JPH03243934A - Image recordor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To arbitrarily changeover by a user and to reuse a mask original plate by providing a mode which sets the outputted number of pieces from a mask original plate and a mode which sets the outputted number of pieces from a panel switch. CONSTITUTION:When the mode for setting outputted number of pieces is selected by detecting the outputted number of pieces data printed on the mask original plate by a changeover means 92a, the outputted number of pieces data printed on the mask original plate is detected by a detecting means 103 and the outputted number of pieces is set. Furthermore, when the mode which sets the outputted number of pieces based on the data inputted from an inputting means 92b by the changeover means 92a is selected, the outputted number of pieces is set from the data of the outputted number of pieces inputted by an inputting means 92b. Thus, even when the outputted number of pieces which differs from the printed outputted number of pieces data is to be outputted, the outputted number of pieces can be directly set, and the mask original plate can be reused.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that exposes a photosensitive recording medium using a mask original.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a method for recording a color image on a color-compatible photosensitive recording medium, a color separation mask original plate (hereinafter referred to as a mask original plate) of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is used from a color original image. The photosensitive recording medium is exposed to light corresponding to the mask image by stacking it on a photosensitive recording medium and irradiating it with light from a light source, hardening the microcapsules on the surface and recording a color image. Image recording devices are known.

On the mask master plate, image information corresponding to each color is printed in the image area, and in the non-image area there are alignment marks for aligning the mask master plate to a predetermined position, identification marks for each plate, and output. Barcode data and the like indicating the number of sheets are printed, and the number of output sheets is set by reading the barcode data indicating the number of output sheets with an image recording device.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when a previously used mask original is reused instead of a mask original input directly from a laser printer, the output number setting is determined based on the number of mask originals to be reused. This is set by reading the barcode data that indicates the number of output sheets at the time of creation, so if the number of color images required by the user differs from the output number data printed on the mask master plate to be reused, a new one will be set. However, there is a problem in that the cost and time required to re-create the mask original plate are wasted.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the number of output sheets can be set in two modes: a mode in which the number of output sheets is set by reading barcode data printed on the mask master, and a mode in which the number of output sheets is set by reading barcode data printed on the mask original plate. By providing a mode for setting the number of output sheets by directly inputting it to the image recording device, the image recording device can It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording device that enables reuse of mask originals by directly setting the number of output sheets.

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to achieve this objective, a mask original is superimposed on a photosensitive recording medium, and light from a light source is irradiated from above, thereby making the photosensitive recording medium correspond to the mask image. In an image recording apparatus configured to expose to light, a detection means for detecting data indicating the number of output sheets printed on the mask original, an input means for inputting a setting for the number of output sheets, and a detection means for inputting a setting for the number of output sheets, and a detection means for detecting data indicating the number of output sheets printed on the mask original plate; The apparatus includes means for switching between a mode set based on data detected by the means and a mode set based on data inputted by the input means.

[Function] According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention having the above configuration, when the switching means selects the mode in which the number of output sheets is set by detecting the output number data printed on the mask original, the detection The output number data printed on the mask original is detected by means and the output number is set. Furthermore, when the switching means selects a mode in which the number of output sheets is set based on the data inputted from the input means, the number of output sheets is set according to the data of the number of output sheets inputted from the input means.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a monochrome laser printer 1 and a color image recording device 20 in a combined arrangement.

First, the monochrome laser printer 1 is mounted on top of the color image recording device 20. In the laser printer 1, a polygon scanner 2 irradiates a charged photoreceptor 3 with laser light, thereby drawing an electrostatic latent image. The photoconductor 3 on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed is developed by a developing device 4, and the toner image is transferred onto plain paper or an OHP sheet fed from a paper feed cassette 5, and fixed by a fixing device 6. Typically, the monochrome laser printer 1 records data transmitted from a host computer.

The output from the laser printer 1 is sent to the paper path switching unit 10.
If a black and white image is required, it is fed to the monochrome output tray 11 or automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) tray 12; if a color image is required, it is fed to the ADF.
After being delivered to the tray 12, it is taken into the color image recording device 20.

