Image exposure device and imaging apparatus

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention provides an image exposure device and an imaging apparatus provided with the image exposure device. An image exposure device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a light control member in which light transmission parts that transmit light and light blocking parts that block light are alternately arranged in a first direction on a surface facing a pixel array surface of an image display device, and the light transmission parts that transmit light and the light blocking parts that block light are alternately arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction on the surface facing the pixel array surface of the image display device. The light control member is formed by stacking a first light control member in which the light transmission parts and the light blocking parts are alternately arranged only in the first direction and a second light control member in which the light transmission parts and the light blocking parts are alternately arranged only in the second direction. The first light control member is disposed to face a photosensitive recording medium, and the thickness of the first light control member is smaller than the thickness of the second light control member.

Description

Image exposure apparatus and imaging apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates to an image exposure apparatus and an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an image exposure apparatus that exposes a photosensitive recording medium using light irradiated from a light source, and an imaging apparatus equipped with such an image exposure apparatus.

[0002] Regarding image exposure apparatuses, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an image exposure apparatus that uses a stacked louver film. Patent Document 2 also describes an analog display device that uses two louver layers of different thicknesses.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 6915080, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-109615

[0004] One embodiment of the technology relating to the present disclosure provides an image exposure apparatus and an imaging apparatus equipped with the image exposure apparatus.

[0005] An image exposure apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image display device having pixels, a photosensitive recording medium for recording an image displayed on the image display device, a photosensitive recording medium support portion that supports the photosensitive recording medium with its exposure surface facing the image display device, and a light control member provided between the image display device and the photosensitive recording medium support portion, wherein in a first direction on the surface facing the pixel arrangement surface of the image display device, light-transmitting portions that transmit light and light-shielding portions that block light are alternately arranged, and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The optical control member comprises a second optical control member in which light-transmitting portions that transmit light and light-shielding portions that block light are alternately arranged in a second direction on a surface facing the pixel arrangement surface of an image display device, wherein the optical control member is formed by laminating a first optical control member in which light-transmitting portions and light-shielding portions are alternately arranged only in a first direction, and a second optical control member in which light-transmitting portions and light-shielding portions are alternately arranged only in a second direction, wherein the first optical control member is positioned facing the photosensitive recording medium, and the thickness of the first optical control member is thinner than the thickness of the second optical control member.

[0006] In the first embodiment, the image exposure apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention has a thickness of the first light control member L １ The thickness of the second light control member is set to L. ２ In that case, 0.25 < L １ / L ２The relationship < 1.0 holds.

[0007] In the image exposure apparatus according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the distance between the exposure surface of the photosensitive recording medium and the first light control member is Z ２ When this is the case, the relationship 0.2 mm ≤ Z ２ ≤ 1.0 mm holds.

[0008] In the image exposure apparatus according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the thickness of the first light control member is L １ When the thickness of the second light control member is also L ２ the relationship 2.0 mm < (L １ + L ２ ) < 3.0 mm holds.

[0009] In the image exposure apparatus according to the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, when the distance between the exposure surface and the first light control member is 1 mm, the relationship 0.6 mm < L １ < 1.0 mm holds.

[0010] In the image exposure apparatus according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, it further includes a first layer provided on the side of the photosensitive recording medium support portion of the light control member. The thickness of the light transmission portion is d １ The thickness of the light shielding portion is d ２ The thickness of the first layer is c １ [[ID=三十二]]The thickness of the second layer arranged between the pixel array surface of the image display device and the light control member is c ２ The thickness of the first light control member is L １ The thickness of the second light control member is L ２ When the distance between the pixel array surface of the image display device and the second layer is Z １ And the distance between the exposure surface of the photosensitive recording medium and the first light control member is Z ２ When this is the case, {(d [[ID=四十三]] １ / 2 + d ２ ) / (Z １ + c ２ )} > {(5 / 2) × d １ + d ２} / (Z １ + c ２ + L ２ ) holds.

[0011] In the image exposure apparatus according to the seventh embodiment, in the sixth embodiment, when H is the spread of light emitted from a pixel on the exposure surface in a second direction, H = {(d １ +d ２ / 2) / (L ２ +c ２ +Z １ )} × ( Z １ +c ２ +L ２ +L １ +c １ +Z ２ The relationship < 0.1 mm holds true.

[0012] The image exposure apparatus according to the eighth aspect is, in the sixth aspect, {(3 × d １ +2.5 × d ２ ) / (L １ +L ２ +Z １ +c ２ )} < { (2 × d １ +2.5 × d ２ ) / (L ２ +Z １ +c ２ The relationship )} holds true.

[0013] The image exposure apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is, in the sixth embodiment, { (2.5 × d １ +2 × d ２ ) / (c ２ +Z １ +L ２ +0.5 × L １ )} × ( Z ２ +c １ +0.5 × L １ )≧d １ +d ２ The following relationship holds true.

[0014] The image exposure apparatus according to the tenth embodiment, in any one of the first to ninth embodiments, has pixels arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and exposes a two-dimensional exposure area on the exposure surface of a photosensitive recording medium.

[0015] In the image exposure apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment, in any one of the first to tenth embodiments, the photosensitive recording medium support unit holds a self-developing instant film as a photosensitive recording medium and exposes the exposure surface of the held self-developing instant film.

[0016] In the image exposure apparatus according to the twelfth embodiment, in any one of the first to eleventh embodiments, the resolution in the first direction improves as the thickness of the first light control member decreases.

