System for producing a halftone film or a printing plate

A color original such as a color reversal film and the like which may be different size (for example, the Brownie, 4".times.5", 35 mm) is fitted or stored in the original cassette mounted on the cassette base. The original is read to obtain a whole image data by a transmission type or a reflection type image sensor without catching any flare, and an auxiliary scanning is done sequentially on lines of the original, reading the whole surface thereof, so as to output directly the plates of C,M,Y and black (K). Because of the procedure described above the operation to produce the plates is easily done at a high speed by even an unskilled operator. The operation for scanning the original image comprises the steps of scanning (pre-scanning) the original image in rough, and then scanning (main scanning) it in detail. The original image is displayed in accordance with data of the pre-scanning and the data of the pre-scanning is stored in a memory. On the basis of the stored data, the condition parameters for the image processing are determined automatically (or manually) and the image output is carried out at a high speed and high efficiency by judging the relationship which is provided by the condition parameters, between the original and the photosensitive material so as to make remarkable improvements in producing the printing plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a color scanner of a plane scanning (flat 
bed) type of a high speed and a high efficiency, and more particularly to 
the color scanner comprising the steps of reading a color image to obtain 
and store the image data by pre-scanning for rough scanning, setting 
condition parameters to read and process the original by main scanning for 
detailed scanning, and recording effectively the image of the color 
original on a photosensitive material to produce printing plates. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
According to one of the conventional methods for manufacturing each color 
separation plate of a plurality of original color images, each original 
image is halftoned by a predetermined number of times by means of a color 
scanner so as to produce a color separation film, a mask plate produced in 
a different process and the halftoned color separation film are laid-out 
on adhered to a layout sheet, and the layout sheet is exposed to light. 
However, the conventional method for manufacturing color separation plates 
has disadvantages, such as many processing steps, a necessity of skilled 
craftmen for precisely positioning and adhering the color separation film 
at the predetermined places of the layout sheet, much time, much laborous 
and skillful work, and much material. 
There is another conventional method for reproducting the color image, in 
which method a plurality of original images respectively are printed in 
color by the predetermined number of times, the reproduced original images 
are cut out in the predetermined shape of an image on a predetermined 
block copy, the cut out image are laid-out and adhered on the 
predetermined positions of the block copy board. However, because the 
conventional method uses a photographic technique, it is not possible to 
freely change a color correction processing, a sharpness emphasis, and 
gradation conversion. The result being poor image quality. In addition, 
there has been an apparatus output-layouting simultaneously square images 
through a plurality of input apparatus (refer to, for example, Japanese 
Patent Publication No. 31762/1977). The conventional apparatus for 
outputting a square image has numerous disadvantages, namely, it is 
difficult to correspond to all or any shapes of the image, it requires 
laborious work for producing the mask plate, and it requires a plurality 
of input scanning section to be used to input the color original. 
Recently, a layout retouch system (which is so called as a total system for 
plate making process of the printing industry) has been proposed, in which 
system the images are input through a digitizer in order to display images 
and patterns on a color CRT. The color original image is color-scanned 
with a designated magnification and the scanned image is stored in a 
memory device after A/D-converting. Then, the stored color original image 
information is displayed on the color CRT according to the input image 
information, the displaying image is edited in a main memory device of a 
computer through an interactive input system and then the resultant is 
again stored in a magnetic disc or the like with a format corresponding to 
the outputted display. Next, the color image information corresponding to 
the display or scene edited and outputted is D/A-converted and input to 
the output control circuit of a color scanner in order to obtain the 
desired layout image. The layout retouch system above necessitates 
disadvantageously a memory medium of such capacity for storing the 
information of the color original image and a high speed computer for 
editing or processing the information, resulting in increased cost of the 
whole construction of the system, and a time increase for editing or 
processing the information. 
Another conventional system for inputting and outputting the image, which 
has been improved to solve the shortcomings mentioned above, is shown in 
FIG. 1 and described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 11062/1984. 
According to the conventional system shown in FIG. 1, a color original 2 
applied on a rotary input drum 1 is output as an image on a recording 
material, for example, a color paper 11 pasted on an output drum 10, which 
rotating is according to the image information input through a digitizer 
14 of an image input apparatus. In the image input/output system above, 
the color original 2 is color-scanned by a reading head 21 in order to 
separate in color and the color separation signal CS obtained is input to 
a logarithmic converting circuit 3. The color separation signal CS is 
converted to density signals DN through the logarithmic converting circuit 
3 and then it is converted to digital density signal DS by an A/D 
converter 4. The digital density signal DS is input to a signal processing 
section 5 and a microprocessor 12. In the signal processing section 5, a 
color correction processing a sharpness emphasis and a gradation 
conversion are carried out, the color-processed image information DSA is 
converted to analog signals through a D/A converter 6 and input to a 
modulator 8 installed in a laser beam printer in order to modulate a laser 
beam emitted from a laser oscillator 7 and exposes the color paper 11 
pasted on the output drum 10 by means of an output head (not shown). 
