JPH06164792A - Digital copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the added value by reading plural stored digital picture signals and copying the signals on one sheet of paper through synthesizing. CONSTITUTION:The digital copying machine is made up of a picture read means 100, a storage means 301 and a copying means 200. Then the means 100 converts an original picture into a digital picture signal and the means 301 stores the picture signal and the means 200 reads the stored digital signal and copies the signal onto a sheet of paper. Then digital picture signals of plural inserted sheet originals are stored in plural storage means 301, the total length of the plural sheet originals are counted and a sheet of paper corresponding to the counted value is supplied. Then the control means 302 reads the digital picture stored in the plural storage means 301 and copies the signals on one sheet of paper through synthesizing. Then it is possible to use a page memory and to copy plural originals onto one sheet of paper and the added value is enhanced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital copying machine using an image frame memory (page memory).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an office copying machine having a relatively small copy size, an original is fixed on an original table (contact glass), and a line-shaped original reading unit is moved to sequentially perform copying operations. Was there. For this reason, there is no problem even if only the line memory is used and the page memory is not used.

On the other hand, in a copying machine for a drawing having a large copy size, the original cannot be placed on the original table, and the sheet original is passed through a linear original reading section (scanner).
The image signal of one original read by the scanner is written and stored as a digital signal in the image memory of one page, and then the image signal of the page memory is read and copied at the timing of the printer side.

By doing so, it is possible to read one original once, and then read it any number of times until the contents of the page memory are erased. Initially, it was impossible to prepare multiple page memories due to high memory element cost, but it became possible to mount multiple page memories as the cost of memory elements dropped significantly. A usage method utilizing a plurality of page memories has been considered.

For example, when there are several originals with many copies, even if the operator is not at the machine to read the originals one by one, several page memories are prepared for labor saving. However, it is now possible to make a large amount of copies by simply scanning the original with a scanner (ADF can be used for small-sized originals, but ADF for originals such as drawings of A1 size or larger. Can not be used).

[0006]

However, in the conventional apparatus, only one original is copied onto one sheet, and it cannot be said that a plurality of page memories are fully utilized.

The present invention has been made based on such a background and utilizes a page memory to copy a plurality of originals.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital copying machine capable of increasing the added value by enabling copying on a sheet of paper.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned objects are as follows: image reading means for converting an original image into a digital image signal; storage means for storing the digital image signal; and counting the length of the inserted sheet original. Achieved by the first means provided with a paper supply means for feeding out and cutting the rolled paper corresponding to the count value, and a copying means for reading the digital image signal stored in the storage means and copying it onto the paper. To be done.

Further, the above object is that the first means stores digital image signals of a plurality of inserted sheet originals in a plurality of storage means, counts the lengths of the plurality of sheet originals, and corresponds to the counted values. And a control means for controlling so that the paper wound in a roll shape is fed out and cut, a plurality of digital image signals stored in the storage means are read out, and they are combined and copied onto one sheet of paper. It is achieved by means of 2.

Further, the above object is to provide an image reading means for converting an original image into a digital image signal, a storage means for storing the digital image signal, and a reading means for changing and reading the position of the digital image signal stored in the storage means. This is achieved by a third means including a synthesizing means for reading out and synthesizing image signals from a plurality of storage means, and a copying means for reading out the digital image signals stored in the storage means and copying them on a sheet.

The third object of the present invention is to make the third means store digital image signals of a plurality of inserted sheet originals in a plurality of storage means, change the positions of the stored plurality of digital image signals, and read them. This is achieved by the fourth means provided with a control means for controlling so as to synthesize and copy on one sheet.

[0012]

In the first means, since the original image is once stored as a digital image in the storage device and then read, it can be read any number of times by scanning once, and the sheet original is damaged. Therefore, the original image can be combined on the roll paper which is hard to combine and copy.

