JP2007031111A - Film magazine for image forming device and magazine management method classified by film - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a film magazine for an image forming device and a magazine management method classified by a film in which a plurality of film magazines stored with the different films easily become usable without performing troublesome confirmation of residual number of sheets or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The film magazine for the image forming device is provided with a magazine body for superposedly storing the sheet-like films 13 and detachably attached to the image forming device; and an information memory means provided on the magazine body and capable of transmitting information with non-contact. A variable value varied according to the usage status of the film 13 is memorized in the information memory means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a film magazine for an image forming apparatus loaded with a film package in which sheet-like films are stacked and accommodated in a light shielding bag, and a magazine management method for each film.

  In recent years, computer-aided diagnosis devices such as CT (Computed Tomography) devices, CR (Computed Radiography) devices, and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) devices have been widely used in the medical field. The radiographic image information of the subject as an electrical signal obtained by using these devices is transferred to an image processing device, and then subjected to desired image processing suitable for diagnosis, and then a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a film, etc. Output to the image recording material.

  In this case, in an image forming apparatus that records radiation image information on an image recording material, for example, a sheet-like film supplied in a laminated state is fed into a sheet recording unit and then conveyed to an image recording unit, and then in accordance with the radiation image information. By irradiating the film with a laser beam modulated in this manner, a radiographic image subjected to desired image processing is obtained.

  By the way, in such an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to select a film having an optimum sensitivity characteristic or size and record the radiation image information in accordance with the type of radiation image information, the size of the image, and the like.

  In general, a paper cassette that stores paper of different sizes is provided with a paper guide as a regulating member that regulates the paper storage position according to the size of the paper to be stored. Such a sheet guide includes, for example, a guide that regulates the sheet in the feeding direction and a guide that regulates the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction. As a means for outputting information on the position of the paper guide locked in accordance with the stored paper, that is, information on the size of the paper to the image forming apparatus side, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or the like, A mechanical means such as a lever or a drum that moves in conjunction with the position is prepared on the regulating member, and the protrusion on the lever or the drum is detected by pressing a switch of the image forming apparatus main body.

JP-A-8-34525 JP 2004-123366 A

In the information transmission by the conventional mechanical means described above, detailed information on the paper size cannot be transmitted, and only information indicating whether it is close to a predetermined standard size (A4, A3, B4, B5, etc.) can be transmitted. However, it has been impossible to transmit information on an irregular size or information on the type of paper from the film magazine to the image forming apparatus. In addition, when a detection member such as a lever or a drum is damaged, there is a possibility that erroneous information is transmitted.
Therefore, the paper cassette disclosed in Patent Document 2 is provided with non-contact information transmission means on the paper cassette, and information such as paper size and paper type is transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body via this information transmission means. A configuration to communicate has been proposed.
However, the information transmission means disclosed in Patent Document 2 only inputs fixed paper information such as paper size and paper type. For this reason, when a plurality of film magazines are used for the image forming apparatus, the image forming operation may be hindered.
For example, in an image forming apparatus that is detachably provided with a plurality of film magazines containing films of different sizes, the remaining number of sheets for each film magazine is unknown, and a sudden paper (film) cut may occur. It was. In such a case, if there is no reserve of the desired film, the image forming operation is forced to be interrupted, and there is a possibility that a part of medical practice may be hindered. On the other hand, it is cumbersome to check the number of remaining sheets for each film magazine every time the image forming operation is performed, and the image forming workability is remarkably lowered. For this reason, it is not realistic to use a plurality of film magazines each containing different films.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and a film magazine for an image forming apparatus and a magazine for each film that can be easily used without a complicated check of the remaining number of sheets in which a plurality of film magazines containing different films are stored. To provide a management method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 according to the present invention comprises a magazine main body in which sheet-like films are stacked and accommodated and detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, and the magazine main body The information storage means is configured to be capable of transmitting information in a non-contact manner, and the information storage means stores a variable value that changes depending on the use state of the film.

  In this image forming apparatus film magazine, the information storage means stores variable values that change depending on the film usage status, and the variable values are stored in the information storage means each time the film magazine for image forming apparatus is attached or detached. Remembered. Therefore, the latest information on the film can be detected in any film magazine for an image forming apparatus.

