JPH086171A - Exposing mask making device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an exposing mask making device which efficiently obtains an exposing mask in a short time and reproduces a high quality image on photographic paper by confirming a color finally reproduced on the photographic paper beforehand and simplifying a mask output operation. CONSTITUTION:A monitor image data converting part 16 and a printer image data converting part 17 convert the image data of a color mask original so that the color confirmed by a monitor 19 is reproduced on the photographic paper 41 at the time of printing through the exposing mask 27, and hence the device enables a user to confirm the color reproduced on the photographic paper 41 beforehand and convenience in the case of making the exposing mask 27 is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exposure mask forming apparatus for printing and exposing a desired image on a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, and more particularly, to an exposure mask forming apparatus capable of efficiently forming an exposure mask and of high quality. The present invention relates to a technique for reproducing an image on photographic paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter referred to as a photographic paper) is used for a normal photographic image (landscape,
When printing with a mixture of color illustration images (company logos, marks, etc.) and character images (greeting characters, etc.), create an exposure mask that contains both color illustration images and character images, and then print in the printer. The burn-in portion of the color illustration image and the character image (hereinafter referred to as the sub-exposure portion)
Place this exposure mask in the exposure mask holder of
By setting a piece of normal negative film in the negative holder of the photographic image printing section (hereinafter referred to as the main exposure section), and exposing the photographic paper in two steps, main exposure and sub-exposure. , A photographic print in which a photographic image, a color illustration image, and a character image are mixed is obtained.

Further, in order to print a large amount of an image of a document, an exposure mask is created and printed. In the process of forming an exposure mask for printing a color image, a silver halide photosensitive material is generally used which is exposed to light from the back of the exposure mask to expose it. In the process of creating this exposure mask, first, the original design image is separated into three colors by a scanner, and three black and white masks corresponding to the images of the respective colors are created. Next, using the black-and-white mask and the light sources divided into B, G, and R, the same silver halide photosensitive material is exposed three times to form a color image. Developing the exposed silver halide light-sensitive material,
An exposure mask for printing a color image is completed.

[0004]

By the way, in order to make the above-mentioned exposure mask, complicated steps have to be performed, and it has been difficult to make it easily. Therefore, there is a problem that it is limited to only the designs prepared by the photo lab in advance, and it is difficult to meet the detailed requests from the customers.

Further, in the unlikely event that the color matching on the mask does not match, it cannot be known until after printing on the photographic paper, and it takes time for correction work and consumption of the photographic paper or the like. There was also a problem that the materials were wasted. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to efficiently check an exposure mask in a short time by finally confirming the color reproduced on the printing paper in advance and simplifying the mask output work. It is an object of the present invention to provide an exposure mask making apparatus capable of not only obtaining but also reproducing a high quality image on a printing paper.

[0006]

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The invention according to claim 1 confirms the color of image data prior to printing exposure. Monitor means for inputting and displaying data, mask making means for forming a dye image corresponding to the image data on a transparent support by a heat diffusible dye to make a mask for printing exposure, and the monitor means Image data conversion for converting the image data to be output to the monitor output unit and the mask creating unit so that the color of the confirmed image data is reproduced on the photosensitive material when printed by printing through the exposure mask. And means are provided.

[0007] Here, the image data conversion means displays R / G for displaying the input image data in red (R) / green (G) / blue (B) for data conversion to the monitor means.・ R ・ G ・ B converted to B data
The R / G / B converter has a one-to-one correspondence between the image data and the R / G / B data via a look-up table.
Can be configured to correspond to.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the irregular absorption amount of the heat diffusible dye transferred to the mask for printing exposure and the irregularity of the photosensitive material which develops color when printed by printing are inputted image data. And image data conversion means for performing correction conversion for absorption, and correction conversion for density decrease of color components caused when sequentially transferring the colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) on the mask. A mask forming means for forming a dye image corresponding to the corrected image data on the transparent support by the heat diffusible dye to form a baking exposure mask for printing the image on the photosensitive material, Is provided.

Further, the image data correcting means performs a matrix operation on the input image data for converting the image data to the mask creating means, and the image data is converted into yellow (Y) / magenta (M) / cyan. (C)
It may be configured to have a matrix calculation unit that calculates Y, M, and C data for color development. In addition, claim 5
In the invention described above, an image input unit for transparently scanning a transmissive color original in which the density of color components is changed in a plurality of steps and inputting image data, and a dye image corresponding to the image data output from the image input unit are provided. The mask forming means for forming and forming a mask for printing exposure, and the reflection density of the image when the mask of the transmission type color original obtained by the mask forming means is printed by printing, the transmission type color original directly Image data conversion means for converting the image data to be output to the mask creating means is provided so as to reproduce the reflection density of the image when printed by printing.

Further, the image input means changes the density of a color component including a gray (Bk) color obtained by mixing the colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) in a plurality of steps. Alternatively, the image data may be input as the staged image data of the negative test chart. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there are provided image input means for inputting image data by performing a reflective scan of a reflection type color original in which density of color components is changed in a plurality of steps, and image data output from the image input means. A mask output means for forming a dye image according to the output and outputting a mask for printing exposure, and a reflection density of the image when the mask of the reflection type color original obtained by the mask creating means is printed by printing, An image data conversion unit that converts the image data output to the mask creating unit so as to reproduce the reflection density of the image of the color original document.

