JP2002357870A - Image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record a proper image by sensitizing a recording medium constituted of photosensitive materials by a light source based on the divided color data of a plurality of colors from a host device without increasing the storage capacity of a lookup table or the storage capacity of a buffer, or limiting the number of divided color data. SOLUTION: In the image recording system constituted of a host device 500 for performing image processing and an image recording device 1 for recording the image in photosensitive materials by receiving digital picture data from the host device, the host device and the image recording device are provided with a control information switching means and an image data transferring means, and the host device is provided with a recording condition storing means for storing a plurality of recording conditions required when the image is recorded by the image recording device and a condition selecting means for selecting the recording condition matched with the image data to be transferred by the control information switching means, and a condition transferring means for transferring the recording condition selected by the condition selecting means to the image recording device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording system, and more particularly, to an RIP (Raster Image Processor).
The present invention relates to an image recording system for creating a proof for checking image data on which a printing plate is based by exposing a recording medium made of a photosensitive material with a light source based on halftone image data from a host device processed in step (1).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when producing a color print, color proofing may be performed at the stage of a document film.
(Cyan) version, M (magenta) version, Y (yellow) version,
Before making a production printing plate, make a proof (proof) using each color separation screen original film that has been color-separated into K and black (black) plates. Inspections are made to see if there are any characters or errors in the characters, etc., and to check the finish of the printed matter in advance.

[0003] In recent years, proofs have been produced using DDCP (direc
t digital color proof) method. As one method of DDCP, a light spot composed of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths such as R, G, and B is exposed on a silver halide color photosensitive material based on halftone image data of each color separation halftone original. Thus, the above-described technique of coloring each dot of CMYK is used.

In recent years, DTP (Desk Top P)
With the spread of ublishing, etc., the work of image editing and page imposition of images input from a scanner on computer software has become common, and full digital editing has become commonplace.

In such a process, an image setter output for directly outputting page-edited image data to a film, a computer to plate (CTP) output for directly recording an image on a printing plate, and Is a computer to cylinder (CTC) for directly recording an image on a printing plate wound on a cylinder of a printing press.

[0006] In this case, performing one-time film output or printing plate output only for confirmation of proofreading, and performing proofreading or proofreading with other proofing materials increases waste and unnecessary work of the film and the printing plate. There's a problem.

[0007] Therefore, particularly in the process of creating and editing a full digital image by such a computer,
DDCP (Direct Digital Color Proof or DC
There is a demand for a system for directly outputting a color image called P (Digital Color Proof).

[0008] Such DDCP is used to record digital image data processed on a computer on a plate making film using an imagesetter or the like, perform a final printing operation for directly creating a printing plate by CTP, or perform CTC. Before performing image recording directly on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printing press, a proof that reproduces the output target indicated by the digital image processed on the computer is created, and its pattern, color tone, and text are created. This is for confirming characters and the like.

[0009] Further, in such a proofing process in the printing process, 1) confirmation of a mistake inside the work site, that is, an inner school, 2) an outer school submitted for confirmation of a finish to an orderer and a designer, 3) Proofs are created and used mainly for three purposes: a print sample provided as a sample of the final printed matter to the captain of the printing press.

[0010] At this time, for the purpose of internal confirmation and some out-of-school applications, due to needs such as shortened delivery time and cost reduction,
In some cases, calibration materials that cannot reproduce halftone images, that is, calibration using the sublimation transfer method, or output products such as ink jet and electrophotography, are mainly used as proofs for appearance confirmation. In order to check details and to check for improper interference fringes in a halftone image called moire at the time of printing, a proof that faithfully reproduces a printed halftone dot has been strongly desired.

In response to such needs, a sublimation transfer recording medium,
DDCP of a type that exposes a thermal recording medium to an image and transfers the image to a printing paper has begun to spread. In this type of apparatus, an image can be formed only by giving on / off data (binary data) to the laser. Therefore, the light source may be directly driven by the pixel data.

[0012]

<First Problem> In the case of the above image recording apparatus, basic recording conditions are set only in the image recording apparatus main body, and some conditions (from the host apparatus) are set. Only multiple copies and color correction channel designations). Further, only a desired data set can be specified from a plurality of data sets set in the image recording apparatus main body in advance. That is, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform various designations regarding recording.

That is, the recording condition is held by the image recording apparatus, and the memory capacity of the image recording apparatus is limited, so that there is a problem that the combination of the constituent colors of one image is necessarily limited.

In the above-described image recording apparatus, generally, color separation data of four colors of YMCK is sequentially received, and each color separation data is stored in a buffer. Then, the color separation data of these YMCKs are read out at once, and the YMCKs are read out.
The image data is converted into image data of RGB recording colors by an RGB LUT (look-up table), and the recording medium of the photosensitive material is simultaneously exposed to RGB using a three-color light source.

In an image recording system (host device and image recording device) for transmitting and receiving image data decomposed into color separation data as described above, a color image is almost always reproduced by a combination of YMCK plates which are basic colors. It is possible.

However, in some cases, a color plate called a "special color" may be added in addition to the above four colors. Here, the “special color” means a specific color that is difficult to create by combining Y, M, C, and K, and is a predetermined color, and includes “special color” and “high-saturation color material”. Or it is sometimes called "hi-fi color". Generally, a corporate color or the like corresponds to this special color. The number of spot colors is not limited as in the case of the above basic colors, and there are many types of spot colors, and a large amount of memory is required on the recording device side in order to print images having various color separation configurations in the above method. Becomes

The look-up table is formed on an image storage area such as a hard disk, and is read from a nonvolatile memory as needed. That is, this type of image recording apparatus uses a look-up table in which pixel values of YMCK are used as addresses and RGB values are used as conversion data. Basically, YMCK → R, YMCK
A storage capacity corresponding to the data of CK → G and YMCK → B is required.

Further, as described above, since simultaneous recording is required on a recording medium, it is necessary to simultaneously provide color separation data of each color as an address of a lookup table. That is, when the number of colors of the color separation data is increased by using the special colors, the input address of the lookup table must be increased according to the number of colors. This increases the number of dimensions in the lookup table,
The capacity of the lookup table will increase. Conversely, if the capacity of the storage area for storing the lookup table is limited, the number of colors of color separation data that can be used is limited.

