JP2001296615A - Method for supplying sheet material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet material supplying method which eliminates the need for operation, such as transport stop and transport restart, of sheet materials according to the progression condition, etc., of processing in a unit located downstream in image formation to subject the sheet material to scanning exposure and with which the downsizing of the device, reduction in the number of various kinds of sensors, simplification of transport control of the sheet materials, etc., are made possible. SOLUTION: The sheet materials complying with the prints to be formed are supplied from a supplying section and after the sheet materials are subjected to scanning exposure in an image-forming section, the sheet materials are arrayed to a single row or plural rows with prescribed sorting patterns at a sorting section and are supplied to the ensuring processing device. At this time, the supply timing of the sheet material supplied next from the supplying section is determined, according to the transporting speed of the sheet materials from the supply section to a sorting section, the transport speed of the sorting section, the sorting patterns of the sheet materials, the length of the previously supplied sheet materials, the length of the sheet materials to be supplied next and the time, when the sheet material one sheet before is supplied from the supplying section.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of image formation such as image exposure in a digital photo printer or the like. More specifically, in such image formation, print control with simple control and good efficiency is provided. The present invention relates to a method of supplying a sheet material such as a photosensitive material which enables the sheet material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film is printed on a photosensitive material (photographic paper) by projecting an image of the film onto the photosensitive material. Exposure, so-called direct exposure, is the mainstream.

On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus using digital exposure, that is, an image recorded on a film is photoelectrically read, the read image is converted into a digital signal, and then various image processing is performed. 2. Description of the Related Art Digital photo printers have been put to practical use, in which image data (latent images) are recorded by scanning and exposing a photosensitive material with recording light modulated in accordance with the image data, and the resulting images are printed.

A digital photo printer basically includes a scanner (image reading apparatus) that photoelectrically reads an image recorded on a film by reading light incident on the film and reading the projected light. A predetermined process is performed on the read image data or the image data supplied from the digital camera or the like, and the image data for image recording, that is, an image processing device that is used as an exposure condition, and an image data output from the image processing device. For example, a printer (image recording apparatus) that scans and exposes a photosensitive material by light beam scanning to record a latent image and develops the photosensitive material exposed by the printer to reproduce an image (finished) (Developing device).

According to such a digital photo printer, image processing (optimization) can be performed by processing image data. Therefore, gradation adjustment, color balance adjustment, color / density adjustment, and the like can be suitably performed. Thus, high-quality prints that cannot be obtained by conventional direct exposure can be obtained. Further, since images are handled as digital image data, not only images photographed on a film but also images photographed by a digital camera or the like or images acquired by a communication means such as the Internet can be output as prints.

[0006]

By the way, not only in such a digital photo printer but also in a photo printer by ordinary direct exposure, a photosensitive material that is not used in the printer is wound in a roll shape to form a light-shielding magazine. And is loaded into the magazine, taken out of the magazine, transported, and subjected to exposure and the like. Here, with a normal photo printer, the photosensitive material is not cut in the middle, but after exposing, recording back-printing, developing, drying, etc. while keeping the length, the photosensitive material is finally cut to a predetermined length. To make one print.

However, in such a printer that cuts the photosensitive material last, it is necessary to form frame information (punch) indicating a boundary between frames (each print). Therefore, a portion of the photosensitive material on which the frame information is formed is wasted, and a means for forming the frame information is required. Furthermore, in the printer that cuts the photosensitive material at the end,
In order to offset a difference in processing speed between each part and a difference in processing speed with the developing device, a bend (loop) of the photosensitive material is formed in each part. Therefore, control of the amount of photosensitive material in the loop,
The transport route and transport control of the photosensitive material become complicated, causing an increase in the size and cost of the apparatus.

That is, in a photo printer, it is advantageous from various points to expose a photosensitive material (cut sheet) of one print size to exposure. In a digital photo printer, too, the photosensitive material is used as a cut sheet. Printers that perform exposure later have been put to practical use. Such a printer includes a supply unit that supplies a photosensitive material as a cut sheet, an image forming unit that records a latent image on the photosensitive material by scanning exposure, a transport unit that transports the photosensitive material from the supply unit to the image forming unit, and a developing device. In order to improve the processing capacity of the apparatus, the apparatus is composed of various units such as a distributing unit that divides the exposed photosensitive material in a horizontal direction (with respect to the transport direction) to form a plurality of rows.

