JPH01243078A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form images at high speed even when plural copies are taken by supporting plural image writing parts movably, reading image information written in the image writing parts optically, and forming images on a photosensitive material. CONSTITUTION:The title device is provided with the image writing part 11-1-11-7 constituted of elements on which the images can be written by heat or light, moving means 15, 16 and 17 which support the image writing part movably, a writing means which writes image information into the plural image writing parts, and an optical means which optically reads the image information of the image writing part and forms the images on the photosensitive material. The image information is written into the image writing part 11-1-11-7 one by one page which are circulated to be read by the optical means 2, and the images are formed at every part while succeeding all pages. On the other hand, the image information can be reduced in size and written by a laser 3, and therefore, the image writing parts can be completely exposed at once, in order to read the image information and to form the images on the photosensitive material. Thus, image copying is performed at, higher speed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a novel image forming apparatus that forms an image by writing a plurality of types of image information into a plurality of image writing sections.

(b) Conventional technology When an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine forms multiple copies of images on multiple sheets, the sheets on which the images have been formed are ejected in order for each copy in order to simplify subsequent processing. I try to do that. There are two possible methods for this discharge. On the other hand,■
In this method, images are formed for each copy of a one-page document at the paper output unit, and after each copy is ejected to a different output tray using a sorter, the next page is also imaged for the number of copies, and then the previous page is printed. Lay it on the paper. By repeating this process, one copy of paper with images formed thereon is stacked on each paper discharge tray. On the other hand, there is an automatic document circulation device (USP; 4
076408), circulate a large number of originals for the required number of copies, and form an image based on the original during the circulation, so that images can be formed one copy at a time, and multiple copies can be printed on one tray. The imaged sheets are stacked.

(Problem to be solved by the C1 invention) However, in an image forming apparatus that uses a sorter as shown in (■) to form multiple sets of images, it is necessary to have several to several ejection trays, and the apparatus itself There were drawbacks such as the paper being thicker and the paper ejection control becoming more complicated.Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus using the document circulation automatic feeder shown in There was a drawback that the paper was easily damaged and the probability of jamming was high.

This invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks by using a plurality of image writing sections into which image information is written.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can perform high-speed processing even when forming images.

(Means for Solving Problem d1) The present invention comprises: a plurality of image writing units each consisting of an element that can be written by heat or light; a moving unit movably supporting these image writing units; A writing device for writing image information into the image writing section; and an optical means for optically reading the image information from the image writing section and forming an image on a photosensitive material.

(81 Effect) In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the thermally writable element is a nematic-cholesteric mixed liquid crystal element, which will be described later, and the optically writable element is a photoconductive layer made of amorphous silicon, selenium, an organic material, etc. There is an element (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 48-3543) in which a liquid crystal and a liquid crystal are laminated, and the image writing section is constituted by these elements.

Since a plurality of image writing sections are provided and are movably supported by the moving means, any one of the plurality of image writing sections can be moved to a position opposite to the image writing means or the optical means as necessary. Ru. When the image writing section is moved to a position opposite to the image writing means, image information is written to the image writing section, and when the image writing section is moved to a position opposite to the optical means, the image information written to the element is optically written. Therefore, the image information in the image writing section is read by the optical means and formed into an image on the photosensitive material. The formed image information is transferred to paper in the same way as in conventional image forming apparatuses.

A plurality of image writing sections are provided, and image information for one page is written in each section, read by an optical means while circulating the information, and when image formation is performed, images are continuously formed for each copy of all pages. be done. At this time, it is only necessary to write image information to the image writing section once at the beginning. In addition, since image information can be written on a thermally or optically writable element using a laser, it is possible to reduce the image information and write it on the photosensitive material by reading the image information written on the image writing section. In order to form an image, it is possible to expose the entire image writing section at once.

(f) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copying machine which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

A in the figure shows a document processing section, B an optical section including a thermal or optical writable element, and C a copying process section.

Structure of Document Processing Section> In the document processing section A, the documents 22 set on the document tray 21 are fed one by one from the top (last page) by a feeding roller 23 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The image information of the fed document is read by an image reading device including a lamp 24 and an image sensor 25, and the image information is temporarily stored in an image memory and can be used as is, or after magnification conversion,
After arbitrary processing such as color information conversion is performed, optical section B
It is sent to a semiconductor laser device, which will be described later. The original 22 whose image information has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 26. Note that the document detection sensor 21 is used to set the document on the document table 21.
detected by a.

<Configuration of Optical Section> The optical section B includes a memory plate 1, a light source lamp 2a, a lens 2b, an exposure optical system 2 including a reflecting mirror 2c+lens 2d, a semiconductor laser device 3, and a dichroic reflecting mirror 4. The semiconductor laser device 3 irradiates the memory plate 1 with laser light via the dichroic reflector 4 based on the image information sent from the image memory.

Note that the dichroic reflecting mirror 4 reflects the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser device 3, but transmits light in the visible wavelength band. An image is written on the memory plate 1 by irradiation with laser light.

The exposure optical system 2 irradiates a photoreceptor, which will be described later, in the copy process section C with the transmitted light of the memory plate 1 on which an image has been written.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the memory plate 1.

The memory plate 1 has seven image writing units 1)-1 to 1) on which image information is written using a semiconductor laser device.
It is equipped with 1-7. The image writing sections 1)-1 to 1)-7 are composed of thermally writable elements made of, for example, a nematic/cholesteric mixed liquid crystal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the principle of writing image information to the image writing section 1)(1)-1 to 1l-7). Image writing section 1)
In this example, a nematic/cholesteric mixed liquid crystal 1)C is sealed between transparent glass plates 1)a, 1.1a and transparent electrodes (indium oxide) llb, llb. Figure (A) shows the state of the liquid crystal before image information is written, and the helical axis is in an ordered alignment state perpendicular to the substrate surface, and the image writing part 1) is transparent. Here,
When a laser beam is irradiated by a semiconductor laser device, the liquid crystal locally becomes a liquid phase 1)c' (see figure (B)), and when the laser beam is removed afterwards, the liquid phase 1)c' is rapidly cooled.
It is frozen as a cholesteric phase 1) c'' in which the orientation of the helical axis is disordered (see figure (C)). The cholesteric phase 1) c'' in which the orientation of the helical axis is disordered scatters light, and the exposure optical system shown in Figure 1 2, it appears on the photoreceptor as a dark spot or dark line. Therefore, when a laser beam based on image information is written into the image writing section 1) by a semiconductor laser device, the photoreceptor is exposed to light that makes the area irradiated with the laser beam a dark area. In addition, when writing the above, the transparent electrode 1
)b and llb, and when erasing the written image, several tens of seconds are applied between the transparent electrode 1)b and llb.
An alternating current voltage of several kHz is applied. By applying a voltage, the helical axis becomes an ordered light distribution state perpendicular to the substrate surface as shown in FIG. According to the principle described above, writing and erasing of an image in the image writing section 1) is performed.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the image writing sections 1)-1 to 1)-7. AC power supply 1) e for each image writing unit 1)-1 to 1)-
The transparent electrodes 1)b and llb of No. 7 are connected in parallel, and a voltage is applied by turning on the respective switches 1id-1 to 1id-7. Sui Nochi 1) d-1~1id
-7 is a normally open switch, which is controlled to open and close by a coil (not shown). Note that the switches 1) d-1 to 1) d-7 are turned on when erasing images in the image writing sections 1)-1 to 1)-7, respectively, or when starting the operation.

In FIG. 2, image writing units 1)-1 to 1)-7 are each fixed to a frame 12. A moving roller 15 is pressed against the lower part of the frame 12, and a motor 17 is connected to the moving roller 15 via a belt 16. By driving the motor 17, the frame I2, that is, the memory plate 1, is moved in the arrow E direction. The frame 12 is provided with six pieces 13-1 to 13-7 for position detection, facing each of the image writing units 1)-1 to 1)-7. The six pieces 13-1 to 13-7 have different lengths, and 13-1. The lengths are shortened in the order of 13-2...13-7. These six pieces 13-1 to 13-7 are detected by the position detection sensor 14, and the motor 1
7 is controlled to position the memory plate l.

As a result, any one of the image writing units 1)-1 to 1)-7 is located at the irradiation position of the laser beam by the semiconductor laser device 3 and in the optical path of the exposure optical system 2, and is positioned in the optical path of the exposure optical system 2 to write or read an image (photosensitive Transmitted light exposure of the body) is performed. The image writing section 1)-1 is the home position of the memory plate 1, and when stopped, the image writing section 1)-1 is located at the laser beam irradiation position and in the optical path of the exposure optical system 2.

Configuration of Copying Process Section> The copying process section C is equipped with a photoreceptor 31 having photoconductivity. The photoreceptor 31 has an endless belt shape, and is stretched between two rollers and driven to rotate. A charger 31a is provided around the photoreceptor 31.

Process devices such as a developing device 31b, a transfer charger 31c, a cleaning device 31d, and a static elimination lamp 31e are provided. Also, a paper cassette 3 is placed to the right of the photoreceptor 31.
2 is provided, and the paper for toner transfer is transferred to the transfer section 33. Conveyor belt 34. Heat roller 35. The paper is ejected to a paper ejection tray 37 via a conveyor belt 36. Note that a paper reversing system 38 is located below the conveyor belt 34, and the paper on which the toner image has been formed is reversed from front to back using a switch bank method, and is sent to the transfer section 33 again.

As described above, the exposure optical system 2 distributes transmitted light from any one of the image forming areas 1)-1 to 1)-7 of the memory plate 1 onto the photoreceptor 31 charged by the charger 31a. , an electrostatic latent image is formed. Toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image by the developing device 31b to make it visible, and the toner image is transferred to the paper conveyed from the paper cassette 32 to form an image on the paper. The paper onto which the toner has been transferred is fixed by a heat roller 35, and is discharged to a paper discharge tray 37 via a conveyor belt 36.

<Configuration of Operation Panel> FIG. 5 is a plan view of the operation panel provided on the top surface of the main body of the copying machine.

The operation panel consists of an operation section 4a and a display section 4b. The operation unit 4a includes a print switch 4 for instructing the start of copying operation.
1. Numeric keypad 42a for inputting the number of copies, clear key 42b for clearing the set number, paper size selection key 43 for selecting the size of paper to be fed to the transfer section 33, image writing section 1 of the memory plate 1) -1 to 1) -7 image deletion instructions (turning on switches 1id-1 to 1id-7), a mode setting key 45 to set the program copy mode described later, and a mode setting key 45 that lights up in the program copy mode. Lamp 45a, set key 4 for setting a manually entered program in program copy mode
6. A call key 47 for calling a set program and a lamp 47a that lights up while the program is being called are provided.

The display section 4b also includes a document number display section 48 that displays the number of documents to be copied, a paper size display section 49, and a copy number display section 50 that displays the number of copies (number of copies) for one document. , a paper replenishment display section 51 that lights up when there is a paper shortage.
, a toner replenishment display section 52 that lights up when there is a toner shortage, a jam display section 53 that lights up when a paper jam occurs, and image writing sections 1)-1 to 1)-7 of the memory plate 1.
A writing display section 54-1 that displays whether or not an image has been written.
~54-7 are provided.

<Configuration of Control Unit> FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control unit of the copying machine. Overall control is performed by a PCPU 61, and its processing program is stored in the ROM 62 in advance. The RAM 63 is a working area during program execution. PCPU61
Inputs from various input keys, sensors, etc. are performed via l1064, and operation signals are outputted to drivers of various operating units via l1065. Furthermore, an MCPU 66 for controlling the image sensor 25 is connected to the PCPU 61 . The image sensor 25 is connected to the MCPU 66 via a multiplexer 67, and the image information read by the image sensor 25 is sent to the image memory of the RAM 63, and if any processing is required, after that processing, It is sent to the semiconductor laser device 3.

FIG. 8 is a memory map of the RAM 63.

This air storage is divided into memories M1 to M7, each of which is provided with a paper size storage section and a copy number storage section.

Further, flags F1 to F7 are provided corresponding to the memories M1 to M7. Memories M1 to M7 and flags F1 to F
7 correspond to image writing units 1)-1 to 1)-7, respectively. The paper size storage section and copy number storage section are used when copying a program, and store the size of paper on which each image is formed and the number of copies thereof. For example, make 5 copies of the image from image writing section 1)-1 in A4 size, make 3 copies of the image from image writing section 1)-2 in 85 size, and so on, depending on each paper size and number of copies. can be set individually.

That is, the mode of the program copying mode is the image writing section 1.
This mode is for setting the paper size and number of copies corresponding to each of the image information written in )-1 to 1)-7 (image information read from the original). Flag F1~F
7 is a cent when image information is written to each of image writing units 1)-1 to 1)-7, and flags F1 to F7
The writing display sections 54-1 to 54-7 light up in accordance with the number of cents.

The positions of the image writing sections 1)-1 to 1)=7 of the memory plate 1 are input to the PCPtJ61 by the position detection sensor 14, and a drive signal is output to the motor 17 as necessary. Image writing sections 1)-1 to 1)-7 each have the first page to
The image information of the seventh page is written, for example, the position of the image writing section is set to 1 by the position detection sensor 14.
)-1, the image information of the first page is read by the image sensor 25 and written to the image writing section 1)-1.

In this embodiment, the image writing section is 7 of 1)-1 to 1)-7.
Since it is a single unit, it is possible to read up to 7 originals and write image information on them, but if you increase the number of image writing sections, it is possible to read more originals and write image information on them. Become.

When the ON signal of the erase key 44 is output to the PCPU 61, the transparent electrodes 1) b, l of the image writing sections 1)-1 to 1)-7 are
The switches 1id-1 to 1)d-7 connected to M1 are turned on, and the image writing units 1)-1 to 1)-7 become transparent as shown in FIG. 3(A). ~M7 is cleared, F1 to F7 are reset, and the writing display section 54-
1 to 54-7 are turned off. <Operation Description> FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of a copying operation in the copying machine configured as described above. The same figure (A
) represents the main routine, r[(B) represents the routine during normal copying, and (C) and (D) represent the routines during program cent and program copying, respectively.

First, when the power of the copying machine is turned on, initial settings such as clearing of variables such as the number of copies, confirmation of device operation, preliminary operation, etc. are performed at nl. After these processes are completed, various sensors, input keys, etc. are read in step 02, and when the document 22 is set on the document tray 21 (n3), the state of flags F1 to F7 is checked in step n4, that is, the image Writing part 1
)-1 to 1)-7 is determined. If any of the flags F1 to F7 is in the cent state, the write display sections 54-1 to 54-7 are blinked at n5 to notify the user that image information is being written. After that, if the erase key 44 is turned on, the switches 1) d-1 to Li
d to 7 are turned on to clear the image writing section 1m1 to 1)-7, rear, Ml to M7, reset flags F1 to F7, etc. (n6→n7), but when the erase key 44 is turned on, Otherwise, those processes will not be performed, thus making it possible to prevent image information from being erased by mistake.

If flags F1 to F7 are in the reset state, KO indicating the number of originals is set to 0, and memory plate 1 is set.
Move to the home position, feed the original on the original tray 2I, and add 1 to KO (count the number of originals)
(n8→n9→n10). Then, the image information of the document is read by the image sensor 25 at nil, and after being temporarily stored in the image memory, arbitrary processing is performed, and the image information is sent to the semiconductor laser device 3, and the image writing section (1)
Image information is written to any one of -1 to -1)-7). When the writing of the image information is completed, a flag (one of Fl-F7) corresponding to the written image writing section is set, and the corresponding writing display section is turned on. Figure 6 (A), (
B) is a diagram showing an example of the display on the display unit 4b at this time, in which (A) shows the state when the number of originals is the first, and (B) shows the state when the number of originals is the second. each represents.

In addition, (C) in the same figure shows how image information is written to the image writing section (
This shows an example of the display on the display unit 4b when reading of the original has been completed, and the image information of 5 originals has been written, and the paper size and number of copies are standard (A4 size, 1 sheet).
is set to . To change the copy paper size or number of copies, press the paper size selection key 43. All you have to do is operate the numeric keypad 42a. The current number of originals is displayed on the original number display section 48, and the writing display section corresponding to the image writing section on which writing has been performed is lit.

After writing image information to one image writing section,
The memory plate 1 is moved to position the next image writing section so as to correspond to the semiconductor laser device 3, and the presence or absence of the next document is determined (n13→n14). If there is a next document, feeding the document, reading and writing image information are repeated, and if there is no document, the memory plate 1 is returned to the home position (n15). As described above, image information is written to the image sending sections 1)-1 to 1)-7.

If it is determined at n16 that the mode setting key 45 is on, the routine goes to the program set routine shown in FIG.
), and if it is determined in n18 that the print switch 41 is on, the program goes to the program copying routine (B) in the same figure.
The routine then proceeds to the normal copy processing routine shown in .

In the same figure (B), K is a number representing the current position of the image writing section, and N is a number representing the number of copies.

When the print switch 41 is turned on, input KOl, that is, the number of originals written in the image writing section, into K, and set the K-th image writing section 1)-(K) in the optical path of the exposure optical system 2. (n21→n22→n2)
3). This copying process continues until the value of K becomes O, that is, until the image writing units 1l-(K) to 1)-1 are copied, and when K becomes O, one copy process is completed. Complete (n24→n25). The copying process for each copy is continued until the number N of copies inputted from the person's key is reached (n26, n27), and when the number of copies is completed, the process returns to the input waiting state. In this way, by copying multiple sheets of originals (image writing section) for each copy, a sorter system becomes unnecessary, and the image information of the originals is stored in the image writing section 1)-1 to 1) Since copying is performed by moving the memory plate 1 stored in the memory plate 1), there is no need to circulate the original document many times, and damage to the original document can be prevented.

In the same figure (C), X is a number indicating the order of the memories M1 to M7. When the mode setting key 45 is turned on, 1 is set to
is set and its X is displayed (n31→n32). n
33, press the paper size selection key 43. The paper size and number of copies entered from the numeric keypad 42a are read and stored in memory M.
(X) and displays it on the display section 4b at n34. When the set key 46 is turned on, 1 is added to X,
Continue reading the paper size and number of copies for M (X) until X becomes O (n35→n36→n37).

With this, the paper size and number of copies can be set for each of the image information stored in the image writing sections (1)-1 to 1l-7). When the program cents are over, n3
At step 8, the program cent lamp 45a is turned on.

When the call key 47 is turned on, the routine proceeds to the routine shown in FIG.
a lights up. After that, when the print switch 41 is turned on, the paper size and number of copies stored in M (X) are called up, and the image writing unit 1
)(X) copy processing is performed (n43→n44). For example, FIG. 6(D) shows the paper size stored in M5.

It is a diagram showing an example of the display on the display unit 4b when the number of copies is called up, where X is the paper size (B5).

The number of copies (76) is displayed. X is 1 in n45
The program is called and the copy process based on the program is performed until X becomes O in n46.

As described above, copy processing can be performed by setting the paper size and number of copies for each image information written in each of the image writing sections 1)-1 to 1) to 7.

In this embodiment, the image writing section moves in the order of 1)-7→]1-1 to perform the copying process, but the order of the copying process may be set arbitrarily. In this case, the order of copying can be easily changed by simply moving the memory plate 1, so the operation is simple and the processing time is short.

In addition, in this example, a nematic, cholesteric, and cholesteric mixed liquid crystal was used as an image-writable element, but it is also possible to use an element in which a photoconductive layer and a liquid crystal layer that can be written by light are laminated, electrophotochromy, PLZT, etc. It's okay.

In this invention, the "moving means for movably supporting the image writing section" is the roller 15. Belt 16. Corresponding to the motor 17, "means for writing image information to a plurality of image writing sections" reads image information, corresponds to the image sensor 25 and the semiconductor laser device 3, and optically writes the image information of the completed image writing section. The optical means j for reading and forming an image on the photosensitive material corresponds to the exposure optical system 2.

In this example, a photosensitive material having photoconductivity was used as the photosensitive material, but a photoreceptive sheet coated with photosensitive microcapsules that hardens upon exposure may also be used.

(g + All Invention Effects As described above, according to this invention, by simply writing a plurality of image information in the image writing section and moving the image writing section,
Since the image forming process can be performed one copy at a time, there is no need to use large-scale equipment such as a sorter, and it is possible to prevent the equipment from becoming larger. In addition, with a copying machine, there is no need to use an automatic document circulation device, and the document only needs to be fed once, which prevents damage to the document.Also, the image writing section can be fully exposed to form an image, making it easy to copy. It has the advantage of speeding up processing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a copying machine which is an embodiment of this invention;
The figure is a perspective view of a memory plate used in the copying machine, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the principle of writing image information into the image writing section. (B) is a diagram showing a state in which the image writing section is irradiated with laser light, and (C) is a diagram showing a state in which the portion irradiated with laser light is frozen. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the image writing section 1, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the operation panel on the main body of the copying machine, and FIG.
Figures (A) to (D) are diagrams showing display examples of the display section. In addition, Fig. 7 is a diagram of the control section of the same copying machine, and Fig. 8
The figure is a memory map, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the copying process procedure]-Memory plate, 2-Exposure optical system, 3-Semiconductor laser device, 1la-Transparent glass plate, 1)
b = transparent electrode, ], 1 c - nematic cholesteric mixed liquid crystal, 1) - 1 to 1) - 7 - image writing section, 12 - frame 7, 13 - 1 to 13 - 7 - piece of music, 14 - Position detection sensor, 15-roller, 16-belt, 17-motor, 25-image sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Consisting of an element that can be written to by heat or light;
a plurality of image writing units; a moving means for movably supporting these image writing units; a writing unit for writing image information in the plurality of image writing units; and a writing unit for writing image information in the image writing units. An image forming apparatus comprising: an optical means for optically reading and forming an image on a photosensitive material.