JPH10114099A - Image exposing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance color reproducibility by eliminating color shift through a relatively simple structure and to enhance resolution by enhancing the reproducibility of a monochromatic image especially including a black character or halftone. SOLUTION: A light source section 204 for forming full color image and a light source section 10 for forming monochromatic image are disposed on the upper end face of an exposure casing 214. An aperture 216 is made on the light emitting face side of the light source section 204 for forming full color image in order to limit spreading of light from a plurality of LED chips 208. The light source section 10 for forming monochromatic image comprises a white color light source 12, and a spatial modulation element, i.e., a liquid crystal chip 14, and the light emitted from the white color light source 12 and passed through the liquid crystal chip 14 serves as a light source for exposure. The light source section 10 for forming monochromatic image is dedicated for character or monochromatic image and it is applied only when a character or a monochromatic image is included in an image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image exposure apparatus for recording an image on a photosensitive material by controlling light from an exposure light source in accordance with an image data signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art
Many image exposure apparatuses equipped with a digital exposure system have been developed. Generally, in a digital exposure system, image data is placed on a light beam output from a semiconductor laser, and the polygon mirror is rotated at a high speed to deflect the light beam (main scanning) and to be reflected by the polygon mirror by a galvanometer mirror or the like. Sub-scan the light beam further, or
An image is recorded on a recording medium by repeating main scanning while moving the recording medium (or stepwise). Here, the recording medium may be a photosensitive drum charged by corona discharge or a photosensitive material. Further, the light source may be another light emitting body such as an LED without using a semiconductor laser.

On the other hand, there is an image exposure apparatus which transfers an image to an image receiving material by a heat development transfer process after recording the image on the photosensitive material and superimposing the photosensitive material and the image receiving material. In this apparatus, as a type for recording an image on a photosensitive material, there are so-called analog exposure (slit exposure in which a document is irradiated with light and its reflected light is sequentially guided to the photosensitive material) and digital exposure. .

Further, an image can be recorded on an image receiving material having almost the same texture as that of ordinary paper. By selecting an analog exposure system or a digital exposure system as described above, it can be applied in various fields.

When such an image exposure apparatus is used as an output device of various networks or personal computers, it is necessary to use a digital exposure system.

However, in the above-described image exposure apparatus of the thermal development transfer type, in addition to the digital exposure system, a mechanism for superposing a photosensitive material and an image receiving material, and an image forming apparatus for promoting image formation during thermal development transfer. The apparatus has been required to have many functions (mechanisms) such as a solvent application mechanism, a heat development mechanism, and a separation mechanism between a photosensitive material and an image receiving material, and the apparatus has been increased in size. Further, in the case of full-color printing, components must be assembled with high accuracy in order to prevent color misregistration and the like, and there is a problem in that assembly workability is poor.

Further, when a black-and-white image (including black characters and halftones of an image) is produced by a full-color compatible model, a mixture of the respective colors is used. This can cause

In view of the above facts, the present invention eliminates color misregistration with a relatively simple structure, improves color reproducibility, and particularly improves the reproducibility of black-and-white images including black characters and halftones. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an image exposure apparatus capable of improving the image exposure.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image exposure apparatus for recording an image on a photosensitive material by controlling light from an exposure light source in accordance with an image data signal. Are 3 having different emission peak wavelengths
A full-color image forming light source unit mounted on a common substrate such that each color is aligned in a straight line for each color or one chip or a plurality of chips for each color LED chip, and in close proximity to the full-color image forming light source unit. An optical system for forming light from the full-color image forming light source unit and the black-and-white image forming light source unit on a photosensitive material, the optical system comprising: a full-color image forming light source unit; A light source unit for forming, a light source unit for black and white image formation, a main scanning drive system for moving a unit in which the optical system is integrated in a predetermined main scanning direction, and A sub-scanning drive system that moves stepwise in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light source unit for full-color image formation uses an LED chip, and one or a plurality of LED chips of each color are mounted on a single substrate. Processing can be kept to the minimum necessary, and since wiring space is not required,
The device can be made compact.

Further, since a black-and-white image forming light source unit is separately provided, in the case of a black-and-white image including black characters and halftones such as characters, the use of the black-and-white image forming light source unit reduces color shift and the like. The color reproducibility can be improved without a decrease in resolution due to the cause.

