JP2002090912A - Automatic printing method and automatic printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make automatic processing of a plurality of photographic films performable without attendance when the image information of the photographic films is read in order of acceptance and order information is inputted without sorting a plurality of the photographic film for every order information. SOLUTION: The image data on every film read from a plurality of the films by a line CCD scanner 16 are stored in correspondence to the number of sheets of prints for every film and the order information on print sizes, etc., in a RAM 176. Next, image data having the same order information are outputted from an image memory section 172 to a printer 14 and collectively printed. As a result, even if the films are not sorted for every order information, since the image information on the films can be read in order of acceptance, the workability is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an automatic printing method and an automatic printing apparatus for printing image information recorded on a film based on order information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a laboratory or the like, when printing a photographic film ordered by a customer, order information such as the print size of the print, the number of prints, the presence or absence of an index, and whether or not to write image information on a CD-R is recorded on a film. Each time it is input to the automatic printing device.

When a plurality of photographic films are to be processed together, photographic films having order information matching the paper size set in the printer are sorted, set as one lot in an automatic film feeder, and printed. I was doing.

However, since the work of bundling and setting photographic films for the same order information and setting them in the automatic film supply device is troublesome, there is a demand for an automatic printing device capable of saving labor.

On the other hand, the present applicant has disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-26514.
In the first issue, when print sizes as order information are mixed, a plurality of printers each equipped with a magazine having a different paper size are prepared, image data is sent to a printer that matches the print size, and printing with mixed paper sizes is performed. We proposed a print system that can automatically process.

However, this system requires a plurality of printers, so that automatic processing is possible. However, considering the initial cost, it is not suitable for small and medium-sized developing laboratories.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above facts, the present invention does not sort a plurality of photographic films for each order information. It is an object of the present invention to automatically process prints of a plurality of photographic films.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the first step, image information for each film read from a plurality of films by the image reading unit is used to determine the number of prints, print size, etc. for each film. Is stored in the storage means in correspondence with the order information. In the second step, image information having the same order information is output from the storage means to the printer and printed as one lot.

With such a configuration, the image information of the film can be read in the order of receiving without sorting the film for each order information, so that the workability is improved. If the printer is not equipped with a magazine that can handle the print size corresponding to the order information of one lot, the magazine is replaced with a magazine that can support the print size, and the remaining film is automatically printed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first step, a plurality of films are bundled and set in a film supply unit for automatically and continuously supplying the film to the image reading unit.

That is, since films with different order information can be bundled and set in the film supply unit without sorting, as long as a magazine of a corresponding print size is mounted on the printer, unattended continuous printing is possible. Becomes possible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the films bundled and set in the film supply means are successively supplied to the image reading means one by one.

This image reading means reads the image information of the film and converts it into digital image information, and the order information input means inputs order information such as the number of prints and the print size.

The digital image information for each film read by the image reading means is stored in the storage means in correspondence with the order information for each film.

Then, the control means outputs digital image information having the same order information from the storage means to the printer. The printer prints an image on paper based on digital image information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, digital image information of a printable paper size is output based on magazine information mounted on a printer. That is, the priority of using the currently mounted magazine can reduce the time and effort for replacing the magazine.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an automatic printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the automatic printing apparatus 10 includes an image reading apparatus 12 including a line CCD scanner 16 and an image processing section 18 as a reading section, a laser printer 20 and a processor as a development processing section. And a printer device 14 comprising a printer unit 22.

The line CCD scanner 16 is for reading a film image recorded on a photographic film such as a negative film or a reversal film. The line CCD scanner 16 is provided with a line CCD 24 in which R (red), G (green), and B (blue) photometric sensors are arranged in three rows, and the line CCD 24 reads an image on a photographic film 26. R, G, B
The three color image data is output to the image processing unit 18.

The storage unit 170 of the line CCD scanner 16 stores order information (print size, index presence / absence, number of prints, and read image information read into a storage medium) of a plurality of photographic films 26 on a keyboard 160. Is entered. This order information is tabulated in a file as shown in FIG. 7 corresponding to the photographic film number.

