JPH068527A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make image formation optimal and accelerate image formation speed by selecting the best suited one from among different image formation means of a multiple system based on the discrimination results of an output information discrimination means. CONSTITUTION:An image processing part 543 performs processings such as smoothing, edge highlighting, black extraction and masking for the chromatic correction of a recording ink used by a recording head 405. A digital image signal output of serial multivalue is entered in a binary-coding part 544 and buffer memory 546 respectively. The binary-coding part 544 is a circuit for binary-coding a digital image signal of serial multivalue, and selects between simple binary-coding at a fixed slice level and simulated intermediate tone processing by a dizer method. The digital image signal of serial multivalue is converted to a four-color binary parallel image signal by the part 544. Four- color image data is supplied to a binary-coding synthesis part 545 and 3-color image data to buffer memory 546 respectively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image according to an image signal or an original image, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means of different systems in the same apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus using various image forming means has been put into practical use. In particular, a page printer that forms an image by an electrophotographic method is excellent in image forming speed and quietness, and is widely used as an output device of a copying machine or a computer. In addition, in order to support multicolor images and pictorial images, electrophotographic devices capable of forming images in multiple colors have also been developed, but at present, the device becomes complicated and large, and running cost and initial cost of the device are increased. It is hard to say that it is widely used.

In the multicolor image formation, in order to solve these drawbacks of the electrophotographic system, an ink jet type recording apparatus, a thermal transfer type multicolor image forming apparatus and the like have been put into practical use. Further, an image forming apparatus has been devised in which image forming means of these different systems are combined to take advantage of the respective image forming methods. For example, an image forming unit of an electrophotographic apparatus, which is advantageous in terms of image forming speed and running cost, is used for forming a black and white image that occupies most of image forming, and a running cost is required when forming a multicolor image. The image forming apparatus is one in which an image is formed by an inkjet method or a thermal transfer method, which is advantageous in terms of initial cost and size of the apparatus.

[0004]

However, for example, in the case of a copying machine, a color copying machine such as an electrophotographic system is expensive for a user who does not frequently use color copying, so that the price is relatively low. It is often used in combination with a black and white copier and an inkjet printer. Therefore, a space for two black and white copiers and an inkjet printer is required.

Further, although an original having only black and white characters is copied by an electrophotographic black and white copying machine, an original having a halftone image such as a color image or a photograph in a part of the black and white characters is copied. In this case, the color image part cannot be copied in color with a black-and-white copying machine, or the reproducibility of the halftone image part is reduced. This creates the annoyance of having to use different machines.

Further, electrophotographic image formation is usually
Plain paper is used, and inkjet image formation is
Coated paper is recommended. Therefore, a copier has two types of paper, a plain paper and a coated paper, and a cassette, and the user may use the coated paper if there is no plain paper at the time of electrophotographic image formation. Image formation is performed under the same process conditions as paper.

Further, when a document bundle including a black-and-white document and a color image document is copied, ink-jet printing and electrophotographic printing may be performed in parallel to increase the copying speed. At this time, since the print speed of the inkjet method is slower than the copy speed of the black-and-white original, there is a disadvantage that the originals are not discharged in the reading order.

Furthermore, the copying speed when copying a bundle of originals including a black-and-white original and a color image original is the same as that of the inkjet method, because the inkjet method prints in synchronization with image reading. However, there is an inconvenience that the copying speed is very slow as compared with the copying speed of only a black and white original.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and provides an image forming apparatus capable of automatically selecting an optimum image forming means for a document image and realizing optimization and high speed of image formation. The purpose is to do.

[0010]

In order to achieve such an object, a first embodiment of the present invention is a means for discriminating an area of a document image in an image forming apparatus constituted by a plurality of different image forming means, Output information determining means for determining the original image based on the output information of the area determining means,
The image forming is performed by selecting one or another image forming unit from the image forming units of different methods based on the discrimination result by the output information discriminating unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus composed of a plurality of different image forming means, a sheet storing means for storing sheets of at least two kinds of materials,
A sheet detecting means for detecting the material of the sheet, a means for changing the image forming process by selecting the one or other image forming means according to the material of the sheet obtained by the sheet detecting means, Means for storing the corresponding condition value of the image forming process.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus composed of a plurality of different image forming units, a unit for performing image formation by one or another image forming unit in parallel and a unit for performing image formation after image formation. The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a means for storing the sheet discharge order and a means for controlling the sheet discharge according to the storage information of the storage means.

[0013]

According to the present invention, with the above structure, the space of the apparatus can be saved, and the optimum image forming means is automatically selected and output for the original image to supply a stable image. Is possible. In addition, speeding up of image formation can also be realized.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram for explaining an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention in a copying apparatus. The copying apparatus main body constitutes a document scanning section I and a part of a recording material conveying means. It is composed of a paper portion II, an electrophotographic recording portion III which constitutes the first image forming means, and an ink jet recording portion IV which constitutes the second image forming means. In this embodiment, a multicolor image is formed by the inkjet recording unit IV when a chromatic portion is present in the original, and a black and white image is formed by the electrophotographic recording unit III when the chromatic portion is not present. so,
It has a plurality of image forming means of different systems and uses the image forming means differently for each recording material.

Hereinafter, A electrophotographic recording, B inkjet printing, C electrophotography, inkjet composite printing, D electrophotographic recording, printer parallel processing, E printer, facsimile parallel processing, F functional block, and G image processing section. Color separation processing, image area separation processing of the H image processing unit, I
Scanner control unit optical system operation flow, J operation panel,
A description will be given in order of K copy paper type setting, L copy paper type detection, operation procedure corresponding to M embodiment, N and others.

The (electrophotographic recording) 101 is a controller unit, which comprises means for controlling the copy sequence as a whole. Reference numeral 102 is a power switch, and 103 is an original exposure lamp, which constitutes a scanning mirror and an optical scanning system, and scans and moves at a predetermined speed. An image forming lens 104 forms an image of the reflected light on the photosensitive drum 301 of the electrophotographic recording section III.
An optical system drive motor (optical motor) 105 drives the optical scanning system and the like with high accuracy.

In the sheet feeding operation by the first-stage cassette 201 used for electrophotographic recording and constituting the first recording material conveying means, the cut sheet SH is driven by driving the sheet feeding roller 205.
Is fed from the cassette and is conveyed to the registration roller 211 by the conveyance roller 209. Similarly, in the sheet feeding operation by the second-stage cassette 202, the cut sheet SH is fed from the cassette by driving the sheet feeding roller 206, and is conveyed to the registration roller 211 by the conveying rollers 210 and 209. The first and second cassettes 20
It is assumed that 1,202 includes plain paper (SK paper or the like, not coated paper).

