JPH0372776A - Digital copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To vary the size of a seal picture in the seal mode by providing a readout control means allowing a read means to read repetitively a picture data in a range corresponding to an output picture size designated by a size designation means. CONSTITUTION:The machine is provided with a registration picture memory circuit 1, a picture tone setting circuit 2 and a magnification subscanning clock generator 29. Then the registration picture memory circuit 1 controls a readout means so that it reads out a picture data in a range corresponding to the output picture size designated by a size designation means. Thus, the size of one output picture of a seal picture is varied in the seal mode and a seal or document with various sizes is printed out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a digital copying machine equipped with a sticker mode that stores a part of an original image and prints the stored image on a plurality of output screens on paper. .

(Prior Art) A digital color copying machine includes a reading section that reads a document using a color image sensor and converts it into a printout signal, and a printer section that prints an image on paper using electrophotography in response to this printout signal. When printing out multiple colors, the reading section reads the document and the printer section prints the image on the same paper in a field-sequential manner for each color.

The reading section generally includes a masking circuit and generates a signal that is color-corrected in accordance with the printing characteristics of an output device (such as a printer). However, with color correction using a masking circuit, it is difficult to keep the color difference between the original and the copy very small for all colors on the original. However,
In a certain limited color range, if color adjustment (color balance) is performed, an image that is close to the same color or an image that has a user's favorite color can be selected. Next, the entire document is copied based on the color correction level value of the selected image. In this way, a copy with the color adjustment desired by the user can be easily obtained.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In the above-mentioned mosaic monitor image, the image of a partial area on the document is printed at multiple locations on the same sheet with different color balances, but the same image with the exact same color balance is If images can be printed at multiple locations on the same sheet of paper, each printed image can be separated and used as a sticker. Additionally, there are times when you want to make multiple copies of a document that is smaller than the normal paper size (for example, B6), and in such cases, if you can obtain multiple copies with one printout, you can create reports for multiple report recipients, etc. can be done in a short time. However, conventional digital copying machines equipped with a mosaic monitor mode did not have such a function.

In another application, the present applicant has suppressed some color tone changes on a document to a relatively small extent.

However, in the past, color adjustments were made by copying each color adjustment and cutting and trying.
Scanning was repeated for the number of printed colors, which was a waste of time and cost.

Therefore, the present applicant proposed a color adjustment selection method (hereinafter referred to as a mosaic monitor) to reduce the time and cost required for color correction (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 1733-1982).
No. 73). In this method, the user sets specific areas on the document (areas where the user wants to place particular emphasis on color reproduction).
For example, an area (attention area) including a face is set, and image data (multi-valued) of the attention area is stored in an image memory means. Next, color correction is performed on the image data read from the image memory means at various different predetermined color correction levels, and these are copied at different positions on the same sheet of paper in one printing process. The user selects the image of the most original image = 4 or the entire area from among the images of multiple areas of interest in different tones (mosaic monitor image) copied onto one sheet of paper at multiple locations on the same sheet of paper. A digital copying machine equipped with a sticker mode that prints in one printing process has been disclosed. That is, an image of an area on a document is stored in a memory, and at the time of printing, image data from the memory is read out at a plurality of predetermined positions on the paper, and the same image is printed. When each of the printed sticker images is separated in this way, a sticker or the like is obtained.

By the way, when printing a sticker image, 1 of the output screen
There are various needs for the screen (one block) size. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to vary the size of one screen.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital copying machine that can change the size of a sticker image in sticker mode.

The following margins (means for solving the problem) The digital copying machine according to the present invention includes a reading means for reading a document image to generate digital image data, an area specifying means for specifying an image area, and a storage area for storing image data. a storage means for writing image data of an area specified by J mm in the area specification means into the storage means; a setting means for setting the direction and number of repetitions of the image on the paper; The image data stored in the storage means is not repeatedly read out according to the direction and the number of times, but the image data read out by the reading means is printed at a plurality of locations on a sheet of paper determined according to the set repetition direction and number of times. In a digital copying machine equipped with a printing means and capable of printing a plurality of identical images, a size specifying means for specifying an output screen size and image data in a range corresponding to the output screen size specified by the size specifying means are repeatedly sent to a reading means. The present invention is characterized in that it includes readout control means for causing the setting means to perform settings so as to read the information.

(Function) (Example) Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(a) Configuration of digital color copying machine (b) Sticker mode (c) Registered image memory circuit (d) Shelf setting circuit (e) Flow of copying machine control In this embodiment, an image of a partial area on a document is We will explain the case of printing in multiple places on the same sheet of paper, but if you are making many copies of documents smaller than the normal paper size (for example, B6), you can read the documents and store them in memory.
By repeatedly reading out that image, the same image can be printed on the same paper in the same way.

Although this embodiment describes a digital color copying machine equipped with a mosaic monitor mode, the present invention can be implemented with any digital copying machine.

(a) Configuration of Digital Color Copying Machine In the digital color copying machine according to the present invention, the image sensor output screen size can be specified by the size specifying means. In response to this designation, the reading control means controls the reading range of the reading means.

It consists of a reading section that reads a document using the margin and converts it into a binary printout signal, and a printer section that prints an image on paper by electrophotography in response to this printout signal. When printing out multiple colors, the reading unit reads the document for each color, and the printer unit prints the image on the same paper in a field-sequential manner.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It has the same configuration as a conventional digital color copying machine.

