WO2000038007A1

WO2000038007A1 - Exposure system, control method thereof and recording system

Info

Publication number: WO2000038007A1
Application number: PCT/JP1999/007085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fumitaka Murayama; Fumiyoshi Ito
Original assignee: Cycolor System Inc.
Priority date: 1998-12-18
Filing date: 1999-12-17
Publication date: 2000-06-29
Also published as: JP2000180981A

Abstract

When a projector type exposure system is used for photosensitive media such as psychedelic color media to expose a color image, exposure time data and exposure intensity data are generated from exposure data for controlling a liquid crystal light bulb. Multi-gradation exposure data can be broken down into time-axis-direction data and intensity-direction data in a transmittance or drive voltage direction by the exposure time data and the exposure intensity data, whereby enabling an exposure of a multi-gradation image in a short time even when a time- or intensity-direction resolution of the light bulb is low to thereby provide a fast-processing exposure system provided with a sufficient multi-gradation performance and a fast-printing color printer using this exposure system.

Description

Description Exposure apparatus, its control method, and recording technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording a color image on a siler medium or the like in which a photosensitive layer is formed by a microphone opening capsule. Background art

As a photosensitive medium capable of recording a color image by exposing a latent image, followed by development and fixing, a medium such as photographic paper using silver halide technology is known.

Similarly, on a surface of a color medium having a photosensitive layer containing a myriad of microcapsules each having a substance that develops each of the three primary colors, a medium capable of recording a color image by performing exposure, development, and fixing. It is. Psycala media irradiates the surface with light of an appropriate wavelength to expose (sensitize) the color image, inactivate the microcapsules according to the image, and then apply pressure to destroy the active capsules. The color print is output by developing the exposed color image. Therefore, it is a color print medium that does not require consumables such as toner, ink or ink ribbon, and does not require chemicals or liquids for development or fixing. Furthermore, it is a medium that can be supplied to users at a low price because only one layer of photosensitive agent containing silice is required. In addition, the printout has a unique luster and can provide a beautiful image equivalent to a color print printed on a conventional photographic paper from a color negative.

In recent years, with the spread of personal computers and digital cameras, digitized color images have been There is a demand for a recording device that can record at high speed on a photosensitive medium. As one such recording device, a printer that uses a projector-type exposure device that projects an image and exposes the media, and that forms the entire image on the entire media without scanning the image simultaneously or in one process Considered. As a mechanism for performing such an exposure process, it is possible to use the technology of a liquid crystal type projector device capable of projecting a color image on a screen. In particular, in recent years, small and high-performance devices capable of projecting color images with relatively high resolution have been developed. Therefore, by using this technology, a small and high-speed printer can be realized. However, when exposing a photosensitive medium with a projector-type exposure device, the amount of light transmitted through a liquid crystal panel (LCD) depends on the drive voltage. Does not change linearly with respect to Therefore, it is the limit that the resolution of about 64 gradations (6 bits) can be substantially secured if the gradation of the latent image is to be controlled with high precision. Therefore, although the recording speed can be improved by using a projector type exposure apparatus, it is difficult to accurately reproduce a multi-tone color image.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an exposure apparatus capable of exposing a multi-tone color image with high accuracy and in a short time by substantially improving the resolution of a projector type exposure apparatus. I have. It is another object of the present invention to provide a recording system capable of printing a multi-tone color image with high quality in a short time by employing this exposure apparatus. Disclosure of the invention

When a projector-type exposure device is used, a light valve such as a liquid crystal panel (LCD) is used to control the gradation (projected image by partially reflecting or transmitting light according to the input signal). The device can control the amount of light transmitted through the device, that is, the exposure time instead of the intensity of the light projected on the media. By changing it, a multi-tone image can be exposed. However, the response speed of the LCD is about 10 ms even for a high-speed active matrix type, so several tens of seconds are required to obtain a resolution of about 104 tones (10 bits). Exposure time is required. Therefore, the exposure time becomes a critical bus, and the printing time and the printout interval cannot be reduced to less. Therefore, in the present invention, the exposure data for forming a latent image on a recording medium is divided into two types, data for controlling the transmittance of the LCD, that is, data for controlling the intensity of the light to be irradiated, and data for controlling the exposure time. The projector is disassembled and the projector-type exposure apparatus is controlled using both of them.