The cut sheet SH fed by the driving of the sheet feeding rollers 205 and 206 and conveyed by the conveying rollers 209 and 210 is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 211,
After synchronizing the leading edge of the image, the image is conveyed again by the registration roller 211.

In the electrophotographic recording section III which constitutes the first image forming means, 302 is a developing unit which is arranged close to the photosensitive drum 301 which is an image carrier. Also, 303
Is a transfer charger, which transfers the toner image developed by the developing unit 302 onto the cut sheet SH, and after the transfer, the separation charger 304 separates the cut sheet SH from the photosensitive drum 301. A pre-exposure lamp 305 neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 301 to prepare for the primary charging. Three
A cleaner device 06 is composed of a cleaning blade and a cleaning roller, and collects the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 301. A fixing device 307 fixes the toner image transferred to the cut sheet SH by heat and pressure. Normally, the fixing device 307 is temperature-controlled at 170 ° C. A conveyance roller 212 conveys the cut sheet SH for which the fixing process has been completed to the paper discharge tray 213 via the conveyance belt 219. When the sheet for inkjet printing is ejected next, the ejection insertion guide (flapper) 218 is put out on the ejection path, and the electrophotographic copy paper is output to the tray 213 one after another. Make sure the inkjet print paper is ejected.

(Inkjet printing) FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the document scanning unit I. The document image on the document table 106 is read by the CCD image reading unit 107. The image reading unit 107 includes a document illumination lamp 107A, a CCD image forming lens 107B, and a CCD line sensor 107C. This CCD line sensor 107C is RGB
It is possible to read as a full-color image by having the above filter.

The CCD reading unit 107 is a unit supported on a rail 108, and is driven by a main scanning direction drive system including a main scanning motor 112 and a wire 113 provided in a scanning system unit 111 supported on the rails 109 and 110. By moving on the rail 108, the image on the platen glass 106 is read in the main scanning direction. The main-scanning home position sensor 114 is used for position control when the CCD reading unit 107 is moved. Scanning system unit 11
1 is moved by a sub-scanning direction drive system including a sub-scanning motor 115 and wires 116 and 117. In this case, it is possible to share the driving of the document scanning in the sub-scanning direction in the electrophotographic image forming means with the scanning system unit 111, and to drive both the sub-scanning directions by the same driving means. Sub-scanning home position sensor 11
8 is used for position control when the scanning system unit 111 moves on the rails 109 and 110.

The scanning method of the CCD reading section 107 is as shown in FIG. 3, in which an image having a width of 8 mm is read by one scanning and the read information is stored in a storage element (buffer memory).
To memorize. Also, printing is performed in a form synchronized with it. However, the line indicated by the arrow indicates the midpoint of the CCD sensor 107C. Prior to main scanning of the original image, black level correction, shading correction, and color correction for correcting the output of the CCD sensor 107C are performed. This correction operation is performed for each scan, and is continued from the first scan X to the final scan Y until the entire original image is read.
After the completion, the CCD reading unit 107 is returned to the home position of the main / sub scanning again (Z). In this embodiment,
The document glass 106 can read a document image of maximum A3 size.

The image read by the CCD reading unit 107 is subjected to various kinds of image processing by the scanner unit and the controller unit, and recorded on the recording paper by the printer unit. As the recording paper, in the standard state, a special paper called a coated paper in which the water-soluble ink does not easily bleed is used. However, even if it is an inkjet printer,
When used as a facsimile or when only black is required, coated paper or plain paper can be selected.

The coated paper SH, which is cut one by one, is fed by the pickup rollers 207 and 208 from the inkjet recording coated paper cassettes 203 and 204 which constitute the second recording material conveying means. As shown in FIG. 4, the coated paper 401 (SH) is the positioning roller 4
It is conveyed to a predetermined position by 02 and 403. The predetermined position is the print start position detected by the paper detection sensor 404. When the coated paper 401 comes to a predetermined position, recording is performed by the inkjet recording head and the printing operation is started. The recording head unit 405 that constitutes the second image forming unit is composed of four heads C, M, Y, and Bk, and performs recording with a predetermined width in that order. Meanwhile, the positioning roller 40 driven by the paper feed motor 406
2, 403 are stopped and the coated paper 401 is fixed.
The head unit 405 is driven by a head scanning motor 407 to record an image on the coated paper 401 with a predetermined width while scanning. When one scan is completed, the positioning roller 40
2, 403 convey the coated paper 401 by the predetermined width, and the head portion 405 returns to the recording start position whose position is controlled by the home position sensor 408. By repeating this operation, a full-color image corresponding to the paper size is formed.

When the recording on the entire surface of the original is completed, the coated paper 4
01 is carried by the carrying rollers 210 and 209, and by switching the flapper 214, the recorded coated paper 401 is sent to the carrying path for inkjet recording, and again carried by the carrying rollers 215, 216 and 217, and the flapper at the final stage. 218 discharge trays 213, 21
8 is selected and the paper is ejected. As described above, in this embodiment, the conveyance means corresponding to the two image forming means is provided, and the image output by both means is a switching means for the same paper discharge tray or different paper discharge trays. This can be done by the flapper 218. Further, the ejected paper insertion guide (flapper) 218 can eject the inkjet print paper between the electrophotographic copy papers output to the paper ejection tray 213.

(Composite Printing of Electrophotographic and Inkjet) When electrophotographic recording is performed after inkjet printing, the cut sheet SH is conveyed by the conveying rollers 210 and 209.
The flapper 214 diverges toward the registration roller 211 and conveys it to the registration roller 211. The cut sheet SH conveyed here is once stopped, and after synchronizing the leading edge of the image, the cut sheet SH is conveyed again. In this embodiment, the distance between the inkjet recording unit IV and the electrophotographic recording unit III, more precisely, the distance between the inkjet recording head 405 and the registration roller 211 is set to be larger than the maximum sheet size (A3) and the cut sheet is used. In order to improve the recording image quality, the inkjet recording unit IV is arranged so that the electrophotographic recording unit III is positioned after the electrophotographic recording unit III when the SH is conveyed, and the inkjet recording is performed before the image fixing operation in the electrophotographic recording. There is.

The toner image developed by the developing unit 302 is transferred to the cut sheet SH, and after the transfer, the separation charger 304 removes the cut sheet SH from the photosensitive drum 301.
To separate. 305 is a pre-exposure lamp, which is the photosensitive drum 3
The surface potential of 01 is neutralized to prepare for primary charging. 306
Is a cleaner device, which includes a cleaning blade and a cleaning roller, and collects toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 301. A fixing device 307 is a cut sheet SH.
The toner image transferred to is fixed by heat and pressure. Two
A conveyance roller 12 conveys the cut sheet SH, for which the fixing process has been completed, to the discharge tray 213.

