JP2005194018A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device for reducing operator's burden and improving convenience. <P>SOLUTION: The printing device 10 exposes an image on long-sized photographic paper S supplied from a supply magazine 12 with an exposure treating part 14, and takes up the photographic paper S after the image exposure into a take-up magazine 16. Even after the take-up magazine 16 is removed from the exposure treating part 14, a text indicating a take-up amount of the photographic paper S of the removed take-up magazine 16 is continuously displayed on a text box 216c and text box 218 of an order screen 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing apparatus that takes up and stores a long photosensitive material on which an image is formed by a winding unit.

  In a large-scale developing laboratory or the like for producing a large amount of prints, a separation type printing system is used in which image formation on a long photosensitive material and subsequent development processing, cutting and sorting are performed by separate apparatuses.

  As a printing apparatus used in such a printing system, an image is continuously formed on a long photosensitive material supplied from a supply magazine by an exposure processing unit, and the photosensitive material on which the image has been formed is wound on a winding magazine. A so-called roll-to-roll type printing apparatus is known.

  In this type of printing apparatus, the length of the photosensitive material taken up by the take-up magazine (the take-up amount of the take-up magazine) is displayed on the display unit. Accordingly, the operator can estimate the work time required for the development process performed by another apparatus after the print process, and can perform another work according to the work time during the development process.

  However, in the conventional printing apparatus, when the take-up magazine with the photosensitive material taken up is removed from the image forming unit, the take-up amount of the take-up magazine is not displayed on the display unit. It is necessary to check the winding amount with consciousness in advance, and if this is neglected, it will not be possible to estimate the work time required for the subsequent development process, and as a result, there will be no prospect of another work to be performed during the development process. It was inconvenient.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that reduces the burden on the operator and improves convenience.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the printing apparatus according to claim 1 is attached to the image forming unit for winding up and storing the image forming unit for forming an image on the photosensitive material and the photosensitive material on which the image is formed. A winding unit, a control unit that acquires information about the length of the photosensitive material that the winding unit winds up, a storage unit that holds information acquired by the control unit even after the winding unit is removed from the image forming unit, and A display unit for displaying information held by the storage unit is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, when the winding unit is attached to the image forming unit, the control unit newly starts acquiring information, and the display unit is stored in the storage unit. The latest information held is displayed.

  In the printing apparatus according to claim 1, the control unit obtains information on the length of the photosensitive material taken up by the winding unit, and this information is held in the storage unit even after the winding unit is removed from the image forming unit. Is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to check the winding amount consciously before removing the winding unit, and even after the winding unit is removed, the winding amount of the winding unit can be confirmed, which reduces the work time required for development processing. It is possible to estimate, reduce the burden on the operator, and improve convenience.

  In general, as a work procedure for the operator, the take-up unit removed from the image forming unit is first transported to the work place for development processing, and development processing on the image-formed photosensitive material is started. Thereafter, for example, a winding unit that does not contain a photosensitive material is attached to the image forming unit of the printing apparatus, and a printing process for a new order is started. According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the take-up unit is attached to the image forming unit, the control unit newly starts acquiring information relating to the length of the photosensitive material taken up by the take-up unit, and the display unit stores the information. The latest information held in the means is displayed. Therefore, simply by attaching the take-up unit to the image forming unit, the display of the take-up amount can be automatically reset without requiring any additional operator operation, and the display of the take-up amount is started for the installed take-up unit. can do.

  According to this invention, an operator's burden can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a printing apparatus suitably used in a large-scale developing laboratory or the like for producing a large number of prints. This is a printing apparatus used in a separation type printing system in which formation and subsequent development processing, cutting, and sorting are performed by separate apparatuses.

  The printing apparatus 10 includes a supply magazine 12 that winds and stores a photographic paper S, which is a photosensitive material to be supplied, in a roll shape, and an exposure processing unit 14 that performs image exposure (printing) on the photographic paper S to form an image (latent image). A take-up magazine 16 for taking up and storing the exposed photographic paper S again in a roll, a control unit 18 for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus 10, a keyboard and a mouse for an operator to input data and give instructions, etc. And a display unit 22 such as a monitor for displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface) and the like so that the operator can easily operate the printing apparatus 10.