However, the conveying speed of the photosensitive material in each unit of the printer, the processing timing, and the processing speed of the photosensitive material in the printer and the developing device do not always match. Therefore, in order to prevent jamming due to contact between the photosensitive materials, operation failure of each unit, development failure, and the like, the operation status of the photosensitive material and each unit is detected using a sensor, and the downstream unit (downstream in the transport direction) is used. Depending on the processing status, supply status of the exposed photosensitive material to the developing device, etc., stop the transport of the photosensitive material,
Operations such as restarting the conveyance again at the same timing are performed. Therefore, the space for stopping the photosensitive material,
A sensor or the like for detecting the position of the photosensitive material and the operation of each unit is required, and the apparatus becomes large. Further, since the transfer and stop of the photosensitive material are repeatedly performed, there is a problem that a load on a transport system of the photosensitive material is large, and that the control of the transport is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an image exposure apparatus suitable for use in a digital photo printer or the like, which performs image exposure on a cut sheet-shaped photosensitive material by scanning exposure. In, according to the progress of processing in the unit located downstream, etc.
Eliminates the need for operations such as stopping or resuming the transport of photosensitive material, and the mechanism for performing such operations, thereby reducing the size of the apparatus, reducing the number of various sensors, and simplifying the transport control of photosensitive material. The object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material supply method capable of achieving the above.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a first processing apparatus having a supply unit, an image forming unit, and a distribution unit, wherein a first processing apparatus includes a supply unit, an image forming unit, and a distribution unit. Sheet material having a predetermined size, forming an image while scanning and transporting the sheet material in the image forming unit, and then distributing the sheet material in the distribution unit according to at least one of the size and type of the sheet material in the distribution unit. Are arranged in a single row or a plurality of rows, and are supplied to the second processing apparatus, wherein the conveying speed of the sheet material from the supply unit to the distribution unit, the sheet material in the distribution unit Conveying speed, distribution pattern of sheet material in the distribution unit, length of sheet material supplied first from the supply unit, length of sheet material supplied next from the supply unit, and The previous sheet material in accordance with the time fed from the supply unit, to provide a sheet material supply method characterized by determining the supply timing of the next supplied sheet material from the supply unit.

Preferably, the supply timing is determined in consideration of a difference between the transport speed from the supply unit to the image forming unit and the scanning transport speed in the image forming unit. It is preferable to determine the supply timing in consideration of the sheet material conveyance speed and the sheet material interval in the above, and further, in the supply unit, draw out the sheet material from a sheet material roll wound with a long sheet material. Preferably, the supply timing is determined in consideration of a cutting time for cutting into a length corresponding to a print.

When the sheet material is supplied to the second processing apparatus in a single row, the supply timing is determined using the length of the sheet material supplied from the supply unit one sheet before, and the sheet material is supplied. Are arranged in a plurality of rows and supplied to the second processing apparatus, it is preferable that the supply timing is determined using the length of the sheet material supplied from the supply unit before the number of arrangements + 1.

According to the distribution pattern in the distribution unit, a standby time for waiting for the supply of the sheet material from the supply unit is calculated using the parameters, and the standby time is set to the standby time. It is preferable to determine the supply timing by adding the time when the material is supplied from the supply unit and comparing the added time with the current time, or according to the distribution pattern in the distribution unit. Calculate a standby time for waiting for the supply of the sheet material from the supply unit using the above parameters, and add the time for supplying the sheet material immediately before the sheet material from the supply unit to the standby time, and this addition is performed. Comparing the time with the current time, if the current time is smaller, the supply timing is determined according to the added time and the current time, and if the current time is larger, The further preferable to determine the feed timing by comparing the additional time to the time obtained by adding the time x is calculated by the following equation and the current time. x = [(length of sheet material to be supplied next / conveyance speed in image forming unit) + time required for distribution in distribution unit] × 2

If the distribution pattern of the sheet material currently being processed is different from the distribution pattern of the sheet material to be supplied next from the supply unit, all the sheet materials currently being processed are subjected to the second processing. After being supplied to the apparatus, it is preferable to supply the next sheet material from the supply unit, and further,
In the case where the supply unit is constituted by a plurality of sheet material supply sources and the sheet material is supplied from different sheet material supply sources, all of the sheet materials being processed in the first processing apparatus are in the second state.
It is preferable to supply the next sheet material from the supply unit after the sheet material is supplied to the processing device.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a sheet material supply method of the present invention will be described based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
This will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printer (image exposure apparatus) using the sheet material supply method of the present invention.
The printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a photosensitive material A (photographic paper).
Is a digital photo printer that prints a latent image by exposing the photosensitive material by digital exposure and outputs the latent image as a print (photograph). The printer according to the print for forming a long photosensitive material A wound in a roll shape. This is a device that performs recording of back print (back print) and digital scanning exposure after cutting into a cut sheet having a predetermined length, and supplies it to a processor (developing device) P.

The printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a supply section 12 for photosensitive material A, back printing means 14 for recording a back print, an image exposure section 16, a distribution section 18, and a photosensitive material formed as a cut sheet. A for transporting A to the image exposure unit 16
It has a transport section 34 and a second transport section 36.
In addition, various members such as a conveyance guide are arranged in the printer 10 as necessary, in addition to the members illustrated.

In the printer 10, the supply section 12 includes loading sections 20 and 22, and pull-out roller pairs 24 and 2.
6 and cutters 28 and 30. The loading units 20 and 22 are portions where a magazine 32 in which a photosensitive material roll formed by winding a long photosensitive material A (photographic paper) in a roll shape is housed in a light-shielding housing is loaded. The draw-out roller pairs 24 and 26 are connected to the magazine 32
It may be built in. The photosensitive materials A stored in the magazines 32 loaded in the loading units 20 and 22 may be the same or different types (width (size), thickness, etc.).

The draw-out roller pairs 24 and 26 draw out and transport the photosensitive material A stored in the magazine 32 loaded in the loading units 20 and 22. This conveyance stops when the length of the photosensitive material A reaches a length corresponding to the print to be made, and then the cutters 28 and 30 operate to cut the photosensitive material A into a cut sheet of a predetermined length. The supply of the photosensitive material A from the magazine 32, that is, the drawing and cutting of the photosensitive material A are performed according to the photosensitive material supply method of the present invention described later.

