JP2007052123A - Image forming apparatus and print producing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a print producing method by which time taken until a customer receives prints after he (she) orders is made a nearly fixed time by making printing processing time to produce the prints of one order nearly constant even when a plurality of orders are received. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has: an image forming part which produces the prints of one order, based on order information data concerning the content of the order of the prints of one order given by the customer; a print packing part for packing the prints produced by the image forming part for every order; and an accumulation part provided between the image forming part and the print packing part, and having at least two print receiving parts where the prints of one order are accumulated in every order and a supply part which supplies the prints of one order from the respective print receiving parts to the print packing part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a print production method for producing a print for one order based on order information data relating to the contents of a print order for one order of a customer. Particularly, even when a plurality of orders are received. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a print production method in which a print processing time for producing a print for one order is made substantially constant, and a time from when a customer places an order to receiving a print is almost constant time.

Currently, self-printing systems in which customers themselves place print orders at print terminals and receive finished prints have become widespread. In this self-printing system, the customer cannot leave the place until the ordered print is finished, and time is wasted.
Therefore, various image forming apparatuses having a function of storing prints have been proposed so that it is not necessary to wait for the finish of the print ordered by the customer on the spot (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image printing apparatus that can surely receive its printed matter. In the image printing apparatus of Patent Document 1, when a print command is given to the printing apparatus, an image is printed by the printer and a slip with a user ID is issued. The printed matter obtained by printing is stored in a predetermined storage room in the storage corresponding to the user ID. When the user ID is input later, the storage room door is opened corresponding to the user ID. In this way, the printed matter can be taken out from the storage in correspondence with the valid user ID.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an operation unit such as a touch panel, a key, and a switch for a customer to operate a print terminal, and a recording medium reading unit that reads image data and identification information of the recording medium from a recording medium brought in by the customer. Image data storage means for storing the read image data and identification information; identification information storage means; print price calculation means for calculating the charge for the ordered print; and printing the stored image data on a photographic paper of a predetermined size The print creation means to perform, the print storage means to lock the created print in the print storage locker and store it, the identification information of the recording medium inserted the first time and the identification information of the recording medium inserted the second time are compared Authenticate the customer by determining the identity of the recording media, i.e. pre- Determining consistency with bets orderer and the print of the recipient, the print terminal and a certification means for unlocking the print deposit lockers when authentication is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, information unique to each recording medium such as a serial number is used as identification information, and when the recording medium is inserted again, the identity of the identification information of the recording medium is determined. When the identification information of the recording media is the same, the consistency between the print orderer and the print recipient, i.e., the print recipient is the same as the print orderer or the person requested to receive it from the print orderer And authenticate the customer. As described above, in the print terminal of Patent Document 2, the print orderer and the print recipient are authenticated, the lock of the print storage locker is unlocked, and the print is delivered to the customer.

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses an automatic print accepting machine that can automatically accept a recording medium and deliver a print processed product in an unattended state.
The automatic print accepting device disclosed in Patent Literature 3 includes an automatic accepting unit that automatically accepts a recording medium, an automatic delivery unit that automatically delivers a print processing product, and a control unit that performs order management control.
The automatic reception unit includes a recording medium reception unit, an information input unit that inputs contents to be ordered to the control unit, and an order information output unit that outputs an order card. The recording medium receiving unit has an order information attaching function for attaching order information to the order card.
The automatic delivery unit includes an order information confirmation unit, a fee receiving unit, and a storage unit including a plurality of storage chambers for storing the print processing products. The storage unit has a reading function of reading order information for each storage room, and the storage room is always locked.

  In Patent Document 3, since the number of the storage room in which the print processed product corresponding to the order is stored and the order information are recorded in association with each other, the corresponding storage is performed based on the order information recorded on the order card. The chamber is unlocked. As a result, the print processed product stored in the storage chamber can be taken out.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-22477 JP 2003-141241 A JP 2003-157474 A

The image forming apparatus having the function of storing the produced prints disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above can store prints for each order. However, when a plurality of orders are received, if there is a large number of prints in the order, for example, 100 sheets, it takes time to finish printing by other orders, and there is no large order. On the other hand, there is a problem that it takes time to receive a print. As described above, in the image forming apparatuses disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, it may take a long time to produce prints depending on orders from other customers.
For this reason, in the image forming apparatuses of Patent Documents 1 to 3, prints can be stored, but even when the number of sheets is small due to orders from other customers, it takes time to produce the prints. It may take time to receive and it may be difficult to respond to customer demands such as when you want a print immediately.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and even when a plurality of orders are received, the print processing time for producing a print for one order is made substantially constant, the customer orders the prints, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a print manufacturing method in which the time until receiving the image is substantially constant.

  To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an image forming unit for producing a print for one order based on order information data relating to the contents of a print order for one order of a customer, and the image forming unit At least two prints, each of which is provided between the print wrapping part for wrapping the printed prints in one order, the image forming part, and the print wrapping part. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising: one print receiving unit; and a stacking unit including a supply unit that supplies the print packaging unit with a print of the order from each print receiving unit.

  In the present invention, prints of the same order are further accumulated in one print receiving unit, and when a plurality of order prints are mixed, the prints are accumulated in different print receiving units for each order. It is preferable to have an accumulation position selection unit.

  In the present invention, the storage unit further includes a plurality of print storage areas for storing the print packs in which the prints for one order are packaged for each order, and the print packs are stored in the print storage areas. In addition, storage means for taking out the print pack stored in each print storage area, and reception information is given to a print order for one order of the customer, and the reception information and the print pack are stored. It is preferable to have a control unit that manages the storage location information of the print storage area in association with each other and causes the print pack to be taken out from the stored print storage area based on the reception information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first print corresponding to the first order from a print group in which a first print based on at least two first orders and a second print based on the second order are mixed. Selecting one print and the second print corresponding to the second order and stacking them in different print receiving units; the first print corresponding to the first order; and the second order equivalent And a step of sequentially packaging the second prints in order from the ones previously accumulated in the print receiving section.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, at least two prints for one order are accumulated for each order in the image forming unit for forming prints and the print packaging unit for packaging the prints for each order. By providing a stacking unit including one print receiving unit and a supply unit that supplies a print of one order from each print receiving unit to the print packaging unit, a plurality of orders are placed, and one order has a large number of prints. Even if it is a case, it can accumulate | store in a print receiving part for every order. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being occupied by the production of prints based on orders where the number of prints is large, and it is possible to prevent other print processes from being performed. As a result, fluctuations in print production time due to orders of other customers can be suppressed, the print production time can be leveled, and even when the number of sheets is small, it is prevented that the production of prints takes a long time. For this reason, it is possible to respond to customer requests such as when printing is desired immediately. As described above, in the present invention, even when a plurality of orders are received, the print processing time for producing a print for one order is set to be substantially constant, and the time until the customer orders and receives the print is set to be approximately constant time. can do.

  According to the print manufacturing method of the present invention, the first print corresponding to the first order is generated from the print group in which the first print based on at least two first orders and the second print based on the second order are mixed. Selecting a print and a second print for the second order and stacking them in different print receiving sections; a first print for the first order; and a second print for the second order Among them, a plurality of orders are entered by having a process of sequentially packaging each order from the ones accumulated in the print receiving unit, and even if the number of printed sheets of one order is large, Each order can be accumulated in the print receiving unit. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the printing process from being occupied by the production of prints based on orders where the number of prints is large, and to prevent the printing process of other orders from being disabled. As a result, fluctuations in print production time due to orders of other customers can be suppressed, the print production time can be leveled, and even when the number of sheets is small, it is prevented that the production of prints takes a long time. For this reason, it is possible to respond to customer requests such as when printing is desired immediately. As described above, in the present invention, even when a plurality of orders are received, the print processing time for producing a print for one order is set to be substantially constant, and the time until the customer orders and receives the print is set to be approximately constant time. can do.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and a print production method according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a printing system having a printer (image forming apparatus) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the print system 10 includes, for example, accepting machines 12 a to 12 d, an order / image database 16, an order controller 18, an image processing apparatus 20, and a printer (image forming apparatus of the present invention) 22. Each of the receiving machines 12a to 12d is connected to the order / image database 16, the order controller 18, the image processing apparatus 20, and the printer 22 via the network 14, respectively.

  For example, the widely used Internet can be used as the network 14. However, it is preferable that the network 14 is a dedicated line in order to output order information data, image data, and the like from the receiving machines 12a to 12d and transfer the order information data, image data, and the like at high speed. The network 14 may be wired or wireless, and is not particularly limited.

  The accepting machines 12a to 12d are installed, for example, on a counter in a store, and in order to accept a customer order, the customer himself or an operator orders data such as order contents and order items, and image data of a subject image to be printed. Is received and registered via media. The accepting machines 12a to 12d are usually composed of a personal computer (PC) having a monitor display screen.

  The PCs constituting the accepting machines 12a to 12d are provided with input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse in addition to a monitor (display), and a memory for temporarily storing order information, image data to be printed, software, and the like. Alternatively, a storage device (HDD) and a media drive for reading image data from a medium such as a memory card, CD, MO, or FD are provided. The PC is also provided with a printer that prints the reception sheet 300 issued when the order is confirmed.

In the receiving machines 12a to 12d, when order information data and image data to be printed are input and the order is confirmed, for example, a receiving number is given to the order information data and the receiving date and time are recorded. In addition, the order information data is collated, and if the customer is a previously input customer, a customer ID assigned in advance is assigned. On the other hand, if the customer has not been input before, a new customer ID is assigned. As described above, the receiving machines 12a to 12d give the order information data the receiving number, the receiving date and time, and the customer ID, and output them to the order / image database 16 together with the print ordered image data.
In addition, for example, a reception number, a reception date / time, a customer ID, a finishing date / time, and a print fee are recorded in the reception sheets 300 output by the reception machines 12a to 12d.

  In addition, the installation place of the receiving machines 12a-12d is not specifically limited. Further, the accepting machines 12a to 12d may be accessible via a network such as the Internet. In addition, the form of the reception sheet 300 is not particularly limited, and it is only necessary to record a reception number necessary for receiving a print packaged as a print pack, a date and time when it can be received, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the order information data input to the receiving machines 12a to 12d is customer information such as a customer name, a customer telephone number, and a customer address. In addition, the order information data includes print processing contents (order contents) such as the type, size and number of prints, the finished image to be printed, and the presence or absence of decorative prints.

