JP2001330897A - Laser exposure method, laser exposure apparatus, and photographic processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To maintain the resolution of an image even when a highly sensitive photosensitive material is used. SOLUTION: This laser beam scanning unit includes a laser light source 104R for generating a laser beam, an LUT 1064 for storing optical modulation data in an updatable manner in correspondence with each gradation of image data, and a laser beam from the laser light source. AOM10 that intensity-modulates with light modulation data from LUT
6R and the like, and guides the modulated laser beam to the downstream photosensitive material 1 by a scanning optical system to print an image on the photosensitive material 1, and is arranged on the optical path downstream of the laser light source, and A PBS 110R or the like that reduces the amount of laser beam according to the type and the like, and an LU according to the amount of reduction
A memory updating unit 1065 for updating the light modulation data stored in T is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a laser exposure method for exposing a photosensitive surface of a photosensitive material with a laser beam, a laser exposure apparatus, and a photographic processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a recent photographic processing apparatus, a laser beam output from a laser beam generator driven by a laser driver is modulated with photographic image data, and the modulated laser beam is used for forming a photosensitive material as photographic printing paper. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming apparatus in which an image is formed by exposing a photosensitive surface.

In the case of an apparatus for forming an image on a photosensitive material using a laser beam, it is necessary to adjust the amount of laser light so that the formed image always has an appropriate density even if the type of the photosensitive material is changed. Therefore, conventionally, a look-up table (LUT) in which a relationship (light modulation data) between a laser light amount and an exposure density is set for each type of photosensitive material is prepared, and the above-described density adjustment is performed by selectively using these. .

[0004]

In the prior art described above, for example, when a high-sensitivity photosensitive material is used, a portion close to the highest density among the gradations from the highest density to the lowest density of the light modulation data of the LUT. When is saturated, the saturated portion is discarded (not used). In this case, the LUT gradation is insufficient, so that the image resolution is sacrificed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a laser exposure method, a laser exposure apparatus and a photographic processing apparatus capable of maintaining the resolution of an image even when a highly sensitive photosensitive material is used. With the goal.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
The laser beam from the laser beam emitting unit is subjected to light modulation based on light modulation level data from a γ characteristic table memory having predetermined bits in which a light modulation level corresponding to an image density is stored in correspondence with the image density. In the laser exposure method of exposing the photosensitive surface by guiding the laser beam after the exposure to the photosensitive material, the exposure to the photosensitive material having a γ characteristic saturated with a laser beam light-modulated at a light modulation level of the predetermined bit or less Setting the light modulation level of the γ characteristic table memory as an enlarged γ characteristic using up to a predetermined bit, and interposing a light amount suppressing means capable of controlling the light amount between the laser beam generating unit and the photosensitive material; The suppression amount of the light amount suppression means is compressed to a saturation level.

According to this configuration, the laser beam emitted from the laser beam emitting section is based on the light modulation level data from the gamma characteristic table memory having predetermined bits in which the light modulation level with respect to the image density is stored in correspondence. When the laser beam subjected to the light modulation is guided to the photosensitive material to expose the photosensitive surface, the laser beam is saturated with the laser beam modulated at the light modulation level equal to or less than the predetermined bit.
Exposure to the photosensitive material having characteristics is performed by using an enlarged γ using the light modulation level of the γ characteristic table memory up to a predetermined bit.
As the characteristic is set, the suppression amount of the light amount suppression means that can control the light amount suppression provided between the laser beam generation unit and the photosensitive material is compressed to the saturation level,
Even when a high-sensitivity photosensitive material is used, the necessary gradation of the table memory is secured, and the resolution of the image is secured.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser beam generating section for generating a laser beam, and a predetermined bit storing a laser beam from the laser beam generating section in correspondence with an optical modulation level with respect to an image density. Γ characteristic table memory, and a light modulation unit that performs light modulation based on the light modulation level data from the γ characteristic table memory, and guides the laser beam after light modulation to the photosensitive material to expose the photosensitive surface. A laser light exposure device, which is interposed between the laser beam generating unit and the photosensitive material, and is capable of controlling the light amount, and saturates with a laser beam light-modulated at a light modulation level equal to or less than the predetermined bit. Exposure to the photosensitive material having the γ characteristic to be set as an enlarged γ characteristic using the light modulation level of the γ characteristic table memory up to a predetermined bit. A storage unit that stores each of the expansion γ characteristics and the suppression amount according to the type of the material, a photosensitive material type detection unit that detects the type of the photosensitive material, and a γ expansion characteristic of the storage unit corresponding to the photosensitive material type result. And a control means for updating the characteristic table memory and setting the light quantity suppression amount by the light quantity suppression means.

