JP3687773B2 - Double row image exposure system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a photographic paper supply line that cuts photographic paper drawn from a photographic paper magazine according to a print size, an exposure conveyance line that exposes cut photographic paper arranged in multiple rows by an exposure digital print unit, and the photographic paper. The present invention relates to a double-row image exposure apparatus provided with a sorting device for transferring cut photographic paper received from a carry-out area of a supply line to each of carry-in areas arranged in a double row of the exposure conveyance line.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional image exposure apparatus, the photographic film is irradiated with illumination light from a light source, and the photographic paper is exposed with transmitted light that has passed through the photographic film so that the image captured on the photographic film is printed on the photographic paper. Photographic prints were obtained by developing exposed photographic paper. Recently, in place of such a projection exposure type image exposure apparatus, digital image data obtained by photoelectric conversion of a film image is subjected to appropriate image processing to generate print data, and digital data is generated based on the print data. A so-called digital exposure type image exposure apparatus in which a printing unit exposes photographic paper has appeared.
[0003]
Such a digital exposure method has the advantage that operations such as image composition and partial correction can be easily performed because the acquired digital image data can be freely processed using image processing technology. In order to obtain a comparable high resolution, a linear exposure system is used that uses a print head extending in the main scanning direction and completes exposure of the entire film image by relative movement of the print head and photographic paper in the sub scanning direction. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the exposure time for one frame of film image is longer than that of the projection exposure type.
[0004]
In order to solve this drawback, for example, as known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-197562, two rows of exposure conveyance lines leading to the digital print unit are provided, and the roll photographic paper is sequentially cut to a print size and cut. Cut the printed paper one by one to the transport roller conveyor as the sorting device, and move the transport conveyor in the transverse direction of the transport direction to move it alternately to the entrance of the exposure transport line and place the cut There has been proposed a double-row image exposure apparatus that delivers two cut photographic papers to a digital printing unit by delivering the photographic paper to an exposure conveyance line, and exposes the two cut photographic papers simultaneously.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a double-row image exposure apparatus, although the exposure processing speed is improved as compared with the single-row image exposure apparatus, the transport roller conveyor as the sorting apparatus has the cut photographic paper placed on the exposure transport line. Since it is not possible to return to the home position where the subsequent cut photographic paper is received until it is inherited, there is a limit to the distribution processing capability, and the demand for increasing the number of exposures per unit time could not be satisfied sufficiently.
In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a double-row image exposure apparatus including a sorting device that sorts cut photographic paper at a high speed onto double-row exposure transport lines.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a photographic paper supply line that cuts photographic paper drawn from a photographic paper magazine according to a print size, an exposure conveyance line that exposes cut photographic paper arranged in multiple rows by a digital printing unit, and According to the present invention, in the double row image exposure apparatus including a sorting device that transfers the cut photographic paper received from the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line to each of the carry-in areas arranged in the double row of the exposure conveyance line. The sorting device receives and holds the cut photographic paper sent from the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line, and transfers the held cut photographic paper to one of the carry-in areas of the exposure conveyance line. Two chucker portions, a first vertical and horizontal movement mechanism for moving the first chucker portion in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the cut photographic paper, and the 2 has a second vertical / horizontal movement mechanism for moving the chucker portion in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the cut photographic paper, and the first chucker portion and the second chucker portion are independently movable and can be distributed. The vertical and horizontal movement patterns of the first chucker portion and the second chucker portion are changed according to the paper size.
[0007]
In this configuration, a plurality of chuckers are provided that are transferred to a predetermined carry-in area of the exposure conveyance line while holding the cut photographic paper received from the photographic paper supply line, and each chucker moves independently. Therefore, it is possible to adopt an optimal distribution pattern according to the size of the cut photographic paper to be distributed. In addition, since the chucker unit has only the function of holding the cut photographic paper, and the conveyance of the cut photographic paper itself can be left to the photographic paper supply line side and the exposure conveyance line side, the structure of the chucker unit itself becomes simple. , Stable high-speed vertical and horizontal movement becomes easy. Therefore, it is possible to realize a double row image exposure apparatus that can speed up the distribution of cut photographic paper and consequently has an excellent print processing capability.
[0008]
When multiple rows of cut photographic paper arrive at the digital print section, the exposure control becomes complicated. Therefore, it is necessary to convey all of the double row of cut photographic paper at the same time on the exposure conveyance line. On the other hand, in consideration of an optimal cut photographic paper distribution pattern, the arrival of the respective chuckers at the carry-in area of the exposure conveyance line often does not occur at the same time. For this reason, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, after waiting for the cut photographic papers to be arranged in a double row in the carry-in area of the exposure conveyance line that can hold the double rows of cut photographic papers, it is simultaneously fed into the digital print unit. . Since the movement speed of the chucker is higher than the conveyance speed of the photographic paper supply line, when the chucker receives and holds the leading edge area of the cut photographic paper, the trailing edge of the cut photographic paper held is carried out of the photographic paper supply line. By moving only in the longitudinal direction of the cut photographic paper until it leaves the area and moving in the width direction of the cut photographic paper, it is possible to shorten the delivery time of the cut photographic paper to the chucker portion by the photographic paper supply line.
