EP0652480A1 - Method and device of filmstrip preparation for a repeat order - Google Patents

Abstract

In the inventive method of film strip preparation for repeat orders, the film strips (F) which belong to a customer order and in each case contain a number of numbered printing originals (masters) are fed into a preparation station. There, they are stuck onto a backing strip (carrier strip) (77) and wound up to form a roll of film which can be used in subsequent processing stations. The specific order data of the customer in terms of the desired number of prints of specific printing originals and, as the case may be, the desired printing format, are input by means of an input unit (11) in the preparation station and stored on a carrier medium (13) which is compatible with the subsequent processing stations. In this process, the specific order data of the customer are input before the film strips (F) are fed in. Before the film strips (F) which have been fed in are stuck onto the backing strip (77), their position parallel to the transport direction (D) and the sequence of numbers of the printing originals on the respective film strip (F) are automatically examined and by comparison with the input specific order data of the customer it is checked whether the film strip which has been fed in is necessary to carry out the customer's order. In the event of a faulty position of a film strip (F) and/or in the event of a film strip (F) which is not needed in order to carry out the order, the operating staff are automatically alerted to the respective fault and/or the respective film strip (F) is removed automatically before it is stuck onto the backing strip (77). The inventive device has an input region (4) for the film strips (F), which input region is equipped, in front of a pair (41, 42) of feed rollers, with at least one photoelectric sensor (49) and which has downstream of the pair (41, 42) of feed rollers a photoelectric scanning device (48) for the numbers of the originals. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for preparing film strips for reordering orders according to the preamble of claim 1 and claim 9, respectively.

• Bei Filmstreifen mit einem an ihrem Längsrand angeklebten Papierstreifen, einem sogenannten "Tabstreifen", kann der Kunde unterhalb des jeweiligen Negativs die Anzahl der Kopien und eventuell auch das gewünschte Bildformat auf dem Papierstreifen eintragen.
• Hat der Kunde die geschnittenen Filmstreifen ohne angekleben Tabstreifen zurückerhalten, so ist vielfach auf der Verpackung der Filmstreifen oder auf der Auftragstasche eine Tabelle aufgedruckt, die alle Negativnummern enthält. Der Kunde bzw. das Bedienungspersonal im Fotogeschäft liest dann die entsprechende Negativnummer auf dem Filmstreifen und trägt die gewünschte Anzahl von Kopien und gegebenenfalls auch das Bildformat in die Tabelle ein.
• Bei einigen Erstbearbeitungen von Kundenaufträgen können die Negativnummern auch bereits auf die Rückseite des jeweiligen zugehörigen Bildes aufgedruckt sein. In diesem Fall liest der Kunde einfach die entsprechende Nummer von der Rückseite des Bildes ab und trägt diese und gegebenenfalls das gewünschte Bildformat in eine Tabelle auf der Auftragstasche ein. Der Kunde muss die geschnittenen Filmstreifen nicht mehr nach den gesuchten Negativen untersuchen, sondern legt alle zusammengehörigen Filmstreifen eines Erstauftrages in die Auftragstasche.

In the photofinishing industry, customers usually do not get the developed negative films back in one piece, but cut them into strips. These film strips usually contain 4 to 6 negative images. If the customer intends to order further pictures at a later time, he will use the paper picture already available to find the corresponding negative from the first order. Depending on the way in which the negative film strips are available, there are different ways in which the customer can inform the photo laboratory of which negative on the respective film strip he may have made and how many paper images.

• In the case of film strips with a paper strip glued to their longitudinal edge, a so-called "tab strip", the customer can enter the number of copies and possibly the desired image format on the paper strip below the respective negative.
• If the customer has received the cut film strips without glued tab strips, a table that contains all negative numbers is often printed on the packaging of the film strips or on the order bag. The customer or the operating staff in the photo shop then reads the corresponding negative number on the film strip and enters the desired number of copies and, if appropriate, also the image format in the table.
• With some initial processing of customer orders, the negative numbers can already be printed on the back of the corresponding picture. In this In this case, the customer simply reads the corresponding number from the back of the picture and enters it and, if necessary, the desired picture format in a table on the order bag. The customer no longer has to examine the cut film strips for the negatives they are looking for, but puts all the film strips belonging to a first order in the order bag.

• Bei Filmstreifen mit angeklebtem Tabstreifen hat der Kunde seine Wünsche unterhalb des entsprechenden Negativs auf dem Streifen eingetragen. Das Bedienungspersonal an der Vorbereitungsstation liest die Kundenangaben von dem Tabstreifen des jeweiligen Filmstreifens ab und gibt diese Daten entweder vor oder nach dem Einführen des Filmstreifens in die Vorbereitungsstation über eine Tastatur ein.
• In den Fällen, in denen die auftragsspezifischen Kundendaten in einer Tabelle enthalten sind, die auf der Auftragstasche oder auf anderen Verpackungselementen der Filmstreifen aufgedruckt ist, wählt das Bedienungspersonal an der Vorbereitungsstation einen sogenannten Tabellenmodus und gibt die in der Tabelle enthaltenen Kundenangaben über eine Tastatur in die Vorbereitungsstation ein. Dabei wird geräteintern eine sogenannte Gerätetabelle erstellt, die im wesentlichen eine elektronische Kopie der vom Kunden ausgefüllten Tabelle darstellt. Danach gibt das Bedienungspersonal die geschnittenen Filmstreifen einzeln in beliebiger Reihenfolge in die Vorbereitungsstation ein, wo sie in weiterer Folge an ein Trägerband angeklebt werden. Uni zu gewährleisten, dass die Negative auf dem eingegebenen Filmstreifen korrekt mit den Kundendaten in der Gerätetabelle korreliert werden, muss das Bedienungspersonal der Vorbereitungsstation immer auch jeweils die erste Negativnummer des eingegebenen Filmstreifens mitteilen. Zudem muss das Bedienungspersonal auch darauf achten, dass die Filmstreifen immer in der gleichen Art eingegeben werden, das heisst, die Emulsionsseite der Filmstreifen muss in der korrekten Position liegen (üblicherweise nach unten), und eine einmal gewählte Art der Negativnummernfolge, auf- bzw. absteigend, muss beibehalten werden.

