JPH11265030A - Printing-out paper processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily discriminate between a photographic print and unnecessary printing paper. SOLUTION: In this processing method, exposure is performed by cutting printing paper to a length in accordance with a print size in the case of forming a photographic print (steps 202 to 210). At such a time, the leading edge of the printing paper is drawn out from a paper magazine, the printing paper is cut to a specified length, and then specified information is printed by using the exposure unit of an index exposure device (steps 200, 212 to 216). When the required length can not be secured because the splicing part or the trailing edge of the printing paper comes (steps 218 and 220), the leading edge of the next printing paper is cut by the specified length when the splicing part comes or the printing paper is carried as it is when the trailing edge comes. The specified information is printed by using the exposure unit, and the photographic print is appropriately and easily discriminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for processing photographic paper in a printer processor which prints an image recorded on a negative film or the like on a photosensitive material such as a long photographic paper to create a photographic print.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printer processor used in a minilab or the like includes a photographic printer for exposing a photosensitive material such as photographic paper in accordance with an image recorded on a photographic film such as a negative film, and a developing device for developing an image-exposed photographic paper. It is configured by a processor that immerses the processing in a processing liquid such as a liquid and performs processing.

In a photographic printer, a long photographic printing paper wound in a roll and stored in a magazine is drawn out of the magazine, irradiated from a light source, and the light transmitted through the negative film is focused on the photographic printing paper to form an image. Expose the paper. Thus, the image recorded on the negative film is printed on the photographic paper. The photographic paper on which the image has been printed is sent to a processor and immersed in a predetermined processing solution such as a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, and washing water, thereby completing a photographic print. Further, by changing the magnification and the like of the image formed on the photographic paper, a photographic print of an arbitrary size such as a standard size or a panorama size can be created.

In such a printer processor, in addition to a main exposure unit for printing an image recorded on a photographic film onto photographic paper, a date of photographing of the image and the like are superimposed on an image printed by the main exposure unit. There is a printer in which a so-called front print device for printing is provided as sub-exposure means. The front printing apparatus is used to print information such as the date on which an image is captured on photographic paper using a plurality of 7-segment LEDs, for example. As a result, even if the date and the like at the time of photographing are not recorded in the image recorded on the negative film, the photographing date and the like can be recorded in the photographic print.

[0005] In addition, the creation of a so-called index print in which an image of one negative film can be confirmed at a glance has been generalized. 2. Description of the Related Art Some paper printers include an index exposure device that exposes paper according to an index image. The index exposure apparatus displays an image based on image data read in advance from a negative film on a display unit such as an LCD, and exposes the photographic paper according to the display image. Thus, an index print in which images of one negative film are arranged in a matrix can be obtained.

[0006] Such a printer processor is loaded with a paper magazine containing long photographic paper in a roll form. In the printer processor, a predetermined area of the photographic paper pulled out from the paper magazine is sequentially subjected to image exposure by a main exposure unit or a sub-exposure unit, and then sent to a processor unit for development processing. As a result, a photographic print or index print of the image recorded on the negative film is obtained.

On the other hand, the printer processor corrects the light source for exposing the image to the photographic paper and corrects the light source at the time of exposure according to the characteristics of the processing liquid in the processor so that a color image of an appropriate color is obtained. Like that. Control strips in which a predetermined color image has been exposed and recorded in advance are used for correction of the light source according to the processing liquid of the processor unit, but a predetermined image is formed for correction of the light source for exposure. Using a control negative (for example, a centerpiece negative) and exposing photographic paper in accordance with the image recorded on the control negative (centerpiece print)
Is used.

A print made using such control strips or control negatives is used for correcting the light source at the time of exposure, and is written with the date of creation and stored, and is used to manage the processing performance of the printer processor. Used for

By the way, a photographic paper of a predetermined length (for example, 180 m) is wound up in a roll shape and accommodated in a paper magazine, and a large number of photographic prints can be created from one roll. The photographic paper accommodated in the magazine is cut in 180 m increments and when the remaining photographic paper is less than this length, a new element is connected by splicing tape or the like so that the length becomes this length. ing. For this reason, the photographic paper stored in the magazine includes:
Some include defined joints.

On the other hand, some printer processors use a so-called first-cut transport system in which photographic paper drawn from a paper magazine is cut in accordance with the size of an exposure image and then image exposure is performed.

In this leading-edge transport type printer processor, when a new paper magazine is loaded, fogging due to exposure of the leading edge of the roll-shaped photographic paper is prevented, and the leading edge of the photographic paper is positioned inside the apparatus. In order to perform the printing, the leading end of the photographic paper drawn from the paper magazine is cut into a predetermined length, and then the printing process is performed while cutting the photographic paper into a length corresponding to the size of the exposure image.

When the printer processor detects the connection portion of the photographic paper, the printer processor cuts the connection portion of the photographic paper within a predetermined range and sends it to the processor unit as it is.
Subsequently, print processing is performed. Further, when the printer processor reaches the rear end of the printing paper housed in the paper magazine and cannot secure a length corresponding to the exposure size, the remaining printing paper is sent to the processor unit as it is. I have.

That is, in the printer processor, the leading edge of the long photographic paper, the leading edge of the photographic paper such as the trailing edge, or the photographic paper in which an appropriate exposure area cannot be secured. By exposing the photographic paper while cutting off the connection portion and the rear end of the paper, a photographic print is created by making maximum use of the photographic paper contained in the paper magazine.

