JP3370175B2 - Image recording device - 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 recording apparatus capable of performing high-quality image recording with a sufficient amount of light even on transparent originals, particularly overexposed negative originals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image recording apparatus such as a color copying apparatus or various color printers, a reflection original such as a printed matter is usually used as a target original image. However,
With the recent diversification of image information recording, in addition to reflective originals such as printed matter and photographs, negative films, slides, proofs,
An image recording device capable of reading an image of a transparent original such as a microfilm and recording the image on a photosensitive material has been put into practical use. In an image recording apparatus capable of using both a reflective original and a transparent original, a light source unit forming an exposure optical system for recording an image by the transparent original is mounted on the main body of the image recording apparatus and emitted from a light source of the light source unit. The light is incident on the transparent original to be transmitted, and the light is imaged on the photosensitive material (or the screen or the optical sensor) to expose the photosensitive material.

In such an image recording apparatus, the normal image exposure of a reflection original is performed by a scanner for emitting irradiation light extending in a one-dimensional direction, a plurality of mirrors, a color filter or diaphragm for dimming, and an image formation. This is performed by the exposure optical system of the main body of the image recording apparatus, which is configured by combining lenses and the like. The image exposure by the exposure optical system of the image recording apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the main body exposure system) is performed by moving the scanning element in the scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the one-dimensional direction to reflect the image on the platen. The original is two-dimensionally scanned by the irradiation light. The slit-shaped reflected light from the reflective original travels along a predetermined optical path by a plurality of mirrors, and the color and amount of light is adjusted by a color filter or diaphragm, and the image formation position and magnification are adjusted by an image forming lens to move the scanner. The photosensitive material is exposed by being incident and imaged on the image exposure position on the photosensitive material conveyed in synchronization.

On the other hand, in image recording of a transparent original, 4 ×
When image recording is performed using a relatively large transparent original such as a 5-size slide or solid print, the transparent original placed on (or held in the vicinity of) the original table of the image recording apparatus main body is irradiated from above. There is known a light source unit for transparent originals. Reading of a transparent original using such a light source unit utilizes the above-mentioned main body exposure system, and the transmitted light emitted from the light source unit and passing through the transparent original does not turn on the light source of the above-mentioned scanner. Similarly, the transmitted light of the transparent original is imaged at the image exposure position on the photosensitive material by scanning with, and the image of the transparent original is exposed on the photosensitive material.

On the other hand, as a unit for a transparent original for recording an image using a small transparent original such as a 135 size or Brownie size negative film or a slide, as disclosed in JP-A-2-242246. A film scanning unit having a projection type exposure optical system is known. This projection type film scanning unit is used by being loaded in a predetermined part of the main body of the image recording apparatus, and holds a light source for projection, a color filter for light control, an ND filter for light quantity adjustment, and a transparent original. It has a document holder that is conveyed (scanned), a slit that regulates the transmitted light of a transparent document, a zoom lens used as an imaging lens, a mirror for adjusting the optical path, and the like.

An image recording apparatus using this film scanning unit is conceptually shown in FIG. The image recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5 basically includes a light source 102 and a light adjusting member 1.
04, a diffusion plate 106, an aperture 108 having a long slit 108a in a direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 5, a zoom lens (imaging lens) 110, and a reflector 112.
The transparent original G is conveyed by means (not shown).

In the image recording of the transparent original G by the image recording apparatus 100 of the illustrated example, the light emitted from the light source 102 is reflected by the reflector 112 composed of the elliptical mirrors 112a and 112b and the circular mirror 112c, It proceeds toward the transparent original G. Here, the reflector 112 is configured to focus on the optical axis of the image forming lens of the diffusion plate 106. The light reflected by the reflector 112 is then adjusted in color balance and light quantity by the light adjusting member 104 composed of three types of color filters of C, M and Y, and is incident on the diffusion plate 106 and diffused.

The light diffused by the diffusion plate 106 is incident on the transparent original G held by an original holder (not shown),
It becomes the transmitted light that carries the image of the transparent original G, and is then made into a long slit light by the slit 108 a of the aperture 108. Here, the transparent document G (document holder)
Is conveyed in the document scanning direction indicated by an arrow a in the drawing, which corresponds to the moving direction of the photosensitive material A in the recording apparatus main body,
Moreover, since the slit is elongated in the direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface), the result is that the transparent original G is slit-scanned.

The transmitted light that has passed through the slit 108a is magnified to a set magnification by the imaging lens 110 and enters the main body exposure system. In the main body exposure system, the transmitted light is made to have the same optical path as the reflected light of the reflective original described above by a mirror that can be inserted into the optical path, and like the image recording by the reflective original,
The photosensitive material A is exposed to form an image on the photosensitive material A conveyed in synchronization with the transmission of the transparent original G.

