JPH04162867A - Picture recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the system operating efficiency resulting from reducing an occupying time of a system common transmission line by providing a fixed magnetic storage device to the recorder, storing once recording information to the fixed magnetic storage device and applying actual picture recording to the picture. CONSTITUTION:When a bit map data or a conversion data for color reproduction is stored in fixed magnetic storage devices 100-103, print-out of a printer is started. That is, the conversion data is read sequentially from the fixed magnetic storage devices 100-103 via buffer means 104-107 prior to the bit map data being a print data and written in a storage means via a changeover means in a color processing section 115, then the bit map data of all colors generated by a host computer 120 is read from the buffer means 104-107. The read bit map data is inputted to the color processing section 115 and the color reproduction is corrected by the conversion means based on the conversion data in the storage means and the result is outputted as picture signals S134-S137 for each color. Thus, the operating efficiency of the system is improved.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus in which a plurality of information processing devices are connected to each other via a common data transfer path, and the image recording apparatus is connected to the common data transfer path.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, color printers have come to be used as a means for users to express themselves in various ways. In particular, color page printers are attracting attention because of their quietness, high print quality, and high speed printing. A multicolor beam printer, which is one such color page printer, will be explained below. This printer scans a beam in the main scanning direction on a photoreceptor to form a first latent image, performs first development, and then transfers it to a recording medium such as recording paper on a transfer carrier. After that, the second, third, and fourth steps are performed to record a multicolor image. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of this type of printer, and in the figure, A is the mechanical part of the color laser beam printer. 1 is a photosensitive drum, 4 is a charger, 5 is a semiconductor laser, 6
is a scanner motor, 7 is a polygon mirror rotated at a constant speed by the scanner motor 6, 8 is a lens, and 9 is a mirror. The semiconductor laser 5 emits a light beam L that is modulated on and off based on an image signal 5ilo (hereinafter referred to as a VDO signal).
is generated and output. The light beam L emitted from the semiconductor laser 5 is reflected by one side of the polygon mirror 7, passes through the lens 8 and the mirror 9, and scans and exposes the photosensitive drum l. 3Y is a developing device that develops the latent image from the first step to form yellow toner as the first toner image. 3M develops the latent image in the second step to form a magenta toner as a second toner image. 3C is for developing the latent image in the third step to form cyan toner as the third toner image. 3BK develops the latent image in the fourth step to form black toner, which is the fourth toner image. Reference numeral 15 denotes a paper feed cassette that stores recording paper P, and the paper feed roller 14 feeds the recording paper P one by one. 16 is a transfer drum, which includes a support 17 and a film 18.
It consists of A cleaner 10 scrapes off untransferred toner images after each transfer step. 13 is a fixing device, and 19 is a paper discharge tray. 11 is a charger, and 12 is a separation claw. Next, the operation will be explained. First, the photosensitive drum 1 is charged to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined voltage by the charger 4, and the VDO
A first electrostatic latent image is formed by scanning and exposing the photosensitive drum 1 with the light beam L modulated by the signal Sl 10. Next, the first electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 3Y, and a yellow first toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. On the other hand, recording paper P is being fed at a predetermined timing. Immediately before the leading edge reaches the transfer start position, a predetermined transfer bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the transfer drum 16, and at the same time as the first toner image is transferred to the recording paper P, the recording paper P is transferred to the transfer drum 16. It is electrostatically attracted to the surface of 16. Next, a second electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 by the light beam L, and a second magenta toner image is formed by the developing device 3M. Then, this second toner image is transferred to the recording paper P in alignment with the position of the first toner image that was previously transferred to the recording paper P. Similarly, the third. A fourth electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum l, and is developed by the developer 3C and the developer BK, respectively. The developed cyan and black toner images are transferred onto the recording paper P in alignment with each other. In this way, toner images of four colors are formed on the recording paper P. In this way, one page's worth of VDO signals 5110 are sequentially output to the semiconductor laser 5 for each process. Thereafter, when the leading end of the recording paper P (on which four color toner images are transferred) adsorbed onto the transfer drum 16 rotates to near the position of the separation m12, the separation claw 12 approaches the transfer drum 16. It starts working like this. As a result, the transfer paper P is separated from the transfer drum 16. Note that the separation claw 12 remains in contact with the surface of the transfer drum 16 until the rear end of the recording paper P separates from the transfer drum 16, and then returns to its original position. The charger 30 eliminates charges accumulated on the recording paper P, facilitates the separation of the recording paper P by the separating claw 12, and at the same time reduces air discharge during separation. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a printing system consisting of the above-mentioned color printer and a plurality of host computers.