  The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is characterized in that the variable value is a remaining number transmitted from the image forming apparatus.

  In this film magazine for an image forming apparatus, a warning such as notifying the display unit of the image forming apparatus, for example, that the remaining amount is small can be made, and it is possible to prevent a sudden out of paper. This also makes it possible to make quick arrangements and reliably prevent long-term interruption of image forming work due to out of stock.

  The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is characterized in that the variable value is a film removal start date and time transmitted from the image forming apparatus.

  In this image forming apparatus film magazine, for example, when there are a plurality of image forming apparatus film magazines containing films of the same size, it is possible to use the image forming apparatus film magazine with the earliest start date of film removal. It becomes possible to prevent deterioration of the film over time.

  The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4 is characterized in that the variable value is a last use date and time transmitted from the image forming apparatus.

  In this film magazine for an image forming apparatus, it is possible to grasp the number of days elapsed from the last use date to the present, it is possible to grasp the deterioration state of the film and whether or not it is a film used immediately before, and work confirmation is prepared.

  The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 5 is characterized in that the variable value is density correction data transmitted from the image forming apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus film magazine, when the image forming apparatus film magazine is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the density correction data is read so that the image forming apparatus does not perform density correction again. It is possible to perform density correction based on the same density correction data.

  The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6 is characterized in that the variable value is error information transmitted from the image forming apparatus.

  In this image forming apparatus film magazine, for example, when the same error information is frequently generated for the image forming apparatus film magazine, determination of the state of loading of the film into the magazine body, the storage state of the stored film, etc. Can be easily performed.

  The film-by-film magazine management method according to claim 7 is a film-by-film magazine management method for managing a plurality of film magazines for an image forming apparatus detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, wherein the film from which the light-shielding bag has been removed is removed. The magazine main body is provided with an information storage means capable of transmitting information by contact, the magazine main body is mounted on the image forming apparatus, and a bar code attached to the light shielding bag and storing film information is displayed on the image. Reading at least the initial number of films into the information storage means by reading with a barcode reader attached to the forming apparatus, and writing the current number of stored sheets into the information storage means after subtracting the number of films consumed by the image forming apparatus. Features.

  In this magazine-by-film magazine management method, a bar code is attached to a light-shielding bag, and at least the initial number of films is written in the information storage means. Then, the remaining number of films currently stored is always stored in the film magazine for the image forming apparatus to be attached / detached by writing the current storage number obtained by subtracting the number of consumed films into the information storage means. It becomes.

  According to the film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, information storage means capable of transmitting information in a non-contact manner is provided in the magazine main body, and the information storage means stores a variable value that changes depending on the use state of the film. Therefore, every time the film magazine for the image forming apparatus is mounted / removed, the latest information on the film can be obtained in any film magazine for the image forming apparatus by storing the film usage status in the information storage means. become. As a result, it is possible to use a plurality of film magazines for image forming apparatuses.

  According to the magazine-by-film magazine management method according to the present invention, at least a film is obtained by mounting a magazine body containing a film on an image forming apparatus and reading a barcode attached to a light shielding bag with a barcode reading apparatus of the image forming apparatus. Is stored in the information storage means, and the current storage number obtained by subtracting the number of films consumed by the image forming apparatus is written in the information storage means. Therefore, the film magazine for the image forming apparatus to be detached is always currently stored. The remaining number of films is stored. As a result, a plurality of film magazines for image forming apparatuses containing different films can be easily used without performing complicated remaining number confirmation and the like.

Preferred embodiments of a film magazine for an image forming apparatus and a magazine management method for each film according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which a film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is mounted, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a film package loaded in the film magazine for an image forming apparatus shown in FIG. .
The image forming apparatus 11 to which the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 is mounted includes a heat development recording material supply unit A, an image exposure unit B, and a heat development unit C in the order of conveyance of the sheet film 13 that is a heat development recording material. And a cooling part D, and a conveying means for conveying the sheet film 13 provided at a key point between each part, and a power source / control part E for driving and controlling each part.