While, it is necessary to install in the system a console 16 provided with 
a keyboard through which data and commands are input. According to the 
conventional system, the data and commands or instructions input through 
the console 16 are input to the computer 13 for processing these data, and 
commands outputting information and the information is displayed on an 
interactive graphic display 15. The computer 13 is connected to the 
microprocessor 12 of a lower-level system, the microprocessor 12 receives 
the density signal DS output from the A/D converter 4, and is further 
connected to the signal processing section 5 in order to function the 
process. The computer 13 and the microprocessor 12 constructs a computer 
system and the system displays the instruction for the operator and the 
like on the graphic display 15 according to the stored programs. The 
positions of the input drum 1 and the output drum 10 are respectively 
detected by detectors (not shown) and the positional information is input 
into a motion control section 9. The microprocessor 12 is adapted to be 
connected to the motion control section 9 so as to relatively drive and 
control the positional relationship of the input drum 1 and the output 
drum 10. The digitizer 14 has an original coordinate and X-Y axes of its 
own. The origin coordinate can be easily to any points, and X-Y axes can 
easily rotate by processing the signal. The corresponding relationship 
between the image position on the input drum 1 and the digitizer 14 is 
determined by installing guides, such as pins at the common plural 
position. The digitizer 14 is connected to the computer 13 to which the 
shape of the images and the desired positional coordinates are input. 
In the image input/output system shown in FIG. 1, it is noted that the 
color original 2 is pasted, when it is read, directly to the smooth outer 
face of the cylindrical input drum 1 as shown in FIG. 2, which drum being 
made of acrylic resins, glass or the like. The input drum 1 has a light 
source 20 therein and the light source illuminates the color original 2 
and the light beam LT passes through the cylindrical wall of the input 
drum 1. The reading head 21 situated outside of the input drum 1 receives 
the passed light beam LT, so that the image of the color original 2 is 
input to the reading head 21. In the condition, it there is a space or gap 
to a length of about a wavelength of the beam of the light source 20 
between the color original 2 and the input drum 1, a Newton ring 
(interference fringe) is formed by an interference phenomenon happened on 
the surface between the rear face of the color original 2 and the front 
face of the input drum 1, so that the Newton ring is appeared on the color 
original 2 in the shape of stripes or density irregularity, thus 
deteriorating the quality of the original considerably. 
According to the conventional method, in order to prevent the interference 
stripes from forming, super particle powder has been scattered or applied 
between the color original 2 and input drum 1, or filling agent is coated 
on the cylindrical input drum 1. However, the fine particle powder has 
disadvantages, such as the outlines of particles are clearly seen when the 
multiplication of the image is high and the powder is troublesome to 
handle. The filling agent also has shortcomings, such as the application 
or coating and removing or wiping-out of the filling agent is very 
difficult to completely do. 
It is known that the image input/output system of the prior art receives an 
image information on the original film and the like, functions to 
enlarge/reduce the image, and outputs the image with any layout on the 
display or some output devices. The image/output system must know or 
determine the coordinates of the color original 2 on the input drum 1 in 
order to layout the image during the reading of the original as shown in 
FIG. 2. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 3, the color original 2 is pasted 
on the original pasting base 22 of transparent and square-shaped sheet 
having a thickness of about 100 .mu.m by pasting tapes 23. Positioning 
holes 24 formed in the original pasting base 22 are fitted onto the 
corresponding pins of the digitizer 14 so as to input the coordinates of 
the particular or necessary portion of the color original 2 to the image 
input/output system. Then, the positioning holes 24 of the original 
pasting base 22 are fitted securely onto the corresponding pins 25 planted 
on the input drum 1 as shown in FIG. 4. As next step, the light source 20 
in the interior of the input drum 1 as shown in FIG. 2, irradiates the 
color original 2 and the reading head 21 receives the passed light beam LT 
through the drum wall and the color original 2, so that the image of the 
color original 2 is input to the reading head 21. The input image is 
compared to the coordinates input by the digitizer 14 so as to layout the 
image. 
Furthermore, the conventional color scanner necessitates expert operators 
determining and setting the separating conditions and signal processing 
conditions and the time used to the condition determination is 
considerably longer than that of the system for which time the system 
actually processes the separating operation and the signal processing. 
Then, operation of the conventional color scanner is complicated, so that 
psychological burden upon the operator is very heavy. 
