JPH0723211A - Plural original batch copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form an image of a picture of plural originals onto one transfer paper in the batch without reading the original of white paper when number of originals is less than a predetermined number by providing an integrated number setting means, a picture memory, an original number setting means and a control means controlling the image forming means to form an image in a specific case. CONSTITUTION:When an integrated copy key on an operation section 611 is depressed, entry of an integrated copy key sheet number key displayed on the operation section 611 is awaited and number of integrated copies is decided, a designated integrated sheet number P is reserved. The operator publicates a picture drawing request for an original sheet number entry menu to draw a pattern to enter an original sheet number to be copied. When the original sheet number is decided, the designated original sheet number O is reserved. Since output is executed even when the integrated sheet number P differs from the original sheet number O, an image is formed altogether on one transfer paper without reading a white original by allowing the user to set the original sheet number O less than the integrated sheet number.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-original batch copying apparatus for collectively (consolidating) images of a plurality of originals on one transfer sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an analog type copying machine, two originals set in an automatic document feeder (ADF) are sequentially fed in so that the images of the two originals are collectively formed on one transfer sheet. Although images can be formed, they are only arranged in the conveyance direction of the originals to form images collectively, and it is not possible to form images such as four or eight originals in the vertical and horizontal directions.

On the other hand, an apparatus for digitally storing images in a memory and collectively forming images of a plurality of originals on one transfer sheet is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-61-265964. ing. In this type of digital copying machine, the number of originals is not limited to two. For example, the images of four or eight originals as shown in FIG. In addition, when it has a double-sided copy function, images of 16 originals can be collectively formed on the front and back sides of one transfer sheet. As the image forming procedure, the image forming operation is started when the images of all the originals formed on one sheet of transfer paper are read by the scanner and all the images are prepared.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional copying machine, the images of a predetermined number of originals such as 4 sheets and 8 sheets are arranged vertically and horizontally, and only one image is collectively formed on one transfer sheet. Therefore, if the number of originals is smaller than a predetermined number, such as 3 or 7, the user has to read a blank original.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention collectively creates images of a plurality of originals on one transfer sheet without the user having to read blank originals when the number of originals is smaller than a predetermined number. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-original batch copying apparatus for image formation.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a first means is an original reading means for reading an original,
According to the aggregated sheet number setting means for presetting a predetermined aggregated sheet number of originals collectively imaged on one transfer sheet, and the aggregated sheet number preset by the aggregated sheet number setting means, An image memory for storing images of a plurality of originals read by the original reading unit so that they are collectively formed on one transfer sheet, and an image of the plurality of originals read from the image memory. An image forming unit that collectively forms an image on one transfer sheet, and an original number setting unit that sets in advance the number of originals that are collectively formed on one transfer sheet.
When the aggregate number set by the aggregate number setting unit matches the number of originals read by the original reading unit, and when the original number set by the original number setting unit and the original reading unit read And a control unit that controls the image forming unit to form an image when the number of originals is matched.

A second means is an original reading means for reading an original, an aggregate number setting means for presetting a predetermined aggregate number of originals which are collectively imaged on one transfer sheet, and the aggregate. An image memory for storing images of a plurality of originals read by the original reading unit so as to be collectively formed on one transfer sheet in accordance with the number of combined sheets preset by the number setting unit. An image forming means for collectively forming images of a plurality of originals read from the image memory on a single transfer sheet; a reading start key for reading the originals one by one; Timer means for measuring the elapsed time from the time of reading the original by the original reading means by operating the reading start key, and the image forming means for forming an image when the measured time of the timer means exceeds a predetermined time. Characterized in that a control means for controlling.

The third means controls the image forming means to form an image when the control means in the second means exceeds a predetermined time after reading one or more originals. Characterize.

A fourth means is an original reading means for reading an original, an aggregate number setting means for presetting a predetermined aggregate number of originals which are collectively formed on one sheet of transfer paper, and the above-mentioned aggregate. An image memory for storing images of a plurality of originals read by the original reading unit so as to be collectively formed on one transfer sheet in accordance with the number of combined sheets preset by the number setting unit. An image forming means for collectively forming images of a plurality of originals read from the image memory on a single transfer sheet; a reading start key for reading the originals one by one; An original detection unit that detects an original on the original table of the original reading unit, and whether or not the original detection unit detects the original when the original reading start key is operated, and when the original is detected, the original is read, Not detect Said image forming means if it is characterized in that a control means for controlling to imaging.

A fifth means is characterized in that, in the fourth means, the original reading start key and the output start key are the same.

A sixth means is an original reading means for reading an original, an aggregate number setting means for presetting a predetermined aggregate number of originals which are collectively imaged on one sheet of transfer paper, and the aggregate. An image memory for storing images of a plurality of originals read by the original reading unit so as to be collectively formed on one transfer sheet in accordance with the number of combined sheets preset by the number setting unit. An image forming means for collectively forming images of a plurality of originals read from the image memory on a single transfer sheet; a reading start key for reading the originals one by one; So that the image forming means forms an image when the document reading end key for ending the reading of the document and the document reading start key are operated, and the document reading end key is operated. Characterized in that a Gosuru control means.

A seventh means is that, in the sixth means, the control means controls the image forming means to form an image when an original reading end key is operated after reading at least one original. Characterize.

[0013]

In the first means, when the combined number set through the combined number setting means and the number of read originals match,
When the number of originals set through the original number setting means matches the number of originals read, the image is read from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, since the output is performed even when the combined sheet number set via the combined sheet number setting means and the original sheet number set via the original sheet number setting means are different, the user can set the original sheet number smaller than the combined sheet number. Thus, the images of a plurality of originals can be collectively formed on one transfer sheet without reading a blank original.

In the second means, when the time measured by the timer means exceeds a predetermined time, the image is read out from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, since the output is performed even when the number of originals smaller than the total number of sheets set through the total number setting unit is read, the user does not have to read a blank original by waiting for the predetermined time. Images of a plurality of originals can be collectively formed on one transfer sheet.

In the third means, when a predetermined time is exceeded after reading one or more originals, the original is read from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, since the output is performed even when the number of originals smaller than the total number of sheets set through the total number setting unit is read, the user does not have to read a blank original by waiting for the predetermined time. Images of a plurality of originals can be collectively formed on one transfer sheet.
Further, since no output is made in the state where no document is read, it is possible to prevent the paper from being wasted.

In the fourth means, when the manuscript reading start key is operated, when the manuscript is not detected, the manuscript is read from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, an image of a plurality of originals can be collectively formed on one transfer sheet by the user operating the original reading start key without setting a blank original.

In the fifth means, since the original reading start key and the output starting key are the same, the user operates the output starting key without setting a blank original, and one image of a plurality of originals is obtained. It is possible to collectively form images on the transfer paper, and therefore the number of keys can be reduced.

In the sixth means, when the manuscript reading end key is operated, the reading is performed from the image memory and the image forming apparatus outputs it. Therefore, by operating the document reading end key, the images of a plurality of documents can be collectively formed on one transfer sheet without the user setting a blank document.