[0014]

However, photographic paper on which image exposure is not performed is sent to a processor unit in the same manner as image-exposed photographic paper, and is subjected to development processing in the same manner as photographic paper on which an image is printed. Although it is a photographic paper that can be discarded, it is stacked on a photographic print. Therefore, when sorting photographic prints, it is necessary to further select and extract photographic paper that may be discarded.

Some printer processors have a printing device for printing a frame number or the like on the back surface of the photographic paper (the surface opposite to the surface on which an image is formed). In order to sort the photographic paper, a method of printing information indicating that the photographic paper may be discarded on the back surface of the photographic paper may be considered.

However, when the photographic paper is displayed on the back side of the photographic paper by the printing device, it is necessary to confirm the display on the back side of each photographic print when sorting the photographic prints, which reduces the complexity of selecting the photographic paper to be discarded. It cannot be eliminated.

Further, when storing a centerpiece print or a control strip, it is necessary to write management information such as a date each time. There is a method of printing such management information on the back side of the photographic paper by a printing apparatus. When printing on the back side, the photographic paper must be turned over and the display must be checked each time.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and facilitates identification of a photographic print on which a special image such as a control strip or a center negative is recorded, or a photographic paper to be discarded. An object of the present invention is to propose a photographic paper processing method.

[0019]

The invention according to claim 1 is
While sequentially securing the area for printing the image recorded on the photographic film on the long photographic paper, the image recorded on the photographic film is printed and developed on the secured area to record the image on the photographic film. A method of processing a photographic paper for creating a photographic print according to the image being printed, after removing the leading end of the long photographic paper from the area where the image is printed when performing continuous printing processing, While sequentially printing the image in the area while securing the area to print the image, at the leading end removed from the area to print the image and at the rear end of the photographic paper that is less than the area to print the image, Information indicating that the printing paper has not been subjected to image printing by the secondary exposure means provided separately from the main exposure means for printing the image recorded on the photographic film onto the printing paper. The wherein the baking.

According to the present invention, since the fogging cannot be prevented and the desired length cannot be secured, the photographic film is recorded on both ends of a long photographic paper which is not used for image printing recorded on the photographic film by the sub-exposure means. Is printed, which indicates that the image recorded in the printer is unnecessary photographic paper that has not been printed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the next photographic paper is connected to the rear end of the long photographic paper, the leading end of the next photographic paper is removed from the image printing area, The sub-exposure unit prints information indicating that the image is unnecessary photographic paper on a photographic paper portion excluding an area where an image recorded on the photographic film is to be printed.

According to the present invention, when there is a connection portion to which another photographic paper is connected at the end of the photographic paper, the connection portion is removed from the area for printing the image recorded on the photographic film and Prints information indicating that the image recorded on the photographic film by the sub-exposure means is unnecessary photographic paper that has not been printed.

The information printed on the photographic paper by the sub-exposure means, excluding the printing of the image recorded on the photographic film, is the same as that of the image on which the image of the photographic print is printed. Even if they are accumulated, they can be easily identified and can be appropriately identified.

Further, the photographic paper which is excluded from the printing of the image recorded on the photographic film has such a length that the leading end portion and the area for printing the image can no longer be secured. The photograph print can be created while planning.

As the sub-exposure means, those provided in the printer processor, such as a means for exposing an index image and a means for printing a date or the like on a photographic film image, can be used. It is not necessary to provide a dedicated exposure means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image recorded on a photographic film is printed on photographic paper based on predetermined exposure conditions, and then the photographic paper on which the image has been printed is developed to perform photographic printing. A photographic paper on which a predetermined image is printed or a photographic paper on which a predetermined image is printed in advance in order to set the exposure conditions or to correct the set exposure conditions. A printing method of printing an image recorded on the photographic film on a photographic paper at a predetermined position on a photographic paper on which the predetermined image is printed and on a photographic paper on which the predetermined image is printed. After the predetermined management information is printed by a sub-exposure unit provided separately from the main exposure unit, a development process is performed.

According to the present invention, when producing a centerpiece print or control strip, management information such as a creation date is printed by the sub-exposure means. As a result, management information such as the date is recorded on the same surface as the image used for managing the printer processor in the centerpiece print and control strips, so that the management information such as the date is separately written in the centerpiece print and control strips. This eliminates the need and makes storage and management easier.

In the front printing apparatus used as the sub-exposure means, the date and the like can be printed on photographic paper. Therefore, the management information can be printed using this function. In addition, since the exposure device that exposes the index image can display an arbitrary image at an arbitrary position and print it on photographic paper, the image is displayed such that the date and the like are printed at a predetermined position on the photographic paper. You can do it.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a printer processor 10 applied to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an overview of the printer processor 10. The printer processor 10 includes a printer unit 12 and a processor unit 72.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer section 12 is loaded with a paper magazine 14 containing photographic paper P. In this paper magazine 14,
The long side of the photographic paper P is a predetermined length (for example, 180 m)
, And wound and stored in a roll shape.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), when the original sheet of the photographic paper P is less than the predetermined length, another original sheet of the photographic paper P is connected by the splice tape 64, and the predetermined length is obtained. I am disconnected. A splice hole 65 is formed in the connection portion of the photographic paper P on the leading end side of the photographic paper P in the drawing direction from the paper magazine 14, and by detecting the splice hole 65, the splice hole 65 may be a connection portion. It can be determined.

