JP3727448B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of an image recording apparatus that records a latent image by exposing a photosensitive material by scanning exposure.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, printing of images taken on photographic films (hereinafter referred to as films) such as negative films and reversal films onto photosensitive materials (printing paper) is performed by making the projection light of the film incident on the photosensitive material. In this method, the photosensitive material is subjected to surface exposure, so-called direct (analog) exposure.
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus using digital exposure, that is, an image photographed on a film is photoelectrically read into a digital signal, and then subjected to various image processing to obtain image data for recording. A digital photo printer that scans and exposes a photosensitive material with recording light modulated in accordance with image data to record an image (latent image), develops it, and outputs it as a print (photograph) has been put into practical use.
In digital photo printers, the exposure conditions are determined by processing the image data. Therefore, the color / density is subjected to image processing that is difficult with conventional direct exposure printing such as partial color / density adjustment and edge enhancement. In addition to outputting high-quality prints with excellent reproducibility and the like, it is also possible to perform editing such as combining characters and images. In addition, image data of a print image can be supplied to a computer or the like and can be stored in a recording medium such as a floppy disk.
[0004]
Such a digital photo printer basically includes an input device having a scanner (image reading device) and an image processing device, and an output device having a printer (printing device) and a processor (developing device).
The projected light of the image photographed on the film by the scanner is photoelectrically read by an image sensor such as a CCD sensor, and the obtained image data (image data signal) is subjected to predetermined image processing by an image processing device, and image recording is performed. Output image data (exposure conditions) for printing to the printer. The printer two-dimensionally scans and exposes the photosensitive material with light modulated in accordance with the image data to form a latent image, and records a back print and sends it to the processor. In the processor, the exposed photosensitive material In addition, a predetermined development process or the like is performed to obtain a print in which an image photographed on the film is reproduced.
[0005]
Not only in such a digital photo printer but also in a normal direct exposure photo printer, in the printer, unused photosensitive material is wound in a roll shape and stored in a light-shielding casing to form a magazine. The magazine is loaded into the printer, pulled out from the magazine, transported, and used for exposure or the like.
In an ordinary photo printer, the photosensitive material is not cut in the middle, but exposure, recording of a back print, development processing, drying, and the like are performed while the length is long, and finally the photosensitive material is cut into a predetermined length to obtain one sheet. It is printed.
However, in this method, it is necessary to form frame information (punch) for indicating the boundary between each frame (each printed sheet), the photosensitive material in that portion is wasted, and frame information having a punch or the like. The forming means is required. Furthermore, there is another problem that the conveyance path and conveyance control of the photosensitive material are complicated (particularly digital).
[0006]
For this reason, in such a photo printer, it is conceivable to perform exposure after cutting into a cut sheet corresponding to one printed sheet for producing a roll-like long photosensitive material. It has been put to practical use in printers, and studies on practical use in digital photo printers are being promoted.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As is well known, in digital exposure using a light beam, a light beam modulated in accordance with image data is deflected in the main scanning direction and incident on a predetermined recording position, and the photosensitive material is held at the recording position. While scanning and conveying in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, the entire surface of the photosensitive material is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed to form a latent image.
In digital exposure using a light emitting array such as an LED (light emitting diode) array or a spatial modulation element array such as a liquid crystal shutter array, the recording direction is aligned with the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements (spatial modulation elements) and the main scanning direction. Similarly, the light emitting array is arranged, and similarly, the photosensitive material is scanned and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and each light emitting element is driven in accordance with the recorded image, so that the entire surface of the photosensitive material is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed. To do.
[0008]
Here, the amplitude of the light beam, that is, the scanning region is constant regardless of the print (image) size, and basically, the region including the maximum size image in the main scanning direction is scanned. Of course, the light emitting array such as the LED array is not changed according to the print size.
On the other hand, the sub-scanning speed is not changed depending on the image size, and the photosensitive material being exposed is conveyed at a predetermined sub-scanning speed.
[0009]
Therefore, in digital exposure using a cut sheet, the exposure time per sheet is faster when the size of the photosensitive material (print) in the sub-scanning direction is shorter, and the longer the exposure time, the longer the exposure time. Will decline.
For this reason, in digital photo printers, it is desirable in terms of production efficiency that the sub-scanning direction and the short direction of the photosensitive material are aligned in terms of production efficiency. However, print requests are mixed in a plurality of sizes. Cannot be exposed.
