JP5446341B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a control program, and more particularly to input of image information to an image forming mechanism.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is often configured as a multifunction machine that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.

  Among such image processing apparatuses, an image forming apparatus used for image formation output of digitized information has an image forming mechanism that divides an image for each scanning line and forms an image for each scanning line. Used. Examples of such an image forming mechanism include an electrophotographic system and an inkjet system. When inputting image information to such an image forming mechanism, a controller that controls the operation of the apparatus generally inputs image information for each scanning line (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  When image forming output is performed on a sheet in an image forming apparatus, an image is not output on the entire surface of the sheet, and some margins are generally provided on four sides of the sheet. In this case, the controller in the conventional image forming apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1 generates blank image information for the blank portion and inputs it to the image forming mechanism. The blank image information is information that does not contribute to the content of the output image in the image formation by the image forming mechanism.

  On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus, particularly an apparatus using an electrophotographic system as an image forming mechanism, ppm (Page Per Minute), which is the performance of the number of image forming outputs, is used to generate image information to be input to the image forming mechanism and to the image forming mechanism. The transfer of image information is a bottleneck. Therefore, in order to improve the number of image forming outputs, it is required to generate image information to be input to the image forming mechanism and speed up the transfer of the image information to the image forming mechanism.

  Such a problem is particularly noticeable in an image forming apparatus that employs an electrophotographic system as an image forming mechanism, as described above, but is similarly a problem in image forming apparatuses that use other image forming mechanisms. obtain.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and in an image forming apparatus using an image forming mechanism that divides an image into a plurality of scanning lines and forms an image for each scanning line. An object is to speed up the generation of input image information and the transfer of the image information to the image forming mechanism.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1, the image forming mechanism outputs image information for executing image forming output by dividing the image into a plurality of scanning lines and outputting the information for each scanning line. A main scanning line drawing range signal output unit that outputs a main scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on paper in the scanning line; A sub-scanning line drawing range signal output unit that outputs a sub-scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on paper in a direction perpendicular to the scanning line; An image information generation unit that generates image information for the mechanism to execute image formation output; an image information output unit that outputs the generated image information ;
A clock output unit that outputs a clock signal for causing the drive unit that drives the image forming mechanism to receive the output image information, and the image information generation unit is configured so that the image forming mechanism is an image formation output target. The image information is generated according to a range in which an image is drawn on a sheet, and the clock output unit outputs the image information corresponding to a range that becomes a margin in the sheet during the period in which the image information output unit outputs the clock information. The period during which the image information output unit outputs image information corresponding to a predetermined range after the output of the signal is stopped and the range in which the image is drawn on the sheet is changed to a range that is a blank space is the period of the clock signal. The output is continued .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the main scanning line drawing range signal output unit is configured as the main scanning line drawing range signal for a range that becomes a margin in the paper. The sub-scanning line drawing range signal output unit outputs a signal indicating a non-drawing range, and the sub-scanning line drawing range signal output unit indicates a non-drawing range as the sub-scanning line drawing range signal for a range that becomes a margin in the paper. The image information output unit outputs predetermined information for a range that is a margin in the paper.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the image information output unit outputs information indicating a null value as the predetermined information. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the image information output unit outputs dummy information as the predetermined information.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any of the second to fourth aspects, the main scanning line drawing range signal output unit and the sub-scanning line drawing range signal output unit are provided on the sheet. Signals indicating the non-drawing range are output for the upper, lower, left and right margins.

