JP2001166392A - Photographic printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a photographic printing device which can continue printing by using the photographic paper from another magazine when the remaining amount of the photographic paper in a magazine decreases. SOLUTION: The control operation of a controller 8 is so set that the photographic paper 1 is returned into the magazine M and thereafter the printing is continued by withdrawing the photographic paper 1 from the different magazine M when the controller discriminates the decrease of the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 in the magazine M down to a set value or below by executing the processing to reduce the length of the photographic paper 1 used for printing from an initial value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to conveying means for conveying print paper from one of a plurality of paper storage units, and print processing means for performing a printing process on the print paper conveyed by the conveying means. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for measuring the remaining amount of print paper in a paper storage unit and reflecting the remaining amount in print processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a technique for measuring the remaining amount of print paper, there is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-29361. This conventional example is based on the outer circumference of a thermosensitive recording paper roll housed in a paper feed magazine. The case is provided with a rotating arm whose posture is determined by contacting the arm, and a display member associated with this arm is provided outside the case, so that the diameter decreases as the heat-sensitive recording paper roll is consumed. Utilizing the configuration, the remaining amount of the thermal recording paper can be visually grasped from the posture of the display member.

[0003]

As an example of a photographic printing apparatus currently used in a DP store, a roll of photographic paper (print paper) contained in a magazine is continuously supplied to an exposure unit. The exposed photographic paper is automatically processed from development processing to drying processing and sorting. Further, in a conventional photographic printing apparatus, a sensor for detecting the end of the photographic paper is arranged at the uppermost position of a path for transporting the photographic paper, and the photographic paper from the photographic paper magazine is consumed, and the photographic paper is printed. When the end of the paper is detected, a predetermined notification is issued to urge the operator to replace the photographic paper magazine or to supply the photographic paper from another photographic paper magazine. . That is,
In the conventional photo printing apparatus, when the photographic paper of the used magazine is exhausted, the operator replaces the magazine or performs a switching operation for supplying photographic paper from another magazine. .

[0004] A roll-shaped photographic paper provided in a photographic paper magazine is formed by winding a long photographic paper around a cylindrical core. In some cases, the end is attached to the core with an adhesive tape.
In the case where the notification is performed when the end of the photographic paper is detected as described above, the end position of the photographic paper is drawn into the transport path, so that the thickness is increased by sticking the adhesive tape. It is difficult to transport the part smoothly, and in the case of a print head that performs digital printing, the print head may be damaged. For this reason, when the end of the photographic paper is pulled into the apparatus, the operator has artificially removed the photographic paper at present.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to rationally configure a photographic printing apparatus that can continue printing using print paper from another storage section when the remaining amount of print paper in the storage section decreases. On the point.

[0006]

A first feature of the present invention (claim 1) is a conveying means for conveying print paper from one of a plurality of paper storage units, and a conveying means for conveying the print paper from the conveying means. And a print processing means for performing print processing on the printed paper.
In accordance with the remaining amount of print paper in the paper storage unit that supplies the print paper, there is provided switching means for switching to a state in which print paper is supplied from another paper storage unit to print processing means. The operation and effect are as follows.

A second feature of the present invention (claim 2) is that, in claim 1, further comprising a remaining amount discriminating means for discriminating a remaining amount of the print paper in the paper storing portion, and the remaining amount discriminating means is used for the paper storing portion. When it is determined that the remaining amount of the print paper has decreased to the set value, the switching unit is configured to supply the print paper from another paper storage unit to the print processing unit. And the effect is as follows.

[0008] A third feature of the present invention (claim 3) is that, in the above-mentioned claim 2, the paper storage section can be mounted on and separated from the photographic printing apparatus by using a magazine for storing roll-shaped print paper. When this magazine is mounted, the length of the print paper stored in the magazine or the number of printable sheets is set as an initial value. Processing length, or, the remaining amount determining means is configured to determine the remaining amount of print paper by performing a process of reducing the number of processed prints from the initial value, its operation, and, The effects are as follows.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, when the remaining amount of the print paper in the paper storage unit decreases to a set value, the print paper in the paper storage unit is set. The processing order of the switching means is set so as to perform a process of supplying print paper from a different paper storage unit to the print processing unit after the process of pulling the end of the print processing unit back to the paper storage unit side. The operation and effect are as follows.

According to a fifth feature of the present invention (claim 5), in any one of claims 2 to 4, the remaining amount determining means determines that the remaining amount of the print paper has reached the set value or less. In this state, when the remaining amount determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the print paper in the other paper storage unit is equal to or less than the set value, the printing process is stopped. The operation and effect are as follows.

