JP4872192B2 - Photo printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus for producing a photographic print by forming an image on an image forming target member based on input image data, a print control unit for controlling a printing operation in the photographic printing apparatus, and the printing The present invention relates to a photographic print system provided with a print command device that supplies image data to a control unit to produce a photographic print having a designated print size.

Such a photographic print system is a system that finishes a photographic print with a print size instructed by a print order. For example, a print size generally known as a photographic print called L plate or 2L plate is used as the print size. It is often done.
However, since the photographic printing apparatus has a configuration capable of producing a photographic print based on digital image data, the photographic print can be produced even for an image having a different aspect ratio from the general print size as described above. A function is now required.

Since the image forming target member itself is manufactured so as to fit the general print size as described above, when an image that does not fit the print size is formed on the standard image forming target member, the image is formed around the image. There will be a margin.
Conventionally, when an image including this margin portion is formed, image data adapted to a general print size is generated by adding the image data of the margin region around the original image, The configuration is such that a photographic print is produced with image data including a margin.
Incidentally, as an image having a margin around the image, there is a photo print with a border (usually a white border) called a “with border” as described in Patent Document 1 below. In such a photographic print, the size of the margin portion is fixedly set, and the margin formation condition can be selected from two options, with or without a margin. Is what you do.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-14425

As in the above-described conventional configuration, in a configuration in which image data that is adapted to a general print size is generated by adding blank image data to the image data of the original image to produce a photographic print, the image is meaningful. Data transfer time and image processing time are also required for image data in a blank area, which causes inefficiency in processing.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make the print processing of an image in which margins occur as efficient as possible.

According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a photographic printing apparatus for producing a photographic print by forming an image on an image forming target member based on input image data, and a print control for controlling a printing operation in the photographic printing apparatus. And a print command device that supplies image data to the print control unit to produce a photo print of a specified print size. The print command device is configured to perform a printing operation on the print control unit. Specify the requested print size information, which is the print size assumed on the print command device side, the image data to be printed, and the position of the image data image within the range of the requested print size. Specified by the requested print size. Is configured to produce a photographic print in a print size, the print instruction device, prior to transmission of the print operation instruction, the initial value of the requested print size, either of the initial values of the image size or the position specifying information Or a print condition setting request including information combining these as basic information for setting print conditions to the print control unit, and the print control unit responds to the print condition setting request with the basic Based on the information and the dimension information of the image forming target member loaded in the photo print device, the requested print size or the position specifying information is set, and the setting information is transmitted to the print command device, The print command device is provided in the print command device according to the received setting information. Update the image based on the image data received on the print order displayed on the monitor and apply the requested print size or the position specifying information received from the print control unit to transmit the print operation command. It is configured.

That is, for example, a print size determined based on the print size specified in the print order is designated as the required print size, and the image data to be printed and the position where the image is located within the required print size If the position specifying information for specifying the image is sent and the print instruction is given, the print processing can be performed without sending the image data of the margin portion, and the portion other than the position where the image is arranged becomes the margin.
The print control unit that has received such a print operation command can express the margin by shifting the position of the print operation according to the position specifying information depending on the print format of the photographic printing apparatus. Even in the case of adding a margin, the processing load can be reduced by adding margin data as close to the final stage of processing as possible.

In addition, since the position of the image within the required print size can be arbitrarily specified by simply changing the position specifying information as appropriate, the function can be actively used to limit the arrangement of the image due to various circumstances. It is possible to flexibly cope with the case where it is desired to add.
As a case where such a function can be utilized, for example, when a part of an image forming target member such as recording paper or photographic paper that is a target of image formation is soiled or the like, By forming the image forming position while avoiding such fouled portions, it is possible to effectively use the image forming target member that would originally be a defective product and finish it as an appropriate photographic print.
Furthermore, depending on the mechanical characteristics of the photographic printing apparatus, it may be possible to improve the processing efficiency by setting the image layout according to the characteristics.

In addition, when a print operation command is sent from the print command device to the print control unit for print processing, an image forming target member having a size different from that for the print size (required print size) to be produced on the print command device side is set. There is a case.
In such a case, if the set image forming target member has a size that can cover the required print size, the user wants to perform the printing process as it is without replacing the set image forming target member. There is also.
In a control format in which the requested print size information and the position specifying information are transmitted from the print command device to the print control unit and the print processing is performed, the above-described print processing is implemented in the photo print device. It is also possible to notify the print command device side of the size of the image formation target member in advance and set the required print size and the position specifying information according to the size of the image formation target member on the print command device side. However, in this case, the processing burden on the print command apparatus side becomes excessive.
Therefore, by setting the required print size or the position specifying information on the print control unit side, the processing burden can be distributed to the print command device and the print control unit.
In addition, since the print order is generally instructed to the same print size for a plurality of images, the request received from the print control unit on the side of the print command apparatus managing such print order reception information. It is also possible to apply the print size information or the position specifying information to a plurality of images. In this case, the processing burden can be further reduced.
This also reduces the processing burden on the print control unit side.

