JPH1184979A - Image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output an image to an appropriate position on a medium even when the position of a medium is deviated from a reference position by providing a deviation detection means detecting the positional deviation of the medium from the specified reference position and controlling an image output position by an image output means based on the detected deviation. SOLUTION: A sensor group S detecting the position of photosensitive material F is provided to be opposed to the outer peripheral surface of a rotating drum 1 in order to detect the deviation of the actually winding position of the photosensitive material F from the reference position. The sensor group S includes lateral deviation detecting sensors S-3, S-2, S-1, S0, S1, S2 and S3 arrayed in the axial line direction of the rotating drum and a pair of inclination detecting sensors S4 and S5 arranged in the axial line direction by leaving space between them. The deviation detection means is constituted of the sensors S-3 to S5 and a CPU block 61, and an image processing block 66 controls the image output positions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output apparatus for recording and outputting an image on a recording medium such as a film-like photosensitive material for producing a printing original plate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image output apparatus has been used in which an image is recorded by exposing a film-shaped photosensitive material to light from a light emitting diode. The photosensitive material on which the image has been recorded becomes an original printing plate through an appropriate development process. In one configuration example of the image output apparatus, a cylindrical rotating drum that is rotated around an axis, and a light for exposure that is provided to be movable along the axial direction of the rotating drum and is directed toward an outer surface of the rotating drum. And a photosensitive material supply mechanism for supplying a belt-like photosensitive material to the rotating drum. The photosensitive material supplied from the photosensitive material supply mechanism is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum. This photosensitive material receives main scanning by the light from the recording head when the rotating drum is rotated at high speed, and performs sub-scanning by the light from the recording head when the recording head moves at a low speed along the axial direction of the rotating drum. Receive. Therefore, if the light generated by the recording head is modulated with image data, a latent image corresponding to the image data is written on the surface of the photosensitive material.

In order to record an image at an appropriate position on a photosensitive material, the rotational position of the rotary drum and the position of the recording head are detected in relation to a rotary drum and a recording head moving mechanism for moving the recording head. An encoder for performing the operation is provided. The light emitting operation of the recording head is controlled based on the output signal of the encoder.

[0004]

However, if the photosensitive material conveyed by the photosensitive material supply mechanism meanders, for example, the relative position of the photosensitive material carried on the outer surface of the rotating drum with respect to the rotating drum is ideal. In some cases, the reference position may deviate from the reference position. Therefore, in order to guarantee a sufficient margin at the periphery of the photosensitive material after image recording, it is necessary to restrict the effective image output area in which an image can be recorded to a small size or to use a photosensitive material having a sufficiently large size. was there.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, and to output an image to an appropriate position on a medium even when the position of the medium is shifted from a reference position. An object of the present invention is to provide an image output device.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus for outputting an image on a medium, the image being output on the medium. Image output means capable of changing the image output position with respect to the medium, a shift amount detecting means for detecting a shift amount of the position of the medium with respect to a predetermined reference position, and a shift amount detected by the shift amount detecting means. An image output position control means for controlling an image output position by the image output means based on the amount of deviation.

According to this configuration, the amount of displacement of the medium relative to the predetermined reference position is detected, and the image output position is controlled based on the detected amount of displacement. This allows
Even when the medium is misaligned, an image can be output to an appropriate position on the medium. As a result, a sufficient margin can be secured for the medium after the image is output, and it is not necessary to use an excessively large medium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image output means scans the surface of the medium in a main scanning direction and scans the medium in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction, thereby recording an image. Wherein the shift amount detecting means detects a shift amount in the main scanning direction, which is a shift amount of the medium position from the reference position along the main scanning direction,
Means for detecting a sub-scanning direction shift amount, which is a shift amount of the medium position from the reference position along the sub-scanning direction, wherein the image output position control means includes the main scanning direction shift amount and the sub-scanning direction shift amount. 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining the image output position so that an image is recorded on a medium by compensating for the image output.

According to this configuration, the displacement of the medium is determined in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and the image output position is set to be shifted in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction accordingly. This makes it possible to output an image at an appropriate position on the medium by compensating for the position shift of the medium. Accordingly, an image can be output in a state where a sufficient margin is secured on the medium irrespective of the displacement of the medium.

