JPH09197567A - Picture exposure device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely expose a picture without the reduction of an exposure capacity. SOLUTION: The device is provided with an exposure head part for converting a film image taken in as image data to optical signals of corresponding colors R, G and B in every optical wavelength area and outputting the optical signals on to a roll photographic printing paper 31, and the exposing head part is provided with a shutter array 331 functioning as the exposure head for outputting the optical signals and a Selfoc (R) lens array 335. A picture forming position on the photographic printing paper is adjusted by changing a distance between the shutter array 331 and the Selfoc (R) lens array 335 and a distance between the Selfoc (R) lens array 335 and the photographic printing paper 31 in every optical wavelength area of R, G and B.

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 for exposing a color film image or the like captured as image data on a photographic paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, as an image exposure device for exposing a color film image onto a photographic printing paper, the color film image is exposed to B,
An apparatus of a system in which G and R are divided into a plurality of light wavelength regions to be captured as image data, and the captured image data is divided into respective light wavelength regions to expose a printing paper is employed. In this case, a SELFOC lens array that forms an image on photographic paper is used in the exposure unit.

[0003]

However, in the above-described image exposure apparatus, the SELFOC lens array used in the exposure section is dark if the chromatic aberration is small, because the light transmittance is low, and the exposure capability is deteriorated. was there. Further, in a bright SELFOC lens array having a high light transmittance, there is a problem that chromatic aberration is large and image quality is deteriorated.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image exposure apparatus capable of performing accurate exposure without lowering the exposure ability.

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, an image exposure apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention deals with image data obtained by dividing the image data into a plurality of light wavelength regions for each light wavelength region. In the apparatus including an exposure head section for converting the light signal into a light signal for output on a photographic paper, the exposure head section adjusts an image forming position on the photographic paper for each of the light wavelength regions.

In the image exposure apparatus according to claim 1,
Accurate exposure is performed by adjusting the image forming position on the printing paper for each light wavelength region such as R, G, and B.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image exposure apparatus according to the first aspect, the exposure head section includes an exposure head for outputting the optical signal, and a portion between the exposure head and the printing paper. And a selfoc lens array disposed on the photographic paper, the image forming position on the photographic paper is a distance between the exposure head and the selfoc lens array, and a distance between the selfoc lens array and the photographic paper. The feature is that it is adjusted by changing.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the distance between the exposure head and the SELFOC lens array and between the SELFOC lens array and the printing paper are changed so that the image forming position on the printing paper is accurate. Is adjusted to.

An image exposure apparatus according to a third aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to the first or the second aspect, further comprising a transfer means configured to reciprocate the photographic paper, and the photographic paper is moved by the transfer means. It is characterized in that the optical signals of the respective colors are superimposed and exposed at the same position on the printing paper in units of one frame in synchronization with the transfer.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the optical signals of the respective colors are overlapped and exposed at the same position on the photographic paper in units of one frame in synchronization with the reciprocating movement of the photographic paper.

An image exposure apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image exposure apparatus according to the third aspect, characterized in that exposure is alternately performed on the forward path and the return path by the transfer means.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the image forming position on the photographic paper is adjusted by the optical signal of each color when switching between the forward path and the backward path.

An image exposure apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image exposure apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the exposure head section has a white light source and a plurality of color regions that transmit the light of the white light source. And a color filter having.

In the image exposure apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the light wavelength region is changed by changing the color region that the white light source of the color filter transmits.

[0015]

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 data capturing unit 10 that reads an image from a negative film and stores it in a memory, an image data processing unit 20 that performs predetermined data processing and image editing on the image data captured by the image data capturing unit 10, An image exposure unit 30 that is an image exposure apparatus according to the present invention that converts image data that has undergone data processing or image editing into an optical signal and exposes it to a photographic paper; a development processing unit 40 that develops the exposed photographic paper; It is composed of a cutting unit 50 that cuts the dried printing paper for each frame, and a system controller 60 that controls the operation of the entire system.

The image data capturing section 10 comprises a film transfer section 12 for transferring each frame of the developed color negative film 11 to a reading position, and an image reading section 13 for reading an image of each frame of the film 11. There is.

The film transfer unit 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 take-up roller 121 by the frame size, and each frame and the lamp 124 are sequentially opposed to each other.

The image reading unit 13 includes an image pickup device 131 including CCDs and the like arranged in a matrix for reading the image of each frame, a read control unit 132 for controlling the image read by the image pickup device 131, and each of the film 11. A lens 13 for forming a frame image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 131
3, an optical filter 134 that is inserted between the film 11 and the lens 133 and separates the image of the film 11 into three colors of R, G, and B, a filter drive motor 135 that moves the position of the optical filter 134, and a filter drive motor 135
The filter feed control unit 136 that controls the driving of the image pickup device, the storage unit 137 that captures the image signal read by the image sensor 131, and the like.

