JPH08139909A - Image processing unit and its layout method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an image processing unit in which plural originals whose input image sizes differ are laid out in an image memory in response to an output paper size automatically. CONSTITUTION: A CPU 22 in a control unit 13 decides the layout based on the number of originals and original sizes. The decided layout is stored in a RAM 24. Then an original set to original feeder is fed and the 1st original is set on a platen. Then a coordinate address to store the 1st original is set in an image memory. Concretely a start preset address 2346 in the horizontal direction and a start preset address O in the vertical direction are set. Then a reduction factor of 50% is set and a rotation direction of 0 deg. is set, and the first original is stored in the image memory by scanning the original.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having an image memory for storing image information read from a document placed on a document table or the like, and a layout method.

More specifically, according to the present invention, for example, an image on a document is read by an optical image pickup device such as a CCD, subjected to analog / digital conversion and various image processing, and output by an output means such as a laser beam printer. The present invention relates to an image processing device suitable for a digital copying machine.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of originals of the same size are laid out on an image memory according to the output paper size,
A digital copying machine that prints out (reduced layout) is known.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, a plurality of originals having different input image sizes are laid out on the image memory according to the output paper size,
It was impossible to print out.

Therefore, in view of the above points, a first object of the present invention is to perform an image processing in which a plurality of originals having different input image sizes can be automatically laid out on an image memory according to the output paper size. An apparatus and a layout method are provided.

A second object of the present invention is to prevent an image processing apparatus from accepting a size change when a change to a smaller paper size is made after the storage of the first original is started. To provide.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of issuing a warning when a change to a smaller paper size is made.

[0008]

In order to achieve the first object of the present invention, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to an image memory for storing image information read from a document and an output sheet according to a user's instruction. Selector for selecting and multiple originals
In an image processing apparatus having a layout means for laying out on a sheet of output paper, when laying out a plurality of originals by the layout means in a memory area corresponding to the output paper size selected by the selection means
When the output paper size is changed via the selecting means after the storage of the first document is started, the output paper can be changed on the condition that the output paper size is changed to a larger size. It is provided with a control means.
Further, in order to achieve such an object, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when laying out a plurality of originals on one output sheet according to a user's instruction, the first original is stored in a memory area. After that, the change in the size of the output paper is detected, and if the result of the detection is obtained, the change in the paper size is accepted only when the size of the output paper is changed to a larger size. Is.

To achieve the second object of the present invention, when a plurality of originals are laid out by the layout means in a memory area corresponding to the output paper size selected by the selection means, one sheet is placed in the memory area. When the output paper size is changed via the selecting means after the storage of the eye original is started, the change of the output paper is not accepted when the size of the output paper is changed to a smaller size.

In order to achieve the third object of the present invention, when the size of the output paper is changed to a smaller size,
The configuration further includes a warning unit that warns the user.

[0011]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image processing apparatus and a layout method in which a plurality of originals having different input image sizes can be automatically laid out on an image memory according to the output paper size. .

According to another aspect of the present invention, if a smaller paper size is changed after the storage of the first document is started, the size change can be rejected.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, when a change to a smaller paper size is made, a warning to that effect can be issued.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 are views showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of an image copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The main components of the image copying apparatus shown in the figure are a digital color image reading device (hereinafter, referred to as a "color reader") 1 for reading a digital color image on the upper part thereof, and a digital color image print for printing out the digital color image on the lower part thereof. A device (hereinafter referred to as “color printer”) 2 and an image storage device 3 are provided.

The color reader 1 of this apparatus is an apparatus for reading color image information of a read original by color by a color separation means described later and a photoelectric conversion element composed of a CCD or the like, and converting the color image information into an electric digital image signal. Is. Further, the color printer 2 limits the color image for each color according to the digital image signal to be output, and the sheet material of the recording medium, that is, the recording paper is digitally dot-shaped plural times.
This is an electrophotographic laser beam color printer that transfers and records.

The image storage device 3 is a device for storing digital image information read by the color reader 1.

The details of each unit will be described below.

<Description of Color Reader 1> First, the configuration of the color reader 1 will be described.

In the color reader 1 of FIG. 1, 999 is an original, 4 is a platen glass on which the original is placed, 5 is a reflected light image from the original which is exposed and scanned by the halogen exposure lamp 10, and is a 1x magnification type. A rod array lens for inputting an image to the full color sensor 6. The rod array lens 5, the full-size full-color sensor 6, the sensor output signal amplification circuit 7, and the halogen exposure lamp 10 are integrated to form a document scanning unit 11, and the document 999 is directed in the direction of arrow (A1 in the figure). Exposure scanning.

The image information of the original 999 to be read is sequentially read line by line by exposing and scanning the original scanning unit 11. The read color-separated image signal is amplified to a predetermined voltage by the amplifier circuit 7 and then input to the video processing unit 12 via the signal line 501, where it is subjected to signal processing. The signal line 501 is composed of a coaxial cable in order to guarantee faithful signal transmission.

The signal line 502 is a signal line for supplying a drive pulse of the full-size full-color sensor 6, and all necessary drive pulses are generated in the video processing unit 12.
Reference numerals 8 and 9 denote a white plate and a black plate for white level correction and black level correction of the image signal, and by irradiating with the halogen exposure lamp 10, a signal level of a predetermined density can be obtained, White level correction of video signal,
Used for black level correction.

Reference numeral 12 is a video processing unit which will be described later, and 13 is a control unit which controls the entire color reader 1 which constitutes the apparatus according to this embodiment and which has a microcomputer. The control unit 13 controls the display on the operation panel 20, key input control, and the video processing unit 12 via the bus 508.
Control, etc. In addition, the control unit 13
Is the position sensor S1 and S2, and the signal line 50
The position of the document scanning unit 11 is detected via 9, 510.

