U.S. patent application number 12/010491 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for image exposure apparatus.
Invention is credited to Mikiya Seto, Kazuhiro Yoshida.
Application Number | 20080137054 12/010491 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33475581 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080137054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seto; Mikiya ; et
al. |
June 12, 2008 |
Image exposure apparatus
Abstract
An image exposure apparatus of a different angle incident type
is provided having a single optical sensor unit for determining the
timing for start point synchronization along the main scanning
direction, an output level detecting device determining the output
level of each beam of light which can be detected by the optical
sensor unit, a first modulating device modulating the output level
of each beam of light with a pixel data in the light path for
exposure, and a second modulating device modulating the output
level of each beam of light to a higher level outside of the light
path for exposure than the level determined by said output level
detecting device.
Inventors: |
Seto; Mikiya;
(Wakayama-City, JP) ; Yoshida; Kazuhiro;
(Wakayama-City, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH PATENT OFFICE
1901 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE N W, SUITE 901
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
33475581 |
Appl. No.: |
12/010491 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10892128 |
Jul 16, 2004 |
7355618 |
|
|
12010491 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
355/68 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 15/1295 20130101;
B41J 2/473 20130101; G06K 15/129 20130101; G06K 15/1219 20130101;
G06K 15/1209 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
355/68 |
International
Class: |
G03B 27/72 20060101
G03B027/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 18, 2003 |
JP |
2003-276556 |
Claims
1. An image exposure apparatus comprising: a group of light sources
for emitting at different angles beams of light which are different
in the narrow band wavelength from each other; a deflection optical
system for reflecting and deflecting the beams of light received at
one reflecting surface in a main scanning direction and scanning in
a sequence at predetermined intervals along each scanning line for
exposure of a photosensitive material; a single optical sensor unit
located outside of the light path for exposure extending from said
deflection optical system to the photosensitive material for
providing the timing for start point synchronization of each of the
beams of light individually along said main scanning direction; a
sensitivity setting device setting the detection sensitivity of
said single optical sensor unit to a higher level than the minimum
for detecting each of the beams of light at a reference level; a
first modulating device modulating the output level of each of the
beams of light with pixel data along the light path for exposure;
and a second modulating device modulating the output level of each
of the beams of light to the reference level outside of the light
path for exposure.
2. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
sensitivity setting device is adapted for setting a higher level of
sensitivity than the minimum for detecting the reference output
level of each of the beams of light when the apparatus is connected
to a power supply.
3. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
sensitivity setting device is adapted for setting a higher level of
sensitivity than the minimum for detecting the reference output
level of each of the beams of light when a photosensitive material
is not present across the light path for exposure.
4. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a self-diagnosing device judging a fault when said
single optical sensor unit fails to detect any of the beams of
light during the action of at least one of said sensitivity setting
device and said second modulating device.
5. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
output level of the beams of light is modified by the action of at
least one of an acousto-optic modulating element and an
electro-optic modulating element and a magneto-optic modulating
element.
6. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
output level of the beams of light is modulated with a driving
current supplied to the light sources.
7. An image exposure apparatus comprising: a group of light sources
for emitting at different angles beams of light which are different
in the narrow band wavelength from each other; a deflection optical
system for reflecting and deflecting the beams of light received at
one reflecting surface in a main scanning direction and scanning in
a sequence at predetermined intervals along each scanning line for
exposure of a photosensitive material; a single optical sensor unit
located outside of the light path for exposure extending from said
deflection optical system to the photosensitive material for
providing the timing for start point synchronization of each of the
beams of light individually along said main scanning direction; a
first modulating device modulating the output level of each of the
beams of light with pixel data along the light path for exposure; a
second modulating device modulating the output level of each of the
beams of light to a reference level outside of the light path for
exposure; and a sensitivity setting device setting the detection
sensitivity of said single optical sensor unit to a higher level
than the minimum for detecting the reference output level of each
of the beams of light during said operation of the second
modulating device.
8. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said
sensitivity setting device is adapted for setting a higher level of
sensitivity than the minimum for detecting the reference output
level of each of the beams of light when the apparatus is connected
to a power supply.
9. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said
sensitivity setting device is adapted for setting a higher level of
sensitivity than the minimum for detecting the reference output
level of each of the beams of light when a photosensitive material
is not present across the light path for exposure.
10. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 7, further
comprising a self-diagnosing device judging a fault when said
single optical sensor unit fails to detect any of the beams of
light during the action of at least one of said sensitivity setting
device and said second modulating device.
11. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
output level of the beams of light is modified by the action of at
least one of an acousto-optic modulating element and an
electro-optic modulating element and a magneto-optic modulating
element.
12. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
output level of the beams of light is modulated with a driving
current supplied to the light sources.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/892,128, filed on Jul. 16, 2004, currently
pending. The disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/892,128 is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image exposure apparatus
with a different angle incident light optical system which
comprises a plurality of light sources for emitting light beams of
different narrow band wavelengths at different angles respectively,
a deflection optical system for receiving on its same reflecting
surface and reflecting the light beams in the main scanning
direction to scan a photosensitive material at predetermined
intervals along the scanning lines for exposure, and a single
optical sensor unit located outside of the light path for exposure
extending from the deflection optical system to the photosensitive
material for providing the timing of start point synchronization
for exposure actions along the main scanning direction.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Digital image exposure apparatuses have been proposed for
actual use where a group of light beams of red, green, and blue
narrow band wavelengths modulated by pixel data of, e.g., each
digital color image which has been received from a film scanner
scanning a photographic film or shot by a digital camera and saved
in a memory are directed to and fallen on a photosensitive material
such as a color printed sheet of which the spectral sensitivity
depends on the wavelengths of exposure light for recording and
reproducing the color image.
