JP3587079B2 - Printing apparatus and photographic processing apparatus provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that is provided in a photographic printer, for example, and prints an image on photographic paper by performing scanning exposure using a light modulation element such as PLZT, and a photographic processing apparatus including the printing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various printing apparatuses called digital line exposure devices have been proposed. This type of printing apparatus captures a film image or the like as image data, exposes photographic paper by scanning exposure according to the captured image data, and records an image.
[0003]
An example of such a conventional printing apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus includes a light source 51, a light control filter unit 52, a color wheel 53, an optical fiber bundle 54, and an exposure head 55.
[0004]
The light source 51 is configured by a lamp that emits white light such as a halogen lamp. The light control filter unit 52 has a light control filter corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). The light emitted from the light source 51 is adjusted by appropriately inserting these dimming filters on the optical path.
[0005]
The color wheel 53 includes a disk-shaped wheel, and three substantially fan-shaped filters corresponding to red, green, and blue, respectively, are provided in a region radially divided into three from the center thereof. Has become. The light from the light source 51 is rotated about a rotation axis so that the light can pass through any of the regions of the filter.
[0006]
The optical fiber bundle 54 guides light transmitted through the color wheel 53 to the exposure head 55. The optical fiber bundle 54 is composed of a large number of optical fibers, guides light, and converts a spot-shaped light region into a plurality of linearly arranged point light sources.
[0007]
The exposure head 55 has a configuration including a PLZT 56 and a selfoc lens array 57. The PLZT 56 is obtained by disposing a PLZT element, which is a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material, between a pair of polarizing plates (a polarizer and an analyzer). The PLZT 56 is provided with a shutter unit for controlling transmission and blocking of light from the light source 51. Each shutter unit is provided in one or more rows in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the photographic paper 58 is transported. Are provided in a straight line. The optical fibers constituting the optical fiber bundle 54 are connected to the light incident side of each shutter section, and light from the light source 51 is incident on each shutter section via this optical fiber. When a drive voltage is applied to a shutter portion at a position corresponding to each pixel according to image data, the linearly polarized light by the polarizer is modulated in its polarization state when passing through the PLZT element, and the polarization of the analyzer is changed. Only light components parallel to the axial direction are emitted from the analyzer.
[0008]
The SELFOC lens array 57 is provided on the light emission side of the PLZT 56, and a plurality of SELFOC lenses are linearly arranged in one row or two or more rows in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the photographic paper 58. Configuration. The SELFOC lens is a cylindrical lens made of, for example, glass or the like, and is configured so that the refractive index is the largest at the center and gradually decreases toward the periphery. By the SELFOC lens array 57, the image displayed by the PLZT 56 is formed on the photographic paper 58 in one-to-one correspondence.
[0009]
The printing operation of the printing apparatus having the above configuration is as follows. Image data obtained by reading a film such as a negative / positive film or a reflection original, or image data created by a PC (Personal Computer) or the like is sent to the PLZT 56 from a control unit (not shown). The PLZT 56 is driven based on the sent image data, and exposes the photographic paper 58 with light from the light source 51 sent via the optical fiber bundle 54. As described above, in the PLZT 56, a plurality of dots are linearly provided in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the photographic paper 58, and during the exposure operation, the photographic paper 58 is transported at a speed synchronized with the driving of the PLZT 56, Printing is performed by a scanning exposure method.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the PLZT 56, the light quantity distribution in each dot (shutter portion) of the PLZT 56, and the state of the image printed on the photographic paper 58 by each dot of the PLZT 56. The PLZT 56 shown in FIG. 16 has a configuration in which dots are alternately arranged in two rows. According to this configuration, it is possible to expose the image printed on the photographic paper 58 so that the ends of adjacent pixels overlap each other. This is to prevent a gap as an unexposed portion from being generated between adjacent pixels in an image printed on the printing paper 58. Such a gap as an unexposed portion is very conspicuous in a printed image, and significantly deteriorates image quality.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 16, in the image printed on the photographic paper 58, uneven stripes occur due to the variation in the overlap of the ends of adjacent pixels. Such uneven stripe unevenness is caused by the positional accuracy of each dot in the PLZT 56 or the uneven light amount distribution of each dot. If such uneven unevenness occurs in the print image, the image quality is degraded.
[0012]
It is generally impossible to adjust the amount of overlap between the ends of adjacent pixels, and it depends on the processing accuracy when forming each dot in the PLZT 56. Therefore, in order to make the overlap amount uniform, the processing accuracy when forming each dot of the PLZT 56 is increased. However, in order to increase the processing accuracy, it is necessary to use an expensive machine tool, and the processing time also increases. That is, since the production cost increases, there is a problem that the cost of the PLZT 56 itself increases.