The invention of claim 6 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sub-scan line drawing range signal output unit, after the output operation of one of the images is started, After a predetermined number of reference horizontal synchronization signals indicating the start position for each scanning line are counted, a signal indicating a drawing range is output as the sub-scanning line drawing range signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, image information for the image forming mechanism to execute image forming output is generated for each scanning line by dividing the image into a plurality of scanning lines, and for each scanning line. An image processing apparatus for driving the image forming mechanism, wherein the main scanning line outputs a main scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet in the scanning line. A drawing range signal output unit, and a sub-scanning line drawing range signal that outputs a sub-scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet in a direction perpendicular to the scanning line an output unit, and an image information generating unit that the image forming mechanism to generate image information for executing the image formation output, and the image information output unit that outputs the image information said generated before A clock output unit that outputs a clock signal for receiving the output image data to the driving unit for driving the image forming mechanism, a main scan line drawing range signal acquisition for acquiring main scanning line drawing range signal the output A sub-scanning line drawing range signal acquisition unit that acquires the output sub-scanning line drawing range signal, an image information acquisition unit that acquires the output image information, and the acquired image information An image formation execution unit that drives the image formation mechanism, and the image information generation unit generates the image information according to a range in which the image formation mechanism draws an image on a sheet that is an image formation output target. the clock output unit, a period for outputting image information corresponding to a range to be blank in the paper is the image information output section stops outputting of the clock signal,且, The period for outputting image information corresponding to a predetermined range after the transition to the range of the margin of the range image is drawn in the paper is the image information output unit continues to output the clock signal, the image forming When the execution unit is a signal indicating that at least one of the main scanning line drawing range signal and the sub-scanning line drawing range signal is a non-drawing range, the image forming mechanism is configured to generate a margin on the sheet. It is characterized by driving.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, image information for the image forming mechanism to execute image forming output is generated for each scanning line by dividing the image into a plurality of scanning lines, and for each scanning line. said image forming mechanism an image processing method of driving the image forming mechanism before Symbol scan line outputs main scanning line drawing range signal is a signal corresponding to a range of drawing an image on a sheet, before It said image forming mechanism in serial scanning line perpendicular direction to output the sub-scan line drawing range signal is a signal corresponding to a range of drawing an image on a sheet, before Symbol image forming mechanism to perform an image forming output driving the image information for, by the image forming mechanism is generated in response to a range of drawing an image on a sheet of image forming output target, and outputs the image information before SL generated to drive the image forming mechanism Output a clock signal for receiving the output image information, stop outputting the clock signal during a period in which image information corresponding to a marginal area in the paper is output, and the paper main scan line drawing range period in which the image information is output corresponding to a predetermined range after the transition to the range of the margin from a range in which an image is drawn to continue the output of the clock signal, which is pre-Symbol output in acquires the signal, retrieves the previous SL sub-scan line drawing range signal output, acquires the image information before SL output, based on the prior SL acquired image information, the main scanning line drawing range signal and the When at least one of the sub-scan line drawing range signals is a signal indicating a non-drawing range, the image forming mechanism is driven so that a margin is generated on the paper. And butterflies.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus using an image forming mechanism that divides an image into a plurality of scanning lines and forms an image for each scanning line, generation of image information input to the image forming mechanism and an image forming mechanism It is possible to speed up the transfer of image information to the computer.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the inside of the exposure machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the polygon motor and polygon mirror which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the operation display part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control board BOX which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the processing function of the image data which concerns on the controller control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the data which the data depth switching mechanism part which concerns on embodiment of this invention outputs. It is a figure which shows the example of the receiving circuit of the input-output I / F of the engine control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the receiving circuit of the input-output I / F of the engine control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the signal state in control board BOX concerning the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart which shows the signal state in control board BOX concerning other embodiments of the present invention. It is a timing chart which shows the signal state in control board BOX concerning other embodiments of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system as an image forming mechanism will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to perform all-in-one (All In) of black (Bk), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) along the transfer belt 10. One: AIO) color image forming apparatus having a configuration in which cartridges (electrophotographic process units) 11Bk, 11M, 11C, and 11Y are arranged, so-called tandem type.

  The transfer belt 10 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 (in the direction of the arrow in the drawing), and a plurality of AIO cartridges 11Bk, 11M, 11C, and 11Y are arranged in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. The plurality of AIO cartridges 11Bk, 11M, 11C, and 11Y have the same internal configuration except that the colors of the toner images to be formed are different.

  The AIO cartridge 11Bk forms a black image, the AIO cartridge 11M forms a magenta image, the AIO cartridge 11C forms a cyan image, and the AIO cartridge 11Y forms a yellow image. In the following description, the AIO cartridge 11Bk will be described in detail, but the other AIO cartridges 11M, 11C, and 11Y are the same as the AIO cartridge 11Bk, and each of the image forming units of the AIO cartridges 11M, 11C, and 11Y. Constituent elements are replaced with Bk attached to the respective constituent elements of the 11 Bk image forming unit, and symbols distinguished by M, C, and Y are displayed in the drawing, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The transfer belt 10 is an endless belt wound around a secondary transfer driving roller 20 and a transfer belt tension roller 21 that are rotationally driven. The secondary transfer drive roller 20 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), and functions as means for moving the transfer belt 10 by the drive motor, the secondary transfer drive roller 20, and the transfer belt tension roller 21. ing. Reference numeral 22 denotes a toner mark (Toner Mark: TM) sensor, and reference numeral 23 denotes a transfer belt cleaner.

  The image forming unit of the AIO cartridge 11Bk includes a paddle 12Bk for stirring the toner, a photoconductor 16Bk as a photoconductor, a charger 17Bk disposed around the photoconductor 16Bk, an exposure device 19, a developer 14Bk, and a toner developer. It comprises a supply roller 13Bk to be supplied to 14Bk, a developing blade 15Bk, a cleaner blade 18Bk, and the like. The exposure unit 19 includes black laser light Bk, magenta laser light M, cyan laser light C, and yellow laser light Y, which are exposure lights corresponding to image colors formed by the AIO cartridges 11Bk, 11M, 11C, and 11Y. It is comprised so that it may irradiate.

  When the image forming operation is performed, the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 16Bk is uniformly charged by the charger 17Bk in the dark, and then exposed by the laser beam Bk corresponding to the black image from the exposure device 19, so that the electrostatic latent image is obtained. An image is formed. The developing device 14Bk visualizes the electrostatic latent image with black toner, thereby forming a black toner image on the photoreceptor 16Bk.

  This toner image is transferred onto the transfer belt 10 by the action of the primary transfer roller 24Bk at a position (primary transfer position) where the photoreceptor 16Bk and the transfer belt 10 are in contact with each other. By this transfer operation, an image of black toner is formed on the transfer belt 10.

