JPH05191607A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a 2nd copy by storing original picture information at the use of a decoloring toner, generating a storage copy with a usual toner or storing picture data used for the decoloring toner to a memory. CONSTITUTION:Picture information of an original read by a solid-state image pickup element CCD is inputted to an image process unit IPU by selecting a channel A of a multiplexer MUX1. When a sensor sensing a kind of a toner detects the toner to be a decoloring toner, the channel A of an MUX2 is selected and stored in a memory MEM and a channel A of an MUX3 is selected and printed out. When the toner in use is the decoloring toner, since the picture data read from the original are stored, after the decoloring toner is used for making a copy, the picture information stored for storage is read and copied. When the storage mode is selected, the picture information stored just precedingly in the memory MEM is read and used for making a copy.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine for forming an image by reading an image from an original, developing the image on a photosensitive member, transferring the image onto a transfer sheet and fixing the image. In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that eliminates a problem when a decoloring toner is used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, attempts have been made to reduce the amount of wood or the like used by erasing the image of a recording sheet which has been visualized in response to a request for environmental protection or the like so that the recording sheet can be used a plurality of times. There is. However, in this case, the image once recorded disappears after a certain period of time or under a predetermined condition. Therefore, if the image disappears contrary to the intention of the user, the image cannot be restored, which causes a problem in handling. There is a risk.

As a method for coping with this, there is used a conventional method, for example, a method of re-calling image data from a page memory to form an image when a normal operation is not completed due to jamming of recording paper during copying. However, with these conventional means, it was only temporarily stored in the page memory, the data was sequentially rewritten, and it was impossible to read the image again at a later date.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and solves the problems relating to the use of decolorizing toner, which is currently being researched, and makes a recorded image contrary to the intention of the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reproducing an image again even when the image disappears.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by a detecting means for detecting the type of an image forming agent for visualizing image information on a recording member, and at least one for storing image information. A page memory for pages and a means for storing the type of a specific image forming agent are provided, and read when the type of the specific image forming agent stored in advance matches the type of the selected image forming agent. The image information is stored in the page memory, the image data stored in the page memory is called by a calling means and visualized again on the recording member, or at least two or more types of images are formed. A detection means for mounting an agent and detecting the type of the image forming agent, a means for storing the specific type of the image forming agent, a page memory for storing the image data of at least one page, and the image forming used. The agent matches the preset type The image data read if Bae -
A means for storing in a memory, and a means for forming an image on the recording member with an image forming agent other than the specific image forming agent after forming the image on the recording member with the specific image forming agent; The specific image forming agent is characterized in that the recorded image is erased under a predetermined condition or after a predetermined time after being printed on the recording paper.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus (copier) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the entire digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a plan view and a side view of a writing section in the digital copying machine.

First, a schematic structure of a digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital copying machine includes a copying machine main body (I), an automatic document feeder [ADF] (II) placed on the upper part of the main body, a sorter (III) mounted on the left side of the main body, and the same main body. It is composed of four units including a double-sided reversing unit (IV) arranged on the left side.

The copying machine main body (I) is provided with a scanner section, a writing section, a photoconductor section, a developing section, a sheet feeding section and the like. Next, the configuration and operation of each unit will be described. First, the scanner unit is equipped with a reflecting mirror 1, a light source 3, and a first mirror 2 which are arranged below a document placement place, and which is a first scanner which moves at a constant speed, a second mirror 4 and a third mirror. It has a second scanner equipped with a mirror 5 and moving at a speed half that of the first scanner so as to follow the first scanner. An original (not shown) on the contact glass 9 is optically scanned by the first scanner and the second scanner, and the reflected image is passed through the color filter 6 and the lens 7 to be scanned.
To form an image on the one-dimensional solid-state image sensor 8.

The solid-state image forming device 8 decomposes the reflected image into a predetermined number of pixels and photoelectrically converts each pixel, whereby electrical image information is formed. The resolution of this scan is 15.4 dots / mm in the main scanning direction, and the sub-scan 1
It is set to 5.4 lines / mm (400 dots / inch). This resolution is twice as high as the standard resolution of the facsimile machine (3.85 dots / mm in the main scanning direction and 7.7 lines / mm in the sub-scanning direction) and 4 times in the sub-scanning direction. , High resolution (7.7 dots / mm in main scanning direction, 7.7 lines / m in sub scanning direction)
m) is also doubled in both the main and sub scanning directions.

A fluorescent lamp or a halogen lamp is used as the light source 3, and a fluorescent lamp is generally used because of its stable wavelength and long life.
Although the reflecting mirror 1 is attached to one light source 3 in this embodiment, two or more light sources 3 may be used. Since the solid-state image pickup device 8 has a constant sampling clock, the fluorescent lamp has a bad influence on an image unless it is turned on at a higher frequency, so that a high frequency one is used.