In the seventh means, when the document reading end key is operated after reading at least one document, the image is read from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the user can operate the document reading end key without setting a blank document to collectively form images of a plurality of documents on one transfer sheet. Further, since no output is made in the state where no document is read, it is possible to prevent the paper from being wasted.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the overall configuration of a digital copying machine to which an embodiment of a multiple document batch copying apparatus according to the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the detailed configuration of the writing section in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the writing section of FIG. 2, and FIG.
Block diagram showing the control unit of the digital copying machine of
5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an electrical equipment control unit having the control unit of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific display / operation panel in the control unit of FIGS. 4 and 5,
7 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the image scanner unit of FIG. 1, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the image process unit of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 shows the operation of the data depth switching circuit of FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a memory system including the page memory of FIG. 4 and the image processing unit of FIG. 8, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of image data in the memory system of FIG. 10, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another flow of image data in the memory system of FIG. 10, FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another memory system, FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the memory unit of FIG. 13, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing input data of the memory unit 14; FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing another memory system; FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the external storage device of FIG. FIG. 18, FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing another memory system, FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the application system in FIG. 5, and FIG. 20 is an image scanner unit of a copying machine to which the application system in FIG. 19 is connected. 21 is a block diagram showing FIG.
0 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image processing unit, FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the facsimile unit of FIG. 20, FIG. 23 is a block diagram functionally showing image data editing processing, and FIG. FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing a basic screen in the aggregation mode, FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing a document number input screen in the first embodiment, and FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing a document set and a read start screen in the first to fourth embodiments. 27 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

The overall construction of a digital copying machine to which the multiple original batch copying apparatus of this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 22. This digital copying machine comprises a copying machine main body (I) and an automatic copying machine. The document feeder (ADH) (II) and the sorter (III) are roughly configured. The copying machine main body (I) includes a scanner unit, a writing unit, a photoconductor unit,
It is provided with a developing unit, a paper feeding unit, etc., and will be described in detail below.

The scanner unit includes a reflecting mirror 1, a light source 3 and a first
The first scanner is attached with the mirror 2 and moves in the sub-scanning direction at a constant speed, and the second mirror 4 and the third mirror 5 are attached and moves in the sub-scanning direction at half the speed of the first scanner. It has a second scanner. A document (not shown) on the contact glass 9 is optically scanned by the first scanner and the second scanner, and the reflected light thereof is transmitted through the color filter 6 and the lens 7 to the light receiving surface of the one-dimensional solid-state image sensor 8. Is imaged.

The resolution of the scanner unit is as follows.
For example, it is set to 15.4 dots / mm in the main scanning direction and 15.4 lines / mm (400 dots / inch) in the sub scanning direction. This resolution is 2 in the main scanning direction compared to the standard resolution of the facsimile machine (3.85 dots / mm in the main scanning direction, 7.7 lines / mm in the sub scanning direction).
4 times in the sub-scanning direction, and twice in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction for high resolution.

A fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp or the like is used as the light source 3, but a fluorescent lamp is generally used because of its stable wavelength and long life. Although the reflecting mirror 1 is used for one light source 3 in this embodiment, two or more light sources 3 may be used. Further, since the solid-state image sensor 8 has a predetermined sampling clock, the fluorescent lamp will adversely affect the image unless it is lit at a frequency higher than this clock.

In general, the solid-state image pickup device 8 is C
CD is used. Since the image signal read by the solid-state image sensor 8 is analog, it is A / D converted, and the processing circuit mounted on the image processing board 10 performs binarization, multi-value gradation processing, scaling processing, editing, etc. Various kinds of processing are performed.
The color filter 6 is arranged so that it can be freely inserted and removed from the optical path to obtain a color signal.
Various types of copying such as double-sided copying are performed. Also, 3
There is a case where a color original is read by simultaneously obtaining three color information of RGB using a line CCD or the like.

As will be described later, image information subjected to image processing is written on the photoconductor 40 in the form of a set of light spots by raster scanning of laser light of a writing section as shown in detail in FIGS. . The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 20 is shaped into a parallel light flux by the collimator lens, passes through the aperture, and is shaped into a constant light flux, and then is compressed in the sub-scanning direction by the first cylinder lens 22 to be a polygon mirror. It is incident on the reflecting surface of 24.

The polygon mirror 24 is formed in an accurate polygon and is rotated by a polygon motor 25 in a predetermined direction at a constant speed. The rotation speed is determined by the rotation speed of the photoconductor 40, the writing density, and the number of surfaces of the polygon mirror 24. The laser light incident on the reflecting surface of the polygon mirror 24 is deflected at a constant angular velocity, and is then corrected by the f-θ lenses 26a and 26b so that the photosensitive member 40 is scanned at a constant velocity and has a minimum light spot. It still,
The f-θ lenses 26a and 26b also have a surface tilt correction function.

The laser light corrected by the f-θ lenses 26a and 26b is guided outside the image area by the synchronization detecting mirror 29 to the synchronization detecting plate 30, and is guided to the sensor by the optical fiber. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the cueing signal in the main scanning direction synchronized with this detection signal, one line of image data is output, and thereafter, by repeating this operation, the electrostatic latent image of a two-dimensional image is exposed. Formed on body 40.

On the peripheral surface of the photoconductor 40, a photoconductor layer for forming an electrostatic latent image is formed. Wavelength is 780nm
Organic photoconductors (OPC), α-Si, Se-Te, and the like are known as the photoconductor layer having sensitivity to the semiconductor laser of the present invention, but in the present embodiment, the organic photoconductor (OPC) is used.
Is used. Here, when writing with the semiconductor laser 20, a negative / positive (N /
P) process and positive / positive (P
There are two known types of / P) process, but in this embodiment, writing is performed by the N / P process.

The charging charger 41 shown in FIG. 1 uses a scorotron system having a grid on the side of the photoconductor 40, and uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 40 to (-). When the writing section shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 irradiates the image forming area with a laser beam to reduce the potential of the area, the potential of the original background area on the photoconductor 40 becomes -750 to-.
800V, while the potential of the original image area is -500
Since it is about V, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 40.

The developing units 42a and 42b are provided with a developing roller.
Bias voltage of 500 to -600V is applied, and (-)
The charged toner is attached to the image area of the photoconductor 40 to visualize the electrostatic latent image. The developing unit of this embodiment includes two main developing devices 42a and 42b.
The toner replenishing device 43a corresponding to a is filled with black toner, the toner replenishing device 43b corresponding to the sub-developing device 42b is filled with color toner, and the main pole position of the developing device of another color is developed during development of one color. Can be selectively developed by changing When developing with a single black color, the auxiliary developing device 4
2b and the toner replenisher 43b are removed.

In addition to using such a developing method, the color filter 6 of the scanner is switched to read the information of each color, and the multi-transfer and double-sided copying functions of the paper transport system are combined to provide a multifunctional color. Although copying and color editing are possible, this type of copying can also be realized by a method of arranging three or more developing devices or a revolver method of rotating and switching three or more developing devices.

The transfer sheet is conveyed to the position of the transfer charger 44 in synchronism with the photoconductor 40, and is transferred to the developing devices 42a and 42b.
The toner image visualized by the
Is transferred to the transfer paper by charging the back surface of the transfer paper to (+). The transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred is subjected to AC charge removal by the separation charger 45 and separated from the photoconductor 40. The toner remaining on the photoconductor 40 is removed by the cleaning blade 47 and collected in the tank 48.
In addition, the charge remaining on the photoconductor 40 is removed by the charge removal lamp 49 illuminating the photoconductor 40.

A photosensor 5 for detecting the reflection density on the photoconductor 40 is provided downstream of the developing units 42a and 42b.
0 is provided, and the photosensor 50 reads the density of a pattern such as black or halftone dots formed by the writing unit and developed and the density other than this pattern, and detects the light and shade of the toner image to detect light. Toner supply signal and toner remaining amount shortage signal are output to.

The paper feed section is composed of a plurality of cassettes 60a-60c.
Further, the double-sided copying and the re-feeding are performed by guiding the once-transferred paper to the transfer position via the re-feeding loop 72. This cassette 60a-6
When the copy start button is pressed after selecting one of 0c, the corresponding one of the paper feed rollers 61a to 61c is rotated, and the transfer paper is conveyed until its leading end contacts the registration roller 62. Then, the registration roller 62 starts rotating so that the toner image on the photoconductor 40 and the transfer sheet are synchronized, and the above-described transfer is performed.

