JPH04137861A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute various edit and processing modes even at picture communication by adding edit mode information at image forming to a prescribed area in a picture area and sending the resulting picture. CONSTITUTION:Areas a-d are areas to designate areas (ranges) for picture edit processing and areas 1-4 are areas to designate the mode of the picture edit processing. A predetermined mark is written to each area and the resulting picture is sent from a sender side, then the area subject to picture edit processing and the mode are detected at a receiver side by using a microcomputer so as to check each area of the picture data stored in a page memory sequentially. Thus, functions such as multi-color recording and repetitive recording which are not provided to a sender side equipment are provided to the receiver side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an image communication function.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be applied to, for example, a copying machine having a facsimile function.

[Prior Art] Currently known copying machines range from analog type copying machines that directly image a document onto a photoreceptor using conventional optical methods, to copying machines that use photoelectric conversion elements such as CCDs to convert document information into photoreceptors. There are even digital types on the market, in which the image signal is converted into an image signal, and then various image processing is performed to cause a light emitting element such as a laser or LED to emit light, which is then scanned over a photoreceptor to reproduce the image.

These digital copying machines utilize the fact that image information is converted into electrical signals, and in addition to the function of a mere copying device, multifunction machines have been developed and put on the market that have editing functions added to them. Specifically, there are copying machines that have a facsimile function added.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional copying devices with facsimile functions, even if the copying device itself is equipped with multicolor recording/multiple recording functions and various image processing functions, facsimile mode When operated with , the drawback was that these functions could not be used together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned points, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus configured to be able to execute various editing and processing modes even during image communication.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having an image communication function, in which a predetermined area of an image area to be transmitted is specified, and editing mode information at the time of image formation is added to the area. It is equipped with a means for transmitting information.

The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus having an image communication function, which includes means for determining information included in a predetermined area among received image areas, and executing a specific image forming mode based on the information. It is equipped with a means to do so. Here, the editing area of the image or the number of sheets of transfer paper to output the image can be set based on the above information.

[Function] According to the present invention, in order to be able to utilize various image processing functions possessed by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine even during image communication, a part of the image area to be transmitted is preliminarily set. The area is determined as an area for instructing image processing (editing), information such as marks added in that area is checked when the image is received, and image processing (am collection processing) is performed according to the results. This is what I did.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a copying machine with a facsimile function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, 1 is the main body of the copying apparatus, which includes an original scanning section 2, a paper feeding section 31, an image forming section 4. Intermediate training part consists of 5 etc.

First, the configuration of the document scanning section 2 will be explained.

Reference numeral 2a denotes a controller section, which is composed of a control board in which control elements for comprehensively controlling the copying sequence are integrated. The controller section 2a is equipped with hardware such as a double-sided copy control means, digital information designation means 2, double-sided multiplex composite copy control means, etc. of this embodiment.

2b is a power switch, and 2C is an original exposure lamp, which together with a scanning mirror constitutes an optical scanning system, which scans and moves at a predetermined speed.

2d is an imaging lens that converts the reflected light from the original into a photoelectric conversion element CC.
The image is formed on D. The CCD converts the image information of the document into an electrical signal, and the analog processor AP performs A/D conversion processing to convert it into a digital image signal. This digital image signal is input to an image processing unit IP, and is subjected to various image processing such as density conversion and area processing.

Reference numeral 2e denotes a buzzer, which notifies a user of a copying mode error set on the operating section, which will be described later. 2f is the optical system drive motor (
(optical motor) to drive the optical scanning system etc. with high precision.

Next, the paper feed section 3 will be explained.

3a and 3b are paper feed rollers, and these paper feed rollers 3a,
The cut sheet SH is fed into the image forming section 4 by driving the section 3b.

Next, the configuration of the image forming section 4 corresponding to the image forming means of this embodiment will be explained.

12 is a registration roller which temporarily stops the cut sheet SH fed by the drive of paper feed rollers 3a and 3b;
After synchronizing the image edge alignment, cut sheet S again.
Feed H.

Developing units 13a and 13b contain developers of different colors (red and black), and one of the developing units 13a and 13b is selectively placed close to the photosensitive drum 11 by driving solenoids 14a and 14b. Then, the other is retracted from the photosensitive drum 11. Note that when the second recording mode is set from the operation section described later, the controller section 2a is configured to perform red/black color development only on the recording material (cut sheet SH) for a specific document. Solenoid 14a.

