Automated printing system including order inputting apparatus and image inputting device

• US 7,280,236 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Konagaya, Tatsuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia; Gabriel I.
• Application Number:
  US10/986,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20050108042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.9, 358/1.13, 358/1.15, 358/1.18, 358/302, 358/402, 358/474, 705/1
• US Class Current: 358/1.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A printing system includes an order inputting apparatus for inputting image data of an image to be printed and a printing number of printing of the image according to a customer order. A printer for use with photographic paper prints the image according to the image data from the order inputting apparatus. A print container contains a photographic print produced by the printer. The order inputting apparatus and the print container are installed in a customer region. The printer is installed in a printing region different from the customer region. Specifically, a partition panel keeps distinct the customer region and the printing region from one another. The print container is positioned opposite to the printer with respect to the partition panel.

Claims

1. A printing system disposed in regions including first and second regions, comprising:

an order inputting apparatus, installed in said first region, for inputting image data of an image to be printed and a printing number of printing of said image according to a customer order;

a printer, installed in said second region, for printing said image according to said image data from said order inputting apparatus;

a print container, installed in said first region, for containing a printed matter produced by said printer;

a partition panel for keeping distinct said first region and said second region from one another; and

a sorter for transporting said printed matter into said containing cells selectively in a form sorted per said customer order,

wherein said print container includes plural containing cells for being loaded with said printed matter per said customer order, and

wherein each of said containing cells includes;

a rear path, formed to open toward an inside of said second region through said partition panel, for guiding a stack of said printed matter from said printer to said first region; and

a front door, positioned to face an inside of said first region, for being opened to allow removing said stack of said printed matter.

2. A printing system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a lock mechanism for blocking removal of said printed matter by locking said front door;

said order inputting apparatus produces and stores reference information of said customer order upon placing of said customer order;

a verification device for checking whether receiving reference information input for receipt related to said customer order is associated with said reference information, and for, if association of said receiving reference information is verified, shifting said lock mechanism for unlocking, to allow said removal of said printed matter.

3. A printing system as defined in claim 2, wherein said sorter includes:

a stacking carriage, disposed behind said containing cells, for stacking said printed matter per said customer order;

a transfer unit for specifying an associated one of said containing cells associated with said customer order to set said printed matter, for positioning said stacking carriage, and for moving said stack of said printed matter toward a position of said specified containing cell.

4. A printing system as defined in claim 3, wherein said containing cells are arranged in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction two-dimensionally;

said transfer unit includes;

a moving mechanism for moving said stacking carriage in said vertical direction and said horizontal direction two-dimensionally; and

a shifting mechanism for advancing said stack of said printed matter when said stacking carriage is positioned in association with said specified containing cell.

5. A printing system as defined in claim 3, wherein said containing cells are arranged in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction two-dimensionally;

said transfer unit includes;

plural transfer chutes, having respectively an upper end opening and a lower end opening, said upper end opening being disposed under said stacking carriage, and arranged in a front-to-back direction and said horizontal direction two-dimensionally, said lower end opening being connected with a rear path of respectively said containing cells;

a moving mechanism for moving said stacking carriage in said front-to-back direction and said horizontal direction two-dimensionally; and

a shifting mechanism, actuated when said stacking carriage is positioned directly above one of said transfer chutes which extends toward said specified containing cell, for shifting said stack of said printed matter into said upper end opening in association therewith.

6. A printing system as defined in claim 2, wherein said print container includes:

an externally operable verification inputting device for inputting reference information of said customer order;

a checkout display panel for displaying information of an amount billed of said customer order according to said reference information;

a checkout device for checkout of said amount billed of said customer order;

wherein after said checkout of said amount billed, said verification device shifts said lock mechanism for unlocking said front door.

7. A printing system as defined in claim 2, wherein said order inputting apparatus includes:

an image inputting device for inputting said image data of said image;

an order inputting panel for inputting information of said customer order;

an ordering display panel for displaying said information of said customer order to check said customer order; and

an order registering device for registering said customer order.

8. A printing system as defined in claim 7, wherein said image inputting device includes at least one of a scanner and a data reader;

said order registering device is constituted by a reference sheet printer for printing said reference information.