JP2006088498A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent error even if an image recorder is operated under such a state as a counter is not reset and a pack chamber is not loaded with a medium pack when a film door is opened/closed under a state where the pack chamber is loaded with a medium pack. <P>SOLUTION: When a film door 20 is opened and a film pack in a pack chamber 22 is taken out, a counter lever 13_3 is turned in the direction A by a spring member 13_4 and the distal end of the counter lever 13_3 is removed from the tooth of a gear 13_1 and reset. When the film door 20 is closed, the slant face portion 13_3b1 of a rib 13_3b is guided by the slant face portion 20d1 of a rib 20d and a rib 13_3a is pressed by the film pack when it is loaded. Consequently, the distal end of the counter lever 13_3 engages with the tooth of the gear 13_1 in any case, and stand-by state capable of performing count operation interlocked with subsequent transfer sequence is set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention includes a pack chamber in which a medium pack in which a plurality of recording media on which an image is recorded is stacked is stored, and images are sequentially placed on the plurality of recording media loaded in the pack chamber. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording and sending out.

  Conventionally, a printer that records an image on an instant film sheet is known as an example of the above-described image recording apparatus. This type of printer includes a pack chamber in which an instant film pack in which a plurality of instant film sheets are stacked and stored, a film door that covers the pack chamber so as to be openable and closable, and a package in the loaded instant film pack. And a display unit for displaying the remaining number. To record an image on an instant film sheet, the first instant film sheet in the pack room is scraped up with a claw (claw) and conveyed by a conveyance roller, and the instant film sheet is red. (R), green (G), and blue (B) light emitting elements having three emission colors are cyclically irradiated to write a latent image, and a developer reservoir of the instant film sheet is developed on the developing roller. This is performed by crushing with, and developing the developer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The above instant film pack needs to be kept in a light-shielding state when not in use, and therefore is provided with a light-shielding plate and the like, and it is necessary to discharge or open the light-shielding plate in use.

  Here, Patent Document 2 discloses a control method for discharging a light shielding plate, which is a camera in which an instant film pack is loaded and a photograph is taken on an instant film sheet therein. Here, an opening / closing detection switch for detecting the opening / closing of the lid member provided for loading the instant film pack is provided, and when the opening / closing detection switch is turned on / off, it is detected that the instant film sheet is loaded, The shading plate is discharged.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, a switch that is turned on and off by loading and unloading an instant film pack is provided, and it is detected that the instant film pack has been replaced when the switch is turned on and off.

  In the methods disclosed in these Patent Documents 2 and 3, even if it is detected that the switch is currently turned on, for example, whether the instant film pack has been loaded or replaced this time, It is not known if the light-shielding plate has already been ejected after replacement, so it is necessary to constantly monitor the switch on / off change and remember its history, thus always consuming power and saving power It is an obstacle.

  In order to solve this problem, it may be possible to provide a non-volatile memory that stores the on / off history of the switch. However, even if the non-volatile memory is provided, the switch is turned on / off during the power-off period. It is not possible to record this history, which is insufficient.

In order to solve the above problem, a method using a mechanical counter can be considered. In other words, by changing the position or orientation, the unused state of the media pack loaded in the pack chamber and the number of recording media removed from the media pack after the start of use or the remaining number of recording media in the media pack are displayed. A mechanical counter that maintains the display even when the power is cut off and returns to the display of the unused state by removing the medium pack from the pack chamber, and a sensor that detects whether the mechanical counter displays the unused state When the power is turned on, the sensor detects that the mechanical counter indicates that it is not in use, and then removes or opens the shading plate to make the printer ready for printing. To do.
JP 2002-94900 A JP 2000-89347 A JP 2001-111924 A

  In the printer described above, when an operation check is performed by closing the film door and turning on the power in a state where the instant film pack is not loaded in the pack chamber, the mechanical film type is not loaded in the pack chamber because the instant film pack is not loaded. The counter does not advance and indicates an unused state. When the sensor detects that the counter displays an unused state, even though the instant film pack is loaded during normal use, the power is turned on and the shading plate is ejected or opened. Since the mechanical counter does not rotate normally or a serious defect such as an abnormal signal is generated due to a sensor failure, it is displayed as an error. Even if the instant film pack is not loaded in the pack chamber, the mechanical counter does not operate and is similarly displayed as an error. However, since this error is not an actual error, there is a problem that it is confusing.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention does not reset the counter even when the film door is opened and closed in a state where the medium pack is loaded in the pack chamber while suppressing an increase in cost, and the medium in the pack chamber. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus in which the occurrence of an error is prevented even when operated in a state where no pack is loaded.