The sheets sent to the ADF tray 12 are taken into the color image recording device 20 one by one by the ADF paper feed roller 13, and a set of three sheets of monochrome printed paper output from the laser printer l is formed. Mask original plate 15 (15R, 15G, 15B) of color image recording device 20
) is used as.

Next, the configuration of the color image recording device 20 will be explained.

An alignment device 31 is located at the bottom of the main body of the color image recording device 20.
The space between them is connected by a mask original transport path 21. On both left and right sides of the alignment device 31, there are pairs of rollers 22, 23, whose rotation direction can be controlled. 24.25.26,27, Gate 2
8.29 and a mask original storage section 102 are arranged. In the middle of the mask original transport path 21, a laser printer 1 is installed.
a pair of glue curler rollers 101 for removing curls from the mask original plate 15 discharged from the mask original plate 15; and a sensor 10 for detecting barcode data printed on the mask original plate 15.
3 is placed. The sensor 103 is, for example, a light reflection type sensor using a combination of an LED and a photodiode.

The used mask original plate 1 is placed on the outside of the roller pair 26 and 27.
There is also a mask original discharge tray 30 for discharging the original mask.

The alignment device 31 includes a sensor par 35, a pair of rollers 32 and 33 arranged near both left and right ends, a glass plate 34 arranged between them, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows the sensor par 35 and the mask original 15. In the non-image area 15a of the mask original plate 15, there are a mark M1 for detecting only the position in the X direction in FIG. 2, a mark M2 for detecting the position in the X direction and the y direction, and a mark M3 for plate identification. M4 and barcode data pair 5 indicating the number of output sheets are printed. On the other hand, on the sensor par 35, the mark M1. M2. M3.
A position detection sensor Sl in the X direction is located at a position approximately corresponding to M4.
, S2, a position detection sensor S3 in the y direction, and a plate identification sensor S4. S5 is provided. All of the sensors are light reflection type sensors using a combination of an LED and a photodiode, for example.

An exposure device 41 is arranged below the alignment device 31, and the exposure device 41 is movable in the left-right direction along the alignment device 31.

The exposure device 41 includes a linear white light source (hereinafter referred to as a lamp) 42, a reflector 43 that reflects light from the lamp 42, and a filter unit 44 that includes a red filter 44R, a green filter 44G, and a blue filter 44B. ing.

The photosensitive recording medium 50 is, for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-14304.
The main material is a photocurable resin using a photopolymerization initiator known in Publication No. 4, and includes a photocurable resin that cures with light of each wavelength of red, green, and blue, and cyan, magenta, Microcapsules containing yellow dye precursors are coated on a base sheet. The photosensitive recording medium 50 is housed in a cartridge 51 so as not to be exposed to light. The photosensitive recording medium 50 passes from inside the cartridge 51 between the glass plate 34 and the exposure table 52, and passes through the buffer 55, separation roller 64, and pressure developing device 70.
It is routed through the drive roller 57 to the take-up roller 54. The exposure table 52 is lowered by a cam 53, and the mask original 1 conveyed onto the glass plate 34 is placed on the exposure table 52.
5 and the photosensitive recording medium 50 are brought into close contact with each other.

Further, the fixed roller 56 is pressed against the left end of the exposure table 52 when the exposure table 52 is lowered to a predetermined position.
The photosensitive recording medium 50 is placed on the exposure table 5 during exposure of the mask original 15.
It is arranged to be fixed at 2.

The developer sheet 60 is constructed by coating a base paper with a developer described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-88739, and is placed in the cassette 61 so that the developer-coated surface faces downward. It is set.

At the top of the cassette 61, a suction cup 62 for feeding the developer sheets 60 one by one is arranged.

The pressure developing device 70 is composed of a photosensitive recording medium 50 on which a latent image has been formed by exposure, and a pair of pressure rollers 71 for overlapping a color developer sheet 60 and developing it under pressure.

