JPH10307348A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably and efficiently form a finished print where density fluctuation does not exist and a high-quality image with appropriate density is recorded by providing an exposure adjusting means for adjusting exposure for photosensitive material with recording light in accordance with the detected internal temperature of the recorder and/or the time taken from exposure to development. SOLUTION: A data processing part 70 performs specified processing such as processing image data supplied from an image data supply source according to a correction table by calibration and drives each acousto-optical modulator(AOM) 78 in accordance with the obtained image data so as to modulate a light beam L exposing the photosensitive material A. In the recorder, the AOM 78 is driven by the processing part 70 in accordance with the temperature of the detected result by a temperature sensor 64 and the time taken until the photosensitive material A reaches a developing device after it is exposed so that the intensity of the light beam modulated by the AOM 78 may be the one obtained by performing specified intensity modulation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention belongs to the technical field of an image recording apparatus that records a latent image by exposing a photosensitive material by digital exposure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter, referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film is printed on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper by projecting light of the film onto the photosensitive material. The exposure is performed by so-called direct (analog) exposure in which the photosensitive material is surface-exposed with the projection light.

In recent years, a printing apparatus using digital exposure, that is, an image recorded on a film is photoelectrically read, and the read image is converted into a digital signal.
Various types of image processing are performed to produce image data for recording. A photosensitive material is scanned and exposed with recording light modulated according to the image data to record an image (latent image), and subjected to development processing to print (photograph). Digital photo printers that output images as such have been put to practical use. According to this digital photo printer, images reproduced on a print are subjected to various processing that cannot be performed by a normal direct exposure printer, such as sharpness (sharpening) processing, partial image correction, and synthesis of a plurality of images and character synthesis. Image processing can be performed. In addition, an image (image data) to be reproduced for printing is supplied as an image file to a computer or various image devices, or
It is also possible to receive an image file from these and reproduce the image.

[0004]

In an image recording apparatus for recording a latent image on a photosensitive material such as a printing device of a photo printer, an image such as a light beam modulated according to a projection light of a film or a recorded image is used. The latent image is recorded on the photosensitive material by exposing the photosensitive material to the recording light carrying the light. Here, the color density of an image formed on the photosensitive material after development is determined by the temperature of the photosensitive material after exposure and the time from exposure to development (latent image formation time), that is, so-called latent image formation (stabilization). ) Affected by conditions.

[0005] In particular, in the above-mentioned digital photo printer, image recording is performed by scanning exposure using a light beam or the like. However, in order to shorten the exposure time and improve the printing ability, it is necessary to increase the scanning speed. Since a high amount of recording light is used for this purpose, the variation in the color density due to such variation in the latent image forming condition is large.

A general image recording apparatus has a heat source such as an exposure light source and a power supply. Therefore, by introducing outside air into the apparatus using a cooling fan or the like, the inside of the apparatus is cooled and the internal temperature of the apparatus is reduced. The temperature is kept within a predetermined range. In addition, many image recording apparatuses determine a temperature range of an installation environment in which the apparatus can exhibit a predetermined performance. However, even if it is installed in a predetermined environment and further adjusts the temperature inside the device using a cooling fan or the like, it is difficult to keep the temperature inside the device constant with high accuracy, and during the day, The temperature inside the apparatus fluctuates (the temperature fluctuates during the day). As a result, the image density of a print obtained by fluctuating the temperature of the photosensitive material after exposure fluctuates. In addition, in order to control the temperature inside the image recording apparatus with high accuracy and keep it constant, it is necessary to provide an expensive high-performance temperature adjusting means, which leads to an increase in apparatus cost, which is not preferable.