That is, the exposure apparatus of the present invention includes a projection unit capable of projecting an image formed on a light valve onto a photosensitive recording medium and exposing the same, and a modulation degree of each pixel of the light valve in at least two stages. Control means for controlling the light valve based on the controllable exposure intensity data and the exposure time data capable of controlling the timing of switching the degree of modulation of each pixel. By decomposing the exposure data into exposure intensity data and exposure time data, the exposure amount to the media can be controlled by two factors, intensity and time, so that sufficient resolution can be obtained in a short time. For example, it is possible to expose a multi-tone image of 102 4 or more in a few seconds.

Therefore, by using this exposure apparatus, a high-quality color print faithfully reproducing a multi-tone color image can be output, and a recording apparatus having a short output interval can be provided. In particular, since the above-mentioned Cycolor media can be developed by a pressure developing unit, no developing and fixing chemicals are required, and the developing time is short. Therefore, a clear color print can be output more easily in a shorter time by using a recording system that employs the projector type exposure apparatus of the present invention and generates exposure time data and exposure intensity data by the exposure data generating means.

Exposure intensity data will be It is desirable that the data be changed by one resolution that matches the characteristics of the probe. If the light valve is an LCD, it is desirable that the data be such that the transmittance of the cell changes by one minute. If the data has a small change rate, the state is stabilized in a short response time, so that a more accurate gradation expression can be obtained.

Further, it is desirable that the exposure time data is the number of frames for refreshing the light valve. By matching the number of frames, more accurate gradation expression can be obtained.

The exposure intensity data may be generated when data having different modulation degrees, that is, different gradations, is switched with the exposure time data. However, by generating the first and second exposure intensity data in which different values are set in advance, the switching process can be executed in one step without time.

When exposing and printing a color image, a plurality of different color images including three primary colors of RGB or other intermediate colors are projected. Therefore, exposure intensity data and exposure time data are generated to control the gradation for each of a plurality of colors. Then, a color image can be formed on the media by projecting an image of each color or each color simultaneously on the media. At this time, by exposing all the images recorded on the media at the same time, the image can be exposed without scanning in one process, so that the processing speed can be greatly improved.

The processing for generating and supplying the exposure intensity data and the exposure time data to the exposure apparatus or the recording apparatus having the exposure apparatus can be performed by hardware, or can be performed by software. It is possible. The software can be stored in an appropriate recording medium of the exposure apparatus or the recording apparatus. It is also possible to perform processing for generating exposure intensity data and exposure time data in a host-side information processing device that supplies exposure data to an exposure device or a recording device. Such software is used for a recording device. Driver software or PC lightning 99/07085

It can be provided by recording it on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, or the like, as an add-in software for the location software. It is also possible to provide the information by embedding it in a recording medium capable of transmitting data by communication between computers such as the Internet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projector portion of the projector type exposure apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of a printer and a projector type exposure apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of exposure data decomposed into an exposure time and an exposure intensity.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control method of the projector type exposure apparatus of the present example. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Overall Configuration of Recording Apparatus

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of a recording apparatus using a projector type exposure apparatus according to the present invention. The recording device 10 of the present example is a stand-alone type printer developed for recording color images recorded in memories such as a flash ROM and a CD-ROM on a color medium. The printer 10 has a function of reading color image data from a CD-ROM and generating exposure data, in addition to a mechanism for recording a color image on the color medium 1 inside the housing 11. Because of this, at the top An input unit 21 into which a single image data can be input by inserting a CD-ROM, etc., a liquid crystal panel 22 that also functions as a control panel and a monitor panel, and a motherboard of a personal computer A control unit 23 having control of a function almost equivalent to that of the board is arranged.

A mechanism that prints a color image on the media 1 is arranged below these, and a cartridge 3 2 that stores a plurality of media 1 from the rear of the printer on the right side of the drawing to the front of the printer on the left side of the drawing. The photosensitive stage 33, the pressure developing unit 34, and the paper discharge tray 35 are arranged in this order in a straight line. A halogen lamp 36 for fixing is installed above the discharge tray 35, and when the fixing is completed, the Psycolor media 1 can be removed from the discharge tray 31. Further below these, a projector-type exposure device 40 for projecting an image on the medium 1 temporarily held on the photosensitive stage 33 and forming a latent image is arranged. The projector type exposure apparatus 40 includes a projector mechanism section 41 as a projection means, and an exposure control section 42 arranged side by side with the projector mechanism section 41. Further, a mirror 44 for bending the light emitted from the projector mechanism 41 by 90 degrees and guiding the light to the photosensitive stage 33 is provided.