According to this structure, the light amount suppressing means capable of controlling the light amount is provided between the laser beam generating section and the photosensitive material, and the laser beam modulated at the light modulation level equal to or less than the predetermined bit is provided. In order to set the exposure to the photosensitive material having the γ characteristic that is saturated in the γ characteristic table memory as an enlarged γ characteristic using the light modulation level of the γ characteristic table memory up to a predetermined bit, each enlarged γ corresponding to the type of the photosensitive material The characteristics and the suppression amount are stored in the storage unit, the type of the photosensitive material is detected by the photosensitive material type detection unit, the γ characteristic table memory is updated with the γ expansion characteristic of the corresponding storage unit from the photosensitive material type result, and the light amount is suppressed. Since the amount of light suppression by the means is set, the necessary gradation of the table memory is secured according to the type of the photosensitive material, and the resolution of the image is secured.

Further, in the second aspect, if an output adjusting means for increasing or decreasing the output of the laser beam generating section is provided (claim 3), fine adjustment of the light quantity of the laser beam by cooperation with the light quantity suppressing means. Becomes possible.

Further, in claim 2 or 3, the laser beam generating section has respective generating sections for outputting the wavelength lights of the three primary colors, and the light modulating section and the light amount suppressing means are provided for each color. In this case (claim 4), full color printing can be supported.

Further, in any one of claims 2 to 4, the photosensitive material type detecting means is provided in a photosensitive material magazine and detects the type of photosensitive material supplied from the magazine. (Claim 5) The type of the photosensitive material is easily detected.

[0013] The photographic processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect is the first aspect of the invention.
A photographic processing apparatus comprising the laser exposure apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), and further performing photographic processing on the exposed photosensitive material using a developing solution. According to this configuration, the necessary gradation of the table memory is secured according to the type of the photosensitive material, and the resolution of the image is secured, so that a higher quality photograph can be obtained.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a photographic processing apparatus to which a laser exposure apparatus according to the present invention is applied. This photographic processing apparatus optically modulates image data of each frame of a film taken in by a scanner (not shown) or image data transferred from a computer or the like (not shown), for example, a photosensitive material such as photographic printing paper. A photosensitive material storage unit 200 that includes a laser beam scanning unit (laser exposure device) 100 that scans and exposes the photosensitive material 1 to form an image on the photosensitive material 1 and that stores the photosensitive material 1 wound in a roll shape; Laser beam scanning unit 1
The photosensitive material 1 exposed at 00 is immersed in a developing solution (including a bleach-fixing solution and a stabilizing solution) 2 so that the developing unit 300 for developing, bleach-fixing and stabilizing processing and the stabilized photosensitive material 1 The transport system 500 includes a drying unit 400 for drying and the like, and further includes a roller pair and the like disposed between components for transporting the photosensitive material 1. Further, the present photographic processing apparatus includes a CPU 1003, a RAM 1001, and a ROM 1002 for collectively controlling the above-described components, and an input / output unit 1004 including a mouse, a keyboard, a CRT, and the like for various operations by an operator. (See FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 shows a laser beam scanning unit 100.
In the laser beam scanning unit 100, three laser light sources (laser beam generating units) 104R and 104 for three primary colors are provided at appropriate positions in a casing (not shown).
G and 104B are provided. Laser light source 104R
Is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser (LD) that emits an R (red) laser beam having a wavelength of 680 nm. The laser light source 104G includes an LD, and a second harmonic generator (SHG) that converts a laser beam emitted from the LD into, for example, a G (green) laser beam having a wavelength of 532 nm. An LD and a laser beam emitted from the LD are, for example, B-wavelength 473 nm.
And a second harmonic generator (SHG) for converting into a (blue) laser beam.

[0016] Laser light sources 104R, 104G, 104B
Means that the output of the laser beam generator is constant width (output adjustment width)
Output adjusting means 1041 for increasing or decreasing the number of laser light sources, and laser output drivers 1043R and 104 for setting the output of each laser light source in accordance with the output adjustment value of the output adjusting means 1041.
3G and 1043B. Output adjustment means 104
An output adjustment button 1 is displayed on a CRT screen of the input / output unit 1004, for example, and the operator clicks this button with a mouse to adjust the output value of each laser light source set by each laser output driver. It is. The output value is adjusted within a range of about ± 10% from the characteristics of the laser light source.

