JPH0418555A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enlarge image area on mask original plates by utilizing the mask original plates with bar code data printed for one digit and one letter on each plate of mask original plates of R plate, G plate, B plate and calculating the type of the mask original plate and the outputted number. CONSTITUTION:When the mask original plates are judged to be fed by an automatic document feeding device (ADF) paper feeding roll, the bar code data printed on a non image area 15b of the mask original plate is read by a sensor 103, and this data is compared with the data recorded in ROM92 after being stored to RAM93 by CPU91, and judgement is made of which plate the mask original plate 15 is. If it is judged to be the R plate, a numerical data of the read outputted number of pieces is stored to RAM93 as a numeral N1 of one digit. Thus, the output number of pieces N is set by calculation of the read three numeral data N1 to N3 of the R plate, the G plate, and the B plate, and the outputted number of pieces is shown on a display part of a control panel 96. Thus, the non image area is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and particularly to an image recording apparatus that prints necessary codes on a mask original plate.

C. Prior Art] Conventionally, as a method for recording a color image on a color-compatible photosensitive recording medium, each color separation mask original plate (hereinafter referred to as a mask) of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is used from a color original image. Create an original plate (referred to as an original plate), overlap it with a photosensitive recording medium,
By irradiating light from a light source from above, the photosensitive recording medium is exposed to light corresponding to the mask image of the mask original,
2. Description of the Related Art An image recording apparatus is known that records a color image by hardening microcapsules on the surface of a photosensitive recording medium.

Next, to explain the mask original plate 100 in detail with reference to FIG. 5, image information corresponding to each color is printed in an image area 101 on the mask original plate 100, and a non-image area 1
02 includes an alignment mark 103 for aligning the mask original plate 100 at a predetermined position, and barcode data 104 indicating the identification of each plate and the number of color images to be output.
is printed, and the number of output sheets is set by reading barcode data 104 indicating the number of output sheets using an image recording device.

The number of output sheets is printed as a barcode, and the number of output sheets is 2 digits (
or 3 digits).

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, barcode data usually requires three numeric characters for the number of output sheets and one character for identifying each version, and as the amount of data increases, there is a problem that the image area becomes smaller.

In addition, if the line width of the barcode is made small in order to prevent the image area from becoming small, when reading the barcode data, it may not be possible to read the barcode data accurately due to vibrations of the mask original 100, and the number of output sheets cannot be set. There is a problem.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and barcode data indicating the number of output sheets is assigned to each mask original R1, mask original G1, and mask original B by one digit (1 digit).
An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording device that can further improve the reliability of reading barcode data without reducing the image area on the mask original by using a mask original on which characters (characters) are printed. .

[Means to solve the problem]

The image recording apparatus of the present invention having the above object includes a positioning means for aligning a plurality of mask originals created based on image information at predetermined positions, and an exposure device for exposing a photosensitive recording medium from above the mask originals. a detection means for detecting one-digit output number information printed individually on each of the mask masters, and a plurality of output numbers detected from each of the mask masters by the detection means. The apparatus includes a control means for calculating the number of sheets to be outputted based on the information and setting the number of sheets to be outputted.

[Effect]

According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention having the above configuration, the barcode data printed on the mask original is detected by the detection means. Then, the control means identifies the mask original plate as R and GXB. The numerical data detected from each version of the mask master is calculated based on a predetermined calculation formula, and the result is set as the number of output mask masters.

〔Example〕

An embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a monochrome laser printer (hereinafter referred to as laser printer) 1 and an image recording device 20 coupled and arranged.

The laser printer 1 is mounted on top of the image recording device 20. In the laser printer 1, a polygon scanner 2 irradiates laser light onto a charged photoreceptor drum 3, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. The photosensitive drum 3 on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed is developed by a developing device 4, and the toner image is transferred onto plain paper or a transparent sheet fed from a paper feed cassette 5, and fixed by a fixing device 6. Laser printer 1 typically records data transmitted from a host computer.