A control signal for controlling the stepping motor 14 is sent to the stepping motor driving circuit 15 via the signal line 503, and the stepping motor driving circuit 1
Reference numeral 5 outputs a pulse signal for pulse-driving the stepping motor 14 via a signal line 506. The rotational drive of the stepping motor 14 is transmitted to the pulley 17,
Further, it is transmitted to the document scanning unit 11 by the wire 18 to scan the document 999. In addition, the signal line 50
The exposure lamp driver 21 performs ON / OFF control and light control of the halogen exposure lamp 10 via 4,
Through the signal line 505, all control of the color reader unit 1 such as control of the digitizer 16 and the display unit is performed.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an operation panel of the color reader unit 1, which includes a liquid crystal display panel which also serves as a touch panel and keys for giving various instructions. Further, the color image signal read by the document scanning unit 11 at the time of document exposure scanning is amplified by the amplifier circuit 7 and the signal line 501.
Is input to the video processing unit 12 via.

Next, details of the document scanning unit 11 and the video processing unit 12 described above will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal arrangements of the document scanning unit and the video processing unit of the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment. In the figure, 71 indicates a crystal oscillator (OSC) that oscillates a basic pulse, and 7
0 is O. S. Based on the basic pulse output from C71 and the horizontal synchronizing signal, the CCD driver 4 described later
1 and a pulse generator that outputs a predetermined pulse to the S / H 43. Reference numeral 41 denotes a CCD driver for driving the full-size full-color sensor 6, which is driven based on the pulse from the pulse generator 70. Then, in the control unit 13, the internal CPU 2
2 executes the program of the ROM 23 storing the control program on the RAM 24 used as a work area. Reference numeral 25 is an I / O port for inputting / outputting data to / from the outside.

The color image signal input to the video processing unit 12 is separated by a sample hold circuit (S / H) 43 into three colors of G (green), B (blue) and R (red). Each of the separated color image signals is A
A / D converter 44 performs analog / digital conversion to obtain a digital color image signal.

In the present embodiment, the full-size full-color sensor 6 in the document scanning unit 11 is formed in a zigzag pattern divided into five areas, as shown in FIG. Using this unity-size full-color sensor 6 and the shift correction circuit 45, the 2 and 4 channels that are being scanned in advance and the remaining 1 and 4 channels are used.
The reading position deviation of channels 3 and 5 is corrected. Then, the position-corrected signal from the deviation correction circuit 45 is input to the black correction / white correction circuit 46, and the signal corresponding to the reflected light from the white plate 8 and the black plate 9 described above is used, and the like. Darkness unevenness of the double-type full-color sensor 6, unevenness of light amount of the halogen exposure lamp 10, variations in sensor sensitivity, and the like are corrected. Color image data proportional to the input light amount of the full-size full-color sensor 6 is input to the video interface 201, which is connected to the image storage device 3.

4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the function of the video interface 201. That is, (1) a function of outputting a signal 559 from the black correction / white correction circuit 46 to the image storage device 3 (FIG. 4) (2) a signal 559 from the image storage device 3 to the color conversion circuit 4
7 (FIG. 5) (3) Control line 207 (line for HSYNC, VSYNC, image enable EN, etc.) between the image storage device 3 and the color reader 1, and communication line 56 with CPU
1 connection. In particular, the CPU communication line 561 is connected to the communication controller 162 in the control unit 13 and exchanges various commands and area information.

The selection of the above three functions is switched by the CPU control line 508 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In this way, the video interface 20
1 has three functions, and its signal lines 205 and 207 are
Is capable of bidirectional transmission. With such a configuration, bidirectional transmission becomes possible, the number of signal lines can be reduced, the cable can be made thin, and the device can be made inexpensive.

In FIG. 3, the image signal 559 from the black correction / white correction circuit 46 is input to the color conversion circuit 47. The function of the color conversion circuit 47 will be described later.

The output signal 563 from the color conversion circuit 47 is
It is input to a logarithmic conversion circuit (hereinafter, referred to as “LOG”) 48 that performs processing for matching with the relative visibility characteristic of human eyes. Here, white = 00H, black = FFH (H is 16
It shows as a decimal number) and is converted as much as possible. Also, each B, G,
The data output to R corresponds to the density value of the output image, and for each of the B (blue), G (green), and R (red) signals, yellow, magenta, and
Since it corresponds to the amount of cyan toner, the subsequent color image data is associated with Y, M, and C.

The color conversion circuit 47 is a circuit that detects a specific color from the input color image data R, G, B and replaces it with another color. For example, it realizes a function of converting a red portion of a document into blue or another arbitrary color.

Image data from the LOG 48 is sent to the signal line 5
The image data of each color component, that is, the yellow component, the magenta component, and the cyan component, which are input to the color correction circuit 49 via the document image 64, are color-corrected by the color correction circuit 49 as follows. .

FIGS. 6 (a), 6 (b) and 7 (a),
(B) is a diagram for explaining a color correction method in the apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The spectral characteristics of the color separation filter arranged for each pixel in the color reading sensor are shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).
Has an unnecessary transmission area as shown by the shaded area. On the other hand, for example, color toner (Y,
It is well known that M and C) also have unnecessary absorption components as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). In addition, FIG.
In FIG. 7B and FIGS. 7A and 7B, B,
Only G, Y and M are shown.

Therefore, each color component image data Yi, Mi,
For Ci,

[0040]

[Equation 1]

Masking correction for performing color correction by calculating a linear expression for each color is well known. Furthermore, Yi,
By Mi, Ci, Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) (Y
The minimum value of i, Mi, and Ci) is calculated, and this is used as a black (black), and black toner is added later (smiking), and the amount of each color material added is reduced according to the black component added. Color removal (UCR) operations are common.

Next, the black representation of black characters and thin lines on the original,
Also, a black character processing circuit 69 for improving color fringing at the edges of black characters and thin black lines will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the input / output characteristics of Y, M, C and Bk in the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment.

The R, G, B (red, green, blue) color signals 559R, 559 whose black level and white level have been corrected by the black correction / white correction circuit 46 shown in FIG.
G, 559B undergoes masking / undercolor removal by the LOG 48 and the color correction circuit 49, and then a color signal to be output to the printer is selected, and the selected color signal is output to the signal line 565. In parallel with this, signals R, G, and B represent the achromatic portion of the original and the edge portion, that is, black characters,
The luminance signal Y and the color difference signals I and Q are calculated in order to detect the portion which is the thin black line.

