JPH10230641A - Photographic printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrict an apparatus not to be bulky and cope with not only small-size prints, but large-size prints. SOLUTION: An exposure head part 31 converts image data taken after divided to B, G, R into corresponding color lights and outputs, thereby exposing a printing paper P. The exposure head part 31 has shutter arrays 311a, 312a, 313a, white light sources 311b, 312b, 313b, and color filters 311c, 312c, 313c. The shutter array 311a is formed longer than the shutter arrays 312a, 313a, and the color filter 311c has color areas of three B, G, R colors. The color filters 312C and 313c are of different monochromatic colors. In the case of a large-size print, the printing paper P is exposed with only color lights supplied to the longer shutter array 311a. In the case of a small-size print, the printing paper P is exposed with color lights output from the shutter arrays 311a, 312a, 313a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus for exposing a photosensitive material by converting image data decomposed into dots for each color into a plurality of color lights and outputting them from an exposure head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, when a color image such as a character or a picture is printed on a photographic paper as a photosensitive material, the color image is separated into a plurality of dots for each color such as B, G, and R, and is taken in as image data. A photographic printing apparatus is used in which the captured image data for each color is converted into corresponding color light, and the color light is output on photographic paper to expose the photographic paper.

In the above-described photographic printing apparatus, light from a white light source is applied to a disk-shaped color filter having a plurality of color regions such as B, G, and R, and each color region is rotated by rotating the color filter. A plurality of color lights obtained by transmitting the light in order are supplied to the same exposure head having a plurality of exposure elements arranged in an array, or a light of a white light source is supplied to a plurality of monochromatic colors such as B, G, and R. Irradiating the filter, and supplying the color light obtained by passing through each color filter to an exposure head having a plurality of exposure elements arranged in an array provided for each color light to expose the photographic paper. Has become.

[0004]

However, in the above-described photographic printing apparatus, the color light obtained by irradiating the light of a white light source onto a disk-shaped color filter having a plurality of color regions is supplied to the same exposure head. In the case of printing with a large size (for example, a product that exceeds the general-purpose size such as a service version) as well as a small-size print (for example, a size smaller than a general-purpose size such as a service version). However, since a certain time is required to switch between the respective color regions, there is a problem that the speed of the exposure process is restricted.

On the other hand, in a system in which the light of a white light source is applied to a plurality of monochromatic color filters and the obtained color light is supplied to an exposure head provided for each color light, there is no need to switch the color filters. Exposure processing can be accelerated, but an exposure head with a large dimension in the direction that intersects the photographic paper transport direction has a large number of exposure elements, making it difficult to produce one with uniform exposure accuracy. There was a problem that it was difficult to handle large-size prints even though it could handle prints.

Therefore, in order to enable high-speed exposure processing in small-size prints, which are in great demand, and to be able to cope with large-size prints, the above two types of exposure units are provided in parallel. Good, but if you do,
Another problem is that a large space is required and the device becomes large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a photographic printing apparatus which can suppress an increase in size and can cope with not only small size prints but also large size prints.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic printing apparatus which converts image data decomposed into dots for each color into a plurality of color lights, and moves the photosensitive material relative to each other. In the above-described exposure in the dot unit, a plurality of exposure heads corresponding to the plurality of color lights having a plurality of exposure elements arranged in an array in a direction intersecting with the relative movement direction are arranged in the relative movement direction. Along with one another, and one of the exposure heads is configured to be longer than the other exposure heads.

In the photographic printing apparatus according to the first aspect, in the case of a large-size print, a plurality of color lights are sequentially output from one long exposure head to expose the photosensitive material, thereby exposing the small-size print. In this case, different color lights are output from all the exposure heads, and the photosensitive material is exposed. When color light is output from all the exposure heads, each color light may be output simultaneously or may be output with a time difference.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the photographic printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the other exposure heads are configured such that dimensions in a direction intersecting the relative movement direction have the same value. , Are arranged at the same position in a direction intersecting the relative movement direction.

In the photographic printing apparatus according to the second aspect, in the case of small-size printing, one long exposure head and the dimension in the direction intersecting the relative movement direction have the same value. The different color light is output from the other exposure heads, and the photosensitive material is exposed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the photographic printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a light source for supplying the plurality of color lights to the long exposure head is provided.