On the other hand, it is also conceivable to output a print on which an image of an appropriate density is stably recorded by controlling the time from exposure to input to the developing device to keep the latent image forming time constant. (See Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-35162). Here, in terms of production efficiency, it is preferable that the latent image forming time is short. For example, when there is no photosensitive material between the exposure position and the developing device, the exposed photosensitive material is quickly conveyed. Although better production efficiency can be achieved by supplying the developer to the developing device, an appropriate image can be obtained by the above-described method, but the production efficiency may be reduced in some cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to change the density of a formed image due to a temperature fluctuation inside an image recording apparatus such as a daily fluctuation, and to form a latent image by exposure time after exposure. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of stably producing a finished print on which a high-quality image of an appropriate density is recorded without fluctuation of the image density and with high efficiency.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a recording means for recording a latent image by exposing a photosensitive material with recording light modulated in accordance with image data; Transport means for transporting the photosensitive material to the recording means, and transporting the exposed photosensitive material from the recording means to supply the developing material to the developing device; and detecting means for detecting the internal temperature of the apparatus, and from exposure to development of the photosensitive material. And at least one of a time detecting means and an exposure adjusting means for adjusting an exposure amount of the photosensitive material by the recording light according to the detected internal temperature of the apparatus and / or a time from exposure to development. An image recording apparatus is provided.

Preferably, the adjustment of the exposure amount adjusts the output of the recording light using a coefficient appropriately determined according to the internal temperature of the apparatus and / or the time from exposure to development.

Further, the modulation of the recording light for exposing the photosensitive material is performed by an external modulator, and the output of the recording light is preferably adjusted by intensity modulation by the external modulator.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of an example of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. The illustrated image recording apparatus 10 (hereinafter, referred to as the recording apparatus 10) is used as a printing apparatus (printer) of the above-described digital photo printer, and includes a photosensitive material supply unit 12 (hereinafter, referred to as a supply unit 12). ), A printer 14 for recording a back print, a recording unit 16 for exposing (printing) the photosensitive material A at the exposure position X to record a latent image, and a sorting unit 18. It is housed and configured. Such a recording apparatus 10 cuts the photosensitive material A into a predetermined length corresponding to a print to be made into a cut sheet, then performs back print recording and digital exposure, and converts the exposed photosensitive material A into a developing device 22. It is a device to supply to.

Although not shown in order to simplify the drawing and clarify the configuration of the present invention, the recording apparatus 10 includes a photosensitive material supply section 12 to a recording section 16 (a scanning and conveying means 44 to be described later). The conveying means for conveying the photosensitive material A to the developing device 22 after conveying the photosensitive material A to the developing device 22 is further arranged, and a conveying guide for the photosensitive material A and various sensors are arranged as necessary. I have. The conveying means of the photosensitive material A is not particularly limited, and any known conveying method of the sheet material such as a conveying roller pair, a conveying roller, a belt conveyor, a nip belt, lift conveyance using suction, or the like can be used. .

In addition to the recording apparatus 10 shown in the drawings, an installation environment in which the apparatus can exhibit a predetermined performance is determined for a normal image recording apparatus. Usually, an environment in which the apparatus is maintained at the predetermined temperature and humidity is set. It is installed below. The installation environment of the recording device 10 is appropriately set according to the design and specifications of the device.

Further, in the recording apparatus 10, the internal temperature of the apparatus, that is, the internal temperature of the housing 20, is determined so that each part and parts operate properly. Housing 20
The internal temperature of the device is appropriately set according to the design and specifications of the apparatus. However, considering the durability and the like, it is not preferable that the internal temperature be too high. Of the room temperature plus a predetermined temperature.

The recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
And an exhaust fan 26 are arranged. Since various kinds of heat sources such as the exposure unit 42 and the motor are usually arranged inside the recording apparatus 10, the internal temperature of the housing 20 does not become lower than the installation environment temperature of the apparatus. The outside air is introduced into the housing 20 by 24 and the air inside the housing 20 is forcibly exhausted by the exhaust fan 26, so that the internal temperature of the housing 20 is kept within a predetermined temperature range. Further, the recording device 10 is provided with a temperature sensor 64 for measuring the internal temperature of the housing 20. In addition, as a temperature sensor,
All known temperature detecting means such as a thermistor can be used.

The installation positions of the intake fan 24 and the exhaust fan 26 are not particularly limited. However, in order to prevent vapor such as a developer in the developing device 22 from flowing into the housing 20, the intake fan 24 is Preferably, it is installed at a position distant from 22. On the other hand, the exhaust fan 26
In order to perform better ventilation in the housing 20, it is preferable that the housing 20 is disposed at a position away from the intake fan 24. That is, it is preferable that the intake fan 24 is arranged near the corner farthest from the developing device 22 and the exhaust fan 26 is arranged at a position diagonal to this corner.