<Second Problem> In the case of a system abnormality, reset and return are performed separately in both the host apparatus and the image recording apparatus. System mismatch (data or setting mismatch between the host device and the image recording device) may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to limit the number of colors of color separation data without increasing the storage capacity of a memory on an image recording apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording system capable of recording an image of an appropriate finish by exposing a recording medium made of a photosensitive material with a light source based on color separation data of a plurality of colors from a host device.

It is another object of the present invention to realize an image recording system in which a system mismatch between a host device and an image recording device is considered.

[0022]

The above-mentioned problems can be solved by the following means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording system comprising a host device for performing image processing and an image recording device for receiving digital image data from the host device and recording an image on a photosensitive material. In the host device and the image recording device, control information exchange means,
An image data transfer unit, wherein the host device gives recording conditions required by the image recording device at the time of recording to the image recording device by the control information exchange unit. .

According to the present invention, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchange means are provided in the host device and the image recording apparatus, and the recording conditions required by the image recording apparatus at the time of recording are set via the control information exchange means. The host device specifies the image recording device. As a result, it is possible to easily achieve a finished image quality suitable for the pattern of the image.

(2) The invention according to claim 2 is an image recording system comprising a host device for performing image processing and an image recording device for receiving digital image data from the host device and recording an image on a photosensitive material. In the host device and the image recording device, control information exchange means,
An image data transfer unit, wherein the host device includes: a recording condition storage unit configured to store a plurality of recording conditions required by the image recording apparatus during image recording; an input unit configured to input the recording conditions; An image recording system comprising condition calculation means for calculating recording conditions by calculation.

According to the present invention, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchange means are provided in the host device and the image recording device, so that the recording conditions required by the image recording device at the time of recording can be input or input on the host device side. Computed, created and managed, and given from the host device to the image recording device via the control information exchange means. As a result, it is possible to easily achieve a finished image quality suitable for an image pattern or the like only by operating the host device.

(3) The invention according to claim 3 is an image recording system comprising a host device for performing image processing and an image recording device for receiving digital image data from the host device and recording an image on a photosensitive material. In the host device and the image recording device, control information exchange means,
An image data transfer unit, wherein the host device is adapted to a recording condition storage unit for storing a plurality of recording conditions required by the image recording device at the time of image recording, and to image data transferred by the control information exchange unit. An image recording system comprising a condition selecting means for selecting a recording condition, and transferring the recording condition selected by the condition selecting means to the image recording apparatus.

According to the present invention, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchanging means are provided in the host device and the image recording device, and the recording conditions required by the image recording device at the time of recording can be determined by the host device. From the host device to the image recording apparatus via the control information exchange means. As a result, since the recording conditions are selected without being calculated, the throughput of the system is improved, and it is possible to easily achieve a finished image quality suitable for the picture pattern of the image.

(4) The invention according to claim 4, wherein the recording condition is light source drive data when recording an image on a photosensitive material. Image recording system.

In the present invention, since the recording conditions are light source driving data at the time of recording an image on a photosensitive material, the host device can directly specify the light source driving data of the image recording device, and the system can stabilize a printed image. It can contribute to improvement of image quality.

(5) A color image comprising a host device for performing image processing and a color image recording device for receiving digital color image data from the host device and recording an image on a photosensitive material. A recording system, wherein the host device and the image recording device have a control information exchange unit and an image data transfer unit, and the host device has a recording condition required by the image recording device for recording an image. Recording condition storage means for storing a plurality of color correction data, and selecting color correction data adapted in accordance with a color combination constituting a color image to be transferred by the control information exchange means, and transferring the selected color correction data to the image recording apparatus. An image recording system characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchange means are provided in the host device and the image recording apparatus, and the color correction data is selected according to the color combination constituting the color image, and the control is performed. The information is given from the host device to the image recording device via the information exchange means.

Here, by transferring color correction data according to the color combination constituting the image,
It is not necessary to increase the memory according to the number of colors of the color separation data, so that the memory of the image recording apparatus can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Further, since only data corresponding to the color combination forming the color image is transferred, the system throughput is improved and the transfer time can be reduced.

(6) The invention according to claim 6 is an image recording system comprising a host device for performing image processing and an image recording device for receiving digital image data from the host device and recording an image on a photosensitive material. In the host device and the image recording device, control information exchange means,
Image data transfer means, wherein the host device, the recording conditions required by the image recording device at the time of recording, provides only the data whose conditions are changed to the recording device via the control information exchange means, An image recording system characterized in that:

According to the present invention, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchanging means are provided in the host device and the image recording device, so that the recording conditions required by the image recording device during recording can be changed. Only data is provided from the host device to the image recording device via the control information exchange means.

In this case, since only the data of the recording conditions whose conditions have been changed are transferred, the throughput of the system can be improved and the transfer time can be reduced, and the image quality of the finish suitable for the picture pattern of the image can be improved. It can be easily realized.

(7) An image recording system according to the present invention, comprising: a host device for performing image processing; and an image recording device for receiving digital image data from the host device and recording an image on a photosensitive material. Wherein the host device and the image recording device have a control information exchange unit and an image data transfer unit, and the host device transmits the image data transferred to the image recording device by the control information exchange unit. An image recording system comprising an image data canceling unit for instructing discard of the image data.

According to the present invention, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchange means are provided in the host device and the image recording device, and the host device and the image recording device transfer the control information from the host device to the image recording device. It is possible to instruct discard from the host device side. This makes it possible to easily cancel the print processing only by the operation on the host device side.

(8) An image recording system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, comprising: a host device that performs image processing; and an image recording device that receives digital image data from the host device and records an image on a photosensitive material. In the host device and the image recording device, control information exchange means,
Image data transfer means, wherein the host device issues a system reset request to the image recording device by the control information exchange means when detecting a failure relating to image data transfer to the image recording device. An image recording system characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchange means are provided in the host device and the image recording device, and when a failure relating to the image data transfer to the image recording device is detected, the host device side By issuing a system reset including the image recording device from, the system inconsistency at the time of normal recovery (data or setting mismatch between the host device and the image recording device) can be wiped out, and the reliability of the system is greatly improved. It becomes possible.

