JP2516460B2 - Color image recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a color image on a photosensitive material such as a photographic film based on image signals of a plurality of color-separated images obtained by color-separating an original color image. Relates to a device for recording.

<Prior Art> As an apparatus of this type, for example, in order to easily perform proofreading in a printing process, color materials (for example, dyes) used for proofing, such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), are used. Based on each synthetic halftone dot signal, blue (B) in the white exposure beam,
Color light-sensitive material in which green (G) and red (R) wavelength components are independently modulated, and a color-developing dye that is sensitive to each wavelength by each exposure beam of these three wavelength components is applied in multiple layers. An apparatus has been proposed in which a color image for proofreading is recorded by simultaneously exposing.

The schematic structure of the optical system of such a color image recording apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a laser light source that emits a white laser beam LB. The white laser beam LB emitted from the laser light source 1 has three wavelengths of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) by the dichroic mirrors 2 and 3 and the total reflection mirror 4 arranged on the same optical axis. each exposure of the component beams LB _R, LB _G,
It is separated into LB _B.

Each exposure beam LB _R, LB _G, LB _B is by the respective beam splitter disposed on the optical axis _{5 R, 5 G, 5 B} , a plurality of beams (multibeam) MB _R, MB _G, MB _It is divided into _B. Multibeams obtained in this way MB _R , MB _G , MB
_B is incident on an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) 6 _R , 6 _G , 6 _B which is independently provided according to each _B , and the corresponding image signal (for example, in the case of the color image recording device for calibration described above). , Y,
Each of the M and C composite halftone dot signals) is modulated.

Multi-beam emitted from AOM6 _R , 6 _G , 6 _B MB _R , MB _G , MB _B
Is a beam compressor 8 _R , 8 combined with, for example, two cylindrical lenses through the total reflection mirrors 7 _R , 7 _G , 7 _B.
After being incident on _G , 8 _B and the pitch between the respective beams is adjusted, the respective light amounts are adjusted by the ND filters 9 _R , 9 _G , 9 _B.

Multi-beam MB _R , MB emitted from ND filter 9 _R , 9 _G , 9 _B
G and MB _B are superposed on the same optical axis by the total reflection mirror 10 and the dichroic mirrors 11 and 12 arranged on the same optical axis. The combined multi-beam MB is rotated through the slit 13, after the pitch between the beams is adjusted by the beam compressor 14 including a combination of the zoom lens 14a and the plano-convex lens 14b, and then through the imaging lens 15. The color photosensitive material F mounted on the cylinder 16 is irradiated.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the conventional color image recording apparatus, as described above, the white laser beam LB is decomposed into three wavelength components by using the plurality of dichroic mirrors 2 and 3, and exposure beam LB _R wavelength component, LB _G, multibeam by dividing the LB _B in a separate beam splitter 5 _R, 5 _G, 5 _B
MB _R , MB _G , MB _B are formed, and each multi-beam MB _R , MB _G , M
Since the B _B are respectively modulated in separate _{AOM6 R, 6 G, 6 B} ,
There are problems that the number of parts that make up the optical system increases and the apparatus becomes complicated, and that adjustments such as optical axis alignment are complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a color image recording apparatus having a relatively simple configuration and easy optical axis adjustment.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve such an object.

That is, the invention described in claim (1) independently modulates each wavelength component of blue, green, and red of the white light beam, and scans the color photosensitive material with each exposure beam of these three wavelength components. A color image recording apparatus for exposure, in which a white light beam is decomposed into exposure beams of three wavelength components of blue, green, and red, and each exposure beam is divided into a plurality of beams (multi-beam). Optical means, a single optical modulating means for modulating the multi-beams for each of the three wavelength components obtained by the optical means on the basis of image signals corresponding thereto, and a single optical modulating means emitted from the optical modulating means. A composite optical means for irradiating the color light-sensitive material by superimposing the respective multi-beams on the same optical axis is provided.

