JP2006201824A - Information input/output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a newly configured information input/output device mainly using paper as a medium, which enables the output also to the medium other than than the paper, and to efficiently perform the output in performing the output to the medium other than the paper in the information input/output device. <P>SOLUTION: An image read (scanned) by a reading part 3 is formed by an image forming part 1, and the formed image is fixed to the paper medium fed from a paper feeding part 2. Then, in outputting the image to the paper media, image information is recorded in non-used storage media conveyed and set from a media stock part 86 by an optical disk drive unit 85. Also, only the output to the paper medium or only the preparation of the storage media can be executed as necessary. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information input / output unit, and more particularly to an information input / output unit including a paper medium as an information output medium and another information output unit and medium.

  In recent years, copiers have taken the wave of digitalization, in addition to the functions of so-called copiers that simply copy documents in the past, digital multi-function peripherals equipped with scanner functions, fax functions, printer functions, etc. Printers and multifunction peripherals) (for example, see Patent Document 1). Along with this, such digital multifunction peripherals and MFPs are also incorporated in computer networks, and the information to be handled runs through the network as so-called electronic data. Furthermore, taking advantage of such characteristics of electronic data, it has come to have an aspect as a device having a filing function for storing a large amount of document data (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

In this way, with the evolution of computers or network systems, all data can be conveniently used as electronic data, but conventional paper documents are also easy to read and feel, and their demand has not diminished. In such an era, data transmission / reception is also generally performed via a network. In the example of the MFP described above, not only the information read by the scanner is output on paper but also received by mail. This is also possible systematically (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2002-202870 A JP 2002-027192 A JP 2003-337682 A

  On the other hand, there is a demand for the certainty of receiving other than the distribution through the network where such exchange of information is not visible.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances,
A first object of the present invention is to provide an information input / output device having a novel configuration that enables output to a medium other than paper in an information input / output device mainly composed of paper.

  The second object is to enable efficient output when outputting to an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  A third object is to provide a specific configuration of means for supplying an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  A fourth object is to provide a specific configuration of an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  A fifth object is to provide a more specific configuration of an optical memory which is an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  A sixth object is to provide another configuration of a more specific configuration of an optical memory which is an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  The seventh object is to provide still another configuration of an optical memory which is an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  An eighth object is to provide a characteristic configuration of means for outputting to an optical memory which is an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  A ninth object of the present invention is to provide an information input / output device having a novel configuration that enables output to a medium other than paper in an information input / output device mainly composed of paper.

  A tenth object is to enable efficient output when outputting to an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  An eleventh object is to provide a specific configuration for enabling efficient output when outputting to an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  A twelfth object is to enable easy supply of an output medium when outputting to an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  A thirteenth object is to provide a specific configuration of an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

  A fourteenth object is to provide a characteristic configuration of means for outputting to an optical memory which is an output medium other than paper of such an information input / output device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
The first invention is an information input / output device comprising an information input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit for exchanging information between them and concentrating each unit in one place. In the information input / output device as the means for writing the desired information on the portable storage medium and the means based on the Carlson process principle, the output unit has a plurality of types of means for writing the desired information on the portable storage medium. I made it.

  According to a second invention, in the first information input / output device, a plurality of the portable storage media are stocked in the information input / output device in a state before desired information is written.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second information input / output device, a plurality of the portable storage media are packed in a magazine, and the magazine is detachable.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information input / output device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the portable storage medium is an optical memory.

  According to a fifth invention, in the fourth information input / output device, the optical memory is a plurality of storage media having different formats.

  According to a sixth aspect, in the fourth information input / output device, the optical memory is a plurality of storage media having different capacities.

  According to a seventh invention, in the fourth information input / output device, the optical memory is a plurality of storage media having different shapes.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the fourth to seventh information input / output devices, a pickup unit for writing to the optical memory is detachable.

  A ninth invention is an information input / output device comprising an information input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit for exchanging information between them and concentrating each unit in one place. The output unit includes a plurality of means for writing desired information on the portable storage medium in the information input / output device as means for writing desired information on the portable storage medium and means based on the Carlson process principle. I made it.

  In a tenth aspect based on the ninth aspect, the means for writing desired information in the portable storage medium has a plurality of the same means.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, a plurality of the portable storage media are stocked in the information input / output device in a state before desired information is written.

  In a twelfth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, a plurality of portable storage media are packed in a magazine, and the magazine can be attached and detached.

  In a thirteenth aspect based on any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, the portable storage medium is an optical memory.

  In a fourteenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the pickup unit for writing to the optical memory is detachable.