The configuration up to the generation of DO signal Sl 10 is shown. 1
Host computers 20-123 generate bitmap data to be printed, and output bitmap data 5120-5123, respectively, to a common transmission path. 13
0 to 133 are storage means outside the printer that hold bitmap data to be printed, and are stored in the host computer 12.
Bitmap data from any one of 0 to 123 is held as data 5I30 to 5133, for example, for each color. “B” is the VD of the color printer mentioned above.
A control within the printer that generates the O signal 5110 is shown. Control unit B, storage means 130 to 133, and host computers 120 to 123 are connected via a common transmission path 5150. Control unit B consists of the following configuration. Reference numerals 134 to 137 are buffer means for temporarily holding (7) VDO 5llO for each process, and 115 is a known color processing unit that corrects the optical characteristics of each color toner and performs masking processing. bitmap data 5130
, 5131, 5132, and 5133 must be input at the same time. 112 is a switch means for selecting an image signal 5107 corresponding to each process, and 20 is a laser control unit which performs on/off modulation on the semiconductor laser 5 and outputs the VDO signal 51.
Outputs 10. 116 is a switching means for switching the switch means 112 corresponding to each process, and 17 is a vertical synchronizing signal generator, which generates a vertical synchronizing signal 5IO8 in synchronization with the leading edge of the recording paper P in each process. A horizontal synchronizing signal generator 18 generates a horizontal synchronizing signal 5109 in synchronization with the polygon mirror 7. 140 is vertical synchronization signal 8
This is a first clock generator that generates a write clock 5140 to the buffer means for a predetermined period using 108 as a start signal. 19 is a vertical synchronization signal 8108 and a horizontal synchronization signal 51
This is a second clock generator that generates a read clock to the buffer means 134 to 137 described above based on the reference number 09. Next, the operation will be explained. First, bitmap data generated by any one of the host computers 120 to 123 is sent to the storage means 130, 131, 132,
133. Here, to simplify the explanation, host computer 1
It is assumed that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black bitmap data are generated in step 20 and written to storage means 130, 131, 132, and 133, respectively. That is, yellow bitmap data is written into the storage means 130, magenta bitmap data is written into the storage means 131, cyan bitmap data is written into the storage means 132, and black bitmap data is written into the storage means 133. shall be provided. The control up to the generation of the light beam L will be explained below. As described in the explanation of the printer mechanism section above, when the printer starts printing, the vertical synchronization signal generator 17 generates the vertical synchronization signal 5108 after a predetermined timing, and the horizontal synchronization signal generator 18 generates the horizontal synchronization signal 5109. to occur. The first clock generator 140 generates a write clock 514 for a predetermined period based on the vertical synchronization signal 5108.
0 to the storage means 130, 131, 132, 133, and bitmap data 5130, 513 to the buffer means.
A predetermined amount of 1, 5132, and 5133 are written into each buffer. At the same time, the second clock generator 19 outputs the read signal 5105 to the buffer means 134, 135, 136, 137 for a predetermined period based on both synchronization signals. Here, each buffer means is capable of simultaneously writing and reading from a FIFO, toggle buffer memory, or the like. Next, the bitmap data simultaneously read out from each buffer means is input to the color processing section 115, where the color reproduction is corrected using a built-in lookup table (not shown), and VDO signals 5134, 5135. 5136,5
It is output as 137. The switch means 112 selects the VDO signal corresponding to each of the above-mentioned steps, and the laser control section 2
Output to 0. The laser control unit 20 outputs an on/off modulation signal Sl 10 of a predetermined voltage and current to the semiconductor laser 5. Through the above steps, electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive drum 1 corresponding to each step. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration when a toggle memory is used as a buffer means, and the buffer means 13 is shown in the figure.
