JPH10247992A - Image formation device and image formation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device capable of easily performing additional copying by providing a control means for reading image data stored in a storage mans again and making an image formation means form image based on the read image data when the addition of an image formation processing is received by a reception means. SOLUTION: When the item of 'memory copy' is selected, it is informed that the memory copy is selected from a control panel CPU 111 to a main CPU 161. Then, when copy start is instructed by a copy button in the state where an original is set, the read operation of the original is started. Then, the image data equivalent to the read original are stored in a data storage device 145. Then, the image data stored in the data storage device 145 are read corresponding to a prescribed sequence and the read image data are outputted by a printer part 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention reads an original image and stores image data obtained from the original image.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for forming an image based on the stored image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, development research on digital copying machines has been actively pursued. The digital copying machine has a CCD sensor, and reads an original image using the CCD sensor. Image data corresponding to the read document image is A / D converted and stored as digital image data. Then, an image forming process is performed based on the stored digital image data.

In such a digital copying machine, a function called memory copy is generally known. The memory copy is a function of reading a document image once and storing it, and reading and outputting the stored image data a plurality of times in accordance with the number of copies, thereby realizing a plurality of copies.

[0004]

However, according to the conventional memory copy function, copying is performed in accordance with a preset number of copies before starting copying.
Therefore, if additional copying of the same document is required after the copy is completed, the document must be set again and the reading of the document must be started again. As described above, it is burdensome for the user to start over again from the original reading operation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily performing additional copying in view of the above circumstances.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is configured as follows. (1) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: reading means for reading a document image; storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means; and image data stored in the storage means. An image forming unit for reading and forming an image based on the read image data; a receiving unit for receiving an additional image forming process after the image forming process by the image forming unit; and adding the image forming process by the receiving unit. Is received, the image data stored in the storage means is read out again, and a control means is provided for causing the image forming means to form an image based on the read image data.

(2) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a reading means for reading a document image, a storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means, and a storage means for storing the image data. Read image data,
Image forming means for forming an image based on the read image data, receiving means for receiving whether or not additional image forming processing is necessary and the number of additional copies after the image forming processing by the image forming means; When the addition of the forming process and the number of additional copies are received, the control unit causes the image data stored in the storage unit to be read again by the number of additional copies, and causes the image forming unit to form an image based on the read image data. It has.

(3) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: reading means for reading a document image; storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means; and storage means for storing the image data. Read image data,
Image forming means for forming an image based on the read image data; and accepting means for receiving, after the image forming processing by the image forming means, necessity of addition of the image forming processing and designation of a page to be subjected to the additional image forming processing. When the addition of the image forming process and the page specification are received by the reception unit, the image data corresponding to the received page specification is read out again from the image data stored in the storage unit, and the read data is read out. Control means for causing the image forming means to form an image based on image data.

(4) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a reading means for reading a document image, a storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means, and a storage means for storing the image data. Read image data,
Image forming means for forming an image based on the read image data, display means for displaying a list of image data files stored in the storage means after the image forming processing by the image forming means, and display means Receiving means for receiving a file requiring the addition of the image forming process from the files displayed in the storage means, and reading out from the storage means a file corresponding to the file received by the receiving means; Control means for causing the image forming means to form an image based on the image.

(5) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: reading means for reading a document image; storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means; and storage means for storing the image data. Read image data,
Image forming means for forming an image based on the read image data, accepting means for accepting addition of image forming processing and deletion of stored image data after image forming processing by the image forming means, and accepting means When the addition of the image forming process is received by the control unit, the control unit causes the image forming unit to read out the image data stored in the storage unit again and form an image based on the read image data, and the receiving unit And a deletion unit for deleting the image data stored in the storage unit when the deletion of the image data is received by the storage unit.

(6) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: reading means for reading a document image; storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means; and storage means for storing the image data in the storage means. Read image data,
An image forming means for forming an image based on the read image data, a receiving means for receiving an addition of the image forming processing after the image forming processing by the image forming means, and a receiving means for receiving the addition of the image forming processing by the receiving means The image data stored in the storage means is read again, and control means for causing the image forming means to form an image based on the read image data is stored in the storage means after a predetermined time has elapsed. And deleting means for deleting the image data.

[0011] As a result of taking the above measures, the following effects are produced. (1) In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after reading, storing, and outputting a document image, an additional output is received, and an image based on the stored image data is formed in accordance with the reception.

(2) In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after reading and storing and outputting the document image, the necessity of additional output and the number of copies are received, and the stored image data is read out for the received number of copies. An image is formed based on the read image data.

(3) In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after reading, storing and outputting the document image, the necessity of additional output and page designation are accepted, and image data corresponding to the accepted page designation is read out. An image is formed based on the read image data.

(4) In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after reading and storing and outputting the document image, a list of the stored image data files is displayed, and it is necessary to add the files among the displayed files. The received file is read, and image data corresponding to the received file is read, and an image based on the read image data is formed.

(5) In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after the original image is read, stored and output, additional output or deletion of the stored image data is accepted. An image is formed based on the stored image data, and when deletion of the image data is accepted, the stored image data is deleted.

(6) In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, after reading and storing and outputting the document image, an additional output is received, and an image based on the stored image data is formed in accordance with the reception, and after a predetermined time elapses, The stored image data is deleted.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, for example, an electrophotographic digital copying apparatus 2, has a scanner unit 4 functioning as a reading unit and a printer unit 6 functioning as an image forming unit. I have.

The copying apparatus 2 is formed above the scanner unit 4 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document table 11 of the scanner unit 4 so that the document D as an object to be read is directed toward the document table 11. The originals D are fed one by one, and the originals D placed on the original
1 is provided with an automatic document feeder 8 functioning as a document press that is brought into close contact with the document feeder 1.