According to a second invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the photographic printing apparatus moves and drives the print head in a main scanning direction substantially orthogonal to a conveying direction of the image forming target member. The image forming target member is configured to be capable of being transported in a plurality of transport rows, and the print control unit is arranged at both ends of the image forming target members transported in the plurality of transport rows. The position specifying information is set so that an image forming position is located closer to the center of the plurality of transport rows in the image forming target member in the row.
That is, for example, in a format in which an image is printed by moving the print head in the main scanning direction, such as an ink jet print head, the image forming target member is conveyed by a plurality of conveyance rows, and the photo print production processing capability is improved. It is considered to increase the capacity.
In such a print format, by utilizing the fact that the image formation position can be set depending on the circumstances of the photographic printing apparatus side, the image formation position is set closer to the center of the plurality of conveyance rows for the image formation target members in the conveyance rows at both ends. To place.
Thereby, the existence range of the image in the main scanning direction is shortened, and the moving range of the print head during the printing operation can be shortened.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the position of the image within the required print size can be arbitrarily specified by simply changing the position specifying information as appropriate, and the characteristics of the photo printing apparatus and the image forming target member In consideration of contamination, etc., it is possible to flexibly cope with the case where it is desired to limit the arrangement of the image, and by performing the printing process without sending the image data of the margin part, the image of the image in which the margin occurs is generated. The printing process can be made as efficient as possible.
Further, in setting the required print size and the position specifying information, the processing load is distributed to the print command device and the print control unit, and the set items can be applied to a plurality of images. The processing load can be reduced.
Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, the moving range of the print head during the printing operation can be shortened, so that the printing process can be speeded up.

Embodiments of a photographic print system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a photographic print system DP exemplified in the present embodiment is connected to an inkjet photographic print apparatus EP with a film scanner FS that reads a frame image of a developed photographic film. The print instruction terminal device TM is connected to the network.

[Overall configuration of photo printing apparatus EP]
As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the photographic printing apparatus EP is an ink jet type that forms an image on a recording paper 2 by ejecting ink to the recording paper 2 as an image forming target member inside the housing. A recording head 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as “printing head 21”), a print control unit PC that controls a printing operation in the photographic printing apparatus EP, and a number of conveying rollers 25 are provided to remove the recording paper 2 from the recording paper roll 26. The recording paper transport system PT to be drawn and transported, the cutter 27 for cutting the recording paper 2 transported by the recording paper transport system PT into a predetermined print size, and the ink ejected during the flushing operation of the print head 21 are sucked. A recording paper 2 which is provided with a discharge duct 29 for removal and printed by the print head 21 is predetermined by a cutter 27. After being cut to a print size, it is discharged onto a tray 28 provided outside the housing.

The photo printing apparatus EP can be loaded with a plurality of types of recording paper rolls 26 in order to cope with various print sizes. If the recording paper 2 has a narrow paper width, two recording paper rolls 26 are loaded side by side. Then, it is possible to draw and convey in two rows, and print an image in parallel on the recording paper 2 conveyed in two rows.
Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, the recording paper roll 26 can be loaded in two upper and lower stages, and the recording paper 2 is drawn out and conveyed by selecting from either the upper stage or the lower stage.

The print control unit PC includes a head control device 22 that controls the print head 21, a print management device 23 that manages input of image data to be printed and operation of the entire photo print device EP, and a print management device 23. Predetermined image processing is applied to the input image data (RGB expression data), and image data (CMYK system expression data) adapted to the expression gradation and ink color of each ink discharge nozzle of the print head 21 And an image processing device 24 for converting the image data into the image data.
The print management apparatus PM is composed of a personal computer, and is a touch panel type monitor having both a display function for displaying a simulated image simulating a finished print image and an input operation guide for various setting data, and an input operation receiving function. 31 and an external input / output device 32 including various drives such as a memory card reader and a CD-R / RW drive are connected.