These Y, I, and Q signals increase the black toner amount for the black edge portion, and decrease the Y, M, C toner amounts for that portion, so that the black portion is expressed in black. Then, the signal 589 from the black character processing circuit 69 is input to the AND circuit 90. The AND circuit 90 converts the input signal 589 into the density conversion circuit 116 of the next stage.
It acts as a switch of whether to transmit to. Note that A
The ND circuit 90 is controlled by the area generation circuit 72.

The density conversion circuit 116 (FIG. 3) can change the density and gradation for each color as shown in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 8, and is composed of, for example, an LUT (lookup table). It The output signal 610 from the density conversion circuit 116 is input to the scaling circuit 117, and the scaling circuit 11
7 has a memory for one line, and by changing the writing frequency and the reading frequency to the memory respectively,
Scale. As a result, the scaling in the main scanning direction is performed, but the scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scan speed of the document scanning unit 11 according to the scaling ratio.

The output signal 611 from the scaling circuit 117 is
It is input to the repeating circuit 118 in the next stage. This circuit is
As shown in FIG. 9, it is composed of a FIFO.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the repeating circuit 118, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output example of the repeating circuit 118.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 609 denotes an HSYNC signal, and an L ₀ pulse once for each line is input as a line synchronizing signal to initialize a WR (write) pointer (not shown) inside the FIFO. Further, 611 is input image data, 612 is output image data, and the repeat signal 6
Reference numeral 16 is a signal for initializing the RD (read) pointer of the FIFO. That is, by supplying the FIFO with the repeat signal 616 formed identically for each line, the same image can be repeated as shown in FIG.

The image information processed by the video processing unit 12 is output to the color printer 2 via the printer interface 56.

<Description of Color Printer 2> Next, the configuration of the color printer 2 will be described.

In the configuration of the color printer 2 shown in FIG. 2, 711 is a scanner and the color reader 1 (FIG. 1).
A laser output unit for converting the image signal from the optical signal into an optical signal, a polygon mirror 712 having a polyhedron (for example, octahedron), a motor (not shown) for rotating the polygon mirror 712, and f
It has a / θ lens (imaging lens) 713 and the like. 714
Is a reflection mirror for changing the optical path of the laser beam from the scanner 711 indicated by the one-dot chain line in the figure, and 715 is a photosensitive drum.

The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 711 is reflected by the polygon mirror 712, and the f / θ lens 7
13 and the reflection mirror 714, the photosensitive drum 715
The surface of is scanned linearly (raster scan) to form a latent image corresponding to the original image.

Further, 717 is a primary charger, 718 is a full-surface exposure lamp, 723 is a cleaner part for collecting the untransferred residual toner, 724 is a pre-transfer charger, and these members are arranged around the photosensitive drum 715. It is arranged.
Reference numeral 726 denotes a developing device unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 by laser exposure, and includes 731Y (for yellow), 731M (for magenta), 731C (for cyan), and 731Bk (for black). ) Is a developing sleeve for directly developing in contact with the photosensitive drum 715, 730Y, 730M, 730C, 730B.
k is a toner hopper for holding a spare toner, 732
Is a screw for transferring the developer. These sleeves 731Y to 731Bk, toner hopper 730Y
To 730 Bk and the screw 732 constitute a developing device unit 726, and these members are arranged around the rotation axis P of the developing device unit 726.

For example, when forming a yellow toner image, the developing unit 726 carries out yellow toner development at the position shown in FIG. Further, when forming a magenta toner image, the developing unit 726 is rotated by the motor 530 about the axis P in the drawing, and the developing sleeve 731M in the magenta developing unit is disposed at a position in contact with the photosensitive drum 715. For cyan and black development,
Similarly, the developing device unit 726 is rotated about the axis P in the drawing.

Reference numeral 716 is a transfer drum for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 715 onto the paper 791.
719 is an actuator plate for detecting the moving position of the transfer drum 716, and 720 is this actuator plate 7.
A position sensor that detects that the transfer drum 716 has moved to the home position by being close to 19
725 is a transfer drum cleaner, 727 is a paper pressing roller,
728 is a static eliminator, and 729 is a transfer charger, which are arranged around the transfer roller 716.

On the other hand, 735 and 736 are sheets (paper sheets) 7
Paper feed cassettes 737 and 738 for collecting 91 are paper feed rollers 7 for feeding paper from the cassettes 735 and 736.
Reference numerals 39, 740 and 741 are timing rollers for timing of feeding and carrying. The sheet fed and conveyed through these is guided to a sheet guide 749, and the leading end of the sheet is carried by a transfer drum 716 while being supported by a gripper described later.
The image forming process is started by wrapping it around.

550 is a drum rotation motor,
The photosensitive drum 715 and the transfer drum 716 are synchronously rotated. 750 is a peeling claw that removes the sheet from the transfer drum 716 after the image forming process is completed, 742 is a conveyor belt that conveys the removed sheet, and 743 is a conveyor belt 7.
An image fixing unit that fixes the sheet conveyed by 42. In the image fixing unit 743, the rotational force of the motor 747 attached to the motor attaching unit 748 is transmitted via the transmission gear 746 to the pair of thermal pressure rollers 744 and 745.
And fixes the image on the sheet conveyed between the thermal pressure rollers 744 and 745.

The fixed paper is ejected out of the apparatus by the paper ejection roller 754 as it is during one-sided copying. Also,
When copying on both sides, after the paper passes the paper ejection sensor 753,
The paper discharge flapper 751 is in the state shown by the dotted line in the figure, and the rotation of the paper discharge roller 754 is reversed to cause the double-sided path 752.
Sheet is conveyed to the timing rollers 739, 740,
The image is formed by being conveyed to 741 and being carried by the transfer drum again.

The printout process in the color printer 2 having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart at the time of printing in the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment. In the figure, ITOP (551) is a synchronizing signal in the image feeding direction (sub-scanning direction), which is once for sending one screen, that is, four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black).
Each time the image is sent out, it occurs four times in total. This is because when the paper front end of the transfer paper wound around the transfer drum 716 of the color printer 2 accepts the transfer of the toner image at the contact point with the photosensitive drum 715, the image and the position of the front end of the document match. Therefore, it is synchronized with the rotations of the transfer drum 716 and the photosensitive drum 715, and is sent to the video processing unit 12 via a cable (not shown).

