JPH11352652A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image recording apparatus capable of checking the state of a developer with a simple configuration. SOLUTION: The test pattern image data created by a printer unit control circuit 238 is output to a frame memory 230, and is output to an exposure unit 236 via an LUT 234 and a D / A converter 235. The photographic paper 224 is exposed by the exposure unit 236 based on the test pattern image data, and is subjected to color development, bleach-fix, washing, and drying in the processor unit 20 to form a test pattern image on the photographic paper 224. The density of each of the test pattern images formed on the printing paper 224 is measured by the densitometer 254,
It is determined whether or not the developer has deteriorated based on the measured density value, and when it is determined that the developer has deteriorated, the display unit 253 is determined.
To display a warning message. When a deterioration warning is issued, the operator performs replacement or replenishment of the developer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording a frame image recorded on a photographic film on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a film image photographed and recorded on a photographic film is exposed and recorded on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper.
An image recording apparatus which obtains a printed image by subjecting this photosensitive material to color development, bleach-fixing, washing, and drying is known.

[0003] Processing solutions used for color development, bleach-fixing, and washing are deteriorated in accordance with environmental changes, changes over time, printing conditions, and the like. It is necessary to refill or replace at a predetermined timing.

Conventionally, in order to check the state of a developing solution, a control strip having a predetermined predetermined color image exposed and recorded under strict control in advance is used, for example, as shown in FIG. The developer was used to measure the density at a predetermined timing, and the developer was checked based on the measured density.

However, there is a problem that control strips are expensive and storage management is very difficult.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of checking the state of a developer with a simple structure. Aim.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a test pattern creating means for creating a test pattern image, and the test pattern image created by the test pattern creating means are provided. Exposure means for printing and exposing to photographic paper based on the, by developing the photographic paper exposed by the exposure means,
Printing means for printing the test pattern image on the printing paper, density measuring means for measuring the density of the test pattern image printed on the printing paper by the printing means, and density values measured by the density measuring means Density correction means for correcting the density of the print image by the printing means based on the density value or the density correction amount by the density correction means, and predicting the deterioration of the developer for performing the development. Warning means for warning deterioration.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a test pattern image is created by the test pattern creating means. This test pattern image has a minimum density (base density), for example.
A plurality of patterns are created by changing the density stepwise from to the maximum density. The color of the test pattern image may be black and white or may be color (cyan, magenta, yellow, etc.).

The test pattern image created by the test pattern creating means is printed and exposed on photographic paper by the exposure means. The printing paper that has been printed and exposed is developed by a printing unit to form a printed image on the printing paper. The density measuring means measures the density value of the test pattern image formed on the printing paper. Based on this density value, density correction of the print image by the printing means is performed by the density correction means. Then, based on the density value or the density correction amount by the density correction unit, the deterioration of the developing solution for performing the development is predicted, and when it is determined that the developing solution has deteriorated, a warning is issued by the warning unit. As described above, since the test pattern image is internally created and the density of the test pattern image is measured to warn of the deterioration of the developing solution, the deterioration of the developing solution is performed using the conventionally used control strips. No need to check.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the warning by the warning means is performed by comparing a base density or a maximum density of the density values with a previously stored reference value of the base density or the maximum density. It is characterized by the following.

In the invention according to claim 2, the warning by the warning means is performed by comparing the base density or the maximum density among the measured density values with the previously stored reference value of the base density or the maximum density. . In the case where the variation of the printing paper is small, the deterioration of the developer can be warned by such simple control.

The invention according to claim 3 further comprises storage means for storing the density value or the density correction amount by the density correction means, wherein the warning by the warning means is the density value stored by the storage means. Alternatively, the correction is performed based on the density correction amount.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the warning by the warning means is performed by obtaining a change in base density, maximum density or contrast from the density value accumulated by the accumulation means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a storage means for storing the density value measured by the density measurement means or the density correction amount by the density correction means. Then, the warning by the warning unit is performed based on the density value or the density correction amount accumulated by the accumulation unit. That is, the deterioration of the developer is warned in consideration of the accumulated density value or density correction amount measured in the past. When the previously measured density value or density correction amount accumulated in this way is used, the deterioration of the developer is determined based on the change in the base density, the maximum density, or the contrast. It is desirable to warn. For example, the amount of change between the first measured base concentration and the currently measured base concentration is monitored each time, and a deterioration warning is issued when the amount of change exceeds a predetermined value. As described above, by performing the deterioration warning based on the change amount, it is possible to accurately perform the deterioration warning even when there is a density difference depending on the type of the printing paper.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the warning by the warning means is performed by further using reference density information for each type of the photographic paper which is held in advance.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when a plurality of types of printing paper are handled, reference density information for each type of printing paper is held in advance, and a deterioration warning is issued in consideration of the reference density information. In this way, even if the type of printing paper is different, a deterioration warning can be issued with high accuracy.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Schematic Configuration of Entire System] First, a digital laboratory system according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a digital laboratory system 10 according to this embodiment.
2 is shown, and FIG. 2 shows an external view of the digital laboratory system 10. As shown in FIG.
The lab system 10 includes a line CCD scanner 14,
The image processing unit 16 includes an image processing unit 16, a laser printer unit 18, and a processor unit 20. The line CCD scanner 14 and the image processing unit 16 are integrated as an input unit 26 shown in FIG. The processor 18 and the processor unit 20 are integrated as an output unit 28 shown in FIG.

