JPH1048795A - Method for deciding state of processing solution in printer processor and printer processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for deciding the state of processing solution in a printer processor and the printer processor capable of easily and accurately controlling the state of the processing solution considering the fluctuation of the characteristic of photosensitive material of every kind. SOLUTION: After performing light source correction and paper characteristic correction (102 and 104), a printing condition is maintained (106). Since a factor other than the fluctuation component of the state of the processing solution is hardly included in updated master balance, the master balance is set as an object and compared with the reference master balance updated immediately after the solution is adjusted (108), compared with the master balance of the previous time (110) and compared with the mean value of the master balance of preceding ten times (112). In the case a difference found in any comparison is out of a reference range (negative decision in 114), warning display is performed by deciding that the state of the processing solution is abnormal (118). Thus, a user recognizes the deteriorating tendency of the state of the processing solution and quickly takes measures to perform control-strip processing so as to confirm it. Even though such processing is not performed until the warning display is performed, the user confirms that the state of the processing solution is excellent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for judging the state of a processing solution in a printer processor and a printer processor, and more particularly, to exposing an image to a photosensitive material with light irradiated from a light source and subjecting the photosensitive material to a processing solution. Processing in a printer processor having a function of correcting exposure conditions at least in accordance with fluctuations in light source light quantity, fluctuations in the characteristics of photosensitive material, and fluctuations in the processing liquid state by adjusting a plurality of correction parameters for exposure condition correction. The present invention relates to a liquid state determination method and the printer processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in a printer processor applied in a small-scale laboratory, an image of a developed negative film is exposed to paper, and the exposed paper is developed, fixed and washed with a processing solution of a processor unit. The print has been obtained by drying. The processing of the paper in this processor unit is performed using a dedicated processing solution for each of the processing of development, fixing and washing, and a replenisher is replenished to maintain the performance of the processing solution. As the device is used for a long time, proper performance cannot be maintained due to the influence of the increase and decrease of the liquid amount due to evaporation, carry-out and carry-in, air oxidation, thermal deterioration and the like. For this reason, it is necessary to always control the state of the processing liquid used in the above processing in order to always maintain good print quality.

For this reason, in a conventional printer processor, a control strip (hereinafter, referred to as a const) on which a plurality of image frames formed by exposing in advance under a plurality of exposure conditions is processed by a paper processor and processed. The density of the image frame of the const was measured, and the measured density was compared with the reference density to manage the processing liquid so as to maintain an appropriate condition (standard state). Processing for maintaining the state of the processing liquid using a const is referred to as const processing).

[0004] When the above-mentioned management tool such as a const is used, it is necessary for an operator at a site where the printer processor is installed to store and manage the management tool, which is troublesome. Therefore, a technique for managing the state of the processing liquid without using a management tool created in advance has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 6-236018 and 7-15).
No. 9965).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-236018 discloses a method in which a normal paper is exposed under standard exposure conditions (standard negative density and standard light amount) using a standard exposure only negative and a reference exposure only light source. There has been proposed a technique for creating a tool to perform the above-mentioned const and using the tool corresponding to the const to manage the state of the processing liquid in the same manner as in the above-mentioned const processing.

[0006]

However, in this technique, in producing a tool corresponding to a const, emphasis is placed on exposing under a standard exposure condition, and a general photosensitive material is used. No consideration is given to the difference in the characteristics of the photosensitive material to be exposed and the factors of variation in the characteristics.

Actually, when a general photosensitive material (a photosensitive material that is not controlled unlike a const) is exposed and processed, the processing liquid state is determined based on the density of the photosensitive material.
Even if a certain exposure is performed using a light source that is controlled constant,
Even when the processing liquids are in exactly the same state, the density after processing varies considerably depending on the characteristics and conditions of the photosensitive material to be exposed, and it may not be possible to judge correctly even when compared with the reference density.

Further, in a general photosensitive material, the density after the above-mentioned processing varies not only depending on a maker and a type, but also varies depending on a production lot. Further, even in the same production lot, the characteristics change depending on the storage state of the photosensitive material and the like.

As described above, it is not easy to appropriately determine the state of the processing solution using a general photosensitive material.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention stores in a printer processor characteristic information (reference density) of a photosensitive material measured in advance from the production lot of the photosensitive material, emulsion number information, and the like, and executes image exposure and processing of the photosensitive material. A technique for determining the state of the processing solution by reading a reference density corresponding to the reference density and comparing the reference density with the measured density of the photosensitive material has been proposed in a previous application (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 7-146634). .

However, in this technique, good management can be performed for photosensitive materials whose characteristic information has been clarified in advance, but it can be applied to photosensitive materials whose characteristic information has not been clarified. Did not.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a printer capable of easily and accurately managing the state of a processing liquid in consideration of the characteristic fluctuation of all kinds of photosensitive materials. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for determining a processing liquid state in a processor and a printer processor.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining the state of a processing liquid in a printer processor, comprising the steps of: exposing an image to a photosensitive material with light emitted from a light source; Has a function of correcting exposure conditions according to at least a light source light amount variation, a photosensitive material characteristic variation, and a processing solution state variation by adjusting a plurality of correction parameters for exposure condition correction. A method for determining a state of a processing liquid in a printer processor, wherein a change history of at least one correction parameter among the plurality of correction parameters is stored, and a state of the state of the processing liquid is determined based on the change history of the correction parameter. The quality is determined.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method of determining a processing liquid state in a printer processor, at least one of the plurality of correction parameters is exposed in accordance with a characteristic change of a photosensitive material. It is a photosensitive material correction parameter for correcting a condition.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining the state of a processing liquid in a printer processor, comprising exposing an image to a photosensitive material with light emitted from a light source, processing the photosensitive material with the processing liquid, and correcting exposure conditions. A method of determining a processing liquid state in a printer processor having a function of correcting exposure conditions according to at least a light source light amount fluctuation, a photosensitive material characteristic fluctuation, and a processing liquid state fluctuation by adjusting a plurality of correction parameters, The exposure condition is corrected according to the light source light amount fluctuation or the characteristic fluctuation of the photosensitive material, a predetermined master correction parameter is adjusted according to the processing liquid state fluctuation, and the fluctuation history of the adjusted master correction parameter is stored. The quality of the state of the processing liquid is determined based on the change history of the master correction parameter.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a printer processor exposes an image to a photosensitive material with light emitted from a light source, processes the photosensitive material with a processing solution, and responds to a change in the light source light amount or a change in the characteristics of the photosensitive material. After correcting the exposure conditions, a predetermined test image is exposed to a photosensitive material, the exposed photosensitive material is processed with a processing solution, and the density of the test image recorded on the processed photosensitive material is measured. A printer processor having a function of adjusting a predetermined master correction parameter for exposure condition correction so that the measured density falls within a predetermined range, wherein a fluctuation history storage means for storing a fluctuation history of the master correction parameter Processing liquid state determination means for determining whether the state of the processing liquid is good or not based on the fluctuation history of the master correction parameter stored in the fluctuation history storage means , Characterized by having a.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printer processor according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the processing liquid state determining means includes a change rate or a change amount of a master correction parameter adjusted this time with respect to a past master correction parameter. And determining whether the state of the processing liquid is good or bad, based on a change rate or a change amount of the master correction parameter adjusted this time with respect to an average value of the master correction parameter for a predetermined period or a predetermined number of times in the past. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the printer processor according to the fifth aspect, the past master correction parameter is a master correction parameter adjusted first after replenishing or replacing a new processing liquid. Alternatively, it is at least one of the master correction parameters adjusted last time.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printer processor according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, when the photosensitive material is replaced, the exposure condition is changed in accordance with a characteristic change of the photosensitive material. Is characterized by further comprising a prohibition unit for prohibiting the adjustment of the master correction parameter before correcting.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, in the printer processor according to any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, the exposure condition is automatically corrected at the start of operation according to the light source light amount fluctuation. And adjusting a master correction parameter according to a change in the processing liquid state.

