JP3166662B2 - Optical printer and method for calculating offset amount of optical printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical printer such as an electrophotographic printer, a silver halide printer, a label printer and a video printer for forming a desired image on a recording medium such as a color film, and an offset amount of the optical printer. It relates to a correction method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical printer shown in FIG. 5 is known as an exposure apparatus for forming a desired image on a recording medium such as a photosensitive film.

[0003] This optical printer has a printer head 1 as shown in FIG. The printer head 1 moves the printing paper 2 as a recording medium set at a predetermined position.
It moves along the sub-scanning direction indicated by arrow A.

The printer head 1 has R (red), G
(Green), B (blue), three sets of monochromatic head modules 1A, 1B, 1C, and each monochromatic head module 1A,
The optical system 5 includes a reflecting mirror 3 and a lens 4 provided at positions corresponding to the light emitting units 1B and 1C. The three sets of monochromatic head modules 1A, 1B, 1C are arranged side by side at a predetermined head interval L in the sub-scanning direction A.

The printer head 1 reciprocates in the sub-scanning direction A with respect to the printing paper 2 by the moving mechanism 6. The moving mechanism 6 guides the printer head 1 so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction A, a pair of pulleys 8 around which a driving belt 7 is wound, and a drive for rotating one of the pulleys 8. And a motor 9. Printer head 1
When the drive belt 9 is circulated by driving the drive motor 9 in accordance with a command from a controller 10 described later, the guide belt is guided by the guide means and moves along the sub-scanning direction A on the surface of the printing paper 2. 2 is surface-exposed.

Each monochromatic head module 1A, 1B, 1C
Is provided with a fluorescent light emitting tube 11 as a light source. The fluorescent light-emitting tube 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped envelope 14 in which a box-shaped container 13 is sealed to a light-transmitting rectangular substrate 12 and the inside of which is maintained in a high vacuum state.

On the inner surface of the substrate 12, a large number of square light emitting dots 15 are formed in a line at a predetermined interval X along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 12. The light-emitting dots 15 in the example of FIG. 5 include a light-transmitting dot-shaped anode conductor 16 provided in a row on the substrate 12 and a phosphor layer 17 attached to each anode conductor 16.

The phosphor layer 17 is formed with a different emission color for each of the monochromatic head modules 1A, 1B, 1C. FIG.
In the example, the monochromatic head module 1 located on the left side
In A, a phosphor layer 17A that emits red light is formed. A phosphor layer 17B that emits green light is formed in the monochromatic head module 1B located at the center. The monochromatic head module 1C located on the right side has a phosphor layer 17 that emits blue light.
C is formed.

The direction in which the light emitting dots 15 are arranged is parallel to the main scanning direction B orthogonal to the sub scanning direction A, which is the moving direction of the printer head 1. A linear cathode 18 as an electron source is provided below the light emitting dots 15 in the main scanning direction B. The anode conductors 16 of the respective light emitting dots 15 are independently drawn out of the envelope 14 and can be driven by applying drive signals independently from a controller 10 described later.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the optical printer including the controller 10. The controller 10 includes an image memory group 21, a control CPU 22 as a control operation unit, and a correction look-up table (LU
T) group 23, line memory group 24, and gradation control / driver drive circuit group 25.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image memory group 21 includes:
It has an image memory 21A for R (red), an image memory 21B for G (green), and an image memory 21C for B (blue) in which image data of images separated into three primary colors of red, green and blue are stored. ing.

In the correction LUT group 23, data for performing density correction, luminance unevenness correction, and color correction based on temperature is red,
R correction LUTs 23A and G stored for each color of green and blue
It has a correction LUT 23B and a B correction LUT 23C.

The line memory group 24 includes an R line memory 24A, a G line memory 24B, and a B line memory 24C in which dot size data is stored for each of red, green, and blue.

The gradation control / driver driving circuit group 25 includes R
There are three sets of gradation control / driver driving circuits 25A, 25B, 25C connected to the line memory 24A, the line memory 24B for G, and the line memory 24C for B, respectively. Each gradation control / driver driving circuit 25A, 25
B, 25C are the corresponding line memories 24A, 24B,
The line data stored in 24C is output to the corresponding single-color head modules 1A, 1B, and 1C.

