JPH075792A - Flash-irradiation copy machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To perform an editing function corresponding to a mark by marking an original document. CONSTITUTION: After an electrostatic latent image is recorded in an optical conductive surface 14, a belt 12 is advanced to an edit station C. In the edit station C, an editing function corresponding to a mark given to a document 24 is executed by a LED array 50 operation-controlled by a signal from a CPU 42. The CPU 42 performs editing functions including recognizing of the operation instruction of an identifying mark on the document, erasing of a surrounded area, adding of information and copying of several parts in the area. Thus, only by marking the document so as to enable a programmed editing function to be performed in the identifying mark detected area by a CCD array 36, an operator selects one or more editing functions to be performed beforehand.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to electrophotographic copiers and, more particularly, to being enabled in response to detection of a mark on an original document being copied. The present invention relates to a full frame flash exposure copying machine provided with a programmed editing function.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Adding editing capabilities to copiers or printers is known in the art. The stand-alone editing pad is, for example, a 5775 copy machine manufactured by XEROX, and a CLC200 or CLC5 manufactured by Canon.
00 Used in copiers. Editing pads are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,582,417 and US Pat.
No. 1,100.

A second type of editing function, which has more limited editing capabilities but reduces cost, is accomplished by marking the document with color markers associated with the function. Konica to color or delete specially marked areas of an original
An example is the 8028 color copier. The complex software required to enable the edit pad functionality is not required for this type of editing technique. However, this editing technique is limited and cannot provide editing functions such as text modification. Moreover, none of the prior art editing features have been implemented in a full frame flash environment that presents a unique set of parameters that are considered during editing. Also, prior art techniques sometimes require multiple scans of the marked document to fully detect the marked area.

The present invention is to provide a full frame flash irradiation copying machine capable of performing a wide range of editing functions, which solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0005]

According to the present invention,
The document to be copied has a specific color and / or
Or marked with a color of a particular shape, each color or shape being associated with a particular programmed editing function. The edit function is an activity related to changing the nature of document information.
And as related functions such as the number of copies of a particular document. In a first embodiment, the editing function is performed in a single pass or one revolution of the photoreceptor, the marked document is flash exposed and projected onto the photoreceptor by a first projection lens to form a latent image of the document. It is formed. The document is simultaneously projected onto the full frame CCD array by an eccentric reduction lens. The circuitry corresponding to the array recognizes the color and / or shape of the selectively marked areas of the original and enables the programmed editing functions corresponding to the marked areas. The annotation and erasure functions control the operation of the line image (writing) bar downstream of the exposure area of the first projection lens (CP).
U). The second embodiment discloses additional functions that can be performed in a multi-pass mode such as color highlighting of selected text areas. Further, the present invention relates to a flash irradiation copying machine for reproducing a document having a mark corresponding to an edit function provided, and a photoconductive member having a charge holding surface and at least a part of the surface of the photoconductive member. To identify the marks on the document, and means for flashing the document having the marks to project an image on the photoconductive member surface and on a full frame sensor array. And responsive to the circuit means corresponding to the sensor array for generating an output signal representative of the mark and the output signal of the circuit means to enable the editing function corresponding to a particular detected mark. And control means.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The electrophotographic copier 10 uses a belt 12 having a photoconductive surface 14. The belt 12 has an arrow 16
, And continuously advance successive portions of photoconductive surface 14 through various processing stations located about its path of travel. The drive roller 17 is mounted so as to be rotated by a motor 18, and the belt 12
To advance the belt 12 in the direction of arrow 16.

First, a part of the belt 12 passes through the charging station A. At charging station A, reference numeral 2
A corona generator, indicated by 0, charges photoconductive surface 14 to a relatively high and substantially uniform potential. After the photoconductive surface 14 of belt 12 is charged, the charged portion passes through exposure station B. The original document 24 is placed face down (top down) on the transparent platen 26 by the document circulation handler 28. Representative document 24
Is shown in FIG. Some areas of the document are marked with a color pen, or the like, to select areas of the document for which editing functions should be performed. Marking can be done in a form that encloses an area of the document to identify the enclosed area as subject to subsequent editing functions. Hereinafter, the boundary line (of the enclosed area) will be referred to as the identification mark, or simply the mark, but it will be understood that the mark may enclose the area by, for example, an ellipse, a circle, or a rectangle. The identification mark is also used to refer to a particular geometric contour or shape such as a triangle, circle, or rectangle that encloses information indicating editing or processing functions.