In addition, since the image output position is shifted only in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, complicated image processing is not required. For example, it is preferable that the image output position is set so that at least a margin along two predetermined sides is secured when the medium is substantially rectangular. The predetermined two sides may be two adjacent sides (for example, an upper side and a right side) of the substantially rectangular medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the shift amount detecting means includes a tilt angle detecting means for detecting a tilt angle of the medium position with respect to the reference position, and the image output position control means compensates for the tilt angle. 3. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining the image output position so that the image is recorded on a medium. According to this configuration, when the position of the medium is inclined with respect to the reference position, the inclination can be compensated. Thereby, for example, it is possible to appropriately cope with meandering or skew of the medium in the process of setting the medium on a predetermined carrier (drum, stage, or the like).

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view showing the configuration of an image output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this image output device, a film-shaped photosensitive material F (medium) is wound around the outer surface of a cylindrical rotary drum 1 and the surface of the photosensitive material F is exposed to light from a recording head 2 (image output means). The image is recorded.

The rotary drum 1 is driven to rotate around its axis by a main scanning motor 11, and its rotational position is detected by a rotary encoder 12. The recording head 2 faces the outer surface of the rotary drum 1, and is mounted on a moving table 23 connected to a ball screw 22 rotated by a sub-scanning motor 21. The ball screw 22 is provided along the axial direction of the rotary drum 1, and when the ball screw 22 is rotated, the moving table 23 linearly moves along the axial direction of the rotary drum 1. In order to guide this linear movement, a guide rail 24 is provided along the axial direction of the rotary drum 1, and the moving table 23 is slidably coupled to the guide rail 24. The position of the recording head 2 is
Can be detected by an encoder 27 provided in association with the.

A light source unit 24,
And a zoom lens 25 for focusing light guided from the light source unit 24 through an appropriate optical system onto the surface of the photosensitive material F. The light source unit 24 has a light emitting diode or the like, and the light emitting diode is modulated by a modulation signal given from an image processing device (not shown). This modulation signal corresponds to image data of an image to be recorded.

With this configuration, the rotary drum 1 is rotated at a high speed, the recording head 2 is moved at a low speed in one direction, and light modulated in accordance with image data is generated from the recording head 2. Thus, an image can be written on the surface of the photosensitive material F while scanning the surface of the photosensitive material F. In this case, the direction in which the exposure position by the light from the recording head 2 moves on the photosensitive material F with the rotation of the rotating drum 1 is defined as the main scanning direction M, and the exposure on the photosensitive material F is performed by the movement of the recording head 2. The direction in which the position moves is the sub-scanning direction S
Is defined as

FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view mainly showing a configuration for winding the photosensitive material F around the rotary drum 1.
The photosensitive material F is formed in a film-like band having a constant width, and is wound in a roll shape in a film magazine 30.
Is housed in The film magazine 30 is detachably attached to an apparatus main body 40 that accommodates various parts of the apparatus such as the rotary drum 1 and the recording head 2. A slit-shaped opening 32 for taking out the photosensitive material F from the film roll 31 is formed in the film magazine 30 at a position facing the internal space of the apparatus main body 40.

A photosensitive material transport path 41 extending from the vicinity of the opening 32 to a film mounting position P immediately above the rotary drum 1 is formed inside the apparatus main body 40. In the photosensitive material transport path 41, a film feed roller pair 42 for feeding the photosensitive material F from the film roll 31 is provided near the opening 32. In the photosensitive material transport path 41, a cutter 43 for cutting the photosensitive material F in a transverse direction is provided at a position between the film feeding roller pair 42 and the rotary drum 1. By operating the cutter 43 at a predetermined timing, the rectangular photosensitive material F is taken out from the film roll 31, and the rectangular photosensitive material F is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 1.

The rotating drum 1 is provided with a film leading end fixing unit 50 for fixing the leading edge of the photosensitive material F to the outer surface of the rotating drum 1. The film leading end fixing unit 50 has a main body 51 buried in the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 1 and a plurality of gripping claws 52 provided rotatably with respect to the main body 51. The plurality of gripping claws 52 are arranged at intervals from each other along the axis direction of the rotating drum 1, and are mounted on a shaft 53 rotatably attached to the main body 51 along the axis direction of the rotating drum 1. Commonly fixed. A sliding plate 54 is fixed at an intermediate portion of the shaft 53, and the sliding plate 54
Slides on the cam surface. Sliding plate 54
Is biased by a spring in a counterclockwise direction in the figure, and swings at a constant amplitude by the rotation of the cam 55. The cam 55 is fixed to a shaft 56, and a rotational force from a drive mechanism (not shown) is applied to the shaft 56 when necessary. With such a configuration,
The gripping claws 52 receive the holding position where the tip of the photosensitive material F is sandwiched between the body 51 and the tip of the photosensitive material F between the body 51 and release the grip of the tip of the photosensitive material F. Or the open position when the vehicle is moved.