[0009]
As a specific movement pattern of the optimum chucker portion selected according to the size of the cut photographic paper, when the size of the cut photographic paper is small, the first chucker portion transfers the cut photographic paper to the exposure conveyance line. In the meantime, the second chucker unit receives cut photographic paper from the photographic paper supply line, or when the size of the cut photographic paper is large, the first chucker unit that has received the preceding cut photographic paper is behind the second chucker unit. It is conceivable that the cut photographic paper is temporarily retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the receiving operation of the cut photographic paper, and the cut photographic paper held by the first and second chuckers is simultaneously transferred to the exposure conveyance line. For this reason, in one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, each chucker unit can alternately move so as to move the cut photographic paper held therein to a predetermined carry-in area. It is also possible for all the chucker sections to move at the same time so as to move the cut photographic paper held therein to a predetermined carry-in area.
[0010]
In order to realize such a free movement of the chucker portion with a simple configuration, each lateral movement mechanism in a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a vertical movement mechanism that travels on a rail in the longitudinal direction of cut photographic paper, The horizontal movement mechanism is supported by the vertical movement unit and travels on the rail in the width direction of the cut photographic paper. The vertical movement mechanism and the horizontal movement mechanism can run independently. In particular, if each moving mechanism is a monorail type and the monorail for the lateral moving mechanism is cantilevered, the structure is further simplified.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A schematic block diagram of a photographic processing apparatus equipped with a double-row image exposure apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIG. This photographic processing apparatus adopts a digital exposure type, and is a film scanner which acquires a frame image of a photographic film (hereinafter simply referred to as film) 1 developed by a film developing machine (not shown) as digital image data. 3, a controller 7 that processes the acquired digital image data to create print data, a digital print unit 5 that exposes an image corresponding to the frame image on the photographic paper 2 based on the print data, and an exposure And a development processing unit 6 for developing the photographic paper 2. The photographic paper 2 developed by the development processing unit 6 is discharged as a finished print through a drying process.
[0012]
The film scanner 3 includes an illumination optical system 31, an imaging optical system 32, and a photoelectric conversion unit 33 using a CCD sensor as main components. The illumination optical system 31 includes a halogen lamp 31a as a white light source, a light control filter 31b, a mirror tunnel 31c, and the like, and irradiates the frame image of the film 1 by adjusting the color distribution and intensity distribution of the light beam from the light source. The imaging optical system 32 that processes the transmitted light beam from the film 2 includes a mirror 32a that changes the direction of the projection light, a lens unit 32b, and a prism 33c that splits the light beam that has passed through the lens unit in three directions. Has been. By feeding the film 1 at a predetermined scanning speed by the film transport mechanism 9, the frame image of the film 1 is scanned in the sub-scanning direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the film. The photoelectric conversion unit 33 that photoelectrically converts the light beam guided by the imaging optical system 32 includes three CCD sensors 33a for separately receiving the three light beams dispersed by the prism 32c, and each CCD sensor 33a. Is a line sensor in which a large number (for example, 5000) of CCD elements are arranged in the main scanning direction, that is, the width direction of the film 1, and the charge accumulation operation and the charge accumulation time are controlled during the main scanning by the sensor driving circuit. On the imaging surface of each CCD sensor 33a, color filters that allow only the blue, red, and green components of the light beam to pass are provided, and only the blue, red, and green components are photoelectrically converted, respectively. Each pixel signal output from each CCD sensor is sampled and held, and each pixel signal becomes a continuous image signal. Each pixel signal is converted into a digital signal having a predetermined number of bits (for example, 12 bits).
[0013]
When the frame image of the film 1 is positioned at a predetermined scan position, the frame image reading process is started. The projected light image of the frame image is sequentially read by the CCD sensor 33a in the form of being divided into a plurality of slit images by feeding the film 1 by the film transport mechanism 9, and photoelectrically converting the image signals of R, G, and B color components into photoelectric signals. It is converted and sent to the controller 7 as raw digital image data. Such control of the illumination optical system 31, the imaging optical system 32, and the photoelectric conversion unit 33 of the film scanner 3 is performed by the controller 7.
[0014]
In this embodiment, the digital print unit 5 employs a PLZT shutter system. That is, as the exposure head 5a, a shutter array made up of PLZT elements is adopted. This shutter array consisting of PLZT elements is composed of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material obtained by adding lanthanum to lead zirconate titanate and uses the electro-optic effect of the material. Light of each color of R, G, and B is introduced from the light source 5b through many optical fibers. This shutter array extends over the photographic paper 2 arranged in two rows along the width direction of the photographic paper 2, that is, the transverse direction in the transport direction. When a predetermined level of voltage is applied to each shutter, a light transmission state is established, and when application of the voltage is stopped, a light blocking state is established. Accordingly, when a driving voltage is applied from the controller 7 to the shutter corresponding to each pixel based on the print data, the shutter is opened and light of the color introduced from the light source is irradiated onto the photographic paper 2. The light source 5b is provided with a rotation filter composed of optical filters of three colors R, G, and B. By controlling the rotation phase of the rotation filter, one of R, G, and B is selectively selected. Opposing the light source, the light of the selected color is sent to the shutter through the optical fiber through the color filter. In addition to the PLZT shutter method, a liquid crystal shutter method, a fluorescent beam method, a FOCRT method, and the like are known as the digital print unit method, and can be arbitrarily selected according to the exposure specification.
