JP3738909B2 - Photo processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides an exposure unit that prints an image of a negative film sent from a negative film supply unit onto photographic paper, a negative film discharge unit that discharges the negative film used in the exposure unit, and the photographic paper that has been subjected to the baking process A developing unit for developing the image, a print discharging unit for discharging the developed photographic paper into a predetermined length and discharging it as a print, and receiving one unit of negative film discharged from the negative film discharging unit The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus including a collation conveying unit that receives a print having an image obtained from the one unit of negative film from a print discharge unit and conveys the combined print as a finished product.

  In the photo processing apparatus as described above, the combination of the negative film and the print is one unit of one negative film or one set of negatives ordered by the customer (several pieces of film cut every four frames or six frames). This is usually done, and this unit is also called one order. Even if the same customer orders several negative films or several sets of piece negatives at the same time, they are processed as separate orders. This one-order, that is, one unit piece negative (usually one long negative film is finally cut to a predetermined length as a piece negative) and a print that is automatically packed in a DP bag A processing apparatus is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the piece negative and print collating process in this photographic processing apparatus, one unit of the piece negative inserted into the negative sheet after the exposure process is stored in a print bag on which the ID number of the piece negative is printed. The ID numbers of the prints divided by unit and conveyed by the sorter are collated, and if the ID numbers match, this one unit print is stored in a print bag and combined with a piece negative having the same ID number.

  In the case of such a collation system, if the piece negatives and print ID numbers that are continuously conveyed are different, it is necessary to check the ID numbers of the piece negatives and prints that are conveyed in sequence, and there is a mismatch. In this case, there is a problem that the recovery work takes time. In particular, even if there is only one unit of non-matching piece negatives and prints, other pieces of negatives and prints that should be matched will be subject to check during recovery work, so the operating rate of this photo processing device is high. Will be reduced.

JP-A-6-43622

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a photographic processing apparatus having a collation check function that solves the above-described problems and makes recovery work simple even if negative films and prints that do not coincide with each other exist.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, an exposure unit that prints an image of a negative film sent from a negative film supply unit onto photographic paper, a negative film discharge unit that discharges the negative film used in the exposure unit, A developing unit that develops the photographic paper that has been printed, a print discharge unit that discharges the developed photographic paper as a print by cutting it to a predetermined length, and one unit discharged from the negative film discharge unit In the photographic processing apparatus comprising a negative conveying film and a collation conveying means for receiving a print having an image obtained from the one unit negative film from the print discharge unit and conveying the combined print as a finished product.
The verification conveying means is configured as a tray conveyor including a plurality of trays in which the finished products are sequentially stored, and the unit of the negative film and the print generated during the processing process of the negative film and the photographic paper. A trouble detecting means for detecting a mismatching trouble that adversely affects the matching, and a notification for notifying based on the trouble information by the trouble detecting means that the finished product stored in the tray of the tray conveyor has the matching mismatch trouble Means, and the informing means displays a collation mismatch mark that can be visually recognized .

  In the above configuration, when a trouble that causes a mismatch between the negative film of one unit and the print in the verification transport means occurs during each processing process of the negative film and the photographic paper, the trouble detection means detects the mismatch. It can be detected as a trouble, and it can be pointed out that there is a mismatch in the finished product that is the target of the above-mentioned verification mismatch conveyed by the verification transport means, that is, a negative film or a print. As a result, the combination verification of the negative film and the print for each unit can be performed for each tray of the tray conveyor, so that the operator can easily recognize the verification mismatch of the specific finished product made of the negative film or the print. Only the negative film or print is taken out and recovery work is performed, and there is no need to check other finished products that match. That is, even if a mismatch occurs, the recovery operation can be performed easily and quickly, and as a result, the operating rate of the photographic processing apparatus is improved.

  As the structure of the notification means, a structure appealing to human vision, hearing, etc. can be used, but it is effective to use a color mark, for example, a device capable of displaying red.

  As a preferred embodiment of the tray, a configuration in which a film storage portion for storing a negative film and a print storage portion for storing a print are preferably provided in the same tray, in this case, obtained from a negative film stored in the film storage portion. Since the prints having images are stored in the print storage section of the same tray, it is easy to take out the collated print and negative film and put them in one DP bag. In the tray pointed out by the informing means that there is a mismatch in the collation, the image on the negative film and the image on the print stored in the tray (which may not be stored at all due to trouble) will not match. The stored negative film or print can be taken out for recovery, and the negative film or print on the other trays can be shipped in a single DP bag.

  The trouble detection means can take various embodiments for detecting a cause of a mismatch when a negative film and a print are finally combined by the collation transport means. In the processing device, the negative film and the photographic paper are continuously processed with each other. Therefore, as long as the continuous operation is normally performed, there is no verification mismatch. It is conceivable that the trouble detecting means is configured to detect a mismatching trouble when the operation is interrupted. If a negative film or photographic paper is jammed, it is necessary to remove the negative film or photographic paper from the conveyance process. In particular, in the case of a negative film, conveyance jamming occurs due to conveyance for image reading, cutting into piece negatives, or insertion of negative sheets. This is likely to occur, the continuous processing is interrupted, and the negative film is removed. In this case, the collating and conveying means surely does not match, so this trouble is detected by the trouble detecting means, and this negative film is detected. The verification mismatch is pointed out through the notification means to the tray corresponding to.

  Further, if it is determined by the image reading check before the printing process that all the images on the negative film are not suitable for normal printing processing, the frame image is not printed. Since the prints do not match, it is also proposed to configure the trouble detection means so as to detect a mismatching trouble in such a case.

In other words, the important point of the present invention is that the collation mismatch occurs when the negative film and the print are finally combined by the collating and conveying means in all the processing steps in the photographic processing apparatus starting from the negative film or photographic paper loading step. When a cause occurs, the trouble detection means detects this trouble and indicates through the notification means that the specific finished product stored and transported in the tray is inconsistent. Is to make the shipment work smoothly.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention using the drawings.

