JPH0346646A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely read an image of a large transmitting type original by placing the transmitting type original on an image reader main body, projecting light from a film projecter onto the original, and providing such an adhering mode that the transmitting light of the original is read. CONSTITUTION:When the transmitting type original such as film is placed on a film projecter 64, such a projecting mode is set that the image of the transmitting type original is projected on the image reader main body 30 by the film projecter 64 whereby the projected image is read. Simultaneously, when the transmitting type original is placed on the image reader main body 30, the light from the film projecter 14 is projected on the transmitting type original, and such an adhering mode is set that the image shown by the transmitting light is read. Thus, even when an image is recorded to film too large to be housed in the film projecter, it can be read.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application) The present invention provides an image recording apparatus that projects an image recorded on a transmissive original such as a film onto the main body of an image reading apparatus using a film projector and reads the projected image. The present invention relates to an image reading device for reading images recorded on the original.

(Prior Art) Images recorded on various films such as 35 mm film are generally printed to a desired size by printing them onto photosensitive paper. However, this method of printing on photosensitive paper requires highly specialized techniques and special equipment, and it has not been possible for the general public to print easily. In addition, the price of printing was very high, and it was not possible to easily print images on film to a desired size.

On the other hand, in recent years, the technology of color copying machines has advanced and it has become possible to make color copies of images recorded on paper with high precision. In addition, including the scaling function,
Various types of image processing that are possible by treating images as digital signals improve color reproduction ability, improve definition,
Color copiers are becoming more multi-functional, including processing such as image compositing, in order to meet the needs of users.

For this reason, images recorded on various types of film are projected by a film projector, and the projected images are read photoelectrically by an image reading device equipped with a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD sensor in a digital color copier. It has been proposed to obtain a color image signal and use the copying machine to perform color copying based on this image signal. In addition, it is also possible to attach a film projector to a conventional analog/log copying machine and copy the film image projected by the film projector, or to print by exposing the projected image directly to a photoreceptor. There is.

When projecting an original film using a film projector, the original film is mounted on the film projector, and then the light from the film projector's light source lamp is irradiated, and the transmitted light is diverted by a mirror unit to make a color copy of the film image. The image is projected onto a Fresnel lens on the machine's platen. The film image projected onto the Fresnel lens is electrically read by a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD sensor in an imaging unit of a color copying machine.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, the film projected by the above-mentioned film projector is not compatible with, for example, negative film, which is most often used by ordinary people when taking photographs with a camera, or projection with a slide projector. It is a relatively small film such as a reversal film used, and such a small film can easily be attached to a film projector.

However, some films, such as those used for design-related work, are relatively large, and such large films cannot be accommodated in film projectors. For this reason, it is not possible to copy a film image projected by a film projector using a color copying machine as in the past. However, it is desirable to be able to easily copy images recorded on such large films using a color copying machine.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an image reading device that can read images recorded on a film too large to fit into a film projector. The goal is to provide the following.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device that can easily read images on such a large film.

(Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, a transmissive original such as a film is mounted on a film projector, and the image of the transmissive original is projected by the film projector. A projection mode is set to capture the projected image by projecting it onto the main body of the image reading device, and a transmissive original is placed on top of the main body of the image reading device and the light from the film projector is projected onto the transmissive original. A close-contact mode is set in which the image is read using the transmitted light.

In that case, you can select whether to set the image reading device to projection mode or close contact mode by operating either a key on the image reading device itself or a key on the film projector. I'm trying to make it possible.

In addition, the image reading device is set in various modes within the close contact mode depending on the type of the transmissive original. The settings of these modes can also be selected by operating either a key provided on the main body of the image reading device or a key provided on the film projector. The main body of the image reading apparatus switches the image reading area depending on the selected mode.

In addition, the transmissive original can be guided by the image reading device itself.
This allows it to be placed accurately in the second predetermined position. In that case, the guide is removably provided on the main body of the image reading apparatus.

On the other hand, when the close contact mode is selected and a film detection mechanism provided in the film projector detects that a film is attached to the film projector, the image reading device body prohibits the reading operation. . This prevents double copying of images.

Furthermore, a correction filter corresponding to each mode is prepared for each of the various modes set according to the type of transmissive original, and a correction filter corresponding to the selected mode is prepared by a correction filter exchange mechanism provided in the film projector. I have the filter selected automatically. In that case, the correction filter replacement operation is started when the mode is selected. Further, the image reading operation of the main body of the image reading apparatus is prohibited while the correction filter is being replaced.

(Example) Examples of the present invention will be described below.

Table of Contents Prior to the explanation of the embodiment, a table of contents for explanation of the present embodiment will be shown. In addition, in the following explanation, (1) to (II
) is a section that explains the outline of the overall configuration of a color copying machine when the image reading device main body of the image reading device according to the present invention is applied to a digital color copying machine, and is a section of the gist of the image reading device of the present invention. The term (m) describes the example of .

(I) Overview of the equipment (I-1) Equipment configuration (I-2) System functions and features (I-3) Electrical control system configuration (IT) Specific configuration of each part (■-1) System ( , Tl-2) Image input terminal (IIT) (I
T-3) Image processing system (IPS) (IT-4)
Image output terminal (IOT) (II-5) User interface (U/I) (nr) Transparent original image reading device (T11-”1) General configuration of the image reading device (m-2) Image reading device configuration Reading mode (III-3) Main functions of image reading device (III-4)
Image signal processing (ITf-5) Overall control (III-6) Interface correlation in each module of the color copier (m-7) Operation procedure and signal timing (1) Device overview (I-1) Device configuration No. 2 The figure shows an example of the overall configuration of a color copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

A color copying machine to which the present invention is applied includes a base machine 30 that has a basic configuration: a platen glass 31 on which documents are placed on two sides, an image input terminal (IIT) 32, an electrical system control storage section 33, an image input terminal It consists of a digital output terminal (IOT) 34, a paper tray 35, and a user interface (U/I) 36. As options, an edit pad 61, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 62, a sorter 63, and a film projector (F/P) 64. Go to 11.

Electrical hardware is required to control the IIT, IOT, U/I, etc., but these hardwares include the IPS, U/I, F/I, etc. that performs image processing on the output signals of the IIT, IIT, etc. It is divided into multiple boards for each processing unit such as P, and there is also a SYS that controls them.
It is housed in the electrical control system storage section 33 together with the board and an MCB board (master control board) for controlling the IOT, ADF, sorter, etc.

The IIT 32 consists of an imaging unit 37, a wire 38 for driving the unit, a drive pulley 39, etc. The IIT 32 uses a CCD line sensor and a color filter in the imaging unit 37 to convert color originals into primary colors of light B (
It reads each of blue), G (green), and R (2-red), converts it into a digital image signal, and outputs it to the engineering PS.

In IPS, the B, G, and R signals of the IIT32 are converted into toner primary colors Y (yellow), C (cyan), M (magenta), and K (black), and further changes in color, gradation, definition, etc. In order to improve reproducibility, various data processing is performed to convert the process color gradation toner signal into an on/off binary toner signal, which is output to the machine ○T34.

10T34 has a scanner 40, a sensitive material belt 41,
The image signal from the IPS is converted into an optical signal in the laser output section 40a, and is transmitted to the photosensitive material belt 4 via the polygon mirror 40b, F10 lens 40c, and reflection mirror 40d.
A latent image corresponding to the original image is formed on the original image. The sensitive material belt 41 is driven by a drive pulley 41a, and surrounded by a cleaner 41b and chargers 41c, Y, and M.
, C, and K developing devices 41d and a transfer device 41e are arranged. A transfer device 42 is provided opposite to the transfer device 41e, and holds the paper sent from the paper tray 35 through the paper conveyance path 35a. 4
Rotate and transfer Y, M, C1K onto the paper in this order.

The transferred paper is transferred from the transfer device 42 to the vacuum conveyance device 43.
The image is then fixed in a fixing device 45 and discharged. Furthermore, sheets are also selectively supplied to the sheet transport path 35a from an SSI (single sheet inserter) 35b.

The U/I 36 allows the user to select a desired function and instruct its execution conditions, and is equipped with a color display 51, a hard control panel 52 next to it, and an infrared touch board 53 to control the screen. Direct instructions can be given using soft buttons. Next, options for the base machine 30 will be explained. One is that an edit pad 61, which is a coordinate input device, is placed on the platen glass 31, and various image edits can be performed using an input pen or a memory card. In addition, the existing ADF
62, it is possible to attach a sorter 63.

Furthermore, the feature of this embodiment is that the platen glass 31
A mirror unit (M/U) 65 is placed on top, and the F
/P 64 to project the film image, IIT32
By reading the image signal as an image signal with the imaging unit 37, it is possible to make a color copy directly from the color film. The target document can be negative film, positive film, or slide, and is equipped with an autofocus device and an automatic correction filter exchange device.

(1-2) Functions and Features of the System (A) Functions The present invention fully automates the process from entry to exit of copying operations while providing a wide variety of functions that meet the needs of users. A major feature of this system is that it can be easily operated by anyone by displaying functions, execution conditions, and other menus on a display such as a CRT.

Its main functions include start, stop, all clear, numeric keypad, included, information, language switching, etc. that cannot be specified in the operation flow by operating the bart control spring 5.
Various functions can be selected by touching soft buttons on the basic screen. In addition, by touching the pathway tab corresponding to the pathway in the function selection area, you can select various editing functions such as marker editing, business editing, creative editing, etc., and you can make full-color and black-and-white copies with easy operations that feel like conventional copying. It can be carried out.

A major feature of this device is its four-color full-color function, in addition to which three colors and black can be selected.

For paper supply, automatic paper selection and paper specification are possible.

The reduction/enlargement can be set in 1% increments within the range of 50 to 400%, and it also has a partial magnification function that independently sets the vertical and horizontal magnifications, and an automatic magnification selection function.

16- Copy density is automatically adjusted for black and white originals.

Automatic color balance adjustment is performed for color originals.
Color balance allows you to specify the colors you want to reduce on your copy.

The job program can read and write jobs using a memory card, and up to eight jobs can be stored on the memory card. It has a capacity of 32 kilobytes and is programmable for jobs other than film projector mode.

In addition, additional functions include copy output, copy sharpness, copy contrast, copy position, film projector, page programming, and margin functions.

For the copy output, if a sorter is attached as an option and Uncollated is selected, the maximum adjustment function will work to adjust the set number of sheets to within the maximum bin storage value.

Copy sharpness, which emphasizes edges, is available as an option with 7-step manual sharpness adjustment,
P photo), Character (Character),
Halftone printing (Print), mixing of photos and text (Ph
ot.

/Character) is provided. You can also set the default and tool pathways as you like.

Copy contrast can be controlled by the operator in 7 steps, and the default can be set as desired using the tool path.

The copy position is a function for selecting a position on a sheet of paper to place a copy image, and has an optional auto-centering function for placing the center of the copy image on the center of the sheet, and the default is auto-centering.

The film projector is a device that can make copies from various types of film, and can project 35mm negatives and positives, has a 35mm negative platen, and is 6cm x 6cm.
You can choose between m slide platen placement and 4 in x 41n slide platen placement. With a film projector, A4 paper is automatically selected unless you select a specific paper, and there is also a color balance function in the film projector pop-up. When adjusted to taste, it is corrected to look bluish.It also has its own automatic density control and manual density control.

Page programming includes a cover function that attaches a front/back cover or front cover to copies, an insert function that inserts blank or colored paper between copies, a color mode that allows you to set the color mode for each page of the original, and a color mode that allows you to set the color mode for each page of the original. There is a paper selection function that allows you to select the paper tray and set it in conjunction with the color mode.

The margin can be set in 1 mm increments within the range of 0 to 30 mm, and only one side can be specified for one document.

Marker editing is a function that edits the area surrounded by markers, and is intended for documents. Therefore, the original is treated as a black and white original, and when in black mode, the specified area is
The colors are returned to the palette colors on RT, and areas outside the designated area are copied in black. In addition, when in red-black mode +9-, the image is converted to red, the area outside the area becomes a red-black copy, trim, mass, color mesh, black t.
o Color function is provided. Note that the area specification is performed by drawing a closed loop on the document surface or by specifying the area using the numeric keypad or edit pad. The same applies to area specification in each editing function below. The designated area is then displayed in a similar shape in the bitmap area of the CRT J:.

Trim copies only the image within the marked area in black and white,
Images outside the marked area are erased.

The mask erases the image within the marked area and copies only the image outside the marked area in black and white.

With color mesh, a specified inclusion pattern is placed within the marked area, the image is copied in black and white, and the colors of the color mesh are 8 standard QI 4 colors (predetermined colors) and 8 registered colors (registered by the user). 16 in the color
You can select from 700,000 colors (up to 8 colors can be registered at the same time), and you can select from 4 mesh patterns.

With black to color, the image 20- in the marked area can be copied in a specified color selected from 8 standard colors and 8 registered colors.

Business editing aims to quickly create high-quality originals mainly for business documents.The manuscript is treated as a full-color manuscript, and all functions require specification of areas or points, and multiple functions can be set for one manuscript.

When in black/mono color mode, areas other than the specified area are copied in black or mono color, and black images are copied within the area.
The color is converted to the palette color on RT, and in red-black mode, areas outside the specified area are copied in red and black, and areas inside the area are converted to red. In addition to trim, mask, color mesh, and black to color as in the case of marker editing, logotype,
It has the following functions: Line, Paint 1, Collection, and Function Clear.

Logotype is a function that allows you to insert a logo such as a symbol mark at a specified point, and two types of logos can be placed vertically and horizontally. However, only one logo pattern can be set for one document, and the logo pattern is prepared for each customer and supplied from the ROM.

Line is a function that draws perpendicular or horizontal lines to the X-axis using a two-point display.The line color can be selected for each line from 8 standard colors and 8 registered colors, and there is no limit to the number of lines that can be specified. Up to seven colors can be used at one time.

Paint 1 is a function that fills the inside of a closed loop with a color selected from 8 standard colors and 8 registered colors for each loop by specifying one point inside the closed loop.

The net can be selected from four patterns for each area, the number of loops that can be specified is unlimited, and the number of included patterns that can be used is up to seven.

The collection function includes area/point change where you can check and modify the setting function for each area, area/point collection where you can change area size and point position in increments of one old, and area where you can delete a specified area. / It has a point cancellation mode, which allows you to fix, change, and erase the specified area.

Creative editing includes image composition, copy-on-copy, color composition, partial image shift, multi-page enlargement, paint 1, color mesh, color conversion, negative/positive repeat, paint 2, density control, color balance, copy contrast. , copy sharpness, color mode, trim, mask, mirror image, margin, line,
Shift, Logotype, Split Scan, Collection, Function Clear, Add Function
This function treats the original as a color original.Multiple functions can be set for one original, and functions can be used together for one area.
The area to be specified is a rectangle specified by two points and a point specified by one point.

Image composition is a function that copies a base original in color in 4 cycles, holds the paper on a transfer device, then copies the trimmed original in 4 cycles and outputs the same.

23- Copy-on-copy is a function that, after copying the first original in 4 cycles, holds the paper on the transfer device, and subsequently copies and outputs the second original in 4 cycles.

The color composition is made by copying the first original in magenta, then holding the paper on the transfer device, then copying the second original in cyan, holding the paper on the transfer device, and then copying the third original. This is a function to overlay the image in yellow and output it after copying. In the case of a 4-color composition, it also overlays it in black and outputs it after copying.

Partial image shift is a function that holds the paper on the transfer device after color copying in 4 cycles, and then copies and outputs the paper overlappingly in 4 cycles.

Among the color modes, in full color mode, copies are made in 4 cycles, in 3-color color mode, copies are made in 3 cycles, except when edit mode is set, and in black mode, except when edit mode is set, copies are made in 1 cycle. Copies in cycles, and in plus 1 color mode copies in 1 to 3 cycles.

24- Tool Pathways include Auditron, Machine Setup, Default Selection, Color Registration, Film Type Registration, Color Correction, Presets, Film Projector Scan Area Correction, Audio Tone, Timer Set, Pilling Meter, Diagnostic Mode, and Maximum Adjustment. , memory card formatting is provided. In order to make settings or changes to this pathway, you must enter your PIN number. Therefore, set /
Only key operators and customer engineers can make changes. However, only the customer engineer can enter the diagnostic mode.

Color registration is used to register colors to register color buttons in the color palette, and is read from a color original using a CCD line sensor.

Color correction is used to fine-tune the colors registered in the register color buttons.

Film type registration is used to register the register film type used in the film projector mode, and if it is not registered, the register button cannot be selected on the film projector mode screen.

Presets include reduction/enlargement values, copy density 7 steps,
Copy sharpness 7 steps, copy contrast 7
Preset steps.

Film projector scan area collection
Adjust the scan area in film projector mode.

Audio tone adjusts the volume used for selected sounds, etc.

The timer setting is for setting a timer that can be released to the key operator.

In addition, there is a crash recovery function that restarts the subsystem when it enters a crash state, a function that puts the subsystem into fault mode if it cannot return to normal even after performing crash recovery twice, and a function that causes jams. There are also functions to deal with abnormal systems, such as an emergency shutdown function in the event of an abnormality.

Furthermore, combinations of basic copy and additional functions, basic/additional functions and marker editing, business editing, creative editing, etc. are also possible.

The entire system of the present invention having the above functions has the following features.

(B) Features (a) Achievement of high image quality in full color This device improves black image quality, light color reproducibility, generation copy quality, OHP image quality, fine line reproducibility, image quality reproducibility of film copies, and copy maintainability. , aiming to achieve high-quality, full-color images that can clearly reproduce color documents.

(b) Lower cost Photoconductor Reduces the cost of developing machines, toner, and other art materials and consumables, reduces service costs such as UMR and parts costs, and makes it possible to use it as a black-and-white copier. The copy speed is also 3 times faster than the conventional one.
By achieving approximately double the printing capacity of 30 sheets/A4 = 27-2, we aim to reduce the unit cost of low-grade copies in terms of running costs.

(c) Improving productivity The input/output device is equipped with an ADF and a sorter (optional) to enable processing of multiple documents.The magnification can be selected from 50 to 400%.The maximum document size is A3, and the upper paper tray is B5.
~B4, middle row B5-B4, lower row B5-A3.5SIB5
~A3, and the copy speed is 4 full colors, 4.8 CPM for A4, 4.8 CPM for B4. 8CPM, A3 2. 4
CPM, black and white, 19.2 CPM for A4, 19. for B4.
2CPM, 9.6CPM on A3, warm-up time 8
Within minutes, FCOT achieves 28 seconds or less for 4 full colors and 7 seconds or less for black and white, and the continuous copy speed achieves 7.5 full color sheets/A4 and 30 black and white sheets/A4, achieving high productivity. I'm trying.

(d) Improved operability Hard buttons and CR on the hard control panel
The soft buttons on the T-screen soft panel are made using Inno1 technology, making it easy for beginners to understand and for experienced users to directly select the function content, while concentrating operations in one place to improve operability. The system uses colors effectively to accurately convey the necessary information to the operator. High-fidelity copying is performed only by operating the node control panel and the basic screen. Start, stop, all clear, interrupts, etc. that cannot be specified in the operation flow are performed by operating the node buttons, paper selection, reduction/enlargement, etc. , copy density, image quality adjustment, color mode, color balance adjustment, etc. can be operated naturally by users of conventional single-color copy machines through basic screen soft panel operations. Furthermore, various editing functions can be opened and selected by simply touching the pathway tab in the pathway area of the soft panel. Furthermore, by storing the copy mode, its execution conditions, etc. in advance in the memory card, it is possible to automate certain operations.

(E) Enhanced functionality By touching the pathway tab in the pathway area of the software panel, you can open a pathway and select various editing functions.For example, marker editing uses a tool called marker to edit black and white documents. With business editing, you can quickly create high-quality originals mainly for business documents, and with creative editing, you can quickly create high-quality original documents.
We are able to accommodate specialists such as copy service providers and key operators. In addition, the area specified in the editing function is displayed as a bitmap area, allowing you to confirm the specified area.

In this way, the rich editing functions and color creation can greatly amplify the expressive power of writing.

(f) Achievement of power saving Achieving a high-performance copying machine with 4 full colors and 1.5kVA. Therefore, 1.5kV in each operation mode
A control method to achieve A has been determined, and power distribution by function has been determined to set target values. In addition, an energy system table is created to determine energy transmission routes, and energy systems are managed and verified.

(C) Example of differentiation The copying machine to which the present invention is applied is capable of full-color and black-and-white printing, is easy for beginners to understand, allows experienced users to make copies without bothering them, and is equipped with various functions to make copying easier. Since it is possible not only to take pictures but also to create originals, it can be used by professionals and artists, and in this point, it is possible to differentiate the use of copying machines. An example of its use is shown below.

For example, posters, calendars, which were traditionally printed,
Cards, invitations, New Year's cards with photos, etc. can be produced at a much lower cost than printing if the number of cards is not very large. In addition, by making full use of editing functions, it is possible to create original calendars according to one's taste, for example. It becomes possible to create things.

In addition, as seen in interiors and electrical products in recent years, colors affect sales volume, and by copying colored designs at the production stage of interiors and clothing items, multiple people can work on the design and colors as well. It is possible to develop new colors that improve consumption. In particular, in the apparel industry, when ordering products from distant production sites, by sending a colored copy of the completed drawing, colors can be specified more accurately than before, improving work efficiency. I can do it.

Furthermore, since this device can be used for both color and black-and-white printing, it is possible to make the required number of copies of a single document in black-and-white or color, as needed. Therefore, for example, when learning color science at Naimon School or university, it is possible to express colored designs in both black and white and color, and by comparing the two, it is possible to understand that, for example, red is almost gray. You can also learn about the effects of brightness and coloring on visual perception, such as being able to see at a glance that they have the same brightness.

(I-3) Configuration of Electrical System Control System In this section, the hardware architecture, software architecture, and state division of the electrical control system of this copying machine will be explained.

(A) Hardware architecture and software architecture When a color CRT is used as a UI like this copying machine, the amount of data for color display increases compared to when a monochrome CRT is used, and the display screen Structure If you try to create a more friendly I by devising screen transitions, the amount of data will increase.

On the other hand, although it is possible to use a CPU with a large memory capacity, the board becomes large, making it difficult to store it in the copier itself, and making it difficult to respond flexibly to changes in specifications. However, there are problems such as high cost and so on.

Therefore, in this copying machine, a technology that can be shared with other models or devices such as a CRT controller is used as a remote to distribute the CPU to cope with the increase in the amount of data.

The electrical hardware is as shown in Figure 3.
It is roughly divided into three types: UI system, sys system, and MCB system. The UI system includes a UI remote 70, and the sys system includes an F/P remote 72 that controls the F/P, an engineering IT remote 73 that reads manuscripts, and an IPS remote 74 that performs various image processing. . IIT remote 73 is an IIT remote for controlling the imaging unit.
IT controller 73a and VIDEO circuit 7 which digitizes the read image signal and sends it to IPS remote 74
VCPU 74 along with IPS remote 74.
Controlled by a. SYS (System
) A remote 71 is provided.

Since the SYS remote 71 requires a huge amount of memory capacity for programs to control UI screen transitions, an 8086 equipped with a 16-bit microcomputer is used. Note that in addition to 8086, for example, 68000 etc. can also be used.