A sixth feature of the present invention (claim 6) is the display device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a monitor for displaying print processing information, and the monitor for determining the remaining amount. There is a remaining amount display means for displaying the remaining amount of the print paper in each paper storage unit determined by the means. The operation and effect are as follows.

According to a seventh feature of the present invention (claim 7), the print processing means according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the print processing means stores the image information from the storage means for storing the digitally converted image information. And a print head for printing on a print paper.
The effects are as follows.

According to the first feature, according to the remaining amount of the paper storage unit that supplies the print paper, specifically, when the remaining amount of the print paper decreases to a set value, When the paper is exhausted, the switching means supplies the print paper from another paper storage unit, so that the operator can artificially replenish the paper storage unit with the print paper or remove the print paper from the other paper storage unit. This eliminates the need to perform a switching operation for sending the print paper to the print processing means.

According to the second feature, when the remaining amount discriminating means determines that the remaining amount of the print paper in the paper storage unit has fallen below the set value, the switching unit performs the print processing of the print paper in the different paper storage unit. Therefore, unlike the method for detecting the end portion of the print paper as described above, it is not necessary to take the trouble of taking out the end portion of the print paper, and the printing process is not interrupted. It will be done.

According to the third feature, when the remaining amount of the print paper in the magazine is determined, only the process of reducing the amount consumed by printing from the initial value is performed. Therefore, a sensor is provided in the magazine. And the initial value is set every time the magazine is mounted, so that it is not necessary to manually input the initial value.

According to the fourth feature, when the print paper in the paper storage section is switched, the state in which the print paper does not exist is determined by returning the end of the print paper in the supply state to the paper storage section. Since the print paper from different paper storage units is supplied to the position of the changed print processing unit, the inconvenience of contact between the print papers can be surely avoided.

According to the fifth feature, when the remaining amount determining means determines that the remaining amounts of all the print papers in the storage section are equal to or smaller than the set value, the printing process is stopped. It is not necessary to operate it wastefully.

According to the sixth feature, the operator can grasp the remaining amount of the print paper in the storage section based on the display on the monitor. For example, the operator recognizes in advance the replacement time of the magazine and the number of printable sheets by the operator. A reasonable work becomes possible.

According to the seventh feature, even when the process of storing the frame image of the photographic film in the storage means is performed in advance, the printing process of a large number of orders can be performed.
Sending the image information stored in the storage means to the print head,
With this print head, printing can be performed on print paper supplied from the paper storage unit. Further, when the remaining amount of the print paper in the paper storage unit decreases to the set value due to this printing, printing can be performed by switching to the print paper from a different paper storage unit. For example, a large amount of printing needs to be performed. Also in this case, it is possible to perform printing in an unmanned state using nighttime.

[Effects of the Invention] Accordingly, a photographic printing apparatus capable of continuing printing by performing an operation of automatically switching the print papers of a plurality of paper storage units has been rationally constructed. Further, when the remaining amount of the print paper in the paper storage unit is reduced, the switching operation can be performed without pulling the terminal end into the apparatus, and the remaining amount of the print paper in the magazine can be easily and accurately determined. When the remaining amount of print paper in any of the paper storage units is less than the set value, useless operation is prevented, and based on the display on the monitor. Thus, the necessary amount of print paper can be grasped to prepare for necessary processing, and even when a large amount of printing is performed, the processing can be performed automatically at night or the like without standing by the operator.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a printing unit A for exposing and developing silver halide photographic paper (hereinafter referred to as photographic paper) as a printing paper, and processing and transfer of information necessary for the printing unit A And an operation unit B for performing the above-mentioned operations, a photographic printing apparatus is configured.
This photographic printing apparatus is also called a digital minilab, and the printing section A transports the roll-shaped photographic paper 1 stored in two photographic paper magazines M, M as paper storage sections to the inside of the apparatus. The photographic paper 1 cut in this way is exposed to light in an exposing section Ex as a print processing means, and the exposed photographic paper 1 is subjected to a developing process having a plurality of developing tanks. The sheet is developed by being sent to a section De, developed by a drying section Dr, sent out to the upper surface of the apparatus, sent to the sorter 3 from the horizontal conveyor 2 and sorted and collected in order units. The operating section B is provided with a scanner S for converting a frame image of the photographic film 4 into a digital signal and a monitor 5 for displaying various information at the upper position of the desk-shaped object. Console 6 and M
An input / output unit 7 for inputting / outputting information from a storage medium such as O or FD.

