JPH04146464A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To output the images of an extreme light color character, a pattern, etc., and to improve the quality of a copy material by forming an additional information image on the back surface with an inverted mirror image by means of a double surface copying procedure. CONSTITUTION:When a copy starting button is depressed, the size of an original on an original platten glass 31 is detected by an original size detecting means 10, and the position of the mirror image inverting axis of the additional information image is determined with the length of the detected size. The image information inverted right and left is sent to a laser controller, and a latent image is formed by a second exposing means. The latent image is transferred to a transfer sheet by a second developing unit 12, and the transfer sheet is reversed on a reversing part 35. After that, a prescribed number of the transfer sheets is accumulated on an intermediate tray part 23. Then, an original image on the original platen glass 31 is exposed by a first exposing means, and the latent image is formed, and developed with a normal black color copy by a first developing unit 11. Then, an image formation is carried out on the transfer sheet refed from a paper refeeding roller 22 and having the completion of the image formation on its back surface, and ejected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly to an image forming apparatus configured to record predetermined additional information together with the copied image when copying an original image. be.

[Conventional technology]

In conventionally known image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines of this type, additional information, such as
So-called "add-on characters" such as pages, dates, etc. are copied and written on transfer paper.

[Invention or problem to be solved]

However, in conventional image forming apparatuses such as those described above, the additional information is written in the same density as the transferred image, so it is often difficult to see.

For example, if dark lines or lines are added to a copied image of a document written in pencil, the density of the added image may become so high that the copied image of the document becomes difficult to see.

Also, if you try to insert a thin transparent pattern such as a logo or mark on the background of a document, you will need to finely adjust the density.
Also, even if you make fine adjustments, due to the surface properties of the transfer paper, etc.
There was a drawback that the density was uneven within the paper surface of the document.

(Means for Solving the Problems) Therefore, in the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that visualizes a latent image formed on a photoconductor on a transfer paper, a second step for exposing a document image to the photoconductor is provided. a second exposure means for exposing the additional information image; and a second exposure means for exposing the additional information image;
double-sided copying means for automatically copying the latent image formed by the exposure means and the latent image formed by the second exposure means on both sides of the transfer paper; and a double-sided copying means for recording and holding the pattern of the additional information image. The above object is achieved by configuring the apparatus to include a storage means and an inverting means for inverting the mirror image of this information.

Furthermore, the apparatus is configured to include a document size detection means for detecting at least the length of the document, and to determine the position of the image mirror image reversal axis according to the detected document size. This is an attempt to improve the quality of information copy images.

(Function) With the configuration of the present invention as described above, an additional information image is formed as an inverted mirror image on the back side by a double-sided copying procedure, and thereby, for example, an image such as a single pattern of characters in an extremely light color is output. , the quality of copies can be improved.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples.

(Structure) FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of an electrophotographic copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a cleaning web, 2/
3 are upper and lower fixing rollers, respectively. Reference numeral 5 denotes a laser oscillation unit unique to this embodiment, which is capable of partially or completely erasing the electric charge charged on the surface of the photosensitive (body) drum 33 via the polygon mirror 4. It is configured.

Further, 7 is a cleaning device, 8 is a static eliminating lamp, and 9 is a charger.

11 is a black developing device containing black toner, and 12 is a replaceable second developing device, which is usually equipped with a color developing device. 13 is a dust collection roller, 14 is a pre-transfer charger, 15 is a transfer charger, and 16 is a separation charger.

17, 18, and 20 are respective paper feed rollers. 1
9 is an upper cassette in which transfer paper is stored. 21 is a similar lower cassette.

Reference numeral 23 indicates a tray on which transfer paper is temporarily held during double-sided copying or multiple copying, 22 indicates a paper feed roller for this tray, and 35 indicates a reversing section.

On the other hand, 31 is an original table glass (platen) on which an original is placed, 24 is an i-original illumination lamp, 25 to 30 are mirror groups for respectively guiding the optical path to the photosensitive drum 33, and 6 is a mirror that is formed on the photoreceptor. It is a projection lens designed to create an image. Also, 1
0 is an N document size detection means, which can detect the size of the document placed on the document table glass 31.

