Printing apparatus and printing method using a plurality of printers and which distributes a print job in accordance with a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each printer

• US RE43,778 E1
• Filed: 06/29/2000
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Nimura, Wataru, Mizushina, Takahiro, Takahashi, Hiroki, Kasahara, Takeshi, Mizuno, Kimiyasu
• Primary Examiner(s): Tieu, Benny Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yang, Qian
• Application Number:
  US12/330,788
• Time in Patent Office: 4,506 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.18, 358/296, 358/400, 358/407, 358/488, 358/1.15, 358/302, 379/100.17, 101/484, 400/61, 400/70
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00143 Ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00161 Viewing or previewing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00175 from a still image storage medium H04N1/00172, H04N1/0018 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00339 with an electronic or magnetic storage medium I/O device RFID or the like H04N1/00342
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen

Abstract

A photographic print vending apparatus is provided which comprises a media accepting unit which accepts a recording medium having photographic image information stored thereon. An image information reader reads the image information from the recording medium, and a plurality of printers print images based on image data from a processor connected to the image information reader and an advertisement information storage unit. When an advertisement printing mode is set, the processor reads the advertisement information from the advertisement information storage unit, synthesizes the read advertisement information and the image information read by the image information reader, and supplies the synthesized information to the printers as image data.

Claims

1. A photographic print vending apparatus comprising:

media accepting means for accepting a removable recording medium having photographic image information stored thereon;

image information reading means for reading the image information from the recording medium;

advertisement information storing means for storing advertisement information;

printing means for printing the image information onto a sheet;

a housing which houses the media accepting means, the image information reading means, the printing means and the advertisement information storing means; and

ana single outlet in the housing from which the printed sheet is output;

wherein the printing means prints the advertisement information onto the sheet with the image information, when an advertisement information printing mode is set;

wherein the printing means comprises a plurality of printers, each of which is adapted to print the image information on the sheet; and

wherein the print vending apparatus further comprises;

status detection means for detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers;

image information distribution means for distributing the image information read by the image information reading means to at least one of the plurality of printers in accordance with a predetermined sequence, wherein if the image information comprises image information to be printed on a plurality of sheets, a plurality of the printers are assigned to print respective ones of the sheets in accordance with the predetermined sequence image information corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other; and

conveyance means for collectively conveying printed sheets output by the plurality of printers to the single outlet, and ejecting the printed sheets to outside from the single outlet;

wherein each of the plurality of printers includes image data generating means for generating image data to be printed on a single sheet based on the image information distributed from the image information distribution means,

wherein order information is applied to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the status detection means detects a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers; and

wherein the image information distribution means distributes the image information to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a detection result of the status detection means in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising price option selecting means for selecting a price option for printing the image information;

wherein the advertisement mode is set based on the price option selected by a user.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information includes a plurality of sets of unit image information;

wherein the print vending apparatus further comprises unit image selecting means for selecting a set of unit image information desired by the a user from the plurality of sets of the unit image information; and

wherein the printing means prints the selected set of the unit image information on the sheet together with the advertisement image stored in the advertisement image storing means, when the advertisement information printing mode is set.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising advertisement information receiving means for receiving advertisement information supplied from a remote site via a communication network;

wherein the advertisement information storing means stores the advertisement information received by the advertisement information receiving means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

status detection means for detecting status of the printing means; and

notification means for notifying a remote site of the status detected by the status detection means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information includes a plurality of sets of unit image information;

wherein the print vending apparatus further comprises unit image selecting means for selecting a plurality of sets of unit image information desired by the user from the plurality of sets of the unit image information; and

wherein the image information distribution means distributes the selected unit image information sets to at least one of the plural printers in accordance with a selecting order of the sets of unit image information.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising ejecting means for conveying a sheet on which the image information is printed by any of the plurality of printers to eject the sheet through the outlet of the case.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the media accepting means comprises an attachment for accepting the recording medium, wherein the attachment is slanted such that an opening of the attachment is directed downward.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of printers comprise a plurality of sublimation thermal printers.

