JP2002296694A - Image recorder, image forming device and image recorder control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recorder, the image recorder control method and an automated developer all of which eliminate the need for the frequent interruption of an exposure in an exposure unit. SOLUTION: The image recorder is provided with a loop formation part by which looseness is formed in the sensitive material, a frame information storage means by which the length of an image frame is stored, and a loop control means by which the scale of looseness is controlled. The upstream transfer scheduled quantity is determined by the image recorder due to the fact that the loop control means reads out of the frame information storage means for totalization the length of the image frame under transfer or scheduled for transfer on the upstream of the loop formation part. The downstream transfer scheduled quantity is determined by the image recorder due to the fact that the downstream transfer scheduled quantity is composed of the length of the image frame under transfer or scheduled for transfer on the downstream of the loop formation part. The image recorder controls the scale of looseness on the basis of the difference between the upstream transfer scheduled quantity and the downstream transfer scheduled quantity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a control method of an image recording apparatus.
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus with high print production efficiency, a method of controlling the image recording apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including the image recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses utilizing digital exposure have been widely used.

The image forming apparatus generally includes an image recording apparatus that forms an image (latent image) by exposing photographic paper, and a processor (automatic developing apparatus) that develops a photosensitive material on which a latent image is formed by the image recording apparatus. Processing device).

In the image recording apparatus, a negative image on a photographic film is photoelectrically read by an image reading apparatus and converted into image data, and a photosensitive material such as photographic paper is scanned by recording light modulated based on the image data. Exposure to record a latent image. The photographic paper on which the latent image has been formed by the image recording device is developed by the processor and sent out as a print (photograph).

FIG. 11 shows an example of a conventional image recording apparatus.

[0006] As shown in FIG.
Is a loading unit 40 in which a magazine 26 containing a roll of photographic paper A is loaded, and a photographic paper A is pulled out from the magazine 26 loaded in the loading unit 40 at a constant speed, and the image recording apparatus 2
3, a pair of pull-out rollers 42, a frame information punch hole located downstream of the pull-out rollers 42 and indicating the position of the image frame on the photographic paper A, and a series of images, for example, a single photographic film. A frame display unit 28 for punching a sort information punching hole indicating the position of the last image frame at the side edge of the photographic paper A; and a frame information punching hole and the sort information punching hole located downstream of the frame display unit 28. An exposure unit 30 that scans and exposes the perforated photographic paper A to form a latent image, and is located downstream of the exposure unit 30, and includes various photographs such as a photographing date of the original film, the number of the original film, and a frame number. A printing unit 32 for printing information on the back side of the exposed printing paper A, and a printing unit 32 located downstream of the printing unit 32 for temporarily storing the exposed and printed printing paper A. A reservoir 34 for absorbing a difference in processing speed between the image recording device 23 and a processor (not shown); and a reservoir 34 located downstream of the reservoir 34 when a failure such as a feeding failure occurs in the processor. Photographic paper A
An emergency cutting unit 36 for cutting the
And a photographic paper carry-out unit 38 for carrying out the exposed photographic paper stored in the processor to the processor.

In the image recording apparatus 23, the distance between the drawer roller 42 and the frame display unit 28, the distance between the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30,
And the printing unit 32, and the emergency cutting unit 3
The loop forming units U ₁ , U ₂ , U ₃ , and U ₄ are provided between the photographic paper carrying unit 38 and the printing paper carrying unit 38, respectively. In the loop forming units U ₁ , U ₂ , U ₃ , and U ₄ , between the drawer roller 42, the frame display unit 28, the exposure unit 30, the printing unit 32, the emergency cutting unit 36, and the photographic paper discharge unit 38 Photographic paper A
The photographic paper A is formed with a U-shaped or Ω-shaped slackened loop so that the difference in transport speed can be absorbed.

In the loop forming units U ₁ , U ₂ , U ₃ , and U ₄ , if the loop of the photographic paper A disappears, the difference in the conveying speed cannot be absorbed. Loop sensors s ₁ , s ₂ , s ₃ , and s ₄
Is provided in each loop forming section, and loop sensors s ₁ , s ₂ ,
Based on the signals from s ₃ and s ₄ , the pull-out roller 4
2. In each of the frame display unit 28, the exposure unit 30, the printing unit 32, the emergency cutting unit 36, and the photographic paper unloading unit 38, the transport speed of the photographic paper A is controlled.

[0009]

[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, in the image recording apparatus 23, in the frame display unit 28 exposing unit 30. The loop is reduced by the loop forming unit U _2, the loop sensor s ₂ detection loops When no longer, the exposure unit 30 located downstream of the loop forming unit U _2, until the loop sensor s ₂ loop is enlarged to a size that can detect loops had to stop conveyance of the photographic paper a.

In the loop forming section U ₂ , the loop sensor s ₂ has a smaller size than the loop reduced to the minimum size necessary to absorb the speed difference between the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30. It is provided at a position where it can be detected that the loop has disappeared before. Thus, in the loop sensor s _2, the loop is that there is no more detected frequent, for respective time, the exposure unit 30, the conveyance of the photographic printing paper A is stopped.

In the exposure unit 30, as described above, the exposure is performed while the photographic paper A is being conveyed.
Is stopped, the exposure also stops. After exposure interruption, since takes about 20 seconds before restarting the exposure, also loop sensor s ₂ is again detected the loop, immediately,
No exposure is started.

Therefore, in the image recording apparatus 23, there is a problem that long exposure pauses frequently occur in the exposure unit 30 and the efficiency of print production is reduced.

Further, even if the loop sensor s ₂ detects that the loop has disappeared in the loop forming section U ₂ , there is actually room for printing many images on the photographic paper A. Is common. In particular, when the print size, which is the size of the image to be printed on the photographic paper A, is small, the number of printable images is large.

Therefore, it is wasteful to stop the exposure unit 30 every time the loop sensor s ₂ detects that the loop has been lost.

