JPH10187944A - Image acquiring device, image irradiating device and image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image device which can be produced with high productivity and also can transmit the images with high resolution. SOLUTION: This image device contains a fiber optical plate as an image transmission means, and the optical plate has plural unit fibers 6 which are gathered with their axial lines set in parallel to each other and also has the input and output end faces consisting of sets of both end faces of the fibers 6 respectively. Each of fibers 6 that form the fiber optical plate includes a core 10 using a material having light transmissibility to the prescribed light and a light absorber 12 which closely surrounds the core 10 and absorbs the prescribed light. The fiber optical plate of such a constitution can be produced in the same way as a known general fiber optical plate with no special additional process required. Thus, the image device can also be produced with high productivity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image acquisition device, an image irradiation device, and an image recording device provided with a fiber optical plate as image transmission means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image reading section such as a facsimile or an image scanner, a fiber optical plate (hereinafter referred to as "FOP") is provided between a light receiving surface of an image pickup device such as a line image sensor and an area image sensor and a document surface. Is inserted and arranged. This FOP has a structure in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled so that their axes are substantially parallel to each other and are integrally assembled. If this optical fiber is called a unit fiber, the collective faces of both end faces of each unit fiber are both end faces of the FOP.
The optical image incident on one end face of P is transmitted to the other end face by FOP.

In the above-described image reading apparatus, the FOP is arranged such that one end face (input end face) of the FOP faces the original face and the other end face (output end face) faces the light receiving face of the image sensor. Thus, an optical image representing an image of a document can be transmitted to an image sensor with low loss. In such an image reading apparatus, the FOP
In some cases, the input end face and the document face are separated from each other by a predetermined distance without contact. The image reading apparatus having such a structure has a disadvantage that the resolution of an optical image incident on the FOP is reduced as the input end face of the FOP is separated from the document surface. That is, since the unit fibers constituting the FOP transmit and receive light within an angle corresponding to the numerical aperture, each optical fiber transmits and receives a wider range of light as the document surface moves away from the input end face of the FOP.
Information (signal light) transmitted by adjacent unit fibers overlaps, and accurate image information is difficult to transmit.

In order to overcome such a drawback, of the two ends of the FOP, the end (hereinafter, referred to as the end) to be arranged on the original surface side.
It is common to provide a micro lens at the “input end”. As a result, the illumination light (signal light) reflected by the original or transmitted through the original is refracted by the minute lens in a direction in which the angle with respect to the axis of the unit fiber becomes smaller, and is incident on the FOP. That is, the angle of incidence of the signal light on the unit fiber is smaller than in the case where the same signal light is directly incident on the FOP without passing through the minute lens, and the signal light travels in a direction closer to the axis in the unit fiber. Become like As a result, the overlap between signal lights transmitted and received by adjacent unit fibers is reduced, and an optical image with higher resolution is transmitted.

Various methods of providing a micro lens at the end of the input side of the FOP are described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-134119.
JP-A-55-7710, JP-A-55-7711, JP-A-3-110502, JP-A-3-110503,
It is described in each publication of JP-A-3-265356.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 3-110502 discloses that by providing a microlens at the end of the output side of a FOP, the spread angle of the emitted light is reduced, and the signal light can be accurately transmitted to a longer distance. It has been disclosed.

[0007]

However, all of the methods disclosed in the above publications involve a method of forming a lens on a fiber optical plate once completed, or attaching a microlens part to an end face of the fiber optical plate. This requires additional steps separate from the production of the optical plate itself, which leads to an increase in working time and production costs.

The invention according to the present application has been made in view of the above, and an image acquisition apparatus and an image irradiation apparatus capable of transmitting a high-resolution image using a fiber optical plate and producing the image with high productivity. It is an object to provide an apparatus and an image recording apparatus.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image acquisition apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of unit fibers assembled so that their respective axes are substantially parallel to each other; A fiber optical plate having an input end face and an output end face each having both end faces assembled,
(B) imaging means having a light receiving surface disposed so as to face the output end face of the fiber optical plate, wherein a unit fiber constituting the fiber optical plate is made of a material which is transparent to predetermined light. And a light absorber for the predetermined light, which is a light absorber for tightly surrounding the core.