A color separation scanner, which processes the color original by the plane 
scanning method with the application of the TV camera, has appeared so as 
to solve the defects of drum type color scanner above mentioned, however, 
for operating this kind of apparatus practically the system has problems 
in increasing the speed and efficiency of data reading process, and the 
operation for setting the parameters of this type of color scanner is 
still complicated. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention has been accomplished under the situation mentioned 
above. The object of the present invention is, therefore to provide a 
color scanner of a plane scanning (flat bed) type where the image 
processing condition can be determined automatically by means of analysis 
of the original data, operating a pre-scanning (rough scanning) which data 
is stored and displayed and a main scanning (detailed scanning) 
sequentially, further where a manipulated slit is installed and the output 
image is displayed skillfully so as to produce printing mask plates 
without troublesome pasting of the original and troublesome operation and 
with an increase in the productivity. 
According to one aspect of the present invention, for achieving the objects 
described above, there is provided a color scanner of a plane scanning 
(flat bed) type, where an original received on the original cassette is 
read optically by the plane scanning and where the read data after being 
suitably processed is exposed and output on a photosensitive material to 
produce a halftoned film or a printing plate, which comprises the steps 
of: operating the pre-scanning for rough scanning and the main scanning 
for detailed scanning to store the data obtained by the pre-scanning and 
to output the original image on the display portion according to an 
instruction, automatically or manually setting the condition parameters 
for the data processing by using the stored data, processing the data read 
by the main scanning in the order of said condition parameters determined, 
and outputting the image at a high speed and efficiently by judging the 
relationship between the original and the photosensitive material to 
produce the halftoned film or the printing plate. 
The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become more 
apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction 
with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 4 shows the external appearance of a color scanner according to the 
present invention. The system has a scanner 100 for reading an original 
image placed at the center of the structure. At upper port of the scanner 
100, the cassette inserting window 101 is located to be charged with an 
original cassette holding a color original. On a desk 201 adjacent to the 
scanner 100, there are a keyboard 202 and a mouse 203 as the data input 
apparatus 200 through which an operator inputs necessary data, 
instructions or the like. A CRT 204 for displaying the necessary 
information and the original image by means of the divided image frame is 
installed at the top of the desk 201. The output unit 500 situated side by 
side with the scanner 100, outputs halftoned film on the basis of the data 
processed by the signal processing section 400, which will be explained 
hereinafter, installed in the scanner 100. The automatic developing unit 
600 for developing the separation making film output from the output unit 
500 is provided behind the output unit 500. It is understood that the 
shape and arrangement of respective units above are not limited to these 
shown in FIG. 5. 
FIG. 6 shows the construction of the original table 110 of the scanner 100. 
The original table 110 is box-like and is adapted to be scanned along the 
auxiliary scanning direction by means of a moving member 111 connected to 
the construction of the original table 110, a wire 112 connected to the 
moving member 111, and a motor 113. There is a rotary base receiver 115 
driven along the arrow shown by a motor 114 in the interior of the 
original table 110 and there is a cassette receiver 116 to which the 
original cassette 30 is applied at the center of the rotary base receiver 
115. The rotary base receiver 115 is adapted wholly to carry out a 
scanning operation along the trimming direction shown by a moving member 
117 connected to the structure of the rotary base receiver 130 and a wire 
118 joined to a moving member 117 and a motor 119. It is possible to carry 
out scanning operations of the moving members 111 and 117 by means of 
another mechanism, such as a screw bar and nuts. A transparent correction 
region 131 for adjusting the shading and the like by detecting the basic 
quantity of light at the start of the image reading is situated on the 
surface of the original table 110 at the end of the auxiliary scanning 
operation. The correction region 131 includes the home position of the 
auxiliary scanning direction and may be detected by the image sensor just 
when the scanning operation starts. On the above surface of the rotary 
base receiver 115, a pair of array of the free guide rollers 140 to 142 
and 143 to 145 which press the original cassette from both sides to convey 
are fixed respectively in a row, and there is a stopper 132 at the end on 
the rotary base receiver 115 for positioning the original cassette 30. 
Further, the marker (not shown) which informs the ID number and the size 
of the original received on the cassette is affixed anywhere suitable on 
the original cassette 30 in order to be detected by the detector from when 
the original cassette 30 is inserted until it is charged in the cassette 
receiver 116. 