The scanner 10 includes an exposure lamp 12 that irradiates the original, a rod lens array 13 that collects reflected light from the original, and
It is equipped with a contact type COD color sensor (image sensor) 14 that converts the collected light into an electrical signal. When reading a document, the scanner 10 is driven by a motor 11 to move in the direction of the arrow and scan the document placed on the platen 15. The image of the document surface illuminated by the light source 12 is C.
Photoelectric conversion is performed by the OD color sensor 14.

R and G obtained by the COD color sensor 14.

The electric signal (multi-value) of B is processed by the read signal processing section 20,
It is converted into a print output signal (binary) of yellow, magenta, cyan, or black, and stored in the buffer memory 30. In the print head unit 31, an LD drive circuit 32 causes a semiconductor laser (LD) 33 to blink according to the print signal from the buffer memory 30 (see FIG. 2).
.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam generated by the semiconductor laser 33 exposes the photoreceptor drum 41, which is rotationally driven, through a reflecting mirror 34. As a result, an image of the document is drawn on the photoreceptor of the photoreceptor drum 41. The photosensitive drum 41 is irradiated with an eraser lamp 42, charged with a charger 43, and further irradiated with a sub-eraser lamp 44 before being exposed for each copy. When exposed in this state, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor drum 41. Only one of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner developers 45a to 45d is selected to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum. The developed image is transferred to a transfer charger.When outputting a normal image, C
The image signal photoelectrically converted by the CD color sensor 14 is converted into an image density by a log amplifier 21, and then converted into a digital value (multi-value) by an A/D converter 22. The R, G, and H image signals subjected to multi-value conversion are subjected to shading correction in a shading correction circuit 23. In the sticker mode and mosaic monitor mode, the shading-corrected signal is stored in the registered image memory circuit 1. When outputting a normal color image, the registered image memory circuit 1 is canceled and the shading-corrected signal is sent to the masking processing circuit 24.

In the above processing, the three colors R and GSH are processed in parallel.

Next, the masking processing circuit 24 generates a signal for one of the printing colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, or black) according to the characteristics of the printing toner from the three human input signals in order to perform printing in the field sequential manner. A control signal from the CPU 25 determines which print color a signal is to be generated. In the masking processing circuit 24, the undercolor is transferred to the paper wound on the transfer drum 51 by the undercolor removal circuit 346.

Usually, this printing process is repeated for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. At this time, the scanner 10 synchronizes with the operation of the photosensitive drum 41 and the transfer drum 51.
repeats the scanning operation.

Thereafter, the paper is separated from the transfer drum 51 by operating the separation claw 47, passed through the fixing device 48, fixed, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 49.

Note that the paper is fed from a paper cassette 50, and its leading edge is chucked by a chucking mechanism 52 on a transfer drum 51 to prevent misalignment during transfer.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a description will be given of the signal processing section 20 that processes the output signal of the CCD color sensor 14 and outputs a binary print signal. Registered image memory circuit 1, image setting circuit 2
The circuit is the same as the conventional circuit except for the sub-scanning clock generator 29 for variable magnification.

A circuit and a black reprint amount generation circuit are provided to generate the black amount during black scanning. When changing the color adjustment in the mosaic monitor mode or the normal mode, the print signal is subjected to color correction in the image tone setting circuit 2. In the case of normal image or sticker mode, standard color adjustment is performed in the double-open setting circuit 2, and no color correction is performed. The electric magnification circuit 26 is the masking processing circuit 24
Alternatively, the signal from the screen setting circuit 2 is electrically processed to electrically change the magnification in the main scanning direction.
Since this is well known, the explanation will be omitted here.

On the other hand, variable magnification in the sub-scanning direction can be realized by varying the speed of relative movement between the original and the scanner 10.

The halftone processing circuit 27 binarizes the signal from the electric scaling circuit 26 to generate a binary pseudo halftone signal and sends it to the buffer memory 30. The LD drive circuit 32 drives the semiconductor laser 33 in response to the pseudo halftone signal from the buffer memory 30 to emit a laser beam. In addition,
A clock generator 28 generates a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and a clock signal CKA for synchronizing the reading of the CCD color sensor 14 and the image data processing of each of the 14 circuits.

Further, the sub-scanning clock generator 29 for variable magnification is controlled by the CPU 25.
A sub-scanning clock for variable magnification, which is an interrupt signal to the registered image memory circuit 1, is generated in response to a signal from the register image memory circuit 1. It should be noted that at the same magnification, the sub-scanning clock for variable magnification is the same as Hsync.

Furthermore, input/output of the electrophotographic process in the CPU 25, control of the operation panel 70, etc. is not shown in FIG. 2, but will be explained later using FIG. 6.

In the signal processing section 20, image data is processed at the timing shown in FIG. Here, horizontal synchronization signal H5
ync and clock signal CKA are supplied by clock generator 28
and R, G, from the COD color sensor 14.
The image data of B flows serially in synchronization with the clock CKA (in the figure, the numbers of the image data indicate addresses in the main scanning direction). Every time the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is generated, line n in the main scanning direction is updated. That is, the print start key 71 for starting the scanner 15. Interrupt key 72 for specifying interrupt copying, clear/stop key 73, all reset key 74, numeric keypad 75, set key 76, cancel key 77, various fun keys 78-81. jog dials 82, 83 for setting areas to be described later;
In order to set the area, a display section 84 made of a liquid crystal or the like is provided to display the original image and various messages. Here, press the function key 80°8
1 are a memory image output key and an image registration key, respectively.