The leading end of the photosensitive material F is gripped by the film leading end fixing unit 50 at the film mounting position P. Thereafter, as the rotating drum 1 is slowly rotated by the scanning motor 11, the photosensitive material F is gradually mounted on the rotating drum 1. The cutter 43 is operated at an appropriate timing in the process, and the photosensitive material F cut into a rectangular shape is wound around the rotary drum 1.

When the photosensitive material F is conveyed through the photosensitive material transport path 41 and the meandering or skew of the photosensitive material F occurs, the photosensitive material F is ideally placed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 1. Cannot be accurately wound around the reference position, which is a proper mounting position.
In order to detect the amount of deviation of the actual winding position of the photosensitive material F from the reference position, a sensor group S for detecting the position of the photosensitive material F is provided opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 1. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of sensor groups S are arranged along the axial direction of the rotary drum 1 between the recording head 2 and the film mounting position P (in this embodiment, 7) lateral displacement detection sensors S-3,
Similarly, a pair of S-2, S-1, S0, S1, S2, and S3 are disposed between the recording head 2 and the film mounting position P at intervals along the axial direction of the rotary drum 1. Includes sensors S4 and S5 for detecting an inclination angle. These sensors S-3 to S5 detect whether or not the photosensitive material F exists on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 1 facing the installation position of each sensor.
A detection signal corresponding to the detection result is output. These sensors S-3 to S5 are, for example, reflection type sensors composed of a pair of a light emitting element for emitting light toward the rotating drum 1 and a light receiving element for receiving light from the direction of the rotating drum 1. You may.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the installation positions of the sensors S-3 to S5. To simplify the explanation,
The photosensitive material F wound around the rotating drum 1 is shown in a flatly developed manner. Also, the reference position Fref of the photosensitive material F
Is represented by a two-dot chain line. This reference position Fref is
Although the position is originally determined relatively to the rotating drum 1, FIG. 3 shows a state in which the lateral displacement detection sensors S-3 to S3 and the front end of the reference position Fref overlap. In FIG. 3, the photosensitive material F is located at the reference position F.
A state in which the wrap is wound on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 1 in a state shifted in the lateral direction with respect to ref and inclined.

The lateral displacement detecting sensors S-3 to S3 are arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction of the rotary drum 1 at very small intervals, and the central sensor S0 is located on the right side of the reference position Fref. Opposite slightly inside. on the other hand,
The sensors S4 and S5 for detecting the inclination angle are more likely to have a rotation direction R1 (the photosensitive material F) than the sensors S-3 to S3 for detecting the lateral displacement.
In the transport direction). The pair of sensors S4 and S5 are arranged along the axial direction of the rotary drum 1 so that the two sensors S4 and S5 can reliably detect the photosensitive material F even when the meandering or skew occurs. The rotary drum 1 is disposed near the center in the axial direction.

The front end 71 of the photosensitive material F is gripped by the gripping claws 52 as described above.
Are arranged at positions not facing the gripping claws 52. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image output device. The CPU block 61 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus has a form of a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU block 61 is connected to a bus 62. The bus 62 has an interface (I / F) block 6 for receiving image data from a raster image processor (RIP).
Operation block 6 including operation panel 3
4, a mechatronics control block 65 for controlling operations of the main scanning motor 11 and the sub-scanning motor 21, an image processing block 66 for performing calculations for image processing, and an input / output (I / O) block 67. It is connected to the. The signals from the encoders (EN) 12 and 27 are input to the mechatronics control block 65,
The operations of the main scanning motor 11 and the sub-scanning motor 21 are controlled based on this input signal. The input / output block 67 receives detection signals output from the sensors S-3 to S3 for detecting lateral displacement and the sensors S4 and S5 for detecting inclination angles. The light source unit 24 of the recording head 2 is connected to the input / output block 67.