Specifically, the first ITOP forms a Y latent image on the photosensitive drum 715 by the laser light, and this is developed by the developing unit 731Y. Next, the transfer is performed on the sheet on the transfer drum 715, and the yellow print process is performed. Then, the developing unit 726 rotates about the axis P in FIG.

Next, in ITOP551, an M latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 715 by the laser beam, and the magenta printing process is performed by the same operation as described above. By performing this operation similarly for C and Bk corresponding to the subsequent ITOP551, cyan print processing and black print processing are performed.

When the image forming process is completed in this way,
Next, the sheet is peeled off by the peeling claw 750 and fixed by the image fixing section 743, whereby the printing of a series of color images ends.

<Explanation of Image Storage Device> The method of storing from the color reader 1 to the image storage device 3 which constitutes the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment, and the image information is read out from the image storage device 3 and processed, and then the color is stored. The operation of forming an image by the printer 2 will be described in detail.

First, the image storing operation from the color reader 1 will be described.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart when an image is stored in this embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining a reading operation in the CPU 22 of the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment.

The reading area is set by the color reader 1 by the original scanning unit 11 shown in FIG.
This is done by prescanning 9. That is,
In FIG. 13, the original 99 is scanned by the original scanning unit 11.
9 is scanned (step S1), and the size of the document is detected by the CPU 22 in the control unit 13 (step S2).

The size of the original, that is, the information of the reading area is sent to the video interface 201 via the communication line 501 of FIG. The reading area information input to the video interface 201 is the signal line 2
07 to the image storage device 3 (step S
3).

The color reader 1 outputs the VCLK signal, ITOP, EN signal and the like shown in the timing chart of FIG. 12 to the image storage device 3 along with the image data 205 on the signal line 207. Further, FIG. 4 shows a data flow in the video interface 201.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the start button of the operation unit 20 is pressed, the stepping motor 14 is driven and the document scanning unit 11 starts scanning (step S4), and when the scanning reaches the leading edge of the document. , The ITOP signal becomes a logic “1”, the document scanning unit 11 reaches the area designated by the prescan, and the EN signal becomes a logic “0” while scanning this area. Therefore, read color image information (DATA
205) is captured.

As shown in FIG. 12, the image data transfer from the color reader 1 is controlled by controlling the video interface 201 as shown in FIG.
The signal control signal and VCLK are output from the video interface 201 as a signal 207 ', and in synchronization with these signals 207', R data 205R, G data 2
The 05G, B data 205B is sent to the image storage device 3 in real time (step S5).

Next, a specific storage operation in the image storage device 3 based on the image data and the control signal will be described in detail.

FIG. 14 is a detailed circuit diagram showing the configuration of the image storage device 3 of the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment. In the figure, 1001 is a connector, 1002 is a selector, 1
003 is a memory, 1004, 1005, 1008 are inverters, 1006, 1007 are 13-bit counters, 1
Reference numerals 009, 1010, 1011 and 1012 denote tristate buffers and 1013 denotes a communication control unit. 1017
Is a CPU that controls the entire image storage device 3,
Reference numeral 1014 denotes a ROM that stores various programs for the CPU 1017 to operate, and 1015 denotes the CPU 1
Reference numeral 017 denotes a RAM as a work area used when executing various programs in the ROM 1014.
16 is an output port.

2001R, 2001G, 2001B, 2
007R, 2007G, 2007B, 2019R, 20
Reference numerals 19G, 2019B, 2012-2017 denote signal lines, and 2002 denotes an ITOP signal, 200.
3 is an EN signal, 2004 is a video clock (VCL
K), 2005 is a communication signal (COM), 2006 is a select signal, 2008 is an ITOP signal, 2009 is an EN signal, 2010 is a control signal, and 2018 is a bus line for transmitting address signals, data, and control signals.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

The connector 1001 is connected to the video interface 201 in the color reader 1 shown in FIG. 3 via a cable. R data 205R, G data 2
05G, B data 205B is the connector 100
1 through the signal lines 2001R, 2001G, 2001B
Is input to Further, the control signal and the signal 207 which is a communication signal are similarly input to the signal lines 2002 to 2005 via the connector 1001.

Signal lines 2001R, 2001G, 2001
An image signal passing through B (hereinafter, "2001R '", [200
1G ′ ”and“ 2001B ′ ”) are selectors 10
It is input to 02. Selector 1002 when storing images
Is set to the A side in the figure by the select signal 2006,
Input image signals 2001R ', 2001G', 20
01B ′ (collectively referred to as “image information 2001”) is input to the memory 1003 through the signal lines 2007R, 2007G, and 2007B.

The ITOP signal 2002 is sent to the inverter 100.
Inverted by 4 and counter 1 as ITOP signal 2008
It is input to the clear terminal 006. In addition, the EN signal 20
03 is inverted by the inverter 1005 and the EN signal 200
9 is input to the clock input terminal of the counter 1006 and the clear terminal of the counter 1007. further,
The VCLK 2004 is input to the clock input terminal of the counter 1007.

Next, the method of storing the data in the memory 1003 will be described in detail by taking the case where the document is A4 size as an example.

FIG. 15 shows A4 on the platen glass 4 of the color reader 1 which constitutes the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
An example in which a size original 999 is placed is shown. In addition, the control signal from the video processing unit 12 is also added to the figure.

The document scanning unit 11 according to this embodiment is
The original 999 is read at 16 dots / mm, converted into digital information, and sent to the image storage device 3.

In FIG. 15, when the original 999 is set in accordance with the reference mark indicated by "M", the horizontal (H) direction of the original is 0 as shown in the figure.
The addresses correspond to addresses 4752, and the vertical (V) direction corresponds to addresses 0 to 3360. The control signal 20 described above
7 '(EN, VCLK, ITOP) is generated at the timing shown in FIG. 15 and sent to the image storage device 3.

FIG. 16 shows the control signal 207 'and the image signal 2 from the video processing unit 12 in this embodiment.
5 is a timing chart of signals in the image storage device 3 corresponding to 05 and 05, respectively.

