JP2002142098A - Image forming device, and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that corrects a position deviation of an optical system in a scanning direction so as to automatically generate an image without distortion and simplifies the position deviation adjustment so as to enhance the job efficiency. SOLUTION: Received image information is stored corresponding to coordinates of a main scanning direction Y equivalent in a read width direction of the image and of a sub scanning direction X orthogonal to the direction Y, referencing the coordinates in the main scanning direction Y and the sub scanning direction X corresponding to the stored image information calculates a tilt in the image information and controlling the read address of the image information stored in an image memory 302 on the basis of the calculated tilt of the image information corrects an offset of the coordinate of the image information.

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 such as a facsimile for reading a document image using a document scanning optical system and outputting an image signal, a copying machine or a printer for forming a latent image using a laser beam, and an image forming apparatus. It relates to a forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, an overall configuration of a digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 8, an apparatus main body A of an image forming apparatus is shown.
Has a scanner section B as an image reading means for reading image information of the image surface of the book document at the upper part thereof, and a sheet deck D at the lower part thereof.

The scanner section B includes a scanning system light source 201, a document table glass (platen glass) 202, a document pressure plate 203 that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body A, and a scanning mirror 20.
4, lens 205, and light receiving element (photoelectric conversion element) 2
06, an image processing unit 300 having an image memory 302, and the like.

A book original such as a book, thick paper, or curled paper, a sheet original, or the like is placed on the original platen glass 202 with the original side facing down, and the back side is pressed by the original pressing plate 203 and set in a stationary state. .

When the reading start key is pressed, the scanning system light source 201 scans the lower part of the original table glass 202 in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 8 to read image information on the original surface. The image information of the document read by the scanning light source 201 is processed by the image processing unit 300, converted into an electric signal, and transmitted to the laser scanner 111.

On the other hand, a sheet cassette 208 is mounted below the image forming section C.
Are two lower cassettes 208a and upper cassettes 208b, which are configured as one feeding unit. Here, three feeding units U1, U2 and U3 are mounted,
Six cassettes are configured.

The upper feed unit U1 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body A, and the lower two feed units U2 and U3 are detachably attached to the sheet deck D. Reference numeral 209 denotes a heat exhaust fan that exhausts the heated air inside the apparatus main body to the outside of the main body.

The transfer paper 290 stored in the cassettes 208a and 208b is fed out by a pickup roller 103 serving as a feeding rotating body as will be described later, and one sheet is formed by the cooperation of a feed roller 104 and a retard roller 105. After being separated and fed one by one, the transport rollers 107, 1
08, is guided to a registration roller 106, and is fed to the image forming section C by the roller 106 in synchronization with the image forming operation.

The image forming section C includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 112, an image writing mirror 113, a developing device 114, a transfer charger 115 and the like. 11
Reference numeral 7 denotes a transport belt that transports the transfer paper 290 on which toner has been formed. 118 is a fixing device, and 119 is a discharge roller.

Then, a laser beam corresponding to image information emitted from the laser scanner 111 is scanned on the surface of the photosensitive drum 112 uniformly charged by the transfer charger 115 by the image writing mirror 113 to form a latent image. Then, a toner image is formed on the latent image by the developing device 114, and the photosensitive drum 11 is formed by the registration roller 106.
The toner image is transferred to the first surface of the sheet by the transfer charger 115 on the transfer paper 290 conveyed in synchronization with the rotation of the second sheet.

The transfer paper 290 on which the toner image is formed is
The sheet is conveyed to the fixing device 118 by the conveying belt 117,
After being heated and pressed to fix the toner image on the transfer paper surface, the toner image is discharged and stacked by a discharge roller 119 on a sorter 120 disposed outside the apparatus.

When recording images on both sides of the transfer paper 290, the transfer paper 29 discharged from the fixing device 118 is used.
0 is pinched by the discharge roller 119, and when the rear end of the transfer paper 290 passes through the branch point 207, the discharge roller 119 reverses and is once placed on the sheet double-sided tray 121, and then conveyed by the transport rollers 104 and 105. The transfer paper 290 reaches the registration roller 106, and after an image is formed on the second surface in the same manner as described above, the transfer paper 290 is discharged and stacked on the sorter 120.

The direction in which the original scanning optical system 10 (scanning mirror 204) constituting the scanner unit B moves with respect to the original set on the original platen glass 202, that is,
The paper transport direction on the transfer paper 290 will be referred to as a sub-scanning direction X, and a direction orthogonal to this direction will be referred to as a main scanning direction Y.

