JP2005022250A - Image recording method and image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ease unevenness in light quantity, which occurs in a joint part between recording element units, without using a special adjusting mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: When a recording head 162 is constituted in such a manner that the recording element units 166 are arranged in a direction crossing a scanning direction, a joint exists between the units 166. An energy distribution error is caused in the joint by positional accuracy and a difference in light quantity between the units 166. To solve this problem, a dot, which is set as a normal unused dot, is used for the joint. More specifically, a dot pattern for the joint is changed; multiplex recording is performed in the joint; and light quantity allocation for each dot is performed. Thus, a scanning line pitch can be corrected, and the light quantity can be corrected, so that unevenness in density can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a plurality of recording element units that form a two-dimensionally arrayed light beam are arranged in a direction intersecting the scanning direction, and are scanned along the image recording surface to obtain dots. The present invention relates to an image recording method and an image recording apparatus for recording an image on the image recording surface according to a pattern.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a spatial light modulation element (recording element) such as a digital micromirror device (DMD) is used, and an image is recorded on a recording medium using a recording head that emits a light beam modulated according to image data. Various image recording apparatuses have been proposed (for example, image exposure to photosensitive material).
[0003]
For example, the DMD is a mirror device in which a large number of micromirrors whose reflection surfaces change in response to a control signal are arranged in a two-dimensional form of L rows × M columns on a semiconductor substrate such as silicon. By irradiating the DMD with this light source, it is possible to independently control and modulate a plurality of lights according to the resolution of the DMD.
[0004]
In general, recording elements such as DMDs are arranged in a grid (matrix) so that the arrangement direction of each row and the arrangement direction of each column are orthogonal to each other. However, the recording elements are inclined with respect to the scanning direction. By arranging them, the interval between the scanning lines becomes close at the time of scanning, and the resolution can be increased. In addition, the recording element has a configuration in which a plurality of units are arranged in a direction crossing the scanning direction and is so-called line scanning, so that an image of a predetermined area can be recorded by one scanning, and the scanning time can be reduced. Shortening can be achieved.
[0005]
Here, when attention is paid to a joint portion of a plurality of recording element units arranged to form a recording head, characteristics such as position, light quantity, and beam shape may be different between the two recording element units at the joint portion. . This is due to machine differences in manufacturing, magnification error of the optical system, assembly accuracy, and the like, and density unevenness occurs in the recorded image at the joint portion.
[0006]
In order to eliminate such density unevenness of the recorded image, conventionally, an adjustment mechanism for matching the above characteristics (position, light quantity, beam shape, etc.) is required (see Patent Document 1).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
US Patent No. 0200993933
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the adjustment mechanism as described above is installed, the adjustment work becomes complicated. Further, there is a problem that the number of parts of the apparatus itself increases and becomes complicated due to the installation of the adjusting mechanism.
[0009]
In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording method and an image recording apparatus that can alleviate unevenness in the amount of light generated at a joint portion between recording element units without using a special adjustment mechanism. .
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a recording head configured by arranging a plurality of recording element units that form two-dimensionally arranged light beams in a direction intersecting the scanning direction is scanned along the image recording surface. An image recording method for recording an image on the image recording surface by a dot pattern, wherein the recording element unit uses a plurality of dots having substantially the same scanning trajectory to be used as image recording and Categorized as unused dots that are not used and always turned off, and energy distribution with respect to standard energy caused by displacement including dot position, light quantity, beam shape corresponding to joints between the plurality of recording elements When an error occurs, the unused dots of the other recording element unit that has substantially the same scanning locus as the used dots of one recording element unit are used to By executing the recording, to mitigate the energy distribution error is characterized by.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in order to display one pixel of the input image data, it is expressed by a plurality of dot patterns.
[0012]
Here, between the recording element units, the dot distribution pitch in the direction intersecting the scanning direction may be shifted or the amount of light may vary due to the accuracy of the joint, resulting in an energy distribution error.
[0013]
Therefore, multiplex recording is executed using the unused dots of the other recording element unit having substantially the same scanning locus as the used dots of one recording element unit at the joint. Thereby, the energy distribution error can be relaxed.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the first aspect, the relaxation of the energy distribution error due to the multiple recording is an approximation of the combined energy due to the multiple recording to a standard energy of a single used dot. And the displacement of the peak position of the energy distribution by the synthetic energy.
