JPH01235971A - Recorder with information adding function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To write adding information in an arbitrary area, to eliminate the need of a light shielding means and to prevent the title recorder from becoming larger in size by writing blank data in an area on a photosensitive body corresponding to an instruction area, turning off an exposing lamp, and bringing the adding information to optical write in the instructed area. CONSTITUTION:At the time of forming an electrostatic latent image, a CPU 50 controls an optical write unit 22 and writes blank data in an area which is set as an information adding area, in the electrostatic latent image, and erases the latent image. Subsequently, when recording paper is set to an intermediate tray, the blank data is written in other area than the information adding area, and data is sent to a write controller 52 so as to write the adding information in a designated area. When a signal for showing a fact that setting is completed is received from the write controller 52, the next image forming cycle is started in a state that an exposing lamp remains turned off. In such a way, additional data is recorded in the designated information adding area, and also, a special light shielding means becomes unnecessary.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention involves exposing and scanning a document, projecting its optical image onto a photoreceptor, forming an analog image in a predetermined area, and 16.
The present invention relates to a recording device with an information addition function that writes picture data such as daily and time data created as electrical signals on a photoreceptor in an area other than the area where an analog image is formed, and compositely records the data on the same recording paper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a typical electrophotographic copying machine, an eraser can be used to partially extract or erase an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor. Further, in a digital electrophotographic copying apparatus, a part of the original image can be extracted or erased by processing image information converted into a digital signal. An erase device is provided to extract or edit a portion of the document area. Here, a light emitting diode LED is generally used as the erase light source. When using an LED array, it is possible to perform image extraction copying or erasing copying of a desired area using, for example, a rectangular area with a diagonal angle as the minimum unit.

However, even the smallest unit that can be set in the L and ED arrays, for example, 21T1m square, may be too large for setting areas for erasing outside the original image, image extraction, or erasing editing when copying at an arbitrary magnification. For example, when actively using an eraser to record characters such as kisses, etc., the minimum unit is 2ff1m.
It's too big in the corner.

On the other hand, it has also been proposed to print additional information such as a daily publication on the copy. For example, additional information such as the date is displayed on the underside of the document abutment plate on the document table, and this additional information is copied along with the document image by advancing the registration timing of the transfer paper, thereby performing an information-added copy. There is.

However, in this case, the locations where information is added are limited to specific locations. Further, a part of the original image (the trailing edge side) may be missing, and in order to prevent this omission, there is a problem that it is necessary to make a reduced copy according to the amount of advance in registration.

Another information addition method is to use a light shielding means to block the light image to an area corresponding to a predetermined area to which information is to be added when projecting a light image from a document onto a photoreceptor to form an electrostatic latent image. There is a method in which the charge of the photoreceptor in a region is held, and additional information is written in that region using an LED array, a liquid crystal shutter array, a laser scanner, or the like. Here, the light shielding means needs to act on the position where information is added to the original image, so in order to set the writing position to an arbitrary position with respect to the original image, a large light shielding means must be used. I need. On the other hand, when copying the entire surface of a document, it is necessary to retract the light shielding means so as not to block the optical image. This also results in a large size.

Therefore, in reality, it is necessary to limit the locations where additional information can be written to specific locations to avoid increasing the size of the device.

Purpose The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is capable of arbitrarily setting an area for writing additional information when adding information other than an original image on the same recording paper, and also allows writing of additional information in the set area. To obtain a recording device with an information addition function that can erase an image even if there is an image and write additional information thereon, and that can avoid increasing the size by eliminating the need for a light shielding means for an additional information writing area. The purpose is to

Configuration In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a means for specifying an area where information is to be added to a recorded image of a document, a means for selecting or specifying information to be added to a recorded image of a document, and a device placed on a document table. a first electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor by exposing and scanning a printed original with a scanning optical system; and an area designated when forming an image by the first electrostatic latent image forming means. an optical writing means for writing blank data in a region on the photoconductor corresponding to 6-1; a second electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image by writing blank data outside the designated area while writing in the area by the optical writing means; and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor. a means for visualizing the image; a means for transferring the visualized image onto recording paper; a means for fixing the transferred recorded image; a means for guiding the image formed by the second electrostatic latent image forming means to a paper means, the image formed by the second electrostatic latent image forming means being guided to the paper refeeding means onto a recording paper having a recorded image already formed by the first electrostatic latent image forming means; It consists of means for synthetic recording. Further, when a recorded image is first formed on the recording paper by the second electrostatic latent image forming means, the images corresponding to the document formed by the first electrostatic latent image forming means are combined and recorded on the same recording paper.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings and according to the following items.

