JP2005250140A - Photographic processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of stockout of photographic processing consumables. <P>SOLUTION: The photographic processing apparatus 100 is equipped with a residual time operation means for operating the information associated with the residual time up to an ordering period by subtracting the lapse time from the start of lot use and lead time from the total consumption time obtained by multiplying the durability quantity per piece by the amount of consumption per unit time from the information associated with the durability quantity per piece of the photographic processing consumables ordered as one lot in the prescribed number of pieces, the amount of consumption per unit time, the number of ordering pieces of the one lot, and the lapse time and lead from the start of the lot use, and a signal transmission means for emitting a prescribed reminder signal based on the information associated with the residual time until the ordering period operated by the residual time operation means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Photographic processing apparatuses that perform a process of developing an image on a photographic paper and subsequently developing the image are widely used. In such a photographic processing apparatus, since processing is performed continuously, it is necessary to manage so that photographic processing consumables such as photographic paper and development processing liquid do not run out, and development processing liquid etc. It is necessary to keep it in a normal state.

  In Patent Document 1, a photographic processing apparatus is connected to a sub computer arranged for each laboratory store, production data of the photographic processing apparatus is taken into the sub computer to manage production, and the consumption state of consumables is determined from the production data. When a certain amount of consumables is consumed, a system is disclosed that orders consumables online to the main computer of the headquarters via a communication line. And according to this, the headquarters can manage the production status at each lab store, while each lab store calculates the consumption fee of consumables from the production data and the remaining amount is reduced Describes that since consumables are automatically ordered from the headquarters, it is possible to place a timely order in consideration of delivery time and the like.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 determines a photographic paper usage amount calculation unit that calculates a photographic paper usage amount, a photographic paper remaining amount management unit that manages a remaining amount of photographic paper in a paper magazine, and a print size for image recording. Recording for an image printer provided with a print size determining unit to perform, a printable sheet number calculating unit for calculating the recordable number of sheets at the determined print size in a loaded paper magazine, and a monitor for displaying the possible number of sheets A paper remaining amount display device is disclosed. According to this, it is described that the number of printable sheets can be easily grasped.

Patent Document 3 includes a development processing tank composed of a plurality of processing tanks for storing a plurality of types of photographic processing liquids separately, and a processing liquid replenishment mechanism for replenishing a plurality of types of photographic processing liquids to a plurality of processing tanks. Provided in the development processing apparatus, an area detection means for detecting the total area of the photosensitive material that has entered the development processing tank and processed and the total area of the photosensitive material discharged from the development processing tank are provided, and area detection A control liquid replenishment amount calculation unit that calculates a replenishment amount of photographic processing liquid to the development processing tank based on the detection result of the means is provided, and a control that controls the processing liquid replenishment mechanism based on the calculation result of the processing liquid replenishment amount calculation unit A photographic processing apparatus provided with a section is disclosed. And according to this, it is described that the wasteful consumption of the photographic processing solution can be suppressed, the cost required for the photographic processing solution can be reduced, and the photographic processing solution in each processing tank can be maintained in a desired condition. Yes.
JP-A-3-241351 JP 2000-169012 A JP 2001-133950 A

  By the way, in the photographic processing apparatus as described above, the development processing solution deteriorates with time due to the development, and the development processing solution is taken out by the photographic paper, so that the replenishment connected to the processing solution tank while operating the device. A new developing solution is appropriately replenished from the solution tank, and the old developing solution is discharged from the processing solution tank. The remaining amount of the new developing solution in the replenisher tank can be confirmed.

  However, in the conventional photographic processing apparatus, since the stock management of the development processing solution is not performed, for example, after the last one development processing solution in stock is replenished to the replenishing solution tank, the development processing solution is ordered immediately. However, since a certain period of time (lead time) is required from ordering to delivery, there is an inconvenience that the apparatus must be stopped when it is necessary to replenish the developing solution during that time. Arise.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to prevent out of stock of photographic processing consumables.

The present invention for achieving the above object
The number of photo processing consumables ordered as one lot is related to each of the durable quantity per unit, the consumption per unit time, the order quantity of one lot, the elapsed time from the start of lot use, and the lead time. From the information, from the start of use of the lot, the total consumption time obtained by dividing the durable quantity per piece by the consumption quantity per unit time and the consumption time per piece multiplied by the ordered quantity of the lot. A remaining time calculating means for calculating information related to the remaining time until the ordering time by subtracting the elapsed time and the lead time;
Signal transmitting means for emitting a predetermined alert signal based on information associated with the remaining time until the ordering time calculated by the remaining time calculating means;
Is a photographic processing apparatus.