The controller 10 includes a control CPU
The image data (for example, 8 bits) of each color is read out from the image memory group 21 by the image data 22 and the read image data is transferred to the line memory group 24. When transferring the image data to the line memory group 24, the correction LUT group 23 converts the image data from 8 bits to K bits (for example, 11 bits).
), And various corrections such as temperature, density, and saturation enhancement are added and stored in the line memory group 24.

The temperature correction performed by the correction LUT group 23 corrects that the sensitivity of the recording medium changes with temperature. The density correction is referred to as γ correction for obtaining a white balance of an image, and performs correction based on a relationship between luminance and gradation determined for each color.
The saturation enhancement correction changes the luminance at a certain gradation in order to display each single color of R, G, and B vividly. For example, when displaying only red, the saturation of red is increased to enhance the vividness of the displayed red.

The K-bit × N-dot line data stored in the line memory group 24 is supplied to the monochromatic head modules 1 A, 1 B,
Transferred to 1C. Thus, the single-color head modules 1A, 1B, and 1C are driven to emit light. Control C
PU22 is a single-color head module 1A, 1B, 1C
The moving mechanism 6 is controlled via the motor driver 26 in accordance with the light emission timing.

When a full-color image is formed on the photographic paper 2 by using the optical printer having the above-described configuration, each single-color head module 1A is based on each image signal of an image separated into three primary colors of red, green and blue. , 1B, and 1C, and moves the printer head 1 in the sub-scanning direction A in synchronization with the driving. By this operation, the three primary colors are separated.
One image is overwritten on the photosensitive surface of one photographic paper 2.

As described above, when the printer head 1 is moved in the sub-scanning direction A and reaches a predetermined image forming position P on the photographic paper 2, each of the monochromatic head modules 1A, 1B. 1
By driving C to emit light, a full-color image is formed on the printing paper 2.

When an image of N × M dots as shown in FIG. 7 is formed on the photographic paper 2 using the optical printer, each monochromatic head module 1 having N dots is used.
A, 1B and 1C are moved in the sub-scanning direction A by M dots at a constant speed.

Accordingly, when the printer head 1 is moved in the sub-scanning direction A, each of the monochromatic head modules 1A, 1
The offset amount must be added to the image data by the head interval L between B and 1C.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, a monochromatic head module (hereinafter, referred to as an R-head) 1 that emits red light is used.
As for A, light is emitted during a period from when the image forming position P is reached to when it moves by M dots in the sub-scanning direction A. Thereafter, dummy data as an offset amount is transferred so as not to emit light.

With respect to the monochromatic head module (hereinafter referred to as G-head) 1B that emits green light, the R-head 1
Light is emitted during a period from the emission of light A to the image forming position P after moving by the head interval L and moving to the sub-scanning direction A by M dots. In other periods, that is, after moving by M dots in the sub-scanning direction A until reaching the image forming position P, dummy data as an offset amount is transferred so as not to emit light.

With respect to the monochromatic head module (hereinafter referred to as B-head) 1C which emits blue light, the R-head 1
The light is emitted during a period from the emission of light A to the image forming position P after moving by the head interval 2L and moving to the sub-scanning direction A by M dots. Until the image forming position P is reached, dummy data as an offset amount is transferred so as not to emit light.

In FIG. 8, the control CPU 22, the correction LUT group 23, and the like are omitted to explain the flow of image data.

By the way, in executing the above operation, in the conventional optical printer, the offset amount F (the size of L / 1 dot in the sub-scanning direction) is set in advance in each image memory 2.
Either the dummy data is incorporated in 1A, 21B, or 21C, or processing for adding dummy data to image data by the control CPU 22 and transferring the image data to the line memory group 24 is performed.

As described above, in the conventional optical printer, the offset amount to be added when the image data is transferred is calculated in advance according to the arrangement interval of the heads, and the circuit is configured according to the specifications.