  The image forming apparatus 11 includes a power supply / control unit E at the bottom, a heat development recording material supply unit A at the top, and an image exposure unit B, a heat development unit C, and a cooling unit D at the top. The image exposure part B and the heat development part C are arranged adjacent to each other. Therefore, the exposure process and the heat development process can be performed within a short conveyance distance, the conveyance path length of the sheet film 13 can be minimized, and the output time of one sheet can be shortened. Further, both the exposure process and the thermal development process can be simultaneously performed on one sheet film 13.

  As the sheet film 13, a photothermographic material or a photothermographic material can be used. The photothermographic material is a recording material that records (exposes) an image with a light beam (for example, a laser beam) and then develops the color by thermal development. In addition, the light and heat sensitive recording material records an image by a light beam and then develops it by heat development, or develops a color simultaneously with recording an image by a heat mode (heat) of a laser beam, and then irradiates with light. It is a recording material to be fixed.

  The heat-developable recording material supply unit A is a part that takes out the sheet films 13 one by one and supplies them to the image exposure unit B located downstream in the conveying direction of the sheet film 13, for example, two loading units 15, 17 and The sheet feeding mechanism 19 disposed in each loading unit, the supply roller pair 21 and 23, and a conveyance roller and a conveyance guide (not shown) are configured. Also, film magazines 100 and 100 for an image forming apparatus in which different, for example, B4 size and half-cut sheet films 13 and 13 are accommodated inside the loading sections 15 and 17 having a two-stage configuration. Are accommodated in trays 25 and 27 which are magazine receivers, so that the sheet films 13 and 13 of the size and orientation loaded in each stage can be selectively used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet film 13 is processed into a sheet shape, and is usually formed into a laminated body (bundle) of a predetermined unit such as 150 sheets, and is stored in the backing paper 29, such as an aluminum foil. It is packaged in a light shielding bag 31. Thereby, the sheet film 13 is handled as the film package 33 in which a predetermined number of packages are packaged. The sheet film 13 is placed in the magazine 10 together with the backing paper 29 by making a cut in a part of the light shielding bag 31 and drawing the fin portion 35 formed at the end to the outside of the magazine 10. . In this state, the sheet film 13 is loaded in each stage of the heat development recording material supply unit A.

  On the surface of the light shielding bag 31, a bar code 37 in which identification information such as the size, number, sensitivity, manufacturing time, manufacturing place, manufacturing lot number, manufacturing company name, etc. of the sheet film 13 is recorded, and the bar code 37 identifies these. A barcode label 40 printed with numerical data 39 corresponding to the information is attached.

  The image exposure unit B scans and exposes the light beam LB in the main scanning direction on the sheet film 13 conveyed from the heat-developable recording material supply unit A, and also in the sub-scanning direction (that is, substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction (that is, The desired image is recorded on the sheet film 13 to form a latent image.

  The thermal development unit C performs thermal development by performing a temperature increase process while conveying the sheet film 13 after scanning exposure. Then, the sheet film 13 after the development processing is cooled in the cooling unit D and carried out to the discharge tray 41.

  Here, a width adjusting mechanism 43 is provided in the conveyance path between the heat development recording material supply unit A and the image exposure unit B, and the sheet film 13 carried from the heat development recording material supply unit A is The image is supplied to the image exposure unit B with the end portions in the width direction aligned.

Next, the image exposure unit B will be specifically described.
The image exposure unit B is a portion that exposes the sheet film 13 by light beam scanning exposure, and has a sub-scanning conveyance unit (sub-scanning unit) having a flutter prevention mechanism that conveys the heat developing material while preventing flapping from the conveyance surface. ) 45 and a scanning exposure unit (laser irradiation means) 47. The scanning exposure unit 47 scans (main scans) the laser while controlling the output of the laser in accordance with separately prepared image data. At this time, the sheet film 13 is moved in the sub scanning direction by the sub scanning conveyance unit 45.

  The sub-scanning conveying unit 45 has two drive rollers 49 and 51 whose axis lines are arranged substantially parallel to the scan line across the main scan line of the laser beam to be irradiated, and the drive rollers 49 and 51. A guide plate 53 is provided so as to be opposed to support the sheet film 13. The guide plate 53 bends the sheet film 13 inserted between the drive rollers 49 and 51 along a part of the peripheral surface of the drive roller outside the drive rollers arranged in parallel. The elastic repulsion force due to the bending of the sheet film 13 is brought into contact between the driving rollers and received.