According to the first invention, an information input / output device comprising an information input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit, which exchanges information among them and concentrates each unit in one place. In the information input / output device, wherein the output unit is a means based on the Carlson process principle and a means for writing desired information to a portable storage medium, a plurality of types of means for writing desired information to the portable storage medium As a result, it is possible to output information to a paper medium (so-called printout) and to output the data content to a portable storage medium other than paper. You can also move.
Furthermore, since the information input unit, processing unit, storage unit, and output unit are concentrated in one place, the output paper media and storage media can be obtained at the same place. It is very convenient to use.
Moreover, since the output to the paper media is based on the Carlson process principle, the output productivity could be very high.
Furthermore, since there are a plurality of types of storage media, it is possible to select a storage medium on which information has been written and output it to the optimum storage medium.

  According to the second invention, in such an information input / output device, a plurality of the portable storage media are stocked in the information input / output device in a state before desired information is written. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, it is easy to output a plurality of storage media in which information is written, and the output paper media and storage media can be distributed to a plurality of people.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in such an information input / output device, a plurality of the portable storage media are packed in a magazine, and the magazine can be attached and detached. When writing information to the media, the operator has to save the trouble of bringing one storage medium each time.
In addition, since the storage medium can be replenished in units of magazines in which a plurality of storage media are packed, an information input / output device with good operability can be obtained.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in such an information input / output device, the portable storage medium is an optical memory, so in addition to the above effects, the information is output to a paper medium (so-called printout). As a portable storage medium in the case where the information obtained is further stored as electronic data, it can be made highly versatile and very easy to use.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, in such an information input / output device, the optical memory is a plurality of storage media having different formats. It became possible to do it, and the useful value became high because the most convenient format could be chosen.

  According to the sixth invention, in such an information input / output device, since the optical memory is a plurality of storage media having different capacities, in addition to the above effects, the optical memory outputs to an optical memory having the optimum capacity required. As a result, the use of an optical memory with no excess or shortage of capacity when outputting electronic data has made it possible to achieve an economical method of use.

  According to the seventh invention, in such an information input / output device, since the optical memory is a plurality of storage media having different shapes, in addition to the above effects, a shape that is most easily used as a portable storage medium The value of use became high.

According to the eighth invention, in such an information input / output device, the pickup unit for writing to the optical memory is detachable. In addition to the above effects, the life of the laser diode of such a pickup unit In the event of a failure, by replacing only the pickup unit, the means (drive device) for writing desired information in the optical memory and the information input / output device main body can be used continuously, so that the information input / output device can be made very economical. did it.
Further, since the information input / output device of the present invention uses the Carlson process principle and outputs it to paper, the paper dust, toner, etc. are always in the environment or in the vicinity of the device. Therefore, the optical system such as the lens of the pickup unit is easily soiled, but since the pickup unit is removable, it can be easily cleaned or replaced.

  According to the ninth invention, an information input / output device comprising an information input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit, which exchanges information among them and concentrates each unit in one place. The output unit includes a plurality of means for writing desired information on the portable storage medium in the information input / output device as means for writing desired information on the portable storage medium and means based on the Carlson process principle. As a result, it is possible to output information to a paper medium (so-called printout) and to output the data content to a portable storage medium other than paper. You can also move.

Furthermore, since the information input unit, processing unit, storage unit, and output unit are concentrated in one place, the output paper media and storage media can be obtained at the same place. It is very convenient to use.
Moreover, since the output to the paper media is based on the Carlson process principle, the output productivity could be very high.
Furthermore, since there are a plurality of means for writing desired information on a portable storage medium, it is possible to quickly cope with cases where output and recording to a plurality of storage media must be performed. It was.

  According to the tenth invention, in such an information input / output device, the means for writing desired information in the portable storage medium has a plurality of the same means. If you need to output to and record on multiple storage media, you can do it at high speed, which balances the productivity of output to paper media based on the Carlson process principle and reduces waiting time. I can do it now.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in such an information input / output device, a plurality of the portable storage media are stocked in the information input / output device in a state before desired information is written. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, it is easy to output a plurality of storage media in which information is written, and the output paper media and storage media can be distributed to a plurality of people.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in such an information input / output device, the portable storage medium is packed in a plurality of magazines, and the magazine can be attached and detached. When writing information to the media, the operator has to save the trouble of bringing one storage medium each time.
In addition, since the storage medium can be replenished in units of magazines in which a plurality of storage media are packed, an information input / output device with good operability can be obtained.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, in such an information input / output device, the portable storage medium is an optical memory. In addition to the above effects, the information is thus output to a paper medium (so-called printout). As a portable storage medium in the case where the information obtained is further stored as electronic data, it can be made highly versatile and very easy to use.

According to the fourteenth invention, in such an information input / output device, the pickup unit for writing to the optical memory is detachable. In addition to the above effects, the life of the laser diode of such a pickup unit In the event of a failure, by replacing only the pickup unit, the means (drive device) for writing desired information in the optical memory and the information input / output device main body can be used continuously, so that the information input / output device can be made very economical. did it.
Further, since the information input / output device of the present invention uses the Carlson process principle and outputs it to paper, the paper dust, toner, etc. are always in the environment or in the vicinity of the device. Therefore, the optical system such as the lens of the pickup unit is easily soiled, but since the pickup unit is removable, it can be easily cleaned or replaced.

