JP2006154612A - Image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording system wherein latent image characteristics which a silver salt photosensitive material has are canceled to realize a hard copy of high quality having stable color development and an influence upon productivity of image recording can be minimized. <P>SOLUTION: The image recording system comprises a host device having an image processing function and an image recorder comprising an exposure device for exposing an image consisting of many pixels on a silver salt photosensitive material on the basis of dot image data by a light source having a prescribed wavelength and a developing device for development processing of the silver salt photosensitive material. The host device includes a mesh% determination means and a mesh% determination information reporting means for reporting information of a determination result to the image recorder, and the exposure device includes an exposure part and an ejected paper transporting means for transporting the exposed silver salt photosensitive material to the developing device, and the time required to stabilize a latent image formed on the exposed silver salt photosensitive material is controlled before development processing on the basis of the mesh% determination result reported from the host device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording system for developing a silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by exposing the silver salt photosensitive material with a light source of a predetermined wavelength based on halftone dot image data from a host device. is there.

  In general, when producing a color printed matter, it may be required to perform color calibration at the stage of an original film. In such a case, C (cyan) plate, M (magenta) plate, Y (yellow) ) And proof plate (color proof) using each color separation network original film color-separated into K (black) version, and before making the actual printing plate, the layout and color of the original film, Furthermore, the finished quality of the final printed matter including the presence / absence of errors relating to characters and the like is confirmed.

  In recent years, with the spread of DTP (Desk Top Publishing) and the like, the work of image editing and page imposition on computer software has become common, and full digital editing has become rare.

  In such a process, aiming at further efficiency, image setter output that directly outputs image data after page editing to film, CTP (Computer To Plate) output that directly outputs to a printing plate, and a printing machine CTC (Computer To Cylinder) is used to directly output an image to a printing plate wound on a cylinder.

  In this case, it is necessary to perform film output and printing plate output only for calibration confirmation, and there is a problem in that waste of the film and printing plate is generated as well as time and effort equivalent to or more than the final printed matter creation. For this reason, especially in the process of creating and editing full digital images by such computers, the creation of color proofs directly outputs digital image data called DDCP (Direct Digital Color Proof) or DCP (Digital Color Proof). Therefore, there is a need for a system that obtains a color image.

  Such DDCP records digital image data processed on a computer on a plate-making film with an image setter or the like, performs a final printing operation for directly producing a printing plate with CTP, or a printing machine with CTC. Create a color proof that directly outputs the digital image processed on the computer and reproduces the print finish quality before recording the image directly on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printer. , Text, characters, etc. can be confirmed.

Also, in the calibration process in such plate making and printing processes,
(1) Internal school for checking mistakes inside the work site,
(2) Ordering party, outside school to be submitted for confirmation to designer,
(3) A printing sample provided as a sample of the final printed matter to the captain of the printing press,
Proofs are created and used for three main applications.

  Of the above calibration processes, for in-school and some out-of-school applications, DDCP using a calibration material that cannot reproduce a halftone image, such as sublimation transfer method, inkjet, etc. There are cases where output such as electrophotography is mainly used as a proof for appearance confirmation, but the reproducibility and fine details of highlights, and the occurrence of improper interference fringes in halftone images called moire during printing. For the proof use used for quality confirmation such as presence / absence and printing samples, proof output that faithfully reproduces printing halftone dots is desired.

  As a DDCP that satisfies such needs, there is a type that performs image exposure on a photosensitive material using a high-power heat mode laser and transfers it to a printing paper. However, such a system capable of reproducing a high-quality halftone dot has a drawback that the cost of the apparatus and the photosensitive material is increased.

  On the other hand, in recent years, DDCP using a silver salt color light-sensitive material capable of confirming a halftone image at low cost has begun to spread. A method using a silver salt color light-sensitive material is, for example, a light spot synthesized by combining a plurality of lights having different wavelengths of R, G, and B, and is composed of, for example, each color layer of C, M, and Y. A halftone dot color image is formed by exposing the photosensitive material to be developed and coloring each of the C, M, and Y dots.

  In the image recording apparatus using the silver salt photosensitive material as described above, a certain time is required immediately after the image exposure until the development processing is started, and there is a finite time. On the other hand, in the case of silver halide photosensitive material, when the image is exposed and the development process is performed after being left in the state of a latent image without performing the development process, and when the image is exposed immediately after the image is exposed. The silver salt photosensitive material has a latent image regression characteristic that has a tendency to cause a difference in the color density of the finished product, and the color density tends to decrease over time, and a latent image progression characteristic that tends to increase the color density over time. And silver salt photosensitive material. Such latent image regression characteristics and latent image progression characteristics are collectively referred to as latent image characteristics. It is known that the latent image characteristics vary greatly immediately after exposure and are substantially stable after a predetermined time.

In consideration of the latent image characteristics of the silver halide photosensitive material, an image recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 below is available as an image recording apparatus that obtains a stable image. However, the stabilization process is independent of the profile of the recorded image. Therefore, there has been a problem that the processing capacity of the apparatus cannot be fully exploited.
JP2004-224523

  In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, the present invention cancels the latent image characteristics of a silver salt photosensitive material and realizes a high-quality hard copy with stable color development, which affects the productivity of image recording. An object is to provide an image recording system that can be minimized.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first image recording system according to the present invention includes a host device having an image processing function and a silver halide photosensitive material having a predetermined wavelength based on halftone image data received from the host device. An image recording system comprising: an exposure device that exposes an image composed of a large number of pixels with a light source; and a developing device that develops the silver halide photosensitive material on which the image is recorded by the exposure device. The host apparatus determines whether or not the halftone dot image data includes network data equal to or less than a predetermined halftone percentage, and information on the result of halftone judgment by the halftone percentage judgment means. Network% determination information notifying means for notifying the image recording apparatus, the exposure apparatus exposing the silver salt photosensitive material to record an image, and the silver salt exposed from the exposure section. Photosensitivity A latent image formed on the exposed silver halide photosensitive material before the development processing based on a net% determination result notified from the host device. It is characterized by controlling the time to stabilize.

  According to the first image recording system, the host% is notified of the halftone determination result for determining whether or not the halftone dot image data includes network data equal to or less than the predetermined halftone percentage, and based on the halftone determination result. Since the time until the latent image formed on the silver halide photosensitive material exposed before the development processing is stabilized is controlled, the latent image characteristic of the silver salt photosensitive material includes halftone data of a predetermined half or less. Therefore, if it is not stable, the latent image characteristics can be canceled to achieve high-quality hard copy with stable color development, and the time to development processing can be minimized. The impact can be minimized.