  Due to this bending, an elastic repulsion force is generated in the sheet film 13 itself. Due to this elastic repulsive force, a predetermined frictional force is generated between the sheet film 13 and the driving rollers 49, 51, and the conveying driving force is reliably transmitted from the driving rollers 49, 51 to the sheet film 13, so that the sheet film 13 It will be transported. Therefore, flapping from the conveyance surface of the sheet film 13, that is, flapping in the vertical direction is reliably suppressed. By irradiating the laser beam toward the sheet film 13 between the driving rollers, it is possible to perform good recording with no exposure position deviation. The driving rollers 49 and 51 receive the driving force of driving means such as a motor (not shown) via transmission means such as gears and belts, and rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG.

Next, the heat developing unit C will be described.
The heat development part C heats a heat-treated heat-developable recording material of a type to which heat treatment is applied, and has a constitution of heat-development recording as a heating body having a temperature necessary for processing the sheet film 13. A plurality of plate heaters 55, 57, and 59 arranged in the material transfer direction are curved, and the plate heaters 55, 57, and 59 are arranged in a series of arcs.

  That is, as shown in the figure, the thermal development section C including the plate heaters 55, 57, 59 is provided with a concave surface on each plate heater and is slid while the sheet film 13 is in contact with the concave surface of the plate heater. Let it move relatively. As a means for transferring the sheet film 13 at this time, a supply roller 61 and a plurality of pressing rollers 63 that are also used for heat transfer from each plate heater to the sheet film 13 are disposed.

  The pressing roller 63 meshes with the gear 65 and is driven to rotate following the rotation of the gear 65. As the pressing roller 63, a metal roller, a resin roller, a rubber roller, or the like can be used. With this configuration, the sheet film 13 to be conveyed is conveyed while being pressed against the plate heaters 55, 57, 59, so that buckling of the sheet film 13 is prevented. The curved plate heater is only an example, and a configuration using a flat plate heater, a heating drum, or the like may be used as the heating means.

  A discharge roller 67 for transferring the sheet film 13 is disposed at the end of the conveyance path of the sheet film 13 in the thermal development section C. And the sheet film 13 carried out from the heat development part C is cooled, being careful not to be wrinkled by the cooling part D and not to be bent. The sheet film 13 discharged from the cooling unit D is guided into the guide plate 71 by a cooling roller pair 69 provided in the middle of the conveyance path, and further discharged from the discharge roller pair 73 to the discharge tray 41.

  Thus, in the cooling unit D, a plurality of cooling roller pairs 69 are arranged to give a desired constant curvature R to the conveyance path of the sheet film 13. This means that the sheet film 13 is conveyed with a certain curvature R until it is cooled below the glass transition point of the material. Thus, by intentionally adding a curvature to the heat-developable recording material, Unnecessary curling will not occur before cooling below the transition point, and if it falls below the glass transition point, no new curling will occur and the amount of curl will not vary.

  Further, the temperature of the cooling roller itself and the internal atmosphere of the cooling part D are adjusted. Such temperature adjustment makes it possible to make the conditions immediately after starting up the heat treatment apparatus and after sufficiently running as much as possible to reduce the concentration fluctuation.

  A sorter mechanism 75 is attached above the discharge tray 41, and the sorter mechanism 75 can arbitrarily sort the sheet film 13 conveyed from the guide plate 71 immediately before the discharge roller pair 73.

  At the top of the apparatus in the vicinity of the discharge tray 41, there are a display section 77 for performing the operation state of the image forming apparatus 11 and a desired work instruction, and a data input section 78 for inputting data to the image forming apparatus 11. Is disposed. Further, the image forming apparatus 11 is connected to an off-device bar code reader 79 (bar code reading device) for reading the identification information recorded on the bar code label 40 attached to the light shielding bag 31.