The transfer sheet separated from the photoconductor 40 is sucked and conveyed by the separating and conveying section 63, and the fixing roller 6
The toner images are fixed by 4, 65. Then, this transfer sheet is guided to the sheet discharge port on the sorter (III) side in the case of a normal single-sided copy, and is copied by the switching claws 68, 69 in the case of multiple copy or a message addition mode as described later. Refeed loop 72 below without changing surface
It returns to the position of the registration roller 62 via. In the case of double-sided copying, the copy surface is reversed by the copying machine body (I) or the double-sided reversing unit (IV). In the former case,
The switching claws 68, 69, 71 guide the sheet to the tray 70 below the refeed loop 72, and the roller 71 is reversed to return it in the opposite direction. , Return to the position of the registration roller 62.

The ADF (II) automatically guides the originals one by one onto the contact glass 9 and automatically ejects them after reading them by the scanner. That is, the document stack placed on the document feeding table 100 is called by the calling roller 104, and then the pull-out roller 10 is pressed against each other.
5, 5 and the separation belt 107 wound around the pull-out roller 105 prevent double feeding, and the sheet is conveyed along the single-contact guide plate 108.

Then, the document conveyed along the guide plate 108 is conveyed on the contact glass 9 by the belt conveying device 125 and stopped at a predetermined exposure position. In addition,
The belt conveying device 125 has a belt 102 wound around a driving roller 109 and a driven roller 110, a fixed roller 111 sets an original insertion position, and a pressure roller presses the original onto the contact glass 9.

The sorter stapler (III) selectively discharges the transfer paper discharged from the copying machine main body (I), for example, in page order, page by page, or to a preset bin 1350, and staples the paper stack. , Punch, etc. The entrance guide plate 110 is provided at the receiving port A discharged from the copying machine.
1, 1102 are provided, and the inlet guide plate 1101,
A switching claw 1103 is provided following 1102.

The path above the switching claw 1103 is provided with an inlet guide plate 1101, guide plates 1110 and 1114, a conveying roller 1108, a driven roller 1109, a discharging roller 1111, a driven roller 1115 and a proof tray 1116. Has become. Also, the switching claw 11
The path below 03 is a slanting portion guide plate 1205, a slanting portion driven guide plate 1217, a lower conveying portion guide plate 1308,
Driven guide plates 1309 and 1310, oblique receiving roller 1201, oblique roller 1202, oblique discharging roller 120
3, the driven rollers 1214, 1216, the sphere 1215, the transport rollers 1301, 1302, the driven rollers 1305, 1306, and the inclined portion 1200 continuing to the deflection unit B path.

The deflecting claws 1312 and the deflecting part discharge rollers 130 are provided at the positions corresponding to the respective bins 1350 of the deflecting part B path.
4 are provided respectively, and the driven roller 1307 is in pressure contact with the deflecting portion discharge roller 1304 with the copy vertical conveyance path interposed therebetween. The conveying roller 1108 and the discharging roller 1111 are driven by a proof motor 1117, and the oblique receiving roller 1201, the oblique roller 1202, and the oblique discharging roller 1 are provided.
The drive motor 1313 drives 203, the conveyance rollers 1301 and 1302, and the deflection portion discharge roller 1304.

The description of the post-processing unit such as the stapler mechanism and the punch mechanism and the double-sided reversing unit will be omitted. Also, 46 is a separating claw, 80 is a main motor,
81 is a fan motor.

Next, the control unit of the copying machine main body (I) and the entire circuit configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The control unit shown in FIG. 4 is a CP that performs sequence-related control.
U601 and main C that controls operations
It has a PU 602, and the CPUs 601 and 602 are connected by a serial interface (RS232C).
A CPU 601 that performs sequence-related control sets and outputs conditions relating to paper transport timing and image formation. In particular, a paper size sensor, a sensor 603 related to paper transport such as paper discharge detection and resist detection, and a double-sided reversing unit ( IV) and a high voltage power supply unit (not shown), a driver 606 such as a relay, a solenoid and a motor, and a sorter unit (II
I), a laser beam scanner unit 608 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and an image control circuit 609 are connected. The laser beam scanner unit 608 writes according to the image data from the image control circuit 609.

The sensor 603 is used for the sheet feeding cassettes 60a to 6a.
Detects the size and orientation of the transfer paper attached to 0c. Also, in addition to paper discharge detection and registration, there is a supply of oil end, toner end, etc., and mechanical abnormalities such as door open and fuse blowout. Detect. Image forming agent detection sensor 60
Reference numeral 3a detects the type of toner (image forming agent) used, especially whether or not erasing toner is used. In addition, the double-sided reversing unit (IV) has a motor and side fence home position sensor for aligning the width of the paper, a paper feed clutch, a solenoid for changing the conveyance path, a paper presence detection sensor, and a paper It has a sensor related to the conveyance of.

The high-voltage power supply unit includes the charging charger 41, the transfer charger 44, and the separation charger 4 shown in FIG.
5, P to the bias electrodes of the developing devices 42a and 42b
A predetermined high-voltage power is applied during the duty obtained by the WM control. The driver 606 includes a paper feed clutch, a registration clutch, a counter, a motor, a toner replenishing solenoid, a power relay, a fixing heater, and the like. The sorter unit (III) is connected to the CPU 601 via a serial interface, and
The paper is conveyed at a predetermined timing by the control signal from 1 and is discharged to each bin.

As the analog signal input to the CPU 601, the fixing temperature, the detection signal of the photosensor 50 for density detection, the monitor current of the laser diode 20 and the reference voltage are input. The fixing temperature is the fixing mechanism (rollers 64, 65).
Is detected by the thermistor and the heater is on / off controlled or phase controlled so as to be constant. The detection signal of the photosensor 50 for density detection is detected by reading a pattern formed on the photoconductor 40 with a phototransistor at a predetermined timing, and a toner replenishing clutch is controlled to be turned on and off. The end is detected. The monitor current of the laser diode 20 is controlled so as to match the reference voltage (for example, 3 mW).

Next, the main CPU 602 for controlling the operation will be described.
The U602 controls a plurality of serial ports (SCI), the calendar IC 610, the image processing unit 621, and the like,
In addition to the CPU 601, the serial ports include
An operation unit 611, a scanner control circuit 612,
Application unit 613 and editor unit 614
Etc. are connected.

The operation unit 611 comprises a touch panel having a key input device for the operator and a display for displaying the status of the copying machine, and notifies the main CPU 602 of the key input information by serial communication. The main CPU 602 is
The key input information is used to determine whether the indicator of the operation unit unit 611 is on or off, and the display command is notified to the operation unit unit 611 by serial communication. Operation unit 61
1 turns on, blinks, or turns off the display according to this display command. The scanner control circuit 612 notifies the main CPU 602 of information relating to drive control of the scanner servo motor, image processing, and image reading to the main CPU 602 by serial communication, and AD.
Interface processing between F (II) and the main CPU 602 is performed.

Here, in particular, the operation unit 611, as shown in FIG. 6, is a full-dot LCD display 410 for displaying various messages, a ten-key 430, a print start key 431, and a function desired by the user. Function keys 432-434 that can be set, and the number of copies display 4
35 and a set number display device 436. A touch panel is superimposed on the LCD display 410, and the touch panel is configured to function as a soft key.

Application unit (system) 613
Performs interface processing between an external device such as a facsimile and an external printer and the main CPU 602, and exchanges predetermined information. Further, the editor unit 614 shown in FIG. 4 transmits image editing data such as masking, trimming, and image software input by the operator to the main CPU 602 by serial communication. Calendar IC610
Stores the current date and time, and the main CPU 60 at any time
Therefore, the current time can be displayed on the display of the operation unit 611, and the on-time and off-time of the copying machine can be controlled by the timer.

