JP3114718B2 - Image exposure equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image exposure apparatus for exposing a film image or the like captured as image data to photographic paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a film image is printed on photographic paper, a projection method in which the film image is directly formed on a photographic paper and exposed is performed. In recent years, a method has been adopted in which a film image is captured as image data, the captured film image is converted into an optical signal, and the optical signal is output on photographic paper for exposure.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, since an image is exposed for each frame, the exposure capability is limited, and it takes time to expose a large number of images. was there.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image exposure apparatus which can expose a large number of frames in a short time.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an image exposure apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention exposes a plurality of images captured as image data to a plurality of photographic papers distributed in the width direction. A photographic paper storage unit in which roll photographic paper is stored, a cutter for dividing the roll photographic paper drawn out from the photographic paper storage unit into single frames, and a cutter for cutting. A sorting unit for sorting the photographic paper in the width direction, image data processing means for creating image data for simultaneously exposing a plurality of frames of images, and converting the image data of the plurality of frames from the image data processing means into an optical signal. And an exposure unit for simultaneously outputting a plurality of photographic papers converted and distributed.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the first aspect, the roll photographic paper pulled out from the photographic paper storage section is cut by one frame by a cutter, and the cut photographic paper is distributed in the width direction by the distribution section. . On the other hand, the image data of a plurality of frames processed so that they can be simultaneously exposed by the image data processing means are converted into optical signals, and are simultaneously output on a plurality of sorted photographic papers.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image exposure apparatus according to the first aspect, the distribution unit is configured by a pair of rollers that swings in the width direction while the cut photographic paper is nipped. It is characterized by:

In the image exposure apparatus according to the second aspect, the cut photographic paper is divided in the width direction by swinging while being nipped by a pair of rollers.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image exposure apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the exposure unit converts the image data from the image data processing means into an optical signal for every one line or a plurality of lines. It is characterized in that it is converted and output on photographic paper.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the third aspect, images of a plurality of frames are simultaneously generated on a plurality of photographic papers distributed in the width direction by a plurality of exposures.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image exposure apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, a negative film image is projected onto photographic paper between the cut section and the sorting section. And a projection exposure unit for performing exposure.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the image of the negative film can be directly projected and exposed on the photographic paper cut by the projection exposure section.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic photographic printing system to which an image exposure apparatus according to the present invention is applied. In this figure, the automatic photo printing system
An image reading device 10 that reads an image from a negative or positive film and stores the image in a memory; and performs predetermined data processing and image editing on the image data captured by the image reading device 10 and converts the edited image data into light. An image exposure apparatus 20 converts the signals into signals and exposes the photographic paper, and a system controller 30 that controls the operation of the entire system.

The image reading apparatus 10 includes a film transport unit 12 for transporting each frame of a developed film (negative film or positive film) 11 to a reading position, and a film 1.
The image reading unit 13 reads an image of each frame.

The film transport unit 12 includes a take-up roller 12
1. a drive motor 12 for driving the winding roller 121 to rotate
2. It comprises a film transfer control unit 123 for controlling the drive of the drive motor 122, a lamp 124 for a light source disposed below the film 11, a lamp control unit 125 for controlling the amount of light emitted from the lamp 124, and the like. The drive motor 122 is rotated based on a control signal from the film transfer control unit 123, the film 11 is intermittently transferred by the take-up roller 121 by the size of the frame, and the frame and the lamp 124 are opposed to each other.

The image reading section 13 includes an image sensor 131 composed of a CCD or the like arranged in a matrix for reading the image of each frame, an image reading controller 132 for controlling image reading by the image sensor 131, an image of each frame. 133 that forms an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 131, the film 1
1 and a lens 133, an optical filter 134 for separating the image of the film 11 into three colors of RGB, a filter drive motor 135 for moving the position of the optical filter 134, and a filter for controlling the drive of the filter drive motor 135 The feed control unit 136 includes a storage unit 137 that captures image data read by the image sensor 131 and the like.

The image reading control unit 132 includes an image sensor 131
, An image of each frame is read in pixel units of an image sensor 131 such as a CCD, and a read timing signal of an image signal is applied to the image sensor 131 to read the read image signal. In addition,
A filter feed control unit 136 is provided to capture three pieces of image data of each frame which are color-separated into R, G, and B.
By rotating the filter drive motor 135 for each frame, the optical filter 134 is sequentially switched to be inserted between the frame to be photographed and the lens 133.