The output paper from the laser printer 1 is outputted as a black and white image by the paper path switching unit 10 or, if necessary, a monochrome output tray 11 or an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF).
A color image is sent to tray 12, if a color image is required.
After being sent to the DF tray 12, it is taken into the image recording device 20.

The sheets sent to the ADF h-ray 12 are taken into the image recording device 20 one by one by the ADF paper feed roller 13, and are outputted from the laser printer 1 as a set of three sheets or a set of monochrome printed sheets and then an image is formed. Mask original plate 15 (15R) of recording device 20.

15G, 15B). Mask original version 15R
, 15G, and 15B, in order to harden the microcapsules containing cyan, magenta, and yellow dye precursors, respectively, in the microcapsules coated on the photosensitive recording medium 50, toner as a light-shielding image is applied to other parts. This is the original version of the mask.

Next, the mask original plate 15 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2(a), (b), and (c).

Image information is printed in the image area 15a of the mask original plate 15, and marks M1 and M2 for aligning the mask original plate 15 at a predetermined position, and marks for output number and plate identification are printed in the non-image area 15b. Barcode data M3 is printed. The barcode data M3 of the mask original plate 15R shows numerical data of the first digit of the number of output sheets and data for plate identification, and the barcode data M3 of the mask original plate 15G shows the numerical data of the first digit of the number of output sheets. Numerical data and data for plate identification are shown, mask original plate 1.5
The barcode data M3 of B shows numerical data for the hundredth digit of the number of output sheets and data for version identification.

Next, the configuration of the image recording device 20 will be explained.

A positioning device 31 is provided at the bottom of the main body of the image recording device 20.
(ADF) from the ray 12 to the positioning device 31
A mask original transport path 21 is used to communicate between the two. On both the left and right sides of the positioning device 31 are roller pairs 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 that can control the rotational direction, and a gate 2.
8.29 and a mask original storage section 102 are arranged. In the middle of the mask original transport path 21, a laser printer 1 is installed.
A pair of glue curler rollers 101 for removing curls from the mask original plate 15 discharged from the mask original plate 15 and a sensor 103 for detecting bar code data printed on the mask original plate 15 indicating the output number of the image recording device 20 and plate identification. It is located. The sensor 103 is, for example, a light reflection type sensor using a combination of an LED and a photodiode. The used mask original plate is placed on the outside of the roller pair 26 and 27]5
There is also a mask original discharge tray 30 for discharging the original mask.

The positioning device 31 includes a sensor (not shown), a pair of rollers 32 and 33 placed near both left and right ends, a glass plate 34 placed between them, and the like.

An exposure device 41 is arranged below the alignment device 31, and the exposure device 41 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction along the alignment device 31. The exposure device 41 includes a linear white light source (hereinafter referred to as a lamp) 42, a reflecting plate 43 that reflects light from the lamp 42, a red filter 44R, a green filter 44G, and a blue filter 4.
The filter unit 44 consists of 4B.

The photosensitive recording medium 50 is, for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-14304.
The main material is a photocurable resin using a photopolymerization initiator known in Publication No. 4, and includes a photocurable resin that cures with light of each wavelength of red, green, and blue, and cyan, magenta, Microcapsules containing yellow dye precursors are coated on a base sheet. The photosensitive recording medium 50 is housed in a cartridge 51 so as not to be exposed to light. The photosensitive recording medium 5o passes between the glass plate 34 and the exposure table 52 from inside the cartridge 51,
It is routed through a buffer 55, a separation roller 64, a pressure developing device 70, and a drive roller 57 to a winding roller 54. The exposure table 52 is lowered by a cam 53,
It is configured so that the mask original 15 conveyed onto the glass plate 34 and the photosensitive recording medium 50 are brought into close contact. Further, the fixed roller 56 is pressed against the left end of the exposure table 52 when the exposure table 52 is lowered to a predetermined position, and the fixed roller 56 is pressed against the left end of the exposure table 52 when the exposure table 52 is lowered to a predetermined position.
It is arranged to be fixed to.

The color developer notebook 60 is, for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-88739.
It is constructed by applying the color developer shown in the above publication onto a base paper, and is set in a cassette 61 with the developer coated side facing downward. At the top of the cassette 61,
A suction cup 62 is arranged to feed the developer sheet 6 degrees one by one.

The pressure developing device 70 is composed of a photosensitive recording medium 50 on which a latent image is formed by exposure, a pair of pressure rollers 71 for overlapping a color developer sheet h60, and developing the image under pressure.

The heat fixing device 80 includes a casing 83 containing a heater 81 and an impeller 82 in the upper part, rubber rollers 84, 85, 86 for conveying the color developer sheet 60 in the lower part, and rollers 87 and 88. It is composed of an endless belt 89 installed, and a paper discharge tray 63 is attached to the outside of the heat fixing device 80 .

In the apparatus configured as described above, the operation when obtaining a plurality of color images from one set of mask originals will be described below.

First, a mask original plate 1 for red is printed using a laser printer 1.
5R is created. At this time, the mask original 15R outputted from the laser printer 1 is sent to the ADF tray 12 and fed into the image recording device 20 by the ADF paper feed roller 13. The mask original 15R fed into the image recording device 20 passes through a mask original transport path 21 and passes through a pair of rollers 24.
22 to the alignment device 31.

On the way, mask original plate 15R was removed by recolor roller pair 101.
The curl is corrected, and then the sensor 103 detects the barcode data printed on the mask original 15R. The electrical configuration and control details related to barcode data detection will be described later. Then, the mask original 15R passes through the mask original transport path 21 and is sent to the positioning device ff131 by the roller pair 24.22.

At this time, the gate 28 is at the position indicated by the solid line.

Next, the alignment device 31 transports the mask original 15R to a predetermined exposure position by a pair of rollers 32, and then uses a drive source (not shown) to move the mask original 15R while reading the alignment mark printed on the mask original 15R with a sensor.
Move R to a predetermined position.

Immediately before positioning, the exposure table 52 is lowered to a predetermined position by the cam 53, and the fixed roller 56 is pressed against the left end of the exposure table 52 to fix the photosensitive recording medium 50 to the exposure table 52. After the alignment is completed, the exposure table 52 is further lowered by the cam 53 and comes into contact with the glass plate 34 of the alignment device 31, and the mask original 15R and the photosensitive recording medium 50 are exposed.
and bring them into close contact.

When the exposure table 52 comes into close contact with the alignment device 31, the lamp 4
2 lights up, and the exposure bag rI 141 performs scanning exposure in the direction of arrow A in order to expose the photosensitive recording medium 50 with red light via the mask original 15R via the red filter 44R. When the exposure is completed, the lamp 42 is turned off and the exposure device 41 moves back in the direction of arrow B. At this time, the filter unit 44 of the exposure device 41 is moved by a drive source (not shown), and a green filter 44 is placed above the lamp 42.
G is located.

While the exposure device 41 moves backward, the exposure table 52 is raised by the rotation of the cam 53, and the photosensitive recording medium 50 is separated from the alignment device 31 and the mask original 15R. At this time, pack tension is applied to the photosensitive recording medium 50 at the center of roll rotation of the photosensitive recording medium 50 in the cartridge 51, and when the exposure table 52 is lowered, a length corresponding to the amount of descent of the exposure table 52 is applied. Saga storage cartridge 5
1, and after the exposure is completed, the exposure stage 52
When the recording medium 50 rises, the photosensitive recording medium 50 is rewound in a direction to take up the slack.

Even after the exposure of the red mask master plate 15R is completed, the exposure table 52 only rises to a predetermined position, and the photosensitive recording medium 50 is moved to the exposure table 52 by a fixed roller 56 pressed against the left end of the exposure table 52. remains fixed.

Next, when the green mask original 15G created by the laser printer 1 passes through the ADF tray 12, ADF paper feed roller 13, recurler roller pair 101, and mask original transport path 21, and reaches just before the roller pair 24, the roller Pair 22.24.25.27, the roller pair 32.33 of the alignment device 31 is rotated in the direction of conveying the mask original 15R to the right, and at the same time the mask original 15R is sent out from the alignment device 31, the mask original 15G is transported to the exposure position and stopped. At this time, the gates 28 and 29 are located at the positions indicated by solid lines, and the exposed mask original 15R is sandwiched between the roller pair 27, and with the rear end of the mask original 15R passing through the gate 29, the roller pair 27 It is maintained by stopping rotation.

The mask original 15G guided by the alignment device 31 is aligned with the photosensitive recording medium 50 in the same manner as the mask original 15R, and then the exposure table 52 is lowered to align the mask original 15G with the photosensitive recording medium 50. Being brought into close contact. Thereafter, the lamp 42 is turned on and exposure to green light is performed via the green filter 44G. After exposure,
The exposure table 52 is raised to a predetermined position. Exposure device 4
1 is moved back to the original position and moves the filter unit 44 so that the blue filter 44B is located above the lamp 42.

Next, the blue mask original 15B created by the laser printer 1 is similarly fed to the color image recording device 20, and is conveyed just before the roller pair 24, 22, 25, 26. The pair of rollers 32 and 33 of the alignment device 31 are rotated in a direction to convey the mask original 15G to the right, feed the mask original 15G from the alignment device 31, and convey the mask original 15B to the exposure position and stop. let At this time, the gate 28 is located at the position indicated by the solid line, and the gate 29 is located at the position indicated by the broken line. It is held by stopping the rotation of 26.

The mask original 15B guided by the alignment device 31 is brought into close contact with the photosensitive recording medium 50 by a similar operation. The photosensitive recording medium 50 is exposed to blue light through the mask original 15B.

Through the above operations, a latent image of a desired color image is recorded on the photosensitive recording medium 50.

Next, the exposure table 52 is raised to the initial position, the fixed roller 56 and the left end of the exposure table 52 are separated from each other, and the buffer 55 is moved in the direction of the arrow E to remove the unexposed portions of the photosensitive recording medium 50. is pulled out from inside the cartridge 51 below the exposure table 52. The drive roller 57 transports the photosensitive recording medium 50 and stops the photosensitive recording medium 50 when the leading edge of the latent image reaches the pressure roller 71 of the pressure developing device 70 .

In synchronization with the movement of the photosensitive recording medium 50, the developer sheet 60
is sent out from the cassette 61 by a suction cup 62, and is stopped after being conveyed to a position where the leading edge of the developer sheet 60 corresponds to the leading edge of the latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 50.

Next, the pressure developing device 17 is driven by a drive device (not shown).
The pressure roller 71 of No. 0 is pressed while being rotated in the direction of the arrow. At this time, by lowering the exposure table 52 to a predetermined position again, the fixed roller 56 is pressed against the left end of the exposure table 52, and the photosensitive recording medium 50 is moved onto the exposure table 52.
Fixed. The photosensitive recording medium 50 is overlapped with the color developer sheet 60 and fed under pressure, and the uncured microcapsules on the photosensitive recording medium 50 are destroyed by the pressure, and the latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 50 is A corresponding color image is developed on developer sheet 60.

By rotating the pressure roller 71 of the pressure developing device 70 in the direction of the arrow, the buffer 55 is moved in the direction of the arrow F. The color developer sheet 60 is peeled off from the photosensitive recording medium 50 by a separation roller 64 and guided toward a heat fixing device 80 .

In the heat fixing device 80, the color developer sheet 60 is heated by a heater 81 and heated by air circulating in a casing 83 by an impeller 82, thereby promoting color development of a color image. At the same time, the binder polymer (binder resin) for fixing the color developing medium to the base paper of the color developer sheet 60 is thermally melted, and the surface becomes smooth, giving the surface of the color developer sheet 60 an appropriate level of gloss. It will be done. The color developer sheet 60 that has been subjected to color development and gloss treatment is discharged to a paper discharge tray 63.

During the above-described series of development and coloring/glossy processing, the photosensitive recording medium 50 is held and fixed between the exposure table 52 and the fixed roller 56. Therefore, while the development processing for one screen is being performed, the next exposure point is It is possible to perform exposure processing on the latent image of a color image.

When exposing the second color image, first, the mask original 15B at the exposure position is sent to the left, and the mask original 15R held at the position of the roller pair 27 is sent to the alignment device 31 by the rollers. vs. 24.22.2
5.27 and the roller pair 32.33 of the alignment device 31 are rotated so as to convey the mask original 15R to the left. At this time, the gates 28 and 29 are located at the positions indicated by solid lines. The mask original 15B is held between the pair of rollers 24, and the rotation of the pair of rollers 24 is stopped at the position where the rear end passes through the gate 28. The mask original 15R sent to the alignment device 31 is aligned and brought into close contact with the photosensitive recording medium 50. The photosensitive recording medium 50 is exposed to red light through the mask original 15R.

Next, the mask original 15R at the exposure position is sent to the left, and the mask original 15G held at the position of the roller pair 26 is aligned with the roller pairs 22, 23, 25, and 26 in order to be sent to the alignment device 31. The pair of rollers 32 and 33 of the device 31 are rotated so as to convey the mask original 15G to the left. At this time, the gates 28 and 29 are located at the positions indicated by broken lines. The mask original 15R is held between the pair of rollers 23 and is held by stopping the rotation of the pair of rollers 23 at a position where the rear end passes through the gate 28. The mask original 15G sent to the alignment device 31 is aligned and brought into close contact with the photosensitive recording medium 50. The photosensitive recording medium 50 is exposed to green light through the mask original 15G.

Next, the mask original 15G at the exposure position is sent out to the right, and the same operation is performed to send the mask original 15B held at the position of the roller pair 24 to the alignment device 31, so that the color is printed on the photosensitive recording medium 50. A latent image of the image is formed to form a color image on the developer sheet 60.

By repeating the same operation, one set of mask originals 1
5, a predetermined number of color images can be output.

After obtaining the required number of color images from the same mask original 15, each mask original 15 is discharged from the roller pair 27 or the roller pair 26 to the paper discharge tray 3o.

Next, the configuration of a control system for reading barcode data and its control method will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the configuration of the control system.

The control system includes an electronic control circuit section 90. The electronic control circuit unit 90 includes a CPU 91 that executes arithmetic processing for various controls, a ROM 92 in which control programs and initial data necessary for the CPU 91 to execute the arithmetic processing are recorded in advance, and a ROM 92 (the same (the CPU 91 executes the arithmetic processing) RA where data used for
It is provided with an input circuit 94 that receives detection signals from the M93 and the sensor 103, and an output circuit 95 that outputs control signals to the display section 96 of the operation panel and various actuators.

Next, the processing related to reading barcode data and setting the number of output sheets executed by the electronic control circuit 90 will be explained with reference to FIG. When it is determined that the mask original 15 has been fed by the ADF paper feed roller 13 (step 40
1 YES), after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the barcode data printed on the non-image area 15b of the mask original 15 is read by the sensor 103 (step 402).

The read data is sent to the RA by the CPU 91.
, M 93, it is compared with the data recorded in the ROM 92 to determine which version of the mask original 15 it is (step 403).

If it is determined that it is the R version (step 403
R), the read numerical data of the number of output sheets is stored in the RAM 93 as the first digit number N1 (step 404).
. If it is determined that the detected mask original plate 15 is a G plate (step 403G), the read numerical data of the number of output sheets is stored in the RAM 93 as the number N2 in the 10th place (step 405), and the detected mask original plate 15 is Original version 15 is B
If it is determined that it is a version (step 403B), the read numerical data of the number of output sheets is converted to the number N in the 100th place.
3 in the RAM 93 (step 406), and when it is determined that three mask originals 15 have been detected (
Step 407: YES) From the read three numerical data N1, N2, N3, the following equation is calculated, the number of output sheets N is set, and the number of output sheets is displayed on the display section of the operation panel 96 (step 408).

N=N1+N2xlO+N5xlOO If it is determined that three mask originals 15 have not been detected (step 407 NO), it is determined whether the next mask original 15 has been fed (step 401).

For example, a case will be described in which five color images are output. When the mask original plate 15 is created by the laser printer 1, numerical data "5" indicating the number of output sheets and red plate identification data are printed as barcode data M3 in the non-image area of the mask original plate 15R. In addition, the mask original version 15G
The numerical data "0" and the identification data of the green version are printed as M3 on the mask original plate 15B, and the numerical data "0" and the identification data of the blue version are printed as M3 on the mask original plate 15B. When the mask original plate 15R is fed by the ADF paper feed roller 13, the barcode data M3 is detected by the sensor 103, and it is identified as a red plate, the numerical data “5” of the read barcode data M3 becomes N1. is memorized. Similarly, the numerical data of mask original plate 15G is “0”
is N2, and the numerical data “0” of mask original plate 15B is N3.
are stored respectively. Then, the number of output sheets N is calculated using the above-mentioned formula (% formula %), and the number of output sheets N=5 is set.

In this way, the number of output color images is set,
As described above, the non-image area can be made smaller by recording the single-digit output number in a distributed manner on each mask master plate.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the detailed description above, according to the present invention, a mask original plate in which barcode data is printed one character per digit on each of the R, G, and B versions of the mask original is used. By calculating the type of mask master and the number of output sheets, it is possible to widen the image area on the mask master. Furthermore, since one-digit barcode data is printed on one mask original, the line width of the barcode can be increased, which improves the reliability of reading the barcode data.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a mask original, and FIG. 3 is an electrical configuration of a portion related to reading barcode data. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a flowchart showing processing related to reading barcode data, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of a conventional mask original. 1... Monochrome laser printer, 2... Polygon scanner, 3... Photoconductor, 4... Developing device, 5... Paper feed cassette, 6... Fixing device, 10... Paper path switching section, 11... Monochrome paper discharge tray, 12... ΔDF tray, 13... ADF paper feed roller, 15... Mask original plate (15R115G, 15B), 20... Color image recording device, 21... Mask Original transport path, 22... roller pair, 23... roller pair, 24... roller pair, 2
5...Roller pair, 26...Roller pair, 27...Roller pair, 28...Gate, 29...Gate, 30...
・Mask original discharge tray, 31... positioning device,
32...Roller pair, 33...Roller pair, 34...
Glass plate, 41... Exposure device, 42... Lamp, 4
3...Reflector, 44...Filter unit, 44R
...Red filter, 44G...Green filter, 44B...Blue filter, 50...Photosensitive recording medium, 51...Cartridge, 52...Exposure table, 53
...Cam, 54... Winding roller, 55... Buffer, 56... Fixed roller, 57... Drive roller,
60... Color developer sheet, 61... Cassette, 62...
... Suction cup, 63 ... Paper discharge tray, 64 ... Separation roller, 70 ... Pressure developing device, 71 ... Pressure roller,
80... Heat fixing device, 81... Heater, 82... Impeller, 83... Casing, 84... Rubber roller,
85...Rubber roller, 86...Rubber roller, 87.
...Roller, 88...Roller, 89...Endless belt, 1o1...Recurrer roller pair, 102...Mask master storage section, 103...Sensor. Applicant's representative Yasushi Ishikawa Ochazu sheep 3 times

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Image recording comprising: positioning means for aligning a plurality of mask originals created based on image information to predetermined positions; and exposure means for exposing a photosensitive recording medium from above the mask originals. The apparatus includes a detection means for detecting one-digit output number information printed individually on each of the mask masters, and a detection means for detecting output number of sheets based on a plurality of pieces of output sheet number information detected from each of the mask masters by the detection means. An image recording apparatus comprising: a control means for calculating and setting the number of output sheets.