When the inkjet print paper is transported by the transport rollers 215, 216, 217 during electrophotographic recording, and the discharge tray 213 is selected by the flapper 218 at the final stage and discharged, the electrophotographic recording is performed. It is possible to delay the electrophotographic recording operation according to the discharge timing of the inkjet print paper so as not to collide with the paper. For example, it is conceivable to widen the paper feed interval of the recording paper during the electrophotographic recording operation.

(Electrophotographic recording, printer parallel processing) I
When the / F control unit requests digital information processing as a printer, it performs a function of recording the input information by inkjet printing. When the request is made, if only analog printing is performed, either operation is accepted. In other words, control is performed in order to process the work of the printer, which is analog printing and digital information processing, in parallel. At this time, the transport roller 2
A portion that passes through 09 and 210 is a common transport path for both analog printing and inkjet printing. Also,
Since inkjet printing has a slower printing speed than analog printing, each time inkjet printing is completed, paper feeding for analog printing is completed, the time for one inkjet print is stopped, and only that inkjet print is used for inkjet. The flapper 214 is switched so as to be sent to the transport path. The inkjet printed paper is the flapper 21 at the final stage.
8 to output to the inkjet discharge tray 218 side. The analog print continues to operate in the normal state.

(Parallel processing of printer and facsimile)
When the I / F control unit requests digital information processing as a printer or a facsimile, it performs a function of recording the input information by inkjet printing. When the request is made, if only analog printing is performed, either operation is accepted. In other words, the work of the printer, which is an analog print and digital information processing, is controlled to perform processing in parallel. The following is the same as the above-mentioned electrophotographic recording and parallel processing of the printer.

(Functional Block) Next, the functional block of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Control units 501, 521, 541, 561,
Reference numeral 581 denotes a control unit that controls the master control unit 500, the scanner control unit 520, the image control unit 540, the inkjet control unit 560, and the electrophotographic control unit 580, respectively, and includes a microcomputer, program ROM, data memory, and communication. It is composed of circuits. Control unit 50
0-520, controller 500-540, controller 500
-560 and between the control units 500 and 580 are connected by a communication line, and the control units 520, 540, 560, and 580 operate according to an instruction from the control unit 500, which is a so-called master / slave control mode. ing.

When the master control unit 500 operates as a copying machine, the master control unit 500 operates according to inputs from the operation unit 502 and the editor 503. The operation unit 502 uses, for example, liquid crystal as a display unit and is provided with a touch panel made of a transparent electrode on the surface thereof, so that selection instructions such as color specification and edit operation specification can be performed. Also, use of keys related to the operation, such as a key for instructing the start of the copy operation (start key), a key for instructing the stop of the copy operation (stop key), a key for resetting the operation mode to the standard state (reset key), etc. Frequent keys are provided independently. The editor 503 is for inputting position information such as trimming / masking processing and is connected as an option when complicated editing processing is required. Also,
The feeder 504 is for automatically setting a plurality of originals, and the sorter 505 is for sorting cut sheets to be ejected, and is connected as an option.

The control unit 521 controls the mechanical drive unit 524 that controls the drive of the mechanical portion of the scanner control unit 520, and the exposure control units 525 (for inkjet) and 526 (for electrophotography) of the lamp when reading a reflection original. Take control.
The control unit 521 also controls the analog signal processing unit 522 and the input image processing unit 523 that perform various types of processing related to images. The input image processing unit 523 is configured to store the digital image information in the storage element in the buffer memory 54.
In the mode in which the data is sent to No. 6, and the second image formation is performed in synchronization with the image reading without using the storage unit, the control is also performed to send the data to the multi-value synthesizing unit 542 which performs various processes related to the image.

The control unit 541 controls a control circuit (I / F control unit) 547 of a general-purpose parallel interface such as a GP-IB interface, and inputs / outputs image data between external devices and is controlled by the external device. Remote control can be performed via this interface. Furthermore, the control unit 541 includes a multi-valued synthesis unit 542 and an image processing unit 54 that perform various types of processing related to images.
It also controls the binarization processing unit 544, the binarization synthesis unit 545, and the buffer memory 546. When the digital image information of either the scanner control unit 520 or the I / F control unit 547 is being stored in the storage element when the buffer memory 546 is controlled, storage control of other information is attempted. The alarm signal is sent to the controller 501 of the master controller 500. When the control unit 501 receives the alarm signal, the operation unit 502 displays an alarm.

The control unit 561 is the inkjet control unit 5
Mechanical drive unit 563 for driving the mechanical portion of 60
In addition, the synchronous delay memory 562 is controlled to absorb the temporal variation in the mechanical operation of the inkjet control unit 560 and to perform the delay correction for the mechanical alignment of the recording head 405.

The control unit 581 includes a mechanical drive unit 582 for driving the mechanical portion of the electrophotographic control unit 580 and a blank exposure unit 5 for erasing unnecessary portions of the electrophotographic image.
84 and the high voltage unit 583 for applying a voltage of a predetermined potential to the charging system and the developing unit 302.

Next, the image processing block of FIG. 5 will be described along the flow of the image. The image formed on the CCD sensor 107C via the CCD image forming lens 107B is the CCD1.
It is converted into an analog electric signal from 07C. The converted image information is serially processed like red → green → blue,
It is input to the analog signal processing unit 522.

In the analog signal processing section 522, red, green,
After sample & hold, dark level correction, and dynamic range control for each blue color, analog
Digital conversion (A / D conversion) is performed to convert into a serial multi-value (in this embodiment, 8-bit length for each color) digital image signal and output to the input image processing unit 523.

In the input image processing unit 523, correction processing necessary for the reading system such as shading correction, color correction, and γ correction is similarly performed with the serial multivalued digital image signal, and the information of the digital image signal is image-controlled. It is sent to the multi-value synthesis unit 542 of the unit 540 or the buffer memory 546 according to the selection mode.

The multi-value synthesis section 542 of the image control section 540
This is a circuit block for selecting and synthesizing a serial multivalued digital image signal sent from the scanner control unit 520 and a serial multivalued digital image signal sent via a parallel I / F or a buffer memory.
The selectively combined image data is sent to the image processing unit 543 as a serial multi-valued digital image signal.

The image processing unit 543 is for smoothing processing,
This circuit performs edge enhancement, black extraction, masking processing for color correction of recording ink used in the recording head 405, and the like. The serial multi-value digital image signal output is input to the binarization processing unit 544 and the buffer memory 546, respectively.

