JPH09197562A - Image exposure device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To expose plural frames of images in a short time by providing an image data processing means and an exposure part converting the image data of plural frames of images from the image data processing means into an optical signal and simultaneously outputting it on photographic paper. SOLUTION: This device is provided with the image data processing means 21 preparing the image data to simultaneously expose plural frames of images, and the exposure part 24 converting the image data of plural frames of images from the processing means 21 into the optical signal and simultaneously outputting it on the photographic paper 25. The film image fetched as the image data in an image memory 139 is edited as the image data to simultaneously expose plural frames of images by the processing means 21, and the image data is converted into the optical signal by the exposure part 24 and outputted on the photographic paper 25, whereby plural frames of images are simultaneously exposed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image exposure apparatus that exposes a photographic paper with a film image or the like captured as image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a film image is printed on a photographic paper, a projection system is used in which the film image is directly formed on the photographic paper and exposed. Further, in recent years, a method has also been adopted in which a film image is captured as image data, the captured film image is converted into an optical signal, and the optical signal is output on photographic paper for exposure.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, since the image is exposed frame by frame, the exposure capability is limited, and it takes time to expose an image of a large number of frames. was there.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image exposure apparatus capable of exposing images of a large number of frames in a short time.

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, an image exposure apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention simultaneously exposes images of a plurality of frames captured as image data to different areas of a photographic printing paper. Image data processing means for creating image data for exposing the images of the plurality of frames at the same time, and image data of the plurality of frames from the image data processing means for converting the image data into an optical signal. It is characterized in that it is provided with an exposure section for simultaneously outputting on photographic paper.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, images of a plurality of frames are processed by the image data processing means so that they can be exposed simultaneously, and the processed image data are converted into optical signals so that the plurality of frames are processed. Image is simultaneously exposed on photographic paper.

An image exposure apparatus according to a second aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a transfer means for moving the photographic paper relative to the exposure section, the exposure section being the image data processing means. The image data from is exposed every one line or every plural lines.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the photographic printing paper is sequentially transferred to the exposure section by being transferred by the transfer means, and images of a plurality of frames are simultaneously generated by a plurality of exposures.

An image exposure apparatus according to a third aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the exposure section includes a CRT, and images of a plurality of frames simultaneously displayed on the CRT are printed on the photographic paper. It is characterized by being projected on.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the third aspect, C
Images of a plurality of frames displayed on the RT are simultaneously exposed on the printing paper.

An image exposure apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the exposure section is arranged along a width direction orthogonal to a transfer direction of the printing paper.
It is characterized in that it is configured with an RT.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the printing paper is sequentially transferred to the exposure unit, the printing paper is sequentially exposed by the FOCRT, and images of a plurality of frames are simultaneously generated by a plurality of exposures.

An image exposure apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the exposure section is arranged along a width direction orthogonal to a transfer direction of the printing paper.
It is characterized by having a head.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the printing paper is sequentially transferred to the exposure section, the printing paper is sequentially exposed by the LED head, and the images of a plurality of frames are simultaneously generated by a plurality of exposures.

An image exposure apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the exposure section is disposed along the light source and a width direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the printing paper. And a shutter array serving as a shutter for the above.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the printing paper is sequentially transferred to the exposure unit, the printing paper is sequentially exposed by the operation of the shutter array, and images of a plurality of frames are simultaneously generated by a plurality of exposures. .

An image exposure apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a cutting section that divides the photographic paper that has been exposed by the exposure section into units of one frame. It is characterized by that.

In the image exposure device according to the seventh aspect, the photographic printing paper which has been exposed is cut by the cutting unit in units of one frame.

An image exposure apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which a photographic printing paper before exposure is divided into a frame and a cut section cuts the photographic paper. And a distribution unit that distributes the photographic paper in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the photographic paper, and the exposure unit exposes the photographic paper distributed by the distribution unit.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the printing paper is cut by the cutting unit, the cut printing paper is sorted by the sorting unit, and the sorted printing paper is exposed.

An image exposure apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to the eighth aspect, in which an image of a negative film is projected and exposed on a photographic paper between the cutting section and the sorting section. It is characterized by having a section.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of images can be exposed on the cut and sorted printing paper by the image data from the image data processing means. The image on the film can also be projected and exposed directly on the photographic paper.

The image exposure apparatus according to claim 10 is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a projection exposure unit that projects and exposes an image of a negative film on a photographic paper.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the tenth aspect,
In addition to the image data of a plurality of frames can be exposed by the image data from the image data processing means, the image of the negative film can be directly projected and exposed on the photographic paper by the projection exposure unit.

[0025]

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic photo printing system to which an image exposure apparatus according to the present invention is applied. In this figure, the automatic photo printing system is
An image reading device 10 that reads an image from a negative or positive film and stores it in a memory, and performs predetermined data processing and image editing on the image data taken in by the image reading device 10 and outputs the edited image data as optical data. An image exposure device 20 that converts the signal into a signal and exposes it on a photographic paper, and a system controller 30 that controls the operation of the entire system.