When the ITOP signal 2008 is logic "0", the counter 1006 is cleared and the counter output 2013
Are all logical "0". At this time, EN signal 2
009 is “0”, the counter 1007 is cleared, and all counter outputs output to the signal line 2012 are “0”. When the ITOP signal changes from "0" to "1", the effective image information 2001 of the document is output and the EN signal 2009 changes from "0" to "1". Also, from the connector 1001 to VCL
K2004 is always output.

When the EN signal 2009 becomes "1", the clearing of the counter 1007 is released, and the value counted up in synchronization with the VCLK 2004 is output to the signal line 2012. After the signal level of the EN signal 2009 changes from “0” to “1”, the VCLK 2004 becomes 4752.
When the time corresponding to the number of pieces has passed, it changes to "0" again. The output of the counter 1007 is the EN signal 200 described above.
By the control of 9, a value from 0 to 4752 is taken.

In FIG. 15, when the original 999 is set in accordance with the reference mark indicated by "M", in terms of directionality, the horizontal (H) direction of the original is 0 as shown.
The addresses correspond to addresses 4752, and the vertical (V) direction corresponds to addresses 0 to 3360. The control signal 20 described above
7 '(EN, VCLK, ITOP) is generated at the timing shown in FIG. 15 and sent to the image storage device 3.

Further, FIG. 16 shows the control signal 207 'and the image signal 2 from the video processing unit 12 in this embodiment.
5 is a timing chart of signals in the image storage device 3 corresponding to 05 and 05, respectively.

When the ITOP signal 2008 is logic "0", the counter 1006 is cleared and the counter output 2013
Are all logical "0". At this time, FN signal 2
009 is “0”, the counter 1007 is cleared, and all counter outputs output to the signal line 2012 are “0”. When the ITOP signal changes from "0" to "1", the effective image information 2001 of the document is output and the EN signal 2009 changes from "0" to "1". Also, from the connector 1001 to VCL
K2004 is always output.

When the EN signal 2009 becomes "1", the clear of the counter 1007 is released, and the value counted up in synchronization with the VCLK 2004 is output to the signal line 2012. After the signal level of the EN signal 2009 changes from “0” to “1”, the VCLK 2004 becomes 4752.
When the time corresponding to the number of pieces has passed, it changes to "0" again. The output of the count 1007 is the above EN signal 200.
By the control of 9, a value from 0 to 4752 is taken.

The counter 1006 is made of ITO as described above.
After being cleared by the P signal 2008, the EN signal 200
Every time 9 changes from "0" to "1", it increments by one. That is, the counter 1007 outputs the address in the H direction, and the counter 1006 outputs the address (row) in the V direction.
Is output. The output of the counter 1007 is the signal line 2
012 through tristate buffers 1010 and 10
11 and are input. The output of the counter 1006 is output via the signal line 2013 to the tristate buffer 1
009 and 1012.

Image information is sent to the memory 1003 through the signal line 200.
7R, G, B, the tristate buffers 1009 and 1010 are controlled to be valid by the control signal 2010 from the output port 1016. That is, the output of the counter 1007 passes through the signal line 2012 and the tri-state buffer 1010,
Furthermore, A0 of the memory 1003 is passed through the signal line 2014.
~ Is input to A12. The output of the counter 1006 is the signal line 2013 and the tri-state buffer 1009.
Through the signal line 2016 and the memory 100.
3 is input to A13 to A25. That is, the memory 10
03 has a 26-bit address from A0 to A25, and A0 to A12 and A13 to A25 are controlled by outputs from different counters 1006 and 1007, respectively.

FIG. 17 shows the memory 100 in this embodiment.
3 shows an address space of 3.

As shown in FIG. 14, the counter 1006,
The output of 1007 has 13 bits each, and these are addresses A0 to A12 and A13 to A25 of the memory 1003.
Since it is input to, the H direction is from address 0 to 819
Up to address 1, the V direction corresponds to the address space from line 0 to line 8191. Then, when the image information 2001 is input to the memory space shown in FIG. 17 at the timing shown in FIG. 16, the exclusive area thereof is shown by the hatched portion in FIG.

Here, the image information 200 is stored in the memory 1003 in correspondence with the address of the original 999 in FIG.
1 is stored, that is, the image information of A4 size is stored in the memory 1003, but when the orientation of the output paper and the original is the same, the image information is not stored in the memory 1003 and the color information is directly output from the color reader 1. It is also possible to output to the printer 2.

Next, the process of reading image information from the memory 1003 of the image storage device 3 will be described.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart for explaining the image reading operation by the CPU 1017 of the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment. In step S6 of the figure, the type of paper set in the paper feed cassettes 735 and 736 of the color printer 2 is detected. Here, it is assumed that A4R and A3 sheets are stored in each cassette.

Therefore, the process of forming an image on the A4R paper stored in the upper paper feed cassette 735 will be described.
(The recording density for image formation of the color printer 2 is also 16 dots / mm as in the color reader 1) FIG. 19 shows a case where the image information stored in the memory 1003 is output to A4R paper in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of an output. As shown in the figure, when outputting to A4R recording paper, the image information stored in the memory 1003 is 90 °.
Rotate and read.

The reading method for performing this 90 ° rotation will be described below.

First, prior to 90 ° rotation, the video interface 201 of the color reader 1 is set as shown in FIG. 5, and the image information is transmitted from the image storage device 3 to the video processing unit 12. Further, the CPU 1017 of the image storage device 3 sets the selector 1002 to the B side by controlling the output port 1016, and among the tri-state buffers 1009 to 1012,
The tri-state buffers 1011 and 1012 are enabled and the tri-state buffers 1009 and 1010 are set to the high impedance state (step S7 in FIG. 18).

The control unit 13 in the color reader unit 1 obtains the type information of the sheets set in the sheet feeding cassette 735 of the color printer 2 via the cable 511. In the present embodiment, A4R paper is set on the upper side, and from this information, the video processing unit in the color reader 1 displays the EN signal and VC shown in FIG.
Outputs LK and ITOP signals.