As a result, the photographic paper P of a predetermined length is accommodated in the paper magazine 14, and a large number of photographic prints can be created while continuously pulling out the photographic paper P from one paper magazine 14. I can do it. The inner peripheral end (hereinafter, referred to as “rear end”) of the photographic paper P stored in the paper magazine 14 is simply wound around a core (not shown). It is designed to be pulled out of the magazine 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the machine frame 20 of the printer processor 10 is provided with a door 20A. By opening the door 20A, the paper magazine 14 can be attached to and detached from the printer unit 12. Has become.

As shown in FIG. 1, the paper magazine 1
4, a driving roller 16 is provided on the upper left side of FIG. 1 and a nip roller 18 is disposed around the driving roller 16. An outer peripheral end (hereinafter, referred to as “front end”) of the photographic paper P wound in a roll shape is pulled out from the paper magazine 14 and wound around the driving roller 16, thereby being sandwiched between the driving roller 16 and the nip roller 18. You. Thus, when the driving roller 16 is driven to rotate by the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) in the printer unit 12, the printing paper P is pulled out of the paper magazine 14, and
A substantially horizontal direction into the printer unit 12 (the left-right direction in FIG. 1).
Sent out to. In FIG. 1, the direction in which the photographic paper P is transported (the direction in which the photographic paper P is drawn out) is indicated by the arrow A.

The printer unit 12 is provided with a cutter 22 facing the photographic paper P sent out by the driving roller 16, and the photographic paper P is cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 22. The length of the cutting of the printing paper P by the cutter 22 is adjusted to the size of the image to be printed on the cut printing paper P. That is, the size of the cut photographic paper P is the size of the photo print.

On the other hand, on the downstream side of the cutter 22,
6 are arranged substantially horizontally. Wrapping rollers 52 and 56 are arranged on both sides of the support base 46. A tension roller 62 is disposed below one of the winding rollers 56, and
An endless transport belt 44 is wound between the tension rollers 2 and 56 and the tension roller 62. This conveyor belt 4
Reference numeral 4 denotes printing on the support base 46 from the winding roller 52 side, that is, on the support base 46 by rotating the winding roller 52 or the winding roller 56 by a driving unit (not shown). The paper P moves along the transport direction.

The wrapping roller 52 includes a pressing roller 54
The printing paper P cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 22 is sandwiched between the wrapping roller 52 and the pressing roller 54, and then placed on the transport belt 44 and transported on the support base 46. Is done. A pressing roller 58 is opposed to the wrapping roller 56, and the conveying belt 44 is
The photographic paper P placed on the support table 46 and conveyed on the support base 46 is nipped and sent out toward an upper (upper side in FIG. 1) conveying path 60.

A number of small holes are formed in the transport belt 44 over the entire area, and a number of air holes are formed in the upper surface of the support base 46 (all are not shown). In addition, support table 4
6, one end of a duct 66 is connected. The other end of the duct 66 is connected to a fan box 70 having a fan 68. When the fan 68 operates, air near the upper surface of the support base 46 is sucked into the duct 66. As a result, the transport belt 44 moving on the support table 46 is brought into close contact with the support table 46, and the printing paper P is held on the transport belt 44.

An index exposure device 90 (to be referred to as a “sub-exposure device 90”), which will be described later, is provided above the support table 46. The photographic paper P is supported by the sub-exposure device 90 together with the transport belt 44. By moving between the tables 46 and stopping the driving of the winding rollers 52 and 56, the rollers are held at predetermined positions on the support table 46. That is, the position on the support base 46 is the image exposure position on the photographic paper P, and the photographic paper P is held at a predetermined position on the support base 46 and is image-exposed.

Above the support base 46 (above the sub-exposure device 90), a black shutter 41 and a zoom lens 38 are arranged. Further, on the machine frame 20 above the zoom lens 38, a negative carrier 30 is provided. Are located. A light source box 48 is mounted on the machine frame 20 adjacent to the negative carrier 30.

In the light source box 48, the lamp 26 and the CC filter 24 composed of C, M, Y and N filters are arranged. The light source box 48
Is connected to a diffusion box 28, and the lamp 26
Is radiated by the CC filter 24 and enters the diffusion box 28. Diffusion box 2
A mirror 50 is provided in 8, and the light entering the diffusion box 28 is reflected by the reflection mirror 50 toward the negative carrier 30.

The negative carrier 30 is loaded with a film N such as a long negative film. In the film N, image frames in which an image recorded by photographing or the like is visualized by a development process are arranged along the longitudinal direction. The printer processor 10 positions the image frames of the film N at predetermined positions on the negative carrier 30 in order. The light reflected from the diffusion box 28 to the negative carrier 30 is
The image frame of the film N positioned at a predetermined position of the negative carrier 30 is transmitted through the zoom lens 3 in the machine frame 20.
8.

The zoom lens 38 is attached to the support plate 34 supported on the guide rail 32. A prism 36 is mounted above the support plate 34, and a densitometer 40 is arranged at a predetermined position adjacent to the support plate 34. The light transmitted through the film N is transmitted through the prism 36 and the zoom lens 38, and is irradiated onto the photographic paper P arranged on the support base 46. Thereby, the film N
Is formed on the photographic paper P, and the image formed on the image frame of the film N is printed on the photographic paper P.