[0017] The imaging apparatus according to the 13th embodiment comprises an image sensor, an optical system for forming an optical image of a subject on the imaging surface of the image sensor, and an image exposure apparatus according to any one of the first to 12th embodiments, wherein the image exposure apparatus records an image based on the optical image on a photosensitive recording medium.

[0018] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an image exposure apparatus according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image exposure apparatus. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the louver film. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the image exposure apparatus. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the preferred thickness of the second louver layer. Figure 6 is another diagram illustrating the preferred thickness of the second louver layer. Figure 7 is yet another diagram illustrating the preferred thickness of the second louver layer. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the preferred thickness of the first and second louver layers. Figure 9 is another diagram illustrating the preferred thickness of the first and second louver layers. Figure 10 is yet another diagram illustrating the preferred thickness of the first and second louver layers. Figure 11 is yet another diagram illustrating the preferred thickness of the first and second louver layers. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the preferred thickness of the gap between the first louver layer and the exposure surface. Figure 13 is yet another diagram illustrating the preferred thickness of the gap between the first louver layer and the exposure surface. Figure 14 is a diagram showing the preconditions for each sample. Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the evaluation of resolution by chart. Figure 16 shows the evaluation results for each sample. Figure 17 shows the configuration of the imaging device according to the second embodiment.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the image exposure apparatus and imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following drawings, some components may be omitted from the display in order to make the explanation easier to understand. Also, the drawings do not necessarily show the shape and dimensions of each component accurately.

[0020] [First Embodiment] [Configuration of Image Exposure Apparatus] An image exposure apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the image exposure apparatus, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image exposure apparatus.

[0021] The image exposure apparatus 10 in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an image display device 12 (image display device) having pixels 13, a photosensitive recording medium support section 21 (photosensitive recording medium support section) that supports a photosensitive recording medium 14 (photosensitive recording medium) for recording images of the image display device 12, a louver film 116 (light control member) provided between the image display device 12 and the photosensitive recording medium support section 21, and a protective layer 17 (first layer) provided on the photosensitive recording medium support section 21 side of the louver film 116.

[0022] [Image Display Device] The image display device 12 can be a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a light-emitting diode (LED), a plasma display, etc. The image display device 12 is equipped with a plurality of pixels 13 for displaying an image (in Figure 2, one pixel is shown as an example). A pixel 13 is the smallest unit of color information that constitutes the image display surface. By having pixels 13, the image display device 12 can display an image.

[0023] A glass window 26 (second layer) is provided on the side from which light is emitted from the image display device 12. The glass window 26 is provided to protect the pixels 13 located within the image display device 12. It is preferable that the glass window 26 be thin in thickness in order to shorten the distance from the pixels 13 to the photosensitive recording medium 14. A gap can be provided between the image display device 12 and the glass window 26.

[0024] Pixel 13 only needs to have the function of being able to emit some kind of light from the image display device 12; a lamp is not required. The image display device 12 includes cases where a lamp such as a backlight emits light, as is typical of liquid crystal display devices, and cases where the device itself emits light, as is typical of light-emitting diode display devices.

[0025] The pixel display surface of the image display device 12 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has pixels 13 arranged in a two-dimensional manner. Two-dimensional means extending in the X-Y direction.

[0026] [Photosensitive Recording Medium Support Section] The photosensitive recording medium support section 21 supports or holds the photosensitive recording medium 14 so that the photosensitive recording medium 14 is positioned opposite the surface of the image display device 12 that emits light. The photosensitive recording medium support section 21 may directly or indirectly support the photosensitive recording medium 14, and its structure is not particularly limited as long as it can support the photosensitive recording medium 14.

[0027] [Photosensitive recording medium] The photosensitive recording medium 14 has an exposure surface 14A (a two-dimensional exposure area). The photosensitive recording medium 14 is not particularly limited as long as it can be exposed to light irradiated from the image display device 12 and an image can be formed. For example, a film pack 18 that is attached to an instant camera (for example, Fujifilm Corporation's Instax®) can be used.

[0028] The film pack 18 is formed by assembling a photosensitive recording medium 14 into a case 20. A light-shielding sheet (not shown) is provided between the multiple photosensitive recording media 14 stored in the case 20, and this light-shielding sheet exposes only the photosensitive recording medium 14 on the top surface of the film pack 18 to light. Examples of materials used for the photosensitive recording medium 14 include photographic photosensitive materials such as negative film, reversal film, photographic paper, mono sheets, or beer-apart instant photographic film. The film pack 18 may store one or more self-developing instant films as the photosensitive recording media 14.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, multiple photosensitive recording media 14 are housed in a light-shielding box-shaped case 20. The case 20 is provided with an exposure aperture 22 that allows light irradiated from the image display device 12 to pass through in order to expose the exposure surface 14A of the photosensitive recording media 14. A pressing member (not shown) is provided on the opposite side of the exposure aperture 22, and the photosensitive recording media 14 is pressed towards the exposure aperture 22 by the pressing member. As a result, the photosensitive recording media 14 is pressed against the periphery of the exposure aperture 22, the distance to the image display device 12 is reduced, and a good image can be recorded on the photosensitive recording media 14.

[0030] Case 20 can be a resin component for recording materials used in various recording materials such as photographic photosensitive materials, magnetic recording materials, and optical recording materials. The resin component for recording materials can be a container, lid and its associated accessories used for storing, packaging, covering, protecting, transporting, preserving, and supporting the shape of the recording material, or various components that perform their function by being loaded with the recording material.