The image reading apparatus 10 includes a film transfer unit 12 for transferring each frame of a developed film (negative film or positive film) 11 to a reading position, and a film 1.
The image reading unit 13 reads the image of each frame 1.

The film transfer section 12 includes a take-up roller 12
1. A drive motor 12 that drives the take-up roller 121 to rotate.
2, a film transfer control unit 123 for controlling the drive of the drive motor 122, a lamp 124 for a light source disposed below the film 11, a lamp control unit 125 for controlling the light emission amount of the lamp 124, and the like, The drive motor 122 is rotated based on a control signal from the film transfer control unit 123, and the film 11 is intermittently transferred by the winding roller 121 by a frame size, and the frame and the lamp 124 are opposed to each other.

The image reading unit 13 includes an image pickup device 131 including CCDs arranged in a matrix to read the image of each frame, an image read control unit 132 for controlling the image reading by the image pickup device 131, and an image of each frame. 133 for forming an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 131, the film 1
1 and the lens 133, an optical filter 134 for separating the image of the film 11 into three colors of RGB, a filter drive motor 135 for moving the position of the optical filter 134, and a filter for controlling the drive of the filter drive motor 135. The feed control unit 136 and the storage unit 137 that captures the image data read by the image sensor 131 are configured.

The image reading control section 132 includes an image pickup device 131.
An image pickup timing signal is given to the image pickup device to read the image of each frame in pixel units of the image pickup device 131 such as a CCD, and the read image signal is read by giving a read timing signal of the image signal to the image pickup device 131. In addition,
For the image data of each frame, the filter feed control unit 136 is used to capture three pieces of image data that are color-separated into R, G, and B.
Rotates the filter drive motor 135 for each frame to sequentially switch the optical filters 134 so that the filters are inserted between the frame to be photographed and the lens 133.

The storage unit 137 converts the analog image signal output from the reading control unit 132 into digital image data at a gradation level of 8 bits, for example.
38, and an image memory 139 including a RAM for storing image data output from the A / D converter 138. This image memory 139 has 3 types of R, G and B.
The image data of each frame is stored for each color of R, G, B at an address designated by an address controller (not shown).

The image exposure apparatus 20 includes an image data processing unit 21 for processing or editing image data of each frame stored in the storage unit 137, an exposure control unit 22 for driving an exposure head, which will be described later, and an exposure control unit 22. The exposure head 23 driven by the photographic paper, and the photographic paper transfer unit 2 for transferring the long roll photographic paper 25 wound around the roll R to the exposure head 23.
6. Roll printing paper 25 exposed by the exposure head 23
And a cutting unit 28 for cutting the roll photographic paper 25 developed by the development processing unit 27 into units of one frame. The exposure control section 22 and the exposure head 23 form an exposure section 24.

The image data processing unit 21 is stored in the image memory 139 based on the edit information of the table memory 211 and the edit information of the table memory 211, which stores the edit information such as the layout of images of a plurality of frames to be exposed at the same time and the print magnification. Image data of a plurality of frames to be simultaneously exposed based on a predetermined processing, for example, a processing unit 212 that reads out the image data stored therein and performs a predetermined process, for example, addressing for compression, decompression process, or allocation of the image data. A processed image memory 213 that stores data in a memory area corresponding to each color of R, G, and B, image data for one line of images of a plurality of frames to be exposed simultaneously, and other editing information that is output as necessary. Buffer 214 for temporarily storing
And so on.

In this embodiment, the image data processing unit 21 allows images of two frames to be exposed at the same time in the width direction of the roll printing paper 25, which is the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the roll printing paper 25. The data is processed or edited.

The exposure control unit 22 controls the exposure time and the like, and the exposure head 23 based on the image data of each color of R, G and B sent from the line buffer 214.
Is composed of a drive circuit for driving the.

The exposure head 23 is for converting image data into an optical signal, and as shown in FIG. 2, an LED which is arranged along the width direction of the roll printing paper 25 and emits red light.
(Light emitting diode) array 231, LE emitting green light
D array 232 and LED array 233 emitting blue light
It is composed of an LED head. Each of the LED arrays 231, 232, 233 is configured by arranging a large number of LEDs that emit light of each color, that is, the number of LEDs corresponding to the number of pixels of one line of image data on the line.
The exposure control unit 22 includes an R including the images of two frames to be exposed at the same time, which are sent from the line buffer 214.
LED corresponding to the image data for one line of each of G and B colors
Leads to arrays 231, 232, 233. Then, the LED at the corresponding position is caused to emit light with the brightness corresponding to the level of the image data of each pixel for one line. As a result, the roll photographic printing paper 25 is simultaneously exposed with two images in the width direction.