A. Configuration of recording device, configuration of control system 'C0 Configuration of operation board and functions of each key, configuration of editor E, Basic copy process F1 Operation of partial erase mode G, Operation of information addition mode H, Schematic Flow A of CPU Control and Configuration of Recording Apparatus First, the configuration of the recording apparatus that uses the electrophotographic process of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. The original placed on the contact glass 1 is pressed by the pressure plate 2 and brought into close contact with the surface of the contact glass 1.

Below the contact glass 1, an exposure lamp 3, a first .
．． 2.3 mirrors 4, 5, 6, lens 7 and fourth mirror 8
A scanning optical system 9 is provided. As a result, an image formed by reflected light from the original is formed on the photosensitive surface of the drum-shaped photosensitive member 10 via the scanning optical system 9. In this embodiment, the document is fixed, and the scanning optical system 9 is mechanically driven in synchronization with the rotation of the photoreceptor 1o to expose and scan the document. At this time, the exposure lamp 3 and the first mirror 4 are mounted on the first carriage, and the second and third mirrors 5 and 6 are mounted on the second carriage.
They are mounted on a carriage and driven in the same direction at a speed ratio of 2], so that the optical path length from the original to the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive member 10 is always maintained constant.

Further, the position of the lens 7 is controlled in the optical axis direction by a variable magnification motor (not shown). The paper feed system has a two-stage configuration.
The recording paper 1 is fed from the selected one of the paper feed cassettes 11.12 by the paper feed roller 13 and feed roller 14, or the paper feed roller 15 and feed roller 16.17.
8 is rolled out. The fed recording paper passes between a pair of registration rollers 1-9 and is guided to the photoreceptor 1o.

Around the photoreceptor 10, there are a cleaning unit 20, a charging charger 21, an optical writing unit 22 as an optical writing means, a developing device 23 as a developing means, a transfer charger 24 as a transfer means, a separation charger 25, and a separation claw. etc. are arranged. The charger 21 and the scanning optical system 9 constitute a first electrostatic latent image forming means 26 that forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image on the photoreceptor 10. On the other hand, the optical writing unit 21 includes a light source 27, a polygon mirror 28, a deflection mirror 29, etc., which are controlled on and off according to a digital signal, and the photoconductor 1
It also functions as an eraser that erases unnecessary charges. That is, the charger 21 and the optical writing unit 22 constitute a second electrostatic latent image forming means 30 that forms an electrostatic latent image for additional information on the photoreceptor 10.

On the downstream side of the photoreceptor 10, a fixing device 31 as a fixing means is provided.
, a conveyance path controller 32 as recording paper guiding means, a paper discharge roller 33, and the like are provided. The conveyance path controller 32 is composed of control rollers 34, 35, a fixed roller 36, a switching claw 37, etc., and is configured to control the conveyance path of the recording paper 18 that has exited the fixing device 28, and is equipped with a paper discharge roller 33. The paper is switched to the front discharge conveyance path 38, the upper reversal conveyance path 40 provided with reverse feed rollers 39, or the lower paper refeed conveyance path 41. Here,
This paper refeed conveyance path 41 is used to refeed the recording paper 18 that has passed through the fixing device 28 and been fixed to the photoreceptor 10 by the registration rollers 19 in a state where the recording surface side becomes the transfer surface again. It is formed in a loop shape at the bottom, and in the paper refeeding conveyance path 41 there are a conveyor belt 42, an intermediate tray 43,
A paper refeeding roller 44 and the like are provided as paper refeeding means.

A composite recording means 45 is configured including the paper refeed conveyance path 41 and the paper refeed roller 44 as described above.

The recording device of this embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is as follows:
This is an ordinary electrophotographic recording device with an editing function and an information addition function added, and the operations of each postal address mentioned above are sequence-controlled by a control device as shown in FIG. B. Configuration of Control System The control of the recording apparatus of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

This recording device is controlled by a control microcomputer mainly composed of a microprocessor cPU50. This CPU50 pass line has a CPU50
a system controller 51 that controls input/output of the optical writing unit 22, a control device 52 that controls the erase area or write data by the optical writing unit 22, and a program memory (ROM) 5.
3. RAM 54, battery 55 and backup circuit 56
Non-volatile memory (NRAM) backed by
) 57 and ■/○ interfaces 58, 59, a clock unit 60 operated by a dedicated battery, etc. are connected.

The ■/○ interface 58 includes a sensor group such as a separation jam sensor, a sensor & switch unit to which a pressure plate switch for detecting the open state of the pressure plate 2 is connected, a jam indicator and an operation board 61, an editing area, An editor 62 and the like for inputting vectors to be moved and the like is connected.

The ■/○ interface 59 also includes a driver unit that drives the variable magnification motor to control the position of the lens 7, a lamp regulator that adjusts the energizing voltage of the exposure lamp 3,
A fixing heater controller that controls the temperature of the fixing device 31, a high voltage power supply that supplies high voltage to each charger, etc., and a photoreceptor 1o.
a drum heater controller that controls the temperature, a servo motor controller that servo-controls the rotational angular velocity of the photoreceptor 10 and the document scanning speed of the optical system, and clutch solenoids that control energization/deenergization of each clutch and solenoid. A power supply unit 63 and the like that supply a constant voltage to the driver and various parts of the device are connected.

