JP2010287100A - Photograph processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photograph processing system for reducing workload of an operator who gives a printout to a customer, and preventing damage on an image face of the printout as a product, in the photograph processing system provided with a printer part for forming an image based on input image data in a recording medium, to be output as a plurality of stacked printouts, a storage part for storing the plurality of printouts, and a charge mechanism for charging the printouts discharged from the printer part into the storage part in a stacked state. <P>SOLUTION: A cover print Pc for protecting the plurality of printouts Pb is output in the printer part Ca, based on determination information on heights Hx of the stacked printouts Pb, and a control part Ch is provided to discharge the cover print Pc on the printouts Pb. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a printer unit that forms an image based on input image data on a recording medium and discharges it as a plurality of stacked prints, a storage unit that can store the plurality of prints, and a printer unit that discharges the printer unit. In addition, the present invention relates to a photographic processing system including a loading mechanism for loading the plurality of prints into the housing portion in a stacked state.

  As prior art document information related to this type of photographic processing system, there is Patent Document 1 shown below. In the photo processing system described in Patent Document 1, the operator stores a plurality of prints discharged from the printer unit in a stacked form in a DP bag, and the DP bag storing the prints is temporarily stored in the storage unit by the operator. In addition, the DP bag is configured to be pushed out from the container to the customer side at an appropriate time.

JP 2008-210002 (paragraphs 0032, 0034, 0036, FIG. 3, FIG. 11)

  However, in the photo processing system described in Patent Document 1, in order to hand over a print as a product to the customer, the operator must store a plurality of prints discharged from the printer unit in a stacked form in a DP bag, and this print The DP bag containing the bag was forced to be housed in the housing portion. In addition, by simply adding a mechanism for slidingly inserting a plurality of prints ejected in a stack into a shelf or the like, a print that is positioned on the outermost side (usually the most printout depending on the number of prints). There is a risk that the image surface (mounted on top) may be rubbed and damaged by the accommodating portion.

  Therefore, in view of the actual situation of the photo processing system known from the prior art exemplified above, the object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of work burdened on the operator when handing over the print as the product to the customer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic processing system in which the image surface of a print is hardly damaged.

A photo processing system having the first characteristic configuration of the present invention includes:
A printer unit that forms an image based on the input image data on a recording medium and discharges it as a plurality of stacked prints;
An accommodating portion capable of accommodating the plurality of prints;
A loading mechanism for loading the plurality of prints discharged from the printer unit into the housing unit in a stacked state;
A control unit that outputs a cover print that protects the plurality of prints to the printer unit based on determination information related to the heights of the plurality of prints in a stacked state, and discharges the cover print onto the plurality of prints It is in the point provided.

  In the photo processing system according to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, a plurality of prints ejected from the printer unit are automatically stored in the storage unit by the loading mechanism in the stacked state, so the prints are packed in a DP bag. The operator's work to load the DP bag into the housing is not necessary. Also, based on the determination information regarding the height of the plurality of prints, a protective cover print is output separately from the printer unit and discharged onto the plurality of prints. When accommodated in the accommodating portion, the image surface of the uppermost print is protected from damage by the cover print. Further, since the cover print is output based on the determination information regarding the heights of a plurality of prints, useless print output is prevented.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the determination information includes temperature and humidity information around the system in addition to the number of prints and the print size.

  The print output from the printer unit generally has the characteristic that the strength of curl tendency is influenced by the climatic conditions around the system, especially the humidity condition, so the height of multiple prints discharged from the printer unit ( The (thickness) is not determined only by the number of prints and the print size, but varies depending on these climatic conditions (the higher the humidity, the higher the tendency). However, with this configuration, the control unit determines the print height based on determination information including information on the temperature and humidity around the system in addition to the number of prints and the print size. Can be predicted and determined more accurately.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the printer unit includes a paper supply mechanism that feeds a necessary length from a recording medium accumulated as a roll body and uses it for image formation, and the determination information is in a radial direction of the roll body. It is in the point containing the position information.

  When the printer unit has a configuration in which a necessary length is sent out from a recording medium stored as a roll body and used for image formation, the recording medium positioned at the center of the roll body is wound with a smaller radius of curvature. The prints output from the printer generally have a characteristic that the curl tendency is stronger and the height of the print is larger as the print is derived near the center of the roll body. However, according to this configuration, the control unit determines the print height based on the determination information including the radial position information on the roll body, so that the actual height can be predicted and determined more accurately.

  Another feature of the present invention is that text information relating to the plurality of prints is printed on the cover print.

  With this configuration, text information related to the order such as the order reception date, the number of sheets, and the color correction information is printed on the cover print for protecting the print as a product belonging to one order and provided to the customer. It is possible to provide additional services other than the ordered print.

