JPH11305609A - Image forming device provided with trial copying function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set an optimum image forming mode desired by a user by designating an original desired to be copied as trial copying, carrying the originals obtained till then, and performing the trial copying. SOLUTION: When a trial copying page designating key is pressed, the screen display of an operation part unit is shifted from an ordinary copying screen to a trial copying page designating screen display. Next, in the case of deciding that the trial copying page is designated, the designated page is stored in a memory, and the screen of the operation part unit is restored to the ordinary copying screen. When a trial copying start key is pressed next, the original placed on an original supply table 100 is supplied and placed on a contact glass 59, and a scanner and a lamp are driven to read the image of the original. Then, the data of the read original is stored in a storage device. When the page of the continuously carried and read original is the designated one, an image is formed in a designated copying mode and the trial copying is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a test copy function, in which only one copy is made to visually confirm an image forming state of an image on a recording sheet before a plurality of copies are made. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of performing the function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A test copy function is known as a function for performing only one copy to visually confirm the image forming state of an image on a recording sheet before performing a plurality of copies. In other words, the test copy function does not immediately perform continuous copying even when a plurality of copies are set,
A process of copying only one sheet on a trial basis and ejecting it to a predetermined tray is executed. This allows the user to directly check the degree of copying of the image visually, and to confirm by himself whether or not the user can execute image formation according to the optimum image forming mode desired by the user. By performing continuous copying in the optimal image forming mode OK, copying without failure can be performed.

Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus with a test copy function, there is one as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-253969 (first prior art).

That is, an image forming apparatus with a trial copy function according to a first prior art is a copying machine having a means for setting a multi-copy mode, having a print start input means and a multi-copy input confirmation means, When the multi-copy mode is set, single copy is executed by input only from the print start input unit, and multi-copy is executed by simultaneous input from the print start input unit and the multi-copy input confirmation unit. I was

Thus, in the multi-copy mode, only one copy is executed by inputting the print start input means, a test print is performed, and the copy state can be confirmed. On the other hand, it is disclosed that multi-copy is executed by simultaneous input from the print start input unit and the multi-copy input confirmation unit, and the set required number of copies can be executed.

In recent years, image forming apparatuses with a test copy function have become multifunctional. For example, a stapling function for binding a bundle of sheets on which a document image has been copied with a staple or a bundle of sheets on which a document image has been copied can be used. A punch function for making a hole is known.

Therefore, the test copy mode is selected and executed without immediately performing continuous copying and stapling or punching holes, and one copy sheet is stapled or punched. As a result, it is possible to confirm whether or not the image position and the staple position are appropriate.

[0008]

However, when performing a test copy in the image forming apparatus with a test copy function according to the first prior art, only one sheet is fed at the beginning of the document bundle using an automatic document feeder. , And made a copy using the manuscript. For this reason, if a document with a small picture such as a cover is included in the document bundle, it may occur that even if a test copy is performed, the items to be checked, such as the image density and the image position, cannot be confirmed correctly. There was a problem.

In order to solve such a problem, an original for which a test copy is to be made is designated, and the original is transported to that position.
An image forming apparatus that performs a desired test copy by performing a test copy has been disclosed (second prior art).

However, when an analog copy is executed in the image forming apparatus of the second prior art, since the image up to the designated document cannot be stored in the memory, the user has to set the document again, and There is a problem that the merit of providing the copy mode is lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem. First, a desired original for which a test copy is desired is designated, the original is conveyed, and a test copy is performed. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus with a trial copy function that can set an optimum image forming mode desired by a user.

Secondly, a desired original for which a test copy is desired is designated, the original is transported up to that point, and at the same time the image data of the original is stored in a memory. An image forming apparatus with a trial copy function that can copy without using the user's hand when re-setting the original by copying using the selected image data, saving the user's trouble and outputting the desired copy. It is intended to provide.

Third, when the mode not using the memory function is selected, the designation of the original is prohibited in the trial copy, so that the user does not make an error or miscopy when resetting after the trial copy. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus with a test copy function that can perform the function.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: input means for inputting a copy processing start instruction and setting of various copy conditions; Display means for displaying the setting status; trial copy function means for checking whether or not the transfer paper is in a desired copy state when copying is performed based on the various copy conditions; and Automatic document feeding means for conveying on a contact glass; document image reading means for reading a document image to generate document image data; trial copy document selecting means for selecting a test copy document to be a test copy; An image forming apparatus with a test copy function, comprising: an image storage unit for storing the original image data. An image forming apparatus with a test copy function provided with a control means for controlling the sheet feeding means to execute the conveyance of the original and executing a copying process for the selected test copy original when the selected test copy original is conveyed. Device.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the user specifies a desired original (the above-described test copy original) for which a test copy is desired, and the original until the test copy original is reached (an original other than the test copy original). Can be executed such that a test copy is conveyed by using an automatic document feeder. As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus with a trial copy function, which is rich in user-friendly operability and can set an optimal image forming mode desired by a user while observing the result of the trial copy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus with a trial copy function according to the first aspect, the control means controls the automatic document feeder until the selected trial copy original is obtained. When the control is performed to convey the document, the document image data relating to the conveyed document up to the selected test copy document is controlled to be stored in the image storage unit. Image forming apparatus with a trial copy function.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects described in, specify the desired original (test copy original) for which a test copy is to be made, and transport the original (non-test copy original) up to the test copy original, and at the same time, The original image data of the original (original copy not original) is stored in the image storage means, and when the normal copy is executed after the execution of the trial copy, the original image data stored at the time of the trial copy is used to execute the copy. Will be able to do it. as a result,
Copies can be made without bothering the user when re-setting the originals, etc., which saves the user time and effort required for the copying work, and furthermore, enables the desired copy to be output An image forming apparatus with a test copy function that is rich in user-friendly operability can be realized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus with a trial copy function according to the first aspect, the control unit may use a copy mode that does not use the image storage unit that stores the original image data. An image forming apparatus with a trial copy function is configured to invalidate the selection of the original to be trial copied when selected.

