JP2752986B2 - Stop device for image processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for reading and recording an image, such as a copying machine, a facsimile, etc., and in particular, is mounted on a reading surface such as glass. The present invention relates to stop control of a device that reads a document in a folded state.

2. Description of the Related Art When making a copy with a copying machine, an operator's erroneous operation often forms an undesired erroneous copy. For example, when copying an A4 size original image at the same size, the B5 size recording paper is erroneously selected and the copying operation is started. Defective copy is formed. In an operation mode in which a large number of copies are continuously formed, if an operation error of this kind occurs, a large number of defective copies will be formed unless the operation of the copying machine is interrupted.

Therefore, in a general copying machine, for example,
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 40959, one stop key is arranged on the operation panel, and if the stop key is pressed during copying, the copying operation is interrupted.

However, when such a defective copy is formed, a normal operator believes that there is no operation error when pressing the copy start key. Even an operator who is accustomed to operation takes a considerable amount of time to find a stop key and press it after noticing an operation error. Therefore, in the case of the continuous copy operation, a large amount of useless defective copies are generated.

[Object of the invention]

A first object of the present invention is to minimize the generation of defective color copies, and a second object of the present invention is to stop the operation of the apparatus as soon as possible when an operator notices a wrong operation.

[Configuration of the invention]

A stop device for the image processing apparatus according to the present invention; a color image reading unit for reading an image of a document placed on a predetermined image reading surface by color separation; a color component recording signal read by the color image reading unit; Image recording means for forming a color image on a recording medium on the basis of the color component recording signal; an image in the first image reading of a series of repeated image readings of the same original document; At a predetermined fixed position on the reading surface,
The color image reading unit includes a storage unit that stores a read color component signal, and in the second and subsequent image readings, the read color component signal of the color image reading unit at a predetermined fixed position on an image reading surface. A document detection unit that compares the read color component signal of the storage unit with the read color component signal of the storage unit and generates an image formation stop signal when they do not match; and in response to the image formation stop signal, the color image reading unit and the image recording unit Suspend the image processing operation of
Control means;

With this configuration, when the operator notices an operation error, for example, by moving a pressure plate that presses the document, the amount of reflected light on the document image reading surface changes, and the color component detected by the color image reading unit is changed. The difference between the signal and the color component signal stored in the storage means causes the operation of the device to be stopped. Therefore, the operator does not need to search for and operate a special stop key,
Device operation can be interrupted quickly.

Also, for example, when the apparatus is operated with the pressure plate open to copy a book original, the original is moved or removed from the platen. Is detected by the optical detection means, so that the operation of the apparatus is automatically interrupted without any special switch operation. In the case of a color copy, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of image data processing that the original position is deviated between the first original reading (pre-scan) and the second original reading (recording scan). Interrupted.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a mechanism of a digital color copying machine of one type embodying the present invention. Referring to FIG.
0 is a scanner unit (hereinafter referred to as SC), 200 is an image processor (hereinafter referred to as IP), 400 is a memory unit (hereinafter referred to as MU), 600 is a printer unit (hereinafter referred to as PR), and 700 is a system. A controller (hereinafter, referred to as SCON), 750 is a console unit (hereinafter, referred to as CU), 900 is a digitizer blesser (hereinafter, referred to as DG), 950 is a sorter unit (hereinafter, referred to as ST), 980 is an ADF unit ( Hereinafter, referred to as AD).

FIG. 2 schematically shows the structure of the electrical unit of the copying machine shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, each unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.
100 (SC), 200 (IP), 400 (MU), 600 (PR), 750 (CU),
900 (DG), 950 (ST) and 980 (AD) are connected to 700 (SCON), and various information is transmitted between SCON and other units. Here, information transmitted by the SCON to other units is described as a “command”, and conversely, information transmitted from each unit to the SCON is described as a “status”, and are classified.

In each figure, C, M, Y, and BK indicate cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, respectively, and R, G, and B indicate red, green, and blue, respectively.

Next, the operation of each unit will be briefly described. SC
100 raster scans the original 1 and outputs image information for each pixel as R,
The image is separated into three primary colors of G and B, the density of each color is read as digital image information at each scanning position, and the information of each color is read as IP20.
Send to 0. The SC 100 also has a function of sending information on the size and form of the document to the IP 200 and the SCON 700.

The IP 200 performs digital signal processing on the image information from the SC 100, and further converts the R, G, B information into information of each color of BK, C, M, Y for recording and sends the information to the MU 400. The main contents of digital signal processing of IP200 are general image processing such as gamma correction, color correction, image size adjustment (magnification / magnification), gradation (dither) processing in the main scanning direction, and trimming, masking, movement, Editing processing such as mirroring and inverse.