An image recording apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object includes a pack chamber in which a medium pack in which a plurality of recording media on which an image is recorded is stacked is accommodated, and a plurality of sheets loaded in the pack chamber. In an image recording apparatus for recording and sending out images one by one sequentially on a recording medium,
A film door that freely opens and closes the pack chamber;
A counter that performs a counting operation in conjunction with the conveyance sequence of the recording medium in the medium pack loaded in the pack chamber,
The counter is reset when both the film door is opened and the medium pack is taken out from the pack chamber, and either the film door is closed or the medium pack is loaded into the pack chamber. Sometimes, it is set to a ready state in which a counting operation linked to the subsequent transport sequence can be performed.

  In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the counter that performs the counting operation in conjunction with the recording medium conveyance sequence is reset when both the film door is opened and the medium pack is taken out. However, it is reset when the film door is opened and the media pack is removed, so the counter is reset even if you accidentally open the film door and then close it when you notice an error. Therefore, the problem that the number of remaining recording media that can actually be recorded differs from the number of remaining recording media displayed on the counter is solved.

  In addition, the image recording apparatus of the present invention performs a preparatory operation that can perform a counting operation in conjunction with the subsequent transport sequence when either the film door is closed or the medium pack is loaded into the pack chamber. For example, when the film door is closed in a state where no media pack is loaded, it is set in a ready state in which the counting operation linked to the subsequent transport sequence can be performed. In such a state, the counter can be operated by turning on the power and executing a series of sequences. Therefore, it is possible to execute an operation check without displaying an error.

  Here, it is also a preferred aspect that the counter is installed on a surface facing the surface of the recording medium in the medium pack loaded in the pack chamber.

  In an instant camera or a moving head type printer, which is a conventional image recording apparatus, since there are a barrel and a moving head, the counter is provided on the side where space is limited. Therefore, there is a drawback that the counter display is small and difficult to see. In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, since the counter area restriction is relaxed by installing the counter on the surface facing the surface of the recording medium, a large display can be realized. Therefore, the counter display is easy to see. Furthermore, as shown in the embodiments described later, the numbers on the display board (character board) constituting the counter are used as watermark characters, and LEDs are arranged on the back of the display board, and the LED is used to place the display board from the back. By irradiating (backlighting), it is possible to make the display of the counter easier to see.

  The image recording apparatus also feeds the recording medium loaded in the pack chamber one by one and writes the recording medium while transporting the recording medium in a predetermined transport direction, thereby recording an image on the recording medium. A printer for recording may be used.

  Further, the recording medium in the medium pack is a photographic photosensitive member, and the image recording apparatus performs photography on the recording medium in the medium pack chamber loaded in the pack chamber, and the recording medium after photography. It may be a camera that sends out.

  According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the counter is not reset even when the film door is opened and closed in a state in which the medium pack is loaded in the pack chamber while suppressing the cost increase, and the pack chamber can be opened. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error even when the operation is performed in a state where the media pack is not loaded.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer, which is an embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from the front.

  The printer 1 is used in combination with a mobile phone or the like, and after a latent image is formed by exposure, a plurality of instant film sheets (10 in this case) on which a developer is developed and visualized are developed. Stacked instant film packs (described as sheets) are loaded into a pack chamber, and the developer is developed on the instant film sheet while the instant film sheet is exposed in accordance with image data and sent to the outside. This instant film sheet corresponds to an example of the recording medium referred to in the present invention.

  Some mobile phones can perform infrared communication conforming to IrDA (Infrared Data Association). Using this infrared communication, you can send your information to other information devices. If there is, the image data can be transmitted to the printer 1. When the printer 1 receives image data representing an image taken with the camera-equipped cellular phone or image data transmitted to the cellular phone by e-mail or the like, the printer 1 transmits the image data to the printer 1 using infrared communication. An image is recorded on the instant film sheet based on the image data, and the repeat switch described later can be used without re-recording the image based on the transmitted image data from the mobile phone. It can be performed on another instant film sheet with a simple operation of operating.

  The printer 1 is a portable printer having a thin, light, and small structure as shown in FIG. 1, and includes two 3V primary batteries. An instant film pack is loaded in the casing 1a of the printer 1, and an image is recorded on each of the ten instant film sheets stacked in the instant film pack.