[0031] As the photosensitive recording medium 14 passes between the unfolding rollers (not shown) after exposure, the pod portion provided on the photosensitive recording medium 14 bursts. The pod portion contains a developing solution, and when the pod portion bursts, the developing solution is spread inside the photosensitive recording medium 14. After 1 to several minutes, the developing process is completed and an image is formed on the photosensitive recording medium 14.

[0032] [Louver Film] Figure 3 shows the structure of the louver film 116. The louver film 116 is composed of two layers: a first layer 118 (first light control member) and a second layer 119 (second light control member). Reference numeral 116B indicates the side surface (XZ plane, YZ plane) of the louver film 116, reference numeral 118A indicates the plane (XY plane) of the first layer 118, and reference numeral 119A indicates the plane (XY plane) of the second layer 119. As shown in the plane 118A of the first layer 118, the first layer 118 has alternating light-transmitting portions 102 (light-transmitting portions) that transmit light and light-shielding portions 104 (light-shielding portions) that block light, only in the first direction (the X direction in the plane 118A of Figure 3). The second layer 119 intersects the first direction and has light-transmitting portions 102 and light-shielding portions 104 alternately arranged only in the second direction (the Y direction in the plane 119A of Figure 3) on a plane parallel to the arrangement plane of pixels 13 of the image display device 12. In order to prevent stray light, it is preferable that the light-shielding portions 104 are made of a material that absorbs light, but it is not necessary that they be made of a material that absorbs light completely.

[0033] Then, by stacking the first layer 118 and the second layer 119, a two-dimensional louver film 116 can be formed. In the louver film 116, the first layer 118 is positioned on the lower side (-Z side), and the second layer 119 is positioned on the upper side (+Z side), with the first layer 118 (first light control member) positioned opposite the photosensitive recording medium 14 (photosensitive recording medium). That is, the distance between the first layer 118 and the photosensitive recording medium 14 is shorter than the distance between the second layer 119 and the photosensitive recording medium 14.

[0034] By using a louver film 116 with this configuration, the direction of light propagation irradiated from the pixels 13 of the image display device 12 is restricted to prevent light diffusion, thereby increasing the resolution of the image recorded on the photosensitive recording medium 14. The preferred range of thickness and relationship between the first layer 118 and the second layer 119 for increasing resolution will be described in detail in the embodiments described later.

[0035] In the louver film 116, "transmitting light" does not mean complete transmission; it is sufficient that at least a portion of the incident light is transmitted, but a high degree of transmittance is preferable. Also, "shielding light" does not mean complete shielding or blocking; it is sufficient that at least a portion of the incident light is shielded or blocked, but a high degree of shielding or blocking is preferable. Furthermore, "arranged alternately" does not mean that they are arranged in a fixed pattern or at fixed intervals; it is sufficient that the light-transmitting portion 102 and the light-shielding portion 104 are arranged next to each other.

[0036] Furthermore, "a plane parallel to the array plane of pixels 13" is not limited to a perfectly parallel plane; for example, slight errors or variations due to tolerances in part precision and / or assembly precision may be tolerated. "Intersecting" the first direction and the second direction means, for example, that the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal, but they do not have to be perfectly orthogonal. Also, "only in the first direction" and "only in the second direction" do not mean that any deviation from the first and second directions is completely excluded; for example, slight errors or variations due to tolerances in part precision and / or assembly precision may be tolerated.

[0037] Furthermore, in the louver film 116, "laminated" means that the first layer 118 and the second layer 119 may be laminated via other layers, or they may be laminated by bonding. Also, "the first layer 118 is positioned 'facing' the photosensitive recording medium 14" means, for example, that the surface on which the first layer 118 is positioned and the exposure surface 14A of the photosensitive recording medium 14 are parallel, but they do not have to be perfectly parallel, and some errors or variations due to tolerances of part precision and / or assembly precision may be allowed. Also, since the first layer 118 (first light control member) is positioned on the -Z side than the second layer 119 (second light control member), the distance between the first layer 118 and the photosensitive recording medium 14 is closer than the distance between the second layer 119 and the photosensitive recording medium 14 (see Figure 4, etc., described later). In addition, another member (such as the protective layer 17 described below) may be provided between the first layer 118 and the photosensitive recording medium 14.

[0038] [Protective Layer] Returning to Figures 1 and 2, a protective layer 17 (first layer) is provided on the side of the louver film 116 that supports the photosensitive recording medium 21. The protective layer 17 protects the louver film 116 when it comes into contact with the photosensitive recording medium 14 during exposure. There is a concern that the louver film 116 may be damaged if the image displayed on the image display device 12 is repeatedly exposed to the photosensitive recording medium 14, but by providing the protective layer 17, damage to the louver film 116 can be prevented. A gap can be provided between the protective layer 17 and the exposure surface 14A of the photosensitive recording medium 14.

[0039] The material of the protective layer 17 is not particularly limited as long as it is transparent and allows light to pass through. For example, a plastic sheet made from acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride resin, etc., can be used.

[0040] The thickness of the protective layer 17 is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 500 μm or less. By making the thickness of the protective layer 17 0.1 μm or more, in addition to the effect of protecting the louver film 116, moiré patterns can be made less noticeable. Furthermore, image defects caused by defects or structures of the louver film 116 can be made less noticeable. In addition, by making the thickness of the protective layer 17 500 μm or less, blurring of the printed image can be prevented.

