System for allocating images onto photosensitive materials utilizing flags

Performance of an image allocation process on a photosensitive film is observed on a display as a simulation image by an operator who manipulates it and a flag is included in the record of each image to indicate whether or not the corresponding image has been recorded.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a system for allocation of images to be 
reproduced onto a sheet of photosensitive materials by means of an 
electro-optical scanning apparatus, particularly to a system for recording 
images corresponding to a plurality of originals on a comparatively large 
sized sheet of photosensitive materials, with efficiently using the sheet. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 50-13443 (Japanese Utility Model 
Reg. No. 1,110,594) shows that the exposed area of a photosensitive 
material is indicated by measuring the horizontal distance between the 
position of the recording head which advances in the horizontal direction 
as scanning proceeds and the recording start point or the end point. The 
apparatus disclosed in the publication enables to measure the exposed area 
only in the horizontal direction, hence the remaining non-exposed area, on 
a sheet of photosensitive materials. 
Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-18601 shows that image frames for 
respective color separation images are vertically allocated on a sheet of 
photosensitive materials, and that the color separation, e.g., for Yellow, 
Magenta, Cyan and Black is made so as to record respective separation 
images with coinciding with the image frames. Also, in this method the 
horizontal position of a recording head relative to a photosensitive 
material is detected and the exposed area, hence the remaining non-exposed 
area, of the sheet is measured only in the horizontal direction. 
It will be advantageous for promoting the operating efficiency of 
electro-optical scanning apparatus that color separation images are 
arranged on a comparatively large sized sheet of photosensitive materials 
so as to utilize the whole area in which reproduction images are fully 
allocated not only in the horizontal direction, but also in the vertical 
direction and or in the matrix. 
In view of the above prior arts, none of them is suitable for promoting the 
operating efficiency of scanning apparatus, and it is impossible with the 
prior art structures to measure the exposed area, hence the remaining 
non-exposed area, of the whole range of the photosensitive material. In 
order to record reproduction images on a photosensitive material in such a 
manner as above, the recording point must be detected in the horizontal 
direction (hereinafter defined as the subscanning direction) as well as in 
the vertical direction (hereinafter defined as the main scanning 
direction). In prior arts as mentioned above, it is impossible to measure 
the exposed area in the main scanning direction and moreover there is the 
disadvantageous possibility that adjacent images overlap. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide 
an improved scanning system which enables one to efficiently allocate 
reproduction images on the whole range of sheet of photosensitive 
materials, thus to fully utilize the whole range thereof. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved scanning 
system which enables a determination of which part of the sheet is already 
exposed and which part is not exposed, not only in the main scanning 
direction, but also in the sub-scanning direction of a sheet of 
photosensitive materials. 
Other objects of the present invention will be evident from the description 
hereinafter presented. 
Practically, the above objects are attained as in the following way. At 
first, according to position data (data of trimming start and stop points) 
of originals to be reproduced and position data (data of recording start 
and stop points) of corresponding reproduction images being input via 
input devices, the reproduction images are allocated onto a photosensitive 
materials. This allocation work is performed by simulating the actual 
state of the reproduction images on the photosensitive material. 
Therefore, they never overlap and the interval between adjacent originals 
is never widened excessively. 
Then the position data of the originals and the reproduction images are 
stored into an external memory such as disc memory as a data file. 
After storing the data of respective originals into the external memory, a 
recording process is carried out by using the filed data (position data) 
and the image data of the originals. In this process, some of the filed 
data are input to motor controllers of the input and the output sides and 
to a magnification ratio setter.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, an input scanning drum 11, on the peripheral surface 
of which an original or originals is or are mounted, is driven to rotate 
by a motor 12, while an input scanning head 13 for obtaining image data is 
driven to traverse on a feed screw in the subscanning direction by a motor 
14 and is controlled to proceed at proper speed according to a desired 
magnification ratio. 
The rotating speed of the respective motors 12, 14 is controlled by a motor 
controller 10, in response to commands from the CPU 60. The rotating speed 
and the revolution angle of the scanning drum 11 are detected by 
one-revolution signals and clock pulses generated from a rotary encoder 15 
which is coaxially connected to the motor 12, and are controlled by 
comparing with them. A rotary encoder 16 which is coaxially connected to 
the motor 14 generates clock pulses and one-revolution signals, which are 
input to the motor controller 10, by which the position of the scanning 
head 13 relative to the sub-scanning direction is controlled in response 
to commands from the CPU 60. The commands from the CPU 60 are given in 
accordance with desired position and magnification data in regard to 
images to be recorded. 