[0028]

However, in the configuration of the above-described conventional optical printer, when a specification change occurs in the head interval L of each monochromatic head module, the offset amount is recalculated in accordance with the head interval, and the image amount is changed. There has been a problem that the offset amount of data must be changed, which causes a change in a circuit system and a change in software.

When the offset amount is incorporated in the image memory group 21, the offset amount is fixed. If the mounting accuracy of each monochromatic head module is not high, a color shift or the like may occur, and the output may occur. There is a problem that image quality is deteriorated. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to adjust the position of the printer head for each single-color head module while observing the state of the print output.

Even if the offset amount can be set by a setting operation of a keyboard or the like, unless the mounting accuracy of each single-color head module is high, the offset amount must be checked each time by checking the state of the print output. The troublesome work of resetting was required.

On the other hand, even if a controller having a specification that can use various types of print heads in accordance with the head interval is developed, the offset amount needs to be set as a parameter, so that it becomes semi-automatic. Therefore, there arises a problem that a troublesome setting operation is required.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an offset amount corresponding to a head interval can be automatically calculated, a desired image can be obtained without color shift, and a head image can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical printer and an offset correction method for the optical printer, which can simplify the assembly process and reduce the cost.

[0033]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to a monochromatic head module in which light emitting dots for emitting any of red, green and blue are arranged in a line. A printer head configured by arranging a plurality of sets at predetermined intervals in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the printer head, and a moving mechanism for relatively linearly or rotationally moving the printer head and the recording medium, and In an optical printer for forming an image on the recording medium by surface exposure on the surface of the recording medium, each of the single-color heads when the printer head is moved at a constant feed speed in the arrangement direction of the single-color head modules An arrangement interval measuring means for detecting a peak value of light emitted by the module and measuring an arrangement interval of each monochromatic head module based on the peak value; Interval measuring means, characterized in that it comprises a control arithmetic unit for calculating an offset amount corresponding to the arrangement interval between the respective single color heads module based on the arrangement pitch of the luminous dots and arrangement interval measured.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sets of single-color head modules in which light-emitting dots emitting any of red, green, and blue are arranged in a line are arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light-emitting dots. A printer head configured side by side,
A moving mechanism for relatively linearly or rotationally moving the printer head and the recording medium; and a light for forming an image on the recording medium by subjecting the printer head to surface exposure on the surface of the recording medium. In the printer, light receiving means for receiving light emitted by each of the single color head modules when the printer head is moved at a constant feed speed in the arrangement direction of the single color head modules, and the amount of light detected by the light receiving means is An arrangement interval between the single-color head modules is calculated based on a time during which a predetermined amount of light or more is shown and the feed speed of the printer head, and the single-color head modules are calculated based on the calculated arrangement interval and the arrangement pitch of the light emitting dots. A control calculating means for calculating an offset amount according to an arrangement interval between head modules.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical printer according to the first or second aspect, the control operation means includes a red, green, and blue color printer.
The monochromatic head module is controlled to emit light based on line data obtained by adding the offset amount to each image data of an image separated into primary colors.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical printer of the second aspect, a plurality of the light receiving means are provided along a direction in which the light emitting dots of the single color head module are arranged.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical printer according to the second aspect, the light receiving means is provided such that a light receiving surface covers all the light emitting dots for a single monochromatic head module. And

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sets of single-color head modules in which light-emitting dots emitting any of red, green, and blue are arranged in a line are arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the light-emitting dots are arranged. A printer head configured side by side,
A moving mechanism for relatively linearly or rotationally moving the printer head and the recording medium; and a light for forming an image on the recording medium by subjecting the printer head to surface exposure on the surface of the recording medium. In the method for calculating the amount of offset of a printer, the printer head is moved at a constant feed speed in the arrangement direction of the monochromatic head modules, a peak value of light emitted by each monochromatic head module is detected, and based on the peak value, Detecting an arrangement interval between the monochromatic head modules and calculating an offset amount according to the arrangement interval between the monochromatic head modules based on the detected arrangement interval and the arrangement pitch of the light emitting dots. And