The CPU 50 sets conditions for executing image processing by inputting an operation on the operation board 61 by an operator.

Structure of C1 Operation Board and Functions of Each Key FIG. 3 shows the external appearance of the operation board 61, and the functions of each key will be explained below.

a. Print key 62 It has a transparent display switch structure, and the green lamp provided on the back side lights up (Ready set) to indicate that copying is possible, and the red lamp lights up to indicate that copying is not possible (Ready reset). Receive copy start instruction in Ready set state.

b. Numeric keypad 63 Used for instructions for setting the number of copies, specifying an erase area in the partial erase mode, specifying an area to add information in the information-disabled mode, etc.

In other words, the number of copies is usually set to one, but
When making two or more copies of the same original (repeat processing), the operator can set the number of copies up to 99 by operating the numeric keypad 63. The CPU 50 displays the number of copies set by this instruction on the display 64, and displays the number of copies made during repeat processing on the adjacent display 65.
to be displayed.

In the partial erasure mode, the operator inputs coordinate data specifying the erasure area using the numeric keypad 63. The coordinate data is obtained by providing a transparent sleeve with vertical and horizontal scale lines and a guide display indicating the position where the document is placed, setting the document there, and reading the coordinates of the position to be erased. The CPU 50 stores the input coordinate data and sets an erasure area. Note that each coordinate is represented by a three-digit number, and the CPU 50 displays the input value on the displays 64 and 65.

In the information addition mode, coordinate data specifying an area to which information is to be added to the document is input using the ten keys 63. This is the same as inputting the erase area in partial erase mode, and the CPU 50 stores the input coordinate data, erases the image of the specified area when copying the original, and adds information. In this case, an erasing area is set so that writing is performed in that area and images other than the writing area are erased.

C, clear stop key (C key) 66 numeric keypad 6
This is for instructing correction of the number of copies, erasing area, or additional information writing area set according to the operation in step 3. Furthermore, if repeat processing is in progress, an instruction to cancel the repeat processing can be given.

66 Interrupt key 67 Used for interrupt instructions during various mode processing. The CPU 50 stores the already set copy conditions in the RAM 54 in response to the operation of the interrupt key 67, and sets another copy condition corresponding to the operator's operation (interrupt processing),
The interrupt indicator lamp 68 is turned on. If an interrupt instruction is received while setting interrupt processing, the previous copy conditions stored in the RAM 54 are restored and the interrupt display lamp 68 is turned off.

e. Paper feed selection key 69 This key is used to instruct paper feeding system switching to select the upper paper feeding system or the lower paper feeding system. The CPU 50 cancels the currently set paper feed system and sets the other one in response to the operator's paper feed system switching instruction. When the upper paper feed system is set, the recording paper size of the upper paper feed cassette 11 is displayed on the size display 70 and the upper display lamp 71 is lit; when the lower paper feed system is set, the paper size of the upper paper feed cassette 11 is The recording paper size of the paper cassette 12 is displayed on the size display 72 and the lower display lamp 73 is turned on. The recording paper size is read from a code member provided in the paper feed cassette 11, 12. Furthermore, when the paper feed cassette of the paper feed system being set is out of recording paper, the out-of-paper indicator 74 indicates this.

f. Magnification key 75 This key is used to instruct the update of the magnification ratio for enlarging or reducing a copy of the original. The CPU 50 sequentially shifts and sets the fixed magnification ratio set in the ROM 53 in response to the operation of the magnification change key 75, and causes the magnification display 76 to display the determined magnification ratio. Furthermore, since this variable magnification changes the size of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to scanning of the document by the scanning optical system 9, the document scanning speed is set by multiplying the reciprocal of the set variable magnification.