In the printer processor according to the first aspect of the present invention, by adjusting a plurality of correction parameters for exposure condition correction, at least in response to light source light amount fluctuation, photosensitive material characteristic fluctuation, and processing liquid state fluctuation. Exposure conditions are corrected. Here, a change history of at least one of the plurality of correction parameters is stored, and the quality of the state of the processing liquid is determined based on the change history of the correction parameters.

Incidentally, the exposure conditions include light source light quantity fluctuation,
Changes in the characteristics of the photosensitive material and changes in the state of the processing solution greatly affect the three. Of these, the light source light quantity fluctuation generally tends to fluctuate randomly, and the characteristic fluctuation of the photosensitive material may temporarily fluctuate greatly when the photosensitive material is replaced, but does not fluctuate much at other times. In contrast,
The change in the state of the processing liquid is a change that gradually changes over time. Thus, the fluctuation of the processing liquid state is as follows.
Unlike the variation in the light source light quantity and the variation in the characteristics of the photosensitive material, it has a feature that it gradually changes over time.

Therefore, the characteristic of the variation of the processing liquid state appears in the variation history of the correction parameter for exposure condition correction. That is, the quality of the processing liquid can be determined based on the change history of the correction parameter.

Here, if at least one of the plurality of correction parameters is a photosensitive material correction parameter for correcting an exposure condition according to a characteristic change of the photosensitive material, as in the second aspect of the present invention, If the correction parameter in which the fluctuation history is stored is different from the correction parameter for the photosensitive material, the correction parameter in which the fluctuation history is stored does not include the characteristic fluctuation of the photosensitive material. It is possible to determine the state of the processing liquid with high accuracy.

On the other hand, even if the correction parameter storing the fluctuation history is the same as the correction parameter for the photosensitive material,
Since the correction parameter for the photosensitive material includes a variation in the state of the processing liquid, a characteristic of the variation in the state of the processing liquid appears in the variation history of the correction parameter for the photosensitive material. That is, the quality of the processing liquid can be determined based on the change history of the correction parameters for the photosensitive material.

In the method for judging the state of the processing liquid according to the third aspect of the present invention, by adjusting a plurality of correction parameters for correcting the exposure conditions, at least fluctuations in the light amount of the light source, fluctuations in the characteristics of the photosensitive material, and fluctuations in the processing liquid state. In a printer processor having a function of correcting the exposure condition in accordance with the above, first, the exposure condition is corrected in accordance with the light source light amount fluctuation or the characteristic fluctuation of the photosensitive material, and then a predetermined master correction parameter is set in accordance with the processing liquid state fluctuation. adjust. Then, the fluctuation history of the adjusted master correction parameter is stored, and the quality of the state of the processing liquid can be determined based on the fluctuation history of the master correction parameter.

More specifically, a predetermined test image is exposed on the photosensitive material after correcting the exposure conditions in accordance with the variation in the light amount of the light source or the variation in the characteristics of the photosensitive material. Then, the exposed photosensitive material is processed with a processing solution, and the density of a test image recorded on the processed photosensitive material is measured. Further, a predetermined master correction parameter for exposure condition correction is adjusted so that the measured density falls within a predetermined range (target temperature). Here, the variation history of the master correction parameter is stored by the variation history storage unit, and the quality of the processing liquid is determined by the processing liquid state determination unit based on the stored variation history of the master correction parameter.

In this case, the processing liquid state judging means may be configured as follows.
As in the described invention, the rate of change or the amount of change of the master correction parameter adjusted this time with respect to the past master correction parameter, and the master adjustment parameter adjusted this time with respect to the average value of the master correction parameter for the past predetermined period or predetermined number of times The quality of the state of the processing liquid can be determined based on the rate of change or the amount of change.

The past master correction parameter may be a master correction parameter adjusted first after replenishment or replacement of a new processing solution or a master adjustment parameter adjusted last time. At least one of the correction parameters can be applied.

As an example, a comparison of a current master correction parameter with a master correction parameter (hereinafter referred to as a reference master correction parameter) adjusted first after replenishing or replacing a new processing solution (first comparison processing);
A total of three comparisons: comparison of the current master correction parameter with the previous master correction parameter (second comparison processing) and comparison of the current master correction parameter with the average value of the previous ten master correction parameters (third comparison processing) And the quality of the processing liquid can be determined based on the comparison results.

Although the details will be described in an embodiment to be described later, the deviation of the master correction parameter from the new liquid can be found from the comparison result (change amount) of the first comparison processing. According to the second comparison process, it is possible to detect a sudden change in the state of the processing liquid. Normally, it is within a certain range of measurement variation, but if it changes abruptly, the cause can be narrowed down due to contamination of the treatment liquid (hereinafter referred to as contamination) due to an earthquake or a failure of a concentration meter or a photometric system component.
In addition, according to the third comparison processing, the tendency of the recent change in the state of the processing liquid is found.

For example, FIG. 14 shows a change history of a master correction parameter (in the figure, referred to as a master balance) when the water replenishment amount is smaller than the water evaporation amount from the processing liquid. The master balance is a correction parameter for correcting the exposure condition mainly according to the change in the processing liquid state, and is “500” when the printer processor is shipped from the factory.
Initially set to FIGS. 10 to 21 show graphs of the change history of the above-described first to third comparison processings relating to the master balance or the master balance. In each graph, the horizontal axis represents the execution of the first to third comparison processings. And the number indicates the number of days elapsed from the processing start date. The master balance is provided for each of the cyan, magenta, and yellow color components.
“C” shown in the legend of FIG. 21 indicates a cyan component, “M” indicates a magenta component, and “Y” indicates a yellow component.