  The entire photographic processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, and a negative film 2 (here, the negative film is the length of one photographic film) conveyed in the photographic processing apparatus 1 with various processing. 2 is also used as a generic term for negative films with thickness, piece negatives cut in units of several frames, and negative films with cartridges according to the Advanced Photo System) and the transport path for photographic paper 3 is shown schematically in FIG. Has been. The photographic processing apparatus 1 includes a negative film supply unit 10, an exposure unit 20 that prints an image of the negative film 2 on the photographic paper 3 drawn from the paper magazine 4, and develops the photographic paper 3 that has been exposed by the exposure unit 20. A development processing unit 30 for processing, a drying unit 40 for drying the photographic paper 3 developed by the development processing unit 30, and the dried photographic paper 3 is cut to a predetermined length and printed (the photographic paper 3 is predetermined) The print discharge section 50 that discharges as the print 3 is cut to a length) and the negative film 2 used in the exposure section 20 is cut, inserted into a negative sheet if necessary, and discharged. Discharge unit 60 and negative unit 2 loaded from negative film discharge unit 60 (for ease of understanding, this unit may be read as one order here) and print discharge Combined matching one unit of printing which is carried from 50 as finished products, and a conveyor mechanism 70 as the collation conveying means for conveying to the finished product take-out position by the operator.

  The negative film supply unit 10 can be loaded with two negative reels 11 winding up up to 100 negative films 2 joined by a splice tape. The negative film 2 drawn out from the negative reels 11 is provided with the negative film 2. A bar code reader 12 for reading the bar code being read and a negative cutter 13 for cutting the drawn negative film 2 every order are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (the arrangement of the negative film 2 and the photographic paper 3 is reversed upside down compared to FIG. 2), the exposure unit 20 has a reading light source 21a and a mirror on the upstream side in the film conveyance direction. A film reading device 21 including a tunnel 21b and an imaging device 21c is provided, and an exposure light source 22a, a light control filter 22b, a mirror tunnel 22c, a negative mask 22d, a printing lens 22e, and a shutter 22f are provided on the downstream side in the film transport direction. An apparatus 22 is provided, and a roller 23 a that transports the negative film 2 from the negative film supply unit 10 through the exposure unit 20 to the negative discharge unit 60 and a motor 23 b that drives the roller 23 a are provided.

  The negative film 2 conveyed by the roller 23a is first read by the film reading device 21 for each frame image and sent to the controller 5 whose block diagram is shown in detail in FIG. The exposure control means 5a of the controller 5 obtains the exposure conditions for printing the image of the negative film 2 on the photographic paper 3 based on the image information received from the film reader 21, and the corresponding frame of the negative film 2 is determined. When the sheet is conveyed to the position of the negative mask 22d, the light control filter 22b and the shutter 22f are controlled based on the previously obtained exposure conditions to expose the photographic paper 3. Further, the controller 5 processes the image information of the negative film 2 read by the film reader 21, and displays a simulated image of the image obtained when the photographic paper 3 is printed on the obtained exposure conditions on the monitor 6a. The operator can observe the simulated image on the monitor 6a and correct the exposure condition from the console 6b as necessary.

  In addition, the negative film 2 that has been subjected to the exposure process in the exposure unit 20 is removed every 6 frames or 4 frames by a negative cutter 25 provided in the negative discharge unit 60 disposed on the downstream side in the film transport direction of the exposure device 22. Although it is cut and sent to the conveyor mechanism 70 as a plurality of negative pieces 2, depending on the specifications, the negative piece 2 is inserted into the negative sheet by a negative sheet insertion device (not shown), and the negative sheet is folded and sent to the conveyor mechanism 70. It is. The negative film 2 conforming to the advanced photo system is pulled out of the cartridge before various processing operations, and is rewound into the cartridge after the processing, so that the negative film 2 after the exposure processing is also stored in the cartridge. 70. The series of negative film 2 conveyance from the negative reel 11 until it is finally delivered to the conveyor mechanism 70 is controlled by the negative film conveyance control means 5b of the controller 5.

  Although not shown, the development processing unit 30 includes a plurality of development processing tanks. After the image of the negative film 2 is printed on the exposure unit 20, the photographic paper 3 is composed of a roller 24 a and a roller. Development processing is performed by sequentially passing through the collection printing unit 26 and the development processing tank of the development processing unit 30 by a motor 24b that drives 24a. It should be noted that an emergency evacuation is performed when a situation occurs in which the photographic paper 3 cannot be continuously fed between the exposure unit 20 and the development processing unit 30 despite the presence of the loop unit in front of the development processing unit 30. A cutter 27 for cutting the photographic paper 3 is provided.