  The supply magazine 12 and the take-up magazine 16 are configured to be detachable from the exposure processing unit 14, and the supply magazine 12 and the take-up magazine 16 are each provided with storage means (not shown) for recording IDs. A reading means (not shown) provided in the exposure processing unit 14 reads the supply magazine ID and the take-up magazine ID and transmits them to the control unit 18 so that the control unit 18 recognizes and identifies the supply magazine 12 and the take-up magazine 16. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the exposure processing unit 14 includes a supply unit 24 for pulling out the roll-shaped photographic paper S stored in the supply magazine 12. A paper end sensor 26 for detecting the end of the photographic paper S and a joint of the photographic paper S are detected on the transport path of the long photographic paper S drawn by the supply unit 24 and on the downstream side of the supply unit 24. A splicing sensor 28, a paper cutter 30 used for manually cutting or forcibly cutting the photographic paper S, a guide roller 32 for changing the direction of the photographic paper S, and a loop forming portion 34 are disposed.

  The rollers in the supply unit 24 are driven by a motor 36, and the paper cutter 30 and the guide roller 32 are driven by motors 38 and 40, respectively.

The tension or the like applied to the photographic paper S is absorbed by the loop forming unit 34. In addition, sensors 42 to 48 are provided in order to detect the degree of loop of the photographic paper S by the loop forming unit 34.
The same applies to loop forming units 60 and 80 described later.

  Paper sensors 50 and 52 for detecting the position of the photographic paper S are arranged on both sides of the loop forming unit 34, and are used to determine the presence or absence of a paper jam, the position of the photographic paper S, and the like. The same applies to paper sensors 58, 78 and 84 described later.

  A guide roller 54 for changing the direction of the photographic paper S, a punch 56 for forming a punch hole as a mark in the photographic paper S, a paper sensor 58, a loop forming unit 60, and exposure are further provided on the conveyance path of the photographic paper S. A mark sensor 62 for detecting a mark for processing or the like is arranged.

The mark sensor 62 detects, for example, a cut mark H1 and an order mark H2 made of punch holes formed in the photographic paper S as shown in FIG. The cut mark H1 is formed for each image (frame), and the order mark H2 is formed for each order. Sensors 64 and 66 for detecting a loop of the photographic paper S are arranged in the vicinity of the loop forming unit 60.
The guide roller 54 is driven by a motor 68, and one roller pair 60a and the other roller pair 60b of the loop forming unit 60 are driven by motors 70 and 72, respectively.

  On the downstream side of the mark sensor 62, conveyance roller pairs 74 and 76 are arranged, and further, a paper sensor 78, a loop forming unit 80, a conveyance roller pair 82, and a paper sensor 84 are arranged. The long photographic printing paper S is scanned and exposed between the pair of conveying rollers 74 and 76 by the exposure unit 86, and a plurality of images are continuously formed as latent images. Sensors 88 and 90 for detecting a loop of the photographic paper S are arranged in the vicinity of the loop forming unit 80.

  The conveyance roller pairs 74 and 76 are driven by a motor 92, and the pressure bonding / crimp release operation of the pressure roller 74a constituting the conveyance roller pair 74 is performed by the motor 94, and the pressure bonding / pressure bonding of the pressure roller 76a constituting the conveyance roller pair 76 is performed. The releasing operation is performed by the motor 96, and the conveying roller pair 82 is driven by the motor 98.

  The photographic paper S processed by the exposure processing unit 14 is wound up in the winding magazine 16 without being developed and stored in a roll shape. As the subsequent processing, for example, the photographic paper S is manually loaded into another processing device (not shown), and development processing, cutting, and sorting are performed, and a finished print is produced.

Returning to FIG. 1, the supply magazine 12, the exposure processing unit 14, the take-up magazine 16, the input unit 20 and the display unit 22 are controlled by the control unit 18.
The control unit 18 includes a CPU 102, a ROM 104, a RAM 106, and a hard disk drive (HDD: including a hard disk) 108 connected to each other via a bus 100.

  The CPU 102 executes various programs stored in the ROM 104, the HDD 108, etc., gives instructions to each component in the printing apparatus 10, and controls the operation of the printing apparatus 10. In addition, the CPU 102 calculates the winding amount information of the photographic paper S of the winding magazine 16 from the operation state of the printing apparatus 10, and stores the winding amount information in the RAM 106 in association with the winding magazine ID.

  The CPU 102 stops updating the winding amount information when the winding magazine 16 is removed from the exposure processing unit 14, and the winding amount information is newly set when the winding magazine 16 is attached to the exposure processing unit 14. Start acquisition. Accordingly, the RAM 106 holds winding amount information for the number of times the winding magazine 16 is attached.