Further, since the light source and the optical system such as the LED chip, the white light source, and the imaging lens are unitized, they can be assembled as a sub-assembly outside the apparatus, and the unit can be removed even during maintenance. Therefore, assembly workability and maintenance workability can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spatial light modulator wherein the black and white image forming light source section is disposed on substantially the same plane as the white light source and the substrate, and controls the transmittance of light from the white light source. And an element.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the white light source (for example, a halogen lamp or the like) basically does not adjust the amount of light but always emits light with a predetermined amount of light. The density adjustment at the time of exposure is performed by arranging a spatial modulation element on the optical path and controlling the transmittance of light transmitted through the spatial modulation element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the light source for forming a black and white image is formed of a white light emitting LED chip.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by applying a white light emitting LED chip as a light source for forming a black and white image, the amount of light can be accurately adjusted by current control. A spatial modulation element such as the described halogen lamp is not required.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the full-color image forming light source section, a plurality of LED chips of the three colors arranged in a line are arranged at equal intervals in a direction orthogonal to the line. It is characterized by being.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of main scans can be simultaneously performed in a plurality of colors,
The time for exposing the image can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color analysis unit for performing color analysis of image data which is a basis of the image to be exposed, and the full-color image forming based on a result analyzed by the color analysis unit. Light source selecting means for selecting a light source for image formation or a light source for monochrome image formation.

According to the present invention, the type of image data is analyzed by the color analysis means. For example, in the case of a character, since a single black color continues, the light source selecting unit selects a black and white image forming light source. If the components of the respective colors are the same and the densities are different, it is determined that the image is a black and white image, and the light source for forming a black and white image is also selected. On the other hand, if the components of each color are different, it is determined that the image is a full-color image, and a light source for full-color image formation is selected.

As described above, by automatically selecting the light source based on the image data, the light source can be properly used even for an image in which a character, a monochrome image, and a full-color image are mixed.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Overall Configuration “Appearance”) FIGS. 1 to 3 show an image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

The image recording apparatus 100 is a CD-ROM
The image data recorded on the FD 102 and the FD 104 (see FIG. 3) is read and exposed to a photosensitive material 106, and the image recorded on the photosensitive material 106 is read on plain paper (image receiving paper 10).
8) This is a device for transferring and outputting.

The upper part of the front surface (left side in FIG. 3) of the box-shaped casing 110 has an inclined surface, and an operation display unit 112 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation display unit 112
Are classified into a monitor unit 114 located on the right side and an input unit 116 located on the left side, and the monitor unit 114 is configured to project the read image.

The input unit 116 is provided with a plurality of operation keys 1.
18 and an input data confirmation display unit 120, so that it is possible to input data necessary for image recording, such as input of the number of prints, size setting, color balance adjustment, negative / positive selection, and the like. I have.

Below the operation display section 112, a deck section 1 is provided.
22 are provided. The deck section 122 includes a CD-ROM deck section 124 located on the right side of FIG. 3 and an FD deck section 126 located on the left side.

The CD-ROM deck 124 is operated by pressing the open / close button 128 so that the tray 130 is opened.
Can be opened and closed. By mounting the CD-ROM 102 on this tray 130, the CD-RO
M102 can be loaded inside the device.

On the other hand, the FD deck section 126 is provided with an FD insertion throttle 132, and when the FD 104 is inserted, the drive system inside the apparatus operates to draw in the FD 104. When the FD 104 is taken out, the operation button 134 is pressed to
D104 can be pulled out.

The CD-ROM deck 124 and F
Each of the D deck units 126 has an access lamp 13
6, 138 are provided, and the access lamps 136, 138 are turned on during access in the apparatus.

A discharge tray 140 is provided further below the deck 122. This discharge tray 140
Is usually housed in the device, and can be pulled out by putting a finger on the grip portion 142 (FIG. 1).
reference).

The image receiving paper 108 on which the image is recorded is discharged onto the discharge tray 140.

The image receiving paper 108 is stored in a layer on a tray 144 in advance.
0 is provided in the tray loading port 146 provided on the upper surface of the tray. The image receiving paper 108 is taken out one by one from the tray 144 loaded in the tray loading port 146, the image is transferred, and then guided to the discharge tray 140.

