JPH0961937A - Method and device for printing image, and film sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print an image without deteriorating the finish quality of a photograph by using a liquid crystal panel. SOLUTION: An unexposed film sheet 88 is exposed by making all the liquid crystal elements (K point, for example) of the liquid crystal panel 56 arranged at an index print part untransmissive so as to obtain the sheet 8 whose part (J point) corresponding to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element is printed in black. Next, the sheet 88 is arranged between the panel 56 and a color photographic paper P and the image displayed on the panel 56 is printed on the paper P by a light source. Then, a print whose part (H point) on the paper P corresponding to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element becomes a white dot or a gray dot is obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image printing method, an image printing apparatus and a film sheet, and more particularly to an image printing method and an image printing apparatus using a liquid crystal panel and a film sheet used for the liquid crystal panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is possible to easily search what kind of photograph is taken on one developed film,
An index print in which each frame is arranged in a matrix and printed is known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-12).
2639).

In order to create such an index print, the images recorded on all the image frames of the photographic film are read by, for example, a scanner (image reading device) to form an index print image, and the index print image is formed. The image is displayed on the image display means in the copy and printed in front of or behind the print group for each image frame. In this case, from the viewpoints of weight reduction and downsizing of the device as the image display means, a plurality of liquid crystal elements are arranged in a matrix, and the liquid crystal for displaying an image by electrically controlling the transmittance of each liquid crystal element. Panels are used.

However, the liquid crystal panel may have a liquid crystal element (uncontrollable point) in which the transmittance of exposure light cannot be electrically controlled in manufacturing.

This will be described with reference to FIG. 7. An image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel LP including such uncontrollable points, and the liquid crystal panel LP is illuminated with light from a light source (arrow E). When the color paper CP is printed according to the liquid crystal element, the light E is adjusted to the light F (arrow F) by the normal liquid crystal element which is electrically controlled in the liquid crystal panel LP and is printed on the color paper CP. On the other hand, at the uncontrollable point, the emitted light cannot be adjusted because it cannot be electrically controlled, and for example, it becomes a total transmission state and appears as a black dot on the print. Such partial black spots are conspicuous and deteriorate the finish quality of the photograph.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and in an image printing apparatus using a liquid crystal panel, it is possible to print an image without impairing the finished quality of the photograph. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an image printing apparatus, and a film sheet applicable to the method and apparatus of the present invention.

[0007]

An image printing method according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined image is displayed on a liquid crystal panel in which a large number of liquid crystal elements capable of electrically controlling a light transmission state are arranged, and the displayed image is displayed. Is a method of printing an image on the photosensitive material by exposing a predetermined area of the photosensitive material with the exposure light transmitted through each liquid crystal element according to A dimming unit for dimming the transmitted light of the liquid crystal element in the attenuation direction is provided before the transmitted light that has passed through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element reaches the photosensitive material and is transmitted through the dimming means. The image displayed on the liquid crystal panel is printed on the photosensitive material by the light.

According to this, the light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element of the liquid crystal panel is adjusted until it reaches the photosensitive material,
Since the photosensitive material is baked with the adjusted light, regardless of the intensity of the transmitted light based on the electrical control of the uncontrollable liquid crystal element,
For example, the light-sensitive material can be printed as white points or gray points.

Therefore, even if an image is printed by using a liquid crystal panel having an uncontrollable liquid crystal element, it is possible to obtain a print in which uncontrollable points are inconspicuous.

According to another aspect of the image printing apparatus of the present invention, a liquid crystal panel in which a large number of liquid crystal elements capable of electrically controlling the light transmission state are arranged, and a liquid crystal panel connected to the liquid crystal panel to control the transmission state of each liquid crystal element. And a display control means for displaying a predetermined image on the liquid crystal panel, and exposing light to a predetermined region of the photosensitive material by exposure light transmitted through each liquid crystal element according to the display image on the liquid crystal panel, An image printing apparatus for printing the display image on the photosensitive material, wherein the transmitted light transmitted through an uncontrollable liquid crystal element that cannot be electrically controlled by the display control means specified from the liquid crystal elements It is characterized in that a dimming means having a dimming portion for dimming in the attenuation direction before reaching the material is provided between the liquid crystal panel and the photosensitive material.