In the invention described in claim (2), instead of the combining optical means in the color image recording apparatus according to claim (1), the exposure point by each multi-beam emitted from the optical modulation means is subordinated. Image forming optical means for irradiating the color light-sensitive material in series in the scanning direction, and feed in the sub-scanning direction so that the scan recording positions by the exposure points arranged in series are successively overlapped with the feeding in the sub-scanning direction. Image signal output control means for adjusting the output timing of the image signal corresponding to each component given to the optical modulation means in synchronism with the above.

<Operation> The operation of the invention described in claim (1) is as follows.

A white light beam is produced by a single optical means, blue, green,
Each beam is decomposed into red wavelength component exposure beams, and each exposure beam is composed of multiple beams (multi-beam).
Divided into. The multi-beams for each wavelength component are modulated by a single optical modulator based on the corresponding image signals, and then superimposed on the same optical axis and irradiated onto the color photosensitive material.

On the other hand, the operation of the invention described in claim (2) is as follows.

The multi-beams emitted from the single optical modulation means are applied to the color photosensitive material by the imaging optical means in a state where the exposure points are arranged in series in the sub-scanning direction. At this time, the image signal output control means gives each to the optical modulation means in synchronization with the feeding in the sub-scanning direction so that the scanning recording positions by the consecutive exposure points are sequentially overlapped with the feeding in the sub-scanning direction. The output timing of the image signal corresponding to the component is adjusted.

<Examples> Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of a calibration color image recording apparatus which is an example of the color image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

This color image recording apparatus will be described later from the image data of yellow (Y _D ), magenta (M _D ), cyan (C _D ), and black (K _D ) given from a color scanner, layout scanner system, etc. not shown. Blue (B), green (G), red (R)
Image data processing unit 20 for producing composite halftone dot signals S _DY , S _DM , S _DC for modulating multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , MB _R for each
And white laser beams LB to B, G, and R multi-beams M
B _B, MB _G, to obtain a MB _R, the signal S _DY, S _DM, each with S _DC multibeam MB _B, after modulating the MB _G, MB _R, by superimposing them on the same optical axis, An optical system 30 for irradiating the color photosensitive material F mounted on the rotary cylinder 16 is provided.

The image data of Y _D , M _D , C _D , K _D input to the image data processing unit 20 is input to the color calculation circuit via the input interface 21.
Given to 22. The color calculation circuit 22 inputs the input image data Y _D , M so that the color tone of the calibration image (the image recorded on the color photosensitive material F) and the color tone of the image actually printed on the printed matter by the used printing ink match. Color correct _D , C _D and K _D. The color-corrected image signals S _Y , S _M , S _C and S _K are the dotter generator 23.
And converted into halftone dot signals D _Y , D _M , D _C , D _K. As will be described later, since the apparatus of this embodiment is configured to expose the color photosensitive material F with multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R each including five exposure beams,
Each halftone dot signal D _Y , D _M , D _C , D _K is composed of a 5-bit signal.

The halftone dot signals D _Y , D _M , D _C , and D _K are given to the signal combining circuit 24. The signal synthesizing circuit 24 has the following role. That is, the color light-sensitive material F is a complementary color of each by exposing with light of three wavelength components of B, G, and R.
It has a property that Y, M, and C are colored, and a portion where all three colors Y, M, and C are colored looks like black. On the other hand, since the halftone dot signals D _Y , D _M , D _C , and D _K are composed of four colors Y, M, C, and K, a color image is directly formed on the color photosensitive material F based on these. To record, use black (K) with halftone dots of Y, M, and C.
It is necessary to synthesize color dots. The signal synthesizing circuit 24 is provided for such a purpose. Each of the Y, M, and C plate halftone dot signals D _Y , D _M , and D _{C is} converted into the K plate halftone dot signal D _K. It is composed of a logic circuit for synthesizing with. In particular,
When the color light-sensitive material is a positive type, a logical sum is used, and when it is a negative type, a logical product is used.

