JP2003274144A - Digital copying machine system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital copying machine system which easily adds various information to an original image to output a print result as desired by a user. <P>SOLUTION: When a stamp is printed on all pages including a cover page, printing colors of the stamp of the cover page and stamps of the other pages are changed by combination of set values of a stamp function for compositing each original image with the stamp and a cover mode for printing the cover page of original images on a print form different from those of the other pages. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital copying machine system, and more particularly to a digital copying machine system for setting color of information to be combined with an original image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing equipment having various functions has been provided by the progress of printing technology. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-852
In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 44 (hereinafter, referred to as Conventional Example 1), a copy original is printed with a combination of stamps.

[0003]

However, the conventional example 1 is characterized in that the stamp is simply printed on the front cover, or the stamp is printed only on the pages other than the front cover, which meets the needs of the user. It was difficult to print various stamps.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to change the print color of the stamp of the cover page and the stamp of the page in the text by the combination of the stamp function and the set value of the cover mode. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital copying machine system that enables a printing result desired by a user.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to change the page print color of the cover page and the page print color in the body by combining the set value of the page print function and the cover mode, and output the print result desired by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital copying machine system that does.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to change the date print color of the cover page and the date print color in the body by combining the date print function and the set value of the cover mode, and output the print result desired by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital copying machine system that does.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides an image reading apparatus capable of reading a document in a full color mode, a monochrome mode, a single color mode, and a two color mode. An image memory capable of storing an image read by an image reading device for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, an image forming device for forming an image, and image data stored in the image memory A combination of a controller for transferring each color to each color, a stamp function for synthesizing a stamp on each original image, and a cover mode for printing the cover page of the original image on a printing paper different from other pages. Therefore, when stamp printing is performed on all pages including the cover page, the stamp on the cover page and the stamp on other pages And changing the print color.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image reading device capable of reading a document in a full color mode, a monochrome mode, a single color mode, and a two color mode, and an image read by the image reading device, An image memory that can store each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, an image forming apparatus that forms an image, and a controller that transfers the image data stored in the image memory to the image forming apparatus for each color are provided. However, by combining the setting value of the page printing function that combines the page number with each print image and the cover mode that prints the cover page of the original image on a different print paper from other pages, It is characterized in that the print color of the page number on the page is changed.

According to the third aspect of the invention, an image reading device capable of reading a document in a full color mode, a monochrome mode, a single color mode, and a two-color mode, and an image read by the image reading device, An image memory that can store each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, an image forming apparatus that forms an image, and a controller that transfers the image data stored in the image memory to the image forming apparatus for each color are provided. However, depending on the combination of the date printing function that adds the current date to each original image and the cover mode that prints the cover page of the original image on a different print paper from other pages, the date of the cover page and other It is characterized by changing the print color of the date on the page.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, terms commonly used in one embodiment of the present invention will be explained and defined.

The "image reading device" is used in a digital copying machine, irradiates a document with a light source, converts the reflected light into an electric signal by a "solid-state image forming device = CCD", and performs a necessary image processing. Have.

An "image forming apparatus" is used in a digital copying machine, and an image image sent by an electric signal is converted into an electronic photograph,
Plain paper by means of heat-sensitive, thermal transfer, inkjet, etc.
This is a device for forming on thermal paper.

The "extended function" or "application (abbreviated as application)" will be described below. A major feature of digital copying machines is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by an image forming apparatus. At this time, it has various means for changing and transmitting the read electrical signal, so that it can be applied to fields other than the copying machine. The above-mentioned FAX,
Besides printers, the range of applications such as scanners and file systems is very wide. These extensions are referred to as "applications".

The "video signal" is an electric signal of an image converted by the above-mentioned "image reading device", "image forming device".
It is a signal for synchronizing with the electric signal of the image input to the image and the electric signal of the image.

A "video signal" is referred to as an "image reading device",
In order to exchange information between the “image forming apparatus” and the “application”, it is necessary to transfer information between the apparatuses.
This means is referred to as "control signal" or "command" issuance.

In recent digital copying machines, not only one application is registered but a plurality of applications are simultaneously registered. A digital copying machine that shares one resource in this way is referred to as a “system”, and a controller that controls this system is referred to as a “system control” and a “system controller”.