[0015]

In the digital copying machine described above, as shown in FIG. 9, the output image on the transfer paper 290 may be inclined with respect to the main scanning direction Y in the sub-scanning direction X by the inclination angle θ. is there. This inclination angle θ is called “right angle shift”.

The cause of the right angle deviation is as follows.

1. In the original scanning optical system 10, the line sensor as the light receiving element 206 is inclined with respect to the original platen glass 202 with respect to the main scanning direction Y.

2. In the original scanning optical system 10, a scanning mirror unit 10a including a scanning light source 201 and a mirror 204, and a scanning mirror unit 1 including a mirror 204.
0b is inclined in the sub-scanning direction X.

3. In the original scanning optical system 10, the parallel relationship between the scanning mirrors is broken.

4. In the latent image exposure optical system 20 configured as the image forming unit C, the scanning exposure is performed while the laser beam is inclined with respect to the rotation center axis of the photosensitive drum 112.

Therefore, conventionally, the following adjustments have been made to correct the right angle deviation.

A. In order to make the inclination of the line sensor 206 in the main scanning direction X parallel to the plane of the document table glass 202, the inclination of the unit having the line sensor 206 is adjusted using an eccentric cam or the like.

B. After the processing of A, the optical axis is set at a position corresponding to the glass surface of the original table glass 202 in order to adjust the inclination of the scanning mirror units 10a and 10b in the main scanning direction Y in parallel with the plane of the original table glass 202. The scanning mirror units 10a and 10b are provided with a slider mounting member in front of or behind the main body of the scanning mirror units 10a and 10b so that a line sensor output difference of a target arranged at a certain distance from the center position within a target is within a certain standard value. Adjust either side up or down.

C. The latent image forming optical system 20 adjusts the magnification difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the scanning line within the standard.
Image writing mirror 11 which is a laser folding mirror
3 is tilted with a set screw to incline the reflection surface with respect to the laser optical axis. At this time, the magnification difference is adjusted so that the deviation of the scanning line perpendicular to the position corresponding to the photosensitive drum 112 also falls within a certain standard value. You. Since the right angle shift is more sensitive than the change in magnification of the optical system, a value satisfying the right angle shift is set to the standard value.

However, even if the adjustment for the inclination correction as in the above A to C is performed, if the flatness of the place where the apparatus main body A is installed is poor (for example, on the dew), the apparatus main body A is distorted. Eventually, the following problems occur.

1. The flatness and parallelism of the traveling rails of the scanning mirror units 10a and 10b attached to the apparatus main body A deteriorate, and
a, 10b mirror base and line sensor (CCD) 20
6, the parallelism in the sub-scanning direction X (the longitudinal side of the mirror) is lost, and a right angle shift occurs.

2. The flatness of the running rails of the scanning mirror units 10a and 10b attached to the apparatus main body A deteriorates, and the distance between the first mirror base of the scanning mirror unit 10a and the second mirror base of the scanning mirror unit 10b is reduced. Are lost in parallelism and a right angle shift occurs.

3. Image writing mirror 11 which is a laser reflecting mirror attached to apparatus body A
3 and the parallelism of the rotation center axis of the photosensitive drum 112 is deteriorated, and a right angle shift occurs.

In order to correct this in the market, a service person or the like does not have an adjustment tool as in assembling, so the image on the transfer paper is measured while outputting the copy image many times, and the By inserting a spacer or the like underneath, a time-consuming trial and error operation such as correcting the distortion of the apparatus main body A and removing a right angle shift is required, which leads to an increase in service cost and delicate. Coordination was not possible.

In the above-described adjustment operation, since the judgment can be made only by the copy image, the latent image exposure optical system 2
If the direction of the right angle shift of 0 is opposite to the direction of the right angle shift of the original scanning optical system 10, the right angle shift direction is offset on the transfer paper 290, and even if the right angle shift is within the standard, the copy image is not Since the phenomenon that the right angle shift of the image signal in the processing unit 300 is out of the standard cannot be distinguished, F
It is not possible to confirm whether the AX transmission and the right angle deviation of the image signal output as the flatbed scanner have been corrected.