[0006] The digital image exposure apparatuses employ commonly a
scanning exposure technique for exposing the photosensitive
material, which is conveyed in a sub scanning direction oriented at
a right angle to the main scanning direction, to the light beams
deflected to scan along the main scanning direction.
[0007] It is essential for the exposure scanning on the color
photosensitive material to scan the light beams of different narrow
band wavelengths in blue (B), green (G), and red (R) colors along
the main scanning line on the photosensitive material as precisely
as possible for printing the three primary colors; yellow (Y),
magenta (M), and cyan (C). In practice, as shown in FIG. 11, three
light beams of R, G, and B colors emitted from their respective
light sources 7R, 7G, and 7B are combined by the action of light
combining prisms 54R, 54G, and 54B and then received by a
deflection optical system 8 for exposure of the photosensitive
material. Although being used widely, this method however requires
a set of fairly expensive optical components for combining the
light beams and increases the number of the entire components to be
assembled as yet having a limitation on the geometrical arrangement
of the light sources and will hence be unfavorable for reduction of
the overall size.
[0008] A type of the conventional image exposure apparatuses which
is minimized in the production cost and the overall size is
illustrated in FIG. 1 where light beams of blue (B), green (G), and
red (R) colors emitted from the light sources 7R, 7G, and 7B such
as light emitting diodes or semiconductor lasers are focused at
different locations of the main scanning line on a photosensitive
material with the use of a different angle incident optical system
for scanning at predetermined intervals for exposure of the
photosensitive material. This type requires the light beams to be
timed for starting the exposure action on the photosensitive
material or the timing of start point synchronization to be
measured by optical sensor units respectively which are located
outside of the light path for exposure, thus controlling the
exposure timing of each light beam.
[0009] If the optical sensor units are provided corresponding to
the three light beams, the number of the components will increase
and thus interrupt the reduction of the overall size. For
compensation, the use of a single optical sensor unit has been
introduced. For producing the yellow (Y), the magenta (M), and the
cyan (C), the corresponding light beams of blue (B), green (G), and
red (R) are scanned at different intensities over the
photosensitive material as shown in FIG. 9. This may however permit
the single optical sensor unit, which has once been adjusted to a
desired degree of the sensitivity, to successfully measure the red
(R) of the light beam which is the highest in the intensity but
fail to detect the green (G) and blue (B) which is lower in the
intensity than the red (R). If any of the three light beams is not
detected, the reproduction of an image will be unsuccessful.
[0010] As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
Hei-5-199372, a modification is proposed where a group of light
sources are adapted for allowing the optical sensor unit to receive
particular one of the light beams to be irradiated at the highest
intensity precedent to the other color light beams. When all light
beams are emitted at once from the light sources, their start point
synchronization for exposure actions is initiated upon the optical
sensor unit detecting the highest intensity of the light beam. More
specifically, the start point synchronization for exposure actions
of the beams of light over a photosensitive material is triggered
by a detection signal of the optical sensor unit produced upon
detecting the light beam of the highest intensity at the top.
[0011] The modification of the conventional technique disclosed in
this invention is based on the notable fact that the duration from
the optical sensor unit detecting the beam of light at the highest
level to the arrival of each beam of light at the exposure start
point on the photosensitive material is calculated from the
distance between the location of the optical sensor unit and the
exposure start point, the interval between the beams of light along
the main scanning line determined by the location of the light
sources, and the main scanning speed determined by the length of
the light path and the rotating speed of the polygonal mirror in
the deflection optical system. The timing for starting the exposure
action with each beam of light is thus determined using a delay
circuit which is provided for timing the arrival of the
corresponding beam of light by delay after the optical sensor unit
detects its start point detecting signal. However, this produces
the following problems.
[0012] The light sources have to be positioned so that the beam of
light at the highest intensity is first received by the optical
sensor unit precedent to the other color beams of light.
Accordingly, as the freedom for positioning the light sources is
declined, the arrangement of design will hardly be flexible and
favorable in the reduction of the overall size. When the light
sources for emitting beams of light of narrow band wavelengths are
embodied by laser devices, as shown in FIG. 6, the red color (R) of
light at a higher output level is emitted from a semiconductor
laser and the green (G) and blue (B) of light at lower output
levels are emitted from SHG (second harmonic generation) laser
devices in general. Those laser devices however are different in
the package size and their positioning may largely affect the
overall dimensions of the apparatus. Also, the size of a printer in
which the conventional image exposure apparatus is installed will
be reduced with much difficulty.
[0013] In practice, the delay time may be different between the
setting and the actual length due to variations in the location of
the light sources and the temperature characteristics of the
modulating elements. If worse, the reproduced image will have color
displacement. It is hence necessary to add the assembly process
with an extra step for correcting any delay caused by machine
differences.