A functional unit unit shared by a plurality of applications is expressed as "resource" or "resource". The aforementioned system controller controls the system in units of this resource. The resources managed by the digital copier in this case are "image reading device", "image forming device", and "operation unit".
There are "memory" and "peripheral devices (DF = document feeder, sorter, etc.)".

Changing the initial setting value of each function or setting the operating condition according to the condition often used is called "initial setting".

The initial settings include "system initial settings" for setting the functions of the entire copying machine system, "copy initial settings" limited to the setting of the copy mode function, and "fax initial setting" limited to the settings of the facsimile mode function. Settings "etc.

For example, in the "system initial setting", after the key operation, the "auto clear time setting" is returned to the state when the power is turned on when no operation is performed for a certain period of time.
For example, "Default copy settings" changes the maximum number of copies that can be set.
There is also a “double-sided copy left binding width” that allows you to set the left binding margin on the back side for “single-sided → double-sided” copying.

When page printing is selected, a page printing position such as upper right, lower right, or lower center of the transfer paper, and stamp size and watermark when stamp printing is selected. In some cases, the presence / absence of settings can be set in this mode.

The "personal code" / "user code" can be set so that only a specific operator can use the machine or manage the copy usage amount for each department. Say.

"Automatic color selection" / "ACS (= Aut
o Color Select) means to automatically determine the color of the original and copy in either full color or monochrome mode.

The basic configuration of the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Description of Image Forming Operation] As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet-through type automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) is provided, and the intermediate transfer belt is simultaneously provided with a small size (216 mm or less in the case of the present invention). In the case of, a digital color copying machine capable of transferring images for two surfaces, and for a large size (more than 217 mm) can transfer images for only one surface, is shown in FIG. It has a document reading device 2, an image writing unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a primary transfer unit 5, a secondary transfer unit 6, and a fixing unit 7.

The ADF 1 sends the original to be read into the original reading device at a speed suitable for the copying magnification desired by the user, and reads the original.

The document reading device 2 has a carriage 21 having a light source and a plurality of mirrors, a lens 22, a CCD 23, and a buffer 24, scans and reads the document sent by the ADF 1, and reads the read image information from a controller section which will be described later. Transfer to memory.

The image writing unit 3 has a laser light source and a polygon mirror and sends a laser beam 31 containing image information to the image forming unit 4. The image forming unit 4 includes a charger 42 arranged around the photoconductor 41 and a laser beam 3 from the image writing unit 3.
1, a rotary or fixed color developing unit 43 made of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) and a drum cleaning unit 44, and is exposed to a laser beam 31. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the body 41, and the formed electrostatic latent image is visualized by the color developing unit 43 to form a toner image. The primary transfer unit 5 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51, a primary transfer portion 52, and a tension roller 5.
It has three and two secondary transfer rollers 54 and 55 and a cleaning unit 56, and primarily transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 41 to the intermediate transfer belt 51. The intermediate transfer belt 51 can simultaneously transfer the toner images of two surfaces. The intermediate transfer belt 51 is separated from the surface of the photoconductor 41 by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown) except when the toner image on the photoconductor 41 is primarily transferred, and is transferred onto the surface of the photoconductor 41 only when the primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 51. Pressed. The secondary transfer unit 6 secondarily transfers the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 onto a transfer material.

In the present embodiment, the order of image forming colors during full color copying is yellow (Y) → magenta (M) → cyan (C) → black (K).

FIG. 2 shows a concept of a color for forming another color by using Y, M, C and K. For example, green is visualized by superimposing Y and C, and red is visualized by a combination of Y and M.

[Description of System Hardware Configuration] FIG.
The hardware configuration of the digital copying machine system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Since the scanner unit 301 and the printer engine 304 in FIG. 3 have been described above, they are omitted here.

Reference numeral 302 denotes an operation unit, and IPU in 303 is an image processing apparatus, which performs various filter processes.
Although not shown in particular, there is also a color determination device that determines whether or not the read original is a color original.

The controller is composed of a memory for storing the scanner image read by the IPU and transferring the image to the printer engine, and a program ROM. Scanner unit 301, IPU, controller,
The printer engine is connected by an image bus capable of command communication.

