JPH10181084A - Image exposing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent lowering of image quality by setting sub-scanning movement to constant speed movement in order to stabilize a sub-scanning speed and allowing a main scanning line to cross a sub-scanning direction at a right angle. SOLUTION: The movement along a guide shaft is set to the direction inclined by an angle θ with respect to a sub-scanning direction. Therefore, assuming that a photosensitive material 106 is stopped, a main scanning line is formed in an oblique direction in such a case that the vertical and horizontal sides of the photosensitive material are set to (x) and (y) axes. However, since main scanning is performed at a predetermined speed VMAIN while the photosensitive material 106 is fed at a predetermined speed VSUB, the inclination of the above mentioned angle θ is set off and, as a result, the main scanning line right-angled to the sub-scanning direction is formed on the photosensitive material 106.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

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

Here, when the driving system for the sub-scanning is a stepping movement, the main scanning line is orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction,
A main scanning line is formed parallel to the horizontal side of the recording paper. However, a disadvantage of the step movement is that the operation is intermittent, so that a considerable amount of rise and fall time occurs at the start and stop of the operation, resulting in uneven speed.

On the other hand, by moving the sub-scan at a constant speed, it is possible to perform the sub-scan stably without this speed unevenness.

[0005] However, in the sub-scanning by moving at a constant speed, the main scanning line is obliquely conveyed according to the moving speed of the sub-scanning. That is, the recording paper moves in the sub-scanning direction between the start of printing on the main scanning line and the end of printing.

The oblique movement of the main scanning line becomes more remarkable as the conveying speed of the sub-scanning becomes higher, which leads to a deterioration in image quality such as image distortion.

[0007] In particular, when a plurality of lines are formed in one main scan, the amount of sub-scanning movement in one main scan is increased, and the above problem is exacerbated.

In view of the above facts, the present invention makes the sub-scanning movement at a constant speed and makes the main scanning line orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction in order to stabilize the sub-scanning speed, thereby preventing the image quality from deteriorating. It is an object to obtain an image exposure method which can be performed.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image exposure method for scanning and exposing an image on a photosensitive material by controlling light emission of a light beam from a light source according to an image data signal. When performing main scanning with the light beam while sub-scanning the photosensitive material at a constant speed, the light beam to be main-scanned is angled in the conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of the photosensitive material based on the speed of the photosensitive material. It is characterized by forming a main scanning line perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction by moving by tilting θ.

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the sub-scan is carried at a constant speed, the moving distance of the sub-scan is directly proportional to the time. Therefore, the same amount of movement in the sub-scanning direction at the same time when forming the main scanning line is performed simultaneously with the formation of the main scanning line. That is, the main scanning line can be formed on the photosensitive material in the direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction by moving the main scanning line in the oblique direction (angle θ).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the main scanning is performed simultaneously on a plurality of lines and the speed of the photosensitive material is v _SUB and the main scanning speed is v _MAIN , the angle θ is expressed by the following equation (1). It is characterized by being done.

Θ = Sin ⁻¹ (v _SUB / v _MAIN ) (1) According to the second aspect, when determining the angle θ according to the first aspect, the main scanning reciprocates. The amount of movement in the sub-scanning direction at the time of forward scanning of the main scanning from the amount of movement in the sub-scanning direction at the time of scanning, and one main scanning in the case of forming a plurality of main scanning lines in one main scanning Must be considered in the sub-scanning movement amount.

Therefore, the speed of the photosensitive material is v _SUB , the main scanning length is L _MAIN , the main scanning speed is v _MAIN , and the photosensitive material moving amount a (a <a <
When the L _{MA IN)} to be, holds the _{(a / v SUB) = (} L MAIN / v MAIN) ··· (2).