[0010] Since the unit fiber of the fiber optical plate provided in the image acquisition apparatus has the above-described configuration, the predetermined light incident on the core of the unit fiber travels in a direction parallel to the axis of the core. Light other than the light that is absorbed is attenuated or removed by being absorbed by the light absorber. Therefore, an optical image representing an image to be acquired is formed using the above-mentioned predetermined light, and this is made incident on the input end face of the fiber optical plate, so that the output face of this optical image and the input end face of the fiber optical plate are separated. Even in the case of being separated, the overlap between the signal lights transmitted and received by the adjacent unit fibers can be reduced, and the image to be acquired can be transmitted at a high resolution. An optical image representing an image to be acquired is emitted from the output end face of the fiber optical plate, enters the light receiving surface of the imaging unit, and is converted into an electric signal by the imaging unit and output. As described above, according to the image acquisition device of the present embodiment, an image can be acquired with high resolution even when the emission surface of the image to be acquired is far from the input end surface of the fiber optic plate.

The fiber optic plate provided in the image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention is manufactured in the same manner as a known fiber optic plate except that the composition of the material surrounding the core is adjusted so that the material has light absorbing properties. It can be manufactured and does not require an additional step such as providing a microlens as in the related art. Therefore, the image acquisition device according to the present application is:
It can be manufactured with high productivity in a smaller number of steps than in the past.

Next, the image irradiating apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
A fiber optic plate including a plurality of unit fibers assembled in a state where their axes are substantially parallel to each other, and having an input end face and an output end face formed by assembling both end faces of each of these unit fibers. And (b) image input means for inputting an optical image representing a predetermined image to an input end face of the fiber optic plate, wherein a unit fiber constituting the fiber optic plate is adapted to emit light corresponding to the light constituting the optical image. It is characterized by comprising a core made of a translucent material, and a light absorber for the light constituting the optical image, the light absorber being in close contact with and surrounding the core.

Since the unit fibers of the fiber optical plate provided in the image irradiating apparatus have the above-described configuration, of the light constituting the optical image incident on the core of the unit fibers, the unit fibers are parallel to the axis of the core. Light other than light traveling in the direction is attenuated or removed by being absorbed by the light absorber. As a result, the spread angle of the light emitted from the fiber optical plate becomes sufficiently small, so that the signal light can be accurately transmitted to a long distance by using the fiber optical plate. Therefore, the image irradiating apparatus according to the present application can irradiate an image with high resolution even when irradiating the image to a position distant from the output end face of the fiber optical plate.

The fiber optic plate provided in the image irradiation apparatus according to the present invention is manufactured in the same manner as a known fiber optic plate except that the composition of the material surrounding the core is adjusted so that the material has light absorbing properties. It can be fabricated and does not require additional steps such as providing microlenses. Therefore, the image acquisition device according to the present application can be manufactured with relatively simple steps and with high productivity.

Next, the image recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises: (a)
A housing having a side wall provided with an opening, and capable of housing a predetermined photosensitive material at a position facing the opening;
(B) It includes a plurality of unit fibers assembled in a state where their respective axes are substantially parallel to each other, and has an input end face and an output end face each of which is formed by assembling both end faces of each of these unit fibers. A fiber optic plate attached to the opening of the housing, wherein a unit fiber constituting the fiber optic plate includes a core made of a light-transmitting material for predetermined light; A light absorber for the light, which closely surrounds the core,
It is characterized by having.