[0015]
As described above, the digital print unit 5 can simultaneously expose each of the photographic printing papers 2 arranged in double rows in this embodiment. For this reason, the photographic paper transport mechanism 8 is divided into a photographic paper supply line 8A for transporting cut photographic paper 2 in a single row, an exposure transport line 8B for transporting cut photographic paper 2 in two rows, and a development transport line 8C. Between the photographic paper supply line 8A and the exposure conveyance line 8B, there is provided a sorting device 4 that distributes the photographic paper 2 sequentially sent from the photographic paper supply line 8A to each row of the exposure conveyance line 8B.
[0016]
As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, the photographic paper supply line 8A is selectively selected from one of the two photographic paper magazines 10 in which the photographic paper 2 is housed in a roll shape with the emulsion surface outside. It is composed of a drawer transport unit 8 a composed of a group of drawer rollers for pulling out the photographic paper 2, and a pre-sorting transport unit 8 b that delivers the photographic paper 2 to the sorting device 4.
[0017]
A paper cutter 11 that cuts the photographic paper 2 drawn out from the photographic paper magazine 10 in accordance with the print size is provided at the upstream end of the pre-sorting transport unit 8b. A print unit 12 is provided. The back print unit 12 prints a film ID, a frame number, and correction information indicating image processing performed at the time of creating print data on the back surface (non-emulsion surface) of the photographic paper 2, and is usually dot-in-pack. The printer is used.
[0018]
The pre-sorting conveyance unit 8b includes two pairs of conveyance roller units arranged so as to sandwich the back print unit 12. In particular, the conveyance roller unit on the downstream side constitutes a photographic paper carry-out area in the photographic paper supply line 8A. The driving roller 81 is in contact with the non-emulsion surface side of the photographic paper 2 and the pressure roller 82 is in contact with the emulsion surface side. The printing paper 2 can be pressure-bonded between the roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 or released.
[0019]
The exposure transport line 8B includes an intermediate transport unit 8c, an exposure transport unit 8d, and a post-exposure transport unit 8e in the order of the transport direction. All of these transport units include a wide transport roller unit and a guide member corresponding to each row so that the cut photographic paper 2 can be transported simultaneously in two rows. However, in the intermediate transport unit 8c, the intermediate driving roller 83 is a wide roller that covers two rows, but the intermediate pressure roller is divided into a right row and a left row. In other words, the intermediate conveyance unit 8c is configured as a conveyance roller unit that constitutes two rows of carry-in areas of the exposure conveyance line 8B, and an intermediate drive roller 83 that contacts the non-emulsion surface side of the cut photographic paper 2 and the intermediate drive roller 83. It comprises a first intermediate pressure roller 84a and a second intermediate roller 84b that are displaceable with respect to the drive roller 83. The first intermediate pressure roller 84a presses the cut photographic paper 2 conveyed in the right row of the exposure conveyance line 8B, and the second intermediate pressure roller 84b crimps the cut photographic paper 2 conveyed in the left row of the exposure conveyance line 8B. The crimping / releasing operation can be performed independently of each other. That is, it is possible to receive and hold the two cut cut photographic papers 2 in order by the first intermediate press roller 84a and the second intermediate press roller 84b, and simultaneously send the two cut photographic papers 2 to the exposure transport unit 8d.
[0020]
The exposure transport unit 8d includes a first exposure transport roller unit on the entrance side and a second exposure transport roller unit on the exit side, which are arranged so as to sandwich the exposure head 5a of the digital print unit 5, and the first exposure transport unit. The roller unit includes a first exposure driving roller 85 that contacts the non-emulsion surface side of the cut photographic paper 2, a first exposure pressure roller 86 that is displaceable to the first exposure driving roller 85, and a second exposure conveyance. The roller unit includes a second exposure driving roller 87 that is in contact with the non-emulsion surface side of the cut photographic paper 2 and a second exposure pressure roller 88 that is displaceable with respect to the second exposure driving roller 87. The first and second exposure driving rollers 85 and 87 are synchronously driven by a belt transmission mechanism from one driving source, but the first and second exposure pressing rollers 86 and 88 are respectively independently opposed to the exposure driving rollers. On the other hand, it is possible to displace the perspective. Accordingly, the cut photographic paper 2 can be transported only by the first exposure transport roller unit, only by the second exposure transport roller unit, or by both the first and second exposure transport roller units.
[0021]
The post-exposure transport unit 8e includes a first turn transport roller unit, a second turn transport roller unit, a normal transport roller group 95, and a turn guide 90. The first turn conveying roller unit includes a first turn driving roller 91 that contacts the emulsion surface side of the cut photographic paper 2 and a first turn pressure roller 92 that is displaceable with respect to the first turn driving roller 91. The two-turn conveying roller unit has a second turn driving roller 93 that contacts the emulsion surface side of the cut photographic paper 2 and a second turn pressure roller 94 that is attached to face the second turn driving roller 93. ing. The turn guide 90 disposed between the first and second turn conveying roller units is composed of an inner turn guide 90a on the emulsion surface side and an outer turn guide 90b on the non-emulsion surface side, and the outer turn guide 90b is downstream of the conveyance. The cut photographic paper 2 passing through the turn guide 90 can be swollen outward as necessary.
[0022]
Next, the structure of the sorting device 4 that distributes the cut photographic paper 2 sequentially sent from the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line 8A to the carry-in area of each row of the exposure transport line 8B will be described with reference to FIGS. . In FIG. 4, the center of the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line 8A, that is, the center line of the cut photographic paper 2 to be carried out is indicated by 80a, and the center of the right column of the carry-in area of the exposure transport line 8B, that is, The center line of the cut photographic paper 2 carried into the right side is indicated by 80b, and the center line of the cut photographic paper 2 carried into the left side of the carry-in area, that is, the left side is indicated by 80c.