The scanner unit 4 has an upper portion facing the automatic document feeder 8 in a closed state and a document D.
Document table 11 made of transparent glass on which is set
And a document scale 12 arranged at one end of the document table 11 and indicating a position where the document D is to be set on the document table 11.

An exposure lamp 13 for illuminating a document D placed on the document table 11 is provided below the document table 11.
An auxiliary reflector 14 for condensing the light beam from the exposure lamp 13 on the document D, a first mirror 15 for bending the reflected beam from the document D to the left in the figure, and the like are arranged.

The exposure lamp 13, the auxiliary reflector 14, and the first mirror 15 are fixed to the first carriage 16, and are arranged so as to be movable in parallel with the original table 11 with the movement of the first carriage 16. . The driving force of a pulse motor (not shown) is transmitted to the first carriage 16 via a toothed belt or the like (not shown), and is moved in parallel along the document table 11.

A second carriage 20 is disposed on the left side of the document table 11 in the drawing, that is, in a direction in which the reflected beam reflected by the first mirror 15 is guided. The second carriage 20 has a second mirror 2 for bending a reflected beam from the document D guided by the first mirror 15 downward.
1, and a third mirror 22 bent rightward in the figure are arranged at right angles to each other. The second carriage 20 is driven by the first carriage 16 by a toothed belt or the like (not shown) for driving the first carriage 16, and the document table 1 is moved at a half speed with respect to the first carriage 16.
1 are moved in parallel.

The reflected beam from the second carriage 20 is imaged at a predetermined magnification on a plane below the first carriage 16 and including the optical axis of the beam turned back via the second carriage 20. An imaging lens 23, and a CCD image sensor 24 for converting the reflected beam converged by the imaging lens 23 into an electric signal, that is, image data
Is arranged.

The printer section 6 has a photosensitive drum 30 rotatably positioned substantially at the center of the copying apparatus 2.
The photoconductor drum 30 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by a motor (not shown).

At a predetermined position around the photoreceptor drum 30, a charging charger 31 for charging the drum surface to a predetermined charge, a laser exposure device 32 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 30, A developing device 33 that develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, and transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 to copy paper P as a recording medium supplied from a paper cassette described later And a transfer / peeling charger 34 for separating the paper P on which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 30,
A separating claw 35 for separating the copy paper P from the surface of the photosensitive drum 30; a cleaning device 36 for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30;
The static eliminators 37 for neutralizing the potential remaining on the surface of the zero are arranged in order.

The laser exposure device 32 generates a laser beam modulated on the basis of image data, a semiconductor laser device, a light deflecting device 32a for deflecting the laser beam, and forms an image of the deflected laser beam on the photosensitive drum 30. Imaging optical systems 32b, 32c, 32d, and the like. The laser exposure device 32 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor drum 30 with a laser beam generated from the semiconductor laser element along the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 30, so that the surface of the photoconductor drum 30 is electrostatically latent. Form an image.

The developing device 33 has a developer comprising a toner and a carrier which frictionally charges the toner to a predetermined polarity and forms a magnetic brush. The developing device 33 has a developing roller 33a that supplies a developer onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 and causes toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image to develop the image with a desired image density.

At the bottom of the copying machine 2 located below the photoreceptor drum 30, a multi-stage paper feeding device 40 which is removably mounted in a plurality of upper and lower stages from the front side of the copying machine 2 is disposed.

The multi-stage paper feeder 40 includes an upper cassette 4 for storing a plurality of types of copy paper P of various sizes.
1, a middle cassette 42 and a lower cassette 43 are included. The respective cassettes 41, 42 and 43 are, for example, A4 placed so as to be conveyed along the longitudinal direction.
Size copy paper, B4 size copy paper and A
Each of them is formed so as to be able to store about 500 copy papers of three sizes.

At predetermined positions of the upper cassette 41, the middle cassette 42, and the lower cassette 43, pickup rollers 44a, 44b, and 44c for taking out the sheets P one by one from the respective cassettes 41, 42, and 43 are arranged.

Each pickup roller 44a, 4
4b and 44c, the respective cassettes 41, 42 and 4
The conveyance rollers 45 for separating the sheets P one by one are located at positions where the leading end of the sheets P taken out of the sheet P 3 pass.
a, 45b and 45c, and separation rollers 46a, 46b and 46 disposed integrally with the respective transport rollers.
c is arranged. The separation rollers 46a, 46b, and 46c are arranged so that their axes are in parallel with the mutually combined transport rollers and are in contact with a predetermined pressure, and rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the transport rollers. As a result, only the uppermost one of the sheets P taken out of each cassette is sent out to a transport path described later.

On the right side of the multi-stage paper feeder 40 in the figure, a frequently used size sheet, for example, an A4 size sheet P
Is provided with a large capacity feeder 47 formed so as to be able to store about 3000 sheets. At a predetermined position of the large-capacity feeder 47, a pickup roller 48 for taking out the sheets P stored in the large-capacity feeder 47 one by one is arranged. Between the pickup roller 48 and the photosensitive drum 30, a separation mechanism 49 including a transport roller 49a and a separation roller 49b combined in a pair at the top and bottom is arranged. The separation mechanism 49 rotates the separation roller 49b in a direction opposite to the direction in which the transport roller 49a is rotated, so that the pickup roller 48 causes the large-capacity feeder 4 to rotate.
Only the uppermost one of the sheets P taken out of the sheet 7 is sent to a transport path described later.

