JPH0429464A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce memory capacity by providing a comparison means which compares the amount of data compressed by a compression means with prescribed allowable amount of storage data decided in advance, and a means which stores compressed image data by the compression means based on the comparison result of the comparison means when the amount of compressed data is less than the allowable amount of storage data. CONSTITUTION:An original is placed on an original platen 2, and is delivered by an original delivery means 1. An optical system 10 scans the original, and an electrostatic latent image is generated on a photosensitive material 3 electrified by a main electrifier 4 by using the light emitting function of a LED array(light emitting diode) 20 arranged on the upper part of the photosensitive material 3. The comparison means 25 counts compressed data first, and finds the amount of data, thence, compares the amount of data with the prescribed allowable amount of storage data decided in advance(i.e. the memory capacity of a storage means 26). When the amount of compressed data is less than the allowable amount of storage data as a result of comparison, the storage means 26 stores the compressed image data. An expansion means 28 expands read out image date.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a copying apparatus that obtains a copy sheet corresponding to image data of a document.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, for example, in a copying machine, when obtaining the same image on multiple sheets of paper, the same original is covered with a Chiaria sheet, which is a sheet that protects and transports the original, and the required number of originals are printed. was sent and read many times to form an image on paper.

However, after sending the original several times, the original may become misaligned or tilted, resulting in the inability to obtain the same image.

Therefore, when obtaining multiple sheets of the same copy paper, the original image data is stored in a semiconductor memory element, the data of the original image is read out from this semiconductor memory element, and an image is formed to obtain multiple sheets of the same copy paper. It has been proposed (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 55-4037).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this proposal, since a memory element corresponding to the maximum original size is required, for example, a 32 Mbyte semiconductor memory is required for the maximum original size AO size, which increases the cost. The problem was that there was a significant increase in

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and for example, the same white portion of the document image data is
Since the signals are the same, we use a compression technique that encodes the signal and the distance it continues and compresses that part, reducing the storage capacity of the storage element and reducing costs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus that displays and/or issues a warning when data is larger than the storage data allowance.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention includes a copy number setting switch that sets the number of copies, and a method that determines whether the number of copies set by the copy number setting switch is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of copies. , determination command means for outputting a normal copying operation command when the number of copies is less than a predetermined number of copies, and outputting a compressed copying operation command when the number of copies is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of copies; , an original reading means for reading the original for the number of copies by a normal copying operation to generate image data of the original, and, when a compression copying operation is commanded, reading the original by performing the normal copying operation at least once to obtain original image data; When the judgment command of the command means is for compression copying operation,
Compression means for encoding and compressing the read image data obtained by the original reading means; Comparison means for comparing the amount of data compressed by the compression means with a predetermined storage data allowance; and Comparison means. Based on the comparison result, when the amount of compressed data is less than the storage data allowance, the image data compressed by the compression means is stored, and the storage means having the storage data allowance and the storage data of the storage means are read. The apparatus is equipped with a reading means for reading the image data, a decompressing means for decompressing the read image data, and an image forming means for forming an image using the decompressed image data.

[Function] In the present invention, the number of copies is set by the number of copies setting switch, and the judgment command means determines whether the number of copies set by the number of copies setting switch is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of copies, and then makes a predetermined number of copies. If the number of copies is smaller than the number of copies, a normal copy operation command is output, and if the number of copies is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of copies, a compressed copy operation command is output. Based on this judgment command means, when the normal copying operation is commanded, the original reading means reads the original for the number of copies by the normal copying operation and generates the image data of the original, and when the compression copying operation is commanded, at least one normal copying operation is performed. A document is read by performing a copying operation to obtain document image data, and the compression means encodes and compresses the read image data obtained by the document reading means when the determination command from the determination command means is a compression copying operation. The comparison means compares the amount of data compressed by the compression means with a predetermined storage data allowance, and determines that the compressed data amount is less than or equal to the storage data allowance based on the comparison result of the comparison means. In this case, the storage means having a storage data capacity stores the image data compressed by the compression means, the reading means reads out the stored data of the storage means, and the decompression means stores the read image data. Since the image forming means uses the expanded image data to form an image, costs can be reduced and multiple identical copies can be easily made.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of a copying apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a copying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the copying apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a document is placed on a document table 2 and is fed by a document feeder l. Then, the optical system 10 scans the document and uses the light emitting function of the LED array (light emitting diode) 20 arranged above the photoreceptor 3 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 3 charged by the main charger 4. make. and,
A developing device 5, a transfer device 6, a separator 7, and a cleaning device 9 arranged around the photoreceptor 3 perform copying, etc., and the fixing device 18 fixes the image onto a sheet of paper. The paper is then ejected to the ejection tray 19. Also, the paper is fed from the paper supply location 11 through the rollers 13 or from the manual feed tray 15.

Next, referring to the block diagram shown in FIG. 2, the configuration of an embodiment of the copying apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

The number of copies setting switch 21 is a switch through which the operator sets the number of copies. Specifically, the number of copies setting switch 21 is, for example, a numeric keypad on the operation panel of the copying apparatus, and is used to set the number of copies.

The determination command means 22 determines whether the number of copies set by the number of copies setting switch 21 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of copies, and if it is smaller than the predetermined number of copies, such as one copy, outputs a normal copying operation command. , if the number of copies is greater than a predetermined number, a compressed copy operation is output. in particular,
It may be realized in software using a microcomputer, or it may be realized by assembling a dedicated hardware circuit. Here, the normal copying operation of the normal copying operation command is:
By moving the optical system or the original more than the number of copies, image data of the original is obtained and copied.

Based on the determination command means 22, the original reading means 23 reads the original for the number of copies by normal copying operation when the normal copying operation is commanded, and generates image data of the original, and generates image data of the original at least once when the compression copying operation is commanded. By performing a reading operation, a document is read and document image data is obtained.

Specifically, the original reading means 23 uses an optical system to read the original and generates image data, and in the case of a normal copying operation command, reads the number of copies of the original and converts the read image data to an image forming means, which will be described later. 31 each time uses the light emitting function of the LED array 20 shown in FIG. 1 to create an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 3 charged by the main charger 4, and performs an image forming operation. In the case of a compression copy operation command, the obtained image data is sent to compression means 24, which will be described later.

The compression means 24 encodes and compresses the read image data obtained by the original reading means 23 when the determination command from the determination command means 22 is a compression copying operation. A specific compression operation is, for example, in the image data of a document, since the same white parts have the same signal, that signal and the distance between the signals are encoded, and that part is compressed.

The comparison means 25 compares the amount of data compressed by the compression means 24 with a predetermined storage data capacity of the storage means 26, which will be described later. Specifically, the comparing means 25 may be realized in software using a microcomputer, or may be realized by assembling a dedicated hardware circuit. Note that the amount of compressed data is counted by the compression means 24 or the comparison means 2.
5 may be performed, but in this embodiment, the comparing means 25 performs this.

The storage means 26, based on the comparison result of the comparison means 25,
When the amount of compressed data is less than the storage data allowance, the image data compressed by the compression means 24 is stored. Specifically, it is a page memory such as a RAM.

The reading means 27 is a means for reading out the stored data stored in the storage means 26 by the number of copies set by the number of copies setting switch 21.

The decompression means 28 decompresses the image data read out by the readout means 27, and the read out image data is compressed by the compression means 24.
This is to restore it to the original image data.

The image forming means 31 forms an image using the image data decompressed by the decompressing means 28. Specifically, using the expanded image data, an electrostatic latent image is created each time on the photoreceptor 3 charged by the main charger 4 using the light emitting function of the LED array 20 shown in FIG. The image forming operation is performed as explained in FIG.

The display warning means 29 provided in the present invention according to claim 2 is configured to overflow the storage when the amount of data compressed by the compression means 24 is larger than the storage data allowance based on the comparison result of the comparison means 25. It indicates the condition and/or warns about overflow.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the parts of the original image data that are stored in the storage means 26 are shown with solid lines, and the parts that are not stored and overflow are shown with broken lines. It may also be displayed as a layout represented by the storage means 26.
It may be possible to display only the amount that is not stored in the memory, or it may be possible to display only the amount that is stored.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the stored amount may be displayed as a percentage of the total amount. Next, as a specific method of warning, the operator may be notified by sounding a buzzer, or by lighting a lamp at the same time.

Among such displays and warnings, the display warning means 29 may perform both the display and the warning, or may perform either one of them. The display/warning means 290 may be installed on the operation panel of the copying machine, but is not limited to a separate installation.

In the third aspect of the present invention, when data overflows as a result of the comparison result of the comparing means 25, the comparing means 25 performs a storing operation of the storing means 26, a reading operation of the reading means 27, and an expanding operation of the expanding means 28. , or image forming means 3
This is to cancel the image forming operation of step 1.

In the present invention as set forth in claim 4, the above-mentioned comparing means 25 continues the reading operation, the expanding operation, and the image forming operation using only the stored image data when data overflows as a result of the comparison result of the comparing means 25. It is.

In the present invention, when the comparison result of the comparison means 25 indicates that data overflows, the comparison means 25 performs the normal copying operation to form an image from the first copy of the number of copies. Specifically, the manuscript reading means 23,
The image forming means 3 reads the image data and uses the data to form an image.
1 is for forming an image on the number of copies.

Note that a selection switch for selecting the operation of the present invention according to claim 3.4.5 may be provided.

In that case, the selection switch 30 selects the storage operation of the storage means 26, the readout operation of the reading means 27, and the expansion means 28 if data overflows according to the comparison result of the comparison means 25.
or to stop the image forming operation of the image forming means 31, or to continue the reading operation, decompression operation, and image forming operation using only the stored image data, or to copy one copy. This is a switch for selecting one of two operations: forming images for the number of copies in a normal copying operation. Specifically, the selection switch 30 may be a changeover switch as shown in FIG. 4(a), a push button type changeover switch as shown in FIG. 4(b), or a changeover switch as shown in FIG. 4(b). , a selectable switch may be used.

Next, the operation of one embodiment of the copying apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

First, the operator sets the number of copies to 5, for example, using the multiple number setting switch 21. Then, the judgment command means 22 judges that the number of copies of five sheets is larger than the predetermined number of copies (for example, two sheets), and outputs a compressed copy operation command to the original reading means 23. Incidentally, if the set number of copies is smaller than the predetermined number, a normal copying operation command is output to the document reading means 23, and the above-mentioned normal copying operation is performed. Next, since the command is a compression copy operation command, the original reading unit 23 performs normal reading operation - times to read the original and obtain original image data.

Then, the compression means 24 encodes and compresses this image data. Specifically, as described above, consecutive parts of the same signal encode the signal and the distance between the signals. Then, the comparing means 25 first counts the compressed data to find the amount, and then compares that amount with a predetermined storage data allowance (i.e., the storage capacity of the storage means 26). Compare. As a result of the comparison, if the compressed data amount is less than or equal to the storage data allowance, the storage means 26 stores this compressed image data. Then, the reading means 27 reads the data from the storage means 2.
The storage data stored in 6 is read out, and the decompression means 28 decompresses the read image data. In other words, the compressed data is restored to its original state. Then, the image forming means 31 forms an image using this expanded data. The number of copies is 5, so there are 4 more
At this time, the data in the storage means 26 is read out, decompressed, and an image is formed.

Further, as a result of the comparing means 25 comparing the compressed data amount and the predetermined predetermined storage data allowance (i.e., the storage capacity of the storage means 26), it is found that the compressed data amount is larger and overflows. If so, the display warning means 29 displays and warns to that effect.

Next, the operation after that when the comparison by the comparison means 25 shows that the compressed data amount is larger and overflows will be described with reference to the operation of one embodiment of the present invention in claim 30. 29, the comparison means 25 automatically performs a storage operation of the storage means 26, a readout operation of the readout means 27, an expansion operation of the expansion means 28, or an expansion operation of the image forming means 31. Cancel image forming operation. Here, the storage operation, readout operation, decompression operation, and image forming operation are listed as storage operations of the storage means 26 may be performed while the comparison means 25 is making comparisons, or This is because the extraction operation may be performed, or it may be decided to proceed to the decompression operation, or it may be decided to proceed to the image forming operation, and it is sufficient to stop at the advanced stage. .

Next, we will discuss the case where the selection switch 30 performs the subsequent operation when the comparison by the comparison means 25 indicates that the amount of compressed data is larger and overflows.The display warning means 29 displays an overflow message. After the warning, the operator:
The selection switch 30 is used to select one of aborted operation, continued operation, and normal copying operation.

First, if the operator selects the correct mode during operation, claim 3
Similar to the embodiment of the present invention, the storage operation, readout operation, decompression operation, or image formation operation is stopped.

Next, when the operator selects a continuation operation, the overflowing amount of compressed data is ignored and only the stored image data is read out by the readout means 27, decompressed by the decompression means 28, and Then, the image forming means 31 continues to perform the image forming operation to form an image.

Next, when the operator selects the normal copying operation, the original reading means 23, compression means 24, storage means 2
The normal copying operation is performed again by the original reading means 23, ignoring each operation of 6.

That is, each time the number of copies is 5, the original reading means 23 reads the original, and the image forming means 3l forms an image based on the data.

In this embodiment, when the comparison means 25 compares and the compressed data amount is larger and overflows, the comparison means 25 cancels the subsequent operation. It is not necessary to use the comparison means 26, for example, the display warning means 29 may be stopped.

[Effects of the Invention] In the present invention, since a plurality of copies can be made using a storage means with a small storage capacity, there is an advantage that the cost does not increase.

Further, in the present invention, if the amount of data compressed by the compression operation by the compression means is larger than the storage data capacity and overflows, it is possible to display and/or warn the operator.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus including an image data generating apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the image data generating apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the image data generating apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the display of the display warning means of the example, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the selection switch of the same embodiment. 21... Copy number setting switch, 22... Judgment command means, 23... Original reading means, 24... Compression means, 25... Comparison means, 26... Storage means, 27.
...reading means, 28...expansion means, 29...
Display warning means, 30... Selection means, 31... Image forming means.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A copy number setting switch that sets the number of copies, and a judgment as to whether the number of copies set by the copy number setting switch is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of copies, and if it is smaller than the predetermined number of copies, normal copying is performed. a determination command means that outputs a command and outputs a compressed copy operation command when the number of copies is greater than a predetermined number; and based on the determination command means, when a normal copy operation command is issued, the original for the number of copies is read by the normal copy operation. a document reading means that generates image data of a document and reads the document by performing a normal reading operation at least once to obtain document image data when a compression copying operation is commanded; a compression means for encoding and compressing the read image data obtained by the original reading means; and a comparison means for comparing the amount of data compressed by the compression means with a predetermined storage data allowance. and, based on the comparison result of the comparison means, when the compressed data amount is less than or equal to the storage data allowance, storage means stores the image data compressed by the compression means and has the storage data allowance. and reading means for reading out the data stored in the storage means, decompression means for decompressing the read image data, and image forming means for forming an image using the decompressed image data. A copying device characterized by: (2) Based on the comparison result of the comparison means, when the amount of data compressed by the compression means is larger than the storage data capacity and overflows, displaying the storage status and/or overflowing; 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display warning means for warning about. (3) If data overflows as a result of the comparison result of the comparison means, the storage operation of the storage means, the readout operation of the readout means, the expansion operation of the expansion means, or the image formation operation of the image formation means is stopped. 3. The copying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: (4) If the data overflows as a result of the comparison result of the comparison means, the reading operation is performed using only the stored image data.
3. The copying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the copying apparatus continues the decompression operation and the image forming operation. (5) The copying apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, if data overflows as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, images are formed in the normal copying operation from the first copy of the number of copies.