print data, and the print data is set in the print processing unit. The image is recorded. If this print data is recorded in the RAM, an image can be recorded immediately when the print SW is operated. When the print correction SW is operated at this time, the correction as shown in FIG. 7 is applied to the print data, and the corrected print data is set in the print control unit 183. In this way, the density of the entire image is adjusted according to the operation of the correction SW. In the image data in which the density is adjusted, correction coefficients such as α and β are recorded together with the print data.
[0074]
After the correction is performed by the print data correction SW 12 as described above, when the print SW 13 is operated, the image processing unit 182 reads the print data in the RAM, and an image corresponding to the print data is recorded. Here, although the capacity of the RAM is slightly increased, both pre-print data and print data are recorded in the RAM. For example, according to the operation of the print SW, an image is recorded based on the print data whose density is corrected. If it does, recording of the same image as the image recorded immediately before can be performed immediately.
[0075]
FIG. 8 is a view showing a look-up table for conversion into print data corresponding to temperature. Three lookup tables are created for each of red, green, and blue. This look-up table is referred to according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The horizontal axis of FIG. 8 shows the temperature of the threshold when dividing each temperature range up to Tth_A... Tth_I.
[0076]
This lookup table is stored in the FLASHMEMORY 185, and the lookup table in the FLASHMEMORY 185 is referred to by the CPU 180 according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The CPU 180 refers to the look-up table according to the temperature, and sets print data according to the temperature in the look-up table in the print control unit 183. In this way, conversion from the first image data to the second image data is performed.
[0077]
As shown in FIG. 8, this lookup table excludes at most one lowest temperature region (TthA to TthB temperature region) within the usable temperature range of the printer, and each temperature region having a narrower temperature range on the lower temperature side. In addition, correction values for converting the first image data into the second image data are respectively recorded. The look-up table corresponds to a temperature region including the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 180A when converting the pre-print data acquired by the image data acquisition unit into print data, and has a predetermined temperature range. Each shutter speed corresponding to each temperature range is recorded. For example, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within the range of Tth_A to Tth_B, the print data corresponding to the temperature in the lookup table A (LUT_A) is referred to and the print data is set in the print control unit 183. good.
[0078]
The temperature specification of this printer is 5 ° C. to 45 ° C. However, in cold districts such as Hokkaido, it may be 5 ° C. or less in midwinter, so the temperature range is expanded to 0 ° C.
[0079]
Here, the CPU 180 and the FALSHMEMORY 185 having this look-up table correspond to the data conversion unit referred to in the present invention.
[0080]
FIG. 9 is a graph showing a tendency of the transmission amount with respect to the temperature of the liquid crystal shutter.
[0081]
The vertical axis of FIG. 9 shows the amount of transmitted light, and the horizontal axis shows the temperature range.
[0082]
As shown in FIG. 9, in the low temperature region, the amount of permeation changes drastically in response to a change in temperature of 1 ° C., and the proportion of the amount of permeation that changes in response to the change in temperature gradually decreases as the temperature increases. ing. The solid lines are shown at temperatures of 5 ° C., 15 ° C., and 25 ° C. shown on the horizontal axis in FIG. 9, but the permeation amount changes drastically within the temperature range of 5 ° C. to 15 ° C. 9 to 25 ° C., the change is slightly gentler. Therefore, the temperature increment is widened, and when the temperature is further increased at 25 ° C. or higher, the temperature increment is further widened. Can be corrected accurately.
[0083]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing specific temperatures of Th_A,... Th_I in FIG.
[0084]
As shown in Fig. 10, a temperature table is created every 3 ° C until Th_A is 0 ° C, Th_B is 8 ° C, and then 14 ° C. At 14 ° C and above, the step size is gradually increased to 4 ° C, 5 ° C and 6 ° C. ing. In this way, it is possible to finely correct between 5 ° C. and 15 ° C. in FIG. 9, and further slightly correct between 15 ° C. and 25 ° C., and when the temperature exceeds 25 ° C., the change is almost complete. A rough correction can be made by using the fact that there is no. In this way, the capacity of the memory can be reduced. In the figure, the temperature data indicated by 8-bit data varies depending on how the temperature is processed. B. D (To Be Desired).
[0085]
Furthermore, if the tendency of the temperature characteristic is substantially the same for each liquid crystal shutter, it is not necessary to create a correction table for each shutter, and the memory capacity can be greatly reduced. If each shutter has different temperature characteristics, a table may be created for each shutter according to the temperature. Further, before the liquid crystal shutter is incorporated in the printer, the capacity of the look-up table can be further reduced by performing the temperature correction by acquiring the characteristics combining the light emitting element, the light guide and the liquid crystal shutter for each temperature. be able to.
[0086]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a temperature correction process performed by the CPU.
[0087]
First, before performing the processing of this flowchart, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is acquired. When recording an image, it is determined in step S1101 whether the temperature is a low temperature that locks or a high temperature. The locking low temperature and high temperature indicate whether it is Th_A or less or Th_I or more in FIG.
[0088]
When the process proceeds to the YES side, a lock operation is performed in step S1102, prohibiting the processing of the image recording unit, and the processing of this flow is terminated. At this time, an error code is displayed on the LCD panel.
[0089]
If it is determined in step S1101 that Th_A is greater than or less than Th_I, the process proceeds to No, and a lookup table (any one of LUTA to I) corresponding to the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor is referred to. 2 is converted into the second image data, and the second image data is set as print data in the print control unit 183.
[0090]
FIG. 12 is a table in which the processing performed by the CPU 180 according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is arranged.
[0091]
As shown in FIG. 12, if the detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor is Tth_A or lower or Tth_I or higher, an error code is displayed on the LCD panel to inform the user that printing cannot be performed. In other cases, conversion from the first image data to the second image data is performed based on each look-up table (LUTA to LUTH) according to the temperature, and the converted second image data is obtained. It is set in the print controller as print data.
[0092]
Based on the print data, the print control unit 183 controls the shutter speed of each shutter of the liquid crystal shutter array 165 of the optical head 16.
[0093]
Although the printer of the present embodiment is a printer using an instant film, it can be applied to any printer that records a latent image on a photosensitive material.
[0094]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the printer of the present invention, it is possible to provide a compact printer that can form an image with good image quality according to a temperature change while suppressing the memory capacity.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed obliquely from above.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where an instant film loaded in the printer is discharged to the outside of the printer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back surface of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above.
FIG. 4 is a view of the inside of the printer as viewed from the front and upper side with the front cover of the printer of FIG. 1 removed.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the optical head shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram of a signal processing system inside the printer.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state when print data is corrected by operating a print data correction SW.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a lookup table.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a threshold temperature of the look-up table in FIG. 8;
10 is a diagram illustrating specific temperatures of Th_A,... Th_I in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a temperature correction process performed by a CPU.
FIG. 12 is a table in which processes performed by a CPU are arranged according to temperatures detected by a temperature sensor.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 1a Case 10a Battery loading chamber 1b Battery 100a Film loading chamber 101a Film door 1011a 1012a Spring member 100 Instant film pack 1001 Instant film sheet 10 Various switches 11 Power supply SW
12 Print SW
13 Print data correction SW
14 LCD panel 15 Light-receiving part 16 Optical head 161 Rack member 161a Lead screw 1611a Guide rod 162a Motor 1621a Motor driver 163R 163G 163B Light emitting element 164 Light guide 165 Liquid crystal shutter array 166 Selfoc lens (registered trademark)
17 Deployment motor 17a Deployment motor driver 17b Deployment roller 180 CPU
180A Temperature sensor 180B Start sensor 180C End sensor 181 Power supply unit 182 Image processing unit 1821 External I / F
183 Print processing unit 184 RAM
185 FLASHMEMORY