Two circular cover members 148 and 150 are mounted on the right side surface (the front side in FIG. 1) of the casing 110. The cover members 148, 150
The cover members 148 and 148 are individually detachable.
As shown in FIG. 3, a supply reel 152 and a take-up reel 154 for winding the photosensitive material 106 in a roll form are arranged inside the apparatus along the axial direction of 150. It can be taken out or loaded with the members 148 and 150 detached. (Receiver paper transport system) As shown in FIG.
The upper surface of the tip end of the tray 144 loaded in 46 is opposed to the half-moon roller 156.

The semicircular roller 156 has a part of its peripheral surface cut in a tangential direction. Usually, the notch 158 faces the uppermost image receiving paper 108 in the tray 144 at a predetermined interval. I have. Here, when the half moon roller 156 rotates, the uppermost image receiving paper 108 and the half moon roller 156 are rotated.
When the semicircular roller 156 makes one rotation, the image receiving paper 108 is slightly pulled out. The pulled-out image receiving paper 108 is nipped by the first roller pair 160,
The driving force of the first roller pair 160 causes the tray 1
44 to be completely drawn out.

Downstream of the first roller pair 160 is a second roller
Roller pair 162, guide plate 164, third roller pair 1
66 are arranged in order, and the image receiving paper 108 is nipped by the first roller pair 160, is nipped by the second roller pair 162, is guided by the guide plate 164, and is received by the third roller pair 166. Be pinched.

The third roller pair 166 also overlaps with the photosensitive material 106. That is, the third roller pair 166 is also used as a transport path for the photosensitive material 106. (Photosensitive material transport system) The photosensitive material 106 is supplied to the supply reel 15.
It is loaded into the device in the form of a long roll wound in two layers. The supply reel 152 is formed by removing the cover member 150 (rear side of the apparatus) and inserting the cover member 150 in the axial direction.
It can be loaded in place.

With the photosensitive material 106 loaded at a predetermined position, the outermost layer is pulled out and loaded along a predetermined transport path as an initial setting. In the loading procedure, the outermost layer is pulled out from the supply reel 152, and the fourth roller pair 1 near the loading position of the supply reel 152
68, via the reservoir 170 and the guide plate 172, between the third roller pair 166, around the heat roller 174, and around the take-up reel 154. In this case, a leader tape of a length necessary for loading may be provided at the leading end of the photosensitive material 106 wound around the supply reel 152.

In the conveying path of the photosensitive material 106,
An exposure section 176 is provided between the fourth roller pair 168 and the reservoir section 170. In addition, the reservoir 170
A water application unit 178 is provided between the guide plate 172 and the guide plate 172. The details of the exposure unit 176 and the water application unit 178 will be described later. However, after the image is exposed on the photosensitive material 106 by the exposure unit 176, the third step is performed in a state where water is applied to the emulsion surface (exposed surface). Receiving paper 1 with roller pair 166 of
08 is superimposed. (Heat Roller) The heat roller 174 is a thermal development transfer section of the present apparatus, and includes a cylindrical roller main body 180 and a heater 182 provided along an axis inside the roller main body 180. The surface of the roller body 180 is heated by the operation of the heater 182, and has a role of applying heat to the members (the photosensitive material 106 and the image receiving paper 108) wound around the roller body 180. By this heating, a thermal development transfer process is performed, and the image recorded on the photosensitive material 106 is transferred to the image receiving paper 108.

A peeling roller 184 and a peeling claw 186 are provided near the lower right of the heat roller 174. The image receiving paper 108 wound around the heat roller 174 by about 1/3 is peeled off from the photosensitive material 106, and a discharge tray is provided. The image receiving paper 108 is guided in a 140 direction.

On the other hand, the photosensitive material 106 is a heat roller 1
The take-up reel 154 is wound by about 、, is turned by 180 °, and is guided to a position where the take-up reel 154 is loaded. (Water application unit) As shown in FIG.
Water as an image forming solvent is applied to the photosensitive material 106 or the image receiving paper 108, and the superposed surfaces of the two are brought into close contact with each other, and have a role of heat development. Application piece 188 and tank 190 for storing water
It is composed of

The coating piece 188 is made of a highly absorbent material such as felt or sponge and has a suitable hardness.
The photosensitive material 106 comes into contact with a predetermined pressure during transportation. The water in the tank 190 always transfers an appropriate amount to the coating piece 188 by utilizing the capillary phenomenon. When the photosensitive material 106 and the coating piece 188 come into contact with each other, the water is exposed by the coating piece 188. Water is applied to the surface (emulsion side) of the material 106.