The heat fixing device 80 is constructed between a casing 83 containing a heater 81 and an impeller 82 in the upper part, rubber rollers 84, 85, 86 for conveying the color developer sheet 60 in the lower part, and rollers 87 and 88. A paper ejection tray 63 is attached to the outside of the heat fixing device 80.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a panel switch 90 into which the number of output sheets, etc. is input, and a hardware configuration of a portion related to setting the number of output sheets. The panel switch 90 is composed of a display section 91 and various types of keys 92. The control section is C
P093. It consists of a microcomputer centered on ROM94 and RAM95.

In the apparatus configured as described above, the operation when obtaining a plurality of color images from one set of mask originals will be described below.

First, the monochrome laser printer 1 creates a red mask original 15R. This mask original version 15R is
In order to harden the microcapsules containing a cyan dye precursor among the microcapsules coated on the photosensitive recording medium 50, this mask original plate has toner as a light-shielding image placed on other parts. At this time, the mask original 15R outputted from the monochrome laser printer 1 is sent to the ADF tray 12 and fed into the color image recording device 20 by the ADF paper feed roller 13.

Here, if the user has previously set the output number automatic input mode using the output number setting changeover key 92a of the panel switch 90, the color image recording device 20
The sensor 103 detects the barcode data of the number of output sheets printed on the mask original plate 15R fed inside, and the number of output sheets is set. And mask original version 15R
is sent to the alignment device 31 by a pair of rollers 24 and 22 that pass through the mask original transport path 21. On the way, the curl of the mask master plate 15R is corrected by the curler roller 101. At this time, the gate 28 is at the position indicated by the solid line.

Next, the alignment device 31 transports the mask original 15R to an appropriate exposure position by the roller pair 32, and then uses a drive source (not shown) to move the mask original 15R while reading the alignment mark printed on the mask original 15R with a sensor.
Move R to a predetermined position.

Immediately before alignment, the exposure table 52 is lowered to a predetermined position by a cam 53, and a fixed roller 5 is placed on the left end of the exposure table 52.
6 is pressed to fix the photosensitive recording medium 50 to the exposure table 52. After the alignment is completed, the exposure table 52 is further lowered by the cam 53, and the glass plate 34 of the alignment device 31
The mask original plate 15R and the photosensitive recording medium 50 are brought into close contact with each other.

When the exposure table 52 comes into close contact with the alignment device 31, the lamp 42
is turned on, and the exposure device 41 performs scanning exposure in the direction of arrow A in order to expose the photosensitive recording medium 50 with red light via the red filter 44R and the mask original 15R. When the exposure is completed, the lamp 42 is turned off and the exposure device 4 is turned off.
1 moves back in the direction of arrow B. At this time, the filter unit 44 of the exposure device 41 is moved by a drive source (not shown), and the green filter 44G is positioned above the lamp 42.

While the exposure device 41 moves backward, the exposure table 52 is raised by the rotation of the cam 53, and the photosensitive recording medium 50 is separated from the alignment device 31 and the mask original 15R. At this time, pack tension is applied to the photosensitive recording medium 50 at the center of roll rotation of the photosensitive recording medium 50 in the cartridge 51, and when the exposure table 52 is lowered, a length corresponding to the amount of descent of the exposure table 52 is applied. Saga storage cartridge 5
1, and after the exposure is completed, the exposure stage 52
When the recording medium 50 rises, the photosensitive recording medium 50 is rewound in a direction to take up the slack.

Even after the exposure of the red mask master plate 15R is completed, the exposure table 52 only rises to a predetermined position, and the photosensitive recording medium 50 is moved to the exposure table 52 by a fixed roller 56 pressed against the left end of the exposure table 52. remains fixed.

Next, the green mask original plate 15G created by the monochrome laser printer 1 is
When the sheet passes through the F paper feed roller 13, recurler roller 101, and mask original transport path 21, and reaches just before the roller pair 24,
The roller pairs 22, 24° 25.27 and the roller pair 32° 33 of the alignment device 31 are rotated in the direction of conveying the mask original 15R to the right, and at the same time the mask original 15R is sent out from the alignment device 31. 15G is transported to the exposure position and stopped. At this time, gate 28.29
is located at the position indicated by the solid line, and the exposed mask original 15R is held between the pair of rollers 27 and passed through the rear end of the gate 29 by stopping the rotation of the pair of rollers 27.