On the upper portion of the large capacity feeder 47, a manual feeder 50 capable of feeding copy paper P is formed independently of the cassettes 41, 42, 43 and the large capacity feeder 47.

Between the manual feeder 50 and the photosensitive drum 30, a manual pickup roller 51 for taking in the paper P inserted in the manual feeder 50, a manual guide 52 for guiding the paper P taken by the pickup roller 51, Further, a transport roller 53 that transports the sheet P guided toward the photosensitive drum 30 via the manual feed guide 52 is provided.

The respective cassettes 41, 42 and 43
Further, between the large-capacity feeder 47 and the photosensitive drum 30, a transport path 54 for guiding the paper P from each of the cassettes 41, 42, and 43 and the large-capacity feeder 47 toward the photosensitive drum 30 is formed. This transport path 54
Is further extended to the outside of the copying apparatus 2 through a transfer area defined between the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer / peeling charger 33. The transport path 54 is provided with a plurality of transport rollers 55 for transporting the paper P fed from any of the cassettes, the large-capacity feeder, or the manual guide toward the photosensitive drum 30.

In the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 30 in the transport path 54 and on the upstream side, the copy paper P guided in the transport path 54
Of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 30 and the leading end of the copy sheet P, and the copy sheet P is transferred to the transfer area at the same speed as the moving speed of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. An aligning roller 56 for feeding paper is provided. In addition, before the aligning roller 56, that is, on the side of the transport roller 55, the aligning roller 56 is provided.
An aligning sensor 56a for detecting the arrival of the copy sheet P to the printer is provided.

A transport belt 57 for transporting the paper P is incorporated in the direction in which the paper P that has passed through the transfer area advances. In the direction in which the paper P is transported by the transport belt 57 and at a position where heat is not easily applied to the photosensitive drum 30, a heat roller pair whose roller surfaces are pressed against each other is provided. A fixing device 58 is provided to fix the toner image on the paper P by pressing the toner image and the paper P while melting the toner image by heating the P.

On the side wall of the copying apparatus 2 facing the fixing device 58, a sheet P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 58 is provided.
Is disposed. The finisher 59 includes a pair of rollers 59a that face down the copy sheet P discharged from the discharge rollers 62, a discharge tray 59b where the sheet P is discharged by the pair of rollers 59a, and a copy in the staple sort mode. It has a stapler 74c for stapling.

Between the fixing device 58 and the finisher 59, a copy sheet P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 58 is transferred to a sheet reversing section or a finisher 59 to be described later.
A discharge switching unit 60 that guides the user is provided.

The discharge switching unit 60 is disposed between the first and second discharge rollers 61 and 62 for propelling the sheet P passed through the fixing device 58, and between the first and second discharge rollers 61 and 62. Further, a sorting gate 63 is provided for selectively sorting the copy sheet P passed through the fixing device 58 to either the finisher 59 or a sheet reversing section described later.

The reversing mechanism 64 temporarily accumulates the copy paper P that has already passed through the transfer area and the fixing device 58, and the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing device 58.
A reversing path 66 for inverting the front and back to a temporary stacking unit 65, a pickup roller 67 for taking out the copy sheets P stacked in the temporary stacking unit one by one, and an aligning roller for re-aligning the sheets P stored in the temporary stacking unit 65. And a paper feed roller 69 that feeds the paper P guided to the transport path 68 toward the aligning roller 56.

The automatic document feeder 8 has a cover 71 whose rear edge is attached to the rear edge of the upper surface of the copying apparatus 2 via a hinge device (not shown). As described above, the feeding device 8 is formed so as to be capable of being opened and closed with respect to the document table 11 of the scanner unit 4 by rotationally displacing the entire feeding device 8.

At a position slightly leftward on the upper surface of the cover 71,
A document feeder table that holds a plurality of documents D is provided. Documents D set on the document feeder 72 are sequentially taken out one by one at the left side of the document feeder 72 in the drawing, that is, at one end of the automatic document feeder 8, and the scanner unit 4 is read from the left end in the drawing. A pickup roller 73 for supplying the original to one end of the original table 11 is disposed.

At a predetermined position of the document feeding table 72, an empty sensor 73 as a document detection sensor for detecting whether or not the document D is set on the document feeding table 72 is provided. The document feeder 72 has a document table 11.
A document width detection sensor (not shown) that functions in the same manner as the document position detection sensor 17 that detects the position where the document D is set on the document may be arranged.

In the direction in which the pickup roller 73 takes out the document, the paper feed roller 7 for sending out the document D taken out by the pickup roller 73 toward the document table 11.
4, and an aligning roller 75 for aligning the leading end of the document D fed by the paper feed roller 74 are arranged.

Aligning roller 75 and paper feed roller 74
Between them, an aligning sensor 75a that detects the arrival of the document D at the aligning roller 75 is arranged. Inside the cover 71, at a position facing the original table 11 of the scanner unit 4 in a state where the automatic document feeder 8 is closed, a size that covers almost the entire original table 11 is given. A transport belt 76 that transports the document D transported from the document feed table 72 via the rollers 73, the feed roller 74 and the aligning roller 75 to a predetermined position on the document table 11 is provided. The transport belt 76 is wound around belt rollers 77 arranged in a pair on the left and right sides in the figure, and is rotated by a belt driving mechanism (not shown) in both the right and left directions in the figure.