Areas such as the attention area in the sticker mode, which will be explained later, are set as follows. For example, in the case of setting a region of interest, as shown in FIG. roughly displayed. Vertical and horizontal direction lines LPY, LPX
The intersection point becomes the center of area EA. When the jog dials 82 and 83 are operated, each of these indication lines advances by a unit distance in the sub-scanning direction.

This digital color copying machine is equipped with a sticker printing function and a color adjustment function called a mosaic monitor. Each function requires a memory to store the image data of a partial area on the document, and also has many common features in image processing. It shares the setting circuit 2 and is controlled by the CPU 25 to realize each function. In the sticker printing function, the intermediate processing circuit 2
Although it is possible to store the binarized image data in the memory in step 7, since the multi-value data is stored,
In the case of color, color adjustment is also possible.

The mosaic monitor is disclosed in another application by the present applicant (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 173373/1982), so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of various keys on the operation panel 70 provided on the top surface of the copying machine.

Since the operation panel 70 starts the copying operation and moves downward or left/right, the area EA is determined by this, and by pressing the set key 76, the area of interest is set.

The CPU 25 that controls the image processing section 20 also controls the operation panel 70 and the printing operation, as shown in FIG. C.P.
U25 is ROM91. Memory (R
AM) 92, Magnification data memory (RAM) 93.1 Block size memory (RAM) 94, Paper size memory (
RAM) 95 and an operation panel input/output interface 96. The operation panel input/output interface 96 is connected to various keys 71 to 83 of the operation panel 70 and the display section 84.

Further, the CPU 25 is connected to a paper sensor 54 , a toner sensor 55 , and a temperature sensor 56 (via an A/D converter 57 ) used for controlling copying operations via an input/output interface 98 , and is connected via a driver 58 to drive the motor 59 for

Margin below (b) Seal mode In sticker mode, the user specifies the area of interest in the document that he/she wants to use as a sticker, and according to this, the image of the area of interest is printed once in multiple areas (blocks) on the same paper. This is the mode in which printing is performed during the process.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the same image 110 is printed on the paper 100 in 6 rows vertically (in the Y direction) by 9 columns horizontally (in the X direction). By separating each image 110, a sticker can be created.

To select the sticker mode, with the two mode names displayed on the display 84 as shown in FIG. Press 76 to enter the desired mode. Here, when the cursor is moved to the position of "Seal mode output" and the set key 76 is pressed, the seal mode is entered.

In the sticker mode, when the user presses the image registration key 81 on the operation panel 70, the image registration mode (18th
(see figure). In this mode, see ~5107).

At this time, on the screen (FIG. 9), move the cursor to the position of the printing condition you wish to change using the jog dials 82 and 83, and input the desired value using the numeric keypad 75.

You can change the magnification first in the printing conditions. In this embodiment, the magnification is the same in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. (
However, it is easy to enable analog values with different value rates. ) For example, if the size of the image area you want to use as a sticker on the document is different from the size you want the sticker to be, you may want to change the magnification;
When input, the input data is stored in the magnification data memory 9.
3 is stored. As will be explained later, the scaling is performed by changing the memory read clock and performing electrical processing using a well-known method.

The user can then change the size of the seal (l block size). In this embodiment, the l block is a square with ffx (size in the main scanning direction)=12y (size in the sub-scanning direction)=C. When the memory capacity of the registered image memory circuit l is C, the original of 21 yen squares is first pre-scanned. Look at the original image and select an area of interest (for example, the shaded area EA in Figure 5) as a partial area on the original that you want to use as a sticker.
Set. Corresponding to this, the registered image memory circuit l is
In the next scan, only the image data of the region of interest is stored in the memory. (In this embodiment, writing is performed at the same magnification, but it may be possible to change the magnification at the time of writing.) Note that the size of the attention area has an upper limit determined according to the storage capacity of this memory. It is being

Next, when the memory image output key 80 of the operation unit 70 is pressed,
Enter seal mode output processing (see Figure 19).

When entering the sticker mode output process, standard printing conditions (paper size, l block size, magnification) are displayed on the display section 84, as shown in FIG. 9, for example.

In the sticker mode output process, the user can change the printing conditions if necessary (5 lots are stored in FIG. 19). Therefore, the l block size Q can be specified from 0 to .

In the case of variable magnification, it can be specified in the range of 0 to Z death. When printing, the reading area is set according to the specified one block size. There are needs for stickers of various sizes in the display section 84. When the size of 1 block is input in units of nun, the input data is converted into the number of addresses and stored in the 1 block size memory 94.

Note that if a rectangular size is desired, it is easy to make it possible to change each of Qx and Qy.

In this embodiment, it is possible to change the size e of the sticker when printing, but it may be easier to use if the size S of the original image on the document can be specified. In this case, one block size e can be calculated as SxZ.

Note that when scaling is performed, the size of the image registered in the memory of the registered image memory circuit 1 is 12/Z (Z is the magnification) from the original size.
If it is larger, the image data is insufficient compared to the size of the sticker. In this case, the upper limit value corresponding to the memory size may be automatically set, or the insufficient amount may be set as blank data.

Furthermore, the user can change the paper size.

When changing the paper size, input the desired paper size and specify the paper size (for example, A3). The specified paper size is stored in paper size memory 95.