The line CCD scanner 14 is for reading a frame image recorded on a photographic film such as a negative film or a reversal film.
5 size photographic film, 110 size photographic film, and photographic film with a transparent magnetic layer (24
0 size photographic film: so-called APS film), 12
Frame images of photographic film of size 0 and size 220 (Brownie size) can be read. The line CCD scanner 14 reads the frame image to be read by the line CCD, and outputs image data.

The image processing section 16 stores image data (scanned image data) output from the line CCD scanner 14.
Is input, image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera, image data obtained by reading a document other than a frame image (for example, a reflection document, etc.) with a scanner, image data generated by a computer, etc. Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as file image data.) It is also possible to externally input (for example, input via a storage medium such as a memory card, or input from another information processing device via a communication line). It is configured as follows.

The image processing section 16 performs image processing such as various corrections on the input image data and outputs the image data to the laser printer section 18 as recording image data. Also,
The image processing unit 16 outputs image data on which image processing has been performed to an external device as an image file (for example, outputs the image data to a storage medium such as a memory card, or transmits the image data to another information processing device via a communication line). It is also possible.

The laser printer unit 18 has R, G, and B laser light sources, and irradiates a photographic paper with laser light modulated in accordance with recording image data input from the image processing unit 16 to perform scanning exposure. To record an image on photographic paper. Further, the processor unit 20 performs each process of color development, bleach-fix, washing, and drying on the photographic paper on which the image is recorded by the scanning exposure by the laser printer unit 18. Thus, an image is formed on the printing paper.

[Configuration of Line CCD Scanner] Next, the configuration of the line CCD scanner 14 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of an optical system of the line CCD scanner 14. The optical system includes a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, or the like, and includes a light source 30 that irradiates light to the photographic film 22. Diffusion boxes 36 are arranged in order.

The photographic film 22 includes a light diffusion box 36.
The frame image is conveyed by a film carrier 38 (see FIG. 5 and not shown in FIG. 3) arranged on the light emission side of the frame so that the screen of the frame image is perpendicular to the optical axis. Note that FIG. 3 shows the long photographic film 22, but a dedicated film carrier is prepared for each slide film (reversal film) or APS film held in a slide holder for each frame. (The film carrier for the APS film has a magnetic head for reading information magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer), and these photographic films can be transported.

Between the light source 30 and the light diffusion box 36, C (cyan), M (magenta) and Y (yellow) dimming filters 114C, 114M and 114Y are arranged along the optical axis of the emitted light. A lens unit 40 that is provided in order and forms an image of light transmitted through the frame image along the optical axis on a side opposite to the light source 30 across the photographic film 22.
Line CCDs 116 are arranged in order. Although FIG. 3 shows only a single lens as the lens unit 40, the lens unit 40 may actually be a zoom lens composed of a plurality of lenses.

The line CCD 116 is provided with three sensing units in which a large number of CCD cells are arranged in a row and an electronic shutter mechanism is provided in parallel with each other at intervals. , G, B color separation filters are attached to each other (a so-called 3-line color CCD). Line CCD 116
Are arranged such that the light receiving surface of each sensing unit coincides with the imaging point position of the lens unit 40.

A transfer section is provided in the vicinity of each sensing section in correspondence with each sensing section, and charges accumulated in each CCD cell of each sensing section are sequentially transferred via the corresponding transfer section. Will be transferred. Although not shown, a shutter is provided between the line CCD 116 and the lens unit 40.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of an electric system of the line CCD scanner 14. Line CCD scanner 1
4 includes a microprocessor 46 for controlling the entire line CCD scanner 14. The microprocessor 46 has a RAM 64 (for example, SRA
M), ROM 66 (for example, RO whose storage contents can be rewritten)
M), a motor driver 48 is connected, and a filter drive motor 54 is connected to the motor driver 48. The filter drive motor 54 can slide the dimming filters 114C, 114M, and 114Y independently of each other.