In addition, in the MCB system, the video signal used to form a latent image on the abrasive belt with a laser is received from the IPS remote 74, and a raster output scan is performed to send it to the IOT.
: RO3) interface VCB (Vid
eo Control Board) Remote 7
6. RCB remote 77 for the servo of the transfer device (turdle), and furthermore, the workpiece remote 78 as an I10 port for IOT, ADF, and accessories.
and accessory-remote 79 and to centrally manage them, an MCB (Master Controller) is used to distribute and manage them.
trol Board) remote 75 is provided.

Note that each remote in the figure is composed of one board 35-. Also, the thick solid line in the figure is 1875
Kbps LNET high-speed communication network, thick broken line is 9600b
Each figure shows a PS master/slave type serial communication network, and the thin solid line shows a hot line which is a control signal transmission path. In addition, 76.8 kbps in the figure is for notifying graphic information drawn on the edit pad, copy mode information input from the memory card, and graphic information in the editing area from the UI remote 70 to the UPS remote 74. This is a dedicated line. Furthermore, CCC (Com
municati.

n Control Chip) is an IC that supports the protocol of the high-speed communication line LNET.

As mentioned above, the hardware architecture can be roughly divided into three types: UI system, sys system, and MCB system.The division of processing among these systems can be explained as follows with reference to the software architecture in Figure 4. It is. Note that the arrows in the figure indicate data transmission and reception via the 187.5 kbps LNET high-speed communication network, the 9600 bps master/slave type serial communication network shown in Fig. 3, or the 36-bit communication via the hotline. It shows the transmission relationship of control signals.

The UI remote 70 is
It consists of a Level 01) module 80 and a module (not shown) for processing the edit pad and memory card. The LLUI module 80 is similar to what is commonly known as a CRT controller, and is a software module for displaying a screen on a color CRT.The 5YSUI module determines what kind of picture is displayed on the screen at any given time. 81 or MCBUI module 86. It is clear that this allows the UI remote to be shared with other models or devices. This is because the CRT controller is used integrally with the CRT, although the screen configuration and screen transitions vary depending on the model.

SYS remote 71 and 5YSUI module 81,
SYSTEM module 82, and SYS, DIAG
It is composed of three modules: module 83;

The 5YSUI module 81 is a software module that controls screen transitions, and the SYSTEM module 82 is a F/F (Feature Function) that recognizes which screen and which coordinates of the soft panel have been selected, that is, what kind of job has been selected. )
Selection software, job confirmation software that ultimately checks the job to see if there are any inconsistencies in the copy execution conditions, and various information such as F/F selection, job recovery, machine state, etc. between other modules. This is a module that includes software that controls communication for sending and receiving information.

The SYS, DIAG module 83 is a module that operates in a customer simulation mode in which a copy operation is performed in a diagnostic state in which self-diagnosis is performed. Since the customer simulation mode operates in the same way as normal copying, the SYS and DIAG modules 83 are essentially the same as the SYSTEM module 82, but since they are used in a special state called diagnostic, the SYSTEM module 82 These are written separately, but with some overlap.

In addition, the IIT remote 73 has an II that controls the stamping motor used in the imaging unit.
T module 84 and IPS remote 74
IPS modules 85 that perform various processing related to SYSTE are stored respectively, and these modules are
Controlled by M module 82.

On the other hand, the MCB remote 75 includes an MCBUI module 86, which is software for controlling screen transitions in the case of faults such as diagnostics, Auditron, and jams, controls the photosensitive material belt, controls the developer, and controls the user. IOT% Joule 90, which performs the necessary processing when copying etc. Each software module is an ADF module 91 for controlling an ADF, a 5ORTER module 92 for controlling a sorter, and a copier executive 39 for managing them.
- A diagnostic executive module 88 that performs various diagnoses, and an audiotron module 89 that processes charges by accessing an electronic counter using a code number.

Further, the RCB remote 77 stores a turdle servo module 93 that controls the operation of the transfer device, and the turdle servo module 93 is under the control of the IOT module 90 in order to control the transfer process of the xerography cycle. It is located in The reason why the copier executive module 87 and the diagnostic executive module 88 overlap in the figure is the same as the reason why the SYSTEM module 82 and the SYS and DIAG modules 83 overlap.

The division of the above processing will be explained in accordance with the copy operation as follows. The copying operation is a repetition of similar operations except for the difference in the color to be developed, and can be considered divided into several layers as shown in FIG. 5(a).

One color copy is made by repeating a minimum 40-unit called pitch several times. in particular,
When making one-color copies, how to operate the developing machine, transfer device, etc., how to detect jams, etc., and how to perform pitch processing in Y and M.
, If you do this for the three colors C, you will get a three-color copy.
If this is done for the four colors Y, M, C, and K, one full-color copy will be made. This is a copy layer, and specifically, it is a layer that performs a process of transferring each color toner onto a sheet of paper, fixing it in a user, and ejecting the sheet from the main body of the copying machine. The processing up to this point is managed by the MCB-based copier executive module 87.

Of course, in the process of pitch processing, the IIT module 84 and IPS module 85 included in the SYS system are also used, but for this purpose, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and IIT module 84
Two signals, PR-TRUE and LE@REG, are exchanged between them. Specifically, PR (PI) is the reference timing for IOT control.
The TCHRESET) signal is continuously generated by the MCB by dividing the rotation of the photosensitive material belt into two or three. In other words, in order to make effective use of the photosensitive material belt and improve copying speed, the photosensitive material belt is designed to fit the size of the copy paper being used, such as 2 pitches for A3 size copy paper and 3 pitches for A4 size copy paper. Since the pitch is divided according to the pitch, the period of the PR signal generated for each pitch is, for example, as long as 3 seconds in the case of 2 pitches, and as short as 2 seconds in the case of 3 pitches. .

Now, the PR signal generated by the MCB is distributed via a hotline to necessary locations in the IOT, such as a VCB remote that handles VIDEO signals.

The VCB has an internal gate circuit, and selectively outputs only pitches that can be imaged within the IOT, that is, pitches that can actually expose an image onto the photosensitive material belt, to the IPS remote. This signal is the PR-TRUE signal. Note that information for generating the PR-TRUE signal based on the PR signal received from the MCB via the potline is notified from the MCB via LNET.

On the other hand, during a period when the image cannot actually be exposed on the photosensitive material belt, an empty pitch for one pitch is created on the photosensitive material belt, and for such an empty pitch, PR- A TRUE signal is not output. P like this
Examples of pitches where R-TRUE is not generated include:
An example of this is the period from when a sheet of paper that has been transferred by the transfer device is discharged until the next sheet of paper is supplied to the transfer device. In other words, for example, if a long sheet of paper such as A3 size is ejected with the final transfer, the image quality will deteriorate due to the shock when the leading edge of the sheet enters the entrance of the user, so if the sheet is longer than a certain length, the final transfer will occur at the end. Even after the transfer is completed, the material is not ejected as it is, but is held by a gripper bar (described later) and rotated one more time at a constant speed before being ejected, so the photosensitive material belt has a skip of one pitch. It becomes necessary.

PRTRU is also used from the start of copying with the start key to the end of the cycle amplifier sequence.
E signal is not output. This is because the document has not yet been read during this period, and therefore no image can be exposed on the photosensitive material belt.

The PR-TRUE signal output from the VCB remote is
Received via IPS remote and sent directly to IIT
It is also transmitted remotely and used as a trigger signal to start the IIT scan.

This allows IIT remote 73 and IPS remote 7
4 can be synchronized with the IOT to perform pitch processing. Also, at this time, a video signal for modulating the laser light used to form a latent image on the sensitive material belt is exchanged between the IPS remote 74 and the VCB remote 76, and is received by the VCB remote 76. After the video signal is converted from a parallel signal to a serial signal, it is directly applied to the RO3 as a VIDEO modulation signal to the laser output section 40a.

44- When the above operations are repeated four times, one four-color full-color copy is completed, and one copy and one operation are completed.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5(b) to 5(e), a description will be given of the signal exchange and timing from when the image signal read by the IIT is output to the IOT until it is finally transferred to paper at the transfer point.

As shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c), when a start job command is input from the SYS remote 71, l0
At T78b, a cycle-up sequence including driving the main motor and starting up the high-voltage power supply begins. l0T78b is
In order to form a latent image corresponding to the paper length on the photosensitive material belt, a PR (pitch reset) signal is output. For example, every time the photosensitive material belt rotates once, there are 3 pitches for A4 paper, and 3 pitches for A4 paper.
3 outputs a 2-pitch PR signal. When the cycle-up sequence of l0T78b is completed, from that point on, the PR-TRUE signal is sent to the IIT controller 7 in synchronization with the PR signal, corresponding only to the pitch that requires imaging.
3a.

In addition, l0T78b is l0T output for each rotation of one line of RO3 (raster output scan).
- Send the LS (line sync) signal to the TG (timing generator) in the VCPU 74a, where l0T
- IPS-LS, which is apparently advanced in phase by the total pipeline delay of IPS relative to LS, is sent to the IIT:ff controller 73a.

When the IIT controller 73a receives the PR-TRUE signal, it enables a counter to count the 10T-LS signal, and when a predetermined count is reached, the stepping motor 213 drives the imaging unit 37.
The imaging unit starts scanning the document. Further count T2 seconds and output LE@REG at the original reading start position, and send this to l0T78
send to b.

This document reading start position can be determined in advance by driving the imaging unit only once after turning on the power, and then moving the resin sensor 217.
(near the register position, specifically about 10 mm on the scan side from the register position), calculate the true register position based on the detected position, and at the same time detect the normal stop position (home position) can also be calculated.

In addition, since the registration position differs from machine to machine due to machine variations, etc., by storing the correction value in NVM and making corrections when calculating the true registration position and home position, an accurate document reading start position can be set. can do. This correction value can be changed by a factory or a service person, etc., and can be implemented by simply rewriting this correction value electrically, and no mechanical adjustment is required. The reason why the position of the register sensor 217 is shifted by about 10 mm toward the scan side from the true registration position is to always make the correction a negative value and to simplify the adjustment and software.

Also, IIT:I Atro-Rough 3a is LE@RE
Outputs the IMAGE-AREA signal in synchronization with G. The length of this IMAGE-AREA signal is equal to the scan length, which is defined 47 by the start command transmitted from the SYSTEM module 82 to the IIT module 84. Specifically, when copying by detecting the original size, the scan length is the original length, and when copying by specifying the magnification, the scan length is the copy paper length and the magnification (100%). is set as the divisor of 1).

The IMAGE-AREA signal passes through VCP074a, where it is renamed IIT-PS (page sync) and sent to IIT-PS (page sync).
Sent to PS74. IIT-PS is a signal indicating the time to perform image processing.

When LE@REG is output, one line of data from the line sensor is read in synchronization with the T-LS signal, and the VIDEO circuit (Figure 3) performs various correction processes and A/D conversion. Sent to IPS74. In IPS74, one line of video data is sent to l0T78b in synchronization with l0T-LS. At this time l0T-BYTE-
RTN-BYTE-CLK, which is an inverted signal of CLK, is sent back to the IOT in parallel with video data, and the data and clock are similarly delayed to ensure synchronization.

=48- When LE@REG is input to IOT78b, l
Video data is sent to RO3 in synchronization with the 0T-LS signal, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive material belt. l0T78b
When LE@REG is input, the timing is made random and counting is started by l0T-CLK, while the servo motor of the transfer device is controlled so that the leading edge of the paper comes to the transfer position of a predetermined number of counts. By the way, Figure 5 (
As shown in d), the PR-TRUE signal output by the rotation of the photosensitive material belt and the l output by the rotation of RO3.
Originally, it is not synchronized with the 0T-LS signal. Therefore, when the PR-TRUE signal is received, counting starts from the next l0T-LS, and at count m, the imaging unit 37
When moving count n C: LE @ RE G, LE @ REG is T for PR-TRUE.
You will be delayed by only one hour. This delay is at most one line sync, and in the case of four-color full-color copying, this delay accumulates and appears as a color shift in the output image. When the first LE@REG is entered, counter 1 starts counting, and when the third LE@REG is entered, counter 2.
3 starts counting, and when each counter reaches the count number p up to the transfer position, it is cleared, and the counters are sequentially used for the fourth and subsequent inputs of LE@REG. Then, as shown in FIG. 5(e), when LE@REG is input, the time T3 from the pulse immediately before T-CLK is counted by the correction clock.

As the latent image formed on the photosensitive material belt approaches the transfer position,
When 0T-CLK counts the count number p to the transfer position, the correction clock starts counting at the same time, and the point where the count number r corresponding to the above time T3 is added becomes the accurate transfer position, and this is the point that the transfer device In addition to the control of the counter for controlling the transfer position (timing) of
The servo motor of the transfer device is controlled so that the leading edge of the paper is accurately synchronized with the @REG input.

The above is the process up to the copy layer, but on top of that, 1
There is a process of setting the number of copies, which is the number of times a copy job is performed for a sheet of original, and this process is performed in the PERORIGINAL layer. Further above that, there is a job programming layer that performs processing to change job parameters. Specifically, these are whether to use the ADF or not, and whether to use a magnification function that changes the color of a part of the document. These per-original processing and job programming processing are managed by a SYS module 82 of the SYS system.

For this purpose, the SYSTEM module 82 checks the job contents sent from the LLUI module 80.
Confirm, create the necessary data, and send it to 9600bps.
The job contents are notified to the IIT module 84 and the IPS module 85 through the serial communication network, and to the MCB system through the LNET.

As mentioned above, those that perform independent processing, other models,
Alternatively, devices that perform processing that can be shared with devices can be distributed as remote devices, and these can be roughly divided into UI, SYS, and MCB systems, and modules that manage machines according to the copy 51 processing layer have been defined. Designers' work can be clarified, software development techniques can be standardized, delivery dates and cost settings can be clarified, and even when specifications change, etc., only the relevant modules can be changed easily. It is possible to improve development efficiency by obtaining effects such as being able to respond to

(B) State division Above, we have discussed the division of processing between the UI system, SYS system, and MCB system.
What kind of processing the B system performs at each time of the copy operation will be explained step by step in the order of the copy operation.

In a copier, the state from power-on to copy operation and after the copy operation is divided into several states, and the jobs to be performed in each state are determined.If all jobs in each state are not completed, the next This is done to ensure efficiency and accuracy of control by not transitioning to the state.

52- This is called state division, and in this copying machine, state division is performed as shown in FIG.

A characteristic feature of the state division in this copying machine is that in each state, the control right to manage the entire state and the UI master right to use the UI in the state are given to the SYS remote 71; is in the MCB remote 75. In other words, by distributing the CPUs as described above, U
The LLUI module 80 of the I-remote 70 is 5YSUI
Not only module 81 but also MCBUI module 86
In addition, pitch and copy processing are managed by the MCB-based copier executive module 87, while per-original processing and job programming processing are managed by the SYS module 82. The SYS module 82 is divided in each state correspondingly.
, copier executive module 87 has overall control authority and UI master authority. In FIG. 6, the states indicated by vertical lines are held by the UI master MCB system copier executive module 87, and the states filled in black are held by the UI master right SYS module 82.

The state division shown in FIG. 6 from power ON to standby will be explained with reference to FIG. 7.

When the power is turned on and the power is turned on, s appears in Figure 3.
ys remote 71 to IIT remote 73 and IPS
IPS reset signal and I supplied to remote 74
The IT reset signal becomes H (HIGH), and the IPS remote 74 and IIT remote 73 are released from reset and start operating.

Furthermore, when it is detected that the power supply voltage has become normal, the power normal signal rises, the MCB remote 75 starts operating, establishes control rights and U master rights, and tests the high-speed communication network LNET. Further, the power normal signal is sent from the MCB remote 75 to the SYS remote 71 via the hotline.

When a predetermined time TO has elapsed after the start of operation of the MCB remote 75, the system reset signal supplied from the MCB remote 75 to the SYS remote 71 through the hotline becomes H, the reset of the SYS remote 71 is released, and the operation is started. However, at this time, SYS remote 71
The start of the operation is further delayed by 200 μsec after the TO time has elapsed due to two internal signals of the SYS remote 71, 86NMI and 86 reset. This 200 μaec time is a non-volatile measure of the state the machine is in when it stops or runs out of control due to a crash, that is, a temporary problem due to a momentary power outage, software runaway, or software bug. It is provided for storing data in a physical memory.

When SYS remote 71 starts operating, approximately 3°8se
During the period c, a core test is performed, that is, a ROM, RAM check, hardware check, etc. At this time, if undesired data etc. are input, there is a possibility of the system going out of control55-, so the SYS remote 71 is operated under its own supervision.
IPS reset signal and II with the start of core test
The T reset signal is set to L (Low), and the IPS remote 74 and IIT remote 73 are reset and their operations are stopped.

When the core test is completed, the SYS remote 71 returns 1 (
A CCC self-test is performed for 1 to 3100 msec, and the IPS reset signal and IIT reset signal are set to H to restart the operation of the IPS remote 74 and IIT remote 73, and perform a core test respectively. The CCC self-test is performed by sending predetermined data to the LNET, receiving it by itself, and confirming that the received data is the same as the transmitted data. In addition, C.C.C.
When performing a self-test, time is allocated to each CCC so that the self-test times do not overlap.

In other words, in LNET, SYS remote 71, M
Each node such as the CB remote 75 transmits data when it wants to transmit data, and if a data collision occurs, it retransmits after a predetermined period of time.
This is because if another node is using LNET while a node is performing a CCC self-test, a data collision will occur and the self-test cannot be performed. Therefore, SYS
By the time remote 71 starts the CCC self-test, the LNET test of MCB remote 75 has finished.

When the CCC self-test is completed, SYS remote 7
1 is IPS remote 74 and IIT remote 73
Wait until the core test of
Perform a communication test of STEM nodes. This communication test is a test of a 9600bp, s serial communication network,
Predetermined data is transmitted and received in a predetermined sequence.

When the communication test is completed, an LNET communication test is performed between the SYS remote 71 and the MCB remote 75 during the period T2. That is, the MCB remote 75 requests the self-test results from the SYS remote 71, and in response to the request, the SYS remote 71 issues the results of the tests conducted so far to the MCB remote 75 as self-test results.

When the MCB remote 75 receives the self-test result 1-, it issues a token pass to the SYS remote 71.

The token pass is a tag that exchanges UI master rights, and by passing the token pass to the SYS remote 71, the UI master rights are transferred from the MCB remote 75 to the SYS remote 71.
s remote 71. This is the power-on sequence. During the period of the power-on sequence, the UI remote 70 displays a message such as "Please wait for a while", and also performs its own core test, communication test, etc.
Perform various tests.

In the above power-on sequence, if there is no response to the self-test result request or if there is an abnormality in the self-test result, the MCB remote 75 will make the machine dead, activate the UI control authority, and display the UI.
It controls the remote 70 and displays that an abnormality has occurred. This is the machine dead state.

58- Once the power-on state is complete, enter the initialization state to set up each remote.

In the initialization state, the SYS remote 71 has overall control rights and UI master rights. Therefore, the SYS remote 71 initializes the SYS system and executes rlNITIALIZE SUBSYST.
Issue the EMJ command to the MCB remote 75 and perform the MC
Initialize the B series as well. The results are sent from the MCB remote 75 as subsystem status information. As a result, for example, in the IOT, the user is heated, the tray elevator is placed in a predetermined position, and preparations are made for copying. This is the initialization state.

When initialization is completed, each remote enters a standby state. Even in this state, the SYS remote 71 has the UI master authority, so the SYS remote 71 displays the F/F on the UI screen based on the UI master authority.
F is displayed and a state is entered in which copy execution conditions are accepted.

At this time, the MC59-B remote 75 is monitoring the IOT. In addition, in the standby state, the MCB remote 75 issues a background ball to the SYS remote 71 every 500 maec to check for any abnormalities.
In response to this, the SYS remote 71 performs a process of returning the self-test result to the MCB remote 75 within 200 m5ec. At this time, if the self-test result is not returned or if there is an abnormality in the content of the self-test result, the MCB remote 75 notifies the UI remote 7° that an abnormality has occurred, and causes a display to that effect.

When the audiotron is used in the standby state, it enters the audiotron state and the MCB remote 75 performs audiotron control and displays the UI.
The remote control 70 is controlled to display a display for the audiotron. When the F/F is set in the standby state and the start key is pressed, the product enters the production state. The production state consists of 6 stages: set up, cycle arrow 0-turn, run, skip pitch, normal cycle down, and cycle down shutdown.
These states will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a timing chart when the platen mode is set and the number of 4-color full-color copies is set to 3.

When the SYS remote 71 detects that the start key has been pressed, it sends the job contents to the IIT remote 73 and IPS remote 74 via the serial communication network.
Further, the contents of the job are issued to the copier executive module 87 in the MCB remote 75 along with a command called "start job" via LNET. This causes the machine to go into setup, where each remote prepares to perform its designated job. For example, the IOT module 90 drives the main motor, adjusts the parameters of the photosensitive material belt, etc.

ACK (Ackno) is a response to the start job.
wledge) was sent back from the MCB remote 75, the SYS remote 71 sends the IIT
The remote 73 is made to perform a prescan.

Prescanning includes prescanning to detect the document size, prescanning to detect the color at a specified position on the document, prescanning for closed loop detection when coloring, and marker editing for marker editing. There are four types of prescans for reading, and prescans are performed up to three times depending on the selected F/F. At this time, the UI
For example, a message such as "Please wait for a while" is displayed.

When the pre-scan is completed, a command "IIT ready" is issued to the copier executive module 87. From here, cycle up is started.

Cycle up is a state where each remote waits for the start-up time, and the MCB remote 75 starts operating the IOT and transfer device, and SYS! , lmote 71 is IPS
Initialize the remote 74. At this time, the UI displays that the job is currently in a productionless state and the details of the selected job.

When the cycle up is completed, the run starts and the copy operation starts, but first the IOT of the MCB remote 75
When the first PRO is issued from module 90, IIT
performs the first scan, ○T performs the first color development, and this completes the processing of one pitch. Then PR again
When O is issued, the second color is developed and the second pitch process is completed.

This process is repeated four times, and when the four-pitch process is completed, the IOT uses the user to fix the toner and discharges the paper. This completes the first copy process. By repeating the above process three times, three copies can be made.

Pitch layer processing and copy layer processing is performed by MCB
The remote 75 manages it, but the process of setting the number of copies to be performed in the par-original layer, which is a layer above it, is done by SYS.
The remote 71 performs this. Therefore, so that the SYS remote 71 can recognize whether or not the second copy is currently being made,
When the first PRO of each copy is issued, the MCB remote 75 is configured to issue a maid count signal to the SYS remote 71. Also, the last PR
When O is issued, MCB remote 763-5 sends rRDY FORN to SYS remote 71.
Issue the command XT JOBJ to request the next job. At this time, if a start job is issued, the job can be continued, but unless the user sets the next job, the job will end, so the SYS remote 71 issues a command rEND JOBJ to the MCB remote 75.

When the MCB remote 75 receives the rF, ND JOBJ command and confirms that the job has been completed, the machine enters a normal cycle down. In normal cycle down, the MCB remote 75 stops the operation of the IOT.

During the cycle down, when the MCB remote 75 confirms that all the copied paper has been ejected, it sends a SYS command to that effect using the rDELIVERED JOBJ command.
Notify the remote 71, and also notify the rlOT when the normal cycle down is completed and the machine stops.
Notify SYS remote 71 using the 5TAND BYJ command. This ends the production state and returns to the standby-64~ state.

Although skip pitch and cycle down shutdown are not mentioned in the above example, in skip pitch, the SYS remote 71 initializes the SYS system for the next job, and the MCB remote 75 initializes the SYS system for the next job. Waiting for. Also,
Since the cycle down shutdown is a state in the event of a fault, both the SYS remote 71 and the MCB remote 75 perform fault processing in this state.

