JP2538571B2 - Copying device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine, and more particularly, to a copying machine having a function (magnifying function) of changing a magnification of an image formed on a document image to be read. It relates to the device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a copying apparatus of this type, there is one that has a function of detecting a document size and automatically selecting a sheet having a magnification or an optimum size. However, most of the originals that can be detected were limited to standard sizes such as B4 and A3. Moreover, the automatic magnification selection function and the automatic paper selection function cannot be set at the same time.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, in the conventional copying apparatus, the operability cannot be avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a copying apparatus capable of detecting an original of any desired size, not limited to a fixed size, and at the same time achieving automatic paper selection and automatic scaling based on that. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention is a copying apparatus that accommodates recording materials of a plurality of sizes and is capable of forming an image on each recording material at a plurality of magnifications. , A generation means for generating a size signal representing the size of an image to be copied, a recording material designating means for manually selecting a recording material on which an image is formed, a magnification input means for manually inputting a magnification of copying, and an image First mode selecting means for manually selecting a first mode for automatically selecting a recording material to be formed, and second mode for manually selecting a second mode for automatically determining a magnification of copying. In a state in which the selection unit and the first mode are manually selected without manually selecting the second mode, a recording material of an appropriate size is selected based on the size signal and the manually input magnification, That selected record In the state where the first control means for forming an image on the material at the manually input magnification and the second mode are manually selected without manually selecting the first mode, the size signal and the manual selection are performed. The second control means for determining an appropriate magnification based on the size of the recording material, and forming the image on the manually selected recording material at the determined magnification, both the first and second control modes. In the manually selected state, an appropriate magnification is determined for each recording material of each size based on the size signal and each of the recording materials of a plurality of sizes accommodated in the copying apparatus, and a predetermined magnification is determined. And a third control means for forming an image on the selected recording material at an appropriate magnification determined for the selected recording material. To do.

[Operation] That is, according to the present invention, the function of the setting means for automatically setting the scaling factor from the desired reading area to the recording medium of the desired size, and the optimum size related to the size of the formed image It is possible to simultaneously select the function by the supply control means for selecting the recording medium, and it is possible to prevent switching of both functions contrary to the operator's intention.

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

(1) Outline of Embodiment FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A are a perspective view and a sectional view showing an embodiment of the copying apparatus of the present invention, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copying apparatus according to this example includes a reader unit A for reading a document image and a printer unit B for forming the read image on a recording medium such as paper. There is. Further, the reader unit A is provided with an operation unit A-1 described later with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the original is placed with the surface (original surface) on which the image to be read is formed facing down on the original platen glass 3, and is pressed onto the glass 3 by the original cover 4. It The original surface is illuminated by a fluorescent lamp 2, and the reflected light is condensed on the surface of CCD 1 as a reading sensor via mirrors 5 and 7 and lens 6.

The movement of the mirror 7 and the mirror 5 is controlled in the sub-scanning direction at a relative speed of 2: 1. For example, if a DC servo motor is used as a drive source, the optical system can be moved at a constant speed by performing PLL control.
This moving speed can be set to 180 mm / sec on the forward path (from left to right in the figure) and 800 mm / sec on the return path (from right to left) when reading at the same magnification.

In addition, the maximum document size that can be processed is equivalent to A3 size,
If the resolution is 400 dots / inch, 4678 (= (297 / 25.4) × 400) bits are required as the number of bits constituting CCD 1, so in this example, CCD 1 in which 5000-bit elements are arranged is used. . The main scanning cycle 352.7μsec (= (10 ^6/18
0) × (25.4 / 400)).

The image signal serially processed by the reader unit A for each bit of CCD 1 is input to the laser scanning optical system unit 25 of the printer unit B. This unit 25 is composed of a semiconductor laser unit, a collimator lens, a rotating polyhedral mirror (polygon mirror), an F-θ lens, a correction optical system and the like. That is, the image signal from the reader unit A is supplied to the laser unit, where it is electro-optically converted, and is radiated to the polygon mirror that rotates at high speed through the collimator lens, and the reflected light is incident on the photoconductor 8.
To be scanned.

For the photoconductor 8, as a process component capable of forming an image, a pre-electrifier 9, a pre-electrification lamp 10, a primary charger 11, a secondary charger 12, a front exposure lamp 13, a developing device 14, a paper feed A cassette 15, a paper feed roller 16, a paper feed guide 17, a registration roller 18, a transfer charger 19, a separation roller 20, a conveyance guide 21, a fixing device 22, a tray 23 and the like are arranged. The speed of the photoconductor 8 and the transport system is set to 180 mm / sec. Further, in the present example, the printer unit B uses a so-called laser beam printer, but other types may be used.

The copying apparatus of this example has intelligence such as image editing, and as its functions, an arbitrary changing function of a 1% step magnification within a range of 0.35 to 4.0 times, a trimming function for extracting an image only in a designated area, It includes a moving function of moving the trimmed image to a desired position on the recording medium, a position coordinate detecting function of a document placed on the document table glass 3, and the like, and details of each function will be described later.

 FIG. 2B shows a configuration example of the operation unit A-1.