For the ITOP signal, A4R paper is fed,
This is output when this paper is wound around the transfer drum and the leading edge of the paper is detected. Further, the EN signal is output by the laser output unit 71.
By detecting the laser light emitted from 1 (see FIG. 2), the logical "0" is obtained only for the width size of the A4R paper.

VCLK continuously outputs a frequency corresponding to one pixel of the laser. Also, the memory density is 16 dots
/ Mm, so VCL in the laser scan direction
The K number is 210 [mm] × 16 [dot / mm] = 33.
It becomes 60 dots, and the logic is "0" while the EN signal is input for 3360 clocks. Further, the control signal output from the video processing unit 12 and input to the image storage device 3 is input to the counters 1006 and 1007. EN
The signal is input to the clock input terminal of the counter 1006 and the clear terminal of the counter 1007. And
The VCLK signal is input to the clock input terminal of the counter 1007, and the ITOP signal is input to the clear terminal of the counter 1006.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart of control signals in the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment. When the EN signal 2009 shown in the figure is logic "0", the counter 10
07 is cleared, and all counter outputs output to the signal line 2012 are logic "0". Also, ITOP signal 2
When 008 is a logical “0”, the counter 1006 is cleared, and the counter outputs output to the signal line 2013 are all logical “0”.

When the VCLK 2004 is input to the counter 1007 after the EN signal 2009 becomes logic "1", the counter 1007 counts up one by one and outputs the signal line 2012.
Is output to Then, the counter output output to the signal line 2012 is transmitted to the address terminal A1 of the memory 1003 via the valid tri-state buffer 1011.
3 to A25. The counter 1006 is ITO
After the P signal 2008 becomes logic "1", the EN signal 20
When 09 is input, the output counted up one by one is input to the signal line 2016. And the counter 10
The output of 06 is output to the terminals A0 to A13 of the memory 1003 via the enabled tri-state buffer 1012.
Is input to

As described above, the output signal of the counter 1006 is supplied to the terminals A0 to A12 of the memory, and
The fact that the output signal of the counter 1007 is input to 3-A25 indicates that the outputs of the counters 1006 and 1007 at the time of image storage described above have been exchanged.

In reading the image information shown in FIG. 17, since the outputs of the counters are interchanged, the information in the V direction in FIG. 17 is read first, and the output of the counter 1006 in the H direction is counted each time one line is read. Up,
The process of reading the next one line in the V direction is performed.

The state of this processing is shown in FIG. In the figure, memory outputs, that is, signal lines 2019R, G,
The output signal output to B is at address 0 in the H direction,
This is data obtained by reading data from the 0th to 3360th lines in the V direction and then reading from 0th to 3360th lines in the V direction at the first address in the H direction. By repeating this processing up to the address 4752, the image processing for the A4 size original can be rotated by 90 ° and read from the memory 1003 in the A4R format.

As shown in FIG. 21, the memory output,
That is, the signals output to the signal lines 2019R, G, B are 33 at the address of 4752 in the H direction, which is the reverse of that in the V direction.
The data in the direction of the 50th row to the 0th row is read out, and then the 3360th row to the 0th row, which is the reverse of the V direction, at the address 4751.
This is the data obtained by reading up to the row. By repeating this operation up to address 0, A4
It is also possible to rotate the image information, which was a document of a size, by 90 ° in the opposite direction to the direction shown in FIG.

Further, in the case where the image information of the A4 original is rotated 180 ° on the A4 size sheet and outputted, the image information shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, by reading the image so that it is reversed at the time of writing, an image rotated by 180 ° can be obtained. That is, the signals output to the signal lines 2019R, G, and B read the data at addresses 4752 to 0 in the H direction in the 3360th row in the V direction, and then read the V
The data at addresses 4752 to 0 in the 3359 line in the direction is read. Then, by repeating this operation up to line 0 in the V direction, the image rotated by 180 ° can be read (step S8 in FIG. 18).

The image information from the memory 1003 is output to the connector 1001 through the signal lines 2019R, 2019G, 2019B and the selector 1002. Then, this information is transmitted to the video interface 201 in the color reader unit 1 shown in FIG. The image information input to the video interface 201 is the color conversion circuit 47, LOG 48, color correction circuit 49, black character processing circuit 6
9, the density converting circuit 116, the magnification changing circuit 117, the repeating circuit 118, and the like, and then output through the printer interface 56, and the color printer 2 forms an image.

The image information sent from the color reader unit 1 is input to the PWM circuit 778 (see FIG. 2) in the color printer 2. The PWM circuit 778 binarizes the multivalued image information by pulse width modulation, and the binarized image information is sent to the laser output unit 711. The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 711 is polygon mirror 712.
Reflected by the f / θ lens 713 and the reflection mirror 71.
4, the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 is linearly scanned to form a latent image corresponding to the memory 1003 (step S10 in FIG. 18).

Since the processing after step S10 is the same as the processing in the color printer 2 described above, its explanation is omitted here.

<Reduced Layout of Multiple Originals with Different Original Sizes> FIGS. 22 and 23 are flowcharts showing the operation at the time of automatic layout in the CPU 22 in the control unit 13 of the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment. is there. This figure is a flow after the copy mode of the automatic reduction layout is set by the operation unit 20. In the present embodiment, a total of three original documents, that is, the first original document size A4, the second original document size A4, and the third original document size A3 are reduced to one output sheet of A4 size and printed out. An operation example of performing (reduction layout) will be described.

First, the operation unit 20 is used to output the output paper size A4.
Is set (step S2101). Next, the number of originals set in the original feeder (not shown) is counted (S2102), and the size of the original is detected by the CPU 22 in the control unit 13. The document sizes detected as A4, A4, and A3 in the first to third document sizes are stored in the RAM 24 (S2).
103).

The original size information is also sent to the video interface 201 via the communication line 501 shown in FIG. Here, as in the processing in step S3 of FIG. 13 described above, the document size information is output as a reading area.

Subsequently, in step S2104, the CPU 22 in the control unit 13 determines the layout based on the number of originals and the original size. The determined layout is stored in the RAM 24.

