JPH01129268A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a key and a display and to obtain an easy-to-handle machine by providing a selection designation display means for displaying the selection of a developing unit and the specification of a contour mode by a selection specification means in the same area. CONSTITUTION:A color select key 251 which is a rotation key for selecting a color for developing and specifying the contour mode and LED displays 252a-252f which respectively light the selected colors to display are provided in the title machine. The key for specifying the contour mode is also used as the key for selecting the developing unit and the display of specifying the contour mode and the display of selecting the developing unit related thereto are provided in the same area. Thus, the keys can be prevented from increasing and easiness in handling is improved from the relative relation of both of them.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that has both the function of forming a color copy and the function of forming an outline image using an electrophotographic process. Particularly regarding its extended application in contour imaging.

(Prior Art) In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines using an electrophotographic process have been equipped with multiple developing units on a photoreceptor so that they can copy not only black images but also colors such as red and blue. It is known that a color developing device placed around the device and containing a developer containing color toner can be selectively installed and used by replacing it with another color developing device.

On the other hand, the present applicant recognized that contour lines in an image contain a lot of information, and at the same time sufficiently express the characteristics of the image, and thus play an important role in the image. As a method, a second charging device is provided between the image exposure device and the developing device, and by operating this second charging device, only the outline of the screen image is extracted to form a contour image, For line images, we have proposed a contour image forming method that reproduces them directly as line images (disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 61-223246 and Japanese Patent Application No. 61-223247).

Then, in a copying machine that can be equipped with multiple developing devices, a unit with the function of forming an outline image and compatibility with the developing devices (hereinafter referred to as a contour unit) is installed in place of the developing device, and the copying machine is installed. By executing , a contour image can be formed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In conventional copying machines, the operation panel is provided with keys and displays for selecting a specified mode for each mode. Therefore, selecting a developing device among a plurality of developing devices and specifying a contour image forming mode using a contour unit requires dedicated keys and displays respectively.

However, in this method, as the number of modes increases,
Since the number of keys and displays on the operation panel increases, the operation panel becomes larger. In addition, the arrangement on the operation panel becomes complicated, making it difficult to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use copying machine in which a plurality of developing units can be installed and a contour unit is compatible with the developing units, with simplified keys and displays.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A copying machine according to the present invention is a copying machine that can be equipped with a plurality of developing devices, and in which a contour unit necessary for forming a contour image can be installed in place of the developing device. There is a selection specifying means for selecting a developer and specifying a contour mode for copying using the contour unit, and a selection for displaying the selection of a developer and the specification of the contour mode by the selection specifying means in the same area. (Function) The contour unit is used in place of a developing device. In addition, it is easy for users to associate the selection of the developing device with the designation of the contour mode. Therefore, the key for specifying the outline mode is also used as the key for selecting the developer, thereby preventing an increase in the number of keys. Further, a display for specifying the contour mode is provided in the same area as a display for selecting the related developer.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(a) Structure of copying machine FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A blade-type cleaning device 2, an eraser lamp 3, a charger 4, an optical system 5, developing units 6, 7, 8, a transfer charger 9, and a separation claw 1O are arranged around the photoreceptor drum 1.

A document placed on document table glass 21 is irradiated by exposure source 22 . The reflected light from the original passes through the optical system 5 and irradiates the photosensitive drum l. The document is scanned by moving the document table glass 21 . The charged photoreceptor drum l is
This image exposure forms an electrostatic latent image. Toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image in the development unit 6.7 or 8 described above.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum to which the toner is attached is transferred onto paper by a transfer charger 9.

The paper feed cassette 31 stores paper P for transferring a toner image. This paper is fed to a timing roller 33 by a paper feed roller 32. The timing roller 33 aligns its leading edge with the toner image forming area formed on the photoreceptor drum I, and sends out the paper conveyed from the paper feed section. The fed paper has a toner image transferred to it by the transfer charger 9, and is peeled off from the surface of the photoreceptor drum l by the separation claw IO.
After the toner is melted and fixed by the fixing roller 34, it is discharged onto the discharge tray 35. Inside the copying machine, there is a drive motor (main motor) not shown, which connects the photoreceptor 11, paper feed roller 32, and timing roller 33.
, the developing units 6, 7, 8, the fixing roller 34, and the like are driven. In addition, the paper feed roller 32, the timing roller 33, and the developing unit 6, 7, 8 are configured to transmit or not transmit the drive from the main motor using a solenoid, electromagnetic spring clutch, etc. (not shown) so that they can each operate independently. The configuration is switchable.