[0041] It is preferable that the side of the protective layer 17 facing the photosensitive recording medium support portion 21 is non-adhesive. When printing an image from the image display device 12 onto the photosensitive recording medium 14, the protective layer 17 is brought into close contact with the photosensitive recording medium 14 for exposure. As described above, after exposure, the photosensitive recording medium 14 passes between the unfolding rollers, causing the pod portion to burst and spreading the developing solution, thus performing the developing process. Therefore, by making the side of the protective layer 17 facing the photosensitive recording medium support portion 21 non-adhesive, the photosensitive recording medium 14 after exposure can be slid onto the unfolding rollers and discharged from the photosensitive recording medium support portion 21. If the protective layer 17 is bonded to the louver film 116 with an adhesive, it is preferable that the adhesive is not present on the surface of the protective layer 17 (the side facing the photosensitive recording medium 14). By making the side of the protective layer 17 facing the photosensitive recording medium support portion 21 non-adhesive, it is possible to prevent the protective layer 17 and the photosensitive recording medium 14 from peeling off after exposure.

[0042] In the image exposure apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1, pixels 13 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner extending in the X-Y direction on the image display device 12, and the size of the image display surface of the image display device 12 is larger than the size of the exposure aperture 22 of the louver film 116 and the film pack 18. The size of the exposure aperture 22 is the exposure area of ​​the photosensitive recording medium 14. Therefore, the image output from the image display device 12 can simultaneously expose the entire exposure surface of the photosensitive recording medium 14. As a method of exposing an image, first, the image to be exposed is displayed on the image display device 12. The light emitted from the pixels 13 of the image display device 12 passes through the louver film 116 and becomes parallel or nearly parallel light. This "parallel or nearly parallel light" reaches the photosensitive recording medium 14, and the entire exposure surface of the photosensitive recording medium 14 can be exposed simultaneously. By making the image display surface of the image display device 12 the same size as or larger than the exposure area of ​​the photosensitive recording medium 14, an image can be exposed without the need for a scanning means. Furthermore, when incorporating the image display device 12 into the photosensitive recording medium support unit 21, it is possible to allow for a margin of error in the positional accuracy of the installation.

[0043] [Examples] Specific examples, such as preferred thicknesses of the first layer 118 and the second layer 119, will be described.

[0044] [Example 1 (Relationship between the thickness of the first layer and the thickness of the second layer)] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the thickness of the first layer 118 and the thickness of the second layer 119. Note that some components are omitted from the illustration in Figure 4 (the same applies to subsequent figures).

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the thickness of the first layer 118 is L １ The thickness of the second layer 119 is set to L ２ In this case, the thickness of the first layer 118 (first light control member) is thinner than the thickness of the second layer 119 (second light control member). That is, L １ <L ２ The following relationship holds true.

[0046] When using a two-layer louver, if the thickness of the two layers is the same, there will be a difference in resolution in the vertical and horizontal directions (X direction and Y direction). Therefore, in the exposure memory device according to the present invention, the thickness of the second layer 119 (L ２ ) is made thicker, and the thickness of the first layer 118 (L １ ) is made thinner. In this invention, in order to reduce the difference in resolution between two directions in the image exposure apparatus, L １ <L ２ This condition applies to the following examples as well.

[0047] In Example 1, L １ and L ２ Regarding this, 0.25 < L １ / L ２ It is preferable that the relationship <1.0 holds true. １ / L ２ It is preferable that the value be less than 1 in order to improve the resolution in the Y direction, and it is preferable that the value be greater than 0.25 in order to prevent the resolution in the X direction from decreasing too much.

[0048] Furthermore, in Example 1, Z ２ Regarding 0.2 mm ≤ Z ２ It is preferable that the relationship ≤ 1.0 mm holds. ２ It is preferable that the diameter be 0.2 mm or more in order to secure a transport path for the photosensitive recording medium 14, and it is preferable that the diameter be 1.0 mm or less in order to reduce noise caused by abnormal light.

[0049] Furthermore, in Example 1, it is also preferable to make the thickness of the first layer 118 as thin as possible. This is because the thinner the thickness of the first layer 118 (first light control member), the better the resolution in the X direction (first direction).

[0050] [Example 2 (Lower limit of the thickness of the second layer to suppress light diffusion in the Y direction)] Figure 5 shows the thickness (L) of the second layer 119 to suppress light diffusion in the Y direction. ２ This figure illustrates the lower limit of ). Part 5(a) of Figure 5 shows the state in which light emitted from point PX of pixel 13 (emission angle α) is blocked by the light-shielding portion 104 of the second layer 119 (point BP at the upper end; see Figure 6), and part 5(b) of the same figure shows the state in which light emitted from point PX of pixel 13 (emission angle β) is incident on the light-transmitting portion 102, is reflected by a light-shielding portion 104, but is blocked by an adjacent light-shielding portion 104. That is, α is the angle at which "light does not occur on an adjacent light-transmitting portion 102", and β is the "maximum angle at which light reflected once by a light-shielding portion 104 passes through the light-transmitting portion 102". Note that in Figure 5, point PX is assumed to be located in the middle of the light-transmitting portion 102 in the Y direction. Also, the thickness of the light-transmitting portion 102 is d １ The thickness of the light shielding portion 104 is d ２ Let the thickness of the glass window 26 (second layer) be c ２ Let's assume that.

[0051] Furthermore, Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the state shown in part (a) of Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the state shown in part (b) of Figure 5.

[0052] Part 6(a) of Figure 6, similar to part 5(a), shows a state in which light emitted from point PX is blocked by point BP at the upper end of the light shielding part 104. In this state, as shown in part 6(b), consider a triangle with points PX and BP as vertices. Then, the length of the sides of this triangle in the Z direction is (Z １ +c ２ ) and the length of the side in the Y direction is (d １ / 2+d ２ ) Therefore, tanα = (d １ / 2+d ２ ) / (Z １ +c２ ), but since the light emission control angle from the pixel 13 (point PX) is small, for example, about 4 degrees, α≒tanα = (d １ / 2 + d ２ ) / (Z １ + c ２ ) holds.