The Y, M, C from the scanner unit
The images of the K component are read simultaneously and transferred to the controller memory via the video bus. In this case, Y, M, C, and
One line data of K is stored in the memory space for storing each plane data in the controller memory. This state is shown in FIG.

In the following description, the resolution of the copy read image is considered as 1 pixel = 600 dpi / 2 value data, but this quantization is not particularly limited. For example,
When 1 pixel = 600 dpi / 8-bit gradation, it is simply multiplied by 8.

Based on the above premise, A3 size (420 m
The image memory required for each color (Y, M, C, K) of m × 297 mm) is {420 (mm) × 600 (dp
i) /25.4 (mm)} × {297 (mm) × 600
(Dpi) /25.4 (mm)} = 69605059
(Dot). 1 byte = 8d for image data
Since it is ot (bit), 69605059/8
= 8700632 (byte) = 8.7 (Mbyte)
(This is an image memory per plane).

[Description of Color Mode] The color mode used in this embodiment will be described below.

The single color copy is a mode for copying an original in one designated color as shown in FIG.

Even for the same single color, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are copied with one color toner, but, for example, red, green, and blue are copied with two color toners. Color conversion is performed by the IP shown in FIG.
This is performed when reading a document with U.

Therefore, when performing a single color copy, the controller memory uses only one plane when performing a copy with any one color of Y, M, C and K, but other than that. Two planes are used when copying with the color.

As shown in FIG. 6, the two-color color copy is a mode in which the original is copied in two colors, that is, the color designated as black. It is possible to change to the color of and to change the "black part" of the manuscript to the color of.

Even with the same two colors, yellow, magenta,
When two-color copy is specified with only cyan and black output colors, two-color toner is used for copying, but depending on the combination, Y, M, C, and K toners may be two-color, three-color, or four-color. Will be used. For example, red, green and blue are copied using two color toners. Therefore, the controller memory contains Y, M, C,
When copying with any two colors of K, only 2 planes are used, but when copying with other colors, 3 planes or 4 planes are used. The color conversion is performed at the time of reading an original with the IPU shown in FIG.

The full-color copy is a copy mode in which a full-color original is output in full-color, although not shown.

In this case, basically, full-color output is performed with four image forming colors, so that a 4-plane image memory is used as the controller memory.

[Explanation of Stamp] What is the stamp mode?
In this mode, a specific stamp image is combined with the original image.

The stamp types include circulation, strict prohibition of copying, urgency, and confidentiality. Since this stamp type is composed of bitmap data, the bitmap data to be stored may be changed according to the needs of the machine. This control image is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, when printing is started in the stamp mode (in the present embodiment, stamp data is described as “prohibition of copying prohibited”), the stamp data stored in the HDD or the ROM (“prohibition of copying prohibited”). ) Is read out to the controller memory. Start scanning the original image. Wait for the completion of scanning the original image. The stamp data and the original data are combined. After combining, the video (image) output process is sequentially performed on the engine.

[Description of page printing] For the original image,
When there are a plurality of originals in the mode for combining page numbers, the page numbers are continuously output (FIG. 9).

The types of page printing are "-1",
There are "-p.1-", "1/10", etc. Since the page printing data is composed of bitmap data, the bitmap image to be stored may be changed according to the needs such as the font image to be printed. This control image is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 8, when the printing in the print mode (in this example, the print data is described in "-p.1-") is started, the page print data stored in the HDD or the ROM (" -P.1- ") is read out on the controller memory. Start scanning the original image. Wait for the completion of scanning the original image. The page print data and the original data are combined. After combining, the video (image) output process is sequentially performed on the engine.

[Description of Date Printing] The date printing function (mode) is a mode in which the current date (when copying is started) is added to the original image.

As the type of date, "YYYY.MM.
DD "," YY.MM.DD "," YY MM / DD "
Etc. (YY, YYYY represents the year, MM represents the month, DD represents the day).

This date data can be obtained from the RTC (= Real Time Clock, clock) in the controller shown in FIG. 3, and this data is expanded on the controller memory as bitmap data.