Laser light sources 104R, 104G, 104B
On the laser emission side, acousto-optic modulators (hereinafter, referred to as “AOM”) 106R, 106G, and 106B, which are examples of a light modulator, and a slit 108R formed at an appropriate position in a housing (not shown). , 108G, 10
8B, and a polarizing beam splitter cube (hereinafter abbreviated as “PBS”) 110R, 110G, 110B, which is an example of the light amount suppressing means, are arranged in order and constitute a scanning optical system. , Mirrors 112R, 112G, 112B, 11
4, a lens 116, and a polygon mirror 118 which rotates in the direction A in the figure and scans the laser beam in the direction B in a predetermined range are arranged in this order.

The mirror 112R is a total reflection mirror, 112
G and 112B are half mirrors, and the above arrangement is PB
The light emitted from S110R is totally reflected by the mirror 112R, is combined with the light emitted from the PBS 110G by the mirror 112G, and is further combined with the light emitted from the PBS 110B by the mirror 112B to synthesize light of three colors. This implements the configuration.

An fθ lens 120 is disposed on the laser emission side of the polygon mirror 118. The laser beam scanned in the main scanning direction (B direction) by the rotation of the polygon mirror 118 irradiates the photosensitive material 1 being conveyed in the sub scanning direction (depth direction in the drawing) via the fθ lens 120. The photosensitive material 1 is exposed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the structure and operating principle of the AOM. For example, the AOM 106R includes an acousto-optic medium 1061R having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and an acousto-optic medium 106R.
An ultrasonic vibrator 1062R for generating ultrasonic vibration is fixed to one end surface of the 1R, and is approximately 2cm long and 2c wide.
m, 1 cm high. Ultrasonic transducer 1062
R is connected to the AOM driver 1063R via a drive signal source, and can supply a drive signal for excitation. When the acousto-optic medium 1061R is driven through the ultrasonic vibrator 1062R by a drive signal from the AOM driver 1063R, the ultrasonic optical effect acts to generate Bragg diffraction, and the angle + θ _{B with} respect to the central axis O of the AOM 106R. emits a laser beam incident from the direction 0-order diffracted light angle + theta _B (direct light) and a first-order diffraction light or the like of an angle - [theta] _B. Among these diffracted lights, the first-order diffracted light passes through the slit 108R in FIG. 2 and is guided to the mirror 112R. In the acousto-optic medium 1061R, the emission level of the first-order diffracted light changes relatively finely according to the amplitude of the drive signal. AO
M106G and 106B have the same configuration.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the structure and operation principle of the PBS. For example, the PBS 110R is configured such that two slopes of two right-angle prisms P1 and P2 are opposed to each other.
One of the slopes is coated with a dielectric polarizing film M and the oblique sides are joined to each other, and is approximately 1 cm in length, 1 cm in width, and 1 cm in height.
With dimensions of The laser beam LB emitted from the laser light source 104R originally contains P-polarized light and S-polarized light and has a substantially circular cross section with a maximum diameter of about 100 μm, but is provided with an expander or a cylindrical lens (not shown) on the optical path. After being formed into a predetermined shape, the PBS 110R
, And is split into P-polarized light and S-polarized light by the reflection and transmission action of the dielectric polarizing film M.

In the PBS 110R, the dielectric polarizing film M is rotationally driven in the direction D in the figure by a motor (not shown), and the P-polarized light or the S-polarized light is extinguished by the action of the dielectric polarized film M to be incident on the PBS 110R. The amount of the laser beam can be reduced. The extinction ratio is 1/50 on the P polarization side,
It is about 1/400 on the S polarization side. PBS110G, 1
10B has the same configuration. With each PBS,
The R, G, and B lights can be independently attenuated.

The adjustment width of the light amount by the PBSs 110R, 110G, and 110B is defined by the extinction ratio for the P-polarized light or the S-polarized light.
0%, and by performing fine adjustment of the output of each of the laser light sources, accurate light amount adjustment can be performed.
Also, a PBS rotation position memory (storage unit) 1101R, 1
101G and 1101B are provided, and each PBS rotational position memory stores the light amount of the laser beam emitted from each laser light source with respect to density information which is a combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developer 2 to be used. Adjust each PBS in advance at the stage of test exposure so that
Each PB when the light amount is appropriate for each case
The rotational position of S is stored as a set value.

