JP2002090894A - Image exposing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image exposing device, capable of correcting the relative position of a carrying position in the width direction of a photosensitive material without performing mechanical adjustment or increasing memory capacity. SOLUTION: The image exposing device is provided with a carrier means for carrying paper P along a prescribed carrying route, a digital printing part 11 for forming an image on the paper P, by performing scanning exposure in a main scanning direction to be the width direction of the paper P and a sub-scanning direction to be the direction for carrying the paper P and a direction rectangular to the main scanning direction, plural sort detection sensor 2a, 2b for detecting the sort of the paper P, and a scanning starting position correcting means 25b for correcting the scanning starting position of the digital printing part 11 in the main scanning direction, on the basis of the detected kind of the paper P.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a conveying means for conveying a photosensitive material along a predetermined conveying path, a main scanning direction which is a width direction of the photosensitive material, and a conveying direction for conveying the photosensitive material. The present invention relates to an image exposure apparatus including a scanning exposure unit that forms an image on the photosensitive material by performing scanning exposure in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Such an image exposure apparatus is for producing a digital print, and a two-dimensional image is formed by repeating scanning in a main scanning direction while conveying a photosensitive material at a predetermined conveying speed in a sub-scanning direction. Expose the image. That is, a two-dimensional image is formed by exposing the image by repeating the operation of sequentially exposing the image line by line (or by a predetermined line).

In such an image exposure apparatus, a photosensitive material accommodating magazine accommodating a photosensitive material in a roll shape is detachably mounted, and a plurality of photosensitive material accommodating magazines are provided so that different types of photosensitive material can be processed. Some are configured to be attachable. In this case, the photosensitive material is pulled out from one of the photosensitive material storage magazines, conveyed by a common conveyance path (excluding the portion where the photosensitive material is drawn out), and sent to the scanning exposure unit.

[0004]

However, the widthwise positions of the photosensitive material drawn out and conveyed from each photosensitive material storage magazine are not the same but vary. Although the photosensitive material accommodating magazine is provided with a photosensitive material width regulating guide, it is difficult to eliminate individual variations. Further, since the width dimension of the photosensitive material itself also varies, this causes a further variation in the transport position of the photosensitive material in the width direction. Such a variation occurs even when an image exposure apparatus in which only one photosensitive material magazine is mounted can be mounted with a different type of photosensitive material magazine.

In order to cope with such variations in the transport position in the width direction, the scanning range of the scanning exposure section in the main scanning direction is made larger than the width of the photosensitive material. Thereby, it is possible to cope with the displacement in the width direction.

However, in order to increase the scanning range in the main scanning direction in consideration of variations, the capacity of a memory (storage device) for storing image data increases, which is a factor of increasing costs, which is not preferable. A method of adjusting the transport position by performing mechanical adjustment is also conceivable. However, since there are many types of photosensitive materials, it is complicated to adjust each time the type of photosensitive material to be processed changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to correct a relative displacement of a conveying position in a width direction of a photosensitive material without performing a mechanical adjustment or an increase in a memory capacity. To provide an image exposure apparatus capable of performing the above.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image exposure apparatus according to the present invention comprises a conveying means for conveying a photosensitive material along a predetermined conveying path, and a main scanning direction which is a width direction of the photosensitive material. A scanning exposure unit that forms an image on the photosensitive material by performing scanning exposure in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction in a direction in which the photosensitive material is transported, and detects a type of the photosensitive material. And a scan start position correcting unit for correcting a scan start position in the main scanning direction in the scanning exposure unit based on the detected type of the photosensitive material. .

The operation and effect of the image exposure apparatus having this configuration are as follows. There is a tendency for the displacement of the photosensitive material in the width direction depending on the type of the photosensitive material. Therefore, a type detection sensor for detecting the type of photosensitive material is provided, and the scanning start position in the main scanning direction is corrected based on the detected type of photosensitive material. In other words, the scanning start position (scanning range) is changed in accordance with the width of the photosensitive material to be conveyed.
Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a mechanical adjustment or an increase in the capacity of the memory, and it is possible to provide an image exposure apparatus capable of correcting a relative displacement of the transport position of the photosensitive material in the width direction.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a configuration in which the type of the photosensitive material is detected based on identification information formed in a photosensitive material storage magazine in which the photosensitive material is stored in a roll shape.

When the magazine containing the photosensitive material is exchanged for another type, if the identification information is formed in the magazine, the type of the photosensitive material can be automatically detected with the exchange of the magazine. Thereby, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a monitor for displaying a display screen for inputting a correction value for correcting the scanning exposure position and an input means for inputting the correction value are provided. There are things.