Next, the flow of the image data in FIG. 4 will be described. The image data read under the control of the scanner control circuit 612 is the gate array 6 as it is.
15 and the case of flowing to the gate array 615 after being processed on the page memory 620,
The image data stored in the page memory 620 is subjected to various image processes according to an instruction from the image processing unit 621.

The gate array 615 is the main CPU 60.
Image data from the scanner control circuit 612 (or page memory 620) to the image control circuit 609, from the scanner control circuit 612 (or page memory 620) to the application unit 613, or from the application unit 613 to the image control circuit. It is selectively output to 609. When the image data is output from the scanner control circuit 612 or the page memory 620 to the image control circuit 609, the image data of 8-bit data (4 bits or 1 bit in some cases) from the scanner is synchronized with the laser beam scanner unit 608. It is transmitted in synchronization with the signal PMSYNC.

When output from the scanner control circuit 612 or page memory 620 to the application unit 613, a parallel signal of image data of 8-bit data (4 bits or 1 bit in some cases) from the scanner is output. When the image data is output from the application unit 613 to the image control circuit 609, 8-bit data (4
Image data of 1 bit or 1 bit) is a synchronization signal PMSY from the laser beam scanner unit 608.
It is transmitted in synchronization with NC. When the external data is 1 bit or 4 bits, it is converted to 8 bits and output to the image control circuit 609.

Next, the detailed structure of the image scanner unit will be described with reference to FIG. The analog image signal output from the CCD image sensor 8 is the signal processing circuit 45 in the image preprocessors (IPP) 451 to 453.
A / D converter 452 which is amplified and corrected by the light amount by 1.
Is converted into a digital multilevel signal by the shading correction circuit 453, and the shading correction circuit 453 performs shading correction.
Image processing unit (IP
U) 454 is applied.

In the IPU 454, as shown in FIG. 8, the MTF circuit 501 emphasizes the high frequency band of the image data, the scaling circuit 502 electrically scales the image, and the gamma conversion circuit 503 gammas it according to the input characteristics. Is corrected. The image data corrected by the γ conversion circuit 503 is selectively output by the switches SW1 and SW2 and the circuits 504 to 506 at four quantization levels according to the desired data depth (output data DATA0). ~ DATA
7).

The 4-bit conversion circuit 504 outputs 8-bit data as shown in FIG. 9A as upper 4-bit data as shown in FIG. 9B, and the binarization circuit 505 has a structure shown in FIG.
By comparing the 8-bit data as shown in FIG. 9A with the threshold value, 1-bit data as shown in FIG. 9C is output. The dither circuit 506 performs area gradation processing with 1-bit data, and the data from the binarization circuit 505 or the dither circuit 506 is output via the switches SW2 and SW1.

Returning to FIG. 7, the scanner control circuit 612 has a lamp control circuit 458 for stabilizing the light amount of the fluorescent lamp 3 under the control of the main CPU 602, a timing control circuit 459, and an electric scaling circuit 5 in the IPU 454.
02 and the scanner drive motor (M) 465 are controlled. The lamp control circuit 458 turns on and off the fluorescent lamp 3 and controls the light amount under the control of the scanner control circuit 612.
A rotary encoder 466 is connected to the drive shaft of the scanner drive motor 465, and the position sensor 462 detects the reference position of the scanner in the sub-scanning direction. The electric scaling circuit 502 scales the image in the main scanning direction according to the magnification set by the scanner control circuit 612.

The timing control circuit 459 outputs various signals according to instructions from the scanner control circuit 612,
For example, when the scanner starts reading, a transfer signal for transferring data for one line to the shift register and a shift clock pulse for outputting the data in the shift register bit by bit are output to the CCD image sensor 8. In this embodiment, the CCD image sensor 8 outputs 4800 bits of effective data per line. The timing control circuit 459 also outputs a pixel synchronizing clock pulse CLK, a main scanning synchronizing pulse LSYNC, and a main scanning effective period signal LGATE to the image reproducing system.

The pixel synchronizing clock pulse CLK is the CCD
The signal is almost the same as the shift clock pulse applied to the image sensor 8, and the main scanning synchronization pulse LSYNC
Is almost the same signal as the main scanning synchronization signal PMSYNC output from the beam sensor of the image writing unit described above, but is output in synchronization with the pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK. The main scanning effective period signal LGATE is the image data DA.
It becomes high level at the timing when TA0 to DATA7 are regarded as valid data.

Further, the scanner control circuit 612 is a main C
When receiving the reading start instruction from the PU 602, the fluorescent lamp 8 is turned on, the scanner drive motor 465 is started to be driven, and the CCD image sensor 8 is started by driving the timing control circuit 459. In this case, the sub-scanning effective period signal FGATE is set to the high level. Then, the sub-scanning effective period signal FG
The ATE becomes low level when the time for scanning the maximum reading length of the scanner in the sub-scanning direction (for example, the dimension in the A size longitudinal direction) elapses.

FIG. 10 shows a memory system including the IPU 454 shown in detail in FIG. 9 and the page memory (MEM) 620 shown in FIG. The image signal read by the CCD image sensor 8 is an IPP having the functions of shading correction, black level correction, and light amount correction as described above.
After being processed by 451 to 453, they are input to this memory system as 8-bit data. This data is normally selected by the multiplexer MUX1 and has the spatial frequency high-frequency emphasis (MTF correction), the speed conversion (magnification) function, the γ conversion function, and the data depth conversion function as described above. After being processed by the IPU 454, it is selected by the multiplexer MUX3 as shown in FIG. 11 and output to the writing unit (printer unit PR).

On the other hand, when image processing is performed on the page memory 620, the image data processed by the IPU 454 is selected by the multiplexer MUX2 and stored in the page memory 620 as shown in FIG. It is recognized, processed, and edited by 621, read when necessary, selected by the multiplexer MUX3, and output to the writing unit. In this configuration, when a plurality of copies of one original is made, the original can be read once and stored in the memory system to make a plurality of copies in one read.

Further, in this memory system, the flow of image data as shown in FIG. 12 can be realized by the multiplexers MUX1 to MUX3. That is, for example, in the case of changing and outputting the parameters of a plurality of copies in one scan of the scanner, first, the input terminal A of the multiplexer MUX1, the input terminal B of the multiplexer MUX2, and the input terminal A of the multiplexer MUX3 are selected to make one sheet. The image data is output to the writing unit, and the raw data not processed by the IPU 454 is stored in the page memory 620.

When outputting the second and subsequent sheets,
The input terminal B of the multiplexer MUX1 is selected, the raw data stored in the page memory 620 is read, and the IPU is read.
Processing is performed by the 454, the parameters of the IPU 454 are changed for each copy, and the image data processed by the IPU 454 is output to the writing unit.

When compact data such as 1-bit data is held, the multiplexer MUX2 is used.
The image data processed by the IPU 454 can be stored in the page memory 620. When holding and outputting data from the outside, the input terminal C of the multiplexer MUX2 and the input terminal B of the multiplexer MUX3 are selected, respectively.

In FIG. 13, a compressor (COMP) 701 and an expander (EXP) 702 are provided before and after the memory unit 700 shown in detail in FIG. 14, and a multiplexer MU is provided.
The case where compressed data other than actual data is stored by X4 and MUX5 is shown. Note that in this configuration, the compressor 701 matches the speed of the scanner and the expander 702.
Must operate at the speed of the printer PR.

In the memory unit 700, as shown in detail in FIG. 14, data width converters 711 and 712 for processing three types of data as shown in FIG. 15 and code data which is compressed data have a 16-bit width. It is provided on the input / output side of the memory block 710. The direct memory access controller (DMAC) 71
3 and 714 respectively write and read data to a predetermined address of the memory block 710 according to the number of packed data and the data width of the memory block 710.

