JPH11282097A - Photographic printing device and electronic image inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a photographic printing device capable of shortening the exposure time in an excellent printing state without causing unevenness and also to obtain a bright image pickup state without having the unevenness by enhancing the use efficiency of the emitted light of a light source and the density of a luminous flux. SOLUTION: LED groups 22 for condensing light are arrayed within the area of an aspect ratio in accordance with the aspect ratio of a large-sized photographic paper so as to form a light source emitting the light by which the original image of negative film is printed on the photographic paper. When the printing of a small-sized photographic paper is executed, only the LED group 22a for a small size arrayed within the area of the aspect ratio in accordance with that of the small-sized photographic paper emit the light. Also, the LED group 22a for the small size are attached in an inclined state at a substrate 21 so that the directional direction of outgoing light is crossed with an optical axis M. Thus, exposure without having the unevenness is executed while enhancing the use efficiency of the light emitted from the light source.

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 and an electronic image input apparatus provided in, for example, a photographic processing apparatus or a photographic printer, and more particularly to a negative film on which an original image is recorded or an image corresponding to the original image. Liquid crystal display element driven by signal, PLZT exposure head, DMD
(A digital micromirror device) irradiates the photosensitive material with light through an information carrier such as a digital micromirror device, and prints the original image on the photosensitive material. And an electronic image input device that records the original image on a monitor or a recording medium by irradiating the original image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a negative film on which an original image is recorded is disposed on the front surface of a photosensitive material, and light is irradiated on the photosensitive material through the negative film to print the original image on the photosensitive material. Various devices have been proposed.

In such a photographic printing apparatus, a halogen lamp is mainly used as a light source for irradiating the photosensitive material. Then, by inserting three types of dimming filters having different spectral characteristics corresponding to each color of red, green and blue into the optical path, the light of the halogen lamp is adjusted to light suitable for printing. I have.

However, a photographic printing apparatus using a halogen lamp as a light source has the following disadvantages.

[0005] Halogen lamps generate a large amount of heat that is unnecessary for photographic printing, and therefore require forced cooling means such as a cooling fan. If a cooling fan is installed,
Peripheral dust is caught in the optical system, which hinders good printing.

Since a DC stable power supply for stabilizing the spectral characteristics of the halogen lamp, a dimming filter, and a cut filter for removing infrared light and ultraviolet light are separately required, the size of the apparatus is increased.

Since the characteristics of the halogen lamp immediately fluctuate, it is necessary to keep the halogen lamp lit even when printing is not performed. Therefore, the power consumption of the halogen lamp increases. In addition, it is necessary to arrange a shutter mechanism between the photosensitive material and the halogen lamp to block light when printing is not performed, which increases the number of components.

Since the light amount difference between the optical axis and its periphery is large, the loss of light amount is large when a diffusing device for diffusing light from a halogen lamp to produce a surface light source required for printing is formed.

If the halogen lamp is always turned on, the heat of the halogen lamp adversely affects the negative film when the number of printings is large.

On the other hand, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In the photographic printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.
A plurality of light emitting diodes having different spectral characteristics (hereinafter, referred to as
Simply abbreviated as LED).
The above-mentioned disadvantages caused by the halogen lamp are avoided. Hereinafter, the configuration of the exposure projection unit of the photographic printer disclosed in the above publication will be schematically described.

As shown in FIG. 21, the photographic printer includes an LED light source 51, a diffusion plate 52,
And a printing lens 53. Also, the diffusion plate 52
One frame of the negative film 54 to be printed is disposed between the printing lens 53 and the printing lens 53 at a position intersecting the optical axis A of the printing lens 53. Further, a color paper 55 as a photosensitive material is arranged on the side opposite to the negative film 54 with respect to the printing lens 53.

In the LED light source 51, a plurality of LEDs 51a for emitting red, green, and blue light, respectively, are arranged, for example, in a matrix at equal vertical and horizontal intervals. At this time, each LED 51a is provided so that the directivity direction is parallel to the optical axis A, as shown in FIG. Also, each L
The ED 51a is individually turned on by a light source driving unit (not shown).
/ OFF control, and the light emission time and / or light emission luminance are controlled for each LED 51a.

The diffusion plate 52 is, for example, a glass plate (so-called ground glass) on which fine irregularities are formed.
The LED light source 51 is disposed on the light emission side of the LED light source 51 for the purpose of diffusing the light emitted from the light source 51.

In such a configuration, the LED light source 51
When each LED 51a is turned on, the light emitted from each LED 51a is diffused by the diffusion plate 52, and then the negative film 54 set at the print position, the printing lens 5
3 sequentially pass and reach the color paper 55. Thus, one frame of the original image recorded on the negative film 54 is formed on the color paper 55 and printed.

As described above, by using the LED group instead of the halogen lamp as the light source, the above-described problems inherent to the halogen lamp can be solved as follows.

(A) Since an LED generates less heat than a halogen lamp, a cooling fan and a heat ray absorbing filter are not required. For this reason, the configuration of the exposure projection unit can be simplified. In addition, since a cooling fan is not required, there is no problem that surrounding dust is involved in the optical system. Further, even when the number of prints is large, it is possible to prevent the negative film from being damaged by the heat of the light source.

(B) Since the power consumption of the LED is small, a simple circuit configuration at the level of an IC (integrated circuit) control board can be adopted for the DC power supply. In addition, by controlling the emission luminance and emission time of the red, green, and blue LEDs,
Since dimming management can be easily performed, a dimming filter and a cut filter become unnecessary. As a result, the size and weight of the device can be reduced.

(C) Since the light quantity difference between the optical axis and the periphery thereof is not as large as that of a halogen lamp, the diffusion rate of the diffuser plate can be smaller than when a halogen lamp is used as a light source, and the light quantity loss can be reduced. Can be.

(D) Since the spectral characteristics of the LED are instantaneously stabilized by ON / OFF control, it is not necessary to turn on the LED except when necessary. Therefore, the power consumption of the light source can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where a halogen lamp is used.
In addition, when printing is not performed, it is only necessary to turn off the LED, so that there is no need to provide a shutter mechanism between the light source and the photosensitive material. As a result, the device configuration can be further simplified.

[0020]

However, in the conventional photographic printer using an LED as a light source, the diffusion plate
If the diffusion rate of No. 2 is not increased, it will not be practically used, so that there is a problem that the light loss due to the diffusion plate 52 increases and the exposure time becomes longer. The reason is specifically described as follows.

That is, as described with reference to FIG. 21, each LED 51a is set so that the directivity direction is parallel to the optical axis.
Provided that the diffusion plate 52 is not provided, as shown in FIG. 22, the intensity distribution of the light illuminating the color paper 55 has a spot-like shape corresponding to the arrangement of the LEDs 51a. Exist. One set of concentric multiplex circles shown in FIG. 22 shows the light intensity distribution by one LED 51a, and shows that the intensity is high near the center and decreases as the distance from the center increases.

Such unevenness of the intensity distribution appears as color unevenness such as scattered polka dots even in a printed state. Therefore, in order to completely suppress the occurrence of color unevenness, an LED having a wide directivity (also referred to as a viewing angle) is used as the LED 51a, and the diffused light of the diffuser plate 52 is set to be extremely high to make the diffused light uniform. A surface light source that emits light must be made. That is, if the ground glass is used for the diffusion plate 52, the spot-shaped unevenness of the intensity distribution cannot be eliminated unless the ground glass has such a roughness that the naked eye cannot see through at all.

As a result, since the light amount loss caused by the diffusion plate 52 increases, problems such as an increase in the exposure time of the color paper 55 inevitably occur.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of using light emitted from a light source in a photographic printing apparatus and an electronic image input apparatus using an LED as a light source. By increasing the density of the luminous flux used for printing, or by using a photographic printing apparatus capable of obtaining a good printing state without unevenness in a short exposure time, and a good printing method without unevenness while increasing the amount of light incident on the image sensor. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic image input device capable of obtaining an imaging state.

[0025]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic printing apparatus, comprising: a light source for irradiating a light to an information holding member holding original image information; In a photographic printing apparatus for printing the original image on a photosensitive material by irradiating the photosensitive material (for example, photographic paper) with light through a holder, the light source is a light emitting unit (for example, a light emitting diode) having different spectral characteristics from each other. ) Are arranged on the surface, and printing is performed by emitting light from light emitting means arranged in an area having a size corresponding to a printing size (for example, a standard size or a panorama size).

According to the above arrangement, since the light emitting means arranged in the area of the size corresponding to the size of the printing is made to emit light, the peripheral portion of the photosensitive material, which tends to be insufficient particularly when performing the printing of a large size, is required. The amount of light can be effectively increased. In addition, the uniform area of the illuminance distribution generated by superimposing the light emission of the plurality of light emitting means can be set to a size suitable for the size of the printing.

[0027] Therefore, printing of a suitable size can be performed in a region where the illuminance distribution is uniform, so that the light emitted from the light source can be efficiently used for printing.
As a result, the exposure time can be shortened in a photographic printing apparatus using light emitting units having different spectral characteristics as light sources.

[0028] At least a part of the light emitting means is
The light may be emitted in a directional direction that intersects with the optical axis connecting the light source and the photosensitive material. The light emitting unit that emits light in a directional direction that intersects with the optical axis may be a light emitting unit attached to a flat substrate at a predetermined inclination angle, or may be arranged on a spherical surface or a paraboloid about the optical axis. Light emitting means may be used.