A part of the light transmitted through the film N is deflected by the prism 36 and irradiated on the densitometer 40. The printing unit 12 measures the density of the image recorded on the film N from the light irradiated on the densitometer 40, and converts the image of each image frame recorded on the film N into photographic paper P
The exposure conditions (exposure time, correction value for each color, etc.) for printing on the substrate are set. The printing unit 12 of the printer processor 10 adjusts each color of the CC filter 24 based on the measurement result of the densitometer 40 and a preset correction value and the like, and opens the black shutter 41 to expose the photographic paper P. To print the image.

The image-exposed photographic paper P is sandwiched between the wrapping roller 56 and the pressing roller 58, and is sent to the processor 72 via the transport path 60. In the transport path 60, a printing device 61 is provided opposite to the surface (photosensitive surface, front surface) on which the image of the photographic paper P is printed (back surface), and the printing device 61 is provided. A frame number and the like are printed on the back surface of P by the printing device 61.

The processor section 72 includes a processing liquid processing section 74.
And a drying unit 80. The processing solution processing section 74 includes a developing tank 75 for storing a color developing solution, a bleaching tank 76 for storing a bleaching solution, a fixing tank 77 for storing a fixing solution, and a plurality of washing tanks 78 for storing a stabilizing solution and washing water. The photographic paper P is conveyed while being immersed in the respective processing liquids, so that color development, bleaching, fixing, stabilization, washing with water and the like are performed. The photographic paper P on which the processing liquid processing has been completed is sent to the drying unit 80.

In the drying section 80, a chamber 82 to which a drying air such as a hot air generated by a drying air generating means (not shown) is supplied is disposed along a conveying path of the photographic paper P. The printing paper P is dried by being conveyed while being blown by a drying air blown from the chamber 82.

The photographic paper P, which has been subjected to the drying process, is transferred to the transport path 8
The sheet is conveyed along the stack 4 and sequentially discharged to a stacking device such as a sorter (not shown) provided in the stacking section 86 at the upper part of the machine frame 20 to be stacked. A print densitometer 88 for measuring the density of an image recorded on a photographic print is provided in the middle of the transport path 84. The print densitometer 88 is used, for example, for setting a correction value when the color tone is corrected by the CC filter 24 in the printing unit 12.

The printer processor 10 is provided with a sub-exposure device 90 for creating an index print in which images of all image frames recorded on the film N can be checked at a glance.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sub-exposure device 90 is provided with a rectangular box-pair frame 92. An opening 94 is formed at the center of the frame 92, and light transmitted through the film N loaded on the negative carrier 30 passes through the opening 94 and is placed on the transport belt 44 on the support base 46. The photographic paper P which is placed and held is irradiated.

On the upper surface of the frame 92, an exposure unit 96 is provided adjacent to the opening 94 as sub-exposure means. In the present embodiment, the exposure unit 96 is disposed upstream of the opening 94 in the transport direction of the printing paper P, and the printing paper P passes under the exposure unit 96 and is located in the opening 94. It is transported to a predetermined position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the exposure unit 96
R light source 100 for emitting a red component of light and G light source 102 for emitting a green component
And a B light source 104 for emitting a blue component. The R light source 100, the G light source 102, and the B light source 10
Each of 0 is constituted by a plurality of light emitting diodes, and is lit by a signal (power) supplied from the printing unit 12.

The G light source 102 is arranged on the exposure optical axis X in the casing 98. A dichroic mirror 10 that reflects red component light is disposed on the exposure optical axis X.
6 and a dichroic mirror 1 that reflects blue component light
08 are provided respectively. The R light source 100 and the B light source 104 are respectively dichroic mirrors 106, 1
08, and the lights emitted from the R light source 100 and the B light source 104 are reflected by dichroic mirrors 106 and 108, respectively.
The optical axis of the light emitted from the R light source 100 and the B light source 104 coincides with the exposure optical axis X.

A reflection mirror 110 is provided on the exposure optical axis X in the casing 98, and the R light source 10
The light of each color emitted from the 0, G light source 102 and B light source 104 is reflected by the reflection mirror 110 inward in the width direction of the printing paper P.

An LCD 1 for displaying an index image to be exposed on the photographic paper P is provided on the photographic paper P side of the casing 98.
12 (Liquid Crystal Display) and a lens unit 114 are arranged, and a reflection mirror 116 is arranged above the conveyance path of the photographic paper P.

R light source 100, G light source 102 and B light source 1
The light emitted from the light source 04
After being reflected toward the CD 112 and passing through the LCD 112 and the lens unit 114, the light is irradiated on a predetermined area of the photographic paper P facing the reflection mirror 116.

In the LCD 112, a large number of liquid crystal display elements whose transmittances are individually controlled are closely arranged in a matrix, and an image is formed by applying a driving voltage according to an image signal to each liquid crystal display element. A light transmission image corresponding to the signal is displayed. The image signal is a digital signal. For example, the light transmittance of each liquid crystal display element is changed in 256 steps, and an image having a density corresponding to the light transmittance is printed on the printing paper P.

The printer processor 10 converts the image signals of each image frame of one film N read in advance by a scanner or the like (not shown) into index image data in which frame images are arranged according to a predetermined rule. An image signal corresponding to image data of a predetermined number of frames (for example, five frames in one row) of the index image data of one film is output to an LCD driver (not shown) of the sub-exposure device 90. Thereby, the LCD 11
In 2, a row of index images is displayed. The index image is printed on the printing paper P by exposing the printing paper P according to the display image.