In the second means, since a plurality of page memories are provided, it is possible to copy a plurality of originals without arranging and pasting them on a mount and processing them into one original. It is possible to copy by connecting them on one sheet by simply inserting them one by one.

In the third means, since the address when reading from the page memory can be changed,
The position of the image can be shifted.

In the fourth means, since a plurality of page memories are provided and the read address can be changed, it is not necessary to paste a plurality of originals side by side to form one original before copying. Also, just insert the manuscript one after another 1
It can be copied side by side (right and left) on a sheet of paper.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An outline of a copying machine incorporating an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. This copying machine executes a series of processes for copying a reading device 100 as a reading unit for reading a document, an image information storage device 300 as a storage unit for storing the read document information, and a copy of the stored information on a sheet. The copying circuit 500, the system control device 302 for controlling these, and the operation device 400 as an operation means for performing a key input to the system control device 302. The operation device 400 includes a display device that displays various information.

The detailed structure of the system controller 302 is shown in FIG. That is, the microprocessor (hereinafter CPU) 3
03, and is provided with a ROM, a RAM, a clock signal generation circuit, a timer, an interrupt controller for interrupt processing, and the like. Further, the reading device 10
0, an image information storage device 300, a copying circuit 500, an I / O for exchanging information with the operation device 400, and serial communication controllers 304 to 306.

The operation device 400 comprises an operation panel 402 and an operation control circuit 401. The layout of the operation panel 402 is shown in FIG. On the operation panel 402, keys for designating the functions shown in FIG. 3 (mode clear, stop, start, numeric keypad, density adjustment, image quality adjustment, paper size, enlargement, reduction, memory number setting), character display (set) The number of copies, the number of copies, the scaling ratio), the document insertable display and the document insertion direction display are provided.

An outline of the mechanical structure of the reading device 100 is shown in FIG. When the operator inserts the original into the roller 1, the original is conveyed between the contact glass 2 and the reflection plate 3 in the sub-scanning direction according to the rotation of the roller 1. During this conveyance, the document surface is scanned in the main scanning direction by the light from the fluorescent lamp 4. The reflected light is imaged on the image sensor (CCD) 6 via the lens 5, and the document information is read. The original image formed on the CCD 6 is output as an analog signal in synchronization with the clock generated from the writing synchronization control circuit 105, and is amplified by the image amplification circuit 101. A / D conversion circuit 102
Converts the amplified analog image signal into multi-valued digital image information shown for each pixel. The shading correction circuit 103 corrects the distortion of the digital image information due to the noise of the original image, the uneven light amount, the dirt on the contact glass 2, the uneven sensitivity of the CCD 6, and the like. After that, the image processing circuit 10
In step 4, it is converted into digitally recorded image information. The digitally recorded image information is output to the image storage device 300 and written in one page memory of the image memory unit 301. The digital recording image information stored in the page memory is converted into laser light by the next copying circuit 500.

FIG. 5 shows an outline of a mechanical configuration of a copying machine 200 incorporating the image information storage device 300, the copying circuit 500, and the operating device 400.