The reading control unit 132 gives an image pickup timing signal to the image pickup element 131 to obtain an image of each frame.
The image sensor 13
An image signal read timing signal is given to 1 to read the read image signal. In order to capture the image signals separated into the three colors of R, G, and B for the image of each frame, the filter feed control unit 136 rotationally drives the filter drive motor 135 for each frame to position the optical filter 134. Switching in order, each color portion of the optical filter 134 is 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.
Image data of each frame is stored for each color of R, G, and B at addresses specified by an address controller (not shown).

The image data processing unit 20 is stored in the image memory 139 based on the table memory 21 in which the editing information such as the layout of each frame to be exposed and the print magnification is stored, and the editing information in the table memory 21. The image data of the frame to be exposed is read out based on the predetermined processing in the processing unit 22 that reads out the image data stored therein and performs the predetermined processing, for example, the addressing for the compression and expansion processing or the allocation of the image data. A processed image memory 23 stored in a memory area corresponding to each color of R, G, B,
It is composed of a line buffer 24 for temporarily storing image data of one line of an image to be exposed and other editing information output as necessary.

The image exposure unit 30 exposes the roll printing paper 31 and the printing paper transporting unit 32 that transports the long roll printing paper 31 wound around the roller R to the shutter array position of the exposure head unit described later. Exposure head section 33, exposure head control section 34 for controlling the exposure head section 33, photographic paper transfer section 32 and exposure head control section based on the image data of each color of R, G, B sent from the line buffer 24. The exposure control unit 35 is configured to synchronously control 34. The image exposure unit 30 also includes an exposure timing control unit 36 for synchronously controlling a photographic paper transfer control unit of the photographic paper transfer unit 32, which will be described later, and an image data output control unit of the exposure head control unit 34, which will be described later. .

The photographic printing paper transfer section 32 is a first transfer roller pair 321 disposed upstream and downstream of the exposure head section 33.
And a second transfer roller pair 322, a drive motor 323 that rotationally drives the first and second transfer roller pairs 321, 322, and a photographic paper transfer control unit 32 that controls the drive of the drive motor 323.
4 and the like, and based on a control signal from the photographic paper transfer control unit 324, the drive motor 323 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions to make the roll photographic paper 31 reciprocate one and a half times at the exposure position for each frame of the film image. And R, G, and
The roll photographic printing paper 31 is transferred for each of the three color units of B by the width dimension of one line.

That is, the photographic paper transfer unit 32 transfers the roll photographic paper 31 to the downstream side, which is the original transfer direction, by the width dimension of one line, and when the exposure for one frame of R color is completed, The roll photographic paper 31 is transferred to the upstream side, which is the reverse direction, by the width dimension of one line and the G color image is exposed. In this case, the image data is output in the reverse direction. When the exposure of the G color image is completed, the roll printing paper 31 returns to the start position of the frame. Then, the roll photographic paper 31 is again transferred to the downstream side by the width dimension for one line,
The image of R light is exposed. The exposure of one frame of image is completed by the reciprocating movement of the roll printing paper 31 for one and a half times. The photographic paper transfer unit 32 reciprocates for one frame and a half for each frame, and when the exposure of the image of one frame is completed, the roll photographic paper 31 is transferred to the start position of the next frame.

The exposure head unit 33 converts the image data into an optical signal and outputs it on the roll photographic paper 31.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a shutter array 331 including a PLZT element as an exposure head, which is arranged along the width direction of the roll printing paper 31 and outputs light signals, a white light source 332, a shutter array 331, and a white color. A disc-shaped color filter 333 having three color regions of R, G, and B arranged between the light source 332 and a white light source 332 is transmitted through each color region of the disc-shaped color filter 333 to be a shutter. It is composed of a large number of optical fiber bundles 334 to be sent to the array 331 and a SELFOC lens array 335 which is arranged between the shutter array 331 and the roll printing paper 31 and forms an image on the roll printing paper 31. .

A shutter array 33 composed of PLZT elements
No. 1 is composed of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material obtained by adding lanthanum to lead zirconate titanate and utilizes the electro-optical effect of the material. The shutter array 331 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), a long PLZT element 1
00, a large number of protrusions 102 and 103 are formed on both sides of the concave groove 101 formed in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of No. 00 by a half pitch.
The common electrode 104 is formed on the surface on the first side, and the surface of the protrusions 102 and 103 on the opposite side of the groove 101 and the PLZT.
The drive electrodes 105 and 106 are formed on the plane portion of the device 100. Further, on the projections 102 and 103 side and the bottom surface side of the PLZT element 100, deflection films 107 and 108 having deflection surfaces orthogonal to each other are provided.