  A second image recording system according to the present invention comprises a host device having an image processing function, and an image comprising a large number of pixels on a silver halide photosensitive material with a light source of a predetermined wavelength based on halftone dot image data received from the host device. An image recording system comprising: an exposure apparatus that exposes the image; and a developing apparatus that develops the silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by the exposure apparatus. And halftone dot determination means for determining whether or not the halftone dot image data includes halftone dot data or less, and notifies the image recording apparatus of information on the result of the dot determination by the dot% determination means. And an exposure unit that exposes the silver halide photosensitive material to record an image, and conveys the exposed silver salt photosensitive material from the exposure unit to the developing device. You A paper discharge conveying means; and a latent image stabilization timer means for counting a time until the latent image formed on the exposed silver salt photosensitive material is stabilized, and performing a latent image stabilization process, Whether or not to execute the latent image stabilization process by the latent image stabilization timer means is determined based on the notified half-net network determination result.

  According to the second image recording system, the host% is notified of the halftone determination result for determining whether or not the halftone dot image data includes network data equal to or less than the predetermined halftone percentage, and based on the halftone determination result. Therefore, if the latent image characteristics of the silver halide light-sensitive material are not stable because they contain half-tone data or less, the latent image characteristics are canceled and the color stability is increased. Quality hard copy can be realized, and the time until development processing can be minimized, so that the influence on the productivity of image recording can be minimized.

  A third image recording system according to the present invention comprises a host device having an image processing function, and an image comprising a large number of pixels on a silver salt photosensitive material with a light source of a predetermined wavelength based on halftone image data received from the host device. An image recording system comprising: an exposure apparatus that exposes the image; and a developing apparatus that develops the silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by the exposure apparatus. A first pixel counting unit that counts the number of pixels of a predetermined color included in the halftone dot image data; a second counting unit that counts the number of pixels constituting an entire image based on the halftone dot image data; Pixel rate calculation means for calculating a ratio between the number of pixels counted by the first count means and the number of pixels counted by the second count means; the calculation result and a predetermined pixel rate And a pixel rate information notifying unit for notifying the image recording device of information of a pixel rate determination result by the pixel rate comparing unit, and the exposure apparatus includes the silver salt photosensitive material. An exposure unit that exposes and records an image; and a paper discharge conveyance unit that conveys the silver halide photosensitive material that has been exposed from the exposure unit to the developing device, and the pixel rate determination result notified from the host device Based on this, the time until the latent image formed on the exposed silver halide photosensitive material is stabilized before the development processing is controlled.

  According to the third image recording system, the host device counts the number of pixels b of a predetermined color and the number of pixels a constituting the entire image, and has been exposed based on the determination result of the pixel rate b / a from the host device. This controls the time until the latent image formed on the silver halide photosensitive material is stabilized. If the latent image characteristic of the silver salt photosensitive material is not stable because there are many pixels of a predetermined color, the latent image characteristic is canceled. Thus, high-quality hard copies with stable color development can be realized, and the time until development processing can be minimized, so that the influence on the productivity of image recording can be minimized.

  According to a fourth image recording system of the present invention, a host device having an image processing function and an image comprising a large number of pixels with a light source of a predetermined wavelength on a silver salt photosensitive material based on halftone dot image data received from the host device. An image recording system comprising: an exposure apparatus that exposes the image; and a developing apparatus that develops the silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by the exposure apparatus. A first pixel counting unit that counts the number of pixels of a predetermined color included in the halftone dot image data; a second counting unit that counts the number of pixels constituting an entire image based on the halftone dot image data; A pixel ratio calculating means for calculating a ratio between the number of pixels counted by the first counting means and the number of pixels counted by the second counting means; A pixel rate comparison unit that compares a result with a predetermined pixel rate; and a pixel rate information notification unit that notifies the image recording apparatus of information on a pixel rate determination result by the pixel rate comparison unit, and the exposure apparatus includes: An exposure unit that exposes the silver salt photosensitive material to record an image, a paper discharge transport unit that transports the exposed silver salt photosensitive material from the exposure unit to the developing device, and the exposed silver salt photosensitive material And a latent image stabilization timer means for counting the time until the latent image formed is stabilized and performing a latent image stabilization process, and based on the notified pixel rate determination result, the latent image stabilization It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not to execute the latent image stabilization process by the conversion timer means.

  According to the fourth image recording system, the host device counts the number of pixels b of a predetermined color and the number of pixels a constituting the entire image, and the latent image is based on the determination result of the pixel rate b / a from the host device. Since the stabilization process is executed, if the latent image characteristics of the silver salt photosensitive material are not stable because there are many pixels of a predetermined color, the latent image characteristics can be canceled to realize a high-quality hard copy with stable color development, In addition, since the time until the development processing can be minimized, the influence on the productivity of image recording can be minimized.

  According to a fifth image recording system of the present invention, a host device having an image processing function and an image comprising a large number of pixels with a light source of a predetermined wavelength on a silver halide photosensitive material based on halftone dot image data received from the host device. An image recording system comprising: an exposure apparatus that exposes the image; and a developing apparatus that develops the silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by the exposure apparatus. A first pixel counting unit that counts the number of pixels of a predetermined color included in the halftone dot image data; a second counting unit that counts the number of pixels constituting an entire image based on the halftone dot image data; A pixel ratio calculating means for calculating a ratio between the number of pixels counted by the first counting means and the number of pixels counted by the second counting means; A pixel rate comparison unit that compares a result with a predetermined pixel rate; and a pixel rate information notification unit that notifies the image recording apparatus of information on a pixel rate determination result by the pixel rate comparison unit, and the exposure apparatus includes: An exposure unit that exposes the silver salt photosensitive material to record an image, a paper discharge transport unit that transports the exposed silver salt photosensitive material from the exposure unit to the developing device, and the exposed silver salt photosensitive material Latent image stabilization timer means for counting the time until the latent image formed on the substrate is stabilized and performing a latent image stabilization process, and recording the image of the predetermined color on the silver halide photosensitive material. Whether or not to execute the latent image stabilization process by the latent image stabilization timer means is determined based on the exposure light quantity at that time and the notified pixel rate determination result.