According to the invention of claim 3, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects described in, if a mode that does not use the image storage function is selected, it is possible to prohibit the specification of the original when executing the test copy, Thus, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus with a trial copy function that is rich in user-friendly operability and can prevent occurrence of erroneous copying. As a result, in an image forming apparatus with a test copy function having an image storage function, a mode in which the image storage function is not used is selected, a desired original is designated, the document is transported to the desired original, and a test copy is performed. Even in this case, it is possible to omit the resetting work by the user at the time of executing the normal copy after the execution of the test copy.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a digital copying apparatus with a trial copy function according to the present invention will be described below in detail. FIG.
1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of a digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining a writing unit in the digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function in FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram for explaining an optical system in the writing unit in FIG.

First, a schematic configuration of a digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function will be described with reference to FIG.

The digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function is
The outline of a digital signal processing system copying machine (DPP
C: Digital Plain Paper Cop
y, hereinafter referred to as digital plain paper copier) {}, an automatic document feeder II (automatic document feeder), a sorter III, and a duplex reversing unit}.

Further, the digital plain paper copier main body I
Is composed of a scanner unit, a writing unit, an image forming unit, and a paper feeding unit. The printer (PR) unit includes a writing unit and an image forming unit.

Next, the configuration and operation of each section will be briefly described.

First, the configuration and operation of the scanner (scanner SC) unit (document image reading means) will be described.

The first scanner equipped with the reflecting mirror 51, the light source 53 and the first mirror 52 moves at a constant speed along the contact glass 59, and the second scanner equipped with the second mirror 54 and the third mirror 55 1/2 of the first scanner
And moves at the speed of following the first scanner.

An original (not shown) on the contact glass 59 is optically scanned by the first scanner and the second scanner, and its reflecting mirror is guided to a lens 57 via a color filter 56 to provide one-dimensional solid-state imaging. An image is formed on a device (CCD) 58.

As the light source 53, a fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp or the like can be used. In particular, a fluorescent lamp is generally used because the wavelength is stable and the life is long.

Since the CCD 58 is driven by a constant sampling clock, if the fluorescent lamp is not lit at a higher frequency, the formed image is adversely affected.

Since the image signal read by the CCD 58 is an analog value, the image processing circuit of the image processing board 73 converts the analog signal into a digital signal (ie, converts the analog signal into a digital signal).
After being subjected to A / D conversion, various image processing (binarization, multi-level conversion, gradation processing, scaling processing, editing processing, etc.) are performed, and the image data is converted into an image digital signal as a set of pixel data. .

In the present embodiment, in order to obtain color image information, a color filter 5 that transmits only reflected light of a required color is provided in the optical path of the reflected light of the document from the document to the CCD 58.
6 are arranged so that they can appear and disappear. In the present embodiment, the color filter 56 is moved in and out in accordance with the scanning of the original, and at the same time, multiple transfer is performed each time, and a function such as double-sided copy is operated, so that various kinds of copies can be created. .

Next, the configuration and operation of the writing section will be described.

The configuration and operation of the writing section will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the writing section, the image information after the image processing is written on the photosensitive drum 40 in the form of a set of light points by raster scanning of laser light. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 20 is converted into a parallel light beam by the collimating lens 21, and is shaped into a light beam of a predetermined shape by the aperture 32.

The shaped laser beam is applied to the cylinder lens 2
The polygon mirror 2 is compressed in the sub-operation direction by the polygon mirror 2
4 is incident. The polygon mirror 24 has an accurate polygon, and is rotated by a polygon motor 25 at a constant speed in a constant direction.

The rotation speed is determined by the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 40, the writing density, and the number of surfaces of the polygon mirror 24. The reflected light of the laser light incident on the polygon mirror 24 is deflected by the rotation of the polygon mirror 24,
lens 26 sequentially.

The fθ lens 26 converts reflected light scanned at a constant angular velocity so that it is scanned at a constant speed on the photosensitive drum 40, and simultaneously forms an image on the photosensitive drum 40 so as to have a minimum light spot. In addition, it also performs a tilt correction.

The laser beam that has passed through the fθ lens 26 is guided outside the image area by the synchronization detection mirror 29 to the synchronization detection light input section 30, and is propagated to the optical sensor section by an optical fiber.

The optical sensor performs synchronization detection as a reference for cueing the laser beam in the main scanning direction, and outputs a synchronization signal PMSYNC.
Put out. A process of outputting one line of image data after a predetermined time has elapsed from the output of the synchronization signal PMSYNC. Hereinafter, by repeating this process, a latent image for one screen is formed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the image forming unit will be described.

In general, in the case of the laser writing system, there are two types of processes: a negative / positive (N / P) process in which light is applied to an image portion and a positive / positive (P / P) process in which light is applied to a background portion. In the present embodiment, the former N / P process is adopted.

The charging charger 41 is connected to the photosensitive drum 40
The surface of the photosensitive layer formed on the peripheral surface is uniformly (-) charged.