When the size of the sticker is changed, the output format changes, and the sticker image may be cut off at the edge of the paper midway through printing. Therefore, after changing each of the printing conditions described above, the maximum number of output screens that will prevent the image from being cut off in the middle is determined based on the printing conditions of the paper size and l block size. FIG. 10 shows an example of the output format of a sticker image (4 rows x 6 columns). In this example, paper 10
Blocks (screens) of m columns and n rows are divided in a rectangle defined by the point Po on 0 as the upper left corner and the point Pl as the lower right corner, and each block (in this example, a QXQ square)
The same sticker image is printed on the

Number of output screens m in the main scanning direction (X) and sub-scanning direction (Y),
n is automatically determined as follows (see Figure 20).

Now, a point P on the paper 100 where printing starts. The coordinates (XS, ys) of are determined in advance.

The user also specifies the size of the paper 100 to be printed, the 1-block size Q, and the variable magnification Z. In addition,
The coordinates are C in order to correspond to the address of the memory 401.
The size of the image detected by one pixel of the CD color sensor 14 is expressed as a unit.

Under the printing conditions set above, the coordinates (xp, yp) of the lower right corner Pl of the paper are determined in accordance with the paper size. Furthermore, Lx=xp xg, Ly=yp)'S is the paper size excluding the left and top margins.

Therefore, the number of output screens m and n are I N T (L X/12X), I N T (
L, /12. ) can be calculated as Here, INT (
a) represents the largest integer not exceeding a. From the numbers m and n of output screens determined in this way, the coordinates of point PI (x(,
yr) is determined, and the readout area setting signal x11. 'x
r-1,y, -1,yf-1 are obtained. Also, l block size signals (b=QX/Z) and (b=Q, /Z) to be output to the registered image memory circuit l are obtained.

When the initial conditions (for example, paper size A3.1, block size 25 mm, and magnification 1.8) are set, each parameter such as the number of output screens is displayed on the right side of the display section 84 as shown in FIG. 11, and a sticker is displayed on the left side. The output format of the image is displayed (see Figure 21). In this example, 6×
9 output formats are displayed, and the numerical values mXn, m, n for the number of output screens are also displayed, so the user can check whether the initial condition settings are appropriate before instructing to print the sticker image. Easy to judge.

Next, when you specify the seal mode output (see Figure 8),
The image data registered in the memory is repeatedly read out block by block within the readout area, and the seal image is printed in a predetermined format (5112 to 5114 in FIG. 19).

The scaling is performed by changing the clock for reading image data from the memory using the correction circuit 29,411 (see FIGS. 2 and 12). A scaling correction circuit 411 generates a scaling clock CKB. At the same magnification, CKB is the same as CKA. Also, for this reason, when the user specifies the magnification Z, the clock for address generation (!4th diagram lock C
KB and sub-scanning clock) are changed in accordance with the reciprocal of the magnification Z. Also, for each block, an overflow signal X,
1 block size signals X, Y (=b
X, b, ) are changed (FIGS. 12 and 14). Note that the memory is read from the upper left corner of the image of interest, but the starting address for reading data from the memory (offset amount in Figure 14) is determined from the memory size, l block size, and magnification. It is also possible to read out only the central part of the stored image.

Note that scaling may be performed when writing image data.

In this case, the clock for image writing can be changed using a lock correction circuit, similar to that for reading.

This allows the image data converted to the specified magnification to be stored in the memory.

6- (c) Registered image memory circuit The registered image memory circuit l stores the registered image of the attention area of the document in the sticker mode or mosaic monitor mode in the memory 4.
01 and reads it out at any specified position on the paper.

FIG. 12 shows a circuit diagram of the registered image memory circuit l. Here, the memory 401 is a RAM that records registered images. The selector 421 selects shading-corrected image data (multivalued) and white data based on the readout signal. When reading (printing) a sticker image and a mosaic monitor image from the memory 401, "white data" is selected. The 3-state buffer 422 is sent to the memory 401 when printing the sticker image and mosaic monitor image.
is read out in the readout area (OE='0'
), it becomes a high impedance state. In other cases,
In the sticker mode and mosaic monitor mode, it is determined whether the sticker image and the mosaic monitor image are in the 7 range. Based on the determination result, the AND gate 405 outputs °l" if the area is in the readout area, and outputs the output voltage of the memory 401 via the inverter 423.
It outputs °0° to the E terminal and makes the memory 401 readable.

The write and read addresses for the memory 401 are:
They are generated by a write address generation counter 403 and a read address generation counter 409, respectively, and are generated by a selector 40.
4 to the address terminal of the memory 401.

Selector 404 selects a write address or a read address depending on whether writing or reading is performed. Note that both the write address and read address are the address in the X direction and the address in the Y direction.
A one-dimensional address is generated using a multiplier and an adder based on the directional address and offset amount.

The registered image memory circuit 1 will be explained in more detail below.

When writing a registered image, when the user specifies an area of interest, the CPU 2' 5 determines how many lines (in the Y direction) this area of interest is, as seen from the leading edge of the image.゛Output the data to the masking processing circuit 24. Also, when registering images in sticker mode and mosaic monitor mode, image data is stored in memory 4.
Output to 01. When printing images, by repeatedly reading registered image data from the memory 401, sticker images and mosaic monitor images can be printed in multiple blocks on the same sheet of paper.

The writing area determination circuit 402 determines whether or not the writing area is in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction based on writing area setting signals in the main scanning direction (X) and the sub-scanning direction (Y) set by the CPU 25. Determine whether Based on the determination result, the AND gate 407 outputs the clock CKA if it is in the write area.
is output to the WE terminal of the memory 401 to enable writing to the memory 401.