  According to the fifth image recording system, the host device counts the number of pixels b of a predetermined color and the number of pixels a constituting the entire image, and determines the pixel rate b / a from the host device and the predetermined number in the exposure unit. Since the latent image stabilization process is executed based on the exposure light amount of the color of the silver salt, the latent image characteristics of the silver halide photosensitive material are not stable because there are many pixels of the predetermined color and the exposure light amount of the color is less than the predetermined value. The latent image characteristics can be canceled to achieve high-quality hard copy with stable color development, and the time to development processing can be minimized, minimizing the impact on image recording productivity. it can.

  In the first to fifth image recording systems, it is possible to control the time until the latent image formed on the exposed silver halide photosensitive material is stabilized by controlling the paper discharge conveying means. Thereby, a necessary latent image stabilization time can be secured.

  Further, when executing the latent image stabilization process by the latent image stabilization timer means, when the count time reaches a predetermined time, the paper discharge transport means is controlled so that the exposed silver halide photosensitive material is developed. It can comprise so that it may convey to an apparatus and may perform a development process. In addition, by setting a count time in the latent image stabilization timer means based on a transport time from the exposure unit to the developing device by the paper discharge transport means and a predetermined latent image stabilization time, an image recording cycle The impact on time can be minimized.

  According to the image recording system of the present invention, the latent image characteristic of the silver salt photosensitive material can be canceled to realize a high-quality hard copy with stable color development, and the influence on the productivity of image recording can be minimized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a printing system including an image recording system capable of creating a color proof according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system inputs image data such as PS (PostScript) data from a client terminal 1A of a printing factory to a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 2A that is an image processing apparatus, and the RIP 2A rasterizes PS data. Data converted to image and raster image converted by RIP2A is sent to CTP (Computer-to-Plate) 3A, which is a device for creating a digital original directly for printing, while images such as PS data The data is sent to a host device 100 having an image processing function for creating a color proof, binary halftone image data is generated and transmitted to the image recording device 1, and the image recording device 1 is based on this halftone image data. Is configured to create a color group.

  The host device 100 can be constituted by a personal computer, for example, and constitutes an image recording system 101 together with the image recording device 1 as shown by a broken line in FIG. 8, and this image recording system 101 creates a color group as described above. System.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the entire image recording apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a view of the inside of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the main part of the drum and the optical unit of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from above.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording apparatus 1 includes an exposure unit 11 that exposes a silver salt photosensitive material to form an image, and a developing unit 21 that develops the exposed silver salt photosensitive material.

  The exposure unit 11 includes a front panel 5 that can be opened and closed so that maintenance can be performed from the front, a display unit 2 that includes various information displays and a touch panel, and can be input for operation of the entire apparatus, and is wound in a roll shape inside. Loading sections 12 and 12 ′ capable of loading a cartridge 13 containing photosensitive paper, which is a sheet-like silver salt photosensitive material, after the paper feed covers 3 and 4 are opened. FIG. 1 shows a state before and after the cartridge 13 is loaded in the loading units 12 and 12 ′.

  The development unit 21 includes an upper panel 6 that can be opened and closed for maintenance, and a replenishment panel 7 that is provided on the front surface so as to be opened and closed for replenishment of a developing solution or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure unit 11 of the image recording apparatus 1 includes a feeding unit 14 including a pair of conveying rollers 40, 41, and 42 that feeds photosensitive paper from a cartridge 13 loaded in the loading units 12 and 12 ′. The drum 10 that rotates in the rotation direction R for main scanning while vacuum sucking and holding the photosensitive paper S fed from the feeding unit 14 on the outer peripheral surface, and LED light or the like on the photosensitive paper on the drum 10. An optical unit 16 that exposes a light beam such as a laser beam to form a latent image on the photosensitive paper, and a sub-scanning unit 17 that transports the optical unit 16 in the sub-scanning direction (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2) for sub-scanning. And a peeling member 15 for peeling the photosensitive paper on the drum 10 after image recording. The exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed to the developing unit 21 through the outlet 19 and the connecting portion 19a.

  The image recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 further includes a driven roller 43 that is arranged downstream of the conveying roller pair 42 and that rotates following the conveyance of the photosensitive paper fed toward the drum 10, and the photosensitive paper between the drum 10. The driven roller 31 to be conveyed, the guide member 18 that guides the photosensitive paper when the photosensitive paper separated from the drum 10 by the peeling member 15 is conveyed by the drum 10 and the driven roller 31, and the guide member 18 are sent. A pair of conveying rollers 32 that further conveys the photosensitive paper to the outlet 19, an accumulation unit 30 for accumulating the photosensitive paper that has reached the pair of conveying rollers 32, and a photosensitive element disposed near the downstream side of the pair of conveying rollers 32. A light reflection type detection sensor 33 for detecting the leading edge of the paper.

  A relatively narrow driven roller 43 arranged in the vicinity of the downstream side of the conveying roller pair 42 is driven to rotate along with the movement of the photosensitive paper, and a rotary encoder 58 is connected coaxially to the driven roller 43. The rotary encoder 58 rotates with the driven roller 43 and measures the amount of rotation, whereby the length of the photosensitive paper wound around the drum 10 through the pair of conveying rollers 42 can be obtained. The downstream conveying roller pair 32 has a one-way clutch structure and can freely rotate in the direction of feeding the photosensitive paper downstream.

  Further, a cut portion 10a for cutting the photosensitive paper is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream side of the pair of conveyance rollers 40 and 41 in FIG. 2, and each cut portion 10a has a rotary cutter that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). The photosensitive paper is cut into a predetermined length based on the above-described measurement of the length of the photosensitive paper.

  In addition, when accumulating unit 30 temporarily accumulates exposed photosensitive paper and stops conveyance, if the detection sensor 33 detects the leading edge of the photosensitive paper that has reached conveyance roller pair 32, conveyance roller that drives conveyance roller pair 32 is used. The counter motor 61 (FIG. 4) stops and conveyance of the photosensitive paper stops, and the accumulator motor 62 (FIG. 4) operates to rotate and release the guide member 18 as indicated by the broken line in FIG. The part 30 is formed below the conveying roller pair 32.

