JPS63189268A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize a desired temperature without generating variations in an optical shutter array and to obtain favorable image quality, by providing a means for correcting a recording signal to be given to respective pixels according to light modulation characteristics of each of the pixels. CONSTITUTION:In a circuit of a recording pulse controlling part for obtaining a quantity of transmitted light corresponding to the temperature for a PLZT optical shutter array by controlling a shutter opening time, a one-colum amount of recording data D1-Dn is led to a line memory LM0 by a shift clock SCL outputted synchronously with a recording period T, and an output from the line memory LM0 is led to a multiplexer MPX. Recording data Dh corresponding to a count (h) on a modulo-(n) counter CNT is inputted to a selection input terminal of the multiplexer MPX. On the other hand, a corrected value and a calculation formula for measurement of light modulation characteristic of each pixel of the PLZT optical shutter array are previously stored in a read only memory ROM, so that a pulse duration T is outputted from the ROM in the form of being corrected for the scatter on a pixel basis, and the shutter array is driven through a driving circuit.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Industrial Field of Application 1] The present invention relates to an image recording device that records image information such as characters and images on a photoreceptor using an optical shutter array using an electro-optic material, and particularly relates to an image recording device that records image information such as characters and images on a photoreceptor. This relates to the image recording f& position. Background of the Invention 1 Conventionally, as a means of recording electrical image information on recording paper, there have been methods in which a high electric field is applied to the recording paper using a multi-stylus method, or a method in which a laser beam is scanned using a rotating mirror. There are also known methods for optically recording images on a photoreceptor using an LED array or the like. It is also known that a ceramic body having an electro-optic effect can be used as a substrate for an optical shutter array, and electrical signals can be optically converted and used for image recording.6 The present invention relates to improvement of an image recording device using such a method. It is something. This electro-optic ceramic body is made of transparent ferroelectric ceramic (Pb, -x, Lnx) (Zry*T++-y)+-X
/403 (hereinafter simply referred to as PLZT or PLZT itself including its composition) is currently particularly preferably used. This r'LZT is made of Pb, which is a typical piezoelectric material.
(Zrx, Ti, -x)O, is made transparent for the first time by adding several atomic percent of La to ceramics. FIG. 10 shows a phase diagram of PLZT at room temperature and polarization-electric field characteristics in each phase. PbZrO
3 shows antiferroelectricity (8FE), but PbTi0
In l'ZT with solid solution of =, the rhombohedral ferroelectric phase (FE)
When the amount of PbTi0z is increased by one more, a tetragonal ferroelectric phase is obtained. As in regions N) and (II) of the phase diagram, L
In a composition with a small amount of a, the ferroelectric phase (1) is a tetragonal crystal and the ferroelectric phase (II) is a rhombohedral crystal, similar to PZT.The composition of the region (III) is a slim loop (Sl). 1m-
A phase (SFE) exhibiting polarization-electric field characteristics called 1oop)
). Region (IV) has a composition rich in PbZr01 and exhibits an antiferroelectric phase (8FE). In addition, in the La-rich region (V), it is a paraelectric cubic crystal. For example, as disclosed in JP-A-54-136 No. 18, (P bll * 924 +Lao, a vs) (Z
ro, totTI Os 20) PLZT with the composition O-981(1), , , , /. ,,. We have proposed a recording apparatus that uses a plurality of optical shutter elements as optical shutter elements, and adjusts the transmitted light intensity of each shutter section by applying a voltage according to the density level of an image signal to each shutter section. PLZT... 76/. ,, o indicates that the transmitted light intensity is the minimum in the FE phase, but the transmitted light intensity is maximum in the FE phase state, and the two phase states of the FE phase and FE phase can be changed depending on the applied electric field. Can be controlled. The above proposal uses such electric field control to vary the intensity of transmitted light, thereby making it possible to record. However, when the change in the transmitted light intensity of PLZT itself caused by the above-mentioned phase change is utilized, the ratio (contrast ratio) between the maximum value and the minimum value of the shutter transmitted light intensity cannot be made sufficiently large. For this reason, if a soft-tone photoreceptor is used, the dynamic range of the photoreceptor cannot be fully covered, resulting in the disadvantage that multi-level halftone expression is impossible. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-77824 discloses (Polarizer-P
We are proposing a printer that utilizes changes in the polarization direction due to birefringence using an optical shutter array consisting of an LZT analyzer. However, in the conventional method of controlling each shutter section in a printer such as D, the voltage value applied to each shutter section is binary, the exposure time per 11th element is constant, and therefore the amount of transmitted light is binary. Met. In order to express halftones with a printer that uses an optical shutter array in which the amount of transmitted light is binary, a set of multiple pixels must be treated as one unit, and this must be achieved by changing the dot pattern. If you try to express multiple levels of intermediate tones, the resolution will gradually drop. For example, when an electro-optic ceramic body such as PLZT is used as an optical shutter element, the response time is extremely short compared to the optical shutter using the presently used automatic liquid crystal, and it has an excellent shutter LFI. . Also P
L2: An optical shutter that places a polarizer/analyzer in front and behind the T substrate and uses changes in the polarization direction due to birefringence is a zoo
It is possible to create an image having an extremely large contrast ratio of o:i. The sponsor is the patent application No. 61-218.