Here, 100 is a copy start key for instructing the start of copying, 102 is a copy stop key for instructing to stop the copying operation, 101 is a reset key for returning the copy mode to the standard state, and 103 is a key of "0" to "9". This is a setting key provided with a ten-key group, a "c" key for clearing the set number of copies, and a "*" key used for inputting numerical data such as a trimming area. A density key 108 sets high to low density, and the result is displayed on the display unit 112. 104 and 105
Is a key for turning on / off the document position coordinate detection function and its display, 111 is a copy number display section, 113 is a display section for various error messages, and 109 and 114 are automatic density adjustment function turning on / off, respectively. Keys and their indicators to turn off, 110 and 115 are keys and their indicators to turn on / off the dither processing function when scanning halftone original images such as photographs, and 116 is a paper feed tray and automatic paper selection function. This is a key for selecting, and the display unit 117 displays the paper feed stage and the display unit 118 displays the paper size.

An operation display unit 122 has a preset key for presetting and calling a copy mode, and a display unit therefor. 123 is, for example, a 5 × 7 dot matrix 3
A two-digit liquid crystal display unit 124 is a soft key for selecting a desired mode from the copy modes displayed on the display unit 123.

Reference numerals 125 and 126 denote display units for displaying the magnification MY in the sub-scanning direction and the magnification MX in the main-scanning direction, respectively. 12
Reference numeral 7 denotes a 1x / magnification switching key, and each time the key is pressed, both the main scanning direction magnification MX and the subscanning direction magnification MY are set to the same size (10
0%) mode and auto scaling (MX = MY) mode are set alternately and repeatedly. Keys 128 and 129 simultaneously increase or decrease the magnifications MX and MY by 1% respectively.

Reference numeral 130 denotes a switching key used for switching between the 100% mode using only the magnification MY in the sub-scanning direction and the automatic magnification mode, and 131 and 132 denote command keys for increasing or decreasing only the magnification MY by 1%, respectively. In addition, 133 is 100 only in the main scanning direction magnification MX.
Switching keys used to switch between the% mode and the automatic scaling mode, and 134 and 135 are command keys for increasing or decreasing only the magnification MX by 1%.

These nine keys 127-129, 130-132 and 133-135
There are seven types of scaling functions that can be set as described below with reference to FIG.

(2) Reader Unit FIG. 3 shows an example of a system configuration of the reader unit A.

Here, in addition to the above CCD 1, the CCD reading unit 301
Clock driver, amplifier of signal from CCD 1,
An A / D converter for A / D conversion is provided. This CC
Image data converted into a 6-bit digital signal is output from the D reading unit 301 and input to the shading correction unit 302.

The shading correction unit 302 detects a shading amount of an optical system such as a light source and a lens, and corrects image data in accordance with the detection.
And temporarily accumulate it. The shift memory unit 303 is provided with shift lines for two lines, and when the image data of the Nth line is being written in the first shift memory, the image data of the (N-1) th line is read from the second shift memory. To do so. The shift memory unit 303 further includes a write address counter for writing image data to each shift memory and a read address counter for reading, and an address selector circuit for switching address signals from these two counters. It is. The details will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a scaling / movement processing unit which variably sets a clock for defining a write cycle of the image signal to the shift memory, a clock for defining a read cycle from the shift memory, and a read timing. Zooming and movement are controlled. This will be described later in detail.

The image signal output from the shift memory unit 303 is input to the density processing unit 305, where the image signal is binarized or dithered to become a binary signal, and the trimming processing unit 306 is executed.
Is output to In the trimming processing unit 306, the main scanning direction 1
Forcibly set “0”, “1” for any section of line image data
And edit the image as possible. This will be described later in detail. 2 output from the density processing unit 305
The value signal is also input to the document position detection unit 307. Here, the binary signal is used to detect the position coordinate of the document on the document glass 3 as described later.

Reference numeral 308 denotes a CPU unit, which is shown in FIG. 14 and FIG.
It is composed of a CPU for controlling each part according to a processing procedure described later in (D), a ROM storing the processing procedure thereof, a work RAM, a timer circuit, an I / O interface and the like. The CPU unit 308 is further connected to the operation unit A-1, and controls the reader unit A according to the setting made by the operator and controls the printer unit B by serial communication.

Reference numeral 311 denotes a driver of the DC servo motor M as a drive source for moving the optical system, and the CPU 308 presets speed data according to the magnification. Reference numeral 312 denotes a driver for the fluorescent lamp 2, which controls ON / OFF of the fluorescent lamp 2 and light amount control at the time of lighting under the control of the CPU unit 308. Reference numerals 313 and 314 denote position sensors disposed at appropriate positions for notifying the CPU unit 308 of the position of the optical system.

The reader unit A having such a configuration is connected to the printer unit B via the connector JR1 and the connector JP1 on the printer unit B side. Thus, the reader unit A
A control signal necessary for image data communication and serial communication is transmitted and received between the printer unit B and the printer unit B.
This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Note that a horizontal synchronizing signal BD is supplied from the printer unit B via the connector JR1 and is input to the clock generator 309. The clock generator 309 synchronizes the CCD with the horizontal sync signal BD.
A signal transfer clock, a read / write clock for the shift memory unit 303, and the like are generated.