The photosensitive material A supplied from the supply section 12 is
On the other hand, the photosensitive material A pulled out of the magazine 32 of the loading unit 20 and cut by the cutter 28 by the first transport unit 34 and the second transport unit 36 composed of a number of transport roller pairs is transmitted by the second transport unit 36. After being conveyed upward, they are conveyed rightward, and conveyed to the image exposure unit 16 (scanning conveyance unit 42) with the recording surface facing upward.

In the middle of the second transport section 36, the back printing means 1
4 are arranged. The back printing means 14 records (back printing) various information such as a photographing date and a frame number, so-called back print, on the non-recording surface (non-emulsion surface = back surface) of the photosensitive material A. The back print means 14 records the back print of the photosensitive material A while being transported by the second transport unit 36.

A speed control section 38 is provided between the pair of transport rollers 36a and the pair of transport rollers 36b downstream of the back printing means 14 of the second transport section 36. The transport speed of the photosensitive material A in the second transport unit 36 is the same as the scanning transport speed in the image exposure unit 16 (scanning transport unit 42) downstream of the transport roller pair 36a, and upstream of the transport roller pair 36b.
It is set faster than that. The photosensitive material A conveyed in the second conveying section 36 becomes a loop (bending) as shown by a dotted line in the drawing due to the difference in conveying speed between the upstream and downstream in the speed adjusting section 38. In the printer 10, the difference between the transport speed of the transport unit and the scanning transport speed is thereby absorbed.

The photosensitive material A is supplied from the second transport section 36 to the image exposure section 16. The image exposing unit 16 (hereinafter, referred to as the exposing unit 16) includes an exposing unit 40 and a scanning and conveying unit 42, and scans and conveys the photosensitive material A in the sub-scanning direction while using the light beam L. By scanning, the photosensitive material A is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed to record a latent image.

The exposure unit 40 modulates according to image data (ie, a recorded image) supplied from the image processing apparatus, and emits three types of light beams corresponding to exposure of three primary colors deflected in the main scanning direction in a predetermined recording mode. This is a known light beam scanning device including a light source for each light beam, a light beam modulating unit, a light deflector such as a polygon mirror, an fθ lens, a mirror for adjusting an optical path, and the like, which are incident on a position. . On the other hand, the scanning and conveying means 42 is configured to include a pair of conveying rollers and the like disposed so as to sandwich the recording position (scanning line). Scans and conveys in the scanning direction.

The photosensitive material A on which the latent image has been recorded by the exposure unit 16 is conveyed to a distribution unit 18 arranged downstream.
The distributing unit 18 distributes the exposed photosensitive material A in the horizontal direction with respect to the transport direction to the processor P according to a distribution pattern set according to the size, thickness, and the like of the photosensitive material A. The photosensitive material A is transported to the transport roller pair 44 that supplies the photosensitive material A to the processor P in the third to third rows. As a result, the processing capacity of the processor P can be improved, for example, about two times for two rows and about three times for three rows.

The distributing section 18 in the illustrated example includes a belt conveyor 46 for placing and transporting the photosensitive material A, and a distributing device 48 disposed thereon. The sorting device 48
It has two sucker units 50. This sucker unit 50
, The photosensitive material A supplied from the exposure unit 16 (sub-scanning conveying means 42) is sucked, held and lifted, one of which is conveyed diagonally right downstream toward the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 46, and the other is diagonally left slanted. The photosensitive material A is conveyed in the downstream direction and is divided into right and left to form a plurality of rows.

One of the suction units 50 has one of the exposure units 16.
For picking up the photosensitive material A supplied from the
P (home position)), the other is located at a place where the photosensitive material A is transported obliquely downstream and opened (hereinafter referred to as a distribution position). At this position, after sucking and releasing the photosensitive material A, the sucker unit 50 which moves synchronously and is located at the distribution position becomes the H.264.
P. The suction unit 50 located at P moves the suction unit to the distribution position. In addition, in the distribution unit 18, when the photosensitive material A is sucked and released by the suction unit 50, the conveyance of the belt conveyor 46 is stopped.

Here, in the printer 10 of the illustrated example, the distribution pattern in the distribution unit 18 is a single-row transport, a two-row high-speed transport, a two-row low-speed transport, a two-row special transport, and a three-row transport. It has two distribution patterns. The transport speed by the belt conveyor 46 is the same in any of the distribution patterns.

The single-row conveyance means that the photosensitive material A (the position indicated by a in FIG. 2) supplied from the exposure unit 16 is conveyed as it is by the belt conveyor 46 to the processor P without distribution. It is a distribution pattern to be supplied.

The double-row conveyance means that the photosensitive material A supplied from the exposure unit 16 to the position shown in FIG. 2A is moved to the position shown in FIG. 2B and the position shown in FIG. This is a distribution pattern which is alternately distributed, transported in two rows, and supplied to the processor P. Here, the two-row high-speed conveyance means that the photosensitive material A supplied from the exposing unit 16 is conveyed to a predetermined position (a position corresponding to HP) at which the photosensitive material A is adsorbed by one of the suction units 50. And the other suction unit 5
This is a distribution pattern in which the release of the photosensitive material A by 0 is performed at the same time. On the other hand, the two-row low-speed conveyance means H.264. P for photosensitive material A
When the sucker unit 50 that has absorbed is moved to the distribution position,
This is a distribution pattern in which the sorted photosensitive material A is immediately released regardless of the supply of the next photosensitive material A. As described above, in the distribution unit 50, the two suction units 50 move synchronously, and the belt conveyor 46 stops when the photosensitive material A is adsorbed and released. Therefore, in the two-row low-speed conveyance, the number of times the belt conveyor 46 is stopped is large. Further, the two-row special transport is a distribution pattern similar to the two-row high-speed transport except that the amount of movement in the horizontal direction is large.