[0014] Moreover, if the optical axis of any acousto-optic device
employed for modulating the beam of light with a pixel data is
slightly dislocated by the effect of temperature change or
mechanical impact, it will critically affect the exposure action.
It is thus needed to constantly examine the beams of light for its
correctness. On the contrary, this will unfavorably require an
extra sensor unit for the examination in the conventional image
exposure apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is an object of the present invention, in view of the
above-mentioned problems, to provide an image exposure apparatus
with the different angle input optical system in which the
arrangement of the light sources has a degree of design freedom so
as to minimize the overall size and eliminate a troublesome
adjusting step in the assembling process while the beams of light
can successfully be detected without using a plurality of optical
sensor units.
[0016] For achievement of above-mentioned object, an image exposure
apparatus according to this invention comprises a group of light
sources for emitting at different angles beams of light which are
different in the narrow band wavelength from each other, the
deflection optical system for reflecting and deflecting the beams
of light received at one reflecting surface in the main scanning
direction and scanning in a sequence at predetermined intervals
along each scanning line for exposure of a photosensitive material,
the single optical sensor unit located outside of the light path
for exposure extending from said deflection optical system to the
photosensitive material for providing the timing for start point
synchronization along the main scanning direction, an output level
detecting means for detecting the output level of each beam of
light detectable with the optical sensor unit, a first modulating
means for modulating the output level of each beam of light with a
pixel data along the light path for exposure, and a second
modulating means for modulating the output level of each beam of
light to a higher level outside of the light path for exposure than
a measurement of the output level detected by the output level
detecting means.
[0017] Another image exposure apparatus according to this invention
is provided comprising a group of light sources for emitting at
different angles beams of light which are different in the narrow
band wavelength from each other, the deflection optical system for
reflecting and deflecting the beams of light received at one
reflecting surface in the main scanning direction and scanning in a
sequence at predetermined intervals along each scanning line for
exposure of a photosensitive material, the optical sensor unit
located outside of the light path for exposure extending from the
deflection optical system to the photosensitive material for
providing the timing for start point synchronization along the main
scanning direction, a sensitivity setting means for setting the
detection sensitivity of the optical sensor unit to a higher level
than the minimum for detecting each beam of light at a reference
level, the first modulating means for modulating the output level
of each beam of light with a pixel data along the light path for
exposure, and the second modulating means for modulating the output
level of each beam of light to the reference level outside of the
light path for exposure.
[0018] A further image exposure apparatus according to the present
invention is provided comprising a group of light sources for
emitting at different angles beams of light which are different in
the narrow band wavelength from each other, the deflection optical
system for reflecting and deflecting the beams of light received at
one reflecting surface in the main scanning direction and scanning
in a sequence at predetermined intervals along each scanning line
for exposure of a photosensitive material, the optical sensor unit
located outside of the light path for exposure extending from the
deflection optical system to the photosensitive material for
providing the timing for start point synchronization along the main
scanning direction, the first modulating means for modulating the
output level of each beam of light with a pixel data along the
light path for exposure, the second modulating means for modulating
the output level of each beam of light to a reference level outside
of the light path for exposure, and a sensitivity setting means for
setting the detection sensitivity of the optical sensor unit to a
higher level than the minimum for detecting the reference output
level of each beam of light during the operation of said second
modulating means.
[0019] Other features of the present invention will be apparent
from the following embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image exposure apparatus
according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of a digital
photographic printer where the image exposure apparatus of the
present invention is installed;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic internal view of the digital
photographic printer where the image exposure apparatus of the
present invention is installed;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a circuitry block diagram of a controller provided
in the image exposure apparatus of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing various actions of the
image exposure apparatus of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a view showing an arrangement of components in the
image exposure apparatus of the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are schematic diagrams showing the
principles of the detecting action in the optical sensor unit;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the detecting action of
the output level detecting means;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a spectral sensitivity profile of the
photosensitive material;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an AOM driver circuit;
and
[0030] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the image exposure apparatus
of a conventional type where light beams are combined to a signal
beam with the use of wave combining prisms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The image exposure apparatus according to this invention
will now be described referring the relevant drawings. As shown in
FIG. 2, a digital photographic printer is provided comprising a
printed paper storage 1 where rolls of printed paper such as
photosensitive materials are stored for reproducing gradations of
colors corresponding to the exposure intensities and the
wavelengths of light, an image generating module 2 where an image
exposure apparatus of the present invention is installed for
exposing the printed paper received from said printed paper storage
1 to the beams of light scanning with image data of an original
image, a development module 3 for subjecting the printed paper
exposed to the beams of light in the image generating module 2 to
development, breaching, and fixing steps as conveying it through
vessels filled with liquid agents, a drying module 4 for drying the
printed paper after the development process, and a computer 5 for
carrying out steps of saving and editing the image data of the
original image and supplying the image exposure apparatus with
exposure data for the printed paper.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates the printed paper storage 1 mounted on
the top of said image generating module 2 and consisting of two
paper magazines 1a and 1b for storage of different size rolls of
printed paper (photosensitive material) P. The printed paper P to
be supplied can thus be switched between the two magazines
depending on the size of an image output determined by the user.
The image generating module 2, as mentioned above, includes a set
of conveying rollers R1 to R5 for conveying the printed paper P
released from the printed paper storage 1 and the image exposure
apparatus 6 for exposing the printed paper P to the beams of light
scanning.
