JP2004347868A - Print packing apparatus and print forming and packing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print forming and packing system in which an operation to verify whether recording media are correspondent to prints or not is unnecessary. <P>SOLUTION: A print packing apparatus is provided which comprises a print accumulating means to accumulate prints every order, a print packing means to pack the prints accumulated by the print accumulating means, a storage means to store the sequence of print orders and print order information for each order including the sequence of prints in one order, and a control means to control the print packing means on the basis of the sequence of print orders and the print order information for each order stored in the storage means. The print forming and packing system includes the print packing apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print bagging device and a print production bagging system, and in particular, when an image is recorded based on digital image data recorded on various media, the effort of collating the created print with the media is reduced. The present invention relates to an unnecessary print bagging apparatus and a print production bagging system including the print bagging apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An automatic printer processor that develops a negative film that has already been photographed and continuously prints the image of the developed negative film on photographic paper to create a series of prints is now widely used in photographic laboratories and the like.
[0003]
As such an automatic printer processor, for example, there is an automatic printer processor in which a created print is organized and packed into a single DP bag together with a developed negative film, a slip, and a promotional flyer (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2).
[0004]
In recent years, photographic laboratories photoelectrically read image information recorded on photographic films and printed materials such as negative films and reversal films in addition to the automatic printer processor described above, and convert the read images into digital signals. A digital photo printer system that, after conversion, performs various image processing to obtain digital image data for recording, and scans and exposes a photosensitive material such as photographic paper with recording light modulated in accordance with the digital image data. Are becoming widely used.
[0005]
Since the digital photo printer system creates a print from digital image data as described above, it can easily handle not only conventional photographic film but also digital image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera.
[0006]
Here, digital image data photographed by a digital camera is usually brought into a photo processing laboratory in a state where it is recorded on various media such as a smart media (R) and a CD-R. In the photo processing laboratory, the digital photo printer system reads digital image data from the brought-in medium and creates a print based on the digital image data.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-27405
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-43622
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
With the explosive spread of digital cameras in recent years, orders brought in in the form of media are increasing year by year.
[0009]
The brought-in media is usually packed in a DP bag together with the prints created by the digital photo printer system, but the operation of checking whether the media and the prints match is troublesome.
[0010]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a print bagging apparatus and a print creation bagging system that do not require the collation operation.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a print bagging apparatus for bagging a print recorded based on digital image data recorded on a medium or acquired from an externally connected terminal. Includes a print stacking means for collecting prints on a case-by-case basis, a print bagging means for bagging the prints collected by the print stacking means, a print order order, and an in-order print order which is a print order within one order. Storage means for storing print order information for each order to be made, and control for controlling the print bagging means based on the order of the prints stored in the storage means and the print order information for each order. And a printing bag filling device.
[0012]
In the print bagging apparatus, one order print is automatically bagged. Further, the bagging is performed according to a print ordering order that is a print ordering order. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of manually sorting and packing the prints for each order.
[0013]
Here, “digital image data recorded on media or acquired from an externally coupled terminal” means digital image data recorded on media or digital image data distributed over a network, as well as installed in stores, for example. In other words, the digital image data obtained by reading the media at the store reception device, in other words, including the digital image data sucked from the media by the store reception device.
[0014]
Further, the “print order” is an order requested through the media, the network, and the storefront reception device. As described later in claim 7, in the media, the network, and the storefront reception device, The order order actually received is not necessarily the same.
[0015]
“Print order information for each order” includes, in addition to the print order within the order, the receipt number, the number of prints for each image in the order, the print size, the amount calculated from the print number and the print size. Etc. The order print order is not necessarily the same as the order print order actually received.
[0016]
Examples of the media include media generally used for recording digital image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera, such as smart media and CD-R.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the print bag filling means includes a print bag stacking unit in which print bags are stacked, a print bag opening for fixing and opening a print bag, and the print bag stacking unit. A print bag transfer unit that transfers the print bag to the print bag opening; a print input unit that inputs the prints accumulated by the print accumulation unit into the print bag opened by the print bag opening; and the media Media receiving means, media loading means for loading media received by the media receiving means into a print bag opened at the print bag opening, and printing and media loading by the print loading means and the media loading means Printed bag having a loaded print bag stacking unit for collecting printed print bags Apparatus on.
[0018]
In the print bagging apparatus, when an order is received by a medium, the medium is received by the medium receiving means.
[0019]
On the other hand, the prints related to the order are accumulated by the print accumulation means, and are put into a print bag by the print insertion means. Then, the media received by the media receiving means is loaded into the print bag in which the print is loaded by the media loading means.
[0020]
Therefore, in the print bagging apparatus, when an order is received by a medium, the medium and a print created based on the digital image data in the medium are put into the same print bag.
[0021]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means is based on the order of the prints read from the storage means and the print order information for each order, and the print and the medium are loaded in the print bag. The print bagging device controls the print bagging means so that the medium and the print are of the same order.
[0022]
In the print bagging apparatus, for example, when the n-th medium N is received by the media receiving means, the control means sends the relationship between the order sequence and the image data from the storage means, and the media in the order. Print information such as presence / absence is called to determine what order the media N corresponds to. When it is determined that the medium N is a medium corresponding to the m-th order, for example, the medium input unit is configured to input the medium N into a print bag in which a print corresponding to the m-th order is input. To control.
[0023]
Accordingly, the medium N is loaded by the medium loading unit into a print bag in which a print corresponding to the mth order has been loaded.