Next, the document set in the document feeder is fed, and the first document is set on the platen (S2).
105). Next, the coordinate address for storing the first original is set on the image memory. Specifically, the start preset address 2346 in the H direction and the start preset address 0 in the V direction are set (S).
2106).

Next, a reduction ratio of 50% is set (S12
07), the rotation direction is set to 0 ° (S2108), the document scan is started by turning on the copy button of the operation unit 20, and the first document is stored in the image memory. At this time, the output paper selection prohibition flag = 1 is set (S2109). The output paper selection prohibition flag is a flag for not accepting output paper change even if the output paper selection key is pressed after the output paper selection prohibition flag becomes 1.
That is, after step S2109, even if the output paper selection key is pressed, the output paper change is not accepted.

Then, the second document is set on the platen by the document feeder (S2110). Next, the coordinate address for storing the second original is set on the image memory. Specifically, the start preset address 2365 in the H direction and the start preset address 1653 in the V direction are set (S2111).

Next, a reduction ratio of 50% is set (S21
12) The rotation direction is set to 0 ° (S2113), the document is scanned and the second document is stored in the image memory (S2114).

Then, the third document is set on the platen by the document feeder (S2115). Next, the coordinate address for storing the third original is set on the image memory. Specifically, the start preset address 0 in the H direction and the start preset address 0 in the V direction are set to 0 (S2116). Next, the reduction ratio is set to 50% (S2127), the rotation direction is set to 0 ° (S2118), the document is scanned, and the third document is stored in the image memory (S2119).

In step S2120, the three originals stored in the image memory are printed out on A4 size output paper, and the copy is completed (S2121).

FIG. 25 shows one copy of three originals according to this embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram in which printout (reduction layout) is performed on a sheet of output paper.

Other Embodiment 1 Next, an automatic rotation reduction layout will be described as a second embodiment.

Since the structure of the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment and the configuration of the control circuit and the like are the same as those of the image copying apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, their description will be omitted here.

FIG. 26 shows the CPU 22 in the control unit 13 in the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment.
7 is a flowchart showing an operation during automatic layout.
This figure is a flow after the copy mode of the automatic reduction layout is set by the operation unit 20.

In the present embodiment, the first document size A3,
A total of two originals of the second original size A4 are printed on output paper A3.
An operation example in which the printout (reduced layout) is carried out by reducing the size to one output sheet will be described.

First, the operation unit 20 is used to output the output paper size A3.
Is set (step S3101). Next, the number of originals set in the original feeder (not shown) is counted (S3102), and the size of the original is detected by the CPU 22 in the control unit 13.

The original size detected as the first original size A3 and the second original size A3 is stored in the RAM 24 (S3103). The document size information is also sent to the video interface 201 via the communication line 501 shown in FIG. Here, the document size information is output as a reading area, as in the processing in step S3 of the step in FIG. 13 described above.

Subsequently, in step S3104, the CPU 22 in the control unit 13 determines the layout based on the number of originals and the original size. The determined layout is stored in the RAM 24.

Next, the document set in the document feeder is fed, and the first document is set on the platen (S3).
105).

Next, the coordinate address for storing the first original is set on the image memory. Specifically, the start preset address 4693 in the H direction and the start preset address in the V direction are set to 0 (S3106). Next, set a reduction ratio of 70% (S
3107), the rotation direction is set to 90 ° (S310
8) When the copy button of the operation unit 20 is turned on, document scanning is started, and the first document is stored in the image memory. At this time, the output paper selection warning flag = 1 is set (S310).
9). The output paper selection warning flag is a flag for not accepting output paper change even if the output paper selection key is pressed after the output paper selection warning flag becomes 1. That is, after step S3109, even if the output paper selection key is pressed, the output paper change is not accepted. Further, the warning means here warns the user by sounding a buzzer provided on the operation unit 20.

Subsequently, the second document is set on the platen by the document feeder (S3110). Next, the coordinate address for storing the second original is set on the image memory. Specifically, the start preset address 4693 in the H direction and the start preset address 3307 in the V direction are set (S3111). Next, the reduction ratio is set to 50% (S3112), the rotation direction is set to 90 ° (S3113), the original is scanned, and the second original is stored in the image memory (S311).
4).

Finally, the two originals stored in the image memory are printed out on A3 size output paper, and the copy is completed (S3115).

FIG. 24 shows one copy of two originals according to this embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram in which printout (reduction layout) is performed on a sheet of output paper.

Other Embodiment 2 Next, as a third embodiment, a layout by area designation by a marker will be described.

The structure of the image copying apparatus and the configuration of the control circuit and the like according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the image copying apparatus according to the above embodiment, and the marker processing of the area designating means is an existing technique. Therefore, their description is omitted.

27 to 29 show the CPU 2 in the control unit 13 in the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing the layout operation by area designation by a marker in 2. This figure is a flow showing a layout operation by the operation unit 20 in the CPU 22 by designating an area with a marker.

In this embodiment, an operation example of a layout (trimming) in which only the areas designated by the respective markers on the fourth original are stored (trimming) in the image memory will be described.

First, the output paper size A is input by the operation unit 20.
4 is set (step S4101). The set output paper size is stored in the RAM 24 (step S4).
102).

Next, four sheets of the input original are set by the operation unit 20 (step S4103). The number of input documents set is stored in the RAM 24 (step S410).
4).

In step S4105, the CPU 22 in the control unit 13 determines the layout based on the number of originals and the original size. The determined layout is stored in the RAM 24. Next, the first original document designated by the marker area is set on the platen (step S4106). Of course, it is also possible to set the first document on the platen in advance.

Next, the first document on the platen is scanned (S4107), and the area information designated by the marker is also sent to the video interface 201 via the communication line 501 shown in FIG. Here, the area information is output as a reading area, as in the processing in step S3 of FIG. 13 described above.

Next, the coordinate address for storing the first original is set on the image memory. Specifically, the start preset address 2346 in the H direction and the start preset address 0 in the V direction are set (S
4108). Next, a reduction ratio of 50% is set (S41
09), the rotation direction is set to 0 ° (S4110), the document scan is started by turning on the copy button of the operation unit 20, and the first document is stored in the image memory. At this time, the output paper selection warning flag = 1 is set (S4111). The output paper selection warning flag is a flag for not accepting output paper change even if the output paper selection key is pressed after the output paper selection warning flag becomes 1. That is, after step S4111, if the output paper selection key is pressed, the output paper change is not accepted. Further, the warning means here is to warn the user by issuing a warning message such as "The output paper cannot be changed" by the operation unit 20.

