JPH0675355A - Image output device, image output method, cut part forming device for film and film for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily perform postprocessing and to easily cut film after postprocessing. CONSTITUTION:A laser plotter is a device for outputting an image to the film 31. This device is provided with an image forming means 60 by the use of an He-Ne laser beam, and a cut part forming means 50 by the use of CO2 laser beam. The image forming means outputs plural images to the film 31. The cut part forming means forms perforation at a boundary position between the respective images on the film 31.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output device and an image output method for outputting an image on a film, a film cutout forming device, and an image forming film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Direct color scanners and laser plotters are known as devices for outputting an image on a photosensitive film by laser light. The direct color scanner has a scanning unit that reads an image of a document and creates data of color separation plates of four colors, and an output unit that creates halftone dot data from the data obtained by the scanning unit and outputs it on a photosensitive film. Is equipped with. The output section includes a rotating recording drum having a photosensitive film attached to the outer periphery thereof, and a recording head that moves in the axial direction of the recording drum. Also the laser plotter,
The same recording drum and recording head are provided. In this type of image output device, a plurality of images are recorded on one film. For example, in a direct color scanner, halftone dot data of color separation plates of four colors relating to one color original is simultaneously output to one film. In the laser plotter, the same pattern is printed on multiple sides. In such a case, a plurality of images are mixed and output on one film. The film on which a plurality of images are mixed and output is cut into each image by an operator using a tool such as a cutter after the development process as needed.

As a device for automating this cutting operation, a film cutting device by the present applicant is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-42661.
It is disclosed in the publication. With this film cutting device,
Control the cutting device based on the data regarding the exposure start point and end point of each exposure area and the edging interval to be attached to the exposure area,
Crop the recorded image from the exposed film. Here, the cutting data is stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk, and the stored cutting data is read at the time of cutting.

[0004]

When the operator manually cuts the film, the labor of the cutting work is increased and a cutting error may occur. Further, when it is necessary to cut patterns of the same size in the same size, particularly precise cutting work is required, which makes the cutting work difficult.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration in which the cutting device is automated, a device for cutting after development and a space therefor are newly required, which complicates the entire system structure and increases the cost and installation. Larger space. Further, the above publication also discloses a configuration in which a cutting device is added to the image output device. However, if cutting is performed at the time of image formation, post-processing such as development is performed on a large number of films cut for each image. This has to be done, which complicates the post-treatment process and increases the treatment time.

If the pattern is of a small size, the film after cutting cannot be processed by an automatic processor because the film after cutting is small. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately and easily cut an image forming film and to easily handle the film. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately and easily cut an image-forming film at low cost and in a small space, and to easily handle the film.

Still another object of the present invention is to make it possible to quickly, accurately and easily cut an image forming film and to facilitate the handling of the film. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming film that can be cut accurately and easily and is easy to handle.

[0008]

An image output apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for outputting an image on a film. This apparatus includes an image forming unit and a cutout forming unit. The image forming means outputs a plurality of images on a film. The cutout forming means forms a cutout at a boundary position between images on the film. The cutout forming means may form the cutout with a laser beam.

The image output method according to the present invention includes an image forming step and a cutout forming step. In the image forming process, a plurality of images are output on the film. In the cutout forming step, the cutout is formed at the boundary position between the images on the film during execution of the image forming step. In the cutout forming step, the cutout may be formed by laser light.

The film cutout forming device according to the present invention comprises cutout forming means and control means. The control means controls the cutout control means so as to operate at a boundary position between the respective images of the film on which a plurality of images can be formed. The cutout forming means may form the cutout with a laser beam. The image forming film according to the present invention is a film on which a plurality of images can be formed. This film has a plurality of image forming portions and a cutout portion. The image forming unit is for forming a plurality of images. The cutout portion is arranged at the boundary of the image forming area.

[0011]

In the image output apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of images are output to the film by the image forming means, and the cutout portion is formed at the boundary position between the images output by the cutout portion forming means. Here, since the cutout portion is formed at the boundary position between the images, the film can be cut accurately and easily. Further, the film before cutting can be handled during the post-treatment, and the film can be easily handled. In addition, since the image output device can perform the image formation and the formation of the cutout portion, it is not necessary to separately provide a device for forming the cutout portion, so that the cost and the space can be saved.

In the image output method according to the present invention, the cutout portion is formed at the boundary position between the images during the execution of the image forming process. Since the image forming step and the cutout forming step are performed in parallel here, the film can be cut quickly, accurately and easily. Further, the film before cutting can be handled during the post-treatment, and the film can be easily handled. Also,
Since the film before cutting is handled, it can be easily processed by an automatic processor.

