JPH0371161A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove image distortion or blur due to the repeat of copy expansion by determing an expansion factor for expanding font data read out of a font memory based upon size data detected by a size detecting means and using the font data expanded by the expansion factor as point lighting control data. CONSTITUTION:An inter-image eraser 5 is an LED array obtained by aligning 84 LED elements with 5mm pitches to execute inter-image and side erasing in a copying mode and write a character pattern based upon font data in a printing mode. The expansion factor for expanding font data read out from the font memory 401 is determined based upon size data detected by the size detecting means for copying paper. A font pattern is developed on an area corresponding to the paper size in a bit map memory 402 by using the font data expanded by the expansion factor as point lighting control data. Consequently, large characters approximate to paper size can be printed out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine that can select and set either a copy mode or a print mode.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art There are electrophotographic copying machines that can selectively set either a copy mode or a print mode.

In the copying machine described above, in the print mode, for example, each LED element of an inter-image eraser consisting of an array of a large number of LED elements is turned ON/OFF in accordance with lighting/extinguishing control data developed in the focus map memory, thereby controlling the photosensitive drum. An electrostatic latent image is written on top.

Furthermore, among the above-mentioned copying machines, there has been provided one in which data is developed into a focus map memory based on data read from a font memory in which character pattern data is registered.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] There is a need to print large characters, such as those used on banners, using a copying machine that can set print modes.

In such cases, conventional methods have been to print small characters based on font data and then enlarge and copy them several times to obtain a large character print image, or to use an editing machine that can input arbitrary patterns. It is used to obtain large character print images manually drawn by hand.

However, in the former case, due to the repetition of several orders of copying,
Problems such as image distortion and blurring occur, and the latter has the problem that, because it is handwritten, it is not possible to obtain a beautiful pattern as with font data.

Therefore, there is a need for a copying machine that can print large characters of a size close to the paper size based on font data.

The present invention is intended to solve these problems.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] The present invention allows the copy mode and the print mode to be set alternatively, and in the print mode, the photosensitive drum is placed near the photoreceptor drum based on the lighting/extinguishing control data. By individually controlling the turning on and off of a large number of light emitting elements of the inter-image eraser, and forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum corresponding to the pattern of turning on and off, a printed image is created based on the electrostatic latent image. A copying machine that obtains a font memory in which various character pattern data are registered, a size detecting means for detecting the size of copy paper, and a size detecting means for reading data from the font memory based on the size dex detected by the size detecting means. The copying machine has: means for determining an enlargement coefficient for enlarging font data that has been enlarged; and means for using the font data enlarged by the enlargement coefficient as lighting/extinguishing control data.

According to this configuration, in the print mode, an area on the focus map memory corresponding to the paper size (for example, A
If 3 sizes are selected, L at the position equivalent to A3 size.
A font pattern is developed in the maximum size that can be developed in an area for controlling the ED element to turn on and off for a time equivalent to A3 size.

Therefore, the print image also becomes an image with a font pattern of a size close to the paper size, and the above-mentioned problem is solved.

Below, margin 〔Example〕 The present invention will be explained in detail below.

This copying machine employs an original moving method as a scanning method for an original image, and uses roll paper, which is a long sheet of paper rolled up and set in a roll, as copy paper.

Further, this copying machine is capable of selectively switching between a copy mode in which a copy image is formed by scanning an original image, and a print mode in which characters manually entered from a keyboard are printed.

*Mechanism of the copying machine body FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the mechanism of the copying machine body according to this embodiment.

<Central part/upper part of main body> A photoreceptor drum 2 is installed approximately in the center of the copying machine main body 1 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow. A space eraser 5, a magnetic plan type developing device 6, a transfer charger 7, a paper separation charger 8, a separation claw 9, and a plate type cleaning device 10 are arranged.

In the above, the inter-image eraser 5 is an LED array in which 84 LED elements are arranged in a line with a 5 mm pitch, as shown in FIG. It is arranged close to the photoreceptor drum 2 as shown in FIG. The inter-image eraser 5 performs inter-image and site erasing in the copy mode, and writes character patterns based on font data in the print mode. Details will be described later.