The solid-state image pickup device 8 is generally C
CD is used. Since the image processing read by the solid-state image sensor 8 is an analog value, analog / digital (A / D) conversion is performed, and various image processing (binarization, multi-value conversion, gradation processing conversion) is performed on the image processing board 10. Doubling, processing, editing processing, etc.) is performed and converted into a digital signal as a set of spots.

In order to obtain color image information, in the present embodiment, a color filter 6 which transmits only information of a required color is arranged so that it can be taken in and out in the optical path guided from the original to the solid-state image pickup device 8. Color filter 6 according to the scanning of the document
You can take out and put in and operate the functions such as multiple transfer and double-sided copy each time, and you can create a wide variety of copies. In addition, a color original may be read using a 3-line CCD or the like in order to obtain three pieces of RGB information at the same time.

Explaining the writing section, the image information after the image processing is written on the photosensitive drum 40 in the form of a set of light spots by raster scanning of laser light in the optical writing section. Figure 2 shows the writer,
(A) is a plan view and (b) is a side view. Semiconductor laser 2 according to the image signal converted into the digital signal
The laser light emitted from 0 is converted into a parallel light flux by the collimator lens 21 and shaped into a constant light flux by the aperture 32. The shaped laser light enters the polygon mirror 24 in a form compressed by the first cylinder lens 22 in the sub-scanning direction. This polygon mirror 2
Reference numeral 4 is an accurate polygon and is rotated by a polygon motor 25 in a fixed direction at a fixed speed. This rotation speed is determined by the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 40, the writing density, and the number of faces of the polygon mirror 24.

The reflected light of the laser light incident on the polygon mirror 24 is deflected by the rotation of the polygon mirror 24. The deflected laser light is reflected by the fθ lens 26a,
The light is sequentially incident on 26b. The fθ lenses 26a and 26b are
The scanning light having a constant angular velocity is converted so as to scan the photoconductor drum 40 at a constant speed, and an image is formed on the photoconductor drum 40 so as to be a minimum light spot. Further, the fθ lenses 26a and 26b are
It also has a face tilt correction mechanism.

The laser light that has passed through the fθ lenses 26a and 26b is guided to the synchronization detection light input section 30 by the synchronization detection mirror 29 outside the image area, propagated to the sensor section by the optical fiber, and serves as a reference for cueing in the main scanning direction. The synchronization detection is performed, and the synchronization signal is output. The image data for one line is output after a fixed time after the synchronization signal is output, and one image is formed by repeating this process.

3 (a) and 3 (b) show examples of the layout diagram and the optical path diagram of the writing unit. In the photoconductor portion, a photoconductive layer is formed on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 40. As a photosensitive layer sensitive to a semiconductor laser (wavelength 780 nm), an organic photoreceptor (OPC), α-S
i, Se-Te, etc. are known, and the organic photoreceptor (OPC) is used in this embodiment. Generally, in the case of laser writing, the negative / positive (N /
P) process and positive / positive (P /
P) There are two types of processes, and in the present embodiment, the former N /
The P process is used.

The charging charger 41 inside the main body of FIG.
This is a scorotron type having a grid on the photoconductor side, and the surface of the photoconductor drum 40 is uniformly (-) charged, and the image forming portion is irradiated with laser light to reduce the potential of that portion. Then, the background portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 is -75.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 40 with a potential of 0 to −800V and an image portion of about −500V.
Then, the developing device 42a, 42b applies -500 to the developing roller.
A bias voltage of -600 V is applied, and the toner charged in (-) is attached to the electrostatic latent image to visualize the electrostatic latent image.

Explaining the developing section, the apparatus of this embodiment is provided with two developing units, a main developing unit 42a and a sub developing unit 42b. In the case of a single black color, the sub-developing device 42b and the toner replenishing device 43b are removed. In this embodiment having two developing devices, black toner is put in the toner replenishing device 43a which is paired with the main developing device 42a, and the sub-developing device 4 is used.
By inserting color toner into the toner replenishing device 43b paired with 2b, the development is selectively performed by changing the main pole position of the developing device of the other color during the development of one color.

Using this development, the color filter 6 of the scanner
By reading the color information by switching among the above, and by combining the paper transfer system multiple transfer and double-sided copy functions, it is possible to perform multifunctional color copying and color editing. Development of three or more colors can be achieved by a method of arranging three or more developing devices around the photosensitive drum 40, a revolver system of rotating and switching three or more developing devices, and the like.

The image visualized by the developing devices 42a and 42b is transferred from the back surface of the paper onto the paper surface which is sent in synchronization with the photoconductor drum 40 by being charged with (+) by the transfer charger 44. To be done. The transferred paper is AC-eliminated by a separation charger 45 which is held integrally with the transfer charger 44, and separated from the photosensitive drum 40.