The three-row conveyance means that the photosensitive material A is not distributed to the position indicated by a in FIG. 2, the position indicated by b in FIG. 2 and the position indicated by c in FIG. 5 is a distribution pattern that is distributed in three rows, conveyed, and supplied to the processor P. In the three-row conveyance, the sorting unit 18 operates in the order of b → a → c → b → a → c → b →.
The photosensitive material A is sequentially sorted.

The photosensitive material A conveyed by the distribution unit 18
Are supplied to the processor P by the downstream conveying roller pair 44, and while being conveyed at a predetermined speed, color development, bleach-fixing,
It is sequentially immersed in each processing tank for washing or the like and subjected to development processing. Thereafter, it is dried and discharged as a (finished) print. In addition, the photosensitive material A by the transport roller pair 44
Is the same as the transport speed of the photosensitive material in the processor P.

In the printer 10 of the illustrated example, the photosensitive material A is supplied to the draw roller pair 24 or 26 at the supply timing according to the photosensitive material supply method of the present invention.
The sheet is cut by the cutter 28 or 30 into a cut sheet having a length corresponding to the print size, and is supplied from the supply unit 12. Photosensitive material A supplied
Is the second transport unit 36 (or the first transport unit 34)
The back printing unit 14 records a back print while being conveyed at a predetermined speed, and the speed adjusting unit 38 sets the conveyance speed to the same speed as the scanning conveyance speed, and then scans the exposure unit 16 from the second conveyance unit 36. It is supplied to the conveying means 42.

The photosensitive material A transported to the exposure section 16 is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by a light beam L modulated in accordance with a recorded image and deflected in the main scanning direction while being transported in the sub-scanning direction by the scanning transporting means 42. And a latent image is recorded. The exposed light-sensitive material A is
It is conveyed to the belt conveyor 46 of the sorting unit 18 as it is,
Sorted according to the distribution pattern according to the size etc.,
From the belt conveyor 46, the paper P is supplied to the pair of transport rollers 44 at the same speed as the transport speed in the processor P, and is supplied to the processor P.

Here, in the printer 10, the photosensitive material A is cut according to the print size by using the photosensitive material supply method of the present invention described below, and then the sucker of the distribution unit 46 is cut. It is supplied to the processor P without stopping the conveyance at all, except that the belt conveyor 46 stops for the suction and release by the unit 50. In other words, there is no stop or restart of the transport of the photosensitive material A in accordance with the progress of the processing of the downstream unit, the operation status, the transport speed difference, and the like. This eliminates the need to detect the space for stopping the photosensitive material, the position of the photosensitive material, and the operation of each unit, and further reduces the load on the photosensitive material transport system and simplifies transport control. , The number of various types of sensors can be reduced, and the conveyance control of the photosensitive material can be simplified.

FIG. 3 shows that the printer 10 that implements one example of the photosensitive material supply method (hereinafter referred to as the supply method) of the present invention starts from receiving a print creation request from the image processing apparatus (print request reception) to receiving the photosensitive material A. 2 shows a flowchart from the start of drawing out to the end of printing.

When the printer 10 (its control unit) receives a print request from the image processing apparatus, it adds necessary information such as sheet information of a print to be created and registers the print request in a print queue. Note that the sheet information includes a print size (width (from which magazine 32 the photosensitive material A is pulled out), length), surface type,
One or more of a thickness, a sort instruction (whether or not at the head of one case), back print information, and the like are exemplified. In addition, one case is generally one film, but may be a set of prints requested by a customer collectively, such as one or more frames of one film or a plurality of films.

When the printer 10 receives the print request, it checks the status of the printer 10 and, if the printing is not being performed, retrieves the information in the first print queue and prepares for the start of conveyance. Examples of the preparation for starting the conveyance include motor driving of a pair of conveyance rollers for conveying the photosensitive material A, and setting of a width guide for regulating the position of the photosensitive material A.

Next, the information of the first print wait queue is taken out, the distribution pattern of the photosensitive material A in the distribution unit 18 is determined, and registered in the corresponding print wait queue. As described above, the printer 10 of the illustrated example has five types of distribution patterns: single-row conveyance, two-row high-speed conveyance, two-row special conveyance, two-row low-speed conveyance, and three-row conveyance. (That is, print size) and thickness determine the distribution pattern.

