JP2001142192A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer constituted so that the needless part (slag) of photosensitive material may pass through a developing part by providing a 1st tray outputting photosensitive material developed in the developing part and a 2nd tray outputting the slag at the trailing end of a carrying path. SOLUTION: This printer is equipped with the carrying path for carrying the photosensitive material, a photosensitive material supply part arranged at the leading end of the carrying path and supplying the photosensitive material to the carrying path, an exposure part arranged in the middle of the carrying path and exposing the supplied photosensitive material, the developing part arranged in the middle of the carrying path and developing the photosensitive material exposed by the exposure part, the 1st tray arranged at the trailing end of the carrying path and outputting the photosensitive material developed in the developing part and the 2nd tray arranged at the trailing end of the carrying path and outputting the needless part of the photosensitive material passing through the developing part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer having a mechanism for storing unnecessary paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printer referred to in this specification is an apparatus that reads data such as an image from a recording medium or the like, exposes the data to a photosensitive material, and develops the exposed photosensitive material to output (print) it. is there. What is photosensitive material?
For example, photographic paper, film, and the like.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of a conventional printer 700. Hereinafter, the operation of the conventional printer 700 will be described.

When the printer 700 pulls out the photographic paper wound in a roll, for example, the photographic paper 710-1 into a sheet, the printer 700 prints the photographic paper 710-1 in order to accurately grasp the initial position of the photographic paper. An appropriate position of the paper 710-1 is cut by the cutter 720-1. Thereafter, the printing paper 710-1 is fed by a predetermined length and cut again.

The photographic paper pieces formed by the first cutting are collected as unnecessary paper, that is, slag in a slag collection tray 730-1 provided near the cutter.

[0006] The printing paper 710-1 obtained by the first cutting and the subsequent cutting is conveyed as it is along the conveying path 750 for use in printing. Printer 700
Exposes the photographic paper 710-1 by the exposure unit 740 to form an output data image. Thereafter, the printer 700 removes the exposed photographic paper 710-1 from the developing unit 76 filled with the developing solution.
After developing at 0 and drying with a drying device 770, the image is output to an output tray 780.

[0007] The above operation is performed in exactly the same manner using the photographic paper 710-2, the cutter 720-2, and the slag collection tray 730-2, for example, when the photographic paper 710-1 is out of paper. .

[0008]

It is well known that a developer degrades without proper use (i.e., the photographic paper 710-1 does not pass properly), and is therefore known to occur at printer start-up or development. When the number of sheets is extremely small, the developer may be deteriorated.

In the printer 700 described above, the slag is collected in the slag collection trays 730-1 and 730-2 provided near the cutters 720-1 and 720-2, so that the slag passes through the developing unit 760. do not do. Therefore,
Development is performed before the deteriorated developer is activated,
Poor quality prints may be provided. The activation of the developing solution is performed by the photographic paper 710-1 to be printed out.
Will only be done by passing. In this case, there is a problem when the printer is installed for coin vender use and outputs an image print as a product.
Therefore, it is necessary to activate the developer in order to keep the quality of the output image constant irrespective of the frequency with which the printer is used.

Furthermore, the slag is collected in the slag collection tray 730.
-1 and 730-2, a paper jam (paper jam) occurs.
It is necessary to separately provide a mechanism for sufficiently separating the slag from the slag.

When the printer is installed for a coin bender, the number of spare photographic paper rolls must be increased and the capacity of the slag collection trays 730-1 and 730-2 must be sufficiently large. That is, it is necessary to increase the size of the printer. This is because a serviceman cannot always perform printer maintenance. However, in the printer 700, the slag collection tray 730-
1, 730-2 is a cutter 720- near the conveyance path 750.
1, 720-2, the size is limited.

Here, in the case where the conventional printer uses a photographic paper or the like that has already been cut and does not have a slag collection tray, photographic paper that should not be output as it is due to poor printing or the like is also output to the output tray. I will. When the printer is installed for coin vender use, necessary prints and unnecessary prints are mixed, which is inconvenient for the user.

An object of the present invention is to provide a first tray for outputting a photosensitive material developed in a developing section, and a second tray for outputting an unnecessary portion (slag) of the photosensitive material through a developing section. Is provided at the end of the transport path.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printer comprising: a conveying path for conveying a photosensitive material; a photosensitive material supply unit disposed at a start end of the conveying path for supplying the photosensitive material to the conveying path; An exposure unit disposed in the middle of a transport path to expose the supplied photosensitive material; a developing unit arranged in the middle of the transport path to develop the photosensitive material exposed by the exposure unit; and the transport path. And a first tray that outputs the photosensitive material developed by the developing unit and outputs an unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material that has passed through the developing unit and is disposed at an end of the transport path. A second tray to achieve the above object.

The photosensitive material supply section draws out the photosensitive material wound up in a roll form and supplies the photosensitive material in a sheet form. The printer further includes the photosensitive material supply section and the exposure section in the middle of the transport path. And a cutting unit that is disposed between the photosensitive material and cuts the photosensitive material.

The cutting section cuts the photosensitive material to a predetermined length from the leading end of the photosensitive material that has started to be supplied in the form of a sheet, and cuts the photosensitive material having the cut length in the predetermined range. However, the unnecessary portion may be used.

