JP2827242B2 - Copier - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an editable copying apparatus, and more particularly to a copying apparatus capable of displaying an edited image of a document to be copied and confirming the edited image in advance. is there.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art A recent copying apparatus generally has an editing function such as a function of selectively copying only a part of a document or a function of deleting and copying only a part of a document. In a copying apparatus having such a function, it is necessary to set an area of a portion to be copied or an area of a portion to be deleted. To facilitate this area setting, there has been proposed a copying apparatus having a display means comprising a liquid crystal panel for displaying an edited image of a document (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-99769).

In such a copying apparatus having a display function for previewing, an edited image can be checked in advance, and editing can be easily added or changed in accordance with the displayed image.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

When an original is edited and copied in the above-described conventional copying apparatus, an editing mode is selected first, and then an image display mode of the original is selected to set an editing area. By the way, in the area setting in the editing operation, it can be said that the image display of the document is indispensable.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when the area edit mode is selected, the image of the original is always displayed on the display means, so that when the original is edited and copied, it is compared with the conventional example. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus which can reduce the number of operation procedures.

[Means for solving the problem]

The copying apparatus according to the present invention is a copying apparatus having an area editing mode in which a latent image is formed and copied on a photoconductor in accordance with an image signal obtained by scanning an original with an optical system, and the original is edited. Display means for displaying an image of the document based on an image signal, instruction means for instructing start of scanning of the optical system, and setting means for setting the area edit mode, wherein the area is set by the setting means. When the editing mode is set, the image of the document is displayed on the display unit regardless of the presence or absence of the instruction by the instruction unit.

[Action]

In the copying apparatus of the present invention, when the area edit mode is selected, the image of the document is always displayed on the display means. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform an operation for selecting an image display mode after selecting the area edit mode.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional structural view of a copying apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 22 denotes an image reader unit for reading an image of a document, and reference numeral 23 denotes an engine unit for performing an actual copying operation based on image information. .

The image reader unit 22 includes a scanner unit 10 that reads an optical image of a document set on a document glass 15, a scanning motor 11 that horizontally moves the scanner unit 10, and an image signal processing circuit that processes an image signal from the scanner unit 10. 213 etc. The scanner unit 10 also includes a light source 12 that irradiates the original surface through the original glass 15, a converging rod lens array 13 that captures reflected light from the original surface, and a color CCD linear image sensor 14 that captures light emitted from the original. The image data of the original side is a color CCD linear image sensor 14
After being converted into an electric signal, the image signal is processed by an image signal processing circuit 213 and sent to a laser diode driving circuit 214, and the polygon mirror 31 and the plane mirror 37 are used as on / off signals of a laser diode (not shown). The light is projected onto the photosensitive drum 41 through the, and exposure is performed.

The photosensitive drum 41 is configured to be driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow that is a counterclockwise direction, and a charging charger 43 is disposed around the photosensitive drum 41 above the rotation driving area, and the photosensitive drum 41 is charged. After being charged by the charger 43, it is exposed. Around the photosensitive drum 41, an LED array 44 for preventing extra toner from adhering is provided on the downstream side of the charging charger 43. On the downstream side of the LED array 44, each of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black is provided. Developing units 45a, 45b, 45
c, 45d are arranged in this order. Image reader 2
The color-separated optical image is radiated from 2, and the potential of the radiated portion drops, so that the toner is not adhered in the subsequent development by the developing devices 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d. An image is formed by attaching toner to a portion that is not irradiated. Photosensitive drum
A transfer charger 46 for transferring a toner image to copy paper is provided below 41. An eraser lamp 42 is provided upstream of the charging charger 43 to remove the residual charge of the photosensitive drum 41.

The engine unit 23 includes the transfer drum 5 in addition to the photosensitive drum 41.
1, a fixing device 48, a discharge tray 49, two paper feed trays 50, and the like. The transfer drum 51 is disposed in proximity to and parallel to the photosensitive drum 41, and has a chucking claw 52 for holding a copy sheet as a transfer object on the peripheral surface, and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow. You. The leading end of the copy sheet pulled out from the sheet feed tray 50 is fixed to the peripheral surface of the transfer drum 51 by the chucking claw 52 in synchronization with the reading operation by the image reader section 22, and then the toner image on the photosensitive drum 41 is transferred. The leading end of the copy sheet also reaches the transfer charger 46 in synchronization with the opposition to the charger 46, and the toner images are sequentially transferred onto the copy sheet. In the first rotation of the photosensitive drum 41 and the transfer drum 51, a transfer process is performed on the yellow toner. In the second rotation, magenta, third rotation of cyan, and fourth rotation of black are performed in the order of black. Is subjected to a transfer process. After the four transfer steps for one copy sheet are completed, the chucking claw 52 is loosened, the copy sheet is peeled off from the peripheral surface of the transfer drum 51 by the separation claw 47, and is fixed by the fixing device 48. Then, the sheet is discharged onto a discharge tray 49.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the operation panel 300 of the copying apparatus. Numeric keys 301 to 310 for inputting the number of copies and the like are provided on the front side of the operation panel 300, and instructions for releasing the input number and interrupting the multi-copy. A clear / stop key 311, and a print key 312 for instructing start of copying are provided. A joy ball 313 for selecting a copy mode menu and the like, and a set key 31 for confirming the copy mode menu and the like selected by the joy ball 313 are provided on the right surface of the operation panel 300.
4.Cancel key 315 to release the content determined by set key 314, monitor key 3 to display the original image on the LCD
A dot matrix type (640 × 400 dot) liquid crystal display panel 222 for displaying all the contents related to the operation is provided at the center of the operation panel 300. Are arranged.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the vicinity of the joyball 313, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the joyball 313. Joyball 313
Is a stick section 313a that can fall by a certain angle θ in all directions of 360 °,
Ball part 313b that forms part of a ball mounted on top of 313a
The ball portion 313b is provided with an operation panel 300.
Part of which is exposed from the exterior surface of the joyball
When the rotation is given to 313, the portion of operation panel 300 that is covered by the outer surface is exposed. In addition,
The stick portion 313a is automatically returned to an upright state (Θ = 0) by a spring (not shown). The rotation angles of the stick portion 313a in the X and Y directions are detected by two variable resistors (see FIG. 4), and will be described later.
The data is converted into digital data by the A / D conversion I / O 218, determined by a third CPU 203 described later, and various controls are performed.

