JPH01163770A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily edit an image such as a colored image for advertisement which demands design by coloring an image in an original with a specified color and masking and outputting said image by such simple operation that a colored masking area is specified and input. CONSTITUTION:Coordinate points 44a ad 44b of the original 41 are specified and input from a switch box 33. A copying key is pushed, and thereby an inside colored area on a photosensitive drum 6, which corresponds to an area formed of the coordinate points 44a and 44b, is erased by an eraser device 9 according to erase data created by an image processing part 32. An electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 6 corresponding to a black character image 43 is developed by a developing unit, and is transferred and fixed on a fed transfer sheet as a transfer image, so that an 'erase image' output 51 is obtained. Thus, an image such as a colored image for advertisement that demands design is easily edited.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention provides a copying apparatus that forms images of different colors for each color area while recognizing different color image areas on a document from reflected light exposed to the document. It is related to.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in this type of device, such as an analog copying machine, a latent image is erased by emitting light from, for example, an LED array onto an area specified by an erase area specifying means provided in an operation unit, such as a digitizer or numerical input. A model equipped with an erase function has been commercialized. In addition, in a digital copying machine, such as a laser beam printer, image information read from a reader is temporarily buffered in memory, and when masking processing is specified for area data specified from the operation panel, A model has also been commercialized that is configured to perform image processing to convert the image information stored at the address corresponding to the area data into white image information, and to easily erase the specified image and make a trimmed copy. ing.

Incidentally, recent image processing apparatuses are configured so that a plurality of development units can be exchangeably housed, and when performing trimming copying as described above, trimming copying can be performed in a desired copy color, There is an increasing demand for obtaining a well-designed or impressive copied image by multiple-transferring trimmed images of different colors onto a single transfer sheet.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in order to perform the color trimming copy described above with an analog copying device, a complicated key is required to specify the inside or outside of the color area to be copied in the original, and then repeat erase and development processing on the image for that area. There are operational problems in that the user is not able to fully utilize the functions, as it requires a lot of practice and waste of paper to obtain the optimum color cutout image.

This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and by selectively irradiating light onto a photoreceptor corresponding to a designated area and outside this area, a specific image in a document can be imaged. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying device capable of outputting a color mask image colored and masked with a color different from the original image color.

[Means for solving problems]

A copying apparatus according to the present invention includes an area specifying means for specifying a coloring area in a document to be colored with a specific color, and an image area of a photoreceptor corresponding to a coloring area of a specific color specified by the area specifying means. Eraser means for erasing based on the number of transfers, and shutter means for blocking the erase beam irradiated onto the photoreceptor from the eraser means corresponding to a colored area of a specific color specified by the area specifying means and based on the number of transfers. Then, the electrostatic latent image outside the colored area formed on the photoreceptor by the eraser is developed by one of the plurality of developing units selected, and the shutter means is driven based on the number of transfers. The apparatus is provided with a development control means for developing an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a colored area formed on the photoreceptor in a color different from that outside the colored area.

[Effect]

In this invention, the eraser erases the image area of the photoreceptor corresponding to the colored area of the specific color designated by the area designator based on the number of transfers, and the shutter means irradiates the photoreceptor from the eraser. The erase beam is cut off based on the number of times of transfer, and the erase beam corresponds to a colored area of a specific color specified by the area specifying means, and the development control means eliminates the electrostatic latent image outside the colored area formed on the photoreceptor by the erasing means. By driving the shutter means, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a colored area formed on the photoreceptor is developed in a different color based on the number of transfers.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a copying apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an original table glass, on which a color original, which will be described later, is placed at a predetermined position. Reference numeral 2 denotes an original irradiation lamp composed of, for example, a halogen lamp, which exposes the original placed on the original table glass 1. Scanning mirrors 38 to 3C are housed in an optical scanning unit (not shown) and guide reflected light from the original to the CCD unit 4 while reciprocating in the main scanning direction. The CCD unit 4 includes an imaging lens 4a,
Equipped with a switching filter that separates the reflected light into colors based on the copy color information specified from the switch box described later.
For example, it is composed of an image sensor 4b formed from a COD, a non-filter image sensor 4C, and the like.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a folding mirror, which folds back the reflected light imaged by the imaging lens 4a onto the photosensitive drum 6.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a pre-exposure lamp, which eliminates the charge on the photosensitive drum 6 in preparation for image formation. A charger 8 charges the photosensitive drum 6 uniformly. Reference numeral 9 denotes an eraser unit which serves as the eraser means of the present invention, and is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, etc. In parallel with the exposure of the original by the optical scanning unit, a coordinate input unit 9 is designated and input by a coordinate manual means such as a switch box or a digitizer, which will be described later. A laser beam is irradiated onto the image area of the photosensitive drum 6 corresponding to the colored mask area to erase the formed electrostatic latent image. Note that if this erase filling is performed in parallel with the document exposure, a desired area can be erased without performing bliss scanning.