Similarly, the readout area determination circuit 408 determines the readout area in the main scanning direction or the subscanning direction based on readout area setting signals in the main scanning direction (X) and the subscanning direction (Y) set based on the output format from the CPU 25. In other words, the coordinates of the upper left corner (x8. ys) and the coordinates of the lower right corner (Xf, Y
(), and find this coordinate (exactly x, -1, y81, x
f t, yr l) are respectively set in the X portion 402a and the seventh portion 402b of the writing area determination circuit 402 as writing area setting signals for determining the writing area in the X direction and the Y direction. X and Y refer to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, respectively. X part 402a and 7 part 402 of writing area determination circuit 402
b is the horizontal synchronizing signal H5yn when the image leading edge signal is input.
c and the clock CKA, and compare whether the count value is within the write area setting range.

If the main scanning direction is within the range (X ≦X≦xr) - WEX="Lo is output, and the sub-scanning direction is within the range (ys≦
If y≦yρ, WEY='L' is output. A write address generation counter 403 generates a write address when the write area determination circuit 402 determines that the area is a write area, and sends it to the address terminal of the memory 401 via a selector 404. That is, write = 80 = WEX in the X section 403a of the address generation counter 403
- When "Lo", the clock CKA is counted and an address related to the main scanning direction is generated. This address is cleared by the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync. Also, the seventh part 403b of the write address generation counter 403 is
When "Lo", the horizontal synchronization signal 1-1sync is counted and an address related to the sub-scanning direction is generated.This address is cleared by the image leading edge signal generated by the CPU 25.The write address generation counter 403 is a multiplier and an adder. A one-dimensional address is calculated from both the addresses in the X direction and the Y direction and the offset amount.

When an address is generated in this manner and image data is written to the memory 401, the data holding signal to the gate 407 is set to "Lo", and the 4 read/write signal to the gate 405 is set to "L".
It is set as o. As a result, the selector 404
Since a selection signal is sent via AND gate 405, the address signal from write address generation counter 403 is selected and transmitted to the address terminal of memory 401. In addition, when X≦X≦X%Y≦y≦Y(, set values that can be determined as s within the range are given.x, y are
S Upper left corner P of the readout area. are the X and Y coordinates of xf
, yf are the X and Y coordinates of the lower right corner P (see FIG. 10). When the image leading edge signal is input during scanning, the readout area determination circuit 408 counts the horizontal synchronizing signal H5ync and the clock CKA, and compares whether the count value is within the readout area setting range. If the main scanning direction is within the range, REX='L' is output, and if the sub-scanning direction is within the range, REY="Lo" is output.

A read address generation counter 409 generates a read address when the read area determination circuit 408 determines that the area is a read area.

The X portion 409a of the read address generation counter 409 is
When EX='L', the count CKA (CKB from the zoom correction circuit 411 during zooming) is counted to generate an address in the main scanning direction.

Note that this address is cleared by the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync (sub-scanning clock during scaling). Also, the memory 401
A clock CKA is transmitted to the WE terminal of the memory, enabling writing to the memory. Furthermore, since the 1st section/read signal is set to L°, the 3-state buffer 422 becomes active via the AND gate 405 only when it is possible to write the original image, and transfers the image data to I10 of the memory 401.
Tell it to the terminal.

This allows the memory 401 to store only images of areas that the write area determination circuit 402 has determined to be within the range in both the main and sub-scanning directions. When the writing is completed, the CPU 25 sets the data holding signal to H, and the AN
Writing is prohibited through the D gate 407, and the memory 40
The contents of 1 are retained.

When reading data stored in the memory 401, it is necessary to read the data so that it is printed in a designated reading area. The circuit configuration required for reading is almost the same as that for writing. The CPU 25 operates on the
7 part 4 of the output address generation counter 409 in b.
09b counts the sub-scanning clocks from the variable magnification sub-scanning clock generator 29 when REY='L', and generates an address in the sub-scanning direction. Note that this address is cleared by the image leading edge signal generated by the CPU 25. A one-dimensional address is generated from the addresses and offset amounts in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction. Since the iJh/read signal is H at the time of reading, this address is sent to the address terminal of the memory 401 via the selector 404.

Data read out by accessing the memory 401 is transmitted to the subsequent stage. At this time, of course, within the read area, a count request is made even if the read address counter 409 exceeds l block size, but in this case, the X section 409a and the 7 section 409b of the read address counter overflow every l block size. The signals X and Y are output to the image level setting circuit 2 disposed at the subsequent stage, and counting starts again from the initial value. The overflow signals X and Y are used when printing is performed with different color tones for each of a plurality of plots in the mosaic monitor mode.

Now, if you want to output mxn images, the way to read the memory is to read the contents of the same line m times in the main scanning direction, read out the contents of all lines in the sub-scanning direction, and then read the contents of the same line m times in the main scanning direction, and then read the contents of the same line m times in the main scanning direction, and then read out the contents of the same line m times in the main scanning direction. It will be read out. When the outputs of the X part 408a and the Y part 408b of the read area determination circuit which determines the read area (X≦X≦x4''s≦y≦yρ) for the paper are readable (OE-'L'), the read address The generation counter 409 generates an address, uses that address to access the memory 401, and transmits the stored image data to the subsequent stage. It outputs an overflow signal X and starts counting again from the initial value.