10. A photographic print vending apparatus comprising:

a case having an a single outlet;

media accepting means for accepting a removable recording medium having photographic print image information stored thereon;

printimage information reading means for reading the printimage information from the recording medium;

a plurality of printers, each of which is adapted to print at least one image on at least one sheet in accordance with the print image information read from the recording medium;

and

status detection means for detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers;

printimage information distribution means for distributing the printimage information read from the recording medium to at least one of the plurality of printers in accordance with a predetermined sequence, wherein if the print information comprises print information to be printed on a plurality of sheets, a plurality of the printers are assigned to print respective ones of the sheets in accordance with the predetermined sequence;

corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other; and

conveyance means for collectively conveying printed sheets output by the plurality of printers to the single outlet, and ejecting the printed sheets to outside from the single outlet;

wherein each of the plurality of printers comprises image data generating means for generating image data to be printed based on the print image information distributed by the print image information distribution means, and printing means for printing the generated image data onto a sheet;

and

wherein order information is applied to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the status detection means detects a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

wherein the image information distribution means distributes the image information to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a detection result of the status detection means in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply; and

wherein each sheet the sheets with the image data printed thereon is are collectively output through the single outlet of the case.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising status detection means for detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the print information distribution means distributes the print information in accordance with detection results of the status detection means.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the status detection means detects a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

and

wherein the print information distribution means distributes the print information to printers having a detected remaining amount of the expendable supply have enough remainders for printing.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein order information is applied to each of the plural printers;

wherein the status detection means detects a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers; and

wherein the print information distribution means distributes the print information to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a detection result of the status detection means in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the print information is distributed first to one of the printers which has the lowest remaining amount the expendable supply.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11 10, wherein the status detection means detects a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers, and the print vending apparatus further comprises:

print quantity designation means for designating a print quantity desired by a user;

remaining amount comparing means for comparing a required amount of the expendable supply necessary for the designated print quantity with the detected remaining amount of the expendable supply in each of the printers; and

warning means for warning of a print capacity shortage when the remaining amount comparing means determines that the remaining amount of the expendable supply is less than the required amount.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the print quantity designation means designates the print quantity by unit amount;

and

wherein the print vending apparatus further comprises designation canceling means for canceling the print quantity designation based on an output result of the remaining amount comparing means.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plural printers are grouped into a plurality of groups of at least one of the printers;

and

wherein the print image information distribution means distributes the print image information to the at least one of the printers by group.

17. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of printers print the image data on different types of sheets;

wherein the print vending apparatus comprise comprises sheet selecting means for selecting one of the sheet types desired by a user; and

the print image information distribution means distributes the print image information to the at least one of the printers based on the sheet type selected by the sheet selecting means.

18. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

status detection means for detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers; and

notification means for notifying a remote site of the detected status.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of printers has respective identification information;

and

wherein the notification means notifies the remote site of the detected status together with the identification information of the corresponding printer.

20. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising ejecting means for conveying a sheet on which the image data is printed by any of the plurality of printers to eject the sheet through the outlet of the case.

21. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of printers comprise a plurality of sublimation thermal printers.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of printers comprises property storage means for storing property information relating to a thermal print head property, and the print vending apparatus comprises:

property reading means for reading the property information stored in the property storage means of each printer; and

power supply means for controlling a supply of power to the plurality of printers in accordance with the property information of each printer read by the property reading means.

23. A print vending apparatus comprising:

a case having an a single outlet;

a processor; and

a plurality of printers connected to the processor, wherein each of the printers comprises;

(i) an image data former which generates image data to be printed based on print image information, and (ii) a printing unit for printing the generated image data on a sheet;

wherein the print image information is input to the processor, and the processor distributes the received print image information to at least one of the plurality of printers in accordance with a predetermined sequence, wherein if the print information comprises print information to be printed on a plurality of sheets, a plurality of the printers are assigned to print respective ones of the sheets in accordance with the predetermined sequence;

corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other;

wherein the processor detects a status of each of the plurality of printers and a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

wherein order information is applied to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the image information is distributed to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a status detection result in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply; and

wherein each printed sheet is the printed sheets are collectively outputted through the single outlet of the case.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the processor detects status in each of the printers, and distributes the print information to the at least one of the plurality of printers in accordance with the detected status.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of printers are grouped into a plurality of groups of at least one printer;

and

wherein the processor distributes the print image information to the at least one printer printers by group.