On the other hand, an optical system 20 is arranged in the upper part of the copying machine main body 1.

The optical system 20 includes an exposure lamp 21 and a mirror 22.23.2.
4, consists of a lens 25 and a mirror 26, and has a slit 2
The original transported on the photoreceptor drum 2 is exposed and scanned.
to form an image. Note that the lens 25 and mirror 26 can be moved in the optical axis direction by a motor M2 according to the copying magnification.

<RADF> At the top of the optical system 20, there is a slit 2 for conveying the original.
Automatic document circulation conveyance device (RAD)
F) 50 is installed.

The RADF 50 includes a document table 51 and a document conveyance roller 52.
57, the document ejection tray 60, and the document transport motor M3.
and has.

The conveyance rollers 52 to 57 are each driven roller 52a.
, 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b, 55a, 55b,
56a, 56b, and 57a, and guide members for guiding the original are appropriately installed around them.

Further, the conveyance rollers 54 and 55 each have switching claws 61 and 63 for switching the circulation conveyance path, and a guide plate 6.
2.64, and the conveying roller 53 includes a switching claw 65 and a guide plate 66 for switching between circulating and discharging the document.

For example, when the switching pawl 65 and the switching pawl 61 enter the conveyance path, the document is circulated and conveyed between the conveyance rollers 53 and 54. Further, when the switching claw 65 and the switching claw 63 are moved in, the document is circulated and transported between the transport rollers 53 to 55. Furthermore, when only the switching claw 65 is advanced, the document is circulated and transported between the transport rollers 53 to 56. In addition,
Selection of the circulating conveyance position of the document (selection of entry/retreat of each switching pawl) is performed so that the conveyance distance becomes the shortest depending on the length of the document. When the set number of copies have been completed, the original is ejected onto the original ejection tray 60 by retracting the switching claw 65 from the transport path.

Note that the transport rollers 52 to 57 are rotationally driven by a document transport motor M3. The conveyance speed is V when it is the same magnification.
It is controlled at V/n for the copying magnification n. Further, the conveyance speed V is equal to the circumferential speed of the photosensitive drum 2 and the paper conveyance speed, which will be described later.

On the other hand, there are sensors PS8 to P for detecting the original in the original transport path.
SII is installed. Sensor PS9 is exposure lamp 2
The original is detected just before the exposure position according to 1, and the sensor PSI
O detects the original at the circulation/discharge switching section. Further, the sensor PSII detects the document to be ejected. These sensors measure the length of the document, output various timing signals, and the like. Note that the sensor PS8 is connected to the document table 51.
This is a sensor that detects the insertion of a document from the printer, and the copying operation is thereby started. However, the copying operation may be started by pressing the start key 101 (described later).

Paper feed section/discharge section> The copy paper feed section/discharge section is arranged at the bottom and side of the copying machine main body.

The paper feed section is composed of a top paper section 30, a bottom picture paper section 32, into which roll paper 31, 33 can be selectively loaded, and a manual paper feed section 34 for cut paper. The roll paper 31.33 is pulled out from a pair of paper feed rollers 37.38 via rollers 35.36, guided by various guide plates, fed to a pair of timing rollers 40, and then temporarily put on standby. Further, the cuffed paper inserted from the manual paper feed section 34 is fed to a timing roller 40 by a pair of paper feed rollers 39, and is temporarily put on standby.

The timing roller 40 is rotationally driven by a predetermined timing signal, and the toner image is transferred to the paper by the discharge of the transfer charger 7, and the paper is separated from the photoreceptor drum r, 2 by the AC discharge by the separation charger 8 and the separation claw 9. be done. Here, the timing signal is issued at the timing when the leading edge of the image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 and the leading edge of the paper are synchronized in the transfer section.

On the other hand, the roll paper 31, 33 is canted by the canter 41 at a timing described later. That is, in the copy mode, the data is canted to a standard size, and in the print mode, the data is canted at the end of the print data.

After the image transfer is completed, the paper is sent to a fixing device 43 by a conveyor belt 42 equipped with an air suction means as shown in the figure, and after being subjected to toner fixing processing, it is ejected from the main body by a first ejection roller 44. 45.
46 and is conveyed vertically upward to the second discharge roller 47.
The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 48.