In FIG. 2, switches +1.12.13 identify the installation of each developer unit 6.7.8 and the toner color of the developer unit, respectively. The color of the toner in the developing unit is normally set by a service person or user using a dip switch or the like when putting developer into the developing device. The color of the toner can be identified by the combination of high and low levels of the signal.

FIG. 3 shows a copying machine in which a contour unit 50 is installed in the middle stage. The contour unit 50 has a shape that is replaceable with the developing unit 6.7.8 with respect to the main body of the copying machine.

In this example, it is installed at the unit 7 position. Attachment of the contour unit 50 is detected by the switch 12.

In this case, the developer unit 8 located behind the contour unit 50 can be used in contour mode.

The contour unit 50 includes a grid 5 disposed between a corona discharge electrode (charge wire) 51a and the photoreceptor drum 1.
1b, and a first high-voltage power supply 53 and a second high-voltage power supply 54 for applying negative and positive DC voltages to the corona discharge electrode 51a and the grid 51b, respectively.

FIG. 1 shows an operation panel 200. As shown in FIG. Operation panel 200
The following keys and displays are arranged. Print key 201 for instructing to start copying, numeric keypad 2111 for setting numbers, clear/stop key 212, interrupt key 213
, Zoom up and zoom down keys 221 and 222 to increase and decrease the magnification, up and down keys 23+ and 232 to increase and decrease the exposure amount during manual exposure, AUTO to specify the mode to adjust the exposure amount automatically or manually Switch key 233, paper size (A3
~A6. A paper select key 2411 is a rotation key for selecting a size (B4 to 136), an LED display 242 lights up to display the selected size, and a rotation key is for selecting a color to be developed and specifying an outline mode. Color selection key 251
, L that lights up and displays the selected color (black, white, red, green, sepia, blue).
ED display 252a to 252r, LED display 253 that lights up when contour mode is selected, 2-digit numerical display 271 that displays the number of copies, 4-digit numerical display 272 that displays the magnification, and exposure amount in 9 steps. Exposure step display 273 to be displayed, AUT indicating automatic exposure mode
O Display 274° Note that the LED displays 252a to 252f and 253 that display the selection of color and contour mode are arranged in the same color contour selection display area 254.

FIG. 14 is a schematic control circuit diagram of this embodiment using a one-chip microcomputer 100.

This ■chip microcomputer 100 also takes in information related to the control of the copying machine and sends information to peripheral circuits.

101 is a driver rc for driving the main motor and the like. PAφ, PAI, PA2゜PA3 are
These are output ports, and their respective tips are used to control the high-voltage power supply in the contour unit, the main motor drive section, the paper feed roller drive solenoid, and the timing roller drive solenoid.

pcφ, Pct, PO2 are also output ports and control the clutch for driving the developing unit 6.7.8.

PI3φ~5. PA5 to PA7 are human-powered boats, and the 3-bit code for identifying the color and unit of toner installed in the upper, middle, and lower rows described above is input from switches II and 12.13, respectively. Be it. This 3
The color of the unit and toner can be identified using the hit code.

Further, PO2 and PO2 are input ports, and signals from the color select key 251 and print key 201 on the operation panel 200 are input manually.

(b) Contour Formation Mode Next, the contour image formation method will be explained (Patent Application No. 61
223246, Japanese Patent Application No. Sho G1223247), if this method is used, for example, only the contour line is extracted from the surface image (A) shown in FIG. 5, and the contour line image (A) shown in FIG. ') and the line image (1
Regarding 1), it is reproduced as is as a line image (B') shown in FIG.

The outline image forming method is shown in FIGS. 7(a), (b),
This will be explained using (c) and FIG. First, the surface of the photoreceptor drum l rotating in the direction of the arrow is uniformly charged by the charger 4, and then an image is exposed from the optical system 5.
As shown in Figure (a), for example, electrostatic latent images (Ao) and (Bo) corresponding to a plane image (A) and a line image (B) are formed.

Next, the scorotron charger 5 of the contour unit 50
While applying a negative high voltage to the charge wire 51b of No. 2,
A grid voltage Vg lower than the surface potential of the electrostatic latent images Ao and Bo is applied to the grid 51b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the charge wire 51a is placed in the center of the surface image where the electric lines of force extend in the direction of the grid 51b.
As shown in FIG. 7(b), the negative charge from the charger reaches the surface image area electrostatic latent image A. Regarding contour part A. ′
The potential of the portion excluding the grid voltage is lowered to the grid voltage vg. Incidentally, line image portion electrostatic latent image B. The electrostatic latent image B remains almost unchanged. ′ is maintained.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7(c), at a portion facing the developing unit, the electrostatic latent image A is transferred from the developing sleeve to which a developing bias voltage vb higher than the grid voltage Vg is applied. After toner is supplied to ' and Bo', the toner is transferred onto copy paper P to obtain a contour image as shown in FIG.