Further, the image input means changes the density of a color component containing a gray (Bk) color obtained by mixing the colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) in a plurality of steps. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is input as image data for each stage of the positive test chart. Further, after converting the image data input by the image input unit into a density value representing a density gradation, a conversion process is performed by the image data conversion unit, and the mask output unit causes the dye corresponding to the density value after the conversion process. A configuration may be used in which an image is formed and a mask for printing exposure is created.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided masking means for forming a dye image corresponding to image data on a transparent support with a heat diffusible dye to prepare a mask for printing exposure, and the masking means. Image data conversion means for converting the image data input to the mask output means so that the transmission density range of the mask becomes 1.5 or more when printed by printing on the light-sensitive material through the mask. To do.

The invention according to claim 11 is a mask creating means for forming a dye image according to image data to create a mask for printing exposure, and a mask for printing exposure output from the mask output means. Density measuring means for measuring the image density of the image data, and image data correction for correcting the image data output to the mask creating means based on the density value of the density measuring means so as to match the exposure condition at the time of printing by printing. And means.

The mask forming means may be a thermal printer using a thermal head as a heating source. The light-sensitive material may be a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material. Further, the image data conversion means may be configured to have the image data conversion means described in claim 3, claim 5, claim 7, and claim 10.

In addition to the density measuring means according to the eleventh aspect, the image data converting means may have the image data correcting means according to the eleventh aspect.

[0016]

Therefore, according to the exposure mask making apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the color confirmed by the monitor means is reproduced on the light-sensitive material at the time of printing by printing through the exposure mask. As described above, since the image data converting means converts the image data, the user can confirm the color reproduced on the photosensitive material in advance, and the convenience in creating the exposure mask is improved. You can

In particular, as in the second aspect of the present invention, in the case where the image data converting means makes one-to-one correspondence between the image data input via the look-up table and the R, G, B data, the monitor display The data conversion for can be performed at high speed. Further, according to the exposure mask making apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the irregular absorption that occurs when the exposure mask and the photosensitive material are included, and the density that occurs when the exposure mask is formed by the thermal diffusion dye Since the image data correcting means corrects the deterioration, the image can be reproduced on the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material with high quality.

Particularly when the image data correcting means calculates the Y, M, C data by performing the matrix operation on the input image data as in the invention described in claim 4, it is enormous in the apparatus. Since it is not necessary to provide a memory for storing the converted data, the correction can be performed by an inexpensive device. According to the exposure mask making apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the reflection density of the image when the mask of the transmissive color original obtained by the mask making means is printed by printing is the same as that of the transmissive color original. Each process from reading to printing when a transmissive original is used in order to convert the image data output to the mask creating means by the image data converting means so as to reproduce the reflection density of the image when directly printed. The color matching of the parts is performed, and in particular, it is possible to reproduce the image when a transparent original (negative or positive) of a silver halide photosensitive material is directly printed on the printing paper when it is printed on the printing paper through the exposure mask. it can.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 6, the image input means changes the density of a color component including a gray (Bk) color obtained by mixing the Y, M and C colors in a plurality of steps. When input as image data for each stage of a negative test chart, Y, M, and C color matching can be performed for each density from image data of each gray (Bk) color gradation. With the gray density gradation test chart, it is possible to set image data conversion specifications for simple and accurate color matching.

According to the exposure mask making apparatus of the present invention, the reflection density of the image when the mask of the reflection type color original obtained by the mask making means is printed by printing is the reflection type. In order to reproduce the reflection density of the image of the color original, the image data converting unit converts the image data to be output to the mask creating unit. Color matching is performed, and the image of the reflective original can be reproduced on the photosensitive material.

In particular, as in the eighth aspect of the invention, the image input means changes the density of a color component including a gray (Bk) color obtained by mixing the Y, M and C colors in a plurality of steps. Further, in the case of inputting as the stepwise image data of the positive test chart, Y, M, and C color matching can be performed for each density from the image data of each gradation of the gray (Bk) color.

Further, as in the ninth aspect of the present invention, after the image input means or the image data input by the image input means is converted into a density value representing a density gradation, conversion processing by the image data conversion means is performed. With things, it is possible to calculate by adding and multiplying and dividing in the conversion calculation of image data,
The calculation speed can be increased. According to the exposure mask making apparatus of the tenth aspect of the present invention, the transmission density range of the mask becomes 1.5 or more when printing on the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material through the exposure mask. As described above, in the image data converting means for converting the image data to be output to the mask creating means, since the dynamic range of general printing paper is 1.4 to 1.6, the original in the image formed on the mask is It is possible to faithfully reproduce the gradation range possessed by photographic paper on photographic paper.

Further, according to the exposure mask forming apparatus of the present invention, the image data correcting means prints and prints based on the density value of the image of the mask for printing and exposure measured by the density measuring means. In order to correct the image data so as to match the exposure conditions at the time, even if the characteristics of the mask creating means change with time, it is possible to always match the characteristics with the exposure conditions at the time of printing by printing.
Stable images can be reproduced on photographic paper.

Further, according to the invention of claim 12,
If the mask forming means is a thermal printer using a thermal head as a heating source, it is possible to make a small and inexpensive device. Further, the image data conversion means may be configured to have the image data conversion means described in claim 3, claim 5, claim 7, or claim 10, or provided with the density measurement means described in claim 11, and claim 11. Various conversions can be performed by using the image data conversion unit having the described image data correction unit.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A color image forming system constituted by including a scanner, a mask output device, a printing printer, etc. in a personal computer will be described below as an example of an exposure mask forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a color image forming system using an embodiment of the present invention.
The image input unit A, the image processing unit B, and the image output unit C are configured. Specifically, the image input unit A is a scanner device, the image processing unit B is a personal computer, and the image output unit C is a printing printer and a developing device. It is composed of.