[0010]

In the image recording apparatus 100 utilizing such slit scanning, the diffusing plate 1 is used.
Of the transmitted light that is diffused by 06 and transmitted through the transparent original G, it passes through the slit 108 a of the aperture 108,
The light entering the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 110 contributes to the exposure of the photosensitive material A. The aperture 108 has a function of limiting the screen range in order to reduce resolution deterioration (due to lens distortion) during scanning, and is an essential member for realizing high-quality image recording. In addition, the diffusion plate 10
Reference numeral 6 is for generating diffused light necessary for making dust, scratches and the like attached to the transparent original G inconspicuous, and is also an indispensable member for performing high-quality image recording.

However, since the diffusion plate 106 and the aperture 108 are necessary, the conventional image recording apparatus 100 has a low utilization efficiency of the light from the light source 102, and in some cases, a sufficient exposure amount cannot be obtained. There is a point. That is, in the figure, light rays are shown at equal angular intervals from the light source 102, but the light directly going from the light source 102 to the diffusion plate 106 is divergent light, and the imaging lens 110 of the diffusion plate 106 is also present.
The rays that converge on the optical axis are only the rays that are reflected by the elliptical mirrors 112a and 112b and obliquely enter the diffuser plate. Therefore, of the light diffused by the diffusion plate 106,
The ratio of the light that passes through the transparent original G and the aperture 108 vertically and enters the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 110, that is, the light that contributes to the exposure is low and the efficiency is low. Moreover, in order to increase the resolution of the image to be recorded, it is necessary to narrow the slit 108a formed in the aperture 108, and the effective angle of view of the imaging lens 110 becomes narrower. Usage efficiency is reduced.

Particularly, a negative film has a wider density range of an image recorded on the film than a positive film such as a reversal film, and is unsuitably high density (exposure) in an image recording apparatus in which the negative film can be used as a transparent original G. A document on which an (over) image is recorded is also used as the transparent original G. However, in the conventional image recording apparatus 100, since the light utilization efficiency is low as described above, when the image recording of the overexposed transparent original G is performed, a sufficient light amount (light intensity) for exposing the photosensitive material A is obtained. The incident light of (1) is incident on the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 110, and the photosensitive material A cannot be exposed with a sufficient exposure amount, so that high-quality image recording cannot be performed. is there.

In order to secure a sufficient exposure amount of the photosensitive material A, a method of increasing the light amount of the light source 102, adjusting optical members such as the imaging lens 110, and prolonging the exposure time can be considered. However, there is a limit to the adjustment of the light source 102 and the image forming lens of the optical member, particularly the zoom lens, and there is a problem that it takes time to record an image if the exposure time is lengthened.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. An image recording apparatus for recording an image of a transparent original such as a negative film or a reversal film, in which the transparent original and the aperture are vertically arranged. By increasing the light components that pass through and enter the entrance pupil of the imaging lens,
The light utilization efficiency is extremely high, and a sufficient amount of light (light intensity) of transmitted light can be incident on the entrance pupil of the imaging lens, and dust that is attached to the transparent original or scratches of the transparent original is not noticeable. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of performing image recording with high image quality, having a simple apparatus configuration, and capable of efficiently performing image recording without extending the exposure time.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is to scan a transparent original with light from a light source and receive the transmitted light of the transparent original with an imaging lens. An image recording apparatus for forming an image on a material, which is arranged between the light source and a transparent original, and a reflective light condensing member having a focus on the transparent original and reflecting and condensing at least a part of light of the light source. A condensing lens that condenses direct light from the light source that does not enter the reflective condensing member.
The condensing light condensed by the condensing lens.
The optical path along the optical axis of the image lens is almost perpendicular to the transparent original.
Light reflected by the reflecting and condensing member to form the image.
The image recording apparatus is characterized in that the image is incident on the transparent original obliquely with respect to the optical axis of the lens .

Further, it is preferable that the condenser lens has a focal point at a pupil position of the imaging lens. Furthermore, the anti
It is preferable that the light condensing member is an elliptical mirror.

Further, it is preferable that the reflecting and condensing member has a focal point on the transparent original, and the condensing lens has a focal point on a pupil position of the imaging lens.

Further, it is preferable that the reflecting and condensing member has a focal point on the transparent original, and the condensing lens has a focal point on the transparent original.

Further, it is preferable that the reflecting and condensing member has a plurality of focal points, and at least one of the focal points is a pupil position of the imaging lens.

Further, the condensing lens is either an aspherical lens having hyperboloids on both sides, a lens having a flat surface on one surface and a spherical or cylindrical surface on the other surface, or an aspherical lens having a flat surface on one surface and an elliptical surface on the other surface. It is preferable that

Further, a second aspect of the present invention is an image recording apparatus which scans a transparent original with light from a light source and forms an image of the transmitted light of the transparent original on a light receiving material by an imaging lens. A parallel light member that reflects at least a part of the light from the light source to make parallel light, a collimator lens or collimate mirror that makes parallel light direct light from the light source that does not enter the parallel light member, and the parallel light It has a parallel light condensing lens for condensing, the collimating lens
Alternatively, the parallel light from the collimating mirror is
The optical axis of the image forming lens is collected by the parallel light collecting lens.
It is made to enter the transparent document almost perpendicularly by the optical path along the
The parallel light from the parallel light member is converted by the parallel light condensing lens.
To the transparent original diagonally with respect to the optical axis of the imaging lens.
The present invention provides an image recording device characterized by being incident .