Then, the second document is set on the platen by the document feeder (S4112). Next, the coordinate address for storing the second original is set on the image memory. Specifically, the start preset address 2365 in the H direction and the start preset address 1653 in the V direction are set (S4113). Next, the reduction ratio is set to 50% (S4114), the rotation direction is set to 0 ° (S4115), the original is scanned, and the second original is stored in the image memory (S4116).

Then, the third document is set on the platen by the document feeder (S4117). Next, the coordinate address for storing the third original is set on the image memory. Specifically, the start preset address 0 in the H direction and the start preset address 0 in the V direction are set (S4118). Next, reduction ratio 5
0% is set (S4119), the rotation direction is set to 0 ° (S4120), the document is scanned, and the 3
The first original is stored (S4121).

Finally, in step S4122, the three originals stored in the image memory are printed out on A4 size output paper, and the copy is completed (S4123).

FIG. 25 shows one copy of three originals according to this embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram in which printout (reduction layout) is performed on a sheet of output paper.

[0150]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of originals having different original sizes can be laid out on the image memory according to the output paper size and printed out.

According to another aspect of the present invention, if a smaller paper size is changed after the storage of the first original is started, the size change can be rejected.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, when a change to a smaller paper size is made, a warning to that effect can be issued.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of an image copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of an image copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a document scanning unit and a video processing unit of the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating functions of the video interface according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functions of the video interface according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a color correction method in the apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a color correction method in the device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows Y, M, and Y in the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the input / output characteristic of C and Bk.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a repeating circuit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output example of a repeating circuit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart at the time of printing in the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart when an image is stored in this embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a reading operation in the CPU 22 of the image copying apparatus according to this embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a detailed circuit diagram showing the configuration of the image storage device 3 of the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which an A4 size document is placed on a platen glass constituting the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart of signals corresponding to a control signal and an image signal from the video processing unit 12 in this embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an address space of a memory 1003 in this embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a CPU 101 of the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an image reading operation according to No. 7.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an output example when the image information stored in the memory 1003 is output to A4R paper in the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart of control signals in the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart of control signals in the image copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a reduction layout operation of a plurality of originals having different original sizes in the CPU in the control unit in the image copying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a reduction layout operation of a plurality of originals having different original sizes in the CPU in the control unit in the image copying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a view showing one original of two sheets according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram in which printout (reduction layout) is performed on a sheet of output paper.

FIG. 25 is a view showing an example in which three originals are copied into one in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram in which printout (reduction layout) is performed on a sheet of output paper.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a reduction layout operation of a plurality of originals having different original sizes in a CPU in a control unit in an image copying apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the operation of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the operation of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Color Reader 2 Color Printer 3 Image Storage Device 4 Platen Glass 5 Rod Array Lens 6 1x Full Color Sensor 7 Amplifying Circuit 8 White Plate 9 Black Plate 10 Halogen Exposure Lamp 11 Original Scanning Unit 12 Video Processing Unit 13 Control Unit 14 Stepping Motor 15 Stepping motor drive circuit 16 Digitizer 20 Operation part 21 Exposure lamp driver 22,1017 CPU 23,1014 ROM 24,1015 RAM 25 I / O port 41 CCD driver 43 S / H 44 A / D 45 Deviation correction circuit 46 Black correction / white Correction circuit 47 Color conversion circuit 48 LOG 49 Color correction circuit 56 Printer interface 59 Black character processing circuit 70 Pulse generator 71 O.P. S. C 72 area generation circuit 116 density conversion circuit 117 scaling circuit 118 repetition circuit 162 communication controller 201 video interface 711 scanner 712 polygon mirror 713 f / θ lens 714 reflection mirror 715 photosensitive drum 717 primary charger 718 full-exposure lamp 719 actuator plate 720 Position sensor 723 Cleaner unit 724 Pre-transfer charger 725 Transfer drum cleaner 726 Developer unit 727 Paper pressing roller 729 Transfer charger 730Y, 730M, 730C, 730Bk Toner hopper 731Y, 731M, 731C, 731Bk Developing sleeve 732 735 Screw 735 739, 740, 741 Timing roller 742 Conveying belt 743 Image fixing unit 744, 745 Thermal pressure Controller 746 transmission gear 747 motor 748 motor mounting portion 749 paper guide 750 peeling claw 999 document 1001 connector 1002 selector 1003 memory 1004, 1005, 1008 inverter 1006, 1007 13-bit counter 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012 tri-state buffer 1013 communication control 1016 Output ports 2001R, 2001G, 2001B, 2007R, 2
007G, 2007B, 2019R, 2019G, 20
19B, 2012-2017 signal line 2018 bus line

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus having an image memory for storing image information read from a document, a selection unit for selecting an output sheet according to a user's instruction, and a layout unit for laying out a plurality of documents on one output sheet. In laying out a plurality of originals in the memory area according to the output paper size selected by the selecting means, when laying out a plurality of originals by the layout means, after starting the storage of the first original in the memory area, When the output paper size is changed as a result, the image processing apparatus is provided with a control means for changing the output paper on condition that the size of the output paper is changed to a larger size. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the layout unit lays out a plurality of originals in a memory area corresponding to the output paper size selected by the selection unit, the first original is stored in the memory area. An image processing apparatus, wherein when the output paper size is changed via the selecting means after the start, the change of the output paper is not accepted when the size of the output paper is changed to a smaller size. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising warning means for warning the user when the size of the output paper is changed to a smaller size. 4. A plurality of manuscripts are copied in accordance with a user's instruction.
When laying out on one sheet of output paper, it is detected that the size of the output paper has been changed after starting to store the first document in the memory area, and if the result of the detection is obtained, output is performed. A layout method characterized by accepting a change in the paper size only when the paper size is changed to a larger size.