The intake fan 24 and the exhaust fan 2
No particular limitation is imposed on the capacity of the air conditioner 6, and a material capable of achieving a target internal temperature may be appropriately selected. However, in order to prevent vapor such as a developer from flowing into the housing 20, It is preferable to set the pressure inside the housing 20 to a pressurized state during operation by increasing the displacement amount by the exhaust fan 26. When the intake fan 24 and the exhaust fan 26 are stopped, it is preferable that the exhaust port 62 be closed by a shutter or the like. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a filter or the like in the intake fan 24 and the exhaust fan 26 in order to prevent foreign substances such as dust and dirt from entering the housing 20.

In the recording apparatus 10, the supply section 12 includes loading sections 28 and 30, and pull-out roller pairs 32 and 3.
4 and cutters 36 and 38. The loading portions 28 and 30 are portions for loading a magazine 40 in which a long photosensitive material A wound in a roll shape with the recording surface (emulsion surface) outside is housed in a light-shielding housing. Both loading sections usually have a size (width), face type (silk or mat),
A magazine 40 containing photosensitive materials A of different types such as specifications (thickness, type of base, etc.) is loaded. Although the recording apparatus 10 in the illustrated example is an apparatus capable of loading two magazines, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of magazines that can be loaded may be one, or three. The above magazines may be loadable.

The supply unit 12 pulls out the corresponding photosensitive material A from the magazine 40 by the pair of draw-out rollers 32 and 34 and transports the photosensitive material A to the printer 14 downstream (hereinafter referred to as downstream) in the transport direction of the photosensitive material A. . This conveyance stops when the photosensitive material A conveyed downstream from the cutters 36 and 38 has a length corresponding to the print to be made, and then the cutters 36 and 38 operate to cut the photosensitive material A. Then, a cut sheet having a predetermined length is obtained. In the illustrated example, the cutters 36 and 38 are arranged corresponding to the loading units 28 and 30, respectively, but the photosensitive material A supplied from the loading units 28 and 30 is cut by one cutter. Is also good.

The printer 14 prints the photographing date, print printing date, frame number, and the like on the back surface (non-emulsion surface) of the photosensitive material A.
Film ID number (code), I of camera used for shooting
A part for recording various information such as a D number and a photo printer ID number, so-called back print (back print). For example, a dot impact printer, a thermal transfer printer, an ink jet printer, or the like, a non-contact type such as an ink jet printer. The recording method can be suitably used, and in particular, an ink jet printer using a non-water-soluble, room-temperature solid hot-melt ink is preferably exemplified. In the illustrated example, a back print is recorded by the printer 14 while the photosensitive material A cut to a predetermined length is guided by a guide 14a also serving as a platen.

It is preferable that the printer 14 be configured to be capable of printing two or more lines in accordance with a new standard new photo system (Advanced Photo System). In the apparatus shown in the figure, the back print is recorded prior to the exposure. However, in the present invention, in addition, the printer 14 is disposed downstream of the exposure position X, and the back print is recorded after the exposure. The configuration may be as follows.

The recording section 16 exposes the photosensitive material A by so-called digital raster scanning exposure using recording light (light beam L) modulated according to digital image data while scanning and transporting the photosensitive material A. This is where the latent image is recorded. The recording unit 16 includes an exposure unit 42, which is a light beam scanning device, and a scanning and transporting unit 44. The scanning and transporting unit 44 holds the photosensitive material A at the exposure position X while maintaining the photosensitive material A in the sub-scanning direction (see FIG. While being conveyed in the middle arrow b direction), the exposure unit 42 deflects the light beam L modulated in accordance with the image to be recorded in the main scanning direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and the arrow a direction in FIG. 2). When the light is incident on the position X, the photosensitive material A is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam L to record a latent image.
The photosensitive material A on which the latent image has been recorded in the recording unit 16 is conveyed from the recording unit 16 and is distributed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction by the distribution unit 18 as necessary, so that the photosensitive material A is formed into a plurality of rows. The toner is supplied from the discharge port 62 to the developing device 22 by the transport roller pair 60, and is subjected to a predetermined developing process.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the exposure unit 42. The light beam scanning device 62 is a three-laser-beam diagonal-incidence optical system (three-light source non-multiplexing optical system) that scans and exposes the photosensitive material A using light beams of three primary colors.
Along the laser light source 72 (72R, 72G, 72B) and the traveling direction of the light beam L emitted from the laser light source 72, a collimator lens 74R and a condenser lens 76 (76
R, 76G, 76B) and AOM78 (78R, 78B).
G, 78B) and a reflection mirror 80 (80R, 80G, 8).
0B) and a cylindrical lens 82 (82R, 82R).
G, 82B), the polygon mirror 84, and the fθ lens 8
6, a cylindrical mirror 88, and reflection mirrors 90 and 92.