  On the upper surface of the casing 1a of the printer 1, as operation buttons, a power switch (hereinafter referred to as a power SW) 11 for instructing to turn on and off the power of the printer 1 and an image replay based on the transmitted image data. A repeat switch (hereinafter referred to as repeat SW) 12 for recording is provided. A counter 13 indicating the remaining number of instant film sheets is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1a. The counter 13 is a mechanical counter, and will be described in detail later. However, when an unused instant film pack is loaded and the power is turned on, a numerical value “10” indicating that the remaining number is 10 is displayed. Is done. Hereinafter, each time an image is recorded on the instant film sheet, a numerical value indicating the remaining number is displayed, and when the image is recorded on the tenth instant film sheet, the remaining number is zero. A numerical value “0” is displayed.

  A transmission / reception unit 14 is provided at the end of the printer 1. The transmission / reception unit 14 receives the image data transmitted by the infrared communication described above, and transmits a signal for notifying the other party that the image data has been received.

  In addition, the casing 1a of the printer 1 is turned on when the power is turned on and also flashes when the infrared communication is performed, and the communication error LED 16 is turned on when an error occurs in the infrared communication, and the built-in battery voltage. When the battery voltage decreases, a low-battery display LED 17 that is lit to prompt the user to replace the battery is provided.

  Further, the side face of the printer 1 is provided with a film door opening switch 18 provided on the lower surface side of the printer 1 for opening a film door, which will be described later, and the corner portion is provided with a strap attaching portion 1b. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an instant film sheet on which an image is recorded based on image data from a camera-equipped mobile phone is discharged in the printer illustrated in FIG.

  With the infrared communication unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 2 facing the transmission / reception unit 14 of the printer 1, the camera-equipped mobile phone 2 is operated to transmit image data representing an image taken by the camera-equipped mobile phone 2 by infrared communication. Is transmitted to the printer 1. The printer 1 receives image data transmitted by infrared communication, and records the latent image based on the received image data on the instant film sheet 1001 by exposure, while visualizing the instant film sheet 1001. The paper is gradually discharged from the outlet 19 of the printer 1 to the outside. Thereafter, when the repeat SW 12 is operated, the same image as that image is re-recorded on another instant film sheet.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the printer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from above.

  A film door 20 that is opened by the operation of the film door opening switch 18 shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the lower surface side of the printer 1, and the film door 20 is opened, and an instant film pack is loaded into the pack chamber. The The film door 20 is provided with a pack presence / absence confirmation window 20a for confirming whether or not an instant film pack is loaded. Further, a battery cover 21 that is opened to mount a battery that serves as a power source of the printer 1 is also provided adjacent to the film door 20.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 3 with the film door opened.

  The above-described pack presence / absence confirmation window 20a and spring members 20b and 20c are provided inside the film door 20, and the instant film sheets stacked in the instant film pack by the spring members 20b and 20c are printed on the printer. 1 is pressed to the upper surface side.

  Further, the printer 1 is provided with a pack chamber 22 for loading an instant film pack. On the right side in FIG. 4 outside the pack chamber 22, an image writing unit 300 and a medium transporting and developing unit 30 for writing an image on the transported instant film sheet are provided. Details of the image writing unit 300 and the medium transporting and developing unit 30 will be described later. Further, a claw 24 for feeding the instant film sheet to the image writing unit 300 and the medium conveying / developing unit 30 side is provided below the pack chamber 22 in FIG. With such a configuration, of the instant film sheets in the instant film pack, the instant film sheet on the uppermost side of the printer 1 is picked up by the claw 24 and conveyed by the medium conveying / developing unit 30 to write an image. An image is written and developed by the unit 300.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 4 with the housing removed.

  FIG. 5 shows a medium transport / development unit 30 including a DC motor 406 and a gear train 39 that transmits a rotational driving force from the DC motor 406 to a transport roll and a development roll described later. FIG. 5 also shows a claw 24 provided in the pack chamber 22 and a rib 13_3a of a counter lever, which will be described later, that is pressed when the instant film pack is loaded.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram showing a control system inside the printer.

  A schematic diagram of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is shown on the right end side of FIG. 6, and a configuration showing a control system of the printer 1 is shown in the entire area excluding the right end portion. Note that the arrows shown in FIG. 6 indicate the arrangement relationship of the components indicating the control system in the printer 1.

  The printer 1 includes a main board unit 100, a sub board unit 200, an image writing unit 300, an FPI unit 401, an ENCPI unit 402, a COUNTPI unit 403, a cam switch 404, and the transmission / reception unit 14 described above. The IrDA transmission / reception unit 405 provided on the DC motor 406 and the DC motor 406 described above are provided.