From equation (2), (a / L _MAIN ) = (v _SUB / v _MAIN ) (3)

Accordingly, since the angle θ is expressed by θ = Sin ⁻¹ (a / L _MAIN ) (4), from the expressions (3) and (4), θ = Sin ⁻¹ (v _SUB / v _MAIN ) (1), and the angle θ is the velocity v _{MAIN in the} main scanning direction.
And the speed in the sub-scanning direction (speed of the photosensitive material) v _SUB . For this reason, if the angle θ is variable, the angle θ may be set from the main / sub-scanning direction speed, or if the angle θ is structurally fixed, the main / sub-scanning direction speed may be changed. Good.

In any case, since the angle θ can be set only by the speed in the main and sub-scanning directions, the sub-scan can be carried at a constant speed without causing image distortion, and the deterioration of image quality due to uneven speed can be prevented. can do.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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

The image recording apparatus 100 is a CD-ROM
This is an apparatus that reads image data recorded on an optical disc 102 and an FD 104 (see FIG. 3), exposes the photosensitive material 106, and transfers an image recorded on the photosensitive material 106 to an image receiving paper 108 for output.

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

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

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

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

The optical disk deck 124 can open and close the tray 130 by pressing an open / close button 128. By placing the optical disk 102 on the tray 130, the optical disk 10
2 can be loaded inside the device.

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

The optical disk deck 124 and the FD
Access lamps 136,
138 are provided, and the access lamps 136 and 138 are turned on during access in the apparatus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A peeling roller 184 and a peeling claw 186 are provided in the vicinity of the lower right of the heat roller 174. The image receiving paper 108 is guided in a 140 direction.

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

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

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

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

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

The light exposure unit 176 mainly includes a light source unit 200 provided above the conveyance path of the photosensitive material 106,
It is connected to the controller 202. Controller 2
02 stores an image signal (an image signal read from the optical disk 102 or the FD 104), and according to the image signal, the light source unit 20 in the light source unit 200.
4 is turned on. Light source unit 200
Can be moved in a direction (main scanning direction) at a predetermined angle θ with respect to a direction parallel to the width direction of the photosensitive material 106 by driving a main scanning unit 206 described later. The main scanning is performed when the 176 is driven at a constant speed.

The light source unit 200 of the exposure unit 176 is covered with a box-shaped exposure casing 214, and a light source unit 204 is disposed on the upper end surface of the exposure casing 214. 214
Pointed inward. On the light emitting surface side of the light source unit 204,
An aperture 216 is provided, and a plurality of LED chips 20 are provided.
8 limits the spread of light. It is to be noted that there is a possible configuration of the aperture 216.

At the center of the exposure casing 214 downstream of the aperture 216, a telecentric lens 212 is provided.
Is provided, and has a function of condensing light from the light source unit 204 and forming an image on the photosensitive material 106. The resolution of the light to be imaged is about 250 to 400 dpi.

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

The focus is always adjusted by an auto focus mechanism (not shown). Alternatively, adjustment may not be required by using a lens system having a deep focal depth.

The light source unit 204 includes a pair of parallel guide shafts 21 that constitute a part of the main scanning unit 206.
8 supported. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide shaft 218 is disposed along a predetermined angle θ with respect to the width direction of the photosensitive material 106 (the direction of the arrow W in FIG. 6). , This guide shaft 2
The photosensitive material 106 is movable in the width direction of the photosensitive material 106 by being guided by the photosensitive material 18.

In this embodiment, the angle θ is fixed,
Assuming that the vertical and horizontal sides of the photosensitive material 106 are the xy axes, the main scanning is performed in an oblique direction. However, based on the angle θ, the speed v _SUB of the photosensitive material 106 and the main scanning speed v
_MAIN is set, and the photosensitive material 106 has a constant speed v
_{Since the} main scanning is performed while the _{sheet is} being conveyed by _SUB , the main scanning line is consequently perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a scanning system showing the relationship between the angle θ, the speed v _SUB of the photosensitive material 106, and the main scanning speed v _MAIN .