According to the specification of No. 368, by using an electro-optic ceramic body having such excellent characteristics, it is possible to express high resolution, wide dynamic range, and multi-level halftone expression for printers that have conventionally been unable to display binary values. A light source, a photoreceptor,
An optical shutter array having a plurality of optical shutter sections each including a polarizer, a ceramic element having an electro-optic effect, and an analyzer, which are installed between the light source and the photoreceptor; and image information for each shutter section of the optical shutter array. We are proposing an image printer characterized in that an image with gradation is obtained using a control device that enables voltage application based on the following. That is, as the optical shutter array according to this proposal, one having a configuration as shown in the developed view of FIG. 1 is used. That is, an element in which a group of counter electrodes is provided on one or both sides of a first translucent ceramic substrate having an electro-optic effect, a polarizer 13 and an analyzer 1 provided on the front and back sides of the element.
4. In the figure, φ indicates the angle between the electric field direction 15 generated when a voltage is applied to the opposing electrode group and the polarization direction 16 of the polarizer 13, and ζ indicates the angle between the polarization direction 16 of the polarizer 13 and the analyzer 1.
This is the angle formed by the polarization direction 17 of 4. Although ζ may be set to any value, it is preferable to set ζ=0゛ or ζ=90° because the intensity of light transmitted through the shutter becomes maximum or minimum, respectively, when the applied voltage is 0, making it easier to control. The transmitted light intensity I of the optical shutter configured as above is ζ
= 90° and ζ = 0°. Here, Δn is the birefringence of the transparent ceramic substrate, 1. is the incident light intensity, λ is the wavelength of the incident light in vacuum, Tcer (λ) and Tpol (λ) are the transmittances of the ceramic substrate and the two polarizing plates for light at wavelength λ, respectively, and d is the electro-optic effect. is the effective thickness of the device shown. ■ in equations (1) and (2) changes with the first change in Δ, but when φ = 45°, the local maximum value of ■ is maximum, and the shutter [R is the most preferable, but the angle
Even if there is a deviation of, for example, ±5° from 0°, the maximum value of I will decrease by 3% or less, so there is almost no problem in practice even if φ is not set strictly at 45°. For example, if a second-order electro-optic effect (Kerr effect) is used as an electro-optic effect, Δn changes in proportion to the square of the electric field, and is expressed as follows. Here, R is the second-order electro-optic coefficient, no is the refractive index when no electric field is applied, and E is the applied electric field. The relationship between the applied electric field E (or applied voltage ■) and the light transmission intensity I obtained by substituting equation (3) into equation (1) or (2) is shown in Figure 12 when φ = 45゛. It becomes like that. Song #1C-1 shows equation (1), and curve C-2 shows (
2) and shows that it is possible to control the light transmission intensity according to the applied electric field. That is, by applying a voltage to the opposing electrode group provided on the ceramic element, an electric field proportional to the voltage can be generated, so that the light transmission intensity of the optical shutter can be controlled by the voltage signal. In addition, the 12th
In graph C-1 in the figure, the initial and minimum electric field Eh (voltage vb) that maximizes the transmitted light intensity ■ is the half-wavelength electric field (voltage)
It is called. As a ceramic having such an electro-optic effect, the above-mentioned PLZT is preferably used. In particular, PLZT having a composition in the shaded region (III) in the phase diagram shown in FIG. Since it exhibits a relatively large secondary electro-optic effect and a small memory effect, it is suitable as an optical shutter. Furthermore, among them (PtlO
++91+ Lao, os) (Zro, is* Ti
A composition having the following composition: o, 5s) o, 5ytsoo is particularly preferable because it has the two largest electro-optic coefficients R. FIG. 13 shows the pattern of the counter electrode group used in the present invention. In FIG. 13 (a), 20 is a driving electrode for applying a voltage according to an image signal,
21 is a common ground electrode. An electric field is applied to the electrode gap 22, and this portion becomes each shutter portion. 1st
A pattern like the one shown in Figure 3(b) is preferable because it prevents crosstalk between adjacent electrodes and improves image quality.