Here, the speed of image data from a normal scanner and the speed of image data to a printer are
It is constant regardless of 8-bit data, 4-bit data, and 1-bit data, and the period of 1 pixel is fixed in the device. In the example shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, 8
The data width converter 711 defines the most significant bit MSB justification such as 1-bit data, 4-bit data, and 8-bit data from the most significant bit MSB side of the book data line.
The data width of the memory block 710 is respectively packed and unpacked by 712. Therefore, in this memory system, by packing the data, the memory block 710 can be effectively used according to the data depth.

FIG. 16 shows the compressor 701 and the expander 702.
Instead of the pixel process unit (PPU) 72
An example in which 0 is provided outside the memory unit 700 is shown. P
The PU 720 is a logical operation (for example, AND, OR, EXO) between input data and output data of the memory unit 700.
R, NOT) and output to the printer,
This switching is performed by multiplexers MUX6 and MUX7. This function is generally used for image composition, and can be composed, for example, by storing the overlay data in the memory unit 700 in advance and overlaying the overlay data on the data read by the scanner.

FIG. 17 shows an example of storing image data using an external storage device. Image data (illustrated EXT
OUT) is stored in the floppy disk 721, the interface (I / F) 722, the floppy disk controller (FDC) 723, and the floppy disk drive device (FDD) 724 are stored in the floppy disk 721. The disk controller (FDC) 723 is controlled by the file controller 725. The file controller 725 can also store image data in the hard disk by controlling the hard disk controller (HDC) 726 and the hard disk drive device (HDD) 727. It should be noted that format data and overlay data that are frequently used can be stored in the hard disk in advance and can be read out as needed. FIG. 18 shows an example of recovery when the processing speeds of the compressor 701 and the expander 702 are not in time. Compressed data and raw data are input to the memory unit 700 simultaneously with scanning by the scanner.
The compressed data and the raw data are stored in different areas of the memory unit 700, and the compressed data is decompressed by the decompressor 702 and output as it is. By the time all the data of one page is input to the memory unit 700, if the processing of the compressor 701 and the decompressor 702 ends normally in time, only the compressed data remains in the memory unit 700, and the raw data is Erased. On the other hand, when the processing of the compressor 701 or the decompressor 702 is not in time, it is detected by the error detector 731, the compressed data is immediately canceled, and the raw data is adopted.

The memory management unit (MMU) 730 controls the memory unit 700 so that two input data and one output data are simultaneously input and output. So by monitoring compression and decompression in this example,
You can ensure high speed and reliability of data, and
The area of the memory unit 700 can be effectively used. In this example, the memory management unit (MM
Although the area of one memory unit 700 is dynamically allocated by U) 730, two memory units 700 for compressed data and raw data may be used. This memory system is suitable for applications such as electronic sorting in which a plurality of stored pages must be compatible with the printing speed when a plurality of page data are stored and output to a printer in real time.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a system having an application section 613, which is a base unit 8
10, a file unit (APL1) 830, a facsimile unit (APL2) 840, online,
Offline printer unit (APL3) 850 and L
AN unit (APL4) 860 and display unit 870
Have.

The base unit 810 performs basic control of this system, and the engine I / F 811 converts image data (EXTOUT shown in the drawing) serially sent from the circuit of the copying machine as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 into parallel. Then, the parallel data in the page memory 814 is converted into serial data and sent to the copying machine (EXTIN in the figure). The control signal to and from the copying machine is serial, and the engine I / F 81
1, and is connected to the system bus 816 via the SCI (serial communication interface) 815.

The page memory 812 has a size for storing, for example, one page of A3 size, converts it into a BIT image, and inputs / outputs data EXTOUT, EXTI.
It arbitrates the data speed of N and the processing speed of the CPU 817. The scaling circuit 813 enlarges or reduces the data on the page memory 812, and uses the DMAC 814 to control the CP.
Performs high-speed processing without going through U817.

The rotation control unit 818 rotates the image information for one page of vertical paper by 90 degrees and converts it into the image information of horizontal paper, and conversely rotates the image information of horizontal paper by 90 degrees and the image information of vertical paper. Convert to. That is, for example, in a facsimile transmission, when the sending original is A4 vertical and the receiving is A4 horizontal, if this rotation is not performed, it is automatically reduced to 71% and sent, and it becomes difficult to see on the receiving side. It can be rotated by a degree, converted into A4 landscape, and transmitted at the same size. When the reception size is A4 landscape and the size and direction of the cassette are A4 portrait in facsimile reception, A4
By rotating the horizontal direction to A4 vertical, it becomes unnecessary to distinguish the direction of the cassette.

The CEP 819 has a function of compressing, decompressing, and passing through the image data, and the bus arbiter 820 is an on / off AGD of the printer unit (APL3) 850.
A process of sending the data from the C (Advanced Graphics Display Controller) 851 to the image bus or the system bus 816 is performed. The timer 821 has a function of generating a predetermined clock, and the RTC 822 is a clock and generates the current time.

The console 823 is a terminal for control,
The terminal 823 reads and writes data in the system. The terminal 823 is also configured to be able to develop software using a debug tool which is one function of the OS (operating system) inside the system. A basic program such as an OS is stored in advance in the ROM 824, and the RAM 82
5 is mainly used for working of the CPU 817.

Next, the file unit (APL1) 8
To describe the configuration of 30, SCSI 831 is an HDD,
It is an interface for ODD (optical disk drive device) and FDD, and the ROM 832 stores SCSI83 in advance.
Software for controlling the HDD, ODD, and FDD via 1 to function as a filing system is stored.

Facsimile unit (APL2) 840
Is a G4 FAX controller 8 as shown in detail in FIG.
41 and a G3 FAX controller 842 and the like. G
The 4FAX controller 841 controls the communication protocol for G4 and supports G4 classes 1, 2, and 3.
This controller 841 also supports ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), and in NET64, for a line of 2B + 1D (64KB × 2 + 16KB) channels, G4 / G4, G4 / G3, G3 / G3, G4 only, G3 only You can choose either.

The G3 FAX controller 841 controls the communication protocol for G3 in the analog line, and
It has a modem that converts digital signals to analog signals. NCU (Network Control Unit) 84
3 has a function of automatically receiving an incoming call to an analog exchange or dialing a line by closing it.

A SAF (store and forward) memory 844 stores image data (including code data as well as image data) during facsimile transmission and reception.
The facsimile unit (APL
2) A program for controlling 840 is stored, and R
The AM 846 is used for working and is backed up by a battery to store the telephone number of the other party, the name of the other party, data for controlling the facsimile function, and the like. The data in the RAM 846 is set using the display unit 870 (touch switch T / S, LCD).

The FDC 852 in the online and offline printer unit (APL3) 850 controls the floppy disk 853, and also the SCCI and ST506.
Supports interfaces. The SCI 854 and the Centro I / F 855 are used to connect to the host computer. The emulation card 856 is used to apparently operate as a printer for the host computer in order to correspond to the host computer and software of each manufacturer.

The above-mentioned AGDC 851 is a CG (character generator) ROM 857 or a CG card 8 in accordance with the code data sent from the host computer.
It is used to rapidly develop the font data in 58 on the page memory 812. CGROM857
The font data in outline format or the like corresponding to the code data is stored in advance in the CG card 858, and the CG card 858 is externally attached. The online and offline printer units (APL) are previously stored in the ROM 859.
3) A program for controlling the 850 is stored.

The LAN unit (APL4) 860 controls a LAN (local area network) such as Ethernet, omni, or star run which is currently in operation. The LAN unit (APL4) 860 and the facsimile unit (APL2) 840 are configured to operate in the background even when the other units 810, 830, 850, 870 are operating.

