JP4072002B2 - Multi print system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multi-print system including a plurality of printer units and a control unit for controlling each printer unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As described in JP-A-10-283130 and JP-A-2001-160173, there is known a multi-print system including a plurality of printer units and a control unit for controlling the printer units. . As the printer unit, various printers such as a thermal printer that records colors by heating a thermal recording paper with a thermal head are used.
[0003]
The control unit and each printer unit are connected by, for example, a SCSI interface. The control unit is provided with a card reader, and this card reader reads image data from a memory card storing images taken by a digital camera. Images taken with a digital camera are recorded on a memory card with frame numbers assigned in the order they were taken.
[0004]
When the control unit accepts an image print request, the control unit inputs the image data read from the memory card to the printer unit, and executes print processing. When there are a plurality of images, the control unit reads the image data in the order of the frame numbers, and distributes the read image data to each printer unit for parallel processing. Each printer unit is assigned a unit ID number, and each image data is distributed, for example, one by one in the order of the unit ID number.
[0005]
Print photographs are overlaid in the order of image data input (shooting order) and delivered to the orderer. For this reason, the print photos discharged from each printer unit are discharged to one discharge tray. In the paper discharge tray, the print photos discharged from all the printer units are stacked in the order of discharge. If the print processing times of the respective printer units are the same, the image data input order and the paper discharge order match, so the print photos in the paper discharge tray are superimposed in the image data input order (shooting order). . This eliminates the need for the operator to organize the print photos discharged for each printer unit into one, or rearrange the order.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, due to aging degradation of parts, the print processing time may vary among the printer units, and the printer unit that is input after the image data is input earlier than the printer unit that the image data is input first. In some cases, the print process was completed. In this case, the input order of the image data and the discharge order of the printed photos do not match, and there is a problem that the order of the discharged print photos must be rearranged manually.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-print system that can easily organize discharged printed photographs.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a multi-print system of the present invention includes a plurality of printer units for printing an image on a recording sheet, and accepts an image print request, and controls the plurality of printer units to perform print processing. In the multi-print system comprising the control unit for executing the control unit, a speed order determining means for determining the order of the print processing speed of each printer unit and a plurality of images are input to the control unit according to the input order. And a data distribution means for distributing the image data in order from the printer unit having the highest speed order.
[0009]
Each of the printer units is provided with a measuring unit for measuring the print processing time, and the speed order determining unit preferably determines the order based on the measured print processing time.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A multi-print system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of printer units 11 to 14 and a control unit 16 that controls the plurality of printer units 11 to 14. Each printer unit 11-14 prints an image on a recording sheet. The printer units 11 to 14 are housed in a vertical rack 21 and are arranged side by side. Each printer unit 11-14 is provided with a guide plate 22, and the guide plate 22 guides a printed photograph 23 discharged from each printer unit 11-14 to a paper discharge tray 24. The printed photographs 23 are collected and stacked in the discharge tray 24 in the order of discharge.
[0011]
A control unit 16 is placed on the top surface of the rack 21. The control unit 16 and the printer units 11 to 14 are connected via an interface of a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) standard or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. Control signals and data are communicated between the control unit 16 and the printer units 11 to 14 via the interface.
[0012]
The control unit 16 is provided with a slot for inserting a memory card 26 on which image data is recorded. In the memory card 26, for example, a photographed image photographed with a digital camera is stored. The digital camera assigns the file names of the frames in the order of shooting, for example, 001, 002, 003.
[0013]
When receiving a print request, the control unit 16 reads the image data in the memory card 26 in ascending order of the file name. Then, the image data is distributed to the printer units 11 to 14 to execute print processing.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 16 includes an operation panel 28, a display 29, a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a card reader 34, an EEPROM 35, and a communication interface board (communication I / F) 36. The operation panel 28 is provided with various operation keys such as a print button and general-purpose keys. For example, an LCD panel is used as the display 29, and an operation screen and an image in the memory card 26 are displayed. The operator gives various instructions to the CPU 31 by operating the operation panel 28 while looking at the operation screen displayed on the display 29.