The parallel light condensing lens has different focal points in the vicinity of the optical axis of the imaging lens and other portions, and the focal point in the vicinity of the optical axis of the imaging lens is at the pupil position of the imaging lens. It is preferable that the focus of the other part is the transparent original.

The parallel light member is a parabolic mirror.
Is preferred.

In addition, the collimating light condensing lens is
It is preferable to have the focus on the manuscript.

The collimating lens may be an aspherical lens having a spherical or cylindrical surface on one side and an ellipse on the other side, or a lens having a flat surface on one side and a spherical or cylindrical surface on the other side, or a flat surface on one side and an ellipse on the other surface. It is preferably one of the aspherical lenses on the surface.

Further, in the above image recording apparatus, it is preferable that the condenser lens or the collimator lens is composed of a plurality of lenses separated from each other.

Further, in the above image recording apparatus, the distribution of the relative light intensity P (θ) with respect to the incident angle θ of the light incident on the transparent original is 0 ° in the direction perpendicular to the transparent original surface. At this time, it is preferable that P (θ) = cos θ.

Further, in the above image recording apparatus, in the optical path from the light source to the light receiving member, means for adjusting the light quantity, means for adjusting the color balance, and light quantity balance in the surface direction on the transparent original surface are adjusted. It is preferable that at least one selected from the group consisting of

At least one of the means for adjusting the quantity of light, the means for adjusting the color balance, and the means for adjusting the balance of the quantity of light in the surface direction of the transparent original surface is a filter composed of an optical interference film, and the light is It is preferably arranged in a position where parallel light is emitted.

Further, in the above image recording apparatus, it is preferable that a mirror that bends the optical path is installed in the optical path from the light source to the light receiving member.

Further, it is preferable that the mirror that bends the optical path is a cold mirror.

Further, it is preferable that the angle formed by the incident optical axis and the outgoing optical axis to the mirror that bends the optical path is less than 90 °.

The mirror surface of the mirror that bends the optical path is preferably a paraboloid or an ellipsoid.

Further, in the above image recording apparatus, it is preferable that the light receiving material is one or more selected from the group consisting of a photosensitive material, a screen, and an optical sensor.

[0035]

The image recording apparatus of the present invention is an image recording apparatus for recording images of various transparent originals such as 135 size and Brownie size negative films and slides by scanning exposure, and an imaging lens near the light source. The basic configuration is to arrange a lens or the like on the optical axis and positively collect the light that directly enters the diffusion plate from the light source.

As described above, in the image recording apparatus utilizing the slit scanning, the light entering the entrance pupil of the imaging lens contributes to the exposure of the photosensitive material A, but the light traveling directly from the light source to the diffuser plate diverges. Light that is converged on the optical axis of the diffuser plate is only light that is reflected by the reflector and obliquely enters the diffuser plate.Therefore, of the light diffused by the diffuser plate, the transmissive original and the aperture are set vertically. The ratio of the light that passes through and enters the entrance pupil of the imaging lens, that is, the light that contributes to the exposure is low and the efficiency is low.

[0037] In contrast, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the placement be Rukoto in the vicinity of the light source to the condenser lens and the collimator lens or the like between the light source and the document, wasted and diverges in the conventional Light from the original light source directly to the transparent original
Can be made to enter the transmissive original substantially vertically by an optical path along the optical axis by a condenser lens, a collimator lens, etc., and the light component that enters the entrance pupil of the imaging lens, that is, the light component that contributes to exposure can be increased. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to make a large amount of transmitted light into the entrance pupil of the imaging lens with extremely high light efficiency. Moreover, since the light that is condensed by the condensing member or the parallel light condensing lens and is obliquely incident on the transparent original exhibits the same action as the diffused light by the diffusing plate 106 in FIG. 5, it is not necessary to use the diffusing plate. Even in this case, it is possible to record a high-quality image in which the transparent original is not conspicuous such as scratches and dust.

Therefore, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention,
It is possible to record high-quality images with less noticeable scratches and dust on the transparent original, and to secure a sufficient amount of light (light intensity) of transmitted light with good light efficiency. Even in such cases, good image recording can be performed. Moreover, the image recording apparatus of the present invention has a simple structure in which the diffusion plate is eliminated from the conventional image recording apparatus and one lens is added, and the image recording is realized quickly without the need to extend the exposure time. can do.

[0039]

The image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 conceptually shows an example of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. The image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 uses a photosensitive material as a light receiving material. However, as the light receiving material of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, other than this, various optical sensors such as a CCD sensor and a photoelectric tube are used. Also, a screen or the like can be used.