g9 Duplex 1 key 77 This key is used to instruct a double-sided original copy to automatically create a double-sided copy from a double-sided original. When double-sided document copying is set by scanning this key, the CPUEIO receives a copy start instruction, copies the first side of the document onto the first side of the recording paper 18, fixes it in the fixing device 31, and then first The controller 32 is switched to the reverse conveyance path 40 side, and the recording paper 18 is sent to the reverse conveyance path 40 side by the reverse feed roller 39. Next, the conveyance path controller 32 is switched to the paper refeeding conveyance path 41 side, the reverse feed roller 39 is reversed, and the recording paper 18 is sent from the reverse conveyance path 40 side to the paper refeed conveyance path 41 side. And the conveyor belt 4
After passing through the second grade, it is temporarily stored on the intermediate tray 43. on the other hand,
Once the first side of the original has been scanned, the automatic document feeder (ADF), which also serves as a pressure plate, turns the original upside down and transfers it to the second side.
The sheet is fed face down to a predetermined position on the contact glass 1, and a copy start instruction is given to the CPU 50. CPU5
0 controls the paper feed roller 44 and the transport roller 17 to move the recording paper 18 whose first side has already been copied from the intermediate tray 43 to the registration roller 19 when a copy start instruction is received.
Pull it out to the side and start making a copy of the second side. When copying of the second side is completed, the conveyance path controller 32 is switched to the front paper ejection conveyance path 38 side, and an external tray (not shown) is moved.
The paper is ejected. When double-sided original copy is set, double-sided 1 lamp 7
Turn on 8. Note that if the document is not equipped with an ADF or if the ADF is used only as a pressure plate, copying of the first side will not automatically proceed to copying of the second side, and the operator will have to turn the document over. The transfer is performed by placing the copy on the contact glass 1 and pressing the Oki copy start key 62.

h0 Double-sided 2 key 79 This key is used to instruct a double-sided copy to automatically create a double-sided copy from a single-sided original. By operating this key, when double-sided copying is set, the CPU 50 receives a copy start instruction, copies the original image of the single-sided original onto the first side of the recording paper 18, fixes it in the fixing device 31, and then copies the original image of the single-sided original onto the first side of the recording paper 18. Similarly to the operation of the key 77, the recording paper 18 is reversed and fed backwards and guided to the intermediate tray 43.

After this, if an ADF is installed, the ADF will eject the original on the first side, and place the next original on the contact glass.
the second recording paper 18 to the CPU 50.
Instruct to start copying to the screen. Upon receiving a start instruction, the recording paper 18 whose first side has been copied is fed out from the intermediate tray 43, and the image of the next single-sided original is copied onto its second side. If an ADF is not installed, the transition occurs in response to the operator's operation in the same way as when the double-sided 1 key 77 is operated. During duplex copy setting, the duplex 2 lamp 80 lights up.

i1 compositing key 81' This is for compositing instructions to execute the compositing function. When the CPU 50 sets the composition mode in response to the operation of the composition key 81,
The transport path controller 3 does not select the reversing transport path 39 side.
2 is directly switched to the paper refeed conveyance path 41 side, and the recording paper 18 that has come out of the fixing device 31 is guided to the intermediate tray 43 without being reversed. When the next copy start instruction is received, the recording paper 18
is fed out from the intermediate tray 43, and if the document image or print mode of the next document is selected, the additional information is
The image will be copied over the surface that has already been copied. When the combination mode is set, the combination lamp 82 lights up.

2l-j0 Reverse paper key 83 This key is used to instruct reverse paper ejection to invert the copied recording paper 8 and eject it onto the tray. When the reverse paper discharge mode is set by operating this reverse paper discharge key 83, the CPU 50 controls the conveyance path controller 32 to
The paper is reversed by the reversing conveyance path 39, and sent with the copied side facing down to the discharge conveyance path 38, where it is discharged. For example, when making double-sided copies from an odd number of single-sided originals, if the last copy is made in the normal single-sided copy mode, the direction of that copy will not be aligned, which is inconvenient, so in such a case the operator should This inverted paper ejection is instructed. While the reverse paper discharge mode is being set, the reverse paper discharge lamp 84 is lit.

k, Inner erase key 85 This is for instructing the setting of a mode for erasing the inner part of the specified area. cpg, 5o, when the inner erase key 85 is operated while the standard mode is set, the standard mode is canceled, the inner erase mode is set, and the inner erase lamp 86 is turned on. If the inner erase key 85 is pressed again while the inner erase mode is set, the inner erase mode is canceled and the mode returns to the standard mode, and the inner erase lamp 86 is also turned off.

1. Outside erase key 87 This is for instructing the setting of a mode for erasing the outside portion of the specified area. When the CPU 50 is set to the standard mode, press this outside erase key 8.
7 is operated, the standard mode is canceled, the outside erase mode is set, and the outside erase lamp 88 is turned on. Also, if this outside erase key 87 is pressed again while the outside erase mode is set,
The outside erase mode is canceled and returns to the standard mode, and the outside erase lamp 88 is also turned off.

m, memory key 89 and call key 9 ONRAM 57 for storing copy conditions and NRAM 5;
This is for instructing to call up the copy conditions stored in 7.

A number corresponding to the copy condition storage area of the NRAM 57 is displayed on the dot matrix display 91.

n. Snapshot key 92 This key is used to divide the recordable range of the contact glass 1 into two areas in the scanning direction of the scanning optical system 9 and instruct to copy the areas continuously. The mode instructed by the quick copy key 92 is 2.
a mode in which each area is copied onto a separate recording paper 18;
There is a mode in which two areas are copied onto the front and back sides of one recording paper 18, and a mode in which two areas are overlapped on one side of one recording paper 18 for composite copying. Each time the quick copy key 92 is pressed while the user is being selected, these three modes and four non-selected modes are sequentially changed, and instructions from the operator are received. The continuous shooting display lamp 93 lights up while the quick shooting mode is being set.