1 is a perspective view showing an entire photographic processing system. It is a perspective view of a reception device. It is a perspective view of a delivery apparatus. It is a vertical side view of a delivery apparatus. It is a vertical front view of a delivery apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an insertion unit. It is a perspective view which shows an accommodation unit, a discharge unit, etc. It is a block circuit diagram which shows the control structure of a photograph processing system. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a system. It is explanatory drawing regarding the cover print output in a delivery apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
〔overall structure〕
As shown in FIG. 1, a reception apparatus A for receiving an order from a customer and a silver salt printer B for producing an image by printing an image on a recording medium Pa made of silver salt type photographic paper are also received. Printing is performed on a recording medium Pb (see FIGS. 3 to 5) made of non-silver salt type printing paper based on information from the apparatus A, the completed print Pb is stored, and the received print Pb is received by the customer. A delivery system is configured with three delivery devices C capable of delivery. In this delivery system, a counter table D in which an operator of the system faces an order to receive an order and a delivery rack E are used together.

  In this delivery system, the receiving device A, the silver halide printer B, and the delivery device C are connected by a relay H and a communication cable L so that information can be transmitted to each other. It is assumed that communication is performed by a wired LAN technology using a communication cable L in order to transmit information, but an intranet technology or a wireless communication technology may be used.

  This delivery system is installed in relatively large DP stores, large electronics stores, etc., and the accepting device A has a customer set media such as a flash memory storing image data, prints, electronic albums, etc. It is possible to accept orders. The silver halide printer B has a function similar to what is conventionally called a minilab, and print processing based on information received by the receiving device A, print processing based on photographic film received from a customer, etc. Is possible.

  In particular, in this delivery system, the control form of the entire system is set so that the management information of the order in which the print P is accommodated in the delivery device C is displayed on the work monitor 23 of the silver halide printer B. A management device such as a dedicated computer that acquires information from each delivery device C and displays the information on a monitor or the like may be provided.

  The delivery device C acquires the order data and the image data received by the receiving device A, and thereby uses the built-in ink jet type (or sublimation type) sub-printer Ca (see FIGS. 4 and 5) to record the recording medium Pa. The image data is printed on the storage unit Cb, and the process of storing the printed Pb in the storage space of the storage unit Cb is automatically performed. Thereafter, the exchange certificate R (see FIGS. 2 and 3) on which the identification information is printed. When the customer presents, the recording medium Pb of the order corresponding to the identification information is sent out, and the process of performing the control to deliver to the customer is automatically performed.

  In particular, the delivery device C identifies the customer from the identification information printed on the exchange certificate R even after the DP store is closed or when there is no person to manage, and the recording medium Pb of the customer's order is used as the customer. It is also possible to install it on the part of the store facing the outer wall or passage. Further, the three delivery devices C have the same configuration, but may accommodate recording media Pb having different widths in order to cope with various print sizes. Also, numbers for identifying each of the three delivery devices C are displayed on the front surface.

[Reception device]
As shown in FIG. 2, the accepting device A is composed of an upper accepting terminal AU and a lower fee accepting terminal AD. The reception terminal AU obtains shooting data from the front surface of the main body 1 from a semiconductor medium (not shown) formed of a flash memory such as a compact flash (trademark), an SD card (trademark), or a memory stick (trademark). A plurality of types of semiconductor drives 2 and a disk drive 3 for obtaining image data (photographed data) from a disk type medium (not shown) such as a floppy disk (trademark), MO, or CD-R, and an exchange certificate R are printed. The exchange certificate printer 4 is then provided. The upper surface of the main body 1 is provided with a connector 5 that is connected to a camera-equipped mobile phone and realizes acquisition of image data (photographed data), and a liquid crystal display having a touch panel 6 formed on the display surface so as to display necessary data 7 is provided. In addition, the main body 1 includes an acceptance control unit 8 that processes received information and sends it out via the communication cable L.

  The fee receiving terminal AD includes a coin receiver 11 that receives coins from a coin insertion hole 11A at an upper position of the vertically long case 10, and a bill receiver 12 that receives banknotes from a bill insertion hole 12A. A change dispenser 13 for discharging change from the change discharge port 13A is provided at the position.

  In the receiving device A, the customer touches the touch panel according to the guidance displayed on the display 7 in a state in which the customer has set a medium in the semiconductor drive 2 or the disk drive 3 or a mobile phone is connected to the connector 5 at the receiving terminal AU. By performing an operation of bringing a finger into contact with 6, image data is acquired from a medium or a mobile phone, and order data necessary for print processing or the like is acquired.

  Processing in which information necessary for print processing is confirmed in the accepting apparatus A is referred to as an order. In this delivery system, a customer pays a fee required for processing at the fee receiving terminal AD when the order is acquired. As a result, the delivery system acquires order information (including order data and image data), and proceeds to print processing.