In the image forming portion irradiated with the laser beam, the potential of that portion decreases. That is, the background portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 is −750 to −800 V, and the image portion is −500 V.
The potential becomes about V, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the formed image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40.

The developing rollers of the developing units 42a and 42b
A negative bias voltage of 500 to -600 V is applied, so that the toner charged to a negative potential (-) adheres to the above-described electrostatic latent image and is visualized.

In this embodiment having two developing units, the black toner is put into the toner supplying unit 43a paired with the main developing unit 42a, and the toner supplying unit 43 paired with the sub developing unit 42b.
By adding a color toner to b, during the development of one color, the development is selectively performed by changing the position of the main pole of the developing device of another color.

The transfer charger 44 applies (+) charges from the back side of the paper sent in synchronization with the photosensitive drum 40, and the toner images visualized by the developing units 42a and 42b are transferred onto the paper. You.

The paper on which the toner image has been transferred is subjected to AC static elimination by a separation charger 45 held integrally with the transfer charger 44, and is separated from the photosensitive drum 40. The toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 40 without being transferred to the paper is scraped off from the photoconductor drum 40 by the cleaning blade 47 and collected in an attached tank 48.

Further, the pattern of the potential remaining on the photosensitive drum 40 is erased by irradiating the pattern with light from the neutralization lamp 49.

In FIG. 1, 27 is a mirror, 28 is dustproof glass, 31 is a lens holding unit, 46 is a separation claw, 80 is a main motor, and 81 is a fan motor.

Next, the configuration and operation of the paper feeding unit will be described.

When a copy start button is pressed after one cassette 60 is selected from the plurality of cassettes 60a, 60b, 60c, the sheet feed rollers 61 (61a, 61b, 61b, 61b, 61b, 61b) near the selected cassette 60 are pressed. 61c) is rotated, and the paper is fed and transported until the leading end of the paper hits the registration roller 62.

The registration roller 62 is connected to the photosensitive drum 40.
The rotation is started at the timing of the image position formed on the photosensitive drum 40, and the paper is fed to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 40.

Thereafter, the toner image is transferred to the paper at the transfer unit, and the paper is sucked and conveyed by the separation / conveyance unit 63, and is transferred by the fixing roller composed of a pair of the heat roller 64 and the pressure roller 65. Is fixed on the paper.

The paper on which the image has been recorded in this manner is guided to the paper discharge port on the sorter III side by the switching claw 67 during normal copying.

On the other hand, at the time of multiple copying, the paper is
The conveyance direction is changed by 69 and the lower re-feeding loop 7
2 and is again guided to the registration roller 62.

In the case of performing double-sided copying, the paper guided downward by the switching claw 67 is further guided downward by the switching claw 68, and the paper is fed again by the next switching claw 69 through the re-feeding loop 72. Led to. Thereafter, the sheet is fed again in the reverse direction by the reversal of the roller 71, guided to the sheet re-feeding loop 72 by switching of the switching claw 69, and fed to the registration roller 62.

Next, the configuration and operation of the automatic document feeder (ADF) II will be described.

The automatic document feeder 11 automatically guides documents one by one onto the contact glass 59 and discharges them after copying.

The documents placed on the document feeder table 100 are aligned in the width direction of the documents by the side guides 101, then separated and fed one by one by the feed rollers 104, and the rotation of the transport belt 102 is performed. Is carried to a predetermined position on the contact glass 59 and positioned. When the predetermined number of copies are completed, the original is discharged onto the discharge tray 103 by the rotation of the transport belt 102 again.

Next, the configuration and operation of the sorter III will be described.

The sorter III sorts the copy paper discharged from the digital plain paper copier main body I, for example, in page order,
Bins 111a to 111x preset for each page
This is a device that selectively feeds the paper.

The copy paper fed by a plurality of rollers rotated by the motor 110 is guided to the selected bin (111a to 111x) by switching a claw (not shown) near the entrance of each bin 111.

Next, the configuration and operation of the double-sided reversing unit will be described.

When a plurality of double-sided copies are collectively taken, the paper guided downward by the discharge rollers 66 is sent to the double-side reversing unit by the next switching claw 67.

The paper that has entered the double-sided reversing unit is stacked on the tray 123 by the discharge roller 120. Tray 12
The copy paper stacked on 3 is re-fed by the re-feed roller 124 during backside copying. At this time, the sheet is directly guided to the re-feeding loop 72 by the switching claw 69.

Next, the configuration and operation of the electrical control unit will be described.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit B (control means) of the entire digital plain paper copying machine.

The control unit B of the digital plain paper copier I has two CPUs (a) 210 and CPU (b) 200. The CPU (a) 210 controls sequence-related operations. It controls operations. CPU (a) 210 and CPU
(B) 200 is connected by a serial interface.

First, the sequence control executed by the CPU (a) 210 in the sequence will be described.

The sequence CPU (a) 210 controls the timing of paper transport, the setting of image forming conditions, and the control of the image forming operation, and various types of sensors such as a paper size sensor, paper discharge detection, registration detection, and the like. Sensor 211,
A driver group 212 such as a double-sided unit, a high-voltage power supply unit, a relay, a solenoid, and a motor, a sorter unit (III), a laser unit, a laser beam scanner unit (LBSCU) 213, and the like are connected.

The sorter unit (III) connected by the serial interface has the sequence CPU (a)
The paper is conveyed at a predetermined timing according to the signal from 210, and is discharged to each bin.

The analog input section receives a fixing temperature, a photo sensor signal, a monitor signal of a laser diode, a reference voltage of the laser diode, a feedback value of an output value from various high voltage power supplies, and the like.