(9) The invention according to claim 9 is an image recording system comprising a host device for performing image processing and an image recording device for receiving digital image data from the host device and recording an image on a photosensitive material. In the host device and the image recording device, control information exchange means,
Image data transfer means, the host device includes information storage means for storing various information of the image recording device, and uploads various information of the image recording device to the information storage means. Image recording system.

In the specification of the present application, "upload" refers to downloading information data possessed by the image recording apparatus to the host apparatus side, and "downloading" refers to flowing information from the host apparatus to the image recording apparatus. Say

According to the present invention, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchange means are provided in the host device and the image recording device, and the information storage means is provided in the host device. Various information of the recording device can be managed collectively, and system inconsistency (mismatch of data or setting between the host device and the image recording device) can be eliminated, and the reliability of the system can be greatly improved. become.

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

<Overall Configuration of Apparatus> FIGS. 2 to 4 show a color proof creating apparatus to which the image recording apparatus of the present invention is applied. It should be noted that the image recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a color image recording apparatus, but may be a monochrome image recording apparatus. Here, as an example, a color proof creating apparatus will be described as a color image recording apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a color proof creating apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the color proof creating device with the paper feed cover opened, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of the color proof creating device. This device is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. An example of an embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown by the configuration of the present device. Also, by the operation of this device,
An example of an embodiment of the method of the invention is shown.

An exposure unit 3 and a development processing unit 4 are provided in an apparatus main body 2 of an image recording apparatus 1 which is a color proof creating apparatus. The exposure unit 3 is provided with an upper panel 5 and a front panel 6 that can be opened and closed, and maintenance is performed from the upper and front sides. Above the exposure unit 3, a paper loading unit 7 is disposed on the developing unit side, and an operation unit 8 is disposed on the front side of the apparatus main body 2 in front of the paper loading unit 7. A paper supply cover 9 is provided in the paper loading unit 7 so as to be openable and closable, and a cartridge 10 containing a photosensitive material (hereinafter, also referred to as paper or photosensitive material) as a recording medium can be set by the paper supply cover 9. The operation unit 8 includes a liquid crystal panel 11 and a touch panel 12.

The development processing unit 4 includes an upper panel 13
A replenishing panel 14 is provided so as to be openable and closable, maintenance is performed from the upper side, and replenishment of the processing liquid is performed from the front side. A paper discharge unit 15 is provided on the side of the development processing unit 4, and the processed photosensitive material is discharged to the paper discharge unit 15.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a color proof creating apparatus. The exposure unit 3 includes a paper feeding unit 20, a main scanning unit 30, a sub-scanning unit 40, a paper discharging unit 50, and an accumulation unit 60. The paper supply unit 20 includes paper supply rollers 21a and 21b, a cutter 22, and a drum supply / discharge roller 23. The photosensitive material from the cartridge 10 is pulled out by the paper feed rollers 21a and 21b, cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 22,
3 to the main scanning unit 30.

A drum 31 is rotatably provided in the main scanning section 30, and the photosensitive material is adsorbed on the outer surface of the drum 31 and rotates integrally. An optical unit 32 is arranged to face the drum 31, and the optical unit 32 can be moved by a sub-scanning unit 40 in parallel with the drum axis. The optical unit 32 receives a digital image signal and exposes the photosensitive material adsorbed to the drum 31 with a light beam to write an image.

The paper discharge unit 50 includes a peeling guide 51, and the photosensitive material on which writing has been completed is peeled off the drum 31 and sent to the developing unit 4 by the peeling guide 51. At this time, if the transport speed of the developing unit 4 is lower than the discharge speed of the exposure unit 3, the photosensitive material is sent to the accumulator 60 while the discharge speed is high, and the photosensitive material hangs down on the accumulator 60. Let
The transfer timing with the developing unit 4 is adjusted so that the processing capability of the exposure unit 3 is not reduced.

The developing unit 4 includes a second exposure unit 41
(Hereinafter, described as an example of a reversal exposure direct positive photosensitive material), a developing unit 42, a fixing unit 43, a stabilizing unit 44, and a drying unit 45 are provided. A portion of the photosensitive material not exposed by the exposure unit 3 by the second exposure unit 41 forms a pseudo image, and the second exposed photosensitive material is transported to the developing unit 42, the fixing unit 43, and the stabilizing unit 44 for development. The processed photosensitive material is dried in the drying unit 45 and sent to the paper discharge unit 15.

Next, the components of the color proof creating apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 is a side view showing a paper loading unit and a paper feeding unit, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a main scanning unit and a sub-scanning unit, and FIG. 7 is a side view showing a paper discharging unit and an accumulating unit.

In the paper loading section 7, a paper feed cover 9 is provided on the upper panel 5 so as to be openable and closable, and the cartridge 10 is set in the loading port 70 with the paper feed cover 9 opened. Close the paper feed cover 9 with the cartridge 10 set,
The paper feed cover 9 is locked by the lock mechanism 71. The lock mechanism 71 is operated by a cover lock motor M1.
The paper supply cover 9 is provided with a cartridge presence / absence sensor S1, and the loading port 70 is provided with a cover close detection sensor S2 and a cover lock detection sensor S3. The cartridge 10 is set at the position of the paper feed rollers 21a and 21b of the paper feed unit 20 with the leading end of the photosensitive material pulled out by a predetermined length.

The paper feed unit 20 includes paper feed rollers 21a, 2
A paper end sensor S4 is provided between the cartridge 1b and the cartridge 10, and the paper end sensor S4 detects the end of the photosensitive material extracted from the cartridge 10. The position of one paper feed roller 21a is fixed,
The other paper feed roller 21b is movable by a roller moving mechanism 24, and moves the paper feed roller 21b to a standby position in order to prevent paper wrinkles due to roller pressing during a period other than during the paper transport operation. Roller moving mechanism 24
Is operated by the feed roller pressure release motor M2.