  The developed photographic paper 3 is dried by the drying unit 40, then sent to the print discharge unit 50, cut into a finished print 3 by being cut by the paper cutter 51, and sent to the conveyor mechanism 70 by the lateral feed conveyor 53. It is. Reference numeral 54 denotes a photographic paper bypass path for discharging the photographic paper 3 in an uncut manner when a situation in which the photographic paper 3 cannot be sent to the conveyor mechanism 70 occurs due to some trouble. A series of conveyance of the photographic paper 3 or the print 3 and branching to the photographic paper bypass path 54 are controlled by the photographic paper conveyance control means 5 c of the controller 5.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the conveyor mechanism 70 is of a tray conveyor type, and includes a plurality of trays 100 that are driven by a driving unit 90 that transmits a conveying force while being guided by a circulation guide path 80. A negative film carry-in station 71, a standby station 72, a print carry-in station 73, and a collation station 74 are formed in the conveyance line determined by the circulation guide path 80. As shown in FIG. 6, the circular guide path 80 includes a pair of left and right rails 81 having a substantially circular cross section and a connecting body 82 that connects the rails 81 at a predetermined interval. The negative film discharge unit 60 disposed between the developing unit 30 and the print discharge unit 50 disposed at a high position extends along the side walls of the development processing unit 30 and the drying unit 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the tray 100 includes a traveling unit 110 that travels on a rail 81, and a mounting unit 150 that includes a film storage unit 150a and a print storage unit 150b. Yes. The traveling unit 110 includes a channel-shaped traveling table 111, four traveling rollers 113 that are rotatably supported by shafts 112 inside the rib portions 111 a and 111 b on both sides of the traveling table 111, and a mounting unit An angle bracket 114 (FIG. 9) for attaching 150 to the traveling platform 111 while being inclined is provided. Grooves 113a that match the shape of the rails 81 are formed on the running surface of the running rollers 113 that are attached eight per tray. The traveling unit 110 sandwiches two right rails 81 between the front upper and lower traveling rollers 113 and the rear upper and lower traveling rollers 113 disposed on the right rib portion 111a, and is disposed on the left rib portion 111b. Stable rail travel is performed by sandwiching the left rail 81 between the front upper and lower travel rollers 113 and the rear upper and lower travel rollers 113.

  In the negative film carry-in station 71, the negative film 2 for one unit discharged from the negative film discharge unit 60 is transferred to the film storage unit 150a of the tray 100. In the standby station 72, the tray 100 loaded with the negative film 2 can wait to match the timing at which the print 3 for one unit on which the image of the negative film 2 loaded on the tray 100 is printed is output from the print discharge unit 50. It is. In the print carry-in station 73, one unit of print 3 on which the image of the negative film 2 stored in the film storage unit 150a is printed is transferred from the print discharge unit 50 to the print storage unit 150b of the tray 100. When the collation between the negative film 2 and the print 3 for one unit carried by the tray 100 is confirmed at the collation station 74, the negative film 2 and the print 3 are taken out from the tray 100 and put into the DP bag 7. Since such collation / removal for each tray 100 and delivery of the tray 100 to the collation station 74 are not synchronized, in this collation station 74, as with the standby station 72, the tray 100 is stored on the rail 81. It is possible. The empty tray 100 is sent to the negative film carry-in station 71 again.

  The drive means 90 that transports the tray 100 employs a chain drive system that employs a chain 91 as an endless drive body, and as is apparent from FIG. 5, the drive means 90 is divided into a first drive device 90a to a sixth drive device 90f. ing. The first drive device 90 a is disposed across the verification station 74 and the standby station 72. The second drive device 90 b is arranged to move the emptied tray 100 to the tray stop position at the negative carry-in station 71. The third driving device 90c is arranged to move the tray 100 loaded with the negative film 2 to the storage line of the standby station 72 formed by a part of the first driving device 90a. The fourth drive unit 90d is arranged to sequentially move the tray 100 stored in the standby station 72 to the tray stop position of the print carry-in station 73. As is apparent from FIG. 90d raises the tray 100 at a steep slope. The fifth driving device 90e is further arranged to lower the tray 100 loaded with the prints 3 at a steep slope and send it to the portion of the first driving device 90a forming the verification station 74. Since the circular guide path 80 is curved before 74, a sixth driving device 90f for moving the tray 100 along the curved line is disposed between the fifth driving device 90e and the first driving device 90a. is doing. Each of the drive devices described above includes a chain 91, a drive sprocket 92 that meshes with the chain 91, a direction changing sprocket 93, and a drive motor 94 that drives the drive sprocket 92. At this time, the first, second, third, and sixth drive devices 90a, 90b, 90c, and 90f receive power from a common drive motor 94, but the fourth and fifth drive devices 90d and 90e have timing. Power is received from each individual drive motor 94 because of the need for intermittent operation. As the link plate of each chain 91, not only a normal link plate 91a but also a traction link plate 91b forming a traction portion 95 extending in the chain roller axial direction at a predetermined pitch is mounted. The tray 100 is moved via 95.

  Engagement between the pulling unit 95 and the traveling unit 110 of the tray 100 capable of transmitting the conveying force is performed by two methods. That is, in the first driving device 90a, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to form a storage line, the magnet fixed to the lower surface of the mounting plate 115 extending perpendicularly to the outside of the rib portion 111b of the traveling platform 110 by the resin 117. 116 and the pulling portion 95 of the chain 91 are used to create an engagement between the traveling portion 110 of the tray 100 and the pulling portion 95 of the chain 91. As a result, the tray 100 is moved by the chain 91. Yes. For this purpose, at least the traction link plate 91b is made of a magnetic material. Therefore, when the tray 100 is prevented from traveling by a force larger than the magnetic force acting between the tray 100 and the chain 91, the magnet 116 and the traction portion 95 are disengaged, and only the chain 91 advances, 100 remains stopped. As a result, the trays 100 are sequentially stored as the end surfaces of the carriage 111 come into contact with each other. When the previous tray moves forward, the magnet 116 is magnetically engaged with the pulling portion 95 of the chain 91 again. The subsequent tray 100 also starts moving by the chain 91. That is, the storage of the tray 100 and the supply of the negative film 2 and the print 3 to the take-out position of the tray 100 are automatically performed without delay.

  In the drive devices other than the first drive device 90a, the tray 100 and the chain 91 only need to move integrally. As shown in FIG. 6, the claw portion further protrudes from the lower ends of the rib portions 111a and 111b of the carriage 110. When 118 is brought into contact with the pulling portion 95 of the chain 91, an engagement capable of transmitting the conveying force between the traveling portion 110 and the pulling portion 95 is created. Each drive motor 94 is controlled to be linked by the conveyor control means 5d of the controller 5.