In the photographic printing apparatus according to the third aspect, in the case of large-size printing, a plurality of color lights are sequentially supplied from the light source to the long exposure head, and the plurality of color lights output from the long exposure head are output. Exposure to the photosensitive material is performed by the colored light.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the photographic printing apparatus according to the third aspect, the light source is a white light source;
Color separation means for separating the light of the white light source into the plurality of color lights.

In the photographic printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the light from the white light source is separated into a plurality of color lights by the color separation means, and each of the color lights is supplied to the long exposure head.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a light source for individually supplying single color light different from each other to each of the other exposure heads. It is characterized by that.

In the photographic printing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, in the case of small-size printing, different single color lights are supplied from the light source to the other exposure heads, and the color light output from the exposure head is combined with the elongated light. Exposure to the photosensitive material is performed with the color light output from the exposure head.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the photographic printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the condensing means for collecting the color light output from each of the exposure heads on the same line of the photosensitive material. It is characterized by having.

In the photographic printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the color light outputted from each exposure head is collected on the same line of the photosensitive material by the light condensing means, and the photosensitive material is exposed. The color light output from each exposure head may be output simultaneously or may be output with a time difference.

A photographic printing apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the photographic printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the light condensing means reflects a part of the color light output from each of the exposure heads and transmits the remaining light through the remaining part. And an image forming lens for forming an image of each color light reflected or transmitted by at least one of the plurality of light reflecting means on the photosensitive material.

In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, while the color light output from each exposure head is reflected or transmitted by the light reflecting means and collected on the same line, the image is formed by the image forming lens. Exposure to the photosensitive material is performed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the photographic printing apparatus according to the first aspect, a first exposure mode in which exposure is performed with color light supplied only to the long exposure head. And a switching means for switching to any one of a second exposure mode for performing exposure with color light supplied to each of the exposure heads.

In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, in the case of large-size printing, the switching means switches to the first exposure mode, and the photosensitive material is exposed to the color light supplied only to the long exposure head. Is performed. Also,
In the case of small-size printing, the mode is switched to the second exposure mode by the switching unit, and the photosensitive material is exposed by the color light supplied to each of the exposure heads.

[0024]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photographic printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a photographic printing apparatus includes a first exposure unit 10 that projects a color image of a negative film F onto a photographic paper P, which is a photosensitive material, and exposes the same, and a color image of characters, pictures, and the like of B, G, and R. An image information capturing unit 20 that separates each color into a plurality of dots (pixels) and captures the image data as image data, and converts the image information capturing unit 20 into color light corresponding to the image data of each color, and prints with each color light A second exposure unit 30 that exposes an area of the paper P different from the area exposed by the first exposure unit 10; and a development that develops the photographic paper P exposed by the first exposure unit 10 and the second exposure unit 30 The processing unit 40 includes a processing unit 40, a cutting unit 50 that cuts the developed photographic paper P in predetermined units, and a system controller 60 that controls the operation of the entire system.

The first exposure section 10 includes a film transport section 11 for sequentially transporting each frame of the developed long negative film F to an exposure position, and a long photographic paper wound on a roll R. A first photographic paper transport unit 13 that sequentially transports a predetermined exposure area of P to a first exposure position, and an exposure processing unit 14 that exposes an image of each frame of the negative film F to the photographic paper P are provided.

The film transport unit 11 includes a take-up roller 111
And a drive motor 112 for driving the winding roller 111 to rotate.
And a film transport control unit 113 for controlling the driving of the drive motor 112.
The drive motor 112 is rotated based on the control signal from
The take-up roller 111 intermittently transports the negative film F to the exposure position by the frame size.

The first photographic paper transport section 13 includes a first transport roller pair 131 and a second transport roller pair 132 disposed upstream and downstream of the exposure position, and a first and second transport roller pair 131. , 132, and a first photographic paper transport control unit 134 for controlling the driving of the drive motor 133. The drive motor 133 is controlled based on a control signal from the first photographic paper transport control unit 134. The photographic paper P is rotated and conveyed at least by the frame size in synchronization with the exposure operation.

The exposure processing section 14 is provided above the negative film F, a lamp 141, a lamp control section 142 for controlling the amount of light emitted from the lamp 141, and provided between the lamp 141 and the negative film F. Shutter 143 and a shutter control unit 144 for controlling the opening and closing operation of the shutter 143
And a lens 145 disposed between the negative film F and the photographic paper P to form a film image on the surface of the photographic paper P. The shutter 143 is opened and closed to open and close the film transport unit 1.
The image of the negative film F conveyed by 1 is exposed one frame at a time.