Next, main control systems of the image forming apparatus 11 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus 11 is powered on when the power source / control unit E is turned on by the start switch SW disposed at a predetermined position.
A display unit 77, a data input unit 78, and a barcode reader 79 are connected to the control unit E, respectively. Further, the control unit E controls the single-wafer mechanism 19 and the transport path guide mechanisms 21, 23, 49, 51 that transport the film within the image forming apparatus 11. Further, the control unit E controls the heat developing means such as the heaters 55, 57, and 59 of the heat developing unit C. The control unit E is connected to a data storage unit 80 that stores identification information read by the barcode reader 79.

Next, the film magazine 100 for an image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus film magazine with the lid member opened.
The film magazine 100 for an image forming apparatus includes a magazine main body 83 having an opening 81 and a lid member 85 that covers the opening 81 of the magazine main body 83 so as to be openable and closable. Since the two film magazines 100 for the image forming apparatus housed in the image forming apparatus 11 have the same structure, only one of them will be described here.

  The magazine body 83 has side plates 87, 89, 91, 93 which are arranged around four sides and have openings 81 formed in the upper side, and a bottom plate 95, and has a bottomed box shape. A handle 97 is attached to the side plate 91 of the magazine main body 83 for gripping the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 when the image forming apparatus 11 is stored in and removed from the image forming apparatus 11. The handle 97 is retractable and is folded and accommodated in the image forming apparatus 11. Further, the side plate 91 is provided with a lock knob 99 for locking the closed lid member 85.

  Further, on the bottom plate 95 of the magazine main body 83, two pairs of guides 101 and 103 for supporting the backing paper 29 when the sheet film 13 is loaded are disposed inside the both side plates 91 and 93. Further, one handling roller 105 constituting a handling roller pair is rotatably supported near the right end in the drawing, which is the drawing side of the light shielding bag 31 of the bottom plate 95.

  The lid member 85 is hinge-connected to the end of the magazine body 83 by a hinge member 107 on the base end side. The lid member 85 is formed with a film drawing hole 109 which is opened after being accommodated in the image forming apparatus 11 along the longitudinal direction of the film magazine 100 for the image forming apparatus. A catcher 111 is attached to the lid member 85 at a side portion corresponding to the lock knob 99 of the magazine body 83. Further, the other handling roller 113 is rotatably supported on the lid member 85 at a position facing the one handling roller 105 on the drawer side of the light shielding bag 31. The pair of rollers including the one handling roller 105 on the magazine body 83 side and the other handling roller 113 on the lid member 85 side is not limited to a pair, and a configuration in which two or more pairs are provided may be employed. .

  The film magazine 100 for image forming apparatus is provided with information storage means 115 capable of transmitting information without contact. As this information storage means 115, an information rewritable wireless tag (for example, RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification)) can be preferably used. The information storage means 115 stores variable values that change depending on the film usage.

  RFID can read data without contact, and is not easily affected by dirt and obstacles. The communication check function enables highly reliable reception. This RFID has an electrostatic coupling method (using an induction effect due to static electricity), an electromagnetic coupling method (using an electromagnetic induction effect coupled to nectar), an electromagnetic induction method (using an electromagnetic induction effect), and a microwave method (microwave). The information storage means 115 used in the film magazine 100 for an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is preferably an electromagnetic coupling system depending on the communication distance, noise, and the like.

  Each loading section 15, 17 of the image forming apparatus 11 is provided with a communication means 117 that communicates information without contact with the information storage means 115 provided in each film magazine 100 for an image forming apparatus. Yes. The communication unit 117 has a communication distance set so as to perform information communication only with the information storage unit 115 of the film magazine 100 for an image forming apparatus that is in close proximity. In other words, the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 is attached to the image forming apparatus 11 so that the non-contact information storage means 115 comes close to the communication means 117 of the main body, so that it receives power and becomes active. .

  As a result, the communication unit 117 of the image forming apparatus 11 reads the information stored in the information storage unit 115, and the control unit E controls the image forming apparatus 11 based on the information. Further, a paper counter (not shown) is connected to the control unit E, and counts the number of sheets taken out from the image forming apparatus film magazine 100. The controller E subtracts the number of used sheets counted by the sheet counter from the initial number of sheet films 13 read by the barcode reader 79 and calculates the current number of sheets to be stored. The control unit E writes the current accommodated number of sheets into the information storage unit 115 of the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 via the communication unit 117.