According to the present invention, the timing for stopping and starting the conveyance of the photographic paper in the exposure unit can be flexibly changed in accordance with, for example, the print size. Therefore, the conveyance is frequently stopped in the exposure unit. It is not necessary to provide an image recording apparatus having high efficiency of print creation, a method of controlling the image recording apparatus, and an image forming apparatus having the image recording apparatus, since exposure is not frequently interrupted. Aim.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus for recording a plurality of images by continuously exposing a roll-shaped photosensitive material while conveying the same. A loop forming section for forming a slack, frame information storage means for storing a length of an image frame which is a section for forming the image on the photosensitive material, and a loop control for controlling a size of the slack in the loop forming section Means, and the loop control means, a) at a certain time, read from the frame information storage means the total length of image frames being transported or scheduled to be transported on the upstream side of the loop forming unit, Obtain the scheduled upstream transport amount, b) At the same time, read the total length of image frames being transported or scheduled to be transported on the downstream side of the loop forming section from the frame information storage means and calculate the downstream transport scheduled amount. c) an image recording apparatus characterized by managing the size of the slack on the basis of the difference between the upstream transport a predetermined amount and the downstream transport a predetermined amount.

In the image recording apparatus, a difference between a length obtained by adding the expected amount of the upstream conveyance to the loop amount and a length of the photosensitive material being conveyed or to be conveyed on the downstream side of the loop forming section may be as follows. It is based on the idea that if the amount is larger than the minimum loop amount, the conveyance on the upstream side and the downstream side of the loop forming portion can be continued without reducing the slack, that is, the loop.

In the image recording apparatus, the length of the photosensitive material forming the loop is estimated based on the length of each image frame stored in the frame information storage means, in other words, the size of the loop It controls while anticipating.

Therefore, unlike the method of controlling the size of the loop by measuring the transport amount on the upstream side and the downstream side of the loop forming section, the size of the loop can be controlled without time delay. Further, since there is no error due to slippage during the transport between the actual transport amount and the measured value of the transport amount, a means for correcting the error is unnecessary.

Further, since it is not necessary to provide a loop sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the loop in the loop forming section, the image recording apparatus has a simple configuration, and the size of the loop is reduced due to the failure of the loop sensor. There is no problem that control becomes impossible.

The minimum loop amount is the minimum photosensitive material required in the loop forming section to prevent the operation of transporting the photosensitive material on the downstream side from affecting the operation of transporting the photosensitive material on the upstream side. Can be defined as length.

Examples of the image include silver halide photographs and latent images of electrophotography.

Accordingly, examples of the light-sensitive material include color or black-and-white photographic paper used in silver halide photography and copy paper for electrophotography. However,
The photosensitive material is not limited to the photographic paper and the copy paper as long as an image can be formed by exposure.

Examples of the loop include a slack portion formed when the photosensitive material is slackened in a U shape, an inverted U shape, an Ω shape, or an inverted Ω shape. When the loop is a slack portion having the above shape, the photosensitive material starts from the bottom of the U-shaped or Ω-shaped portion (or the top portion when the loop is an inverted U-shaped or Ω-shaped). The distance to the transfer surface, which is the transfer path, corresponds to the size of the loop.

As the image frame information storage means, RA
M, a semiconductor memory device, a magnetic disk device, a floppy disk device, and the like.

The loop control means includes a digital type sequencer, an analog type sequencer and the like.
In addition, a one-chip microcomputer, a one-board computer, and the like can be given. Further, a normal desktop computer may be used as the loop control means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the loop control means obtains the sum of c1) the expected upstream side transport amount and the loop amount which is the length of the photosensitive material forming the slack. The difference between the total and the planned downstream side transfer amount is obtained, and the obtained difference is compared with the minimum loop amount in the loop forming unit. When the difference is smaller than the minimum loop amount, the loop forming unit Stop the transport downstream of
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that manages the magnitude of the slack by starting the upstream conveyance.

The loop amount can be obtained based on the image frame length read from the frame information storage means, as described in claim 4 described later. Further, a conveyance length measuring unit for measuring the conveyance length of the photosensitive material is provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the loop forming unit, and the conveyance length between the upstream side and the downstream side of the loop forming unit is measured by the conveyance length measuring unit. May be obtained by subtracting the downstream transport length from the upstream transport length.

When the loop amount is obtained by the latter method, for example, a frame display for displaying the position of the image frame is attached to the photosensitive material at regular intervals, and the transport length is determined based on the interval between the frame displays. Is preferably corrected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the transport on the downstream side of the loop forming section is stopped, the loop control means may determine the upstream-side scheduled amount, the loop amount, and the downstream-side scheduled amount. Is the sum of the minimum amount of transport and the transport restart amount, which is the length of the photosensitive material necessary to start transport in the fixed direction from a state stopped on the downstream side of the loop forming unit. In comparison, the present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that restarts the transport on the downstream side when the difference is equal to or greater than the total.

In the image recording apparatus, the difference between the length obtained by adding the expected amount of upstream conveyance to the loop amount and the length of the photosensitive material being conveyed on the downstream side of the loop forming section may be:
It is based on the idea that if the amount is larger than the sum of the minimum loop amount and the conveyance restart amount, the conveyance on the downstream side of the loop forming unit can be restarted without reducing the loop.

In the image recording apparatus which performs a so-called switchback operation in which the photosensitive material is once conveyed in the reverse direction and then accelerated when the conveyance is restarted on the downstream side of the loop forming section, the conveyance restart amount is The length of the photosensitive material required for the switchback operation.

On the other hand, in an image recording apparatus in which the photosensitive material is accelerated from the point where the transport is stopped without performing the switchback operation, the transport restart amount is determined by the length of the photosensitive material required for the acceleration. It is.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the loop amount reads the length of an image frame conveyed up to the certain point on the upstream side of the loop forming unit from the frame information storage means, and sums the total. The upstream transport amount, which is the transport length of the photosensitive material on the upstream side of the loop forming unit, is read from the frame information storage unit, and the length of the image frame transported up to the certain point on the downstream side of the loop forming unit, The total is defined as the downstream transport amount, which is the transport length of the photosensitive material on the downstream side of the loop forming section, and is the length of the photosensitive material obtained as the difference between the upstream transport amount and the downstream transport amount. An image recording device.

In the image recording apparatus, both the upstream transport amount and the downstream transport amount are obtained based on the length of the image frame read from the frame information storage means.

Therefore, the loop amount can be obtained without measuring the transport amount on the upstream side and the downstream side of the loop forming unit. Therefore, the transport amount is determined on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the loop forming unit. There is no need to provide a conveyance amount measuring means for measuring. Further, an error due to a slip between the transport amount measuring unit and the photosensitive material does not intervene in the loop amount, and further, the loop amount is calculated based on a measurement result in the transport amount measuring unit. There is no time delay.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus for recording an image by exposing a roll-shaped photosensitive material while conveying the same, wherein the loop forming unit forms a slack in the photosensitive material; In the forming unit, a first loop sensor that detects the slack when the slack is equal to or more than a first size that is a specific size, and in the loop forming unit,
A second loop sensor that detects the slack when the slack is greater than or equal to a second size greater than the first size;
When both the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor detect the slack, the transport on the upstream side of the loop forming unit is stopped, and the transport is performed on the downstream side. When both the second loop sensor and the second loop sensor do not detect the slack, the image forming apparatus further includes a loop control unit that stops conveyance on the downstream side of the loop forming unit and performs conveyance on the upstream side. Related to the device.