In the image processing unit A, the color mask original is read and the image data is input, and the image processing unit B converts the image data into digital data, and the output characteristics of the scanner are corrected and the monitor display and printing are performed. Correction processing such as color correction and gradation correction for exposure of the printer, and various image editing such as photo retouching are performed to create an exposure mask, and the image output unit C performs monitor display prior to photo printing. The photographic print is printed on the basis of the created exposure mask and photographic negative film.

Each part will be described in detail below. First, in the image input section A, a reflective original 1 (printed matter, silver salt photographic print, etc.) and a transparent original 2 (silver salt photographic negative film, etc.) are used to create an exposure mask in which color illustration images and character images are mixed. Originals (hereinafter referred to as mask originals), which are optically scanned by the scanner 3, are read by switching the mode depending on whether they are reflective mask originals or transmissive mask originals.

That is, when the original is a transparent original 2 (transparent mask original), a light source (not shown) and a reading sensor are arranged inside the scanner 3 so as to face each other with the original as a boundary. The transmitted light is photoelectrically converted and output as an analog image signal which is separated into three colors. On the other hand, in the case of the reflective original 1 (reflective mask original), the reading sensor receives the reflected light from the original. The light source and the reading sensor are arranged inside the scanner 3 to obtain an analog image signal similarly separated into three colors. The scanner 3 may be one in which a reflection type scanner and a transmission type scanner are separately provided.

Next, the processing of the image processing section B will be described. The scanner 3 generally has an A / D conversion unit and outputs digital data, but for convenience, the scanner 3 will be described as being in the image processing unit B. The analog image signal of the color mask original output from the scanner 3 is input to the image data editing unit 10 and image editing such as digital conversion and photo retouching is performed. This detailed block diagram is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the A / D converter 11 converts the input analog image signal into 8-bit digital image data and outputs it to the scanner image data converter 12.
The scanner image data conversion unit 12 has a conversion table memory 13, and a data conversion table prepared in advance for each scanner or for each color mask original is used.
The read image data is converted so that it can be processed as constant image data.

That is, even if the same color mask original is read by using the scanners of different manufacturers, the output characteristics thereof are different. Both the reflective original and the transparent original have a surface property due to the paper quality, and the color density due to the ink forming the image is also high. It will be different. Therefore, by converting the density and hue of the input image data using the data conversion table,
The factors of variation of various image data depending on the type of the scanner / document are corrected.

The digital calculation unit 14 is the image data editing unit 1.
0, which controls the image data conversion unit 12 for the scanner described above according to an editing program written in a readable / writable memory (not shown) such as a hard disk provided inside beforehand, In addition to controlling input / output of digital image data to / from the monitor image data conversion unit 16 and the printer image data conversion unit 17 connected to the
Photo retouching that combines multiple types of original images,
The hue and density of the read color mask original can be freely changed, and editing processing such as character insertion is performed.

For example, when the user inputs the scanner type and the document type from the keyboard 50 prior to reading the color mask original by the scanner 3, the type information is input to the digital arithmetic section 14 and the scanner image data converting section 12 is entered. It is controlled so that a predetermined conversion table in the conversion table memory 13 is selected via. When the color illustration image and the character image are drawn on different color mask originals, these images are read by the scanner 3 and temporarily stored in the image memory 15, and the mouse (not shown) attached to the image processing unit B is shown. No.) is used to determine the layout of each image, and the hue and density are designated to perform the above-mentioned editing process.

The editing program may be dedicated to this system or may be commercially available graphic software, and the editing program is usually protected by software so that it cannot be rewritten. The digital image data for each color obtained in this manner is used for the monitor image data conversion unit 16 and the printer image data conversion unit 1.
It is output to 7.

In FIG. 3, which shows a look-up table relating to the display of the monitor 19, B and G are stored in a readable / writable memory (not shown) such as a hard disk or a RAM provided inside the monitor image data conversion section 16. -The three look-up tables of R are written in advance.
By doing so, the hue and density of the image displayed on the monitor and the image printed on the photograph become equal, so that the user can check the colors reproduced on the photograph print of the color mask original in advance, and the exposure It is possible to improve convenience in creating the mask 27 for use.

By the way, a color CRT is used for the monitor 19 because of the color expression area and the price.
Although it is displayed on the monitor with system image data, since the colors are reproduced by additive color mixing, there is no effect between the primary colors and BG
・ R can independently create a lookup table. In addition, it is preferable to use the look-up table from the viewpoint of display speed because it is possible to perform high-speed processing when the correction value is obtained using the look-up table rather than the correction using the arithmetic expression.

As the process of the monitor image data conversion unit 16, a control unit may be independently provided to control the input / output of digital image data from the memory, and the image editing unit 10 is provided with only the memory. Then, the digital arithmetic unit 14 may perform the same control. On the other hand, the printer image data conversion unit 17 performs data conversion in the following order.

1. The B, G, and R image digital data representing the gradation levels output from the image data editing unit 10 are converted into density values. 2. Corrects and converts the irregular absorption caused by Y, M, and C color mixture. 3. Correcting conversion is performed for the density decrease of the first color and the second color that occurs when Y, M, and C are sequentially superimposed and transferred on the transparent image receiving sheet.