As an example, when at least one of the width and the length of the photosensitive material A is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and when the photosensitive material A has a thickness equal to or more than a predetermined value, single-row conveyance is selected as the distribution pattern. It should be noted that a specific surface type having a high possibility of having a predetermined thickness or more may be determined as the thickness of the photosensitive material A according to the surface type, and may be transported in a single line. Furthermore, the surface type for which the suction unit 50 of the distribution unit 18 is not easily sucked may be determined as the surface type and may be transported in a single row regardless of the thickness. The size of the photosensitive material A is a general size (L
(C) size, H size, panorama size, etc.), if the longitudinal direction is the transport direction, select three-row transport; if the short direction is the transport direction, select two-row high-speed transport. (Excluding panorama size and H size). The size of the photosensitive material A is between the single-row conveyance and the two-row high-speed conveyance (for example,
Cabinet size and 2L size (127mm × 178mm)
), The two-row low-speed conveyance is selected. Further, when the size of the photosensitive material A is smaller than the L size, the two-row special conveyance is selected.

After determining the distribution pattern, the printer 10 determines the presence or absence of the photosensitive material A currently being processed by the printer 10, and if not, proceeds to the calculation of the standby time. On the other hand, if there is a photosensitive material being processed, the distribution pattern is checked, and if the distribution pattern is the same, the process proceeds to the calculation of the standby time. After all the materials A have been supplied to the processor P, the process proceeds to the calculation of the standby time. That is, in the printer 10, the photosensitive materials A having different distribution patterns are not simultaneously processed in the printer 10.

Even if the distribution pattern is the same, when changing the magazine 32 from which the photosensitive material A is drawn out, after all the photosensitive materials currently being processed in the printer 10 are supplied to the processor P, the standby state is changed. Move on to time calculation. That is, similarly, the photosensitive materials A drawn from different magazines 32 are not simultaneously processed in the printer 10.

In the illustrated printer 10, the calculation and control of the standby time of the photosensitive material A are thereby facilitated.

The waiting time is a time for waiting for the photosensitive material A corresponding to the information in the first print waiting queue (that is, the photosensitive material A to be supplied next = the photosensitive material A to be drawn out) from the magazine 32. Is calculated using the following equations according to the selected distribution pattern.
The calculated waiting time is registered in a corresponding print waiting queue.

In the following equations, Tw; standby time Dpr; interval of photosensitive material A in processor P Vpr; transport speed of photosensitive material A in processor P Vf; distribution unit 18 (belt conveyor 46) Transport speed De; minimum photosensitive material interval in the exposure unit 16 Ve; sub-scanning transport speed Vh in the exposure unit 16 (sub-scanning transport unit 42); photosensitive material A in the first transport unit 34 and the second transport unit 36 Transport speed Tc; cutting time of photosensitive material A by cutters 28 and 30 Tf; transport stop time of belt conveyor 46 for sorting Ta: sorting operation time Ts; sorting time dn; spacing of the light-sensitive material a in the exposing section 16; photosensitive material spacing D _fl; length of light-sensitive material a d; moving distance L according to the sorting operation; conveying path length Df of the sorting section 18 A. Further, the length L of the photosensitive material A and the length of the exposed portion 16
In the interval d of the photosensitive material A in the above, n is the photosensitive material A to be supplied next, n-1 is the photosensitive material A one sheet before, n-
2 corresponds to the photosensitive material A two sheets before, n-3 corresponds to the photosensitive material A three sheets before, and n-4 corresponds to the photosensitive material A four sheets before.

First, when the distribution pattern is single-row conveyance, the standby time Tw is calculated by the following equation using the length of the photosensitive material A pulled out one sheet before. Tw = [(Ln _-1 + Dpr) / Vpr]-[Ln _-1 / V
f] + [L _n-1 / Ve]-[L _n-1 / Vh] -Tc The same applies to the following distribution pattern, but the photosensitive material A to be supplied next is one sheet in the printer 10. When it becomes an eye, the standby time is set to 0.

In the case of the two-row high-speed transport and the two-row special transport, the length of the three photosensitive materials A pulled out before and the length of the photosensitive material A to be supplied next are used as follows. 3
The waiting time Tw is calculated using the two equations, and the largest one is used. Tw = [(L _n−2 + Dpr) / ₂ Vpr] + [(L _n−1
−L _n−2 ) / Vf] + [(L _n−1 −L _n ) / Ve] −
[Ln _-1 / Vh] -Tc Tw = [(Ln _-3 + Dpr) / 2Vpr] + [(Ln _-1
−L _n−2 ) / Vf] + [(L _n−1 −L _n ) / Ve] −
[L _n-1 / Vh] -Tc Tw = [(L _n-1 -De) / Ve]-[L _n-1 / Vh]
-Tc

However, if the photosensitive material A to be supplied next is to be sorted (the head of one case), the standby time is obtained by the following calculation. tw1 = [(L _n−2 + Dpr) / (2Vpr)] +
[(Ln _{-1 -} Ln _-2 ) / Vf] tw1 = [(Ln _-3 + Dpr) / (2Vpr)] +
[(L _n-1 -L _n-2 ) / Vf] tw1 = [(L _n-1 + De) / Ve] The largest one of the three tw1s is adopted as tw1. tw2 = [(L _n-1 + Dpr) / (2Vpr)] +
[(L _n-1 −L _n ) / Ve] tw2 = [(L _n−2 + Dpr) / (2Vpr)] +
[(L _n-1 -L _n ) / Ve] tw2 = [(L _n-1 + De) / Ve] The largest one of the three tw2s is adopted as tw2. Tw1 and tw2 obtained in this manner
Is used to calculate the standby time Tw by the following equation. Tw = tw1 + tw2- [Ln _-1 / Vh] -Tc

In the calculation of the waiting time in the two-row conveyance and the three-row conveyance, if there is no information on the previous photosensitive material A, the length of the next photosensitive material A to be supplied is changed to the length of the previous photosensitive material A. As such, the standby time Tw is calculated.