The cutting section further cuts a portion from a position of the photosensitive material cut last by the cutting section to an end portion of the photosensitive material, and each of the cut photosensitive materials is
The length may be in a predetermined range, and may be the unnecessary portion.

[0018] The predetermined range may be longer than the shortest length of the conveying path capable of conveying the photosensitive material.

The predetermined range may be shorter than the longest length of the photosensitive material that can be collected on the second tray.

[0020] The printer may further include a sensor for detecting an unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material, and output the unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material to the second tray based on an output from the sensor. .

When the sensor does not detect an unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material, the printer switches an output so as to output the photosensitive material to the first tray. The apparatus may further include a switching unit that switches an output so as to output the photosensitive material to the second tray when a portion is detected.

The printer may further include an instruction unit for instructing the photosensitive material present on the conveyance path to be forcibly output to the second tray.

[0023] The printer may further include a charge input port for inputting a charge, and may operate in response to input of a predetermined charge into the charge input port.

[0024] The photosensitive material may be a silver salt photosensitive material.

The operation will be described below.

In the printer according to the present invention, the second tray for collecting the slag is provided at the end of the transport path, not at the middle thereof, so that the slag passes through the developing section. Therefore, the developer can be more activated. And better quality image prints can be obtained. Further, by providing the slag collection tray at the end of the transport path, not in the middle (near the cutter), a mechanism for sufficiently separating the slag from the cutter becomes unnecessary, and the paper jam is eliminated. Further, since the restriction on the size of the slag collection tray is reduced, the design becomes easy. The printer can be downsized.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent components.

First, the appearance of the printer 100 of the present invention, its components, and the outline of its operation will be described. After that, the internal components of the printer 100 and the internal signal processing operation will be described, and finally the printing operation will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
00 is shown. The printer 100 is a coin-bender type printer in which a user pays a predetermined fee to confirm an image or the like to be printed, and prints on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper or film. Hereinafter, the printing target is described as photographic paper.

The printer 100 includes a power switch 102
, A media loading unit 104, a charge slot 106, a panel 108, a keyboard 110, a monitor 112,
It includes a print outlet 114, a front door 115 that opens to the front for maintenance, and a cover 116.

The power switch 102 is used to activate the printer 100.

The media loading unit 104 includes a printer 100
And is used to load an image recording medium on which an image desired to be printed is recorded. Although the cover 116 is provided in the media loading unit 104 for dust prevention, a dustproof shutter may be provided in each loading port instead of the cover 116.

The charge insertion port 106 is used to insert a predetermined charge into the printer 100 of the coin vender system.

The panel 108 is arranged beside the media loading section 104 and is used to display the type of image recording media that can be loaded. Any one of four types of image recording media (smart media, compact flash, optical disk, and floppy disk) can be loaded in the media loading unit 104 of the printer 100 of the present invention. In each of these, image data is stored in a digital format, and is also processed in the digital format inside the printer 100. A more detailed description of the media loading unit 104 and the panel 108 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The keyboard 110 is used to receive various operation instructions from the user. Keyboard 110
Is a key to select which image to print,
In addition to a key for deciding to start printing, a key used only by a service person who performs maintenance of the printer 100, and a photographic paper forced ejection key (both not shown) are included.

The monitor 112 displays an operation instruction given from the keyboard 110 and an image to be printed. The monitor 112 further includes a touch panel on its surface, and can give an operation instruction to the printer 100.

The print outlet 114 is connected to the printer 100
Is used to output a print.

The front door 115 is provided so as to be pulled forward and open.
It can be opened when maintaining the inside of the.

FIG. 2 shows the media loading unit 104 and the panel 1
08 is shown in more detail.

As described above, the printer 100 (FIG. 1) in this embodiment can load four types of image recording media. In the media loading section 104, loading ports for loading these image recording media are provided in association with the respective numbers.
The media loading unit 104 further includes a display unit 21 indicating where to load the selected image recording medium.
0, 220.

Panel 108 schematically shows the shapes of the four types of image recording media associated with the numbers. Below the schematic diagram of the image recording medium on the panel 108, symbols by numbers and letters are shown. The number to the left of each symbol corresponds to the number of the loading port of the media loading unit 104. By providing a touch switch on the panel 108, it is possible to specify which type of image recording medium to use.

Next, referring to FIG. 1 again, an outline of the operation of the printer 100 of the present invention will be described.

The printer 100 is activated when the power switch 102 is turned on. First, the user inputs a predetermined fee into the fee input port 106, and selects an image recording medium to be used on the panel 108. The user compares the type of the image recording medium with the schematic diagram or abbreviation of the panel 108 and selects the image recording medium to be used. The selection may be performed by providing a touch switch on the panel 108 and using the touch switch, or the keyboard 11
Using 0 (FIG. 1), a number corresponding to the image recording medium to be used may be input. Alternatively, it may be performed by a touch panel on the monitor 4.