Further, the image on the transfer paper 290 is measured while performing printer output many times, and a spacer or the like is inserted under the apparatus main body A to correct the distortion of the apparatus main body A. A time-consuming trial and error operation such as removing a right angle shift is performed, and the original scanning optical system 10 is used.
In order for both the optical system and the latent image exposure optical system 20 to be within the standard independently, considerable labor is required, which leads to a large increase in service cost.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to correct the positional deviation in the scanning direction in the optical system to automatically generate an image without distortion, and to simplify the operation of adjusting the positional deviation to improve the working efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide a possible image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

[0033]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image output control device for correcting and reading out positional deviation of image information stored in a memory, wherein the input image information is read in a reading width direction of the image. Storage means for storing corresponding position coordinates in the main scanning direction and in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and position coordinates in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the stored image information By calculating a tilt of the image information, and controlling a reading position of the image information stored in the storage unit based on the calculated tilt of the image information, thereby obtaining the image. An image output control device is configured by including a readout correction unit that corrects a displacement of information position coordinates.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image by correcting and outputting a displacement of input image information, wherein a main scanning direction is a longitudinal direction of image reading, and Reading means for reading image information from a document set on a document table by moving in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the image reading apparatus; and the image output control device, wherein the image information read by the reading means is input; An image forming apparatus is configured by including output means for outputting image information read with corrected position coordinates from the output control device based on a predetermined operation mode.

Here, the image output control device can correct the displacement of the original scanning optical system constituting the reading means in the sub-scanning direction during the reading scan.

The image output control device can correct the displacement of the latent image exposure optical system constituting the output means in the sub-scanning direction when forming the latent image.

When the positional deviation of the image information is determined, the image information can be stored in the storage means at a position upstream of the normal document reading start position in the scanning direction.

When determining the displacement of the image information, the scanning speed of the reading means can be switched to a value equal to or lower than the minimum value in the control area during the normal reading operation.

As a criterion for judging the amount of displacement of the image information, an image signal at the end of the document table can be used.

The output means includes a process for forming the image information by electrophotography, a process for transmitting the image information,
Alternatively, a process of displaying the image information can be performed.

The apparatus may further comprise means for externally inputting the image information, and the input image information may be stored in the storage means.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image output control method for correcting and reading a positional shift of image information stored in a memory, wherein the input image information is read in a main scanning direction corresponding to a reading width direction of the image. A step of storing in the storage means in correspondence with each position coordinate in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and referring to the position coordinates in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the stored image information. Calculating the inclination of the image information, and controlling the readout position of the image information stored in the storage means based on the calculated inclination of the image information, thereby calculating the position coordinates of the image information. By compensating the deviation,
An image output control method is provided.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for forming an image by correcting and outputting a displacement of input image information, wherein a main scanning direction is a longitudinal direction of image reading, and Reading image information from a document set on a document table by moving the image information in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the main scanning direction corresponding to the reading width direction of the image. Storing in the storage means in correspondence with each position coordinate in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the direction, and referring to the position coordinates in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the stored image information, Calculating the inclination of the information, and controlling the readout position of the image information stored in the storage means based on the calculated inclination of the image information, thereby displacing the position coordinates of the image information. A step of correcting, the position coordinates image information read is corrected, by comprising a step of outputting, based on a predetermined operation mode, to provide an image forming method.

According to the present invention, there is provided a medium for recording a program for performing a read control by correcting a positional shift of image information stored in a memory by a computer, wherein the control program stores the image input to the computer. information,
The main scanning direction corresponding to the main scanning direction corresponding to the reading width direction of the image and each position coordinate in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction is stored in the storage unit, and the main scanning direction corresponding to the stored image information. And calculating the inclination of the image information with reference to the position coordinates in the sub-scanning direction, and controlling the readout position of the image information stored in the storage unit based on the calculated inclination of the image information. By correcting the displacement of the position coordinates of the image information,
Provided is a medium recording an image output control program.

According to the present invention, there is provided a medium on which a program for correcting a positional shift of input image information and outputting the corrected image information by a computer and for performing image forming control is recorded. The direction is the longitudinal direction of the image reading, and the image information is read from the document set on the document table by moving in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and the read image information is read out of the image. The main scanning direction and the sub-scanning corresponding to the main scanning direction corresponding to the reading width direction and the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction are stored in the storage unit and correspond to the stored image information. The inclination of the image information is calculated by referring to the position coordinates of the direction, and the image information stored in the storage unit is read based on the calculated inclination of the image information. By controlling the output position, the displacement of the position coordinates of the image information is corrected, and the image information read by correcting the position coordinates is output based on a predetermined operation mode, thereby controlling the image output. Provide a medium on which the program is recorded.