The display unit 870 is a touch switch T /
Used to control S and LCD, touch switch T / S and LCD are composed of two layers
The size of the S key and the frame of the LCD key correspond.
LCD can display graphics and characters,
The CG in the LCD has a built-in second-level code of ANK and Chinese characters in advance. Touch switch T / S is X, Y
It is divided by a grid of directions and controlled by a touch switch controller (TSC) 872. The size of the touch switch T / S used by the operator can be freely set by determining the number of grids corresponding to one key by the touch switch controller (TSC) 872.

The image processing of the base unit 810 shown in FIG. 19 can be represented by functional blocks as shown in FIG. 23, and the image processing unit 208 accesses the bitmap page memory 812. Bitmap page memory 8
In order to leave the original document image, it is desirable that 12 has a capacity of two sheets of the maximum document size that can be copied. In this case, the original image data of the document is set in the area A of 207, and In B, the image data processed by the image processing unit 208 is set. The data of the image data (video) bus 500 and the image processing command 501 are input to the image processing unit 208.

The image data bus 500 is an 8-bit data bus, and this data has 8-bit or 256 density gradation for each pixel. Also, image processing command 5
01 is input from the CPU 602 shown in FIG. 5 through the system bus, and a code is assigned to each function of image processing. For example, in the case of image shift, a shift code,
Enter the shift direction and shift size. The scaling command consists of a scaling code, an X-axis scaling factor, and a Y-axis scaling factor.
In the case of normal scaling, the X-axis scaling factor code and the Y-axis scaling factor naturally have the same value. In addition, the rotation angle is added to the rotation command, and the mirror axis is added to the reverse scan command.

Next, the operation in the case of collectively forming images of a plurality of originals on one transfer sheet will be described. The operation and display unit 611 of the present embodiment is composed of a full graphic, and when the operation unit 611 itself receives a key drawing command from the outside, it draws a key on the screen of the LCD 410 and the touched coordinates of the touch panel superimposed on the LCD. Compare the key display coordinates to determine the key pressed by the operator,
The key event name is issued to the main CPU 602.

First, when the power is turned on, the operation unit 611 itself draws a basic screen, and when the aggregate copy key displayed on this basic screen is pressed, a key event "aggregate copy key press information" is issued to the main CPU 602. Then, the main CPU 602 issues an “aggregate number input key drawing request” command to the operation unit 611. Operation unit 61
1 is a "2 sheet" key 412 and a "4 sheet" key for designating how many original images are collectively formed on one transfer sheet by the command of this command, as shown in FIG. Four
13 and “8 sheets” key 414 (“16
The aggregate mode basic screen 411 having a "sheet" key) is drawn.

The operator selects 1 from these three aggregation modes.
When one is selected, the aggregate copy number information is issued from the operation unit 611, and the main CPU 602 issues an original number input screen drawing command command to the operation unit 611. In response to this command, the operation unit 611 draws a document number input screen 415 as shown in FIG. 25 in the first embodiment. Then, when the operator inputs the desired number of originals and presses the data confirmation key (# key) 416, the original number information is sent from the operation unit 611 to the main CPU 602, and the main CPU 602 instructs the operation unit 611 to operate as shown in FIG.
A drawing command for displaying a message 417 “Set first original” and an original reading start key 418 as shown in 6 is issued.

Then, when the operator sets the first original and presses the original reading start key 418, the first original is read and stored in the memory, and then "the second original is read. A drawing command for displaying the message "Please set" is issued, and thereafter, when the specified number of sheets is read by repeating the above operation for the designated number of originals, they are collectively output on one transfer sheet. When the specified number of originals is read and the remainder obtained by dividing the specified number of sheets by the aggregated number is 1 or more, when the specified number of originals are read, they are aggregated and output on one transfer sheet.

FIG. 27 shows the operation of the main CPU 602, and the following information is exchanged between the operation unit 611 and the main CPU 602.

(1) Key event name (operation unit 611 →
Main CPU 602) Aggregate copy key pressing information Aggregate copy number information Original number information Original document start key pressing information Print key pressing information (2) Drawing information (main CPU 602 → operation unit 611) Aggregate number input key drawing request Original number input screen drawing request Nth original set request screen drawing request Copy start screen drawing request Further, the following conditions are judged and the output is started.

S (can): Number of originals read by the scanner O (riginal): Number of originals by the operator (input value of the number of originals by the operator) P (print): Number of originals to be printed on one sheet in the aggregation mode S / P When the document reading ends when the remainder becomes 0. When the document reading ends when S becomes equal to O. When either one of the above is satisfied, the information stored in the image memory is output to transfer paper. Start.

In step 100 in FIG. 27, it is checked whether the aggregate copy key on the operation unit 611 has been pressed. If the aggregate copy key has not been pressed, all the following processing is not performed. When the aggregate copy number key is pressed, in step 101, a drawing request for the aggregate number input keys 412 to 413 and the like is issued to the operation unit 611, and in the subsequent step 102, the aggregate copy number key 412 displayed on the operation unit 611. After waiting for the input of 413 and determining the aggregate number, the designated aggregate number is stored in P in step 103. Note that P is 1-byte data secured in an area on the memory.

When this aggregated number P is stored, step 1
At 04, the operator issues a drawing request for the document number input screens 415 and 416 to draw a screen for inputting the number of document sheets to be copied by the operator, and at the subsequent step 105, the document number input screen screen is displayed. Wait for the operator to input the number of originals. When the number of originals is determined, the designated number of originals is stored in O (step 106).

When the number O of originals is stored, the number S of originals to be read by the scanner is set to "0" in order to initialize the number of originals to be read by the scanner (step 107). Then, in step 108, what number of the original is to be read. In order to control whether or not the number of times S is read for the scanner original is added with "1", and in the subsequent step 109, the operation unit 611 is caused to display 417 "Set the Sth original". It should be noted that S here is the number N of times of reading the scanner original document described above.

Then, in step 110, the pressing of the read start key 418 is waited for, and the read start key 418 is waited for.
When is pressed, the scanner starts reading the original image, and the read image is stored in the page memory 812. When it is judged that the scanning is ended by the scanning end judgment (step 111), the number of document readings S is divided by the aggregate number of sheets P and the remainder {= MOD (S / P)} is obtained (step 112).

When the remainder is "0", when the output of the image stored in the page memory is started (step 113) and the printing is started, the current number of scans S is equal to the number of originals O designated by the operator. It is determined (step 114). Then, if the comparison results are not equal, there is a next document, and the process returns to step 108 again. On the other hand, if the remainder is not "0", the process branches to step 115 to determine whether the number of scans S is equal to the number of originals O. If they are equal, the final original is printed, and the printing of the image in the page memory 812 is started ( (Step 116), if not equal, return to step 108.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the output is performed even when the combined number P and the number O of originals are different. Therefore, the user sets a number O of originals smaller than the combined number P to read a blank original. It is possible to collectively form images of a plurality of originals on a single transfer sheet without performing the above.

Next, the operation of the main CPU 602 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the output is started by a timer instead of the number O of originals, and the operation unit 611 and the main CPU 6 are also used.
The following information is exchanged between the two.

(1) Key event name (operation unit 611 →
Main CPU 602) Aggregate copy key press information Aggregate copy number information Original read start key press information Print key press information (2) Drawing information (main CPU 602 → operation unit 611) Aggregate number input key drawing request Nth original set request screen drawing Request Copy Start Screen Drawing Request That is, in step 120, it is checked whether the aggregate copy key on the operation unit 611 is pressed. If the aggregate copy key is not pressed, all the following processes are not performed.
When the aggregate copy key is pressed, step 121
In the operation unit 611, the aggregate number input key 412
Is issued to the drawing requests 414 to 414, and in the subsequent step 122, the aggregate copy number key 412 displayed on the operation unit 611.
When the number of sheets to be input is waited, the timer value is initialized (= 0) when the number of combined sheets is determined, and the scanner document reading number S is set to "0" to initialize the scanner document reading number (step 123). ). This timer is counted up within the timer interrupt.