The MU 400 has a plurality of operation modes. For example, in a general operation mode, the MU 400 has a function of delaying image information from the IP 200. That is, IP200
For the information of each color of BK, C, M, Y received from
The PR600 performs a time delay corresponding to a positional shift of the image forming station of each color in the sub-scanning direction, and outputs information of each color whose timing is shifted to the PR600. This type of operation is disclosed in detail in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-196268.

In another operation mode, the MU 400 moves the image by changing the timing of writing and reading information, synthesizes the image information previously written to the new image information sent from the IP 200, and writes the read address and the read address. Performs editing functions such as mirroring by switching directions.

PR600 has a function of reproducing a toner image at an image forming station of each color based on each color image information of BK, C, M, Y received from MU400, and transferring and recording the toner image of each color on a predetermined recording medium. .

The CU 750 has an input function for the operator to set various copy modes, and a display function for notifying the operator of the state of the system.

The DG900 has a function for the operator to input the position (coordinate) of the image in the edit copy operation as needed.

ST950 has a function of sorting the copy paper discharged by PR600.

The AD980 is openable and closable, as shown in FIG. 10, so that the original placed on the platen 2 of the copying machine can be pressed from the back or the original placed on the platen 982 can be scanned by the SC100. It has a function of feeding one sheet at a time onto the platen 2 in synchronization.

The SCON 700 controls the entire copying machine system, executes various logical operations, arithmetic operations, and the like based on the status information output from the above units, transmits predetermined commands to each unit, and Has a function to execute necessary processing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in order to synchronize the operation timing of each unit, a synchronization signal Lsync and CLKφ are supplied to each unit SC100, IP200, MU400, PR600 and SCON700. Lsync is a line synchronization signal for generating one pulse signal for each line of main scanning, and CLKφ is a pixel synchronization signal (clock pulse) for generating a pulse at each pixel timing in the main scanning direction.

FIG. 5e shows a schematic configuration of the system controller (SCON) 700. Referring to FIG. 5e, this unit includes:
A microprocessor (MPU) 704, a RAM 712, a ROM 713, a timer / counter 711, an interrupt controller 710, and various interface circuits are provided. The interface circuits include an image processor interface 701, a memory unit interface 702, a printer interface 703, an AD
F interface 705, sorter interface 706, digitizer interface 707, console interface 708
And a scanner interface 709. Although not shown, the SC 700 includes a clock generator, a control signal decoder, and the like in addition to the above.

The scanner interface 709 has 8-bit and directional data lines and several control lines. The signals transmitted through this data line include the following.

Commands sent by SCON to SC: ・ Scan mode setting (number of scans, speed, direction) ・ Scan area setting ・ Scan start ・ Cancel scan ・ Document type status request ・ Scanner status request Status sent by SC to SCON: ・ Scanner operation status ( (Warm-up, ready state, error occurrence, etc.) ・ Original form status (thickness dimension, AD open / closed state, etc.) At the time of SCON data reception and data transmission completion, an interrupt request is automatically sent to the interrupt controller 710. A signal is applied to initiate the SCON interrupt service routine.

The printer interface 703 has an 8-bit bidirectional data line and several control lines. The signals transmitted through this data line include the following.

Commands sent by SCON to PR: ・ Color mode setting (4 colors, 3 colors full color, C, M, Y, R, G, B
・ Set the number of prints ・ Print start Status sent by PR to SCON: ・ Warming up ・ Ready state ・ Error occurred ・ Error type ・ Print completed ・ Transfer paper size ・ Consumables (toner, oil, etc.) The image processor interface 701 has an 8-bit bidirectional data line and several control lines. The signals transmitted through this data line include the following.

Commands sent by SCON to IP:-Density correction command-Gamma correction command-Color correction command-Various editing commands Status sent by IP to SCON:-Document size-Document position information The memory unit interface 702 is 8-bit bidirectional. And several control lines. The signals transmitted through this data line include the following.

Commands sent by SCON to MU:-Memory operation mode-Various editing commands Status sent by MU to SCON:-Error information The console interface 708 has an 8-bit bidirectional data line, several data lines, and several control lines. have. The signals transmitted through this data line include the following.

Commands sent by SCON to CU:-Contents displayed on console Status sent by CU to SCON:-Contents input to console Note that interface circuits 701, 702, 703, 705, 706, 707,
The signals 708 and 709 output signals to the interrupt controller 710 when signals are received from various units connected to the SCON and when signals are transmitted to them, and generate an interrupt request.

FIG. 5a schematically shows the configuration of the scanner unit (SC) 100. Referring to FIG. 5a, this unit includes a scanner controller 101. This controller 1
Reference numeral 01 mainly includes a single-chip microcomputer having an internal configuration as shown in FIG. 6, and controls the entire SC and performs data transmission processing with the SCON.