As a mechanism for adjusting the power of the laser diode to be constant, an A / D converter and a sequencer C
The analog input of PU (a) 210 is used.

Here, the reference voltage condition set in advance (in this embodiment, the power consumption of the laser diode is 3 mW
Is controlled so that the monitor voltage when the laser diode is turned on under the following voltage condition is constant.

Next, control of the operation relation will be described.

The main CPU (b) 200 controls a plurality of serial ports and the calendar IC 206. In addition to the sequence CPU (a) 210, the operation unit 201 and the scanner control circuit (SC)
CNT) 202, application (APL) 205,
An editor 203 and the like are connected.

The operation unit 201 includes an input key of the operator and a display for displaying the status of the digital plain paper copier main body I. Key input information is main CPU
(B) It is transmitted to 200 by serial communication. The main CPU (b) 200 determines the operation state of the display unit of the operation unit 201 based on this information, and
1 and serially transmits the information.

The operation unit CPU comprises a main CPU (b) 20
Display control of the display unit is performed based on information from 0. further,
The operation unit CPU determines the operation conditions of the apparatus from the obtained information, and sets the sequence CPU (a) 21 at the start of copying.
0 tells the information.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the display unit of the operation unit 201 of the digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function shown in FIG. 1. The function of each key will be described sequentially.

The message display 2500 is an area for displaying information relating to the digital copying machine A with a trial copy function, and displays, for example, a message such as "copying is allowed" or "copying is in progress".

Reference numeral 2501 denotes a set display area;
Reference numeral 02 denotes a trial copy start key, which is used to check the finish. This trial copy start key 2
502 is not displayed in the trial copy prohibited state, and the key input is also invalidated. A density adjustment key 2503 is used to manually adjust the copy density.

An automatic density key 2504 is used to automatically adjust the copy density according to the background density level of the document. Reference numeral 2505 denotes a tray selection key, a recording paper size, a remaining amount display area, and a paper type display area, and includes a plurality of keys and a display area according to a paper feed stage.

Reference numeral 2506 denotes an automatic paper selection key. Pressing the automatic paper selection key 2506 automatically selects a tray containing recording paper of the same size as the document.

Reference numeral 2507 denotes a paper designation scaling key which automatically selects an image of a document in accordance with the size of the recording paper designated by pressing the paper designation scaling key 2507. 2
Reference numeral 508 denotes an equal-size key, which is depressed when copying at the same place. Reference numeral 2509 denotes a magnification display area. Also, 251
Reference numeral 0 denotes a fixed-size variable key, which is selected when designating reduction / enlargement of a fixed size. Reference numerals 2511 and 2512 denote zoom keys, which are selected when an arbitrary magnification is designated in 1% steps.

Reference numeral 2515 denotes a single-sided to double-sided key.
Select to copy a single-sided document to both sides. Reference numeral 2516 denotes a double-sided to double-sided key, which is selected when copying a double-sided document on both sides. A double-sided to single-sided key 2517 is selected when copying a double-sided original on one side.

Reference numeral 2518 denotes a front binding margin size display area;
Numeral 519 denotes a front binding margin key, which can be set to either the left or right side if the binding margin is 21 mm or less when a margin is required.

Reference numeral 2520 denotes a back side binding margin size display area. Reference numeral 2521 denotes a back side binding margin key, which enables the same setting as the front side binding margin key 2519 for a back side document or a back side copy. Reference numeral 2522 denotes an out-of-edit mode erase key, which is selected when a part of a document is designated and the outside thereof is erased to copy. Reference numeral 2523 denotes a delete key in the edit mode, which is selected when a part of a document is specified and the inside of the document is deleted to copy.

Reference numeral 2524 denotes an erase size display area.
Reference numeral 2525 denotes a key for designating a Hi-Fi copy in which copying is performed without using a memory function.

Reference numeral 2526 denotes a trial copy page designation key (trial copy original selecting means).
One embodiment of the third trial copy page designation screen appears.
On this screen, a page to be subjected to a test copy is input using the ten keys 2601 (test copy original selecting means), and the enter key 2603 is pressed to determine the page. The determined number of pages is displayed in the page display area 2602.

In the scanner section, the main C of information relating to scanner servo motor drive control, image processing in the image processing unit 204, and information relating to image reading is performed.
The serial transmission processing to the PU (b) 200 and the interface processing between the automatic document feeder and the main CPU (b) 200 are performed.

The application APL 205 is composed of an external device (fax, file, etc.) and the main CPU (b) 200
Interface for exchanging preset information contents.

The calendar IC 206 stores the date and time, and can be called by the main CPU (b) 200 at any time. Therefore, by displaying the current time on the display unit of the operation unit 201 and setting the ON time and the OFF time of the device, it is possible to perform timer control of ON / OFF of the power supply of the device.

The gate array 207 is a main CPU (b)
The image data (DATA0 to DATA7) and the synchronizing signal are output in the following three directions in accordance with the select signal (SEL) from 200.

Subsequently, image data (DATA0 to DATA) from the scanner control circuit SCCNT to the image control circuit is sent.
7) and the output operation of the synchronization signal will be described.

The image signals DATA0 to DATA7 continuously transmitted as 8-bit data from the scanner unit are converted into synchronizing signals P from the laser beam scanner unit LBSCU213.
The data is output to the image control circuit 214 in synchronization with MSYNC.