[0023]
The sorting device 4 receives the photographic paper 2 cut by the paper cutter 11 and is moved by the first vertical / horizontal movement mechanism 4A to one row position in the carry-in area, and the received cut photographic paper. 2 is moved by the second vertical / horizontal movement mechanism 4B to the other row position in the carry-in area. The first vertical / horizontal movement mechanism 4A includes a first horizontal movement mechanism 50A that moves the first chucker unit 60A in the transverse direction of the photographic paper transport direction (hereinafter, this direction is also referred to as the X direction), and the first chucker unit 60A. The first horizontal movement mechanism 50A is composed of a first vertical movement mechanism 50A for moving the first horizontal movement mechanism 50A in the photographic paper transport direction (hereinafter, this direction is also referred to as the Y direction). Similarly, the second vertical movement mechanism 4B includes the second horizontal movement mechanism 50B that moves the second chucker section 60B in the X direction and the second horizontal movement mechanism 50B including the second chucker section 60B. And a second vertical movement mechanism 50B. Since the first and second chucker portions 60A and 60B and the first and second vertical and horizontal movement mechanisms 4A and 4B have substantially mirror-like structures, the second vertical and horizontal movement mechanisms 4B and The second chucker unit 60B will be described, but the first vertical / horizontal movement mechanism 4A and the first chucker unit 60A should be easily understood from the description.
[0024]
The second vertical movement mechanism 40B includes a traveling rail 42 attached to the rail frame 41 fixed to the main body frame of the photographic processing apparatus, spaced from the carry-out area center line 80a, and attached along the photographic paper transport direction. A vertical traveling platform 43 that travels on the traveling rail 42 by a ball spline method is provided. A bracket 44 extending outward in the X direction from the traveling platform 43 is attached to the upper surface of the traveling platform 43. A belt 45 wound by a sprocket and extending in parallel with the traveling rail 42 is connected to the bracket 44, and the vertical traveling platform 43 reciprocates in the Y direction by forward and reverse driving of the belt 45 by a motor 46. be able to. 47 is a photo interrupter for detecting the position of the vertical traveling platform provided at a plurality of locations along the Y direction.
[0025]
The second lateral movement mechanism 50B extends in the X direction and has a left end that is cantilevered by a bracket 44 of the second vertical movement mechanism 40B, and a lateral traveling on the traveling rail 51 by a ball spline method. A traveling platform 52 is provided. A bracket 53 is attached to the horizontal traveling platform 52, and a belt 54 that is wound by a sprocket and extends parallel to the traveling rail 51 is connected to the bracket 53, and the bracket of the first vertical movement mechanism 40A. By the forward / reverse driving of the belt 54 by the motor 55 fixed to 44, the lateral traveling platform 52 can reciprocate in the Y direction. Although not shown, a plurality of photo interrupters for detecting the position of the lateral traveling platform 52 are also provided.
[0026]
A paper guide portion 61 constituting the second chucker portion 60B is attached to the bracket 53 of the second lateral movement mechanism 50B. The paper guide portion 61 is formed with a slit 61a that allows passage of the photographic paper 2 sent by the pre-sorting conveyance portion 8b. The slit 61a opens on the side facing the first chucker portion 60A. . In order to pressure-hold the photographic paper 2 that has entered the slit 61a, two chuck pins 62 that slide in the distance with respect to the photographic paper 2 are provided in the width direction of the photographic paper. As shown in FIG. 8, the chuck pin 62 is urged by a spring 63a in the direction in which the photographic paper is pressed. However, the link member 63 operated by a cam 64 rotated by a motor 65 causes the chuck pin 62 to move to the photographic paper 2. Is selectively switched between a pressure-bonding position that presses against the chuck pin and a release position that releases the pressing of the chuck pin 62. From the left end of the sorting device 4 with respect to FIG. 4 to the position where the center of the photographic paper 2 held by the second chucker unit 60B coincides with the carry-out area center line 80a, the second chucker unit 60B The direction is movable. Similarly, the first chucker portion 60A is also movable in the X direction from the right end of the sorting device 4 with respect to FIG. 4 to the position where the chucker holding centerline 80d coincides with the carry-out area centerline 80a.
[0027]
Accordingly, when the photographic paper 2 that has entered the slit 61a is held by the chuck pin 62, the chucker holding center line 80d of the first chucker portion 60A coincides with the center line 80b of the carry-in area in the right column of the exposure transport line 8B. The first chucker unit 60A can move X_Y, and the second chucker unit 60B so that the chucker holding center line 80d of the second chucker unit 60B coincides with the center line 80c of the carry-in area in the left column of the exposure transport line 8B. Can move X_Y. In this case, the first chucker unit 60A has the right side area of the sorting device 4 and the second chucker unit 60B has the left side area of the sorting device 4 according to the size of the cut photographic paper 2 to be held. Move with the determined movement pattern.