In the image recording apparatus, as described above, when the size of the loop is reduced and cannot be detected by the first loop sensor, the loop is directed toward the loop on the upstream side of the loop forming section. Thus, the photosensitive material is transported, and the transport of the photosensitive material stops downstream of the loop forming section, so that the loop becomes large.

Then, when the size of the loop is increased in the loop forming section and the loop is detected by both the first loop sensor and the second sensor, the photosensitive material is located upstream of the loop forming section. The transport is stopped, and the transport of the photosensitive material to the downstream side is performed downstream of the loop forming section, so that the loop becomes smaller.

In the image recording apparatus, unlike the image recording apparatus in which only one loop sensor is provided in the loop forming section, the distance between the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor and the first loop sensor are different. By changing the position of the sensor, it is possible to set the timing for starting and stopping the conveyance on the upstream side and the downstream side of the loop forming portion in a wide range.

The photosensitive material, image, loop, loop size, and loop control means are as described in the first aspect of the present invention.

As the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor, a photoelectric sensor for photoelectrically detecting the loop, and a capacitance type sensor for detecting the loop by a change in capacitance due to the proximity of the loop. Sensors.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the first loop sensor detects a loop and the second loop sensor does not detect a loop, both the upstream side and the downstream side of the loop forming portion are provided. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for transporting the photosensitive material.

In the image recording apparatus, when the size of the loop is small enough to be detected by the first loop sensor and not detected by the second loop sensor, the loop is conveyed from the upstream side to the loop forming section. The loop is maintained at a substantially constant size by transporting the photosensitive material to the downstream side of the loop forming section.

Therefore, the image recording apparatus is characterized in that the frequency of stopping the conveyance on the downstream side of the loop forming section is particularly low.

The invention according to claim 7 relates to an image recording apparatus in which the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor are formed so as to be able to approach and separate from each other.

In the image recording apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor are formed so as to be able to approach and separate from each other.

In the image recording apparatus, when the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor are brought close to each other,
The time interval from when the transport in the downstream transport unit stops to when the loop expands and the transport in the upstream transport unit stops can be shortened.

Conversely, when the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor are moved away from each other, the transport in the downstream transport means is stopped, and then the loop is enlarged and the transport in the upstream transport means is stopped. You can extend the time interval before you do.

Therefore, the relationship between the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor is set so that the frequency of stoppage of the downstream transport unit is minimized in relation to the transport speeds of the upstream transport unit and the downstream transport unit. The spacing and position can be selected.

The invention according to claim 8 is an upstream conveying means for conveying the photosensitive material upstream of the loop forming section, and a downstream conveying means for conveying the photosensitive material downstream of the loop forming section. Wherein the loop control means stops the downstream transport means, thereby stopping the transport of the photosensitive material on the downstream side of the loop forming unit, and stopping the upstream transport means. And an image recording apparatus for stopping the conveyance of the photosensitive material on the upstream side of the loop forming section.

The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a conveying unit that conveys the photosensitive material upstream and downstream of the loop forming unit. It is a thing.

In the image recording apparatus, when the conveyance is stopped on the upstream side of the loop forming section and when the conveyance is stopped on the downstream side of the loop forming section, the upstream conveying means or the downstream side may be used. Since the transport means only needs to be stopped, the transport is more reliably stopped.

The invention according to a ninth aspect relates to an image recording apparatus in which both the upstream transport means and the downstream transport means are rollers driven by a stepping motor.

The image recording apparatus is an example in which, in the image recording apparatus according to the present invention, a roller driven by a stepping motor is used as the upstream conveying means and the downstream conveying means.

In the stepping motor, the number of pulses and the rotation angle are directly proportional, so that the upstream transport means and the downstream transport means stop and start the transport and control the transport speed without feedback. be able to.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a frame display section is provided on the photosensitive material on the upstream side of the loop forming section, the frame display indicating the position of the image frame being provided, and a downstream side of the loop forming section. Further, the present invention relates to an image recording apparatus including an exposure section for exposing the photosensitive material to form an image.

The image recording apparatus is an example in which the present invention is applied to an image recording apparatus including a frame display section, an exposure section, and a loop forming section located therebetween.

In the image recording apparatus, the frequency of stopping the photosensitive material in the exposure section can be reduced, so that an image can be efficiently formed on the photosensitive material.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus, wherein a frame display attached to the frame display section is a punch hole formed on at least one side edge of the photosensitive material.

In the image recording apparatus, while the photosensitive material passes through the inside, the frame display is not removed by being picked up by a transport roller or the like.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention relates to an image recording apparatus wherein an image formed on the photosensitive material is a latent image.

Examples of the image recording apparatus include those which form an image by silver halide photography and those which form an image by electrophotography such as xerography.

The invention according to claim 13 relates to an image recording apparatus in which the photosensitive material is photographic paper.

The image recording apparatus is an example in which the invention described in claims 1 to 12 is applied to an image recording apparatus for silver halide photography.

The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to claims 1-1.
3. An image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: an automatic development processor that develops and fixes an image formed on the photosensitive material while transporting the photosensitive material carried out of the image recording apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus characterized in that:

The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Each of them has a simple configuration, does not have a problem that the loop sensor fails and cannot control the size of the loop, and has high reliability.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus also has high reliability and has few failures.

As an example of the image forming apparatus, an image on a color negative film is printed on a color photographic paper in the image recording apparatus to form a latent image, and a developing and fixing process is performed in the automatic developing apparatus. And an image forming apparatus for producing a color print.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus comprising a loop forming section for recording a plurality of images by continuously exposing a roll-shaped photosensitive material while conveying the same, and forming a slack in the photosensitive material. A method for controlling an apparatus, comprising: a frame information storing step of storing a length of an image frame which is a section for forming the image on the photosensitive material; and a loop controlling step of controlling a size of the slack in the loop forming unit. In the loop control step, a) of the image frames whose length has been stored in the frame information storage step, at a certain point in time, the image frame is being transported or scheduled to be transported on the upstream side of the loop forming unit. For each image frame, sum the lengths to obtain the scheduled upstream transport amount, and b)
At the same time, of the image frames whose lengths have been stored in the frame information storing step, for image frames that are being transported or scheduled to be transported downstream of the loop forming unit, the lengths are summed to obtain a scheduled downstream transport amount. And c) controlling the magnitude of the slack based on a difference between the planned upstream conveyance amount and the planned downstream conveyance amount.