FIG. 5 is a system diagram of a control circuit according to the present embodiment. The first CPU 201 controls the engine unit 23, the second CPU 202 controls the image reader unit 22, and the third CPU 203 controls the operation panel 300.
It is configured around.

The first CPU 201 receives a signal from a sensor group 206 that is disposed at various points in the engine unit 23 and detects an operation state, by an IC 205
Is entered via Conversely, it outputs a control signal to a drive circuit group 209 that drives various motors, solenoids, and the like of the engine unit 23 via the IC 208. Further, the first CPU 201 also outputs a control signal to the image signal processing circuit 213.

To the second CPU 202, a signal from a sensor group 211 for detecting various states of the image reader unit 22 is input. Second CPU2
02 controls the drive circuit 210 of the scanning motor 11, the peripheral circuit 212 of the CCD linear image sensor 14, and the image signal processing circuit 213. The image data from the CCD linear image sensor 14 is supplied to an image signal processing circuit 213, and the processed image signal from the image signal processing circuit 213 is supplied to a laser diode driving circuit 214 via a data bus 226.

To the third CPU 203, the operation panel 30 excluding the joyball 313
Key input of various keys of 0 is performed via the parallel I / O 216, while the state of the joy ball 313 (the stick section 313a
The information on the tilt direction and the angle of the tilt is input to the third CPU 203 via the A / D conversion I / O 218. A liquid crystal display panel 222 is connected to the third CPU 203 via an LCD controller 221.
By selecting one of two values, that is, lighting or extinguishing of each dot, various displays are made on the liquid crystal display panel 222. The image signal processed by the image signal processing circuit 213 is input to the image signal conversion circuit 225 via the data bus 227, and is converted into a signal for liquid crystal display by the image signal conversion circuit 225. Third CPU 203 via parallel I / O 220
And is temporarily stored in the RAM 224. Then, the conversion signal is read from the RAM 224 under the control of the third CPU 203 as needed, and is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 222 by liquid crystal. Also R
The AM 224 is also used for working a control program, and the ROM 223 stores the control panel control program and liquid crystal display data. The third CPU 203 is in serial communication with the first CPU 201 and the second CPU 202 via the serial I / O 215.

Next, the display contents of the liquid crystal display panel 222 will be described.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the display contents of the liquid crystal display panel 222 (hereinafter referred to as display D ₁₎ at power-on, 401 shows a home position of the menu cursor in FIG. Reference numerals 402a to 402h indicate menus, and menu cursor lighting positions 401a to 401h are provided at the left end of each menu.
When an arbitrary menu is selected by the operation of 3, one of the positions 401a to 401h corresponding to the selected menu is inverted to black. FIG. 6 shows a state where the menu cursor is at the home position. 403 in the figure
This is a copy number display indicating the number of copies set by the ten keys 301 to 310, for example, numbers 1 to 99 are displayed. 404
Is a copy magnification display that displays the magnification determined by the function of the “specify magnification” menu 402a, and 405 indicates the paper size in the paper feed tray 50 selected by the function of the “specify paper” menu 402b. This is a copy paper size display. Also 406
Reference numeral 407 denotes an information display for displaying the state of the copying apparatus at that time or processing to be performed on the copying apparatus by characters, pictograms, and the like.
This is a copy density level display showing the copy density selected and set by the function c, and the density level is divided into seven levels.

FIG. 7 shows the image editing menu 40 in the state of FIG.
The liquid crystal display contents when you select 2d (hereinafter referred to as display D ₂₎
FIG. In FIG. 6, the menu cursor is initially located at the home position 401. Here, when the joyball 313 is rotated in the direction of Y (-) (forward direction in FIG. 2), the menu cursor is 401a. → 401b
When moving in the order of → 401c → 401d and subsequently giving a rotation in the X (−) direction, the menu cursor changes from 401d → 401c → 401b → 40
Move in the order of 1a. When the joy ball 313 is rotated in the X (+) direction while the menu cursor is at 401d, the menu cursor is changed from 401d to 401e to 401f to 401g to 40.
When the cursor is moved in the order of 1h and then rotated in the X (-) direction, the menu cursor changes from 401h to 401g to 401f to 401e to 401d.
Move in order.

When the set key 314 is turned on while the menu cursor is at the position of 401a, an instruction for setting a magnification is issued. At this time, after setting the magnification using the numeric keys 301 to 310, the copy key is set by turning on the set key 314. The magnification setting may be performed using the joyball 313. In other words, when the joyball 313 is rotated in the Y direction, the magnification setting value increases or decreases by 0.001 units, and the copy magnification is set by turning on the set key 314 at the time when the desired magnification value is indicated. If the scanning speed of the scanner unit 10 is set to 1 at the same magnification, the set magnification is set to M
The magnification is optically changed in the scanning direction of the scanner unit 10. On the other hand, in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction (the direction in which the light receiving elements of the CCD linear image sensor 14 are juxtaposed), reduction / enlargement processing is performed on the image read by the image signal processing circuit 213.

Next, when the set key 314 is turned on while the menu cursor is at the position of 401b, an instruction is given to select one of the upper and lower two-stage paper feed trays 50. At this time, the paper size of the upper and lower paper feed trays 50 is also displayed by a paper size detection mechanism described later, and the joy ball
The paper tray 50 is selected by rotating the 313 and the set key 314 is turned on, thereby completing the setting of the paper size.