The image information capturing section 20 captures a color image such as a character or a picture (including a photograph) as image data decomposed into a plurality of dots for each color of B, G, and R, and stores the image data. An image data storage unit 21 having image memories for three colors B, G, and R, and image data for one line of an image to be exposed by the second exposure unit 30. Line buffers 22, 23, and 24 are provided to read from the unit 21 and temporarily store the data for each of B, G, and R. The image information capturing unit 20 captures, as image data, images such as a photographing date, a photographer's name, a photographing location, and a description for each frame read from a magnetic recording unit or the like formed on the negative film F. It is also possible.

The second exposure unit 30 includes a line buffer 22,
An exposure head unit 31 for exposing the photographic paper P by converting each of the B, G, and R image data read from 23 and 24 to corresponding color light and outputting the converted color light onto the photographic paper P; The second photographic paper transport unit 32 which transports the photographic paper P on which the film image has been exposed at 10 to the position where the first, second and third shutter arrays 311a, 312a, 313a to be described later are arranged in the exposure head unit 31. An exposure head control unit 33 for controlling the driving of the exposure head unit 31;
Based on the B, G, and R image data sent from 2, 23, and 24, a second photographic paper transport control unit 324 and an exposure head control unit 3 (described later) of the second photographic paper transport unit 32, respectively.
And an exposure control unit 34 that synchronously controls the three color filter control units 331 and the image data output control unit 332. The detailed configuration of the exposure head unit 31 will be described later.

The second photographic paper transport section 32 includes an exposure head section 3
First transport roller pair 3 disposed upstream and downstream of the first transport roller pair 3
21 and a second transport roller pair 322, and a drive motor 32 for rotating and driving the first and second transport roller pairs 321 and 322
3 and a second photographic paper transport control unit 324 for controlling the driving of the drive motor 323. The drive motor 323 is rotated based on the control signal of the second photographic paper transport control unit 324, and the line buffers 22 and 23 , 24 read from
The photographic paper P is transported to the downstream side by one pitch in accordance with the exposure time of each line of B, G, and R image data.

The exposure head control unit 33 controls the driving of the exposure head unit 31 as described above, and includes a color filter control unit 331 and an image data output control unit 332. The functions of the color filter control unit 331 and the image data output control unit 332 will be described later.

The exposure control unit 34 includes a line buffer 22,
Each of the image data of B, G, and R sent from the printers 23 and 24 is read, and the second photographic paper transport controller 324 of the second photographic paper transporter 32 and the color filter controller 331 of the exposure head controller 33 are read. The image data output control unit 332 is controlled in synchronization with the image data output control unit 332 so that images such as characters and patterns are accurately exposed on the photographic paper P.

The developing section 40 has a liquid tank 41 filled with a developing solution, and the photographic paper P exposed by the exposure head section 31 is provided with an unillustrated exposure light disposed downstream of the liquid tank 41. The latent image formed by the exposure of the photographic paper P is exposed by being conveyed by the completed photographic paper conveyance unit and immersed in the developing solution in the liquid tank 41.

The cutting section 50 comprises a cutter 51 for cutting the photographic paper P developed in the development processing section 40 and then dried in the width direction, and is arranged on the upstream side of the cutter 51. The elongated photographic paper P conveyed to the cutting unit 50 by the developed photographic paper conveyance unit is divided into predetermined units.

The cutter 51 comprises a wedge-shaped upper cutting blade 511 and a lower cutting blade 512 disposed above and below the printing paper P. When the photographic paper P is not at the cutting position, the upper cutting blade 511 and the lower cutting blade 512
The upper cutting blade 511 and the lower cutting blade 512 move to the photographic paper P surface side when the photographic paper P comes to the cutting position, and sandwich the photographic paper P in the width direction. Cut it. This cutter 51 has an upper cutting blade 511.
Motor 513 for driving the upper and lower cutting blades 512 up and down
And a cutter control unit 514 that controls driving of the driving motor 513.

The system controller 60 includes an unillustrated CP.
U and a ROM storing a control program are provided, and commands are given to each control unit based on the control program stored in the ROM to centrally control the operation of each control unit. The system controller 60 has a changeover switch 6 for designating large-size printing or small-size printing.
1 is provided.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the exposure head section 31 in detail. That is, the exposure head unit 31 includes a first head unit 311, a second head unit 312, and a third head unit 313.