According to the above control method, even in an image recording apparatus in which a loop sensor for detecting a loop is not provided in the loop forming section, the loop speed can be measured without measuring the transport speed on the upstream and downstream sides of the loop forming section. Size can be controlled.

The invention according to claim 16 is that, in the loop control step, c1) a total of the planned upstream side transport amount and a loop amount which is a length of the photosensitive material forming the slack is obtained, and Determining the difference between the total and the planned downstream transport amount, comparing the obtained difference with the minimum loop amount in the loop forming unit, and when the difference is smaller than the minimum loop amount, the loop forming unit The present invention relates to a control method of an image recording apparatus for controlling the magnitude of the slack by outputting an instruction to the image recording apparatus to stop the conveyance on the downstream side and to perform the conveyance on the upstream side.

The control method specifically defines the method for managing the size of a loop according to claim 15.

[0074]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment scans and exposes photographic paper, which is an example of a photosensitive material according to the present invention, based on image data obtained by photoelectrically reading a negative image of a photographic film in the image reading device 8. Image (latent image), and develops the photographic paper on which the latent image is formed into a sheet-like print (photograph).

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10
Image recording apparatus 2 for forming a latent image by scanning and exposing photographic paper A
2, an automatic developing device 14 for developing the photographic paper on which the latent image is formed in the image recording device 22, and a photographic paper developed by the automatic developing device 14 is dried, cut and cut into sheet-like prints. A drying device 16 for producing (photographs), a print sorting device 18 for arranging prints produced by the drying device 16 in a predetermined order, and an image recording device 22
, A developing / fixing device control circuit 204 for controlling the automatic developing device 14, a print sorting device control circuit 206 for controlling the print sorting device 18, and a power supply circuit (not shown). And an electrical unit 20 to be provided.

FIG. 2 shows the details of the configuration of the image recording device 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording device 22
Similarly to the image recording apparatus 23, the loading section 40 to which the magazine 26 is mounted, a pair of pull-out rollers 42, the frame display unit 28, the exposure unit 30, the printing unit 32, the reservoir 34, the emergency cutting It has a unit 36 and a photographic paper unloading unit 38.

Between the pair of draw-out rollers 42 and the frame display unit 28, the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 3
0, between the exposure unit 30 and the printing unit 32, and between the emergency cutting unit 36 and the photographic paper unloading unit 38, respectively, loop forming units U ₁ , U ₂ ,
U ₃ and U ₄ are provided. The loop forming unit U _1, the loop sensor s ₁ loop of the photographic paper A to detect whether the magnitude of the predetermined range is provided.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 shows details of the configuration of the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame display unit 28
Is provided with a punch device 50 for forming a punch hole in a side edge portion of the photographic paper A. The punching device 50 punches the frame information punch hole on one of the side edges of the photographic paper A, and punches the sort information punch hole on both side edges. The frame information punch hole corresponds to a frame display in the present invention. Hereinafter, the frame information punch holes and the sort information punch holes may be collectively referred to as “punch holes”.

In the frame display unit 28,
Instead of punching a punch hole by the punching device 50 and giving image position information to the photographic paper A, it is also possible to print characters, numerals and symbols indicating the position of the image frame and the sort position by various image recording devices. Good. However, it is preferable that the characters and the like be printed on the back surface of the printing paper A.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the upstream side of the punching device 50, there is provided an upstream side transport section 52 for transporting the photographic paper A toward the punching device 50, and on the downstream side of the punching device 50, Photographic paper A with punched holes in the apparatus 50
A downstream transport unit 56 for transporting to the exposure unit 30 through the loop forming unit U ₂ is provided.

The upstream transport section 52 transfers the photographic paper A to about １ ／
The transport roller 53 includes a transport roller 53 that transports the photographic paper A in a state of being wound around the belt, an endless belt 55 that sandwiches and transports the photographic paper A in cooperation with the transport roller 53, and rollers 54A to 54C that hold the endless belt 55. Similarly, the downstream transport section 56 also includes a transport roller 57, an endless belt 59, and rollers 58A to 58C. The transport roller 57, the endless belt 59, and the rollers 58A to 58C
Each has the same configuration and function as the transport roller 53, the rollers 54A to 54C, and the endless belt 55.

The photographic paper A is transported in the upstream transport section 52
The sheet is conveyed while being held between the conveying roller 53 and the endless belt 55. Similarly, in the downstream-side conveying section 56, the sheet is conveyed while being sandwiched between the conveying roller 57 and the endless belt 59. The upstream transport section 52 and the downstream transport section 56 are configured so that the photographic printing paper A has no loops and that no excessive tension is applied, and that punch holes are formed at intervals d specified by the operator. The photographic paper A is intermittently conveyed at an appropriate speed. As described above, the photographic paper A is transported while being sandwiched between the transport roller 53 and the endless belt 55 and between the transport roller 57 and the endless belt 59. In any of the side transport sections 56, almost no slippage occurs between the photographic paper A and the transport rollers 53 and the endless belt 55, and between the photographic paper A and the transport rollers 57 and the endless belt 59. Therefore, the dimensional accuracy of the interval d between the punch holes formed in the photographic paper A is high.

The photographic paper A is drawn out at a constant speed by the draw-out roller 42 and is intermittently conveyed by the frame display unit 28. Therefore, the photographic paper A is drawn between the draw-out roller 42 and the frame display unit 28. A difference occurs in the transport speed.

However, in the loop forming portion U ₁ located on the upstream side of the frame display unit 28, as shown in FIG.
Since the loop having the rotated shape is formed, the difference in the transport speed of the photographic paper A between the drawer roller 42 and the frame display unit 28 is absorbed.

The exposure unit 30 is, as shown in FIG.
The sub-scanning transport section 60, transport rollers 80 and 82 disposed downstream thereof, the sub-scanning transport section 60 and the transport roller 8
And a light beam scanning device 24 that scans and exposes the photosensitive surface on the front side of the photographic paper A conveyed by 0 and 82.