Referring to FIG. 2, an identification mark 24A formed by a green marker defines an area 24B. The information in the area 24B will be erased. The identification mark 24C formed of a red marker defines the area 24D. Region 24D is
It will be used as an annotation function. Annotations in the white writing system require the charged area of the photoreceptor, so
Region 24E within region 24D is effectively masked by being marked with a color marker such as red or black to absorb light rays from the document illumination source. The identification mark 24F formed of a blue marker defines an area 24G in which a number is written. The number is the number of copies of a particular document (5 in this example).
It is a sheet. It will be appreciated that other areas of the document may be marked with different colors or shapes and the invention is not limited to that described in connection with this particular example.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flash lamp 29 is activated (activated) when a copy operation is initiated, and the document 24 is wide-angled to form an electrostatic latent image of the document on the surface 14. An image is formed via the projection lens 30. The photoreceptor belt 12 is panchromatic; that is, the spectral sensitivity is uniform over the visible spectrum so that the latent images for red, green, and blue markings are similar to the latent image for the rest of the document. On the surface 14. Document 2
4 is simultaneously imaged off center on a full frame low resolution CCD array 36 through a short focal length reduction lens 34. In another embodiment, a beam splitter is placed in the optical path to form another flash exposure path, one image through lens 30, and another lens 34.
Another image may be formed via. Array 36 can be a 512 x 512 CCD array with color separation capabilities that can separate or sense at least the marked areas of the document. The array may be of low resolution since it only has to detect the boundaries of the area to be detected, eg marks 24A, 24C, 24F. The array color and line recognition elements are contained within a CCD identification (discrimination) circuit 40. The array senses the marks 24A, 24C, and 24F formed on the document 24 and sends an electrical signal having a corresponding voltage level to a central processing unit (CPU) 42.
And the CPU 42 compares the signal to the programmed edit function stored in memory. The actual information in the marked area is not stored in memory.

Continuing with the description, after the electrostatic latent image is recorded on photoconductive surface 14, belt 12 is moved to editing station C.
Proceed to. In editing station C, marks 24A and 2
The editing function corresponding to the detection of 4C is performed by the LED array 50 whose operation is controlled by a signal from the CPU 42. During exposure, at exposure station B, the background area of the original document reflects substantially all of the light rays and discharges the charge on the photoconductive surface to a charge level of about 100 volts, while black. The text and mark areas 24E absorb substantially all of the light rays so that the charge level in those areas is at a relatively high level of about 1000 volts. In the editing station C, the CPU recognizes that the mark 24A is an operator instruction to erase all the information in the associated area 24B. The CPU generates a first set of signals that activate (activate) the LED elements of the array 50 that illuminate (erase) the information area 24B and the marks 24A. The CPU also
The mark 24C is recognized as an operator instruction to add the information stored in the area. Mark area 24E not discharged by flash exposure
Are "written" by the array 50 to add pre-stored information. As an example,
In this embodiment, the information to be added is
The name of the individual in the programmed identification list. The mark 24C is also erased. The CPU also has an area 24
The blue triangular mark 24F surrounding G is recognized as an instruction to copy the number (five in this case) written in the triangular area. Therefore, four more flash exposures will be enabled by the CPU. The CPU causes the full frame sensor to ignore mark 24F for the next four subsequent exposures.

Continuing with the description, the latent image advancing to the development station D contains the original information of the document 24 minus the information erased from the area 24B and plus the additional information added to the area 24D.

Developer station D includes a developer unit, generally designated 54. Developer unit 54
Is used to develop an electrostatic latent image with a black developer material. The developer unit is a magnetic brush developer roller 58.
including. High voltage power supply 62 electrically biases developer roller 58 to the appropriate voltage.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, after the latent image has been developed with black toner particles, the resulting toner powder image is advanced to transfer station E on belt 12. The copy sheet 60 is advanced from the stack 61 to the transfer station E by a roll feed device. Guides 64 contact the advancing sheet 60 with the photoconductive surface of belt 12 in a timed manner such that the toner powder image formed on the photoconductive surface contacts the advancing sheet at transfer station E. The transfer station E includes a corona generating device 70 that sprays ions onto the back surface of the sheet 60. This attracts the toner powder image from photoconductive surface 14 to sheet 60.
After transfer, the sheet 60 is a conveyor 73 that advances the sheet 60 to a fusing (fixing, fusing, etc.) station F.
Continue to move in the direction of arrow 72.

Fusing station F includes a fuser assembly 74 that permanently fuses the transferred powder image to sheet 60. The fuser assembly 74 is
A heating fuser roller 76 and a backup roller 78 are included. The sheet 60 passes between the fuser roller 76 and the backup roller 78, and the toner powder image comes into contact with the fuser roller 76. In this way, the toner powder image is permanently fixed to the sheet 60. After fusing, the sheet 60 passes through the chute guide 80 to the catch tray 82, whereafter it is removed from the printing press by the operator. This copy cycle is repeated four more times. FIG. 3 shows an edit copy sheet 24 having the name erased in area 24B and added to the distribution list in area 24D. All five copies will be made.

After the copy sheet leaves the photoconductive surface 14 of the belt 12, any residual toner particles that adhere to the photoconductive surface 14 are rotatably mounted fiber brushes 94 in contact with the photoconductive surface 14. Is removed from surface 14 at cleaning station G by.

This first embodiment in single pass mode illustrates some features and advantages of the present invention. The operator only has to mark the original document so that the pre-programmed editing functions are enabled to be performed in the area where the identification mark is detected by the full frame sensor array, and the operator is performed on the original document. One or more editing functions to be performed can be preselected. The operator can conveniently achieve this marking at his desk so that the machine is not stopped. Possible types of functions are: erase selected area, annotate selected area,
Other features are included, such as identifying the number of copies of a particular original document by the shape shown in a region, preferably the region along the top of the original document. In terms of shape representation, it will be appreciated that the shape of a particular color can define a function. For example, a circle or rectangle could be used instead of the triangular mark 24F to identify the copy execution area 24G.

The present invention identifies an area on the original document to be developed in a second color other than black to provide a two color [or color highlight] output copy. It can be implemented in a second embodiment in which the areas are marked. FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention modified by the addition of a color developer station 52 and a modified paper path to the machine of FIG. 1 (copier), the modified paper path being next to the belt. The output sheet is recirculated to the transfer area to receive the second developed image during one pass or the next rotation. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, FIG. 5 shows a marked document as shown in FIG.
An identification mark 24J defining 4K is added. The information in area 24K will be highlighted in red (highlighted in red) in the output copy. The copy operation is the same as that described above for the single pass operation except for the following: After the first flash exposure, the CPU develops the information in area 24K in a different color (red). The mark 24J is recognized as an instruction. In the first pass or the first rotation of the belt 12, the marks 24A, 24C, 24
The editing function corresponding to the detection of F is performed as described above. The detection of the mark 24J is a signal to the bar 50 to erase the information in the area 24K. Thus, in the first pass, the latent image is formed by developer station 54 as described above, and red developer station 52 is cam driven out of contact with the belt. Developer unit 52 is used to develop the latent image with red developer material. The developer unit 52 is
Magnetic brush developer roll 56 and high voltage bias power supply 63
Including and The developed latent image with all of the information is transferred to a copy sheet that is conveyed through fuser 74 to fix the first image. The sheet is deflected by gate 84 and returned by belt conveyor 85 to the transfer station area. The next rotation of the belt causes a second flash exposure of the document. At editing station C, bar 50 is addressed to expose all information areas except the information in area 24K, which is the area to be highlighted. The latent image (information within 24K) is developed by the developer station 52 cam-driven to the operating position, while the developing station 54 is cam-driven away from the belt. The red developed image is transferred to copy sheet 60 in register with the movement of copy sheet 60 returned to the transfer station. The copy sheet containing the transferred image highlighted in black and red is fused at fusing station 74 and transported to tray 82.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, editing features may be enabled that move a portion of a document to a portion of another document. This function can be implemented in the multi-pass embodiment of FIG. To illustrate this concept, FIG. 6 shows two documents 94 and 95 being copied in succession, for example, being successively conveyed to platen 26 by document handler 28. Document 94
Has a mark 94A defining a region 94B. Area 9
The information in 4B is erased, and the circular area 95B defined by the mark 95A of the document 95 is deleted.
Will be replaced with the information. The mark 94A is formed of a red mark, and the mark 94A
It indicates that the information in the area 94B including itself should be erased. The mark 95A is the area 95.
Formed with a purple marker to indicate that only B is exposed and moved to another position. In the first pass, the latent image is formed by the information contained in the document 94. The latent image is also projected onto the array 36 at the same time. The CPU 42 detects the mark 94A and operates the bar 50 so as to erase the mark 94A and the information in the area 94B. The edited latent image is developed by the developer 54, and the developed image is transferred to the copy sheet 60. Then Document 9
5 is moved to the exposure position on the platen and flash exposed in time with the movement of the belt towards the second pass. Mark 95 with the second flash
A is detected. The CPU marks the mark 95 as an instruction to insert the information in the area 95B into the area 94B.
Recognize A. The CPU controls the bar 50 so that the area 95
All the information on the document 95 latent image except the information in B is erased. In this way, the latent image consisting of only 95B is developed, and the belt moves toward the transfer area. Under the control of the CPU, the movement of the copy sheet 60 is adjusted so that the sheet moves to the transfer area so as to receive the transfer of the development information in the area 95B in the lower portion of the sheet 60 while registering with the erased area 94B. Be delayed to. FIG. 7 shows the document 94 except that the information in the previous area 94B has been replaced with the information from 95B.
Copy sheet 60 with all of the information in
Indicates.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is also in the first non-editing mode, in which the original, unmarked document is flash exposed onto the photoreceptor and processed without operation of the editing station C. It is understood that it is operable. Further, the machine (copier) is controlled by the CPU 42, and the full frame flash array 36 and the LED
It can also be operated with conventional flash exposure copiers in an edit mode in which the edit function is enabled by the print bar 50. It will be clear that additional functionality can be enabled in this embodiment. For example, one or more areas of the document can be marked for highlighting, with different colors corresponding to each highlight area. Other types of annotations can be incorporated, such as adding information such as confidentiality instructions and the like to other parts of the document. CPU is C
The detected areas are pre-programmed to respond to electrical signals corresponding to the particular color and / or shape detected by the CD array and produce output signals controlling those portions of the printbar or machine operation to detect the detected areas. To achieve the desired editing functions in.