  The receiving machines 12a to 12d also edit fee information based on order information data. The accepting machines 12a to 12d store, for example, a price database in which a charge relating to print processing contents such as a charge for one print, a charge for image correction, a charge for decorative printing, or a charge when using a special recording medium is stored. (Not shown). The accepting machines 12a to 12d calculate a fee based on the fee information with reference to a price database (not shown). This fee data is managed as, for example, order information data.

Furthermore, the accepting machines 12a to 12d may also serve as a settlement machine that settles the print fee for each order. For example, the accepting machines 12a to 12d are provided with a money insertion unit, and when ordering, the print fee for one order ordered is displayed on the monitor, and the receipt sheet 300 is output after the fee is paid. May be.
If a bar code (see FIG. 2 (b)) associated with one order of photo print charge is recorded in the order print, the bar code is read and installed in a counter at the store. The print fee for one order may be settled at a cash register.

  The order / image database 16 stores the image data and order information data input to the receiving machines 12a to 12d, outputs the order information data to the order controller 18, and outputs the order information data and image data to the image processing device 20. To do.

The order controller 18 manages the processing order of the order information data input to the receiving machines 12 a to 12 d, that is, the print processing order in the print system 10. The order controller 18 creates an order table and supplies order information data and image data from the order / image database 16 to the image processing apparatus 20 for each order according to the created order table.
The order controller 18 sequentially determines the print processing order according to the reception time of each order (order information data) input from the reception machines 12a to 12d or the desired delivery date.

Note that the supply of order information data and image data for one order from the order / image database 16 to the image processing apparatus 20 is not performed by the order controller 18 issuing a supply instruction to the order / image database 16 according to the order table. The order / image database 16 may refer to the order table.
As described above, the order controller 18 causes the image processing apparatus 20 connected to the print system 10 to output order information data and image data for one order based on the order information data. That is, job distribution control is performed according to an order for one order, and the print processing order is managed.

Here, the order table is for each image (image data) determined by the order controller 18 according to the contents of the order information data in the order for each order (number of prints, reception time, (desired) delivery time, etc.). 6 is a table showing a print processing order (print creation order).
After receiving the order information data of the new order, the order controller 18 determines the new processing order by judging the reception time or desired delivery date of the order, and updates the order table. Also, when remake information is received from the printer 22, which will be described later, a new processing order is determined by judging the reception time of the corresponding order or a desired delivery date, and the order table is updated.

The image processing apparatus 20 performs image processing according to the order information data on the image data supplied from the order / image database 16 to generate a print image, and supplies the print image to the printer 22. . In the system 10, instead of the accepting machines 12a to 12d, the image processing apparatus 20 may acquire the image data and the order information data instead of the accepting machines 12a to 12d and perform the same processing.
The image processing performed by the image processing apparatus 20 is not particularly limited. Besides image processing based on order information data, image enlargement / reduction (electronic scaling processing), gradation correction, color / density correction, and saturation correction. Various known image processing such as sharpness processing can be used. Any image processing may be performed by a known method.

  The image processing apparatus 20 preferably creates index image data in which each image for one order is reduced and recorded together from the print image data. Further, it is preferable to create order print image data in accordance with the order print format based on the order information data. As described above, in the image processing apparatus 20, the print image data, the index image data, and the order print image data are combined into one print order information. This print order information data is output to the printer 22.

Note that the order print image data order in the print order information data may be such that the order print (image recording surface) appears on the surface in a print pack 172 (see FIG. 8B) described later. For the order print image data, for example, when the printer 22 is back side discharge, the print order information data is set to the beginning of one order, and when it is front side discharge, the print order information data of one order is stored. Just do it last.
Further, after supplying the print order information data for one order, the image processing apparatus 20 outputs sort information indicating the separation of one order to the printer 22.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the description contents of the index print based on the index image data and the order print based on the order print image data are not particularly limited, and the order ordered by the customer himself can be ensured. Anything that can be identified is acceptable.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2A, the index print 150 grasps the contents of the print P for one order stored in the print pack 172 (see FIG. 8B). In this index print 150, an index image 152 obtained by reducing all the images of each print P for one order stored in the print pack 172 is arranged and recorded on the image recording surface 150a, for example, in the order of photographing. It is what.
Note that the arrangement method of the index image 152 in the index print 150 is not particularly limited. For example, the index image 152 may be arranged by classifying each scene such as a person or a landscape.

  The order print 160 is a record of the charge of the print P for at least one order for which a print order has been placed. As shown in FIG. 2B, the order print 160 of the present embodiment records, for example, a title 162, order information data 164, and a barcode 166, which are recorded according to a predetermined format. It is what is done.

  In the order print 160 of this embodiment, for example, the reception number 164a, the reception date and time 164b, and the customer ID 164c acquired at the time of order are recorded on the left side of the recording surface 160a. Further, as the order information data 164, for example, customer information such as a customer telephone number 164d, a customer name 164e, and a customer address 164f is recorded on the left side of the recording surface 160a. Further, a barcode 166 associated with the charge for the print P for one order is also recorded. That is, the charge for the print P for one order is recorded as a barcode.

  Further, print processing contents (order contents) are recorded in a table 168 on the right side of the recording surface 160a. In the table 168, an image file name column 168a, subtotal columns 168b and 170b, a number of copies column 170a, and a print fee column 170c are provided. Each column includes an image file name, The number of sheets and the amount of charges for one order are recorded.

  Further, the order print 160 of the present embodiment may include information such as a film ID number, a frame number, a print size, a lab store ID number, and a print date / time in addition to these. Regarding the contents recorded on the order print 160, a plurality of formats of the order print 160 may be prepared, and may be changed as appropriate according to the order information data input from the receiving machines 12a to 12d. It is not particularly limited.

  Furthermore, in the order print 160 of the present embodiment, the order information data may be recorded in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode in addition to letters, numbers, or symbols. In addition to the information acquired at the time of ordering, such as the reception number, the reception date and time, and the customer ID print, the order print 160 includes the processing device ID number generated in the print processing process, and the processing performed. A symbol or the like indicating the content may be recorded.

  The printer 22 includes at least a part of an image forming unit 30 capable of forming an image on one surface of a recording medium, and a photographic print, an index print, and an order print produced by the image forming unit 30 as a laminate S. Has a packer (print packaging means) 32 and a stocker 34 for packaging in a transparent bag. The image forming unit 30, the packer 32, and the stocker 34 will be described in detail later.

  The printer 22 of the present embodiment, for example, applies photosensitive material (printing paper) in accordance with the print order information data (print image data, index image data, and order print image data) supplied from the image processing apparatus 20. A latent image is formed by exposure, a predetermined wet development is performed, and the print P is dried for one order (see FIG. 8A), the index print 150 (see FIG. 2A), and the order print 160. (See FIG. 2 (b)), and the stacked body S (see FIG. 8 (a)) in which the prints P, the index prints 150, and the order prints 160 are stacked together is packed at least partially in a transparent bag. It is. Further, the packed print for one order is stored in the storage unit 38 (see FIGS. 3 and 13).

Hereinafter, the printer 22 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the printer (image forming apparatus) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an accumulation position selection unit of the printer (image forming apparatus) of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a part of the conveyance unit and the packer of the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a packer of the printer (image forming apparatus) of this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a packaging sheet used for the packer of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming unit 30 of the printer 22 is a recording apparatus that exposes and records a photosensitive material using light beam scanning exposure. For example, a long photosensitive material wound in a roll shape is used. A cut sheet-like photosensitive material (hereinafter also referred to as a sheet body) A that has been pulled out from A and cut by a predetermined length is conveyed to an exposure position r, and in accordance with print order information data supplied from the image processing apparatus 20 The light beam L modulated in this way is deflected in the main scanning direction, and the photosensitive material A is scanned and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, whereby the photosensitive material A is scanned and exposed by the light beam L to form an image. To do. In the photosensitive material A, a photosensitive layer is formed only on one surface.

The image forming unit 30 includes an image forming unit 40 and a processor 60 that develops the exposed photosensitive material A adjacent to the image forming unit 40.
The printer 22 is provided with a control unit 50 that controls the overall operation of the printer 22. The image processing apparatus 20 is connected to the control unit 50.

  The image forming unit 40 includes a supply unit 42, a back printing unit 48, an exposure unit 52, a sorting unit (not shown), and a carry-out unit 56 from the upstream side in the transport direction. A plurality of roller pairs 54 including a driving roller and a nip roller paired with the driving roller are provided along the conveyance path.

The supply unit 42 supplies the photosensitive material A (sheet body). For example, a long photosensitive material A wound in a roll shape with the recording surface facing outside is accommodated in a light-shielding casing. The magazines 42a and 42b are loaded.
Magazines 42a and 42b usually store different types of photosensitive material A such as the size (width) of photosensitive material A, the type of photosensitive surface such as silk and mat, and the specifications (thickness and type of base). The In this embodiment, two magazines 42a and 42b are provided. However, in the present invention, the number of magazines is not particularly limited. In the present invention, the number of magazines may be one, or three or more.

The magazines 42a and 42b are provided with a pair of drawing rollers 44 for pulling out and transporting the photosensitive material A stored therein.
Further, a cutter 46 is provided at a position spaced a predetermined length from the outlets of the magazines 42a and 42b.
The drawing roller pair 44 stops the drawing after drawing the photosensitive material A by a predetermined length according to the print length in order to obtain a sheet body having a predetermined length by the cutter 46.

  The cutter 46 cuts the photosensitive material A drawn from the magazines 42 a and 42 b based on the control signal sent from the control unit 50 of the printer 22. The control unit 50 cuts the photosensitive material A of the cutter 46. The cutout interval is adjusted. The sheet body cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 46 is sent to the back printing unit 48. In the present embodiment, the supply unit 42 is not limited to the one that cuts the long photosensitive material A and supplies the sheet body, but supplies a sheet body that has been formed in a predetermined size in advance. You may do it. One cutter may be arranged for each magazine.

  The back printing unit 48 includes a shooting date, a print printing date, a frame number, a film ID number (symbol), a camera ID number used for shooting, and a photo printer ID on the non-recording surface (non-emulsion surface = back surface) of the sheet member. Various information such as numbers, so-called back printing is recorded (back printing) based on a control signal from the control unit 50, a pair of conveying rollers for conveying a sheet body, and a back printing head (not shown). Have

  While the sheet body is conveyed upward by the roller and the roller pair, a back print is recorded on the non-recording surface by the back printing unit 48. As the back printing unit 48, a known print head such as an ink jet head, a dot impact print head, or a thermal transfer print head is used.