The amount of exposure can be adjusted by changing the value of the master balance. More specifically, the exposure amount is adjusted for each color by adjusting the insertion amount of the light control filters (C, M, and Y) of the three colors into the optical path. When the value of the master balance decreases, the insertion amount of the dimming filter of the corresponding color increases by that amount, so that the light transmission amount of the light source decreases and the exposure amount decreases. For example, a series of operations called printing condition maintenance exposes a predetermined test image to a photosensitive material, processes the exposed photosensitive material, and measures the density of the test image recorded on the processed photosensitive material. . If the measured density is higher than a predetermined target density due to a change in the state of the processing solution or the like, an appropriate dimming filter is inserted and adjusted so as to reduce the amount of light to achieve the target density. That is, the master balance is calculated so as to reduce the value to reduce the exposure amount.

The relationship between the magnitude of the master balance value and the amount of change in the exposure amount or the relationship between the magnitude of the master balance value and the amount of change in the image density can be arbitrarily designed. It is preferable to design so that the amount of change in the balance value is linear. In this example, the exposure condition (the insertion amount of the light control filter) is adjusted so that the print density decreases by about "0.01" when the master balance value increases by "1".

The density measured by the densitometer is represented by D = -logT with respect to the light transmission amount (T) when the image is irradiated with light. In the case of the print density, it is a logarithmic density similarly obtained by the amount of light reflection instead of the amount of transmission. For example, when the reflection amount is 1% (T = 0.01), the image density is 2.00. The image density is 1. at a reflection amount of 10%.
00.

As shown in the graph of FIG. 14, when the water replenishment amount is smaller than the water evaporation amount from the processing solution, the master balance tends to gradually decrease. At this time, the first
The difference between the master correction parameter and the reference master correction parameter by the comparison process is as shown in the graph of FIG.
The difference between the master correction parameter obtained by the second comparison process and the master correction parameter of the previous day is shown in the graph of FIG. 16, and the difference between the master correction parameter obtained by the third comparison process and the average value of the master correction parameter of the previous day is shown in FIG. 17
As shown in the graph of FIG.

Although there is no significant change with time in the difference from the master correction parameter of the previous day shown in the graph of FIG. 16, the difference from the average value of the master correction parameter of the previous 10 day is slight from the graph of FIG. However, it can be seen from the graph of FIG. 15 that the difference from the reference master correction parameter is clearly decreasing. So, this cause is a sudden factor (for example,
Contaminants, etc.), but slowly changing factors, for example,
It can be estimated that the evaporation correction system is defective (insufficient amount of water replenishment) or that the amount of replenishment is excessive as in this case.

As described above, according to the present invention, the operator of the printer processor can quickly detect the state of the processing solution without checking the performance of the processing solution using a complicated comb as in the prior art. can do. In addition, since the fluctuation tendency of the processing liquid performance can be monitored, when the state of the processing liquid deteriorates, it becomes easy to identify the cause of the deterioration based on the tendency of the deterioration, and the operator can take appropriate measures. .

Further, in the printer processor of the present invention, a prohibiting means is provided as in the invention of claim 7;
The prohibition means prohibits the adjustment of the master correction parameter before correcting the exposure condition in accordance with the characteristic fluctuation of the photosensitive material when replacing the photosensitive material, thereby erroneously adjusting the master correction parameter first. Thus, it is possible to prevent the characteristic change of the photosensitive material due to the replacement of the photosensitive material from being adjusted by the master correction parameter. That is, by controlling the master correction parameter so as not to include the correction of the characteristic variation of the photosensitive material, the characteristic variation of the photosensitive material is prevented from affecting the determination of the processing liquid state based on the tendency of the variation of the master correction parameter. The determination accuracy of the liquid state can be kept high.

On the other hand, in the printer processor of the present invention, at the start of work, the exposure condition is automatically corrected first according to the light source light amount variation, and then the exposure condition is corrected according to the processing solution state variation. It is desirable to adjust the master correction parameter by using the above method. In this way, automatically at the start of work,
By adjusting the master correction parameter according to the change in the state of the processing liquid, the processing for checking the performance of the processing liquid using a daily const can be abolished, and the load of daily work can be reduced.

The printer processor of the present invention is also applicable to a printer processor that exposes a film image to paper and processes it with a processing liquid, and a printer processor that exposes digital image information to paper using a laser beam or a monitor image and processes it with a processing liquid. It can also be applied to processors.

[0042]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a printer processor 10 according to the present invention includes a color paper P1 or P1 as a photosensitive material.
2, a printer unit 11 for exposing an image of the negative film N, and a processor unit 2 for performing development, fixing, washing, and drying processes on the exposed color paper P1 or P2.
And 1.

At the lowermost part of the printer section 11, a paper magazine 16 in which the color paper P1 is wound and stored in a roll shape and a paper magazine 17 in which the color paper P2 is wound and stored in a roll shape are set. ing. On each side surface of the paper magazines 16 and 17, identification information (hereinafter referred to as a paper magazine ID) of the paper magazine indicating the type (type corresponding to the width, the winding length, the type of the surface, etc.) of the stored color paper P1 or P2. Is recorded by a bar code (not shown). Further, a bar code reader 86 for reading information represented by a bar code of each paper magazine is provided corresponding to the bar code recording units of the paper magazines 16 and 17. A cutter 26 for cutting the color paper P1 or P2 into a predetermined size or image frame unit is provided in the vicinity of the paper magazine outlet.

On the other hand, a light source unit 12 for emitting exposure light in a predetermined direction is provided at the uppermost part of the printer unit 11.
The light source unit 12 is provided with a halogen lamp 72 as a light source for exposure. The light path of the exposure light emitted from the halogen lamp 72 further includes a cyan filter,
A dimming filter 70 including a magenta color filter and a yellow color filter, and a reflection mirror 66 for changing the emission direction of exposure light are provided.

In FIG. 1, a negative carrier 18 for positioning the negative film N at a predetermined printing position is provided in a direction in which the exposure light is reflected by the reflecting mirror 66. The negative carrier 18 is located below the negative carrier 18. A projection lens 14N4 for projecting the image of the film N on the exposure stage S1 of the color paper while changing the magnification is provided.

