JPH0469679A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out a processing for forming the image of plural colors at a high speed by storing image data that different color data is developed with plural means corresponding to respective extension means. CONSTITUTION:The image data from a host computer 51 is outputted from a control circuit 58 to a color converting circuit 58, developed to the image data of each printed color, that is, dot data, and stored in each memory. Thus, first, the control circuit 50 controls the driving circuit 52 to drive a process unit for yellow 5, and simultaneously, a driving circuit 59a through the use of the image data stored in the image memory 61a, to carry out the emission of a light emitting array 36a. Thus, a yellow toner image is formed on a photosensitive drum in accordance with the processes of electrification, exposure, and development. Thereafter, the control circuit 50 controls the driving circuit 53, so that each process of magenta, cyan, and black is carried out to form a multicolor image, similarly.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color printer, and more specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color printer, and more specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color printer. , relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as an example of this type of image forming apparatus,
The device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4-28665 has been put into practical use.

In this system, a charging means, an exposure means, a developing means for four colors of developer (toner) of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, a transfer drum, and a cleaning means are arranged facing one rotatable photoreceptor. One rotation of the photoreceptor forms an image of one color on the photoreceptor, and the image is transferred to a transfer material wound around a transfer drum. Images of four colors are superimposed on the same transfer material by four rotations of the photoreceptor and the transfer drum.

In this way, in conventional multicolor image forming apparatuses, the transfer material must be rotated four times when wrapped around the transfer drum.
There was a problem in that color images could not be superimposed on the same transfer material, and high-speed processing could not be performed.

Therefore, as an apparatus capable of high-speed multicolor image formation, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-40847, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-444
57, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 644 and 9062, etc., have been proposed.

This method sequentially arranges a plurality of image forming means that form images of different colors on an image carrier facing the conveyance path of the transfer material.
The transfer material is configured to pass through these plurality of image forming means to obtain a multicolor image.

However, in the above-mentioned apparatus, color data and coordinate data as image data from an external device such as a host computer are developed into image data for each color to be actually printed, and then stored in an image memory for each color. It has become. For example, image data such as red, blue,
Black data is developed into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image data and stored in each image memory.

However, in the past, one control unit was used to produce yellow, magenta,
Since the image data of cyan and black are sequentially developed and stored in each image memory, there is a drawback that it takes time to develop the image data into image data of each print color.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, this invention eliminates the drawback that it takes time to develop image data from an external device into image data for each image forming color. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can perform high-speed processing when developing image data from a device into image data for each image forming color.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming means each forming images of different colors on a plurality of image carriers, and a plurality of image forming means. a plurality of developing means, each of which is provided corresponding to each of the developing means, and which develops data of different colors into image data; and a plurality of storage means, which stores the image data developed by the plurality of developing means, each corresponding to the developing means. , and a control means for causing the plurality of image forming means to form images of a plurality of colors on the image carrier using the image data stored in the plurality of storage means.

(Function) In the present invention, images of different colors are formed on a plurality of image carriers by a plurality of image forming means, and images of different colors are formed on a plurality of image carriers by a plurality of developing means provided corresponding to the plurality of image forming means. Developing data of different colors into image data, storing the plurality of developed image data in a plurality of storage means corresponding to each development means, and using the image data stored in these plurality of storage means. Accordingly, images of a plurality of colors are formed on the image carrier by the plurality of image forming means.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows the internal mechanism of a high-speed compact color printer as an image forming apparatus. A paper discharge section 3 is formed.

Further, an S-shaped paper transport path 4 is formed in the apparatus main body 1 as a transport means, and is configured to guide the paper P as a transfer material taken out from the paper feed cassette 2 to the paper discharge section 3. It has become.

Further, inside the apparatus main body 1, a yellow process unit 5 as a first image forming means is disposed facing the lower surface side of the horizontal conveyance section 4a located in the middle of the paper conveyance path 4.
A magenta process unit 6 as a second image forming means, a cyan process unit 7 as a third image forming means, and a black process unit 8 as a fourth image forming means are arranged in this order.