OL binding margin key 94 This key is used to instruct a binding margin forming mode for forming a margin at the leading or trailing edge of the recording paper 18 and to change the binding margin width data. Leading edge, trailing edge, and no binding margin change each time the binding margin key 94 is pressed, and are selected and instructed by the operator based on the display on the dot matrix display 91. While the binding mode is being set, the binding margin display lamp 95 lights up.

p. Frame erase key 96 This key is used to instruct a frame erase mode for forming a margin around the recording paper 18 and to change frame width data.

While this mode is being set, the frame erase indicator lamp 97 lights up.

q, movement key 98 moves the original image in the scanning direction of the scanning optical system 9 and transfers it to the recording paper 1
This is for inputting mode instructions and movement amount data to be formed at 8. The movement display lamp 99 lights up while the movement mode is being set.

r, information addition 1 key 100 Additional information such as the date and time created by the clock 60, data registered in advance and stored in the NRAM 57, or pages and document numbers formed according to the operation mode of the recording device is operated by the composite key 84. Using the same recording paper conveyance path as the compositing function set by In the next recording cycle, the exposure lamp 3 of the scanning optical system 9 is turned off, and the optical writing unit 22 erases the charges on the photoconductor lO in areas other than the area specified as the information addition position, and the specified additional information data is erased. is written on the specified position and the recording paper 1 is re-fed from the intermediate tray 43.
This is for setting the information addition mode in which image formation is performed again on the recorded surface of No. 8. CPtJ50 is information addition key 1
In response to the operation of 00, the data to be written is sent to the write controller 2 equipped with a buffer memory for writing, and the optical writing unit 22 takes in the data, and the sensor 26 starts and interrupts writing to the optical element 10. Instruct. While the information addition 1 mode is being set, a portion of the dot matrix display 91 near this key 100 will indicate this.

S, information addition 2 key 1'01 Provided in the write controller 52, receives data from an external device, uses the same recording paper transport path as the composition function set by the composition key 81, and places it on the contact glass 1. The optical writing unit 22 erases and forms an image in the area designated as the information addition position of the written document, and in the next copying cycle that automatically moves on, the exposure lamp 3 of the scanning optical system 9 is turned off and the light is turned off. The writing unit 22 erases the charges on the photoconductor 10 in areas other than those designated as information addition positions, writes additional data received from an external device at the designated position, and records paper fed out from the intermediate tray 43. This is for setting the mode in which image formation is performed in step 18. C
In response to the operation of the information addition 2 key 1.01, the PU 50 sends a command to receive data from an external device and the amount of data that can be written in the designated area to the write controller 52 equipped with a buffer memory for writing. Optical-writing unit 22
After receiving a data reception completion signal from , it displays copy permission. The optical writing unit 22 is commanded to start and stop writing to the photoreceptor 10. While the information addition mode 2 mode is being set, a portion of the dot matrix display 91 near this key 100 will display a message to that effect.

t. Additional data selection key 102 This is for accepting the selection of data that can be added during the mode by operating the information addition key 100.

The selected data is displayed on the display 103.

Data that can be selected include daily dates, time, pre-registered data, pages, document numbers, etc. held by the clock 60. The CPU 50 reads the data selected by this key]-02 and displays it on the display] and O3.

U, printer key 104 This is for setting a mode for converting data from an external device such as a computer into a hard copy. The CPU 50 is the write controller 5
This mode setting is performed based on the command sent from 2, and it also checks whether recording operation based on the command is possible, and if possible, displays copy permission and sends a copy permission signal to write controller 52. send. The recording operation is started by a start signal from an external device. The recording operation in this mode is executed by the optical writing unit 22 with the exposure lamp 3 turned off. During this mode setting, the printer lamp 105 lights up.

D. Editor Configuration Operation 9 An example of the editor 110, which is a coordinate input device that can easily input coordinate data, width data, movement data, etc. associated with editing and information addition, in place of the numeric keypad 63 on the board 61. It is shown in FIG. This editor 11
By inputting two points on 0, the CPU 50 recognizes a rectangular area having sides in the scanning direction of the scanning optical system 9 and a direction orthogonal thereto when in a mode for accepting area data. Furthermore, when in a mode that accepts width data such as border erasure and binding margin, the CPU 50 recognizes the distance in the scanning direction component of the scanning optical system 9 between two input points as the width. In the movement mode, the designated order of the input scanning direction components of the two points is determined to be the vector direction, and the length thereof is recognized by C and the PU 50 as the amount of movement. In addition, the editor 110 has keys that have the same functions as the operation board 61 (indicated by the same symbols as those shown on the operation board in FIG. 3). can be entered.