The first head unit 311 includes a first shutter array 311a composed of a PLZT element, which is an exposure head, disposed along the width direction of the photographic paper P (a direction orthogonal to the transport direction indicated by an arrow). A first white light source 311b composed of a halogen lamp for supplying color light to one shutter array 311a and a first white light source 311b are provided between the first shutter array 311a and the first white light source 311b.
A disc-shaped color filter 311c, which is color separation means divided into three color regions of G and R, and a first mirror tunnel 31 for guiding light from the first white light source 311b to the color filter 311c.
1d and the light of the first white light source 311b
a first optical fiber bundle 31 for transmitting a plurality of color lights decomposed by passing through the first shutter array 311a to the first shutter array 311a
1e.

The disc-shaped color filter 311c, which is the above-described color separation means, is rotated at a constant speed along the circumferential direction by the drive motor 331a. That is, the color filter control unit 331 receives the identification signal sent from the exposure control unit 34, controls the rotation of the drive motor 331a, and controls each color area of the color filter 311c and each image data of B, G, and R. The rotation driving of the color filter 311c is controlled to correspond. The first white light source 311b
And the color filter 311c, the first shutter array 311
a first light source that supplies a plurality of color lights to a.

The second head section 312 is composed of a PLZT element, which is an exposure head, which is adjacent to the first shutter array 311a and disposed along the width direction of the printing paper P.
The shutter array 312a and the second shutter array 312
a white light source 312b composed of a halogen lamp for supplying light to the light source a, and a disk-shaped color filter which is a color separation unit of G color disposed between the second shutter array 312a and the second white light source 312b. 312c and the second white light source 312b
Second mirror tunnel 3 that guides the light to color filter 312c
12d and the light from the second white light source 312b
A second optical fiber bundle 31 for transmitting the G color light decomposed by passing through the second shutter array 312a to the second shutter array 312a
2e. The second white light source 312b and the color filter 312c constitute a second light source that supplies a single color light to the second shutter array 312a.

Further, the third head section 313 is formed of a PLZT element, which is an exposure head, which is adjacent to the second shutter array 312a and is arranged along the width direction of the printing paper P.
Shutter array 313a and third shutter array 313
a white light source 313b composed of a halogen lamp for supplying light to the light source a, and a disc-shaped color filter which is an R color separation unit disposed between the third shutter array 313a and the third white light source 313b. 313c and a third white light source 313b
Third mirror tunnel 3 that guides the light to color filter 313c
13d and the light of the third white light source 313b are
A third optical fiber bundle 31 for transmitting the R color light decomposed by passing through the third shutter array 313a to the third shutter array 313a
3e. Note that the third white light source 313b and the color filter 313c constitute a third light source that supplies a single color light to the third shutter array 313a.

The first, second and third shutter arrays 311a, 312a, 313a comprising the above-mentioned PLZT elements.
Is made of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material obtained by adding lanthanum to lead zirconate titanate, and utilizes the electro-optic effect of the material. These shutter arrays 311a, 312a, 313
For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a large number of protrusions 102 are shifted from each other by half a pitch on both sides of a concave groove 101 formed in the center in the longitudinal direction of a long PLZT element 100. , 103 are formed, and the concave groove 101 and the projection 10 are formed.
The common electrodes 104 are formed on the surfaces of the grooves 102 and 103 on the side of the groove 101, and the drive electrodes 105 and 106 are formed on the surfaces of the protrusions 102 and 103 on the side opposite to the groove 101 and the plane portion of the PLZT element 100. It is formed and configured. Also, P
On the projections 102 and 103 side and the bottom side of the LZT element 100, deflection films 107, 10
8 are provided.

When a predetermined level of voltage is applied between the common electrode 104 and the drive electrodes 105 and 106, each of the shutter arrays 311a, 312a and 313a configured as described above enters from the deflection film 108 side. Light is protrusion 10
The light is transmitted to the deflecting film 107 side through 2 and 103, and when the application of the voltage is stopped, the light is cut off. That is, each of the shutter arrays 311a, 312a, 313a
Are a plurality of exposure elements 102a, 103 arranged in an array along the longitudinal direction formed by the projections 102, 103, the common electrode 104, and the drive electrodes 105, 106.
The portions of the protrusions 102 and 103 on the side of the deflection film 107 (portions indicated by dots in FIG. 3A) are exposed elements 1
The shutter unit controls ON and OFF of transmission of light in 02a and 103a.