Then, read out the contents of the same line. Repeat this m times. Similarly, when the readout for m blocks in the horizontal direction is advanced by S=Q in the sub-scanning direction, the overflow signal Y is output. In this way, m images are printed in the horizontal direction. By repeating this process n times in the sub-scanning direction, the seal image of the block of m rows and n columns is read out.

Note that at the time of reading, the address/read signal is at °H, so the read area (REX="Lo.

When REY="L'", the memory 401 is ready for output via the AND gate 405 and the inverter 423, and the 3-state buffer 4 is enabled via the AND gate 405.
22 is in a high impedance state, and the image data input side is separated from the memory 401.

Note that when changing the magnification using the magnification Z, the counter 409 is set to 1.
Block size signal (S X==Qx/Z), (S y=Qy/Z
), and the clock CKA and the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync are scaled to 1/Z in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, respectively, by the scaling correction circuit 411.29 in accordance with the scaling data set by the CPU 25. , clock CKB and sub-scanning clock are generated to perform reading. Control of magnification is performed by changing the memory read clock according to the magnification. In this embodiment, for 5-6, a magnification in the range from 0.5 times to 2 times can be specified.

Therefore, as the read clock CKA from the memory 401, the magnification correction circuit 411.29 generates a read clock with twice the frequency of the lock, which is necessary for the same magnification, and interrupts this clock for the magnification. Generate a clock (
For example, see the electrical variable magnification circuit shown in FIG. 2 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-239774).

FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) show time charts when the magnification is 0.5 times and 2 times, respectively. In the case of 0.5 times,
Since the read clock is used as is without being thinned out, it is twice the print clock. Therefore, the read data is thinned out in half to become print data.

On the other hand, in the case of twice the frequency, the read clock is thinned out to half the frequency of the print clock, and therefore the same read data is struck twice.

Note that by setting different magnification data in both magnification correction circuits 411.29, so-called analog magnification can be performed. At this time, different 1 block size signals are set in the counters 403a and 403b, respectively.

Next, the write (read) area determination circuit 402 (408) and address generation counter 403 (409) that constitute the registered image memory circuit 1 will be explained using the detailed circuit diagram of FIG. Note that the area discrimination circuit and address generation counter with the same configuration are used for writing and reading, and the only difference between the two is that in the case of reading, a clock for scaling is used and overflow signals X and Y are output. It is. Note that FIG. 15 shows a timing chart of the operation of the area discrimination circuit.

Margin below 38 In Figure 14, X of the write area (read area) discrimination circuit
The section 402a (408a) includes a counter circuit 601602,
It is composed of D-flip-flops 603 and 604 and an AND gate 605.

The preset terminals of the counter circuits 601 and 602, which are down counters, are provided with initial value data (readout area setting signals 1, X (l is CPU25
The horizontal synchronizing signal H5ynC is sent to the 1oad terminal. Therefore, when the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is output, the counter circuits 601 and 602 receive initial value data x1. xf l is precertified. Here,
X8. Xf is the upper left corner P of the rectangular attention (readout) area. and the lower right corner P, are the X coordinate values. A clock signal CK is connected to the clock terminals of both counter circuits 601 and 602.
A is input.

Therefore, as shown in the timing chart of FIG.
Each time the clock signal CKA is input, the counter circuit 601.60'2 decreases the count value by one, and when the count value exceeds O, that is, the count value becomes zero. ) Therefore, the output terminal (WEX (REX)) of the AND gate 605 is “L” between the count xs and Xr, which is the attention area (readout area).
level.

The X section 403a (409a) of the write (read) address generation counter 403 (409) consists of an AND gate 606 and a programmable counter 607.

The output signal of AND gate 606 is sent to programmable counter 607 as a clock signal.

Therefore, the output signal of AND gate 605 (WEX(RE
When X)) is at °L° level, AND gate 606
transmits another input CKA (CKB) to the clock terminal of the programmable counter 607.

The programmable counter 607 receives the clock CK using the 1 block size signal e given from the CPU 25 as a divisor.
Count A(CKB) in cycles.

Now, the length of the registered image in the main scanning direction is determined by the clock CKA (C
KB) 1 block size signal Q, memory 4
When writing to 01, for the data Xs and Xf provided by the CPU 25, xf-x8=Q
Generates a ple carry signal. This ripple
The carry signals are sent as clock signals to D-flip-flops 603 and 604, respectively. Both-
In the flip-flops 603 and 604, each CLR
The same horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is input to the terminal, but D
L level and H level are respectively input to the terminal.

The Q output of the D-flip-flop 603 becomes H level at the positive leading edge of the horizontal synchronizing signal H5ync, and after counting X clocks, is inverted to L level at the positive leading edge of the ripple carry signal. On the other hand, the Q output of the D-flip-flop 604 is the horizontal synchronizing signal Hsy
It goes to L level at the forward going edge of nc, and after counting xf clocks, goes to H level at the forward going edge of the ripple carry signal. flip flop 60
The Q output of 3 and the Q output of flip-flop 604 are respectively sent to the input terminal of AND gate 605. (The Q outputs and Q outputs of the flip-flops 603 and 604 may be set to the "H° level" and "L" level, respectively, when clearing. Also, when reading in mosaic monitor mode, the Q outputs and Q outputs of the flip-flops 603 and 604 are output m times in the main scanning direction. If desired, a scaling clock may be used, so (xf-x8)/m=Q/Z may be used.