Further, since the coating piece 188 is in contact with the photosensitive material 106 at an appropriate pressure, the water is uniformly applied.

The water in the tank 190 is replenished by removing the entire water application section 178. However, water may always be supplied from outside the apparatus by providing a pipe.

In this embodiment, water is used as a solvent for forming an image. However, the water is not limited to pure water, but includes water in a widely used sense. Further, a mixed solvent of water and a low boiling point solvent such as methanol, DMF, acetone and diisobutyl ketone may be used. Further, a solution containing an image formation accelerator, an antifoggant, a development terminator, a hydrophilic heat solvent and the like may be used. (Exposure Unit) FIG. 4 shows an exposure unit 176 according to the present embodiment.
It is shown.

The light exposure unit 176 mainly includes a light source unit 200 provided above the conveyance path of the photosensitive material 106.
It is connected to the controller 202. Controller 2
02 stores an image signal (CD-R
The image signal read from the OM 102 or the FD 104), the light source unit 2 in the light source unit 200 according to the image signal.
04 is turned on. Light source unit 20
0 is driven by a main scanning unit 206 described later.
The photosensitive material 106 can be moved in the width direction (main scanning direction), and the main scanning is performed when the photosensitive material 106 stops when the exposure unit 176 is step-driven.

The light source unit 200 of the exposure section 176 is covered by a box-shaped exposure casing 214. The light source section 204 for full color image formation, the light source section 10 for black and white image formation, The light emitting surfaces of the full color image forming light source unit 204 and the black and white image forming light source unit 10
Pointed inward. Light source unit 2 for full-color image formation
An aperture 216 is provided on the light emitting surface side of the light emitting element 04 to limit the spread of light from the plurality of LED chips 208.

The black-and-white image forming light source unit 10 includes the white light source 1
2 and a liquid crystal chip 14 as a spatial modulation element, and light emitted from the white light source 12 and passing through the liquid crystal chip 14 serves as an exposure light source. However, the black-and-white image forming light source unit 10 is a light source exclusively for characters and black-and-white images, and is applied only when image data includes characters or black-and-white images.

The analysis of the image data is performed by the controller 2
02, an example of an analysis method is as follows: when the same light amount is the same for each color in the same image data and the density is different, it is determined that the image is a black-and-white image. And the light source unit 10 for black and white image formation is selected. If the light amounts of the respective colors are different, it is determined that the image is a full-color image, and the light source unit for full-color image formation 204 is selected.

At the center of the exposure casing 214 on the downstream side of the aperture 216, a telecentric lens 212 is provided.
Is disposed, and collects light from the light source unit 204 for full-color image formation and the light source unit 10 for black-and-white image formation.
It has a function of forming an image on the image 06. The resolution of the light to be imaged is about 300 to 400 dpi.

Here, the telecentric lens 212
Is a lens composed of a plurality of lenses and an aperture, and having a characteristic that the magnification does not change even if the height of the image plane changes.
The difference due to the mounting state of the ED chip 208 can be absorbed.

The focus is constantly adjusted by an auto focus mechanism (not shown).

The light source unit 200 includes the main scanning unit 2
06 are supported by a pair of parallel guide shafts 218 that constitute a part of the reference shaft 06. This guide shaft 218
Are arranged along the width direction of the photosensitive material 106 (the direction of the arrow W in FIG. 4), and the light source unit 204 is guided by the guide shaft 218 so as to be movable in the width direction of the photosensitive material 106. ing.

A part of the endless timing belt 220 is fixed to the exposure casing 214 of the light source unit 204. Both ends of the timing belt 220 are wound around sprockets 222 located near both ends of the guide shaft 218, respectively. One sprocket 2
The rotation shaft of the stepping motor 226 is connected to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 226 via a transmission 224.
It is reciprocated along the guide shaft 218.

The driving of the stepping motor 226 is controlled by the controller 202, and is synchronized with the step driving of the photosensitive material 106. That is, in a state where the photosensitive material 106 has moved one step and stopped, the stepping motor 226 starts rotating, and the light source unit 204 moves on the photosensitive material 106 along the width direction of the photosensitive material 106. After confirming the predetermined pulse, the stepping motor 22
By reversely rotating 6, the light source unit 204 returns to the original position. The next movement of the photosensitive material 106 is started simultaneously with the return operation of the light source unit 204.

A photodiode 228 is provided on the light output side of the light source unit 200, on the surface facing the photosensitive material 106, according to the amount of light from the light source unit 204 for full-color image formation or the light source unit 10 for black-and-white image formation. Output the signal. This photodiode 228 is
The signal is connected to the light quantity correction unit 230, and the signal is input to the light quantity correction unit 230.

The light quantity correction unit 230 compares the detected light quantities from the LED chips 208 of the respective colors to determine the density,
It has a role of performing color balance adjustment and outputting a correction value to the controller 202. The image signal sent to the light source unit 204 is corrected based on the correction value, and each LED chip 208 is turned on with an appropriate light amount.

As shown in FIG. 5, the full-color image forming light source unit 204 is formed by assembling LED chips 208, each of which is B (blue), G (green),
LED chip 208 that emits each color of R (red) (hereinafter, when individually described for each color, L that emits a B color)
The ED chip is called a B-LED chip 208B, the LED chip that emits G color is called a G-LED chip 208G, and the LED chip that emits R color is called an R-LED chip 208R). Along the direction (main scanning direction), they are attached according to the same arrangement rule. That is, ten B-LED chips 208B are provided at the right end of the substrate 210 in a plan view.
Arranged in rows and in a staggered pattern, on the left end, 10 RLs
ED chips 208R are arranged in two rows and in a staggered manner,
In the center, 10 G-LED chips 208G are 2
The LED chips are arranged in rows and in a staggered manner, and a total of six rows of LED chips are arranged.

A predetermined wiring is formed on the substrate 210 by an etching process or the like. The wiring is covered with metal so as not to short-circuit between the wirings, and has a heat radiation function. For this reason, heat generation due to lighting of the LED chip 210 can be suppressed, and fluctuations in the amount of emitted light can be suppressed.

The dimensions of each unit of the full-color image forming light source unit 204 applied in this embodiment will be described below.

First, the substrate 210 has a horizontal (X) × vertical (Y) dimension of 5 × 5 mm (maximum).
Is about 360 × 360 μm.
The pitch P between columns of the same color is 600 μm, the row pitch L of each column is 520 μm, and the step size D in a staggered shape is 26.
0 μm. The gap G between the colors is determined by the telecentric lens 212 and cannot be unambiguously determined, but it is preferable that the gap G between R and G and between G and B be the same.

The hatched portion of the LED chip 208 shown in FIG. 5 is a region where light is actually emitted, and as shown by a chain line in FIG. ing.

By the light source unit 204 having the above structure, ten main scanning lines can be recorded on the photosensitive material 106 by one main scanning for each color. Therefore, the photosensitive material 1
The step movement of 06 is controlled so that driving and stopping are repeated at a pitch 10 times the main scanning line width recorded on the photosensitive material 106.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the light source unit 10 for forming a monochrome image
A total of ten pieces are arranged in a staggered manner in five rows and five columns. This arrangement is equivalent to the arrangement of one color of the full-color image forming light source unit 204. The pitch dimension and the like of each liquid crystal chip 14 are also the same as the dimensions of each color of the full-color image forming light source unit 204 (the same size code is described). (Reservoir section) The reservoir section 170 is disposed between the exposure section 174 and the water application section 178 as described above, and includes two pairs of nipping rollers 192 and 194 and one dancer roller 196. Have been. The photosensitive material 106 is stretched over two pairs of nipping rollers 192 and 194, and a substantially U-shaped slack is provided in the photosensitive material 106 between them.
The dancer roller 196 moves up and down in response to the slack, and holds the slack portion of the photosensitive material 106.

In the exposure unit 176, the photosensitive material 106 moves stepwise, but in the water application unit 178, it is necessary to convey the photosensitive material 106 at a constant speed for uniform application of water. For this reason,
The photosensitive material 106 is disposed between the exposure unit 176 and the water application unit 178.
The difference in the conveying speeds is caused. To absorb this speed difference,
The dancer roller 196 is moved up and down to adjust the slack amount of the photosensitive material 106 so that the photosensitive material 106 can be simultaneously moved stepwise and at a constant speed.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below. First, the overall flow for image recording will be described.