More specifically, the scanner controller 101
Through the CD driver 110, control the reading of the CCDs 7r, 7g, 7b for imaging, control the electric motor 10 via the motor driver 10a, control the electric motor 113 via the motor driver 113a, and control the FL driver 3a. fluorescent lamp 3 ₁ for exposure through a 3 ₂ controls, also for reading the signals from the sensors 39 and 113. The sensor 112 is a magnetic field sensor that outputs an analog signal. The signal output from the sensor 112 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter built in the scanner controller 101 and read. A permanent magnet 984 is provided near the sensor 112.

Although not shown, the pixel synchronization signal CLKφ is supplied to an input terminal (C
I) applied to the line synchronization signal Lsync
101 is applied to _one interrupt terminal (INT ₁ ).

Next, referring to FIG. 1, the scanner unit (SC) 10
The basic operation of 0 will be described. Document 1, a platen placed on the (contact glass) 2, is illuminated by a fluorescent lamp 3 _1, 3 ₂ for document illumination, and the reflected light, a first mirror 4 ₁ movable, a second mirror 4 ₂ and the third is reflected by the mirror 4 _3, and enters the dichroic prism 6 through the imaging lens 5, where it is split into three primary colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B), respectively, solid Light is incident on CCDs 7r, 7g, and 7b, which are image sensors.

Fluorescent lamp 3 _1, 3 ₂ and the first mirror 4 ₁ is mounted on the first carriage 8, the second mirror 4 ₂ and the third mirror 4 ₃ is mounted on the second carriage 9. When the second carriage 9 moves at half the speed of the first carriage 8, the original 1
The length of the optical path from to CCD is kept constant. At the time of original image reading scanning (forward scanning), the first carriage 8 and the second carriage 8
The carriage 9 is scanned from right to left in FIG. The first carriage 8 is connected to a carriage drive wire 12 wound around the carriage drive pulley 11, and the wire 12 is wound around a moving pulley (not shown) on the second carriage 9. Thereby, by the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 10,
The first carriage 8 and the second carriage 9 move forward and backward (return), and the second carriage 9 moves to the first carriage 8.
It moves at half the speed of.

When the first carriage 8 is at the home position shown in FIG.
Is detected by When the first carriage 8 is driven rightward by the exposure scan and deviates from the home position, the sensor 39 does not receive light (carriage is not detected). When the first carriage 8 returns and returns to the home position, the sensor 39 receives light. (Carriage detection), and the driving of the carriage 8 is stopped.

Referring now to FIG. 5a, the outputs of the CCDs 7r, 7g and 7b are output by the A / D converters 102r, 102g and 102b respectively.
After being converted to a digital value of bits, that is, a density signal of 256 gradations, and subjected to shading correction by shading correction circuits 111r, 111g, and 111b, they are sent to the IP 200 as R, G, and B image signals, respectively. The value of this image signal is 255 for white and 0 for black.

FIG. 5b shows a schematic configuration of the image processor (IP) 200. This will be described with reference to FIG. 5b. This unit 20
The IP controller 295 included in the unit 0 controls the entire unit and data transmission between the unit and the SCON. The IP controller 295 mainly includes a single-chip microcomputer having a configuration as shown in FIG. The synchronization control circuit 299 generates various timing signals required for each circuit of the IP based on the synchronization signals Lsync and CLKφ common to the entire system, and supplies them to those circuits.

The IP200 includes an MTF correction circuit 287, a gamma correction circuit 288, an editing and scaling circuit 296, an original detection circuit 297, a color correction and
It includes a UCR processing circuit 289, a black extraction circuit 290, an area determination circuit 291, halftone processing circuits 292 and 293, a processing result selection circuit 294, and an output control circuit 295.

Each circuit will be briefly described. The MTF correction circuit 287 is a digital filter having a high-frequency emphasis characteristic, and improves the image quality (resolution) deteriorated by the image reading optical system by emphasizing the high-frequency component of the spatial frequency of the density change. The editing and scaling circuit 296 performs processing such as color conversion, hue and density inversion, image movement in the main scanning direction, mirroring, scaling in the main scanning direction, and the like according to instructions from the console by the operator.

The color correction & UCR processing circuit 289 converts the input R, G, B signals into recording C, M, Y, BK signals. At the time of the conversion, a process of correcting a deviation of the optical characteristics of each color toner from the ideal characteristics is also performed. The black extraction circuit 290 extracts an achromatic component of the image signal based on the input R, G, and R signals. Specifically, the minimum value of R, G, B is inverted and output. This output is used as a BK color signal for characters.

The halftone processing circuit 292 is a circuit that performs a gradation process on a picture portion of an image, and performs a smoothing filter process for removing moiré on a halftone dot image and a multi-value dither process.
The multi-value dither processing is to perform density modulation of three or more values for each pixel and to express gradation by adjusting the number of recording pixels and the number of non-recording pixels in a plurality of pixels by a predetermined halftone dot pattern. Processing. Here, a dither pattern with good tone reproduction is used.