(3) Document Position Detecting Unit FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the document position detecting unit 307. Reference numeral 351 denotes a main scanning counter for indicating a scanning position in one main scanning line.
(Direction) is set to the maximum value, and the down counter counts down every time the image data clock CLK is input. Reference numeral 352 denotes a sub-scanning counter for indicating a scanning position in the sub-scanning direction, and a vertical synchronizing signal VSYN
It can be an up-counter that is reset to "0" at the rising edge of C (image leading edge signal) and counts up with the HSYNC signal.

At the time of preliminary scanning (pre-scanning) for determining the reading level and detecting the position of the document before reading the document image,
The binarized image data VIDEO is input to the shift register 361 in 8-bit units, for example. When this 8-bit input is completed, the gate circuit 362 determines whether all the 8-bit data is a white image, and if the determination is affirmative, outputs "1" to the signal line 363. That is, the flip-flop (F / F) 364 is set when the data in which all 8 bits are white appear first after the start of the prescan of the original.
The F / F 364 is reset in advance by the VSYNC signal, and the reset state continues until the next VSYNC signal is supplied.

When F / F364 is set, F / F305 as a latch
Then, the value of the main scanning counter 351 at that time is loaded. This is referred to as X ₁ coordinate values. Further, the value of the sub-scanning counter 350 at that time is loaded into the latch 306, and this is set as the Y ₁ coordinate value. Therefore, one vertex P ₁ (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) of the original image
Is found.

Further, each time “1” is output to the signal line 363, the value from the main scanning counter 351 is loaded into the latch 367. Latch 370 is loaded with the value from the main scan counter when the 8 bit white data first appears, and latch 370 (which is set to the maximum value in the X direction at the time of the VSYNC signal being supplied). Data) and the size of the data are compared by the comparator 369. If the data in latch 367 is smaller, the data in latch 367 is loaded into latch 370. At this time, the value of the sub-scanning counter 352 is loaded into the latch 371.
This operation is processed until the next 8 bits enter the shift register 361. In this way, comparing the data in the latch 367 with the data in the latch 370 for the entire image area,
The minimum value in the X direction of the original area remains in the latch 370, and the coordinates in the Y direction at this time remain in the latch 371. Since the main scanning counter 351 is a down counter, the coordinates corresponding to the minimum value in the X direction are the origin S _{p of the} scanning start in the main scanning direction.
Represents the coordinates farthest from. This is P ₃ (X ₃ ,
Y ₃ ).

An F / F 372 is set when the first 8-bit white appears for each main scanning line. The F / F is reset by the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, is set by the first 8-bit white data, and is set to the next signal HSYNC. This state is maintained until the supply of. When the F / F372 is set, the value of the main scanning counter corresponding to the position of the white signal that first appeared in one line is latched.
Set to 373. Then, the data in the latch 375 is compared with the size in the comparator 376. The minimum value "0" in the X direction is set in the latch 375 at the time when the signal VSYNC is generated.

If the data in latch 375 is less than or equal to the data in latch 373, signal 377 becomes active and the data in latch 373 is loaded into latch 375. This operation is performed within the supply cycle of the signal HSYNC.
When the above comparison operation is performed for the entire image area, the latch
In 375, the maximum value of the document coordinates in the X direction, that is, the X coordinate of the white signal at the point closest to the scanning start point in the main scanning direction remains. This is referred to as X _2. When the signal 377 is output, the value of the sub-scanning counter 352 is loaded into the latch 378. Let this be Y ₂ , and the P ₂ (X ₂ , Y ₂ ) coordinates can be obtained.

Whenever 8-bit white appears in the entire image area, the latches 379 and 320 are loaded with the values of the main scanning counter and the sub-scanning counter at that time, respectively.

Therefore, when the pre-scanning of the original is completed, the count value at the time when the last 8-bit white appears appears in the counter. Let this be P ₄ (X ₄ , Y ₄ ).

Eight latches (366,371,320,378,365,370,375,37
9) The data line is bus line B of the CPU unit 308 shown in FIG.
Connected to the US, the CPU unit 308 reads the data held in these latches at the end of the prescan.

(4) Shift memory unit FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the shift memory unit 303 in FIG. As described above, in this example, two shift memories are provided, and writing and reading are performed alternately to improve the processing efficiency. However, FIG. 2 shows only the system related to the shift memory (shown by reference numeral 907).

The write address counter 904 is an address counter for writing data to the shift memory 907, and the read address counter 905 is an address counter for reading data from the shift memory 907. Address selector 906
Receives commands from the CPU unit 308 via the I / O port 901,
This is for addressing the shift memory 907 by selecting either the address signal of the write address counter 904 or the address signal of the read address counter 905.

I / O registers 902 and 903 are provided for write address counter 904 and read address counter 905, respectively.
This is a register for the CPU unit 308 to give a preset value.

In this example, both the write address counter 904 and the read address counter 905 are configured as down counters,
A WST signal and an RST signal for instructing the start of the count operation are input to each, and a write clock WCLK to the shift memory 907 and a read clock RCLK from the shift memory are input.