The storage unit 137 is an A / D converter 1 for converting an analog image signal output from the reading control unit 132 into digital image data at a gradation level of, for example, 8 bits.
And an image memory 139 such as a RAM for storing image data output from the A / D converter 138. This image memory 139 stores R, G, and B
The image data of each frame is stored for an R, G, and B color at an address specified by an address controller (not shown).

The image exposure apparatus 20 includes an image data processing section 21 for processing or editing image data of each frame stored in the storage section 137, an exposure control section 22 for driving an exposure head described later, and an exposure control section 22. Head 23 driven by the printer, a photographic paper transport unit 2 for transporting a long roll photographic paper 25 wound around a roll R to the exposure head 23
6. Roll paper 25 exposed by exposure head 23
And a cutting unit 28 that cuts the roll photographic paper 25 developed by the developing processing unit 27 in frame units. Note that the exposure control unit 22 and the exposure head 23 constitute an exposure unit 24.

The image data processing unit 21 stores the editing information such as the layout of a plurality of frames to be exposed at the same time and the printing magnification, etc., and the image data 139 based on the editing information of the table memory 211. Processing unit 212 which reads out image data and performs predetermined processing, for example, compression and decompression processing of image data or designation of an address for allocation, images of a plurality of frames to be simultaneously exposed based on predetermined processing in processing unit 212 A processed image memory 213 for storing data in a memory area corresponding to each of R, G, and B colors, image data for one line of images of a plurality of frames to be exposed at the same time, and other editing information output as necessary. Buffer 214 for temporarily storing
And so on.

In this embodiment, the image data processing unit 21 can simultaneously expose two frames of images in the width direction of the roll photographic paper 25, which is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the roll photographic paper 25. The data is processed or edited.

An exposure control unit 22 controls the exposure head 23 based on image data of each color of R, G and B sent from the line buffer 214.
And a driving circuit for driving the driving circuit.

The exposure head 23 converts image data into an optical signal. As shown in FIG. 2, an LED which emits red light is arranged along the width direction of the roll photographic paper 25.
(Light emitting diode) Array 231, LE emitting green light
D array 232 and LED array 233 emitting blue light
And an LED head composed of Each of the LED arrays 231, 232, and 233 is configured by arranging a large number of LEDs that emit light of each color, that is, the number of LEDs corresponding to the number of pixels of one line of image data on the line.
The exposure control unit 22 outputs R, which includes two frames of images to be simultaneously exposed and transmitted from the line buffer 214,
LED corresponding to one line of image data of each color of G and B
Lead to arrays 231, 232, 233. Then, the LED at the corresponding position is caused to emit light at a luminance corresponding to the level of the image data of each pixel for one line. As a result, two frames of images are simultaneously exposed on the roll photographic paper 25 in the width direction.

The image data for one line of each of the R, G, and B colors is output after being shifted by the arrangement pitch of the LED arrays 231, 232, and 233. Thereby, the image data of each color of R, G, and B of the same image is exposed on the same line in an overlapping manner.

The photographic paper transport section 26 includes a transport roller pair 26.
1. A drive motor 26 that rotationally drives the transfer roller pair 261
2, a photographic paper transport control unit 263 for controlling the driving of the drive motor 262, etc.
The drive motor 262 is rotated based on the control signal from the control unit 3 to transfer the roll photographic paper 25 by one line width corresponding to the exposure time of one line of image data. That is, the exposure head 23 sequentially exposes two frames of images one line at a time at an exposure timing corresponding to the transport speed of the rolled photographic paper 25, and ends the exposure of the two frames of images by performing a plurality of exposures.

The development processing section 27 has a liquid tank 271 filled with a developing solution. The roll photographic paper 25 exposed by the exposure head 23 is provided with an unillustrated exposure light disposed downstream of the liquid tank 271. The latent image formed by exposing the rolled photographic paper 25 is exposed by being immersed in the developer in the liquid tank 271 by being transferred by the finished photographic paper transfer unit.