When the user selects the image recording medium, one of the four display units 210 and 220 (FIG. 2) corresponding to the selected image recording medium is turned on. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 220 corresponding to the smart media is turned on. The user loads the recording medium (smart media in this example) into the loading port where the display unit 220 (FIG. 2) is lit. By configuring the media loading unit 104 and the panel 108 as described above, the user can visually identify the image recording medium to be used by himself / herself, and can load the image recording medium into another loading port by mistake. Disappears.

Subsequently, the user gives various operation instructions to the printer 100 via the keyboard 110 and the touch panel of the monitor 112 according to the display on the monitor, and finally gives a print start instruction.

The printer 100 starts printing based on a print instruction from a user. Printer 100
Is mounted with a silver halide printer for printing a normal photograph, and the configuration and operation thereof will be described later.

The printer 100 discharges the printed photographic paper from the print discharge port 114 and terminates the operation. The print discharged to the print discharge port 114 and the image recording medium loaded by the user are taken out by the user.

The outline of the operation of the printer 100 according to the present invention has been described above. Next, the operation of the internal components performed before the start of the printing operation will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer 100. The printer 100 includes an operation unit 10
8, 110, the charge slot 106, and the loading slot display section 21
0, 220 and the monitor 112. Printer 100
Further, a general control unit 300, a drive device 305 corresponding to a usable image recording medium, an image signal processing unit 310, a memory 312, and an interface unit 32
0, the printing unit 330, the sensor 340, and the driving unit 3
50.

Before describing the operation performed between the internal components, the function of each internal component will be described.
However, the operation unit 10 described with reference to FIGS.
8, 110, fee input port 106, loading port display section 210,
Description of the monitor 220 and the monitor 112 is omitted. Operation unit 108
Indicates a touch switch on the panel 108 (FIG. 2), the operation unit 110 indicates the keyboard 110 (FIG. 1), and the loading port display unit 2
Reference numerals 10 and 220 denote a loading port display section (FIG. 2) of the image recording medium.

The overall control unit 300 controls the operation of all the components of the printer 100. More specifically, the overall control unit 300 checks the charge inserted into the charge input port 106 (FIG. 1), receives commands from the operation units 108 and 110, turns on the loading port display units 210 and 220, Transmission of an image data read command to 305 and reception of image data, transmission of an image data processing command to image signal processing unit 310, transmission of an image data storage command and read command to memory 312, transmission of a display command to monitor 112 Transmission, transmission of image data to the printing unit 330, control of the exposure operation, development operation, and drying operation, transmission of the photographic paper detection start command to the sensor 340, reception of the paper empty detection signal from the sensor 340, and reception thereof Memory 312
Alternatively, a slag flag is set in a register (not shown), photographic paper supply control to the motor of the drive unit 350, photographic paper transport control and photographic paper cutting control, switching of a transport path for print output, and the like are performed.

The drive device 305 includes the smart media drive 302 and the compact flash drive 30
4, including an optical disk drive 306 and a floppy disk drive 308. Each of the drive devices 305 reads out image data from the image recording medium in response to a command from the overall control unit 300 and outputs the read image data to the overall control unit 300 or the image signal processing unit 310. The image signal processing unit 310 controls the drive device 3 according to an instruction from the overall control unit 300.
The digital image data received from the printer 05 is processed for monitoring and printing.

The memory 312 stores the image data processed by the image signal processor 310. Memory 312
Reads out the stored image data and sends it to the monitor 112, or sends it to the print unit 330 via the interface unit 320.

The interface section 320 mediates bidirectional communication between the overall control section 300, the printing section 330, the sensor 340, and the driving section 340. An example of data transmitted via the interface unit 320 is the memory 3
12, image data to the print unit 330, photographic paper detection start instruction from the overall control unit 300 to the sensor 340, motor drive instruction to the drive unit 350, and the like. Another example of the data transmitted via the interface unit 320 is print state data indicating the print execution state to the overall control unit 300, for example, a failure notification from the print unit 330 such as development and exposure, and a sensor 340 , A photographic paper cut notification from the drive unit 350, and the like.

The print section 330 receives image data via the interface section 320 and exposes a photosensitive material, for example, silver halide paper, based on the image data. The exposure is performed by, for example, the PLZT optical shutter array 44.
0 (FIG. 4). The print unit 330 further performs development, fixing, stabilization processing, and drying of the photosensitive material to create a digital silver halide print. Therefore, the printing unit 330 is provided with the exposure unit 44 described later with reference to FIG.
0, a developing unit 460 and a drying unit 470. When the exposure processing, the development processing, and the like have failed, these components of the printing unit 330 transmit an exposure failure notification and a development failure notification to the overall control unit 300, respectively.

The sensor 340 receives a photographic paper detection start command from the overall control unit 300 and starts detecting whether photographic paper is supplied. Upon detecting that the photosensitive material has run out, the sensor 340 sends a paper empty detection signal to the overall control unit 300. The sensor 340 also detects that the paper magazine has been removed and set. Accordingly, in addition to the detector 416-n (n: 1 to 3) described later with reference to FIG.
4-2 includes a pressure contact detection portion between the upper and lower rollers.