The order information is stored in the keyboard 160
Not limited to this, the information may be input from a reception terminal in a store, and the method of transferring information to the line CCD scanner 16 may be via a network or a medium such as a PC card.

The image processing unit 18 performs image processing such as correction on image data from the line CCD 24 and stores the image data in the image storage unit 172 as image data. This image storage unit 172 is composed of a large-capacity storage device.
All image data of one lot (a bundle of photographic films bundled in the automatic film supply device 70 described later) can be stored with a margin.

The RAM 176 of the image processing section 18 stores files grouped by order information (for example, print size) by the CPU 174 as shown in FIG. The CPU 174 is a RAM 17
The image data of the grouped photographic film numbers stored in 6 is output to the laser printer unit 20. In addition,
The paper size information stored in the magazine 178 is obtained from the laser printer unit 20, and image data that can be printed in the paper size is output to the laser printer unit 20.

The image processing section 18 outputs the image data subjected to the image processing to an external device as an image file according to the order information (for example, to an external storage device such as a storage medium such as a memory card or an HDD). And transmission to other information processing devices via a communication line).

The laser printer unit 20 has R, G, B
And a laser light source that emits laser light of each type. The laser light that is modulated according to the image data input from the image processing unit 18 is irradiated on the paper to form an image (latent image) on the paper by scanning exposure. I do. Further, the processor unit 22 performs each process of color development, bleach-fixing, washing, and drying on the paper scanned and exposed by the laser printer unit 20. Thus, the latent image formed on the paper is developed into a visible image.

The line CC installed in the image reading device 12
The reading optical system including D24 includes a light source 30 including a metal halide lamp, a halogen lamp, and the like. Light source 3
Behind 0, so that the light source 30 is located at the focal position,
A parabolic reflector 32 is provided. And
Light emitted from the light source 30 is reflected by the reflector 32 and is emitted toward the photographic film 26.

The image reading device 12 is provided with a flat work table 40 parallel to the floor F as shown in FIG. A housing-like film carrier 46 is detachably mounted on the upper surface of the vibration isolator provided on the work table 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, the film carrier 46 is provided with a reading conveyance path 52 for guiding the photographic film 26 to a predetermined reading position R. The reading conveyance path 52 extends from the front end surface of the supply guide portion 54 projecting laterally from the side plate portion of the film carrier 46 to the inside of the film carrier 46.
It is connected to an automatic film supply device 70 for supplying the photographic film 26 to the reading conveyance path 52.

In the film carrier 46, a first transport roller pair 56, a second transport roller pair 58, and a third transport roller pair 60 are arranged in this order along the reading transport path 52 from the supply guide section 54 side. I have. Each of the transport roller pairs 56, 58, 60 is constituted by a driven roller and a drive roller, and a torque from a common transport motor 61 is transmitted to the respective drive rollers of the transport roller pairs 56, 58, 60. Here, the transport motor 61 is a step motor whose rotation speed and rotation direction can each be controlled.

When the photographic film 26 is supplied from the supply guide portion 54 into the film carrier 46, the pair of conveying rollers 56, 58, 60 intersects the photographic film 26 along the reading and conveying path 52 at right angles to the optical axis L. One direction (sub scanning direction)
Transport along. In the film carrier 46, an elongated slit is formed on the optical axis L in the width direction of the photographic film 26. As a result, the light emitted from the light source 30 passes through the photographic film 26 and the film carrier 46
To the lens unit 50 above. Here, the position where the optical axis L of the reading optical system and the photographic film 26 in the film carrier 46 intersect is defined as the reading position R.

On the left side of the film carrier 46, a film take-up portion 64 having a substantially circular space is integrally formed. The film take-up portion 64 is connected to the other end of the reading conveyance path 52. ing. The inner wall of the film winding section 64 serves as a guide surface for curving the photographic film 26 according to its winding habit. As a result, the photographic film 26 carried out from the reading conveyance path 52 into the film winding section 64 by the third conveyance roller pair 60 is wound into a roll and stored in the film winding section 64.