The image recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an image recording apparatus for recording an image of a transparent original G (hereinafter referred to as an original G) such as a negative film or a reversal film on a photosensitive material A by slit scanning exposure. Yes, basically
The light source 16, the reflector 18, the light adjusting means 22, the aperture 14 having the elongated slit 14a formed in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface, the image forming lens 12, the condenser lens 24, and the conveying means for the transparent original G (not shown) and the photosensitive material. It has a transporting means A. In such an image recording apparatus 10, the slit 14a of the aperture 14 is arranged on the optical axis of the imaging lens 12.
And the original G is conveyed in the original scanning direction (direction of arrow a) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slit 14a,
The document G is slit-scanned, and the transmitted light exposes the photosensitive material A to slit-scan exposure.

The image recording apparatus of the present invention may be one in which the above-mentioned members (and, if necessary, a photosensitive material processing apparatus) are integrally formed, or the above-mentioned conventional apparatus. As described above, the light source 1 is attached to the main body of the image recording apparatus that records an image of a reflective original document by slit scanning exposure.
6, reflector 18, aperture 14, imaging lens 1
Alternatively, the slit scanning unit for a transparent original having the condensing lens 24, the original G conveying means, and the like may be mounted.

In the image recording apparatus 10, the light source 16 is a rod-shaped light source that is long in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface (that is, the direction orthogonal to the document scanning direction), and is the optical axis L of the imaging lens 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as the optical axis L). ), The longitudinal direction thereof is aligned with the slit 14a. As the light source 16, various known light sources such as a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a xenon lamp and a metal halide lamp can be used.

The light emitted from the light source 16 is reflected directly or almost by the reflector 18 on the original G.
Proceed in the direction. The reflector 18 is composed of five long reflectors in the same direction as the light source 16, that is, elliptical mirrors 18a and 18b arranged so as to sandwich the light source 16, and an ellipse arranged below the elliptical mirrors 18a and 18b. Four elliptical mirrors, shaped mirrors 18c and 18d, and a circular mirror 18e arranged above the light source 16,
It is configured symmetrically with respect to the optical axis L.

In the image recording apparatus 10 of the illustrated example, the elliptical mirrors 18a and 18b and the elliptical mirrors 18c and 18d constitute a light collecting member, and their focal points are
It is set at the position of the original G on the optical axis L (or the original G is placed at the focal point of the elliptical mirror), while the focal point of the circular mirror 18e is set at the center of the light source 16.
In the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, the focus of the condensing member such as the elliptical mirror 18a is not limited to the position of the document G on the optical axis L, and for example, the pupil position of the imaging lens 12, the device configuration and the like. Therefore, it may be set in a place with the highest light efficiency. However, in terms of light efficiency and the like, it is preferable that the focus of the light collecting member is on the optical axis L or in the vicinity thereof.

In the image recording apparatus 10 of the illustrated example, the elliptical mirror 18b and the elliptical mirror 18 of the reflector 18 are shown.
The light adjusting means 22 is disposed between the light adjusting means 22 and d. The light adjusting unit 22 adjusts the color balance and the light amount of the light from the light source 16 and the reflector 18, and includes three types of color filters of a cyan filter 22C, a magenta filter 22M, and a yellow filter 22Y, and a light amount adjusting unit (diaphragm).
22D.

In the apparatus of the illustrated example, each color filter is a plate-shaped color filter, is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow b, and the amount of insertion into the optical path is adjusted,
The color balance of the light from the light source 16 and the reflector 18 is adjusted. On the other hand, the light amount adjusting means 22D is for adjusting the light amount of the light from the light source 16 and the reflector 18, and is a means for adjusting the insertion amount of the light shielding plate that can be inserted into the optical path, and the ND filters having different densities are switched to change the optical path. Means for inserting therein, means for adjusting the amount of insertion using an ND filter having a stepwise or continuous concentration gradient, etc.
Various known light amount adjusting means can be used.

The light adjusting means 22 in the illustrated example has the light amount adjusting means 22D, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the three types of color filters are inserted in the same amount in the optical path. Alternatively, the amount of light may be adjusted. However, as will be described in detail later, the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention has extremely good light efficiency, and can transmit a large amount of transmitted light (transmitted light of the document G) to the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12. Therefore, in the light amount adjustment using the color filter, the adjustment range of the color filter becomes very wide, which makes it difficult to finely adjust the color balance and the light amount. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a dedicated light amount adjusting means. Further, as a preferred embodiment, the light adjusting means 22 may be provided with an optical member for adjusting the balance of the amount of light in the surface direction of the original G surface, if necessary. As such an optical member, N having a concentration gradient is used.
Examples thereof include a D filter and a light blocking member that can be inserted into the optical path.

As described above, the focal points of the elliptical mirrors 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d of the reflector 18 are set at the position of the document G on the optical axis L. Further, in the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, a long condenser lens 24 is arranged between the light source 16 and the original G in the same direction as the original 16. In the illustrated example, the condenser lens 24 is arranged in the vicinity of the light source 16 with its optical axis aligned with the optical axis L, and the focus is set at the pupil position of the imaging lens 12. Since the image recording apparatus of the present invention has this condenser lens 24 between the light source 16 and the document G, it is possible to perform high-quality image recording with high light efficiency.