14b.

A transfer charger 15 transfers the toner image developed by the developing units 13a and 13b onto the cut sheet SH, and a post-transfer separation charger 16 separates the cut sheet SH-3H from the photosensitive drum 11. 17 is a pre-exposure lamp,
The surface potential of the photosensitive drum 11 is neutralized to prepare for primary charging. A cleaner device 18 is composed of a cleaning blade and a cleaning roller, and collects toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11.

19 is a fixing device that fixes the toner image transferred to the cut sheet SL (by heat and pressure); 20 is a conveyance roller;
Reference numeral 21 denotes a flapper which switches the conveyance direction of the cut sheet (SH) that has undergone the fixing process through the paper discharge roller 23 or the conveyance path 22 to the 5 directions of the intermediate tray portion.

24 is a paper discharge tray, and 25 is a scanner motor that rotates a rotary polygon mirror at a predetermined speed and deflects a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser 26. Note that the scanner motor 2
5. A digital scanning unit is configured from a semiconductor laser 26 and the like, and emits a laser beam according to image information processed by the image processing unit IP to form a document image. 28 is a primary charger.

Next, the configuration of the intermediate training part 5 will be explained.

Reference numeral 30 denotes an intermediate tray, which temporarily stores the cut sheets SH conveyed via the conveyance roller 34, and stores the cut sheets SH conveyed via the conveyance roller 34.
The image is retransmitted to the image forming section 4 via the conveyance path 31 by driving. Note that S1 to S15, 319 to S23 in the figure are sensors, and sensor S1 detects the home position of the optical system that becomes the analog scanning unit, and the optical system stops at this position during standby. Sensor S2 detects that the optical system has moved to a position corresponding to the leading edge position of the original image, and controls the timing of the copy sequence based on this sensor output. Sensor S3 is at the limiter position (inverted position) during maximum scanning. The optical system reciprocates with a scan length according to the cassette size and magnification inputted via an operation section, which will be described later.

When the power switch 2b is turned on, first, the heater in the fixing device 19 is energized, and waits (wait time) until the fixing roller reaches a predetermined temperature at which fixing can be performed. When the fixing roller reaches a predetermined temperature, the main drive motor MM is driven for a predetermined period of time to drive the photosensitive drum 11.degree. fixing device 19, etc., and the rollers in the fixing device 19 are set to a uniform temperature (weight release rotation). Thereafter, the main drive motor MM is stopped and the copying is possible (standby state). Here, the main drive motor MM is connected to the photosensitive drum 11. Fuser 19. The developing units 13a and 13b and various transfer paper conveyance rollers are driven. Then, when a copy command is input from the operation unit, a copy sequence is started.

Next, the procedure of image formation will be explained.

First, the main drive motor MM rotates in response to a copy command, and the photosensitive drum 11 starts rotating in the direction of the arrow.
- High voltage is supplied from the high voltage unit HTV to the wide charger 28 to uniformly charge the photosensitive drum 11. Next, the original exposure lamp 2c is turned on, the optical motor 2f is driven, and the original placed on the original table is exposed and scanned in the direction of the arrow, and is projected onto the photoelectric conversion element CCD. The image information of the document converted into an electric signal by the CCD is processed by the analog processor AP and the image processing unit IP, and then the laser 26 is emitted according to the image signal to scan the photosensitive drum 11.
Forms a latent image corresponding to the original.

Next, this latent image is developed by the developing unit 13a or 13b, transferred to the cut sheet SH at the transfer charger 15, and separated from the photosensitive drum 11 at the separation charger 19.

Next, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 is collected by the cleaner device 18, and after the static electricity is uniformly removed by the pre-exposure lamp 17, the copy cycle is repeated again.

One of the developing units 13a and 13b is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 11 in response to a selection command from the operating section.

In this embodiment, the color toner (
For example, red toner) is stored in the developing unit 13b, black toner is stored in the developing unit 13b, and the solenoids 14a and 14b
Approaching/retreating from the photosensitive drum 11 is performed by this. Note that a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeves of the developing units 13a and 13b.

