Photographic exposure apparatus

Abstract: A photographic exposure apparatus is provided having a light path for directing an optical pattern of a display image from an image display means to a photosensitive material and a light path for directing an optical pattern of a negative image from a negative film to the photosensitive material, which are selectively switched from one to the other to project each of the display and negative images on to the photosensitive material in a common exposure station(7). In particular, the apparatus includes a mirror(8) disposed turnably across and between the two light paths, and a mirror driving means(C) for turning the mirror through a predetermined degree to switch between the light path for projecting the display image and the light path for projecting the negative image.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement of a photographic exposure apparatus for recording on a photosensitive material image data from an image projecting means as well as image data from a negative film. As shown in Fig.15, a conventional photographic exposure apparatus comprises a negative image exposure means 31 and a CRT image exposure means 32 arranged in a row and provided with their respective exposure stations 33 and 34. For exposure action, a sheet of printing paper P is advanced to the exposure station 33 where it is exposed to an image emitted through a negative film and then to the exposure station 34 where it is exposed to a CRT image data projected from the CRT means 32. It is however disadvantageous for the conventional apparatus to increase its overall dimensions as its exposure station 34 for the CRT image exposure means 32 claims a considerable room for installation. A modification of the photographic exposure apparatus is proposed, in US-A-4 742 375 and is shown in Fig.16, in which a mirror 43 is used for moving to and from the path of exposure light to switch between a negative image exposure means 41 and a CRT image data exposure means 42. The modification still requires a considerable space for forward and backward movements of the mirror 43, thus failing to minimize its overall dimensions. Also, the backward movement of the mirror 43 from the light path takes an extra length of time and thus retards the switching action across the light path. For the backward movement, the mirror 43 is turned about its pivotal support 43A. This action causes the mirror 43 to move with humble stability and produce vibrations during the printing process. In addition, the movement of a lens unit and a CRT is controlled for varying the length of the light path to have a desired print size of the CRT image, adding another structural difficulty to the apparatus. It is possible to replace the movement of the lens unit with the exchange of different lens units which is quite a task for an operator. Furthermore, as the printing of a CRT image claims a sizable portion of the time of the printing process, it largely affects the operational efficiency. It is an object of the present invention, in view of the foregoing predicaments, to provide a photographic exposure apparatus capable of switching the light path rapidly while the forward and backward movements of a mirror are eliminated thus saving a space. It is another object of the present invention to provide a photographic exposure apparatus in which a mirror is securely held thus minimizing a vibration during the printing and an exposure lens is exchanged with another simply and readily. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a photographic exposure apparatus having a lens switching means of a simple construction. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a photographic exposure apparatus having a lens switching means installed without increasing the overall dimensions of the apparatus. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a photographic exposure apparatus capable of printing an image projected from an image display means during a cycle or period of printing a negative film image. The invention provides a photographic exposure apparatus having a first light path for directing an optical pattern of a display image from an image display means to a photosensitive material and a second light path for directing an optical pattern of a negative image from a negative film to the photosensitive material, comprising light path switching means for selectively switching between the first and second light path to project either the display or the negative images on to the photosensitive material in a common exposure station, the light path switching means comprising a mirror assembly disposed tumably within the two light paths; and a mirror driving means for turning the mirror assembly through a predetermined angular range between a first and second position to switch between the light path for projecting the display image and the light path for projecting the negative image, wherein the mirror assembly consists of a first mirror and a second mirror which are arranged such that when the mirror assembly is in the first position, the first mirror directs light from the negative image towards the photosensitive material and when the mirror assembly is in the second position, the second mirror directs light from the display image towards the photosensitive material. The photographic exposure apparatus may comprise at least one stationary mirror for directing the first and second light paths onto photosensitive material (P). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.1 is a schematic view of a photographic exposure apparatus showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig.2 is a perspective view of the same; Figs.3 and 4 are front views showing a primary part of the same; Fig.5 is a front view of a primary part of a photographic exposure apparatus as an alternative to that of the present invention; Fig.6 is a front view showing a primary part of the same; Fig.7 is a schematic view of a photographic exposure apparatus as another alternative to that of the present invention; Fig.8 is a cross sectional view showing a primary part of the same; Fig.9 is a perspective view of the same; Fig.10 is a cross sectional view of the same; Fig.11 is a perspective view of the same; Figs.12 and 13 are front views explaining an action in the same; Fig.14 is a timing chart showing steps of printing a negative film image and a CRT image; Fig.15 is a schematic view of a conventional photographic exposure apparatus showing Prior Art 1; and Fig.16 is a schematic view of another conventional photographic exposure apparatus showing Prior Art 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 A photographic exposure apparatus of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention is shown in Figs.1 to 4. The photographic exposure apparatus includes an exposure module 3 which comprises a negative image exposure means 1 and a CRT image exposure means 2. A sheet of printing paper P is unloaded from a magazine 4 and conveyed by transfer rollers 5 to the exposure module 3 where it is exposed to a negative film image and a CRT image. Denoted by C is a controller for the photographic exposure apparatus. The printing paper P is then transferred to a development module 6 where it is subjected to a development process and cut into pieces of a desired size before discharged. The negative image exposure means 1 is designed for directing an intensity of light from a light source 1a to a negative film F and projecting a negative image of the film F on to the printing paper P held in an exposure station 7. The CRT image exposure means 2 is provided with a CRT display (not shown) for projecting and printing on to the printing paper P a CRT image which is provided in the form of an index data or a text data and displayed on a CRT 2a. For printing the index data on the printing paper P, each frame image is read by a reader (not shown) from the negative film F and its corresponding information is transmitted to the controller C where it is converted into an index data form. The index data is projected from the CRT 2a through an exposure lens 2b on to a predetermined region of the printing paper P. A resultant index print carries a reduced size of the frame image of the negative F showing its index data. For printing the text data on the printing paper P, a desired form of the text data, e.g. shooting date, location, and caption entered through a keyboard, or of computer graphics created with a personal computer is displayed on the CRT 2a and projected through the exposure lens 2b on to the printing paper P for recording. The text data may be overlapped with the negative image previously printed or printed on its exclusive sheet of the printing paper P. There is provided a mirror device 8 for switching between a light path A extending from the negative image exposure means 1 and a light path B extending from the CRT image exposure means 2. The mirror device 8 comprises a stationary mirror 8a and a movable mirror assembly 8b arranged opposite to each other at a right angle to the direction of conveying the printing paper P. The reflective surface of the stationary mirror 8a is tilted 45 degrees from the vertical line which extends at a right angle to the upper surface of the printing paper P in the exposure station 7. The movable mirror assembly 8b consists of a first mirror 81b and a second mirror 82b of which reflective surfaces are also arranged at an angle of 45 degrees to the vertical line from the printing paper P. The movable mirror assembly 8b is arranged for pivotal movement about a rotary shaft 9 which is mounted to a bearing 11 of a mirror support plate 10. More specifically, the upper end of the rotary shaft 9 extends outward from the bearing 11 and has an idler pulley 12 mounted thereto. A drive belt 13 is mounted between the idler pulley 12 and an unshown drive pulley driven by an electric motor. The pivotal movement of the movable mirror assembly 8b is also controlled by (a pivot controlling means of) the controller C. As the movable mirror assembly 8b is turned through a degree, the surfaces of its mirrors 81b and 82b come opposite to the stationary mirror 8a. The movable mirror assembly 8b is located across the light path A from the light source 1a and the light path B from the CRT 2a. An exposure lens 1c for focusing a desired negative image on the printing paper P is disposed between the movable mirror assembly 8b and a film station 1b where the negative F is held. Similarly, another exposure lens 1b for focusing a CRT image on the printing paper P is disposed between the CRT 2a and the movable mirror assembly 8b. A modification of the photographic exposure apparatus of Embodiment 1 is shown in Figs.3 and 4 where one more stationary mirror 8c is provided for reflecting a CRT image to the movable mirror assembly 8b. In the photographic exposure apparatus of Embodiment 1, when the movable mirror