FIG. 7 schematically shows an internal structure of an input section 150 in 
the color scanner 100. The arrangement is such that the original cassette 
30 is transported along the feed passage 151 through the cassette 
inserting window 101 of the input section 150. Feed rollers 152 to 154 are 
operatively arranged at both sides of the feed passage 151. These feed 
rollers 152 to 154 are respectively connected to drive rollers 155 to 157 
through drive shafts. A belt 162 is wound around these drive rollers 155 
to 157 and a drive shaft 161 of a motor 160, so that the feed rollers 155 
to 157 are rotated by the motor 160 so as to guide and feed the original 
cassette 30 along the feed passage 151. The thus fed original cassette 30 
is moved into the original table 110 which is described in detail with 
reference to FIG. 6. 
FIG. 8 depicts an optical system of the input portion 120 of the scanner 
100. The original cassette 30 received in the cassette receiver 116 is 
illuminated by a linear-shaped aperture type fluorescent lamp 121 arranged 
at an upper position through a slit 300 for removing flare which will be 
explained hereinafter. In the original cassette 30, a color original 31, 
for example, a color reversal film and the like (35 mm, Brounie, 
4".times.5") is fitted or stored and the color original 31 is sandwiched 
by a pair of anti-reflection type transparent glasses 32 and 33 for 
holding the color original. The image light passed through the slit 300 
and the original cassette 30 is input to an image focusing lens 124 of a 
predetermined magnification and also input to a color separation prism 125 
connected to a lower portion of the image focusing lens 124, separating 
into the three primary colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B). The 
lights of these separated three primary colors RGB are input to image 
sensor 126 (126R, 126G and 126B), respectively comprising a CCD (Charge 
Coupled Device) and the like and then converted to image signals PS of R, 
G and B. A plurality of image focusing lenses 124 of different 
magnification appointed are prepared on a turret mechanism and any lens 
can be used easily. FIG. 9 shows a linear-scanning relation between the 
fluorescent lamp 121 and the color original 31. The whole image is read 
when the linear shape main scanning line 31A moves along the auxiliary 
scanning direction. 
In the present invention, a width variable slit 300 for omitting the flare 
in the optical system is installed between the fluorescent lamp 121 and 
the original 31 (the original cassette 30), and the slot 300 is controlled 
at every scanning to adjust itself to the least width within the range of 
the predetermined quantity of light. FIG. 10 shows an example of the 
position adjusting the mechanism of the slit 300 in the oblique projection 
drawing. Light blocking plate 310 having different width of slits 310a, 
310b and 310c which may move in the direction of arrow P shown in the 
figure by means of the slot position adjusting mechanism 300A, is located 
in the predetermined place between the fluorescent lamp 121 and the color 
original 31. On the surface of the light blocking plate 310, the flat 
black paint material (for example, a trade name: Sunday Paint (Dai-Nippon 
Toryo Co., Ltd. In Japan) is painted or printed. In this mechanism shown 
in the figure, when the optical magnification of image is varied by moving 
the image sensor 126 and the image focusing lens 124 respectively in 
direction of arrows m and n shown in the figure, the slit having the 
suitable slit width is positioned on the light axis by moving the light 
blocking plate 310 along the direction of arrow P by means of the slit 
position adjusting mechanism 300A, inorder to obtain a clear image. 
The schematic oblique projection drawing in FIG. 11 shows an example of the 
slit position adjusting mechanism 300A and FIG. 12 depicts the X--X cross 
section drawing of FIG. 11. A movable slider 302 being guided smoothly and 
steadily along the guide bar 301a and 301b arranged in parallel to the 
direction P in which direction the light blocking plate 310 moves, is 
fixed on the light blocking plate 310. This slider 302 fixed on its 
surface a nut 303 screwed to a screw bolt bar which is also arranged in 
parallel to the moving direction P of the light blocking plate 310. A base 
plate 304 having an opening 304A from which the nut 303 of the ball screw 
fixed on the slider 302 thrusts out is fixed keeping the predetermined gap 
or space between the fixed surface of the slider 302 and the surface of 
the base board 304 opposite to the slider 302 so as not to contact each 
other. On one side of the base plate 304 (the side facing the slider 302) 
is operatively secured support member 305a and 305b which support fixedly 
guide bars 301a and 301b respectively at both ends, and on the other side 
of the base plate 304 is secured a pulse motor 307 for rotating an 
external thread 306 into which the ball screw nut 303 is screwed and 
bearings 308a and 308b holding the external thread 306. Only the base 
plate 304 is secured on a base plate 309 fixed on a machine base 350, 
other members such as the light blocking plate 310, the slide 302 and the 
like is kept away from the base plate 309. In addition, an inclination 
adjustment means 311 which has a U-shaped cross section has a pair of 
screws 330a and 330b screwed on each up-right side respectively, is fixed 
on the base plate 309. An inclination adjustment lever 312 is held between 
the screws 330a and 330b and its end is fixed on the base plate 304 at the 
other end, keeping space with the inclination adjustment means 311. 