In the film carrier 46, as shown in FIG.
The first film sensor 66 is provided between the first transport roller pair 56 and the second transport roller pair 58 between the first transport roller pair 56 and the first transport roller pair 56.
The second film sensors 68 are provided between the first and second sensors. Each of the film sensors 66 and 68 includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit that face each other via the reading and conveying path 52, and the light emitted from the light projecting unit is transmitted to the photographic film
The light receiving unit outputs a detection signal in synchronism therewith.

On the other hand, the work table 40 is provided with a display 148 as shown in FIG. The operator inputs order information such as the customer number, the number of prints, and the print size of the photographic film 26 by using the keyboard 160 while viewing the setting screen of the display 148. In this embodiment, the information is input in the order of reception without sorting the photographic films 26 according to the order information, and the photographic films are bundled and set in the automatic film supply device 70.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading apparatus 12 is provided with an automatic film feeder 70 as an optional unit on the side of the work table 40 (right side in FIG. 2). A film supply unit 71 for loading a film bundle 72 on which the photographic film 26 before image reading is stacked in the thickness direction is provided on the upper surface of the automatic film supply device 70.
Is provided.

The film supply unit 71 is provided with a film holder cover 74 disposed on the upper surface of the automatic film supply device 70 and a circular concave film storage chamber 76 opening to the upper surface of the automatic film supply device 70. I have.
The film storage chamber 76 has a depth corresponding to the width of the photographic film 26, and a plurality of guide pins 78 are erected along the circumferential direction at substantially equal intervals from each other on the outer periphery of the bottom surface. .

One end of an elongated groove-shaped film guide path 80 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the film storage chamber 76. The film guide path 80 is disposed behind the film storage chamber 76 when viewed from the operator. Holder cover 74
Extends inside. Here, the film holder cover 74 is disposed on the upper surface of the automatic film feeder 70 so as to be openable and closable. The film supply unit 71
Is provided with a cover sensor 81 for detecting the film holder cover at the closed position and outputting a detection signal as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the film supply section 71 is provided with a film holder 82 in which the leading end of the film bundle 72 is loaded in the film holder cover 74. As shown in FIG. 4, the film holder 82 is provided with a holding bracket 84 bent in a substantially U-shape, and both side plates of the holding bracket 84 are spaced along the width direction of the photographic film 26. Is formed so as to be substantially equal to the width of the photographic film 26 at the base end, and to taper toward the opening end from the base end. A sheet-shaped locking guide member 86 on which a number of flexible fine projections are formed is attached to the inside of both side plate portions of the holding bracket 84, respectively.

The film holder 82 is provided with a lever member 90 for connecting the holding bracket 84 to the upper surface of the automatic film feeder 70 via a connecting shaft 88. As a result, the film holder 82 is supported so as to be swingable about a connecting shaft 88 between a predetermined supply position and a loading position.
Here, when the film holder 82 is at the loading position where the film holder is swung clockwise by approximately 90 ° from the supply position shown in FIG. 4, the operator can load the film bundle 72 into the film holder 82. The film supply unit 71 is provided with a holder sensor 91 that detects the film holder 82 at the supply position and outputs a detection signal.

When loading the film bundle 72 into the film holder 82, first, the operator opens the film holder cover 74 and swings the film holder 82 to the open position. Thereafter, the operator aligns the plurality of photographic films 26 constituting the film bundle 72 so that the leading ends (the ends on the recording image side of the first frame) coincide with each other, and the film bundle 72 is shown in FIG. Film storage room 76
To store. At this time, the film bundle 72 is wound around the outer periphery of the three guide pins 78 so as to be curved according to the winding habit, and a part of the remaining rear end side is inserted into the inner periphery of the guide pin 78.