  The embodiment of the system of the present invention will be described below. In addition, embodiment shown below is an illustration and is not limited to this.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an electrophotographic copying apparatus as a typical example for applying a color material to a sheet-like member typified by paper suitably applied to the system of the present invention, and the recording speed is 20 per minute. It is a typical copying machine that has a capacity of 100 to 100 sheets and has a high-speed output.

  FIG. 1 shows an engine part (image forming part) of the electrophotographic principle (Carlson process). Here, a full-color image of a dry two-component development system in which a photosensitive drum as a latent image carrier is arranged in tandem. 2 shows an image forming unit of the apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the entire full-color image forming apparatus in which the photosensitive drums are arranged in tandem. As shown in the drawing, the four-tandem type color image forming apparatus MFP (multi-function printer, multi-function peripheral) is almost at the center. An image forming unit 1 is disposed, a sheet feeding unit 2 is disposed immediately below the image forming unit 1, and a sheet feeding tray 21 is provided in each stage of the sheet feeding unit 2. A reading unit 3 for reading a document is disposed above the image forming unit 1. On the downstream side (left side in the figure) of the image forming unit 1 in the paper conveyance direction, a paper discharge storage unit, a so-called paper discharge tray 4 is provided, on which the discharged image-formed recording paper is stacked.

  In the image forming unit 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) plural colors are disposed above the intermediate transfer belt 5 formed of an endless belt. The image forming units 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K) are juxtaposed. In FIG. 1, Y, M, C, and K representing colors are added after the reference numerals of the respective parts to distinguish the image forming parts of the respective colors. In each image forming unit 6, a charging device 62, an exposure unit 65, a developing device 63, a photoconductor cleaning device 64, and the like are arranged along the outer periphery of a drum-shaped photoconductor 61 provided for each color. The charging device 62 performs a charging process on the surface of the photoconductor 61, and the exposure unit 65 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor 61 with laser light from the exposure device 7 that irradiates image information with laser light. The developing device 63 develops and visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 61 by toner development, and the photoconductor cleaning device 64 removes and collects the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 61 after the transfer. .

  As an image forming process, an image for each color is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 and four colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 to form one color image. At that time, first, yellow (Y) toner is developed in the yellow (Y) image forming section, and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the primary transfer device 66. Next, magenta toner is developed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5 in the magenta (M) image forming section. Next, in the cyan (C) image forming unit, cyan toner is developed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5, and finally black (K) toner is developed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5. A full-color toner image in which four colors are superimposed is formed. The four-color toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 are transferred by the secondary transfer device 51 to the recording paper 20 fed from the paper feeding unit 2 and fixed by the fixing device 8. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 4 by the paper discharge roller 41 or is conveyed to the double-sided device 9.

  During double-sided printing, the conveyance path is branched by the branching unit 91, and the recording paper 20 is reversed via the double-sided device 9. Then, the paper skew is corrected by the registration roller 23, and the image forming operation on the back surface is performed in the same manner as the image forming operation on the front surface. On the other hand, after the full-color toner image is transferred, the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 52. Reference numeral 92 denotes a reverse paper discharge path from the duplex device 9.

  In the paper feeding unit 2, unused recording paper 20 is stored in the paper feeding tray 21, and one end of the paper feeding unit 2 swings to the bottom of the paper feeding tray 21 until the uppermost recording paper 20 contacts the pickup roller 25. The other end of the bottom plate 24 that is supported is raised. As the paper feed roller 26 rotates, the uppermost recording paper 20 is pulled out from the paper feed tray 21 by the pickup roller 25 and is transported to the registration roller 23 side by the paper feed roller 26 via the vertical transport path 27. . The registration roller 23 temporarily stops the conveyance of the recording paper 20, and sends out the recording paper 20 at a timing so that the positional relationship between the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the leading edge of the recording paper 20 is a predetermined position. The registration roller 23 functions similarly to the recording paper 20 conveyed from the manual feed tray 84 in addition to the recording paper 20 from the vertical conveyance path 27. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 81 denotes a branch claw and reference numeral 82 denotes a jam paper discharge tray. When a jam occurs on the downstream side of the vertical conveyance path 27, the branch claw 81 is operated to jam the paper discharge tray 82. Has a function of deriving paper.

  In the reading unit 3, the first and second traveling bodies 32 and 33 mounted with a document illuminating light source and a mirror reciprocate in order to scan a document (not shown) placed on the contact glass 31. Moving. The image information scanned by the traveling bodies 32 and 33 is collected on the imaging surface of the CCD 35 installed behind by the lens 34 and read by the CCD 35 as an image signal. The read image signal is digitized and subjected to image processing. Then, based on the image-processed signal, optical writing is performed on the surface of the photosensitive member 61 by light emission of a laser diode LD (not shown) in the exposure device 7 to form an electrostatic latent image. The optical signal from the LD reaches the photosensitive member 61 via a known polygon mirror or lens. An automatic document feeder 36 that automatically feeds the document onto the contact glass is attached to the upper portion of the reading unit 3.