The sub-scanning transport section 60 includes registration rollers 70 and 72 for guiding the photographic paper A to the photosensitive position, and photographic paper A
And a width guide 90 for regulating the course in the width direction of the photographic paper A, and has a function of conveying the printing paper A at a constant speed.

Similarly, the transport rollers 80 and 82 have the function of transporting the photographic paper A at the same transport speed as the transport speed of the sub-scan transport unit 60 in synchronization with the sub-scan transport unit 60.

A frame display unit 28 is provided between the registration rollers 70 and 72 and the transport rollers 80 and 82.
A hole detector 62 for detecting a punched hole is provided.

Examples of the hole detector 62 include a mechanical hole detector that mechanically detects a punch hole, and a photoelectric hole detector that photoelectrically detects the punch hole.

As a mechanical hall detector, for example,
As shown in FIG. 4, a metal ball 62B pressed by a coil spring 62A on a side edge of one surface of the printing paper A;
There is provided a metal roller 62C which is provided on the opposite side of the metal ball 62B with respect to the transport path T of the photographic paper A and which rolls while contacting the front side of the side edge of the photographic paper when the photographic paper A is transported. .

In the mechanical hole detector, the metal ball 62B and the metal roller 62C are electrically connected, and are formed so that a current flows when they come into contact with each other.

Therefore, the portion of the photographic paper A where the punch holes are not formed is the metal ball 62B and the metal roller 62B.
4A, the metal ball 62B and the metal roller 62C are connected to the photographic paper A as shown in FIG.
No current flows because they are separated from each other.

On the other hand, when the portion of the photographic paper A in which the punch hole h is perforated passes between the metal ball 62B and the metal roller 62C, the metal ball 62B is pressed as shown in FIG. It enters the hole h, and the metal roller 62C
, A current flows, and the punched hole h is detected.

As the photoelectric hole detector, for example,
As shown in FIG. 5, a laser beam irradiating unit 62D that irradiates a laser beam toward a side edge of the back surface of the photographic paper A, and a laser beam irradiating unit 62D on the opposite side of the transport path T of the photographic paper A Some have a light receiving unit 62E provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the photoelectric hole detector, the laser beam emitted from the laser beam irradiator 62D passes through the punched hole h of the photographic paper A and is received by the light receiver 62E. The punch hole h
Is detected.

The photographic paper A is transported at a constant speed in the transport direction, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, while being held between the registration rollers 70 and 72 and between the transport rollers 80 and 82. A, registration rollers 70, 72,
There is no slippage between the transport rollers 80 and 82. Therefore, the light beam scanning device 24 scans and exposes the photosensitive surface of the photographic paper A with laser beams of three colors of red, blue, and green in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. The latent image is formed on the photographic paper A with high accuracy.

The photographic paper A is transported at a constant speed in the transport direction, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, while being sandwiched between the registration rollers 70 and 72 and between the transport rollers 80 and 82. Almost no slippage occurs between A and the registration rollers 70 and 72 and between the transport rollers 80 and 82.

In the exposure unit 30, when the hole detector 62 detects a punched hole, the light beam scanning device 24 scans and exposes it according to an instruction from the image recording device control circuit 202, and lays out the photographic paper A with high precision. Form an image.

In the exposure unit 30, the photographic paper A is conveyed at a constant speed as described above. Therefore, the photographic paper A is conveyed between the exposure unit 30 and the frame display unit 28 where the photographic paper A is intermittently conveyed. Although a difference in speed occurs, the difference in the conveying speed, the loop in the loop forming unit U _2, is absorbed.

Printing unit 32, emergency cutting unit 3
6, and the configuration of the photographic paper carry-out unit 38 are as follows.

The printing unit 32 prints the photographic information on the back of the image frame of the printing paper A, and the printing unit 32 is located upstream of the printing device 102 and conveys the printing paper A toward the printing device 102. The printing apparatus includes an upstream transport roller 98 and a downstream transport roller 106 located downstream of the printing apparatus 102 and transporting photographic paper A on which photographic information has been printed by the printing apparatus toward the downstream side. On the downstream side of the downstream side transport roller 106, a first cutter 112 that cuts the photographic paper A in accordance with an instruction from an operator when the exposure of one document film is completed in the exposure unit 30 is provided. .

In the printing unit 32, the photographic paper A
Is transported at the same transport speed as the exposure unit 30 when printing is not performed, but is transported at a transport speed lower than the transport speed in the exposure unit 30 during printing. And there is a difference in the transport speed. The difference in the transport speed is determined by the loop forming unit U ₃
Is absorbed by the loop at

The emergency cutting unit 36 is provided with a second cutter 124 for cutting the photographic paper A, and an upstream cutting unit for cutting the photographic paper inside the reservoir 34.
And a transport roller 120 that transports the paper toward the printer.

When the photographic paper accommodated in the reservoir 34 is completely conveyed to the automatic developing apparatus 14, the emergency cutting unit 36 sets the length of the photographic paper A inside the automatic developing apparatus 14 to a predetermined length. For example, when the length of the printing paper A becomes 19 m or more, or when jamming occurs in the automatic development processing apparatus 14 or when the waste liquid reservoir becomes full, the photographic paper A is cut to form an image on the photographic printing paper A. It has a function to prevent the waste part from being wasted.

The photographic paper carry-out unit 38 is a conveying roller 130 for carrying out the photographic paper A to the automatic developing apparatus 14 at a constant speed.
Is provided.

The transport roller 120 of the emergency cutting unit 36
Is a loop forming unit U_FourThe loop formed in a certain size
When it becomes smaller, a loop is formed from the reservoir 34.
Department U _FourIn the photographic paper discharge unit 38
The photographic paper A is conveyed at a speed higher than the speed.
Stopped.

Accordingly, the transport speed of the photographic paper A in the emergency cutting unit 36 is different from the transport speed in the printing unit 32 and the transport speed in the photographic paper unloading unit 38, but the difference in the transport speed from the printing unit 32 is , is absorbed by the reservoir 34, the difference between the conveying speed of the photographic paper discharge unit 38 is absorbed by the loop forming unit U _4.

The configuration of the image recording device control circuit 202 is shown in the block diagram of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image recording device control circuit 202 stores the frame information of the image read by the image reading device 8 in the frame information storage unit 202A and the read image frame information storage unit 202A. by controlling the conveying speed of the photographic printing paper a in the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30 based on the frame information, the control unit 202B for controlling the magnitude of the loop in the loop forming unit U ₂
And The control unit 202B further has a function of controlling the printing unit 32 and, in addition, controlling the emergency cutting unit 36 and the photographic paper unloading unit 38. The frame information storage unit 202A and the control unit 202B correspond to the frame information storage unit and the loop control unit in the present invention, respectively.