[Silver printer]
As shown in FIG. 1, the silver halide printer B includes a housing 20 having a dark box structure, a film scanner 22 on the upper surface of the console 21 at the end of the housing 20, a work monitor 23 for displaying information, and a drive unit 24. And a main control unit 26 for performing processing necessary for printing.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the housing 20 includes an exposure unit that exposes a recording medium Pa made of photographic paper, a phenomenon processing unit that performs development processing of the recording medium Pa after exposure, and recording after development processing. A drying unit for drying the medium Pa. Further, outside the housing 20, there are provided a conveyor belt 27 to which the recording medium Pa (print Pa) after drying is sent out, and a sorter 28 for sorting the print Pa from the conveyor belt 27 in order units.

  The silver halide printer B performs the printing process inside the housing 20 by the operator's operation based on the image data and the order data transmitted from the receiving device A, and the drive unit 24 performs the CD-R. It is also possible to create an electronic album using Then, the printed print Pa or the like is inserted into a DP bag or the like with identification information and stored in the handing rack E.

  In particular, the main control unit 26 also functions as a computer that manages the delivery system. In the main control unit 26, the order in which the print Pb is stored in the delivery device C, and the print Pb stored in the delivery rack E. It also has a function to manage the orders. In this delivery system, a processing device such as a dedicated computer may be provided to manage these orders.

[Delivery device]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the delivery device C includes a housing having a main body portion 30 and a door portion 31 that is supported on a front surface of the main body portion 30 through a hinge so as to be opened and closed. . A monitor 33 is provided at the upper part of the front surface of the door portion 31, and four discharge ports 34 for discharging the print Pb are formed at the lower position of the monitor 33. 35 and a speaker 36. The exchange certificate R may be one in which identification information is recorded magnetically. In this case, a magnetic reader for reading the identification information is provided. A control unit Ch having a microprocessor for controlling each part of the delivery device C is provided in the upper part of the main body 30.

  An ink jet sub-printer Ca is provided in the lower part of the main body 30 (housing), and two housing units Cb are supported on the upper part of the main body 30 so as to be vertically movable. The main body 30 also includes a transport unit Cd that sends upward the print Pb on which the image data is printed by the sub printer Ca. The print Pb sent from the transport unit Cd is sent upward, and is sent by the control unit Ch. An insertion unit Ce is provided that is inserted into the accommodation space S of the accommodation unit Cb when a “basic processing mode” or “distribution insertion mode” to be described later is instructed. Furthermore, four discharge units Cf for discharging four prints Pb in the storage space S of the storage unit Cb from the discharge ports 34 are provided at the upper position inside the main body 30. The four outlets 34 are provided with shutter units 37 that open and close.

  Inside the main body 30, there are two auxiliary stockers Cg that can stack a large number of prints Pb sent from the transport unit Cd when a “stock mode” to be described later is instructed by the control unit Ch. A slide plate 38 is provided that supports the two auxiliary stockers Cg together with a support frame 73 of a lift unit 60 described later so as to be movable in the left-right direction. By arranging one of the two auxiliary stockers Cg at a position where the print Pb is sent out from the transport unit Cd by adjusting the left and right positions of the slide plate 38, printing is performed in a state of being stacked on the arranged auxiliary stocker Cg as necessary. Pb can be accommodated.

[Sub printer]
The ink jet type sub printer Ca includes a roll-shaped recording medium Pb made of recording paper at two locations inside a printer main body 41 having a caster 40 at the lower end. A conveyance path is formed in which a plurality of pressure rollers 42 (an example of a paper supply mechanism) that sends out the medium Pb and uses it for printing is arranged. A print head 43 that ejects ink while reciprocating in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium Pb is disposed above the print position of the conveyance path, and a negative pressure is applied to the recording medium Pb below the print position. A suction mechanism 44 is disposed along the flat reference surface. A cutter 45 that cuts the print Pb on which the image data is printed by the print head 43 into a print size is provided in the transport path, and a cut piece generated by the cutting by the cutter 45 is collected below the cutter 45. A trash box 46 and a print control unit 47 for controlling them are provided.

  In this non-silver salt type sub printer Ca, the print control unit 47 controls the pressure roller 42, the print head 43, the cutter 45 and the like based on the image data and the order data transmitted from the receiving device A, and the recording medium. The image data is printed on Pb, cut to the print size, and sent out. The sub printer Ca is provided with a plurality of position sensors (not shown) for detecting the position of the print Pb during control, and detection signals from these position sensors are input to the print control unit 47.

Further, since the sub printer Ca includes the caster 40 at the lower end as described above, the sub printer Ca can be pulled forward by opening the door portion 31 of the main body portion 30, and the recording medium Pb is replenished by this pulling out. In addition to the replacement, it is possible to collect the cut pieces from the trash box 46. Further, this sub printer Ca can cope with a plurality of print sizes having different widths by selecting the width of the recording medium set in two places. Although not shown in the drawing, when the sub printer Ca is pulled out and returned to the original position, the reference portion of the sub printer Ca contacts the guide portion (not shown) of the delivery device C. Thus, the relative positional relationship between the sub printer Ca and the main body 30 is determined, and the carry-out position of the print Pb in the sub-printer Ca and the conveyance start end position of the conveyance unit Cd are in an optimum positional relationship for conveyance of the print Pb. Is done.
The sub printer Ca is not limited to the ink jet type, and a sublimation type printer, a thermal transfer type printer, an electrostatic printer, or the like can be used.

