JP2005206359A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device, in which an operator can select action timing of a receiving tray of a sorter by the order or the print size as desired in accordance with the liking or work performance. <P>SOLUTION: This image processing device is provided with an image processing part for printing images on printing paper, and the sorter having a plurality of receiving trays for sorting prints finished in the image processing part. It is also provided with a control means to control driving to the image processing part and the sorter. The control means is provided with a sorting action changing function to select either action of changing the receiving trays for every order to the prints finished in the image processing part and changing the receiving trays by the size of the prints finished in the image processing part in driving control to the sorter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus equipped with a sorter for sorting prints finished by an image processing unit.

In general, this type of image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit for printing an image on a print sheet and a sorter for sorting prints finished by the image processing unit. Image data is appropriately printed on a print sheet to finish the print, and the finished print is sequentially conveyed to a tray of a sorter and sorted by the sorter. (See Patent Document 1)
JP 2001-174938 A

  By the way, the applicant of the present application has developed an image processing apparatus in which the tray of the sorter is enlarged so that large-size prints can be accommodated in the tray in addition to the small-size prints conventionally accommodated in the tray.

  However, in the above image processing device, even when prints of different sizes are mixed in one order, the prints of different sizes are accommodated in one tray, so that the prints are surely sorted for each order. However, if prints of different sizes are mixed and stored in one tray, the alignment of the prints on the tray may be deteriorated.

  On the other hand, for the above problems, it is only necessary to operate the saucer for each different size so that different size prints are not mixed in one saucer. When prints of different sizes are finished alternately, a large number of trays are required to sort the prints for one order, and the management and processing of the prints stored in the trays becomes complicated, and multiple orders are processed. If this is the case, the sorter process may not be in time.

  The present invention has been developed in view of the above circumstances, and the object is to allow the operator to set the timing at which the tray of the sorter operates according to preference or workability, either for each order or for each print size. An object is to provide an image processing apparatus which can be arbitrarily selected.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to a sorter having an image processing unit for printing an image on printing paper and a plurality of trays for sorting the prints finished in the image processing unit. The image processing apparatus is provided with control means for controlling the drive of the image processing unit and the sorter. The control means is configured to control the print finished in the image processing unit when controlling the sorter drive. A sorting operation switching function for selecting one of an operation of replacing the tray for each order and an operation of replacing the tray for each size with respect to the print finished in the image processing unit is constructed. Is.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sorter can be operated in a manner desired by the operator only by arbitrarily selecting the operation timing of the tray by the operation of the sorting operation switching function constructed in the control means by the operator. The print sorting operation can be performed efficiently with specifications based on the operator's intention.

  1 and 2 schematically show an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. This image processing apparatus is basically a print sheet made of photographic paper, which is an example of a recording medium. An image processing unit 1 for printing an image on P and a sorter 5 for sorting prints finished by the image processing unit 1 are provided.

  The image processing unit 1 includes a film mask unit 21 for setting a developed film, a scanner 22 for reading a frame image of the developed film set in the film mask unit 21, and image data recorded on various recording media. The image processor 2 on which an image data processing mechanism 24 for mainly performing various image processing is mounted on the image data read by the reading device 23, the scanner 22 or the reading device 23 for reading, and the image processing device 2 process the image data. The printer 3 for printing the image data on the print paper P, and the processor 4 for developing the print paper P on which the image is printed by the printer 3.

  The scanner 22 mounted on the image processor 2 sequentially reads the images of each frame by irradiating the developed film set on the film mask unit 21 with the light from the light source unit 20, and the image data processing mechanism 24. The image data processing mechanism 24 performs various image processing on the image data read by the scanner 22 or the reading device 23.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image data processing mechanism 24 includes a main controller 25 composed of a computer in which image processing software or the like is installed, a keyboard 26a and a mouse 26b for inputting various information to the main controller 25, and various types. And a monitor 27 for displaying information.