The halftone processing circuit 293 is a circuit that performs gradation processing on the character portion of the image, and performs contrast enhancement processing using a Laplacian filter and multi-value dither processing using a high-resolution Bayer-type dot pattern.

The area determination circuit 291 is a circuit that identifies a character part and a picture part of an image in order to separate them. The processing result selection circuit 294 is a multiplexer that selects one of the outputs of the halftone processing circuits 292 and 293 according to the determination result of the area determination circuit 291. The output control circuit 295 is a gate that controls whether the BK, C, M, and Y data output from the processing result selection circuit 294 is output to the MU 400 or cut off to output blank data. The document detection circuit 297 detects information on the size, position, and background of the document.

FIG. 5c shows a schematic configuration of the printer unit (PR) 600. This will be described with reference to FIG. 5c. The control device 601
It is mainly composed of a single-chip microcomputer having a configuration as shown in FIG. 6, and controls the entire PR.
Controls data transmission between SCON and PR.

Reference numeral 615 denotes a clock generation circuit that generates the above-described synchronization signals Lsync, CLKφ and a laser write timing signal VCLK. Reference numerals 613BK, 613C, 613M, and 613Y denote buffer circuits for image signals of each color.

The BK, C, M, and Y 3-bit image signals input from the MU400 are buffer circuits (613BK, 613C, 613M, 613Y), respectively.
Further, the semiconductor laser (43BK, 43C, 43M, 43Y) is energized via the laser driver (612BK, 612C, 612M, 612Y). The pulse width of the laser light output from the semiconductor laser is modulated according to the value of the image signal, whereby the recording density at each pixel position is multi-level modulated.

Referring to FIG. 1, laser light emitted from each semiconductor laser is reflected by rotating polygon mirrors 13bk, 13y, 13m, and 13c, respectively, passes through f-θ lenses 14bk, 14y, 14m, and 14c, and enters a fourth
Mirrors 15bk, 15y, 15m, 15c and fifth mirrors 16bk, 16y, 16m, 16c
And is imaged and irradiated on the photosensitive drums 18bk, 18y, 18m and 18c.

The rotating polygon mirrors 13bk, 13y, 13m, and 13c are fixed to the rotating shafts of polygon mirror driving motors 41bk, 41y, 41m, and 41c, respectively, and each motor rotates at a constant speed and rotates the polygon mirror at a constant speed. . By the rotation of the polygon mirror, the laser light is scanned in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction (clockwise) of the photosensitive drum, that is, in a direction along the drum axis (this direction is referred to as a main scanning direction).

FIG. 2 shows the laser scanning system of the cyan recording apparatus in detail. Referring to FIG. 2, a sensor 44c, which is a photoelectric conversion element, is provided at one end of laser scanning (two-dot chain line) in a direction along the axis of the photosensitive drum 18c so as to receive laser light. The sensor 44c detects the laser beam,
The starting point of scanning of one line is detected at the time point when the state changes from detection to non-detection. That is, the laser light detection signal (pulse) of the sensor 44c is processed as a laser scanning line synchronization pulse. The configurations of the magenta recording device, the yellow recording device, and the black recording device are the same as those of the device shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the surface of the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by charge scorotrons 19bk, 19y, 19m and 19c connected to a negative voltage high voltage generator (not shown). When the laser beam modulated by the recording signal is applied to the uniformly charged photoreceptor surface, the charge on the photoreceptor surface flows to the device ground of the drum main body due to the photoconductive phenomenon and disappears. Thereby, the photosensitive drums 18bk, 18y, 18m and
The part corresponding to the part where the document density is high on the surface of 18c is -8
At a potential of 00 V, a portion corresponding to a portion where the document density is low is −1.
It becomes about 00V, and a potential distribution corresponding to the density of the document, that is, an electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a black developing unit 20bk, a yellow developing unit 20y, a magenta developing unit 20m, and a cyan developing unit 20c, respectively, and the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 18bk, 18y, 18m, and 18c are black and yellow, respectively. , Magenta and cyan toner images.

The toner in the developing unit is positively charged by stirring, and the developing unit is biased to about -200 V by a developing bias generator (not shown). Then, a toner image corresponding to the original image is formed.

On the other hand, the recording paper 267 stored in the transfer paper cassette 22 is fed out by the feeding operation of the feed roller 23 and is sent to the transfer belt 25 at a predetermined timing of the registration roller 24. The recording paper placed on the transfer belt 25 is
Of the photosensitive drums 18bk, 18y, 18m, and 18c, and sequentially passes through the lower portions of the photosensitive drums 18bk, 18y, 18m, and 18c.
When passing through the transfer belt c, the toner images of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan are sequentially transferred onto the recording paper by the action of the transfer corotron below the transfer belt.

The recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is then transferred to the heat fixing unit.
The recording paper is sent to the recording paper 36, and the recording paper is discharged to a sorter unit (ST) 950. Residual toner on the photoreceptor surface after transfer is transferred to cleaner units 21bk, 21y, and 21m.
And removed at 21c.