  In order to carry in the negative film 2 from the negative discharge section 60 at the negative film carry-in station 71, the tray 100 is stopped by the first stopper device 85 between the second drive device 90b and the third drive device 90c. Further, the tray 100 is stopped by the second stopper device 86 between the fourth driving device 90d and the fifth driving device 90e in order to carry in the print 3 from the print discharge section 50 at the print carry-in station 73. Since the first stopper device 85 and the second stopper device 86 have the same structure, the structure of the first stopper shown in FIG. 9 will be described here.

    The first stopper device 85 includes a swing arm 85c that swings around a fulcrum 85b, and a claw that is provided at one end of the swing arm 85c and that is provided on the traveling platform 111 of the tray 100 by swinging the swing arm 85c. An engagement pin 85a that can be engaged with the portion 118, a spring 85d that engages the other end of the swing arm 85c and biases the swing arm 85c about the fulcrum 85b in the clockwise direction in FIG. A linear drive solenoid 85e is connected to the arm 85c near the engaging pin 85a and swings the swing arm 85c about the fulcrum 85b in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 when energized. When the energization of the linear solenoid 85e is released, the engaging pin 85a enters the movement locus of the claw portion 118 of the tray 100, so that it slides down the rail 81 that is inclined downward after being detached from the pulling portion 95 of the second drive device 90b. Stop and hold the tray 100. When the linear solenoid 85e is energized, the engagement pin 85a retreats from the movement trajectory of the claw portion 118 of the tray 100, thereby allowing the tray 100 to pass. Since the positional relationship between the second stopper device 86 and the fourth driving device 90d and the downward inclination posture of the rail 81 are the same as in the case of the first stopper device 85, the second stopper device 86 similarly stops and passes the tray 100. Can be controlled.

  Further, the verification station 74 is also provided with a third stopper device 87 for stopping the head of the stored tray 100. As shown in FIG. 10, the third stopper device 87 is provided at both ends of the swing arm 87b swinging in a seesaw manner around the rotation shaft 87c, and by swinging the swing arm 87b. 10, a pair of engagement pins 87a that can selectively engage with the claw portion 118 of the tray 100, a rotary solenoid 87d that is connected to the rotation shaft 87c so as to swing the swing arm 87b, and The spring 87e is engaged with one end of the swing arm 87b so as to urge the swing arm 87b in the clockwise direction. In the third stopper device 87 having such a configuration, when the rotary solenoid 87d is not energized, the swing arm 87b assumes the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 10 due to the biasing force of the spring 87e, and the leading tray 100 is stopped. The tray 100 following the leading tray 100 can be moved on the rail 81 by a magnetic force until it contacts the preceding tray 100 as described above. However, if it contacts the preceding tray 100, it cannot be moved by the magnetic force. Then, storage is performed in a state where the trays 100 are packed one after another. When the rotary solenoid 87d is energized, the swing arm 87b resists the biasing force of the spring 87e and assumes the posture shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, and stops the next tray 100, but the free head The tray 100 starts to move via the magnetic force by the first driving device 90a. When the energization of the rotary solenoid 87d is further released from this state, the swing arm 87b returns to the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 10, and once becomes free and becomes a new head that is slightly moved by the first driving device 90a. The tray 100 is stopped. The tray 100 removed from the first driving device 90a approaches the second driving device 90b with the help of the downward inclination posture of the rail 81, and a fourth provided between the first driving device 90a and the second driving device 90b. Stopped by a stopper device 88.

  The fourth stopper device 88 is for taking the timing of sending out the tray 100 to the negative film carry-in station 71, and is controlled to send out a new tray 100 at the same time as the tray 100 comes out from the negative film carry-in station 71. ing. In other words, the third stopper device 87 and the fourth stopper device 88 can feed the stored trays 100 one by one to the negative film carry-in station 71, and at the same time, the storage lines of the collating station 74 are sequentially advanced. . As shown in FIG. 11, the fourth stopper device 88 has substantially the same structure as the first stopper device 85 and the second stopper device 86, so the description thereof is omitted here.

  At the stop position of the tray 100 by the fourth stopper device 88, as shown in FIG. 11, it is detected whether the negative film 2 and the print 3 are stored in the film storage unit 150a and the print storage unit 150b of the tray 100, respectively. The light sensor 76 includes an LED 76a and a light receiving element 76b for detecting the presence or absence of the negative film 2, and an LED 76c and a light receiving element 76d for detecting the presence or absence of the print 3. The mounting portion 150 is formed with holes (not shown) that allow the light emitted from the LEDs 76a and 76c to pass therethrough. The detection signal of the optical sensor 76 is input to the controller 5 to check whether or not the tray 100 stopped by the fourth stopper device 88 is empty. The above-described first stopper device 85, second stopper device 86, third stopper device 87, and fourth stopper device 88 are also controlled by the conveyor control means 5d of the controller 5.

  Here, the structure of the placing portion 150 of the tray 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The placement unit 150 has a box-like configuration mainly including a top plate 151, a bottom plate 152, a first side plate 153, and a second side plate 154. The print storage portion 150b is formed on the top plate 151, and the first side plate 153 and the second side plate 154 protrude from the top plate 151 so that the prints 3 stacked on the top plate 151 do not fall off, and the protruding portion The print 3 is surrounded from two directions. The other two directions are open to facilitate the loading and unloading of the print 3. A film storage portion 150 a for storing the negative film 2, that is, a piece negative inserted into a bare piece negative or a negative sheet, is formed in a pocket shape between the top plate 151 and the bottom plate 152. In addition, a cartridge housing portion 150c for housing a cartridge 2a in which a negative film 2 conforming to the advanced photo system is housed is opposed to the film housing portion 150a by a box body 155 attached to the outside of the second side plate 154. Is formed.