As described above, in the image recording apparatus utilizing the slit scanning, the slits of the document G and the aperture 14 among the light which is incident on the document G directly from the light source 16 or reflected by the reflector 18 and incident on the document G. Light that has passed through 14a vertically and is incident on the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12 contributes to the exposure of the photosensitive material A. Here, the light source 1
The light directly going from 6 to the original G is divergent light, and
As shown in the figure, the light that converges to the position of the original G on the optical axis L is reflected by the elliptical mirror 18a or the like and is obliquely reflected on the original G.
Since only the light is incident on the document G and the slit 1
The proportion of light that passes through 4a vertically and enters the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12 and contributes to exposure is low.

On the other hand, the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention
In the prior art, by arranging the condensing lens 24 or the like having the focal point on the original G, preferably between the light source 16 and the original G, the optical axis L and the optical axis are aligned with each other. The light directly directed from the light source 16 in the direction of the original G is condensed by the condenser lens 24 and is incident on the original G almost vertically on the optical path along the optical axis L, and the transmitted light is almost perpendicular to the slit 14a. Can be passed through. Therefore, the light component incident on the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12, that is, the light component (transmitted light) contributing to exposure can be increased. For example, when the angle of view of the condenser lens 24 on the light source 16 side is about 40 °, the light source 1 including the light reflected by the circular reflector 18e is included.
Approximately 80 ° of the light emitted from 6 enters the document G almost vertically, and the light efficiency can be greatly improved.

On the other hand, the light reflected by the reflector 18 is
The light enters the document G obliquely with respect to the optical axis L of the imaging lens 12. Therefore, when a document has a flaw or the like, this light component is refracted and enters the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12, and has the same effect as so-called dark field illumination. Since the same function as the diffused light by the diffusion plate 106 arranged in the image recording apparatus 100 for the transparent original shown is exerted, in the image recorded on the photosensitive material A, scratches on the original, dust attached to the original, etc. It is possible to perform high-quality image recording in which the image is not noticeable.

Therefore, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention as described above, it is possible to record an image with high image quality without conspicuous scratches or dust on the transparent original G without using a diffusion plate.
Moreover, since a sufficient amount of transmitted light can be secured with good light efficiency, good image recording can be performed even if the transparent original is a negative film that is overexposed. Further, since the transmitted light is condensed at the pupil position of the imaging lens 12, it is possible to realize image recording with high contrast. Moreover, as compared with the conventional device shown in FIG. 5, the diffuser plate 106 is removed and one lens is added, which is a simple structure.
Further, it is possible to realize quick image recording without extending the exposure time.

Although various lenses can be used as the condenser lens 24, it is preferable to use an aspherical lens having a double-sided hyperboloid to suppress aberrations and condense light on the original G very efficiently. can do. Further, although the efficiency is slightly lower than that of the aspherical lens, a so-called cylindrical lens having a flat surface on one side and a cylindrical surface or an elliptical surface on the other side can also be suitably used, and it is possible to suitably improve the light efficiency at low cost. it can.

In the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, the condensing lens 24 condenses the light emitted from the light source 16 and not incident on the reflector 18. In order to further improve the light efficiency, the illustrated example is used. As described above, the optical axis of the condenser lens 24 and the optical axis L are made to coincide with each other, and more light can be incident on the pupil position of the imaging lens 12 substantially vertically along the optical axis L. preferable. Further, the larger the angle of view on the light source side of the condenser lens 24, the higher the light efficiency, and the use of an aspherical lens allows an angle of view of about 100 °. When the wide-angle condenser lens 24 is used, the elliptical mirror 18a is used.
In order to avoid such a shadow, the arrangement position of the condenser lens 24 is preferably about 8 to 20 mm from the light source 16, although it depends on the sizes of the light source 16 and the condenser lens 24.

Here, as will be described later in detail, since the image recording apparatus 10 of the illustrated example uses a zoom lens as the image forming lens 12, the pupil position of the image forming lens 12 changes according to the magnification of the recorded image. . In this case, the focus of the condenser lens 24 may be set at the pupil position at an almost average magnification within the variable power range. In addition, if possible in terms of cost and space, the condenser lens 24 may be a zoom lens,
Alternatively, only the condenser lens 24 is configured to be movable in the optical axis L direction, and the condenser lens 2 is always placed at the pupil position of the imaging lens 12.
It may be configured to set the focal point of 4. Slit 1
In the case where the density uniformity in the longitudinal direction of 4a is poor, in order to improve the density uniformity, the position where the light quantity distribution in this direction becomes uniform at the time of zooming where the transmitted light quantity distribution is most deteriorated (usually the pupil position). Alternatively, the focus of the condenser lens 24 may be set.

Further, in the image recording apparatus 10 of the illustrated example, the elliptical mirrors 18a to 18d have a focal point only on the optical axis L at the position of the document G, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The light collecting members such as the elliptical mirrors 18a to 18d may have a plurality of focal points. For example, in the vicinity of the light source 16 of the elliptical mirrors 18a and 18b, more specifically,
By setting the focal point of the portion that reflects the light passing through the vicinity of the condenser lens 24 to the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12 and the others to the original G as in the illustrated example, the light travels substantially along the optical axis L. However, the amount of transmitted light that is incident substantially perpendicularly to the pupil position of the imaging lens 12 may be increased.