The cut section 28 includes a first cut section 281 that cuts the developed and dried roll photographic paper 25 at a central portion in the width direction along the transport direction, and a first cut section 281.
A second cut section 282 that cuts the roll photographic paper 25 divided in two at the cut section 281 in the width direction, and is a developed photographic paper (not shown) disposed upstream of the first cut section 281. The roll photographic paper 25 transferred to the cutting unit 28 by the transfer unit is divided into frame units.

The first cut portion 281 is formed by the second cut portion 28
3, an upper roller 281a and a lower roller 281b which are disposed vertically so as to sandwich the roll photographic paper 25, as shown in FIG. On the outer peripheral surface of the portion, a groove M having a shape around the outer peripheral surface is formed, and the lower roller 281 is formed.
A circumferential blade H is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the position opposite to b, which goes around the outer peripheral surface fitted with the groove M of the upper roller 281. Then, the roll photographic paper 25 is fed between the upper roller 281a and the lower roller 281b so that the roll photographic paper 25 is divided into two at the center in the width direction.

The first roll 281a and the lower roller 2
81b, a drive motor 281c for rotating the upper roller 281a and the lower roller 281b so as to be transported to the downstream side and a first cutter control unit 281d for controlling the drive of the drive motor 281c.

The lower roller 281b having the blade H may be fixed so as not to rotate, and only the upper roller 281a may be rotated. In this case, the lower roller 28
The shape of the blade H of 1b does not have to go around the outer peripheral surface as described above, but may be formed only at a portion in contact with the roll photographic paper 25.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second cut portion 282 is composed of a wedge-shaped upper cutting blade 282a and a lower cutting blade 282b arranged above and below the roll photographic paper 25. The upper cutting blade 282a and the lower cutting blade 282b
Is separated from the surface of the roll photographic paper 25 when the roll photographic paper 25 at the corresponding position is not at the cutting position,
When the roll photographic paper 25 comes to the cutting position, the upper cutting blade 28
2a and the lower cutting blade 282b move to the roll photographic paper 25 surface side to cut in the width direction by sandwiching the roll photographic paper 25. The second cutting portion 282 includes the upper cutting blade 28
2a and the drive motor 2 for driving the lower cutting blade 282b up and down
82c, and a second cutter control unit 282d that controls driving of the drive motor 282c.

One of the cutting blades, for example, the lower cutting blade 28
2b may be fixed, and only the upper cutting blade 282a may be moved up and down. In this case, the lower cutting blade 282
Instead of b, a flat stage having a groove for receiving the blade of the upper cutting blade 282a may be provided.

The system controller 30 includes an unillustrated CP.
U and a ROM storing a control program are provided. Based on this control program, instructions are given to each control unit to centrally control the operation of each control unit, read images from the film 11, read images from the film 11, The read image is printed on a roll paper, and the developed roll paper is cut into single frames.

Next, an outline of the operation of the automatic photographic printing system will be described.

First, based on a command from the system controller 30, each image of the film 11 transferred by the film transfer unit 12 of the image reading device 10 is sequentially converted to R, G, B.
Image reading unit 13 as three pieces of color-separated image data
The image data is read by the image sensor 131, converted into digital data by the A / D converter 138, and stored in the image memory 139. At this time, the transfer of the film 11 is controlled by the film transfer control unit 123, and the position of the optical filter 134 is sequentially set by the filter feed control unit 136 so that each image can be separated and taken into three colors of R, G, and B. Can be switched.

Next, the roll photographic paper 2 is stored in the table memory 211 of the image data processing section 21 of the image exposure device 20.
Processing or editing information designated in advance, such as the layout of a plurality of frames to be exposed simultaneously in the width direction 5 and the print magnification, is read. The image data is read from the image memory 139 by the processing unit 212 based on the processing or editing information, and is processed or edited as image data of a plurality of frames to be exposed at the same time. Will be recorded. The image data recorded in the processed image memory 213 is recorded as three pieces of image data in which R, G, and B colors are separated for each image.

Subsequently, a plurality of frames of edited image data to be exposed simultaneously are read from the processed image memory 213, and the image data is sent to the line buffer 214 for each line. The exposure control unit 22 reads out image data for each line from the line buffer 214, and reads the LED arrays 231 and 23 that constitute the exposure head 23.
2, 233, respectively, and a predetermined LED is caused to emit light in accordance with each of the R, G, and B color signals, and the roll photographic paper 25 is exposed at the light amount level.