In this embodiment, ten main scanning lines are formed in one main scanning, and the main scanning unit 20
A is the amount by which the photosensitive material 106 moves while A
And Since the speed of the photosensitive material 106 is constant, the photosensitive material 1 at the time of the main scanning of the main scanning unit 206 (at the time of forward movement) is used.
06 is A / 2 (= a). _Assuming that the main scanning length is L _MAIN , if the time for the main scanning to move the length L _MAIN at the speed v _MAIN and the time for the sub-scanning to move the length a at the speed v _SUB are the same, The scanning line is perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction.

Therefore, (a / v _SUB ) = (L _MAIN / v _MAIN ) (2) holds, and from this equation (2), (a / L _MAIN ) = (v _SUB / v _MAIN ) ·・ ・ (3)

Accordingly, since the angle θ is expressed by θ = Sin ⁻¹ (a / L _MAIN ) (4), from the expressions (3) and (4), θ = Sin ⁻¹ (v _SUB / v _MAIN ) (1) can be obtained.

Here, since the angle θ is fixed, the main scanning line can be easily sub-scanned while the photosensitive material 106 is being conveyed at a constant speed by adjusting the speed v _MAIN or v _SUB in the main or sub scanning direction. It can be formed at right angles to the direction.

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

The driving of the stepping motor 226 is controlled by the controller 202. When the main scanning starts, the stepping motor 226 starts rotating, and the light source unit 204 moves on the photosensitive material 106 in the sub-scanning direction of the photosensitive material 106. And move linearly at an angle θ. After confirming the predetermined pulse, the light source unit 204 is returned to the original position by rotating the stepping motor 226 in the reverse direction. When the return operation of the light source unit 204 is completed, the next main scanning is started.

The light output side of the light source unit 204 and the photosensitive material 106
A photodiode 228 is provided on the surface facing the light emitting device and outputs a signal corresponding to the light amount of the light source from the light source unit 204. The photodiode 228 is connected to the light amount correction unit 230, and the signal is input to the light amount correction unit 230.

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

As shown in FIG. 5, the light source 204 is
The ED chips 208 are collectively configured, and the LED chips 208 that emit colors of B (blue), G (green), and R (red), respectively (hereinafter, when individually described for each color, B B-LE LED chip
D-chip 208B, LED chip that emits G color is G-
The LED chip 208G and the R-LED chip 208R are referred to as R-LED chips 208R).
0, the photosensitive material 106 is attached along the width direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive material 106 according to the same arrangement rule.
The R-LED chip 208R has a wavelength of 65 for each color.
0 ± 20 nm, G-LED chip 208G has 530 ± 3
0 nm, B-LED chip 208B is 470 ± 20 nm
It has been.

At the right end of the substrate 210 in plan view, ten B-LED chips 208B are arranged in two rows and in a staggered manner, and at the left end, ten R-LED chips 208R are arranged.
Are arranged in two rows and in a staggered manner, and in the center, ten G-LED chips 208G are arranged in two rows and in a staggered manner, so that a total of six rows of LED chips are arranged.

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

The dimensions of each section of the light source section 204 applied in this embodiment will be described below. First, the horizontal (X) × vertical (Y) dimensions of the substrate 210 are 5 × 5 mm (maximum),
The outer dimensions (x × y) of the LED chip 208 are about 360 ×
360 μm. The pitch P between rows of the same color is 600 μm
The row pitch L of each column is 520 μm, and the step size D in a staggered form is 260 μm. Gap G between each color
Is determined by the telecentric lens 212 and cannot be unambiguously determined, but it is preferable that the gap dimensions G between R and G and between G and B are the same.

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

With the light source unit 204 having the above structure, ten main scanning lines can be recorded on the photosensitive material 106 by one main scanning for each color. (Reservoir section) The reservoir section 170 is disposed between the exposure section 174 and the water application section 178 as described above, and includes two pairs of nipping rollers 192 and 194 and one dancer roller 196. Have been. The photosensitive material 106 is stretched over two pairs of nipping rollers 192 and 194, and a substantially U-shaped slack is provided in the photosensitive material 106 between them.
The dancer roller 196 moves up and down in response to the slack, and holds the slack portion of the photosensitive material 106.