The present invention provides a full frame flash illuminated copier capable of performing a wide range of editing functions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a full frame flash illuminated copier incorporating the editing capabilities of the present invention in single pass mode.

FIG. 2 illustrates a document having areas marked with specific colors and / or shapes corresponding to programmed editing features.

FIG. 3 shows an output copy formed by exposing the document of FIG. 2 and represents the result of performing an edit operation.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the copier of FIG. 1 operating in multi-pass mode.

5 shows the document of FIG. 2 with added areas marked to enable highlight color editing features.

FIG. 6 shows two original sheets with marked parts, one part of which has been erased,
The selected portion of the second document will be inserted in its place.

FIG. 7 shows an output copy formed by exposing the document of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electrophotographic copying machine 12 Photoreceptor belt 14 Photoconductive surface 24 Document (original) 29 Flash lamp 30 Wide-angle projection lens 34 Reduction lens 36 Full frame low resolution CCD array 40 CCD identification circuit 42 Central processing unit (CPU) 50 LED array

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Thomas A. Cherzanowski United States 14526 Penfield Broham Drive, New York 100 (72) Inventor James Jay. Apel United States 14618 Brighton Bradford Road, New York 87 (72) Inventor Thomas Aqua Viva United States 14526 Penfield Barry Green Circle, New York 19 (72) Inventor Geno El. Horbus United States 14626 Rochester Kingsbury Drive, New York 124 (72) Inventor Vinod Kay. Agarwall United States 14580 Webster High Tower Way 799 New York 799

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A flash irradiation copying machine for reproducing a document having a mark corresponding to an edit function provided, wherein a photoconductive member having a charge holding surface and at least one of the surface of the photoconductive member. Means for charging a section, means for flashing the document bearing the mark and projecting an image on the photoconductive member surface and on a full frame sensor array, and identifying the mark on the document. And responsive to the output signal of the circuit means for enabling an editing function corresponding to the particular detected mark, and circuit means for generating an output signal representative of the mark. A flash irradiation copier including control means.