As described above, in the production state, the MCB remote 75 manages pitch processing and copy processing, and
Since the YS remote 71 manages the per-original processing and the job programming processing, both parties have the right to control the processing according to their share of the processing. On the other hand, the SYS remote 71 has the UI master authority. This is because the UI needs to display the set number of copies, the selected editing process, etc., which belong to per-original processing or job programming processing and are under the control of the SYS remote 71.

When a fault occurs in the production state, the state moves to the fault recovery state. Fault is a general term for machine abnormal conditions such as no paper, jam, failure or damage of parts, etc., and there are those that can be recovered by the user by resetting the F/F, and those that can be recovered by a service person such as replacing parts. There are two types of things that must be recovered. As mentioned above, fault display is basically performed by the MCBUI module 86, but the F/F is
Since the YS module 82 manages the faults, the SYS module 82 is in charge of recovery from faults that can be recovered by resetting the F/F, and the copier executive module 87 is in charge of other recoveries.

Further, fault detection is performed for each of the SYS system and the MCB system. In other words, IIT, IPS, F/P are S
Since it is managed by YS remote 71, SYS remote 7
1 is detected, and ■○T, ADF, and sorter are managed by the MCB remote 75, so the MCB remote 75 detects them. Therefore, it can be seen that there are the following four types of faults in this copying machine.

■If the SYS node recovers, for example, if the start key is pressed before the F/P is prepared, a fault will occur, but the user will be able to restart the F/P.
You can recover by setting .

■When detected by the SYS node and the MCB node recovers This type of fault includes, for example, failure of the cash register sensor.
Imaging unit speed abnormality, imaging unit overrun, PRO signal abnormality, CCC abnormality,
This includes errors in the serial communication network, ROM or RAM check errors, etc. In the case of these faults, the UI
The details of the fault and a message such as ``Please call a service person'' = 67 are displayed.

■When the fault is detected at the MCB node and the tb sys node recovers If the sorter is set at the F/F even though the sorter is not set, the fault is detected at the MCB node, but the fault is detected by the user when the F/F You can also recover by resetting /F and changing to a mode that does not use the sorter. The same applies to ADF. Also, a fault occurs when the toner is low, the tray is not set, or the paper runs out. Normally, these faults can be recovered by the user replenishing toner, setting a tray, or replenishing paper, but if one tray runs out of paper, another tray must be used. If the toner of a certain color runs out, it can be recovered by specifying another color. In other words, since recovery is also performed by F/F selection, recovery is performed at the SYS node68-.

■When detected by the MCB node and the MCB node recovers For example, if the developing machine is malfunctioning, toner distribution is abnormal, motor clutch failure, user failure, etc. are detected by the MCB node and the UI is displayed. displays the location of the failure and a message such as ``Please call a service person.'' Furthermore, if a jam occurs, the location of the jam is displayed as well as a method for clearing the jam, leaving the recovery to the user.

As described above, in the fault recovery state, the SYS node may have control rights and DI master rights, and the MCB node may have them, depending on the location where the fault has occurred and the recovery method.

When the fault is recovered and a standby command is issued from the MC and B nodes, the process moves to job recovery stage 1 and the remaining jobs are completed. For example, suppose that the set number of copies is 3 and a jam occurs while copying the second copy. In this case, after the jam is cleared, the remaining two sheets must be copied, so the SYS node and the MCB node perform respective management processes to recover the job. Therefore, even in job recovery, control rights are
Both the SYS node and the MCB node have them according to their respective processing assignments. However, the U-email master rights are SY
The S node has it. This is because, in order to perform job recovery, messages for job recovery must be displayed, such as ``Please press the start key'' or ``Please set the remaining originals.''
This is because this is a matter related to per-original processing or job programming processing managed by the SYS node.

Furthermore, even if the ■○T standby command is issued in the production state, the system will move to the job recovery state.
When it is confirmed that the job is completed, it moves to standby state and waits for the next job. In the standby state, a diagnostic (hereinafter simply referred to as "diag") state can be entered by performing a predetermined key operation.

Diagnosis state includes component input check, output check, various parameter settings, various mode settings, NVM
This is a self-diagnosis state for initializing (nonvolatile memory), etc., and its concept is shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure, two modes are provided for diagnosis: TECHREP mode and customer simulation mode.

The TECHREP mode is a mode used when a service person diagnoses the machine, such as input check and output check, and the customer simulation mode is a mode in which the customer simulation mode, which is normally used by the user when copying, is used for diagnosis.

Assume that the TE71 CHREP mode is entered from the standby state of the customer mode by a predetermined operation via route A in the figure. If you want to exit the TECHREP mode by simply performing various checks, setting parameters, and setting the mode, and then return to the customer mode (route B in the figure), press the specified key and the screen shown in Figure 6 will appear. It is possible to move to the power-on state as shown and return to the standby state using the sequence shown in Figure 7. However, since this copier makes color copies and is equipped with various editing functions, various operations can be performed in TECHREP mode. After setting the parameters, it is necessary to actually perform copying and check whether the colors requested by the user appear and whether the editing functions function as specified.

This is done in the customer simulation mode, which differs from the customer mode in that pilling is not performed and the UI displays a message indicating that it is a diagnostic mode. This is the meaning of the customer simulation mode in which the customer mode is used for diagnosis. In addition, T.E.
The transition from CHREP mode to customer simulation mode (route C in the diagram) and the reverse transition from customer simulation mode to TECHREP mode (route D in the diagram) must be performed by the respective prescribed operations. I can do it. Also, T
Since the ECHREP mode is performed by the diagnostic executive module 88 (Fig. 4), the MCB node has both control rights and UI master rights, but the customer
In the simulation mode, a normal copy operation is performed under the control of the SYS and DIAG module 83 (FIG. 4), so the sys node has both control rights and UI master rights.

(n) Specific configuration of each part (n-1) System FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the system and other remotes.

As mentioned above, the remote 71 is equipped with the 5YSUI module 81 and the SYSTEM module 82.
Data is exchanged between the YSUI 81 and the SYSTEM module 82 through a module-to- module interface, and the SYSTEM module 82 and the IIT73,
It is connected to the IPS 74 through a serial communication interface, and connected to the MCB 75, RO 376, and RAIB 79 through an LNET high-speed communication network.

Next, the module configuration of the system will be explained.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the module configuration of the system.

In this copying machine, each module such as IIT, IPS, and IOT is considered to be a component, and each module of the system that controls these is considered to have a brain. By adopting a distributed CPU method, the system side is in charge of per-original processing and job programming processing, and correspondingly has control rights to manage the initialization state, standby state, set-up state, and cycle state, as well as control rights to manage these states. Since the user has the DI master right to use the UI, the system is configured with the corresponding modules.

The system main 100 takes the received data from the 5YSUI, MCB, etc. into its internal buffer, clears the data stored in the internal buffer, and
It calls each module below 0 and passes the processing to update the system state.

The M/C initialization control module 101 controls the initialization sequence from when the power is turned on until the system enters a standby state, and is activated when the power-on processing for performing various tests after the power-on by the MCB is completed.

The M/C setup control module 103 controls the setup sequence from when the start key is pressed until starting the MCB that performs copy 7 row processing, and specifically controls the FE instructed from the 5YSUI.
ATURE (M/C to achieve user's requirements)
Create a job mode based on the instructions for
75- Determine the setup sequence according to the created job mode.

As shown in Figure 12(a), job mode creation is as follows:
Analyzes the mode specified by F/F and separates jobs. In this case, a job is an M/
It refers to the M/C operation from when C is pressed as the start key until it stops after all requested copies are ejected, and it is the minimum unit that can divide the work according to the user's request, and is a collection of job modes. For example, in the case of inset synthesis,
As shown in FIG. 12(b), the job mode consists of deletion, movement, and extraction, and a job is a collection of these modes. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the ADF original 3
In the case of 1 sheet, the job mode is 1 document, 1 document,
This is a feed process for originals 2 and 3, and a job is a collection of them.

Then, in automatic mode, document scan, in coloring mode, pre-scan, in marker editing mode, pre-scan, in color detection mode, sample scan (pre-scan up to 3 times), and copy cycle. Distribute the necessary copy 7 low mode to IIT, IPS, and MCB, and start MCB at the end of the setup sequence.

The M/C standby control module 102
It controls the sequence during C standby, and specifically accepts start keys, controls color registration, and enters diagnostic mode.

The M/C copy cycle control module 104 controls the copy sequence from when the MCB is started until it is stopped, and specifically sends a paper feed count notification, determines the end of a JOB and requests IIT startup, and sends a request to start up the MCB. It determines whether to stop and issues a request to shut down the IPS.

It also has the function of notifying the remote destination of through commands that occur while the M/C is stopped or in operation.

The fault control module 106 is
Monitors the cause of the shutdown from the PS and activates the MCB when the cause occurs.
Specifically, IIT, IPS
Shutdown is performed using the fail command from M.
After a shutdown request is issued from the CB, recovery is determined when the M/C is stopped, and recovery is performed by, for example, a jam command from the MCB.

The communication control module 107 is
It sets the IIT ready signal from IT and enables/disables communication in the image area.

I) IAG control module 108 is DIAG
Input check mode and output check mode are controlled.

Next, the exchange of data between these modules or with other subsystems will be explained.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing data flows between the system and each remote, and data flows between modules within the system. In the figure, A to N indicate serial communication, Z indicates a hotline, and ■ to @ indicate inter-module data.

5YSUI remote and initialization control section 10
1, the control right of the CRT is transferred from 5YSUI to SY
T handed over to STEM N0DE.

A KEN command is sent, and on the other hand, a configuration command is sent from the initialization control section 101.

5YSUI remote and standby control section 102
The 5YSUI sends a mode change command, start copy command, job cancel command, color registration request command, and tray command, while the standby control unit 102 sends the M/C
status command, tray status command,
A toner status command, collected bottle status command, color registration ANS command, and TOKEN command are sent.

5YSUI remote and setup control section 10
3, the setup control unit 103 sends M/C status commands (progress), APMS
Status commands are sent, while stop riff 79-list commands and interwoven commands are sent from the 5YSUI remote.

IPS remote and initialization control section 101
Between them, the IPS remote sends an initialize end command, and the initialize control unit 101 sends an NVM parameter command.

IIT remote and initialization control section 101
The IIT ready command is sent from the IIT remote, and the NV is sent from the initialization control unit 101.
M parameter command and INITIALIZE command are sent.

Between the IPS remote and the standby control unit 102, the IPS remote sends an initialize free hand area, an answer command, a remove area answer command, and a color information command, and the standby control unit 102 sends a color detection point command and an initialize free hand area. command,
A remove area command is sent.

8O- Between the IPS remote and the setup control unit 103, the IPS remote sends an IPS ready command and a document information command, and the setup control unit 103 sends a scan information command, a basic copy mode command, an edit mode command, and an M/C A stop command is sent.

Between the IIT remote and the standby control unit 102, the IIT remote sends an IIT ready command to notify that the prescan has ended, and the standby control unit 102 sends a sample scan start command and an initialize command.

Between the IIT remote and the setup control section 103, the IIT remote sends the IIT ready command and the initialize end command, and the setup control section 103 sends the document scan start command, sample scan start command, and copy scan start command. It will be done.

Between the MCB remote and the standby control unit 102, the standby control unit 102 sends an initialization subsystem command and a standby selection command, and the fbMcB remote sends a subsystem status command.

Between the MCB remote and the setup control unit 103, the setup control unit 103 sends a start job command, IIT ready command, stop job command, and de-multiple system fault command.The MCB remote sends an IOT standby command and a declair MCB fault. command is sent.

Between the MCB remote and the cycle control unit 104, the cycle control unit 104 sends a stop job command, and the thMcB remote sends a MADE command, a ready for next job command, a job deliver command, and an IOT standby command.

MCB! Between the J mote and the fault control unit 1O6, the fault control unit 106 sends a declare system fault command and a system shutdown completion command, and the thMCB remote sends a declare MCB fault command and a system shutdown command.

IIT remote and communication control section 1
07, scan ready signals and image area signals are sent from IIT remote.

Next, the interface between each module will be explained.

From system main 100 to each module (101 to 10
7) The reception remote No. 0 and reception data are sent to each module, and each module exchanges data with its respective remote. On the other hand, nothing is sent from each module (101 to 107) to the system main 100.

When the initialization process is completed, the initialization control section 101 causes the fault control section 106 and the standby control section 102 to
Notifies the system state (standby) respectively.

The communication control section 107 includes the initialization control section 101. The standby control unit 102, setup control unit 103, copy cycle control unit 104, and fault control unit 106 are notified of communication availability information, respectively.

When the start key is pressed, standby control unit 102 notifies setup control unit 103 of the system state (progress).

When the setup is completed, the setup control section 103 notifies the copy cycle control section 104 of the system state (cycle).

(IT-2) Image input terminal (IIT) (A)
Original scanning mechanism FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the original scanning mechanism, in which the imaging unit 37 is movably placed on two slide shafts 202 and 203, and wires 204 and 205 are connected at both ends. Fixed. The wires 204 and 205 are wound around drive pulleys 206 and 207 and tension pulleys 208 and 209. Tension is applied to the tension pulleys 208 and 209 in the direction of the arrow shown. A reduction pulley 211 is attached to the drive shaft 210 to which the drive pulleys 206 and 207 are attached.
is connected to an output shaft 214 of a stepping motor 213 via a timing belt 212. Note that the limit switches 215 and 216 are sensors for detecting abnormal operation of the imaging unit 37, and the registration sensor 217 is a sensor for setting a reference point for a document reading start position.

To obtain one four-color copy, the imaging unit 37 must repeat the scan four times.

In this case, the key issue is how to reduce synchronization and positional deviations within four scans, and to do so, it is necessary to suppress fluctuations in the stop position of the imaging unit 37,
It is important to suppress variations in the arrival time from the home position to the register position and to suppress variations in scan speed. For this purpose, a stepping motor 213 is employed. However, since the stepping motor 213 has greater vibration and noise than a DC servo motor,
It has high image quality and takes poor measures to increase speed.

(B) Stepping motor control method The stepping motor 213 has motor windings connected in a pentagonal pattern, and each connection point is connected to the positive side or negative side of the power supply using two transistors. Bipolar drive is performed using switching transistors. In addition, the current value flowing through the motor is fed back, and the current flowing through the motor is controlled and driven to be constant.

FIG. 15(a) shows a scan cycle of the imaging unit 37 driven by the stepping motor 213. The figure shows the relationship between the speed of the imaging unit 37, that is, the frequency applied to the stepping motor, and time when performing forward scanning and back scanning at a magnification of 50%, that is, the maximum movement speed. During acceleration, for example, 259 Hz is multiplied to a maximum of about 11 to 12 KHz, as shown in FIG. 2(b). Providing regularity to the pulse train in this way simplifies pulse generation. As shown in the figure (a), 259pps/3. Regular acceleration is performed in a stepwise manner in 9 ms to create a trapezoidal profile.

In addition, a pause time is provided between the forward scan and back scan to wait for the vibrations of the IIT mechanical system to decrease and to synchronize with the image output in the T○T. In this embodiment, the scan cycle time is shortened by increasing the acceleration to 0.7G compared to the conventional one.

As mentioned above, when reading a color original, a major problem for the system is how to reduce the resulting color shift or image distortion due to the positional shift during four scans. Figure 15 (C) to (e)
is a diagram to explain the cause of color shift. Figure (C) shows that the position where the imaging unit scans and stops at the original position is different, and the next time it starts, it will stop at the register position. Color shift occurs due to the time difference.

In addition, as shown in Figure (d), due to excessive vibration of the stepping motor (speed fluctuation until it reaches a steady speed) within 4 scans, the time to reach the registration position is shifted and color misregistration occurs. . In addition, (e) in the same figure shows the variation in constant speed scanning characteristics from passing through the registration position to the tail edge.
This indicates that the variation in speed fluctuation in the second scan is larger than the variation in speed fluctuation in the second to fourth scans. Therefore, for example, during the first scan, Y is developed in which the color shift is less noticeable.

The causes of the color shift described above are thought to be mechanical instability factors such as aging of the timing belt 212 and the wires 204 and 205, and viscous resistance between the slide pad and the slide rails 202 and 203.

(C) IIT Control Method IIT Remote has sequence control for various copy operations, service support functions, self-diagnosis functions, and fail-safe functions. IIT sequence control is divided into normal scan, sample scan, and initialization. Various commands and parameters for IIT control are sent from the SYS remote 71 via serial communication.

FIG. 16(a) shows a timing chart of normal scanning. The scan length data is set from 0 to 432 mm (in 1 mm steps) depending on the paper length and magnification.The scan speed is set according to the magnification (50% to 400%).The pre-scan length data (distance from the stop position to the registration position) is also It is set by the magnification (50% to 400%). When a scan command is received, the FL-ON signal turns on the fluorescent lamp, the 5CN-RDY signal turns on the motor driver, and after a predetermined timing, a shading correction pulse WHT-REF is generated to start scanning. When passing through the registration sensor, the image area signal IMG-AREA becomes low level for a predetermined scan period, and in synchronization with this, the IIT-PS signal is output to the IPS.

FIG. 16(b) shows a timing chart of sample scan. The sample scan is used for color detection during color conversion, color balance correction and shading correction when using F/P. Stop position from cash register position,
Based on the data on the moving speed, number of micro-movements, and step interval, it goes to the target sample position, pauses, or repeats the micro-movement multiple times, and then stops.

FIG. 16(C) shows a timing chart of initialization. When the power is turned on, a command is received from the SYS remote to confirm the registration sensor, confirm the operation of the imaging unit using the registration sensor, and correct the home position of the imaging unit using the registration sensor.

(D) Imaging unit FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of the imaging unit 37, in which the original 220 is set with the image surface to be read facing downward on the platen glass 31, and the imaging unit 37 moves the lower surface in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. , a 30W daylight fluorescent lamp 222 and a reflecting mirror 223 expose the document surface to light. Then, by passing the reflected light from the original 220 through the SELFOC lens 224 and the cyan filter 225, an erect, same-size image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 226. The SELFOC lens 224 is a compound eye lens consisting of four rows of fiber lenses, and has the advantage of being bright and having high resolution, allowing the power of the light source to be kept low, and being compact. Further, the imaging unit 37 is equipped with a circuit board 227 including a CCD line sensor drive circuit, a CCD line sensor output cover sofa circuit, and the like. In addition, 228 is a lamp heater, 229 is a flexible cable for lighting power supply, and 230 is a flexible cable for lighting power supply.
indicates a flexible cable for control signals.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the arrangement of the CCD line sensors 226. As shown in FIG. 18(a), five CCD line sensors 226a to 226e are arranged in a staggered manner in the main scanning direction X. This is because with multiple line sensors, it is difficult to form a large number of light-receiving elements without missing parts and with uniform sensitivity, and when multiple line sensors are arranged on one line, both ends of the line sensor are difficult to form. This is because it is difficult to configure pixels up to this point, resulting in unreadable areas.

The sensor section of this CCD line sensor 226 is shown in FIG.
), three color filters of R, G, and B are repeatedly arranged in this order on the surface of each pixel of the CCD line sensor 226, and three adjacent bits constitute one pixel during reading. The reading pixel density of each color is 16 dots/
If the number of pixels per chip is 2928, the length of one chip is 2928/(16X 3) = 61
m++n, 61X5=305mm for 5 chips
The length will be . Therefore, as a result, a CCD line sensor of the same magnification system capable of reading an A3 size image can be obtained. Also,
Each R, G, and H pixel is arranged at a 45-degree angle to reduce moiré.

92- In this way, a plurality of CCD line sensors 226a to 22
When the CCD line sensors 6e are arranged in a staggered manner, adjacent CCD line sensors scan different document surfaces. That is, when the CCD line sensor is moved in the sub-scanning direction Y orthogonal to the main scanning direction X of the CCD line sensor and a document is read, signals from the first row of CCD line sensors 226b and 226d that scan the document in advance are detected. A time difference corresponding to a positional difference between adjacent CCD line sensors occurs between the signals from the CCD line sensors 226a and 226C1226e of the second row that follow.

Therefore, in order to obtain one line of continuous signals from image signals divided and read by a plurality of CCD line sensors, at least the signals from the first row of CCD line sensors 226b and 226d that scan the document in advance are stored. A second row of CCD line sensors 226a, 226 follows.
It is necessary to read out in synchronization with the signal output from C1226e. In this case, for example, if the amount of deviation is 250 μm and the resolution is 16 dots/embryo, a delay of 4 lines is required.

Generally, reduction/enlargement in an image reading device is performed in the main scanning direction by IPS thinning and padding and other processing, and in the sub-scanning direction by increasing/decreasing the moving speed of the imaging unit 37. Therefore, the reading speed (the number of lines read per unit time) in the image reading device is fixed, and the resolution in the sub-scanning direction is changed by changing the moving speed. That is, for example, if the resolution is 16 dots/mm at a zoom ratio of 100%, the relationship shown in the above table will be obtained. Therefore, as the reduction ratio increases, the resolution increases, and therefore, the difference in the staggered arrangement described above is 2.
The number of line memories required to correct 50 μm also increases.

(E) Video signal processing circuit Next, as shown in FIG. 19, a CCD line sensor 226 is used to read the color original as a reflectance signal for each of R, G, and B, and convert this into a digital value as a density signal. The video signal processing circuit will be explained below.

The original is divided into 5 parts and separated into 5 channels into R, G, and B by five CCD line sensors 226 in the imaging unit 37 and read.
After each signal is amplified to a predetermined level by the amplifier circuit 231, it is transmitted 95- to the circuit on the main body side via a transmission cable connecting the unit and the main body (FIG. 20, 231a). Next, in the sample-and-hold circuit 5H232, noise is removed and waveform processing is performed using the sample-and-hold pulse SHP (see FIG. 20).
2a). However, since the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the CCD line sensor differ for each pixel and each chip, the output differs even when reading originals with the same density, and if this is output as is, streaks and unevenness will occur in the image data. For this purpose, various correction processes are required.

Gain adjustment circuit AG C (AUTOMATIC GAIN
C0NTR0L) 233 converts the output of each sensor into an A/D
This is a circuit for amplifying the signal to a level commensurate with the input signal range of the converter 235. Before reading the original, each sensor reads white paste reference data, digitizes it, stores it in the shading RAM 240, and sends this data to the SYS remote. 71 (Figure 3), it is compared with a predetermined reference value, an appropriate amplification factor is determined, and the digital data corresponding to the amplification factor is D/A converted and sent to the AGC2.
33, each gain is automatically set from -96 to -96.

Offset adjustment circuit AOC (AUTOMATrC0FS
ETCONTROL) 234 is called black level adjustment, and adjusts the dark output voltage of each sensor.

To do this, the fluorescent lights are turned off and the dark output is read by each sensor, this data is digitized and stored in the shading RAM 240, and this one line of data is stored in the S
The YS remote 71 (Fig. 3) compares and judges the offset value with a predetermined reference value, converts the offset value from D/A, and outputs it to AOC2.
34, and the offset voltage is adjusted in 256 steps. The output of this AGC is adjusted so that the output density becomes a specified value with respect to the density of the document to be finally read, as shown in FIG. 20 234a.