The tray 144 is loaded in the tray loading port 146, and the supply reel 152 with the photosensitive material 106 wound thereon and the empty take-up reel 154 are loaded at predetermined positions, respectively, and the loading is completed. When the print start key of the operation display unit 112 is operated, the controller 202 causes the CD-ROM 102 or the FD 10
4 is read and stored.

When the controller 202 stores the image data, the supply reel 152 is driven, and the conveyance of the photosensitive material 106 is started.

The controller 202 analyzes the image data and determines the type of the image data. here,
In the case of a character, since it is a single black color, the light source unit 10 for black and white image formation is controlled to be applied at the time of exposure. In the case of a monochrome image, the light source unit 10 for monochrome image formation is similarly selected. On the other hand, in the case of a full-color image, control is performed so that the full-color image forming light source unit 204 is applied at the time of exposure.

This is because the image data is decomposed for each color, and if all the same image data (all image data are sampled at a pixel unit or at a plurality of pixel unit pitches) are at the maximum density, a character and a color If the data densities are equal, it can be determined that the image is a monochrome image, and if the data densities of the respective colors are different, it can be determined that the image is a full color image.

When the photosensitive material 106 reaches a predetermined position of the exposure section 176, the photosensitive material 106 stops temporarily, and an image signal is sent from the controller 202 to the full-color image forming light source section 2.
04 or to the light source unit 10 for black and white image formation. This image signal is output every ten lines, and the light source unit 204 for full-color image formation and the light source unit 10 for monochrome image formation are
It is guided by the guide shaft 218 by the driving of the stepping motor 226 and moves along the width direction of the photosensitive material 106 (main scanning). Before starting the output of the image signal, the light amount of each color from the light source unit 204 for full-color image formation or the light source unit 10 for black-and-white image formation is detected by the photodiode 228, and the light amount correction unit 230 determines the density, color balance, and the like. A correction value for adjustment is supplied to the controller 202 to correct the image signal. This correction value is executed for each image.

When one main scan is completed, the photosensitive material 10
6 moves 1 step (10 line pitch) and stops,
A second main scan is performed. By repeating this, an image for one frame is recorded on the photosensitive material 106. The photosensitive material 106 on which recording has been completed is wound around the dancer roller 196 by driving only the pair of nipping rollers 192 on the upstream side of the reservoir 170 (the pair of nipping rollers 194 on the downstream side is stopped).
, So as not to reach the water application section 178.

When the length of the photosensitive material 106 for one image is accumulated in the reservoir 170, the pair of nipping rollers 194 on the downstream side of the reservoir 170 starts to be driven. As a result, the photosensitive material (image recorded) 106 is transported to the water application unit 178. In the water application section 178, the photosensitive material 106 is conveyed at a constant speed, and water is uniformly applied by the application piece 188.

The coating piece 188 is constantly supplied with water from the tank 190, and is supplied with the photosensitive material 10 at a predetermined pressure.
6 is pressed, an appropriate amount of water is applied to the photosensitive material 106.

The photosensitive material 106 to which water has been applied is guided by a guide plate 172 and conveyed to a third roller pair 166.

On the other hand, the image receiving paper 108 is a half-moon roller 156.
Makes one rotation, the peripheral surface of the half-moon roller 156 and the leading end of the image receiving paper 108 come into contact with each other, and the uppermost layer of the image receiving paper 108
Is pulled out, and the first roller pair 160 is pinched. The driving of the first roller pair 160 causes the image receiving paper 108
Is pulled out of the tray 144 and the second roller pair 162
Wait for the photosensitive material 106 to arrive.

The first roller pair 160 and the second roller pair 1 are synchronized with the passage of the photosensitive material 106 through the guide plate.
The driving of the image receiving paper 108 is started.
4 and is conveyed to a third roller pair 166.

In the third roller pair 166, the photosensitive material 10
6 and the image receiving paper 108 are pinched in a superposed state, and sent out to the heat roller 174. At this time, the photosensitive material 10
Both are brought into close contact with each other by the water applied to 6.

The superposed photosensitive material 106 and the image receiving paper 108 are wound around a heat roller 174, receive heat from a heater 182, and undergo a thermal development transfer process. That is, the image recorded on the photosensitive material 106 is transferred to the image receiving paper 108 and visualized.