One function of the CPU block 61 is to calculate the amount of deviation of the actual winding position of the photosensitive material F from the reference position Fref based on the output signals of the sensors S-3 to S5. This calculation result is passed to the image processing block 66. The image processing block 66 processes the image data input via the interface block 63, and changes the image output position based on the shift amount.
Adjust the output timing of the image data. The image data whose timing has been adjusted is supplied from the input / output block 67 to the light source unit 24 via the line 68. Thus, the exposure operation is performed based on the actual mounting position of the photosensitive material F.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the shift amount calculation processing performed by the CPU block 61. With reference mainly to FIG. 5 and FIG. 3 described above, the shift amount calculation processing will be described. When the photosensitive material F is wound around the rotary drum 1, the rotary drum 1 is slowly rotated in the rotation direction R1. In this process, the CPU block 61 monitors the output signals of the inclination angle detecting sensors S4 and S5 (step n1). Both sensors for detecting inclination angle S
When the sensors S4 and S5 detect the photosensitive material F, the front edge 7 of the photosensitive material F is determined based on the time lag when the sensors S4 and S5 detect the photosensitive material F.
The distance a0, which is the transport distance of the photosensitive material F from when one passes through one of the sensors S4 and S5 to the other, is obtained (step n2). However, the distance a0 takes a positive value when the sensor S5 detects the front end 71 of the photosensitive material F earlier than the sensor S4, and the sensor S4 becomes the sensor S4.
If the front edge 71 of the photosensitive material F is detected earlier than 5, a negative value is assumed. Of course, if both sensors S4 and S5 detect the front end 71 of the photosensitive material F at the same time, the distance a0 is zero. This distance a0 is eventually determined by the transport direction R1 of the photosensitive material F.
To the inclination angle θ. Is determined based on the distance b0 (constant) between the sensors S4 and S5.
It can be obtained by an equation.

Θ = Tan ⁻¹ (a0 / b0) (1) On the other hand, in parallel with monitoring the outputs of the sensors S4 and S5,
The CPU block 61 monitors the outputs of the lateral displacement detecting sensors S-3 to S3 while the rotating drum 1 is slowly rotating (step n3). Any sensor S-3
When S3 detects the photosensitive material F, the sensor S-3 at that time
Based on the detection pattern of S3, the distance b1 of the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F in the sub-scanning direction S with respect to the reference position Fref.
Is obtained (step n4). For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 3, only the lateral displacement detection sensors S3 and S2 detect the photosensitive material F, and the remaining lateral displacement detection sensors S-3 to S-3.
If S1 is a detection pattern indicating that the photosensitive material F is not detected, the distance from the right side of the reference position Fref to the sensor S1 is b1.

Next, the CPU block 61 calculates a distance a2 in the direction along the main scanning direction M between the left front end 73 and the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F (step n5). Further, a distance b2 of the right rear end 74 with respect to the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F along the sub-scanning direction S is calculated (step n6). Note that the distance along the main scanning direction M has a positive direction in the main scanning direction M, and the distance along the sub-scanning direction S has a positive direction in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction S. , B1
, B2 take positive or negative values, respectively.
Then, the distance a2 and the distance b2 can be calculated by the following equations (2) and (3), respectively.

[0029]

(Equation 1)

Next, the CPU block 61 calculates the deviation amounts ΔX and ΔY of the image output position. ΔX is a shift amount in the sub-scanning direction S (sub-scanning direction shift amount), and ΔY is a shift amount in the main scanning direction M (main scanning direction shift amount). Specifically, the larger of b1 and b1 + b2 (the amount of deviation of the right rear end 74 of the photosensitive material F from the right side of the reference position Fref in the sub-scanning direction) is larger than the deviation in the sub-scanning direction S. Quantity Δ
Substituted for X. Also, 0 (the amount of deviation of the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F from the front end side of the reference position Fref in the main scanning direction M)
And a2 (the amount of deviation of the left front end 73 of the photosensitive material F from the front end of the reference position Fref in the main scanning direction M), whichever is greater, is substituted into the amount of deviation ΔY in the main scanning direction M.