While the photosensitive material is being conveyed, the paper feed roller 21b
Is moved to the transport position, and the photosensitive material is pressure-bonded to the opposing paper feed rollers 21a and 21b. Paper feed roller 21
The position b is detected by the paper feed roller pressure contact position detection sensor S5 and the paper feed roller release position detection sensor S6. The paper feed roller 21a is operated by a paper feed motor M3.

The cutter 22 is operated by a cutter motor M20. Cutter 22 and drum feed / discharge roller 2
3, the encoder roller 25 and the guide 2
6 are provided. The encoder roller 25 feeds the photosensitive material by rotation, and detects the feed amount of the photosensitive material.

The drum feeding / discharging roller 23 can be moved to a pressing position and a releasing position by a roller moving mechanism 27. The drum supply / discharge roller 23 is driven by a drum supply / discharge motor M4. The position of the drum feeding / discharging roller 23 is detected by a drum feeding / discharging roller pressing position detecting sensor S7 and a drum feeding / discharging roller releasing position detecting sensor S8 which do not appear in this figure. The roller moving mechanism 27 includes a drum feed / discharge roller pressure release motor M
5 operates.

The shaft portions 3 at both ends of the drum 31 of the main scanning portion 30
1a and 31b are connected to the support base 3 via bearings 33a and 33b.
4a and 34b rotatably supported. Drum 31
A drive pulley 35a is provided on one of the shaft portions 31a. The drive pulley 35a is connected to an output pulley 35b of the drum rotation motor M6 by a belt 36, and the drum 31 is rotated by driving the drum rotation motor M6.
A rotary encoder 37 is provided on one shaft portion 31a of the drum 31, and outputs a rotation pulse to be used for pixel clock control synchronized with the rotation of the drum.

The other shaft 31b of the drum 31 is connected to the suction blower P1. The drum 31 is formed of a hollow body, and has a suction hole 31c formed on the surface thereof.
Due to the drive of 1, the pressure inside the drum 31 is reduced, and the photosensitive material is adsorbed on the surface of the drum 31.

The optical unit 32 includes a red LED unit 320R, a green LED unit 320G, and a blue LED unit 320B. Red L
ED unit 320R, green LED unit 320
The light beams from the G and blue LED units 320B expose an image from the condenser lens 331 to the photosensitive material P on the drum 31 via mirrors 325, 326, and 327. The exposure shutter 332 is opened and closed by an exposure solenoid 333 to open and close the optical path at the start and end of the exposure.

The optical unit 32 is fixed to a moving belt 340, and is provided to be movable in a direction parallel to the drum axis while being guided by a pair of guide rails 341 and 342.
The moving belt 340 is wound around a pair of pulleys 343 and 344. One pulley 344 is connected to an output shaft 345 of the sub-scanning motor M7, and the optical unit 32 moves in parallel with the drum axis by driving the sub-scanning motor M7. .

The sub-scanning reference position detecting sensor S11, the sub-scanning writing position detecting sensor S12 and the sub-scanning overrun position detecting sensor S1 in the drum axis direction of the optical unit 32.
3 are arranged. Sub-scanning reference position detection sensor S11
The optical unit 32 stops at the detection of the sub-scanning reference position, the sub-scanning is started from this sub-scanning reference position, the sub-scanning is stopped by the moving amount corresponding to the image size, and the sub-scanning is moved to the sub-scanning reference position. Let it return.

The paper discharge unit 50 includes transport rollers 52, 5
3. A transport guide 54, a peeling guide 51, and an exit shutter 55 are arranged. The transport rollers 52 and 53 are driven in conjunction with each other by an unloading motor M8. Peeling guide 51
Is moved up and down by a peeling guide vertical motor M9, the claw 51a of the peeling guide 51 peels off the photosensitive material on the drum at the upper position, and accumulates the photosensitive material at the lower position.
Opening and closing of the peeling guide 51 is detected by a peeling guide open sensor S14 and a peeling guide closing sensor S15. A peel jam detection sensor S30 is provided in the photosensitive material discharge path.

The exit shutter 55 is opened and closed by an exit shutter motor M10. The opening and closing of the exit shutter 55 is detected by an exit shutter open detection sensor S16.
The exit shutter 55 determines the timing of discharging the photosensitive material, opens the exit shutter 55 at a predetermined timing, and sends the photosensitive material to the development processing unit 4. Further, an exit sensor S31 for detecting that the photosensitive material is fed into the development processing unit 4 is provided.

The accumulating section 60 is disposed below the sheet discharging section 50, and the photosensitive material hangs down on the accumulating section 60 when the peeling guide 51 moves downward. By accumulating the photosensitive material at a high speed (relative to the developing conveyance speed) in this manner, the photosensitive material can be fed into the development processing unit 4 without damaging the photosensitive material.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the present apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 100
U101, a RAM 102 and a ROM 103.
It is connected to sensors and actuators via O ports 104 and 105, and controls the actuators based on information from the sensors.

The sensors include a cartridge presence sensor S1, a cover close detection sensor S2, a cover lock detection sensor S3, a paper end sensor S4, a paper feed roller pressing position detection sensor S5, a paper feed roller release position detection sensor S6, and the like. Drum feed / discharge roller pressure contact position detection sensor S7, Drum feed / discharge roller release position detection sensor S
8, paper tip reference position sensor S9, paper feed amount detection sensor S10, rotary encoder 37, sub-scan reference position detection sensor S11, sub-scan write position detection sensor S12, sub-scan overrun position detection sensor S1
3. Peeling guide open sensor S14, peeling guide close sensor S
15, the exit shutter open detection sensor S16 and the peel jam detection sensor S30 are connected. Further, an outlet sensor S31 not shown in this figure is also connected.

The actuator group includes a cover lock motor M1, a feed roller press release motor M2, a feed motor M3, a cutter motor M20, a drum feed / discharge motor M4, a drum feed / discharge roller press release motor M5, a drum rotation motor. M6, sub-scanning motor M
7. Exposure shutter solenoid 333, unloading motor M
8, the peeling guide vertical motor M9 and the exit shutter motor M10 are connected, and the drivers D1, D2, D3, D
11, D5, D4, D6, D7, D333, D8, D
9 and D10 respectively.