[0028]
The controller 7 to which a monitor 7a for displaying various processing information and an operation console 7b for inputting various processing instructions are connected is constituted by a microcomputer system comprising a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / F circuit, etc. as a core member. Various functions necessary for controlling the photographic processing apparatus as described above are realized by hardware and / or software. As shown in FIG. 9, the main functional elements realized here are a film transport mechanism 9 and a scanner control unit 71 for controlling the film scanner 4, and white balance and negative / positive for image data acquired by the film scanner 3. An image processing unit 72 for generating print data by performing various image processing such as inversion and edge enhancement, and a video processing unit 73 for generating a video signal for displaying the image data processed by the image processing unit 72 on the monitor 7a. , A digital print control unit 74 for driving the digital print unit 5 based on the print data, a back print control unit 75 for driving the back print unit 12, a photographic paper transport control unit 76 for controlling the photographic paper transport mechanism 8, and the sorting device 4 This is a distribution control unit 77 for controlling. Furthermore, the controller 7 is connected to an external image input unit 7c that accepts image data from image data recording media such as a CD-ROM, MO, and FD, and accepts digital image data transmitted via a communication line. Yes. Since the external image input unit 7c is provided, the photographic processing apparatus can input not only a photographic film as an original image but also an image captured by a digital camera and an image read by an external film scanner. CG images created by computer graphic software can also be handled.
[0029]
In the present invention, the distribution control unit 77 includes a plurality of different movement patterns depending on the photographic paper size. First, here, the movement pattern A for a relatively small photographic paper size of about 100 mm in width and 89 mm in length is used. Will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11;
In this case, the first cut photographic paper is called photographic paper I, the second cut photographic paper is called photographic paper II, and the third cut photographic paper is called photographic paper III.
[0030]
(1) FIG. 10 (A) The long photographic paper 2 becomes photographic paper I by being drawn out from the cutting line of the paper cutter 11 and cut by the length corresponding to the print size.
(2) FIG. 10 (b) The photographic paper I enters the slit 61a of the first chucker portion 60A and is held by the chuck pin 62.
(3) FIG. 10 (c) The first chucker 60A rises in the Y direction until the trailing edge of the photographic paper I comes out of the drawer transport unit 8a, and then skews upward to the right. Accordingly, the second chucker unit 60B moves to the carry-out area of the pre-sorting conveyance unit 8b that has become empty.
(4) FIG. 10 (d) When the first chucker section 60A transfers the photographic paper I to the carry-in area in the right row of the intermediate transport section 8d, the photographic paper I is pressed and held by the first intermediate press roller 84a. Meanwhile, the next cut photographic paper II is held in the second chucker section 60B.
(5) FIG. 11 (e) The second chucker section 60B rises in the Y direction until the trailing edge of the photographic paper II comes out of the drawer transport section 8a, and then skews upward to the left.
(6) When the second chucker unit 60B transfers the photographic paper II to the carry-in area in the left row of the intermediate transport unit 8c, the photographic paper II is pressed and held by the second intermediate press roller 84b. Meanwhile, the first chucker unit 60A returns to the carry-out area of the pre-sorting conveyance unit 8b to receive the next photographic paper.
(7) FIG. 11G) The photographic papers I and II held on the first and second intermediate pressure rollers 84a and 84b are simultaneously conveyed toward the exposure head 5a.
(8) FIG. 11 (h) The first chucker 84a holds the photographic paper III and heads to the transport area in the right row of the intermediate transport section 8c, and the second chucker section 60B receives the next photographic paper before sorting. Return to the carry-out area of the transport unit 8b.
[0031]
Next, in this photographic processing apparatus, a series of operations from the photographic paper cut to the movement pattern A through the sorting and conveyance with the photographic paper conveyance mechanism 8 as the center until the exposure is completed are shown in FIGS. This will be described using a flowchart.
As shown in FIG. 12, the main routine of the control relating to the conveyance and exposure of the photographic paper 2 includes a feed conveyance routine for controlling the drawer conveyance unit 8a and the pre-sort conveyance unit 8a, and a first control for controlling the movement of the first chucker unit 60A. The chucker routine, the second chucker routine for controlling the movement of the second chucker unit 60B, the intermediate transport routine for controlling the intermediate transport unit 8c, the exposure transport routine for controlling the exposure transport unit 8d, and particularly the turn guide 90 of the post-exposure transport unit 8e. A post-exposure conveyance routine for controlling the movement of the image. These various control routines are started when a predetermined condition is satisfied, perform a predetermined process, end, and repeat the process for the cut photographic paper 2 sequentially sent.
[0032]
In the infeed conveyance routine in which the photographic paper 2 is pulled out from the paper magazine 10 and sent to the sorting device 4, the drawer conveyance unit 8 a and the pre-sorting conveyance unit 8 b are sequentially driven (# 11), and the photographic paper 2 is printed from the paper cutter 11 to the print size. Then, the feed roller unit is fed by a length corresponding to the length (89 mm in this case) (# 12), and the corresponding transport roller unit is stopped (# 13). When the cutting process of the photographic paper 2 is performed by the paper cutter 11 (# 14), the cut photographic paper 2 is sent to the first chucker unit 60A that is waiting. Under the driving of the driving roller 81 in a state where 82 is pressed against the cut photographic paper 2, the leading end of the cut photographic paper 2 is advanced into the slit 61a of the first chucker portion 60A (# 15). When the cut photographic paper 2 entering the slit 61a reaches the operating area of the chuck pin 62 (# 16), the drive roller 81 stops (# 17). The permission of the next photographic paper 2 feeding conveyance routine and the permission of the first chucker routine are given (# 18), and the process of feeding the cut photographic paper 2 is finished. Here, the cut photographic paper 2 is fed into the first chucker unit 60A, but the cut photographic paper 2 is fed into the second chucker unit 60B.
[0033]
In the first chucker routine that is started when the cut photographic paper 2 reaches the operation area of the chuck pin 62, the chuck pin 62 is first operated to press the cut photographic paper 2 (# 21). First, the first vertical movement mechanism 40A raises the first chucker portion 60A in the Y direction until the rear end of the held cut photographic paper 2 escapes from the drive roller 81 (# 22). Thereafter, the first lateral movement mechanism 50A is also driven to move the first chucker portion 60A obliquely to the upper right (# 23). At this position, since the held cut photographic paper 2 does not become an obstacle to the photographic paper feeding operation for the second chucker unit 60B, permission for the sorting operation by the second chucker unit 60B is given (# 23a). The first chucker unit 60A ascends in the Y direction in a state where the chucker holding center line 80d coincides with the center line 80b of the right column of the intermediate transport unit 8c as the carry-in area of the exposure transport line 8B (# 24). When the leading edge of the held cut photographic paper 2 reaches the intermediate drive roller 83, the start of the intermediate conveyance control routine is permitted (24a), and the first intermediate pressure roller 84a is urged to hold the cut photographic paper 2. When the cut photographic paper 2 is held by the first intermediate pressure roller 84a, the first chucker unit 60A releases the chuck pin 62 and releases the cut photographic paper 2 (# 25). Thereafter, the first chucker unit 60A first descends in the Y direction (# 26), and if the second chucker unit 60B is close to the center line 80c in the left row of the intermediate transport unit 8c, it moves in the X_Y direction. Returning to the home position where the chucker holding center line 80d coincides with the center line 80a of the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line (# 27).
[0034]
When the conditions for starting the second chucker routine are satisfied in the main routine, including the permission of the sorting operation by the second chucker unit 60B in # 23a of FIG. 9, the second chucker routine starts, and first the second chucker unit Since 60B moves in the X direction from the home position and accepts the cut photographic paper 2, the chucker holding center line 80d is made to coincide with the center line 80a of the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line (# 31). Waiting for the next cut photographic paper 2 to reach the operation area of the chuck pin 62, the chuck pin 62 is operated, and the cut photographic paper 2 is pressed and held (# 32). The second vertical movement mechanism 40B raises the second chucker portion 60B in the direction Y until the rear end of the held cut photographic paper 2 escapes from the drive roller 81 (# 33), and then the second horizontal movement mechanism. 50B is also driven to move the first chucker portion 60A diagonally to the upper left (# 34). At this time, since there is no fear of a collision with the first chucker 60A, the movement of the first chucker 60A to the home position is permitted (# 34a). Further, the second chucker unit 60B moves up in the Y direction in a state where the chucker holding center line 80d coincides with the center line 80c of the left column of the intermediate transport unit 8c as the carry-in area of the exposure transport line 8B (# 35). When the leading end of the held cut photographic paper 2 reaches the intermediate drive roller 83, the start of the intermediate conveyance routine is permitted (# 35a), and the second intermediate pressure roller 84b is urged to hold the cut photographic paper 2. When the cut photographic paper 2 is held by the second intermediate pressure roller 84b, the second chucker unit 60B releases the chuck pin 62 and releases the cut photographic paper 2 (# 36). Thereafter, the second chucker unit 60B first descends in the Y direction (# 37), and moves in the X_Y direction if the first chucker unit 60A has already approached the center line 80b of the right row of the intermediate transport unit 8c. Thus, the chucker holding center line 80d is made to coincide with the center line 80a of the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line (# 38). Of course, when there is no cut photographic paper 2 to be sorted, it is located at the home position that is closer to the left side from the center line 80a of the carry-out area.
[0035]
In the intermediate transport routine, when the leading end of the cut photographic paper 2 is inserted between the intermediate drive roller 83 and the first intermediate drive roller 84a by the first chucker 60A (# 24a in FIG. 14), the first intermediate pressure roller 84a is placed in the middle. It is displaced toward the driving roller 83, and the cut photographic paper 2 is held in the meantime (# 41). Since the cut photographic paper 2 is transported simultaneously in two rows, it waits in this holding posture until the cut photographic paper 2 comes to the left row (# 42). When the leading end of the cut photographic paper 2 is inserted between the intermediate drive roller 83 and the second intermediate drive roller 84b by the second chucker 60B (# 35a in FIG. 15), this standby routine is exited and the second intermediate pressure roller 84b Is displaced toward the intermediate drive roller 83, and the cut photographic paper 2 is held therebetween (# 43). As a result, the two sheets of cut photographic paper 2 are aligned in the intermediate conveyance section 8c, so that the intermediate drive roller 83 is driven and the two sheets of cut photographic paper 2 are first directed to the exposure conveyance section 8d at high speed. Transport (# 44). When the leading edge of the cut photographic paper 2 approaches the exposure conveyance unit 8d, the conveyance speed is reduced (# 45). When the leading edge of the cut photographic paper 2 enters between the first exposure driving roller 85 and the first exposure pressure roller 86, the exposure conveyance unit 8d The permission for conveying the photographic paper is given (# 45a). When the completion of pressure bonding of the first exposure pressure roller 86 is confirmed (# 46), the printing paper pressure bonding by the first and second intermediate pressure rollers 84a and 84b is immediately released (# 47), and two cut prints are made. The conveyance of the paper 2 is left to the exposure conveyance unit 8d.