The three-light-source non-multiplexing optical system shown in the drawing emits light beams having predetermined wavelengths corresponding to red (R) exposure, green (G) exposure, and blue (B) exposure of the photosensitive material A, respectively. 3
Using two laser light sources, the light beams L emitted from the respective laser light sources are incident on one point of the reflection surface 84a of the polygon mirror 84 at slightly different angles (for example, about 4 °), are deflected in the main scanning direction, and are exposed to light. The optical system forms an image on the same main scanning line on the material A at a different angle, and scans the same main scanning line at a time interval. In addition, in the present invention, in addition to this, it is also possible to use a multiplexing optical system in which the modulated light beam is converted into one light beam using a dichroic mirror or the like. For example, the laser light source 72R is a semiconductor laser (LD) that emits a light beam Lr having a wavelength of 680 nm for R exposure, and the laser light source 72G is a wavelength conversion using an SHG element that emits a light beam Lg of 532 nm for G exposure. The laser light source 72B is a wavelength conversion laser using an SHG element that emits a light beam having a wavelength of 473 nm for B exposure.

The collimator lens 74R includes a laser light source 7
Each of the light beams Lr emitted from the 2R is shaped into parallel light, and the condensing lens 76 condenses the corresponding light beam L on the AOM 78. The AOM (acoustic optical modulator) 78 modulates each light beam L according to image data (that is, a recorded image). The modulation method is not particularly limited, and may be intensity modulation or pulse (width or number) modulation. In addition to the AOM, various modulators such as an EOM (Electrical Engineering Modulator) may be used. Is available.

The AOM 78 is driven by the data processing unit 70. Image data from an image data supply source such as a scanner (image processing device) is sent to the data processing unit 70. The data processing unit 70 performs predetermined processing such as processing in a correction table by calibration on the image data supplied from the image data supply source, and drives each AOM 78 according to the obtained image data. The light beam L for exposing the photosensitive material A is modulated. Here, in the recording device 10 of the illustrated example, the AOM 78 by the data processing unit 70 is used.
Is driven by performing predetermined intensity modulation on the intensity of the light beam modulated by the AOM 78 in accordance with the result of the temperature detection by the temperature sensor 64 and the time from the exposure of the photosensitive material A to the developing device 22. It is done to become what was done.

As described above, the color density of a photosensitive material is affected by the temperature of the photosensitive material after exposure and the time from exposure to development. Here, the temperature inside the housing 20 of the recording apparatus 10 is determined by the intake fan 24 and the exhaust fan 26.
However, the temperature of the photosensitive material A after exposure, that is, the latent image forming temperature fluctuates, and the image density fluctuates accordingly. Would. In the recording apparatus 10, for example, if the image recording is not performed continuously, and the photosensitive material A is not present between the recording unit 16 (scanning and conveying means 44) and the developing device 22, the exposure is terminated. The photosensitive material A is conveyed at a higher speed than usual and supplied to the developing device 22, thereby realizing a quick finished print (hereinafter, referred to as a high-speed mode). Therefore, the time from exposure to development, that is, the latent image forming time, is different between normal continuous print creation (hereinafter referred to as normal mode) and high-speed mode.
The image density differs.

In the illustrated recording apparatus 10, the AOM 78 varies depending on the internal temperature of the housing 20 detected by the temperature sensor 64 and the print creation mode.
R, 78G and 78B by controlling the driving of each AOM7.
By adjusting the outputs (light amounts) of the light beams Lr, Lg, and Lb emitted from the printer 8, a finished print on which an image of an appropriate density is recorded regardless of a variation in a latent image forming temperature or a latent image forming time. It realizes stable creation.