In the case of two-row low-speed conveyance, the
Using the length of the photosensitive material A and the length of the photosensitive material A to be supplied next, the standby time Tw is calculated by the following three equations, and the largest one is used. Tw = [(L _n-1 + Dpr) / (2Vpr)] + [(L
_{n -L n-1) / Vf} ] + [(L n-1 -L n) / Ve] -
[L _n−1 / Vh] −Tc Tw = [(L _n−2 + Dpr) / (2Vpr)] + [(L
_{n -L n-1) / Vf} ] + [(L n-1 -L n) / Ve] -
[Ln _-1 / Vh] -Tc Tw = [(Ln _-1 ) / Ve]-[Ln _-1 / Vh] + Ta
-Tc

However, if the photosensitive material A to be supplied next is to be sorted, the standby time Tw is calculated by the following equation in addition to the above three equations, and the largest one is set as the standby time Tw.
And _{Tw = Ts - [(L n} -L n-1) / Vf] + [(L n-1
_{-L n) / Ve] - [} L n-1 / Vh] -Tc

In the case of three-row conveyance, the standby time Tw is calculated using the length of the four photosensitive materials A pulled out before and the length of the photosensitive material A to be supplied next. That is, in this example, when the distribution pattern is single-row conveyance,
The standby time is calculated using the length of the photosensitive material A pulled out one sheet before, and when the distribution pattern is a plurality of rows, the length of photosensitive material A to be supplied next and the number of arrangements + the photosensitive sheet drawn out one sheet before The waiting time is calculated using the length of the material A. This makes it possible to stably supply the photosensitive material A to the processor P with a simple calculation by properly controlling the interval between the photosensitive materials A in the apparatus and without stopping the transportation of the photosensitive material A without stopping.

As described above, in the three-row conveyance, the photosensitive material A is sequentially distributed to each position in the order of position b → position a → position c. Here, in the case of three-row conveyance, according to the distribution position (the positions b, a, and c) by the distribution unit 18,
The standby time Tw is calculated by a method corresponding to each. However, if the length L _n of the next supply the photosensitive material A is longer than the length L _n-1 of the preceding photosensitive material A, as in the panorama size, the next supplies the light-sensitive material A length If L _n exceeds a predetermined length, and, if then fed photosensitive material a is sorted, the position a (the center position) is skipped (Center skip), distributed to positions c.

First, when the distribution position of the photosensitive material A to be supplied next is the position b and the previous photosensitive material A is not distributed to the position c by the center skip, the following operation is performed. , The standby time Tw is calculated. dn = [(L _n−2 + Dpr) × Ve / (3Vpr)] −
[(L _n−2 −L _n−1 −Df) × Ve / Vf] − (d <sub>n−1
+ L n-1 + L n</sub> ) dn = [(L n-4 + Dpr) × Ve / Vpr] - [(L
_n−4− L _n−1 ) × Ve / Vf] − (d _n−2 + L _n−2 + d
_{n-1 + L n-1} + L n)

When dn _-1 > De dn = [(Ln _-1 + Ln- ₂ + Dx- _Dfl ) .times.Ve / Vp
r] + [3 × Tf × Ve] + [(D _fl −L _n−2 ) × Ve
_{/ Vf] - (d n-} 1 + L n-1 + L n) when _{d n-1 ≦ De dn =} [(L n-1 + L n-2 + Dx-D fl) × Ve / Vp
r] + [2 × Tf × Ve] + [(D _fl −L _n−2 ) × Ve
/ Vf]-(d _n-1 + L _n-1 + L _n ) where Dx is the transport speed Vf in the distribution unit 18 and the distribution speed Vf in order to avoid collision of the photosensitive material A in the distribution unit 18. The length is appropriately set according to the transport stop time Tf and the like, and is, for example, 120 mm.

If the previous photosensitive material A was to be sorted, the following calculation is further performed. dn = [Ts × Ve] − [(L _n−2 −L _n−1 −Df) ×
Ve / Vf]-(d _n-1 + L _n-1 + L _n )

The above calculation of dn is performed for all the corresponding dns, the largest dn is selected, and the standby time Tw is calculated by the following equation. However, when dn <De, dn =
Calculation is performed as De. Tw = [(Ln _-1 + dn) / Ve]-[Ln _-1 / Vh]
-Tc

On the other hand, when the distribution position of the photosensitive material A to be supplied next is the position b and the previous photosensitive material A is distributed to the position c by skipping the center,
The standby time Tw is calculated as follows. dn = [(L _n−3 + Dpr) × Ve / Vpr] − [(L
_n−3− L _n−1 ) × Ve / Vf] − (d _n−1 + L _n−1 + L
_n ) dn = [(L _n−2 + Dpr) × Ve / (3Vpr)] −
[(L _n−2 −L _n−1 ) × Ve / Vf] −L _n

Further, when the photosensitive material A one sheet before is to be sorted, the following calculation is further performed. dn = [Ts × Ve] − [(L _n−2 −L _n−1 ) × Ve /
Vf] -L _n