4. Y ・ M showing the gradation level from the density value
・ Convert to C image digital data. As described above, there are many types of corrections in the printer image data conversion unit 17, and since it is necessary to perform 256-step corrections for three colors, conversion is performed using arithmetic expressions as shown in FIG. . In particular, it is difficult to independently convert Y, M, and C digital image data by correction of irregular absorption and density reduction (hereinafter referred to as reverse transfer correction). Then, since the amount of data in the table becomes enormous, it is desirable to use an arithmetic expression.

In FIG. 4, first, the density value conversion formula is used.
The gradation level output from the image data editing unit 10
Density values of the B, G, and R image digital data shown
Y₀, M ₀, C₀Convert to. By converting to concentration value
Addition / multiplication / division operations without using exponential functions for subsequent correction operations
It is possible to process with
It In addition, B, G, and R are image digitizers that represent gradation levels.
In the data, α, β and γ are calculation coefficients.

Next, the correction conversion of the irregular absorption is performed. Here, the irregular absorption will be described with reference to FIG. 5 together with the exposure mask 27. FIG. 5 shows the light transmission spectrum of the exposure mask 27, where the vertical axis represents the light absorbance (transmission density),
The horizontal axis represents the wavelength of light. The wavelengths corresponding to the maximum values of the spectral sensitivities of regular, ortho, and panchromatic of the printing paper 41 are A [nm], B [nm], and C [nm], and each layer is blue (B), green (G), It has a dye that develops red (R). That is, the photographic printing paper 41 is exposed by using a white light source with the exposure mask 27 as a transmission filter, and in the case of a Y exposure mask, the M and C dyes are subtractively mixed by the G and R lights that have passed through this mask and B. To color
If it is an M exposure mask, B, R which have passed through this mask
The light causes the Y and C dyes to subtractively mix to produce G, and in the case of a C exposure mask, the B and G lights passing through the mask subtractively mix the Y and M dyes to produce R.

Therefore, the reproducibility on the photographic printing paper 41 can be improved by matching the color development characteristics of the photographic printing paper 41 with the amount of light (in other words, the transmission density) that has passed through the exposure mask 27 for each color. The transmission density of each color of Y, M, and C of the exposure mask 27 used in this embodiment is the maximum sensitivity wavelength 470 (A) [nm], 550 (of the photographic paper 41 (Konica QA paper manufactured by Konica). B) [nm], 690
(C) 1.5 nm at [nm] (densitometer X from X Wright
It has been experimentally confirmed that the gradation expression capability of the photographic printing paper 41 can be brought out by setting the above to the above, preferably 1.7 or more.

Further, the regular, ortho, panchromatic of the photographic printing paper 41 used for printing is in the wavelength region showing 80% or more, preferably 90% or more of the maximum transmission density of each color of Y, M and C of the exposure mask 27. Experiments have also revealed that the color saturation of photographic prints can be improved by selecting the dye of the exposure mask so that the maximum sensitivity wavelengths A [nm], B [nm], and C [nm] of the respective spectral sensitivities can be entered. It was

In FIG. 5, in the wavelength range J [nm] to K [nm] showing the transmission density H of 80% or more of the maximum transmission density F of Y of the exposure mask 27, the regular amount of the photographic printing paper 41 is set. A wavelength A [nm] having the maximum value of the spectral sensitivity is included, and similarly, M and C of the exposure mask 27 are also in the wavelength range showing a transmission density of 80% or more of the maximum transmission density, and the ortho or panchromatic printing paper 41. Wavelength B of the maximum value of the spectral sensitivity of
[Nm] and C [nm] are included.

However, the Y, M, C exposure mask 27 has absorption in the main absorption wavelength region of other dyes, which is called so-called asymmetric absorption. With this irregular absorption, it is ideal that the exposure mask 27 for only Y does not absorb the G and R lights, but in reality, it is slightly present. Since the M and C exposure masks 27 also have irregular absorption, it is necessary to set the transmission density in consideration of the irregular absorption.

Therefore, the density value-converted Y ₀ , M ₀ , and Y ₀ , M ₀ , are obtained by using the matrix-type asymmetric absorption correction conversion formula set with reference to the characteristics clarified from the above-described experimental results in FIG. C ₀ is the correction value for irregular absorption Y ₁ ,
Converted to M ₁ and C ₁ . In addition, a, b, c, d,
e and f are calculation coefficients. In this way, conventionally, correction of irregular absorption was empirically corrected at the time of mask making or printing for printing, but by performing calculations using preset equations, before making mask or making photo prints. It can be corrected easily and efficiently.

Next, correction conversion of the reverse transfer amount is performed. Here, the reverse transfer will be described. In the present embodiment, the sublimation type thermal transfer printer (to be described later) (hereinafter, referred to as “mask making unit 20”) is small and inexpensive and has good image quality and can be directly connected to a personal computer.
A sublimation printer is used), and the sublimation printer has the above-mentioned advantages, but has a drawback peculiar to the image forming method.

The Y dye previously transferred to the image receiving layer is
It is a phenomenon in which the density is lowered due to the heat applied to transfer another M dye to the image receiving layer at the same position later, because of the reason that the dye partially escapes from the image receiving layer. The amount of this reverse transfer tends to increase substantially in proportion to the amount of the dye transferred to the image receiving layer, and when a positive image is directly output using sublimation thermal transfer, the amount of reverse transfer is lower than that in the low / medium density region. Even if a large density change occurs in the high density region, the human luminosity characteristic does not become a big problem because the sensitivity in the high density region is low in the first place. However, in the case of outputting a negative image as in the present embodiment, if a decrease in density occurs in the high density area, the density fluctuations in the low and middle density areas are directly changed when the image is inverted to the positive image via the printing printer 30. And become noticeable.