Thus, when a drive voltage is applied to the exposure elements 102a and 103a at positions corresponding to each dot of the image data, the shutter is opened to open the color filter 311.
c, 312c, 313c, a white light source 311b,
Since the light of 312b and 313b is irradiated on the printing paper P, the printing paper P is exposed by the light. The image data output control unit 332 outputs a drive voltage to the exposure elements 102a and 103a corresponding to each dot of the B, G, and R image data, opens its shutter unit, and enables exposure of the photographic paper P. .

The light output from the shutter section of each of the exposure elements 102a and 103a is
An imaging lens (a self-focusing lens array referred to by a trade name such as a “Selfoc lens”) is provided on the deflection film 107 side in order to avoid influence between the a and 103a, but is not shown. ing.

The first, second, and third shutter arrays 311a, 312a, 313a are provided with respective exposure elements 102
a and 103a are arranged so as to be positioned along a direction (a direction orthogonal to the direction in the figure) intersecting the transport direction of the photographic paper P indicated by an arrow. Also, the first shutter array 311a
Is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction of the photographic paper P,
It is configured to be longer than the second and third shutter arrays 312a and 313a in the direction intersecting (in the direction perpendicular to the drawing) in the direction in which the printing paper P is conveyed, and in the width direction of the printing paper P in the drawing. It is configured to have a length substantially the same as the dimension (for example, 12 inches).

The second and third shutter arrays 312
a and 313a are configured such that the dimension in a direction intersecting with the transport direction of the photographic paper P (the direction orthogonal to the drawing) is shorter than the first shutter array 311a (for example, 6 inches). The exposure elements 102a and 103a are sequentially arranged downstream of one shutter array 311a, and are arranged at the same position in a direction intersecting with the transport direction of the photographic paper P (a direction orthogonal to the drawing). Each of the exposure elements 102a, 103a of the shutter array 311a and the photographic paper P are arranged on the same line in the transport direction. The distance between the first shutter array 311a and the second shutter array 312a and the distance between the second shutter array 312a and the third shutter array 313a are:
Both of the photographic papers P are based on the exposure elements 102a and 103a.
Is set to be an integral multiple of the transfer pitch of

As described above, the second and third shutter arrays 3
When the printing papers 12a and 313a are arranged adjacent to each other, the alignment in the direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the printing paper P becomes easy, but the second and third shutter arrays 312a and 312
It is also possible to dispose either one of 13a on the upstream side of the first shutter array 311a and dispose the other on the downstream side. Of course, the second and third shutter arrays 312a, 312
13a can also be arranged upstream of the first shutter array 311a.

The first shutter array 311a is used for printing both large-size prints and small-size prints.
Reference numerals 12a and 313a are used for small-size printing, and the number of exposure elements 102a and 103a in each of the shutter arrays 311a, 312a and 313a corresponds to the number of dots for one line of each image data of B, G, and R. It is formed.

Next, based on FIG.
1, 312, and 313 will be described. That is, when the large-size printing is designated by the changeover switch 61, only the first white light source 311b is always turned on, and the exposure to the photographic paper P is performed only by the first shutter array 311a. At this time, the exposure control unit 34
Represents one line of B, G, and R image data (image magnification is changed in accordance with the designated print size) corresponding to the large-size print temporarily stored in the line buffers 22, 23, and 24. While reading in the order of B, G, and R every minute and sending out to the image data output control unit 332 in order,
An identification signal for matching each color of the B, G, and R image data with each color region of the color filter 311c is sent to the color filter control unit 331.

The image data output control section 332 supplies a drive voltage of a predetermined level to the exposure elements 102a and 103a corresponding to each dot for each of the transmitted B, G, and R image data, and the color filter control section 331. Is the drive motor 331
is driven to rotate the color filter 311c, and when the light of the first white light source 311b is B-color image data, B-color region, G-color image data, and R-color image data In some cases, the first shutter array 311 is transmitted through the R color region to be decomposed into each color light.
“a” sequentially exposes the same line position in the width direction of the photographic paper P with each color light obtained through the color filter 311c.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, when a predetermined line position in the width direction of the photographic paper P is first exposed by the B light obtained through the B color area of the color filter 311c, Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the same line position of the photographic paper P is exposed by G light obtained through the G color area of the color filter 311c, and further, as shown in FIG. The same line position of the photographic paper P is exposed by the R light obtained through the R color area of the color filter 311c. Thus, the same line position on the photographic paper P is B,
When the printing paper P is sequentially exposed by the G and R color lights, the photographic paper P is conveyed downstream by one pitch (one dot).
As shown in (d), (e), and (f), the next line position in the width direction of the photographic paper P is set in the same manner as described above by using the B, G, and R color light of the next one line of image data. Exposed. In this manner, each time the printing paper P is conveyed by one pitch, the printing paper P is sequentially exposed by one line, and the exposure of the image such as a character or a picture of a large size print is completed by repeating the predetermined number of times.