[0053] The (a) part of FIG. 7 is the same as the (b) part of FIG. 5, showing the state where the light emitted from the point PX of the pixel 13 enters the light transmission part 102 and is reflected by a certain light shielding part 104, but is blocked by the adjacent light shielding part 104 (the lower end point BP). The point VP is the point directly below the point PX (the lower end of the second layer 119), and the point RP where the light is reflected is assumed to exist in the middle of the second layer 119 in the height direction. The point IP is the point formed at the position of the lower end of the second layer 119 when it is assumed that the light travels straight beyond the reflection point RP. Although it is conceivable that light is reflected at points other than the point RP (points other than the intermediate point in the height direction), in this embodiment, an intermediate point in the height direction is assumed in consideration of the average reflection effect. Also, it is assumed that the light is specularly reflected at the point RP.

[0054] In this state, considering the triangles T １ , T ２ formed by the points RP, BP, IP, etc. as shown in the (b) part of FIG. 7, these triangles are congruent. Therefore, the Y-direction distance between the point IP and the point VP is {(5 / 2)×d １ + d ２}, and the Z-direction distance between the point PX and the point VP is (Z １ + c ２ + L ２ ). From this, tanβ = {(5 / 2)×d １ + d ２} / (Z １ + c ２ + L ２ ), but since the light emission control angle from the pixel 13 (point PX) is small, for example, about 4 degrees, as described above, β≒tanβ = {(5 / 2)×d １ + d ２} / (Z １ + c ２ + L ２ ) holds.

[0055] In Example 2, the angle at which light is blocked by the light shielding part 104 (tanα ≈ α) > the angle at which light that has been reflected once by the light shielding part 104 is transmitted (= maximum reflection angle tanβ ≈ β), so the relationship shown below (Equation 1) holds. [Equation 1] {(d １ / 2+d ２ ) / (Z １ +c ２ )} > {(5 / 2) × d １ +d ２} / (Z １ +c ２ +L ２ ) ... (Formula 1)

[0056] If α < β, the angle at which light that has been reflected once is transmitted (β) is greater than the angle at which incident light is blocked (α), so the light that has been reflected once will pass through the light-transmitting section 102. On the other hand, if α > β, there is an effect of blocking incident light whose angle is smaller than the angle at which incident light is blocked (α), so the light that has been reflected once will be blocked.

[0057] In Example 2, by satisfying the relationship in (Equation 1) above, when light is below the transparent layer, it is possible to block the light ray that has been reflected once in the adjacent layer. For example, d １ =0.045mm, d ２ =0.015mm,c ２ = 0.2 mm, Z １ = When L is 0.1 mm, ２ If it is 1.3 mm, the relationship (Equation 1) is satisfied, but L ２ If the value is 0.75 mm, the relationship in (Equation 1) is not satisfied. Note that these values ​​are just examples, and other values ​​may be used.

[0058] [Example 3 (Lower limit of the thickness of the second layer and upper limit of the thickness of the first layer for diffusing light in the Y direction)] Figure 8 shows the thickness of the first layer 118 (L １ This figure shows the effect of changing the L on light diffusion in the Y direction. Part (a) of Figure 8 is L １ This shows a thin state, and in this case, the ray diffusion width in the Y direction is assumed to be H. In contrast, part (b) of the same figure is L １The state shown in part (b) is thicker than the state shown in part (b), and in this case, the light diffusion width in the Y direction is widened by ΔH. That is, if light is incident on point HP1 in the state shown in part (a) of Figure 8, then in the state shown in part (b) of the same figure, it is incident on point HP2 -Y side of point HP1. The emission angle α is assumed to be the same in parts (a) and (b). Also, the thickness of the protective layer 17 (first layer) is c １ The distance between the exposure surface 14A of the photosensitive recording medium 14 and the first layer 118 (first light control member) is defined as Z. ２ Let's assume that.

[0059] Assuming that point PX is located in the middle of the width (Y direction) of the light shielding portion 104, and that light emitted from point PX travels without being shielded by the second layer 119, then considering the spread of light at the lower end (-Z direction) of the second layer 119, as is clear from Figure 8, tanα = (d １ +d ２ / 2) / (L ２ +c ２ +Z １ ), D = (Z １ +c ２ +L ２ +L １ +c １ +Z ２ ), H = tanα × D, therefore H = {(d １ +d ２ / 2) / (L ２ +c ２ +Z １ )} × ( Z １ +c ２ +L ２ +L １ +c １ +Z ２ )

[0060] Therefore, the ray diffusion width in the Y direction is ΔY ｍａｘ Assuming that we want to keep it below a certain value, the following relationship (Equation 2) holds: [Equation 2] H = {(d １ +d ２ / 2) / (L ２ +c ２ +Z １ )} × ( Z １ +c ２ +L ２ +L １ +c１ +Z ２ ) <ΔY ｍａｘ ...(Formula 2)

[0061] ΔY ｍａｘ This can be set according to the allowable value of the light diffusion width. For example, ΔY ｍａｘ It can be set to 0.1 mm, but is not limited to this value. Note that the value of 0.1 mm corresponds to 5 cycles / mm when evaluating using a radial resolution evaluation chart (see Figures 15 and 16), but when using other charts, etc., ΔY should be adjusted accordingly. ｍａｘ You may set it to that.