As shown in FIG. 4, the photographic printing apparatus includes a controller 8 including hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface, as well as the exposure section Ex, the development processing section De, and the drying section Dr. , A monitor 5, a console 6, and an input / output unit 7 are formed. The scanner S sends a light beam from a halogen lamp 10 as a light source to a dimming filter 11 and a mirror tunnel 12 to adjust the color distribution and intensity distribution of the light beam and supply the light beam to a photographic film 4 supported on a film carrier 13. And a system for guiding a light beam transmitted through the frame image of the photographic film 4 to a CCD line sensor 16 via a mirror 14 and an optical lens 15, and the CCD line sensor 16 is set to R (red),
Photoelectric conversion elements each having a filter of each hue so as to take in a state of being separated into three primary colors of G (green) and B (blue) are arranged in three rows in a straight line along the main scanning direction; By swinging the mirror 14 or moving the photographic film 4, the image information can be continuously taken in the sub-scanning direction. The image information captured by the scanner S is stored in a RAM (an example of a memory / storage unit) of the controller 8 in a state where the image information is managed on an order basis for each frame.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the exposure unit Ex is provided with a photographic paper 1 from one of two photographic paper magazines M, M.
And a cutter 22 for cutting the photographic paper 1 from the introduction and transport mechanism C1 into a print size, and a print size as described above. A pre-transportation mechanism C2 having a large number of drive rotary type pressure rollers 24 for transporting the cut photographic paper 1 to an exposure position where the exposure head 23 is disposed; an exposure head 23 for exposing the photographic paper 1 to light; A post-conveying mechanism C3 having a number of drive rotary type pressure rollers 25 for sending out the photographic paper 1 exposed by the exposure head 23, and the photographic paper 1 conveyed by the post-conveying mechanism C3.
And a distributing mechanism C4 for distributing and sending the three to three rows of transport paths. The photographic paper from the distribution mechanism C4 is sent to the development processing unit De in a parallel state on a three-row conveyance path, and then is dried and sent out by the drying unit Dr. Although not shown in the drawings, the introduction transport mechanism C1, the cutter 22, the front transport mechanism C
2. Each of the rear transport mechanism C3 and the distribution mechanism C4 is linked with an independently driven stepping motor or the like, and the transport mechanism is constituted by the introduction transport mechanism C1 and the front transport mechanism C2.

The exposure head 23 forms three rows of exposure lines on the photographic paper 1 so as to expose three primary colors of light of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) along the main scanning direction. During exposure, the photographic printing paper 1 is fed in the sub-scanning direction, and a line along the main scanning direction of the image information stored in the RAM in synchronization with the speed at which the photographic printing paper 1 is sent in the sub-scanning direction. Data is read out line by line and the exposure head 23
And the control mode is set to drive the exposure head 23. The exposure head 23 can use a fluorescent beam method, a liquid crystal shutter method, a PLZT method, a DMD method, a FOCRT, or the like.

The two magazines M, M are a print section A
As shown in FIG. 3, the high level is referred to as a first set position R1, and the low level is referred to as a second set position R2.
1, a first set switch SW1 for detecting that the magazine M is mounted, and a second set switch SW2 for detecting that the magazine M is mounted at the second set position R2.
And a sensor (not shown) for identifying an ID formed on the outer surface of each of the magazines M, M. The magazine M is provided with a support shaft 28 for rotatably supporting the rolled photographic paper 1 and a pair of pressure rollers for transporting the rolled photographic paper 1 supported by the support shaft 28 in a pressed state. 2
9 is provided. An input gear 30 composed of a spur gear is provided at the shaft end of one of the pressure rollers 29 so that the pressure roller 29 can be driven from outside the magazine.
When set at any of the set positions R1 and R2, a drive gear 31 that meshes with the input gear 30 of the magazine M is provided at the first and second set positions R1 and R2. Access motors 32, 32 are provided which can be selectively driven in forward and reverse directions for driving.
When the photographic paper 1 is supplied from the magazine M to the inside of the printing section A, the access motor 32 and the introduction / conveyance mechanism C1
In the normal rotation direction in synchronization with the rotation of the photographic printing paper 1, or in a state where the access motor 32 is freely rotated without energizing the access motor 32 and only the introduction conveyance mechanism C <b> 1 is normally driven to rotate the printing paper 1 as described later. When returning to the magazine, access motor 32
And the introduction and transport mechanism C <b> 1 are synchronously driven in reverse.

In this photographic printing apparatus, the photographic papers 1 and 1 having the same width are placed at the first and second set positions R1 and R2.
Is set, and when printing is performed using the photographic paper 1 of one of the magazines M, the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 of the magazine M falls below a preset value. In this case, a control operation is set so that printing can be continued using the photographic paper 1 from the other magazine M,
The control operation will be described below.