In this case, as compared with the case where the light source is constituted only by the light emitting means which emits light whose directing direction is parallel to the optical axis, the light spot formed at the position where the photosensitive material is arranged is emitted by the other light emitting means. Can be superimposed at a large ratio with the light spot due to By adjusting the degree of this superposition, that is, the number of light emitting units whose directivity direction intersects the optical axis, the degree of inclination with respect to the optical axis, and the amount of light emitted from each light emitting unit, the illuminance distribution is uniform at the arrangement position of the photosensitive material. Thus, an illuminance sufficient for printing can be obtained, and a region having a large area can be created. This can be easily understood by comparing with a case where a plurality of light emitting units whose directivity directions are all parallel to the optical axis have a large illuminance distribution unevenness of a polka dot pattern, as described above as the related art. Is done.

Therefore, it is easier to obtain a region having a uniform illuminance distribution than when a light source is constituted only by a plurality of light emitting means whose directivity directions are all parallel to the optical axis. The rate can be reduced, and the increase in the amount of light to the photosensitive material can be further promoted.

The information carrier to which the light from the light source is supplied is, for example, a film on which the original image is recorded, a liquid crystal display for controlling the transmission or reflection of light according to an image signal corresponding to the original image. Elements include a PLZT exposure head having a two-dimensional array of light output units, a DMD (digital micromirror device), and the like. When the above-mentioned film, transmission type liquid crystal display element or PLZT exposure head was used as an information carrier, light from a light source was transmitted through the information carrier and guided to a photosensitive material, whereby the light was recorded on the film. The original image or the original image displayed on the transmissive liquid crystal display device is printed on a photosensitive material. On the other hand, a reflective liquid crystal display element or DM
When D is used, light from a light source is reflected by the information carrier and guided to the photosensitive material, whereby an original image corresponding to image information held by the information carrier is printed on the photosensitive material.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the photographic printing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention emits light to the information holding member holding the original image information by light emitting means individually having a plurality of types of spectral characteristics. In a photographic printing apparatus that includes a light source for irradiating and irradiates the photosensitive material with light through the information holding member, the illuminance distribution becomes uniform at the arrangement position of the photosensitive material in a photographic printing apparatus that prints the original image on the photosensitive material. It is characterized in that an optical system for forming a region and generating a light beam for inscribing a photosensitive material to the region is provided.

According to the above configuration, the photosensitive material is inscribed in a region where the illuminance distribution is uniform, so that the region where the illuminance distribution is uniform can be maximally used for printing. Thus, the light emitted from the light source can be efficiently used for printing. As a result, in a photographic printing apparatus using light emitting units having different spectral characteristics as light sources, it is possible to shorten the exposure time while obtaining a printing state without density unevenness or color unevenness.

The above-described optical system includes, for example, a light source including a light emitting unit that emits light in a directional direction that intersects the optical axis, at least in part of the plurality of light emitting units,
It can be constituted by a lens system whose magnification, aperture and the like can be appropriately selected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, light is emitted to an information holding member holding original image information by light emitting means having individually provided plural kinds of spectral characteristics. In a photographic printing apparatus that includes a light source for irradiating and irradiates the photosensitive material with light through the information holding member, and prints the original image on the photosensitive material, the incident angle of light incident on the information holding member does not change. Light collecting means for directly receiving and condensing the light emitted from the light emitting means (for example,
(Concave lens or convex mirror).

According to the above arrangement, the condensing means directly receives and condenses the light emitted from the light emitting means, so that the condensing means can be regarded as a new light source. Moreover, the number of light emitting units can be increased by the light collecting function as compared with the case where no light collecting unit is provided. As a result, the amount of light to be printed can be increased.

Further, when the light emitting means in the case where the light condensing means is not provided irradiates the position where the light condensing means is provided, and when the light condensing means is provided by increasing the number of light emitting means provided, It is easy to satisfy the condition that the incident angle of the light incident on the information holding member is not changed if the emission area of the light collecting means is made equal. That is, for example, if an optical unit using at least one of light reflection and refraction is used as the light condensing unit, the incident angle of the light incident on the information holding body is not changed by selecting the reflection angle or the refraction angle Because you can do it.

As described above, only the amount of light can be increased without changing the incident angle of the light incident on the information holding member. Therefore, the optical system other than the light source and the light condensing means can be changed without changing various printing sizes. Exposure time can be shortened.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the light condensing means according to the third aspect is an optical means utilizing at least one of light reflection and refraction. It is characterized by:

According to the above configuration, as described in the operation of the configuration of claim 3, by selecting the reflection angle or the refraction angle by the optical unit, only the light amount without changing the incident angle of the light incident on the information holding member. The exposure time for various printing sizes can be shortened by using the optical system other than the light source and the optical means as it is.

A photographic printing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in order to solve the above problems, the optical means according to the fourth aspect is at least one of a concave lens and a convex mirror.

According to the above configuration, by employing a concave lens as the optical means, the condensing function by refraction of the concave lens is used to form an inner surface such as a spherical surface or a paraboloid facing the light incident side of the concave lens. A large number of light emitting means can be arranged. Thus, the exposure time for various printing sizes can be reduced by a relatively simple optical design.

Further, by employing a convex mirror as the optical means, the reflecting surface of the convex mirror is directed toward the photosensitive material, and a large number of light emitting means are arranged on an inner surface such as a spherical surface or a paraboloid facing the reflecting surface of the convex mirror. Can be. Thus, the light of the light emitting means is emitted toward the side opposite to the side on which the photosensitive material is provided, so that it becomes easier to reduce stray light unnecessary for printing than in the configuration employing the concave lens.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the photographic printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention emits light to the information holding member holding the original image information by the light emitting means individually having a plurality of types of spectral characteristics. A photographic printing apparatus that includes a light source to irradiate, and irradiates the photosensitive material with light through the information holding member to print the original image on the photosensitive material, along an optical axis connecting the light source and the photosensitive material, It is characterized in that the light emitting means are arranged in a multi-tiered manner.

According to the above arrangement, if the light transmittance of the light emitting means is not even 0, the light emitting means is arranged in multiple stages along the optical axis to increase the amount of light emitted toward the photosensitive material. be able to. As a result, the exposure time for various printing sizes can be reduced.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the photographic printing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention emits light to the information carrier holding the original image information by the light emitting means individually provided with plural kinds of spectral characteristics. In a photographic printing apparatus for printing the original image on the photosensitive material by irradiating the photosensitive material with light through the information holding member, a light diffusing coefficient is provided on an optical path from the light source to the information holding member. Is provided with a selectable diffusion plate.

In the above arrangement, if the printing size changes, the distance between the light-sensitive material and the light source usually changes, or the angle of view (spread) of light incident on the light-sensitive material changes, so that the light reaches the light-sensitive material. The luminous flux density of the incident light changes. Therefore, in the present invention, since the diffusion rate of the diffusion plate can be selected, the light flux density is relatively reduced. For example, in the case of printing of a panorama size, the diffusion rate is set low so that the exposure time is reduced. Can be prevented from increasing. That is, the exposure time can be minimized for various printing sizes as compared with the case where a diffusion plate having one type of diffusion rate is used for a plurality of printing sizes.

The diffusion plate whose diffusivity is selectable is not only a diffusion plate having a plurality of regions having different diffusivities but also a diffusivity which is changed by an applied voltage, such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal. It is also intended for a diffuser plate using a high-performance material capable of performing the above-described operations.

In order to solve the above problems, the photographic printing apparatus according to the invention of claim 8 is characterized in that the diffusion plate according to claim 7 is provided with a plurality of regions having different diffusion rates.

According to the above configuration, the diffusion rate can be easily changed by selecting a region having a desired diffusion rate. The selection of the region can be realized by a relatively simple mechanism such as sliding or rotating the diffusion plate.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the light emitting means according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is a light emitting diode.

According to the above configuration, the light emitting diode is
Since the luminance and the light emission time are easy to control, it becomes easy to adjust the density unevenness and the color unevenness by changing the light emission amount. Further, the viewing angle of the light emitting diode can be appropriately selected, and the inclination angle of the directivity direction with respect to the optical axis can be easily changed by changing the mounting angle of the light emitting diode with respect to the substrate. This makes it easy to appropriately set the spread of the region where the illuminance distribution is uniform, particularly as described in the first and second aspects.

Further, since the calorific value and power consumption are small and the spectral characteristics are stable as compared with the halogen lamp, components such as a cooling fan, a heat ray absorbing filter, a dimming filter and a cut filter become unnecessary. In addition, power consumption is small,
Since the spectral characteristics are stable, a DC stable power supply is unnecessary, and a simple DC power supply using an integrated circuit can be used. This makes it possible to reduce the size and weight of the photographic printing apparatus. Also, since the spectral characteristics are stable,
ON / OFF control can be performed whenever necessary. This eliminates the need to provide a shutter mechanism in front of the photosensitive material, and further reduces power consumption.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image input apparatus provided with the photographic printing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects via the information holding member. It is characterized by comprising an image pickup means (for example, a CCD camera) for picking up light from the light emitting means.

According to the above configuration, by combining with the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 9, if the photosensitive material is replaced with the imaging means, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source can be improved for each printing size. An original image corresponding to the image information held by the information holding member can be taken in the highest state and without any density unevenness or color unevenness. As a result, for example, the screen of a monitor that displays an image based on the output of the imaging unit can be made brighter than before.