Color component signals of R (Red), G (Green) and B (Blue) obtained through 
the input scanning head 13 are input to a color computation circuit 20 to 
process color correction, gradation correction, sharpness emphasis etc., 
as in conventional color scanners, and then output as color separation 
signals of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan) and K (Black) therefrom. 
The color separation signals Y, M, C and K are input to a magnification 
ratio setter 30, in which these color separation signals are converted to 
image signals in response to commands from the CPU 60, which the image 
signals corresponds to a desired magnification relative to the main 
scanning direction, when the image signals are input to a halftone dot 
generator 40. Any of magnification ratio setters disclosed in U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 3,272,918 or 3,541,245, or co-pending U.S. Ser. Nos. 924,928 or 
170,127 can be applied to the magnification setter 30. Any of halftone dot 
generators disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,472, or co-pending U.S. Ser. 
No. 365,890 can be applied to the halftone dot generator 40. In regard to 
these magnification ratio setter and halftone dot generator, no special 
explanation is given here because they are not the subject matter of this 
invention. 
On the other hand, controlling in a recording unit is carried out in the 
same manner as in the scanning unit mentioned as above. That is, a 
recording drum 51 is driven to rotate by a motor 52, and a recording head 
53 for recording reproduction images on a photosensitive material placed 
on the drum 51 is traversed in the subscanning direction along a feed 
screw by a motor 54. The rotating speed of the respective motors 52, 54 is 
controlled by a motor controller 50 similarly as mentioned on the scanning 
unit. The rotating speed and the revolution angle of the recording drum 51 
are detected by one-revolution signals and clock pulses generated from a 
rotary encoder 55 which is coaxially connected to the motor 52, and are 
controlled by comparing therewith. A rotary encoder 56 which is coaxially 
connected to the motor 54 generates clock pulses and one-rotation signals, 
which are input to the motor controller 50, by which the position of the 
recording head 53 relative to the sub-scanning direction is controlled in 
response to commands from the CPU 60. The commands from the CPU 60 are 
given in accordance with desired position and magnification data which are 
stored in the CPU. 
Respective motors 12, 14 and 52 and 54 are controlled by the respective 
motor controllers 10 and 50 in response to commands from the CPU 60. The 
rotating speed and the revolution angle of the respective drums 11 and 51 
and the position signals relative to the subscanning direction of the 
respective heads 13 and 53 are input via respective motor controller 10 
and 50 to the CPU 60, and simultaneously clock pulses and one-rotation 
signals generated from the respective rotary encoders 12, 14, 55 and 56 
are respectively input to the magnification setter 30, whereby both the 
scanning head 13 and the recording head 53 are respectively controlled to 
scan respective originals and to record respective images at the desired 
magnification on a photosensitive material. 
Referring to FIG. 3, data-input operations are carried out as follows. 
At first, the originals Q to be scanned are numbered, and the filing 
numbers in regard to the originals are input to an internal memory of the 
CPU 60 by means of a keyboard (not shown) - - - (F.sub.1). Then the 
scanning drum 11 and scanning head 13 are respectively rotated and moved 
to the upper left-hand corner .circle.A (X.sub.A, Y.sub.A) (hereinafter 
defined as trimming start point) which is on the contour of the desired 
area T (hereinafter defined as trimming area) in the first original 
Q.sub.1 - - - (F.sub.2). At the point that the scanning head 13 coincides 
with the trimming start point, driving of the respective motors 12 and 14 
is stopped, then the coordinate value of the trimming start point 
.circle.A (X.sub.A, Y.sub.A) expressed by the pulses and signals output 
from the rotary encoders 15 and 16 are input to the internal memory of the 
CPU 60 - - - (F.sub.3)(F.sub.4). Then the motors 12 and 14 are driven 
again to rotate the scanning drum 11 and to move the head 13 to the 
diagonal point of the trimming start point (hereinafter defined as 
trimming stop point) indicated as .circle.B - - - (F.sub.5). At the 
point that the scanning head 13 coincides with the trimming stop point, 
driving of the respective motors 12 and 14 is stopped, then the coordinate 
value thereof (X.sub.B, Y.sub.B) is input to the internal memory of the 
CPU 60 - - - (F.sub.6)(F.sub.7). Data of a desired magnification ratio M 
(M.sub. y : magnification relative to the main scanning direction, M.sub.x 
: magnification relative to the subscanning direction) are input to the 
internal memory of the CPU 60 - - - (F.sub.8). Through the above-mentioned 
operations the data setting procedure is completed in the scanning unit. 