[0013]
Further, in order to adjust the amount of overlap between the ends of adjacent pixels, for example, a mechanism for finely adjusting the position of each row in the main scanning direction with respect to the dots arranged in two rows in the above PLZT 56 is provided. A configuration is also conceivable. However, a mechanism for performing such fine adjustment needs to be capable of performing extremely precise adjustment, which leads to an increase in cost. Further, in the adjustment mechanism as described above, since the dots of one row are moved collectively, it is impossible to perform the adjustment for each dot, and it is necessary to completely remove uneven stripes. Can not.
[0014]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to remove uneven unevenness that occurs when printing an image on a photosensitive material by scanning exposure, thereby achieving high quality printing. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of outputting an image and a photographic processing apparatus having the printing apparatus.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printing apparatus according to claim 1 is a printing apparatus that prints an image on a photosensitive material by scanning exposure, and outputs light from the light source according to a light source and image information. A light modulating means for modulating each pixel and irradiating the photosensitive material with light; and a light amount correction for changing a light amount distribution per pixel for each pixel with respect to light irradiated from the light source onto the photosensitive material. With means The light amount correction means changes the amount of phase difference generated in each pixel according to the angle of incidence of light and controls the amount of phase difference generated. It is characterized by that.
[0016]
According to the above configuration, the light amount correction unit can change the light amount distribution for each pixel with respect to the light emitted from the light source onto the photosensitive material. Variations in the overlap of the ends of the pixels can be made uniform. Therefore, it is possible to remove uneven stripe unevenness due to variation in the overlap of the ends of adjacent pixels, and to provide a high quality print image.
[0017]
Further, even when the light amount is uneven among the pixels, the light amount can be made uniform for all the pixels by adjusting the light amount for each pixel by the light amount correction unit. .
[0019]
Also, According to the above configuration, the light amount correction unit can change the amount of phase difference generated in each pixel according to the incident angle of light and can control the amount of phase difference generated. By using an element or the like, it is possible to easily and inexpensively realize a configuration capable of changing the light quantity distribution for each pixel.
[0020]
Claim 2 The printing apparatus described in the first aspect is characterized in that the printing apparatus further includes a projection unit that projects light emitted from the light modulation unit onto the photosensitive material.
[0021]
According to the above configuration, since the light emitted from the light modulating means is irradiated onto the photosensitive material via the projecting means, it is not necessary to bring the light modulating means into contact with the photosensitive material. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of causing a scratch or the like on the photosensitive material.
[0022]
In addition, by providing the projection unit, the state of each pixel in the image printed on the photosensitive material can be accurately controlled. Therefore, it is possible to provide a high-quality print image without blurring of pixels.
[0023]
Claim 3 The printing device described in the claims 2 In the configuration described above, the projection unit is a microlens array in which a plurality of microlenses corresponding to each pixel are formed on a transparent substrate.
[0024]
According to the above configuration, since the light emitted from the light modulating means is projected onto the photosensitive material via the microlens, for example, there is a certain distance between each pixel in the light modulating element. Even if there is a gap, a gap as an unexposed portion can be prevented from being generated between pixels of an image exposed on the photosensitive material.
[0025]
Claim 4 The printing device described in the claims 2 In the configuration described above, the projection unit is a selfoc lens array including a plurality of selfoc lenses.
[0026]
According to the above configuration, since the selfoc lens is used as the projection means, the positional relationship between the light emission point of the light modulation element and the image formation point formed on the photosensitive material has a one-to-one correspondence. Can be done. Therefore, the image light displayed on the light modulation element according to the image information can be faithfully printed on the photosensitive material.
[0027]
Claim 5 The photographic processing apparatus described in claims 1 to 4 A developing unit for performing a developing process by immersing a photosensitive material printed by the above-described printing device in various developing solutions, and a photosensitive material subjected to the developing process in the developing unit And a drying unit for drying the water.
[0028]
According to the above configuration, the printing, developing, and drying processes for the photosensitive material can be continuously performed under centralized management, so that a large number of photographs can be produced without imposing an operational burden on the user. Can be printed continuously.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[Embodiment 1]
One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0030]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a photographic processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The photographic processing apparatus includes a printing unit (printing device) 1, a paper magazine 2, a developing unit 3, a drying unit 4, and a PC (Personal Computer) 5.