The mask original 15G guided by the alignment device 31 is aligned with the photosensitive recording medium 50 in the same manner as the mask original 15R, and then the exposure table 52 is lowered to align the mask original 15G with the photosensitive recording medium 50. Being brought into close contact. after that,
The lamp 42 is turned on and exposure to green light is performed via the green filter 44G. After the exposure is completed, the exposure table 52 is raised to a predetermined position. The exposure device 41 is moved back to the original position, and the filter unit 44 is moved so that the blue filter 44B is positioned above the lamp 42.

Next, the blue mask original plate 15B created by the monochrome laser printer 1 or the color image recording device 2
0 and conveyed just before the roller pair 24, the roller pair 24.22°25.26 and the alignment device 31
The pair of rollers 3233 are rotated in a direction to convey the mask original 15G to the right, so that the mask original 15G is sent out from the alignment device 31, and the mask original 15B is conveyed to the exposure position and stopped. At this time, the gate 28 is located at the position shown by the solid line, and the gate 29 is located at the position shown by the broken line. 27
It is maintained by stopping the rotation of.

The mask original 15B guided by the alignment device 31 is brought into close contact with the photosensitive recording medium 50 by a similar operation. The photosensitive recording medium 50 is exposed to blue light through the mask original 15B.

Through the above operations, a latent image of a desired color image is recorded on the photosensitive recording medium 50.

Next, the exposure table 52 is raised to the initial position, the fixed roller 56 and the left end of the exposure table 52 are separated from each other, and the buffer 55 is moved in the direction of the arrow E to remove the unexposed portions of the photosensitive recording medium 50. The cartridge 51 is pulled out below the exposure table 52. Drive roller 57
The photosensitive recording medium 50 is conveyed and stopped when the leading edge of the latent image reaches the pressure roller 71 of the pressure developing device 70.

In synchronization with the movement of the photosensitive recording medium 50, the developer sheet 60 is fed out from the cassette 61 by a suction cup 62 until the tip of the developer sheet 60 corresponds to the tip of the latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 50. After being transported, it stops.

Next, the pressure developing device 70 is driven by a drive device (not shown).
The pressure roller 71 is pressed while being rotated in the direction of the arrow. At this time, by lowering the exposure table 52 to a predetermined position again, the fixed roller 56 is pressed against the left end of the exposure table 52, and the photosensitive recording medium 50 is fixed to the exposure table 52. The photosensitive recording medium 50 is conveyed under pressure while being overlapped with the color developer sheet 1-60, and the uncured microcapsules on the photosensitive recording medium 50 are destroyed by the pressure, and the latent particles on the photosensitive recording medium 50 are A color image corresponding to the image is developed on the developer sheet 60.

By rotating the pressure roller 71 of the pressure developing device 70 in the direction of the arrow, the buffer 55 is moved in the direction of the arrow F. The color developer sheet 60 is peeled off from the photosensitive recording medium 50 by a separation roller 64 and guided toward a heat fixing device 80 .

In the heat fixing device 80, the color developer sheet 60 is heated by a heater 81 and heated by air circulating in a casing 83 by an impeller 82, thereby promoting color development of a color image. At the same time, the binder polymer (binder resin) for fixing the color developing medium to the base paper of the color developer sheet 60 is thermally melted, and the surface becomes smooth, giving the surface of the color developer sheet 600 an appropriate level of gloss. It will be done. The color developer sheet 60 that has been subjected to color development and gloss treatment is discharged to a paper discharge tray 63.

During the above-described series of development and coloring/glossy processing, the photosensitive recording medium 50 is held and fixed between the exposure table 52 and the fixed roller 56. Therefore, while the development processing for one screen is being performed, the next exposure point is It is possible to perform exposure processing on the latent image of a color image.

When exposing the second color image, first, the mask original 15B at the exposure position is sent to the left, and the mask original 15R held at the position of the roller pair 27 is sent to the alignment device 31 by the rollers. vs. 24, 22, 25
．． 27 and the pair of rollers 32 and 33 of the alignment device 31 are rotated so as to convey the mask original 15R to the left. At this time, the gates 28 and 29 are located at the positions indicated by solid lines.