In the recording unit, the coordinate value of a upper left-hand point 
.circle.a (X.sub.a, Y.sub.a) (hereinafter defined as recording start 
point) of the first recording frame, relative to the photosensitive 
material R, are input, by means of the digitizer 61, to the internal 
memory of the CPU 60. On the other hand, a "film identifying number" for 
identifying a color separation image with a corresponding original, a 
"number of color separation" for indicating how many color separation 
images of an original should be recorded and intervals (V.sub.x : interval 
relative to the sub-scanning direction, V.sub.y : interval relative to the 
main scanning direction) between respective frames in which respective 
color separation images are allocated are input, by means of function keys 
provided on a keyboard associated with a CRT device 62, to the internal 
memory of the CPU 60 - - - (F.sub.9). In response to the data input, the 
CPU 60 computes and finds the diagonal point .circle.b (X.sub.b, 
Y.sub.b) (hereinafter defined as recording stop point) in such a manner as 
mentioned below. Also with respect to respective succeeding frames, 
respective recording start points and recording stop points are computed 
and found by the CPU 60 in such a manner as mentioned below - - - 
(F.sub.10). 
That is, defining that respective coordinate values of recording start and 
stop points of the reproduction images are as shown below: 
______________________________________ 
Recording start 
Recording stop 
point point 
______________________________________ 
Y X.sub.aY, Y.sub.aY 
X.sub.bY, Y.sub.bY 
M X.sub.aM, Y.sub.aM 
X.sub.bM, Y.sub.bM 
C X.sub.aC, Y.sub.C 
X.sub.bC, Y.sub.bC 
K X.sub.aK, Y.sub.aK 
X.sub.bK, Y.sub.bK 
______________________________________ 
when the coordinate value of the point (X.sub.aY, Y.sub.aY) is input as the 
recording start point with respect to Yellow color separation, the 
coordinate value of the recording stop point is found from equations: 
EQU X.sub.bY =X.sub.aY +S.sub.x (1) 
EQU Y.sub.bY =Y.sub.aY +S.sub.y (1)' 
wherein the values S.sub.x and S.sub.y are derived on the basis of 
coodinate values of the trimming start point and the trimming stop point 
of the corresponding original Q.sub.1, i.e. A (X.sub.A, Y.sub.A), and B 
(X.sub.B, Y.sub.B), and the magnification ratio data M in such a manner as 
follows: 
EQU S.sub.x =(X.sub.A -X.sub.B)M.sub.x (2) 
EQU S.sub.y =(Y.sub.A -Y.sub.B)M.sub.y (2)' 
The other recording start and stop points with respect to Magenta, Cyan and 
Black color separation are derived from the following equations: 
EQU X.sub.aM =X.sub.aY (3) 
EQU Y.sub.aM =Y.sub.bY +D.sub.y =Y.sub.aY +S.sub.y +D.sub.y (3)' 
EQU X.sub.bM =X.sub.bY =X.sub.aY +S.sub.x (4) 
EQU Y.sub.bM =Y.sub.aM +S.sub.y =Y.sub.ay +2S.sub.y +D.sub.y (4)' 
EQU X.sub.aC =X.sub.aY (5) 
EQU Y.sub.aC =Y.sub.bM +D.sub.y =Y.sub.aY +2S.sub.y +2D.sub.y (5)' 
EQU X.sub.bC =X.sub.bY =X.sub.aY +S.sub.x (6) 
EQU Y.sub.bC =Y.sub.aC +S.sub.y =Y.sub.aY +3S.sub.y +2D.sub.y (6)' 
EQU X.sub.aK =X.sub.aY (7) 
EQU Y.sub.aK =Y.sub.bC +D.sub.y =Y.sub.aY +3S.sub.y +3D.sub.y (7)' 
EQU X.sub.bK =X.sub.bY =X.sub.aY +S.sub.x (8) 
EQU Y.sub.bK =Y.sub.aK +S.sub.y =Y.sub.aY +4S.sub.y +3D.sub.y (8)' 
Thus obtained recording start and stop points of frames in which color 
separation images are recorded are temporarily stored into the internal 
memory of the CPU 60 - - - (F.sub.11). 
After that, the arrangement of image frames cooresponding to the first 
original Q.sub.1 is displayed on CRT device 62 - - - (F.sub.12). Thus an 
operator can find the frame arrangement relative to the photosensitive 
material and, if necessary, correct the arrangement by referring to the 
simulation image on the CRT device 62 - - - (F.sub.13)(F.sub.14). When the 
frame arrangement of color separation images in respect to the first 
original is settled, these data are stored into the external memory, e.g. 
a disk memory device 63 - - - (F.sub.15). 