Then, in step 124, "1" is added to the scanner document read count S in order to control which document is to be read, and in the following step 125, "S-th document is read" to the operation unit 611. Please display ”417. In step 126, waiting for the pressing of the read start key 418, the read start key 4
When 18 is pressed, the scanner starts reading the original image and the read image is stored in the page memory 812.

Then, it is judged whether or not the scan is completed (step 12
When it is determined in step 7) that scanning has ended, the timer value is initialized (step 128), and the process returns to step 124 to read the next original. On the other hand, while the read start key 418 is not accepted in step 126, step 12
It branches to 9 and it is checked whether or not the print start key 431 has been pressed. If not pressed, step 13
Proceed to 0 to compare the timer value with a predetermined timeout (T). And print start key 4
When 31 is pressed, and as a result of the comparison in step 130, the timer value is larger, the print start processing is performed. (Step 131) Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the output is performed even when the number of originals smaller than the number of combined sheets is read, so that the user waits for the predetermined time (T) and a blank sheet is left. It is possible to collectively form images of a plurality of originals on one transfer sheet without reading the originals.

FIG. 29 shows a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG.
Similar key event names (1)-,, and drawing information (2) between the operation unit 611 and the main CPU 602.
-,, are exchanged and a timer is used.

That is, in step 140, the operation unit 61
It is checked whether the aggregate copy key on 1 is pressed. If the aggregate copy key is not pressed, all the following processes are not performed. When the aggregate copy key is pressed, a drawing request for the aggregate number input keys 412 to 414 is issued to the operation unit 611 in step 141, and in the following step 142, the aggregate copy number key displayed on the operation unit 611. After waiting for the input of 412 to 414 and determining the aggregate number of sheets, the timer value counted up in the timer interrupt is initialized (= 0), and the scanner document reading number S is set to initialize the scanner document reading number. Is set to "0" (step 143).

Then, in step 144, "1" is added to the number S of times of reading the original document in the scanner, and in the following step 145, the operation unit 611 is caused to display 417 "Set the Sth original document". And step 1
At 46, waiting for the reading start key 418 to be pressed, and when the reading start key 418 is pressed, the scanner starts reading the original image and the read image is stored in the page memory 812.
To store. Then, the scan end judgment (step 14
When it is determined in step 7) that scanning has ended, the timer value is initialized (step 148) and the process returns to step 144 to read the next original.

On the other hand, if the reading start key 418 is not accepted in step 146, the process branches to step 149, and it is determined whether or not S indicating that the document is currently waiting to be read is "1". . If S = 1, no image has been read, so the process returns to step 144 and S
If the number is 2 or more, there is some image data in the page memory 812, so first print start key 4
It is checked whether or not 31 is pressed (step 15
0) If not pressed, the process proceeds to step 151 to compare the timer value with a predetermined timeout value (T). Then, when the print start key 431 is pressed, and as a result of the comparison, the timer value is larger, the print start processing is performed (step 152).

Therefore, according to this modification, since the output is performed when the predetermined time (T) is exceeded after reading one or more originals, it is possible to prevent the paper from being wasted. .

FIG. 30 shows a third embodiment. In this embodiment, similar key event names (1)-, and drawing information (2) are provided between the operation unit 611 and the main CPU 602.
, And are exchanged, and the document presence / absence information indicating whether or not there is a document on the contact glass 9 is used.

At step 140a, it is checked whether the aggregate copy key on the operation unit 611 is pressed. If the aggregate copy key is not pressed, all the following processes are not performed. Then, when the aggregate copy key is pressed, step 1
41a, the drawing request of the aggregate number input keys 412 to 414 is issued to the operation unit 611, and the following step 14
In 2a, the input of the aggregate copy number keys 412 to 414 displayed on the operation unit 611 is waited for, and when the aggregate number is determined, the scanner document reading number S is set to "0" (step 143a). In step 144a, "1" is added to the number S of times of reading the document in the scanner, and the following step 14
In 5a, the operation unit 611 is caused to display a display 417 of "please set the Sth document".

Then, in this embodiment, step 146
When the reading start key 418 is pressed at a, the reading start key 418 is pressed and the process proceeds to step 147a to check whether or not there is a document on the contact glass 9 based on information from a document sensor (not shown). If it is confirmed that there is a document on the contact glass 9, the process proceeds to step 149 to perform the image reading process, and if it is determined that there is no document on the contact glass 9, the memory 8
The print start processing of the image data stored in 12 is performed (steps 150a and 189a).

Therefore, according to this third embodiment,
When the document reading start key 418 is operated, the output is performed when the document is not detected. Therefore, the user operates the document reading start key without setting a blank document to display images of a plurality of documents one by one. Images can be collectively formed on a sheet of transfer paper.

Here, during the normal copy operation for copying one original on one transfer sheet, the set number of copies is made by pressing the print key 431 as shown in FIG. 31 (steps S1 to S3). . Therefore, in the modification shown in FIG. 32, the print key 431 also serves as the image reading start key 418, and the image reading start key 418 is omitted.

Explaining with reference to FIG. 32, first, as in the above embodiment, it is checked in step 160 whether the aggregate copy key on the operation unit 611 has been pressed. If the aggregate copy key is not pressed, all of the following are performed. Is not processed. Then, when the aggregate copy key is pressed, step 1
In 61, the aggregated number input key 4 is pressed on the operation unit 611.
Issue drawing requests such as 12 to 414, and continue to step 16
In step 2, waiting for the input of the aggregate copy number keys 412 to 414, and when the aggregate number is determined, the scanner document reading number S is set to "0" (step 163). In step 164, "1" is added to the number S of times of reading the original document in the scanner, and in step 165, "S"
Please set the first document "display 417.

Then, in this modification, step 166 is performed.
When the print key 431 is pressed, the print key 431 is pressed, and the process proceeds to step 167 to check whether or not there is a document on the contact glass 9 based on information from a document sensor (not shown). When it is confirmed that there is a document on the contact glass 9, the process proceeds to step 169 to perform the image reading process, and when it is determined that there is no document on the contact glass 9, the image data stored in the memory 812 is printed. Perform start processing (Step 1
68). Therefore, according to this modification, since the print key 431 also serves as the image reading start key 418, the number of keys can be reduced.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 35. In this embodiment, a document end key 419 is provided as shown in FIG. 33, and similar key event names (1)-, and drawing information (2) -are displayed between the operation unit 611 and the main CPU 602. As they are exchanged, the document end key press information is added as a key event name.

In step 180 shown in FIG. 34, the operation unit 6
Check whether the aggregate copy key on 11 has been pressed,
If the aggregate copy key is not pressed, all the following processes are not performed. Then, when the aggregate copy key is pressed, a drawing request of the aggregate copy number input keys 412 to 414 is issued to the operation unit 611 in step 181, and in the subsequent step 182, input of the aggregate copy number keys 412 to 414 is waited for. When the number of combined sheets is determined, the number S of times of reading the original document is set to "0" (step 183).

In step 184, "1" is added to the number S of times of reading the original document in the scanner, and in the following step 185, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the operation unit 611 is caused to display the message “Please set the S-th document”, the reading start key 418 and the document end key 419.

Then, in this embodiment, step 186
In step S187, it is determined whether the reading start key 418 is pressed. When the reading start key 418 is pressed, the process proceeds to step 187, the document is read, and the page memory 812 is read.
To store. Then, if the read start key 418 is not pressed in step 186, step S
It branches to 188 to determine whether or not the read end key 419 is pressed. If the read end key 419 is not pressed, the process returns to step 184, and if it is pressed, the printing of the image data stored in the memory 812 is performed. Start processing is performed (step 189).