[0015]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, by performing multiple recording, it is possible to approximate the standard energy obtained with a single use dot in an area other than the joint. Further, the peak position of the energy distribution can be moved by the composite energy of a plurality of dots, and the displacement of the inter-dot pitch can be corrected.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a recording head formed by arranging a plurality of recording element units that form two-dimensionally arranged light beams in a direction intersecting the scanning direction is scanned along the image recording surface. Thus, an image recording apparatus for recording an image on the image recording surface by a dot pattern, wherein a plurality of dots having substantially the same scanning locus in the recording element unit are used as image recording. The standard specification recording means for recording an image using the used dots, classifying the unused dots to be always in an off state without using them, and the dot positions corresponding to the joints between the plurality of recording elements, the light amount, When an energy distribution error occurs with respect to the standard energy due to the displacement including the beam shape, the scanning trajectory is almost the same as the used dot of one printing element unit. The use of a non-use dot of the other recording element unit that has a joint multiplex recording means for recording an image by multiple recording, the.
[0017]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a recording head is configured by arranging a plurality of recording element units in a direction crossing the main scanning direction, there is a joint between the recording element units.
[0018]
In the case other than the joint, an image is recorded using the use dots preset by the standard specification recording means. However, when an energy distribution error occurs in the joint, the image quality such as density unevenness is deteriorated.
[0019]
Therefore, at the joint, multiple recording is performed by the joint multiplex recording means using the used dots of the one recording element unit and the unused dots of the other recording element unit having the same scanning locus as the used dots. .
[0020]
This multiple recording makes it possible to shift the light amount energy peak position and adjust the light amount energy, correct the energy distribution error, reduce uneven density at the joints, and improve image quality.
[0021]
In the present invention, the modulation control can correspond to various modulation controls such as on / off modulation control, pulse width modulation control, and area modulation control, and is not limited with respect to the modulation control method.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a flood bed type image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
[0023]
The image recording apparatus 100 includes a thick plate-shaped installation table 156 supported by four legs 154, and includes a flat plate-like stage 152 via two guides 158 extending along the stage moving direction. ing. The stage 152 has a function of adsorbing and holding the sheet-like photosensitive material 150 on the surface.
[0024]
The stage 152 has a longitudinal direction as a stage moving direction, is guided by a guide 158, and is supported so as to be able to reciprocate (scan). The exposure apparatus 100 is provided with a driving device (not shown) for driving the stage 152 along the guide 158 so as to have a moving speed (scanning speed) corresponding to a desired magnification in the scanning direction. The drive is controlled by a controller (not shown).
[0025]
A U-shaped gate 160 is provided at the center of the installation table 156 so as to straddle the movement path of the stage 152. Each of the ends of the U-shaped gate 160 is fixed to both side surfaces of the installation table 156. A recording head 162 is provided on one side of the gate 160, and a plurality of (for example, two) detection sensors 164 for detecting the front and rear ends of the photosensitive material 150 are provided on the other side. .
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 162 includes a plurality of recording element units 166, and a plurality of light beams emitted from the respective recording element units 166 at a predetermined timing are applied to the photosensitive material 150 on the stage 152. The photosensitive material 150 is exposed by moving (scanning) the stage 152 simultaneously with irradiation.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B, the recording element units 166 constituting the recording head 162 are arranged in a substantially matrix of m rows and n columns (for example, 2 rows and 5 columns). The recording element units 166 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. In the present embodiment, a total of ten recording element units 166 are arranged in two rows in relation to the width of the photosensitive material 150.
[0028]
Here, the exposure area 168 by the recording element unit 166 has a rectangular shape with a short side in the scanning direction and is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the scanning direction. In 150, a strip-shaped exposed area 170 is formed for each recording element unit 166.
[0029]
Each of the recording element units controls the incident light beam in units of dots by a digital micromirror device (DMD) (not shown) which is a spatial light modulation element, so that the photosensitive material 150 is exposed to a dot pattern. It has become.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 4A, the above-described band-shaped exposed region 170 (one recording element unit 166) is formed by 20 dots that are two-dimensionally arranged (4 × 5).