Next, the operator moves the leading end side of the film bundle 72 along the film guide path 80 into the film storage chamber 7.
6 to the film holder 82 side (see FIG. 2),
The leading end of the film bundle 72 is pushed between the two side plates of the holding bracket 84 of the film holder 82. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the leading end of the film bundle 72 is curved such that the center in the width direction bulges toward the opening end of the holding member 84, and the both side plate portions of the holding member 84 are provided. The film is pushed into the holding fitting 84 so that the film side ends are pressed against each other. As a result, the photographic film 26 constituting the film bundle 72 has its side end locked by the small projections on the surface of the locking guide member 86. At this time, the locking guide member 86 allows the photographic film 26 to move with a small transport resistance in the longitudinal direction of the film, but locks the photographic film 26 by the fine protrusion so as to limit the movement in the film thickness direction. I do. Further, the photographic films 26 constituting the film bundle 72 are loaded into the film holder 82 such that the surfaces (emulsion surfaces) face the base end of the holding bracket 84, respectively.

On the other hand, a film bundle 72 loaded in a film holder 82 at a supply position is
The feed roller 92 is provided so as to face the side. The roller surface of the feed roller 92 is formed of rubber or the like having a high friction coefficient and elasticity. Here, the actuator 93 moves the film holder 82 at the supply position to any one of the predetermined pressure contact position and the separation position along the thickness direction of the film bundle 72. Here, when the film holder 82 moves to the pressing position, the back surface of the photographic film 26 located at the lowermost portion of the film bundle 72 is pressed against the roller surface of the feeding roller 92, and when the film holder 82 moves to the separating position, the film bundle 72 is supplied. It is separated from the feed roller 92.

The feed roller 92 is connected to a feed motor 94 via a torque transmission mechanism (not shown), and rotates in a predetermined feed direction when the feed motor 94 is driven.
Therefore, when the feed motor 94 is driven, the film holder 82
Is moved from the separation position to the pressure contact position, one photographic film 26 located at the lowermost position is separated from the film bundle 72 loaded in the film holder 82, and this photographic film 26 is pressed against the feeding roller 92. Is sent to the downstream side along the longitudinal direction of the film by the frictional force received from the film.

In the film supply section 71, a film sensor 95 for detecting the film bundle 72 loaded in the film holder 82 is provided below the film holder 82. This film sensor 95 has a film bundle 72 (photographic film 26) in a film holder 82,
The detection signal is output when the film holder 82 is at the supply position.

A feeding roller 92 is provided in the film supply section 71.
A film supply path 96 for guiding the photographic film 26 fed from the film holder 82 to the supply guide section 54 is provided. This film supply path 96
Has an open end facing near the upper end of the feed roller 92 so that the photographic film 26 fed to the image reading device 12 by the feed roller 92 is inserted.

An outlet is provided on the film carrier 46 side of the film supply path 96, and faces the supply guide section 54 of the reading and conveying path 52 with a predetermined clearance. Here, the clearance is set so that the leading end of the supply guide portion 54 does not collide with the automatic film supply device 70 even when the film carrier 46 is integrated with the vibration isolator and relatively displaced with respect to the device frame. .

The automatic film feeder 70 includes a first conveying roller pair 98, a first guide roller pair 102, and a second conveying roller pair 1 in order from the upstream side along the film supply path 96.
00, a second guide roller pair 104 is provided. Here, the conveying roller pairs 98 and 100 are each composed of a driven roller and a driving roller, and a torque from a feeding motor 94 is transmitted to the driving roller. Each of the guide roller pairs 102 and 104 is constituted by a pair of driven rollers.

In the film supply section 71, a loop guide roller 106 is provided between the second conveying roller pair 100 and the second guide roller pair 104 along the film supply path 96. A part of the upper end side is supported so as to protrude from the lower surface of the film supply path 96. Here, the loop guide roller 106 is the second
The photographic film 26 sent from the conveying roller pair 100 to the second guide roller 104 is lifted slightly upward from the lower surface of the film supply path 96. As a result, the leading end side of the photographic film 26 is
A reading speed when the sheet is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 56;
A loop portion 108 for absorbing a speed difference between the speed of conveying the photographic film 26 in the film supply path 96 and the speed is formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a loop detecting lever 110 and a loop sensor 112 for detecting a loop portion 108 formed on the photographic film 26 are arranged in the film supply path 96. Loop detection lever 110
Is supported so as to be swingable about a spindle 114 provided on the downstream side of the loop guide roller 106, and when the loop 108 is not detected, the tip of the shaft 108 contacts the loop guide roller 106. It is held at the detection position by its own weight. The loop detection lever 110 is integrally provided with a substantially fan-shaped striker portion 116 protruding upward near the support shaft portion 114.

The loop detecting lever 110 is connected to the photographic film 2
When the loop portion 108 is formed in 6, the tip portion is pressed upward by the loop portion 108 and swings. At this time, the loop portion 108 having a predetermined size is
Is formed, the loop sensor 112 detects the striker portion 116 of the loop detection lever 110 and outputs a loop detection signal. In the automatic film feeder 70, the driving of the feed motor 94 is controlled based on the loop detection signal.

Here, the second guide roller pair 104 disposed downstream of the loop portion 108 is composed of two driven rollers, and the photographic film 26 has a small amount of light necessary for maintaining the loop portion 108. Only a small transport resistance acts. Therefore, when the tension of the photographic film 26 increases on the downstream side of the second guide roller pair 104, the loop portion 108
The photographic film 26 forming the photographic film 26
To lower the tension of the second guide roller 104. As a result, the second guide roller pair 1
Since the increase in the tension of the photographic film 26 between the photographic film 26 and the first transport roller pair 56 of the film carrier 46 can be suppressed and the tension of the photographic film 26 can be substantially constant, the photographic film 2
The fluctuation of the reading speed at the reading position R due to the change in the tension of No. 6 can be effectively suppressed.

In the automatic film supply device 70, a film receiving portion 118 for discharging the photographic film 26 from which the image information has been read is provided below the film supply portion 71. The film discharge path 12 of the film receiving section 118
Numeral 0 is connected to the supply guide section 54, and branches from the supply guide section 54 into a film unloading path 120 and a film supply path 96 (a bifurcated path).

In the branch path 122, the supply guide section 54
Wedge-shaped gate lever 1 whose width decreases toward
28 are arranged. The gate lever 128 is provided on the swing shaft 12 provided at the end opposite to the supply guide 54.
9 is swingably supported. The gate lever 128 is always urged toward the film supply path 96 by an urging member (not shown) such as a coil spring. As a result, the film supply path 96 is closed in the branch path 122 by the gate lever 128, and the photographic film 2 that has passed through the supply
6 is guided to the film unloading path 120.

When the photographic film 26 is conveyed from the film supply path 96 to the branch path 122, the gate lever 128 is pressed by the leading end of the photographic film 26 and swings to the film discharge path 120. Thus, the photographic film 26 can pass between the guide roller 124 disposed at the tip of the gate lever 128 and the gate lever 128, and reaches the reading conveyance path 52.

In the film supply path 96, a first film sensor 130 and a second film sensor 132 are respectively arranged slightly downstream of the first conveying roller pair 98 and slightly upstream of the branch path 122. . Here, the film sensors 130 and 132 detect the photographic film 26 in the film supply path 96 and output a detection signal.

The photographic film 26 discharged to the film discharge path 120 of the film receiving section 118 is sent to the film holder 144 by the conveying roller 138. This film holder 144 has basically the same structure as the film holder 82 in the film supply unit 71,
The leading end of the photographic film 26 is held in a bundled state.

(Operation of Embodiment) Next, the operation of the automatic printing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The operator displays the information such as the number of prints, the print size, the presence or absence of an index, etc., described on the DP bag or the like received at the time of receiving the print, on the display 148.
While inputting the order information setting screen displayed on the keyboard 160 together with the corresponding customer number.