When the exposure based on the image data for one line is completed, and the roll photographic paper 25 is transported downstream by the length for performing the exposure for the next one line, it is based on the image data for the next one line. Exposure is performed. In this way, by synchronizing the exposure time for one line by the exposure head 23 and the transport speed of the roll photographic paper 25 by the photographic paper transport unit 26, a plurality of exposures to be simultaneously performed in the width direction of the roll photographic paper 25 are performed. Appropriate exposure of the frame image ends.

When the exposure of a plurality of frames on the roll photographic paper 25 is completed, a predetermined margin is formed between the roll photographic paper 25 and the next plurality of images. Then, the same operation as described above is repeated to expose the next plurality of images. In this embodiment, two images of A and B are simultaneously exposed in the width direction of the roll photographic paper 25, and the next two images are sequentially exposed as the roll photographic paper 25 is transported downstream. Go.

The rolled photographic paper 25 that has been exposed is sequentially sent to a developing section 27, where it is developed with a predetermined developing solution, and the dried rolled photographic paper 25 is sent to a cutting section 28. In the cutting section 28, the roll photographic paper 25 is cut along the transport direction by the first cut section 281, and the roll photographic paper 25 is cut in the width direction by the second cut section 282. Roll photographic paper 2
5 is divided into frames.

In the above embodiment, the exposure head 2
3 is composed of an LED array, but it is also possible to adopt an exposure head having another configuration described below.

FIG. 4 shows a flat cathode ray tube (hereinafter referred to as FOCRT) 23A employed as the exposure head 23. The FOCRT 23A has its fluorescent surface facing the roll photographic paper 25 and the roll photographic paper 2
5, an electron beam is swept over the phosphor material on the phosphor screen based on the image data for one line, and predetermined R, G, B phosphor materials emit light, and the light is emitted. Exposes the roll photographic paper 25. In this case, the exposure control unit 2
2 is provided with a control circuit for deflecting the electron beam.

FIG. 5 shows that the exposure head 23
It employs a shutter array 23B composed of LZT elements. Shutter array 2 composed of this PLZT element
3B is made of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material obtained by adding lanthanum to lead zirconate titanate, and utilizes the electro-optic effect of the material. A shutter array 23B1 to which blue light is introduced, a shutter array 23B2 to which green light is introduced from a G light source via many optical fibers, and a shutter to which red light is introduced via many optical fibers from an R light source. It is composed of an array 23B3. These shutter arrays 23B1, 23B2, 2
3B3 are integrally provided along the width direction of the roll photographic paper 25, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, each shutter array composed of the PLZT elements has a long PL shape.
A plurality of projections 52 and 53 are formed on both sides of a groove 51 formed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the ZT element 50 so as to be shifted by a half pitch from each other. The common electrode 54 is formed on the
The driving electrodes 55 and 56 are formed on the surface of the PLZT element 50 opposite to the concave groove 51 and the plane portion of the PLZT element 50. Deflection films 57 and 58 having deflection surfaces orthogonal to each other are provided on the projections 52 and 53 side and the bottom side.

The shutter array thus configured is
R, G, B between the common electrode 54 and the drive electrodes 55, 56
When a predetermined level of voltage is applied to each, light incident from the deflection film 58 side is transmitted to the deflection film 57 side of the projections 52 and 53, and when the application of the voltage is stopped, the light is blocked. . That is, the deflection film 5 of the projections 52 and 53
The portion on the 7 side (the portion indicated by a dot) is a shutter unit that controls the transmission of light on and off. The width W of this shutter portion
Is set, for example, to 84.6 μm. The inner diameter of each optical fiber is larger than the width W of the shutter,
Light is introduced from a single optical fiber to a plurality of shutter units.

Accordingly, when a drive voltage is applied from the exposure control section 22 to the shutter section at the position corresponding to each pixel of the image data, the shutter section opens and the light of the color introduced from the light source is applied to the roll photographic paper 25. The roll photographic paper 25 is exposed by the light.