[0046]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Example] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(System Configuration) First, the configuration of the present system will be described.

In this embodiment, an example in which the image output control apparatus according to the present invention is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, that is, the above-described digital copying machine shown in FIG. 8, will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the image processing section 300.

The image processing unit 300 includes a sub CPU 30
1, image memory 302, scanner unit 10a, 1
0b, a scanner signal processing circuit 313, a skinner driver circuit 314, and a printer signal processing circuit 31
5. A laser driver circuit 316 for driving the laser scanner 111, a FAX signal processing circuit 317, and the like are provided.

The sub CPU 301 is to perform the correction processing of the positional deviation according to the present invention (that is, the “right-angle deviation” in the sub-scanning direction X with respect to the main scanning direction Y corresponding to image distortion), and a signal processing unit. 301a, ROM for storing a control program, RAM for executing various arithmetic processes,
It has a signal conversion unit for performing A / D conversion and D / A conversion. The signal processing unit 301a includes, for example, the line sensor 20
A / D-converts the photoelectrically converted electric signal output from 6 and performs signal processing, and converts the binary signal into a laser scanner 1
11 is output.

The sub CPU 301 operates on the basis of a control signal from the CPU 200 which performs overall control of the apparatus main assembly A.

The CPU 200 includes an operation unit 220 connected to a mode switch 222 for setting various operation modes (copier, FAX, scanner, printer, etc.) and a start switch 221; Developing unit 223 including body drum 112 and the like, fixing device 11
224, discharge roller 119, sorter 12
A paper discharge unit 225 including a zero, a registration clutch 226 for driving the registration roller 106, a paper supply clutch 227 for driving the paper supply roller 103, and the like are provided.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present system will be described.

(Correction Processing) FIGS. 1 and 2 are flow charts for explaining the correction processing of the right angle deviation of the image data stored in the image memory 302 according to the present invention.

(Correction of Right Angle Deviation of Document Scanning Optical System) First, an adjustment method for correcting a right angle deviation occurring in the document scanning optical system 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, at the factory, the original scanning mirror 204 is adjusted to correct the magnification difference in the main scanning direction Y and the deviation of the imaging magnification, as in the related art. At this time, in the present invention, it is assumed that there is no standard regarding the amount of deviation of the right angle as in the related art.

In FIG. 1, in step S11, the right angle deviation automatic correction mode of the original scanning optical system 10 is selected by mode selection means such as the mode switch 222.

In step S12, the drive control change switch of the scanner driver circuit 314 is turned on. In this case, the driving speed of the scanner units 10a and 10b equipped with the original scanning mirror 204 is set at the position of the glass end (the home position side of the glass) of the original platen glass 202 in the normal acceleration area. The scanner driver circuit 31 is operated so that the units 10a and 10b are driven at a speed that enables stable constant-speed motion.
4 (for example, to a value equal to or less than the lowest value in the control area during the normal reading operation).

In step S13, the scanner unit is turned on, and the scanner units 10a and 10b are moved in the sub-scanning direction X, whereby the original image is read by the line sensor 206. The read data is converted into an electric signal and stored in the image memory 302 as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The stored data is stored in the sub-scanning direction X and the main scanning direction Y at the time of reading.
Respectively.

When storing this data, the image signal at the edge of the glass is stored without blurring. The reason is that, as shown in FIG. 4, since the original platen glass 202 always has the original abutting member in the main scanning direction X of the original scanning optical system 10, the image on the original is This operation is performed to substitute the inclination held in the image memory 302 by the inclination of the image corresponding to the glass edge.

In step S14, after reading the data, the scanner unit is turned off.

In step S15, the arithmetic processing for determining the data conversion formula is started. Step S16 to step S20
Then, assuming that the sub-scanning direction Y = 0, the value in the main scanning direction X at the position immediately after the start of reading is checked.

In step S16, first, X = 0 and the lower end in the main scanning direction X is used as a reference. As an example based on the lower end in the main scanning direction X, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the data of the glass tip of the original platen glass 202 input from the original scanning optical system 10 to the image memory 300 is shown. P _oo = (x _o , y _o ) = (0,0) is the reference.

As an example based on the upper end in the main scanning direction X, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, P _mm = (x _m ,
y _m) = a (m, n) (step S21~ step S25).