[0031]
The printing unit 1 performs exposure by irradiating a photographic paper as a photosensitive material conveyed from the paper magazine 2 with light according to image information. The developing unit 3 performs a developing process by transporting the photographic paper exposed in the printing unit 1 while immersing the photographic paper in various developing solutions. The drying unit 4 performs the last processing of printing by drying the photographic paper that has been subjected to the development processing in the development unit 3. The PC 5 stores image data of an image to be printed and performs various data processing on the image data.
[0032]
As described above, the photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured to continuously perform the exposure, the development processing, and the drying processing of the photographic paper under the unified management. Therefore, it is possible to continuously print a large number of photographs without putting a burden on the user in operation.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the printing unit 1. At the upper part of the printing unit 1, two paper magazines 2 in which photographic paper is stored in a roll shape are arranged. The photographic papers of different sizes are stored in the paper magazines 2, respectively. By switching these and transporting them, it is possible to correspond to print photographs of two types.
[0034]
The photographic paper conveyed from the paper magazine 2 is conveyed below the printing unit 1 by a conveying roller, and then conveyed again upward, and then discharged from the printing unit 1 to the next developing unit 3. The exposure unit 6 exposes the photographic paper conveyed from the paper magazine 2 to a position below the printing unit 1.
[0035]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the exposure unit 6. The exposure unit 6 includes a light source 7, a light control filter unit 8, a color wheel 9, an optical fiber bundle 10, and an exposure head 11.
[0036]
The light source 7 is configured by a lamp that emits white light such as a halogen lamp. The dimming filter unit 8 has a configuration including dimming filters corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). By appropriately inserting these dimming filters on the optical path, dimming of the light emitted from the light source 7 is performed.
[0037]
The color wheel 9 includes a disc-shaped wheel, and three substantially fan-shaped filters corresponding to red, green, and blue, respectively, are provided in a region radially divided from the center by three. Has become. The light from the light source 7 rotates about a rotation axis so that the light can pass through any of the regions of the filter.
[0038]
The optical fiber bundle 10 guides light transmitted through the color wheel 9 to the exposure head 11. The optical fiber bundle 10 includes a large number of optical fibers, guides light, and converts a spot-shaped light region into a plurality of linearly arranged point light sources.
[0039]
The exposure head 11 has a configuration including a PLZT 12, a correction liquid crystal array (light amount correction means) 13, and a microlens array 14. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the exposure head 11.
[0040]
The PLZT (light modulation element) 12 has a configuration including a PLZT element 20 which is a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material and a polarizing plate 21 arranged on the light emission side of the PLZT element 20. Although a general PLZT has a configuration in which a polarizing plate is also provided on the light incident side of the PLZT element, in the present embodiment, a polarizing plate provided on the light incident side of the correction liquid crystal array 13 is used. 16 functions as a polarizing plate on the incident side.
[0041]
The PLZT element 20 is made of lead zirconate (PbZrO). ₃ ) And lead titanate (PbTiO) ₃ ) And a solid solution in an appropriate ratio (PZT), lanthanum is added and hot-pressed (Pb _1-x La _x ) (Zr _y Ti _1-y ) _{1-x / 4} O ₃ It is composed of a system solid solution.
[0042]
The PLZT element 20 is provided with a plurality of shutter sections for controlling transmission and blocking of incident light corresponding to each pixel, and each of the shutter sections is provided in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing paper 15. They are provided linearly in one row. When a drive voltage according to image data is applied to a shutter portion at a position corresponding to a desired pixel, the incident light is modulated in its polarization state when passing through the PLZT element 20, and the polarization axis of the polarizing plate 21 is changed. Only light components parallel to the direction are emitted.
[0043]
The correction liquid crystal array 13 includes a polarizing plate 16, a pixel substrate 17, a liquid crystal layer holding frame 18, and a transparent electrode substrate 19. The pixel substrate 17 has a configuration in which a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to each pixel and a black matrix for shielding the boundary between pixels and the periphery of each pixel are formed on a translucent substrate. The transparent electrode substrate 19 has a configuration in which a transparent electrode is formed on a translucent substrate. Then, by applying a desired voltage between each pixel electrode and the transparent electrode, the alignment state of the liquid crystal sandwiched between the pixel substrate 17, the liquid crystal layer holding frame 18, and the transparent electrode substrate 19 is changed. .
[0044]
The optical fibers constituting the optical fiber bundle 10 are connected to the light incident side of the liquid crystal array 13 for correction, and light from the light source 7 is incident on each pixel via the optical fibers.