That is, the control operation can be represented as a "paper management routine" shown in the flowchart of FIG.
It is determined whether or not the magazine M has been newly set based on the state of the second set switches SW1 and SW2. If it is determined that the magazine M has been newly set (mounted) (# 1)
01 step) and execute an initial value setting routine (# 2
Next, when printing is being performed by the print unit A (step # 102), a remaining amount measurement routine is executed (step # 300), and thereafter information indicating the magazine M in use is displayed. A process of displaying the information indicating the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 in each magazine M on the monitor 5 is performed (# 103 step). Next, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 of the magazine M in use has fallen below the set value (# 104 step), it is determined whether the other magazine M is usable (# 105). Step), if it can be used (when the width of the photographic paper 1 matches and the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 has reached a predetermined amount or more), the remaining magazine switching routine is executed (Step # 400). If the other magazine M is unusable (the width of the photographic paper 1 does not match or the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 is less than a predetermined amount), the supply of the photographic paper 1 from the magazine M is stopped. At the same time, the processing for displaying the information requesting the photographic paper supply on the monitor 5 is performed (# 1).
06, # 107 step). Also, of these processes,
"Initial value setting routine" of # 200 step and # 300
The “remaining amount measuring routine” of the step constitutes the remaining amount determining means, and the “magazine switching routine” of the step # 400
The switching means is constituted by, and the remaining amount display means is constituted by the step # 103.

In the initial setting routine (# 200 step), as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when it is determined that the magazine M has been newly set, the use history corresponding to the ID of the magazine M is referred to. Magazine M
For the data area corresponding to the position where the is set (attached) (the RAM or the register in the CPU is used (the management area described later can also be used))
A process of storing the length data of the photographic paper 1 remaining in the magazine as an initial value is performed, and the I
A process for setting the width of the photographic paper 1 and the type of the photographic paper 1 in the magazine corresponding to D (# 201)
~ # 203 steps). Data such as the usage history and the width of the photographic paper 1 corresponding to the ID of the magazine M are stored in the controller 8.
Is stored in a management area such as a hard disk or a non-volatile memory attached to the printer. When the photographic paper 1 is consumed, the length of the used photographic paper 1 is stored in the management area. Magazine M without being exhausted
Is removed from the print unit A and the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 can be set to the initial value by referring to the data in the management area even when the printer 1 is reused thereafter. When the photographic paper 1 is newly set in the magazine M, the length, width and type of the photographic paper 1 are set manually.

In the remaining amount measurement routine (step # 300), as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the position where the magazine M in use is set is determined, and the data in the data area corresponding to the position is determined. Is read, and the process of subtracting the length of the photographic paper 1 consumed by printing is performed, and then the process of writing the subtraction result in the same data area is performed (steps # 301 to # 305). . The length of the photographic paper 1 consumed by the printing is determined by the rotation amount of the motor for driving the introduction / conveyance mechanism C1 or the motor for driving the front conveyance mechanism C2 (the driving pulse in the case of a stepping motor). Is proportional to the number). In particular, it is also possible to configure to measure the length of the photographic paper 1 consumed by using a dedicated sensor such as a rotary encoder.

In the magazine switching routine (step # 400), as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the access motor 32 and the introduction / transport mechanism C1 corresponding to the magazine M in use are simultaneously reversely operated in a synchronized state. After the end of the photographic paper 1 is returned into the magazine by the reverse rotation, control for stopping the reverse rotation operation is performed (# 401 to # 401).
Step 403) Then, the position where the photographic paper 1 can be processed in the magazine is driven by driving the access motor 32 and the introduction / conveyance mechanism C1 in the normal rotation direction (the direction in which the photographic paper 1 is drawn into the printing unit A side). (#
(Steps 404 to # 406) By switching the magazines M used in this way, the printing operation can be continued by automatically switching the magazines M to be used without the operator having to newly set the magazine M. It has become something.