According to this, the dimming means having the dimming portion for adjusting the light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element in the attenuation direction is arranged between the liquid crystal panel and the photosensitive material to display an image on the liquid crystal panel. Since it is baked on the photosensitive material, the light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element can be accurately adjusted by the dimming portion before reaching the photosensitive material.

The image printing apparatus according to claim 3 is the image printing apparatus according to claim 2.
In the film sheet, the light control means includes a transparent support, and a light control portion for attenuating the light is formed in a region of the transparent support to which the light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element is irradiated. It is characterized by being.

According to this, the light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element exposes the photosensitive material with the light attenuated by the dimming portion, and the light transmitted through the other controllable liquid crystal element is not attenuated by the transparent support. To expose the photosensitive material. Therefore, the intensity of light transmitted through each of the controllable liquid crystal element and the normal controllable liquid crystal element is different, and by changing the degree of dimming by the dimming part, the portion corresponding to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element is For example, it is possible to obtain a print inconspicuous as white dots.

Here, the light control means includes a photosensitive substance, and the photosensitive light control means develops after exposure and is exposed to the exposure light as a black spot or a gray spot, and a non-exposed spot is substantially colorless and transparent. In addition, it does not react with the exposure light after the development processing and does not affect the finished quality even if the exposure light is transmitted to the colorless and transparent portion and the image is printed. Examples of the form of such a light control means include a fixed shape such as a film sheet and a non-fixed shape such as a photosensitive paint.

The film sheet according to claim 4 is a film sheet in which a photosensitive layer is formed on a transparent support,
A large number of liquid crystal elements are arranged, a liquid crystal panel that displays an image by controlling the light transmission state of each liquid crystal element is arranged at a predetermined position, and each liquid crystal element is controlled to a predetermined light transmission state. It is characterized in that it is exposed to light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel and developed.

According to this, the film sheet of the present invention is arranged and exposed at a preset position corresponding to the liquid crystal panel. If all liquid crystal elements of the liquid crystal panel are exposed to light by controlling them to a predetermined light transmission state, for example, all non-transmission state, if the liquid crystal panel contains uncontrollable elements, only the light transmitted through these uncontrollable elements Since the photosensitive layer is exposed and appears as black dots on the film sheet, it is possible to specify the position of the uncontrollable liquid crystal element of the liquid crystal panel. In this way, the part corresponding to the uncontrollable element appears as a black dot, and if the film sheet is placed at the exposed position of the same liquid crystal panel, it will be used as a dimming means for dimming the light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element can do.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image printing apparatus 10 is provided with an image storage unit 14. Image storage unit 14
Has a storage capacity such that it can store image information recorded on several negative films N.

A scanner 12 is connected to the image storage unit 14. The scanner 12 reads the image data of each frame recorded on the negative film N to read the negative image storage unit 14
The exposure correction amount of each frame is set based on the image data of each frame, and the value is transmitted to the image processing unit 16.

The image processing unit 16 is connected to the negative image storage unit 14 and performs a predetermined process on the image input from the negative image storage unit 14.

Further, the image printing apparatus 10 is provided with a main printing section 20 and an index printing section 42. In the main print section 20, the image of each frame is printed on the color photographic paper P. On the other hand, the index print unit 42 prints the index print image formed by arranging the images of the frames in a matrix on the color photographic paper P. In the image printing apparatus 10, the main print unit 20 is arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the color photographic paper P shown by the arrow R in FIG. 1, and the index print unit 42 is arranged on the downstream side in the conveying direction. The index print section 42 may be arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction and the main print section 20 may be arranged on the downstream side.