[0062] For example, d １ =0.045mm, d ２ =0.015mm,c ２ = 0.2 mm, c １ = 0.2 mm, Z １ = 0.2 mm, Z ２ = When L is 1.0 mm, １ If = 0.5 mm, the relationship (Equation 2) is satisfied, but L １ If the value is 1.5 mm, the relationship in (Equation 2) is not satisfied. These values ​​are just examples, and other values ​​may be used.

[0063] [Example 4 (Lower limit of the thickness of the first layer and upper limit of the thickness of the second layer to suppress light ray diffusion in the X direction)] In the image exposure apparatus 10, light rays emitted from the pixel 13 pass through the second layer 119 (second light control member) and enter the first layer 118 (first light control member). At this time, it is preferable to suppress the number of layers to which the light rays enter so that the light ray diffusion width in the X direction does not widen. Example 4 is a method for suppressing such light ray diffusion in the X direction, where the thickness of the first layer 118 (L １ The lower limit of ) and the thickness of the second layer 119 (L ２ This is an embodiment that defines the upper limit of ).

[0064] Figure 9 shows how a light ray emitted from point PX of pixel 13 passes through the second layer 119 and enters the first layer 118. Point PX is assumed to be located in the center of the X-direction thickness of the light-shielding portion 104A (light-shielding portion 104) of the first layer 118. Part (a) of Figure 9 shows that the first layer 118 is thick in the ±Z direction, and the light enters two layers on the left and right (±X direction) (light-shielding portions 102A, 102B: a total of 4 layers), but does not enter the third layer on the left and right (light-shielding portion 102C). Part (b) of the same figure shows that the first layer 118 is thinner than in part (a), and the light enters three layers on the left and right (light-shielding portions 102A, 102B: a total of 6 layers). The thickness of the second layer 119 is assumed to be the same in parts (a) and (b) of Figure 9. In Example 4, the state shown in part (a) of Figure 9 is acceptable, but the state shown in part (b) of the same figure is not.

[0065] Figure 10 illustrates the cases where the number of transmittances in the first layer 118 is permissible and permissible. Part (a) of Figure 10 shows a permissible state, where light emitted from point PX at an angle α is incident on the third layer 118 on the left and right, but does not pass through the incident layer (it is blocked at point P1 at the lower end of the light shielding part 104). Also, light emitted from point PX at an angle β is incident on the third layer 118 on the left and right (just barely). On the other hand, part (b) of Figure 10 shows a permissible state, where light emitted from point PX is incident on the third layer 118 on the left and right, and is transmitted.

[0066] Figure 11 is another diagram illustrating the cases where a number of transparent first layers 118 is allowed and where it is not, and is an auxiliary diagram illustrating the state in Figure 10. Part (a) of Figure 11 shows a triangle with points PX and P1 as vertices in the state shown in part (a) of Figure 10 (light is emitted from point PX at an angle α), and part (b) of the same figure shows a triangle with points PX and P2 as vertices in the state shown in part (b) of Figure 10 (light is emitted from point PX at an angle β).

[0067] Focusing on the triangle shown in part (a) of Figure 11, the length of the side in the X direction is 3 × d １ +2.5 × d ２And the length of the side in the Z direction is L. １ +L ２ +Z １ +c ２ Therefore, tanα = (3 × d １ +2.5 × d ２ ) / (L １ +L ２ +Z １ +c ２ The relationship ) holds true. Also, focusing on the triangle shown in part (b) of Figure 11, the length of the side in the X direction is 2 × d １ +2.5 × d ２ And the length of the side in the Z direction is L. ２ +Z １ +c ２ Therefore, tanβ = (2 × d １ +2.5 × d ２ ) / (L ２ +Z １ +c ２ The relationship ) holds true.

[0068] Since α and β are small, we can consider tanα ≈ α and tanβ ≈ β, similar to the above embodiment. Therefore, in order for the light ray emitted from point PX not to pass through the three first layers 118 (a total of six layers) in the left-right direction, the following relationship (Equation 3) must hold. [Equation 3] {(3 × d １ +2.5 × d ２ ) / (L １ +L ２ +Z １ +c ２ )} < { (2 × d １ +2.5 × d ２ ) / (L ２ +Z １ +c ２ )} ...(Formula 3)

[0069] For example, d １ =0.045mm, d ２ =0.015mm,c ２ = 0.2 mm, c １ = 0.2 mm, Z １ = 0.2 mm, Z ２ = When L is 1.0 mm, １ If = 1.25 mm, the relationship (Equation 3) is satisfied, but L １If the value is 0.2 mm, the relationship in (Equation 3) is not satisfied. These values ​​are just examples, and other values ​​may be used.

[0070] [Example 5 (Distance between exposure surface and first layer to suppress light diffusion in the X direction)] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the distance between the exposure surface 14A and the first layer 118 and light diffusion in the X direction. Part (a) of Figure 12 shows how light emitted from point PX of pixel 13 is reflected at point RP located in the middle of the height direction in the first layer 118 and transmitted through the first layer 118. The reflection point is located in the middle of the height direction to take into account the average diffusion width. Also, the distance from point RP to the exposure surface 14A is D １ Let's assume that the light emitted from point PX and traveling in the -X direction is reflected and reaches the exposure surface 14A, and then travels ΔX in the +X direction. Considering the state where light is emitted from point PX to the left and right (±X directions), the width of light diffusion in the X direction is narrow.