7th section 402b (40Bb) of write (read) area discrimination circuit
are counter circuits 611, 612, flip-flop 6
13, 614, and an AND gate 615. In addition, the seventh section 403b of the write (read) address generation counter
(409b) consists of an AND gate 616 and a programmable counter 617.

Its configuration and operation are exactly the same as those in the main scanning direction using the X section 402a (408a) of the write (read) area discrimination circuit and the X section 403a (409a) of the write (read) address generation counter. However, the counter circuit 61
The initial value data (reading area setting signal) given by the CPU 25 to 1,612 is set to Vl, Y(-■, and AND gate 6
16, a signal for the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) different from the X direction is used, such as Hsync or a sub-scanning clock for variable magnification, instead of the clock CKB, and the load terminal of the counter circuit 611612 and the CLR of the flip-flop, etc. An image leading edge signal or a sub-scanning clock is input to the terminal, and the l block size signal given to the programmable counter 617 is set to Q (Q/Z when reading).

In addition, the programmable counters 607 and 617 receive overflow signals X and Y for every l block size, respectively.
occurs.

In this embodiment, in order to improve memory usage efficiency,
A multiplication table 621 and an adder 622 are used to convert addresses in the main and sub-scanning directions into one-dimensional continuous memory addresses. No matter what the designated area or block size is, writing and reading are possible as long as the area is within the total memory capacity. Specifically, the write (read) address generation counter 40
3 (409), X part 403a (409a) and 7
In addition to the section 403b (409b), a multiplication table 621 is provided which indexes the size of the writing area in the sub-scanning direction and the output data of the programmable counter 607 as an address.
The offset amount applied by the PU 25, that is, the starting address, the output of the programmable counter 607, and the multiplication table 62
The real address of the memory 401 is calculated by adding the output of 1 in the adder 622. In this way, regardless of the size of the write area, image data can be stored in the memory 401 at one-dimensional addresses with close-packed backing.

Furthermore, as is clear from the above description, the write-related area discrimination circuit 402 and address generation counter 4.3 and the read-related area discrimination circuit 408 and address generation counter 409 have exactly the same circuit configuration except for the clock. . Up until now, to simplify the explanation, these circuits have been separated and addresses have been selected using the selector 404 for writing and reading, but since writing and reading are not performed at the same time, this circuit You only need to have one in common.

(d) Picture Tone Setting Circuit The picture tone setting circuit 2 is a circuit that is installed at the next stage of the masking processing circuit 24 and performs color correction (color adjustment) in the mosaic monitor mode. In the sticker mode, no color correction is performed and standard color balance is set.

The masking processing circuit 24 converts the image signals of three colors R, G, and B into image signals (print signals) Y for printing corresponding to each print color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.
, M, C, and K, and outputs the converted image signal to the image tone setting circuit 2.

As is well known, the original image signals R,G.

The conversion formula for converting from B to print signals Y, M, and C is expressed as follows.

Each conversion coefficient a. 82g is preset to an appropriate value based on theory and experiment so that an image with a color as close as possible to the original image is printed.

Color adjustment in the image level setting circuit 2 is performed by calculating Y + = K y X Y M + = KmXM C, = Kc and adjusted print signal (multi-value) Y□.

The purpose is to obtain M,,C,. Here, Ky, Km, K
c are color correction coefficients for yellow, magenta, and cyan, respectively.

Note that the black print signal is output only from pixels that are printed in all three print colors of Y, M, and C. Also, no color adjustment is necessary.

In the image level setting circuit 2 shown in FIG.
executes calculations to obtain the above-mentioned print signals Y, , M, , c. Here, in the mosaic monitor mode, a different set of color correction coefficients y,, mj, ck (for example, i, j, = 1.2
．． 3) must be given.

In order to set color correction coefficients for, for example, three blocks in the main scanning direction, three latches 302, 303,
A latch circuit consisting of 304 is provided, and coefficients output from the CPLI 25 are set in these latches 302 to 304 each time an overflow signal Y is received. These three coefficients are values corresponding to three blocks in the main scanning direction, respectively.

However, in sticker mode, color correction is not performed, so 1
Standard color correction coefficient y2mffi+c for one latch 303
Set t. Therefore, in seal mode, CPU2
When the latch signal is output from C.
Coefficient 2 generated by PU 25 is latched into latch 303. Then, the selector 308 transmits the signal generated by the second selection signal generation circuit 314 to the selector 3 via the selector 312 when the y' signal of the memory is generated.
06 and sends the data in latch 303 to multiplier 301.

In this way, the same standard color correction coefficient Yt+mt or C1 is set for each block for each print signal Y, M, and C, and an adjusted print signal is output.

(e) Flow of copying machine control FIG. 17 shows the CPU 2 that controls the digital color copying machine.
5 shows the main flow related to the seal mode and mosaic monitor mode of copying operation control in No. 5. When the copying machine is powered on, initialization processing of the CPU 25 and the like is performed (not shown).

First, initial settings are performed (step S2 (hereinafter "step" will be omitted)). That is, the copying conditions such as the number of prints, magnification, paper, etc. are set to the initial state (single copy, same size, automatic paper selection, etc.), the density is set to standard, and copying is possible. It is also possible to select a seal mode, etc. In this way, the initial mode is set.

Next, various processing is performed. If there is a request for image registration (pressing the image registration key 81) (YES in step S2), image registration processing is performed (S3, see FIG. 18).