Note that the photoconductor tram 2 and the paper feeding system/conveyance system are driven by the main motor M1.

Additionally, three sets of microswitches 5w1 to 5w3, sw4 to SW6 are installed in the top paper section 30 and the bottom picture paper section 32, and when a roll paper is set, the microswitches are set to ○N/OFF, depending on the combination,
The width size of the cented roll paper 31, 33 is determined.

In addition, sensors PS1 to PS7 for detecting paper are installed in the paper feeding section and the paper discharging section. Sensor PS1, PS
2 is a sensor for detecting cut paper inserted into the manual paper feed section 34, and sensors PS3 and PS4 are connected to the upper and lower paper feed sections 3o.
, 32 is a sensor for detecting the roll paper 3, 33 loaded on the paper. Further, sensor PS5 is located immediately before the timing roller 4o, and sensors PS6 and PS7 are located immediately before the discharge roller 4o.
4. Immediately after 47, this is a sensor that detects the arrival and passage of paper. These sensors provide timing for detecting paper jams and controlling other operations of the copying machine main body 1.

*Description of electrical components FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the operation panel of the copying machine.

On the operation panel 100, there is a paper selection key 107 for selecting the paper size (A2 width or A3 width), and a paper size display section E D107a (A3 width> , 107b (A2 width), mode switching key 108 for switching between copy mode and print mode, print mode display LED 108a that lights up and displays when in print mode, various information such as copy magnification, number of copies, exposure amount, jam trouble, etc. A display section 103 for displaying, an amplifier key 105a for instructing to amplifier down the copy magnification, and a down key 1
05 b.

Amplifier key 1 for commanding exposure up/down
04a, down key 104b.

Numerical keypad group for manual numeric use, clear stop key, and
A numeric keypad unit 102 consisting of interrupt keys, a start key 101 for instructing the start of copying/printing operations, etc. are arranged.

Also, FIG. 3 shows a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the copying machine.
, 7 diagrams.

In the figure, a CPU 200 is a CPU 200 that controls the operation of the copying machine main body.
It is PU.

As shown in the figure, the CPU 200 is connected to the operation panel 10, reads the state of each key on the operation panel 100j-, and controls the operation of the copying machine etc. according to the state.

Further, the CPU 200 is connected to the host computer 300, and performs predetermined print processing in response to print data input from the operating keyboard of the host computer 300, for example.

Furthermore, in relation to the CPU 200, "
``Other human output'' collectively indicates human power signals from sensors within the copying machine body, control signals to operating parts within the copying machine body, and the like.

On the other hand, the CPU 400 controls ○N/OFF of each LED element of the inter-image eraser 5 during the print mode.
It is U.

The CPU 400 first receives code data (control codes and character codes) that is manually input from the operating keyboard of the host computer 300 and transferred via the CPU 200.
Accordingly, the character pattern data is read from the font ROM 401 and developed in the bintomanopr RAM 402 as data for controlling the turning on and off of each LED element of the inter-image eraser 5 (focusing data).

Next, according to the above binot map data, the inter-image eraser 5
The turning on and off of each LED element is controlled as follows.

First, 1 dot) (1 dot of LED element) each ON
- OFF data is serially output to the shift register 411 in synchronization with the clock.

When the pig output for one line (one line of the LED array) is completed, it is latched in the latch 412 in synchronization with the latch signal, and outputted in parallel to the ○N-0FF controller 413.

The ON/OFF controller 413 switches the transistor Tr (1) according to the AND of the above data and the strobe signal.
~By turning Tr (84) ON-OFF,
Turn ON/OFF LED (1) to LED (84).

In this way, an electrostatic latent image is written on the photoreceptor drum 2 corresponding to the above-mentioned lighting/extinguishing pattern.

The processing by the two CPUs will be described in detail later in the explanation of the flowchart.

*Relationship between font and paper size Fig. 10 is a diagram explaining the concept of enlarging the data stored in the font ROM 401 according to the selected paper size, and Fig. 11 is a diagram explaining the concept of enlarging the data stored in the font ROM 401 according to the selected paper size. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the size of a character and the size of a character printed on paper of the corresponding size. Note that FIG. 11 shows the case where the center position of the paper coincides with the center position of the inter-image eraser 5 (so-called
center alignment).