[0045]
The microlens array 14 has a configuration in which a plurality of microlenses corresponding to each shutter portion of the PLZT element 20 are formed on a transparent substrate. Light corresponding to each pixel emitted from the PLZT 12 is projected onto a photographic paper 15 via each microlens in the microlens array 14. As described above, in the PLZT element 20, the shutter portions are provided in a straight line in one row, and there is a certain distance between the adjacent shutter portions. However, as described above, since the light is projected onto the photographic paper 15 via the microlens array 14, between the pixels of the image exposed on the photographic paper 15, there is an unexposed portion. A gap can be prevented from occurring.
[0046]
Next, the function of the correction liquid crystal array 13 will be described. First, a change in polarization due to a phase difference will be described with reference to FIGS. The light in the state of linearly polarized light with a phase difference of 0 (FIG. 6A) becomes elliptically polarized light in which the polarization direction at the time of the phase difference of 0 and the direction of the long axis coincide with the phase difference of π / 4 (FIG. (B)), when the phase difference is π / 2, the light becomes perfectly circularly polarized light (FIG. 6C). When the phase difference is 3π / 4, the polarization direction when the phase difference is 0 and the direction of the long axis become an elliptically polarized light having an angle of 90 ° (FIG. 6D). The linearly polarized light forms an angle of 90 ° with the polarization direction when the phase difference is 0 (FIG. 6E).
[0047]
When no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel LCD, the phase difference of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel LCD changes by π. Therefore, when the liquid crystal panel LCD is set to the normally white mode, that is, the polarization axis of the polarizer on the incident side of the liquid crystal panel LCD and the polarization axis of the polarizer on the output side are at an angle of 90 °. When no voltage is applied, the linearly polarized light transmitted through the polarizer on the incident side of the liquid crystal panel LCD is tilted by 90 ° due to a phase difference of π, and the polarization state is tilted by 90 °. Through the polarizing plate.
[0048]
Next, generation of a phase difference and viewing angle characteristics in the liquid crystal panel will be described. FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram showing viewing angle characteristics in the liquid crystal panel LCD. FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the direction of the viewing angle in FIG. 1C and the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal panel LCD. FIG. 2A is an explanatory view showing the direction of the viewing angle in FIGS. 1C and 1B. It is assumed that the liquid crystal panel LCD is set to the normally white mode as described above.
[0049]
FIG. 5C shows four viewing angle directions with respect to the liquid crystal panel LCD, and the display density of the liquid crystal panel LCD when viewed from each direction. As described above, the liquid crystal panel LCD is in a state where the density is different depending on the viewing direction when the intermediate gradation display is performed. For example, in the figure, it is the brightest at the viewing angle a and the darkest at the viewing angle c. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 5B, for example, the viewing angle a is larger than the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules. As a result, the amount of phase difference generated by the liquid crystal molecules in the direction of the viewing angle a increases, so that the amount of light transmitted through the two polarizing plates increases. Further, for example, the viewing angle c is smaller in angle with respect to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. Therefore, in the light in the viewing angle direction c, the amount of phase difference generated by the liquid crystal molecules is small, and the amount of light transmitted through the two polarizing plates is small. For this reason, the liquid crystal panel LCD has a viewing angle characteristic as shown in FIG.
[0050]
8A and 8B show a cross section of a liquid crystal panel LCD, and FIG. 8A shows a state in which liquid crystal molecules are oriented perpendicular to the panel surface. FIG. 2B shows a state in which the liquid crystal molecules are obliquely aligned with respect to the panel surface.
[0051]
In FIG. 8A, light entering and exiting the liquid crystal panel LCD in the direction of α and light entering and exiting the liquid crystal panel LCD in the direction of β correspond to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. , Both are in a state of making substantially the same angle. In this case, since a similar phase difference occurs between the light in the α direction and the light in the β direction, a light amount difference occurs between the light in the α direction and the light in the β direction on the light emission side. Absent.
[0052]
On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 8B, the light entering and exiting the liquid crystal panel LCD in the direction of α has a relatively large angle with respect to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. On the other hand, the light that enters and exits the liquid crystal panel LCD in the direction of β has a relatively small angle with respect to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. That is, since a relatively large phase difference is generated by the liquid crystal molecules in the light incident in the α direction, the amount of light transmitted through the polarizing plate on the emission side in the α direction increases, while the light incident in the β direction increases. Since the generated phase difference is relatively small, the amount of light transmitted through the exit-side polarizing plate in the β direction is small.