[0031]
The two-dimensional dot pattern is inclined with respect to the scanning direction so that the dots arranged in the scanning direction pass between the dots arranged in the direction intersecting the scanning direction. Can be achieved.
[0032]
Note that there may be dots that are not used due to variations in the adjustment of the tilt angle. For example, in FIG. 4A, dots that are black dots are used (used dots) and dots that are white dots are not used ( Unused dots). The DMD corresponding to this unused dot is always off.
[0033]
That is, as shown in FIG. No. 5, No. 6, No. 9, No. 10, No. 13, No. 14, No. 14, No. 17 and No. 18 dots of the recording element unit 166 are used dots. The first, second, fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth, thirteenth, fourteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth dots of the two recording element units 166 are used dots.
[0034]
Here, in the present embodiment, a plurality of the recording element units 166 are arranged in the direction intersecting the scanning direction, and there are joints between the adjacent recording element units 166.
[0035]
As shown by the imaginary line in FIG. No. 1 dot of recording element 166, No. 1 2 The pitch dimension of the recording element unit 166 with respect to the 18th dot is the same as the other pitch dimensions. 4 (B) and as shown in FIG. No. 1 dot of recording element 166, No. 1 The pitch dimension with the 18th dot of the two recording element units 166 is different from the other pitch dimensions (large in FIG. 4B), and there is a possibility that density unevenness occurs in the joint portion.
[0036]
Even if the dimensional accuracy is the same, No. No. 1 recording element unit 166 peak light quantity of each dot (when DMD is on) Even when there is a light amount difference between the peak light amount of each dot of the 2-recording element unit 166 (when the DMD is on), uneven density occurs. Hereinafter, the scanning line pitch error and the light amount error are collectively referred to as an energy distribution error.
[0037]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to eliminate the energy distribution error, the unused dots in the joint portion are applied, and the apparent scanning of the joint is performed based on the combined light amount with the used dots on the almost same scanning locus. The line is shifted. Also, the combined light amount of the setting “used dots” used from the beginning to be combined and the “unused dot” changed to the setting used for correction at the joints matches the light amount other than the joints. In this way, the number of dot patterns is changed (energy adjustment).
[0038]
That is, No. 2 shown in FIGS. No. 1 and No. 2 dots of No. 1 recording element unit 166 and No. 1 The 19th and 20th dots of the 2 printing element unit 166 are used.
[0039]
In the recording element unit 166 having the above configuration, shading occurs as shown in FIG. This is caused by an optical system including a DMD, an optical lens, and the like. For example, there is a difference in light energy between light that has passed through the center of the lens and light that has passed through the lens terminal, which results in shading. As shown to (A), it becomes the mountain-shaped characteristic which the center becomes convex upwards.
[0040]
For example, in a state where such shading has occurred, if an attempt is made to record a line having a line width of 18.5 μm with 6 pixels (the number of arrays in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction), as shown in FIG. In addition, the line width becomes 17.0 μm in the region where the light energy is small, and the line width becomes 22.5 μm in the region where the light energy is large with the same number of pixels (see FIG. 5C).
[0041]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5D, the number of pixels is increased in the region where the light amount energy is small so that the combined energy becomes 18.5 μm, while in the region where the light amount energy is large. Thins out the number of pixels so that the combined energy is equal to 18.5 μm, which is equivalent to the region where the light energy is small, and the fluctuation due to the shading of the line width is corrected (see FIG. 5E).
[0042]
FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram for light amount correction at the joint and light amount correction control by shading.
[0043]
Image data is input to the image data input unit 10 and stored in the frame memory 12.
[0044]
The image data stored in the frame memory 12 is sent to the image data converter 14 and is expressed by a binary (white / black) pattern of a plurality of dots.
[0045]
The image data conversion unit 14 is connected to a joint image data reading unit 50 and a normal (other than a joint) image data reading unit 52.
[0046]
The joint image data read by the joint image data reading unit 50 is sent to the dot pattern conversion unit 54, and the dot pattern is corrected based on the dot pattern change data input from the joint dot pattern conversion data memory 56. It is like that. The dot pattern conversion data memory 56 for joints stores dot pattern conversion data that is measured in advance with a light quantity monitor or the like and corrects an energy distribution error that is a scanning line pitch error or a light quantity error at the joint.