The binarization processing unit 544 is a circuit for binarizing a serial multi-valued digital image signal, and selects simple binary with fixed slice level, pseudo halftone processing with dither method, or the like. You can Here, the serial multivalued digital image signal is converted into a binary parallel image signal of four colors. Image data of four colors is sent to the binary synthesis unit 545, and image data of three colors is sent to the buffer memory 546.

The binary synthesizing unit 545 is provided in the buffer memory 5
And a binary parallel image signal of three colors sent from 46,
This is a circuit for selecting and synthesizing four color binary parallel image signals sent from the binarization processing unit 544 into four color binary parallel image signals.

The buffer memory 546 is for storing a serial multi-valued digital image signal sent from the scanner control section 520 or for inputting / outputting a multi-valued image and a binary image via a parallel I / F. It is a buffer memory of and has a memory for three colors.

The synchronous delay memory 562 of the ink jet control unit 560 is a circuit for absorbing the time variation of the mechanical operation of the ink jet control unit 560 and correcting the delay of the mechanical arrangement of the recording head 405. It also generates the timing required to drive 405.

The head driver 564 is the recording head 4
This is an analog drive circuit for driving 05, and internally generates a signal capable of directly driving the recording head 405. The recording head 405 ejects cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks to record an image on the recording.

FIG. 6 is an explanation of the image timing between the circuit blocks described with reference to FIG. 5, but the signal BVE is a signal showing the image effective section for each scan of the main scanning reading operation explained with reference to FIG. . The image of the entire screen is output by outputting the signal BVE a plurality of times. Also, the signal V
E is a signal indicating the image effective section for each line read by the CCD sensor 107C. Only the signal VE when the signal BVE is valid is valid.

The signal VCK is a sending clock signal for the image data VD. The signal BVE and the signal VE also change in synchronization with the signal VCK. Also, the signal HS is
The signal VE is a signal used when the valid and invalid sections are discontinuously repeated while one line is output, and the signal VE is 1
It is an unnecessary signal when it is continuously effective during line output, and is a signal indicating the start of image output for one line.

(Color Separation Processing of Image Processing Unit) FIG.
7 is an example of a block diagram showing only the color separation processing unit extracted from the functions of the image processing unit 543 described in FIG.

The input image signal 751 is sent to the selector 70.
5, the flip-flop 703, and the color separation circuit 701. The color separation circuit 701 is a color separation circuit configured by a known technique, and discriminates between a monochrome image portion and a color image portion and outputs a discrimination signal 752. Here, as the discrimination signal 752, in the present embodiment, a high signal is output in the monochrome image portion and a low signal is output in the color image portion. Discrimination signal 752 output from the color separation circuit 701
Is input to the selector 704 as a control signal, input to the memory 702, and stored in the memory 702.

On the other hand, the image signal input to the flip-flop 703 is input to the selector 704 after being timed by the flip-flop 703 and the discrimination signal 752 output from the color separation circuit 701. The selector 704 is controlled by the discrimination signal 752 output from the color separation circuit 701, and the discrimination signal 752 is Low.
In the case of a signal (color image portion), the A input is selected to output the image signal 753, and in the case of a high signal (black and white image portion), the B input is selected to output the image signal as zero, and the output signal 754 is the selector 705. Entered in.

The selector 705 is controlled by the control unit 541. When the control signal 755 from the control unit 541 is the Low signal, the A input is selected and the input image signal 751 is output as the output signal 756, and when it is the High signal, the B input is selected. Is selected and the output signal 754 of the selector 704 is output.

When the color separation processing is not performed, the control section 541 can output the input image signal 751 as the output signal 756 without changing the control signal 755 to the Low signal. Also, the control unit 5
Reference numeral 41 sets various parameters in the color separation circuit 701, controls the memory 702, and reads out the determination signal 752 from the color separation circuit 701 stored in the memory 702. The read determination signal 752 is output from the control unit 541 to the control unit 501 of the master control unit 500 illustrated in FIG.
To the communication means. The control unit 501 performs electrophotographic recording when it is determined from the received data that only the monochrome image portion is present, and performs inkjet recording in other cases.

In this embodiment, the control unit 541 sends the discrimination signal 752 to the control unit 501 by the communication means, but the control unit 501 may directly read the data in the memory 702.

Further, although the memory 702 dedicated to the color separation processing is used in the above embodiment, another memory, for example, the buffer memory 546 in FIG. 5 may also be used. This case will be described with reference to FIG. 5. When the start key is pressed to start the copy operation, the original image is first discriminated, the original is scanned, and the image data from the input image processing unit 523 is converted into the multi-value synthesizing unit. 542 and image processing unit 54
3 into the buffer memory 546.

Next, the control unit 541 controls the buffer memory 54.
The image data is read from 6 and a predetermined algorithm is used to determine whether the original image is only the black and white image portion. The determination result is the master control unit 500.
To the control unit 501 of the
When it is determined that the original image is only the black and white image part,
The original image is formed by electrophotographic recording, and when it is determined that the image is not formed, the image is formed by inkjet printing.

A specific example in which the original image is discriminated by the color separation circuit and one of electrophotographic recording or image formation by ink jet printing is automatically selected and the image is output is shown. According to.

When the automatic selection mode of the image forming means is selected by the key input from the operation unit 502 and the start key is pressed to start the copy operation, first, the document is scanned to discriminate the document image, and the color separation is performed. The discrimination data by the circuit is loaded into the memory 702 (step S801).

Next, the control unit 541 reads the discrimination data from the memory 702, detects whether the discrimination data is only the High signal, that is, whether the original image is only the monochrome image portion, and the result is detected. To the control unit 501 of the master control unit 500 by communication means (step S802).

The control unit 501 of the master control unit 500 is
When it is determined that the original image is only the black and white image portion, the original image is formed by electrophotographic recording (step S80).
3) If the answer is NO, image formation is performed by inkjet printing (step S804).

(Image Area Separation Processing of Image Processing Unit) FIG. 9 is an example of a block diagram showing only the image area separation processing unit extracted from the functions of the image processing unit 543 described in FIG.

The input image signal 951 is sent to the selector 90.
5, the flip-flop 903, and the image area separation circuit 901. The image area separation circuit 901 is an image area separation circuit configured by a known technique, and performs area discrimination between the character portion and the halftone image portion and outputs a discrimination signal 952. Here, as the discrimination signal 952, a High signal is output in the character portion and a Low signal is output in the halftone image portion in this embodiment.
The discrimination signal 952 output from the image area separation circuit 901 is
While being input as a control signal to the selector 904,
It is input to the memory 902 and stored in the memory 902.

