Abstract: An apparatus for printing images recorded on photosensitive film to a printing paper is disclosed. The apparatus exposes the image, displays the image on a monitor before printing, and adjusts the image to be printed. A reference image is read by a scanner to obtain a digital image data, a predetermined number of digital pixel data for each color of the gray component from the digital image data are extracted, and, on the basis of a predetermined number of the extracted digital pixel data for each color of the gray component, the monitor is adjusted according to a predetermined quantitative condition for substantially equalizing the appearance of the image on the monitor and an image to be printed. Accordingly, the variations due to different sensary perceptions among operators are eliminated and quick adjustment is enabled.

Abstract: The present invention allows formation of an image having an excellent finish quality by using an extremely simple and low-cost structure. Linearly polarized light transmitted through each of liquid crystal cells of a liquid crystal panel is made into circularly polarized light by a quarter-wave phase plate, and thereafter, the circularly polarized light is used to expose a photographic printing paper via lithium-niobate prisms serving as a birefringent filter. As a result, light transmitted through a light transmitted area of each of the liquid crystal cells is irradiated on a region on the photographic printing paper corresponding to a light non-transmitted area so as to prevent formation of a pattern caused by the light non-transmitted area.

Abstract: A condition-setting method for a photographic printer is disclosed, which is capable of performing the condition-setting work both simply and rapidly. In setting conditions for a digital exposure section, a single condition-setting image data having added thereto a correction value for the condition-setting process that has been performed at a surface exposure section is produced by an image signal processing section and stored in an image memory. A subsidiary control section sets an exposure time for the digital exposure section on the basis of the condition-setting image data stored in the image memory. The conditions need not be set for the digital exposure section using a plurality of Bull's eye negative films having different negative film densities, thereby simplifying the condition-setting job.

Abstract: A photographic printer and a method for setting conditions therefor with a reduced burden are disclosed. A test pattern image data is stored in memory in advance. At the time of setting conditions, the test pattern image data is read from the image memory and displayed on a liquid crystal panel, and a print is produced on the basis of the test pattern data displayed. The density of an image in this print corresponding to an image of the Bull's eye negative film is measured. The resulting density value is compared with a reference density value to set proper exposure conditions. Also, the displacement of the crossing point from a reference position is measured thereby to set the conditions for correcting the transport performance. In this way, the condition-setting work is realized without using any negative film having a test pattern recorded thereon.

Abstract: A method of preparing digital prints and a device for preparing digital prints are provided which prepare digital prints which are optimal in consideration of individual variations in output devices and exposure light sources due to production. In a state in which a liquid crystal panel is driven by using driving data set by a driving data setting section, a transmitted light amount sensor detects a transmitted light amount of the liquid crystal panel. At a look-up table changing section, contents of a look-up table are corrected on the basis of a relationship of transmitted light amount and driving data at those times.

Abstract: A photographic printer for displaying an image on a liquid crystal panel, irradiating the light from a light source on said liquid crystal panel and exposing said image on a photosensitive material for a predetermined exposure time by the light transmitted through said liquid crystal panel is disclosed. Further, a method for controlling an exposure in such a photographic printer is disclosed. Before displaying an image on the liquid crystal panel, the drive voltage for producing a predetermined transmitted light amount is measured. On the basis of the difference between the measured voltage and the theoretical voltage for producing the predetermined transmitted light amount, an offset value of the drive voltage is adjusted. Accordingly, the operational error of the printer due to temperature change, due to the difference of the light transmittance between crystal panels, or due to the difference of the characteristic of voltage v.s. light transmittance between crystal panels is reduced.