The LCD 112 displays one column of image data to be printed on the printing paper P, divided into R, G, and B color components. According to these display images, the R light source 1
When the G light source 102 or the B light source 104 is turned on, the R, G, and B color component images are superimposed and printed on the photographic paper P to form a color image. Creating an index print in which the images recorded on the film N are arranged in a matrix by changing the index image displayed on the LCD 112 according to the image data and repeating the exposure while transporting the photographic paper P by frame. Can be.

The R light source 100, the G light source 102, and the B light source 102
By turning on the light source 104 simultaneously, the LCD 11
2 can be exposed on the photographic paper P so as to appear as black.

The sub-exposure device 90 includes a connector 138 connected to the connector 140 and
, A control signal is input together with the image signal, and the apparatus operates according to the control signal and the image signal. Therefore, by displaying not only the index image but also an arbitrary image including characters and symbols, the displayed image can be printed on the photographic paper P.

By the way, in the printer processor 10,
When a paper magazine 14 containing a new photographic paper P is loaded and a photographic print is to be created using the paper magazine 14, first, the leading end of the photographic paper P pulled out from the paper magazine 14 is placed in a predetermined position. After being cut into lengths (see FIG. 5A), the film is cut into lengths according to the size of the photographic print, and a film N is applied to the cut photographic paper P.
A so-called first-cut transport system in which an image recorded in the printer is printed or an index image is printed by the sub-exposure device 90 is applied.

Further, the photographic paper P is cut in order according to the size of the photographic print to be produced, and the photographic paper P pulled out from the paper magazine 14 reaches the vicinity of the connection portion P ₂ by the splice tape 64 and has a required length. Upon detection of the splice hole 65 in a state that is not taken, pull to the connection part P ₂ by the splice tape 64, once cut, cut pulled out further printing paper P, performs image printing (see FIG. 5 (B) reference).

Further, when the entire amount of the photographic paper P is pulled out from the paper magazine 14 and the trailing end of the photographic paper P is detected in a state where the length necessary for image printing cannot be obtained, the remaining photographic paper P is detected.
Feeding the trailing portion P ₃ (see FIG. 5 (C)), and requests the exchange into paper magazine 14 which accommodates the new printing paper P.

For detecting the splice hole 65 and the rear end of the printing paper P, sensors for detecting the passage of the printing paper P are provided at the center and both ends in the width direction of a predetermined position on the conveyance path of the printing paper P. It can be determined that the splice hole 65 has been detected when only the sensors of the photographic paper P are in the non-detection state of the photographic paper P. When all the sensors are in the non-detection state of the photographic paper P, the rear end of the photographic paper P is It can be determined that it has passed. Further, the length of the photographic paper P can be measured by, for example, a method of measuring from these sensors and the transport amount (transport speed and time).

[0066] The splice hole 65 and the photographic paper P
The length (drawing amount) of the rear end and the photographic paper P is conventionally known.
Any method can be used. Also, Printer Pro
In the sessa 10, the measured length of the photographic paper P is a predetermined length.
When a splice hole 65 is detected before
Is the position after the splice hole 65 is not detected.
When the photographic paper P is cut,
When a predetermined value (for example, 350 mm) is exceeded, the printing paper P
Divided so that the length is 82.5 mm to 305 mm, for example.
I do.

In the printing section 12, the leading end P ₁ of the photographic paper P first drawn from the paper magazine 14 and the connecting section P
Such as _2, and the rear end portion P _3, when the printing paper P is not performed baking of baking and index images of the image recorded on the film N is conveyed onto the supporting base 46, the printing paper P in the exposure unit 96 It is stopped at a predetermined position facing the reflection mirror 116, and prints information indicating that it is the photographic paper P to be discarded, such as "unnecessary" as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C. .

That is, when the leading end portion P ₁ of the photographic paper P, the connecting portion P _{2 of the} splice tape 64 and the final end portion (rear end portion P ₃ ) of the photographic paper P pass, the LCD 112 displays “unnecessary” or the like. Display is performed, and the R light source 100, the G light source 102, and the B light source 104 are turned on. by this,
The image displayed on the LCD 112 is printed on the leading end P ₁ of the printing paper P, the connecting portion P ₂ by the splice tape 64, and the trailing end P ₃ .

The photographic paper P on which the image displayed on the LCD 112 is printed is sent to the processor 72 in the same manner as the photographic paper P on which the image on the film N is printed, subjected to development processing, and discharged.

On the other hand, in the printer processor 10, the image recorded on the film N by the printing unit 12 is periodically or at a predetermined timing set when the processing liquid in the processing liquid processing unit 74 is replaced. The setting of the exposure condition and the setting of the correction value when exposing the photographic paper P are performed according to.

For such processing, a control negative on which a predetermined image is recorded or a control strip on which a predetermined image is printed in advance is used.

In the control negative, an eyeball-shaped image is recorded at the center of the image frame by, for example, standard exposure, underexposure, overexposure, and super overexposure. By baking,
As shown in FIG. 6A, a print (hereinafter, referred to as “eyeball print 120”) on which an eyeball-shaped image is printed is created. By measuring the density of the center print 120 of the image exposed in each exposure state by the print densitometer 88, the image of the film N which has been subjected to the standard exposure, underexposure, overexposure, and super overexposure is printed on the photographic paper P. Exposure conditions for attaching are set. The centerpiece print 120 is formed by an optical system such as the lamp 26 or the photographic paper P.
And is used when setting exposure conditions according to the optical system and the photographic paper P so that the image recorded on the film N is exposed in a constant state. .