With respect to the other originals the above procedure is repeated to 
memorize frame data of corresponding respective originals - - - 
(F.sub.16). In this case, as the already-settled frame arrangement is 
displayed on the CRT device 63 as shown in FIG. 2(b), the frame 
arrangement of the following originals can easily be carried out in the 
vacant places by simulating the undertaking frame arrangement. In such a 
manner as mentioned above, all the position data of imaged frames are 
stored in the external memory 63 - - - (F.sub.17). 
Although the above description is directed to the case that four color 
separation frames for Yellow, Magenta, Cyan and Black with respect to an 
original are alligned in the main scanning direction on a photosensitive 
material successively, it can also be applicable to record them by ones, 
by twos or by threes with respect to an original in compliance with the 
magnification ratio M. That is, for example, when only one image frame or 
two image frames of the four color separation images Y, M, C and K is or 
are intended to allocate on a photosensitive material due to high 
magnification, an instruction is input in the step F.sub.9, by which 
necessary data for carrying out such frame allocation is derived from the 
above equations. 
It is also possible to find whether a color separation image or images is 
or are within the whole area of the photosensitive material, by merely 
inputting the size data of the photosensitive material in the step 
F.sub.9. That is, assuming that the coordinate value of the start point in 
regard to a color separation frame is (X.sub.a1, Y.sub.a1) and that of the 
recording stop point is (X.sub.a2, Y.sub.a2), which are respectively 
derived from the equations as mentioned above, and the size data of a 
photosensitive material is S.sub.FX in X-direction and S.sub.FY in 
Y-direction, the reproduction image is not within the whole area of the 
photosensitive material when X.sub.a2 &gt;S.sub.FX or Y.sub.a2 &gt;S.sub.FY. In 
such a case an error sign is displayed on the CRT device. 
There is another method to obtain the magnification data, instead of 
inputting them in the step F.sub.9. Referring to FIG. 4, the coordinate 
values of the point P.sub.2 (X.sub.P2X, Y.sub.P2Y) and the point P.sub.3 
(X.sub.P3X, Y.sub.P3Y) as well as the recording start point P.sub.1 
(X.sub.P1X, Y.sub.P1Y) are input by the digitizer 61 to the CPU 60, 
whereby the value S.sub.x and the value S.sub.y which respectively 
represent the longitudinal length and the laterial length of a 
reproduction image are obtained from the equations: 
##EQU1## 
Then the magnification data (M.sub.X, M.sub.Y) can be found inversely from 
the value (S.sub.X, S.sub.Y), the coordinate value of the trimming start 
point and that of the trimming stop point. 
Table 1 shows a data file of an original obtained in such a manner as 
mentioned above, in which the "film identifying number" indicated as 
F.sub.Y, F.sub.M, F.sub.C and F.sub.K identifies a color separation image 
with a corresponding original, and is helpful for an operator when 
respective color separation images with respect to an original are 
recorded on several photosensitive materials. "Flags", indicated as 
FLG.sub.Y, FLG.sub.M, FLG.sub.C and FLG.sub.K, are used to indicate 
whether or not a reproduction image is already recorded, and are 
respectively cleared to "0" when data is input at the step (F.sub.9), and 
are respectively set to "1" when an exposure is made, which is 
automatically performed by the CPU 60. 
Incidentally, "condition data" shown in Table 1 contains data to be set in 
the color computation circuit 20 and being requisite for color separation, 
however, no explanation is given here since it is not the subject matter 
of this invention. 
When the above-mentioned data input operations are completed, an operator 
operates the function keys of the keyboard (previously mentioned but not 
shown) attached to the CRT device 62 to input to the CPU 60 a command for 
starting the recording operations. Input to the CPU 60 may also be via 
digitizer 61. Then the CPU 60 controls respective devices 10, 20, 30, 40 
and 50 shown in FIG. 1 in such a manner as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 
5, which is described hereunder. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Original number No. 