[0024]
On the other hand, when the media receiving means does not accept the media, the media input means remains stopped, and therefore, the print bag is sent only to the input print bag stacking portion with the prints being input.
[0025]
Therefore, in this case, only the prints accumulated by the print accumulation means are packaged.
[0026]
In this way, in the print bagging device, since the media is always packaged together with the corresponding prints simply by inserting the media into the media receiving means, is the print and the media matched? The collation work which verifies whether it becomes unnecessary. In addition, when the order accepted by media and the order accepted by network distribution are mixed, and when the order is accepted only by network distribution, the completed print and the media unrelated to the print are mistakenly mixed together. Accidents that can be packaged are also prevented.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the print bag packing means includes a print bag stacking unit in which print bags are stacked, a print bag opening for fixing and opening a print bag, and the print bag stacking unit. A print bag transfer section for transferring a print bag to the print bag opening; a print input means for inputting the prints accumulated by the print accumulation means into the print bag opened at the print bag opening; and the print input means. The present invention relates to a print bag filling apparatus including a print bag stacking unit that stacks print bags into which prints have been input.
[0028]
In an externally connected terminal such as an order receiving machine, image data corresponding to a series of images is usually recorded. Therefore, in the print creation apparatus provided in the print creation bagging system of the present invention, a group of prints corresponding to the image data is created.
[0029]
A group of prints formed by the print creation device is accumulated as a group of prints in a print accumulation unit included in the print creation bagging system.
[0030]
On the other hand, one print bag is transferred from the print bag stacking unit by the print bag transfer unit and fixed at the print bag opening.
[0031]
The print bag transferred to the print bag opening by the print bag transfer unit is fixed to the print bag opening and opened. When the print bag is fixed and opened at the opening portion of the print bag, the batch of prints is input to the print bag by the print input means.
[0032]
The print bag loaded with the print is accumulated in the loaded print bag accumulation unit.
[0033]
In the print creation bagging system, the operation is automatically performed until the prints created by accepting the order via the order reception machine or online distribution are packed in the print bag and accumulated. There is provided an apparatus capable of packing a print without directly acquiring image data from the printer.
[0034]
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the print bag transport unit includes a print unit for printing at least a part of the print order information for each item on the print bag. Relates to the device.
[0035]
5. The print bagging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the print bag transporting apparatus is an example in which a print unit is provided in the print bag transfer unit, and print order information is preprinted on the print bag in the print unit. be able to. Examples of such print order information include a receipt number and a monetary amount.
[0036]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a print creation device for creating a print based on digital image data recorded on a medium or acquired from a terminal externally coupled, and the print created by the print creation device are packaged. A print production bagging system comprising the print bagging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
[0037]
In the print creation bagging system, the print creation means creates a print that has been ordered by the media, a storefront, or online distribution.
[0038]
The prints created by the print creation means are collected for each order, and are packed in the print bagging apparatus together with the media corresponding to the prints.
[0039]
In the print creation bagging system, when an order is received with media, the print bagging apparatus packs the print and the corresponding media together. On the other hand, when the order is received when the digital image information in the media is sucked up by the network distribution and the store reception device, only the print corresponding to the image data distributed to the network or the digital image information is received. Bagged.
[0040]
Therefore, even in the case where the prints accepted for the media and the prints accepted for the network distribution or the store reception machine are mixed, the trouble of collating the packed prints with the media can be saved.
[0041]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the print creating apparatus stores print order information for each order including the order order and the in-order print order in order acceptance order, and the print order. Print order determining means for rearranging the order order read from the information storage means and the in-order print order as necessary to set the print order information and the in-order print order, and the print set by the print order determination means Writing means for writing the order order and the in-order print order in the storage means of the print bagging device, and creating a print according to the order order set by the print order determining means and the in-order print order The present invention relates to a print creation bagging system.
[0042]
In the print creation bagging system, when an order is received by a medium, a storefront reception device, or online distribution, the print order information storage means stores the order order and the print order information for each order in the order reception order.
[0043]
In the case where orders via media, store reception machines, or online distribution are mixed, the print order determining means, for example, for each order by media, orders by store reception machines, and orders via online distribution, It is possible to change the order of the orders with priorities. In addition, when different print size settings such as the normal size and the panorama size are included in one order, the print order is switched, for example, a large size print is created first.
[0044]
Then, the writing means writes the newly replaced order order and in-order print order in the storage means of the print bagging apparatus, and at the same time, print order information is written in the order of the order.
[0045]
Therefore, in the above-described print creation bagging system, problems such as variations in print bundles in the print bagging process can be avoided even when printings of various sizes are created.
[0046]
The in-order printing order may be, for example, the order of a large size print first and a small size print later, and conversely, the small size print first and the large size print later. It may be an order.
[0047]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the print creating apparatus forms an image on the image recording material based on digital image data recorded on a medium or acquired from an externally coupled terminal while conveying the image recording material in a certain direction. The present invention relates to a print creation bagging system comprising image forming means for creating a print.
[0048]
In the print making and packaging system, for example, an image recording material of a type that forms an image by forming a latent image by electrostatic or optical means and visualizing the latent image by an appropriate means can be used. .
[0049]
As such image forming means, a photographic paper is exposed to form a latent image, and this is developed to develop a color print, and an electrostatic image is formed on a normal roll paper. There is an electrostatographic image forming apparatus that forms an image by attaching toner to an electrostatic image and fixing it. A specific example of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is a laser printer.
