JPS62139468A - Digital recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To synthesize a photography and a character image without preparing an image memory with large capacity by forming a digital copying machine unitedly with a recorder for a computer and adding a specific circuit for coupling said copying machine with the recorder. CONSTITUTION:Image data Sa read out by an image scanner 400 are sent to an image editing unit 700 and a printer control unit 800. On the other hand, a system control unit 600 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a clock circuit and code data such as time, data and ruled lines are sent from the unit 600 to the units 700, 800. Copying operation such as shift, mirroring and copy is executed by the unit 700, negative/positive inversion or the like is also executed and the positive image is sent to a laser printer 100 through a signal synthesizing circuit 900.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a digital recording device that can record a composite image of a document image read by a scanner and a character pattern sent as code information from a computer, word processor, etc.

[Prior Art] Conventionally existing digital copying machines are constructed by combining an image scanner (image reading device) that reads a 1M document image pixel by pixel and a digital printer using a laser. In the case of this type of digital copying machine, the recording unit accepts digital signals, so a personal computer,
It can also be used as a printer for recording with word processors, etc.

However, the character information handled by computers is generally code data that is associated with each character pattern in advance, and the information handled by copying machines is bit information in pixel units, so before recording, the code data must be converted into pattern data. It is necessary to convert the data and set data for each pixel of the copying machine. Therefore, it is necessary to equip computers and copying machines with image memories with large storage capacities.

By the way, in various fields, there is a desire to record images and characters on a single sheet of paper.

This type of editing has conventionally been performed by cutting and pasting multiple manuscripts. Recently, a drawing function has been added to word processors and the like, and by using this function, for example, text and graphs can be recorded on the same piece of paper. However,
The images that can be created with this type of device are limited to extremely simple images. Creating complex images is difficult because it takes a long time. If a manuscript already exists, or if you want to combine a photograph and text, you can input the image into a computer using an image scanner. However, in order to input image data read by an image scanner into a computer or the like, an image memory with a huge storage capacity is required in the computer.

For example, if all A3 size images are to be read with a resolution of 8 pixels per 1 mm, approximately 8 megabits of memory will be required.

By the way, with a digital copying machine, there are cases where it is desired to obtain a copy with information not included in the original image, such as a date on page 1, a dotted line, etc. Conventionally, many facsimile machines are equipped with a device for adding date and time to recorded images. however.

This type of device is expensive due to its complicated circuit configuration, and the number and types of information that can be added are small.

Moreover, the recording position is fixed.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention provides a digital recording device that can synthesize images such as photographs and character images without requiring a large capacity image memory in either a character code editing device such as a computer or a copying machine. The first purpose is to provide a digital recording device that adds additional information to the recorded image, such as the time, date, etc., which does not exist in original images such as photographs. Recording devices available.

A third purpose is to simplify the circuit configuration and provide it at low cost.

[Structure of the invention] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is as follows.

A digital copying machine and a computer storage device are integrated, and a special circuit is added to connect them.

That is, a digital copying machine includes a digital image reading means such as an image scanner and a digital image recording means such as a laser printer; a page memory means for storing at least one page of code data such as character codes; external interface means for receiving the code data of and storing the received data in the page memory means; data conversion means for converting the code data into pattern data such as characters; Rask signal generation means for outputting pixel data according to code data in the page memory means; and pre-registered information 9 time information.

Additional information generating means generates at least one of date information and page information as code data associated with a pattern of each information, and stores the code data in the page memory means.

According to this, after character code data edited by a word processor or the like is stored in the page memory means, an image original such as a photograph is set in the digital image reading means and scanning is started, synchronizing with the timing of scanning one image. The code data on the page memory is converted into each pixel data of the corresponding character pattern, and the image data and character pattern data are output in synchronization, so the combined image is recorded by the digital image recording means. . If the code data such as the time 9 date and the key line outputted by the additional information generating means is stored in the page memory in advance, the information such as the time 2 date, the key line, etc. will be added to the image data such as a photograph and the record will be made. It is done.

In other words, it is possible to combine image information such as photographs with text information, and it is also possible to add special information such as time and date.6 Moreover, images read by digital image reading means are recorded immediately after being read. Since the character information is stored in the page memory as code data, a large capacity image memory is not required. Since code information such as time, date, etc. can be stored at any position on the page memory, such information can be placed at any position on the recorded image, and the type of information is not particularly limited.

Other objects and features of the invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment with reference to one drawing.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a mechanical section of a digital copying machine of one type that implements the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 100 is a laser printer, 200 is an ADF (automatic document feeder)
, 300 is a sorter, and 400 is an image scanner.

The scanner 400 is equipped with a contact glass 401 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes
Exposure lamp 402. First mirror 403, second mirror 40
4. Third mirror 4051 lens 406. It is equipped with a COD image sensor 407, etc. The exposure lamp 402 and the first mirror 403 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 404 and the third mirror 405 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading the original image, make sure that the optical path length does not change.

The first and second carriages are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2:1. The scanning direction is the left-right direction in FIG. This mechanical scanning is the sub-scanning. Main scanning is CC
This is performed by solid state scanning of the D image sensor 407. The original image is read by a CCD image sensor 407, converted into an electrical signal, and processed.

The laser printer 100 is equipped with a laser writing system, a two-image reproduction system, a paper feeding system, and the like. The laser writing system is a laser writing system 101. Imaging lens 102, mirror 128
It is equipped with Inside the laser output crab knit 101,
It includes a laser light source, a modulation element, and a polygon mirror that is rotated at high speed by an electric motor.

Laser light output from the laser writing system is irradiated onto a photosensitive drum 103 provided in the image reproduction system.

Around the photoreceptor drum are a charger 104 and an eraser 105. Developing unit 106. Transfer charger 1
121 separate charger 113. A separation claw 114, a cleaning unit 120, etc. are provided.