The shutter array 33 thus configured
1 is that when a voltage of a predetermined level for each color of R, G, and B is applied between the common electrode 104 and the drive electrodes 105 and 106, the light incident from the deflection film 108 side causes the projection 102,
The light is transmitted to the deflecting film 107 side of 103, and the light is blocked when the application of the voltage is stopped. That is, the protrusion 10
Portions 2 and 103 on the side of the deflection film 107 (portions indicated by dots in FIG. 4A) serve as a shutter unit for controlling on / off of light transmission. Protrusions 102 and 103 that serve as the shutter portion
Has a width W of, for example, 84.6 μm. The inner diameter of each of the optical fibers is set to be larger than the width W of the shutter portion so that light is introduced from one optical fiber to the plurality of shutter portions. As a result, when a drive voltage is applied to the shutter portion at the position corresponding to each pixel of the image data, the shutter portion opens and the light transmitted through the disc-shaped color filter 333 receives the light from the roll printing paper 3.
The roll printing paper 31 is exposed by the light.

Incidentally, the number of shutter sections is configured to match the number of pixels for one line of image data,
The exposure control unit 35 sends the image data for one line of each color of R, G, B sent from the line buffer 24 to the image data output control unit described later, and this image data output control unit has been sent. A drive voltage is supplied to the shutter unit corresponding to the image data. In the shutter array 331 in this embodiment, the shutter portions are arranged in two rows as shown in FIG. 4, so that the image data for one line of each of R, G, and B colors is shifted by the array pitch. Is 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 white light source 332 is composed of a halogen lamp and a mirror tunnel that guides the light of the lamp to the optical fiber 334. The white light source 332 is always on when the roll printing paper 31 is exposed.

The disk-shaped color filter 333 is divided into three color regions in the order of R, G, B in the circumferential direction, and is configured to rotate intermittently for each color in the circumferential direction. ing. That is, in this embodiment, as described above, the roll printing paper 31 is reciprocated three times for each frame by the printing paper transport unit 32 to perform exposure for each of R, G, and B colors.
At the exposure timing of each color of G and B, each color area is a white light source 33.
It is driven intermittently so as to come to a position corresponding to 2. Therefore, in the disc-shaped color filter 333, for example, a position detection mark (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral edge portion or the like, and the position sensor detects the position detection mark at the exposure timing of each of R, G, and B colors. It is configured such that the corresponding color region comes to a position corresponding to the white light source 332.

The shutter array 331 moves up and down by the first cams 334a and 334b arranged at both ends in the width direction which is a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the roll printing paper 31, whereby the selfoc lens array is moved. 335
The selfoc lens array 335 is vertically moved by the second cams 335a and 335b arranged at both ends in the width direction which is a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the roll printing paper 31. By moving it, the distance from the roll printing paper 31 can be changed.
In this way, by vertically moving the shutter array 331 and the SELFOC lens array 335, the image forming position on the roll photographic paper 31, that is, the exposure focus can be adjusted for each color of R, G, and B.

The first cams 334a and 334b are rotated by drive motors 334c and 334d, respectively.
35a and 335b are drive motors 335c and 33, respectively.
It is designed to rotate by 5d, and each drive motor 3
34c, 334d, 335c and 335d are driven in synchronization with each other.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the operation of adjusting the exposure focus for each color of R, G and B by the first cams 334a and 334b and the second cams 335a and 335b. The left side is the B light. The position of the cam during exposure is shown, the center is the position of the cam during G light exposure, and the right is the position of the cam during R light exposure. The distances from the center position of the first cams 334a and 334b differ depending on the colors R, G, and B.
It has one peripheral surface X1, Y1, Z1. The second cams 335a and 335b have a distance R from the center position,
Three different peripheral surfaces X2, Y2, Z corresponding to G and B colors
Two.

During G light exposure, the first cams 334a, 334
In b, the peripheral surface X1 is in contact with the lower surface of the shutter array 331, and in the second cams 335a and 335b, the peripheral surface X2 is in contact with the lower surface of the SELFOC lens array 335, and the shutter array 331 and the SELFOC lens array 335 are arranged.
The distance between them and the distance between the SELFOC lens array 335 and the roll printing paper 31 are both equal to X _G. Further, during the B light exposure, the first cams 334a, 334
In b, the peripheral surface Y1 is in contact with the lower surface of the shutter array 331, and the second cams 335a and 335b are such that the peripheral surface Y2 is in contact with the lower surface of the SELFOC lens array 335, and the shutter array 331 and the SELFOC lens array 335 are arranged.
The distance between them and the distance between the SELFOC lens array 335 and the roll printing paper 31 are both equal to X _B. Further, during the R light exposure, the first cams 334a, 334
In b, the peripheral surface Z1 is in contact with the lower surface of the shutter array 331, and in the second cams 335a and 335b, the peripheral surface Z2 is in contact with the lower surface of the SELFOC lens array 335, and the shutter array 331 and the SELFOC lens array 335 are arranged.
The distance between them and the distance between the Selfoc lens array 335 and the roll printing paper 31 are both equal to X _R.