The data thus converted into digital values by the A/D converter 235 (235a in FIG. 20) is GBRGBR/
It is output in the form of a continuous 8-bit data string. The delay amount setting circuit 236 is a memory that stores a plurality of lines, has a FIFO configuration, and has a first row of CCD line sensors 226b and 226 that scan the document in advance.
The second column of CCDs stores the signals from d and follows them.
It is output in synchronization with the signal output from line sensors 226a, 226c, and 226e.

The separation and synthesis circuit 237 has R, R, and R for each CCD line sensor.
After separating the G and B data, one line of the original is serially combined and output for each R, G, and B data of each CCD line sensor. Converter 238 is a ROM
A logarithmic conversion table LUT "1" is stored, and when a digital value is input as the address of the ROM, R, G,
H reflectance information is converted to density information.

Next, the shading correction circuit 239 will be explained.

Shading characteristics can be caused by variations in the light distribution characteristics of the light source, a decrease in the amount of light at the ends of fluorescent lamps, variations in sensitivity between each bit of a CCD or line sensor, or reflection mirrors, etc. If there is dirt on the
It appears due to these factors.

To this end, at the start of shading correction, the reflected light when irradiating the white plate, which serves as the reference density data for shading correction, is input to the CCD line sensor, and the bipedal signal processing circuit performs A/D conversion and log conversion. , this reference density data log(R4) is stored in the line memory 240. Next, scan the original and read the image data l
By subtracting the reference concentration data log(Ri) from og(Di), log(Di) −log(Ri)=
log(D i /Ri), and the logarithm value of each pixel data subjected to shading correction is obtained. By performing shading correction after log conversion in this way, there is no need to build a hard logic divider in a complicated and large-scale circuit as in the past, and the calculation process can be simplified by using a general-purpose full adder IC. It can be carried out.

(n-3) Image processing system (PS) (A) IP
Module Configuration of S FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an overview of the module configuration of IPS.

99- In a color image forming apparatus, the IIT (image input terminal) uses a CCD line sensor to separate the light into primary colors B (blue), G (green), and R (red), reads the color document, and converts it into toner. Primary colors Y (yellow), M (
magenta), C (cyan), and further K (black or black), and is exposed to a laser beam and developed at an image output terminal (IOT) to reproduce a color image. In this case, a copying process (pitch) is performed once in which each toner image of Y, M, C, and K is separated and Y is used as a process color, and similarly, a copy process is performed in which M, C, and K are each used as a process color. A full-color image is reproduced by executing a total of four copy cycles, one cycle at a time, and superimposing images formed by these halftone dots. Therefore, the color separation signal (
B, G, R signals) to toner signals (Y, M,
When converting to C, K signals), how to adjust the color balance, how to reproduce the color according to the reading characteristics of I'IT and the output characteristics of IOT, and how to adjust the density and co-100. − Problems include how to adjust the contrast balance, how to emphasize edges, blur, and moiré.

IPS inputs the B, G, and R color separation signals from IIT, performs various data processing to improve color reproducibility, gradation reproducibility, definition reproducibility, etc., and processes the colors in the development process. Converts toner signal on/off and IO
It is output to T, and as shown in Figure 21, END
Conversion (Equivalent Neutral Den
equivalent neutral density conversion) module 301, color masking module 302, original size detection module 303, color conversion module 304, UCR (
Under Co1or Removal
& black generation module 305, spatial filter 306,
TRC (Tone Reproduction C)
ontrol; color tone correction control) module 307, reduction/enlargement processing module 308, screen generator 30
9. IOT interface module 310, an area image control module 311 having an area generation circuit and a switch matrix, an editing control module having an area command memory 312, a color palette video switch circuit 313, a font buffer 314, etc.

Then, 8-bit data (256 gradations) for each B, G, and R color separation signal is obtained from IIT.
is input to the END conversion module 301, and Y, M,
After converting into C and K toner signals, the process color toner signal X is selected, binarized, and output from the IOT interface module 310 to the IOT as on/off data of the process color toner signal. Therefore, in the case of full color (four colors), after the document size is detected, the editing area is detected, and other document information is detected in the prescan, a copy cycle is started in which, for example, the process color toner signal X is set to Y. , and then, each time a copy cycle in which the process color toner signal X is M is sequentially executed, signal processing corresponding to four document reading scans is performed.

At IIT, COD sensors are used to detect B, G, and R.
For each pixel, 16 dots/mm
The data is read in 24 bits (3 colors x
8 focus: 256 gradations).

The CCD sensor has B, G, and H filters attached to the top surface, and has a density of 16 dots/mm.
has a length of 0 mm, 190. Since scanning is performed at 16 lines/mm at a process speed of 5 mm/see, read data is output at a rate of 15 M pixels per second for each color. And at IIT, B.
By log-converting the analog data of the , G, and R pixels, reflectance information is converted to density information, which is further converted to digital data.

Next, each module will be explained.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining each module constituting the IPS.

(a) END conversion module The END conversion module 301 is a module for adjusting (converting) the optical reading signal of a color original obtained at IIT into a gray-balanced color signal. The amount of toner in a color image is equal in the case of gray 03-, and gray is the standard. However, II
B, which is input when reading a gray original from T.
The values of the G and R color separation signals are not equal because the spectral characteristics of the light source and color separation filter are not ideal. Therefore, END conversion uses a conversion table (LUTi lookup table) as shown in FIG. 22(a) to balance this. Therefore, when reading a gray original, the conversion table always converts B, G,
It has the characteristic of converting into an R color separation signal and outputting it, and depends on the characteristics of IIT. Furthermore, 16 conversion tables are prepared, of which 11 are tables for film projectors containing negative film, and three are tables for normal copying, photography, and generation copying.

(b) Color masking module The color masking module 302 includes B, G, and R.
It converts signals into signals corresponding to the toner amounts of Y, M, and C by performing matrix calculations, and processes the signals after performing gray balance adjustment by END conversion.

The conversion matrix used for color masking is a 3x3 matrix that calculates Y, M, and C purely from B, G, and R, respectively.
Not only G and R, but also BG, GR, RB, B2,
It goes without saying that various matrices or other matrices may be used to take into account the G2 and R2 components. The conversion matrix has two cents, one for normal color adjustment and one for intensity signal generation in monochrome mode.

In this way, when processing IIT video signals with IPS, gray balance adjustment is performed first and foremost. If this were to be done after color masking, it would be necessary to adjust the gray balance using the gray original, taking into account the characteristics of color masking.
The translation table becomes more complex.

(c) Original Size Detection Module Not only standard S/F size originals, but also originals of arbitrary shapes such as cut-and-printed originals may be copied. In this case, it is necessary to detect the document size in order to select a paper of an appropriate size corresponding to the document size. Furthermore, when the copy paper is larger than the original size, erasing the outside of the original can improve the quality of the copy. Therefore, the document size detection module 303 performs document size detection during pre-scanning and platen color erasing (frame erasing) processing during document reading and scanning.

For this purpose, the platen color is set to a color that can be easily distinguished from the original, for example, black, and the upper and lower limits of platen color identification are set in the threshold register 3 as shown in FIG. 22(b).
Set to 031.

During pre-scanning, a signal converted (γ-converted) into information close to the reflectance of the document (spatial filter 300 to be described later) is used.
) X and threshold register 3031
Comparator 303
2, the edge of the document is detected by the edge detection circuit 3034, and the maximum and minimum values of the coordinates (x, y) are stored in the maximum/minimum sorter 3035.

For example, as shown in Figure 22(d), if the document is tilted or not rectangular, the maximum and minimum values (
xi, x2, yl, y) are detected and stored. Also, when scanning a document, the comparator 3033 reads Y, M, C of the document and the threshold register 303.
The upper limit value/lower limit value set to 1 is compared, and the platen color erasing circuit 3036 erases the outside of the edge, that is, the read signal of the platen, and performs frame erasing processing.

(d) Color Conversion Module The color conversion module 305 enables conversion of a specified color in a specific area, and as shown in FIG. 22(c), a window comparator 305
2. It is equipped with a threshold register 3051, a color palette 3053, etc., and when performing color conversion, sets the upper and lower limits of each Y, M, and C of the converted color in the threshold register 3051, and also sets the upper and lower limits of each Y, M, and C of the converted color. , C values are set in the color palette 3053.

07- Then, the Nantes gate 3054 is controlled according to the area signal input from the area image control module, and if it is not the color conversion area, the Y, M, C of the original is
is sent out from the selector 3055 as it is, and when it enters the color conversion area, the Y and M of the original.

When the C signal falls between the upper and lower limits of Y, M, and C set in the threshold register 3051, the selector 3055 is output by the window comparator 3052.
and sends out the conversion colors Y, M, and C set in the color palette 3053.

Specified colors can be specified by pointing directly at the document with the digitizer, such as B, B, etc. around the coordinates specified during prescanning.
The designated color is recognized by taking the average of 25 pixels each of G and R. Through this averaging operation, for example, even a 150-line original can be recognized with an accuracy within a color difference of 5. B, G, R
To read density data, designated coordinates are converted into addresses from the IIT shading correction RAM and read out. When converting addresses, it is necessary to readjust the registration valve 108 as in the case of document size detection. In pre-scan, II
T operates in sample scan mode. The B, G, and R density data read from the shading correction RAM are subjected to shading correction by software, averaged, and further subjected to END correction and color masking before being set in the window comparator 3052.

Up to 8 colors out of 16.7 million colors can be registered in the color palette 3053 at the same time, and the standard colors are Y,
There are 14 colors available: M, C, G, B, R, and their intermediate colors, as well as W.

(e) UCR & black generation module If the amounts of Y, M, and C are equal, the result will be gray, so theoretically, the same color can be reproduced by replacing equal amounts of Y, M, and C with black. In reality, if the color is replaced with black, the color becomes muddy and the reproducibility of vivid colors deteriorates. Therefore, UCR & black generation module 30
In step 5, add an appropriate amount of K to prevent such color turbidity.
is generated, and Y, M, and C are reduced by equal amounts (undercolor removal) according to the amount. Specifically, Y, M
, detects the maximum and minimum values of C, generates K below the minimum value from the conversion table according to the difference, and performs a certain amount of undercolor removal for Y, M, and C according to the amount. .

In UCR & black generation, as shown in Figure 22(e), for example, when the color is close to gray, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value becomes small, so the minimum values of Y, M, and C are directly removed and K However, if the difference between the maximum and minimum values is large, the amount of removal is made smaller than the minimum values of Y, M, and C, and the amount of K generated is also reduced to prevent ink from being mixed in. Prevents saturation of low brightness and high chroma colors from decreasing.

In FIG. 22(f) showing a specific circuit configuration example, the maximum value/minimum value detection circuit 3051 detects the maximum and minimum values of Y, M, and C, and the calculation circuit 3053 calculates the difference. Then, the conversion table 3054 and the arithmetic circuit 3055
to generate K. The conversion table 3054 adjusts the value of K, and when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is small, the output value of the conversion table 3054 becomes zero, so the minimum value is directly used as the value of K from the calculation circuit 3055. However, if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is large, the output value of the conversion table 3054 is not zero, so the calculation circuit 3
At step 055, the value subtracted by that amount from the minimum value is output as the value of K. The conversion table 3056 corresponds to K and Y,
This is a table for finding values to be removed from M and C.
Through this conversion table 3056, an arithmetic circuit 3059 performs removal corresponding to K from Y, M, and C. Further, AND gates 3057 and 3058 gate the signal and the signal after removing the undercolor of Y, M, and C according to each signal of the monocolor mode and 4 full color mode, and the selectors 3052 and 3050 gate the signal after removing the undercolor of Y, M, and C. Either Y, M, C, or K is selected based on the color signal. In this way, in reality, Y,
Since colors are reproduced with M and C halftone dots, Y, M,
The removal of C and the generation ratio of K are set using empirically generated curves, tables, and the like.

(f) Spatial filter module In the device applied to this copying machine, as mentioned earlier, the document is read while scanning the CCD using the IIT, so if the information is used as it is, the information will be blurred, and the halftone dots will be blurred. Since the original is reproduced by the method, moiré occurs between the halftone dot period of the printed material and the sampling period of 16 dots/mm. Furthermore, moiré occurs between the halftone dot period generated by the user and the halftone dot period of the document. The spatial filter module 306 has a function of recovering such blur and a function of removing moiré. To remove moiré, a low-pass filter is used to cut halftone components, and a bypass filter is used to emphasize edges.

In the spatial filter module 306, FIG. 22(g)
Y, M, C, Min and M A as shown in
One color of the input signal of X-Min is extracted by a selector 3003 and converted to information close to reflectance using a conversion table 3004. This is because it is easier to pick up edges with this information, and for example, Y is selected as one of the colors. In addition, Y, M, and C are determined for each pixel using a threshold register 3001.4-bit binarization circuit 3002 and a decoder 3005.
1M1n and M a x −M i n to Y,
M, C, K, B, G, R, W (white) 8
Separate the hues into The decoder 3005 in FIG.
It recognizes the hue according to the binarized information and outputs 1-bit information as to whether the color is a required color or not based on the process color.

The output of FIG. 22(g) is input to the circuit of FIG. 22(h). Here, PIF03061, 5x7 digital filter 3063, modulation table 3066
Generate halftone removal information using FIFO 3062 and 5.
×7 digital filter 3064, modulation table 3067, delay circuit 3065 as shown in the same figure (g)
Edge enhancement information is generated from the output information. Modulation tables 3066 and 3067 are selected depending on the copy mode, such as photo, text only, mixed copy mode, etc.

In edge enhancement, for example, when trying to reproduce a green character as shown in Figure 22 (i) as ■, change Y, C to ■,
Emphasis processing is performed as shown in (2), and no emphasis processing is performed for M as shown in (solid line). This switching is performed by the AND gate 3068 shown in FIG. 13-(h). To carry out this process, by emphasizing as indicated by the dotted line (■), the edges become muddy due to the color mixture of M as shown in (■).

The delay circuit 3065 shown in FIG. 3(h) synchronizes the FIFO 3062 and the 5×7 digital filter 3064 in order to switch such emphasis for each process color using an AND gate 3068. When bright green characters are reproduced using normal processing, magenta is mixed into the green characters, causing them to become muddy.

Therefore, if green is recognized as described above, Y and C are output as usual, but M is suppressed and edges are not emphasized.

(G') The TRC conversion module IOT executes four copy cycles (in the case of 4 full-color copies) using each process color of Y, K, C, and K according to the on/off signal from the IPS, and reproduces the full-color original. However, in reality, in order to faithfully reproduce the theoretically determined colors through signal processing, subtle adjustments are required that take into account the characteristics of the IOT. The TRC conversion 14-module 309 is intended to improve reproducibility, and converts 8-bit image data by each combination of Y, M, and C densities as shown in FIG. 22(j). Address conversion table for address input is R
It has editing functions such as density adjustment according to area signals, contrast adjustment, negative/positive inversion, color balance adjustment, text mode, and watermark composition. This RAM
Bits 0 to 3 of the area signal are used for the upper three bits of the address. Furthermore, the above functions can be used in combination using the out-of-area mode. Furthermore, this RA
For example, M is composed of 2 bytes (256 bytes x 8 sides) and has an 8-side conversion table, and up to 8 sides are stored during the IIT carriage return for each cycle of Y, M, and C. Selected according to area specification and copy mode. Of course, if the RAM capacity is increased, there is no need to load it every cycle.

(H) Reduction processing module The reduction processing module 308 performs reduction processing through the reduction processing circuit 3082 in the process of temporarily holding data X in the line buffer 15-3083 and sending it out. A controller 3081 generates a sampling pitch signal and a read/write address for the line buffer 3083. The line buffer 3083 is a pin-bong buffer consisting of two lines, so that it is possible to read data from one line and write the next line data to the other line at the same time. In the reduction/enlargement processing, the reduction/enlargement processing module 308 performs digital processing in the main scanning direction, but the scanning speed of the IIT is changed in the sub-scanning direction. The scan speed can be changed to 50 by changing from 2x speed to 1/4x speed.
It can be scaled up from % to 400%. In digital processing, when reading/writing data to/from the line buffer 3083, data can be reduced by thinning and complementing, and can be expanded by adding and complementing. If the complementary data is in the middle, it is generated by weighting according to the distance from the data on both sides, as shown in FIG. 11 (1). For example, in the case of data Xi', data X on both sides
i, X i+1 and the distance d1 between these data and the sampling point. From d2, (Xixd2
)+ (Xi+IXdl) However, d l+ d 2=
It can be found by calculating 1.

In the case of reduction processing, the data is complemented and written to the line buffer 3083, and at the same time, the reduced data of the previous line is read out from the buffer and sent. In the case of enlarging processing, the data is written as-is, and at the same time the data of the previous line is read out, supplemented and enlarged, and then sent out.

If complementary enlargement is performed at the time of writing, the clock at the time of writing must be increased according to the enlargement ratio, but if it is done as described above, writing/reading can be performed with the same clock.

In addition, using this configuration, it is possible to perform shift image processing in the main scanning direction by reading from the middle or by reading with delayed timing, and by repeatedly reading, it is possible to perform repeated processing by reading from the opposite direction. It is also possible to perform mirror image processing.

(2) Screen generator The screen generator 309 converts the process color gradation toner signal into an on/off binary toner signal and outputs it, and compares the threshold matrix with the gradation-expressed data value. Binarization processing and error diffusion processing are performed. In the IOT, this binary toner signal is input, and it is divided into approximately vertical 8 to correspond to 16 dots/mm.
A half-tone image is reproduced by turning on and off an elliptical laser beam with a diameter of 0 μm and a width of 60 μm.

First, the method of expressing gradation will be explained. Figure 22 (n
), for example, a case where a 4×4 halftone cell S is configured will be explained. First, in the screen generator, a threshold matrix m is set corresponding to such a halftone cell S. This is compared with the data value expressed in gradation. In this comparison process, for example, if the data value is "5", a signal is generated to turn on the laser beam at a portion of the threshold matrix m that is equal to or less than "5".

A 4×4 halftone cell with 16 dots/mm is generally referred to as a 100 spi, 16 tone halftone cell, but this results in a coarse image and poor color image reproducibility. Therefore, this copying machine uses this method to increase the gradation.
A pixel of 6 dots/mm is divided vertically (in the main scanning direction) into 4 parts, and the on/off frequency of the laser beam for each pixel is increased by 1/4, or 4 times, as shown in the figure (0). By doing this, a gradation that is four times higher is achieved. Therefore, in response to this, a threshold value of 7 trixes m' as shown in (0) of the same figure is set. Furthermore, it is also effective to employ a submatrix method to increase the number of lines.

The above example used the same threshold matrix m with the only growth nucleus near the center of each halftone cell, but the submatrix method is constructed by a set of multiple unit matrices, as shown in Figure 2(p). In this way, the growth nuclei of the matrix are set at two or more locations (plurality). If such a screen pattern design method is adopted, for example, the bright area 19-100 will be set to 141 spi and 64 gradations, and as it gets darker, it will be increased to 200 spi and 128 gradations, so that it can be freely adjusted depending on the dark and bright areas. You can change the number of lines and gradation. Such a pattern can be designed by visually determining the smoothness, fineness, graininess, etc. of gradations.

When a halftone image is reproduced using a dot matrix as described above, the number of gradations and resolution have a contradictory relationship.

In other words, there is a relationship in which increasing the number of gradations causes a decrease in resolution, and increasing the resolution causes a decrease in the number of gradations. Also,
If the matrix of threshold data is made smaller, a quantization error will occur in the image that is actually output. Error diffusion processing is performed by converting the quantization error between the on/off binary signal generated by the screen generator 3092 and the input gradation signal into a density conversion circuit 3093 and a subtraction circuit 309, as shown in FIG.
4, the correction circuit 3095 and the addition circuit 3091
It uses feedback to improve the reproducibility of gradation from a macroscopic perspective. For example, error diffusion involves convolving the corresponding position of the previous line and the pixels on both 120- sides through a digital filter. Processing is in progress.

As mentioned above, the screen generator switches threshold data and error diffusion processing feedback coefficients for each document or area depending on the type of image, such as a halftone image or character image, to improve the reproducibility of high-gradation, high-definition images. .

(J) Area image control module The area image control module 311 has a configuration in which seven rectangular areas and their priorities can be set in the area generation circuit, and area control information is set in the switch matrix corresponding to each area. be done.

The control information includes color conversion, color mode such as monochrome or full color, modulation selection information for photos and text, TRC selection information, screen generator selection information, etc., including a color masking module 302 and a color conversion module 304. , U.C.
It is used to control the R module 305, spatial filter 306, and TRC module 307. Note that the switch matrix can be set by software.

(Le) Editing control module The editing control module reads a manuscript that is not a rectangle but a pie chart, for example, and enables coloring processing in which a specified area of any shape is filled in with a specified color. As shown in m), AGDC (
Advanced Graphic Digital
Controller) 3121, font buffer 3
126, logo ROM128, DMAC (DMACont
3129 is connected. And C
An encoded 4-pinto area command is written from the PU to the plain memory 3122 through the AGDC 3121, and the font is written to the font buffer 3126. The plane memory 3122 is composed of four sheets, and each point of the document can be set using four bits of planes 0 to 3, such as, for example, in the case of roooOJ, command O is used to output the original document. The decoder 3123 decodes this 4-bit information into commands O to 15, and the switch matrix sets commands to perform fill pattern, fill logic, or logo processing for commands 0 to 15. It is 3124. The font address controller 3125 generates addresses for the font buffer 3126 in accordance with patterns such as halftone shade and hunting shade using a 2-bit fill pattern signal.

The switch circuit 3127 is a switch matrix 3124
The document data X, font buffer 3126, color palette, etc. are selected based on the fill logic signal and the contents of the document data X. The fill logic is information for filling only the background (the background part of the document) with a color mesh, color converting a specific part, masking, trimming, filling, etc.

With the IPS of this copying machine, as described above, the IIT original reading signal is first subjected to END conversion, then color masking, and processing with full color data is more efficient for processing the original size, border erasure, and color conversion. After processing, the undercolor is removed and ink is created to focus on process colors. However, processing such as spatial filtering, color modulation, and TRC1 reduction can reduce the amount of processing by processing process color data compared to processing full color data, and reduce the number of conversion tables used by 1/3. At the same time, we have increased the number of types to increase adjustment flexibility, color reproducibility, gradation reproducibility, and definition reproducibility.

(B) Hardware configuration of image processing system No. 23
The figure is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an IPS.

The IPS of this copier is divided into two substrates, IPSA and IPS-B, and provides the basic functions of a color image forming device such as color reproducibility, gradation reproducibility, and definition reproducibility. The parts to be achieved are mounted on the first board IPS-A, and the parts to achieve applied and specialized functions such as editing are mounted on the second board IPS-B. The former configuration is shown in Figure 23 0)
~(C) is 24-, and the latter configuration is shown in Figure (d). In particular, if the basic functions can be sufficiently achieved with the first board, applications and specialized functions can be flexibly handled simply by changing the design of the second board. Therefore, if it is desired to further enhance the functionality of the color image forming apparatus, this can be achieved simply by changing the design of the other substrate.

The IPS board has CPU buses (address bus ADR3BUS, data bus DATAB) as shown in Figure 23.
US, control bus CTRLBUS) is connected,
Video clock IIT/VCLK, line synchronization (main scanning direction, horizontal synchronization) signal IIT-LS, and page synchronization (sub-scanning direction, vertical synchronization) signal IIT-PS are connected as video data B, G, and R1 synchronization signals of IIT. Ru.