The image data for one line of each color of R, G, B is shifted by the arrangement pitch of the LED arrays 231, 232, 233 and output. As a result, the image data of each color of R, G, and B of the same image is superimposed and exposed on the same line.

The photographic paper transfer section 26 includes a transfer roller pair 26.
1. A drive motor 26 that rotationally drives the transfer roller pair 261.
2. The photographic paper transfer control unit 26 includes a photographic paper transfer control unit 263 for controlling the drive of the drive motor 262.
The drive motor 262 is rotated on the basis of the control signal from 3 to transfer the roll photographic paper 25 by the width dimension of one line corresponding to the exposure time of the image data of one line. That is, the exposure head 23 sequentially exposes the images of two frames one line at a time at the exposure timing corresponding to the transport speed of the roll printing paper 25, and completes the exposure of the images of the two frames by a plurality of exposures.

The development processing section 27 is provided with a liquid tank 271 filled with a developing solution, and the roll printing paper 25 exposed by the exposure head 23 is disposed on the downstream side of the liquid tank 271 and is not shown in the drawing. The latent image formed by the exposure on the roll printing paper 25 is made visible by being transferred by the completed printing paper transfer unit and being immersed in the developer in the liquid tank 271.

The cutting section 28 includes a first cutting section 281 which divides the developed and dried roll photographic printing paper 25 into two parts by cutting the rolled photographic printing paper 25 at the central portion in the width direction along the transport direction, and the first cutting section 281.
A second cutting portion 282 for cutting the roll printing paper 25 divided into two by the cutting portion 281 in the width direction, and a developed printing paper (not shown) disposed upstream of the first cutting portion 281. The roll printing paper 25 transferred to the cutting unit 28 by the transfer unit is divided into units of one frame.

The first cut portion 281 is the second cut portion 28.
As shown in FIG. 3, the upper roller 281a and the lower roller 281b are arranged on the upstream side of the upper and lower sides so as to sandwich the roll printing paper 25, and the widthwise center of the upper roller 281a. A groove M having a shape that goes around the outer peripheral surface is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the portion, and the lower roller 281
A circumferential blade H is formed on the outer peripheral surface at a position opposite to b so as to go around the outer peripheral surface to be fitted into the groove M of the upper roller 281. Then, the roll printing paper 25 is fed between the upper roller 281a and the lower roller 281b so that the roll printing paper 25 is divided into two at the center portion in the width direction.

In the first cutting section 281, the rolled photographic printing paper 25 is conveyed to the upper roller 281a and the lower roller 2
A drive motor 281c that rotates the upper roller 281a and the lower roller 281b so as to be sandwiched between 81b and 81b and transported to the downstream side, and a first cutter control unit 281d that controls the drive of the drive motor 281c.

The lower roller 281b having the blade H may be fixed so as not to rotate, and only the upper roller 281a may be rotated. In this case, the lower roller 28
The shape of the blade H of 1b is not a shape that goes around the outer peripheral surface as described above, but may be formed only in a portion in contact with the roll printing paper 25.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second cut portion 282 is composed of a wedge-shaped upper cutting blade 282a and a lower cutting blade 282b arranged above and below the roll printing paper 25. The upper cutting blade 282a and the lower cutting blade 282b
Is separated from the surface of the roll printing paper 25 when the roll printing paper 25 at the corresponding position is not at the cutting position,
When the roll photographic paper 25 reaches the cutting position, the upper cutting blade 28
2a and the lower cutting blade 282b move toward the surface of the roll printing paper 25 to sandwich the roll printing paper 25 and cut in the width direction. The second cutting portion 282 has an upper cutting blade 28.
2a and lower cutting blade 282b drive motor 2 for driving up and down
82c and the 2nd cutter control part 282d which controls drive of the drive motor 282c.

One cutting blade, for example, the lower cutting blade 28
2b may be fixed and only the upper cutting blade 282a may be moved up and down. In this case, the lower cutting blade 282
Instead of b, a flat stage having a groove for receiving the blade of the upper cutting blade 282a may be arranged.

The system controller 30 is a CP (not shown).
It is equipped with a ROM storing a U and a control program, etc., and based on this control program, commands are given to the respective control units to centrally control the operation of the respective control units to read an image from the film 11 and from the film 11. The read image is printed on the roll printing paper, and the developed roll printing paper is cut into frames.

Next, the outline of the operation of the automatic photo printing system will be described.

First, based on a command from the system controller 30, the respective images of the film 11 transferred by the film transfer section 12 of the image reading apparatus 10 are sequentially transferred to R, G, B.
Image reading unit 13 as three color-separated image data of
The image is read by the image sensor 131, converted into digital data by the A / D converter 138, and stored in the image memory 139. At this time, the transfer of the film 11 is controlled by the film transfer control unit 123, and the position of the optical filter 134 is sequentially controlled by the filter transfer control unit 136 so that each image can be captured by being separated into three colors of R, G, and B. Can be switched.