  As described above, the color image forming apparatus MFP (also referred to as a multi-function printer or multi-function peripheral) according to the present embodiment scans an original by optical scanning, digitizes it, and copies it onto a sheet of paper. In addition to the function as a copying machine, a multifunctional image having a facsimile function for transferring image information of a document with a remote place by a control device (not shown), and a so-called printer function for printing image information handled by a computer on paper. Forming device.

  This device alone has such a function. However, as will be described later, it is connected to a network and under server management, other various devices (scanners, various printers, optical disk drives, hard disk drives, etc.) It is also possible to make it a system that operates in cooperation with).

  FIG. 3 shows an example of such a system of the present invention. The configuration of a part for processing an electrical signal of a printer unit that prints on a recording medium such as paper, and the part for processing an electrical signal of an information writing unit to an optical memory And the configuration of the portion for processing the electrical signal of the information capturing unit from the scanner are shown in detail.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU for controlling each part of the printer. A RAM 302 temporarily stores the results calculated by the CPU and image data handled by a printer or the like. A ROM 303 stores a program for operating the CPU, font data for generating image data, and the like.

  Reference numeral 304 denotes a local bus to which the CPU, RAM, and ROM are connected. Reference numeral 305 denotes an I / O bus, which is an internal bus for function expansion. Reference numeral 306 denotes a bridge circuit for connecting the local bus and the I / O bus. A printer unit 307 is a part for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper, and is an image forming system based on the electrophotographic principle (Carlson process) as described above.

  A printer interface unit 308 connects the printer unit 307 and the I / O bus 305, and can transfer image data stored in the RAM 302 to the printer unit 307 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 301. is there. An optical disk drive 309 is a part for reading information from an optical disk (memory) and writing information on the optical disk (memory). An optical disk drive interface unit 310 connects the optical disk drive 309 and the I / O bus 305, and transfers electronic data transferred from the optical disk drive 309 to the RAM 302 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 301. The data can be transferred from the RAM 302 to the optical disk drive 309.

  As will be described later, in the present invention, a plurality of portable storage media represented by (but not limited to) an optical disk are provided as the same. Therefore, also in this block diagram, a plurality of optical disk drives 309 and optical disk drive interface units 310 are also connected to the I / O bus 305.

  A scanner unit 311 converts an optical signal read from a document placed on a document table (not shown) into electronic data using a CCD or the like, and transfers the electronic data. Reference numeral 312 denotes a scanner interface unit for connecting the scanner unit 311 and the I / O bus 305. In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 301, electronic data obtained by reading a document transferred from the scanner 311 is transferred to the RAM 302. Is possible.

  314 is an IDE interface unit and 313 is a hard disk drive for spooling image data and storing programs for the CPU 301 to perform various processes.

  A network interface controller 315 is used to connect to a local area network. Reference numeral 316 denotes an image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as IPU) for performing image processing such as resolution conversion.

  Reference numeral 317 denotes a raster image processor. In response to an instruction from the CPU 301, image data in a page description language transferred from the outside via the network interface controller 315 is expanded into a bitmap image, and the expanded bitmap data is stored in the RAM 302. Used for. Reference numeral 318 denotes a video RAM into which display data displayed on an external CRT or LCD panel by the CPU 301 is written. A video interface unit 319 serves as an interface for displaying display data stored in the VRAM 318 on an external CRT or LCD panel. Reference numeral 320 denotes an expansion I / O interface unit, which is an interface circuit for the CPU 301 to communicate with a portable device, for example. There are forms of communication such as serial communication, Bicentro interface, or wireless communication such as Bluetooth.

  As is clear from the above description, the present invention comprises an information input unit, processing unit, storage unit, and output unit, and these units or various devices are network-connected by wireless, wired, optical transmission, or the like. Exchange of information. In addition, each device can be arranged in a distributed manner, but if necessary, each unit or various devices may be concentrated and arranged in one place.

  Note that the information input unit referred to in the present invention is not only the scanner unit but also the I / O interface unit, and although not described, a keyboard, a touch panel, an image capture device, etc. Information input means is also included. The processing unit or storage unit also means a CPU, RAM, or ROM as a device or device unit, but also includes a PC, server, and the like incorporated in a network system. Similarly, the output unit includes an I / O interface unit, an information display, various printers, a storage / memory device, and the like.

  As described above, the system of the present invention can be configured to be distributed or concentrated in one place. Further, the image forming apparatus MFP (multifunction printer, multifunction peripheral) has a desired apparatus, server function, and large capacity. It is also preferable to mount and arrange the memory. In other words, the entire network system or its functions are condensed into a single machine, called an MFP, so that all work can be done with a single MFP. An output device is realized.