In the cutout forming device according to the present invention, the cutout forming means is controlled by the control means so that the cutout forming means operates at the boundary position between the images on the film on which a plurality of images are formed. Here, since the cutout portion is formed at the boundary position between the images, the film can be cut accurately and easily. Further, the film before cutting can be handled during the post-treatment, and the film can be easily handled.

In the image forming film according to the present invention, since the cutout portion is arranged at the boundary between the plurality of image forming portions, cutting can be performed accurately and easily. In addition, the post-processing can be handled in the state before cutting, which is easy to handle.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an image recording system adopting an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the host computer 1 is composed of, for example, a mini computer. The host computer 1 includes a central processing unit 4 and a CRT.
The display unit 5 includes a display, a printer 6, and the like. The host computer 1 converts the vector format image data created by an automatic drafting machine such as CAD into raster format image data, and controls the laser plotter 2 and the automatic developing machine 3.

The laser plotter 2, which is a drum type image output device, records image data by cylindrical scanning and is installed in a dark room. The laser plotter 2 records an image on a film held on a rotating drum described later by the laser light modulated by the image data, and sends the recorded film to the automatic developing machine 3 via the transport unit 20.

The automatic developing machine 3, which is in-line connected to the laser plotter 2 via the transport unit 20, is installed in a light room separate from the laser plotter 2. This automatic processor 3
Develops, fixes, rinses and dries the film on which the image data is recorded, and discharges it to the external tray 21. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the laser plotter 2 has a rotary drum 30 made of aluminum inside thereof. On the surface of the rotary drum 30, a blade 32 for clamping the leading end of the film 31 is arranged in a posture extending in parallel with the drum axis. The film 31 whose tip is held by the blade 32 is wound around the rotary drum 30 and is vacuum sucked by a large number of vacuum suction holes (not shown) provided on the surface of the rotary drum 30. The rotary drum 30 is rotatably supported by a bracket 33.

A laser head 34 is provided so as to face the surface of the rotary drum 30. The laser head 34 emits the laser light modulated by the image data from the laser irradiation port 42.
The film 31 held on the rotating drum 30 is irradiated with the light. In addition, the laser head 34 irradiates the film 31 with laser light for forming perforations at the boundary positions between the images from the laser irradiation port 43 according to the edging area calculated based on the image data. The laser head 34 is movably supported by guide rails 36a and 36b arranged on the body frame of the laser plotter 2. A ball screw 37 is arranged between the guide rails 36a and 36b, and the laser head 34 moves on the guide rails 36a and 36b by the rotation of the ball screw 37. The guide rails 36a and 36b and the ball screw 37 extend parallel to the drum axis of the rotary drum 30, and as a result, the laser head 34 moves parallel to the drum axis of the rotary drum 30.

A spindle motor 38 is connected to one end of the rotary shaft of the rotary drum 30. Further, a spindle encoder 40 is connected to the other end side. The rotary drum 30 is rotationally driven by the main shaft motor 38, and the rotational position (position in the main scanning direction) is detected by the main shaft encoder 40. An auxiliary shaft motor 39 is connected to one end of the ball screw 37. An auxiliary shaft encoder 41 is connected to the other end of the ball screw 37. The sub-axis encoder 41 detects the position of the laser head 34 in the drum axis direction (position in the sub-scanning direction).

The laser head 34 is composed of a plurality of He--Ne.
A He-Ne laser unit 60 for irradiating laser light,
An optical unit 61 including an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) for modulating laser light with image data, and two reflecting mirrors 62, 63 for bending the modulated laser light.
And an optical system 6 for switching the number of laser lines and zooming.
4 and. The light passing through the optical system 64 is the irradiation port 4
It is emitted from the surface 2 of the rotary drum 30. The laser head 34 also includes a reflection mirror 52 for receiving a CO ₂ laser for forming perforations and an optical system 53 for focusing the laser light. The laser light that has passed through the optical system 53 is emitted from the irradiation port 43 to the rotary drum 30.
The CO ₂ laser unit 50 that emits the CO ₂ laser is provided separately from the laser head 34. The light emitted from the CO ₂ laser unit 50 is acousto-optic modulator (A
The light is modulated by the OM) 51 according to the perforations to be formed, and is emitted to the reflection mirror 52 via the reflection mirror 54. Here, the CO ₂ laser unit 50 is provided outside the laser head 34 because the CO ₂ laser unit 50 is
This is because it is larger than the e-Ne laser unit 60 and is difficult to mount on the laser head 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, the central processing unit 4 of the host computer 1 includes a plotter control unit 73 for controlling the plotter 2 and an automatic control unit 70 for controlling the automatic developing machine 3. It is connected. The central processing unit 4 is also connected to an input unit 71 including a keyboard and a mouse and a storage unit 72 including a hard disk and a magneto-optical disk. Further, the central processing unit 4 is also connected to a memory 61 composed of a semiconductor memory.