[0047]
The converted dot pattern of the joint is sent to the energy adjusting unit 58, and the energy distribution of the dots at the time of multiple recording by the respective recording elements 166 is performed, and is read out by the recombining unit 60 by the normal image data reading unit 52. Recombined with normal image data.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 10A, the energy distribution in the energy adjusting unit 58 is most easily set to 50%. However, as shown in FIG. By increasing or decreasing gradually so as to be the same as each other, correction with higher accuracy is possible.
[0049]
The image data recombined by the recombining unit 60 is sent to the comparing unit 30. The comparison unit 30 is input with shading data at each position in the direction intersecting the scanning direction read from the shading data memory 28 by the comparison data reading unit 26, and each direction in the direction intersecting the scanning direction. It is compared with the shading data (threshold value) set by the position.
[0050]
For the shading data, the recording element unit 166 of the recording head 162 is turned on in advance, and an aperture is provided in the light amount monitor, for example, and the position and light amount of the dot unit due to light emission of each recording element of the recording element unit 166 are measured And you can get it. This measurement may be performed every time the image is recorded, or may be periodically performed such as when the first operation starts in the morning.
[0051]
The comparison result in the comparison unit 30 is sent to the data generation unit 32, and the data of each recording element unit as final image data is generated and sent from the output unit 34.
[0052]
In the control system (not shown) of the recording head 162, the data output from the output unit 34 controls the DMD of each recording element unit 166 of the recording head 162 in synchronization with the movement of the stage 152, and image recording is executed. The
[0053]
The operation of this embodiment will be described below.・
(Generation of dot pattern conversion data for joints)
As shown in FIG. 4A, there is a joint between the recording element units 166. This joint is caused by the positional accuracy and the light quantity of each recording element unit 166 (when the DMD is on). As a result, an energy distribution error may occur.
[0054]
Therefore, a light amount monitor is installed at a position equivalent to the position of the photosensitive material 150, the position and light amount of the dot pattern for each recording element unit 166 at the joint are recognized, and unused dots (FIG. 4B and FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the dot pattern is based on the multiplex recording of No. 1 recording element unit 166 No. 1 and No. 2 dot and No. 2 recording element unit 166 No. 19 and No. 20 dot). Set. That is, when the peak position is deviated, the dot pattern is set such that the peak position is shifted by the light quantity distribution. If there is no shift in the peak position and only the light amount difference, there is no need to change the dot pattern.
[0055]
The dot pattern conversion data obtained in this way is stored in the joint dot pattern conversion data memory 56 in advance.
(Generation of shading data)
In normal image recording, the photosensitive material 150 is positioned on the stage 152. When shading data is generated, a light amount monitor is installed at a position equivalent to the position of the photosensitive material 150.
[0056]
In this state, the recording head 162 is fully turned on, that is, the modulation by DMD of all dots irradiated from each recording element unit 166 is turned on.
[0057]
By providing an aperture in the light amount monitor, the light amount of each dot is measured in correspondence with its position (direction intersecting the scanning direction).
[0058]
The shading data obtained in this way generally has a mountain-shaped characteristic in which the center in the direction intersecting the scanning direction is convex upward, as shown in FIG.
[0059]
In FIG. 7A, the vertical axis represents light energy, which is converted into a threshold value for comparison with the combined energy value calculated by the light energy integrating unit 36, and is shown in FIG. 7B. Comparison data is generated and stored in the shading data memory 28.
(Correction correction for image data)
The image data input to the image data input unit 10 and stored in the frame memory 12 is read by the joint image data reading unit 50 from the joint image data reading unit 50.
[0060]
On the other hand, normal image data other than the joints is read out by the normal image data reading unit 52.
[0061]
The joint image data is sent to the dot pattern conversion unit 54, the dot pattern is converted based on the dot pattern conversion data stored in the joint dot pattern conversion data memory 56, and sent to the energy adjustment unit 58.
[0062]
The energy adjustment unit 58 adjusts the amount of light at the joint of each adjacent recording element unit 166 so that the amount of light does not become excessive due to multiple recording. The amount of light at the joint can be adjusted, for example, by interposing a filter in the corresponding element of the DMD, or by shortening the ON time (PWM).