This shows the contents of 4. The same applies to other buffer means. Components that are the same as those in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals. 160 and 161 are line memories that can store at least one line in the main scanning direction. 136 distributes input bitmap data to either line memory 160 or 161, and at the same time distributes write clock 5140 and read clock 5105 to line memory 160 or 161.
61. 13
Reference numeral 7 denotes switching means for selecting either bitmap data output from the line memories 160, 161. In the illustration, the position of each switching means is shown in the line memory 16.
The state of writing bitmap data 5130 to 0 and reading bitmap data 5130° from line memory 161 is shown. At this time, bitmap data 5130 is written from storage means 130 to line memory 160 via common transmission path 5150 in synchronization with write clock 5140. At the same time, the bitmap data already written is 8130.
' Read clock 5 from line memory 161 as
105. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing input/output signals around the buffer means 134 to 137 which are performed in synchronization with the horizontal synchronizing signal 5109. In period t1, bitmap data 5130 to 5133 are respectively written to the buffer means 13 in synchronization with the write clock 5140 to the buffer.
4 to 137, the bit map data already written in each of the buffer means 134 to 137 is read and simultaneously written to the color processing unit 1 in synchronization with the clock 5105.
15 and subjected to color reproduction processing, an image signal 5107 selected by the switch means 112 is obtained. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the output signals of the buffer means 134-137 in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal 5108. In period T2, the bitmap data 5130' to 5133' for each color are simultaneously inputted to the color processing section 115 from the buffer means 134 to 137 and subjected to color reproduction processing, and then the image signal selected by the switch means 112 is inputted to the color processing section 115. 5107 is obtained. The switch means 112 has colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).
), black (BK), and the corresponding outputs of the color processing unit 115 are selected in this order to obtain an image signal 5107, and one page of color images is obtained at a cycle T1. FIG. 11 shows the period of time that bitmap data occupies the common transmission path 5150 when the above control is performed. The period for storing each color in the arranging means is α, and the period for simultaneously reading out the bitmap data for each color four times from all the storage means is β. As shown in this figure, during the period β, the common transmission path 5150 other than the printer
is not possible.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The color page printer described above has a storage capacity of a storage device such that image information per 9 liters of pages is 256 gradations for each color (8 bits per pixel) and a resolution of 300 DP.
I (dots/1nch), a large storage capacity of 32 megabytes is required. Furthermore, color page printers must simultaneously generate bitmap data for each color and transfer the bitmap data to the printer, and how to store and transfer such a large amount of data is a major problem. It had become. On the other hand, multicolor printers require a lot of conversion data for color reproduction or data for maintenance information. Holding means and control means must be provided for holding this information. In order to solve this problem, semiconductor storage devices connected to a common transmission path as explained in the conventional example, or similar large-capacity semiconductor storage means installed inside the printer, have been used. Such a storage device is extremely expensive, increases the number of signals on a common transmission path, and requires means for backup when the power is turned off, which is a major factor in increasing the cost of the entire color printer device. The present invention has been made in view of such prior art, and is a fixed magnetic memory bag with low cost per bit! An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording device that makes it possible to reduce the time occupied by a common data transmission path of a system by providing a fixed magnetic storage device with a fixed magnetic storage device and storing recorded information once, and then performing actual image recording. That is.

[Means to solve the problem]

An image recording apparatus of the present invention that solves this problem has the configuration shown below. That is, in an image recording apparatus in which a plurality of information processing devices are connected to each other via a common data transfer path, and connected to the common data transfer path. a fixed magnetic storage device; a first control means connected to the common data transfer path and configured to control image information output from the information processing device to be stored in the fixed magnetic storage device; and the fixed magnetic storage device. and a second control means for controlling the storage device to release the connection with the common data transfer path, read the image information from the fixed magnetic storage device, and perform image recording after storing the image information in the fixed magnetic storage device.