Since the unit fiber of the fiber optical plate provided in the image recording apparatus has the above-described configuration, of the predetermined light incident on the core, other than the light traveling in the direction parallel to the axis of the core. Is attenuated or removed by being absorbed by the light absorber. Therefore, an optical image representing an image to be recorded is formed using the above-mentioned predetermined light, and this is made incident on the input end face of the fiber optical plate, so that the output face of this optical image and the input end face of the fiber optical plate are aligned. Even in the case of being distant, the overlap between the signal lights transmitted and received by adjacent unit fibers can be reduced, and the image to be recorded can be transmitted at a high resolution. An optical image representing an image to be recorded is emitted from the output end face of the fiber optical plate. If a photosensitive material is contained in the above-described housing, this optical image is incident on the photosensitive material and exposure is performed. An image represented by the optical image is recorded on the photosensitive material. As described above, according to the image acquisition device of the present embodiment, it is possible to record an image with high resolution even when the emission surface of the image to be acquired is far from the input end surface of the fiber optic plate.

The fiber optic plate provided in the image recording apparatus according to the present invention is manufactured in the same manner as a well-known fiber optic plate except that the composition of the material surrounding the core is adjusted so that the material has a light absorbing property. It can be fabricated and does not require additional steps such as providing microlenses. Therefore, the image recording apparatus according to the present application can be manufactured with relatively simple steps and with high productivity.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings do not always match those described.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration and a use state of an embodiment of an image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention. The image acquisition device 101 of the present embodiment can be used as a reading unit of a general image scanner. The image acquisition device 101 includes a fiber optical plate 1 (hereinafter, referred to as “FOP”) and a line image sensor 20. The optical fiber optical plate 1
It has a structure in which a plurality of unit fibers are bundled and bundled with their axes substantially parallel to each other, and has an input end face 2 and an output end face 4 formed by assembling both end faces of each unit fiber. doing. The input end face 2 and the output end face 4
Each is perpendicular to the axis of each unit fiber. As is well known, the line image sensor 20 is a one-dimensional image sensor that converts information of an optical image incident on the light receiving surface 22 into electrical information and outputs the electrical information, and has a configuration in which a plurality of optical sensors are arranged in a line. doing. The line image sensor 20 is fixed with its light receiving surface 22 facing the output end surface 4 of the FOP 1. In addition, the light receiving surface 22 and the output end surface 4 may be in contact with each other or may be separated by a certain distance.

As shown in FIG. 1, an illumination light source 30 for irradiating illumination light from above a document surface 40 to be read is installed around the image acquisition device 101 of the present embodiment. As the illumination light source 30, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) can be used. Illumination light source 3
The image acquisition device 1 uses the FOP1 during its use so that the illumination light from 0 is appropriately applied to the document surface 40.
Is arranged so that the input end face 2 of the document and the document surface 40 to be read face each other with a predetermined distance.

When the illumination light from the illumination light source 30 irradiates the original surface 40, an optical image corresponding to the image on the original surface 40 to be read is formed by the illumination light diffused on the original surface 40, and the input of the FOP1 is input. The light enters the end face 2. This optical image transmitted by the FOP 1 exits from the output end face 4 and enters the line image sensor 20 via the light receiving surface 22. This optical image is converted into electrical information by the line image sensor 20 and output. If the image to be read is large, the entire image is scanned by moving the image acquisition device 101 in parallel with the document surface 40,
Image reading can be completed. As is well known, by performing appropriate signal processing on the electrical output from the line image sensor 20, an image on the document surface 40 can be restored, and this image can be displayed on the screen of the display device. is there.

Next, the structure of the FOP 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view partially showing the input end face 2 of the FOP 1, and FIG.
It is a line partial sectional view. Note that reference numeral 6 in FIG.
Represents each unit fiber that constitutes.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, FOP1
Has a plurality of light-transmitting core wires 10 arranged substantially in parallel, and a space between the core wires 10 is filled with a light-absorbing material 12. The core wire 10 is made of a material that can transmit the illumination light from the illumination light source 30, and the light absorber 12 is made of a material that can absorb the illumination light from the illumination light source 30. The refractive index of the light absorber 12 is lower than the refractive index of the core wire 10. Therefore, the light absorber 12 functions as a clad for the core wire 10. That is, each unit fiber 6 constituting the FOP 1
Has a core wire 10 at the center as a light propagation region, and the core wire 10 is clad by being tightly surrounded by a light absorber 12.