The composite halftone dot signals S _DY , S _DM and S _DC obtained by the signal combining circuit 24, each of which is composed of 5 bit signals, are sent to the multi-channel acousto-optic modulator (AOM) 33 of the optical system 30. , ON / OF
It is given as a signal for F control.

On the other hand, in the optical system 30 described above, the white laser light source 1
The white laser beam LB emitted from the total reflection mirror 31
And enters the multi-color beam splitter 32 via. The multi-color beam splitter 32 converts this laser beam LB into R, G, B
And the plurality of exposure beams (in this embodiment, 5).
This is a single optical means for splitting into multiple beams MB _B , MB _G , MB _R.

The configuration of the multicolor beam splitter 32 will be described below with reference to FIG.

 FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the multicolor beam splitter 32.

In the multi-color beam splitter 32, a total reflection film 322 is deposited on the incident surface side of a white laser beam LB of a substrate 321 made of optical glass having a light-transmitting property, and a red selective film 323R is attached on the emission surface side of the light beam. , The green selection film 323G, and the blue selection film 323B are adhered in an adjacent state, respectively, and are integrated. The multi-color beam splitter 32 is tilted from the state orthogonal to the optical axis by an appropriate angle θ _i , and the white laser beam
When LB is incident from a portion of the substrate 321 where the total reflection film 322 is not deposited, the white laser beam LB repeats reflection between the red selection film 323R and the total reflection film 322, and the red light is emitted from the red selection film 323R. A plurality of parallel multi-beams MB _{B of} components are emitted. Remaining laser beam with red component extracted
While the LB further repeats reflection between the green selection film 323G and the total reflection film 322, a plurality of parallel multi-beams MB _{G of} green components are emitted from the green selection film 323G. Similarly, the remaining laser beam LB from which the red and green components have been removed is also the blue selective film.
While repeating reflection between the 323B and the total reflection film 322, a plurality of parallel multi-beams of blue component from the blue selection film 323B.
MB _B is emitted.

In this embodiment, since the multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R each consisting of 5 exposure beams are used, unnecessary emission beams emitted from the boundary portion of each color selection film (in the figure, , Indicated by a chain line) is shielded by suitable optical means not shown.

It should be noted that the obtained intervals of the outgoing beams are the same as the inclination angle θ _i (= incident angle of the white laser beam) of the substrate 321 and the same thickness d.
Since it can be calculated geometrically by the refractive index as in the case of the conventional beam splitter, its description is omitted.

Returning to FIG. 1, the multi-beam MB emitted from the multi-color beam splitter 32 has five beams each.
_B , MB _G , and MB _R are incident on the multichannel AOM 33.

The multi-channel type AOM33 is one in which a plurality of (at least 15 channels in this example) ultrasonic wave excitation units are arranged side by side on a single acousto-optic medium, and in the acousto-optic medium portion corresponding to each excitation unit, The multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R (15 beams in total) emitted from the multi-color beam splitter 32 are made incident, and the excitation halftone signals S _DY , S _DM , S corresponding to the respective excitation units are made incident. By driving with _DC (combined 15-bit signal), the 15 beams that make up the multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R are independently ON / OFF-modulated. This multi-channel type AOM33 corresponds to the single optical modulation means in the present invention.

Generally, in the acousto-optic modulator, the incident angle (Bragg angle) of the incident light that can obtain the maximum modulation efficiency is determined according to the wavelength of the incident light. Multi-channel type AOM33 mentioned above
Since beams of three types of wavelength components are incident on, the Bragg angle is set according to one wavelength component, and the modulation efficiency of the other two types of wavelength components decreases. As one method for correcting such a difference in modulation efficiency for each wavelength component, the difference in modulation efficiency for the angular wavelength component is corrected by adjusting the voltage value applied to the excitation unit of the multi-channel AOM33. Thus, the same amount of emitted light may be obtained for each beam. Further, the light amounts of the multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R may be made uniform by the ND filters 9 _B , 9 _G , and 9 _R provided in the combining optical unit 34 described later.