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sets of a single-color head module in which light-emitting dots emitting any of red, green, and blue are arranged in a line are arranged at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light-emitting dots. A printer head configured side by side,
A moving mechanism for relatively linearly or rotationally moving the printer head and the recording medium; and a light for forming an image on the recording medium by subjecting the printer head to surface exposure on the surface of the recording medium. In the method for calculating the offset amount of a printer, the printer head is moved at a constant feed speed in the arrangement direction of the monochromatic head modules, and the light emitted by each monochromatic head module is detected. The arrangement interval between the monochromatic head modules is calculated based on the time and the feed speed, and an offset corresponding to the arrangement interval between the monochromatic head modules is calculated based on the calculated arrangement interval and the arrangement pitch of the light emitting dots. The method further comprises the step of calculating the amount.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the method of calculating an offset amount of the optical printer according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the offset amount is added to each image data of an image separated into three primary colors of red, green and blue. The light emission control of each of the monochromatic head modules is performed based on the obtained line data.

[0041]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the optical printer, and FIG. 3 is a control CPU in the optical printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the device.

The optical printer according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the optical printer shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 described in the section of the prior art, so that the common configuration is used in order to simplify the description. The same reference numerals are given to the components, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical printer according to the present embodiment is different from the conventional optical printer using three color monochromatic head modules 1A, 1B and 1C shown in FIGS. It incorporates an element 31.

The optical printer according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the light receiving element 31 is incorporated, and a control CPU 2 as a control calculation means in the controller 10 for controlling the driving of each unit.
2 is different from the conventional example.

The light receiving element 31 is composed of, for example, a photodiode, and each of the monochromatic head modules 1A, 1B, 1C.
This is for detecting the head interval L between the printer heads 1 and is disposed so as to face the main scanning direction B of the printer head 1 orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction A.

In the example of FIG. 1, when the printer head 1 is moved in the sub-scanning direction A, the light receiving element 31 emits light from the light emitting surface 4 of the lens 4 of each of the monochromatic head modules 1A, 1B, 1C.
a are arranged at a predetermined interval so as to face the light receiving surface. The light receiving element 31 is provided for each monochromatic head module 1A, 1
Light emitted from B and 1C is received, converted into an electric signal corresponding to the amount of light received at this time, and output to the A / D converter 32.

In the A / D converter 32, the light receiving element 31
The digital signal is converted into a digital signal corresponding to the amount of received light of the peak value of the electric signal from the controller and output to the control CPU 22.

When the head interval L is detected by using the light receiving element 31, the printer head 1 is moved in the sub-scanning direction A. Then, after detecting the light emission of the R-head 1A, G
-Measure the time until the light emission of the head 1B is detected, and measure the time from the light emission of the G-head 1B to the light emission of the B-head 1C. Then, the head interval L is calculated from these measured times, and an offset amount corresponding to the calculated head interval L is added to the line data at the time of image transfer. The calculation of the offset amount at that time is performed by executing a detection flow of FIG. 4 described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control CPU 22
Comparison means 33, interrupt counter 34, latch circuit 3
5, storage means 36, count value reading means 37, head interval calculation means 38, offset amount calculation means 39, and line data transfer means 40.

The comparing means 33 compares the amount of light received by the digital signal input from the A / D converter 32 with the reference light amount measured at the dot center point in advance. The comparing means 33 outputs an interrupt signal to the interrupt counter 34 when the amount of light received by the digital signal from the A / D converter 32 exceeds the reference light amount.

The interrupt counter 34 counts up the internal clock by the interrupt signal first input from the comparing means 33. The interrupt counter 34 continues counting up when the second interrupt signal is input from the comparing means 33, and ends counting up when the third interrupt signal is input.

The latch circuit 35 includes an interrupt counter 34
When the second interrupt signal is input to the counter, the count value C1 at that time is latched. Also, when the third interrupt signal is input to the interrupt counter 34, the count value C2 at that time is latched.
The count value C1, latched by the latch circuit 35,
C2 is stored in the storage means 36.

The count value reading means 37 includes a latch circuit 3
5 is latched and the count value C stored in the storage means 36
1 and C2 are read and output to the head interval calculating means 38.