Furthermore, the pattern shown in FIG. 13(e) has the advantage of improving the density of the shutter portions on the substrate. FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a state in which a group of counter electrodes is provided on the first ceramic substrate, and FIG. 14(a) shows an example in which electrodes 21 and 22 are formed on the surface of the first ceramic substrate. In Figure 14(b), a groove is provided on the first surface of the substrate, and electrodes 21 and 22 are provided to fill the groove, and the first effective electric field of the substrate is applied, which increases the effectiveness of the element exhibiting the electro-optic effect. 14(c), which is preferable because the thickness d becomes large.
In this case, electrodes 21 and 22 are formed on both sides of the first substrate, and the effective thickness d becomes even larger, which is preferable. A polarizing plate is usually used for the polarizer and analyzer. A polarizing plate is made of a polymer film, which is obtained by stretching polyvinyl alcohol and aligning the molecules in the direction of stretching, impregnating the film with iodine to create long chains of iodine molecules, washing and drying the film. The optical shutter configured as described above has a large contrast ratio, a wide dynamic range, and is capable of expressing multi-level halftones. That is, since the contrast ratio of the optical shutter array used in the present invention, which will be described later, is 1000:1 or more, a photoreceptor having a γ of 0.8 or more and 2.7 or less can be used. In particular, by using a photoreceptor with a γ of 1 or more and 2 or less, it is possible to provide an image recording device that fully takes advantage of the wide dynamic range of the shutter array. Therefore, as a photoreceptor which is one of the constituent elements of the present invention described later, selenium for electrophotography, amorphous silicone,
Although organic optical semiconductors (OPC) etc. can be used,
In particular, for image printers that can express high-resolution halftones, photosensitive materials using silver halide, such as photographic paper, are suitable, and color photosensitive materials are also preferable. Photoreceptors have the advantage of being easier to control because they are less susceptible to changes in exposure due to errors in applied voltage. The amount of transmitted light that exposes the photoreceptor in each shutter section is obtained by integrating the transmitted light intensity (2) over the shutter opening time t. Therefore, methods for controlling the amount of light transmitted through each shutter section by a control device to obtain halftones can be broadly classified into the following three methods, all of which can achieve the purpose of the above-mentioned proposal by the applicant. (1) A method in which the transmitted light intensity I is constant and the shutter opening time t per pixel is controlled and variable. Figure 1(a) shows a model in which one shutter is removed and the amount of transmitted light within one sub-scanning time is varied by controlling the shutter opening time.