  According to the above configuration, the information related to the ordering time, that is, the remaining time until the ordering time is calculated by the remaining time calculating means, and the signal transmitting means emits a warning signal based on the calculated information. If the order is started before or at the time of ordering based on the alert signal, it is possible to prevent the photo processing consumables from being out of stock.

  Here, photographic processing consumables include not only those that are lost when they are consumed, such as photographic paper and developing processing solutions, but also those that require replacement when worn, such as halogen lamps and chemical filters. It is. In the latter case, the “quantity per piece” is “lifetime per piece” or the like.

  Further, the signal transmission means may be, for example, a device that displays the remaining time until the ordering time on the display, or a signal that appeals to hearing or vision when the ordering time is reached. Good.

  Further, the lead time, the elapsed time from the start of lot use, the time in the remaining time, or the unit time may be expressed in any of seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and years.

  The present invention further includes setting input means for variably setting and inputting information related to the order quantity of one lot of the photo processing consumables and / or information related to the lead time. May be.

  According to the above configuration, for example, if it is possible to freely change the setting of information related to the order quantity of one lot of photo processing consumables, for example, depending on conditions such as store size and inventory management method Even if there is a large amount of inventory and the ordering frequency is reduced, or even when the ordering frequency is increased with little inventory, it is possible to flexibly cope with both cases. Similarly, if the setting of information related to lead time can be changed freely, the lead time required to order photo processing consumables will vary depending on the location conditions of the store. can do.

  The present invention may be configured such that the information associated with the consumption amount of the photographic processing consumables per unit time is converted from the photographic processing amount per unit time.

  Depending on the photo processing consumables, it may be difficult to directly grasp the actual consumption, but according to the above configuration, for example, how much photo processing consumable corresponds to one photo processing consumable If it is clarified, it is only necessary to manage the amount of photo processing that can be directly grasped.

  According to the present invention, information related to the average consumption amount of photographic processing consumables per unit time in the past is information related to the consumption amount of photographic processing consumables per unit time. It may be configured.

  For example, if the consumption amount of the photographic processing consumables per unit time immediately before is used as information, if the immediately preceding information is an abnormal value, a large error occurs in the calculation by the remaining time calculation means. However, according to the above configuration, since the average of a plurality of data is used, even if one of the data is an abnormal value, it is diluted by the average. The influence on the calculation can be reduced.

  In this case, according to the present invention, the information related to the average of the consumption amount of the photographic processing consumables per unit time in the past past is related to the consumption amount of the photographic processing consumables per unit time. It may be configured to be information.

  According to the above configuration, since the average of a plurality of recent consecutive data is used as the consumption amount data of the photo processing consumables per unit time, the time when the photo processing amount is large or the time when the photo processing amount is small The time tendency can be reflected in the calculation by the remaining time calculation means.

  In this case, the present invention further includes setting input means for variably setting and inputting information related to the average number of consumptions of the photographic processing consumables per unit time in the past. May be.

  According to said structure, the information linked | related with the number of consumption of the photographic processing consumables per unit time to average can be set freely.

  According to the present invention, information related to the average of consumption amounts of a plurality of past photo processing consumables per unit time converted from a plurality of past photo processing amounts per unit time is the photo processing consumption per unit time. It may be configured to be information related to the amount of consumption of goods.

  Depending on the photo processing consumables, it may be difficult to directly grasp the actual consumption, but according to the above configuration, for example, how much photo processing consumable corresponds to one photo processing consumable If it is clarified, it is only necessary to manage the amount of photo processing that can be directly grasped.

  In the present invention, the remaining time calculating means uses information associated with a predetermined margin time, and further subtracts the margin time from the consumption time to calculate information associated with the remaining time until the ordering time. It may be.

  Even if there is a case where time is required for delivery beyond the lead time due to special circumstances, according to the above configuration, a margin time is expected by the ordering time, so some troubles are absorbed by it. be able to.

  In this case, the present invention may further include setting input means for variably setting and inputting information associated with the margin time.

  According to said structure, the setting of the information linked | related with allowance time can be changed freely.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the information related to the remaining time until the ordering time is calculated by the remaining time calculating means, and the signal transmitting means emits a warning signal based on the calculated information. Can prevent out of stock.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 show a photographic processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The photographic processing apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 110 that prints an image on photographic paper, a developing unit 120 that develops the photographic paper on which the image is printed, and a control unit 130 that controls the entire apparatus including them. The process of developing the image is continuously performed after the image is printed on the paper.

  The printing unit 110 pulls out the photographic paper from a roll of long photographic paper, and sequentially prints the image of the film thereon, and sequentially feeds it to the adjacent developing unit 120.

  The developing unit 120 is provided with a plurality of processing liquid tanks, and is developed by sequentially passing the photographic paper sent from the printing unit 110 through the processing liquid tanks, and the photograph is cut into a predetermined length. Is discharged.

  A replenisher tank 121 is connected to each processing liquid tank, and a new developing processing liquid is appropriately replenished from the replenishing liquid tank 121 to the processing liquid tank and the old developing processing liquid is discharged from the processing liquid tank while operating the apparatus. . In this way, by replenishing a new developing processing solution from the replenishing solution tank 121, correction for the deterioration of the developing processing solution over time due to continuous development of the photographic paper, and development processing using the photographic paper Replenish against the decrease in the developing solution due to the carry-out of the solution. Further, the replenishment liquid tank 121 is provided with a liquid level detection sensor 122 connected to the control unit 130, and the liquid level detection sensor 122 is provided when the development processing liquid is replenished in the replenishment liquid tank 121. While a signal indicating that is sent to the control unit 130, a signal indicating that is sent to the control unit 130 when the remaining amount of the developing solution in the replenisher tank 121 falls below a predetermined amount. When the liquid level detection sensor 122 generates the latter signal, the control unit 130 generates an auditory or visual signal that alerts the operator.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the control unit 130.

  The control unit 130 includes an arithmetic processing unit 131 including a CPU and a memory, a data storage unit (hard disk and the like) 132 connected thereto, a setting input unit (keyboard and mouse) 133 serving as setting input means, and an image display unit (display). 134. As described above, the control unit 130 is connected to the liquid level detection sensor 122 of the developing unit 120, and performs operation management and abnormality detection by inputting various information in the apparatus and performing information processing.

  Hereinafter, the stock management of the developing solution by the control unit 130 will be described.

  First, the basic method of inventory management will be described.

  This inventory management includes the amount S (l) of developer processing solution, the amount of consumption X (l) per day, the number Q (pieces) per lot ordered, and the number of days P (days since the start of lot use) ), A lead time L (days) from ordering to delivery, and a margin days M (days) from delivery to the shortage of developing solution. Here, the consumption amount X (l) of the developing solution per day is the consumption amount Xi (i = 1, 2,..., N) (l) per day for the past several consecutive days (N days). The average consumption amount Xave (l) is used (Xave = ΣXi / N (i = 1, 2,..., N)). These variables are also summarized in Table 1.

  The lot usage is calculated based on the total number of consumption days obtained by dividing the amount of development processing solution S by the average consumption amount Xave per day and the number of consumption days per unit multiplied by the number Q per order lot. The remaining number of days Y until the ordering time is calculated by subtracting the elapsed days P from the start, the lead time L from the ordering to the delivery, and the margin days M from the delivery to the shortage of the developing solution (Y = ( S / Xave) * QLPMP). That is, FIG. 4A shows the case of Q = 1 and FIG. 4B shows the case of Q = 2. The number of consumed days of one order lot is the number of days P elapsed from the start of lot use that has already passed. The lead time L from ordering to delivery, which is unavoidable for ordering, is allocated to the surplus days M, and the remaining days Y until the ordering time.

  Table 2 shows the amount of consumption of the developing solution from Monday to Friday from September 1 to September 19, and each variable is as shown in Table 3. Explained. Note that P is based on September 15th. That is, the use start date of the lot of the developing solution being used is September 1st.

  Assuming that today is September 15, N = 10 (day), so Xave is the consumption amount Xi (i = 1) of the developing solution per day from September 1 to September 12. , 2, ..., N).

Xave = (2.81 + 2.92 + 3.02 + 3.30 + 2.89 + 2.76 + 3.26 + 3.02 + 2.88 + 2.96) / 10
= 2.982 (l)
Therefore,
Y = (10 / 2.982) x 10-14-7-10
= 2.534 (Sun)
It becomes. Therefore, it is necessary to place an order within two days from today, that is, before September 17th.

  Further, if today is September 16, N = 10 (Sunday), so Xave is the consumption amount Xi (i = 1) of the developing solution per day from September 2 to September 15. , 2, ..., N).

Xave = (2.92 + 3.02 + 3.30 + 2.89 + 2.76 + 3.26 + 3.02 + 2.88 + 2.96 + 3.11) / 10
= 3.012 (l)
Therefore,
Y = (10 / 3.012) × 10−14−7−11
= 1.200 (Sun)
It becomes. Therefore, it is necessary to place an order within one day from today, that is, before September 16th.

  Next, the contents of inventory management processing in the arithmetic processing unit 131 of the control unit 130 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  This stock management process is started immediately after the operation of the photo processing apparatus 100 is started, and a computer program that executes the following procedure installed in the data storage unit 132 is read into the arithmetic processing unit 131.

  In step S1 after the start, the date information of the day is read from the data storage unit 132, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S2.

  In step S2, the lot use start date of the currently used inventory lot stored in the data storage unit 132 is read, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S3. Here, the lot use start date is the number of orders Q per order lot and the number of times that the liquid level detection sensor 122 sends a signal indicating that the replenisher tank 121 has been replenished with the developing solution to the controller 130. From the above, it is management information that is calculated in advance by the arithmetic processing unit 131 and stored in the data storage unit 132.

  In step S3, the number of elapsed days P from the lot use date is calculated from the date of the day and the lot use start date, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S4.

  In step S4, the number N that averages the consumption amount of the developing solution per day is read from the data storage unit 132, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S5. The number N that averages the consumption amount X of the developing solution per day can be changed by a setting input from the setting input unit 133.

  In step S5, the consumption amount Xi (i = 1, 2,..., N) of the developing solution per day for the last consecutive N days is read from the data storage unit 132, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S6. Here, the consumption amount Xi (i = 1, 2,..., N) of the developing solution per day is based on the correspondence between one developing solution and the photographic processing amount. This is management information that has been converted and saved in the data storage unit 132. Although it is difficult to directly grasp the actual consumption of the developing solution, it is converted from the photo processing amount, so direct management of the developing solution is not necessary, only the photo processing amount that can be directly grasped Just manage.

  In step S6, Xave = ΣXi / N (i = 1, 2,..., N) is calculated to calculate an average consumption Xave of the developing solution per day, and the process proceeds to step S7. Here, for example, if the consumption amount of photo processing consumables per day on the previous day is used as data, if the data is an abnormal value, a large error will occur in the calculation. Thus, if the average of a plurality of data is used, even if one of the data is an abnormal value, it is diluted by the average, so that the influence on the calculation can be kept small. In addition, since the average of a plurality of consecutive data for the past N days is used, it is possible to reflect a time trend such as a time when there is a lot of photo processing or a time when there is little photo processing in the calculation. The value of N is preferably as large as possible from the viewpoint of diluting the abnormal value, but if it is too large, it becomes difficult to reflect the temporal tendency in the calculation, and specifically, 5 to 15 is preferable.

  In step S7, the data storage unit 132 calculates the amount S of the developing solution, the number Q per order lot, the lead time L from ordering to delivery, and the number of days M from the delivery to the shortage of the developing solution. And proceeds to step S8. Here, the number Q per order lot, the lead time L from ordering to delivery, and the extra days M from the time of delivery to the shortage of the developing solution are changed by setting input from the setting input unit 133. Is possible. In this way, when the setting of the order quantity Q of one lot of the developing solution can be freely changed, for example, when there is a lot of stock and the order frequency is reduced depending on conditions such as the size of the store and the inventory management method. However, it is possible to flexibly cope with both cases even when the ordering frequency is increased with little inventory. Further, if the setting of the lead time L can be freely changed, the lead time required for obtaining the developing solution varies depending on the location conditions of the store, but this can also be dealt with.

  In step S8, Y = (S / Xave) × QLMP is calculated, the remaining number of days Y until the ordering time is calculated, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S9.

  In step S9, a message such as “Order processing solution by day Y” is displayed on the image display unit 134 to alert the operator, and the process proceeds to the end. At this time, it may be determined whether Y is 5 or less, for example. If YES, a message is displayed on the image display unit 134. If NO, the process may be ended as it is. Further, instead of appealing visually as in the case of displaying a message on the image display unit 134, a signal appealing to hearing may be generated on the day of ordering, such as a voice message or an alarm.

  As described above, the control unit 130 of the photo processing apparatus 100 constitutes not only the remaining time calculating means but also the signal transmitting means.

  And according to the photo processing apparatus 100 of the present invention configured as described above, the number of days until the order date is calculated and the number of days is displayed on the image display unit 134, so that the operator can select the order date based on the display, or If the developer is ordered before that, it is possible to prevent the developer from being out of stock.

  In addition, in the calculation of the remaining number of days Y until the ordering date, the margin days M are estimated, so even if there are cases where the lead time L exceeds the lead time L and it takes days to deliver due to special circumstances. It can absorb some troubles.

  In the above-described embodiment, the development processing solution is managed in stock. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the photographic printing paper or the like may be managed in stock, or both of them may be managed in stock. However, it does not disappear when it is worn out, such as a developing solution or photographic paper, but it manages inventory that needs to be replaced when it is worn out, such as a halogen lamp or chemical filter. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, the average of the consumption amount Xi (i = 1, 2,..., N) of the developing processing solution per day for the last consecutive N days is used as data. However, in the photo processing request, since the timing factor greatly affects the demand, the same day data of the same month of the previous year or the average of the same day of the same month for the past several years may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the amount S of the developing solution S, the consumption amount X per day, the number Q per order lot, the number of days P since the start of lot use, and the lead time L from order to delivery , We used the information of each variable of the number of days M from the delivery until the shortage of the developing solution and the number N that averaged the amount of consumption of the developing solution per day for the calculation of the remaining days Y. The information related to the remaining days Y may be calculated based on the information related to each variable.

  The present invention is useful for a photographic processing apparatus.

1 is a perspective view of a photographic processing apparatus. It is a block diagram of a photographic processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control part. It is explanatory drawing of stock management of a developing process liquid. 6 is a flowchart showing a stock management process for a developing solution.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Photo processing apparatus 110 Baking part 120 Developing part 121 Replenisher tank 122 Liquid level detection sensor 130 Control part 131 Arithmetic processing part 132 Data storage part 133 Setting input part 134 Image display part

Claims (10)

The number of photo processing consumables ordered as one lot is related to each of the durable quantity per unit, the consumption per unit time, the order quantity of one lot, the elapsed time from the start of lot use, and the lead time. From the information, from the start of use of the lot, the total consumption time obtained by dividing the durable quantity per piece by the consumption quantity per unit time and the consumption time per piece multiplied by the ordered quantity of the lot. A remaining time calculating means for calculating information related to the remaining time until the ordering time by subtracting the elapsed time and the lead time;
Signal transmitting means for emitting a predetermined alert signal based on information associated with the remaining time until the ordering time calculated by the remaining time calculating means;
A photographic processing apparatus comprising: The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A photographic processing apparatus further comprising setting input means for variably setting and inputting information associated with the order quantity of one lot of the photographic processing consumables and / or information associated with a lead time. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A photo processing apparatus configured to convert information associated with the consumption amount of the photo processing consumables per unit time from the photo processing amount per unit time. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Information related to the average consumption amount of photo processing consumables per unit time in the past is configured to be information related to the consumption amount of photo processing consumables per unit time. , Photo processing equipment. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The information associated with the average of the consumption amount of the photographic processing consumables per unit time in the last past is set as the information associated with the consumption amount of the photographic processing consumables per unit time. A photographic processing apparatus configured. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 4,
A photographic processing apparatus further comprising setting input means for variably setting and inputting information related to the average number of consumptions of the photographic processing consumables per unit time in the past. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The information related to the average of the consumption amount of the photo processing consumables per unit time converted from the past photo processing amounts per unit time is the consumption amount of the photo processing consumables per unit time. A photographic processing apparatus configured to be information associated with the. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The remaining time calculating means uses information associated with a predetermined margin time, and further subtracts the margin time from the consumption time to calculate information associated with the remaining time until the ordering time. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
A photographic processing apparatus further comprising setting input means for variably setting and inputting information associated with the margin time. The photographic processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A photographic processing apparatus, wherein the photographic processing consumable is a developing solution.

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