The head interval calculating means 38 calculates the R-head 1A based on the count values C1 and C2 read by the count value reading means 37 and the feed speed of the printer head 1.
The head distance L1 between the G-head 1B and the G-head 1B and the head distance L2 between the G-head 1B and the B-head 1C are calculated.

In this embodiment, the light receiving element 3
1. The A / D converter 32, the comparison means 33, the interrupt counter 34, the latch circuit 35, the storage means 36, the count value reading means 37, and the head interval calculation means 38 constitute an arrangement interval measurement means.

The offset amount calculating unit 39 calculates the image transfer offset amount F1 from L1 / X based on the head intervals L1 and L2 calculated by the head interval calculating unit 38 and the array pitch X of the light emitting dots 15, and calculates L2 / The image transfer offset amount F2 is calculated from X [dot].

The image data transfer means 40 transfers the image transfer offset amount F1 calculated by the offset amount calculation means 39 to the image data of the G image memory 21B when the printer head 1 is driven to emit light by shifting to the exposure cycle. In addition, it is transferred to the G correction LUT 23B. At the same time, the image transfer offset amount F2 is transferred to the B correction LUT 23C in addition to the image data in the B image memory 21C.

Next, the operation of the head interval detection flow of FIG. 4 executed by the control CPU 22 having the above configuration will be described. In executing this operation, the printer head 1 is moved at a constant feed speed in the sub-scanning direction A. Thereby, the light receiving element 31 first receives the light from the R-head 1A (ST1). The received light is converted into an electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light, and then input to the A / D converter 32. In the A / D converter 32, the light receiving element 31
Is converted into a digital signal corresponding to the amount of received light and input to the comparing means 33. In comparison means 33, A / D
The light receiving amount of the peak value by the digital signal from the converter 32 is compared with the reference light amount. As a result of the comparison, if the received light amount is equal to or more than the reference light amount (ST2-yes), the interrupt counter 34 is operated (ST3), and the interrupt counter 3
4 is counted up (ST4).

Next, the operation shifts to the state of monitoring the amount of received light of the G-head 1B. Similarly to the case of the R-head 1A, the light from the G-head 1B is received by the light receiving element 31 (ST
5) If the received light amount is equal to or more than the reference light amount (ST6-ye)
s), the interrupt counter 34 enters the latch state (ST)
7). Then, the count value C1 of the interrupt counter 34 at that time is latched by the latch circuit 35 (ST
8) The latched count value C1 is stored in the storage unit 36.
Is stored in

Next, the operation shifts to the state of monitoring the amount of received light of the B-head 1C. As in the case of the R-head 1A, the light from the B-head 1C is received by the light receiving element 31 (ST
9) If the received light amount is equal to or more than the reference light amount (ST10-ye)
s) The counting up of the interrupt counter 34 is stopped (ST11). Then, the count value C2 of the interrupt counter 34 at that time is latched by the latch circuit 35 (ST12), and the latched count value C2 is stored in the storage means 36.

When the detection routine of the head interval detection flow is completed, the count value reading means 37 reads the count values C1 and C2 stored in the storage means 36 (ST13), and shifts to the image transfer offset amount calculation processing. (ST14).

Next, the procedure for calculating the image transfer offset amount will be described. According to the count-up period of the interrupt counter 34 and the read count values C1 and C2, R
The time T1 from the light emission detection of the head 1A to the light emission detection of the G-head 1B, and the time T2 from the light emission detection of the G-head 1B to the light emission detection of the B-head 1C are calculated. Next, the feed speed of the printer head 1 and the time T1, T2
Is used to calculate the head interval L (L1, L2). Then, the image transfer offset amount F1 is calculated by F1 = L1 / X [dot] based on the head interval L and the size X of the light emitting dot 15. Similarly, G-heads 1B and B
The image transfer offset amount F2 between the heads 1C is also L2 /
It is calculated by X.

The above-described head interval detection operation and arithmetic processing are performed at the time of setup after the power is turned on by the control CPU 22 in the controller 10. Then, the process proceeds to the exposure cycle, and when exposing the printing paper 2 by driving the printer head to emit light, image transfer is performed in accordance with the offset amounts F1 and F2 calculated by the above processing.