The digital recording image information read from the page memory is received by the line driver circuit 501 and amplified by the laser driver circuit 502. Digitally recorded image information is 1 bit per pixel (recorded / non-recorded) 2
This is a binarized signal, and the laser driver circuit 502 activates the laser diode 503 to emit light in response to the binarized signal.
The laser light emitted by the laser diode 503 is reflected by the rotary polygon mirror 11, passes through the polygon mirror tilt correction cylindrical lens 12, passes through the f-θ lens 13, and is reflected by the first mirror 14, the second mirror 15, and the third mirror. It is reflected by 16, and is image-formed and irradiated on the photosensitive drum 17. The rotary polygon mirror 11 is fixed to a polygon mirror drive motor 18 and a rotary shaft 19, and the motor 18 rotates at a constant speed.
Is driven to rotate at a constant speed. By rotating the polygon mirror 11,
The aforementioned laser light is scanned in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 17, that is, in the direction along the drum axis.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 17 is uniformly charged by a charger connected to a high voltage generator of negative voltage. When the laser light emitted based on the digitally recorded image information is applied to the uniformly charged surface of the photoconductor, the photoconductive phenomenon causes the charge on the surface of the photoconductor to flow to the equipment ground of the drum 17 and disappear. Here, the laser is not turned on in a portion where the original density is low (the binary signal is the non-recording level), and the laser is turned on in the portion where the original density is high (the binary signal is the recording level). As a result, the portion of the surface of the photoconductor drum corresponding to the portion having a low original density has a potential of −750 V, and the portion corresponding to the portion having a high original density of −100 V.
The electrostatic latent image is formed according to the lightness and darkness of the document. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 20,
A toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 17. The toner in the developing unit 20 is negatively charged by stirring, and the developing unit 20 is charged by the developing bias generator.
The surface of the photosensitive drum 17 is biased to about 550 V and adheres to a place where the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 17 is equal to or higher than the developing bias, and a toner image corresponding to the original image is formed.

On the other hand, the paper is selected from any of the three paper feed trays 21, fed out by the paper feeding operation of the feed roller 22, cut into an appropriate size by the cutter 23, and then the registration roller 24. Then, the toner image passes through the lower portion of the photosensitive drum 17 at a predetermined timing, and during this period, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet by the action of the transfer charger 25. The transferred paper is then sent to the thermal fixing unit 26, where the toner is fixed to the paper and the paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 27.

Referring again to FIG. The copying machine of this embodiment has an image information storage device 300 in addition to the reading device 100 and the copying circuit 500. The storage device 300 comprises an image memory unit 301 and a system control device 302.
The image memory unit 300, the system control device 302, and the operation device 400 are housed in the housing of the copying apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 5 in this embodiment. Reader 1
00, the copy circuit 500, the image information storage device 300, and the operating device 400 are RS422 standard signal lines L1 and L.
2 and L3 are connected to each other, and serial data transmission is performed between them at a transmission speed of 9600 bps.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the image memory unit 301.
The image memory unit 301 has three page memories A to C (3
01A to 301C), and the system controller 3
One of the page memories is selected by a memory control signal from 02, and digital recording image information is written in or read from the page memory.

The digital recording image information is written to the page memory by a synchronization control signal from the reading device 100, and the digital recording image information is read from the page memory by a synchronization control signal from the copying circuit 500. It will be done.

7 and 8 are flow charts of control contents according to the first embodiment.

This is a flow chart for sequentially reading a plurality of originals and combining them. First, step 1 (S
1; the same applies below), the number of copies, whether to combine, the paper feed tray,
Key in condition settings such as density adjustment. In step 2, it is judged whether or not the combination is made. If not, the process branches to step 19 to execute a normal copy routine and finish. If it is a combination, the process proceeds to step 3, and the document counter and the page memory counter are cleared.

Although three memories are shown here, any number may be used. Next, in step 4, the first original is started, and in step 5, the original image is written in the page memory (0). When the writing of the first sheet is completed, in step 7, the counter of the document counter page memory is counted up to (1). Next, at step 8, when the counter reaches the set value (here, two sheets are combined for simplicity), the process proceeds to the next step, and at step 9, the total value of the combined number of sheets and the document length is sent to the printer. Step 1
At 0, the printer starts feeding, and when the feeding length reaches the total value of the document length inserted in the scanner, the printer cuts the paper and stops the feeding of the roll paper thereafter (steps 11 to 13).

Next, the image data is first read from the page memory (0) at the timing of the printer side, and when it is finished, the process moves to the next page, and the original image data stored in the page memory is connected, as shown in FIG. Copy on one sheet of paper (steps 14 to 17). If the number of copies has reached the set value in step 18, the process ends, and if not, the process returns to step 10 to repeat the repeat.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another structure of the image memory unit.