Subsequently, image data (DAT) from the scanner control circuit SCCNT to the application APL 205
A0-DATA7) and the output operation of the synchronization signal will be described.

The image signals DATA0 to DATA7 continuously transmitted as 8-bit data from the scanner unit are output in parallel to the application APL 205. The application APL 205 outputs the input image data to an externally connected output device such as a fax device or a file.

Subsequently, image data (DATA0 to DATA) from the application APL 205 to the image control circuit
7) and the output operation of the synchronization signal will be described.

The application APL 205 receives an 8-bit data from an externally connected input device (fax or the like).
An image signal continuously transmitted as data (4 bits or 1 bit is also possible) is converted into a laser beam scanner unit LBSCU2.
13 and outputs it to the image control circuit 214 in synchronization with the synchronization signal PMSYNC. At this time, if the data length of the external image signal is 1 bit or 4 bits, 8 bits
Is performed to convert the data into data having a data length of.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the outline of control of the scanner unit and image signal processing of the digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function shown in FIG.

The analog signal output from the CCD 58 is input to an image preprocessor (IPP) 410, where it is subjected to preliminary image processing, and then subjected to main image processing in a main image processing circuit (MIP) 420. Is done.

The scanner control circuit 460 has a main CPU
(B) The lamp (light source) control circuit 418, the timing control circuit 459, the scanner drive circuit (scanner drive motor) 465, and the electric scaling circuit of the main image processing circuit 420 are controlled in accordance with a command from the 200.

A rotary encoder 466 is connected to the drive shaft of the scanner drive motor 465, and the position sensor 462 detects the reference position of the sub-scanning drive mechanism.

The light source control circuit 458 controls ON / OFF of the light source 53 and light amount control in accordance with a command from the scanner control circuit 460.

The timing control circuit 459 outputs various signals in accordance with an instruction from the scanner control circuit 460.
That is, when document reading is started, the timing control circuit 459 causes the CCD 58 to output a transfer signal for transferring one line of image signal to the shift register and the image signal held by the shift register one bit at a time. Give shift clock pulse.

For the image reproduction system control unit (scanner control circuit) 460, a pixel synchronization clock pulse (CL
K), and outputs a line synchronization signal LSYNC and a main scanning valid period signal (LGATE).

Note that the CCD 58 used in this embodiment is
4800 bits of valid data are output per line.
Further, the scanner control circuit 460 includes the main CPU (b) 2
When a reading start command is received from the CPU 00, the light source 53 is turned on, the scanner driving motor 465 is started to drive, the timing control circuit 459 is controlled to start reading the original by the CCD 58, and the sub-scanning valid period signal (FGAT)
E) is set to high level H.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit of the image preprocessor 410 of the digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function shown in FIG.

In the image preprocessor 410, first, amplification and light quantity correction are performed by the signal processing circuit 411, and the signal is converted into a digital multilevel signal by the A / D converter 412. This digital signal is subjected to a correction process by a shading correction circuit 413 and then output to the main image processing circuit 420.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal arrangement of the main image processing circuit 420 which processes the image data output from the image preprocessor 410 of the digital copying apparatus A with the trial copy function shown in FIG. .

As described above, the image signal output from the CCD 58 is subjected to processing such as shading correction, black level correction, and light amount correction through the image preprocessor 410, and is output as 8-bit image data. The image data is selected by the multiplexer (MUX) 421 according to the logic level of the control signal EXTOUT input to the B-side terminal of the multiplexer (MUX) 421, and is then input to the image processing unit (IPU) 422, which will be described later. In this way, the MTF correction (emphasis on a large number of spaces between spaces), the magnification (speed conversion) processing, the γ conversion processing, the data depth conversion (8 bit / 4 bit / 1 bit conversion) processing are performed, and the multiplexer (MUX) 425 performs the processing. After being selected,
Output to the printer PR. Note that the EXTIN signal, E
The XTOUT signal is an external image data input signal and an external logic output signal, respectively.

FIG. 5 shows an image processing unit 422.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram for explaining printer output using the “.”

Generally, in a digital plain paper copier I having a frame memory for image data, as shown in FIG. 5, image data (8-bit length, 4-bit length or 1-bit length) output from the image processing unit 422 is used. The bit length is temporarily stored in the image memory device (MEM in the figure) 424 via the multiplexer 421, and is taken out from the image memory device 424 and output to the printer PR when necessary. Alternatively, the image data from the image processing unit 422 is output to the printer and simultaneously stored in the image memory device 424, and the next and subsequent images are formed using the image data read from the image memory device 424.

FIG. 9 schematically shows the flow of image data inside the main image processing circuit 420 of the digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, image-processed image data D output from the image processing unit 422 is displayed.
Both the ATA and the unprocessed image data DATA can be loaded into the image memory device 424. That is, three multiplexers (MUXs in the figure) 421, 4
The flow of image data DATA can be changed by switching between 23 and 425.

For example, when a single scan of the scanner SC outputs a copy of a plurality of image processing units 422 with changed parameters, the following procedure is used.

At the time of scanning by the scanner SC, the multiplexer 421 selects the A side terminal in FIG.
23 selects the B-side terminal in FIG.
At 5, the terminal A in FIG. 8 is selected to output the first copy. During this time, unprocessed image data DATA is stored in the image memory device 424 via the terminal B of the multiplexer 423.