  The developing unit 21 in FIG. 2 performs wet development on the exposed photosensitive paper sent from the exposure unit 11 to visualize the latent image of the photosensitive paper, and includes a developing unit 23 for developing the photosensitive paper, and a fixing process. The image is visualized by the fixing unit 24 that performs the stabilization process, the stabilization unit 25 that performs the stabilization process, the drying unit 26 that performs the drying process, the discharge unit 27 that discharges the dried photosensitive paper to the outside by the conveying roller pair 27a and the like. And a stacking unit for stacking the discharged photosensitive paper.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the drum 10 of the image recording apparatus 1, the rotating shaft 14a of the rotating shaft portion 14 ′ and the rotating shaft 15a of the rotating shaft portion 18 ′ can rotate to the support bases 34a and 34b via bearings 33a and 33b. Is pivotally supported. One rotating shaft 15a of the drum 10 is provided with a driving pulley 35a. The driving pulley 35a is connected to an output pulley 35b of a drum driving pulse motor M6 by a belt 36, and is driven by the drum driving pulse motor M6. 10 rotates. The rotary shaft 15a of the drum 10 is provided with a rotary encoder 37, which outputs a pulse signal for rotation and is used for pixel clock control synchronized with the rotation of the drum.

  The other rotating shaft 14a of the drum 10 is connected to the suction blower P1. A large number of suction holes 31c are formed on the surface of the drum 10 so as to extend linearly in the direction of the rotation axis. The inside of the drum 10 is depressurized by driving the suction blower P1, and the photosensitive paper is sucked onto the surface of the drum 10. .

  The optical unit 16 is configured to be movable in parallel with the drum axis by the sub-scanning unit 17, and receives a digital image signal and exposes the photosensitive paper adsorbed to the drum 10 with a light beam to write an image. As shown in FIG. 3, an LED unit 320, an LED unit 321, and an LED unit 322 are arranged in the optical unit 16 as light sources for three wavelengths, for example, B, G, and R light sources. Light beams from the LED units 320, 321, and 322 expose an image on the photosensitive paper on the drum 10 from the condenser lens 331 via the mirrors 325, 326, and 327. The exposure shutter 332 is opened / closed by an exposure solenoid 333 to open / close the optical path at the start / end of exposure.

  The optical unit 16 is fixed to a moving belt 340, and is guided by a pair of guide rails 341 and 342 so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the drum shaft. The moving belt 340 is stretched over a pair of pulleys 343 and 344, and one pulley 344 is connected to the output shaft 345 of the sub-scanning motor M7, and the optical unit 16 moves in parallel with the drum shaft by driving the sub-scanning motor M7. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the suction blower P <b> 1 sucks the inside of the drum 10 through the suction connection pipe 51 by an air suction pump, and sets the inside of the drum 10 to a negative pressure before the exposure unit 11 starts the exposure, thereby adsorbing the photosensitive paper to the outer peripheral surface. . Further, when the photosensitive paper is wound around the drum 10 and conveyed, the suction blower P1 is operated to suck the photosensitive paper.

  Next, a control system of the host device 100 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a control system of the host device 100 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the host apparatus 100 performs a RIP process on PS data received from the client terminal 1A of the printing factory in FIG. 8 via the receiving unit 79, and generates halftone image data. 81, halftone dot determination unit 82 for determining whether or not halftone dot image data includes halftone dot data or less, and the number of pixels b of a predetermined color included in the halftone dot image data is counted. 1 count unit 83, a second count unit 84 that counts the number of pixels a constituting an entire image based on halftone dot image data, and a pixel rate calculation that calculates a ratio b / a between the number of pixels b and the number of pixels a Unit 85, a pixel rate comparison unit 86 that compares the pixel rate b / a of the calculation result with a predetermined pixel rate, a transmission unit 87 that outputs halftone image data and the like, and a CPU (center) that controls each unit 81 to 87 Arithmetic processing unit) And a control unit 80, a being.

  The halftone determination unit 82 determines whether the halftone calculated based on the data in the halftone image data generation process in the halftone image data generation unit 81 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. When it is%, the network% determination result information to that effect is output via the transmitter 87.

  The halftone dot represents the shade of the gradation image by the size of the halftone dot area, and the halftone dot (halftone dot area ratio) represents the ratio of the halftone dot area per unit area as a percentage. The degree of color shading can be indicated by the point area ratio. Further, in order to obtain halftone, an outer edge pixel at a halftone dot boundary is detected in the generated halftone dot image data, and an n × such as 9 × 9 or 14 × 14 is centered on the target pixel as the outer edge. By using n (n is an integer) mask filter to count whether each pixel is on or off in each cell, halftone (halftone dot area ratio) is calculated based on the number of on pixels counted. Also good.

  The first count unit 83 counts the number of pixels b for a predetermined color based on the color designation data in the halftone image data, and the pixel number b and the number of pixels a obtained by the pixel rate calculation unit 85 The rate b / a is compared with a predetermined pixel rate by the pixel rate comparison unit 86, and when the pixel rate b / a is equal to or higher than the predetermined pixel rate, the pixel rate determination result information to that effect is output via the transmission unit 87. To do.

  It should be noted that the predetermined value that is the determination criterion in the halftone determination unit 82 and the predetermined ratio and the predetermined color that are the determination criterion in the pixel ratio comparison unit 86 can be set in the control unit 80 in advance, and can be changed. is there.

  Next, a control system of the image recording apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a flow of image data in the exposure unit 11 of the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3 and a control system of the image recording apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3 receives halftone dot image data transmitted from the host apparatus 100 of FIGS. A color proof is created based on the received halftone dot image data.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the exposure unit 11 temporarily stores the image data I / F unit 52 to which the halftone dot image data from the external RIP 49 is input and the halftone dot image data from the image data I / F unit 52. A data buffer 53 composed of a hard disk storage device or the like to be output, and an exposure lookup table (exposure lookup table) for setting an exposure light amount for exposure on photosensitive paper by associating light source drive values for YMCK halftone dot image data from the data buffer 53 LUT) 54 and a plurality of D / A converters 55a, 55b, and 55c corresponding to the B, G, and R LED units 320 to 322 that convert the digital signal of the exposure data from the exposure lookup table 54 into an analog signal. And the LEs of the LED units 320 to 322 according to the analog signals from the D / A converters 55a to 55c. Directly provided with a plurality of drivers 56a to analog modulation drive, 56b, and 56c, the a.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control system of the image recording apparatus 1 includes a control unit 50 including a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 50 receives each signal from the detection sensor 33 and the like, and receives an image. The data I / F unit 52, the data buffer 53, the exposure lookup table 54, the display unit 2, the conveyance roller pair motor 61, the accumulator motor 62, and other device parts are controlled.