Therefore, when a negative image is created by a sublimation printer, the image quality is extremely deteriorated unless the dye density reduction is corrected. Therefore, the reverse transfer amount correction conversion function shown in FIG. By performing a correction calculation using the correction values Y ₁ , M ₁ , C _{1 for} the irregular absorption correction, the correction values Y ₂ , M ₂ of the reverse transfer amount can be obtained. The correction is not performed for C because the C dye is finally transferred by the sublimation printer, so that reverse transfer does not occur.

In the present embodiment, the correction conversion function in the figure is calculated as an approximate expression of a quadratic function as follows. Y
When printing from M to C, the density at which Y is reduced by printing _M is ΔY _M , the density at which Y is reduced by printing C is ΔY _C , and the density at which M is reduced by printing C is _Assuming ΔM _C , ΔY _M = A ₁ M ₁ ² + B ₁ M ₁ + D ₁ A ₁ = a ₁ Y ₁ ² + a ₂ Y ₁ + a ₃ B ₁ = b ₁ Y ₁ ² + b ₂ Y ₁ + b ₃ D ₁ = d ₁ Y ₁ ² + d ₂ Y ₁ + d ₃ ΔY _C = A ₂ C ₁ ² + B ₂ C ₁ + D ₂ A ₂ = a ₄ Y ₁ ² + a ₅ Y ₁ + a ₆ B ₂ = b ₄ Y ₁ ² + b ₅ Y ₁ + b ₆ D ₂ = d ₄ Y ₁ ² + d ₅ Y ₁ + d ₆ ΔM _C = A ₃ C ₁ ² + B ₃ C ₁ + D ₃ A ₃ = a ₇ M ₁ ² + a ₈ M ₁ + a ₉ B ₃ = b ₇ M ₁ ² + b ₈ M ₁ + b ₉ D ₃ = d ₇ M ₁ ² + d ₈ M ₁ + d ₉ and the density value obtained by correcting the density decrease is Y ₂ = Y ₁ + ΔY _M + ΔY _C M ₂ = M ₁ It can be expressed as + ΔM _C.

Here, a _{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} , b
_{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,} d _{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 9} is a calculation factor. In this way, the sublimation printer can be used as the exposure mask output printer of the main exposure mask forming apparatus by taking advantage of the above-mentioned advantages by performing the calculation of the density decrease using the preset expression.

Finally, using the digital image data value conversion formula, the density values Y ₂ and M ₂ corrected and converted for the reverse transfer amount,
The density value C ₁ obtained by the correction conversion of irregular absorption is converted into B, G, and R digital image data representing a gradation level and output to the mask creating unit 20. As described above, in the correction in the printer image data conversion unit 17, the reverse transfer amount is corrected after the irregularity absorption correction conversion, so that the reverse transfer amount can be corrected more appropriately, so that the image quality is further improved. Can be done.

Further, the correction of the irregular absorption and the reverse transfer amount is not simply performed in the mask forming section 20, but is corrected so that the influence of the irregular absorption and the reverse transfer is finally eliminated on the photographic print. I am doing it. Then, the calculation coefficient for performing the series of data conversion described above is set in consideration of various characteristics relating to the reproducibility such as the color characteristics and the density characteristics of the developing section 43, the printing printer 30, and the printing paper 41. If the setting is made with, it becomes possible to easily adjust the entire system in a short time.

The mask creating unit 20 inputs the digital image data for each of B, G, and R output from the printer image data converting unit 17, and creates a negative exposure mask 27 by the above-described sublimation type thermal transfer system. To do. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the mask creating unit 20, that is, the sublimation printer. The sublimation printer will be described below with reference to FIG.

The ink sheet 21 is repeatedly coated with Y, M, and C heat diffusing dyes in order on each surface having the same size as the transparent image receiving sheet 22, and each dye corresponds to digital image data representing a gradation level. Are sequentially transferred and recorded on the transparent image receiving sheet 22. As a specific example of the sublimation printer, a thermal head having a heating element with a recording density of 300 DPI is used. This sublimation type thermal transfer printer changes the energy applied to the thermal head to 1
Each color of Y, M, and C can express the density of 256 gradations. The relative movement distance of each time in the sub-scanning direction of the sublimation type printer is 85 [μm].

The ink sheet 21 is a 6 [μm] polyethylene terephthalate support having a heat-sealing prevention layer on the back surface, and each Y, M, C layer provided on the support. On a 100 [μm] transparent polyethylene terephthalate support, 1 part of silicone oil and 60 parts of vinyl chloride resin dissolved in 300 parts of methyl ethyl ketone was applied to a dry weight of 15 g / m ² to form an image receiving layer. It was done.

As for the recording characteristics, there are cases where the output density has a nearly direct proportional relationship with respect to 256 input gradation levels and cases where it shows a quadratic curve relationship. In each case, the data conversion table is also used. By setting, it is possible to meet the recording characteristics of the sublimation printer. At the time of transfer recording, for example, if the transparent image receiving sheet 22 is A4 size, each of the Y, M and C surfaces of the ink sheet 21 is also A4 size,
When the ink sheet 21 is pulled out from the ink sheet supply roll 23, the Y surface and the transparent image receiving sheet 22 are first superposed so that the platen roller 24 is rotated in the direction of the arrow to sequentially move under the thermal head 25.