The process of image reproduction will be briefly explained. Photosensitive drum 10
The surface of No. 3 is charged by the charger 104.

Uniformly charged to a high potential. When that surface is irradiated with laser light, the potential decreases only in the irradiated area.

Since the laser light is modulated according to the recorded image, a potential distribution corresponding to the recorded image, that is, an electrostatic latent image, is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor by irradiation with the laser light. When the portion on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed passes through the developing unit 106, toner adheres to the portion depending on the level of the potential, forming a toner 1m that visualizes the electrostatic latent image.

A recording sheet is fed into the area where the toner image is formed at a predetermined timing and overlaps the 1-toner image.

This toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet by a transfer charger 112 and separated from the photosensitive drum 103 by a one-separation charger 113.

The separated recording sheets are conveyed by a #2 conveying belt 115, thermally fixed by a fixing roller 116 having a built-in heater, and then discharged to a sorter 300. In addition,
Reference numeral 118 is a paper discharge sensor that detects when a recording sheet is discharged, and 119 is a guide plate that guides the recording paper to the sorter 300.

There are two paper feed systems. One paper feeding system is equipped with a paper feeding cassette 107, and the other paper feeding system is equipped with a paper feeding cassette 108.

The recording sheets in the paper feed cassette 107 are stored in the paper feed roller 109.
The paper is fed by Paper feeding force The recording sheet in the Cera l-108 is fed by the paper feeding roller! Paper is fed by 10. The fed recording sheet stops once in contact with the registration rollers 111, and is sent to the photosensitive drum 103 at a timing synchronized with the progress of the recording process. Although not shown, each paper feeding system is equipped with a size sensor that detects the sheet size of the cassette.

The sorter 300 is equipped with a large number of paper ejection bins (shelves) 305, any one of which is selected, and the recording sheet 1- is deposited on the selected portion. That is, the recording sheets 1 to 1 supplied from the laser printer 100 by the guide File 19 are moved to the sponge rollers 301 . The sheet is conveyed upward through the conveyance rollers 302 and the switching guide 304, changes its traveling direction before the selected sheet ejection bin, and is ejected to the selected sheet ejection bin. Note that 303 is an entrance sensor, and 306 is an interrupt 1-ray.

In order to arrange 11 recording sheets into predetermined bins, a paper conveyance path on the entrance side of each bin is provided with a discharge roller 307 and a deflection claw 308, respectively. Each deflection claw engages with a solenoid (not shown) via a spring, and is deflected by driving the solenoid. The deflection of the deflection claw 308 determines the bin into which the recording sheet is to be ejected. Reference numeral 311 is a drive unit 1- for driving rollers 301, 302, and 307 that convey the recording sheet, and includes one electric motor 3.
12 and timing belt 313. Intermediate shaft 314. Clutch shaft 315. They are connected via a timing belt 316 and the like.

Automatic document feeder 12200 will be explained. Reference numeral 201 denotes a document table on which a document is placed, 202 a paper feed roller that sends out the document on the document table, and 203 a stacked f! 204 is a carry-in roller that carries the separated documents, 205 is a conveyor belt that conveys the documents over the contact glass 101, and 206 is a lay to discharge 1. Further, 208 is a sensor that detects the separated original, and 209 is a sensor that detects the original size.

The digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1 has a recording system that can also be used as a recording device for a host device such as a computer. When connecting a host device,
A host device and a digital copying machine are connected via a reception buffer unit 500 shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, this receiving buffer unit 500
The front panel of is equipped with three connectors CNI, C:N2 and CN3 for connecting host devices.

Above each connector CNI, CN2 and CN3 is a switch SWI, respectively.

SW2 and SW3 are provided. These are three-contact type rotary switches and are used to specify the size of the recording sheet. In this example, A4. B4.
and A3 sizes can be specified. The rear panel of the reception buffer unit 500 is provided with a connector CNO for connecting this unit 500 to a digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the operation board of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, this operation board includes a number of keys Kl, 2. 3. 4a, 4b, 5. 6ill, 6b, 7. 8°K9a, 9b, 9
c, KIO, Kl 1. K12a, 12b, 13.
KA, KB, KC, KS, Kg and Kl and numerous indicators [)1. D2゜D3. D4. D5. It is equipped with...

Kl is a key for specifying the operation mode of the sorter 300, and by operating this key, one of normal mode, sort mode, and stack mode can be selected. K2 and 3 are keys for specifying the operation mode of the automatic document feeder, and the operation of 3 switches between ADF (fully automatic) mode and 5.
You can specify either ADF (anti-automatic) mode. Further, by the operation 2, one of the normal mode, uniform size mode, and automatic paper selection mode can be specified.

In the size uniformity mode, the copy magnification is automatically set according to the size of the original and paper (copy sheet) (for example, A4, 85, etc.). In automatic paper selection mode, the paper source is automatically selected according to the original size and copy magnification.

K4a and K4b are keys for adjusting the binding margin. That is, in this copying machine, it is possible to shift the correspondence between the position of the original image and the position on the copy sheet in the sub-scanning direction. In this example, the position deviation amount is -10,
Any one of five steps -5, 0, +5, and +10 (mm) can be specified.

Keys 4a and 4b are used to set binding margins for the front and back sides of the copy sheet, respectively.

K5 is a key for specifying the dimension specification variable magnification mode. In dimension specification variable magnification mode, after pressing 5 on the key (
Specify the dimensions of the original (using the numeric keypad described later), press the # key, press 5 again, specify the dimensions of the copy (using the numeric keypad), and press the # key. .

With this operation, the copy magnification is automatically set by calculating the dimensions of the original and the copy.