As shown in FIG. 6B, a plurality of standard color images are printed on the control strips 122, and a developer, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution and the like in the processor section 72 are provided. The control strips 122 are used, for example, when the processing liquid is changed. The control strips 122 are fed from a loading port (not shown) to the wrapping rollers 52 in the printing section 12.
And between the press roller 54 and the paper magazine 1
After being conveyed on the support base 46 in the same manner as the photographic paper P pulled out from the printer 4, the photographic paper P is sent from the printing unit 12 to the processor unit 72 and developed.

The printer processor 10 measures the density of each image of the developed control strips 122, so that the photographic paper P is exposed by the printing unit 12 so that the photographic print is finished with a constant quality. A correction value for the exposure condition is set. Note that the setting of the exposure condition and the setting of the correction value can use various conventionally known methods, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment.

In the printer processor 10, when the photographic paper P and the control strips 122 for producing the centerpiece print 120 are sent onto the support base 46, the LC
The management information such as the date is displayed at a predetermined position on the D112 and the photographic paper P and the control strips 1 are displayed.
22 is stopped at a position facing the exposure unit 96, and the management information 124 such as date is printed at a predetermined position in the non-image area. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the date and the like are discharged to the centerpiece print 120 and the control strips 122 with the date and the like recorded as the management information 124.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below. In the printer processor 10, when the film N is mounted on the negative carrier 30 and the print size is set, the photographic paper P is pulled out from the paper magazine 14 and cut into a length corresponding to the print size. P is sent onto the support base 46. The photographic paper P sent onto the support base 46 is transported to a predetermined position by the transport belt 44 and held, and the image recorded on the film N is printed. The photographic paper P on which the image printing has been completed is sent from the support base 46 to the processor unit 72 via the transport path 60, and after being subjected to the developing process and the drying process, the film N
86 as a photographic print of the image recorded in
It is discharged and collected.

By the way, in the printer processor 10,
Image exposure is performed while cutting the photographic paper P drawn out of the paper magazine 14 into lengths according to the print size, and when the desired length is not obtained, the image recorded on the film N is not printed, Predetermined information is printed by the sub-exposure device 90.

The flowchart of FIG. 7 shows the processing of the photographic paper P when printing the image recorded on the film N or printing the index image using the sub-exposure device 90 while pulling out the photographic paper P from the paper magazine 14. An outline is shown.

This flowchart shows the operation of the negative carrier 30.
Is executed when a film N is loaded in the camera and an instruction to create a photographic print, that is, to start printing an image on the photographic paper P is issued.

In the first step 200, it is checked whether or not the paper magazine 14 containing the new photographic paper P is loaded. If the paper magazine 14 containing the photographic paper P in use is contained, the process proceeds to step 202. Move to paper magazine 1 so that the length depends on the size to be printed.
Then, the drawing of the photographic paper P from the printer 4 is started.

In the next step 204, it is checked whether or not the photographic paper P has been pulled out from the paper magazine 14 by a length corresponding to the print size, and the photographic paper P is drawn out by a length corresponding to the print size. If an affirmative determination is made in step 204, the process proceeds to step 206, where the photographic paper P is cut by the cutter 22.

The photographic paper P cut in this way is transported to a predetermined position on the support base 46 by the transport belt 44, and the film N loaded on the negative carrier 30 is transferred.
Is printed and sent to the processor 72.

In the printer processor 10, by repeating the steps 202 to 208, photographic prints corresponding to the images recorded on the film N are sequentially created and accumulated in the accumulation section 86. When printing the index image on the photographic paper P, the photographic paper P having a length corresponding to the number of image frames is pulled out from the paper magazine 14 and cut, and then conveyed to a position facing the exposure unit 96.
The index image displayed on the LCD 112 is printed.

On the other hand, when a new paper magazine 14 is loaded, an affirmative determination is made in step 200. As a result, the process proceeds to step 212, where the photographic paper P is pulled out by a predetermined length, cut, and transported to a position facing the exposure unit 96 of the sub-exposure device 90 (step 21).
4). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5A, a predetermined character printing operation is performed (step 2).
16).

When the processing for the leading end of the new photographic paper P is completed in this way, the paper magazine 14
The image printing process is started on the photographic paper P pulled out from the printer (steps 202 to 210). It should be noted that not only the leading end of the photographic paper P in the newly loaded paper magazine 14 but also the drawing paper P from the paper magazine 14 is stopped, and after a lapse of a predetermined time or more, the drawing paper P is restarted. even when, it may be achieved antifogging processing the tip of the printing paper P as a tip P _1.

On the other hand, step 204 and step 206
In this example, prior to printing the image on the photographic paper P, the photographic paper P is pulled out from the paper magazine 14 and cut to a predetermined length.
It is checked whether the splice hole 65 of the photographic paper P or the trailing edge of the photographic paper P has been detected before the photographic paper P pulled out from the position No. 4 reaches a predetermined length. That is, while measuring the length of the printing paper P pulled out from the paper magazine 14, the splice hole 65 and the printing paper P
Is detected.