Next, from the table memory 211 of the image data processing unit 21 of the image exposure device 20, the roll printing paper 2
5, pre-designated processing or editing information such as the layout of images of a plurality of frames to be simultaneously exposed in the width direction of 5, and print magnifications is read. Then, the image data is read from the image memory 139 by the processing unit 212 based on the processing or editing information, processed or edited as image data of a plurality of frames to be exposed at the same time, and this image data is processed image memory 213. Recorded in. The image data recorded in the processed image memory 213 is recorded as three pieces of image data in which R, G, and B colors are separated for each image.

Then, the edited image data of a plurality of frames to be exposed simultaneously is read from the processed image memory 213, and the image data is sent to the line buffer 214 for each line. The exposure control unit 22 reads out image data for each line from the line buffer 214, and the LED arrays 231 and 23 forming the exposure head 23.
2 and 233 respectively, and a predetermined LED is caused to emit light corresponding to each color signal of R, G, and B, and the roll printing paper 25 is exposed at the light amount level.

When the exposure based on the image data for one line is completed and the roll photographic paper 25 is moved to the downstream side by the length for performing the exposure for the next one line, it is based on the image data for the next one line. Exposure is performed. In this way, by synchronizing the exposure time for one line by the exposure head 23 and the transport speed of the roll printing paper 25 by the printing paper transporting section 26, a plurality of roll printing papers 25 to be exposed simultaneously in the width direction thereof can be obtained. Proper exposure of the frame image ends.

When the exposure of the images of a plurality of frames on the roll photographic paper 25 is completed, a predetermined margin is formed between the images of the next plurality of frames, so that the roll photographic paper 25 is moved downstream by a certain distance. After being transferred, the same operation as described above is repeated to expose the images of the next plurality of frames. In this embodiment, the images of two frames A and B are simultaneously exposed in the width direction of the roll printing paper 25, and the images of the next two frames are sequentially exposed as the roll printing paper 25 is transported to the downstream side. Go.

The exposed roll photographic printing paper 25 is sequentially sent to the developing processing section 27 to be developed with a predetermined developing solution, and the dried roll photographic printing paper 25 is sent to the cutting section 28. In the cutting unit 28, the roll printing paper 25 is cut by the first cutting unit 281 along the transport direction, and the roll printing paper 25 is cut by the second cutting unit 282 in the width direction. Rolled photographic paper 2
5 is divided into units of one frame.

In the above embodiment, the exposure head 2
Although 3 is composed of an LED array, an exposure head having another structure described below can also be adopted.

In FIG. 4, a flat cathode ray tube (hereinafter referred to as FOCRT) 23A is adopted as the exposure head 23. In the FOCRT 23A, the fluorescent surface side faces the roll printing paper 25, and the roll printing paper 2
5, the electron beam is swept onto the phosphor material on the phosphor screen based on the image data for one line, and the predetermined R, G, B phosphor materials emit light, and the light is emitted. The roll photographic paper 25 is exposed. In this case, the exposure control unit 2
2 includes a control circuit for deflecting the electron beam.

Further, in FIG. 5, as the exposure head 23, P
The shutter array 23B composed of LZT elements is adopted. A shutter array 2 composed of this PLZT element
3B is composed of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material obtained by adding lanthanum to lead zirconate titanate, and utilizes the electro-optic effect of the material. A shutter array 23B1 in which blue light is introduced, a shutter array 23B2 in which green light is introduced from a G light source through a large number of optical fibers, and a shutter in which red light is introduced from an R light source through a large number of optical fibers. It is composed of an array 23B3. These shutter arrays 23B1, 23B2, 2
3B3 are integrally arranged along the width direction of the roll printing paper 25.

Each shutter array consisting of this PLZT element has a long PL as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).
A plurality of protrusions 52, 53 are formed on both sides of the recessed groove 51 formed in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the ZT element 50 by being shifted by a half pitch from each other. The common electrode 54 is formed on the
The drive electrodes 55 and 56 are formed on the surface of the PLZT element 50 opposite to the concave groove 51 and the flat surface of the PLZT element 50. Deflection films 57 and 58, which are deflection surfaces orthogonal to each other, are provided on the projections 52 and 53 side and the bottom surface side.

The shutter array configured as described above is
R, G, B between the common electrode 54 and the drive electrodes 55, 56
When a voltage of a predetermined level is applied to each of them, the light incident from the deflecting film 58 side is transmitted to the deflecting film 57 side of the projections 52 and 53, and the light is blocked when the application of the voltage is stopped. . That is, the deflection film 5 of the protrusions 52 and 53
A portion on the 7 side (a portion indicated by a dot) serves as a shutter portion that controls on / off of light transmission. Width W of this shutter section
Is set to 84.6 μm, for example. The inner diameter of each optical fiber is larger than the width W of the shutter portion,
Light is introduced from one optical fiber to a plurality of shutter parts.

