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

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;
• print image information reading means for reading the print image 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;
• print image information distribution means for distributing the print image 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.

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.

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 an a single outlet of the print vending machine.

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;
• print image information distribution means for distributing the print image 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.