The drive section 350 receives a photographic paper supply command from the overall control section 300, and drives a motor based on the signal to supply photographic paper from the paper magazine to the transport path. The drive unit 350 drives the cutter to cut the photographic paper at a predetermined position, and then drives the motor to convey the cut photographic paper. Further, the driving unit 350
Switches the photographic paper transport path near the end of the transport path. Therefore, the driving unit 350 includes a motor 424-n (n: 1 to 3) and a cutter 4 described later with reference to FIG.
20-1 and 420-2, a plurality of rollers (for example, rollers 414-1 and 414-2), and a switching unit 490.

The components inside the printer 100 according to the present invention have been described above. Next, an internal processing operation of the printer 100 required from the start of use by the user until printing is performed, that is, a preprocessing operation for printing will be described.

The user operates the charge input port 1 of the printer 100.
At 06, a fee is input, and the use of the printer 100 is started.

When the overall control unit 300 confirms that the fee charged into the fee slot 106 is a predetermined amount,
Inputs are received from the operation units 108 and 110, and the loading port display units 210 and 220 are turned on based on the input. The overall control unit 300 transmits an image data read command to the drive device 305 loaded with the image recording medium, and receives the read image data. The overall control unit 300 transmits the image signal processing command and the image data received from the drive device 305 to the image signal processing unit 310. The image signal processing unit 310 performs digital signal processing on the image data, processes the image data for monitoring and printing, and transmits a processing end signal to the overall control unit 300 when the processing is completed. After receiving the processing end signal, the overall control unit 300 stores the processed image data in the memory 31.
2 at a predetermined address. At this time, the memory 31
2 may be stored sequentially each time the processing of a certain amount of image data is completed.

The memory 312 is provided by the general control unit 300
When receiving an instruction to read out the image data and transmit it to a predetermined output destination (the monitor 112 or the interface unit 320), the stored image data is read out and transmitted to the output destination. When the monitor 112 receives the image data, the monitor 112 displays the image data. Interface section 3
When the image data is received by the printer 20, the image data is output to the print unit 330. Before and after the signal, the interface unit 32
0 receives the photographic paper supply command from the overall control unit 300 and outputs it to the drive unit 350.

The above is the pre-processing operation for printing by the printer 100. After this, the print unit 33
0, the sensor 340 and the driving unit 350 start printing in cooperation with each other. The print unit 330, the sensor 340, and the drive unit 350 output print state data indicating a print execution state when a request is made during printing or at regular intervals. When printing is completed, the resulting image print is output.

Hereinafter, a physical procedure for printing an image will be described. Prior to this description, more specific components of the printing unit 330, the sensor 340, and the driving unit 350 necessary for this physical procedure and the operation of each component will be described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the printing mechanism of the printer 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows only the printing mechanism of the printer 100. For example, the indicated positions of the slag collection tray 430 and the output tray 480 are schematic. In the present embodiment, the slag collection tray 430 is located at a position accessible by opening the front door 115 (FIG. 1) of the printer 100, and the output tray 480 is located at the position shown at the print outlet 114 (FIG. 1) of the printer 100. It is provided in. The printer 100 shown in FIG.
In addition to this printing mechanism, the components described with reference to FIG. 3 are included.

The printer 100 prints photographic paper 410-m (m
= 1, 2: the same applies hereinafter) paper magazine 41 containing
2-m and a plurality of rollers (for example, roller 414-m)
And a detector 416-m for detecting paper out (paper empty) and a cutter 42 for cutting the photographic paper 410-m
0-m. The printer 100 further includes a motor 424-n (n = 1 to 3) for driving a plurality of rollers and the like,
An exposure unit 440, a development unit 460, a drying unit 470, an output tray 480, a slag collection tray 430, and a switching unit 490 are included. These components are arranged at the beginning and end of the transport path 422 and on the way along the transport path 422. The transport path 422 is formed by a plurality of rollers, and defines a transport path of the printing paper 410-m.

Here, the printing section 330 described with reference to FIG. 3 corresponds to the exposing section 440, the developing section 460, and the drying section 470. Similarly, the sensor 340 corresponds to the detector 416-n and the pressure contact detection portion between the upper and lower rollers of the roller 414-m. Similarly, the drive unit 350 includes a paper magazine 412-m, a plurality of rollers (for example, rollers 414-m), a motor 424-n, and a cutter 420.
−m and the switching unit 490.

In this example, the numerical value "m" of the photographic paper 410-m, the paper magazine 412-m, etc. is 1 or 2, but an appropriate value of 3 or more can be set. Hereinafter, only the case where “m” is 1 will be described, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this.

The printing paper 410-1 is a sheet-like photosensitive material such as silver halide paper or film, and is stored in a roll in a paper magazine 412-1.

The paper magazine 412-1 is connected to the transport path 4
22, the printing paper 410-1 is stored. The paper magazine 412-1 includes a roller 41 described below.
4-1 is set in the printer 100 in pressure contact. The roller 414-1 draws out the photographic paper 410-1 in a sheet form from the paper magazine 412-1 and supplies it to the transport path 422.