When the menu cursor reaches the position of 401d,
When the set key 314 is turned on, a screen shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. In this screen, in addition to the menus 412a to 412g, the lighting positions 411a to 411g corresponding to each menu, and the information display 406, the image is read by the image reader unit 22. An image monitor area 413 in which the displayed original image is roughly displayed appears.

FIG. 8 shows the area edit menu in the state of FIG.
412a is a schematic diagram showing the display contents when the user selects (hereinafter referred Display D ₃₎ a. In the state of FIG. 7, the menu cursor is moved to 411a by rotating the joy ball 313,
Then, when the set key 314 is turned on, a screen as shown in FIG. 8 appears. Menus on this screen are 422a to 42
2c. Here, "Monitor Level" menu
Reference numeral 422c denotes a menu for changing comparison data serving as a threshold when converting document image data into display data in the image monitor display. The density of the comparison data is displayed on the monitor level display 423 in seven steps. Is shown.

9 is a schematic diagram showing the display contents at the time of completion of the display image monitor (hereinafter referred to as display D ₄₎ in accordance with the information displayed in the state of Figure 8. In FIG. 8, when the document is set on the document glass 15 and the monitor key 316 is turned on in accordance with the information display, the scanner unit 10 scans the document, and when the scanning is completed, the document image is displayed in the image monitor area 413. Is done. When the trimming menu 422a is selected while the original image is displayed, the position designation cursor 431 is displayed in the image monitor area 413.
Appears. At this time, the image monitor area 413 includes an effective image area frame 424 indicating an area to be actually copied based on the selected paper size, and a document frame 4 indicating the edge of the document.
25 is displayed according to the document image.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the display contents (that display D ₅₎ in the case where actually performs area setting trimming mode in the state of FIG. 9. Joyball 31
Rotate 3 to move the position designation cursor 431 from the position shown in FIG. 9, set it to the position 441 shown in FIG. 10, and turn on the set key 314. The position designation cursor 431 is fixedly displayed at that position 441. Is done. When the joy ball 313 is further rotated to move the position designation cursor 431 from the position 441 to the position 442 and the set key 314 is turned on, the position setting cursor 431 is fixedly displayed at the position 442. A rectangle 443 having the two points fixedly displayed in this manner as two ends of a diagonal line.
Is a trimming setting area.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing display contents (hereinafter referred to as display D ₆ ) when the set key 314 is turned on after the position setting of the second point is completed in the state of FIG. When the set key 314 is turned on after setting the trimming area, the remaining images except for the image (A) in the setting area are erased. At this time, in order to easily determine whether the remaining image can be copied, the valid image area frame 424 is used.
Remains displayed. Here, since the area setting in the trimming mode has been completed, the information display 406 displays "Copy is possible".

A procedure for setting one area in the trimming mode and then setting another area in the trimming mode and the display contents of the liquid crystal display panel 222 at that time will be described.

After setting one area (display shown in Fig. 11)
D ₆ ), first, the set key 314 is turned on, and FIG.
The original image of the document is displayed again in the image monitor area 413 as shown in ₄ ). Then, at this time, the position specification cursor 43
1 appears at the second position 442 (see FIG. 10) in the previous area setting, a rectangle 443 indicating the previous setting area appears, and the information display is "Please set the area". Then, just like in the first area setting, the joy ball 313 is rotated to move the position designation cursor 431 to a desired position, and the set key 314 is turned on to set the first point of the current setting area. specify. Next, similarly, the second point of the current setting area is designated. Then, in the image monitor area 413, the remaining images are deleted except for the original image in the previous setting area and in the current setting area, and the information becomes "copyable".

By repeating such operations, the third and fourth
The area can be set for the third time.

A procedure for setting the erase area in the setting area of the trimming mode and the contents displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 222 at that time will be described.

First, rotate the joy ball 313 in the Y (-) direction to make the 421b
The menu cursor 421a is moved so that is turned on, the set key 314 is turned on, and the mode is changed from the trimming mode to the erase mode. Next, the same operation as in setting the trimming mode area is performed to set the erase mode area.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the first CPU 201 for controlling the engine unit 23. First, when the power is turned on, various timers, flags, and counters used in the subsequent subroutines in step S11. Are set to the initial state, an internal timer value serving as a reference time for the following processing is set and started (step S12).
A copy sheet is supplied from a paper feed tray 50, and the sheet is held on the peripheral surface of the transfer drum 51. When the transfer of the toner image is completed, the transfer sheet is separated from the transfer drum 51 by a separation claw 47 to fix the copy sheet. A series of conveyance of the copy sheet, which is discharged to the discharge tray 49 through 48, is performed (step S13).

Control around the photosensitive drum 41, such as charging and developing, is performed (step S14), temperature control of the fixing unit 48 is performed (step S15), and the paper size in the paper feed tray 50 is detected (step S16). Serial communication is performed with the second CPU 202 and the third CPU 203 (step S17), the internal timer is terminated, the process returns to step S12, and the internal timer is started again (step S18).