[0033] As best shown in FIG. 1, the image exposure apparatus 6
comprises a group of light sources 7R, 7G, and 7B for emitting
light beams of different narrow band wavelengths at different
angles, a deflection optical system 8 for receiving on one
reflecting surface and deflecting the light beams to scan in the
main scanning direction on the printed paper P provided as a
photosensitive material, a single optical sensor unit 16 located
outside of the light path extending from the deflection optical
system 8 to the printed paper P for determining the timing of start
point synchronization for scanning the main scanning direction, and
a controller 30.
[0034] The red color light source 7R comprises a red color laser
diode 10R, a lens unit 11R, an acousto-optic modulator (referred to
as an AOM hereinafter) 12R, and a dimmer 13R aligned in this order
along the light axis and also includes a temperature adjusting unit
and a control circuit for controlling the action of the red color
laser diode 10R. The lens unit 11R is arranged for shaping the beam
of light emitted from the red color laser diode 10R into a parallel
beam which is then received by the input of the AOM 12R at the
succeeding step.
[0035] The AOM 12R is an acousto-optic modulator using the effect
of diffraction or acousto-optic diffraction where the refraction
distribution derived from the distribution of densities created in
a transparent medium by acoustic oscillation acts as a phase
diffraction grating. When the ultrasonic wave to be applied is
varied in the intensity, the intensity of diffracted light can be
modified. This AOM 12R is connected with an AOM driver 15R. When
receiving from this AOM driver 15R a high-frequency signal
modulated in the amplitude by the image data, the AOM 12R allows an
ultrasonic wave determined by the high-frequency signal to pass
through its acousto-optic medium. When such laser beam runs through
the acousto-optic medium, it is diffracted by the acousto-optic
effect and can thus be released from the AOM 12R as a diffracted
light of which the intensity corresponds to the amplitude of the
high-frequency signal.
[0036] The dimmer 13R is arranged for adjusting the intensity of
the laser beam modulated by the AOM 12R and, for example, may be
embodied by an ND filter or a rotary disk having a number of
different sized apertures therein. Since the light emitted at
consistency from the light emitting element such as a semiconductor
laser or a solid state laser is limited to a particular range, it
is adjusted by the dimmer 13R to widen its dynamic range suitable
for meeting the coloring characteristics of printed paper.
[0037] The green color light source 7G comprises a green color SHG
(second harmonic generating) laser unit 10G, an AOM 12G, and a
dimmer 13G aligned along the light axis and also includes the
temperature adjusting unit and the control circuit. The green color
SHG laser unit 10G may include a solid state laser such as YAG
laser and a wavelength varying unit for extracting the second
harmonic from the beam of laser emitted from the solid state laser.
For example, when the beam of laser received from a YAG laser has a
wavelength of 1064 nm, its second harmonic of 532 nm in the
wavelength can be released. The green color SHG laser unit 10G
further includes an optical system which provides the same function
as of said lens unit 11R.
[0038] The blue color light source 7B is substantially identical in
the arrangement to said green color light source 7G as comprising a
blue color SHG laser unit 10B for emitting a blue color beam of
laser, the AOM 12B, and the dimmer 13B aligned along the optical
axis and also including the temperature adjusting unit and the
control circuit. The AOMs 12G and 12B and the dimmers 13G and 13B
all are arranged in the same manner as of said AOM 12R and said
dimmer 13R provided in said red color light source 7R.
Alternatively, the light sources 7R, 7G, and 7B may be arranged
with the AOMs 12R, 12G, and 12B and the dimmers 13R, 13G, and 13B
located outside of the light source units as shown in FIG. 6.
[0039] The beams of light emitted from the light source 7R, 7G, and
7B are directed through reflecting mirrors 14R, 14G, or 14B and
cylindrical lenses 17R, 17G, and 17B respectively and received at
different angles by one reflecting surface of the deflection
optical systems 8, each of which comprises a polygonal mirror 18
and an f.theta. lens 20. Then, the beams of light are reflected at
deflecting angles and fallen on a photosensitive material for
scanning along the scanning lines at predetermined intervals for
exposure of the photosensitive material.
[0040] The cylindrical lenses 17R, 17G, and 17B are arranged for
converging the beams of reflected light from the reflecting mirrors
14R, 14G, and 14B on the one reflecting surface of the polygonal
mirror 18 to compensate for a surface tilting error (with the
normal of the surface dislocated from the correct center line)
along the sub scanning direction on the reflecting surface of the
polygonal mirror 18.
[0041] The polygonal mirror 18 is a column assembly having a
polygonal shape in the cross section and a corresponding number of
the reflecting surfaces provided at the lateral sides and can be
driven by a polygonal mirror driver 19 for rotation at a constant
angular speed. The beam of light reflected on one of the reflecting
surfaces of the polygonal mirror 18 is deflected by the rotating
action of the polygonal mirror 18 for scanning along the main
scanning direction on the printed paper P. The beam of light is
reflected from one surface to another of the polygonal mirror 18 so
that its reflecting direction is shifted for scanning along the
main scanning direction in the same range. This allows the beam of
light to scan one full scanning line after reflected on one of the
reflecting surfaces, whereby the time lag between any two adjacent
scanning lines along the sub scanning direction can be
minimized.