  The control system of FIG. 4 further includes a timer 63 for counting the time until the latent image formed on the exposed photosensitive paper is stabilized, and the exposure light amount of a predetermined color at the time of image recording is less than a predetermined value. An exposure light amount determination unit 64 that determines whether or not a pixel to be included is included. Based on the exposure light amount data set by the exposure LUT 54, the exposure light amount determination unit 64 determines whether or not a pixel whose exposure light amount for a predetermined color for which the number of pixels b is counted is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value is included. To do.

  The control unit 50 determines a predetermined latent image stabilization time based on the screen% determination result information, the pixel rate determination result information transmitted through the transmission unit 87 of the host apparatus 100 in FIG. 9 and the determination result in the exposure light amount determination unit 64. It is determined whether or not is necessary.

  That is, when the halftone dot image data includes halftone data equal to or lower than a predetermined halftone, the control unit 50 determines that the pixel ratio b / a is equal to or higher than a predetermined value for a predetermined color. In the case of the determination result, when the pixel whose exposure light amount of the predetermined color is not more than the predetermined value is further included, it is determined that the predetermined latent image stabilization time is necessary, and the timer 63 is activated, for example, exposure The conveyance of the photosensitive paper that has been completed is stopped by the conveyance roller pair 32, and the control is performed so that the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed toward the developing unit 21 when a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In this case, the determination that the predetermined latent image stabilization time is required is completed at the end of the exposure operation for the photosensitive paper. If the predetermined latent image stabilization time is required, the timer 63 ends the exposure operation. As a result, time counting starts immediately.

  Ensuring a predetermined latent image stabilization time can be realized by controlling as follows. That is, from the end of the exposure operation in the optical unit 16 in the normal operation of the image recording apparatus 1, the exposed photosensitive paper is peeled off from the drum 10 by the peeling member 15 and conveyed by the conveying roller pair 32 through the guide member 18. If the normal transport time until the exposed photosensitive paper reaches the developing unit 23 is x and the predetermined latent image stabilization time is y, the amount of exposure light is less than the predetermined value. Under certain conditions such as being certain or the planned density being a predetermined value or less, the necessary latent image stabilization time y becomes longer than the normal conveyance time x.

  As described above, since the normal transport time x <latent image stabilization time y, the exposed photosensitive paper is stopped by, for example, the transport roller pair 32 and waited only during the time difference z (= yz). When the operating timer 63 counts the time difference z, the conveyance roller pair 32 resumes conveyance, and the exposed photosensitive paper is sent to the developing unit 23 of the development unit 21.

  By controlling the conveyance of the exposed photosensitive paper as described above, it is only necessary to wait for the minimum necessary time (z) while ensuring a predetermined latent image stabilization time y. It is not necessary to reduce the productivity of image recording while stabilizing.

  Note that the predetermined value of the criterion for determining the exposure light amount, the normal conveyance time x, and the predetermined latent image stabilization time y can be set in the control unit 50 in advance and can be changed.

  Next, the first to third operations of the image recording system 101 of FIG. 8 including the host apparatus 100 of FIG. 9 and the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. I will explain.

  <First operation>

  The first operation in FIG. 5 uses the half-net decision unit 82 in FIG. 9. Steps S01 to S04 are operations of the host apparatus 100, and steps S05 to S14 are operations of the image recording apparatus 1. .

  First, when the host apparatus 100 receives PS data from the client terminal 1A (FIG. 8) of the printing factory through the receiving unit 79 (S01), the halftone image data generating unit 81 performs RIP processing on the PS data in the host apparatus 100, and the network. Point image data is generated (S02). Then, a halftone is obtained for the image data, and the halftone judging unit 82 judges whether or not halftone data equal to or less than a predetermined halftone is included (S03), and the halftone judgment result information and halftone image data are obtained. It transmits to the image recording apparatus 1 through the transmission part 87 (S04).

  Next, when the halftone image data is received from the host device 100 in the image recording apparatus 1 (S05), the photosensitive paper is conveyed from the loading unit 12 or 12 ′ toward the drum 10 by the conveyance roller pair 40 to 42 or the like (S06). ), The photosensitive paper cut to a predetermined length by the cut portion 10a is wound around the drum 10 and the suction blower P1 is operated and held by suction.

  Next, the optical unit 16 is sub-scanned in the sub-scanning direction H, and the drum 10 is rotated in the main scanning direction (rotation direction R), whereby each of the LEDs 320 to 322 of the optical unit 16 with respect to the photosensitive paper on the drum 10 is rotated. Exposure is performed with a light beam (S07). By this exposure operation, image recording is performed based on the received halftone image data, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive paper.

  On the other hand, the control unit 50 determines whether to control the latent image stabilization time based on the received network% determination result information (S08), and if the network% determination result includes network data equal to or less than a predetermined network%. If so, the timer 63 operates immediately after the exposure in step S07 described above, and counts the time for the latent image stabilization process (S09).

  Next, the exposed photosensitive paper is peeled off from the drum 10 by the peeling member 15, and is conveyed through the guide member 18 by the rotation of the driven roller 31 and the drum 10, reaches the conveyance roller pair 32, and the detection sensor 33 detects the leading end thereof. Then, the conveyance roller pair motor 61 stops and conveyance of the exposed photosensitive paper by the conveyance roller pair 32 is stopped (S10). At this time, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 2, the exposed photosensitive paper S1 is accumulated so as to hang down on the accumulating portion 30 formed by driving the accumulator motor 62 and opening the guide member 18. The

  Next, when the time count of the timer 63 (a time corresponding to the time difference z) is completed, the motor 61 is driven and the conveyance of the exposed photosensitive paper by the conveyance roller pair 32 is resumed (S11). As a result, the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed from the outlet 19 to the developing unit 21 through the connecting portion 19a by the conveying roller pair 32, and the developing portion 23, the fixing portion 24, the stabilizing portion 25, and the drying portion 26 sequentially perform development processing and the like. (S13), it is discharged to the outside through the discharge unit 27 and output to the stacking unit 28 (S14).

  If the latent image stabilization time is not controlled in step S08 because the halftone determination result does not include halftone data with a predetermined halftone or less, the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed as usual (S12).