Further, in the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, a heat absorbing member may be provided directly below the condenser lens 24, if necessary. Suitable examples of the heat absorbing member include a heat absorbing plate such as HA50 manufactured by HOYA. The arrangement position of the heat absorbing member is not limited to this place.

As described above, the light emitted from the light source 16 is reflected by the reflector 18 or condensed by the condenser lens 24, enters the original G, and is transmitted.
The transmitted light that has passed through the document G is made into long slit light by the aperture 14 in which the slit 14a having the longitudinal direction in the direction orthogonal to the document scanning direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface) is formed. Here, the original G is a photosensitive material A described later.
Original scanning direction corresponding to the scanning direction (direction of arrow a in the figure)
On the other hand, the slit 14a formed in the aperture 14 is elongated in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the document G, and the center of the slit 14a in the scanning direction coincides with the optical axis of the imaging lens 12. Since the aperture 14 is arranged as described above, the document G is the same as the result of slit scanning.

In the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, the means for conveying the original G is not particularly limited, and a holder for holding the original G is used, and this holder is used for screw transmission, winding transmission, belt conveyance, roller conveyance, etc. The document G may be transported by a known means, or the document G may be directly transported by a known sheet-shaped material transportation means such as belt transportation or roller transportation.

The transmitted light that has passed through the slit 14a enters the imaging lens 12, which is a zoom lens, and is, for example, 2
An image is formed on the photosensitive material A after being magnified to a predetermined magnification of 00 to 850%. Since the photosensitive material A is conveyed in a scanning direction shown by an arrow c in FIG. 1 which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slit 14a by a conveying means (not shown), it is entirely slit-scanned and exposed by the slit-like transmitted light, and the original document is scanned. The image of G is exposed on the photosensitive material A. Here, as described above, in the image recording apparatus 10 according to the present invention, since a large amount of light is vertically incident on the document G, a high amount of transmitted light is incident on the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12, Image recording with good light efficiency is possible.

As the imaging lens 12, the original G is 135
When the size is small, it is preferable to use the zoom lens as shown in the figure in view of the size of the recorded image, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is an imaging lens with a fixed magnification. May be. Further, the conveying means for the photosensitive material A is not particularly limited, and any known sheet-like material conveying means used as a photosensitive material conveying means for an ordinary image recording apparatus such as belt conveying and roller conveying can be used. .

In the image recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the focus of the condenser lens 24 is set at the pupil position of the imaging lens 12, but the present invention can use various aspects other than this. is there. For example, as in the image recording device 28 shown in FIG. 2, the focal point of the condenser lens 26 is substantially the same as the focal point of the condenser member such as the elliptical mirror 18a of the reflector 18 (on the optical axis L in the illustrated example). It may be set to the position of the document G).

Not only the image recording device 28 shown in FIG. 2 but also the image recording device according to the present invention shown below is similar to the above-described image recording device 10 in many points such as members and configurations. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same members,
The following description mainly focuses on the different parts.

In this mode in which the condensing member such as the elliptical mirror 18a and the condensing lens 26 both have the focal point on the original G, the shaded portion in the figure is condensed by the condensing lens 26 to form an image. It is a light component incident on the entrance pupil of the lens 12, and the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12 is used slightly wider than that of the image recording apparatus 10 described above. Therefore, the contrast of the recorded image is slightly lowered, and an image having a soft feeling can be obtained. In the image recording device 28 shown in FIG. 2, various kinds of condenser lenses 26 similar to those of the image recording device 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be used.

In the image recording apparatus described above, the number of condenser lenses is one (one), but in the present invention,
The number of condenser lenses is not limited to one, but a plurality of condenser lenses are arranged in series,
The light flux in a wide range may be narrowed down and condensed on the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12. FIG. 3 conceptually shows an example of the image recording apparatus having such a configuration.

The image recording device 40 shown in FIG. 3 has a concave lens 44 in addition to the image recording device 28 shown in FIG. 2 and has a condenser lens 26 and a concave lens 44. Make up.

The condenser lens 26 is a convex lens and has a focal point at the position of the original G on the optical axis L as described above. On the other hand, the concave lens 44 is arranged with its optical axis aligned with the optical axis L,
The focus of the light condensed by the condenser lens 26 is extended and condensed at the pupil position of the imaging lens 12. Here, the concave lens 44 has a slightly larger size than the condensed light from the condensing lens 26, and originally a part of the reflected light from the elliptical mirror 18a or the like that condenses the original G (in the vicinity of the optical axis L). (Light) is extended and these lights are also condensed on the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12. Therefore, in the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3, more light can be made incident on the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12, and image recording can be performed with better light efficiency.

In the image recording apparatus 40 of FIG. 3, as the concave lens 44, a hyperboloid concave to the light source 16 side, a hyperboloid aspherical lens convex to the opposite side, or a cylindrical lens concave to the opposite side on one side can be used. .