These distances X _G , X _B and X _R are X _B <X _G
<X _R , and the first cams 334a, 334
With respect to the dimensions of the peripheral surfaces X1, Y1 and Z1 of b from the central axis, the peripheral surface Y1 contacting during B light exposure is -2 (X _G −X _B ), with reference to the peripheral surface X1 contacting during G light exposure. The peripheral surface Z1 contacting at the time of R light exposure is 2 (X _R −X _G ). Also, the second
Cam 335a, the dimension from the periphery X2, Y2, Z2 central axis of the 335 b, when a reference circumferential surface X2 in contact when G light exposure, B light circumferential surface Y2 in contact during exposure X _B -X _G becomes, R peripheral surface in contact with the time of light exposure Z2 becomes X _R -X _G. Each cam is configured to satisfy these conditions, and the drive motors 334c, 334d and the drive motor 335c,
The exposure focus is adjusted for each color of R, G, and B by being driven synchronously by 335d.

The exposure head control unit 34 controls the drive of the exposure head unit 33 as described above, and comprises a color filter control unit 341, an image data output control unit 342, and a focus position control unit 343. . Color filter control unit 3
Reference numeral 41 controls the rotation of a drive motor (not shown) to control the rotation drive of the disk-shaped color filter 333. The image data output control unit 342 outputs a drive voltage to the shutter unit of the shutter array 331, opens the shutter unit corresponding to a predetermined pixel, and outputs from the disc-shaped color filter 333 sent out via the optical fiber 334. The colored light is output onto the roll printing paper 31, and the roll printing paper 31 is exposed. Focus position control unit 3
Reference numeral 43 designates the drive motors 334c and 334d and the drive motors 335c and 335d to rotate the respective cams,
Adjust the exposure focus for each color. The printing paper transfer control unit 324 and the image data output control unit 34 described above are provided.
2 is synchronously controlled by the exposure timing control unit 36.

The exposure control section 35 synchronously controls the photographic paper transfer section 32 and the exposure head control section 34 based on the image data of the three colors of R, G and B sent from the line buffer 24 as described above. The roll photographic paper 31 is controlled so that the image of each frame is accurately exposed for each color of R, G, and B.

The development processing section 40 is provided with a liquid tank 41 filled with a developing solution, and the roll printing paper 31 exposed by the exposure head section 33 is arranged on the downstream side of the liquid tank 41 (not shown). The latent image formed by exposing the roll printing paper 31 is made visible by being transferred by the exposed printing paper transfer unit and being immersed in the developing solution in the liquid tank 41.

The cutting unit 50 is composed of a cutter 51 for cutting the roll printing paper 31 which has been developed by the development processing unit 40 and then dried in the width direction.
The rolled photographic paper 31 transferred to the cutting unit 50 by a not-illustrated developed photographic paper transfer unit disposed on the upstream side of 1 is divided into frames.

The cutter 51 includes a wedge-shaped upper cutting blade 511 and a lower cutting blade 512 arranged above and below the roll printing paper 31.
It is composed of The upper cutting blade 511 and the lower cutting blade 512 are separated from the surface of the roll printing paper 31 when the roll printing paper 31 at the corresponding position is not at the cutting position, and when the roll printing paper 31 reaches the cutting position. The upper cutting blade 511 and the lower cutting blade 512 move toward the surface of the roll printing paper 31 and sandwich the roll printing paper 31 to cut in the width direction. The cutter 51 includes a drive motor 513 that drives the upper cutting blade 511 and the lower cutting blade 512 up and down.
Cutter controller 51 for controlling the drive of the drive motor 513
4 is provided.

The system controller 60 is a CP (not shown).
It is provided with a ROM storing a U and a control program, etc., and gives an instruction to each control section based on this control program to centrally control the operation of each control section.

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

First, based on a command from the system controller 60, the film transfer section 1 of the image data acquisition section 10
Each image of the film 11 transferred by 2 is sequentially R,
The image sensor 131 of the image reading unit 13 reads the image data as three pieces of image data of G and B colors, and the A / D converter 13
In step 8, it is converted into digital data 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 optical filter 134
The position is sequentially switched by the filter feed control unit 136 so that each image can be captured by separating each image into three colors of R, G, and B.

Next, from the table memory 21 of the image data processing unit 20, predesignated processing or editing information such as the image layout of the frame to be exposed on the roll photographic paper 31, the print magnification, etc. is read. Then, based on the processing or editing information, the processing unit 22 causes the image memory 1
Image data is read from 39, processed or edited as image data of a frame to be exposed, and this image data is recorded in the processed image memory 23. The image data recorded in the processed image memory 23 is recorded as three pieces of image data in which R, G, and B colors are separated for each frame image.

Subsequently, the image data of the frame to be exposed is read from the processed image memory 23, and the image data is sent to the line buffer 24 for each line for each color of R, G and B. The exposure control unit 35 reads out the image data for each line of the R, G, and B colors, for example, the B color from the line buffer 24, and sends the read B color image data to the exposure head control unit 34. The exposure head control unit 34 causes the color filter control unit 341 to rotate the disc-shaped color filter 333 so that the B color region has the white light source 3.
It is controlled so as to come to a position facing 32. Further, the exposure head control unit 34 controls the drive of the shutter array 331 by the image data output control unit 342, and the focus position control unit 343 exposes the positions of the first cams 334a, 334b and the second cams 335a, 335b with B light. The roll photographic paper 31 is exposed according to the position of time.