This is an example. When an image is recorded by moving the photoreceptor, the amount of transmitted light within the sub-scanning time is the amount of exposure per pixel on the photoreceptor. By moving the photoreceptor in a direction perpendicular to the shutter array and approximating the size of the shutter part within the first scanning time, and controlling the shutter opening time, images with gradation can be recorded. It will be done. Figure 2 (
b) shows this, in which each electrode is common, a constant voltage signal (the half-wave voltage vh shown in Fig. 12 is particularly preferred) is applied to each electrode, and a voltage is applied to each electrode by switching. The sub-scanning may be performed while controlling the time during which the sub-scanning is performed. (2) A method in which the shutter opening time per pixel is constant and the transmitted light intensity l is controlled. @13 Figure (a) shows an example in which one shutter is taken out and the amount of transmitted light within one sub-scanning time is varied by controlling the voltage applied to the shutter. Figure 3(b) shows an example of realizing this second method, in which a voltage value corresponding to the density level of each pixel of the image is simultaneously applied to each electrode for one line, and each shutter section is The sub-scanning is performed while controlling the transmitted light intensity. Figure 3(c) shows another example of realizing the same <12 method, in which a time-series signal is generated from the control unit and each electrode is sequentially switched to perform sub-scanning while performing main scanning. It was designed to do this. (3) A method of controlling both the transmitted light intensity I per first element and the shutter opening time t. Figure 4 (a) shows one shutter taken out, in which the voltage applied to the shutter is variable and the time for applying voltage to the electrodes is controlled. Figure 4 (b) shows this. This shows an example of realizing the third method, in which a voltage signal that is common to each electrode and monotonically changes at a constant cycle is applied to each electrode, and the time during which the voltage is applied to each electrode is controlled by switching. It is designed to perform scanning. The above describes a method for controlling the amount of transmitted light and obtaining an image with gradation. Here, the control of the voltage applied to the shutter electrode and the control of the voltage application time may be made linearly variable and controlled in an analog manner, or the variation range may be divided stepwise and digitally controlled. It may also be possible to perform appropriate control. Note that the higher the dot density exposed to the photoreceptor is, the better the image quality will be, but it will be more difficult to process as an image printer. In order to obtain a sufficiently satisfactory image quality on the photoreceptor with the naked eye, 6 dots to 16 dots per II (appropriate image quality). [Problems to be solved by the invention] 61-218368
The proposal in the specification provided an image recording device that could obtain hard copies with excellent image quality in terms of gradation and resolution, but subsequent research led to the creation of multi-gradation It has become clear that when recording an image, each pixel of the optical shutter array has its own unique characteristics, which appear as variations in the recorded image. In other words, it is difficult to manufacture an optical shutter array to make the electro-optical constants, optical path length, electrode shape, etc. completely uniform for each pixel, and even if the same recording signal is given, the light transmittance will differ for each pixel. , there was a problem that the image density differed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording device that achieves the intended density and obtains good image quality without causing any difference due to the optical shutter array when recording a multi-gradation image. shall be. [Means for Solving the Problems] The above object is to provide a PLZT optical shutter 7 consisting of a light source, a recording material, and a large number of light modulating pixels installed across the light source.
In an image recording device that has a ray and modulates light for each pixel to record image information on a recording material, means for correcting a recording signal given to each pixel according to the light modulation characteristics of each pixel. This is achieved by an image recording device characterized by having.

[Effect]

What is the gradation level of the PLZT optical shutter array that records on the photoreceptor? ] When recording an image using a recording signal, for example, as a gradation control means shown in Figure 2 above, the shutter opening time can be varied to obtain the amount of transmitted light corresponding to a certain density with good reproducibility, regardless of the characteristics of each pixel. The shutter opening time T for is determined by T = T (Hn, K nL'' (4), where Hn: gradation level of the n-th pixel, K n: correction level of the n-th pixel. In addition, as a gradation control means shown in Fig. 3, the shutter opening time is constant and the pulse voltage value is variable, so that the amount of transmitted light corresponding to a certain density can be reproducible without depending on the variation from pixel to pixel (pulse voltage The value V is V = V (I n - K nL... (5). Figure 1 (a) shows the amount of transmitted light corresponding to a certain density by controlling the shutter open time shown in equation (4) above. is a diagram showing an example of a PtSi circuit configuration example of a recording pulse control section obtained for a PLZT optical shutter lens.
A shift clock SCL outputted in synchronization with IT leads to line memory LH, and line memory M. The output of is routed to multiplexer MPX. Further, recording data D (h) corresponding to the count value of the n-ary kakunta CNT is input to the selection input terminal of the multiplexer MPX. On the other hand, in the read-only memory IJRO, the light modulation characteristics of each pixel of the PLZT optical shutter array are measured in advance, and the correction value and the calculation formula (4) according to the results are stored. The read-only memory IJROM outputs a pulse width T in a form in which variations between pixels are corrected according to equation (4), and the optical shutter array is driven via a drive circuit. The first embodiment described above stores correction values for each pixel of the optical shutter array measured in advance in a read-only memory R.