As the frame information storage section 202A, various storage devices exemplified as the frame information storage means in the section for solving the problem can be used. As the control unit 202B, a CPU or the like can be used. Further, the frame information storage unit 202A and the control unit 202B may be integrally configured.

[0114] As the frame information stored in the frame information storage unit 202A, brightness of each pixel of the printing paper image frame P _i of dimension to burn an image i in A (length l _i × width w _i), and the image i And image data relating to colors (i is a natural number).

The loop forming unit U ₂ in the control unit 202B
The procedure for controlling the size of the loop in is described below.

The frame information No. 1 to No. n of the images 1 to n read by the image reading device 8 are stored in the control unit 202B.
Are stored in the image frame information storage unit 202A in association with the image numbers 1 to n corresponding to the images 1 to n, respectively.

When printing the images 1 to n on the photographic paper A, the control unit 202B causes the frame display unit 28 to
Outputs an instruction to punches holes h ₁ to h _n indicating each position of the image frame P ₁ ~ image frame P _n. Punched holes h ₁ to h _n is usually the distance between the two punch holes adjacent, perforated are to 30mm longer than the length of the print size is the size to burn the photographic printing paper A of the image, the distance Is not limited to the length of the print size + 30 mm as long as it is longer than the length of the print size.

The frame display unit 28 includes a control unit 202B
In response to the above-mentioned instruction, while punching a hole in the photographic paper A, the control unit 202B outputs information indicating which image corresponds to the hole currently being punched. Assuming that the image in which the frame display unit 28 is about to punch a punch hole is the i-th image i (i is any natural number from 1 to n), the information currently corresponds to the image i. the punched holes h _i, which is information to be perforated.

On the other hand, the control unit 202B
For 0, the hole detector 62 detects the punched hole h _j (j
Is a natural number of any of 1 to i. ),
An instruction to print the j-th image j on the image frame P _j corresponding to the punch hole h _j is output.

If the k-th image k (k is a natural number from 1 to j) is being printed, the exposure unit 30 outputs information to that effect to the control unit 202B.

[0121] For exposure in the exposure unit 30 can continue the present time, i.e. at the time that punches holes h _i in frame display unit 28, the length of the image frame of the planned transport in the frame display unit 28 L
1 and the planned frame transport amount L1 +, which is the sum of the length L2 of the image frame being transported by the frame display unit 28.
And L2, the length of the image frame of the total from the transport or during transport will in the exposure unit 30 to the current of the loop amount L3 is the length of the photographic paper A to form a loop in the loop forming unit U ₂ exposure the length obtained by subtracting the unit expected carrying amount L4 is, it is necessary that the minimum amount of loop L5 or in the loop forming unit U _2.

[0122] Here, frame display unit 28 is located upstream of the loop forming unit U _2, the exposure unit 30, since located downstream of the loop forming unit U _2, wherein the L1 + L
2, L3, L4, and L5 correspond to the scheduled upstream transfer amount, the loop amount, the scheduled downstream transfer amount, and the minimum loop amount in the present invention, respectively.

The control unit 202B includes an image frame information storage unit 2
From 02A, an image frame without punch holes,
The frame currently being conveyed in the frame display unit 28
Ma P _iAnd the image frame P to be transported_{i + 1}~ Image frame P_nof
Length l for each_{i + 1}~ Length l_nRead and sum
Then, the frame display unit expected transfer amount L1 + L2 is obtained.

On the other hand, the loop amount L3 includes the frame display unit transport amount L7, which is the length of the photographic paper A transported in the frame display unit 28 up to the present time, and the photographic paper A transported in the exposure unit 30 up to the present time. Is considered to be the difference from the exposure unit transport amount L8 which is the length of the exposure unit.

Accordingly, the control unit 202B
Image frame P already conveyed at the point ₁~ Image frame P_i-1of
Each length l₁~ Length l_i-1To the frame information storage unit 202
A is read from A and summed up in the frame display unit transport amount L7
Are obtained, and the exposure unit 30 has already printed the images 1 to
Image frame P of image k-1₁~ Image frame P_k-1The length that is the length of
Sa₁~ Length l_k-1And the exposure unit transport amount L8
Ask. Then, the frame display unit transport amount L7 and the exposure unit
The difference from the knit transport amount L8 is obtained and set as a loop amount L3.

[0126] The exposure unit expected carrying amount L4 is per image frame P _{k + 1} to P _j image frame P _k and planned transport being transported by the exposure unit 30 in the present time, in the total length of each of the length is there. Therefore, the control unit 202
B indicates that image frames P _{k to} P _j are stored in frame information storage unit 202A.
Reading each of length l _k to l _j of the sum of the length and the exposure unit expected carrying amount L4.

The control unit 202B calculates the frame display unit planned transfer amount L1 + L2 and the loop amount L3
Is subtracted from the expected exposure unit transport amount L4, and is compared with the minimum loop amount L5.

If L1 + L2 + L3−L4 ≧ L5, the exposure in the exposure unit 30 is continued. Then, the conveyance of the photographic paper A in the exposure unit 30 is stopped.

Here, since the size of the loop formed in the loop U ₂ is the distance from the lowest point of the loop to the transport surface which is the transport route of the photographic paper A, the loop amount L 3
About 1/2 of

Therefore, according to the above procedure, L1 + L2
By comparing the size of + L3-L4 and L5,
The size of the loop can be checked.

When exposure is continuously performed in the exposure unit 30, the image recording apparatus control circuit 202 checks the size of the loop in accordance with the above-described procedure by, for example, 10 times.
The process is performed every msec, and it is determined whether exposure can be continued in the exposure unit 30 or not.

When the exposure unit 30 suspends exposure and then resumes exposure, the exposure unit 30 first transports the photographic paper A in the direction opposite to the transport direction during exposure, and then moves along the transport direction during exposure. The exposure is restarted by detecting the punch holes while accelerating.

Therefore, if the length required for accelerating along the transport direction at the time of exposure after the transport in the opposite direction to the transport direction at the time of exposure is the switchback amount L6, the frame display unit transport schedule The sum of the amount L1, the remaining frame display unit transfer amount L2, and the loop amount L3 needs to be equal to or greater than the sum of the exposure unit transfer amount L4 and the minimum loop amount L5 plus the switchback amount L6. Here, the switchback amount L6 corresponds to the transport restart amount in the present invention.