Since video data is subjected to pipeline processing after the END converter, processing is required at each processing stage, resulting in a data delay in units of locks. Therefore,
The line synchronization generation and fail check circuit 328 generates and distributes horizontal synchronization signals in response to delays in each process, and performs a fail check on the video clock and line synchronization signals. Therefore, the line synchronization generation & fail check circuit 328 includes a video clock I
The IT-VCLK and line synchronization signals IIT/LS are connected, and the CPU bus (ADH5BUS, DATABUS, CTRLBUS) is connected so that internal settings can be rewritten.
) and chip select signal CS are connected.

Video data B, G, and R of the IIT are input to the ROM 321 of the END conversion section. Although the END conversion table may be configured to be loaded from the CPU as appropriate using RAM, for example, there is almost no need to rewrite it while the device is in use and image data is being processed.
Two 2-byte ROMs are used for each of B, G, and R, and a ROM-based LUT (look-up table) method is adopted. It has 16 conversion tables and is switched by a 4-bit selection signal ENDSel.

The output of ROM321 after END conversion is 3 for each color.
3 calculation LSIs 322 with 2 ×1 matrices
connected to a color masking section consisting of Arithmetic LSI
Each path of the CPU is connected to 322, and the coefficients of the matrix can be set from the cPU. A setup signal SU and a chip select signal C8 are connected to switch from image signal processing to a CPU bus for rewriting by the CPU, etc. A 1-bit switching signal MONO is connected to switch matrix selection.

In addition, a power-down signal PD is input to stop the internal video clock when the IIT is not scanning, that is, when not performing image processing.

B, G, R to Y by calculation LSI322
The signals converted into M and C are inputted to the DOD LSI 323 after color conversion processing through the color conversion LSI 353 of the second board IPS-H shown in FIG. 4(d). The color conversion LSI 353 has 4 color conversion circuits consisting of 27 threshold registers for setting non-conversion colors, a color palette for setting conversion colors, comparators, etc.
323 includes a document edge detection circuit, a frame erasing circuit, and the like.

The output of the DOD LSI323 that has undergone frame erasing is UCR.
The data is sent to the LSI 324 for use. This LSI includes an OCR circuit, a black generation circuit, and a necessary color generation circuit, and includes a process color X corresponding to the toner color in the copy cycle.
, necessary color Hue, and edge signals are output.

Therefore, this LSI includes a 2-bit process color designation signal C0LR, color mode signals (4COLR,
MONO) is also input.

The line memory 325 stores process color X, necessary color Hue, and edge E output from the UCR LSI 324.
Each signal of dge is filtered through a 5x7 digital filter 326.
FIF that stores 4 lines of data for input into
0 and a FIFO for matching the delay. Here, 4 lines of process color
I am trying to send it to LSI327 for X.

Digital filter 326 is L of 2×7 filter.
There are two sets of 5×7 filters (low-pass LP and bypass HP) each consisting of three SIs, one of which performs processing for process color X, and the other performs processing of edge.

The MIX LSI 327 performs halftone removal and edge emphasis processing on these outputs using a conversion table, and mixes them into process color X. Here, EDGE and SHARP 5 are used as signals for switching the conversion table.
harp is input.

The TRC 542 consists of a 2 byte RAM holding eight conversion tables. The conversion table is configured to be rewritten using the carriage return period before each scan, and is switched by a 3-bit switching signal TRCSel. Then, the processing output from here is sent from the transceiver to the L
Sent to SI345. The reduction/enlargement processing section has 8 bytes of R.
Two AM344s are used to configure a ping-pong buffer (line buffer), and an LSI343 is used to generate addresses for the resampling pitch rawhide line buffer.

The output of the reduction/enlargement processing section returns to the EDF LSI 346 through the area memory section of the second board shown in FIG. 3(d). E
The DF LSI 346 is a DF that holds information on the previous line.
It has an IFO and performs error diffusion processing using information from the previous line. The signal X after the error diffusion process is transmitted to the SG LSI 34 constituting the screen generator.
7 and is output to the I○T interface.

In the IOT interface, the signal from the SG LSI347 input as a 1-bit on/off signal is sent to the LS.
It is compiled into 8 bits using I349 and sent in parallel to the IOT.

In the second board shown in Fig. 23, the data actually flowing is 16 dots/mm, so it is reduced! ] The micro LSI 354 reduces the size to 1/4, binarizes it, and stores it in the area memory. The expansion decoding LSI359 is
It has a fill pattern RAM 360, expands it to 16 dots when reading area information from the area memory and generating commands, and generates logo addresses, color palettes, and fill patterns. DRAM3
56 stores 4-bit coded area information composed of four planes. AGDG355 is a dedicated controller that controls area commands.

(n-4) Image Output Terminal (A) Schematic Structure FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of the image output terminal (IOT).

This device uses an organic photosensitive material belt (Photo) as a photoreceptor.

A developing machine 404 consisting of black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) for four full colors, and a transfer device (Tow Roll Transfer) that conveys paper to a transfer unit.
L.

31 op) 406, a vacuum transport device (Vacuum Trana) that transports the paper from the transfer device 404 to the fixing device 408.
fer) 407, paper trays 410 and 412, and a paper conveyance path 411, and the three units of a photosensitive material belt, a developing device, and a transfer device are configured to be pulled out to the front side.

The information light obtained by modulating the laser light from the laser light source 40 is irradiated onto the +J' 411 through the mirror 40d to perform exposure and form a latent image.

The image formed on the photosensitive material is developed by a developing device 404 to form a toner image. The developing machine 404 is M
, C, and Y, and are arranged in the positional relationship as shown in the figure. This arrangement takes into account, for example, the relationship between dark attenuation and the characteristics of each toner, and the difference in influence caused by mixing other toners with black toner. However, the driving order for full color copying is Y-10-1.
It is on M-1.

On the other hand, there is a tray 410 consisting of two stages of elevator trays, and another tray 412 of two stages (the paper to be fed is fed through the transport path 4).
11 to the transfer device 406 32-. The transfer device 406 is disposed in the transfer section and consists of two rolls connected by a timing chain or belt, and a gripper bar as described below. Transfer the image to paper. In the case of four-color full-color paper, the paper rotates four times in the transfer unit, and Y, C, M, and K images are transferred in this order. After the transfer, the sheet is released from the gripper bar, passed from the transfer device to a vacuum conveyance device 407, fixed by a fixing device 408, and discharged.

The vacuum conveyance device 407 is connected to the transfer device 406 and the fixing device 40.
It absorbs the speed difference with 8 and maintains synchronization. In this device, the transfer speed (process speed) is 190 mm/
The transfer speed and the fixing speed are different because the fixing speed is 90+n+n/sec in the case of a full color copy or the like.

In order to ensure the degree of fixation, the process speed is reduced, and on the other hand, in order to achieve 1.5 kVA, power cannot be applied to the fuser.

Therefore, in the case of small paper such as B5 or A4, the transferred paper is released from the transfer device 406 and transferred to the vacuum conveyance device 40.
7, the speed of the vacuum transfer device is increased to 190 mm/
sec to 90 mm/sec to make it the same as the fixing speed. However, in this device, the distance between the transfer device and the fixing device is made as short as possible to make the device compact, so if A3 paper cannot fit between the transfer point and the fixing device, the speed of the vacuum conveyance device will be reduced. Otherwise, since the rear edge of the A3 sheet is being transferred, the brakes will be applied to the paper, resulting in color misregistration. Therefore, a baffle plate 409 is installed between the fixing device and the vacuum conveyance device, and in the case of A3 paper, the baffle plate is tilted downward to make the paper draw a loop and lengthen the conveyance path. The leading edge of the paper reaches the fixing device after the transfer is completed at the same speed as the transfer speed, thereby absorbing the speed difference. Further, in the case of OHP, heat conduction is poor, so the same method as in the case of A3 paper is used.

In addition, this device is capable of copying not only full color but also black without reducing productivity. In the case of black, there is less toner layer and it is possible to fix even with a small amount of heat, so the fixing speed is 190 mm/sec. No speed reduction is performed using vacuum transfer equipment. This is done in the same way when there is only one toner layer other than black, such as a single color toner layer, since there is no need to reduce the fixing speed. When the transfer is completed, the toner remaining on the photosensitive material is scraped off by a cleaner 405.

(B) Structure of transfer device The transfer device 406 has a structure as shown in FIG. 25(a).

The transfer device of this apparatus is characterized by having a structure that does not have a mechanical paper support to prevent color unevenness and the like, and by controlling the speed to increase the transfer speed.

The paper is ejected from the tray by a feed head 421, transported through a buckle chamber 422 driven by a paper path servo 423, and supplied to the transfer device via a register 4425 whose opening and closing are controlled by a register gate solenoid 426. The pre-registration sensor 424 detects that the paper 35- has reached the registration gate I. The transfer device is driven by
This is performed by driving a roller 433 via a timing belt with a servo motor 432, and the roller 433 is rotated counterclockwise. The roller 434 is not particularly driven;
Two timing chains or belts are hung between the rollers.Between the chains (perpendicular to the conveyance direction) is a gripper bar that is normally closed due to elasticity and that opens at the entrance of the transfer device using a solenoid. 430 is provided, and conveys the paper by holding the paper in its mouth at the entrance of the transfer device and twisting it around. Conventionally, paper was supported by attaching a Mylar sheet or mesh to an aluminum or steel support, but due to differences in thermal expansion coefficients, unevenness was created, resulting in poor transfer efficiency. However, by using this gripper bar, there is no need to provide a support for the paper, and the occurrence of color unevenness can be prevented.

The transfer device is not equipped with a support for the paper to be conveyed, and the paper will be thrown outward by centrifugal force at the rollers, so to prevent this, the two rollers are vacuumed. The paper is bowed toward the rollers, and when it passes the rollers, it is transported while fluttering. At the transfer point, the paper is attracted by electrostatic force toward the transfer corotron and transfer corotron, and the transfer is performed. After the transfer is completed, the gripper home sensor 436 detects the position at the exit of the transfer device, and at an appropriate timing, a solenoid opens the gripper bar to release the paper and transfer it to the vacuum conveyance device 413.

Therefore, in the transfer device, the - sheet is conveyed four times in the case of full color, and three times in the case of three colors, and 11 transfers are performed.

The timing control of the servo motor 432 is shown in FIG. 22(b).
This is explained by: In the transfer device, the servo motor 432 may be controlled at a constant speed during the transfer, and once the transfer is completed, the lead edge transferred to the paper may be controlled to synchronize with the transfer point of the next latent image. On the other hand, the length of the sensitive material belt 41 is such that latent images are formed on three sheets of A4 paper and two sheets of A3 paper, and the length of the belt 435 is slightly longer than the length of A3 paper (approximately 4 /3 times) is set.

Therefore, when performing color copying on A4 paper, the servo motor 432 is controlled at a constant speed when transferring the first color latent image I+, and when the transfer is completed, the lead edge transferred to the paper is transferred to the second color latent image. The servo motor is rapidly accelerated and controlled in synchronization with the tip of I2. In addition, in the case of A3 paper, when the transfer of the first color latent image 1 is completed, the servo motor is decelerated so that the lead edge transferred to the paper is synchronized with the tip of the second color latent image 2. Control to wait.

(II-5) User interface (U/I) (
A) Adoption of a color display FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the installation state and appearance of a user interface device using a display, and FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the installation angle and height of the user interface.

The user interface supports easy-to-understand interaction between the operator and the machine, and must enable simple operation, clarify information relationships, and provide necessary information to the operator in a memorable manner. To this end, we created an original user interface for this copier that corresponds to the user's usage, making it easy for beginners to understand, not bothersome for experts, and allowing direct operation when selecting functions. The aim of operability is to use colors to convey information to the operator more accurately and quickly, and to concentrate operations in one place as much as possible.

When it comes to copying machines, the more reliable they are with a variety of functions, the higher the reputation of the device will be. However, if those functions are difficult to use, the value will drop dramatically even if it has excellent functions. On the contrary, it becomes an expensive device. As a result, even if it is a highly functional model, it is difficult to use and the overall evaluation of the device is significantly lower39-. From this point of view, the user interface is a factor that greatly influences whether a device is easy to use or not, and especially as copying machines become more multi-functional in recent years, the operability of the user interface becomes an issue. .

In order to improve such operability, the user interface of this copying machine is equipped with a 12-inch color display 501 monitor and a hard control panel 502 next to it, as shown in FIG. The color display is designed to provide the user with a menu that is easy to see and understand, and the color display 501 is combined with an infrared touch board 503 to allow direct access using soft buttons on the screen. Furthermore, by efficiently distributing operation contents to the hard buttons on the hard control panel 502 and the soft buttons displayed on the screen of the color display 501, it is possible to simplify operations and efficiently configure the menu screen.

On the back side of the color display 501 and the hard control panel 502, a monitor control/power supply board 504, a video engine board 505, a CRT driver board 506, etc. are mounted, as shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 40(c). The hard control panel 502 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, it has an angle that points further toward the center than the surface of the color display 501.

Further, the color display 501 and the hard control panel 502 are not mounted directly on the base machine (copying machine main body) 507 as shown in the figure, but on a support arm 508 erected on the base machine 507. If a stand-type color display 50'1 is used instead of a console panel as in the past, it can be mounted three-dimensionally above the base machine 507 as shown in FIG. 26(a). In particular, by arranging the color display 501 at the back right corner of the base machine 507 as shown in FIG. 27(a),
The size of the copying machine can be designed without considering the console panel, and the apparatus can be made more compact.

In a copying machine, the height of the platen, that is, the height of the device, is designed to be at a comfortable waist height for setting a document, and this height regulates the height of the device.

Conventional console panels are mounted on the top of the copier, so they are located at waist height and close to your hand, making them easy to operate, but they are also placed quite far away from your eyes to allow you to select functions and set execution conditions. An operating section and a display section will be arranged for this purpose. In this regard, the user interface of this copying machine is located at a position higher than the platen, that is, close to eye level, as shown in FIG. Moreover, it is on the right side, making it easier to operate. Moreover, by bringing the height of the display close to eye level, the space underneath can be used effectively as space for installing optional kits such as user interface control boards, memory card devices, and key counters. . Therefore, there is no need to make any structural changes to the mounting area for the memory card device, and the memory card device can be additionally installed without changing the appearance at all, and at the same time, the display can be mounted in a position and height that is easy to see. Further, although the display may be fixed at a predetermined angle, it is of course possible to employ a structure that allows the display to change its angle.

(B) System configuration FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the module configuration of the user interface, and FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user interface.

As shown in FIG. 28, the module configuration of the user interface of this copying machine includes a video display module 511 that controls the display screen of a color display 501, an edit pad 513, and a memory card 514 that inputs and outputs information. The video display module 51 consists of an edit pad interface module 512 for processing, a system UI 517, 519 for controlling these, a subsystem 515, a touch screen 503, and a control panel 502.
Connected to 1.

The edit pad interface module 512 receives the X and Y coordinates from the edit pad 513 and the job and X coordinates from the memory card 514.

In addition to inputting the Y coordinate, video map display information is sent to the video display module 511, and a U control signal is exchanged with the video display module 511.

By the way, area specification includes marker specification, which specifies an area on the document with a red or blue marker, and performs cropping and color conversion.
There are two-point specification using the coordinates of a rectangular area, and a closed-loop specification by tracing with the edit pad, but marker specification does not have any particular data, and two-point specification has less data, while closed-loop specification allows you to specify the area as an editing target. Requires large amounts of data. This data is edited using IPS remote, but the amount of data is too large to transfer at high speed.

Therefore, a dedicated transfer line to IIT/IP44-8516 is used for the data of the X and Y coordinates, in addition to the general data transfer line.

The video display module 511 inputs the vertical and horizontal input points (coordinate positions of the touch screen) of the touch screen 503, recognizes the button ID, and inputs the buttons on the control panel 502. Then, the button ID is sent to the system UI 517.519, and a display request is received from the system UI 517.519. Further, a subsystem (ESS) 515 is a printer controller that is connected to, for example, a workstation or host CPU and is used when this apparatus is used as a laser printer. In this case, information from the touch screen 503, control panel 502, and keyboard (not shown) is transferred as is to the subsystem 515.The contents of the display screen are sent from the subsystem 515 to the video display module 511. .

The system UIs 517 and 519 exchange copy mode and machine state information with the master controllers 518 and 520. Corresponding to FIG. 4 explained earlier, one of the system UIs 517 and 519 is the 32
5YSUI module 81 of the sys remote shown in the figure, and the other is the MCBUI module 81 of the MCB remote shown in FIG.
This is module 86.

The user interface of this copying machine consists of UICB521 and EPIB5 hardware as shown in FIG.
It is composed of two control boards consisting of 22, and its functions are broadly divided into two, corresponding to the above module configuration. The UICB 521 controls the UI hardware and has an edit pad 513 and a memory card 51.
Also touch screen 50 to drive 4
Two CPUs (
For example, Intel's 8085 equivalent and 6845 equivalent) are used.Furthermore, EPIB522 uses 16
Bit CPU (e.g. Intel's 80C196K)
Use A) to DM the drawing data of the bitmap area.
Functional distribution is achieved by configuring A to transfer to the UICB 521.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the configuration of the UICB.

In addition to the above-mentioned CPUs, the UICB has a CPU 534 (for example, equivalent to Intel's 8051), and the CCC 531 is connected to the high-speed communication line L-NET and the communication line of the optional keyboard, and the CPU 534 and CCC 531 control communication. is also used for touch screen drives. The touch screen signal is sent from the CPU 534 to the CCC 5 with its coordinate position information intact.
31 to the CPU 532
The button ID is recognized and processed. In addition, it is connected to the control panel through the input port 551 and output port 552, and from the EPIB 522 and subsystem (ESS) through the subsystem interface 548, receiver 549, and driver 550.
Video data is received and received at IMbps with a MHz clock, and commands and status information can be exchanged at 947-600 bps.

The memory is BootR, which stores the bootstrap.
Thoughts on OM535 7+/-AROM538 and 539, R
AM536, bitmap RAM537, V-RAM5
It has 42. Frame ROMs 538 and 539 are
It is a memory that stores display screen data not as a bitmap but in a data structure that is easy to handle with software, and when a display request is sent through LNET,
The CPU 532 uses the RAM 536 as a work area, and drawing data is first generated there, and then written to the V-RAM 542 by the DMA 541. Further, the bitmap data is transferred from the EPIB 522 to the bitmap RAM 537 by the DMA 540 and written therein. Character generator 544 is for graphic tiles, and text character generator 543 is for character tiles.

The V-RAM 542 is managed by a tile code.The tile code consists of 24 bits (3 bytes)148-, 13 bits are tile type information, and 2 bits are identification information of whether it is a text, a graphic, or a bitmap. ,
One bit is used for link information, five bits are used for tile color information, and three bits are used for background or foreground information. CRT controller 533
develops the display screen based on the tile code information written in the V-RAM 542, and loads the shift register 545.
, multiplexer 546, and color palette 547 to send the video data to the CRT.

The drawing of the bitmap area is switched by a shift register 545.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the configuration of EPIB.

The EPIB includes a 16-bit CPU (for example, equivalent to Intel's 80C196KA) 555, a boot page code ROM 556, an OS page code ROM 557,
Area memory 558, RA used as work area
It has M559. And interface 56
1. Transfers bitmap data, commands, and status information to the UICB through the driver 562 and driver/receiver 563, and sends X to the IPS through the high-speed communication interface 564 and driver 565.
Transferring Y coordinate data. In addition, memory card 5
Reading/writing to/from 25 is performed through interface 560. Therefore, when close-loop editing area designation information and copy mode information are input from the edit pad 524 or memory card 525, these information are sent to the UICB via the interface 561 and driver 562 as appropriate.
Each is transferred to the IPS through the driver 565.

(C) Display screen configuration Even when using a display as a user interface, the amount of information needed to provide information corresponding to multi-functionality increases, so if you think about it simply, a large display area is required, making it difficult to make it more compact. This has the aspect of making it difficult to respond. When a compact size display is adopted, it becomes difficult to provide all necessary information on one screen not only because of display density issues, but also because it is difficult to provide a screen that is easy for the operator to see and understand.

In the user interface of the present invention, a compact size display is used, and the display screen and its control are devised.

In particular, color displays have the advantage of being able to adopt a variety of display modes by controlling color, brightness, and other display attributes compared to the LEDs and liquid crystal displays used in console panels, and are compact in size. Various efforts have been made to display the information in an easy-to-understand manner.

For example, by broadly classifying the information displayed on the screen and dividing it into multiple screens, and then, for each screen, creating a pop-up with detailed information and omitting it from the primary screen, the screen can be configured concisely with the minimum necessary information. We are trying to do this. In addition, on screens containing multiple pieces of information, efforts are made to make it easier to recognize and identify the necessary information on the screen by providing color display features and highlighted display features.

(a) Screen layout FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display screen.
Figure (a) shows the configuration of the basic copy screen, Figure (b) shows an example of a pop-up screen expanded to the basic copy screen, and Figure (c) shows the configuration of one creative editing Paint screen. FIG.

In the user interface of this copying machine, a basic copy screen for setting a copy mode as shown in FIG. 32 is displayed as an initial screen.

The screen for setting the cohesive mode consists of a software control panel and is divided into two areas, message area A and pathway B, as shown in FIG.

Message area A uses the top three lines of the screen,
The first line is for state messages, and the second and third lines are for guidance messages when there is a contradiction in function selection, messages regarding abnormal conditions of the device, and warning information messages.52- Predetermined messages are displayed. be done. The right end of the message area A is a number display area where the set number of copies entered using the numeric keys and the number of copies being copied are displayed.

Pathway B is an area for selecting various functions,
Basic Copy, Edit Feature, Marker Editing Business Editing Freehand Editing Creative Editing It has each pathway of tools, and a pathway tab C is displayed corresponding to each pathway. Additionally, each pathway has a pop-up to improve operability.

Pathway B includes a soft button D that is an option and selects a function when touched, an icon (picture) E that changes depending on the selected function and displays that function, an indicator F that displays the zoom ratio, etc. Displayed tag Soft button D
△ pop-up mark G on the item that will be popped up with
is attached. By touching the pathway tab C, the pathway can be opened, and by touching the soft button D, the function can be selected. The selection of functions by touching the soft button D is designed to be operated in order from the upper left to the lower right in consideration of operability.

As mentioned above, the basic copy screen and others are separated to maximize commonality with other models and with the hard console panel, and the editing screen provides screens and functions tailored to the skill level of the operator. It has a multi-layer structure so that Furthermore, by combining such a screen configuration with a pop-up function, a screen that is easy to use in a variety of ways is provided, such as displaying advanced or complex functions within a single screen as a pop-up.

A pop-up has detailed setting information for a specific function, and by having a pop-up opening function and opening the detailed setting information as needed, the screen structure of each pathway can be easily viewed. I keep it simple. A pop-up opens when a soft button with a pop-up mark is touched. Then, it closes when the close button or cancel button is selected, when the all clear button is pressed, when all clear is applied by the auto clear function, etc. FIG. 32(b) shows the state of the screen when a pop-up is opened by touching the magnification soft button in the reduction/enlargement function.

When the creative editing pathway tab is touched on the basic copy screen, the screen changes to the creative editing pathway screen, of which the Paint 1 screen is shown in FIG. 32(C). This screen has a bitmap area H and a guidance message area E. The bitmap area H is located at the upper left of the screen, and when an editing area is specified on the edit pad, the area can be displayed as a bitmap in black and white. Further, the guidance message area is used at the bottom left of the screen to guide the user in accordance with the editing work, and changes depending on the work. On the screen, the area excluding the bit map area H1 guidance message area A and the message area A at the top of the screen 55- is used as a work area.

(b) Basic copy screen As shown in Figure 32 (a), the basic copy pathway uses soft buttons (choices) to select each function: color mode, paper selection, reduction/enlargement, copy image quality, color balance, and job program. It also has pathway tabs for marker editing, business editing, freehand editing, creative editing, aid features, and tools. This pathway is an initial pathway, and is displayed when power is turned on, after turning on the all clear button, and when auto clearing, etc.

Color modes include full color (4-pass color), which makes copies using 4 types of toner: Y, M, C, and K; 3-pass color, which makes copies using 3 types of toner other than K;
Single color, you can choose one color from 12 colors.
It has black/red options, and the automatically selected default can be set arbitrarily. Here, since the single color, black/red selection 56-plate wave has detailed setting items, the items are expanded as a pop-up.

Paper selection is automatic paper selection (APS), tray 1.2
, cassette 3.4, and APS is established when a specific magnification is set for reduction/enlargement, but not established when automatic magnification (AMS) is set.

The default is APS.

Reduction/enlargement is 100%, AMS sets the magnification based on the paper size and original size when paper is selected,
It has the option of arbitrary magnification, and the set magnification, calculated magnification, or automatic is displayed on the top indicator. For variable magnification, the magnification can be set in 1% increments from 50% to 400%, and the vertical and horizontal magnification can be set independently (bias).
You can also. Therefore, these detailed setting items are expanded as a pop-up. Note that the default is 1
It is 00%.

As mentioned earlier, this reduction/enlargement can be done in the sub-scanning direction (X direction) by changing the scanning speed, and in the main scanning direction (X direction) by changing the reading method from the IPS line memory.
(Y direction).

For copy image quality, there are two options: automatic, which performs automatic density adjustment for black-and-white originals, and automatic color balance adjustment for color originals, and manual, which allows 7-step density control via pop-up. It will be done.

Color balance is controlled by IPS by specifying the color you want to reduce on the copy from Y, M, C, B, G, or R using a pop-up.

The job program options are valid only when the memory card is inserted into the slot of the reader, and in this mode, a pop-up allows you to select between reading jobs from the memory card and writing jobs to the memory card.

For example, the memory card can store up to 8 jobs.
Byte capacity is used, and all jobs except film projector mode can be programmed.

(c) Aidito feature screen The pathway of aidit feature is copy output, copy sharpness, copy contrast,
It has soft buttons (selections) for selecting each function such as copy position, film projector, page programming, job program, and binding margin, as well as marker editing, business editing, freehand editing, creative editing, and pathway tabs for basic copy and tools. have.

Copy output has the option of outputting to the top tray or sorting mode. The default is the top tray, and if a sorter is not installed, this item will not be displayed.

Copy sharpness is 7 for standard and pop-up.
There is a manual that allows you to control the steps, and a pop-up menu that allows you to choose between photos, which are classified into characters, prints, and photos/texts, and these controls are performed in the IPS. The default can be set arbitrarily.

For copy contrast, you can select a 7-step contrast control. The copy position has the option of an auto-center function that places the center of the copy image on the center of the paper by default.

As explained in a separate section, the film projector is a mode for making copies from various types of film.
5mm positive, 35mm negative or 6cm x 6c on the platen
There are options for n+ slides and 4" x 5" slides.

Page programming includes a cover for covering copies, an insert for inserting blank or colored paper between copies, a color mode that can be set for each page of the original, and a paper option that allows you to select a tray for each page of the original. Note that this item will not be displayed unless you have an ADF.

Set the binding margin in 1 mm increments in the range of 0 to 30 mm6
0-, and only one location can be specified for one document.

The binding amount is the amount from the leading edge of the paper to the leading edge of the image area, and is generated in the main scanning direction by a shift operation using the IPS line buffer, and in the sub-scanning direction by shifting the scan timing of the IIT.

(d) Editing screen and tool screen There are four pathways for editing screens: marker editing, business editing, freehand editing, and creative editing.

The marker editing pathway and freehand editing pathway each have one function option for extraction, deletion, coloring (halftone/line/solid), and color conversion, and also have pathway tabs for basic copy and aid feature tools.

Business editing pathways include extraction, deletion, and coloring (shading/shading).
Lines/solids), color conversion, color conversion, logo insertion, binding margin, etc., as well as basic copy-aided features, as well as marker editing pathways, etc.
Has a pathway tab for tools.

The creative editing pathway includes extraction, deletion, coloring (mesh/line/solid), color conversion, coloring, logo insertion, binding margin, negative/positive reversal, inset synthetic leather, watermark synthetic leather, paint, mirror image, repeat, enlarged continuous copying, and partial movement. ,corner/
Center movement, manual/auto magnification, manual/
It has options for each function related to auto bias, color mode, color balance adjustment, page snapshot, and color composition, and also has basic copy aided features and tool pathway tabs as well as marker editing pathways.

The tool pathway is entered by the key operator and customer engineer by entering a PIN number, and is used to set up the audiotron, machine initial values,
Default selection for each function, color registration, film type registration, fine adjustment of registered colors, presetting of various machine options, film projector scan area setting, audio tone (sound type, volume), paper transport system, and other miscellaneous items It has options for various functions such as timer settings (such as auto clear), pilling meter, dual language settings, diagnostic mode, maximum value adjustment, and memory card formatting.

The default selections are color mode, paper selection, copy density, copy sharpness, copy contrast, paper tray for page programming, single-color wrapping, color pallet color and mesh for color overlay, logotype pattern, binding amount, and color balance. is the target.

(e) Other screen control user interfaces constantly monitor the execution status of copying, and if a jam occurs, display a screen appropriate for the jam.

Further, in the function setting, an information screen is provided for the currently displayed screen, and the screen is set to be able to be displayed as appropriate.

Note that the screen display has a width of 3, excluding the bitmap area.
It uses a tiled display with a width of 80 mm (8 pixels) and a height of 6 mm (16 pixels), with a width of 80 x 63 tiles and a height of 25 tiles. The bitmap area is displayed with 151 pixels vertically and 216 pixels horizontally.

As mentioned above, the user interface of this copier has
The display screen can be switched according to each mode such as basic copy, edit feature, or edit, and menus for selecting functions and setting execution conditions are displayed in each mode, and selections can be made by touching the soft button. It is possible to specify the execution conditions and input execution condition data. In addition, depending on the menu option, detailed items are displayed in a pop-up (superimposed display or window display) to expand the displayed content. As a result, even if there are many selectable functions and setting conditions, the display screen can be kept clean and the operability can be improved.

(D) Hard control panel The hard control panel is attached to the right side of the color display at an angle that points further toward the center than the screen as shown in Figure 26.Number 64-Key, Numeric key clear, All clear, Stop , interrupt, start, information, audiotron, and language buttons are installed.

The numeric keypad buttons are used to set the number of copies, enter codes and data in the diagnostic mode, and enter a password when using tools, and are disabled while a job is being generated or a job is interrupted.

The All Clear button is used to return all of the set copy modes to their defaults and return to the basic copy screen except when the tool screen is open.While setting an interrupt job, the copy mode returns to the default. , interrupt mode is not released.

The stop button is used to interrupt the job at a copy break during job execution and to stop the machine after ejecting the copy paper. In the diagnosis mode, it is used to stop (interrupt) input/output checks, etc.

The interrupt button is used to switch one person to the interrupt mode during the primary job, except when the job is interrupted, and to return to the primary job during the interrupt job.

If this button is operated during execution of the primary job, the printer enters a reservation state, interrupts or ends the job at the end of copy paper ejection, and enters an interrupt job.

The start button is used to start a job and restart it after interruption, and in the diagnosis mode, it is used to input and save code values and data values, and to start input/output. If the start button is scanned while the machine is preheating, the machine will auto-start when the preheating ends.

The information button consists of an on button and an off button, and is in a ready state except when copying is in progress, and is used to display the information screen for the currently displayed screen with the on button, and to retreat with the off button. It is.

The Auditron button is operated to enter a password when starting a job.

The language button is operated to switch the language on the display screen. Therefore, each display screen has data in multiple languages so that it can be selected.

In addition, the hard control panel has LEDs as appropriate to display the operation status of each of the buttons above.
(light emitting diode) lamp is installed.

(m) Image reading device for a transparent original (m-1) Schematic configuration of the image reading device As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading device for a transparent original includes a film projector (F/P) 64, The main body of an image reading apparatus such as a digital color copying machine is provided with a mirror unit (M/U) 65 and an IIT 32, for example.

(A) Configuration of F/P As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, F/P
64 is equipped with a housing 601, and this housing 601 includes an operation confirmation lamp 602, a manual lamp switch 603, an autofocus/manual focus changeover switch (A67-F/MF changeover switch) 604, and a manual focus operation switch (M/F changeover switch). operation switch) 605
a and 605b are provided. Also housing 601
Holes 608 and 609 are formed on the top and side surfaces, respectively, of a size that allows the film holding case 607 supporting the original film 633 to be inserted into the F/P 64 from the vertical direction (that is, from above) or from the horizontal direction. It is perforated.

By making it possible to switch the insertion direction of the film holding case 607 between vertical and horizontal directions, the image recorded on the original film 633 can be oriented in a desired orientation relative to the form of the copy paper. It is possible to set and copy. In other words, if the orientation of A3 copy paper can only be set in one direction in a copying machine,
Copies can be made in a desired direction, either in the same direction or perpendicular to the direction of the copy paper. Furthermore, when a comment is written on a portion of copy paper and a film image is copied on the remaining portion, the image can be copied in accordance with the direction of the characters of the comment. The film holding case 607 includes a case for 35 mm negative film and a case for reversal film. Therefore, these films can be attached to the F/P64.

Also, F/P 64 is 6 cm x 6 cm or 41n.
It is also compatible with chX 51nch glue universal film. In that case, this reversal film 633 is relatively thick (it does not fit within the F/P 64, so this film is reversal film 633 as shown in FIG.
Platen glass 3 between U65 and platen glass 31
I try to make it stick to the top of 1.

Furthermore, a negative film is brought into close contact with the platen glass 31 so that close contact copying (for example, solid printing, etc.) can be performed. In that case, as shown in FIG. 36, a guide frame 670 for adhering the negative film is prepared.

This guide frame 670 for close contact has a large opening 6 in the center.
It is formed into a rectangular ring shape with 70a. A part of the outer periphery of the frame 670 includes a protrusion 670b and a recess 67.
A positioning locking portion 670d consisting of 0c is formed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 37, a platen guide 31a is provided around the periphery of the platen glass 31 of the color copying machine 30, and at a predetermined position of this platen guide 31a,
A positioning locking portion 31d is formed which includes a pair of protrusions 31b and a recess 31c. As shown by the dashed line in the figure, the frame 670 has a locking portion 670d.
The protruding portion 670b is connected to the locking portion 31 of the platen guide 31a.
The protrusion 31 of the locking part 31d is fitted into the recess 31c of d.
By fitting b into the recess 670c of the locking portion 670d, it is set on the platen glass 31. When the frame 670 is set on the platen glass 31, the opening 670a of the frame 670 is positioned at a predetermined position on the platen glass 31.

As shown in FIG. 33, a projection lens holding member 611 that holds a projection lens 610 is slidably supported on the right side of the housing 601 in the drawing. Although the projection lens 610 is movable relative to the projection lens holding member 611, it is normally fixed to this member 611 with a screw 654.

Further, inside the housing 601, a beam flap 612 and a light source lamp 613 made of a halogen lamp or the like are arranged coaxially with the projection lens 610. A cooling fan 614 for cooling the lamp 613 is provided near the lamp 613. Further, on the right side of the lamp 613, an aspherical lens 615 for converging the light from the lamp 613, a heat ray absorption filter 616 for cutting light rays of a predetermined wavelength, and a convex lens 617 are arranged coaxially with the projection lens 610. is placed on top.

On the right side of the convex lens 617 are a reversal film correction filter 71 for correcting the spectral characteristics of the reversal film and the spectral characteristics of the lamp 613, a correction filter holding member 618 that supports a correction filter such as Iltaro 35, and this correction filter. A drive motor 61 that rotates the holding member 618 via a gear reduction device 640
9, first and second position detection sensors 620, 621 that detect the rotational position of the correction filter holding member 618, and a control device 641 that controls the drive motor 619. ).

For example, when the original film 633 is a reversal film among the correction filters supported by the correction filter holding member 618, this correction filter automatic exchange device automatically replaces the correction filter 635 for the reversal film. The projection lens 610 and other lenses are selectively selected so as to be aligned with the coaxial use position with each lens such as the projection lens 610.

Further, a light emitter 623 and a light receiver 624 for an autofocus sensor (AF sensor) that are linked to the projection lens holding member 611, a sliding motor 625 that slides the projection lens holding member 72-611 with respect to the housing 601, and this motor. An autofocus device (AF device) including a control device for controlling 625 is provided. When the film holding case 607 is inserted into the housing 601 through the hole 608 or the hole 609, the original film 633 supported by the film holding case 607 is attached to the correction filter holding member 618 and the light emitter 62.
3 and a light receiver 624, the light from the light emitter 623 is reflected by the original film 633, and the reflected light is received by the light receiver 624. The light receiver 624 is composed of a pair of photodiodes divided into two elements, and is set in advance so that the difference in the amount of reflected light received by the two elements is O at best focus.

A film cooling fan 6 for cooling the original film 633 is installed near the mounting position of the original film 633.
26 are provided.

A power source for the F/P 64 is provided separately from a power source for the base machine 30, but is housed within the base machine 30.

(B) M/U configuration As shown in Figure 38, the mirror unit (M
/U) 65 includes a bottom plate 627 and a cover 628 rotatably attached to the bottom plate 627 at one end. A pair of support pieces 62 are provided between the bottom plate 627 and the cover 628.
9,629 are pivotally mounted, and these supporting pieces 629,6
29 is this cover 6 when the cover 628 is opened to the maximum.
The cover 628 is supported such that the angle between the cover 28 and the bottom plate 627 is 45 degrees. A mirror 630 is provided on the back surface of the cover 628.

Further, a relatively large opening is formed in the bottom plate 627, and a Fresnel lens 631 and a diffuser plate 632 are provided so as to close this opening.

As shown in FIG. 33, the Fresnel lens 631 and the diffusion plate 632 are made of a single acrylic plate, and the Fresnel lens 631 is formed on the front surface of this acrylic plate, and the diffusion plate 632 is formed on the back surface of the acrylic plate. A plate 632 is formed. The Fresnel lens 631 has the function of preventing the periphery of the image from becoming dark by converting the projection light that would otherwise be reflected and diffused by the mirror 630 into parallel light. Further, the diffusing plate 632 includes the Fresnel lens 6
In order to prevent the line sensor 226 from detecting the shadow of the rod lens array 224 in the imaging unit 37 formed by the parallel light from the imaging unit 31, it has a function of diffusing the parallel light by a minute amount.

Furthermore, as is clear from FIG. 39, the bottom plate 627 is provided with a projection 627a and a pair of recesses 627b, 627 formed with the projection 627a sandwiched therebetween. On the other hand, the 37th
As shown by the solid line in the figure, the M/U 65 has its bottom plate 627
The platen glass 31 is placed so that the protrusion 627a of the glass holder 31a fits into the recess 31c of the glass holder 31a, and the pair of protrusions 31b of the glass holder 31a fit into the pair of recesses 627b, 627b of the bottom plate 627, respectively. That's what I do. In this way, the M/U 75-65 can be easily and accurately set at a predetermined position on the platen glass 31.

When the mirror unit 65 is not making color copies using the F/P 64, it is folded and stored at a predetermined storage facility. When the mirror unit 65 is used, it is opened and placed at a predetermined location on the platen glass 31 of the base machine 30.

(m-2) Reading mode of image reading device As shown in FIG. Mode 1000 is a projection mode 1001 in which the original film is loaded into the F/P 64 and the image of the original film is read by the F/P 64, and the original film is placed between the M/U 65 and the platen glass 31. Attach F/P6 to the original film.
A close-contact mode 1002 is set in which the image is read by the light transmitted through the document film by applying light from the original film.

In this case, a plurality of modes are set for both the projection mode and the contact mode depending on the type of original film. That is, the projection mode 1001 is the F storage or registered negative film J reading mode 10'03, which will be described later.
Reading mode 1 of “negative film other than memorized or registered”
004 and “Reversal Film” reading mode 10
Three modes of 05 are set. Further, the close contact mode 1002 is a reading mode 1006 for "memory or registered negative film", and the reading mode 1006 is "negative film other than memorized or registered".
reading mode 1007, reading mode 1008 of ``R6 cm x 6 am glue universal film'' and r4i
Four modes are set: reading mode 1008 for "nchX 51nch Glue Versal Film". In addition,
Besides these films, 81nchX 101nc
It is also possible to read larger films such as h-glue universal films. Also, 6 cmX 6 cm, 41
nchX51nch and 81nchX 10 jnch
It is also possible to read images from negative films such as . Furthermore, it is also possible to read an image of a transmissive original drawn on a transparent material such as transparent glass or transparent plastic.

These modes are such that the mode corresponding to the film selected by the film selection key provided on the screen of the U/I 36 is selected. The film selection key may be provided on the F/P 64 in addition to the U/I 36.

(III-3) Main functions of the image reading device The image reading device for a transparent original has the following main functions.

(A) Correction filter automatic replacement function As mentioned above, the halogen lamp commonly used as the light source lamp 613 in the F/P 64 has spectral characteristics such that red is strong and blue is weak in the visible light range. The ratio of R, G, and B of the image projection light becomes unbalanced. In addition, in the case of Negafim, the base color is orange, so the characteristic that the projection light is strong in red and weak in blue is even more pronounced. For this reason, if you try to uniformly read the projection light produced by projecting a film image using a halogen lamp, regardless of the type of film, since the amount of light differs depending on the color, some colors will deviate from the reading system's range, making it difficult to obtain a good image. reading becomes impossible.

Therefore, image reading devices are provided with correction filters for correcting such spectral characteristics depending on the type of film. The film image reading device can automatically replace these correction filters.

The correction filter is replaced by the above-mentioned correction filter replacement device. That is, when performing shading correction (described later), for example, a reversal correction filter is installed to correct the density range that can be read by IIT, and when projecting an original film, a correction filter corresponding to the original film is installed at the use position.
2 bits from microprocessor (CPU) 71 in )
When the command signal (FCC0NT) is output, the control device 641 controls the first and second position detection sensors 620,
The drive motor 619 is controlled so that the 2-bit signal from the CPU 621 matches the signal from the CPU 71.

79- Then, when the signals from the sensors 620 and 621 match the CPU signal, the control device 641 controls the motor 61.
Stop 9. When the motor 619 stops, the correction filter to be used is automatically mounted in the use position.

Therefore, the correction filter can be replaced automatically by simply selecting the type of film by the operator using the film selection key on the U/I 36, and the correction filter can be easily and accurately replaced. will be able to be exchanged.

Also, when the correction filter is being replaced, that is, when the correction filter replacement signal (FC5ET) is HIGH, IIT3
The second image reading operation is prohibited. In addition,
FCSET is from the control device 641 to the CPU7
This signal is set to be LOW when the filter is correctly installed by the signal output to 'l.

(B) Original film insertion direction detection function and projection image direction arbitrary setting function As described above, the original film 180-33 in the projection mode is supported by the film holding case 607. This film holding case 607 can be inserted through either of the insertion holes 608 and 609 formed in the housing 601. That is, the film holding case 607 can be mounted from two directions, vertically and horizontally, depending on the desired orientation of the copy image relative to the orientation of the copy paper. In that case, the 33rd
As shown in the figure, film holding case detection sensors 642 (the other sensor is not shown) are installed inside the housing 601 near the insertion holes 608 and 609, respectively.
is installed. This case detection sensor 642 is turned on when the film holding case 607 is inserted through the upper hole 608, and the other case detection sensor is turned on when the film holding case 607 is inserted through the side hole 609. The signals from the two case detection sensors 642 are input to a control device 641, and this control device 641 outputs a film position detection signal (V/H signal) to the pace machine 30 of the color copying machine, which is the image reading main body. There is.

When the signal from the sensor 642 is ON, it is determined that the film has been inserted vertically.The V/H signal is set to HIGH.
shall be. Also, when the signal from the other sensor is ON, it is determined that the film was pushed in from the side.
Set the signal to LOW.

When the signals of any case detection sensor 642 are OFF, the V/H signal is set to HIGH.

Regarding the film in the close contact mode, since a film holding case detection sensor is not provided, the user is responsible for appropriately determining the mounting direction of the film.

(C) Automatic copy paper feeding direction setting function The digital color copying machine to which the present invention is applied is capable of vertically feeding copy paper (Sh
ort edge feed; 5EF) and long edge feed; LEF
). That is, in vertical feeding, the paper is fed so that the short side of the copy paper matches the main scanning direction, and in horizontal feeding, the paper is fed so that the long direction of the copy paper matches the main scanning direction. By making it possible to feed the copy paper vertically and horizontally in this way, even if the original film is inserted into the film projector from one direction, up to A4 copy paper can be fed regardless of the shooting direction of the film image. The film image can be copied so that the lower direction matches either the longitudinal direction or the lateral direction of the copy paper. Vertical or horizontal feeding of the copy paper can be selected by operating keys on the display screen of the U/I 36.

In this case, when vertical projection is detected, that is, when the V/H signal is HIGH, the copy paper is set to be fed vertically by default. Further, if there is no selection operation, the setting is such that vertical feeding is performed from the beginning. Further, when horizontal projection is detected, that is, when the V/H signal is LOW, the copy paper is set so that horizontal feeding becomes the default. There are multiple paper feed trays that accommodate copy paper of various sizes in the vertical or horizontal direction.
The paper feed tray corresponding to the above-mentioned V/H signal is selected.

Also, when close contact mode is selected, for example, 41nchX 51nc
For rectangular films such as the film in h, vertical or horizontal orientation can be selected, and the paper feed direction corresponding to the selected direction is instantaneously set.

(D) Autofocus function (AF function) In the projection mode, when the film holding case 607 is attached to the F/P 64, the position where the original film 633 is attached is several tens of μm.
An accuracy of m is required.

Therefore, after mounting the film holding case 607 that supports the original film 633, it is necessary to focus the film 633. When performing this focusing manually, the M/U set at a predetermined position on the platen glass 31
The image on the original film 633 must be projected onto the diffuser plate 632 of 65, and the projection lens holding member 611 must be slid while viewing the image on the projection side 184. In that case, the image projected onto the diffuser plate 632 is extremely difficult to see, making it extremely difficult to focus accurately.

Therefore, when the film holding case 607 containing the original film 633 is attached to the F/P 64, the F/P 64
allows automatic focusing. That is, the F/P 64 has an AF function.

This AF function is performed by the above-mentioned AF device as follows.

The F/P MODE signal output from the CPU 71 to the control device 641 is turned OW by operating keys on the screen of the display in the U/I 36, thereby putting the F/P 64 into the F/P mode. F/P MO
When the DE signal becomes LOW, the light emitter 623 emits light, and in FIG. 34, the AF/P of the F/P 64
By selecting MF changeover switch 604 to AF, the AF device becomes ready for operation. As shown in FIG. 33, when the film case 607 containing the original film 633 is attached to the F/P 64, the light emitter 6
23 comes to be reflected by this original film 633, and the reflected light is detected by, for example, a two-element type light receiver 624 for AF. The two elements of the light receiver 624 each output a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the amount of reflected light detected by each element to the control device 641.

The control device 641 calculates the difference between these signals, and when the difference is not O, it issues an output signal and drives the motor 625 in the direction in which the difference between the signals from the two elements becomes smaller. Therefore, the driving force of the motor 625 is transmitted to the rack 655 via the gear 656, so that the projection lens holding member 611 slides, and in conjunction with this, the light emitter 623 and the light receiver 624 move together. Then, when the difference between the output signals from the two elements becomes O, the control device 641 stops the motor 625. motor 62
When 5 stops, it is in focus.

At this time, the F which detects the presence or absence of film and the AF operation
/P operation ready (F/P RDY) signal output is L
becomes. This F/P RDY is the control device 64
1 to the CPU 71.

In this way, AF operation is performed. This allows the film holding case 607 containing the original film 633 to be moved to the F/P.
64, there is no need to manually adjust the focus each time. Therefore, not only is it time-saving, but also copying failures due to out-of-focus can be prevented.

Also, when the film holding case 607 is not attached to the F/P 64, or when the case 607 is attached to the F/P 64,
Even if the film 633 is attached to the case 607, the AF device does not operate when the film 633 is not inside the case 607. Therefore, F/PRDY becomes H.

Image reading operation is possible when This results in
Double copying of the two images 87- on the film inside the F/P 64 and on the film between the M/U 65 and the platen glass 31 is prevented. As a specific method of prohibiting the image reading operation, there may be a method of prohibiting an operation using a copy start key, a method of prohibiting an operation using a film selection key, or the like.

(E) Manual focus function (MF function) A F
The MF mode is set by switching the 7MF selector switch 604 to MF.

Even in this MF mode, when the original film is mounted on the film projector, the lamp 613 is automatically turned on for a predetermined period of time, allowing manual focusing. The MF is operated by pressing the operation switches 605a and 605b while viewing the image of the original film 633 projected on the diffuser plate 632 of the mirror unit 65.

This MF makes it possible to focus on a specific part of the film image.

(F) Manual lighting function of the light source lamp By pressing the manual lamp switch 603, the lamp 61 is turned on unconditionally.
By lighting up the number 3, 88-times can be achieved. This switch is not normally used, but when copying an image recorded on a relatively thick object, when backlighting to prevent the edges of the original from becoming black, or when viewing a projected image for a long time during AF. It is also used when checking if a lamp is out.

(G) Reading area and A/E reading area automatic setting function,
The reading area fine adjustment function imaging unit 37 reads the film image,
The reading area, which is the range to be output as a copy image, is set for each type of film in both projection mode and contact mode. That is, as shown in FIG. 40, orthogonal coordinates are set with the sub-scanning direction as the X-axis, the main-scanning direction as the y-axis, and the registration portion (Regi) of the platen glass 31 as the origin (0,0). Based on these orthogonal coordinates, the nominal value of the reading area is the four points (X Ill 'l ll), (xf
I, y+), (x + + y v ) and (
x+, y+) are set for each film.

In the case of a reversal film, the reading area is set to be somewhat smaller than the size of the hole formed in the mount frame of the film through which the projection light passes. This is because when the size of the reading area is made the same as the size of this hole, if the set position of the film is slightly shifted, the edges of the copied image will become black stripes as the imaging unit scans the mount frame. This is to prevent black streaks from appearing.

The NOMINAL value of this reading area can be finely adjusted. For this fine adjustment, U/I
This can be done by selecting the service mode at 36. That is, by selecting the service mode, a reading area fine adjustment screen as shown in FIG. 41 is displayed on the screen of the U/I 36, for example. Select the type of film to be adjusted using the keys, and select each point Xe, xl, ye of the x-y coordinates to be adjusted.
, y+. When adjusting to a smaller value than the NOMINAL value, press the key with the arrow pointing downward. In that case, the adjustment value is set to decrease by 1 each time the down key is pressed.

Also, when adjusting to a larger value than the NOMINAL value, press the key with the arrow pointing upward. In this case,
The adjustment value increases by 1 each time the upward key is pressed. The adjusted value is displayed on the right side of the screen.

Once a fine adjustment is made, the adjusted value is retained unless the adjustment is made again.

Such adjustments cannot be made by ordinary users, but only by key operators or technical experts. In that case, a code is used to enter the adjustment work, and adjustments cannot be made unless this code is entered on the screen of the U/I 36. Therefore, the values cannot be changed randomly.

Furthermore, the reading area for automatic density adjustment (A/E) is also set for each type of film in both projection mode and contact mode. In that case, this A/E reading area is set to be slightly smaller than the above-mentioned image reading area, as shown in 91- shown in FIG.

The image reading area and A/E reading area set in this way can be selected using the film type selection key provided on the U/I 36, and the CPU 71 can automatically select the image reading area and the A/E reading area according to the selected original film. I'm trying to choose.

(H) Magnification selection function and copy paper selection function (a) Auto magnification (AMS) function When the film type and copy paper size are selected on the screen of the U/I 36, the selected film will be supported as described above. The image reading area is automatically set, so the CP
U71 is configured to automatically determine the copy magnification by calculating the copy magnification based on the set reading area size and the selected paper size. In other words, the main body of the image reading device uses automatic magnification (AMS).
) features.

A method for automatically determining this magnification is, for example, as shown in Figure 40 (
As shown in A), the dimensions of the 92- reading area on the platen glass in the X-axis direction x (x,
As shown in B), if the dimension X in the X-axis direction and the dimension Y in the y-axis direction of the copy paper are taken, the CPU 71 calculates X/X and Y/y. The smaller of these values is set as the copy magnification. In this case, if the determined magnification is smaller than the minimum magnification preset in the color copying machine, the set minimum magnification is selected as the copy magnification. Conversely, when the determined magnification is larger than the maximum magnification preset for the color copying machine, this set maximum magnification is selected as the copy magnification.

When the color copying machine enters the F/P mode, this automatic magnification is set as the default.

(b) Manual magnification function This allows the user to enlarge or reduce the projected image within the reading area at a magnification specified by the user and copy it.

In other words, if the user specifies the same magnification or any magnification on the TJ/I36 screen, the projected image within the reading area will be enlarged or reduced by that magnification and all or part of the projected image will be within the possible range of the copy paper. I am trying to copy it to . In that case, the automatic centering function usually causes the copy to be placed at a predetermined position (for example, approximately in the center) of the paper.

Also, when copying at a user-specified magnification with all copies of the projected image selected, if the copied image protrudes from the paper, a message will appear on the screen of the U/I 36 asking you to reduce the specified magnification. will be done. This results in
Users can change the magnification.

(c) Auto-centering function In the color copying machine of this embodiment, a copy image can be automatically copied to a preset range of copy paper, that is, a copyable range. As shown in Figure 43, the copyable area is the top, bottom, left and right edges of the copy paper (a, b).

It is defined as a range surrounded by c and d.

This auto-centering may involve the following two strings.

Note that the read image in this case refers to an image within the read area after being enlarged or reduced.

(c-1) In the case of auto-centering state (C2) In the case of non-auto-centering state 95- Or, (C3) In the case of auto-centering state (C4) In the case of non-auto-centering state Papers for these two sets The relationship between and the read image is shown in FIG. 44, respectively.

Then, U/I36 can select either the combination of (C 1) and (c-2) or the combination of (c-3) and (C 4). Moreover, (c-2) and (c-4) may be arranged as shown in FIGS. 44(e) and (f).

The default autocentering state is the autocentering state, and the non-autocentering state is selected by pressing the autocentering key on the screen of the U/I 36.

(d) Copy paper selection function As shown in FIG. 45, there are four patterns for copy paper selection, including automatic selection and manual selection.

(d-1) First Pattern As is clear from FIG. 45, when the color copying machine is in the platen mode, the default setting is equal magnification. When the color copying machine is set to F/P mode, the default for the platen mode becomes the default for the F/P mode. In other words, automatic scaling becomes the default.

In this first pattern, from this state, the user selects a magnification such as equal magnification or an arbitrary magnification, and also selects paper. That is, this pattern is a manual paper selection mode and a manual scaling mode.

(d-2) Second pattern This second pattern is set to F/P mode and auto magnification is the default, and the user selects a magnification such as equal magnification or arbitrary magnification, but does not select the paper. . That is, this pattern is an automatic paper selection (APS) mode and a manual scaling mode.

(d-3) Third Pattern In this third pattern, the user does not select the magnification but selects the paper since automatic magnification is the default. That is, this pattern is a manual paper selection mode and an automatic scaling (AMS) mode.

(d-4) Fourth Pattern Similarly, in this fourth pattern, automatic scaling is the default, and the user does not select the scaling factor or paper. In this pattern, the paper is automatically set to the specified size (for example, A4).
Moreover, it is set to automatic magnification (AMS) mode.

In that case, the default paper selection is set as follows.

■When copying a projected image of 35mm negative film 1) When the film detection signal (V/H5IG) is LOW (horizontal projection), A4 LEF is set as the default.

When A4LEF is not in the machine M/C, U/I3
6. ``Please select paper size'' is displayed on the screen.

1i) When V/H3IG is HIGH (vertical projection), A4 SEP is set as default.

When A45EP is not in the machine (M/C), U/
``Please select paper size'' is displayed on the I36 screen.

■41nch
9-ii) If 4X5 vertical is selected, the same as ■-11)■
A4 SEP is set as the default for contact copying of 6cm x 6cm adhesive universal film and contact copying of negative film.

When A45EF is not in the M/C, "Please select paper size" is displayed on the U/I 36 screen.

(I) Automatic shading correction function Image read data is affected by spatial unevenness in the reading system, such as unevenness in the amount of light from the light source lamp 613, and by fluctuations in spectral characteristics other than the film. Further, due to irregularities caused by the structure of the reading system in the main scanning direction, such as periodic irregularities in the SELFOC lens 224 and pixel sensitivity irregularities in the line sensor 226, smudges in the sub-scanning direction occur on the image, making it unsightly. Furthermore, changes in the reading system over time and differences between devices also affect image reading. Shading correction is performed to eliminate such effects.

In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, this shedding correction can be performed automatically. In other words, you can replace the holding cases 607 for negative film and reversal film, replace the correction filter, and attach the base film.
Shading correction can be performed simply by operating one key button on the U/I 36.

In this embodiment, shading correction is performed with a universal film correction filter attached. Therefore, when performing shading correction, the IPS 33 is notified that the shading correction is performed using a reversal film filter.

Performing this shading correction for each copy is wasteful and has little meaning. For this purpose, conditions for starting the shading operation are set. The conditions are that the F/P mode is selected only once and the F/P mode is
The shading operation can be started only when the PRDY signal is H, that is, when there is no film in the F/P 64 and when the AF operation has not yet been performed.

As shown in FIG. 46, this shading operation is performed by M
When the /U65 is set at a predetermined position on the platen glass 31 of the color copying machine, the IPS33 is instructed to perform shading without original film, and in order to make the correction filter a reversal film correction filter, a 2-bit filter control signal is sent. FCC0NT signals are both set to (0, O). At the same time, F/
Lighting of the light source lamp 613 at P64 is instructed.

Thereafter, a predetermined period of time (
For example, wait 3 seconds), and when the reversal film filter is set and the FCSET signal indicating that the filter has been set correctly becomes L, the 5YS82
ps so that the imaging unit 37 is advanced to the center of the area where 5 is placed and illuminated by the lamp 613.
A command is given to IIT32 via Q3. At this time, IPS3
3 instructs the IIT 32 to change the light intensity of the lamp 613 to the light intensity for shading.

When the imaging unit 37 stops at the center of the area, wait a predetermined time (approximately 1 second) until the lamp light intensity is stabilized by changing the light intensity, and then move the imaging unit 37 again.
Advance 7 by 13 pulses (1,43 mm). One line of data is read at the position where the imaging unit 37 stops. After data reading is completed, the imaging unit 37 is further advanced by 13 pulses, and one line of data is read at that position. This data reading is repeated for a total of 32 lines. When data collection for 32 lines is completed, the IPS 33 notifies the 5YS 82 of the completion of shading, and also notifies the U/I 36. Furthermore, the IPS33 has a light source lamp 613 on the F/P64.
It instructs the IIT 32 to turn off the light, and also instructs the IIT 32 to return the imaging unit 37 to its home position.

There are cases where shading cannot be performed normally, and the processing in that case will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 47, when the shading key 203- is pressed and the F/PRDY signal becomes L and film is detected, shading is not performed. In that case, the U/I 36 is notified that there is a film.

Furthermore, the IPS 33 may detect an abnormality in data.

The following factors can be considered as abnormalities in this data.

■When shading is performed without setting M/U65, ■When lamp 6 and 3 are burnt out, ■When there is an obstacle on the optical path that blocks the passage of light, ■When the film is not set during shading operation. In this case, when such a data abnormality is detected, the data abnormality is notified to U/■36 after the shading operation is completed, and the shading operation is performed again after selecting the film type. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 48, if a film is detected by F/PRDY becoming L between the start and end of shading 204-, the shading operation is stopped and '[J /Notify I36 that there is a film. In this case 11, F/P RD
After Y continues to be L& for a predetermined time (2 seconds), the shading operation is restarted.

On the other hand, the ROM of the CPU 71 contains FUJ (registered trademark), which is a negative film often used for photography.
, KODAK (registered trademark) and KONICA (registered trademark) ASA100 non-In film developed base film density data (orange mask data) are stored, and when these films are selected,
The CPU 71 is capable of automatically correcting the density of the film by the ground density, that is, the base film density, based on the stored density data.

In that case, the base film of these films is F/P.
No need to install it on 64. Since it is possible to save the effort of attaching the base film by force, it is possible to prevent attaching the wrong base film, and furthermore, there is no need to manage the base film.

Furthermore, the density data of the base film of one type of film other than these three types of films can be registered. This data is then stored in a non-volatile memory within the system of the base machine 30. Even in the case of this registered film, there is no need to mount the base film, and the density correction for the base film is automatically performed as in the case of the three types of films described above.

As described above, orange mask correction must be performed for negative films other than the four types of negative films stored or registered. For this purpose, it is necessary to collect data. When collecting data, the base film is mounted in the base film F/P 64, and the data of the base film is collected. This orange mask data collection is performed when the film is selected for projection or close contact with a negative film other than the above-mentioned film.

As shown in FIG. 49, when the shading key is pressed and the F/P RDY signal becomes L, confirming that the base film is set, the U/I 36
the shading key is valid. When the shading key is pressed, the F/CC0NT signal becomes (0, 1) and the negative film correction filter is set. Additionally, the IPS 33 is notified that the orange mask will be corrected, and the IIT 32 is instructed to turn on the lamp. A predetermined period of time (for example, 3
When the specified correction filter is set and the FCSET signal becomes L, a command is issued to the IIT 32 to move the imaging unit 37 to a predetermined scan point. When the imaging unit 37 stops at that position, it reads the data of that line. 207- After that, the imaging unit 37 is advanced a predetermined distance and the data at that position is read again. In this way, 16 lines of data are read.

When data collection for 16 lines is completed, the U/I 36 is notified of the completion of orange mask correction, the lamp is turned off to the F/P, and the imaging unit 3 is turned off to the IIT 32.
A command is issued to return 7 to its home position.

Additionally, orange mask correction may not be performed correctly. Possible reasons for this are as follows.

■If the orange mask operation is performed without setting the M/U, ■If the F/P lamp is burnt out, ■If the orange mask operation is performed with the F/P projection lens covered, ■Orange mask If the base film is removed during operation, ■ If the specified base film is not set, 208- ■ If a different film is set, or if the collected data is detected to be abnormal, the orange After the mask operation is completed, it is set to wait for the orange mask operation again. This allows the orange mask operation to be performed normally.

(J) Automatic image quality adjustment function Automatically adjusts the density and color balance based on the shading and color balance deviation of the original film due to various conditions such as exposure conditions during film shooting, and also adjusts the density and color balance according to the shading of the film. γ correction can be performed automatically.

When performing density adjustment or color balance adjustment, in general film printing, the average transmission density (LATD) of the film image is measured, and the measured LATD and the reference density (
The correction amount is the difference from the standard gray density when exposed at the school light amount, and the exposure amount for each R, G, and B is adjusted so that the average density of the reproduced image is gray. There is.

(K) F/P unit detection function When the film projector 64 is not attached to the base machine 30, which is the main body of the color copying machine, the color copying machine is prevented from entering the F/P mode. For this purpose, an F/P C0NNE lever signal is provided, and the F/P C0NNE lever signal is provided.
When the /P 64 is installed in the base machine 30, this F/P C0NNECT signal becomes LOW when the color copying machine is powered on. That is, F/P C0N
When the NECT signal is LOW, the base machine 30
It is determined that P64 is installed, and F/P C0NN
When the ECT signal is HIGH, the base machine 30
It is determined that P64 is not installed.

Then, when the F/P C0NNECT signal is detected as H, the U/I 36 is notified that the F/P 64 is not attached. When the U/I36 receives a notification that the F/P64 is not installed, the F/P is displayed on the U/I screen.
Mode selection menu (e.g. F/P mode selection key)
is not displayed. Therefore, the user cannot select the F/P mode when the F/P 64 is not attached. This makes the user's operations extremely simple and ensures that erroneous operations are prevented.

This F/P CONNECT signal is referenced only when the color copying machine is turned on.

Further, F/P MODE information is provided for the F/P mode, and when the color copying machine is selected to the F/P mode, this F/P MODE signal becomes L. F/
Based on P MODE becoming L, the F/P 64 is notified that the F/P mode has been selected. This notification makes the F/P 64 ready for operation.

(L) Various functions to prevent failure ■ Jam of color copying machine When the color copying machine stops due to a jam, LA
The MP ON signal is set to be H. While the color copying machine is stopped, other output signals are maintained in the state they were in before the color copying machine stopped. Therefore, the captured data for shading and A/E is also not erased.

=211 (2) Failure in correction filter replacement If the circuit inside the F/P 64 malfunctions due to noise or the like, the filter replacement device may also malfunction.

For example, if the FCSET signal does not become L within a predetermined time (for example, 12 seconds) after filter replacement is instructed by the FCC0NT signal, it is determined that the filter has not been replaced and is abnormal.

Also, F during shading, A/E or copying.
If CSET becomes H even once, it is determined that there is an abnormality. As shown in Fig. 50, when an abnormality is detected, the F/P
The MODE signal is set to H to cancel the F/P mode.

In other words, the color copying machine is in the platen mode.

Further, the LAMP ON signal is set to H to turn off the lamp of the F/P 64, and the A/F CONT signal is set to H to prohibit the AF operation.

Then, this abnormality is notified to the U/I 36 and MCB 75.

Recovered by F/P POWER signal and turned on F/P again.
When entering the /P mode, after setting the F/P M212-ODE signal to L, the F/P RESET signal is set to H for a predetermined period of time (for example, 500m5ec) or more, and after that, after a predetermined period of time (500msec) or more has passed, the normal Processing is started from the process that entered F/P mode.

■When an abnormality is detected during copying When an abnormality is detected during copying, the F/P 64 stops operating, but the color copying machine continues to operate until the copy is ejected. And I try not to pill the copy.

- Erroneous operation of film selection key The film selection key is made inoperative even if pressed during shading, A/E, or copying.

Also, if a film selection key for a mode different from the current mode is pressed before or after the first shading, other than during shading, A/E, or copying,
Processing is started from the first post-shading flow of the film in the pressed mode.

Further, even if the film selection key of the same type of mode as the current mode is pressed, no change is made.

Furthermore, if the film is not registered, U/I3
6, the registration selection key is not displayed.

(M) Auto clear function When the device is left in the F/P mode without any operation, auto clear is performed, and this auto clear is common to other modes such as platen mode.

In addition, manual lamp switch 60 in platen mode
B detecting the lighting of the lamp 613 of the F/P 64 due to 3.
The KLT SIG signal is treated the same as the U/l36- key, and auto-clear is performed. That is,
The BKLT SIG signal remains L while the manual lamp switch is turned on and the lamp 613 is lit, but as shown in FIG.
If the color copying machine does not operate or any operation is performed on the U/I36 screen, the F/P POWER signal is set to H for a predetermined period of time (for example, 500 m5ec). , the lamp 613 is turned off.

(III-4) Image signal processing As shown in FIG. 33, the image of the original film 633 is projected onto the platen glass 31 by the F/P 64 in both the projection mode and the contact mode. And the projection light of that image is transmitted through the SELFOC lens 224.
Each sensor 226a to 22 of the line sensor 226 through
6e, it is read in analog form as the light amount for each RlG and B.

The read image signal expressed by this amount of light is input to an amplifier 231 for each sensor, and is amplified to a predetermined level by this amplifier 231.

The amplified image signal is sent to the sample hold circuit (S/H)
At 232, waveform processing is performed using sample and hold pulses to remove noise. Shaped R, G,
The image signal for each B is input to a gain adjustment circuit (AGC) 233. This AGC23215-3 adjusts the size of the image signal from each chip sensor (Ch) based on the gain value stored in the D/A converter 241 to a size that matches the input signal range of the A/D converter 235. R, G, and B are amplified separately.

The gain value within the D/A converter 241 is set as follows. That is, before reading the image on the original film 633, each channel (chip sensor Ch) 226
The white reference data of a to 226e is read, digitized, and stored in the line memory 240.

The CPU 71 determines an appropriate gain value by comparing this data with a predetermined reference value, and the determined gain value is 8bit.
Each gain is automatically stored in the D/A converter 241 by being sent to the D/A converter 241 as digital data of t.

The R, G, and B image signals output from the AGC 233 are input to an offset adjustment circuit (AOC) 234. This AOC 234 is provided to adjust the black level based on the offset value stored in the D/A converter 243. That is, unless the black level of each channel is adjusted to be the same, the darkness of the shadow will differ depending on the reading range of each channel, and the image will look like a patchwork, making it undesirable. Therefore, it is necessary to precisely match the offset value. Because of this, AOC23
4 is provided.

By the way, when the gain adjustment is performed by the AGC 233, the difference in the average value of the density at the adjacent end portions of adjacent chip sensors when the respective lamps are turned off does not fall within a predetermined range. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust this offset value so that the difference in the density average value falls within a predetermined range. That is, it is also necessary to adjust the dark output of each sensor.

To do this, first, the lamp 613 is turned off and the dark output is read by each sensor, and the data is digitized and stored in the line memory 240. This data for one line is compared and determined by the CPU 71 with a predetermined reference value. The CPU 71 calculates an appropriate offset value for each R2O and B based on the judgment result, outputs the obtained offset value to the D/A converter 243 using an 8-bit signal, and this new offset value is used as the D/A converter 243. It is stored in the A converter 243. In this way, the output density is adjusted to approximately the specified value with respect to the density of the film image.

The image signal whose black level has been adjusted by the AOC 234 is converted into an 8-bit digital image signal by the A/D converter 235. Furthermore, this digital image signal is divided into R, G,
R, G, B of each separated sensor
are synthesized serially. Then, the synthesis/separation circuit 237 outputs an 8-bit image signal for each of RlG and B.

This image signal is input to a log converter 238, and the log converter 238 converts the light quantity signal into a density signal.

The image signal expressed in density is sent to the shading supplementary circuit 23.
Shading correction is performed by step 9.

This shading correction removes from the image signal uneven light intensity of the SELFOC lens 224, uneven sensitivity of each pixel in the line sensor 226, variations in the spectral characteristics and light intensity level of the correction filter and lamp 613, and the effects of changes over time. .