Further, the PBS rotational position switching determining means 110
2 and PBS drivers 1103R, 1103G, 110
3B, and the PBS rotation position switching determining means 1102 performs the actual exposure performed after the test exposure.
It is determined (confirmed) whether the combination of the developer and the developer 2 has changed from the combination at the time of the previous test exposure or the combination initially set (initial value), and based on the determination result, the PBS driver 1103R, 1103G,
It controls the operation of 1103B. That is, P
The BS drivers 1103R, 1103G, and 1103B
When the PBS rotation position switching determining means 1102 determines that the combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developer 2 has changed, the rotation position of each PBS corresponding to the changed combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developer 2 is set. By reading the value from each PBS rotation position memory and rotating each PBS by this set value, the light amount of the laser beam is reduced, and the combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developer 2 is changed by the PBS rotation position switching determination means 1102. When it is judged that there is no PBS
A command is issued to a drive motor (not shown) of each PBS so that the light amount of the laser beam is maintained by not rotating the light-emitting device. Configuration.

Note that an ND filter, a polarizer, or the like may be used as the light amount suppressing means.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an adjustment pattern and an adjustment range by the light amount suppressing means. The amount of decrease in light amount by the light amount suppression unit may be such that the adjustment range is continuously changed as in the adjustment pattern shown in FIG.
The adjustment range may be changed stepwise as in the adjustment pattern shown in FIG. Further, FIG.
For example, as in the adjustment pattern shown in FIG. However, the adjustment pattern that can be employed differs depending on the type of the light amount suppression means (FIG. 5 assumes, for example, any adjustment pattern that can be employed in an ND filter), but the PBS in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 5, an adjustment pattern that changes continuously as shown in FIG. In order to adjust the adjustment range, in this embodiment, the PBS rotation position switching setting means 1 is used.
104 are provided. For example, the PBS rotation position switch setting unit 1104 may set the adjustment range to 100 to 0%. Further, a PBS rotation position switching means 1105 is provided for sequentially switching each PBS to the PBS rotation position set by the PBS rotation position switching setting means 1104.

The photosensitive material storage unit 200 is provided on a magazine table 204 above the laser beam scanning unit 100, and incorporates the photosensitive material 1 wound in a roll shape in a light-shielded state by magazine covers 203A and 203B, respectively. For example, two photosensitive material magazines 201A and 201B
Is equipped. The two-part photosensitive material magazine 201
A and 201B can accommodate photosensitive materials 1 having different sizes such as 10-inch and 6-inch widths, and the photosensitive material magazines 201A and 201B can be switched depending on which size is used. . In addition,
There may be differences depending on the manufacturer.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure for recognizing the type of the magazine, that is, the type of the photosensitive material 1. For example, in the magazine sensor 202A, a predetermined number of photointerrupters 2021A, 2022A,..., 2025A in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element face each other at a predetermined location are arranged at a predetermined pitch on the upper surface side (left side in the figure) of the magazine base 204. The light shielding member 205A is provided at a position corresponding to the photo interrupter when the photosensitive material magazine 201A is mounted on the magazine base 204. The light shielding member 205A is provided so as to be arranged at the same pitch as each photo interrupter. Each of the light shielding members 205A has a long hole in a direction perpendicular to the row thereof for transmitting light from the light emitting element and guiding the light to the light receiving element.
, 2055A are slidably fitted.

Either light-shielding or light-transmitting can be set at each switching portion of the light-shielding member 205A, and the photosensitive material 1 can be encoded into information by this setting. In the example shown in the figure, if the light transmission is “1” and the light shielding is “0”, five-digit code information “10010” is obtained. In this case, for example, the photosensitive material 1
The width of the photosensitive material 1 is represented by the next single digit, and the type of the photosensitive material 1 that is present corresponds to the code information in advance.
It is registered in OM1001.

When the magazine is set in the main body, the light shielding member 205A is inserted between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of each photo interrupter on the magazine table 204 side, and each photo interrupter reads information on the type of the photosensitive material 1 and the like. It has become possible. A signal output line (not shown) is connected to each photo interrupter.
The CPU 1003 fetches the read information on the type of the photosensitive material 1 and the like through these signal output lines. PBS rotational position switching determining means 110
Reference numeral 2 determines from the read code information whether it is necessary to change the rotational position of each PBS. The number of digits of the code can be appropriately set according to the number of types of the photosensitive material 1.