Image registration means to register the contents of an image in a designated area. In the image registration process (S3), the user sets the desired area and stores the contents of the area in the memory 401.
Register. To set the area, a document image is read, the read image is displayed on the display section 84, and a desired area is set using the jog dial 82, 83 and the set key 76.

47 8 If there is a mosaic monitor output request (see Figure 8) (S4
(YES), the mosaic monitor output process (s5) is performed.

That is, the registered content is read out, various color corrections are performed on it, and a mosaic monitor image is output. When the user selects an image with the desired color balance from among the output mosaic monitor images and requests a copy, the entire image is obtained with that color balance.

In the case of seal mode output request (see Figure 8) (Y in S6)
Es), and performs seal mode output setting (s7).

That is, after checking whether there is a registered image, settings for reading from the memory are made.

If there is no image registration request, mosaic monitor output request, or sticker mode output request (No in S2 and S6), normal copying is performed. That is, when a copy request is made (YES in S8), a copy is performed (S9,
5IO).

FIG. 18 shows the flow of image registration processing (s3).

When the set key 76 is pressed on the operation panel 70,
The area setting value that was set on the display unit 84 at that time is input (S21). Furthermore, various other input values are set (S22).

Next, it is determined whether or not to start image registration (S31
). When starting image registration, select the vertices (upper left corner and lower right corner) of the registered image area from the input area setting values (S21).
calculates the coordinates of , sets various data such as the offset amount, l block size, and magnification in the registered image memory circuit l, reads the original image in that area (S32), and corrects the shading of the basic signal ( S33), and write the correction value into the memory 401 (S34). Image reading is performed for each print color. Then, the image registration request is cleared (S35) and the process returns. If you do not want to start image registration (No in S31), immediately clear the image registration request (
S35), return.

FIG. 19 shows the flow of seal mode output processing (S12).

First, standard values of printing conditions are displayed on the display section 84 (S
IOl, see FIG. 9, I0° Next, it is determined whether or not a change in magnification 50- has been instructed (S102). When changing, input value Z of magnification data is stored in magnification data memory 9.
3 (S103). Next, it is determined whether a change in l block size has been instructed (S104). When changing, the input value S of 1 block size is stored in the 1 block size memory 94 (S105). Next, it is determined whether or not a change in paper size has been instructed (8106). If changed, the paper size is stored in the paper size memory 95 (S107).

Next, the number of output screens m, n, which is the number of stickers that can be outputted, is determined from the magnification, l block size, and paper size set above (310B, see FIG. 20).

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, various setting values, the number of output screens, and the output format are displayed on the display section 84 (
S 109, see Figure 21).

Next, various setting data (readout area setting signal, l block size signal, offset amount, scaling data, readout area setting signal) are sent to the registered image memory circuit l and the drawing line setting circuit 2, respectively. +mXS and ys
', YB 1 + nX3 (Sl
35.8136).

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart for displaying the number of output screens (S109). The figure of the output format (see FIG. 10) corresponding to the determined number of output screens is calculated and displayed on the left side of the display section 84 as shown in FIG. 11 (S151).
. Next, various output conditions (paper size, l block size, magnification) and the number of output screens N, m, n are displayed on the right side of the display section 84 (S152).

Margin below 53- color correction coefficients, etc.) (Sill).

Next, it is determined whether there is a request for seal mode output (see FIG. 8) (S l 12). If there is a request, printing of the seal image is started (S113), waits for completion of printing (S114), and returns.

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart for determining the number of output screens (8108). Here, the paper size, scaling data Z, etc. are specified by the user. First, the size S of one block in the memory corresponding to the size Q of one block in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction and the magnification Z is calculated as Q/Z (
8131). Next, the number of output screens m and n in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction are INT (Lx/12) and INT (Ly/
12) (S132, 5133). Here, INT(a) is the largest integer not exceeding a,
Lx and Ly are the paper size in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction, excluding the left and top margins (first
(See figure O).

Next, the number N of output screens for the entire sheet is calculated as mxn (S134). Finally, in the sticker mode, the size of the output screen for sticker images in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction for outputting to the registered image memory circuit can be changed, so stickers of various sizes and Can print documents.

Margin below

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a digital color copying machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the signal processing section. FIG. 3 is a timing chart of image data processing. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the operation panel. FIG. 5 is a diagram of attention area setting. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram for controlling the printing operation, operation panel, etc. FIG. 7 is a diagram of the output format of the sticker image. FIG. 8 is a diagram of the output request screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the display of printing conditions. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing each parameter in the sticker image display output. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the output format and output conditions. FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of the registered image memory circuit. 80...Memory image output key 81...Image registration key 84...Display section, 93...Magnification data memory, 94
...1 block size memory, 95...paper size memory, 401...memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) a reading means for reading a document image to generate digital image data; and an area specifying means for specifying an area of the image;
A storage means for storing image data, a writing means for writing image data of an area specified by the area specifying means into the storage means, and a setting means for setting the direction and number of repetitions of the image on the paper. a reading means for repeatedly reading out the image data stored in the storage means according to the set repetition direction and number of repetitions; A digital copying machine equipped with a printing means for printing and capable of printing a plurality of identical images, comprising a size specifying means for specifying an output screen size, and a means for reading image data in a range corresponding to the output screen size specified by the size specifying means. 1. A digital copying machine characterized by comprising readout control means for causing the setting means to perform settings so as to read out data repeatedly.