K6a and 6b are zoom magnification keys; by pressing K6a, the copy magnification is adjusted to increase in 1% increments, and by pressing K6b, the copy magnification is adjusted to decrease in 1% increments. Ru. However, in this example, the adjustment range of the copy magnification is limited to 50% to 200%.

K7 is a single-sided mode designation key, and each time this key is pressed, double-sided mode and single-sided mode are alternately designated. K8 is a document size specification key, and by pressing this key, A3. A4. A5. Any of the standard sizes B4, B5, and B6 can be specified in sequence. The specified document size is displayed on the display D5.

K9a, K9b, and K9e are keys for specifying any one of ten predefined copy magnifications. In this example, the copy magnification is 50,61°71.82,
87, 93, 100, 115. ．． 122 and 141 (
%) is specified. By pressing 9a on the same magnification key, no matter what magnification is set, the magnification can be returned to 100% with a single key operation. When 9b is pressed on the enlargement key, larger magnifications are selected sequentially from among the 10 types of magnification, and when 9c is pressed on the reduction key, smaller magnifications are selected sequentially from among the 10 types of magnification.

Note that, regardless of which mode the specified copy magnification is specified, the specified content is displayed as a maximum three-digit numerical value on the display ID5.

KLO is a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values, and is used for setting the number of copies and for setting dimensions in the size/magnification mode. The set value is displayed on the display Di as a maximum of two digits.

Kll is a paper key for selecting a paper feed system, and by operating this key, one of the upper cassette 107 and the lower cassette 108 is selected alternately. The distinction of the selected paper feeding system and the size of the copy sheet loaded in the cassette of each paper feeding system are displayed on the display D3.

K12a and K12b are keys for adjusting copy density. In this example, the copy density can be adjusted in 7 steps, and by pressing the key Kl 2a, the density increases one step at a time in the dark direction. ! By pressing key 12b, the density is adjusted one step at a time in the lighter direction. The set copy density is displayed on the display D2.

K13 is a preheating key, KC is a clear and stop key that instructs to clear the numerical value entered with the numeric keypad KIO and stop the operation after the copy operation has started, KS is a print start key that instructs to start the copy operation, and KI is an interrupt key. .

'Key KA on the left side of the operation board is used to specify the edit mode, and key KB is used to specify overlay print. In other words, there are four key KBs.

Each page is assigned a time, a date, two pages, and a designation of whether or not to record a key line. When an image scanner 400 reads an original image and performs a normal copying operation, if overlay printing is specified, the specified information is added to the original image and recorded. That is, the time, date, etc. are automatically recorded on the copy.

FIG. 4 shows the electrical circuit configuration of the entire system including the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1 and the reception buffer unit 500 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, the system includes a laser printer 100. Automatic document feeding! 200. Sorter 3
00. Image scanner 400. Receive buffer unit 500. System control unit 286001 Image editing unit 700° Printer control unit 800. A signal synthesis circuit 900, an operation board 1000, etc. are provided. Each connector CNI of the reception buffer unit 500.

Personal computers Pct, PC2 and PO2 are connected to CN2 and CN3, respectively.

FIG. 5a shows the configuration of the system control unit 600. Referring to FIG. 5a, this unit 600 includes a microprocessor 610. Read-only memory (RO
M)620. Read/write memory (RAM) 630. R total times N640. Input/output ports (Ilo) 650, 660 and 670 are provided. A battery 641 is connected to the power line of the clock circuit 640 for backup in the event of a power outage. Clock circuit 640 performs time and date counting. The time and date are preset when the device is first used. The clock circuit 640 is connected to the system bus of the system control unit 600, and the microprocessor 610 reads the contents of a predetermined memory address.

You can refer to time and date information at any time. The operating program and various fixed information of the microprocessor 610 are
It is stored in the read-only memory 620 in advance.

FIG. 5b shows the configuration of the laser writing unit of the laser printer 100. Referring to Figure 5b, this unit includes a write control unit 191. Shi-The Driver 192
．． Laser oscillator 193. Acoustic-optical (AO) modulation element 1
94. Modulator 195° Motor Control Unit 196. fl
! lUpper air 197° polygon mirror 198. It is equipped with a beam sensor 199, etc.

The write control unit modulates the modulation element 194 in accordance with a recording signal applied from the outside at a timing synchronized with the rotation of the polygon mirror 198. A synchronization signal in the main scanning direction is obtained from a beam sensor 199 that detects a laser beam emitted from a polygon mirror 198.

FIG. 5c shows the configuration of the image scanner 400. Referring to FIG. 5c, this device 400 includes a photoelectric conversion unit 41O2 signal processing unit 420, a timing control circuit 4302, an oscillator 440, a lamp control circuit 450.
Scanner control unit 460. A scanning motor control unit 4702, position sensor 480, and so on are provided.

The photoelectric conversion unit 410 includes two CCD image sensors 411 and 412 (same as 407) and amplifiers 413 and 414 that amplify the electrical signals obtained from each image sensor. The signal processing unit 420 includes a background removal circuit 421, a density setting circuit 422. A/D(
An analog/digital) converter 423 and a memory 424 are provided.

The general operation of the image scanner 400 will be explained.

An oscillator 440 outputs a clock pulse that serves as a reference for scan timing. When scanning starts, the timing control circuit 430 gives a main scanning synchronizing pulse to the CCD image sensors 411 and 412 to instruct them to read a signal for 1942 minutes, and gives a clock pulse. The CCD image sensor sequentially outputs data of each pixel of each scanning line one pixel at a time as serial data in synchronization with a clock pulse. When data reading for l lines is completed,
The main scanning synchronizing pulse is output again and the above operation is repeated.