FIG. 13 shows a second CPU 20 that controls the image reader unit 22.
2 is a flowchart showing a main routine of FIG. 2. First, when the power is turned on, various timers, flags, counters, and the like used in the subsequent subroutines are set to an initial state in step S21, and the following processing is performed. Set and start the internal timer value to be the reference time (step S2
2). The document scanning is started according to the instruction from the third CPU 203 (step S23), and the speed and position of the scanning motor 11 are controlled so that the document scanning can be performed in accordance with the timing signal from another CPU (step S24). . C synchronized with scanning operation
By controlling the CD peripheral circuit 212, the color CCD linear image sensor 14 is driven to obtain an image signal (step S25). Various processes such as scaling are added to the obtained image signal (step
S26), and performs serial communication with the first CPU 201 (step S2
7), the internal timer ends, and the process returns to step S22 to restart the internal timer (step S28).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the third CPU 203 for controlling the operation panel 300. First, when the power is turned on, various timers, flags, and counters used in the subsequent subroutines in step S31. Are set to the initial state, an internal timer value serving as a reference time for the following processing is set and started (step S32). L
By giving display image data and a command to the CD controller 221, the liquid crystal display panel 222 is displayed (step S 33). Various keys 301 to 312,314 on operation panel 300
The on / off states of 316 are determined, and the contents are stored in the RAM 224 via the parallel I / O 216 (step S34).
Judgment of the rotation state of the joy ball 313 and A / D
The data is stored in the RAM 224 via the conversion I / O 218, and a flag as described later is created (step S35). The image signal converted by the image signal conversion circuit 225 is converted into a parallel I signal.
It is stored in the RAM 224 via / O220 (step S36). Various processes in the basic copy mode are performed in steps S34 and S3.
Performed in accordance with the input process of step 5 (step S37), various processes in the image editing copy mode are performed in steps S34, S35,
Performed in accordance with the input process in S36 (step S38), and performed various processes in the image quality adjustment state in accordance with the input processes in steps S34 and S35 (step S39), and performed serial communication with the first CPU 201 and the second CPU 202. (Step S40) After terminating the internal timer, the process returns to Step S32 and starts the internal timer again (Step S41).

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the contents of the scanning start routine of step S32 in FIG. 13. This processing is performed by starting scanning for an actual copying operation (step S231) and starting scanning for a document image monitor (step S231). S232). In S231, the actual copying operation is canceled when a monitor request is made.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the monitor start routine of step S232 in FIG. The monitor request from the third CPU 203 is transmitted to the second CPU 202 by serial communication, and upon receiving the request (step S2321 YE
S), the data bus 226 is disabled and the data bus 227 is enabled (step S2322). That is, at this time, the image signal obtained by the color CCD image sensor 14 when the original is scanned is processed by the image signal processing circuit 213,
The signal is sent to the image signal conversion circuit 225. Next, after setting monitor comparison data to be described later (step S2323), a magnification of 1.0
A document scanning request is made at a magnification of 00 times and a scanning length of 420 mm (A3T length) (step S2324).

Next, in step S24 (see FIG. 13), the scanning motor 11 is driven based on the magnification value and the scanning length, and the original is scanned and converted by the image signal conversion circuit 225. The image signal is stored in the RAM 224 via the. Further, the document size (position) is detected based on the image signal obtained in this scanning.

17 and 18 are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the image signal conversion circuit 225. The reading of the CCD linear image sensor 14 is performed at 16 dots / mm at each dot of 8 bits (gradation), while the display on the liquid crystal display panel 222 involves turning on / off the 1 mm original corresponding to 1 dot of liquid crystal. The image signal conversion circuit 225 converts the image signal for this purpose. FIG. 17A shows an image reading signal, FIG.
FIG. 17 (b) shows an image display signal. When reading, an 8-bit image signal is obtained every 1/16 mm square, but the signal used for display is once every 1 mm square (8 bits ) Only signal.

In FIG. 18, the image signal conversion circuit 225 first divides the 8-bit image signal (a) from the image signal processing circuit 213 by 16, and selectively extracts the necessary 8-bit image signal (b). This 8
The upper 4 bits of the image signal (b) of bits are compared with the monitor comparison data (e) of 4 bits specified by the second CPU 202, and the comparison result is output as 1-bit data (c). If the upper 4 bits of the image signal are larger than the monitor comparison data, it outputs “1”, and in the following cases, it outputs “0” to output 1-bit data (c). When "1" is output, the liquid crystal is turned on, and when "0" is output, the liquid crystal is turned off. For example, if the image signal (a) is binary (a) = 1001
If it is 0011, SL (comparison data) = 8 = 1000 (2
), “1” is output, the liquid crystal lights up, and SL =
If 10 = 1010 (binary), "0" is output and the liquid crystal is turned off.

Further, the 1-bit data (c) is sequentially accumulated to form 8-bit parallel data (d), and the data is stored in the RA via the parallel I / O 220.
Output to M224 and store. For example, if an A3 size of 297 mm × 420 mm is used, the output order at this time is (T−1, Y−1) →
(T-2, Y-1) →… → (T-297, Y-1) → (T-1, Y
-2)->-> (T-297, Y-420), and the RAM 224
Stores image data of 297 × 420 = 124.74 (kbits). The 4-bit comparison data (e) specified by the second CPU 202 is data indicating the threshold level of the display density, and this data is stored in the operation panel 300 as described later.
, The monitor image can be adjusted to a desired density.

Next, detection of the document size (position) will be described. No.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus for detecting a document size, and FIG. 20 is a schematic view for explaining the principle. Reference numeral 14 denotes a CCD linear image sensor. In FIG. 20, the horizontal direction (x direction) is the scanning direction of the scanner unit 10 (linear image sensor 14), and the vertical direction (y direction) is the light receiving element of the CCD linear image sensor 14. It is the direction of juxtaposition.

Depending on whether or not the original read by the CCD linear image sensor 14 is placed,
The value is converted to a white / black result for each pixel, and the result is stored in the line memory 511.
At a predetermined address. For one line of data stored in the line memory 511, the counter 512
The number of black pixels is counted in order from the upper address (direction A in FIG. 20) until a white pixel exists, and if there is a white pixel, the counting is stopped there. Similarly, for one line of data, the counter 514 starts counting from the lower address (see FIG. 20B
Direction) The number of black pixels is counted until a white pixel exists, and if there is a white pixel, the counting is stopped there. 512 counters,
514 is capable of counting up to a predetermined value (the total number of pixels for one line). When the timing from the scanning of the CCD linear image sensor 14 by one step in the x direction is detected by a signal from the scanning motor 11, each count is performed. The value is output to the corresponding code discriminators 513 and 515 and the calculator 516.