  The sub-board unit 200 includes the power supply SW 11, the repeat SW 12, and the display LED unit 201 described above. The display LED unit 201 includes the power LED 15, the communication error LED 16, the low battery display LED 17, and the counter backlight LED (not shown) provided on the back side of the counter 13. Yes.

  The image writing unit 300 includes an optical head unit 301 having a light guide, a liquid crystal shutter (LCS), and the like, flexible cables 302 and 303 that connect the optical head unit 301 and the main substrate unit 100, and a flexible cable 303. Light-emitting elements (LEDs) 304, 305, and 306 having emission colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are provided. This image writing unit 300 is provided with three R, G, and B from the LEDs 304, 305, and 306 based on the image data received by the transmission / reception unit 14 in synchronization with the writing instruction pulse on the instant film sheet being conveyed. A latent image is written on the instant film sheet by cyclically irradiating two colored lights. The printer 1 includes two primary batteries 407 for 3V.

  Hereinafter, the main substrate unit 100 will be described. A power supply voltage VB of 6V from the primary battery 407 connected in series is applied to the main substrate unit 100. The main board unit 100 includes an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) 101, an oscillator 102, a reset circuit 103, a flash memory (FLASH) 104, and an SDRAM 105.

  The MPU 101 comprehensively controls the operation of the printer 1.

  The oscillator 102 generates an oscillation signal having a predetermined frequency and supplies it to the MPU 101 as an operation clock signal.

  The reset circuit 103 outputs a reset signal for initializing the MPU 101.

  The flash memory 104 is a non-volatile memory, and the flash memory 104 stores adjustment values for solid difference adjustment that are determined depending on a mechanism or the like unique to the printer 1.

  The SDRAM 105 is a volatile memory, and the SDRAM 105 stores image data from the camera-equipped mobile phone 2.

  The main board 100 is supplied with a power supply voltage VB of 6V, a power supply 106 for outputting a voltage of 2.5V, a power supply 107 for outputting a voltage of 3.3V, and a voltage of 15V. A DC / DC converter 108 is provided. Further, a power supply control unit 109 that controls the power supply units 106 and 107 and the DC / DC converter 108 in response to an instruction from the MPU 101 is also provided. Here, a voltage of 2.5 V is supplied to the MPU 101 and a voltage of 3.3 V is supplied to peripheral circuits other than the MPU 101. Moreover, the voltage of 15V is used for LCD drive mentioned later.

  In order to extend the life of the primary battery 407, the printer 1 includes the MPU 101 having a standby mode which is a low power consumption mode, and the MPU 101 completes the initial process even when the power switch 12 is pressed. At that time, it becomes standby mode. When infrared communication is performed from the outside in this state, the standby mode is shifted to the normal operation mode, an image is recorded on the instant film sheet, and the normal operation mode is quickly shifted to the standby mode. Also, when the repeat SW 12 is pressed, after the image is recorded on the instant film sheet, the standby mode is set. Further, the MPU 101 controls the power supply units 106 and 107 and the DC / DC converter 108 via the power supply control unit 109 so that power is supplied to each unit only when necessary. In this way, the printer 1 can be used for a long time with the built-in primary battery 407.

  Further, the main substrate unit 100 includes a BC unit 110, a TPG unit 111, a temperature detection unit 112, an oscillator 113, an IrDA / LCS control unit 114, and a head LED driving unit 115.

  The BC unit 110 checks whether or not the power supply voltage VB of the primary battery 407 has decreased below a predetermined value. When the MPU 101 determines that the power supply voltage VB of the primary battery 407 is lower than a predetermined value with reference to the check result, the MPU 101 turns on the low battery display LED 17 to prompt the user to replace the battery. .

  The TPG unit 111 turns on and off the 15 V voltage output from the DC / DC converter 108.

  The temperature detection unit 112 detects the temperature of the image writing unit 300. The MPU 101 controls the shutter speed of each shutter unit of the liquid crystal shutter in the optical head unit 301 in accordance with the detection signal from the temperature detection unit 112.

  The oscillator 113 generates an oscillation signal having a predetermined frequency and supplies it to the IrDA / LCS control unit 114.

  The IrDA / LCS control unit 114 controls the IrDA transmission / reception unit 405 and the optical head unit 301 based on the oscillation signal from the oscillator 113. The IrDA transmission / reception unit 405 includes a light projecting element and a light receiving element for performing infrared communication, and the IrDA / LCS control unit 114 sends data photoelectrically converted by the light receiving element to the MPU 101 or from the MPU 101. Data for notifying an external device to that effect is transmitted to the outside via the light projecting element. Further, the IrDA / LCS control unit 114 controls a liquid crystal shutter provided in the optical head unit 301 via the flexible cable 302 based on an instruction from the MPU 101.