E. Basic Copy Process As described above, the operator operates the keys provided on the operation board 61 as appropriate to set predetermined copy conditions, and then manually issues a copy start instruction from the print key 62. C
Using this copy start instruction as a start trigger, the PU 50 creates a copy under the copy conditions set according to the operator's input.

First, a general copying process for creating a regular copy of a document will be described.

First, when a copy start instruction is input by an operator, the copy process is executed by controlling each component in the order of a start cycle, a copy cycle, and an end cycle.

The start cycle is performed for the purpose of stabilizing the mechanical drive system and assimilating the initial exposure conditions. First, a drive circuit such as a main motor is energized, and then the photosensitive surface is cleaned while rotating the photosensitive member 10. This cleaning is performed while passing through the cleaning unit 20, and the photosensitive surface of the photoconductor 10 is cleaned and neutralized using a pre-cleaning static elimination lamp and a grounded conductive brush, and the toner remaining on the surface is further wiped away by a cleaning blade. . When the drive system becomes stable and cleaning and static elimination of the photosensitive surface are completed, the start cycle is exited and the copy cycle begins.

In the copy cycle, first, the photosensitive surface of the photoreceptor 10 is uniformly charged by the charging charger 21, and then an unnecessary area is erased after exposing the original image by the optical writing unit 22 according to the recording paper size. Subsequently, the scanning optical system 9 is driven in synchronization with the rotation of the photoreceptor 10 to start scanning the document.

As a result, the light reflected from the original is irradiated onto the photosensitive surface, and its surface potential changes depending on the intensity of the reflected light from the original, causing the photosensitive surface to
Second, an electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor 1
While passing through the developing device 23 by rotation of 0, the toner is developed and visualized. On the other hand, the recording paper 18 fed out by the registration roller 19 before the start of exposure is fed toward the photoconductor 10 by controlling the registration roller 19 at a predetermined timing according to the rotation of the photoconductor 10. When the recording paper 18 passes directly above the transfer charger 24 to which a predetermined voltage is applied, it comes into contact with the toner image on the photosensitive surface, and this toner image is transferred. The transferred recording paper 18 is separated from the photoreceptor 10 by the action of a separation charger 25 or the like, and is sent to the fixing device 31 via a conveyance belt or the like. The fixing device 31 includes a roller with a built-in heater, and heats and fixes the toner image on the recording paper 18.

After the toner image has been transferred, the photosensitive surface passes through a cleaning unit 20 in a continuous process by rotation of the photosensitive member 10,
Cleaning and neutralization are performed in the same way as at the beginning.

The CPU 50 controls the conveying path controller 32 according to copy conditions set in accordance with operator operations, and conveys the recording paper 18 after leaving the fixing device 31. After the copy is made in accordance with the copy conditions, the paper is finally discharged from the paper discharge conveyance path 38 to an external tray.

After repeating this copy cycle for the set number of copies,
In the end cycle, the photosensitive surface is cleaned and static electricity is removed while the photosensitive member 10 is further rotated approximately one rotation in order to maintain stability and protect the photosensitive surface.

If a copy start instruction is given during execution of this end cycle, the start cycle is omitted and execution starts from the copy cycle.

The above is the CP in the recording apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
This is an outline of the copy process executed by tJ50.

F9 Operation of Partial Erase Mode Next, this CPU 50 operates the binding margin, border erase, move, inner erase, outer erase, information (d addition 1, information I) group 2, etc. modes (generally referred to as partial erase mode). The partial erase mode executed when instructed by a key on the board 61 will be explained.

First, when these partial erase modes are set, C
When the correction data is not input by operating the numeric keypad 63 or the editor 110 or by erasing the binding margin or frame, the PU 50 sets an erase area using a preset data pad and sends the data of the erase area to the write controller 52. , the optical writing unit 22 writes blank data on the photoreceptor 10 based on a write start signal sent from the same <CPUE)O to erase the charge in a predetermined portion so that a latent image is not formed in the area. do.