Further, a transfer belt unit 9 serving as a transfer means is arranged on the upper surface side of the horizontal conveyance section 4a of the paper conveyance path 4, facing each of the process units 5 to 8.

Further, on the first stream side of the paper conveyance path 4, a paper feed roller 10 as a supply means, a pair of conveyance rollers] 1, and a pair of aligning rollers 12 are sequentially arranged, and on the downstream side, a paper feed roller 10 as a supply means, a pair of conveyance rollers 1, and a pair of aligning rollers 12 are arranged in sequence. Fuser unit 13, transport roller pair 1
4 and a pair of paper ejection rollers 15 as a paper ejection means are arranged. Further, an aligning switch 16 is provided near the aligning roller pair 12, and an aligning switch 16 is provided near the aligning roller pair 12.
A paper discharge switch 17 is provided near the paper discharge switch 5 .

Also, between the yellow process unit 5 and the magenta process unit 6, the magenta process unit 6
Temporary fixing means (hereinafter referred to as temporary fixing means) are provided between the cyan process unit 7 and the cyan process unit 7, and between the cyan process unit 7 and the black process unit 8.
A flash light emitting device 20 is arranged in each case.

The developer (toner) T is fixed at least to the extent that it is prevented from peeling off from the paper P during transfer in the next step.

Further, on the lower surface side of the location where each of the process units 5 to 8 and the flash light emitting device 20 are arranged, circuit boards 21 and 22 of a control section (not shown) are arranged in multiple layers.

Further, in the figure, 23 is a transformer, which is connected to the engine controller 21 via a connector 24 which is a connecting means.

The bottom surface of the paper ejection section 3 of the apparatus main body is composed of a paper ejection tray 25 that also serves as the top cover of the apparatus main body 1, and the transfer belt unit 9 is integrally incorporated into the lower surface of the paper ejection tray 25. As shown by the two-dot chain line, it can be opened upward about the shaft 26 as required.

Further, the yellow process unit 5 serving as the first image forming means has a configuration as shown in FIG.

That is, it has a photosensitive drum 30Y as an image carrier, which is provided to face the paper transport path 4. This photosensitive drum 30Y is rotated in the direction of arrow a in the figure by a drive mechanism (not shown).

Around the photoreceptor drum 30Y, along the rotational direction thereof, there are image forming process means, that is, a charging device 31a as a charging means, an electrostatic latent image forming means 32a, a developing device unit 33a as a developing means, and a cleaning means. A cleaner unit 34a and a static eliminator (not shown) are sequentially arranged.

Further, the electrostatic latent image forming means 32a is composed of a light emitting array 35a as a light emitting means and a condensing light transmitting body (trade name: SELFOC Lens Array) 36a.

Note that each of the other process units 6 to 8 includes a charging charger 31b1 . . . similarly to the yellow process unit 5.
, an electrostatic latent image forming means 32b1..., a developing unit 33b as a developing means, a cleaner unit I-34b as a cleaning means, and the electrostatic latent image forming means 32b, . . . are the light emitting arrays 35b, .
. . . and a condensing optical transmission body 36b .

Further, the transfer belt unit]・9 is a transfer belt 40,
The photosensitive drum 30y is located inside the transfer belt 40.
, 30M, 30c - 30B and rollers 41 to which a bias is applied.

Further, the flash light emitting device 20 is provided with a guide 45 so that only a predetermined area can be irradiated. Then, the toner images T,...TM...]0 Tc...TB..., which are developer images transferred onto the paper P, are melted and temporarily attached.

Next, the configuration of the control section will be explained using FIG. 1. That is, the control circuit 5 that controls the entire color printer
0 is set. This control circuit 50 controls each section in response to image data from a host computer 51-- serving as an external device, and performs color printing. The control circuit 50 includes each of the process units 5, 6, .
7.8 drive circuits 52.53.54.
55, a drive circuit 57 for driving the transport system 56 such as the transport roller 11, a color conversion circuit 58 for converting image data from the host computer 5 into a dot pattern as image data for each color, and each of the light emitting arrays. 36a'-36b, 36C.

Drive circuit 59 a % 59 b s that drives 36 d
59 c s 59 d are connected.

The color conversion circuit 58 is a C color converter for image development for each print color.
It consists of a CPU 60a,... and an image memory 61-a%... for storing image data for each print color, and a CPU 60a and an image memory 61a.
For yellow, CPU 60b and image memory 61b
For magenta, CPU 60c and image memory 61.
c is for cyan, CPU 60d and image memory 6
] and d are for black. Further, when red data, blue data, and black data are supplied as image data supplied from the host computer 51, each CPU 60a, . . . and the image memory 61
a5..., are connected as shown in FIG. 4, and when red data, blue data, and green data are supplied as image data, each CPU 60a,... and image memory 6]a1... are connected as shown in FIG.

That is, in the case of FIG. 4, image data from the control circuit 50 is output to the CPUs 60a and 60b. CPU60
The signal from a is output to the image memory 61a, and is also output to the CPU 60b or the CPU 60c.
, 60d.

A signal from the CPU 60b is output to the image memory 61b and also to the CPU 60c. CPU
The signal from image memory 61.60c is sent to image memory 61.60c. c, and the signal from the CPU 60d is output to the image memory 6
], output to d. In addition, the image memory 61 a
%61. The image data from b % 61 c is sent to the corresponding CPU 60a.

It is output to 60b and 60c. In addition, the image data in each image memory 6]a1... is printed for each color]
- Output to the control circuit 50 as data.

In this case, the red data is first developed into image data by the CPU 60a, and this developed image data is stored in the image memory 61a, and the CPU 60b
The image data is output to the image memory 61, , a and stored therein. Also, the blue data is expanded into image data by the CPU 60b, and this expanded image data and CP
An OR is taken with the image data of the red data supplied from U60a, and the OR result is stored in the image memory 61.
b. Further, the image data of the h color data from the CPU 60b is outputted to the image memory 61c via the CPU 60c and stored therein. Next, the black data is developed into image data by the CPU 60a, and the developed image data is OR'ed with the content stored in the image memory 61a and then stored in the image memory 61a. The developed image data of black data is output to the CPUs 60c and 60d. C.P.
Image data of black data supplied by U60c and image memory 61. After ORing with the memory contents stored in c, the data is stored in the image memory 61c. Image data of black data supplied by the CPU 60c is stored in the image memory 61d.

Further, in the case of FIG. 5, image data from the control circuit 50 is output to CPUs 60a, 60b, and 60c. CPU
The signal from image memory 61 . a as well as the CPU 60b.

It is output to 60d. The signal from the CPU 60b is output to the image memory 61b, and is also output to the CPU 60c.
, 60d. The signal from the CPU 60c is output to the image memory 6],c, and the signal from the CPU 60c is
It is output to U60d.

A signal from the CPU 60d is output to the image memory 61d. Further, the image data in each image memory 61a1, . . . is outputted to the control circuit 50 as print data for each color.

In this case, the red data is developed into image data by the CPU 60a, the blue data is developed into image data by the CPU 60b, and the green data is developed into image data by the CPU 60C.

The image data from the CPU 60a is sent to the CPU 60b,
The image data from the CPU 60b is output to the CPUs 60c and 60d, and the image data from the CPU 60c is output to the CPUs 60a and 60d. Thereby, the CPU 60a stores in the image memory 61a the result of ORing the image data of the red data and the image data for the green data supplied from the CPU 60c. The CPU 60b stores the OR result of the image data of the blue data and the image data for the red data supplied from the CPU 60a in the image memory 61. Store in b.

CPU60c is the image data of green data and CPU6
The result of ORing the blue data supplied from 0b with the image data is stored in the image memory 61c. CPU60d is CPU60a, 60b,
The result of ANDing the image data with respect to the red, blue, and green data supplied from 60c is stored in the image memory 61d.