Reference numeral 32 denotes an automatic document conveying device, which also has a mechanism for reversing the front and back of the document. Reference numeral 34 denotes a plurality of original size detection sensors, which determine the original size to be one of the standard sizes based on the width and length of the transported original.

(Control) FIG. 2 shows an electrical block diagram for controlling the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) on the main body side, which controls each input/output circuit so as to satisfy various functions of the main body. This main body side CPUl0I is a CPU that controls the automatic document feeder 32 (see FIG. 1).
102 is organically connected through serial communication.

Reference numeral 109 is a driver circuit for driving a motor, solenoid, etc. for feeding and discharging a document, and reference numeral 103 is a laser control/driver section for controlling the laser oscillation section 5 (see FIG. 1).

105 is a driver section for selecting the two types of developing devices 11 and 12; 106 is a driver section for controlling feeding and conveyance of transfer paper during double-sided copying/multiple copying; 107
is the charger 9. A high voltage driver section 108 for controlling the high voltage of the developing devices 11, 12, etc. is connected to optical systems 24 to 27, 6.
This is an optical system driver section for controlling etc.

An image soda unit 110 inputs additional information to be added to the original image, and reads information stored in a cart-shaped storage medium such as an IC card. Its contents are held in memory 111.

Reference numeral 112 denotes additional information inverting means, which inverts the contents of the memory 111 as a mirror image and transfers it to the laser control/driver 103, if necessary.

(Operation Section) FIG. 3 is a top view of the operation section unit (operation panel) according to this embodiment. 200 is a reset key (or button, the same applies hereinafter); 201 is an asterisk key for setting various compound modes; 202 to 204 are mode memory keys for storing/recalling modes; 209 is a preheating key; 210
is a color key for selecting the development color, 211 is a start key, 212 is a clear/stop key, 213 is a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, 215 is an automatic exposure setting key, 214 and 2
16 is a manual density up/down key, and 217 is a cassette selection key.

218 is the same magnification setting key, 219 is the auto magnification change key, 22
0 and 221 are zoom magnification up/down keys, 22
2 and 223 are fixed magnification selection keys for reduction/enlargement, 224 is a binding margin selection key, 225 is a frame erase selection key, and 226 is a photo mode selection key.

227 is a continuous shooting mode selection key, 228 is a double-sided mode selection key, and 229 is a multiplex mode selection key, which can be pressed down alternatively.

230 and 231 are area designation setting keys, 232 is an area mote (image conversion) selection key, and 234 is a (pattern) density adjustment key.

233 is a watermark mode selection key, and in combination with other keys, Airo selects the content of the additional information image using an editor (not shown).

Furthermore, the location to be stored is specified and watermark copy is executed.

(Watermark mode operation) The operation of the watermark mode in the above configuration will be explained.

As described above, the user selects and instructs to which part of the developed image additional information is to be added and its contents using the key 233 of the operation unit or the editor (not shown).

At this time, the content of the additional information is stored in the image font memory of the main body of the apparatus, and each image is given a number and stored. This memory is pre-memorized R
It may be provided in the form of an OM chip, or an object held in a storage medium such as an IC card may be read from a card reader and stored in the SRAM.

Next, when the watermark mode key 233 is selected, the selected image information is recalled from the memory and incorporated into a predetermined designated portion within the image frame. When the operator sets a document on the document table glass 31 or in the document feeder and presses the copy start button 211, a copying operation is started. At this time, the size of the original on the original platen glass 31 is detected by the original size detecting means 10 or the sensor 34 on the original feeder, and the position of the mirror image inversion axis of the additional information image is determined based on its length. That is, the reversal axis position is determined at a position 1/2 of the length of the document in the optical scanning direction, and the document is reversed horizontally. Then, the image information is transferred to the laser controller 1.
03, a laser is oscillated, and a latent image is formed by a second exposure means for exposing additional information. The latent image is developed by pressing the second developing device 12 against the photosensitive drum 33, and the transfer paper is pulled into the cassette 19 by the paper feed roller 18, and the transfer is sent from the paper feed section to the transfer section. After being transferred onto paper and inverted in the reversing section 35, a predetermined number of sheets are accumulated on the intermediate tray section 23. Next, the document platen glass 3 is exposed to the document image by the first exposure means for exposing the photoreceptor to the document image.
The original image on 1 is exposed to light to form a latent image thereof, the first developing device 11 is replaced with the second developing device 12 and pressure 9 is applied to develop it as a normal black copy, and the sheet is re-fed. An image is formed on the transfer paper with an image formed on the back side which is re-fed from the roller 22 and then discharged.