915 and 916 are exclusive OR gates for determining an image area, OF is a signal for controlling them, and the value is “1”
When, the inside of the frame determined by the ST counter 912 and the EN counter 913 is masked, and the outside of the frame is used as an output image, while when "0", the inside of the frame is used as an output image and the outside of the frame is masked.

910 is output from the shift memory 907, and the density processing unit 90
This is an AND gate for controlling the output of image data that has been converted into a binary signal through 8. 917 is an AND gate that determines whether to output the mask portion as white or black, and BB is a signal that controls it. When the value is "1", black is displayed, and when it is "0", white is displayed. Is output.

911 is an OR gate for outputting the image output output by the gates 910 and 917 as an image signal VIDEO, 909 is an exclusive OR gate for controlling the black and white inversion of the image data, and IN is a gate
A signal for controlling 909, which outputs an image as an original when "1" and an inverted image when "0". In addition, each signal
OF, BB, and IN are output by the CPU unit 308 according to the mode specified by the operator.

The ST counter 912 and the EN counter 913 are a start bit counter and an end bit counter, respectively, for outputting an image only in a predetermined area, and these are a count for opening and closing the gate by the CPU unit 308 via an interface. Preset the data. F / F914 is set by counting up ST counter 912, EN counter 913
It is an RS type flip-flop that is reset by the count-up.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the operation timing of each section shown in FIG.

For example, if the OF signal is "1" and the Q output of the F / F914 becomes "1" due to the ST counter 912 counting up, the gate 915
The output of the gate 910 becomes “0”, and the output of the gate 910 is not masked until the EN counter 913 counts up and is masked. On the other hand, since the output of the gate 916 is "1" during that time, BB
When the signal is "1", the output of gate 917 is "1",
The gate 911 outputs "1" and becomes a black mask. Conversely, OF
When = 1 and BB = 0, the white mask is used.

If OF = 0, the outputs of the gates 915 and 916 become “1” and “0”, respectively, so that BB =
When it is 1, the outside of the trimming range is black, and when BB = 0, the outside of the trimming range is white.

(5) Magnification mode Next, a magnification mode will be described.

The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by making the scanning speed of the optical system variable. The CPU unit 308 calculates the target rotation speed of the DC servo motor M from the magnification specified by the operator using the operation unit A-1, calculates the PLL frequency corresponding to the speed, and calculates the motor driver 311 shown in FIG. Preset before scanning. That is, assuming that the conveying speed of the recording medium by the printer unit B is constant, for example, 180 mm / sec, when the image is enlarged twice, the scanning speed is 90 mm which is 1/2 of the scanning speed of 180 mm / sec at the same magnification. The speed of the motor M is determined so that the motor speed can be obtained.
The speed of the motor M is determined so that ec can be obtained.

Next, magnification change in the main scanning direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (A) to 7 (D).

A CCD that outputs at a constant frequency when changing the magnification in the main scanning direction
This is performed by sampling the serial signal after the A / D conversion from the reading unit 301 at a clock rate corresponding to the magnification as follows.

At the same magnification, the CCD reading unit 301 as shown in FIG.
Write clock WCLK equal to transfer clock CLK from
Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the data is read from the shift memory unit 303 with a read clock RCLK equal to the output clock VCLK to the printer unit B.

On the other hand, for example, when reducing to 1/2, the shift memory unit 3
The write clock WCLK to 03 is written at 1/2 of the transfer clock CLK as shown in (C) of the figure, 1 bit is sampled for each 2 bits of information of the original image, and the output clock VCLK is obtained as shown in (B) of the figure. Read with the same read clock RCLK and realize 1/2 reduction.

For example, when the image is enlarged twice, writing into the shift memory unit 303 is performed as shown in FIG. As shown, if the output clock VCLK to the printer unit B is read out at a clock rate of 1/2, the same signal is added one bit at a time for each bit of the document information, so that a double enlargement can be realized.

(6) Image Movement Mode The image movement mode will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG.

Regarding the sub-scanning direction, as shown in FIG.
It is realized by changing the output timing of YNC.

When the image signal VIDEO is output together with the signal VSYNC when the optical system reaches the position with respect to the document M, a recording output P1 that does not move is obtained. When the optical system reaches the position of the image signal VIDEO, the image signal VIDEO is output. Is output, a recording output P2 moved backward is obtained. Further, when the signal VSYNC and the image signal VIDEO are output when the optical system reaches the position of, the recording output P3 moved forward is obtained.

As for the image movement in the main scanning direction, as shown in FIG. 9 (A), the write address counter 904 and the read address counter 9 via the I / O registers 902 and 903 shown in FIG.
This is done by relatively changing the down-count start address given to 05.

For example, the write start address WAD to the shift memory unit 303
For R, if the read start address is RADR1,
As shown in FIG. 6B, it can be seen that the image data X _o corresponding to the address WADR is moving to the right with respect to the output VIDEO ENABLE corresponding to the width of the image in the main scanning direction. If the read start address is RADR2, the data corresponding to the shift memory address O as shown in FIG.
You can see that X ₃ is moving to the left with respect to VIDEO ENABLE. The effective image section signal in FIG. 9 is
ST counter 912, EN counter 913, F / F 914, gate 9 in FIG.
This is a trimming section signal composed of 15,916,917,910,911, and is necessary for making an invalid image outside the section of the address O to WADR in the shift memory unit 303 of FIG.