The signal line S41 outputs the result of processing the output signal of the CCD image sensor and converting it into a binary signal, that is, image data. A main scanning synchronization pulse and a clock pulse are output to the signal line S42. When reading a document image, the exposure lamp 451 (same as 402) is turned on, and the electric motor 471 is driven to mechanically scan the optical scanning system.

A rotary encoder 472 is coupled to the drive shaft of electric motor 471 for sensing scanning position and speed. 480 is used to detect the home position in the sub-scanning direction.

Two types of start signals are applied to the signal line S61. When one of the start signals is applied, the exposure lamp 451 is turned on to perform mechanical sub-scanning and output one image signal and a scanning signal.

When another start signal is applied, the exposure lamp 451 is turned off and no mechanical scanning is performed.

Only the scanning signal is output to the signal line S42.

FIG. 5d shows the configuration of the image reproduction system of the laser printer 100. Referring to FIG. 5d, this apparatus is equipped with an image reproduction system control unit 110, and a Unison +-11
0, high voltage power supply unit 120, paper feed control unit 13
0. Heater control unit 140. Motor driver 150
．． Solenoid driver 160. Relay driver 170.
A signal processing circuit 180 and the like are connected thereto.

The high voltage power supply unit 120 includes a charger.

Transfer charger, separation charger and developing bias ff
The i-koshiki is connected. A paper feed system electric motor is connected to the paper feed control unit. Heater control unit 1
40 is connected to a fixing heater and a thermistor for detecting its temperature.

The image editing unit 700 shown in FIG. 4 is roughly divided into two circuits. One is a buffer circuit, which has the configuration shown in FIG. 5e. The other is a masking, negative/positive inverting circuit, and has the configuration shown in FIG. 5f.

First, the 5th e[i! The circuit of i will be explained. This circuit is.

Functionally, editing operations such as shifting, mirroring, and copying are possible. ° For example, if a shift operation of −a is performed in the X direction (main scanning direction) on a document as shown in FIG. 8a, the recorded image shown in FIG. 8b will be obtained, and +b in the X direction.
When the shift operation is performed, a recorded image shown in FIG. 8C is obtained. Furthermore, when a mirroring operation is performed, a recorded image whose direction is reversed with respect to the X direction is obtained, as shown in FIG. 8d. Furthermore, for the 8th e@ original image, gmu
Shift part of the i image by Ds in the X direction.

When it is copied onto the original image, the recorded image shown in FIG. 8f is obtained.

The output signal (S41) of the image scanner 400 is applied to the signal input terminal of the circuit shown in FIG. 5e. This circuit stores two lines of image data for main scanning.
Two read/write memories 710 and 720 are provided.

These two memories 710 and 720 are one in two, and when one writes input data, the other reads stored data.

These two memories are controlled so that inserting operation and reading operation are alternately performed for each main scanning line. Address line switching is performed by multiplexers 702 and 703.

Data line switching is performed by multiplexer 704. The switching signal is generated by a flip-flop 701 whose state is inverted every time a main scanning synchronization pulse (S42b) from the image scanner appears.

The counter 705 generates write addresses for the memories 710 and 720. This counter 705 is cleared to O by the main scanning synchronization pulse (S42b) and counts clock pulses (S42a). Therefore.

A value corresponding to the pixel position of the current data (S41) in the main scanning direction appears at the output terminal of the counter 705.

Reference numeral 730 denotes an operation table that determines the contents of one editing operation, and is composed of a read/write memory. This operation table 730 includes three types of information DTI.

Multiple sets of DT2 and DT3 can be stored. One piece of information D
TI is a switching address. This corresponds to the switching position of the editing area in the main scanning direction.

For example, if you want to perform an In operation on an area in the X-direction position of X1 to X2 on the original image, the value of Xl and the value of X2 are set sequentially (to different memory addresses) as the switching address DTI. set.

The X-direction address output by the counter 705 is applied to the input terminal A of the digital comparator rI 708, and the switching address DTI of the operation table 730 is applied to the input terminal B of the comparator 708. Therefore, when the scanning address matches the switching address DTI stored in the operation table 730 in advance, a match signal is output from the comparator 708. This coincidence signal includes the counting pulse of counter 707, the rotor (preset) pulse of counter 706 and the flip-flop 70.
It is used as a clock pulse of 9.

Therefore, the count value of counter 707 is incremented (+1) each time a match signal appears. This count value is
It is applied to the address terminal of the operation table 730 via the multiplexer 711.

In other words, the counter 707 operates as an address pointer for the operation table 730, and switches all referenced data sets (DTI, Sr1, 5T3) every time the scanning address reaches the switching address set so far. For example, as the switching address DT1, Xi, X2. X3...
If ・ is set to the specific address in sequence,
When the scanning address reaches Xl, data X2 at the next address is output from the operation table 730 as the switching address DTI. Then, at the same time as the switching address DTI is updated, other editing information DT2 and DT3 are also updated.

The read address for the memories 720 and 710 is generated by the counter 706. This counter 706 is similar to the write address counter 705.

Main scanning clock pulses (S42a) are counted, and counting data can be preset, and up-counting/down-counting can also be switched. To the preset data input terminal,
Information DT2 output from the operation table 730 is applied. In other words, the information DT2 is.

This is the counting start address of the counter 706. counter 7
Since the count value 06 is the readout address of the memories 720 and 710, the information DT2 can also be said to be the readout start address of the image data.

When the scanning address reaches the switching address DTI.

The comparator 708 outputs a match signal, and due to this match (fli), the read start address DT2 is set to the counter 70.
Preset to G.

Further, the information DT3 is applied to the data terminal of the flip-flop 709, and this data is latched into the flip-flop 709 by the coincidence signal. The data output by flip-flop 709 is applied to up/down control terminal U/D of counter 706. Therefore, if the information DT3 is "0", the counter 706 operates as an up counter, and if the information DT3 is rlJ, the counter 706 operates as a down counter.