[0010]
For example, in a normal print request, 89 mm x 127 mm size print called L size (C type in Advanced Photo System), 89 mm x 257 mm size print called panorama size, and new photo system are standardized. Three types of prints of 89 mm × 158 mm called H size are created.
As described above, in a normal photo printer, the photosensitive material is loaded as a rolled photosensitive material roll with a long length, but the prints of the above sizes are often mixed in one film. If the photosensitive material roll is changed every time a print having a different size is created, it takes much work. Therefore, in the photo printer, a photosensitive material roll having a width of 89 mm is loaded, and all the three sizes of prints are created using the photosensitive material roll.
Therefore, in this case, exposure must be performed with the longitudinal direction as the sub-scanning direction for any size, and the print production efficiency is reduced. Make It is one of the factors.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an image recording apparatus for recording a latent image by scanning and exposing a photosensitive material of a cut sheet cut according to a print to be created by digital exposure. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can perform the most efficient exposure according to the print size and can produce a print with high production efficiency.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an exposure means for exposing a photosensitive material by entering recording light defining a main scanning line modulated in accordance with image data carrying a recorded image at a predetermined recording position. A scanning conveyance means for conveying the photosensitive material in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the main scanning line while holding the photosensitive material at the recording position, and a photosensitive material cut into a predetermined length to the scanning conveyance means. A supply means for conveying, a rotating means arranged in a conveyance path by the supply means, and rotating the photosensitive material to align the short direction of the photosensitive material conveyed to the scanning conveying means with the sub-scanning direction; and An image recording apparatus comprising: an exposure control unit that controls exposure of the photosensitive material by the exposure unit in accordance with a direction of the photosensitive material supplied to the scanning conveyance unit.
[0013]
Further, the photosensitive material is further rotated downstream of the scanning conveying means to change the conveying direction. Length It is preferable to include a second rotating unit that matches the direction, and a distributing unit that is positioned downstream of the second rotating unit and distributes the photosensitive material in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction to form a plurality of rows.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a printer using the image recording apparatus of the present invention.
A printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a printer (printing apparatus) of the above-described digital photo printer, and is cut into a predetermined length corresponding to a print for producing a long photosensitive material (printing paper) to form a cut sheet. This is a device that performs back print recording (back printing) and digital scanning exposure, and supplies it to a processor (developing device) P.
[0016]
Such a printer 10 records a photosensitive material supply unit 12 and a back print. Back printing means 14, an image recording unit 16, a sorting unit 18, and a first transport unit 34 and a second transport unit 36 that transport the photosensitive material A as a cut sheet to the image recording unit 16. Further, the second transport unit 36 includes a first rotating unit 44 that rotates the photosensitive material A as necessary at a downstream part (hereinafter referred to as a downstream) in the transport direction. A similar second rotating unit 46 is disposed between the dividing units 18.
In addition to the illustrated members, the printer 10 is provided with various members such as a conveying means for the photosensitive material A such as a conveying roller, a conveying guide, and a sensor as necessary.
[0017]
In the printer 10, the photosensitive material supply unit 12 (hereinafter referred to as the supply unit 12) includes loading units 20 and 22, drawer roller pairs 24 and 26, and cutters 28 and 30.
The loading sections 20 and 22 are portions in which a magazine 32 in which a photosensitive material roll Ar obtained by winding a long photosensitive material A in a roll shape with the recording surface facing outside is housed in a light-shielding casing is loaded. The magazines 32 loaded in the loading units 20 and 22 are usually wound with different types of photosensitive materials A such as width (size), surface type (silk, mat, etc.), specifications (thickness, base type, etc.). The photosensitive material roll Ar is accommodated.
[0018]
The drawer roller pairs 24 and 26 pull out and convey the photosensitive material A stored in the magazine 32 loaded in the loading units 20 and 22.
This conveyance is stopped when the length corresponding to the print (recorded image) produced by the photosensitive material A conveyed downstream from the corresponding cutters 28 and 30 is reached, and then the cutters 28 and 30 are operated. The photosensitive material A is cut into a cut sheet having a predetermined length.
[0019]
The photosensitive material A drawn out from the magazine 32 of the loading unit 22 and cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 30 is fed by the first conveyance unit 34 and the second conveyance unit 36 each composed of a large number of conveyance roller pairs. The photosensitive material A drawn out from the 20 magazines 32 and cut by the cutter 28 is transported upward by the second transport unit 36 and then transported in the right direction so that the image recording unit 16 faces the recording surface up. It is conveyed to (scan conveying means 42).