The shutter array composed of the PLZT elements has three shutter arrays 23B1, 23B2 and 23B3 for introducing light sources of three colors. As shown in FIG. 7, one shutter array is provided. R in array 23B,
White light source 23 via optical filters 60 of three colors G and B
1 may be introduced. In this case, the rotation of the optical filter 60 is controlled so that the filter of the same color faces the optical fiber corresponding to the image data of each color, and the white light source 231 is introduced through the filter of the color. Further, the roll photographic paper 25 can be similarly exposed by using a liquid crystal display (LCD) instead of the shutter array including the PLZT elements.

FIG. 8 employs a color cathode ray tube (hereinafter referred to as a color CRT) 23C as the exposure head 23. In this case, images of a plurality of frames to be exposed at the same time are displayed as still images on the color CRT 23C for a predetermined exposure time, and the images are formed on the roll photographic paper 25 through the optical lens 62. 25 is exposed. In this case, a still image can be obtained by using a display memory for one screen instead of the line buffer 214 of the image data processing unit 21 and repeatedly reading the contents of the display memory. Further, the exposure control unit 22 includes a control circuit for deflecting the electron beam as in the case of the FOCRT. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the roll photographic paper 25 is attached to the color CRT 23C.
Are simultaneously displayed in the width direction and two images in the transport direction of the roll photographic paper 25, and a total of four images are exposed on the roll photographic paper 25.

In place of the color CRT 23C,
A monochrome CRT can also be used. In this case, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
And an optical filter 63 of three colors of R, G, and B is interposed therebetween, and is rotated at a predetermined speed corresponding to the exposure time of each color filter by an optical filter control unit (not shown). The image of each color is exposed to the image 25. As described above, when a CRT is used as the exposure head 23, a plurality of frames of images can be simultaneously exposed in the transport direction of the rolled photographic paper 25.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the roll photographic paper 25 is of a size capable of simultaneously exposing two images in the width direction. However, as shown in FIG. Two roll photographic papers 251 and 252 each having a size for exposing a frame image may be used in parallel. In this case, the two roll photographic papers 251, 25
2 may be transferred in synchronization. In this case, it is only necessary to cut in the width direction after the development processing, and the first cut portion 281 becomes unnecessary. In this case, if three frames of images are to be exposed in the width direction at the same time, three small width roll papers may be arranged in parallel, and if four frames of images are to be exposed in the width direction at the same time. It is only necessary to arrange four small-size roll papers in parallel.

In the above embodiment, the roll photographic paper 25 is used in a roll form from the exposure step to the final step. However, as described below, the roll photographic paper 25 is used in the first step. It is also possible to cut the photographic paper one frame at a time, rearrange the cut photographic paper so that a plurality of frames of images can be exposed simultaneously, and then perform exposure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the embodiment.
Cutting unit 70 that cuts roll photographic paper one frame at a time
And a sorting unit 80 for sorting the cut photographic paper in a direction orthogonal to the photographic paper transport direction and rearranging the cut photographic paper to the exposure position.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exposure unit 90 that simultaneously exposes images of a plurality of frames.

The cutting section 70 includes a storage section 72 for a roll photographic paper 71 having a width capable of exposing one frame of image, and a cutter 73 for cutting the roll photographic paper 71 drawn from the storage section 72. . A transfer mechanism (not shown) for feeding the roll photographic paper 71 to the position of the sorting unit 80 is provided in the storage unit 72. In addition, the cutter 73 includes wedge-shaped blades 731 and 732 located above and below the roll photographic paper 71.

The distribution unit 80 has two pairs of rollers 81 and 82 disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side. The roller pair 81 has an upper roller 811 and a lower roller 812 disposed vertically, and the rollers 811, 812 rotate in opposite directions to each other to cut the photographic paper 711 cut by the cutting unit 70 on the downstream side. To be transported to. The roller pair 82 has an upper roller 821 and a lower roller 822 disposed vertically, and similarly to the roller pair 81, the rollers 821 and 822 rotate in opposite directions to move the cut photographic paper 711 downstream. It is designed to be transported to the side.