The main printing section 20 has a light source 22 for emitting exposure light and a light control filter 2 comprising three sets of filters of C (cyan), M (magenta) and Y (yellow).
4 are provided. The light control filter 24
Each of the C, M, and Y filters is inserted into the optical path by a filter insertion amount corresponding to the exposure correction amount, for example, by driving the filter driving unit 26 based on the set exposure correction amount of each frame. To be done.

The light passing through the light control filter 24 transmits one frame image of the negative film N positioned at a position centered on the optical axis L1 by the negative conveying roller 28 and the negative mask 29. After that, this light is projected onto the projection lens 30.
And the black shutter 32, and the conveying roller 34
The color photographic paper P on the exposure stage S1 which is sandwiched by and is positioned on the paper mask 35 is irradiated for a predetermined time. In this way, the image recorded on the negative film N in the main print section 20 is printed on the color photographic paper P.

A reservoir section 38 is provided in the conveyance path for the color photographic paper P between the main print section 20 and the index print section 42. This reservoir portion 38 is
The speed difference in the printing process between the main printing section 20 and the index printing section 42 is absorbed. In the reservoir section 38, the color printing paper P is free loop 40.
To form In the present embodiment, as an example, the main print unit 20 has a print cycle of 300 msec, and the index print unit 42 has a print cycle of 3 msec.
Each is set to sec.

The index print section 42 is provided with a light source 44 for printing which has a reflector 45.
Further, along the optical axis L2 of the light source 44, the condenser lens 4
6, the color separation filter 48, the liquid crystal panel 56, the projection lens 60, and the black shutter 62 are arranged in this order.

The condenser lens 46 has a function of converting the exposure light emitted from the light source 44 into a parallel light flux. The color separation filter 48 includes three filters, an R (red) filter, a G (green) filter, and a B (blue) filter. The color separation filter 48 is connected to the filter driving unit 54, and the three filters are sequentially inserted into the exposure optical path by driving the filter driving unit 54.

In the liquid crystal panel 56, a large number (approximately 510,000 as an example) of liquid crystal elements which can be controlled by an electric means into a total transmission state, a total non-transmission state and an intermediate state on the display surface are closely arranged. Thus, a dot matrix of liquid crystal elements is formed. The liquid crystal panel 56 is connected to the image processing unit 16 via a liquid crystal panel driver 58.

The image processing section 16 receives several pieces of image information temporarily stored in the negative image storage section 14 one by one, arranges frame images according to a predetermined rule, and prints an index for each case. Form image data. The image processing unit 16 divides one formed index image data into images of 5 frames and 2 columns of 10 frames so that a resolution of about 200 to 300 dpi can be secured on the index print, and the divided images are divided. The data is sequentially output to the liquid crystal panel driver 58 and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 56.

The liquid crystal panel driver 58 is used in the image processing unit 1.
The liquid crystal element on the liquid crystal panel 56 is electrically controlled in response to a signal from the control unit 6.

The image processing unit 16 divides one index print image into R, G, and B components and displays them on the liquid crystal panel 56 so that an index print can be obtained by overprinting. It has become.

The projection lens 60 forms an image of the exposure light transmitted according to the display image on the liquid crystal panel 56 on the color photographic paper P on the exposure stage S2 at a predetermined magnification. The black shutter 62 is inserted on the optical axis L2 in response to a signal from the black shutter driver 64 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the printing of the index print images for two columns was started. on the other hand,
When printing of the next two columns of index print images is started, the image is separated from the optical axis L2 in response to a signal from the black shutter driver 64.

A conveying roller 66 is provided in the conveying path of the color photographic paper P so as to sandwich and position the color photographic paper P and convey it in the direction of arrow R. A transport motor (not shown) is connected to the transport roller 66, and the driving force of the transport motor is transmitted to the transport roller 66. The carry amount of the color printing paper P by the carry motor is accurately controlled by a controller (not shown).

Therefore, each image on the negative film N is printed on the color printing paper P by the light source 22 in the main printing section 20.
While being printed on, the image is read by the scanner 12 and stored in the negative image storage unit 14.
Sent to 6. Each image data sent to the image processing unit 16 is displayed as an index print image on the liquid crystal panel 56, and is printed on the color photographic paper P by the light source 44 in the index print unit 42.