[0053]
As described above, by changing the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal panel LCD, the light amount distribution of the emitted light can be changed. The exposure head 11 in this embodiment changes the exposure distribution of each pixel by utilizing this fact.
[0054]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the photographic paper 15 is exposed by the exposure head 11 and a graph illustrating an exposure amount distribution of one pixel exposed on the photographic paper 15. In FIG. 7, when the liquid crystal corresponding to one pixel of the correction liquid crystal array 13 is in a state as shown in FIG. 8A, the exposure amount distribution is indicated by a broken line in the graph. State. That is, the exposure amount distribution is symmetric with respect to the center of the pixel.
[0055]
Further, when the liquid crystal corresponding to a certain pixel of the correction liquid crystal array 13 is changed to a state as shown in FIG. 8B, a state shown by a solid line in the graph is obtained. That is, with respect to the center of the pixel, the distribution on the right side is larger in the distribution on the right side than on the left side. This is because, in FIG. 8B, the light in the α direction in which the amount of transmitted light increases is radiated to the right side in the pixels on the photographic paper 15, and the light in the β direction in which the amount of transmitted light decreases becomes At the left side.
[0056]
As described above, by changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal corresponding to each pixel in the correction liquid crystal array 13, the exposure distribution of the pixels on the photographic paper 15 can be changed. Utilizing this, in an image to be printed on the photographic paper 15, uneven stripe unevenness caused by uneven overlapping of the ends of adjacent pixels is reduced.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 4, the exposure head 11 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which one polarizing plate 16 and one polarizing plate 21 are disposed on the light incident side and the light emitting side of the exposure head 11, respectively. . Therefore, the light transmitted through the correction liquid crystal array 13 is incident on the PLZT 12 with only its phase difference changed, and then has a viewing angle characteristic when passing through the polarizing plate 21 on the emission side. On the other hand, a configuration in which a polarizing plate is further provided on the emission side of the correction liquid crystal array 13 may be adopted. In this case, light having a viewing angle characteristic is incident on the PLZT 12.
[0058]
9A and 9B show the exposure amount distribution of each pixel and the state of the image on the photographic paper 15 corresponding to each pixel. FIG. 9A shows the case where the exposure amount distribution is adjusted. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the exposure amount distribution is adjusted, respectively. In the state illustrated in FIG. 9A, uneven stripes are generated due to the overlapping of the ends of adjacent pixels. When it is confirmed that such uneven stripe unevenness occurs, the exposure amount distribution is adjusted for the middle pixel in FIG. 9A as shown in FIG. 9B. . This adjustment is performed by appropriately applying a voltage to the liquid crystal corresponding to the corresponding pixel in the correction liquid crystal array 13 to change the alignment state, as described above.
[0059]
In the example shown in FIG. 9A, in the middle pixel, the amount of overlap with the pixel on the left is greater than the amount of overlap with the pixel on the right. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the exposure amount distribution of the middle pixel is changed so that the orientation of the liquid crystal corresponding to the middle pixel in the correction liquid crystal array 13 is adjusted so that the light amount is larger in the right region. By performing the adjustment, in the middle pixel, the amount of light at the overlapping portion with the left pixel can be reduced, and the amount of light at the overlapping portion with the right pixel can be increased. This makes it possible to make the line unevenness substantially uniform.
[0060]
In the above description, in the image printed on the photographic paper 15, an example has been described in which the uneven stripe unevenness caused by the overlapping of the ends of the adjacent pixels is reduced. Even in the case where a portion where the density is low occurs between the pixels, similarly to the above, it is possible to increase the density of the portion where the density is low by adjusting the exposure distribution of the corresponding pixel. is there.
[0061]
Further, even when there is a difference in the light amount between the pixels in the PLZT 12, the correction can be performed by controlling the light transmission amount by the correction liquid crystal array 13, respectively. That is, in addition to such control of the amount of light transmission for each pixel, it is also possible to control the uniformity of the overlap of the ends of adjacent pixels as described above. At the same time, uneven unevenness due to variation in the overlap of the ends of adjacent pixels can be eliminated.
[0062]
As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the light amount distribution of each pixel can be changed by the correction liquid crystal array 13 with respect to the light irradiated on the photographic paper 15. In addition, it is possible to make uniform the variation in the overlap between the ends of the adjacent pixels, which occurs at the time of scanning exposure. Therefore, it is possible to remove uneven stripe unevenness due to variation in the overlap of the ends of adjacent pixels, and to provide a high quality print image.