Here, before the photographic paper P reaches the required length (a negative determination is made in step 204), the splice hole 65 or the rear end of the photographic paper P is detected (a positive determination is made in step 218). Then, the process proceeds to step 220. In step 220, by checking whether it has detected the splice hole 65, or a connection portion P ₂ of the printing paper P, the final end of the printing paper P that is accommodated in the paper magazine 14 (rear end) Check if it is.

[0088] For example, withdraw from paper magazine 14
Before the photographic paper P reaches the required length, the width of the photographic paper P
The central part of the plurality of sensors arranged along the direction
When a non-detection state occurs, the splice hole 65 is
It can be determined that the detection has been made, and all the sensors
When the output state is reached, the rear end of the photographic paper P is detected.
I can judge.

[0089] Thus, when it is judged that it has detected the splice hole 65, since the connection portion P ₂ of the printing paper P, a step is affirmative determination in step 220 21
Goes to 2, the lead printing paper P, and cut at a position including a connecting portion P _2, to convey the cut printing paper P to a predetermined position opposed to the exposure unit 96.

If it is determined that the photographic paper P is the last end of the photographic paper P stored in the paper magazine 14 (No at Step 220), the process proceeds to Step 214.
Transporting the rear end portion P ₃ of the photographic paper P drawn out to the position opposite to the exposure unit 96. After that, information (for example, a character “unnecessary”) indicating that the photographic paper P is unnecessary is displayed on the LCD 112 provided in the exposure unit 96, and the displayed image is printed on the photographic paper P.

The photographic paper P on which the image displayed on the LCD 112 is printed by the exposure unit 96 is sent to the stacking unit 86 via the processor 72 in the same manner as the photographic paper P on which the image recorded on the film N or the index image is printed. Discharged and accumulated.

The leading end P ₁ , the connecting portion P ₂ and the trailing end P ₃ of the photographic paper P pulled out from the paper magazine 14 are
Conventionally, the paper has been fed in a non-exposure state and has been ejected in a non-exposure state. As a result, this information appears on the surface of the photographic print on which the image is formed. Therefore, even if the unnecessary photographic paper P is stacked on the photographic print and accumulated, the work of selecting and extracting the unnecessary photographic paper P from the photographic print is performed. Becomes extremely easy. Further, since it is clearly indicated that the photographic paper P is unnecessary, no error occurs when sorting.

On the other hand, the printer processor 10 uses the sub-exposure device 90 when producing the centerpiece print 120 or when performing special image printing such as the control strips 122 or processing of the photographic paper P on which a special image is printed. Thus, predetermined management information is printed.

That is, when the center print 120 is prepared using a control negative (not shown) for setting exposure conditions and the like, the printing paper P
Is pulled out and cut into a length corresponding to the size of the centerpiece print 120, and the photographic paper P is transported to a position facing the exposure unit 96. First, the printer processor 10 displays a date on the LCD 112 as management information, and prints the date on the photographic paper P. Thereafter, the photographic paper P is transported to a predetermined position on the support base 46, and the image printed on the control negative is printed.

In the printer processor 10, the control strips 122 are inserted between the winding roller 52 and the pressing roller 54, and the printer processor 10 controls the pressing roller 54 of the winding roller 52. When the control strips 122 are inserted therebetween, the control strips 122 are conveyed so that a predetermined area of the control strips 122 faces the exposure unit 96 of the sub-exposure device 90. Thereafter, the LCD 1 of the exposure unit 96
The management information is displayed on the control strip 12 and the displayed management information is printed on the control strips 122.

The photographic paper P or the control strip 122 on which the image has been printed by the exposure unit 96 of the sub-exposure device 90 is sent to the processor section 72 and developed, thereby setting the exposure conditions and It is used and stored as a centerpiece print 120 or control strips 122 for setting a correction value.

Since the date is recorded as the management information 124 in the centerpiece print 120 and the control strips 122 created and stored in this manner,
When storing the centerpiece print 120 and the trawl strips 122, there is no need to write the created date or the like or to attach a label or the like on which the date or the like is written.

Further, since the management information 124 is recorded on the centerpiece print 120 and the control strips 122 to be stored together with the surface on which the image is formed.
Searching becomes extremely easy. That is, the printing device 61 can print the date and the like on the back surface of the centerpiece print 120 and the control strips 122. However, featured print 120 and control strips 1
22 is stored so that the surface on which the image is formed can be seen, so that it is necessary to turn it over to confirm the date of creation.

On the other hand, by recording the management information 124 such as the date on the surface of the centerpiece print 120 or the control strips 122 on which the image is formed, it is possible to check the formed image while viewing the image. Can be confirmed, such as the date of creation, and management becomes extremely easy.

The present embodiment does not limit the configuration of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the exposure unit 96 that prints an index image on the photographic paper P is used as the sub-exposure means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A baking front print device may be used.

The front printing apparatus is provided with a plurality of 7-segment LEDs (for example, 6-segment LEDs) at positions facing the widthwise edge of the photographic paper P, which is the peripheral portion of the photo print.
) Are arranged at predetermined intervals, and the date or date and time displayed by using these LEDs is displayed, so that a general configuration for printing on the photographic paper P can be applied.

When creating the centerpiece print 120 or processing the control strips 122, the processing date, the processing date, and the time are used as the management information 124 as the management information 124. Alternatively, it may be printed on the control strips 122.