On the other hand, the image signal input to the flip-prop 903 is input to the selector 904 after being timed by the flip-flop 903 and the discrimination signal 952 output from the image area separation circuit 901.
The selector 904 is controlled by the discrimination signal 952 output from the image area separation circuit 901, and the discrimination signal 952 is L
When the ow signal (halftone image portion), the A input is selected and the image signal 953 is output, and when the high signal (character portion), the B input is selected and the image signal is output as zero, and the output signal 954 is the selector. 905 is input.

The selector 905 is controlled by the control section 541. When the control signal 955 from the control section 541 is the Low signal, the A input is selected and the input image signal 951 is output as the output signal 956, and when it is the High signal, the B input is selected. Is selected and the output signal 954 of the selector 904 is output.

The control unit 541 controls the selector 905, and when the image area separation processing is not performed, the control signal 955 is supplied.
Can be made into a Low signal and the input image signal 951 can be output as it is as an output signal 956. Further, the control unit 541 sets various parameters in the image area separation circuit 901, controls the memory 902, and controls the memory 902.
Discrimination signal 952 from the image area separation circuit 901 stored in
Read out. The read discrimination signal 952 is supplied to the control unit 5
41 to the control unit 5 of the master control unit 500 shown in FIG.
01 by communication means. The control unit 501 performs electrophotographic recording when it is determined from the received data that only the character portion is present, and otherwise performs ink jet recording.

In this embodiment, the discrimination signal 952 is sent from the control unit 541 to the control unit 501 by the communication means. However, as in the case of the color separation processing, the control unit 501 directly reads the data in the memory 902. You may make it the structure which can be taken out. Further, although the memory 902 dedicated to the image area separation processing is used in this embodiment, another memory, for example, the buffer memory 546 of FIG.

A specific example in which the original image is discriminated by image area separation and one of electrophotographic recording or image formation by ink jet printing is automatically selected and an image is output is shown. According to.

When the automatic selection mode of the image forming means is selected by the key input from the operation unit 502 and the start key is pressed to start the copy operation, first, the document is scanned to discriminate the document image, and the image area is scanned. The discrimination data obtained by the separation circuit 901 is loaded into the memory 902 (step S100).
1).

Next, the control unit 541 reads the discrimination data from the memory 902, detects whether the discrimination data is only the High signal, that is, whether the original image is only the character portion, and outputs the result. Control unit 5 of master control unit 500
It is sent to 01 by the communication means (step S1002).

The control unit 501 of the master control unit 500 is
When it is determined that the original image is only the text portion, the original image is formed by electrophotographic recording (step S100).
3) If the answer is NO, image formation is performed by inkjet printing (step S1004).

(Optical System Operation Flow of Scanner Control Unit)
On the other hand, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation flow in the optical system sub-scanning direction of the control unit 521 of the scanner control unit 520 of FIG. When an optical system start command is input from the master control unit 500, it is determined in step S1101 whether to operate the optical system for electrophotography. In the case of electrophotography, the optical system is driven for electrophotography in step S1102. To do. If it is determined in step S1101 that the image is not an electrophotographic image, the optical system is driven for inkjet in step S1103.

Next, in step S1104, it is determined whether or not there is a next operation request, and if there is, the process jumps to step S1101 and steps S1101 to S1101.
Repeat 1104. If it is determined in step S1104 that there is no request, the operation ends.

(Operation Panel) FIG. 12 is a layout view showing an operation panel of the embodiment apparatus shown in FIG. An asterisk key 1201 is used when the operator is in a setting mode such as a binding margin amount setting, a document frame erasing size setting, and a copy paper type setting. An all reset key 1202 is pressed to return to the standard mode. A copy start key 1203 is pressed to start copying. A clear / stop key 1204 has the function of a clear key during standby and a stop key during copy recording. This clear key is pressed to release the set number of copies and also used to release the asterisk mode. The stop key is pressed to interrupt continuous copying. Reference numeral 1205 is a ten-key pad which is pressed when setting the number of copies and also used when setting the asterisk mode. Reference numeral 1206 denotes a cassette selection key, which includes a first-stage cassette 201, a second-stage cassette 202,
Pressed when selecting the third stage cassette 203 or the fourth stage cassette 204. 1207 and 1208 are arrow keys,
Used to set the asterisk mode.

Reference numeral 1209 denotes an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display for displaying information relating to copying. For example, one character is composed of 5 × 7 dots and a message for 40 characters can be displayed. Reference numeral 1210 is a copy number display, which displays the number of copies. Reference numeral 1211 denotes a used cassette display, which displays which one of the first stage cassette 201, the second stage cassette 202, the third stage cassette 203, and the fourth stage cassette 204 is selected. 121
Reference numeral 2 denotes a copy paper type indicator, which displays the type of copy paper contained in each cassette.

[0077]

[Table 1]

Table 1 above describes the asterisk mode. First, each time the asterisk key 1201 is pressed, menu messages in the asterisk mode are sequentially displayed on the message display 1209. There are three types of asterisk modes, and binding margin width setting, document frame erasing size setting, and copy paper type setting can be performed.

To set the binding margin width, first press the asterisk key 1201, enter the number instructed in the binding margin width setting section of the menu message with the ten keys 1205, and further press the asterisk key 1201 to bind the binding margin. Enter the width setting mode. When the number of the desired binding margin width is input with the ten key 1205 according to the message and the asterisk key 1201 is pressed, the binding margin width is set. When creating a binding margin, the width is set here.

In order to set the document frame erasing size, first, similarly to the binding margin width setting, the asterisk key 1201 and the ten key 1205 are used to enter the document frame erasing setting mode. The arrow key 120, which is the designated key
A desired size is displayed on the message display 1209 by using 7, 1208. If the asterisk key 1201 is pressed when the desired size is displayed, that size is registered.

To set the type of copy paper, first, similarly to the setting of the binding margin width, the mode for setting the type of copy paper is entered using the asterisk key 1201 and the ten key 1205. The arrow key 120, which is the designated key
7, 1208 is used to display the desired cassette tray and copy paper type on the message display 1209.
When the desired cassette stage and copy paper type are displayed, the asterisk key 1201 is pressed to register the size.

The type of copying paper set by the asterisk mode is detected, and the type of copying paper 1212 corresponding to the detected type of copying paper is displayed.

(Type Setting of Copy Paper) FIG. 13 shows the setting of the Dip. It is a functional block diagram of SW1302.
The first stage cassette 201 is Dip. Suppose that SW1 is ON for coated paper and OFF for plain paper. Similarly,
The second stage cassette 202 is Dip. Suppose that SW2 is ON for coated paper and OFF for plain paper. The third stage cassette 203 is a Dip. When SW3 is ON, coated paper is OFF
It is assumed that plain paper is put in. 4th stage cassette 20
4 is Dip. It is assumed that coated paper is put in when SW4 is ON and plain paper is put in when SW4 is OFF. Dip. The type of copy paper set by the SW (paper setting means) 1302 is determined by the CPU.
Detected by the paper detecting means 1301, the corresponding copy paper type indicator (paper display means) 1302 displays the type of copy paper contained in each cassette.

(Detection of Copy Paper Type) Further, FIG.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a SW 1402 provided in the master control unit 500 for detecting the type of copy paper by means of a copy paper type discriminating piece (removable) attached to the cassette. By inserting the cassette into the main body, the frames attached to the cassettes 201 to 204 can be detected by the SW (paper detecting means) 1402. By detecting ON / OFF of SW by this frame, it is judged that coated paper is put in when it is ON and plain paper is put in when it is OFF. Depending on the presence / absence of frames attached to the first stage cassette 201, the coated paper is turned off by turning on SW1.
Judge that plain paper is loaded in. Similarly, when the SW2 of the second-stage cassette 202 is ON, it is determined that coated paper is loaded and when it is OFF, plain paper is loaded. Third stage cassette 20
For SW3, when SW3 is ON, it is determined that coated paper is loaded, and when SW3 is OFF, plain paper is loaded. When the SW4 of the fourth-stage cassette 204 is ON, it is determined that coated paper is loaded and when OFF, plain paper is loaded. When the cassette is inserted, the CPU 1401 detects the type of copy paper set by the SW 1402, and the copy paper type indicator 1212 (see FIG. 12) correspondingly detects the copy paper stored in each cassette. Display the type.

(Operation Procedures Corresponding to the Embodiments) The operation procedures corresponding to the various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to flowcharts.

FIG. 15 shows the operation procedure of the image forming operation after selecting the cassette. When the first-stage cassette is selected (S1501), it is judged whether or not the selected cassette is plain paper. (S1502), 1 (S1503) is selected as the paper type flag for plain paper, and 0 (S1504) is selected as the paper type flag for coated paper. When the copy key is pressed (S1505), the first-stage cassette
The copy paper detection unit that detects the type (material) of the copy paper determines that the copy paper is plain paper (S1506), and the fixing device is 1
The temperature is adjusted to 70 degrees (S1507), and the fixing temperature of the plain paper is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 502 (S1509). First
The sheet feeding operation by the stage cassette 201 is performed by the sheet feeding roller 205.
The cut sheet SH is fed from the cassette 201 by the driving of, and the registration roller 211 is fed by the conveyance roller 209.
Be transported to.

The first and second stage cassettes 201, 201
02 is plain paper (not SK or other coated paper)
Shall be included.

The third cassette is selected (S
1501) When the copy key is pressed (S1505), the copying paper detecting means for detecting the type (material) of copying paper determines that the third stage cassette is coated paper, and the fixing device fixes the coated paper. Temperature (180 degrees) (S150
8) Then, the fixing temperature of the coated paper is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 502 (S1509). In the paper feeding operation by the third-stage cassette 203, the cut sheet SH is fed from the cassette 203 by driving the paper feeding roller 207,
2, 403, 210, 209 by the registration roller 21
It is transported to 1.

The cassettes 203 of the third and fourth stages are
It is assumed that the coated paper (not plain paper) is contained in the paper 204.

In any case, when the fixing temperature is displayed (S1509), image formation is performed (S1510), and if there is a request for the next image formation, the image formation is performed again (S1).
511, S1510), and if not (S151)
2).

FIG. 16 is a modification of FIG. 15, and when the first-stage cassette is selected (S1601), the copy paper detecting means for detecting the type (material) of the copy paper determines that it is plain paper ( In S1602), the temperature of the fixing device is adjusted to 170 degrees (S1603), and the fixing temperature of plain paper is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 502 (S1605). When the copy key is pressed (S1606), the image forming operation is started (S160).
7). In the sheet feeding operation by the first-stage cassette 201, the cut sheet SH is moved to the cassette 2 by driving the sheet feeding roller 205.
The sheet is fed from 01 and is conveyed by the conveying roller 209 to the registration roller 211.

The first and second stage cassettes 201, 201
02 is plain paper (not SK or other coated paper)
Shall be included.

When the third cassette is selected (S1601), the copy paper detecting means for detecting the type (material) of the copy paper determines that it is coated paper (S16).
02), the fixing device is temperature-controlled at 180 degrees (S1604),
The fixing temperature of the coated paper is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 502 (S1605). When the copy key is pressed (S160
6) Then, the image forming operation is started (S1607). In the sheet feeding operation by the third-stage cassette 203, the cut sheet SH is fed from the cassette 203 by driving the sheet feeding roller 207, and is transported to the registration roller 211 by the transport rollers 402, 403, 210, 209.

The third and fourth cassettes 203,
It is assumed that the coated paper (not plain paper) is contained in the paper 204.

In the present embodiment, the case where the fixing temperature control is changed as the process condition according to the paper has been described, but the effect of changing the transfer, separation, primary charging, etc. can be considered in the same manner.

FIG. 17 shows an automatic document processor (DF) 11
9 (see FIG. 1) is an operation flowchart showing a concrete example of copying a bundle of originals including a black-and-white original at one time. For example, an example of a single copy operation when there are 10 originals and a color original is included in the third original will be described.

A third color original insertion position is set by a key input on the operation unit (S1701). When the copy key input is detected (S1702), a document feed request is issued to the DF 119, and the DF 119 feeds the first document (S1703). When the document is completely fed, the DF 119 outputs a completion signal (S1704). At that time, it is determined whether the original is a monochrome original or a color original (S1705), and if it is a monochrome original, an electrophotographic recording operation is performed (S1706).
In the case of a color original, the inkjet printing operation is performed (S1707). At this time, the ejection order of the inkjet print paper is stored. After the operation is completed, the document is discharged (S1708). If there is an original in the DF 119 (when the copying of 10 originals has not been completed), the operation returns to step S1703 and the operation is repeated. If there is no original (when the copying of 10 originals is completed), the operation ends. Yes (S1709). Since it is determined that the repeated image forming operation is the black and white document except for the third sheet, the electrophotographic recording operation is performed, and the ink jet printing operation is performed as the third sheet as the color document. During the inkjet printing operation, the next electrophotographic recording operation is performed at the same time as the scanning of the original is completed.

FIG. 19 shows an automatic document processor (DF) 11
9 and a paper discharge processing device (sorter) 221 without using the paper discharge insertion guide 220, an operation flow chart showing a specific example of copying a document bundle including a black-and-white document at one time. The block diagram of the image forming apparatus explaining an example is shown. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, a single copy operation example will be described, for example, when there are 10 originals and the third (8 pages) of them contains color originals.