On the right side of the automatic document feeder 8, a reversing roller 7 for sending out a document D, which is moved from the left side in the figure to the right side in FIG.
8. Switching between a pinch roller 79 for pressing the document D against the reversing roller 78 and returning the document D transported by the reversing roller 78 and the pinch roller 79 to the transport belt 76 or discharging the document D to a predetermined discharge position, that is, the cover 71. The flapper 80, a discharge roller 81 for discharging the document D conveyed by the reversing roller 78 when the flapper 80 is switched to the discharge side, and a jam sensor for detecting a jam of the document near the reversing roller 78 82 and the like are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 2, a control panel 200 for inputting various copy conditions, a copy start signal for starting a copy operation, etc.
Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control panel 2
00, a copy button 202 for setting a copy mode for executing a copy function, a FAX button 204 for setting a FAX mode for executing a facsimile function, and a printer for setting a printer mode for executing a printer function A button 206 is provided.

The control panel 200 includes a numeric key 208 for inputting numerical values such as the number of copies in the copy mode, a copy button 210 for instructing the start of copying,
A clear / stop button 212 used to correct the number of copies or stop a copying operation, an all clear button 214 for clearing all selected modes and various set conditions, and a copy magnification (reading magnification) Is provided with a magnification setting button 216 for setting.

Further, the control panel 200 includes:
A paper size button 218 for selecting and setting the size of paper on which an image is to be formed, an automatic paper selection button 220 for detecting the size of a document placed on the platen table 11 and automatically setting the paper size, a document size And an automatic magnification selection button 224 for automatically setting a copy magnification based on the paper size set by the paper size button 218 and the detected document size.

In addition to these various setting buttons,
An operation guide button 226 for displaying guidance information such as the contents of the set mode and operation procedure, a preheat button 228 for setting a preheat state, an interrupt button 230 for instructing an interrupt while the printer unit is operating, and the like are provided.

At approximately the center of the control panel 200, a touch panel type liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying the state of the apparatus, operation procedures, and various messages to the user in characters and figures is provided. Display panel 240 is provided. This display panel 24
0 indicates that the operation displays a screen for each function.

Next, a control mechanism of the copying apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control mechanism of the copying apparatus. The electrophotographic digital copying machine 2 is roughly divided into a control panel unit 110, a scanner unit 4, a printer unit 130, a memory editing unit 140, a system unit 150, and a main control unit 160.

A control panel unit 110 is used to input an instruction to start a copying operation of the copying apparatus 2, input numerical data such as the number of copies and a copy magnification, and input a control signal for selecting a paper size. 2
00, a control panel CPU1 that controls input of various buttons of the control panel 200 and the touch panel display panel 240, display on the display panel 240, and control of turning on and off various LEDs.
11, including a read only memory (hereinafter, referred to as ROM) 112 and a random access memory (hereinafter, referred to as RAM) 113 connected to the control panel CPU 111, and detecting input by various buttons and the display panel 240 , Display on the display panel 240,
And, it is used for the exchange of control data with the user by turning on and off the LED.

The control panel CPU 111
Based on data stored in M112 and RAM 113, detection of various buttons on control panel 200 and input by display panel 240, display panel 240
, And control of turning on and off the LED.

The scanner unit 4 includes a scanner CPU 121
And a ROM 122 and a RAM 123 connected to the scanner CPU 121.
Scanner C based on control data stored in 23
Under the control of the PU 121, the CCD image sensor 24 of the image reading unit 4 is operated to capture the image of the document D as light brightness information, and to move the first carriage 16 and the second carriage 20 at a predetermined speed. A predetermined drive signal is output to a mechanism control unit 124 for energizing a pulse motor or the like that does not operate.

The scanner section 4 includes an A / D conversion circuit 125 for converting analog image data photoelectrically converted and output by the CCD image sensor 24 into a digital signal by well-known A / D conversion, and an A / D conversion circuit. A shading correction circuit 126 for removing an individual error in the output of the CCD image sensor 24 and an unevenness in the amount of light from the illumination lamp 13 from the image signal converted into a digital signal via the 125; The ROM 12 has a line memory 127 for supplying image information of the document D read at a predetermined timing to a memory editing unit 140 connected at a subsequent stage.
2 and scanner CP based on data in RAM 123
Under the control of U121, the image information of the document D read by the CCD image sensor 24 is converted into an electric signal, then binarized at a predetermined threshold level, and the data storage device 1 of the memory editing unit 140 connected to the subsequent stage is described later.
45.

Note that the scanner CPU 121 is also connected to the automatic document feeder 8. Automatic Document Feeder 8
Feeds the document D under the control of the scanner CPU 121 based on the control of the main control unit 160 described later. When edit data from a coordinate input device (not shown) is input to the scanner CPU 121, the scanner CPU 121 outputs predetermined control data to a data storage device of the memory editing unit 140, which will be described later, as well as an image used for image formation. An editor 128 for controlling the size of a memory area for holding data is also connected.

The printer unit 130 is a printer CPU 13
1 and the ROM 132 connected to the printer CPU 131
And a RAM 133, and forms an image on the sheet P based on image information read via the image reading unit 4, that is, the scanner unit 4, and image data supplied from an external device described later.

The printer CPU 131 includes a photosensitive drum 30, a developing roller 33a of a developing device 33, an aligning roller, a conveying belt, a fixing device, a reversing mechanism, and cassettes 41, 42 and 43 of a multi-stage paper feeding device 40, and A motor drive circuit 13 that drives a rotating motor (not shown) such as a pickup roller, a transport roller, and a separation roller disposed on each of the large-capacity feeders 47.
4. Document position detecting sensor 17 for detecting the position of document D set on document table 11, cassettes 41 and 42
And 43, and a paper empty switch (not shown) disposed at each of the large-capacity feeders 47, a lever switch (not shown) disposed at a predetermined position of the transport path 54 and the reversing mechanism 64, and detecting a jam of the sheet P, and Switches such as the lining sensor 56a and an input circuit 135 used for inputting a signal output from the sensor, and, for example, energize a solenoid (not shown) included in the distribution gate 63 of the discharge switching unit 60 or the cleaning device 35, etc. Control unit 1 for
36 are connected.