When the small-size printing is designated by the changeover switch 61, the first, second and third white light sources 311b, 312b and 313b are always lit, and the first, second and third white light sources are turned on. Shutter array 311a, 3
Exposure to the photographic paper P is performed at 12a and 313a.
That is, the exposure controller 34 controls the line buffers 22 and 2
The B, G, and R image data corresponding to the small-size print temporarily stored in 3, 24 are sequentially read out for each line, and the B, G, and R image data for one line are simultaneously output as image data. While being transmitted to the control unit 332, color filter control is performed on an identification signal for fixing the color filter 311c in the B color region so that the light of the first white light source 311b is always transmitted through the B color region of the color filter 311c. Part 33
Send to 1.

The image data output control section 332 determines the exposure elements 102a and 103a corresponding to the respective dots in the intermediate portion of the first shutter array 311a for the image data of the B light.
And the second and third shutter arrays 312a, 31
The exposure elements 102a and 103a at positions corresponding to the exposure elements 102a and 103a of 3a, the image data of G light, the exposure elements 102a and 103a corresponding to each dot of the second shutter array 312a, and the image data of R light Supplies a drive voltage of a predetermined level to the exposure elements 102a and 103a corresponding to each dot of the third shutter array 313a. The color filter control unit 331 controls the color filter 3
11c is fixed so that the light of the first white light source 311b always passes through the B color area.
Reference numerals 11a, 312a, and 313a denote the B light obtained as described above, the G light obtained by transmitting the light of the second white light source 312b through the G color filter, and the third white light source 31.
The photographic printing paper P is exposed with R light obtained by transmitting the light of 3b through the R color filter.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the line of the photographic paper P at the position corresponding to the first shutter array 311a is B light, and the line of the photographic paper P is the second shutter array 312a.
Are exposed simultaneously with G light, and the lines at positions corresponding to the third shutter array 313a of the photographic paper P are simultaneously exposed with R light. Next, the printing paper P is transported by one pitch (however, since there is actually a width dimension in the transport direction of the printing paper P in each shutter array, several pitches are transported at once corresponding to the width dimension. Will be.),
As shown in FIG. 5B, the next line on the downstream side of the B light is exposed with the B light, the next line on the downstream side of the G light is exposed with the G light, and the next line on the downstream side of the R light. The lines are exposed with R light. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 5 (c), (d) and (e), each time the photographic paper P is conveyed one pitch at a time (actually by several pitches as described above), Are sequentially exposed, and the same line is sequentially exposed with each color light of B, G, and R, thereby completing the exposure of each line.

Since each line needs to be exposed with the same image data of each color of B, G, and R, the second and third lines are exposed.
Image data shifted from the first shutter array 311a by a pitch corresponding to the interval with the first shutter array 311a is sequentially sent to the shutter arrays 312a and 313a. In this way, each time the photographic paper P is transported for one pitch (actually, several pitches as described above), the photographic paper P is exposed one line at a time, and by repeating the predetermined number of times, the characters or characters of the small-size print are repeated. Exposure of an image such as a picture is completed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the exposure head unit 31. As shown in FIG. In the exposure head section 31 ', first and second half mirrors (or dichroic mirrors) 35 and 36 are disposed in the center, and an image forming lens (such as "Selfoc lens") is provided on the photographic paper P side. Each of the shutter arrays 311a, 312a, and 313a is arranged in a housing 38 in which a self-focusing lens array (referred to as) is arranged. Each half mirror 35, 36
It is configured to reflect a part of the light and transmit the rest, and is located at the center of the housing 38 and is provided with the imaging lens 3.
7 are arranged in such a manner that they are inclined in the opposite directions to each other above 7 so that the angle between them is substantially a right angle. The half mirrors 35 and 36 and the imaging lens 37 constitute a light condensing unit that collects the color lights output from the shutter arrays 311a, 312a and 313a on the same line of the printing paper P.