Next, a film-by-film magazine management method for the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 used for the image forming apparatus 11 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the magazine-based magazine management method.
First, the film magazine 100 for image forming apparatus is taken out from the desired loading sections 15 and 17 of the image forming apparatus 11 (st1). Next, the taken film magazine 100 for image forming apparatus is filled with a sheet film 13 as a recording medium (st2).

  In the film magazine 100 for an image forming apparatus, the lid member 85 is opened, and the film package 33 is placed on the bottom plate 95 of the magazine body 83. At this time, the fin portion 35 of the light shielding bag 31 is placed on one handling roller 105 of the magazine body 83. Next, the lid member 85 is closed. In the handling roller pair, the positions of the shaft of the upper handling roller 113 and the shaft of the lower handling roller 105 do not coincide with the opening / closing direction of the lid member 85, and the fin portion 35 of the light shielding bag 31 is almost not closed. The lid member 85 is not lifted by being sandwiched without resistance.

  After the lid member 85 is closed, the fin portion 35 of the light shielding bag 31 is pulled out from the handling roller pair. At this time, the lower handling roller 105 is slid in the pull-out direction of the fin portion 35 by the movement of the fin portion 35 and substantially coincides with the position of contact with a stopper (not shown), that is, the axis of the upper handling roller 113. Move to the position you want. Thereby, the space | interval between handling roller pairs becomes narrow, and the light shielding bag 31 can be handled strongly and can be gathered small.

  Thus, the sheet film 13 from which the light shielding bag 31 has been removed is left in the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 together with the paper 29, and the loading of the sheet film 13 is completed. Next, the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 11 (st3). Next, the barcode label 40 provided on the light shielding bag 31 is read by the barcode reader 79 (st4). Information of the read barcode 37 is stored in the data storage unit 80. This information includes identification information such as the size, number of sheets, sensitivity, manufacturing time, manufacturing location, manufacturing lot number, and manufacturing company name of the sheet film 13 described above.

  These pieces of paper information are written into the information storage means 115 of the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 via the communication means 117 (st5). In the present embodiment, at least the number of sheet films 13 having a variable value is written in the information storage means 115. Next, an image forming process is performed (st6). When the image forming process is performed, the sheet film 13 loaded in the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 is taken out from the film drawing hole 109 by automatically opening the film drawing hole 109 of the lid member 85. Then, the toner is conveyed to the image exposure unit B side by the supply roller pair 21, and discharged to the discharge tray 41 or the sorter mechanism 75 through exposure, development, and cooling processes.

  When the developed sheet film 13 is discharged to the discharge tray 41, the control unit E of the image forming apparatus 11 calculates the count value obtained from the paper counter from the initial number stored in the data storage unit 80. The value is subtracted and stored in the data storage unit 80 as a variable value (current number of sheets accommodated). This process is continued until the end of the image forming process is determined (st8). When the image forming process is completed, the control unit E writes the current number of sheets stored in the data storage unit 80 into the information storage unit 115 of the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 via the communication unit 117 (st9). .

  When the detached film magazine 100 for an image forming apparatus that has been used once is attached to the image forming apparatus 11 again, the number information (currently stored) stored in the information storage means 115 of the film magazine 100 for the image forming apparatus. Number) is read by the communication unit 117 and stored in the data storage unit 80 of the image forming apparatus 11. Thereafter, as described above, after the number of used sheets is counted by the paper counter, the number of used sheets is subtracted from the currently stored number of sheets read first, and the new current number of stored sheets is written into the information storage unit 115.

  As a result, even when the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 is detached from the image forming apparatus 11, the current accommodation number is always stored in the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 itself. That is, in the film magazine 100 for the image forming apparatus, the information storage means 115 stores a variable value that changes depending on the usage state of the sheet film 13, and the variable value is stored each time the film magazine 100 for the image forming apparatus is attached / detached. Is stored in the information storage means. Therefore, the latest information of the sheet film 13 can be detected in any film magazine 100 for an image forming apparatus. As a result, a warning such as notifying the display unit 77 of the image forming apparatus 11 that the remaining amount is small, for example, can be made, and a sudden out of paper can be prevented. In addition, prompt paper arrangement is possible, and long-term interruption of the image forming operation due to out of stock is surely prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the variable value is the remaining number of sheets 13 will be described as an example. However, the variable value may be the date and time when film removal is started. In this case, for example, when there are a plurality of image forming apparatus film magazines 100 containing sheet films 13 of the same size, it is possible to use the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 with the earliest start date of film removal. It becomes possible to prevent deterioration of the film 13 with time.