[Effect]

In this configuration of the present invention, after the image information to be recorded is stored in the fixed magnetic storage device, the common data transfer path is opened. Then, an image is recorded based on the image information stored in the fixed magnetic storage device.

【Example】

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a printing system consisting of a color printer and a plurality of host computers according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are given and the explanation is omitted. In the figure, 100 to 103 are fixed magnetic storage devices within the printer that hold bitmap data to be printed, and bitmap data or conversion data for color reproduction from one of the host computers 120 to 123. , 5100°5IOL, 5102. For example, it is held for each color as Sl'03. "B" indicates a control section within the printer that generates the VDO signal 5110 of the color printer in the present invention. Control unit B in the printer and host computers 120, 121, and 123 are connected via a common transmission path 5150. Control unit B consists of the following configuration. 108 is a switch means, which connects the common transmission line 5150 to buffer means 104, 105, 106, and 107, which will be described later. 109 is also a switch means, which switches the bitmap data 5104 sent for each color from the host computer to each of the fixed magnetic storage devices 100 to 100.
Allocate to 103. For example, fixed magnetic storage device 1100
to 103 respectively store yellow, magenta, cyan, and black bitmap data or conversion data for color reproduction. 104 to 107 are buffer means for temporarily holding bitmap data 5100 to 5103 for each process; 110 is a switch means;
04 to 107 and the color processing section 115 are connected. The color processing unit 115 contains bitmap data 5100 to 5100 for four colors.
5103 must be input at the same time. Reference numeral 111 denotes a switch means for selecting a read clock 5L05 and a write clock 5140 to the buffer means 104 to 107. Further, 113 is a controller that controls each switch means. FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the color processing 115, which includes a conversion means 300 for color processing, a holding means 301 for holding conversion data in the conversion means (not shown), and input data 510.
There is a switching means 302 that switches between 0 and 5103. Next, the operation of FIG. 1 will be explained. Here, to simplify the explanation, the host computer 120 generates yellow, magenta, cyan, and black bitmap data.
Each bitmap data is stored in a fixed magnetic storage device 1o.
o-103. That is, it is assumed that yellow bitmap data is written into the fixed magnetic storage device 100, magenta bitmap data is written into the fixed magnetic storage device 101, and black bitmap data is written into the fixed magnetic storage device 103. First, the common transmission path 5150 and the printer internal control section B are connected by the switch means 108, and the buffer means 104 is connected by the switch means 109. On the other hand, the switch means 111 selects the write signal 5140 as 8106 and outputs it to the buffer means 104. Furthermore, the switch means 110 is not connected. With the above connection, the bitmap data corresponding to yellow generated by the host computer 120 is written to the buffer means 104 via the common transmission path 5150 in synchronization with the write clock 8106, and at the same time, the bitmap data that has already been written is is written to the fixed magnetic storage device 100. In this way, when writing of all bitmap data corresponding to yellow is completed, the buffer means 105 is connected by the switch means 109. On the other hand, the switch means 111 selects the write signal 5140 to become 8160 and applies pressure to the buffer means 105. With the above connection, the bitmap data corresponding to magenta color generated by the host computer 120 is written to the buffer means 105 via the common transmission path 5150 in synchronization with the clock 8106, and at the same time, the previously written bitmap data is Data is written to fixed magnetic storage device 101. Similarly, bitmap data corresponding to cyan and black are transmitted to the buffer means 106 via the common transmission path 5150.
, 107, the previously written bitmap data is written to the fixed magnetic storage devices 102, 103. Further, data serving as conversion data of the color processing section 115 is stored in any of the fixed magnetic storage devices 100 to 103. FIG. 3 shows the data arrangement of already written bitmap data and converted data in one of the fixed magnetic storage devices 100-103. That is, ADR3O~AD
Bitmap data between RDI and ADRD2 to AD
Conversion data, which is non-print data, is stored between R33. When the above-mentioned bitmap data or conversion data for color reproduction is stored in the fixed time storage devices 100 to 103, the printing operation of the printer is started. At this time, the common transmission path 5150 and the printer internal training section B are connected to the switch means 1.