At the lowermost part of FIG. 1 of the light source 44, a paper mask 68 for arranging the color printing paper P on the exposure stage S2 and accommodating a light control section 70 described later is arranged.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, a paper mask 68.
Will be described. The paper mask 68 has an upper lid 68A.
And the lower lid 68B, and the upper lid 68A and the lower lid 68B are matched to each other, so that the paper mask 68
It is designed to prevent unwanted light from entering the inside. An opening 69 is provided at the center of the upper lid 68A so that the optical axis L2 of the light source 44 can pass through.

Inside the paper mask 68, a light control section 70 composed of a film sheet 88 and a sheet supporting section 72 for supporting the film sheet 88 is accommodated.

The sheet supporting portion 72 is provided with a fixing base 74 longer than the width of the color printing paper P and a holding member 76.
Fixing pins 78 are projectingly provided at both ends of the fixing base 74 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the holding member 76 is provided with a pin hole 80 into which the fixing pin 78 of the fixing base 74 can be inserted.

A support base 82 is attached to the lower lid 68B of the paper mask 68 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the color printing paper P. The support base 82 is provided with a pair of protrusions 84 on both ends in the width direction of the color printing paper P, and the color printing paper P is conveyed in the recesses 86 between these projections 84. It Between the protrusions 84 of the support base 82, with the fixing pin 78 facing upward, the fixing base 74
Is hung over and attached.

The film sheet 88 has a rectangular shape, and pin holes 90 into which the fixing pins 78 of the fixing base 74 are inserted are formed at both ends along one side of the peripheral edge. As a result, the fixing pin 78 is inserted into the pin hole 90 and the film sheet 88
After mounting the fixing members 74 on the fixing base 74, the holding members 76 are attached to the fixing base 74 by inserting the fixing pins 78 into the respective pin holes 80. The film sheet 88 is fixed by being sandwiched between the fixed base 74 and the holding member 76, and is positioned in the paper mask 68. The film sheet 88 will be described in detail later.

A pedestal 92 is provided on the lower lid 68B of the paper mask 68 at a position corresponding to the opening 69 of the upper lid 68A. Also, in the paper mask 68, a pedestal 92
A crimping plate 96 is disposed above the. This crimping plate 96
Is a base 92 by a biasing means such as a compression spring (not shown).
Is urged towards. Due to this urging force, the color photographic paper P together with the film sheet 88 is sandwiched between the base 92 and the base. The pressure plate 96 has an opening 94.
When the color printing paper P is sandwiched between the pressure plate 96 and the pedestal 92, the opening 94 opens the printing area of the color printing paper P in the index print section 42. That is, in the present embodiment, the pressure bonding plate 96 also has the function of a print mask.

A plurality of projecting pins 98 are provided on the pedestal 92 so as to be capable of projecting and retracting outward in the width direction of the color printing paper P. These projecting pins 98 are opposed to the peripheral edge of the opening 94 of the crimping plate 96, and project from the pedestal 92 according to the operation of the solenoid 99 (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 3A, normally, the projecting pin 98 projects onto the pedestal 92 to separate the crimping plate 96 from the pedestal 92 against the biasing force of the compression spring. The color printing paper P can be conveyed between the 92 and the pressure plate 96. The color photographic printing paper P passing on the pedestal 92 is stopped when the area where the index print image is printed reaches the pedestal 92. At this time, since the film sheet 88 is held by the sheet support portion 72 on the upstream side in the transport direction (direction of arrow R) of the color photographic paper P, slack or the like is caused even if the color photographic paper P is brought into contact with the sheet. It never happens.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when the solenoid 99 is energized, the projecting pin 98 is pulled into the pedestal 92 and retracted from the pedestal 92. As a result, the pressure plate 96 presses the film sheet 88 and the color photographic paper P toward the base 92 by the urging force of the compression spring, and the film sheet 8
8 is brought into close contact with the color photographic paper P.