  The photographic printing apparatus EP can produce photographic prints based on the image data of the frame images of the photographic film read by the film scanner FS, and various recordings such as CD-R media and memory cards set in the external input / output device 32. A photographic print can be produced by reading the image data recorded on the medium, and a photographic print can also be produced from the image data input from the print instruction terminal device TM.

[Schematic configuration of print head 21]
As shown in FIG. 2, the print head 21 is provided with nozzle units 41 having a plurality of ink discharge nozzles arranged in three stages on the bottom side.
The nozzle units 41 all have the same configuration, and each nozzle unit 41 has a plurality of rows of ink ejection nozzles that eject different colors of ink for each column in one head block.
The ink discharge nozzles for each color are arranged in high density in the sub-scanning direction, which is the conveyance direction of the recording paper 2, and the ink discharge nozzle rows for each color are arranged in the main scanning direction (the drawing direction). 2 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface).

As the ink color ejected by each nozzle unit 41, it is configured so that a color image can be formed as a configuration including four rows of ink ejection nozzles as yellow, cyan, magenta, and black ink colors. You may use what added the row | line | column of the ink discharge nozzle for the light color inks of each color.
The print head 21 is supported by two guide rods 42 and is moved and driven in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction by a head scanning mechanism (not shown).
The recording paper 2 conveyed by the recording paper conveyance system PT at the print processing position by the print head 21 is conveyed on a support plate 51 in which a large number of openings 51a are formed.
A duct 52 is attached to the lower surface side of the support plate 51, and the inside of the duct 52 is sucked by a suction fan unit 53.
Due to the suction action of the suction fan unit 53, the recording paper 2 is conveyed and driven in the sub-scanning direction while being in close contact with the support plate 51.

[Photo print production operation]
Next, a photographic print production operation by the photographic print system DP having the above-described configuration will be schematically described in the case where image data is sent from the print instruction terminal device TM to the photographic print device EP for print processing.
The print instruction terminal device TM is constituted by a personal computer, and functions as a print command device PM that supplies image data to the print control unit PC of the photo print device EP to produce a photo print of a designated print size.
The print instruction terminal device TM holds image data for which a print order has been received from a customer. When the image data for which the print order has been received is instructed to produce a photographic print, the “print” shown in the flowchart of FIG. Command processing "is executed.

First, the image data is resized so as to fit within the print size instructed by the customer (step # 1), and the result is displayed on a monitor provided in the print instruction terminal device TM (step # 2).
When the aspect ratio of the image data received from the customer matches the aspect ratio of the specified print size, the image will fit within the print size due to the resizing of the image data. When the ratio is different from the aspect ratio of the print size, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, margins are left and right of the image (FIG. 5A) or above and below the image (FIG. 5B). appear.
Further, even when the aspect ratio is the same, when producing a photographic print with a border, a margin is generated around the image as shown in FIG.

  After resizing the image data as described above, the requested print size (here, the initial value of the requested print size), which is the print size assumed on the print instruction terminal device TM side, is sent to the print management device 23 of the photo print apparatus EP. ), The resized image size, and the position specifying information (in this case, the initial value of the position specifying information) for specifying the arrangement position of the resized image within the range of the requested print size. Print condition setting request for requesting transmission of print setting information corresponding to the status of the recording paper 2 loaded in the photographic printing apparatus EP (step # 4).

  This print condition setting request is made in order to adjust the print size desired on the print instruction terminal device TM side and the print size that can be actually printed on the photo print device EP side. Since the paper width of the recording paper roll 26 actually loaded in the photographic printing apparatus EP is not grasped on the side, the desired print size (the initial value of the requested print size) and the print width before the actual print processing are performed. Information on the arrangement of the image within the print size (initial value of the position specifying information) and the like are sent to the print management device 23, and the print management device 23 side determines from the paper width of the recording paper roll 26 actually loaded. Set the print conditions that can correspond to the requested print size, and print the print setting information. Do the work to be sent back to the end device TM.

Specifically, the initial value of the requested print size transmitted to the print management apparatus 23 in step # 4 is the print size instructed by the customer.
Further, the position specifying information is specifically data of margin widths present on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the image portion.
For example, in the case of the image in FIG. 5A, the position specifying information is 0 (upper), 0 (lower), a (left), and a (right), and in the case of the image in FIG. 5B. , B (upper), b (lower), 0 (left), 0 (right), and c (upper), c (lower), c (left), c in the image of FIG. (Right).
In the image of FIG. 5A and the image of FIG. 5B, the width of the left and right or top and bottom margins can be specified asymmetrically.
Further, as another expression form of the position specifying information, for example, coordinate data of the upper left corner of the image may be used.

The print management apparatus 23 that has received the above-described print setting information transmission request from the print instruction terminal apparatus TM executes a process shown as “print condition setting process” in the flowchart of FIG.
First, all the paper widths of the loaded recording paper rolls 26 are read (step # 21), and those that can be printed with the requested print size sent from the print instruction terminal device TM are displayed in the read paper width list. Search in ascending order (step # 22).
In this search, unless the step # 21 is executed again, information on the position of the search on the read paper width list is held.

When a printable paper width is found (step # 23), if the print size that can be configured by the recording paper roll 26 of that paper width matches the requested print size (step # 26), unless a print avoidance position is specified. (Step # 27) The requested print size and the position specifying information sent from the print instruction terminal device TM are sent back as print setting information (step # 28).
Here, the designation of the print avoidance position is for designating any position (area) in the print surface of the loaded recording paper 2 and excluding the image from the target area for print formation. It can be set in advance from the touch panel monitor 31 of the print management apparatus 23.
As a usage mode of this print avoidance position designation function, for example, if an image is printed using that area because the vicinity of the side edge of the recording paper 2 is soiled, the photo print becomes defective. In such a case, by designating the area as a print avoidance position, it is possible to print an image in a normal area other than the designated area.

When such a print avoidance position is designated when the print size that can be configured by the recording paper roll 26 having the paper width required for the search in step # 22 matches the requested print size (steps # 26 and # 27). ) Since the recording paper 2 having the paper width cannot be used, the process returns to step # 22 to search for a paper width that can be printed.
When the printable paper width is searched (step # 23), it is determined whether or not the print size that can be configured by the recording paper roll 26 of that paper width matches the requested print size (step # 26).
If it does not match the requested print size, it is determined whether or not photo print production with a print size other than the requested print size sent together with the print setting information transmission request from the print instruction terminal device TM is permitted ( Step # 29).
This is because when the print processing is performed using the recording paper 2 having a paper width larger than the requested print size (initial value of the requested print size) sent from the print instruction terminal device TM first, the request is made by the customer after the print processing. Therefore, it is possible to set whether or not to allow such a work load to be added. This setting can be performed in advance from the touch panel monitor 31 of the print management apparatus 23.

If it is set not to allow print processing with a print size that does not match the initial value of the required print size, a recording paper roll 26 having a paper width corresponding to the initial value of the required print size is set on the monitor 31. When a guidance display indicating that it should be loaded is displayed (step # 24) and the recording paper roll 26 is replaced (step # 25), the processing is repeated from step # 21.
On the other hand, if it is set so as to allow print processing with a print size that does not match the initial value of the requested print size, the recording paper rolls 26 of that paper width further include a plurality of rows (specifically, two rows). It is determined whether or not it is loaded so as to be transported (step # 30).

When the recording paper roll 26 having the paper width required for the search is loaded side by side so that the recording paper 2 is conveyed in a plurality of rows, the recording paper rolls 26 at both ends of the recording paper 2 conveyed in the plurality of conveyance rows are loaded. On the recording paper 2, the image formation position is temporarily set so that the image formation position is located closer to the center of the plurality of transport rows (step # 32). In the present embodiment, a case where the recording paper roll 26 having a narrow paper width is drawn and conveyed by two conveyance rows is illustrated, and the two rows correspond to the columns at both ends in which the image forming position is set closer to the center. .
A case where the setting of the image formation position is performed on an image having an image layout as shown in FIG. 5 will be described as an example.

As schematically shown in FIG. 7 showing the state in which the image is arranged at the set image forming position on the recording paper 2 conveyed in two rows, in the left row, a margin of “d” is further added to the left side of the image. In the right column, a margin of “d” is further added to the right side of the image.
Accordingly, when expressed in the same manner as the position specifying information sent from the print instruction terminal device TM, the position specifying information of the upper image is 0 (upper), 0 (lower), e = a + d for the left column. (Left), a (right), the position specifying information of the middle image is b (upper), b (lower), d (left), 0 (right), and the position specifying information of the lower image is c (Top), c (bottom), f = c + d (left), c (right).
Further, for the right column, the position specifying information of the upper image is 0 (upper), 0 (lower), a (left), e = a + d (right), and the position specifying information of the middle image is b. (Top), b (bottom), 0 (left), d (right), and the position specifying information of the lower image is c (top), c (bottom), c (left), f = c + d (right) It becomes.
Accordingly, with respect to the print size, “d” is added to the width with respect to the initial value of the requested print size received from the print instruction terminal device TM, and the height remains as it is.

By setting the image forming position in this way, the image forming range by the print head 21 can be narrowed to at least the range indicated by the width “w” in FIG. 7, and the printing process can be speeded up.
Whether the target image is arranged in the left column or the right column is, for example, 2 for each of the print setting information transmission requests sequentially transmitted from the print instruction terminal device TM. The images assigned to be printed on the recording paper 2 having the paper width conveyed in a row are counted, and the odd number may be specified as the left column, and the even number may be specified as the right column.

When the recording paper roll 26 having the paper width required for the search is transported in one row instead of two rows (step # 30), the image forming position is temporarily set to a standard position (step # 31). As the standard position, any one of left-justified arrangement, right-justified arrangement, and center arrangement is set in advance.
When the image formation position is provisionally set as described above, next, the presence or absence of the designation of the print avoidance position (the same as step # 27) is confirmed (step # 33). Then, the image formation position temporarily set as described above is moved to determine whether or not the area designated as the print avoidance position can be avoided (step # 34). The previously set image forming position is corrected by the amount of movement of the image forming position (step # 35).
If the area designated as the print avoidance position cannot be avoided even if the image forming position is moved (step # 34), the recording paper roll 26 of that paper width cannot be used, so the process returns to step # 22 to further print. Search for possible paper widths.
If no print paper roll 26 having a printable paper width is found as a result of this search, a guidance display to the effect that the paper roll 26 having a paper width corresponding to the initial value of the required print size should be loaded is displayed on the monitor 31. (Step # 24) When the recording paper roll 26 is replaced (Step # 25), the processing is repeated from Step # 21.

In step # 33, if the print avoidance position has not been designated, the requested print size in the print setting information sent back to the print instruction terminal device TM is the same as the requested print size in the example of FIG. The print size to which “d” is added is transmitted, and is transmitted as position specifying information in which the image formation position temporarily set in step # 31 or step # 32 is determined as position specifying information in the print setting information (step S31). # 28).
In step # 35, when the print avoidance position is avoided as specified and the image formation position is corrected, the requested print size in the print setting information sent back to the print instruction terminal device TM is the example shown in FIG. Then, the print size with the height “d” added to the width is transmitted as is, and the image formation position corrected in step # 35 is transmitted as the position specifying information as the position specifying information in the print setting information. (Step # 28).
The recording paper roll 26 having the allocated paper width is for two-row conveyance, and the print size different from the initial value of the required print size received from the print instruction terminal device TM is set to set the required print size. When sending to the print management device 23, information indicating whether printing is to be performed in the right column or the left column by two-row conveyance is also transmitted.

When the print instruction terminal TM receives the requested print size and the position specifying information set on the print management device 23 side as print setting information in the process shown in FIG. 3 (step # 5), the received print setting information The image displayed on the monitor is updated (step # 6), and when the requested print size is changed on the print management apparatus 23 side, the display of the print frame is enlarged and the position specifying information is When changed on the print management device 23 side, the arrangement position of the image in the print frame moves.
When the operator confirming the monitor display of the image inputs an instruction to start printing from the mouse or keyboard (step # 7), based on the print setting information received from the print management device 23, the requested print size information, the print The target image data and the position specifying information are sent to the print management apparatus 23 as a print operation command (step # 8). Along with this, in the photo printing apparatus EP, photo print production processing is executed with the print size designated by the required print size included in the print operation command.

Thereafter, the process is repeated from step # 1 until transmission of the print operation command is completed for all images of one order (step # 9).
As a result, when the initial value of the requested print size sent from the print instruction terminal device TM to the print management device 23 matches the requested print size returned from the print management device 23 to the print instruction terminal device TM, FIG. 6 is printed, and when an image is printed on the recording paper 2 conveyed in two rows, for example, the printing is performed in the state shown in FIG.
For example, when printing an image having a margin as shown in FIG. 7, the width of each image (number of pixel dots in the horizontal width direction) and the print start position in the main scanning direction determined by the position specifying information are recorded on the head. By informing the control device 22, it is possible to perform print processing without generating image data of the margin portion.
Of course, margin data may be written on the buffer memory of the head control device 22 or the image processing device 24 or the like (desirably, the subsequent stage is desirable), and in this case, the processing load is reduced.