Further, each roller pair 81, 82 swings in the width direction which is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the cut photographic paper 711 in a state where the upstream end side and the downstream end side of the cut photographic paper 711 are nipped. It is configured as follows. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the swing mechanism, in which a roller pair 81,
82 is an upper roller 811, 821 and a lower roller 81
2 and 822 are opposed vertical portions 831 and 8 of the frame 83.
32 is rotatably supported. An upper gear 813 and a lower gear 814 are attached to the upper roller 811 and the lower roller 812 of the roller pair 81 on the outer surface of one upright portion 831, and the two gears 813 and 814 are in mesh with each other.

An upper gear 823 and a lower gear 824 are attached to the upper roller 821 and the lower roller 822 of the roller pair 82 on the outer surface of one of the upright portions 831 so that the two gears 823 and 824 are in mesh with each other. Has become.
The drive gear 84 meshes with the lower gear 814 of the roller pair 81 and the lower gear 824 of the roller pair 82 over both gears. When the drive gear 84 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the cut photographic paper 7 nipped by each roller pair 81, 82.
11 is transferred to the exposure unit 90 side.

The upper plate 833 of the frame 83 has
A support portion 85 having a through hole formed of a female screw is integrally formed, and a drive shaft 86 formed of a male screw passes through the through hole of the support portion 85. One end of the drive shaft 86 is directly connected to a drive motor 87 fixed to a main body side support plate (not shown), and the other end is rotatably supported by the main body side support plate (not shown). When the drive motor 87 is driven to rotate in both directions, the drive shaft 86 rotates in both directions, and the roller pairs 81 and 82 swing in the width direction with reference to, for example, the center position.

The exposing section 90 is bridged between an upstream roller 91 and a downstream roller 92 which are rotated by a driving means (not shown), and a transfer belt 93 for transferring the cut photographic paper 711 to the downstream side; A lower roller 94 for forming a large space between the upper and lower portions of the transfer belt 93, a suction duct 95 disposed on the bottom surface of the upper portion of the transfer belt 93, and suction of air in the suction duct 95 through a pipe 96. And a vacuum pump 97. The exposure head 23 is disposed above the transfer belt 93. In the transfer belt 93,
Numerous small-diameter through holes are formed in almost the entire area,
When the air in the suction duct 95 is sucked by the vacuum pump 97, the cut photographic paper 711 arranged on the upper surface of the transfer belt 93 is sucked and held through a small-diameter through hole (not shown). In addition, the transfer belt is configured to be capable of charging with static electricity, and the photographic paper 711 is cut by electrostatic force.
May be adsorbed.

The entire operation of the cutting section 70, the sorting section 80 and the exposure section 90 is controlled by the control section 100 based on a command from the system controller 30 for controlling the entire operation of the automatic photographic printing system. ing. That is, the leading end of the roll photographic paper 71 sent out from the storage unit 71 is nipped by the roller pair 81 on the upstream side of the distribution unit 80, and in this state, the cutter 73 performs
It is cut in frame units. Cut photographic paper 7
11 is transported to the downstream roller pair 82 by the upstream roller pair 81, and each of the roller pair 81 is nipped by the roller pair 81 and 82 on the downstream end side and the upstream end side of the cut photographic paper 711. The rotation of 81 and 82 is temporarily stopped.

Subsequently, the roller pair 81, 82 is moved to one side in the width direction which is a direction orthogonal to the direction of transport of the cut photographic paper 711, and stops at that position. Next, the cut photographic paper 7 in which the roller pairs 81 and 82 rotate and nip.
11 is transferred onto a transfer belt 93 of the exposure unit 90. Since the transfer belt 93 always sucks and holds the cut photographic paper 711, the transferred cut photographic paper 711 is fixed at a predetermined position of the transfer belt 93.

Then, the cut photographic paper 711 is exposed to the exposure unit 90.
Roller pair 81, 82 transferred onto the transfer belt 93 of
When returning to the center position, which is the reference position, the roll photographic paper 71 is cut in the same manner as described above, and the next new cut photographic paper 7 is cut.
Nip 11 The roller pair 81, 82 with the new cut photographic paper 711 nipped stops rotating, moves to the other side in the width direction, and stops at that position. Next, the cut photographic paper 711 nipped by the rotation of the roller pairs 81 and 82 is transported to a position next to the cut photographic paper 711 disposed on the transport belt 93 of the exposure unit 90. The transported cut photographic paper 711 is fixed at a predetermined position on the transport belt 93 similarly to the cut photographic paper 711. Thus, two cut printing papers 711 are arranged on the transfer belt 93 in the width direction of the transfer belt 93.