It is designed to remove inherent errors by storing images, but it also has a light detection function as a correction means, and each pixel is detected every time one image or a preset number of images are output. Figure vI1 (b
) is the second embodiment shown in the circuit configuration. That is, the recording material is evacuated every time one image or a preset number of images are output, a photodetector element such as 7 photodiodes is provided at the recording position of the recording material, and an optical shutter array is
Each pixel is sequentially driven, the amount of transmitted light of each pixel is photometered by a photodetection element, and 1...Kn is stored in the random access memory R for the correction level of each pixel obtained by the comparison arithmetic circuit. On the other hand, since Equation (4) is stored in the double-only memory RO, the pulse width T is output in a form that corrects the variation for each pixel, and the recording material returned to the recording position is exposed to light. The shutter array is driven. In both the first and V-second embodiments described above, the pulse width of the recording pulse is made variable by correcting the recording pattern and the variation for each pixel, and the influence of the variation inherent in the pixels is removed to impart gradation. This is a circuit diagram of an embodiment in which the recording pattern and each pixel are corrected in the same way, and the recording pulse voltage is made variable to remove the influence of pixel-specific variations and impart gradation. This circuit can also be implemented by performing correction processing using the read-only memory RO which stores the voltage value correction formula shown in equation (5) and outputting it to the voltage variable drive circuit DRIVER. Furthermore, by separating the gradation control and the pixel-by-pixel variation correction method, for example, by making the pulse width of the recording pulse variable on the one hand and the voltage value of the recording pulse on the other hand, the two can be used without being influenced by the characteristics specific to the optical shutter array. It is also possible to obtain the amount of transmitted light as intended. Further, as a method of making the recording signal variable by correcting the dispersion from pixel to pixel, this can be done by making the frequency of the recording pulse variable or by making the duty ratio of the recording pulse variable. Note that the method of correcting pixel-by-pixel variations in the present invention does not preclude use in combination with other correction methods, such as for removing the influence of previous history.

Example 1 First, an example of an optical shutter array will be described. For PLZT having the composition of the shaded region (1) in the phase diagram of Fig. 10, 150 shoulder X2,0zzXO,4z
Cut out a z-shaped thin piece and polish its surface to allow light to pass through. Next, grooves are formed on both sides of this PLZT plate by processing means such as ultrasonic processing, and a thin piece of metal such as copper-nickel is fused thereto to form an electrode pattern as shown in FIG. 14(a). Next, a polarizer and an analyzer are placed on the front and back sides of the PLZT thin plate and fixed. At this time, electrode gap 2
The direction of the electric field applied to 2 and the polarization direction of the polarizer are 45°
and fix it so that the polarizer and the analysis direction make a 90° angle. Commercially available polarizers and analyzers include Polaroid's HN-32 and HN-22. Here, it is desirable that the PLZT thin plate and the analyzer are in close contact with each other, and it is appropriate to bond them directly. In this embodiment, the pitch 23 of the windows through which light passes is 120μ.
l, the distance between electrodes 24 is 60μ, and the electrode width 25 is 60μ.
Shoulder. In this case, the dot density is 8.3 dots per lzz, and the maximum voltage (vh) applied to the shutter electrode is about 30V. Next, an embodiment of an image recording apparatus using the above-mentioned optical shutter array will be described. FIG. 5 is a developed view showing the configuration of the first embodiment, which is an image printer that forms monochrome images on photographic paper. In the figure, 101 is a light source, 102 is a photoreceptor stretched over the surface of the drum, and 103 is a slit 10 that transmits light from the light source 101.
