JPH03206437A - Optical information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To converge light, to obtain a sharp image, and to miniaturize the processor on the whole by providing a light emitting body or optical signal transmitter with a fine lens. CONSTITUTION:Photosensitive bodies 21 and 22 is exposed to the light transmitted by the optical signal transmitter 121 and information is processed. In this case, the optical signal transmitter 121 is provided with the fine lens 123. Further, the fine lens 123 is formed preferably of photosetting resin and the photosetting resin lens 123 is exposed to the light emitted by the light emitting body with energy which is different by wavelengths. Further, the photosetting resin which varies in sensitivity with the wavelengths is used. Consequently, the clear image can be obtained by converging the light and the device is miniaturized on the whole.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an optical information processing device that processes image information based on electrical signals or the like by replacing it with light. The present invention relates to an optical information processing device that processes information by exposing a photoreceptor to light transmitted by a signal transmission device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, for example, in the case of a copying machine that uses an LED array and a SELFOC lens as an optical information processing device, information is sent to the LED array as an electric signal and the LED is activated in accordance with the electric signal.
D emits light, and the emitted light passes through a self-occurring lens, which is a gradient index rod lens, and exposes the photoreceptor. The photoreceptor is coated with a photosensitive composition such as selenium, silver salt, dry silver, etc., and information is recorded in various forms depending on the recorded information. Further, the above-mentioned LED array was constructed by arranging a large number of small light emitting parts in a row on a base plate with electrodes.

Furthermore, in the case of an optical information processing device that uses an optical fiber as an optical signal transmission device, light from a light emitter is transmitted through the fiber to expose a photoreceptor.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the case of the above-mentioned copying machine, a space corresponding to the length of the SELFOC lens, which is an imaging lens, is required, resulting in an increase in the size of the entire apparatus.

Furthermore, when an optical fiber is used, the light emitted from the optical fiber is diffused into the medium, so the light spreads by the thickness of the base material of the photosensitive recording medium, reducing the intensity of light reaching the photosensitive recording medium. There is a problem that the formed image becomes blurred.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it provides a clear image by concentrating light by providing a microscopic lens on the light emitting body or the optical signal transmission device, and also provides a device The purpose is to downsize the whole.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The optical information processing device of the present invention is an optical information processing device that processes information by exposing a photoreceptor to light emitted by a light emitter or transmitted by an optical signal transmission device. The light emitting body or the optical signal transmission device is provided with a minute lens. Furthermore, the minute lens is formed of a photocurable resin, and the light emitted from the light emitter exposes the photocurable resin lens with energy accumulated for each wavelength. Furthermore, a photocurable resin having different sensitivity for each wavelength is used.

[Operation] According to the optical information processing device of the present invention having the above configuration,
A minute lens is installed on the light emitting body or optical signal transmission device,
The minute lens is made of a photocurable resin, and the light emitted by the light emitter exposes the minute lens to different energies for each wavelength. Furthermore, the photocurable resin has different sensitivity depending on the wavelength.

[Embodiment 1] A fiber optic CRT will be described below as an embodiment of the optical information processing apparatus of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the fiber optic CRT has a CRT section 11 and an optical fiber section 1.
On the light exit side of the optical fiber, a photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium 2 is placed on an exposure table 3 made of glass.
is being transported.

The image information is given as an electric signal, and the electric signal is human-powered.
3 to the CRT section 11. The electric signal supplied to the CRT section becomes an electron beam that flows through the cathode ray tube, and although not shown on the front surface of the CRT, there are R, G, 8 in the horizontal direction in Figure 1(a).
Three colors of phosphors are coated, and each phosphor emits light when irradiated with an electron beam. The emitted light from the phosphor passes through the optical fiber portion 12 and is irradiated onto the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium 2 .

The process from the optical fiber 121 to the formation of an image on the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium 2 is shown in FIG. The image information that has passed through each optical fiber 121 is emitted from the optical fiber tip 123. The optical fiber tip 123 is curved, so that light emitted from the center of the optical fiber travels straight, and light emitted closer to the periphery is refracted toward the center of the optical fiber. The light passes through the base material 21 of the recording medium 2 and is imaged onto the microcapsules 22 . The electrical signal given to the fiber optic CRTI is divided into R, G, and B signals, and the CRT section 11
Each of the three color phosphors coated on the front side emits light at the same time. Further, the light of the selectively emitting phosphor is emitted through one optical fiber.

On the other hand, the microcapsules of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium 2 contain a photopolymerizable composition that cures in response to light. The supported microcapsules include microcapsules that harden when exposed to red light, microcapsules that are sensitive to green light, and microcapsules that are sensitive to blue light. During exposure, each object is exposed to different types of light. Furthermore, by pressure development, the microcapsules are crushed according to the amount of hardening, and the encapsulated dye precursor flows out.
It develops color by reacting with coloring materials. The image formed by this image forming method faithfully reproduces the image information created manually.

Next, a method for manufacturing fiber optic CRTI will be explained using FIG. 3.

A tip 122 of an optical fiber 121 as shown in FIG. 4 is immersed into a vat 41 in which photocurable resin 4 is stored. From the electrical signal input section 13 to the optical fiber tip 122
An electrical signal is applied so that light is irradiated from the entire surface. The light irradiated from the optical fiber tip 122 gradually hardens the photocurable resin 4 from a position close to the optical fiber tip 122, thereby forming the optical fiber tip 123 into a curved lens. The light that has passed through the optical fiber 121 has a strong light intensity at the center of the optical fiber, and the light intensity decreases as it moves away from the center. It gradually decreases toward the periphery. The tip 123 formed at the tip of the optical fiber, which functions as a lens, is thicker as it approaches the center of the optical fiber, and becomes thinner toward the periphery, as shown in FIG. 6, and functions as a lens.

Next, the composition of the photocurable resin will be explained below.

A photopolymerizable monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, and a sensitizer are mixed in the photopolymerizable composition. The photopolymerizable monomer is preferably a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, such as an acrylic ester of a polyhydric alcohol, an unsaturated ester of a polyhydric carboxylic acid, an acrylic ester, an unsaturated acid amide, or an acetylenically unsaturated group. Examples include monomers. Among these, esters of acrylic acid seem to be preferable in terms of transparency, ease of handling, and sensitivity. Preferred photopolymerization initiators and sensitizers include carbonyl compounds, azo compounds,
These include organometallic compounds and metallocarbonyl compounds. Among them, carbonyl compounds having a ketone group seem to be good. The combination of these photopolymerizable monomers, photopolymerization initiators, and sensitizers is not limited to just one type, but may also be a combination of two or more types.

When the sensitivity of the photocurable resin 4 differs depending on each wavelength (FIG. 7(a)), the intensity of the electron beam applied to the phosphor can be controlled to match the brightness of the phosphor to the sensitivity of the photocurable resin. (Fig. 7(b)), and when the luminance of the phosphor differs depending on each wavelength (Fig. 8(a)), the sensitivity of the photocurable resin can be adjusted to the luminance of the phosphor (Fig. 8(a)).
Figure (b)).

The resulting optical signal transmission device can expose the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium 2 to light from either the back side or the front side without contact, and can expose image information without damaging the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium 2. can.

Therefore, in the fiber optic CRT of this embodiment,
Since the light emitted from the optical fiber is focused and focused at a certain focal length, a clear image can be obtained.

Next, an LED array will be described as a second example.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the LED array 51, which is a light emitting body, has electrodes 65 arranged in a staggered manner on a GaAs base material 62, and a light emitting part, which is a light emitting element, on each electrode 65. 66 is formed.

A microlens 63 is formed on the light-emitting member tip 66, and the light emitted from the light-emitting member tip 66 travels straight through the microlens 63, with the light at the center of the light-emitting member tip 66 traveling straight, and exiting from the periphery. The more light that is reflected is refracted toward the center. Then, the document table 53 and the base material 71 of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium 52
The light is imaged onto the microcarobusel 72 through the microcarousel.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a drive circuit for the LED array 51.

Image information is given as an electrical signal, and the head control circuit 6
4 provides clock and clock signals for sequentially sending image data to six shift registers, and sends image data for one light emission of the LED array 51.

The image data in the six shift registers is sent to the head control circuit 6.
It is transferred to latch 68 by the strobe signal from 4. The six shift registers that have transferred the image data to the latch 68 again take in the next image data in response to the clock signal from the head control circuit 64. The head control circuit 64 drives the driver 67 according to the image data of the latch 68,
Switching control of the LED array 51 is performed, and the light emitting member 61 emits light according to image data.

The principle of coloring the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium 52 will be explained using FIG. The microcapsules 72 supported on the base material 71 of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium 52 contain a photopolymerizable composition that cures in response to light. The microcapsules 72 are selectively hardened by irradiation with light, and when the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium 52 is superimposed on the color developer sheet 75 and pressure developed with a pressure developing device 80, the microcapsules 72 are crushed according to the amount of hardening. It will be done. As a result, the encapsulated dye precursor flows out, reacts with the coloring material 76 supported on the base material 77 of the color developer sheet, and develops color. Developing sheet 75
When the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium 52 transferred to the color developer sheet 75 is separated from the color developer sheet 75, an image is formed on the color developer sheet 75 side. Images formed by this image forming method faithfully reproduce human-generated image information.

Next, a method for manufacturing the LED array 51 will be explained based on FIG. 13.

As shown in FIGS. 13(a) to 13(C), this LED array 51 has its light-emitting member tip 66 immersed in a vat in which photocurable resin 54 is stored. An electric signal is applied from the head control circuit 64 so that the entire surface of the light emitting member tip 66 is irradiated with light. When the light irradiated from the light emitting member tip 66 gradually hardens the photocurable resin 54 from a position close to the light emitting member tip 66, the precurable resin 54 adheres around the light emitting member tip 66. Forms a curved resin mass.

The light emitted from the light emitting member tip 66
The light intensity is strong at the center of the light-emitting member 6 and decreases as it moves away from the center. It gradually decreases toward the periphery. The resin mass thus formed at the light-emitting member tip 66 becomes a microlens 63 that is thicker as it approaches the center of the light-emitting member tip 66 and becomes thinner toward the periphery.

The composition of the photocurable resin is the same as in the case of the fiber optic CRT shown in the first embodiment.

When the photocurable resin 64 has different sensitivity depending on each wavelength,
By controlling the emission intensity of the LED array 51, the luminance of the light emitter can be matched to the sensitivity of the photocurable resin 64.

Further, when the luminance of the light emitter differs depending on each wavelength, the sensitivity of the photocurable resin 64 can be matched to the luminance of the light emitter.

As explained above, in the second embodiment, the microlens is attached to the tip of the light emitting member of the LED array, so that space can be saved and the device can be made smaller compared to the conventional self-occurring lens. Also, the light is focused and the image becomes clear. Furthermore, the LED array 51 can expose the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium 52 to light from either the back side or the front side without contacting it, and image information can be exposed without damaging the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium 52.

Although the second embodiment has been described with reference to an LED array, the present invention is not limited to this, and any element that emits light by itself due to the action of an electrical signal such as electroluminescence or plasma light emission can cause the microlens 63 to emit light. It can be formed at the tip of the member.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the detailed description above, according to the present invention,
Since the light emitting body or the optical signal transmission device is provided with a minute lens, light is condensed to provide a clear image, and the entire device can be miniaturized.

Furthermore, the minute lens is formed from a photocurable resin,
The photocurable resin lens is exposed to light emitted by a light emitting body with different energies depending on the wavelength. Furthermore, a photocurable resin having different sensitivity for each wavelength is used. Therefore, the sizes of the microlenses can be made uniform, and the light focusing ability is further improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing the outline of a fiber optic CRT which is the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows how the light emitted from the optical fiber is formed into an image. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the manufacturing method of the same optical fiber, FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the tip of the same optical fiber, and FIG. 7 (a) 7(b) is a diagram showing the characteristics of the photocurable resin, FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the wavelength of the photocurable resin and the luminance of the phosphor, and FIG.
Figure (a) is a diagram showing the relationship between the wavelength and brightness of the same phosphor, Figure 8 (b) is a diagram showing the characteristics of the same photocurable resin, and Figure 9 (
a) and FIG. 9(b) show the LE which is the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the D array, and FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing how the light emitted from the LED array is formed into an image.
The figure shows the drive circuit of the LED array, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the process until an image is formed on the photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium, and FIGS. 13(a) to 13(c) are the same. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the manufacturing method of an LED array. In the figure, 2 and 52 are photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording media, 4 and 54 are photocurable resins, 51 is an LED array, 63 is a microlens,
121 is an optical fiber, and 123 is an optical fiber tip. Patent applicant Brother Industries, Ltd. President Yoshihiro Yasui Figure 6? Enter → λ Procedural amendment (method) 1. Case Description 1990 Patent Application No. 59580 2. Name of invention Optical information processing device 3. Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment: Patent applicant Mizuhokhorita Doori Address (467) 9-35 Hotta-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya Name (52B) Brother Industries, Ltd. 5. Contents of correction Figure 7 will be corrected as shown in the attached sheet. that's all

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an optical information processing device that processes information by exposing a photoreceptor to light emitted by a light emitter or light transmitted by an optical signal transmission device, the light emitter or the optical signal transmission device An optical information processing device characterized in that a microlens is provided in the optical information processing device. 2. The optical information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is formed of a photocurable resin. 3. The optical information processing device according to claim 2, wherein a photocurable resin whose sensitivity differs depending on the wavelength is exposed to light having a different energy depending on the wavelength. 4. Optical information according to claim 2, characterized in that the lens is formed by employing a photocurable resin that has different sensitivities for each wavelength with respect to a light emitting body that has different brightness for each emission wavelength. Processing equipment.