______________________________________ 
trimming start point (X.sub.A, Y.sub.A) 
stop point (X.sub.B, Y.sub.B) 
Magnification 
X direction M.sub.X 
ratio Y direction M.sub.Y 
Yellow film identifying number 
F.sub.Y 
color number of color separation 
N.sub.Y 
separation recording start point 
(X.sub.AY, Y.sub.AY) 
recording end point 
(X.sub.BY, Y.sub.BY) 
flag FLG.sub.Y 
Magneta film identifying number 
F.sub.M 
color number of color separation 
N.sub.M 
separation recording start point 
(X.sub.AM, Y.sub.AM) 
recording end point 
(X.sub.BM, Y.sub.BM) 
flag FLG.sub.M 
Cyan film identifying number 
F.sub.C 
color number of color separation 
N.sub.C 
separation recording start point 
(X.sub.AC, Y.sub.AC) 
recording end point 
(X.sub.BC, Y.sub.BC) 
flag FLG.sub.C 
Black film identifying number 
F.sub.K 
color number of color separation 
N.sub.K 
separation recording start point 
(X.sub.AK, Y.sub.AK) 
recording end point 
(X.sub.BK, Y.sub.BK) 
flag FLG.sub.K 
Intervals in V.sub.x 
X-direction 
Intervals in V.sub. y 
Y-direction 
Condition ( ) 
data 
______________________________________ 
At first, the data with respect to the first original are read from the 
external memory 63 - - - (F.sub.21), and the "flags" are examined - - - 
(F.sub.22). 
When at least one of the respective "flags" indicates "0", which means that 
the reproduction image is not recorded, thus coordinate values of both the 
trimming start point and the trimming stop point with respect to the 
corresponding original are input to both the motor controller 10 and the 
magnification ratio setter 30. While the magnification ratio data M.sub.x 
and M.sub.y are input respectively to the motor controllers 10 and 50 and 
to the magnification ratio setter 30 - - - (F.sub.23). Then the data of 
the "number of color separation" are examined to determine which 
separation mode is done, e.g. by one colors, by two colors, by three 
colors or by four colors from an original, and to input the separation 
mode to the magnification ratio setter 30. And the coordinate values of 
both the recording start point and the recording stop point are input both 
to the magnification ratio setter 30 and to the motor controller 50 - - - 
(F.sub.24). The scanning head 13 and the recording head 53 are 
respectively positioned at the scanning start point and at the recording 
start point in response to signals respectively from the motor controllers 
10 and 50, which respectively output signals of readiness to the CPU 60 - 
- - (F.sub.25). In response to the readiness signals, the CPU 60 outputs 
command signals to operate the motor controllers 10 and 50, to the 
magnification ratio setter 30 and to the halftone dot generator 40 - - - 
(F.sub.26). When respective heads 13 and 53 reach respective stop points, 
the CPU 60 receives stop signals from both the motor controllers 10 and 
50, and stops the respective heads. In response to the stop signals, the 
CPU 60 commands both the magnification ratio setter 30 and the halftone 
dot generator 40 to stop respective operations - - - (F.sub.28), and make 
the "flag" set to "1" - - - (F.sub.29). When the flag is set to "1", the 
image frame corresponding to the color separation is distinguished from 
image frames which are not exposed, i.e. whose flags are indicated as "0". 
In this case, an exposed image frame is successively brightened on the CRT 
device. Thus an operator can easily find the recording procedure. After 
that, steps F.sub.22 to F.sub.29 mentioned above are repeated with 
respect to the other color separation images of the original. When the 
flags of all the color separation images indicate "1" (FLG.sub.Y =1, 
FLG.sub.M =1, FLG.sub.C =1 and FLG.sub.K =1), the data of the 
corresponding original are restored into the external memory 63 from the 
CPU 60 - - - (F.sub.30). 
In such a manner as mentioned above, all the operations with respect to the 
first original are completed, and after that, the data concerning the 
second original are read out from the memory 63 - - - 
(F.sub.31)-(F.sub.32), then the steps F.sub.21 to F.sub.29 are repeated in 
the same manner as above. These operations are repeated with respect to 
the remaining originals, then the recording operations with regard to all 
the originals are completed - - - (F.sub.32)-(F.sub.33). 
Although the above-mentioned embodiment only shows a case that four color 
separation images are arranged and recorded in the main scanning 
direction, it may be easily understood that color separation images can be 
arranged and recorded in the sub-scanning direction or in matrix as shown 
in FIG. 2(c). Thus the above description enables any person skilled in the 
art to which this invention pertains. 
As is mentioned above, since the system of this invention is capable of 
allocating reproduction images of an original an originals onto a 
photosensitive material while observing the simulation on a CRT device and 
by means of an input device such as a digitizer before carrying out actual 
recording work, adjacent two reproduction images never overlap or the 
intervals therebetween never be excessively widened. Furthermore, the 
recording operations are carried out automatically by means of control 
devices without inputting the recording data every original. Further the 
system enables to use the whole surface of a photosensitive material which 
is of relatively large size efficiently and effectively.