The first shutter array 311a is disposed above the first half mirror 35, and
Light transmitted through the first optical fiber bundle 311e when the shutter portions 103a and 103a are opened is transmitted through the first and second half mirrors 35 and 36, and the imaging lens 37 is transmitted.
Has been reached. Second shutter array 312
a is the upstream side of the first half mirror 35 (the left side in FIG. 6)
When the shutters of the exposure elements 102a and 103a are opened, the light sent through the second optical fiber bundle 312e is reflected downward by the first half mirror 35, and is reflected by the second half mirror 35. The light passes through the mirror 36 and reaches the imaging lens 37. The third shutter array 313a is disposed downstream (the right side in FIG. 6) of the second half mirror 36, and includes the exposure elements 102a and 103a.
The third optical fiber bundle 31 is opened when the shutter unit is opened.
The light transmitted via 3 e is reflected downward by the second half mirror 36 and reaches the imaging lens 37.

Further, a first white light source 311b and a color filter 31 shown in FIG. 2 for supplying B, G, and R color lights to the first shutter array 311a are provided in the exposure head section 31 '.
1c, a second white light source 312b and a color filter 312c shown in FIG. 2 for supplying G color light to the second shutter array 312a, and FIG. 2 for supplying R color light to the third shutter array 313a. A third white light source 313b and a color filter 313c are provided, but are not shown in FIG.

The exposure head section 31 'thus constructed
When the large-size printing is designated, the first shutter array 311 a
, B, G, and R color lights are output, the respective color lights pass through the half mirrors 35 and 36, are output on the photographic paper P via the imaging lens 37, and are printed only by the first shutter array 311a. Exposure to P is performed. When the small-size printing is designated, the color light of B from the first shutter array 311a is emitted as in the case of the exposure head unit 31.
G color light is output from the second shutter array 312a, and R color light is output from the third shutter array 313a, respectively.
Each color light is output onto the photographic paper P via the imaging lens 37, and the same line position of the photographic paper P is simultaneously exposed by the B, G, and R color lights. When the exposure for one line is completed, the printing paper P is transported downstream by one pitch, and the exposure for the next one line is performed. The exposure of the predetermined image is completed by repeating the same operation.

In the exposure head section 31 'configured as described above, in the case of a small-size print, the color light output from each exposure head is imaged at the same line position on the photographic printing paper P. The displacement of the light can be suppressed as much as possible, and the exposure accuracy can be improved as compared with the case where the exposure is performed by the exposure head unit 31. Further, in the case of small-size printing, if the same line position on the photographic paper P is simultaneously exposed to three colors, the exposure time can be reduced as compared with the case where the exposure is performed by the exposure head unit 31.

Note that the second half mirror 36 is
It may be arranged to be inclined in the same direction as the first half mirror 35, and in this case, the third shutter array 3
13a may be arranged on the same side as the second shutter array 312a. Further, a third half mirror is further provided above the first and second half mirrors 35 and 36, for example,
When disposed so as to be inclined in the same direction as the first half mirror 35, the first shutter array 311a can be disposed on the same side as the second shutter array 312a. In addition, if each color light is reflected or transmitted by the half mirror, the amount of light decreases. Therefore, the amount of light of the white light source may be increased accordingly.

In the above embodiment, the shutter arrays 311a, 311a
12a and 313a, but a liquid crystal display (LC) is used instead of the shutter array composed of PLZT elements.
Other elements such as D) can also be used.

In the above embodiment, the image data is read from the data storage unit 21 of the image information capturing unit 20,
The second exposure unit 30 exposes the printing paper P, but captures image data from an external device such as a personal computer,
The photographic paper P can be exposed based on this image data.

In the above embodiment, the second exposure unit 3
At 0, the image data of the image to be exposed is separated into B, G, and R colors and taken in, and this image data is converted into B, G, and R color lights and output on the photographic paper P. But,
The color is not necessarily limited to the three colors B, G, and R, and may be changed to four colors by adding another light.
Other combinations are also possible.

In the above embodiment, the first shutter array 311a is set to a size of 12 inches, and the second and third shutter arrays 312a and 313a are set to a size of 6 inches. Array 311a
May be set to a size exceeding 12 inches, and the second and third shutter arrays 312a and 313a may be set to a size such as 4 inches or 8 inches.