In the second and subsequent copies, the B-side terminal is selected by the multiplexer 421, and the A-side terminal is selected by the multiplexer 425.
Side terminal is selected, and the image data DATA read from the image memory device 424 is transferred to the image processing unit 42.
2 to the printer PR. At this time, the parameters of the image processing unit 422 are changed each time one copy is made. When the image data DATA holds a low gradation such as 1-bit data, the A-side terminal is selected by the multiplexer 423 and the output data of the image processing unit 422 is taken into the image memory device 424. In this case, the printer (PR) sends the binary data (1
Switch to bit) mode and copy.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the inside of the image processing unit 422 of the digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function shown in FIG.

A digital image signal having a data length of 8 bits input to the image processing unit 422 is a MTF.
The signal is subjected to wide-range emphasis by the correction circuit 426, is electrically scaled by the electric scaling circuit 427, and is input to the γ (gamma) conversion circuit 428.

The electric scaling circuit 427 performs an electric scaling process according to the magnification data on the main operation side set by the scanner control circuit 460.

The γ conversion circuit 428 corrects the characteristics of the input signal so as to be optimal in accordance with the characteristics of the mechanical device (for example, image output characteristics). The image signal output from the gamma conversion circuit is input to a data depth switching circuit 429, where it is converted to a predetermined quantization level and output as a conversion signal DATA.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the inside of the data depth switching circuit 429, and FIG. 12 shows three data types of the digital image signal which can be switched by the data depth switching circuit 429.

The 4-bit conversion circuit 430 converts 8-bit image data into 4-bit image data. Binarization circuit 4
At 31, the input 8-bit multivalued image data is converted into binary data by a preset fixed threshold, and
It is output as bit data.

The dither circuit 432 executes a process for creating an area gradation with 1-bit data. Switch SW433
Indicates three data types (8-bit DAT) shown in FIG.
A, 4-bit DATA, 1-bit DATA) and outputs it as data composed of DATA0-DATA7.

The switch SW434 selects one of binary data and area gradation data by a switching operation of three data types.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the inside of the image memory device 424 of the digital copying apparatus A with the trial copy function shown in FIG. 1 and its peripheral parts.

As shown in FIG. 13, the image memory device 424
Are a compressor (COMP in the figure) 435 and an expander (EXP in the figure) 438 before and after the memory unit (MMU) 437.
In addition to the actual image data, compressed image data is also stored, and the image data read from the memory unit 437 can be restored to the original form.

When storing the compressed image data in the memory unit 437, the writing speed of the compressor 435 is adjusted in accordance with the reading speed of the scanner SC.
The read speed of the decompressor 438 must be operated in accordance with the recording speed of the printer PR.

When storing actual image data, a multiplexer (MUX) 436 and a multiplexer (MU)
X) At 439, when the A side terminal is selected to store the compressed image data, and when the image data is read out, the B side terminal is selected.

FIG. 14 shows three data types (type 1, type 2, and type 3) of image data. FIG. 14 (a) shows type 1 and FIG. 14 (b) shows type 2 FIG. 3C shows Type 3.

Normally, the speed of image data output from the scanner SC or the speed of image data input to the printer PR is 8-bit data, 4-bit data, 1bi
It is constant irrespective of the image data of t data length. That is, the cycle of one pixel (Pn) is fixed in the digital plain paper copier main body I.

In this embodiment, M of eight data lines
It is defined by MSB padding (a processing method of filling bits from the most significant bit side), such as 1-bit data, 4-bit data, and 8-bit data from the SB (most significant bit = 15th bit in FIG. 14) side. I have.

FIG. 15 shows an internal circuit of the memory unit 437 of the digital copying apparatus A with the trial copy function shown in FIG.

The memory unit 437 stores image data DATA of three data types (type 1, type 2, and type 3) of the three type image data shown in FIG.
Data width converters 442 and 443 are provided on the input and output sides of the memory block (MMB) 441 in order to handle code data which is compressed data of the image data DATA.

The direct memory controller (DM
C) 444, 445 write and read data at a predetermined address Addr of the memory block 441 according to the number CNT of packed data and the memory data width.

The data width converter 442 on the input side and the data width converter 443 on the output side use different types of image data D.
This is a circuit for converting ATA into a data width of the memory block 441 (specifically, a data width of 16 bits). By converting the image data, the image data DATA
The memory block 441 can be used according to the data depth of the memory block 441, and the memory block 441 can be effectively used.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the memory device (image memory device 424) of the digital copying apparatus A with the trial copy function shown in FIG.

The image memory device 424 has a pixel processing unit (PPU) 446 arranged outside the memory unit 437 in place of the compressor 435 and the decompressor 438 in the above-described specific example.

The pixel process unit 446 performs a logical operation (for example, a logical product operation AN) between the image data DATA.
D, a logical OR operation, an exclusive OR operation EXOR, and a negative logical operation NOT) to calculate input / output data of the memory unit 437 and output it to the printer PR;
A function of calculating output data and input data (for example, scan data) of the memory unit 437 and storing it again in the memory unit 437, and switching between output to the printer PR and switching between input and output of the memory unit 437 are performed by multiplexers (MUX) 447 and 448. Has the function of operating the device.

These functions are generally used when synthesizing images (for example, when synthesizing image data is stored in the memory unit 437 and synthesized with the output data of the scanner SC). .

FIG. 18 shows an image memory device 424 in which the storage processing of the image data can be completely guaranteed even when the processing speed of the compression and decompression of the image data is not enough.
14 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

The memory unit 437 has a scanner S
Simultaneously with the scanning of C, both the compressed image data and the unprocessed image data are input. The input image data is stored in separate memory areas, but the compressed data is directly output to the decompressor 438 and decompressed there.