According to this configuration, the operator can input the correction value by the input means while looking at the display screen, so that the input operation can be performed reliably.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
A plurality of the photosensitive material containing magazines containing the photosensitive material are configured to be attachable, and the scanning start position correcting unit is configured to detect the type of the photosensitive material, or the type of the photosensitive material and the type of the photosensitive material containing magazine used. There is a configuration in which the scanning start position is corrected based on a correction value input in advance according to information on the mounting position. Some image exposure apparatuses are configured such that a plurality of photosensitive material storage magazines storing photosensitive materials can be mounted. In this case, even in the same photosensitive material storage magazine that stores the same photosensitive material, the transport position of the photosensitive material in the width direction is not the same but varies depending on the mounting location. Therefore, in the case of such an image exposure apparatus, in addition to the type information of the photosensitive material, a correction value according to the information of the mounting position of the photosensitive material storage magazine is input in advance, and the correction is performed using this correction value. The correction can be performed in consideration of the variation due to the mounting position of the photosensitive material storage magazine. As a result, more accurate correction can be performed. Another image exposure apparatus for solving the problem of the present invention is a conveying unit that conveys a photosensitive material along a predetermined conveying path, a main scanning direction that is a width direction of the photosensitive material, and conveys the photosensitive material. A scanning exposure unit that forms an image on the photosensitive material by performing a scanning exposure in a sub-scanning direction that is orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and a type of a photosensitive material storage magazine that stores the photosensitive material. A magazine detection sensor; and a scan start position correction unit that corrects a scan start position in the main scanning direction in the scanning exposure unit based on the detected type of the photosensitive material storage magazine. is there. The image exposure apparatus having this configuration includes a magazine detection sensor that detects the type of the magazine containing the photosensitive material. For example, a lab store may prepare a magazine containing photosensitive materials only for the types of photosensitive materials to be handled. In other words, the number of magazines containing photosensitive materials corresponding to the number of types of photosensitive materials to be handled is used. When changing the type of photosensitive material to be processed by the image exposure apparatus, a photosensitive material storage magazine in which a corresponding type of photosensitive material is stored is mounted. And
The type of magazine containing the photosensitive material is detected (the magazine type corresponds to the type of photosensitive material), and the scanning start position is determined based on the correction value corresponding to the detected magazine type. Is corrected. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image exposure apparatus capable of correcting a relative displacement of the transport position of the photosensitive material in the width direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image exposure apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image exposure apparatus. <Configuration of Image Exposure Apparatus> In FIG. 1, paper (corresponding to a photosensitive material) is configured to be transported along a predetermined transport path, and is provided with a drawer transport section A, a pre-distribution transport section B, and a distribution transport section. C, an intermediate transport section D, an exposure transport section E, and a post-exposure transport section F. These transport units are provided with transport means for transporting the paper along a predetermined path.

In the drawer transport section A, two paper magazines (corresponding to photosensitive material storage magazines) 1a, 1
b is detachable, and long paper is stored in a roll shape. The paper P is pulled out from one of the paper magazines 1a and 1b and transported. Further, type detection sensors 2a and 2b are provided, and detect the type (width, surface quality, manufacturer, etc.) of the paper contained in the mounted paper magazines 1a and 1b. As a detection method, for example, a method in which the presence or absence of a several-bit hole formed in the paper magazines 1a and 1b is detected by an optical sensor is exemplified. Alternatively, a configuration for detecting barcode information may be employed, and any detection method can be adopted. These hole information and barcode information correspond to identification information.

An end detecting sensor 3 is provided at a position immediately after the paper P is pulled out from each of the paper magazines 1a and 1b.
a and 3b are provided to detect the rear end of the paper P when all the long papers P are pulled out. The pulled out paper P is advanced rollers 4a and 4b.
Is sent out to a common transport path. The leading edge detection sensor 5 detects the leading edge of the paper P.

At the upstream end of the pre-sorting conveying section B, a paper cutter 6 for cutting the paper P drawn from the paper magazines 1a and 1b according to the print size.
Is provided, and a back print unit 7 located downstream of the paper cutter 6 is provided. The back print section 7 is provided on the back side (non-emulsion side) of the paper P.
In addition, a dot impact printer is used to print a film ID, a frame number, and correction information indicating image processing performed when print data is created.