Claims (5)

There is a medium loading chamber in which a recording medium in which a latent image is formed by exposure and the latent image is visualized by development is loaded, and exposure according to image data is performed on the recording medium loaded in the medium loading chamber. A printer that forms a latent image on the recording medium and develops the latent image to record an image on the recording medium.
An image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data from the outside;
A data converter that converts the first image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit into second image data for exposure to the recording medium;
An image exposure unit that exposes the recording medium based on second image data obtained by data conversion in the data conversion unit;
A developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the recording medium by exposure by the image exposing unit;
A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature,
The data conversion unit removes at most one lowest temperature region within the usable temperature range of the printer, and allows adjacent temperature regions to be a temperature region having the same temperature range as a whole on the low temperature side. It is divided into temperature regions with a narrower temperature range, and has a lookup table for converting the first image data into the second image data for each temperature region, the data conversion unit, The first image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is converted using a lookup table corresponding to a temperature region including the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. Printer. 2. The image exposure unit according to claim 1, wherein the exposure to the recording medium is stopped when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is outside the usable temperature range. Printer. The medium loading chamber is a medium loading chamber into which a recording medium made of an instant film is formed, in which a latent image is formed by exposure and a developing solution is developed and developed at the time of delivery,
2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the developing unit develops the developer on the instant film while feeding the instant film on which the latent image is recorded to the outside of the printer. The image exposure unit
A plurality of light emitting elements that emit red, green, and blue light,
A light guide for guiding each color light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements and extending in a predetermined main scanning direction along the recording medium;
A shutter that opens and closes according to the second image data, irradiates a recording medium with light beams arranged in the main scanning direction in which the light guide extends and guided by the light guide as light spots arranged in the main scanning direction;
2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a drive unit that moves the light guide and the plurality of shutters integrally in a sub-scanning direction that intersects the main scanning direction. The data conversion unit includes a lookup table for each temperature region for each of the plurality of light emitting elements and each of the plurality of shutters.

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