Therefore, control unit 202B determines that L1 + L
2 + L3-L4 is compared with L5 + L6. When L1 + L2 + L3-L4 ≧ L5 + L6, the exposure in the exposure unit 30 is restarted.

In the image recording apparatus 22 according to the first embodiment, the timing for stopping and starting the conveyance of the photographic paper A in the exposure unit 30 is flexibly changed according to, for example, the length l _i of the image frame P _i. Can be done. That is, when the length l _i is short, even when the loop amount L3 is small, the control unit 202B does not output an instruction to stop the exposure and the conveyance of the photographic paper A to the exposure unit 30.

Therefore, in the exposure unit 30,
Since the exposure is not interrupted frequently, the efficiency of print production is high.

In each of the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30, the loop size is controlled based on the frame information stored in the frame information storage unit 202A without measuring the transport speed of the photographic paper A. The frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 3
At 0, even if slippage occurs between the transport roller and the printing paper A, the loop size can be controlled accurately.

In addition, software for correcting the transport speed measured in the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30 is not required.

[0139] 2. Second Embodiment FIG. 7 shows an overall configuration of another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows a configuration of an image recording apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus. 7 and 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 indicate the same elements as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus comprises:
It includes an image recording device 220, an automatic development processing device 14, a drying device 16, a print sorting device 18, and an electrical unit 20.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed configuration of the frame display unit 28, the exposure unit 30, and the vicinity thereof in the image recording apparatus 220 shown in FIG.

[0142] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the image in the loop forming unit U ₂ of the recording device 220, the loop when the loop size and equal to or more than a large first magnitude than that of the minimum loop Loop sensor S for detecting
And _H, said loop is a second loop sensor S _L for detecting the first magnitude the loop when the above large second magnitude than is provided.

When the first loop sensor S _H and the second loop sensor S _L detect a loop of the printing paper A, the image recording apparatus control circuit 202 displays the frame displayed on the upstream side of the loop forming section U _2. An instruction to stop punching is output to the unit 28, while the loop forming unit U
An instruction to continue exposure of the photographic paper A is output to the exposure unit 30 located on the downstream side of ₂ .

As shown in FIG. 9A, in the frame display unit 28, in response to the stop instruction, the upstream transport section 52, the downstream transport section 56, and the punch device 5
0 stops, and the conveyance of the photographic paper A stops. On the other hand, since the exposure is continuously performed in the exposure unit 30,
The printing paper A is transported downstream.

[0145] Therefore, the transport toward the upstream side of the loop forming unit U ₂ to the loop forming unit U ₂ stops, since only transported from the loop forming unit U ₂ in the direction toward the downstream side is made, the loop is reduced .

The loop is reduced and the second loop sensor S
_{When L} does not detect the loop and only the first loop sensor S _H detects the loop, the image recording apparatus control circuit 202 starts punching a punch hole to the frame display unit 28. An instruction to do so is output.

The frame display unit 28 starts the conveyance of the photographic paper A and the punching of the punch holes in response to the instruction, as shown in FIG. 9B, so that the photographic paper A is transferred to the upstream conveyance section 52. And it is conveyed toward the downstream side in the downstream side conveyance part 56.

Therefore, the photographic paper A is conveyed downstream in both the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30, so that the loop is substantially held at the size shown in FIG. 9B. Is done.

When the loop is further reduced and the loop is not detected by either the second loop sensor S _L or the first loop sensor S _H , the image recording apparatus control circuit 202 controls the exposure unit 30 An instruction to stop the exposure is output.

When the instruction is output, the exposure unit 30 stops the exposure as shown in FIG. 10, and the photographic paper A is transported only by the frame display unit 28. Therefore, only the conveyance direction from the upstream side of the loop forming unit U ₂ to the loop forming unit U ₂ is performed, transported from the loop forming unit U ₂ in the direction toward the downstream side from stop, the loop expands.

The loop is enlarged, and FIG.
When the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 9, the exposure is restarted in the exposure unit 30 as described above, and the loop is held substantially at the size shown in FIG. 9B.

In other respects, the image recording apparatus 2
20 has the same configuration and operation as the image recording device 22 according to the first embodiment.

In the image recording apparatus 220, the timing of stopping and starting the conveyance of the printing paper A in the exposure unit 30 can be flexibly changed according to, for example, the length of an image frame. That is, when the length l _i of the image frame is short, even when the loop amount L3 is small,
The control unit 202B does not output an instruction to the exposure unit 30 that the exposure and the conveyance of the photographic paper A should be stopped.

Therefore, in the exposure unit 30,
Since the exposure is not interrupted frequently, the efficiency of print production is high.

Further, in each of the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30, the size of the loop is controlled based on the frame information stored in the frame information storage unit 202A without measuring the transport speed of the photographic paper A. The frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 3
At 0, even if slippage occurs between the transport roller and the printing paper A, the control can be accurately performed in the first half.

In addition, software for correcting the transport speed measured in the frame display unit 28 and the exposure unit 30 is not required.

[0157]

According to the present invention, the timing for stopping and starting the conveyance of the photographic paper in the exposure unit can be flexibly changed according to, for example, the print size. The present invention provides an image recording apparatus, a method of controlling the image recording apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including the image recording apparatus, which have high efficiency in print creation because it is not necessary to stop the exposure and the exposure is not frequently interrupted. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus included in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing details of a frame display unit, an exposure unit, and their vicinity in the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hole detector included in the exposure unit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing another example of the hole detector.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image recording device control circuit that controls the image recording device illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus included in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

9 is a diagram showing details of a frame display unit, an exposure unit, and a loop forming unit located between the frame display unit and the exposure unit in the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 8; It is an enlarged view showing an outline.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing an outline of operation of a frame display unit, an exposure unit, and their vicinity in the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus included in a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 14 Automatic development processing apparatus 22 Image recording apparatus 28 Frame display unit 30 Exposure unit 32 Printing unit 34 Reservoir 36 Emergency cutting unit 38 Printing paper discharge unit 53 Transport roller 55 Endless belt 57 Transport roller 59 Endless belt 62 Hole detector 98 conveyance roller 106 conveyance roller 114 hole detector 120 conveyance roller 126 hole detector 130 conveyance roller 136 hole detector 202 image recording device control circuit 220 image recording device U ₁ loop forming unit U ₂ loop forming unit U ₃ loop forming unit U ₄ loop-forming unit L1 frame length L3 loop amount L4 exposure unit expected carrying amount L5 minimum loop amount L6 Sui image frames being conveyed in a length L2 frame display unit of the image frames of non-transport in a display unit Chibakku amount L7 frame display unit carry amount L8 exposure unit carry amount