When the print management apparatus 23 is requested to transmit print setting information in the repetition of the processing of step # 1 to step # 9, the initial value of the requested print size to be sent to the print management apparatus 23 and the position specifying information When the initial value is the same as that for the image for which the print setting information has already been received from the print management apparatus 23 (step # 3), it has already been received without requesting a new transmission of the print setting information. The print setting information is reused to update the image display and transmit the print operation command (step # 6 to step # 8). However, when the print setting information that has already been received includes information indicating that printing is performed by two-line conveyance, information regarding whether the print is in the left column or the print in the right column needs to match. is there.
As described above, when the transmission of the print operation command is completed for all the images of one order (step # 9), the processing in FIG.

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the above embodiment, in principle, the print condition setting request is transmitted from the print instruction terminal device TM to the print management device 23 for each image. The basic information for setting the print conditions may be collected and the basic information for setting the print conditions may be transmitted collectively in one order.
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the print instruction terminal device TM resizes the image data so as to use the full size when resizing the image data according to the print size is exemplified. It is not necessary to use the full size.

(3) In the above embodiment, the initial value of the requested print size, the image size, and the initial value of the position specifying information are transmitted to the print management apparatus 23 as basic information for setting the print conditions. It is not always necessary to have all of this information.
For example, when the position specifying information is not included in the basic information, the image forming position is set to the standard position fixedly set on the print management apparatus 23 side, and the position specifying information is sent back. Alternatively, the position specifying information set by moving the image forming position more positively may be sent back.
If the basic information does not include information on the required print size, an optimum print size and position specifying information may be set from the image size and sent back to the print instruction terminal device TM.

(4) In the above embodiment, both the requested print size and the position specifying information are sent back as print setting information in response to a print condition setting request from the print instruction terminal device TM. It is also possible to have a system configuration that sends it back.
(5) In the above embodiment, the ink jet type photo printing apparatus EP is exemplified as the photo printing apparatus EP. However, the system includes photo printing apparatuses EP of various print formats such as a laser beam exposure type photo printing apparatus. The present invention can also be applied to.
(6) In the above embodiment, when changing the initial value of the requested print size sent from the print instruction terminal device TM on the print management device 23 side to another print size, the width “d” is added. For example, when the same image is continuously printed, the usage pattern of the ink discharge nozzles that form the images is made the same, so that the image quality of the images is improved. In order to match the accuracy, the print size can be set by adding a margin of a set width in the vertical direction.
(7) In the above embodiment, the case where a single inkjet photo printer is provided as the photo print system DP is illustrated, but a photo printer of a kiosk terminal including photo print services as part of various digital service contents Or a photographic print system tied to it.

1 is a block configuration diagram of a photo print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The side view of the print head concerning an embodiment of the invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the image part and margin part concerning embodiment of this invention The figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the image when it prints on the recording paper concerning embodiment of this invention The figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the image when it prints on the recording paper concerning embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

2 Image formation target member 21 Print head EP Photo printing device PC Print control unit PM Print command device

Claims (2)

A photographic printing apparatus for producing a photographic print by forming an image on an image forming target member based on input image data, a print control unit for controlling a printing operation in the photographic printing apparatus, and an image to the print control unit A photo print system provided with a print command device for supplying data and producing a photo print of a specified print size;
The print command device, as a print operation command to the print control unit, information on a requested print size that is a print size assumed on the print command device side, image data to be printed, and a range of the requested print size And sending the position specifying information for specifying the image arrangement position of the image data in, and configured to make a photo print with the print size specified in the required print size ,
Prior to transmission of the print operation command, the print command device sets one of the initial value of the requested print size, the image size, the initial value of the position specifying information, or a combination thereof for setting print conditions. Send a print condition setting request including as basic information to the print control unit,
In response to the print condition setting request, the print control unit determines the requested print size or the position specifying information based on the basic information and dimensional information of the image forming target member loaded in the photographic printing apparatus. And sending the setting information to the print command device,
The print command device updates the image based on the image data received the print order displayed on the monitor provided in the print command device according to the received setting information, and receives the request received from the print control unit. A photo print system configured to transmit the print operation command by applying a print size or the position specifying information . The photographic printing apparatus forms an image by moving and driving a print head in a main scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction of the image forming target member, and can convey the image forming target member in a plurality of conveying rows. Configured,
The print control unit is configured such that, in the image forming target members at both ends of the image forming target members transported in the plurality of transport rows, an image forming position is located closer to the center of the plurality of transport rows. The photographic print system according to claim 1, wherein the position specifying information is set so as to do so .

Images