It is separated by 08. On the other hand, the switch means ill selects the read signal 5105 and outputs it as a clock 5106 to the buffer means 104 to 107. Furthermore, the buffer means 104 to 107 and the color processing section 115 are brought into a connected state by the switch means 110. With the above connection, it is possible to read all bitmap data of each color generated by the host computer 120 or conversion data for color reproduction. At this point, prior to bitmap data, which is print data, conversion data is sequentially read out from the fixed magnetic storage devices 100 to 103 via each buffer means 104 to 107, and is read out via the switching means 302 in the color processing section 115. When written to the holding means 301, the host computer 120
All bitmap data of each color generated in 810
The data is read out from each buffer means 104 to 107 in synchronization with 6. The read bitmap data is sent to color processing section 1.
15 and is input to the holding means 301 in the color processing section 115.
Based on the conversion data, the color reproduction is corrected by the conversion means 300 and outputted as VDO signals 5134, 5135°, 5136, and 5137 for each color. Switch means 1
12 selects a VDO signal corresponding to each of the aforementioned steps and outputs it to the laser control section 20. The laser control unit 20 supplies the semiconductor laser 5 with an on/off modulation signal Sl of a predetermined voltage and current.
Outputs 10. Through the above steps, electrostatic latent images corresponding to each process are formed on the photosensitive drum 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration when a toggle memory is used as the buffer means, for example, the buffer means 104.
It shows. Components that are the same as in FIGS. 1 and 7 are designated by the same reference numerals. Moreover, the description of the parts already explained in FIG. 7 will be omitted. 160 and 161 are line memories capable of storing at least one line of data in the main scanning direction. Reference numeral 138 denotes switching means for distributing input bitmap data to either line memory 160 or 161. A clock signal 5105 serving as a write clock and a read clock is connected to line memories 160 and 161. In the state shown in FIG. 8, the positions of each switching means are such that the bitmap data 5100 is stored in the fixed magnetic storage device 100 from the host computer 120 in synchronization with the clock 5105, and the bitmap data 5iooo to the line memory 160 is stored in the fixed magnetic storage device 100. The state of writing and reading bitmap data 5100° from the line memory 161 is shown. At this time, bitmap data 5100 is written into line memory 160 from host computer 120 via common transmission path 5150 in synchronization with clock 5105. At the same time, the bitmap data already written is 51.
Clock 51 from line memory 161 as 00'
It is read out in synchronization with 05. Switch means 136 is connected to line memory 161 and at the same time switch means 137 is connected to line memory 160. At this time, bitmap data 5100 is written into line memory 161 from host computer 120 via common transmission path 5150 in synchronization with clock 5105. At the same time, the bitmap data already written is 510.
Clock 5105 from line memory 160 as 0'
is read out in sync with On the other hand, bitmap data 5100° is read from the fixed magnetic storage device 100 by switching the switch means 138 to the opposite side at each switching means position shown in FIG. The arrangement of the switch means 136 and 137 is the same as that described above, and will therefore be omitted. FIG. 12 shows the period of occupancy of bitmap data on the common transmission path $150 when the above control is performed. The period for storing each color in the recording means is α. As shown in this figure, compared to the conventional example, there is no period β, so
The unusable period of the common transmission path 5150 is significantly reduced. FIG. 13 shows the data format in the fixed magnetic storage device as seen from the top of the disk 200. The format of one track 201 begins with an index signal 202 that is output once per rotation by the rotor of a spindle motor (not shown) that rotates the disk. This index signal becomes the home position of the disc. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the sector 203 has an ID field 210 in which information indicating the start and address of the sector is recorded, and before and after these, data is stored due to delays in the rise and fall of signals due to rotational fluctuations, etc. Gaps 211 and 213 are placed to protect the. f indicates the center period. In this embodiment, in order to read bitmap data from a fixed magnetic storage device at high speed, bitmap data for each main scanning line is written in the data field 212 following the ID field 210. Also, the seek time during reading is Tracks are written continuously from the outer circumference to the inner circumference of the disk or from the inner circumference to the outer circumference in order to make the shortest possible length.For printing after the second page, there is no need to transfer the conversion data explained above to the color processing unit 115, and the bit Only the map data is transferred.This allows the host computer to manipulate the data necessary to perform characteristics of each image, such as gamma correction, and various image quality improvement processes can be performed on the same image. Embodiment> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a printing system consisting of a color printer and a plurality of host computers in another embodiment of the present invention.In the first embodiment, in addition to bitmap data, conversion data in a color processing section was stored in a fixed magnetic storage device, but in the embodiment of the water bottle 2, maintenance information within the printer, such as the power-on time of the printer,
Information such as the number of jams is stored in a fixed magnetic storage device. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 400 denotes an information generation means for generating maintenance information in the printer, and output maintenance information 5200
is output to the switching means 108. The other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG. 1 for the first embodiment, so explanations will be omitted. The operation will be explained based on the figure. First, since the writing and reading of bitmap data of each color to and from each fixed magnetic storage device is the same as that shown in the first embodiment, the explanation will be omitted. Each fixed magnetic storage device 1 for bitmap data
00 to 103 are not being written or read, and the switching means 108 is connected to the common transmission path 51.