The microprocessor 46 turns on and off the light source 30 in conjunction with turning on and off a power switch (not shown). The microprocessor 46 includes a line CCD 1
When the frame image is read (photometric) by the filter driving motor 54, the dimming filter 114C,
114M and 114Y are independently slid, and the amount of light incident on the line CCD 116 is adjusted for each component color light.

The motor driver 48 includes a zoom drive motor 70 for changing the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40 by relatively moving the positions of a plurality of lenses of the lens unit 40, and moving the entire lens unit 40. Is connected to a lens drive motor 106 for moving the image forming point position of the lens unit 40 along the optical axis. The microprocessor 46 controls the zoom drive motor 7 according to the size of the frame image and whether or not to perform trimming.
By 0, the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40 is changed to a desired magnification.

On the other hand, a timing generator 74 is connected to the line CCD 116. The timing generator 74 generates various timing signals (clock signals) for operating the line CCD 116, an A / D converter 82 described later, and the like. The signal output terminal of the line CCD 116 is connected to an A / D converter 82 via an amplifier 76. The signal output from the line CCD 116 is amplified by the amplifier 76 and converted to digital data by the A / D converter 82. Is done.

The output terminal of the A / D converter 82 is connected to an interface (I / F) circuit 90 via a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 88. The CDS 88 samples the feedthrough data indicating the level of the feedthrough signal and the pixel data indicating the level of the pixel signal, and subtracts the feedthrough data from the pixel data for each pixel. Then, the calculation result (pixel data accurately corresponding to the amount of charge stored in each CCD cell) is expressed by I /
The data is sequentially output to the image processing unit 16 as scan image data via the F circuit 90.

The line CCD 116 outputs R, G,
Since the photometric signals of B are output in parallel, the amplifier 76, A
Three signal processing systems including a / D converter 82 and a CDS 88 are also provided, and the I / F circuit 90 outputs R, G, and B image data as scan image data in parallel.

The motor driver 48 is connected to a shutter drive motor 92 for opening and closing the shutter. The dark output of the line CCD 116 is corrected by the image processing unit 16 at the subsequent stage. The dark output level can be obtained by the microprocessor 46 closing the shutter when the frame image is not read. .

[Configuration of Image Processing Unit] Next, the image processing unit 16
Will be described with reference to FIG. Image processing unit 1
Reference numeral 6 is provided with a line scanner correction unit 122 corresponding to the line CCD scanner 14. The line scanner correction unit 122 includes a dark correction circuit 124, a defective pixel correction unit 128, and a light correction circuit 13 corresponding to R, G, and B image data output in parallel from the line CCD scanner 14.
There are provided three signal processing systems composed of 0s.

The dark correction circuit 124 includes a line CCD 116
In the state where the light incident side is shielded from light by the shutter, data input from the line CCD scanner 14 (data representing the dark output level of each cell of the sensing unit of the line CCD 116) is stored for each cell, and CCD
From the scanned image data input from the scanner 14,
The correction is performed by reducing the dark output level of the cell corresponding to each pixel.

Further, the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the line CCD 116 vary from cell to cell. Defective pixel correction unit 12
In the bright correction circuit 130 at the subsequent stage of 8, the line CCD 116 reads the adjustment frame image with the line CCD 116 in a state where the frame image for adjustment with a constant density is set on the line CCD scanner 14. The gain is determined for each cell based on the image data of the adjustment frame image input from 14 (the density variation of each pixel represented by this image data is caused by the variation of the photoelectric conversion characteristics of each cell). Every line CCD scanner 14
The image data of the frame image to be read which is input from is corrected for each pixel according to the gain determined for each cell.

On the other hand, if the density of a specific pixel is significantly different from the density of other pixels in the image data of the frame image for adjustment, the cell of the line CCD 116 corresponding to the specific pixel has some abnormality. The specific pixel can be determined as a defective pixel. The defective pixel correction unit 128 stores the address of the defective pixel based on the image data of the adjustment frame image, and stores the defective pixel data in the image data of the frame image to be read input from the line CCD scanner 14. Generates new data by interpolating from the data of surrounding pixels.

Since three lines (CCD cell rows) are arranged in the line CCD 116 at predetermined intervals along the direction in which the photographic film 22 is conveyed, the line CCD scanner 14 outputs R, G, B. There is a time difference in the timing at which the output of the image data of each component color is started.
The line scanner correction unit 122 delays the output timing of the image data with a different delay time for each component color so that the R, G, and B image data of the same pixel is simultaneously output on the frame image.