Each of the plurality of rollers includes two rollers
It is provided as a pair, and the printing paper 410-m passes between them. Each of the plurality of rollers is connected to a motor 424-n (n
= 1 to 3) to define the transport path 422. Each of the plurality of rollers rotates to move along the conveyance path 422.
The photographic paper 410-1 is conveyed to the end of. The length of the photographic paper 410-1 to be conveyed is at least the minimum length between the adjacent rollers. This length will be described later as “paper transportable length”. Each of the illustrated rollers has in principle the same function, but the rollers 4
14-1 is provided with another function.

The roller 414-1 is connected to the paper magazine 4
12-1 is provided at a position where it is pressed against the printer 100 when it is set. The roller 414-1 is connected to the motor 42
4-n driven by the paper magazine 412-1
The photographic paper 410-1 drawn out of the printer is sent to the end of the transport path 422. The roller 414-1 can further detect whether or not both upper and lower rollers are in a pressure contact state by a sensor (not shown). The upper and lower rollers of the roller 414-1 are separated when the paper magazine 412-1 is removed, and are in pressure contact when the paper magazine 412-1 is set. Thus, the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) can determine whether the paper magazine 412-1 has been removed or set. Further, the upper and lower rollers of the roller 414-1 are once separated from the pressed state, and are detected to be pressed again.
In FIG. 3, it can be determined that the printing paper 410-1 has been supplied to the paper magazine 412-1 in the paper empty state, and the paper magazine 412-1 has been set in the printer 100 again.

The detector 416-1 is arranged in the vicinity of the roller 414-1 along the transport path 422, for example, at the drawer of the paper magazine 412-1 and detects whether or not the paper is empty. The paper empty may be optically detected by measuring the reflectance or the like.
It may be physically detected by the presence or absence of contact with 0-1. When the detector 416-1 detects paper empty, the detector 416-1 outputs a paper empty detection signal to the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3).
Output to

The cutter 420-1 is disposed between the paper magazine 412-1 and the exposure unit 440 described below on the transport path 422, and based on a command from the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3). The printing paper 410-1 is cut.

The motors 424-n (n = 1 to 3) drive a plurality of rollers (for example, rollers 414-1). The position and number of the motors 424-n (n = 1 to 3) are not particularly limited to the illustrated positions and numbers, but may be set to appropriate positions according to the number of rollers to be driven. Provided.

The exposure section 440 is cut by the cutter 420-1 and transported on the transport path 422.
10-1 is exposed. Exposure is performed by the interface unit 32
0 (FIG. 3), which is based on image data that has been signal processed for printing. As described above, the exposure unit 440 of the printer 100 is constituted by a PLZT optical shutter array. Since the PLZT optical shutter array is well known, its description is omitted.
Note that the exposure unit 440 may use any appropriate exposure means such as an LED array for performing exposure.

The developing section 460 is provided on the transport path 422, following the exposure section 440.
Develop 0-1. More specifically, the developing unit 460 includes a developing tank 460-1 for performing a developing process, a fixing tank 460-2 for performing a fixing process for a developed image, and three stabilizing tanks 460 for performing a stabilizing process by washing with water. -3. The developing unit 460 develops the exposed photographic paper 410-1 by passing it through these three types of tanks, and creates a stabilized image print. Exposed photographic paper 41
0-1 is also conveyed by a plurality of rollers in the developing section 460, and a developing process, a fixing process, and a stabilizing process are performed.

The drying section 470 is provided next to the developing section 460, and dries the image print developed in the developing section 460. Drying is performed by blowing warm air from a heater.

The output tray 480 is a tray located at the end of the transport path 422 for outputting a developed image print. The user receives the print output on this tray as a product.

The slag collection tray 430 is a tray for collecting slag, and is provided below the output tray 480.
It is provided at the end of the transport path 422 after the developing unit 460. As described above, “slag” refers to an unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material. However, since the printer 100 of the present invention is a device for a coin bender, “a unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material” is It refers to unnecessary photosensitive materials in general. In other words, `` slag '' includes not only sections formed when the photosensitive material is cut, but also photosensitive materials that have failed exposure, development, etc., photosensitive materials that should be discharged due to forced interruption of processing, and even ears. Light-sensitive materials whose use is not preferred are also included.

Since the slag collecting tray 430 is provided for collecting photosensitive material unnecessary for the user, it is provided at a position invisible to the user. The slag collection tray 430 may be provided so that a specific person such as a service person who performs maintenance of the printer 100 can open and access the front door 115 (FIG. 1). The relatively high top of the 100 print mechanisms facilitates their access and device design. In FIG. 4, the slag collection tray 430 is present below the output tray 480, but it is not necessary to be below the output tray 480. Is also good.

The switching unit 490 is provided near the end of the transport path 422 next to the drying unit 470, and transfers the photographic paper 410-1 transported along the transport path 422 to either the output tray 480 or the slag collection tray 430. Switch whether to output. The switching is performed by the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) by referring to a slag flag described later.

The functions of the elements constituting the printing mechanism of the printer 100 according to the present invention have been described above. Subsequently, a printing operation of the printer 100 will be described according to a physical procedure.