Incidentally, since the CPU 60d only performs an AND operation on the image data, it may be constructed from a logic circuit instead of a CPU.

Next, the color image forming operation will be explained with reference to FIG.

That is, the control circuit 50 receives image data and information necessary for image formation (for example, the number of images to be formed, etc.) from the host computer 51 (step 1). Next, the image data is output from the control circuit 5o to the color conversion circuit 58, where it is developed into image data for each print color, ie, dot data]6 (step 2).

For example, if image data consists of red data, blue data, and black data, first the red data is
60a, the developed image data is stored in the image memory 61a, and is also stored in the image memory 61.60a via the CPU 60b. a
is output and stored. Also, the blue data is CPU6
At 0b, the image data is developed into image data, the developed image data is ORed with the image data of the red data supplied from the CPU 60a, and the OR result is stored in the image memory 61b. Further, the image data of blue data from the CPU 60b is outputted to the image memory 61c via the CPU 60c and stored therein. Next, the black data is developed into image data by the CPU 60a, and the developed image data is OR'ed with the memory contents stored in the image memory 61,a, and then stored in the image memory 61a. The expanded image data of black data is processed by the CPUs 60c and 60d.
is output to. After the image data of the black data supplied by the CPU 60c and the storage contents stored in the image memory 61-c are ORed, the image data is stored in the image memory 61c. Image data of black data supplied by the CPU 60C is stored in the image memory 61d.

As a result, the control circuit 50 first controls the drive circuit 52 to drive the yellow process unit 5, and also controls the drive circuit 59a using the image data stored in the image memory 61a to drive the light emitting array 36a.
to emit light.

As a result, an image of yellow developer (yellow!-ner) (hereinafter referred to as yellow toner image) T is formed on the photoreceptor drum 30Y according to a known image process of charging, exposure, and development.
V... is formed (step 3).

Meanwhile, in synchronization with this image forming operation, paper feed cassette l-2
The paper P is taken out in advance from the aligning roller pair 12.
The paper P whose leading edge is aligned is conveyed to the left in FIG. 5 and sent to the image transfer section between the photosensitive drum 30y and the transfer belt 40 (step 4).
.

A roller 4 disposed on the back side of the transfer belt 40
The yellow toner image TY on the photoreceptor drum 30Y is electrostatically transferred onto the paper P by the bias applied to the photoreceptor drum 30Y (step 5).

Next, this yellow toner image TY... is produced by a flash light emitting device 20 before the paper P is sent to the magenta process unit 6 side via the paper transport path 4.
is temporarily fixed on the paper P (step 6).

Thereafter, the paper P is sent to the magenta process unit 6 side via the paper transport path 4. At this time, the control circuit 50 controls the drive circuit 53 to control the magenta process unit 6.
At the same time, the drive circuit 59b is controlled using the image data stored in the image memory 61b to cause the light emitting array 36b to emit light. As a result, a magenta toner image TM... is formed on the photoreceptor drum 30M1 (step 7). Then, the magenta toner image TM on the photosensitive drum 30M is electrostatically transferred onto the paper P (step 8).

Next, this magenta toner image TM... is temporarily fixed onto the paper P by the flash light emitting device 20 before the paper P is sent to the cyan process unit 7 side via the paper transport path 4 (step 9). ).

Thereafter, the paper P is sent to the cyan process unit 7 side via the paper transport path 4. At this time, the control circuit 50 controls the drive circuit 54 to drive the cyan process unit 7, and also controls the drive circuit 59c using the image data stored in the image memory 61c to cause the light emitting array 36c to emit light. . As a result, a cyan toner image Tc... is formed on the photoreceptor drum 30c (
Step 10). Next, a cyan toner image T is placed on the photoreceptor drum at an angle of 30 degrees. ... is electrostatically transferred to paper P (
Step 11).