assembly 8b is turned to a given degree for allowing its first mirror 81b to face the stationary mirror 8a, the light path A of the negative image (denoted by the one-dot chain line of Fig.2 or 3) runs to the printing paper P as is reflected by the first mirror 81b and the stationary mirror 8a. At the time, the second mirror 82b is dislocated from the light path to the stationary mirror 8a, thus preventing the CRT image from projecting along the light path B to the printing paper P. When the movable mirror assembly 8b is turned 90 degrees to cause its second mirror 82b to face the stationary mirror 8a, the light path B of the CRT image (denoted by the two-dot chain line of Fig.2 or 4) runs to the printing paper P as is reflected by the second mirror 82b and the stationary mirror 8a. At the time, the first mirror 81b is dislocated from the light path to the stationary mirror 8a, thus preventing the negative image from projecting along the light path A to the printing paper P. In common, the negative and CRT images are projected on their respective sheets of the printing paper P set in the exposure station 7. The two different images may simultaneously be printed as overlapped with each other on a single sheet of the printing paper P by restricting the advancing movement of the printing paper P. Also, a shutter (not shown) is provided for moving to and from the light path A between the exposure lens 1c and the movable mirror assembly 8b. The shutter when is in its open mode retracts to clear the light path A for printing of the negative image and when in the close mode, stays across the light path A for allowing the CRT image to be printed. Figs.5 and 6 illustrate a photographic exposure apparatus where a single movable mirror 15 is used for switching between the light path A for projecting a negative image and the light path B for projecting a CRT image. The movable mirror 15 has two reflective surfaces 15a and 15b arranged on both sides thereof. The reflective surfaces 15a and 15b are disposed at an angle of 45 degrees to the vertical line extending across the upper surface of a printing paper P in the exposure station 3. The center of pivotal movement of the movable mirror 15 coincides substantially with the axes of exposure irradiation from a CRT 2a and a light source 1a respectively. A driving means for producing the pivotal movement of the movable mirror 15 is similar to that of Embodiment 1. When the reflective surface 15a of the movable mirror 15 comes opposite to a stationary mirror 8a as shown in Fig.5, the light path A for the negative image is directed to the printing paper P as reflected by the reflective surface 15a and the stationary mirror 8a, allowing the negative image to be printed. When the other surface 15b of the movable mirror 15 comes opposite to a stationary mirror 8a due to 90-degree movement of the movable mirror 15 as shown in Fig.6, the light path B for the CRT image is directed to the printing paper P as reflected by the reflective surface 15b and the stationary mirror 8a, allowing the CRT image to be printed. The other components are identical to those of Embodiment 1 as denoted by the same numerals and will no more be explained. Figs.7 to 14 show a photographic exposure apparatus which includes an exposure module 3 which comprises a negative image exposure means 1 and a CRT image exposure means 2. A sheet of printing paper P is unloaded from a magazine 4 and conveyed to an exposure station 7 in the exposure module 3 where it is exposed to a negative film image and a CRT image. The exposed printing paper P is then transferred to a development module 6 where it is subjected to a development process and cut into pieces of a desired size before discharged (Fig.7). Denoted by C is a controller for the photographic exposure apparatus. The photographic exposure apparatus includes also a negative mask module which comprises a transfer means for conveying a negative film F, a scanner for reading an image data from the negative film F, and a negative mask 1b. The negative image exposure means 1 is designed for directing an intensity of light from a light source 1a to the negative film F set in the negative mask 1b and projecting a negative image of the film F on to the printing paper P held the an exposure station 7. The CRT image exposure means 2 is provided with a CRT display (not shown) for projecting and printing on to the printing paper P in the exposure station 7 a CRT image which is provided in the form of an index data or a text data and displayed on a CRT 2a. The CRT image is enlarged by any of enlargement lenses 32 and 32A which can be selected by a lens switching means 30. There is provided a mirror assembly 8 for switching between a light path A extending from the negative image exposure means 1 and a light path B extending from the CRT image exposure means 2. The mirror device 8 is arranged movable to and from the light path A as controlled by a light path switching means 40. The mirror assembly 8 comprises a mirror holder 81, and a light reflective mirror 82 seated in a recess 81a of the mirror holder 81. The mirror holder 81 has a pair of mounting lugs 81b mounted to both sides of the rear surface thereof. Two guide pins 81c are provided extending outwardly from both sides of a center region thereof respectively. There is a dark room 22 defined by a partition wall 21 in a casing 20 of the photographic exposure apparatus. A mounting platform 24 is mounted at the