By the way, the sheet support portion 72 of the light control portion 70.
The film sheet 88 attached to is a substantially colorless and transparent sheet. This film sheet 88 is, for example, P
A photosensitive layer was formed on the surface of a colorless and transparent support such as ET. The film sheet 88 is a negative type film in which a portion irradiated with light becomes black (gray) having a density according to the exposure amount and a non-exposed portion becomes colorless and transparent by being developed after being exposed. Has become.

In the index printing section 42, an unexposed film sheet 88 is loaded prior to use, each liquid crystal element of the liquid crystal panel 56 is made totally opaque by the liquid crystal panel driver 58, and light is emitted from the light source 44. The film sheet 88 is exposed with a predetermined amount of light by the light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel. After that, the film sheet 88 is subjected to development processing, and the film sheet 88 that has undergone the development processing is loaded into the sheet supporting portion 72 of the light control portion 70 again and used. At this time, if there is a liquid crystal element that cannot be controlled in the liquid crystal panel 56,
Since only this liquid crystal element transmits light, only the portion of the film sheet 88 corresponding to the liquid crystal element is exposed and appears as a black dot.

Therefore, when the exposed film sheet 88 is arranged between the liquid crystal panel 56 and the color photographic paper P,
The exposure light transmitted through the liquid crystal element whose transmission state can be controlled by the liquid crystal panel driver 58 passes through the film sheet 88 so that a predetermined area of the color photographic paper P can be exposed based on the controlled transmission state. Has become. on the other hand,
The exposure light transmitted through the liquid crystal element that cannot be controlled by the liquid crystal panel driver 58 is adjusted by the light control portion formed as a black dot on the film sheet 88, and then the predetermined area of the color printing paper P is exposed. It is like this.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG.
Shows a flowchart for explaining the method for producing the film sheet 88.

The film sheet 88 is for adjusting the light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal elements among the liquid crystal elements constituting the liquid crystal panel 56, and irradiating the color photographic paper P with the adjusted exposure light. Therefore, the film sheet 8
When the position of the color photographic paper P corresponding to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element of the liquid crystal panel 56 is different depending on the incorporated device, the device 8 is manufactured correspondingly.

After the unexposed film sheet 88 is adjusted to a predetermined length, in step 100, the light control section 7
The sheet supporting portion 72 of 0 is loaded and set on the exposure stage S2.

When set on the exposure stage S2, in step 102, all the liquid crystal elements forming the liquid crystal panel 56 are controlled to the non-transmissive state and displayed.

When all the liquid crystal elements are in the non-transmissive state, exposure processing by the light source 44 is performed in step 104. Since all the liquid crystal elements of the liquid crystal panel 56 are controlled to be in the non-transmissive state, if there is a liquid crystal element that cannot be controlled, the exposure light is transmitted only to that portion to expose the photosensitive layer of the film sheet 88. On the other hand, the location corresponding to the controllable liquid crystal element is
The liquid crystal element in the non-transmissive state does not pass through the liquid crystal panel 56 and is not exposed.

When the exposure process is completed, the film sheet 88 is taken out in step 106, and step 108 is performed.
In, the developing process of the film sheet 88 is performed. By the development process, the exposed portion of the film sheet 88 becomes black, and the unexposed portion becomes colorless and transparent.

As a result, when the uncontrollable liquid crystal element is present on the liquid crystal panel 56, a film sheet 88 that appears black and has a dimming portion for dimming the emitted light can be obtained. it can. Index print part 4
When printing the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 56 in 2, the film sheet 88 is loaded on the sheet supporting portion 72 again in the same manner as when the film sheet 88 is manufactured. As a result, the light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element illuminates the dimming portion of the film sheet 88, and the light transmitted through the liquid crystal element whose light transmission state is controlled by the liquid crystal panel driver 58 is transparent on the film sheet 88. Irradiate the site.

Therefore, when the color photographic paper P is exposed in accordance with the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 56, the light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element is dimmed (attenuated or opaque) by the dimming portion, The color photographic paper P is exposed by the exposure light that has passed through the liquid crystal panel 56 and includes the exposure light after the light control.