In this example, the cartridges 3 2 of the printer 10 include a plurality of single-colored sycolor media 1 cut into a predetermined size of a composite type, for example, A6 or B7. The sheets are stored one by one and are sequentially guided to the photosensitive stage 33 one by one by the pickup roller 32a and the feed roller 39a. The photosensitive stage 33 in this example is a tetrahedron that can rotate about the axis 33a in the paper feeding direction, and each side of the photosensitive stage 33 rotates while holding the medium 1, and the side faces upward. At times, the entire image is exposed to the entire medium 1 by the projector type exposure device 40 without scanning in one process. The color image projected from the projector-type exposure device 40 onto the media 1 is based on the color image data obtained from the memory device set in the input area 21 and the characteristics of the media 1 and the projector body 4 1 Generated by taking into account the characteristics of Color image, and the data corresponding to this color image

Exposure data for exposing 1.

When the exposure is completed, the exposed medium 1 is fed from the photosensitive stage 33 toward the pressure developing unit 34, and the unexposed medium 1 is supplied from the cartridge 32 instead. You. In the pressure developing unit 34, the media 1 is guided between two pressure rollers 34a and 34b, which are arranged vertically and are pressed by a panel, and pressurizes the media. As a result, the microcapsules (silices) that were not inactivated by the irradiated exposure data are crushed and the latent image is colored. Further, the medium 1 is guided to a discharge tray 35 and heated by a nitrogen lamp 36 to fix a color image. Then, when a series of printing ordered by the user is completed, the door of the paper ejection tray 31 opens, and the cycling media stored in the paper ejection tray 35 can be taken out.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the exposure apparatus 40 of the present example. The projector mechanism 41 of the exposure device 40 has substantially the same configuration as a projector device that projects a color image on a screen. Metal halide lamp 41a as a light source, heat ray absorbing filter 41b to exclude heat rays in the light source, collimator lens 41c to make parallel rays, and each color (red R green G and blue B) A color filter 41d, an LCD 41e for forming an image, a shutter 41mm, and a projection lens 41g are arranged in this order. Then, an image of each color is formed on the LCD 41 e in synchronization with the control of switching the color filter 41 d by the projector control unit 42, and the image is projected on the media 1 held on the photosensitive stage 33. You. Therefore, the LCD 41 e functions as a light valve, which is a device that can create a projection image by partially reflecting or transmitting light according to an input signal.

The projector mechanism 41 has a zoom function for the projection lens 41 g. 4 A lens with 1 h (zoom lens) is used to adjust the size of the image projected on Media 1. Therefore, even when the size of the media changes or the size of the image formed on the media changes, the exposure size is controlled by zooming without changing the image data itself, and an image of an appropriate size is exposed on the media. Yes Also, the focal length is adjusted using the autofocus function.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a function of generating exposure data and a function of performing exposure using the exposure data in the printer 10 of the present embodiment. First, the control unit 23 includes an image data acquisition unit 24, which reads image data from the memory of the CD-ROM mounted on the input unit 21 and stores the image data in an appropriate format in the control unit 23. The data is recorded as input data 70 on a recording device 26 such as a RAM or a hard disk. Further, the control unit 23 includes an exposure data generation unit 25, and based on the input data 70, the exposure time data 71 and the first exposure intensity data 7 for each of red R, green G, and blue B. Second and second exposure intensity data 73 are respectively generated.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of the exposure time data 71, the first exposure intensity data 72, and the second exposure intensity data 73. For example, suppose that the gradation level of the exposure data 赤色赤色 of red R of a certain dot formed to reproduce the input data 70 on the media is 1338. In the exposure data generation unit 25 of this example, 64 gradations can be set in the time axis direction and 64 gradations in the intensity direction, so the first data output from the exposure data generation unit 25 can be set. The exposure intensity data 72 is 2 (two to sixty-four gradations), the second exposure intensity data 73 is 3, and the exposure time data 71 is 10. That is, the quotient obtained by dividing the exposure data φ1 by the resolution 64 in the time axis direction becomes the first exposure intensity data 72, the remainder becomes the exposure time data 71, and the quotient becomes the first exposure intensity data 72. The value obtained by adding 1 becomes the second exposure intensity data 7 3.