  The image data read by the scanner 22 or the reading device 23 is appropriately processed by the main controller 25 based on a predetermined processing program and various types of information such as a print size input by the keyboard 26a or the mouse 26b, and then sequentially printed. The data is output as data to a sub controller 30 described later mounted on the printer 3.

  The printer 3 is for printing the print data created by the image data processing mechanism 24 of the image processing machine 2 on the print paper P, and is a sub for inputting the print data output from the image data processing mechanism 24. The controller 30, the two paper magazines 31 a and 31 b loaded with the roll-shaped print paper P, the transport mechanism 32 for transporting the print paper P sent out from the paper magazines 31 a and 31 b, and the transport mechanism 32 An exposure mechanism 33 for exposing image data to the print paper P to be exposed via the sub-controller 30 is mounted.

  In the printer 3, as the print data output from the main controller 25 is input to the sub-controller 30, the sub-controller 30 generates exposure data based on the input print data, and the exposure mechanism 33. To be output.

  As a method of the exposure mechanism 33, a PLZT shutter method, a laser beam method, a liquid crystal shutter method, a fluorescent beam method, and the like are known, and any method can be adopted according to the specification.

  The processor 4 has a development processing mechanism 41 for developing the print paper P on which an image is printed by the printer 3, a drying processing mechanism 42 for drying the print paper developed by the development processing mechanism 41, and A print paper discharge mechanism 43 for discharging the dried print paper P, and a transport conveyor 44 for transporting the print paper P discharged from the print paper discharge mechanism 43 toward the sorter 5; The print paper P transported by the transport conveyor 44 is sorted by order by the sorter 5.

  The development processing mechanism 41 includes a plurality of processing tanks, and various processing liquids such as a developing solution, a bleaching / fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution are individually stored in these processing tanks.

  The drying processing mechanism 42 is provided with a heater for drying the print paper P, and the print paper P is appropriately dried by the heater while the print paper P is transported by a transport mechanism (not shown).

  The printing paper P dried by the drying processing mechanism 42 is sent to the printing paper discharge mechanism 43 and discharged from the outlet of the discharge mechanism 43 to the transport conveyor 44.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sorter 5 is provided with a large number of trays 51, and basically, a stage in which a completed print is conveyed to the tray 51 for, for example, one order under the control of the controller 25 described later, The finished prints are transferred by size or at the stage where the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated is received in the tray 51. The tray 51 is moved downward, and the print P that is subsequently conveyed is transferred to the next tray 51. The drive of the sorter 5 is controlled by the main controller 25.

  In the image processing apparatus configured as described above, in the embodiment shown in the figure, the monitor 27 has a function selection screen D1 for setting various functions such as the printer 3 and the processor 4 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a pre-judge screen D <b> 2 for setting the color density and the number of prints of an image for four frames can be selectively displayed under the control of the main controller 25.

  On the program of the main controller 25, in addition to the print number setting function 6 for setting the print processing number of each frame image, the prints finished in the image processing unit 1 are controlled for each order when the sorter 5 is driven. A sorting operation switching function 7 is selected for selecting one of an operation of replacing the tray 51 and an operation of replacing the tray 51 for each size with respect to the print finished in the image processing unit 1.

  The print number setting function 6 is built on the program of the main controller 25 as described above, and is operated in the box B1 displayed in the dialog of the pre-judge screen D2 shown in FIG. 5 by the key operation of the keyboard 26a. By inputting the number of print processes, the number of print processes for the frame image is set.

  Further, even in the sorting operation setting function 7, it is constructed on the program of the main controller 25. In the embodiment shown in the figure, when the mouse 26b is clicked, the function selection screen D1 shown in FIG. By turning ON the display in the box B2 of “sorting process by size” displayed in the above, the tray 51 of the sorter 5 moves downward for each size of the completed print, and the next tray 51 has a different size. In addition, the display in the box B2 of “sorting process by size” is turned OFF, so that the completed print is conveyed to the receiving tray 51 for one order or the maximum number of sheets that can be stored is stored. At this stage, the tray 51 moves downward and exceeds the maximum number of prints of the next order or the tray 51 that can be accommodated. It has a print which can not be accommodated in front of the pan 51 so as to accommodate in the next pan 51.