The pre-distribution transport section B has two transport roller units disposed so as to sandwich the back print section 7, and the downstream transport roller unit particularly constitutes a paper discharge area. , A driving roller 8a in contact with the non-emulsion surface side of the paper P, and a pressure roller 8b in contact with the emulsion surface side. The pressure roller 8b can be displaced in near and far directions with respect to the driving roller 8a. 8b can be crimped or released. The drive roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b, which are the upstream transport roller units, have the same configuration.

Drawer transport section A and transport section B before sorting
(These correspond to a paper supply line.) In this case, the paper P is transported in a single line, and the intermediate transport sections D,
In the exposure conveyance section E and the post-exposure conveyance section F (these correspond to the exposure conveyance line), the paper P is in one row or two rows.
Conveyed simultaneously in rows. In order to enable conveyance in two rows, a wide conveyance roller unit and a guide member corresponding to each row are provided. However, in the intermediate conveyance section D, the intermediate drive roller 22 is a wide roller covering two rows, but the intermediate pressure roller 23 is divided into a right row and a left row.

The sorting and transporting section C has a mechanism for sorting and transporting the paper P transported in one row into two rows on the left and right. Since the size in the width direction of the digital print unit 11 is set in accordance with the size of the print having the maximum width that can be exposed, a paper having a small width (for example,
In the case of processing (service size print), it is preferable to convey the paper in two rows and expose two sheets at the same time from the viewpoint of processing efficiency. In such a case, the paper is carried in two rows. In the case of paper P having a large width, it is not necessary to sort the paper P, so that the paper P is continuously conveyed in a row.

Although not described in detail, two chuckers 60 are provided along the transport width direction, and each chucker 60 is configured to be movable in both the transport direction and the transport width direction. Thereby, the paper P can be sorted.

The intermediate conveying section D is provided with the cut paper P
And a first intermediate pressure roller and a second intermediate pressure roller that can be displaced in the distance direction with respect to the intermediate drive roller 22 (not shown).
When the paper P is conveyed in two rows, the first intermediate pressure roller presses the paper P conveyed in the right row, and the second intermediate pressure roller presses the paper P conveyed in the left row. The crimping and releasing operations can be performed independently of each other.

The exposure transport section E includes a digital print section 11
A first exposure transport roller unit on the entrance side which is arranged so as to sandwich the exposure head (corresponding to a scanning exposure unit);
And a second exposure transport roller unit on the exit side.
The first exposure / conveyance roller unit includes a first exposure / conveyance roller 12 in contact with the non-emulsion surface side of the paper P, and a first exposure / compression roller 13 that can be displaced from the first exposure / conveyance roller 12. I have. The second exposure / conveyance roller unit includes a second exposure / conveyance roller 14 in contact with the non-emulsion surface side of the paper P, and a second exposure / compression roller 15 that can be displaced from the second exposure / conveyance roller 14. are doing. The first and second exposure transport rollers 12, 14 are synchronously driven by a belt drive mechanism from one drive source.
The first and second exposure pressure bonding rollers 13 and 15 can be displaced toward and away from the exposure conveyance rollers 12 and 14 that are independently opposed to each other.

In the present embodiment, a PLZT shutter type engine is used for the digital print section 11. That is, a shutter array including a PLZT element is used as the exposure head. The shutter array is provided along the width direction (main scanning direction) of the paper P, that is, along the transverse direction of the transport direction. When a voltage of a predetermined level is applied to each shutter, the shutter enters a light transmitting state, and when the application of the voltage is stopped, the shutter enters a light blocking state.
Therefore, by applying a drive voltage corresponding to the image data to each shutter, exposure corresponding to the image data is performed. By exposing and forming an image line by line while transporting the paper P at a constant speed along the transport path (sub-scanning direction), a two-dimensional image can be printed on the paper P.

The digital print section 11 includes:
In addition to the PLZT shutter method, the liquid crystal shutter method,
Appropriate methods such as a fluorescent beam method, a FOCRT method, and a DMD method can be adopted.

The post-exposure transport section F includes a first turn transport roller unit, a second turn transport roller unit, a normal transport roller group 16, and a turn guide 17.
The first-turn transport roller unit has a first-turn drive roller 18 in contact with the emulsion surface side of the paper P, and a first-turn pressure roller 19 that can be displaced in a distance from the first-turn drive roller 18. . Similarly, the second-turn transport roller unit has a second-turn drive roller 20 and a second-turn pressure roller 21. The turn guide 17 disposed between the first and second turn transport roller units includes an inner turn guide 17a on the emulsion surface side and an outer turn guide 17b on the non-emulsion surface side. The paper P that can swing outward around a swing fulcrum provided on the downstream side can inflate the paper P passing through the turn guide to the outside as needed.