The length based on which the exposure based on the image data for one line of B color is completed and the roll printing paper 31 is exposed for the next one line by the operation of the printing paper transfer unit 32 under the control of the exposure control unit 35. After being transferred to the downstream side, the exposure is subsequently performed based on the image data of one line of the next B color. In this manner, the exposure control unit 35 synchronizes the exposure time for one line of B color by the exposure head unit 33 and the transfer speed of the roll printing paper 31 by the printing paper transfer unit 32, and thus the roll printing paper 31. The proper exposure of the B-color image of the frame to be exposed is completed. Exposure controller 35
When the exposure of the B-color image is completed, operates the photographic paper transport unit 32 to transport the roll photographic paper 31 in the reverse direction.

At the same time, the exposure control section 35 reads out image data for each line of the G color, for example, from the line buffer 24, and sends the read G color image data to the exposure head control section 34. Exposure head controller 34
Is a disc-shaped color filter 333 in the color filter control unit 341.
Is rotated so that the G color region is located at a position facing the white light source 332. In addition, the exposure head controller 34
The shutter array 33 in the image data output control unit 342.
1, and the focus position control unit 343 controls the first cams 334a and 334b and the second cams 335a and 335.
Align the position of b with the position at the time of G light exposure, and roll printing paper 3
1 is exposed.

The exposure based on the image data for one line of G color is completed, and the roll photographic paper 31 is exposed by the operation of the photographic paper transport unit 32 under the control of the exposure control unit 35 for the next one line. After being transferred to the upstream side, the exposure is subsequently performed based on the image data for one line of the next G color. In this manner, the exposure control unit 35 synchronizes the exposure time for one line of G color by the exposure head unit 33 and the transfer speed of the roll printing paper 31 by the printing paper transfer unit 32, so that the roll printing paper 31 The proper exposure of the G-color image of the frame to be exposed is completed. Exposure controller 35
After the exposure of the G color image is completed, the photographic paper transfer section 32 is operated so as to transfer the roll photographic paper 31 in the forward direction again.

At the same time, the exposure control section 35 reads out image data for each line of the R color from the line buffer 24 and sends the read out R color image data to the exposure head control section 34. Exposure head controller 34
Is a disc-shaped color filter 333 in the color filter control unit 341.
Is rotated to control so that the R color region comes to a position facing the white light source 332. In addition, the exposure head controller 34
The shutter array 33 in the image data output control unit 342.
1, and the focus position control unit 343 controls the first cams 334a and 334b and the second cams 335a and 335.
Align the position of b with the position at the time of R light exposure and roll the photographic paper 3
1 is exposed.

The exposure based on the image data for one line of R color is completed, and the roll photographic paper 31 is exposed for the next one line by the operation of the photographic paper transfer unit 32 under the control of the exposure control unit 35. Then, the exposure based on the image data for one line of the next R color is continuously performed. In this manner, the exposure control unit 35 synchronizes the exposure time for one line of R color by the exposure head unit 33 and the transfer speed of the roll printing paper 31 by the printing paper transfer unit 32, so that the roll printing paper 31 The proper exposure of the R-color image of the frame to be exposed is completed. This B, G, R
The exposure of the image for one frame is completed by the exposure of the three colors.
When the exposure of the image for one frame is completed, the exposure control unit 35
Activates the photographic paper transport unit 32 to transport the roll photographic paper 31 to the start position of the next frame.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the outline of the exposure operation of the exposure head unit 33. When the exposure control unit 35 detects the exposure start signal (step S1), the disc-shaped color filter 333 rotates ( Step S2). Subsequently, the position sensor (not shown) determines whether or not the B color region of the disc-shaped color filter 333 which is the first color of the exposure of each frame has reached the position of the white light source 332 (step S3). This decision
The position sensor (not shown) detects the home position mark that defines the position of the B color area. When it is determined that the B color area of the disc-shaped color filter 333 has come to the position of the white light source 332 (YES in step S3), the rotation of the disc-shaped color filter 333 is stopped (step S).
4).

Subsequently, the drive voltage applied to the shutter array 331 is switched to a predetermined value (for example, 45 V) (step S5), and the drive motor for exposure focus adjustment is driven by the control signal from the focus position control section 343. Rotate (step S6). Next, it is determined whether or not the exposure focus has been switched to the B light position (step S7). When it is determined that the exposure focus has been switched to the position of B light (YES in step S7), the rotation of the drive motor is stopped (step S8), and the image data output control unit 342.
A drive voltage is applied to a predetermined shutter portion of the shutter array 331 by a control signal from the roll array 331, and the roll photographic paper 31 moves to the B
It is exposed with colored light (step S9). This B-color light exposure is performed in the forward path in which the roll printing paper 31 is transported in the forward direction, which is the original transport direction.