More specifically, the recording device 10 outputs a drive signal (output of the light beam) of the AOM 78 for adjusting the output intensity of each light beam L in accordance with the internal temperature of the housing 20 and the print forming mode. The correction coefficients are light beams Lr and L
The data is set for each of the light beams g and Lb and stored in the data processing unit 70. For example, the range of the internal temperature of the housing 20 that can be taken by the recording apparatus 10 is divided into 10 parts according to the installation environment of the recording apparatus 10 and the control of the internal temperature of the apparatus. The correction coefficients set in advance are set in advance (that is, 20 correction coefficients per light beam in this case), and the data processing unit 7
0 is stored in a memory.

As shown in FIG. 2, the data processing unit 70
Since the detection result of the internal temperature by the temperature sensor 64 and the signal S of the print creation mode are sent to the
The data processing unit 70 calculates a correction coefficient corresponding to the temperature detection result and the creation mode by using the light beams Lr, Lg, and Lb.
Are read from the memory, and the correction coefficients are multiplied by the respective drive signals of the AOMs 78R, 78G, and 78B to determine the final drive signals of the AOMs 78R, 78G, and 78B, and drive each AOM. As a result, the outputs of the light beams Lr, Lg, and Lb are in accordance with the latent image forming temperature and the latent image forming time, and the finished print on which a high-quality image having an appropriate image density is formed regardless of the latent image forming conditions. Can be created stably.

The step size of the internal temperature of the housing 20 (that is, the latent image forming temperature) may be constant over the entire temperature range. However, according to the study of the present inventors, the image density fluctuation is caused by the latent image forming temperature. The lower one is larger, and tends to be smaller as the latent image forming temperature becomes higher. Therefore, depending on the relationship between the amount of change in image density and the temperature, for example, the density change is large in a low temperature region of 10 ° C. to 15 ° C. In the case of a photosensitive material which hardly fluctuates in density when the temperature exceeds 25 ° C., finely chop it at intervals of 1 ° C. around 10 ° C., increase the step width as the temperature rises, and use the same coefficient above 25 ° C. It may be. It is needless to say that the number of temperature division points is not limited to 10, and may be determined as appropriate according to the width of the internal temperature that can be taken by the apparatus, the magnitude of concentration fluctuation, and the like.

In the illustrated apparatus, the correction coefficient according to both the internal temperature of the housing 20 and the printing mode is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any one of the internal temperature and the printing mode is used. The correction may be performed for only one of them, or the correction coefficient may be individually set for the internal temperature and the creation mode, and the final correction coefficient may be determined by multiplying the two. In addition, in accordance with the color development characteristics of the photosensitive material A, a correction corresponding to the recording density, for example, a temperature conversion table of a correction coefficient is created, or a highlight portion (low density portion), an intermediate density portion, and a shadow portion (high density portion). The correction coefficient may be determined for each of the density components, and the light beam may be adjusted in consideration of the image density. further,
In the illustrated example, the latent image formation time is detected by the print creation mode. However, the latent image formation time may be actually measured using a timer or the like, and the correction coefficient may be set and selected accordingly.

In the illustrated device, the external modulator AO
Although the intensity of each light beam L is adjusted by M78,
If the light source of the light beam is capable of recording by direct modulation, the output of the light source may be adjusted to adjust the light beam. The present invention is not limited to adjusting the intensity of the light beam. When recording is performed by pulse modulation, by adjusting the number or width of pulses, the exposure amount can be adjusted to the internal temperature and / or the printing temperature. The adjustment may be made according to the creation mode. Further, the image data may be corrected instead of the drive signal of the AOM 78, or the correction may be performed using a correction table or a correction function.

There is no particular limitation on the method of determining the correction coefficient and the correction table. A method of actually recording an image in each apparatus and the creation mode, measuring the formed image density, and determining the correction coefficient. A known method such as a method of simulating an image density corresponding to a latent image forming temperature and a latent image forming time by using a computer or the like to determine a correction coefficient can be used.