As described above, the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the first, second and third shutter arrays 311a, 312a,
The first shutter array 311a of the first shutter array 313a is formed in a long shape.
Exposure is performed using the shutter array 311a. In the case of small-size printing, all the shutter arrays 311a and 311a are exposed.
Since the exposure is performed by using the exposure devices 12a and 313a, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the apparatus. On the other hand, in the case of a small-size print, there is no need to switch the color region of the color filter. Processing can be sped up. In the case of small-size printing, the shutter arrays 311a, 312a, and 313a are used as in the above embodiment.
If each color light is output simultaneously from, the speeding up of the exposure process will be further promoted.

[0069]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data separated into dots for each color is converted into a plurality of color lights, and the photosensitive material which is relatively moved is exposed on a dot-by-dot basis. In the apparatus, a plurality of exposure heads corresponding to a plurality of color lights having a plurality of exposure elements arranged in an array in a direction intersecting with the relative movement direction are sequentially arranged along the relative movement direction. Since one of the exposure heads is configured to be longer than the other exposure heads, it is possible to cope with small-size printing and large-size printing, but to suppress an increase in the size of the apparatus. In the case of small-size printing, the speed of the exposure process can be increased.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the other exposure head is configured such that dimensions in a direction intersecting the relative movement direction have the same value as each other, and a direction intersecting the relative movement direction is provided. Are arranged at the same position, so that the alignment in the direction intersecting the conveying direction of the photosensitive material is facilitated.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, since the light source for supplying a plurality of color lights to the long exposure head is provided, only the color light output from the long exposure head is exposed. Exposure to the material becomes possible.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since each of the other exposure heads is provided with a light source for individually supplying a different single color light, the color light individually output from each exposure head is provided. This makes it possible to expose the photosensitive material.

According to the inventions of claims 6 and 7, since there is provided a light condensing means for collecting the color light outputted from each of the exposure heads on the same line of the photosensitive material, Can be suppressed as much as possible with respect to the same line, and the exposure accuracy can be improved.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the first exposure mode in which the exposure is performed by the color light supplied only to the long exposure head, and the exposure is performed by the color light supplied to each of the exposure heads. Is provided, the switching between the large-size printing and the small-size printing can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an exposure head unit of the photographic printing apparatus shown in FIG.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a shutter array including a PLZT element, where FIG. 3A is a plan view of the shutter array, and FIG. 3B is a side sectional view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the order of exposure to photographic paper in the case of large-size printing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the order of exposure to photographic paper in the case of small-size printing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the exposure head unit shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st exposure part 20 Image information taking-in part 30 2nd exposure part 31 Exposure head part 33 Exposure head control part 34 Exposure control parts 35 and 36 Half mirror (light reflection means) 37 Imaging lens 40 Development processing part 50 Cut part Reference Signs List 60 System controller 61 Changeover switch (switching means) 311a, 312a, 313a Shutter array (exposure head) 311a, 312a, 313a White light source 311c, 312c, 313c Color filter

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A photographic printing apparatus for converting image data decomposed into dots for each color into a plurality of color lights and exposing the photosensitive material which is relatively moved in units of the dots, in a direction intersecting the relative movement direction. A plurality of exposure heads corresponding to the plurality of color lights having a plurality of exposure elements arranged in an array are arranged in order along the relative movement direction, and one of the exposure heads A photographic printing apparatus characterized in that it is longer than an exposure head. 2. The other exposure head is configured such that dimensions in a direction intersecting with the relative movement direction have the same value as each other, and are disposed at the same position in a direction intersecting with the relative movement direction. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light source for supplying said plurality of color lights to said elongated exposure head. 4. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light source includes a white light source and a color separation unit that separates the light of the white light source into the plurality of color lights. 5. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light source for individually supplying single color light different from each other to each of said other exposure heads. Printing equipment. 6. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a condensing means for collecting the color light output from each of said exposure heads on the same line of said photosensitive material. Photo printing equipment. 7. The light condensing means reflects a part of the color light output from each of the exposure heads and transmits the remainder, and at least one of the plurality of light reflecting means. 7. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: an image forming lens for forming an image of each color light reflected or transmitted by said light reflecting means on said photosensitive material. 8. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first exposure mode for performing exposure with color light supplied only to the elongated exposure head, and each of the exposure heads. A photographic printing apparatus comprising switching means for switching to any one of a second exposure mode in which exposure is performed by using color light supplied to the apparatus.