Next, it is judged whether or not the exposure with the B color light is repeated for each line and the exposure of the final line of the image of one frame is completed (step S10), and it is judged that the exposure is completed. Then (YES in step S10), the disk-shaped color filter 333 is rotated (step S11). Then, the position sensor (not shown) determines whether or not the G color region of the disk-shaped color filter 333 which is the color next to the exposure of each frame has come to the position of the white light source 332 (step S).
12). This determination is made by the position sensor detecting the position mark defining the G color position. When it is determined that the G color region of the disc-shaped color filter 333 has come to the position of the white light source 332 (YES in step S12), the rotation of the disc-shaped color filter 333 is stopped (step S13).

Subsequently, the drive voltage applied to the shutter array 331 is switched to a predetermined value (for example, 50 V) (step S14), and the drive motor for exposure focus adjustment is driven by the control signal from the focus position control section 343. Rotate (step S15). Next, it is determined whether or not the exposure focus has been switched to the G light position (step S1).
6). When it is determined that the exposure focus has been switched to the G light position (YES in step S16), the rotation of the drive motor is stopped (step S17), and the shutter array 33 is controlled by the control signal from the image data output control unit 342.
A drive voltage is applied to the predetermined shutter unit No. 1 to expose the roll printing paper 31 with G color light (step S18). This G-color light exposure is performed on the return path in which the roll printing paper 31 is transported in the reverse direction.

Next, it is judged whether or not the exposure of the last line of the image of one frame is completed by repeatedly exposing the G color light for each line (step S19), and it is judged that the exposure is completed. Then (YES in step S19), the disc-shaped color filter 333 is rotated (step S20). Then, the position sensor (not shown) determines whether or not the R color region of the disk-shaped color filter 333 which is the color next to the exposure of each frame has come to the position of the white light source 332 (step S).
21). This determination is made by the position sensor detecting the position mark that defines the position of R color. When it is determined that the R color region of the disc-shaped color filter 333 has come to the position of the white light source 332 (YES in step S21), the rotation of the disc-shaped color filter 333 is stopped (step S22).

Then, the drive voltage applied to the shutter array 331 is switched to a predetermined value (for example, 55 V) (step S23), and the drive motor for exposure focus adjustment is driven by the control signal from the focus position control section 343. Rotate (step S24). Next, it is determined whether or not the exposure focus has been switched to the R light position (step S2).
5). If it is determined that the exposure focus has been switched to the R light position (YES in step S25), the rotation of the drive motor is stopped (step S26), and the shutter array 33 is controlled by the control signal from the image data output control unit 342.
The drive voltage 55V is applied to the predetermined shutter portion of No. 1, and the roll printing paper 31 is exposed with the R color light (step S2).
7). The exposure of the R color light is performed on the same outward path of the roll printing paper 31 as the B color light.

Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the exposure of the R color light for each line is repeated and the exposure of the final line of the image of one frame is completed (step S28), and it is judged that the exposure is completed. Then (YES in step S28), the roll printing paper 31 is moved to the exposure position of the next frame, the process returns to step S1 and the above steps are repeated to expose the image of the next frame.

The exposed roll photographic paper 31 is sequentially sent to the development processing section 40 where it is developed with a predetermined developing solution, and the dried roll photographic paper 31 is sent to the cutting section 50. In the cutting unit 50, the cutter 51
The roll photographic paper 31 is cut in the width direction, and the roll photographic paper 31 which is long before exposure is divided into frames.

In the above embodiment, the roll printing paper 31 is used in a roll form from the exposure process to the final process, but as described below, the roll printing paper 31 is used for one frame in the first process. It is also possible to cut into units and expose the cut photographic paper.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the embodiment, which is a cutting unit 70 for cutting the roll printing paper into frames.
Cut photographic paper exposing section 90 for exposing cut photographic paper
FIG.

The cutting section 70 includes a storage section 72 for the roll printing paper 71 and the roll printing paper 7 pulled out from the storage section 72.
And a cutter 73 for cutting 1. Storage section 7
A transfer mechanism (not shown) for sending the roll printing paper 71 to the position of the cutter 73 is provided in the inside of the unit 2. Further, the cutter 73 is a wedge-shaped blade 73 located above and below the roll printing paper 71.
1, 732 are provided.

The cut photographic paper exposing section 80 is bridged between an upstream roller 81 and a downstream roller 82 which are rotated by a drive means (not shown), and a transfer belt 83 for transferring the cut photographic paper 711 to the downstream side. A lower roller 84 for forming a large space between the upper part and the lower part of the transfer belt 83, and a suction duct 85 arranged on the bottom side of the upper part of the transfer belt 83.
And a vacuum pump 87 for sucking the air in the suction duct 85 through the pipe 86. The exposure head unit 33 is disposed above the transfer belt 83.

The transfer belt 83 has a large number of small through holes (not shown) formed in substantially the entire area thereof, and the vacuum pump 87 sucks the air in the suction duct 85 so that the upper surface of the transfer belt 83 has a cutter. The cut printing paper 711 fed from 73 is sucked and held through the small-diameter through-hole (not shown). The transfer belt is configured to be electrostatically charged, and the photographic printing paper 71 is cut by electrostatic force.
1 may be adsorbed.