The order bag with the address of the customer is finally delivered to the photo laboratory. So that the various reordering orders can be processed efficiently in a large photo finishing laboratory, the individual cut film strips from several orders are usually glued to a carrier tape in a preparation station and wound up into a roll of film. At the same time, the order data are recorded, entered into the preparation station and transferred to a data carrier, for example a computer diskette or the like. The film roll and the data carrier are then passed to a further processing station, for example a photographic printer, in which the orders are preferably processed fully automatically and the desired photographic copies are made. There are usually two methods for entering the order data for an order, depending on the type of customer order.

• In the case of film strips with glued tab strips, the customer has entered their wishes below the corresponding negative on the strip. The operating personnel at the preparation station reads the customer information from the tab strip of the respective film strip and enters this data either before or after the film strip has been inserted into the preparation station via a keyboard.
• In cases where the order-specific customer data are contained in a table that is printed on the order bag or on other packaging elements of the film strips, the operating personnel at the preparation station select a so-called table mode and enter the customer information contained in the table on a keyboard into the Preparation station. A so-called device table is created within the device, which essentially represents an electronic copy of the table completed by the customer. The operating personnel then enter the cut film strips individually in any order into the preparation station, where they are subsequently glued to a carrier tape. In order to ensure that the negatives on the entered film strip are correctly correlated with the customer data in the device table, the operating personnel of the preparation station must Always give the first negative number of the film strip entered. In addition, the operating personnel must also ensure that the film strips are always entered in the same way, i.e. the emulsion side of the film strips must be in the correct position (usually downwards) and a type of negative number sequence selected, up or descending, must be maintained.

When entering the cut film strips into the preparation station, where they are glued to a carrier tape and wound up into a film roll, a number of incorrect manipulations can often be observed, which can have a negative effect on the workflow and in particular on the lead time of a customer order. It can happen that a film strip is inserted at a slight angle and stuck to the carrier tape in this position. Apart from the fact that this can lead to disturbances in the routing of the film material in subsequent fully automatic processing stations, images with unsightly edges are often produced in this way. Such images are usually not acceptable to the customer and the copying process must be repeated with the film strips correctly positioned. It also happens that film strips are inserted with the emulsion layer on the wrong side and stuck to the carrier tape in this position. This later leads to inverted and blurred images, which are also unacceptable and result in a repetition of the whole process. In this case, in particular in the case of images that contain motifs with lettering, the font is reversed, which is of course completely unacceptable.

In many cases, film strips are also entered that do not contain any negatives, of which the customer wants a picture. This is particularly the case if the customer sends all film strips with the copy order. In this way, many film strips are unnecessarily stuck to the carrier tape, which can lead to a massive loss of productivity in the preparation station and much more in the subsequent automatic processing stations.

In the known preparation stations, all of these errors can only be remedied after the film strips have been glued. If the fault is found at all, the operating personnel can indicate to the device that the intention is to remove a film strip again. However, this procedure is relatively complex, since in this case the film strip which has already been stuck on must be detached from the carrier tape and, if necessary, must be re-entered again. This creates on the glued film roll from individual film strips a gap in the carrier tape, which can lead to malfunctions in the subsequent processing in the usually fully automatic stations. In addition, the preparation station stands still during troubleshooting.

There is therefore a desire for a method and for a device for preparing film strips for reordering orders, in which the previously described incorrect operation and unnecessary input of film strips that are not required are compensated for in such a way that there is no loss of productivity. Disruptions and incorrect exposures due to misalignment of film strips should be avoided.

All of these and other tasks are solved in a method and in a device according to the respective characterizing part of method claim 1 or independent device claim 9.