Each of the code discriminators 513 and 515 discriminates the sign of the difference between the count values of adjacent lines (the count value of the current line−the count value of the previous line), and outputs the discrimination result to the arithmetic unit 516. The arithmetic unit 516 also receives count values from the counters 512 and 514. 517 is
A counter that counts the position address of the CCD linear image sensor 14 in the x direction based on a signal from the scanning motor 11, and the counter 517 outputs the count value to the calculator 516. In accordance with the increment of the counter 517, the counters 512 and 514 are reset, and the counting on the next line is started.

The arithmetic unit 516 determines the result of the determination, the counters 512, 514, and 517.
Then, the positions (coordinates) of the four vertices of the document are obtained based on the count values from, and the lengths of the four sides of the document are calculated. The comparator 518 stores the size of a standard copy sheet, and compares the calculation result with the size of the standard copy sheet to detect a document size (position).

Next, the operation of document size (position) detection is described in the 20th section.
A specific description will be given based on an example in which a document (four vertices P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , and P ₄ ) is placed as shown in FIG. X, as shown in the figure
Set the y coordinate system and set the coordinates of each vertex to P ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ), P ₂ (x ₂ ,
y ₂ ), P ₃ (x ₃ , y ₃ ), and P ₄ (x ₄ , y ₄ ). While scanning the CCD linear image sensor 14 line by line to the right in order from the position of x = 0, each time one line is scanned, pixels outside the document (black pixels) are counted from both A and B directions until white pixels are reached. . When the x-coordinate of the CCD linear image sensor 14 is x _i , the count values of the counters 512 and 514 are A (x _i ) and B
If (x _i ), the coordinates of the four vertices P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , and P ₄ are detected from the values of x _i , A (x _i ), and B (x _i ).

In scanning early (until it reaches the P _1), since an area where the document is not at all placed, the count value of the counters 512 and 514 is the total number of pixels for one line, upon reaching the P _1, For the first time, the count values of both counters 512 and 514 become smaller than the predetermined value (the total number of pixels for one line). The code discriminators 513 and 515 respectively calculate A (x _i +1) -A (x _i ) and B (x
_i +1) - B (which calculates the value of x _i), has been reached in Pβ can determine from the value of _{A (x i +1) -A (} x i) is a value other than 0 . And the counter 51 at this time
Count value from 7 (x-direction coordinate), the count value from the counter 514 (y-direction coordinate), it is seen the position of P _1.
For P ₂ are then determined by examining the sign of _{B (x i +1) -B (} x i). Until reaching the P ₂ but this difference is negative, this difference after passing through the P ₂ is positive. Thus at the count value from the counters 514 and 517 at the time the difference changes from negative to positive, the position of P ₂ is detected.

Then, at the count value from the counters 514 and 517 at the time the sign of _{A (x i +1) -A (} x i) changes from negative to positive, it is possible to detect the position of the P _4. Finally, both counters 512,
The count value of 514 at the count value from the counters 514 and 517 at the time of returning to a predetermined value, it is possible to detect the position of P _3.

Using the coordinates of the four vertices thus obtained, the calculator 516 detects the length of the four sides of the document. First ▲
Is calculated based on the following equation (1), and the lengths of the other three sides are also calculated using the same equation as the equation (1).

Finally, the calculated length of the four sides is compared with the size of the standard copy paper by the comparator 518 to detect the size of the document. The block diagram shown in FIG. 19 is a part of the image signal processing circuit 213 shown in FIG. 5, and the output of the comparator 518 is
The information is transmitted to the second CPU 202 and the third CPU 203 via the serial I / O 215.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the paper feed tray 50, and FIG. 22 is a list showing the relationship between the paper size / direction and the magnet mounting position.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the contents of the paper size detection routine in step S16 in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 21, the paper feed tray 50 is provided with four magnets 501a to 501d at the bottom thereof.
Is mounted on the main body of the copying apparatus, the mounted state of the magnet is detected by a reed switch (not shown). Then, according to the detection result, the size and the position of the paper stored in the paper feed tray 50 are detected based on the relationship shown in FIG. This reed switch is a sensor included in the sensor group 206 (see FIG. 5).

It is determined whether or not the four magnets 501a to 501d are attached (steps S1601, S1602, S1603, S1604, S1609, S1614, S161).
5, S1616), the lateral length of the paper in accordance with the determination result in mm units to Y _P, also respectively set the vertical length of the paper in mm units to T _P (step S1605 , S1606, S1607, S1
608, S1610, S1611, S1612, S1613, S1617, S1618, S1619, S162
0, S1621, S1622). Since such processing is performed for each of the paper feed trays 50, 50 mounted in the upper and lower tiers, the data of T _P1 and Y _P1 in the upper tier and T _P2 , Y _P2 in the lower tier
Is obtained. The obtained result is used by the first CPU 201 itself for paper conveyance, an image forming routine, and the like.
It is sent to the second CPU 202 by serial communication and used as a judgment material for determining the scanning length, or sent to the third CPU 203 by serial communication and used as various display conditions.

Hereinafter, the display on the image monitor, the display of the effective image area frame 424, and the display of the document frame 425 will be described.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a memory area of the RAM 224,
M224 is an original image data area that stores original image data obtained by simply reading an original and converting it into coarse data for monitor display.
224a, an output image data area 224b for storing image data after being subjected to editing processing, scaling processing, and the like;
An area 224c for storing information such as various key inputs of 0, joyball inputs, and the like. Both image data areas 224a, 224
b is the same capacity, for example, 297 × 420 × 1 = 124740 bits ≒ 16 kbytes is required based on A3 (297 × 420 mm). At the time of reading a document, image data having the same contents as the original image data area 224a is stored in the output image data area 224b. Thereafter, as the editing operation proceeds, the contents are modified according to the editing operation.

FIG. 25 shows the contents of the display routine of step S33 in FIG. 14, and this display processing is divided into basic screen display (step S331) and monitor screen display (step S332).

