JPH0461469A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid a remaining highly confidential picture data from being informed to a third party by storing lots of originals in the lump, outputting them to a recording medium continuously at once and deleting a picture data being an object of picture output automatically at a point of time of picture output. CONSTITUTION:When original picture reading is started by a picture read means comprising a scanner 4 and an image sensor 9 or the like, an original picture is sequentially stored in a picture storage means (picture memory) 31. When the original picture is read out of the picture storage means 31 and outputted onto a recording medium from an image formation means (photosensitive body), read picture information stored in the picture storage means 31 is deleted automatically after the output from an image forming means 11 so as to delete all the contents in the picture storage means 31. Thus, it is prevented that a highly confidential original or the like is not outputted externally.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field 1] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium based on image information output from an image reading means.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in this type of device, image information output from an image reading means is accumulated in an image buffer such as a RAM, and an image is formed on a recording medium by sequentially reading out the accumulated image information. It is configured.

In this case, the image information output from the image reading means is
Since the image forming process is executed while sequentially updating the contents of the RAM section that have already been written, the memory capacity for storing the image information output from the image reading means is determined relative to the document size. , so large amounts of memory were not required.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned image forming process, the contents on the RAM are sequentially rewritten while the original is being read, but the image information read and output last is Since the images are stored in the image memory up to the time when the original is read, image formation can be started by the operator simply issuing a copy instruction. Therefore, highly confidential documents, etc. can easily be output to the outside.Also, if the operator accidentally touches the copy key etc. due to an operational error, the image forming process for the previously stored image information will start. There were problems such as

This invention was made to solve the above problems, and when reading information is sequentially stored in a large-capacity storage medium, by adding information persistence information to the reading information and managing the storage. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can reliably automatically erase desired read image information from a large-capacity storage medium after outputting an image.

[Means for Solving the Problems] An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image storage means for storing read image information outputted from an image reading means, and an image forming apparatus using the read image information stored in the image storage means. The apparatus is provided with erasing means that automatically erases the data after the output from the means.

Further, there is an instruction means for instructing that the read image information outputted from the image storage means to the image forming means be preserved on the image storage means, and an image erasure means is caused to be erased by the erasing means based on the preservation instruction state instructed by the instruction means. and a control means for controlling.

[For Use] In the present invention, when the image reading means starts reading original images, the original images are sequentially stored in the image storage means. Then, when the original image is read out from the image storage means and outputted onto the recording medium by the image forming means, the erasing means automatically erases the read image information stored in the image storage means after being output from the image forming means. , it is possible to erase all the contents of the image storage means.

Further, when the instruction means instructs that the read image information outputted from the image storage means to the image forming means be preserved on the image storage means, the erasing means erases the image based on the preservation instruction state instructed by the control means. control, and makes it possible to selectively maintain the read image information stored in the image storage means.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a document feeding device, and the document stacked on the document feeding device 1 is The documents are conveyed one by one onto the document table glass 2.

When the original is conveyed, the lamp 3 in the scanner section is turned on, and the scanner 4 moves to illuminate the original.

The light reflected from the original passes through lens 8 via mirrors 5 to 7, and is input to image sensor 9. The output of the image sensor 9 is subjected to appropriate image processing and then stored in an image memory 31 (see FIG. 2), which constitutes a large-capacity storage medium, such as a magneto-optical disk.

On the other hand, the original image information (image data) stored in the image memory 31 is converted into an optical signal by the laser emitting section 10, and the photoreceptor 11 is irradiated with the optical signal. A latent image formed on the photoreceptor 11 by the irradiation light is developed by a color developer 12 or a black developer 13.

Reference numeral 14 and 15 denote a transfer paper feeding section, which feeds the transfer paper in synchronization with the latent image on the photoconductor 11. In the transfer section 16, the developed image on the photoconductor 11 is transferred to the transfer paper. Ru.

After the transferred image is fixed in the fixing section 17, it passes through the paper discharging section 18 and is discharged to the outside of the machine. C0NT is a controller unit that generally controls an image forming unit (photoreceptor 11, etc.), an image reading unit (scanner 4, etc.), and the like. 19 is a flapper, 20 is an intermediate tray, and 21 is a registration roller.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the controller unit C0NT shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 30 is an image processing circuit, and an image sensor 9
Converts the analog image signal output from the
I do. Reference numeral 31 denotes an image memory, and the image data in the image memory 31 is conveyed to the output buffer 32 and sent out by the laser emitting section 10 to form a latent image on the photoreceptor 11 as described above.

33 is a CPUI', a ROM 34G, which controls the image forming process based on a data-based TB program. 35 is a RAM which mainly functions as a work for the CPU 33 and stores, for example, copy mode data shown in FIG.

In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, when the image reading means (scanner 4, image sensor 9, etc.) starts reading the original image, the original images are sequentially stored in the image storage means (the image memory 31 in this embodiment). is accumulated. Then, when the original image is read out from the image storage means and outputted onto the recording medium by the image forming means, the erasing means automatically erases the read image information stored in the image storage means after being output from the image forming means; It is possible to erase all the contents of the image storage means.

Further, when an instruction means (in this embodiment, an erase mode setting key 120 to be described later) instructs that the read image information outputted from the image storage means to the image forming means be preserved on the image recording means, the control means (In this embodiment, the CPU 33
) controls the erasing of the image by the erasing means based on the preservation instruction state, thereby making it possible to selectively preserve the read image information stored in the image storage means.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram illustrating an example of copy mode data stored in the RAM 35 shown in FIG.
, 40-1 to 40-N are copy mode data blocks for one document, and image data addresses 41. Number of copies: 42. Transfer paper 43, development color 44. It consists of an erase mode 45 and the like.

Among these, the image data address 41 stores address data indicating at which address in the image memory 31 the document is stored. The number of copies 42 stores data on the number of copies set on an operation unit, which will be described later.

The transfer paper 43 stores transfer paper size data fed from the transfer paper feed section 14.15. The development color 44 stores development color data indicating the development color selected and set on the operation unit. In the erase mode 45, when the erase mode setting key 12Q (the instruction means in this embodiment) of the operation section is pressed, the read image information stored in the image storage means is automatically erased after being output from the image forming means. A flag indicating mode setting is set.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an operation section provided on the top surface of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
A numeric keypad 136 for setting the number of copies, etc. is a key for selecting a developing color 44, and the selected developing color is displayed on the display 142. Note that 103 is a copy key.

Reference numerals 107 to 109 set copy density. Density key 141 is a density display device, which displays the density specified by density key 107109 in stages.

Reference numeral 10B is a transfer paper selection key for specifying a desired size of transfer paper. 138 is a liquid crystal display that shows operating procedures.

Displays selected paper size, etc. in messages and graphics.

120 is an erase mode setting key for erasing image data;
When this erase mode setting key 120 is pressed, RAM3
A setting flag is set in the erase mode 45 of No.5. 10
2 is a clear/stop key 108 is an AE key, and 139 is a mode display.

The automatic deletion process of accumulated images in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the first automatic deletion processing procedure for accumulated images in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

Determine whether the copy key 103 has been pressed (fl)
If , NO, the process proceeds to step (4) and onward; if YES, copy mode data is created according to the copy mode set at that time, and is set at the end of the print output queue in the RAM 35 (2). Next, the original is read by the scanner 4, and the read image data (image data) is stored in the image memory 31 (3). Next, determine whether reading of all the originals has been completed 4)
If NO, return to step (2); if YES, determine whether there is data waiting to be printed out.5) NO
If so, the process returns to step (1), and if YES, the image data in the image memory 31 indicated by the image data address 41 is output to the laser emitting unit 10, and one printout is performed (6).

Next, it is determined whether the number of copies stored in the number of copies 42 has been completed.71 If NO, the process returns to step (6); if YES, it is determined whether the erase mode is set based on the contents of the erase mode 45. 8), if NO, proceed to step (10); if YES, the image data storage area in the image memory 31 specified by the image data address 41 shown in the copy mode data block 40 (where the image is output) is For example, all the rOJ data is written into the area (in the area) and the image data in the corresponding area is erased (9). Next, the copy mode data for which the printout has been completed is deleted from the printout queue]0), and the process returns to step (1).

In this way, the image data stored in the image memory 31 is erased immediately after the printout is completed, so even if you are copying a document that you do not want to disclose to an unspecified person, you can perform the copy process with peace of mind. . Furthermore, since the user can set whether or not to erase image data, the time spent erasing image data can be saved if erasing is not necessary.

Furthermore, it is also possible to retain image data together with management data (password) and reuse it at a later date.

In the above embodiment, the user presses the erase mode setting key 12.
Although the case has been described in which the document to be read is selectively erased by pressing 0, the configuration may be such that all image data is erased as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the second automatic deletion processing procedure for accumulated images in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether the copy key 103 has been pressed (1), and if YES, copy mode data is set in the queue (2). Next, the read image data is stored in the image memory 31. Next, it is determined whether reading of all the originals has been completed.4) If No, return to step (2), and if YES, return to step (1). .

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (1) is No, it is necessary to judge whether there is data waiting to be output.5)
If YES, the image data in the image memory 31 indicated by the image data address 41 is output to the laser emitting unit 10, and one printout is performed (6). Next, it is determined whether the number of copies stored in the copy number 42 has been completed (+7), and if NO, step (6) is performed.
If YES, the copy mode data that has been printed out is deleted from the print output queue and added to the deletion queue (8), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (5) is No, it is determined whether there is data waiting to be erased in the erase queue [9
), If NO, the process returns to step (1); if YES, the image data in the image memory 31 is erased in the same manner as described above (10), and the process returns to step Tl).

In this way, all image data is automatically erased, which reduces the burden on the user in setting the erase mode, and also prevents image data that should have been erased from being accidentally erased due to an error in setting the erase mode. It no longer remains in the image memory 31.

Furthermore, since the time when image data is erased is the time when printout has already been completed, there is no problem with image reading or printout.

[Effect of the Invention J As explained above, the present invention provides an image storage means for storing read image information outputted from an image reading means;
Since the image storage means is provided with an erasing means for automatically erasing the read image information stored in the image forming means after it is output from the image forming means, a large amount of originals can be stored all at once, and all documents can be sequentially stored on the recording medium. You can output to . Moreover, since the image data targeted for image output can be automatically deleted at the time of image output, it is possible to safely avoid a situation where highly confidential image data remains in the image recorder and is notified to a specific person.

Further, there is an instruction means for instructing that the read image information outputted from the image storage means to the image forming means be preserved on the image storage means, and an image erasure means is caused to be erased by the erasing means based on the preservation instruction state instructed by the instruction means. Since it is equipped with a control means, it is possible to select image data to be retained and image data to be deleted as necessary, and it is also possible to register highly fixed originals and read and output them at any time. .

Therefore, if you register a document image that is frequently output, you can read and output it at any time by registering it once, and output the desired document image with a simple operation and faster than when outputting from the document reading. It has the following effects:

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the controller shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a structural diagram illustrating an example of copy mode data stored in the RAM shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure for the first automatic deletion processing of stored images in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is the second automatic deletion processing for stored images in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining an example of a procedure. In the figure, 1 is an original feeding device, 2 is an original table glass, 3 is a lamp, 4 is a scanner, 9 is an image sensor, 10 is a laser emitting section, 11 is a photoreceptor, and C0NT is a controller section. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Suyait CONT Figure 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus equipped with an image reading means for reading a document image, and an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image information read by the image reading means, the output from the image reading means is An image forming apparatus comprising: an image storage means for storing read image information stored in the image storage means; and an erasing means for automatically erasing the read image information stored in the image storage means after output from the image forming means. (2) An instruction means for instructing that the read image information outputted from the image storage means to the image forming means be preserved on the image storage means, and an image created by the erasing means based on the preservation instruction state instructed by the instruction means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for controlling erasure.