Above the projection lens 14N4, there is provided a movable reflection mirror 14N1 for totally reflecting the exposure light incident on the projection lens 14N4, and the direction of reflection of the exposure light by the reflection mirror 14N1 (see FIG. 1). In the left direction), a scanner 14 configured by an image sensor or the like is provided.
N3 and a lens 14N2 are provided. Note that the scanner 14N3 is calibrated before shipment from the factory, and the measured value by the scanner 14N3 is accurate.

Below the projection lens 14N4, a filter 68 for maintaining the condition, a black shutter 62 for blocking exposure light emitted to the color paper P1, and a black shutter driving device 64 for opening and closing the black shutter 62 are provided. A black shutter driving device 6
4 is connected to a control unit 60 described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the condition maintaining filter 68 is provided with a large-diameter disk-shaped base 68D, and the small-diameter disk-shaped D _max ND filter 68 is provided on the base 68D.
A, a medium density ND filter 68B and a circular hole 68C used for performing normal printing are provided. Each ND filter absorbs light of any wavelength on average,
Neutral gray filter without coloring, ND for D _max
The density of the filter 68A is lower than the density of the medium density ND filter 68B. A maximum density portion (exposure area A1 in FIG. 4 described later) is obtained by using the D _max filter 68A, and a neutral gray (exposure area A in FIG. 4) is obtained by using the medium density ND filter 68B.
2) is obtained, and the unexposed portion (FIG.
Unexposed area A3) is obtained.

A belt 74 is wound around the side surface of the base 68D, and the other end of the belt 74 is wound around a filter driving device 76 composed of a motor or the like. ND for D _max above
When the substrate 68D is rotated by the driving force from the filter driving device 76, the filter 68A, the ND filter 68B for medium density, and the circular hole 68C are sequentially positioned on the exposure light path around the optical axis X. As the base 68
The center axis of D is disposed at a position decentered from the optical axis X by a predetermined distance. The maximum density portion may be obtained by performing exposure using the circular hole 68C. In this case, the filter 68A for _Dmax is not necessary, and the ND for medium density
Using only the filter 68B and the circular hole 68C, a maximum density portion, a neutral gray portion, and an unexposed portion can be obtained.

Roller pair 8 for transporting color paper P1
2 and 84 are provided so as to sandwich the exposure stage S1.
(See FIG. 3). A roller pair 85 for transporting the color paper to the processor unit 21 is located downstream of the roller pair 84 in the color paper transport direction.
87 and 89 are provided in order along the transport direction of the color paper.

The processor section 21 includes a color developing tank 10.
N1, bleach-fixing processing tank 10N2, rinsing processing tank 10N3
-10N6, a drying section 10N7 and a sorter section 10N8, a color developing solution in the color developing tank 10N1, a bleach-fixing solution in the bleach-fixing tank 10N2,
A rinsing liquid (rinsing liquid) is stored in each of the rinsing tanks 10N3 to 10N6. Thus, the color paper developed in the color developing tank 10N1 is fixed in the bleach-fixing tank 10N2, washed with water in the rinsing tanks 10N3 to 10N6, and dried in the drying unit 10N7.

The sorter section 10N8 is provided with a tray 30 for temporarily storing color paper for each image frame after the drying process.

The processor section 21 has a transport path R for transporting the created color print to the sorter section 10N8.
A switching device 24 that switches the transport direction so that the branch path R2 and the color print that are provided by branching from 1 are transported to the branch path R2 is provided. Further, the branch road R2
Is provided with a densitometer 22 for measuring the density of the image of the color print. The densitometer 22 incorporates a light source and three photosensors each having a color filter capable of separately detecting the amount of light reflected on the photosensitive material for each of the colors C, M, and Y.

The housing 13 of the printer processor 10
An operation unit 59 having a display 58 (see FIG. 3) and a keyboard 56, which will be described later, is provided at the upper part of the.

The printer processor 10 is provided with a control unit 60 as a device for controlling the entire processing liquid management. The control unit 60 includes a CPU (not shown), a RAM,
A microcomputer including a ROM, input / output ports, and the like is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, a keyboard 56 and a display 58 constituting an operation unit 59 are connected to the control unit 60, so that the operator can input information, commands, and the like via the keyboard 56. A message or the like that warns that the processing liquid should be replaced can be displayed on the display 58. Further, the controller 60 includes a scanner 14N3, a densitometer 22, a barcode reader 86, a filter driving device 76,
Paper transport device 80 and black shutter drive device 6
4 are connected.

The control unit 60 is connected to a storage device 88 composed of a magnetic disk device, a readable and writable optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. It is possible to store the result information and the like. The control unit 60 is connected via a communication control device 90 to a host computer 94 of a management center 95 that manages information on maintenance and failures of printer processors installed in various places. Information indicating an abnormal state of the processing liquid (for example, information on a master balance fluctuation history) can be transmitted to 94.

Further, the control unit 60 controls the paper magazine 1
6 has a function of detecting the remaining amount of the color paper P1 stored in the paper magazine 6 and the remaining amount of the color paper P2 stored in the paper magazine 17. The remaining amount can be detected by, for example, the number of rotations of the transport roller 27 in the paper magazine 16 or the number of rotations of the transport roller 29 in the paper magazine 17. In addition, an infrared sensor including an infrared light emitting diode and a light receiver is provided on the conveyance path of the color paper P1, and the infrared sensor detects the color paper P.
1 may be detected, and the remaining amount of the color paper P1 may be determined based on the transport speed and the sensor passage time of the color paper P1.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When a preset time elapses after the power supply (not shown) of the printer processor 10 is turned on at the start of a day or the like, heat-up for controlling the temperature of the processing liquid to a predetermined value is automatically started. When the temperature of the processing liquid reaches a predetermined temperature and the heat-up of the processing liquid is completed, the control routine shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the control section 60, the detection of the remaining amount of the color paper P to be exposed is executed in parallel with the printing processing and the like. Specifically, the interruption routine shown in FIG. 9 is interrupted at the timing when the exposed color paper P is cut by the cutter 26.

Here, the interrupt routine shown in FIG. 9 will be described first. In step 192 of FIG. 9, the bar magazine reader 86 reads the paper magazine ID of the paper magazine (for example, the paper magazine 16) in which the target color paper P is stored, and in the next step 194, for example, the transport roller in the paper magazine 16 The remaining amount of the color paper P in the paper magazine 16 is detected based on the rotation speed of the paper magazine 27. Then, the next step 196
It is determined whether the remaining amount of the color paper P is “0”. Here, the process proceeds to step 198 only when the remaining amount of the color paper P is “0”, and the paper magazine ID of the paper magazine 16 storing the color paper P
Is set to "1" and the routine returns.