In addition, the copying apparatus of this embodiment can perform not only normal single-sided copying but also double-sided copying and multiplex copying, but the cut sheet SH that has passed through the -degree fixing device 19 has a paper resistance value that is higher than that during first-sided copying. In response to this, the conditions of the high voltage applied to the transfer charger 15° separation charger 16 are made different between the first side and both sides or the second side during multiple copying. Each high voltage value of these developing biases or transfer 9 separations is determined by the high voltage unit HTV.
controlled by

Next, control of the cut sheet SH will be explained.

Sensor S9 in FIG. Sll detects whether the upper and lower cassettes are out of paper, and sensors 10 and 12 detect the lifting state of paper feed rollers 3a and 3b. Moreover, sensor S22. S23 detects the cassette size.

Hereinafter, since the upper and lower stages perform similar operations, the paper feeding operation for the upper stage will be described.

First, when the upper cassette is inserted, the size is read by the sensor S22, the size of the cassette is identified, the out-of-paper indicator of the operation section 41 is turned off, and the cassette size is selectively turned on.

Next, when a copying operation is started in response to a copy command, a middle plate raising clutch (not shown) is turned on, and the middle plate in the cassette is raised to raise the cut sheet SH. As a result, the cut sheet SR rises, contacts the paper feed roller 3a, and when it reaches a predetermined height, the sensor SIO outputs an output, turns off the clutch, drives the paper feed roller 3a, and transfers the cut sheet SH into the machine. supply.

As described above, the cut sheet SH in the cassette is raised by the intermediate plate raising clutch, and thereafter the raised position is maintained, and the above-mentioned raising operation is not performed at the next copy start. Further, when the number of cut sheets SH in the cassette decreases during continuous copying operation and the top surface of the cut sheets Sr (Sr) falls below a predetermined position, the clutch is similarly turned on to raise the cut sheets to a predetermined height.

The cut sheet SH supplied into the machine reaches the sensor S7, and since the registration rollers 12 are stopped, it forms an appropriate loop and stops.

Next, in order to align the leading edge of the image formed on the photosensitive drum 11, the registration roller 12 is driven by a timing signal from the optical system, and after the leading edge is aligned, the image on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to a cut sheet After being transferred to SH, the cut sheet SH is separated from the photosensitive drum 11 by a separation charger 16 and sent to a fixing device 19 by a conveyance mechanism.

In the fixing device, the surface of the fixing roller is controlled to a predetermined temperature by a temperature sensor (not shown) placed on the surface of the fixing roller and a heater, and the cut sheet SH is fixed with an image thereon, and then a sensor S4 detects the ejected sheet. The paper is then discharged to the outside of the machine by the paper discharge rollers 23.

Next, in the case of multiple copies, the flapper 21 is operated by a solenoid (
(not shown), the position is switched to the position shown by the dotted line, and the paper is fed and transferred 7 times.

The fixed cut sheet SH passes through the transport path 22 and is sequentially transported in the transport direction 22a, and after the paper is detected by the sensor S5, the paper is detected by the sensor S6. It is detected by S8, etc., and the lateral registration is performed using a solenoid for lateral registration.

Next, the registration roller 12 is driven by a multiple copy command from the operation unit, and the cut sheet SH is transferred to the registration roller 1.
Send pressure to position 2.

Thereafter, the paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 24 in the same manner as described above.

In addition, during double-sided copying, the transfer sheet is ejected halfway through by the paper ejection roller 23 in the same way as in the normal copying operation, but the trailing edge of the cut sheet SH is ejected by the flapper 23.
After passing through, the discharge roller 23 is driven in the reverse direction, and the cut sheet SH is guided by the flapper 21 and introduced into the conveyance path 22.

This reverse rotation drive is performed by a solenoid that controls forward and reverse rotation. The subsequent operations are the same as in the case of multiple copying described above. In this way, in the case of double-sided copying, the cut sheet SH is ejected from the machine from the -degree paper discharge roller 23, and the cut sheet SH is turned upside down and reversed by the reverse drive of the paper discharge roller 23, and
Sent to 2a.

Although multiple copying of a single copy and double-sided copying have been described above, in the case of multiple copying of a plurality of copies or double-sided copying, the intermediate tray portion 5 is used. Third
As shown in the figure, the intermediate tray part 5 has an intermediate tray 30 for temporarily storing the cut sheet SH on the conveyance path 31.
is provided. In the case of multiple copying of multiple sheets, the fixed cut sheet SH is partially ejected by the paper ejection roller 23 under the same control as in the case of double-sided copying of the single sheet copy described above, and then the paper ejection roller 23 is driven in the reverse direction. By doing so, the conveyance path 22 and the flapper 32. It is stored in the intermediate tray 30 via the conveyance path 36.