(c) Main flow of the copying machine FIG. 9 is a main flowchart of the CPU 100 regarding the operation of the copying machine. When the power is turned on, the internal registers, various timers, etc. are initialized to their initial states (step S1), and then the internal timer is started after setting the main routine time (step S2).

Next, a color selection display to be described later is performed (step S3
). That is, when the ON edge of the color select key 251 is detected, the color display of the developing device is changed based on the conditions of whether the contour unit 50 is installed or not, and the display conditions before the ON edge is detected.

In step S4, control at the time of contour mode selection, which will be described later, is performed.

After that, input processing related to the copy operation (step S5
) and output processing (step S6), wait for the internal timer to end (step S7), and return to step S2.

Margin (d) Flow of Color Selection (Contour Mode Selection) FIG. 10 shows the flow of color selection (step s, 3) for selecting the toner color and contour mode. In the initial state, the display related to the upper unit is displayed.

When the ON edge of the color select key 251 is detected (step 5lot), the process branches according to the position where the contour unit 5° is attached (step S!02). The type of unit and toner color for each stage can be determined using switches 11 and 12.
．． It is identified by the code detected at 13.

If the contour unit 50 is not installed, each time the ON edge of the color select key 251 is detected, the toner colors of the upper, middle, and lower developing units 6.7.8 are sequentially displayed in the color contour mode display area. 254. That is, if the currently displayed toner color is related to the upper developing unit 6 (step 51
11), the toner color code of the middle developing unit 7 is read (step 5112). If the currently displayed toner color is related to the middle developing unit 7 (NO1 in step 5ill, step 5113
(YES), the toner color code of the lower developing unit 8 is read (step 5114). If the currently displayed toner color is related to the lower developing unit 8 (No in step 5ill, step 511
3: No), the toner color code of the upper developing unit 6 is read (step S115).

When the contour unit 50 is installed in the middle unit position, each time the ON edge of the color select key 251 is detected, the upper row,
LEDs 252a to 252f sequentially display in color whether or not the toner color or contour mode of the middle and lower units (phenomenal unit 6.8 and contour unit 50) is selected.
is displayed on the contour mode display LED 253. however,
When selecting the middle contour unit 50, if the upper developing unit 6 is used, development will be done before the contour unit 50 works, so there is no point in selecting the contour unit 50, so use the upper developing unit 6. The color of toner 6 is not displayed, and the upper developing unit 6
to prevent it from being selected by mistake.

Now, in the initial state, the toner color of the upper developing unit 6 is displayed (YES in step 5121).
, FIG. 11(a)), when the color select key 251 is pressed, the code of the middle contour unit 50 and the code of the lower developing unit 8 are read (step 5123.
+24, Figure 11(b)). On the other hand, in a state other than the initial state, when the color select key 25+ is pressed,
” If the color of the toner in the two-stage developing unit 6 is not the same (
No in step 5121), it is determined whether the middle unit is displayed, and if so (YES in step 5113)
, reads the toner color code of the lower developing unit 8 (step 5114, FIG. 11(C)). If the color currently displayed is the toner color of the lower developing unit 8 (No in step 5121, step 511
3: No), reads the toner color code of the upper developing unit 6 (step St 15, FIG. 11(a)
)).

When the contour unit 50 is installed in the upper unit position, each time the ON edge of the color select key 251 is detected, the upper, middle, and lower units (phenomenon unit 7.8) are displayed in the color contour display area 254.
and the toner color or contour mode of the contour unit 50) are sequentially displayed on the color display LEDs 252a to 252r and the contour mode display LED 253. However, when displaying the selection of the upper outline unit 50, since the middle or lower developing unit 7.8 is used, the toner color of the middle or lower developing unit 7.8 is displayed.

In other words, if the toner color currently displayed is the toner color of the upper outline unit 50 and the middle developing unit 7 (
YES in step 5131, YES in step 5132
, FIG. 12(b)), and the code of the upper contour unit 50 and the code of the lower developing unit 8 are read (step 5133.degree. 134, FIG. 11(C)). Currently, the contour mode is displayed, and if the displayed color is the color of the toner in the lower phenomenon unit 8 (step 5
131 is YES, step S! 32), the toner color code of the middle developing unit 7 is read (step 5135, FIG. 1t(d)).

If the currently displayed color is the color of the toner in the middle developing unit 7 (NO in step 5131, YES in step 513 (i)), the code for the toner color in the lower developing unit 8 is read (step 5137).
, FIG. 11(a)). If the color currently displayed is the color of the toner in the lower developing unit 8 (step 51
31: NO1 Step 5I: 36: No), the code of the upper contour unit 50 and the code of the toner color of the middle developing unit 7 are read (steps 5138 and 513).
9, Figure 2(b)).

Finally, in the color outline display area 254, a display corresponding to the code read above is performed (step 5141).

Color select key 25! By pressing , the development unit and contour mode are selected, and the selection status is displayed in the color contour selection display area 254.

For example, if the outline unit 50 is installed in the upper stage, the red toner developing unit is installed in the middle stage, and the black toner developing unit is installed in the lower stage, each time the color select key 251 is pressed, the display of the color outline display area changes. Figure 11 (a
), (b), (c), and (d).

Furthermore, when the outline unit 50 is installed in the middle stage, the red toner developing unit is installed in the upper stage, and the black toner developing unit is installed in the lower stage, the display in the color outline display area 254 changes every time the color select key 251 is pressed. Figure 12 (
It changes sequentially as shown in a), (b), and (c).

In selecting the contour mode described above, only combinations with the development unit downstream of the contour unit are possible.
Prevented copy mistakes in contour mode.

In this embodiment, a copying machine that can be equipped with three-stage copying units has been described, but a copying machine that can be equipped with two-stage copying units can also be handled in the same manner. In this case, the contour mode is valid only when the contour unit is installed on the upper stage, and in this case, the display in the color contour display area is as follows: each time you press the color select key, the contour mode select display + lower developing unit The color selection display for the toner in the lower developing unit and the color selection display for the toner in the lower developing unit are alternately performed.

FIG. 13 shows the flow of the contour mode selection process (step S4).

At step S20+, the color 1 contour unit of the installed developing units and the installation location of each developing unit are checked. Next, in step 5202, the operation panel 20
Developing unit selection on 0 (color selection key 25)
1) Check the selected developing unit that is more manually operated.

Next, it is determined whether the contour mode key 261 is pressed (step 5211). If the contour mode is not selected, the contour mode display LED 262 is turned on (step 5212) and the process proceeds to step 8218. Then, in steps 5218 and 5219, images in standard mode are obtained.

Step S20! When it is determined that the mode is contour mode,
Next, in step 5213, it is determined whether the selected developing unit is above or below the outline unit.

If it is on the upper side, the process advances to step 5214, displays a warning, and returns without permitting copying.

If it is lower in step 5214, the contour mode LED is turned on in step 8216, and the contour high voltage power supply 53, 54 is turned on in step S2+7, step 9218,
At 8219, the developing unit is driven to obtain an image in contour mode.

(Effects of the Invention) Since the selection of the contour mode and the selection of the color of the developing device are performed using the same selection and designation means (keys, etc.), the number of selection and designation means is reduced. Furthermore, since the two are related to each other, usability is improved.

Furthermore, since the selection of the outline mode and the selection of the toner color of the developing unit are displayed in the same area, selection becomes easy.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the operation panel. FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views each showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the control system of the copying machine. FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of an original image. FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a contour image. FIGS. 7(a), (b), and (c) are graphs sequentially showing changes in the potential on the photoreceptor during contour formation. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the principle of contour image formation. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of copying. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of color selection processing. Figure 11 (a), (b), (c), (d)
and FIGS. 12(a), 12(b), and 12(c) are diagrams sequentially showing changes in display as the color selection key is pressed. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of processing in contour mode. l...Photosensitive drum, 6,7.8...Developing unit, 50...Contour unit, 100...L chip microcomputer, 200...
...Operation panel, 201...Print key, 25
1...Color selection key, 252a to 252r-...Color display LED. 253...Contour mode display LED. 254...Color outline selection display area. Patent Applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Aoyama Aoyama and 2 others Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 11 Figure 12 @Yakuchi 4533 Mi 0 No. 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A copying machine that can be equipped with a plurality of developing devices, and in which a contour unit necessary for forming a contour image can be installed in place of the developing device, and that is capable of selecting a developing device and copying using the contour unit. What is claimed is: 1. A copying machine comprising: a selection specifying means for specifying a contour mode for carrying out the process; and a selection instruction display means for displaying the selection of a developing device and the specification of the contour mode by the selection specifying means in the same area.