The interruption routine shown in FIG. 9 detects that the remaining amount of the color paper P has become "0", and the paper magazine 1 containing the color paper P is detected.
The flag corresponding to the paper magazine ID of No. 6 is set to “1”.

When the flag corresponding to the paper magazine ID of the paper magazine 16 is “1”, an instruction to execute the printing condition maintenance using the color paper P stored in the paper magazine 16 is not accepted, and A message prompting the user to execute the paper automatic condition setting for the paper P, which will be described later, is displayed on the display 58 to warn the operator.

Next, the control routine shown in FIG. 5 will be described. In step 102 of FIG. 5, light source correction is performed as follows. First, in a state where the negative film is not set on the negative carrier 18, a predetermined voltage is applied to the halogen lamp 72, and the reflection mirror 14 is positioned at a position where the exposure light is totally reflected.
Move N1, move the dimming filter 70 to a predetermined position,
The light amount is measured by the scanner 14N3, and is compared with the measured value at the time of the previous measurement. Based on this comparison result, the light source voltage and the position of the light control filter 70 are adjusted so that a constant amount of light with a constant color balance is obtained. This makes it possible to eliminate condition fluctuations due to dirt or deterioration of each device of the light source unit 12 such as the dimming filter 70 and the halogen lamp 72, and to obtain a constant amount of light.

In the next step 104, a new paper determination process shown in detail in FIG. 6 is executed. First, the bar magazine reader 86 reads the paper magazine ID of the paper magazine (for example, the paper magazine 16) in which the color paper P to be exposed is stored (step 13).
2), it is determined whether or not the flag corresponding to the paper magazine ID is “1” at the time (step 13)
4). If the flag is not "1", it can be determined that the color paper P to be exposed is not a new color paper, and the process returns from the routine of FIG.

On the other hand, if the flag is "1" in step 134, it can be determined that the color paper P to be exposed is a new color paper. in this case,
Since there is a possibility that the paper characteristics may fluctuate greatly as compared with before, a message such as "Please execute automatic paper condition setting" is displayed on the display 58 (step 136). Thereafter, the operator waits for an instruction to execute paper automatic condition setting. In this waiting state, if the operator attempts to turn off the power by performing a print end operation, for example, "automatic light source correction / print condition maintenance at the next power-on" is performed. Be sure to execute the automatic paper condition setting before turning off the power. "
(Step 140).

Then, when the operator instructs the execution of the automatic paper condition setting (when an affirmative determination is made in step 142), the process proceeds to step 144, and the same automatic paper condition setting as in the related art is executed. This automatic paper condition setting is executed, for example, according to a control routine shown in FIG. By this paper automatic condition setting, the paper balance (correction parameter for correcting the characteristic variation of the color paper P and setting the exposure condition) corresponding to the target paper magazine ID is updated.
In step 144, the target paper magazine ID
Is returned to "0" and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

In the next step 106 in FIG.
The print condition maintenance of the master balance shown in FIG. First, in step 152 of FIG. 7, an exposure process detailed in FIG. 8 is executed.

Hereinafter, the exposure processing shown in FIG. 8 will be outlined. First, based on the data obtained by light source correction, C
The dimming filters 70 for (cyan), M (magenta) and Y (yellow) are appropriately inserted into the optical path (step 172).
Next, the ND filter 68A for _Dmax is inserted into the optical path, and exposure with a predetermined exposure amount is performed (steps 174 and 176). As a result, the color paper P is exposed at a constant exposure amount reduced by the D _max ND filter 68A, and an exposure area A1 corresponding to D _max is formed on the color paper P as shown in FIG. Is done. Thereafter, the color paper P is transported by the transport amount L corresponding to one frame, and is prepared for the next exposure (step 178).

Next, instead of the ND filter 68A for _Dmax , the ND filter 68B for medium density is inserted into the optical path, and in this state, exposure is performed with a predetermined exposure amount (steps 180 and 18).
2). As a result, for the color paper P, the medium density N
Exposure of a constant exposure amount is performed with the exposure light attenuated by the D filter 68B, and as shown in FIG.
Then, an exposure region A2 for medium density is formed. Thereafter, the color paper P is transported by twice the transport distance L (that is, 2 L) to prepare for the next exposure (step 184). Here, when the color paper P is transported by twice the transport amount L, an unexposed area A3 is formed next to the exposure area A2 of the color paper P as shown in FIG. Next, the color paper P is cut by the cutter 26 (step 18).
6) Return to the routine of FIG. When the above-described exposure processing in step 152 in FIG. 7 is completed, in the next step 154, the color paper P is subjected to the color development processing tank 10N1, the bleach-fix processing tank 10N2, the rinsing processing tanks 10N3 to 10N6, Conveyed sequentially to the unit 10N7. As a result, predetermined development, fixing, washing, and drying processes are performed on the color paper P to produce a print. Next, the created print is transported to the branch path R switched by the switching device 24, and reaches the measurement position of the densitometer 22.

In the next step 156, the densities of the exposed areas A1, A2 and the unexposed area A3 shown in FIG. 4 are measured by the densitometer 22 for each of the C, M, and Y color components.

In the next step 158, exposure for setting the print density (here, as an example, the density of the exposure area A2 which is neutral gray, hereinafter referred to as A2 density) for each of the C, M, and Y color components within the reference range. Find the correction amount of the condition. In the next step 160, the master balance for each of the colors C, M, and Y is updated according to the correction amount of the exposure condition for each of the colors C, M, and Y, and the updated master balance is updated. Is stored in the storage device 88. The updated master balance corresponds to the master correction parameter of the present invention, and is a correction parameter for correcting the exposure condition in accordance with a variation including a variation in the processing liquid state.

The master balance is stored continuously for up to 100 times without erasing the previous value. At that time, the date updated by the master balance is also stored. 10
On the first day, the oldest data is automatically deleted and the latest master balance value and update date are stored.

The master balance updated immediately after the preparation of the processing liquid or when the state of the processing liquid is good by the const processing is stored as a reference master balance (corresponding to the reference master correction parameter of the present invention).
As mentioned above, it is not deleted on the 101st day,
It is stored until it is updated to a new reference master balance.

By maintaining the print conditions of the master balance in step 106 in FIG. 5 as described above, the master balance for each of the colors C, M, and Y for exposure condition correction is updated.

The automatic paper condition setting executed in step 144 in FIG. 6 is performed according to the control routine in FIG. 26, which is almost the same as the control routine in FIG. 7 described above. 26. In the control routine of FIG. 26, the same processes as those in FIG. 7 have “A” appended to the end of the step numbers. FIG.
In step 158A, the amount of correction of the exposure condition for keeping the print density within the reference range for each of the C, M, and Y color components is calculated.
C, M, Y according to the correction amount of the exposure condition for each color of M, Y
The paper balance for each color is updated, and the updated latest paper balance is stored in the storage device 88.