In the exposure transport routine, the first and second exposure drive rollers 85 and 87 are driven at a predetermined exposure transport speed (# 51), and the leading edge of the cut photographic paper 2 is the first exposure drive roller 85 and the first exposure pressure roller. When it reaches the point 86, the first exposure pressure roller 86 is displaced toward the first exposure driving roller 85, and the conveyance of the cut photographic paper 2 is assumed (# 52). When the cut photographic paper 2 reaches the exposure point, the exposure process by the exposure head 5a is started (# 52a). When the leading edge of the cut photographic paper 2 reaches between the second exposure driving roller 87 and the second exposure pressing roller 88, the second exposure pressing roller 88 is displaced toward the second exposure driving roller 87 (# 53). Then, the pressure of the cut photographic paper 2 by the first exposure pressure roller 86 is released (# 54), and the second exposure drive roller 87 takes over the conveyance of the cut photographic paper 2 from the first exposure drive roller 86. When the exposure process is completed and the conveyance of the exposed photographic paper 2 is taken over by the post-exposure conveyance unit 8e, the pressure bonding by the second exposure pressure roller 87 is released (# 55).
[0036]
When the exposure process for the cut photographic paper 2 by the exposure head 5a is completed, the transport of the cut photographic paper 2 is taken over from the exposure transport unit 8d to the post-exposure transport unit 8e. In the post-exposure transport control routine, as shown in FIG. 18, when the rear end of the exposed cut photographic paper 2 passes the exposure head 5a (# 61), it is positioned on the entrance side of the post-exposure transport unit 8e. The photographic paper is pressed by the first turn driving roller 91 and the first turn pressure roller 92 (# 62), and then the release of the photographic paper pressure by the second exposure pressure roller 88 is permitted (# 62a). When the leading end of the exposed cut photographic paper 2 reaches the second turn drive / compression rollers 93 and 94 located on the exit side (# 63), the first turn press roller 92 is released from pressure contact (# 64), The conveyance of the cut photographic paper 2 is taken over by the conveyance roller group 95 and sent to the development processing unit 6 by two-line conveyance.
[0037]
The movement pattern of the first chuckers 60A and 60B of the sorting device 4 is changed depending on the size of the cut photographic paper 2. For example, a movement pattern B for a medium size having a length of about 150 mm is shown in FIGS. This movement pattern B is almost the same as the movement pattern A, and the length of the cut photographic paper 2 is long. Therefore, the ascent distance in the Y direction required until the rear end of the cut photographic paper 2 comes out of the drawer conveying unit 8A. After that, as shown in FIG. 20 (e), the subsequent cut photographic paper 2 first moves only in the X direction, and after passing the previous cut photographic paper 2, it rises in the Y direction.
[0038]
However, the size of the cut photographic paper 2 is further increased. For example, in the movement pattern C for a large size of about 180 mm in length, as shown in FIGS. Since it becomes difficult in terms of space to transfer 2 to the carry-in area of the intermediate transfer unit, the transfer is performed by simultaneous oblique parallel movement. That means
[0039]
(1) FIG. 21 (a) The long photographic paper 2 becomes the photographic paper I by being drawn out from the cutting line of the paper cutter 11 and cut by the length corresponding to the print size.
(2) FIG. 21 (b) The photographic paper I enters the slit 61a of the first chucker portion 60A and is held by the chuck pin 62.
(3) FIG. 21 (c) The first chucker 60A moves up in the Y direction until the trailing edge of the photographic paper I comes out of the pre-sorting transport unit 8b, and then moves to the right at a right angle. Accordingly, the second chucker unit 60B moves to the carry-out area of the pre-sorting conveyance unit 8b that has become empty.
(4) FIG. 21 (d) When the next cut photographic paper II is held by the second chucker unit 60B, the second chucker unit 60B is in a Y state until the rear end of the photographic paper II comes out of the pre-sorting transport unit 8b. Ascending in the direction, the position becomes the same level as the first chucker portion 60A. The first chucker unit 60A remains on standby at the right end position.
(5) FIG. 22 (e) The first chucker portion 60A and the second chucker portion 60B rise obliquely to the left, and the first chucker portion 60A transfers the photographic paper I to the right row carry-in area of the intermediate conveyance portion 8c. The second chucker unit 60B transfers the photographic paper II to the carry-in area in the left column of the intermediate conveyance unit 8d.
(6) When the photographic papers I and II are pressed and held by the first intermediate pressure roller 84a and the second intermediate pressure roller 84b, respectively, the first chucker portion 60A and the second chucker portion 60B are lowered.
(7) FIG. 22 (G) The photographic papers I and II held on the first and second intermediate pressure rollers 84a and 84b are simultaneously conveyed toward the exposure head 5a. The first chucker portion 60A and the second chucker portion 60B descend diagonally to the left, the first chucker portion 60A returns to the carry-out area of the pre-sorting transfer portion 8b, and the second chucker portion 60B returns to the home position at the lower left end. .
(8) FIG. 22 (h) The first chucker 84a feeds the photographic paper III.
As described above, in the sorting device according to the present invention, the first chucker unit 60A and the second chucker unit 60B according to the size of the cut photographic paper 2, while avoiding the interference of the cut photographic paper 2 held by each other and each other, By being moved in a moving pattern that can be distributed at high speed, this photographic processing apparatus has dramatically improved the number of prints processed per unit time as compared to the prior art.
[0040]
When the cut photographic paper 2 is large in size, the cut photographic paper 2 is transported while straddling both the exposure transport unit 8d and the post-exposure transport unit 8e. Exposure driving is performed by the driving roller, and the conveyance error at the exposure point is likely to occur. For this reason, the post-exposure transport control routine for large-size cut photographic paper is changed as shown in FIG.
[0041]
First, when the leading edge of the cut photographic paper 2 being exposed reaches the second turn drive roller 93 of the post-exposure transport unit 8e set to a transport speed slightly lower than that of the exposure transport unit 8 (# 161), the outer turn guide. 90b opens outward and swings (# 162). In this state, the cut photographic paper 2 is conveyed by the second turn drive roller 93 and the second exposure drive roller 83, but the outward bulge of the cut photographic paper 2 caused by the speed difference is caused by the outer turn guide 90b. Absorbed by rocking outward. When the trailing edge of the cut photographic paper 2 passes the exposure head 5a (# 163), the photographic paper is pressed by the first turn drive roller 91 and the first turn pressure roller 92 of the post-exposure transport unit 8e (# 164), and then Release of the photographic paper pressure bonding by the second exposure pressure bonding roller 88 is permitted (# 164a). When the rear end of the exposed cut photographic paper 2 passes the exposure transport unit 8d (# 165), the outer turn guide 90b is closed inwardly and swings (# 166), and then the first turn pressure roller 92 is crimped. Release (# 167). As a result, the next exposed photographic paper 2 can be received in the post-exposure transport unit 8e.
[0042]
In this sorter 4, when the cut photographic paper 2 is wide, the first and second chuckers 60A and 60B respectively hold the right and left sides of one cut photographic paper fed from the photographic paper supply line 8A. In addition, a movement pattern of sending to the exposure conveyance line 8B is also provided. In other words, the cut photographic paper 2 can be exposed and transported in one row without sorting.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a photographic processing apparatus employing a double-row image exposure apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining photographic paper conveyance around a sorting device and a digital print unit.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a photographic paper transport mechanism around a sorting device and a digital print unit.
FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a sorting apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a second chucker unit.
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a sorting apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a second chucker portion of the sorting apparatus.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the chuck pin
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of the controller.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a movement pattern A of the chucker unit.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a movement pattern A of the chucker unit.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining control of a photographic paper transport mechanism and a sorting device.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining control of photographic paper feeding conveyance;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining control of the first chucker unit;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining control of the second chucker unit;
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating control of an intermediate conveyance unit
FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining control of the exposure conveyance unit;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining control of a post-exposure transport unit;
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a movement pattern B of the chucker portion.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a movement pattern B of the chucker portion.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a movement pattern C of the chucker unit.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a movement pattern C of the chucker portion.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating control of a post-exposure conveyance unit for large-size cut photographic paper.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 film
2 photographic paper (cut photographic paper)
3 Film scanner
4 sorter
4a First vertical / horizontal movement mechanism
4b Second vertical / horizontal movement mechanism
5 Digital Print Department
6 Development processing section
7 Controller
8 Photographic paper transport mechanism
9 Film transport mechanism
11 Paper cutter
40A First vertical movement mechanism
40B Second vertical movement mechanism
50A first lateral movement mechanism
50B Second lateral movement mechanism
60A 1st chucker
60B 2nd chucker

Claims (6)

A photographic paper supply line that cuts the photographic paper drawn out from the photographic paper magazine according to the print size, an exposure conveyance line that exposes the cut photographic paper arranged in multiple rows by the digital printing unit, and a carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line In the double row image exposure apparatus provided with a sorting device that transfers the cut photographic paper received from each of the carry-in areas arranged in the double row of the exposure conveyance line,
The sorting device receives and holds the cut photographic paper sent from the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line, and transfers the held cut photographic paper to one of the carry-in areas of the exposure transport line. 2 chuckers, a first vertical / horizontal movement mechanism for moving the first chucker in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the cut photographic paper, and a second vertical / horizontal movement for moving the second chucker portion in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the cut photographic paper The first chucker unit and the second chucker unit can be moved independently of each other, and the first chucker unit and the second chucker unit move vertically and horizontally according to the size of the cut photographic paper to be distributed. A double-row image exposure apparatus, wherein a pattern is changed. 2. The double-row image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the double-row cut photographic paper held in the carry-in area of the exposure conveyance line is simultaneously fed to the digital print section. The first and second chuckers hold the front end area of the cut photographic paper, and after moving in the longitudinal direction of the cut photographic paper until the rear end of the held cut photographic paper exits the carry-out area, the width of the cut photographic paper The double row image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the double row image exposure apparatus moves in a direction. 4. The double-row image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second chucker units alternately transfer the held cut photographic paper to a predetermined carry-in area. 5. 4. The double-row image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second chucker portions simultaneously move the held cut photographic paper to a predetermined carry-in area. 5. The first and second vertical / horizontal movement mechanisms include a vertical movement mechanism that travels in the longitudinal direction of the cut photographic paper, and a horizontal movement mechanism that is supported by the vertical movement unit and travels in the width direction of the cut photographic paper. 6. The double row image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the vertical movement mechanism and the horizontal movement mechanism can run independently.

Images