[0063]
Further, as described above, the correction liquid crystal array 13 is used as a configuration for adjusting the overlapping amount of the end portions of the adjacent pixels, and such a correction liquid crystal array 13 is structurally and cost-effective. Has a relatively simple configuration. On the other hand, for example, as shown in the related art, a configuration in which a mechanism for finely adjusting the position of each row in the main scanning direction with respect to dots arranged in two rows in PLZT is extremely precise. It is necessary to be able to perform the adjustment, which leads to a complicated configuration and an increase in cost. That is, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily and inexpensively realize a configuration capable of changing the light amount distribution for each pixel.
[0064]
[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0065]
As described with reference to FIG. 2 in the first embodiment, the photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a printing unit 1, a paper magazine 2, a developing unit 3, a drying unit 4, and a PC (Personal Computer) 5. It is provided with a configuration. The paper magazine 2, the developing unit 3, the drying unit 4, and the PC (Personal Computer) 5 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0066]
The schematic configuration of the printing unit 1 is also the same as the configuration described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG.
[0067]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the exposure unit 6 in the present embodiment. The exposure unit 6 includes a light source 7, a light control filter unit 8, a color wheel 9, an optical fiber bundle 10, and an exposure head 11. The light source 7, the dimming filter unit 8, the color wheel 9, and the optical fiber bundle 10 have substantially the same configuration as in the first embodiment.
[0068]
The exposure head 11 includes a PLZT 22, a correction liquid crystal array 23, and a selfoc lens array 24. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the exposure head 11.
[0069]
The PLZT 22 has a configuration including a PLZT element 29 which is a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material, and a polarizing plate 30 disposed on the light emission side of the PLZT element 29. Note that a general PLZT has a configuration in which a polarizing plate is also provided on the light incident side of the PLZT element. However, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the light The polarizing plate 25 provided on the incident side performs the function of the polarizing plate on the incident side.
[0070]
Further, the PLZT element 29 is provided with a plurality of shutter sections for controlling transmission and blocking of incident light corresponding to each pixel, and each shutter section is provided in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing paper 15. It is configured to be alternately arranged in two rows. According to this configuration, it is possible to expose the image printed on the photographic paper 15 so that the ends of adjacent pixels overlap each other. This is to prevent a gap as an unexposed portion from occurring between adjacent pixels in an image printed on the printing paper 15.
[0071]
In the PLZT element 29 having such a configuration, when a drive voltage corresponding to image data is applied to the shutter portion at a position corresponding to a desired pixel, the incident light changes its polarization state when passing through the PLZT element 29. Then, only the light component parallel to the polarization axis direction of the polarizing plate 25 is emitted.
[0072]
The correction liquid crystal array 23 includes a polarizing plate 25, a pixel substrate 26, a liquid crystal layer holding frame 27, and a transparent electrode substrate 28. The pixel substrate 26 has a configuration in which a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to each pixel and a black matrix for shielding a boundary between pixels and a periphery of each pixel are formed on a light-transmitting substrate. The transparent electrode substrate 28 has a configuration in which a transparent electrode is formed on a translucent substrate. Then, by applying a desired voltage between each pixel electrode and the transparent electrode, the alignment state of the liquid crystal sandwiched between the pixel substrate 26, the liquid crystal layer holding frame 27, and the transparent electrode substrate 28 is changed. .
[0073]
The optical fibers constituting the optical fiber bundle 10 are connected to the light incident side of the correction liquid crystal array 23, and light from the light source 7 is incident on each pixel via the optical fibers.
[0074]
The selfoc lens array 24 has a configuration in which a plurality of selfoc lenses 31 are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the photographic paper 15 is conveyed. Light corresponding to each pixel emitted from the PLZT 22 is projected onto the photographic paper 15 via each Selfoc lens 31 in the Selfoc lens array 24.
[0075]
Here, the selfoc lens 31 will be described. The SELFOC lens 31 is a solid lens having a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. As shown in the graph of the refractive index distribution shown on the right side of FIG. 12, the SELFOC lens 31 has a refractive index that increases toward the center in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder. When light enters from one end face of such a SELFOC lens 31, it travels inside the SELFOC lens 31 while meandering at a constant cycle as shown by a dashed line in FIG.
[0076]
FIGS. 13A to 13F are explanatory diagrams showing the state of the image forming light beam when two Selfoc lenses 31 are arranged side by side. As shown in these figures, light emitted from a certain point on the light emitting surface is focused on a certain point on the imaging surface, and its position is not changed. That is, the position of the light emitting point and the position of the image forming point correspond one-to-one without being affected by the relative position between the light emitting point and the Selfoc lens 31.