inside (the dark room 22 side) of the partition wall 21 while a CRT mounting space 23 is provided in the outside of the same (Figs.8 and 10). The lens switching means 30 and the light path switching means 40 are mounted on the mounting platform 24. The mounting platform 24 is fixedly mounted by a retaining frame 25 to the partition wall 21. The retaining frame 25 is provided for protecting a filter wheel 10 from dust and light. The construction of the light path switching means 40 will now be explained. A pair of first supports 41 and a pair of second supports 42 are mounted on the mounting platform 24. The two first supports 41 hold a first pivot shaft 43 movable therebetween. Joined to both ends of the first pivot shaft 43 are the mounting lugs 81b of the mirror holder 81. This arrangement forms a pivotal center 43A about which the mirror assembly 8 turns to change the angle of its reflective mirror 82. A second pivot shaft 44 is movably mounted between the two second supports 42. The second pivot shaft 44 is joined at both ends to the proximal ends of two C-shaped mirror arms 45 respectively. The mirror arm 45 has a guide slot 45a provided lengthwisely therein for accepting one of the guide pins 81c of the mirror holder 81. One of the mirror arms 45 has a detection plate 45b mounted to the proximal end thereof. Also, a mirror driving motor 46 is mounted on the mounting platform 24. The drive shaft of the mirror driving motor 46 has a friction wheel 46a mounted to one end thereof. The friction wheel 46a remains in direct contact with a friction wheel 48a of a friction assembly 48 mounted to the second pivot shaft 44. The friction assembly 48 is designed for eliminating an overrun movement of the mirror arms 45 which occurs during a time lag from the detection of the position of the mirror assembly 8 by measuring the detection plate 45b with sensors S1 and S2 to the stopping of the movement of the mirror driving motor 46, as will be described below in more details. The two sensors S1 and S2 are of a transmission type (emitting and receiving light at once) and mounted to one of the second supports 42. The sensor S1 detects the detection plate 45b on the mirror arm 45 when the mirror assembly 8 is lifted up to its uppermost position by the action of the mirror arms 45 and stops the movement of the mirror driving motor 46. The sensor S2 detects the detection plate 45b on the mirror arm 45 when the mirror assembly 8 is lowered down to its lowermost position by the action of the mirror arms 45 and stops the movement of the mirror driving motor 46. More specifically, as the mirror arms 45 are turned in a direction denoted by the arrow in Fig.12, the mirror assembly 8 departs from the mounting platform 24 and lifts up. Upon the guide pins 81c of the mirror holder 81 reaching and engaging the distal ends 451a of the guide slots 45a of the mirror arms 45, the sensor S1 detects the detection plate 45b and stops the mirror driving motor 46. At the time, the mirror assembly 8 is at its uppermost position with its reflective mirror 8a extending across the light path B for projecting the CRT image. Accordingly, the light path B is cleared while the light path A for projecting the negative image remains interrupted. When the mirror arms 45 are turned in a reverse direction denoted by the arrow in Fig.13, the mirror assembly 8 moves down towards the mounting platform 24. Upon the guide pins 81c of the mirror holder 81 reaching and engaging the other ends 451b of the guide slots 45a of the mirror arms 45, the sensor S2 detects the detection plate 45b and stops the mirror driving motor 46. At the time, the mirror assembly 8 is at its lowermost position with its reflective mirror 8a staying away from an outer edge A1 of the light path A for projecting the negative image. Accordingly, the light path A is cleared while the light path B for projecting the CRT image remains interrupted. The enlargement lenses 32 and 32A of the lens switching means 30 for enlarging the CRT image to different sizes are mounted on a turret table 31 (lens holder). Any of the enlargement lenses 32 and 32A is selectively disposed across the light path B by turning the turret table 31 to a corresponding angle. The turret table 31 is rotatably mounted by a shaft 31A to the mounting platform 24. More particularly, the turret table 31 has a friction surface 31c arranged on the circumferential edge thereof where two notches 31a and 31b are provided as spaced from each other by a given distance. Two detection tabs 33 and 33A are outwardly mounted to the outer edge of the turret table 31 as arranged not to interrupt the friction surface 31c. Also installed on the mounting platform 24 is a lens switching motor 34 which has a friction wheel 34a mounted to the drive shaft thereof. The friction wheel 34a is directly engaged with the friction surface 31c of the turret table 31. The turret table 31 is locked at predetermined positions with a ratchet 35. The ratchet 35 is pivotably mounted on the mounting platform 24 outwardly of the turret table 31 and remains urged to the turret table 31 by a spring 35a so that it can fall into the notches 31a and 31b (Figs.9 and 10). Two sensors S3 and S4 of a transmission type (emitting and receiving light at a time) are also mounted on the mounting platform 24 outwardly of the turret table 31. Upon the lens enlargement lens 32 arriving at the light path B for projecting the CRT image as having been driven by the lens