In step S17, the position coordinates P in FIG.
It is checked whether or not the value of (X, 0) is black, that is, whether or not a pixel exists. If no pixel exists, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, 1 is added to the value of X, shifted by one pixel in the main scanning direction X, and then, again in step S18.
Returning to step 17, it is checked again whether a pixel exists at the position coordinates P (1, 0). Such an addition operation is repeatedly performed until a pixel exists at a position in the main scanning direction X.

In step S19, Xo = X, and in step S20, P _X00 = (Xo, 0).

As a result, it is possible to detect the position where the pixel exists in the main scanning direction X immediately after the start of the reading, that is, from which position the image of the glass edge starts.

On the other hand, in steps S21 to S25, the value in the main scanning direction X at the position of the reading end is examined with the sub-scanning direction Y = n.

In step S21, first, X = 0 and the lower end in the main scanning direction X is used as a reference.

In step S22, the position coordinates P in FIG.
It is checked whether or not the value of (X, n) is black, that is, whether or not a pixel exists. If no pixel exists, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, 1 is added to the value of X, shifted by one pixel in the main scanning direction X, and then step S23 is performed again.
Returning to 22, it is checked again whether or not a pixel exists at the position coordinates P (1, n). Such an addition operation is repeatedly performed until a pixel exists at a position in the main scanning direction X.

In step S24, Xm = X, and in step S20, P _Xmn = (Xm, n).

In step S26, the sub-scanning direction Y =
The inclination of the right angle shift is calculated using the position coordinates of the two data of 0 and Y = n.

In the example of FIG. 5, if the data input from the original scanning optical system 10 is P = (x, y), P ₀₀
= (X ₀ , y ₀ ) = (0,0), P _mm = (x _m , y _m ) =
From the difference of the position coordinates between (m, n),

In the example of FIG. 6, if the data input from the original scanning optical system 10 is P = (x, y), then P ₀₀ = (x ₀ , y ₀ ) = (0, 0). , P- _mm = (x
_m , y _m ) = (− m, n).

Therefore, in step S27, P = (x,
The coordinate P ′ of the data corresponding to the right angle correction of y) is
It is derived by the following conversion formula (1).

[0080]

(Equation 1)

Further, when tan θ ₁ = 0, P ′ = (x, y) = P

Therefore, the CPU 200 reads each data while shifting it based on the conversion formula determined by the input measurement value, and controls the laser driver circuit 316 to generate the data when the original scanning optical system 10 scans. The right angle deviation of the data can be canceled.

(Correction of Right Angle Deviation of Latent Image Exposure Optical System)
The correction of the right-angle deviation of the latent image exposure optical system 20 will be described.

As a first operation, when assembling in a factory, adjustments for keeping the magnification difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the scanning line and the deviation of the imaging magnification within the standard are performed in the same manner as in the related art.

[0085] In this case, the adjustment tool, the distance between the sensors, as measurements from a sensor image formation position, from the angle theta ₂ which corresponds to a right angle deviation which is printed on the photosensitive drum 112 can be seen tan .theta ₂ and the main scanning direction Y It is assumed that the shift amount N appears directly as a measured value.

This measured value is input as initial data to the CPU 200 of the apparatus main unit A from a ten-key pad of the operation unit 220 or the like.

Accordingly, the data input as the output signal of the original scanning optical system 10, the personal computer, and the transmission signal from another facsimile apparatus are represented by R (x,
y), the coordinate R ′ of arbitrary data in the image memory 302 is derived by the following conversion formula (2) in order to correct the right-angle deviation caused by the latent image exposure optical system 20.

[0088]

(Equation 2)

Further, when tan θ ₂ = 0, R ′ = (x, y) = R

Therefore, the CPU 200 uses the conversion equation (2) determined based on the input measured values to read each data while shifting the data based on the conversion equation at the time of reading, and controls the laser driver circuit 316. The inclination on the latent image formed by the latent image exposure optical system 20 can be canceled.

On the other hand, in order to determine the first tan θ ₂ in the market, the serviceman outputs the output result of the printer test on a paper in the service mode or the like. 400 is output.

Thereafter, the system automatically enters the service mode for correcting the right angle deviation of the latent image exposure optical system 20 in the service mode.

In the output result of the printer test, the displacement amount k in the sub-scanning direction X and the length j in the main scanning direction Y are measured at two points using a scale or the like. Is input as data to the CPU 200 of the apparatus main body A.

At this input, whether the reference data is at the upper end or the lower end in the main scanning direction Y is determined based on the data to be inputted so that the relation with the correction by the original scanning optical system 10 is not changed. Be careful of ±.

In the case of FIG. 7, tan θ ₂ = k / j (3) is obtained from the above data.