The cutting section 70 and the exposure section 80 are controlled based on a command from the system controller 60 which controls the overall operation of the automatic photo printing system. That is, the roll printing paper 71 sent out from the storage portion 71 is cut by the cutter 73 in units of one frame. The cut photographic printing paper 711 that has been cut is fed onto the transfer belt 83 of the cut photographic printing paper exposure unit 80. Since the transfer belt 83 is always adapted to suck and hold the cut photographic paper 711, the transferred cut photographic paper 711 is fixed at a predetermined position on the transfer belt 83.

When the cut photographic paper 711 is fed onto the transfer belt 83, the transfer belt 83 is driven line by line, and the cut photographic paper 711 is exposed by the exposure head unit 32. The operation of the exposure head unit 32 is similar to that shown in FIG. Then, when the exposure is completed, the transfer belt 83 transfers the cut photographic paper 711 to the developing processing section, and the next cut photographic paper 711 is placed on the transfer belt 83.
Is fed.

In general, when color exposure is performed, the sensitivity of the printing paper differs depending on the light wavelength region, for example, B and G are bright and R is dark. Therefore, the light control filter for color balance is exposed. Although it is arranged in the optical path of the head, the dimming filter is eliminated by changing the transport speed of the roll printing paper 31 according to the R, G, and B color lights as described below. It is possible to eliminate a problem such as a decrease in exposure ability due to a light amount loss when using.

That is, the B color light having the highest sensitivity has the shortest exposure time, and the R color light having the lowest sensitivity has the longest exposure time.
When the forward transfer speed during exposure of color light is 8.3 mm / sec, the forward transfer speed during exposure of B color light in step 9 is set to 12.5 mm / sec, and the return transfer during exposure of G color light in step 18 is performed. And the transfer speed is 10.0 mm / sec. The change of the transfer speed of the roll photographic paper 31 is performed by the control of the exposure timing control unit 36, and the exposure timing control unit 36 is changed according to the change of the transfer speed.
According to the control of 1, the sending speed of the image data sent to the image data output control unit 342 is also changed.

The above transfer speed ratio is set as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, an optical sensor 331a is provided on the exposure surface side of the shutter array 331,
The positions of the disc-shaped color filter 333 are sequentially changed to B, G, and R.
The output light intensity of each color is measured. Optical sensor 331a
Is the shutter array 33 with the screw screw 331b.
1 is movable along the width direction of 1, and the average value of the intensities at a plurality of positions in the width direction of the shutter array 331 is the intensity of each color light. Note that the intensity of the output light of each color of B, G, and R may be measured at one point, for example, in the widthwise central portion of the shutter array 331, and used as the intensity of each color of light. Also,
When measuring the intensity of the output light, it is necessary to previously have the sensitivity of each of B, G, and R of the printing paper to be exposed and the sensitivity of the optical sensor 331a as initial data.

The measured values of the respective output lights of the optical sensor 331a in this embodiment were 0.75V, 0.85V and 1.00V for the B, G and R color lights, respectively.
Regarding the photographic paper sensitivity, the ratios when R was 1 were 1.6 and 1.3 for B and G, respectively. As for the sensor sensitivity, the ratio when R was 1 was 0.8 and 0.9 for B and G, respectively. When the intensity ratio of each color light is calculated from these values with the R color light as 1, for the B color light, (0.75 / 1.00) × (1 / 0.8) ×
(1.6 / 1) = 1.5, and for G color light,
(0.85 / 1.00) x (1 / 0.9) x (1.3 /
1) = 1.2. From this ratio, the ratio of the exposure time of the B color light to the exposure time of the R color light is 1 / 1.5 = 0.6.
7, and the ratio of the G color light exposure time is 1 / 1.2 = 0.
83. As a result, the transfer speed of the roll photographic paper 31 is 1.5 times as much as the R color light for the B color light and 1.
It should be doubled, and the above value can be obtained.

Note that changing the transfer speed of the roll photographic paper 31 in this manner causes the transfer of the roll photographic paper 31 to reciprocate in units of one frame of the image as in the above-described embodiment, and R,
This can be easily realized by exposing each of the G and B color units. Also, in the configuration in which the exposure focus is adjusted for each color unit of R, G, B, the roll photographic paper 31 is reciprocated in units of one frame of the image, and R, G,
This can be easily realized by adopting a configuration in which each color unit of B is exposed.

With the above ratio, instead of measuring the intensity of each output light by the optical sensor 331a, the photographic paper is actually exposed with the same exposure time and the same print pattern for B color light, G color light and R color light. It can also be obtained by measuring the density of each color of the printing paper with a densitometer. In this case, it is not necessary to consider the sensitivity of the printing paper or the sensitivity of the optical sensor, but it is necessary to previously hold the relational expression between the density and the light amount as initial data.