Reference numeral 1o denotes a stationary developing device, which stores, for example, black toner. Reference numeral 11 denotes a replaceable developing unit, which is configured so that the user can easily set it in a predetermined position in the device. 11 is filled. 12a, 1
Reference numeral 2b denotes a paper feed cassette, in which the transfer sheet is fed into the device by driving each paper feed roller 13a, 13b, and is temporarily stopped at the position where the registration roller 14 is disposed, whereupon the transfer sheet is transferred to the image formed on the photosensitive drum 6. The position is timed and re-fed. A transfer charger 15 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 6 onto a fed transfer sheet. 1
A separation charger 6 separates the transfer sheet after the transfer operation from the photosensitive drum 6. A conveyor belt 17 conveys the transfer sheet after the transfer process to the fixing device 18.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a flapper that controls the conveyance path of the transfer sheet that has undergone the fixing process in either the direction in which the paper discharge tray 2o or the intermediate tray 22 is disposed.

Feed rollers 21a to 21d feed the transfer sheet, which has undergone the fixing process once, to the intermediate tray 22 after being reversed (multiple) or non-reversed (double-sided).

23 is a re-feeding roller which feeds the transfer sheet placed on the intermediate tray 22 again through the paper path 24 to the registration rollers 14.
Transport it to the installation position. Reference numeral 25 denotes an exposure shutter serving as a shutter means of the present invention, which controls cutting off of the eraser beam scanned by the eraser unit 9 in accordance with a colored area designated from a switch box to be described later. In addition,
Image control and color conversion development processing are totally controlled based on a control program stored in RoM provided in a control unit C0NT which also serves as development control means of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of main parts for explaining the configuration and control system of the eraser unit 9 shown in FIG.
Components that are the same as those in the figures are given the same reference numerals.

In this figure, 31 is a manuscript, for example, the letter P (red)
The image 31a is placed on the document table glass 1 with the image surface facing downward. 32 is an image area processing unit;
Switch box 33 that also serves as area specifying means of this invention
Specified copy color designation and coloring mask area designation information (for example, erase data including coloring mask erase area data consisting of diagonal coordinate values) are input from (provided on an operation unit not shown). Reference numeral 32 denotes an image processing unit that creates erase data for driving the eraser unit 9 based on copy color designation and erase area designation information designated from a switch box 33 (provided in an operation part, not shown), and stores it in an internal memory 32a. do. Image processing section 32
controls the driving of the eraser unit 9 while referring to the erase data stored in the internal memory 32a, for example, during multiple one-sided transfer. That is, in the case of multiple one-sided transfer, the entire area other than the colored mask area corresponding to the colored mask erase area data on the photosensitive drum 6 is irradiated with the laser beam, and in the case of multiple two-sided transfer, the laser beam is irradiated from the eraser unit 9. The exposure shutter 25 blocks the laser beam irradiated onto the drum 6 in accordance with the colored mask area corresponding to the colored mask erase area data, and the photosensitive drum 6
A latent image that becomes a colored mask is formed on top.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the color mask creation processing operation according to the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the color mask processing operation according to the present invention, and 41 is a document, for example, the character "0".
The black character image 42 is composed of a black character image 42 for the character r P J and a black character image 43 for the character r P J. In particular, the black character image 42 is colored in red and the area to be masked is divided into diagonal coordinate points 44a and 4.
4b is conceptually shown. These coordinate points 44a, 44
b is input from the switch box 33.