[0050]
The image forming unit is not necessarily limited to one that forms a latent image. Examples of the image forming means that does not form a latent image include an ink jet printer.
[0051]
The invention according to claim 9 relates to a print making bagging system in which the image recording material is photographic paper.
[0052]
In the print production bagging system, since the silver halide photographic print is formed by the print production means, the most beautiful and precise print with the highest quality can be obtained at present.
[0053]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1. Embodiment 1
An example of a photo printer system included in the print production bagging system according to the present invention will be described below.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 1, a photo printer system 100 inserts a medium M and reads out image data recorded on the medium M, and based on the image data read by the media reader 1, an image is printed on photographic paper. The print creation device 2 that creates a sheet-like print Pr for each image by printing, and the print P created by the print creation device 2 and the media M from which the internal image data is read by the media reader 1 are packed together. And a print bagging device 3. The print bagging device 3 includes a control computer 5 that controls the print creating device 2 and the print bagging device 3 based on image data read by the media reader 1. The media reader 1 and the print production device 2 correspond to the print production device provided in the print production bagging system according to the present invention. The print bagging device 3 is provided in the print production bagging system according to the present invention. It corresponds to a device. The control computer 5 corresponds to storage means and control means included in the print bagging apparatus, print order information storage means, print order determination means, and writing means included in the print creation apparatus. A medium M corresponds to a medium from which image data is read out by the print creating apparatus.
[0055]
The media reader 1 has a function of designating the size of a print to be created by the print creation apparatus 2 in addition to the above-described function of reading image data from the medium M.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 1, the print creating apparatus 2 includes magazine mounting portions 22A and 22B in which magazines 72 and magazines 74 in which photographic paper P is wound in a roll shape are mounted, and magazines 72 and 74. The exposure unit 24 that exposes the photographic paper P that has been unwound and conveyed in the direction of the arrow a, the development unit 26 that develops the photographic paper exposed by the exposure unit 24, and the photographic paper developed by the development unit 26 A drying cutting unit 28 that dries P and cuts each image, and an image processing device that corrects or processes the image data read by the media reader 1 and the image data distributed over the network as necessary and inputs them to the exposure unit 24 And 20.
[0057]
The photographic paper P is wound in a magazine 72 and a magazine 74 so that the photosensitive surface on which the photosensitive emulsion is applied is on the outside.
[0058]
Based on the image data input from the image processing device 20, the exposure unit 24 emits laser light of three colors of red, green, and blue from the light source unit 24 </ b> A along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction a. Scan to form a latent image on photographic paper.
[0059]
The developing unit 26 includes a developing tank 26A that develops the photographic paper P exposed in the exposure unit 24, a bleach-fixing tank 26B that bleaches and fixes the photographic paper P developed in the developing tank 26A, and a bleach-fixing tank. A washing tank 26C for washing the photographic paper P bleached and fixed in 26B.
[0060]
The drying cutting unit 28 cuts the photographic paper P washed with water in the washing tank 26C in the developing unit 26 with hot air and the photographic paper P dried with the drying heater 28A for each image. And a cutting machine 28B for printing.
[0061]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the print bagging device 3 inserts a print bag storage unit 32 in which an empty print bag is folded and a print Pr and a medium M into the print bag. A print bag fixing portion 33 for adsorbing and fixing the print bag when the print bag is moved, a print bag transferring portion 34 for transferring the print bag from the print bag storage portion 32 to the print bag fixing portion 33, and a transfer in the print bag transferring portion 34 The print bag printing unit 35 that prints on the print bag, the print Pr created by the print creation device 2 are placed and accumulated, and the print Pr is printed from the print creation device 2 to the print placement table 36. A print transport unit 37 for transporting and a print bag stacking unit 38 for stacking print bags packed with media M and print Pr on the print bag fixing unit 33 are provided. . The print mounting table 36 and the print transport unit 37 correspond to print accumulation means included in the print bag filling device of the present invention. The print bag storage unit 32, the print bag fixing unit 33, the print bag transfer unit 34, and the print bag printing unit 35. Corresponds to the print bagging means provided in the print bagging apparatus.
[0062]
The print bagging device 3 further includes a media insertion port 39A for loading the media M that has been read by the media reader 1, and a medium M that has been loaded into the media insertion port 39A as indicated by an arrow b in FIG. The media transport conveyor 30 transported downward toward the print placement table 36 and the medium M transported downward by the media transport conveyor 30 are placed on the print Pr placed on the print placement table 36 and printed Pr. In addition, a media / print transfer unit 31 that transfers the bag toward the print bag fixing unit 33 and packs the bag is provided. A media detection sensor 39B that detects that the media M has been inserted is provided immediately below the media insertion port 39A. The media detection sensor 39B may be an optical sensor or a mechanical sensor. The media insertion port 39A, the media detection sensor 39B, and the media transport conveyor 30 correspond to the media receiving means provided in the print bagging apparatus according to the present invention, and the media / print transfer unit 31 serves as the print feeding means and the media feeding means. Equivalent to.
[0063]
In the print bag fixing portion 33, as shown in FIG. 2, a print bag suction hole 33B for sucking the print bag is opened over the entire surface of the print bag suction surface 33A on which the print bag is sucked. A vacuum pump (not shown) is connected to the print bag fixing portion 33, and a communication flow path (not shown) for communicating the suction hole 33B and the vacuum pump is provided inside. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the print bag fixing portion 33 is slightly lower in height than the print mounting table 36, and a step is formed between the print bag fixing unit 33 and the print mounting table 36.