Therefore, when a drive voltage is applied from the exposure controller 22 to the shutter portion at the position corresponding to each pixel of the image data, the shutter portion opens and the light of the color introduced from the light source is applied to the roll printing paper 25. Since the light is emitted, the roll printing paper 25 is exposed by the light.

The shutter array composed of the above PLZT elements is composed of three shutter arrays 23B1, 23B2 and 23B3 for introducing light sources of three colors, but as shown in FIG. R on array 23B,
White light source 23 through the three-color optical filters 60 of G and B
1 may be introduced. In this case, the optical filter 60 is rotationally phase-controlled so that the filters of the same color face the optical fiber corresponding to the image data of each color, and the white light source 231 is introduced through the filter of that color. Further, the roll printing paper 25 can be similarly exposed by using a liquid crystal display (LCD) instead of the shutter array composed of the PLZT element.

In FIG. 8, a color cathode ray tube (hereinafter referred to as a color CRT) 23C is adopted as the exposure head 23. In this case, images of a plurality of frames to be exposed at the same time are displayed as still images on the color CRT 23C for a predetermined exposure time, and these images are formed on the roll photographic paper 25 through the optical lens 62, whereby the roll photographic paper is formed. 25 is exposed. In this case, a display memory for one screen is used instead of the line buffer 214 of the image data processing unit 21, and a still image can be obtained by repeatedly reading the contents of this display memory. Further, the exposure control unit 22 is equipped with a control circuit for deflecting the electron beam as in the case of the FOCRT. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the roll photographic printing paper 25 is provided on the color CRT 23C.
An image of two frames is displayed at the same time in the width direction and an image of two frames is simultaneously displayed in the transfer direction of the roll printing paper 25, and a total of four images are exposed on the roll printing paper 25.

In place of the color CRT 23C,
A monochrome CRT can also be used. In this case, FIG.
As shown in, the monochrome CRT 23D and the optical lens 62
And an optical filter 63 for three colors of R, G, and B is inserted between them and is rotated at a predetermined speed corresponding to the exposure time of each color filter by an optical filter control unit (not shown). The image of each color is exposed at 25. As described above, when the CRT is used as the exposure head 23, images of a plurality of frames can be simultaneously exposed in the transport direction of the roll printing paper 25.

Further, in the above embodiment, the roll printing paper 25 has a size capable of simultaneously exposing two frame images in the width direction, but as shown in FIG. Two roll printing papers 251 and 252 each having a size for exposing a frame image may be arranged in parallel and used. In this case, these two roll printing papers 251, 25
It suffices to transfer 2 in synchronism. By doing so, it is only necessary to cut in the width direction after the development processing, and the above-mentioned first cut portion 281 becomes unnecessary. In this case, if three frames of images are simultaneously exposed in the width direction, then three roll printing papers of small width may be arranged in parallel, and if four frames of images are simultaneously exposed in the width direction. It is only necessary to arrange four roll printing papers of small width in parallel.

In the above embodiment, the roll printing paper 25 is used in a roll form from the exposure process to the final process. However, as described below, the roll printing paper 25 is used in the first process. It is also possible to cut the image in units of one frame, rearrange the cut photographic paper so that images of a plurality of frames can be exposed simultaneously, and then perform the exposure.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the embodiment,
Cutting unit 70 that cuts roll photographic paper into individual frames
And a sorting unit 80 for sorting the cut photographic paper in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the photographic paper and rearranging it to the exposure position.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exposure unit 90 that simultaneously exposes images of a plurality of frames.

The cutting section 70 is provided with a storage section 72 for the roll printing paper 71 having a width capable of exposing an image of one frame, and a cutter 73 for cutting the roll printing paper 71 pulled out from the storage section 72. . The storage section 72 is provided with a transfer mechanism (not shown) that sends the roll printing paper 71 to the distribution section 80 position. Further, the cutter 73 includes wedge-shaped blades 731 and 732 located above and below the roll printing paper 71.

The distributing section 80 includes two pairs of rollers 81 and 82 arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side. The roller pair 81 has an upper roller 811 and a lower roller 812 arranged above and below, and the rollers 811 and 812 rotate in mutually opposite directions and the cut photographic paper 711 cut by the cutting unit 70 is provided on the downstream side. It is designed to be transferred to. The roller pair 82 has an upper roller 821 and a lower roller 822 arranged vertically, and like the roller pair 81, the rollers 821 and 822 rotate in mutually opposite directions, and the cut photographic paper 711 is placed downstream. It is designed to be transferred to the side.