Multi-beam M emitted from multi-channel type AOM33
B _B , MB _G , MB _R are for each of the 5 beams that compose them.
A synthesizing optical unit as a synthesizing optical unit that superimposes beams of three colors on the same optical axis and irradiates the color photosensitive material F.
It is incident on 34. The synthesizing optical unit 34 is for adjusting the pitch between the beams of the total reflection mirrors 7 _B , 7 _G , 7 _R and the multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , MB _R similar to the conventional device shown in FIG. Beam compressor 8 _B , 8 _G , 8 _R and ND filter 9 _B , 9 _G ,
Multi-beam MB emitted from 9 _R and ND filter 9 _B , 9 _G , 9 _R
It includes a total reflection mirror 10 and dichroic mirrors 11 and 12 for superimposing _B , MB _G , and MB _R on the same axis.

In the present embodiment, the multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R emitted from the multi-channel type AOM 33 are the total reflection mirrors 7 _B , 7 _G , and 7 _R of the combining optical unit 34, and the total reflection mirror 10. And the dichroic mirrors 11 and 12 are used to adjust the optical axis so that they have the same optical axis.As another method of adjusting the optical axis, the frequency of the ultrasonic wave applied to the optical medium from each excitation unit of the multi-channel AOM33 is adjusted. the multi-beam MB _B, MB _G, by adjusting independently for each MB _R, by changing the diffraction angle of each multi-beam, each of the multi-beam MB _B, MB _G, MB _R is on the same optical axis It is also possible to adjust so that they overlap.

The multi-beams MB superposed on the same optical axis in the combining optical unit 34 are passed through the slit 13 and the beam compressor 14 including a combination of the zoom lens 14a and the plano-convex lens 14b, and the pitch between the beams (to white light). After the pitch between the five combined beams is adjusted, the imaging lens
The color photosensitive material F mounted on the rotary cylinder 16 is irradiated via 15. The rotating cylinder 16 is, as is well known,
For example, the image is scanned and recorded on the color photosensitive material F by being rotationally driven in the main and sub-scanning directions.

Second Embodiment FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of a color image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. First in the figure
The parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the figure are the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

The second embodiment is characterized in that, as shown in FIG. 4, scanning exposure is performed by successively arranging exposure points by the multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R emitted from the multi-channel type AOM33 in the sub-scanning direction. As a result, the synthesizing optical unit 34 such as the optical system 30 of the first embodiment.
Is omitted to further simplify the configuration of the optical system 80. That is, the optical system 80 of this embodiment is a multi-channel type AOM33.
The multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R emitted from each of them are connected to the beam compressor 14 for adjusting the pitch between the beams as an optical means for imaging through the slit 81 for cutting the 0th-order light corresponding to each of them. Through the image lens 15, the color photosensitive material F
Is to be irradiated.

As described above, the exposure points of the multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R are consecutively arranged in the sub-scanning direction, so that the scan recording positions by the consecutively-exposed exposure points are sequentially overlapped with the feeding in the sub-scanning direction. In parallel with the sub-scan feed, the multi-channel AOM3
An image signal output control unit 90 as described below is provided as image signal output control means for adjusting the output timing of the image signal corresponding to each component given to 3.

The configuration of the image signal output controller 90 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.

FIG. 5 shows scanning lines (1) on the color photosensitive material F,
(2), (3), ..., (n-2), (n-1), (n)
In accordance with, is a schematic diagram showing the output order of the data for ON / OFF modulation of the multi-beam MB _B , MB _G , MB _R , in the figure,
SP indicates the exposure start point, and EP indicates the exposure end point.

“Y _i-2 ”, “M _i-1 ”, in each scan shown in FIG.
“C _i ” (i is an integer from 1 to n corresponding to a scanning line) is a signal for modulating the multi-beams MB _R , MB _G , and MB _B. Note that these signals correspond to the above-described combined halftone dot signals S _DY , S _DM , and S _DC , but here, for convenience of explanation,
Use the cover as above. The "C _i " signal precedes the "Y _i-2 " signal by two lines, and the "M _i-1 " signal precedes the "Y _i-2 " signal by one line. are doing. As mentioned above, each multi-beam MB
_{Since each of B} , MB _G , and MB _R is composed of five exposure beams, each of “Y _i-2 ”, “M _i-1 ”, and “C _i ” is composed of a 5-bit signal. ing.