By the way, in the following steps 108, 110, 112, and 114 in the main routine of FIG. 5, based on the master balance fluctuation history, the quality of the processing liquid is determined as follows.

First, at step 108, the updated new master balance is compared with the reference master balance for each of the colors C, M, and Y (hereinafter, referred to as a first comparison process). In the next step 110, the updated new master balance is compared with the previous master balance for each of the colors C, M, and Y (hereinafter, referred to as a second comparison process). Further, in the next step 112, the updated new master balance is compared with the previous master balance for each of the colors C, M, and Y.
The average value of the master balance is compared with the average value (hereinafter, referred to as a third comparison process).

Here, the significance of the first to third comparison processes will be outlined. First, a deviation of the master balance from the state where the processing liquid is prepared can be found by the first comparison processing.
If the characteristics of the exposure system, the photometry system, the components of the densitometer, and the like do not change, this value is approximately the amount of fluctuation in the processing liquid performance. For about several months, this value can be used to roughly determine the performance of the processing solution.
It is preferable to perform the const processing once every six months or so to update the reference master balance. Further, as the reference master balance, a master balance at the time when the average value of the master balance in the previous ten times described later is stable may be used.

Next, according to the second comparison processing, it is possible to detect a sudden change in the state of the processing liquid. Normally, it is within a certain range of measurement variation, but if it changes abruptly, the cause can be narrowed down to contamination of the processing solution due to an earthquake or failure of components of the densitometer and the photometric system.

Next, according to the third comparison processing, the tendency of the recent change in the state of the processing liquid can be found. Here, the difference from the average value of the previous ten times is used, but the number may be determined any number of times within the range of the memory capacity for storing the past master balance value and the like. For example, here, only the average value of the previous 10 times, but the average value of the previous 10 times (11 to 20 times before), the average value of the previous 10 times (21 to 30 times before), etc. Is obtained and added to the determination condition, a more accurate determination can be made.

For example, when intentional contamination of the processing solution occurs on the 53rd day from the start of the measurement (event 1), the master balance during running is as shown in the graph of FIG. It changes rapidly toward. In this case, the difference between the master balance by the first comparison process and the reference master balance is shown in the graph of FIG. 11, and the difference between the master balance by the second comparison process and the master balance of the previous day is shown in the graph of FIG. The difference between the master balance obtained by the third comparison process and the average value of the master balance on the previous 10 days changes with time, as shown in the graph of FIG. Here, it can be seen that the values suddenly change on the 53rd to 54th days in any of the graphs of FIGS. 11 to 13, and it is possible to detect the occurrence of a sudden factor (such as the above-mentioned contamination). In the above example, the value of the master balance suddenly decreased, but, for example, if the value of the master balance suddenly increases, there may be a case where a component failure of the densitometer or the photometric system is caused. Many.

Further, for example, as shown in the graph of FIG. 14, when the master balance during running tends to gradually decrease (event 2), the difference between the master balance obtained by the first comparison process and the reference master balance is determined. As shown in the graph of FIG. 15, the difference between the master balance by the second comparison process and the master balance of the previous day is, as shown in the graph of FIG. 16, the master balance by the third comparison process and the master balance average value of the previous 10 days. 17 changes with time, as shown in the graph of FIG.

Here, the difference from the master balance of the previous day shown in the graph of FIG. 16 does not show a large change with time, but the difference from the average of the master balance of the previous 10 days is slightly lower than the graph of FIG. It can be seen from the graph of FIG. 15 that the difference from the reference master balance is clearly decreasing. This cause is not a sudden factor as described above, but can be presumed to be a factor that changes gradually. Here, for example, it is possible to estimate that the replenishment amount of water is small relative to the amount of water evaporation from the processing liquid due to a defect in the evaporation correction system, or that the replenishment amount of the processing chemical is excessive.

Further, the processing amount of the color paper P, the used amount of the replenisher and the remaining amount (or the number of times of liquid preparation) stored in the printer processor 10, similarly the used amount of the washing water for water supply (or the number of times of liquid preparation), etc. Is more preferably narrowed down by retrieving and a notification of the defective location is made.

Further, for example, when the amount of water replenishment is larger than the amount of water evaporation from the processing solution due to a failure of the evaporation correction system or when the replenishment amount of the processing chemical is intentionally insufficient (event 3), Fig. 18 Master balance
Gradually increases as shown in the graph. in this case,
The difference between the master balance by the first comparison process and the reference master balance is shown in the graph of FIG. 19, and the difference between the master balance by the second comparison process and the master balance of the previous day is shown in the graph of FIG. The difference between the master balance by the three comparison processes and the average value of the master balance on the previous 10 days changes with time, as shown in the graph of FIG.

Although there is no significant change over time in the difference from the master balance on the previous day shown in the graph of FIG. 20, the difference from the average value of the master balance on the previous 10 day is slightly increasing in the graph of FIG. It can be seen from the graph of FIG. 19 that the difference from the reference master balance is clearly increasing. The cause is not a sudden factor as described above, but can be presumed to be a gradually changing factor (for example, a failure in the evaporation correction system (excessive water) or an insufficient replenishment amount of the processing agent).

After the execution of the first to third comparison processes as described above, in step 114 of FIG. 5, the difference in each of the first to third comparison processes is within a predetermined reference range, for example, ± 1.
By determining whether or not the value is within 0, it is determined whether the state of the processing liquid is good.

If the difference is within ± 10 in all of the first to third comparison processes, the process proceeds to step 116,
A message indicating that there is no abnormality in the processing liquid is displayed on the display 58.
Is displayed and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the difference exceeds ± 10 in any of the first to third comparison processes in step 114, it is determined that the processing liquid is abnormal, and the process proceeds to step 118, where the processing liquid is abnormal. For this reason, a message is displayed on the display 58 to warn the user to adjust the processing liquid immediately. At the same time, information indicating a temporal change in the processing results of the first to third comparison processing is transmitted to the host computer 94 of the management center 95 via the communication line 92.

According to the above-described embodiment, the operator of the printer processor 10 can quickly detect the state of the processing solution without checking the performance of the processing solution using a complicated comb as in the related art. be able to. Further, by automatically executing the control routine of FIG. 5 described above at the start of the operation of the printer processor 10 and determining the state of the processing liquid, it is possible to eliminate the processing of checking the performance of the processing liquid using a daily const. Thus, the burden of daily work can be reduced.