[0064]
The print bag transport unit 34 includes a rail 34A that extends from the print bag storage unit 32 toward the print bag fixing unit 33 above the print bag storage unit 32 and the print bag fixing unit 33, and a traveling unit that travels on the rail 34A. 34 </ b> B and a suction part 34 </ b> C provided with a pair of suction cups 34 </ b> D which are provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the traveling part and face downward. The suction portion 34C is formed so as to be able to swing in the vertical plane.
[0065]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the print transport unit 37 is a pair of print transport rollers 37 </ b> A and a print transport roller 37 </ b> B and plate-like members arranged in parallel to each other in the horizontal direction. A pair of print guide plates 37C for guiding prints conveyed by the conveyance roller 37A and the print conveyance roller 37B onto the print placement table 36 are provided. The print guide plate 37C is formed in such a shape that the entrance side is opened up and down so that the print Pr created by the print creation device 2 is reliably inserted between the two print guide plates 37C.
[0066]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the media transport conveyor 30 includes a paddle portion 30A on which the media M is placed, and a paddle drive belt 30B that drives the paddle portion 30A in the vertical direction. The paddle portion 30A is fixed to the paddle drive belt 30B so as to protrude perpendicularly from the paddle drive belt 30B. A pair of slits 30C into which claws 31B, which will be described later, are inserted from the vicinity of the edge on the side fixed to the paddle drive belt 30B to the outside are provided at the center of the paddle portion 30A.
[0067]
As shown in FIG. 6, the media / print transfer unit 31 includes a shallow box-shaped main pusher 31 </ b> A that slides on the print placement table 36 in the direction toward the print bag fixing unit 33 and the direction toward the media transport conveyor 30. A claw 31B formed so as to be movable in the main pusher 31A along the sliding direction of the main pusher 31A, and a spring 31C that urges the claw 31B toward the edge of the main pusher 31A facing the media transport conveyor 30. With. The upper end of the claw 31B protrudes upward from the upper surface of the main pusher 31A, and the claw 31B moves independently of the movement of the main pusher 31A by an actuator (not shown) provided on the main pusher 31A.
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 7, the control computer 5 includes a central control unit 50 and a memory 52. The central control unit 50 corresponds to control means in the print bagging apparatus according to the present invention, and the memory 52 corresponds to storage means in the print bagging apparatus.
[0069]
Data about the relationship between the presence of image data and media and the order of the order is input from the image processing apparatus 20 to the central control unit 50. These data are stored in the memory 52.
[0070]
When the presence / absence of media detection is input from the media detection sensor 39B, the central control unit 50 reads the data from the memory 52 and prints the print transport unit 37, the media transport conveyor 30, the media / print transfer in the print bagging apparatus 3. Control unit 31, print bag fixing unit 33, and print bag transfer unit 34. The central control unit 50 also controls the exposure unit 24, the developing unit 26, and the drying cutting unit 28, and at the same time, the photographic paper and print processing statuses at the respective locations are input.
[0071]
The operation of the photo printer system 100 will be described below.
[0072]
In the print creating apparatus 2, the photographic paper unwound from the magazine 72 or the magazine 74 is conveyed so that the photosensitive surface is on the outer side as shown in FIG.
[0073]
A series of image data recorded on the medium M is read by the media reader 1 and input to the light source unit 24 </ b> A in the exposure unit 24 via the image processing device 20. In addition, image data distributed through a network such as the Internet is also input to the image processing apparatus 20. Each time image data is input, the image processing device 20 determines whether the image data received from the media reader 1 is a media read or a network distribution, and the image data The control computer 5 is input with data indicating how many times the order has been made or how many times the order by the media and the order through the network have been made by the order.
[0074]
When the media reader 1 sets a different print size, the setting is also input to the image processing unit 20. In the image processing unit 20, the input image data is rearranged in order of print size and input to the light source unit 24A.
[0075]
In the light source unit 24A, a latent image is formed by irradiating the photosensitive surface of the photographic paper P with laser light of three colors of red, green, and blue based on the input image data.
[0076]
The photographic paper P on which the latent image is formed in the exposure unit 24 is introduced into the developing unit 26 and sequentially passes through the developing tank 26A, the bleach-fixing tank 26B, and the washing tank 26C. In the developing tank 26A, the bleach-fixing tank 26B, and the water washing tank 26C, the photographic paper P is conveyed so that the photosensitive surface is located on the inner side. The photographic paper P passes through the developing tank 26A, the bleach-fixing tank 26B, and the water-washing tank 26C, and is subjected to development processing, bleaching / fixing processing, and water-washing processing. Converted to an image.
[0077]
The photographic paper P that has passed through the developing unit 26 is introduced into the drying cutting unit 28 and dried in the drying heater 28A. A series of prints Pr corresponding to the image data of the medium M is created by being sent to the cutting machine 28B and cut for each positive image.
[0078]
Each time the print Pr created by the print creation device 2 is cut by the cutting machine 28B, the print Pr is inserted into the print transport unit 37 in the print bagging device 3 one by one. As shown in FIG. Is laminated.
[0079]
While the series of prints Pr is being transferred from the print creation device 2 to the print bagging device 3, in the print bagging device 3, the print bag transfer unit 34 moves to the print bag storage unit 32 according to the procedure described below. The stored print bag is transferred to the print bag fixing portion 33.