A third color original insertion position is set by key input on the operation unit (S1901). When the copy key input is detected (S1902), a document feed request is issued to the DF 119, and the DF 119 feeds the first (final document) document (S1903). DF upon completion of document feeding
A completion signal is output from 119 (S1904). At that time, it is determined whether the original is a monochrome original or a color original (S19
05), the electrophotographic recording operation is performed in the case of a monochrome image (S1906), the inkjet printing operation is performed in the case of a color original, and the ejection order of the inkjet print paper is stored (S1907). After the document scanning operation is completed, the document is ejected (S1908), and the sorter 2 is ejected when the document is ejected.
The discharge control is performed by the bin control 21 (S1909).
If there is an original in the DF 119 (when the copying of 10 originals has not been completed), the operation returns to step S1903 and the operation is repeated. If there is no original (when the copying of 10 originals is completed), the operation ends. Yes (S1910). In the repeated image forming operation, the electrophotographic recording operation is performed because it is determined that the third and fourth sheets are black and white originals, and the inkjet printing operation is performed as the third sheet as a color original.

The paper discharge control operation will be described below.
The printing operation is sequentially completed on pages 10 and 9, and the copy paper is conveyed to the paper discharge processor 221 and stored in the lowermost bin. Since the eighth page is a color original, the inkjet printing operation is performed, and pages 7 and 6 are ejected first because of the processing time. Therefore, the 7th and subsequent pages are binned down and stored in the bins one step higher. The ink jet print paper is as shown in FIG. 20 when the bin is returned and ejected, and the pages are aligned if taken out as it is.

As described above, the automatic document processor (DF)
If 119 is installed, the paper ejection insertion guide 22
0 does not need to operate.

FIG. 21 shows an automatic document processor (DF) 11
9 and the paper ejection processing device (3
An operation flowchart showing a specific example of copying a bundle of originals including black and white originals at a time using the bin sorter 221 is shown. For example, 20 manuscripts, 3 of which
An example of a single copy operation in the case where a Karahe original is placed on the 8th, 13th and 18th sheets (18th, 13th, 8th and 3rd pages) will be described.

When the copy key input is detected (S210
1), a document feed request is issued to the DF 119, and the DF 119 feeds the first (final document) document (S21).
02). When a document is fed, the color document detection sensor (color CCD sensor) attached to the DF 119 detects the document (S2103).
Depending on the paper feed completion signal and original type (black and white, color)
Is output (S2104). At that time, it is determined whether the original is a black-and-white original or a color original (S2105). If the original is a black-and-white original, the electrophotographic recording operation is performed (S2106). If the original is a color original, the inkjet print operation is performed to eject the inkjet print paper. The paper order is stored (S2
107). After the document scanning operation is completed, eject the document (S
2108), the paper discharge control is performed by the bin control of the sorter 221 during the paper discharge (S2109).

If there is a document in the DF 119 (when copying of 20 documents has not been completed), step S21
The operation is returned to step 02, and the operation is repeated. When there is no document (when copying of 20 sheets is completed), the operation is completed (S211)
0). The repeated image creating operation is 3, 8, 13, 1.
Since it is determined that the originals other than the eighth are black and white originals, the electrophotographic recording operation is performed, and the third, eighth, thirteenth and eighteenth originals are inkjet printed as color originals.

The paper discharge control operation will be described below.
The printing operation is sequentially completed on pages 20 and 19, and the copy paper is conveyed to the paper discharge processor 221 and stored in the lowest bin (3 bins). Since page 18 is a color manuscript,
The inkjet printing operation is performed, and pages 17 to 14 are ejected first due to the processing time. Therefore, the 17th and subsequent pages are binned down and stored in the bin (2 bins) one step higher. The ink jet print paper on the 18th page is returned to the bin and discharged to the bin 3. Next, since the 13th page is a color original, the inkjet printing operation is performed, and similarly to the above, pages 12 to 9 are ejected first during the inkjet printing. Therefore, the 12th and subsequent pages are stored in 2 bins. The ink jet print paper on the 13th page is returned to the bin after returning the bin. Next, since the eighth page is a color original, the inkjet printing operation is performed, and pages 7 to 4 are ejected first during the inkjet printing as described above. However, since there is no bin to store, FIG.
And the execution of the seventh and subsequent pages is interrupted (S
2111), the liquid crystal display unit 120 on the operation panel of FIG.
A storage bin shortage alarm and a display for removing the discharged paper are displayed in 9 (S2112). The inkjet print paper on the eighth page is returned to the bin by returning the bin. When the ejected paper is removed (S2113), the storage bin is returned to the initial state (S2114), what is executable by the copy key is displayed on the display unit (S2115), and the copy key input is carried. Start execution after the eyes. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, when the discharged paper is removed (S2313), it may be automatically executed.

The 7th to 4th pages are stored in 3 bins. Since the third page is a color original, the inkjet printing operation is performed, and the second to first pages are ejected first, as described above. Therefore, the second and subsequent pages are binned down and stored in the bin (2 bins) one step higher. The ink jet print paper for the third page is as shown in FIG. 22B when the bin is returned and ejected to the three bin, and if taken out as it is and combined with the previous one, the pages are complete.

In the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus using both the ink jet recording apparatus and the electrophotographic recording apparatus has been described by taking the copying machine as an example. However, the combination of other image forming means such as a thermal transfer recording device and an electrophotographic recording device, or other practically used image forming means does not exceed the scope of the claims of the present invention. Further, the arrangement order (image forming order) of these devices is not limited to the present embodiment. Further, in the above embodiment,
Although a plurality of image forming means are selectively used for each recording material depending on the presence / absence of the chromatic color portion, for example, the detection of them is pre-scanned by the reading sensor of the apparatus itself regardless of the operator's input, and the chromatic color portion is automatically detected. It is also possible to judge the presence or absence. Further, it is also possible to input to the area of the chromatic color portion by an operator's operation or read by the reading sensor of the apparatus itself, and to selectively use the image forming means in the chromatic color portion and other areas on the same recording material.

(Others) The present invention is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink even in the ink jet recording system. The present invention brings about excellent effects in a recording head and a recording apparatus of the type in which the state of ink is changed by the heat energy. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, a liquid (ink) is used.
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which the liquid crystal is held, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. , It is effective because it generates heat energy in the electrothermal converter and causes film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal can be formed one-to-one. Is. Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be immediately and appropriately grown and contracted, so that liquid (ink) ejection with excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, further excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above respective specifications,
US Pat. No. 4,558,333, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
The structure using the specification of No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration corresponding to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the above is associated with the discharge portion, is effective. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be surely and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the main body of the apparatus, or the ink from the main body of the apparatus is electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus by being mounted on the main body of the apparatus. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself is used.