Next, the operation of the index print section 42 will be described. All the images recorded in the image frames of the negative film N to be printed are read by the scanner 12 and stored in the negative image storage unit 14. The image stored in the negative image storage unit 14 constitutes an index print image in which a predetermined number of images are arranged in a matrix in the image processing unit 16. The formed index print image is divided into a predetermined number of display images, and printing is sequentially instructed for each divided display image.

At the same time, in the paper mask 68, the color printing paper P is transported by the transport roller 66 by a predetermined amount, and the predetermined printing area of the color printing paper P is positioned below the printing optical axis L2 of the light source 44.

When the positioning of the predetermined printing area of the color photographic printing paper P is completed, the transportation by the transportation roller 66 is stopped and the projecting pin 98 is housed in the pedestal 92. When the protruding pin 98 is housed in the pedestal 92, the crimping plate 96 holds the color photographic paper P and the above-mentioned film sheet 88 which are arranged between the crimping plate 96 and the pedestal 92 in the paper mask 68 together with the pedestal 92. Crim to and fix.

When the printing area of the color printing paper P is positioned on the exposure stage S2 and the film sheet 88 is fixed correspondingly, printing of the divided display image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 56 is started.

The exposure light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 56 by the liquid crystal element controllable by the liquid crystal panel driver 58 passes through the colorless and transparent film sheet 88. Therefore, the exposure light from the light source 44 passes through the liquid crystal panel 56 according to the controlled transmission state of the liquid crystal element on the liquid crystal panel 56, and passes through the film sheet 88 with little influence by the film sheet 88. , Color photographic paper P
To expose.

On the other hand, the exposure light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element on the liquid crystal panel 56 passes through the liquid crystal panel 56 without reaching the transmission state and reaches the film sheet 88. The light transmitted through the uncontrollable point is adjusted in the attenuation direction by the dimming portion of the film sheet 88 arranged corresponding to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element. Therefore, the color printing paper P corresponding to the light control portion of the film sheet 88 is printed by the attenuated exposure light, and an index print in which the portion corresponding to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element is inconspicuous can be obtained.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the positional relationship between the liquid crystal panel 56 and the film sheet 88 in the index print section 42. Therefore, other components are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the light from the light source 44 is transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 56 and then through the film sheet 88 before reaching the color photographic paper P. Therefore, assuming that the position of the uncontrollable liquid crystal element on the liquid crystal panel 56 is K point, the light transmitted through the K point corresponds to the corresponding point (J) on the film sheet 88 arranged closer to the light source than the color printing paper P. The color photographic printing paper P (point H) is printed by the adjusted light when passing through the point).

This will be described with reference to FIG.
When the light E (arrow E) from 4 reaches the liquid crystal panel 56, the liquid crystal element that can be normally controlled is adjusted to the light F (arrow F) depending on the transmission state of the liquid crystal element, and the adjusted light source. The color photographic paper P is exposed by passing through the film sheet 88 as the light F of 44.

On the other hand, with respect to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element at the point K, which is the uncontrollable portion, since the transmission state of the liquid crystal element is not controlled, the light E passes through the point K on the liquid crystal panel 56 and the film sheet 88. To reach. Here, the point J (adjustment point) on the film sheet 88 where the light transmitted through the point K reaches is
The light E transmitted through the point K is adjusted to the light F. Color photographic paper P
The upper point H is exposed by the light F adjusted through the point J on the film sheet 88.

That is, all the liquid crystal elements of the liquid crystal panel 56 arranged in the index print section 42 are made totally opaque to expose the unexposed film sheet 88, and after development, the portions corresponding to the uncontrollable liquid crystal elements are dimmed. A film sheet 88 having a part is obtained. Then, this film sheet 8
8 is arranged between the liquid crystal panel 56 and the color photographic paper P, the index print image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 56 is printed on the color photographic paper P by the light source 44, and the color corresponding to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element is printed. An index print is obtained in which a portion on the printing paper P has white or gray points according to the degree of light control of the light control portion.