Further, in such an embodiment in which the condenser lens is composed of a plurality of lenses, the focus of the convex lens arranged on the light source 16 side is the pupil position of the imaging lens 12, and the concave lens arranged on the original G side. The central portion of the reflector 18 is hollowed out, and the convergent light from the convex lens is allowed to pass through.
A configuration may be adopted in which only the light condensed by the (elliptical mirror) and incident on the concave lens is incident on the pupil position of the imaging lens 12. This is advantageous in terms of lens aberration, absorption and reflection of glass, and the like.

In the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention described above, the light from the light source 16 is reflected by the elliptical mirror 18.
Although the light is condensed by light collecting members such as a and 18b, in the second aspect of the present invention, the light from the light source 16 is formed into parallel light by a parallel light member such as a parabolic mirror. . FIG. 4 shows a conceptual diagram of an example of the image recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention.

In the image recording apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 4, the reflector 32 has two parabolic mirrors 32a which are elongated in the same direction as the light sources 16 arranged so as to sandwich the light source 16.
And 32b, and the light source 16 disposed above the light source 16.
And a circular mirror 32c elongated in the same direction.
The parabolic mirrors 32a and 32b are parallel light members that reflect the light emitted from the light source 16 and make the light parallel to the optical axis L. Further, the circular mirror 32c has a focal point at the center of the light source 16 as in the image recording apparatus 10 described above. In addition,
In the image recording device 30 having this configuration, it is preferable that the heat absorbing member is arranged immediately after the reflector 32.

Below the reflector 32, the light adjusting means 22 is provided.
And a condenser Fresnel lens 34 as a parallel light condenser lens is disposed below the light adjusting means 22.
In the illustrated example, the converging Fresnel lens 34 is arranged such that its optical axis coincides with the optical axis L and has a focus at the position of the original G on the optical axis L (condensing Fresnel lens 3
The document G is arranged at the focal position of 4). That is, the document in this arrangement, instead of focusing light from the light source 16 to the diffusion plate by the reflector 32, the light from the light source 16 as parallel light by the reflector 32, the parallel light by the condenser Fresnel lens 34 Focus on G.

Here, in the image recording apparatus 30 of the illustrated example,
A collimator lens 36 is arranged between the condenser Fresnel lens 34 and the light source 16. Collimating lens 36
Is arranged in the vicinity of the light source 16 with its optical axis aligned with the optical axis L, and collects the light (divergent light) directed from the light source 16 directly to the original G direction without entering the reflector 32, and the optical axis L And parallel light.

The image recording apparatus 30 of the illustrated example has such a collimating lens 36, so that the light that has been diverged and wasted conventionally is condensed from the light source 16 directly toward the original G direction. , Enters the condenser Fresnel lens 34 as light near the optical axis L and parallel to the optical axis L. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of light that is condensed by the condensing Fresnel lens 34 and that is incident on the document G substantially vertically in the optical path that is substantially along the optical axis L, and is the light component that is incident on the entrance pupil of the imaging lens 12. That is, the light component (transmitted light) that contributes to the exposure can be increased. With this configuration, since a lens having a relatively wide angle of view can be used as the collimator lens 36,
For example, when the angle of view of the collimator lens 36 is about 70 °, the light source 16 including the light reflected by the circular reflector 32c is included.
About 140 ° of the light emitted from the light impinges on the original G almost vertically, and the light efficiency can be greatly improved. Further, similarly to the image recording apparatus 10 and the like described above, the light condensed by the condensing Fresnel lens 34 is incident on the original G obliquely, so that the same effect as the diffused light by the diffusion plate is exerted, and the original G of the original G is displayed. It is possible to realize high-quality image recording in which scratches and dust are not noticeable.

As the collimator lens 36, various lenses can be used, but preferably, the circle on the light source 16 side,
By using an aspherical lens having an ellipsoidal surface on the opposite side, aberration can be suppressed and light can be condensed on the diffusion plate 20 extremely efficiently. Although the efficiency is slightly lower than that of the aspherical lens, a so-called cylindrical lens having a flat surface on one side and a cylindrical surface or an ellipsoidal surface on the other side can also be suitably used, and the light efficiency can be improved at low cost. .

Further, like the image recording apparatus 10 described above, in order to achieve better light efficiency, the collimating lens 3 is used.
The optical axis of 6 is preferably coincident with or near the optical axis L, and is preferably arranged near the light source 16.

In the illustrated example, the converging Fresnel lens 34 is used as the collimating light converging lens, but in the present invention, in addition to the Fresnel lens, a normal lens may be used as the collimating light condensing lens. .

In the case where the image recording apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 4 has a portion where the light becomes parallel light in the optical path, it is preferable to dispose the light adjusting means 22 at the portion where the light becomes parallel light. With this configuration,
Light can be vertically incident on each optical member, each optical member works well in design characteristics, and each optical member can stably exhibit its performance. This effect is particularly large when an interference filter in which an interference filter layer is formed by vapor deposition on a transparent substrate such as a glass plate is used as an optical member such as a color filter or an ND filter.