The exposure control unit 42 stores the exposure time data 71, the first and second exposure intensities. An image is formed on the LCD 41 e of the projector unit 41 based on the degree data 72 and 73. For this purpose, a digital comparator 61 that compares the exposure time data 71 with the number of frames and a selector 62 that selects the first or second exposure intensity data 72 or 73 based on the result are provided. I have. The exposure intensity data 72 or 73 selected by the selector 62 is converted into a value that is linear with respect to the transmission characteristics of the LCD 41 e by the gamma correction table 63 and supplied to the LCD driver 64. Then, the LCD driver 64 drives the corresponding cell (dot) of the LCD 4 le with the voltage corresponding to the input value. The gamma correction table 63 is usually prepared for each color. For example, 6-bit input data is supplied by converting it to 8-bit input of the LCD driver 64 so that the transmittance becomes linear. .

Further, the exposure control unit 42 includes a timing generator 65 for determining a timing (frame cycle) for driving the LCD 41 e by the LCD driver 64, and the timing signal is transmitted to the frame counter 6. Supplied to 6. Then, the comparator 61 compares the number of counted frames with the value of the exposure data 71, and when it is time to change the second exposure intensity data 73 to the first exposure intensity data 122, the selector 61 6 Switch 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of exposing the media 1 to form a latent image using the exposure apparatus 40 of the present example. First, in step 51, the color to be exposed is selected by the color filter 41d. Next step

5 If the number of frames is counted in 2 and the count number F does not reach the exposure time data 71 in step 53, the selector is selected in step 54.

The second exposure intensity data 73 is selected by 62 and supplied to the LCD driver 64. Therefore, the LCD 41 e is driven such that each dot forms an image having a transmittance corresponding to the second exposure intensity data 73. The image modulated by the LCD 41 e is recorded on the medium 1. Projected. In step 53, when the count F becomes larger than the exposure time data 71, in step 55, the first exposure intensity data 73 is selected by the selector 62 and supplied to the LCD driver 64. Therefore, the LCD 41 e is driven such that each dot forms an image having a transmittance corresponding to the first exposure intensity data 72, and the image modulated by the LCD 41 e is used as a media. Projected to 1.

Therefore, the medium 1 is exposed by the exposure device 40 to an image of one color with 64 frames as one unit. Therefore, in the present example, a maximum of 496 gradations can be expressed, and when 64 frames have elapsed, light with an exposure amount of 138 496 is irradiated. The resolution in the exposure intensity direction is used to correct the intensity change of the light source 41a of the projector mechanism 41 among the representable 496 gradations. The exposure apparatus 40 in the example is controlled so as to be able to express the 10 24 gray scale substantially.

For example, when the exposure data shown in FIG. 4 (ί> 1), when the frame count F is 10 or less, the transmittance of the LCD cell is set to 364, and the intensity of the transmitted light is set to 364. The light is applied to the media 1. On the other hand, the transmittance of the LCD cell is set to 264 between the force number F force S i 1 and 64, and the light of the transmitted intensity is applied to the media 1. Irradiated.

In step 56, when the exposure data of one color is applied to the medium, the process returns to step 51 and the same process as described above is repeated by changing the color of the filter 41d. Then, in step 57, when the three color images of red R, green G, and blue B are exposed, a latent image forming a full-color image is exposed on the medium 1. Therefore, the exposed medium 1 is supplied to the pressure developing unit 34 for development, and further heated and fixed by the fixing unit 36, whereby a clear color image is formed on the cylindrical medium 1 and Output from the counter 10.

As described above, in the exposure apparatus 40 of the present example, the exposure data is converted into the exposure time data 71 in the time axis direction and the first and second exposure intensities in the intensity direction. The data is decomposed into data 72 and 73, and by combining these data, the LCD 42e is controlled so that a multi-tone color image can be exposed. In this example, the resolution in the time axis direction is set to 64, and the resolution in the intensity direction is set to 64, so that it is possible to represent 4096 gradations (12 bits). In addition, since the resolution in the intensity direction is 64 (6 bits), the gradation can be sufficiently expressed even in an LCD in which the transmittance change is not linear with respect to the voltage. Also, it is sufficient to secure a time corresponding to 6 bits (64) as the resolution in the time axis direction. For this reason, even if the period of one frame is set as slow as 2 Oms, the time required for exposing three color images can be about 4 seconds. Therefore, a printer with a high processing speed can be realized without the time required for the exposure processing becoming a critical path. In addition, even if it becomes a critical pass, color prints can be output at intervals of about 4 to 5 seconds, so a color printer with extremely high output speed can be realized.