The mask original plate 15B is held between a pair of rollers 24 and a gate 28
The rotation of the pair of rollers 24 is stopped and held at the position where the rear end has passed. The mask original 15R sent to the alignment device 31 is aligned and placed on the photosensitive recording medium 50.
be brought into close contact with The photosensitive recording medium 50 is a mask original plate 15
is exposed to red light through R.

Next, the mask original 15R at the exposure position is sent to the left, and the roller pair 26 is moved to send the mask original 15G held at the position of the roller pair 26 to the alignment device 31.
2, 23, 25, 26 and roller pair 3 of alignment device 31
2.33 is rotated so as to convey the mask original 15G to the left.

At this time, the gates 28 and 29 are located at the positions indicated by broken lines. The mask original 15R is held between the pair of rollers 23 and held by stopping the rotation of the pair of rollers 23 at the position where the rear end passes through the gate 28. Alignment device 31
The mask original 15G sent to the photosensitive recording medium 50 is aligned and brought into close contact with the photosensitive recording medium 50. Photosensitive recording medium 50
is exposed to green light through the mask original 15G.

Next, the mask original 15G at the exposure position is sent out to the right, and the same operation is performed to send the mask original 15B held at the position of the roller pair 24 to the alignment device 31, and the color is placed on the photosensitive recording medium 50. A latent image of the image is formed to form a color image on the developer sheet 60.

By repeating the same operation, one set of mask originals 1
5, a predetermined number of color images can be output.

After obtaining the required number of color images from the same mask original 15, each mask original 15 is discharged from the roller pair 27 or the roller pair 26 to the paper discharge tray 30.

In addition, if the next mask original 15 is output from the monochrome laser printer 1 while a series of color images are being exposed, it is temporarily stored in the ADF tray 12 and the exposure of the previous set is completed. Then, the ADF paper feed roller 13 feeds the paper sheets one by one into the color image recording apparatus 20.

Next, a case will be described in which the previously used mask original 15 is used again. Place the mask original 15 on the ADF tray 12
The mask original 15 can be input by setting it to the head. At this time, if the number of color images to be output is the same as the one used before, the number of outputs can be set using the panel switch to set the number of outputs to automatic input mode.
3, the barcode data printed on the mask original 15 is read and the number of output sheets is set.

If the number of color images to be output is different from the previous use, press the output number setting switch key 92a of the panel switch 90.
By setting the output sheet number panel input mode, the output sheet number is set by inputting from the output sheet number hole key 92b, and the bar code data printed on the mask original plate 15 is ignored.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the output number setting process. In step S1 (hereinafter referred to as S1, and the same applies to other steps), it is determined by the output sheet number setting switch key 92a of the panel switch 90 whether or not the output sheet number automatic input mode is set. If the determination is YES, barcode data on the mask original 15 is read by the sensor 103 in S2. The read output sheet number data is set at 83 as the output sheet number. In addition, when the output number panel input mode is in which the judgment of Sl is NO, the panel switch 9
The output number data input from the output number hole key 92b of 0 is read.

The read output sheet number data is set as the output sheet number in S3. Then, in S5, the color image creation process is performed for the set number of output sheets, and this flow ends.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the detailed description above, according to the present invention, the number of output sheets of a color image is set by reading barcode data printed on the mask original plate. mode and a mode in which the user sets the number of output sheets by inputting the number of output sheets from the panel switch, and the user can switch at will.
It is possible to output a number of output sheets different from the number of output sheets printed on the mask original plate, which has the effect of making it possible to reuse the mask original plate.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 show embodiments embodying the present invention; FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image recording apparatus using the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a mask original and a sensor bar. , 3rd
The figure is a configuration diagram of the hardware related to the panel switch and output number setting, and FIG. It is a sensor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image recording device in which a mask original is superimposed on a photosensitive recording medium, and light from a light source is irradiated from above to expose the photosensitive recording medium to light corresponding to the mask image. , a detection means for detecting data indicating the number of output sheets printed on the mask master plate; an input means for inputting a setting for the number of output sheets; An image recording apparatus comprising means for switching between a mode to be set and a mode to be set based on data input by the input means.