When two cut photographic papers 711 are arranged,
The transfer belt 93 is driven at a constant speed to perform exposure.
When the exposure is completed, the transfer belt 93 stops and waits until the next cut photographic paper 711 is arranged. By repeating the above operation, the cut photographic paper 711 is sequentially arranged on the transfer belt 93, and two frames are simultaneously exposed.

In this embodiment, since two frames of images are exposed at the same time, the number of cut photographic papers 711 arranged in the width direction on the transport belt 93 is two.
When simultaneously exposing the images of the frames, the number of cut photographic papers 711 arranged in the width direction on the transport belt 93 is three.
In this case, the roller pairs 81 and 82 of the sorting unit 80 transfer the cut photographic paper 711 onto the transfer belt 93 at the left and right ends and the center of the width direction. The cut printing paper 711 transferred on the transfer belt 93 is exposed to the exposure head 23 (in this embodiment,
The shutter array 23B composed of PLZT elements
The images of the frames are simultaneously exposed, and the exposed cut photographic paper 711 is transported to the developing unit 27 by a transport belt (not shown). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, since the roll photographic paper is cut at the initial stage, the photographic paper developed by the developing unit 27 is dried and stored in a tray as it is.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a negative image projection exposure section for directly projecting and exposing an image of a negative film onto photographic paper as described below may be provided integrally.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the embodiment.
The cutting unit 70 and the sorting unit 80 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
And a negative image projection exposing unit 110 is provided between them. Since the configuration other than the negative image projection exposure unit 110 is the same as the configuration in FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and detailed description is omitted.

That is, the negative image projection exposure section 110 is bridged between the upstream roller 111 and the downstream roller 112 which are rotated by a driving means (not shown), and
A lower belt 114 for forming a large space between the upper and lower portions of the transfer belt 113, and a suction duct 115 disposed on the bottom surface side of the upper portion of the transfer belt 113. And a vacuum pump 117 for sucking the air in the suction duct 115 through a pipe 116. The transfer belt 113 has a large number of small-diameter through holes formed in substantially the entire area thereof.
The cut photographic paper 711 arranged on the upper surface of the transfer belt 113 is sucked and held through a small-diameter through-hole (not shown) by sucking the air in the suction duct 115 by the air cleaner 17. The optical lens 11 is located above the transfer belt 113.
8 is provided, and an image of the negative film 11 ′ provided above the optical lens 118 is projected on the cut photographic paper 711 to form an image.

The cutting unit 70, the sorting unit 80, the exposing unit 90, and the negative image projection exposing unit 110 include a system controller 3 for controlling the entire operation of the automatic photographic printing system.
The overall operation is controlled by the control unit 120 based on a command from 0. That is, the roll photographic paper 71 sent out from the storage section 71 is cut by the cutter 73 in frame units, and the cut photographic paper 7 is cut.
Numerals 11 are sequentially transported onto a transport belt 113 which is intermittently driven to rotate by a negative image projection exposure unit 110. The cut photographic paper 711 transferred onto the transfer belt 113 is sucked and held on the transfer belt 113, and
3 is temporarily stopped at the exposure position, a lamp (not shown) is turned on, an image of the negative film 11 'is formed on the cut photographic paper 711 via the optical lens 118, and the cut photographic paper 711 is exposed.

The cut photographic paper 711 that has been exposed is transferred to the sorting unit 80 and is also transferred to the exposing unit 90 by the sorting unit 80. In the exposure unit 90, a description of a photograph or the like is exposed in a margin of the cut photographic paper 711 exposed by the negative image projection exposure unit 110. The cut photographic paper 711 on which the explanatory text and the like have been exposed by the exposure unit 90 is transferred to the development processing unit 27, where the development processing is performed. The exposing section 90 can also be configured not to expose the explanatory text. In this case, the transfer belt 93 of the exposing section 90 sends the cut photographic paper 711 exposed by the negative image projection exposing section 110 to the developing section 27. It will simply be transported. Further, a negative image projection exposure unit 1
10 can also be employed in the automatic photographic printing system of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, when exposing the cut photographic paper 711 by the negative image projection exposure section 110, the image reading apparatus 10 is not operated. When the exposing section 90 exposes a description or the like, the image data editing section 21 is provided with a character ROM in which character characters are stored in advance. It will be exposed at 90.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the negative image projection exposure section 110 does not expose the negative film 11 ', but exposes the image read by the image reading apparatus 10 by the exposure section 90. You can also. In this case, the transfer belt 113 of the negative image projection and exposure unit 110 simply transfers the cut photographic paper 711 to the sorting unit 80.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the image data processing section 21 sends out one line of image data to the line buffer 214, but sends out a plurality of lines of image data. You can also.
In this case, the exposure head 23 exposes a plurality of frames of the image based on the image data of the plurality of lines.