  As described above, according to the first operation of FIG. 5, the host% 100 sends a halftone determination result indicating that the halftone dot image data contains half or less halftone network data, and the image recording apparatus 1 When this is received, the time from the exposure to the start of the development process in the image recording apparatus 1 is added to the normal transport time x by the time difference z so that the time until the start of the development process is delayed to reach a predetermined latent image stabilization time y. Since the latent image stabilization process is performed by transporting the exposed photosensitive paper, if the latent image characteristics of the silver salt photosensitive material include halftone data of a predetermined halftone% or less, the density is lowered and is not stable. By canceling the latent image characteristics, a high-quality hard copy with stable color can be realized.

  <Second operation>

  The second operation of FIG. 6 uses the first count unit 83, the second count unit 84, the pixel rate calculation unit 85, and the pixel rate comparison unit 86 of FIG. 9, and steps S21 to S28 are host devices. 100, and steps S29 to S38 are operations of the image recording apparatus 1.

  First, when the host device 100 receives PS data from the client terminal 1A (FIG. 8) of the printing factory through the receiving unit 79 (S21), the halftone image data generating unit 81 performs RIP processing on the PS data in the host device 100, and the network. Point image data is generated (S22). Then, the first count unit 83 counts the number of pixels b for a predetermined color included in the image data (S23), and the second count unit 84 counts the number of pixels a of all images (S24). .

  Then, the pixel rate calculation unit 85 calculates the pixel rate b / a (S25), the pixel rate comparison unit 86 compares the pixel rate b / a with a predetermined ratio (S26), and the pixel rate b / a is predetermined. It is determined whether the ratio is equal to or greater than the ratio (S27), and the pixel ratio determination result information and the halftone image data are transmitted to the image recording apparatus 1 through the transmission unit 87 (S28).

  Next, when the halftone image data is received from the host device 100 in the image recording apparatus 1 (S29), the photosensitive paper is conveyed from the loading unit 12 or 12 'toward the drum 10 by the conveying roller pair 40 to 42 or the like (S30). ), The photosensitive paper cut to a predetermined length by the cut portion 10a is wound around the drum 10 and the suction blower P1 is operated and held by suction.

  Next, the optical unit 16 is sub-scanned in the sub-scanning direction H, and the drum 10 is rotated in the main scanning direction (rotation direction R), whereby each of the LEDs 320 to 322 of the optical unit 16 with respect to the photosensitive paper on the drum 10 is rotated. Exposure is performed with a light beam (S31). By this exposure operation, image recording is performed based on the received halftone image data, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive paper.

  On the other hand, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to control the latent image stabilization time based on the received pixel rate determination result information (S32), and the pixel rate b / a of a predetermined color is determined based on the pixel rate determination result. When the ratio is equal to or greater than the ratio, the timer 63 operates immediately after the exposure in step S31 described above, and counts the time for the latent image stabilization process (S33).

  Next, the exposed photosensitive paper is peeled off from the drum 10 by the peeling member 15, and is conveyed through the guide member 18 by the rotation of the driven roller 31 and the drum 10, reaches the conveyance roller pair 32, and the detection sensor 33 detects the leading end thereof. Then, the conveyance roller pair motor 61 stops and conveyance of the exposed photosensitive paper by the conveyance roller pair 32 is stopped (S34). At this time, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 2, the exposed photosensitive paper S1 is accumulated so as to hang down on the accumulating portion 30 formed by driving the accumulator motor 62 and opening the guide member 18. The

  Next, when the time count of the timer 63 (a time corresponding to the time difference z) is completed, the motor 61 is driven to resume the conveyance of the exposed photosensitive paper by the conveyance roller pair 32 (S35). As a result, the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed from the outlet 19 to the developing unit 21 through the connecting portion 19a by the conveying roller pair 32, and the developing portion 23, the fixing portion 24, the stabilizing portion 25, and the drying portion 26 sequentially perform development processing and the like. (S37), the sheet is discharged to the outside through the discharge unit 27 and output to the stacking unit 28 (S38).

  If the latent image stabilization time is not controlled because the pixel rate b / a is not greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio in step S32, the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed normally (S36). ).

  As described above, according to the second operation in FIG. 6, a pixel rate determination result indicating that the pixel rate b / a of the predetermined color of the halftone image data is greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio is sent from the host device 100. When the image recording apparatus 1 receives this, the time from the exposure to the start of the development process in the image recording apparatus 1 is added to the normal transport time x by the time difference z to delay the time until the start of the development process, thereby stabilizing the predetermined latent image. Since the latent image stabilization process is performed by conveying the exposed photosensitive paper so as to be time y, the latent image characteristics of the silver halide photosensitive material are such that the pixel ratio b / a for a predetermined color is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio. For this reason, if the density is lowered and is not stable, the latent image characteristics can be canceled to realize a high-quality hard copy with stable color development.

  Note that the predetermined color included in the image data means that the latent image characteristics are not stable because the color is included, and depending on the silver salt photosensitive material used, for example, a relatively light color such as light blue Or a special fluorescent color or a background color, but is not limited thereto.

  <Third operation>

  The third operation in FIG. 7 uses the first count unit 83, the second count unit 84, the pixel rate calculation unit 85, the pixel rate comparison unit 86 in FIG. 9, and the exposure light quantity determination unit 64 in FIG. Yes, steps S51 to S58 are operations of the host apparatus 100, and steps S59 to S69 are operations of the image recording apparatus 1.

  First, when the host apparatus 100 receives PS data from the client terminal 1A (FIG. 8) of the printing factory through the receiving unit 79 (S51), the halftone image data generating unit 81 performs RIP processing on the PS data in the host apparatus 100, and the network. Point image data is generated (S52). Then, the first count unit 83 counts the number of pixels b for a predetermined color included in the image data (S53), and the second count unit 84 counts the number of pixels a of all images (S54). .

  Then, the pixel rate calculation unit 85 calculates the pixel rate b / a (S55), the pixel rate comparison unit 86 compares the pixel rate b / a with a predetermined ratio (S56), and the pixel rate b / a is predetermined. It is determined whether or not the ratio is equal to or greater than the ratio (S57), and the pixel ratio determination result information and the halftone image data are transmitted to the image recording apparatus 1 through the transmitter 87 (S58).

  Next, when the halftone image data is received from the host device 100 in the image recording apparatus 1 (S59), the photosensitive paper is conveyed from the loading unit 12 or 12 'toward the drum 10 by the conveyance roller pair 40 to 42 or the like (S60). ), The photosensitive paper cut to a predetermined length by the cut portion 10a is wound around the drum 10 and the suction blower P1 is operated and held by suction.