The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 40 without being transferred to the paper is scraped off from the photosensitive drum 40 by the cleaning blade 47 and collected in the attached tank 48. Further, the potential pattern remaining on the photoconductor drum 40 is erased by irradiating it with light from the static elimination lamp 49.

A photo sensor 50 is provided at a position immediately after the development. This photo sensor 50
Is composed of a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the reflection density on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. This is because the optical writing unit writes a certain pattern (for example, a pattern of black or halftone dots) at a position corresponding to the photosensor reading position, and the reflectance of the pattern unit after development and the photosensitive drum other than the pattern unit The image density is judged from the ratio of the reflectances of 40, and if the image density is low, a toner replenishment signal is output. Also,
When the density does not increase even after the replenishment, it is possible to detect it and detect the shortage of the remaining toner amount.

Explaining the paper feeding section, in this embodiment, a plurality of cassettes 60a, 60b, 60c are provided, and the paper once transferred is passed through the refeeding loop 72 to enable double-sided copying or refeeding. There is. Multiple cassettes 60a, 6
When one of the cassettes 60 is selected from 0b and 60c, and the start button is pressed, the paper feed rollers 61 (61a, 61b, 6) near the selected cassette 60 are selected.
1c) rotates and is fed until the leading edge of the paper hits the registration roller 62. Although the registration roller 62 is stopped at this time, the registration roller 62 starts rotating at the timing of the image position formed on the photosensitive drum 40, and
Feed the paper to the peripheral surface. After that, the toner image on the paper is transferred at the transfer portion, and is suctioned and conveyed by the separation / conveyance portion 63, and the transferred toner image is transferred onto the paper surface by the fixing roller composed of a pair of the heat roller 64 and the pressure roller 65. Establish.

That is, power is supplied to the heat roller 64 of the fixing roller as described later, and the heat roller 64 is heated in proportion to the magnitude of the power supply.
Further, the heat roller 64 is assumed to maintain the fixable temperature for a while even after the power supply is stopped.

The paper thus transferred is guided by the switching claw 67 to the paper discharge port on the sorter (III) side during normal copying. On the other hand, at the time of multiple copy, the direction is changed by the switching claws 68 and 69, the sheet is not discharged to the sorter (III) side, passes through the lower sheet re-feeding loop 72, and is guided again to the registration roller 62.

In the case of double-sided copying, there are two kinds of cases, that is, the case where the copying machine main body (I) alone is used and the case where the double-sided reversing unit (IV) is used. Here, the former case will be described. The paper guided downward by the switching claw 67 is further switched by the switching claw 68.
Is guided downwards by the switch claw 69, and is guided to the tray 70 further below the refeed loop 72 by the next switching claw 69. And roller 71
Is re-fed in the opposite direction by reversing, and is guided to the re-feeding loop 72 by switching the switching claw 69 and fed to the registration roller 62.

The automatic document feeder ADF (II) automatically guides documents one by one onto the contact glass 9 and automatically discharges them after copying. Document feeder 10
The original placed on 0 is aligned in the width direction of the original by the side guide 101. The placed document is a roller 104
Are separated and fed one by one, and are conveyed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 9 by the rotation of the conveyor belt 102 and positioned.

When a predetermined number of copies have been completed, the original is discharged to the discharge tray 103 by the rotation of the conveyor belt 102 again. The size of the document can be detected by counting the position of the side guide 101 and the document feed time.

The sorter (III) is a device for selectively feeding the copy paper discharged from the copying machine main body (I), for example, in page order, page by page, or to preset bins 111a to 111x. .. The copy paper sent by the plurality of rollers rotated by the motor 110 is guided to the selected bin 111 by switching the claws near the entrance of each bin 111.

Explaining the double-sided reversing unit (IV), as described above, the copying machine body (I) can perform only single-sided double-sided copying. It is possible to make a copy. When performing a double-sided copy collectively for a plurality of sheets, the paper guided downward by the paper discharge roller 66 is sent to the double-sided reversing unit (IV) by the next switching claw 67. The paper that has entered the double-sided reversing unit (IV) is accumulated on the tray 123 by the paper discharge roller 120. At that time, the feed roller 121 and the side alignment guide 12
By 2, the copy paper is aligned vertically and horizontally. Tray 123
The copy sheets accumulated on the upper side are re-fed by the re-feed roller 124 at the time of back side copying. At this time, the copy paper is directly guided to the refeed loop 72 by the switching claw 69.

Next, the electrical equipment control section for controlling each section of the above-mentioned copying machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The electrical equipment control unit is a control unit of the copying machine.
The first CPU 140 (sequence CPU) has a sequence-related control, and the second CPU 1
41 (main CPU) controls operation-related operations. CPU140 and CPU141 are serial interface 143 (RS232C)
Connected by.