If the processing of the compressor 435 and the processing of the decompressor 438 are completed normally in time until all the image data for one page is stored in the memory unit 437, the data is stored in the memory unit 437. Only the compressed data is stored, and the storage area for the unprocessed image data is deleted.

If the error detection circuit (ErrorDet)
If ect) 440 detects an error signal output from the compressor 435 or the decompressor 438, the storage area of the compressed data is immediately deleted, and the unprocessed image data is stored.

Memory management unit (MCU) 455
Is a circuit unit that controls the memory unit 437 so that two input image data and one output image data can be simultaneously input to and output from the memory unit 437.

The memory management unit 455 determines whether the compression and decompression processing of the image data is possible or not at the same time as the input / output, so that the image data can be stored at a high speed and with certainty. 43
7 can be effectively used.

In this embodiment, for example, as in the case where image data for a plurality of pages is stored, electronically retrieved and immediately printed by the printer PR, the number of stored pages and the printing speed must be compatible. Ideal for use. As described above, instead of having the memory management unit 455 manage the storage area of the memory unit 437,
Two memory units, a memory unit for unprocessed image data and a memory unit for compressed image data, may be provided.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a storage device for storing image data using an external storage device.

The image data is stored in a floppy disk (FD)
To be stored in the main image processing circuit 420 shown in FIG.
EXTOUT to interface (I / F) 449
Through a floppy disk controller (FDC) 45 controlled by a file controller (FLC) 454
0, and the image data is stored in a floppy disk on a floppy disk drive (FDD) 451.

Hard Disk Controller (HDC) 4
52 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 453,
Under the control of the file controller 454, writing and reading can be performed on the storage medium of the hard disk. For example, the hard disk drive 45
No. 3 can be used in such a manner that format data and synthesized image data that are frequently used are stored, and read out and used as needed.

FIG. 19 is the first half of a flowchart for explaining the control during standby for reloading in the digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function in FIG.

After the copy mode is set in step S1, it is determined in step S2 whether the hi-fi copy key 2525 has been pressed. If the key has been pressed (Yes in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3, where the key is pressed. If not (No in step S2), the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S3, which is a process following Yes in step S2, a logical value [0] is stored in the memory M to indicate that the hi-fi copy key 2525 has been pressed, and then the process proceeds to step S5. move on.

In step S4, which is a process following No in step S2, 1 is stored in the memory M to indicate that the hi-fi copy key 2525 has not been pressed, and then the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the trial copy page designation key 2526 has been pressed. If not (No in step S5), the process proceeds to step S11, where the trial copy page designation key 2526 is pressed. If so (Yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, which is processing subsequent to Yes in step S5, it is determined whether or not the logical value [1] is stored in the memory M, and if the logical value [1] is stored in the memory M (step S6). Yes), the process proceeds to step S7, and if the logical value [1] is not stored in the memory M (No in step S6), the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S7, which is a process following “Yes” in step S6, the screen display of the operation unit 201 is shifted from the normal copy screen of FIG. 22 to the trial copy page designation screen display of FIG. 23. Proceed to processing.

In the process of step S8, it is determined whether a trial copy page has been designated. If it is determined that a trial copy page has been designated, the process proceeds to step S9. At this time, in step S9, the designated page is stored in the memory P
Is executed.

Following step S9, the process proceeds to step S10, where the designated page is stored in the memory P, and the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the operation unit 20
1 is returned to the normal copy screen of FIG.
Proceed to step 11.

In step S11, it is determined whether the trial copy start key 2502 has been pressed, and if the trial copy start key 2502 has not been pressed (N in step S11).
o) If the test copy start key 2502 is pressed (step S19)
11 (Yes), processing for proceeding to step S12 described later is executed.

FIG. 20 is a middle part of a flowchart for explaining the control during standby for reloading in digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function in FIG.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the logical value [1] is stored in the memory M. If the logical value [1] is stored in the memory M (Y in step S12)
es), the process proceeds to step S13, and if the logical value [1] is not stored in the memory M (N in step S12)
o), the process proceeds to step S17.

In the process of step S13, it is determined whether or not a document is placed on the document feeder table 100 of the automatic document feeder value (ADF) by measuring a signal from the set sensor. If it is determined that there is an original (Yes in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14.
When it is determined that there is no document on the document feeder table 100 (No in step S13), the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S14, the original on the original feed table 100 is fed onto the contact glass 59 and placed on the contact glass 59, and the scanner and the lamp are driven.
The original image is read as described above. And step S
Proceeding to the process of 15, the read image data is stored in the storage device as described above.

Subsequently, the flow advances to step S16 to determine whether or not the conveyed and read original is a specified page. If the page is not the designated page (No in step S16), the process returns to step S14 and returns to step S14 and step S15.
Is performed, and a loop process for executing step S16 is performed again. On the other hand, if the page is the designated page (Yes in step S16), the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, an image is formed in the designated copy mode, and a test copy is performed.

Subsequent to step S17, step S18
And 1 is stored in the memory T to indicate that the test copy has been performed (step S18).

FIG. 21 is a latter half of a flowchart for explaining control during standby for reloading in the digital copying apparatus A with a trial copy function in FIG.

In step S19, it is determined whether or not the normal copy key has been pressed. If it is determined that the normal copy key has not been pressed (No in step S19), the process jumps to step S1 to perform normal copy. If it is determined that the key has been pressed (Yes in step S19), the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, it is determined whether or not the logical value [1] is stored in the memory T, and if it is determined that the logical value [1] is not stored in the memory T (No in step S20). Then, the process jumps to step S24, and when it is determined that the logical value [1] is stored in the memory T (Yes in step S20), the process proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, processing for storing a logical value [0] in the memory T is executed.

Subsequently, in step S22, a process is executed in which the original is conveyed and read during execution of the test copy, and an image is formed in the designated copy mode using the stored image data.

Next, in step S23, it is determined whether or not the image formation has been completed up to the page of the current document. If it is determined that the image formation has been completed (Yes in step S23),
If it is determined in step S24 that the image formation has not been completed (No in step S23), the process returns to step S22, and a loop process for executing the process in step S22 again is performed. In step S24, normal copying is performed, and the process returns to step S1.

[0176]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a user specifies a desired original (the above-described test copy original) for which a test copy is desired, and the original until the test copy original is reached (not a test copy original). A test copy can be executed in which an original is transported using an automatic document feeder. As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus with a trial copy function, which is rich in user-friendly operability and can set an optimal image forming mode desired by a user while observing the result of the trial copy.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, a desired original (trial copy original) for which a test copy is desired is designated, and the original document up to the trial copy original is designated. The original image data of the original (non-test copy original) up to the test copy original is stored in the image storage unit at the same time as the original (non-test copy original) is conveyed, and the normal copy after execution of the test copy is performed. In this case, the copy can be executed using the document image data stored at the time of the trial copy. As a result, copying can be performed without the user's trouble in resetting the original document, and the user's labor required for the copying operation can be saved, and the desired copy can be output. This makes it possible to realize an image forming apparatus with a trial copy function that is rich in user-friendly operability.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, when a mode not using the image storage function is selected, a trial copy is executed.
An image forming apparatus with a user-friendly operability and a trial copy function capable of prohibiting the designation of a document and preventing the occurrence of a user error or a miscopy when resetting after the execution of the trial copy can be realized. become. As a result, in an image forming apparatus with a test copy function having an image storage function, a mode in which the image storage function is not used is selected, a desired original is designated, the document is transported to the desired original, and a test copy is performed. Even
It is possible to omit the resetting work by the user at the time of executing the normal copy after the execution of the test copy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of a digital copying apparatus with a trial copy function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining a writing unit in the digital copying apparatus with a test copy function of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram for explaining an optical system in a writing unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit of the entire digital copying apparatus with a test copy function shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an illustration I of the digital copying apparatus with a trial copy function shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining printer output using a PU.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating control of a scanner unit and image signal processing of the digital copying apparatus with a test copy function in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit of an image preprocessor of the digital copying apparatus with a test copy function of FIG. 1;

8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a main image processing circuit that processes image data output from an image preprocessor of the digital copying apparatus with a trial copy function shown in FIG. 1 and records the processed image data as necessary.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a flow of image data inside a main image processing circuit of the digital copying apparatus with a test copy function shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the inside of an image processing unit of the digital copying apparatus with a test copy function of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the inside of a data depth switching circuit 429.

FIG. 12 shows three data types of a digital image signal switched by the data depth switching circuit.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the inside of an image memory device of the digital copying machine with a trial copy function of FIG. 1 and its peripheral portion;

FIG. 14 shows three data types (type 1, type 2, and type 3) of image data. FIG. 14 (a) shows type 1, FIG. 14 (b) shows type 2, FIG. 3C shows Type 3.

FIG. 15 shows an internal circuit of a memory unit of the digital copying apparatus with a trial copy function shown in FIG. 1;

16 shows an embodiment of a memory device (image memory device) of the digital copying apparatus with a test copy function shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a storage device that stores image data using an external storage device.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the image memory device in which the storage processing of the image data can be completely guaranteed even when the processing speed of the compression and decompression of the image data is not enough.

19 is a first half of a flowchart for describing control during standby for reloading in the digital copying apparatus with a test copy function in FIG. 1;

20 is a middle part of a flowchart for explaining control during standby for reloading in the digital copying apparatus with a trial copy function in FIG. 1;

21 is a latter half of a flowchart for describing control during standby for reloading in the digital copying apparatus with a trial copy function in FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a display unit of an operation unit 201 of the digital copying apparatus with a trial copy function in FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is an embodiment of a trial copy page designation screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

II: Automatic document feeder (automatic document feeder) SC: Scanner section (document image reading means) 2526: Trial copy page designation key (trial copy document selecting means) A: Digital copying apparatus with trial copy function B: Control unit (Control means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] An input unit for inputting a copy processing start instruction and setting of various copy conditions; a display unit for displaying a setting status of the copy conditions; and executing a copy based on the various copy conditions. In this case, a trial copy function means for checking whether or not the transfer paper is in a desired copy state, an automatic document feeding means for transporting the original onto the contact glass, and reading the original image and reading the original image data. An image forming apparatus with a test copy function, comprising: a document image reading means for generating; a test copy document selecting means for selecting a test copy document which is a test copy document; and an image storage means for storing the document image data. The apparatus controls the automatic document feeder until the selected test copy document is reached, executes document conveyance, and executes the selected test copy document. Trial copy function with the image forming apparatus characterized by copying original is provided a control means for executing copy processing for the test copy document when conveyed. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the automatic document feeder to convey the document until the selected test copy document is obtained. 2. The image forming apparatus with a test copy function according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to execute a control of storing the image data of the conveyed document in the image storage unit. 3. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to invalidate the selection of the test copy original when a copy mode that does not use the image storage unit that stores the original image data is selected. The image forming apparatus with a test copy function according to claim 1.