4 is a slit plate which is restricted and emitted as slit light 105; 106 is a plurality of light shutter parts 107;
The above-mentioned optical shutter array has the following. Based on the input image signal 108, 109 converts each shutter section 107 of the optical shutter array 106 into a control signal corresponding to the density level of each pixel of the image, and outputs the control signal to control the amount of light transmitted through the shutter g107. The control section includes a circuit configuration that eliminates the influence on the amount of transmitted light due to variations in each pixel of the optical shutter array shown in FIG. Here, as the photoreceptor 102, monochrome photographic paper with a mm (γ) of 1.5 is used, and as the light source 101, a fluorescent tube with an emission wavelength in the high-sensitivity region of the photoreceptor 102 is used, so that there is no fluctuation in light amount due to the power source. A similar circuit was used to keep the lights on during printing. Further, each shutter section 107 of the optical shutter array 106 is structured to maintain a very close position in contact or non-contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 102. When the image signal 108 is input to the image printer having such a configuration, the control unit 109 calculates a control signal according to the density level of each pixel on the image based on the image signal 108.
It performs correction to remove the influence of variations in the characteristics of each pixel of the optical shutter 7 rays, and also generates a signal for specifying the position of the image. Here, the control signal outputted by the control section 109 is based on the second control method shown in FIG.
A voltage corresponding to the density level of the image is applied to 7 to control the amount of light transmitted through the shutter section 107. When a drum pongee with a photoreceptor 102 stretched around its circumference is provided in parallel with the optical shutter array 106, and the control unit 109 controls the drum to rotate (sub-scan) in synchronization with the control signal, the photoreceptor Images such as characters and images can be recorded on (photographic paper) 102 in multiple stages for each pixel while expressing gradations with a high contrast ratio. In the first embodiment described above, the same effects can be obtained by the following partially modified configuration. FIG. 6 shows a light source portion that enters the optical shutter array 106a, in which light is guided from a light source 101a having a light emitting section similar to a point light source to each shutter section 107a of the optical shutter array 106a using a light 7 eyebar No. 18. By using the 18th optical fiber, a degree of freedom is obtained regarding the positional relationship between the light source portion and the optical shutter array. The fjS7 diagram shows the optical shutter array 106b,! : A focusing light transmitter (for example, product name Cell 7) is placed between the photoconductor 102b
The 19th convergent light transmitting body is installed so that the light emitted from each shutter section 107b (not shown) is imaged on the photoreceptor 102b without being scattered. This makes it possible to arrange the photoreceptor 102b and the optical shutter array 106b with an appropriate spacing, which solves the problem in the above-described embodiments in which the optical image becomes blurred if the spacing between them is not close. In this embodiment as well, the control unit 109b calculates a control signal according to the density level of each pixel on the image based on the image signal, and performs a correction calculation to remove the influence of variations in the characteristics of each pixel of the optical shutter array. A control signal is applied to the optical shutter array 106b. The following I@8
The figure shows one type of image signal input to the control unit 109c, which is an image information reading device used when attempting to record image information on a document 131c as it is on a photoreceptor. A thin linear portion 132C on the original 131c is reduced in size by an imaging lens 133c of an imaging system, and is imaged onto a solid-state imaging device (CCD) L34c. The solid-state image sensor 134c used here is a line image sensor in which image sensors of several micrometers are arranged in a row, and the image information of the linear portion 132C of the document 131C is read by the solid-state image sensor 134c. Therefore, each element of the solid-state image sensor 134c is set to correspond to each shutter part of the optical shutter array, and the original 131c is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure at a speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum. When scanning), the image information 108c of the document 131c read by the solid-state i-image element 134c is input to the control section 109c and recorded on the photoreceptor. Image information 108c input in this form
is calculated in a simple manner in the control unit 109c, including correction calculations to eliminate the influence of variations in characteristics of each pixel of the optical shutter array. Next, as another embodiment of the present invention, a color video printer for hard copying video signals onto color photographic paper will be described with reference to FIG. Prepare three optical shutter arrays as explained in the previous example,
Blue and green on the light input side of each optical shutter array. Red (hereinafter, blue, green, and red may be expressed as 13.G and R) filters 226B, 226G, 226
R is arranged, and further behind each slit plate 20
3 and a fluorescent tube with main emission areas in blue, green, and red as light source 201.