[0063]
Here, as shown in FIG. 10A, the light amount adjustment is most easily performed in increments of 50%. In each recording element unit 166, all the ON times of the DMDs corresponding to the joints are halved. And it is sufficient.
[0064]
On the other hand, density unevenness that may occur when the light amount suddenly becomes ½ at the boundary between the normal image data portion and the joint image data portion (theoretically, because multiple recording is performed with ½ light amount). In order to prevent the error, the light amount may be gradually increased or decreased in each of the recording element units 166 so as to conflict with each other, as shown in FIG.
[0065]
That is, since the control burden can be reduced in FIG. 10A and the image quality can be improved in FIG. 10B, any adjustment may be selected according to needs.
[0066]
The joint image data corrected in this way is recombined with normal image data in the recombining unit 60.
(Dot pattern data generation)
Each dot of the recording element unit 166 has a beam energy spectrum distribution as shown in FIG. 8A, and the light beam of the center pixel (attention pixel) of the nine pixels shown in the upper part of FIG. 8B. Will also affect the surrounding pixels (intensities S _{0 to} S ₉ ). As a specific example of the relative relationship of the intensity distribution, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 8B, when the intensity S ₄ of the target pixel is 10 at the maximum, the intensity S ₀ = 2 and S ₁ = 3, S ₂ = 2, S ₃ = 8, S ₅ = 7, S ₆ = 2, S ₇ = 4, and S ₈ = 2.
[0067]
Here, when the data of each dot obtained from the input image is expressed in one unit with the nine dots affected by the one light beam as one unit, as shown in the upper part of FIG. Patterns P0 to P8 are obtained. When this is applied to the edge portion of the image area shown in the lower part of FIG. 8C, the intensity of each dot can be obtained in the area surrounded by the chain line in the lower part of FIG.
[0068]
That is, the integrated energy value R of each pixel in the chain line in the lower part of FIG.
Each pixel is regarded as a pixel of interest, and a value obtained by integrating the intensity of turning on is obtained (see the following integration formula).
[0069]
_{R n = (P 0 × S} 0) + (P 1 × S 1) + (P 2 × S 2) + (P 3 × S 3) + (P 4 × S 4) + (P 5 × S 5) + (P ₆ × S ₆ ) + (P ₇ × S ₇ ) + (P ₈ × S ₈ ) (1)
(However, n = 0 to 8 integers, P _{0 to} P ₈ = 1)
According to the above calculation formula (1), the integrated value Rn of each pixel is R ₀ = 2, R ₁ = 6, R ₂ = 8, R ₃ = 9, R ₄ = 23 as shown in FIG. 8D. , R ₅ = 33, R ₆ = 11, R ₇ = 28, and R ₈ = 40.
[0070]
The composite integrated energy value created in this way is compared with the threshold value corresponding to the position of the pixel of interest from the shading data stored in the shading data memory 28. ), 0 (off) when below the threshold.
[0071]
For example, when the area surrounded by the chain line in the lower part of FIG. 8C is compared with the threshold value, initially, among the nine pixels of the target pixel and its surrounding pixels, the lower right four pixels are on, and the others are If the pixel of interest is at a small threshold value (threshold value = 8), it is corrected so that 6 pixels of the 9 pixels except the upper stage are turned on (FIG. 7). (See (C)).
[0072]
On the other hand, when the target pixel is at the position of the large threshold value (threshold value = 23), correction is performed so that only the lower right three pixels of the nine pixels are turned on (see FIG. 7D). ).
[0073]
That is, if it is determined that the density of the portion represented by 4 pixels in the original image is low due to shading and the line width is narrowed, the number of pixels to be turned on is increased to enlarge the image (4 pixels → 6 Pixels), if it is determined that the density is high and the line width is increased by shading, the number of pixels to be turned on is reduced (4 pixels → 3 pixels) in order to reduce the image.
[0074]
By performing such enlargement or reduction of the image, it is possible to cancel the reduction or enlargement of the image caused by shading, and it is possible to record an image that is faithful to the original image data and appropriate.