[0015]
The card reader 34 reads image data in the memory card 26. The CPU 31 controls each part of the multi-print system 10 in accordance with instructions from the operation panel 28. A program is stored in the ROM 32, and the CPU 31 loads the program into the RAM 33 and executes the processing steps described therein. The RAM 33 is used as a working memory when the CPU 31 executes a program. The communication I / F 36 transfers control commands and image data to the printer units 11 to 14 and receives information transmitted from the printer units 11 to 14.
[0016]
The control unit 16 assigns print processing according to the print processing time of each of the printer units 11 to 14. An ID number is assigned to each of the printer units 11 to 14. The EEPROM 35 stores print processing times of the printer units 11 to 14 in association with the ID numbers. Since the EEPROM 35 can be stored and stored without power supply, the print processing time is not reset even when the power is turned off.
[0017]
Each of the printer units 11 to 14 includes a print mechanism 36, a print controller 37 that controls the print mechanism 36, and a communication I / F 40. The print controller 37 is provided with a timer 38 by which the print processing time of the print mechanism 36 is measured. The measured print processing time is transferred to the control unit 16 via the communication I / F 40.
[0018]
The CPU 31 determines the speed order of the printer units 11 to 14 based on the print processing time stored in the EEPROM 35. Then, the image data is sorted in order from the printer unit having the highest speed order (high processing speed). Thus, even if the processing speed varies among the printer units 11 to 14, printed photographs are discharged in the order in which the image data is input. Further, when the print processing time is not stored in the EEPROM 35 such as at the first activation, the image data is distributed in the order of the identification numbers (ID) given to the printer units 11 to 14.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the print mechanism 36. The print mechanism 36 employs a thermal recording system that develops color when heated. A recording paper roll 41 in which a long color thermal recording paper 42 is wound in a roll shape is set in the paper feeding unit. As is well known, the color heat-sensitive recording paper 42 is formed by providing a heat-sensitive color-developing layer that develops colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow on a support. The uppermost yellow thermosensitive coloring layer has the highest thermal sensitivity, and the lowermost cyan thermosensitive coloring layer has the lowest thermal sensitivity. Each of the yellow and magenta thermosensitive coloring layers is imparted with photofixability by light having a specific wavelength.
[0020]
The color thermal recording paper 42 is pulled out to the conveyance path by the paper feed roller 43. The fed color thermosensitive recording paper 42 is nipped by the conveying roller pair 44 and conveyed in the forward direction and the reverse direction. The paper feed roller 43 and the transport roller pair 44 are driven by a motor 46. As the motor 46, for example, a pulse motor whose rotation amount is determined according to the number of applied driving pulses is used. The print controller 37 drives the motor 46 via the motor driver 47 and controls the rotation speed and rotation amount. Thereby, the conveyance speed and conveyance amount of the color thermal recording paper 42 are controlled.
[0021]
A thermal head 48 and an optical fixing device 49 are disposed on the conveyance path. While the color thermal recording paper 42 is being transported, thermal recording is performed on each color image by the thermal head 48, and the thermal recording yellow and magenta thermal coloring layers are optically fixed by the optical fixing device 49.
[0022]
The thermal head 48 extends in the main scanning direction and includes a heating element array in which a number of heating elements are arranged in a line. The thermal head 48 is in pressure contact with the color thermal recording paper 42 and thermally records an image by heating. The platen roller 51 supports the color thermal recording paper 42 pressed by the thermal head 48 from the back side.
[0023]
The thermal head 48 is driven by the head driving unit 52. The print controller 37 sends image data and a print start signal to the head drive unit 52. The head driving unit 52 converts the image data into driving data for driving the thermal head 48 and drives the thermal head 48 based on the print start signal.