Here, the write controller 52 includes an interface for communicating with the CPU 50, a control section for controlling the optical writing unit 22, a memory for developing and storing write data in a bitmap, and a printer for receiving and printing data from an external device. It has an interface. CPU 5
The erase area data and write data sent from 0 are developed into a bitmap, and the data in the bitmap is sequentially sent to the optical writing unit 22 according to the write start command sent from the same CPU 56, and the data is written on the photoreceptor 10. Let's do it. The optical writing unit 22 modulates the light from the laser diode 27 with an electrical signal and sends it to the rotating polygon mirror 28.
The laser scanner has a configuration in which main scanning is performed on the surface of the photoreceptor 10 by rotation of the photoreceptor 10, and sub-scanning is performed by rotation of the photoreceptor ]O. Since the beam diameter of such a laser scanner is as small as several tens of microns, when erasing an image in a designated area or erasing a frame, it is possible to erase the image very accurately and clearly. That is,
Compared to an LED array of several dozen to 200 LEDs, which is used as an eraser in conventional copiers, much more precise image erasure can be achieved. Therefore, if the functions of the coordinate input device such as the editor 110 are advanced, it is possible to erase not only the conventional rectangular area having sides in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions, but also the image of an arbitrarily shaped area. Furthermore, it is also possible to write precise characters, figures, etc. Although a laser scanner is used as the optical writing unit 22 in this embodiment, it is also possible to use an LED array, an LCD shutter array, or the like. Printer key 10 on operation board 61
When the printer mode is set by 4, data from the external device is imported via the printer interface,
The data can also be printed by the optical writing unit 22.

G. Operation of information addition mode Next, among the various functions that this recording device can perform, the information addition processing mode and information addition that are set by the information addition key 100 and information addition 2 key 101, which are the special features of this device, will be described. 2 modes will be explained.

G-1 Processing mode with information When information addition key 100 is received, the operator specifies which part of the document to add information to in addition to the number of copies, recording paper size, etc. input during normal copying. It is necessary to perform the operation and select the information to be added. Therefore, first, editor 11
To specify the position using 0, place the document at a predetermined position on the editor 110, and use the stylus pen 111 to specify the diagonal corner 2 of the predetermined area.
Pick a point. When you pick, if the data is accepted, the buzzer will sound for a short time to confirm the human effort. Then, set the original at a predetermined position on the contact glass 1.

In order to save the trouble of specifying the top and bottom of the characters of the data to be added to the area, the area to be added is a rectangle, determined by the input order of the two diagonal points, and the one with the longer side that intersects with the first point. is shown below the data. In this information addition mode 1, the data to be written has a unique format that can be managed by the CPU 50, so the size of the data at the time of writing is fixed. However, since any size can be specified for the specified area, in standard mode, if the input area and the size of the written data are different, the written data and the -38= image of the original are adjusted so that the center of gravity matches. Control the erase area during formation. Next, select the data to write. The written data includes the date and
The time, other registered patterns, pages, document numbers, etc. are sequentially displayed on the display 1.03 each time the additional data key 102 is pressed. What is displayed is additional data in this mode. The data for each page is refined and written by the CPU 50 based on the number of copies set using the numeric keypad 63 and the number of times image recording is started in this mode. Of course, the order of data selection and area setting may be reversed.

Next, when the print key 62 is pressed by the operator, the recording operation in this mode is started. First, C.P.
U50 controls writing of area data for erasing unnecessary charges on the photoreceptor 10 at the periphery of the recording paper 18 and data of an area set as an information addition area based on the size data of the recording paper 18 set. Send it to the container 52. The copying process is started, and an electrostatic latent image of the original placed on the contact glass 1 is formed. At this time, the optical writing unit 22 is controlled to write blank data in the area set as the information addition area of the electrostatic latent image, erase the latent image, and then perform development, transfer, separation, fixing, and copying. As the process progresses, the fixed recorded image is transferred to the intermediate tray 43 in a manner that allows image formation on the same surface again by controlling the recording paper conveyance path.
lead to.

When it is confirmed that the recording paper 18 is set in this intermediate tray 43, the C'PU 50 writes blank data in areas other than the information addition area, and writes specified additional information in the specified area. In this manner, area data, access data, and its top and bottom data are sent to the write controller 52. When receiving a signal from the write controller 52 that the setting of write data is completed, the next image forming cycle is started while the exposure lamp 3 is kept off. Here, exposure lamp 3
Since the scanning optical system 9 is scanned with the lamp immersed in the lamp, no check is made to see if there is any lamp lighting abnormality as in normal copying. Alternatively, only the image leading edge signal may be output as a dummy signal without causing the scanning optical system 9 to scan. Since all of the electrostatic latent image other than write data is written as blank data, an electrostatic latent image containing only additional data is formed.

This electrostatic latent image is developed, the additional information area is blanked, and the recording paper 18 on which the image has been recorded is fed out from the intermediate tray 43, transferred, separated, and fixed, and the paper is discharged from the paper discharge conveyance path 38 onto the tray. As a result, a copy with additional data recorded in the designated information addition area is obtained.

Of course, in the above process, the order of forming the access information and forming the document image may be reversed.