[0077]
In FIGS. 13A to 13F, the main light direction (representative light) at each of the light emitting point and the image forming point is indicated by arrows on the left side of the light emitting surface and the right side of the image forming plane. Indicated by. 13E and 13F, the size of the pixel is virtually shown on the light emitting surface. The light emitted from the upper edge and the lower edge of this pixel is composed of representative light having different directions. This difference in the direction of the representative light is applied similarly to the method of controlling the amount of phase difference generation in the α and β directions described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. Is the principle of That is, since the directions of the luminous flux mainly used for printing are different at both ends of the pixel, the amount of phase difference is controlled by appropriately controlling the orientation of the liquid crystal of the correction liquid crystal array 23. Is controlled.
[0078]
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a light amount distribution on an exposure surface and a light amount variation according to a position on the exposure surface in a state where a plurality of selfoc lenses 31 are arranged side by side. As shown in FIG. 14, for a certain point on the exposure surface, the proportion of light from the SELFOC lens 31 closest to that point is the largest, and the proportion of light from the SELFOC lens 31 adjacent to that point. Is decreasing. However, due to the influence of the light from the adjacent SELFOC lens 31, the light exposure unevenness occurs on the exposure surface in synchronization with the arrangement interval of the SELFOC lens 31.
[0079]
The diameter of the SELFOC lens 31 is usually on the order of 1 mm, whereas the size of the pixel in the PLZT 22 is on the order of 0.1 mm. In other words, the light of one entire pixel is predominantly provided by one selfoc lens.
[0080]
As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, since the light from the PLZT 22 is projected onto the photographic paper 15 by using the selfoc lens 31, the light emission point in the PLZT 22 and the photographic paper 15 It is possible to make one-to-one correspondence with the positional relationship with the imaging point formed on the upper side. Therefore, the image light displayed on the PLZT 22 according to the image information can be faithfully printed on the printing paper 15.
[0081]
In the first and second embodiments, examples in which transmissive liquid crystals are used as the correction liquid crystal arrays 13 and 23 have been described. However, reflective liquid crystals can also be used. Although an example using PLZT12 / 22 as a print head has been described, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) array, a VF (Vacuum Fluorescent) array, an EL (Electroluminescence) array, a flat CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) array, and the like. It is also possible to use a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) array, a plasma array, or the like.
[0082]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints an image on a photosensitive material by scanning exposure, and outputs light from the light source to each pixel according to a light source and image information. A light modulating unit that irradiates the light on the photosensitive material by modulating each light, and a light amount correcting unit that changes a light amount distribution per pixel for each pixel with respect to light irradiated from the light source onto the photosensitive material. With The light amount correction means changes the amount of phase difference generated in each pixel according to the angle of incidence of light and controls the amount of phase difference generated. Configuration.
[0083]
Thereby, for example, there is an effect that the variation in the overlap between the ends of the adjacent pixels, which occurs at the time of scanning exposure, can be made uniform. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate uneven stripe unevenness due to variation in the overlap of the ends of adjacent pixels, and it is possible to provide a high-quality print image.
[0084]
Further, even when the light amount is non-uniform between the pixels, the light amount of all the pixels can be made uniform by adjusting the light amount for each pixel by the light amount correction unit. This has the effect.
[0086]
Also, the above In addition to the effects, for example, by using a liquid crystal element or the like, it is possible to easily realize a configuration capable of changing the light amount distribution for each pixel.
[0087]
Claim 2 The printing apparatus according to the present invention further comprises projection means for projecting the light emitted from the light modulation means onto the photosensitive material.
[0088]
Thus, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, there is no need to contact the light modulating means with the photosensitive material, so that there is no danger that the photosensitive material may be damaged. Play.
[0089]
In addition, by providing the projection means, the state of each pixel can be accurately controlled in an image printed on a photosensitive material, so that a high-quality print image free of pixel bleeding or the like can be provided. To play.
[0090]
Claim 3 In the printing apparatus according to the invention, the projection means is a microlens array in which a plurality of microlenses corresponding to each pixel are formed on a transparent substrate.
[0091]
As a result, the claims 2 In addition to the effect of the configuration described above, for example, even if there is a certain interval between the pixels in the light modulation element, the unexposed portions are between the pixels of the image exposed on the photosensitive material. There is an effect that a gap as a part can be prevented from being generated.