switching motor 34, the sensor S3 detects a detection plate 33 on the turret table 31 and then stops the lens switching motor 34. Similarly, when the lens enlargement lens 32A arrives at the light path B as having been driven by the lens switching motor 34, the sensor S4 detects a detection plate 33A on the turret table 31 and then stops the lens switching motor 34. More particularly, the turret table 31 is first actuated for projecting and printing a CRT image on the printing paper P with the enlargement lens 32. Upon the sensor S3 detecting the detection plate 33, the lens switching motor 34 is deenergized allowing the enlargement lens 32 to stay across the light path B for projecting the CRT image. Simultaneously, the ratchet 36 moves into the notch 31a of the turret table 31 and prevents an overrun of the turret table 31. For projecting and printing a CRT image on the printing paper P with the enlargement lens 32A, the turret table 31 is further turned. Upon the sensor S4 detecting the detection plate 33A, the lens switching motor 34 is deenergized allowing the enlargement lens 32A to stay across the light path B for projecting the CRT image. At the time, the ratchet 36 moves into the other notch 31b of the turret table 31 and prevents an overrun of the turret table 31. Also, a stationary mirror 80 is provided for directing the CRT image to the enlargement lens 32 or 32A (Fig.8). The filter wheel 10 comprises three, blue, green, and red (BGR), color filters. As the filter wheel 10 is turned, one of its BGR color filters comes across the light path B to pass and print a selected color of the CRT image on the printing paper P. The filter wheel 10 is disposed between the partition wall 21 and the mounting platform 24 and driven by a drive shaft 11a of a driving motor 11 mounted to the outer surface of the partition wall 21. The partition wall 21 has an opening 21a therein for clearing the CRT image light path B. The opening 21a is located opposite to the filter wheel 10. Also, the mounting platform 24 has a slot 24A therein where the enlargement lenses 32 and 32A are accepted and traveled for switching (Fig.8). Fig. 14 is a timing chart showing the action of printing the negative image from the negative film F and the CRT image from the CRT 2a. A first one of the negative films F held by the film holder is conveyed, scanned, and loaded to the negative mask 1b in the mask module where a desired frame image on the negative film F is projected and printed on the printing paper P held in the exposure station 7. Then, the negative film F is moved from the negative mask 1b. During the removal of the first negative film F and the loading of a second negative film F after the process of initial printing is completed, the mirror assembly 8 is actuated to enable the light path B for projecting the CRT image and simultaneously interrupt the negative image light path A. Also, while the second negative film F is conveyed and scanned, the process of index printing is carried out with the CRT 2a projecting index data of the frames on the first negative film F and then, the mirror assembly 8 is retracted to disable the light path B and clear the light path A. By repeating the above actions, third and more negative films F are processed. In the photographic exposure apparatus of the present invention, the index data from a negative film F can be printed with the CRT 2a in response to every request during a part of the cycle period for the entire printing procedure. It is understood that the image display means in the photographic exposure apparatus is not limited to the CRT of the embodiments but may be a TFT LED display, a electroluminescent (EL) display, or the like.

Claims: A photographic exposure apparatus having a first light path (B) for directing an optical pattern of a display image from an image display means (2) to a photosensitive material (P) and a second light path (A) for directing an optical pattern of a negative image from a negative film to the photosensitive material, comprising light path switching means (40) for selectively switching between the first and second light path to project either the display or the negative images on to the photosensitive material in a common exposure station (7), the light path switching means comprising: a mirror assembly (8b) disposed turnably within the two light paths (A, B); and a mirror driving means (9,10, 11, 12, 13) for turning the mirror assembly through a predetermined angular range between a first and second position to switch between the light path (B) for projecting the display image and the light path (A) for projecting the negative image, wherein the mirror assembly (8b) consists of a first mirror (81b) and a second mirror (82b) which are arranged such that when the mirror assembly is in the first position, the first mirror (81b) directs light from the negative image towards the photosensitive material and when the mirror assembly is in the second position, the second mirror (82b) directs light from the display image towards the photosensitive material. A photographic exposure apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one stationary mirror (8a) for directing the first and second light paths onto photosensitive material (P).

Inventors: OKU HIROSHI, YAMAMOTO MASAHIRO, OKU, HIROSHI, YAMAMOTO, MASAHIRO
Applicants: NORITSU KOKI CO LTD, NORITSU KOKI CO., LTD.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G03B15
IPC codes: G03B27, G03B15