05 and is not connected to the information generating means 400, maintenance data 5200 is written to each fixed magnetic storage device 100 to 103 via the switching means 108. Incidentally, the fixed timing storage device 100 in the embodiment of the water bottle 2
~103 stores data in a format as shown in FIG.

【Effect of the invention】

As explained above, according to the present invention, a fixed magnetic storage device with a low cost per bit is provided in an image recording device,
Once the recorded information is stored in the fixed magnetic storage device,
Since actual image recording is performed, it is possible to improve system operation efficiency by reducing the time occupied by the system common transmission path.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the printing system in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the printing system in the second embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the printing system in the first embodiment. Data Arrangement, Fig. 4 is a data arrangement in the fixed magnetic storage device in the second embodiment, Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the printing mechanism section, and Fig. 6 is a block diagram of the printing system in the conventional example. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the buffer means in the conventional example, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the buffer means in the embodiment, FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing input and output signals of data in the main scanning direction, and FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the output bias in the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the occupancy period of the common transmission path 5150 for bitmap data in the conventional example. FIG. Figure 13 is a conceptual diagram of a magnetic disk in a fixed magnetic storage device. Page 14 is a diagram showing the data format on the magnetic disk. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of the color processing section. In the figure, 1...photosensitive drum, 3Y...first developing device, 3
M...Second developer, 3C...Third developer, 3BK.
... Fourth developer, 4, 11... Charger, 5... Semiconductor laser, 6... Scanner motor, 7... Polygon mirror, 8... Lens, 9... Mirror, 10 ...
Cleaner, 12... Separation claw, 13... Fixing device, 14
...Paper feed roller, 15...Paper feed cassette, 16...
- Transfer drum, 17... Support, 18... Film, 19... Paper discharge tray, 120-123... Host computer, 113.116... Switch control unit,
100-103...Fixed magnetic storage device, 104-10
7 and 104°~105°, 106', 107°...
- Buffer means, 108 to 112, 109", 110'
... Switch means, 140... First clock generator, 19... Second clock generator, 17... Vertical synchronization signal generator, 18... Horizontal synchronization bias generator, 115.
...Color processing section, 20...Laser control section, 117...
Logarithmic correction processing section, 118... Black generation processing section, 130-
133... Storage means in conventional example, 160, 161
. . . line memory, 136 to 138 . . . switching means,
200...Disc, 201...Track, 202
... Index, 210 ... ID field, 21
1,213...Gap, 212...Data field. Cause 3 Figure 4 Figure 7 Cause Figure 8 Figure 13 District 14 Cause

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An image recording device in which a plurality of information processing devices are connected to each other via a common data transfer path, the image recording device being connected to the common data transfer path, comprising: a fixed magnetic storage device; the common data transfer path; a first control means connected to the information processing device for controlling storage of the image information outputted from the information processing device in the fixed magnetic storage means; an image recording apparatus, comprising: second control means for controlling the fixed magnetic storage device to read out the image information from the fixed magnetic storage device and perform image recording;