For attaining the slit position adjusting in these structures described 
above, the following procedure is carried out. The base plate 309 is fixed 
on the machine base 350 by the screw 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d after being 
positioned in such a manner that positioning pins 322a and 322b on the 
machine base 350 is fit into corresponding positioning holes drilled on 
the base plate 309. Then, the base plate 304 with the light blocking plate 
310 and the like is temporarily positioned in such a manner that n 
inclination adjustment pin 325 fixed on the base plate 309 is fit into a 
corresponding hole 324 drilled on the base plate 304. A desired slit is 
positioned on the optical axis by moving the light blocking plate 310 
through the driving of the pulse motor 307. When the line-shaped image 
light passed through the slit 300 inclines against the image sensor 126, 
the inclination adjustment lever 312, the base plate 304 and the light 
blocking plate 310 is rotated at the center of the inclination adjustment 
pin 325 by loosing one of the screws 330a and 330b attached to the 
inclination adjustment means and tighten the other, so that the 
inclination of the line-shaped image light can be eliminated. To secure 
the base plate 304 correctly positioned on the base plate 309 in the above 
way by means of fixing screws 326a, 326b, 326d allows the line-shaped 
image light through the slit 300 entered into a proper position of the 
image sensor 126. 
FIG. 13 shows roughly the construction of the output unit 500, which 
functions as a slave of the signal processing section 400, carrying out a 
fixed control sequence on the command transferred by an interface RS-232C 
and returning the resultant condition to a host machine CPU 401 of the 
signal processing section 400. That is, when a status check signal is sent 
from the CPU 401 to the output unit 500, the output unit 500 outputs a 
"READY" signal when it is exposable condition and returns a "OK" signal 
responsing to exposure preparation inquiry signals sent from the CPU 401 
in order to carry out the exposure. The image signal sent from the signal 
processing section 400 is halftoned in a halftoning circuit 531 which will 
be described hereinafter so at to be converted to ON/OFF signals. Thus, 
the ON/OFF signals are exposed on a photosensitive material 503 by a laser 
beam 502 emitted from a laser shaping light source 501 comprising laser 
diodes. The main scanning of the laser beam 502 is done by using a 
resonant scanner 504 and the mainly scanned laser beam exposes the 
photosensitive material 503 rounded around the auxiliary scanning drum 510 
through an f.theta. lens 505 and a mirror 506. The auxiliary scanning drum 
510 carries out an auxiliary scanning relative to the laser beam 502 and 
the auxiliary scanning drum 510 is driven by a DC servo-motor controlled 
by PLL (Phase Locked Loop). The photosensitive material 503 is stored in a 
photosensitive magazine 511 and conveyed around the auxiliary scanning 
drum 510 through conveying rollers. Then, the photosensitive material 503 
is cut by a cutter 512 at a predetermined length and discharged out of the 
output unit 500. 
The halftone processing of the image carried out by the halftoning circuit 
531 is digitally done by sequentially comparing the image signal to a dot 
(halftone data) of the threshold values of eight bits. The standard 
halftone data are stored in an ROM and other halftone data are stored in 
an optional floppy disc. As required, the halftone data is loaded in the 
system from the optional floppy disc. The output unit 500 is always a 
slave of the signal processing section 400, only processes the commands 
sent from the RS-232C at fixed sequence and returns the resultant 
condition to the signal processing section 400. The output unit 500 can 
not activate communication by itself. 
Because of such construction of the output unit 500, a series of sequential 
processings during an exposing are carried out when the signal processing 
section 400 controls the output circuit 500 through a communication. The 
output unit 500 further has functions which are initialized through a 
panel of the signal processing section 400, such as initial loading, 
cleaning, cutting and a set of the remaining photosensitive material 
register. The initial loading means feeding of the photosensitive material 
503 by the predetermined length so as to cut or remove the exposed portion 
of the photosensitive material. When the photosensitive material magazine 
511 is loaded or a material-jamming is happened and the cover is open, 
attaining the initial condition. The cleaning refers to an operation, in 
which a predetermined volume of the photosensitive material 503 is drawn 
out and cut, sent to the automatic developing unit 600 so as to operate 
the automatic developer supplying developing liquid, a fixing liquid, and 
washing water. The cutting is an operation in which the photosensitive 
material 503 drawn for exposing it cut and discharged. In the setting of 
the remaining photosensitive material register, the remaining volume of 
the exposure material is set when the photosensitive material magazine 511 
is loaded, the set volume is reduced at each cutting and discharging step, 
and the resultant is displayed. 