  The variable value may be the last use date. In this case, the number of days elapsed from the last use date to the present time can be grasped, the deterioration state of the sheet film 13 and whether or not the film is the last use film can be grasped, and work confirmation is prepared.

  The variable value may be density correction data. In this case, when the image forming apparatus film magazine 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 11, the density correction data is read so that the image forming apparatus 11 does not perform the density correction again, and the same density is obtained. Based on the correction data, density correction can be performed.

  Further, the variable value may be error information. In this case, for example, when the same error information frequently occurs for the film magazine 100 for the image forming apparatus, it is determined whether the sheet film 13 is loaded in the magazine body, the storage state of the stored sheet film 13 is determined. It becomes easy to do.

  Therefore, according to the film magazine 100 for an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the information storage means 115 capable of transmitting information in a non-contact manner is provided in the magazine main body 83, and the information storage means 115 uses the sheet film 13 as the information storage means 115. Since the variable value that changes depending on the situation is stored, the use state of the sheet film 13 is stored in the information storage unit 115 each time the film magazine 100 for the image forming apparatus is attached / detached, so that the image storage device 115 can be used for any image forming apparatus. The latest information on the sheet film 13 can be known in the film magazine 100. As a result, it is possible to use a plurality of film magazines 100 for image forming apparatuses.

  Further, according to the magazine-based magazine management method according to the present embodiment, the magazine body 83 containing the sheet film 13 is attached to the image forming apparatus 11, and the bar code 37 attached to the light shielding bag 31 is attached to the bar of the image forming apparatus 11. By reading with the code reader 79, at least the initial number of sheet films 13 is written to the information storage unit 115, and the current accommodation number obtained by subtracting the number of films consumed by the image forming apparatus 11 is written to the information storage unit 115. In the image forming apparatus film magazine 100, the remaining number of sheet films 13 currently stored is always stored. As a result, a plurality of image forming apparatus film magazines 100 containing different sheet films 13 can be easily used without performing complicated remaining number confirmation and the like.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which a film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is mounted. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a film package loaded in the image forming apparatus film magazine shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is an external appearance perspective view in the state where the lid member of the film magazine for image forming devices was opened. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the magazine management method according to film.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image forming apparatus 13 Sheet film 31 Light shielding bag 37 Bar code 79 Bar code reader (bar code reader)
83 Magazine body 100 Film magazine 115 for image forming apparatus Information storage means

Claims (7)

A magazine body that is stacked and accommodated in a sheet-like film and is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus;
An information storage means provided in the magazine body and capable of transmitting information in a non-contact manner;
A film magazine for an image forming apparatus, wherein the information storage means stores a variable value that changes depending on a use situation of the film.   2. The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the variable value is a remaining number transmitted from the image forming apparatus.   2. The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the variable value is a film removal start date and time transmitted from the image forming apparatus.   2. The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the variable value is a last use date and time transmitted from the image forming apparatus. 2. The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the variable value is density correction data transmitted from the image forming apparatus.
  2. The film magazine for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the variable value is error information transmitted from the image forming apparatus. A film-by-film magazine management method for managing a plurality of film magazines for an image forming apparatus that are detachable from the image forming apparatus,
The film from which the light shielding bag has been removed is accommodated in the magazine body provided with information storage means capable of transmitting information in a non-contact manner,
The magazine body is attached to the image forming apparatus,
Read a bar code attached to the light shielding bag and storing film information with a bar code reader attached to the image forming apparatus, and write at least an initial number of films to the information storage means,
A magazine-by-film magazine management method, wherein the current number of sheets stored by subtracting the number of films consumed by the image forming apparatus is written into the information storage means.

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