Returning to FIG. 1, the controller 25 controls the operation of each part of the image exposure apparatus. Here, only typical functions will be described. The controller 25 is a CP
U and hardware such as an input / output interface and software such as a control program.

The scanning exposure section driving means 25a transfers image data to the digital printing section 11 and drives the digital printing section 11 to perform scanning exposure. Image data is
Those read from a negative film by a scanner and those read from other media such as CD-ROM and MO are used. Of course, it is not limited to a specific medium.

<Regarding Correction Operation> The scanning start position correction means 25b corrects the scanning start position of the digital print section 11 in the main scanning direction. This correction will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, two paper magazines 1a and 1b can be mounted on the image exposure apparatus. The paper P is drawn out of the paper magazines 1a and 1b and has separate transport paths from the paper magazines 1a and 1b to the advanced roller 4a. .

Here, two paper magazines 1a, 1
Even if you handle exactly the same kind of paper P in b,
The conveyance is not performed along the same conveyance path in the common conveyance path, and the conveyance position is shifted in the conveyance width direction. Although the paper magazines 1a and 1b are provided with width regulating guides, it is practically difficult to eliminate variations in the transport position. Further, since the width dimension of the paper itself also varies, this causes the paper transport position in the width direction to further vary.

The image exposure apparatus according to the present embodiment can mount two paper magazines 1a and 1b. However, even when only one paper magazine can be mounted, when a different type of paper magazine is mounted, it is still transported. Positional variations occur. In order to cope with such a variation in the transport position in the width direction, a configuration in which the scanning range of the digital print unit 11 in the main scanning direction is made larger than the width of the paper in consideration of the variation amount is considered. Can be

However, if the scanning range in the main scanning direction is increased, the capacity of the memory for storing the image data must be increased accordingly, which causes a cost increase. Therefore, in the present invention, the scanning start position in the main scanning direction is corrected according to the type of paper. If the transport position of the paper in the width direction shifts, the scanning start position is changed (corrected) by the shift amount. As a result, the scanning range in the main scanning direction does not need to be unnecessarily large, and the cost does not need to be increased.

As shown in FIG. 1, a scanning start position correcting means 25b is provided, and a correction value corresponding to the paper type detected by the type detection sensors 2a and 2b is read from the storage device 27, and the read value is read. The scanning start position is corrected based on the correction value. Note that the function of the scanning start position correction unit 25b can be realized by a program (software).

The correction values of various papers are registered in the storage device 27. This procedure will be described. First, the paper is actually conveyed to create a test print TP as shown in FIG. In the test print TP, dashed line patterns y ₁ , y ₂ , and y ₃ are formed at the center and both ends along the transport direction. Image data for exposing this pattern by the digital printing unit 11 is stored in the storage device 27 in advance. In addition,
The test pattern is not limited to the one shown in FIG. Then, measure the distance δ between the line y ₂ and the print end of the end of the test print TP which has been created, the correction value is determined based on the measured value. It has been experimentally confirmed that this measurement value has the same tendency for the same type of paper drawn from the same paper magazine. Note that there is no need to perform correction if this measured value matches a preset reference value. If it deviates from the reference value, the deviation amount is used as a correction value.

A monitor 28 is connected to the controller 25 so that a correction value can be input while looking at the monitor screen. The input of the correction value is performed using the keyboard 26.
(Corresponding to input means). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input screen. In this figure, the first display area 28a shows the paper width. The second display area 28b is an area for inputting a correction value. Differences between (1), (2), (3) and (4) indicate differences in surface quality. That is, correction values can be input and registered for four types of surface qualities for one paper width. The input range of the correction value is -0.4 to +0.4. In the magazine selection area 28c, one of the two mounted paper magazines 1a and 1b can be selected. That is, the correction value must be different between the case where the paper magazine is mounted at the magazine position A on the left side of FIG. 1 and the case where the paper magazine is mounted at the magazine position B on the right side of FIG. It is. In other words, even if the same paper magazine accommodates the same paper, there is a variation in the conveying position in the width direction between the position A and the position B where the paper is mounted. I have to. As a configuration of the present invention,
When a paper magazine is mounted on the image exposure apparatus, it is possible to recognize which type of paper magazine is mounted by the type detection sensors 2a and 2b. Therefore, the type detection sensor can also function as a magazine detection sensor. Then, the information detected by the magazine detection sensor and the correction value can be registered in association with each other, and the operator in the lab store does not need to pay particular attention to the type of paper.
The type of paper is specified in the paper magazine (the paper magazine is associated with the paper), and the type of the paper magazine, and
The correction value corresponding to the position where the paper magazine is mounted can be read. In a lab store, a paper magazine corresponding to the number of types of paper to be handled may be used. In such a case, accurate correction can be performed by detecting the type of paper magazine. In the present embodiment, there are two places where the paper magazine is mounted, but the same applies to an image exposure apparatus in which there is only one mounting place. <Description of Operation> The operation of the image exposure apparatus according to this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 1, a long paper P is taken from one of the paper magazines 1a and 1b.
Is pulled out and conveyed, and cut into a print size by the paper cutter 6 (# 1, # 2). On the back surface of the cut paper P, predetermined information is printed by the back print unit 7 (# 3).