  The head LED drive unit 115 drives the LEDs 304, 305, and 306 by flowing a current based on an instruction from the MPU 101 to the LEDs 304, 305, and 306 via the flexible cable 303.

  The printer 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the instant film sheet is fed in a predetermined sub-scanning direction (direction in which the instant film sheet is sent out) by the DC motor 406, and the R, G, B on the instant film sheet with respect to the sub-scanning direction. In the main scanning direction that intersects with the sub-scanning direction, the same color is simultaneously written for all the pixels arranged in the main scanning direction on the instant film sheet. This is a printer that records color images.

  In recording a color image, a control signal corresponding to image data is supplied from the IrDA / LCS control unit 114 to the optical head unit 301 constituting the image writing unit 300 via the flexible cable 302. This control signal controls the shutter speed of each shutter section of the liquid crystal shutter in the optical head section 301. The shutter speed of each shutter unit is controlled according to the image data, and light corresponding to each of RGB from the LEDs 304, 305, and 306 provided in the flexible cable 303 is irradiated onto the instant film sheet, and the width of the instant film sheet A latent image consisting of a number of light spots (dots) in the direction is recorded. The width direction, that is, the direction in which the shutter portions are arranged one-dimensionally is the main scanning direction. Accordingly, each shutter portion is electronically scanned in the main scanning direction, and a light spot (all pixels) for one line is recorded on the instant film sheet. By the electronic scanning of the optical head unit 301, light spots composed of a large number of dots are recorded in the main scanning direction of the instant film sheet. As described above, in the present embodiment, the instant film sheet is fed in the sub-scanning direction by the DC motor 406. Accordingly, the light spot is sequentially recorded for each of a large number of dots by the image writing unit 300 also in the sub-scanning direction.

  Further, the main board unit 100 is provided with a PI driving unit 116. The PI driving unit 116 drives the FPI unit 401, the ENCPI unit 402, and the COUNTPI unit 403. Here, the FPI unit 401, the ENCPI unit 402, and the COUNTPI unit 403 will be described.

  The FPI unit 401 is a photo interrupter for detecting the presence or absence of an instant film sheet.

  The ENCPI unit 402 is a photo interrupter for outputting an encode signal composed of a pulse train synchronized with the rotation of the DC motor 406.

  The COUNTPI unit 403 is a photo interrupter for detecting the initial position of the counter 13.

  A cam switch 404 is connected to the main board portion 100. The cam switch 404 is a switch for monitoring an initial position in the transport mechanism of the printer 1.

  Further, the main board part 100 is provided with a motor driving part 117. In response to an instruction from the MPU 101, the motor drive unit 117 controls the rotational speed of the DC motor 406 so that the time interval of the pulse train of the encode signal output from the ENCPI unit 402 becomes a predetermined time interval.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an exposure surface of the instant film sheet, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an observation surface of the instant film sheet.

  FIG. 7 shows an exposure surface 1001_1 of the instant film sheet 1001. The exposure surface 1001_1 includes a developer reservoir 1001a disposed at the leading end portion of the instant film sheet 1001 in the conveyance direction, an exposure portion 1001b on which an image is exposed, a blank portion 1001c, and a trap portion that absorbs excess developer. 1001d. Further, FIG. 8 shows the observation surface 1001_2 side of the instant film sheet 1001. The observation surface 1001_2 is provided with an observation unit 1001e for observing an image formed by exposure and having a latent image formed thereon and developed by the developer, and a blank portion 1001f.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the medium conveying and developing unit.

  The medium conveying and developing unit 30 includes a pair of conveying rollers 31 and 32 that convey the instant film sheet 1001 with both side portions of the instant film sheet 1001 being sandwiched. The conveyance roller 32 is urged toward the conveyance roller 31 by a spring member 35_1.

  In addition, the medium transport / development unit 30 is disposed downstream of the pair of transport rollers 31 and 32 in the transport direction of the instant film sheet 1001, and holds the developer film 1001 a across the entire width of the instant film sheet 1001. A pair of developing rollers 33 and 34 for crushing and developing the developer are provided. The developing roller 34 is urged toward the developing roller 33 by a spring member 35_2.