  FIG. 4 shows an example thereof, which is a configuration in which an optical disk drive is incorporated in an electrophotographic principle (Carlson process) MFP which is an output function to paper. In FIG. 4, 85 is an optical disk drive unit, and 86 is an unused media stock section.

  For example, file data such as a Microsoft Word file, an EXCEL file, a PowerPoint file, or a file converted into an Adobe PDF file is stored in the memory inside the MFP, and is output to paper as necessary. In addition, using the optical disk drive unit 85 in which the file data is incorporated, it is carried as electronic data by being burned to an unused DVD-R, DVD-RW, etc. that is transported from the media stock unit 86 and installed. Create an optical disc (portable storage) that can be used. Note that the output of the paper document and the creation of the optical disc may be performed (almost) at the same time, or only one (print out of the paper document or creation of the optical disc) may be performed as necessary.

  In this example, the optical disk drive unit 85 and the media stock unit 86 are shown as having one each. However, in the present invention, as will be described later, a plurality of means for writing desired information on a portable storage medium are provided. It is made to have. Therefore, there are a plurality of portable storage media such as optical memories, and correspondingly, there are writing units such as drives for storing and recording in the storage media, and stock units of the media or storage. (Not shown in the figure). Alternatively, a plurality of portable storage media such as an optical memory are provided. Each portable storage medium has a writing unit such as a drive and a stock section of the medium or storage (not shown) according to the type.

  Such an MFP of the present invention has a complete function as described above, but as described above, this MFP is also connected to a communication network such as the Internet via a local area network. You may connect and use it as one terminal of the network.

  Various servers are connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and a search server that searches for information or electronic data is stored, and electronic data held internally is distributed according to user requests. In addition, there are distribution servers that can perform services such as, and servers that perform various services for mobile devices such as mobile phones and services for mobile devices that can control charging.

  The MFP of the present invention can inquire information to a search server via a communication network such as the Internet by a user performing a predetermined operation, and data received from the search server can be received by the MFP. It is also possible to print out, record information in a portable storage medium or storage, and store the information.

  Next, an example of an optical disk medium will be described as a representative example of a portable storage medium and storage applied to the present invention. Needless to say, the portable storage medium and storage of the present invention are not limited to this example, but the optical disk medium is a highly versatile medium and is easy to use.

5 to 8 are diagrams for explaining means for supplying and transporting an optical disk medium before information is written to the optical disk drive unit of the present invention.
In the present invention, a plurality of optical disk media before the information is written are stocked, and are conveyed to the optical disk drive unit one by one as needed to write the information.

  FIG. 5 shows a magazine 100 stocked with a plurality of optical disk media of the present invention (seven in this example), and this magazine 100 has a triangular direction indication mark 101 displayed on the magazine surface in the direction of arrow A. 6 is inserted into the optical disk drive unit 109 in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of transporting the inserted optical disk medium 103 to the writing unit 110 of the optical disk drive unit 109 shown in FIG. 6. The optical disk medium 103 mounted on the transport tray 102 is Two hooks 106 are hooked in hook grooves 104 provided in the transport tray 102, and are pulled out by the hooks 106 operating in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the optical disk medium 103 mounted on the transport tray 102 is pulled out.
Thereafter, the optical disk medium 103 is inserted into the hole 105 in the writing unit 110 by using the vertical movement of the writing unit 110 (operation in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 6), and the transport tray 102 is engaged. Is returned to the magazine 100. A notch 111 is provided in the transport tray 102 so that the transport tray 102 can be returned to the magazine 100 even when the optical disc medium 103 is fitted to the rotating shaft 107.

  After fitting the hole 105 into the rotating shaft 107 shown in FIG. 6, the optical disk medium 103 writes information on the recording layer by laser light emitted from the pickup shown in FIG. After the information is written by the pickup 108, the work is completed by being transported and ejected in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6 by the operation opposite to the transport operation by means (not shown) equivalent to the means described in the above transport operation. .

  In the above, an example of means for supplying and transporting an optical disk medium for writing information to the optical disk drive unit of the present invention has been shown. The optical disk medium of the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a disk type (outer diameter 120 mm, thickness 1.2 mm, hole diameter 15 mm, storage capacity CD format is not limited to 650 MB or 700 MB). Even if it is the same disk type, the outer diameter is 80 mm and the storage capacity is 185 MB in CD format, or the rectangular shape is business card size (card type) 58 mm x 86 mm x 1 mm and the storage capacity is 18 MB to 50 MB in CD format Furthermore, an optical disc medium having a star shape, an egg shape, or any other external shape and size is applicable.

  In addition, the storage capacity is 20 MB to 700 MB in a CD format using a laser wavelength of 780 nm, 4.7 GB to 17 GB in a DVD format using a laser wavelength of 635 nm / 650 nm, and further, a blue laser using a blue laser having a wavelength of 405 nm. In a format such as a ray disc (or HD DVD), 23.3 GB to 27 GB (HD DVD is single-sided 15 GB, double-sided 30 GB) may be selected and used according to the application.

  In addition to the recording density and capacity, the data recording layer uses a photosensitive organic dye (cyanine, phthalocyanine, azo, squarylium, etc.) for reading. There is a so-called R (Recordable) medium in which a stronger laser beam is applied to cause a semi-permanent reflectance change to the dye, and this change can be recorded only once.

  Depending on the recording format and capacity, there are CD-R, DVD-R, DVD + R, and the like. The reflectance change of the dye is semi-permanent and is an irreversible reaction, so it can be written only once, but it can be used for organic recording and can be used to form a recording layer by spin coating etc. There is an advantage that the production cost is lower than that of a rewritable medium described later. Further, it is a medium suitable for archival use, and is a medium that is used very conveniently when it is not necessary to modify the recorded data or when it is difficult to tamper with it.

  Also, since the price per piece of media is low, a paper document is output as in the present invention, and at the same time, the data (such as a file) is written as electronic data on the R media and distributed to many people. Very convenient for usage.

  As described above, in the case of an optical disk medium, two types of laser diodes different in format or writing density (capacity) (for example, those in CD format and those in DVD format), two different types of laser diodes, and optical systems thereof Can be a drive unit (write unit) configured as a single pickup unit, but even with such a configuration (described as a single drive unit), a plurality of types of information writing means of the present invention can be used. (Drive unit). The same applies even if the above two types are three types (for example, CD format, DVD format, HD DVD format).

  In addition, a laser diode and its optical system are configured as a drive unit (writing unit) that constitutes a single pickup unit, and writing is performed with a double beam (or multiple beams if two or more laser diodes and its optical system are provided). Even in the case where high-speed recording and storage are realized, it is regarded as a plurality of information writing means (drive units) of the present invention.

  Further, as another optical memory medium, there is a so-called RW (ReWritable) medium that uses a material capable of crystal and amorphous phase change for the data recording layer. As such a material, for example, there is a four-element alloy of Ag-In-Sb-Te (silver-indium-antimony-tellurium).

  The crystal phase is heated up to the melting point all at once, and an irregular atomic state is created. This is an amorphous state, and then when this state is rapidly cooled, the atoms are frozen in a discrete state, and an amorphous phase is formed even when the temperature drops.

  On the other hand, if the temperature is controlled to a relatively intermediate level that does not reach the melting point and then cooled relatively slowly, the atoms can now be recombined and the crystalline phase is It is formed. When erasing data, the crystal phase is changed in this way.

Amorphous is a state in which the arrangement of atoms is messy, and has a lower reflectance than a crystal. This change is called pits and lands. The RW media is equipped with lasers with different outputs so that these two temperatures can be reproduced.
This phase change between crystal and amorphous can be made to react reversibly, and therefore has the feature that it can be rewritten, unlike the aforementioned R media.
Also in the case of this medium, there are CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, etc., depending on the recording format and capacity.

  In addition, Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD using a blue laser having a wavelength of 405 nm, which uses the blue laser described above, similarly uses a material utilizing an irreversible reaction or a reversible reaction. , R media and RW media can be realized, and can be suitably used in the present invention.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, such an optical memory is supplied in units of magazines containing a certain amount of optical disk media. However, when high-speed writing is required, the optical memories are stocked in this magazine. The optical disk medium that is used may be a previously formatted medium.

  For example, in the case of a CD, when writing to a CD-R with Windows (registered trademark), there are various logical formats for each OS (Romeo, Joliet, RockRidge, ISO9660, etc.). In the MFP of the present invention, instead of formatting the optical disk medium every time data is written, for example, the optical disk medium formatted in advance to ISO9660 level 1 that can be read by most OSs is stored in the magazine. Keep it. This eliminates the time required for format writing at the time of use, allows data to be written immediately, and shortens the creation time of the optical disk medium on which information is written.

  Usually, the most frequently used format should be supplied in such a way that pre-formatted optical disc media can be used immediately (install the formatted optical disc media in the pickup part of the drive). If you want to write in a format different from that format. Considering such points, it is also a good method to provide two optical disk media supply means.

  For example, the most commonly used format is supplied in a formatted format, and an unformatted format is prepared assuming that you want to write in another format, even if it takes a little extra time to create an optical disc. And data writing are performed using the MFP (internal write drive) of the present invention.

  Each formatted or unformatted optical disc medium may be supplied in a magazine, as shown in FIG. 9, or only in the format most commonly used. When a plurality of sheets are stored and supplied in a magazine and written in a special format that is used only occasionally, it may be supplied manually one by one because the frequency is low.

  The above description has focused on the portable storage medium and the pure optical memory as the storage of the present invention. However, as another portable storage medium, the magneto-optical disk known as MO can be suitably used in the present invention. Magneto Optical Disk) and magneto-optical memory. The capacity is 128 MB, 230 MB, 640 MB, etc., and is appropriately selected depending on the intended use.

The operating principle is that the recording layer of a disk made of a magnetic material (using various magnetic garnets, manganese / bismuth alloys, barium-based ferrites, etc. as the magnetic material) is heated by irradiating laser light to about 200 degrees When the temperature rises, a magnetic field is applied to change the direction of the magnetic material to perform writing (recording), and when reading data, the laser beam is emitted at a lower output than at the time of writing, and the difference in reflected light The data is read by detecting this.
MO is highly reliable because it is not affected by magnetism and has no head crash. Like the above-mentioned optical memory, the MO is a very suitable medium as a portable storage medium incorporated in the information input / output device of the present invention. is there.

  Next, as another storage medium suitably used as the portable storage medium of the present invention, there is a semiconductor flash memory. Normally, data such as DRAM is lost when the power is turned off and is not suitable as a portable storage medium of the present invention, but flash memory is non-volatile and does not have such a problem. USB flash memory, smart media, compact flash (registered trademark), memory stick, etc. There are various shapes, sizes, capacities, etc., all of which are convenient to carry.

  In addition, similarly, there is a semiconductor memory known as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) as a non-volatile memory, which can also be suitably used as a portable storage medium of the present invention.

In any case, even if the power is turned off, the data is stored without erasing, and unlike the optical memory described above, there are no mechanical moving parts during operation, all can be used by electrical control, high speed response and high reliability. It is very easy to use.
The representative examples of various portable storage media and storages applied to the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the examples given here.

  The point of the present invention is to combine paper media and portable electronic information storage / recording media in the scene of information output and storage (recording), and they are associated with each other, and one unit fulfills its function. A portable electronic information storage / recording medium that is collected as a device (or a device configured as a system in one place) and that information is output (printed out) to a paper medium at the same time or as necessary. And can be received by a single device (or a device configured in one place). In other words, paper printout documents, storage media, and storage can be received from a single device or from a single location (not from separate distributed devices).

  In addition, a magazine stocked with multiple types of storage media and storage is detachably installed in the main body of the device, and the storage media and storage are transported to the drive part (information writing part, pickup part) as needed, Write. There are also a plurality of types of drive parts, and information is written to the storage medium having the optimum recording and storage format required at that time, or to the storage medium having the optimum capacity required. Alternatively, depending on the ease of portability, an optimal shape such as a disk shape, a card shape, a stick shape, or a block shape may be selected from time to time.

  Furthermore, it has a plurality of the same information writing means (drive part), increases the productivity when producing a plurality of recording and storage on the same type of storage medium, eliminating the user's frustration, Proposing a comfortable use environment is also an important point of the present invention.

  As described above, the present invention is in an environment where a large amount of printout / copying with a paper medium can be instantaneously performed by the Carlson principle. At the same time, when trying to produce a plurality of portable storage media in which such desired information is written, the productivity of large-scale printout / copy using paper media is overwhelmingly high. The production of a plurality of media is inevitably time consuming, and the user is kept waiting, which is frustrating. However, this also has a plurality of the same information writing means (drive part) as in the present invention, so that a plurality of recording and storing on the same type of storage medium can be instantaneously produced.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration. This example shows a configuration in which two optical disk drive units are incorporated in the MFP. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to two, and high-speed processing using paper media. In order to be able to produce a plurality of such portable storage media to the extent that it is balanced to some extent with a large amount of printouts / copying and does not feel that the user is waiting too much, It has a writing means (drive part).

  When a plurality of identical information writing means (drive portions) are provided as described above, a plurality of optical disk drives 309 and optical disk drive interface units 310 shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3 are also connected to the I / O bus 305. It will be in the state.

  By the way, as an example of writing to a portable storage medium and storage, an example of an optical disk has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to an optical disk, and other storage media and storage may be used. The form of the magazine, the form of conveyance, and the form of information writing (storage) / reading means are slightly different, but the concept is the same and is applied in the same way.

  Next, still another feature of the present invention will be described. Since the information input / output device of the present invention handles paper, it is in an environment where paper dust, toner, etc. are constantly drifting in the device or in the vicinity of the device. Therefore, the semiconductor laser for recording in the storage such as the optical memory of the present invention and the pickup unit (see 108 in FIG. 6) including the optical system are destined to be easily contaminated with paper dust or toner.

  Further, unlike a semiconductor non-volatile memory which is another example of the present invention, information is written / read (output) by electrical input / output, and a storage such as an optical memory is physically composed of a pickup unit and a storage. This is due to the operating principle itself of performing mechanical operation, but it is also prone to failure (life of the laser diode or failure of the mechanical operating part). In particular, the floating of paper dust and toner, which is unique to the present invention, is an important factor that causes mechanical operation failure.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in order to compensate for the low reliability due to such dirt or failure, the pickup unit can be detached from the drive part, and the optical system such as a lens is dirty, When trouble is caused in use, it can be easily replaced or the lens portion can be cleaned.

  As described above, in the case where the MFP has such a storage such as an optical memory, that is, in the case of the present invention, the optical system is contaminated by paper dust or toner, or the mechanical operation part of the pickup unit is broken. Even if it exists, since it is made to attach or detach and replace, there exists an advantage that a function can be recovered easily.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming unit of a full-color image forming apparatus of a dry two-component development system in which photosensitive drums as a latent image carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention are arranged in tandem. 1 is a diagram showing an entire full-color image forming apparatus of a dry two-component development system in which photosensitive drums as latent image carriers according to an embodiment of the present invention are arranged in tandem. FIG. 3 is a detailed explanatory diagram of an electric processing unit such as a printer unit, an optical memory, a scanner, and a hard disk according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in which an optical disk drive unit is incorporated in an MFP as one configuration example of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view of a magazine storing a plurality of optical disk media before information writing applied to the present invention. FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation principle of mounting | wearing an optical disk medium to the optical disk drive unit applied to this invention, information writing, and discharge | emission. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which conveys the optical disk medium after magazine insertion to the writing part. It is sectional drawing which shows a state when the optical disk medium mounted in the conveyance tray is pulled out. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in which two optical disc drive units are incorporated in an MFP as one configuration example of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image formation part, 2 ... Paper feed part, 3 ... Reading part, 4 ... Paper discharge tray, 5 ... Intermediate transfer belt, 6 ... Image formation part, 7 ... Exposure apparatus, 8 ... Fixing apparatus, 9 ... Double-sided apparatus, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Recording paper, 21 ... Paper feed tray, 23 ... Registration roller, 24 ... Bottom plate, 25 ... Pickup roller, 26 ... Paper feed roller, 27 ... Vertical conveyance path, 31 ... Contact glass, 32 ... 1st traveling body, 33: Second traveling member, 34: Lens, 35: CCD, 36: Automatic document feeder, 41 ... Paper discharge roller, 51 ... Secondary transfer device, 52 ... Intermediate transfer belt cleaning device, 61 ... Photoconductor, 62 ... Charging device, 63 ... Developing device, 64 ... Photoconductor cleaning device, 65 ... Exposure unit, 66 ... Primary transfer device, 81 ... Branch claw, 82 ... Jam paper discharge tray, 84 ... Manual feed tray, 85 ... Optical disc drive unit , 86 ... Mede Astock section, 91 ... Branch section, 92 ... Reverse discharge path, 100 ... Magazine, 101 ... Triangle direction indication mark, 102 ... Conveying tray, 103 ... Optical disc media, 104 ... Hook groove, 105 ... Hole, 106 ... Hook 107 ... Rotating shaft 108 ... Pickup 109 ... Optical disk drive unit 110 ... Writing part 111 ... Notch part 301 ... CPU 302 ... RAM 303 ... ROM 304 ... Local bus 305 ... I / O bus 306: Bridge circuit, 307 ... Printer unit, 308 ... Printer interface unit, 309 ... Optical disk drive, 310 ... Optical disk drive interface unit, 311 ... Scanner unit, 312 ... Scanner interface unit, 313 ... Hard disk drive, 314 ... IDE interface unit 315 ... network interface controller, 316 ... image processing unit, 317 ... raster image processor, 318 ... video RAM, 319 ... video interface unit, 320 ... extended I / O interface unit.

Claims (14)

  An information input / output device comprising an information input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit, exchanging information between them and concentrating each unit in one place, wherein the output unit is An information input / output device as means for writing desired information on a portable storage medium and means based on the principle of the Carlson process, comprising a plurality of types of means for writing desired information on the portable storage medium. Output device.   2. The information input / output device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the portable storage media are stocked in the information input / output device in a state before desired information is written.   3. The information input / output device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of portable storage media are packed in a magazine and the magazine is detachable.   The information input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the portable storage medium is an optical memory.   The information input / output device according to claim 4, wherein the optical memory is a plurality of storage media having different formats.   The information input / output device according to claim 4, wherein the optical memory is a plurality of storage media having different capacities.   The information input / output device according to claim 4, wherein the optical memory is a plurality of storage media having different shapes.   8. The information input / output device according to claim 4, wherein the pickup unit for writing in the optical memory is detachable.   An information input / output device comprising an information input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit, exchanging information between them and concentrating each unit in one place, wherein the output unit is An information input / output device as means for writing desired information on a portable storage medium and means based on the principle of the Carlson process, comprising a plurality of means for writing desired information on the portable storage medium. Output device.   10. The information input / output device according to claim 9, wherein the means for writing desired information in the portable storage medium includes a plurality of the same means.   11. The information input / output device according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of the portable storage media are stocked in the information input / output device in a state before desired information is written.   12. The information input / output device according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of portable storage media are packed in a magazine, and the magazine is detachable.   The information input / output apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the portable storage medium is an optical memory.   14. The information input / output device according to claim 13, wherein the pickup unit for writing to the optical memory is detachable.