The plotter control section 73 comprises a microcomputer and memories such as ROM and RAM. The plotter control unit 73 includes a spindle motor 38 and a spindle encoder 4.
0, the sub-axis motor 39, the sub-axis encoder 41 and other input / output units are connected. Further, the plotter control unit 73 has
The He-Ne laser unit 60, the optical unit 61, the optical system 64, the CO ₂ laser unit 50, and the AOM 51 are connected.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart. In the host computer 1,
In the image data output process, first, step S in FIG.
At 1, the operator inputs work contents.
In step S2, vector format image data created by an automatic drafting machine or the like is read from the storage unit 72 based on the input work content. In step S3, the picture size of the image data is calculated from the read image data. In step S4, the position of the design is calculated from the read image data. In step S5, a cutting position for making a perforation is set based on the calculated pattern size and position.

For example, a film 31 as shown in FIG.
In the case of recording two images surrounded by a solid line, first, the pattern sizes of the two images are calculated (step S3), and subsequently the positions of the two images are calculated (step S4). Then, the position of the perforation is set according to a predetermined offset value Eof from the arrangement position and the pattern size (step S5). This offset value Eof may take different values for vertical and horizontal, for example. The set position can be confirmed on the display unit 5. here,
As a preferable example of perforation, the cut portion is 15 to 3
The distance between the cut portions is 0.5 mm, and the distance between the cut portions is 0.5.
It is good to set it to about 1 mm.

In step S6, the read vector format image data is converted into raster format image data.
Here, the set cutting position data is converted into raster format data together with the read image data. In step S7, the plotter 2 waits for a ready signal to be output. On the other hand, in the plotter 2, step S in FIG.
The initialization is performed in step 21, and the step S22 waits for the film 31 to be mounted on the rotary drum 30. When the mounting is completed, a preparation completion signal is output to the host computer 1 in step S23.

When the host computer 1 receives the preparation completion signal in step S7 of FIG. 5, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the converted image data and cut position data are output to the plotter 2. In the plotter 2, when the preparation completion signal is output to the host computer 1 in step S23 of FIG. 6, the image data and the cut position data input from the host computer 1 are waited in step S24. If it is determined in step S24 that the data has been input, the process proceeds to step S25. Step S2
In 5, the plotter controller 7 receives the input data.
3 is stored in a memory (not shown). When the storage of all data is completed, a reception completion signal is output to the host computer 1 in step S26.

The host computer 1 waits for the reception completion signal in step S9 of FIG. When the reception completion signal is output, the process proceeds from step S9 to step S10. In step S10, a start command is output to the plotter 2. The plotter 2 waits for a start command in step S27 of FIG. When a start command is input, step S2
Go to 8. In step S28, the motors 38, 3
The exposure operation such as driving 9 is started.

Next, step S29a and step S2
In 9b, the start of the exposure process and the perforation forming process is determined based on the data received in step S25. In step S29c, it is determined whether the image output and perforation formation for one film have been completed. Until all processing is completed, step S29c
Returns to step S29a.

If it is determined that it is time to start the exposure process on the film 31, the program proceeds from step S29a to step S29d. In step S29d, using the He-Ne laser unit 60,
The amount of light is adjusted and modulated by the optical unit 61, the film 31 is exposed to the modulated light according to the image data to be recorded, and the image recording is started.

When it is determined that it is time to start the perforation forming process for the film 31, the program proceeds from step S29b to step S29e.
In step S29e, the CO ₂ laser unit 50 is used, and the film 3 is irradiated with the modulated light according to the cut position data.
1. Start perforation formation on 1. When all the processing for one film is completed, the process proceeds from step S29c to step S30. In step S30, exposure operation stop processing such as stopping the motors 38 and 39 is performed. In step S31, an end signal is output to the host computer 1. Then, in step S32, the film 31 on which the image output and the formation of perforations are completed is conveyed to the conveying unit 20. When this process ends, the process returns to step S22.

On the other hand, in the host computer 1, when the plotter start command is output to the plotter 2, the host computer 1 waits for the end signal to be output from the plotter 2 in step S11 of FIG. When the end signal is output from the plotter 2 (step S31), the image data output process ends. When the image data output processing is completed, the host computer 1 outputs a development control command to the automatic developing machine 3.