The operation unit 8 controls the liquid crystal panel 11 by the driver D20 and displays the operation state of the color proof creating apparatus. A command from the operation from the touch panel 12 is sent to the CPU 101 as digital information by the A / D converter 120.

Digital image information is sent from an externally connected RIP (raster image processor) 500 to a data buffer 204 via an image data input unit 201.

On the other hand, in synchronization with the output signal of the PLL 202 based on the photosensitive material feed information from the rotary encoder 37, the digital image information is transferred from the data buffer 204 to the LU by the dot clock of the dot clock generator 203.
T (image memory in which lookup table is stored) 2
05 and DA converters 206R, 206G, 206B
To the drivers 207R, 207G, and 207B via the driver 207R, 207G, and 207B to drive the red LED unit 320R, the green LED unit 320G, and the blue LED unit 320B, respectively.

Here, the dot image data of each color (C, M, Y, K) created by the host device 500 is transferred to the image data input unit 201, where the data is converted from the RIP format to the exposure format. The data is stored in the data buffer 204. The image data input unit 201 controls the stamp printing of the present invention (details will be described later).
After one sheet of image data has been stored in 04, all colors are simultaneously exposed.

In this embodiment, a description will be given of the creation of a color proof when the photosensitive material is positive. The density characteristic curve for the positive case is as shown in FIG. The horizontal axis represents the emission intensity E expressed by a logarithm, and the vertical axis represents the concentration D. In the case of positive, as shown in the figure, the density decreases as the amount of light emission increases. FIG. 11 shows the density characteristics of a conventional negative photosensitive material for reference. It can be seen that the characteristics are opposite to the positive characteristics shown in FIG.

At this time, the C, M, Y, and K plane data of the printed matter are given in 16 combinations as shown in FIG. 10, corresponding to the minimum exposure dots (called pixels) at the time of exposure. As shown in FIG. 10, the light intensity is converted into a combination of the R, G, and B light emission intensities specified by the LUT 205,
Exposure is performed for each pixel in which three wavelengths of light are overlapped.

If the light emission drive is digital modulation of only ON / OFF, the light emission intensity is 0 (the LED does not emit light)
Or 100 (the LED emits light at the optimal light emission amount for the photosensitive material), so it is not necessary to make the LUT 205 user-configurable. However, in this case, the C, M, Y, and K color development densities of the photosensitive material are fixed, and a photosensitive material adjusted to a standard ink concentration is used. Inability to adapt to density differences.

On the other hand, the present device employs analog modulation with gradation characteristics in light emission driving,
C, M, Y,
An image LUT 20 in which the emission intensities of R, G, and B corresponding to the K plane data can be freely set so that the color development has an optimum density.
Has five. In the case where the K plane is included in the data, all colors are black, so there are nine types of reproduction colors that can be changed as a lookup table. When correcting variations due to printing conditions such as ink and density differences due to different ink manufacturers, it is preferable to use a photosensitive material having a coloring density higher than the standard ink density in terms of expanding the applicable range.

Here, by operating the touch panel 12,
The contents of the LUT 205 can be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11 via the CPU 101.
In addition, by operating the touch panel 12 on the display screen,
The contents of the LUT 205 can be arbitrarily changed.

<Image-Recording-Condition Host-Side Management> Hereinafter, “image-recording-condition host-side management”, which is a characteristic part of this embodiment, will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration around the CPU for controlling the execution of the image recording condition host-side management according to the present embodiment for each of the host device 500 and the image recording device 1 by function. is there.

Here, the same components of the image recording apparatus 1 as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Note that FIG.
A description will now be given of a specific example of a host device 500 that generates YMCK color separation data for image recording and an image recording device 1 that receives YMCK color separation data from the host device 500 and performs image recording in RGB. Do.

In FIG. 1B, reference numeral 1 denotes an image recording apparatus which receives YMCK color-separated data from the host apparatus 500 and performs image recording in RGB, and comprises the following components. Reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU as control means for controlling the overall operation of the image recording apparatus 1. This CPU 101
The recording condition required by the image recording apparatus 1 at the time of recording is received from the host device 500 via the control information exchange means.

Reference numeral 201 denotes an image data input unit as an interface for receiving data (control information of serial data and image data of parallel data) from the host device. Control information from the host device is
1 and the image data to a data buffer described later.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a data buffer for storing image data sent from the host device for one line for each color. Note that image data sent from a host device such as the host device 500 is stored in the Y buffer 204Y to the K buffer 204K for one line. Then, the stored data is read out in synchronization with the dot clock, and given to the LUT 205 as an address.

In the LUT 205, table data of a lookup table for outputting R, G, B data as shown in FIG. 10 is written. That is, at this time, the LU
At T205, the CPU assigned to the address given by the address bus
From 101, data indicating the light emission intensity of R, G, B is written. That is, predetermined values of R, G, and B are written from the data bus to the address given by the address bus.

Reference numeral 206 denotes a DA converter which receives each output of the LUT 205 and converts it into an analog signal;
7G and 207B are light source drivers that receive each output of the DA converter 206 and drive the LED, and 320R to 320B.
Are LEDs that emit light upon receiving the outputs of the light source drivers 207R, 207G, 207B.

In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 500 denotes a host device such as a RIP (raster image processor) for generating YMCK color separation data for image recording, and is constituted by the following units.

Reference numeral 501 denotes a control unit for controlling the overall operation of the host device 500, and a CPU as a condition calculation unit for calculating a recording condition by calculation. This CPU 501
Controls the image recording apparatus 1 to generate or select the recording conditions required for recording, and to transmit the recording conditions suitable for the picture of the image to the image recording apparatus 1 via the control information exchange means.

Reference numeral 502 denotes an input unit constituting input means for performing various inputs in the host device 500. In this embodiment, an input unit for inputting recording conditions. 5
Reference numeral 03 denotes a display unit that displays various states of the host device 500. In the present embodiment, various displays are performed even when recording conditions are input.

Reference numeral 510 denotes an image data generation unit for generating color separation data of a YMCK plate for image recording. The color separation data is provided for each color via the parallel IF unit 511 in the image recording apparatus 1.
Supplied to

Reference numeral 520 denotes a memory constituting recording condition storage means for storing a plurality of recording conditions required by the image recording apparatus for recording an image. Here, the recording condition corresponds to light source drive data at the time of recording an image on a photosensitive material to be stored in the LUT 205 of the image recording apparatus 1.

Reference numeral 530 denotes an LUT selecting means as a condition selecting means for selecting a recording condition suitable for the image data to be transferred to the image recording apparatus 1. The recording condition selected by the LUT selecting means 530 is transmitted to the CPU 501 via the CPU 501. Further, the image data is transferred to the image recording apparatus 1 via a serial IF unit 531 as a control information exchange unit.

The characteristic operation, operation, and effect of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment thus configured will be described.
The following are (1) to (8). (1) In the image recording system of this embodiment, control information exchange means (531, 201) for transmitting control information is provided between the image recording apparatus 1 and the host device 500.
Recording conditions (LUT) required by the image recording apparatus 1 during recording
The light source drive data stored in 205 is designated from the host device 500 to the image recording device 1 via the control information exchange means (531, 201). This makes it possible to easily achieve a finished image quality suitable for the image pattern under the control of the host device 500 that knows the image pattern and the like in advance. In addition, the light source drive data of the image recording apparatus 1 can be directly specified on the host apparatus 500 side, and the printed image can be stabilized as a system, which can contribute to the improvement of image quality.

(2) In the image recording system of this embodiment, control information exchange means (531, 20) for transmitting control information to the image recording apparatus 1 and the host device 500.
1), and the host device 500 determines the recording conditions (LUT 205) required by the image recording device 1 during image recording.
52 for storing a plurality of light source driving data stored in the
0, an input unit 502 for inputting recording conditions, and a CPU 5 as condition calculating means for calculating recording conditions by calculation.
01.

Then, recording conditions (light source driving data stored in the LUT 205) required by the image recording apparatus 1 at the time of recording are created or managed on the host device 500 side by inputting or calculating according to the image pattern or the like. Is given from the host device 500 to the image recording apparatus 1 via the control information exchange means (531, 201). This makes it possible to easily achieve a finished image quality suitable for the image pattern or the like only by the control and operation from the host device 500 side where the image pattern or the like is known in advance. Further, the light source driving data of the image recording apparatus 1 can be directly designated on the host apparatus 500 side,
As a system, it is possible to stabilize a print image and to contribute to improvement of image quality.

(3) In the image recording system of this embodiment, control information exchange means (531, 20) for transmitting control information to the image recording apparatus 1 and the host device 500.
1), and the host device 500 determines the recording conditions (LUT 205) required by the image recording device 1 during image recording.
52 for storing a plurality of light source driving data stored in the
0 and an LUT selection unit 530 for selecting a recording condition suitable for image data to be transferred to the image recording apparatus 1 via the control information exchange unit (531, 201).

Then, the recording condition selected by the LUT selection means 530 is transmitted from the host device 500 to the image recording device 1.
Transfer to Thereby, since a suitable one is selected from the plurality without calculating the recording condition, the throughput of the system is improved, and the control from the host device 500 side in which the picture and the like of the image are known in advance, It is possible to easily achieve a finished image quality suitable for the picture pattern of the image. Further, the image recording device 1 on the host device 500 side.
The light source drive data on the side can be directly specified, the printed image can be stabilized as a system, and the image quality can be improved.

(4) In the image recording system of this embodiment, control information exchange means (531, 20) for transmitting control information to the image recording apparatus 1 and the host device 500.
In addition to the provision of 1), the host device 500 is configured to have a memory 520 for storing a plurality of recording conditions required by the image recording device 1 at the time of image recording.

Then, as the recording condition, the color correction data suitable for the color combination forming the color image is selected and transferred to the image recording apparatus 1. Here, by transferring the color correction data according to the color combination that constitutes the image, the memory of the image recording apparatus 1 can be reduced in capacity by configuring the memory to the minimum capacity, and the cost can be reduced. Becomes Further, since only data corresponding to the color combination forming the color image is transferred, the system throughput is improved and the transfer time can be reduced.

(5) In the image recording system of this embodiment, control information exchange means (531, 20) for transmitting control information to the image recording device 1 and the host device 500.
In addition to the provision of 1), the host device 500 has a memory 520 for storing a plurality of recording conditions required by the image recording device 1 at the time of image recording. Of the recording conditions to be changed, only the data whose conditions are changed
201) to the recording apparatus 1.

In the image recording system according to this embodiment, both the host device 500 and the image recording device 1 hold all the release recording conditions, and only the data (for example, difference data) of the recording conditions whose conditions have been changed. Is transferred, the system throughput is improved, the transfer time can be shortened, and a finish suitable for an image pattern or the like can be obtained under the control of the host device 500 in which the image pattern or the like is known in advance. Image quality can be easily realized.

(6) In the image recording system of this embodiment, the host device 500 and the image recording device 1 have control information exchange means (531, 201) and image data transfer means. Reference numeral 500 instructs the CPU 501 constituting the image data cancel unit to discard the image data transferred to the image recording apparatus 1 via the control information exchange unit (531, 201).

In this case, the CPU 501 includes the input unit 502
May be controlled in accordance with the instruction from the user to discard the image data specified by the user. This makes it possible to easily cancel the print processing only by the operation on the host device 500 side.

(7) In the image recording system of this embodiment, the host device 500 and the image recording device 1 have control information exchange means (531, 201) and image data transfer means (511, 201). Then, on the host device 500 side,
When detecting a failure relating to the transfer of image data to the image recording apparatus 1, the CPU 501 sends control information exchange means (53
1, 201), a system reset request is issued to the image recording apparatus 1.

As described above, when the failure relating to the transfer of the image data to the image recording apparatus 1 is detected, the host device 500
By issuing a system reset including the image recording apparatus 1 from the side, system inconsistency upon normal recovery (the host apparatus 5
(Data or setting mismatch between the 00 side and the image recording apparatus 1 side) can be wiped out, and the reliability of the system can be greatly improved.

(8) In the image recording system of this embodiment, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchange means (531, 512) for transmitting control information to the image recording apparatus 1 and the host device 500. 201), and
The memory 52 as information storage means in the host device 500 side
0, and uploading various information of the image recording apparatus 1 to the information storage means, the host apparatus 500 can collectively manage various information of the image recording apparatus 1, and a system mismatch (host apparatus Inconsistency in data or settings between the 500 side and the image recording apparatus 1) can be wiped out, and the reliability of the system can be greatly improved. In the specification of the present application, “upload” means to download information data of the image recording device to the host device side, and “download” means to flow information from the host device to the image recording device.

<Overall Operation of Apparatus> Hereinafter, the overall operation of the color proof creating apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a main flowchart of the operation of the color proof creation device, FIGS. 13 and 14 are flow charts of a sheet feeding process of the color proof creation device, FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a print process of the color proof creation device, and FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the discharge processing of the color proof creating apparatus.

First, the main operation of the color proof creating apparatus will be described. In the main flowchart of the operation of the color proof creating device of FIG.
When the main switch is turned on, the initialization of the apparatus is performed in step b1, and the initialization of each mechanism is performed in step c1, and if an error occurs, the function is stopped.

When the initial setting is completed, the idling operation is performed to enable remote processing (step d1).
During the idling operation, the touch panel 12 of the operation unit 8 is operated.
The user can set a condition by operating the menu key (step e1). When the condition is set, local processing becomes possible. When the condition is not set by operating the menu key on the touch panel 12, a remote process for receiving the output image from the RIP and printing the received image data is performed.

When the photosensitive material runs out during the idling operation and replenishment is performed, the sheet supply cover 9 is opened, the cartridge 10 is set, the sheet supply cover 9 is closed, and the fogging portion at the leading end of the photosensitive material is cut. The sheet feeding process is performed, and the operation is returned to the idling operation (step f1). However, if an error occurs in the sheet feeding process for cutting the fog portion at the leading end of the photosensitive material, the function is stopped.

The writing operation includes paper feeding (step g1),
It consists of printing (step h1) and paper discharging (step i1). When this writing process is completed, the next photosensitive material can be fed (step j1).

Next, the paper feeding process of the color proof creating apparatus will be described. In the flow chart of the sheet feeding process of the color proof creating apparatus shown in FIG. 13, the presence or absence of the cartridge 10 is determined in step a2.
If not, error processing is performed (step b2).

If the cartridge 10 is present, the end of the photosensitive material is detected based on the detection signal from the paper end sensor S4 (step c2). When the end of the photosensitive material is detected, error processing is performed (step b2). ).

When the end of the photosensitive material is not detected,
The paper feed cover 9 is locked (step d2), the paper feed roller 21b is pressed (step e2), and the drum feed / discharge roller 27 is pressed further (step f).
2). Then, the excitation of the drum rotation motor M6 is turned off.
To make the drum 31 rotatable (step g2), and rotate the paper feed motor M3 to feed the paper feed rollers 21a, 21a.
The photosensitive material is sent by b (step h2).

The leading end of the photosensitive material is detected by the paper leading end reference position sensor S9 (step i2). When the leading end is detected, the length of the photosensitive material is measured by rotating the encoder roller 25 based on this detection. Is started (step j2), the photosensitive material is fed, and the length of the photosensitive material is counted from the feeding amount of the photosensitive material. When the length reaches a predetermined length (step k2), the paper feeding motor M3 is turned off (step l2). While waiting for stabilization for a predetermined time (step m2), the pressure of the paper feed roller 21b is released (step n2), and the drum feed / discharge roller 23 and the drum 3 are released.
By one rotation, the photosensitive material can be transported.

In the flow chart of the paper supply process of the color proof forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14, the paper suction blower P1 is turned on in step a3, and the stabilization is waited for (step b3). (Step c3). As a result, the paper is wound around the drum 31 while adsorbing the paper.

At step d3, the paper length measurement is started.
After the drawing of the predetermined length is completed (step e3), step f3
Turns off the drum supply / discharge motor M4. Step g
In step 3, the paper feed roller 21b is pressed, and in step h3, the paper is cut. In step i3, the drum feed / discharge motor M4 is turned on, and in step j3, the pressure of the paper feed rollers 21a, 21b is released.

After waiting for completion of winding the paper around the drum at step k3, at step l3, the drum feeding / discharging motor M4
Is turned off, and in step m3, the drum feeding and discharging rollers 23
Release the crimp.

In the flowchart of the printing process of the color proof creating apparatus shown in FIG. 15, the drum rotation motor M6 is turned on at step a4 to wait until the rotation of the drum 31 is stabilized (step b4), and the sub-scanning motor M7 is turned on. (Step c4), turn on the exposure shutter 332
Then, the optical unit 32 is moved in the drum axis direction to perform sub-scanning (step d4). In step e4, the sub-scanning write position is detected, and image data is output (step f4).

At this time, the red LED unit 320
R, the green LED unit 320G, and the blue LED unit 320B emit light based on the data of the LUT of the set channel, and expose an image having a color corresponding to the color of ink at the time of printing and / or the color of printing paper. I do.

When the writing of the image data is completed in step g4, the drum rotation motor M6 is turned off (step h4), the sub-scanning motor M7 is turned off (step i4), and the optical unit 32 is moved to the home position. (Step j4).

Then, in step k4, the drum supply / discharge roller 23 is pressed against the drum 31 to excite the drum rotation motor M6 (step 14), and the drum supply / discharge roller 23 rotates to bring the drum 31 to the home position. It is moved (step m4).

In the flow chart of the paper discharging process of the color proof forming apparatus shown in FIG. 16, the paper discharging guide 51 is closed and set to the peeling position in step a5, and the exit shutter 55 to the developing unit 4 is opened (step b).
5), and press it against the drum paper supply / discharge roller 23 (step c5).

At the step d5, the drum feeding / discharging motor M4
Is turned on, the drum paper feed / discharge roller 23 rotates, and the carry-out motor M8 is turned on to convey the photosensitive material by high-speed conveyance (step e5). It is determined by the peeling jam detection sensor S30 whether or not the photosensitive material has caused peeling jam (step f5). If the peeling jam has not occurred, the driving of the suction blower P1 is stopped to cancel the suction of the photosensitive material. (Step g5).

At step h5, discharge of the photosensitive material is detected by the outlet sensor S31, and the carry-out motor M8 is switched to a constant speed to match the processing in the developing unit 4 (step i5). Then, the drum 31 is rotated once (step j5), and the peeling guide 51 is opened (step k5).

In step 15, the drum feeding / discharging motor M 4
Is turned off to excite the drum rotation motor M6 so that the drum 31 does not rotate freely (step m5),
The pressing of the drum paper supply / discharge roller 23 is released, and the paper discharge processing ends (step n5).

In the flow chart of the discharge process of the color proof forming apparatus shown in FIG. 17, the discharge sensor S31 detects the discharge of the photosensitive material in step a6, and when the trailing end of the photosensitive material is detected, the discharge of the photosensitive material is performed for a predetermined time. Waiting for completion (step b6), the unloading motor M8 is turned off (step c6), the exit shutter 55 to the developing unit 4 is closed (step d6), the lock of the paper feed cover 9 is released, and the photosensitive material is discharged. The process ends (step e6).

The above is an example in which LEDs are used as the R light source, the G light source, and the B light source. However, the R, G, and B light sources are not limited thereto, and all the R, G, and B light sources are all LD (laser light). Diode), and
It goes without saying that the R, G, and B light sources may be configured using AOM and LD.

In creating a color proof,
It is preferable to switch and use a photosensitive material having a surface state corresponding to the matte or glossy state of the surface of the printing paper from the viewpoint of obtaining a color proof with high fidelity to printed matter.

[0130]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, not only the image data transfer means but also the control information exchange means are provided in the host device and the image recording apparatus, and the image recording apparatus requires at the time of recording. By designating recording conditions from the host device to the image recording device via the control information exchange means, it is possible to easily realize a finished image quality suitable for the pattern of the image without being limited to the number of colors of the color separation data. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an apparatus according to an example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an apparatus according to an example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an apparatus according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a part of an internal configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a part of an internal configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a part of an internal configuration of an apparatus according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing density characteristics of a positive photosensitive material.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing an example of UT.

FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing density characteristics of a negative photosensitive material.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image recording device (color proof creating device) 2 device main body 3 exposure unit 4 development processing unit 7 paper loading unit 8 operation unit 11 liquid crystal panel 12 touch panel 20 paper feed unit 31 drum 30 main scanning unit 40 sub-scanning unit 100 control unit 101 CPU 500 RIP 201 Image data input unit 204 (204Y to 204K) Data buffer 205 LUT 206 (206R to 206B) DA conversion unit 207 (207R to 207B) Driver 320 (320R to 320B) LED unit 500 Host device 501 CPU 502 Input unit 503 Display unit 510 Image data generation unit 511 Parallel IF unit 520 Memory 530 LUT selection means 531 Serial IF unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 CLF term (Reference) 2C061 AQ06 AR01 HJ08 HN15 2C087 AA15 AB01 AB05 AC08 BA03 BA07 BB03 BC04 BD36 BD41 2H106 AB86 BA35 BA55 2H110 CB22 CB72 CB76 5B021 AA01 AA02 BB04 LG07 LG08 LL05

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image recording system comprising: a host device that performs image processing; and an image recording device that receives digital image data from the host device and records an image on a photosensitive material. The image recording device includes a control information exchange unit and an image data transfer unit, and the host device transmits recording conditions required by the image recording device at the time of recording to the image recording device by the control information exchange unit. Providing an image recording system. 2. An image recording system comprising: a host device that performs image processing; and an image recording device that receives digital image data from the host device and records an image on a photosensitive material. The image recording device has a control information exchange unit and an image data transfer unit, the host device is a recording condition storage unit that stores a plurality of recording conditions required when the image recording device records an image,
An image recording system, comprising: input means for inputting the recording condition; and condition calculating means for calculating the recording condition by calculation. 3. An image recording system comprising: a host device that performs image processing; and an image recording device that receives digital image data from the host device and records an image on a photosensitive material. The image recording device has a control information exchange unit and an image data transfer unit, the host device is a recording condition storage unit that stores a plurality of recording conditions required when the image recording device records an image,
An image, comprising: condition selection means for selecting recording conditions suitable for image data to be transferred by the control information exchange means, and transferring the recording conditions selected by the condition selection means to the image recording apparatus. Recording system. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording condition is light source driving data when recording an image on a photosensitive material.
The image recording system according to claim 3. 5. A color image recording system comprising: a host device that performs image processing; and a color image recording device that receives digital color image data from the host device and records an image on a photosensitive material. And the image recording apparatus have control information exchange means and image data transfer means, the host device has a recording condition storage means for storing a plurality of recording conditions required by the image recording apparatus at the time of image recording, An image recording system comprising: selecting color correction data suitable for a color combination constituting a color image to be transmitted by the control information exchange means, and transmitting the selected color correction data to the image recording apparatus. 6. An image recording system comprising: a host device that performs image processing; and an image recording device that receives digital image data from the host device and records an image on a photosensitive material. The image recording device has a control information exchange unit and an image data transfer unit, and the host device transmits only the data whose conditions are changed among the recording conditions required by the image recording device during recording. An image recording system provided to a recording apparatus via control information exchange means. 7. An image recording system comprising: a host device that performs image processing; and an image recording device that receives digital image data from the host device and records an image on a photosensitive material. The image recording apparatus has a control information exchange unit and an image data transfer unit, and the host device is an image data cancel unit that instructs the image data transferred to the image recording device by the control information exchange unit to be discarded. An image recording system, comprising: 8. An image recording system comprising: a host device that performs image processing; and an image recording device that receives digital image data from the host device and records an image on a photosensitive material. The image recording apparatus has a control information exchange unit and an image data transfer unit, and when the host device detects a failure related to image data transfer to the image recording device, the control information exchange unit An image recording system for issuing a system reset request to an image recording apparatus. 9. An image recording system comprising: a host device that performs image processing; and an image recording device that receives digital image data from the host device and records an image on a photosensitive material. The image recording device includes a control information exchange unit and an image data transfer unit, the host device includes an information storage unit that stores various information of the image recording device, and various information of the image recording device. The image recording system uploads the information to the information storage means.