The following table shows the core wire 10 and the light absorber 12
Is shown as an example.

[0025]

[Table 1] In Table 1, the proportion of each composition is represented by a weight percent concentration (wt%).

The following table shows that the core wire 10 having the above composition
3 shows various characteristics of the light absorber 12.

[0027]

[Table 2]

The core wire 10 and the light absorber 12 in this example are both glass mainly composed of quartz.
The light absorber 12 is black while the core wire 10 is transparent. The inventor prepared a black plate glass (0.25 mm in thickness) having the same composition as that of the light absorber 12,
When the transmission characteristics with respect to light of nm were measured, the transmittance was about 0.1%. It can be seen that the light absorber 12 having the above composition exhibits high light absorbency.

As described above, the unit fiber 6 constituting the FOP 1 has the core wire 10, which is the light propagation section, and the light absorber 12.
Since the light is incident on the core wire 10, light other than light traveling in a direction parallel to the axis of the core wire 10 is absorbed by the light absorber 12. Attenuated or eliminated. Therefore,
According to this FOP1, as shown in FIG.
Even when the input end face 2 of P1 is separated, the overlap between signal lights transmitted and received by adjacent unit fibers 6 is reduced,
A high-resolution optical image can be transmitted. Therefore, according to the image acquisition device of the present embodiment, an image can be read at a high resolution.

Next, the inventor measured the spread angle of the emitted light with respect to the FOP1 manufactured with the composition shown in Table 1 above.
At this time, the outer diameter of the core wire 10 of the unit fiber 6 is 2
It was set to 0 μm. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining this measuring method. In the measurement, the light source 60 is arranged so as to face the input end face 2 of the FOP 1 at a predetermined interval, and the screen 66 is arranged so as to face the output end face 4 of the FOP 1 at an interval. As shown in FIG. 4, a diffusion plate 62 and a pinhole plate 64 are arranged between the light source 60 and the input end face 2. Diffusion plate 62
Is for diffusing the light emitted from the light source 60 toward the FOP1. By arranging the light, the incident diffused light in actual use can be reproduced. The pinhole plate 64 is formed by forming a pinhole 65 at the center of a flat plate made of a material that blocks light from the light source 60. The light is emitted from the light source 60 and the diffusion plate 62 and the pinhole 6
5, the light incident on the FOP1 from the input end face 2 is
The light propagates through the FOP 1 and exits from the output end face 4 to form a spot light on the screen 66. Based on the radius of the spot light and the distance between the output end face 4 and the screen 66, the spread angle θ of the light emitted from the FOP 1 can be obtained.

When three FOPs 1 having different thicknesses were prepared for measurement, and the divergence angle of the emitted light was measured for each FOP 1 by the above-described method, the following results were obtained.

[0032]

[Table 3]

As shown in this table, the spread angle of the light emitted from FOP1 is sufficiently small. If the spread angle of the emitted light is small as described above, the signal light can be transmitted accurately over a long distance. Therefore, the light receiving surface 22 of the line image sensor 20 is disposed at a position distant from the output end face 4 of the FOP 1. Even in this case, an optical image having a relatively high resolution can be made incident on the light receiving surface 22.