The printer CPU 131 also includes a temperature control circuit 137 for controlling the temperature of the fixing device 58, a voltage supply circuit 138 for applying a predetermined voltage to the charging charger 31, the developing device 33, the transfer / peeling charger 34, and the like.
A laser driving circuit 139 for modulating the light intensity of a laser beam emitted from a laser diode (not shown) of the laser exposure device 32 in accordance with image data supplied from a data storage device described later is connected thereto.
32 based on the data in the RAM 32 and the RAM 133
Under the control of the PU 131, an image is formed on the sheet P.

The memory editing unit 140 has a memory control CPU
141, a main CPU of the main control unit 160 described later, and a system C of the system unit 150 described later.
The image data supplied from the scanner unit 4 or an external device in response to an instruction from both the PU and the printer unit 130
After being converted into bitmap data used for intensity modulation of the laser beam emitted from the laser diode of the laser exposure device 32, the data is temporarily stored in a data storage device (page memory) as a storage means shown in a later stage.

The memory control CPU 141 receives image data supplied from an external device via the system unit 150, and receives predetermined data from an image processing unit which is read via the scanner unit 4 and which will be described later on the main control unit 160. , An image editing unit 142 for editing the image data of the document D converted to the format, a compression / expansion unit 143 for compressing or expanding the input image data, and an enlargement / expansion for expanding, reducing or rotating the input image data. Reduction / rotation unit 144,
A data storage device 145 for storing image data processed via the image editing unit 142, the compression / expansion unit 143 and the enlargement / reduction / rotation unit 144 for each page, an address control unit 146 for managing memory addresses, and a data storage A memory management control unit 147 that manages data of the device 145; and an interrupt control unit that gives instructions for processing such as compression / expansion and enlargement / reduction / rotation of image data captured by the image editing unit 142. 148 are connected.

The system unit 150 includes a system CPU 151 for controlling the capture of image data supplied from other than the scanner unit 4, a communication control unit 152 connected to the system CPU 151, a hard disk device 153 as an external device, and a communication unit. The image editing of the memory editing unit 140 is performed by controlling each of the printer controller 155 that converts the image data supplied via the control unit 152 and the hard disk device 153 from the code data into image data in a format that can be processed by the copying apparatus 2. The image data is input to the unit 142.

The communication control unit 152 is connected to a general public line and can receive facsimile data from the outside and transmit image data read by the scanner unit 4 as facsimile data to the outside. The communication control unit 152 is connected to a LAN to which a computer (not shown) and a word processor are connected.

The main control unit 160 controls the operations of the copying apparatus 2, that is, the CPUs 121 and 131 of the control panel unit 110, the scanner unit 4, the printer unit 130, the memory editing unit 140, and the system unit 150.
It has a main CPU 161 for controlling 141 and 151, and has a control panel unit 110, a scanner unit 4, a printer unit 130, a memory editing unit 140, and a system unit 1.
It controls the transfer of signals between each of the 50.

The main CPU 161 has a ROM 162 storing initial data for operating the copying apparatus 2 and the like, and the control panel unit 110, the scanner unit 4, and the printer unit 130 under the control of the CPUs 121, 131, 141 and 151. And a RAM 163 that stores various data input from each of the memory editing unit 140 and the system unit 150. The main CPU 161 is supplied with a reference clock CK from a clock generator (not described in detail).

The main CPU 161 also has a printer font ROM 164 for storing printer fonts used for storing code data input via the system section 150 in the data storage device 145 of the memory editing section 140, not shown. An image corresponding to the code data input via the system unit 150 is displayed on the editing display device, and the control panel unit 1
A display font ROM 165 for holding display fonts for displaying predetermined images on the ten liquid crystal display / input panels, designation of a destination of image data read by the scanner unit 4, and switching of image data to be supplied to the printer unit 130 And image data transferred between the line memory 127 of the scanner unit 4 and the data storage device 145 of the memory editing unit 140 and between the data storage device 145 and the laser exposure device 32. A data switching / buffer memory 166 functioning as a buffer memory and an image processing unit 167 for masking or trimming input image data are connected.

Next, a copying operation performed by the above-described image forming apparatus will be described. When the main switch (not shown) is turned on, the copying apparatus 2 is warmed up and initialized according to the control program stored in the ROM 162. Also, the main CPU 16
In accordance with an instruction from the scanner CPU 121 of the scanner unit 4 under the control of the scanner unit 1, the automatic document feeder 8 does not
The automatic document feeder 8 is also initialized based on the control program stored in the OM.

When the copy button 210 of the control panel 200 is turned on after the document D to be copied is set on the document feeder 72 of the automatic document feeder 8, the empty document feeder (not shown) of the automatic document feeder 8 is turned on. ADFCPU (not shown) of the automatic document feeder 8 that the sensor is on
Checked by.

When the empty sensor detects that the document D has been set on the document feed table 72, the pickup roller 73 is driven by the supply of a drive current from a motor drive circuit (not shown) to a paper feed motor (not shown). When driven, the lowermost document of the document D set on the document feed table 72 is guided by the feed roller 74.

The document D guided by the paper feed roller 74 is further conveyed toward the aligning roller 75.
Subsequently, when the leading end of the document D passes through the aligning sensor 75a, a clutch (not shown) is turned on via an ADF mechanism control unit (not shown), and the aligning roller 75 is stopped. As a result, the original D taken out of the original feeding table 72 by the pickup roller 73 is temporarily stopped, so that the inclination of the original D with respect to the original conveying direction is corrected. Thereafter, after the belt roller 77 is rotated in the first direction, that is, the document feeding direction by the drive motor (not shown), and the transport belt 76 is rotated, the clutch (not shown) is turned off at a predetermined timing, and the aligning roller 75 The document D is fed to the transport belt 76.

Subsequently, the transport belt 76 is driven by the transport motor.
Is rotated for a predetermined time, so that the document D is conveyed onto the document table 11 of the copying apparatus 2. The transfer belt 76
Is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time from the trailing edge of the document D passing through the aligning sensor 75a, that is, a time predetermined by the interval between the aligning sensor 75a and the reference indicating device 12, and by a brake (not shown) Rotation due to inertia is prevented.

When the leading edge of the document D is detected by the aligning sensor 75a, the ADF CPU (not shown) notifies the scanner CPU 121 of the scanner unit 4 of the copying apparatus 2 that the document D has been conveyed to a predetermined position. Subsequently, the main CPU 161 stores a sheet P having an optimum size based on the size of the document D detected via the automatic document feeder 8 and a copy magnification set via a control panel (not shown). Is selected.

Subsequently, according to the input copy magnification, C
The read start position of the image data to be read from the CD line sensor 24 to the line memory 127 is ROM.
162 is stored in the RAM 163 after being called.

Next, the illumination lamp 1 of the first carriage 16
3 is turned on at a predetermined brightness, and the rotation of a pulse motor (not shown) causes the first carriage 16 to move the original table 1
The document is moved at a predetermined speed along the original D on the first document. The image of the document D placed on the document table 11 is illuminated by illumination light from the exposure lamp 13 and the reflection plate 14 on the first carriage 16 in a band shape having a width of, for example, 8 to 15 [mm].

The illumination lamp 1 of the first carriage 16
The position at which the lighting of the illumination lamp 3 starts just below the original scale 12 and when the amount of illumination light emitted from the illumination lamp 13 stabilizes is reduced.
It is used for shading correction by reflected light obtained by illuminating each of a black reference portion and a white reference portion (not shown) formed on the surface on the side opposite to.

The reflected light from the document D is gradually diffused, and the first mirror 15 of the first carriage 16 and the second mirror 21 and the third mirror 2 of the second carriage 20 are gradually diffused.
2, the light is sequentially reflected and guided to a front principal point (not shown) of the imaging lens 23.

The reflected light from the document D guided to the front principal point (not shown) of the imaging lens 23 is guided parallel to the optical axis toward the rear principal point (not shown) of the imaging lens 23. The image is formed on the reading surface of the CCD line sensor 24 while being gradually focused.

The image information of the original D formed on the CCD line sensor 24, that is, the reflected light from the original D is photoelectrically converted by the CCD line sensor 24 and output according to a predetermined rule.

An output signal from the CCD line sensor 24 is taken in order from a pixel at a predetermined position (not shown) of the CCD line sensor 24 corresponding to the reading start position stored in the RAM 163.
The value is converted into a value, the threshold level is corrected via the shading correction circuit 126, and the corrected value is output to the line memory 127.

The image data input to the line memory 127 is transferred to the image processing section 167 via the data switching / buffer memory 166, and is subjected to predetermined correction and conversion such as character specification and contour correction. ,
The data is output to the data storage device 145. Data storage device 1
The image data input to 45 is a parallel data (not shown).
Laser drive signal (print signal) via serial conversion circuit
, And then supplied to the laser exposure device 32.

In parallel with the reading of the image information of the document D by the scanner unit 4 (or at a predetermined timing), the motor (not shown) is energized by the supply of the motor drive voltage from the motor drive circuit 134 under the control of the main CPU 161. Then, the photosensitive drum 30 is rotated at a desired speed.

At the same time, a predetermined potential is applied from the charging device 31 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 under the control of the voltage supply circuit 138. As an example, the initial surface potential of the photosensitive drum 30 is set to about -650 volts.

Subsequently, the laser exposure device 32
Image data corresponding to the image of the original D is stored on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32, that is, in accordance with a print signal stored in the data storage device 145 and converted from bitmap data into serial data via a parallel-serial conversion circuit (not shown). The modulated laser beam is emitted.

The emission timing of the laser beam emitted from the laser exposure device 32, that is, the writing start position is based on the writing position stored in the RAM 163 corresponding to the size of the sheet P, as described above. Needless to say, a delay is added by a predetermined clock in the main scanning direction from a horizontal synchronization signal (not shown).

As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the print signal (image data) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. The electrostatic latent image thus formed is developed by the voltage supply circuit 138 with toner supplied from the developing roller 33a of the developing device 33 to which a developing bias voltage of -450 volts is applied, for example. Then, the toner image is transferred to the paper P by the transfer output from the transfer / peeling charger 34 to which a predetermined transfer voltage is applied by the voltage supply circuit 138.

The toner image transferred to the paper P is separated from the photosensitive drum 30 together with the paper P by the peeling output from the transfer / peel charger 34 to which a predetermined peeling voltage is applied by the voltage supply circuit 138 and the peeling claw 35. It is peeled off from the surface and is conveyed to the fixing device 58 by the conveyance belt 57,
The sheet P is fixed on the sheet P via the fixing device 58.

The paper P on which the toner image has been fixed is transferred to the copying apparatus 2 via first and second discharge rollers 61 and 62.
The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 59 arranged outside the printer.
The photoreceptor drum 30 having transferred the toner image onto the paper P is continuously rotated, the remaining toner is removed via the cleaning device 36, and then the charge is removed by the charge removing device 37, and subsequently used for the next image formation.

On the other hand, when the reading of the first document D currently positioned on the document table 11 is completed, the supply of the next document D to the ADF CPU (not shown) is controlled by the scan CPU 121 under the control of the main CPU 161. Feeding, that is, replacement of the document D is requested, and the drive motor is rotated by a drive current from a motor drive circuit (not shown) to the transport motor (not shown), whereby the transport belt 76 is rotated. As a result, the first document currently set on the document table 11 is transported toward the reversing roller 78, and the cover 7 is covered by the flapper 80 and the paper discharge roller 81.
The document is discharged to a document receiving area formed at a predetermined position.

Subsequently, the presence or absence of the succeeding document D is checked by an empty sensor (not shown). If the document D remains, the document feeding operation is repeated.
Similarly to the first document, the second document is set on the document table 11, and the image information of the second document is read.

As described above, for all the documents D set on the document feeder table 72 of the automatic document feeder 8,
A series of image formation is repeated. Next, the points of the present invention will be described. According to the present invention, a copy image can be obtained again in the form of an additional copy without requiring a document reading operation after the memory copy is completed. That is, additional copying can be realized using the image data once stored.

First, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A description will be given of the document reading process when executing the memory copy. To use the additional copy function according to the present invention,
Since it is assumed that the memory copy function has been used before, the memory copy function will be described together here. First, the original to be copied is set on the original platen table 11 or the original feeder plate 72 if the automatic original feeder 8 is used. There is no particular problem if the document is set before the copy button 210 is instructed to start copying.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that all memory copy operations and additional copy operations are performed in accordance with the contents displayed on the display panel (touch panel) 240. On the initial screen of the display panel 240, items such as "basic", "edit", "adjustment setting", and "composite edit" are displayed as shown in FIG. 6, and a menu screen of the selected item is displayed. It is supposed to be. Note that descriptions of “editing”, “adjustment setting”, and “synthetic editing”, which are not directly related to the present invention, are omitted.

When executing memory copy (ST1)
0, YES), select the item "basic". The basic menu that appears when you select the “Basic” item includes
There is an item of “memory copy”, and when this item of “memory copy” is selected, a memory copy mode screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. At this time, the control panel CPU 111 notifies the main CPU 161 that the memory copy has been selected.

[0098] The memory copy mode screen has a "setting" item, and various settings can be made from a setting screen (not shown) displayed when the "setting" item is selected. . Various settings include paper size,
Copy density, number of copies, etc. Items set on this setting screen are transmitted from the control panel CPU 111 to the main C
The PU 161 is notified. By the way, when the item of “setting” is not selected and various settings are not made on the setting screen, the memory copy is executed by default setting. When the memory copy is not executed (ST10, N
O), the operation shifts to the corresponding operation / processing (for example, normal copy) (ST12).

As described above, various settings relating to the memory copy are completed (ST14), and when a copy is instructed by the copy button 210 with the original set (ST16, YES), (ST18, YES) A document reading operation is started (ST22).

If no setting is performed on the setting screen for a predetermined time (ST14, NO), the time is over (ST15, YES), and the process is restarted from the beginning (conditions set halfway are cleared). . Similarly, if the document is not set within a predetermined time (S
At T16, NO), the time is over too (S
T17, YES), it becomes the beginning again. Similarly,
If the copy button 210 is not pressed within a predetermined time (ST18, NO), the time is over (ST19, YES), and the process is restarted from the beginning (the settings in the middle are cleared). The determination as to whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed is made by a time counter of the main CPU 161.

When the original reading operation is started as described above (ST22), image data corresponding to the read original is stored in the data storage device 145 (ST2).
4). The document reading operation is completed on condition that reading of all the documents is completed (ST26, YES).

Next, an image forming process including an additional copy will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming process including an additional copy.

In the image forming process described here, it is assumed that the image reading process has been completed as described in the flowchart of FIG. In the image forming process, it is not always necessary that the document reading operation has been completed.

The image data stored in the data storage device 145 in the image reading process is read out in a predetermined order (ST30). The method of reading image data differs depending on the processing content. In the case of memory copy, the read image data is sequentially read from the reading start page. When a plurality of copies are required to be output, the same page is continuously read repeatedly for the number of copies, or repeatedly read for the number of copies in the page order.

The read image data is sent to the printer unit 6.
(ST32). When the specified number of copies have been completed (ST34, YES), a copy completion screen is displayed on display panel 240 as shown in FIG. 8 (ST36). On this copy end screen, there is an item of “additional copy”, and by selecting this item,
An additional copy can be indicated.

If no setting is made for a predetermined period of time on this copy end screen (ST38, NO), the time is over (ST39, YES), the internal memory is cleared (ST44), and the copy operation is completely ended. . Also. On the copy end screen, there is an item of “end”, and by selecting this item, it is possible to instruct that the copy operation is completed without additional copy. Also, if no operation is received for a predetermined time from this copy end screen (ST42, NO), the time is over (ST43, YES), and the image data stored in the data storage device by this copy operation is cleared. (ST44), the copy operation is completely terminated.
After the completion, the initial screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display panel 240.

When an additional copy is instructed (ST38, Y
ES), as shown in FIG. 9, an additional copy screen is displayed on display panel 240 (ST40). On the additional copy screen, the number of additional copies and the page designation of the additional copy are accepted. If the number of copies and pages are not specified, additional copying is performed according to default settings (for example, a part from the first page to the last page of a series of originals). When various settings are made as necessary on the additional copy screen (ST42), additional copy is performed according to the settings.

As described above, the provision of the additional copy function makes it possible to easily obtain a copy of the document once output. In order to make the additional copy function described above more comfortable, the following variations can be added.

First, the image data obtained by the memory copy function is made available at any time. That is, even after the copy operation is completely completed on the above-described copy end screen, the image files obtained by the memory copy function can be listed, and the image file selected from the list can be output as an additional copy. To

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, an item of “file list” is provided in the basic menu of the initial screen of the display panel 240, and when this item is selected, the image files acquired by the memory copy function are listed. It can be so. FIG. 11 shows an example of the file list screen. When a required image file is selected from the file list screen, the selected image file is output as an additional copy. In addition, the file list screen also has an item of “setting”, and copy conditions of the selected image file can be set. Incidentally, the capacity of the data storage device 145 for storing image files is limited.
Old files are automatically deleted.
Thus, a more comfortable additional copy function can be provided.

Second, the image data obtained by the memory copy function can be intentionally deleted. For example,
At the end of the memory copy, a copy end screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In the copy end screen, "Please press the additional copy button if you need additional copy",
"Please press the clear button to clear the image data" and so on. If the user wants to clear the image data, selecting the item of "clear" deletes the image data obtained before the display of the copy end screen. Thereby, the security of important documents and the like can be ensured.

Third, image data acquired by the memory copy function can be deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed. The memory control CPU 141 manages the time at which the image data is acquired, and issues an instruction to delete the image data after a predetermined time has elapsed. Thus, forgetting to delete the image data can be prevented.

[0113]

According to the present invention, the following image forming apparatus can be provided. (1) An image forming apparatus capable of easily performing additional copying. (2) An image forming apparatus capable of designating the number of copies at the time of additional copying.

(3) An image forming apparatus capable of specifying a page at the time of additional copying. (4) An image forming apparatus capable of selecting an additional copy target from stored image data files. (5) An image forming apparatus capable of easily performing additional copy and deleting image data from the target of additional copy as needed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view schematically illustrating a control panel provided in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control mechanism of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a document reading process when a memory copy is executed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming process including an additional copy.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen displayed on a display panel.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a memory copy mode screen displayed on a display panel.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a copy end screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of an additional copy screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen having file list items.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a file list screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a copy end screen having a clear item.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 scanner unit 6 printer unit 110 control panel unit 111 control panel CPU 121 scanner CPU 131 printer CPU 140 memory editing unit 141 memory control CPU 145 data storage device (page memory) 146 address control unit 147: Memory management control unit 150: System unit 160: Main control unit 161: Main CPU 200: Control panel 240: Display panel

Claims (8)

[Claims] A reading means for reading a document image; a storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means; and image data stored in the storage means. Image forming means for forming an image based on the received image data, receiving means for receiving the addition of the image forming processing after the image forming processing by the image forming means, when the addition of the image forming processing is received by the receiving means, An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that reads out the image data stored in the storage unit again and causes the image forming unit to form an image based on the read image data. A reading means for reading a document image; a storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means; and image data stored in the storage means. Image forming means for forming an image based on the received image data, receiving means for receiving the necessity of addition of the image forming processing and the number of additional copies after the image forming processing by the image forming means, and adding the image forming processing by the receiving means And when the number of additional copies is received, read out the image data stored in the storage unit for the number of additional copies again, and control the image forming unit to form an image based on the read image data. An image forming apparatus comprising: Reading means for reading a document image; storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means; image data stored in the storage means; Image forming means for forming an image based on the received image data, receiving means for receiving, after the image forming processing by the image forming means, necessity of addition of the image forming processing and designation of a page to be subjected to additional image forming processing, When the addition of the image forming process and the page designation are received, the image data corresponding to the received page designation is read out again from the image data stored in the storage unit, and the image data based on the read image data is read out. An image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for causing the image forming means to form an image. A reading means for reading the original image; a storage means for storing image data corresponding to the original image read by the reading means; and image data stored in the storage means. Image forming means for forming an image based on the received image data; display means for displaying a list of image data files stored in the storage means after the image forming processing by the image forming means; A receiving unit that receives a file that requires the addition of the image forming process from the files, and reads a file corresponding to the file received by the receiving unit from the storage unit, and stores an image based on the read image data. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit for causing the image forming unit to form the image. 5. A reading means for reading a document image, a storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means, and reading the image data stored in the storage means. Image forming means for forming an image based on the received image data, receiving means for receiving addition of image forming processing and deletion of stored image data after image forming processing by the image forming means, and image forming processing by the receiving means When the addition of the image data is received, the image data stored in the storage unit is read again, and the control unit causes the image forming unit to form an image based on the read image data. And deleting means for deleting the image data stored in the storage means when the deletion is accepted. An image forming apparatus. 6. A reading means for reading a document image, a storage means for storing image data corresponding to the document image read by the reading means, and reading the image data stored in the storage means. Image forming means for forming an image based on the received image data, receiving means for receiving the addition of the image forming processing after the image forming processing by the image forming means, when the addition of the image forming processing is received by the receiving means, Control means for reading out the image data stored in the storage means again, and causing the image forming means to form an image based on the read image data; and, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the image data stored in the storage means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a deleting unit that automatically deletes the image. 7. An original image is read, image data corresponding to the read original image is stored, the stored image data is read, and an image based on the read image data is formed. After the formation process, an addition of the image formation process is received, and when the addition of the image formation process is received, the stored image data is read again, and an image based on the read image data is formed. Image forming method. 8. A document image is read, image data corresponding to the read document image is stored, the stored image data is read, and an image based on the read image data is formed. After the formation process, a list of the files of the stored image data is displayed, and a file requiring the addition of the image formation process is received from the displayed files, and a file corresponding to the received file is stored in the storage unit. An image forming method for reading out the read image data and forming an image based on the read image data.