[0092]
Claim 4 In the printing apparatus according to the invention, the projection means may be a selfoc lens array including a plurality of selfoc lenses.
[0093]
As a result, the claims 2 In addition to the effect of the configuration described above, the light emitting point of the light modulation element and the image forming point formed on the photosensitive material can be in one-to-one correspondence with each other. The image light displayed on the light modulation element can be faithfully printed on the photosensitive material.
[0094]
Claim 5 The photographic processing apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 4 And a developing section for performing a developing process by immersing the photosensitive material, which has been printed by the above-described printing apparatus, in various developing solutions, and a photosensitive material subjected to the developing process in the developing section. And a drying unit for drying the.
[0095]
As a result, the printing, developing, and drying processes on the photosensitive material can be performed continuously under centralized management, so that a large number of photographs can be continuously printed without imposing an operational burden on the user. It has the effect that it can be done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an exposure unit provided in a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the photographic processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a printing unit provided in the photographic processing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an exposure head provided in the exposure unit.
FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram showing viewing angle characteristics in the liquid crystal panel. FIG. 5B is a view showing the viewing angle direction in FIG. 5C and the orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal panel. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing the direction of the viewing angle in FIGS. 4C and 4B.
FIG. 6
FIGS. 7A to 7E are explanatory diagrams showing changes in the polarization state due to the phase difference.
.
FIG. 7
Schematic diagram showing the state when photographic paper is exposed by the exposure head, and photographic paper
9 is a graph showing an exposure amount distribution of one pixel to be exposed.
FIG. 8
FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing a cross section of the liquid crystal panel.
a) shows a state in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned perpendicular to the panel surface,
FIG. 3B shows a state where the liquid crystal molecules are obliquely aligned with respect to the panel surface.
I have.
FIG. 9
FIGS. 7A and 7B show the exposure amount distribution of each pixel and the corresponding prints.
FIG. 3A shows the state of an image on paper, and FIG. 3A does not adjust the exposure amount distribution.
FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the exposure amount distribution is adjusted.
.
FIG. 10
4 shows a schematic configuration of an exposure unit provided in a photographic processing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view.
FIG. 11
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an exposure head in the exposure section.
FIG.
Front and side sectional views of a SELFOC lens, and a graph of a refractive index distribution
It is.
FIG. 13
FIGS. 7A to 7F show the results when two selfoc lenses are arranged side by side.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of an image light beam.
FIG. 14
In the state where a plurality of Selfoc lenses are arranged side by side, the light amount distribution on the exposure surface,
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a light amount variation according to a position on an exposure surface.
FIG.
It is a perspective view showing the schematic structure of the conventional printing device.
FIG.
PLZT in a conventional printing apparatus, light quantity distribution in each dot of PLZT,
And the state of the image printed on the printing paper by each dot of PLZT.
FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printing unit (printing device)
2 Paper Magazine
3 Developing section
4 Drying section
5 PC
6 Exposure section
7 Light source
8 Dimming filter unit
9 color wheel
10 Optical fiber bundle
11 Exposure head
12.22 PLZT (light modulation element)
13.23 Liquid crystal array for correction (light amount correction means)
14 Micro lens array
15 photographic paper (photosensitive material)
16.21.25.30 Polarizing plate
17.26 pixel substrate
18.27 Liquid crystal layer holding frame
19.28 Transparent electrode substrate
20 ・ 29 PLZT element
24 Selfoc lens array
31 Selfoc lens

Claims (5)

A printing apparatus for printing an image on a photosensitive material by scanning exposure,
A light source,
In accordance with image information, light modulation means for modulating light from the light source for each pixel and irradiating the photosensitive material,
Light amount correcting means for changing a light amount distribution per pixel for each pixel with respect to light emitted from the light source onto the photosensitive material ,
The light quantity correction means, in each pixel, depending on the angle at which the light is incident with changing the generation amount of the phase difference, printing apparatus characterized that you control the generation amount of the phase difference. Printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitted from the light modulating means, characterized that you have further comprising a projection means for projecting onto the photosensitive material. It said projection means is on a transparent substrate, printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the micro-lenses corresponding to each pixel is characterized by a microlens array der Rukoto which are plurally formed. 3. A printing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said projection means is a selfoc lens array comprising a plurality of selfoc lenses . A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A developing unit that performs a developing process by immersing the photosensitive material that has been baked by the printing device in various developing solutions;
A photographic processing apparatus comprising: a drying section for drying the photosensitive material that has been subjected to the development processing in the development section.

Images