This operation is repeated, and after all of the first side is stored in the intermediate tray 30, the feeding roller 33 is driven for the second side in response to the next copy command, and copying of the second side is executed via the conveyance path 36.

On the other hand, in the case of multiple double-sided copies, the fuser 19 is controlled by the flapper 21 using the same control as in the case of single-sheet multiple copying.
From there, it passes through the conveyance path 22.36 and is stored in the intermediate tray 30.

The subsequent operations are the same as in the case of multiple copying described above, and will therefore be omitted.

Note that in an apparatus in which an intermediate tray is configured in the image forming section 4, there is a limit to the length of the cut sheets SH that can be temporarily stored, as shown in FIG. SH is paper that is half size or smaller.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image processing unit IP shown in FIG. 3. The image processing unit IP includes a processing unit for image formation and a communication control unit for performing a facsimile function. The image processing unit IP is controlled by the controller unit 105.
This is performed by a microcomputer, and is connected to the controller section 2a of the main body through serial communication.

A digital image signal from analog processor AP is input to image signal processing section 101. This image signal is subjected to correction processing such as shading correction and density correction, and editing processing such as scaling, movement, and trimming. This image is input to the laser drive section 102, where the semiconductor laser 2
6 emits light according to the level of the image signal.

Next, a transmission mode when this embodiment is operated as a facsimile machine will be explained.

In the case of the transmission mode, the image signal processed by the image signal processing section 101 is temporarily stored in the page memory section 106 in synchronization with the synchronization signal of the image signal processing section 101. Next, −
It is sequentially output line by line in synchronization with the synchronization signal of the encoder/decoder 103, encoded by the data compression algorithm according to each transmission mode in the encoder/decoder 103, modulated and
The signal is modulated by the demodulator 104 and transmitted through the public line.

On the other hand, in the reception mode, the modulated signal transmitted via the public line is demodulated in the modulation/demodulation section 104, and further decoded as an image signal in the encoding/decoding section 103 using an algorithm according to each mode. This decoded signal is temporarily stored in the page memory section 106 in synchronization with the synchronization signal of the encoder/decoder 103. Next, one image is sequentially read out in synchronization with the synchronization signal of the image signal processing section 101 and inputted to the image signal processing section 101. After the instructed processing is executed in the image signal processing section 101, the laser driving section 102 The laser 26 is driven and image reproduction is performed.

FIG. 5 shows a more detailed configuration of the page memory section shown in FIG. 4. First, when the present embodiment is set to the reception mode, the image signal decoded by the encoder/decoder 103 is input to the terminal X of the bidirectional bus driver 226 via the image signal bus ■. At this time, the direction control signal DIR of the bidirectional bus driver 226 is "L" (low level), the output control signal EN is "H" (high level), and the signal direction is XY. The image signal is output from terminal Y of this bidirectional bus driver 226 and input to the data terminal of page memory 220 via bus e.

Here, the direction control signal DIR and the output control signal EN are provided by latching data by a latch circuit 224 connected to a data bus b of a microcomputer (not shown) of the controller section 105. This latch operation uses the microcomputer's write signal R/l as a clock.
This is performed using the chip select signal C3I as a permission signal.

On the other hand, the address to the page memory D is generated by a counter circuit 222 that receives a page synchronization signal PSYNC, a line synchronization signal LSYNC, and a pixel synchronization signal VCLK. These three synchronization signals are generated by the encoder/decoder 103 and the image signal processor 101. Counter circuit 22
The address signal C generated from 2 and the write signal WH generated during the write operation are selected by the selector circuit 21 by the output signal L1 of the latch circuit 224, and are given as the address and write signal of the page memory 220 to write the image. Writing of the signal is executed.

Next, a case in which the microcomputer accesses the page memory 220 will be described.

First, in the case of reading, an address is applied to the address input terminal of the page memory D via the address bus a and the selector circuit 221. At this time, the data is transferred to the data bus e.
and is connected to the data bus b of the microcomputer via the bidirectional bus driver 222.