In the following (1), first, the printing paper 410-1
The process performed by the printer 100 when is newly supplied (when paper is set) will be described. A slag is formed with the processing, and a slag processing flow 500 for processing the slag at the time of paper setting is shown in FIG. The contents of each step in FIG. 5 are appropriately referred to. In the following (2), photographic paper 4
The processing of the printer 100 when 10-1 is gone (at the time of paper empty) will be described. As in the case of (1), slag is generated along with the processing. FIG. 6 shows a slag processing flow 600 for processing slag at the time of paper empty. The contents of each step in FIG. 6 are also referred to as appropriate. In the following (3), an aspect in which slag is generated (when slag is generated) will be described.

As a premise for explaining a physical procedure for printing an image, it is assumed that image data to be printed has already been stored in the memory 312 (FIG. 3) of the printer 100.

(1) Paper Setting Prior to printing, first, the printing paper 410-1 is supplied to the paper magazine 412-1 in a paper empty state, and set in the printer 100. The overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) detects that the paper magazine 412-1 has been set (S502 in FIG. 5), and
It is determined that 0-1 has been set. Paper Magazine 4
When 12-1 is set, a slag always occurs as described later, so the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3)
Sets a slag flag indicating the occurrence of slag (S504 in FIG. 5).

When a print start command is received from the user, the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) operates the roller 414-1 and sends the printing paper 41 from the paper magazine 412-1.
0-1 is drawn out and sent out along the transport path 422. When the leading end of the photographic paper 410-1 is transported on the transport path 422, the detector 416-1 detects that the photographic paper 410-1 is being transported, and thereafter continues to detect the paper empty.

The overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3)
4-1 is driven to feed the photographic paper 410-1 by a specified length (S506 in FIG. 5). The “specified paper length” is a length that is equal to or longer than the length at which the paper can be transported and equal to or shorter than the maximum print length. When the photographic paper 410-1 has passed under the cutter 420-1 by the specified length of paper, the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) causes the cutter 420-1 to print the photographic paper 410-.
1 is cut (first cut) (S508 in FIG. 5), the sheet is fed from that position by a length necessary for printing, and then the photographic paper 410-1 is cut again (second cut). The first cutting is performed on photographic paper 410-1.
This is for grasping the exact tip position. Photographic paper 410
-1 is fed by a roller 414-1.
The rotation is performed based on the rotation radius, rotation speed, paper feeding time, the distance from the paper magazine feed port to the cutter 420-1, the print size, and the like.

The photographic paper piece from the leading end of the photographic paper 410-1 drawn first to the cutting position, formed by the first cutting, is subjected to the processing described below as slag.

Photographic paper 410-1 formed by the first and second cuts and having a length necessary for printing.
Is a target for image printing as printing paper for printing. As described above, the “paper specified length” is a length that is equal to or longer than the length at which the paper can be conveyed and equal to or shorter than the longest print length. The “length that the sheet can be transported” is the length that the sheet can be transported, and represents the minimum interval between adjacent rollers among the rollers that transport the sheet.
The “longest print length” indicates a length in which the photographic paper pieces can be collected as slag, that is, a length in which the slag collection tray 430 can be stored. For example, “length that paper can be transported” is set to 8
When 0 mm and the longest print length are 178 mm (2L size), 127 mm (L size) can be adopted as the “paper specified length”. The output image print or slug is cut so as to have a prescribed length of paper.

The first cutting of the printing paper 410-1 causes
Photographic paper 4 drawn from paper magazine 412-1
The tip of 10-1 is a photographic paper piece, that is, a slag,
It exists on the transport path 422 ahead of the cutter 420-1 (S508 in FIG. 5). In the conventional printer 700 (FIG. 7), the slag is collected in the slag collection tray 730-1 without passing through the developing process after the first cutting.

In the printer 100 of the present invention, the slag passes through the exposure section 440, the developing section 460, and the drying section 470 along the transport path 422, and is transported to near the end of the transport path 422 (S510 in FIG. 5). . Since the conveyance is performed by rotating a plurality of rollers, the cut slag is separated from the cutter 420-1 by the rotation of the rollers even if the cut slag is not sufficiently separated from the cutter 420-1. The overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) switches the switching unit 790 based on the setting of the slag flag, thereby collecting the slag on the slag collection tray 430 (S5 in FIG. 5).
12). The reason why the slag is not collected in the slag collection tray immediately after cutting but passes through the exposure unit 440, the development unit 460, and the drying unit 470 is as follows.

It is known that the developer in the developing section 460 deteriorates when the number of prints is extremely small. In particular, since the printer 100 of the present invention is a device used for a coin bender, the developer is likely to be deteriorated when it is idle or when the store where the printer 100 is installed is closed. Therefore, if the slag is passed through the developing section 460 and the number of developed sheets is increased even slightly, the deterioration of the developing solution can be prevented. Alternatively, the developer can be activated by passing the slag, even if it is slightly deteriorated. It is useful that the slag passes through the developing unit 460 in this manner so as not to deteriorate the quality of the image print output as a product after the development.

On the other hand, when the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) performs the second cutting, it conveys the photographic paper for printing following the conveyance of the slag, and exposes the exposure unit 440 based on the image data signal-processed for printing. Exposure. The overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) further conveys the exposed printing paper, performs a developing process in the developing tank 460-1 of the developing unit 460,
After a fixing process at 0-2 and a stabilization process at three stabilization tanks 460-3, the drying unit 470 dries. Since the slag flag is not set on the developed and dried printing paper, the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) switches the switching unit 490.
And outputs the print paper to the output tray 480.