[0056]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment 1] The following will describe one embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, a photographic printer 1 according to this embodiment includes a printing unit 2, a developing unit 3, and a drying unit 4 corresponding to a photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, and a light source according to the present invention described later. A printing optical system 6 having a built-in light source unit 5 (see FIG. 4) is integrally provided to perform a series of processes for printing an image of a negative film on a photosensitive material. Printing part 2
Is a system for exposing a photosensitive material through a negative film, as described in detail later. The developing unit 3 sequentially immerses the photosensitive material, which has been printed in the printing unit 2, in various processing liquid tanks,
This is a system that performs development processing. The drying unit 4 is a system that dries the developed photosensitive material, and cuts out the completed photographic print for each frame.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printing section 2 comprises the printing optical system 6, a feed mechanism (not shown) for the negative film 7 (see FIG. 4), and a transport mechanism for a photographic paper 8 as a photosensitive material. ing. The printing optical system 6 is disposed, for example, at a right angle so as to cross the longitudinal direction of the photographic printer 1 and irradiates a negative film 7 on which an original image is recorded with light. In this case, the negative film 7 functions as an information holder holding original image information. The printing optical system 6
The detailed configuration will be described later.

The mechanism for transporting the photographic paper 8 includes paper magazines 9a and 9b for storing the photographic paper 8 in a roll and a plurality of transport rollers 10a to 10e. The paper magazines 9a and 9b are photographic papers 8 handled by the photographic printer 1.
It is arranged at the top of the printing unit 2 according to the size of
Photo papers 8 of different sizes are stored. The photographic paper 8 stored in the paper magazine 9a or 9b is transported to an image forming position by rotation of the transport rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, and is sent to the developing unit 3 after exposure. The size of the photographic paper 8 to be printed may be appropriately selected by an operator, or may be based on size information recorded on the negative film 7 at the time of photographing or size information externally input to the photographic printer 1. Then, automatic switching may be performed.

Next, the configuration of the printing optical system 6 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the printing optical system 6 of the present invention includes a condensed light LED (light
t Emitting Diode) Light source 11, LED light source 12 for diffused light, mirror tunnel 13, condensing lens 14, ANM
(Auto Nega Mask) 15, a printing lens 16, and a reflection mirror 17 are sequentially provided on the optical axis M along the traveling direction of light. Condensed light LED light source 11 and diffused light LED
Diffusion plates 18 (diffusion means) are integrally provided on the light emission surfaces of the light sources 12 respectively. In addition, LE for condensed light
The D light source 11, the condenser lens 14, the printing lens 16, and the diffusion plate 18 constitute an optical system according to the present invention.

The condensed light LED light source 11 mainly has a role of emitting light (condensed light) for printing the original image of the negative film 7 on the photographic paper 8, and advances and retreats on the optical axis M in accordance with the size of printing. It is supposed to. L for diffused light
The ED light source 12 mainly has a role of emitting light (diffused light) for coloring and printing irregularities such as scratches on the negative film 7 onto the photographic paper 8, and the position on the optical axis M is fixed.

In general, when printing is performed using only the condensed light, an abnormal portion such as a scratch or dust on the negative film appears on the photographic paper. It is well known in the photographic industry that scratches and dust are less likely to appear.

The mirror tunnel 13 is a truncated quadrangular pyramid-shaped tube whose inside surface is a mirror, and has a function of efficiently guiding the diffused light emitted by the diffused LED light source 12 to the negative film 7. Further, a condenser lens 14 is fixed to the upper bottom portion of the mirror tunnel 13 so that the light emitted from the mirror tunnel 13 is transferred to the negative film 7 conveyed by the ANM 15.
It is designed to collect light. As a result, the light use efficiency is increased, and the light amount loss is extremely reduced. When the condenser lens 14 is used, the light source unit 5 is positioned based on a condenser light source design in consideration of the positional relationship between the printing lens 16 and the condenser lens 14 and the focal length.

The light from the light source unit 5 may be condensed by using, for example, a concave mirror other than the condensing lens 14. However, in this case, the layout of the optical system accompanying the arrangement of the concave mirror becomes very complicated. Therefore, the configuration of the optical system can be simplified by using the condenser lens 14 as the condenser.

The ANM 15 has a function of automatically transporting the negative film 7 and a function of limiting the exposure area. Further, a variable function of the exposure area can be provided. The target frame image of the negative film 7 is transported to the opening of the ANM 15 by the automatic transport function of the ANM 15 and
15 is detected and stopped. The negative film 7 that has been conveyed and exposed for all frame images is the ANM1.
Exhausted from 5

The printing lens 16 forms an image of the light transmitted through the negative film 7 on the photographic paper 8. In the present embodiment, a plurality of printing lenses 16 are provided according to the size of the photographic paper 8, and are located in the optical path between the light source unit 5 and the photographic paper 8 and at a predetermined distance from the photographic paper 8. position,
It can be inserted and removed as appropriate. Note that a zoom lens that moves a single printing lens 16 along the optical axis M according to the size of the printing paper 8 may be used.

The reflection mirror 17 is provided to bend the path of the light transmitted through the printing lens 16 at a right angle and to guide it to the photographic paper 8. Thereby, as described with reference to FIG. 2, it is possible to adopt a layout in which the light source unit 5 is arranged laterally in the longitudinal direction of the photographic printer 1. In such a layout, as in the present embodiment, it is necessary to allow the condensed light LED light source 11 to advance and retreat along the optical axis M, and to secure a long length of the printing unit 2 in the optical axis M direction. Suitable for the case.

Next, the structure of the condensed light LED light source 11 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 1A, a condensed light LED light source 11 is a condensed light L in which, for example, 30 LEDs are densely mounted on a rectangular substrate 21.
An ED group 22 (light emitting means) is provided. This FIG. 1 (a)
FIG. 5A is a plan view of the light-collecting LED group 22 in FIG. As shown in the figure, the condensed light LED group 22 includes a plurality of LEDs that respectively emit red, green, and blue light. That is, these LEDs have different spectral characteristics corresponding to each color.

Further, near the center of the condensed light LED group 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 (b) and 5 (b), a small light for emitting condensed light for small-size printing is formed. As the size LED group 22a (light emitting means), the same number of LEDs are densely arranged in total for each color. When all the LEDs of the condensed light LED group 22 emit light, large-size printing is performed as described later in detail.

In the small-size LED group 22a, as shown in FIG. 6, four red LEDs 22R _{1 to} R
₄ are arranged in contact with each other, and the red LED 22R
_Four green LEDs 22G in contact with the surroundings of _{1 to} R4
_{1 to} G ₄ are arranged point-symmetrically (in other words, symmetrical with respect to the optical axis M of the printing lens 16), and four blue LEDs
22B ₁ .about.B ₄ are disposed in point symmetry. This allows
For example, red LED22R _1, green LED22G _1, blue LED
22B1 constitutes _one set. For the remaining LEDs, one set of three for each color makes a total of four sets of LEDs.
Thus, a small-size LED group 22a is configured.

As described in detail later, the three LEDs are mounted on the substrate 21 at an angle so as to intersect with the optical axis M so that a specific area of the photographic paper 8 is formed. , And the corresponding area is mainly irradiated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the photographic printing paper 8 is viewed in the light traveling direction, and quadrants I to IV are defined counterclockwise from the upper right quadrant with the optical axis M as the center, the quadrant I in red LED22R ₁ · green LED22G ₁
And blue LED22B ₁ is associated with. Similarly, in quadrant II, red LED22R ₂ · Green LED22G ₂ · blue L
ED22B _2, in the quadrant III, red LED22R ₃ · Green L
ED22G ₃ · blue LED22B _3, the quadrant IV, red LE
D22R ₄ · Green LED22G ₄ · blue LED22B ₄ is,
Each is associated.

Next, as described above, each of the LEDs constituting the small-size LED group 22a is directed toward the optical axis M of the printing lens 16 by a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis M. It is attached to the substrate 21 at an angle. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a quadrant IV of the photographic paper 8 for convenience of explanation.
2 is a perspective view showing only a part of the small-size LED group 22a corresponding to FIG. As shown in the figure, each LED of the small-size LED group 22a has an optical axis M
Has an inclination of θ. That is, as can be seen from the horizontal projection plane X in FIG.
Each LED of the D group 22a is tilted in the horizontal direction with respect to the optical axis M by an angle θ _{1, and} as can be seen from the vertical projection plane Y, It is inclined by an angle θ _2. Note that the angle θ ₁ may be equal to the angle θ ₂ .

The angle θ is appropriately selected in the range of 0 to 30 degrees in consideration of various conditions such as the focal length, aperture, print size, and printing magnification of the lens to be used.

[0075] By the small size LED group 22a arranged in this manner emits light, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal W × vertical V ₁ is photographic paper 8 standard size of 89 mm × 127 mm ' Perform baking. At the time of printing, the light emission amount (product of luminance and light emission time) of each of the red, green, and blue LEDs is usually controlled so that red: green: blue = 5-6: 2: 1. This ratio is set based on the fact that the amount of red light is the shortest in photographic printing and that the blue light has the highest photosensitivity.

On the other hand, as described above, a total of 30 LEDs are mounted on the substrate 21 of the LED light source 11 for condensed light. Therefore, the large-sized LED group 22b (light emitting means) composed of 18 LEDs excluding the small-sized LED group 22a composed of 12 LEDs is shown in FIG.
(A) As shown in (b), the small-size LED group 22a
That is, nine pieces are arranged on both wings. These numbers are merely examples, and the number in which the LEDs can be arranged is defined by the length × width of the substrate 21 and the size of the single LED used. For example, the size of the substrate 21 in the vertical and horizontal directions is selected on the basis of the horizontal W × vertical V ₂ = 89 mm × 254 mm of the panoramic photographic paper 8 as shown in FIG.