For example, the image of the first line of the color photosensitive material F is a multi-beam modulated by the "C ₁ " signal at the time of the first scanning.
Exposure with MB _B , exposure with multi-beam MB _G modulated by “M ₁ ” signal at the second scanning, and exposure with multi-beam MB _R modulated by “Y ₁ ” signal at the third scanning Obtained by. The first and the first shown in FIG.
“Y ₀ ” and “M ₀ ” in the second scan mean signals that are not used for image recording, that is, signals that make the multi-beam non-exposure state, and “C _E ” in the illustrated n + 1 and n + 2 scans. , " _ME " is the same.

Please refer to FIG. The image signal output control unit 90 includes a line memory group 91 composed of three line memories I _Y , II _Y and III _Y for delaying the combined halftone dot signal S _DY given from the signal combining circuit 24 by two lines. , A line memory group 92 consisting of two line memories I _M and II _M for delaying the combined halftone dot signal S _DM by one line. Each line memory group 91,9
Reading and writing of 2 are controlled by the memory controller 93. The memory controller 93 controls the line memory groups 91 and 92 in synchronization with the origin pulse output from the origin pulse generating circuit 97 described later for each line.

Reference numeral 94 is a select circuit group for removing signals not used for image recording at the start of exposure and the end of exposure.
Is composed of three select circuit groups 94 _Y , 94 _M , 94 _{C corresponding} to. The selection circuit group 94 is switching-controlled by the X mask signal.

The X mask signal will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the rotary cylinder 16 in a developed manner, and the hatched area in the drawing shows the effective exposure area on the color photosensitive material F. The X mask signal is a signal output when the optical system (exposure head) 80 in FIG. 3 moves between the exposure start position D _SP and the exposure end position D _{EP in} the X (sub scanning) direction.

Specifically, the X mask signal generation circuit 95 shown in FIG.
Obtained by The X mask signal generation circuit 95 is a pulse generator connected to the rotary shaft of the rotary cylinder 16.
The origin pulse generation circuit 97 for generating the origin pulse a (see FIG. 7 (a)) every time the rotation cylinder 16 makes one revolution by being supplied with a pulse signal synchronized with the rotation amount of the rotation cylinder 16 from 96 I have it.

This origin pulse a is given to the counters 98 _S and 98 _E. The count value of the counter 98 _S is given to the comparator 100 _S ,
Compared with the setting in register 99 _S. Register 99 _S contains
The exposure start position data D _{SP in} the X direction shown in FIG. 6 is preset. The comparator 100 _S outputs a signal of “H” level when the count value of the counter 98 _S becomes equal to or more than the exposure start position data D _SP . On the other hand, the count value of the counter 98 _E is given to the comparator 100 _E and compared with the set value of the register 99 _E. The exposure end position data D _EP is preset in the register 99 _E. The comparator 100 _E outputs a signal of “H” level when the count value of the counter 98 _E becomes _{equal to} or more than the exposure end position data D _EP . By outputting the output signals of the two comparators 100 _S and 100 _E through the exclusive OR circuit 101, the X mask signal b as shown in FIG. 7B is obtained.

102 and 103 are latch circuits whose timing is controlled by the origin pulse a. The latch circuit 102 outputs the X mask signal b
By latching the first delay X mask signal c, the first delay X mask signal c delayed by one line from the X mask signal b is output (see FIG. 7C), and the latch circuit 103 outputs the first delay X mask signal c. By latching, the second delayed X mask signal d delayed by two lines from the X mask signal b is output (see FIG. 7 (d)).

When the X mask signal generation circuit 95 outputs the X mask signal b, the image data processing unit 20 responds to Y, M and C as shown in FIGS. 7 (e), (f) and (g) based on this. The composite halftone dot signal is output in synchronization with the origin pulse. First
Times eyes in the scan, "Y _1" in FIG. 5, "M _1", combining halftone dot signal indicated by "C _1" is output. The combined halftone dot signal “Y ₁ ” is written in the line memory I _Y of the line memory group 91, and the combined halftone dot signal “M ₁ ” is written in the line memory I _M of the line memory group 92. Further, the composite halftone dot signal “C ₁ ” is given to the select circuit 94 _C.

At this time, since the select circuit 94 _C is in the conductive state by the X mask signal a, the composite halftone dot signal “C ₁ ” is given to the multi-channel type AOM 33 of the optical system 80 and the multi-beam MB _R of the multi-beam MB _R. Each exposure beam is modulated. On the other hand, in the first scan, the select circuits 94 _M and 94 _Y are
Since the first and second delay X mask signals c and d are not given and these are in the cutoff state, signals read from the line memory groups 91 and 92 and not used for image recording (in the first scan in FIG. 5). "Y ₀ ", "M ₀ ") are prevented from being output to the multi-channel AOM33.

In the second scan, the optical system (exposure head) 80
While proceeding in the pitch sub-scanning direction, based on the origin pulse a output from the origin pulse generating circuit 97 at this time, the image data processing unit 20 outputs the composite halftone dot signals “Y ₂ ” and “M ₂ ” for the second line. , "C ₂ " is output. The combined halftone dot signal “Y ₂ ” is written in the line memory II _Y , and the combined halftone dot signal “M ₂ ” is written in the line memory II _M. At this time, since the select circuit 94 _M is rendered conductive by the first delayed X mask signal c, the combined halftone dot signal “M ₁ ” of the first line read from the line memory I _M is selected by the select circuit 94 M. _It is given to the multi-channel type AOM33 via _M. As a result, the multi-beam MB _G is modulated, and the first line of the effective exposure area is exposed thereby. Further, the composite halftone dot signal "C ₂ " is given to the multi-channel type AOM 33 via the select circuit 94 _C , and the multi-beam MB _R is modulated, whereby the second line of the effective exposure area is exposed. Since the select circuit 94 _Y is still in the cutoff state, the signal “Y ₀ ”, which is not used for image recording in the second scan, is not output.

In the third scanning, the image data processing unit 20 outputs the composite halftone dot signals “Y ₃ ”, “M ₃ ”, and “C ₃ ” for the third line. The combined halftone dot signal “Y ₃ ” is written in the line memory III _Y , and the combined halftone dot signal “M ₃ ” is written in the line memory I _M. In the third scan, all select circuits 94
_{Since Y to} 94 _C are conducting, line memory I _Y
The combined halftone dot signal "Y ₁ " read from the
The composite halftone dot signal “M ₂ ” and the composite halftone dot signal “C ₃ ” read out from II _M are given to the multi-channel type AOM33, and the multi-beams MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R are respectively modulated, At this time, the first line is exposed by the multi-beam MB _B , the second line is exposed by the multi-beam MB _G , and the third line is exposed by the multi-beam MB _R. The above three scanning exposures complete the exposure for the first line of the effective image area. In the same manner, multi-beam up to the nth time
The exposure is recorded by MB _B , MB _G , and MB _R.

In the nth scan, the first exposure is performed on the final nth line of the effective image area by the multi-beam MB _R modulated by the composite halftone dot signal “C _n ”.

In the (n + 1) th scan, the comparator 100 _E of the X mask signal generation circuit 95 switches to the “H” level, the X mask signal b becomes the “H” level, and the select signal 94 _C switches to the cutoff state. . Therefore, the signal “C _E ”, which is not used for image recording during the (n + 1) th scanning, is
It is prevented from being output to AOM33. In this scan, the multi-beam MB _G modulated by the composite halftone dot signal “M _n ”
Thus, the second exposure is performed on the final n-th line of the effective image area.

In the (n + 2) th scanning, the first delayed X mask signal c also becomes the “H” level, so that the select circuits 94 _M and 94 _C are cut off and the signals “M _E ” and “C _E not used for the image signal are Is output, and only the composite halftone dot signal “Y _n ” is output via the select circuit 94 _Y. As a result, the multi-beam MB _B modulated by the synthesis halftone dot signal "Y _n", the last of the n lines of the effective image area is the exposure of the third series of exposure recording is completed.

In the subsequent scanning, all X mask signals b, c,
d becomes "H" level, and the output of all signals is blocked.

In the above embodiment, the rotary scanning type color image recording apparatus has been described as an example. However, if the scanning surface is a plane and the driving is performed relative to the exposure head in the main / sub scanning direction, The invention can also be applied to a plane scanning type color image recording apparatus.

Further, the light source of the present embodiment is a practical white laser light source, but the light source is not limited to this, and may be a white light source containing R, G, B components. Alternatively, white laser light obtained by combining three-color laser light may be used.

<Effects of the Invention> As is apparent from the above description, according to the invention described in claim (1), the white light beam is exposed by the single optical means to the three wavelength components of blue, green and red. Each exposure beam is divided into a plurality of beams (multi-beams), and the multi-beams for each of the three wavelength components obtained by the optical means are modulated by a single optical modulating means. Therefore, the configuration of the optical system is simplified, and adjustments such as optical axis alignment can be easily performed.

Further, according to the invention described in claim (2), since the exposure recording is performed in a state where the exposure points of the multi-beams are continuously arranged, the optical means for superposing the multi-beams on the same optical axis. Since the adjustment work is unnecessary, the configuration and assembly of the optical system can be further simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 and 2 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the color image recording apparatus of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a multi-color beam splitter. 3 to 7 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the apparatus, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which exposure points of each multi-beam are arranged in series. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of sequential scanning by consecutively provided exposure points, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an X mask signal, and FIG. 7 is an operation timing chart of each part of the apparatus. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional color image recording apparatus. 1 …… Laser light source 14 …… Beam compressor 15 …… Imaging lens 32 …… Multi-color beam splitter 33 …… Multi-channel AOM 34 …… Synthesis optics 90 …… Image signal output controller LB …… White laser Beam MB _B , MB _G , MB _R …… Multi beam

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masafumi Tagaya 1 Horikawa-dori Teranouchi, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 1 1-chome, Tenjin Kitamachi 1 Dai Nippon Screen Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (56) References Flat 3-203715 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A color image recording apparatus which independently modulates each wavelength component of blue, green and red in a white light beam and scans and exposes a color photosensitive material with each exposure beam of these three wavelength components. And a single optical means for decomposing the white light beam into exposure beams of three wavelength components of blue, green, and red, and splitting each exposure beam into a plurality of beams (multi-beams); A single optical modulating means for modulating the multi-beams for each of the three wavelength components obtained by the means based on the corresponding image signals, and the multi-beams emitted from the optical modulating means on the same optical axis. A color image recording apparatus comprising: a composite optical unit that irradiates a color light-sensitive material on top of one another. 2. A color image recording apparatus which independently modulates each wavelength component of blue, green, and red in a white light beam, and scans and exposes a color photosensitive material with each exposure beam of these three wavelength components. And a single optical means for decomposing the white light beam into exposure beams of three wavelength components of blue, green, and red, and splitting each exposure beam into a plurality of beams (multi-beams); A single optical modulating means for modulating the multi-beams for each of the three wavelength components obtained by the means based on the corresponding image signals; and an exposure point by each multi-beam emitted from the optical modulating means. The image forming optical means for irradiating the color photosensitive material in series in the sub-scanning direction, and the scanning recording position by the consecutively provided exposure points are sequentially overlapped with the feeding in the sub-scanning direction. An image signal output control means for adjusting an output timing of an image signal corresponding to each component given to the optical modulation means in synchronism with the sending, and a color image recording apparatus.