The heat development transfer is completed when the heat roller 174 is wound about 1/3, and the image receiving paper 108 is
The photosensitive material 1 is separated by the peeling roller 184 and the peeling claw 186.
, And is discharged onto a discharge tray 140 so as to be wound around a peeling roller 184.

On the other hand, the photosensitive material 106 is
After being wrapped about 1/2 by 74, it moves tangentially and is taken up by the take-up reel 154.

According to this embodiment, an image can be recorded with a compact structure, and the CD-R
Since the OM deck 124 and the FD deck 126 are mounted, image data can be quickly captured.
Further, since the image to be recorded can be confirmed by the monitor unit 114, the adjustment of the density and the color balance is easy.

Since the discharge tray 140 is of a retractable type, the tray 144 containing the image receiving paper 108 can be stored when not in use.
By removing the outer shape, the outer shape has less irregularities, and the working space can be effectively used.

Further, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, the water application section 178 and the exposure section 176 are fixed in the transport direction of the photosensitive material 106, and the relative movement with respect to the photosensitive material 106 is
Since all the operations are performed by moving the photosensitive material 106, the moving mechanism is simplified.

In this embodiment, a CD-R
Although the OM deck section 124 and the FD deck section 126 are mounted, other recording media (for example, a magneto-optical disk (M
O), a phase change disk (PD), a video tape, etc.). Further, an image input terminal for receiving an image signal from the outside (for example, a personal computer or a television) may be provided.

In this embodiment, the light source unit 204 for full-color image formation and the light source unit 10 for black-and-white image formation are automatically selected on the basis of image data. Then, the selected one may be fixed. For example, when the monochrome image forming light source unit 10 is selected based on the image data of the full-color image, the liquid crystal chip 14 may be controlled by calculating the density data based on each color data.

Further, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal chip 14 is used as the spatial modulation element. However, a mechanical aperture mechanism, DMD, or the like may be used. When using another light source,
A shutter member that simply opens and closes the optical path may be used.

In this embodiment, a white light source 12 such as a halogen lamp is used as the light source unit 10 for forming a black-and-white image, and since the white light source 12 is used, a liquid crystal chip 14 as a spatial modulation element is provided. However, a white light emitting LED may be used as the light source unit for forming a black and white image. In this case, the amount of light can be accurately adjusted by direct current control of the white light emitting LED chip, so that a spatial modulation element becomes unnecessary.

[0089]

As described above, the image exposure apparatus according to the present invention eliminates color misregistration with a relatively simple structure, improves color reproducibility, and reproduces black and white images including black characters and halftones. This has an excellent effect that the performance can be improved and the resolution can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image exposure apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the image exposure apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image exposure apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an exposure unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a light source unit for full-color image formation in an exposure unit.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a light source unit for forming a black-and-white image according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a plan view of the light source unit for forming a black-and-white image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 light source unit for black and white image formation 12 white light source 14 liquid crystal chip (spatial modulation element) 100 image recording device 106 photosensitive material 108 image receiving paper 174 heat roller 176 exposure unit 178 water application unit 200 light source unit 202 controller 204 light source unit 208 LED chip

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image exposure apparatus for recording an image on a photosensitive material by controlling light from an exposure light source according to an image data signal, wherein the light sources have three color LEDs each having a different emission peak wavelength. A light source unit for full-color image formation mounted on a common substrate such that each color is aligned with one chip or a plurality of chips for each color; and a white light source provided in close proximity to the light source unit for full-color image formation. An optical system for forming a light from the light source unit for full-color image formation and the light source unit for black-and-white image formation on a photosensitive material; and a light source for full-color image formation. Unit, a black-and-white image forming light source unit, and a main scanning drive system that moves a unit in which the optical system is integrated in a predetermined main scanning direction; Image exposure apparatus characterized by having a sub-scan drive mechanism for step-moved in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. 2. A light source unit for forming a black-and-white image, comprising: a white light source; and a spatial modulation element disposed on substantially the same plane as the substrate and controlling transmittance of light from the white light source. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the black-and-white image forming light source unit comprises a white light emitting LED chip. 4. A light source for full-color image formation, comprising:
4. The LED chip according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the three-color LED chips arranged in a row are arranged at equal intervals in a direction orthogonal to the row. 5. Image exposure device. 5. A light source for full-color image formation or a black-and-white image formation based on a result of color analysis of image data serving as a basis of the image to be exposed. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light source selection unit that selects a light source.