  As apparent from FIG. 5, the tray 100 is suspended upside down in the movement process from the negative film carry-in station 71 to the standby station 72, and the stored items may fall from the film storage unit 150 a or the cartridge storage unit 150 c. The tray 100 is provided with a holding mechanism 160 for holding the stored items. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15, the holding mechanism 160 is fixed to the rotating shaft 161 and the rotating shaft 161 that are rotatably supported by the bottom plate 152 via a plurality of bearing brackets 162. A claw sleeve 163, a first presser plate 165 that presses the negative film stored in the film storage unit 150a at one end by swinging around a fixed shaft 164 attached to the top plate 151 in a seesaw manner, and the top plate A second presser plate 168 that presses the cartridge stored in the cartridge storage portion 150c at one end thereof by swinging around a fixed shaft 167 attached to 151 in a seesaw manner. The first pressing plate 165 and the second pressing plate 168 swing in the opening direction due to the transmission of the rotational displacement from the claw sleeve 163 accompanying the contact with the claw portion 163a of the claw sleeve 163. Further, the swinging in the direction of pressing the stored items is performed by a spring force, and helical springs 166 and 169 are provided for the purpose. In order to operate the rotating shaft 161, a rounded operation piece member 170 is fixed to the end of the rotating shaft 161 on the traveling platform 111 side. As shown in FIG. 15, the posture of the operation piece member 170 is changed by the contact movement with respect to the piece guide rail 175, and accordingly, the turning shaft 161 is turned and the claw sleeve 163 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 13. 14, the claw portion 163a pushes up the first and second pressing plates 165 and 168 against the spring force of the winding springs 166 and 169 so as to be in an open posture, and is negative to the film storage portion 150a. Storage of the film 2 or storage of the cartridge 2a in the cartridge storage portion 150c is permitted. When the contact between the piece guide rail 175 and the operation piece member 170 is completed, the first and second holding plates 165 and 168 are brought into the hold-down posture of the stored items by the spring force. Therefore, the frame guide rail 175 is provided in the area where the negative film 2 is carried in and out of the tray 100.

  As is apparent from FIG. 4, the controller 5 is configured to perform various functions in addition to the functions described above. Based on the detection result of the screen detection sensor 14 with respect to the negative film 2 drawn from the negative reel 11, the frame image determination means 5e has a problem such as back-baking, full fog, complete omission, half size, etc. Determine if. The negative film ID code assigning means 5f assigns a negative film ID code corresponding to the film ID (hereinafter referred to as FID) read from the bar code sticker attached to one unit of the negative film 2 by the bar code reader 12. However, this negative film ID code is used to specify this one unit of negative film 2 instead of the FID in the process of the photographic processing apparatus 1. Each FID is linked to an ID code for the DP bag 7, and by collating these ID codes, the negative film 2 having a specific FID is placed in a predetermined DP bag 7. . Further, in order to ensure that the print 3 created from the negative film 2 can also be put into the specific DP bag 7, the exposure unit 20 applies the frame image of the negative film 2 to the photographic paper 3 area. The print ID code assigning means 5g for assigning the print ID code is also provided, and this print ID code is also linked with the negative film ID code. The print ID code is also mechanically formed on the photographic paper 3 as a 6-bit code by a notch not shown. The trouble detecting means 5i detects a trouble that is determined by the frame image determining means 5e or a check mismatch trouble that involves the forced discharge of the negative film 2 due to the conveyance clogging detected by the negative film conveyance control means 5b. As information, it is linked to the negative film ID code or the print ID code of the negative film 2 in which this verification mismatch problem has occurred.

  A schematic diagram is shown in FIG. 16 in order to help understanding the link structure of various ID codes and trouble information described above. The order number is also linked to the negative film ID code. The negative film 2 having the linked negative film ID code and the print ID code and the print 3 are loaded into one tray 100 and automatically combined and collated. For this purpose, the tray ID code assigning means is used. 5h links the tray ID code to the negative film ID code and consequently to the print ID code. This tray ID code is an ID provided at a predetermined position of the guide circulation guide path 80 through a through hole 121 formed in the ID plate 120 indicating the tray ID code of each tray 100 provided on the traveling platform 111 of the tray 100. By reading the sensor 77, a 6-bit code is generated and sent to the tray ID code assigning means 5h of the controller 5.

  A collation mark display device 180 is provided on the first side plate 153 of the tray 100 alongside the bracket 114, and the collation mark display device 180 causes the negative film 2 and the print 3 that are supposed to be carried into the tray 100 to have a collation mismatch problem. It is used as an informing means for informing that it has. As shown in FIG. 17, the verification mark display device 180 includes a drum 182 that can rotate around a shaft 181, an elastic body 183 that elastically holds the drum 182, and a housing 184 that houses the drum 182. It has. The housing 184 is provided with an opening 184a and a display hole 184b for moving the drum 182 from the outside. A part of the peripheral wall surface of the drum 182 is painted red. When the drum 182 is rotated to the first position, red is displayed from the display hole 184b, and when the drum 182 is rotated to the second position, the ground color is displayed from the display hole 184b. White color is visible. That is, the trouble information is linked to the ID code of one unit of the negative film 2 or the print 3 placed on the same tray 100 due to a mismatching trouble that occurred during the processing of the negative film 2 or the photographic paper 3 in the photo processing apparatus 1. If the corresponding tray 100 is stopped at the print carry-in station 73, the verification mark control means 5j of the controller 5 operates the display mark solenoid 89 disposed at the print carry-in station 73 to move the drum 182. Rotating from the second position to the first position, the operator is informed that the negative film 2 and the print 3 on this tray are inconsistent. The drum 182 rotated to the first position is returned again to the second position at the verification station 74.