In the method according to the invention for the preparation of film strips for reordering orders, the film strips belonging to a customer order, each of which contains a number of numbered copies, are fed into a preparation station. There they are glued to a carrier tape and wound up into a film roll, which can be used in subsequent processing stations. The customer-specific order data relating to the desired number of copies of certain master copies and, if appropriate, the desired copy format are also entered into the preparation station via an input unit and stored on a carrier medium which is compatible with the subsequent processing stations. The customer-specific order data is entered before the film strips are fed in. The fed-in film strips are automatically examined before they are glued to the carrier tape with regard to their position parallel to the direction of transport and with regard to the number sequence of the copying templates on the respective film strip, and a comparison is made with the entered customer-specific order data to determine whether the fed-in film strip is necessary for processing the customer order is. In the event of an incorrect position of a film strip or in the case of a film strip which is superfluous for the processing of the order, the operating personnel is automatically made aware of the respective error, or the relevant film strip is automatically ejected before it is stuck to the carrier tape. In this way, operating errors are compensated by the operating personnel and the Source for possible malfunctions and / or incorrect further processing of the master copies, for example incorrect exposures, reliably avoided. Film strips entered at an angle or incorrectly no longer have to be laboriously detached from the carrier tape. By automatically eliminating film strips that are superfluous for the processing of a customer order, since no images of the copy templates contained on them are desired, preferably, productivity losses at the preparation station and in particular at the subsequent processing stations are avoided.

In a particularly preferred variant of the method according to the invention, a film strip is inserted in such a way that it activates a sensor which is arranged directly in front of a pair of feed rollers and, depending on the length of the film strip, activates at least one further photoelectric sensor which, in the input area of the preparation station, is parallel to the transport direction of the film strip in one predetermined distance from the first sensor is arranged. Activation of the first sensor starts a drive for the pair of feed rollers and, if necessary, for further pairs of transport rollers. The film strip is pushed forward by hand until its front edge is gripped by the pair of feed rollers and the film strip is automatically drawn in further. The rotation of the counter roller of the pair of feed rollers is measured with a rotation sensor, preferably with an angle encoder, in order in this way to measure the distance covered by the film strip. With the help of a photoelectric scanner, which, seen in the direction of transport of the film strip, is arranged behind the pair of feed rollers, the leading front edge of the film strip is detected and a DX code with start and stop sequence and with a coded original number is read on the side of the first copy document. From the legibility of the DX code, the correct position of the film strip can be deduced. The position of the layer side of the film strip is determined from the position of the DX code. If the start sequence of the DX code is in front of the coded master number, an increasing number sequence is inferred, or if the stop sequence of the DX code is in front of the coded master number, a descending number sequence is inferred. When the rear end of the film strip is detected, the length of the film strip is determined from the distance of the responsive sensor in front of the pair of feed rollers and the detected revolutions of the counter roller of the pair of feed rollers. The copy template numbers on the film strip can be determined from the length of the film and the information about the increasing or decreasing number sequence of the master copies. Based The device table previously entered is then automatically decided whether copies of the copy templates on the film strip in question are desired. If applicable and provided that the filmstrip has been entered correctly and that its layer side is present correctly, the filmstrip in question is transported on to a pair of deflecting rollers over which a carrier tape is guided, to which the filmstrip is subsequently adhered. In the event of an incorrect position of the filmstrip or if it is determined that the filmstrip is not required for processing the order, it can be automatically ejected against the direction of insertion by reversing the rotational movement of the feed roller pair and possibly further transport roller pairs or via an alternative transport path be removed from the prep station.

The device according to the invention for the preparation of film strips for reordering orders comprises an input area in which a number of film strips of a customer order having copying templates are fed along a work surface to a pair of feed rollers, an adhesive station for adhering the fed film strips to a carrier tape which is guided over a pair of deflection rollers, and a computer unit in which customer-specific order data relating to the desired number of copies of certain copy templates and, if appropriate, the desired copy format are entered and recorded on a storage medium compatible with further processing stations. In relation to the direction of transport of the film strips in the device, at least a first and a second photoelectric sensor for detecting the side edge and the rear end of a fed film strip are provided in front of the feed roller pair at a predetermined distance from the feed roller pair. The first sensor, which is closer to the feed roller pair, controls drive means for the feed roller pair and, if appropriate, further transport roller pairs. The counter roller of the pair of feed rollers is connected to a rotation detector, preferably an angle encoder. At a predetermined distance behind the pair of feed rollers, a photoelectric scanning unit is arranged, which detects the advanced front edge of the filmstrip and is designed to recognize template numbers which are printed on the side of each template on the filmstrip. The photoelectric sensors, the rotation detector, the photoelectric scanning unit, the drive means for the feed roller pair and possibly further transport roller pairs as well as drive means for the Deflecting roller pairs in the gluing station are connected to the computer unit in such a way that, on the one hand, detected signals and information are sent to the computer unit and, on the other hand, control signals can be given to the corresponding drive means and, if appropriate, other connected transport means for the film strips. With the device designed in this way, the method according to the invention can be carried out very easily.

In order to reliably detect film strips of different lengths and to be able to reliably determine their length, three photoelectric sensors for detecting the side edge and the rear end of a fed film strip at a predetermined distance from the feed roller pair are preferably located in front of the feed roller pair in relation to the transport direction of the film strips intended.

The photoelectric scanning device is preferably a DX code reader, since in this case the information contained in a DX code to the side of the copy originals can be used to carry out the method according to the invention. In particular, it is possible to include the start and stop sequences of the DX code in the method for determining the template number sequence, which further simplifies the method.

Preferably, the pair of feed rollers and possibly the further pairs of feed rollers can be driven in the feed direction and in the opposite direction, in order in this way to eject film strips that are not required or have not been correctly entered in the direction of insertion.