Each image recording apparatus of the present invention described above is
Although the original G has a focal point such as the reflector 18 and the condenser lens 24, at the focal position of the original G, the distribution of the relative light intensity P (θ) with respect to the incident angle θ of the light is a direction perpendicular to the original G surface. When P is 0 degrees, P (θ) = cos θ
It is preferable to configure so that With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the light amount distribution on the original G and perform high-quality image recording in which scratches and dust on the original G are less noticeable.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention described above, an optical path changing mirror is arranged in the optical path from the light source to the photosensitive material, if necessary.
The optical axis L of 2 may be bent to reduce the size of the entire image recording apparatus. In particular, by making the angle formed by the incident optical axis and the outgoing optical axis to the mirror for changing the optical path less than 90 °, that is, by making the bending angle of the optical axis an acute angle, the effect of downsizing the device is further improved. It can be satisfactorily obtained.

As the mirror for changing the optical path, any of various known mirrors can be used, but it is particularly preferable to use a so-called cold mirror that reflects visible light and transmits infrared light. . By using the cold mirror, it is possible to suitably prevent the light receiving material such as the light sensitive material from being unnecessarily exposed to infrared rays, and it is possible to carry out image recording with higher image quality. Further, by making the mirror for changing the optical path an elliptical surface or a parabolic surface, it is possible to further improve the light collecting efficiency and further improve the light efficiency.

Although the image recording apparatus of the present invention has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course it's good. For example, in each of the image recording devices described above, the light from the light source is condensed or collimated by a mirror, but the light from the light source may be condensed or collimated by a lens such as a Fresnel lens. Further, although each of the above-mentioned image recording apparatuses uses the slit scanning exposure of the moving document type, the so-called slit scanning exposure of the light source moving type can also be suitably used in the present invention. Further, although each of the above-described image recording devices records an image by slit scanning exposure,
Even if the transmitted light is made into a spot shape such as a rectangle and the light receiving material and the original or the optical system of the image recording apparatus of the present invention is two-dimensionally moved, the image receiving material is two-dimensionally scanned to record an image. Good.

[0084]

As described in detail above, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to record a high-quality image without conspicuous scratches and dust on a transparent original without using a diffusion plate. Moreover, since a sufficient amount of transmitted light can be secured with good light efficiency, good image recording can be performed even if the transparent original is a negative film that is overexposed. Moreover, the structure is simple in that the diffuser plate is removed from the conventional device and one lens is added, and it is possible to realize rapid image recording without the need to extend the exposure time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of an image recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing another example of the image recording apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing another example of the image recording apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of an image recording apparatus of a second aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing a conventional image recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 28, 30, 40, 100 Image recording device 12, 110 Imaging lens 14, 108 Aperture 14a, 108a Slit 16 102 Light source 18, 44, 52, 112 Reflector 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 112a, 112b
Elliptical mirrors 18e, 32c, 112c Circular mirrors 20, 106 Diffusers 22, 104 Light adjusting means 22C Cyan filter 22M Magenta filter 22Y Yellow filter 22D Light quantity adjusting means 24, 26 Condensing lenses 32a, 32b Parabolic mirror 34 Condensing Fresnel lens 36 Collimate lens 44 Concave lens

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus which scans a transparent original with light from a light source and forms an image of the transmitted light of the transparent original on a light receiving material by an imaging lens, the image recording apparatus having a focus on the transparent original. A reflecting and condensing member that reflects and condenses at least a part of the light of the light source, and condenses the direct light from the light source that is disposed between the light source and the transmissive original and does not enter the reflecting and condensing member. Has a condenser lens
Then, the condensed light condensed by the condensing lens is transferred to the image forming laser.
The light path along the optical axis of the lens enters the transparent document almost perpendicularly.
The light reflected by the reflecting and condensing member is reflected on the optical axis of the imaging lens.
An image recording apparatus characterized in that it is incident on the transparent original obliquely with respect to the above . 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condenser lens has a focal point at a pupil position of the imaging lens. 3. An image recording apparatus which scans a transparent original with light from a light source and forms an image of the transmitted light of the transparent original on a light receiving material by an imaging lens, wherein at least a part of the light from the light source is used. A parallel light member that reflects parallel light, a collimator lens or collimator mirror that converts the direct light from the light source into parallel light that does not enter the parallel light member, and a parallel light condensing lens that collects the parallel light. Yes, and the collimating lens or the collimating mirror
The parallel light is condensed by the parallel light condensing lens according to
An optical path along the optical axis of the imaging lens allows the transparent original to pass through.
The parallel light from the parallel light member to the parallel light condensing lens.
The transmission original is obliquely arranged with respect to the optical axis of the imaging lens.
An image recording device characterized by being incident on 4. The parallel light focusing lens has different focal points in the vicinity of the optical axis of the imaging lens and other portions, and the focal point in the vicinity of the optical axis of the imaging lens is the pupil of the imaging lens. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image is a position and the focus of another portion is the transparent original.