By calculating the above dn, the largest d
n is selected, and the standby time Tw is calculated by the following equation.
However, when dn <De, dn = De. Tw = [(Ln _-1 + dn) / Ve]-[Ln _-1 / Vh]
-Tc

If the distribution position of the photosensitive material A to be supplied next is the position a and the photosensitive material A two sheets before is not distributed to the position c by the center skip, the standby time is set as follows. Tw is calculated. dn = [(L _n−2 + Dpr) × Ve / (3Vpr)] −
[(L _n−2 −L _n−1 ) × Ve / Vf] −L _n dn = [(L _n−4 + Dpr) × Ve / Vpr] − [(L
_n−4− L _n−1 ) × Ve / Vf] − (d _n−2 + L _n−2 + d
_{n-1 + L n-1} + L n) dn = [(L n-3 + Dpr) × Ve / Vpr] - [(L
_n−3− L _n ) × Ve / Vf] − (d _n−2 + L _n−2 + d
_{n-1 + L n-1} + L n)

Further, when the photosensitive material A one sheet before is to be sorted, the following calculation is further performed. dn = [Ts × Ve] − [(L _n−2 −L _n−1 ) × Ve /
Vf] -L _n

By calculating the above dn, the largest d
n is selected, and the standby time Tw is calculated by the following equation.
However, when dn <De, dn = De. Tw = [(Ln _-1 + dn) / Ve]-[Ln _-1 / Vh]
-Tc

On the other hand, when the distribution position of the photosensitive material A to be supplied next is the position a and the photosensitive material A two sheets earlier is distributed to the position c by skipping the center,
The standby time Tw is calculated as follows. dn = [(L _n−3 + Dpr) × Ve / Vpr] − [(L
_n−3− L _n−1 ) × Ve / Vf] − (d _n−1 + L _n−1 + L
_n ) dn = [(L _n−2 + Dpr) × Ve / (3Vpr)] −
[(L _n−2 −L _n−1 ) × Ve / Vf] −L _n

Further, when the photosensitive material A one sheet before is to be sorted, the following calculation is further performed. dn = [Ts × Ve] − [(L _n−2 −L _n−1 ) × Ve /
Vf] -L _n

By calculating the above dn, the largest d
n is selected, and the standby time Tw is calculated by the following equation.
However, when dn <De, dn = De. Tw = [(Ln _-1 + dn) / Ve]-[Ln _-1 / Vh]
-Tc

Further, when the distribution position of the photosensitive material A to be supplied next is the position c, the standby time Tw is calculated by the following equation with dn = De. Tw = [(Ln _-1 + dn) / Ve]-[Ln _-1 / Vh]
-Tc If the photosensitive material A to be supplied next is to be distributed to the position c by skipping the center, the position a
The standby time Tw is calculated in the same manner as described above.

The printer 10 in the illustrated example has the
6 and the cutters 28 and 3
Although the transport speed from 0 to the governor 38 is high,
If both are at a constant speed, the calculation of the standby time may be performed using an equation in which the transport speed Vh of the first transport unit 34 and the second transport unit 36 is equivalent to the sub-scan transport speed Ve. Also,
For example, when the transport speed in the processor P is sufficiently high (the speed difference with the printer 10 can be ignored), such as when the processor P is large, the transport speed Vpr in the processor P and the photosensitive material are used in calculating the standby time. A interval D
There is no need to consider pr. Further, the printer 10 in the illustrated example is a device having a length corresponding to a print to be drawn out by cutting out the photosensitive material A wound in a roll shape. In the calculation of the standby time, it is not necessary to consider the cutting time Tc by the cutter.

After the standby time Tw has been calculated in this way, a drawer start waiting process (setting of the drawer start time) is performed using the standby time Tw and the cutting time of the photosensitive material A one sheet before. When the distribution pattern is single-row conveyance or two-row low-speed conveyance, the cutting time of the previous photosensitive material A is taken out of a print processing queue to be described later, and the calculated standby time Tw and the taken out cutting time are added and added. The result (addition time) is compared with the current time. As a result of the comparison, if the current time is larger, the current time is set as the extraction start time. Conversely, if the current time is smaller, the current time is subtracted from the added time to calculate the wait time, and the elapsed time of the wait time is set as the extraction start time.

On the other hand, when the distribution pattern is other than the above, such as two-row high-speed and special conveyance, and three-row conveyance, the processing for waiting for withdrawal start is performed as follows. First, similarly, the previous cutting time of the photosensitive material A is taken out, the calculated standby time Tw is added to this cutting time, and the added time is compared with the current time. As a result of the comparison, if the current time is smaller, the current time is subtracted from the added time to calculate the wait time, and the time when the wait time has elapsed is set as the extraction start time.

On the other hand, if the current time is larger as a result of the comparison, the following calculation is further performed, and the obtained time X is compared with the current time. X = addition time + [(L _n / Ve) + Ta] × 2 Each symbol is as described above, L _n is the length of the photosensitive material A to be supplied next, Ve is the sub-scanning conveyance speed, Ta
Indicates the distribution operation time. As a result of comparing the time X with the current time, if the current time is larger,
Set the current time as the withdrawal start time. vice versa,
If the current time is smaller, the current time is subtracted from the time X to calculate the wait time, and the elapsed time of the wait time is set as the extraction start time.