26. A method of operating a print vending machine for printing image information on a sheet with at least one of including a plurality of printers, said method comprising:

detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers and a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

applying order information to each of the plurality of printers;

distributing input print image information to at least one of the plurality of printers in accordance with a predetermined sequence, wherein if the print information comprises print information to be printed on a plurality of sheets, a plurality of the printers are assigned to print respective ones of the sheets in accordance with the predetermined sequence corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other, and wherein the image information is distributed to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a status detection result in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply;

generating image data to be printed in each of the at least one printer printers to which the print image information is distributed;

printing the generated image data on the a sheet with a printing mechanism in each of the printer printers which generates the image data; and

collectively outputting each sheet printed by the plurality of printers through ana single outlet of the print vending machine.

27. A photographic print vending apparatus comprising:

a case having an a single outlet;

accepting means for accepting a memory storing photographic print image information;

photographic information reading means for reading the photographic image information from the memory;

a plurality of printers, each of which is adapted to print at least one image on at least one sheet in accordance with the photographic image information read from the memory;

and

status detection means for detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers;

printimage information distribution means for distributing the printimage information read from the memory to at least one of the plurality of printers in accordance with a predetermined sequence, wherein if the print information comprises print information to be printed on a plurality of sheets, a plurality of the printers are assigned to print respective ones of the sheets in accordance with the predetermined sequence;

corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other; and

conveyance means for collectively conveying printed sheets output by the plurality of printers to the single outlet, and ejecting the printed sheets to outside from the single outlet;

wherein each of the plurality of printers comprises image data generating means for generating image data to be printed based on the photographic image information distributed by the print image information distribution means, and printing means for printing generated image data onto a sheet;

and

wherein order information is applied to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the status detection means detects a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

wherein the image information distribution means distributes the image information to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a detection result of the status detection means in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply; and

wherein each sheet the sheets with the image data printed thereon is are collectively output through the single outlet of the case.

28. A print vending apparatus comprising:

a case having an a single outlet;

an accepting unit which accepts a memory storing image information;

an image information reader which reads the image information from the memory;

an information storage unit which stores second image information;

a processor connected to the image information reader and the information storage unit; and

a plurality of printers which print images on a sheet based on image data supplied from the processor;

wherein, when an information printing mode is set, the processor reads the second image information from the information storage unit, synthesizes the read second image information and the image information read by the image information reader, and distributes the synthesized information to the printers as image data in accordance with a predetermined sequence, wherein if the image information comprises image information to be printed on a plurality of sheets, a plurality of the printers are assigned to print respective ones of the sheets in accordance with the predetermined sequence corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other;

and

wherein the processor detects a status of each of the plurality of printers and a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers, and applies order information to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the image information is distributed to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a status detection result in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply; and

wherein each printed sheet is the printed sheets are collectively output through the single outlet of the case.

29. A print vending apparatus comprising:

a case having an a single outlet;

an accepting unit which accepts a memory storing image information;

an image information reader which reads the image information from the memory;

an advertisement information storage unit which stores advertisement information;

a processor connected to the image information reader and the advertisement information storage unit; and

a plurality of printers which print images on a sheet based on image data supplied from the processor;

wherein the processor reads the advertisement information from the advertisement information storage unit, synthesizes the read advertisement information and the image information read by the image information reader, and distributes the synthesized information to the printers as image data in accordance with a predetermined sequence, wherein if the image information comprises image information to be printed on a plurality of sheets, a plurality of the printers are assigned to print respective ones of the sheets in accordance with the predetermined sequence corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other;

and

wherein the processor detects a status of each of the plurality of printers and a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers, and applies order information to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the image information is distributed to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a status detection result in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply; and

wherein each printed sheet is the printed sheets are collectively output through the single outlet of the case.