As described above, the exposure apparatus 40 of this example has a relatively low response speed called an LCD and uses a light valve (switching element) that cannot set a high intensity resolution for a short time. Thus, it is possible to expose a multi-tone image. Furthermore, since it is a projector-type exposure device, unlike a serial-type exposure device in which an exposure head moves, the entire latent image can be simultaneously formed on a medium in one step. Therefore, it is possible to expose a multi-tone color image at high speed, and the printer 1 employing the exposure device 40 of the present example can print a medium on which a multi-tone color image is recorded at short intervals. Can be output. Further, since the printer 1 of the present example is a printer for a cyclone medium using the pressure development unit 34, no chemical is required for development and fixing, and processes such as washing and drying are not required. Therefore, it is possible to output a medium on which a blank image is printed in a short time. In addition, because no waste liquid is generated, maintenance is easy, and it is environmentally friendly and can be installed anywhere. Therefore, office In addition, the printer is suitable for installation in a wide variety of places such as event venues and stores.

In the printer 1 of this example, the first exposure intensity data 72 and the second exposure intensity data 73, which differ by one resolution, are prepared in advance as the exposure intensity data. I try to change it. Of course, at the timing of the exposure time data 71, data higher or lower by one resolution may be generated from the base exposure intensity data and supplied to the LCD driver 64. Since it takes time to generate, it is difficult to deal with software. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated circuit using wired logic. It is also possible to prepare exposure intensity data with a difference of two or more resolutions and switch between them. However, if the intensity is as close as possible, the state of the cell is stabilized in a shorter time, so that it is easy to faithfully represent the gradation. In addition, since the voltage applied to the cells is averaged, the aging of LCD becomes almost the same, and it is easy to control.

Also, the exposure time data 71 can use real-time data instead of the number of frames. However, if the exposure intensity is changed in synchronization with the frame period for refreshing the LCD, the resolution in the time direction can be reproduced more faithfully. In addition, since the exposure time data is described in terms of the number of frames, the LCD can be controlled with a frame period suitable for the reaction time of the liquid crystal employed in the projector-type exposure apparatus 40. Becomes

In this example, a resolution of 6 bits is secured in the transmittance direction, that is, the driving voltage direction, and a resolution of 6 bits is secured in the time direction, and a total resolution of 12 bits is realized. On the other hand, if it is sufficient to secure a resolution of about 10 bits as a whole, the resolution in the voltage direction or the time direction can be reduced. Therefore, if the resolution in the time direction is reduced, the exposure time can be further reduced. It is also possible to reduce the resolution in the driving voltage direction. The device can be realized.

Further, the present invention is not limited to LCD, but can be applied to a projector type exposure apparatus using another light valve. Since the resolution per frame can be reduced according to the present invention, a low cost and low power consumption projector type exposure apparatus can be provided. Also, in this example, the explanation is based on a projector type exposure apparatus of a type that sequentially exposes images of each color by respective filters of red R, green G, and blue B. However, a three-plate type using a In a projector type exposure apparatus, the same control as above can be performed for LCDs (light valves) of each color. In addition, it is possible to expose a multi-tone color image in a shorter time, and to output a high-quality color print.

Further, it is possible to expose a color image to a photographic paper by the silver halide technology using the exposure apparatus 40 of the present example. However, as described above, photographic paper requires chemicals for development and fixing. Therefore, considering maintenance and waste liquid, a printer for CYCOLOR media is more effective. Also, the present invention is applicable to a scan type printer using an LCD or a serial head using a line head, and it is possible to form an entire image while partially exposing the media. Yes, shortens exposure time and prints high-resolution images. However, if the printer is an exposure type printer like the printer of this example, an image can be exposed on a medium without scanning by one process. Therefore, a color print can be output at a higher speed.

Also, the printer 1 of the present example includes a control unit 23 that can execute processing for creating exposure time data and exposure intensity data from input image data. It is also possible to do this on the host side such as a computer. Then, a host equipped with a function for generating exposure data, and exposure time data from the host. Of course, it is also possible to configure a recording system with a printer that receives and prints exposure intensity data. In the process of converting input data into exposure time and exposure intensity data, the process of converting the input data into data suitable for forming a latent image can be performed at the same time, taking into account the optical characteristics of the media. . Of course, such processing can be performed by processing input data independently.