  After the toner image transfer operation is completed, the photoreceptor 16Bk waits for the next image formation after the unnecessary toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface is wiped off by the cleaner blade 18Bk. These waste toners are sent to a waste toner box 27. The waste toner in the waste toner box 27 is replaced with a new waste toner box 27 when the waste toner full detection sensor 28 detects fullness.

  As described above, the transfer belt 10 to which the black toner image is transferred by the AIO cartridge 11Bk is conveyed by the transfer belt 10 to the next AIO cartridge 11M. In the AIO cartridge 11M, a magenta toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 16M by a process similar to the image forming process in the AIO cartridge 11Bk, and the toner image is superimposed on the black image formed on the transfer belt 10. And is transcribed.

  The transfer belt 10 is further conveyed to the next AIO cartridges 11C and 11Y, and a cyan toner image formed on the photoconductor 16C and a yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 16Y by the same operation. Then, the image is transferred onto the transfer belt in a superimposed manner. In this manner, a full color image can be formed on the transfer belt 10.

  The transfer belt 10 on which the full-color superimposed image is formed is conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer roller 32. When only black is printed at the time of image formation, the primary transfer roller 24M, the primary transfer roller 24C, and the primary transfer roller 24Y are retracted to positions separated from the photoconductor 16M, the photoconductor 16C, and the photoconductor 16Y, respectively. The image forming process described above is performed only for black.

  During the paper transport operation during image formation, the paper 26 stored in the paper feed tray 25 is sequentially sent out by rotating the paper feed roller 29 counterclockwise from the top, and the paper 26 is fed by the registration sensor 30. And waits at the position of the registration roller 31 by controlling the timing for stopping the rotation of the paper feed roller 29.

  The driving of the registration roller 31 is started at a timing such that the toner image conveyed by the transfer belt 10 and the secondary transfer roller 32 overlap the position of the toner image and the paper 26. At this time, the registration roller 31 and the paper feed roller 29 are rotated counterclockwise to feed the paper 26, the registration sensor 30 detects the presence of the paper 26, and stops the rotation of the paper feed roller 29.

  The paper 26 sent out by the registration roller 31 transfers the toner image on the transfer belt 10 to the paper 26 by the secondary transfer roller 32, and then the toner image is fixed by heat and pressure by the fixing device 33. The paper is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus by a paper discharge roller 35 that is driven to rotate clockwise.

  When performing duplex printing, immediately after the trailing edge of the paper 26 passes through the paper discharge sensor 34, the paper discharge roller 35 is stopped and rotated counterclockwise to provide the paper 26 on the further right side of FIG. Transport to the double-sided transport path. The sheet 26 conveyed to the duplex conveyance path is conveyed again to the registration roller 31 via the duplex roller 36. The timing of passing through the double-sided roller 36 is detected by a double-sided sensor 37.

  The paper 26 that has reached the registration roller 31 is again fed from the registration roller 31, and the toner image is transferred to the opposite side of the paper surface by the secondary transfer roller 32, and then the toner image is transferred by the fixing device 33. The paper is fixed by heat and pressure, and is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus by a paper discharge roller 35 that is driven to rotate clockwise.

  The control board BOX 38 is provided with a control unit, which controls all operations of the operation display unit 39 for performing engine control and various input operations by the operator from image data processing of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing the inside of the exposure device 19 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the polygon motor and polygon mirror shown in FIG. The exposure unit 19 is a unit for writing image information on a photoconductor in the form of a set of light spots by raster scanning of laser light, and there are various laser light sources such as a He-Ne laser. Describes the case where a semiconductor laser is used.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the polygon mirror 54 has an accurate polygonal shape and constitutes an upper and lower two-stage structure of an upper surface 54a and a lower surface 54b. The polygon motor 65 rotates in a constant direction at a constant speed, and this rotational speed is determined by the rotational speed and writing speed of the photosensitive member and the number of faces of the polygon mirror 54.

  Laser light from the black LD unit LD (Bk) 50 and the yellow LD unit LD (Y) 52 is incident on the lower surface 54b of the polygon mirror 54 having the above-described upper and lower two-stage structure, and the polygon mirror 54 rotates. As a result, the laser beam is deflected, passes through the fθ lenses 55 and 56, is folded back by the first mirrors 58 and 60, and is exposed to the photoreceptor 16Bk and the photoreceptor 16Y.

  Laser light from the magenta LD unit LD (M) 51 and the cyan LD unit LD (C) 53 is incident on the upper surface 54a of the polygon mirror 54 having the above-described upper and lower two-stage structure, and the polygon mirror 54 rotates. As a result, the laser beam is deflected, passes through the fθ lenses 55 and 56, is folded back by the first mirrors 57 and 59, and is exposed to the photoreceptor 16M and the photoreceptor 16C.

  In the present embodiment, a first cylinder mirror (CYM1) 61, a second cylinder mirror (CYM2) 62, a first synchronization detection sensor 63, and a second synchronization detection sensor 64 are arranged at the writing end portion in the main scanning direction. Then, the laser light passing through the fθ lenses 55 and 56 is reflected and collected by the first cylinder mirror (CYM1) 61 and the second cylinder mirror (CYM2) 62, and the first synchronization detection sensor 63 and the second synchronization detection sensor 64. It is the structure which injects into.