Reference numeral 51 denotes an erase image output, which outputs the coordinate point 4 based on the erase data created by the image processing section 32 based on the coordinate points 44a and 44b inputted from the switch box 33'.
4a and 44b (shaded area of erase image output 51), an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the black character image 43 formed on the photosensitive drum 6 is developed by the developer 10 and transferred. This corresponds to a state in which a fixed black image 51a is output.

When the fixing operation is completed, the erased image output 51 is conveyed toward the intermediate tray 22 by the operation of the flapper 19, and is conveyed to the position where the registration roller 14 is disposed by the drive of the paper refeed roller 23.

Reference numeral 52 denotes a second side image output, which corresponds to a state in which a colored mask 52a (the shaded area of the second side image output 52) is developed in red by the developing unit 11 and transferred and fixed on the erased image output 51.

Place the original 41 at a predetermined position on the original platen glass 1 shown in FIG.
When a and 44b are specified and input, the image area processing section 32 stores erase data corresponding to the inside and outside of the colored mask area in the internal memory 32a.

When the copy key is pressed in this state, the image forming process on the first side starts, and when the scanning unit starts exposing the original 41, the colored mask area is printed based on the erase data stored in the internal memory 32a. The corresponding line is irradiated with a laser beam from the eraser unit 9 to erase the colored mask area of the photosensitive drum 6, and only the electrostatic latent image on the black character image 43 of the original 41 is developed in black by the developer 10 and transferred and fixed. When executed, an erased image output 51 shown in FIG. 3 is obtained, and this erased image output 5
1 is selectively conveyed to the intermediate tray 22 by the drive of the flapper 19, and conveyed to the position where the registration rollers 14 are disposed by the drive of the refeed roller 23, and then stopped. Next, image formation on the second surface of multiplexing starts, and with the optical scanning unit stopped, the laser beam starts to be irradiated from the eraser unit 9 to the photosensitive drum 6 rotating at a constant speed, and the image is stored in the internal memory 32a. The exposure shutter 25 is operated in accordance with the colored mask area data, and a part of the laser beam irradiated from the eraser unit 9 is blocked.
A colored mask area latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 6 and developed into red by a developing unit 11.

In parallel with this operation, the erased image output 51 whose image formation on the first side has been stopped is re-fed at a predetermined timing, the colored mask image developed in red is transferred and fixed, and the flapper 19 is The paper is conveyed and discharged to the paper discharge tray 20 via the paper.

Thereby, the second side image output 52 shown in FIG. 3 can be obtained.

Next, the color mask coloring processing operation according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a color mask coloring process procedure according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step, and the procedure of each step is stored in the ROM provided in the control unit C0NT that controls the copying apparatus.

First, the coordinate points 44a and 44b for the document 41 are designated and input from the switch box 33 (1).

Next, wait for the copy key to be pressed (2), and when the copy key is pressed, the area corresponding to the area formed by the coordinate points 44a and 44b is moved on the photosensitive drum 6 based on the erase data created by the image processing section 32. The colored area to be colored is entirely irradiated with a laser beam by the eraser unit 9 to erase it, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 6 corresponding to the black character image 43 is developed by the developer 10, and the transferred paper is fed. The first side transferred image is transferred and fixed onto paper, and an erased image output 51 is output (3).

Next, the process waits for the first side copying to be completed (4), and when the first side copying is completed, the second side image transfer process is started for the erased image output 51 fed by the paper refeeding roller 23 via the intermediate tray 22, and the image is transferred to the internal memory 32a. The eraser unit 9 and exposure shutter 25 are driven to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color mask on the photosensitive drum 6 based on the color mask area data stored in the color mask area data, and the electrostatic latent image is developed in red by the development unit 11. , the colored mask image is transferred and fixed to the erased image output 51 which is re-fed at a predetermined timing and outputted (5), and the second side image output 52 shown in FIG. Finish the process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the erase and exposure cutoff processing procedure according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (
12) shows each step.

Original irradiation lamp 2. The optical system composed of the scanning mirrors 38 to 3c is advanced (1), and exposure of the color original g441 placed on the document platen glass 1 is started. The image area processing unit 32 waits for the optical system to reach the document exposure start position, that is, the image edge 2), that is, the image edge signal that is output when the image edge sensor (not shown) detects a member of the optical scanning system. When the optical system reaches the image tip, the image sensor 4b starts detecting the image area in parallel with the exposure scanning of the optical system, and creates image area data for one line.3) , determine whether the erase is within the specified area 4), and if YES, create erase data within the colored mask area based on the coordinate points 44a, 44b, etc. set from the switch box 335), internal memory 32a (6). Next, internal memory 3
The eraser unit 9 is driven based on the erase data stored in the photosensitive drum 2a, and the entire surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 6 is irradiated with a laser beam at the erase position to erase the image (7).

Next, the end of the erase area is determined, that is, it is determined whether the erase position is the end of the image (8). If YES, the process ends, and if No, the process returns to step (3).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, the coordinate point 44a is set from the switch box 33.

44b etc. 9) and store it in the internal memory 32a (
lO). Next, the eraser unit 9. The exposure shutter 25 is driven 11) to form a colored mask latent image on the photosensitive drum 6. Next, eraser unit 9. 12), Y
If the answer is ES, the process ends; if the answer is NO, the process returns to step (3).

Note that the image end is determined by a timer that is driven for a certain period of time after the optical system is reversed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention includes an area specifying means for specifying a coloring area in a document to be colored with a specific color, and an image area of a photoreceptor corresponding to the coloring area of the specific color specified by the area specifying means. an eraser means for erasing the image based on the number of times of transfer; and a shutter that corresponds to a colored area of a specific color specified by the area specifying means and blocks the eraser beam irradiated onto the photoreceptor from the eraser means based on the number of times of transfer. The electrostatic latent image outside the colored area formed on the photoreceptor by the eraser means is developed by one of the plurality of developing units, and the shutter means is activated based on the number of times of transfer. A development control means is provided to develop an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the colored area formed on the photoreceptor by driving in a color different from that outside the colored area, so that the color-colored mask area can be specified by a simple operation such as manual operation. It is possible to color mask the image in the manuscript with a specific color and output it, which requires good design.
For example, it has excellent advantages such as being able to easily edit and output color advertisement images.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of a copying apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of essential parts illustrating the configuration of the eraser unit shown in FIG. 1 and its control system, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram explaining the color image color conversion processing operation according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the color mask coloring processing procedure according to the present invention, and FIG. It is a flowchart explaining. In the figure, 4 is a CCD unit, 4b is an image sensor, 4c is a non-filter image sensor, 9 is an erase unit, 25 is an exposure shutter, 32 is an image area processing section, 33 is a switch box, and 34 is a driver circuit. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] It has multiple developing units that develop electrostatic latent images formed on a photoconductor into multiple colors, and an original placed on a document table is exposed to light, and an image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor by the reflected light. In a copying apparatus that develops each electrostatic latent image in the development unit and forms multiple transfers of the developed images on a conveyed recording sheet, an area specification for specifying a coloring area in the document to be colored with a specific color. means, an eraser means for erasing an image area of the photoreceptor corresponding to a colored area of a specific color specified by the area specifying means based on the number of transfers, and an eraser irradiating the photoreceptor from the eraser means. a shutter means for blocking the beam corresponding to a colored region of a specific color specified by the region specifying means and based on the number of transfers; and an electrostatic latent outside the colored region formed on the photoreceptor by the eraser means. The image is developed by any one of the plurality of development units selected, and an electrostatic charge corresponding to the colored area formed on the photoconductor is generated by driving the shutter means based on the number of transfers. A copying apparatus comprising: a development control means for developing a latent image in a color different from that outside the colored area.