The operation of detecting the head interval and the arithmetic processing are not limited to the setup after the power is turned on. For example, if a mode key for designating the above process is separately provided, the above process can be arbitrarily executed by inputting the mode key.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Each monochromatic head module 1A,
The image transfer offset amount according to the head interval between 1B and 1C can be automatically calculated. This makes it possible to realize a circuit configuration that does not require attention to the head interval, and eliminates complicated semi-automatic work such as parameter setting that has been conventionally performed. As a result, a desired image can be obtained without causing a color shift or the like due to a shift in the head interval and deteriorating the image quality.

The image transfer offset amount can be automatically calculated even for a printer head having a plurality of single-color head modules having different head intervals, and it can be applied to various types of optical printers.

Each monochromatic head module 1A, 1B, 1C
Since the error in the mounting accuracy of the printer head 1 can be electrically absorbed, the assembly process of the printer head 1 is simplified, mass production becomes possible, and cost reduction can be achieved.

Incidentally, a photodiode may be used as the above-mentioned light receiving element 31, and this photodiode may be arranged so as to face both ends in the main scanning direction B of each monochromatic head module. According to this configuration, by moving the printer head 1 in the sub-scanning direction A, the inclination of each monochromatic head module can be detected, an error output occurs, and the inclination can be corrected.

In place of the light receiving element 31, a line CCD (Charge Cou) having a length capable of covering all the light emitting dots 15 in the main scanning direction B of one monochromatic head module 1A.
pledDevice) may be used. According to this configuration, all the light amounts in the main scanning direction B of each monochromatic head module can be received, and the light amount distribution can be measured in addition to the detection of each head interval. In addition, since the light quantity correction function of each monochromatic head module can be built in, light quantity correction can be performed without using an external light quantity compensator or the like. Further, if a slit is provided on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 31, the presence or absence of light can be determined in a binary manner without using the A / D converter 32.

The moving mechanism 6 in the above-described embodiment has been described as moving the printer head 1 linearly in the sub-scanning direction A over the printing paper 2 as a recording medium. What is necessary is just to be able to relatively linearly or rotationally move the recording medium.

[0071]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically calculate the offset amount according to the head interval between the single-color head modules, and it is not necessary to pay attention to the head interval. The configuration can be realized. Then, a desired image can be obtained without causing a color shift or the like due to the shift of the head interval and deteriorating the image quality. Moreover, complicated semi-automatic operations such as parameter setting, which have been conventionally performed, can be eliminated.

Further, it is possible to automatically calculate the offset amount even for a printer head having a plurality of monochromatic head modules having different head intervals, and it is possible to cope with various types of optical printers.

Since errors in the mounting accuracy of each monochromatic head module can be electrically absorbed, the printer head assembling process is simplified, mass production is possible, and cost reduction can be achieved.

If a plurality of light receiving means are provided along the arrangement direction of the light emitting dots of the monochromatic head module, the inclination of each monochromatic head module can be detected by moving the printer head in the sub-scanning direction. Thus, the inclination can be corrected.

If a light receiving means is provided for a single monochromatic head module so that the light receiving surface covers all the light emitting dots, all the light amounts in the main scanning direction of each monochromatic head module can be received, and the distance between the heads can be reduced. In addition to the detection of, the light amount distribution can also be measured. In addition, since the light quantity correction function of each monochromatic head module can be built in, light quantity correction can be performed without using an external light quantity compensator or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the optical printer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control CPU in the optical printer of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a head interval detection flow by the optical printer of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional optical printer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a conventional optical printer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image formed on photographic paper as a recording medium.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation when an image is formed by a conventional optical printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer head, 1A-1C ... Monochromatic head module, 2 ... Printing paper (recording medium), 6 ... Moving mechanism, 22 ...
Control CPU (control calculation means), 31: light receiving element (light receiving means), 33: comparing means, 34: interrupt counter, 3
5 latch circuit, 36 storage means, 37 count value reading means, 38 head interval calculation means, 39 offset amount calculation means, 40 line data transfer means.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazu Inoue 629 Oshiba, Mobara-shi, Chiba Futaba Electronics Industry Co., Ltd. 56) References JP-A-6-83243 (JP, A) JP-A-1-64444 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/44-2/455 B41J 2/525 B41J 2/32

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printer configured by arranging a plurality of sets of single-color head modules in which light-emitting dots emitting any of red, green, and blue are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light-emitting dots. A head, a moving mechanism for relatively linearly or rotationally moving the printer head and the recording medium, and exposing the printer head to a surface of the recording medium to form an image on the recording medium. In the optical printer to be formed, a peak value of light emitted by each of the monochromatic head modules when the printer head is moved at a constant feed speed in the arrangement direction of the monochromatic head modules is detected, and based on this peak value, An arrangement interval measuring means for measuring an arrangement interval of the monochromatic head modules; an arrangement interval of the light emitting dots measured by the arrangement interval measuring means; Optical printer being characterized in that a control calculating means for calculating an offset amount corresponding to the arrangement interval between the respective single color heads module based on. 2. A printer configured by arranging a plurality of sets of single-color head modules in which light-emitting dots that emit red, green, and blue light are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light-emitting dots. A head, a moving mechanism for relatively linearly or rotationally moving the printer head and the recording medium, and exposing the printer head to a surface of the recording medium to form an image on the recording medium. In the optical printer to be formed, a light-receiving unit that receives light emitted by each of the single-color head modules when the printer head is moved at a constant feed speed in the array direction of the single-color head modules, and the light-receiving unit detects the light. The arrangement interval between the monochromatic head modules is calculated based on the time during which the received light amount is equal to or more than a predetermined light amount and the feed speed of the printer head. Optical printer being characterized in that a control calculating means for calculating an offset amount corresponding to the arrangement interval between the respective single color heads module based on the arrangement pitch of the luminous dots and placement interval is. 3. The control operation means controls the light emission of each monochromatic head module based on line data obtained by adding the offset amount to each image data of an image separated into three primary colors of red, green and blue. The optical printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The optical printer according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the light receiving means are provided along a direction in which the light emitting dots of the monochromatic head module are arranged. 5. The optical printer according to claim 2, wherein the light receiving means is provided such that a light receiving surface covers all the light emitting dots for a single monochrome head module. 6. A printer configured by arranging a plurality of sets of single-color head modules in which light-emitting dots for emitting any of red, green, and blue are arranged in a line at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light-emitting dots. A head, a moving mechanism for relatively linearly or rotationally moving the printer head and the recording medium, and exposing the printer head to a surface of the recording medium to form an image on the recording medium. In the method of calculating an offset amount of an optical printer to be formed, the printer head is moved at a constant feed speed in the arrangement direction of the monochromatic head modules, and a peak value of light emitted by each monochromatic head module is detected. The arrangement intervals of the respective monochromatic head modules are detected based on the detected intervals. Offset amount calculation method for an optical printer, which comprises a step of calculating an offset amount corresponding to the arrangement interval between the modules. 7. A printer configured by arranging a plurality of single-color head modules in which light-emitting dots emitting any one of red, green, and blue are arranged in a line at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the light-emitting dots. A head, a moving mechanism for relatively linearly or rotationally moving the printer head and the recording medium, and exposing the printer head to a surface of the recording medium to form an image on the recording medium. In the method for calculating an offset amount of an optical printer to be formed, the printer head is moved at a constant feed speed in an array direction of the monochromatic head modules, and light emitted by each monochromatic head module is detected, and a received light amount is equal to or more than a predetermined light amount. Is calculated on the basis of the time between the display and the feed speed, and the calculated arrangement interval and the arrangement pitch of the light emitting dots are calculated. Offset amount calculation method for an optical printer, which comprises a step of calculating an offset amount corresponding to the arrangement interval between the respective single color heads module based on Chi. 8. The single-color head module is controlled to emit light based on line data obtained by adding the offset amount to each image data of an image separated into three primary colors of red, green, and blue. The method for calculating the offset amount of the optical printer described in the above.