  Next, control relating to collation between the negative film 2 and the photographic paper, that is, the print 3 in the above-described photographic processing apparatus 1 will be described. In FIG. 4, the overall control of the photographic processing apparatus 1 is performed and the controller 5 is represented by a block diagram, but in FIG. 18, the overall function of the controller 5 is represented by a photographic processing apparatus control main routine. This photographic processing apparatus control main routine gives instructions to various processing routines as necessary to execute necessary processing. FIG. 18 shows a routine related to collation, among such various processing routines. It is mentioned. In any case, the function of the controller 5 is basically realized by a program based on a microcomputer, and can be described in two different forms: a block configuration diagram and a processing routine flowchart.

  First, when the negative reel 11 is set, a negative loading processing routine is started. In the negative loading processing routine, as shown in FIG. 19, the negative data of the negative film 2 for one line (usually this unit is on the order of 1) is read with an optical sensor (# 11), and normal printing processing is possible. Whether it is determined. That is, it is checked whether the frame image of the negative film 2 is back-baked (# 12), whether it is all fogged or completely omitted (# 13), and whether it is half size (# 14). In the case of Yes, it is selected whether the negative film 2 unsuitable for such a printing process is forcibly discharged or sent to the negative discharge unit 60 and placed on the tray 100 (# 15). In the case of forced discharge, the negative film 2 is discharged to a discharge negative box through a midway discharge line (not shown) based on control by a forced discharge routine (# 16). In any case, if the frame image is inappropriate for the printing process, it is determined that a mismatching trouble has occurred, and trouble information is linked to the ID code of the negative film 2 (# 17).

The negative film 2 that has been subjected to the negative loading is cut into one unit, that is, one order unit by a negative cut processing routine, and sent to the exposure unit 20 in a separated state.
The negative film 2 sent to the exposure unit 20 is subjected to pre-exposure processing by a frame image reading routine shown in FIG. In the frame image reading routine, it is checked whether there is a print notch used for positioning the frame image (# 21). If there is a print notch, it is positioned at the scanning position using the print notch (# 22). If there is no print notch, the predetermined frame image is adjusted to the scanning position while detecting the frame image (# 23). Image information read from the positioned frame image via the film reading device 21 (# 24) is stored in an image memory in the controller 5, subjected to appropriate image processing, and imaged on the monitor 6a. Exposure correction is performed on the read frame image as necessary (# 25), and the negative film 2 is sent to the exposure position (# 26). In this negative feed, it is checked whether or not a negative clog has occurred (# 27). If a negative clog has occurred, the negative film 2 is removed by hand (# 27). Trouble information is linked to the ID code of 2 (# 29). After the negative film 2 wound around the negative reel 11 has been processed, the negative film 2 thus taken out is loaded again into the transport line.

  In the exposure process, it is necessary to control the operation of each element constituting the exposure apparatus 22 as described above, but the exposure process routine shown in FIG. 21 is described focusing on the movement of the negative film 2. In the exposure processing routine, the frame image of the negative film 2 is sequentially exposed onto the photographic paper 3 (# 31). For example, the exposure per order is large due to the large number of images printed on one frame image. When the number of prints, that is, the number of prints exceeds 55 (# 32), the value of the print ID is counted up (# 33). This print ID is usually given to all the prints for one order. By loading the negative film 2 and the print 3 of one order on the same tray 100, the order number, the negative film ID, and the print ID are assigned. The tray ID is linked 1: 1. However, in this embodiment, since the limit of the number of prints placed on the tray 100 is 55, a print ID that is raised by one is assigned to the prints 3 that exceed 55. That is, two (in some cases, more) print IDs are given to one order. As a result, the 1: 1 relationship between the print ID and the tray ID is maintained. Subsequently, in the negative feed in the auto negative mask area, it is checked whether or not a negative clog has occurred (# 34). If a negative clog occurs, the feeding of a new negative film 2 to the auto negative mask is once stopped. Assuming that manual recovery work such as removing the negative film 2 by hand is performed and a mismatching trouble occurs, trouble information is linked to the ID code of the negative film 2 (# 35). After the negative film 2 wound around the negative reel 11 has been completely processed, the negative film 2 thus taken out is loaded into the transport line again. If the No branch is made at # 34, it is further checked whether or not there has been a mismatching trouble that causes the negative film to be removed from the photo processing apparatus (# 36). Trouble information is linked to the ID code corresponding to the negative film 2 (# 37). As described above, an exposure process for one order is performed.

  The negative film 2 after the exposure processing is cut into a predetermined length (4 or 6 frames) as a negative piece, and the further cut negative film 2 (negative piece) is inserted into a negative sheet, and a negative sheet discharge unit These processes are performed by a negative discharge routine. In the negative discharge processing routine shown in FIG. 22, the portion to be cut of the negative film 2 is aligned with the cutting line of the negative cutter 25 (# 41), and the negative cutter 25 is operated to produce the negative film 2 having a predetermined length. (# 42). The cut negative film 2 is inserted into the negative sheet by a known negative sheet insertion device (# 43), but trouble that makes the sheet insertion impossible in the negative sheet insertion process, for example, the negative sheet is too large. When the trouble that the negative sheet cannot be folded because it is too small, or the trouble that the negative sheet insertion work cannot be continued because it spans the seam of the negative sheet (# 44), the negative film 2 is forcibly discharged (# 45), Give up giving up this negative piece 2 on the tray 100. Accordingly, trouble information is linked to the ID code corresponding to the negative film 2 (# 46).