[0075]
As described above, the pixel data subjected to the light amount correction at the joint and the correction based on the shading data can be used as DMD data in each recording element unit 166 of the recording head 162 as it is, and is one line (crosses the scanning direction). When the data for each area (recorded simultaneously in the direction) is prepared, image recording onto the photosensitive material 150 is executed in synchronization with the movement of the stage 152.
(Image recording flow)
The stage 152 that has adsorbed the photosensitive material 150 to the surface is moved at a constant speed from the upstream side to the downstream side of the gate 160 along the guide 158 by a driving device (not shown). When the leading edge of the photosensitive material 150 is detected by the detection sensor 164 attached to the gate 160 when the stage 152 passes under the gate 160, the DMD of each recording element unit 166 is determined based on the generated data. Each of the micromirrors is controlled.
[0076]
That is, when the DMD is irradiated with laser light, the laser light reflected when the micromirror of the DMD is turned on is guided to the photosensitive material 150 through the optical system and imaged on the photosensitive material 150. The
[0077]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the recording head 162 is configured by arranging a plurality of recording element units 166 in a direction crossing the scanning direction, there is a joint between the recording element units 166. At this joint, an energy distribution error occurs due to positional accuracy between the recording element units 166 and a light amount difference. Therefore, the dots set as normal unused dots are used at the joints. In other words, the dot pattern at the joint is changed, and multiple recording is executed at the joint, and the light quantity distribution of each dot is performed, so that the scanning line pitch can be corrected and the light quantity can be corrected. Can be prevented.
[0078]
In addition, when one pixel is expressed by a plurality of dots, a different threshold is used depending on the direction intersecting the scanning direction based on shading information caused by an optical system or the like based on a relative positional relationship with surrounding pixels. As a result, the data of each dot, which is the final output data, is enlarged or reduced, and the reduction or enlargement of the image due to the shading is canceled, and a faithful image can be recorded. In particular, since the enlargement or reduction of the image appears remarkably at the edge portion of the image, the control load for the correction can be reduced by performing the shading correction in the present embodiment specifically for this edge portion. .
[0079]
In this embodiment, a DMD is used as a spatial modulation element, and a dot pattern is generated by turning on / off at a constant lighting time. However, pulse width modulation by on-time ratio (duty) control is performed. You may go. Alternatively, the dot pattern may be generated according to the number of times of lighting, with one lighting time being extremely short.
[0080]
Further, in the present embodiment, the recording element unit 166 having the DMD as the spatial light modulation element has been described. However, in addition to such a reflective spatial light modulation element, a transmissive spatial light modulation element (LCD) is used. You can also For example, a liquid crystal shutter such as a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) type spatial light modulator (SLM), an optical element (PLZT element) that modulates transmitted light by an electro-optic effect, or a liquid crystal light shutter (FLC). It is also possible to use a spatial light modulation element other than the MEMS type, such as an array. Note that MEMS is a general term for a micro system that integrates micro-sized sensors, actuators, and control circuits based on a micro-machining technology based on an IC manufacturing process, and a MEMS type spatial light modulator is an electrostatic force. It means a spatial light modulation element driven by an electromechanical operation using Further, a plurality of Grafting Light Valves (GLVs) arranged in a two-dimensional shape can be used. In the configuration using these reflective spatial light modulator (GLV) and transmissive spatial light modulator (LCD), a lamp or the like can be used as a light source in addition to the laser described above.
[0081]
The light source in the above embodiment includes a fiber array light source including a plurality of combined laser light sources, and a single optical fiber that emits laser light incident from a single semiconductor laser having one light emitting point. A fiber array light source obtained by arraying fiber light sources provided with a light source (for example, an LD array, an organic EL array, etc.) in which a plurality of light emitting points are arranged in a two-dimensional manner can be applied.
[0082]
Further, the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, exposure of a dry film resist (DFR) in a manufacturing process of a printed wiring board (PWB) and a liquid crystal display (LCD). It can be suitably used for applications such as forming color filters in the manufacturing process, exposing DFR in the TFT manufacturing process, and exposing DFR in the plasma display panel (PDP) manufacturing process.