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the contents of the monitor screen display routine of step S332 in FIG.
Image monitor area in Figure (Display D ₃ ) and Figure 9 (Display D ₄ )
413 shows a display control operation. Monitor key 3
By turning on 16, the original is scanned under the control of the second CPU 202 (see FIGS. 13, 15, 16, and 33), and the image data is stored in the RAM 224 of the third CPU 203 in the image signal input routine of step S36 in FIG. When all are input (step S3321 YES), when an output image display based on the result of scaling, editing, or the like is requested (step S3322 YES), the output image data is transferred to the VRAM in the LCD controller 221 (step S3322). Step S3323), 11th
The display is performed as shown in the figure (display D ₆ ) (step S3
324) If not requested (step S3322 NO), the captured image data is transferred to the VRAM in the LCD controller 221 (step S3325), displayed as a document image (step S3326), and the position designation cursor 431 is displayed. (Step S3327). As described above, the image monitor area 413
The display contents are switched.

Next, after specifying the coordinates of the effective image area frame (step S3328), the area frame is displayed by combining it with the image display (step S3329). Next, the coordinates of the document frame are designated based on the document position data obtained in step S24 (FIG. 13), and are combined with the image display to display this area frame (step S3330). Steps S3328, S3329, S3330
If it takes a long time to display each frame in, it is determined whether or not the frame display has been completed immediately before step S3328.
328, S3329, and S3330 may be skipped.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing a memory area of a RAM 224 according to another embodiment.The RAM 224 according to this embodiment stores original image data obtained by reading an original and converting it into coarse data for monitor display. An original image data area 224a similar to that shown in the figure, and a data area 224d for storing information such as the mode and the address in each mode each time an editing operation, a scaling operation, or the like progresses.
And an area 224c similar to that of FIG. 24 for storing information such as various key inputs and joyball inputs. For example, when the trimming mode is selected, information that the edit mode is trimming, address information of the top of the trimming area, and the like are stored in the data area 224d.

When the trimming mode is selected, data for turning off the liquid crystal outside the setting area connecting the vertexes indicating the stored addresses, and original image data inside the setting area, It will be transferred to VRAM.

This embodiment has an advantage that the capacity of the RAM 224 can be smaller than that of the above-described embodiment, but has a VRAM compared to the above-described embodiment which can output stored data as it is.
Since the operation by the third CPU 203 is required when data is transferred to the CPU, extra time is required for the processing time for data switching.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the effective image area frame, the paper frame, and the original frame with the image monitor area 413 corresponding to the entire area in which the original image can be read. The image area frame, the broken line (b) indicates the paper frame, and the solid line (c) indicates the document frame. Figure 29 is
27 is a flowchart showing the contents of an effective image area frame coordinate specification routine in step S3328 in FIG. 26. First, the coordinates of X _L1 and Y _L1 shown in FIG. 28 are specified (step S33281, step S33282). On the paper, an image loss area of 6 (mm) at the front end and 2 (mm) at the side end and the rear end is secured. In the display, the coordinates of X _L1 and Y _L1 are set to X _L1 (mm) = 6, respectively. /
Specify the copy magnification, Y _L1 (mm) = 2 / copy magnification. When the upper paper feed tray 50 is selected (step S33283: Y
ES), the sheet length data T _P1 , of the upper sheet tray 50 obtained in the sheet size detection routine of step S16 (FIG. 12).
To set the result to be calculated by using the sheet width data T _P1 in X _L2, Y _L2 (step S33284, step S33285). On the other hand, when the lower paper feed tray 50 is selected (step S332
83 NO), paper length data of the lower paper feed tray 50 obtained in the paper size detection routine of step S16 (FIG. 12)
X _L2 , Y are the results calculated using T _P2 and paper width data Y _P2.
It is set to _L2 (step S33286, step S33287).

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effective image area frame display routine of step S3329 in FIG. 26, in which X _L1 is set to the address data Ax of the x component (step S33290)
1), Y _L1 is set to the address data Ay of the y component (step S332902). Next, the display data D (Ax, Ay) of the image monitor area at that address is inverted by taking the exclusive OR of the data and the data "1" (step S332903), and one is added to Ax. (Step S332904). Ax continues this process until greater than X _L2 (steps S332905 NO), the horizontal line to the position of Figure 28 coordinates (X _L1, Y _L1) coordinates from the position of (X _L2, Y _L2) The image data is drawn by inverting turning off and on of the liquid crystal. When Ax exceeds X _L2 (step S33
2905 YES), after resetting Ax and Ay to X _L1 and Y _L2 (steps S332906 and S332907), performing exactly the same processing as described above (steps S332908, S332909 and S332910),
A horizontal line is drawn from the coordinates ( _XL1 , _YL2 ) in the figure to the coordinates ( _XL2 , _YL2 ).

Next, Ax and Ay are reset to X _L1 and Y _L1 +1 (step S33).
2911, S332912). Next, data inversion is performed on the display data D (Ax, Ay) by taking an exclusive OR of the previous data and "1" (step S332913).
Are added (step S332912). Until Ay is Y _L2 than continue this process (step S332915 NO), the position coordinates of FIG. 28 (X _L1, Y _L1) to the position coordinates (X _L1, Y _L2), the vertical line To draw. If Ay is equal to or greater than Y _L2 (YES in step S332915), Ax and Ay are reset to X _L2 and Y _L1 +1 (steps S332916 and S332917), and the same processing as described above is performed (steps S332918 and S332919). ,
S332920), the position coordinates of FIG. 28 (X _L2, Y _L1) to the position coordinates (X _L2, Y _L2), drawing a vertical line. As described above, the frame 424 indicating the effective image area based on the size of the paper stored in the selected paper feed tray is synthesized and displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 222 in accordance with the document image.

Since the effective image area frame changes according to the copy magnification,
At the time of zooming, it is possible to easily confirm the area to be printed in the document.