(Correction of Right Angle Deviation of Document Scanning Optical System / Latent Image Exposure Optical System) Next, correction of right angle deviation of the document scanning optical system 10 and the latent image exposure optical system 20 will be described.

When a latent image is formed on the basis of an image signal from the original scanning optical system 10, in order to finally correct the orthogonality deviation on the transfer paper 290, the right angle deviation and the latent angle The right angle deviation in the image exposure optical system 20 must be corrected at the same time.

In other words, when used as a multifunction copier (digital copier), the coordinates S 'of the data in the image memory 302 correspond to the original scanning optical in order to correct the latent image on the photosensitive drum 112 at right angles. One pixel data on the image memory 302 input by the system 10, P = (x, y)
Is converted by a combination of the conversion formulas (1) and (2).

Accordingly, the CPU 200 controls the laser driver circuit 316 based on the data read sequentially while shifting each data based on the conversion formulas (1) and (2) determined based on the input measurement values. As a result, the right-angle deviation of the data caused during scanning by the two optical systems, the original scanning optical system 10 and the latent image exposure optical system 20, is canceled in the latent image on the photosensitive drum 112.

Here, it is necessary to be careful
That is, the values obtained by the conversion formulas (1) and (2) are not all integers.

It is necessary to solve this point by adding a process for converting the converted value into an integer at the time of each conversion while coordinating with a relationship such as image processing. Since digitization of image data is a general method, details are omitted.

In the present invention, it is assumed that the above-described processing is included in the data conversion operation as an essential matter when reading out the access data from the image memory 302.

After the adjustment in each optical system as described above is performed, the following copying operation is performed.

(Copying Operation) Next, the operation of the multifunction copying machine will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 8.

First, the user operates the mode switch 222 on the operation unit 220 or the like to determine whether to use the copier, FAX (transmission / reception), printer, or scanner (image reading device). Select

When the apparatus is used as a facsimile (reception) or a printer, the apparatus body A automatically detects this and sets the mode.

The flowchart of FIG. 8 shows the processing from the state where the apparatus main body A receives the start signal after the above operation is completed.

First, the apparatus main body A determines what the current operation mode is, that is, the mode of the copier, FAX (transmission / reception), printer, or scanner (step S31, step S51, step S61). Step S
71, step S81).

Next, if it is a copy operation, the paper feed clutch 227 is turned on (step S32), and the transfer paper 290 is turned on.
Is started, and when the sheet is fed to the registration roller 106, the apparatus is put on standby.

Thereafter, the scanner units, that is, the scanner units 10a and 10b are turned on, the original is read, and the data is written in the image memory 302 (step S33).

After reading the original, the scanner unit ends the operation (step S34), and the CPU 200 accesses the data in the image memory 302 using the conversion formula (1) (reads out the data), thereby obtaining the original. Correction processing of the right-angle deviation in the scanning optical system 10 is executed (Step S)
35).

After this correction processing, the image data is stored again in the image memory 302 in correspondence with the converted position (step S36).

Next, the CPU 2 stores the re-stored data.
00 performs access using the conversion formula (2), so that a process of correcting a right-angle deviation in the latent image exposure optical system 20 is executed (step S37).

Based on the result of the correction processing, the laser driver circuit 316 is controlled to write a latent image on the photosensitive drum 112 that has started to rotate, using the laser scanner 111 (step S38).

Thereafter, in the same manner as in the known technique, the developing unit 2
The developing device 23 is turned on (step S39), the registration clutch 226 is turned on (step S40), and the transfer, fixing,
Copying is completed through the flow of paper ejection (steps S41 to S43).

On the other hand, when the operation mode is detected as a facsimile (reception) operation (step S51), the CPU 200
Is converted into the received data in the image memory 302 by the conversion formula (2).
(Step S37), and the same correction processing as described above is performed.

Based on the result of the correction processing, the laser driver circuit 316 is controlled (step S38), and thereafter, the same operation as that at the time of copying (steps S39 to S43) is performed, and the paper output of the received data is completed. .

When the operation mode is detected as a printer operation (step S61), data transferred from a personal computer or the like is input to the image memory 302. And
The input data is accessed using the conversion formula (2) to perform a correction process (step S37). Based on this correction result, the laser driver circuit 316 is controlled (step S38), and thereafter, the same operation as that at the time of copying (steps S39 to S43) is performed. Thus, the paper output of the data input from the personal computer or the like is completed.