The output terminal of the line scanner correction unit 122 is connected to the input terminal of the selector 132,
Are output to the selector 132. The input terminal of the selector 132 is also connected to the data output terminal of the input / output controller 134. From the input / output controller 134, externally input file image data is input to the selector 132. Selector 1
The output terminals of the 32 are connected to the input / output controller 134 and the data input terminals of the image processor units 136A and 136B, respectively. The selector 132 can selectively output the input image data to each of the input / output controller 134 and the image processors 136A and 136B.

The image processor 136A includes a memory controller 138, an image processor 140, and three frame memories 142A, 142B, 142C. Frame memories 142A, 142B, 142C
Has a capacity capable of storing image data of one frame image of one frame, and the image data input from the selector 132 is stored in any of the three frame memories 142. The memory controller 138 The address at which the image data is stored in the frame memory 142 is controlled so that the data of each pixel of the input image data is stored in the storage area of the frame memory 142 in a fixed order.

The image processor 140 takes in the image data stored in the frame memory 142, performs gradation conversion, color conversion, hypertone processing for compressing the gradation of an ultra-low frequency luminance component of the image, and sharpness while suppressing graininess. Various image processing such as hyper sharpness processing for emphasizing is performed. Note that the processing conditions of the above image processing are automatically calculated by an auto setup engine 144 (described later), and the image processing is performed according to the calculated processing conditions. The image processor 140 is connected to the input / output controller 134, and the image data subjected to the image processing is temporarily stored in the frame memory 142 and then output to the input / output controller 134 at a predetermined timing. Note that the image processor unit 136B has the same configuration as the above-described image processor unit 136A, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, each frame image is read twice by the line CCD scanner 14 at different resolutions. In the first reading at a relatively low resolution (hereinafter, referred to as pre-scan), even when the density of the frame image is extremely low (for example, a negative image overexposed on a negative film), the saturation of the accumulated charge in the line CCD 116 is not caused. The frame image is read under the reading conditions determined so as not to occur (light amounts of the light irradiating the photographic film in each of the R, G, and B wavelength ranges, and the charge storage time of the CCD). The image data (pre-scan image data) obtained by the pre-scan is input from the selector 132 to the input / output controller 134, and further output to the auto setup engine 144 connected to the input / output controller 134.

The auto setup engine 144 uses C
PU 146, RAM 148 (for example, DRAM), ROM
150 (for example, a rewritable ROM) and an input / output port 152, which are connected to each other via a bus 154.

The auto setup engine 144 generates a line C based on pre-scan image data of a plurality of frame images input from the input / output controller 134.
Image processing conditions for image data (fine scan image data) obtained by the second relatively high resolution reading by the CD scanner 14 (hereinafter referred to as fine scan) are calculated, and the calculated processing conditions are stored in an image processor. Image processor 140 of unit 136
Output to In the calculation of the processing conditions of this image processing, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of frame images of similar scenes based on the exposure amount at the time of shooting, the type of light source for shooting, and other feature amounts. Are determined, the processing conditions for the image processing on the fine scan image data of these frame images are the same or similar.

The optimum processing conditions for image processing also vary depending on whether the image data after image processing is used for recording an image on photographic paper in the laser printer unit 18 or output to the outside. Since the image processing unit 16 is provided with two image processor units 136A and 136B, for example, when the image data is used for recording an image on photographic paper and is output to the outside, the auto setup engine 144 is used. Calculates the optimal processing conditions for each application, and calculates the image processor units 136A and 136A.
Output to B. Thereby, the image processor unit 13
6A and 136B, the same fine scan image data is subjected to image processing under different processing conditions.

Further, the auto setup engine 144
Calculates an image recording parameter that defines a gray balance and the like when recording an image on photographic paper by the laser printer unit 18 based on the pre-scan image data of the frame image input from the input / output controller 134, The image data is output simultaneously when the image data for recording (described later) is output to the printer unit 18. Auto setup engine 1
Reference numeral 44 also calculates the image processing conditions for file image data input from the outside in the same manner as described above.

The input / output controller 134 is an I / F circuit 1
It is connected to the laser printer section 18 via 56.
When the image data after image processing is used for recording an image on photographic paper, the image data processed by the image processor 136 is transferred from the input / output controller 134 via the I / F circuit 156 to the recording image. The data is output to the laser printer unit 18 as data. The auto setup engine 144 is connected to a personal computer 158. When the image data after the image processing is output to the outside as an image file, the image data processed by the image processor unit 136 is sent from the input / output controller 134 to the auto setup engine 144.
Is output to the personal computer 158 via the.

The personal computer 158 has a CPU
160, memory 162, display 164, keyboard 166 (see also FIG. 2), mouse 177, hard disk 168, CD-ROM driver 170, transport control unit 1
72, expansion slot 174, and image compression / decompression unit 17
6 are connected to each other via a bus 178. The transport control unit 172 is connected to the film carrier 38 and
Of the photographic film 22 is controlled. When an APS film is set on the film carrier 38, information (for example, image recording size) read from the magnetic layer of the APS film by the film carrier 38 is input.

A driver (not shown) for reading / writing data from / to a storage medium such as a memory card.
A communication control device for communicating with another information processing device is connected to the personal computer 158 via the expansion slot 174. When image data for output to the outside is input from the input / output controller 134, the image data is output to the outside (the driver, the communication control device, or the like) as an image file via the expansion slot 174. When file image data is input from outside via the expansion slot 174, the input file image data
4 to the input / output controller 134. In this case, the input / output controller 134 outputs the input file image data to the selector 132.

The image processing section 16 outputs prescanned image data and the like to the personal computer 158,
A frame image read by the line CCD scanner 14 is displayed on the display 164, an image obtained by recording on a photographic paper is estimated and displayed on the display 164, and the operator can correct the image via the keyboard 166. When instructed, this can be reflected in the processing conditions of image processing.

[Configuration of Laser Printer Unit and Processor Unit] Next, the laser printer unit 18 and the processor unit 20
Will be described. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the optical system of the laser printer unit 18. The laser printer unit 18 includes three laser light sources 210R, 210G, and 210B.
Laser light sources. The laser light source 210R is R
(For example, 680 nm). The laser light source 210G includes an LD and a wavelength conversion element (S) that converts the laser light emitted from the LD into a laser light having a half wavelength.
HG), and the oscillation wavelength of the LD is determined so that the SHG emits a laser beam having a wavelength of G (for example, 532 nm). Similarly, the laser light source 210
B also includes an LD and SHG, and the oscillation wavelength of the LD is determined so that a laser beam having a wavelength of B (for example, 475 nm) is emitted from SHG. The above LD
Alternatively, a solid-state laser may be used. Laser light source 21
The collimator lens 212 and the acousto-optic modulator (AO)
M) 214 are arranged in order. The AOMs 214 are arranged so that the incident laser beams pass through the acousto-optic medium, and the AOM drivers 213
(See FIG. 7) and the AOM driver 213
When a high-frequency signal is input from, ultrasonic waves according to the high-frequency signal propagate in the acousto-optic medium, and diffraction occurs due to the acousto-optic effect acting on the laser light transmitted through the acousto-optic medium.
The laser light having the intensity corresponding to the amplitude of the high-frequency signal is AOM
It is emitted from 214 as diffracted light.

A polygon mirror 218 is arranged on each diffracted light emission side of the AOM 214. The polygon mirror 218 has three wavelengths of R, G, and B emitted as diffracted light from each of the AOM 214.
The book laser light is applied to substantially the same position on the deflecting / reflecting surface of the polygon mirror 218, and is reflected by the polygon mirror 218. On the laser light emission side of the polygon mirror 218, an fθ lens 220 and a plane mirror 222 are arranged in this order. The three laser lights reflected by the polygon mirror 218 are transmitted through the fθ lens 220 and
The photographic paper 224 is reflected and reflected by the photographic paper 224.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of an electric system of the laser printer section 18 and the processor section 20. The laser printer section 18 has a frame memory 230 for storing image data. The frame memory 230 is connected to the image processing unit 16 via the I / F circuit 232, and the recording image data (R, R, and R for each pixel of the image to be recorded on the photographic paper 224) input from the image processing unit 16 The image data representing the G and B densities are temporarily stored in the frame memory 230 via the I / F circuit 232. Frame memory 230
Is a density correction LUT (look-up table) 234,
It is connected to the exposure unit 236 via the D / A converter 235 and to the printer unit control circuit 238.

The exposure section 236 has three laser light sources 210 composed of LDs (and SHGs) as described above, and also has three systems of AOM 214 and AOM driver 213. The polygon mirror 218 and polygon mirror 21 are provided.
A main scanning unit 240 provided with a motor for rotating 8 is provided. The exposure unit 236 is a printer control circuit 2
The operation of each unit is controlled by a printer unit control circuit 238.

When recording an image on the photographic paper 224,
In order to record the image represented by the recording image data on the photographic paper 224 by scanning exposure, the printer control circuit 238 performs various operations on the recording image data based on the image recording parameters input from the image processing unit 16. To generate image data for scanning exposure, and
30. Then, the polygon mirror 218 of the exposure unit 236 is rotated, and the laser light sources 210R and 210R are rotated.
G and 210B, and emits the scanning exposure image data from the frame memory 230 to the exposure unit 23 via the LUT 234 and the D / A converter 235.
6 is output. Thus, the scanning exposure image data is converted into an analog signal and input to the exposure unit 236.

The AOM driver 213 changes the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal supplied to the AOM 214 according to the level of the input analog signal, and changes the intensity of the laser light emitted from the AOM 214 as the diffracted light to the level of the analog signal (ie, the level of the analog signal). The modulation is performed according to the R density, the G density, or the B density of each pixel of the image to be recorded on the photographic paper 224. Accordingly, the three AOMs 214 emit R, G, and B laser beams whose intensity is modulated in accordance with the R, G, and B densities of the image to be recorded on the photographic paper 224, and these laser beams are emitted from the polygon mirror 218. , Fθ lens 220, and plane mirror 222 to irradiate photographic paper 224.

The main scanning is performed by scanning the irradiation position of each laser beam along the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6 with the rotation of the polygon mirror 218, and the photographic paper 2
The laser beam 24 is conveyed at a constant speed along the direction of arrow C in FIG. 6 to perform sub-scanning of laser light, and an image is recorded on the printing paper 224 by scanning exposure. The photographic paper 224 on which the image is recorded by the scanning exposure is the processor unit 2
It is sent to 0.

The printer control circuit 238 is connected to a printer driver 242.
42, a fan 24 that blows air to the exposure unit 236
4. A magazine motor 246 for pulling out the photographic paper stored in the magazine loaded in the laser printer unit from the magazine is connected. The printer control circuit 238 is connected to a back print unit 248 that prints characters and the like on the back surface of the printing paper 224. The operations of the fan 244, the magazine motor 246, and the back print unit 248 are controlled by the printer control circuit 238.

The printer control circuit 238 includes a magazine sensor for detecting whether or not a magazine in which unexposed photographic paper 224 is stored, a size of the photographic paper stored in the magazine, and a running out of photographic paper. 250, an operation panel 252 (FIG. 2) for the operator to input various instructions.
), A densitometer 254 for measuring the density of an image visualized by processing such as development in the processor unit 20, a display unit 253 for displaying a developer deterioration warning (described later), and a processor unit of the processor unit 20. Twenty processor section control circuits 256 are connected.

The processor control circuit 256 detects the passage of the photographic paper 224 conveyed along the photographic paper conveyance path in the body of the processor 20, and detects the level of various processing liquids stored in the processing layer. Various sensors 258 for detecting the position and the like
Is connected.

The processor control circuit 256 includes:
A sorter 260 (see FIG. 2) that sorts the photographic paper discharged out of the machine after processing such as development into predetermined groups, and a replenishing system 26 that replenishes a replenisher in the processing layer.
2. An automatic cleaning system 264 for cleaning rollers and the like is connected, and various pumps / solenoids 268 are connected via a processor driver 266. These sorters 260, replenishment systems 262, automatic cleaning systems 264, and various pumps / solenoids 26
The operation of 8 is controlled by the processor unit control circuit 256.

[Regarding Warning of Deterioration of Developer] Since the quality of a printed image printed on photographic paper changes due to environmental changes, aging, and printing conditions, the so-called calibration (correction) of the laser printer unit 18 is periodically performed. ) To maintain a constant print quality. Therefore, as an example, a test pattern image as shown in FIG. 9 is printed on the printing paper 224, and the density of the test pattern image is measured by the densitometer 254. Then, a density correction amount is determined and corrected based on the measured density value.

The test pattern images are C (cyan), M
For each of the colors (magenta) and Y (yellow), the densities are set to 0.5 in steps from _Dmax (the density value is 2.5 as an example) to _Dmin (the photographic paper base density) which is the minimum density. Pattern images with changed values are arranged in three rows at predetermined intervals. The test pattern image data is created by the printer control circuit 238.

The created test pattern image data is output to the frame memory 230, and the LUT 234, D / A
It is output to the exposure unit 236 via the converter 235. Then, the photographic paper 224 is exposed by the exposure unit 236, developed by the processor unit 20, and visualized,
A test pattern image is formed on the printing paper 224.

The density of each of the test pattern images formed on the printing paper is measured by the densitometer 254.
The printer control circuit 238 calculates a density correction amount from the measured density value, and based on this density correction amount,
In step 234, density correction is performed. It should be noted that the measured density value or density correction amount can be stored in the RAM or the like built in the printer control circuit 238 each time it is measured.

The printer control circuit 238 uses the measured density value or density correction amount to determine whether or not the developer used for the development processing in the processor unit 20 has deteriorated. If you determine that
A warning message can be displayed on the display unit 253 to give a warning. The warning method is not limited to displaying a warning message, and a warning sound may be sounded.

Examples of information used for this deterioration warning include:
Absolute density of _Dmin , absolute density of _Dmax , _Dmin and _Dmax
Information, contrast change, etc. can be used.

When the absolute concentration of D _min is used, C,
A density value of D _min of each of M and Y is compared with a density value of a reference stored in advance, and when any one of C, M, and Y becomes a predetermined value or more, Warns about deterioration. The density value serving as this reference is, for example, the hard disk 1
68 or the like. Since _Dmin has not been exposed, it is irrelevant to the fluctuation of the exposed portion 236, and the warning accuracy is high. If the storage period of the photographic paper is long, the density value of _Dmin increases. Therefore, the storage period information may be obtained, and a deterioration warning may be given in consideration of this information. D
_The case where the absolute density of _max is used is basically the same as the case where the absolute density of _Dmin is used, and the density value of D _min of each of C, M, and Y is compared with a reference density value stored in advance. Then, when any one of C, M, and Y becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, a deterioration warning is issued.

Further, depending on the type of photographic paper, D _min , D
_Since the absolute density of _max may be different, when using a plurality of types of printing paper, the reference density information is stored in the hard disk 168 or the like for each printing paper, and the reference density information for each printing paper is further taken into account. Then, if the deterioration is warned, the deterioration can be warned more accurately.

As described above, when the deterioration warning is performed at the absolute densities of D _min and D _max , the deterioration warning can be accurately performed by obtaining the reference density information for each photographic paper. If a deterioration warning is issued based on changes in D _min and D _max using the density value, a deterioration warning can be issued with high accuracy even without the information for each photographic paper.

For example, a test pattern image is printed at predetermined intervals to measure the density, and each time the density is measured, _Dmin measured for the first time is compared with _Dmin measured this time.
This is performed for each of C, M, and Y. If any one of the density differences is 0.03 or more, a deterioration warning is issued.

When the deterioration is warned using the change in contrast, for example, the contrast (gradient) between the density values of 0.5 to 1.5 is calculated each time the density is measured, and the previous measurement is performed. The change in contrast is determined from the ratio with the contrast. Then, while being stored in the RAM incorporated in the printer control circuit 238, the total contrast change amount is obtained by multiplying all the previously obtained contrast changes.

For example, as shown in FIG.
Exposure given to generate a pattern with a degree value of 0.5
To E_AAnd the measured density value is D_AThe first time, a density value of 1.5
The exposure amount given to generate the pattern_B, Measurement
The determined density value is D_BThen the contrast α₁Is (D
_B-D_A) / (E_B-E_A). And the nth time
Let the measured contrast be α_nThen, from the first time twice
Eye contrast change β₁₂Is α_Two/ Α₁Becomes the second
The third contrast change β_{twenty three}Is α_Three/ Α _TwoTona
You. Hereinafter, the contrast change is obtained in the same manner. So
For example, when the fifth concentration measurement is performed,
Trust total change β_totalIs β₁₂× β_{twenty three}× β₃₄× β₄₅
It is represented by This contrast total change amount β_totalBut
If the change is 10% or more, ie, β_totalIs 1 ± 0.1
When the value is out of the range, a deterioration warning is issued.

As described above, if a deterioration warning is issued based on a change in D _min , D _max , or contrast,
Even if there is no information for each photographic paper, a deterioration warning can be issued with high accuracy.

When a deterioration warning is issued using the past density value or density correction amount, the magazine sensor 250
When the photographic paper is exhausted and the photographic paper is replenished and the photographic paper is replenished, there is a variation in the photographic paper (lot difference), so it is necessary to exclude the data when the photographic paper is replenished.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the photographic paper is replenished and the density measurement is performed for the fourth time, when the deterioration warning is issued based on the total amount of contrast change, the contrast for the first to third times is measured. It is necessary to obtain the total contrast change amount from the change and the fourth to sixth contrast changes to issue a deterioration warning.

If the density correction amount is extremely large, other factors such as an environmental change may be considered, and it is necessary to exclude the data at that time.

Further, when the work of improving the developer is performed by adding the developer, the change before the work needs to be considered because the 100% developer is not improved.
For example, it is assumed that D _min changes as shown in FIG. 12, a deterioration warning is issued in the fourth density measurement, and an operation of adding a developer is performed. Here, when the seventh concentration measurement is performed, 3
Since the value of _Dmin at the fourth and fourth times is larger than the value of _{Dmin at} the fifth time, it is judged that the developer improving work has been performed and is excluded, and the total contrast change amount β _total is _calculated as β ₁₂ × β ₅₆ ×
Calculate as β ₆₇ .

Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, the control for checking the deterioration of the developer executed by the printer control circuit 238 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As information used for a deterioration warning, a case where a deterioration warning is issued based on a change in contrast will be described as an example.

When the operator instructs the start of the developer deterioration check by performing a predetermined operation on the operation panel 252, the control shown in FIG.

First, test pattern image data as shown in FIG. 9 is created by the printer control circuit 238 (step 302). Then, the created test pattern image data is output to the frame memory 230, and the LU
The signal is output to the exposure unit 236 via T234 and the D / A converter 235.

Then, the photographic paper 224 is exposed by the exposure section 236 based on the test pattern image data (step 304), and each processing of color development, bleach-fixing, washing and drying is performed in the processor section 20 (step 30).
6). Thus, a test pattern image is formed on the printing paper 224.

The density of the test pattern image formed on the printing paper 224 is measured for each of C, M, and Y by the densitometer 254 (step 308). The measured density value is represented by an R value stored in the printer control circuit 238.
Stored in AM. The printer control circuit 238 first calculates the _total contrast change amount β _total for C from the measured density value and the density values measured in the past (step 310).

Β_totalIs from the first time as mentioned above
Second contrast change β₁₂Is α _Two/ Α₁Asking
Therefore, when the contrast change is calculated in the same manner,
β₁₂× β_{twenty three}× β₃₄× ... Also, β_total
When calculating, the data when the work of improving the developer was performed
Is excluded. For example, as shown in FIG.
In the calculation, the third and fourth data are excluded. You
That is, β_{twenty three}And β₃₄Is excluded and the total contrast change
β_totalIs β₁₂× β₅₆× β₆₇And

Next, it is determined whether the obtained β _total is within a predetermined range, for example, within 1 ± 0.1 (step 312).
If it is out of the predetermined range, a message is displayed on the display unit 253 and a deterioration warning is issued (step 314). When the deterioration warning is issued, the operator performs replacement or replenishment of the developer. If it is within the predetermined range, step 3
At 16, it is determined whether or not all the processes have been completed for C, M, and Y, and the process returns to step 310 to perform the same processing for M and Y.

As described above, a test pattern image is generated, and the deterioration of the developing solution is warned by measuring the density of the test pattern image. Therefore, the deterioration of the developing solution is checked using the control strips as in the prior art. No need to do.

In the above embodiment, the test pattern image is a pattern image in which the density value is changed stepwise by 0.5 for each of C, M, and Y. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be changed according to. Further, only one type of pattern among C, M, and Y may be used, and the pattern is not limited to color but may be a black and white pattern.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since a test pattern image is created internally and the density of the test pattern image is measured to warn of the deterioration of the developer, it is necessary to check the deterioration of the developer using the control strips used conventionally. There is an excellent effect that there is no.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital laboratory system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital laboratory system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system of the line CCD scanner.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric system of the line CCD scanner.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system of a laser printer unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electric system of a laser printer unit and a processor unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control flow in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a test pattern image.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between density and exposure amount.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a deterioration warning when photographic paper is replenished.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing a deterioration warning when a developer is added.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of control strips.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 digital laboratory system 18 laser printer section 20 processor section 224 photographic paper 236 exposure section 238 printer section control circuit 253 display section 254 densitometer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A test pattern creating means for creating a test pattern image, an exposure means for printing and printing on photographic paper based on the test pattern image created by the test pattern creating means, A printing unit that prints the test pattern image on the printing paper by developing the printing paper; a density measurement unit that measures the density of the test pattern image printed on the printing paper by the printing unit; Based on the concentration value measured by the concentration measuring means,
Density correction means for correcting the density of a print image by the printing means; and a warning for predicting deterioration of a developer for performing the development based on the density value or the density correction amount by the density correction means, and warning the deterioration. Means, and an image recording apparatus comprising: 2. The method according to claim 2, wherein the warning by the warning unit is performed by comparing a base density or a maximum density of the density values with a reference value of a base density or a maximum density stored in advance. Item 2. The image recording apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit configured to store the density value or the density correction amount by the density correction unit, wherein the warning by the warning unit is based on the density value or the density correction amount stored by the storage unit. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording is performed based on the information. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the warning by the warning unit is performed by obtaining a change in a base density, a maximum density, or a contrast from the density value accumulated by the accumulation unit. apparatus. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning by the warning unit is performed by further using reference density information for each type of the photographic paper stored in advance. Image recording device.