The developing unit 300 is for developing, bleach-fixing and stabilizing the photosensitive material 1 exposed by the laser beam scanning unit 100 by immersing it in a developing solution 2 stored in a developing tank 301. Drying unit 400
Denotes a process for drying the photosensitive material 1 which has been developed, bleach-fixed and stabilized in the developing unit 300. A discharge unit 401 such as a sorter for supporting the discharged photosensitive material 1, that is, photographs in a stacked state, is provided at an upper portion of the drying unit 400.

Here, the test exposure will be described. In the test exposure, as a criterion for setting the light amount of the laser beam, for example, the photosensitive material 1 is exposed using test data which is a test pattern composed of only one gray color and subjected to a development process (at least a color development process). Densitometer 2 such as densitometer for reading the density of the formed image
10 and a density judging means 211 for judging whether or not the read density is a preset appropriate density are provided in the vicinity of the photosensitive material magazine 201A. The method of setting the rotational position of each PBS in the test exposure is as follows.

If the change range of each PBS is set by the PBS rotation position switching setting means 1104, in the combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developing solution 2, the photosensitive exposure with gray test data while rotating each PBS is performed. The material 1 is subjected to color development processing in three colors of R, G, and B. FIG. 7 shows an example of the photosensitive material 1 which has been subjected to color development processing. In this example, the rotational positions of the PBSs are set to 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% before the color development processing.
%, 100%, so that exposure is performed in five steps,
The region 2, the region 3, the region 4, and the region 5 appear in a staircase in this order. When the density of the color-processed photosensitive material 1 is measured by the densitometer 210, the density determination unit 211 determines that the necessary density is obtained in the area 4 and is insufficient in the area 3. Therefore, in this case, the rotation position of the PBS when the area 4 is exposed is set as the set value. If the density determining unit 211 determines that an appropriate density cannot be obtained at any rotational position, the LUT memory described below is updated, and the PBS rotational position is again updated based on the updated LUT. Is set.

Since the amount of light reduction can be continuously changed in the PBS, the accuracy can be further improved by performing the above processing a plurality of times. Since the length of the photosensitive material 1 is finite, the area that can be printed by one exposure is finite. Therefore, the accuracy can be efficiently improved by first roughly obtaining the amount of light reduction, and then narrowing the measurement range. For example, in the first time, the rotational position of each PBS is set at about 60 to 80% in terms of the amount of light reduction, and in the second time, the rotational position is obtained with further increased accuracy.

The set value of the rotational position of each PBS obtained in this way is stored in each PBS rotational position memory in association with the code indicating the combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developer 2. At the time of shipment from the factory, initial values are stored in the respective PBS rotational position memories, so that the initial values are updated based on the test exposure results.

Since it is considered that the developer 2 is hardly changed after the test exposure, the magazine sensors 202A and 202B are usually used with the type of the developer 2 fixed.
It is sufficient to set the rotational position of each PBS in accordance with the detection information by the above, and store these set values in the respective PBS rotational position memories in the form of banks. Then, in the actual exposure after the test exposure, the set value may be read from each PBS rotational position memory by switching banks based on detection information from the magazine sensors 202A and 202B. Further, a colorimeter may be provided instead of the densitometer.

Referring back to FIG. 2, a look-up table (hereinafter referred to as "LUT") 1064, 1
Have a capacity capable of storing, for example, 12-bit data, and rewritably store output values corresponding to each level corresponding to 4096 gradations (0 to 4095 gradations) of image data. Things. The output value (gradation from the highest density to the lowest density) is AOM106
R, 106G, 106B ultrasonic transducers 1062R, 1
062G and 1062B, which act as amplitude control signals of the driving signals, that is, light modulation data. In each LUT, each gradation of image data corresponds to a memory address, and the storage content of each address is stored as light modulation data corresponding to the gradation. In the case of a color photographic image or the like, each color level signal separated into three primary colors is supplied as an address of a corresponding LUT, and light modulation data as storage content is output from the corresponding address.