  Next, the optical unit 16 is sub-scanned in the sub-scanning direction H, and the drum 10 is rotated in the main scanning direction (rotation direction R), whereby each of the LEDs 320 to 322 of the optical unit 16 with respect to the photosensitive paper on the drum 10 is rotated. Exposure is performed with a light beam (S61). By this exposure operation, image recording is performed based on the received halftone image data, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive paper.

  On the other hand, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to control the latent image stabilization time based on the received pixel rate determination result information (S62), and the pixel rate b / a of a predetermined color is determined based on the pixel rate determination result. If the ratio is equal to or greater than the ratio, it is further determined whether to control the latent image stabilization time based on the determination result of the exposure light amount determination unit 64 (S63), and the exposure light amount of the predetermined color is a predetermined value. If the following pixels are included, then the timer 63 operates immediately after the exposure in step S61 described above, and counts the time for the latent image stabilization process (S64).

  Next, the exposed photosensitive paper is peeled off from the drum 10 by the peeling member 15, and is conveyed through the guide member 18 by the rotation of the driven roller 31 and the drum 10, reaches the conveyance roller pair 32, and the detection sensor 33 detects the leading end thereof. Then, the conveyance roller pair motor 61 stops and conveyance of the exposed photosensitive paper by the conveyance roller pair 32 is stopped (S65). At this time, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 2, the exposed photosensitive paper S1 is accumulated so as to hang down on the accumulating portion 30 formed by driving the accumulator motor 62 and opening the guide member 18. The

  Next, when the time count of the timer 63 (time corresponding to the time difference z) is completed, the motor 61 is driven to resume the conveyance of the exposed photosensitive paper by the conveyance roller pair 32 (S66). As a result, the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed from the outlet 19 to the developing unit 21 through the connecting portion 19a by the conveying roller pair 32, and the developing portion 23, the fixing portion 24, the stabilizing portion 25, and the drying portion 26 sequentially perform development processing and the like. (S68), it is discharged to the outside through the discharge unit 27 and output to the stacking unit 28 (S69).

  It should be noted that if the pixel rate determination result that the pixel ratio b / a of the predetermined color is not greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio in step S62, the latent image stabilization time is not controlled, and the predetermined color is determined in step S63. In the case where the latent image stabilization time is not controlled because the pixel whose exposure light quantity is less than the predetermined value is not included, the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed as usual (S67).

  As described above, according to the third operation in FIG. 7, the host device 100 sends a pixel rate determination result indicating that the pixel rate b / a of the predetermined color of the halftone image data is greater than or equal to the predetermined rate. When the image recording apparatus 1 receives this, and the halftone image data includes pixels whose exposure light amount of the predetermined color is not more than a predetermined value, the time from the exposure to the start of the development processing is usually The latent image stabilization process is executed by adding the time difference z to the conveyance time x and delaying the time until the development process starts to convey the exposed photosensitive paper so that the predetermined latent image stabilization time y is reached. In the case where the density of the latent image characteristic of the salt light-sensitive material is not stable because the pixel ratio b / a for a predetermined color is equal to or higher than a predetermined ratio and the amount of exposure light is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the latent image characteristic is not stable. Cancel high-quality hardware with stable color development Over it can be realized.

  As described above, according to the first to third operations of the image recording system 101 of this embodiment, the instability of the color density due to the latent image characteristics of the silver salt photosensitive material is eliminated, and the stable color development. Images can be obtained.

  In the image recording apparatus 1, the normal conveyance time x from the drum 10 of the exposed photosensitive paper to the developing unit 23 of the developing unit 21 by the discharge conveyance means such as the driven roller 31, the drum 10, and the conveyance roller pair 32. By setting the count time (time difference z = y−x) in the timer 63 based on the shortest latent image stabilization time y, the influence on the cycle time can be minimized, so that the productivity of image recording is reduced. Can be minimized.

  Even in the case of an image sequential recording method in which the influence of the latent image characteristic of the silver salt photosensitive material is noticeable, the influence of the latent image characteristic can be eliminated and the uniformity of the in-plane image can be maintained.

  As described above, the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in FIGS. 5 to 7, in order to ensure a predetermined latent image stabilization time y in the image recording apparatus 1, the conveyance of the exposed photosensitive paper is stopped by the conveyance roller pair 32, but it is in the present invention. However, the latent image stabilization time may be secured by other means. For example, the exposed photosensitive paper may be kept in a state of being wound around the drum 10 or may be conveyed. The rotational speed of the roller pair 32 may be decreased to decrease the transport speed by the transport roller pair 32.

  8 may be image data in various formats. For example, the vector system may be PDF, EPS, etc. in addition to PS (PostScript) data. Further, the raster system may be TIFF, TIFF / IT, and other dedicated formats, and the binary data may be TIFF bitmap, other dedicated formats, and the like. Furthermore, data that has undergone raster-image conversion processing by the RIP 2A may be input as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG. 8, and in this case, the halftone image data generation unit 81 in FIG. 9 can be omitted.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the whole image recording apparatus of FIG. It is the figure which looked at the inside of the image recording device of FIG. 1 from the front side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part when the drum and the optical unit of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 2 are viewed from above. 4 is a block diagram showing a flow of image data and a control system of the image recording apparatus 1 in the exposure unit 11 of the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a first operation of the image recording system 101 in FIG. 8 including the host apparatus 100 in FIG. 9 and the image recording apparatus 1 in FIGS. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a second operation of the image recording system 101 in FIG. 8 including the host apparatus 100 in FIG. 9 and the image recording apparatus 1 in FIGS. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a third operation of the image recording system 101 in FIG. 8 including the host apparatus 100 in FIG. 9 and the image recording apparatus 1 in FIGS. 1 to 4. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a printing system including an image recording system capable of creating a color proof according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the host device 100 of FIG. 8.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image Recording Device 10 Drum 11 Exposure Unit (Exposure Device)
16 Optical unit (exposure section)
17 Sub-scanning part (exposure part)
21 Development unit (developing device)
23 Developing unit 30 Accumulating unit 32 Conveying roller pair 33 Detection sensor 50 Control unit 54 Exposure lookup table, exposure LUT
63 Timer 64 Exposure light quantity determination unit 320, 321, 322 LED unit (plural light sources)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Host apparatus 80 Control part 81 Halftone image data generation part 82 Halftone determination part 83 1st count part 84 2nd count part 85 Pixel rate calculation part 86 Pixel rate comparison part 87 Transmission part 101 Image recording system S Photosensitive paper , Silver salt photosensitive material S1 Exposed photosensitive paper, Exposed silver salt photosensitive material b / a Pixel rate