  The ROM 104 stores a startup program and the like. The activation program is executed by the CPU 102 when the printing apparatus 10 is turned on. As a result, a program such as an operating system (OS) recorded in the HDD 108 is loaded into the RAM 106, and various processes and controls can be executed.

  A program for controlling the printing apparatus 10 is expanded in the RAM 106, processing results by the program, temporary data for processing, display data for displaying a GUI or the like on the screen of the display unit 22 (text data, image data) Data) and the like, and is used as a work area of the CPU 102. The display data developed on the RAM 106 is transmitted to the display unit 22, and the display unit 22 displays the display content (text, image, etc.) corresponding to the display data on the screen, for example, FIG. A GUI screen as shown in FIG. In addition to the winding amount information, the RAM 106 also stores information on whether or not a manual cut is reserved for each order (a manual cut icon 220 is attached).

  The HDD 108 is a device for recording and reading programs, control data, text data, image data, and the like on the hard disk in accordance with instructions from the CPU 102.

  In this embodiment, a program for performing the operation shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the hard disk in the HDD 108, image data of an image to be formed on the photographic paper S is stored, and text data of a message to be notified to the operator Is memorized. Processing is executed by the CPU 102 reading and executing the program and data.

  An ID for each order unit is assigned to the image data stored in the HDD 108, and this ID is assigned with a reception number at the top of the order information 202 (see FIG. 5: “1” and “2” here). Corresponding).

  The “order unit” can be arbitrarily determined. For example, it may be one collection point unit or one consumer unit, and may be a student unit when ordering from a school.

  The CD-ROM drive 110 reads programs and data recorded on the CD-ROM 112 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 102.

  In addition, a scanner 114 is connected to such a control unit 18. The scanner 114 reads an image to be formed on the photographic paper S as image data, and the image data is stored in the HDD 108. In addition, a communication control unit 116 is connected to the control unit 18. The communication control unit 116 is connected to a network 118 such as the Internet, and can accept and take in image data from other devices via the network 118 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 102. Used for uploading or downloading data.

Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the order screen 200 which is an example of GUI is demonstrated.
The order screen 200 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 22 and is used for notifying the operator of the processing status of the printing apparatus 10 and performing settings and operations of the printing apparatus 10.

  In addition to the order information 202, the order screen 200 includes a text box 204, a start / stop button 206, a reservation / release button 208, a forced button 210, a supply magazine information 212, a text box 214, a take-up magazine information 216, and a text box 218. Etc. are displayed.

  The text box 204 is for displaying the processing status of the printing apparatus 10. For example, if the photographic paper S is being cut, a message “Paper cutting is in progress” is displayed, and the printing apparatus 10 is waiting. If there is, the message “Standby” is displayed. In FIG. 5, a message “Paper cutting operation in progress” is displayed.

  The start / stop button 206 is used to start or stop processing of the photographic paper S by the printing apparatus 10, and is displayed by switching between a start button and a stop button. 206 or stop button 206. If the printing apparatus 10 is executing processing on the photographic paper S, the start / stop button 206 is a stop button, and if the printing apparatus 10 is in a standby state, the start / stop button 206 is a start button. In FIG. 5, a stop button is shown.

  Pressing the start button 206 using the input unit 20 causes the printing apparatus 10 to start processing the photographic paper S, and pressing the stop button 206 places the printing apparatus 10 in a standby state.

  The reservation / cancellation button 208 is used for setting a manual cut, and switches between a reservation button and a cancellation button for display. When the order (in this case, the reception number “2”) with the manual cut icon 220 is selected from the orders displayed in the order information 202, the reservation / release button 208 becomes a release button, When an order without the manual cut icon 220 is selected, the reservation / release button 208 becomes a reservation button. FIG. 5 shows a reservation button.

  Note that “manual cut” means that the printing apparatus 10 automatically detects the end of image exposure for a specified order and then cuts the photographic paper S. As a result, the photographic paper S can be cut in order units.

  Whether or not to perform manual cutting can be set (reserved) in units of orders by pressing the reservation / cancel button 208 using the input unit 20. When manual cut is reserved, a manual cut icon 220 is displayed at the top of the order information 202, and the photographic paper S is cut after the image exposure of the order with this mark is completed.

The forced button 210 is used for performing a forced cut.
Note that “forced cutting” means forcibly cutting the photographic paper S based on an instruction from the operator. As a result, for example, when printing of an incorrect order is started, the photographic paper S can be cut immediately and taken up in the take-up magazine 16 even during the order image exposure.
A forced cut is performed by pressing the forced button 210 using the input unit 20.