In the above-described embodiment, the image reading section 10 captures the image on the film 11, but the image reading section 10 is eliminated, and the image data input to the personal computer is captured. Then, the image data processing unit 21 can process or edit the image, and the processed or edited image of a plurality of frames can be exposed on photographic paper.

[0073]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the photographic paper storage unit in which the roll photographic paper is stored and the roll photographic paper pulled out from the photographic paper storage unit are divided into frame units. A cutting unit, a sorting unit for sorting the photographic paper cut by the cutting unit in the width direction, an image data processing unit for creating image data for simultaneously exposing a plurality of frames of images, and a plurality of frames from the image data processing unit. And an exposure unit for simultaneously converting the image data into optical signals and outputting the signals onto a plurality of distributed photographic papers, so that images of a plurality of frames can be exposed in a short time.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the distribution section is constituted by a pair of rollers that swings in the width direction in a state where the cut photographic paper is nipped, the cut photographic paper is made to have a width. Can be sorted in any direction.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the exposure section converts the image data from the image data processing means into an optical signal for each line or a plurality of lines and outputs the optical signal on photographic paper. A plurality of frames of images can be simultaneously generated by a plurality of exposures.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the projection exposure unit is provided between the cut unit and the distribution unit for projecting and exposing the image of the negative film on the photographic paper, the cut and distribution unit is cut and distributed. A plurality of frames of images can be exposed on the obtained photographic paper by the image data from the image data processing means, and the image of the negative film can be directly projected and exposed on the photographic paper by the projection exposure unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic photographic printing system provided with an image exposure apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a cut portion of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a modification of the exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view showing another modified example of the exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views for explaining a configuration of a shutter array composed of PLZT elements. FIG. 6A is a plan view of the shutter array, and FIG. 6B is a side sectional view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a view showing still another modification of the exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view showing another modification of the exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view showing still another modified example of the exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a modification of the photographic paper transport unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a main part of a modification of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG. 1;

12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sorting unit of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG.

13 is a diagram showing a main part of another modification of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG. 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image reading apparatus 20 Image exposure apparatus 21 Image data processing part (image data processing means) 23 Exposure head 24, 90 Exposure part 25, 71 Roll photographic paper 26 Printing paper transport part (photographic paper transport means) 27 Development processing part 28, Reference Signs List 70 Cut section 30 System controller 72 Storage section 73 Cutter 80 Sorting section 110 Negative image projection exposure section 711 Cut photographic paper

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image exposing apparatus for simultaneously exposing a plurality of frames of images taken in as image data to a plurality of photographic papers distributed in a width direction, wherein the photographic paper storing device stores roll photographic paper. Unit, a cutter for dividing the roll photographic paper drawn out from the photographic paper storage unit into frame units, a sorting unit for sorting the photographic paper cut by the cutter in the width direction, and simultaneously exposing a plurality of frames of images. Data processing means for creating image data for the image processing apparatus, and an exposure unit for converting the image data of a plurality of frames from the image data processing means into an optical signal and simultaneously outputting the light signals on a plurality of distributed printing papers. An image exposure apparatus comprising: 2. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sorting unit includes a pair of rollers that swings in a width direction while the cut photographic paper is nipped. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure unit converts the image data from the image data processing unit into an optical signal for every one line or a plurality of lines and outputs the optical signal on photographic paper. 3. The image exposure apparatus according to 2. 4. An image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a projection exposure unit for projecting an image of a negative film onto photographic paper and exposing between the cut unit and the distribution unit. An image exposure apparatus comprising: