JPH0442163A - Method of transferring picture - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce a density difference between a transferred image and an original picture by inspecting a toner image being an intermediate image and correcting it as necessary. CONSTITUTION: A carrier 26 where an organic photoconductive layer is formed is pulled out from a supply roll 28, charged by a charge station 60 and restored to an exposure station 46, then the image of an original plate 22 such as a paste-in finished copy is successively projected to form a latent image. Next, the carrier 26 is fed to a developing station 48 through the station 60 which is not actuated and the image is developed with toner to form the intermediate image. After the carrier 26 is temporarily held at a temporary storage station 70, it is fed to a transfer station 50, and the image on the carrier 26 is projected on photoreceptive material 24. The toner density in the inspection area of the carrier 26 passing a toner sub station 64 is detected by a densitometer 214. In the case the detected density is different from desired density, a controller 32 adjusts the intensity of the electrostatic charge of the carrier 26 and the moving speed of the carrier 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention is disclosed in US Pat. This is a continuation of Application No. 202794.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the transfer of an image from an original to a photosensitizer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The current plate manufacturing technology in many printing plants is photolithographic pasting is a method of making copies to produce full size film as a negative. The developed film negative must then be placed in close contact with an unexposed plate in a vacuum frame. The plate is then exposed to high concentration ultraviolet radiation, which causes a photochemical reaction to occur on the surface of the plate. The film is then removed and the plate is further processed (offset lithography) or cleaned (letterbless/fless).

Other known methods of manufacturing printing plates include methods of providing plates coated with organic photoconductive layers.

The photoconductive layer is charged and then exposed to a paste-up copy that is projected onto the plate surface. Areas in the background of the image reflect light and charge the plate. As soon as the exposure of the plate is completed, the plate is transferred to a developer where a liquid dispersion containing positively charged toner particles is applied to the surface of the plate. The toner particles adhere to the negatively charged areas of the plate. After drying, the toner particles on the plate melt at once and adhere to the surface of the plate. After decoating, rinsing, and gumming, the plate is ready for use in printing.

By Irvin Jay Latual, George DeClair, and Frederick Elia, June 3, 1988
U.S. Pat. A method and apparatus for use in transferring an image from an original to a photosensitive material is disclosed.

To transfer an image from an original to a photosensitive material, a filmstrip or other carrier is moved along a path extending through an array of stations. The original image was created using electrophotography.
method) on the carrier.

When the method and apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 202,794 is used to transfer an image, due to process variables, Images with different properties are produced on photosensitive materials (photo).

5-ensitive). Any differences between the original image and the image transferred to the photosensitive material are caused by many different process variables. Regardless of what process variables cause the difference between the original image and the image transferred to the photosensitive material, the existence of such a difference is at least somewhat objectionable.

The present invention provides a developed and improved method of controlling the transfer of an image in a manner that minimizes the differences between the transferred image and the original image. For image transfer, a series of intermediate images are formed on the carrier. At least a portion of the intermediate image is examined to determine whether the actual intermediate image characteristics correspond to the desired intermediate image characteristics. If the actual characteristics of the intermediate image differ from the desired characteristics, changes in variables are made in the process of forming the intermediate image.

In certain cases, the intermediate image is examined to determine whether the actual area of the known desired density area of the intermediate image is the same as the desired density.

If the density of the region of known desired density differs from the desired density, the control function is activated. Advantageously, this control function operates before the next subsequent intermediate image is formed. When electrostatic methods are used to form intermediate images, the control functions employed are: the number of particles electrostatically attracted to the carrier due to the modification, the electrostatic charge placed on the carrier, the toner bias voltage, and the projector shutter speed. , and/or the intensity of the light to which the original is exposed.

It is therefore an object of the invention that an intermediate image corresponding to the original is formed on a carrier, that the intermediate image is examined to determine whether the actual properties of the intermediate image correspond to the desired properties; A new and improved method is proposed in which the variables forming the intermediate image are changed when the actual characteristics of the intermediate image differ from the desired characteristics.

A further object of the invention is that an intermediate image corresponding to an original is formed on a carrier, at least one intermediate image is inspected, and the variables in the formation of the intermediate image are determined such that the actual properties of the one intermediate image are the same as the desired properties. The object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method characterized in that, if the image is different, the image is changed before the next subsequent image is formed.

Yet another feature of the invention is that at least a portion of the intermediate image is examined to determine whether the actual density in the portion of the intermediate image examined is the same as the desired density. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of transferring original images.

EXAMPLE An apparatus 20 for transferring an original image 22 to a photosensitive material 24 is depicted in FIGS. 18 and 1B. A carrier 26 is used to transfer the image from the master 22 to the photosensitive material 24 (FIG. 1B). In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the carrier is a continuous film strip 26 that extends from a cylindrical supply roll 28 through a linear array 30 of development stations to a cylindrical storage roll 31. (Figure 1B). The carrier 26 may consist of one or more plates or sheets of material, or may be of other construction different from a film strip. however,
The linear array 30 of development stations, in which the filmstrip is presently preferred as carrier 26, facilitates the manufacture of apparatus 20 in a modular construction. The modules can be connected in many different environments with minimal silver space.

The relatively compact apparatus 20 can be automated through the use of a computer controller 32 (FIG. 1B), making it operable with relatively little training and minimal personnel.

Although apparatus 20 can produce many different products, it is preferably used to produce printing plates. The printing plate is mounted on the printer and is used to print on newsprint or other sheet-like materials in a known manner. When the apparatus 20 is used to form printing plates, the original 22 is a pasted proof copy (pa
The photosensitive material 24 is a layer of photosensitive material supported on a base or plate. However, it should be understood that apparatus 20 can be used to produce printed circuit boards and other products. At the same time, it should be understood that the body of photosensitive material 24 can also be supported in other ways as desired. The filmstrip 26 has a film strip 26 in both a forward direction (indicated by arrow 3b in section 18) and a backward direction extending from the supply roll 28 along a path through the linear array 3o of stations to the storage roll 31. , is indexed by operation of a reversible drive motor 37 coupled to a drive sprocket including drive sprocket 38. Drive sprocket 38 rotates to index a segment of filmstrip 26 sequentially through each of the stations in linear array 30 of a plurality of stations. The direction and speed of rotation of drive sprocket 38 can be varied to change the speed of movement of filmstrip 26. A pair of motors 40 and 42 (first A[] and first B) are continuously driven to bias the supply roll 28 and storage roll 31 in their winding direction, thereby moving the films 1-rip. Give tension.

At the exposure station 46 (FIG. 18), the original image 22
is projected onto a segment of filmstrip 26. The image of the original 22 is developed onto the filmstrip 26 at a development station 48 (FIGS. 18 and 1B) to form a visible intermediate image on the filmstrip. Enlargement of the intermediate image on the filmstrip is carried out at transfer station 50 (1st BQ?)
) onto a plate 24 of photosensitive material. After passing through the transfer station 50, the filmstrip 2
6 is the storage roll 3 with the intermediate image of the original plate placed thereon.
1.

The operation of the equipment in the linear array of stations 46, 48, 50 is controlled by a computer controller 32. Additionally, the operation of motors 40 and 42 is controlled by computer controller 32 to control the bow length force on filmstrip 26. Thus, the motor 40 is schematically shown at 54
The motor 42 is connected to the computer controller 32 by a lead shown schematically at 56 . A computer controller 32 regulates the direction and speed of operation of a motor 37 connected to a main drive sprocket 38, and controls the film against the influence of one of motors 40 and 42 with the aid of the other motor. Move the strip 25 8 times.

The filmstrip 26 is used to successively produce other printing plates having images corresponding to the selected original 22 without exposing the selected original again. When this is done, the computer controller 32 activates the motor connected to the main drive sprocket 38, causing the sprocket to rotate at high speed in the opposite direction. Motors 40 and 42 rotate while drive sprocket 38 rotates in reverse.
quickly unwinds the filmstrip 26 from the storage roll 31.

The filmstrip 36 moves at a relatively high speed through the linear array of stations 30 until it reaches a transfer station 50, at which film segment a selected copy of the original is exposed. Then in a short time film strip 2
6 to the photosensitive material 24, one of the images of the selected original is transferred. The controller 32 then controls the drive sprocket 38
acting on the film strip 26 to the storage roll 31
Quickly unseal.

While the apparatus 20 sequentially transfers the transferred images of the plurality of originals 22 to the plurality of plates of photosensitive material 24, the filmstrip 26 is gradually maintained under constant tension M by the operation of the main drive sprocket 38 and the motors 40 and 42. , whereby creation is performed incrementally. This sequentially moves adjacent segments of filmstrip 26 from supply roll 28 through each station 46, 48, and 50. Thus, there are segments of the same size that are successive in adjacent relationship on the filmstrip 26. Each segment of filmstrip 26 includes an intermediate image of reduced size corresponding to a different original 22 .

However, the apparatus 20 first exposes the image of only one original 22 to the film strip 22 at the exposure station 46.
6 and then indexed to move this image from development station 48 to transfer station 50. At transfer station 50, the image is transferred to photosensitive material 24 to form a unitary printing plate or other product. The film strip is then wound onto a storage roll 3.

Of course, this would result in a large portion of filmstrip 26 being blank between adjacent images.

During operation of the apparatus 20 for sequentially exposing a printing plate 24 of photosensitive material to images of different originals 22 at an exposure station 46, the filmstrip 26 is moved at a relatively low speed by rotation of the main drive sprocket 38. , indexed stepwise in the forward direction 36 and in the opposite or opposite direction. However, if the filmstrip is to be indexed rapidly relative to the linear array 30 of stations, the motor 37 that rotates the main drive sprocket 38 is controlled by the controller 32 to move the filmstrip 26 forward or backward at relatively high speeds. to move it.

The image of the original 22 is transferred to a film strip or other known carrier 26 using an electrophotographic process.
photography), that is, using electrons and radiation. During operation of the depicted apparatus 20, an electrostatic latent image is formed alternately on each segment of the filmstrip 26 as the filmstrip is indexed through the exposure station 46 and the charging station 60. 1A and 2). The segments of filmstrip 26 are moved from an initial or holding position 58 through charging station 60 to exposure station 46 to prevent the charge on the segments of filmstrip from dissipating while loading g 20 is not activated. . As a segment of filmstrip 26 moves in the opposite direction through charging station 60, the segment of filmstrip is charged. This prevents precharged segments of filmstrip 26 from partially discharging while filmstrip 26 is at exposure station 46 and apparatus 20 is not operating.

Film strip segment or charging station 6
As it returns through zero, a uniform positive electrostatic charge is charged to the segment of filmstrip 26. At an exposure station 46, a positively charged filmstrip 26 is exposed.
are exposed to a pattern of light corresponding to the selected original image 22 . Exposure light is on film strip 2
The static electricity charged at the charging station 60 is discharged. This forms an electrostatic image that is a latent image of original image 22 on a segment of filmstrip 26.

At exposure station 46, filmstrip 2
The extent to which portions of the six segments are discharged depends on the intensity of the light that illuminates each portion of the filmstrip. The greater the intensity of light that illuminates a portion of filmstrip 26, the greater the reduction in the intensity of the charge on that portion of filmstrip. This allows for continuous tone changes in the images that are progressively formed on the filmstrip.

An electrostatic image, which is a latent image of the original image 22, is exposed at the exposure station 4b.
After being formed on the filmstrip 26 at , the filmstrip is indexed in the forward direction and the exposed filmstrip segments are transferred to a charging station 60 .
and through an initial or holding position 58 to development station 48 . When the film strip is advanced through charging station 60, the charging station is inactive. Therefore, the electrostatic charge on the exposed segment of the filmstrip remains constant to maintain a latent image of the original electrostatic image.

Although the charging station 60 appears downstream or after the exposure station 46 in Section 1A and FIG. 2, it is contemplated that the charging station could be located in front of the exposure station if desired. As a segment of filmstrip 26 is indexed forward through charging station 60 toward exposure station 46, a positive electrostatic charge is placed on the segment of filmstrip before reaching the exposure station. If the apparatus is not operated for a significant period of time, the charge on the segment of filmstrip located at exposure station 46 will tend to dissipate over time. This, of course, would have a detrimental effect on the quality of the image projected onto the photosensitive material 24 at the transfer station 50.

an electrostatic intermediate image applied to a segment of the filmstrip at an exposure station 46 and a charging station 60 becomes visible at a development station 48;
Fixed. Developer station 48 includes a toner substation 64 and a fusing substation 66. The positively charged toner particles are transferred to toner substation 64.
It is electrically wired to discharge an area of filmstrip 26 with scent.

The amount of toner particles attracted to a portion of a segment on filmstrip 26 is an inverse function of the degree of charge remaining on that portion. Thus, the lower charged areas receive more toner particles and the higher charged areas receive fewer toner particles. Differences in the density of toner particles in different segments of the filmstrip result in a continuous tone image.

The toner particles form a visible intermediate image that corresponds to and is smaller than the original image 22. A dryer (not shown) connects toner substation 74 and fusing station 6.
It is located between 6 and 6. At fusing station 66, the toner particles are melted together and fused together with the material of filmstrip 26 to form a permanent visible image corresponding to original image 22. film strip 26
The intermediate image formed by fusing the toner particles thereon is durable and can be stored on storage roll 31 for a fairly long period of time. This allows the film strip 26 to be indexed from the storage roll 31 and used at a later date to form the second printing plate 24.

A temporary storage station 70 is located between developer station 48 and transfer station 50.

Temporary storage station 70 functions to temporarily hold filmstrips of various lengths until they are indexed to transfer station 50. The length of film strips held at storage station 70 can range from relatively short lengths to relatively long lengths at transfer station 50.
can be increased while exposing a significantly larger number of originals 22 at exposure station 46, while remaining inactive.

Subsequently, the length of filmstrip 26 held in storage station 7o is compared while transferring a significant number of images from the filmstrip to photosensitive material 24 in transfer station 50, with exposure station 46 inactive. It can be reduced from a relatively long length to a relatively short length.

At the transfer station 50, the film strip 2
The image on six segments is projected from the filmstrip onto the photosensitive material 24. This is carried out by shining light through the filmstrip 26 onto the plate 24 of photosensitive material.

Light transmitted through the filmstrip 26 projects an enlarged intermediate image on the film strip segment onto the plate 24 of photosensitive material. The image projected onto the photosensitive material 24 may be the same size, thicker, or smaller than the original image. The image projected onto photosensitive material 24 is smaller than the image on filmstrip 26. To improve the quality of the image formed on the plate of photosensitive material 24, ultraviolet light is directed through the film strip 26 onto the photosensitive material 24. Although various wavelengths of light can be used, ultraviolet light includes light with wavelengths of 365 to 450 nanometers. At the surface of the photosensitive material, the ultraviolet irradiation has an energy level of at least 500 μg/cm 2 . The quality of the image formed on the photosensitive material 24 is improved by using very high quality illumination to transmit the image. Conventional photosensitive material offset plates 24 are relatively inexpensive, and the consumable materials used to manufacture the printing plates are relatively inexpensive.

Plate 24 of photosensitive material may be any commercially available material intended for use in forming printing plates. When the surface of the plate of photosensitive material 24 is exposed to ultraviolet radiation having an energy level of at least 500 μg/cm 2 , the plate undergoes a photochemical reaction that forms the upper layer on the plate. Produces a permanent change in the physical properties of a polymeric compound or diazo compound. The printing plate 24 is then developed in a known manner. Fully developed printing plate 24
is mounted on a printer and used to print copies of the original onto a sheet impression in a known manner.

Filmstrip In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the carrier for the intermediate image of the original 22 is a filmstrip 26.

Film strip 26 is 105 inches of organic photoconductive film. Filmstrip 26 has two rows of consecutive openings along opposite edges, and includes supply roll 28,
A drive sprocket 38 and a sprocket are received at storage roll 32. This allows accurate indexing of the filmstrip upon rotation of drive sprocket 38.

Film strip 26 includes a transparent electrically insulating base 74 (FIG. 2) of polyester material.

A transparent and electrically conductive layer 76 is disposed on the base 74 and is grounded in the manner shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 at the supply roll 28 (FIG. i). thus,
One end of film strip 26 is MU mechanically strapped to a metal spool for supply roll 28. The metal spool is grounded during the film loading stage. The transparent conductive layer 76 is connected to the charging station 60 . During processing of the filmstrip at exposure station 46 and development station 48, it acts as a ground electrode.

A transparent photoconductive layer 78 (FIG. 2) of organic material is used on conductive layer 75. The purpose of the photoconductive layer 78 is to receive and retain the electrostatic charge within the darkroom, and then discharge the area illuminated by the light beam during exposure. Photoconductive layer 7 prior to being exposed to light at exposure station 46
8 is electrically insulated. However, the portions of the photoconductive layer that are struck by the light beam at exposure station 46 become electrically conductive. The degree to which photoconductive layer 78 is rendered electrically conductive varies as a direct function of the intensity of the light beam to which portions of the photoconductive layer are exposed. The stronger the intensity of the portion of the light beam that strikes a point on the photoconductive layer 78, the greater the conductivity of the photoconductive layer.

Photoconductive layer 78 on segments of filmstrip 26
When exposed at exposure station 46 to a light beam pattern corresponding to original image 22, the conductive layer becomes electrically conductive in areas having a shape corresponding to the shape of the image on original image 22. The brighter an area on the original, the more conductive the corresponding area on the filmstrip segment. Conversely, the darker the area of the original, the less conductive the corresponding area on the filmstrip segment.

Photoconductive layer 78 is a solid solution of a suitably photosensitized organic photoconductor. This transparent, homogeneous layer 78 does not have any crystalline structure associated with emulsion layers of silver halide photographic materials. In a particular embodiment of the invention, filmstrip 26 is a recording film commercially available from Eastman Kodak Company, Kodak Ectavolt (registered trademark EXT^VOLT on ODA). Of course, equivalent film strips of somewhat different construction and/or materials can be used if desired. In the embodiment of the present invention, the photoconductive layer 78 shown in FIGS. 18 and 18 faces upward, but in FIGS. 2 through 5, the photoconductive layer 78 faces downward. should be understood.

Filmstrip 26 is preferably used as a carrier for intermediate images of the original, although other known carriers can be used if desired. Thus, a transparent plate coated with a thin aluminum or carbon layer can be used as a carrier. Once this is done, the laser is enabled at the exposure station 46 and this laser is applied directly to the coating! ] An image of the original image 22 is formed on the transparent plate by evaporating or melting the film at the location where it is irradiated. Although it is preferred to use an element of a car body as a support for the image, it is also possible that the carrier comprises successive elements and that the image is transferred from one element of the carrier to successive elements of the carrier. . Of course, other known carriers can also be used if necessary.

Charging Station At the charging station 60 the film strip 26
3. Electrically isolated light guide on 13. , layer 78 (7142
Figure) has a uniform electrostatic charge. This charge is carried out in a dark room by a charger 82 having a corona wire 84 and a control grid 86. The corona wire is connected to a high pressure source 88, a 4000 to 6000 Holt τ source. Corona wire 84 generates positively charged ions.

These positively charged ions, shown schematically in FIG. 2, are electrically attracted to photoconductive layer 78.

Corona charger 82 has a grounded shield 92 that improves starvation of the charging process by attracting corona current and providing stability. Control grid 86 regulates the corona current. Corona charger 82 and control grid 8
The operation of the power supply to 6 is controlled by a computer controller 32. Thus, high voltage power supply 88 is coupled to computer controller 32 by beam 96. Control grid 86 is coupled to controller 32 by leads 97.

Although corona charger 82 is shown in FIG. 2 as being above filmstrip 26, charging unit 60 is positioned below filmstrip 26 as depicted in FIG. You should understand that. Photoconductive layer 78 forms the bottommost layer of the filmstrip, and heath or support layer 74 is the top layer. Although charging station 60 is depicted here as being after exposure station 46, the charging station can be located in front of the exposure station if desired.

At the exposure station 46 (FIG. 1A), the original image 2
A latent intermediate image corresponding to and being reduced in size is formed on the downwardly facing segment of filmstrip 26 facing photoconductive layer 78.

To accomplish this, filmstrip 26 is held flat by vacuum head 100. Next lamp 10
2 and 104 are lit by the computer controller 32 as iM lights.

Computer controller 32 then controls shutter assembly 110.
is activated, allowing light to be directed through lens 112 onto a segment of filmstrip 26. shutter 1
10 is coupled to the computer controller 32 by a shutter beam portion 114 to enable it to be operated by the computer controller 32. The shutter period may be 3 to 7.5 seconds, depending at least in part on the characteristics of the filmstrip 26.

When the photoconductive layer 78 is irradiated with a beam of light from the original image 22 in the manner diagrammatically depicted in FIG. Change the conductive layer to conductivity. Areas of photoconductive layer 78 that are not illuminated by exposure light 118 remain electrically non-conductive.

In areas of photoconductive layer 78 that have become conductive due to exposure of the light beam pattern from original image 22 , positive charges on the surface of photoconductive layer 78 are attracted to grounded conductive layer 76 . The more conductive a particular area on a segment of filmstrip 26 is, the more positive charges on the surface of photoconductive layer 78 will be attracted to grounded conductive layer 76. Negative charges on conductive layer 76 are attracted to the surface of photoconductive layer 78 in the manner diagrammatically depicted in FIG.

The resulting charge pattern on photoconductive layer 78 has a shape that corresponds to the pattern of light formed by original image 22 (FIG. 1A), forming a latent intermediate image of reduced size. The charge strength at any point on the charge pattern is
It will be an inverse function of the ink density at the corresponding point on the original. Although the exposing light pattern 118 is schematically depicted in FIG. 3 as emanating from above the filmstrip 26, the exposing light pattern 118 is actually drawn from above the filmstrip 26 as shown in FIG. 1A. emanates from below.

Development Station At development station 48, a latent intermediate image of original image 22 on a segment of photoconductive layer 78 becomes visible;
Fixed. The positively charged toner particles are thus electrically attracted to the conductive areas on the segments of photoconductive layer 78, and the toner particles fuse with the material of photoconductive layer 78 to fix the visible image.

At toner substation 64 (FIGS. 1A and 4), positively charged toner particles are transferred to toner head 130.
to a segment of photoconductive layer 78 on film strip 26. Toner head 130 functions as a positively charged developing electrode (FIG. 4). An electrostatic field is established between toner head 130 and conductive layer 76 where photoconductive layer 78 becomes electrically conductive upon exposure to a pattern of light (FIG. 3).

Toner particles from positively charged toner head 130 (FIG. 4) are electrically attracted to the discharged areas of the photoconductive layer 78 segments. This is because the discharged areas of the segments of photoconductive layer 78 are adjacent to conductive layer 76 . The toner particles are repelled by the positively charged regions of the segments of photoconductive layer 78 in the manner shown diagrammatically in FIG. Thus, toner particles adhere to segments on the filmstrip 26 only in the areas where the filmstrip was struck by light at the exposure station 46.

The concentration of toner particles attracted to a particular area of a segment of filmstrip 26 is an inverse function of the optical density in the corresponding area of original 22. This is because the level of charge remaining on photoconductive layer 78 varies depending on the intensity of light to which the photoconductive layer is exposed. This different charge level results in attracting different amounts of toner particles. Thus, the areas of lower charge attract more toner particles and the areas of higher charge attract fewer toner particles, and the discharged areas of photoconductive layer 78 have a shape corresponding to the shape of the pattern 118 of light transmitted from the original image 22. have As such, the opaque toner particles form a visible pattern corresponding to the original image 22 when adhered to the conductive areas of the photoconductive layer 78 . Computer controller 32 is coupled to toner substation 64 by leash 134 and is connected to developer electrode 130.
allows control to adjust the strength of the electric field between the film strip 26 and the film strip 26. In addition, computer controller 32 switches off toner head 130 when filmstrip 26 is indexed in the reverse direction and/or when no toner is used on a segment of the filmstrip in toner substation 64.

At the melting station 66 (FIGS. 1B and 5), the toner particles 136 are melted together and with the material of the photoconductive layer in the manner depicted schematically in FIG. Thus, the infrared lamp 138 in the fusing station 66 heats the toner particles to melt or consolidate the toner particles. During the melting process, the toner particles also melt slightly with the photoconductive layer 78 in the manner diagrammatically depicted in FIG.

As filmstrip 26 moves to melting substation 66, it enters meltwater tank 142 (FIG. 1B). Next, film strip 2
6 is the infrared lamp 13 when the shutter 144 opens.
8. Operating beam 148 of shutter 144
It is controlled by a computer control device 32 via.

When shutter 144 opens, heat from infrared lamp 138 melts and welds the toner particles. Additionally, the heat from the infrared radiation melts the toner particles along with the material of filmstrip 26. This fixes the image on the filmstrip 26. It should be understood that filmstrip 26 is transparent where opaque toner particles 136 do not block light passing through the filmstrip.

Although the infrared lamp 138 is depicted in FIG. 5 as exposing the top surface of the filmstrip 26, the filmstrip or molten water tank +42<
When in the vertical orientation (Fig. '41B), the infrared lamp 138 is exposing the lower side of the filmstrip.

Storage Station After filmstrip 26 passes through fusing substation 66, the open loop of filmstrip 26 is indexed to temporary storage station 70 (FIG. 1B).

The open loop of filmstrip 26 engages a vertically reattached festoon roll 150 at temporary storage station 70. Output from one of the plurality of festoon roll position sensors 151 is communicated through leash 152 to computer controller 32 . This provides computer controller 32 with an indication of the length of film waiting to be advanced to transfer station 5o.

The festoon roll 150 allows the apparatus 2o to operate at the exposure station 46 to expose a number of originals 22 while the transfer station 5o is not in operation. Similarly, apparatus 20 is operable to transfer multiple intermediate images from filmstrip 26 to photoconductive material 24 while exposure station 45 is inactive.

Thus, as apparatus 20 operates to expose original 22 while transfer station 50 is inactive, the length of filmstrip 26 at storage station 70 increases. Then, while exposure station 46 is inactive, apparatus 20 exposes the image to filmstrip 26.
Upon operation of transferring from to photosensitive material 24, the length of filmstrip 26 at storage station 70 decreases. When the apparatus exposes original image 22 at exposure station 46 at the same speed as it transfers the image to photosensitive material 24 at transfer station 50, the length of filmstrip 26 at storage station 70 remains constant.

Computer controller 32 controls the operation of stepper motors (not shown) for film drive sprockets on opposite sides of storage station 70 to regulate the feeding of filmstrips 26 into and out of the storage station. Thus, filmstrip 26
is delivered to the storage station by the action of the weight of the festoon roll of the storage station and/or the drive sprocket of the input site. When a filmstrip 25 is to be delivered from storage station 70, the drive sprocket on the input side of the storage station is stationary and the drive sprocket on the output site of the storage station causes
The film strip 26 is delivered from the storage station against the weight of the festoon roll 150.

Transfer station In the transfer station 50, a light source 156 (first B
Light from the photosensitive material (FIG.) is projected through the transparent portion of the filmstrip 26 onto the plate 24 of photosensitive material.

The light guides N (photores) on the printing plate 24.
ist) material W] to form an image corresponding to the original image 22. As previously mentioned, the plate 24 of optoelectronic material may be a printing plate, printed circuit board, or other product. Photoconductive material 24 may be a photopolymer or diazo compound disposed on a suitable base. The photochemical reaction is such that the photopolymer or diazo compound is
It begins when the body is exposed to radiation with an intensity of 0.00 mg/cm2.

In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1B, the high-power light 156 is a Mercury-Xenon shorted arc lamp. The radiation energy from lamp 156 is focused into a conical beam by an abrasive reflector. The light beam is transmitted from the polished reflector to a dichroic mirror that receives the infrared radiation and reflects the desired ultraviolet radiation. Thus, lamp 15
Although 6 provides both ultraviolet radiation and radiation of wavelengths different from ultraviolet radiation, only the ultraviolet radiation is reflected by the dichroic mirror.

Ultraviolet radiation is reflected from the mirror through a shutter assembly 64 to a lens system that homogenizes the light. Therefore, a substantially homogeneous bright plane is generated in the converging lens 170.

Excitation of light source 156 and actuation of shutter 154 are controlled by computer controller 32 (FIG. 1B). Thus, light source 156 is coupled to computer controller 32 by leet 172 and shutter assembly 164 is coupled to computer controller 32 by leet 174. After the irradiation energy leaves the homogenizing lens system,
It impinges on a second dichroic mirror that transmits infrared light and reflects ultraviolet light to converging lens 170. The ultraviolet light is transmitted through the transparent fibers of the film strip 26 segment through the converging lens 170 to the image lens 182. Ultraviolet light from image lens 182 is directed onto plate 24 of photosensitive material.

Image lens 182 projects a magnified image of the intermediate image on filmstrip 26 onto photosensitive material 24 . The image projected onto the photosensitive material is film strip 26
Although thicker than the intermediate image above, the projected image is smaller than or the same size as the original image 22. For certain purposes, such as fabricating integrated circuits, the image projected onto the photosensitive material may be smaller than the intermediate image on filmstrip 26. film strip 26
from the photosensitive material plate 2 through the image lens 182.
The ultraviolet irradiation pattern transmitted to photosensitive material 2
At least 500 ng/4 on the flat upper surface of
It has an energy level of cm2. This projected energy causes the photosensitive material on the plate to undergo a photochemical reaction, forming an image of the original 22.

The photosensitive layer on plate 24 is a photopolymerizable system in which ultraviolet light triggers a spontaneous reaction in which the monomers form long Bosoma buttons in response to changes in a number of physical properties of the system. will occur. The basic preparations of photosensitive substances are 1,000 yen, polymeric concentrators (polymer fc thi
ckener), photochemically initiated solids (photoini
tiator), temperature stabilizer (thermal 5ta
bilizer), etc. Actul or methacrylic acid ester can be used as a substitute. A clear, high quality image corresponding to the image of the original 22 is formed on the photosensitive material on the plate 24.

Besides photopolymers, the photosensitive layer on plate 24 can be a diazo compound. The unexposed diazo compound is initially insoluble and at least 500 kg/cm
It becomes soluble in areas exposed to UV radiation having an energy level of 2. Therefore, when the soluble areas are washed away by developer loading, a positive image is produced.

At transfer station 50, filmstrip 26 passes through wood or other liquid (FIGS. 3 and 4), the water extracts heat from filmstrip 26, and filmstrip 26 is cooled by the liquid. This prevents overheating and warping of the filmstrip 26.

Although the above description has been made separately for each station in a 3° linear array of multiple stations, it should be understood that operation occurs simultaneously at each station in different segments of filmstrip 26.

A computer controller 32 coordinates the operation of all stations to provide high quality images on plate 24. If the plate 24 of photosensitive material is a printing plate, it is subsequently mounted on the cylinder of a printing press. If the plate 24 of photosensitive material is a printed circuit board, then; an air circuit is connected to the plate in a known manner.

Control Characteristics In accordance with aspects of the present invention, at least a portion of the intermediate image formed on filmstrip 26 is inspected at inspection station 200. Inspection station 200
is located between toner substation 64 and fusing substation 66.

Thus, the filmstrip 26 is transferred to the test station 2.
00 in order to stop each intermediate image, where at least a portion of each intermediate image is examined to determine whether the actual characteristics of the intermediate image are the same or different from the desired characteristics of the intermediate image. It is determined.

As soon as the actual characteristics of the intermediate image examined at inspection station 200 differ from the desired characteristics of the intermediate image, control functions act to change one or more of the variables in the process of forming the intermediate image on filmstrip 26. More than that will change. By changing one or more variables in the flux Pl that forms the intermediate image on filmstrip 25, the amount of toner particles that are attracted to each segment of filmstrip 26 at toner substation 84 can be directly controlled. Or indirectly changed.

Variables changed include: That is, the charge; the intensity of the π charge at station 60; the moving speed of film strip 26 passing through the station; the toner bias voltage at toner substation 64; the shutter speed at exposure station 46; If the intensity of the light, the king of toner particles in the toner solution that enters the toner substation 64,! ,,
This/or other variable.

After the intermediate image is examined and any variables in the process of forming the intermediate image are changed, a subsequent intermediate image is formed to determine whether the intermediate image is formed according to the desired quality. be inspected. film strip 26
inspection of any of the successive intermediate images formed on the
If characteristics of the intermediate image are to be displayed that do not meet the desired quality, variables in the process of forming the intermediate image are changed.

The process of inspecting the intermediate image and, if necessary, changing variables in the process of forming the image, is repeated throughout the process of transfer from the original 22 to the filmstrip 26. As such, the quality of the intermediate image formed on the filmstrip 26 is continuously monitored during the exposure of the original onto the filmstrip 26 and the formation of the intermediate image.

Although inspection of the image can detect a large number of different intermediate image characteristics, it is preferable to determine whether the desired toner particle concentration in a known area actually has the desired concentration. Thus, test regions 206, 208, 2 of known desired toner particle concentrations in series 204 (FIG. 6)
10 and 212 are the inspection station 200 (i
A series 214 of densitometers 216, 218 arranged in Figure 6)
, 220, and 222. Concentration meter 216
The output signals from 222 to 222 are the leads 224, 226.
, 228 and 230 to the computer controller 32. Computer controller 32 determines whether the actual concentration sensed by the densitometer is equal to, less than, or greater than the desired actual concentration of the test area. If the computer controller 32 determines that the actual density of the inspection area 206, 208, 210, or 212 differs from the desired density, a control function operates to determine the actual toner particles for the next subsequent intermediate image. At least one variable in forming the intermediate image on filmstrip 26 is changed to achieve the desired toner particle concentration.

Test areas 206-212 have different desired toner particle concentrations. Thus, when test area 206 has a desired toner particle concentration, the test area is completely filled with toner particles, ie, the test area has a toner particle concentration of 100%. When test area 208 has a desired toner particle concentration, the test area is only partially filled with toner particles and contains 70% of the toner particle concentration of test area 206 .

When inspection area 210 has the desired density, it has only 30% of the toner particle concentration of inspection area 206.

Finally, if the test area 212 has the desired toner particle concentration, it is free of toner particles, ie, toner particle concentration O%.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the successive inspection areas i5.206, 208, 210 and 212 correspond to areas formed on the original image. Thus, the original image has four inspection areas, each of which corresponds to one of inspection areas 206-212 on the intermediate image. Since the inspection area of the original image is subject to the same processing as the main image on the original image, defects in the intermediate main image formed on the filmstrip 26 also appear in the inspection areas 206-212.

The toner particle concentration in the inspection areas 206-212 is an inverse function of the optical density in the corresponding inspection area of the print or original. Thus, the full density test area 206 on the filmstrip 25 corresponds to a blank test area, ie, a test area without ink on the original image 22. Inspection area 208 on filmstrip 26 corresponds to an inspection area on original image 22 having an optical density of 30%. Similarly, the inspection area 210 on the filmstrip 26 is 70%
corresponds to an inspection area on the original image 22 having an optical density of . Finally, the inspection area 212 on the filmstrip 26
is the original image 2 with full density or 100% optical density
This corresponds to the inspection area above 2.

Densitometers 216-222 detect test areas 206-212 on filmstrip 26. thus,
Each segment of filmstrip 26 has a densitometer 21
Inspection stations 200 having inspection areas 206 to 212 located directly below inspection stations 6 to 222 stop in sequence. Densitometers 216-222 then sense the optical density in test areas 206-222 and provide an output corresponding to the actual toner particle concentration. Concentration meter 2
16 to 222 cooperate with inspection areas 206 to 2]2 is known and described in U.S. Patent Application No. 3.755.7.
The method is similar to that disclosed in No. 25.

Output from densitometers 216-222 is communicated to computer controller 32. The output from each densitometer corresponds to and is an indication of the actual toner particle concentration of the corresponding test area on filmstrip 26. Thus, the output from densitometer 216 flowing through lead 224 corresponds to the actual toner particle concentration in test area 206. Similarly, the densitometer 2 flowing through the lead 226
The output from 18 corresponds to the actual toner particle concentration in test area 208 . Densitometer 2 flowing through lead 228
The output from 20 corresponds to the actual toner particle concentration in the test area 210. The output from densitometer 222 corresponds to the actual toner particle concentration in test area 212.

The computer controller 32 controls the densitometers 216 to 222.
The toner particle concentration sensed by the toner particle concentration is compared to the desired toner particle concentration. Computer controller 32 then determines whether the actual toner particle concentration is the same, greater than, or less than the desired toner particle concentration in each test area 206-212. This is U.S. Patent Application No. 3,835,77
It is carried out in a known manner, including in a manner similar to that disclosed in No. 7.

The output from the densitometers 216 to 222 is the inspection area 206.
to 212, computer controller 32 does not initiate any control functions. However, if the output from the densitometers 216-222 corresponds to a toner particle concentration that is less than the desired concentration, the computer controller 32 initiates a control function to
Increase toner particle concentration. Similarly, if the output of the densitometers 216-222 indicates that the toner particle concentration in the test areas 206-212 is greater than the desired toner particle concentration, a control function is initiated to reduce the toner particle concentration.

Each segment of filmstrip 26 is inspected in turn by a densitometer at inspection station 200. Inspection area 20 on one segment of filmstrip 26
6 to 212 are inspected at inspection station 200 and before the next successive segment of filmstrip 26 is charged at charging station 60, if necessary, to perform control functions to alter the toner particle concentration. Control functions are performed.

If the output from densitometer 214 indicates that the toner particle concentration should be increased or decreased, the segment of filmstrip 26 that is located adjacent to the filmstrip 26 inspected at inspection station 200 A control function is performed such that the toner particle concentration is changed before charging the toner. The segment of filmstrip 26 that follows the segment of filmstrip 26 at inspection station 200 is transferred to charging station 6 after execution of the curing control function to be performed.
0 to exposure station 46. Therefore, the quality of the subsequent intermediate images formed on the filmstrip 26 is improved.

The intermediate image is segment 26a of filmstrip 26.
When a break is formed above, the segment of filmstrip 26 moves from intermediate station 58 in a reverse or backward direction, i.e., through charging station 60 in the direction opposite arrow 36 to exposure station 46. . Corona wire 84 and control grid 86 cooperate to apply a uniform charge to segments 26a of filmstrip 26 as filmstrip 26 segments 26a move from intermediate station 58 through charging station 60. As segment 26a of filmstrip 26 is being moved to exposure station 46, the next succeeding segment 26b of filmstrip 26 returns from the exposure station to supply reel 28.

After moving to exposure station 46, charged segment 26a of filmstrip 26 is exposed to original image 22, forming an 'fJ image on filmstrip 26. Original image 22 includes an inspection area corresponding to inspection area 204 in FIG. Therefore, latent images of these inspection areas are formed on segments 26a of filmstrip 26 at exposure station 46.

Charged segment 26a of filmstrip 26
When exposed to the original image 22, the photoconductive layer 78 on the segment of the filmstrip 26, including the inspection area, is at least partially discharged to form a latent image. The strength of the charge at each point in the latent image will be a direct function of the corresponding optical density on the original.

Thus, the greater the optical density on original image 22, the stronger the charge remaining on the corresponding area on segment 26a of filmstrip 26 will be.

The inspection area of original image 22 that corresponds to the sufficiently dense inspection area 206 (FIG. 6) on segment 26a of filmstrip 26 has very low or zero optical density. This results from the light reflected from this region having a relatively high intensity. As a result, the test area 206 of the segment 26a of the exposed filmstrip 26 is almost completely discharged. Conversely, the inspection area of the original that corresponds to inspection area 212 on filmstrip 26 has a very high optical density. The very high optical density of the inspection area of the original results in a light intensity reflected to the inspection@B area 212 on the segment of filmstrip 26 that is of relatively low density. This leaves most, if not all, of the charge on the segment 26a of the filmstrip 26 in the inspection area 212.

After segment 28a of filmstrip 26 has been exposed to the original at exposure station 46, filmstrip 26 advances, ie, in the direction of arrow 36. This forward movement causes exposed segment 26a to pass through charging station 60, intermediate station 58, and toner substation 64 to inspection station 2.
Continue until moving to 00. film strip 26
The exposed segment 26a of the charging station 60
8, charging device 82 is inactive and does not change the charge on the exposed segment of filmstrip 26.

Therefore, after the exposed segment 26a of the filmstrip 26 passes the charging station 6o, the charge on the exposed segment of the filmstrip 26 is the same as that of the exposed segment 26a of the filmstrip 26 that the exposed segment of the filmstrip 26 left at the exposure station 46. It is the same as the thing.

Exposed segment 26a of filmstrip 26
Just before passing through toner substation 64 , three-way valve 236 is actuated to pump toner solution from reservoir 240 to toner head 130 . As the positively charged toner particles pass through toner substation 64, they are attracted from toner head 130 to the discharge area of exposed segment 26a of filmstrip 26. Since the inspection area 20δ is almost discharged due to the relatively strong light beam reflected from the corresponding inspection area due to the absence of ink or other substances on the original image 22, a large amount of toner particles are transferred to the inspection area 206. , and almost completely fills the examination area in the manner diagrammatically depicted in FIG. Similarly, exposed segment 26a
The charge on the inspection area 212 will remain intact because little or no light is reflected from the corresponding optically dark or dense inspection area on the original image 22. Therefore, toner particles are not attracted to the inspection area 212.

Exposed segment 26δ of filmstrip 26
reaches inspection station 20 (l), the forward movement of filmstrip 26 is stopped. Densitometers 216-222 sense the concentration of toner particles in fixed inspection areas 206-212 and output corresponding signals via leats 224-230. to the computer controller 32. If the computer controller 32 determines that the actual toner particle concentration corresponds to the desired toner particle concentration, no corrective action is performed. If the toner particle concentration differs from the desired toner particle concentration, a corrective action is performed. Similarly, segment 2 of filmstrip 26 increases in strength.
If the actual toner particle concentration on 6a is greater than the desired toner particle concentration, the strength of the charge on filmstrip 26 at charging station 60 is reduced. In addition, grid 3 at the toner substation 64
The bias voltage applied to the toner particles by 14 is increased or decreased to change the toner particle concentration on a segment of filmstrip 26.

Segment 26b of the next subsequent or second filmstrip 26 is charged at charging station 64 until the corrective action determined to be necessary as a result of the inspection of segment 26a of the previous filmstrip 26 at inspection station 200 is performed. and is not exposed at exposure station 46. Thus, the first segment 26a of the filmstrip 26 is transferred to the inspection station 200.
While being inspected at , the next or second film strip 26 segment 26b is stopped at an intermediate station 58. Inspection station 200
the first segment 26a located at the intermediate station 58;
There are no segments of filmstrip 26 between second segment 26b located at . At this point, the second segment 25b of filmstrip 26 at intermediate station 58 is in the same unprocessed state as when it left supply reel 28.

Thus, segment 26b of filmstrip 26
is not charged.

After the first or preceding segment 26a of the filmstrip 26 has been inspected at the inspection station 200 and any necessary control functions have been performed that alter one or more variables forming the intermediate image, the next or Segment 26b of two filmstrips 26 moves from intermediate station 58 through charging station 60 to exposure station 46. film strip 2
As the second segment 26b of 6 moves from the intermediate station 58 through the charging station 60, it is uniformly charged over the surface of the second segment 26b of the filmstrip 26. Movement of the second segment 26b of the filmstrip 26 to the left (as viewed from FIG. 18)
It stops when this segment is at exposure station 46.

During the eight passes from the intermediate station 58 of the next succeeding or second segment 25b of the filmstrip 26 to the exposure station 46, the preceding or first segment 26a of the filmstrip 26 passes through the inspection station 20.
0 to an intermediate station. Just before first segment 26a passes through toner substation 64, computer controller 32 actuates valve 326 to direct the flow of toner solution from pump 238 to reservoir 240.
Return to. In addition, computer controller 32 interrupts the bias voltage across the toner grid. Therefore,
As filmstrip 26 moves from inspection station 200 through toner substation 64 to intermediate station 58, no additional toner particles are attracted to first segment 26a of filmstrip 26.

Filmstrip 26 at exposure station 46
After the next or second segment 25b has been exposed, the filmstrip 26 advances, i.e. (first A
(as seen in the picture) move to the right. This moves the first segment 26a of filmstrip 26 from intermediate station 58 to toner substation 64. At this time, the toner substation remains inactive. In addition, the second segment 26b of filmstrip 26 is transferred from the exposure station to the charging station 6.
Move through o. At this time, the charging station is also not activated, so the charge on the second segment of filmstrip 26 remains constant.

The first segment 26a of the filmstrip 26 returns to the inspection station 200 and the filmstrip 260
After the next subsequent or second segment 25b returns from the exposure station 46 to the intermediate station 58, the three-way valve 236 is again actuated to transfer the toner (8?&) to the toner bed 1.
30, a 1-ner bias τ pressure is applied. Therefore,
As the second segment 26b of the filmstrip 25 moves from the intermediate station 58 to the inspection station 200, toner particles fall onto the second segment 26b of the filmstrip 26. At this time, segment 26a of filmstrip 26 moves past fusing station 66.

In the above description, if inspection of a segment of filmstrip 26 leads to a determination that a change is needed in the process of forming the intermediate image, the charge applied to the next segment of filmstrip 26 at charging station 60 is modified. be done. However, it is contemplated that one or more variables in the process of forming intermediate images on segments of filmstrip 26 may be changed if desired. For example, the speed of movement of a segment of filmstrip 26 through charging station 60 may be increased to reduce the intensity of the charge on a segment of filmstrip 2G, or increase the intensity of the charge on a segment of filmstrip 26. Decreased to increase.

The toner bias voltage that charges the toner particles is increased to increase the concentration of toner particles on a segment of filmstrip 26, or decreased to decrease the concentration of toner particles on a segment of filmstrip 26.

If desired, the operating speed of shutter 110 at exposure station 46 can be varied to change the concentration of toner particles on the segment of filmstrip 26 that then exposes original 22. Thus, as the toner particle concentration decreases, the shutter speed increases.

Similarly, if the concentration of toner particles is to be increased, the shutter speed is decreased.

Varying the amount of light reflected from the original 22 through the shutter 110 to the segments of the filmstrip 26 causes a change in the extent to which the discharge on the segments of the filmstrip 26 occurs. Thus, as the intensity of light from lamps 102 and 104 increases, the original 2
2 increases the amount of light reflected onto the segments of filmstrip 26. As the intensity of light to which filmstrip 26 is exposed increases, filmstrip 26
The extent to which the electrostatic charge on the segment is discharged increases. Similarly, as the intensity of light from lamps 102 and 104 decreases, the extent to which the charge on the segments of filmstrip 26 is discharged decreases. Light meter 246 is REET
248 to computer controller 32 to provide an indication of the intensity of light reflected from the original onto the segments of filmstrip 26.

Pump 23B (Figure 1A) to toner, 130
The amount of toner particles in the toner solution delivered to the toner solution also affects the concentration of toner particles that are attracted to the segments of the film strip 2δ. Thus, if the amount of toner particles in the toner solution is below normal, then the concentration of toner particles within a segment of filmstrip 26 will be below normal. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a predetermined minimum amount of toner particles within the toner particle solution.

To indicate a decrease in the amount of toner particles within the toner particle solution, as the toner particle solution flows from pump 238 to valve 235, the toner particle solution passes through transparent section 2 of the conduit.
52. A light source 254 (FIG. 7) on one side of the transparent conduit section 252 directs light to the toner particles I.
'8 liquid and directed to the photocell 256. Output from photocell 256 is sent to computer controller 32 through lid 258.

After the toner particle solution has been used for a certain period of time,
- The amount of toner particles will be reduced. This results in an increase in the intensity of light received by photocell 256. When the amount of toner particles in the toner particle solution falls below a predetermined minimum limit, photocell 256 releases leet 25.
An output signal transmitted through 8 to computer controller 32 causes the computer controller to provide an output indicating that the concentration of toner particles in the solution needs to be increased. - Once this is done, toner particles (8 ('ei
When the toner particles pass through the transparent section 252 of the conduit, the toner particles again block the passage of light between the light source 254 and the photocell 25δ.

If a segment of filmstrip 26 is at transfer station 50 and light is to be transmitted through the segment of filmstrip 26 to printing plate 24;
It is necessary to hold the segment of filmstrip 26 in the same position relative to printing plate 24.

This is similar to the fact that when a segment is exposed at exposure station 46, it should be in the same position relative to original image 22. The position of the segments of the filmstrip 26 relative to the printing plate 24 at the transfer station 5o is the same as that of the filmstrip 26 relative to the original 22 at the exposure station 46.
A marker 262 at the exposure station (FIG. 1A) forms an index indicia on the segment of filmstrip 26 to establish the same relative position with respect to the segment. A segment of filmstrip 26 is moved to exposure station 46 and original image 2
2, the computer 32 activates the marker 262 through the lead 264 to index the filmstrip 26 at a predetermined position relative to the segment of the filmstrip 26 to be exposed to the original. Form an indicator.

Before a segment of filmstrip 26 is directed to transfer station 50 and filmstrip 26 is moved to a position where ultraviolet light is applied through filmstrip 26 onto the printing plate, sensor 268 detects marker 2.
The presence of the index mark formed by 62 is detected.

When the sensor 268 detects the index index, the REIT 2
A signal is sent via 70 to computer controller 32 indicating that the next segment of filmstrip 26 is in position relative to transfer station 50. Computer controller 32 then operates to drive filmstrip 26 drive motor to drive filmstrip 2.
6 is precisely moved a predetermined distance to align the next film strip 26 segment with the lens 170 at the transfer station 50. Although sensor 268 is capable of a variety of different configurations, this
It may be constructed in the manner described in JO 4,941.

Although markers 262 are preferably used to form indexing indicia on filmstrip 26 adjacent each segment of filmstrip 26;
One or more test regions 206-212 can be used as indexing indicators. Thus, a full density test area 206 is placed in position relative to the segment of filmstrip 26. Therefore,
Sensor 268 can be used to detect the presence of test area 206. This results in the inspection area 206 being used for two different purposes, namely as an indicator of the concentration of toner particles within a segment of the filmstrip 26 and as an indicator of the position of the same segment of the filmstrip 26. As a device.

When a segment of filmstrip 26 is at transfer station 50, ultraviolet light passes through the segment of filmstrip 26 to plate 24 of photosensitive material. This results in the exposure of the intermediate image on the segment of filmstrip 26 to the photosensitive material. Inspection areas 206-212 are positioned such that no ultraviolet light passes through the inspection areas. This results in the image formed on the photosensitive material 24 being independent of the areas corresponding to the inspection areas 206-212. However, if desired, the inspection areas 206-212 on the segments of filmstrip 26 can be positioned such that the ultraviolet light passes through the inspection areas. Corresponding areas are then formed on the plate 24 of photosensitive material.

At any given time, a number of exposed filmstrip 26 segments can be placed in storage station 70. In addition, a number of exposed filmstrip 26 segments can be placed on storage roll 31. To identify a particular filmstrip 26 segment, the intermediate image on each segment of filmstrip 26 includes a code that identifies the object of the intermediate image. Although many different types of codes can be used if desired, it is advantageous to use barcodes. Barcode reader 274 is at transfer station 5
0 to read the code on the intermediate image before it moves to the lens 170. Reader 274 is coupled to computer controller 32 by lead 276.

The present invention provides a new and improved method of controlling the transfer of an image in a manner that minimizes differences between the transferred image and the original. For image transfer, a series of intermediate images corresponding to the original 22 are formed on the carrier 26. At least a portion 206-212 of the intermediate image is examined to determine whether the actual intermediate image characteristics correspond to the desired intermediate image characteristics. If the actual characteristics of the intermediate image differ from the desired characteristics, changes in the process variables for forming the intermediate image are made.

In certain cases, the intermediate image is examined to determine whether the actual density of the regions 206-212 of known desired density in the intermediate image is the same as the desired density. If the density of the region of known desired density differs from the desired density, a control function is executed. Advantageously, the control function is carried out before the subsequent intermediate image is formed. When the photographic transmission method is used to form an intermediate image, the control functions performed include changing the amount of toner particles;
The toner particles are removed by changing the electrical charge applied to the carrier at charging station 60, by changing the toner bias voltage at toner substation 64, by changing the shutter speed at exposure station 46, and Attracted electrostatically, either by changing the intensity of the light to the original image 22 being exposed at the exposure station.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which include FIG. FIG. 2 is a highly schematic illustration depicting the manner in which the photoconductive layer on the filter strip is charged at a charging station; FIG. FIG. 4 is a highly schematic illustration depicting the manner in which toner particles become conductive by being exposed to light, such that toner particles are stitched onto conductive areas of a photoconductive layer on a film strip at a development station. FIG. 5 is a highly schematic diagram depicting the manner in which toner particles are deposited on a conductive layer at a developer station; FIG. Schematic diagram depicting how a densitometer is used to examine multiple parts of an intermediate image; Section 7 is used to determine the amount of toner particles in the toner solution directed through the conduit. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the device. 20... device, 22... original picture, 24...
- Light guiding τ material, 26... Carrier, 28... Cylindrical supply roll, 30 Linear array, 31... Cylindrical storage roll, 32... Computer control device, 36... Arrow, 37... Reversible motor, 3
8...Drive sprocket, 40.42...Motor, 46...Exposure station, 48...Development station, 50...Transfer station, 54.56...Leat, 58...Holding position ,6
0... Charging station, 64... Toner station, 66... Melting station, 70... Temporary storage station, 74... Insulating heir, 76... Conductive layer, 78...
...Photoconductive layer, 82...Charging device, 84...
Corona wire, 86... Control grid, 88...
High pressure source, 97...Leat, 100...Vacuum head, 102, 104...Lamp, 106
, 108...Leet, +10...Shutter, 11
2...Lens, Eye 4...Lead, 118.
...Light ray, 130...Toner head, 13
6... Toner particles, 138... Infrared lamp, 1
42... Melt water tank, +44... Shutter, 14
8...Leet, 150...Festoon roll, 1
51...Position sensor, 156...High concentration light source, 1
fi4...Shutter assembly, 170...Converging lens, 172...Lead, 1
82... Image lens, 200... Inspection station, 204.206.208.210.212... Inspection area, 214.216.218, 220, 222...
・Concentration meter, ... 226, 228, ... 3-way valve, ... Reservoir, ... Lead ... Light source, ... Reed, ... Lead, ... Sensor, ... Lead. 230... Lead, 238... Pump, 246... Photometer, 252... Transparent section, 256... Photocell, 262... Marker 268... Sensor, 274... Reading device , (Tato 4 people) FIG, 6th G, 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Sequentially exposing a carrier to successive original images, sequentially forming continuous intermediate images corresponding to the original images on the carrier, and irradiating light through the intermediate images to expose the original images. and inspecting at least a portion of the at least one intermediate image to determine whether the actual characteristics of the one intermediate image correspond to the desired characteristics. before performing said step of forming intermediate images, changing at least one variable in said step of sequentially forming intermediate images if the actual characteristics of said one intermediate image differ from the desired characteristics; An image transfer method comprising: 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of forming successive intermediate images comprises the step of forming one intermediate image having regions of known desired density, and wherein said one intermediate image is inspected. determining whether the actual density in the region of known desired density of the one intermediate image is the same as the desired density; The method is characterized in that the step of changing at least one variable in the step of sequentially forming intermediate images is carried out if the density of the regions of is different from the desired density. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of sequentially forming successive intermediate images on said carrier includes the step of electrostatically attracting toner particles onto said carrier, forming intermediate images sequentially. A method characterized in that said step of changing at least one variable in said step comprises changing a variable that results in changing the amount of toner particles that are electrostatically attracted to said carrier. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of sequentially forming successive intermediate images includes a method of electrostatically charging said carrier, and wherein said step of sequentially forming intermediate images includes at least one variable. A method characterized in that the step of changing comprises changing the strength of the electrostatic charge on the carrier. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of sequentially forming successive intermediate images comprises moving said carrier through a charging station and electrostatically charging said carrier as it passes said charging station. and wherein said step of changing at least one variable in said steps of sequentially forming intermediate images comprises a method of changing the speed of movement of said carrier past said charging station.