That is, in the present invention, a plurality of magazines M accommodating the photographic paper 1 are used as the plurality of paper storage units, and a remaining amount determining means for determining the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 (print paper); A switching unit for supplying the photographic paper 1 from the other magazine M to the exposure unit Ex when the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 in the (paper storage unit) decreases, and a monitor 5 for monitoring the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 in the magazine M. And the remaining amount display means displayed on the controller 8 is constituted by a program set in the controller 8. When the magazine M is set (mounted) at a predetermined position, the length of the photographic paper 1 in the magazine is set to an initial value by referring to the data corresponding to the magazine ID during this setting operation. At the same time, the width of the photographic paper 1 in the magazine is saved, and then a plurality of magazines M, M
When printing is performed using the photographic paper 1 from one of the magazines M and the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 in the magazine M is reduced to a predetermined value or less by this printing, the other magazine M is used.
Only when the photographic paper 1 is usable, the photographic paper 1 from the other magazine M is sent to the printing unit A after the control of returning the end of the photographic paper 1 into the magazine is performed. The magazine M is automatically switched to supply the photographic paper 1 while avoiding the inconvenience of mutual interference, so that the printing process can be continued. In this photographic printing apparatus, it is also possible to convert the information of the frame image of the photographic film 4 into a digital signal in advance and store it in a memory (RAM). It is also possible to print. Further, since the status of the used magazines M and the remaining amount of the photographic paper 1 in each of the magazines M and M can be grasped through the monitor 5, it is possible to allow the operator to determine the time to replace the magazine M. When the photographic paper 1 of each magazine M is completely consumed, it is possible to recognize that the photographic paper 1 is in the consumed state based on the display on the monitor 5.

[Other Embodiments] In addition to the above-described embodiment, the present invention may be configured such that, for example, three or more magazines are provided, and photographic paper from each magazine is automatically switched and sent to the exposure unit. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a photographic printing apparatus having a structure in which a light beam transmitted through a frame image of a photographic film is projected onto a photographic paper through a lens to perform exposure. Also, when determining the remaining amount of photographic paper, set the initial number of sheets that can be printed on the photographic paper in the magazine when the magazine is set, and perform processing to reduce the number of printed sheets from this initial number of sheets. It is also possible to set a processing mode to determine the remaining amount of the photographic paper, which prevents the magazine from having a dedicated sensor for measuring the remaining amount of the photographic paper as the remaining amount determining means. Not even a thing.

Further, the present invention can be applied to a printing apparatus using a paper other than photographic paper as the print paper, and a plurality of roll-shaped photographic papers are set in the apparatus without a photographic paper magazine. It is also possible to apply to a photo print device having a structure.

In particular, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the introduction / conveyance mechanism C1 is provided with a sensor for detecting the end position of the photographic paper 1, and when this sensor detects the end position of the photographic paper 1, A discharge system for discharging the photographic paper 1 at the end thereof to the outside of the apparatus,
By providing a collection system for sending to the collection unit or the like, when the sensor detects the end of the photographic paper 1, the end of the photographic paper 1 in the transport path is removed, and after such removal, another magazine is removed. The printing paper 1 from M can be configured and supplied to the exposure head 23.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a photographic printing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a photographic paper transport path from a photographic paper magazine to a development processing unit.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conveyance path of photographic paper from a photographic paper magazine.

FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a photo printing device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a paper management routine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an initial value setting routine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a remaining amount measurement routine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a magazine switching routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print paper 5 Monitor 23 Print head Ex Print processing means M Paper storage part magazine

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A photographic printing apparatus comprising: transport means for transporting print paper from one of a plurality of paper storage units; and print processing means for performing print processing on the print paper transported by the transport means. And a switching means for switching to a state in which print paper is supplied from another paper storage section to print processing means in accordance with the remaining amount of print paper in the paper storage section supplying the print paper. Printing device. 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a remaining amount determination unit configured to determine a remaining amount of the print paper in the paper storage unit. The remaining amount determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the print paper in the paper storage unit has decreased to a set value. 2. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said switching means is configured to supply print paper from another paper storage unit to the print processing means. 3. The paper storage unit is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the photographic printing apparatus by using a magazine for storing roll-shaped print paper.
When this magazine is mounted, the length of the print paper stored in the magazine or the number of printable sheets is set as an initial value, and thereafter, the processing length used by the print processing means, or 3. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said remaining amount determining means is configured to determine the remaining amount of the print paper by performing a process of subtracting the number of processed prints from an initial value. 4. When the remaining amount of the print paper in the paper storage unit falls to a set value, after the process of pulling the end of the print paper in the paper storage unit back from the print processing unit to the paper storage unit side. 4. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing order of said switching means is set so as to perform processing for supplying print paper from another paper storage unit to the print processing means. 5. A state in which the remaining amount determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the print paper has reached the set value or less.
3. The print processing is stopped when the remaining amount determining unit determines that the remaining amount of the print paper in the other paper storage unit is equal to or less than the set value.
The photographic print device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A remaining amount display means for displaying a print processing information, and displaying the remaining amount of the print paper in each of the paper storage units determined by the remaining amount determination means on the monitor. The photographic printing device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising: 7. The print processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said print processing means includes a print head for printing image information from a storage means for storing digital signal image information on a print paper. A photographic printing device as described.