The software to generate exposure time data and exposure intensity data can be stored and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk, similar to a printer driver, and can be installed on a personal computer for use. It is also possible. This makes it possible to generate exposure intensity data and exposure time data in advance in an information processing device such as a personal computer, whose capability has remarkably improved in recent years, and make use of the present invention with a printer having a low processing capability. . As described above, in the present invention, the multi-gradation exposure data supplied to the light valve of the projector-type exposure apparatus is converted into the exposure time data for controlling the exposure time, and the intensity such as the transmittance by the drive voltage. By decomposing the data into two controllable exposure intensity data, it is possible to expose a multi-tone image even if the resolution of each data is low. Therefore, high-speed exposure with sufficient gradation performance is achieved by a projector-type exposure device that uses liquid crystal as a light valve that does not have a very high transmittance resolution and a very short response time. Equipment can be provided. Therefore, by employing the exposure apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus capable of printing a multi-tone color image in a short time. Therefore, it is possible to provide a recording device that outputs a large amount of color printers in a stand-alone manner, such as the printer of the present example using rhinoceros color media, and can be used in stores or event venues. It is possible to construct and provide a recording system that can be installed and easily output color images taken by many users with digital cameras. Industrial applicability

The exposure apparatus of the present invention is suitable for a recording apparatus such as a printer that records and outputs a color image on a photosensitive medium such as a cycolor medium. In the control method and the recording system of the exposure apparatus of the present invention, by employing a projector type exposure apparatus, a multi-gradation image can be exposed, and sufficient gradation performance can be provided at high speed. For this reason, it is particularly suitable for printers of a type that is installed independently in a store or event venue and many users print a large number of sheets.

Claims

Range of request

1. Projecting means capable of projecting and exposing an image formed on the light valve to a photosensitive recording medium;

The light valve is controlled based on exposure intensity data that can control at least two levels of modulation of each pixel of the light valve and exposure time data that can control timing for switching the degree of modulation of each pixel. An exposure apparatus having control means.

2. The exposure intensity data includes first and second exposure intensity data for controlling the degree of modulation of each pixel of the light valve, and different values are set for the first and second exposure intensity data. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

3. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit projects images of a plurality of colors on the recording medium, and the exposure intensity data and the exposure time data are generated for each of the plurality of colors.

4. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit simultaneously projects all images to be recorded on the recording medium onto the recording medium.

5. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure intensity data is data that changes a modulation degree of each pixel of the light valve by one resolution.

6. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure time data is the number of frames of the light valve.

7. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, a development unit for performing pressure development on the exposed recording medium, and the exposure intensity data based on input image data. And an exposure data generating means for generating exposure time data.

8. A method for controlling an exposure apparatus that projects an image formed on a light valve onto a photosensitive recording medium, the method comprising:

A step of controlling the light valve based on exposure intensity data capable of controlling the modulation degree of each pixel of the light valve in at least two stages, and exposure time data controlling timing of switching the modulation degree of each pixel. And a control method of the exposure apparatus.

9. Before the controlling step, a step of setting different values for the first and second exposure intensity data for controlling the modulation degree of each pixel of the light valve based on the exposure data is provided. A method for controlling an exposure apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The control method for an exposure apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a step of generating the exposure intensity data and the exposure time data for each of a plurality of colors to be projected before the controlling step.

11. The control method for an exposure apparatus according to claim 8, wherein in the controlling step, the light valve is controlled so as to simultaneously project all images to be recorded on the recording medium.

12. The control method for an exposure apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the exposure intensity data is data that changes a modulation factor of each pixel of the light valve by one resolution.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the exposure time data is the number of frames of the light valve.

14. A method for controlling a printing apparatus for performing color printing by projecting an image formed in a light valve onto a photosensitive printing medium and developing the printing medium, comprising:

A method for controlling the light valve based on exposure intensity data that can control at least two levels of modulation of each pixel of the light valve and exposure time data that controls timing for switching the degree of modulation of each pixel. Control method of a recording apparatus having a process.

15. Modulation of each pixel of the light valve to an exposure device or recording device that performs color printing by projecting the image formed on the light valve onto a photosensitive recording medium and developing the recording medium. An information processing apparatus having a function of supplying exposure intensity data that can be controlled in at least two stages and exposure time data that controls timing for switching the modulation degree of each pixel.

16. Modulation of each pixel of the light valve to an exposure device or a recording device that performs color printing by projecting an image formed on a light-sensitive recording medium and developing the recording medium. Computer-readable recording which stores a program capable of executing processing for supplying exposure intensity data that can be controlled in at least two levels and exposure time data that controls timing for switching the modulation degree of each pixel. Medium.