[0083]
The image recording apparatus 100 can use either a photon mode photosensitive material in which information is directly recorded by exposure or a heat mode photosensitive material in which information is recorded by heat generated by exposure. When using a photon mode photosensitive material, a GaN-based semiconductor laser, a wavelength conversion solid-state laser, or the like is used for the laser device. When using a heat mode photosensitive material, an AlGaAs-based semiconductor laser (infrared laser), A solid state laser is used.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that unevenness in the amount of light generated at the joint portion between the recording element units can be reduced without using a special adjustment mechanism.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a recording head of the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3A is a plan view showing an exposed area formed on a photosensitive material, and FIG. 3B is a view showing an arrangement of exposure areas by each exposure head.
4A is a plan view showing a dot arrangement state of a recording element unit, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 4A.
5A is an energy distribution characteristic diagram in a direction crossing the scanning direction of the recording head, FIG. 5B is an energy distribution diagram of a dot unit in a small energy region and a large energy region, and FIG. 5C is a line width. (D) is an energy distribution diagram in dot units after shading correction in FIG. 5 (B), and (E) is a characteristic diagram showing line widths in the small and large energy regions after correction.
FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing a control system for correcting image data and shading correction at a joint according to the present embodiment.
7A is an energy distribution characteristic diagram in a direction crossing the scanning direction of the recording head, and FIG. 7B is a graph for comparing the vertical axis with an integrated energy value with respect to the characteristic diagram of FIG. FIG. 4C is a characteristic diagram when converted into a threshold value, FIG. 4C is a plan view showing a state of a dot pattern in a small energy region, and FIG. 4D is a plan view showing a state of a dot pattern in a large energy region.
8A is a light beam spectrum diagram, FIG. 8B is a correspondence diagram of the intensity of the beam energy distribution, and a plan view showing the relative positional relationship of specific numerical values, and FIG. 8C is a pixel of interest and its surrounding pixels. FIG. 7D is a plan view showing the relative positional relationship between the pixel of interest and a plan view showing its specific position, and FIG.
9A is a plan view showing a scanning area of each dot when multiple recording is not performed at a joint, and FIG. 9B is a plan view showing a scanning area of written dots when multiple recording is performed at a joint.
10A and 10B show light quantity distribution characteristics in the case of multiplex recording. FIG. 10A shows a case where uniform distribution (50% distribution) is performed, and FIG. Indicates the case.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image data input part 12 Frame memory 14 Image data conversion part 30 Comparison part 26 Comparison data reading part 28 Shading data memory 32 Data generation part 34 Output part 50 Joint image data reading part 52 Normal image data reading part 54 Dot pattern conversion part 56 Joint dot pattern conversion data memory 58 Energy adjustment unit 60 Recombination unit 100 Image recording device 150 Photosensitive material 152 Stage 162 Recording head 166 Recording element unit

Claims (3)

By scanning a recording head formed by arranging a plurality of recording element units forming a two-dimensionally arranged light beam in a direction crossing the scanning direction along the image recording surface, the image is formed by a dot pattern. An image recording method for recording an image on a recording surface,
In the recording element unit, for a plurality of dots having substantially the same scanning trajectory, it is classified into used dots used for image recording and unused dots that are always used without being used,
When an energy distribution error occurs with respect to the standard energy due to the displacement including the position, light amount, and beam shape of the dot corresponding to the joint between the plurality of recording elements,
By performing multiple recording using the unused dots of the other recording element unit that has substantially the same scanning trajectory as the used dots of one recording element unit, the energy distribution error is reduced.
An image recording method. The relaxation of the energy distribution error due to the multiple recording is an approximation of the combined energy due to the multiple recording to the standard energy of a single used dot, and the displacement of the peak position of the energy distribution by the combined energy. The image recording method according to claim 1. By scanning a recording head formed by arranging a plurality of recording element units forming a two-dimensionally arranged light beam in a direction crossing the scanning direction along the image recording surface, the image is formed by a dot pattern. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording surface,
In the recording element unit, a plurality of dots having substantially the same scanning locus are classified into a use dot used for image recording and a non-use dot which is not used and is always turned off. A standard specification recording means for recording an image;
When an energy distribution error occurs with respect to the standard energy caused by the displacement including the position, light amount, and beam shape of the dot corresponding to the joint between the plurality of recording elements, the used dot of one recording element unit is approximately A joint multiplex recording means for recording an image by multiplex recording using the unused dots of the other recording element unit having the same scanning locus,
An image recording apparatus.

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