In this embodiment, the line memories a, b, c (301a, 301) are provided in the reading section of the image memory section of FIG.
b, 301c), respectively, and the read position is changed by the memory control signal. Further, the respective outputs are input to the OR gate G, the logical sum is calculated and output as image data.

10 and 11 are flow charts of control contents according to the second embodiment.

In this case, the originals are not continuously combined with the first and second originals, but as shown in FIG. 13, the first and second originals of the A3 size original are leftwardly and rightwardly combined. Flow chart for copying A1 size, step 21
In (S21; same below), conditions such as the number of copies are set. In step 22, it is judged whether the combination is left-right or not. If not, the normal copy routine of step 26 is performed and the process is terminated. In the case of composition, the process moves to step 23 and the first original is started. In steps 24 and 25, the image data is written in the page memory A (first sheet). At this time, the document insertion opening of the scanner is set to the center reference, and the page memory is also written to the center reference.

Next, in steps 26 and 27, the image data of the second original is written. When the writing of the original is completed, the paper feed is started from the printer and the paper is cut to a predetermined length (steps 29 and 30).

When the paper is fed, the reading of the page memories A and B is started next, but A is left 148.5.
It is possible to combine the originals to the left and right by shifting mm and shifting B to the right by 148.5 mm and reading them simultaneously to obtain the logical sum (steps 21 to 24).
In step 25, it is judged whether the number of copies has reached the set value, and if not, the process returns to step 29 and step 29
The operations of to 34 are repeated, and if reached, the operation is ended.

[0037]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the original image is once stored as a digital image in the storage device and then read out, it can be read out any number of times by scanning once. It is possible to combine the original image on the roll paper that is difficult to make a synthetic copy without damaging the sheet original.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of page memories are provided, a plurality of originals need not be lined up and pasted on a mount to be processed into one original before copying. , It is possible to copy by connecting the originals one by one and connecting them on one sheet.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the address when reading from the page memory can be changed, the position of the image can be shifted.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since a plurality of page memories are provided and the read address can be changed, a plurality of originals are arranged side by side and pasted, processed into one original and then copied. Even if it does not, it is possible to copy side by side (right and left) on one sheet by simply inserting the originals one by one.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall control block diagram of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system controller of FIG.

3 is a layout diagram of the operation panel of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a reading unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a digital copying machine.

6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image memory unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of control contents according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of control contents according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the image memory unit.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of control contents according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of control contents according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a sheet original and copy paper.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a sheet original and copy paper.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 reading device (image reading means) 200 copying device (copying means) 300 image information storage device 301 image memory unit (storage means) 302 system control device (control means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit for converting an original image into a digital image signal, a storage unit for storing the digital image signal, a length of an inserted sheet original is counted, and a roll state is obtained corresponding to the counted value. A digital copying machine comprising: a paper supply unit for feeding and cutting the paper wound on the paper; and a copying unit for reading a digital image signal stored in the storage unit and copying the digital image signal on the paper. 2. The digital image signal according to claim 1, wherein digital image signals of a plurality of inserted sheet originals are stored in a plurality of storage means, the lengths of the plurality of sheet originals are counted, and rolls are made corresponding to the counted values. It is characterized by further comprising a control means for feeding out and cutting the rolled paper, reading out a plurality of digital image signals stored in the storage means, and synthesizing and copying on one paper. A digital copying machine. 3. An image reading means for converting an original image into a digital image signal, a storage means for storing the digital image signal, a reading means for changing and reading a position of the digital image signal stored in the storage means, and a plurality of reading means. A digital copying machine comprising: a synthesizing unit for reading and synthesizing an image signal from a storage unit, and a copying unit for reading a digital image signal stored in the storage unit and copying the digital image signal on a sheet. 4. The digital image signal according to claim 3, wherein the digital image signals of a plurality of inserted sheet originals are stored in a plurality of storage means, the positions of the stored plurality of digital image signals are changed and read out, and one sheet A digital copying machine comprising a control means for controlling so as to combine and copy on paper.