Therefore, even if there is an uncontrollable liquid crystal element on the liquid crystal panel 56, the created index print is not partially burned black due to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element, and the corresponding portion is not printed. Is not conspicuous and does not deteriorate the finish quality of the index print.

The printing density of the portion of the color printing paper P corresponding to the uncontrollable liquid crystal element can be adjusted based on the exposure amount at the time of manufacturing the film sheet 88. When the unexposed film sheet 88 is sufficiently exposed and developed, the light control part corresponding to the uncontrollable point becomes a black dot instead of a gray. As a result, when an image is printed on the color photographic paper P using this film sheet 88, it is possible to obtain a print in which corresponding portions are partially white. On the other hand, when the exposure amount is reduced by adjusting the exposure intensity and the exposure time to perform exposure and development, the light control portion corresponding to the uncontrollable point becomes a gray point. This allows
It is possible to obtain a print in which the corresponding portions are partially gray, and it is possible to create a print in which the portions corresponding to the uncontrollable points are less noticeable. In this way, for example, by adjusting the exposure amount of the light control portion of the film sheet 88 according to the image of the print to be created, the white point to the gray point is adjusted to a desired degree, and the index print is further performed. Corresponding points of the above uncontrollable liquid crystal element can be made inconspicuous.

In the present embodiment, the dimming process on the color photographic printing paper P which is printed by the light transmitted through the liquid crystal element which has become uncontrollable to some extent has been described, but a plurality of degrees of uncontrollability are different. When the liquid crystal element is present on the liquid crystal panel 56, it is possible to correct the transmission unevenness between the liquid crystal elements.

That is, when a film sheet is produced in the same manner as described above, a light control portion suitable for each uncontrollable liquid crystal element is formed on the film sheet 88. When the film sheet having the plurality of light control parts is arranged between the liquid crystal panel 56 and the color photographic paper P, the light control processing is performed corresponding to each of the uncontrollable elements. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of uncontrollable liquid crystal elements having different uncontrollable states, the color photographic paper P can be printed by the exposure light that has passed through the film sheet and has been subjected to the light control processing.

In this embodiment, the film sheet 88 is enlarged by the projection magnification and the size of the image to locate the uncontrollable point on the liquid crystal panel 56 (confirm the position).
However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, it can be arranged closer to the liquid crystal panel 56 than the projection lens 60. In this case, the uncontrollable liquid crystal element is precisely specified and fixed, and the liquid crystal panel 56 is
The film sheet 88 is manufactured so as to be closer to.
According to this, the liquid crystal panel 56 and the film sheet 88
The light that has passed through is changed to a predetermined magnification by the projection lens 60, and the color photographic paper P can also be exposed.
In addition, a film sheet can be manufactured for each liquid crystal panel 56. Therefore, if it is used in the corresponding liquid crystal panel 56, it is possible to reduce the deviation between the liquid crystal element and the dimming point on the film sheet 88 due to the movement of the projection lens 60. It can also be used when printing an image on the color photographic paper P.

In the present embodiment, the light control process for the liquid crystal element which cannot be controlled by the light source 4 is performed by using the film sheet 88.
Although the distance from No. 4 to the color printing paper P is hardly increased, the light control means is not limited to the sheet such as the film sheet 88.

For example, a glass plate coated with a photosensitive coating is prepared, placed between the light source 44 and the color photographic paper P, and baked and developed similarly to the film sheet 88 to form a light control member. You can also get it. The light control member can be disposed between the liquid crystal panel 56 and the color photographic paper P and can perform the light control processing similarly to the film sheet 88. According to this, since it is not necessary to crimp with the color printing paper P by the crimping plate 96, it is possible to further avoid the inconvenience that may occur due to contact.

Also, a transparent heat-sensitive sheet may be prepared by heat development and used. In this case, a heat sensitive sheet is placed on the sheet supporting portion 72 of the light control section 70, exposed in the same manner as the film sheet 88 described above, and then developed by a predetermined processor. As a result, in the exposed portion, for example, a coupler develops color by heating or heat-fixes the toner to form a light control portion, and the unexposed portion becomes transparent. By arranging the obtained transparent heat-sensitive sheet on the sheet supporting portion 72 under the liquid crystal panel 56 at the time of exposure as with the film sheet 88, an image is printed on the color photographic paper P by the exposure light including the light after dimming. can do.

In addition to this, when the position of the uncontrollable point of the liquid crystal panel 56 is clear, a sheet or the like having a dimming portion formed by another method may be prepared and dimming treatment may be performed.

In the present embodiment, the image printing apparatus for printing the index print on the color printing paper P has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when printing a display image using a liquid crystal panel, All can be applied.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when an image is printed using a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal element that cannot be electrically controlled, the dimming is performed after passing through the liquid crystal element. Since the image is printed on the photosensitive material after that, the image can be printed without impairing the finish quality of the print.

Further, since the film sheet is provided with the transparent support having the light control portion as the light control means, it is possible to obtain a print which does not impair the finish quality with a simple device configuration.

Further, it is possible to easily provide a film sheet which can easily produce an image which does not impair the finish quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the periphery of a light control section of the image printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the light control section when the color photographic paper is being conveyed, and FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the light control section when the color photographic paper is being fixed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for producing a film sheet according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the positional relationship between the liquid crystal panel and the film sheet according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a light control process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating printing by a conventional uncontrollable liquid crystal element.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Image Printing Apparatus 12 Scanner 14 Negative Image Storage Section 16 Image Processing Section 20 Main Printing Section 42 Index Printing Section 56 Liquid Crystal Panel 58 Liquid Crystal Panel Driver (Display Control Unit) 70 Light Control Section 72 Sheet Support Section 88 Film Sheet (Light Control Section) ) 90 support plate 94 opening 96 crimp plate

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A predetermined image is displayed on a liquid crystal panel in which a large number of liquid crystal elements whose light transmission states are electrically controllable are arrayed, and is exposed by exposure light transmitted through each liquid crystal element according to the displayed image. An image printing method for exposing a predetermined area of a material to print the display image on the photosensitive material, wherein a liquid crystal element that cannot be electrically controlled is specified in advance, and transmitted light that passes through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element. Is provided with a dimming means for dimming the transmitted light of the liquid crystal element in the attenuation direction until the light reaches the photosensitive material, and an image displayed on the liquid crystal panel by the light transmitted through the dimming means is formed on the photosensitive material. Image printing method characterized by: 2. A liquid crystal panel in which a large number of liquid crystal elements whose light transmission states are electrically controllable are arranged, and a liquid crystal panel which is connected to the liquid crystal panel and controls the transmission states of the respective liquid crystal elements to display a predetermined image on the liquid crystal panel. And a display control means for displaying, and exposing a predetermined area of the photosensitive material by the exposure light transmitted through the individual liquid crystal elements according to the display image of the liquid crystal panel to display the display image on the photosensitive material. An image printing apparatus for printing, wherein transmitted light that passes through an uncontrollable liquid crystal element that cannot be electrically controlled by the display control means specified from among the liquid crystal elements, before reaching the photosensitive material. An image printing apparatus comprising: a light adjusting unit having a light adjusting portion for adjusting light in an attenuation direction between the liquid crystal panel and the photosensitive material. 3. The light control means includes a transparent support, and a light control portion for attenuating the light is formed in a region of the transparent support irradiated with light transmitted through the uncontrollable liquid crystal element. The image printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image printing apparatus is a film sheet. 4. A liquid crystal panel comprising a transparent support and a photosensitive layer formed on the transparent support, wherein a large number of liquid crystal elements are arranged, and an image is displayed by controlling the light transmission state of each liquid crystal element. A film sheet, which is disposed at a predetermined position, controls each liquid crystal element to a predetermined light transmission state, is exposed by the transmitted light of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel, and is subjected to development processing.