  The first synchronization detection sensor 63 and the second synchronization detection sensor 64 serve as a synchronization detection sensor for detecting the start side synchronization detection signal XDETP. The laser light emitted from the LD unit LD (Bk) 50 is incident on the first synchronization detection sensor 63, and lighting control of the LD unit LD (Bk) 50 and LD unit LD (M) 51 is performed using the detection signal. Do.

  Conversely, the laser light of the LD unit LD (M) 51 can be detected, and lighting control of the LD unit LD (Bk) 50 and the LD unit LD (M) 51 can be performed using the detection signal. The same applies to the lighting control of the LD unit LD (Y) 52 and the LD unit LD (C) 53.

  The rotation speed of the polygon mirror 54 and one line formed on each photoconductor are synchronized by the start side synchronization detection signal XDETP generated from the laser light incident on the first synchronization detection sensor 63 and the second synchronization detection sensor 64. . By repeating this operation sequentially, the image formed line by line becomes one image as a whole, and is formed on each photoconductor.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the LD unit LD (Y) 52 and the LD unit LD (C) 53 scan in the reverse direction with respect to the LD unit LD (Bk) 50 and the LD unit LD (M) 51.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the operation display unit 39 shown in FIG. The operation display unit 39 includes an operation input key 67 for the user to input various operation information, a liquid crystal display screen 68 for displaying various work screens and information to the user, and various modes, device states and warnings to the user. LED69 etc. which notify is notified.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit inside the control board BOX 38 shown in FIG. The control unit of the control board BOX 38 generates, for example, image data of each color of black, magenta, cyan, and yellow (or image data input from a scanner) of document data input from an external personal computer and controls the engine. A controller control unit 70 corresponding to a first control unit that performs processing to be transmitted to the unit 80, and a second control unit that forms a color image obtained by superimposing the image data received from the controller control unit 70 and prints it on paper. A corresponding engine control unit 80 is provided. That is, the controller control unit 70 functions as an image information generation unit and an image information output unit. The engine control unit 80 functions as an image information acquisition unit and an image formation execution unit. In the present embodiment, the controller control unit 70, the engine control unit 80, and the system including the controller control unit 70 and the engine control unit 80 all function as an image processing apparatus in that image information is processed.

  The controller control unit 70 that processes image data and controls other input / outputs, a CPU 71 that performs various control processes when transmitting each image data to the engine control unit 80, and temporarily stores each image data and various information to be controlled. RAM 72 which is a memory for storing data, ROM 73 for storing a program indicating a procedure for CPU 71 to perform various control processes, image data input interface (I / F) 74 for inputting data from the outside, engine It comprises an input / output interface (I / F) 75 that controls the exchange of various signals including image data with the control unit 80, and a bus 76 that exchanges data between the units in the controller control unit 70.

  Although not shown, the controller control unit 70 controls the operation display unit 39 by serial connection. The liquid crystal display screen and LEDs are transmitted with data from the CPU 71, and various input operation data are input to the CPU 71. Then, control based on the input operation data is performed.

  The engine control unit 80 receives various image data from the controller control unit 70 and performs various control processes during printing, a work area for the CPU 81 to perform various control processes, and each image data temporarily. I / O for controlling the exchange of various signals including image data between the RAM 82 which is a memory to be stored in the memory, the ROM 83 which stores a program indicating a procedure for the CPU 81 to perform various control processes, and the controller control unit 70 An interface (I / F) 84 and a bus 85 for exchanging data between each unit in the engine control unit 80. The controller control unit 70 and the engine control unit 80 are connected by a communication line 90 so that various types of data can be exchanged.

  The communication line 90 is an interface for transmitting image data from the controller control unit 70 to the engine control unit 80, and all other signals are exchanged between the controller control unit 70 and the engine control unit 80. Reference horizontal synchronization signal, image data effective area signal, image data transfer clock signal, Bk vertical image effective area signal, Bk image data signal, M vertical image effective area signal, M There are an image data signal, a C vertical image effective area signal, a C image data signal, a Y vertical image effective area signal, and a Y image data signal.

  An image data valid area signal, an image data transfer clock signal, a Bk image data signal, an M image data signal, a C image data signal, and a Y image data signal are transmitted from the controller control unit 70 to the engine control unit 80 under the control of the CPU 71. Is done. On the other hand, from the engine control unit 80 to the controller control unit 70, under the control of the CPU 81, a reference horizontal direction synchronization signal, a Bk vertical image effective region signal, an M vertical image effective region signal, a C vertical image effective region signal, Y A vertical image effective area signal is transmitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration for processing image data realized by the CPU 71 of the controller control unit 70 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating three types of output data switched by the data depth switching mechanism unit 102 illustrated in FIG. 6.

  The image data signal input from the image data input I / F 74 to the controller control unit 70 is stored in the RAM 72, color-matched by the color matching conversion circuit 100, and then transmitted to the γ conversion circuit 101. The γ conversion circuit 101 converts the image data signal received from the color matching conversion circuit 100 into an image data signal that matches the input / output characteristics of the image forming apparatus, and outputs the image data signal to the data depth switching mechanism unit 102.