5 and 6 are concrete block diagrams of the electrical equipment control shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
The main control board 151 has the above-mentioned first and second CPUs 140 and 141 that perform overall control. And
As shown in FIG. 4, the first and second CPUs 140,
ROMs 153 and 155 are connected to 141, respectively. Further, a RAM attached to the first CPU 140 receives data from other sensors such as a toner sensor and holds a program for detecting the type of toner used. There is. Then, the second CPU (main CPU) 141 described above
Has a RAM 156 as a non-volatile memory.

The main control board 151 has a scanner control circuit 15 for mainly controlling the scanner section.
7. AC drive plate 159 for controlling the fixing roller and the like, paper feed control plate 16 for controlling paper feed
1, a sorter control plate 163 for controlling the sorter (III), a double-sided control plate 165 for controlling the double-sided reversing unit (IV), etc. are connected to the scanner control circuit 157. Display unit 16 including transfer paper conveyance and discharge control, and a specific display (power failure) described later.
An ADF control plate 169 for performing the control of No. 7 is connected. The main control plate 151 has an initialization drive plate 1 for initializing the photosensitive drum 40.
71 and a bias control plate 173 that controls the bias to the developing unit are connected.

Next, the sequence control will be described.
The sequence control by the first CPU 140 sets and outputs conditions relating to the timing of paper conveyance and image formation. Therefore, the first CPU 140 includes a paper size sensor, sensors related to paper conveyance such as paper discharge detection and registration detection, A duplexer unit, a high-voltage power supply unit, a driver such as a relay, a solenoid, a motor, a sorter unit, a laser unit, and a scanner unit are connected.

The inputs related to the sensors include a paper size sensor that detects the size and orientation of the paper loaded in the paper feed cassette, and outputs an electrical signal according to the detection result, and paper conveyance such as registration detection and paper ejection detection. Sensors, sensors that detect the presence or absence of sub-lines such as oil end and toner end,
In addition, there are inputs from sensors that detect machine abnormalities such as door open and fuse blown.

The duplex unit includes a motor for aligning the paper width, a paper feed clutch, a solenoid for changing the conveyance path, a paper presence detection sensor, a side fence home position sensor for aligning the paper width, and a paper. There are sensors related to the conveyance of the.

The high-voltage power supply unit includes a charging charger, a transfer charger, a separation charger, and an application device for applying a predetermined high-voltage power to the output of the developing bias electrode by the duty obtained by the PWM control. The PWM control is controlled so that the feedback value of each high-voltage power output is converted into a digital value by A / D conversion and becomes equal to the target value.

Regarding the driver, a paper feed clutch,
There are registration clutch, counter, motor, toner replenishing solenoid, power relay, fixing heater, etc. The sorter unit (III) is connected to the first CPU 140 via the serial interface as described above, and conveys the paper at a predetermined timing according to the signal from the sequence and discharges the paper to each bin.

As the analog input to the first CPU 140, a fixing temperature, a photosensor input, a laser diode monitor input, a laser diode reference voltage, feedback values of output values from various high-voltage power supplies, and the like are input. On / off control or phase control of the heater is performed so that the temperature of the fixing unit becomes constant by an input from a thermistor in the fixing unit. The photo sensor input is for detecting the density of the pattern by inputting a photo pattern created at a predetermined timing with a phototransistor, thereby controlling the toner density by controlling the toner supply clutch on / off. I'm doing it. The toner end is also detected based on this density. The analog input of the A / D converter and the first CPU 140 is used to keep the power of the laser diode constant.
This is a preset reference voltage (this voltage is set so that the laser diode is 3 mW in this embodiment).
Further, the monitor voltage when the laser diode is turned on is controlled to match.

Next, the operation-related control will be described. The second CPU 141 controls the plurality of serial ports and the calendar IC. In addition to the sequence control CPU 140, an uninterruptible power supply unit 145, which is a feature of the present invention, an operation unit, a scanner unit, an application, an editor, etc. are connected to the plurality of serial ports.

The operation unit has a display for displaying the operator's key input and the status of the copying machine, and informs the main CPU 141 of the key input information by serial communication. Based on this information, the main CPU 141 determines whether the indicator of the operation unit is turned on, turned off, or blinks, and serially transmits it to the operation unit.
The CPU of the operation unit turns on, off, and blinks the display according to the information from the main CPU 141. Further, the operating condition of the machine is determined from the obtained information, and the information is transmitted to the CPU 140 which is performing the sequence control at the start of copying.

In the scanner section, scanner servo motor drive control, image processing, serial transmission of information relating to image reading to the main CPU 141, and interface processing between the ADF and the main CPU 141 are performed. The application is an interface between an external device (fax, printer, etc) and the main CPU 141, and exchanges preset information contents.
An editor is a unit for inputting editing functions,
Image editing data (masking, trimming, image shift, etc) input by the operator is input to the main CPU 141.
Serially send to. The calendar IC stores the date and time and can be called up at any time by the main CPU 141. Therefore, the power of the machine is turned on by displaying the current time on the operation unit display and setting the machine on time and off time.・
It is possible to control the turning off by a timer.