The bidirectional bus driver 223 is controlled by receiving CS2 as an output control signal and R/W as a direction control signal.

When this C32 is “L”, it becomes an enable state, and R/
When W is “L”, X→Y, and when W is “H”, Y−X.

Also, when C32 is "H"', it is X.

Both Y are in a high impedance state.

On the other hand, in the case of writing, data is provided to page memory 220 via data bus b or bidirectional bus driver 223 and data bus e. At this time, the write address and the write signal R/ji are also sent to the selector circuit 22 at the same time.
It is given via 1.

By the way, when the microcomputer accesses the page memory 220, the microcomputer uses the latch circuit 2.
24, set the signal to “L” and drive the bidirectional bus driver 22.
The output of 6 is set to a high impedance state, and the selector circuit 221 selects the address of the microcombiner.

In the copying apparatus having the facsimile function described above, a predetermined area of received image data stored in the page memory serves as a determination area for image processing.

Figure 1 shows a specific example of transmitted and received data.The area in the figure■
, ■, ■, ■ are areas (referred to as area specification section) for specifying the area (range) for image/editing processing, and the areas ■, ■
, ■, ■ are areas for specifying the mode of image/editing processing (referred to as a mode specifying section). In this way, by writing a predetermined mark in each area and sending it from the sending side, each area of the image data stored in the page memory 220 can be sequentially examined by a microcomputer to identify the image/editable area. mode can be detected.

It is also possible to provide an area at the leading end of the image area to distinguish it from the normal facsimile mode, and to determine a pattern with a low probability that would not normally occur as the identification pattern.

FIG. 2 shows specific examples of each area shown in FIG. 1. Here, FIG. 2(a) shows transmission data for performing multiple copying and two-color multiple copying using a two-color developing device.

That is, by writing a mark a) A two-color reception record such as -2 can be obtained. Here, "A", "B", and 'C' are reproduced in black, and "D" is reproduced in red.

That is, an image is formed in which the region of the letter "D" of the image signal stored in the page memory 106 is masked. At this time, the black developer 13a is selected as the developer.

The transfer sheet SH on which only the characters "A", "B", and "C" have been transferred is fixed by the fixing device 19 and conveyed to the intermediate tray 30 of the intermediate tray portion 5.

Next, an image is formed in which areas other than the letter "D" are masked. At this time, the transfer sheet S)I in the intermediate tray is re-fed, the red developing device 13b is selected as the developing device, and the letter "D" is transferred as a red letter.

In FIG. 2(b), a part of the image is repeatedly output using the page memory function. That is, the edit mode is designated by the mark X written in the mode designation section (2), and the editing range is designated by the marks a, b, and C1d.

Note that instead of or in addition to the mode specification described above, it is also possible to specify the number of copies. For example, if there is a mark in the mode designation area (2) in FIG. 1, it is possible to make two copies, and if there is a mark in the mode designation part (2), it is possible to make three copies.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which an area for specifying an editing mode is predetermined in a part of an image to be transmitted. It becomes possible to have functions that the transmitting side device does not have, such as repeat recording and repeat recording.

Furthermore, instead of specifying editing processing, by adding a mark indicating the number of copies to be recorded on the receiving side, it is possible to obtain a large number of copies with less communication time. This effect is particularly great when a 7-coupling device such as a sorter is included.

Furthermore, in the present invention, since all instructions for editing processing etc. are performed via image signals, they can be realized without losing the versatility of the communication protocol.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an editing designated area in an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example showing Fig. 1 in more detail, and Fig. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing section, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a page memory section. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Copying apparatus main body, 2...Document scanning section, 3...Paper feeding section, 4...Image forming section, 5...Part of intermediate tray, AP...Analog processor, IP. ...Image processing section, 101... Image signal processing section, 105... Controller section of the image processing section, 103.1
04...Encoding/decoding section and modulation/demodulation section for realizing facsimile function, 106...Page memory section. Figure (Q)-1 (a)-2 Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) In an image forming apparatus having an image communication function, means for specifying a predetermined area among image areas to be transmitted, adding editing mode information at the time of image formation to the area, and transmitting the image. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2) In an image forming apparatus having an image communication function, means for determining information included in a predetermined area among the received image areas, and means for executing a specific image forming mode based on the information. An image forming apparatus comprising: 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image editing area or the number of sheets of transfer paper to output the image is set based on the information.