[0042] The f.theta. lens 20 is an optical system having a group of
lenses for changing the length of the light path extending from the
polygonal mirror 18 to the printed paper P to compensate for any
distortion in a image developed substantially at both ends of the
incident area of the beam of light on the printed paper P and for
maintaining the scanning speed of the beam of light constant along
the main scanning direction. The effective operating area of said
f.theta. lens 20 is equal to the maximum range of exposure.
[0043] The single optical sensor unit 16 is located outside the
scanning area on the printed paper P of the beam of light from the
polygonal mirror 18 or outside of the light path extending from the
deflection optical system 8 to the printed paper P as arranged for
detecting the timing of start point synchronization for scanning
actions of the three beams of light in red (R), green (G), and blue
(B). Each beam of light reflected by the polygonal mirror 18 is
then reflected by a reflecting mirror 21 and received by the
optical sensor unit 16. The location of the optical sensor unit 16
is not limited to that in the embodiment but may be determined for
the beam of light being detected by the optical sensor unit 16
directly not through the mirror 21, so long as the duration from
the detection of the beam of light on the reflecting surface to the
arrival at the printed paper P is successfully measured outside of
the light path extending from the deflection optical system 8 to
the printed paper P.
[0044] The printed paper P is conveyed at a constant speed in a
direction perpendicular to the sheet, the sub scanning direction,
by the action of a conveying mechanism 9 which includes conveying
rollers 22 driven by a micro step motor 23 as accurately controlled
with a control signal from a micro step driver 24. As the printed
paper P being conveyed, its surface along the main scanning
direction and the sub scanning direction is exposed to the light
beam of the image data.
[0045] The construction and action timing of the controller 30 in
the image exposure apparatus 6 will now be described referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5. While a circuitry block is only illustrated
containing the controller 30 and the AOM drivers 15R, 15G, and 15B,
the action of the light sources 7R, 7G, and 7B and the polygonal
mirror driver 19 is also controlled by the controller 30. It is
also noted that all items related to the image data of the red (R),
green (G), and blue (B) colors are accompanied with R, G, and B
respectively and explained at minimum in FIG. 4 and the following
description.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, said controller 30 comprises a CPU 38, a
frame memory 31 where the image data of the red (R), green (G), and
blue (B) colors supplied from the computer 5 are saved, three line
memories 32R, 32G, and 32B for temporarily saving each for one
scanning line of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color image
data received from the frame memory 31, a reference clock
generating circuit 33 for determining the interval between pixels
along the main scanning direction, three clock synchronizing
circuits 35R, 35G, and 35B for timing reference clock outputs of
the reference clock generating circuit 33 with the start point
synchronizing signals for the red (R), green (G), and blue (B)
color data detected by the optical sensor unit 16, three memory
controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B, three selector switches 36R, 36G,
and 36B, and three D/A converters 37R, 37G, and 37B.
[0047] In the exposure mode, the CPU 38 starts light source units
7R, 7G, and 7B as well as the polygonal mirror driver 19. As the
light source units 7R, 7G, and 7B are actuated with the polygonal
mirror 18 being rotated at a constant speed, components R, G, and B
for each scanning line of the image data of an original image or
its processed data received from the computer 5 and temporarily
saved in the frame memory 31 are retrieved at given timing and
saved in their respective line memories 32R, 32G, and 32B. The line
memories 32R, 32G, and 32B contain address information for
determining a sequence of pixel data along the main scanning
direction. More specifically, the image data (referred to as "pixel
data" hereinafter) saved in each address in said line memories 32R,
32G, and 32B are read out and transferred via the selector switches
36R, 36G, and 36B to the D/A converters 37R, 37G, and 37B by the
action of the memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B.
[0048] For example, a digital form of the pixel data containing
information of the gradation received from the line memory 32R is
converted by the D/A converter 37R to an analog voltage ranging
from zero to 1 V which is then applied to the AOM driver 15R for
actuating the AOM 12R. Accordingly, the beams of laser emitted from
the light sources 7R, 7G, and 7B are modulated by their respective
AOMs 12R, 12G, and 12B corresponding to the pixel data received and
deflected by the action of the deflection optical system 8 to scan
the printed paper P for exposure.
[0049] The optical sensor unit 16 generates the start point
synchronization signal when detecting the beam of light of each
color of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) immediately prior to the
exposure of the printed paper P to the beam of light carrying the
line data. It is assumed, as shown in FIG. 7A, that a
two-separation sensor is used having the first photo receiver D1
and the second photo receiver D2 arranged at a very small distance
therebetween along the main scanning direction. In action, when
receiving the beam of light, the photo receivers D1 and D2 generate
voltage outputs V1 and V2 respectively from the intensity of the
received light which are lagged in time from each other as shown in
FIG. 7B. The two voltage outputs V1 and V2 are then compared by a
voltage comparator. When V2>V1, a high level of the start point
synchronization signal is released and when V1>V2, a low level
signal is released as shown in FIG. 7C. It is now noted that when
the two outputs V1 and V2 are equal, the beam of light is at its
correct direction regardless of its intensity. Accordingly, the
start point synchronization signal for timing the scanning action
of the beam of light at high accuracy regardless of the intensity
can be produced.