Next, this cyan toner image Tc... is temporarily fixed onto the paper P by the flash light emitting device 20 before the paper P is sent to the black process unit 8 side via the paper transport path 4 (step) 2).

Furthermore, after this, the paper P is sent to the black process unit 8 side via the paper transport path 4.

At this time, the control circuit 50 controls the drive circuit 55 to drive the black process unit 8, and also controls the drive circuit 59d using the image data stored in the image memory 61d to cause the light emitting array 36d to emit light. . As a result, a black toner image TB is formed on the photoreceptor drum 3011'' (step 13). Next, the photosensitive drum 30. Above black toner image TB...
. is electrostatically transferred onto the paper P (step 14).

In this way, during the process of being transported through the horizontal portion 4a of the paper transport path 4, the yellow toner images TY...,
Magenta toner image TM... Cyan toner image Tc...
. . , and black toner image TB . . . are superimposed to form a multicolor image.

Next, the paper P on which the multicolor image has been formed faces the fixing unit]3, thereby forming each toner image TY...T.
M... Tc..., TB... are grouped together as paper P
The image is melted and fixed to be firmly fixed (step 15).

Thereafter, the paper P is transferred to the paper ejection section 3 via the paper ejection roller pair 15.
The paper is ejected (step 16).

Note that after transferring the yellow toner image TY..., the magenta toner image TM..., the cyan toner image Tc..., and the black toner image T11... onto the paper P, the images are transferred onto the photoreceptor drums 30y130M-30C-308. The remaining toner is scraped off by the cleaning blade of the cleaner unit 34. Furthermore, after this, the photosensitive drums 30y and 30M.

The afterimages on the surfaces of 30c and 30B are erased by the neutralizing light from a static eliminating device (not shown), returning to the initial state and completing the image forming operation.

As mentioned above, the image data received from the host computer is supplied to the CPU provided for each print color via the control circuit, and these CPUs pick up only the data belonging to their own color and develop it into image data. However, it is only necessary to perform development for each color by each CPU, and it is possible to develop image data at high speed.

In addition, each CPU is connected in a pipeline format, and the image data developed by the CPU with the earliest transfer order is transferred in its developed form instead of the data from the host computer. Data that has been expanded can be simply stored in the image memory corresponding to the CPU, increasing overall efficiency.

In the above embodiment, yellow, magenta, cyan,
Although the case where printing is performed using process units of four colors, black, has been described, printing may be performed using process units of three colors, yellow, magenta, and cyan.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can perform high-speed processing when developing image data from an external device into image data for each image forming color. can be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the main parts of the control section, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the internal mechanism of a high-speed compact printer, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming process unit and its surroundings, FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams showing the internal configuration of the color conversion circuit 4, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation during image formation. Char 1. 5, to 8... Image forming means (process unit), 4
... Conveyance means (paper conveyance path), 9... Transfer means (transfer belt unit) 30. ,．． 3QM. 30C-30B... Image carrier (photosensitive drum), 36
a, ~36d... Light emitting array, 50... Control circuit,
51... Host computer, 58... Color conversion circuit, 60a, ~60d-CPU, 61a
, ~61, d... Image memory, P... Transfer material (paper). Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of image forming means each forming an image of a different color on a plurality of image carriers, and a plurality of image forming means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of image forming means, converting data of each different color into image data. A plurality of expansion means for expansion, a plurality of storage means for storing image data expanded by the plurality of expansion means in correspondence with each expansion means, and image data stored in these plurality of storage means. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for causing the plurality of image forming means to form images of a plurality of colors on an image carrier. (2) For data that is commonly developed into image data by the plurality of image forming means mentioned above, the data is developed into image data using a color development means whose color is earlier in the image formation order, and this developed image data is used for subsequent colors. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs the image to a developing means corresponding to the image forming apparatus. (3) The developing means are connected sequentially according to the image forming order, develop into image data according to the image forming order, and output all the image data developed by the previous developing means to the next developing means. The image forming apparatus according to item 1.