As described above, the memories 710 and 720 switch between the write operation and the read operation for each line of main scanning, so if, for example, the memory 720 is in the read mode at a certain timing, the memory 720 at that time will have the Image data for one line before the scanning position is stored in forward order for one line.

Therefore, if the same value as the main scanning address of the image scanner 400 is given as the address of the read-side memory 720, the image data output by the image scanner 400 will be delayed by one main scanning line and will be in the same form as the original. and is output to signal line 871.

The above-described editing operation is performed by giving a value different from the scanning address of the image scanner 400 as the address of the memory 720 on the read side. That is, if D-a in FIG. 8b is set as the switching address DTI and D in FIG. 8a is given as the readout start address DT2, image shift 1- is performed as shown in FIG. 8b, and the switching address DTl If D+b in FIG. 8c is given as the cell 1 and D in FIG. 8a is given as the reading start address DT2, the image is shifted as shown in FIG. 8c.

Also, set 0 as the switching address DTI.

If the maximum value of the g-stripe width is set to the read start address DT2 and "1" is set to the information DT3.

Since the read address changes in the opposite direction I, data is read in the direction opposite to the image reading direction (main scanning) of the image scanner 400, and a mirroring operation as shown in FIG. 8d is realized.

Further, a copy operation as shown in FIG. 8f is also possible.

In that case, it is sufficient to set the two positions indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 8f as the switching address DTI, respectively, and set the read start address DT2 so that the shift operation of the width Ds shown in Fig. 8f is performed. .

The data in the operation table can be arbitrarily rewritten by the control device 740. While reading data from the operation table 730, the multiplexer 711 is set to select the output of the counter 707, but when rewriting the contents of the operation table 730, the multiplexer 711 is switched to select the output address of the control unit [1!740. It is applied to the address terminal of the operation table 730. If the contents of the operation table 730 are not rewritten, the images of all main scanning lines will be used repeatedly, and the same editing process will be performed on the data of all scanning lines. Editing operations related to the sub-scanning direction can also be performed by rewriting the contents.

Next, the circuit shown in FIG. 5f will be explained. Functionally speaking, this circuit performs masking and negative/positive inversion operations. That is, if we mask the other areas with the X-direction values [P1 to P2 shown in FIG. 8g] for the original shown in FIG. 8e, we can obtain the recorded image shown in FIG. If the area of the X direction values [P3 to P4 shown in FIG. 8h is masked for the original document, the recorded image shown in FIG. 8h is obtained. When negative/positive inversion is performed, black pixels and white pixels in one image are swapped.

The output signal (S71) of the circuit shown in FIG. 5e is applied to the input terminal of the circuit shown in FIG. 5f. This circuit has a fifth
Operation table 75 for gi collection similar to the circuit in figure e
0 is provided. The counter 751 counts the scan addresses of the image scanner 400 to generate scan position information. Counter 754 counts the match signals obtained from comparison rI 755 and operates as an address pointer for operation table 750.

This operation table 750 includes three types of information DT4, D
Multiple sets of T5 and DTG can be stored. Information DT4 is a switching address of this editing circuit similar to the switching address DTI. Information DT5 is a flag that determines whether or not masking is specified.

Information DT6 is a flag that determines whether negative/positive reversal is specified.

When the scan address reaches the switching address and comparator 755 outputs a match signal, flags DT5 and DTG are set to flip-flops 756 and 75, respectively.
It is latched to 7. If the flag DT5 is "1", the input image data is output as is;
When is "0", the output of the AND gate 752 is always "0" regardless of the input image data, and the image in that area is masked and does not appear in the output.

For example, in order to obtain the recorded image shown in FIG. 8g, the switching address DT4 must be set to 0. Set Pl and P2.

It is sufficient to set masking flags DT5 corresponding to each of these to "ro", "rL" and "0".

If the flag DT6 is "0", the output data of the AND gate 752 passes through the exclusive OR gate 753 as it is, but if the flag DT6 is "1", the output data of the AND gate 752 passes through the exclusive OR gate 753 as is.
Data obtained by inverting 110 of the output data of -752 is output from the gate 753. Therefore, flag DT6 is r
A negative image, which is an inverted version of the original image, can be recorded by setting the original image to IJ.

The timing chart shown in FIG.
and DTG are set to 3, 1, and 0, and DT4. Set DT5 and DTG to 8, 0 and 1,
DT4 of the third group. 20. to DT5 and DTG. ! This shows the operation when 0 is set. Note that the signal STB is a coincidence signal output from the comparator 755.

The configuration of the reception data buffer unit 500 shown in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 5h. Referring to FIG. 5h, buffer memories 530, 540, and 550 are connected to each connector CNI, CN2, and CN3, respectively. . These memories are FIF○ (first-in-first-out) memories, which in this example store a predetermined amount of 8-bit parallel data.

Memories 530, 540, and 550 and switches SWI, SW2, and SW3 located near each connector are connected to page analyzer 520. The page analyzer 520 is provided with the following information via the interface circuit 510:
Connector CNO is connected. Connector CNI, C
N2 and CN3 can be connected to hosts 1 to devices having interfaces based on the Centronics printer standard. The interface circuit 510 performs R8232C, iE rated signal transmission control.

A schematic operation of page analyzer 520 is shown in FIG. 7b. See Figure 7b. This page analyzer 520 includes channel 1 (CHI) corresponding to connector CNI,
Channel 2 (CH2) corresponding to connector CN2 and channel 3 (CH3) corresponding to connector CN3 are sequentially monitored and data processing is performed under time-sharing control.

Yuzu explains the data processing of channel 1, memory 5
30 to determine whether there is received data. If it is empty, processing of channel 1 is ended and processing of channel 2 is proceeded to. If there is received data, first input switch SWI information, and based on the result, determine the number of rows and columns (maximum values) in which characters are arranged per page.