RTC (= Real in the controller
(Time Clock, clock), and this data is expanded on the controller memory as bitmap data. Start scanning the original image. Wait for the completion of scanning the original image. The above-mentioned bitmap data and original data are combined. After combining, the video (image) output process is sequentially performed on the engine. This control image is shown in FIG.

[Description of Cover Mode] The cover mode is a mode for copying the first page of a document onto a cover sheet.

Two operations are selected as the operation: a cover stage for printing the first page of the document and a paper feed stage for printing other pages. In particular, in order to improve the appearance of the finished product, it is often the case that high-whiteness paper, colored paper, thick paper, or the like is used. This state is shown in FIG.

The process of independently designating the stamp colors for the first and second pages of the document when the cover mode is selected will be described below with reference to FIG.

Each stamp color is selected from the following seven colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black), R (red), G (green) and B (blue). One color can be selected arbitrarily. The data is combined with the image memory of each plane according to the selected color (print data is added according to the stamp printing control described with reference to FIG. 7).

When the frame for realizing the specified color of the stamp is not included in the frames required for realizing the specified color mode, a frame for drawing only the stamp is separately required.

On the other hand, when the frame for realizing the designated color of the stamp is included in the frames necessary for realizing the designated color mode, the frame prepared for the designated color mode is Processing (composite)
Therefore, a separate frame for drawing only the stamp is not required.

When the cover mode is selected, the process of independently designating the stamp colors for the first page and the second page of the original is as shown in FIG. 1
Reference numerals 206 and 1207 combine the print data with each plane (frame) that outputs the print color specified for the cover page in the case of one page of the document, and at the same time, feed the paper from the specified cover page to create the document. Run the statue.

Reference numerals 1209 and 1210 are designated at the same time as the print data is combined with each plane (frame) to be output in the print color designated for the text with respect to the text page (pages of the second and subsequent pages of the document). Paper is fed from the paper feed tray for body pages and image formation is executed.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the result of the processing shown in FIG. In this case, the stamp color of the front cover is set to red and the stamp color of the text is set to black.

A process of independently designating the page print color for the first page and the second page of the original when the cover mode is selected will be described below with reference to FIG.

Each page printing color is selected from the following seven colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black), R (red), G (green) and B (blue). One color can be selected arbitrarily. Data is combined with the image memory of each plane according to the selected color (print data is added according to the page printing control described with reference to FIG. 8).

If the frame for realizing the specified page printing color is not included in the frames required for realizing the specified color mode, a separate frame for drawing only the page printing is required. Become.

On the other hand, when the frame for realizing the designated page printing color is included in the frames required for realizing the designated color mode, the frame prepared in the designated color mode is used. On the other hand, since processing (composition) is performed, a separate frame for drawing only the page print is not necessary.

When the cover mode is selected, the process for independently designating the page print color for the first and second pages of the document is as shown in FIG.
Reference numerals 1406 and 1407 combine print data with each plane (frame) that outputs the print color specified for the cover page in the case of one page of the original, and at the same time, feed the paper from the specified cover tray to create a document. Run the statue.

Reference numerals 1409 and 1410 are designated at the same time that the print data is combined with each plane (frame) to be output in the print color designated for the text with respect to the text page (the second and subsequent pages of the document). Paper is fed from the paper feed tray for body pages and image formation is executed.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the result of the processing shown in FIG. In this case, the page print color of the cover is set to red and the page print color of the body is set to black.

Now, with reference to FIG. 20, a description will be given of the process of independently designating the date print color for the first and second pages of the document when the cover mode is selected.

Each page print color is selected from the following seven colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black), R (red), G (green), and B (blue). One color can be selected arbitrarily. The data is combined with the image memory of each plane according to the selected color. (Print data is added according to the date printing control described with reference to FIG. 10 above.)

If the frame for realizing the specified color of the date print is not included in the frames required for realizing the specified color mode, a separate frame for drawing only the date print is required. Become.

On the other hand, if the frame for realizing the specified date printing color is included in the frames necessary for realizing the specified color mode, the frame prepared in the specified color mode is used. On the other hand, processing (synthesis)
Therefore, a separate frame for drawing only the date print is not required.