During this period, since the digital image data representing the Y gradation level is input to the thermal head 25, the Y heat diffusible dye in the ink of the ink sheet 21 is applied to the transparent image receiving sheet 22 by the application of heat. A dye image, which is waiting for gradation, is formed in the image receiving layer by the dye transfer amount according to the heat pulse amount. When the transfer recording of Y is completed, the ink sheet 21
Is wound on the take-up roll 26 to the beginning of the M-side, and the transparent image-receiving sheet 22 is returned again so that its front end comes to the recording position of the thermal head 25, and this time it is transparent to the M-side of the ink sheet 21. The image receiving sheets 22 are overlapped so as to be prepared for M transfer recording. In this way, the same M / C recording process is repeated a total of three times to record a color image on the image receiving layer of the transparent image receiving sheet 22 and output it as the exposure mask 27.

The ink sheet 21 is coated with three kinds of thermal diffusive dyes Y, M and C, but black (B
The dye of K) may be added. Also, the exposure mask 2
In No. 7, there is a transparent support for supporting the image receiving layer, and the thickness thereof is 51 μm or more, particularly 75 μm to 200 μm from the viewpoint of handleability.
Is preferred. That is, if it is too thick, it will be difficult to cut it into a predetermined size and the cost will increase.
On the other hand, if it is too thin, it becomes difficult to insert it into the printing printer 30, and the possibility of jamming increases.
Therefore, the above range is set in consideration of both sides.

As the transparent support, a resin obtained by stretching a resin into a film or sheet shape and heat setting is used from the viewpoint of dimensional stability. Examples of the resin include acrylic resins such as acrylic acid ester and methacrylic acid ester, and polyethylene. Polyester resin such as terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate and polyarylate, polyolefin resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene, nylon , Polyamide resin such as aromatic polyamide, polyether ether ketone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyparabanic acid, fluorine resin, silicone resin There are, in particular, PET terms above handling, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyester resins polyarylate and the like.

Another example of a sublimation printer is to use a laser instead of a thermal head.
FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the recording apparatus. In this case, an image receiving sheet 29 for forming the exposure mask 27 and a sheet-shaped dye-donor element 28 are wound on the drum,
Transfer and record by irradiating laser light. First, the dye-donor element 28 is made to contain a substance exhibiting strong absorption in the laser wavelength region. When the dye-donor element 28 is irradiated with a laser, the absorbing substance converts light energy into heat energy and heats the Y, M, and C dyes immediately below the absorbing substance to the vaporization temperature to dye the image-receiving sheet 29. The image is transferred to the image receiving element. This absorbing material contains carbon and has a thickness of 1 [μ
m] and the light-heat conversion layer may be placed directly under the dye, or may be mixed with the dye.

The laser light is adjusted by an electric signal corresponding to the shape and color of the image, and by performing such adjustment, the image is reproduced on the image receiving sheet 29 and the exposure mask 27 is obtained. The conditions of the laser beam used are as follows: the spot diameter is 30 [μm], the exposure time is 5 [msec], the wavelength is 830 [nm], and the laser beam is 0 to 44 [rpm] while rotating the drum 29 at 180 [rpm]. The scanning is performed with the applied energy of [μw / μm ² ].

Further, a transmission densitometer is periodically provided in the sublimation printer to measure the transmission density of the exposure mask 27 which is output and fed back to the printer image data conversion section 17 to check the deviation from the design value. If the arithmetic coefficient is rewritable so as to be detected and corrected, the sublimation printer can be surely corrected even if there is a change with time, and a stable image can be reproduced on the printing paper.

Next, the image output section C will be described with reference to FIG. The digital image data output from the monitor image data conversion unit 16 is input to the monitor 19 and displayed. On the other hand, the mask 27 output from the mask creating section 20 and the silver halide photographic negative film 45 for a photographic image are arranged at predetermined positions of the printing printer 30 and the photographic paper 41 is provided.
Perform a baking exposure on top.

In FIG. 8 showing a schematic configuration diagram of the printing printer 30, a roll-shaped printing paper 41 is set in advance on the printing paper supply roll 31, and is moved and wound around the printing paper take-up roll 32 at each printing exposure. Will be done. The exposure unit 33 is divided into a main exposure unit 34 and a sub-exposure unit 35, and the exposure mask 27 is arranged in an exposure mask holder 36 of the sub-exposure unit.
The silver halide photographic negative film 45 for photographic images is placed in the negative holder 37 of the main exposure section. Light from the light sources 38 and 39 provided separately passes through the exposure mask 27 and the silver halide photographic negative film 45, and the prism 40 and the lens 4 are provided.
Printing exposure is performed by irradiating the photographic printing paper 41 through the sheet 2 for a predetermined time. In this printing exposure, the combined image can be printed on the printing paper 41 by using both the main exposure and the sub-exposure, or the printing image 4 can be printed by using only the sub-exposure.
You may bake to 1. The printed photographic printing paper 41 develops color. Then, development processing is performed in the developing section 43 to obtain a photographic print 44.

As described above, in the image processing section B,
For exposure of the photographic print 44, the calculation coefficient is set so as to perform a series of data conversion in consideration of various characteristics relating to reproducibility such as the color characteristic and the density characteristic of the developing unit 43, the printing printer 30, and the printing paper 41. Images such as a color illustration image and a character image corresponding to the mask 27 faithfully reproduce the density and hue of the color mask original document, and each process from reading to printing when a transmissive original document or a reflective original document is used. Color matching can be done easily and quickly.

Next, the adjustment for setting the correction value and the calculation coefficient in the image processing section B will be described. The adjustments performed at the manufacturing stage of the present system are generally performed so that the color test chart used in place of the color mask original has the same reproducibility of the display output of the monitor 19 and the photographic print 44. .