[0024]
The light fixing device 49 includes a yellow fixing lamp 53 that emits yellow fixing light for erasing the coloring ability of the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer, and a magenta fixing lamp 54 that emits magenta fixing light for erasing the coloring ability of the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer. And a reflector 56 that surrounds the fixing lamps 53 and 54 and reflects light emitted from the fixing lamps toward the conveyance path. The fixing lamps 53 and 54 are driven by a lamp driving unit 57.
[0025]
As the fixing lamps 53 and 54, mercury fluorescent lamps are used. Mercury fluorescent lamps reduce the amount of light due to aging. Therefore, each of the printer units 11 to 14 has the color thermosensitive recording paper 42 based on the illuminance of each of the fixing lamps 53 and 54 so that a necessary amount of fixing light can be obtained even when the light emission amount of the mercury fluorescent lamp decreases. Adjust the transport speed.
[0026]
The illuminance sensors 58 and 59 measure the illuminance of the fixing lamps 53 and 54. The illuminance sensor 58 measures the illuminance of the yellow fixing lamp 53, and the illuminance sensor 59 measures the illuminance of the magenta fixing lamp 54. The illuminance sensors 58 and 59 are arranged to face one end of the fixing lamps 53 and 54 so that the fixing light from the fixing lamps 53 and 54 is not blocked by the color thermal recording paper 42. Has been. Of course, the illuminance sensors 58 and 59 may be provided on the inner surface of the reflector 56. In this way, the illuminance near the center of the fixing lamps 53 and 54 can also be measured.
[0027]
Each of the illuminance sensors 58 and 49 is connected to the print controller 37 and sends the measured illuminance signal to the print controller 37. The print controller 37 compares the measured illuminance with a preset target level, and when the measured illuminance decreases, the print controller 37 decelerates the conveyance speed of the color thermal recording paper 42.
[0028]
In this way, since the conveyance speed of the color thermal recording paper 42 is adjusted based on the illuminance of the fixing lamps 53 and 54, the print processing time varies among the printer units 11 to 14.
[0029]
Since the yellow fixing light and the magenta fixing light have different wavelengths, in this example, two illuminance sensors having sensitivity to the respective wavelengths are provided. Of course, sensitivity is provided to both wavelengths. Only one illuminance sensor may be provided. In addition, a warning device may be provided that urges the operator to replace the fixing lamp when the illuminance of the fixing lamp falls below a predetermined value.
[0030]
The color thermal recording paper 42 that has been subjected to thermal recording and light fixing is sent to a cutter 61, cut into a predetermined size, and discharged outside the printer unit. As the cutter 61, for example, a so-called guillotine type cutter including a lower blade 61b that is a fixed blade and an upper blade 61a that descends toward the lower blade 61b is used. A cutting completion detection sensor 63 is provided in the vicinity of the lower blade 61b. This cutting completion detection sensor 63 is connected to the timer 38 and is turned on by the lowered upper blade 61a to complete the cutting to the timer 38. Send a signal.
[0031]
The timer 38 starts based on the print start signal sent from the control unit 16 and measures the time until the cutting completion signal is sent as the print processing time. The print processing time measured by the timer 38 is notified to the control unit 16. The control unit 16 stores the print processing time sent from each of the printer units 11 to 14 in the EEPROM 35. The print processing time of each printer unit 11 to 14 is measured for each printing, and the print processing time in the EEPROM 35 is updated each time it is measured.
[0032]
Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the power is turned on, the multi-print system 10 is activated. When the memory card 26 is set in the card reader 34 and a print instruction is given, the card reader 34 starts reading image data. When a plurality of frames are recorded in the memory card 26, the card reader 34 reads the file names in ascending order.
[0033]
The CPU 31 determines the processing speed order based on the print processing times of the printer units 11 to 14 in the EEPROM 35. Then, the scanned image data is distributed to each of the printer units 11 to 14 one by one in descending order of print processing speed. The image data is assigned to the printer units 11 to 14 in the order read by the card reader 34. Each of the printer units 11 to 14 executes print processing based on the image data sent from the control unit 16.