Further, each roller pair 81, 82 swings in the width direction which is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the cut photographic paper 711 while nipping the upstream end side and the downstream end side of the cut photographic paper 711. Is configured. FIG. 12 is a view showing an embodiment of this swing mechanism, which includes a pair of rollers 81,
Reference numeral 82 is each upper roller 811, 821 and each lower roller 81.
2, 822 are upright portions 831, 8 of the frame 83 facing each other.
It is rotatably supported by 32. An upper gear 813 and a lower gear 814 are attached to the outer surface of one upright portion 831 of the upper roller 811 and the lower roller 812 of the roller pair 81, and both gears 813 and 814 are in mesh with each other.

An upper gear 823 and a lower gear 824 are attached to the outer surface of one upright portion 831 of the upper roller 821 and the lower roller 822 of the roller pair 82, and both gears 823 and 824 are in mesh with each other. Has become.
A drive gear 84 is meshed with the lower gear 814 of the roller pair 81 and the lower gear 824 of the roller pair 82 across both gears. When the drive gear 84 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the cut photographic paper 7 in which the roller pairs 81 and 82 are nipped
11 is transferred to the exposure unit 90 side.

Further, the upper plate portion 833 of the frame 83 is
A support portion 85 having a through hole formed of a female screw is integrally formed, and a drive shaft 86 formed of a male screw is passed through the through hole of the support portion 85. One end of the drive shaft 86 is directly connected to a drive motor 87 fixed to a main body side support plate (not shown), and the other end is rotatably supported by a main body side support plate (not shown). When the drive motor 87 is rotationally driven in both directions, the drive shaft 86 rotates in both directions, and the roller pairs 81 and 82 swing in the width direction with respect to the central position, for example.

The exposure section 90 is bridged between an upstream roller 91 and a downstream roller 92 which are rotated by a driving means (not shown), and a transfer belt 93 for transferring the cut photographic paper 711 to the downstream side, and a transfer belt. A lower roller 94 for forming a large space between the upper part and the lower part of 93, a suction duct 95 arranged on the bottom surface side of the upper part of the transfer belt 93, and air in the suction duct 95 is sucked through a pipe 96. And a vacuum pump 97 that operates. The exposure head 23 is arranged above the transfer belt 93. The transfer belt 93 includes:
A large number of small-diameter through holes are formed in almost the entire area,
The vacuum pump 97 sucks the air in the suction duct 95 to suck and hold the cut photographic paper 711 arranged on the upper surface of the transfer belt 93 through the small-diameter through-hole. In addition, the transfer belt is configured to be electrostatically charged, and the photographic printing paper 711 is cut by electrostatic force.
May be adsorbed.

The cutting unit 70, the sorting unit 80, and the exposure unit 90 are controlled by the control unit 100 based on a command from the system controller 30 which controls the overall operation of the automatic photoprinting system. ing. That is, the roll printing paper 71 sent out from the storage portion 71 is nipped at the leading end thereof by the roller pair 81 on the upstream side of the sorting portion 80, and in this state, the cutter 73 is used to
It is cut in frame units. Cut photographic paper 7
11 is transferred to the downstream roller pair 82 side by the upstream roller pair 81, and the downstream end side and the upstream end side of the cut printing paper 711 are nipped by both roller pairs 81 and 82. The rotation of 81 and 82 is once stopped.

Subsequently, the roller pairs 81 and 82 are moved to one side in the width direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the cut printing paper 711, and stopped at that position. Next, the cut photographic paper 7 in which the roller pairs 81 and 82 are rotating and nipping
11 is transferred onto the transfer belt 93 of the exposure unit 90. Since the transfer belt 93 is configured to always hold the cut photographic paper 711 by suction, the transferred cut photographic paper 711 is fixed at a predetermined position on the transfer belt 93.

Then, the cut photographic paper 711 is transferred to the exposure unit 90.
The roller pairs 81 and 82 transferred onto the transfer belt 93 of
When returning to the central position which is the reference position, the roll printing paper 71 is cut in the same manner as described above, and the next new cut printing paper 7 is cut.
Nip 11 The roller pair 81 and 82 to which the new cut photographic paper 711 is nipped stop rotating, move to the other side in the width direction, and stop at that position. Next, the cut photographic paper 711 in which the roller pairs 81 and 82 are rotated and nipped is transferred to a position adjacent to the cut photographic paper 711 arranged on the transfer belt 93 of the exposure section 90. The transferred cut photographic paper 711 is fixed at a predetermined position on the transfer belt 93 similarly to the above-mentioned cut photographic paper 711. As a result, the two cut printing papers 711 are arranged on the transfer belt 93 in the width direction of the transfer belt 93.

When two cut photographic papers 711 are lined up,
The transfer belt 93 is driven at a constant speed to perform exposure.
When the exposure is completed, the transfer belt 93 is stopped and stands by until the next cut photographic paper 711 is lined up. By repeating the above operation, the cut photographic papers 711 are sequentially arranged on the transfer belt 93, and the exposure of two frames is simultaneously performed.

In this embodiment, since two frames of images are exposed at the same time, the number of cut photographic papers 711 arranged in the width direction on the transfer belt 93 is two.
When the images of the frames are simultaneously exposed, the number of cut photographic papers 711 arranged on the transfer belt 93 in the width direction is three.
In this case, the pair of rollers 81 and 82 of the distribution unit 80 transfers the cut photographic paper 711 onto the transfer belt 93 at the left and right ends and the central position in the width direction. The cut photographic paper 711 transferred onto the transfer belt 93 is the exposure head 23 (in this embodiment, the exposure head 23 disposed above the transfer belt).
2 by the shutter array 23B) consisting of PLZT elements
The images of the frames are simultaneously exposed, and the exposed cut photographic paper 711 is transferred to the development processing unit 27 by a transfer belt (not shown). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, since the roll printing paper is cut at the first stage, the printing paper developed by the developing processing section 27 is dried and stored in the tray as it is.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a negative image projection exposure unit for directly projecting and exposing a negative film image on photographic paper may be integrally provided as described below.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the embodiment,
The cutting unit 70 and the distribution unit 80 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
And the negative image projection exposure unit 110 is disposed between and. The configuration other than the negative image projection exposure unit 110 is the same as the configuration in FIG. 11, and therefore the same reference numerals are used for the same components and detailed description thereof is omitted.

That is, the negative image projection exposure section 110 is bridged between an upstream roller 111 and a downstream roller 112 which are rotated by a drive means (not shown), and cut photographic paper 71 is provided.
Transfer belt 113 for transferring 1 to the downstream side, a lower roller 114 for forming a large space between the upper and lower parts of the transfer belt 113, and a suction duct 115 arranged on the bottom side of the upper part of the transfer belt 113. And a vacuum pump 117 for sucking the air in the suction duct 115 through the pipe 116. The transfer belt 113 is provided with a large number of through holes (not shown) having a small diameter over substantially the entire area thereof.
When the air in the suction duct 115 is sucked by 17, the cut photographic paper 711 arranged on the upper surface of the transfer belt 113 is suction-held through the small-diameter through hole. Further, the optical lens 11 is provided above the transfer belt 113.
8 is arranged, and the image of the negative film 11 ′ arranged above the optical lens 118 is projected onto the cut photographic paper 711 to form an image.

The cutting unit 70, the distribution unit 80, the exposure unit 90, and the negative image projection exposure unit 110 control the overall operation of the automatic photo printing system.
The entire operation is controlled by the control unit 120 based on the command from 0. That is, the roll photographic paper 71 sent out from the storage section 71 is cut by the cutter 73 in units of one frame, and the cut photographic paper 7 is cut.
The film 11 is sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt 113 which is rotationally driven intermittently in the negative image projection exposure unit 110. The cut photographic paper 711 transferred onto the transfer belt 113 is sucked and held on the transfer belt 113, and
3 is temporarily stopped at the exposure position, a lamp (not shown) is turned on, the image of the negative film 11 'is imaged on the cut photographic paper 711 via the optical lens 118, and the cut photographic paper 711 is exposed.

The exposed cut photographic paper 711 is transferred to the distribution unit 80 and also transferred to the exposure unit 90 by the distribution unit 80. In the exposure section 90, the blank image portion of the cut photographic paper 711 exposed by the negative image projection exposure section 110 is exposed with a description of a photograph or the like. The cut photographic paper 711 having the description and the like exposed by the exposure unit 90 is transferred to the development processing unit 27 and subjected to development processing. It is also possible to prevent the exposure section 90 from exposing the explanations and the like. In this case, the transfer belt 93 of the exposure section 90 transfers the cut photographic paper 711 exposed by the negative image projection exposure section 110 to the development processing section 27. It is just a transfer. In addition, the negative image projection exposure unit 1
10 can also be adopted in the automatic photo printing system of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the image reading device 10 is not operated when the negative photographic image projection exposure section 110 exposes the cut photographic paper 711. Further, when the exposure section 90 exposes the explanatory text and the like, the image data editing section 21 is provided with a character ROM in which character characters are stored in advance, and a predetermined explanatory text is read from the character ROM and the exposure section is exposed. It will be exposed at 90.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the negative image projection exposure section 110 does not expose the negative film 11 ', but the image read by the image reading apparatus 10 is exposed by the exposure section 90. You can also In this case, the transfer belt 113 of the negative image projection exposure unit 110 simply transfers the cut photographic paper 711 to the distribution unit 80.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image data processing unit 21 sends the image data of one line to the line buffer 214, but it sends the image data of a plurality of lines. You can also
In this case, the exposure head 23 exposes images of a plurality of frames based on the image data of the plurality of lines.

In the above embodiment, the image reading unit 10 takes in the image on the film 11, but the image reading unit 10 is eliminated and the image data input to the personal computer is taken in. Then, the image data processing unit 21 may be processed or edited, and the processed or edited images of a plurality of frames may be exposed on photographic paper.