[Containment unit]
The accommodation unit Cb includes an outer wall 50 and a plurality of support plates 51 arranged in a horizontal shelf, thereby dividing the space of the accommodation unit Cb to form a plurality of accommodation spaces S. Further, the two accommodating units Cb are arranged in parallel on the left and right, and each of them is provided with two rows of support plates 51. As a result, there are a large number of storage units Cb in the vertical direction, and four rows of storage spaces are arranged in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the vertical spacing of the support plates 51 in two of the four rows is set to a standard spacing, and the other two rows can be stored by setting a spacing larger than the standard. The number of large prints Pb is increased.

  In these two accommodation units Cb, the raising / lowering device 52 employs a raising / lowering configuration in which when one is raised, the other is lowered. The lifting device 52 includes an endless chain 52C wound around a sprocket provided on the upper and lower rotary shafts 52S, and a position adjustment motor 52M that drives the rotary shaft 52S. In particular, by adopting an operation mode in which one of the two storage units Cb is raised and the other is lowered, the position of the center of gravity is sometimes excessively high as compared with the configuration in which the two storage units Cb are raised and lowered simultaneously. It is possible to avoid this phenomenon and at the same time set the rating of the position adjustment motor 52M to be smaller.

  By the function of the lifting device 52, the height of the accommodation space S as the accommodation target is made to coincide with the height of the insertion unit Ce, or the height of the accommodation space S as the ejection target is made to coincide with the discharge height by the discharge unit Cf It becomes possible to make it. The height of the accommodation space S is detected by a sensor (not shown).

[Transport unit]
The transport unit Cd includes a transport case 55 fixed to the main body 30, and inside the transport case 55, a pair of pressure rollers 56 and 57 that receive the print Pb sent from the sub printer Ca, and a pair of pressure rollers 56, 57 is provided with a plurality of pressure-bonding-type transport roller pairs 58 for pressing and transporting the print Pb received upward.

  In the transport unit Cd, when the print Pb sent out from the sub printer Ca is received by pressure bonding with the pressure roller pairs 56 and 57, when the rear end of the print Pb reaches the pressure bonding portion of the pressure roller pairs 56 and 57, the pressure roller The rotation of the pairs 56 and 57 is temporarily stopped, and the units of the pressure roller pairs 56 and 57 are rotated about 90 degrees in the clockwise direction in FIG. By this turning operation, the print Pb is switched to a posture in which the rear end is directed upward, and then the drive roller 56 is reversely rotated to deliver the print Pb to the lowermost transport roller 58. By the conveyance of the conveyance roller 58, the print Pb is sent upward in a form in which the rear end side precedes when discharged from the sub printer Ca.

  The transport unit Cd includes a motor (not shown) that drives the pressure roller pairs 56 and 57 and the plurality of transport rollers 58, and includes a sensor that detects the position of the print Pb. Further, as described above, the print Pb is reversed and conveyed by the pair of pressure rollers 56 and 57, so that the conveyance unit Cd discharges the print Pb with the print surface facing upward from the conveyance end position.

(Insertion unit)
The insertion unit Ce includes a lift unit 60 that receives the prints Pb sent from the transport unit Cd in a stacked state and lifts them upward, and four insertion units 80 that insert the lifted stacked prints Pb into the storage unit Cb. It is configured.

  The lift portion 60 includes a pair of vertical rails 61 extending in the vertical direction on the left and right inner walls of the main body portion 30, a horizontal frame 62 that moves up and down with both ends guided and supported by the pair of vertical rails 61, An elevating drive mechanism 63 for elevating the horizontal frame 62 is provided. The lift portion 60 is further provided with a left guide rail 64 provided on the upper surface of the horizontal frame 62 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction by the left operating mechanism 66, and in a parallel posture with the left guide rail 64, and can be moved in the horizontal direction by the right operating mechanism 67. And a right guide rail 65 provided in the above. The lift unit 60 includes a position sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the horizontal frame 62, the position of the left guide rail 64, and the position of the right guide rail 65.

  The lifting drive mechanism 63 has a lifting motor 63M and an endless belt type lifting belt 63B driven by the lifting motor 63M. The left operating mechanism 66 includes a left operating motor 66M and an endless belt-type left belt 66B driven by the left operating motor 66M. The right operating mechanism 67 is a right operating motor similar to the left operating mechanism 66. 67M and an endless belt type right belt 67B driven by the right operation motor 67M.

  Further, the lift unit 60 has a plate-like fixed stopper 71 and a plate-like variable stopper 72 arranged at a position facing the plate-like fixed stopper 71 so as to determine the position of the print Pb received by the left guide rail 64 and the right guide rail 65. And. The fixed stopper 71 and the variable stopper 72 are supported by a support frame 73 fixed to the upper surface of the slide plate 38, and the support frame 73 is provided with a position adjusting mechanism 74 that adjusts the position of the variable stopper 72.

  The fixed stopper 71 is fixed at a position that determines the upstream position of the print Pb sent from the transport unit Cd, and the variable stopper 72 is downstream of the print Pb sent from the transport unit corresponding to the size of the print Pb. The position is adjustable so as to determine the position of the side. The position adjustment mechanism 74 includes a position adjustment motor 74M and an endless belt type position adjustment belt 74B driven by the position adjustment motor 74M.

  The insertion portion 80 includes four insertion portions 80 having the same structure corresponding to the accommodation spaces S formed in four rows in total for the two accommodation units Cb. Each insertion portion 80 includes a pressing piece 81 that presses and moves the print Pb lifted upward by the lift portion 60, an insertion motor 83, and an endless belt type insertion belt 84 that is driven by the insertion motor 83. The pressing piece 81 is connected to the insertion belt 84.

  When the print Pb is inserted into the accommodation space S by the insertion unit Ce (basic processing mode or sorting insertion mode), first, the fixed stopper 71 and the variable stopper 72 are moved by the slide operation of the slide plate 38 to the transport unit Cd. The position of the fixed stopper 71 and the variable stopper 72 is set to a value corresponding to the length of the print Pb (the dimension in the transport direction) under the control of the position adjusting mechanism 74. Further, the distance between the left guide rail 64 and the right guide rail 65 is set to a value corresponding to the width of the print Pb (the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction) by the control of the left operation mechanism 66 and the right operation mechanism 67. The left guide rail 64 and the right guide rail 65 are moved integrally with the horizontal frame 62 by driving the elevating drive mechanism 63, and are arranged at a height to receive the print Pb carried out from the transport unit Cd. As shown in FIG. 5, the left and right guide rails 64 and 65 intersect with the stopper pairs 71 and 72.

  As a result, the position of the print Pb sent out from the transport unit Cd in the length direction is regulated by the fixed stopper 71 and the variable stopper 72, and the position in the width direction is regulated by the left guide rail 64 and the right guide rail 65. The left guide rail 64 and the right guide rail 65 receive the print Pb in a stacked manner until the set number of prints Pb is reached. After reaching the set number, the left and right guide rails 64 and 65 are raised integrally with the lateral frame 62 under the control of the lifting drive mechanism 63. By control, the left guide rail 64 and the right guide rail 65 are moved in the horizontal direction to the row where the accommodation space S to be inserted is present.

  During the raising operation of the horizontal frame 62, the accommodation space S, which is the insertion target of the accommodation unit Cb, is arranged at an optimum height at which the print Pb can be inserted by the insertion portion 80, under the control of the elevating device 52. When the horizontal frame 62 reaches the same optimum height, the pressing piece 81 is operated forward by the control of the insertion motor 83, and the stacked print Pb is pressed by the pressing piece 81 and stored in the insertion target storage space S. .

[Discharge unit]
The discharge unit Cf is composed of four discharge units Cf having the same structure so as to correspond to the four rows of storage spaces S, and has a function of sending out a print Pb of a specified order from the storage space S. Each discharge unit Cf includes a contact plate 90 that comes into contact with the print Pb accommodated in the accommodation space S, an arm body 91 connected thereto, a discharge motor 93, and an endless belt driven by the discharge motor 93. A discharge belt 94 of a mold is provided, and an arm body 91 is connected to the discharge belt 94.

  When the print Pb is discharged by the discharge unit Cf, the corresponding storage space S in which the print Pb that is the discharge target is stored is discharged by the discharge unit Cf by raising and lowering the storage unit Cb by the control of the lifting device 52. Place it at the best possible level. In this state, by controlling the discharge motor 93 in the row in which the prints Pb to be discharged are stored, the contact plate 90 is operated forward, and the print plate Pb is directed outward from the discharge port 34 by the contact plate 90. Send it out. The print Pb is discharged from the discharge port 34 only in a part in the length direction, specifically, a length that can be easily pulled out by the customer.

  When the print Pb is discharged, the corresponding shutter unit 37 is opened just before the discharge. Four shutter units 37 are provided to open and close the four outlets 34, and each shutter unit 37 is opened and closed by an electric motor (not shown).

[Auxiliary stocker]
The auxiliary stocker Cg corresponds to a size that is printed at a relatively large amount, such as L size and E size, and has a rectangular frame 96 opened upward. The bottom plate 97 is spring-biased toward the bottom. As described above, the two auxiliary stockers Cg are supported by one slide plate 38, and the slide plate 38 is slid by the slide drive mechanism 98. The slide drive mechanism 98 includes a slide drive motor 98M and an endless belt type slide belt 98B that is operated by the drive force of the slide drive motor 98M.

  When the print Pb is stored in the auxiliary stocker Cg, the auxiliary stocker Cg having a size corresponding to the print Pb is arranged at a position where the print Pb is sent out from the transport unit Cd by the slide operation of the slide plate 38. Accordingly, the print Pb is accommodated in the auxiliary stocker Cg in a stacked state, and the bottom plate 97 is lowered against the biasing force of the spring due to the weight of the print Pb.

  In this delivery device C, each auxiliary stocker Cg can store several hundreds of prints Pb. When an appropriate number of prints Pb are stored in the auxiliary stocker Cg, a warning for taking out the print is issued to the operator. It is. The operator appropriately opens the door 31 and artificially takes out the print Pb accommodated in the auxiliary stocker Cg, stores it in a DP bag or the like, and artificially stores it in the delivery rack E described above. The auxiliary stocker Cg can accommodate not only one order print Pb but also a plurality of order prints Pb. When accommodating a plurality of order prints Pb in this way, order separators are available. In order to clarify the above, it is possible to produce an index print on which information capable of specifying an order is printed, and to perform control to be added to the end of the print Pb.

〔Controller unit〕
As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit Ch forms an information access system for the monitor 33, the barcode reader 35, the speaker 36, and the shutter unit 37, as well as the printer Ca, the housing unit Cb, the transport unit Cd, and the insertion unit. An access system for control information for Ce and discharge unit Cf is formed. In addition, the control unit Ch realizes control by a program set in the control management unit 110. The control management unit 110 includes a print management unit 111, a storage management unit 112, a discharge management unit 113, an order. Management means 114 and information output means 115 are provided.

  The print management unit 111 manages printing of image data by the printer Ca. The accommodation management means 112 manages the raising / lowering operation of the accommodation unit Cb. The discharge management unit 113 manages the discharge of the print Pb by the discharge unit Cf. The order management unit 114 manages the prints Pb accommodated in the delivery device C for each order. The information output means 115 outputs information to the monitor 33 and the speaker 36.

  The print management unit 111, the accommodation management unit 112, the discharge management unit 113, the order management unit 114, and the information output unit 115 are configured by a program (software). These may be constituted by hardware other than software, or may be constituted by a combination of software and hardware.

[Overview of control configuration]
As a control configuration of this system, the control unit Ch of the delivery device C is connected to each of the acceptance device A and the silver halide printer B so that information can be accessed via the relay device H and the communication cable L. ing. A monitor 33, a barcode reader 35, a speaker 36, and a shutter unit 37 are connected to the control unit Ch, and the printer Ca, the storage unit Cb, the transport unit Cd, the insertion unit Ce, and the discharge unit Cf are connected in a controllable manner. Yes.

[Delivery processing procedure]
The flow chart of FIG. 9 shows an outline of the flow of processing when a print Pb is created using the system configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, and this print Pb is delivered to a customer.
That is, the reception process is executed when the customer sets the medium on which the image data is recorded on the reception terminal AU of the reception apparatus A and places an order (step # 101).

  More specifically, when the customer starts an order by operating the icons displayed on the touch panel display 7 in the reception apparatus A, the reception control unit 8 gives an order number and is necessary for the printing process. Order data such as the correct print size and the number of prints is acquired, and image data corresponding to the order data is acquired.

  When these data are acquired, if the size is a size that can be automatically processed by the sub-printer Ca of the delivery device C and can be accommodated in the delivery device C, the processing proceeds to the delivery device C. If any of the processes is impossible, the process in the silver halide printer B is set (steps # 102 to # 104).

  The determination as to whether or not it can be accommodated in the delivery device C is performed by communicating between the acceptance control unit 8 of the acceptance device A and the control unit Ch of each of the plurality of delivery devices C, and determining the print size and the number of prints. Is determined based on the availability of the accommodation space S of the accommodation unit Cb and the accommodation situation in the stocker Cg. As described above, the availability of the accommodation space S and the accommodation status of the stocker Cg are determined based on the information from the order management means 114 of the control unit Ch.

  Next, when the fee is received at the reception device A, the reception control unit 8 generates identification information, and the identification certificate, the receipt amount, and information such as the finishing date and time are exchanged by the exchange certificate printer 4. Printed on R and provided to the customer as shown in FIG. The identification information is printed as a bar code, the receipt amount and the finish date and time are printed as characters, and the acceptance process ends (step # 105).

  Note that L-size and E-size prints Pb, which are called service sizes, are basically delivered by the delivery device C. However, if there are a large number of prints, they are accommodated in the stocker Cg in the stock mode, so that they can be delivered to the customer. Is delivered by the operator facing the counter table D. In addition, since a large size print is also delivered to the operator in a face-to-face manner, information on whether or not delivery by the delivery device C is possible is printed on the exchange certificate R.

  If it is determined that the processing can be performed by the delivery device C, the processing by the delivery device C is performed (step # 106). As processing in this step, printing is performed by the printer Ca of the delivery device C, and is transported by the transport unit Cd, and the print Pb thus transported is stored in the storage space S of the storage unit Cb by the insertion unit Ce in order units. To do. These processes are realized by the above-described print management unit 111 and the accommodation management unit 112 based on information from the order management unit 114.

  When the identification information of the exchange certificate R is acquired by the barcode reader 35 of the delivery device C, the order management unit 114 determines whether or not the corresponding print Pb is accommodated (steps # 107 and # 108). If it is determined that the print Pb is stored, the discharge management unit 113 discharges the print Pb of the order corresponding to the identification information from the storage space S (step # 109).

  On the other hand, when the print Pb corresponding to the acquired identification information is not accommodated in the delivery device C, the order management means 114 refers to the accommodation information in the other delivery device C and the silver halide printer B. Thus, the location of the print Pb corresponding to the identification information is searched, and when the print Pb exists in another delivery device C, information specifying the delivery device C is displayed on the monitor 33 and this information is displayed from the speaker 36. Output with audio. Further, when it is determined that it exists in the handing rack E, information indicating that an operator's action is required is displayed on the monitor 33, and this information is output by sound from the speaker 36 (# 110). Step # 111).

  Orders stored in the delivery rack E are orders with a large number of prints or orders that are printed with the silver halide printer B because of the large size that cannot be printed with the delivery device C. It is stored in the delivery rack E in a state of being inserted into a DP bag or the like.

[Processing at the delivery device]
In the delivery device C, one of the three modes of the basic processing mode, the distribution insertion mode, and the stock mode is set based on the number of prints of the order acquired by the receiving device A, and the set mode is used. The print Pb is printed and stored. Specifically, the basic processing mode is set when the number of printed sheets is less than about 50 sheets, the distribution insertion mode is set when the number of sheets exceeds this number and less than about 150 sheets, and the stock processing mode is set when the number exceeds about 150 sheets. The mode is set.

  In the basic processing mode, control for inserting all the prints Pb in one order into one accommodation space S is performed. Further, in the sort insertion mode, control is performed in which one order print Pb is divided into a plurality of storage units that are less than the set number, and the storage units are distributed and stored in the plurality of storage spaces S. In the sorting insertion mode, the number of accommodation units is set to be smaller than the number of accommodation units that can be accommodated in the accommodation space S, for example, less than 50. In the stock mode, a large amount of prints Pb are stored in the stocker Cg in a stacked state.

  In particular, in the basic processing mode, image data is printed on the long recording medium Pb in the printer Ca, cut to the print size of the print Pb, and sent out from the transport unit Cd. Further, a fixed stopper 71 and a variable stopper 72 are arranged at a position where the print Pb is sent out, and the left guide rail 64 is controlled by the elevating drive mechanism 63, the left operating mechanism 66, and the right operating mechanism 67. And the right guide rail 65 are arranged, and the number of prints Pb corresponding to one order is received in a stacked state. While the print Pb is being printed in this way, the accommodation space S that is the insertion target of the print Pb is arranged at the insertion level of the insertion portion 80 by the vertical position adjustment mechanism 52.

  Thereafter, in the lift portion 60, the left guide rail 64 and the right guide rail 65 are raised integrally with the horizontal frame 62 by the lifting drive mechanism 63. By performing the synchronous operation, the left guide rail 64 and the right guide rail 65 are moved to the position of the accommodation space S that is the insertion target and stopped. By controlling the insertion motor 83 of the insertion portion 80 in this state, the print Pb for one order placed on the left guide rail 64 and the right guide rail 65 is accommodated in the accommodation space S that is an insertion target.

  In the sorting insertion mode, a plurality of storage spaces S to be inserted are set, one order print Pb is divided into storage units less than the set number, and print output and storage in the plurality of storage spaces S are performed for each storage unit. The basic operation at the time of accommodation is not different from the operation in the basic processing mode. While one accommodation unit is accommodated, the print output of the next accommodation unit is continued.

  In the stock mode, the position adjustment mechanism 74 arranges the two stockers Cg corresponding to the print size at the position where the print Pb is sent out from the transport unit Cd, receives the print Pb by the stocker Cg, and simply stacks. It will be accommodated in the state to do.

[Cover Print]
As shown in FIG. 10, in the basic processing mode and the distribution insertion mode, the left and right guide rails 64 of the lift unit 60 are accommodated in each accommodation space S by the height determination means 116 of the control management unit 110 in the control unit Ch. , 65, the heights Hx of the plurality of prints Pb are determined in advance. When the determination result of the height Hx exceeds a reference value Hs based on the height Hf of the accommodation space S (for example, a numerical value of 90% of Hf), the print management unit 111 assigns the protective cover print Pc to the printer Ca. To output the cover print Pc onto a plurality of prints. The cover print Pc prevents the image surface of the print Pb as a product from being damaged by rubbing against the support plate 51 of the storage unit Cb.

  The height determination means 116 is some determination information that is considered to influence the height Hx of the plurality of prints Pb, that is, the number of prints Pb included in the corresponding order (the number of storage units in the sort insertion mode). The height of the print Pb based on the thickness of the paper used for the print Pb, the planned number of output sheets, room temperature, humidity, radial position information on the roll-shaped recording medium Pb before being sent for image formation, and the like. Hx is determined.

  As an example of a method for determining whether or not to output the cover print Pc, a paper having a thickness corresponding to the conditions such as the room temperature, the humidity, and the position in the roll is set to the height Hf of the accommodation space S in advance. The reference number of prints reaching the above is verified, and basically, when the number of prints Pb of a certain order exceeds 90% of the reference number of sheets, a cover print Pc is output. When it is predicted that the height Hx of Pb is shifted to the plus side, an algorithm such as outputting a cover print Pc is used if the number of prints Pb exceeds 80% of the reference number, for example, according to the fluctuation amount. be able to.

  For the cover print Pc, in addition to text and mark images indicating product protection prints, text information (order acceptance date, number of sheets, color correction information, etc.) related to the order, and a photo processing system are provided. It can be implemented in a form in which the store name and logo mark inside are printed. However, the embodiment may be implemented in such a manner that a cover print Pc on which no image is printed is output.

  When the customer receives the print Pb, the delivery device C specified by the specific information recorded in the exchange certificate R causes the barcode reader 35 to read the identification information of the exchange certificate R, thereby causing the delivery device C to receive the print Pb. The print Pb can be received immediately.

[Head cleaning process]
Since the sub printer Ca is an ink jet type, periodic head cleaning for preventing nozzle clogging of the print head 43 is performed. If the head cleaning is performed during printing, the time required for printing will be prolonged and the output efficiency will be lowered. In the present embodiment, the following control is performed in order to reduce print interruptions due to head cleaning as much as possible.

  In the basic processing mode, the head cleaning is not performed while the one-order print Pb is output, and when the one-order output is completed, a print of a predetermined number (for example, 300) or more has already been output since the previous head cleaning. In the case where the print Pb has been completed, regardless of the number of prints Pb of one order, the blank period of the print head 43 while the print Pb of one order is being stored in the storage space S, that is, the print Pb in which the lift unit 60 is in a stacked state. The head cleaning is performed by using a period during which it is lifted so as to be handed over to the insertion portion 80.

Even in the sorting insertion mode, when the output of each storage unit in one order is completed, if a print of a predetermined number (for example, 300) or more has already been output since the previous head cleaning, the print of one storage unit Regardless of the number of Pb, the head cleaning is performed using the blank period of the print head 43 while the print Pb of the storage unit is stored in the storage space S.
Also, when switching the order to perform print processing, the head cleaning is performed immediately after receiving the order information from the accepting apparatus A or the silver halide printer B, that is, during uploading of image data, thereby reducing the time until the start of printing. is doing.

[Another embodiment]
<1> The delivery system may not necessarily include the silver halide printer B. In this case, by providing the silver halide printer B in a form separated from the system, an order of a size that cannot be printed by the delivery device C can be printed by a printer independent of the system.

<2> The height of the print Pb is determined based on the detection result of the optical sensor (not shown) or the like disposed on the fixed stopper 71 of the lift unit 60 by the height determination unit 116, not from the various determination information described above. You may comprise so that Hx may be determined directly.

  The present invention relates to a printer unit that forms an image based on input image data on a recording medium and discharges it as a plurality of stacked prints, a storage unit that can store a plurality of prints, and a plurality of printers discharged from the printer unit. Can be used as a photographic processing system provided with a loading mechanism for loading the prints in a stacked state into the accommodating portion, and in particular, has an advantage that the image surface of the print as a product is hardly damaged.

A Reception device B Silver salt printer C Delivery device Ca Sub printer Cb Storage unit Cd Transport unit Ce Insertion unit Cf Discharge unit Ch Control unit Pa Print (silver salt recording medium)
Pb print (non-silver salt recording medium)
Pc cover print S accommodation space 110 control management unit 111 print management means 114 order management means 115 information output means 116 height determination means

Claims (4)

A printer unit that forms an image based on the input image data on a recording medium and discharges it as a plurality of stacked prints;
An accommodating portion capable of accommodating the plurality of prints;
A loading mechanism for loading the plurality of prints discharged from the printer unit into the housing unit in a stacked state;
A control unit that outputs a cover print that protects the plurality of prints to the printer unit based on determination information related to the heights of the plurality of prints in a stacked state, and discharges the cover print onto the plurality of prints Photo processing system provided.   The photographic processing system according to claim 1, wherein the determination information includes temperature and humidity information around the system in addition to the number of prints and the print size.   The photograph according to claim 1, wherein the printer unit includes a paper supply mechanism that feeds a necessary length from a recording medium accumulated as a roll body, and the determination information includes radial position information on the roll body. Processing system.   The photo processing system according to claim 1, wherein text information about the plurality of prints is printed on the cover print.

Images