As an alternative to this, a switch and further film transport means can be provided in relation to the feed direction of the film strips behind the photoelectric scanning device but in front of the deflection roller pair in the transport path of the film strips, which are controlled by the computer unit and can be activated if necessary if a film strip is to be separated. In this way, a filmstrip can be removed from the preparation station in an alternative way.

The cut film strips usually have between four and six full-format 35mm copies or a correspondingly higher number of half-format copies. Particularly advantageous for the application of the invention The procedure for all lengths of film strip that usually occur is when the distance of the first photoelectric sensor from the pair of feed rollers is approximately from 10 mm to 20 mm and a second and possibly a third photoelectric sensor each at a distance of approximately 30 mm to approximately 80 mm from the previous sensor are arranged. The distance of the photoelectric scanning unit from the pair of feed rollers is preferably from about 10 mm to about 30 mm.

Fig. 1

eine Vorbereitungsstation für Filmstreifen,

Fig. 2

einen Seitenriss des erfindungswesentlichen Bereichs der Vorrichtung, und

Fig. 3

eine Aufsicht des erfindungswesentlichen Bereichs der Vorrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary schematic representations. Show it:

Fig. 1

a preparation station for film strips,

Fig. 2

a side elevation of the essential area of the device, and

Fig. 3

a supervision of the essential area of the device.

1, a preparation station for film strips is provided with the reference number 1 as a whole. Such devices are used in large laboratories, where individual cut film strips of a reordering order with usually 4 to 6 copy templates, usually negative templates, are glued to a carrier tape and are then wound onto a film spool. This spool with the film strips glued to the carrier tape is plugged in at the beginning of a photographic copier, then the customer order is processed largely automatically according to the order data.

The device has a housing 2 in which various electronic, electrical and mechanical device components, for example drive means for film transport devices etc., are accommodated. A work table 3 extends horizontally over the length of the housing 2 and serves as a work surface for the operating personnel. On the work table 3 there is an input area 4 for the film strips and connected to it an adhesive station 5 in which the individual film strips are glued to the preferably carrier tape. Usually, the carrier tape 77 consists of an adhesive tape 7 and a paper tape 70, which are glued together in such a way that the outermost longitudinal edge of the film strips lies between the two tapes and is glued to the adhesive tape 7. The adhesive tape 7 is from an unwind spool 6, which can be plugged in above the work table 3 on the front of the housing. A second unwinding spool 14 with the paper tape 70 is arranged below the worktop 3 and is fed to the gluing station 5. The tapes glued together in the gluing station 5 to form the carrier tape 77 are wound onto a take-up spool 8 which can be plugged onto the front of the housing.

Illumination surfaces 9 are let into the work table 3, which allow the operating personnel to look at the copy templates on the film strip. A keyboard 11 integrated in the worktop is connected to a computer unit 10 housed in the housing 2. The customer-specific order data and any correction values can be entered into the computer unit 10 via these. The computer unit has a display device 12, via which the information entered via the keyboard 11 can be checked by the operating personnel. However, the display device 12 can optionally also display messages and information, for example error messages. For example, the display device 12 is a display or a screen. The data entered by the operating personnel are stored on a storage medium 13 which is compatible with the subsequent processing stations. For example, magnetic tape cassettes or computer disks are used as the storage medium. In this way, all the reordering data associated with the film strips wound on the film reel 8 are stored on a magnetic tape or a computer diskette and can then be forwarded together with the film reel to the subsequent processing stations.

The area of the preparation station 1 which is essential to the invention essentially comprises the input area 4 for the film strips up to the gluing station 5. This area is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in side or in elevation. The input area 4 has a pair of feed rollers 41, 42 and possibly also further pairs of transport rollers 43, 44 and 45, 46, respectively, which can be driven by a motor 40. Only one roller is driven at a time, while the second forms a counter roller. In the present exemplary embodiment, the rollers with the odd-numbered reference numbers 41, 43, 45 can be driven, while those with the even reference numbers 42, 44 46 represent the counter-rollers. A rotation detector 47 monitors the counter roller 42 of the feed roller pair 41, 42 and is connected to the computer unit 10. Preferably, the rotation detector 47 is an angle encoder; in this way it is not only possible to detect whether the counter roller 42 turns, but also the revolutions over the measured angle can be counted. It is advantageous to arrange the rotation detector 47 at the counter roller 42, since it rolls exactly on the incoming film strip F. The angle information of the rotation detector 47 can be converted into length units in the computer unit, which the film strip F is advanced by the feed roller pair 41, 42. The film strip entered is transported along the transport plane T between the pairs of rollers. In the present exemplary embodiment, the transport direction D runs from left to right, from the pair of feed rollers 41, 42 to a pair of deflection rollers 71, 72 in the gluing station 5. The tape 7 and the paper tape 70 are guided over the deflection rollers 71, 72. When a film strip F is transported through between the deflection rollers 71, 72, the adhesive tape is adhered to its outermost longitudinal edge and to the paper tape 70, and in this way the film strip F is connected to the carrier tape 77.

In front of the pair of feed rollers 41, 42, three photoelectric sensors are arranged, which are connected to the computer unit 10 via signal lines (not shown). Counted from the feed roller pair 41, 42, these are a first 49, a second 50 and a third sensor 51. The distance of the first photoelectric sensor 49 from the feed roller pair 41, 42 is approximately from 10 mm to 20 mm. The second and third sensors 50 and 51 are each spaced from about 30 mm to about 80 mm from the respective previous sensors 49 and 50, respectively. The arrangement of the sensors 49-51 parallel to the transport direction D is the film strip F.