[0034]
When receiving an execution instruction from the control unit 16, the print controller 37 operates the print mechanism 36. The motor 46 rotates, and the color thermal recording paper 42 is pulled out from the recording paper roll 41 and fed to the conveyance path. When the recording area of the color thermal recording paper 42 reaches the thermal head 48, a print start signal is sent from the print controller 37 to the head driving unit 52, and thermal recording of a yellow image is started. The print controller 37 starts a timer 38 when the print start signal is transmitted.
[0035]
The recorded portion where the yellow image is recorded is sequentially sent to the optical fixing device 49, where the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer is optically fixed. The print controller 37 adjusts the conveyance speed of the color thermal recording paper 42 based on the illuminance level of the yellow fixing lamp 53. When the yellow image thermal recording and light fixing are finished, the color thermal recording paper 42 is rewound once, and the magenta image thermal recording and light fixing is started. During the light fixing of the magenta image, similarly to yellow, the conveyance speed of the color thermal recording paper 42 is adjusted based on the illuminance level of the magenta fixing lamp 54. After the color thermal recording paper 42 is rewound again, a cyan image is thermally recorded.
[0036]
The recorded portion where the full color image is recorded is cut by the cutter 61. At this time, a cutting completion signal is sent from the cutting completion detection sensor 63 to the timer 38. The timer 38 is stopped by this disconnection completion signal. The measured print processing time is sent to the control unit 16. The control unit 16 writes this print processing time in the EEPROM 35. If the print processing time has already been written, it is overwritten and updated.
[0037]
The printed photos 23 discharged from the printer units 11 to 14 are guided by the guide plate 22 and are stored on the discharge tray 24 in the order of discharge. Since the print processing of the input image data is assigned from each of the printer units 11 to 14 in order from the highest processing speed, the print photos 23 are discharged to the discharge tray 24 in the input order. This eliminates the need for the operator to rearrange the printed photographs 23.
[0038]
In the above embodiment, an example is described in which a timer is provided in each printer unit and the print processing time is measured in each printer unit. However, a timer is provided in the control unit to measure the print processing time of each printer unit. It may be. Further, the example in which the print processing time varies among the printer units due to the deterioration of the fixing lamp has been described. Of course, the present invention can be applied to an example in which the print processing time varies due to other factors.
[0039]
In the above embodiment, the control unit and the plurality of printer units are described as examples having separate casings. However, an example in which a plurality of printer units are housed in one casing may be used. The control unit may be housed in a single housing.
[0040]
In the above embodiment, an example in which a thermal recording type printer is used as the printer unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various printers such as a laser printer and an inkjet printer. .
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, the present invention provides a plurality of printer units that print an image on recording paper, and a control that receives an image print request and controls the plurality of printer units to execute print processing. In a multi-print system comprising a unit, a speed order determining means for determining the order of print processing speed of each printer unit and a speed order according to the input order when a plurality of images are input to the control unit. Since there is a data sorting unit that sorts image data in order from the printer unit with the highest image quality, the order in which the image data is input matches the order in which the paper is ejected, making it easy to organize the printed photos that have been ejected Become.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a multi-print system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a control unit and a printer unit.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a print mechanism.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing procedure.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Multi-print system 11, 12, 13, 14 Printer unit 16 Control unit 21 Rack 24 Paper discharge tray 31 CPU
35 EEPROM
38 timer

Claims (2)

In a multi-print system comprising a plurality of printer units for printing an image on recording paper, and a control unit for receiving an image print request and controlling the plurality of printer units to execute a printing process.
When a plurality of images are input to the control unit, the speed order determining means for determining the order of the print processing speed of each printer unit, and when the plurality of images are input, the image data is sequentially input from the printer unit having the higher speed order. A multi-print system characterized by comprising data distribution means for distributing the data. 2. The printer unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the printer units is provided with a measuring unit for measuring a print processing time, and the speed order determining unit determines the order based on the measured print processing time. Multi-print system.

Images