The LUT prepared for every pattern of the combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developing solution 2 is prepared at the factory, and is provided to the apparatus side by, for example, a CD-ROM. The memory updating unit 1065 selects a combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developing solution 2 in the test exposure from among these LUTs, temporarily stores the combination in the RAM 1001 as an initial value, and controls the amount of light by each PBS at each test exposure. The optical modulation data of each LUT is updated according to the decrease amount. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the update of the internal data of the LUT, and shows the output characteristics of the above-mentioned light modulation data called γ. The horizontal axis in the figure indicates the level (gradation) of the light modulation data, and the vertical axis indicates the density of the photograph (measured value by a densitometer). FIG. 8 shows a set standard value (for example, 0 to 4095 gradations on the horizontal axis and a maximum density of 2.5 on the vertical axis) according to the original input / output characteristics. On the other hand, at the time of the density measurement, for example, it is assumed that the density is saturated at a density of 2.2 in FIG. What is necessary is just to return to the setting standard value (0-4095 gradation) as shown in FIG. For this purpose, the memory update unit 1065 performs the following memory update for the LUT.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the LUT. In the figure, the vertical axis represents density, and the horizontal axis represents colors of Y, M, and C. In the same drawing, for example, the Y color at the left end is a density distribution when a formed image of the photosensitive material 1 subjected to test exposure with gray test data using B light is subjected to color development processing. Let it be saturated. In this case, after the light quantity decreases, the memory updating means 10
By the action of 65, the saturated portion higher than the density P is eliminated, and the unsaturated portion lighter than the density P extends downward, and the density changes almost linearly. The LUT is updated by performing the same processing for other colors.
Then, using the updated LUT, a new γ characteristic (enlarged γ characteristic) in which the number of gradations of the light modulation data returns to the original number of gradations is obtained as shown in FIG. be able to.

Further, PBS rotation position switching means 1102,
The memory updating unit 1065 and the like operate by executing a program stored in the ROM 1002 under the control of the CPU 1003. Also, the polygon mirror 11
8 of the driver 1181 and the driver 50 of the transport system 500
01 is also under the control of the CPU 1003, whereby the exposure scanning of the photosensitive material 1 is performed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a test exposure operation in the photographic processing apparatus, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an actual exposure operation in the photographic processing apparatus.
Note that the test exposure is performed before the actual exposure, but may be performed only once every morning, for example, in consideration of the labor and time-dependent change of the developer 2.

In FIG. 10, when the power of the photographic processing apparatus is first turned on (step S1), initial values (for example, the first rotational position and the like) are read from the PBS rotational position memories 1101R, 1101G and 1101B, respectively. Based on these initial values, the PBS 110R, 110G, 110
B is determined (Step S
3). At this time, the PBS rotation position switching setting means 1104
Can be used to set the change range. Also, the LUT 1 is read from the RAM 1001 by the memory
The initial values of 064, 1064, 1064,... Are read out, and a γ characteristic is created from these initial values (step S5).

Next, gray test data is input, for example, by a scanner (step S7), and each laser light source 104 is input.
The LDs of R, 104G, and 104B start laser oscillation, and emit laser beams of respective colors (step S9). For these laser beams, AOMs 106R, 106
G and 106B perform optical modulation (step S1).
1) Further, the light amount is further reduced by the PBSs 110R, 110G, 110B (step S13). The photosensitive material 1 is scanned and exposed by the laser beam whose light quantity has been adjusted (step S15).

Next, the PBS rotational position switching means 1105
, The rotational position of each PBS is sequentially switched until the rotational position becomes, for example, a rotational position at which the light amount becomes 0%, and the scanning exposure is repeated (steps S17 and S19). At this time, if necessary, the output of each laser light source is adjusted for each laser output driver. Then, if predetermined photo processing is performed, a photo as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained (step S21).

Then, the density of the image is measured for the photograph by the densitometer 210 (step S23), and it is judged by the density judging means 211 whether or not a good density is obtained (step S25). If it is determined that a good density has not been obtained, the memory updating unit 106
, Are updated by LUT 5, a new γ is created from the updated LUT (step S27), and the process returns to step S9. When it is determined that a good density is obtained, the rotational position of each PBS corresponding to the image of that density is associated with the combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developing solution 2 at that time, and the PBS
In addition to being stored in the rotation position memories 1101R, 1101G, and 1101B, the update data of each LUT is stored in the RAM 1001 in association with the combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developer 2 at that time (step S2).
9). The above operation is repeated for every pattern of the combination of the photosensitive material 1 and the developer 2 which is to be planned (step S31). For example, photosensitive material magazine 2
The above operation is repeated twice in total for the two types of photosensitive materials 1 stored in 01A and 201B and the one type of developer 2 stored in the developing tank 301.