30. A photographic print vending apparatus comprising:

a case having a single outlet;

media accepting means for accepting a removable recording medium having photographic image information stored thereon;

image information reading means for reading the image information from the recording medium;

a plurality of printers;

status detection means for detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers;

image information distribution means for distributing image information corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other; and

conveyance means for collectively conveying printed sheets output by the plurality of printers to the single outlet, and ejecting the printed sheets to outside from the single outlet;

wherein each of the plurality of printers comprises printing means for printing at least one image onto at least one sheet based on the image information distributed thereto;

wherein order information is applied to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the status detection means detects a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

wherein the image information distribution means distributes the image information to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a detection result of the status detection means in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply; and

wherein the printed sheets are collectively output through the single outlet of the case.

31. A print vending apparatus comprising:

a case having a single outlet;

a processor; and

a plurality of printers connected to the processor, wherein each of the printers comprises a printing unit for printing an image on a sheet, and wherein order information is applied to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the processor distributes image information corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other;

wherein the processor detects a status of each of the plurality of printers and a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

wherein the image information is distributed to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a status detection result in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply; and

wherein the printed sheets are collectively output through the single outlet of the case.

32. A method of operating a print vending machine including a plurality of printers, said method comprising:

detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers and a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

applying order information to each of the plurality of printers;

distributing image information corresponding to a plurality of sheets on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one sheet in the plurality of sheets is assigned to one printer, a next sheet in the plurality of sheets is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other, and wherein the image information is distributed to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a status detection result in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply;

printing at least one image on at least one sheet by each printer to which the image information has been distributed, based on the image information distributed thereto; and

collectively outputting the sheets printed by the plurality of printers through a single outlet of the print vending machine.

33. A photographic print vending apparatus comprising:

a case having a single outlet;

media accepting means for accepting a removable recording medium having photographic image information stored thereon;

image information reading means for reading the image information from the recording medium;

print job forming means for forming a plurality of print jobs based on the image information read from the recording medium, each print job corresponding to one sheet to be printed;

a plurality of printers;

status detection means for detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers;

print job distribution means for distributing the plurality of the print jobs on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one print job is assigned to one printer, a next print job is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other; and

conveyance means for collectively conveying printed sheets output by the plurality of printers to the single outlet, and ejecting the printed sheets to outside from the single outlet;

wherein each of the plurality of printers comprises printing means for printing an image onto a sheet in accordance with each print job distributed thereto;

wherein order information is applied to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the status detection means detects a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

wherein the image information distribution means distributes the image information to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a detection result of the status detection means in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply; and

wherein the printed sheets are collectively output through the single outlet of the case.

34. A print vending apparatus comprising:

a case having a single outlet;

a processor; and

a plurality of printers connected to the processor, wherein each of the printers comprises a printing unit for printing an image on a sheet in accordance with a received print job, and wherein order information is applied to each of the plurality of printers;

wherein the processor generates a plurality of print jobs, each corresponding to one sheet to be printed, based on input image information, and the processor distributes the plurality of print jobs on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one print job is assigned to one printer, a next print job is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other;

wherein the processor detects a status of each of the plurality of printers and a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

wherein the image information is distributed to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a status detection result in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply; and

wherein the printed sheets are collectively outputted through the single outlet of the case.

35. A method of operating a print vending machine including a plurality of printers, said method comprising:

detecting a status of each of the plurality of printers and a remaining amount of an expendable supply in each of the printers;

applying order information to each of the plurality of printers;

preparing a plurality of print jobs based on input image information, each print ob corresponding to one sheet to be printed;

distributing the plurality of print jobs on a single sheet by single sheet basis, regardless of a number of sheets to be printed and without regard to a number of sheets to be allocated to each printer, to the plurality of printers by switching assignment of the plurality of printers based on a predetermined sequence, so that if one print job is assigned to one printer, a next print job is always assigned to another printer, wherein said one printer and said another printer are different from each other, and wherein the image information is distributed to the plurality of printers in accordance with the order information and a status detection result in order of the remaining amount of the expendable supply in each printer such that the image information is distributed first to one of the printers which has one of (i) the highest remaining amount of the expendable supply and (ii) the lowest remaining amount of the expendable supply;

printing an image on a sheet by each printer to which a print job has been distributed, in accordance with the print job distributed thereto; and

collectively outputting the sheets printed by the plurality of printers through a single outlet of the print vending machine.