  If the processing time from the exposure completion of the last frame image to the discharge from the negative film discharge unit 60 is abnormally long in the exposure unit 20, the negative film 2 discharged from the negative film discharge unit 60 in a form inserted into a normal negative sheet. , The final frame image is printed and developed, and the print 100 does not arrive at the print carry-in station 73 until the print 100 is discharged from the print discharge unit 50. As a process for such a situation, there is a negative conveyance delay processing routine. In the negative conveyance delay processing routine shown in FIG. 23, the time t1 after the photographic paper 3 on which the final frame image of the negative film 2 to be placed on the tray 100 is printed is sent to the development processing unit 30 is less than the limit time T1. If the limit time has been exceeded (# 51), the sending of the photographic paper 3 to the exposure unit 20 is interrupted (# 52), and the print 3 discharged from the print discharge unit 50 is processed for the time being. In order to go, the empty tray 100 is sent out toward the print discharge section 50 (# 53), and then the negative film 2 of the negative film discharge section 60 is loaded on the tray 100. Next, the feeding of the photographic paper 3 is restarted (# 55). At the same time, the negative film 2 existing from the exposure unit 20 to the negative film discharge unit 60 is linked to the trouble information to the ID code corresponding to the negative film 2 as a verification mismatch (# 56). The negative film 2 in which the exposure unit 20 is set is considered to be collable.

  Up to this point, the verification mismatch problem in the process related to the negative film 2 has been described. However, the verification mismatch problem also occurs in the process of the photographic paper 3 (printing after being cut). However, the photographic paper 3 is sent out to the exposure unit 20 by a paper loading routine, exposed, and then developed by passing through each processing tank of the development processing unit 30 by a development unit conveyance routine. Since it is normally carried out continuously until it is dried, there will be no verification mismatch problem. The problem is the process of loading a print 3 cut from the photographic paper 3 onto a predetermined tray 100. The processing routine is shown in FIG. Before the print cut by the paper cutter 51, the 6-bit print ID notch row formed on the side edge of the photographic paper 3 is optically read (# 61), and the controller 5 stores it in the form of a link structure internally. It is checked whether the print ID matches the print ID (# 62). If the print ID does not match, trouble information is linked to the print ID (# 67). Further, the number of exposed sheets and the number of prints cut from the photographic paper 3 by the paper cutter 51 are checked (# 63). In this check, if the number of prints cut by the paper cutter 51 actually exceeds the number of sheets exposed in this order, that is, the number of prints stored in the controller at the time of exposure processing, the paper cutter 51 may temporarily recover. This print 3 is loaded on the tray 100 linked to the print ID. Further, as a recovery when the number of prints cut by the paper cutter 51 is actually less than the number of prints stored in the controller in this order, the number of prints stored in the controller 5 has been reached. At the stage, a tray ID is added to prepare a tray for loading the remaining prints. In this embodiment, the number of prints stored in the controller 5 can be calculated using an order notch that divides the photographic paper 3 into units of order, and the frame images formed between the order notches are printed. It becomes. Therefore, the above-described troubles are the detection of the order notch in the paper cutter 51 area (case where the order notch is not detected even when the designated number is reached) or the order notch is detected even though the order notch is not detected (the designated number is not reached). Case). Anyway, if the number of sheets does not match, after performing the recovery process related to the allocation of the loading tray 100 as described above (# 64), the trouble information is linked to this print ID (# 67). Here, the print length is also checked (# 65). If the print length exceeds the predetermined length, recovery processing such as cutting to a length that can be loaded on the tray 100 is performed (# 66), and then this print ID has a problem. Information is linked (# 67). If there is a trouble that makes it impossible to carry in the print carry-in station 73 (# 68), such as a transport system failure, the photographic paper 3 is uncut and ejected from the bypass path 54 (# 69). Although the information is linked (# 67), in this case, since the print 3 is not loaded on the tray 100, the tray 100 is sent to the verification station 74 with only the negative film 2 loaded.

  In the verification mismatch notification processing routine, trouble information is linked to the ID code of the negative film 2 or print 3 to be loaded by the tray 100 stopped at the print carry-in station 73. As a result, trouble information is linked to the ID code of this tray 100. In this case, the display mark solenoid 89 is operated to produce a red mark, thereby notifying the operator that the negative film 2 and the print 3 on this tray are inconsistent.

Next, the conveying operation of the tray 100 of the conveyor mechanism 70 based on the conveyor mechanism control processing routine will be described.
The negative film 2 is stored in the film storage unit 150a of the tray 100 stopped by the first stopper device 85 from the negative discharge unit 60 in the negative film carry-in station 71. The negative film 2 as it is, and in some cases, the cartridge of the advanced photo system is automatically performed for each unit by a feeder device not shown here. The stop by the first stopper device 85 at the negative film carry-in station 71 is released, and the tray 100 lowered by its own weight engages with the pulling portion 95 of the third driving device 90c, travels on the uphill slope, and further waits for the standby station 72. Are taken over by the first driving device 90a forming the storage and sequentially stored.

  The leading tray 100 stored in the standby station 72 is driven by the chain 91 of the fourth driving device 90d that is intermittently driven and engaged with the towing unit 95, so that the steep slope of the ascent of the towing unit 95 is Ascending every pitch. The conveyance by the fourth driving device 90d is driven by one pitch of the towing unit 95 in conjunction with the second stopper device 86 of the print carry-in station 73 releasing the stop of the tray 100. Therefore, every time the tray 100 stopped at the print carry-in station 73 receives one unit of print 3 from the lateral feed conveyor 53 and descends the slope by the fifth driving device 90e, the next tray 100 is sent to the print carry-in position. The second stopper device 86 stops the operation.