[0020]
In the middle of the second transport unit 36, the back printing unit 14 is disposed.
The back printing means 14 records various information such as a photograph date, a print printing date, a frame number, and a film ID number on the non-recording surface (non-emulsion surface = back surface) of the photosensitive material A (so-called back print). The photosensitive material A is recorded by the back printing unit 14 while being conveyed by the second conveying unit 36.
The back printing unit 14 for recording the back print is exemplified by a back print printer used for a known photo printer such as an ink jet printer, a dot impact printer, or a thermal transfer printer. Further, it is preferable that the back printing unit 14 is configured to be capable of printing two or more lines in correspondence with the new photo system.
[0021]
Further, a loop forming unit 38 is provided between the conveyance roller pair 36 a and the conveyance roller pair 36 b downstream of the back printing unit 14 of the second conveyance unit 36.
That is, the conveyance speed of the photosensitive material A in the second conveyance section 36 is the same as the scanning conveyance speed in the image recording section 16 (scanning conveyance means 42) after the conveyance roller pair 36a downstream of the loop formation section 38, and the loop formation section. 38 is set at a higher speed before the upstream conveying roller pair 36b, and the photosensitive material A conveyed through the second conveying unit 36 is indicated by a dotted line in the loop due to the conveying speed difference between the upstream and downstream in the loop forming unit 38. As shown, a loop is formed according to its size.
In the illustrated example, the printer 10 separates the back printing unit 14 and the image recording unit 16 with a short path length, and realizes highly accurate scanning conveyance of the photosensitive material A during exposure.
[0022]
Here, the second conveyance unit 36 of the printer 10 has a first rotation unit 44 at the most downstream portion, and the photosensitive material A is transferred from the first rotation unit 44 to the image recording unit 16 (hereinafter, recording unit 16). ).
As will be described in detail later, in the illustrated printer 10, the light beam L modulated by the exposure unit 40 in accordance with the recorded image is recorded in the main scanning direction in the recording unit 16 including the exposure unit 40 and the scanning conveyance means 42. The light is deflected in the direction of arrow a (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) and enters a predetermined recording position X, and at the same time, the photosensitive material A is held at the recording position X by the scanning conveying means 42 and orthogonal to the main scanning direction. In the sub-scanning direction (arrow b direction), the entire surface of the photosensitive material A is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed to record a latent image. This exposure is performed based on a so-called center reference in which the conveyance center of the photosensitive material A is aligned with the center in the scanning direction.
The first rotating unit 44 rotates the photosensitive material A as necessary so that the cut sheet-like photosensitive material A is aligned with the short direction of the photosensitive material A and the transport direction (sub-scan transport direction). And supplied to the recording unit 16.
[0023]
As described above, in image recording using digital scanning exposure, the exposure time per sheet is determined by the length of the photosensitive material A in the sub-scanning direction, and the shorter the time, the shorter the exposure time. Therefore, it is preferable that the exposure is performed in a state where the short side direction and the sub-scanning direction coincide with each other. However, the magazine 32 The width of the long photosensitive material A (photosensitive material roll Ar) accommodated in the sheet and the size of the cut sheet-shaped photosensitive material A to be exposed (print size to be created) are not necessarily limited to the short direction and the sub-scanning. As described above, the exposure cannot be performed in the same direction.
[0024]
On the other hand, according to the printer 10 of the present invention, the photosensitive material (if possible size) is provided by having the first rotating unit 44 that rotates the photosensitive material A as necessary upstream of the recording unit 16. Irrespective of the width and size of A, exposure can be performed by always matching the short direction and the sub-scanning direction, and high-efficiency exposure can be performed to produce a print with high productivity.
In addition, by rotating the photosensitive material A, the trailing end of the transport destination of the photosensitive material A is no longer a cut surface. Therefore, damage to the end due to the pair of transport rollers, which is particularly likely to occur on the cut surface, and a processing solution during development resulting from the damage. It is also possible to suitably prevent the soaking in.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the first rotating unit 44. In addition, although the apparatus of the example of illustration has the 2nd rotation part 46 in the downstream of the recording part 16 as a preferable aspect, the 1st rotation part 44 and the 2nd rotation part 46 have the fundamentally same structure. Therefore, the first rotating unit 44 will be described below as a representative example.
2A is a front view when the photosensitive material A is carried (discharged) to the first rotating portion 44, FIG. 2B is a front view when the photosensitive material A is rotated, and FIG. Each figure is shown.
[0026]
The first rotating unit 44 includes a lower turret 80, an upper turret 82, an upstream nip roller pair 84, and a downstream nip roller 86 pair.
The lower turret 80 and the upper turret 82 are disk-shaped members that are arranged to face each other. The lower turret 80 has a shaft 80a and the upper turret 82 has a shaft 82a disposed at the center opposite to the opposite surface. Both central shafts rotate and move up and down in the axial direction. (Not shown). The lower turret 80 and the upper turret 82 are moved toward and away from each other and rotated in the direction of the arrow c by the action of the driving means, and rotate while sandwiching the photosensitive material A therebetween.
The driving means may be constituted by a known means for achieving the above operation.
[0027]
The nip roller pairs 84 and 86 are a pair of conveying rollers that nipping and conveying the photosensitive material A in the sub-scanning direction (arrow b direction), and are arranged so as to sandwich both turrets in the conveying direction. The two rollers are configured to be able to contact and separate so that they can be sandwiched or released.
Further, the distance between the pair of nip rollers 84 and 86 is shorter than the minimum short size of the photosensitive material A exposed by the printer 10, and therefore the size of both the upper and lower turrets is smaller than that.
[0028]
The first rotating unit 44 is supplied with the width of the photosensitive material roll Ar loaded in the loading units 20 and 22 from the supply unit 12, from which loading unit the photosensitive material A is supplied, and the size of the photosensitive material A ( Alternatively, information on the cutting length) is supplied.
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the photosensitive material A is carried into the first rotating unit 44, the lower turret 80 and the upper turret 82 are separated from each other, and the photosensitive material A is a pair of nip rollers. 84 or even a pair of nip rollers 86 is conveyed between both turrets.
[0029]
Here, the first rotation unit 44 uses the information from the supply unit 12 to determine whether or not the short direction of the supplied photosensitive material A matches the sub-scanning direction. If necessary, the photosensitive material A is sent to the scanning conveyance means 42 as it is in time with image exposure in the recording unit 16 as necessary.
For example, if the width of the photosensitive material roll Ar that is a supply source of the photosensitive material A is 127 mm and the supplied photosensitive material A (print to be created) is L size (89 mm × 127 mm), the photosensitive material A is short. Since the direction and the sub-scanning direction coincide with each other, the first rotating unit 44 sends the photosensitive material A as it is to the scanning conveyance unit 42.
[0030]
On the other hand, when the short direction of the supplied photosensitive material A and the sub-scanning direction do not match, for example, the width of the photosensitive material roll Ar serving as a supply source is 89 mm and the supplied photosensitive material A is L size (89 mm). × 127 mm), panoramic size (89 mm × 254 mm), and H size (89 mm × 158 mm), the short direction and the sub-scanning direction do not match. Rotate and send to scanning transport means 42.
[0031]
Specifically, the first rotating unit 44 transports the photosensitive material A by a pair of nip rollers 84 and 86 when the photosensitive material A is transported to a predetermined position (for example, a position where the center of the photosensitive material A corresponds to the center of the turret). Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the lower turret 80 and the upper turret 82 are moved toward each other to sandwich the photosensitive material A therebetween, and further, by the nip roller pairs 84 and 86. The holding of the photosensitive material A is released.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2C and the like, both turrets are rotated 90 ° in the direction of the arrow c, and the photosensitive material A is rotated 90 °, so that the lateral direction of the photosensitive material A coincides with the sub-scanning direction. Let
After rotating the photosensitive material A, the photosensitive material A is sandwiched again by the pair of nip rollers 84 and 86, and further, the sandwiching by both turrets is released, and the photosensitive material A is transported to the scanning transport means 42 by the pair of nip rollers 84 and 86. To do.
[0032]
As described above, since the recording unit 16 performs exposure based on the center reference, the photosensitive material A is conveyed by the second conveying unit 36 and the first rotating unit 44 regardless of whether the recording unit 16 is rotated or not. The center of the photosensitive material A transported from the first rotating portion 44 to the scanning transport means 42 and the center in the main scanning direction (main scanning line) are performed by a known means using a guide or the like.
[0033]
In the printer 10 of the present invention, the photosensitive material A is not limited to the above configuration as a rotating means, and various known methods can be used.
For example, in the illustrated example, the photosensitive material A is rotated while being sandwiched between two turrets. However, only the lower turret is provided with an adsorption means, and the photosensitive material A is adsorbed and held to rotate. Also good. Alternatively, in addition to the nip roller pairs 84 and 86, a rotation means that combines a nip roller pair that conveys the photosensitive material A in the rotating direction, or four nip roller pairs are arranged on the turret so as to form a square, and the turret is rotated. A means for rotating the photosensitive material can also be used.
[0034]
The photosensitive material A is supplied from the first rotating unit 44 to the recording unit 16.
As described above, the recording unit 16 includes the exposure unit 40 and the scanning conveyance unit 42, and scans with the light beam L while conveying the photosensitive material A in the sub-scanning direction. The latent image is recorded by scanning and exposing the material A two-dimensionally.
[0035]
FIG. FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the exposure unit 40.
The exposure unit 40 is a three-laser light anomalous incidence optical system (three-light source non-multiplexing optical system) that scans and exposes the photosensitive material A using light beams of three primary colors, a recording control unit 52, and a light source 54 (54R, 54G, 54B), along the traveling direction of the light beam L emitted from the light source 54, a collimator lens 56R, a condenser lens 58 (58R, 58G, 58B), an AOM 60 (60R, 60G, 60B), It has a reflection mirror 62 (62R, 62G, 62B), a cylindrical lens 64 (64R, 64G, 64B), a polygon mirror 66, an fθ lens 68, a cylindrical mirror 70, and reflection mirrors 72 and 74. Is done.
[0036]
The three-light source non-multiplexing optical system in the illustrated example emits a light beam having a predetermined wavelength corresponding to each of red (R) exposure, green (G) exposure, and blue (B) exposure of the photosensitive material A. , The light beams L emitted from the respective light sources are incident on one point of the reflection surface 66a of the polygon mirror 66 at slightly different angles (for example, about 4 °), and deflected in the main scanning direction to be on the photosensitive material A. This is an optical system that forms images at different angles on the same main scanning line and scans on the same main scanning line at intervals. In the present invention, in addition to this, it is also possible to use a multiplexing optical system in which the modulated light beam is converted into one light beam using a dichroic mirror or the like.
For example, the light source 54R is a semiconductor laser (LD) that emits a light beam Lr having a wavelength of 662 nm for R exposure, and the light source 54G is a wavelength conversion laser that uses an SHG element that emits a light beam Lg having a wavelength of 532 nm for G exposure. The light source 54B is a light beam having a wavelength of 473 nm for B exposure. Lb Is a wavelength conversion laser using an SHG element that emits light.
[0037]
The collimator lens 56R shapes the light beam Lr emitted from the light source 54R into parallel light, and the condensing lens 58 condenses the corresponding light beam L on the AOM 60.
The AOM (acousto-optic modulator) 60 modulates each light beam L according to image data (that is, a recorded image). The modulation method is not particularly limited, and may be intensity modulation or pulse (width or number) modulation. Furthermore, the light source may be directly modulated.
[0038]
The AOM 60 is driven by a recording control unit 52 having a memory 76, an image rotation unit 78, and a driver 79. Here, the image rotation unit 78 is a part that rotates the image stored in the memory 76 by 90 ° as necessary.
It is basically determined whether the vertical and horizontal directions (short direction and long direction) of the image supplied from the image data supply source R correspond to the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction of the printer 10. Here, as described above, since the printer 10 of the present invention always supplies the photosensitive material A to the recording unit 16 with the short side direction set to the sub-scanning direction, depending on the case, the printer 10 is supplied from the image data supply source R. The short direction of the image may not match the sub-scanning direction (that is, the short direction of the photosensitive material A).
In such a case, the image rotation unit 78 rearranges the pixels, rotates the image by 90 ° by image data processing, and matches the short direction of the image carried by the image data with the sub-scanning direction. Supply to the driver 79.
[0039]
When the photosensitive material A is conveyed to a predetermined position, the recording control unit 52 reads the corresponding image data from the memory 76 at the same time, and performs predetermined processing such as processing using a correction table by calibration. Further, if necessary, the image rotation unit 78 rotates the image by 90 ° and supplies the image data to the driver 79. The driver 79 drives each AOM 60 and modulates the light beam L according to the image data. .
[0040]
The light beam L modulated by the AOM 60 is then turned back by the reflection mirror 62, and is incident on the same line or on the same point on the reflection surface 66a of the polygon mirror 66 that is an optical deflector, It is deflected in the main scanning direction.
The cylindrical lens 64, the fθ lens 68, and the cylindrical mirror 70 constitute a surface tilt correction optical system, and correct the surface tilt of the polygon mirror 66. The fθ lens 68 is used to correctly form the image of each light beam L at any position on the main scanning line.
The cylindrical mirror 70 folds each light beam L and makes it incident on the reflecting mirror 72. The reflecting mirror 72 folds each light beam again and enters the reflecting mirror 74, and the light beam L reflected by the reflecting mirror 74 becomes The light enters the recording position X (scanning line) on the photosensitive material A which is sub-scanned and conveyed by the scanning conveyance means 44.
[0041]
As the exposure means of the printer 10 of the present invention, besides such light beam scanning exposure, a PDP (plasma display) array, an ELD (electroluminescent display) array, an LED (light emitting diode) array, an LCD (liquid crystal) Digital exposure means using various light emitting arrays, spatial modulation element arrays, etc. extending in the direction perpendicular to the scanning conveyance direction, such as a display) array, a DMD (digital micromirror device) array, and a laser array can also be used. .
[0042]
On the other hand, the scanning conveyance means 42 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 88 and 90 arranged with the recording position X (scanning line) in between, and an exposure guide (preferably shown) for holding the photosensitive material A at the recording position X. The photosensitive material A is scanned and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction by the conveying roller pairs 88 and 90 while holding the photosensitive material A at the recording position X.
As described above, since the light beam L is deflected in the main scanning direction, the photosensitive material A is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam L modulated according to the image to be recorded, and the latent image is recorded. Is done.
In addition to the above, the scanning conveyance unit uses an exposure drum that conveys the photosensitive material A while holding it at the recording position X, and two nip rollers that contact the exposure drum across the recording position X. Means and the like are also preferably exemplified.
[0043]
The photosensitive material A on which the latent image has been recorded by the recording unit 16 is conveyed to the sorting unit 18 disposed downstream. However, in the illustrated apparatus, as a preferable aspect, the recording unit 16 and the sorting unit 18 are separated. A second rotating unit 46 is disposed between them.
The distribution unit 18 distributes the exposed photosensitive material A in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction according to a sequence that is appropriately determined according to the size and the like. Direction to go straight In this case, the processing capacity of the processor P is improved by transporting the photosensitive material A to the processor P as a plurality of overlapping rows, thereby improving the processing capacity of the processor P. About 3 times.
[0044]
Here, in the printer 10 of the present invention, the short side direction and the sub-scanning direction of the photosensitive material A exposed by the recording unit 16 are matched. Therefore, there are cases where the advantage of having the allocating unit 18 cannot be exploited as it is.
The second rotating unit 46 rotates the photosensitive material A in which the short side direction and the sub-scanning direction coincide with each other as necessary so that the long-side direction and the sub-scanning direction coincide with each other. This makes it possible to perform more suitable sorting.
[0045]
For example, the width of the processor P (corresponding to the main scanning direction) can be arranged in three rows if the photosensitive material A having an L size has the longitudinal direction as the transport direction (hereinafter, this direction is referred to as the longitudinal direction). If the direction is the width direction (hereinafter, this direction is referred to as the horizontal direction), if the three rotation rows cannot be obtained, the second rotating unit 46, when the L-size photosensitive material A comes, moves the photosensitive material A It is rotated by 90 ° and supplied to the distribution unit 18 in the vertical direction.
In the case of the H size, the vertical / horizontal directions cannot be arranged in three rows, but if the two sizes can be arranged, it is more efficient that the processing in the processor P matches the conveyance direction and the short direction. Therefore, when the H size comes, the second rotating unit 46 does not rotate the photosensitive material A and supplies it to the distributing unit 18 in the horizontal direction.
The second rotating part 46 has the same configuration as the first rotating part 44 as described above.
[0046]
The distribution unit 18 in the illustrated example includes a belt conveyor 92 that places and conveys the photosensitive material A, and a distribution device 94 disposed thereon.