[0071] On the other hand, part (b) of Figure 12 shows a state where the distance between the exposure surface 14A and the first layer 118 is shorter than the state shown in part (a) of the same figure. In this state, the width of light diffusion in the X direction becomes wider than the state shown in part (a). Therefore, it is clear that in order to suppress light diffusion in the X direction (to avoid reducing the resolution in the X direction), it is necessary to set the distance between the exposure surface 14A and the first layer 118 to an appropriate range.

[0072] Figure 13 is another diagram illustrating a preferred range of distance between the exposure surface 14A and the first layer 118, and is an auxiliary diagram to Figure 12. In part (a) of Figure 13, reference numerals and other symbols have been added to Figure 12 for illustrative purposes. The light is assumed to be emitted from point PX at an angle θ, and in this state, a triangle T has points PX and RP as its vertices. ３ And triangle T with points RP and IP as vertices. ４ Consider this. Then, as shown in part (b) of Figure 13, triangle T ３ Regarding this, the length of the side in the X direction is (2.5 × d １ +2 × d ２ ) and the length of the side in the Z direction is D ２ (=Z １ +c ２ +L２ +0.5 × L １ Therefore, tanθ = (2.5 × d １ +2 × d ２ ) / (Z １ +c ２ +L ２ +0.5 × L １ The relationship ) holds true.

[0073] Also, as shown in part (c) of Figure 13, triangle T ４ For this, the length of the side in the X direction is ΔX, and the length of the side in the Z direction is D １ (=c １ +Z ２ +0.5 × L １ Therefore, ΔX = tanθ × D １ = {(2.5 × d) １ +2 × d ２ ) / (Z １ +c ２ +L ２ +0.5 × L １ )} × (c １ +Z ２ +0.5 × L １ The relationship ) holds true.

[0074] In order to suppress light diffusion in the X direction, it is necessary to increase ΔX to a certain extent so that the light on the exposure surface 14A is concentrated near the point PX. In Example 5, ΔX ≥ "thickness of the light-transmitting portion 102 (d １ ) and the thickness of the light shielding part 104 (d ２ ) sum (= d １ +d ２ The following condition is assumed, and the relationship shown in (Equation 4) below holds. [Equation 4] {(2.5 × d １ +2 × d ２ ) / (c １ +Z １ +L ２ +0.5 × L １ )} × ( Z ２ +c ２ +0.5 × L １ )≧d １ +d ２ ...(Formula 4)

[0075] For example, d １ =0.045mm, d ２=0.015mm,c ２ = 0.2 mm, Z １ = 0.2 mm, L ２ = 1.5 mm, L １ = 1.0 mm, c １ = When Z is 0.2 mm, ２ If = 1.0 mm, the relationship (Equation 4) is satisfied, but Z ２ If the value is 0.1 mm, the relationship in (Equation 4) is not satisfied. These values ​​are just examples, and other values ​​may be used.

[0076] [Effects of the Example] [Prerequisites] Thickness of the first layer 118 (L １ ) and the thickness of the second layer 119 (L ２ This section describes the results of projecting a resolution evaluation chart onto a photosensitive recording medium using three samples of louver film 116 (light control member) with different ratios of L) on a liquid crystal display device (image display device 12), and exposing the resulting material to the photosensitive recording medium. Figure 14 is a table showing the preconditions for the evaluation. Part (a) of Figure 14 shows the L for each sample. １ , L ２ , Z ２ This is a table showing the values ​​of the sample, sample 1, and sample 2 under the conditions of Patent 6915080 (L １ / L ２ The values ​​for each parameter are 1.00, 0.66, and 0.43, respectively. Part (b) of Figure 14 is a table showing the extent to which each sample satisfies the above-mentioned equations (1) to (4). Note that the values ​​for other parameters are common to all samples.

[0077] [Resolution Evaluation Chart] The resolution evaluation chart used to evaluate the embodiment is a roughly circular chart in which "lines are drawn toward the center of the circle, and the spacing between light and dark areas is narrower in the center, so the closer to the center you can see, the higher the resolution." Figure 15 shows the evaluation chart (showing half of the chart), and the dotted outline in the central part of parts (a) and (b) of the figure represents the 5 cycle / mm area. The direction of resolution that can be evaluated with this chart is the direction in which the light and dark areas are aligned (the straight line connecting the circumference and the center, and the direction perpendicular to that line). In the example shown in part (a) of Figure 15, the light and dark areas are not visible near the center in the direction of arrow 1, while the light and dark areas in the direction of arrow 2 are not blurred, so the resolution in the direction of arrow 2 is high. In the example shown in part (b) of Figure 15, the light and dark areas are not visible outside of arrow 1 in the direction of arrow 3, and the light and dark areas in the direction of arrow 4 are blurred, so the resolution in the direction of arrow 4 is low.

[0078] [Evaluation Results] Figure 16 shows the results of evaluating the resolution of the three samples described above by scanning the exposed films. In the sample under the conditions of Patent 6915080, the contrast in the Y direction was not visible beyond the arc-shaped dotted line near the center (the 5 cycle / mm area) (outside the chart), and the value was 3.2 cycle / mm. In Sample 2, the contrast in the Y direction was visible up to the vicinity of the arc-shaped dotted line, and the value was 4.8 cycle / mm, which was a significant improvement from 3.2.

[0079] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is an imaging apparatus equipped with an image exposure apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0080] [Configuration of the Imaging Device] Figure 17 shows the configuration of the imaging device 100 (imaging device) according to the second embodiment. The imaging device 100 includes an image sensor 105 (image sensor), a lens 103 (optical system) that forms an optical image of a subject on the imaging surface of the image sensor 105, and an image exposure device 10 (image exposure device).