Further, as the constitution of the recording apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable to add the ejection recovery means of the recording head, the preliminary auxiliary means, etc. because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, heating is performed by using a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressure or suction unit for the recording head, an electrothermal converter or a heating element other than this, or a combination thereof. Examples thereof include a preliminary heating unit for performing the discharge and a preliminary discharge unit for performing discharge different from the recording.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of recording heads are provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. It may be provided.
That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but it may be either the recording head is integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full-color recording modes by color mixing.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used, or In the inkjet method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. You may use what makes a liquid. In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy of the state change from the solid state of the ink to the liquid state, or in order to prevent the evaporation of the ink, it is solidified and heated in the standing state. You may use the ink liquefied by. In any case, by applying thermal energy such as ink that is liquefied by applying thermal energy according to the recording signal and liquid ink is ejected or that begins to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention can be applied to the case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time is used. The ink in such a case is disclosed in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7126.
It may be configured to face the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or a solid in the concave portion or the through hole of the porous sheet as described in JP-A No. 0. In the present invention, the most effective method for each of the above inks is to execute the above film boiling method.

In addition, as the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, other than the one used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function can be used. It may be a form or the like.

[0118]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus having the image forming means of different systems, the color separating means for discriminating the black and white image portion and the color image portion of the original image is provided, and the original is separated by the color separating means. When it is determined that the image is only a monochrome image, the image is formed by the electrophotographic image forming unit, and when it is determined that the color image exists in the original image, the image is formed by the inkjet image forming unit. By forming the above, it is possible to automatically select and output the optimum image forming means for the original image.

Further, an image area separating means for discriminating the character portion and the halftone image portion of the original image is provided, and when the image area separating means discriminates only the character portion of the original image, electrophotographic image formation is carried out. When an image is formed by the means, and it is determined that a halftone image is present in the original image, the image is formed by the image forming means of the inkjet system so that the original image is automatically optimized. The image forming means can be selected and output.

Further, the copy paper detecting means for detecting the kind (material) of the copy paper, and the means for changing to the optimum process condition according to the kind (material) of the copy paper, the plain paper and the coated paper selected by the user. Optimal image formation is possible according to two types of paper.

A monochrome control and a color image document are included by providing a memory control unit for storing digital information obtained by scanning and reading the document so that the electrophotographic image formation can be executed during the ink jet printing operation. It is possible to increase the copying speed for copying a bundle of documents.

By having the means for storing the discharge order, the means and mechanism for controlling the discharge of the copy sheets in the stored order, even if the inkjet printing speed is slower than the copying speed of the black and white original, the original is read. The sheets can be discharged in order.

By providing a plurality of types of image forming means in one apparatus, space saving and cost reduction can be achieved, and one apparatus can be used for recording material including both black and white and color. It will be possible to deal with.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention with a copying apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a document scanning unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a scanning method of a CCD reading unit.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an inkjet recording unit.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a timing explanatory diagram of an image between the functional blocks described in FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing only the color separation processing unit extracted from the functions of the image processing unit shown in FIG.

8 is a chart showing the operation flow of FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is a block diagram showing only the image area separation processing unit extracted from the functions of the image processing unit shown in FIG. 5;

10 is a chart showing the operation flow of FIG.

11 is a chart showing an operation flow of an optical system in the sub-scanning direction of a control unit 521 of the scanner control unit 520 described in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a layout view showing an operation panel of the apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a Dip. It is a functional block diagram of SW902.

FIG. 14 is an SW100 provided in a master control unit 500 for detecting the type of copy paper by a type distinguishing piece (removable) of copy paper attached to a cassette.
It is a functional block diagram of 2.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a modified example of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of paper discharge processing control.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of paper discharge processing control.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 I Document Scanning Part II Paper Feeding Part III Electrophotographic Recording Part IV Inkjet Recording Part 201-204 Cassette 205-208 Paper Feeding Rollers 209, 210, 212 Conveying Roller 211 Registration Roller 301 Photosensitive Drum 302 Developing Unit 303 Transfer Charger 304 Separation Charging Device 305 Pre-exposure lamp 306 Cleaner device 307 Fixing device 402, 403 Positioning roller 404 Paper detection sensor 405 Inkjet recording head 408 Home position sensor

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising image forming means of different systems, and means for discriminating an area of an original image, and output information discriminating means for discriminating the original image based on output information of the area discriminating means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: selecting one or other image forming means from among the plurality of different image forming means based on the discrimination result by the output information discriminating means to form an image. . 2. The area discriminating means is a color separating means for discriminating an area between a monochrome image portion and a color image portion of the original image, and the output information discriminating means forms an original image based on output information of the color separating means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a determination unit that determines whether or not a color image portion is present. 3. When the output information determining means determines that the color image portion does not exist in the original image, the image formation is performed by the one image forming means, and the color image portion exists in the original image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is formed by the other image forming unit when it is determined that the image is formed. 4. The area discriminating means is an image area separating means for discriminating an area between a character portion and a halftone image portion of a manuscript image, and the output information judging means is a manuscript based on output information of the image area separating means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a determination unit that determines whether or not the image includes only a character portion. 5. When the output information discriminating unit discriminates that only the character portion is present in the original image, the image is formed by the one image forming unit, and it is discriminated that a halftone image exists in the original image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is formed by the other image forming unit in the case of the above. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising image forming means of different systems, a paper storing means for storing paper of at least two kinds of materials, a paper detecting means for detecting the material of the paper, and the paper. Means for changing the image forming process by selecting the one or other image forming means according to the material of the paper obtained by the detecting means, and means for storing the condition value of the image forming process corresponding to the material of the paper, An image forming apparatus comprising: 7. The image forming process changing means is operated at the start of image forming.
The image forming apparatus described. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming process changing means is operated when the material of the paper is selected. 9. An image forming apparatus comprising image forming means of different systems, means for performing image formation by one or other image forming means in parallel, and means for storing a paper discharge order after image formation. An image forming apparatus comprising: a means for controlling paper discharge based on the storage information of the storage means. 10. The image forming means of one of the plurality of different types is a means for forming a monochrome image, and the other is a means for forming a multicolor image. The image forming apparatus described. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of different image forming units is an electrophotographic system and the other is an inkjet system. 12. A recording head used in the ink jet image forming means is an electro-thermal conversion device that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling in the ink, as an element that generates energy used to eject the ink. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a body.