The example shown in FIG. 3 is as follows. ΔX = b1 ΔY = a2 The data of the deviation amounts ΔY and ΔX along the main scanning direction M and the sub-scanning direction S obtained in this way are
6 given. The image processing block 66 adjusts the output timing of the image data so that the drawing start point 80 is shifted by ΔY in the main scanning direction M and is shifted by ΔX in the sub-scanning direction S. In this case, if ΔX is a positive value, the drawing start point 80 is shifted to the side opposite to the sub-scanning direction S, and ΔX
Is a negative value, the drawing start point 80 is shifted in the sub-scanning direction S. If ΔY is a positive value, the drawing start point 80 is shifted in the main scanning direction M, and if ΔY is a negative value, the drawing start point 80 is shifted to the opposite side to the main scanning direction M. . However, in this embodiment, since ΔY does not take a negative value, the drawing start point 80 is not shifted in the direction opposite to the main scanning direction M.

Thus, as shown in FIG.
The image output position OP (shown by hatching in FIG. 6) is shifted from the reference image output position OPref corresponding to ref by ΔX in the main scanning direction M and ΔY in the sub-scanning direction S. The image is written at this position. As can be understood from FIG. 6, the image output position OP is located within the surface of the photosensitive material F.
A sufficient front end margin (upper end margin) and a right end margin are secured.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the shift amount of the actual position of the photosensitive material F with respect to the reference position Fref is determined in the main scanning direction M and the sub-scanning direction S, and the upper margin and the right margin are secured. The image output position is determined. Thus, even if the photosensitive material F meanders or skews in the photosensitive material transport path 41, an image can be recorded on the photosensitive material F with a necessary margin secured. Therefore, it is not necessary to take a large margin in advance or use an oversized photosensitive material.

As described above, in this embodiment,
The sensors S-3 to S5, the CPU block 61 and the like constitute a shift amount detecting means. Further, the image processing block 66 corresponds to an image output position control unit.
It should be noted that the above-described embodiment may be modified so as to perform angle correction. That is, image processing for rotating the image by the amount of the inclination angle θ obtained by the above equation (1) is performed in the image processing block 66, and the image data obtained by this rotation processing is transmitted through the input / output block 67. Then, the light may be given to the light source unit 24. As a result, the image output position becomes the position indicated by the reference sign OPθ in FIG. 6, and the image can be recorded at an almost ideal position on the photosensitive material F. In this case, the sensors S-4 and S5 and the CPU block 61 and the like correspond to the inclination angle detecting means.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image output device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, parts that are the same as the parts shown in FIG. 3 described above are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. The image output apparatus according to this embodiment supplies the photosensitive material F to a predetermined stop line 100 set downstream of the lateral displacement detection sensors S-3 to S3 in the transport direction R1. Are stopped together with the front end 71, and the photosensitive material F is exposed in that state. Specifically, the image output apparatus having such a configuration is arranged such that a photosensitive material F is placed on a planar exposure stage, and the photosensitive material F is scanned and exposed with a laser beam or the like to record an image. The recording of an image on the photosensitive material F is achieved by, for example, moving the exposure stage at a constant speed relative to the exposure position by the laser beam.

In this case, when the photosensitive material F is supplied to the exposure stage, the front edge 71 of the photosensitive material F is detected by the inclination angle sensors S4 and S5, and the photosensitive material F is detected by the lateral displacement detecting sensors S-3 to S3. The right front end 72 of F is detected. In response to the detection of the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F by the lateral displacement detecting sensors S-3 to S3, the operation of the photosensitive material supply mechanism is stopped, whereby the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F is on the stop line 100. Stop in the state located at.

The transport distance of the photosensitive material F from when the lateral displacement detecting sensors S-3 to S3 detect the front end 71 of the photosensitive material F to when the transport of the photosensitive material F is stopped (the lateral displacement detecting sensor S-3). ~ S3
From the vehicle to the stop line 100) can be known in advance. Therefore, the distances a2, b1, b1 + b2 similar to those in the first embodiment described above with reference to the stop line 100.
Can be requested. Using these distances, an image output position is determined in the same manner as in the above-described first embodiment,
If an image is recorded at the determined image output position, the photosensitive material F
The image can be recorded at an appropriate position above.