  The image data signal output from the γ conversion circuit 101 is converted to a predetermined quantization level by the first switch (first SW) of the data depth switching mechanism unit 102. The data depth switching mechanism 102 functions to switch the image data output from the controller control unit 70 to three types of data depth.

  The gamma conversion circuit 101 outputs 8-bit (bit) data (see FIG. 7A), and the 4-bit conversion circuit 103 outputs 4-bit (bit) data (see FIG. 7B). Then, the binarization circuit 104 converts the input 8-bit multi-value data into binary data with a preset fixed threshold value to convert 1-bit (bit) data in FIG. c) see).

  The dither circuit 105 outputs 1-bit data (see (c) of FIG. 7) for creating an area gradation. Then, one of the four data types is selected by the first switch (first SW) and the second switch (second SW), and data (DATA) 0 to data (DATA) 7 are output.

  The image data writing control of the CPU 81 of the engine control unit 80 is performed by the LD unit LD (Bk) 50, LD unit LD (M) 51, LD unit LD (Y) 52, and LD unit LD in the exposure unit 19 described above. (C) Control of oscillation of the semiconductor laser 53, control of the polygon motor 65 based on signals detected by the first synchronization detection sensor 63 and the second synchronization detection sensor 64, and the like.

  The control of each photoconductor of the CPU 81 of the engine control unit 80 includes the drive control of the photoconductor 16Bk, the photoconductor 16M, the photoconductor 16C, and the photoconductor 16Y, the charger 17Bk, the charger 17M, the charger 17C, the charger 17Y, and the cleaner. Voltage control of the blade 18Bk, the cleaner blade 18M, the cleaner blade 18C, and the cleaner blade 18Y is performed.

  The CPU 81 of the engine control unit 80 controls each developing device. Specifically, the CPU 81 develops the developing device 14Bk, the developing device 14M, the developing device 14C, the developing device 14Y, the supply roller 13Bk, the supply roller 13M, the supply roller 13C, the supply roller 13Y, the developing blade 15Bk, the developing blade 15M, and the developing blade 15C. Each is controlled by controlling the voltage of the developing blade 15Y.

  The CPU 81 of the engine control unit 80 also controls the transfer mechanism. Specifically, the CPU 81 has a primary transfer roller 24Bk, a primary transfer roller 24M, a primary transfer roller 24Bk, a primary transfer roller 24M at a position (primary transfer position) at which each of the photoconductor 16Bk, the photoconductor 16M, the photoconductor 16C, and the photoconductor 16Y contacts the transfer belt 10. The voltage of the transfer roller 24C and the primary transfer roller 24Y is controlled to perform primary transfer of a full color image on the transfer belt 10.

  Further, the CPU 81 rotationally drives the transfer belt 10 on which the full-color superimposed image, that is, the toner image is formed, and conveys the toner image to the position of the secondary transfer roller 32. Then, the CPU 81 performs current control and voltage control of the secondary transfer roller 32 to transfer the toner image to the paper 26 that is conveyed at a timing such that the position of the toner image and the paper 26 overlap.

  The feed control of the CPU 81 of the engine control unit 80 controls a motor, a clutch, a solenoid, and the like that feed paper (not shown), and also transfers the transfer paper so that the registration roller 31 matches the position of the toner image on the transfer belt 10. Control to send out.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of four receiving circuits in the input / output I / F 84 of the engine control unit 80 shown in FIG. Each of the receiving circuits is a circuit that receives a Bk image data signal, an M image data signal, a C image data signal, and a Y image data signal from the controller control unit 70, and each of the Bk, M, C, and Y color images. Each data receiving circuit includes one D flip-flop circuit 110 and one OR gate circuit 111.

  The OR gate circuit 111 determines the voltage level to be output to the CLK terminal of the D flip-flop circuit 110 from the voltage level of the image data transfer clock signal from the controller control unit 70 and the image data valid area signal. When the rising signal from the low level to the high level from the OR gate circuit 111 is input to the CLK terminal, the D flip-flop circuit 110 takes in the image data transmitted from the controller control unit 70 to the D terminal, and the internal circuit Output to. This image data is stored in the RAM 82.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10A is a timing chart showing signal states when image information for one scanning line is transferred from the controller control unit 70 to the engine control unit 80 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an image formed as a result of repeating the timing chart of FIG. 10A for the scanning lines in correspondence with the timing of FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when outputting an image of one page in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the controller control unit 70 receives the assertion of the reference horizontal direction synchronization signal S _LINE at regular intervals via the communication line 90 (timing t ₁ and t ′ _{1 in} FIG. 10A). . Based on this S _LINE , the controller control unit 70 performs an image information output operation. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the present embodiment, the signal falling period is an assert period.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the image forming apparatus 1 starts image forming output based on a print job or the like (S1101), first, the engine control unit 80 counts the number of assertions of the reference horizontal direction synchronization signal S _LINE ( S1102). When the count number of S _LINE reaches N which is a predetermined count threshold value (S1103 / YES), the engine control unit 80 performs a predetermined timing (see FIG. 10) after the last asserted fall of S _LINE . At the timing t ′ ₂ ) of (a), the vertical image effective area signal S _VER is asserted (S1104).

The period from S1101 to S1104 is T _PRE shown in FIG. That is, after image formation is started, image output is stopped while counting the number of assertions of S _LINE , thereby stopping output of the image data transfer clock CLK and the image data signal during the period of T _PRE shown in FIG. can do.