As described above, in the inter-image eraser 5 of this copying machine, 84 LED elements are arranged in a line at a pitch of 5 mm.

Therefore, the paper width size and the L corresponding to the paper width size are
The relationship with the number of ED elements is as follows: A4 width (213 mm): 42 pieces A3 width (297 mm): 60 pieces A2 width (410 mm): 84 pieces.

For example, A4 width (210mm) size roll paper is selected (in Figure 2, A3 width and A2 width are separated), but in reality, any size smaller than A2 width can be used as a cent. ), if you want to print A4-sized characters on a sheet of paper, by temporally controlling the ON, ○F, and F of 42 LED elements corresponding to the cent position of the sheet, the photoconductor can be printed. An electrostatic latent image may be formed on the drum.

However, as shown in FIG.
In OM401, the font patterns of various characters are 2
It is registered as 4×24 do7)/1 character.

Therefore, when controlling ON/OFF of LED elements using the above font data, 24 (equal size), 4
There is a restriction that an electrostatic latent image must be written using an integral multiple of 24 LED elements, such as 8 (2 times) or 72 (3 times) LED elements.

For example, as shown in Figure 11, when printing characters on A3 width size, the font is enlarged twice and the
An electrostatic latent image is written using eight LED elements, and an area corresponding to six dots at both ends becomes a blank area.

However, the above restrictions apply only to this embodiment, and font memories with various dot densities may be prepared depending on the paper width size to avoid such restrictions.

*Description of processing in CPU Next, processing in each control CPU will be explained with reference to flowcharts.

(1) CPU 200 FIGS. 5 to 7 are flowcharts illustrating processing by the CPU 200.

<Main Routine> The CPU 200 starts processing, for example, by turning on the power, and first sets an initial state in step S13.

Next, in step S13, a routine timer for specifying the execution time of one routine is started, and a key processing (S13) is started.
15), copy processing (S17), and paper cut processing (S19) are sequentially performed. Then step S
After waiting for the end of the routine timer in step S21, the process returns to step S13 and repeats the above processing.

Key processing> The key processing (S15) is executed as follows.

First, in step S101, the state of each key on the operation panel 100 (whether it was turned on after the previous key scan) is read.

In step 3103, based on the data read in step 5101, it is determined whether the ○NN edge of the mode switching key 108 has been detected.

As a result, if the ○N edge of the mode switching key 108 is detected (S103; YES), step 51
05, the previous mode (mode 0 copy mode, mode 1 print mode) is determined.

As a result, if the previous mode was mode 0,
The process advances to step 5107, where the mode is set to 1 and the print mode is set.

If the previous mode was mode 1, the process advances to step 5109, where the mode is set to 0 and the copy mode is set.

Note that step 5lll is a process executed in response to detection of the ON edge of a key other than the mode switching key 108.

<Paper Cut Process> The paper cut process (519) is executed as follows.

First, in step 5201, it is determined whether the copy mode or the print mode is set as the mode.

As a result, if the copy mode is set, the process proceeds to step 3211 and subsequent steps, and the position of the cutter 41 is set to the length of the long side of the roll paper (if A3 width paper is selected, A3 width paper is selected). (or the length of the long side of A2 if A2 width paper is selected) (S211; YES), the cutter 41 is activated to cut the paper (3213).

On the other hand, if the printer mode is set, the process proceeds to step 5221 and subsequent steps, waits for a cuff request from the CPU 400, and at the timing of receiving a cut request (S221;
YES), the cutter 41 is operated to cut the paper (3223).

Although not mentioned above, when copying, for example, A3 width paper is selected and A4 portrait (paper feeding direction is the short side) size is specified as the standard size. If so, cant is executed at the timing when the length of the A4 short side is passed.

(2) CPU 400 FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts illustrating the processing of the CPU 400.

<Main Routine> The CPU 400 starts processing by setting a print mode, for example, and first performs initial settings in step S51.