Note that, in this example, the recording devices for each color are spaced apart by 110 mm. The recording density is 16 dots / mm, the number of pixels in the main scanning direction is 4752 dots, and the maximum number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction is 6720 dots.

5th electric circuit configuration of console unit (CU) 750
The outline of the appearance of the operation panel of the CU is shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5d, the CU has a console board 75
0 ', CPU754, I / O decoder driver 756, LCD controller 7
57, Video RAM 758, RAM759, ROM760, Interrupt controller 7
61, a serial I / O 762, and an LCD driver 763. The console board 750 'has a 512 x 256 dot L
It comprises a CD dot matrix display 751, an LED display group 752, and a switch matrix group 753.

The switch matrix group 753 includes a group 1 and a group 2. The group 1 includes 49 switches (normal key switches) 765 to 813 in FIG. 3, and the group 2 includes transparent touch sensor buttons 753a-11 to 753. 753a-48.
The touch sensor and the LCD dot matrix display 751 are provided at the same position on FIG. In this example, the touch sensor buttons have eight rows in the horizontal direction and four rows in the vertical direction.
They are arranged in columns, and constitute a total of 32 matrix switches.

In FIG. 5d, when the switch of group 1 is pressed, the I / O decoder driver 756 activates the interrupt signal 756a (high level H), and when the switch of group 2 is pressed, the interrupt signal 756b is activated (H). To When the interrupt signal 756a or 756b becomes active,
The CPU 754 executes an interrupt service routine, and reads on / off states of all switches on the console board. Immediately after that, the CPU 754 transmits to the SCON 700 an information group including information on the switch whose on / off has changed.

When some kind of display is required, the LED display group 752
Alternatively, it is displayed on an LCD dot matrix display 751. The display is changed when one or more of the switch matrix groups 753 is pressed or when the SCON70
It is when the display command is received from 0.

Next, the operation of the entire system of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The operation of the entire system is mainly controlled by a system controller (SCON) 700. FIG. 7a shows an outline of the operation of the SCON. The contents of the processing of each step will be described with reference to FIG. 7a.

(A) In this step, various operation modes (for example, a color mode, the number of copies, a recording magnification, etc.) are automatically set to a preset state as a mode of an initial state of the copying machine.

(B) In this step, the copying machine is in a standby state,
Wait until instructed by the operator via console unit (CU) 750. That is, when the operator operates any of the key switches (see FIG. 3) of the console unit, the status is input to SCON as a status, and the user waits until it is input.

(C) In this step, the contents of the status sent from the console unit 750 are checked to determine whether or not the start key 813 shown in FIG. 3 has been pressed. When the start key 843 is pressed, the process proceeds to step (e), and when any other key is pressed, the process proceeds to step (d).

(D) In this step, the contents of the status sent from the console unit 750 are checked, and an operation mode associated with the input key, for example, a copy mode, the number of copies, a copy magnification, and a color mode are identified. In the mode, the operation to be executed by each unit SC, IP, MU, PR, CU, DG, ST, AD is calculated and immediately transmitted to the corresponding various units.

For example, the operator determines that the number of copies is 10, the copy magnification in the main scanning direction is 0.82, and the copy magnification in the sub-scanning direction is 1.2.
5. If the color mode is designated as the three-color mode and the paper feed mode is designated as the automatic transfer paper selection mode, the status indicating this is transmitted from the CU to the SCON, and in response, the SCON
Executes a predetermined mode setting program. As a result, the scanner unit (SC) 100
At this time, a command indicating a carriage scanning speed of 1.25 and a scanning direction indicating a forward direction is transmitted. Here, the reason why the number of scans is set to the number of copies +1 is that, in this embodiment, one prescan without image formation is performed prior to the copy operation. Similarly, a predetermined command is sent to the other units.

(E) In this step, an actual copying operation is performed. In practice, the SCON700 uses the synchronization signals Lsync and CL
Counting Kφ and progress of process (timing)
When the count value reaches the timing at which operation of each unit is to be started, an operation start command is transmitted to the corresponding unit according to a predetermined program.

Upon receiving the operation start command from the SCON, each unit starts operation according to the operation mode set in the step (d) or (a). That is, AD
Starts document feeding, SU starts document scanning, IP starts processing image signals, and PR starts forming a copy image. However, in the first scan, since it is a pre-scan, PR does not form an image.

(F) In this step, it is determined whether or not an operation stop instruction has been input during the execution of the copy process.

(G) In this step, an operation stop command is transmitted to each unit according to the operation stop instruction. Upon receipt of this command, the scanner unit 100, immediately scan stops, and turns off the fluorescent lamp 3 _1, 3 _2, returns the carriage 8,9 in the home position. The printer unit 600 sets the image signal applied to the laser drivers 612BK, 612C, 612M, and 612Y to a blank (non-recording) level, and sets the charge scorotrons 19BK, 19C, 19M, and 19Y and the developing units 20BK, 20C, and 20M. , 20Y
Also stop. Therefore, the image formation is stopped immediately after issuing the stop instruction, and wasteful consumption of toner is prevented.

Further, all the transfer papers located downstream by the registration roller pair 24 are discharged to the sorter 950, and the supply of the untransferred transfer papers thereafter is stopped. Therefore, even if the number of transfer sheets to be fed does not reach the preset number of copies,
After the stop instruction is issued, the feeding of the transfer paper stops.

(H) In this step, it is determined whether or not the copy process for the number of copies set in advance by the mode setting has been completed. If not completed, the above-described step (e) is executed again to execute the next process, and when completed, the process proceeds to step (i).

(I) A predetermined display is displayed on the console unit 750 to check the error status from each unit, comprehensively identify whether or not the operation has been completed without causing an error, and display the result as a message. Send a command.

Here, step (f) will be described in detail. In this embodiment, three types of methods can be used to issue an operation stop instruction while the copying machine is operating.
A first method is to operate any one of a large number of key switches provided on an operation panel (see FIG. 3) of the console unit 750, and a second method is to operate on the platen 2 The third method of removing or moving the original 1 is to lift the ADF unit 980 to release the pressing of the original. These will be specifically described below.

FIG. 7b shows part of the operation of console unit 750. This will be described with reference to FIG. 7b. This process is an interrupt service routine executed when a key is input. When the start key 813 is pressed while the image forming process is not being executed, that is, in a standby state, a start instruction status is transmitted to the SCON, and “the copy can be stopped by pressing any part” is displayed on the display 751. . When the image forming process is being executed, the copy stop status is immediately transmitted to the SCON, regardless of which key is pressed, and "copy stopped" is displayed on the display 751.

When the console unit 750 transmits the copy stop status, the SCON identifies the stop instruction in step (f) of FIG. 7a and operates to stop the copy operation. The operation panel is provided with a large number of keys as shown in FIG. 3, which are usually used for various mode settings and copy start instructions. , Functions as a key switch for instructing to stop copying.

For example, if the operator notices a mistake in the mode setting after starting the copying operation and wants to stop copying, a general copying machine is provided with one stop key to which the function is assigned in advance. It is necessary to search for one stop key among many key switches and press it. However, in this embodiment, the copying operation can be immediately stopped by pressing any one of the many key switches on the operation panel, so that there is no need to search for a special key switch.

An example of the operation timing of the apparatus when the copy operation is stopped by pressing the key switch on the operation panel is shown in FIG.

FIG. 8a shows a specific configuration of the document detection circuit 297 in FIG. 5b. Referring to FIG. 8a, this circuit includes a counter
297-1, comparator 292-2, microcomputer 297
-3 and a latch 297-4.

The counter 297-1 counts the synchronization signal CLKφ, the comparator 297-2 compares the output of the counter 297-1 with the reference value Xref output by the microcomputer 297-3, and the latch 297-4 outputs R, G, B Is latched and applied to the microcomputer 297-3.

FIG. 7f shows a part of the memory map inside the microcomputer 297-3, FIG. 8b shows the operation timing of the circuit of FIG. 8a, and FIGS. 7c, 7d and 7e show the microcomputer. 297-3 shows a part of the operation. The description will be made with reference to the drawings.

The process shown in FIG. 7e is executed when the copy operation is started, that is, immediately after the start key 813 of the console 750 is pressed. In this process, first, the register R1 shown in FIG.
Initial values are stored in i, G1i, B1i, DF, LCTR and N respectively, the interrupt mask of the microcomputer itself is released, and xBIG (greater than the maximum coordinate value in the main scanning direction) is output as the reference value Xref, and the carriage is output. 8 starts sub-scanning in the forward direction.

7c and 7d are repeatedly executed as interrupt processing each time the synchronization signal Lsync appears. This process operates as follows. First, in step 11, a register LCTR for counting the number of lines in the sub-scanning direction is registered.
Add the value of DF. For forward scan, register DF
Is 1, the LCTR value is counted up each time Lsync appears, and in the case of backward scanning (return), the register DF becomes -1 so that the LCTR is counted down every time Lsync appears. That is, the content of the LCTR corresponds to the position in the sub-scanning direction.

In step 12, the values of the image signals Ri, Gi and Bi output from the latch 297-4 are read, and
Store in 1i, G1i and B1i.

When the comparator 297-2 satisfies A> B or A <B, its output is maintained at a low level L.
, And the signals Ri, Gi and Bi output by the latch pulse are all -1. When A = B of the comparator 297-2, the output becomes high level H.
Appears, and the latch 297-4 holds the input data and outputs it. Initially, the processing shown in FIG. 7e sets the reference value Xref applied to the input terminal on the A side of the comparator 297-2 to a value xBIG larger than the maximum value of the scanning coordinates. A> B, and Ri, Gi, Bi become −1.

In step 13, the value of the image signal R1i sampled in step 12 is checked. As described above, initially Ri is -1.
Therefore, R1i is also -1, and the process proceeds to step 14.

In step 14, the contents of the register LCTR, that is, the position in the sub-scanning direction, are checked. The scanning position in the sub-scanning direction (y) is y1-
When 1 (y1 is the y coordinate of point P1 in FIG. 9), step
Proceeding to 15, the value of the x coordinate x1 of the point P1 in FIG. 9 is set to the reference value Xref.

The scanning coordinates in the x direction vary between 0 and xmax, and
<X1 <xmax, so immediately after executing step 15,
In each main scan, a state occurs in which the scan coordinates in the x direction coincide with x1. The value output from the counter 297-1 indicates the scanning coordinates in the x direction. Therefore, the y coordinate of the scanning position is y1
At this time, the comparator 297-2 becomes A = B, and a pulse appears at the output of the comparator as shown in FIG.
The input data R, G, and B at that time are held in the latch 297-4 as Ri, Gi, and Bi, respectively, and output to the microcomputer 297-3.

Therefore, when Step 13 is executed thereafter, the process proceeds to Step 16 because R1i is not −1. In step 16,
It is checked whether the first scanning of the document reading surface, that is, the pre-scan without image formation, is performed. At the time of the pre-scan, the process proceeds to step 17, where the values of the registers R1i, G1i, and B1i are stored in the registers R0, G0, and B0, respectively, and the process proceeds to step 18.

In step 18, the value of the register LCTR, that is, the y coordinate of the scanning position is compared with the y coordinate of the point P1. If they match, the process proceeds to step 19; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 24.

Then, when LCTR = y1, R1i = R0, G1i = G0 and B1i =
If all the conditions of B0 are satisfied, the process proceeds to step 23, where xBIG is set again to the reference value Xref. R1i = R0, G1i
= G0 and B1i = B0, at least one of the conditions is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step 22, and the copy stop status is set to
The data is transmitted to the SCON 700 via the IP controller 298. SCON
Upon receiving the copy stop status, in step (f) shown in FIG. 7a, it is regarded that a stop instruction is present, and the copy operation is stopped.

That is, the registers R0, G0, and B0 hold the detected density data at the position of the point P1 in the (first) forward scan at the time of performing the prescan, and perform the forward scan and the backward scan in each copy cycle. In the scanning, the detected density at the time of scanning the position of the point P1 is output as Ri, Gi, Bi from the latch 297-4, and R0 is compared with Ri, G0 and Gi, and B0 and Bi are compared. This means that the presence or absence of a change in the detected density at the position of the point P1 is checked. When there is a change, the copying operation is stopped.

Therefore, for example, when the operator notices a mistake in the mode setting after starting the copying operation and wants to stop copying, as shown in FIG. 9, if the original 1 is moved, the light reflection characteristic of the original reading surface at the position of the point P1 is obtained. Changes, so R0, G0,
A difference occurs between B0 and Ri, Gi, Bi, and the copying operation is automatically stopped without performing any special key operation. Also,
If the position of the point to be detected is set to a position where no document exists, such as P2 and P3 in FIG. 9, the ADF unit 980 (or pressure plate) for pressing the document 1 from its back is opened and closed. As a result, the detected concentration at each point changes,
The copy operation is stopped.

Each step of FIG. 7d will be described. DF = 1 in step 24
, That is, at the time of forward scanning, the process proceeds to step 25, where LCTR =
If y1-1, x1 is set to the reference value Xref. If DF = −1 in step 24, that is, in the case of backward scanning, the process proceeds to step 27, and if LCTR = y1 + 1, x1 is set to the reference value Xref.

In step 29, the LCTR is checked to see if it is the end position of the forward scan (forward scan). If LCTR = ymax, that is, the forward scan end position, the process proceeds to step 30, where -1 is stored in DF, and the backward scanning of the carriage is started. Step 32
Then, the LCTR is checked to see if it is the end position of the backward scanning (return). If LCTR = 0, that is, the end position of the backward scanning, the processing after step 33 is executed.

In step 33, the contents of the register N (the number of copy cycles) are compared with the set number (the number of copies) +1. If the number of copy cycles has not been reached, the process proceeds to step 36, where 1 is stored in DF (forward scan), and
Is counted up, and scanning of the carriage 8 in the forward direction is started.

If it is detected in step 33 that the set copy cycle number has been reached, the flow advances to step 34 to stop the scanning of the carriage 8 and send a scanner scan completion status to the SCON 700.

As described above, an example of the operation timing of the apparatus when the copy operation is stopped by moving the original 1 will be described.
Please refer to it as shown in Figure 11b.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the ADF unit 980 for transporting the document also has a function of a pressure plate for pressing the document from the back, and the unit 980 is provided with a scanner by manual operation of the operator. The unit 100 is configured to be freely opened and closed. The ADF unit 980 is vertically movable so that it can handle thick originals. The ADF unit 980 is provided with a permanent magnet 984, and a magnetic field sensor 112 is disposed on the scanner unit 100 at a position facing the permanent magnet 984.

Therefore, the magnetic field sensor 112 is connected to the scanner unit 100 and the AD.
Distance from F unit 980 (thickness of original) and ADF unit 9
It outputs an electric signal of a signal level according to the open / close state of 80. The scanner controller 101 shown in FIG. 5a monitors the level of a signal output from the magnetic field sensor 112. Then, when a level change of a predetermined value or more occurs in the signal output from the magnetic field sensor 112 during execution of the copy operation, a copy stop status is transmitted to the SCON. When SCON receives the copy stop status from the scanner unit 100,
In step (f) shown in FIG.
Cancel the copy operation.

In other words, in this embodiment, if the user wants to interrupt the copying operation after the copying operation has been started, the ADF unit 980 may be slightly lifted from the document reading surface and opened. As a result, the copying operation is automatically stopped even if the operator does not operate the key switch.

An example of the operation timing of the apparatus when the ADF unit 980 is moved to stop the copy operation is shown in FIG.
See it.

In this embodiment, the surface of the ADF unit 980 that presses the original is made of a rubber material colored with a special pigment of a color that is rarely used for ordinary originals. For this reason, it is possible to reliably identify whether a document exists at a specific position (for example, P1) or whether it is a background (the pressing surface of the ADF).

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the image processing operation can be stopped by moving the document placed on the platen without operating the special stop key. Operation can be stopped quickly.

In the case of a color copy, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of image data processing that the original position is deviated between the first original reading (pre-scan) and the second original reading (recording scan). Operation is interrupted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a structure of a mechanism of a digital color copying machine of one type embodying the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a part of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the appearance of the operation panel of the console unit of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an electric component of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e are block diagrams showing the configuration of SC, IP, PR, CU and SCON of FIG. 4, respectively. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a microcomputer used for each unit. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and 7e are flowcharts showing a part of the operation of each unit, and FIG. 7f is a memory showing a part of the memory allocation of the microcomputer 297-3. It is a map. FIG. 8a is a block diagram showing the configuration of the document detection circuit 297, and FIG.
FIG. b is a time chart showing the operation of the circuit of FIG. 8a. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the scanning direction and coordinates of the document image reading surface and the document. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cross section of the scanner unit and the ADF unit viewed from the right side. FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c are time charts each showing an example of the operation timing of the apparatus when the copying operation is interrupted halfway. 1: Original, 2: Platen 3 ₁ , 3 ₂ : Fluorescent lamp, 5: Imaging lens 6: Dichroic prism 7r, 7g, 7b: CCD (optical detection means) 8: First carriage, 9: Second carriage 13bk, 13c, 13m, 13y: rotating polygon mirror 18bk, 18c, 18m, 18y: photosensitive drum 39: optical sensor 43BK, 43C, 43M, 43Y: semiconductor laser 100: scanner unit, 101: scanner controller 110: CCD driver, 112: Magnetic field sensor 200: Image processor 297: Document detection circuit (storage means) 298: IP controller, 400: Memory unit 600: Printer unit (image processing means) 700: System controller (control means) 750: Console unit 753a, 765-813 : Key switch 900: Digitizer tablet, 950: Sorter unit 980: ADF unit, 984: Permanent magnet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-56-104342 (JP, A) JP-A-60-184266 (JP, A) JP-A-61-72262 (JP, A) JP-A 60-184262 230156 (JP, A) JP-A-58-102953 (JP, A) JP-A-62-239662 (JP, A) JP-A-55-53356 (JP, A) JP-A-61-123259 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Application 63-128563 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application 60-46547 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-388 G03G 15/04 114 G03G 15/01 G03G 15/01 112 G03B 27/62 H04N 1/10 H04N 1/04 106 H04N 1/04 101

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A color image reading means for reading an image of a document placed on a predetermined image reading surface by color separation; an image signal processing for converting a read color component signal of the color image reading means into a color component recording signal; Means: an image recording means for forming a color image on a recording medium based on the color component recording signal; a first image reading of a series of multiple repetitive image readings of the same document, a predetermined image reading surface And a storage unit for storing a read color component signal of the color image reading unit at a fixed position. In the second and subsequent image reading, the read color component signal of the color image reading unit is stored on the image reading surface in advance. A document detection means for comparing the color component signal at the fixed position with the read color component signal of the storage means, and generating an image formation stop signal when they do not match, and responding to the image formation stop signal; And a control unit for interrupting the image processing operations of the color image reading unit and the image recording unit.