Since the perforations shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 7 are formed on the film 31 by the CO ₂ laser light at the boundary positions between the images, the post-processing such as the automatic development processing is performed without separating the plurality of images. Can be done. Further, when a plurality of images are separated after the automatic development, each image can be separated easily and accurately. [Other Embodiments] (a) In the above embodiment, the image recording and the perforation formation are performed in parallel (simultaneous processing). However, the image recording and the perforation formation are sequentially performed separately. Good. The control flow in this case is shown in FIG. Note that step S41 in FIG.
Since S47, S50, and S51 are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

In step S48 of FIG. 8, for example, He-
Image recording is performed by the Ne laser unit 60, and perforations are formed by the CO ₂ laser unit 50 in step S49. Here, for example, when forming perforations in the main scanning direction (rotational direction of the rotary drum 30),
It suffices that the laser head 34 is sequentially fast-forwarded and positioned to a desired position and only the rotary drum 30 is moved at each position. The sub-scanning direction (axial direction of the rotary drum 30)
When forming perforations, the rotary drum 30 may be sequentially rotated to a desired position for positioning, and only the laser head 34 may be moved at each position. As a result, in the control at the time of the perforation forming processing in step S49, it suffices to turn on / off the CO ₂ laser unit 50 without using the AOM or the like, so that the configuration is simpler than that of the above-described embodiment. (B) Further, in the perforation formation, only the main scanning direction may be performed by the image recording and the parallel processing, and only the sub-scanning direction may be performed by another processing similar to the above (a). (C) The present invention can also be implemented by using one laser light source and changing the light amount during recording and perforation formation. (D) The perforation may be any one, such as a one-dot chain line and a two-dot chain line, if it is partially cut and a part remains. Further, the concept of the cutout portion of the present invention also includes a configuration in which a part is left in the cross section of the film and a groove-like cut is made. (E) Instead of automatically setting the perforation position based on the pattern size and the arrangement position, the operator sets the perforation position by operating the input unit such as a mouse while confirming the pattern position on the CRT. It may be configured. (F) Although the laser plotter is used as the image output device in the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be similarly applied to other image output devices such as an output unit of a direct color scanner. (G) In addition to the drum type, the present invention can be similarly applied to flat type and cylindrical inner type output devices. (H) In a total scanner or the like, an output image may be output in a predetermined size (for example, A4 size, B5 size, etc.). In such a case, if the film 31 on which perforations are formed for each image size is prepared in advance as the photosensitive material, the time and effort for forming perforations can be saved. For example, FIG. 9A is an example in which the film 31 is divided into four image forming portions by perforations. By supplying the film 31 to the recording apparatus and inputting the perforation position as data, as shown in FIG. 9B, an image can be output at the position corresponding to the perforation position. For such a film 31, the film 31
In the manufacturing process of 1, the perforations can be formed by a cutter, a perforation rotary blade, or the like (so-called roulette) in addition to the laser.

[0034]

According to the image output apparatus of the present invention, since the cutout portion is formed at the boundary position between the images, the film can be cut accurately and easily. Further, the film before cutting can be handled during the post-treatment, and the film can be easily handled. In addition, since the image output device can perform the image formation and the formation of the cutout portion, it is not necessary to separately provide a device for forming the cutout portion, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the image output method of the present invention, since the image forming process and the cutout forming process are performed in parallel,
The film can be cut quickly, accurately and easily. Further, the film before cutting can be handled during the post-treatment, and the film can be easily handled. According to the cutout forming device of the present invention, the cutout is formed at the boundary position between the images, so that the film can be cut accurately and easily. Also,
The film before cutting can be handled during the post-treatment, and the film can be easily handled.

According to the image-forming film of the present invention, since the cut-out portion is arranged at the boundary of the plurality of image-forming portions, the cutting can be performed accurately and easily. Further, at the time of post-treatment, it can be handled in a state before cutting, which facilitates handling.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image recording system that employs an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a laser plotter.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a laser plotter.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the image recording system.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the host computer.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of the laser plotter.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a film.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 of another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example of a film of another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host Computer 2 Laser Plotter 4 Central Processing Section 31 Film 50 CO ₂ Laser Unit 60 He-Ne Laser Unit 73 Plotter Control Section

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image output device for outputting an image to a film, comprising: an image forming unit for outputting a plurality of images on the film; and a cutout portion formed at a boundary position between the images on the film. And an image output device including a cutout forming unit. 2. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the cutout forming means forms the cutout with a laser beam. 3. An image output method for outputting an image on a film, comprising: an image forming step of outputting a plurality of images on the film; and, during execution of the image forming step, each image on the film. And a cutout forming step of forming a cutout at a boundary position between them. 4. The image output method according to claim 3, wherein the cutout portion is formed by laser light in the cutout portion forming step. 5. A film cutout comprising: a cutout forming means; and a control means for controlling the cutout forming means so as to operate at a boundary position between respective images of a film on which a plurality of images can be formed. Part forming device. 6. The film cutout forming device according to claim 5, wherein the cutout forming means forms the cutout with a laser beam. 7. An image forming film on which a plurality of images can be formed, comprising: a plurality of image forming portions for forming the images; and a cutout portion arranged at a boundary of the image forming portions. Image forming film.