Further, since the fluctuation tendency of the processing liquid performance can be monitored by the first to third comparison processing, when the state of the processing liquid deteriorates, it becomes easy to identify the cause of the deterioration based on the deterioration tendency. , The operator can take appropriate measures.

Further, the abnormality of the processing liquid can be promptly notified to the management center 95. Accordingly, the management center 9
On the fifth side, by receiving information indicating the change over time of the processing results of the first to third comparison processing, it is possible to detect the abnormality of the processing liquid and to grasp the details of the abnormality. This allows
The management center 95 can instruct or advise the operator of the printer processor 10 on appropriate measures.

In event 2 (when the master balance tends to gradually decrease) and event 3 (when the master balance tends to gradually increase), fundamental measures are taken by repairing the pump and the like. Until the above, the master balance itself corrects the exposure control, so that a good print can be obtained without affecting the photographic processing performance to a certain extent even if the use is continued. However, if an abnormality cannot be detected within a certain management range (± 10 in this example) as in the present embodiment,
The density near the A2 density can be corrected by the master balance, but the density cannot be properly corrected at a density other than the A2 density. Therefore, when proper correction cannot be performed in actual printing, an abnormality in the processing liquid is noticed. After the deterioration, the processing liquid must be immediately replaced, and the printing process by the printer processor 10 must be temporarily stopped. According to the present embodiment, since an abnormality in the processing liquid can be detected in advance and appropriately dealt with, the improvement can be made before the mother liquor is replaced. In the unlikely event that a part to be replaced has a long delivery time, it is possible to place an order early, so that the processing can be performed well for a while.

Note that, in the above embodiment, three of C, M, and Y
The variation history is individually stored for each color master balance, and the processing liquid state is determined based on the variation history of the master balance for each color. Alternatively, the state of the processing liquid may be determined excluding a large variation (for example, a master balance relating to the C color component) in consideration of the variation of the photometric filter and the like.

In the above embodiment, the difference in the comparison result is ±
Although it is set to be larger than 10, an arbitrary value may be set for each color according to the characteristics of the device.

In maintaining the printing conditions in the above embodiment, the master balance is updated based on the measured A2 density, and the state of the processing liquid is determined based on the history of fluctuation of the master balance. Printing conditions based on a plurality of densities including the density of the exposed area A1 (hereinafter referred to as A1 density), the density of the unexposed area A3 (hereinafter referred to as A3 density), and the like are also stored, and a plurality of master balance values are stored. However, if the state of the processing liquid is determined based on the change history of each of the plurality of master balances, it is needless to say that the determination can be made more accurately and the determination accuracy can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the environmental temperature at the time when the master balance is updated is measured, and the temperature characteristic variation of the color paper P corresponding to the change in the environmental temperature is removed from the master balance (master). If the balance is corrected) and the state of the processing liquid is determined using the master balance, it goes without saying that the determination accuracy is improved.

The information of the paper magazine ID may be represented by a symbol other than the barcode described above, or may be represented by a symbol, a character, a numeral, or a combination thereof attached to the back surface of the color paper.

[0099] Further, although in the above embodiment shows an example where D _max for ND filter 68A, the middle-density ND filter 68B is inserted into successively exposed optical path, D _max for the ND filter 6
8A and a medium density ND filter 68B, using one ND filter provided with a portion corresponding to each of the ND filters 68B.
The portions corresponding to 1, A2 and the unexposed portion A3 may be formed by one exposure. The ND filter 68 for D _max
A and the ND filter for forming the exposure area A1, which is the maximum density area, the exposure area A2, which is the medium density area, and the unexposed area A3 in maintaining the printing conditions, like the ND filter 68B for A and the medium density, are setup filters ( Setup Fi
lter: SUF).

Further, it may be formed by one medium density ND filter such as a setup filter (SUF) used in a printer processor “PP720W” manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. However, digital information obtained by reading the image of a negative film with a scanner such as a CCD, using a laser, DMD (digital micromirror device), LCD (liquid crystal display panel), CR
A printer that exposes photosensitive material by output means such as T)
In, the exposure control such as correcting the color balance at an arbitrary density arbitrarily by a program at the stage of digital information of an image becomes possible, and it is effective means to grasp the state of the processing liquid by test exposure of a plurality of densities. .

By the way, in maintaining the printing conditions in the present application, when the SUF is exposed using a medium density filter, the exposure conditions are set so that the printing has a predetermined target density. An exposure control parameter affecting the exposure condition at this time is a master balance. The concentration measured by a densitometer that has been processed and exits the processor and is located at the outlet is A
2 concentrations. As a result of measuring the A2 density, if it is equal to the target density, the master balance value used for the exposure of the A2 density is adopted. When the deviation from the target density is large, the master balance value of the density difference is calculated again, and the printing condition maintenance is similarly repeated with the new master balance. The operation for obtaining the exposure condition for obtaining the target density by the test printing of the SUF is the printing condition maintenance.
In the present application, the target density is set to a density close to the average print density in the market in order to print well in many markets. This concentration happened to be close to the LD concentration of the const. Therefore, the A2 concentration is close to the LD of the const. For this reason, an inverse correlation is obtained between the master balance and the LD of the const that appear later. If the target densities are different, the numbers themselves will not match, but the correlation will not change.

Here, based on a comparison with the result of the const processing, it is determined that it is appropriate to determine the state of the processing liquid based on the master balance fluctuation history as in the present invention (validity). explain.

First, in the case where intentional contamination of the processing solution was generated on the 53rd day from the start of the measurement described above,
On the 54th day, the const processing was performed (that is, the const was processed with the processing liquid and the density of the print created was measured).
However, the results of the density measurement (by an X-rite densitometer) are as shown in the table of FIG.

Here, the density shown in the table of FIG. 22A is compared with the density of the reference const which has been normally processed in advance at the factory, and the density difference between the two is made 100 times.
It is shown in the table of (B).

On the other hand, when the const processing was executed on the first day when the state of the processing liquid was stable, the results of the density measurement (by an X-rite densitometer) are as shown in the table of FIG. Was. Similarly, the density shown in the table of FIG. 23 (A) is compared with the density of the reference const which has been normally processed beforehand at the factory, and the density difference between the two is made 100 times.
In the table.

If no intentional contamination of the processing liquid was generated on the 53rd day, almost the same as FIG.
You should get results close to the table. Therefore, the LD was compared between the first day and the 54th day to determine the difference. Furthermore, the master balance on both days was compared and the difference was calculated. These results are shown in the table of FIG. From the table of FIG. 24, it can be seen that, for magenta and yellow, the amount of change in the master balance and the amount of change in the LD in the const processing are in a relationship of approximately positive and negative.

Next, in the case where the master balance during running tends to gradually decrease as shown in the graph of FIG. 14, the const processing is executed on the first day and the 54th day in the same manner as described above. The LD measured on both days was compared and the difference was determined. Furthermore, the master balance on both days was compared and the difference was calculated. These results are shown in FIG.
Table 5 shows the results. From the table shown in FIG. 25, it can be seen that the change amount of the master balance and the change amount of the LD in the const process are substantially opposite in polarity for cyan as well as magenta and yellow.

As is apparent from the above example, it can be said that there is a correlation between the amount of change in the LD in the const processing and the amount of change in the master balance. Therefore, it can be said that it is appropriate to make the determination of the processing liquid state based on the change amount of the LD in the conventional const processing based on the temporal change of the master balance as in the present invention.

[0109]

According to the present invention, the operator of the printer processor can quickly detect the state of the processing solution without checking the performance of the processing solution using a complicated comb as in the prior art. . In addition, since the fluctuation tendency of the processing liquid performance can be monitored, when the state of the processing liquid deteriorates, it becomes easy to identify the cause of the deterioration based on the tendency of the deterioration, and the operator can take appropriate measures. .

In particular, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by controlling the master correction parameter so as not to include the correction of the characteristic fluctuation of the photosensitive material, it is possible to determine the state of the processing liquid based on the tendency of the fluctuation of the master correction parameter. Thus, the fluctuation of the characteristics of the photosensitive material is not affected, and the determination accuracy of the processing liquid state can be kept high.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 8,
By automatically adjusting the master correction parameter according to the change in the state of the processing solution at the start of operation, the process of checking the performance of the processing solution using daily const can be abolished, and the burden of daily work can be reduced. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer processor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ND filter.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a device relating to management of a processing liquid.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing paper exposed under a plurality of exposure conditions.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main routine in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a new paper determination process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for maintaining printing conditions of a master balance.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an exposure process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an interrupt processing routine that is executed when paper is cut.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a change over time of a master balance during running in event 1.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a temporal change in a difference from a reference master balance in event 1;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing a change with time of a difference from a master balance on the previous day in Event 1;

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a change with time of a difference from the master balance average value in event 1.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing a change over time of a master balance during running in event 2.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing a temporal change of a difference from a reference master balance in event 2.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing a change with time of a difference from the master balance of the previous day in Event 2;

FIG. 17 is a graph showing the change over time of the difference from the master balance average value in event 2.

FIG. 18 is a graph showing a change over time of a master balance during running in event 3.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing a change with time of a difference from a reference master balance in event 3;

FIG. 20 is a graph showing a temporal change of a difference from the master balance of the previous day in event 3;

FIG. 21 is a graph showing a change with time of a difference from an average value of a master balance in event 3.

FIG. 22 (A) is a table showing the concentration measurement results after occurrence of contamination in Event 1, and FIG. 22 (B) is a table showing the difference between the concentration value after occurrence of contamination in Event 1 and the concentration value of the const processing result. It is.

FIG. 23 (A) is a table showing the concentration measurement results before occurrence of contamination in Event 1, and FIG. 23 (B) is a table showing the difference between the concentration value before occurrence of contamination in Event 1 and the concentration value of the const processing result. It is.

FIG. 24 is a table showing a difference between LD concentration values before and after occurrence of contamination and a difference between master balances before and after occurrence of contamination in Event 1.

FIG. 25 is a table showing a difference between LD concentration values before and after a change over time and a difference between master balances before and after a change over time in Event 2.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for maintaining printing conditions for other balances or balance / slope values.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer processor 10N1 Color development processing tank 21 Processor part 60 Control part 68 Condition maintenance filter 70 Dimming filter 72 Halogen lamp (light source) 88 Storage device (variation history storage means) N Negative film P1, P2 Color paper (photosensitive material)

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image is exposed to a light-sensitive material by light emitted from a light source, the light-sensitive material is processed with a processing solution, and a plurality of correction parameters for correcting exposure conditions are adjusted, so that at least light source light amount fluctuation, light Fluctuations in material properties,
A method of determining a processing liquid state in a printer processor having a function of correcting an exposure condition according to a change in a processing liquid state, wherein a change history of at least one correction parameter among the plurality of correction parameters is stored, Determining whether the state of the processing liquid is good or not based on the change history of the correction parameter. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of correction parameters is a correction parameter for a photosensitive material for correcting an exposure condition in accordance with a characteristic change of the photosensitive material. A method for determining the state of a processing liquid in a processor. 3. An image is exposed to a light-sensitive material by light emitted from a light source, the light-sensitive material is processed with a processing solution, and a plurality of correction parameters for correcting exposure conditions are adjusted, so that at least light source light amount fluctuation, light Fluctuations in material properties,
A method for determining a processing liquid state in a printer processor having a function of correcting an exposure condition according to a change in a processing liquid state, the method comprising: A predetermined master correction parameter is adjusted according to a change in the state, a change history of the adjusted master correction parameter is stored, and the quality of the state of the processing liquid is determined based on the change history of the master correction parameter. A method for determining the state of a processing liquid in a printer processor. 4. An image is exposed to a light-sensitive material by light emitted from a light source, the light-sensitive material is processed with a processing solution, and an exposure condition is corrected according to a light source light amount variation or a characteristic variation of the photosensitive material. Expose the test image on a photosensitive material,
The exposed photosensitive material is processed with a processing solution, the density of the test image recorded on the processed photosensitive material is measured, and a predetermined density for correcting exposure conditions is adjusted so that the measured density is within a predetermined range. A printer processor having a function of adjusting the master correction parameter of: a variation history storage unit that stores a variation history of the master correction parameter; and a variation history of the master correction parameter stored in the variation history storage unit. And a processing liquid state determining means for determining whether the state of the processing liquid is good or not. 5. The processing liquid state determination means includes: a change rate or a change amount of a master correction parameter adjusted this time with respect to a past master correction parameter; 5. The printer processor according to claim 4, wherein the quality of the processing liquid is determined based on the adjusted rate of change or the amount of change of the master correction parameter. 6. The past master correction parameter is at least one of a master correction parameter adjusted first after replenishing or replacing a new processing solution or a master correction parameter adjusted last time. The printer processor according to claim 5, wherein 7. A prohibition unit for prohibiting adjustment of a master correction parameter before correcting exposure conditions according to a change in characteristics of the photosensitive material when the photosensitive material is replaced. The printer processor according to claim 1. 8. The method according to claim 4, wherein at the start of operation, the exposure condition is automatically corrected according to the light source light amount fluctuation, and the master correction parameter is adjusted according to the processing liquid state fluctuation. The printer processor according to claim 1.