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention, image data processing means for creating image data for simultaneously exposing images of a plurality of frames, and image data of images of a plurality of frames from the image data processing means. Since it is provided with an exposure unit that converts the light into an optical signal and outputs it on the photographic paper at the same time, images of a plurality of frames can be exposed in a short time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer means for moving the printing paper relative to the exposure section, and the exposure section exposes the image data from the image data processing means for each one line or every plural lines. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously generate images of a plurality of frames by performing a plurality of exposures.

Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, since the images of a plurality of frames simultaneously displayed on the CRT are projected onto the photographic paper, the images of the plurality of frames displayed on the CRT are simultaneously displayed on the photographic paper. After exposure, images of multiple frames can be exposed in a shorter time.

According to the invention of claim 4, FOCR
Since the printing paper is sequentially exposed by T, images of a plurality of frames can be simultaneously generated by a plurality of exposures.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, since the photographic paper is sequentially exposed by the LED head, images of a plurality of frames can be simultaneously generated by a plurality of exposures.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the photographic printing paper is sequentially exposed by the operation of the shutter array, images of a plurality of frames can be simultaneously generated by a plurality of exposures.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, since the photographic printing paper which has been exposed is provided with a cutting section for dividing it into frame units, it is possible to divide the photographic paper which has been exposed into frame units. it can.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, a cut portion for dividing the photographic paper before exposure into frame units, and a photographic paper cut by the cut portion in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the photographic paper. It is not necessary to cut the photographic printing paper after the exposure because it is provided with a sorting section for sorting into.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, since the projection exposure unit for projecting and exposing the image of the negative film on the photographic paper is provided between the cutting unit and the distribution unit, it is cut and distributed. Images of a plurality of frames can be exposed on the obtained photographic paper by the image data from the image data processing means, and the image of the negative film can be directly projected and exposed on the photographic paper by the projection exposure unit.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, since the projection exposure unit for projecting and exposing the image of the negative film on the photographic paper is provided, the image data of the image data processing means can be used to form images of a plurality of frames. Can be exposed,
Images of negative film can be directly printed on photographic paper by the projection exposure unit.
It can be projected and exposed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic photographic printing system including an image exposure apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a cutting unit of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a modified example of the exposure unit of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another modification of the exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

6A and 6B are views for explaining the configuration of a shutter array including PLZT elements, FIG. 6A is a plan view of the shutter array, and FIG. 6B is a side sectional view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a view showing still another modified example of the exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another modification of the exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another modified example of the exposure unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the photographic printing paper conveying section of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a main part of a modified example of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distribution unit of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a main part of another modified example of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG. 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 image reading device 20 image exposure device 21 image data processing unit (image data processing means) 23 exposure head 24, 90 exposure unit 25, 711 roll printing paper 26 printing paper transfer unit (printing paper transfer unit) 27 development processing unit 28, 70 Cut Section 30 System Controller 80 Distribution Section 110 Negative Image Projection Exposure Section

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image exposure apparatus for simultaneously exposing images of a plurality of frames captured as image data to different areas of a photographic paper, and creating image data for simultaneously exposing the images of the plurality of frames. An image exposure apparatus comprising: an image data processing unit for converting the image data of images of a plurality of frames from the image data processing unit into an optical signal and outputting the optical signal simultaneously onto the photographic paper. 2. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
An image characterized in that it comprises a transfer means for moving the printing paper relative to the exposure section, and the exposure section exposes the image data from the image data processing means for every one line or for every plural lines. Exposure equipment. 3. The image exposure device according to claim 1, wherein the exposure unit is configured to include a CRT and projects images of a plurality of frames simultaneously displayed on the CRT onto the printing paper. apparatus. 4. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the exposure section includes a FOCRT arranged along a width direction orthogonal to a transfer direction of the printing paper. . 5. The image exposure according to claim 2, wherein the exposure section includes an LED head arranged along a width direction orthogonal to a transfer direction of the printing paper. apparatus. 6. The exposure unit is configured to include a light source and a shutter array that is arranged along a width direction orthogonal to a transfer direction of the printing paper and serves as a shutter for the light source. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 2, which is characterized in that. 7. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cut section for dividing the photographic paper, which has been exposed by the exposure section, into frames. apparatus. 8. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographic paper before exposure is divided into frames, and a photographic paper cut by the cut portion is used as a photographic paper. An image exposure apparatus comprising: a distribution unit that distributes in a width direction orthogonal to a transfer direction, and the exposure unit exposes the photographic paper distributed by the distribution unit. 9. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 8,
An image exposure apparatus comprising: a projection exposure unit that projects an image of a negative film onto a photographic paper and exposes the image between the cutting unit and the distribution unit. 10. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a projection exposure unit that projects and exposes an image of a negative film on photographic paper.