The gate array receives image data (DAT) through the following three paths in response to a select signal from the main CPU 141.
A0 to DATA7) and a sync signal are output. (1) Scanner control circuit → image control circuit In this case, 8-bit data from the scanner (however, 4b
It is also possible to use it or 1 bit) to synchronize the image signal sent continuously with the synchronization signal PMS from the laser beam scanner unit.
Output to the image control circuit in synchronization with YNC. (2) Scanner control circuit → application In this case, 8-bit data from the scanner (however, 4b
The image signal continuously transmitted by (it, 1 bit) can be output in parallel to the application. The application is connected to the input image data externally
Output to an output device such as a printer. (3) Application → image control circuit In this case, the application is 8-bit data from an externally connected input device (fax, etc.)
The image signal continuously transmitted by 1 bit) can be used as a synchronization signal PMSY from the laser beam scanner unit.
Output to the image control circuit in synchronization with NC. in this case,
When the image signal from the outside is 1 bit or 4 bit,
It is necessary to perform a process of converting into 8-bit data.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an image scanner section for processing image data detected by the solid-state image pickup device (CCD) 8 in the scanner section. CC
The analog image signal output from D8 is amplified and light amount corrected by the signal processing circuit 451 inside the image preprocessor (IPP), and converted into a digital multilevel signal by the A / D converter 452. This signal is corrected by the shading correction circuit 453 and applied to the image process unit (IPU) 454.

Image process unit (IPU) 45
A schematic block diagram of No. 4 is shown in FIG. The image signal applied to the IPU is high-frequency emphasized by the MTF correction circuit, electrically scaled by the scaling circuit, and applied to the γ conversion circuit. The γ conversion circuit optimizes the input characteristics according to the characteristics of the machine. The image signal output from the γ conversion circuit is converted to a predetermined quantization level by SW1 of the data depth switching mechanism. This switching mechanism switches to the three data types shown in FIG. The 4-bit conversion circuit outputs 4-bit data, and the binarization circuit converts the input 8-bit multivalued data into binary data by a preset fixed threshold value and outputs 1-bit data. 1 dither circuit
An area gradation is created using bit data. SW1 selects one of three data types and outputs it as DATA0 to DATA7.

The scanner control circuit 460 is the main CPU 1
The fluorescent lamp ballast 458, the timing control circuit 459, the electric scaling circuit of the IPU, and the scanner drive motor 465 are controlled according to the instruction from the controller 41. Fluorescent lamp ballast 458
Performs on / off and light amount control of the fluorescent lamp 402 according to an instruction from the scanner control circuit 460.

A rotary encoder 466 is connected to the drive shaft of the scanner drive motor 465, and the position sensor 462 detects the reference position of the sub-scanning drive mechanism. The electrical scaling circuit performs electrical scaling processing according to the magnification data on the main scanning side set by the scanner control circuit 460.

The timing control circuit 459 outputs each signal according to the instruction from the scanner control circuit 460. That is, when reading is started, a transfer signal for transferring data for one line to the shift register and a shift clock pulse for outputting data in the shift register bit by bit are given to the CCD 8. Further, the timing control circuit 459 informs the image reproduction system control unit of the pixel synchronizing clock pulse CLK and the main scanning synchronizing pulse LSYNC.
And a main scanning effective period signal LGATE. This pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK is a signal which is almost the same as the shift clock pulse given to the CCD 8. The main scanning synchronization pulse LSYNC is almost the same as the main scanning synchronization signal PMSYNC output from the beam sensor of the image writing unit, but the pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK is used.
It is output in synchronization with. Main scanning effective period signal LGATE
Goes to a high level H at the timing when the output data DATA0 to DATA7 are regarded as valid data. In this example, the CCD 8 outputs 4800 bits of effective data per line.

The scanner control circuit 460 is the main CPU 1
When the reading start instruction is received from 41, the fluorescent lamp for illumination 4
02 is turned on, the scanner drive motor 465 is started, the timing control circuit 459 is controlled, and the reading of the CCD 8 is started. Further, the scanner control circuit 460 is
The sub-scanning effective period signal FGATE is set to the high level H. This signal FGATE becomes low level L after the time required to scan the maximum reading length (dimension in the A size longitudinal direction in this example) in the sub-scanning direction after being set to high level H.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the memory system of this apparatus. The image signal from the CCD 8 is output as 8-bit data through an image preprocessor (IPP) having functions of shading correction, black level correction, and light amount correction. This data is sent to multiplexer 1 (MUX
Selected in 1), high spatial frequency enhancement (MTF correction)
Function, speed conversion function (magnification), γ conversion function, data depth conversion function (8 bit / 4 bit / 1 bit conversion), processed by image process unit (IPU) and output to printer PR through MUX3 ..