The signals from the first sensor 49 can also be used to control the drive motor 40 for the feed roller pair 41, 42 and the further transport roller pairs 43, 44 and 45, 46. It goes without saying that the drive motor for the feed roller pair 41, 42 and for the further transport roller pairs 43, 44 and 45, 46 can also be controlled in another way. For example, the rotation detector 47 on the counter roller 42 of the feed roller pair 41, 42 can also be used for this purpose. When the leading leading edge of the filmstrip F enters the nip between the driven roller 41 and the counter roller 42, the counter roller 42 is rotated. The rotational movement is detected and the drive motor 40 is activated as a result.

The photoelectric sensors 49-51 serve to detect the rear end of the inserted film strip F. From the detection of the rear end of the film strip F. and the angle information of the rotation detector 47, the length of the input film strip F is determined in the computer unit 10. This is done simply by adding the feed distance determined from the angle information and the distance of the sensor, which has determined the rear end of the film strip F, from the feed roller pair 41, 42. In principle, two sensors are sufficient to check the correct position of an input film strip F, but, as shown, preferably three photoelectric sensors 49-51 are provided, since film strips F of different lengths can be measured in this way without the distance existing in known preparation stations to have to change between the feed roller pair 41, 42 and the deflection roller pair 71, 72. This has the advantage that existing devices can also be retrofitted in order to be suitable for using the method according to the invention.

Arranged behind the pair of feed rollers 41, 42 (based on the transport direction D of the film strip F) is a photoelectric scanning device 48, which is connected to the computer unit 10 via a signal line (not shown). With the aid of this scanning device 48, the numbers of the original copies N on the film strip F being transported past as well as a lateral offset of the film strip F are determined, for example by angled input. This is done simply by determining whether the number can be read at all. In addition, the scanner 48 can also determine the correct position of the layer side of the film strip F.

The scanning device 48 is preferably a DX code reader which scans the DX code arranged on the film strip F to the side of each copy original N. In this way, the master number contained in the DX code can be determined. The DX codes are very narrow, so that a lateral offset of the film strip F results in incomplete detection of the code by the DX code reader 48. It is particularly advantageous that each DX code has a start sequence and a stop sequence. Depending on whether a start sequence or a stop sequence is present first on the DX code reader 48, it is thus determined whether the copy master numbers on the film strip F are in ascending or descending order; it can also be used in this way to determine whether the layer side of the film strip F is in the correct position. For these investigations, it is generally sufficient to read the first DX code located on the film strip F. Only in the event that this first DX code cannot be read, for example because it has been destroyed, the next one readable DX code.

From the information as to whether the sequence of the numbers of the master copies N on the film strip F is increasing or decreasing and from the determined length of the film strip F, the master copies N on the film strip F can be clearly identified. This information only has to be transmitted to the computer unit 10 in the case of semi-format copy templates N. This can be done manually by input via the keyboard 11, or with the aid of a sensor which detects the webs between the original copies N. The spacing of the webs can then be used to infer the format of the copy templates on the film strip. The sensor can additionally be provided in front of the pair of feed rollers 41, 42, but for example the first sensor 49 or the DX code reader 48 can also be designed for this purpose. The determined copy master numbers on the attached film strip F are compared with the customer information entered into the computer unit 10 and a decision is then made as to whether the film strip in question is necessary for the processing of the reordering order and should be glued to the carrier tape 77 or whether it should be removed from the device .

In order to be able to eject a film strip F again from the device, it is expedient if the pair of feed rollers 41, 42 and the pair of transport rollers 43, 44 and 45, 46 can also be driven counter to the direction of feed D. If a film strip F is then to be ejected, the computer unit 10 sends a corresponding signal to the drive motor 40 for the pair of feed rollers 41, 42 and the further pairs of transport rollers 43, 44 and 45, 46, respectively. The motor rotates in the opposite direction, the direction of rotation of the roller pairs reverses accordingly, and the film strip F is ejected again in the opposite direction to the feed direction D. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a switch and further transport means for a film strip F, which are controlled by the computer unit 10, can be provided between the second pair of transport rollers 45, 46 and the deflection roller pair 71, 72 of the adhesive station 5. Such a switch is described in EP-A-0,554,639, which is hereby declared to be an integral part of this description. The switch and the other means of transport are activated if necessary if a film strip F is to be eliminated. In this case, the film strip is not ejected again against the feed direction, but rather is transported to an output area arranged above or below or to the side of the input area 4.

• Der eine Anzahl von Kopiervorlagen N aufweisende Filmstreifen F wird derart eingelegt, dass er die vor dem Einzugswalzenpaar 41,42 angeordneten ersten und zweiten lichtelektrischen Sensoren 49 bzw. 50 aktiviert. Je nach Länge des Filmstreifens F wird dabei auch der dritte lichtelektrische Sensor 51 von der eingeschobenen Längskante des Filmstreifens F aktiviert. Die von den Sensoren 49-51 generierten Signale werden an die Rechnereinheit 10 weitergeleitet.
• Die Aktivierung des ersten Sensors 49 setzt den Antriebsmotor 40 für das Einzugswalzenpaar 41,42 und die gegebenenfalls vorgesehenen weiteren Transportwalzenpaare 43,44 bzw. 45,46 in Gang.
• Der Filmstreifen F wird von Hand soweit vorgeschoben, bis seine Vorderkante von dem Einzugswalzenpaar 41,42 erfasst wird und der Filmstreifen F automatisch weiter eingezogen wird.
• Sobald der Filmstreifen zwischen die angetriebene Walze 41 und die mit Federkraft gegen die Antriebswalze 41 gdrückte Gegenrolle 42 des Einzugswalzenpaars gelangt, rollt die Gegenrolle 42 auf dem Filmstreifen ab. Die Umdrehung der Gegenrolle 42 wird mit dem Umdrehungssensor 47 gemessen wird, um auf diese Weise die Wegstrecke zu messen die der Filmstreifen F von dem Einzugswalzenpaar vorgeschoben wird.
• Mit Hilfe der fotoelektrischen Abtasteinrichtung 48, die, in Transportrichtung D des Filmstreifens F gesehen, hinter dem Einzugsrollenpaar 41,42 angeordnet ist, wird die vorlaufende Vorderkante des Filmstreifens detektiert und der erste lesbare seitlich der ersten Kopiervorlage angeordnete DX-Code mit Start- und Stopsequenz und mit der codierten Vorlagennummer gelesen.
• Aus der Lesbarkeit des DX-Codes wird auf die korrekte Lage des Filmstreifens zurückgeschlossen.
• Bei Anliegen der Startsequenz des DX-Codes vor der codierten Kopiervorlagennummer wird auf eine ansteigende Nummernfolge bzw. bei Anliegen der Stopsequenz des DX-Codes vor der codierten Kopiervorlagennummer auf eine absteigende Nummernfolge der Kopiervorlagen N auf dem Filmstreifen F geschlossen.
• Aufgrund der Reihenfolge des Auftretens von Startsequenz und Stopsequenz und aufgrund der festgestellten Lage des DX-Codes entweder an der in Transportrichtung rechten oder linken Längsseite des Filmstreifens wird die korrekte Lage der Schichtseite des Filmstreifens F überprüft.
• Bei Detektion des hinteren Endes des Filmstreifens F wird aus dem Abstand des ansprechenden Sensors von dem Einzugswalzenpaar 41,42 und der detektierten Umdrehungen der Gegenrolle 42 des Einzugswalzenpaars die Länge des Filmstreifens F bestimmt.
• Aus der ermittelten Länge und der Information über das An- oder Absteigen der Nummernfolge der Kopiervorlagen N werden die auf dem Filmstreifen befindlichen Kopiervorlagennummern bestimmt.
• Anhand der zuvor in die Rechnereinheit 10 eingegebenen kundenspezifischen Auftragsdaten wird automatisch entschieden, ob von den auf dem betreffenden Filmstreifen F vohandenen Kopiervorlagen N Kopien gewünscht werden.
• Zutreffendenfalls und unter der Voraussetzung, dass der Filmstreifen F korrekt eingegeben wurde und seine Schichtseite korrekt vorliegt, wird der betreffende Filmstreifen F zu dem in der Klebestation 5 angeordneten Umlenkwalzenpaar 71,72 weitertransportiert, über welches das Klebeband 7 respektive das Papierband 70 geführt sind, an welche der Filmstreifen F in weiterer Folge angeklebt wird.
• Im Falle einer fehlerhaften Lage des Filmstreifens F oder falls festgestellt wird, dass der Filmstreifen F für die Abarbeitung des Nachbestellauftrags nicht benötigt wird, wird dieser durch Umkehrung der Drehbewegung des Einzugswalzenpaars 41,42 und gegebenenfalls der weiteren Transportwalzenpaare 43,44 bzw. 45,46 automatisch entgegen der Einschubrichtung wieder ausgestossen bzw. über einen alternativen Transportweg wieder aus der Vorbereitungsstation entfernt.

The process according to the invention is preferably carried out in the manner described below:

• The film strip F, which has a number of copying templates N, is inserted in such a way that it activates the first and second photoelectric sensors 49 and 50 arranged in front of the pair of feed rollers 41, 42. Depending on the length of the film strip F, the third photoelectric sensor 51 is also activated by the inserted longitudinal edge of the film strip F. The signals generated by the sensors 49-51 are forwarded to the computer unit 10.
• Activation of the first sensor 49 sets the drive motor 40 in motion for the feed roller pair 41, 42 and any further transport roller pairs 43, 44 and 45, 46 that may be provided.
• The film strip F is advanced by hand until its front edge is gripped by the pair of feed rollers 41, 42 and the film strip F is automatically drawn in further.
• As soon as the film strip comes between the driven roller 41 and the counter roller 42 of the feed roller pair, which is pressed against the drive roller 41 by spring force, the counter roller 42 rolls on the film strip. The rotation of the counter roller 42 is measured with the rotation sensor 47 in order to measure the distance that the film strip F is fed by the pair of feed rollers.
• With the help of the photoelectric scanning device 48, which, seen in the transport direction D of the film strip F, is arranged behind the feed roller pair 41, 42, the leading front edge of the film strip is detected and the first readable DX code arranged to the side of the first copy with start and stop sequence and read with the coded template number.
• The correct position of the filmstrip can be deduced from the readability of the DX code.
• If the start sequence of the DX code is in front of the coded master number, an increasing number sequence is assumed, or if the stop sequence of the DX code is in front of the coded master number, a descending number sequence of master copies N on the film strip F is inferred.
• The correct position of the layer side of the film strip F is checked on the basis of the sequence of the occurrence of the start sequence and the stop sequence and on the basis of the position of the DX code either on the right or left long side of the film strip in the direction of transport.
• When the rear end of the film strip F is detected, the distance from the responsive sensor from the feed roller pair 41, 42 and the detected revolutions of the counter roller 42 of the feed roller pair determines the length of the film strip F.
• The copy template numbers on the film strip are determined from the determined length and the information about the increasing or decreasing number sequence of the master copies N.
• On the basis of the customer-specific order data previously entered into the computer unit 10, a decision is automatically made as to whether N copies are desired from the copy templates on the film strip F in question.
• If applicable and provided that the film strip F has been correctly entered and its layer side is present correctly, the film strip F in question is transported on to the deflection roller pair 71, 72 arranged in the adhesive station 5, over which the adhesive tape 7 or the paper tape 70 are guided which the filmstrip F is subsequently glued on.
• In the event of an incorrect position of the filmstrip F or if it is determined that the filmstrip F is not required for the processing of the reordering order, this is reversed by reversing the rotational movement of the feed roller pair 41.42 and, if appropriate, of the further transport roller pairs 43.44 and 45.46 automatically ejected against the direction of insertion or removed from the preparation station via an alternative transport route.

With the method according to the invention and the device for preparing film strips for reordering orders, the most common operating errors can be compensated for by the operating personnel without major interruptions to the workflow. The staff no longer has to take care that the film strips are always entered in a chosen orientation (negative number sequence ascending or descending). Film strips incorrectly entered with regard to the position of their layer side are also reliably recognized and the operating personnel are made aware of this. Film strips incorrectly entered and unnecessary for the processing of a reordering order are not adhered to the carrier tape. This eliminates time-consuming repair work and avoids major gaps that can lead to malfunctions in the subsequent processing stations. The film strips, which are wound on a film spool and glued to the carrier tape, are always in the correct position and productivity losses due to unnecessary film strips are avoided. The proposed changes in equipment are also for retrofitting existing preparation stations suitable to be able to work with them according to the inventive method.

Claims (14)

Process for the preparation of film strips for reordering orders, in which film strips (F) belonging to a customer order, each containing a number of numbered copy originals (N), are fed into a preparation station (1), glued to a carrier tape (77) and into one Film reel (8) are wound up, which can be used in subsequent processing stations, and for which customer-specific order data with regard to the desired number of copies of certain master copies (N) and, if appropriate, the desired copy format, via an input unit (11) into a computer unit connected to the preparation station (1) (10) can be entered and stored as a device table on a carrier medium (13) which is compatible with the subsequent processing stations, characterized in that the customer-specific order data are entered before the film strips (F) are fed in, that the film strips (F) fed in are before d em sticking to the carrier tape (77) automatically with regard to their position parallel to the transport direction (D), with regard to the correct position of the layer side of the film strip (F) and with regard to the number sequence of the copy templates (N) on the respective film strip (F), and that a comparison is made with the entered customer-specific order data to determine whether the fed-in film strip (F) is required for processing the customer order, and that if a film strip (F) is incorrectly positioned or if a film strip (F ) the operating personnel is made aware or the film strip (F) in question is automatically ejected before it is glued to the carrier tape (77). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is checked whether the film strip (F) is laterally offset or obliquely in the transport plane (T) and whether the layer side of the film strip (F) is correct. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the number sequence of the copies (N) on each film strip (F) is determined with the aid of at least one photoelectric scanning device (48). A method according to claim 3, characterized in that at least the first copy number in each case on an input film strip (F) is determined with the photoelectric scanning device (48). A method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that to determine the sequence of numbers of the copies (N) on a film strip (F), the number of the first copy present on the respective film strip encoded in a so-called DX code using a DX code Readers (48) reads that the readability of the DX code indicates the correct position of the filmstrip (F), that it is recorded on which of the long sides of the filmstrip (F) the DX code is determined and whether there is first a Start or a stop sequence is read, and from this information, the correct position of the layer side is concluded that the information whether the number sequence is increasing or decreasing is determined from the presence of a state or stop sequence before reading the encoded master number , and that the numbers of the remaining copies (N) on the relevant film strip (N) over a previously made length of the relevant film strip (F) can be determined. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the length of the film strip (F) on the one hand by detecting the revolutions of a pair of film feed rollers (41, 42) which is arranged directly in the input area (4) of the preparation station (1), and on the other hand by detecting the rear one End of the filmstrip (F) is determined. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the rear end of the film strip (F) is detected with at least one photoelectric detector (49) which is at a predetermined distance from the pair of feed rollers (41, 42) in the input area (4) of the preparation station (1 ) is arranged. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a film strip (F) is inserted in such a way that it activates a sensor (49) arranged directly in front of a pair of feed rollers (41, 42) and at least one further one depending on the length of the film strip (F) photoelectric sensor (50 or 51) is activated, which is arranged in the input area (4) of the preparation station (1) parallel to the transport direction (D) of the film strips (F) at a predetermined distance from the first sensor (49),
that the activation of the first sensor (49) sets in motion a drive (40) for the feed roller pair (41, 42) and possibly for further transport roller pairs (43, 44; 45, 46), that the film strip is advanced by hand until its leading edge is gripped by the pair of feed rollers and the film strip is automatically drawn in further,
that the rotation of the counter roller (42) of the feed roller pair (41, 42) is measured with a rotation sensor (47), preferably with an angle encoder, in order to measure the distance covered by the film strip (F),
that with the aid of a photoelectric scanning device (48), which, seen in the transport direction (D) of the film strip (F), is arranged behind the pair of feed rollers (41, 42), the leading front edge of the film strip (F) is detected and one to the side of the first Copy template (N) arranged DX code with start and stop sequence and with a coded template number is read,
that the legibility of the DX code indicates the correct position of the filmstrip (F),
that the position of the layer side of the film strip (F) is determined from the position of the DX code and from the sequence of the occurrence of the start and stop sequence,
that if the start sequence of the DX code is in front of the coded master number, an increasing number sequence or if the stop sequence of the DX code is in front of the coded master number, a descending number sequence is inferred,
that upon detection of the rear end of the film strip (F) from the distance of the responsive sensor (49 or 50 or 51) from the feed roller pair (41, 42) and the detected revolutions of the counter roller (42) of the feed roller pair, the length of the film strip ( F) is determined
that the master number on the filmstrip (F) is determined from the length of the film and the information about the increasing or decreasing number sequence of the master copies (N),
that it is automatically decided on the basis of the previously entered device table whether copies of the copy templates (N) present on the relevant film strip (F) are desired,
that, if applicable and provided that the film strip (F) has been entered correctly and its layer side is present correctly, the film strip (F) in question is transported on to a pair of diverter rollers (71, 72) via which an adhesive tape (7) and a paper tape ( 77), which are glued together to form a carrier tape (77) in such a way that the outermost edge of the film strips (F) between the tapes is held, and
that in the event of an incorrect position of the filmstrip (F) or if it is determined that the filmstrip (F) is not required for processing the order, this is automatically counteracted by reversing the rotational movement of the feed roller pair (41, 42) and, if applicable, further transport roller pairs The insertion direction (D) is ejected again or is removed from the preparation station (1) via an alternative transport path. Device for the preparation of film strips for reordering orders, comprising an input area (4) in which a number of film strips (F) of a customer's order and having a number of copies (N) are fed along a work surface to a pair of feed rollers (41, 42), an adhesive station (5) with a Deflecting roller pair (71, 72) for gluing the fed film strips (F) to a carrier tape (77), and a computer unit (10), in which customer-specific order data regarding the desired number of copies of certain copy templates (N) and optionally the desired copy format are entered and opened a storage medium (13) compatible with further processing stations is recorded, characterized in that, based on the transport direction (D) of the film strips (F) in the device in front of the pair of feed rollers (41, 42), at least one photoelectric sensor (49) for detecting the rear one End of a fed film strip (F) in a given A If the counter roller (42) of the pair of feed rollers (41, 42) is connected to a rotation detector (47), preferably an angle encoder, that is at a predetermined distance behind the pair of feed rollers (41, 42) in front of the pair of feed rollers (41, 42). 42) a photoelectric scanning unit (48) is arranged, which detects the forward front edge of the film strip (F) and is designed to recognize original numbers, which is printed on the side of each copy original (N) on the film strip (F), and that the photoelectric sensor (49), the rotation detector (47), the photoelectric scanning unit (48), the drive means (40) for the feed roller pair (41, 42) and optionally further transport roller pairs (43, 44; 45, 46) and the pair of reversing rollers (71, 72) are connected to the computer unit (10) in such a way that, on the one hand, detected signals and information can be passed to the computer unit (10) and, on the other hand, control signals to the corresponding drive means (40) and, if appropriate, others Connected means of transport Can be passed on for the film strips (F). Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, based on the direction of transport (D) of the film strips (F) in front of the pair of feed rollers (41, 42), three photoelectric sensors (49, 50, 51) for detecting the rear end of the fed film strip (F) are provided at a predetermined distance in front of the pair of feed rollers (41, 42). Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the photoelectric scanning device (48) is a DX code reader. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the pair of feed rollers (41, 42) and optionally the further pairs of feed rollers (43, 44; 45, 46) can be driven in the feed direction (D) and in the opposite direction. Apparatus according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, based on the feed direction (D), the film strips (F) behind the photoelectric scanning device (48) but before the pair of deflecting rollers (71, 72) in the transport path (T) of the film strips (T) F) a switch and further film transport means are provided which are controlled by the computer unit (10) and can be activated if necessary if a film strip (F) is to be eliminated. Device according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the distance of the first photoelectric sensor (49) in front of the pair of feed rollers (41,42) is approximately from 10 mm to 20 mm and that a second and possibly a third photoelectric sensor in each case a distance of about 30 mm to about 80 mm from the previous sensor, and that the distance of the photoelectric scanning unit (48) from the feed roller pair (41, 42) is from about 10 mm to about 30 mm.

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