Prior to performing this shading correction, first, when the original film 633 is selected from the above three types of films and a registered film, the correction filter automatic exchange device first performs reversal as a correction filter. When the film correction filter 635 is installed in the use position and the original film 633 is not installed, the lamp 61
Read the light amount signal from 3. The read light amount signal is amplified and converted into a digital signal, and the data obtained based on the converted density signal is stored in the line memory 240 as reference data. In other words, the imaging unit 37 is divided into three pixels for each R, G, and B pixel.
2 line step scan and sampling, and these sampling data are sent to C through line memory 240.
The data is sent to the PU 71, and the CPU 71 calculates the average density value for each pixel of the 32 lines of sampling data, and obtains shading data. By averaging in this way, errors in each pixel data due to dust on the optical path are eliminated.

In addition, the film holding case 607 is attached to the F/P 64220
- When reading the image of the original film 633 attached to the camera and supported by the case 607, the CPU 71 reads the image stored in the ROM or the value stored in the non-volatile memory (non-volatile) that corrects and updates the ROM value. The density data of the negative film based on the value is used as data when prescanning the original film. Furthermore, CPU7
1 calculates a density adjustment value by adding a density correction amount based on the data obtained by this prescan to the negative film data, and a shading correction circuit 23
D set in register 239a in LSI 9
Rewrite the s d j value.

Then, the shading correction circuit 239 applies this D8d to the actual data read from the original film.

By adding the value, the read density value is shifted. Further, the shading correction circuit 239 performs shading correction by subtracting shading data for each pixel from the adjusted data. This D
Fine adjustment of density is performed by adding a a a 44a.

In addition, in the case of a film that is not recorded in the ROM of the CPU 71 and is not registered in the system's non-volatile register, the base film of the original film 633 is attached to obtain the density data of the film, and from the obtained density data. The value of D, d, must be calculated.

After the shading correction is completed, IIT32
Outputs R, G, and B density signals for 3.

As shown in Figure 33, RlG from IIT32,
The 8-bit color separation signal for each B is END as described above.
γ correction is performed by table 660.

That is, the CPU 71 selects the optimal END curve based on the actual density data of the original film 633 using a 4-bit address signal.

(m-5) Overall control The overall control flow of this embodiment, that is, a color copying machine equipped with a film projector, will be explained.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing the control flow.

In FIG. 42, the color copying machine is turned on. First, the imaging unit 37 is pre-scanned to check the AGC and AOC of the color copying machine itself.

Perform correction of ΔVdark. Next, the mode of the color copying machine is selectively switched to the platen mode or the F/P mode. When the color copier is set to platen mode,
In addition to shading in this platen mode, a copy operation is also performed. The color copier then returns to the mode setting stage.

Also, when the color copier is set to F/P mode,
If it is the first time to correct AGC, AOC, and △Vdark in P mode, AGC in this F/P mode
, shading, AOC, and ΔVdark corrections are performed. Next, the mode of the color copying machine is set. F
/ When set to P mode, first the mirror unit 6
5 at a predetermined position on the platen glass 31, select the type of film, and set the film.

Next, select the copy paper size and set the magnification 223.
- is set and auto-centering is performed, the imaging unit 37 is scanned once for automatic density adjustment (A/E). Then, the gain value and offset value of the amplifier are switched to correction values by AGC and AOC, and Δ■dark is switched to correction values. The copying operation is then performed and the color copier returns to the mode setting stage.

After the AGC, AOC, and ΔVdark are corrected in the F/P mode, when the mode of the color copying machine is set to the platen mode, the color copying machine performs the same shading and copying operations in the platen mode as described above.

When the color copier is set to F/P mode, F/P
If it is not the first time that AGC, AOC, and ΔVdark are corrected in this mode, automatic density adjustment will not be performed immediately. From then on, the color copying machine will be controlled in the same manner as described above.

(m-6) Interface correlation between each module of the color copying machine 224 - The interface correlation between each module of the color copying machine in the F/P mode may be, for example, the interface correlation shown in FIG. 53.

This will be explained based on this correlation diagram. First, prepare (STAN)
D BY) stage, F/P on the screen of U/I36.
mode is selected. By selecting this F/P mode, 5YSUI 81 detects that F/P mode has started and sends F/P 5TART to that effect.
Send the signal to 5YS82.

5YS82 responds to this signal and updates the F/P status (1
) signal to 5YSUI 81. 5YSUI81
In order to set M/U65 based on this signal,
A command signal is sent to the U/I 36 to display the message "Please set the rM/U 65."

Upon receiving this signal, U/■ 36 displays this message on the screen.

After setting the M/U 65 on the predetermined position on the platen glass 31, operate the set completion key on the U/I 36, and the U
/I36 Keys for various films are displayed on the screen. A film selection operation is performed by selecting and pressing the key for the type of film on which the film image to be copied is recorded from among these keys. When a film selection is made, 5YSUI 81 detects that a film has been selected and notifies 5YS82. 5YS
82 responds to this notification signal, F/P status (3)
Send signal to 5YSUI 81. Based on this signal, 5YSUI81 sends U/I36 to display the message "Please wait without setting the film."
send a command signal to.

This causes the U/I 36 to display this message on the screen.

On the other hand, 5YS82 has scan information (SC).
AM INFO,) signal to IPS33 and IPS
33 responds to this signal and becomes ready for operation (IPS R
EADY) signal to 5YS82. Upon receiving this signal, the 5YS 82 outputs a SAMPLE SCAN signal to the IIT 32 via the IPS 33 in order to cause the imaging unit 37 to perform a sample scan for collecting shading data. The IIT 32 receives this signal and advances the imaging unit 37 to the center of the lamp irradiation area, and then 1 second later sends another 13 pulses (1.43 mm).
Advance and read one line of data. When this is finished, IIT32 sends the IIT READY signal to 5YS8
Send to 2. Upon receiving this signal, the 5YS82 sends the SAMPLE SC to read the next line of data.
Similarly, the AN signal is output to the IIT 32 via the engineering PS 33. The IIT 32 receives this signal and advances the imaging unit 37 by an additional 13 pulses, and then reads the data of that line. After that, the same operation will be performed on 5YS82 and IIT3.
2 for a total of 32 lines.

In this way, a shading operation is performed.

When the shading operation is finished, 5YS82 is C
INITIALIZ to initialize RG
The E signal is sent to IIT32 via IPS33. In response to this signal, IIT32 sends an IIT READY signal to 5YS82. 227 When the shading operation is completed normally, IPS3
3 is the F/PIN F that notifies 5YS82 to that effect.
O, send a signal. Upon receiving this signal, 5YS82 sends the M/C3TOP signal to IP to stop the machine.
Send to S33. In response to this notification, IPS33
Send the READY signal to 5YS82 again. 5YS8
2 receives this signal and sends the F/P status (7) signal to 5.
Send to YSU I81. Upon receiving this signal, the 5YSUI 81 outputs a command signal to the U/I 36 to display the message "Please insert original film." The U/I 36 displays this message on the screen in response to this command signal.

When the user attaches the original film to F/P64, the F/P64
A/F operation is performed at /P 64, and focusing is performed automatically. When the 5YS82 confirms that the A/F operation has ended, it transmits an F/P status (8) signal to the 5YSUI81. 5YSU I81 receives this signal and sends U/I
36 to display the message "You can copy" 228-. U/136 receives this and displays this message on the screen. In this way, the copy preparation (STAND BY) stage in the F/P mode is completed.

Next, the copy operation starts (SET UP) stage. When the START key is pressed on the U/I36 screen, SY'5UI81 detects this and
Send a copy start (START C0PY) signal to 2. At the same time, the 5YSUI 81 instructs the U/I 36 to display the message "Copying". Upon receiving this command signal, U/I 36 displays this message on its screen. On the other hand, 5YS82 is 5
After receiving the TART C0PY signal, the start job (S
TART JOB) signal to MCB75, and M/C status (M/C5TAT) to 5YSUI81.
US) send a signal.

Then, 5YS82 contains scan information (SCAN INFO,) (i) that specifies the scan type.
Basic copy mode (BA
ICCPY MODE) signal to the IPS33. IPS33 responds to these signals and sends IPS R
Send the EADY signal to 5YS82. This IPS
Upon receiving the READY signal, 5YS82 sends the SAM to perform a sample scan to collect A/E data.
PLE SCAN signal to IIT3 via IPS33
Output to 2. This sample scan differs from the sample scan for collecting the shading data described above in that the data is collected for 16 lines, and the 5YS
Signals are exchanged between the IIT 82 and the IIT 32 in almost the same way.

When data acquisition for A/E is completed, the 5YS82 sends an initialization signal to the IT32 via the MCB75, the IIT32 returns the imaging unit 37 to the home position, and sends the IITREADY signal to the 5YS82.
send to Also, this initialization signal causes F/P 6
4 lamp 613 goes out. IIT READY
Upon receiving the signal, 5YS82 sends a scan start signal for copying (COPY 5CAN 5TRT)
■IIT32 sends an IIT READY signal to 5YS82 in response to this signal. This IIT32's IIT READY signal and IP
Waiting for the IPS READY signal of S33,
5YS82 sends an IIT READY signal to MCB75. This completes the SET UP stage.
The copy cycle (CYCtE) stage is entered.

In the CYCLE stage, the MCB 75 outputs a copy operation signal (MADE>) to the 5YS82.

5YS82 receives this MADE signal and transmits a copy count (MADE CNT) signal to 5ysuI81. Upon receiving this MADE CNT signal, 5YS
The UI 81 instructs the U,/I 36 to display the number of copies. Upon receiving this command, the U/I 36 displays the number of copies on the screen.

Further, the MCB 75 transfers 231 images to copy paper for each of magenta M, cyan C, yellow Y, and black. In this way, the copy operation is performed. When the copying is completed, MCB75 prepares for the next job by
EADY FORNEXT JOB signal 5YS8
Output to 2. 5YS82 receives this signal and sends a job stop (STOP JOB) signal to MCB75. Also, 5YS82 cycles out to IIT32 (C
YCLE 0UT) signal, and IIT32 responds to this signal by sending an IIT READY signal to 5YS82.

On the other hand, MCB75 sends JOBDELIVERE to notify 5YS82 that the paper for the job has been ejected.
I to notify that the D signal and MCB have stopped
Transmit OT 5TAND BY double signals respectively.

Upon receiving this IOT 5TAND BY signal, the 5YS82 transmits an M/CSTOP signal to the IPS 33 in order to shut down the IPS 33. IPS33 is this M/CST
5YS IPS READY signal in response to OP signal
Send to 82. And IIT READY.

IPS READY, IOT 5TAN, D B
With the logical product (AND) of Y232-, the color copying machine changes from the CYCLE stage to 5TAND BY.

In this 5TAND BY, 5YS82 is IIT
Upon receiving the READY signal, the JOB 5TATUS signal is sent to 5YSUI81, and since it becomes 5TAND BY, the M/C, 5TATUS signal is sent to 5YSUI81.
Send to I 81. And furthermore, 5YS82 is F/P
5TATUS (8) Sends the signal to 5YSUI81, and upon receiving this signal, 5YSUI81 sends a command signal to U/I36 to display the message "Copy possible".

Upon receiving this signal, the U/I 36 displays this message on the screen. In this way, the color copying machine becomes ready to start copying.

(m-7) Operation procedure and signal timing The operation procedure and signal timing for copying an image of an original film will be explained.

A. In the case of close contact mode ■6 cm x 6 cm or 41 nch x 51 nc
h-glue universal film copying By operating the F/P operation key displayed on the display screen of the U/I 36 of the base machine 30, the base machine 30 is placed in the F/P mode.

As a result, as shown in Fig. 54, the message ``Please place the mirror unit'' is displayed on the display screen of the U/I 36. Therefore, by first opening the M/U 65 and fitting the protrusion 627a and the recess 627b of the bottom plate 627 into the recess 31c and the protrusion 31b of the glass retainer 31a of the platen glass 31, the M/U 65 is opened.
1J65 at a predetermined position on the platen glass 31.

Next, when the calibrator key on the screen of the U/I 36 is operated, the message "Please wait without loading film" is displayed on the screen. At the same time, the lamp lights up (LAMP O
N) The signal becomes L and the lamp 613 lights up, and the correction filter control (FCC0NT) signal becomes (0, O).
Then, the FC operation, that is, the correction filter replacement operation is performed.

At the same time, the correction filter exchange (FC3ET) signal goes high.
becomes. The correction filter automatic exchange device operates and the reversal film correction filter 635 is installed in the use position. In this way, regardless of whether the original film is a negative film or a reversal film, the reversal film correction filter 635 is always mounted at the use position when collecting shading data. While the FCSET signal is H, image reading by the imaging unit 37 is prohibited.

When the correction filter 635 is set, the FC3ET signal becomes L. In that case, the FCC0NT signal is (0,0
) If this FCSET signal does not become L even after a predetermined period of time (for example, 4 seconds) has passed, a message "Failure" or "Check whether the power is on" is displayed on the screen of the U/I 36. be done. This makes it possible to recognize failures or forgetting to turn on the power.

The acquisition of shading data for shading correction is started when the FCSET signal becomes L and the lamp 613 is turned on and the lamp rise time (for example, 3 to 5 seconds) has elapsed. When this shading data collection is completed, this completion is used as a trigger to display the message "Please select the film type" on the screen, and the LA
The MP ON signal becomes H and the lamp 613 goes out. Film type key r6 on the screen of U/I36
cmX 6 cmJ or "4inchX 51nch
Press J to select the film type. Then U/I3
6. Since the message "Please insert film" is displayed on the screen, set the original film between the M/U 65 and the platen glass 31. Next, "Copy possible" is displayed on the U/I 36 screen.

When you press the "Start" key on the U/I36 screen, the 55th
As shown in the figure, when F/P RDY is L, F
/P It is determined that there is another film in 64.
``Please remove film'' is displayed on the screen. When the film is removed and the F/PRDY becomes H, the message "Ready to copy" is displayed on the screen again and the start key is pressed again. Then, the message ``Copying in progress'' is displayed 236- on the screen. And if FCSET is H, ■IT3
The image reading operation in step 2 is prohibited, and the start of copying is not permitted. When FCSET becomes L, "copy start" occurs, the lamp 613 lights up, and after waiting for the lamp 613 to rise, data collection for automatic density adjustment (A/E), that is, A/E operation, starts. Ru. That is, in order to obtain data for performing density adjustment, color balance adjustment, gamma correction, etc., the imaging unit 37 partially scans and reads part or all of the projected image.

Next, when performing full color copying, the imaging unit 37 scans four times to perform copying. In that case, shading correction, density adjustment, and color balance adjustment are automatically performed based on the shading data and automatic density adjustment data. At this time, the selection of the END curve for γ correction is also switched according to the density adjustment amount. When the first copy is completed, lamp 6
13 goes off and the screen says "You can copy"
is displayed. Therefore, when the start key is pressed again, a new copy is performed. By the way, once the copying is started, the copying is performed regardless of the output of the F/PRDY.

Note that this copying operation is such that when the number of copies is set on the U/F 36 screen, the set number of copies are automatically copied.

If you want to copy another image, change the film when the screen displays ``Ready to copy.'' Then press the ``Start'' key.
``Copying in progress'' is displayed on the screen, the lamp 613 lights up, and the imaging unit 37 scans and copies.

■ Copy of stored or registered negative film U/I
The steps up to the point where the message "Please select the film type" is displayed on the 36 screen are the same as in the case of the reversal film described in (2) above, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in Fig. 56, when the "record or register negative film" key is pressed on the U/I 36 screen, the correction filter control (FCC0NT) signal becomes (0°1) and the FC operation starts.
That is, a correction filter exchange (FC) operation is performed.

At the same time, the correction filter exchange (FC5ET) signal goes high.
becomes. The correction filter automatic exchange device operates and the negative film correction filter 636 is set in the use position.

When the negative film correction filter 636 is set,
The FCSET signal becomes L.

Next, "Please load film" is displayed on the U/I 36 screen. The original film is set between the M/U 65 and the platen glass 31 using the close guide frame 670. Then, the screen displays "Ready to copy". Since the subsequent steps are the same as those described in (1) above, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

■ Copying negative films other than those stored or registered U/I 36 The process is the same as in the case of ■ above until "Please select the film type" is displayed on the 36 screen. Explanation will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 57, when the "Negative film other than recording or registration" key is pressed on the U/I 36 screen, the message "Please press the shading key after inserting the base film" is displayed. F/ the base film of the original film.
When set to P64, autofocus (AF) operation is performed. When the AF operation is completed, "Please wait" is displayed on the screen. When the "shading" key is pressed, an FC operation is performed and shading data collection on the base film is performed. When this shading data collection is completed, the message ``Please insert film'' is displayed on the screen. % F, /Remove the base film from P64, and set the original film in the same manner as in case ①. Since the following is the same as in cases ① and ②, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

B. In the case of projection mode ■ Copying of stored or registered negative film 240 - Negative film correction filter 636 is set Fl.
The process until the FCSET signal becomes L is the same as in the above (2), so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in Figure 58, the message ``Focusing, please insert film'' is displayed on the U/I 36 screen.Put the memorized or registered 35nv negative film into the F/P 6.
Install it on 4. When the film is attached to FlP64,
Light from a light emitter 623 for AF is reflected by this film 633, and the reflected light is detected by a light receiver 624.

When the difference in the amount of reflected light received between two elements in the light receiver 624 is not O due to film misalignment, film distortion, etc., the motor 625 of the AF device operates to move the projection lens 610 so that the difference becomes O. Moving. As a result, the focus is adjusted and an AF operation is performed. When focusing is completed, F/P operation is ready (F/P RDY)
The signal becomes L○W. When the AF operation is completed, the message "Ready to copy" is displayed on the screen. Since the rest is the same as ■, the explanation will be omitted.

Films other than the reversal film and the memory or registered film are almost the same as (1) and (2), respectively, with the only difference being that the AF operation is involved, so the explanation will be omitted.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, a transmissive original is placed on the main body of the image reading apparatus, and light from a film projector is applied to the original.
It has a close contact mode that reads the transmitted light of the original.
It becomes possible to reliably read images of transmissive originals that are too large to fit on a film projector.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a reading mode set in an embodiment of an image reading device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a color copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. The figure shows the hardware architecture, Figure 4 shows the software architecture, Figure 5 shows the copy layer, Figure 6 shows state division, and Figure 7 goes from power-on state to standby. Figure 8 is a diagram explaining the sequence up to the state, Figure 8 is a diagram explaining the sequence of progress states, Figure 9 is a diagram explaining the concept of diagnostics, and Figure 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the system and other remotes. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the module configuration of the system, Figure 12 is a diagram explaining job mode creation, Figure 13 is a diagram showing the data flow between the system and each remote, and the data flow between modules within the system.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the document scanning mechanism, Figure 15 is a diagram explaining the control method of the stepping motor, and Figure 16 is the IIT.
Timing chart explaining the control method, Part 1
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit, Figure 18 is the CC
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the D line sensor, FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the video signal processing circuit, FIG. 20 is a timing chart explaining the operation of the video signal processing circuit, and FIG. 21 is the module configuration of the engineering PS. Figure 22 is a diagram explaining each module that makes up the IPS, Figure 23 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the IPS, and Figure 24 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the IPS. Figure 25 shows an example of the configuration of the transfer device, Figure 26 shows an example of mounting a UI using a display, and Figure 27 shows an example of corner and height settings for mounting tJ4. The diagram to explain, Figure 28, is U
Figure 29 shows the hardware configuration of UI, Figure 30 shows the configuration of UICB, Figure 31 shows the configuration of EPIB, and Figure 32 shows the configuration of the display screen. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration, and FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the film projector, the mirror unit, and the image input terminal, and FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the film projector. The figure shows the positional relationship between the original film, the mirror unit, and the platen glass in close contact mode, Figure 36 is a plan view of the film holding case for close contact mode, and Figure 37 shows the platen glass, mirror unit, and platen glass for close contact mode. Fig. 38 is a perspective view of the mirror unit; Fig. 39 is a perspective view of the mirror unit;
The figure is a plan view of the bottom plate of the mirror unit, Figure 40 is a diagram explaining the positional relationship between the platen glass and the scan area, Figure 41 is a diagram showing an example of the scan area adjustment screen in the user interface, and Figure 42 is a diagram showing an example of the scan area adjustment screen in the user interface. The figure shows the scan area for image reading and automatic density adjustment (
Figure 4 explaining the relationship with the scan area for A/E)
3 is a diagram showing the copyable range for copy paper, FIG. 44 is a diagram explaining the positional relationship between copy paper and a copy image, FIG. 45 is a diagram explaining the flow for changing magnification and paper selection, and FIG. 46 The figure is a timing chart of shading operation, Figure 47 is a timing chart of processing when shading operation cannot be performed, Figure 48 is a timing chart of processing when film is detected during shading operation, and Figure 49 is orange mask correction. Figure 50 is a timing chart of the operation, Figure 50 is a timing chart of processing when an abnormality occurs, Figure 51 is a timing chart when performing auto clear, Figure 52 is a diagram showing the flow of overall control of the F/P, Figure 53 is a diagram showing the flow of overall control of the F/P. Interface correlation diagram of each module of the color copying machine in F/P mode, FIG.
Figures 56 and 57 are explanatory diagrams explaining the operating procedure and signal timing when copying images recorded on each film in close contact mode, and Figure 55 is a part of the flow of copying operation in close contact mode. Figure 5 showing
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operating procedure and signal timing when copying an image recorded on a negative film in the projection mode.

Claims (13)

[Claims] (1) In an image reading apparatus having a projection mode in which an image of a transmissive original is projected from a film projector onto an image reading apparatus main body and the projected image is read, the transmissive original is further placed on the image reading apparatus main body; An image reading device characterized by having a close contact mode in which light from a film projector is applied to the transparent original and the transmitted light is read. (2) The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the contact modes are set corresponding to a plurality of types of transmissive originals. (3) The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a selection key for selecting the plurality of contact modes is provided on the image reading device main body. (4) The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a selection key for selecting the plurality of contact modes is provided on the film projector. (5) The image reading apparatus further comprises a control means for determining a reading area of the image reading apparatus main body in accordance with a mode selected from the plurality of close contact modes. 4. The image reading device according to any one of 4. (6) The image reading apparatus further comprises a control means for determining a sheet feeding direction of the image reading apparatus main body in accordance with a mode selected from among the plurality of close contact modes. 5. The image reading device according to any one of 4 and 5. (7) The image reading apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a control unit that automatically enlarges or reduces the determined reading area and/or paper feeding direction according to the paper size. (8) The image reading apparatus according to claim 5 or 7, wherein the determined reading area and/or the image within the reading area after being automatically or manually enlarged or reduced is outputted to a predetermined position on the paper. (9) The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a guide for setting the transmissive original at a predetermined position on the main body of the image reading device. (10) The film projector is provided with a film detection mechanism, and when the film detection mechanism detects that another film is installed in the film projector, the image reading device main body reads in the contact mode. 10. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising means for inhibiting operation. (11) The correction filter exchange device further includes a plurality of correction filters corresponding to the plurality of modes, and a correction filter exchange device for exchanging these correction filters, and the correction filter exchange device has a plurality of correction filters corresponding to the plurality of modes. 11. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein the correction filter is automatically set. (12) Claim 1, wherein the correction filter replacement operation starts when the mode selection is made.
1. The image reading device according to 1. (13) While the correction filter is being replaced, reading operation by the main body of the image reading apparatus is prohibited.
2. The image reading device according to 2.