If the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F is the stop line 10
If there is a possibility that the photosensitive material F cannot be accurately stopped in a state where it has reached 0, the relative position of the right front end 72 with respect to the stop line 100 needs to be obtained. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the photosensitive material F stops with the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F crossing the stop line 100. In such a case, for example, the amount of conveyance of the photosensitive material F after the lateral displacement detection sensors S-3 to S3 have detected the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F is determined by, for example, a motor that applies a driving force to the photosensitive material transport mechanism. Is detected on the basis of the output of an encoder provided in association with. Then, based on the detected transport amount, the distance a1 (the main scanning direction M is positive) of the right front end 72 to the stop line 100 is determined.

In this case, the shift amount ΔY in the main scanning direction M is, in this case, a1 (the shift amount of the right front end 72 of the photosensitive material F in the main scanning direction M with respect to the front end of the reference position Fref), and a1 + a2 (the left of the photosensitive material F). Of the front end 73 relative to the front end of the reference position Fref in the main scanning direction M). If a1 = 0, it becomes the same as the case of FIG. Thus, an image can be recorded at the image output position where the upper margin is secured.

The shift amount ΔX in the sub-scanning direction S is obtained in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment.
Thereby, the image output position where the right margin is secured is determined. In addition, in order to obtain the shift amount of the photosensitive material F in the transport direction R1 with respect to the stop line 100, besides the method using the encoder as described above, for example, as shown in FIG.
A plurality (for example, seven) of vertical displacement detection sensors S10 to S16 can be also detected by arranging them along the transport direction R1 of the photosensitive material F and using the detection patterns of these sensors S10 to S16.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention can be implemented in other embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the upper margin and the right margin are secured, but the image output position may be set at a position where the left margin and the lower margin are secured. For example, in order to secure the left end margin, the smaller one of b1 and b1 + b2 may be set as the shift amount ΔX in the sub-scanning direction S.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an image output device for recording an image by wrapping a photosensitive material around an outer peripheral surface of a rotary drum, and an image output device for recording an image by placing the photosensitive material on a flat stage The above two types have been described as examples, but other image output apparatuses to which the present invention can be applied include, for example, a type in which a photosensitive material is carried on the inner surface of a drum and recording is performed on the photosensitive material. In general, the present invention can be widely applied to an image output device capable of detecting or predicting the position of a medium with respect to a carrier. In this case, the medium need not be a light-sensitive material, but may be, for example, plain paper. In this case, the recording unit for recording an image is configured by an ink type or an electrophotographic type.

In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an image output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a photosensitive material supply mechanism of the image output device.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an arrangement of a sensor for detecting a shift amount of an actual position of a photosensitive material from a reference position.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image output device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a process for obtaining a shift amount of an actual position of a photosensitive material from a reference position.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for describing an operation of controlling an image output position.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a principle of detecting a shift amount of a photosensitive material position in an image output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a principle of detecting a shift amount of a photosensitive material position in a case where a case where a photosensitive material does not stop reliably at a stop line is considered.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 rotating drum 2 recording head 11 main scanning motor 21 sub-scanning motor 61 CPU block 65 mechatronics control block 66 image processing block S-3 to S3 sensors for detecting lateral displacement S4, S5 sensor for detecting tilt angle F Sensitive material Fref Reference position M main Scanning direction S Sub-scanning direction

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/29 H04N 1/29 F

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image output device for outputting an image on a medium, comprising: an image output unit capable of outputting an image on the medium and changing an image output position with respect to the medium; A shift amount detecting unit that detects a shift amount of the position of the medium with respect to the reference position; and an image output position control unit that controls an image output position by the image output unit based on the shift amount detected by the shift amount detecting unit. An image output device comprising: 2. The image output means records an image by scanning a surface of a medium in a main scanning direction and scanning in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The shift amount detecting means includes means for detecting a shift amount of a medium position from the reference position along the main scanning direction, and a shift amount of the medium position from the reference position along the sub-scanning direction. Means for detecting a shift amount in the sub-scanning direction, wherein the image output position control means compensates for the shift amount in the main scanning direction and the shift amount in the sub-scanning direction so that an image is recorded on a medium. 2. The image output device according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining an image output position. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shift amount detecting means includes a tilt angle detecting means for detecting a tilt angle of the medium position with respect to the reference position, and the image output position control means compensates for the tilt angle to form an image on the medium. 3. An image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining the image output position so that the image is recorded.