The inner construction of the color scanner is shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, 
in the system the RGB image signals PS output from the image sensors 126R, 
126G and 126B of the scanner 100 are, after being processed through A/D 
conversion, input to the signal processing section 400. The signal 
processing section 400 has a CPU (host computer) 401 for controlling the 
whole functions of the signal processing section. The CPU 401 controls an 
END (Equivalent Neutral Density) conversion 402, a color correction 403, 
an enlargement/reduction 404, a sharpness emphasis 405, a gradation 
conversion 406 and a black printer generation 407. The signal processing 
section 400 has as shown in FIG. 14A a floppy disc 410 and a hard disc 411 
connected thereto through which the necessary data is read and stored. The 
pre-scanning data processed through the END conversion 402 is stored in a 
memory 408, and the data input apparatus 200 is connected to the signal 
processing section 400 through the CPU 401 so as to send separation making 
signals of four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K (black) 
signalized to the output unit 500. Consequently the laser shaping light 
source 501 emits the laser beam 502 through the half-toning circuit 531 
and the drive circuit 532. The halftoning circuit 531 and the drive 
circuit 532 in the output unit 500 are adapted to be controlled by the CPU 
501. 
The operation of the construction as described above will be explained with 
reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 15. First, the original cassette 
30 is set to the scanner 100 by inserting the original cassette 30 into 
the cassette inserting window 101 (Step S1). That is, the original 
cassette 30 is automatically drawn into the cassette receiver 16, the load 
of the original cassette 30 is detected and then is transported to the 
predetermined position while the size and ID number are identified by 
reading the marker on the original cassette 30. Second, according to the 
pre-scanning indication, the pre-scanning (rough scanning) starts from the 
home position, to which the optical system is initialized, in the 
correction region 131 (Step S2). In this case, the pre-scanning starts 
with calculating and setting the correction data such as shading and the 
like through the signal processing section 400 by reading the correction 
region 131 on the original table 110, and setting the skipping rate, the 
scanning speed and the reading region obtained previously. The 
pre-scanning is always operated without depending on the original size, at 
a predetermined magnification to which the optical system is initialized 
when it is in home position. The pre-scanning data obtained by reading the 
image data with skipping is sent to the signal processing section 400 so 
as to be END-converted and stored in the memory 408, while the image 
obtained from the pre-scanning is displayed on the CRT 204 of the data 
input apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 16 (Step S3). 
Clearly from FIG. 16, in the present invention, the display portion 204A 
outputs the pre-scanned image in the left part of the full frame and 
allows the rest space on the right side to be used for the display and the 
input operation of the image processing conditions. The display of the 
image is performed with respect to the original carried out through the 
instruction from the keyboard 202 or muse 203. The image processing 
operations for a plurality of any points on the displayed image may be 
done by the simulation so as to display its results on the display section 
205. For example as shown in FIG. 16 the simulation results of the 
selected point *1 is shown in the "1" column on the display section 205, 
as well as the point *2 in the "2" column and so forth. It is noted that 
the indices on the display section 205 may be re-written in real-time if 
the image processing condition is changed. In relation to the size of the 
original, the original cassette 30 can hold a sheet in case of the 
4".times.5" size original as FIG. 17A, two sheets in case of the brownie 
size as shown FIG. 17B, and 6 sheets in case of the 35 mm size. The image 
of each original is displayed as shown FIG. 18, is electronically enlarged 
through the signal processing section 400 so as to attain a maximum 
resolution of the original on the display portion 204A of the CRT 204. In 
FIG. 18 is a pair of points Q1 and Q2 is indicated, the trimming range is 
determined and then the image thereof is enlarged and displayed. The 
original table 110 moves in the direction of the main scanning in order to 
automatically adjust the magnification for the main scanning in accordance 
with the training range determined on the image of the pre-scanning. Then, 
the operator inputs through the data input apparatus 200 for each original 
to set the trimming range, the magnification necessarily and the others 
such as the output lines number, negative/positive, rotation angle and the 
like, if required (Step S4) and the operator selects the set-up mode 
(automatic or manual) of the condition parameter necessary for the image 
processing (Step S5). In case automatic mode is selected, the condition 
parameters are automatically set on the basis of the pre-scanning data 
stored in the memory 408 (Step S7) and displayed on the right part of 
display section of the CRT 204. If the manual mode is selected, the 
operator inputs the condition parameters through the keyboard 310 (Step 
S6). In manual mode, since the output of the pre-scanning image is 
simulated according to the image processing conditions set by the operator 
and the result is shown on the display section 205, the set condition 
parameters may be carried out with consulting the results of the 
simulation. It is noted that the original cassette 30 (or original) could 
be drawn out from the apparatus during the set-up therefor by setting the 
condition parameters of the basis of the image data stored in the memory 
408 obtained by means of the pre-scanning. The condition parameters refer 
to coefficients of the color correction, sharpness coefficients for the 
sharpness emphasis, an inclination of the gradation conversion and the 
like. The automatic setting of the condition parameters by the 
pre-scanning operation is carried out by the method disclosed in, for 
example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 111569/1987 and No. 