In a system having a frame memory for image data, the image data from the IPU shown in FIG. 11 is temporarily stored in the memory device (MEM), taken out from the memory device (MEM) when necessary, and then the printer (PR). ) Is configured to output to. A general method is to output the image data from the IPU to the printer (PR), simultaneously store the image data in the memory device (MEM), and perform the second and subsequent copies with the image data from the memory device (MEM). is there.

The present apparatus has a structure capable of data flow as shown in FIG. 12 so that both processed data and raw data from the IPU can be taken into the memory device. That is, the three multiplexers (MUs) in FIG.
X1, MUX2, MUX3) is configured so that the data flow can be changed. For example, in the case of outputting a copy in which the parameters of a plurality of IPUs are changed by one scan of the scanner, it can be achieved by the following procedure. (1) When scanning the scanner, set MUX1 to A and MUX2
Set B to MUX3 to A and output the first sheet. At this time,
Raw data enters the memory device (MEM) through MUX2. (2) For the second and subsequent sheets, the MUX1 is set to B, the data from the memory device (MEM) is put into the IPU, and is output to the printer (PR) through the MUX3. At this time, the IPU parameter is changed every time one copy is made. It can be realized in this way.

When compact data such as 1-bit data is held, MUX2 is set to A and IPU is set.
Captures the output of memory into the memory device. In this case, the printer device switches to the binary data (1 bit) mode and copies. EXTIN and EXTOUT in FIG. 10 are an image data input signal from the outside and an output signal to the outside. FIG. 13 shows a structure in which a compressor (COMP) and an expander (EXP) are placed before and after a memory unit (Memory Uni) so that compressed data other than actual data can be stored. In this configuration, the compressor (COMP) must operate at the scanner speed, and the decompressor (EXP) must operate at the printer speed. When storing actual data, multiplexers MUX4 and MUX5
To A respectively, and to use compressed data B respectively
To

The memory unit shown in FIG. 13 has a structure as shown in FIG. A data width converter for handling the three image data types of FIG. 15 and code data that is compressed data is provided in a memory block (Memory).
I / O of Block). The direct memory controller (DMA1, DMA2) writes data to a predetermined address of the memory block and performs a read operation according to the number of packed data and the memory data width.

FIG. 15 shows the data type of image data. The speed of image data from a scanner or printer is usually 8 bit data, 4 bit
It is constant regardless of t data and 1 bit data. That is, the period of 1 pixel is fixed in the device. In this device, 1 from the MSB side of 8 data lines
Bit data, 4 bit data, 8 bit data and MS
It is defined as B packed. The blocks that pack and unpack this data into the data width (16 bits) of the memory block are the input data width converter and the output data width converter. By packing, the memory can be used according to the data depth, and the memory device can be effectively used.

FIG. 16 shows a compressor (COMP) and an expander (E).
Pixel process unit (PPU) instead of XP)
Is arranged outside the memory unit. PPU
Is a logical operation between image data (eg AN
A unit that realizes D, OR, EXOR, NOT) calculates memory output data and input data and outputs it to the printer, and calculates memory output and input data (eg scan data) and stores it again in the memory unit. be able to. The output destination printer and the memory unit are switched by the MUX6 and MUX7. This function is generally used for image composition, and is used, for example, to place overlay data in a memory unit and overlay the scanner data.

FIG. 17 shows a structure for storing image data using an external storage device. When you save the image data to the floppy disk, E in Fig. 10
From XTOUT through an interface (I / F), a file controller (File Control)
Floppy disk controller (FD)
Output to C), floppy disk drive (FDD)
Store it on the floppy disk above.

Under the control of the file controller, there are a hard disk controller (HDC) and a hard disk drive (HDD), which can be read and written on the storage medium of the hard disk.

The hard disk drive (HDD) stores format data and overlay data that are often used, and can be used as needed.

FIG. 18 shows a configuration capable of 100% recovery when the processing speeds of compression and decompression cannot be met in time. At the same time as the scanner scanning, the compressed data and the image data enter the memory unit. The incoming data is stored in different memory areas, but the compressed data is stored in the decompressor (EX
P) and is expanded. When the processing time of the compressor (COMP) and the decompressor (EXP) is completed normally in time for all the data of one page to enter the memory unit, only the memory area of the compressed data remains and the area of the raw data is canceled. .. If the error detection circuit (Erro
If r Detect detects an error signal from the compressor (COMP) or decompressor (EXP), the compressed data area is immediately canceled and raw data is adopted.

The memory management unit (MMU) is a unit for controlling the memory so that two input data and one output data can be simultaneously input / output to / from the memory unit. This real-time verification of compression and decompression made it possible to use the memory area efficiently and reliably. In this embodiment, the memory management unit (MMU) allows dynamic allocation of the memory area, but two memory units for raw data and compressed data may be provided.

The configuration of FIG. 18 is most suitable for applications such as electronic sorting where a plurality of pages are stored and output to a printer in real time, in which both the number of stored pages and the printing speed must be compatible.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the application unit.

In this example, the base unit includes a file unit (APL1), a FAX unit (APL2), an on / off printer unit (APL3), a LAN (APL).
4), the display (T / S, LCD) is added.

The base unit is a part which performs the basic control of the present invention and is constructed as follows. Engine I /
F has a function of converting the image data sent serially into parallel, and a function of converting the parallel data of the page memory into serial and sending it to EXTIN. Control signals are serial and engine I / F and SCI
It is connected to the system bus via the (serial communication interface).

In this example, the page memory has a size of 1 page for A3, and the page memory converts it into a BIT image and also performs arbitration between the data speed of EXTIN and EXTOUT and the processing speed of the CPU. .. The scaling circuit has a function of enlarging or reducing the data on the page memory, and uses a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) to perform high-speed processing, and directly performs high-speed processing without going through the CPU. ing. In the rotation control, the image information for one page of portrait paper is rotated 90 degrees to obtain the image information of landscape paper. On the contrary, it has a function of rotating the image information for one page of the horizontal paper by 90 degrees to obtain the card information of the vertical paper. For example, when the original sent by FAX transmission is A4 paper and the receiving side is A4 paper, the sending side normally reduces the size by 71% and sends it. However, this makes it difficult to see, so prevent this. For this reason, the transmission original is rotated 90 degrees to be converted into A4 landscape, and is then transmitted at equal size. Further, when receiving and outputting, when the receiving size is A4 landscape and the cassette size is A4 portrait, it is possible to rotate the image 90 degrees by the rotation control unit and convert it to A4 portrait before outputting. This operation eliminates the need to provide both vertical and horizontal cassettes for the same paper size. CEP is a circuit having image data compression, expansion, and through functions, and the bus arbiter is A
It has the function of sending data from the GDC to the image bus and the system bus.

The timer generates a predetermined clock signal, and the RTC functions as a clock to generate the present time.
The console is a terminal for control, and in addition to reading or rewriting data inside the system by this terminal, the internal O
It is also possible to develop software using the Debug Tool, which is a function of S. A basic function program such as an OS is stored in the ROM, and the RAM is used as a working memory.

Next, the APL1, that is, the file unit will be described. The SCSI of this unit is an interface circuit of DHH (hard disk), CDD (light disk), and FDD (floppy disk). ROM
Controls HDD, ODD, FDD via SCSI,
Contains software that functions as a filing system.

The APL 2 is a unit for FAX control as described above, and is composed of the following parts. G4F
The AX controller is a unit for controlling the protocol for G4, and supports the class 1, class 2, and class 3 of G4 in this part. Of course, ISDN support is also possible, and 2B + 1D (64KB in NET64).
・ 2 + 16KB), so G4 / G4, G4 /
It is a unit that can select either G3, G3 / G3, G4 only, or G3 only.

The G3FAX controller is a unit for controlling the protocol for G3, and in this part is also provided a protocol for G3FAX by an analog line and a modem for converting a digital signal into an analog signal. The NCU is a network control unit having a function of receiving or dialing an incoming call from the other party when connecting to the other party through an exchange. SAF (store and forward) is a memory for accumulating image data (including image data, code data, etc.) at the time of transmitting and receiving FAX, and this unit is a semiconductor memory or HDD. , ODD is used. ROM2 is AP
A program for controlling L2 is stored, and RAM2 functions as a working memory for them and is backed up by a battery to be non-volatile. In this memory, for example, the telephone number of the other party, the name of the other party,
Data for controlling the FAX function and the like are stored, and can be easily read and set using the T / S and LCD of the display unit.

Next, the APL3 will be described. This is the control unit for online and offline printers. An FDC (Floppy Disk Controller) in this unit controls the floppy disk, and some recent floppy disks support SCSI. Here, SCSI and ST506 interface are supported.

The SCI is a serial communication interface used for connection with a host computer, and the Centro I / F is also the same. The emulation card is the respective computer when viewed from the host computer of each manufacturer.
It is designed to operate as a printer.

AGDC is an advanced graphics display controller, which develops the code data sent from the host in the CGROM and the font image in the CG card in the page memory at high speed. Have the ability to The ROM 3 stores a program for controlling these, and a CGROM (character generator
The ROM) stores font data corresponding to the code data. The CG card is an external CGFON.
T is the same as CGROM.

Next, APL4 will be described. LAN
A unit for controlling (local area network), for example, for controlling the internet, omni, star run and the like. Naturally, APL2 (FAX), APL4 (LA
N) works in the background even when other APLs are in operation.

The display unit controls a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch switch. A graphic and a character can be displayed on the LCD.
A second-level code for kanji is built in and entered. The TSC is a touch switch controller that executes T / S control. T
/ S is divided by X and Y grids, and the switch size when used by the operator can be set to ten by determining the number of grids for one key by TSC. Further, the LCD and the T / S have a two-layer structure so that the key size can correspond to the LCD key frame.

The operation according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 20 shows a copy selection routine. The memory system described above with reference to FIGS. 10, 4 and 6.
With reference to, by first selecting the channel A of the MUX1, the image information of the original read by the CCD is input to the ICU (ST201). Next, when the sensor for detecting the type of toner shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 detects that the toner is decoloring toner (ST202), M
Select channel A of UX2 and store in memory (ST
203), and selects the channel A of MUX3 (ST
204) and print out (ST205).

FIG. 21 shows a storage copy routine. When the toner used is a color erasing toner, the image data read from the original is stored as described above. , The image information stored for storage can be read and copied again. That is, after the normal copying is completed (ST211), after the copying with the decoloring toner (ST212), and if the storage mode is further selected (ST213), the black toner is selected this time (ST214). At the same time, by selecting B of MUX3, the immediately preceding image information stored in the memory is read (ST215), and partly copied for storage (ST216).

In this embodiment, the case where a part of the image is not erased toner is used for storage has been described. However, a long-term storage memory is provided to store all image data relating to copying with erased toner. It is also possible to read it out later and copy it again if necessary. In this case, it is necessary to add an identification name or the like to the saved image information, but the copying machine may be provided with a simple word processing function.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention, the original image information when the color erasing toner is used is stored, and a copy for storage is made with normal toner, or the image data using the color erasing toner is stored in the memory. Since it is configured to be stored, even if the copy disappears or is discarded against the user's will at a later date, the copy can be made again. Therefore, it can greatly contribute to the spread of the use of decolorizable toner suitable for protecting the natural environment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a digital copying machine embodying the present invention.

2A and 2B are a plan view and a side view of a writing unit in the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

3A and 3B are a layout diagram and an optical path diagram of the writing unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an electrical equipment control unit in the copying machine shown in FIG.

5 is a left half view of an entire block of an electrical equipment control unit in the copying machine shown in FIG.

6 is a right half diagram of an overall block of an electrical equipment control unit in the copying machine shown in FIG.

7 is a block diagram of the image scanner unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an image processing unit.

9 is a diagram showing an example of data depth switching in the unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a memory system.

11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the memory system shown in FIG.

12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the memory system shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a peripheral configuration of a memory unit.

FIG. 14 is an internal configuration diagram of the memory unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a data type of image data.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing another example of the peripheral configuration of the memory unit.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of using an external storage device for storing image data.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing another example of the peripheral configuration of the memory unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a block diagram of an application unit of the copying machine of the present invention.

20 is a flowchart showing a copy selection routine of the application unit shown in FIG.

21 is a flowchart showing a storage copy routine of the application unit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 reflection mirror, 2 mirrors, 3 light source, 8 solid-state image sensor, 9 contact glass, 40 photoconductor drum, 42 developing device, 43 toner replenishing device, 44 transfer charger, 45 separation charger, 49 static elimination lamp, 50 photosensor, 60 Cassette, 6
2 registration rollers, 64 heat rollers, 65 pressure rollers, 67, 68, 69 switching claws, 70 trays, 72 refeed loops, 100 document feeders, 1
01 Side guide, 102 Conveyor belt, 103
Output tray, 110 motor, 111 bin, 1
20 paper discharge rollers, 123 trays, 124 re-feed rollers, 140 first CPU (sequence CPU),
141 second CPU (main CPU), 151 main control plate, 153, 155 ROM, 156 RA
M, 157 Scanner control circuit, 159 AC drive plate, 161, Paper feed control plate, 163 Sorter control plate,
165 double-sided control board, 167 display section, 169 A
DF control board, 171 initialization drive, 173 bias control board.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A detection means for detecting the type of an image forming agent for visualizing image information on a recording member, a page memory for storing at least one page of image information, and a specific image forming agent And storing image information read when the type of a specific image-forming agent stored in advance and the type of the selected image-forming agent are stored in the page memory. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image data stored in the page memory is called by a calling means and visualized again on the recording member. 3. At least two or more types of image forming agents are mounted, detection means for detecting the type of image forming agent, means for storing a specific type of image forming agent, and at least one page of image data are stored. A page memory to be stored and a means for storing read image data in the page memory when the type of image forming agent used matches a preset type, and after forming an image on a recording member by the specific image forming agent. An image forming apparatus, comprising means for forming an image of the stored contents on a recording member with an image forming agent other than the specific image forming agent. 4. The recorded image is erased under a predetermined condition or after a certain period of time after the specific image forming agent is printed on a recording paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.