The light beam L modulated (and output adjusted) by the AOM 78 then enters the reflection mirror 80. The reflection mirror 80 folds the optical path of each light beam L, and converts each of them to a polygon mirror 8 which is an optical deflector.
The fourth reflection surface 84a is to be incident on a close position on the same line on the same line or on the same point. The cylindrical lens 82, the fθ lens 86, and the cylindrical mirror 88 constitute a surface tilt correction optical system.
4 is corrected. The fθ lens 86 is for correctly forming an image of each light beam L at any position on the main scanning line. Cylindrical mirror 88
Constitutes a surface tilt correction optical system, and bends each light beam L so that the light beam L is incident on the reflection mirror 90.
The light beam L is bent again and is incident on the reflection mirror 92. The light beam L reflected by the reflection mirror 92 is incident on the exposure position X on the photosensitive material A which is sub-scanned and conveyed by the scanning and conveying means 44.

As the exposure unit 42, in addition to such a light beam scanning device, a PDP (plasma display) array, an ELD (electroluminescent display) array, an LED (light emitting diode) array, an LCD (liquid crystal display) Various types of digital raster exposure means using an array, a DMD (digital micromirror device) array, a laser array, and other various light emitting arrays or spatial modulation element arrays extending in a direction orthogonal to the scanning and conveying direction can be used.

On the other hand, the scanning and conveying means 44
(Scanning line) A pair of transport rollers 46 arranged on both sides
And 48, and an exposure guide 50 for more suitably holding the photosensitive material A at the exposure position X. The exposure guide 50 holds the photosensitive material A at the exposure position X,
The photosensitive material A is scanned and transported by the transport roller pairs 46 and 48 in a sub-scanning direction (rightward in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the main scanning direction. As described above, since the light beam L is deflected in the main scanning direction, the photosensitive material A is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam L modulated according to an image to be recorded, and a latent image is recorded. Is done. In addition, as the scanning conveyance means,
In addition to the above, a scanning transport unit using an exposure drum that transports the photosensitive material Z while holding it at the exposure position X, and two nip rollers that contact the exposure drum across the recording position X, and the like are also preferably exemplified. .

The photosensitive material A that has been exposed is conveyed to the sorting unit 18. The distributing unit 18 may, if necessary,
The photosensitive material A is distributed in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (hereinafter, referred to as a lateral direction for convenience). At present, in general silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials used for photography, development processing and exposure require more time for development processing. It is necessary to temporarily store the material in a stocker or the like. The sorting unit 18 is arranged to solve this inconvenience. The sorting unit 18 sorts the photosensitive material A conveyed in a single row in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction to form a plurality of rows overlapping in the conveying direction. This makes it possible to improve the processing capacity of the developing device 22, for example, it is possible to perform less than twice the processing of a single row in the case of two rows and less than three times in the case of three rows. It offsets the time difference.

In the recording apparatus 10, not all the photosensitive materials A are sorted, but in the case of a large size which cannot be processed in a plurality of rows, the sorting is not performed and the developing apparatus 22 remains in a single row. Supplied.

Further, as described above, the recording apparatus 10 has a normal mode for continuously producing prints, which is a time of regular print production, and a single mode for producing large finished prints. The photosensitive material A, which has been exposed when the finished print is made in one shot, is developed at a high speed by the developing device 22.
And a high-speed mode for supplying finished prints, thereby realizing quick and efficient production of finished prints. Even in the high-speed mode, the photosensitive material A is not sorted, and the photosensitive material A, which has been exposed, is transported from the scanning transporting unit 44 to the sorting unit 18 to the developing device 22, and the sorting unit 18. The speed of the transfer of the photosensitive material A is adjusted according to each mode.

The sorting device in the sorting unit 18 is not particularly limited, and various methods of sorting sheet materials into a plurality of rows are available. For example, a sorting device using a circular turret rotating about the center, a photosensitive material, and the like. A means for dividing the conveying means of A into a plurality of blocks, for example, three blocks in the conveying direction, and moving and sorting the central block in the horizontal direction, and conveying the photosensitive material A in the downstream direction for mounting and conveying the photosensitive material A A belt conveyor as a means and a lift conveying means for lifting the photosensitive material A using a suction cup or the like and transporting the photosensitive material A in the lateral direction are used to lift the photosensitive material A loaded into the belt conveyor from the upstream and transported to a predetermined position. A device or the like that is conveyed in a horizontal or oblique horizontal (downstream side) direction by a conveying unit and sorted is exemplified.

Further, a sorting device shown in FIG. 3 is preferably exemplified. This sorting device includes five belt conveyors 56 arranged as spaced apart from each other, which are conveying means for conveying the photosensitive material A in the downstream direction (the direction of arrow a in the figure).
And a pair of half-moon rollers (D-rollers) 58 disposed between the belt conveyors 56 to distribute the photosensitive material A by transporting the photosensitive material A in the horizontal direction.

As shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the photosensitive material A is carried into the sorting device from the upstream, the half-moon roller pairs 58 are in a state where their flat portions face each other. Here, the flat portion of the lower half-moon roller is set to be the same as or slightly below the conveying surface of the belt conveyor 56, so that the conveyance of the photosensitive material A by the belt conveyor 56 or the like does not interfere. When the photosensitive material A is transported to a predetermined position, the half-moon roller pair 58 rotates clockwise in the direction in which the photosensitive material A is distributed, for example, in the case where the photosensitive material A is distributed to the right in the drawing. As shown in FIG. 3C, when the half-moon roller pair 58 rotates, the conveying surface of the lower half-moon roller projects above the conveying surface of the belt conveyor 56, lifts the photosensitive material A from the belt conveyor 56, The half-moon roller pair 58 sandwiches the photosensitive material A and transports and distributes the photosensitive material A in the lateral direction.

In the recording apparatus 10, when the distribution is performed, the entire size is not divided into the same number of rows, but, for example, the L size is divided into 3 rows and 6 divided into 2 according to the size of the photosensitive material A. Sorting may be performed for a different number of columns, such as columns.

The photosensitive material A, which is sorted in the sorting section 18 in the horizontal direction and is arranged in a plurality of rows,
Thus, the latent image is supplied from the discharge port 62 to the developing device 16 and subjected to a predetermined developing process according to the photosensitive material A such as a color developing tank, bleach-fixing, and a washing tank, so that the latent image is visualized and then dried. The prints are finished, and are stacked again in a single line in the order of print creation (exposure order) and discharged to a sorter or the like.

Although the image recording apparatus of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

[0049]

As described above in detail, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the exposure can be always performed at a predetermined temperature of the photosensitive material regardless of the daily fluctuation of the temperature in the apparatus. In addition, it is possible to stably obtain a finished print in which a high-quality image of an appropriate density is recorded without a density variation of a formed image due to a temperature variation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an exposure unit arranged in the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

3A and 3B are schematic views of an example of a sorting device arranged in the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a top view and FIG.
And (c) is a side view.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 (image) recording device 12 (photosensitive material) supply unit 14 printer 16 recording unit 18 sorting unit 20 housing 22 developing device 24 intake fan 26 exhaust fan 28, 30 loading unit 32, 34 pullout roller pair 36, 38 cutter 40 magazine 42 Exposure unit 44 Scanning / conveying means 46, 48, 60 Transport roller pair 50 Exposure guide 56 Belt conveyor 58 Half moon roller pair 62 Discharge port 64 Temperature sensor 70 Data processing section 72 (72R, 72G, 72B) Laser light source 74R Collimator lens 76 (76R) , 76G, 76B) Condensing lens 78 (78R, 78G, 78B) AOM 80 (80R, 80G, 80B), 90, 92 Reflecting mirror 82 (82R, 82G, 82B) Cylindrical lens 84 Polygon mirror 86 fθ lens 88 Lind helical mirror A photosensitive material

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A recording means for exposing a photosensitive material with a recording light modulated in accordance with image data to record a latent image, conveying a non-exposed photosensitive material to the recording means, and terminating the exposure. Conveying means for conveying the photosensitive material from the recording means and supplying the developing material to the developing device; at least one of a device internal temperature detecting device and a time detecting device for exposing and developing the photosensitive material to the developing device; And / or an exposure adjusting means for adjusting the amount of exposure of the photosensitive material by the recording light according to the time from exposure to development. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the exposure amount adjusts the output of the recording light using a coefficient appropriately determined according to the internal temperature of the apparatus and / or the time from exposure to development. The image recording apparatus as described in the above. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the modulation of the recording light for exposing the photosensitive material is performed by an external modulator, and the output of the recording light is adjusted by intensity modulation by the external modulator. The image recording apparatus as described in the above.