Claims (8)

A host device having an image processing function;
An exposure apparatus that exposes an image composed of a large number of pixels to a silver salt photosensitive material based on halftone dot image data received from the host device, and the silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by the exposure apparatus An image recording system comprising: a developing device for developing the image recording device;
The host device determines whether or not the halftone dot image data includes network data equal to or less than a predetermined halftone percentage, and information on the halftone judgment result by the halftone percentage judgment means is recorded in the image. Network% determination information notification means for notifying the device,
The exposure apparatus includes: an exposure unit that exposes the silver salt photosensitive material to record an image; and a paper discharge transport unit that transports the exposed silver salt photosensitive material from the exposure unit to the developing device.
An image recording system for controlling a time until a latent image formed on the exposed silver halide photosensitive material is stabilized before the development processing based on a half-% determination result notified from the host device. . A host device having an image processing function;
An exposure apparatus that exposes an image composed of a large number of pixels to a silver salt photosensitive material based on halftone dot image data received from the host device, and the silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by the exposure apparatus An image recording system comprising: a developing device for developing the image recording device;
The host device determines whether or not the halftone dot image data includes network data equal to or less than a predetermined halftone percentage, and information on the halftone judgment result by the halftone percentage judgment means is recorded in the image. Network% determination information notification means for notifying the device,
The exposure apparatus includes an exposure unit that exposes the silver salt photosensitive material to record an image, a paper discharge conveyance unit that conveys the silver salt photosensitive material exposed from the exposure unit to the developing device, and the exposed A latent image stabilization timer unit that counts the time until the latent image formed on the silver halide light-sensitive material is stabilized, and performs latent image stabilization processing,
An image recording system for determining whether or not to execute a latent image stabilization process by the latent image stabilization timer means based on the notified half-net percentage determination result. A host device having an image processing function;
An exposure apparatus that exposes an image composed of a large number of pixels to a silver salt photosensitive material based on halftone dot image data received from the host device, and the silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by the exposure apparatus An image recording system comprising: a developing device for developing the image recording device;
The host device includes: a first pixel counting unit that counts the number of pixels of a predetermined color included in the halftone dot image data; and a second count that counts the number of pixels constituting an entire image based on the halftone dot image data. A pixel ratio calculating means for calculating a ratio between the number of pixels counted by the first counting means and the number of pixels counted by the second counting means, and the calculation result is compared with a predetermined pixel ratio. Pixel rate comparison means; and pixel rate information notification means for notifying the image recording apparatus of information on a pixel rate determination result by the pixel rate comparison means,
The exposure apparatus includes: an exposure unit that exposes the silver salt photosensitive material to record an image; and a paper discharge transport unit that transports the exposed silver salt photosensitive material from the exposure unit to the developing device.
An image recording system for controlling a time until a latent image formed on the exposed silver halide photosensitive material is stabilized before the development processing based on a pixel ratio determination result notified from the host device. . A host device having an image processing function;
An exposure apparatus that exposes an image composed of a large number of pixels to a silver salt photosensitive material based on halftone dot image data received from the host device, and the silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by the exposure apparatus An image recording system comprising: a developing device for developing the image recording device;
The host device includes: a first pixel counting unit that counts the number of pixels of a predetermined color included in the halftone dot image data; and a second count that counts the number of pixels constituting an entire image based on the halftone dot image data. Means, a pixel rate calculating means for calculating a ratio between the number of pixels counted by the first counting means and the number of pixels counted by the second counting means, a calculation result by the pixel rate calculating means, and a predetermined pixel A pixel rate comparison unit that compares the rate, and a pixel rate information notification unit that notifies the image recording apparatus of information on a pixel rate determination result by the pixel rate comparison unit,
The exposure apparatus includes an exposure unit that exposes the silver salt photosensitive material to record an image, a paper discharge conveyance unit that conveys the silver salt photosensitive material exposed from the exposure unit to the developing device, and the exposed A latent image stabilization timer unit that counts the time until the latent image formed on the silver halide light-sensitive material is stabilized, and performs latent image stabilization processing,
An image recording system for determining whether or not to execute a latent image stabilization process by the latent image stabilization timer means based on the notified pixel ratio determination result. A host device having an image processing function;
An exposure apparatus that exposes an image composed of a large number of pixels to a silver salt photosensitive material based on halftone dot image data received from the host device, and the silver salt photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by the exposure apparatus An image recording system comprising: a developing device for developing the image recording device;
The host device includes: a first pixel counting unit that counts the number of pixels of a predetermined color included in the halftone dot image data; and a second count that counts the number of pixels constituting an entire image based on the halftone dot image data. Means, a pixel rate calculating means for calculating a ratio between the number of pixels counted by the first counting means and the number of pixels counted by the second counting means, a calculation result by the pixel rate calculating means, and a predetermined pixel A pixel rate comparison unit that compares the rate, and a pixel rate information notification unit that notifies the image recording apparatus of information on a pixel rate determination result by the pixel rate comparison unit,
The exposure apparatus includes an exposure unit that exposes the silver salt photosensitive material to record an image, a paper discharge conveyance unit that conveys the silver salt photosensitive material exposed from the exposure unit to the developing device, and the exposed A latent image stabilization timer unit that counts the time until the latent image formed on the silver halide light-sensitive material is stabilized, and performs latent image stabilization processing,
Whether or not to execute the latent image stabilization process by the latent image stabilization timer means based on the exposure light amount and the notified pixel rate determination result when the image of the predetermined color is recorded on the silver halide photosensitive material An image recording system characterized by determining   6. The time until the latent image formed on the exposed silver halide photosensitive material is stabilized is controlled by controlling the paper discharge conveying means. Image recording system.   6. The method according to claim 2, 4 or 5, wherein when the count time reaches a predetermined time, the paper discharge conveying means is controlled to convey the exposed silver halide photosensitive material to the developing device for development processing. The image recording system described. 3. The count time in the latent image stabilization timer unit is set based on a transport time from the exposure unit to the developing device by the paper discharge transport unit and a predetermined latent image stabilization time. The image recording system according to 4, 5 or 6.

Images