When the operation mode is determined to be a scanner (image input device) operation (step S71), the scanner units 10a and 10b, which are the scanner units, are turned on, the original is read, and the image data is stored in the image memory 302. Is written to (step S72).

After reading the original, the scanner unit ends the operation (step S73), and the CPU 200 accesses the data in the image memory 302 using the conversion formula (1) to execute the correction processing (step S73). S74), the CPU 200 outputs the corrected data to a personal computer or the like (step S75).

When the operation mode is detected as a facsimile (transmission) operation (step S81), the scanner unit is turned on, a document is read, and data is written in the image memory 302 (step S82).

After reading the original, the scanner unit ends the operation (step S83), and the CPU 200 accesses the data in the image memory 302 using the conversion formula (1) (step S84), and executes the correction processing. Execute. The CPU 200 sequentially transmits the corrected data to the outside via a network or the like (step S85).

[Other Examples] In the first example, an example in which the present invention is applied to a multifunction copying machine has been described.
The same effect can be obtained even when applied to each of X and the printer alone.

The same effect can be obtained by combining an image input device such as a flatbed scanner with a printer.

In the first example, the platen glass 2
Although the image signal on the upstream side is used in the sub-scanning direction X of 02, the same effect can be obtained by using the image signal on the downstream side. However, in this case, it is assumed that the mirror base can move more than the normal operation area.

Further, the same effect can be obtained by marking the non-image area of the original platen glass 202 and performing the right angle correction using the image signal.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer).
The present invention may be applied to an apparatus including one device (for example, a small image processing device such as a PDA (personal information management) device, a copying machine, and a facsimile device).

Further, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. Then, a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or M) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
(PU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium, so that the effects of the present invention can be enjoyed.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and CD.
-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card (IC memory card), ROM (mask ROM, flash EEP)
ROM etc.) can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0133]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The input image information is stored in association with each position coordinate in a main scanning direction corresponding to the reading width direction of the image and a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and a main scan corresponding to the stored image information is stored. The inclination of the image information is calculated with reference to the position coordinates in the direction and the sub-scanning direction, and the reading position of the image information stored in the storage means is controlled based on the calculated inclination of the image information to obtain the position coordinates of the image information. Deviation correction, so that the right angle deviation in the original scanning optical system and the right angle deviation in the latent image exposure optical system can be automatically and independently corrected using each conversion formula when reading data. This makes it possible to simplify the operation of adjusting a positional deviation such as a right-angle deviation, thereby improving the operation efficiency.

Further, according to the present invention, a program including a conversion formula for adjusting a positional deviation can be easily incorporated without an adjusting tool even after an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is installed on the market. 1. reduction of service costs; 2. It is also useful for shortening the adjustment time at the factory and reducing the tool specifications, so that the cost of the equipment itself can be reduced. Conventionally, the right angle deviation due to the optical system that appeared in the standard can be corrected only by software change without adding a mechanism to improve the adjustment accuracy, so that stable output with low cost is secured in the factory and on the market at low cost It has the effect of being able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a conversion formula determination operation when applied to a multifunction copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a copying operation when the present invention is applied to a multifunction copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the multifunction copier.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a platen glass;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an array structure in a case where edge image data of a platen glass is stored in an image memory in pixel units.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an array structure in a case where edge image data of a platen glass is stored in an image memory in pixel units.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a right angle shift of an output image by a printer test.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the entire configuration of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a right angle shift of an output image on a transfer sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Document Scanning Optical System 10a, 10b Scanner Unit 20 Latent Image Exposure Optical System 111 Laser Scanner 112 Photosensitive Drum 200 CPU 202 Platen Glass 220 Operation Unit 222 Mode Switch 290 Transfer Paper 300 Image Processing Unit 301 Sub CPU 302 Image Memory 314 Scanner Driver circuit 316 Laser driver circuit

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA03 AA09 AB01 AC08 BA03 BB10 BD05 CB20 2C187 AC07 AD03 AE01 CD17 2H027 DB10 ED04 ED12 EE07 EE08 EF09 FD08 5B057 BA02 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CC01 CD12 CH03 A04 BA06 BA01