Further, in the above embodiment, the roll printing paper 31 is made to reciprocate one and a half times at the exposure position for each frame of the film image, and the forward and backward passes are exposed.
It is also possible to make three reciprocations at the exposure position for each frame of the film image, and to perform R, G, and B color exposure sequentially only on the outward path without exposing on the return path. If this is done, the transfer time of the roll printing paper 31 will be twice as long as in the case of making one and a half reciprocations, but there is no problem in practice.

In the above embodiment, the exposure focus is adjusted by moving the shutter array 331 and the SELFOC lens array 335. However, the SELFOC lens array 3 remains fixed while the shutter array 331 remains fixed.
35 and the roll photographic paper 31 may be moved, or the SELFOC lens array 335 may be fixed and the shutter array 331 and the roll photographic paper 31 may be moved. The point is that the shutter array 331 and the SELFOC lens array 335 and the SELFOC lens array 335 and the roll printing paper 31 may be relatively moved.

In the above embodiment, the exposure head unit 33 has the shutter array 331 made of PLZT elements.
It is composed of a white light source 332, a disc-shaped color filter 333, etc., but instead of the shutter array 331 composed of a PLZT element as an exposure head, a liquid crystal display (LC
D) or the like can also be used. Even in this case, PLZT
The same exposure as that of the shutter array 331 including elements can be performed. A light emitting diode (LED), a flat cathode ray tube (FOCRT), or the like can be used as the exposure head.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image data processing unit 20 is designed to send the image data for one line to the line buffer 24, but it is designed to send the image data for a plurality of lines. You can also In this case, the exposure head unit 33 exposes the image of each frame based on the image data of the plurality of lines.

In the above embodiment, the image data capturing unit 10 captures the image of the film 11, but the image data input to the personal computer is captured and processed by the image data processing unit 20. Or edit,
The image of each frame processed or edited can be exposed on a photographic printing paper.

In the above embodiment, the image on the film 11 is separated into three colors of R, G and B and fetched as image data, and the image data is converted into optical signals of three colors of R, G and B. However, it is not necessarily limited to the three colors of R, G, and B, and four colors with additional colored light are added, or even if three colors are used, R,
Combinations other than G and B are also possible. The point is that the image to be exposed on the photographic paper is taken in as image data divided into a plurality of light wavelength regions, this image data is converted into an optical signal of a color corresponding to each light wavelength region, and this optical signal is printed on the photographic paper. Should be output to.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention, R, G,
Since the image forming position on the printing paper is adjusted for each light wavelength region such as B, accurate exposure can be performed without lowering the exposure capability.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the distance between the exposure head and the SELFOC lens array and between the SELFOC lens array and the printing paper are changed to adjust the image forming position on the printing paper. Therefore, the image forming position can be easily adjusted.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the optical signals of the respective colors are exposed in the same position on the photographic paper in units of one frame in synchronization with the transfer of the reciprocating photographic paper, the image forming position Adjustment becomes easy.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since the image forming position on the printing paper by the optical signal of each color is adjusted at the time of switching between the outward path and the returning path, the image forming position is adjusted at the time of switching between the outward path and the returning path. It becomes possible to adjust it easily.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, since the color region through which the white light source is transmitted is changed by the color filter,
The light wavelength region can be easily changed.

[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 a configuration of an exposure head unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an exposure head unit of the automatic photographic printing system shown in FIG.

4A and 4B are views for explaining the configuration of a shutter array including PLZT elements, FIG. 4A is a plan view of the shutter array, and FIG. 4B is a side sectional view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an exposure focus adjustment method.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the exposure head unit.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a modification of the automatic photo printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring the intensity of each output light of the exposure head unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 image data capturing unit 20 image data processing unit 30 image exposure unit (image exposure device) 31 roll printing paper 32 printing paper transfer unit (transfer means) 33 exposure head unit 34 exposure head control unit 35 exposure control unit 36 exposure timing control Part 40 Development processing part 50 Cut part 60 System controller 331 Shutter array 332 White light source 333 Disc-shaped color filter 334 Optical fiber bundle 335 Selfoc lens array

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image exposure apparatus having an exposure head section for converting image data divided into a plurality of light wavelength regions and fetched into optical signals of a color corresponding to each light wavelength region and outputting the optical signals on a printing paper. In the image exposure apparatus, the exposure head unit adjusts an image forming position on the printing paper for each of the light wavelength regions. 2. The exposure head section includes an exposure head for outputting the optical signal, and a SELFOC lens array arranged between the exposure head and the photographic paper. The image exposure according to claim 1, wherein the image position is adjusted by changing the distance between the exposure head and the SELFOC lens array and between the SELFOC lens array and the printing paper. apparatus. 3. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit configured to reciprocate the photographic paper, and light of each color is synchronized with the transfer of the photographic paper by the transfer unit. An image exposure apparatus, wherein signals are exposed one by one at the same position on the photographic printing paper. 4. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 3, wherein exposure is alternately performed on the forward path and the return path by the transfer means. 5. The exposure head unit comprises a white light source and a color filter having a plurality of color regions that transmit the light of the white light source, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Image exposure device.