Here, S _VER is a signal indicating that the image is an effective area in the vertical direction of the image, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, and providing this S _VER is one of the gist according to the present embodiment. In other words, S _VER is a signal corresponding to the range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on the paper in the sub-scan line, and is used as a sub-scan line drawing range signal. That is, the controller control unit 70 functions as a sub-scanning line drawing range signal output unit, and the engine control unit 80 functions as a sub-scanning line drawing range signal acquisition unit. As shown in FIG. 10A, S _VER is negated because the period corresponding to the blank area on the paper is a non-drawing range.

As described above, the S _VER assertion timing is a predetermined timing after the last asserted S _LINE fall. Specifically, as shown in FIG. Is preferably between the timing corresponding to (timing t _{2 in} FIG. 10A) and the timing corresponding to the left end of the effective area of the image (timing t _{3 in} FIG. 10A). In addition, it may be between the timing _{t 1} shown in FIG. 10 (a) of _{t 2,} t _1, t 2, and either _{t 3} may be simultaneous.

After S _VER is asserted, when the timing corresponding to the left end of the image is reached (timing t _{3 in} FIG. 10A) as shown in FIG. _VALID is asserted, and a signal corresponding to the image valid area shown in FIG. 10B (hereinafter referred to as Valid Data) is output as an image data signal, and an image data transfer clock CLK is output (S1105).

S _VALID is a signal indicating an image effective area in the main scanning direction. In other words, S _VALID is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet in the main scanning line, and is used as a main scanning line drawing range signal. That is, the controller control unit 70 functions as a main scanning line drawing range signal output unit, and the engine control unit 80 functions as a main scanning line drawing range signal output unit. As shown in FIG. 10A, S _VALID is negated because the period corresponding to the blank area on the paper is a non-drawing range.

  CLK is a clock for the input / output I / F 84 to latch, that is, acquire an image data signal input via the communication line 90, and output / stop is switched in accordance with the output period of Valid Data. That is, the controller control unit 70 functions as a clock output unit. As a result, CLK is output only during an effective image data output period that needs to be acquired by the engine control unit 80, so that it is possible to reduce noise and reduce power consumption due to the clock.

Timing _{t 3} of S1105 _is the timing after the elapse of a predetermined time period from the assertion timing of the _{S LINE.} The timing t _3, as described above, a timing corresponding to the left end of the effective area of the image. That is, _SVALID is a signal indicating that the image is an effective area in the horizontal direction of the image, that is, in the main scanning direction.

After starting output of CLK at timing t ₃ , the controller 70 negates S _VALID at timing corresponding to the right end of the image shown in FIG. 10B (timing t _{4 in} FIG. 10B). At the same time, the output of CLK is stopped (S1106). By the processing from S1105 to S1106, the output of the image information for one scanning line, that is, one line in the main scanning direction is completed.

The controller control unit 70 repeats the processes of S1105 and S1106 while _SVER is asserted (S1107 / NO). As a result, the image information for each scanning line is stacked in the vertical direction, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, and an image as shown in FIG. 10B is formed. When S _VER is negated (S1107 / YES), the controller control unit 70 completes outputting the image information for one page.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the timing at which S _VER is negated is the timing after the end of the image information output period of the last scanning line, that is, the period from t ₁ to t ′ ₁ (FIG. 10 ( Timing t ′ ₅ ) shown in a). A period from timing t ′ ₂ at which SVER is asserted to timing t ′ ₅ at which S _VER is negated is T _VALID shown in FIG. 10B, which is a period in which an image is valid in the vertical direction.

The S _VER negate timing can be any timing after the S _VALID negate timing in the last scanning line. For example, the timing corresponding to the right end of the effective area of the image (timing t _{4 in} FIG. 10A) to the timing corresponding to the right end of the sheet (timing t _{5 in} FIG. 10A), or from t ₅ to t It may be at the same time as ' ₁ ' or any of t ₄ , t ₅ and t ₆ .

By such processing, the output of the image information from the controller control unit 70 to the engine control unit 80 in the control board BOX 38 according to the present embodiment is completed. As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the image data valid area signal _SVALID indicating the effective area in the horizontal direction of the image, that is, in the main scanning direction, the vertical direction indicating the presence area in the vertical direction of the image, that is, the sub-scanning direction. A direction image effective area signal _SVER is provided. The engine control unit 80 processes the acquired image information data signal as valid image information and uses it for image formation only when the two signals are asserted. In other words, the engine control unit 80 drives the image forming mechanism so that a margin is formed on the sheet when at least one of S _VER and S _VALID is in a negated state indicating that it is a non-drawing range.

Conventionally, the controller control unit 70 generates blank image data for an area other than the image effective area shown in FIG. 10B and transmits the blank image data to the engine control unit 80, so that FIG. Image information corresponding to the image as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, predetermined information such as a null value and dummy data is output for a portion that becomes a margin in the sheet, and S _VER and S _VALID are negated. That is, the controller control unit 70 generates image information according to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet.