The sorting device 94 has two suction cup units 96 arranged orthogonal to the conveying direction by the belt conveyor 92. The suction cup unit 96 sucks and holds the photosensitive material A, and one of them is a belt conveyor. Then, the photosensitive material A is conveyed leftward and diagonally toward the conveyance direction 92, and the other is conveyed in the diagonally downstream direction on the left side. In addition, the moving method of the suction cup unit 96 should just be based on a well-known method.
[0047]
The photosensitive material A transported from the second rotating unit 46 to the sorting unit 18 is placed on the belt conveyor 92 and transported. When transported to a predetermined position, the photosensitive material A is lifted by the suction cup unit 96 of the sorting device 94. The paper is transported, sorted, placed again on the belt conveyor 92, transported, and supplied to the transport roller pair 98.
For example, two suction cup units 96 are alternately used, and the photosensitive material A is arranged in three rows by repeating “transportation in the right direction by one → conveyance in the left direction by the other → through which does not operate the suction cup unit 96”. Sorting The photosensitive material A is sorted into two rows by alternately transferring left and right by the two suction cup units 96.
The printer 10 is not limited to distributing all of the photosensitive material A. For example, when creating a large-sized photosensitive material A that cannot be distributed or a single print, the belt conveyor is used without being distributed. At 92, the photosensitive material A is conveyed and supplied to the conveying roller pair 98.
[0048]
In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the distribution unit 18 is not limited to the above configuration, and various distribution means can be used.
Specifically, using a turntable, the photosensitive material A is transported in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (hereinafter referred to as an orthogonal direction) and distributed, and the transport path is a high-speed transport region, a distribution region, and a speed control region. The photosensitive material is conveyed to the distribution area at high speed, and the conveying means itself is moved in the orthogonal direction in the distribution area to distribute the photosensitive material and supply it to the speed adjustment area. Distributing means to be supplied to the conveying roller pair 98, a belt conveyor divided into a plurality of parts, and a flat surface for conveying the photosensitive material A arranged therebetween in the orthogonal direction is located below the conveying surface of the belt conveyor. For example, a sorting unit using a D roller (half-moon roller) is exemplified.
[0049]
As described above, the photosensitive material A conveyed by the distribution unit 18 is supplied to the processor P by the conveying roller pair 98, subjected to development processing such as color development, bleach-fixing, and water washing, and then dried. (Finished) Printed as a print.
[0050]
The image recording apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the image recording apparatus that records a latent image on a cut sheet-like photosensitive material by digital scanning exposure, exposure can be performed with the short direction as the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, efficient image exposure can be performed and a print can be created with good productivity.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an image recording apparatus of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views showing a rotating part of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1, wherein FIGS. 2A and 2B are front views and FIG. 2C are plan views, respectively.
3 is a schematic perspective view of an exposure unit of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Printer
12 (Photosensitive material) supply section
14 Back printing means
16 Image recording unit
18 Distribution part
20, 22 loading section
24, 26 drawer roller pair
28, 30 cutter
32 Magazine
34 1st conveyance part
36 Second transport section
40 exposure units
42 Scanning conveying means
44 1st rotation part
46 2nd rotation part
52 Recording control unit
60 (60R, 60G, 60B) AOM (acousto-optic modulator)
76 memory
78 Image rotation unit
79 drivers
80 Lower turret
82 Upper Turret
84,86 Nip roller pair
88,90 Conveying roller pair
92 Belt conveyor
94 Sorting device
96 Suction cup unit
A Photosensitive material
Ar photosensitive material roll
P processor

Claims (2)

Exposure means for exposing a photosensitive material by entering recording light, which defines a main scanning line, modulated according to image data carrying a recorded image, into a predetermined recording position;
A scanning conveying means for conveying the photosensitive material in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the main scanning line while holding the photosensitive material at the recording position;
Supply means for transporting the photosensitive material cut into a predetermined length to the scanning transport means;
A rotating unit arranged in a transport path by the supply unit to rotate the photosensitive material so that the short direction of the photosensitive material transported to the scanning transport unit and the sub-scanning direction coincide with each other;
And an exposure control means for controlling exposure of the photosensitive material by the exposure means in accordance with the direction of the photosensitive material supplied to the scanning conveyance means. Downstream of the scanning and conveying means, a second rotating means for rotating the photosensitive material to match the conveying direction and the longitudinal direction, and a downstream of the second rotating means, the photosensitive material being orthogonal to the conveying direction. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sorting unit that sorts in a direction to perform a plurality of rows.

Images