The present inventor has proposed that the FO used in this embodiment
P (FIGS. 2 and 3) and FOP used in the prior art
And the resolution of the optical image transmitted by FOP was compared. The FOP used as a comparative object is a plurality of unit fibers having a structure in which a core wire is tightly surrounded by a cladding having no light absorbing property, and the plurality of unit fibers are arranged substantially in parallel. Two types of such FOPs, one having a relatively large numerical aperture NA (NA = 0.88) and one having a relatively small numerical aperture NA (NA = 0.35), were prepared. In addition, each FO
The thickness of P (the length along the axis of the unit fiber) is 10 m
m, and the distance between the fibers of each FOP (the distance between the centers of adjacent unit fibers) was 25 μm.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring the resolution of an optical image transmitted by FOP. As shown in this figure, at the time of measurement, the light source 60
The microscope is arranged so that its objective lens 68 faces the output end face 4 at a predetermined distance from the input end face 2 at a predetermined distance. A diffusion plate 62 is disposed between the light source 60 and the input end face 2, and the diffusion plate 62
A test target 63 is arranged between the input target 2 and the input end face 2. The test target 63 is a light transmitting plate having a black stripe pattern formed on the surface. The intervals between the stripes are not constant but are gradually changing, and the resolution of the optical image emitted from the FOP1 can be obtained by confirming which intervals of the stripes are separated based on the microscope image. Has become. The spatial distance between the test target 63 and the input end face 2 can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the thickness of the spacer 67 disposed therebetween.

The results of measuring the resolution by the method shown in FIG. 5 are shown in Table 4 below.

[0037]

[Table 4]

Here, the leftmost column of Table 4 shows the type of FOP used for the measurement, and (1) shows the FOP in which the cladding surrounding the core of the unit fiber has no light absorbing property and has an aperture. The number NA is 0.88, and (2) is a FO in which the cladding surrounding the core of the unit fiber has no light absorption.
P is a FOP having a numerical aperture NA of 0.35, and (3) represents an FOP (a FOP used in the present embodiment) in which a core is constituted by a unit fiber surrounded by a light absorber. . Also, d represents the spatial distance between the input end face of the FOP and the test target surface, and the unit is mm.

As shown in Table 4, FOP (3) used in the present embodiment is
Unlike (1) and (2), even when the spatial distance between the input end face 2 and the test target 63 is 2.6 mm, a resolution of 5 LP / mm is achieved, and image transmission is possible. . Thus, the F used in the present embodiment is
OP has a relatively high resolution even when the input end face is separated from the emission face of the optical image representing the image to be read and the output end face is separated from the face receiving the optical image. Images can be transmitted.

FOP provided in the image acquisition device of the present embodiment
No. 1 is to manufacture the FOP in the same manner as the well-known FOP manufacturing method, except that the composition of the material surrounding the core wire 10 is set in advance so that the material exhibits sufficient light absorption to the illumination light. Therefore, the additional step of forming the microlenses introduced in the section of “Prior Art” is not required. Therefore, the image acquisition apparatus according to the present embodiment has an advantage that an image can be read at a high resolution as before, and it can be manufactured with a smaller number of steps than in the related art with high productivity. Therefore, by using the image acquisition device of the present embodiment as a reading unit such as an image scanner, it is possible to reduce the production cost.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a configuration and a use state of an embodiment of an image irradiation apparatus according to the present invention. The image irradiation apparatus 102 of the present embodiment can be used as an exposure unit of a general printer or copier by arranging the image irradiation apparatus 102 so as to face the photosensitive drum 60 of these apparatuses. This image irradiation device 102 is a FOP
1 and a light emitting diode array (hereinafter, “LED array”)
50). As is well known, the LED array 50 is an element that emits light in response to input of an electric signal containing image information and emits an optical image corresponding to an image represented by the electric image information. The LED array 50 has a structure in which light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The LED array 50 has a light emitting surface 5
2 is fixed to face the input end face 2 of the FOP 1. The light emitting surface 52 and the input end surface 4 may be in contact with each other or may be separated by a predetermined distance.

The FOP 1 has the same structure as that described in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unit fiber 6 constituting the FOP 1 is composed of the core wire 1
It comprises a light absorber 12 that tightly surrounds the 0 and core wires 10. In the present embodiment, the core wire 10 is LE
The light absorber 12 is made of a material that can transmit the light from the D array 50, and the light absorber 12 is made of a material that can absorb the light from the LED array 50.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image irradiating apparatus 102 of the present embodiment is arranged such that the output end face 4 of the FOP 1 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 60 face each other at a predetermined distance during use. Is done. By separating the output end face 4 from the surface of the photosensitive drum 60 in this manner, the photosensitive drum 6
0 wear can be reduced.