111570/1987 invented by the identical application of the present 
invention. 
After the pre-process described above, the image reading portion is 
returned to its home position (Step S8), the operator judges whether or 
not the next pre-scanning should be carried out for another cassette (Step 
S10), if not the image previous input of the color original 31 received in 
the original cassette 30 is scanned according to the instruction of the 
main scanning (Step S11). In this case, the original cassette 30 rotates 
by the rotary base receiver 115, moves along the trimming direction by 
means of the moving member 117 and along the auxiliary scanning direction 
by means of another moving member 111 in order to mainly scan the region 
of the line 31A as shown in FIG. 9. When the main scanning is indicated to 
start by sending the main scanning information to the input portion 120 of 
the scanner 100, the signal processing section 400 and the output unit 
500, the optical system moves to the position of the necessary 
magnification, the correction data is calculated and set by reading the 
correction region 131. Then, the main scanning is carried out according to 
the reading region indicated by the main scanning indication. That is, the 
light beam irradiated from the fluorescent lamp 121 and passed through the 
original cassette 30 is input to the image focusing lens 124 and resolved 
separated into the colors RGB through the color separating prism 125, 
focusing each beam colors on the respective image sensors, 126R, 126G and 
126B. The image signals PS for detected one line of the display is output 
from the image sensors 126R, 126G, 126B and input to the signal processing 
section 400, in which each processing of the END conversion 402, the color 
correction 403, the enlargement/reduction 404, the sharpness emphasis 405, 
the gradation conversion 406 and the black printer generation 407 is 
processed at the set predetermined conditions. It is noted that the main 
scanning data may not be stored in the memory. The color correction is 
done by the method, for example, described in Japanese Patent Application 
Laid-open No. 178355/1983 and the sharpness emphasis is carried out by the 
method described, for example, in the specification of Japanese Patent 
Application Laid-open No. 43570/1985. It is possible to use the method 
described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 11062/1984 in order 
to do these processes above including the END conversion and gradation 
conversion. 
FIG. 19 shows the sequential time relation to the per-scanning, the setting 
of the condition parameters and the main scanning for the originals #1 to 
#4. The main scanning for an original which condition parameters have been 
set and setting the condition parameters for the next original are carried 
out simultaneously. 
The output signal for the mask plates of C, M, Y, K obtained from the main 
scanning image data through the signal processing section 400 are sent to 
the output unit 500, halftone-processed by the halftoning circuit 531 of 
the output unit 500 and sent to the drive circuit 542 of the laser shaping 
light source 501, and the output signals are emitted in the shape of a 
binary signal of the halftone output. The laser beam 502 emitted from the 
laser shaping light source 501 is input to the resonant scanner 504 and 
the f.theta. lens 505, reflected on the mirror 506, and exposed on the 
photosensitive material 503 rounded around the auxiliary scanning drum 
510. The photosensitive material 503 exposed is cut at its predetermined 
length by the cutter 512, sent to the automatic developing unit 600 and 
then develops the photosensitive material 503 so as to produce separations 
of four colors C, M, Y and K. When all operations by the original 
condition setting and the main scanning are completed, the original 
cassette 30 is commanded to be discharged and is automatically transferred 
so as to be discharged from the cassette inserting window 101. 
In the present invention, a color image on an original is separated in 
colors and read to generate image signals. The image signals are 
effectively processed and exposed on the photosensitive material (output 
film) 503 in the output unit 500. When printing plates of C, M, Y and K 
are simultaneously produced, the original table 110 is automatically 
rotated by 90.degree. and scanned in order to minimize the scanning time 
for reading the original, considering the output sizes of images C, M, Y 
and K to be exposed on the photosensitive material 503 and the size 
(width) thereof. Concretely, an original 34 is placed on a reading portion 
of the image reading apparatus so as to horizontally lay at its long side 
as shown in FIG. 20 by solid lines. If the scanning time can be made 
shorten when the original 34 is vertically laid at its short side as shown 
in FIG. 20 by dotted lines, considering the output size of the image and 
the size of the photosensitive material 503, it has better to rotate the 
original 34 by 90" on the original base. It is of course that when it is 
possible to shorten the scanning time if the original 34 is placed or laid 
at its long side, the original 34 is read at a condition as shown in FIG. 
20 by the solid lines. 