Therefore, according to this fourth embodiment,
Since the output is performed when the document reading end key 419 is operated, by operating the document reading end key 419, the images of a plurality of documents are transferred to one transfer sheet without the user setting a blank document. Images can be created in a batch.

Next, a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 35. When the aggregate copy key is pressed in step 200, the aggregate number input key 412 is input to the operation unit 611 in step 201. To 414 are issued, and in the following step 202, the input of the aggregate copy number keys 412 to 414 is waited, and when the aggregate number is determined, the scanner document reading number S is set to "0" (step 203).

In step 204, "1" is added to the number S of times of reading the original document in the scanner, and in the following step 205, "Please set the Sth original document" to the operation unit 611.
Display 417 is displayed. Next, in step 206, it is determined whether or not the read start key 418 is pressed, and when the read start key 418 is pressed, step 2
In step 10, the document is read and stored in the page memory 812.

In this embodiment, if the reading start key 418 is not pressed in step 206, the process branches to step S207, and S is "1" indicating which document is currently being read. Determine whether or not.
If S = 1, no image has been read, so the process returns to step 204. On the other hand, if S is 2 or more, the page memory 812 has some image data and the document end key 419 is displayed. Then, it is checked whether or not the document end key 419 has been pressed (step S208), and if not pressed, the process returns to step 204, and if it has been pressed, print start processing is performed (step S209).

Therefore, according to this modification, the document reading end key 41 is read after reading at least one document.
Since the output is performed when 9 is operated, it is possible to prevent the paper from being wasted.

[0126]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the combined number of sheets set by the combined number setting means and the number of read originals match, and by the original number setting means. When the number of originals and the number of read originals match, the image is read from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the combined number of sheets set via the aggregated number setting unit and the number of originals setting unit are set. Output is performed even when the set number of originals is different,
Therefore, when the user sets the number of originals smaller than the combined number, the images of a plurality of originals can be collectively formed on one transfer sheet without reading blank originals.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the time measured by the timer means exceeds a predetermined time, the image is read out from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus.
The output is also performed when the number of originals smaller than the total number of sheets set through the aggregated sheet number setting means is read, and therefore, the user waits for the predetermined time and a plurality of blank originals are not read. Images of one original can be collectively formed on one transfer sheet.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined time is exceeded after reading one or more originals, the image is read from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus. The output is also performed when the number of originals smaller than the set number of originals is read through, and therefore, the user waits for the above-mentioned predetermined time to read a plurality of originals without reading a blank original. Images can be collectively formed on one sheet of transfer paper. Further, since no output is made in the state where no document is read, it is possible to prevent the paper from being wasted.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the document reading start key is operated, the document is read from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus when the document is not detected. By manipulating the document reading start key without setting, the images of a plurality of documents can be collectively formed on one transfer sheet.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the original reading start key and the output starting key are the same, the user operates the output starting key without setting a blank original to display images of a plurality of originals. Images can be collectively formed on one sheet of transfer paper, so that the number of keys can be reduced.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when the document reading end key is operated, the document is read out from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus, so that the user can set the document without setting a blank document. By operating the reading end key, images of a plurality of originals can be collectively formed on one transfer sheet.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the document reading end key is operated after reading at least one document, the image is read from the image memory and output by the image forming apparatus, so that the user can print a blank page. By operating the document reading end key without setting the document, it is possible to collectively form images of a plurality of documents on one transfer sheet. Further, since no output is made in the state where no document is read, it is possible to prevent the paper from being wasted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an overall configuration of a digital copying machine to which an embodiment of a multiple original batch copying apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a detailed configuration of a writing unit of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a writing unit of FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the digital copying machine of FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an electrical equipment control section having the control unit of FIG.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific display / operation panel in the control unit of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image scanner unit in FIG.

8 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image process unit shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the data depth switching circuit of FIG.

10 is a block diagram showing a memory system including the page memory of FIG. 4 and the image processing unit of FIG.

11 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of image data in the memory system of FIG.

12 is an explanatory diagram showing another flow of image data in the memory system of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another memory system.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the memory unit of FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing input data of the memory unit of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing another memory system.

17 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the external storage device of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing another memory system.

19 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the application system in FIG.

20 is a block diagram showing an image scanner unit of a copying machine to which the application system of FIG. 19 is connected.

21 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image process unit of FIG. 20. FIG.

22 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the facsimile unit in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram functionally showing an image data editing process.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic screen in an aggregate mode.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a document number input screen in the first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a document set and a read start screen in the first to fourth embodiments.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining a normal copy operation.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a document set and a read start / end screen according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an aggregated image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (I) Copy machine main body 412 to 414 Aggregate number key 415 Original number input screen 418 Original reading start key 419 Original reading end key 602 Main CPU 609 Image control circuit 612 Scanner control circuit (reading device) 812 Page memory

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An original reading unit for reading an original, an aggregate number setting unit for presetting a predetermined aggregate number of originals collectively imaged on one sheet of transfer paper, and the aggregate number setting unit. An image memory for storing images of a plurality of originals read by the original reading unit so as to be collectively formed on one transfer sheet according to a preset number of combined sheets via the image memory; An image forming unit that collectively forms images of a plurality of originals read from the memory on one transfer sheet, and a number of originals that are collectively formed on one transfer sheet are set in advance. For setting the number of originals, the number of originals set by the original number setting unit and the number of originals read by the original reading unit match, and the original set by the original number setting unit The number and the above Multiple original batch copying machine and a control means for said image forming means is controlled so that the image forming when the number of originals matches that read by the draft reading means. 2. An original reading unit for reading an original, an aggregate number setting unit for presetting a predetermined aggregate number of originals collectively imaged on one sheet of transfer paper, and the aggregate number setting unit. An image memory for storing images of a plurality of originals read by the original reading unit so as to be collectively formed on one transfer sheet according to a preset number of combined sheets via the image memory; Image forming means for collectively forming images of a plurality of originals read from the memory on one transfer sheet, a reading start key for reading the originals one by one, and the reading start key Timer means for measuring the elapsed time from the time of reading the original by the original reading means by operation, and control so that the image forming means forms an image when the measured time of the timer means exceeds a predetermined time A multi-document batch copying apparatus including a control unit. 3. The plurality of control units according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the image forming unit to form an image when a predetermined time is exceeded after reading one or more originals. Original copy machine. 4. An original reading unit for reading an original, an aggregate number setting unit for presetting a predetermined aggregate number of originals collectively imaged on one transfer sheet, and the aggregate number setting unit. An image memory for storing images of a plurality of originals read by the original reading unit so as to be collectively formed on one transfer sheet according to a preset number of combined sheets via the image memory; Image forming means for collectively forming images of a plurality of originals read from the memory on one transfer sheet, original detecting means for detecting an original on the original table of the original reading means, and an original When a reading start key for reading each sheet and an original reading start key are operated, it is determined whether or not the original detection unit detects an original, and when it is detected, the original is read, and when the original is not detected. To A multi-original batch copying apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the image forming unit to form an image. 5. The multiple original batch copying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the original read start key and the output start key are the same. 6. An original reading unit for reading an original, an aggregate number setting unit for presetting a predetermined aggregate number of originals collectively imaged on one sheet of transfer paper, and the aggregate number setting unit. An image memory for storing images of a plurality of originals read by the original reading means so as to be collectively formed on one transfer sheet according to a preset number of combined sheets via the image memory; Image forming means for collectively forming images of a plurality of originals read from the memory on one transfer sheet, a reading start key for reading the originals one by one, and reading of the originals completed And a document reading end key for reading the document, a document is read when the document reading start key is operated, and a control is performed so that the image forming unit forms an image when the document reading end key is operated. A multiple original batch copying apparatus equipped with a control means. 7. The control unit controls the image forming unit to form an image when the document reading end key is operated after reading at least one document. Multiple original copy machine.