Then, when the laser scanning is stopped (step S33), the test exposure is completed, so that it is possible to shift to the following actual exposure.

In FIG. 11, a magazine sensor 202
A, the type of the photosensitive material 1 to be used is detected based on the output signal from 202B (step S41).
PBS rotation position switching determining means 11 receiving this detection information
02, it is determined whether or not to change the position of each PBS (step S43). Here, if it is determined to change, the PBS rotational position memory 1101R, 1101G, 1
PBS 110R, 110G stored in 101B,
The rotation position of 110B is read (step S4)
5).

Next, the PBS drivers 1103R and 113R
03G and 1103B issue commands to each PBS,
The rotational position of the PBS 110R or the like is changed to the rotational position read from each PBS rotational position memory (step S4).
7), the updated LU read from the RAM 1001
A new γ is created based on T1064, 1064,... (Step S49). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S43 not to change, steps S45, S47, and S49 are skipped.

Next, image data of three colors is input (step S51), and a laser beam is emitted by the laser oscillation of the LD of each laser light source (step S53). For these laser beams, AOMs 106R, 106
G, 106B performs optical modulation (step S5).
5), the amount of light is reduced by the PBSs 110R, 110G, 110b (step S57). The photosensitive material 1 is scanned and exposed by the laser beam whose light quantity has been adjusted, and is subjected to photographic processing to obtain a photograph having an appropriate density (step S59).

Then, the laser scanning is stopped (step S61), and when the actual exposure is completed, the power is turned off (step S63). The stored contents of the LUT and the like are retained without being cleared even when the power is turned off, and the above update is continuously performed at the next power on.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, each PBS disposed on the optical path downstream of each laser light source allows
The light amount of the laser beam is reduced according to the density of the image formed on the photosensitive material 1, and each LUT is
Of the light modulation data stored in each of the gradations is eliminated. Then, since the remaining light modulation data is restored to the original number of gradations by this amount, the saturated gradation part is replaced with the non-saturated gradation part. As a result, the LUT gradation actually required for the density adjustment is secured, and an image with a good density can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, each PBS 104
R, 104G, 104B are slits 108R, 108
G, 108B and the mirrors 112R, 112G, 112B, respectively, but may be located between each laser light source and each mirror (that is, before multiplexing). The laser beam from each laser light source is
It is not always necessary to combine the laser beams on the upstream side, and the respective laser beams may be scanned and exposed on the photosensitive material 1 to synthesize the respective color images on the photosensitive material 1. In such a case, the position of the PBS as described above may be on the downstream side of the laser light source.

In the above embodiment, the amount of decrease in the amount of light by each PBS can be finely adjusted as needed by adjusting the output of the laser light source. However, performing this fine adjustment is not necessarily essential. Each laser light source may have a constant output. Further, as output adjustment means, each P
In the same configuration as the BS, a storage unit that stores in advance the correspondence between the density information of the formed image and the laser output value, and a determination unit that determines whether the density information of the formed image has changed, If each laser output driver issues a command to each laser light source in accordance with the determination result, more accurate output adjustment can be performed.

In the above embodiment, gray is printed as a reference color, but other colors may be used. However, it is preferable to use gray from the viewpoint of the stability of coloring in each color. Further, the gradation of the image data does not necessarily have to be 4096 gradations (0 to 4095 gradations), and more or less gradations can be handled. Further, in the above embodiment, each PBS is rotated stepwise before the color development processing in the test exposure. However, each PBS may be rotated after performing the color development processing and measuring the density.

In the above embodiment, the AOM 106R or the like is applied as an example of the light modulating unit.
06, etc., to modulate the laser beam.
An electro-optic modulator (EOM) instead of the AOM 106, etc.
It is also possible to modulate the intensity of the laser beam by applying a magneto-optical modulator (MOM).

In the above embodiment, the components of the laser beam scanning unit 100 are laid out in a plane on the housing.
It is also possible to arrange a three-dimensional layout in which the 18 is arranged below (upper) the laser light sources 104R, 104G, 104B and the mirrors 124, 126 are arranged below (upper) the mirror 110.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the laser beam scanning unit 100 is applied to a photographic processing apparatus has been described. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. Can be applied easily.

[0058]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, even when a high-sensitivity photosensitive material is used, the necessary gradation of the table memory can be secured and the resolution of the image can be secured.

Further, according to the third aspect, the light amount can be easily adjusted.