  The exposure unit 52 is a known light beam scanning device that uses, for example, a light beam such as a laser beam as recording light, and each of red (R) exposure, green (G) exposure, and blue (B) exposure of the sheet member. And an AOM (acousto-optic modulator) that modulates the light beam L emitted from the light source in accordance with image data for the printer after image processing supplied from the image processing device 20 ) And the like, an optical deflector such as a polygon mirror that deflects the modulated light beam L in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the transport direction, and an exposure position r of the light beam L deflected in the main scanning direction. It has a mirror for adjusting an optical path of an fθ (scanning) lens that forms an image with a predetermined beam diameter at a predetermined position above.

Also, transport directions of PDP (plasma display) array, ELD (electroluminescent display) array, LED (light emitting diode) array, LCD (liquid crystal display) array, DMD (digital micromirror device, registered trademark) array, laser array, etc. Digital exposure means using various light emitting arrays or spatial modulation element arrays extending in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction may be used.
The main scanning width of the light beam L performed at the exposure position r of the exposure unit 52 is set so as to correspond to the width of the sheet member. The above operation of the exposure unit 52 is controlled by a control signal from the control unit 50.

The light beam L, which is recording light, is deflected in the main scanning direction (in FIG. 3, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface), while the sheet member is conveyed by the sub-scanning roller pair, so that the light is modulated according to the image data. The sheet L is scanned and exposed two-dimensionally by the beam L, and an image is recorded.
Note that the configuration is not particularly limited as long as an image is recorded on the sheet being conveyed by performing scanning recording in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction.
The carry-out unit 56 conveys the sheet body that is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam L.

  A processor 60 is provided on the downstream side of the carry-out unit 56. The processor 60 performs predetermined development processing and drying processing on a sheet body (photosensitive material) on which an exposed latent image is recorded, so that the sheet body is a print on which a photographed image is reproduced. It is. Further, the processor 60 is provided with a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 66 for conveying the sheet member.

As shown in FIG. 3, the processor 60 includes a development processing unit 62, a drying processing unit 70, and a transport unit 72. The sheet body is developed and dried to form a (photo) print P. Further, the print P is conveyed to the packer 32 by the conveyance unit 72.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the development processing unit 62, the developing tank 64a, the fixing bleaching tank 64b, the first water washing tank 64c, the second water washing tank 64d, and the third water washing tank 64e in order from the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. And the 4th water-washing tank 64f is provided in the horizontal direction. The drying processing unit 70 is provided on the downstream side of the fourth washing tank 64f.
Above the developing tank 64a, the fixing bleaching tank 64b, and the first water washing tank 64c, there are provided rollers 66a for conveying the exposed sheet bodies into the respective tanks.

A developing solution is stored in the developing tank 64a, and a predetermined amount of fixing bleaching solution is stored in the fixing bleaching tank 64b. A predetermined amount of flush water is stored in the first flush tank 64c, the second flush tank 64d, the third flush tank 64e, and the fourth flush tank 64f.
Inside the developing tank 64a and the fixing bleaching tank 64b, a conveyance roller pair 66 comprising a plurality of rollers for conveying the sheet body in a substantially U shape within the tank is provided.

  Further, a partition wall (not shown) between the first water washing tank 64c and the second water washing tank 64d, a partition wall (not shown) between the second water washing tank 64d and the third water washing tank 64e, and a third water washing tank. A partition (not shown) between 64e and the fourth washing tank 64f is provided with a photosensitive material passage member (not shown) that allows passage of the sheet member and prevents passage of liquid. . The photosensitive material passage member is provided with a blade (not shown), and the passage of the liquid is blocked by the blade after passing through the sheet member.

  In the processor 60, the sheet body immersed in the developing solution in the developing tank 64a is then immersed in the fixing solution in the fixing bleaching tank 64b and conveyed to the first washing tank 64c. In this embodiment, the sheet member is conveyed at a predetermined conveying speed with the recording surface (emulsion surface) on the upper side and the non-recording surface on the lower side.

The sheet body fed into the first water rinsing tank 64c is washed with the rinsing water stored in the first water rinsing tank 64c. The sheet body washed with the first washing tank 64c is conveyed toward the second washing tank 64d, passes through a photosensitive material passage member (not shown), and is carried into the second washing tank 64d.
Thereafter, the sheet body is washed with each washing water in the second washing tank 64d, the third washing tank 64e, and the fourth washing tank 64f, and is conveyed to the drying processing unit 70 by the sandwiching roller pair 68a. The sheet body is dried by the drying processing unit 70.

Next, the drying processing unit 70 will be described. The drying processing unit 70 dries the developed sheet body.
For example, the drying processing unit 70 is provided with a heater (not shown) and a blower (not shown). By blowing air heated by the heater onto the sheet body as warm air, The developed sheet is dried.

  A transport unit 72 is connected to the drying processing unit 70. The transport unit 72 transports the print P transported in a single row and transports the print P to the print stacking unit 98 of the packer 32. When the transported print P includes a plurality of orders, it is printed. P is also sorted for each order and conveyed to the print stacker 98 of the packer 32.

In addition, you may provide the other conveyance path which discharges | emits the print of the magnitude | size which is not packaged by the packer 32 outside. In this case, a tray is provided at the outlet, and the print is discharged onto the tray.
The selection of the (photo) prints P by the transport unit is recognized by the control unit 50 as to which order the prints P to be transported are based on the exposure image data, as will be described later. For example, based on the order of passage of the prints P detected by the sensor, the accumulation position selection unit 80 (see FIG. 4) is used.

The conveyance unit 72 includes conveyance roller pairs 74, 76 a to 76 c, 82, a carry-out roller pair 78, and an accumulation position selection unit 80.
The transport unit 72 includes a vertical transport path that transports the print P from the drying unit 70 in the vertical direction, and a horizontal transport path that is connected to the vertical transport path toward the packer 32, and constitutes a substantially L-shaped transport path. Has been. The vertical conveyance path is constituted by a conveyance roller pair 74, and the horizontal conveyance path is constituted by a conveyance roller pair 74, 76 a to 76 c, 82 and a carry-out roller pair 78.

  The conveyance roller pairs 74 and 76a to 76c and the carry-out roller pair 78 convey the print P and have the same configuration. The conveyance roller pair 74, 76a to 76c and the carry-out roller pair 78 have four roller pieces 79a having divided rollers provided on the rotation shaft 79b at equal intervals. In addition, the structure of these conveyance roller pairs 74 and 76a-76c and the carrying-out roller pair 78 is not specifically limited.

An accumulation position selection unit 80 is provided on the conveyance roller pair 82. The accumulation position selection unit 80 conveys the print P in the conveyance direction D and moves it in a direction E perpendicular to the conveyance direction D. With this stacking position selection unit 80, the prints P that are transported in a single row can be transported in two rows, and the prints P can be sorted by order and transported to the print stacking unit 98 of the packer 32.
In the present embodiment, the print P conveyed from the drying unit 70 is transported first lane C ₁ in a single column. By stacking position selecting unit 80, by moving the print P to the second lane C _2, it is possible to convey the print P in the second lane C _2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the accumulation position selection unit 80 includes a support shaft 84, a first gear 84 a, a second gear 84 b, a moving frame 86 in which the conveyance roller pair 82 is accommodated, a motor 88, a rotation shaft 88 a, and a gear. 88b and a belt driving device 92.

  The conveyance roller pair 82 is a divided roller in which two roller pieces 82a are provided on the rotation shaft 82b with a predetermined interval. A gear 82c is provided at the end of the rotation shaft 82b of the conveying roller pair 82. The total length of the transport roller pair 82 in the direction E has at least a length in the width direction of the print P.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stacking position selection unit 80 of the present embodiment has a support shaft 84 extending in the direction E. A moving frame 86 having a substantially U-shape in plan view is provided on the support shaft 84 so as to be movable in the direction E. The moving frame 86 has an opening directed downstream in the transport direction D.
A second gear 84 b is provided at the end of the support shaft 84. Further, in the support shaft 84, the first gear 84 a can be rotated with respect to the axis of the support shaft 84 and can be moved in the direction E in an area surrounded by the moving frame 86. The first gear 84 a and the gear 82 c of the transport roller pair 82 are engaged with each other, and the transport roller pair 82 and the transport roller paired therewith are arranged at the opening of the moving frame 86.

  Further, the second gear 84b is meshed with a gear 88b provided on the motor 88 via a rotation shaft 88a. Thereby, the rotational force of the motor 88 is transmitted to the conveyance roller pair 82 by the first gear 84a, and the conveyance roller pair 82 is rotationally driven.

The moving frame 86 is connected to a belt driving device 92 via a connecting member 90. In the belt driving device 92, belts 92b and 92c are stretched around a pair of rollers 92a.
Further, one roller 92a of the belt driving device 92 is connected to the motor 96 via, for example, two gears 94a and 94b. By this motor 96, the moving frame 86 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the support shaft 84 (orthogonal direction E).

In the accumulation position selection unit 80, the print P can be conveyed in the conveyance direction D by the conveyance roller pair 82, and the print P can be moved in the direction E by the accumulation position selection unit 80.
Further, in the transport unit 72, a plurality of sensors are arranged side by side along the direction E, the skew amount in the transport path is calculated, and the movement of the print P in the direction E by the stacking position selection unit 80 based on the skew amount. It is preferable to adjust the amount. As described above, by adjusting the movement amount of the print P in the direction E, the end portions thereof are aligned in the direction E of each print P formed into a single row. Thereby, the accumulation property of the print P can be improved.

In the stacking position selection unit 80 of the present embodiment, the moving frame 86 including the transport roller pair 82 is moved, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the gear 84a may be a long gear in the longitudinal direction of the support shaft 84, and the gear 82c of the conveying roller pair 82 may move through this long gear.
Further, as will be described later, the print P carried out from the pair of carry-out rollers 78 is placed on the belt conveyor 100 of one of the print receiving units 102a and 102b of the print accumulating unit 98, for example, with the charge recording surface of the order print outside Thus, the order print, the index print, and the print for one order are collected in the order.

  As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the packer 32 has at least a part of a laminate S that is laminated in the order of order print, index print, and print for the order, with the charge recording surface of the order print being outside. Is packaged in a transparent bag. The packer 32 includes a print stacking unit 98, a packaging sheet supply unit 120, a packaging unit 124, a pair of conveying rollers 126a and 126b, a print pack transfer unit 128, and a gas supply unit 134.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the print stacking unit 98 collects two print receiving units for stacking the prints P conveyed in the first lane C ₁ or the second lane C ₂ discharged from the carry-out roller pair 78. Sections 102a and 102b, and an input section (supply section) 110 (see FIG. 5) for supplying the prints P accumulated in the print receiving sections 102a and 102b to the packaging sheet supply section 120 (see FIG. 5).