[0081] The lens 103 may include one or more lenses, and may also include a zoom lens and / or a focus lens. Various photoelectric conversion elements such as CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) and CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) can be used as the image sensor 105. A signal corresponding to the optical image of the subject is output from the image sensor 105, and image processing such as conversion to a digital image signal is performed in the processor 106 to generate an image. The generated image is displayed on the monitor 110 under the control of the processor 106 and also recorded on the memory card 112. The user can perform various operations on the imaging device 100 using buttons and switches on the operation unit 114. The processor 106 can be composed of various processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and programs or software to operate these processors, and may include memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The processor 106 controls each part of the imaging device 100.

[0082] The generated image is exposed to a film (photosensitive recording medium 14) by the image exposure device 10, and then discharged as a printed film 15 by the film transport mechanism 108.

[0083] The imaging device 100 according to the second embodiment includes the image exposure device 10 according to the first embodiment, so that it can print images with good resolution.

[0084] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible.

[0085] 10 Image exposure apparatus 12 Image display device 13 Pixel 14 Photosensitive recording medium 14A Exposure surface 15 Printed film 16 Louver film 17 Protective layer 18 Film pack 20 Case 21 Photosensitive recording medium support part 22 Exposure aperture 26 Glass window 100 Imaging device 102 Light transmission part 102A Light shielding part 102B Light shielding part 102C Light shielding part 103 Lens 104 Light shielding part 104A Light shielding part 105 Image sensor 106 Processor 108 Film transport mechanism 110 Monitor 112 Memory card 114 Operation part 116 Louver film 118 First layer 118A Plane 119 Second layer 119A Plane

Claims

1. An image display device having pixels; a photosensitive recording medium support portion that supports a photosensitive recording medium for recording an image displayed on the image display device, with the exposure surface of the photosensitive recording medium facing the image display device; and a light control member provided between the image display device and the photosensitive recording medium support portion, wherein in a first direction on the surface facing the pixel arrangement surface of the image display device, light-transmitting portions that transmit light and light-shielding portions that block light are alternately arranged, and in a second direction intersecting the first direction, on the surface facing the pixel arrangement surface of the image display device, light-transmitting portions that transmit light and light-shielding portions that block light are alternately arranged, wherein the light control member is formed by stacking a first light control member in which the light-transmitting portions and light-shielding portions are alternately arranged only in the first direction, and a second light control member in which the light-transmitting portions and light-shielding portions are alternately arranged only in the second direction. An image exposure apparatus wherein the first light control member is positioned opposite the photosensitive recording medium, and the thickness of the first light control member is thinner than the thickness of the second light control member.

2. The thickness of the first light control member is L. １ The thickness of the second light control member is set to L. ２ In that case, 0.25 < L １ / L ２ The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relationship <1.0 holds true.

3. The distance between the exposure surface of the photosensitive recording medium and the first light control member is Z. ２ In that case, 0.2 mm ≤ Z ２ The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the relationship ≤ 1.0 mm holds true.

4. Let the thickness of the first light control member be L １ and the thickness of the second light control member be L ２ When this is the case, the image exposure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which the relationship 2.0 mm < (L １ + L ２ ) < 3.0 mm holds.

5. When the distance between the exposure surface and the first light control member is 1 mm, 0.6 mm < L １ The image exposure apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the relationship of <1.0 mm is satisfied.

6. The light control member further comprises a first layer provided on the side of the photosensitive recording medium support portion, wherein the thickness of the light-transmitting portion is d １ The thickness of the light-shielding portion is d. ２ The thickness of the first layer is set to c １ The thickness of the second layer, which is disposed between the pixel array surface of the image display device and the light control member, is set to c. ２ The thickness of the first light control member is set to L. １ The thickness of the second light control member is set to L. ２ The distance between the pixel array plane of the image display device and the second layer is defined as Z. １ The distance between the exposure surface of the photosensitive recording medium and the first light control member is set to Z. ２ In that case, {(d １ / 2+d ２ ) / (Z １ +c ２ )} > {(5 / 2) × d １ +d ２ } / (Z １ +c ２ +L ２ The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the relationship ) holds true.

7. If H is the spread of light emitted from the pixel on the exposure surface in the second direction, then H = {(d １ +d ２ / 2) / (L ２ +c ２ +Z １ )} × ( Z １ +c ２ +L ２ +L １ +c １ +Z ２ The image exposure apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the relationship < 0.1 mm holds true.

8. {(3 × d) １ +2.5 × d ２ ) / (L １ +L ２ +Z １ +c ２ )} < ({2 × d １ +2.5 × d ２ ) / (L ２ +Z １ +c ２ The image exposure apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the relationship )} holds true.

9. {(2.5 × d) １ +2 × d ２ ) / (c ２ +Z １ +L ２ +0.5 × L １ )} × ( Z ２ +c １ +0.5 × L １ ) ≥ (d １ +d ２ The image exposure apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the relationship ) holds true.

10. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image display device has pixels arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and exposes a two-dimensional exposure region of the exposure surface of the photosensitive recording medium.

11. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the photosensitive recording medium support portion holds a self-developing instant film as the photosensitive recording medium, and exposes the exposure surface of the held self-developing instant film.

12. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resolution in the first direction improves as the thickness of the first light control member decreases.

13. An imaging device comprising: an image sensor; an optical system for forming an optical image of a subject on the imaging surface of the image sensor; and an image exposure device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image exposure device records an image based on the optical image on the photosensitive recording medium.

Images