The image missing area is provided on the leading end side of the sheet because an image cannot be formed on the portion held by the chucking claw 52, and the image missing areas are provided on both side edges and the rear end of the sheet. This is to prevent toner from adhering to the transfer drum 51. That is, it is determined that the toner is not transferred from the transfer drum to the outside of the sheet, and the image defect area is set in consideration of the variation in the chucking position of the sheet. By displaying the effective image area frame, it is possible to more accurately recognize which area of the document is to be imprinted as compared with the paper size display.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the contents of the document frame display routine of step S3330 of FIG. 26, based on _{P 1, P 2, P 3} , P 4 detected by the circuit shown in FIG. 19 ▲
This is for drawing ▼, ▲ ▼, ▲ ▼, ▲ ▼ on the liquid crystal display panel 222.

First, the address data Ax and Ay of the x and y components are set to 0 (steps S33301 and S33302). Next, based on P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , and P ₄ (see FIG. 2) detected by the circuit shown in FIG. 19, ▲ ▼,
The display areas P of ▲, ▼, and ▲ are stored in the memory 224c (step S33303). Next, it is determined whether or not the address data (Ax, Ay) is included in the document frame display area P (step S33304). If included (step S33304 YES), the display data D on the image monitor
The data inversion of (Ax, Ay) is performed (step S33305), and when it is not included (NO in step S33304), the process directly proceeds to step S33306 to add Ax by one. The processes in steps S33304 to S33306 are continued until Ax becomes larger than Xe (step S33307 NO), and when Ax becomes larger than Xe (step S33307 YES), Ax is set to 0 (step S3330).
8) Add Ay one by one. The processing of steps S33304 to S33308 is continued until Ay becomes larger than Ye. When Ay becomes larger than Ye (YES in step S33309), that is, when the document frame display processing ends, this routine ends.

As described above, the frame indicating the original and the frame indicating the effective image area where the image is actually printed are both displayed, so that the positional relationship between the two can be instantaneously grasped.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the contents of the image editing routine of step S38 in FIG. 14. First, the image monitor is activated (step S381), and the display density level of the image monitor is adjusted (step S382). If the edit mode has been set (step S383 YES), processing relating to the trimming mode is performed (step S384), and processing relating to the erase mode is performed (step S385).

FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing the contents of the image monitor routine of step S381 in FIG. 15, and in the case where the scanner unit 10 has not scanned the original and obtained an image signal (step S381).
1 NO), when the monitor key 316 changes from off to on (step S3812 YES), or when the monitor key 316 changes to the on-edge (hereinafter, when the key changes from the off-state to the on-state is referred to as the on-edge). Even without (Step S3
812 NO) When the area edit mode is selected (step
In S3814 YES), display of a monitor image is requested (step S3813).

As described above, in the present invention, when the area edit mode is selected, display of a monitor image is requested regardless of whether the monitor key 316 is on or off. The request for displaying the monitor image is sent to the third CPU 203 via serial communication.
To the second CPU 202, the optical system (scanner unit 10) is scanned, and the image of the document is displayed on the image monitor area 413 of the liquid crystal display panel 222.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the area edit mode is selected, the monitor image is automatically displayed, so that the input operation for displaying the monitor image can be omitted. If the user wants to check the position of the original, for example, without editing and copying, the monitor image can be displayed at a desired timing by turning on the monitor key 316. There is no problem even if it is linked to.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the contents of the density level adjustment routine in step S382 in FIG. In the link between the actual copy density level and the monitor image density level (monitor level), when the copy density level is changed, both the actual copy density level and the monitor level are changed in accordance with the change in the specification. On the other hand, when the designation of the monitor level is changed, only the monitor level is changed in accordance with the change of the designation.

In steps S38200 to S38203, a change point in time of the copy density level display 407 (see FIG. 6) on liquid crystal display panel 222 is detected. If the edge flag is 0 (step S3
8200 YES) At the time of initial setting, this flag is set to 0). If the previous copy density is different from the current copy density (YES in step S38201), the edge flag is set to 1 (step S38202). Then, once the edge flag is set to 1 and this subroutine is called (step S38200 NO), the edge flag is returned to 0. Then, according to the specified state of the copy density (steps S38204 to S382)
09), a counter CDL for determining the actual copy density level is set (steps S38210 to S38216). This value becomes the above-described threshold level (4 bits data (e) in FIG. 18) when the read original image data is converted into display data (data indicating turning on / off of liquid crystal). . If the edge flag is 1 at each copy density (steps S38217 to S3217)
8223 YES), and sets the monitor level in accordance with the designated state of the copy density (steps S38224 to S38230). If the edge flag is 0 (steps S38217 to S382)
23 NO), returning to the main routine, the monitor level will be maintained at the previous level.

According to the specified state of the monitor level (display contents of the monitor level display 423 (see FIG. 8)) (steps S38231 to S3231)
8236), and set the comparison data (FIG. 18 (e)) SL (steps S38237 to S38243).

As described above, the change in the monitor level density is accepted by the actual change of the copy density designation or the direct change of the monitor level setting.

Next, a control procedure relating to the operation of the joyball 313 will be described. FIG. 35 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation angle θ of the stick portion 313a of the joyball 313 and the processing speed Vc, and FIG. 36 is a graph showing the relationship between θ and Vc and the reference timer value TM for determining the moving speed Vc at each cursor. FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram showing the movable range of the stick portion 313a.

Assuming that the center position at which the stick portion 313a automatically returns is θ = 30 ° as shown in FIG. 37, the stick portion 313a has a movable range from θ = 0 to 60 °, and a menu cursor and a menu cursor according to the angle θ. Movement speed Vc of position designation cursor
Changes as shown in FIG. In FIG. 35, the speed change is expressed in one dimension, but is actually two-dimensional as shown in FIG. 4, and is independently controlled in the X direction and the Y direction. If 25 ° <θ <35 °, the cursor (menu cursor or position designation cursor 431) does not move (Vc = 0). 20 ° ≦ θ ≦ 2
When 5 °, 35 ° ≦ θ ≦ 40 °, a certain reference speed (Vc
= 1), the cursor moves. 0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 5 °, 55 °
When ≦ θ ≦ 60 °, the cursor moves at a speed five times the reference speed (Vc = 5). 5 ° <θ <20 °, 4
When 0 ° <θ <55 °, the cursor moves between Vc = 1 to 5 by the quadratic function combination of θ shown in FIG.

FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing the contents of control of the moving speed of the cursor.
It shows the contents of S35.

Depending on the magnitude of the rotation angle θx in the X direction (step S3
501, S3503, S3505), and set a value of 1 to 5 for the x-component moving speed VCx (steps S3502, S3504, S3506). Where S3504
The values of the constants K ₁ , K ₂ , and K ₃ at
0.007619, -0.4571, 7.091. If 25 <θx <35 (step S3505 NO), the flag FMVx requesting the movement of the cursor in the x direction is reset (step S3517)
Comparison timer TR for determining x-direction movement timing
x is stopped (step S3518). When the flag FMVx is set to 1, the cursor is moved in any of steps S37, S38, and S39 (FIG. 14), and the flag is returned to 0.

After the VCx is set, if the screen state is the menu cursor moving state as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 (step S3507 YES), the reference timer value TMx for determining the x component moving speed Is set to K ₄ / VCx (step S3508). VC
After the x is set, if the screen state is the moving state of the position designation cursor as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (step S3
In 507 NO), K ₅ / VCx is set to the reference timer value TMx (step S3509). Where K ₄ = 1000 (msec), K ₅ = 50
(Msec), so the result of the reference timer value TMx is the third
As shown in Figure 6.

If the comparison timer TRx is not being added and is stopped (step S3510 YES), and if the comparison timer value TRx has reached the reference timer value TMx (step S3)
511 YES), the flag FMVx is set to 1 (step S351).
2) The counting of the comparison timer TRx is started from 0 (step S3513).

At the moment when the joyball is rotated other than 25 <θ <35, the flag FMVx is set to 1 and the cursor is moved, and thereafter, the cursor is moved with the reference timer time according to the amount of rotation. Here, this time is a value corresponding to the amount of rotation of the joyball at that moment, and the cursor is moved by comparing this value with the reference timer value that is always operating, so that the movement response is excellent. I have. If the rotation angle of the joyball is returned to 25 <θ <35 after the desired movement is completed, the cursor will not be moved thereafter.

Next, it is determined whether θx is 30 or more (step
(S3514), if it is 30 or more (step S3514 YES), the x-component moving direction flag FDRx is set to 1 (step S351).
5) If it is less than 30 (NO in step S3514), the flag FDRx is set to 0 (step S3516). And FDRx = 1
When FDRx = 0, the movement is in the X (-) direction (left direction in FIG. 2).

The above processing is performed in the same manner for the y-direction component (see steps S3519 to S3536 in FIG. 38 (b)).
The movement request flag FMVy in the y direction and the movement direction flag in the y direction
Specify FDRy.

The movement request flags FMVx and FMVy and the movement direction flags FDRx and FDRy determined as described above perform various processes in accordance with the state of each of the above-described flags in steps S37, S38, and S39 (the 14th step).
FIG. Further FMVx, FMVy
If at least one of is equal to 1, steps S331 and S3
At 32 (FIG. 25), the actual menu cursor or position designation cursor is moved by one unit according to the state of each flag. At the end of this process, the movement request flags FMVx and FMVy are returned to "0", and step S3512 (FIG. 38 (a)) for FMVx and step S3530 (FIG. 38 (a)) for FMVy The position of the position designation cursor in step S3327 (FIG. 26) and the position of the menu cursor in S331 (FIG. 25) do not change until it becomes a new "1".

Note that the above-described movement of the cursor by one unit refers to movement of one dot in each of the x and y directions on the liquid crystal display panel 222 in the case of a position designation cursor, and from one cursor position in the case of a menu cursor. Refers to the movement to the next cursor position in each of the x and y directions.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described in detail above, in the copying apparatus of the present invention, when the area edit mode is selected, the image of the original is displayed on the display means unconditionally, so after selecting the area edit mode It is not necessary to perform another selection operation of the image display. Therefore, in editing and copying, the operation of selecting an image display can be omitted, and the operation procedure can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional structural view of a copying apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an operation panel, FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a joy ball, FIG. 5 is an overall control system diagram, FIGS. 6 to 11 are schematic diagrams showing the display contents of the liquid crystal display panel, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the first CPU 201, and FIG. 13 is a main routine of the second CPU 202. FIG. 14 shows the third CPU 20.
Flow chart showing the main routine of FIG. 3, FIG. 15, FIG.
6, 23, 25, 26, 29 to 34, 38
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a main routine, FIGS. 17 and 18 are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the image signal conversion circuit, and FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a device configuration for detecting a document size. And FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of document size detection, FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a paper feed tray, FIG. 22 is a table showing the relationship between the paper size / position and the magnet mounting position, and FIG. , FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing the memory area of the RAM, and FIG. 28 is an effective image area frame, a paper frame,
FIG. 35 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the joyball and the processing speed, and FIG. 36 is a table showing the relationship between the rotation angle and the processing speed of the joyball and the reference timer value. FIG. 37 is a schematic view showing the movable range of the stick portion of the joyball. 10 Scanner unit, 22 Image reader unit 41 Photosensitive drum, 222 Liquid crystal display panel 316 Monitor key, 412a Area editing menu

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A copying apparatus having an area editing mode for forming and copying a latent image on a photoconductor in accordance with an image signal obtained by scanning an original with an optical system, and editing the original. Display means for displaying the image of the document based on the image data, instruction means for instructing the start of scanning of the optical system, and setting means for setting the area edit mode, wherein the area edit mode is set by the setting means. When the setting is made, an image of the document is displayed on the display unit regardless of the presence or absence of an instruction from the instruction unit.