As described in the description of the first embodiment, the unit fiber 6 of the FOP 1 included in the image irradiating apparatus 102 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the core wire 10 as the light propagation part is surrounded by the light absorber 12. Therefore, of the light incident on the core wire 10 from the LED array 50, light other than light traveling in a direction parallel to the axis of the core wire 10 is attenuated by being absorbed by the light absorber 12, Or they are removed. For this reason, only the light substantially parallel to the axis of the core wire 10 is emitted from the FOP1, and the spread of the light emitted from the FOP1 is extremely small, so that a high-resolution image can be transmitted to a long distance. become. Thus, even when the photosensitive drum 60 is arranged at a position away from the output end face 4 of the FOP 1 as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to irradiate the surface of the photosensitive drum 60 with a high-resolution optical image. . Therefore, the image irradiation device 10 of the present embodiment
According to 2, the image can be printed on the photosensitive drum separated from the output end face 4 of the FOP 1 at a high resolution.

FOP provided in the image irradiation apparatus of this embodiment
1 is the same method as the well-known FOP manufacturing method except that the composition of the material surrounding the core wire 10 is set in advance so that the material exhibits sufficient light absorption for the light from the LED array 50. No additional steps such as providing a microlens on the output end face of the FOP are required. Therefore, the image irradiating apparatus of the present embodiment can be manufactured with high productivity, and by using the image irradiating apparatus of the present embodiment as an exposure unit of a printer apparatus or the like, the production cost of the printer apparatus or the like can be reduced. Is also possible.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration and a use state of an embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. The image recording device 103 of the present embodiment can be used as a liquid crystal screen imaging camera that records an image displayed on the liquid crystal 70 by printing it on a film. FIG.
As shown in (1), a liquid crystal 70 as an object to be imaged is sandwiched between glass substrates 71 and 72, and these glass substrates are bonded by an adhesive 73. Also,
The liquid crystal 70 is illuminated with a backlight 74 from the back. In addition, the thickness of the glass substrates 71 and 72 is usually 1.1 mm, and even a thin one is 0.7 m.
m.

The image recording apparatus 103 of the present embodiment is one in which FOP1 is fitted and fixed in an opening provided on the side wall of a general film case 80 for instant film. The film case 80 is for accommodating an instant film pack 86 and has a structure in which housing members 82 and 84 are pivotally connected. The film case 80 is opened and closed so that the film pack 86 can be accommodated or taken out. It is free. Also, the film case 80
Has a built-in pressing spring mechanism for extruding each instant film 88 in the film pack 86.

FOP1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unit fiber 6 constituting the FOP 1 is composed of the core wire 1
It comprises a light absorber 12 surrounding the core wire 10 and the core wire 10. In the present embodiment, the core wire 10 includes the liquid crystal 70.
Composed of a material that can transmit light from
The light absorber 12 is made of a material that can absorb light from the liquid crystal 70. This FOP 1 is fitted into an opening provided in the housing member 84, and when the film pack 86 is stored in the film case 80, the FOP 1
The first output end face 4 faces the photosensitive surface of the first instant film 88. At this time, the photosensitive surface of the instant fill 88 and the output end face 4 may be in contact with each other, or may be separated by a predetermined distance.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image recording apparatus 103 of this embodiment is arranged such that the input end face 2 of the FOP 1 is in contact with the surface of the glass substrate 72 during use. When an image is displayed on the liquid crystal 70 while the backlight 74 is irradiating the liquid crystal 70, an optical image representing this image is emitted from the liquid crystal surface with sufficient light intensity and enters the FOP 1 via the input end face 2. After propagating through the FOP 1, the light exits from the output end face 4. The optical image thus emitted enters the photosensitive surface of the instant film 88 in the film case 80. Thus, the exposure of the instant film 88 is performed, and the image displayed on the liquid crystal is recorded on the instant film 88.