After performing the back print, the paper is sent to the distributing / conveying section C, and for the paper that needs to be conveyed, the distributing / conveying is performed (#
4).

The paper transported by the distribution transport section C is transported in the intermediate transport section D (# 5), and is subsequently sent to the exposure transport section E. Here, scanning exposure is performed by the digital print unit 11 (# 6). Here, the type of paper detected by the type detection sensors 2a and 2b (including the difference between paper magazines).
The scanning exposure is performed in a state where the scanning start position in the main scanning direction is corrected based on the correction value corresponding to. Thus, even if there is a shift in the transport position of the paper in the transport width direction, it is possible to appropriately perform the scanning exposure.

The paper on which a latent image is formed by exposure is
It is transported by the transport section F after exposure, and a developing processing section (not shown)
The developing and drying processes are performed in the drying processing section, and the photographic prints are discharged outside the apparatus (# 7, 8, 9).

<Alternative Embodiment> In the present embodiment, the correction value for the deviation of the transport position is determined by detecting the type of paper. Instead, the correction value is determined by directly detecting the deviation amount. A configuration that determines the size may be adopted.
For example, a plurality of sensors are arranged at appropriate positions on the transport path along the transport width direction. The transport position of the paper transported by this sensor can be detected. Then, a correction value of the scanning start position may be obtained by calculation from the detected shift amount.

The type detection sensor and the magazine detection sensor may be configured using dedicated sensors.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image exposure apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a test pattern in a test print.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a correction value input screen;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image exposure apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b Paper magazine 2a, 2b Type detection sensor 11 Digital print unit 25a Scan exposure unit drive unit 25b Scan start position correction unit 26 Keyboard 28 Monitor P paper

Claims (5)

[Claims] A transporting means for transporting the photosensitive material along a predetermined transporting path; a main scanning direction which is a width direction of the photosensitive material; and a transporting direction of the photosensitive material which is orthogonal to the main scanning direction. A scanning exposure unit that forms an image on the photosensitive material by performing scanning exposure in the sub-scanning direction, a type detection sensor that detects the type of the photosensitive material, and based on the type of the detected photosensitive material, An image exposure apparatus comprising: a scanning start position correcting unit that corrects a scanning start position in a main scanning direction in a scanning exposure unit. 2. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type of the photosensitive material is detected based on identification information formed in a photosensitive material storage magazine that stores the photosensitive material in a roll shape. apparatus. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a monitor for displaying a display screen for inputting a correction value for correcting the scanning exposure position; and input means for inputting the correction value. 3. The image exposure apparatus according to 2. 4. The image exposure apparatus main body is configured such that a plurality of the photosensitive material containing magazines containing the photosensitive material can be mounted on the main body of the image exposure apparatus, and the scanning start position correcting means includes a type of the photosensitive material or the photosensitive material. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanning start position is corrected based on a correction value input in advance in accordance with information of a type of the magazine and a mounting position of the photosensitive material storage magazine to be used. Image exposure equipment. 5. A transport means for transporting a photosensitive material along a predetermined transport path, a main scanning direction which is a width direction of the photosensitive material, and a direction which transports the photosensitive material and which is orthogonal to the main scanning direction. A scanning exposure unit that forms an image on the photosensitive material by performing scanning exposure in the sub-scanning direction, a magazine detection sensor that detects a type of a photosensitive material storage magazine that stores the photosensitive material, and the detected photosensitive material. An image exposure apparatus, comprising: a scan start position correction unit that corrects a scan start position in the main scanning direction in the scanning exposure unit based on a type of a storage magazine.