  Supply magazine information 212 includes text boxes 212a, 212b, and 212c. In the text boxes 212a, 212b, and 212c, text indicating the type of the photographic paper S in the supply magazine 12, the supply magazine ID of the supply magazine 12 attached to the exposure processing unit 14, and the remaining amount of the photographic paper S in the supply magazine 12 is displayed. Is displayed. In FIG. 5, texts “127”, “(1)”, and “71” are displayed in the text boxes 212a, 212b, and 212c, respectively.

  In the text box 214, text indicating the remaining amount of the photographic paper S in the supply magazine 12 is displayed as in the text box 212 c of the supply magazine information 212.

  The take-up magazine information 216 includes text boxes 216a, 216b, and 216c. In the text boxes 216 a, 216 b, and 216 c, the type of the photographic paper S that the take-up magazine 16 takes up, the take-up magazine ID of the take-up magazine 16 attached to the exposure processing unit 14, and the take-up amount of the take-up magazine 16 Is displayed. In FIG. 5, texts “127”, “(1)”, and “6” are displayed in the text boxes 216a, 216b, and 216c, respectively.

  Since the photographic paper S supplied from the supply magazine 12 is taken up by the take-up magazine 16, it goes without saying that the display contents of the text box 212a and the text box 216a are equal.

  In the text box 218, text indicating the winding amount of the winding magazine 16 is displayed in the same manner as the text box 216c of the winding magazine information 216.

  The text boxes of the supply magazine information 212 and the take-up magazine information 216 are changed or updated as appropriate.

  Specifically, the text displayed in the text box 212a and the text box 216a is changed by changing the type of the photographic paper S supplied from the supply magazine 12. The text displayed in the text box 212b is changed by exchanging the supply magazine 12, and the text displayed in the text box 216b is changed by exchanging the winding magazine 16.

  Further, as the photographic paper S is transported in the exposure processing unit 14, the text indicating the winding amount of the winding magazine 16 displayed in the text box 212c and the text box 216c is updated. The same applies to the text box 214 and the text box 218.

Further, the GUI error / notification screen 300 will be described with reference to FIG.
The error / notification screen 300 is appropriately displayed on the screen of the display unit 22 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 102, and is used for notifying the operator of the processing result of the printing apparatus 10 and requesting a determination if necessary.

  On the error / notification screen 300, a text box 302, a confirmation button 304, and the like are displayed.

  In the text box 302, predetermined text data read from the HDD 108 is displayed as a message. In FIG. 6, a message “The winding has been completed. Replace the winding magazine” is displayed.

  The confirmation button 304 is used to erase the error / notification screen 300 from the screen of the display unit 22. By pressing the confirmation button 304 using the input unit 20, the error / notification screen 300 is not displayed on the screen of the display unit 22.

  When a message requesting the operator to make a decision such as “Are you sure you want to delete the order?” Is displayed in the text box 302, the error / notification screen 300 is replaced with a confirmation button 304 and “Yes”. Two buttons for selecting whether or not a button and a “No” button are displayed are displayed.

Next, the main operation of the printing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, based on an operator's instruction, for example, an image to be formed on the photographic paper S is captured from the network 118, the order screen 200 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 22, and information for each order unit is displayed in the order information 202. (Step S1). Subsequently, when the start button 206 of the order screen 200 is pressed, image exposure is performed on the photographic printing paper S (step S3).

  In step S3, the photographic paper S supplied from the supply magazine 12 is transported in the exposure processing unit 14, and the exposure unit 86 scans and exposes an image based on the image data on the photographic paper S. Take up the take-up magazine 16. For example, when image exposure for a predetermined order is completed, each roller in the exposure processing unit 14 is stopped according to an instruction from the CPU 102 (the conveyance of the photographic paper S is stopped), and the paper cutter 30 cuts the photographic paper S. (Step S5).

  At this time, the order screen 200 displayed on the display unit 22 has a display mode as shown in FIG. In detail, in the order screen 200 shown in FIG. 5, the manual cut icon 220 is attached to the order of the reception number “2” (manual cut is reserved), and the orders of the reception numbers “1” and “2”. The display mode when the image exposure for the minute is completed and the manual cut is executed is shown.