As shown in FIG. 7, since the liquid crystal surface from which the optical image to be recorded is emitted and the input end surface 2 are separated by the thickness of the glass substrate 72, the input end surface 2 is provided on the liquid crystal surface of the FOP1. A wider range of light is incident than in the case of contact, and the resolution of the transmitted optical image tends to be lower.
However, in the unit fiber 6 of the FOP 1 used in the present embodiment, the core wire 10 that is the light propagation portion is the light absorber 1.
2, the light incident on the core wire 10 other than the light traveling in a direction parallel to the axis of the core wire 10 is absorbed by the light absorber 12. Attenuated or eliminated. Thereby, the overlap between the signal lights transmitted and received by the adjacent unit fibers 6 is reduced, and the optical image can be transmitted with high resolution. Therefore, according to the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment, the image displayed on the liquid crystal Can be recorded on the instant film 88 at a high resolution.

Although the image recording apparatus 103 of the present embodiment is configured to record an image on an instant film, the image recording apparatus 103 may be configured to record an image on a non-instant ordinary film.

[0052]

As described in detail above, the image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention includes a fiber optical plate having a core composed of unit fibers surrounded by a light absorber as image transmission means. Can be obtained with high resolution, and can be manufactured with high productivity with fewer steps than in the past.

Further, since the image irradiating apparatus according to the present invention includes a fiber optical plate having a core composed of unit fibers surrounded by a light absorber as image transmitting means, it is possible to irradiate an image with high resolution. It can be manufactured with high productivity in a relatively simple process.

Further, since the image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a fiber optical plate having a core composed of unit fibers surrounded by a light absorber as image transmission means, it is possible to record an image with high resolution. It can be manufactured with high productivity in a relatively simple process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration and a use state of an embodiment of an image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view partially showing an input end face 2 of the FOP1.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method for measuring a spread angle of light emitted from a FOP.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of measuring the resolution of an optical image transmitted by FOP.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a configuration and a use state of an embodiment of the image irradiation apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration and a use state of an embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fiber optical plate, 2 ... Input end face, 4 ... Output end face, 6 ... Unit fiber, 10 ... Core wire, 12 ... Light absorber, 20 ... Line image sensor, 22 ... Light receiving face, 30
... illumination light source, 40: original surface, 50: light emitting diode array, 52: light emitting surface, 60: photosensitive drum, 70: liquid crystal, 7
1 and 72: glass substrate, 73: adhesive, 74: backlight, 80: film case, 82 and 84: housing member, 86: film pack, 88: instant film, 101: image acquisition device, 102: image irradiation device .. 103 image recording apparatus.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input end face and an output end face each including a plurality of unit fibers assembled in a state where their respective axes are substantially parallel to each other, and both end faces of each of these unit fibers are respectively assembled. A fiber optic plate having: and an imaging means having a light receiving surface disposed so as to face an output end face of the fiber optic plate, wherein the unit fiber is made of a translucent material for predetermined light. An image acquisition apparatus comprising: a core; and a light absorber that is a light absorber for the predetermined light and closely surrounds the core. 2. An input end face and an output end face each including a plurality of unit fibers assembled in a state in which respective axes are substantially parallel to each other, and both end faces of each of these unit fibers are respectively assembled. A fiber optic plate having: and an image input means for causing an optical image representing a predetermined image to be incident on an input end face of the fiber optic plate, wherein the unit fiber is a translucent material for light constituting the optical image. An image irradiating apparatus comprising: a core constituted by: a light absorber that absorbs light constituting the optical image and closely surrounds the core. 3. A housing having a side wall provided with an opening and capable of accommodating a predetermined photosensitive material at a position facing the opening, and a state in which respective axes are substantially parallel to each other. Including a plurality of unit fibers assembled in the, having an input end face and an output end face each end face of each of these unit fibers are assembled, and a fiber optical plate attached to the opening, Wherein the unit fiber includes a core made of a light-transmitting material for predetermined light, and a light absorber for the predetermined light, which is a light absorber for tightly surrounding the core. An image recording apparatus characterized by the following.