When printing information indicating that it is unnecessary photographic paper P using the front printing apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. Characters such as "S" and "E" are printed on the photographic paper P passing therethrough without image printing. Thus, the distal end portion P ₁ of the printing paper P to be unnecessary, the connection portion P ₂ and a rear end portion P _3, indicating that it is unnecessary to place "S" letters such as "E" record Since it is accumulated in a state where it is done, it can be easily and appropriately identified.

Further, these characters may be changed at the front end P ₁ , the connection P ₂ , and the rear end P ₃ . For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), the connecting portion P ₂ of the photographic paper P that is connected by a splice tape 64,
Baking "S", as shown in FIG. 8 (B), the rear portion P ₃ of the printing paper P, by such baking as "E", the corresponding printing paper P is in the paper magazine 14 It can be determined which part it is.

In the present embodiment, the exposure unit 9
At a position facing the reflection mirror 116, the transfer of the photographic paper P is temporarily stopped to perform image printing.
The image displayed in 2 may be changed in accordance with the conveyance of the printing paper P. As a result, desired information can be printed while the photographic paper P is being conveyed, so that it is not necessary to stop unnecessary conveyance of the photographic paper P for image printing, thereby shortening the processing time. it can.

Further, in the present embodiment, characters are printed to indicate that it is unnecessary photographic paper P, but any character can be used as long as it can be identified as unnecessary photographic paper. For example, as shown in FIG. 8C, one or a plurality of lines 126 may be formed on the printing paper P. Thereby, without changing the display of the LCD 112,
Further, the information for identification can be printed while conveying the unnecessary photographic paper P.

In the present embodiment, the printing paper P drawn from the paper magazine 14 is first cut to a length corresponding to the size of the photographic print to be created, and then image printing is performed. Alternatively, the photographic paper P may be cut based on the cut mark after the cut mark is given and the drying process is completed.

The printer processor 10 of the present embodiment does not limit the configuration of the printer processor to which the present invention is applied. The present invention, in addition to the main exposure means for exposing photographic paper according to the image recorded on the film,
Any configuration can be used as long as the sub-exposure unit is provided.

[0109]

As described above, according to the present invention, a photographic print can be produced by effectively using a long photographic paper, and a sub-exposure means can be provided on the photographic paper excluded from the photographic print production. Will burn the required information,
Even if they are integrated in the same manner as a photographic print, identification becomes easy.

Further, in the present invention, the management information such as the date is printed on the photographic paper for printing the image used for the management of the printer processor or the photographic paper on which the image is printed by the sub-exposure means. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the work of writing the management information later becomes unnecessary and the management at the time of storage becomes extremely easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a printer processor applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an overview of a printer processor.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an index exposure apparatus applied as an example of a sub-exposure unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an overview of an index exposure apparatus.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams each showing a photographic paper removed from printing of an image recorded on a film; FIG. 5A is a front end of a long photographic paper; Indicates a connecting portion of the photographic paper, and (C) indicates a rear end portion of the long photographic paper.

FIG. 6A is a schematic view showing an example of a centerpiece print;
(B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of control strips.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of photographic paper processing in a printer processor applied to the embodiment;

FIGS. 8A to 8C are schematic views of the leading end of the photographic paper, each showing a display example of the photographic paper removed from image printing of a film, and FIG. 8A illustrates a connection portion of the photographic paper; ,
(B) shows the rear end of the photographic paper as an example, and (C) shows the front end of the photographic paper.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 printer processor 12 printing unit 30 negative carrier (main exposure unit) 46 support base (main exposure unit) 48 light source box (main exposure unit) 64 splice tape 65 splice hole 72 processor unit 86 integration unit 90 index exposure device (sub exposure unit) ) 96 Exposure unit (sub-exposure means) 112 LCD (sub-exposure means) 120 Featured Print 122 Control Strip N film P print paper P ₁ tip P ₂ connecting portion P ₃ rear portion

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, while sequentially securing an area for printing an image recorded on the photographic film on a long printing paper, the image recorded on the photographic film is developed and processed in the secured area. A photographic paper processing method for producing a photographic print in accordance with an image recorded on a photographic film, wherein a continuous printing process is performed by changing the leading end of the long photographic paper to an area where the image is printed. After removing from the area, the image printing is performed sequentially on the area while securing the area where the image is to be printed. At the rear end, the photographic paper is not subjected to image printing by sub-exposure means provided separately from the main exposure means for printing the image recorded on the photographic film onto photographic paper. Photographic paper processing method, characterized by printing information indicating the fact. 2. When the next photographic paper is connected to the rear end of the long photographic paper, the leading end of the next photographic paper is removed from an area where an image is printed, and is recorded on the photographic film. 2. The photographic paper processing method according to claim 1, wherein information indicating that the image is unnecessary photographic paper is printed by the sub-exposure means on a photographic paper portion excluding an image to be printed. 3. An image recorded on a photographic film,
After printing on photographic paper based on predetermined exposure conditions, the printer processor that creates a photographic print by developing the photographic paper on which the image has been printed is used to correct the exposure conditions or set the exposure conditions. A method for processing a photographic paper on which a predetermined image is printed or a photographic paper on which a predetermined image is printed, wherein the photographic paper on which the predetermined image is printed and the predetermined After printing predetermined management information at a predetermined position on the photographic paper on which the image is printed by sub-exposure means provided separately from the main exposure means for printing the image recorded on the photographic film onto the photographic paper. And a developing process for photographic paper.