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

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

The tray 144 is loaded in the tray loading port 146, and the supply reel 152 in which the photosensitive material 106 has been wound up and the empty take-up reel 154 are loaded in predetermined positions, respectively, and the loading is completed. When the print start key of the operation display unit 112 is operated, the controller 202 causes the optical disk 102 or the FD 104 to operate.
And reads and stores the image data.

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

When the photosensitive material 106 reaches a predetermined position of the exposure unit 176, an image signal is sent from the controller 202 to the light source unit 2.
04 is output. This image signal is output every ten lines, and the light source unit 204 is guided by the guide shaft 218 by the driving of the stepping motor 226 and moves along the width direction of the photosensitive material 106 (main scanning). The movement along the guide shaft 218 is a direction inclined by an angle θ with respect to the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, if the photosensitive material 106 is stopped, a main scanning line is formed in an oblique direction when the vertical and horizontal sides of the photosensitive material are xy axes. However, in the present embodiment, the main scanning is performed at the predetermined speed v _MAIN while the photosensitive material 106 is being conveyed at the predetermined speed v _SUB , so that the inclination of the angle θ is offset, and as a result, the photosensitive A main scanning line perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction is formed on the material 106.

Before starting the output of the image signal, the light amount of each color from the light source unit 204 is detected by the photodiode 228, and the density,
The correction value for adjusting the color balance and the like is stored in the controller 2.
02 to correct the image signal. This correction value is executed for each image.

When one main scan is completed, the second main scan is immediately performed because the photosensitive material 106 has been conveyed by a predetermined amount by this one main scan (and the return operation). By repeating this, an image for one frame is recorded on the photosensitive material 106.

For this reason, it is not necessary to move the sub-scan stepwise, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in image quality due to uneven speed. Further, since the inclination of the main scanning line generated when the sub-scanning is performed at a constant speed can be eliminated, a high-quality image can be obtained without image distortion.

The photosensitive material 106 on which recording has been completed is
By driving only the pair of holding rollers 192 on the upstream side of the reservoir 170 (the pair of holding rollers 194 on the downstream side is stopped),
It is held in a slack state in the reservoir section 170 so as to be wound around the dancer roller 196, and does not reach the water application section 178.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this embodiment, the angle of the guide shaft 218, that is, the angle θ in the main scanning direction is fixed.
The main / sub-scanning direction speed is set in accordance with the fixed angle θ. Conversely, the main / sub-scanning direction speed is kept constant, and the angle of the guide shaft 218, that is, the main scanning direction angle θ is made variable. Is also good.

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

[0083]

As described above, in the image exposure method according to the present invention, in order to stabilize the speed of the sub-scanning, the sub-scanning is performed at a constant speed and the main scanning line is orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. This has an excellent effect that the deterioration of the image quality can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

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

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

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

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a light source unit of the exposure unit.

FIG. 6 is a plan view near the exposure stage.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a scanning system showing a relationship between an angle θ, a speed v _SUB of a photosensitive material, and a main scanning speed v _MAIN .

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image recording apparatus 106 Photosensitive material 108 Image receiving paper 174 Heat roller 176 Exposure part 178 Water application part 200 Light source unit 202 Controller

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image exposure method for scanning and exposing an image on a photosensitive material by controlling light emission of a light beam from a light source according to an image data signal, wherein the photosensitive material is sub-scanned at a constant speed. When the light beam is main-scanned, the main-scanning light beam is moved at an angle θ in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material (sub-scanning direction) based on the speed of the photosensitive material, and the main beam is perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. An image exposure method comprising forming a scanning line. 2. The angle θ is expressed by the following equation (1), where main scanning is performed simultaneously on a plurality of lines, and the speed of the photosensitive material is v _SUB and the main scanning speed is v _MAIN. The image exposure method according to claim 1. θ = Sin ^-1 (v _SUB / v _MAIN ) (1)