When the cover mode is selected, the process for independently designating the date print color for the first and second pages of the document is as shown in FIG. 1
Reference numerals 606 and 1607 combine print data with each plane (frame) that outputs the print color specified for the cover page in the case of one page of the original, and at the same time, feed from the specified cover tray to create the document. Run the statue.

Reference numerals 1609 and 1610 are designated at the same time that the print data is combined with each plane (frame) to be output in the print color designated for the text with respect to the text page (the second and subsequent pages of the document). Paper is fed from the paper feed tray for body pages and image formation is executed.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the result of the processing shown in FIG. In this case, the date print color of the front cover is set to red and the date print color of the body is set to black.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By combining the stamp function and the set value of the cover mode, it is possible to change the print color of the stamp of the cover page and the stamp of the page in the text, and it is possible to provide the print result desired by the user.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to change the page printing of the cover page and the page printing color in the body by combining the set values of the page printing function and the cover mode, and to obtain the printing result desired by the user. There is an effect that can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to change the date print color of the cover page and the date print color in the body by combining the set values of the date print function and the cover mode, and the print result desired by the user can be obtained. There is an effect that can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an engine configuration in a digital copying machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing three primary colors of colors according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration in a digital copying machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image transfer image from a scanner unit to a controller memory according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a single color copy by the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a two-color copy by the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing stamp control by the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing page printing control by the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a page print copy by the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing date printing control by the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a cover mode of the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing cover and stamp processing in the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a first diagram showing a printing result by the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a cover and page printing process in the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a second diagram showing a printing result by the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a cover and date printing process in the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a third diagram showing a printing result by the digital copying machine system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a first diagram showing a stamp color and a frame for combining stamps according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a second diagram showing a stamp color and a frame for combining stamps according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a third diagram showing a stamp color and a frame for combining stamps according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ADF 2 Document reading device 3 image writing unit 4 Image forming unit 5 Primary transfer unit 6 Secondary transfer unit 7 fixing unit 21 carriage 22 lens 23 CCD 24 buffers 31 laser beam 41 photoconductor 42 Charger 43 Color Development Department 44 Drum cleaning section 51 Intermediate transfer belt 52 Primary transfer part 53 Tension roller 54, 55 Secondary transfer roller 56 Cleaning Department 301 Scanner unit 302 Operation unit 303 image forming unit 304 printer engine

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C062 AA05 AB08 AB17 AB22 AB30                       AC02 AC04 AC15 AC24 AE03                       AF09 BC03                 5C076 AA14 AA26 BA06                 5C077 MP04 MP08 MP09 PP23 PP33                       PP37 SS01 SS02 TT06                 5C079 HA12 HA13 HB03 LA02 LA40                       LB11 PA02

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image reading device capable of reading a document in a full-color mode, a monochrome mode, a single-color mode, and a two-color mode, and images read by the image reading device are yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. An image memory capable of storing each color, an image forming apparatus for forming an image, and a controller for transferring the image data stored in the image memory to the image forming apparatus for each color. With the combination of the stamp function that combines the stamp on the cover page and the cover mode that prints the cover page of the original image on a different print paper from other pages, the stamp print can be performed on all pages including the cover page. When performing, the printing color of the stamp on the cover page and the stamp on other pages is changed. Digital copier system that. 2. An image reading device capable of reading a document in a full color mode, a monochrome mode, a single color mode, and a two-color mode, and an image read by the image reading device, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. An image memory capable of storing each of the colors, an image forming apparatus that forms an image, and a controller that transfers the image data stored in the image memory to the image forming apparatus for each color. A page printing function that combines the page number with
By the combination of the setting value of the cover mode of printing the cover page of the original image on a printing paper different from other pages,
A digital copying machine system, wherein a printing color of the page number on the cover page and a printing color of the page number on the other page are changed. 3. An image reading device capable of reading a document in a full-color mode, a monochrome mode, a single-color mode, and a two-color mode, and images read by the image reading device are yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. An image memory capable of storing each color, an image forming apparatus for forming an image, and a controller for transferring the image data stored in the image memory to the image forming apparatus for each color. The date printing function of adding the current date to the cover page and the cover mode of printing the cover page of the original image on a different printing paper from the other pages, the combination of the set values of the date of the cover page and the other A digital copying machine system characterized in that the print color of the date of the page is changed.