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An image output control device for correcting a position shift of image information stored in a memory and reading the image information, wherein the input image information is read in a main scanning direction corresponding to a reading width direction of the image and a main scanning direction of the image information. Storage means for storing the position information in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the stored image information; Calculating means for calculating the inclination of the image information, and correcting the displacement of the position coordinates of the image information by controlling the readout position of the image information stored in the storage means based on the calculated inclination of the image information. An image output control device comprising: 2. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by correcting a position shift of input image information and outputting the corrected image information, wherein a main scanning direction is a longitudinal direction of the image reading, and is orthogonal to the main scanning direction. A reading unit configured to read image information from a document set on a document table by moving in a sub-scanning direction, wherein the image information read by the reading unit is input; Output means for outputting, based on a predetermined operation mode, image information read with the position coordinates corrected from the image output control device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image output control device corrects a positional shift in a sub-scanning direction during a reading scan of a document scanning optical system constituting the reading unit. . 4. The image output control device according to claim 2, wherein the latent image exposure optical system constituting the output unit corrects a positional deviation in a sub-scanning direction when a latent image is formed.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the positional deviation of the image information is determined, the image information is stored in the storage unit at a position upstream of a normal document reading start position in a scanning direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 2 to 4. 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the positional deviation of the image information is determined, a scanning speed of the reading unit is switched to a value equal to or lower than a minimum value in a control area during a normal reading operation. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an image signal at an end of a document table is used as a criterion for determining the amount of displacement of the image information. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output unit performs a process of forming the image information by electrophotography, a process of transmitting the image information, or a process of displaying the image information. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 7. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a unit for externally inputting the image information, wherein the input image information is stored in the storage unit. . 10. An image output control method for correcting a position shift of image information stored in a memory and reading out the image information, wherein the input image information is read in a main scanning direction corresponding to a reading width direction of the image and a main scanning direction. A step of storing in the storage means in correspondence with each position coordinate in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, and referring to the position coordinates in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the stored image information, Calculating the inclination of the image information, and controlling the readout position of the image information stored in the storage unit based on the calculated inclination of the image information, thereby to reduce the displacement of the position coordinates of the image information. And a correcting step. 11. An image forming method for forming an image by correcting and outputting a positional shift of input image information, wherein a main scanning direction is a longitudinal direction of image reading, and is orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Reading image information from the document set on the document table by moving in the sub-scanning direction, and reading the read image information in the main scanning direction and the main scanning direction corresponding to the reading width direction of the image. Storing in the storage means in correspondence with each position coordinate in the orthogonal sub-scanning direction, and referring to the position coordinates in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the stored image information, Calculating a tilt, and controlling a readout position of the image information stored in the storage unit based on the calculated tilt of the image information, thereby compensating for a shift in position coordinates of the image information. Step and an image forming method characterized in that the position coordinates of the image information read is corrected, equipped with a step of outputting, based on a predetermined operation mode. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction during reading scanning of the original scanning optical system is corrected.
2. The image forming method according to 1. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a displacement of the latent image exposure optical system in the sub-scanning direction when forming the latent image is corrected.
2. The image forming method according to 1. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when determining the positional shift of the image information, storing the image information in the storage unit is performed upstream of a normal document reading start position in a scanning direction. 14. The image forming method according to any one of items 11 to 13. 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein when the positional deviation of the image information is determined, the scanning speed of the reading unit is switched to a value equal to or lower than a minimum value in a control area during a normal reading operation. 15. The image forming method according to any one of items 14 to 14. 16. The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein an image signal at an end of a document table is used as a criterion for determining the amount of displacement of the image information. 17. A medium storing a program for performing a read control by correcting a positional shift of image information stored in a memory by a computer, wherein the control program transmits the image information input to the computer. The main scanning corresponding to the main scanning direction corresponding to the reading width direction of the image and the position coordinates in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction in the storage unit; and the main scanning corresponding to the stored image information. The inclination of the image information is calculated by referring to the position coordinates in the direction and the sub-scanning direction, and the readout position of the image information stored in the storage unit is controlled based on the calculated inclination of the image information. A medium in which an image output control program is recorded, whereby a deviation of position coordinates of the image information is corrected. 18. A medium in which a computer corrects a position shift of input image information, outputs the corrected image information, and records a program for performing image formation control. The image information is read from a document set on a document table by moving in a sub-scanning direction which is a longitudinal direction of image reading and is orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and the read image information is read by a reading width of the image. The main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction are stored in the storage unit. The inclination of the image information is calculated with reference to the position coordinates, and the image information stored in the storage unit is read out based on the calculated inclination of the image information. By controlling the position, the displacement of the position coordinates of the image information is corrected, and the image information read by correcting the position coordinates is output based on a predetermined operation mode. Medium on which control programs are recorded.