  As a result, the amount of image information to be generated by the controller control unit 70 can be reduced, the time required for information generation can be shortened, and the amount of information to be input to the engine control unit 80 can be reduced for information transfer. The time required can be shortened. Further, the processing load on the controller control unit 70 can be reduced.

In FIG. 10 (a), (b) , have been shown and described one _{S VER} and the image data signals, as shown in FIG. 5, black, magenta, cyan, for each of _{yellow, S VER} And an image data signal, and timing control as shown in FIG. 10A is performed for each color.

  Further, in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the case of corresponding to the top, bottom, left and right margins of the paper has been described as an example. However, in the case of a document image or the like, there is a possibility that a blank area or a white area may exist in the image effective area in FIG. Such an example will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 12A and 12B correspond to FIGS. 10A and 10B, respectively. As described above, there are blank areas or white areas other than the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the sheet. An example of In the example shown in FIG. 12 (a), (b), in the period of time _{t 4} from the timing _{t 3} when shown in FIG. 12 (a), the image data effective area signal is negated at an arbitrary timing. In this case, in addition to the top, bottom, left, and right margins of the paper considered in the examples of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the margin portion in the image is considered.

FIG. 12 (a), the in the example of (b), the controller controlling unit 70, the output period of the Valid Data, i.e., the period of _{t 4} from the timing _{t 3} when shown in FIG. 12 outputs a CLK. However, _SVALID is negated for the portion corresponding to the margin in each scanning line.

In contrast, the engine control unit 80 uses an interface having the configuration shown in FIG. 9 as an image data signal receiving circuit in the input / output I / F 84. With the configuration as shown in FIG. 9, the engine control unit 80 acquires only Valid Data during a period in which _SVALID is asserted as valid image data, and executes output processing. In other words, the engine control unit 80 determines that the data in the period when CLK is input and _SVALID is negated is erased image data and outputs it as white data. Alternatively, only valid image data is extracted from the obtained Valid Data and output.

By such processing, the controller control unit 70 causes the null value and the dummy data to be included in the margin data of the valid data, that is, as shown in FIG. 12A, for the portion where the _SVALID is negated. Etc. can be output. Therefore, in addition to the above-described upper, lower, left, and right margins, the amount of image information to be generated by the controller control unit 70 is also reduced for the margins in the image, and the time required for information generation can be reduced. The amount of information to be input to the engine control unit 80 is reduced, and the time required for information transfer can be shortened.

In the example of FIGS. 12A and 12B, there is an example in which there are two margin area lines in the vertical direction of the paper. Therefore, _SVALID is negated at the same timing during the period of _TVALID in each scanning line, that is, at the timing shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to the mode shown in FIG. 12B, and blank areas in the image can appear in various parts. That is, _SVALID is negated in a period corresponding to a blank area in the image, and may be different for each scanning line.

Next, another modification of FIGS. 10A and 10B will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 10A and 10B, and show other modified examples. As described above, in the example of FIG. 10 (a), (b) , the controller controlling unit 70 _stops the output of CLK at the same timing as to negate the _{S VALID.} On the other hand, in the example of FIGS. 13A and 13B, the controller control unit 70 outputs an additional pulse for a predetermined period after the _SVALID is negated, as shown in FIG. 13A. .

  In the engine control unit 80, the RAM 82 temporarily holds an image data signal acquired by the input / output I / F 84 via the communication line 90, and the CPU 81 transfers the image data signal to a subsequent optical writing device or the like. At this time, if the CLK output from the controller control unit 70 is stopped, the image data signal is stored in the RAM 82 using another clock generated by the engine control unit 80.

  On the other hand, in the example of FIGS. 13A and 13B, the engine control unit 80 obtains the input / output I / F 84 using the additional pulse output as shown in FIG. The stored image data signal is stored in the RAM 82. Thereby, it is not necessary to generate a clock on the engine control unit 80 side, and the configuration of the engine control unit 80 can be simplified.

1 image forming apparatus,
10 Transfer belt,
11Bk, 11C, 11M, 11Y AIO cartridge,
12Bk, 12C, 12M, 12Y paddle,
13Bk, 13C, 13M, 13Y supply roller,
14Bk, 14C, 14M, 14Y Developer,
15Bk, 15C, 15M, 15Y Development blade,
16Bk, 16C, 16M, 16Y photoreceptor,
17Bk, 17C, 17M, 17Y charger,
18Bk, 18C, 18M, 18Y cleaner blade,
19 Exposure unit,
20 secondary transfer driving roller,
21 transfer belt tension roller,
22 Toner mark sensor,
23 Transfer belt cleaner,
24Bk, 24C, 24M, 24Y primary transfer roller,
25 Paper tray,
26 paper,
27 Waste toner box,
28 Waste toner full detection sensor,
29 Paper feed roller,
30 resist sensor,
31 Registration roller,
32 secondary transfer roller,
33 Fixing device,
34 Paper discharge sensor,
35 Paper discharge roller,
36 double-sided roller,
37 Double-sided sensor,
38 Control board BOX,
39 Operation display section,
50, 51, 52, 53 LD unit,
54 Polygon mirror,
54a upper surface,
54b lower surface,
55, 56 fθ lens,
57, 58, 59, 60 First mirror,
61 1st cylinder mirror,
62 second cylinder mirror,
63 first synchronization detection sensor,
64 second synchronization detection sensor,
65 polygon motor,
67 operation input keys,
68 LCD display screen,
70 Controller controller,
71, 81 CPU,
72, 82 RAM,
73, 83 ROM,
74 Image data input I / F,
75, 84 I / O I / F,
76, 85 bus,
80 engine control unit,
90 communication line,
100 color matching conversion circuit,
101 gamma conversion circuit,
102 data depth switching mechanism,
103 4-bit circuit,
104 binarization circuit,
105 dither circuit,
110 flip-flop circuit,
111 Gate circuit

JP 2000-218861 A

Claims (8)

An image processing device that outputs image information for executing image formation output by an image forming mechanism by dividing the image into a plurality of scanning lines and for each scanning line,
A main scanning line drawing range signal output unit that outputs a main scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet in the scanning line;
A sub-scanning line drawing range signal output unit that outputs a sub-scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on paper in a direction perpendicular to the scanning line;
An image information generating unit that generates image information for the image forming mechanism to execute image forming output;
An image information output unit for outputting the generated image information ;
A clock output unit that outputs a clock signal for causing the drive unit that drives the image forming mechanism to receive the output image information ;
The image information generation unit generates the image information according to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet to be image formed and output ,
The clock output unit stops outputting the clock signal during a period in which the image information output unit outputs image information corresponding to a margin area on the paper, and from a range where an image is drawn on the paper. An image processing apparatus, wherein the output of the clock signal is continued during a period in which the image information output unit outputs image information corresponding to a predetermined range after transition to a range that becomes a margin . The main scanning line drawing range signal output unit outputs a signal indicating a non-drawing range as the main scanning line drawing range signal for a range that becomes a margin in the paper,
The sub-scanning line drawing range signal output unit outputs a signal indicating a non-drawing range as the sub-scanning line drawing range signal for a range that becomes a margin in the paper;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information output unit outputs predetermined information for a range that is a margin in the paper.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image information output unit outputs information indicating a null value as the predetermined information.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image information output unit outputs dummy information as the predetermined information.   The main scanning line drawing range signal output unit and the sub-scanning line drawing range signal output unit output signals indicating the non-drawing range for the upper, lower, left, and right margins of the paper. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. The sub-scan line drawing range signal output unit counts a predetermined number of reference horizontal direction synchronization signals indicating a start position for each scan line after an image output operation is started, and then outputs the sub-scan line drawing range. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a signal indicating a drawing range is output as a signal .   An image processing apparatus that generates image information for executing image forming output by the image forming mechanism by dividing the image into a plurality of scanning lines for each scanning line and driving the image forming mechanism for each scanning line. There,
  A main scanning line drawing range signal output unit that outputs a main scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet in the scanning line;
  A sub-scanning line drawing range signal output unit that outputs a sub-scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on paper in a direction perpendicular to the scanning line;
  An image information generating unit that generates image information for the image forming mechanism to execute image forming output;
  An image information output unit for outputting the generated image information;
  A clock output unit that outputs a clock signal for causing the drive unit that drives the image forming mechanism to receive the output image information;
  A main scanning line drawing range signal acquisition unit for acquiring the output main scanning line drawing range signal;
  A sub-scanning line drawing range signal acquisition unit for acquiring the output sub-scanning line drawing range signal;
  An image information acquisition unit for acquiring the output image information;
  An image forming execution unit that drives the image forming mechanism based on the acquired image information,
  The image information generation unit generates the image information according to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet to be image formed and output,
  The clock output unit stops outputting the clock signal during a period in which the image information output unit outputs image information corresponding to a margin area on the paper, and from a range where an image is drawn on the paper. During the period in which the image information output unit outputs image information corresponding to a predetermined range after transitioning to a range that becomes a margin, the output of the clock signal is continued,
  When the image forming execution unit is a signal indicating that at least one of the main scanning line drawing range signal and the sub scanning line drawing range signal is a non-drawing range, a margin is generated on the paper. An image processing apparatus for driving an image forming mechanism.   An image processing method in which an image forming mechanism generates image information for executing image forming output by dividing the image into a plurality of scanning lines for each scanning line, and driving the image forming mechanism for each scanning line. There,
  A main scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on paper in the scanning line;
  A sub-scanning line drawing range signal that is a signal corresponding to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet in a direction perpendicular to the scanning line;
  The image forming mechanism generates image information for executing image forming output according to a range in which the image forming mechanism draws an image on a sheet to be image formed and output,
  Outputting the generated image information;
  A clock signal for receiving the output image information to a drive unit that drives the image forming mechanism;
  The output of the clock signal is stopped during a period in which image information corresponding to a blank area on the paper is output, and a predetermined period after the transition from the image drawing area to the blank area on the paper is performed. During the period when the image information corresponding to the range is output, the output of the clock signal is continued,
  Obtaining the output main scanning line drawing range signal;
  Obtaining the output sub-scanning line drawing range signal;
  Obtaining the output image information;
  If at least one of the main scanning line drawing range signal and the sub-scanning line drawing range signal is a non-drawing range based on the acquired image information, a margin is generated on the paper. The image forming method further comprises driving the image forming mechanism.

Images