In step S53, data for controlling the lighting/extinguishing of the LED array (inter-image eraser) 5 is created according to the code data (control code, character code) transmitted from the CPU 200, and is expanded on the map RAM 402. Perform the processing to do.

Steps S55 to S59 are executed in the bitmap RAM 402.
This is a step of controlling the turning on and off of the LED array 5 based on the data developed in the above.

That is, the data in the bit map RAM 402 is read line by line, and the process of controlling the turning on and off of the LED array 50 via the shift register 411 and the latch 412 is executed until the data on the bit map RAM 402 is finished.

Also, when the data on the bitmap RAM 402 ends (
S59; YES), a paper cut request is output to the CPU 200 (S61).

As a result, the CPU 200 side performs step 52 described above.
23 processes are executed.

Bitmap Development Process> The bitmap development process (S53) is executed as follows.

First, the character code data entered from the keyboard is
One character is read out via the CPU 200 (S501).

The steno knob 5503 develops the character code data into data for reading the font corresponding to the code.

Next, in step 5505, the selected paper size (A2 width or A3 width) is read out from the CPU 200, and based on the paper size, the above-mentioned (
10), the font enlargement coefficient is determined (S507).

Next, in step 5509, the font is enlarged based on the above coefficient, and further, in step s512, the enlarged font pattern is developed in the bitmap RAM.

After repeating this process until the end of the character code data (3513), the process returns to the main routine.

In the manner described above, the copying machine according to this embodiment is controlled, and characters with a size close to the selected paper width size are
Prints based on the built-in font data.

Further, when printing of a series of characters to be printed is completed, the roll paper is cut at the end position of the last character (position including the normal margin).

Furthermore, in the copy mode, the roll paper is cut to a specified standard size.

The following is a margin. [Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention allows the copy mode and the print mode to be set alternatively, and in the print mode, the inter-image eraser can emit a large number of light emissions based on the light on/off control data. By controlling the turning on and off of each element individually to form an electrostatic latent image,
A copying machine that obtains a print image based on the electrostatic latent image, comprising: a font memory, a paper size detection means, a means for determining an enlargement coefficient of font data based on the paper size, and the enlarged font data as lighting/extinguishing control data. This is a copying machine having means.

As described in the embodiment, according to the present invention, in the print mode, the area on the bitmap memory corresponding to the selected paper size (for example, if A3 size is selected, the LED element at the position corresponding to A3 size) The font pattern is developed in the maximum size that can be developed (an area for controlling lighting on and off for a time corresponding to A3 size).

For this reason, the printed image will also be an image with a font pattern close to the paper size, which will cause problems such as those mentioned above, such as image distortion and blurring caused by repeated enlarged copies, or problems such as those caused by handwritten input. Problems such as irregular character patterns are resolved.

(Below, margin)

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the mechanism of the copying machine according to the embodiment, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel of the copying machine, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the copying machine, and Fig. 4 is an image. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main routine of processing in the control CPU 200 of the copying machine, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing step S1 in FIG. 5.
7 is a flowchart showing the process of step 319 in FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a flowchart explaining the main routine of the process in the control CPU 400 of the copying machine, and FIG. Step S in the diagram
Flowchart showing the process of step 53, FIGS. 10(a)(b)
11 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between font data and bitmap data during enlargement, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the correspondence between the selected paper width size and the LED elements of the inter-image eraser. 31. 33... Roll paper 41... Cutter 5... Inter-image eraser (LED array) 200 400... CPU - Font ROM - Bitmap RAM

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) The copy mode and the print mode can be set alternatively, and in the print mode, the light-emitting elements of the inter-image eraser arranged near the photosensitive drum are turned on and off based on the light-on/off control data. A copying machine which obtains a print image based on the electrostatic latent image by forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the on/off pattern on a photoreceptor drum by controlling each one separately, the copying machine comprising various character pattern data. font memory registered in the font memory, a size detection means for detecting the size of the copy paper, and based on the size data detected by the size detection means,
A copying machine comprising: means for determining an enlargement coefficient for enlarging font data read from the font memory; and means for using the font data enlarged by the enlargement coefficient as lighting/extinguishing control data.