In this embodiment, a color developer such as red or blue is provided in the second developing device 12, and as a result, an image with a background pattern in which the color floats is formed from the back side through the transfer paper. Ru.

Furthermore, when it is desired to adjust the color tone, the development bias can be changed using the high-voltage control driver 107 during the development of the first side (additional image) by the second developing device 12 instead of halftone dots. It is also possible to apply a pattern of Furthermore, it is also possible to create a light ink-like pattern by using the first developing device 11 without using "color" and by changing only the developing bias.

FIG. 1 is a sequence flowchart showing a watermark mode determination procedure.

That is, first in step S2, it is checked whether the watermark function selection key 233 is pressed and watermark mode is set. If the watermark mode is not set (No), a normal copying operation is performed in accordance with the set mode in step S21.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that watermark mode is set (YES), the next step S4
Now, after determining the document size and detecting its direction,
Determine the position of the mirror image reversal axis of the additional image information. That is, the image information is read out by the memory 111 at a position of 1/2 of the length of the document and is laterally inverted along with the image information fitted into the pre-designated area (step S6). Furthermore, in step S8, it is checked whether the density adjustment function selection key 234 is pressed. If the result is an affirmative determination, in step S10, halftone dots are added to the additional image information to reduce the image area and the perceived density.

Next, in step S8, if density adjustment is required (YES
), halftone dots etc. are applied in step SIO, and if density adjustment is not required (NO), the process directly advances to step S12. Here, it is determined whether the current copying operation is for the first page or the second page. - If it is a face (NO), the second exposure means is operated to scan the inverted additional image formed in the above step (step 520). If it is the second time (YES), the processing of the additional image has already been completed, so in step S21, the original on the original platen glass 31 is image-scanned by the normal first exposure means.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the position of the mirror image inversion axis is automatically determined based on the document size, so the operator can determine the position of the additional image by looking at the document from the front.
It is easy to operate and there is no risk of making mistakes.

(Other Embodiments) FIG. 5 shows a sectional configuration diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows a control electrical block diagram equivalent to FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, components common to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanation will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the axis of image reversal is determined by the size of the transfer paper in the vertical and horizontal directions.

Furthermore, when storing the image information read from the reader 110 in the memory 111, the orientation data is also stored. Further, 118 is an additional image rotation control means. In this case, vertical and horizontal direction keys 235 and 236 are provided on the operation panel shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the watermark mode having the above configuration similar to that in the first embodiment will be explained.

Using the key 233 of the operation unit or an editor (not shown), the user selects and instructs which part of the document image to add additional information to and its contents.

At this time, the contents of the additional information are stored in the image font memory of the main body of the apparatus, and each image is stored with a number given to it. As in the first embodiment, this memory may be provided in the form of a ROM chip with pre-stored memory, or it may be stored in a storage medium such as an IC cart and read from a quad reader and stored in the SRAM. You can do it like this.

Next, when the watermark mote key 233 is selected, the selected image information is called up from the memory 111 and incorporated into a predetermined designated portion within the image frame. The operator uses the key 235 or 236 to instruct whether to arrange the additional image information vertically or horizontally.

The CPU 101 of the apparatus selects the position of the mirror image reversal axis of the additional information image based on the size and orientation of the transfer paper selected by the operator. That is, the transfer paper is reversed left and right at a position that is 1/2 of the length in the transport direction. Then, the image information is sent to the laser controller 103, which causes the laser to oscillate.
A latent image is formed by the exposure means. The latent image is developed by pressing the second developing device 62 against the photosensitive tram 33, and the transfer sheet is sent to the transfer section from the paper feed section (the transfer paper in the cassette 19 is pulled out by the paper feed roller 18). After being transferred onto paper and inverted in the reversing section 35, a predetermined number of sheets are accumulated on the intermediate tray section 23. Next, the first exposure means exposes the original image on the original platen glass 31 to form a latent image thereof, and the first developing device 11 is replaced with the second developing device 12 and the pressure 1 is applied.
Develop it with normal black copy, and then re-feed roller 2.
An image is formed on the transfer paper with an image formed on the back side which is re-fed from step 2 and then discharged.

In this embodiment, the second developing device 62 is provided with a transparent toner that does not contain dye, instead of a normal color developer such as red or blue, as in 12 in the first embodiment. As a result, an image is formed in which the surface texture of the transparent surface is different from that of the back surface (different from the surface of the transfer paper itself).

FIG. 7 is a sequence flowchart showing the watermark mode determination procedure in this second embodiment, and is
Common steps in FIG. 4 of the embodiment are indicated by the same step numbers.

That is, in step s2, the watermark function selection key 23
3 is pressed to check whether watermark mode is set. If the watermark mode is not set (No), a normal copying operation is performed in accordance with the set mode in step S21.

In step S2, if it is determined that the watermark mode is set (YES), in the next step S4a, the vertical direction instruction key for the additional image information is set to vertical 235. horizontal 2
36 Izuwa to check if it is specified. From the result, if it is within the image frame (vertical direction), step S
After confirming step 4b, in step S6, the additional image information is positioned, and the image into which the additional image information is inserted (the size is determined based on the designated transfer paper size) is horizontally reversed at the center of the conveyance length.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4a that the transfer paper is in the horizontal direction, the transfer paper is rotated by 90 degrees in step S4c and the process proceeds to step S4b.

When the control is transferred from step S6 to step S12, it is determined whether the current copying operation is for the first side or the second side. - If it is a side (No), the second exposure means is operated to scan the additional image formed in step S6, which is inverted, in step S20. Also, when it’s a two-sided entrance (YES)
Since the additional image has already been processed, step S
At step 21, the original on the original platen glass 31 is image-scanned by a normal first exposure means.

As described above, in this embodiment, the surface properties of the back side of the transfer paper change depending on the characters, patterns, etc. of the additional image copied on the back side, and therefore the transmittance of the transfer paper changes, so it is easy to use. A copy image with a watermark pattern can be obtained.

(Example of Original/Additional Image/Copy Image) FIG. 8(a) shows three examples of the original image, the inverted image of the additional image 9, and the finally obtained copy surface image according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

Shown in (b) and (c).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, since the image forming apparatus is configured to automatically form a mirror image on the back side of the transfer paper and perform double-sided copying, and is equipped with a rotation 1 reversal means for additional image information, it is possible to For example, a watermark-like copy or background pattern can be created without increasing the memory of the information itself, and a high-quality copy image with additional information can be provided.

Furthermore, since the watermark and background pattern are formed on the back side, they will not interfere with the final addition of signatures, etc., and will not fade or change in color tone.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an embodiment of a copying machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an electric block diagram for controlling the apparatus in FIG. 1, and FIG.
4 is a flowchart of the watermark mode determination sequence, FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of the second embodiment of the same embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 of the same embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing three examples of original/additional image/copied image. 10.34-... Original size detection means 11/12
．． 62-,,-17th second developer 23...Double-sided/multiple copying tray 33...Photosensitive drum 111...Memory 112...Additional information Reversing means

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus that visualizes a latent image formed on a photoreceptor onto transfer paper, a first exposure means for exposing the original image to the photoreceptor, and a first exposure means for exposing the additional information image. a second exposure means, a double-sided copying means for automatically copying the latent image formed by the first exposure means and the latent image formed by the second exposure means on different sides of the transfer paper; An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage means for recording and holding a pattern of an information image; and an inversion means for inverting the information. (2) Claim 1, further comprising a document size detection means for detecting at least the length of the document, and configured to determine the position of the image mirror image inversion axis according to the detected document size. The image forming apparatus described above.