The large-size dedicated LED group 22b
The substrate 21 is not inclined with respect to the optical axis M as in the small-size LED group 22a, but is parallel to the optical axis M.
Attached to. This simplifies the process of attaching to the substrate 21 and the quality control, but may have the same inclination as the small-size LED group 22a as long as the amount of light emission is adjusted.

Further, of the nine LEDs in one wing of the large-size dedicated LED group 22b, eight are red LEDs,
The remaining one is a green LED arranged at the center of the end of the substrate 21. Thereby, the condensed light LED group 22 as a whole
The ratio of the number of red, green, and blue LEDs is red: green: blue =
20: 6: 4 = 10: 3: 2, which is almost equal to the ratio of red: green: blue = 5-6: 2: 1.

Although not shown in the present embodiment, by forming a reflective film on the LED mounting surface of the substrate 21, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted by the condensing light LED group 22 at the time of printing is improved. Can be enhanced.

Next, details of the configuration of the LED light source 12 for diffused light will be described. The LED light source 12 for diffused light is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a diffused light LED comprising a large number of LEDs is provided on a rectangular frame-shaped substrate 23 having a rectangular opening formed in the center.
A group 25 is attached. The opening of the substrate 23 is
Its center coincides with the optical axis M, and the condensed light LED group 2
2 is provided to pass the outgoing light as it is. As shown in FIG. 4, a rectangular opening is formed at the center of the diffusion plate 18 covering the front surface of the LED group 25 for diffused light for the same purpose. Note that the diffused light LED group 25
Each LED has a directivity direction parallel to the optical axis M,
It is attached to a substrate 23.

Next, the arrangement of the red, green, and blue LEDs constituting the diffused light LED group 25 will be described. FIG.
As shown in (a), the number of LEDs in the diffused light LED group 25 is about four times the number of LEDs in the condensed light LED group 22, for example, 120. Then, for each of the four sides of the rectangular opening in the substrate 23, 30 LEDs per side are arranged in four layers. That is, ten LEDs are arranged in the first and second stages, and eight LEDs are arranged in the third stage.
In the fourth row, two LEDs are arranged. By arranging a large number of LEDs in multiple stages in this way, not only is it possible to prevent unevenness such as scratches on the negative film from being printed on the printing paper, but also the hardness of the printed print, in other words, the printed image. It is easy to adjust the sharpness, which means the degree of sharpness or softness.

As described above, the number ratio of the red, green, and blue LEDs is set such that the number of red LEDs with insufficient light quantity is increased, the number of blue LEDs with high photosensitivity is reduced, and the number of green LEDs is set between them. I just need. However, regarding the amount of light emission,
The product of luminance and light emission time is red: green: blue = 5-6:
It is controlled to be 2: 1. Further, regarding the positional relationship between the red, green, and blue LEDs, the red LED is located near the optical axis M.
May be arranged more, and the blue LED may be relatively farthest from the optical axis M. Therefore, the blue LEDs are arranged in the fourth row with respect to one side of the rectangular opening in the substrate 23.

By forming a reflection film on the LED mounting surface of the substrate 23 as in the case of the substrate 21, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the diffused LED group 25 can be increased.

In the above configuration, before printing and development by the photographic printer 1, test printing is performed as necessary. In this test printing, for example, when the photographic printer 1 is started, the photographic printing paper 8 is exposed without inserting the negative film 7 into the optical path, or a negative film dedicated to test printing of one color gray is inserted into the optical path. Then, a process of printing a gray color on one surface of the photographic paper 8 by the light from the light source unit 5 (hereinafter, referred to as gray print) is performed.

After that, the density distribution of the test print obtained by developing the photographic paper 8 is detected by a densitometer or the like for each of the above-described quadrants, and based on the result, the density distribution of the condensed light is reduced so as to eliminate the density unevenness. The brightness and the light emission time of each LED of the LED group 22 are adjusted automatically or by manual input of the correction amount.

Thereafter, the negative film 7 is inserted into the optical path, the frame to be printed is positioned, and the exposure range of the negative film 7 is appropriately limited by the operation of the ANM 15. Subsequently, the paper magazine 9a or the paper magazine 9b is selected according to the printing size, and the large-size photographic paper 8 or the small-size photographic paper 8 'is transported to the exposure position.

At the same time, for example, when printing in a small size, each of the LED light source 11 for condensing light and the printing lens 16 is positioned at a position for printing in a small size on the optical axis M. That is, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 9B, the printing lens 16 combined with the stop 16a is arranged at a position closer to the photographic paper 8 'than when large-size printing is performed. LED light source 11
Is positioned at the forefront advance position close to the condenser lens 14.

The positions on the optical axis M of the LED light source 12, the mirror tunnel 13, the condenser lens 14, the negative film 7, the reflection mirror 17, and the photographic paper 8 'are always fixed.

When the setting of each part of the exposure system is completed, a normal printing process is performed. That is, when the small-size printing is performed, as shown in FIG. 5B, the small-size LED group 22a and the diffused-light LED group 25 are turned on. That is, the large-size dedicated LED group 22b is controlled to the OFF state. In addition, in FIG. 5B, the LEDs near the four corners of the opening of the substrate 23 are controlled to be partially OFF in the diffused light LED group 25, but as described below, the diffused LED group is controlled. The light emission amount of 25 is set according to the desired print hardness.

First, the function of the diffused light LED group 25 will be described. The light emitted from the diffused LED group 25 is diffused by the diffuser 18 and then reflected by the mirror tunnel 13 to efficiently irradiate the negative film 7 at a random incident angle. If the negative film 7 has irregularities such as scratches or dust, a part of the incident light is refracted by the irregularities,
The printing paper 8 'is reached. As a result, the image of the unevenness does not become white spots and develops color, so that it can be made inconspicuous.

A part of the light emitted from the diffused light LED group 25 is superimposed on the light emitted from the small size LED group 22a.
After irradiating the negative film 7, an image is formed on a photographic paper 8 '. Therefore, the hardness of the print can be changed by adjusting the light emission amount of the diffused light LED group 25 in consideration of the light emission amount of the small size LED group 22a. More specifically, hard prints (prints with sharp outlines)
Is obtained by reducing the amount of light emitted from the LED group 25 for diffused light. To obtain a soft print (a print with a blurred outline), the amount of light emitted may be increased.

Next, the state in which the light emitted from the small-size LED group 22a irradiates the photographic paper 8 'will be described. FIG. 9A shows twelve multiplex circles decentered with respect to the optical axis M. Each circle represents a light spot formed by each of the twelve LEDs of the small-size LED group 22a at the position of the photographic paper 8 'on the optical axis M.

Each of the circles is eccentric because, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the 12 LEDs of the small-size LED group 22a are arranged.
Are tilted symmetrically with respect to the optical axis M. That is, the red LED 22R ₁ and the green LED 22G
The center of the light spot by ₁ and blue LED 22b ₁ of the emitted light is in the quadrant I~IV of paper 8 ', it is unevenly distributed relatively quadrant I. Similarly, red LED22R ₂ · Green LED2
The center of the light spot due to the light emitted from the 2G ₂ blue LED 22B ₂ is relatively unevenly distributed in quadrant II, and the red LED 22R ₃
The center of the light spot by the light emitted from the green LED22G ₃ · blue LED22B ₃ is, in quadrant III, the center of the light spot by the light emitted from the red LED22R ₄ · Green LED22G ₄ · blue LED22B ₄ is, in quadrant IV, unevenly distributed, respectively I have.

As a result, a small circle area D _{1 in} which all the circles overlap is formed at the center of the 12 multiplex circles because each circle is eccentric with respect to the optical axis M. In such small circular region D _1, the distribution of the illuminance is nearly uniform.

[0095] focuses on this point, as the small circular area D ₁ small-sized paper in the 8 'fits nearly full, i.e. so as to be substantially inscribed, the focal length of the condenser lens 14 and the printing lens 16 By setting the tilt angle of each LED of the small-size LED group 22a with respect to the optical axis M while setting the magnification and the magnification, small-size printing without density unevenness or color unevenness becomes possible. LE
The light of the D group 22a can be used most efficiently.
In other words, in small-size printing, the exposure time in a state where there is no density unevenness or color unevenness can be minimized.

Next, when printing a large size image, as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 10 (b), each of the condensing light LED light source 11 and the printing lens 16 is moved along the optical axis M. It is positioned at the upper position for large-size printing. In other words, as shown in FIG. 8B, the printing lens 16 is arranged at a position farther from the photographic paper 8 than when the small-size printing is performed, and the condensing light LED light source 11 is positioned rearward from the condensing lens 14. Position in position.

When the setting of each part of the exposure system is completed in this way, as shown in FIG.
All of the condensed light LED groups 22 including 2b are turned on. The function of the diffused light LED group 25 is as described in the case of the small size printing.

Here, the state in which the light emitted from the condensed light LED group 22 irradiates the photographic printing paper 8 will be described as in the case of the small size LED group 22a. FIG. 10A shows 30 multiplex circles decentered with respect to the optical axis M. Each circle is 30 LEDs of the condensed light LED group 22
Each represents a light spot formed at the position of the printing paper 8 on the optical axis M. The multiple circle of FIG.
(A) 12 large circle dedicated LED groups 22
b is a superposition of multiple circles formed by the 18 LEDs b.

As a result, each circle formed by the small-size LED group 22a is decentered with respect to the optical axis M, and the condensed light LED group 22 is adjusted in accordance with the aspect ratio of the large-size printing paper 8. because were arranged in horizontally oblong substrate 21 what, in the center of the 30 pieces of multiple circles, a substantially elliptical region D ₂ of the portrait that all circles overlap is formed. In such a substantially elliptical region D _2, the distribution of the illuminance is nearly uniform.

[0100] focuses on this point, as the printing paper 8 having a large size to the approximately elliptical region D ₂ fits nearly full, i.e. so as to be substantially inscribed, the focal length of the condenser lens 14 and the printing lens 16 By setting the tilt angle of each LED of the small-size LED group 22a with respect to the optical axis M and the aspect ratio of the substrate 21,
Large-size printing without density unevenness or color unevenness becomes possible, and the light of the condensing light LED group 22 can be used most efficiently. In other words, in large-size printing, the exposure time in a state where there is no density unevenness or color unevenness can be minimized.

As described above, in the photographic printer 1 of the present invention, the small-size LED group 22a is composed of only 12 LEDs.
, Or even if the condensing light LED group 22 is composed of only 30 LEDs, the density distribution of the printing area of the printing paper 8 'or the printing paper 8 can be made uniform. Accordingly, since the number of LEDs to be controlled is small, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is extremely easy to correct density unevenness and color unevenness by controlling the brightness and the emission time of each LED.

Furthermore, even if LEDs having a narrower directivity (for example, a viewing angle is 45 degrees or less) than the LEDs used in the conventional light source are used, the irradiation area by the light emission of each LED is changed as shown in FIG. By limiting as shown in FIG. 10A or FIG. 10A, regions (D ₁ , D ₂ ) having a uniform concentration distribution can be obtained. As a result, the diffusion rate of the diffusion plate 18 can be similarly reduced, so that the loss of light amount of the condensed light LED group 22 can be suppressed. This allows
Even if the number of LEDs constituting the condensed light LED group 22 is small, the exposure time can be sufficiently reduced.

Note that as the diffusion plate 18, a ground glass having a roughness such that it can be seen through by the naked eye can be used. However, if an LED having an appropriate viewing angle (for example, about 180 degrees) is used, the condensed light The diffusion plate 18 can be omitted from the front surface of the LED group 22 for use.

Further, a region having a uniform density distribution (D ₁ ,
As long as D ₂ ) can be obtained, the small-size LED group 2
The inclination of 2a with respect to the optical axis M can be arbitrarily determined.

Further, a set of three LEDs of red, green, and blue in the small-size LED group 22a corresponds to each quadrant I of the photographic paper 8.
To IV, each color LE in each set
By changing the light emission amount of D, Y in each of the quadrants I to IV
(Yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) densities can be freely changed.

As described above, according to the configuration of the light source unit 5 of the present invention, unlike the conventional light source in which the LEDs are arranged in parallel to the optical axis, it is possible to prevent unevenness in density and color from occurring in the printed state. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a diffusion plate having a high diffusion rate in front of a large number of LEDs. Further, when the LEDs are arranged in parallel to the optical axis, the edge of the photographic paper becomes relatively less light than the center due to the influence of aberrations and the like generated by the design of the optical system. The problem of complicated control such as the necessity of increasing the amount of light emitted from the LED that irradiates the peripheral portion does not occur in the configuration of the light source unit 5 of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the LE for small size is used.
The D group 22a is configured to emit light with the directional direction inclined with respect to the optical axis M, but this configuration is not essential to the present invention. That is, an essential configuration of the present invention is that the condensed light LED group 22 is arranged on the substrate 21 having a size suitable for the printing size. Therefore, the small-size LED group 22a may be attached to the substrate 21 so as to be parallel to the optical axis M. In this case, although it is necessary to increase the diffusion rate of the diffusion plate 18 in order to prevent color unevenness, the entire condensed light LED group 22 emits light so that the periphery of the large-size printing paper 8 can be reduced. Insufficient light quantity, which tends to occur, can be more effectively compensated than before.

In the case of standard size printing,
LE for large size as well as LED group for small size 22a
Similarly, by causing the D group 22b to emit light as appropriate,
The amount of light around the standard size photographic paper 8 can be effectively increased, and the exposure time can be shortened.

Further, the large-size dedicated LED group 22b may be attached to the substrate 21 in a manner other than being parallel to the optical axis M, and may be inclined with respect to the optical axis M. In this case, the inclination angle of the small-size LED group 22a may be set to be small so as to suppress the effect of the inclination of the small-size LED group 22a.

[Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
It is as follows. The components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The printing optical system 6 according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the LED light source for condensing light. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the LED light source for condensed light 11 'of the present embodiment is as follows.
Instead of the condensed light LED group 22 in the first embodiment, a condensed light LED group 26 (light emitting means) having an increased number of LEDs is provided, and between the diffusion plate 18 and the condensed light LED group 26. And a concave lens 27 (condensing means) for condensing the light emitted from the condensing light LED group 26.

The condensed light LED group 26 includes the concave lens 2
7 are arranged. In other words, each LED of the condensed light LED group 26 extends over the entire incident range of incident light that is condensed on the diffusion plate 18 via the concave lens 27, and the directional direction of each LED is from the concave lens 27 to the incident side. Are arranged so as to coincide with a plurality of incident optical paths radiating radially.

More specifically, for example, the base or head of each LED can be arranged spherically or parabolically. Thereby, the light emission direction can be directed to the concave lens 27, the light emitted from the condensed light LED group 26 can be efficiently incident on the concave lens 27, and the distance from the head of each LED to the concave lens 27 is substantially equal. Since the setting can be made, the amount of light incident on the concave lens 27 of each LED can be made substantially constant. In addition, each LED
When the base or head of is placed in a spherical shape, each LE
The effect of simplifying the process of attaching D to the substrate is added.

The number of LEDs in the condensed light LED group 26 is the same as the number of LEDs in the condensed light LED group 22 shown in FIG. 5A in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Has become. Further, the red, green, and blue discrete number ratios of each LED are the same as those described for the condensed light LED group 22 shown in FIG.

According to the above configuration, the condensed light LED group 2
The light emitted from 6 passes through the concave lens 27 and is collected on the diffusion plate 18. Here, the condensed light LED light source 11 ′
Referring to the configuration shown in FIG. 12 in which is replaced by the condensed light LED light source 11 of the first embodiment, the density of the light beam incident on the diffusion plate 18 is compared.
Although the incident angle with respect to the surface of the diffuser plate 18 does not change, it can be seen that the LED light source for condensing light 11 ′ has a higher luminous flux density as the number of LEDs arranged increases. That is, similarly to the configuration shown in FIG. 12, light source unevenness, density unevenness, and color unevenness do not occur on the photographic printing paper 8, and the light receiving amount of the photographic printing paper 8 is improved.

As a comparative example, without providing the concave lens 27,
When only the number of LEDs of the condensed light LED group 26 is increased, the state of dispersion of light emitted from the diffusion plate 18 is shown in FIG.
3 (a) to 3 (c). In the figure, T
₁ and T ₂ are the base of the LED element on the optical axis M and the diffusion plate 18.
The curve figure drawn in the direction from the diffusion plate 18 to the condenser lens 14 indicates the spread of the dispersion of the light emitted from the diffusion plate 18, and indicates the distance from the diffusion plate 18 to the curve. The length schematically represents the intensity of the emitted light.

The configuration shown in FIG. 13B is different from the basic configuration shown in FIG. 13A in that the number of LEDs in the condensing light LED group 26 is increased without changing the distance T ₁ . Things. In this case, even if the number of LEDs is increased, only the dispersion of light emitted from the diffusion plate 18 is increased, and the light flux density does not increase.

The configuration shown in FIG. 13C is different from the basic configuration shown in FIG. 13A by the distance T _1.
The distance T ₂ is longer than the number T ₂ and the number of LEDs is increased. In this case, the dispersion of the light emitted from the diffusion plate 18 does not spread as in FIG.
Since the distance between the light source and the diffusion plate 18 is long, a light amount loss occurs before the light reaches the diffusion plate 18. Therefore, an increase in the luminous flux density cannot be expected much.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, by arranging the concave lens 27, the luminous flux density of the light emitted from the diffusion plate 18 can be efficiently increased.

Next, adjustment of light source unevenness will be described below. In FIG. 11A, the region on the incident side of the condenser lens 14 and between the two-dot chain lines K ₁ and K ₂ is the region after the light incident on the condenser lens 14 passes through the lower end of the negative film 7. The range of incident light that reaches the upper end of the photographic paper 8 by the printing lens 16 is shown. Similarly, FIG.
In FIG. 11B, a region on the incident side of the condenser lens 14 and sandwiched between two-dot chain lines K ₃ and K ₄ indicates a range of incident light condensed at the center of the printing paper 8, and FIG. In c), on the incident side of the condenser lens 14 and the two-dot chain line K ₅ ,
The area sandwiched by K ₆ indicates the range of the incident light focused on the lower end of the printing paper 8.

In FIGS. 11A to 11C, a plurality of arrows drawn from a point P at the upper end of the diffusion plate 18 indicate the direction and intensity of light dispersion at this point P. . The light at this point P is the condensed light LED group 2
6 is emitted from the LED element located at the uppermost part. The intensity distribution of the light at the point P is stronger as the direction is closer to the direction of the light entering the point P of the diffuser plate 18 from the concave lens 27.

In FIG. 11A, of the light dispersion at the point P, the light component in the direction with the strongest intensity distribution travels along the optical path indicated by the two-dot chain line K ₁ and irradiates the upper end point of the printing paper 8. doing. In FIG. 11 (b), out of the light dispersed at the point P, rather weak direction of the light component intensity distribution than shown in FIG. 11 (a) is, between the two-dot chain line K ₃ and the optical axis M The central point of the photographic paper 8 is irradiated through the optical path. FIG.
In FIG. 1 (c), of the light dispersion at the point P, light components in the direction where the intensity distribution is considerably weak are indicated by two-dot chain lines K ₅ and K ₅ .
Through the optical path between the central line and two-dot chain line K ₅ of _6, it is irradiated points of the lower end of the printing paper 8.

That is, the vicinity of the upper end of the photographic paper 8 is near the upper part of the condensed light LED group 26 (U ₁ in FIG. 11A).
It can be seen that the irradiation from the LED located in the region indicated by () is dominant. Similarly, near the central portion of the printing paper 8 will become the dominant radiation from LED located (region indicated by U ₂ is in FIG. 11 (a)) near the center of the light converging optical LED group 26, The vicinity of the lower end portion of the photographic paper 8 is the LED group 2 for condensed light.
6 is irradiated from the LED located becomes dominant (the region indicated by U ₃ is in FIG. 11 (a)) under near.

Accordingly, the light source unevenness can be adjusted by individually controlling the light emission amount of the LED in the region where the light source unevenness occurs in accordance with the region where the light source unevenness occurs.

As shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the light from the light source is condensed on the diffusion plate 18 by using a convex mirror 28 as a condensing means instead of the concave lens 27. Can also. In this case, the convex surface is the diffusion plate 18.
The converging mirror 28 is arranged on the optical axis M so as to face the converging light LED group 26 ′ (light emitting means).
8 are arranged so as to surround the convex side. Further, the diffuser plate 18 is arranged such that the group of condensed light LEDs 26 ′
Is located on the same side as That is, the condensed light LED group 2
6 'has an opening formed in the center thereof, and the light emitted from the condensing light LED group 26' is reflected by the convex mirror 28 and condensed on the diffusion plate 18 through the opening. You.
Even in such a configuration, the same operation and effect as those of the configuration including the concave lens 27 described above can be obtained.

As described above, in the photographic printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the concave lens 27 is disposed between the diffusion plate 18 and the LED group 26 for condensing light, and the condensing light is formed in a shape surrounding the concave lens 27. By providing the light LED group 26,
The number of LEDs is increased. That is, LE for condensed light
By increasing the number of LEDs in the D group 26, the amount of light incident on the diffusion plate 18 is increased. Further, by condensing the light by the concave lens 27, the luminous flux density at the diffusion plate 18 is improved. As a result, light source unevenness on the photographic paper 8 does not occur, and the luminance on the photographic paper 8 can be further improved.

Further, the area on the photographic paper 8 and the condensed light LE
Since there is a correspondence with the LED arrangement area in the D group 26, the light source unevenness can be corrected by adjusting the light emission amount of the LED element according to the state of the light source unevenness.

[Embodiment 3] Still another embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIG. The components having the same functions as those described in each of the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The printing optical system 6 according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the condensing light LED light source. That is, as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, the condensed light LED light source 31 of the present embodiment is
Condensed light LED group 3 with multiple EDs
2 (light emitting means). This condensed light LED group 3
The configuration of No. 2 focuses on the fact that the LED body is transparent. For example, in the case of a two-tiered structure, the light emitted from the LEDs arranged in the lower tier is connected to the LEs arranged in the upper tier.
D passes through and enters the diffusion plate 18. The path of the light from the diffusion plate 18 to the photographic paper 8 is exactly the same as that described in the second embodiment with reference to FIGS.

Since the light emitting area of the condensing light LED light source 31 is not much different from that of the condensing light LED light source 11 shown in FIG. 12, the angle of the light beam incident on the diffusing plate 18 with respect to the surface of the diffusing plate 18 The light flux density can be improved even though is hardly changed. That is, FIG.
As in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, light source unevenness on the photographic paper 8 does not occur, and the luminance on the photographic paper 8 is further improved.

As in the second embodiment, the vicinity of the upper end of the photographic printing paper 8 is near the upper part of the condensed light LED group 32 (FIG. 1).
5 in (a) it can be seen that illumination from the LED located in the region) indicated by W ₁ is dominant. Similarly, photographic paper 8
LE near the center is (are in Figure 15 (a) to a region indicated by W ₂₎ near the center of the light converging optical LED group 32 located
Radiation from D becomes dominant, the vicinity of the lower end portion of the printing paper 8, irradiation from the LED located near the bottom of the condensing optical LED group 32 (the region indicated by W ₃ being in FIG 15 (a)) Becomes dominant.

Therefore, the light source unevenness can be accurately adjusted by individually controlling the light emission amount of the LED in the region where the light source unevenness occurs in accordance with the region where the light source unevenness occurs.

In the present embodiment, the LED for condensing light is used.
Although the configuration in which the LEDs in the group 32 are stacked in two stages is possible, a configuration in which LEDs are stacked in three or more stages is also possible.

As described above, the photographic printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured such that the LEDs in the condensed light LED group 32 are stacked in multiple stages, so that the L in the condensed light LED light source 31 is reduced.
The number of EDs is increasing. That is, LED for condensing light
By increasing the number of LEDs in the light source 31,
The amount of light incident on the diffusion plate 18 is increased. Further, since the angle of incidence of light on the diffusion plate 18 does not change, the diffusion plate 1
8, the net light amount increases, and the luminous flux density increases. As a result, light source unevenness on the photographic paper 8 does not occur.
The luminance on the printing paper 8 can be improved.

Further, the area on the photographic paper 8 and the condensed light LE
Since there is a correspondence between the LED arrangement areas in the D group 32, the light source unevenness can be accurately corrected by individually adjusting the light emission amount of the LED according to the state of the light source unevenness. .

[Embodiment 4] Still another embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIG. The components having the same functions as those described in each of the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The printing optical system 6 according to the present embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the condensing lens 14 is not used. That is, as shown in FIG. 16A, instead of not using the condenser lens 14, the negative film 7 and the diffusion plate 18 are used.
Is very narrow, the light emitted from the diffusion plate 18 irradiates the negative film 7 without loss.

In this embodiment, as in the case of the second and third embodiments, the vicinity of the upper end of the photographic paper 8 is close to the condensed light L.
(The In FIG 16 (a) region indicated by Z ₁₎ near the top of the ED group 26 it can be seen that illumination from LED located is dominant. Similarly, near the central portion of the printing paper 8 will become the dominant radiation from LED located (a region indicated by Z ₂ is in FIG. 16 (a)) near the center of the converging light LED group 26, near the lower end portion of the printing paper 8, irradiation from the LED located becomes dominant (the region indicated by Z ₃ is in FIG. 16 (a)) near the bottom of the condensing optical LED group 26.

Therefore, the light source unevenness can be accurately adjusted by individually controlling the light emission amount of the LED in the area where the light source unevenness is radiated according to the area where the light source unevenness occurs.

As shown in FIG. 16 (b), a concave lens 27 is disposed between the condensed light LED group 26 and the diffusion plate 18 as in the second embodiment. Group 26
, The number of LEDs can be increased. According to this configuration, as described in the second embodiment,
The luminous flux density at the diffusion plate 18 can be efficiently increased. Note that Z ₄ , Z ₅ , and Z ₆ shown in FIG.
The areas indicated by correspond to the areas indicated by Z ₁ , Z ₂ and Z ₃ , respectively.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, a configuration having a convex mirror 28 instead of the concave lens 27, or as in the third embodiment,
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the LEDs in 2 are stacked in multiple stages.

As described above, the photographic printing apparatus according to the present embodiment obtains the same functions and effects as those of the first to third embodiments, but has the same optical design as the elimination of the condenser lens 14. And the cost of the photographic printing apparatus itself can be reduced.

Fifth Embodiment Still another embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIG. The components having the same functions as those described in each of the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The printing optical system 6 according to this embodiment is similar to the printing optical system shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the diffusion plate 18 attached to the condensed light LED light source 11 is used.
Is replaced by a diffusion plate 33 (diffusion means) capable of changing the diffusion rate according to the print size.

In this embodiment, for example, printing is performed on two types of photographic papers 8 'and 8 of a standard size and a panoramic size.
Can be changed to the type. More specifically, the diffusion plate 33 has two regions having different diffusion rates, and the diffusion plate 33 is rotated by rotating the diffusion plate 33 or about an axis parallel to the optical axis M. By doing so, the region through which the light from the condensing light LED light source 11 passes is changed, and the diffusivity is changed.

It is needless to say that even if two or more regions having different diffusivities are formed on the diffusion plate 33, a desired region can be arranged on the optical axis M by sliding or rotating.
Further, in addition to setting one kind of diffusivity in one region of the diffusion plate 33, for example, the diffusivity in the outer peripheral portion of one region is reduced, and the diffusivity in the vicinity of the central portion is increased, for example. A region in which the diffusion rate is changed in one region may be prepared.

According to the above arrangement, when printing is performed on the panoramic-size photographic paper 8, as shown in FIG.
Keep away from Therefore, in this case, the diffusion rate necessary for preventing the light source unevenness in the diffusion plate 33 is as shown in FIG.
The size may be smaller than in the case where printing is performed on a standard size photographic paper 8 'as shown in FIG. That is, as the distance between the LED light source 11 for condensing light and the condensing lens 14 increases, the amount of incident light on the condensing lens 14 decreases. It is better to use it to suppress light diffusion. This makes it possible to use a diffusing plate having a diffusivity corresponding to the standard size photographic paper 8 'at the time of printing, or a diffusing plate having an intermediate level of diffusivity suitable for both standard and panoramic sizes. , For condensed light L
The light emitted from the ED group 22 can be efficiently used, and the exposure time can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the diffusing plate 33 is used as a means for changing the diffusivity. However, other means may be used as long as it has a diffusing effect. As described above, if the material is capable of intentionally changing the diffusion rate, it is not necessary to replace the diffusion plate.

[Embodiment 6] Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that components having the same functions as the components used in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B or FIG. 19, in the printing optical system 6 described in the first to fifth embodiments, a negative film 7 is provided separately from the photographic paper 8. CCD (charge coupled d) that captures light transmitted through
evice) A case will be described in which an electronic image input device is configured by arranging a camera 42 (imaging means).

First, the CCD camera 42 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B is a printing lens 1 combined with an aperture 16a.
6 and are juxtaposed in the holding section 43, and the holding section 43 is slid perpendicularly to the optical axis M, so that the holding section 43 is inserted into and pulled out of the optical path connecting the light source section 5 and the printing paper 8. I have. The holding section 43 is configured such that when the holding section 43 slides so that the printing lens 16 is positioned on the optical axis M, light from the light source section 5 can pass through the printing lens 16 and reach the photographic paper 8. An opening 43a is provided on the light incident side of the printing lens 16, and an opening 4a is provided on the light emitting side of the printing lens 16.
3b. In addition, the holding unit 43
When the holding unit 43 slides so that the D camera 42 is located on the optical axis M, the light from the light source unit 5
Through the CCD camera 42 so that
An opening 43c is provided on the light incident side of the camera 42.

As described above, the printing lens 16 and C
Instead of unitizing the CD camera 42, as shown in FIG. 19, the printing lens 16 and the CCD camera 42 are provided independently, and the condensing light LED light source 11a and the condensing lens 14a dedicated to the CCD camera 42 are provided. It may be provided. In this case, a common negative film transport path w may be provided for a printing system centered on the optical axis M for the photographic paper 8 and a monitor system centered on the optical axis M 'for the CCD camera 42. Alternatively, different transport paths for transporting different negative films for the print system and the monitor system can be provided.

The CCD camera 42 has a zoom type objective lens 44 movable along the optical axis M or M '
It consists of CD45. The objective lens 44 forms an image of the incident light on the CCD 45. The CCD 45 has a plurality of light receiving elements, and detects the amount of light incident through the objective lens 44 for each light receiving element. Each of the above light receiving elements,
An electric signal corresponding to the light amount is output to an image display control unit or the like, and a monitor display is performed based on the electric signal.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 18B, the CCD camera 42 is inserted on the optical axis M by the movement of the holding section 43. At this time, since the holding unit 43 functions as a shutter for blocking light traveling toward the photographic paper 8, the photographic paper 8
May be arranged on the optical axis M.

When correcting density unevenness and color unevenness,
After the negative film 7 of one gray color is arranged on the optical axis M, the correction process is executed in the following procedure according to the flow shown in FIG. First, when the light source unit 5 is turned on (Step 11, hereinafter abbreviated as S11), light from the light source unit 5 is collected by the condenser lens 14, the negative film 7,
The light enters the CCD 45 via the objective lens 44. Here, the CCD 45 detects the amount of light incident on each light receiving element, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of received light to the control unit (S
12). Thereby, the control unit recognizes the density distribution on the light receiving surface of the CCD 45.

Next, the control section calculates the density distribution based on the density distribution.
It is determined whether the density unevenness and the color unevenness are within the allowable range (S13). In S13, if each of the irregularities is within the allowable range, the process itself is completed without correcting the irregularity (S14).

On the other hand, in S13, if each unevenness is not within the allowable range, for example, the control unit controls the light emission amount of each LED of the light source unit 5 so that the unevenness in density and / or the unevenness in color is corrected ( S15). Further, the operator operates the CCD camera 4
The correction data may be manually input while checking the captured image 2 on the monitor.

As described above, when the unevenness is corrected in S15, S11 is performed until each unevenness is within the allowable range.
Steps S13 and S15 are repeated, and the correction process is completed (S14).

Next, after the light source unit 5 is once turned off,
As shown in FIG. 18A, the printing lens 16 is inserted on the optical axis M by the movement of the holding unit 43. Subsequently, the light source unit 5 is turned on, and printing on the printing paper 8 is performed.

The configuration shown in FIG. 18 is suitable for a case where density unevenness and color unevenness are corrected before printing, and printing of each frame image is performed continuously and collectively after the correction is completed.

On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 19, correction of density unevenness and color unevenness is performed before printing, and the correction data is checked while the image taken by the CCD camera 42 is checked on a monitor for each frame image. Suitable for manual input.
This is because, in the configuration shown in FIG. 18, when the correction data is manually input for each frame image, the holding unit 43 must be reciprocated for each frame image. However, according to the configuration shown in FIG. And the correction based on the monitor can be performed at the same time.

As described above, with the configuration including the CCD camera 42, the applicable range of the present invention can be extended as follows.

First, before printing on the photographic paper 8, the CCD camera 42 is arranged on the optical axis M or M 'to check density unevenness by gray printing described in the first embodiment. The light emission amount of each LED can be adjusted directly based on the output of the CCD 45. Also, when the operator manually inputs the correction amount,
The adjustment can be performed simultaneously while viewing the image displayed on the monitor. Thereby, the time required for the adjustment can be reduced. As a result, according to the present invention, the condensed light L
Due to the decrease in the number of LEDs constituting the ED group 22,
The effect of easily adjusting the density unevenness and the color unevenness can be further enhanced.

Second, since a frame image of the negative film 7 or the positive film can be displayed on the monitor, the monitor image can be viewed at once by a large number of people without printing it on the photographic paper 8 as a photographic print. Thereby, it can be used for presentations for appreciation and meetings.

Third, L is adjusted so that there is no density unevenness or color unevenness.
With the amount of light emitted from the ED properly controlled, image data obtained through the CCD camera 42 is recorded on a recording medium such as an MO (magneto-optical recording medium) or a DVD (digital video disk), and is used instead of a photo album. Can also be saved. Further, by controlling the light emission amount of the LED, image data in which the visual effect is variously changed can be recorded on the recording medium.

The LED light source 12 for diffused light is
Is provided, an effect that irregularities such as scratches on the negative film 7 are not included in the image formed on the CCD 45 and an effect that the sharpness of the image formed on the CCD 45 can be changed are provided. Needless to say, it can be obtained similarly to the first embodiment.

In each of the embodiments described above,
Although the negative film 7 on which the original image itself is recorded is taken as the information carrier holding the original image information, the invention is not limited to this. As an information carrier, for example,
Liquid crystal display element for controlling transmission or reflection of light according to an image signal corresponding to an original image, PLZT exposure head, DMD
(Digital micromirror device) or the like.

The above-mentioned liquid crystal display element has a transparent substrate (referred to as a TFT substrate) in which TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) as active elements are arranged in a matrix corresponding to each pixel, and a counter electrode. A liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a transparent counter substrate and a reflective liquid crystal display element. In this case, a reflective plate is further provided outside the liquid crystal panel. In such a liquid crystal display device, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer is controlled for each pixel in accordance with an image signal corresponding to the original image, and the transmittance of light from the light source unit 5 passing through the liquid crystal layer is changed for each pixel. By doing so, the original image is displayed. Therefore, the displayed original image can be printed on the photographic paper 8. If the liquid crystal panel has R, G, and B color filters, a color image can be printed. The liquid crystal panel may be a TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal panel, an STN (Super Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal panel, or the like.

The above PLZT exposure head has a PLZT element made of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material disposed between a pair of polarizing plates (a polarizer and an analyzer), and transmits light according to an image signal. Multiple shutter units (light output units) to be controlled
In the present invention, it is preferable that the shutter section is provided two-dimensionally. The above-mentioned PLZT element includes lead zirconate (PbZrO ₃ ) and lead titanate (Pb
TiO ₃ ) and a solid solution in an appropriate ratio (PZ
To T), obtained by hot pressing by adding lanthanum _{(Pb 1-x La x)} (Zr y Ti 1-y) is a _{1-x /} 4 O ₃ solid solution. On the other hand, a DMD is a photosensitive material in which a plurality of micro-sized swingable micromirrors are arranged two-dimensionally and the direction of light reflection is changed by adjusting the inclination of each micromirror according to image data. To control the supply of light to the

When a transmissive liquid crystal display element or a PLZT exposure head is used as the information carrier, light from the light source unit 5 passes through the information carrier and is guided to the photographic paper 8, while the light is reflected as the information carrier. Liquid crystal display device or DM
When D is used, light from the light source unit 5 is reflected by the information holding member and guided to the photosensitive material. In any case, the original image corresponding to the image information held by the information holding member is exposed to light. It will be baked on the material.

The embodiments described above are merely examples, and the shapes, structures, numbers, and the like of the members are not limited to the above, and the configurations of the embodiments can be combined. is there.

[0172]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic printing apparatus.
As described above, the light source is configured such that a plurality of light emitting units having mutually different spectral characteristics are arranged on the surface, and the light emitting unit arranged in an area having a size corresponding to the printing size emits light, thereby performing printing. It is.

Therefore, a region having a uniform illuminance distribution and sufficient illuminance for printing can be formed at a position suitable for the size of the printing at the arrangement position of the photosensitive material. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source can be efficiently used for printing. As a result, in a photographic printing apparatus using light emitting units having mutually different spectral characteristics as light sources, an effect is obtained that an exposure time can be reduced.

In the photographic printing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, as described above, a region where the illuminance distribution is uniform at the position where the photosensitive material is arranged is formed, and the photosensitive material is inscribed in the region. This is a configuration including an optical system that generates a light beam.

Therefore, since the photosensitive material is inscribed in a region having a uniform illuminance distribution, the region having a uniform illuminance distribution can be used to the maximum extent for printing. Thus, the light emitted from the light source can be efficiently used for printing. As a result, in a photographic printing apparatus using light-emitting units having different spectral characteristics as light sources, the exposure time can be shortened while obtaining a printing state without density unevenness or color unevenness.

As described above, the photographic printing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is a collector for directly receiving and condensing the light emitted from the light emitting means without changing the incident angle of the light incident on the information holding member. This is a configuration including optical means.

Therefore, only the amount of light can be increased without changing the angle of incidence of the light incident on the information holding member.
Without changing the optical system other than the light source and focusing means
This has the effect of shortening the exposure time for various printing sizes.

A photographic printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the condensing means according to the third aspect is an optical means utilizing at least one of light reflection and refraction. I have.

Therefore, in addition to the effect of the configuration of claim 3, the optical system other than the light source and the optical means can be used as it is by the relatively simple optical design of selecting the reflection angle or the refraction angle in the optical means. This has the effect of shortening the exposure time for various printing sizes.

A photographic printing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the optical means according to the fourth aspect is at least one of a concave lens and a convex mirror.

Therefore, the exposure time for various printing sizes can be reduced by a relatively simple optical design in which the refraction characteristics of the concave lens and the reflection characteristics of the convex mirror are appropriately selected. Also, by adopting a convex mirror as the optical means, the light of the light emitting means can be emitted toward the side opposite to the side where the photosensitive material is disposed, so that stray light unnecessary for printing is reduced compared to the configuration employing a concave lens. It also has the effect of becoming easier.

As described above, the photographic printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention has a configuration in which the light-emitting means are arranged in multiple stages along the optical axis connecting the light source and the photosensitive material.

Therefore, as long as the light transmittance of the light emitting means is not 0, it is possible to increase the amount of light emitted toward the photosensitive material by arranging the light emitting means in multiple stages along the optical axis. This has the effect of shortening the exposure time for various printing sizes.

The photographic printing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, as described above, is provided on the optical path from the light source to the information carrier.
In this configuration, a diffusion plate with a selectable diffusion rate is provided.

Therefore, as compared with the case where a diffusion plate having one kind of diffusion rate is used for a plurality of kinds of printing sizes, there is an effect that the exposure time can be minimized for various kinds of printing sizes.

As described above, the photographic printing apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is configured such that the diffusing plate includes a plurality of regions having different diffusivities.

Therefore, by selecting a region having a desired diffusion rate, the diffusion rate can be easily changed. Selection of the above-mentioned area, such as sliding and rotation of the diffusion plate,
The effect of being able to be realized by a relatively simple mechanism is achieved in addition to the effect of the configuration according to claim 7.

A photographic printing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the light emitting means according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is a light emitting diode.

[0189] Therefore, since the brightness and the light emission time of the light emitting diode can be easily controlled, it is easy to adjust the density unevenness and the color unevenness by changing the light emission amount. Further, the viewing angle of the light emitting diode can be appropriately selected, and the inclination angle of the directivity direction with respect to the optical axis can be easily changed by changing the mounting angle of the light emitting diode with respect to the substrate. This makes it possible to easily change the extent of the region where the intensity distribution is particularly uniform as described in the first and second aspects. In addition, compared to halogen lamps, the calorific value and power consumption are small, and the spectral characteristics are stable,
The effect that various problems of the halogen lamp can be solved is exhibited in addition to the effect of the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, as described above, the electronic image input apparatus is provided with the photographic printing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the light emitting means is provided through the information holding member. This is a configuration including an image pickup unit that picks up light.

Therefore, when the photosensitive material is replaced with the image pickup means by combining with the structure according to any one of claims 1 and 9, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source is the highest for each printing size. In addition, the original image of the film can be captured without density unevenness or color unevenness. As a result, for example, there is an effect that the screen of a monitor that displays an image based on the output of the imaging unit can be made brighter than before.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing one configuration example of a light source of a photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a photographic printer including the light source.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing a photographic printing paper transport mechanism in the photographic printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a printing optical system of the photo printing apparatus in relation to an optical axis.

FIG. 5A is an explanatory view showing an arrangement of LEDs in the light source in a plan view, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory view showing LEDs which are not turned on when a small-sized image is printed.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of LEDs that are turned on when a small-sized image is printed in the light source, for each light emission color.

7 is a perspective view showing the inclination of the LED shown in FIG. 6 with respect to the optical axis projected three-dimensionally.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views schematically showing a configuration of the printing optical system in relation to an optical axis and a printing size.

9A is an explanatory view schematically showing an irradiation area at the time of printing of a small size, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of the printing optical system in relation to an optical axis. It is.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory view schematically showing an irradiation area at the time of printing of a large size, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of the printing optical system in relation to an optical axis. It is.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a condensing light LED light source that emits light for printing in relation to an incident optical path with respect to photographic paper.

12 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the LED light source for condensed light shown in FIG. 4 and an optical path incident on photographic paper.

13 (a) to 13 (c) are explanatory views showing a state in which a light beam is dispersed when a concave lens is not provided in the condensed light LED light source in relation to the configuration of the condensed light LED light source. .

FIGS. 14 (a) to (c) are the LEDs for condensed light.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the light source in relation to an incident optical path with respect to photographic paper.

15 (a) to (c) are the LEDs for condensed light. FIG.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing still another configuration example of the light source in relation to an incident optical path with respect to photographic paper.

16 (a) and (b) are LEs for condensed light shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a printing optical system is configured using a D light source without using a condenser lens.

FIGS. 17 (a) and (b) show the printing optical system,
It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the example of a structure which changes the diffusion rate of a diffusion plate according to a printing size.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams showing main parts of a printing unit in which an electronic image input device is juxtaposed, in a case of printing on photographic paper and in a case of imaging with the electronic image input device. is there.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a printing unit in which an optical system dedicated to an electronic image input device is arranged, which is divided into a case of printing on photographic paper and a case of imaging with the electronic image input device.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a correction process of unevenness in the electronic image input apparatus.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a printing unit in a conventional photographic printer.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an intensity distribution of each LED light applied to color paper in the conventional photographic printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Printing unit (photo printing device) 5 Light source unit (light source) 7 Negative film (information carrier) 8 Printing paper (photosensitive material) 8 'Printing paper (photosensitive material) 11 LED light source for condensing light (light source, optical system) 11a LED light source for condensing light (light source, optical system) 11 'LED light source for condensing light (light source, optical system) 14 Condensing lens (optical system) 14a Condensing lens (optical system) 16 Printing lens (optical system) 18 diffusion plate (diffuser means, an optical system) 22 condensing light LED group (light emitting means) 22a small-sized LED group (light emitting means) 22b large size dedicated LED group (light emitting _{means) 22R 1, 22R 2, 22R} 3, 22R ₄ red LED
(Light emitting _{diode) 22G 1, 22G 2, 22G} 3, 22G 4 green LED
(Light emitting _{diode) 22B 1, 22B 2, 22B} 3, 22B 4 blue LED
(Light emitting diode) 26 LED group for condensing light (light emitting means) 26 'LED group for condensing light (light emitting means) 27 Concave lens (light collecting means, optical means) 28 Convex mirror (light collecting means, optical means) 31 Light collecting LED light source for light (light source, optical system) 32 LED group for condensed light (light emitting means) 33 Diffusion plate (diffusion means, optical system) 42 CCD camera (imaging means) M Optical axis M 'Optical axis

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A photoprinting apparatus comprising: a light source for irradiating an information carrier holding original image information with light; and irradiating the photosensitive material with light through the information carrier to print the original image on the photosensitive material. In the apparatus, the light source includes a plurality of light-emitting units having different spectral characteristics arranged on a surface, and performs printing by causing the light-emitting units arranged in an area having a size corresponding to a printing size to emit light. Characterized photo printing equipment. 2. A light source for irradiating light to an information carrier holding original image information by means of light emitting means individually having a plurality of types of spectral characteristics, and irradiating light to a photosensitive material via the information carrier. By doing so, in a photographic printing apparatus that prints the original image on a photosensitive material, a region where the illuminance distribution is uniform at the arrangement position of the photosensitive material is formed, and a light flux that inscribes the photosensitive material in the region is formed. A photographic printing apparatus comprising an optical system for generating. 3. A light source for irradiating light to an information carrier holding original image information by light emitting means individually having a plurality of types of spectral characteristics, and irradiating light to a photosensitive material via the information carrier. In the photographic printing apparatus for printing the original image on a photosensitive material, the light collecting means for directly receiving and condensing the light emitted from the light emitting means without changing the incident angle of the light incident on the information holding member. A photo printing device comprising: 4. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said light condensing means is an optical means utilizing at least one of reflection and refraction of light. 5. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said optical means is at least one of a concave lens and a convex mirror. 6. A light source for irradiating light to an information carrier holding original image information by light emitting means having individually provided plural types of spectral characteristics, and irradiating light to a photosensitive material via the information carrier. A photographic printing apparatus for printing the original image on a photosensitive material by arranging the light emitting means in a multi-stage along an optical axis connecting the light source and the photosensitive material. 7. A light source for irradiating light to an information carrier holding original image information by a light emitting means individually having a plurality of types of spectral characteristics, and irradiating light to a photosensitive material via the information carrier. A photoprinting apparatus for printing the original image on a photosensitive material, wherein a diffusion plate having a selectable diffusivity is provided on an optical path from the light source to the information holding member. 8. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said diffusing plate has a plurality of regions having different diffusivities. 9. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting means is a light emitting diode. 10. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image pickup means for picking up light from said light emitting means obtained through said information holding member. Electronic image input device.