FIG. 21A shows the situation in which respective output originals 35C, 35M, 
35Y, 35K of C, M, Y, K are simultaneously exposed on the photosensitive 
material 503 of the predetermined size in a manner of vertical placing at 
the short sides of originals. FIG. 21B shows another situation in which 
respective output originals 36C, 36M, 36Y, 36K of C, M, Y, K are 
simultaneously exposed on the photosensitive material 503 in a manner of 
horizontal placing at their long sides. When the original 34 horizontally 
placed at their long sides as shown in FIG. 20 by the solid lines are 
read, the output originals respectively are exposed with their conditions 
as shown in FIG. 21B. While the original 34 vertically placed at their 
short sides as shown in FIG. 20 by the dotted lines are read, the output 
originals are exposed with their conditions as shown in FIG. 21A. In order 
to read the original 34, the original 34 must be simultaneously separated 
in colors of R, G, B so that all colors (C, M, Y, K) are output in the 
same direction. In other words, it is impossible to output images on the 
separated output originals some of which being situated at their short 
sides and the rest being laid at their long sides on the photosensitive 
material 503. 
With respect to the image reading apparatus mentioned above, the reading 
direction (lengthwise, transverse) of the original 34 is determined by 
operating the apparatus according to a flow chart shown in FIGS. 22A and 
22B. In detail, a trimming of the image reading apparatus in the scanner 
100 is carried out by a driving of the motor 119 fixed on the original 
table 110 (Step S20), an output magnification is input through the 
keyboard 202 or other input device (Step S21), and a width (size) of the 
photosensitive material 503 mounted in the output unit 500 for the image 
output is automatically read or read with eyes and then the resultant data 
of the reading is input (Step S22). Then, the possibility is judged 
whether or not to place the output originals of C, M, Y, K in the 
photosensitive material 503 at their long sides in which condition the 
reading is carried out at the most effectively with respect to the size of 
the output image and width of the photosensitive material 503 (Step S23). 
When it is possible to enter the four output originals placed at their 
long sides within the area of the photosensitive material 503, it is 
judged that the original 34 set on the reading portion is at its long side 
or not (Step S24). In the case that the original 34 is placed at its long 
side as shown in FIG. 20 by the solid lines, the various steps or 
processings described above are directly carried out or the original 34 is 
scanned (Step S28). While, the original 34 is not placed at its long side 
as shown in FIG. 20 by the broken lines the motor 114 is driven to rotate 
by 90.degree. (Step S25), situating it at its long side. After the above 
Step S25; the scanning is carried out. 
If the four output originals do not enter in the area of the photosensitive 
material 503 at their long sides, they are further judged that 
alternatively, as shown in FIG. 21A (Step S30), if these four output 
originals can be entered, the set original 34 is judged or not at the 
short side (Step S26). When the original 34 is set vertically, a scanning 
is started directly as it is. When the original 34 is placed horizontally 
or at its long side, the motor 114 rotates by 90.degree., placing it at 
its short side and then starting a scanning it. 
If the four output originals situated at their short sides can not 
vertically enter in the area of the photosensitive material 503, it is 
judged that only two output originals situated at their long sides as FIG. 
21B can horizontally enter or not (Step S31). When it is possible, the 
processing returns to the Step S24 and it proceeds as previously described 
above. On the contrary, if it is not possible, in which case it is judged 
that two output originals can vertically enter or not at their short sides 
(Step S32). When it is possible case, the processing returns to the Step 
S26. When it is not possible, furthermore it is judged that only one 
output original at a long side can horizontally enter in the area of the 
photosensitive material 503 or not (Step S33). If it is not possible, it 
is judged that only one output original at its short side can vertically 
enter or not (Step S34), returning to the Step S24 or the Step S26 
respectively. If only one output original at its short side can not 
vertically enter in the area of the photosensitive material 503, it is 
judged an error since such situation should not occur. 
In the example of the embodiment described above, the transmission type 
image reading method is adopted, it is possible to adopt the reflection 
type image reading method. 
According to the color scanner of the present invention, the original 
cassette holding the color original can be used without any troublesome 
operation of applying the originals so that whole operation of the setting 
method of the color scanner can be done without difficulties. Because that 
the input operation is carried out by a scanning, high speed inputting can 
be attained. Because the image reading operation of the original is 
carried out by the pre-scanning and the main scanning so that the 
condition parameters can be set and displayed on the basis of the stored 
pre-scanning data and the image processing is output by processing the 
main scanning data, it is possible to improve the productivity and 
workability of the scanner. 
It should be understood that many modifications and adaptations of the 
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and it is 
intended to encompass such obvious modifications and changes in the scope 
of the claims appended hereto.