Incremental printing of symbolic information – Light or beam marking apparatus or processes – Scan of light
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-18
2001-09-25
Le, N. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Light or beam marking apparatus or processes
Scan of light
C347S122000, C347S121000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295080
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus comprising a recording head in which a plurality of light-emitting sections are aligned along a single dotted line or plural dotted lines and the image recording apparatus conducts image recording on a photosensitive material with exposure light emitted by the light-emitting section while shifting the photosensitive material relatively to the recording head.
When image recording is conducted on a photosensitive material by an image recording apparatus comprising a recording head in which a plurality of light-emitting sections are aligned along a single dotted line or plural dotted lines, in such a manner that the photosensitive material is exposed with exposure light emitted by the light-emitting section while being shifted relatively to the recording head, the developed photosensitive material may get a desired even image density, however, there may be problems from time to time that the image density of the developed photosensitive material may become higher or lower.
The above phenomenon was notable when the processing amount was too small. Accordingly, the problems were supposed to be caused by malfunction of the developing process or by malfunction of the exposure control system, and the true causes were not known. However, as a result of trial and error, the inventor learned that the cause of the problems may be that the light emission amount of the light emitting section of the recording head in the above image recording apparatus fluctuates depending on its working history.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to avoid density fluctuation in a developed photosensitive material due to light emission amount fluctuation of the light emitting section of the recording head depending on its working history in the above image recording apparatus.
The cause of the light emission amount fluctuation of the light emitting section of the recording head was not sufficiently investigated. However, the following phenomenon may be considered. That is, in the case that a vacuum fluorescent print head (VFPH) is used as the recording head, electrons are adapted to fly in a chamber on a vacuum condition. However, gas remains in the chamber and the gas adhere on a fluorescent member of the light emitting section. Initially, when electrons hit to the fluorescent member, light emission amount gradually increases to a stable light emission amount. Further, in the case that an LED array is used as the recording head, its working temperature increases due to self-heat generation to a stable temperature, and a light emission amount may decreases as the temperature increases.
The inventor learned that by conducting preliminary light emission the influence of the above working history may be reduced. As a result, the inventor conceived the present invention. That is, the above problems may solved by the structure described in each of the following items.
Item 1. In an image recording apparatus comprising a recording head in which a plurality of light-emitting sections are aligned along a single dotted line or plural dotted lines and the image recording apparatus conducts image recording on a photosensitive material with exposure light emitted by the light-emitting section while shifting the photosensitive material relatively to the recording head, the image recording apparatus is characterized in that before the image recording on the photosensitive material is started after the power source for the apparatus is turn ed on, preliminary light emission to let the light-emitting sections of the recording head emit light is conducted.
With the structure described in Item 1, the density fluctuation of the developed photosensitive material due to the light emission amount fluctuation of the light emitting sections of the recording head depending on its working history can be avoided.
Incidentally, the term “before the image recording on the photosensitive material is started after the power source for the apparatus is turned on” means the time period before the image recording to form an image for actual use on the photosensitive material is conducted after the power source for the apparatus is turned on. A setup image recording or an image recording for a reference image is excepted from the consideration on this period. Needless to say, after the preliminary light emission, it may be preferable to prepare such a setup image recording and an image recording for a reference image.
Usually, an automatic processing machine is used in such a way that the power source is turned on in the morning, kept on during the day time, and turned off in the evening. In this case, the preliminary light emission can be conducted with a simple control right after the power source is turned on. Since the preliminary light emission does not interfere with actual image recording, it may be preferable. In the case of timer operation, it goes without saying that power source ON by the timer means “the power supply ON”.
Item 2. The image recording apparatus described in Item 1, wherein the light emitting period of the preliminary light emission by the light emitting section is 30 minutes or less.
With the structure described in Item 2, the density fluctuation of the developed photosensitive material due to the light emission amount fluctuation of the light emitting sections of the recording head depending on its working history can be avoided. In addition, if emission time is 10 minutes or less, fluctuation of density can be prevented. In addition, it is preferable that using time of the machine can be shortened.
Item 3. In an image recording apparatus comprising a recording head in which a plurality of light-emitting sections are aligned along a single dotted line or plural dotted lines and the image recording apparatus conducts image recording on a photosensitive material with exposure light emitted by the light-emitting section while shifting the photosensitive material relatively to the recording head, the image recording apparatus is characterized in that preliminary light emission to let the light-emitting sections of the recording head emit light is conducted for every predetermined time.
With the structure described in Item 3, the density fluctuation of the developed photosensitive material due to the light emission amount fluctuation of the light emitting sections of the recording head depending on its working history can be avoided.
Incidentally, the predetermined time is preferable to be 24 hours or less. In this case, the light emission period of the preliminary light emission may be 30 minutes or less. However, it may be not limited to such a period. For example, it may be permissible to conduct the preliminary light emission for 30 minutes for every 24 hours or for 10 minutes for every 8 hours. In addition, if aforesaid predetermined times are slightly increased or decreased, the effects of the present invention can still be obtained. Therefore, to conduct the procedure every 24 hours may be repeated within several hours every morning.
Item 4. The image recording apparatus described in Item 3, wherein the predetermined time is not longer than 30 minutes.
With the structure described in Item 4, the density fluctuation of the developed photosensitive material due to the light emission amount fluctuation of the light emitting sections of the recording head depending on its working history can be avoided. In addition, if the predetermined time is 10 minutes or less, fluctuation of density can be prevented and it is preferable that using time of the machine can be reduced.
Item 5. In an image recording apparatus comprising a recording head in which a plurality of light-emitting sections are aligned along a single dotted line or plural dotted lines and the image recording apparatus conducts image recording on a photosensitive material with exposure light emitted by the light-emitting section while shifting the photosensitive material relatively to the recording head, t
Deguchi Takashi
Hattori Tuyosi
Kawabe Toru
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Konica Corporation
Le N.
Nguyen Lamson D.
LandOfFree
Image recording apparatus with print head having plural... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Image recording apparatus with print head having plural..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Image recording apparatus with print head having plural... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2532740