  Further, the medium conveying and developing unit 30 is provided with a control plate 36 and an instant film sheet 1001 that are positioned between the conveying rollers 31 and 32 and the developing rollers 33 and 34 to control the developing agent, and the developing roller 33. , 34 and a film guide frame 38 for guiding the instant film sheet 1001 to the outside. An image writing unit 300 is provided near the exit of the instant film pack 25.

  The printer 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that, among the instant film sheets 1001 in the instant film pack 25, the instant film sheet 1001 on the uppermost surface side of the printer 1 is moved to the claw 24 (FIG. 4, FIG. 4) from the predetermined conveyance start point Ps. The image writing unit 300 starts writing an image at the fixed writing point Pf while being transported by the transport rollers 31 and 32. Further, the printer 1 conveys the instant film sheet 1001 with the conveying rollers 31 and 32 while writing an image on the instant film sheet 1001, and develops the developer by crushing the developer reservoir 1001 a with the developing rollers 33 and 34. The developing agent being developed is controlled by the control plate 36 and the film guide 37 to perform development, and the developer is conveyed to a predetermined conveyance end point Pe. In this way, an image is recorded on one instant film sheet 1001.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the printer according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front side with the housing removed, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 10 with the dial attached. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the printer 1 includes a box 51 containing the pack chamber 22, a cover member 27 disposed on the upper surface of the box 51, and a counter unit 13_10 constituting the counter 13. Is provided. FIG. 10 also shows a film door 20 that covers the pack chamber 22 so as to be freely opened and closed. A rib 20d having an inclined surface portion 20d1 is erected on the film door 20.

  The counter unit 13_10 constituting the counter 13 is provided with a gear 13_1 that is driven via a worm gear 39_11 that transmits the rotational driving force of the DC motor 406 (see FIG. 5). A dial 13_5 shown in FIG. 11 is placed on top of the gear 13_1. The dial plate 13_5 has “S” and “10” to “0” made of watermark characters. Moreover, LED which is not illustrated is arrange | positioned under the dial 13_5, and the dial 13_5 is irradiated from the back (backlight) with this LED, and the display of the counter 13 is made easy to see. The dial 13_5 shown in FIG. 11 is in a position where the numerical value “8” can be seen from the window of the counter 13 shown in FIG. The dial 13_5 has a notch 13_5a between the numerical value '7' and the numerical value '8'.

  The unused instant film pack is provided with a light-shielding plate. When the unused instant film pack is loaded, the notch 13_5a is located at the monitoring location of the COUNTPI unit 403, and the window location includes the notch 13_5a. The watermark character “S” indicating that the loaded instant film pack is unused is located. Here, when the power is turned on, the notch 13_5a is detected by the COUNTPI unit 403, whereby the shading plate is opened by the above-mentioned claw (nail), the instant film sheet is in a use start state, and the counter 13 is activated. Then, the dial 13_5 rotates counterclockwise, and a numerical value “10” indicating that the remaining number is 10 is displayed in a backlight manner. Thereafter, each time an image is recorded on the instant film sheet, a numerical value indicating the remaining number is displayed, and when the image is recorded on the tenth instant film sheet, the remaining number is zero. The numerical value “0” indicating this is displayed in backlight.

  When the notch 13_5a of the counter 13 is detected at the end of the light shielding plate opening operation, it is determined that the counter 13 is not operating, and the error LED 16 is turned on.

  In addition, the counter unit 13_10 includes a spring member 13_2 that urges the gear 13_1 in the clockwise direction, a counter lever 13_3 whose tip is engaged with the teeth of the gear 13_1, one end held by the counter lever 13_3, and the other end. Is held by the member 26 and a spring member 13_4 for urging the counter lever 13_3 is provided. The counter lever 13_3 is provided with a rib 13_3b having a rib 13_3a that is pressed when the instant film pack is loaded and a slope portion 13_3b1 that is guided by the slope portion 20d1 of the rib 20d that is erected on the film door 20.

  The counter 13 including the counter unit 13_10 described above is a counter that performs a counting operation in conjunction with the transport sequence of the instant film sheet in the instant film pack loaded in the pack chamber 22. The counter 13 is a ratchet type counter that will be described later in detail, but can be realized with a simple configuration. By providing such a mechanical counter, even if the primary battery 407 is removed, the instant film There is no need to provide a memory for storing the number of sheets 1001.