Next, a plurality of photographic films are bundled in the order received, and the leading end is set in a film holder 82.
Close the film holder cover 74. The subsequent printing operation is performed unattended, and if a magazine matching the paper size is not mounted as described later, a magazine replacement instruction is issued to the operator. As a result, the number of magazine exchanges is reduced, and the workability of printing is improved.

When the start key of the keyboard 160 is pressed, the feed motor 94 is driven in step 200, and the lowermost photographic film 26 from the film bundle 72 loaded in the film holder 82 is put into the film supply path 96. Is fed into the film carrier 46 and passes between the gate lever 128 and the guide roller 124.
Is sent into the reading transport path 52.

In step 202, the film carrier 4
6, the photographic film 26 fed into the reading transport path 52
Is performed. At this time, the transport motor 6
1 is controlled to rotate at a speed corresponding to the prescan speed.

Then, pre-scan data, which is image data obtained by roughly reading an image recorded on the photographic film 26, is output from the line CCD 24. Based on the pre-scan data, the control unit recognizes features such as the image frame position on the photographic film 26, the aspect ratio of each image, and the density of each image. At this time, the image preliminary data (frame number and bar code) of the photographic film 26 can be read together with the film image recorded on the photographic film 26.

Then, the portion of the photographic film 26 on which the pre-scan has been completed is fed into the film winding section 64 from the reading conveyance path 52 by the third conveyance roller pair 60, and is brought into a state of being wound into a roll. .

The perforation sensor 65 provided on the film take-up portion 64 side of the third conveying roller pair 60 is a sensor for detecting perforation provided on the photographic film 26, and its signal has a substantially rectangular pulse waveform. Become. Therefore, the conveyance length of the photographic film 26 can be recognized by counting the pulse waveform. It is also possible to obtain a correlation between the position of the pulse waveform and the edge of the image.

Next, at step 204, when it is determined that the pre-scan at the reading position R is completed,
At 06, a fine scan is performed.

The photographic film 2 during this fine scan
The transport speed of 6 is set to a low speed based on the pre-scan data, and reading conditions for the photographic film 26 are set in the line CCD scanner 16 based on the pre-scan data. Thereby, the line CCD scanner 1
6 executes a fine scan for reading an image of the photographic film 26 passing through the reading position R at a high resolution according to the reading conditions.

At the time of this fine scan, the transport roller pair 5
When the trailing end of the photographic film 26 conveyed by the transfer rollers 6, 58, 60 is discharged from the reading conveyance path 52, the gate lever 1
The film is guided to the film unloading path 120 through the lower surface of the film. At this time, the discharge roller pair 1 of the film receiving unit 118
The nip portion 38 is opened by the actuator. Accordingly, the photographic film 26 discharged from the film discharge path 120 passes through the discharge roller pair 138 and enters the film receiving section 118.

If it is determined in step 208 that the fine scan has been completed, it is determined in step 210 whether the next photographic film 26 is loaded in the film holder 82.

In step 210, the film supply unit 71
Bundle 72 (photographic film 2) in the film holder 82 based on the detection signal from the film sensor 95 of FIG.
6) is determined. If the photographic film 26 is loaded, the process proceeds to step 200, where the next photographic film 26 is sent to the reading transport path 52. If there is no photographic film 26, the loading of the photographic film is prompted in step 214. Flashes the display.

When it is determined in step 208 that the fine scan has been completed, the nip portion of the discharge roller pair 138 is closed. As a result, the photographic film 26 is nipped by the nip portion of the pair of discharge rollers 138, and the pair of discharge rollers 1
38, the film receiving section 1 from the film discharge path 120
18 is discharged. Immediately after closing the nip portion of the discharge roller pair 138, the leading end of the photographic film 26 is separated from the nip portion of the first transport roller pair 56 of the film carrier 46. The leading end of the photographic film 26 is the sensor 1
Immediately after the detection at 50, the film holder 144 holds the leading end in a bundled state.

Next, a printing process of the automatic printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

In step 300, the order information input to the storage unit 170 is classified for each of the same order information (here, a class that can be printed by the same magazine). The classified order information is stored in the file format shown in FIG.
It is stored in M176.

In step 302, the finely scanned image data is stored in the image storage unit 172. In step 304, the image data of one lot is stored in the image storage unit 172.
2 is determined.

When image data for one lot is stored,
In step 306, paper size information of a magazine (for example, magazine L) mounted on the laser printer unit 20 is input. Next, in step 308, it is determined whether or not any order information can be printed with the current paper size.

If printing is possible, image data corresponding to the paper size is output to the laser printing unit 20 in step 310. That is, the reading of the image information is performed in the order of the bundled photographic films.
The output from 2 to the laser printing unit 20 is output as image data of the photographic film grouped for each order information.

Next, in step 312, it is determined whether or not all the image data in the same group has been output. When the result is affirmative, in step 314, it is determined whether image data of another group exists in the image storage unit 172. It is determined whether or not the work is completed. If there is another group of image data, the process proceeds to step 308.

Further, if it is determined in step 308 that any of the order information cannot be printed with the current paper size in the laser printer section 20, a magazine exchange is displayed in step 316. And step 3
If it is determined in step 18 that the magazine has been exchanged (for example, the magazine W), the process proceeds to step 308.

As described above, the laser beam input from the image processing section 18 to the laser printer section 20 and modulated in accordance with the image data (number of sheets, print size) is applied to the paper to form an image (latent image). . Further, the processor unit 22 performs color development,
Each process of bleach-fixing, washing and drying is applied. As a result, the specified print ordered is completed.

The finished prints are grouped by customer on the basis of the sort mark, and are handed over to the customer together with photographic films of the corresponding numbers.

The present embodiment is characterized in that all photographic films are scanned, all image data is temporarily stored, and image data grouped based on order information is output. An automatic film supply device is not essential. Also, the type of the printer is not specified. It can also be used for print processing for reprint orders.

Further, if the printer is capable of loading a plurality of magazines, the magazines can be automatically switched based on the print size information, and complete unmanned operation can be achieved.

Further, in the order information, groups such as school photos, group photos, portrait photos, etc. can be grouped based on the types of subjects.

In addition to the print size, it is necessary to change the magazine according to the order contents such as the area (glossy / silk / mat) and the paper type (thick / medium thick).

[0083]

Since the present invention has the above-described structure, the image information of the photographic film is read in the order of reception without sorting the plurality of photographic films for each order information, and the order information is input. Automatically process photographic film prints.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an automatic printing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the automatic printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of the automatic printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a film holder of the automatic printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the automatic printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the automatic printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing contents of order information.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing image data divided into groups.

[Explanation of symbols]

16 line CCD scanner (image reading means, control means) 20 laser printer section (printer) 22 processor section (printer) 70 automatic film supply device (film supply means) 160 keyboard (order information input means) 170 storage section 172 image storage section (Storage means) 174 CPU (Control means) 176 RAM (Storage means) 178 Magazine

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first step of storing image information for each film read from a plurality of films by an image reading unit in a storage means in association with order information such as the number of prints and print size for each film. A second step of outputting the image information having the order information from the storage means to the printer and printing the image information. 2. The automatic printing method according to claim 1, wherein, in the first step, a plurality of films are bundled and set in a film supply unit that automatically supplies the image reading unit continuously. . 3. An image reading means for reading image information of a film and converting it into digital image information; a film supply means for automatically supplying a bundle of set films one by one to said image reading means; Order information input means for inputting order information such as the number of sheets, print size, etc., a printer for printing an image on paper based on the digital image information, and digital image information for each film read by the image reading means, the film An automatic printing apparatus, comprising: storage means for storing information corresponding to each order information; and control means for outputting digital image information having the same order information from the storage means to the printer for printing. . 4. The automatic printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein digital image information of a printable paper size is output based on magazine information mounted on the printer.