First, when the color test chart is a transmission type (negative), it is printed on a standard photographic paper (QA paper manufactured by Konica Corporation) with the printing printer 30 under the standard printing conditions and developed by the developing section 43. A positive image is obtained, and a 12-step reflection density A _nega (maximum density 1.8, minimum density 0) is measured for each color on the color test chart with a reference densitometer (X-light densitometer manufactured by X-Light Co., Ltd.). When the color test chart is a reflection type (positive), the 12-step reflection density A _posi is directly measured for each color of the color test chart with a reference densitometer.

Next, the color test chart is read by the scanner 3 to display an image on the monitor 19, the 12-step density B is measured by the reference densitometer, the exposure mask 27 is prepared, and the printing printer 30 is used as the reference. A 12-step reflection density C is measured by measuring a positive image obtained by printing on photographic paper and developing in the developing section 43 with a reference densitometer. And A
The data conversion table value of the scanner image data conversion unit 12 is set such that _nega and A _posi have the same output value even if the types of the scanner and the original are different. This setting eliminates fluctuations due to differences in scanner / document types.

The color test chart and the monitor 1 are set by setting the look-up table of the monitor image data conversion unit 16 so that A _nega and A _posi = B.
The displayed images in 9 are the same, and A _nega and A
By setting the calculation coefficients of the printer image data conversion unit 17 so that _posi = C and B = C, the color test chart and the image of the portion corresponding to the mask 27 of the photographic print 44 and the monitor 19 are displayed. Image becomes equal.

The color types of the color test chart are usually Y, M, C and Bk, but MY, MC and CY may be added or only Bk may be added.

[0072]

As described above, according to the exposure mask making apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when the color confirmed by the monitor means is printed by printing through the exposure mask. Since the image data conversion means converts the image data so that it can be reproduced on the photosensitive material, it is possible for the user to check the color reproduced on the photosensitive material in advance, which is convenient for the creation of the exposure mask. It is possible to improve the sex.

Particularly, as in the second aspect of the invention, in the case where the image data input by the image data converting means through the look-up table and the R, G, B data have a one-to-one correspondence, the monitor display The data conversion for can be performed at high speed. Further, according to the exposure mask making apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the irregular absorption that occurs when the exposure mask and the photosensitive material are included, and the density that occurs when the exposure mask is formed by the thermal diffusion dye Since the image data correcting means corrects the deterioration, the image can be reproduced on the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material with high quality.

Particularly, in the case where the image data correcting means calculates the Y, M, C data by performing the matrix operation on the input image data as in the invention described in claim 4, it is enormous in the apparatus. Since it is not necessary to provide a memory for storing the converted data, the correction can be performed by an inexpensive device. According to the exposure mask making apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the reflection density of the image when the mask of the transmissive color original obtained by the mask making means is printed by printing is the same as that of the transmissive color original. Each process from reading to printing when a transmissive original is used in order to convert the image data output to the mask creating means by the image data converting means so as to reproduce the reflection density of the image when directly printed. A color image is partially matched, and a positive image obtained by reversing the image of the transmission type original can be reproduced on the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material.

In particular, as in the invention described in claim 6, the image input means changes the density of the color component including the gray (Bk) color obtained by mixing the Y, M and C colors in a plurality of steps. When input as image data for each stage of a negative test chart, Y, M, and C color matching can be performed for each density from image data of each gray (Bk) color gradation.

According to the exposure mask making apparatus of the present invention, the reflection density of the image when the mask of the reflection type color original obtained by the mask making means is printed by printing is the reflection type. In order to reproduce the reflection density of the image of the color original, the image data converting unit converts the image data to be output to the mask creating unit. Color matching is performed, and a positive image of a reflective original can be reproduced on a light-sensitive material.

In particular, as in the invention described in claim 8, the image input means changes the density of a color component including a gray (Bk) color obtained by mixing the Y, M and C colors in a plurality of steps. Further, in the case of inputting as the stepwise image data of the positive test chart, Y, M, and C color matching can be performed for each density from the image data of each gradation of the gray (Bk) color.

Further, as in the ninth aspect of the present invention, after the image input means or the image data input by the image input means is converted into a density value representing a density gradation, conversion processing by the image data conversion means is performed. With things, it is possible to calculate by adding and multiplying and dividing in the conversion calculation of image data,
The calculation speed can be increased. According to the exposure mask making apparatus of the tenth aspect of the present invention, the transmission density range of the mask becomes 1.5 or more when printing on the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material through the exposure mask. As described above, when the image data converting unit converts the image data to be output to the mask creating unit, the change rate of the density value between the dye image formed on the mask and the dye image on the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is By making the values equal, the density control by the mask can be simplified, and in addition, the gradation range of the original can be faithfully reproduced.

According to the eleventh aspect of the exposure mask creating apparatus of the present invention, the image data correcting means prints and prints based on the density value of the image of the mask for printing and exposure measured by the density measuring means. In order to correct the image data so as to match the exposure conditions at the time, even if the characteristics of the mask creating means change with time, it is possible to always match the characteristics with the exposure conditions at the time of printing by printing.
Stable images can be reproduced on photographic paper.