(7) Interface Signal The timing of the interface signal transmitted / received between the reader unit A and the printer unit B will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

The BEAM DETECT signal BD is for synchronizing with the rotation of the polygon scanner that scans and drives the polygon mirror arranged in the laser scanning optical system 25 of the printer unit B when the reader unit A and the printer B are connected. It corresponds to the leading edge signal of each scanning line.

VIDEO is an image signal, each pixel having a pulse width of about 56 ns per line, and 4678 output signals. The image signal VIDEO is synchronized with the signal BD when connected to the printer unit B, and is output in synchronization with an internal pseudo horizontal synchronization signal (hereinafter referred to as signal HSYNC) when transmitting to another unit. . VIDEO ENABLE is a section signal indicating the section in which 4678 pieces of image data are output. Signal BD or signal HSYN
Output in synchronization with C.

 VSYNC is a signal indicating an image section in the sub-scanning direction.

The PRINT REQUEST signal is a signal indicating that the printer unit B can feed paper, and the reader unit A responds to the PRINT REQUEST signal.
After the paper feed command is output by the INT signal, the image signal VIDEO is output together with the signal VSYNC after a time T1 considering the magnification, the trimming area, and the movement amount corresponding to the copy mode set by the operator.

OHP and VTOP are input signals from sensors 313 and 314 (see FIG. 3) indicating the position of the optical system of the reader unit A, respectively. BACK and FORWARD are the CPU unit 30 shown in FIG.
This is a backward and forward control signal given from 8 to the optical system driving motor driver 311.

In Figure 11 and Is a signal line for communication between the reader unit A and the printer unit B.

and Are both 8-bit serial data and a clock, and both are bidirectional lines.

Is output when the reader unit A outputs data and clock, Is output when the printer unit B outputs the data and the clock.

Examples of the serially transmitted signals include a copy start command and a copy stop command from the reader unit A to the printer unit B as shown in the timing chart of FIG.

(8) Magnification Function Seven types of magnification functions are provided by the copying apparatus according to this embodiment as shown in the following table.

In the table, MX is the magnification in the main scanning direction, MY is the magnification in the sub-scanning direction, DX and DY are the document sizes for reading, PX and PY.
Indicates the paper size of the recording medium on which the image data is formed, and the suffix X indicates the main scanning direction and the suffix Y indicates the sub-scanning direction. The original size is the size of the entire original or the area specified by the operator.

The variable magnification functions No. 1 and No. 4 are repeatedly selected by the key 127 in FIG. 2 (C). The scaling function No. 2 is set with the keys 128 and 129. In the zooming function No. 3, the sub-scanning magnification MY is determined by the keys 131 and 132, and the main scanning magnification MX is determined by the keys 134 and 135.
Is set. The scaling function No. 5 can be set by selecting MY for auto scaling with the key 130 and selecting MX for auto scaling with the key 133. Magnification function No. 6 is a key
MY is set to auto-magnification by 130 and MX is selected by keys 134 and 135 to an arbitrary magnification. Conversely, for the scaling function No. 7, MX is set to auto scaling by key 133,
The setting is made by selecting MY to an arbitrary magnification using the keys 131 and 132.

Fig. 12 shows the display when these seven functions are selected.
An example of the display contents of 125 and 126 is shown. All numerical values are examples showing% display. “A” means auto,
"Displayed to the left of" A " "" And "-" indicate that they are independent in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, respectively.

A description will be given of a mode of calculating the magnification of the automatic zooming. Basically, the main scanning magnification MX is given by PX / DX obtained by dividing the length PX of the paper in the main scanning direction by the length DX of the document in the main scanning direction, and the sub-scanning magnification MY is also given by PY / DY. MX and MY obtained in this way are not always equal. Therefore, the values of MX and MY in the zoom function No. 5 to No. 7 can be used as they are, but the zoom function N
In o.4, MX and MY must be equal, so
In this case, one of PX / DX and PY / DY, for example, the smaller one is used as MX and MY. In this example, the copy magnification that can be selected can be between 35% and 400%, and if the calculation result is out of this condition, it is rounded to 35% or 400%.

The functions of the variable magnification functions No. 6 and No. 7 were added for the first time in the copying machine according to this example. That is, in the conventional apparatus, when the automatic magnification is referred to, the magnification is automatically set in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. For this reason, either one cannot be set to an arbitrary magnification desired by the operator. However, in this example, by setting any one of the magnifications to an arbitrary magnification, the application range of the scaling function is greatly expanded.

FIG. 13 shows a concrete example of the above seven scaling functions. The left side of the arrow in the figure indicates the original, and the right shaded area is the image after scaling.

The auto zoom function is shown together with the paper size. Magnification is shown in both main and sub scanning directions, "A"
Is auto, and the value in () is the calculated auto scaling factor.