Further, according to the fourth aspect, full color printing can be supported.

Further, according to the fifth aspect, the type of the photosensitive material can be easily detected.

According to the photographic processing apparatus of the present invention, the necessary gradation of the table memory is secured according to the type of the photosensitive material, and the resolution of the image can be secured, so that a higher quality photograph can be obtained. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a photographic processing apparatus to which a laser beam scanning unit according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser beam scanning unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure and operation principle of an AOM.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure and operation principle of a PBS.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an adjustment pattern and an adjustment range of a light amount suppression unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a magazine sensor.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of test exposure using test image data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating updating of internal data of an LUT.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of an LUT.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a test exposure operation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an actual exposure operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 photosensitive material 2 developer 100 laser beam scanning unit (laser exposure device) 1001 RAM 1002 ROM 1003 CPU (control means) 1004 input / output means 104R, 104G, 104B laser light source (laser beam generation unit) 1041 laser output adjustment means 1043R 1043G, 1043B Laser output driver 106R, 106G, 106B AOM (light modulation unit) 1063R, 1063G, 1063B AOM driver 1064R, 1064G, 1064B LUT (γ characteristic table memory) 1065 Memory updating means 110R, 110G, 110B PBS (light quantity suppressing means) 1101R, 1101G, 1101B PBS rotational position memory (storage unit) 1102 PSB rotational position switching determining means 1103R, 1103G, 1103B PBS memory Driver 1104 PBS rotation position switching setting means 1105 PBS rotation position switching means 200 Photosensitive material storage units 202A, 202B Magazine sensor (photosensitive material type detecting means) 210 Densitometer 211 Density determining means 300 Developing unit 400 Drying unit 500 Transport system

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Fumihiro Nakahara One Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. at 579 Umehara, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture F-term (reference) 2H106 AA76 AB04 BA01 BA26 2H110 AA21 AB09 BA13 BA17 BA19 CB41 CD06 CD07 CD12

Claims (6)

[Claims] An optical modulation is performed on a laser beam from a laser beam emitting unit based on optical modulation level data from a γ characteristic table memory having predetermined bits in which an optical modulation level corresponding to an image density is stored correspondingly. Applying a laser beam after light modulation to a photosensitive material to expose a photosensitive surface, wherein the laser beam has a γ characteristic saturated with a laser beam light modulated at a light modulation level equal to or less than the predetermined bit. Light exposure means for setting the exposure of the material as an enlarged γ characteristic using the light modulation level of the γ characteristic table memory up to a predetermined bit, and controlling the light amount between the laser beam generator and the photosensitive material; Wherein the amount of suppression by the light amount suppression means is compressed to a saturation level. 2. A laser beam generator for generating a laser beam, and a γ characteristic table memory having predetermined bits in which a light modulation level with respect to an image density is stored in correspondence with a laser beam from the laser beam generator. A light modulating unit that performs light modulation based on light modulation level data from the γ characteristic table memory, and a laser exposure apparatus that exposes a photosensitive surface by guiding a laser beam after light modulation to a photosensitive material, A light amount suppressing unit interposed between the laser beam generating unit and the photosensitive material and capable of controlling the light amount suppression, and the photosensitive member having a γ characteristic saturated with a laser beam optically modulated at an optical modulation level equal to or less than the predetermined bit. Exposure to materials,
A storage unit for storing each enlarged γ characteristic and suppression amount according to the type of photosensitive material, for setting the light modulation level of the γ characteristic table memory as the extended γ characteristic using up to a predetermined bit; Photosensitive material type detecting means for detecting
A laser exposure apparatus comprising: a control unit that updates a γ characteristic table memory with a γ enlargement characteristic of a corresponding storage unit based on a photosensitive material type result and sets a light amount suppression amount by a light amount suppression unit. 3. The laser exposure apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising output adjusting means for increasing or decreasing the output of the laser beam generator. 4. The laser beam generator according to claim 1, further comprising a generator for outputting light of three primary colors, and wherein a light modulator and a light amount suppressor are provided for each color. 4. The laser exposure apparatus according to 2 or 3. 5. The photosensitive material type detecting means is provided in a photosensitive material magazine and detects the type of photosensitive material supplied from the magazine. The laser exposure apparatus according to claim 1. 6. A photographic processing apparatus comprising the laser exposure apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the photographic processing apparatus further performs photographic processing on the exposed photosensitive material using a developing solution. Processing equipment.