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H106 AB04 AB46 AB53 AB60 AB64 BH00 2H112 AA11 AA14 BA08 BA25 BA26 BB09 3F105 AA05 AB00 BA09 BA18 CA13 CC01 DA03 DA08 DC11

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for recording a plurality of images by continuously exposing a roll of photosensitive material while transporting the photosensitive material, wherein a loop forming section for forming a slack in the photosensitive material; A frame information storage unit that stores a length of an image frame that is a section for forming the image, and a loop control unit that controls a size of the slack in the loop forming unit. The loop control unit includes: a) At some point, the length of the image frame being transported or scheduled to be transported on the upstream side of the loop forming unit is read from the frame information storage means and totaled to obtain the scheduled upstream transport amount.b) At the same time, The length of the image frame being transported or scheduled to be transported on the downstream side of the loop forming section is read out from the frame information storage means and summed up to obtain the planned downstream transport amount.c) The upstream scheduled transport amount and the downstream The image recording apparatus characterized by managing the size of the slack on the basis of the difference between the expected carrying amount. 2. The loop control means: c1) obtains a sum of the scheduled amount of upstream conveyance and a loop amount that is a length of the photosensitive material forming the slack; c2) calculates the sum and the downstream side Determine the difference from the scheduled transport amount, compare the obtained difference with the minimum loop amount in the loop forming unit, when the difference is smaller than the minimum loop amount,
2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the slack is managed by stopping conveyance downstream of the loop forming unit and starting conveyance upstream. 3. 3. When the transport on the downstream side of the loop forming unit is stopped, the loop control means determines a difference between the scheduled upstream transport amount, the loop amount, and the downstream scheduled transport amount by the loop. Compared to the sum of the minimum amount of transport and the transport resumption amount, which is the length of the photosensitive material required to start transporting in the fixed direction from a state stopped on the downstream side of the forming unit, 3. The transport on the downstream side is restarted when the sum is equal to or greater than the total.
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The loop amount is read from the frame information storage means as the length of an image frame conveyed up to the certain point on the upstream side of the loop forming unit, and the total thereof is calculated on the upstream side of the loop forming unit. The transport length of the photosensitive material is defined as the upstream transport amount, and the length of the image frame transported up to the certain point on the downstream side of the loop forming unit is read from the frame information storage unit, and the total is read out from the loop forming unit. The length of the photosensitive material determined as a difference between the upstream transport amount and the downstream transport amount, wherein the downstream transport amount is a transport length of the photosensitive material on the downstream side of the photosensitive material. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. 5. An image recording apparatus for recording an image by exposing a roll-shaped photosensitive material while transporting the photosensitive material, wherein a loop forming section for forming a slack in the photosensitive material, wherein the slack is formed in the loop forming section. A first loop sensor that detects the slack when the slack is greater than or equal to a first size that is a specific size, and wherein the slack is greater than or equal to a second size that is greater than the first size in the loop forming unit. A second loop sensor that detects the slack at the time of, when both the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor detect the slack, stop the transport on the upstream side of the loop forming unit, When the transport is performed on the downstream side and both the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor do not detect the slack, the transport on the downstream side of the loop forming unit is stopped. Image recording apparatus characterized by comprising a loop control unit configured to transfer at the side. 6. When the first loop sensor detects the slack and the second loop sensor does not detect the slack, the photosensitive material is conveyed both upstream and downstream of the loop forming section. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first loop sensor and the second loop sensor are formed so as to be able to approach and separate from each other. 8. An image forming apparatus comprising: an upstream conveying means for conveying the photosensitive material upstream of the loop forming section; and a downstream conveying means for conveying the photosensitive material downstream of the loop forming section. The loop control means stops the downstream transporting means, stops transporting the photosensitive material on the downstream side of the loop forming section, and stops the upstream transporting means, thereby stopping the upstream transporting section. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conveyance of the photosensitive material on the side is stopped. 9. The image recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of said upstream conveying means and said downstream conveying means is a roller driven by a stepping motor. 10. A frame display unit for providing a frame display indicating the position of the image frame to the photosensitive material on an upstream side of the loop forming unit, and exposing the photosensitive material on a downstream side of the loop forming unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an exposure unit configured to form an image by performing the operation. 11. The image recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the frame display provided in the frame display section is a punch hole formed in at least one side edge of the photosensitive material. 12. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formed on the photosensitive material is a latent image. 13. The photographic material according to claim 1, wherein the photographic material is photographic paper.
13. The image recording device according to any one of claims 12 to 12. 14. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image formed on the photosensitive material is developed and fixed while transporting the photosensitive material carried out from the image recording apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising: 15. A method for controlling an image recording apparatus comprising a loop forming section for recording a plurality of images by continuously exposing a roll-shaped photosensitive material while conveying the same, and forming a slack in the photosensitive material. A frame information storing step of storing a length of an image frame which is a section on which the image is formed on the photosensitive material; and a loop control step of controlling a size of the slack in the loop forming unit. In the loop control step, a) Of the image frames whose lengths are stored in the frame information storage step, at a certain point in time, for the image frame being transported or scheduled to be transported on the upstream side of the loop forming unit,
B) At the same time, of the image frames whose lengths have been stored in the frame information storing step, the image being transported or scheduled to be transported downstream of the loop forming unit. For each frame, the total length is calculated to determine the estimated downstream transport amount, and c) the amount of slack is managed based on the difference between the scheduled upstream transport amount and the downstream scheduled transport amount. A method for controlling an image recording device. 16. The loop control step includes: c1) obtaining a total of the planned upstream side transport amount and a loop amount which is a length of the photosensitive material forming the slack; and c2) obtaining the total and the downstream side. Determine the difference with the scheduled side transfer amount, compare the obtained difference with the minimum loop amount in the loop forming unit, when the difference is smaller than the minimum loop amount,
16. The image recording according to claim 15, wherein the magnitude of the slack is managed by stopping the conveyance downstream of the loop forming unit and outputting an instruction to perform the conveyance upstream to the image recording apparatus. How to control the device.