(9) Paper selection function In this example, an automatic paper selection function was added as another automation function related to the document size. This function is used for the detected original size or specified area size.
This is to select the optimum paper for obtaining an image output of a size multiplied by the set magnification, and it is necessary to recognize the document size and the magnification as conditions for selecting the paper. In the past, the automatic scaling function and the automatic paper selection function described above could not be used together, so if the automatic scaling function was already selected when the automatic paper selection function was already selected, or vice versa. In such a case, a warning message is displayed to notify the operator that both functions cannot be used together, or the function selected later will be given priority and the function already set will be operated. Had to force the switch regardless of the person's intention. Therefore, there are many restrictions on use for the operator, and the mode is automatically switched, so that the operability is low.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to use the above-described four automatic scaling functions (No. 4 to No. 7) and the automatic paper selection function together.

The basic concept of determining the magnification and paper selection when using the auto-magnification function and the automatic paper selection function is to first determine the detected document size and the specified area size for each paper size set in the paper feed tray. Is to calculate the magnification in the case of auto-magnification, and to select a sheet that makes the magnification closer to 100%.

According to this, when using the copying apparatus, the most frequent normal-size copying can be performed without contradiction, which is reasonable, and furthermore, the operator is not confused by giving operational restrictions and unnecessary messages. .

When the automatic scaling function and the automatic paper selection function are simultaneously selected, the scaling factor may be automatically set to 100%.

(10) Copy Sequence FIG. 14 shows an example of a copy processing procedure (copy sequence) according to this example. This procedure is performed by the CPU unit 3 in FIG.
08 is stored in the ROM and executed by the CPU.

First, the operator uses the key 116 to select either the upper cassette as the paper feed stage or a mode in which the apparatus automatically selects the paper feed stage (sp501). Next, the operator presses one of the seven zoom functions described above with the key 12.
Selection is performed using 7 to 129, 130 to 132, and 133 to 135, and a desired magnification is designated as necessary (sp502).

The operator selects the entire original or a specific area as the reading area according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 16 (A) to 16 (G), and in the latter case, designates a desired area, and accordingly selects the relevant area. Area GX0, GY provided on the RAM in the CPU unit 308 with area coordinates
Set it to 0, GX1, GY1 (sp503). It also sets other functions as needed (sp504).

When the start key 100 is pressed (sp505), the copy operation is started. If it is determined that the document recognition function is selected (sp506), a preliminary scan (pre-scan) is performed to detect the document position size described above (sp507), and the area DX0 provided on the RAM is set. , DY0, DX1, DY1 are set to the document position coordinates (sp508). On the other hand, when it is determined that the document recognition function is not selected (sp506), corresponding values are set on the assumption that the document corresponds to the maximum reading area A3 size (sp509).

When it is determined in sp503 that a specific area has been designated (sp510), the origins DX0 and DY0 of the recognized document are added to areas GX0, GY1, GY0, and GY1 and the result is added to area DX0 on RAM. , Set again to DX1, DY0, DY1 (sp511). At this point, DX0, DX1,
The reading area coordinates are set in DY0 and DY1.

Next, the sizes DX and DY of the document, that is, the reading area, are calculated from DX = DX1-DX0 and DY = DY1-DY0, and set in the area on the RAM (sp512).

Next, according to the designated mode, the magnification is calculated in the case of auto scaling, and the paper feed tray is selected in the case of auto paper selection (sp51
3). The details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 16 (A) to 16 (D).

Next, the paper feed tray selected in sp513 is instructed to the printer unit B (sp514). Also, according to the magnification calculated in sp513, the scan speed of the optical system in the sub-scanning direction, the write clock to the shift memory unit 303, and the shift memory unit 303
Set the clock for reading from (sp515). After that, until the copy sequence for the set number of sheets is completed,
After repeating image scanning and printing, the operation ends (sp516, sp517).

Details of magnification calculation and paper selection processing (sp513) will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 (A) to 16 (D).

First, it is determined whether or not the automatic paper selection is made (sp601). If the determination is negative, the paper size already selected by the operator is determined.
Set in the areas PX and PY provided in the RAM in the CPU unit 308 (sp60
2) From these PX and PY and the reading area sizes DX and DY that have already been set, the magnification is calculated as follows according to the selected scaling function (sp603).

In the case of the variable magnification functions No. 1 to No. 3, both the main scanning magnification MX and the sub-scanning magnification MY are known, so this procedure is ended without performing any calculation.

For function No.4, ie, auto zoom, MX = MY =
Calculate MX (maximum 0.35, min (PX / DX, PY / DY, 4.0)), MY and set it in the area on RAM. This is to calculate the magnification for reducing / enlarging the reading area over the entire surface of the paper independently for each main scanning and sub-scanning, and then set the smaller one as the magnification. %
It is as follows (sp604).

For function No.5, that is, for auto vertical / horizontal magnification, function N
Unlike the auto scaling of o.4, the main scanning and sub-scanning magnifications may differ, so MX = max (0.35, mi
These are calculated as n (PX / DX, 4.0) and MY = max (0.35, min (PY / DY, 4.0)) (sp605).

In function No. 6, MX is known, so only MY is known. Similarly, in function No. 7, since MY is known, only MX can be calculated by the same operation as in vertical and horizontal auto scaling (sp606, sp60).
7).

If it is determined in sp601 that automatic paper selection is selected, first set the paper size of the upper cassette to the areas PXU and PYU in RAM, and the paper size of the lower cassette to PXL and PYL (s
p608).

Next, the scaling function number is verified (sp609), and the processing shifts to that shown in FIG. 6 (B) or (C) depending on the function.
In FIG. 3B, i is a control variable for selecting a paper cassette.

In the case of Function Nos. 1, 2, and 3, both MX and MY are known, so
It is determined whether the size obtained by multiplying the reading area sizes DX and DY by the magnifications MX and MY, respectively, is smaller than the paper in the upper cassette in both the main and sub scanning directions (sp61).
1) Similarly, determination is made for the lower row (sp613). As a result, when it is determined that neither the paper in the upper cassette nor the paper in the lower cassette can be inserted (sp625), the operator is notified that there is no optimum paper, and the process returns to Fig. 15 and the copy operation is performed. The procedure ends without performing (sp639).

When an image is placed on only one of the upper or lower cassette paper (sp625), that paper feed tray is selected and the paper size is set in the areas DX and DY on the RAM (sp637, sp638).

When there is an image on the paper in the upper cassette and the paper in the lower cassette (when i = 3), the size of the paper in the upper cassette and that in the lower cassette are compared, and both main scanning and sub-scanning are performed. When is smaller than the other, the smaller paper is selected, and when exactly the same, the upper stage is selected in this example (sp626 to sp635). If the size relationship between the main scan and sub-scan is different, the one with the smaller area is selected (sp
636).

When the scaling function is determined to be No. 6 or No. 7 in sp609, one of MX and MY is known,
Only in the direction in which the magnification is known, the upper and lower paper sizes are compared with the image size (sp616, sp618, sp621, sp623), and the paper is designated (sp625 and below). The procedure is function No. 1 to No.
Same as 3. However, MY is for function No. 6, while MY is for function No. 7.
Since the MX is unknown, determine the paper size (sp637, sp63
After 8), the magnification is calculated based on the paper size and the read size (sp641,642).

Further, when the scaling function is determined to be No. 4 or No. 5 in sp609, first the scaling ratio for scaling the reading area to the entire surface of the paper is calculated for both the upper and lower stages (16th
(Sp643, sp644, sp651, sp652 in the figure (C)). As a result, the magnifications MXU and MYU for the entire upper sheet and the magnifications MXL and MYL for the entire lower sheet are set in the areas provided in the RAM in the CPU unit 308.

Next, an appropriate paper size is determined from these MXU, MYU, MXL, and MYL based on an appropriate standard. In this example, first, α = (MX-1.0) ² + (MY-1.0) ² , that is, the smaller sum of squares of the error with the equal length is selected as the criterion (sp64
5, sp646), and when they are equal, β = (MX · MY-1.0) ² , that is, the smaller one of the squares of the error with the equal magnification in the area is selected (sp647, sp648).

As a result, set the selected paper size PX, PY and the corresponding magnifications MX, MY in the RAM area (sp649, sp65
0), and the magnification calculation and paper selection processing ends.

Further, in connection with this magnification calculation and paper selection processing, as shown in FIG. 16D, when both the automatic scaling and automatic paper selection functions are selected at the same time, automatic scaling is designated. It is also rational to force the magnification to 100% (sp653 to sp658).

(11) Operation of designating reading area In FIGS. 16A to 16G, the liquid crystal display 123 and the soft key 124 (see FIG. 2B) are used to designate a specific area as a reading area. The operation procedure is shown.

When the power is turned on, the entire document is automatically selected as the reading area as shown in FIG. Here, when the SK6 soft key corresponding to "ETC" is pressed, another function such as a movement function can be selected. SK1, SK2, SK3
Is depressed, a display as shown in (B) in the figure is displayed, requesting the operator to specify a reading area.

If left in this state for a predetermined time, a display as shown in FIG. 9C is displayed, and the selection of the entire document or the designation of a specific area as the reading area is prompted. Here, when the operator presses the SK1 or SK2 soft key, the display returns to that shown in FIG.
When the SK4 or SK5 soft key is pressed, the display shown in FIG.

In the display such as (D) in the figure, it is possible to input a specific area in mm units using the ten keys 103 in each of the main scanning direction (x) and the sub scanning direction (y). In this state, initially, three cursors corresponding to the soft key SK1 are blinking. Here, the operator sequentially inputs "1", "0", "0" from the numeric keypad, for example, and then "*" When the key is pressed, the display changes to the display shown in (E) in the figure, and the input “100” is set. Then, the cursor corresponding to the soft key of SK2 blinks. The display becomes as shown in (F) in the figure, and "OK" is displayed when all four coordinates have been input. Here, when the SK5 soft key is pressed, the setting of the specific reading area is completed, and the display shown in FIG. 7G is displayed, and the specified area is displayed.
In this state, for example, if any of the soft keys SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, and SK5 is pressed, a display as shown in FIG.

In this input example, sp503 in the copy sequence shown in FIG.
In GX0 = 100, GX1 = 200, GY0 = 50, GY1 = 300.

The reading area will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 (A) to 17 (C).

FIG. 17A shows an original M placed on the original platen glass 3.
In the state of the pre-scanning, the position is
The coordinates of the point closest and the point farthest from the document reference point are P0 (DX0, DY0) and P1 (DX1, DY1), respectively. Here, when the entire original is set as the reading target by the setting of FIG. 16, DX0, DX1, DY0, DY1 of FIG. 17A are set as the reading area.

On the other hand, specific areas GX0, GX1, GY0, GY
When 1 is set, the area coordinates are for the original as shown in FIG. 17 (B), so that the reading area on the original table glass 3 to be finally set is shown in FIG. C)
As shown in (2), the origin coordinates of the recognized document are offset from the specific area.

According to the above embodiment, when the automatic scaling function and the free paper selection function are selected at the same time, both the magnification and the paper are properly selected, so that a copying apparatus with high operability can be provided.

Further, it is possible to provide a function of automatically changing the magnification in one of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction at the operator's desired magnification and the other.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the size of a document to be read and perform automatic paper selection and automatic scaling based on the detected size. The sex can be significantly improved.

In particular, when both the mode for automatically selecting the recording material and the mode for automatically determining the magnification of copying are manually selected, it is possible to appropriately deal with the problem. That is, in that case, in relation to the size of the image to be copied, it is possible to automatically determine the recording paper of the appropriate size and the appropriate magnification, and execute the copying according to the operator's intention. .

[Brief description of drawings]

1 and 2 (A) and (B) are respectively a perspective view showing an embodiment of the copying apparatus of the present invention, a cross-sectional view thereof, and a plan view showing an example of the configuration of an operating section, and FIG. Is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the reader unit A in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the detailed configuration of the document position detecting section in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a shift memory section in FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a detailed configuration example of FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation timing of each part shown in FIG. 5, and FIGS. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C are explanatory views for explaining the mode of image movement, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are between the reader unit A and the printer unit B. Fig. 12 is a waveform diagram for explaining the signal transfer timing of the And FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a concrete example of the scaling function according to the present example, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a copy processing procedure according to the present example, and FIG. ) To (D) are flowcharts showing an example of detailed procedures of magnification calculation / paper selection processing in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 14, and FIGS. FIGS. 17A to 17C are explanatory views for explaining the reading area on the original image. A: reader unit, A-1: operation unit, B: printer unit,
M ... Original, 1 ... CCD, 2 ... Fluorescent lamp, 3 ... Original glass, 5,7 ... Mirror, 6 ... Lens, 15 ... Paper feeding cassette, 25 ... Laser scanning optical system unit , 100 …… Copy start key, 102 …… Copy stop key, 103…
… Setting keys, 104,108,109,122 …… keys, 105,111,112,1
14,118 …… Display unit, 116 …… Paper selection key, 117 …… Paper feed stage indicator, 118 …… Paper size indicator, 123 …… Liquid crystal display, 124 …… Soft key, 125 …… Sub scanning direction magnification Display unit, 126 ... Main scanning direction magnification display unit, 127 to 129, 130 to 13
2,133 to 135 …… Variable magnification function key, 301 …… CCD reading section, 303
...... Shift memory unit, 304 ...... Variable / move processing unit, 306 ...
… Trimming processor, 307 …… Original position detector, 308 ……
CPU part, 311 …… Motor driver, 313,314 …… Sensor.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-60-123864 (JP, A) JP-A-57-212459 (JP, A) JP-A-60-46571 (JP, A) JP-A-59- 23335 (JP, A) JP 60-263132 (JP, A) JP 59-22059 (JP, A) JP 60-263170 (JP, A) JP 61-63859 (JP, A) Actual Open Sho 59-141349 (JP, U) Actual Open Sho 63-62845 (JP, U)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A generation device for accommodating recording materials of a plurality of sizes and capable of forming an image on each recording material at a plurality of magnifications, for generating a size signal representing a size of an image to be copied. A recording material designation means for manually selecting a recording material on which an image is formed, a magnification input means for manually inputting a magnification for copying, and a first for automatically selecting a recording material on which an image is formed.
The first mode selecting means for manually selecting the mode, the second mode selecting means for manually selecting the second mode for automatically determining the magnification of copying, and the second mode without manually selecting the second mode. In the state where the first mode is manually selected, a recording material of an appropriate size is selected based on the size signal and the manually input magnification, and the image is displayed on the selected recording material at the manually input magnification. In the state where the first control unit to form and the second mode is manually selected without manually selecting the first mode, an appropriate value is determined based on the size signal and the manually selected size of the recording material. In the state where both the first and second control modes for manually determining the magnification and forming an image on the manually selected recording material at the determined magnification are manually selected, the size signal And the above An appropriate magnification is determined for each recording material of each size based on each of the recording materials of a plurality of sizes accommodated in the copying apparatus, and a recording material having a magnification closest to the predetermined magnification is selected. And a third control unit for forming an image on the selected recording material at an appropriate magnification determined for the recording material. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined magnification is 100%.