[0080]
First, as shown in FIG. 3, the traveling unit 34 </ b> B moves on the rail 34 </ b> A toward the print bag storage unit 32. The traveling unit 34B stops above the print bag storage unit 32, the suction unit 34C descends toward the print bag, and the suction cup 34D sucks the uppermost print bag.
[0081]
When the suction cup 34D sucks the print bag, the suction part 34C rises and the traveling part 34B moves toward the print bag fixing part 33. When the print bag adsorbed by the suction cup 34D passes through the printing unit 35, the printing unit 35 prints necessary items such as an acceptance number and an amount of money. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the traveling unit 34 </ b> B stops above the print bag fixing unit 33, and the suction unit 34 </ b> C descends toward the print bag fixing unit 33.
[0082]
When the suction part 34C is lowered and the lower surface of the print bag held by the suction cup 34D is in contact with the print bag suction surface 33A, the print bag suction hole 33B is decompressed. Thereby, the print bag is adsorbed to the print bag adsorbing surface 33A. When the suction part 34C is raised in a state where the print bag is attracted to the print bag suction surface 33A, the print bag is opened.
[0083]
Next, when the media M read from the image data by the media reader 1 is input to the media input port 39A, the media M falls to the paddle portion 30A of the media transport conveyor 30, and the media detection sensor 39B is inserted into the media input port 39A. It is detected that the medium M has been inserted. The detection content of the media detection sensor 39B is input to the central control unit 50 of the control computer 5. When the detected content is input, the central control unit 50 determines what order the media M corresponds to in accordance with the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0084]
First, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the medium M has been inserted. If the media detection sensor 39B detects that the media M has been inserted into the media insertion port 39A, the determination is “Yes”, so that the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined how many times the media has been inserted. In step S6, data indicating how many times the order via the media and the order via the network have been placed at the time when the medium M is inserted is read from the memory 52. If there are m orders through the media and n orders through the network at the time when the medium M is inserted, whether or not the medium M is input is the mth input in step S8. Is judged. In step S10, data indicating whether the print Pr placed on the print placement table 36 is related to the order, and whether the print Pr is based on the media is called from the memory 52. In step S12, the print Pr is printed. It is determined whether Pr is based on the (m + n) th order. If it is determined that the print Pr is based on the (m + n) th order, it is determined in step S14 whether or not the print is based on image data read from the medium. If the print is based on the image data read from the medium, the central control unit 50 determines that the print Pr corresponds to the medium M in step S16, and prints according to the following procedure in step S18. Pack Pr and Media M.
[0085]
The operations of the media transport conveyor 30 and the print media transport unit 31 when the media M is packed in a print bag are shown in FIGS.
[0086]
The media transport conveyor 30 is controlled so that the media M placed on the paddle portion 30A located at the uppermost stage is transported downward toward the print placement table 36.
[0087]
When the paddle section 30A is lowered to the vicinity of the print placement table 36, as shown in FIG. 9A, the claw 31B at the standby position in the media / print transfer section 31 is inserted into the slit 30C provided in the paddle section 30A. Engage.
[0088]
As shown in FIG. 9A, when both the main pusher 31A and the claw 31B are in the standby position, the claw 31B engages with the slit 31C of the paddle part 30A as shown in FIG. Projects upward. At this time, the claw 31B protrudes to a position between the medium M and the paddle transfer belt 30B.
[0089]
Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the main pusher 31 </ b> A moves in the direction of arrow c toward the print Pr placed on the print placement unit 36. As a result, the medium M on the paddle portion 30A moves to the upper surface of the main pusher 31A. The main pusher 31 </ b> A stops once when it comes into contact with the print Pr on the print placement unit 36.
[0090]
When the main pusher unit 31A stops, the claw 31B moves in the direction of arrow d toward the print Pr as shown in FIG. 9C, and the medium M on the main pusher 31A is placed on the print Pr. The
[0091]
When the medium M is placed on the print Pr, as shown in FIG. 9D, the main pusher 31A moves toward the print bag fixing unit 33, and the print bag fixing unit 33, the print bag transfer unit 34, and the like. The medium M and the print Pr are pushed into the print bag opened by.
[0092]
When the medium M and the print Pr are pushed into the print bag, as shown in FIG. 9E, the suction at the print bag fixing portion 33 is released, and the print bag is put into the print bag stacking portion 38 by the main pusher 31A. Push it out. The extruded print bags are accumulated in the print bag accumulation unit 38 as shown in FIG.
[0093]
When the print bag is pushed out to the print bag accumulating portion 38, as shown in FIG. 10A, the paddle drive belt 30B rotates and the paddle portion 30A advances by half a frame. When the paddle portion 30A has advanced half a frame, as shown in FIG. 10B, the main pusher 31A and the claw 31B return to their initial positions. At the same time, a series of prints corresponding to the upper part of the image read from the next medium M + 1 are created by the print creation device 2 and placed on the print placement table 36. In the print bag fixing section 33, the next print bag is placed. Fixed and opened. Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the paddle drive belt 30B is further rotated by half a frame, and the paddle portion 30A on which the next medium M + 1 is placed descends toward the media / print transfer section 31, and the next medium Preparations for bagging M + 1 and a series of prints Pr are completed.
[0094]
In the return operation of the main pusher 31A and the claw 31, in addition to the operation shown in FIG. 10, after the paddle portion 31A is advanced by one frame, the claw 31B is released downward by an actuator (not shown) to perform media printing. It is also possible to return the transport unit 31 to the standby position and return the filling 31B upward by the actuator again.