[0050] The clock synchronizing circuits 35R, 35G, and 35B receive a
constantly pulsed original clock signal from the reference clock
generating circuit 33 and produce clock signals synchronized with
the start point synchronization signal for the beam of light
detected by the optical sensor unit 16. As are connected to the
outputs of the clock synchronizing circuits 35R, 35G, and 35B
respectively and to the optical sensor unit 16, the memory
controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B produce control signals for
controlling the reading of image data from the line memories 32R,
32G, and 32B, switching signals for controlling the action of the
selector switches 36R, 36G, and 36B, and auxiliary data which
replace the pixel data and are received by the D/A converters
37.
[0051] When the digital inputs are varied, the analog outputs of
said D/A converters 37R, 37G, and 37B to be received by said AOM
drivers 15R, 15G, and 15B respectively are also varied. The digital
inputs to the D/A converters 37R, 37G, and 37B are timed by the
synchronizing signal for updating. In common, the clock input to
the D/A converters is cycled several times greater than the
updating cycle of the data. The clock input is hence a multiplied
clock of which the frequency is multiplied from the synchronizing
clock by a frequency multiplier 39.
[0052] The memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B count at their
counters 34a the clocks received from the clock synchronizing
circuits 35R, 35G, and 35B and determine from the resultant count
and the setting saved in their memories 34b the controls signals
for controlling the retrieving of pixel data from the line memories
32R, 32G, and 32B. The count can be reset by the start point
synchronizing signal received by said memory controllers 34R, 34G,
and 34B. More specifically, the count can be reset at each scanning
line. Accordingly, the position of the beam of light for scanning
is identified as determined in the effective scanning range by the
count of each counter 34a.
[0053] The count for allowing the beam of red (R), green (G), or
blue (B) light to locate at the start position for scanning on the
printed paper P is saved as a setting in the memory 34b. The
setting may be determined depending on the width or any other
parameter of the printed paper P and modified, if desired, by the
action of the CPU 38 connected with the memory controller 34 and
commanded by the computer 5.
[0054] In response to the count and the setting, the memory
controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B determine the timing for starting the
reading of pixel data and actuate the line memories 32R, 32G, and
32B with their control signals for starting the reading action. The
line memories 32R, 32G, and 32B are connected with the
synchronizing clock signals of the corresponding clock
synchronizing circuits 35R, 35G, and 35B. With the control signals
having received for triggering the reading of pixel data, the
reading of pixel data from the line memories 32R, 32G, and 32B is
carried out in a sequence as timed by the synchronizing clock
signals.
[0055] The memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B generate switching
signals for controlling the action of the selector switches 36R,
36G, and 36B. Each of the selector switches 36R, 36G, and 36B
comprises a couple of three-state buffers 36a and 36b. The
three-state buffer 36a is controlled by an inverted form of the
switching signal produced by an inverter 36c while the other
three-state buffer 36b is controlled by a not inverted form of the
switching signal. The switching of the selector switches 36R, 36G,
and 36B is made between a data line L1 for connecting the pixel
data from the line memories 32R, 32G, and 32B to the D/A converters
37R, 37G, and 37B respectively and a data line L2 for connecting
auxiliary data from the memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B to the
same. When the switching signal is at high level, the data line L1
for pixel data remains disconnected and the data line L2 for
auxiliary data is connected. When the switching signal is at low
level, the data line L2 for auxiliary data remains disconnected and
the data line L1 for pixel data is connected.
[0056] The auxiliary data is a modulation data for driving said AOM
driver 15 with the beam of light staying outside the imaging area
but in the scanning range. The auxiliary data consists of a data
for detecting the timing for start point synchronization which is
preset at the initial connection of the power supply by an output
level detecting means described later and a data for turning the
beam of light off while the timing for start point synchronization
is being not detected. The auxiliary data is saved in a built-in
memory 34c of each of the memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B. At
the timing when the beams of light are received by the optical
sensor unit 16 for detecting the start point, the memory
controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B release the auxiliary data while the
beams of light remain not overlapped with each other for exposure
action. During the other time than the timing when the beams of
light are received by the optical sensor unit 16, the data is
released for having the beams of light at zero level.
[0057] In more detail, the data saved in the built-in memory 34d in
each of the memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B for detecting the
timing for start point synchronization carries a timing data by
which the beams of light to be detected by the optical sensor unit
16 are prevented from overlapping each other on the optical sensor
unit 16. The auxiliary data for detecting the timing for start
point synchronization is released only for a predetermined length
of time from the point when the count determined by the counter 34a
is identical to the setting data saved in the built-in memory
34d.
[0058] The memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B provides a high
level of the switching signal during the scanning of the imaging
area with the beams of light for discriminating the imaging area
from the area other than imaging area. They provide a low level in
the other duration than the scanning duration. The timing of
releasing the switching signal as well as the control signals and
the auxiliary signal is also determined by the setting of the
count. Accordingly, three different types of the data; the
auxiliary data for passing a desired intensity of the light to the
D/A converters 37R, 37G, and 37B for detection of the start point,
the auxiliary data for turning the beams of light off at the area
other than the imaging area, and the pixel data at the imaging
area, can selectively be obtained depending on the scanning
location of the beams of light.