Each print receiving unit 102a, 102b is provided with a belt conveyor 100 for carrying the laminate S therein. This belt conveyor 100 is a stack of stacked bodies S including order prints 160, index prints 150, and one-order prints P discharged from the pair of carry-out rollers 78.
The belt conveyor 100 has a pair of rollers 100a and a belt 100b stretched around these rollers 100a.

In the print accumulating unit 98, two print receiving units 102a and 102b are provided side by side in the direction E.
Each of the print receiving units 102a and 102b includes a base 104, a storage unit 106 in which the stacked body S is stored, and driving means (not shown) that independently rotate the print receiving units 102a and 102b.

  The base 104 is made of a flat plate member, and a recess 104a is formed from the end. The belt conveyor 100 is provided in the recess 104a so that the surface of the belt 100b and the surface of the base 104 are substantially flush with each other.

  The storage unit 106 stores the stacked body S, and is made of a rectangular cylindrical member. The base 104 is provided in one opening so as to be flush with the bottom 106 a of the storage unit 106. A stopper 108 is provided in the other opening 106b.

  The stopper 108 serves to suppress the accumulation S stored in the inside 106 c of the storage unit 106 from coming out and to act as a guide for guiding the accumulation S to the insertion unit 110. The stopper 108 includes a pair of shutter members 108a pivotally supported at the end in the direction E of the other opening 106b of the storage unit 106, and a rotating unit that rotates the pair of shutter members 108a. (Not shown). The pair of shutter members 108a is opened and closed by the rotating means.

  In addition, a rotation shaft 109 is provided on the lower surface of each print receiving portion 102a, 102b. Using the rotation shaft 109 as a rotation axis, the print receiving portions 102a and 102b can be rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction ω as shown in FIG. As a result, the print receiving units 102a and 102b are moved from the horizontal state to the inclined state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the input unit 110 supplies the prints P accumulated in the print receiving units 102 a and 102 b to the packaging sheet supply unit 120, and only one input unit 110 is provided. The input section 110 is formed of a rectangular tube-shaped member that can store the stacked body accumulated in the print receiving sections 102a and 102b, and one opening 110a is arranged toward the print receiving sections 102a and 102b. A stopper 112 is provided in the other opening 110b. Since the stopper 112 has the same configuration as the stopper 108 provided in the print receiving portions 102a and 102b, detailed description thereof is omitted. Opening and closing of the stopper 112 is controlled by the control unit 50. The stopper 112 holds the print P from one of the print receiving portions 102a and 102b so as not to move toward the packaging portion 124 in a normal state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the insertion unit 110 is provided so as to be movable in the direction E. The input unit 110 moves to the one in which the stack S is first stacked among the print receiving units 102a and 102b in which the prints P are stored.

  Next, the print receiving portions 102a and 102b on which the accumulated body S is accumulated first rotate in the direction ω, the stopper 108 is released, and the stacked body S in the inner portion 106c is accommodated in the inner portion 110c of the feeding portion 110. Once, the stacked body S is held in the inside 110c of the charging unit 110. At this time, the print receiving units 102a and 102b move the stacked body S of the internal 106c to the loading unit 110, and then return to the horizontal state so that the prints P of the next order can be accumulated.

  Next, the loading unit 110 moves to the supply position to the sheet conveyance unit 120 in the direction E, and enters the opening 142a of the packaging sheet 140 formed by the opening means 132 of the packaging unit 124, as will be described later. The print P is supplied to the head.

  The packaging sheet supply unit 120 supplies the packaging sheet 140 for collectively packaging the laminate S (see FIG. 8A) formed by laminating the order print 160, the index print 150, and the print P for one order. There are provided a supply roller 122 a around which a long packaging sheet 140 is wound, and carry-out rollers 122 b and 122 c for feeding the packaging sheet 140 to the packaging unit 124.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the packaging sheet 140 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and cuts 142 are formed on the surface 140a at regular intervals t in the length direction. The packaging sheet 140 is transparent, and is formed of, for example, polypropylene, and has a thickness of 50 μm, for example.

  The packaging unit 124 forms the print pack 172 in which the order print 160, the index print 150, and the print P for one order are stored. The packaging sheet 140 includes the index print 150, the print P, and the order print 160. While sealing in the accommodated state, the sealing portion 144 of the packaging sheet 140 is cut at a position where the sealed portion remains in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 140.

The packaging part 124 has a seal cut part 130, an opening means 132, and a gas supply part 134.
The seal cut portion 130 seals the packaging sheet 140 and cuts the seal portion 144 of the packaging sheet 140 at a position where a portion sealed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 140 remains. It is. The seal cut part 130 includes a heat sealer (not shown) and a cutter (not shown) having a pair of heater parts 130a and 130b that can contact and separate in a direction perpendicular to the surface 140a of the packaging sheet 140. .

  The opening means 132 widens the notch 142 portion of the packaging sheet 140 to form an opening 142a. As the opening means 132, for example, a means having a suction cup and a moving means (not shown) for the suction cup is used. The suction cup is adsorbed on the surface 140a below the notch 142 of the packaging sheet 140, and the suction cup is moved by the moving means to form the opening 142a in the packaging sheet 140.

The gas supply part 134 forms the opening 142a in the packaging sheet 140, and is, for example, a gas cylinder or a compressor. The gas supply unit 134 is provided with a nozzle 134a. The nozzle 134a is provided in the vicinity of the notch 142 of the packaging sheet 140 when being transported by the transport rollers 122b and 122c. When the notch 142 is opened by the opening means 132, a gas, for example, air, blown from the nozzle 134a of the gas supply unit 134 is blown into the opening 142a, and the packaging sheet 140 is inflated.
When the notch 142 of the packaging sheet 140 is opened by a gas such as air ejected from the nozzle 134a to form the opening 142a and the packaging sheet 140 can be inflated, the opening means 132 is provided. It does not have to be provided.

  The conveyance roller pairs 126a and 126b are provided below the packaging unit 124, convey the packaging sheet 140, and discharge the print pack 172 to the print pack transport unit 128. The conveying roller pairs 126a and 126b can be contacted and separated in a direction perpendicular to the surface 140a of the packaging sheet 140, but are urged in a contacting direction so as to obtain a predetermined clamping force. Is preferred.

The print pack transport unit 128 transports the print pack 172 formed by the printer 22 to the sorting unit 36 of the stocker 34. A plate 128a is inclined and provided below the conveying roller pair 126b.
The print pack transport unit 128 is provided with a belt conveyor 136 at the bottom for transporting the print pack 172 from the packer 32 to the sorting unit 36 of the stocker 34. The belt conveyor 136 is composed of a pair of transport rollers 136a and a conveyor belt 136b stretched around the pair of transport rollers 136a. By the belt conveyor 136, the print pack 172 that has fallen along the board 128 a is conveyed from the carry-out port 32 a of the packer 32 to the distribution unit 36 of the stocker 34.

  In the printer 22 of this embodiment, since the image recording surface is on the upper side, when the image recording surface is the upper surface, the print P is sequentially conveyed to the print receiving units 102a and 102b, and then the index print 150 and the order print. 160 is sequentially conveyed to the print receiving units 102a and 102b with the image recording surface facing up. Thus, in the print stacking unit 98 (in the print receiving units 102a and 102b), for example, the print P for one order, the index print 150, and the order print 160 are stacked in this order from the bottom. Thus, the image recording surface of the print P, the image recording surface 150a of the index print 150, and the recording surface 160a of the order print 160 are all in the same direction.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, for example, a laminate S in which the index print 150 is placed on the print P for one order and the order print 160 is placed on the top. In this state, the stack S is transferred from the print receiving units 102a and 102b to the input unit 110, and the stopper 112 of the input unit 110 is released. Stored inside.

Next, operations of the transport unit 72 and the packer 32 according to the present embodiment will be described.
The printed print P is conveyed from the drying unit 70 to the conveyance unit 72 in a single row. In the transport unit 72, the transport roller 74 passes through the vertical transport path, and is further transported on the horizontal transport path through the transport roller pair 74 and the transport roller pairs 76 a and 76 b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, in the normal process, the print P is conveyed to the first lane C ₁ printed receiving 102a side.

However, for example, when two orders are mixed in the transported printer P, as shown in FIG. 9, in the accumulation position selection unit 80, the print P is printed on the first lane C by the transport roller pair 82. ₁ is moved in the direction E (print receiving unit 102b side) while being conveyed. At this time, the conveyance roller pair 82 is rotated by the motor 88 and the moving frame 86 is moved in the direction E by the motor 96. Thus, the print P is moved from the first lane C ₁ to the second lane C _2, the print P is conveyed to the second lane C _2. In this way, the prints P produced by being exposed in a single row are transported in two rows for each order, and the prints P are accumulated in the print receiving unit 102a or the print receiving unit 102b for each order.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11A, the number of prints P transported to the print receiving unit 102b is small, and the prints P corresponding to the order are printed on the conveyor 100 before the print P transported to the print receiving unit 102a. Suppose that it is accumulated on top.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 11B, the stack S is moved in the transport direction D by the conveyor 100, and the stack S is stored in the interior 106 c of the storage unit 106.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12A, the print receiving portion 102b is rotated in the ω direction. At this time, the integrated body S is held by the stopper 108 so as not to be outside from the inside 106c.
Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, the input unit 110 moves to a position corresponding to the rotated print receiving unit 102b. Next, the stopper 108 is released. That is, the shutter member 108a rotates outward. As a result, the stack S in the inside 106 c of the print receiving unit 102 b moves to the inside 110 c of the loading unit 110. At this time, the integrated body S is held by the stopper 112 from the inside 110c of the charging unit 110 so as not to be outside.

Here, in the packer 32, first, the packaging sheet 140 is supplied to the packaging part 124, and the seal part 144 is formed at the bottom part of the print pack 172 by the seal cut part 130.
Next, the packaging sheet 140 is conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 126 a and 126 b to a position where the notch 142 can be expanded by the opening means 132.

Next, the opening means 132 widens the notch 142 of the packaging sheet 140 to form an opening 142a. At this time, the pair of rollers of the conveying roller pair 126a are arranged at positions separated by a predetermined interval so that the packaging sheet 140 can swell.
Next, for example, air is blown into the opening 142 a from the nozzle 134 a of the gas supply unit 134 to inflate the packaging sheet 140.

Next, after the laminated body S is accommodated in the insertion part 110, the stopper 112 is released, and the laminated body S is introduced into the interior through the opening 142a of the packaging sheet 140 and accommodated.
Next, the conveying roller pair 126a, 126b sets the interval between each pair of rollers to an interval at which the packaging sheet 140 having a predetermined thickness can be nipped and conveyed. Nipping and conveying until it reaches the position.

Next, the notch 142 is sealed by the seal cut portion 130 to form the seal portion 144, and the seal portion 144 is cut at a position where the sealed portion remains. Thereby, the print pack 172 is produced.
Next, the print pack 172 is transported to the print pack transport unit 128 by the transport roller pair 126a and 126b. As a result, the print pack 172 is discharged onto the belt conveyor 136. Thus, the production of the print pack 172 for each order is repeated until there is no order.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the print pack 172 of this embodiment is a laminate in which all the prints P, the index print 150, and the order print 160 are sequentially laminated from the bottom with the same recording surface. S is stored in a bag formed by a transparent packaging sheet 140. For this reason, the recording surface 160a of the order print 160 can be identified from the outside. Accordingly, it is possible to confirm the charge for one-order photo print from the content of the recording surface 160a of the order print 160 without opening the sealed print pack 172, and further confirm the customer and the order contents. can do.

  In the printer 22 of the present embodiment, the packaging sheet 140 only needs to be able to identify the recording surface 160a of the order print 160 from the outside, and is not necessarily transparent. Therefore, it is sufficient that the position corresponding to the recording surface 160a is transparent so that the recording surface 160a of the order print 160 can be identified from the outside, that is, it is sufficient that at least a part thereof is transparent.

Next, the stocker 34 of the printer 22 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15A and 15B.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer stocker according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic side view showing the main part of the storage unit of the stocker of the present embodiment. FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic views showing a method of storing a print pack in the printer of this embodiment in the order of steps.

The stocker 34 stores a print pack 172 in which photographic prints are packaged for each order, and includes a sorting unit 36 and a storage unit 38.
As shown in FIG. 13, the distribution unit 36 stores the print pack 172 in the storage unit 38, and further takes out the print pack 172 outside the printer 22. The distribution unit 36 is formed with a carry-in port 36 a that communicates with the carry-out port 32 a (see FIG. 6) of the packer 32. Accordingly, the print pack 172 is transferred to the sorting unit 36 by the belt conveyor 136.

  The distribution unit 36 includes an elevating plate 180, elevating means (not shown), and pushing means (not shown). In addition, an opening 36b is formed in the upper part of the distributing unit 36, and a lid 182 for taking out the print pack 172 is provided in the opening 36b so as to be freely opened and closed.

The lifting plate 180 is connected to lifting means. With this lifting / lowering means, the lifting / lowering plate 180 can move in the vertical direction V in the sorting portion 36, and the lifting / lowering plate 180 is held at a predetermined position in the vertical direction V in the sorting portion 36.
In the present embodiment, for example, the elevating plate 180 is disposed at a _first position M ₁ where the print pack 172 transferred from the packer 32 is received by the distribution unit 36. Position _{M 1} of the first, for example, a lower entrance 36a. The elevating plate 180 is disposed at the second position M ₂ where the print pack 172 is stored in the storage unit 38 or is transferred from the storage unit 38 to the distribution unit 36. The elevating plate 180 is disposed at a _third position M3 where the lid 182 is opened and the print pack 172 can be taken out. The third and position M ₃ of, when taking out the print pack 172 opens the lid 182 to the outside, if it is easy position, but is not particularly limited. Moreover, once after placing the lift plate 180 to the third position M _3, detects that the lid 182 is opened, it may be configured to further increase the lift plate 180 upward.

  The pushing means moves the print pack 172 placed on the elevating plate 180 toward the storage unit 38, for example, in the horizontal direction H, and stores the print pack 172 in the storage area of the storage unit 38. . As this pressing means, for example, an air cylinder and a rod are combined, the rod is extended by air pressure, and the print pack 172 is moved in the horizontal direction H.

  The storage unit 38 includes a plurality of print storage areas 202 for storing the print packs 172 for each order, and each print storage area 202 has a thickness (the number of prints P) of the print pack 172 for one order. The size can be changed accordingly.

In the storage unit 38, a pair of guide bars 192a extending in the vertical direction V and a pair of guide bars 192b are opposed to the base 190, and in FIG. 13, the guide bars 192a and 192b are 2 Although only a book is shown, a total of four guide rods 192a and 192b are provided.
A plurality of partition plates 196 are stacked on each guide rod 192a, 192b via a spacer 194, and are provided so as to be separated from each other in the vertical direction V. Guide bars 192a and 192b are inserted through the four corners of each partition plate 196. The distance between the guide bars 192a and 192b is wider than that of the print pack 172.
Further, the partition plates 196 can be separated from each other with respect to the vertical direction V. Since the spacer 194 is provided between the partition plates 196, a gap 200 corresponding to the thickness of the spacer 194 is generated.

  In the storage unit 38, the partition plate 196 is movable in the vertical direction V, and the gap 200 of the partition plate 196 can be changed. A space between the partition plates 196 is a print storage area 202. In the case of the partition plate 196 provided immediately above the base 190, the print storage area 202 is between the base 190 and the partition plate 196.

  Further, the partition plate 196 and the base 190 are provided with an ID tag 198 on which identification information is recorded. With this ID tag 198, the partition plate 196 and the base 190 can be identified.

  The storage unit 38 is provided with a reading sensor 199 that reads identification information (hereinafter referred to as an identification ID) of the ID tag 198 so as to be movable in the vertical direction V. Note that the reading sensor 199 corresponds to the ID tag 198. For example, when the ID tag 198 is an IC tag, the reading sensor 199 is an IC tag reader. When the ID tag 198 is a barcode, the reading sensor 199 is a barcode reader.

  In the printer 22 of this embodiment, the print pack storage in which the receipt number of the print pack 172 and the identification ID of the ID tag 198 of the partition plate 196 in the print storage area 202 in which the print pack 172 is stored is recorded in association with each other. A management table is provided in the control unit 50. As described above, each print pack 172 stored in the storage unit 38 is associated with the reception number, and the identification ID of each print storage area 202 is managed by the control unit 50.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the storage unit 38 is provided with a lift-up unit 210 that forms the print storage area 202 by moving the partition plate 196 in the vertical direction V.
Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the lift-up portion 210 is provided with a pair of claw portions 214 extending in the horizontal direction at both ends at the center of the surface of the rectangular base material 212. The interval between the nail portions 214 is an interval that does not contact the print pack 172.

Each claw portion 214 is provided with a detection sensor 216 that detects whether or not there is an object on its upper surface 214 a, and can detect the presence or absence of the partition plate 196. The detection sensor 216 outputs a detection signal when the partition plate 196 is on the upper surface 214a, for example. As the detection sensor 216, for example, a microswitch can be used.
The lift-up unit 210 is provided with moving means (not shown) for moving in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. As a result, the claw portion 214 of the lift-up portion 210 can be inserted into the gap 200 between the partition plates 196, and the distance between the partition plates 196 is increased by moving the lift-up portion 210 in the vertical direction V. Can do. That is, the size of the print storage area 202 can be changed.
In the present invention, forming means for forming the print storage area 202 is constituted by the lift-up unit 210 and the moving means.

  Further, the storage unit 38 is provided with an extruding means (not shown) for pushing the print pack 172 stored between the partition plates 196 (print storage area 202) toward the distribution unit 36 in the horizontal direction H. . The pushing means is movable in the vertical direction V, and as will be described later, moves to the storage position of the print pack 172 that the customer has received, and moves the print pack 172 toward the sorting unit 36 in the horizontal direction H. Extrude. Note that the configuration of the pushing means is the same as the pushing means of the sorting unit 36.

  Since the partition plate 196 is movable in the vertical direction V, the volume of the print storage area 202 of this embodiment can be changed. In addition, since the size of the print storage area 202 can be changed according to the thickness of the print pack 172 by forming the print storage area 202 using the partition plate 196 movable in the vertical direction V, the thickness of the print storage area 202 can be changed. Therefore, the volume of the print storage area 202 can be minimized.

  In the present embodiment, the print storage area 202 for storing the print pack 172 in the storage unit 38 of the stacker 34 can be changed in size, so that all the prints can be printed in the storage unit having the same volume as in the past. The storage efficiency of the storage unit 38 can be increased as compared with the case of storing the pack. As a result, the volume of the storage unit 38 can be minimized, so that the print packs 172 for many orders can be stored without increasing the size of the printer 22. For this reason, it is suitable for storing a large number of print packs 172 in the print system 10 to which a plurality of receiving machines are connected.

Next, a method for storing the print pack 172 in the stocker 34 of this embodiment will be described.
First, the print pack 172 is transferred to the sorting unit 36 by the belt conveyor 136. At this time, the lift plate 180 is waiting in the first position _{M 1} to accept the print pack 172 to the distributing unit 36. That is, it stands by below the carry-in port 36a. The print pack 172 is transferred onto the lifting plate 180 by the belt conveyor 136.
At this time, the control unit 50 manages the identification IDs of the partition plates 196 in which the print pack 172 is not stored (hereinafter referred to as empty identification IDs).

  Next, the control unit 50 refers to the print pack storage management table and causes the reading sensor 199 to detect the free identification ID. Next, as shown in FIG. 15A, when the empty identification ID is detected, the reading sensor 199 stops at the position of the detected partition plate 196a. In this embodiment, the position of the partition plate 196a for storing the print pack 172 is specified from the stop position of the reading sensor 199. At this time, the control unit 50 associates the receipt number of the print pack 172 with the identification ID of the partition plate 196a and records it in the print pack storage management table.

  Next, the nail | claw part 214 of the lift up part 210 is inserted in the clearance gap 200 by a moving means, the lift up part 210 is moved upwards, and the partition plate 196b is moved upwards. A space for storing the print pack 172 is secured. At this time, a detection signal is output from the detection sensor 216.

Next, the lifting / lowering plate 180 on which the print pack 172 is placed is positioned substantially flush with the partition plate 196a that constitutes a part of the print storage area 202 for storing the print pack 172 by the lifting / lowering means (the second plate). Move to position M ₂ ).
Next, the print pack 172 is pushed out in the horizontal direction H by the pushing means of the distribution unit 36, and the print pack 172 is placed at a predetermined position on the partition plate 196a.

  Next, the lift-up unit 210 is moved downward by the moving means. At this time, when the partition plate 196b and the print pack 172 are in contact with each other and the lift-up unit 210 is further moved downward, the upper surface 214a of the claw unit 214 is separated from the partition plate 196b, and a detection signal is output from the detection sensor 216. Disappear. At a timing when the detection signal is no longer output from the detection sensor 216, the lift-up unit 210 is moved in the horizontal direction H by the moving means, and the lift-up unit 210 is pulled out. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15B, the print pack 172 is stacked and stored between the partition plate 196a and the partition plate 196b. That is, the print pack 172 is stored in the print storage area 202.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15B, the print pack 172 is supported by the two partition plates 196a and 196b, so that the print storage area 202 can be stored in accordance with the thickness of the print pack 172. The thickness changes. As a result, the volume of the print storage area 202 is minimized with respect to the thickness of the print pack 172, and the storage efficiency of the print pack 172 in the storage unit 38 is increased. For this reason, even if the storage unit 38 has the same volume, it is possible to store print packs 172 for a larger number of orders. Further, since the storage efficiency of the print pack 172 in the storage unit 38 is high, an increase in the size of the apparatus is suppressed.

  In this embodiment, the partition plate 196b is supported by the print pack 172. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thickness of the print pack 172 may be detected, and the partition plate 196b may be held with a slight gap so that the partition plate 196b does not contact the print pack 172. Even in this case, since the gap between the print pack 172 and the partition plate 196b is small, the storage efficiency of the print pack 172 in the storage unit 38 can be increased. For this reason, even if the storage unit 38 has the same volume, it is possible to store print packs 172 for a larger number of orders. Further, since the storage efficiency of the print pack 172 in the storage unit 38 is high, an increase in the size of the apparatus is suppressed.

Next, a method for taking out the print pack 172 by the stocker 34 of this embodiment will be described. A case will be described in which a print ordered by a customer is picked up after the finishing time has elapsed.
First, the reception number recorded on the reception sheet 300 received by the customer at the time of ordering is input from the reception device 12a, for example.

Next, when the receipt number is input to the accepting machine 12a, the control unit 50 refers to the print pack storage management table and specifies the identification ID of the partition plate 196 in which the print pack 172 having the receipt number is stored.
Next, an identification ID corresponding to the specified reception number is detected by the reading sensor 199. At this time, when the identification ID of the specified receipt number is detected, the reading sensor 199 stops at the detected position of the partition plate 196. Thereby, the position of the print storage area 202 in which the print pack 172 of the receipt number is stored is specified.

Next, the nail | claw part 214 of the lift-up part 210 is inserted in the print storage area 202 by a moving means, and the upper partition plate 196 in contact with the print pack 172 is moved upward. Then, a space for taking out the print pack 172 is secured.
Next, the lifting / lowering plate 180 is moved to a position (second position M ₂ ) substantially flush with the partition plate 196 on which the print pack 172 is placed by the lifting / lowering means.

Next, the print pack 172 is pushed out in the horizontal direction H by the pushing means of the storage unit 38, and the print pack 172 is placed at a predetermined position on the lifting plate 180.
Next, the lift-up unit 210 is moved downward by the moving means. At this time, when the partition plate 196b and the spacer 194 come into contact with each other and the lift-up portion 210 is further moved downward, the upper surface 214a of the claw portion 214 is separated from the partition plate 196, and no detection signal is output from the detection sensor 216. . At a timing when this detection signal is not output, the lift-up unit 210 is moved in the horizontal direction H by the moving means, and the lift-up unit 210 is pulled out.

Then, the elevating plate 180 by the elevating means is moved upwards to a third position _{M 3} to retrieve the print pack 172 opens the lid 182. Thus, when the customer opens the lid 182, the print ordered by the customer can be received in the form of the print pack 172.
In this way, in the printing system 10 of the present embodiment, the prints ordered by the customer are stored in the form of the print pack 172 for each order, and can be received in the form of the print pack 172 by the customer's own operation. it can.

Next, a print production method by the print system 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
An example will be described in which the receiving machine 12a receives a first order for producing a total of 100 prints P, one each from A1 to A100 frame images.

First, the customer inputs order information data (first order for producing 100 prints P) to the accepting machine 12a. At this time, the order information data and image data 220 (see FIG. 16A) of 100 frame images to be printed are input to the accepting machine 12a. The image data 220 of the frame image is input from the media drive in the form of various media.
When the order is confirmed, the reception machine 12a assigns the reception number, the reception date and time, and the customer ID to the order information data, and outputs to the order / image database 16 together with the image data for which the print order has been placed. When the order is confirmed, a reception sheet 300 is issued by the reception machine 12a.

Next, the order / image database 16 calculates a charge for one order of photo print based on the order information data. The calculated charge data for one order of photo print is managed as order information data.
Next, the order / image database 16 outputs the order information data to the order controller 18, and outputs the order information data and the image data to the image processing device 20.

  Next, after the order information data of the new order is input, the order controller 18 is based on the contents of the order information data and the order table in which the processing order of the other already input order information data is recorded. Then, considering at least one of the reception time, desired delivery date, and productivity of each order, the print processing order based on the order information data is determined, and the order table is updated.

Next, the image processing apparatus 20 performs image processing on the frame image data A1 to A100 for each order supplied from the order / image database 16 to generate image data for printing.
Also, index image data is created in which the frame images A1 to A100 for one order are reduced and recorded together from the print image data. Furthermore, order print image data in accordance with the order print format is created based on the order information data. The created print image data, index image data, and order print image data are combined into one print order information data 230 for one order. In accordance with the supply instruction from the order controller 18, the image processing apparatus 20 outputs the print order information data 230 to the printer 22.

  Next, based on the print order information data 230 output from the image processing apparatus 20, the printer 22 transfers the sheet body S conveyed in a single row to the frame images A 1 to A 100, the frame images A 1 to A 100. 100 sheets are exposed in order. Further, the index print image and the order print image are also exposed on the sheet S. Then, the exposed sheet S is developed and dried, and 100 sheets are sequentially transported from the drying unit 70 from the print P on which the frame image A1 is recorded to the print P on which the frame image A100 is recorded. After 100 prints P are carried out, the index print 150 (not shown) and the order print 160 (not shown) are also carried out.

Next, the first lane _{C 1} of the transport unit 72, the print P is transported by the transport train 240 of a single row (see FIG. 16 (c)). In the print receiving unit 102a, all the recording surfaces are made the same, and 100 prints P, index prints 150, and order prints 160 of one order from the bottom are stacked in a stacked state (stacked body S). At this time, the accumulation position selection unit 80 does not operate in the transport unit 72. In addition, the input unit 110 moves to the print receiving unit 102a side, and stands by at a position where the stack S is received from the print receiving unit 102a.
In FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C, the index print 150 and the order print 160 are not shown.

  Next, after the conveyance of all the prints P is completed, the print receiving unit 102a is rotated in the direction ω and moved from the print receiving unit 102a to the input unit 110. At this time, the print receiving unit 102a returns to the horizontal state after moving the stacked body S in the inside 106c to the input unit 110, and is in a state where the next order print P can be accumulated.

  Next, the laminated body S is thrown into the inside through the opening 142a of the packaging sheet 140 from the throwing-in part 110 and stored and packaged. In this way, the print pack 172 is produced.

Next, the print pack 172 is transferred to the sorting unit 36 of the stocker 34 by the belt conveyor 136 and stored in the print storage area 202 of the storage unit 38. At this time, the receipt number of the print pack and the identification ID of the print storage area 202 are associated and recorded in the print pack storage management table.
Further, when receiving the print ordered is moved acceptance number recorded in the reception sheet 300 by inputting the receiving machine, to a third position M ₃ can be taken out print pack 172 from the storage unit 38 . As a result, the customer can open the lid 182 of the stocker 34 of the printer 22 and take out the ordered print in the form of the print pack 172.

  In the present embodiment, the customer receiving form of the print pack 172 is not particularly limited. For example, the reception sheet 300 may be handed over to a counter clerk, the print pack 172 may be taken out, and the print pack 172 may be obtained in exchange for a fee. At this time, since the barcode 166 associated with the charge for one order of the photo print is recorded in the order print 160, the bar code 166 is read to settle the charge for the photo print for one order. May be.

Next, a description will be given of a print production method in the case where an order is received from a plurality of receiving machines 12a and 12b in the print system 10 of the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, receives the first order to produce 100 sheets of print _{P 1} from A1~A100 frame image from the reception unit 12a, a print _{P 2} from frame images from the receiving device 12b B 1 to B 10 to produce ten A case where the second order is received will be described as an example.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a print production method in the order of steps when a plurality of orders are received in the printing system of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the printing system 10 of the present embodiment, first, the first order is received from the accepting machine 12a. Next, the second order was received from the other receiving machine 12b. In this case, when the print process based on the second order is performed after the print process based on the first order, it takes time to obtain the print P even though the number of the second order is as small as 10. . For example, even when the waiting time for obtaining a print is 30 minutes, the waiting time may pass. Therefore, in the present embodiment, print processing based on each order can be performed within a set waiting time by performing print processing on a plurality of orders in parallel.

First, the first order is input from the receiving machine 12a, and then the second order is input from the receiving machine 12b (step S10).
Next, order information data based on the first order and order information data based on the second order are input to the order controller 18 (step S12).

Next, the order controller 18 determines the print processing order. In this case, it is calculated whether the first order and the second order can both be printed within the specified waiting time (step S14).
In step S14, when both the first order and the second order can be printed within the specified waiting time, after the printing process based on the first order is completed, the second order is based on the second order. Print processing is performed (step S16).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the second order cannot be printed within the specified waiting time, an interrupt process is performed (step S18).
This interrupt process is a process of changing the exposure order of the first order and inserting the exposure of the second order when the image processing apparatus 20 generates the print order information data. Is to edit. In this way, the print order information data in which the first order and the second order are collectively edited becomes interrupt exposure image data for interrupt processing.
The image data for interrupt exposure is, for example, the frame image data of B1 to B10 of the second order in the order of the frame images of B1 to B10 in the exposure order of the frame image data of A1 to A100 of the first order. This is created by randomly interrupting and changing the exposure order of the frame image data of A1 to A100 in the first order.
In the first order, the print _{P 1} is manufactured in the order of frame images A1～A100. In the second order, the print _{P 2} is produced in the order of frame images of B 1 to B 10.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18 (b), after the frame image data _{Y 1} of A5, put the frame image data _{Y 2} of B1, B2 of the frame image data after the frame image data _{Y 1} in the A6 put Y _2, put the frame image data _{Y 2} of B10 after the frame image data _{Y 1} of A14, by changing the order of the exposure of the frame image data of A1~A100 the first order, the interrupt exposure image data Create
Thus, the frame image data Y ₁ of the first order, the frame image data Y ₂ of the second order is exposed in accordance with the mixed interrupt exposure image data.

Next, the sheet S is exposed by the interrupt exposure image data, and the obtained prints P ₁ and P ₂ are conveyed through the first lane C ₁ . Then, the print position P ₂ of the second order is moved in the direction E by the stacking position selection unit 80 of the transport unit 72. Thus, as shown in FIG. 18 (c), the print _{P 1} of the first order, and a print _{P 2} of the second order, the first lane _{C 1} and the second dividing it into Lane _{C 2} Can do. The print P ₁ is conveyed on the first lane C ₁ in a single-line conveyance row 242 (see FIG. 18C). The print _{P 2} is conveyed along the second lane _{C 2} in the transport column 244 a single row (see FIG. 18 (c)).
The movement of the print P ₂ by integrated position selection section 80 based on the print order information data, for example, the control unit 50 along with the count of the number of prints by the sensor, the print P ₂ is identified, the second lane C Moved to ₂ . 18B and 18C, the index print 150 and the order print 160 are not shown.

Next, the print P1 of the _first order is accumulated in the print receiving unit 102a. Further, the print P2 of the _second order is accumulated in the print receiving unit 102b.
Since the number of prints P2 in the _second order is smaller than the number of prints in the first order and interrupt processing is performed, the print P2 in the _second order is printed in the first order. fast is integrated into the print receiving 102b than P _1.

Next, the loading unit 110 is moved to the print receiving unit 102b, and the loading unit 110 is put on standby at a position where the stacked body S is loaded from the print receiving unit 102b.
Then, the print receiving 102b, the print _{P 2} is transferred to the storage unit 106, further print receiving 102b is rotated a predetermined angle in the direction omega.
Next, the stopper 108 is released, and the print P ₂ of the second order is transferred to the input unit 110. Then, the loading unit 110 moves to a supply position to the sheet body conveyance unit 120.

  In this case, the print receiving unit 102b returns to the horizontal state after moving the stacked body S in the inside 106c to the input unit 110, and is in a state where the next order print P can be accumulated.

Next, the stopper 112 is released, and the 10 prints P ₂ for one order from the loading unit 110 all have the same recording surface, and the second order print P ₂ , the index print 150 and the order print from the bottom. In a state in which 160 is sequentially laminated (laminated body S), the transparent packaging sheet 140 is inserted into the opening 142a of the packaging sheet 140, and is stored and packaged. In this way, the print pack 172 with the second order is produced.

Note that the interrupt processing is not limited to that in which the order of exposure of the frame images in the second order is randomly interrupted in the order of the exposure in the order of exposure of the frames of the first order. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 (a), the frame image data _{Y 1} of the A4 of the first order, between the frame image data _{Y 1} of A5, all B1~B10 frames of the second of the order by changing the order of the exposure of the first order to put image data Y _2, may be created interrupt exposure image data.
Thus, the frame image data Y ₁ of the first order, the frame image data Y ₂ of the second order is exposed in accordance with the mixed interrupt exposure image data.

Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 19B, the print position P ₂ of the second order is moved in the direction E by the stacking position selection section 80 of the transport section 72 to move the print P _{1 of} the first order. When, the print P ₂ of the second order, can be divided into lanes C ₂ of the first lane C ₁ and the second. As a result, the print P ₁ is transported through the first lane C ₁ in a single transport line 242 (see FIG. 19B). Further, the print P ₂ is transported through the second lane C ₂ by a single transport line 244 (see FIG. 19B).

  In this embodiment, the interrupt process is based on the waiting time, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, interrupt processing may be performed even when an order to be preferentially processed is input.

In the printer 22 of this embodiment, the printed integrated unit 98, two print receiving 102a, and 102b, and one of the input unit 110 is provided, also, the transport unit 72 first lane _{C 1} and the second shall have a lane C _2, further by providing an integrated position selection section 80 can be integrated printing of each order print receiving 102a, to 102b. For this reason, even when orders are received from a plurality of receiving machines substantially simultaneously, parallel processing can be performed for a plurality of orders. As a result, in the printer 22 of the present embodiment, even when a plurality of orders are entered and one of the orders has a large number of prints, a print for each order is produced by the interrupt process, and the print receiving unit 102a. , 102b. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being occupied by the production of prints based on orders with a large number of prints, and it is possible to prevent other orders from being processed. Therefore, fluctuations in print production time due to orders of other customers can be suppressed, the print production time can be leveled, and even when the number of sheets is small, it is prevented that the production of prints takes a long time. For this reason, it is possible to preferentially perform the printing process when the user wants to print immediately, and to respond to the customer's request. As described above, in the present invention, even when a plurality of orders are received, the print processing time for producing a print for one order is set to be substantially constant, and the time until the customer orders and receives the print is set to be approximately constant time. can do.

Further, in the present invention, even when an order is placed first, it is possible to obtain prints preferentially by performing interrupt processing and setting the print processing order first.
Furthermore, since the print 22 according to the present embodiment has the storage unit 38, it can be stored even if the print packs are sequentially manufactured from the print processed orders. For this reason, a print can be produced efficiently. This also makes it possible to set the time from when the customer places an order to receiving the print to a substantially constant time.

Next, a printer and a print production method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 20 is a schematic side sectional view showing a printer (image forming apparatus) according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is a schematic side view showing a conveyance section of the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view showing the conveyance section of the printer of this embodiment.
The same components as those of the printer 22 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 19A and 19B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
The printer 22a of this embodiment is also applied to the print system 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the printer 22a of this embodiment has a distribution unit 55 that conveys in two rows upstream of the exposure unit 52a, as compared with the printer 22 of the first embodiment, and the exposure unit 52a. Is exposed to the sheet S conveyed in two rows, and the configuration of the conveyance unit 72a is different, and the other configuration is the same as the configuration of the printer 22 of the first embodiment. Detailed description is omitted.

  In the printer 22 a of this embodiment, the distribution unit 55 is provided on the downstream side of the back printing unit 48. The distribution unit 55 distributes the sheet bodies S into two rows and conveys the sheet bodies S to the exposure position r. The configuration of the distribution unit 55 is not particularly limited as long as the sheet bodies S can be distributed in two rows, and a known one can be used. As this distribution part 55, what has the nip roller pair which can move to the direction E orthogonal to the conveyance direction D is mentioned, for example. In this case, the sheet body S is sandwiched by the pair of nip rollers, and the sheet body S is moved in the direction E to be conveyed in a zigzag manner to form two rows. Alternatively, the sheet body S may be sucked by a suction cup and distributed in two rows.

  In the printer 22a of the present embodiment, the exposure unit 52a forms a latent image on the sheet S conveyed in two rows, and scans in the direction E as compared with the exposure unit 52 of the first embodiment. Except for the wide range, the other configuration is the same as that of the exposure unit 52 of the first embodiment.

In the printer 22a of the present embodiment, since the exposure is performed in two rows, the prints P are discharged from the drying unit 70 in two rows.
The transport unit 72a of the present embodiment transports the print P transported in two rows as it is in two rows or in a single row as compared to the transport unit 72 of the first embodiment. It is conveyed to the print stacking unit 98.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the transport unit 72a of this embodiment includes a pair of carry-in rollers 74, 250, a pair of carry rollers 252, 254, 254a, 254b, 256, a pair of carry-out rollers 258, and an accumulation position selection unit 80. The first movable guide 260, the second movable guide 262, and a sensor (not shown) form a substantially rhombus (parallelogram) conveyance path.

In the transport unit 72a of the present embodiment, a plurality of transport roller pairs 254, 254a, 254b, and 256 constitute a first transport path α on the upper side of the rhombus. The first transport path α is the second lane C _2. Further, the plurality of conveying roller pairs 252 constitute a second conveying path β on the lower side of the rhombus. The second conveying path β is the first lane C _1.
The first transport path α and the second transport path β are branched in the direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the prints P and the transport direction D, and are joined by the discharge roller pair 258.

  In addition, a first movable guide 260 is provided at a branch portion between the first transport path α and the second transport path β on the downstream side in the transport direction D of the carry-in roller pair 250. In addition, a second movable guide 262 is provided at a junction between the first conveyance path α and the second conveyance path β on the upstream side in the conveyance direction D of the carry-out roller pair 258.

  The first movable guide 260 reliably carries the prints P discharged from the drying unit 70 in two rows into either the first transport path α or the second transport path β.

  The second movable guide 262 reliably carries the print P conveyed from one of the first conveyance path α and the second conveyance path β into the discharge roller pair 258.

The first movable guide 260 and the second movable guide 262 include a guide member having a substantially right triangle shape in a side cross-sectional shape, and a rotating unit that rotates the guide member with respect to the conveyance direction D of the print P. . The first movable guide 260 is arranged with the inclined surface 260 a facing upward, the short side 260 b facing the transport roller pair 252, and the vertex 260 c facing the carry-in roller pair 250.
The second movable guide 262 is arranged with the inclined surface 262a facing downward, the short side 262b facing the transport roller pair 254b, and the vertex 262c facing the carry-out roller pair 258.

  The first movable guide 260 and the second movable guide 262 are controlled by the control unit 50. The first movable guide 260 and the second movable guide 262 are controlled by the control unit 50 so as to rotate in accordance with a print detection signal from the sensor.

In the present embodiment, when the print P is carried into the first transport path α, the first movable guide 260 is rotated downward. Further, when the print P is carried into the second transport path β, the first movable guide 260 is rotated upward.
On the other hand, when the print P from the conveyance roller pair 254b is carried into the discharge roller pair 258 (when the print P is carried in from the first conveyance path α), the second movable guide 262 is rotated downward. Further, when the print from the conveyance roller pair 252 is carried into the discharge roller pair 258 (when the print P is carried in from the second conveyance path β), the second movable guide 262 is rotated upward. The first movable guide 260 and the second movable guide 262 can reliably convey the print P without clogging.

In the present embodiment, among the drying section 70 of the discharged print P in two rows, the print P discharged to the first lane C ₁ side is conveyed along the second conveyance path beta. On the other hand, the print P discharged to the second lane C ₂ side is conveyed to the first conveyance path alpha.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the conveyance roller pair 256 is provided with an accumulation position selection unit 80. Since the configuration of the accumulation position selection unit 80 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The conveying roller pair 256 is a divided roller in which two roller pieces 256a are provided on the rotating shaft 256b at a predetermined interval. A gear 256c is provided at the end of the rotation shaft 256b of the conveying roller pair 256.

In addition, the accumulation position selection unit 80 according to the present embodiment moves the print P from the second lane C ₂ (print receiving unit 102b) to the first lane C ₁ (print receiving unit 102a), and receives the print P. It is conveyed toward the section 102a. As a result, the print P can be conveyed and accumulated in one of the two print receiving units 102a and 102b.

The carry-in roller pair 250 has a pair of rollers that independently convey the prints P discharged from the drying unit 70 in two rows. The prints P discharged in two rows from the drying unit 70 are carried into the second transport path β (first lane C ₁ ) and the first transport path α (second lane C ₂ ) at different speeds, respectively. Can be made.

Next, the print production method of this embodiment will be described.
FIGS. 23A to 23C are schematic views showing the print manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the order of steps. FIGS. 24A to 24C are schematic views showing a print production method in the order of steps when a plurality of orders are received in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Also in the present embodiment, the case where the first order for producing 100 prints P in total, one each from the A1 to A100 frame images, is received will be described as an example.
In the present embodiment, the sheet bodies S are exposed in two rows as compared with the first embodiment. In the image processing apparatus 20, the frame image data _{Y 1} of A1～A100, in order from the frame image data _{Y 1} in the A1, after splitting it into rows, and one of the columns and the frame image data _{Y 1} of the even number, the other producing print order information data 236 in which the columns and the frame image data Y ₁ in the odd-numbered.

Then, exposure based on the print order information data 236, to create a print P _1. Among the obtained prints P ₁ , the odd-numbered frame image print P ₁ is conveyed in the first lane C ₁ , and the even-numbered frame image print P ₁ is conveyed in the second lane C ₂ .

Next, the carry-in roller pair 250 conveys the odd-numbered frame image prints P ₁ to the first conveyance path α (first lane C ₁ ) so as to widen the interval. Then, the integrated position selection section 80 of the first conveying part 72a, the print P ₁ of the second transport path beta (second lane C ₂₎ even-numbered frame image conveyed to the odd number of the frame images transported to fall between the print P _1, and further is moved in the direction E, it is moved to the first lane C _1. Thus, the frame image order A1～A100 in the first conveying path α and merging portion of the second conveying path β print _{P 1} is a single Stringified, as shown in FIG. 23 (c), A1~A100 A conveyance row 240 in the order of the frame images is obtained.

  Next, the prints P are accumulated in the print receiving unit 102a in the order of frame images A100 to A1. Hereinafter, the process for producing the print pack 172 and the process for storing or taking out the print pack 172 from the stocker are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, a description will be given of a print production method in the case where an order is received from a plurality of receiving machines 12a and 12b in the print system 10 of the present embodiment.
In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, receives the first order to produce 100 sheets of print _{P 1} from A1~A100 frame image from the reception device 12a, the frame from the receiving device 12b B 1 to B 10 the case of receiving a second order to produce 10 sheets of print P ₂ from the image will be described as an example.

  In the present embodiment, when a plurality of orders are received, the configuration of the image data for interrupt exposure is different from that of the first embodiment, and other standards for performing interrupt processing are also used in the first embodiment. Since this is the same as the print production method, detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, even-numbered frame image data of the _{first order in} which _one column is even-numbered frame image data Y ₁ and the other column is odd-numbered frame image data Y _1. a frame image data _{Y 1} data _{Y 1} in the A4, between the frame image data _{Y 1} of the A16, the image data 238 is created for interrupt exposure was interrupted frame image data _{Y 2} of B 1 to B 10.

Then, exposure based on the interrupt exposure image data 238, to create a print P ₁ of the first order a print P ₂ according to the second order. In this embodiment, after the A4 frame image is exposed, the B1 frame image is exposed.
Of the obtained prints P ₁ and P ₂ , the odd-numbered frame image print P ₁ is conveyed through the first lane C ₁ , and the even-numbered frame image print P ₁ and the second-order print P _2. There is conveyed along the second lane C _2.
At this time, the pair of carry-in rollers 250 convey the odd-numbered frame image prints P ₁ to the first conveyance path α (first lane C ₁ ) so as to widen the interval. Then, the first order print P ₁ transported in the second lane C ₂ is moved in the direction E by the stacking position selection unit 80 so as to enter between the prints P ₁ of odd-numbered frame images. by is moved to the first lane C _1. Thus, the frame image order A1～A100 in the first conveying path α and merging portion of the second conveying path β print _{P 1} is a single Stringified, as shown in FIG. 24 (c), A1~A100 A transport row 242 in the order of the frame images is obtained.

On the other hand, the print P2 of the _second order is passed as it is without operating the stacking position selection unit 80, and as shown in FIG. 244 is obtained. In the present embodiment, the B1 frame image is recorded after the A4 frame image, and the print P2 of the _second order is preferentially output.

Next, the print P1 of the _first order is accumulated in the print receiving unit 102a. Further, the print P2 of the _second order is accumulated in the print receiving unit 102b.
Hereinafter, the process for producing the print pack 172 and the process for storing or taking out the print pack 172 from the stocker are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the interrupt processing is limited to the processing that interrupts the exposure of the frame image by the second order in the sequence of the exposure order of the even-numbered frame images in the exposure order of the frame images by the first order. It is not a thing. For example, in the exposure order of the frame images according to the first order, all the exposures of the frame images according to the second order may be interrupted together over two columns.

  In this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and further, since exposure is performed in two rows, it is faster than the first embodiment. Prints and print packs can be made.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, two print receiving units and one input unit are configured. However, the present invention is not particularly limited as long as there are a plurality of print receiving units. The number of print receiving units may be three according to the number of orders processed in parallel or preferentially. In this case, three orders can be processed in parallel.

In any of the above-described embodiments, the image data received by the accepting device when the customer places an order may be, for example, a film that has been shot. The photographed film is developed, and the developed film is read by a film scanner to create image data. Even in this case, the same effect as the present embodiment can be obtained. However, for the film, it is necessary to return it to the customer separately or to obtain permission from the customer not to return it.
Further, in any of the above-described embodiments, the image data is not limited to the one on which the image is formed on one side of the recording medium, and the image data may be formed on both sides of the recording medium. .

  Further, in any of the above-described embodiments, the image recording method of the printer is not particularly limited, and other than the silver salt method, the electrophotographic method, and the ink jet method, a required image quality such as a heat melting method is appropriately used. Alternatively, a system according to the print form can be used. The printer may be an image forming apparatus that can record images on both sides of a recording medium.

  Although the image forming apparatus and the print manufacturing method of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements or changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a printing system having a printer (image forming apparatus) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the index print of a present Example, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the order print of a present Example. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a printer (image forming apparatus) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating an accumulation position selection unit of the printer (image forming apparatus) according to the embodiment. It is a typical perspective view which shows a conveyance part and a part of packer of the printer of a present Example. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a packer of a printer (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the sheet | seat for packaging used for the packer of a present Example. (A) is a typical perspective view which shows the laminated body comprised by an index print, a photographic print, and an order print, (b) is a typical sectional side view which shows the print pack of a present Example. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view for explaining an operation of a conveyance unit of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view for explaining the operation of the conveyance unit of the printer according to the present embodiment, illustrating the next step of FIG. 9. (A) And (b) is a typical side view which shows operation | movement of the print accumulation part of the printer of a present Example in order of a process. (A) And (b) is a typical side view which shows operation | movement of the print accumulation part of the printer of a present Example in order of a process, and shows the next process of FIG.11 (b). It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the stocker of the printer of a present Example. It is a typical side view which shows the principal part of the storage part of the stocker of a present Example. (A) And (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the storage method of the print pack in the printer of a present Example in order of a process. (A)-(c) is a schematic diagram which shows the printing preparation method of the 1st Example of this invention in order of a process. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a print production method in the order of steps when a plurality of orders are received in the printing system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(c) is the schematic diagram which shows the print preparation method in the case of receiving the some order in the 1st Example of this invention in order of a process. (A) And (b) is the schematic diagram which shows the other print preparation methods in order of a process in the case of receiving the some order in the 1st Example of this invention. It is a typical sectional side view which shows the printer (image forming apparatus) which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a typical side view which shows the conveyance part of the printer of a present Example. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating a conveyance unit of the printer of the present embodiment. (A)-(c) is a schematic diagram which shows the printing preparation method of the 2nd Example of this invention in order of a process. (A)-(c) is the schematic diagram which shows the printing preparation method in the case of receiving the some order in the 2nd Example of this invention in order of a process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print system 12a-12d Reception machine 14 Network 16 Order / image database 18 Order controller 20 Image processing apparatus 22, 22a Printer 30 Image formation part 32 Packer 40 Image formation part 42 Supply part 48 Back printing part 50 Control part 52, 52a Exposure Unit 60 Processor 62 Development processing unit 70 Drying processing unit 72, 72a Conveying unit 80 Stacking position selecting unit 98 Print stacking unit 100 Belt conveyor 102a, 102b Print receiving unit 106 Storage unit 108, 112 Stopper 120 Packaging sheet supply unit 124 Packaging unit 128 Print pack transfer unit 130 Seal cut unit 132 Opening means 134 Gas supply unit 136 Belt conveyor 140 Packaging sheet 142 Cut 142a Opening 144 Seal unit 150 Index print 150a Recording surface 160 Order print 160a Recording surface 172 Print pack 180 Lift plate 180 Base 192a, 192b Guide bar 164 Spacer 196, 196a, 196b Partition plate 198 ID tag 199 Reading sensor 200 Gap 202 Print storage area 210 Lift-up unit 214 Claw part 216 detecting sensor A photosensitive material L light beam M recording medium _{P, P 1, P 2} photographic print r exposure position S laminate

Claims (4)

An image forming unit for producing a print for one order based on order information data relating to the contents of a print order for one order of a customer;
A print packaging unit for packaging the prints produced by the image forming unit for each order;
At least two print receivers provided between the image forming unit and the print wrapping unit and collecting the prints for one order for each order, and the one order from each print receiver. An image forming apparatus comprising: an accumulation unit including a supply unit that supplies the prints to the print packaging unit.   In addition, when the prints of the same order are accumulated in one print receiving unit, and the prints of a plurality of orders are mixed, an accumulation position selection unit that accumulates the prints in different print receiving units for each order. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Furthermore, a storage unit comprising a plurality of print storage areas for storing print packs in which the prints for one order are packaged for each order;
Storage means for storing the print pack in each print storage area and for taking out the print pack stored in each print storage area;
Acceptance information is given to a print order for one order of the customer, and the receipt information is managed in association with storage location information of the print storage area in which the print pack is stored, and based on the receipt information The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that takes out the print pack from the stored print storage area. From the print group in which the first prints based on at least two first orders and the second prints based on the second orders are mixed, the first prints corresponding to the first orders and the second order equivalents. Selecting the second prints and collecting them in different print receivers;
A step of sequentially packaging the first prints for the first order and the second prints for the second order, one by one from the first print accumulated in the print receiving unit. A method for producing a print.

Images