When the withdrawal start time set in the withdrawal start waiting process has come, the withdrawal / cutoff process is started. That is, according to the information at the head of the print queue, the drawer roller pair 24 or 26 corresponding to the magazine 32 accommodating the photosensitive material A corresponding to the print to be created is driven to pull out the photosensitive material A, and to set the print size. When the corresponding photosensitive material A is pulled out, the conveyance is stopped, and the photosensitive material A is cut by the corresponding cutter 28 or 30. The subsequent processing of the photosensitive material A is as described above.

When the photosensitive material A is cut, the print queue corresponding to the print is deleted, and predetermined information is registered in the print processing queue. Examples of the information of the print processing queue include a print size, a distribution position, a cutting end time (= cutting time) of the photosensitive material A, and the like. The print processing queue is deleted when the corresponding photosensitive material A is supplied to the processor P.

In the printer 10, when the drawing / cutting process is completed, the presence or absence of a print waiting queue is checked (queue check). If there is a print waiting queue, the process returns to the above-described distribution pattern determination, and The same process is performed on the print queue, and if there is no print queue, the print creation operation is terminated.

As described above, the photosensitive material supply method of the present invention has been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above examples.
Of course, various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0077]

As described above in detail, according to the photosensitive material supply method of the present invention, an image exposure used in a digital photo printer or the like, in which a cut sheet-shaped photosensitive material is subjected to image exposure by scanning exposure. In the apparatus, operations such as stopping and resuming the conveyance of the photosensitive material according to the progress of the processing in each unit, and a mechanism for performing such an operation are not required. It is possible to reduce the number of sensors, simplify the control of conveying the photosensitive material, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a printer using a photosensitive material supply method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining distribution of photosensitive materials in the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a photosensitive material supply method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer 12 (photosensitive material) supply part 14 Back printing means 16 Image exposure part 18 Distributing part 20, 22 Loading part 24, 26 Draw-out roller pair 28, 30 Cutter 32 Magazine 34 First conveyance part 36 Second conveyance part 40 Exposure Unit 42 Scanning and Conveying Means 44 Conveying Roller Pair 46 Belt Conveyor 48 Distributor 50 Suction Unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A first processing apparatus having a supply unit, an image forming unit, and a distribution unit, supplies a sheet material having a size corresponding to a print created from the supply unit, and supplies the sheet material to the image forming unit. Forming an image while scanning and transporting the sheet material, and arranging the sheet material in a single row or a plurality of rows in an allocation pattern corresponding to at least one of the size and type of the sheet material in the allocation section, A feeding speed of the sheet material from the supply unit to the sorting unit, a feeding speed of the sheet material in the sorting unit, a sorting pattern of the sheet material in the sorting unit, According to the length of the sheet material previously supplied from the supply unit, the length of the sheet material to be supplied next from the supply unit, and the time at which the previous sheet material was supplied from the supply unit. And determining a supply timing of a sheet material to be supplied next from the supply unit. 2. The sheet material supply method according to claim 1, wherein the supply timing is determined in consideration of a difference between a transport speed between the supply unit and the image forming unit and a transport speed in the image forming unit. . 3. The sheet material supply method according to claim 1, wherein the supply timing is determined in consideration of a sheet material conveyance speed and a sheet material interval in the second processing apparatus. 4. A sheet material is drawn from a sheet material roll around which a long sheet material is wound in the supply section.
Considering the cutting time to cut to the length according to the print,
The sheet material supply method according to claim 1, wherein the supply timing is determined. 5. When the sheet material is supplied to the second processing apparatus in a single row, the supply timing is determined using the length of the sheet material supplied from the supply unit one sheet before, and the sheet material is supplied. 5. When supplying a plurality of rows to the second processing device, the supply timing is determined using the length of the sheet material supplied from the supply unit before the number of arrangements + 1. The sheet material supply method according to any one of the above. 6. A standby time for waiting for supply of a sheet material from a supply unit is calculated by using each of the parameters according to the distribution pattern in the distribution unit. The sheet material supply method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the supply timing is determined by adding a time at which the material is supplied from the supply unit and comparing the added time with a current time. 7. A waiting time for waiting for supply of a sheet material from a supply unit is calculated using the parameters according to the distribution pattern in the distribution unit, and the one sheet before sheet is added to the standby time. The time when the material is supplied from the supply unit is added, and the added time is compared with the current time.If the current time is smaller, according to the added time and the current time. The supply timing is determined, and if the current time is larger, a time obtained by adding a time x calculated by the following equation to the addition time is compared with a current time to determine the supply timing. The sheet material supply method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is determined. x
= [(Length of sheet material to be supplied next / conveyance speed in image forming unit) + time required for sorting in sorting unit] ×
2 8. When the distribution pattern of the sheet material currently being processed is different from the distribution pattern of the sheet material to be supplied from the next supply unit, all the sheet materials currently being processed are subjected to the second processing. The sheet material supply method according to claim 1, wherein the next sheet material is supplied from the supply unit after being supplied to the apparatus. 9. When the sheet supply section is constituted by a plurality of sheet material supply sources and sheet materials are supplied from different sheet material supply sources, all of the sheet materials being processed in the first processing apparatus are the second sheet material. The sheet material supply method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the next sheet material is supplied from the supply unit after being supplied to the processing device of (1).