B, 201G, and 201R are provided. Note that this light source may be a common incandescent lamp. On the other hand, a plurality of optical fibers 218 are connected to guide light from the light exit ports of the shutter sections 207B, 207G, and 207R of the shutter arrays 2068, 206G, and 206R to the surface of the photoreceptor 202, and the optical fibers 218 on the photoreceptor side The end has three rows of sheet-like arrays 227, and the photoreceptor 202
Fix it as tightly as possible. As the photoreceptor 202, for example, 130JIIX 180
Use JI&D color positive photographic paper with a comma (γ) of 1.5 to 2.0 and excellent gradation and color reproducibility. Control unit 20
9 is the input video image signal (B, G%R, 5yn
c Calculate the density level of each color of blue, L, and red based on NTSC) 208, and convert the density level to a voltage level as appropriate according to the f52 adjustment method described above.
Book shutter array 2068, 206G, 206
The voltage level value is sequentially stored line by line in the memory corresponding to the position of each shutter section 2078, 207G, 207R of the shutter array 206B, 206G,
A correction process is performed to remove the influence of variations in the characteristics of each pixel of the optical shutter array for each of 206R. Furthermore, a signal for sub-scanning is generated based on the synchronization information included in the video image signal, and the photoconductor 202 is sequentially sub-scanned by a certain amount in accordance with the signal, and the voltage stored in the memory is The level value is converted to a voltage value by a D/8 converter, and each shutter section 207B, 207G
, 207R are simultaneously applied one line at a time. In this way, after the exposure for the image is completed, the photoreceptor 202 completes the developing and fixing process, and the image displayed on the cathode ray tube becomes a high-quality hard copy. In the above embodiment, the optical fibers 218 in the portion facing the photoreceptor 202 were arranged in a sheet-like arrangement 227 in three rows, with one row each for blue, green, and red. The optical fibers 218 emitted from the section are blue and green. When one red color is bundled into a set and these are arranged in a line in close contact with the photoreceptor 202, the image obtained on the photoreceptor 202 will have a slight decrease in resolution, but The control unit 209 can perform control to perform simultaneous exposure for three colors. Although the photoreceptor 202 in FIG. 8 is an example in which a color printing paper is used, it is also possible to use a color printing paper, and in this case, a color filter suitable for exposure of a negative photographic paper is provided. However, by the control section converting the image signal to one for photographic paper and outputting the signal to each shutter section, it is possible to obtain a high-quality color hard copy similar to that of color-bound photographic paper. Effects of the Invention The image recording device of the present invention has a large dynamic range for each shutter section of the optical shutter array and is capable of multi-step gradation control.
It was possible to obtain a high-quality hard copy with excellent density reproducibility in which the influence of variations in characteristics of each pixel of the PLZT optical shutter array was eliminated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing an example of the circuit configuration of a control section used in the present invention. FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 all show examples of signals applied to the image recording apparatus of the present invention. Figure m5 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of tjSi of the present invention, and Figures 6, 7, and f58 are configuration diagrams of main parts with partial changes thereto. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing the second embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a phase diagram of PLZT, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical shutter array used in the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the intensity of transmitted light of the optical shutter and the applied electric field. Figure 13(a) = (b), (c) shows the electrode pattern formed on the ceramic substrate, and Figure 14 (aL(bL(
c) shows a cross-sectional view of a ceramic substrate on which electrodes are formed. 1.101,201...Light source 2.102,202...Photoreceptor 3.1.03,203...Slit plate 4.104...
・Slit 6.106, 206... Optical shutter array 7.107
, 207... Optical shutter section 8.108, 208...
Image signal 9.109,209...Control device (System 8 Part 1) 1st
... Ceramic substrate 13 ... Polarizer 14 ... Analyzer 20 ... Drive electrode 21 ... Earth electrode Applicant Roku Konishi Photo Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 2 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 12 Figure 14Figure 13

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) It has a PLZT optical shutter array consisting of a light source, a recording material, and a large number of light modulating pixels installed between them, and modulates the light for each pixel to record image information on the recording material. An image recording apparatus comprising means for correcting a recording signal applied to each pixel according to a light modulation characteristic of each pixel. (2) The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording signal is corrected by correcting the voltage value of the recording pulse. (3) The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording signal is corrected by correcting the recording pulse application time. (4) The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording signal is corrected by correcting the frequency of the recording pulse. (5) The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the method for correcting the recording signal is to correct the duty factor of the recording pulse.