  As long as the photographic processing apparatus 1 is operating normally, the negative film 2 is stored in the tray 100 for each unit in the order of exposure processing in the exposure unit 20 unless the number of prints per order exceeds a predetermined amount. Since the tray 100 that does not store the film 2 does not receive the print 3, the print storage unit 150b of the tray 100 receives the film in the same order as the exposure processing order described above. The print 3 on which the image of the negative film 2 stored in the storage unit 150a is printed is stored. When the number of prints per order exceeds a predetermined amount, a tray 100 is further allocated for printing exceeding the predetermined amount. However, with the exception of these special cases, there are some troubles, such as the negative film 2 and the print 3 stored in the tray 100 having the predetermined ID code are missing due to troubles that have occurred in the process so far. When trouble information is linked to an ID code corresponding to the negative film 2 or the print 3 that is regarded as a mismatch and is or has been stored in the tray 100, it is provided in the print carry-in station 73. The collation mark solenoid 89 is operated to rotate the drum 182 of the collation mark display device 180 of the tray 100 to the first position, and the red color indicating the collation mismatch is put out to the display hole 184b. When the tray 100 stopped by the second stopper device 86 receives the print 3 to be combined with one unit of the negative film 2 from the transverse conveyor 53, the second stopper device 86 is released, and the tray 100 has its own weight. Is slightly lowered, engages with the pulling portion 95 of the fifth drive device 90e, and moves downward with the movement of the chain 91. The fifth drive device 90e is a tray stored in the verification station 74. Depending on the number of 100, etc., every time the tray 100 is received in conjunction with the operation of the second stopper device 86, the traction portion 95 conveys one pitch and the tray regardless of the state of the second stopper device 86. It is possible to switch to a constant drive for conveying 100. The tray 100 descending the slope by the fifth driving device 90e is temporarily taken over by the sixth driving device 90f in order to enter the storage line of the verification station 74.

  The tray 100 that has entered the storage line of the verification station 74 is stopped in order, starting with the tray 100 stopped by the third stopper device 87, and the operator removes the negative film 2 and the print 3 from the tray 100 as finished products. Wait for it to be removed. Here, the worker performs a predetermined recovery operation on the tray 100 on which the red verification mismatch mark is displayed. In any case, the tray 100 from which the stored negative film 2 and the print 3 have been extracted by the operator is transferred to the negative film loading station 71 by the second driving device 90b. When the third stopper device 87 is operated in conjunction with being sent to the fourth stopper device 88, the fourth stopper device 88 is fed. Along with this, the trays 100 of the storage line are packed one by one by the first driving device 90a.

  Conveyance control of the tray 100 to the negative film carry-in station 71 by the second driving device 90b when the fourth stopper device 88 is released is performed by transferring the negative film 2 to the film storage portion 150a of the tray 100 at the stop position by the first stopper device 85. This is done each time the storing operation is completed. That is, when the loading of the negative film 2 is completed and the first stopper device 85 releases the stop of the tray 100, the optical sensor 76 provided in the area of the fourth stopper device 88 detects the completion of the removal of the negative film 2 and the print 3 On the condition that this is done, the fourth stopper device 88 releases the stop holding of the tray 100 and supplies the empty tray 100 to the negative film carry-in station 71. In conjunction with this, the third stopper device 87 also releases the hold of the tray 100 and sends the tray 100 to the fourth stopper device 88.

  In the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been adopted in which a color is displayed as a notification means for notifying that the negative film 2 or the print 3 that should be carried into the tray 100 has a verification mismatch problem. As another embodiment of the invention, it is also possible to employ a notification device using vision such as mark display or lamp lighting, or a notification device using hearing such as a buzzer.

The perspective view of the photo processing apparatus which employ | adopted the photo collation system by this invention Schematic diagram of photographic processing device showing the flow of negative film and photographic paper according to FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the photo processing apparatus according to FIG. Block diagram of controller Schematic diagram of the conveyor mechanism that composes the photo collation system Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a drive device and the traveling part of a tray Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a drive device and the traveling part of a tray Explanatory drawing showing loading of negative film into film storage Schematic diagram of the first stopper device Schematic diagram of the third stopper device Schematic diagram of optical sensor Tray perspective view Sectional view showing tray holding mechanism Sectional view showing tray holding mechanism Explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an operation piece member Schematic diagram explaining the link structure of various ID codes Schematic diagram of verification mark display device Explanatory drawing explaining the function of the controller Negative loading process flowchart Flowchart of frame image reading process Flow chart of exposure processing Flow chart of negative discharge process Flow chart of negative conveyance delay processing Flow chart of print carry-in processing

Explanation of symbols

2 Negative film 3 Printing paper (print)
20 exposure unit 50 print discharge unit 5i trouble detection unit 60 negative film discharge unit 70 collation conveyance unit 180 notification unit

Claims (4)

An exposure unit that prints an image of the negative film sent from the negative film supply unit onto the photographic paper, a negative film discharge unit that discharges the negative film used in the exposure unit, and development processing of the photographic paper that has been subjected to the printing process A developing unit, a print discharging unit that discharges the developed photographic paper to a predetermined length and discharges it as a print, and receives a unit of negative film discharged from the negative film discharging unit and from the print discharging unit In a photographic processing apparatus comprising a collation conveying means for receiving a print having an image obtained from the one unit of negative film and conveying the print as a finished product,
The verification conveying means is configured as a tray conveyor composed of a plurality of trays in which the finished products are sequentially stored,
Trouble detecting means for detecting a matching mismatch trouble that adversely affects the matching between the one unit of negative film and the print generated during the processing process of the negative film and the photographic paper, and the above-mentioned stored in the tray of the tray conveyor Informing means for notifying that the finished product has the above-mentioned verification mismatching trouble based on trouble information by the trouble detecting means ,
The photographic processing apparatus, wherein the informing means displays a visually unrecognizable collation mismatch mark . The tray is provided with a film storage section for storing the negative film and a print storage section for storing the print, and prints having images obtained from the negative film stored in the film storage section are in the same tray. The photo processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the photo processing apparatus is stored in a print storage unit. It said trouble detecting means, the photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the negative film or any successive processing steps of the printing paper is detected as if disagreement trouble was interrupted. The photographic processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the trouble detection unit detects a mismatching trouble when all the images on the negative film are not suitable for a normal printing process.

Images