    In the figure, reference numeral 45 denotes a storage tray portion for storing a large size print that cannot be stored in the tray 51 of the sorter 5.

  Next, a case where a print is finished by the image processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  First, for example, when finishing prints of different sizes, when it is desired to improve the print alignment, the prints created by the image processing unit 1 are sorted by size using the sorter 5. In this case, FIG. The function selection screen D1 shown in FIG. 5 is called on the monitor 27, and the display in the “size-specific sorting process” box B2 displayed in the dialog of the function selection screen D1 is changed to ON by clicking the mouse 26b. .

  Further, after calling the pre-judge screen D2 shown in FIG. 5 and setting the print size and the number of prints for each image to be printed by the key operation of the keyboard 26a, the color density of the image is also corrected. The print process is started.

  As the print processing is performed in the image processing unit 1, the completed print is a one-order print because the sorter 5 operates for each size and the tray 51 for storing the prints is sequentially replaced. Are also accommodated in a plurality of trays 51 for each size.

  Next, for example, in the case of alternately finishing prints of different sizes, when it is desired to improve the management or sorting of the prints, the prints generated by the image processing unit 1 are sorted by the sorter 5 for each order instead of the print size. In this case, the function selection screen D1 shown in FIG. 4 is called on the monitor 27, and is displayed in the dialog of the function selection screen D1 by clicking the mouse 26b. The display in the box B2 of “sorting process by size” is changed to OFF.

  Further, after calling the pre-judge screen D2 shown in FIG. 5 and setting the print size and the number of prints for each image to be printed by the key operation of the keyboard 26a, the color density of the image is also corrected. The print process is started.

  In this case, as the image processing unit 1 performs the printing process, the sorter 5 operates for each order. Therefore, even if a print having a different size is created within one order, the completed print is one tray. 51 contains prints of different sizes in a mixed manner.

  Then, at the stage where the storing of the prints for one order is completed, the sorter 5 operates to replace the tray 51 for storing the prints, and the next order prints are sequentially stored in the next tray 51.

  Even when the number of prints stored in the tray 51 exceeds the maximum number of sheets stored in the tray 51, the sorter 5 operates to replace the tray 51 for storing prints, and the remaining prints are stored in the next tray 51. Are accommodated sequentially.

  Thus, in the image processing apparatus set as described above, the operator can select the operation timing of the tray on the function selection screen displayed on the monitor 27 and operate the sorter in a manner desired by the operator. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently perform the print sorting work with specifications based on the operator's intention.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 3 on which the exposure mechanism 33 that exposes image data to the print paper P made of photographic paper is mounted, and the development processing mechanism that develops the print paper P on which the image is printed by the printer 3. The present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus that includes a processor 4 equipped with a printer 41 and the like, and prints an image on a printing paper P made of photographic paper. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to an image processing apparatus equipped with a printing apparatus of the type.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The block diagram of the control system of the image processing apparatus concerning this invention. Explanatory drawing of the function selection screen displayed on a monitor. Explanatory drawing of the pre-judge screen displayed on a monitor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing part 2 Image processor 25 Main controller (control means)
26a Keyboard 26b Mouse 3 Printer 4 Processor 5 Sorter 51 Dish 6 Print quantity setting function 7 Sorting operation switching function P Print paper

Claims (1)

In an image processing apparatus provided with an image processing unit for printing an image on a print sheet and a sorter having a plurality of trays for sorting prints finished in the image processing unit,
The control means for controlling the drive of the image processing unit and the sorter is provided. In the control means, the operation of changing the tray for each order with respect to the prints finished in the image processing unit in the drive control of the sorter, An image processing apparatus, wherein a sorting operation switching function for selecting any one of the operations of replacing the tray for each size with respect to a print finished in the processing unit is constructed.

Images