That is, each switch SWI, SW2, and SW3.

Because it corresponds to the recording sheet size of each channel.

The number of horizontal and vertical characters that can be recorded on it is determined from its size.

Next, output the code assigned in advance to channel l,
Subsequently, a paper size code corresponding to the setting of switch SWI is output (for 510).

Next, 1 byte of data is read from the memory 530 of channel 1, and it is checked whether the data is a special code other than a character code.If it is a 1 paper size code, the number of rows and columns determined in step 5I03 is updated. , if it is a line feed code, perform line feed processing. That is, the value of the column counter that counts the number of characters in each column is cleared to O, and the value of the row counter is incremented. If it is a page break code, perform page break processing. That is, the column counter and row counter are cleared to O.

In the case of a normal character code, the one column counter is incremented (+1). However, the column counter is step S! 0
If the number of columns becomes larger than the maximum number determined in step 3, change it to O.
and increment the row counter. If the line counter becomes larger than the maximum number of lines, the line counter is cleared to O.

Then, the received data is transferred to the interface unit h.
510 until the reception of one page of data is completed or there is no more data in the memory 530.

This process will be undone.

CH2 data processing in step 5115 and step 51
The content of CH3 data processing in No. 16 is that the channels to be controlled are changed to CH2 and CH3.

The content is similar to the above CHI data processing.

Therefore, this reception data buffer 500 receives data from three systems of host devices, adds each channel code and the paper size code of that channel to character information, and transmits it to the printer control unit 800. In addition,
As can be seen from Figure 7b, when the host equipment sends a paper size code, the signal is sent to switch SWI,
It has priority over the paper size information of SW2 and SW3.

FIG. 51 shows a printer control unit 800 shown in FIG.
Referring to FIG. 51, which schematically shows the configuration of the unit, this unit includes interface circuits 810, 820, . Command emulator 830° Page memory 840. Character generator 850, rasterizer 860. A multiplexer 880, etc. are provided.

Interface circuit 810 is connected to system control unit 6
00 signal line sh, and the interface circuit 820 is connected to the signal line Si of the reception data buffer unit 500. Command emulator 830 receives information sent from system control unit 600 via interface circuit 810, and performs processing according to the received data. In addition, the interface circuit 82
0 from the receive data buffer unit 500, and performs processing according to the received data.

Page memory 840 is a read/write memory.

Code data indicating each character such as a letter is stored.

In this example, a storage area for four pages is provided. On page 0 of page memory 840, system control unit 600
The character codes sent from the data buffer are stored, and the data received on channels 1, 2, and 3 of the reception data buffer are stored in the first, second, and third pages, respectively.

The character generator 850 is a read-only memory in which pattern data of character patterns associated with each code data is stored in advance. A data output terminal D○ of the page memory 840 is connected to a character code designation address terminal of the character generator 850.

The rasterizer 860 is a circuit that outputs image data corresponding to the character code group stored in the page memory 840 in the form of a raster signal in the same format as the signal output by the image scanner 400. In order to synchronize this output signal with the image scanner 400, the rasterizer 860 uses a synchronization signal (842) output from the image scanner 400.
is used.

FIG. 5j shows the circuit configuration of the rasterizer 860. Referring to FIG. 5j, this circuit includes counters 861 and 860.
62,865,866, digital comparator 863,864
．． A shift register 869 and the like are provided. Counters 861 and 862 are.

The number of pixels in the vertical direction and the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the pixel matrix constituting each character pattern are counted.

From the command emulator 830, the input terminal A of the comparison r1863 and the input terminal B of the comparator 864 are
The number Nv of pixels in the vertical direction and the number Nh of pixels in the horizontal direction of the matrix constituting one character pattern are set. Therefore,
In one line of each main scan, a match signal is output from the comparison f1864 for every Nh pixels. This match signal is counted by counter 866.

Therefore, the value output by counter 866 corresponds to the horizontal character position on the memory that constitutes one page.

In addition, a coincidence signal is output from the comparator 863 for each Nv main scanning lines. This coincidence signal is sent to the counter 86
It is counted as 5. Therefore, the value output by the counter 865 corresponds to the vertical character position on the memory that constitutes one page.

The count values of counters 865 and 866 are applied to address terminals of page memory 840 via multiplexer 880. Therefore, when the matrix position of each character is designated according to the scanning position of the image scanner 400, the character code existing at that position is read out from the page memory 840.

Character code data read from page memory 840 is converted by character generator 850 into each pixel data of a character pattern. The output data of the counter 861 and the output data of the counter 862 are applied to the scanning address terminal of the character generator 850 . Character generator 850 outputs one line of pixel data constituting each character in parallel. This pixel data is applied to the parallel input terminal of shift register 869. The shift register 869 synchronizes the set parallel data with the clock pulse (S42a).
One pixel at a time is sequentially output to the signal line S81. Therefore,
A raster signal in the same format as the image data output by the image scanner 400 and synchronized with the image data is output to the signal line S81.

FIG. 7c shows a schematic operation of the command emulator 830. This will be explained with reference to FIG. 7c. First, check whether printing is in progress. That is, in the print mode, data is read from the page memory 840 in synchronization with the scanning signal of the image scanner, so the command emulator 830 cannot access the page memory 840 at that time. If a print operation is in progress, wait until the print operation is finished. If printing is not in progress, set the data storage mode. That is, by switching the multiplexer 880, the command emulator 830
Set it so that it can be accessed.

Next, it is checked whether there is a reception request from the interface circuit 810. If there is a reception request, a busy signal (BUSY) is output to the interface circuit 820 to prohibit the reception data buffer unit 500 from transmitting data. and.