[0059] Although not illustrated, the startup of exposure action
along the sub scanning direction can be timed and controlled by the
action of the memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B. As the
reference clock generating circuit is provided for corresponding to
the pitch of exposure action along the sub scanning direction, its
output clock is counted upon receiving a detection signal as a
trigger input, which is indicative of the detection of the leading
end of the printed paper, from a paper end detecting sensor located
in said conveying mechanism 9. It is then judged that the timing of
starting the exposure action is just when the count becomes equal
to the setting time of the leading end of the printed paper
arriving at the exposure position.
[0060] The setting of the auxiliary data for detecting the timing
of start point synchronization in the output level detecting means
will now be explained referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8.
When the digital photographic printer is switched on, its image
exposure apparatus 6 is energized. This allows the CPU 38 to start
its program action with initial setting of the built-in registers
and memories (Step S1). Then, as the light sources 7R, 7G, and 7B
and the polygonal mirror driver 19 are switched on, the beams of
light are emitted with the polygonal mirror 18 being rotated
(S2).
[0061] At the time, the memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B
actuate the selector switches 36R, 36G, and 36B respectively for
selectively conducting the data lines L2 to the D/A converters 37R,
37G, and 37B to deliver the auxiliary data for shifting the beams
of light to zero (S3). Then, the CPU 38 provides the memory
controller 34R for red color (R) light with the auxiliary data for
the optical sensor unit 16 detecting the start point which is
responsive to the highest beam of light. In turn, the memory
controller 34R transfers the auxiliary data for detecting the start
point for driving the AOM 15R (S4).
[0062] The CPU 38 receives the detection signal from the optical
sensor unit 16 and examines whether the detection of the start
point is correct or not (S5). When the detection of the start point
is correct, the auxiliary data for gradually decreasing the
intensity of light is released for driving the AOM 15R (S6). In
this manner, the CPU 38 determines the minimum beam of light to be
detected and adds it with a desired margin for setting the
auxiliary data for detecting the start point (S7) and provides the
memory controller 34R with the auxiliary data (S8). The steps from
S5 to S7 may be carried out by the memory controller.
[0063] This is followed by carrying out the same actions as of the
steps from S4 to S8 for the other memory controllers 34G and 34B
(S9 and S10). As the auxiliary data for detecting the start point
for the three beams of light in red (R), green (G), and blue (B)
are set up, they are saved in the memory controllers 34R, 34G, and
34B respectively. To this end, the CPU 38 and the memory
controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B constitute discrete processing blocks
as the output level detecting means.
[0064] As mentioned above, with the selector switches 36R, 36G, and
36B selectively connected for conducting the data lines L1 to
transmit the pixel data from the line memories 32R, 32G, and 32B to
the D/A converters 37R, 37G, and 37B respectively, the first
modulating means for modulating the output level of the beams of
light along the light path for exposure in accordance with the
pixel data are established by the memory controllers 34R, 34G, and
34B, the line memories 32R, 32G, and 32B, the D/A converters 37R,
37G, and 37B, and the AOM drivers 15R, 15G, and 15B. Similarly,
when the selector switches 36R, 36G, and 36B are selectively
connected for conducting the data lines L2 to transmit the
auxiliary data from the memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B to the
D/A converters 37R, 37G, and 37B respectively, the second
modulating means for modulating the beams of light to a higher
level outside of the light path for exposure than the level
detected by the output level detecting means are established by the
memory controllers 34R, 34G, and 34B, the line memories 32R, 32G,
and 32B, the D/A converters 37R, 37G, and 37B, and the AOM drivers
15R, 15G, and 15B.
[0065] More particularly in the image exposure apparatus of this
invention, the beam of light emitted from each light source is
examined by the output level detecting means for determining its
detectable level which can be detected by the optical sensor unit
and then modulated by the second modulating means to a higher level
than the level detected by the output level detecting means before
directed to the deflection optical system. This permits the optical
sensor unit to correctly detect the timing for start point
synchronization for each of the light sources. Then, the beams of
light are modulated with the pixel data across the light path for
exposure by the first modulating means before focused on the
photosensitive material for exposure.
[0066] The beam of light emitted from each light source remains not
largely varied in the output level within a short period of time,
provided that the compensation against the environmental
conditions, including a temperature compensation, has been applied.
Once the beams of light from the light source are set to a desired
output level by the output level setting means at the beginning of
the operation, the second modulating means maintains the level of
the beams of light and the timing for start point synchronization
can thus be detected correctly. It is therefore unnecessary to
actuate the output level setting means at every exposure
action.
[0067] For this reason, although the output level setting means
described above is adapted for actuating upon the connection to the
power supply, it may be modified to start before the photosensitive
material enters the light path for exposure during the exposure
action. In the latter case, for example, the beams of light emitted
from the light sources can properly be adjusted at every exposure
action on, e.g., a sheet of printed paper for correctly providing
the start point synchronization, hence improving the operational
reliability.
[0068] In addition, a self-diagnosing means may be provided for
determining that the image exposure apparatus has a fault if any
beam of light is not detected by said optical sensor unit 16 during
either the operation of the output level detecting means or the
action of start point synchronization with the second modulating
means. This is followed by pausing the exposure action and
displaying the fault on an operation panel of the digital
photographic printer to avoid any undesired consumption of the
photosensitive material with abnormal printed outputs.