  After cutting the photographic paper S, each roller in the exposure processing unit 14 is driven again in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 102, and the cut photographic paper S after image exposure is taken up on the take-up magazine 16. When the winding of the photographic paper S is completed (step S7), an error / notification screen 300 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 22 (step S9), and the operator is urged to replace the winding magazine 16.

  The order screen 200 and the error / notification screen 300 are displayed so as to overlap each other on the screen of the display unit 22.

  Further, when the winding of the photographic paper S to the winding magazine 16 is completed, the orders for which the image exposure has been completed (the orders of the reception numbers “1” and “2” in FIG. 5) are not displayed in the order information 202 (FIG. 5). 8).

  Subsequently, the take-up magazine 16 is removed from the exposure processing unit 14 by the operator (step S11). When the take-up magazine 16 is removed, as shown in FIG. 8, the display contents of the take-up magazine information text boxes 216a and 216b are respectively changed to “-”, but the take-up magazine 16 held in the RAM 106 is changed. The text based on the winding amount data (“70” in this case) continues to be displayed in the text box 216 c and the text box 218.

  Thereafter, when the confirmation button 304 on the error / notification screen 300 is pressed (Yes in step S13), the error / notification screen 300 is deleted from the screen of the display unit 22 (step S15), and the text box 216c and the text box 218 are displayed. The text indicating the winding amount displayed on is cleared (step S17). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the text indicating the winding amount of the text box 216c and the text box 218 is changed to “−”. FIG. 9 shows a display mode of the order screen 200 when the exposure unit 86 is adjusted in the exposure processing unit 14, and the message “Laser temperature adjustment in progress” is displayed in the text box 204.

  Even if the confirmation button 304 on the error / notification screen 300 is not pressed (No in step S13), the error / notification screen 300 is displayed on the display unit by attaching the take-up magazine 16 to the exposure processing unit 14 (step S19). 22 is erased from the screen 22 (step S21), and the text indicating the winding amount displayed in the text box 216c and the text box 218 is reset (step S23). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the text indicating the winding amount of the text box 216 c and the text box 218 is changed to “0”. FIG. 10 shows a case where the take-up magazine 16 with the take-up magazine ID “(2)” is attached to the exposure processing unit 14, and the display content of the text box 216 b corresponding to this is also “(2)”. Has been changed.

  Also, when the confirmation button is pressed, by attaching the take-up magazine 16 (step S25), the text indicating the take-up amount displayed in the text box 216c and the text box 218 is reset.

  According to such a printing apparatus 10, it is not necessary to confirm the amount of winding before removing the winding magazine 16, and even after the winding magazine 16 is removed, the text box 216c and the text box In 218, the amount of winding can be confirmed, so that the work time required for the development processing can be estimated, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, after the take-up magazine 16 is attached, the text indicating the take-up amount of the take-up magazine 16 automatically displayed in the text box 216c and the text box 218 is automatically reset without requiring any operator operation. The display of the winding amount can be started for the mounted winding magazine 16.

  For example, a text box for displaying a winding amount history is provided on the order screen 200. Based on the winding amount information held in the RAM 106, the winding magazine 16 removed immediately before and the past number counted from the winding magazine 16 are displayed. The winding amount of each (for example, two) winding magazines 16 may be displayed in the text box.

  Further, by providing a history button on the order screen 200 and pressing the history button using the input unit 20, text based on the winding amount information held in the RAM 106 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 22 in a list format. It may be.

  The photosensitive material used in the present invention is not limited to photographic paper, and may be cloth, plastic film, or the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is an external view of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. It is an illustration figure which shows the outline of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of punch holes formed in the photographic paper S. FIG. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of GUI displayed on a display part. It is an illustration figure which shows the other example of GUI displayed on a display part. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the display mode of the screen of GUI shown in FIG. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the display mode of the screen of GUI shown in FIG. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the display mode of the screen of GUI shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus 12 Supply magazine 14 Exposure processing part 16 Take-up magazine 18 Control part 20 Input part 22 Display part 102 CPU
106 RAM

Claims (2)

An image forming unit for forming an image on a photosensitive material;
A winding unit attached to the image forming unit for winding and storing the photosensitive material on which the image is formed;
Control means for acquiring information relating to the length of the photosensitive material taken up by the take-up unit;
A printing apparatus comprising: a storage unit that holds the information acquired by the control unit even after the winding unit is removed from the image forming unit; and a display unit that displays the information held by the storage unit. 2. The control unit newly starts acquiring the information by attaching the winding unit to the image forming unit, and the display unit displays the latest information held in the storage unit. The printing apparatus as described in.

Images