Data transmitted by the system control unit 600 is received via the interface circuit 820 .

Check the data and it is print star 1-
If the command code is indicative of , the print mode is set. If it is not a print start code,
The received data is stored at a predetermined address in page memory 840. Note that in this case, the Oth page of page memory 840 is selected. When data storage is completed, the busy signal of the interface circuit 820 is released.

If there is no reception request from the interface circuit 810, the presence or absence of a reception request from the interface circuit 820 is checked. If there is a reception request, the interface circuit 8
10 and outputs a busy signal to the system control unit 60.
Prohibits transmission of 0 data. Data is then received from the interface circuit 820. It judges the received data and performs processing according to the result.

That is, if the received data is a channel code, a page of page memory 840 is selected according to the code. For example, if a code indicating channel 2 appears, memory 8
40 page selections to page 2 cents. When a channel code, paper size code and print start code appear, these code data are sent to the system control unit 6 via the interface circuit 810.
゜Send to O.

For other code data, the received data is stored in a preselected page of page memory 840. Then, the busy signal of the interface circuit 810 is released.

That is, data sent from the system control unit 600 is stored in page 0 of the page memory 840, and data sent from the receive data buffer unit 5oo is stored in the system control unit l-6 if it is a control code.
00, and if it is a character code etc., it is stored in a predetermined page of the page memory 840.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic operation of the system control unit 600. The operation of the entire system will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the power is turned on, initial settings are performed first, and then the process proceeds to standby processing. In the standby process, various processes such as laser printer control, sorter control, key manual processing 2 display process, and unit 800 control are sequentially executed, and the process is repeated until the laser printer becomes operational. When it becomes operational, it checks whether there is a start instruction. When a start instruction is given, the printing operation is started.

First, it is determined whether the mode is image print mode.

When reading a document with image scanner 400, it is set to image print mode. In that case, a normal scanner start signal is given to the image scanner 400.

When an image is not to be printed, a scanning signal start signal is given to the image scanner 400. When outputting this signal, the image scanner 400 simply outputs only the scanning signal without performing mechanical scanning or image reading.

Next, processes such as laser printer control, sorter control, collection unit control, etc. are performed in sequence, and the above processes are repeated until the recording process for one page is completed.

When the printing operation is completed, the page counter is incremented (+l)L and the process returns to standby processing.

FIG. 7a shows a unit 80 shown in step S6 of FIG.
0 control processing is shown. In this process.

First, determine whether it is in overlay mode. If various types of overlay printing are designated in advance by the key switch KB shown in FIG. 3, processing is performed accordingly. That is, first, the time data and date data output by the clock circuit 640 are read, the value of the page counter is read, and then the key line and other additional record data contained in the memories 620 and 630 are read.

Since the time data, date data, and page counter data are numerical values, character codes corresponding to character strings representing the numerical values are generated. Check whether the interface M810 is receivable, and if so, step 5302
, 5303, 5304, and 5305, ie, overlay data, are sequentially transmitted one byte at a time to the printer control unit 800. After transmitting all overlay data, set the data set flag to "1".

Next, the presence or absence of a start instruction is checked. When there is a start instruction, the interface circuit 810 is ready (
READV) and interface circuit 8.
A start command is sent to 10.

The overlay data sent by the system control unit 600 is stored in the page memory 84 of the printer control unit 800.
It is stored on page 0 of 0.

Note that when data is sent from the printer control unit 80o, processing is performed according to the data. This type of data is the channel code, paper size code and print start code, as can be seen in Figure 7c.

In the case of print 1-start code, it is regarded as a start instruction and the printing operation is started.

In the case of a channel code, the sorter's discharge bin designation is set to the number indicated by the code.

In the case of a paper size code, the paper is set so as to select a paper feed system in which paper of a size matching the paper size indicated by the code is set. For example, if the paper size code corresponds to A4 size,
When B5 and A4 size paper are set in the 07 and lower paper feed cassettes 108, respectively, the lower paper feed system is automatically selected.

In the sorter control in steps S3 and 813 shown in FIG. 6, the sorter 300 is controlled to select the paper discharge bin selected according to the channel code. In this example, each channel 1.2 and 3 is connected to a respective output bin 30.
The first, second, and third bins from the top of 5 are assigned.

Therefore, when recording based on the output of the personal computer PCI connected to channel 1, the paper feed system that matches the paper size set in channel 1 is automatically selected, and the sorter is Automatically select paper bins. When recording based on the output of the personal computer PC2 connected to channel 2, the paper feed system that matches the paper size set in channel 2 is automatically selected, and the sorter is placed in the second stage from the top. automatically selects the paper output bin. Additionally, when recording based on the output of the personal computer PC3 connected to channel 3, the paper feed system that matches the paper size set in channel 3 is automatically selected, and the sorter is Automatically selects the third stage paper feed system.

The system control unit 600 switches the recording operation mode according to the editing mode selected in the key manual processing in step s4. If Overlay Print 1~mode is specified, the overlay data stored in page 0 of page memory 840 is output at the same time as the image scanner reads the document as described above.

Overlay print 1 - When mode is not specified, host LQIi2 is sent via receive data buffer 500.
Character information (page 1) on page memory 840 input from
．． 2 or 3) and the image data from the image scanner 400 can be combined and recorded. In this operation mode, after the character data to be recorded is stored in the page memory 840, a start instruction from the operation board toooo or a start instruction from the host device connected to a predetermined channel of the reception data buffer unit 500 causes the Original reading and scanning by the image scanner 400.

Raster data is output from the printer control unit 800 in synchronization with this.

In other words, image data of a document such as a photograph and data such as characters can be combined and printed. In this example, there are two types of composite print modes. The mode switching is performed by controlling the signal synthesizing circuit 900 shown in FIG.