[0095]
On the other hand, if the medium M is not inserted into the media insertion port 39A (step S2), and if the control computer 5 determines No in steps S8, S12, and S14 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Since Pr is a print unrelated to the media M, the operation of the media transport conveyor 30 is stopped and only the print Pr is packaged.
[0096]
Note that in the case where the media M is continuously inserted into the media reader to create a print, the media M that has finished reading the image data is successively inserted into the insertion port 39A. As described above, the media M is placed on all the paddle portions 30 </ b> A of the media transport conveyor 30. In such a case, the paddle portion 30A is driven to move downward by one step in the media transport conveyor 30 so that the correspondence relationship between the media M to be packed and the print Pr is maintained.
[0097]
In the photo printer system 100 according to the first embodiment, when the image data of the medium M is read by the media reader 1 and the print Pr is created based on the image data, the medium M is simply input to the medium input port 39A. The media M and the series of prints Pr associated therewith are automatically packed into one print bag. On the other hand, when the print Pr is not a print of the image data of the medium M, only the print Pr is packed in a print bag.
[0098]
Accordingly, the operator does not need to collate the print Pr with the medium M.
[0099]
In addition, when a plurality of print sizes are designated by the media reader 1 or the like, the print creation device 2 creates prints in order from the largest print size or the smallest print size and sends them to the print bagging device 3. The print bags are packed in a state in which the print sizes are stacked in order from the largest to the smallest. Therefore, there is no problem that the print bundle varies within the print bag when the print is packed or after the print bag is packed.
[0100]
2. Embodiment 2
Another example of the photo printer system included in the print production bagging system according to the present invention will be described below.
[0101]
As shown in FIG. 11, the photo printer system 102 includes a media reader 1, a print creation device 2, a bagging device 4, and a control computer 6. The media reader 1 and the print creation device 2 correspond to a print creation device included in the print creation bagging system according to the present invention, and the print bagging device 4 corresponds to a print bagging device included in the print creation bagging system. To do. The control computer 6 corresponds to storage means and control means provided in the print bagging apparatus of the present invention, print order information storage means, print order determining means, and writing means provided in the print production bagging apparatus. The media reader 1 and the print creating apparatus 2 are as described in the first embodiment.
[0102]
As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the bagging device 4 includes a storage processing rotary drum 40, a print stacking / feeding unit 41 that stacks the prints created by the print creation device 2 and sends them to the storage processing rotary drum 40. , A print bag adsorbing portion 42 for adsorbing and opening a print bag inserted in the storage processing rotating drum 40 and a slit-shaped media insertion port 43A for introducing the media M read by the media reader 1; A media feeding unit 43, a media detection sensor 43B for detecting the media M loaded in the media loading unit 43, and a media transport for transporting the media M loaded in the media loading unit 43 toward the upper side of the storage processing rotating drum 40. Unit 44 and the medium M transported above the storage processing rotary drum 40 by the media transport unit 44. A media dropping unit 45 that is an opening for dropping toward the ram 40, a print bag storage unit 46 that stores a print bag supplied to the storage processing rotary drum 40, and a print Pr and media by the storage processing rotary drum 40. And a print bag accumulating unit 47 for accumulating print bags packed with M. The bagging device 4 further includes a printing unit 48 that prints necessary items such as a receipt number and a money amount on a print bag supplied from the print bag storage unit 46 to the storage processing rotary drum 40, and a print bag stacking unit 47. And a print bag folding portion 49 that folds and seals the mouth of the print bag in which the print Pr and the media M are packed by the storage processing rotary drum 40. As shown in FIG. 13, the print bag folding portion 49 includes a rotating shaft 49B and three disc-shaped folding rollers 49A provided at equal intervals on the rotating shaft 49B. The storage processing rotating drum 40, the print bag suction unit 42, the print bag storage unit 46, the print bag stacking unit 47, the print unit 48, and the print bag folding unit 49 correspond to the print bag packing means in the print bag packing device, The input unit 43 corresponds to the medium receiving unit in the print bagging unit according to the present invention, the media transport unit 44 and the media dropping unit 45 correspond to the media transport unit in the print bagging unit, and the print accumulation / delivery unit 41. Corresponds to a print accumulating means in the print bagging apparatus.
[0103]
As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the storage processing rotating drum 40 has a drum shape with open side surfaces, and includes eight partitions 40 </ b> A provided at equal intervals along the radial direction, and the partitions 40 </ b> A from both sides. A pair of side plates 40B provided so as to be sandwiched and a rotating shaft 40C penetrating the center of the side plate 40B are provided and divided into eight compartments 40D by the side plate 40B and the partition 40A. 11 and 12, the side plate 40B (not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) positioned on the front side of the paper surface has a slit for inserting a print bag from the print bag storage section 46. It is provided every 40D. In addition, the outer edge of the partition 40A is provided with three cut portions for allowing the folding roller 49A to escape.
[0104]
The storage processing rotating drum 40 rotates intermittently in the counterclockwise direction around the rotating shaft 40 </ b> C as indicated by an arrow e in FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0105]
As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the print bag storage unit 46 supplies a print bag to a compartment 40D located in the lower right of the storage processing rotary drum 40, and stores a print bag storage box 46A for storing the print bag. And a delivery roller 46B that feeds the print bag stored in the print bag storage box 46A to the storage processing rotary drum 40.
The print bag storage box 46A has a shallow box shape in which the upper surface and the side surface facing the storage processing rotary drum 40 are opened, and is urged upward by a spring 46C provided on the bottom surface.
[0106]
The print accumulation / delivery unit 41 includes a print placement board 41A that rotates up and down around the side edge on the print creation apparatus 2 side, and an actuator (not shown) that rotates the print placement board 41A up and down. And has. When stacking the prints created by the print creation device 2, the print placement board 41A is located at a position rotated obliquely upward to the left as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. When the print Pr is inserted toward the drum 40, it is in a position rotated obliquely downward.
[0107]
As shown in FIG. 13, the media input unit 43 includes a vertically long slit-shaped media input port 43 </ b> A provided on the back surface of the bagging device 4. The media detection sensor 43B is an optical or mechanical sensor.
[0108]
The media transport unit 44 is a conveyor that transports the media M input from the media input unit 43 toward the media drop unit 45, a media fall prevention plate 44C that prevents the media M from falling downward, and a media drop A drive belt 44B disposed so that the belt surface is substantially perpendicular to the media drop prevention plate 44C along the upper side of the prevention plate 44C, and perpendicular to the surface of the drive belt 44B, and at equal intervals. And a paddle plate 44A that is erected. The media drop part 45 is an opening provided near the end of the media transport part 44 in the media fall prevention plate 44C.
[0109]
When the drive belt 44B is driven in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 13, the paddle plate 44A moves from the media loading unit 43 toward the media dropping unit 45 in the vicinity of the media loading unit 43. The medium M is conveyed by the paddle plate 44A onto the medium drop prevention plate 44C toward the medium drop unit 45. Then, the medium dropping unit 45 falls onto the storage processing rotating drum 40.
[0110]
As shown in FIG. 15, the control computer 6 includes a central control unit 60 and a memory 62. The central control unit 60 corresponds to control means in the print bagging apparatus according to the present invention, and the memory 62 corresponds to storage means in the print bagging apparatus.
[0111]
The central control unit 60 receives data about the relationship between the presence of image data and media and the order of the order from the image processing apparatus 20. These data are stored in the memory 62.
[0112]
When the presence / absence of media detection is input from the media detection sensor 43B, the central control unit 60 reads the data from the memory 62, and stores the print accumulation / delivery unit 41, the print bag suction unit 42, and the storage in the print bagging apparatus 4. The processing rotary drum 40, the media transport unit 44, and the like are controlled. The central control unit 60 also controls the exposure unit 24, the developing unit 26, and the drying / cutting unit 28, and at the same time, the photographic paper and print processing statuses at the respective locations are input.
[0113]
Hereinafter, the operation of the photo printer system 102 will be described.
[0114]
When the medium M is inserted into the media reader 1, a series of image data recorded on the medium M is read by the media reader 1 and input to the light source unit 24 </ b> A in the exposure unit 24 via the image processing device 20. Image data distributed through a network such as the Internet is also input to the image processing apparatus 20. Each time image data is input, the image processing device 20 determines whether the image data received from the media reader 1 is a media read or a network distribution, and the image data The control computer 6 is input with data indicating how many times the order has been made or how many times the order by the media and the order through the network have been made by the order.
[0115]
Then, a series of prints corresponding to the image data input in this way is created by the print creation apparatus 2. When print sizes having different sizes are designated in the media reader 1, the image data are rearranged in order of increasing or decreasing print size, and prints Pr are created in the order of print sizes.
[0116]
The print Pr created by the print creation device 2 is sent to the bagging device 4 and is collected on the print accumulation board 41A in the print accumulation / delivery unit 41.
[0117]
While a series of prints Pr is created and accumulated on the print accumulation board 41A, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the print bag storage unit is placed in the compartment 40D located in the lower right of the storage processing rotary drum 40. A print bag is inserted from 46.
[0118]
When the print bag is inserted into the sorting chamber 40D, the storage processing rotary drum 40 rotates 45 ° counterclockwise and stops, and the sorting chamber 40D in which the print bag is inserted turns to the right. At this time, in the sorting chamber 40D, the print bag is adsorbed from above by the print bag adsorbing portion 42 and opened.
[0119]
When the print bag is opened, the storage processing rotating drum 40 further rotates 45 ° counterclockwise and stops at the position where the compartment 40D is directed to the upper right. Next, the print accumulation board 41A is rotated obliquely to the left and the print Pr accumulated on the print accumulation board 41A is inserted into the print bag.
[0120]
When the print Pr is inserted into the print bag in the sorting chamber 40D, the storage processing rotating drum 40 further rotates 45 ° counterclockwise, and the sorting chamber 40D stops immediately below the media dropping section 45.
[0121]
Here, when the medium M is input to the medium input unit 43, the medium detection sensor 43 </ b> B detects that the medium has been input and inputs it to the control computer 6. As described in the first embodiment, the control computer 6 determines the order of the medium M corresponding to the order shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, and at the same time, the print Pr corresponds to the medium M. Determine whether or not.
[0122]
When the control computer determines that the medium M and the print Pr correspond to each other, the loaded medium M is transported by the media transport unit 44 toward the media dropping unit 45, and from the media dropping unit 45 to the sorting chamber 40D. Therefore, it falls into the print bag that is held open in the compartment 40D.
[0123]
When the medium M is thus inserted into the print bag, the storage processing rotating drum 40 further rotates 45 ° counterclockwise, and the compartment 40D faces to the left. Accordingly, the mouth portion of the print bag is folded and sealed by the folding roller 49A provided in the print bag folding portion 49.
[0124]
When the print bag is sealed, the storage processing rotating drum 40 further rotates 45 ° counterclockwise, and the compartment 40D faces to the lower left. Therefore, the internal print bag is placed on the partition plate 40A. Slide down to 47. As a result, the print bags into which the print Pr and the medium M are inserted are collected.
[0125]
On the other hand, when the medium M is not input into the medium input unit 43 (step S2 in FIG. 8), and when the control computer 6 determines No in steps S8, S12, and S14 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Since the print Pr is a print not related to the medium M, the operation of the media transport unit 44 is stopped and only the print Pr is packed.
[0126]
In the photo printer system 102 according to the second embodiment, the print bag insertion, opening, print Pr insertion, media M insertion, print bag A series of operations of sealing and discharging the print bag to the print bag accumulating unit 47 is performed.
[0127]
Therefore, the photo printer system 102 has the advantage that the mechanism can be further simplified and can be made compact in addition to the features of the photo printer system 100 according to the first embodiment.
[0128]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a print creation bagging system that does not require an operation of checking whether or not the medium and the print match.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a photo printer system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a configuration of a bagging device provided in the photo printer system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the bagging device shown in FIG. 2;
4 is an enlarged front view showing a place in which a print and a medium are stored in a print bag in the bag filling device shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged left side view of the bagging device shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a media / print transfer unit and its periphery.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control computer 5 in the photo printer system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for packing media and prints in a print bag in the photo printer system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an operation diagram illustrating operations of the media transport conveyor and the print media transport unit when the media is packed in a print bag.
FIG. 10 is an operation diagram showing operations of the media transport conveyor and the print media transport unit after the media is packed in a print bag.
FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a photo printer system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged front view illustrating a configuration of a bagging device included in the photo printer system according to the second embodiment.
13 is an enlarged plan view showing the configuration of the bagging device shown in FIG. 12 as viewed from above.
14 is an enlarged side view showing the configuration of the bagging device shown in FIG. 11 as viewed from the left side in FIG. 9;
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control computer 6 included in the photo printer system illustrated in FIG. 12;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Media reader
2 Print creation device
3 Bagging equipment
4 Bagging equipment
5 Control computer
6 Control computer
24 Exposure section
26 Developer
28 Dry cutting part
30 Media conveyor
31 Media / Print Transfer Unit
32 Print bag storage
33 Print bag fixing part
34 Print bag transfer section
36 Print placement section
38 Print bag collection part
40 Storage processing rotating drum
41 Print accumulation / delivery section
42 Print bag suction part
43 Media input part
44 Media transport section
45 Media drop part
46 Print bag storage
47 Print bag stacking section

Claims (9)

A print bagging device for bagging prints created on the basis of digital image data recorded from media or acquired from an externally coupled terminal,
Print collection means for collecting the prints for each order;
Print bagging means for bagging the prints accumulated by the print accumulation means, and print order information for each order including a print order order and an in-order print order which is a print order in one order. Storage means for storing;
A print bagging apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the print bagging unit based on an order of the prints stored in the storage unit and print order information for each order. The print bagging means is:
A print bag stacking unit in which print bags are stacked;
A print bag opening for fixing and opening the print bag;
A print bag transfer section for transferring a print bag from the print bag accumulation section to the print bag opening;
Print input means for inputting the prints accumulated by the print accumulation means to the print bag opened at the print bag opening;
Media receiving means for receiving the media;
Media loading means for loading the media received by the media receiving means into the print bag opened at the print bag opening;
2. The print bagging device according to claim 1, further comprising a print bag stacking unit that stacks print bags into which prints and media have been input by the print input unit and the medium input unit. The control means, based on the order of the prints read from the storage means and the print order information for each order, the media and the prints in the print bag into which the prints and the media are loaded are the same. 3. The print bagging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print bagging means is controlled so as to be ordered. The print bagging means is:
A print bag stacking unit in which print bags are stacked;
A print bag opening for fixing and opening the print bag;
A print bag transfer section for transferring a print bag from the print bag accumulation section to the print bag opening;
Print input means for inputting the prints accumulated by the print accumulation means to the print bag opened at the print bag opening;
The print bag filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a loaded print bag stacking unit that stacks print bags loaded with prints by the print loading unit. 5. The print bagging device according to claim 2, wherein the print bag transfer unit includes a printing unit that prints at least a part of the print order information for each item on the print bag. . A print creation device for creating prints based on digital image data recorded from media or acquired from an externally coupled terminal;
A print creation bagging system comprising: the print bagging apparatus according to claim 1, which packs a print created by the print creation apparatus. The print creation apparatus includes:
A print order information storage means for storing print order information for each order including the order order and the print order within the order in order acceptance order;
A print order determination means for rearranging the order order read from the print order information storage means and the in-order print order as necessary, and setting the print order information and the in-order print order;
Writing means for writing the print order order set by the print order determining means and the in-order print order into the storage means provided in the print bagging device;
The print creation bagging system according to claim 6, wherein a print is created in accordance with an order order set by the print order determination unit and an in-order print order. The print creation device creates a print by forming an image on the image recording material based on digital image data recorded on a medium or acquired from an externally coupled terminal while conveying the image recording material in a certain direction. The print production bagging system according to claim 6, further comprising an image forming unit configured to perform printing. The print production bagging system according to claim 8, wherein the image recording material is photographic paper.

Images