(2) At the time of paper empty In a state where the printing paper 410-1 has already been pulled out, the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) indicates that the printing paper 410-1 of what length is currently on the transport path 422. Knows if they are present. The length of the photographic paper 410-1 on the transport path 422 is determined from the paper magazine 412-1 to the cutter 420-1.
This is because it is the same length as the distance to. Therefore, in order to start printing from this state, the photographic paper 410-1 may be fed by a specified length of paper and then cut by the cutter 420-1.

However, the printing paper 410 has a predetermined length.
The paper may be empty while sending -1. Whether or not the paper becomes empty is detected by the detector 416-1. When paper empty is detected by the detector 416-1 (S6 in FIG. 6).
02), the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) sets a slag flag indicating occurrence of slag (S604 in FIG. 5).

Subsequently, the overall control section 300 (FIG. 3) determines whether or not the photographic paper 410-1 sent so far should be conveyed to the slag collection tray 430 as it is. Specifically, the overall control unit 300 (FIG. 3) determines whether the print size is 2 L (S606 in FIG. 6), and furthermore, the transport path 422.
It is determined whether the length of the sheet existing before the upper cutter 420-1 is longer than L (S608 in FIG. 6). The reason why such a determination is necessary is that, when the paper becomes empty in order to perform 2L-size printing, the photographic paper 410-1 having a length equal to or longer than the maximum print length may exist on the transport path 422. This is because such photographic paper 410-1 has to be cut to fit within the specified paper length.

More specifically, the longest print length is 2L, the length of paper that can be transported is 0.6L, and the detector 41
It is assumed that the position from the position on the conveyance path 422 where 6-1 has detected the paper empty to the cutter 420-1 is 0.8L. Now, trying to print 2L size,
The leading end of the printing paper 410-1 moves the cutter 420-1 to 1.7.
Let us consider a case where the detector 416-1 becomes paper empty when passing L. At this time, the length P from the leading end to the trailing end of the printing paper 410-1 is (the length of the paper from the paper empty detection position to the cutter) + (the length of the paper ahead of the cutter). Therefore, P = (0.8
L + 1.7L =) 2.5L, and P is 2L or more. Therefore, if the paper is fed by 0.3 L from the detection of paper empty, it is possible to print the original specified length of paper (2 L), and the remaining 0.5 L paper may be processed as slag. However, the remaining 0.5 L is shorter than the transportable length (0.6 L) of the sheet. Therefore, the slag cannot be conveyed, causing paper jam, and cannot be collected in the slag collection tray 430. Therefore, in this case, printing of the specified length (2L) cannot be performed, and the length P on the conveyance path 422 cannot be printed.
The photographic paper 410-1 needs to be output as slag.

In order to output as slag, the length of the slag must be equal to or less than the longest print length (2L). This is because it cannot be collected in the slag collection tray 430. Here, since P is longer than the longest print length (2L), the range of the specified paper length (0.
(6L or more and 2L or less). Therefore, the cutting is performed such that both of the cut pieces fall within the range of the specified paper length and are collected as slag in the slag collection tray 430 (S610 in FIG. 6). For example,
In the case of slag of P = 2.5L, they are 1L and 1.5L.

Generally, when the print size is 2 L (in the case of “YES” in S 606 in FIG. 6), it is determined whether or not the sheet length Q existing before the cutter 420-1 on the transport path 422 is longer than L. A reference is provided depending on the case, and in the case of L or more (S
608 "Yes"), the specified paper length range (0.6L or more and 2L or less), such as 1L and (Q-1) L
(S610 in FIG. 6). Q
Is always smaller than 3L, and therefore, when one of the slags is cut so as to have the size of L (or more), the other one is always smaller than 2L, and both are cut to the slag collection tray 430.
Can be recovered.

On the other hand, the print size is not 2L (2L
(Less than) (in the case of "No" in S606 of FIG. 6)
In this case, the photographic paper 410-1 may be transported as it is on the transport path 422 (S612 in FIG. 6). Print size is 2
In the case of L and the paper length of the photographic paper 410-1 is smaller than L ("No" in S608 of FIG. 6), the photographic paper 410-1 may be transported as it is on the transport path 422 (see FIG. 6). S612 in FIG. 6). In any case, the photographic paper 410-1 on the transport path 422 is 2L or less, and the slag collection tray 43
This is because it can be collected to zero. Overall control unit 30
0 (FIG. 3) switches the switching unit 790 based on the setting of the slag flag, whereby the slag is collected in the slag collection tray 430 (S614 in FIG. 6).

As described above, the slag processing at the time of paper empty is performed. Thereafter, another photographic paper 410-2 is pulled out from another paper magazine 412-2, or the newly set paper magazine 42-2.
By pulling out the printing paper 410-1 from 12-1, printing can be started again based on the processing described in (1).

(3) Mode in which slag is generated As described in (1) and (2) above, slag is
Occurs during paper setting and paper empty.

Slag also occurs in the following cases. That is, (a) when the exposure, development, etc. fail,
(B) When forcibly discharging the printing paper,
(C) When the photographic paper 410-1 has already been pulled out and is waiting for the next print, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, (d) the photographic paper 410-1 has a fray. This is the case when use is not preferred.

(A) corresponds to a case where a sensor or the like that detects an abnormality regarding exposure and development detects an abnormality. The printing paper for which the exposure, development and the like have failed is no longer available and is disposed of as slag.

(B) corresponds to a case where the user or serviceman forcibly stops the current print operation. Although there is no problem with the printing paper itself, the printing paper currently being printed is unnecessary and is disposed of as slag. The print operation is forcibly stopped by a forced stop key provided on the keyboard 110 or the monitor 11.
2 is input by a user or a service person via a touch panel or the like.

(C) shows that the photographic paper 410-1 is pulled out into the printer 100 for a predetermined period of time or longer, and if the photographic paper 410-1 is caught in the machine, the quality deteriorates. In this case, it is disposed of as slag. It should be noted that the lapse of a predetermined time cannot be measured when the power is turned off, so that the photographic paper 410-1 that has already been drawn out when the power is turned on may be disposed of as slag.

(D), when the printer 100 of the present invention is used as a coin bender, the use of the photographic paper for printing is not preferable if the quality of the photographic printing paper is poor. Is the case.

The slag processes (a) to (d) are all performed according to the slag process at the time of paper empty. That is, the step of detecting paper empty (S602 in FIG. 6) may be changed when (a) to (d) occur. Thereby, the slag can be collected in the slag collection tray 430.

[0109]

According to the present invention, the slag collecting tray is provided at the end of the transport path so that the slag passes through the developing section, so that the developer can be more activated and the image of better quality can be obtained. You can get a print. Furthermore, the state of the developer including the degree of activation can be determined by taking out the slag that has passed through the developing unit from the slag collection tray and inspecting the slag. By observing the edge of the slag, it is also possible to determine the quality of the cutting of the cutter. In particular, when the device according to the present invention is used as a coin vender, the labor required for maintenance management is reduced.

Further, by providing the slag collection tray at the end of the transport path, not at the middle (near the cutter), but at the end, a mechanism for sufficiently separating the slag from the cutter becomes unnecessary, and the paper jam is eliminated. Further, since the restriction on the size of the slag collection tray is reduced, the design becomes easy. The printer can be downsized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the media loading unit 104 and a panel 108 in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the printer 100.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism of the printer 100 according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a slag processing flow 500 for processing slag at the time of paper setting.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a slag processing flow 600 for processing slag at the time of paper empty.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional printer 700.

[Explanation of symbols]

 410-1, 410-2 photographic paper 412-1, 412-2 paper magazine 414-1, 414-2 rollers 416-1, 416-2 detectors 420-1, 420-2 cutter 422 transport path 430 slag collection tray 440 Exposure unit 460 Developing unit 470 Drying unit 480 Output tray 490 Switching unit

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Kenichi Wada 2-3-113 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. 2H098 HA01

Claims (11)

[Claims] A transport path for transporting the photosensitive material; a photosensitive material supply unit disposed at a start end of the transport path to supply the photosensitive material to the transport path; An exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive material that has been exposed, a developing unit that is disposed in the middle of the transport path, and that develops the photosensitive material that has been exposed by the exposure unit; and a developing unit that is disposed at the end of the transport path. A printer comprising: a first tray that outputs the developed photosensitive material; and a second tray that is disposed at an end of the transport path and outputs an unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material that has passed through the developing unit. . 2. The photosensitive material supply unit draws out the photosensitive material wound up in a roll shape and supplies the photosensitive material in a sheet shape, and the printer further includes the photosensitive material supply unit and the The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting unit disposed between the exposure units and cutting the photosensitive material. 3. The cutting section cuts the photosensitive material to a predetermined length from a leading end portion of the photosensitive material that has started to be supplied in a sheet shape, and cuts the photosensitive material to a length within the predetermined range. The printer according to claim 2, wherein a photosensitive material is the unnecessary portion. 4. The cutting section further cuts a portion from a position of the photosensitive material cut last by the cutting section to an end portion of the photosensitive material, and each of the cut photosensitive materials is a predetermined one. In the length of the range, and becomes the unnecessary part,
The printer according to claim 2. 5. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined range is equal to or longer than a shortest length of the conveyance path that can convey the photosensitive material. 6. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined range is equal to or less than a longest length of the photosensitive material that can be collected on the second tray. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting an unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material, wherein the unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material is output to the second tray based on an output from the sensor. 7. The printer according to 6. 8. When the sensor does not detect an unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material, the output is switched so as to output the photosensitive material to the first tray, and the sensor detects an unnecessary portion of the photosensitive material. The printer according to claim 7, further comprising a switching unit that switches an output so as to output the photosensitive material to the second tray when the detection is performed. 9. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer further comprises an instruction unit for instructing to output the photosensitive material present on the transport path to the second tray. 10. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a charge inlet for charging a charge, and operating in response to input of a predetermined charge into the charge inlet. 11. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive material is a silver halide photosensitive material.