Further, as in the invention of claim 12,
If the mask forming means is a thermal printer using a thermal head as a heating source, it is possible to make a small and inexpensive device. Further, the image data conversion means may be configured to have the image data conversion means described in claim 3, claim 5, claim 7, or claim 10, or provided with the density measurement means described in claim 11, and claim 11. Various conversions can be performed by using the image data conversion unit having the described image data correction unit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a color image forming system in a present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of an image data editing unit in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a lookup table relating to display on a monitor according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a correction transfer function of a reverse transfer amount in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a light transmission spectrum of an exposure mask in this example.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sublimation printer in this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a laser recording device in this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing printer 30 in this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Scanner 10 Image Data Editing Unit 16 Monitor Image Data Converting Unit 17 Printer Image Data Converting Unit 19 Monitor 20 Mask Creating Unit 27 Exposure Mask 30 Printing Printer 43 Developing Unit 44 Photographic Print

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Takei 1 Sakura-cho, Hino-shi, Tokyo Konica Stock Company

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A monitor means for inputting and displaying the image data in order to confirm the color of the image data prior to the baking exposure, and a dye image corresponding to the image data on a transparent support by a heat diffusible dye. Mask forming means for forming a mask for printing exposure, and the color of the image data confirmed by the monitor means is reproduced on the photosensitive material when printing by printing through the exposure mask, An exposure mask forming apparatus, comprising: an image data converting unit that converts the image data output to the monitor output unit and the mask forming unit. 2. The image data converting means for displaying the input image data in red (R) green (G) blue (B) for data conversion to the monitor means. It has an R / G / B conversion unit for converting into B data, and the R / G / B conversion unit associates the image data with the R / G / B data in a one-to-one correspondence via a look-up table. The mask making apparatus for exposure according to claim 1, wherein 3. The correction conversion of the asymmetrical absorption of the heat diffusible dye transferred to the mask for printing exposure and the asymmetrical absorption of the photosensitive material which develops color upon printing by printing to the inputted image data. Yellow (Y), magenta (M),
Image data conversion means for performing correction conversion for density reduction of color components that occur when transferring the respective colors of cyan (C) one after another, and the corrected image data on the transparent support by the heat diffusible dye. An exposure mask creation apparatus comprising: a mask creation unit that creates a corresponding dye image and creates a printing exposure mask for printing the image on the light-sensitive material. 4. The image data converting means carries out a matrix operation on the input image data for converting the image data into the mask creating means to convert the image data into yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan. 4. The exposure mask making apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a matrix calculation unit that calculates Y, M, and C data for color development in (C). 5. An image input unit for transparently scanning a transmissive color original in which the density of color components is changed in a plurality of steps to input image data, and a dye image corresponding to the image data output from the image input unit. A mask forming unit for forming a mask for printing exposure, and a reflection density of an image when the mask of the transmission type color original obtained by the mask forming unit is printed by printing, the transmission type color original is directly An exposure mask creating apparatus comprising: an image data converting unit that converts the image data output to the mask creating unit so as to reproduce the reflection density of an image when printed by printing. 6. The image input means changes the density of a color component including a gray (Bk) color obtained by mixing yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) in a plurality of steps. 6. The exposure mask making apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the negative mask is inputted as image data for each stage of the negative test chart. 7. An image input unit for inputting image data by performing a reflective scan of a reflection type color original in which the density of color components is changed in a plurality of steps, and a dye image corresponding to the image data output from the image input unit. A mask output means for forming and outputting a mask for printing exposure, and a reflection density of an image when the mask of the reflective color original obtained by the mask creating means is printed by printing, and the reflection density of the image of the reflective color original is And an image data conversion unit that converts the image data to be output to the mask creation unit so as to reproduce the reflection density of the exposure mask creation device. 8. The image input means changes the density of a color component including a gray (Bk) color obtained by mixing the colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) in a plurality of steps. 8. The exposure mask forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image data is input as image data for each step of the positive test chart. 9. The image data input by the image input means is converted into a density value representing a density gradation, and then the conversion processing is performed by the image data conversion means, and the mask output means outputs the density value after the conversion processing. 6. A mask for printing exposure is formed by forming a dye image corresponding to the dye image.
The exposure mask forming apparatus according to claim 8. 10. A mask forming means for forming a dye image corresponding to image data on a transparent support by a heat diffusible dye to form a mask for printing exposure, and to a light-sensitive material through the exposure mask. An exposure mask creating apparatus comprising: an image data conversion unit that converts the image data input to the mask output unit so that the transmission density range of the mask becomes 1.5 or more when printed by printing. . 11. A mask creating means for forming a dye image according to image data to create a mask for printing exposure, and a density measurement for measuring the image density of the printing exposure mask output from the mask output means. Means, and image data correction means for correcting the image data output to the mask creating means based on the density value of the density measuring means so as to match the exposure condition at the time of printing by printing. Characteristic exposure mask making device. 12. The mask producing means is a thermal printer using a thermal head as a heating source, and the mask producing means is a thermal printer, claim 3, claim 5, claim 7, claim 9, claim 10. The exposure mask forming apparatus according to claim 11. 13. The light-sensitive material is a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, claim 1, claim 3, and claim 1.
0. The exposure mask making apparatus as described in 0. 14. An exposure mask forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is an image data converting means having the image data converting means according to claim 3. 15. An exposure mask forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, which is an image data converting means having the image data converting means according to claim 5. 16. An exposure mask forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 5, which is image data converting means having the image data converting means according to claim 7. 17. An exposure apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5, and 7, which is an image data converting means having the image data converting means according to claim 10. Mask making device. 18. The image data converting means having the density measuring means according to claim 11 and having the image data correcting means according to claim 11. Description: The exposure mask forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 and 10.