The result of performing a logical operation on the image data output by the image W collection unit 700 and the character data output by the printer control unit I-800 is output to the laser printer 100. In
The signal synthesis circuit 900 includes an OR gate 9 as a PR calculation means.
01 and an exclusive OR gate 902, and a changeover switch 903 selectively connects the output of either gate to the laser printer L00. When gate 901 is selected, the logical sum of the image data and character data is output, and when gate 1-902 is selected, the exclusive logical sum of the image data and character data is output. If the former is selected, image information and character information are simply recorded in an overlapping manner. If you choose the latter, the number of black pixels will be 2.
In a portion where two pixels overlap, the pixel is inverted to a white pixel, so even in a portion where two pixels overlap, both the original image information and character information can be identified. This mode can be used when determining the position of images to be collected.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a recording sheet PAP edited and recorded using the system shown in FIG. In this example, 1 image information PT
2, and overlay information PTI and PT3 (key line) are recorded on the same recording sheet. This is done in - times of recording operations.

In the above embodiment, one of the overlay information output by the system control unit and the character information output by the host i & [ is configured to be combined with image data, but both the overlay information and character information are combined with image data. A configuration is also possible. For example, overlay information and character information may be stored on the same page of page memory. In addition, the circuit configuration was changed, and a page memory, a character generator, and a rasterizer were each provided at tL2, and one was assigned to overlay information and the other was assigned to character information, and the outputs of these two sets were synthesized by a logical operation circuit. It's okay.

Further, as an application of the above embodiment, the following usage method can be considered. In other words, if the recording paper of a laser printer is one wide roll paper, a smaller size Mm
When recording multiple copies from ORG, use the copy function in W collection mode to simultaneously record multiple images (four in this example) at different horizontal positions on the recording paper, as shown in Figure 9. However, by cutting it with a slitter, a large number of copies can be obtained at once, which substantially increases the copying speed.

FIG. il1 shows a modification of the reception data buffer unit 500. Referring to FIG. 11, in this example, a printer emulator and a page analyzer are connected to each channel, and the output of the page analyzer is connected to a buffer memory 567. Buffer memory 567 is connected to interface circuit 569 via device selector 568.

Each printer emulator analyzes the received code according to the pre-specified printer code or protocol,
Convert it to the code that the main printer controller has. This printer emulator extracts page format, font, and size codes from the received code information and reports them to the page analyzer. The page analyzer adds a paper size code and a channel code and sends the received code data to the page buffer memory 567. The device selector 568 checks the inside of the page buffer memory, and if there is a data group of a channel containing one page's worth of data, the device selector 568 sends the data of the page where the data group exists via the interface unit 569. Output.

[Effects] As described above, according to the present invention, one recording device can be used as a recording device of a copying machine and a recording device of a host device such as a computer, and information from both can be combined to create one recording sheet 1 to 1. can be recorded.

In addition, it is possible to record information such as time, date, and lines added to one image, and there is no need for a large-capacity image memory for storing one image data in either the recording device or the host device. ,

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the internal mechanism of a copying machine portion of a recording system implementing the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the receive data buffer unit 500. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the operation board of the device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including the device in FIG. 1 and the device in FIG. 2. Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5h and 51 respectively show the system control unit, laser unit, image scanner, image reproduction unit, reception data buffer unit and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer control unit. 5e and 5f are block diagrams showing the configuration of the image editing unit 700. FIG. 5g is a timing chart 1- showing an example of the operation of the circuit of FIG. 5f. 5j@ is a block diagram showing the configuration of the rasterizer 860. FIGS. 6 and 7a are flowcharts showing the general operation of the system control unit. FIG. 7b is a flowchart showing the general operation of the page analyzer. FIG. 7c is a brooch yard showing the general operation of the command emulator. Figure 8a, Figure 8b, Figure 8c, Figure 8d, Figure 8e,
FIGS. 8f, 8g, and 8h are plan views showing images on a document and a recording sheet when one editing operation is performed. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a document and a recording sheet in one modification. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of an image on a sheet recorded by the apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a modification of the reception data buffer unit. 100: Laser printer (digital image recording means) 20
0: Automatic document feeder 300: Sorter 400: Image scanner (digital image reading means) 5
00: Reception data batzer unit (external interface means) 520: Page analyzer 530, 540, 550: Memory 600 System control unit (additional information generation means) 6
40: Clock circuit 700: Image editing unit 1-730.750: Operation table 800: Printer control unit 810.820: Interface circuit 830: Command emulator 840: Page memory (page memory means) 850: Character generator (data conversion means) 860: Rasterizer (raster signal generation means) 900: Signal synthesis circuit 1000: Operation board

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) Digital image reading means that scans a document image to read image information and outputs data for each pixel of the image; records on a predetermined recording medium pixel by pixel according to the applied digital information; digital image recording means; page memory means having a storage area for at least one recording medium and storing applied code data; receiving external data and storing the data in the page memory means; at least one external interface means for storing; data conversion means for converting code data into a group of pixel data of a pattern preassigned to the code; Raster signal generation means for outputting pixel data according to code data in the means; and a code that associates at least one of pre-registered information, time information, date information, and page information with a pattern of each information. A digital recording device, comprising: additional information generation means for generating code data as data and storing the code data in the page memory means. (2) The digital image recording means includes a signal synthesizing means for outputting a result of performing a logical operation on the signal from the digital image reading means and the signal from the raster signal generating means. 1) The digital recording device described in item 1). (3) The signal synthesis means includes a plurality of types of logical operation means, and selectively uses any one of the logical operation means.
A digital recording device according to claim (2). (4) The page memory means has a storage area for a plurality of pages, stores data from the external interface means in a first page area, and stores data from the additional information generating means in a second page area. A digital recording device according to claim (1), (2) or (3), which stores: