JPH02131662A - Original position detection processing system for picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid mis-detection of an original edge by using a platen cover with a high density color and discriminating a level of a read signal through the comparison with a threshold level. CONSTITUTION:A recording signal of development color is selected after a black level version is generated and a background color is eliminated, and the signal subject to edge processing and a luminance signal at pre-scanning before copy scanning are used to detect an original edge for each line in the main scanning direction and the minimum value and the maximum value are detected for full line scanning and the minimum value and the maximum value of the original edge are detected also in the subscanning direction. In this detection, when the luminance signal is at a threshold level or below, it is discriminated to be an original to detect the leading of the signal (from inactive to active) and trailing (from active to inactive). Thus, the original edge is detected.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to image processing in which a document reading line sensor scans the document in the main scanning direction and moves in the sub-scanning direction to read the document and perform recording and reproducing processing. Regarding equipment.

[Conventional technology]

When copying an original with a copying machine equipped with reduction/enlargement functions, in terms of copy size, the original can be either copied at the same size (100% magnification) or reduced/enlarged. It is.

These copiers are cassette type and equipped with multiple replaceable paper trays, but if only one paper tray can be installed, when reducing/enlarging, specify the magnification and press the start key. Bye. in this case,
The paper size is determined by the installed paper tray, so if the paper size of the installed tray is large, a blank area other than the copy area will remain on the copy paper, but if the paper size is small, the original A portion of the image may protrude from the paper, resulting in some portions not being copied.

On the other hand, in the case where paper trays can be installed in multiple stages, the size of the screen to be copied and the paper size can be matched by specifying the magnification and original size or paper size. However, in the case of such copies, what the user usually wants to specify is either the magnification or the size of the copy paper. In other words, whether you want a copy at a specified magnification or a copy on a specified paper size, any further specification is of no particular interest to the user.

Therefore, in a copier equipped with multiple paper trays,
If you specify the number of copies and press the start key, you can of course select paper of the same size as the original and make copies.
Some models are equipped with an original size detection function and an automatic paper tray selection function that allows you to select and copy paper that is the same size as the original by simply specifying a magnification and starting copying. Some printers have an automatic magnification setting function that automatically sets the magnification according to the size of the paper and original based on the paper size and original size when copying is started.

In either case, it is necessary to detect the document size, select the paper size, and set the copy magnification before proceeding to the actual copying operation. Therefore, in such a copying machine, a sensor is provided in the platen cover or the carriage to detect the document size, and in the case of an automatic document reading device, a sensor is provided in the device.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in order to provide the above-mentioned document size detection function, it is necessary to provide multiple sensors corresponding to the paper size to be detected, which poses the problem of complicating sensor arrangement and signal processing. be. In such conventional copying machines, the original must be placed in a specified position, such as by aligning it with the register on the platen, and as a general rule, the original is a standard size. It is designed as a basic. However, when considering a color copying machine equipped with a variety of editing functions, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in copying cut-edge and free-form originals, as well as the position and angle of setting the original on the platen. It is also required to have a sufficient detection function considering the size. Therefore, it is conceivable to detect the document position from a signal obtained by moving the carriage and directly reading the document.

However, detecting the document size and document position from an image signal obtained by directly reading the document requires signal processing and the use of a platen cover so that the platen force bar and the document can be distinguished. Furthermore, if a high-density platen cover is used to distinguish between the platen cover and the document, a color copying machine will copy a frame based on the color of the platen cover.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to easily detect the edges of a document from image data obtained by scanning the document. Another object of the present invention is to eliminate false detection of edges of a document. Still another object of the present invention is to enable reliable border erasure processing even for free-form originals.

Still another object of the present invention is to simplify the configuration of the signal processing circuit by sharing a circuit for document size detection and frame erasing processing.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] To achieve this, the present invention scans in the main scanning direction while moving the document reading line sensor 3 in the sub-scanning direction, as shown in FIG. is taken out, and the image signal converted through the image inertia conversion unit 4 is introduced into the document detection units 6 and 7,
Here, the signal level is determined for each line scan in the main scanning direction, and the edge and size of the document 2 are detected based on the values of the main scanning direction counter 8 and the sub-scanning direction counter 9. The borrowing level in the manuscript detection units 6 and 7 is determined by comparing the read signal with a threshold value, detecting the point of change in magnitude, and recognizing the manuscript position of the line from the first and last positions of the change point. do. Note that the platen cover 3 is made of a high-density color such as black, for example.

As mentioned above, the platen cover 3 is made of a high-density color, and the level of the read signal is determined by comparing it with a threshold value, so it is easy to separate the platen cover read signal from the document read signal. This eliminates false detection of document edges.

The document detection unit 7 recognizes the document size in the main scanning direction from the minimum and maximum values of the change points in all lines in the main scan direction using the brightness code in Bliscan, and distinguishes between the line where the first change point is detected and the last line. The document size in the sub-scanning direction is recognized from the line where the change point is detected. Since the document size is recognized during pre-scanning in this way, it is possible to select and use a luminance signal with fewer false positives, regardless of development.

In addition, the document detection unit 6 detects the document position by comparing the read Confucian code of each color with the dark value during image recording scanning, and also sets an offset amount so that the document position is moved inward by the offset amount and the document position is moved outside. The frame erasing processor 5 is controlled to erase the input image signal. Erasing is performed by converting the input image signal to white. By comparing and processing the read signal of each color with the threshold value in this way, it is possible to reliably erase the frame of the black platen cover in each developing color and send the image signal of the document to the image recorder 10. Furthermore, since the offset amount is set, the frame can be completely erased.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples.

Table of Contents In this embodiment, a color copying machine will be described as an example of a recording device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to printers, facsimile machines, and other image recording devices.

First, prior to explaining the examples, a table of contents will be shown.

In the following description, (T) to (II) are sections that outline the overall configuration of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and examples of the present invention will be explained within that configuration. The term is (III).

(1) Overview of the device (1-1) Device configuration (1-2) System functions and features (1-3) Electrical control system configuration (II) Specific configuration of each part (II-1) System ( n-2) Image input terminal (IIT) (n-3
) Image output terminal (IOT) (n-4) User interface (U/I) (I[-5) Film image reading device (III) Image processing system (IPS) (III-
1) IPS module configuration (III-2) IPS hardware configuration (I[I-3) Original size detection and frame erasing (III-4) Original size detection and frame erasing circuit (III-
5) Configuration of LSI (I FIG.

A color copying machine to which the present invention is applied has a base machine 30 as a basic configuration, a platen glass 31 on which a document is placed, an image input terminal (IIT) 32, an electrical system control storage 133, and an image output terminal (IOT). 3
4. Paper tray 35, user interface (U/I)
36, and optionally an edit pad 61, an auto document feeder (ADF>62,
Sorter 63 and film projector (F/P) 64
Equipped with

Electrical hardware is required to control the above-mentioned IIT, IOT, U/I, etc., but these hardware is required to control the IIT, IIT, U/I, etc., which performs image processing on the output signals of IIT, U/I, and F/I. It is divided into multiple boards for each processing unit such as /P, and it is further divided into multiple boards for each processing unit such as the SYS board that controls them, and the MCB board (machine control board) that controls the IOT, ADF, sorter, etc. It is stored in the control system storage section 33.

11T32 consists of an imaging unit 37, a wire 38 for driving the unit, a driving boolean 39, etc., and uses a CCD line sensor and a color filter in the imaging unit 37 to convert color originals into primary colors of light B (
It reads each color (blue), G (edge), and R (red), converts it into a digital image signal, and outputs it to the IPS.

In IPS, the +1T32 B and G1R signals are used as toner primary colors Y (yellow), C (cyan), and M (magenta).
, K (black), and furthermore, in order to improve the reproducibility of color, gradation, definition, etc., various data processing is performed to convert the gradation toner signal of the process color into a binary value of on/off. The converted toner signal is converted into a digital toner signal and output to the IOT34.

10T34 has a scanner 1740 and a sensitive material belt 41, converts the image signal from the rPS into an optical signal at the laser output m40a, and converts the image signal from the rPS into an optical signal using a polygon mirror 40bSF/θ.
A latent image corresponding to the original image is formed on the sensitive material belt 41 via the lens 40c and the reflecting mirror 40d. The sensitive material belt 41 is driven by a driving poo! Driven by J41a,
Around it, cleaner 41b1 charger 4 1cSY,M,
CSK developing devices 41d and transfer devices 41e are arranged. A transfer device 42 is provided opposite to the transfer device 41e, and holds the paper sent from the paper tray 35 through the paper withdrawal path 35a.For example, in the case of a four-color full-color copy, the transfer device 42 is rotated four times to transfer Y, M, C, and K onto the paper in this order. The transferred paper passes from the transfer device 42, passes through the vacuum conveyance device 43, is fixed by the fixing device 45, and is discharged. Further, in the paper conveyance path 35a, an SSI (single sheet inserter) 3
Paper is also selectively supplied from 5b.

The U/+ 36 allows the user to select a desired function and instruct its execution conditions, and is equipped with a color display 5l, a hard control panel 52 next to it, and an infrared tuft board 53 to display the screen. Direct instructions can be given using soft buttons.

Next, options for the Nihose machine 30 will be explained. One is to place an edit pad 6l, which is a manual coordinate device, on the platen glass 3l, and make it possible to edit various images using an input pen or a memory card. Furthermore, it is possible to attach the existing ADF 62 and sorter 63.

Furthermore, the feature of this embodiment is that the platen glass 3l
A mirror unit (M/U) 65 is placed on top, and a film image is projected from the F/P 64 onto it.
By reading the image as an image symbol with the second imaging unit 37, it is possible to make a color copy directly from the color film. The target document can be negative film, positive film, or slide, and is equipped with a sharp focusing device and an automatic correction filter exchange device.

(1-2) Functions and Features of the System (A) Functions The present invention fully automates the process from entry to exit of copying operations while providing a wide variety of functions that meet the needs of users. A major feature is that function selection, execution condition selection, and other menus are displayed on a display such as a CRT, making it easy for anyone to operate.

As its main functions, by imitating the hard control panel, start, stop, clear, numeric keypad, interactive, etc. that cannot be specified in Operation 7 Low,
Information, language switching, etc. are performed, and various functions can be selected by touching soft buttons on the basic screen. In addition, by touching the pathway tab corresponding to the pathway in the function selection area, you can select various editing functions such as marker editing, business editing, and creative editing. Copies can be made.

A major feature of this device is its four-color full-color function, in addition to which three colors and black can be selected.

For paper supply, automatic paper selection and paper specification are possible.

The reduction/enlargement can be set in 1% increments within the range of 50 to 400%, and it also has a partial magnification function that independently sets the vertical and horizontal magnifications, and an automatic magnification selection function.

Copy density is automatically adjusted for black and white originals.

Automatic color balance adjustment is performed for color originals.
Color balance allows you to specify the colors you want to reduce on your copy.

The job program can read and write jobs using a memory card, and up to eight jobs can be stored on the memory card. It has a capacity of 32 kilobytes and is programmable for jobs other than film projector mode.

In addition, additional functions include copy output, copy sharpness, copy contrast, copy position, film projector, page programming, and margin functions.

For the copy output, if a sorter is attached as an option and Uncollated is selected, the maximum adjustment function will work to adjust the set number of sheets to within the maximum bin storage value.

Copy sharpness, which emphasizes edges, is available as an option with 7-step manual sharpness adjustment,
Photo), character ((:, haracter),
Halftone printing (Print), mixing of photos and text (P
It has a photo sharpness adjustment function consisting of photo/character). You can also set the default and tool paths as you like.

Copy contrast can be controlled by the operator in 7 steps, and the default can be set arbitrarily in the tool path.

The copy position is a function for selecting a position on a sheet of paper to place a copy image, and has an optional auto-centering function for placing the center of the copy image on the center of the sheet, and the default is auto-centering.

The film projector is capable of making copies from various types of film, and can project 35+nm negative and positive images, has a 35mm negative platen, and is 60m x
6 (You can choose between 1 slide platen placement and 4in x 4in slide platen placement. With the film projector, A4 paper is automatically selected unless you select a specific paper, and in the film projector pop-up,
Has a color balance function, which adjusts the color balance to a “reddish”
When set to ``Blue Taste'', the image becomes reddish, and when set to ``Blue Taste'', the image becomes bluish.The camera also has its own automatic density control and manual density control.

Page programming includes a cover function that adds a front/back force bar or a front force bar to copies, an insert function that inserts blank or colored paper between copies, a color mode that allows you to set the color mode for each page of the original, and a You can select the paper tray for each page, and there is a paper selection function that can be set in conjunction with the color mode.

The margin can be set in the range of 0 to 30 in increments of 1fflI1, and only one side can be specified for 1 manuscript.

Marker editing is a function that edits the area surrounded by markers, and is intended for documents. Therefore, the original is treated as a black and white original, and when in black mode, the specified area is
The colors are returned to the palette colors on RT, and areas outside the designated area are copied in black. In addition, when in red-black mode, the image is converted to red,
Outside the area, there are functions such as red and black cohitonari, trim, mask, color mesh, and black to color. Note that the area specification is performed by drawing a closed loop on the document surface or by specifying the area using a numeric keypad or an edit pad. The same applies to area specification in each editing function below.

The designated area is then displayed in a similar shape on the bitmap area on the CRT.

Trim copies only the image within the marked area in black and white,
Images outside the marked area are erased.

The mask erases the image within the marked area and copies only the image outside the marked area in black and white.

For color mesh, place a specified color mesh pattern within the marked area, copy the image in black and white, and use 8P4M colors (predetermined colors).
, 8 green (167 colors registered by users)
You can select from 8 out of 00,000 colors (up to 8 colors can be registered at the same time), and you can select from 4 mesh patterns.

With black to color, the image in the marked area can be copied in a specified color selected from 8 standard colors and 8 registered colors.

Business editing aims to quickly create high-quality originals mainly for business documents. The manuscript is treated as a full-color original, and all functions require specifying areas or points, and multiple functions can be set for one manuscript. can.

When in black/mono color mode, areas other than the specified area are copied in black or mono color, and black images are copied within the area.
The color is converted to the palette color on RT, and in red-black mode, areas outside the specified area are copied in red and black, and areas inside the area are converted to red. In addition to trim, mask, color mesh, and black to color as in the case of marker editing, logotype,
It has the following functions: Line, Paint 1, Collection, and Function Clear.

Logotype is a function that allows you to insert a logo such as a symbol mark at a specified point, and two types of locos can be placed vertically and horizontally. However, only one logo pattern can be set for one document, and the logo pattern is prepared for each customer and supplied from the ROM.

Line is a function that draws perpendicular or horizontal lines to the X-axis using a two-point display.The line color can be selected for each line from 8 standard colors and 8 registered colors, and there is no limit to the number of lines that can be specified. Up to seven colors can be used at one time.

Paint 1 is a function that fills the inside of a closed loop with a color selected from 8 standard colors and 8 registered colors for each loop by specifying one point inside the closed loop.

The mesh can be selected from four patterns for each area, the number of loops that can be set is unlimited, and the number of color mesh patterns that can be used is up to seven.

The collection function includes area/point change that allows you to check and modify the setting function for each area, area/point correction that allows you to change the area size and point position in 1 mm increments, and area/point correction that allows you to erase a specified area. It has a point cancel mode, which allows you to confirm, correct, change, delete, etc. the specified area.

Creative editing includes image composition, copy function copy, color composition, partial image shift, multi-page enlargement, paint 1, color mesh, color conversion, negative/positive inversion, repeat, paint 2, density control, color balance, and copy. Contrast, copy sharpness, color mode, trim, mask, mirror image, margin, line, shift, logotype, split scan, collection,
Function clear and ^dd Function functions are provided. With this function, the original is treated as a color original, multiple functions can be set for l original, functions can be used together for l area, and the specified area is a rectangle with two points and a point with one point.

Image composition is a function that copies a base original in color in 4 cycles, holds the paper on a transfer device, then copies the trimmed original in 4 cycles and outputs the same.

Copy-on-copy is a function that, after copying the first original in four cycles, holds the paper on the transfer device, and subsequently copies and outputs the second original in four cycles.

The color composition is made by copying the first original in magenta, then holding the paper on the transfer device, then copying the second original in cyan, holding the paper on the transfer device, and then copying the second original in cyan, holding the paper on the transfer device, and then copying the second original in cyan. This is a function that overlays the original in yellow and outputs it after copying. In the case of a 4-color composition, it also overlays black and outputs it after copying.

Partial image shift is a function that holds the paper on the transfer device after color copying in 4 cycles, and then copies and outputs the paper overlappingly in 4 cycles.

Among the color modes, in full color mode, copies are made in 4 cycles, in 3 color modes, copies are made in 3 cycles, except when edit mode is set, and in black mode, except when edit mode is set, Copies in 1 cycle, and in plus 1 color mode, copies in 1 to 3 cycles.

Pathways includes Auditron, Machine Setup, Default Selection, Color Registration, Film Type Registration, Color Correction, Presets, Film Projector Scan Area Correction, Audio Tone, Timer Set, Billing Meter, Diagnostic Mode, Maximum Adjustment, and Memory Card Formatting. has been established. In order to make settings or changes using this password, you must enter your PIN number. Therefore, only key operators and customer engineers can make settings/changes on the tool bus way. However, only customer engineers can enter diagnostic mode.

Color registration is used to register colors to register color buttons in a color palette, and is read from a color original using a CCD line sensor.

Color correction is used to fine-tune the colors registered in the register color buttons.

Film type registration is used to register the register film type used in the film projector mode, and if it is unregistered, the register button cannot be selected on the film projector mode screen.

Presets include reduction/enlargement values, 7 copy density steps,
Copy sharpness 7 steps, copy contrast 7
Bliss the step.

Film projector scan area collection
Adjust the scan area in film projector mode.

Audio tone adjusts the volume used for selected sounds, etc.

The timer setting is for setting a timer that can be released to the key operator.

In addition to this, there is also a crash recovery function that restarts the subsystem if it enters a crash state. There are also functions for abnormal systems, such as a function to set the subsystem to 7-ortho mode if it cannot return to normal even after performing U-recovery twice, and a function to make an emergency stop if a jam occurs.

Furthermore, combinations of basic copy and additional functions, basic/additional functions and marker editing, business editing, creative editing, etc. are also possible.

The entire system of the present invention having the above functions has the following features.

(B) Features (A) Achievement of high image quality and full color This device has improved black image quality reproduction, light color reproduction, generation cobby quality, OHP image quality, fine line reproducibility, image quality reproducibility of film copies, and copy maintainability. The aim is to achieve high-quality, full-color images that can clearly reproduce color documents.

(Example) Lower costs We have reduced the cost of art materials and consumables such as photoreceptors, developing machines, and toner, and reduced service costs such as UMR and parts costs. By achieving a black and white copying speed of 30 sheets/A4, which is about three times that of conventional models, we aim to reduce running costs and copy unit prices.

(c) Improving productivity The input/output device is equipped with an ADF and a sorter (optional) to enable processing of multiple originals.The magnification can be selected from 50 to 400%.The maximum original size is A3, and the upper tray is B5.
~B4, middle row 85~B4, lower row B5~A3, SS [3
5 to A3, copy speed is 4 full colors, A4
4.8CPM in B4, 4.8CPM in B4 2.4C in SA3
PM, black and white, 19.2CPM for A4, 19.2C for B4
PM, A3: 9.6 CPM, warm-up time within 8 minutes, FCOT: 28 seconds or less for 4 full colors, 7 for black and white
The continuous copying speed is 7.5 full-color sheets/A4 and 30 black-and-white sheets/A4, achieving high productivity.

(2) Improved operability Hard buttons and CR on the hard control panel
By using soft buttons on the T-screen soft panel, it is easy for beginners to understand, does not bother experts, allows direct selection of function contents, and improves ease of imitation by concentrating operations in one place as much as possible. , by effectively using color to accurately convey the necessary information to the operator. High-fidelity copying should be performed using only the hard control panel and a basic screen mockup.
Start, stop, clear, interrupt, etc. that cannot be specified in the operation flow are performed by operating the hard buttons, and paper selection, reduction/enlargement, cohesion density, image quality adjustment, color mode, color balance adjustment, etc. are performed by imitating the basic screen soft panel. This makes it easy for users of conventional single-color copying machines to use it naturally. Furthermore, various editing functions can be opened and selected by simply touching the pathway tab in the busway area of the software panel. Further, by storing copy modes, execution conditions, etc. in advance in a memory card, it is possible to automate predetermined imitations.

(E) Enhanced functions By touching the busway tab in the pathway area of the software panel, you can open the pathway and select various editing functions.For example, marker editing uses a tool called marker to edit black and white documents. In business editing, you can quickly create high-quality originals mainly for business documents, and in creative editing, various editing functions are available, with many options in full color, black, and monochrome. We are able to accommodate professionals such as designers, copy service providers, and key operators. Furthermore, the area specified in the editing function is displayed as a bitmap area, allowing you to confirm the specified area.

In this way, you can greatly improve your ability to express your writing with the rich editing functions and color correction.

(f) Achievement of power saving Achieving a high-performance copying machine with 4 full colors and 1.5kVA. Therefore, 1.5kV in each operation mode
A control method to achieve A has been determined, and power distribution by function has been determined to set target values. In addition, we are creating an energy system table to determine the engineering and energy transmission path, and conducting management and verification using the energy system.

(C) Example of differentiation The copying machine to which the present invention is applied is capable of full-color and black-and-white printing, is easy for beginners to understand, allows experienced users to make copies without bothering them, and is equipped with various functions to make copying easier. Since it is possible not only to take pictures but also to create originals, it can be used by professionals and artists, and in this point, it is possible to differentiate the use of copying machines. An example of its use is shown below.

For example, posters, calendars, which were traditionally printed,
Cards, invitations, military letters with photos, etc. can be produced much more cheaply than printing if the number of cards is not very large. In addition, by making full use of the editing function, you can create original calendars according to your tastes, for example, and instead of printing uniformly by company, you can create original and diverse prints by section. It becomes possible to create.

In addition, as seen in interiors and electrical products in recent years, colors affect sales volume, and by copying colored designs at the production stage of interiors and clothing items, multiple people can work on the design and colors as well. It is possible to develop new colors that improve consumption. In particular, in the apparel industry, when ordering products from distant production sites, by sending a colored copy of the finished drawing, colors can be specified more accurately than before, improving work efficiency. Can be done.

Furthermore, since this apparatus can be used for both color and black-and-white printing, it is possible to make the required number of copies of a single document in black-and-white or color, as required. Therefore, for example, when learning color studies at a vocational school or university,
Colored designs can be expressed in both black and white and color, and by comparing the two, it is possible to understand the impact of brightness and coloring on visual perception, for example, it can be clearly seen that red has almost the same brightness as gray. You can also learn.

(I-3) Configuration of Electrical System Control System In this section, the hardware architecture, software architecture, and state division of the electrical control system of this copying machine will be explained.

(A) Hardware architecture and software architecture When a color CRT is used as U1 as in this copier, the amount of data for color display increases compared to when a monochrome CRT is used, and the display screen size increases. If you try to create a more friendly 01 by devising the structure and screen transitions, the amount of data will increase.

On the other hand, although it is possible to use a CPU with a large memory capacity, the board becomes large, making it difficult to store it in the copier itself, and making it difficult to respond flexibly to changes in specifications. However, there are problems such as high cost and so on.

Therefore, in this copying machine, a technology that can be shared with other models or devices such as a CRT controller is used as a remote to distribute the CPU to cope with the increase in the amount of data.

The electrical hardware is as shown in Figure 3.
It is roughly divided into three types: 01 series, SYS series, and MCB series. The UL system includes a U1 remote 70, and the SYS system includes an F/PIJ mote 72 that controls the F/P,
■IT IJ mote 73 that performs document reading and IPS remote 74 that performs various image processing are distributed. I
The IT remote 73 includes an IIT controller 73a for controlling the imaging unit, and a VIDE that digitizes the read image signal and sends it to the IPS remote 74.
O circuit 73b and VCP together with IPS remote 74
Controlled by U74a. SYS (S
yste+++) remote}71 is provided.

S Y S +7 mode} 71 requires a huge memory capacity for the program for controlling the screen transition of 01, so an 8086 equipped with a 16-bit microcomputer is used. Note that in addition to 8086, for example, 68000 etc. can also be used.

In addition, in the MCB system, the video code used to form a latent image on the photosensitive material belt with a laser is IPS! Raster Output Scan: Received from J-Mort 74 and sent to IOT.
ROS) interface, VCB (Video
Control Board) Remote 76, RCB IJ for the servo of the transfer device (turtle)
Mort 77, Sarani It I OT, A D F, 7
-I as an I/O port for evening, ac {=1 Lee
To distribute the OB remote 78 and accessory remote 79 and centrally manage them, an MCB (M
Aster Control Board) A remote 75 is provided.

Note that each remote in the figure is composed of one board. Also, the thick solid line in the figure is 187.5 kbp
In the LNET high-speed communication network of s, thick broken lines indicate a 9600 bps master/slave type serial communication network, and thin solid lines indicate a hot line which is a control signal transmission path. Also, 76. 8kbρS means that the graphic information drawn on the edit pad, the copy mode information input from the memory card, and the graphic information in the editing area are transferred from the U I I J mote 70 to the I P S U mote 7.
This is a dedicated line for notifications to 4. Furthermore, C C in the figure
C (Communication [: ontro
1 Chip) is an IC that supports the protocol of the high-speed communication line LNET.

As mentioned above, the hardware architecture is roughly divided into three types: UL system, SYS system, and MCB system.The division of processing in these systems is explained below with reference to the software architecture in Figure 4. It seems so. Note that the arrow in the figure indicates 187. shown in FIG. This figure shows the relationship between data exchange via a 5 kbps LNET high-speed communication network, a 9600 bps master/slave type serial communication network, and the transmission of control signals via a hotline.

The UI remote 70 is
evel UI) module 80, and a module that processes the edit pad and memory card (
(not shown). The LLU I module 80 is similar to what is commonly known as a CRT controller, and is a software module for displaying a screen on a color CRT. is SYSU I module 81
Or controlled by MCBUI module 86. It is clear that this allows the U1 1J mote to be used in common with other models or devices. This is because the CRT controller is used integrally with the CRT, although the screen configuration and screen transitions vary depending on the model.

The SYS remote 71 includes a SYSU I module 81, a SYSTEM module 82, and a SYS. D.I.A.
It is composed of three modules: G module 83.

The SYSU I module 8l is a software module that controls screen transitions, and the SYSTEM module 82 is an F/F ( Feature Function
) Selection software, job confirmation software that ultimately checks the job to see if there are any inconsistencies in the copy execution conditions, F/F selection with other modules, job recovery, etc. This is a module that includes software that controls communication for exchanging various information.

SYS. The DIAG module 83 is a module that performs a copy operation in a diagnostic state that performs self-diagnosis and operates in the customer simulation mode. Customer simulation mode works the same as normal copying, so SYS. The DIAG module 83 is essentially the same as the SYSTEM module 82, but since it is used in a special state called diagnostic, it is different from the SYSTEM module 82.
These are written separately, but with some overlap.

In addition, the IIT remote 73 includes an IIT remote controller that controls the stepping motor used in the imaging unit.
The IPS remote 74 stores an IPS module 85 that performs various processes related to IPS, and these modules are controlled by the SYSTEM module 82 .

On the other hand, the MCB remote 75 includes an MCBUI module 86, which is software for controlling screen transitions in the event of a fault such as a diagnostic, an audiotron, or a jam, controlling the photosensitive material belt, controlling the developing machine, Each software module includes a 10T module 90 that performs processes necessary for copying such as user control, an ADF module 91 that controls the ADF, and a SORTER module 92 that controls the sorter, and a copier executive module 87 that manages them. , a diagnostic executive module 88 that performs various diagnoses, and an audiotron module 8 that processes charges by accessing an electronic counter using a code number.
9 is stored.

Additionally, a turtle servo module 93 that controls the operation of the transfer device is stored in the RCB U motor 77, and the turtle servo module 93 is connected to the IOT module 90 in order to control the transfer process of the zero grab e-cycle. is under control. In the figure, the copier executive module 87 and the diagnostic executive module 88 overlap with the SYSTEM module 82 and SYS. This is the same reason why the DIAG modules 83 are duplicated.

The division of the above processing will be explained in accordance with the copy operation as follows. The copying operation is a repetition of similar operations except for the difference in the color to be developed, and can be considered divided into several layers as shown in FIG. 5(a).

One color copy is made by repeating the smallest unit called pitch several times. Specifically, for one-color copying, how to operate the developing machine, transfer device, etc., how to detect jams, etc., and how to perform pitch processing. If you do this for the three colors M and C, the three-color copy will be Y, M, C,
If you use the four colors of K, you will be able to make one full-color copy of the four colors. This is a copy layer, and specifically, it is a layer that performs a process of transferring each color toner onto a sheet of paper, fixing it in a user, and ejecting the sheet from the main body of the copying machine. The processing up to this point is managed by the MCB-based copier executive module 87.

Of course, in the process of pitch processing, the IIT module 84 and the IPS module 85 included in the SYS system are also used, but for this purpose, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the IOT module 90 and the IIT module 84
Two signals, PR-TRUE and LE@REG, are exchanged between them. Specifically, P R (PI
The TCH RBSET ) signal is continuously generated by the MCB by dividing the rotation of the photosensitive material belt into two or three. In other words, in order to make effective use of the photosensitive material and improve copy speed, the photosensitive material is adjusted to the size of the copy paper being used, such as 2 pitches for A3 size copy paper and 3 pitches for A4 size copy paper. Since the pitch is divided according to the pitch, the PR generated for each pitch is
The signal period is, for example, as long as 3 sec in the case of 2 pitches, and as short as 2 sec in the case of 3 pitches.

Now, the PR signal generated by the MCB is distributed via a hotline to necessary locations within the IOT, such as the VCB IJ mote that handles VIDEO signals.

The VCB has a gate circuit inside it, and can be imaged within the IOT, that is, it can selectively IPS only the pitches that can actually expose the image to the photosensitive material belt! Output to I-mote. This signal is the PR-TRUE signal. Note that information for generating the PR-TRUE signal based on the PR signal received from the MCB via the hotline is notified from the MCB via LNET.

In contrast to q, during the period when the image cannot actually be exposed on the photosensitive material belt, an empty pitch equivalent to l pitch is created on the photosensitive material belt F, and for such an empty pitch, The PR-TRUE signal is not output. P like this
Examples of pitches where R-TRUE is not generated include:
An example of this is the period from when a sheet of paper that has been transferred by the transfer device is discharged until the next sheet of paper is supplied to the transfer device. In other words, for example, if a long sheet of paper such as A3 size is ejected with the final transfer, the image quality will deteriorate due to the shock when the leading edge of the sheet enters the entrance of the user, so if the sheet is longer than a certain length, the final transfer will occur. Even after the transfer is completed, the photosensitive material belt is not ejected as it is, but is held by a gripper bar (described later) and rotated at a constant speed one more time before being ejected. is necessary.

Further, the PR-TRUE signal is not output from the start of copying by the start key until the end of the cycle up sequence. This is because the document has not yet been read during this period, and therefore no image can be exposed on the photosensitive material belt.

VCB! The PR-TRUE symbol output from 1%-} is borrowed by the IPS remote, and is also transmitted as is to the [T remote, where it is used as a trigger signal for starting the IIT scan.

As a result, IIT remote 73 and N'S remote 7
4 can be synchronized with the IOT to perform pitch processing. Also, at this time, IPS remote 74 and VCB! J
A video code for modulating the laser light used to form a latent image on the photosensitive material belt is exchanged between the remotes 76, and the video codes received by the VCB remote 76 are sent and received in parallel. After the signal is converted into a serial signal, it is directly converted into ROS
is applied to the laser output section 40a as a VIDEO modulation inertia.

When the above operation is repeated four times, one four-color full-color copy is completed, and one copy operation is completed.

Next, referring to FIGS. 5(b) to 5(e), we will explain the exchange of codes and timing from outputting the image signal read by IIT to rOT to finally transferring it to paper at the transfer point. do.

As shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c), when a start job command is input from the sys remote 71, the IOT 7
At 8b, a cycle-up sequence including driving the main motor and starting up the high-voltage power supply begins. In order to form a latent image corresponding to the paper length on the photosensitive material belt, the IOT78b
Outputs a PR (pitch reset) signal. For example, each time the photosensitive material belt rotates once, it outputs PR signals of 3 pitches for A4 and 2 bits for A3. When the cycle up sequence of IOT78b is completed, PR starts from that point.
In synchronization with the signal, the PR-TRUE signal is sent to the IIT controller 73a corresponding to only the pitch that requires imaging.
is output to.

In addition, the IOT78b is an IOT that is output for each rotation of one line of ROS (raster output scan).
-LS (Line Sync) Idiom, VCPU7 4
The IIT:) controller 73a sends the IPS-LS whose apparent phase is advanced by the total pipeline delay of the IPS relative to the IOT-LS to the IIT:) controller 73a.

IIT:l:/When the PR-TRUE code is input, the troller 73a enables the counter and IOT-LS
When the number jM is counted and a predetermined count is reached,
The stepping motor 213 that drives the imaging unit 37 starts rotating, and the imaging unit starts scanning the document. Count more T
Two seconds later, LE@REG is output at the original reading start position and sent to the IOT78b.

The stomach at the starting point of document reading is determined in advance by driving the imaging unit only once after the power is turned on, and the resin sensor 217
(near the cash register position, specifically about 10 cities on the scan side from the cash register position), calculate the true cash register position based on the detected position, and at the same time detect the normal stop position (home position) can also be calculated. In addition, since the registration position differs from machine to machine due to machine variations, by storing the correction value in NVM and making corrections when calculating the true registration position and home position, accurate document reading starting position can be determined. Can be set. This correction value can be changed by the factory or service personnel, etc., and can be implemented by simply rewriting this correction value electrically.
No mechanical adjustment is required. The reason why the position of the register sensor 217 is shifted by about 10 degrees toward the scanning side from the true registration position is to always make the correction a negative value and to simplify the adjustment and software.

Further, the IIT controller 73a outputs the IMAGE-AREA signal in synchronization with L E@REG. This I
The length of the MAGE-AREA signal is equal to the scan length, which is the length of the SYSTEM module 82.
The IIT module 84 is defined by a start command transmitted to the IIT module 84. Specifically, when copying by detecting the original size, the scan length is the original length, and when copying by specifying the magnification, the scan length is the copy paper length and the magnification (100%). is set as the divisor of 1). IMAGE-AREA {No.f is VCP
IIT-PS (Page Sync) via U74a
Change the name to IPS? Sent to 4. IIT-PS is a signal indicating the time to perform image processing.

When L E@R E G is output, one line of data from the line sensor is read in synchronization with the IOT-LS signal, and the VIDEO circuit (Figure 3) performs various correction processes and A/
D conversion is performed and sent to the IPS74. In the IPS 74, one line of video data is sent to the IOT 78b in synchronization with the IOT-LS. At this time, IOT-BYTE
RTN-BYTE-CLK, which is an inverted signal of -CLK, is sent back to the IOT in parallel with the bidet data, and the data and clock are similarly delayed to ensure synchronization.

When LE@REG is input to 10T78b, I
Video data is sent to the ROS in synchronization with the OT-LSF, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive material belt. When LE@REG enters, IOT78b uses that timing as a reference.
Counting is started by OT-CLK, and on the other hand, the servo motor of the transfer device is controlled so that the leading edge of the paper comes to the transfer position of a predetermined count number. By the way, Figure 5(d)
As shown in the figure, the PR output by the rotation of the photosensitive material belt
-IOT output by TRUE signal and ROS rotation
- Originally not synchronized with the LS signal. For this reason, P
When the R-TRUE signal enters and starts counting from the next 10T-LS, moves the imaging unit and unit 37 at count m, and outputs LE@REG at count n, L
E@RE G will be delayed by TI time with respect to PR-TRUE. This delay is at most one line sync, and in the case of a four-color full-color copy, this delay accumulates and appears as a color shift in the output image.

To do this, first, as shown in FIG. 5(c), when the first LE@REG is input, the counter l starts counting, and when the second and third LE@REG are input, the counter l starts counting. 2 and 3 start counting, and when each counter reaches the count number p up to the transfer position, it is cleared, and the counters are used in order for the 4th and subsequent LE@R E G inputs. Go. Then, as shown in FIG. 5(e), when L E@R E G enters, IOT-C
The time T3 from the immediately previous pulse of LK is counted by the correction clock. When the latent image formed on the photosensitive material belt approaches the transfer position and the IOT-CLK counts the count number p up to the transfer position, the correction clock simultaneously starts counting and calculates the count value corresponding to the above time T3. The addition of `` is the accurate transfer position, and this is added to the control of the transfer position (timing) control counter of the transfer device, so that the leading edge of the paper is accurately synchronized with the human power of LE@RE Controls the servo motor of the transfer device.

The above is the process up to the copy layer, but on top of that, 1
There is a process to set the number of copies to be performed for each copy job for a sheet of original, and this is a process that is performed in the PER ORIG! N^ layer.Furthermore, on top of that, the job There is a job programming layer that performs processing to change parameters.Specifically, these include whether or not to use the ADF, change the color of a part of the document, and whether or not to use the biasing function. These bar original processing and job programming processing are managed by a SYS module 82 of the SYS system.

For this purpose, the SYSTEM module 82 checks the job contents sent from the LLU module 80,
Confirm, create the necessary data, and send it to 9600bps.
The job contents are notified to the IIT module 84 and the IPS module 85 through the serial communication network, and to the MCB system through the LNET.

As mentioned above, those that perform independent processing, other models,
Alternatively, we distributed those that perform processing that can be shared with devices as remote units, divided them into UL systems, SYS systems, and MCB systems, and defined modules to manage machines according to the copy processing layer. This makes it possible to clarify the work of people, standardize development technology for software, etc., clarify delivery dates and cost settings, and easily respond to changes in specifications by changing only the relevant modules. Therefore, the development efficiency can be improved.

(B) State division Above, we have discussed the division of processing among the UL system, SYS system, and MCB system.
What kind of processing is performed by the system at each time of a copy operation will be explained step-by-step through the copy operation.

In a copier, the state from power-on to copy operation and after the copy operation is divided into several states, and the jobs to be performed in each state are determined.If all jobs in each state are not completed, the next This is done to ensure efficiency and accuracy of control by not transitioning to the state.

This is called state division, and in this copying machine, state division is performed as shown in FIG.

A characteristic feature of the state division in this copying machine is that in each state, the control right to manage the entire state and the UI master right to use the Ul in the state are vested in the SYS remote 71; Sometimes it is in the MCB remote 75. In other words, by distributing the CPUs as described above, U
! The LLUI module 80 of the remote 70 is SYSU1
It's all about module 8l <MCBUI module 86
Also, pitch and copy processing are managed by the MCB-based copier executive module 87, while bar original processing and job programming processing are managed by the SYS module 82. The SYS module 82 is divided in each state correspondingly.
, copier executive module 87, which has the overall control right and which has the Ul master right. In FIG. 6, the state indicated by a vertical line indicates that the MCB-based copier executive module 87 has the UL master authority;
A filled state indicates that the SYS module 82 has UI master authority.

The state division shown in FIG. 6 from power ON to standby will be explained with reference to FIG. 7.

When the power is turned on and the power is turned on, the S
From YS remote 71 to [IT remote 73 and IPS]
The IPS reset fff signal and IITIJ set signal supplied to the remote 74 become H (old GH), and the IPS
The remote 74 and IIT remote 73 are reset and start operating.

Further, when it is detected that the power supply voltage has become normal, the power normal signal rises, the MCBIJ mote 75 starts operating, establishes control rights and UI master rights, and tests the high-speed communication network LNET. In addition, the power normal signal is sent to MCB via the hotline.
It is sent from the remote 75 to the SYS remote 71.

When a predetermined period of time TO has elapsed after the start of operation of the MCB+J mote 75, the system reset signal supplied from the MCB remote 75 to the SYS remote 7l via the hotline becomes H, and the reset of the SYS remote 71 is canceled and the operation starts. However, at this time, SYS! IMo}7
The start of the operation of 1 is further delayed by 200 μsec after the TO time has elapsed due to two signals 86NM and 86 reset, which are internal signals of the SYS remote 71. This 200 μsec time is the state in which the machine is when it stops or runs out of control due to a crash, that is, a temporary problem due to a momentary power outage, software runaway, software bug, etc. It is provided for storing in non-volatile memory.

When SYS remote 71 starts operating, it takes about 3.8 seconds
During step c, a core test is performed, that is, a ROM, RAM check, hardware check, etc. At this time, if undesired data etc. are input manually, there is a possibility that the SYS
71, under his own supervision, turned the IPS reset signal and IIT reset signal low at the start of the core test.
(Low), and resets the IPS remote 74 and IIT remote 73 to stop their operations.

When the core test is completed, the SYS remote 71 returns 1 (
A CCC self-test is performed for 1 to 3100 msec, and the IPS reset signal and IIT reset signal are set to H to restart the operation of the IPS remote 74 and IIT IJ mote 73, and perform a core test respectively. The CCC self-test is performed by sending predetermined data to the LNET, receiving it by itself, and confirming that the received data is the same as the transmitted data. In addition, C.C.C.
When performing a self-test, time is allocated to each CCC so that the self-test times do not overlap.

In other words, in LNET, SYS remote 7 1,
Since each node such as the MCB remote 75 transmits data when it wants to transmit data, and if a data collision occurs, it retransmits after a predetermined period of time. This is because if another node is using LNET when performing a self-test, a data collision will occur and the self-test cannot be performed. Therefore, SYS remote 71 is
C When starting the self-test, use the MCB remote 7
5 LNET test has been completed.

When the CCC self-test is completed, the SYS remote 7l
waits until the core tests of the IPS remote 74 and the IIT IJ mote 73 are completed, and performs a familiarization test of the SYSTEM node during the period Tl. This communication test is a test of a 9600 bps serial communication network, and predetermined data is transmitted and received in a predetermined sequence. After the completion of the Confucian test, SY will be completed during T2.
LNET between SIJ Mo}71 and MCB remote 75
Perform a communication test. That is, the MCB remote 75 is SY
Request self-test results from S remote 71,
In response to the request, the SYS U mote 71 issues the results of the tests conducted so far to the MCB remote 75 as self-test results.

Upon receiving the self-test result, the MCB remote 75 issues a token pass to the SYS remote 71. The token bus is a tag for exchanging UL master rights,
By passing the token pass to SYS remote 71,
The Ul master right will be transferred from the MCB remote 75 to the SYS remote 71. This is the power-on sequence. During the power-on sequence, U!
The remote 70 displays a message such as "Please wait for a while" and also performs various tests such as its own core test and communication test.

In the above power-on sequence, if there is no response to the self-test result request or if there is an abnormality in the self-test result, the MCB remote 75 will make the machine dead, activate the UL control right, and
It controls the IU motor 70 and displays that an abnormality has occurred. This is the machine dead state.

After the power-on state is completed, the next step is to enter the initialization state to set up each remote.

In the initialization state, the SYS remote 71 has overall control rights and UI master rights. Therefore, SYS! J-Mote 7l initializes the SYS system and rlNITI^LIZE StlBS
YSTEM" command is issued to the MCB remote 75 to initialize the MCB system as well. The results are sent from the MCB remote 75 as subsystem status information. As a result, for example, in the IOT, the user is heated, the tray elevator is placed in a predetermined position, and preparations are made for copying. This is the initialization state.

When initialization is completed, each remote enters a standby state. Even in this state, the SYS remote 7l has the Ul master right, so the SYS remote 71 displays the F/F on the Ul screen based on the Ul master right.
F is displayed and the state is entered to accept copy execution conditions.

At this time, the MCB Umote 75 is monitoring the IOT. Also, in the standby state, the MCB! J Mort 75 is 5
A background poll is issued to the SYS remote 71 every 00 msec, and the SYS remote 7l responds to this by returning a self-test result to the MCB remote 75 within 200 msec. At this time, if the self-test result is not returned or there is an abnormality in the content of the self-test result, the MCB remote 75
notifies the UI remote 70 that an abnormality has occurred, and displays a message to that effect.

When the Auditron is used in the standby state, it enters the Auditron state and the MCB remote 75 controls the Auditron and displays the UI.
'Control the J-Mote 70 to display information for the Auditron. F/F is set in the standby state, and when the start key is pressed, the product enters the production state. The production state is subdivided into six states: setup, cycle up, run, skip pitch, normal cycle down, and cycle down shutdown, and these states will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a timing chart when the platen mode is set and the number of 4-color full-color copies is set to 3.

When the SYS remote 71 detects that the start key has been pressed, it transmits the job contents via the serial communication network.
ITIJ mote 73 and IP S IJ mote 74
Also, send the job contents via LNET to the MC B IJ Mote 75 along with the start job command.
Issued to Cobia Executive Module 87 within.

This causes the machine to go into setup, and each remote prepares itself to do its designated job. For example, the IOT module 90 drives the main motor, adjusts the parameters of the photosensitive material belt, and so on. ACK (＾cnow), which is a response to the start job
Upon confirming that the IIT remote 71 has sent the IIT remote 71 back from the MCB remote 75, the SYS remote 71 causes the IIT remote 73 to perform a prescan. Prescan includes Briscan to detect the document size, Briscan to detect the color at a specified position on the document, Briscan for closed loop detection when coloring, and Marker for marker editing. There are four types of prescans for reading, and prescans are performed up to three times depending on the selected F/F. At this time, a message such as "Please wait for a while" is displayed on the UI.

When the bliscan is completed, a command IIT ready is issued to the copier executive module 87, and cycle-up is started from here.

The cycle up is a state in which the startup time of each remote is waited for, and the MCBIJ moat 75 starts operating the transfer device at 10T, and the SYS IJ mode 71 initializes the IPSU moat 74. At this time U■
indicates that it is currently in the productionless state and displays the contents of the selected job.

When the cycle up is completed, the run starts and the copy operation starts, but first, when the first PRO is output from the IOT module 90 of the MCBIJ mote 75, the IIT is 1
Perform the first scan, develop the first color for 10T,
This completes the processing for one pitch. Next, when PRO is issued again, the second color development is performed and the second pitch processing is completed.

This process is repeated four times, and when the four-pitch process is completed, the IOT fixes the toner with the user and discharges the paper. This completes the first copy process. By repeating the above process three times, three copies can be made.

Pitch layer processing and copy layer processing is performed by MCB
IJ Mort 75 manages it, but the process of setting the number of copies to be performed on the par original layer, which is a layer above it, is performed by S.
Y S IJ Mo}71 will do it. Therefore, the SY giant remote 7l can tell you how many sheets are currently being copied! j! i
:J1, when the first PRO of each copy is issued, the MCB remote 75 issues a maid count code to the SYS remote 71. Also, when the last PRO is issued, the MCB remote 75 sends rRDY to the SYS remote 71.
Issue the FOR NXT JOBJ command to request the next job. At this time, if you issue a start job, you can continue the job, but if the user does not set the next job, the job will end, so the sys remote 71 sends the rEND JOBJ and IU commands to the MCB.
Issue to remote 75.

When the MCB remote 75 receives the rEND JOBJ command and confirms that the job has ended, the machine enters a normal cycle down. In normal cycle down, the MCB remote 75 stops the operation of ■OT.

During the cycle down, the MCB remote 75 confirms that all the copied paper has been ejected and sends a message to SYS using the rDELIVERED JOBJ command.
Notify the remote 71, and also notify the rIOT when the normal cycle down is completed and the machine stops.
Notify SYS remote 71 using the STAND BYJ command. This ends the production state and returns to the standby state.

Although skip pitch and cycle down shutdown are not mentioned in the above example, in skip pitch, the SYSIJ mote 71 initializes the SYS system for the next job, and the MCB remote 75 initializes the SYS system for the next job. Waiting for. Furthermore, since the cycle down shutdown is a state at the time of a fault, both the SYS remote 71 and the MCB remote 75 perform fault processing in this state.

As described above, in the production state, the MCB remote 75 manages pitch processing and copy processing, and
YS remote 7l uses bar original processing and job pro. Since both parties manage the programming process, each party has the right to control the process according to their share of the process. On the other hand, the UL master right is SYS remote 71
has. This is because Ul includes the set number of copies,
It is necessary to display the selected editing process, etc., and these belong to per-original processing or job programming processing, and SYS! This is because it is placed under the control of J-Mote 71.

When a fault occurs in the production state, the state moves to the fault recovery state. Fault is a general term for machine abnormal conditions such as no paper, jam, failure or damage of parts, etc., and there are those that can be recovered by the user by resetting the F/F, and those that can be recovered by a service person such as replacing parts. There are two types of things that must be recovered. As mentioned above, fault display is basically performed by the MCBUI module 86, but the F/F is
Since the YS module 82 manages the faults, the SYS module 82 is in charge of recovery from faults that can be recovered by resetting the F/F, and the copier executive module 87 is in charge of other recoveries.

Further, fault detection is performed for each of the SYS system and the MCB system. In other words, IIT, IPS, F/P are S
YS') Since it is managed by Mote 71, SYS remote 7l detects it, and IOT, ADF, and sorter are controlled by MCB.
Since it is managed by IJ mote 75, MCBIJ mote 7
5 detects. Therefore, it can be seen that there are the following four types of faults in this copying method.

■If the SYS node is detected and the SYS node recovers.For example, if the start key is pressed before the F/P is prepared, a fault will occur, but the user will be able to restart the F/P.
You can recover by setting .

■When detected by the SYS node and recovered by the MCB node This type of fault includes, for example, failure of the cash register sensor,
Imaging unit speed abnormality, imaging unit overrun, PRO signal abnormality, CCC abnormality,
This includes serial communication network abnormalities, R0M or RAM check errors, etc. In the case of these faults, the U
1 displays the details of the fault and a message such as "Please call a service person."

■If the fault is detected in the MCB node and the SYS node recovers If the sorter is set in the F/F even though the sorter is not set, the fault will be detected in the MCB node, but if the user recovers the F/F You can also recover by resetting F and changing to a mode that does not use the sorter. The same applies to ADF. A fault also occurs when the toner runs low, when the tray is not set, or when the paper runs out. Normally, these faults can be recovered by the user replenishing toner, setting a tray, or replenishing paper, but if one tray runs out of paper, another tray must be used. If the toner of a certain color runs out, it can be recovered by specifying another color. In other words,
Since recovery is also performed by F/F selection, recovery is performed at the SYS node.

■When detected at the MCB node and recovered by the MCB node For example, if the developing machine is malfunctioning, toner distribution is abnormal, motor clutch failure, fuser failure, etc. are detected at the MCB node, The location of the failure and a message such as "Please call a service person" are displayed on the UI. Additionally, if a jam occurs, the location of the jam is displayed as well as a method for clearing the jam, leaving the recovery to the user.

As described above, in the fault recovery state, control rights and UI master rights may be held by the SYS node or the MCB node depending on the location where the fault occurs and the recovery method.

When the fault is recovered and an IOT standby command is issued from the MCB node, the job recovery state is entered and the remaining jobs are completed. For example, suppose that the set number of copies is 3 and a jam occurs while copying the second copy. In this case, after the jam is cleared, the remaining two sheets must be copied, so the SYS node and the MCB node perform respective management processes to recover the job. Therefore, even in job recovery, the control right is SY
Both the S node and the MCB node have them according to their respective processing assignments. However, the U■ master right is held by the SYS node. This is because when performing job recovery, for example, "Press the start key",
Messages for job recovery such as ``Please set the remaining originals'' must be displayed, because this is a matter related to per-original processing or job programming processing managed by the SYS node.

Note that even if an IOT standby command is issued in the production state, the process will move to the job recovery state.
When it is confirmed that the job is completed, it moves to standby state and waits for the next job. In the standby state, a diagnostic (hereinafter simply referred to as "diag") state can be entered by performing a predetermined keystroke.

Diagnosis state includes component input check, output check, various parameter settings, various mode settings, NVM
This is a self-diagnosis state for initializing (nonvolatile memory), etc., and its concept is shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure, two modes are provided for diagnosis: TECH REP mode and customer simulation mode.

The TECH REP mode is a mode used when a service person diagnoses a machine, such as a manual check or an output check, and the customer simulation mode is a mode in which the customer mode, which is normally used by a user when copying, is used for diagnosis.

Now, from the standby state of the customer mode, TECH REP is activated by the route 8 in the figure.
Suppose you enter the mode. If you complete various checks, set parameters, and set the mode in TECHREP mode and then return to customer mode (see B in the diagram)
If you perform a predetermined keystroke (route), you can move to the power state as shown in No. 6 @, and return to the standby state using the sequence shown in Fig. 7. However, this copier does not support color copy Moreover, it is equipped with various editing functions, so after setting various parameters in TECH REP mode, the editing functions can be used to check whether the color desired by the user is obtained when the copy is actually performed. It is necessary to check whether it works or not. This is done in the customer simulation mode, which differs from the customer mode in that billing is not performed and a display indicating that it is a diagnosis is displayed on the Ul. This is the meaning of customer simulation mode, which uses customer mode for diagnosis. In addition, TECH
Transition from REP mode to customer simulation mode {route C in the figure) and vice versa, transition from customer simulation mode to TECH REP mode (route D in the figure) can be performed by respective predetermined operations. Furthermore, since the TECH REP mode is performed by the diagnostic executive module 88 (FIG. 4), the MCB node has both control rights and Ut master rights, but the customer simulation mode is performed by the SYS. Since the normal copy operation is performed under the control of the DIAG module 83 (Fig. 4), the control right,
Both LI1 master rights are held by the SYS node.

(II) Specific configuration of each part (n-1) System FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the system and other remotes.

As mentioned above, the remote 71 is equipped with the SYSU I module 8l and the SYSTEM module 82, and the
Data is exchanged between the YSUI 81 and the SYSTEM module 82 through an inter-module interface, and the SYSTEM module 82 and the IIT 73 and the IPs 7
4 is connected with a serial communication interface,
MCB75, ROS76, RAIB79. It is connected with the LNET high-speed communication network.

Next, the system module configuration will be explained.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the module configuration of the system.

In this copying machine, each module such as IIT, IPS, and IOT is considered to be a component, and each module of the system that controls these is considered to have a brain. Then, by adopting the minute+ttcpu method, the system side is in charge of bar original processing and job programming processing, and correspondingly, the initialization state,
Since it has the control right to manage the standby state, setup state, and cycle state, and the Ul master right to use Ul in these states, the system is composed of the corresponding modules.

The system main 100 imports multiplication data from SYSU I, MCB, etc. into an internal buffer, clears the data stored in the internal buffer, and
It calls each module below 0 and passes the processing to update the system state.

The M/C initialization control module 101 controls the initialization sequence from power-on until the system enters standby mode, and is activated when the power-on process for performing various tests after power-on by the MCB is completed. be done.

The M/C setup control module 103 controls the setup sequence from when the start key is pressed until starting the MCB that performs copy layer processing.
EATURE (M/C to achieve user requirements)
Create a job mode based on the instructions for
Determine the setup sequence according to the created job mode.

As shown in Figure 12(a), job mode creation is as follows:
Analyzes the mode specified by F/F and separates jobs. In this case, a job is an M/
It refers to the M/C operation from when C starts, until all requested copies are ejected, until it is stopped, and it is the minimum unit that can divide the work according to the user's request, and is a collection of job modes. For example, in the case of embedding synthesis, as shown in FIG. 12, job modes consist of deletion, movement, and extraction, and a job is a collection of these modes. Further, in the case of three ADF originals as shown in FIG. 12(C), the job mode is feed processing for each of originals 1, 2, and 3, and the job is a set of these.

Then, in automatic mode, document scan, in coloring mode, pre-scan, in marker editing mode, pre-scan, in color detection mode, sample scan (pre-scan up to 3 times), and copy cycle. I IT, I PS, MC
Distributed to B, MC at the end of the set sequence
Start B.

M/C standby control module l02
It controls the sequence during C standby, and specifically accepts start keys, controls color registration, and enters diagnostic mode.

The M/C copy cycle control module 104 controls the copy sequence from when the MCB is started until it is stopped, and specifically sends a paper feed count notification, determines the end of a JOB and requests IIT startup, and sends a request to start up the MCB. It determines whether to stop and issues a request to shut down the IPS.

It also has the function of notifying the remote destination of through commands that occur while the M/C is stopped or in operation.

Fault control module 106 is IIT,I
Monitors the cause of the shutdown from the PS and activates the MCB when the cause occurs.
Specifically, the shutdown is performed by a fail command from IIT and IPS, and the MC
After a shutdown request is issued from B, recovery is determined when the M/C is stopped, and recovery is performed by, for example, a jam command from the MCB.

Communication control module l07 is I
It sets the IIT ready signal from IT and enables/disables communication in the image area.

The DIAG control module 108 controls the input check mode and the output check mode in the DIAC mode.

Next, the exchange of data between these modules or with other subsystems will be explained.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing data flows between the system and each remote, and data flows between modules within the system. A to N in the figure indicate serial borrowing, 2 indicates a hotline, and ■ to ○ indicate inter-module data.

Between the system remote and the initialization control section 101, the SYSUI sends a ToKEN command that transfers control of the CRT to the SYSTEM NODE, while the initialization control section 101 sends a configuration command.

SYSU I remote and standby control section 10
2, the SYSUI sends a mode change command, start copy command, job cancel command, color registration request command, and tray command, while the standby control unit 102 sends the M/C
A status command, tray status command, toner status command, collected bottle status command, color registration fiANs command, and TOKEN command are sent.

SYSU I remote and setup control section 1
03, the setup control unit 103 sends M/C status commands (procress), AP
An MS status command is sent, while a stop request command and an interrupt command are sent from the SYSUI remote.

IPS remote and initialize control B101
An initialize end command is sent from the IPS remote, and the initialize control section 1
An NVM parameter command is sent from 01.

11T remote and initialization control section 101
The IIT ready command is sent from the IITIJ mote, and the NV is sent from the initialization control unit 101.
M parameter command and INITIALIZE command are sent.

Between the IPS remote and the standby control unit 102, the IPS remote sends an initialize free hand area, an answer command, a remove area answer command, and a color information command, and the standby control unit 102 sends a color detection point command and an initialize free hand area command. Command, remove area command is sent.

Between the IPS remote and the setup control unit 103, the IPS ready command,
A document information command is sent, and a scan information command, basic copy mode command, edit mode command, and M/C stop command are sent to the setup control unit 103.

11 Between the TIJ mote and the standby control It02, the IIT Ready command is sent from the IITIJ mote to notify that the prescan has ended, and the sample scan start command and the initialize command are sent from the standby control unit 102.

Between the 11T remote and the setup control unit 103, the IIT remote sends an IIT ready command and an initialize end command, and the setup control 103 sends a document scan start command, a sample scan start command, and
A copy scan start command is sent.

MCBIJ mote and standby control ill02
An initialization subsystem command and a standby selection command are sent from the standby control unit 102, and a subsystem status command is sent from the MCB remote.

Between the MCB remote and the setup control unit 103, a start job command, IIT ready command, stop job command, and declare system fault command are sent from the setup control unit 103, and ■○T standby command and declare MCB fault command are sent from the MCB remote. command is sent.

Between the MCB remote and the cycle control unit 104, a stop job command is sent from the cycle control unit 104, and a MADE command, a ready for next job command, a job deliver command, and an IOT standby command are sent from the MCB remote.

A declare system fault command and a system shutdown completion command are sent from the fault control unit 106 between the MCB remote and the fault control unit 106, and the declare M
CB fault command and system shutdown command are sent.

11T remote communication control section 1
07, a scan ready signal and an image area signal are sent from the IrTIJ mote.

Next, the interface between each module will be explained.

From the system main 100 to each module (101 to 10
7) Reimbursement remote No. and received data are sent, and each module exchanges data with its respective remote. On the other hand, nothing is sent from each module (101 to 107) to the system main 100.

When the initialization process is completed, the initialization control unit 101 notifies the fault control unit 106 and the standby control N102 of the system state (standby), respectively.

Communication control il07 includes initialization control unit 101, standby control i%102, and setup control IIIO.
3. Notify the copy cycle control unit 104 and the fault control unit 10 of the duplication availability information, respectively.

The standby control unit 102 notifies the setup control unit 103 of the system state (progress) when the start key is pressed.

When the setup is completed, the setup control unit 103 notifies the copy cycle control N104 of the system state (cycle).

(II-2) Image human powered terminal (IIT) (A)
Original scanning mechanism FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the original scanning mechanism, and the imaging unit 37 has two slide shafts 202, 2.
03, and both ends are connected to the wire 2.
It is fixed at 04 and 205. This wire 204,2
05 is wound around the drive block I7 2 0 6, 207 and the tension pulleys 208, 209, and the tension block
Tension is applied to IJ208, 209 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. The drive pulley 206, 2
A reduction pulley 2l1 is attached to the drive shaft 210 to which the motor 07 is attached, and is connected to the output shaft 214 of the stepping motor 213 via a timing bell 212. Note that the limit switches 215 and 216 are sensors that detect the positions of both ends when the imaging unit 37 moves, and the registration sensor 217 is a sensor that detects the original reading start position.

To obtain one color copy, ITT needs to repeat the scan four times. In this case, the major issue is how to reduce synchronization and positional deviations within four scans.To do this, it is necessary to suppress fluctuations in the stop position of the imaging unit 37 and shorten the arrival time from the home position to the registration position. It is important to reduce variation and to reduce variation in scan speed. For this purpose, a stepping motor 213 is employed. However, since the stepping motor 213 has greater vibration and noise than a DC servo motor, various measures have been taken to improve image quality and speed.

(B) Stepping motor control method The stepping motor 213 has motor windings connected in a pentagonal manner, and each connection point is connected to the positive side or negative side of the power supply using two transistors. Bipolar drive is performed using switching transistors. Furthermore, by feeding back the current value flowing through the motor and smoothly switching the current value, vibration and noise are prevented from occurring.

FIG. 15(a) shows a scan cycle of the imaging unit 37 driven by the stepping motor 213. The figure shows the relationship between the speed of the imaging unit 37, that is, the frequency applied to the stepping motor, and time when forward scanning and back scanning are performed at double x $50%, that is, the maximum movement speed. During acceleration, for example, 259 Hz is multiplied to a maximum of about 11 to 12 KHz, as shown in FIG. 2(b).

Providing regularity to the pulse train in this way simplifies pulse generation. Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, regular acceleration is performed in a stepwise manner at 259 pps/3.9 ms to create a trapezoidal profile. In addition, a pause time is provided between the forward scan and back scan to wait for the vibration of the IIT mechanical system to decrease, and to wait for the vibration of the IIT mechanical system to decrease.
This is synchronized with the image output at T. In this embodiment, the scan cycle time is shortened by increasing the acceleration to 0.7G compared to the conventional one.

As mentioned above, when reading a color original, a major problem is how to reduce the positional deviation during four scans and the resulting color deviation or image distortion for the system. Figures 15(C) to 15(e) are diagrams for explaining the causes of color shift, and Figure 15(C) shows that the position at which the imaging unit scans and stops at the original position is different. , when starting next time, the time to the registration position will be different and color misregistration will occur. Also, the same 1m
As shown in (d), due to excessive vibration of the stepping motor (speed fluctuation until reaching a steady speed) within four scans, the time required to reach the registration position deviates and color shift occurs. In addition, (e) in the same figure shows the variation in constant speed scanning characteristics from passing through the registration position to the tail edge, and the variation in speed fluctuation in the first scan is larger than the variation in speed fluctuation in the second to fourth scans. It shows. Therefore, for example, during the first scan, Y is developed in which the color shift is less noticeable.

The causes of the color shift described above are considered to be mechanical instability factors such as aging of the timing belt 212 and wires 204 and 205, and viscous resistance between the slide pad and slide rails 202 and 203.

(C) IIT Control Method The IITIJ mote has sequence control for various copy operations, a service support function, a self-diagnosis function, and a fail-safe function. Sequence control of rIT is divided into normal scan, sample scan, and initialization. Various commands and parameters for IIT control are sent from the SYS remote}71 via serial communication.

FIG. 16(a) shows a timing chart of normal scanning. The scan length data is set from 0 to 432 mm (1 m + n steps) depending on the paper length and magnification, and the scan speed is set according to the magnification (50% to 400%).
Prescan length, (distance from stop position to register position)
Data is also set by magnification (50% to 400%). When a scan command is received, the fluorescent lamp is turned on by the PL-ON signal, the motor driver is turned on by the SCN-RDY signal, and after a predetermined timing, a shading correction pulse WHT-REF is generated to start scanning. When passing through the registration sensor, the image area signal IMG-AREA becomes low level for a predetermined scan length, and in synchronization with this, the IIT-PS signal is output to the IPS.

Figures 16 and 16) show timing charts for sample scanning. The sample scan is used for color detection during color conversion, color balance correction and shading correction when using F/P. Based on the data of the stop position, movement speed, number of minute movements, and step interval from the register position,
Go to the desired sample position, pause or repeat small movements multiple times, then stop.

FIG. 16(C) shows a timing chart of initialization. When the power is turned on, it receives a command from the SYS'lmote, checks the registration sensor, confirms the operation of the imaging unit by the registration sensor, and corrects the home position of the imaging unit by the registration sensor.

(D) Imaging unit FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit 37, in which the original 220 is set with the image surface to be read facing downward on the platen glass 3l, and the imaging unit 37 moves its lower surface in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. Then, the document surface is exposed to light using a 30W daylight color fluorescent lamp 222 and a reflecting mirror 223. Then, by passing the reflected light from the original 220 through the SELFOC lens 224 and the cyan filter 225, a royal life-size image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 226. The SELFOC lens 224 is a compound lens consisting of four rows of fiber lenses, and because it is bright and has high resolution, the power of the light source can be kept low.
It also has the advantage of being compact. Further, the imaging unit 37 is equipped with a circuit board 227 including a CCD line sensor drive circuit, a CCD line sensor output buffer circuit, and the like. In addition, 228 is a lamp heater, 229 is a flexible cable for lighting power supply, 23
0 indicates a flexible cable for control signal.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the arrangement of the CCD line sensors 226. As shown in FIG. 18(a), five CCD line sensors 226a to 226e are arranged in a staggered manner in the main scanning direction X. This is because it is difficult to form a large number of light-receiving elements without missing parts and with uniform sensitivity using a single CCD line sensor, and when multiple CCD line sensors are arranged on one line, the CCD line This is because it is difficult to configure pixels to both ends of the sensor, resulting in unreadable areas.

The sensor section of this CCD line sensor 226 is shown in FIG.
), three color filters of R, G, and B are repeatedly arranged in this order on the surface of each pixel of the CCD line sensor 226, and three adjacent bits constitute one pixel during reading. Assuming that the reading pixel density of each color is 16 dots/mark and the number of pixels per chip is 2928, the length of one chip is 2928/ (1 6 x 3) = 6 1 mm, and 5
The length of the entire chip is 61×5=305 mm. Therefore, with this, a 1x CCD that can read A3 size
A line sensor is obtained. Furthermore, each RSG and B pixel is arranged at a 45 degree angle to reduce moiré.

In this way, a plurality of CCD line sensors 226a to 22
When the CCD line sensors 6e are arranged in a staggered manner, adjacent CCD line sensors scan different document surfaces. That is, when the CCD line sensor is moved in the sub-scanning direction Y orthogonal to the main scanning direction X of the CCD line sensor and a document is read, signals from the first row of CCD line sensors 226b and 226d that scan the document in advance are detected. A time difference corresponding to a positional difference between adjacent CCD line sensors occurs between the signal and the subsequent signals from the second row of CCD line sensors 226a, 226c, and 226e.

Therefore, in order to obtain one line of continuous signals from image signals divided and read by a plurality of CCD line sensors, at least the signals from the first row of CCD line sensors 226b and 226d that scan the document in advance are stored. A second row of CCD line sensors 226a, 226 follows.
- It is necessary to read out in synchronization with the signal output from c, 226e. In this case, for example, the amount of deviation is 250 μm.
If the resolution is 16 dots per unit, a delay of 4 lines is required.

Generally, reduction/enlargement in an image reading device is performed in the main scanning direction by IPS thinning and padding and other processing, and in the sub-scanning direction by increasing/decreasing the moving speed of the imaging unit 37. Therefore, the reading speed (the number of lines read per unit time) in the image reading device is fixed, and the resolution in the sub-scanning direction is changed by changing the moving speed. That is, for example, if the resolution is 16 dots/W when the reduction ratio is 100%, the relationship is as follows. Therefore, as the reduction ratio increases, the resolution increases, and therefore, the difference in the staggered arrangement mentioned above is 25
The number of line memories required to correct 0 μm also increases.

(E) Video signal processing circuit Next, as shown in FIG. 19, a video signal processing circuit is used to read a color original as a reflectance signal for each R and GSB using the CCD line sensor 226, and convert this into a digital value as a density signal. The signal processing circuit will be explained.

The original is divided into 5 parts by the 5 CCD line sensors 226 in the imaging unit 37, separated into 5 channels, color-separated into R, GSB, and read, and each is amplified to a predetermined level by the amplifier circuit 231. Thereafter, the signal is transmitted to the circuit on the main body side via a transmission cable connecting the unit and the main body (2313 in FIG. 20). Next, in the sample and hold circuit SH232, the sample and hold pulse SHP removes noise and performs waveform processing (
Figure 20 2 3 2 a). However, since the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the CCD line sensor differ for each pixel and each chip, the output differs even when reading originals with the same density, and if this is output as is, streaks and unevenness will occur in the image data.

For this purpose, various correction processes are required.

Gain adjustment circuit AGC (AIITOMATIC GA
IN COliTROL) 233 adjusts the amplification factor of the sensor output signal. This is called white level adjustment, and the output of each sensor is amplified to adjust the AOC, which will be described later.
In the circuit that inputs the signal to the A/D converter 235 via 2 3 4, it is provided to reduce errors in A/D conversion. To do this, each sensor reads the white reference data, digitizes this data, and creates a sheeting RA.
M2 4 0, and this one line of data is stored in SY.
The S remote 71 (FIG. 3) compares and determines the gain with a predetermined reference value, converts the digital value that gives the predetermined gain, and outputs it to the AGC 233, making it possible to adjust the gain in 256 steps.

Offset adjustment circuit AOC (＾IITOMATIC
OFSETC'ONTROL) 2 3 4 is called black level adjustment, and adjusts the dark output voltage of each sensor. To do this, the fluorescent light is turned off, the dark output is read by each sensor, this data is digitized and stored in the seeding RAM 240, and this one line of data is stored in the SYS! The I-mote 71 (Fig. 3) compares and judges the offset value with a predetermined reference value, and outputs the offset value to the D/A.
The converted voltage is output to the AOC 2 3 4, and the offset voltage is adjusted in 256 steps. The output of this AOC is adjusted so that the output density becomes a specified value with respect to the density of the document to be finally read, as shown in FIG. 20 234a.

The data thus converted into digital values by the A/D converter 235 (FIG. 20, 235a) is transferred to the GBRG
It is output in the form of an 8-bit data string that is continuous with BR. The delay setting circuit 236 is a memory that stores a plurality of lines, has a FIFO configuration, and scans the original in advance.The first row of CCD line sensors 226b
, 226d are stored and output in synchronization with signal outputs from the subsequent second row of CCD line sensors 226a, 226c, and 226e.

The separation and synthesis circuit 237 has R, R, and R for each CCD line sensor.
After separating G and B data, one line of the original is separated into each C.
This is to serially synthesize and output each R, G, and B of the CD line sensor. The converter 238 is composed of a ROM, and stores a logarithmic conversion table LUT "1". When a digital value is manually inputted as an address signal of the ROM, the reflectance of R, G, and B is determined by the logarithmic conversion table LUT "1". information is converted to concentration information.

Next, C. The aging correction circuit 239 will be explained. Shading characteristics can be caused by variations in the light distribution characteristics of the light source, a decrease in the amount of light in the case of fluorescent lamps, variations in sensitivity between each bit of a CCD line sensor, or variations in the sensitivity of a reflector, etc. If there is dirt,
It appears due to these factors.

To this end, at the start of shading correction, the CCD line sensor is manually inputted with the reflected light when a white plate is irradiated, which serves as reference density data for shading correction, and the above signal processing circuit performs A/D conversion and log conversion. Standard concentration data I! og(Rl) is stored in the line memory 240. Next, the image data f read by scanning the original
If the basic sa degree data log(R+) is subtracted from og(DI), log(D+)-1og(Rt)=j!
og (D+/R+), and the logarithm value of the shading-corrected data of each pixel is obtained. By performing shading correction after log conversion in this way, there is no need to build a hard logic divider in a complicated and large-scale circuit as in the past, and the calculation process can be simplified by using a general-purpose full adder IC. It can be carried out.

(n-3) Image Output Terminal (IOT) (A>Schematic Structure FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of the image output terminal.

This device uses an organic photosensitive material (Photo) as a photoreceptor.
A developing machine 404 consisting of black (K), magenta (M), clear (C), and yellow (Y) for four full colors, and a transfer device (TowRoll) that conveys the paper to the transfer unit. Transfer
Loop) 406, from the transfer device 404 to the fixing device 4
Vacuum conveyance device (Vacuum conveyance device) that conveys paper to 08
Transfer) 407, paper trays 410, 412
, a paper transport path 411, a photosensitive material belt, a developing machine,
The three units of the transfer device are configured so that they can be pushed out to the front side.

Information light obtained by modulating the laser light from the laser light source 40 is irradiated onto the sensitive material 41 via the mirror 40d to perform exposure and form a latent image.

The image formed on the photosensitive material is developed by a developing device 404 to form a toner image. The developing machine 404 is K, M, C.
, Y, and are arranged in the positional relationship as shown in the figure.

This arrangement takes into account, for example, the relationship between dark attenuation and the characteristics of each toner, and the difference in influence caused by mixing other toners with black toner. However, in the case of full color copying, the driving order is Y-C-4M-K.

On the other hand, 410 consists of two elevator trays, and the other two
The paper fed from the tray 412 of the stage is transported through the conveyance path 411.
The image is supplied to the transfer device 406 through the transfer device 406 . Transfer device 406
is placed in the transfer unit and consists of two rolls connected by a timing chain or belt and a gripper bar as described below.The gripper bar grips the paper and transports the paper, transferring the toner image on the paper onto the paper. let 4
In the case of full color, the paper rotates 4 times in the transfer unit, and the Y
Images 1C, M, and K are transferred in this order. After the transfer, the paper is released from the gripper bar, transferred from the transfer device to a vacuum conveyance device 407, fixed by a fixing device 408, and discharged.

The vacuum conveyance device 407 is connected to the transfer device 406 and the fixing device 40.
It absorbs the speed difference with 8 and maintains synchronization. In this device, the transfer speed (process speed) is 190 mm/
The transfer speed is set in seconds, and in the case of full color copying, the fixing speed is 90 mm/sec, so the transfer speed and fixing speed are different.

In order to ensure the degree of fixation, the process speed is reduced, and on the other hand, to achieve 1.5 kVA, power cannot be given to the user.

Therefore, in the case of small paper such as B5 or A4, the transferred paper is released from the transfer device 406 and transferred to the vacuum conveyance device 40.
The speed of the vacuum boat transport device is set to 190 mmls at the moment it is on board 7.
The speed was reduced from ec to 90tnm/sec to make it the same as the fixing speed. However, in this device, the distance between the transfer device and the fixing device is made as short as possible to make the device compact, so if A3 paper cannot fit between the transfer point and the fixing device, the speed of the vacuum conveyance device will be reduced. When you put it away,
Since the rear end of the A3 sheet is being transferred, a brake is applied to the paper, resulting in color misregistration. Therefore, a baffle plate 409 is installed between the fixing device and the vacuum conveyance device, and in the case of A3 paper, the baffle plate is tilted downward to draw a loop on the paper to lengthen the photographing path. The speed is set to be the same as the transfer speed, and the leading edge of the paper reaches the fixing device from 1 after the transfer is completed, thereby absorbing the speed difference. In addition, in the case of ○HP, heat conduction is poor, so the same procedure is used as in the case of A3 paper.

In addition, this device is capable of copying not only full color but also black without reducing productivity. In the case of black, the toner layer is small and it is possible to fix even with a small amount of heat, so the fixing speed is 19Q1IIIl/sec. Do as is,
No speed reduction is performed on the vacuum imaging device. This is done in the same way when there is only one toner layer other than black, such as a single color toner layer, since there is no need to reduce the fixing speed. When the transfer is completed, the toner remaining on the photosensitive material is scraped off by a cleaner 405.

(B) Structure of transfer device The transfer device 406 has a structure as shown in FIG. 22(a).

The transfer device of this apparatus is characterized by having a structure that does not have a mechanical paper support to prevent color unevenness and the like, and by controlling the speed to increase the transfer speed.

The paper is ejected from the tray by a feed head 421, conveyed through a buckle chamberer 422 driven by a paper path servo 423, and supplied to a transfer device via a registration gate 425 whose opening and closing are controlled by a registration gate solenoid 426. The arrival of the paper at the registration gate is detected by the registration gate sensor 424. The transfer device is driven by a servo motor 432 driving a roller 433 via a timing belt.
It is rotating counterclockwise. The roller 434 is not particularly driven, and two timing chains or belts are hung between the rollers, and between the chains (in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction), the chain is normally closed with elasticity, and the transfer Gripper bar 4 whose opening is opened by a solenoid at the entrance of the device
30 is provided, and conveys the paper by holding the paper in its mouth at the entrance of the transfer device and twisting it around. In the past, paper was supported by attaching Mylar sheet or mesh to an aluminum or steel support, but the difference in thermal expansion caused unevenness, which resulted in poor transfer efficiency. While the color was uneven due to unnatural differences,
By using this gripper bar, there is no need to provide a special support for the paper, and the occurrence of color unevenness can be prevented.

The transfer device does not have a support for the paper to be withdrawn, and the paper will be thrown outward by centrifugal force at the rollers. To prevent this, two rollers are vacuumed to remove the paper. It bows toward the rollers, and when it passes the rollers, it is transported while fluttering. At the transfer point, the paper is attracted by electrostatic force toward the sensitive material on which the detack corotron and transfer corotron are disposed, and the transfer is performed. After the transfer is completed, the gripper home sensor 436 detects the position at the exit of the transfer device, and at an appropriate timing, a solenoid opens the gripper bar to release the paper.
It will be passed to the vacuum agitation device 413.

Therefore, in the transfer device, one sheet of paper is transported four times in the case of full color, and three times in the case of three colors, to perform the transfer.

The timing control of the servo motor 432 is shown in FIG. 22(b).
This is explained by: In the transfer device, the servo motor 432 may be controlled at a constant speed during the transfer, and once the transfer is completed, the lead edge transferred to the paper may be controlled to synchronize with the transfer point of the next latent image. On the other hand, the length of the sensitive material belt 41 is such that latent images are formed on three sheets of A4 paper and two sheets of A3 paper, and the length of the belt 435 is slightly longer than the length of A3 paper (approximately 4 /3 times) is set.

Therefore, when performing color copying on A4 paper, the servo motor 432 is controlled at a constant speed when transferring the first color latent image 1, and when transfer 1# is completed, the lead edge transferred to the paper is transferred to the second color latent image 1. The servo motor is rapidly accelerated and controlled so as to be synchronized with the leading edge of the latent image I2. In addition, in the case of A3 paper, when the transfer of the first color latent image ■1 is completed, the servo motor is decelerated so that the lead edge transferred to the paper is synchronized with the leading edge of the second color latent image ■2. control to wait.

(n-4) User interface (U/I) <A) Adoption of a color display Figure 23 shows the installation state and appearance of a user interface device using a display, and Figure 24 shows the installation angle and height of the user interface. FIG.

The user interface must support an easy-to-understand interaction between the operator and the machine, enable simple operation, clarify the relationships of information, and impress the operator with the necessary information. To this end, in the present invention, we created an original user interface that corresponds to the user's usage, making it easy for beginners to understand, not bothersome for experts, and allowing direct operation when selecting the content of the function. thing,
By using color, the aim of operability is to convey information to the operator more accurately and quickly, and to concentrate operations in one place as much as possible.

When it comes to copying machines, the more reliable they are with a variety of functions, the higher the reputation of the device will be. However, if those functions are difficult to use, the value will drop dramatically even if it has excellent functions. On the contrary, it becomes an expensive device. As a result, even if the device is a highly functional model, it is difficult to use and the overall evaluation of the device is significantly lowered. From this point of view, the user interface is a factor that greatly influences whether the device is easy to use or not, and especially as copying machines become more multifunctional in recent years, the operability of the user interface becomes a problem. become.

In order to improve such operability, the user interface of the present invention is equipped with a 12-inch color display 501 monitor and a hard control panel 502 next to it, as shown in FIG. The color display is designed to provide the user with an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand menu, and the color display 501 is combined with an infrared touch board 503 to allow direct access using soft buttons on the screen. In addition, by efficiently distributing operation contents to the hard buttons on the hard control panel 502 and the soft buttons displayed on the screen of the color display 501, it is possible to simplify the model and efficiently configure the menu screen. .

On the back side of the color display 501 and the hard control panel 502, there are a monitor control/power board 504 and a video engine board 5, as shown in FIGS.
05, a CRT driver board 506 and the like are mounted, and the hard control panel 5o2 has an angle such that it faces further toward the center than the surface of the color display 501, as shown in FIG.

Further, the color display 501 and the hard control panel 502 are not mounted directly on the base machine (copying machine main body) 5o7 as shown in the figure, but on a support T-frame 508 erected on the base machine 507. If a stand-type color display 501 is used instead of a console panel as in the past, it can be mounted three-dimensionally above the base machine 507 as shown in FIG. By placing the color display 501 at the back right corner of the base machine 507 as shown in FIG. 24(a), the size of the copier can be designed without considering the console panel, and the device can be made more compact. can be achieved.

In a copying machine, the height of the platen, that is, the height of the device, is designed to be at a comfortable waist height for setting a document, and this height regulates the height of the device.

Conventional console panels are attached to the top of the copier, so they are located at about waist height and close to your hand, making them easy to operate, but they are quite far away from your eyes for selecting functions and setting execution conditions. A simulation part and a display part will be arranged. In this regard, in the user interface of the present invention, as shown in Atsushi 24 (b), it is located at a higher position than the platen, that is, close to eye level, so it is easier to see, and the position is in front of the operator instead of below. It will be on the right side and will be easier to live in. Moreover,
By bringing the mounting height of the display close to eye level, the lower side can be effectively used as a mounting space for optional kits such as the user interface control board, memory card device, and key counter.

Therefore, there is no need to make any structural changes to attach the memory card device, the memory card device can be added without changing the appearance at all, and at the same time, the mounting position and height of the display can be made easy to see.

Furthermore, although the display may be fixed at a predetermined angle, it is of course possible to employ a structure that allows the display to change its angle.

(B) System Configuration FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the module configuration of the user interface, and FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user interface.

The modular configuration of the user interface of the present invention is as follows:
As shown in FIG. 25, it is composed of a video display module 511b that controls the display screen of a color display 501, an edit pad 5l3, and an edit pad interface module 512 that processes information on a memory card 514, and controls these. The system tJI5L7, 5i, subsystem 515, touch screen 503, and control panel 502 are connected to the video display module 5l1.

The edit pad interface module 512 inputs the X, Y coordinates from the edit pad 513 and the job and X, Y coordinates from the memory card 514, and also sends video map display information to the video display module 511.
UI control signals are exchanged with 11.

By the way, area specification includes marker specification, which specifies an area on the document with a red or blue marker, and performs cropping and color conversion.
There are two-point specification using the coordinates of a rectangular area and close-lube specification by tracing with an edit pad, but marker specification does not have any particular data, and two-point specification requires less data, whereas close-lube specification has a large area to be edited. Capacity data is required. Editing of this data is performed by IPS, but the amount of data is too large to transfer at high speed. Therefore,
Such X. The Y coordinate data is configured to use a dedicated transfer line to the IIT/IPS 516 in addition to the general data transfer line.

The video display module 511 inputs the button ID 812 by inputting the vertical and horizontal points (coordinate positions of the touch screen) of the touch screen 503 and inputs the button ID of the control panel 502 manually. Then, the button ID is sent to the system UI 517, 519, and a display request is received from the system [1517, 519]. Also,
A subsystem (ESS) 515 is connected to, for example, a workstation or a host CPU, and is a printer controller when this apparatus is used as a laser printer. In this case, information on the touch screen 503, control panel 502, and keyboard (not shown) is
The content of the display screen is transferred as is to the subsystem 515, and the content of the display screen is sent from the subsystem 515 to the video display module 511.

The system UIs 517 and 519 exchange copy mode and machine state information with the master controllers 518 and 520. Corresponding to FIG. 4 described above, one of the system UIs 517 and 519 is the SYS remote SYSUI module 8l shown in FIG. 4, and the other is the MCB remote MCBUI module 86 shown in FIG.

The user interface of the present invention includes a UICB 521 and an EPIB 52 as shown in FIG. 26 as hardware.
The control board consists of two control boards, and the functions are broadly divided into two, corresponding to the above module configuration. The UICB 521 controls the UI hardware and has an edit pad 513 and a memory card 514.
In order to drive, there is also a touch screen 503
Two CPUs (for example, Intel's 8085 equivalent and 6845 equivalent) are used to process human power and write to the CRT, and furthermore, the EPIB522 has an insufficient ability to draw in a bitmap area with 8 bits. Therefore, a 16-bit CPU (for example, Intel's 80C196KA
) to DM the drawing data of the focus map area.
Functional distribution is achieved by configuring A to transfer to the UICB 521.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the configuration of the UICB.

In addition to the above CPUs, UICB has CPUs 5 3 4 (
For example, Intel 8051 equivalent), CCC531
is connected to the high-speed communication line L-NET and the optional keyboard communication line, and the communication is controlled by the CPU 534 and CCC 531, and the CPUs 5 3 4 are also used to drive the touch screen. The Confucian symbol on the touch screen remains as its coordinate position information CPU5 3 4
is taken into the CPU 532 through the CCC 531,
The CPU 532 recognizes and processes the button ID. In addition, input port 551 and output port 552
through the EPIB 522, subsystem (ESS) through the subsystem interface 548, receiver 549, and driver 550.
), it receives an IMHz clock and video data via IMbps, allowing it to send and receive commands and status information at 9,600 bps.

The memory is BootR, which stores the bootstrap.
In addition to OM5 3 5, frame ROM5 3 8 and 53
9, RAM536, bitmap RAM537, V-R
It has AM542. Frame ROM5 3
8 and 539 are memories in which display screen data is stored not in a bit map but in a data structure that is easy to handle with software.When a display request is sent through the L-NET, the CPU 532 stores data in the RAM 53.
6 as a work area, drawing data is first generated here, and written to the V-RAM 542 by the DMA 541. Also, bitmap data is DMA
5 4 0 is bitmap RAM5 from EPIB522
3 Transferred to 7 and written. Character generator 544 is for graphic tiles, and text character generator 543 is for character tiles. V
-RAM542 is managed by tile code, which consists of 24 bits (3 bytes) and 13
Bits for tile type information, 2 bits for text, graphic, or bitmap identification information, 1 bit for blink information, 5 bits for tile color information, 3 bits for background or foreground information. Each is used. The CRT controller 533 has V-
A display screen is developed based on the tile code information written in the RAM 542, and video data is sent to the CRT through a shift register 545, a multiplexer 546, and a color palette 547. The drawing of the pit map area is switched by a shift register 545.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the configuration of EPIB.

EPIB includes a 16-bit CPU (for example, equivalent to Intel's 80C196KA) 555, boot page code ROM 5 5 6, and OS page code ROM 5 5.
7. It has an area memory 558 and a RAM 559 used as a work area. Bitmap data, commands, and status information are transferred to the UICB through the interface 561, driver 562, and driver/receiver 563, and x.
Transferring Y coordinate data. Note that the memory card 52
5 is read/written through the interface 560. Therefore, when closed-loop editing area designation information and copy mode information are entered manually from the edit pad 524 or memory card 525, these information are
The information is appropriately transferred to the UICB through the interface 561 and driver 562, and to the IPS through the high-speed communication interface 564 and driver 565, respectively.

(C) Display screen configuration Even when using a display as a user interface, the amount of information needed to provide information corresponding to multi-functionality increases, so if you think about it simply, a large display area is required, making it difficult to make it more compact. This has the aspect of making it difficult to respond. When a compact size display is adopted, it becomes difficult to provide all necessary information on one screen not only because of display density issues, but also because it is difficult to provide a screen that is easy for the operator to see and understand.

In the user interface of the present invention, a compact size display is used, and the display screen and its control are devised.

In particular, color displays have the advantage of being able to adopt a variety of display modes by controlling color, brightness, and other display attributes compared to the LEDs and liquid crystal displays used in console panels, and are compact in size. Various efforts have been made to display the information in an easy-to-understand manner.

For example, by broadly classifying the information displayed on the screen and dividing it into multiple screens, and furthermore, for each screen, detailed information can be expanded into a pop-up and omitted from the primary screen to concisely configure the screen with the minimum necessary information. We are trying to do this. For screens containing multiple pieces of information, features of color display and highlighted display are designed to make it easier to recognize and identify the necessary information on the screen.

(a) Screen layout FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display screen,
Figure (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the basic copy screen, Figure 2) is a diagram showing an example of expanding a pop-up screen on the basic copy screen, and Figure (C) is a diagram showing the configuration of one creative editing paint screen. It is.

In the user interface of the present invention, a basic copy screen for setting a copy mode as shown in FIG. 29 is displayed as an initial screen. The screen for setting the cobby mode constitutes a software control panel, which is divided into two areas, a message area A and a busway area, as shown in FIG. 29.

Message area A uses the top three lines of the screen,
Predetermined messages are displayed on the first line for state messages, and on the second and third lines for guidance messages when there is a contradiction in function selection, messages regarding abnormal conditions of the device, and warning information messages.

The right end of the message area A is a number-of-copies display area, in which the set number of copies input using the numeric keys and the number of copies being copied are displayed.

Pathway B is an area for selecting various functions,
It has each pathway of basic copy, aided feature, marker editing, business editing, freehand editing, creative editing, and tool, and a pathway tab C is displayed corresponding to each pathway. Additionally, each pathway has a popup to improve operability.

Pathway B displays a soft button D that is an option and selects a function when touched, an icon (picture) E that changes depending on the selected function and displays that function, an indicator F that displays the zoom ratio, etc. and soft button D
△ popup mark G on the item that pops up
is attached. By touching the busway tab C, the pathway can be opened, and by touching the soft button D, the function can be selected. The selection of functions by touching the soft button D is designed to be performed sequentially from the upper left to the lower right in consideration of operability.

As mentioned above, the basic copy screen and others are separated to maximize commonality with other models and with the hard console panel, and the editing screen provides screens and functions tailored to the skill level of the operator. It has a multi-layer structure so that Furthermore, by combining such a screen configuration with a pop-up function, it is possible to provide a screen that is easy to use in a variety of ways, such as displaying advanced or complex functions within a single screen as a pop-up.

Pop-ups contain detailed setting information for specific functions, and by providing a pop-up opening function and opening the detailed setting information as needed, the screen structure of each busway can be easily viewed and simplified. I'm making it into something. Pop-ups are activated when a soft button with a pop-up mark is touched. Then, it closes when the close button or cancel button is selected, when the all clear button is pressed, when all clear is applied by the auto clear function, etc. Figures 29 and 29 show the appearance of the screen when a pop-up is opened by touching the magnification soft button in the reduction/enlargement function.

When the creative editing pathway tab is touched on the basic copy screen, the screen changes to the creative editing pathway screen, and FIG. 29(C) shows the screen for Vane}1. This screen has a bitmap area H and a guidance message area I. The bitmap area H is located at the upper left of the screen, and when an editing area is designated on the edit pad, the area can be displayed as a pit map in black and white. Further, the guidance message area I uses the lower left of the screen to guide the user in response to editing work, and changes depending on the work. On the screen, the area excluding bitmap area H, guidance message area I, and message area 8 at the top of the screen is used as a work area.

(Ex) Basic copy - The pathway for screen basic copy is shown in Figure 129 (a) 1
It has soft buttons (choices) for selecting each function such as color mode, paper selection, reduction/enlargement, copy image quality, color balance, and job program, as well as marker editing, business editing, freehand editing, creative editing, Furthermore, it has busway tabs for aided features and tools. This pathway is an initial pathway, and is displayed after turning on the power, turning on the all clear button, and when clearing the screen.

The color mode is full color (4-pass color), which makes copies using 4 types of toner: Y, M, C, and K, and 3 types excluding K.
It has 3-pass color that copies with seed toner, single color that allows you to select one color from 12 colors, black, and black/red, and the automatically selected default can be set as desired. Here, since the single color and black/red options have detailed setting items, those items are expanded in a pop-up.

Paper selection is automatic paper selection (APS), }ray 1, 2,
There are options for cassettes 3 and 4, and APS is valid when a specific magnification is set for reduction/enlargement, but not valid when automatic magnification (AMS) is set. The default is APS.

Reduction/enlargement is 100%, AMS which sets the magnification based on the paper size and original size when paper is selected,
It has options for arbitrary magnification, and the set magnification, calculated magnification, or automatic is displayed on the top indicator. In variable magnification, the magnification can be set in 1% increments in the range from 50% to 400%, and the vertical and horizontal magnifications can also be set independently (unbalanced magnification). Therefore, these detailed setting items are expanded as a popup. Note that the default is 10.
It is 0%.

As mentioned earlier, this reduction/enlargement can be done in the sub-scanning direction (X direction) by changing the scan speed, and in the main scanning direction (Y direction) by changing the reading method from the PS line memory.
direction).

Copy image quality has two options: automatic, which performs automatic density adjustment for black-and-white originals, and automatic color balance adjustment for color originals, and manual, which allows 7-step density control via pop-up. It will be done.

For color balance, use the pop-up to specify the color you want to reduce on the copy from YSMSCSB1G,R, and use IPS
The control is performed at

The job program is enabled only when the memory card is inserted into the slot of the reader, and in this mode. has a pop-up that allows you to select whether to read a job from a memory card or write a job to a memory card.

For example, the memory card can store up to 8 jobs.32
It uses a kbyte capacity and allows all jobs except film projector mode to be programmed.

(c) Aided feature screen The aided feature pathway has soft buttons (selections) for selecting each function: copy output, copy sharpness, copy contrast, copy position, film projector, page programming, job program, and binding margin. It also has pathway tabs for marker editing, business editing, freehand editing, creative editing, basic copy, and tools.

Copy output has the option of outputting to the top tray or sorting mode. The default is the top tray, and if a sorter is not installed, this item will not be displayed.

Copy sharpness is set to 7 for standard and pop-up.
It has a manual that allows you to control the steps, and pop-up options for photos that are classified into photo, text (character), print, and photo/text, and these controls are performed in IPS. The default can be set arbitrarily.

Copy contrast can be selected from 7 steps of contrast control. The copy position has the option of an auto-center function that places the center of the copy image on the center of the paper by default.

As explained in a separate section, the film projector is a mode for copying from various types of film, and the pop-up allows you to copy 35mm negatives and 35mm negatives using the projector.
5mm positive, 35mm negative or 6cmx on platen
Choose from 6 cm slides or 4' x 5' slides.

Page programming includes a cover for covering copies, an insert for inserting blank or colored paper between copies, a color mode that can be set for each page of the original, and a paper option that allows you to select a tray for each page of the original. Note that this item will not be displayed unless you have an ADF.

The binding margin can be set in 1 mm increments within the range of 0 to 30 mm, and only one position can be specified for each document. The binding margin is the amount from the leading edge of the paper to the leading edge of the image area, and is generated in the main scanning direction by a shift operation using the PS line buffer, and in the sub-scanning direction by shifting the scan timing of the IIT. .

(2) Collection screen and tool screen There are four pathways for editing screens: marker editing, business editing, freehand editing, and creative editing.

Marker editing pathways and freehand editing pathways have options for extraction, deletion, coloring (hatching/line/black), and color conversion, as well as pathway tabs for basic copy, aided features, and tools. .

Business editing busways can be extracted, deleted, and colored (black/white).
It has options for each function related to line/background), color conversion, coloring, logo insertion, and binding margin, and it also has pathway tabs for basic copy, eighted features, and tools, just like the marker editing busway.

The creative editing pathway includes extraction, deletion, coloring (halftone/line/black), color conversion, color filling, loco insertion, binding margin, negative/positive reversal, inset composition, watermark composition, paint, mirror image, repeat, and enlarged sequence. It has a selection of functions related to copying, partial movement, corner/center movement, manual/auto variable magnification, manual/full-scale magnification, color mode, color balance adjustment, page continuous copying, color composition, as well as marker editing pathway, etc. Similarly, it has a basic copy aided feature and a pathway tab for tools.

The tool pathway is entered by the key operator and customer engineer by entering a PIN number, and is used to set up the Auditron, machine initial values,
Default selection for each function, color registration, film type registration, 1j/! of registered colors! i-adjustment, presets for various machine options, film projector scan area settings, audio tones (sound type, volume), timer settings for paper transport system and other various types (auto clear, etc.), billing meter, dual language settings, diagnostic mode , maximum value adjustment, and memory card formatting options.

Default selections are color mode, paper selection, copy density, copy sharpness, copy contrast, paper tray for page programming, single color, color pallet color and mesh for overlay, logotype pattern, binding margin, and color. The subject is balance.

(e) Other screen control user interfaces constantly monitor the execution status of copying, and if a jam occurs, display a screen appropriate for the jam.

Further, in the function setting, an information screen is provided for the currently displayed screen, and the screen is set to be able to be displayed as appropriate.

Note that the screen display has a width of 3, excluding the bitmap area.
It uses a tiled display of mm (8 pixels) and height of 6 mm (16 pixels), with 80 tiles horizontally and 25 tiles vertically. The bitmap area is 151 pixels tall,
Displayed at 216 pixels horizontally.

As described above, in the user interface of the present invention, the display screen is switched according to each mode such as basic copy, aided feature, and editing, and menus for selecting functions, setting execution conditions, etc. are displayed in each mode. At the same time, by touching a soft button, options can be specified and execution condition data can be input. Also, depending on the menu option, detailed items will be displayed in a pop-up (overlapping display or window display).
We are working to expand the displayed content. As a result, even if there are many selectable functions and setting conditions, the display screen can be kept clean and the operability can be improved.

(D) Hard control panel As shown in Figure 23, the hard control panel is attached to the right side of the color display at an angle that points further toward the center than the screen. , information, audiotron, and language buttons are installed.

The numeric keypad buttons are used to set the number of copies, enter codes and data in the diagnostic mode, and manually enter the password when using tools, and are disabled while a job is being generated or a job is interrupted.

The All Clear button is used to return all set copy modes to their defaults and return to the Basic Copy screen, except for Oven on the Tools screen.While setting an interrupt job, the Copy mode returns to its default. , interrupt mode is not released.

The stop button is used to interrupt the job at a copy break during job execution and to stop the machine after ejecting the copy paper. In addition, in the diagnosis mode, it is used to stop (interrupt) checking of human output, etc.

The interrupt button is used to enter an interrupt mode during a primary job except when a job is interrupted, and to return to the primary job during an interrupt job.

If this button is operated during execution of the primary job, the printer enters a reservation state, interrupts or ends the job at the end of copy paper ejection, and enters an interrupt job.

The start button is used to start a job and restart it after interruption, and in the diagnosis mode, it is used to manually save code values and data values, start input/output, etc. If the start button is scanned while the machine is preheating, the machine will auto-start when the preheating ends.

The information button consists of an on button and an off button, and is in a ready state except when copying is in progress.The on button displays the information screen for the currently displayed screen, and the off button displays the information screen. It is used.

The Auditron button is operated to enter a password when starting a job.

The language button is imitated when switching the language on the display screen. Therefore, each display screen has data in multiple languages so that it can be selected.

In addition to the buttons listed above, the hard control panel also has LEDs as appropriate to display the operation status of the buttons.
(light emitting diode) lamp is installed.

(If-5>Film image reading device (A) Schematic structure of film image reading device As shown in FIG. 2, the film image reading device includes a film blogger (F/P) 64 and a mirror unit (
M/U) 65.

(A-1) Structure of F/P As shown in FIG. 30, F/P 64 is equipped with a housing 601, and this housing 601 includes an operation confirmation lamp 602 and a manual lamp switch 603.
, an autofocus/manual focus changeover switch (AF/MF changeover switch) 604, and manual focus operation switches (M/Fl operation switches) 605a and 605b. Further, the housing 601 is provided with an open/close R606 that can be opened and closed.

A document film 6 is provided on the top and side surfaces of this opening/closing section 606.
Holes 608 and 609 are respectively formed in a size that allows the film holding case 607 holding the original film 633 to be inserted vertically or horizontally into the housing 601 depending on how the subject recorded on the original film 633 is to be photographed. has been done. A hole (not shown) through which the film holding case 607 can protrude is also provided on the opposite side of the holes 608 and 609. The opening/closing part 606 is rotatably attached to the housing 601 by a hinge, or detachably attached to the housing 601. By making the opening/closing part 606 freely openable and closable,
This allows small foreign matter to be easily removed when it enters the housing 601 through the holes 608, 609.

The film holding case 607 includes a case for 35 mm negative film and a case for positive film. Therefore, F/P64 is designed to be compatible with these films. Also, F/P 6
4 is designed to be compatible with 5 (m x 5 cm or 4 inch x 5 inch) negative film. In that case, the negative film is placed between the M/U 65 and the platen glass 3l so that it is tightly attached to the platen glass 31. I have to.

As shown in FIG. 33, a projection lens holding member 611 that holds a projection lens 610 is slidably supported on the right side of the housing 601 in the drawing.

Further, within the housing 601, a reflector 6l2 and a light source lamp 6l3 made of a halogen lamp or the like are arranged coaxially with the projection lens 610. A cooling fan 614 for cooling the lamp 613 is provided near the lamp 613. Further, on the right side of the lamp 613, an aspherical lens 615 for converging the light from the lamp 613, a heat ray absorption filter 616 and a convex lens 617 for cutting light of a predetermined wavelength are arranged as a projection lens 610, respectively. arranged on the same axis.

To the right of the convex lens 617 is a correction filter holder that supports a correction filter 635 (the correction filter for one film is shown in the figure) for adjusting the film density of, for example, 35 mm negative film and positive film. member 618, a motor 6l9 for driving the correction filter holding member 618, and first and second position detection sensors 62 that detect the rotational position of the correction filter holding member 618.
0621 and a control device (provided in the F/P 64 but not shown) for controlling the drive motor 619, respectively, are provided. Of the correction filters 635 supported by the correction filter holding member 618, the original film 6
A correction filter 635 corresponding to No. 33 is automatically selected so as to be aligned with the use position coaxially with each lens such as the projection lens 610. The correction filter 635 of this correction filter automatic exchange device can be placed anywhere on the optical axis of the projection light, such as between the platen glass 3l and the imaging unit 37.

Furthermore, it is provided with a light emitter 623 and a light receiver 624 for an autoforce sensor that are linked to the projection lens holding member 611, and a sliding motor 625 that slides the projection lens holding member 611 of the projection lens 610 with respect to the housing 601. An autofocus device is provided. When the film holding case 607 is inserted into the housing 60l through the hole 608 or 609, the original film 633 supported by the film holding case 607 is placed between the correction filter holding material 618, the light emitter 623, and the light receiver 624. It is located in.

A film cooling fan 626 for cooling the original film 633 is provided near the position where the original film 635 is set.

The power supply for this F/P 6 4 is provided separately from the power supply for the base machine 30, but is housed within the base machine 30.

(A-2) Configuration of M/U As shown in FIG. 31, the mirror unit 65 includes a bottom plate 627 and a cover 628 with one end movably attached to the bottom plate 627. A pair of support pieces 629, 629 are pivotally mounted between the bottom plate 627 and the cover 628, and these support pieces 629, 629 support the cover 628 and the bottom plate 62 when the cover 628 is opened to the maximum.
The cover 628 is supported so that the angle formed with the cover 628 is 45 degrees.

A mirror 630 is provided on the back surface of the cover 628. Further, a large opening is formed in the bottom plate 627, and a Fresnel lens 631 and a diffusion plate 632 are provided so as to close this opening.

As shown in FIG. 33, the flexible lens 631 and the diffuser plate 632 are made of a single acrylic plate, and the flexible lens 631 is formed on the front surface of this acrylic plate, and the reverse side A diffuser plate 632 is formed on. The Fresnel lens 631 has a function of preventing the peripheral part of the image from becoming dark by changing the projection light that is reflected by the mirror 630 and is about to spread into parallel light. Further, the diffusion plate 632 diffuses a small amount of parallel light in order to prevent the line sensor 226 from detecting the shadow of the Selfoc lens 224 in the imaging unit 37 formed by the parallel light from the Fresnel lens 631. It has a function.

When the mirror unit 65 is not making color copies using the F/P 64, it is folded and stored in a predetermined storage location. When the mirror unit 65 is used, it is opened and placed at a predetermined location on the platen glass 31 of the base machine 3Q.

(B) Main functions of the film image reading device The film image reading device has the following main functions.

(B-1) Correction filter automatic exchange function The halogen lamps used on a ship as the light source lamp 613 in F/P 6 4 are generally red (R);
Since it has a spectral characteristic that there is little blue (B), when a film is projected with this lamp 613, the red (B) of the projected light is
R), green (G), and blue (B) are affected by the spectral characteristics of the lamp 613. Therefore, when projecting using a halogen lamp, it is necessary to correct the spectral characteristics.

On the other hand, films for recording images not only have a negative film or a positive film, but also a negative film. There are many types, just as there are several types of mu or posifinolem itself.

Each of these films has different spectral properties. For example, a negative film has an orange color and has a high transmittance of R, but a low transmittance of B. Therefore, in a negative film, it is necessary to correct the spectral characteristics so as to increase the amount of B light.

Therefore, the F/P 64 is provided with a correction filter for correcting such spectral characteristics.

The F/P 6 4 allows these correction filters to be replaced automatically. The correction filter is replaced by the above-described automatic correction filter exchange bag holder. That is, the system (SYS) sets the correction filter corresponding to the original film 633 in the use position.
) When a 2-bit command signal is output from the microprocessor (CPU) in The motor 619 is driven and controlled. Then, when the signals from the sensors 620 and 621 match the CPU signals, the control device stops the motor 619.

When the motor 619 stops, the correction filter corresponding to the original film is automatically set to the use position.

Therefore, the correction filter can be replaced easily and accurately.

(B-2) Original film insertion direction detection function Original film 633 is inserted into insertion holes 608 and 60 formed in opening/closing part 606.
In other words, the original film 633 can be inserted from any of the holes 9, that is, the original film 633 can be inserted from two directions, vertically and horizontally, depending on how the subject is to be photographed. In that case, the insertion holes 608, 60
A film detection switch is provided on at least one of 9. That is, at least one film detection switch is provided. When the film detection switch is provided on the hole 608 side but not on the hole 609 side, the film holding case 607 is
When the film is detected after being inserted from 08, it turns on and outputs a detection signal. When this detection signal is present, the required area of the line sensor 226 is set vertically, that is, the sub-scanning direction is set in the longitudinal direction of the projected image. Furthermore, when the film holding case 607 is inserted through the hole 609, this switch remains off and does not output a detection signal. When there is no detection signal, the required area is set horizontally, that is, so that the main scanning direction is the longitudinal direction of the projected image.

Similarly, when the film detection switch is provided only on the hole 609 side, or when the film detection switch is provided on both the hole 608 and 609 sides,
When the film holding case 607 is inserted through the hole 608, the required area of the line sensor 226 is such that the sub-scanning direction is the longitudinal direction of the projected image, and when the film holding case 607 is inserted through the hole 609, the line sensor 226 is sensor 2
In the required area 26, the on/off signal of the film detection switch is set so that the main scanning direction is the longitudinal direction of the projected image.

(B-3) High Focus Function (AF Function) When the film holding case 607 is mounted on the F/P 64, the mounting position of the original film 633 requires an accuracy of several tens of millimeters. Therefore, after mounting the original film 633,
Focusing is required. When performing this focusing manually, the image of the original film 633 is projected onto the diffuser plate 632 of the M/U 65 set at a predetermined position on the platen glass 3l, and the projection lens holding member 611 is slid while viewing the projected image. must be done.

In that case, the image projected onto the diffuser plate 632 is extremely difficult to see, making it extremely difficult to focus accurately.

Therefore, when the original film 633 is attached to the F/P 64, the F/P 64 is configured to be able to automatically adjust the focus.

This AF function is performed by the above-mentioned AP device as follows.

By operating the keys on the display of the U/+36 to set the F/P mode, the light emitter 623 emits light, and in FIG. 30, the AF/MF changeover switch 604 of the F/P 64 is selected to AF. As a result, the AF device becomes ready for operation. As shown in Figure 33,
Film case 607 containing original film 633
When attached to the F/P 64, the light from the light emitter 623 will be reflected by the document film 633, and the reflected light will be sent to the 2-element type light receiver 624 for AF, for example.
Detected by.

Then, the two elements of the light receiver 624 output to the CPU 634 a signal of a magnitude corresponding to the amount of reflected light detected by each element. The CPU 6 3 4 calculates the difference between these signals, and when the calculation result is not 0, it issues an output inertia and drives the motor 625 in a direction where the difference between the signals from the two elements becomes smaller. Therefore, as the projection lens holding member 611 slides, both the light emitter 623 and the light receiver 624 move in conjunction with this. Then, when the difference between the output signals from the two elements becomes 0, the CPU 634 stops the motor 625. The image is in focus when the motor 625 stops.

In this way, AF operation is performed. This eliminates the need for manual focusing each time a film case containing original film is attached to the F/P 64. Therefore, not only is it time-saving, but also copying failures due to out-of-focus can be prevented.

(B-4) Manual focus function (MF function) By switching the AF/MF changeover switch 604 to MP, the lamp 613 is automatically turned on for a predetermined period of time.
You will be able to manually adjust the focus. M
P is operated by pressing the operation switch 605 while viewing the image of the original film projected on the diffuser plate 632 of the mirror unit 65.
This is done by pressing a, 605b. This MP makes it possible to focus on a specific part of the film image.

(B-5) Manual lighting function of light source lamp By pressing the manual lamp switch 603, the lamp 613 can be turned on unconditionally. This switch is not normally used, but it is used when backlighting images recorded on relatively thick materials, when viewing images for a long time during AP, and when checking if the lamp is burnt out. used for.

(B-6) Automatic magnification change and scan area automatic change function By setting the paper size using U/136, the magnification can be automatically set. Also,
By selecting the type of original film using the U/I 36, a copy area can be automatically selected according to the film.

(B-7) Automatic shading correction function CPU6 3
4's ROM contains FUJ 1 (registered trademark), which is a negative film often used for photography, and KODA.
Density data for each ASA l 0 0 orange mask of K (registered trademark) and KONICA (registered trademark) is stored, and when these films are selected, C
The PU634 is capable of automatically performing shading correction based on the stored density data.

In that case, the base film of these films is F/P.
6 There is no need to attach it to 4.

Therefore, not only can the trouble of attaching the base film be saved, but also it is possible to prevent the base film from being attached by mistake, and there is no need to manage the base film.

Furthermore, for one type of film other than these three types of films, the density data of the orange mask of that film can be registered. This data is stored in RAM within the copier system. This, 1i! In the case of films that have been
Shading correction is automatically performed as with other types of film.

(B-8) Automatic image quality adjustment function It is possible to perform corrections such as F correction based on various conditions such as the density characteristics of the original film and the exposure conditions when shooting the film, and automatically perform density adjustment and color balance adjustment. That's what I do.

(C) Image signal processing (C-1) Necessity of image correction and principle of correction Generally, the density range of film is wider than the density range of originals. Further, even for the same film, the density range differs depending on the type of film, for example, the density range of positive film is wider than that of negative film. Furthermore, the density range of the film is influenced by the photographing conditions of the original film, such as the exposure amount of the film, the density of the subject, or the brightness at the time of photographing. In fact, subject densities vary widely within the film's density range.

Therefore, when an image recorded on such a film is to be copied using a copying machine that copies an original using reflected light, good reproducibility cannot be obtained by performing the same signal processing. Therefore, good reproducibility is obtained by appropriately correcting the image reading atonement so that the density of the main subject becomes appropriate.

FIG. 32 shows the density characteristics of a certain negative film and the principle of density correction. In this figure, the right half of the horizontal axis represents the exposure amount of the subject (corresponding to the subject density), and the left half represents the density after shading correction. Further, on the vertical axis, the upper half represents the video circuit output (approximately equal to the negative density), and the lower half represents the output copy density.

In other words, the first quadrant describes the density characteristics of the negative film,
The second quadrant shows the relationship between shading correction, and the third quadrant shows the relationship between F
The fourth quadrant represents the relationship between the correction and the relationship between the subject exposure amount and the corrected output copy density.

The density characteristics of this negative film are shown by the line α in the first quadrant of FIG. That is, when the amount of exposure from the subject is large, the density of the negative film is high, and as the amount of exposure from the subject decreases, the density of the negative film decreases linearly. When the amount of exposure from the subject decreases to a certain extent, the linearity between the amount of exposure from the subject and the density of the negative film disappears. If this exposure amount is small, for example, if the image recorded on the film is a bust of a human being, the contrast between the face and the hair will not be adequate. Further, even when the exposure amount is large, the slope of the line α, that is, the value of r, is smaller than 1, so unless r correction is performed, the copy will be soft.

For this reason, r correction is necessary.

Next, the principle of correction will be explained using FIG. 32.

In the third quadrant of the same figure, the END force - β for F correction is set. The slope r' of this END curve β is the fourth
In order to make the relationship between the exposure amount from the subject and the output copy density a linear relationship of 45 degrees in the quadrant, r'
=l/r.

For example, in the case of area a where the amount of exposure from the subject is relatively high, if the density adjustment value set in the register of the shading correction circuit is at the value represented by the straight line ■ in the second quadrant, then after the shading correction The concentration is in area a
'. This region a' no longer falls within the conversion range of the END curve β, and when copied, this region becomes white. Therefore, in the second quadrant, the density adjustment value is shifted from the straight line ■ to the straight line ■ so that the density after the shading correction falls within the conversion range of the END curve β. By doing this, the relationship between the exposure amount from the subject and the output copy density will follow a 45 degree straight line ■ in the fourth quadrant, and the copy will be: I
It comes to have a concentration with iFI.

Furthermore, in the case of region b where the amount of exposure from the subject is relatively small, the linearity between the amount of exposure from the subject and the negative film density is lost. In this case, the density adjustment value of the shading correction circuit is set to the value of the straight line ■ in the second quadrant. Then, the END curve β represented by the line ■ is selected in the third quadrant. By selecting this END curve β, the exposure amount from the subject and the output copy density can be adjusted to the fourth
It can be represented by a 45-degree straight line (■) in the quadrant. In other words, when the amount of exposure from the subject is in region b, for example, if a person with black hair is wearing a brown hat, the hair and hat will be prevented from having almost the same density, and the hair and hat will be You will be able to clearly bring out the contrast between the two.

In this way, correction is performed so that the density of the subject becomes appropriate.

(C-2) Image inertia processing method As shown in FIG. 33, the line sensor 226 reads the projection light of the image on the original film 633 in an analog manner as the light amount for each R1G and B, and the light amount is expressed by this light amount. i was done
ii signal is amplified to a predetermined level by an amplifier 231. The amplified image signal is sent to the A/'D converter 235.
is converted into a digital code by the log converter 2.
38 converts the light quantity signal into a density signal.

The image symbol expressed in density is processed by the shading correction circuit 2.
Shading correction is performed in step 39. Through this shading correction, uneven light intensity of the SELFOC lens 224, uneven sensitivity of each pixel of the line sensor 226, variations in the spectral characteristics and light intensity level of the correction filter and lamp 613, and the influence of changes over time can be detected from the image signal. be removed.

Before performing this shading correction, first, when the above-mentioned three types of films and registered films are selected as the original film, the correction filter is set in the positive film filter, and the lamp is turned on without the original film 633 attached. Read the light amount monk name from 6l3,
After the signal is amplified and converted into a digital signal, data obtained based on the converted density signal is stored in the line memory 240 as reference data.

That is, the imaging unit} 3 T'cR,G,
Each pixel of B is sampled by scanning in 32 line steps, and these sampling data are sent to the CPU 6 3 4 through the line memory 240.
4 calculates the average density value of 32 lines of sampling data and obtains shading data. By taking the average in this way, errors for each pixel are eliminated.

Further, when the original film is loaded and the image of the original film is read, the CPU 634 calculates the density adjustment value D AD from the density data of the negative film stored in the ROM.
j is calculated and the LSI in the shading correction circuit 239
Rewrite the DADj value set in the register. Further, the CPU 634 adjusts the light amount of the lamp 613 and the gain of the amplifier 643 in accordance with the selected film.

Then, the shading correction circuit 239 shifts the read density value by adding the D ADj value to the actual data read from the original film. Further, the shading correction circuit 239 performs shading correction by subtracting shading data for each pixel from the adjusted data.

In addition, it is not recorded in the ROM of CPU634,
In the case of a film that is not registered in the system's RAM, it is necessary to attach a base film, obtain density data for the film, and calculate the value D^0 from the obtained density data.

After the shading correction is completed, the IIT32 converts the IPS33
The density signals of R%G and B are output.

Then, the CPU 634 selects an END curve based on the actual data of the original film, and outputs a correction signal to perform r correction based on the selected curve. Based on this correction subsign, the IPS 33 performs r correction to correct the fact that r of the original film is not 1 and the unclear contrast caused by nonlinear characteristics.

(D) fi operation procedure and signal timing Based on FIG. 34, the operation procedure and signal timing will be explained.

Note that a signal indicated by a broken line indicates that the signal may be used.

The F/P 6 4 imitation is mainly based on Bassmann 30 U/
This is done by I36. That is, by operating the F/P simulation key displayed on the display screen of the U/136, the base machine 30 is placed in the F/P mode. When the original film is one of the three types of films and registered films, the screen of the display of the U/I 36 shows "Mirror" as shown in FIG. 34. Please select the film type after placing the unit.'' is displayed. Therefore, first, open the M/065 and set it in a predetermined position on the platen glass 31.

Next, when the film selection key on the screen is pressed, the screen displays the message "Please wait without loading film." At the same time, the lamp 613 is turned on and the correction filter control (FC CONT) signal becomes (0.0) to perform the FC operation. That is, the correction filter automatic exchange device is operated and the positive correction filter is set in the use position. When the correction filter is set, the correction filter replacement completion (FC SET) signal becomes LOW.

In addition to this being LOW, the lamp 613 is lit and 3
The collection of shading data for shading correction is started using the elapse of ~5 seconds as a trigger.

When this shading data collection is completed, this completion is used as a trigger to set FC CONT to (0.1), the automatic correction filter exchange device is activated, and the film correction filter is set in the use position. Further, using the shading correction as a trigger, the message "Focusing. Please insert film" is displayed on the screen, and the lamp 613 is turned off. Therefore, the film case 607 containing the original film 633 is
Install it on 4. As a result, the light from the light emitter 623 is reflected by this film, and the reflected light is transmitted to the light receiver 623.
Detected by 4.

When the difference in the amount of reflected light received by the two light receivers 624 is not zero, the motor 625 of the AF device is activated to focus. That is, AP operation is performed. When focusing is completed, F/P operation ready < r7 ding 1 ■■ Y) 弒子 becomes LOW. This F P RDY
After the signal becomes LOW and FC SET is LOW
After 1 second has passed, the screen displays the message ``Ready to copy.'' When you press the start key of U/136,
``Copying in progress'' is displayed on the screen, and the lamp 61
3 lights up, and after waiting for the rise time of the lamp 613, data collection for automatic concentration adjustment (A/E) is started. That is, in order to obtain data for density adjustment, color balance adjustment, r correction, etc., the imaging unit 37 scans once and reads part or all of the projected image.

Next, full color. -, the imaging unit 37 scans four times and copies. In that case, shading correction and density adjustment are automatically performed based on the shading data and automatic density adjustment data. When the copying is completed, the lamp 613 turns off and the screen displays "Copy ready". Therefore, when the start key is pressed again, a new copy is performed. If you want to copy another image, you have to change the frames of the film. When changing frames, click “7”.
``-■DY becomes HIGH and the message ``Adjust focus'' is displayed on the screen.

Then, when a new frame is set, an AF operation is performed, and at the same time, F/PRDY becomes LOW and the message "Ready to copy" is displayed on the screen. after that,
Copying is performed by pressing the start key.

([[I) Image processing system ([PS) (III-
1) IPS module configuration FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an overview of the IPS module configuration.

In a color image forming apparatus, a CCD line sensor is used in an FIT (image input terminal) to read a color document by separating the light into primary colors B (blue), G (fill), and R (red), and convert these into the primary colors of toner. Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and even K (
The image is converted to black or black), exposed to a laser beam at an IOT (image output terminal), and developed to reproduce a color image. In this case, one copy process (pitch) is performed by separating each of Y, M, and CSK into toner images and using Y as a process color, and similarly, a copy cycle is performed for each of M, C, and K as a process color. A full color image is reproduced by executing a total of four copy cycles, one at a time, and superimposing images formed by these halftone dots. Therefore, the color separation signal (
BSGSR signal) to toner signal (YSM..C,K("
In the case of converting to a 3D image (No. 1), how to adjust the color balance, how to reproduce the color according to the reading characteristics of IIT and the output characteristics of IOT, and how to adjust the balance of density and contrast. Issues include how to emphasize edges, blur, and adjust moiré.

IPS inputs B and GSR color separation signals from IIT and performs various data processing to improve color reproducibility, gradation reproducibility, definition reproducibility, etc. It converts the signal on/off and outputs it to the IOT, and as shown in Figure 35, the END conversion (Eq
uivalent Neutral Density
; equivalent neutral density conversion) module 301, color masking module 302, In'E manuscript size detection module 303, color conversion module 304, UCR (
Under Color Removal; black generation module 305, spatial filter 306
, TRC (Tone Reproduction C
ontrol; color tone correction control module 307, scaling module 308, screen generator 30
9. IOT interface module 310, area generation circuit and switch mask} Consists of an area image control module 311 having an IJ box, an editing control module having an area command memory 312, a color palette video switch circuit 313, a font buffer 314, etc.

Then, the 8-bit data (256 gradations) of the B, G, and R color separation signals from IIT are input to the END conversion module 301, and after being converted into Y1M, C, and K toner signals, process color toner The signal X is selected, binarized, and output as on/off data of the process color toner signal from the IOT interface module 310 to the IOT. therefore,
In the case of full color (4 colors), after prescanning first detects the document size, editing area, and other document information, for example, first a copy cycle is performed in which the toner signal X of the process color is set to Y, Subsequently, each time a copy cycle in which the process color toner symbol number X is set to M is sequentially executed, a symbol processing corresponding to four document reading scans is performed.

11T uses a CCD sensor to read one pixel for each of B, G, and R at a size of 16 dots/mm, and converts the data into 24 bits (3 colors x 8 bits).
;256 gradations). The CCD sensor has B, G, and H filters attached to the top surface, has a density of 16 dots/mm, has a length of 300 mm, and has a length of 190.5 mm.
16 lines/m at a process speed of mm/sec
m scans are performed, so read data is output at a speed of approximately 15M pixels per second for each color.

Then, at IIT, the analog data of the pixels of B%G and H is log-converted to convert reflectance information to density information, and further converted to digital data.

Next, each module will be explained.

FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining each module constituting the IPS.

(A) END conversion module The END conversion module 301 is a module for adjusting (converting) the optical reading signal of a color original obtained at IIT into a gray-balanced color signal.When the toner of a color image is gray, However, when a gray original is read from the 11T, the values of the B, G, and H color separation signals input are determined by the spectral characteristics of the light source and color separation filter, etc. Ef!. Therefore, END conversion uses a conversion table (LUT; look-up table) as shown in Figure 36(a) to balance this.Therefore, the conversion table is It has the characteristic that when a document is read, it always converts and outputs B, G, and H color separation signals at the same gradation corresponding to the level (black and white), and it depends on the characteristics of IIT. Furthermore, 16 conversion tables are prepared, of which 11 are tables for film projectors containing negative film, and three are tables for normal copying, photography, and generation copying.

(B) Color masking module The color masking module 302 includes B, G, R (H
The signal is converted into a Confucian code corresponding to the amount of Y, M, and C toner by performing matrix calculations on the signal, and the signal is processed after gray balance adjustment is performed by END conversion.

The conversion matrix used for color masking is a 3x3 matrix that purely calculates Y and MSC from B, G, and R, respectively, but not only B%G1R but also B
Of course, it is also possible to use various IJ or other matrices to take G, GR, RB, B2, and G''R2 components into account.As a conversion matrix, ordinary color adjustment It has two sets, one for use and one for generating intensity signals in monochromatic mode.

In this way, when processing IIT's video code using IPS, gray balance adjustment is performed first and foremost. If this were to be performed after color masking, the conversion table would become more complex because it would be necessary to perform gray balance adjustment using the gray original in consideration of the characteristics of color masking.

(C) Original Size Detection Module Not only standard size originals but also originals of arbitrary shapes such as cutouts or other forms may be copied. In this case, it is necessary to detect the document size in order to select a paper of an appropriate size corresponding to the document size. Furthermore, when the copy paper is larger than the original size, erasing the outside of the original can improve the quality of the copy. Therefore, the document size detection module 303 performs document size detection during pre-scanning and platen color erasing (frame erasing) processing during document reading and scanning. For this purpose, the platen color is set to a color that can be easily distinguished from the original, for example, black, and the upper and lower limits of the platen color identification are set in the threshold register 30 as shown in FIG. 36(b).
Set to 3l.

During pre-scanning, a signal converted (T-converted) into information close to the reflectance of the document (spatial filter 300 to be described later) is used.
) X and threshold register 3031
Comparator 303
2, an edge detection circuit 3034 detects the edge of the document, and stores the maximum and minimum values of coordinates X and y in a maximum/minimum sorter 3035.

For example, as shown in Figure 36(d), if the document is tilted or not rectangular, the maximum and minimum values (
X +, X 2,! +, V 2) is detected and stored. In addition, when scanning a document, the comparator 3033 compares Y and MSC of the document with the upper limit value/lower limit value set in the threshold register 303l, and the platen color erasing circuit 3o36 detects the read signal of the outside of the edge, that is, the platen. Erase and perform border erasing processing.

(D) Color Conversion Module The color conversion module 305 enables conversion of a specified color in a specific area, and as shown in FIG. 36(C), a window comparator 305
2. A threshold register 30511, a color palette 3053, etc. are provided, and when performing color conversion, the upper and lower limits of each Y1M%C of the converted color are set in the threshold register 3051, and each YS of the converted color is set.
Set the values of M and C in the color palette 3053.

Then, the NAND gate 3o54 is controlled according to the area code input from the area image control module, and if it is not the color conversion area, the Y, M, and C of the original are sent out as they are from the selector 3o55, and when the color conversion area is entered, Y, M, C of the document {When the word enters between the upper and lower limit values of Y, M, and C set in the threshold register 30511, the selector 3055 is switched by the output of the window comparator 3o52 and the color palette is changed. 305
Sends the conversion colors Y, M, and C set to 3.

Specified colors can be specified by pointing the digitizer directly at the original, and by pointing the digitizer directly at the document.
A given color is recognized by taking the average of 25 pixels each of G and R. Through this averaging operation, for example, even a 150-line original can be recognized with an accuracy within a color difference of 5. To read the B%G, R density data, the specified coordinates are converted into addresses from the 2T shading correction RAM and read out. When converting the addresses, readjustment for registration adjustment is required as in the case of document size detection. In prescan, the 11T operates in sample scan mode. Shading correction R
The B, G, and Rll degree data read from AM are subjected to shading correction by software, averaged, and further subjected to END correction and color masking before being set in the window comparator 3052.

Up to 8 colors out of 16.7 million colors can be registered at the same time in Color Ballet 3053, and the standard colors are Y, M,
14 colors are available: C, G, B, R, their intermediate colors, and KSW.

(E) UCR & black generation module If the amounts of Y, M, and C are equal, the result will be gray, so theoretically, the same color can be reproduced by replacing equal amounts of Y, M, and C with black. In reality, if the color is replaced with black, the color becomes muddy and the reproducibility of vivid colors deteriorates. Therefore, the UCR & black generation module 305 generates an appropriate amount of K to prevent such color muddiness, and performs processing to reduce YSM and C by the same amount (undercolor removal) in accordance with the generated amount. Specifically, the maximum and minimum values of YSM and C are detected, K is generated below the minimum value from a conversion table according to the difference, and a constant undercolor is generated for Y, M and C according to the amount. Removal is in progress.

In UCR & black generation, as shown in Figure 36(e), for example, when the color is close to gray, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value becomes small, so the minimum values of Y, M, and C are directly removed and the K However, if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is large, the amount of removal is smaller than the minimum value of Y, M, C,
By reducing the amount of K produced, ink contamination and deterioration of the saturation of low-brightness, high-chroma colors are prevented.

In FIG. 36(f) showing a specific circuit configuration example, the maximum value/minimum value detection circuit 3051 detects the maximum and minimum values of Y, M, and C, and the calculation circuit 3053 calculates the difference. Then, K is generated using a conversion table 3054 and an arithmetic circuit 3055. The conversion table 3054 adjusts the value of K, and when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is small, the output value of the conversion table 3054 becomes zero, so the minimum value is directly used as the value of K from the calculation circuit 3055. However, if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is large, the output value of the conversion table 3054 is not zero, so the calculation circuit 305
5, the value subtracted by that amount from the minimum value is output as the value of K. Conversion table 3056 corresponds to K, Y, MSC
This is a table for finding values to be removed from Y, M, and C, and a calculation circuit 3059 uses this conversion table 3056 to remove values corresponding to K from Y, M, and C. Also, and gate 305
7, 3058 gates the K signal and the inertia after removing the undercolor of Y, M, and C according to each signal of the monochrome color mode and the 4 full color τ mode, and selector 30
52, 3050 are Y, M,
Either C or K is selected. In this way, colors are actually reproduced using Y, M, and C halftone dots, so Y
, MSC removal and K generation ratio are set using empirically generated curves, tables, etc.

(F) Spatial filter module In the device applied to the present invention, the IIT
Since the document is read while scanning the CCD, if the information is used as is, the information will be blurred.Also, since the document is reproduced by halftone dots, the halftone period of the printed matter and the sampling of 16 dots/mm Moiré occurs between cycles. Furthermore, moiré occurs between the halftone dot period generated by the user and the halftone dot period of the document. The spatial filter module 306 has a function of recovering such blur and a function of removing moiré. A low-pass filter is used to remove halftone dots, and a high-pass filter is used to emphasize edges.

In the spatial filter module 306, as shown in FIG.
A selector 3003 extracts one color of the -Min input signal and converts it into information close to reflectance using a conversion table 3004. This is because it is easier to pick up edges with this information, and Y, for example, is selected as one of the colors. In addition, for each pixel, using a threshold register 3001, a 4-bit binarization circuit 3002, and a decoder 3005,
Y, M, C, Min and Max-Min to Y, M1
Separates into eight hues: CSK, B, G, R, and W (white). The decoder 3005 recognizes the hue according to the binarized information and outputs 1-bit information indicating whether the process color is a necessary color or not.

The output of FIG. 36(g) is manually input to the circuit of FIG. 36(5). Here, FIFO3061, 5x7 digital filter 3063, modulation table 3
066 generates halftone removal information, and FIFO 306
2 and 5X7 digital filters 3064, modulation table 3067, and delay circuit 3065 generate edge emphasis information from the output information of the same figure. selected.

In edge enhancement, for example, if you want to reproduce a character with an edge like ■ in Figure 36 (i) as ■, change Y1C to ■,
Emphasis processing is performed as shown in (2), and no emphasis processing is performed for M as shown in (solid line). This switching is performed by AND game}3068. To carry out this process, if the image is emphasized as indicated by the dotted line (■), the edge will become muddy due to the color mixture of M as shown in (■). A delay circuit 3065 uses a FIFO 3062 and a 5×7 digital filter 306 to switch such emphasis using an AND gate 3068 for each process color.
This is to synchronize with 4. When bright green characters are reproduced using normal processing, magenta is mixed into the edges of the characters, causing them to become muddy. Therefore, if you recognize it as green as described above, Y
, C are output as usual, but M is suppressed and edges are not emphasized.

(G) The TRC conversion module 10T converts Y according to the on/off code from the IPS.
, M, C, and K process colors (in the case of 4 full-color copies), it is possible to reproduce full-color originals. To faithfully reproduce the original colors,
Subtle adjustments are required that take into account the characteristics of IOT. T.R.
The C conversion module 309 is intended to improve such reproducibility, and inputs 8-bit image data into addresses as shown in FIG. 36(j) according to each combination of YSM and C densities. Let the address translation table be R
It has editing functions such as density adjustment, contrast adjustment, negative/positive inversion, color balance adjustment, text mode, and watermark composition according to area signals. This RAM
Bits 0 to 3 of the area code are used for the upper three bits of the address. Furthermore, the above functions can be used in combination using the out-of-area mode. Furthermore, this RA
For example, M is composed of 2k bytes (256 bytes x 8 sides) and has 8 conversion tables, and up to 8 sides are stored during IIT carriage return for each cycle of Y1M and C, and are used for area designation and copying. Selected according to the mode. Of course, if the RAM capacity is increased, there is no need to load it every cycle.

(H) Reduction/enlargement processing module The reduction/enlargement processing module 308 uses the line buffer 3083
The data
1 for sampling pitch signal and line buffer 3083
Generate read/write addresses for. The line buffer 3083 is configured to perform a ping-pong buffer toss consisting of two lines so that one line can be read and the next line data can be written to the other at the same time. In the reduction/enlargement processing, the reduction/enlargement processing module 308 performs digital processing in the main scanning direction, but the scanning speed of 1[T is changed in the sub-scanning direction. The scan speed can be changed from 50% to 4 by changing from 2x speed to 1/4x speed.
Can be scaled up to 00%. In digital processing, when reading/writing data to/from the line buffer 3083, data can be reduced by thinning and complementing, and can be expanded by adding and complementing. If the complementary data is in the middle, it is generated by weighting according to the distance from the data on both sides, as shown in FIG. 1 (1). For example, in the case of data xl', data on both sides X+, Xt, . and the distance between these data and the sampling point d. , d2, (Xt Xdi ) + (Xl+I

In the case of reduction processing, data is complemented and written to the line buffer 3083, and at the same time, the reduced data of the previous line is read out from the buffer and sent. In the case of enlargement processing, the data is written as it is, and at the same time, the data of the previous line is read and output while being complemented and enlarged before being sent out.

If complementary enlargement is performed at the time of writing, the clock at the time of writing must be increased according to the enlargement ratio, but if it is done as described above, writing/reading can be performed with the same clock.

In addition, using this configuration, it is possible to perform shift image processing in the main scanning direction by reading from the middle or by reading with delayed timing, and by repeatedly reading, it is possible to perform repeated processing by reading from the opposite direction. It is also possible to perform mirror image processing.

(1) Screen generator The screen generator 309 converts the gradation toner signal of the process color into an on/off binary toner signal and outputs it. Binarization processing and error diffusion processing are performed by comparison with data values. In IOT, this binary toner signal is manually processed and a half-tone image is reproduced by turning on and off an elliptical laser beam approximately 80 μm in height and 60 μm in width to correspond to 16 dots/mm. There is.

First, the method of expressing gradation will be explained. Figure 36 (n
), for example, a case where a 4×4 halftone cell S is configured will be explained. First, in the screen generator, a threshold matrix m is set corresponding to such a halftone cell S, and this is compared with a data value expressed in gradation. In this comparison process, for example, if the data value is "5", Wr
generate a number.

A 4×4 halftone cell with 16 dots/mm is generally referred to as a halftone dot of 100 spi and 16 gradations, but this results in a rough image and poor color reproducibility. Therefore,
In the present invention, as a method of increasing the gradation, this l6 dot}
/ mm pixel is divided vertically (main scanning direction) into four, and the on/off frequency of the laser beam for each pixel is calculated as shown in the figure (0
), by increasing the gradation by 174 units, that is, 4 times, a 4 times higher gradation is achieved. Therefore, in response to this, a threshold value matrix m' as shown in FIG. 3(0) is set. Furthermore, it is also effective to employ the sub-mux method in order to increase the number of lines.

The above example uses the same threshold value matrix IJxm with the only growth nucleus near the center of each halftone cell, but the submatrix method is constructed from a set of multiple unit matrices (Φ) in the same figure. As shown in the figure, the growth nuclei of the matrix are placed in two or more locations (!! number one). If such a screen pattern design method is adopted, for example, the bright areas are set to 141 spi and 64 gradations, and as the area gets darker, the number of lines and gradations are changed to 200 spi and 128 gradations. You can change the tone. Such a pattern is
It can be designed by visually determining the smoothness, fineness, graininess, etc. of gradations.

When a halftone image is reproduced using a dot matrix as described above, the number of gradations and the resolution have a contradictory relationship.

That is, there is a relationship in which increasing the number of gradations results in poor resolution, and increasing the resolution reduces the number of gradations. Also,
If the 7th trix of threshold data is made smaller, a quantization error will occur in the image that is actually output. Error diffusion processing is performed by converting the quantization error between the on/off binary signal generated by the screen generator 3092 and the human tone signal into a density conversion circuit 3093 and a subtraction circuit 309, as shown in FIG.
4, the correction circuit 3095 and the addition circuit 3091
It uses feedback to improve the reproducibility of gradation when viewed visually. For example, it performs error diffusion processing that convolves the corresponding position of the previous line and the pixels on both sides of it through a digital filter. ing.

As mentioned above, the screen generator switches threshold data and error diffusion processing feedback coefficients for each document or area depending on the type of image, such as a half-tone image or character image, to improve the reproducibility of high-gradation, high-definition images. ing.

(J) Area image control module The area image control module 311 has a configuration in which seven rectangular areas and their priorities can be set in the area generation circuit, and area control information is set in the switch matrix corresponding to each area. be done.

The control information includes color mode such as color change, monochrome or full color, modulation selection information for photos and text, TRC selection information, screen generator selection information, etc. Color masking module 302, color conversion Module 304, U.C.
It is used to control the R module 305, spatial filter 306, and TRC module 307. Note that the switch matrix can be set by software.

(K) Editing control module The editing control module reads a manuscript that is not a rectangle but a pie chart, for example, and enables coloring processing in which a specified area of any shape is filled with a specified color. As shown in the figure (e), the AGDC is connected to the CPU bus.
(Advanced Graphic Digital
l Controller>3 1 2 1, font buffer 3126, logo ROM3 1 2 8, DM
AC (DMA Controller) 3 1 2
9 is connected.

Then, the encoded 4-bit area command is written from the CPU to the plain memory 3122 through the AGDC 3 1 2 1, and the 7-bit buffer 312
The font is written to 6. Plain memo! 73 1
22 is composed of four sheets, and each point of the document can be set with four bits of plane 0 to plane 3, for example, in the case of "0000", it is command O and the original document is output. The decoder 3123 decodes this 4-bit information into commands 0 to 15.
The switch matrix 3124 is used to set commands θ to 15 to perform fill pattern, fill logic, or logo processing. The font address controller 3125 generates addresses for the 7-ont buffer 3126 in response to patterns such as halftone shade and hatching shade using a 2-bit fill pattern signal.

The switch circuit 3127 is a switch matrix 3124
Based on the fill logic signal and the content of the original data X, the original data X1 font buffer 3126, color palette, etc. are selected. Fill logic is information for filling only the background (background part of the document) with a color mesh, color conversion for a specific part, masking, trimming, filling, etc.

In the IPS of the present invention, as described above, the original reading signal of [T] is first subjected to END conversion and then color masking, and the processing of original size, border erasure, and color conversion is more efficient when processing with full color data. After that, I remove the undercolor and generate ink to focus on process colors. However, processing of spatial filters, color modulation, TRC, scaling, etc. can reduce the amount of processing by processing 10 process color data, and the number of conversion tables used can be reduced compared to processing with full color data. /3, and the number of types is correspondingly increased to improve the flexibility of adjustment, reproducibility of color, reproducibility of gradation, and reproducibility of definition.

(III-2>Hardware configuration of image processing system FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the IPS.

In the IPS of the present invention, two substrates (['S-A, IPS
-B), and the parts that achieve the basic functions of a color image forming device, such as color reproducibility, gradation reproducibility, and definition reproducibility, are placed on the first substrate (IPS-A). , parts for achieving applied and specialized functions such as editing are mounted on the second board (['S-B). The former configuration is shown in FIGS. 37(a) to (C), and the latter configuration is shown in FIG. 37(d). In particular, if the basic functions can be sufficiently achieved with the first board, applications and specialized functions can be flexibly handled simply by changing the design of the second board. Therefore, if it is desired to further enhance the functionality of the color image forming apparatus, this can be achieved simply by changing the design of the other substrate.

The IPS board has CPU buses (address bus ADRSBUS1 data path DATAB) as shown in Figure 37.
IIT video data B1G, R, video clock IIT/VCLK as synchronization signals, line synchronization (main scanning direction, horizontal synchronization) signal IIT-LS, page synchronization (sub-scanning direction, Vertical synchronization) signal 1 1T-PS is connected.

Since the video data is subjected to pipeline processing after the END conversion section, a data delay occurs in clock units necessary for processing at each processing stage. Therefore,
The line synchronization generation and fail check circuit 328 generates and distributes horizontal synchronization signals in response to delays in each process, and also performs a fail check on the video clock and line synchronization code. Therefore, the line synchronization generation & fail check circuit 328 includes a video clock I
The IT-VCLK and line synchronization signals 11T and LS are connected, and the CPU bus (ADHSBUS, DATABUS, CTRLBU) is connected so that internal settings can be rewritten.
S), the chip select convention CS is connected.

11T bidet data B, G, R are RO of END conversion section
Man-powered by M3 2 1. The END conversion table may be configured to be loaded from the CPU using RAM, for example, but there is almost no need to rewrite it while the device is in use and image data is being processed.
Two 2-kbyte ROMs are used for each of G and H, and a ROM-based LUT (look-up table) method is adopted. It has 16 conversion tables and is switched by a 4-bit selection signal ENDSel.

The output of ROM321 after END conversion is 3 for each color.
X17} 3 calculation LSI3 with 2 sides of IJ
It is connected to a color masking section consisting of 22. Operation L
Each bus of the CPU is connected to SI322,
Matrix coefficients can be set from the CPU.

CP from image signal processing to rewriting by CPU, etc.
A setup signal SU1 and a chip select signal CS are connected to switch to the U bus, and a 1-bit switching signal MONO is connected to select the IJ bus.

Also, power down. The internal video clock is stopped when the IIT is not scanning, that is, when it is not processing images.

The signal converted from BSGSR to YSM,C by the calculation LSI 322 is sent to the second board (IPS
-B) After color conversion processing through the color conversion LSI 353, it is input into the DOD LSI 323. The color conversion LSI 353 includes a threshold register for setting non-conversion colors, a color palette for setting conversion colors,
It has four color conversion circuits consisting of comparators, etc., and the DOD LSI 323 includes a document edge detection circuit,
It has a frame eraser circuit, etc.

The output of the DOD LSI323 that has undergone frame erasing is UCR.
The data is sent to the LSI 324 for use. This LSI includes a UCR circuit, a black generation circuit, and a necessary color generation circuit, and includes a process color x corresponding to the toner color in the copy cycle.
1 Outputs necessary color Hue and Edge signals.

Therefore, this LSI has a 2-bit process color designation signal COLR, a color-%-}' signal (4COLR
, MONO) is also manually operated.

The line memory 325 is an OCR LSI 3 2 4
Process color X output from, required color} { ue,
A FIFO that stores data for 4 lines in order to input each edge signal to a 5x7 digital filter 326, and a FIF that matches the delay.
Consists of O. Here, process card 5-X and edge E d
For ge, 4 lines are accumulated and a total of 5 lines are sent to the digital filter 326, and for the necessary color Hue, it is delayed by FIFO and sent to the digital filter 326.
The signal is synchronized with the output of the MIX LSI 327 and sent to the MIX LSI 327.

The digital filter 326 is a 2×7 filter LS
There is a 5x7 filter consisting of three I filters (Nu (low-pass LP and high-pass HP)), one of which processes process color X, and the other which processes edge.

The MIX LSI 327 performs halftone removal and edge emphasis processing on these outputs using a conversion table, and mixes them into process color X. Here, EDGE and SHARP S are used as signals for switching the conversion table.
harp is input.

The TRC 342 consists of a 2K byte RAM that holds eight conversion tables. The conversion table is configured to be rewritten using the carriage return period before each scan, and is switched by a 3-bit switching signal TRC Set. The processing output from here is sent to the reduction/enlargement processing LSI 345 from the transceiver. The reduction/enlargement processing section configures a ping-pong buffer (line buffer) using two 8-kbyte RAMs 344, and generates a resampling pitch and a line buffer address using an LSI 343.

The output of the reduction/enlargement processing section returns to the EDF LSI 346 through the area memory section of the second board shown in FIG. 3(d). E
The DF LSI 346 is a DF that holds information on the previous line.
It has an IFO and performs error diffusion processing using information from the previous line. After the error diffusion process, the SG X
7 and is output to the ■OT interface.

With the 10T interface, the Confucian code from the SG LSI 347 input as a 1-bit on/off signal is transferred to the LSI.
349, and sends it to the IOT in parallel in 8 bits.

In the second board shown in FIG. 37, the data actually flowing is 16 dots/mm, so the reduced LS
In I354, the image is reduced to 1/4, binarized, and stored in the area memory. The enlarged decode L51359 has a fill pattern RAM 360, and when reading area information from the area memory and generating a command, it enlarges it to 16 dots and performs logo address generation, color palette, and fill pattern generation processing. . DRAM3 5
6 stores 4-bit coded area information composed of four planes. ACDC355 is a dedicated controller that controls area commands.

(III-3) Original size detection and border erasure (A) Original size detection The color image forming apparatus of the present invention has an original size detection function, automatic paper selection (APS) function, automatic magnification setting (AMS)
) function, it automatically matches the original, paper, and copy magnification, making it possible to output copies without wasting paper.

These alignments are done by detecting the document size.
For example, if you start copying only by specifying the paper size, you can reduce or enlarge the original to the specified paper size.
When copying is started after only specifying the magnification, select the paper size that will be used when the original is set to the specified magnification (automatic paper selection) and copy. processing is performed. Of course, if neither paper size nor magnification is specified, the magnification is 100.
%, paper of the same size as the original is selected and copied. In this way, copies are made in the paper size and magnification desired by the user, and paper is not wasted. Even when the original is not of a predetermined size in length and width, or is placed at an angle on a platen, the original is copied so that the entire surface of the original fits on the paper without missing any part of the original.

In document size detection, it is determined from the reading of the TIT whether it is the platen cover or the document, that is, the size of the document. “−Detect azalea (
The basic method is to detect the document position.

Therefore, when focusing on edge detection of a document, generally considered documents often have a white background, but when a color document is targeted, it does not necessarily have a white background.

Moreover, since it has become easier to edit and copy originals, it is not uncommon to use cut-and-cover originals and free-form originals other than rectangular ones.

Looking at it this way, even if it is simply edge detection of a document,
A variety of delicate issues are involved. First, in color copying machines, in order to distinguish between the platen cover and the original, the platen cover must be identified by color.
The question is how to avoid misrecognizing these as manuscripts of various colors. How to judge the size of a rectangular original when it is placed on the platen tilted, or when a free-form original is placed on the platen The problem is.

In the present invention, in order to avoid errors in document size detection, an output signal after a spatial filter that has undergone edge processing is used as a detection signal.

This signal is a signal obtained by selecting and edge-processing the recording signal of the developed color after generating the black plate and removing the undercolor, as explained earlier, and is a luminance signal obtained by pre-scanning prior to copy scanning. It is. Using this signal, the edges of the document are detected for each line in the main scanning direction, and the minimum and maximum values are detected when all lines are scanned, and the minimum and maximum values of the edges of the document are also detected in the sub-scanning direction. Detect. In this detection, when the brightness signal is below the threshold value, it is determined that it is a document,
Rise of the signal (inactive-active)
, a falling edge (active-inactive) is detected. The method of detecting the minimum value and maximum value in the main scanning direction is to latch the counter values of the video clock VCLK in the main scanning direction into registers using the rising and falling signals on the n-th line, respectively, and The value latched at the (n-1)th line is compared, and if the value is the minimum value, the smaller value is latched, and if the value is the maximum value, the larger value is latched. By performing this operation from beginning to end, the minimum value and maximum value in the main scanning direction are detected.

The method for detecting the minimum value and maximum value in the sub-scanning direction is to latch the values of the line number counters using the first rising signal and the last falling signal, respectively.

(B) Original Border Erasing As described above, original size detection basically detects the edges of the original, so this function can also be used for original border erasing.

Generally, many documents have a white background, so if the platen cover is made white or a color close to white, it becomes impossible to distinguish between the platen cover and the document at the edges of the document. Therefore, in order to easily identify the platen cover at the edge portion of the document, it is necessary to use a special color other than white as the platen cover color. However, if black is used as the color of the platen cover, for example, a black frame will appear on the outside of the color copy of the document.

Original frame erasing is a process of erasing the outer frame of the original, in other words, making the reading code on the platen cover white. In this process, in the copy cycle of each developing color, the platen is The image data for the cover S is cleared and turned into a white signal, while the image data for the document is output as is. For this reason, color detection is necessary for original border erasing. For example, if you try to erase borders using the output signature of a spatial filter selected by the developing color, the edges of the original may be detected depending on the current color. The problem arises that it cannot be done. Therefore, image data before a development color is selected and before color conversion, [JCR, etc.] processing is performed is used for document border erasing. Specifically, Y
When the input image data of the SMSC is less than a threshold value, it is determined that it is a document, and the rising and falling edges of the signal are detected.

Then, on the nth line, the rising and falling signals are used to latch the counter value at that time,
The value is calculated and used as the value inside the document. Then (n
+1) In the line, a document area signal is generated based on the calculated value, and an area other than the document is converted into white data based on the document area signal. In this respect, frame erasing differs from document size detection, which detects the document position by prescanning using a signal after a spatial filter.

(III-4) Original size detection and frame erasing circuit configuration (A)
Block Configuration of Circuit FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the original size detection and frame erasing circuit.

As mentioned above, detecting the document size for paper selection and magnification determination, and erasing the frame of the platen cover that is the outside of the document,
The signals used are different, and therefore the positions at which they are inserted in the image data processing system are basically different. However, since both have the same function in that they detect the edge of the document, the present invention aims to share the built-in circuit in the same LSI. FIG. 38 shows a block diagram of the overall circuit configuration.

In FIG. 38, the CPU interface 711 is
It reads/writes each internal register, and vc
pu address bus A4-0, data path D7-0, read signal NRD, write signal NWD, select l number NCS
It is used to process Here, "N" means negative logic. The main scanning direction counter 721 counts the video clock VCLK using the line sync signal LS as a reset signal for each line scan, and the sub scanning direction counter 722 uses the page sync signal PS as a reset signal to count the video clock VCLK. is counted.

The document size detection circuit includes a document position detection section 713, a main scanning direction maximum/minimum value detection section 718, and a sub-scanning direction maximum/minimum value detection section 7l9. Line maximum value minimum value detection unit 717,
It is composed of a data reset section 716. Further, PSl is a signal for synchronizing in the sub-scanning direction, and when this signal is at a high level, it is the valid period of LSIA and LSIB. LSIA is a signal that becomes valid during frame erasing processing and synchronizes in the main scanning direction, and when this signal is at a high level, frame erasing input image signals VDIA, VDIB,
VDIC becomes valid. LSIB is a signal that becomes valid when a document is detected to synchronize the main scanning direction, and when this signal is at a high level, the input image signal for document detection VDI
becomes effective.

In the frame erasing processing circuit, the document position detection unit 712 receives frame erasing input image signals (VDIA, VDIB, VDIC).
is input, the document position is detected by comparing the signal with threshold data to determine the color of the platen cover and filtering the signal with a one-dimensional filter. This document position detection is a process of detecting the position where the color of the platen cover changes to the color of the document. For example, if the platen cover is black and the document is white, in this case, in the dimensional filter, the point of change from black to white is 8 pixels for white,
The original position is detected on the condition that 12 or 16 pixels are continuous. On the other hand, the moe line maximum value/minimum value detection unit 717 detects the first change point from black to white and the last change point from white to black for every l line. The count value of the first change point from black to white detected in step 712 and the count value of the last change point from white to black detected in step 712 are read from the main scanning direction counter 721 .

As a result, the minimum value set in the register is the count value at the first point where it changes from black to white (from the platen cover to the document), and the maximum value is the count value at the last point at which it changes from white to black (from the document to the platen cover). This is the count value of the change point). The data reset unit 71 performs border erasing processing on the next line of image data based on these minimum and maximum values.
It is 6. That is, the data reset error 716 resets the input image data VDIA7-0, VDIB7-0, VDIC7-0 according to the signal from the previous line maximum value minimum value detection unit 717.
Border erasure processing is performed by resetting (making it white).

In this way, change points can be detected even in the manuscript, so
The first point and the last point are the edges of the document, and the area within this range is recognized as the document, and the outer image data is cleared by the data reset unit 716 to erase the frame.

In the illustrated circuit configuration, if the data reset unit 716 attempts to erase the frame of a line that directly corresponds to the previous line maximum/minimum value detection unit 717 using the Confucian code,
In order to correspond (synchronize), input screen signal vDIA7
~0, VDI87~0, and VDIC7~0 need to be delayed by one line. The reset signal NDRST is
This signal is used together with an external one-line delay circuit when such delay processing is required.

In the document size detection circuit, the document position detection circuit 713 uses the input image signal (VDI) for document detection, which is a luminance signal obtained from the output side of the spatial filter, as human power, and detects the document position for document size detection. . The main scanning direction maximum value/minimum value detection section 718 reads the count value of the main scanning direction counter 721 at the rise and fall of the edge signal detected by the document position detection section 713.

Then, the count value at the time of rising is compared with the set value of the register, and the minimum value is detected by updating the set value of the register with the smaller count value. Similarly, the maximum value is detected by comparing the count value at the falling edge with the set value in the register and updating the set value in the register with the larger count value. These minimum and maximum values become the document size in the X direction. Further, the sub-scanning direction maximum value/minimum value detection unit 718 reads the value of the sub-scanning direction counter 720 when detected by the document position detection unit 713, and similarly sets the minimum value and maximum value as the document size in the Y direction. To detect.

(I[I-5) LSI configuration (A) Circuit description Figure 39 shows the configuration of an LSI incorporating the above-mentioned document size detection and frame erasing circuits, and Figure 40 shows the start of document detection set in the register. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the content of the position and the content of document position detection latched in the register.

In FIG. 39, a counter 753 is a main scanning direction counter, and a counter 752 is a sub scanning direction counter.

The document detection area determination circuit 755 determines the document detection range in the main scanning direction in units of one dot, and has a register in which the document detection start position in the main scanning direction is set, and a register in which the document detection end position in the main scanning direction is set. It consists of registers to be set and a comparator that compares the contents of these registers with the count value of the main scanning direction counter 753. Similarly, the document detection area determination circuit 754 determines the document detection range in the sub-scanning direction, and includes a register in which the document detection start position in the sub-scanning direction is set, and a register in which the document detection end position in the sub-scanning direction is set. registers, their contents, and sub-scanning direction counter 752
It consists of a comparator that compares the count value of . FIG. 40 shows the relationship between the set values of these registers and the document detection area.

The data level determination circuit 731 determines the level of the brightness signal input VD17 to VD0 in order to detect the original size, and is a register ($14) in which the dark value level is set.
, a comparator that compares this threshold level with the luminance signal inputs VD17-0. Therefore, in the register of this circuit, a darkness value level for separating the platen cover and the document when detecting the document position is set, and when the darkness level is below this level, it is determined that the document is a document.

The data level determination circuit 732 performs Y
, M, and C to determine the level of each color signal.
It consists of a register ($15 to $17) in which a threshold level is set corresponding to each color, and a through comparator that compares this dark value level with image signal inputs VDrY7 to 0, DIM7 to 0, and VDIC7 to 0. Therefore, in these registers, threshold levels for separating the platen cover and the original are set respectively for Y, M, and C.
When all of the YSMSCa colors are below the set value, a signal for recognizing an original is outputted from an AND gate.

The one-dimensional filter 733 removes it as noise when the original signal does not continue for a predetermined number or more, and recognizes it as an original when the original signal is manually input by the selected number of bits.
The signal is output. This one-dimensional filter 733 is
For example, it can be configured with a shift register and an AND gate.

In this case, the output of each bit of the shift register is rl
It is only necessary to output "l" from the AND gate on the condition that ".". Alternatively, a counter may be used that causes a bar to flow when a predetermined number or more of consecutive document signals occur. The number of filtering bits is Y, MSC when erasing the frame.
It is set in a register ($10) in units of 1 bit, 8 bits, 12 bits, and 16 bits in one-dimensional direction with respect to human power, and filtering is performed using the set number of bits.

In addition, the register for setting this number of bits has an input inertia function switching bit, and this bit specifies whether frame erasure is performed by manual input signals of Y, M, and C, or document detection is performed by manual input of brightness signals. Set.

With this setting, the selector (S E
L).

As shown in FIG. 42, the change point detection circuit 734 detects the first change point signal STOT from black to white, and the white This is to generate a change point signal ED from black to black. Of these, the former changing point signal STOT is sent to the latch circuit 735, and the latter changing point signal ED is sent to the latch circuit 741, where the values of the main scanning direction counter 753 are latched. In other words, the latch circuit 735 latches the value of the main scanning direction counter 753 at the first change point by the change point signal STOT, and the latch circuit 741 latches the value of the main scanning direction counter 753 at the first change point by the change point signal ED. The value of the main scanning direction counter 753 is latched. In addition, in FIG. 42, at the first change point from black to white, the change point signal ST (S
TOT) is not output, which indicates that the white pixels returned to black without exceeding a predetermined number of consecutive pixels and were removed by the one-dimensional filter 733. In other words, it indicates that it has been processed as noise.

The minimum value detection circuit 736 in the main scanning direction detects the starting position of the document, and has a latch circuit, a comparator, and minimum document detection position registers ($8, $9) in the main scanning direction. Compare the value of 735 with the value already latched and held in the minimum document detection position register in the main scanning direction, and update the contents of the minimum document detection position register in the main scanning direction if the value of the latch circuit 735 is small. The minimum value is held in the document detection minimum position register in the main scanning direction. The value of the minimum document detection position register when the document is not detected is the maximum value, such as rlFFFJ, for example.

The maximum value detection circuit 742 in the main scanning direction similarly has a latch circuit, a comparator, and a document detection maximum position register ($A, $B) in the main scanning direction. The latch circuit 74 compares the value held in the document detection maximum position register in the scanning direction.
When the value of 1 is large, the contents of the document detection maximum position register in the main scanning direction are updated to hold the maximum value in the document detection maximum position register in the main scanning direction.

The value of the document detection maximum position register when the document is not detected is the minimum value, for example, "0 0 0 0J."

The document detection circuit 757 in the sub-scanning direction includes a latch circuit that latches the value of the counter 752 in the sub-scanning direction, document detection maximum position registers ($E, $F), and document detection minimum position registers ($C, $D). The count value of the first line is latched in the document detection minimum position register, and the count value of the last line is latched in the document detection maximum position register by the first change point signal STOT from black to white.

FIG. 41 shows the contents latched in the document detection maximum position register and document detection minimum position register in the main scanning direction and the document detection maximum position register and document detection minimum position register in the sub-scanning direction.

In the frame erasing process, a frame erasing start position offset and a frame erasing end position offset are set in the register ($11), and the area inside the document position by the offset amount is erased as shown in Figure 43. It is targeted. This adjustment is performed by the adding circuits of the front end control circuit 738 and the rear end control circuit 743. The front end control circuit 738 adds the set value of the offset amount, and the rear end control circuit 743 adds the two's complement value to the set value, thereby adjusting the document position as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the image data vDY7~0, VD to the inside by the offset amount
The frame erasing processing circuit 756 is controlled to reset M7 to OSvD07 to 0 to white. Further, as for the frame erasure start position, the number of bits of the one-dimensional filter is added to the offset.

(B) Clock interface Inside the LSI, image data is latched by a latch circuit (DQ) and pipeline processing is performed in synchronization.The internal clock controls the operation of this latch and each circuit. be. clock interface 75
1 generates an internal clock from the video clock VCLK as shown in the figure, and has a circuit configuration consisting of a flip-flop circuit and an AND gate, and generates a power down signal N.
The internal clock is stopped by PD.

This internal clock stop control reduces power consumption and heat generation of the LSI during standby.
Improves noise resistance.

(C) Pin arrangement FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of the pin arrangement of an LSI.

The connection pins of the LSI are arranged vertically and horizontally as shown in FIG. 44, and these are grouped to facilitate layout and wiring when mounting the LSI on a printed circuit board. In other words, in the illustrated example, pins related to image data input are placed on the left, pins related to image data output are placed on the right, and bins related to the C P tJ interface and control related bins are placed above and below. There is. The IPS of the present invention divides each functional unit into LSI circuits, and as shown in Figure 37, the LSIs are arranged along the flow of inputting image data from IIT manually and outputting it to IOT. There is. In the LSI with the pin arrangement shown in Figure 44, image data flows from left to right, with the CPU bus passing through the upper side and the control signal line passing through the lower side, and the LS from left to right following the flow of image data.
The configuration is such that I are successively connected in cascade. Therefore, it exactly matches the arrangement shown in FIG. 37. In this way, by unifying the pin arrangement of each LSI, it is possible to increase the packaging density, shorten the wiring length, and reduce noise troubles.

(I[I-6) Setting control of image data processing In the present invention,
The VCPU manages an image data processing system consisting of IIT and IPS.

At each processing stage of image data in IPS, as already mentioned, conversion tables (LUTs) are utilized to provide flexibility in processing such as image data conversion and correction. In other words, by using a conversion table, you can freely set data such as nonlinear conversion and correction, and by setting the value of the calculation result in advance, you can perform calculation processing simply by reading the conversion table. The desired calculated value can be obtained without any trouble. Furthermore, by preparing multiple tables and configuring them so that they can be selected according to the type of image, it is possible to convert and correct image data according to photos, text, printing, and a mixture of these. It is possible to guarantee the reproducibility of specific images depending on the original. Moreover, by using a conversion table, the number of gates and memory capacity for processing such as conversion and correction can be reduced, and desired data can be obtained by reading out table data using manual data as an address. It is possible to increase the processing speed.

The vcpu not only sets and controls various tables in the IPS, but also controls the image data processing system of the IIT.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing the construction of the management system by the VCPU.

From the perspective of image data flow, the VCPU board (VCPU PWBA) 781 is an analog board (AN8LOG).
Connected after PWB 8) 782, VCPU7 8
In addition to 4, ITG (IIT Timing Generator) 7
85 and SHC (shade ink correction circuit) 786 are also incorporated.

As mentioned earlier, the VCPU784 sets and controls various tables in the IPS, and also controls this IT.
It also controls the G785, SHC786, and analog board 782.

On the analog board 782, from the IIT sensor board to the CCD
Color separation signal for 5 layer elements of line sensor (video decoding)
If you do this manually, this will be passed through each amplifier to the corresponding A/
The signal is input to a D converter (235 in FIG. 19), where it is converted into an 8-pit digital data string GBRGBR, and sent to the ITG 785 on the VCPU board 781. For this analog board 782, the VCPU 784 sets the amplification degree of the gain adjustment amplifier and the offset adjustment amplifier. These gain adjustment amplifiers and offset adjustment amplifiers are provided for each channel CHI to CH5 corresponding to the five layer elements of the CCD line sensor, and
U784 is a DAC for gain adjustment of each channel,
The DAC for offset adjustment is selected and the set value is written. Therefore, the VCPU board 781
and the analog board 782, there is a DAC switch,
Select and write channels for channels CH1 to CH5, an address bus, and a data path are provided as interfaces.

The ITG785 on the VCPU board 781 includes a delay amount setting circuit (236 in FIG. 19) that performs staggered correction and a separation/synthesis circuit (236 in FIG. 19).
237) in Fig. 19), and VCPUT
These circuits are controlled by register settings starting from 84. The delay amount setting circuit that performs staggered correction is a 5-layer CC
The separation/synthesis circuit corrects the mounting misalignment amount of the D line sensor in the sub-scanning direction, has a line memory, and separates GBRGBR... into each color code in each channel and holds one line. The color signals of each channel are then combined. Therefore, the ITG785 includes a register PS-DLY that sets the staggered correction amount corresponding to the magnification value, and a register I PS-L that sets the delay correction value of the IPS vibe line.
S-GENLH, register REGI-ADJUST for setting the registration correction value in the main scanning direction, register LS'-12ELH for setting the effective pixel width in the main scanning direction, register DV-GEN for setting the zigzag correction adjustment value, DARK output timing adjustment A register DARK is prepared to set the value,
These registers are set from the VCPU through the address bus and data path. For example, register PS-D
In LY, 4 corresponding to a magnification of 100% is set as the staggered correction amount at power-on, and the staggered correction amount corresponding to the selected magnification is determined and set at the start. Also, ITG7
WHTREF and WHTINT are provided as hotlines in 85, and the timing of data capture is notified through these hotlines.

The SHC786 inputs pixel data for each color from the rTG786 and performs pixel shift correction and shady? correction is being performed. To this end, register CTRL-REG sets the pixel shift correction method, register ADJ-REG sets the density adjustment value for shading, and SRAM (19th
Registers ADL and ADH-REG for setting read/write pixel addresses (240) in the figure, data register DATA-REG for SRAM, etc. are prepared. Pixel shift correction is a process that performs weighted averaging between pixel data, and input data for the n-th pixel is changed to D. ,,If the output data is dI, then d,=Dゎ (no correction), d,=(D.,+2DTh)/3 d. A pattern such as = (2D., +Di)/3 is selected. Shading correction is
This is a process that calculates and outputs the difference between the image input data and the reference data written in SRAM.The reference data is the data read from the white reference plate, corrected for pixel deviation, and written to SRAM before the start of scanning. . Further, the density adjustment is performed by adding the set value of the register ADJ-REG to the image input data.

The data flow in the SHC 786 differs depending on the copy scan mode and the color detection sample scan mode.

In copy scan mode, first press WH to start scanning.
When the density of the white reference plate is read at the time of TREF input, the white reference data is written into the SRAM, and when the next scan is started, the shading correction of the document read density data through pixel shift correction is performed using the SRAM data.

In color detection sample scan mode, I
When the IT gear moves and inputs the WHTREF code, the original reading density data is written to the SRAM, and then the specified pixel data is transferred from the SRAM to the VCPU78.
It is read out to the RAM of 4.

In the color detection sequence, WHTREF is sent to ITG785 after 50 mS has passed after moving the IIT carriage to the specified point.
is issued, and writing processing to the SRAM is performed in synchronization with the IPS line sync signal IPS-LS. Then, with the next line sync signal (Ps-LS), the ITG 785 issues a WHTINT signal, and the pixel data of the specified point is transferred to the RAM of the VCPU 784. 50m above
S is the time when the 11T carriage stops vibrating and stands still. This color detection targets 5 pixels in the main scanning direction and 5 pixels in the sub-scanning direction from the designated point. Therefore, S.R.
From the pixel data of one line in the main scanning direction written to AM, the specified point and the pixel data of the following five points are sent to the VCPU 7.
The pixel data is read into the RAM of 84, and the IIT carriage is moved four times by one pulse to similarly read the pixel data at five points at a time. The above is the process when the number of designated points is one.

Therefore, if there are multiple designated points, the same process will be repeated for each designated point.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the border erasing process,
It was configured to adjust and reset the offset amount based on the document position detected in the line before the processing line.
The circuit may be constructed by adjusting the amount of delay so that the document position detection line and the frame erasing processing line are the same, or conversely, the processing may be performed several lines later. If the document position detected in the previous line is used for frame erasing processing as in the above example, only one line cannot be erased on the last line that changes from the document to the platen cover, but in this way By doing this, it is possible to eliminate such unerased frames. In addition, by setting the offset amount for the minimum and maximum values in the sub-scanning direction and adjusting the delay amount,
The processing circuit may be configured so that at the upper end, the frame is erased from the minimum value to several lines further, and at the lower end, the frame is erased from several lines before the maximum value.

Further, although the document size detection circuit processes the signal after the spatial filter as image input data, the document position detection circuit of the frame erasing processing circuit may be used. Furthermore, although the document position is detected after converting the color separation signals BSG, R into color material recording signals Y, M, C, it is also possible to process the document position at the color separation signal stage.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above explanation, according to Honshahu, in document size detection, the output signal of a spatial filter that has been subjected to processing such as noise removal is used, which improves the accuracy of document size detection and eliminates false detection. Since the pre-scan signal is used, it is possible to freely select and use signals that are easy to detect. In addition, in frame erasing processing, the platen cover is set to black and the document position is detected by level judgment with a threshold value for each color signal, so high document detection accuracy can be obtained for each color signal, and frame erasing processing It can be done reliably. Furthermore, by latching the counter and value for each scanning direction in a register at the threshold level that separates the document position from the platen cover and the document, and updating it by comparing it with the previous value, the front edge is the minimum value and the rear edge is the minimum value. Since the document position is detected using the maximum value at the edge, these document position detection processing circuits can be used in common for document size detection and border erasing processing, making it possible to achieve an integrated LSI configuration and to reduce the LSI size. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a document position detection processing method of a digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a color copying machine to which the present invention is applied.
Figure 3 shows the hardware architecture, Figure 4 shows the hardware architecture.
The figure shows the software architecture, Figure 5 shows the copy layer, Section 6 shows state division, Figure 7 shows the sequence from power-on state to standby state, and Figure 8 shows the sequence from power-on state to standby state. is a diagram explaining the sequence of the production state, Figure 9 is a diagram explaining the concept of diagnostics, Figure 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the system and other remotes, and Figure 11 is a diagram showing the module configuration of the system. Figure 12 is a diagram explaining job mode creation, Figure 13 is a diagram showing data ports between the system and each remote, and data ports between modules in the system, and Figure 14 is a perspective view of the document scanning mechanism. Figure, No. 15
Figure 1 is a diagram explaining the control method of the stepping motor.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart explaining the IT control system, FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit, FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the CCD line sensor, and FIG.
The figure shows a configuration example of a video signal processing circuit, FIG. 20 is a timing chart explaining the operation of the video signal processing circuit, FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an IOT, and FIG. 22 is a configuration example of a transfer device. Figure 23 is a diagram showing an example of mounting U using a display, Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting the mounting angle and height of Ul, and Figure 25 is the module configuration of UI. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of U■, FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the configuration of UICB, FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the configuration of EPIB, and FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display screen. The figure shown in Fig. 30 is F/
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of M/U, FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining the density characteristics of negative film and the principle of correction, and FIG. 33 schematically shows the configuration of F/P. Also, a diagram showing the relationship between F/P, M/U, and IIT, Part 3
Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the simulation procedure and timing.
Figure 35 is a diagram showing an overview of the IPS module configuration.
Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining each module that constitutes the IPS, Figure 37 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the IPS,
Figure 38 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the original size detection and frame erasing circuit, Figure 39 is a diagram showing the configuration of an LSI incorporating the original size detection and frame erasing circuit, and Figure 40 is the original detection set in the register. Figure 41 is a diagram showing the contents of the start position, Figure 41 is a diagram showing the contents of document position detection latched in the register, Figure 42 is a waveform diagram to explain the operation of the change point detection circuit, Figure 43 is the document position FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of LSI pin arrangement, and FIG. 45 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system using VCPU. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Platen, 2...Document, 3...Line sensor 4...Image borrowing conversion unit, 5...Frame erasure processing unit,
6 and 7... Original detection unit, 8... Main scanning direction counter, 9... Sub-scanning direction counter, lO... Image recording unit. Applicant Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Ryukichi Abe (5 others) Figure 5 (b) Figure 5 (C) Karinta 3 o Figure 6 Figure (d) @T11- Figure <e> 0.1.2 ・ l-T3 one anal side ■Plate Figure 10 Serial communication A: Interface between modules Interface Figure 12 (α) ( b) (C) Figure 14 8-■0To219 ■-■ Data between modules Figure 15 (a) (b) Figure 15 (d) (e) REGI Figure (a) Figure 16 (b) Figure 17 Figure 18 (b) Hw Mr. H Figure 20 235a G1 R1 G2 R2 G3 B3 Rko 21 Figure 22 (a) - Figure 22 (b) 25 Zuka 26 Figure Seat 29 Figure 29 Figure 36 (a) Figure 36 (f) X Figure 36 Figure 36 (k) (d) (e) Figure 36 (i) 11 (to genus) (t included) Figure 36 (n) Figure 36 (p) (q) Figure 37 (C) Figure 38 7ZZ Work 40 Figure 41 Y force application -→ Figure 42 Figure 43Figure 44

Claims (11)

[Claims] (1) In an image processing device that scans in the main scanning direction while moving the document reading line sensor in the sub-scanning direction to extract the image signal of the document and performs recording and playback processing, a platen cover with a high density color is used to A document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus, characterized in that the edge of the document is detected by determining the signal level for each line scan in the scanning direction. (2) A document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a platen cover of black or gray color is used. (3) The reading signal is compared with a threshold value, a change point in magnitude is detected, and the document position of the line is recognized from the first position and the last position of the change point.
Document position detection processing method of the image processing device described. (4) The document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the change point is determined by detecting the number of consecutive identical pixels after the size is reversed. (5) Recognize the document size in the main scanning direction from the minimum and maximum values of the change points in all lines in the main scan direction, and from the line where the first change point is detected and the last line where the change point is detected, 4. The document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising recognizing the document size in the scanning direction. (6) The document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an offset amount is set, and the document position is moved inward by the offset amount and input image signals outside of the original position are erased. (7) The document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the input image signal is erased based on the document position detected in the previous line. (8) The document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the input image signal is erased by converting it into a white signal. (9) A document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein edges are detected from a luminance signal in a pre-scan before an image recording scan. (10) A document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein edges are detected by comparing the read signal of each color with a threshold value during image recording scanning. (11) A document position detection processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a document detection start position is set and the document detection process is performed from the set document position start position.