  In the counter 13, when both the film door 20 is opened and the instant film pack in the pack chamber 22 is taken out, the counter lever 13_3 is rotated in the direction of arrow A by the spring member 13_4. The tip of 13_3 is disengaged from the teeth of the gear 13_1, whereby the gear 13_1 is reset to the initial state by the spring member 13_2. By doing so, the counter 13 is not reset even when the film door 20 is accidentally opened, and when the operator notices the error and closes it, the counter 13 is not reset. The problem that the number of sheets differs from the number of remaining films displayed on the counter 13 is solved.

  The printer 1 according to the present embodiment performs a counting operation in conjunction with a subsequent transport sequence when either the film door 20 is closed or the instant film pack is loaded into the pack chamber 22. Set to a ready state. For this reason, for example, when the film door 20 is closed in a state where no instant film pack is loaded in the pack chamber 22, the preparation state is set so that the counting operation linked to the subsequent transport sequence can be performed. . Specifically, the slope portion 20d1 of the rib 20d erected on the film door 20 is guided by the slope portion 13_3b1 of the rib 13_3b provided on the counter lever 13_3, and the tip portion of the counter lever 13_3 is the teeth of the gear 13_1. Engage with. In such a state, the operation can be confirmed by executing a series of sequences using infrared communication or the like.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the printer shown in FIG. 10 with the instant film pack loaded and the film door closed.

  FIG. 12 shows a film door 20, a rib 20d provided on the film door 20, a counter lever 13_3, and a rib 13_3b provided on the counter lever 13_3. Also shown is an instant film pack 25 in which a plurality of instant film sheets 1001 are laminated. Here, the instant film pack 25 is loaded and the film door 20 is closed. In such a state, the ribs 13_3b of the counter lever 13_3 are pressed by the ribs 20d of the film door 20, so that As shown in FIG. 13, the tip of the counter lever 13_3 is engaged with the teeth of the gear 13_1.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view of the printer shown in FIG. 10 with the cover member removed.

  In FIG. 13, the counter unit 13_10, the worm gear 39_11 rotating in the direction of arrow A, the three-rotation cam 61 rotating in the direction of arrow B in response to the rotational driving force from the worm gear 39_11, A gear 62 that rotates in conjunction with it, a gear 63 that meshes with the gear 62 and rotates in the direction of arrow C, and a one-rotation cam 64 that rotates in the direction of arrow D in response to the rotational driving force from the gear 63 are shown. Has been. Here, the one-rotation cam 64 is a cam that completes a series of conveyance sequences by one rotation, and rotates once when the three-rotation cam 61 rotates three times. A cam switch 404 for monitoring the initial position of a series of sequences is placed on the upper part of the one-rotation cam 64.

  Further, FIG. 13 shows a claw plate 65 and a spring member 66 that urges the claw plate 65. The claw plate 65 is provided with a rectilinear guide groove 65 a for guiding the claw 24 and a holding member 65 b for holding the spring member 66.

  As shown in FIG. 12 described above, when the instant film pack 25 is loaded and the film door 20 is closed, the tip of the counter lever 13_3 is engaged with the teeth of the gear 13_1. When the worm gear 39_11 rotates in the arrow A direction, the three-rotation cam 61 rotates in the arrow B direction, and the claw plate 65 starts to rise in the direction of the worm gear 39_11. When the claw plate 65 starts to rise, the claw 24 is raised by being guided by a straight guide groove 65a provided in the claw plate 65. Thereby, the scraping of the instant film sheet 1001 is started. Further, the gear 62 rotates in conjunction with the three-rotation cam 61, and the rotational driving force of the gear 62 is transmitted to the gear 63. Thereby, the gear 63 rotates in the arrow C direction. The gear 63 is provided with a claw 63a, and this claw 63a works to push the teeth of the gear 13_1 of the counter 13 downward. Then, the gear 13_1 rotates in the direction of arrow E, and the tip end portion of the counter lever 13_3 engaged with the teeth of the gear 13_1 gets over the teeth and engages with the next upper tooth. Such an operation is repeated twice in a series of sequences. That is, in a series of sequences, the gear 13_1 of the counter 13 rotates in the direction of arrow E by two teeth. As a result, the dial 13_5 rotates in the direction of subtracting only one numerical value. In this way, each time the instant film sheet 1001 is discharged, the value of the counter 13 is decremented by one.

  Here, the counter 13 is installed on the same surface as the surface facing the exposure surface of the instant film sheet in the instant film pack 25 loaded in the pack chamber 22. The area of the surface of the printer 1 that faces the exposure surface of the instant film sheet 1001 is large, and thus a large counter 13 with a relaxed area constraint is realized. Therefore, the number indicating the remaining number of instant film sheets 1001 is large, and an easy-to-see display is realized in combination with the irradiation of the dial 13_5 by the backlight described above.

  In this embodiment, as the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium loaded in the pack chamber is fed one by one, and the recording medium is written while being conveyed in a predetermined conveying direction. Although an example of a printer that records an image on a recording medium has been described, the image recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording medium in the medium pack is a photographic photoreceptor, and is loaded in the pack chamber. It may be a camera that takes a picture on a recording medium in the medium pack chamber and sends out the recording medium after the picture is taken.

1 is a perspective view of a printer, which is an embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an instant film sheet on which an image is recorded based on image data from a camera-equipped mobile phone is discharged in the printer illustrated in FIG. 1. It is the perspective view which looked at the lower surface side of the printer shown in FIG. 1 from diagonally upward. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 3 in a state where a film door is opened. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 4 with a housing removed. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram showing a control system inside the printer. It is a perspective view which shows the exposure surface of an instant film sheet. It is a perspective view which shows the observation surface of an instant film sheet. It is sectional drawing of a medium conveyance expansion | deployment part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer according to the embodiment when the housing is removed when viewed from the front side. It is a perspective view in the state where a dial was attached to the printer shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the printer shown in FIG. 10 with a film door closed. It is a top view of the state which removed the cover member of the printer shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 1a Case 1b Strap attachment part 2 Cellular phone with camera 11 Power switch (Power SW)
12 Repeat switch (repeat SW)
13 Counter 13_1, 62, 63 Gear 13_2, 13_4, 66 Spring member 13_3 Counter lever 13_3a, 13_3b, 20d Rib 13_3b1, 20d1 Slope 13_5 Dial 13_5a Notch 13_10 Counter 14 Transmitter / Receiver 15 Power LED
16 Communication error LED
17 LED for low battery display
18 Film door opening switch 19 Outlet 20 Film door 20a Pack presence / absence confirmation window 20b, 20c, 35_1, 35_2, 66 Spring member 21 Battery cover 22 Pack chamber 23 Transport roller 24 Claw 25 Instant film pack 26 Member 27 Cover member 30 Medium Conveying and unrolling part 31, 32 Conveying roller 33, 34 Unfolding roller 36 Control plate 37 Film guide 38 Film guide frame 39 Gear train 39_11 Worm gear 51 Box 61 Three-rotation cam 61a Engaging member 63a Claw 64 Single-rotation cam 65 Claw plate 65a Straight advance Guide groove 65b Holding member 100 Main board part 101 MPU
102, 113 Oscillator 103 Reset circuit 104 Flash memory 105 SDRAM
106, 107 Power supply unit 108 DC / DC converter 109 Power supply control unit 110 BC unit 111 TPG unit 112 Temperature detection unit 114 IrDA / LCS control unit 115 Head LED drive unit 116 PI drive unit 117 Motor drive unit 200 Sub-board unit 201 For display LED unit 300 Image writing unit 301 Optical head unit 302, 303 Flexible cable 304, 305, 306 Light emitting element (LED)
401 FPI part 402 ENCPI part 403 COUNTPI part 404 Cam switch 405 IrDA transmission / reception part 406 DC motor 407 Primary battery 1001 Instant film sheet 1001_1 Exposure surface 1001_2 Observation surface 1001a Development pool 1001b Exposed part 1001c, 1001f White part

Claims (4)

A pack chamber is provided in which a plurality of recording media on which images are recorded are stacked and accommodated, and the images are sequentially recorded and sent out one by one to the plurality of recording media loaded in the pack chamber. In the image recording device,
A film door covering the pack chamber so as to be freely opened and closed;
A counter that performs a counting operation in conjunction with a conveyance sequence of the recording medium in the medium pack loaded in the pack chamber,
The counter is reset when both the film door is opened and the medium pack is taken out from the pack chamber, and either the film door is closed or the medium pack is loaded into the pack chamber. Sometimes, the image recording apparatus is set in a ready state capable of performing a counting operation linked to a subsequent transport sequence.   2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counter is installed on a surface facing a surface of a recording medium in a medium pack loaded in the pack chamber.   The image recording apparatus records an image on the recording medium by feeding the recording medium loaded in the pack chamber one by one and writing the recording medium while conveying the recording medium in a predetermined conveying direction. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is a printer.   The recording medium in the medium pack is a photographic photosensitive member, and this image recording apparatus takes a photograph on the recording medium in the medium pack chamber loaded in the pack chamber and sends out the recording medium after the photographing. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is a camera.

Images