[0069] For example, the normal printing action is interrupted when
the optical sensor unit fails to detect the beam of light which has
been increased in the output level by the action of the output
level detecting means or when the timing for start point
synchronization is hardly determined due to no beam of light
detected during the operation of the second modulating means,
because of no expectation for normal operation. Those cases can be
found as faults by the self-diagnosing means. The self-diagnosing
means may be implemented by the CPU 38, its execution program, and
its peripheral circuitry components.
[0070] Another modification of the interface between the D/A
converters 37R, 37G, and 37B and the AOM drivers 15R, 15G, and 15B
will be explained. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the AOM drivers
15R, 15G, and 15B is accompanied with a modulating circuit which
comprises a high-frequency signal oscillator 40, a first multiplier
41 for modulating the amplitude of a voltage output of the
oscillator 40 with the output of the corresponding D/A converter
37R, 37G, or 37B based on the image data or the auxiliary data, a
second multiplier 42 for variably modulating the voltage output of
the first multiplier 41 at steps by one percent between 0% to 100%,
and a modulation degree switching circuit 43 for determining the
degree of the modulation in the second multiplier 42. This allows
the beams of light to be set to a higher level at the beginning of
the operation than that at the exposure action, hence improving the
detection of the timing for start point synchronization.
[0071] The modulation degree switching circuit 43 may comprise an
electronic volume control 43a for changing the degree of the
modulation between 0% and 99% and a selector switch 43b for
selecting the modulation between the setting determined by the
electronic volume control 43a or the 100% level. In a common
modulating action for providing the image data, the degree of
modulation is set to preferably 50% by the modulation degree
switching circuit 43. Accordingly, the voltage output of the D/A
converter ranging from 0 V to 1 V is modulated between 0 V and 0.5
V before delivered to the AOM driver. In a modulating action with
the auxiliary data for start point synchronization, the voltage
output of the D/A converter ranging from 0 V to 1 V is modulated
between 0 V and 1 V. As a result, the beams of light can be
increased to a higher level than the maximum at the common exposure
action. The action of the modulation degree switching circuit 43
selectively determining the degree of modulation may be controlled
by the memory controllers.
[0072] The arrangement of the controller 30 described above is
illustrative but not of limitation. The controller 30 may be
embodied using known circuitry components for providing the same
functions. Also, three identical controllers may separately be
provided for corresponding to the three colors, red (R), green (G),
and blue (B), of light.
[0073] According to the embodiment, the auxiliary data is
contemplated with the output level detecting means operating for
having the beams of light increased to a higher level regardless of
the intensity of light during the exposure action in order to ease
the optical sensor unit 16 detecting the timing for start point
synchronization. It may be modified for the same purpose to provide
a sensitivity setting means for setting the detection sensitivity
of the optical sensor unit 16 to a higher level than the minimum
for detecting the beams of light at a reference level such that the
output level or intensity of each light beam is modified to the
reference level during the operation of the second modulating
means. The sensitivity setting means may preferably be embodied
with the gain of an amplifier for amplifying the output of the
optical sensor unit 16 arranged selectable and, if necessary,
shifted to a desired setting for providing an optimum of the sensor
output. The reference level may be equal to the maximum intensity
determined by the first modulating means or its approximate or a
higher level.
[0074] Since the detection sensitivity of the optical sensor unit
16 is set to a higher level than the level corresponding to the
minimum detectable level of the beams of light by the sensitivity
setting means, the timing for start point synchronization can
correctly be determined with the beams of light received at a
minimum level.
[0075] It may also be modified to have a sensitivity setting means
for selectively shifting the detection sensitivity of the optical
sensor unit 16 to a higher level than the minimum for detecting the
beams of light at a reference level during the above-mentioned
second modulating means and select the optimum sensitivity of the
optical sensor unit 16 during the action of detecting the timing
for start point synchronization.
[0076] This allows the detection sensitivity of the optical sensor
unit 16 to be selectively set to an optimum level corresponding to
the output level of the beams of light to be detected, hence
determining the timing for start point synchronization correctly
within a range of the sensitivity variations.
[0077] The detection sensitivity to be set by the sensitivity
setting means may be at a higher level than the minimum for
detecting the intensity of light at the connection to the power
supply. Alternatively, the detection sensitivity may be shifted to
a higher level than the minimum for detecting the beams of light at
a reference level when the photosensitive material is not present
across the light path for exposure during the common exposure
action. The reference level may be equal to the maximum determined
by the first modulating means or its approximate or a higher
level.
[0078] While the AOMs are used for modulating the beams of light in
the embodiment, they may be replaced by, e.g., electro-optic
modulators (EOM) or magneto-optic modulators (MOM) with equal
success in the modulation of the intensity of laser light.
[0079] Although the modulators such as AOMs are used for varying
the output level of the beams of light in the embodiment, they may
be omitted but the driving currents for energizing semiconductor
lasers or photodiodes used as the light sources may be utilized for
modulating directly the output level.
[0080] It is moreover possible for embodying the present invention
that the components described for eliminating the problems are
assembled in any appropriate combination.
[0081] As apparent from the above description, the image exposure
apparatus of the present invention is provided with a different
angle input optical system, in which the arrangement of the light
sources has a degree of design freedom so as to minimize the
overall size and eliminate a troublesome adjusting step in the
assembling process while the beams of light can successfully be
detected without a plurality of optical sensor units.
* * * * *