G-2 Information addition 2 mode Information addition 2 key 101 can be accepted only when an external device is actually connected to the printer interface of the write controller 52. In this state, when the information addition 2 mode is set by the information addition 2 key 101, the position where information is to be added to the document is designated, as in the case of the information addition 1 key 100. Next, the information to be added is sent from the external device to the write controller 52. CPU5
0 receives the size of the area necessary for recording the additional information, determines whether it will fit in the previously specified area, and if it fits, outputs a print enable signal. But if it doesn't fit,
The dot matrix display 91 prompts the user to perform manual labor on the additional area again. However, printing can be started even if the area is not changed, and control is performed so that as much data as can be stored in the specified area is recorded. When the print key 62 is pressed by the operator, the recording operation in this mode starts. The CPLI 50 writes area data for erasing unnecessary charges on the photoreceptor 10'2 around the periphery of the recording paper 18 and data for the area set as the information addition area based on the size data of the recording paper 18 set. The data is sent to the controller 52. The subsequent operations are the same as in the information processing mode.

・In this way, according to the information addition mode 2, it is possible to create part of the recorded image using electronic photography and easily print the digitized data, so for example, it is possible to easily print out the data created with a word processor. You can easily create documents with photos. With this method, there is no need to read the original image with a reading device and digitize it as in a digital copying machine, and there is a risk that the resolution will drop, especially when digitizing an image containing halftones such as a photograph. You can avoid problems.

H. General Flow of CPU Control By the way, the flow chart of FIG. 6 shows an overview of such control executed by the CPU 50. When the power switch is turned on, the output J-board, RAM 54, etc. are cleared, and the recording device is initialized. Next, the protection circuit and the like are scanned to detect the presence or absence of abnormality in each part of the apparatus, and the size of the recording paper [8] in the paper feed cassette is also stored in the reading RAM 54. If there is an abnormality in the protection circuit, the toner end indicator 107 and jam indicator 10 provided on the operation board 61
8. Set an abnormality display using the paper end indicator 74 or the like. When the abnormality is removed, the recording device becomes ready for operation and resets the abnormality display. Therefore, the copy conditions are set as the standard mode, with the number of copies being 1, paper feed system: top, magnification ratio equal to the same size, no movement, and no other keys. Then, an erasing area is set from data on the side, leading edge, and trailing edge of the recording paper 18 according to the set size of the recording paper 18 of the paper feeding system, and is stored in the RAM 54, and the erasing area is set in the write controller 52. Make it possible to send data. If copying is possible, the green lamp of the print key 62 is turned on to set recording ready. and,
Read the input by the operator from the operation board 6],
Write to AM54. Thereafter, when the operator operates the print key 62 and inputs a copy start instruction, a copy is created according to the set copy conditions.

Then, the copy cycle is started and the number of copies made is updated and displayed on the display 65. If an abnormality such as a jam occurs during such processing, the apparatus is stopped and normal processing such as a jam display is performed. In the copy operation, a set number of copies are made by repeat processing, but if the C key 66 is operated halfway, the repeat processing is canceled.

Note that if a mode other than the standard mode is set and there is no key operation for a predetermined period of time, the mode will automatically return to the standard mode.

Effects Since the present invention is configured as described above, when information other than the original image is added to the copy, the area for writing the additional information can be set at any position by the instruction means, and the original is added to the set addition area. Even if an image exists, it is possible to erase the original image side and write additional information.Additional information such as date, time, page, etc. can be recorded in the margin of the original image, as well as printed matter, photographs, etc. It is possible to easily combine and record a document image and images such as characters and image data from a word processor or computer on the same recording paper, and also to transfer predetermined additional information in a set area to a photoreceptor using an optical signal. Since the exposure lamp on the first electrostatic latent image forming means side is not lit during writing, no image is formed outside the designated area, so no special light shielding means is required.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the recording device, Fig. 2 is an external perspective view thereof, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the operation board, and Fig. 4 is a control system block diagram. , FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the editor, and FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of CPU control.

Claims (1)

[Claims] means for specifying an area to add information to a recorded image of a document; a means for selecting or specifying information to be added to a recorded image of a document; a first electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor; and blank data in an area on the photoreceptor corresponding to an area designated during image formation by the first electrostatic latent image forming means. The exposure lamp of the scanning optical system is turned off during the next image forming process following the image forming process by the optical writing means for writing and the first electrostatic latent image forming means or during the preceding image forming process. a second electrostatic latent image forming means for writing additional information in an area on the photoreceptor corresponding to the designated area by the optical writing means, while writing blank data outside the designated area to form an electrostatic latent image; a means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor; a means for transferring the developed image onto recording paper; a means for fixing the transferred recorded image; means for guiding the recording paper to a paper refeeding means in a state where the image is transferred again onto the same surface; and an image formed by the second electrostatic latent image forming means or an image formed by the first electrostatic latent image forming means. means for compositely recording the recorded image formed by the first electrostatic latent image forming means or the recorded image formed by the second electrostatic latent image forming means guided by the sheet refeeding means on a recording paper; A recording device with an information addition function characterized by comprising: