JPH08149241A - Composite image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a composite image forming device comprising an image processing terminal equipment using a conventional bus for a host computer in common. CONSTITUTION: A system control unit 600 is connected to a printer unit 400, plural scanner units 200, and an image memory 10 via a conventional bus 20 and the system control unit 600 is provided with a CPU. Image data from the printer unit, the scanner unit and an image processing terminal equipment are stored in the image memory 10 via the conventional bus 20 to process image data from the image processing terminal equipment in response to a data request thereby forming an image. The system is easily extended by connecting the image processing terminal equipment to the conventional bus.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a printer, a scanner,
The present invention relates to a composite-type image forming apparatus capable of integrating devices (units) targeted for image processing such as facsimile and copying functions, and further to a composite-type image forming device capable of expanding functions by combining the respective devices. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a multifunctional image forming apparatus combined with a facsimile. However, there is no composite image forming apparatus that can be used by connecting office equipment that performs image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile and a copying machine in units of units. In the case of integrating office equipment targeted for such image processing, image data of each equipment is connected through an interface. For example, in the case of a printer, when printing print data, a video interface (V
An interface unique to each manufacturer called "IDE / I / F" is provided, and print data is stored in this VIDEO / I / F).
It is input by the printer unit (image forming apparatus) through the I / F and printed. When compounding these devices, it is necessary to modify the programs and hardware according to the interface of each manufacturer to compound them.

Further, FIG. 25 shows an outline of a conventional color copying machine. The copying machine body 1 includes an image reading device (scanner unit) 2 and an image forming device (printer unit).
5, the external connection unit 6 and the copy controller 7. The image reading device 2 includes a scanner 3 and an image processing unit (IPU) 4. The copying machine main body 1 is connected to the system controller 9 through the VIDEO I / F of the external connection section 6. The system controller 9 is controlled by a signal input from the operation panel 8. The copy controller 7 is also connected to the image reading device 2 via the VIDEO I / F. As described above, also in the color copying machine, the image data is connected to the control device and the image forming device via the VIDEO I / F according to the specifications unique to each meter.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional image processing apparatus for processing image data, there is a drawback that it takes time to remake the system controller according to the specifications of each device in order to combine them. is there. That is, each of the copying machine, the printer, the facsimile, etc. has its own control program, and these control programs are not related to each other. Therefore, when adding a new function, it is necessary to replace the control program or hardware, or change the read only memory (ROM) of the system controller. Further, it takes a lot of time to construct the system, and the image processing apparatus thus combined may be complicated. Further, there is a drawback that the common part of each combined image processing device is wasted, and the combined image processing device becomes expensive.

Further, in a color copying machine, as is well known, a difference occurs in the reading characteristics in the scanner section and the output characteristics in the printer section depending on the image forming process.
In the screen (CRT), the display color, the print color, and the read color are different due to the difference in the monitor characteristics. Therefore, a correction circuit is incorporated in each device so that the image data has a linear characteristic. Therefore, in the case of the combination, the correction circuit is provided in each of the image reading devices, and there is a drawback that the image processing device becomes more expensive. Furthermore, when the conventional image processing apparatus is simply combined, the combined image forming apparatus may become huge and hinder transportation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a composite type image forming apparatus including an image processing terminal device sharing a general-purpose bus of a host computer. Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite type image forming apparatus capable of expanding the image processing function only by connecting a host computer to each image processing terminal device connected to a common bus of the image control device. To do. A further object of the present invention is to provide a composite type image processing apparatus that can reduce costs by sharing an image correction circuit.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The first aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is a composite type image forming apparatus for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine. An apparatus, comprising: a general-purpose bus to which a host computer and a device targeted for image processing are connected; and an image memory for storing image data input from a previous device connected to the general-purpose bus. It is a feature. A second invention is a printer,
A composite type image forming apparatus for a device targeted for image processing such as a scanner, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine, and a general-purpose bus to which a host computer and a device targeted for the image processing are connected, and a power supply to the host computer. At the time of input, a data requesting unit for requesting data such as image information to a device for image processing connected to the general-purpose bus, and the image processing as a target for the data request from the data requesting unit. Detecting whether or not there is a response from any of the devices within a certain period of time, and detecting the connection state of the device targeted for the image processing; and the target of the image processing by the detecting means. Selecting device for receiving information such as image information from any of the devices to be set, and setting any of the devices targeted for the image processing to an operating state based on the information. And it is characterized in Rukoto.

A third aspect of the present invention is a composite image forming apparatus for a device intended for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile and a copying function, wherein the composite image forming apparatus includes a host computer. Transfer of image data input from a device targeted for the image processing and storage of the image data in a readable / writable storage device are performed via a general-purpose bus. An image quality correction means for adding image quality correction to data is provided. Also,
A fourth aspect of the present invention is a composite image forming apparatus for a device intended for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile and a copying function, and a host computer that is a central control unit of the composite image forming apparatus, A general-purpose bus to which a host computer, a device for the image processing, and a storage device capable of reading / writing image data are connected,
When reading the image data stored in the storage device,
Image quality correction means for adding image quality correction to the image data, and image quality correction data changing means for changing the image quality correction data of the image quality correction means according to the selected device are provided. Further, in the third and fourth composite image forming apparatuses, the image quality correcting means is a γ correction table.

[0009]

The composite type image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a host computer as a system control unit, and a general-purpose bus is connected to a device (image processing terminal) for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile and a copying function. By doing so, since these devices share the general-purpose bus, the system is a composite type image forming apparatus capable of expanding the system as needed. Further, in the composite image forming apparatus of the present invention, a general-purpose bus is connected to a device (image processing terminal) for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, a copying function, etc., and responds to a data request from each image processing terminal. The image processing terminal is connected to the host computer based on the response. Further, the composite image forming apparatus of the present invention corrects the image quality in accordance with image data input from a device (image processing terminal) targeted for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile and a copying function. By correcting the correction data according to the connected image processing terminals, it is possible to correct the image quality of a plurality of image processing terminals.

[0010]

Embodiments of the composite image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a composite image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which includes a printer unit (image forming apparatus) 400 and a system control unit (system controller) 600 to which a control signal is input from the operation panel 8. It consists of These devices are connected via a general-purpose bus 10 (for example, PCI-BUS). The system control unit 600 is C
It includes a PU (central control unit) and a memory (such as an image memory), and the internal bus of the CPU is a general-purpose bus 10 via a buffer.
The image memory is also connected to the CP via the buffer.
It is connected to the U internal bus. FIG. 1B shows another embodiment of the composite image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which includes a printer unit (image forming apparatus) 400, a system control unit 600 to which a control signal is input from the operation panel 8, and a plurality of scanners. It is composed of a unit (image reading device) 200 and an image memory 10. These units, including the image memory, are general purpose buses 20 (eg SCSI-BU
S) are connected to each other. The SCSI is an interface used for a micro computer, and has a feature that a maximum of 7 units can be connected and the bus can be opened as needed. The system control unit 600 includes a CPU and an internal memory.

In FIG. 1B, when the SCSI bus 20 connected to the SCSI interface is used, a printer unit (image forming apparatus) 400 can be additionally connected and the system control unit 600 can be connected. The system can be further expanded by providing a local bus. Of course, the image terminal device includes an electrophotographic system and a CD / ROM. In this way, a composite image forming apparatus is formed in which the system control unit 600 is used as a host computer and a device (image processing terminal) for image processing such as a printer unit, a scanner unit, a facsimile and a copying function is connected.

An embodiment of the composite image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 24. (Basic Components) The composite image forming apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG.
As is clear from the above, the three units of the scanner unit 200, the printer unit 400, and the system control unit 600 are the basic constituent elements. FIG. 2 shows the scanner unit 200, and at least an image reading means 250 for reading an original image by dividing it into pixels and a first communication control means 23.
0, a first power supply unit 201, and if necessary, a basic image processing unit 300 and an extended image processing unit (IPU) 3
50 is added. FIG. 8 shows the printer unit 400, which comprises an image forming means 500 for forming and outputting a permanent visible image on a recording medium, a second communication control means 430, and a first power supply means 401. The image forming means 500 is a name given to a group of the following means for convenience. The means 500 is an electrophotographic photosensitive member (first transfer means).
414, an intermediate transfer member 415, a charging unit 419, a developing unit 420, a second transfer unit 427, a laser exposure unit 441, and so-called image forming elements are included.

FIG. 14 shows a system control unit 600, which controls image reading and energizing the third communication control means 630 and the scanner unit 200 or the image forming and energizing control of the printer unit 400, and at least one of them. And system control means 650 that performs the function. The structural features of the composite image processing apparatus of the present invention are
As shown in FIGS. 3, 9 and 15, the two units are mechanically separated from each other, and the structure is such that the functions of the system can be satisfied even if they are arranged separately. In the embodiment of the copying system described later, the scanner unit is packed in a unit in order to reduce the transport unit weight and simplify the system assembly, and the printer unit side has the system control unit above it. It is mounted and fixed into an integral structure, which is packed in one box and shipped from the factory.

Further, when the units are combined into a composite type image forming apparatus, consideration of the user such as usability, aesthetic appearance, and space efficiency, or technical aspects such as prevention of electromagnetic radiation, noise immunity, heat dissipation, and mechanical resonance are provided. Assume that the issue has been addressed. For example, in the case of configuring a copying system, at least the above-mentioned three units are combined with a table or a selective multi-stage sheet feeding device. It is better to stack vertically because of space efficiency, and the platen height is 90
When the length is 0 mm to 1100 mm, good manuscript placement operability can be obtained. Further, by arranging various buttons so that the platen surface is slightly lower than that, an accurate human interface can be realized. In consideration of these, in the composite image processing apparatus of the present invention, the appearance shape of the stacking surface is made substantially equal to avoid uncoolness and dropping of the upper unit, and the platen and the operation device surface at the time of stacking are the same as the above-mentioned positions. To be Also, from the viewpoint of appearance and compatibility with electromagnetic environment, the number of cables connecting them should be reduced as much as possible, and the terminal positions should be close to each other so as to shorten the length. When only the copying function is required as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the system control unit 600 and the print unit 400 may be combined, and it is possible to construct an extremely compact structure.
By incorporating another image processing terminal device, the function can be easily expanded. Of course, a combination of two units does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

The configuration and operation of each unit of an embodiment of the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below. (Structural elements of the scanner unit 200) FIG. 2 shows the scanner unit 200 roughly classified by function. When roughly classified, the image reading means 250, the basic image processing means 300, and the extended image, which decompose and read an original image into pixels, are read. Processing means 3
50, the first communication control means 230, and the DC power supply device 201. These are all housed in the housing of the scanner unit shown in FIG.

(Mechanical Structure of Scanner Unit 200) In FIG. 3, 201 is a DC power supply device which is a first power supply means, 201P is a power plug for connecting a commercial power supply, and 201P is a power plug.
SW is a power switch, 202 is a platen glass, 202
S is the image front end reference position, 202SH is a white plate for shading correction, 202B is a bar code plate for individual identification, 208
Is a first carriage, 209 is a second carriage, 203 is a document illumination lamp, and 204A, B, and C are first, second, and second, respectively.
A third mirror, 205 is an imaging lens, 205X is a lens optical axis, 207 is a color imaging device, 211 is a carriage home sensor, and 230S1 and 230S2 are on the first communication control means 230 and have the same shape and the same interface. SCSI connectors, 230F1 and 230F2 are optical fiber connectors for communication of the scanner selective addition device, 2
Reference numeral 50 is a circuit board on which the original image reading means is mounted, 300 is a circuit board on which the basic image processing means is mounted, and 350 is a circuit board on which the extended image processing means is mounted.

(Structure of Image Reading Means 250) In FIG. 2, 250 is an image reading means, 207 is a color image pickup device, 252 is an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as A / D converter), and 253 is. The shading correction circuit 254 is a sampling position deviation compensation circuit. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The original image 180 is placed on the platen 202 with the copy surface facing down and the reading start position being the left end 202S of the platen. Imaging lens 205
Reduces and projects the original image on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device 207. The image pickup device 207 is a charge coupled device (CCD) having a color image pickup function and is covered with a red filter 4752.
The R imaging unit having a one-dimensional array of pixels, the G imaging unit having a 4752 pixel one-dimensional array covered with a green filter, and the B imaging unit having a one-dimensional array of 4752 pixels covered with a blue filter are arranged in the main scanning direction (Fig. They are arranged in three columns in parallel in the vertical direction on the paper of FIG. The three scanning lines are almost close to each other, and specifically, they are at intervals of 4/16 mm in terms of the 180th surface of the original image. The scanning direction by this one-dimensional image pickup device is called main scanning, and the direction orthogonal to this is called sub-scanning. The illumination lamp 203 and the first mirror 204A are mounted on the first carriage 208, and the second mirror 204B and the third mirror 204 are mounted.
C is fixed to the second carriage 209. Original picture 180
When reading, the first carriage is the sub-scanning speed Vsub.
Then, the second carriage scans from the left end to the right end (sub-scanning) while maintaining the optical conjugate relationship by the original image scanning motor 210 and the drive wire 210W at the speed of Vsub / 2.
Driven. A stepping motor is used as the motor 210. The sub-scanning speed Vsub can be varied from 1/8 to 4 times the reference speed in steps of 1%, and an arbitrary speed is selected by a command from another unit.

(Operation of Image Reading Means 250) FIG. 5 shows a velocity diagram of the image reading mechanism section. The original image scanning will be described with reference to this. The first carriage 208 normally stands still above the carriage home sensor 211 and stands by. The sensor output at this time is ON. When receiving the read scan command SCAN from the system control unit or the data request command REQ from the print unit, the lamp 203 is turned on at time t1 and the motor 210 is driven to start scanning in the right direction. After t2, the carriage 208 goes out of the detection range of the home sensor 211, and the output of the home sensor 211 is turned off. This deviated position is stored as a scanning reference position and used as a calibration reference point for the position. Also,
The first communication control means 230 calculates an optimum acceleration plan to achieve the arrival time t5 to the image front end 202S and the required accuracy of the speed Vsub, and calculates the step pulse train of the motor 210. Thereafter, the carriage speed is driven by this pulse train, and the time to reach the image leading edge 202S and the desired constant speed scanning are achieved as expected.

After passing the calibration reference point, the image pickup device 207 reads the image of each color projected by the lens 205 in units of main scanning lines regardless of the sub-scanning speed. This is convenient for keeping the charge storage time of the imaging device 207 constant. The main scanning cycle is set by the pulse train cycle ts1 generated by the first synchronization signal generating means 230SYNC shown in FIG. 4, and the pulse train is supplied to the reading means 250 via the bus 230BUS. The first synchronizing signal generating means 230SYNC is the crystal oscillator 23 connected here.
The original oscillation frequency of 0XTL is divided and output to the bus 230BUS. The total number of pixels of the imaging device 207 is 4752.
One main scanning line is sampled at 16 pixels / mm in terms of an original image to read an image signal, and an analog voltage corresponding to RGB reflected light in pixel units obtained from the original image 180 is output. After that, it is converted into an 8-bit digital signal by the A / D converter 252. That is, it is quantized into 256 gradations and transmitted to the circuit in the subsequent stage.

After passing the reference point, first, the white reference plate 202SH is read at time t3, and the 8-bit digital conversion value is stored in the shading correction circuit 253. The image data read thereafter is effectively subjected to shading correction. At time t4, the carriage 208 tracks the illegal copying of securities, and when it passes under the solid identification bar code plate 202B for remote service, it is read and the image data is transmitted to the system control unit 600. It Next, when reaching the leading edge 202S of the original image at time t5, the image reading unit 250 reads the original image 180 in scanning line units and sequentially outputs it as color separation digital data 250D for each pixel to the basic image processing unit 300 in the next stage. 6 if the original image 180 is A3
720 scanning line segments are read, and when the carriage 208 reaches the right end and time t6 comes, the motor 210 is rotated in the opposite direction to return to the position of the home sensor 211 and stop to prepare for the next scanning.

(Structural elements of basic image processing means 300) In FIG. 2, 301 is a spatial filter circuit, 302 is a variable magnification circuit, 303 is a color processing circuit, 304 is a gradation processing circuit, 3
Reference numeral 05 is an image adding circuit, 310 is an image area automatic separating circuit, 32
Reference numeral 0 is a color document automatic detection circuit, and 330 is a securities detection circuit.

(Functions of Elements in Basic Image Processing Unit 300) The spatial filter circuit 301 performs smoothing processing or sharpening processing. Generally, when the original image 180 is a halftone dot print, the former process is performed, and when the original image is only a character, the latter process is performed. This selection is made by a console (operation panel) 800 provided in the system control unit 600 described later.
Or the result of separation from the image area automatic separation circuit 310 described later. The scaling circuit 302 can scale the image in the main scanning direction from 25% to 400%. Copy magnification in the sub-scanning direction is achieved by changing the image reading speed (sub-scanning speed). The color processing circuit 303 has a function of performing masking processing on an original image RGB signal and converting it into recording color signals C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) image forming signals. Furthermore, color processing suitable for each of the character image and the grayscale image,
For example, so-called adaptive color processing such as pure blackening processing of a black character portion is performed. Further, if necessary, the system control unit 600 is caused to pass through the first communication control means 230 without changing the RGB signals.
Output to.

The gradation processing circuit 304 is an 8-bit CMYK.
A dither process is applied to any of the image signals to generate a 2-bit recorded image signal. Further, gradation conversion suitable for the character image and the grayscale image, that is, so-called adaptive gradation processing is performed. The image adding circuit 305 has a function of generating small pattern data for tracking and adding it to the original image data in preparation for illegal copying of securities. The image area automatic separation circuit 310 discriminates a character image portion and a grayscale image portion on one original image on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and the result is determined by the spatial filter circuit 301 and the color processing circuit 3.
03, output to the gradation processing circuit 304. The color document automatic detection circuit 320 performs color document / monochrome document identification processing. The securities detection circuit 330 determines whether or not the original 180 is securities whose copying is prohibited.

(Operation of Basic Image Processing Means 300) The read original image RGB image data 250D is parallel to the spatial filter circuit 301, the image area automatic separation circuit 310, the color original document automatic detection circuit 320, and the securities detection circuit 330, respectively. Is input to and processed. Basic image processing means 30
The 0 functionality is divided into two categories. The first category is a function for supporting an image operation instead of directly operating an image signal. For example, an image area separation process for discriminating and separating into a character region and a gradation image region, a document size detection process, and a color document / monochrome document discrimination process. In this category of processing, for example, all original image information on the platen 202 must be checked, such as color original / black and white original identification processing, which is performed prior to copy image formation and is generally called prescan. To be done. The second category is processing for manipulating image signals, for example, image processing such as spatial filter processing, scaling, image trimming, image movement, color correction, and gradation conversion. These processes are further classified into those having common processing contents depending on the image area, for example, scaling, and those having different two image areas of the character image and the grayscale image portion, for example, gradation processing.

Many image signals resulting from the processing of the first category are transmitted to the system control unit 600. Upon receiving this image signal, the system control unit issues a control command to other means based on this image signal to proceed with the image forming process. For example, when the basic image processing means 300 detects that the document is a black and white document, the same means the first communication control means 2
30, the first communication control means notifies the system control unit 600, and the control unit notifies the printer unit 40.
A command of energizing K development and stopping CMY development is sent to 0. Then, the second communication control means 43 in the printer unit
In the case of 0, only the K developing device 420K is energized to stop the development of other colors and efficiently form an image.

The image processing contents of the second category may be automatically activated by the processing result of the first category, may be designated and input from the console 800 by the operator, or may be a combination thereof. A specific color image erasing process will be described as an example of these processes. This process is a process of erasing a specific color contained in the original image, saving the other colors and forming an image on the transfer paper 190A, and is achieved by the color processing means included in the basic image processing means 300. It The specific color is input from the console 800 by the operator. In any case, in the copy mode, the RGB image signals input to the circuit 300 are finally recorded as signals C (cyan), M (magenta),
This data signal is transmitted to the printer unit 400 after being converted into Y (yellow) and K (black). When the original is identified as a black-and-white original or when a monochromatic black processing command is received, monochrome processing is performed, and 0 is output except for the K signal.

(Components of First Communication Control Means 230) The configuration of the first communication control means 230 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In the figure, 230 CPU is a microprocessor, 230 RAM is a read / write memory, 230 ROM is a read-only memory, and 230 INT
Is an interrupt controller, 230TMR is a timer counter, 230S1 is a serial communication unit, 230SYN
C is a first synchronizing signal generator, 230XTL is a first crystal oscillator, 230DMA is a DMA controller, and 230FIF.
O is a first-in-first-out memory, 230 SCSI is a SCSI controller, 230 BUS is a bus, and 230 DH is an image data channel.

(Scan Control Function of First Communication Control Means 230) The first communication control means 230 is the system control unit 6
00 or the printer unit 400 according to a predetermined protocol (communication protocol), and based on the command, the scanner unit 200 is subjected to original image reading urging control and original image data is output. In addition, all the units in the scanner unit 200 and the selective addition devices such as the document feeding device 280 are integrally controlled. By the way, in a general image system in which the image reading means and the image forming means are separate units, for example, an optical file system, it is common to have some kind of page buffer memory means between them. However, in such a configuration, a time difference is inevitably generated between image reading and image formation. In a copying machine, this time difference has the undesirable result of increasing the so-called first copy time. Therefore, in the present invention, a method is adopted in which the page buffer is omitted to reduce the cost and the image reading and the image forming are synchronized, that is, executed with almost no time difference. The synchronization between the image reading and the image formation has two meanings, one is the meaning of the cycle and the other is the coincidence of the leading phase.

If this synchronization cannot be maintained, it is possible to easily imagine a situation in which, for example, the former causes problems such as expansion or contraction of the copy image, and the latter cannot correctly reproduce the copy image position on the recording paper. . Further, in the color copying system using the CMYK frame sequential image forming printer as in the present embodiment, the printer unit 400 sequentially superimposes the CMYK images to form an image. To do this, it is a good idea to omit the page buffer memory. At this time, it is convenient that the scanner unit 200 scans one document for four times, and one color of CMYK is sent out for each original image scanning. In this way, it is important to secure the scanning position accuracy of the original image scanning in the four color sequential scanning, that is, the synchronization is an important issue. If the synchronization goes wrong, the color plate will be misaligned and the correct color image cannot be obtained.

A method for achieving this problem will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. This drawing describes one scan of the original image, and details of two scanning lines are shown in the upper part. First, the SC from the system control unit 600
When the AN command is received, the first carriage 208 sets the optical axis 205X to the original image front end 202S at t5 hours after the reception.
And the sub-scanning speed is controlled to Vsub by the first communication control means as described above.
As a result, the image data is always output after a certain time t5 has elapsed from the command reception timing, so that at least the phase synchronization is maintained. As a device for this, the home sensor 21 for detecting the carriage reference position
1 is provided to calibrate the previous scanning reference position adjustment, and the sub-scanning movement amount (movement amount of the first carriage 208) at one step angle of the stepping motor 210 is 1/16 m.
m or less. A microstep drive system or the like is used as a motor drive system.

Next, the synchronization of the scanning cycle in the image signal will be described. First synchronization signal generating means 230SYN
One main scanning line is read in synchronization with the pulse train period ts1 generated by C, and this is input to the transmission buffer 230 FIFO. Further, the receiving side of this data, that is, the system control unit 600 in this figure, sequentially fetches the data at substantially the same period as the period ts1. In the copy mode, the data receiving side is the printer unit 400, and the above synchronization mechanism is maintained. Therefore, no matter how many times the original image is scanned, the original image data will always be obtained after a certain time from command reception, the positional relationship between the paper and the image (registration) will always be maintained correctly, and no extra buffer memory is required during color copying. , Color plate registration is maintained, and copies are output quickly. The scanner unit 200 is basically the other two units, the system control unit 600 or the printer unit 400.
Accept the command from.

(Other Functions of First Communication Control Means 230) FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow charts showing the functions of the first communication control means 230. These functions are based on the 230CP shown in FIG.
The U microprocessor program is executed. The execution program is stored in the read-only memory 230 ROM. p201 indicates the operation of turning on the power source 201SW, and p20
Reference numeral 2 is a function of initialization processing, such as setting initial parameters of various circuit elements, starting a watchdog timer, and moving the carriage 208 to an initial position (on the home sensor 211). p203 determines whether or not a command input from the terminals 230S1 and S2 has arrived within a predetermined time (timeout time). p204 is the image reading means 25
This is a function of turning off the power of 0 to reduce the power supply voltage of the image processing means 300 and the extended image processing means 350 to the limit at which the data in the register in the circuit element can be held, which contributes to reduction of power consumption during standby and noise reduction of the cooling fan. To do. p205
Occurs when the watchdog timer leaves normal execution of the program, at which time the failure occurrence notification function p205 notifies the system control unit 600 of this. p210 is an interrupt vector when a failure occurs in the image reading unit 250, the image processing unit 300, and the extended image processing unit 350, and p211 identifies the failure portion and analyzes the factors,
p212 notifies the system control unit 600 of this. For example, p213 performs a fail-safe process for avoiding a danger such as a fire when the motor 210 has an overheat failure.

Next, description will be made based on the flowchart of FIG.
p220 is an interrupt vector when information is input to the SCSI terminals 230S1 and S2. At this time p221
Stop the sleep timer with. The p222 checks the received contents and branches the received contents into any of the following five types. First, TEST of p230 (TESTun
it ready) is a path for inquiring whether or not the scanner unit can scan the document,
At 1, the scanner unit preparation status including the selective addition devices 280 and 290 is returned. p290 is a self-diagnosis DIAG (DIAG nostic) for the scanner.
Is a route when it is requested, and is typically requested after the failure occurrence notification functions p206 and p212 notify the failure. The self-diagnosis and its response processing are performed in p291 to p293.

P240 is a SENS (Mode Sen) for inquiring about various setting modes of the scanner unit.
se) is a route, and the currently set scanning mode of the scanner unit including the selective addition devices 280 and 290 is answered in the processes of p241 to p245. p25
0 is SEL (mode) for setting various setting modes.
Select) This is a path at the time of request and forms a pair with SENS. Various parameters are set in each routine of p251 to p256.

P 260 is a path when a SCAN or COPY request is made. Normally, it is performed once for one document in monochrome processing and once in the case of RGB processing in color processing.
In the case of CMYK processing, the request is made four times in succession. At the time of this request, first, the motor 210 is started in p261, and then in p262, the passage of the carriage 208 is detected by monitoring the home sensor 211, and the memory 230R is detected.
Perform a calibration operation to reset the position counter provided in the AM. This counter is the first synchronization signal generating means 230 SYN.
C is set to 1 by the synchronization pulse generated once for one scan line
Incremented one by one. In p263, the image leading edge 202S is correctly reached after t5 time has elapsed from the time of the previously received SCAN or COPY request, and the steady state of the scanning speed Vsub set in advance by the mode setting SEL (mode select) request is aimed at. A drive plan for the motor 210 is calculated. Next, in p264, the reference white plate 202SH is read, shading correction parameter calculation and setting are performed, and this contributes to shading correction of the subsequent image reading data. Subsequently, the bar code 202B is read at p265, the motor acceleration control is performed at p267, and when the desired speed is reached, the constant speed control is switched at p268. p270 monitors whether or not the coefficient value of the previous term counter reaches the document leading edge position, and when it reaches p267
Move on to. In p267, the entrance gate of 230 FIFO which is a buffer memory of image data is opened, and preparations are made to receive the image signal from the basic image processing means 300 through the image signal line 300D.

Thereafter, p271 to p274 are a group of tasks for sending the original image data to the 230 FIFO.
At 271, the first sync signal generating means 230 SYNC detects a sync pulse generated every scanning line. p272 is 1
The image data of 4752 pixels of the scanning line is converted into the image signal line 300.
Store in 230FIF through D. At this time p27
At 3, the carriage position counter is incremented. p
In 274, this loop is equivalent to the original stroke size, for example, A3
In size, 6720 scanning lines, that is, 6720 times are repeated. When the scanning for one surface is completed, p275 closes the entrance gate of the 230 FIFO, receives the detection result from the securities detection circuit 330 in p276, and receives the color detection result from the color original automatic detection circuit 320 in p277. The exchange of such information is performed through the bus 430BUS. Next, the motor is driven in reverse at p278, and p279
The home is detected at, and the motor 210 is stopped at p280. Further, in p223, the sleep timer is activated.

(Structure of Extended Image Processing Unit 350) The extended image processing unit 350 is composed of two circuits shown in FIG. Reference numeral 351 is an image area designation image processing circuit, and 352 is an image editing circuit. The present processing means is arranged near the outer periphery of the scanner unit 200 so that it can be selectively incorporated according to the user's request.

(Operation of Extended Image Processing Unit 350) The area designation image processing circuit 351 has a function of subjecting the original picture identification area designated by the operator to image processing different from other general areas. The image editing circuit 352 has various image processing functions, for example, a function of forming a special effect image such as left-right reversal of an image, mosaicization, solarization, posterization, high contrast, and line image formation. An image trimming process, which is one of the region designation image processes, will be taken as an example of the processes included here. Image trimming is a process of duplicating a specific area of an original image and blanking the others. As the processing method, a well-known technique as disclosed in JP-A-62-159570 is used. However, according to this technology, the felt pen mark attached to the original image is attached to the original, which causes a problem of the original being damaged. In this embodiment, in view of this drawback, the original image is read by prescan,
This is the display means 820 of the console 800 shown in FIG.
The trimming range is input and designated by the operator using the cursor movement key 813 and the demarcation key 814 while viewing the image, and the inputted region is designated by the region designation image processing circuit 351.
Uses a blanking method.

(Structure of Printer Unit 400) FIG. 8 shows a schematic structure of the printer unit 400. This unit is composed of the image forming means 500 and the second communication control means 4.
30, a power supply unit 401, and an optional accessory device. The image forming means 500 is an electrophotographic photosensitive member (first transfer means) 414, charging means 419, laser exposure means 44.
It is a name given to each assembly of various image forming elements such as 1, developing means 420, intermediate transfer body 415, and second transfer means 427.

(Mechanical Structure of Printer Unit 400) FIG. 9 shows the mechanical structure of the printer unit 400 in more detail. Explaining with reference to this, 401P
Is a commercial power plug, 401SW is a power switch, 401
Is a power supply means, 430 is a circuit board on which the second communication control means is mounted, and 430S1 and 430S2 are second communication control means 43.
S having the same shape and the same interface on 0
CSI connectors, 430F1 and 430F2 are optical fiber connectors for printer selective addition device communication, 441 is a laser diode, 442 is an fθ lens, 443 is a rotating polygon mirror, 444 is a mirror, 412A is a double-sided copying / automatic paper feeding cassette, 412B is Manual insertion paper feed tray, 413A, B
Is a paper feed roll, 418R is a register roll pair, 413
F, G, H, and J are pairs of conveying rolls, 414 is a photosensitive drum, 415 is an intermediate transfer belt, 416 is a primary transfer corotron, 417 is a secondary transfer corotron, 419 is a charging scorotron, and 420C, M, Y, and K. Is a developing device for cyan, yellow, magenta, and black, respectively, 420 is a developing device assembly, 421 is a cleaner, 422 is a conveyor belt, 423.
A is a fixing roll, 423B is a fixing backup roll,
424 is a discharge roll, 425 is a discharge switching roll, 4
Reference numeral 26 is an image leading edge position detecting means.

(Operation of Image Forming Means 500) The operation will be described with reference to FIG. The printer unit is the second communication control means 4
Based on 2-bit print data of pixel density 1/16 mm or 1/24 mm for both main scanning and sub scanning for each color of CMYK input to 30, the printing dot density of both CMYK for both main scanning and sub scanning on the transfer paper. 1/16 m
A full-color visible image consisting of m or 1/24 mm dot patterns is formed. The selection of recording dot density of 1/16 mm or 1/24 mm dot is designated in advance by a mode selection command. Default dot density is 1/16 mm
Is. When the image forming cycle is started, first, the photosensitive drum 414 is rotated counterclockwise and the intermediate transfer belt 415 is rotated clockwise by the drive motor 414M. C toner image formation as the intermediate transfer belt 415 rotates, M
Image formation, Y image formation, K image formation are performed, and finally CM
Toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 415 in the order of YK.

First, C image formation is performed as follows. The charging scorotron 419 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 414 with negative charges to −700 V by corona discharge. Then, the laser diode 441 performs raster exposure based on the C signal. The recording signal for image formation is supplied from the scanner unit 200 in the general copy mode, and from the system control unit 600 in the special copy mode including intelligent image processing, the facsimile mode or the printer mode. In the copy mode, a data request signal REQ is sent to the scanner unit 200, and to the system control unit 600 in the printer mode or the facsimile mode, "send recorded image data after a predetermined time".

The recording signal is SC of the second communication control means 430.
The laser drive circuit 441DV, which is input from the SI terminal 430S1 or 430S2, is a recording control circuit controls the light emission of the laser diode 441 in input pixel units based on the recording signal. The recording signal is 2 bits per pixel. More specifically, the maximum C density pixel emits laser light for the entire main scanning width, the white pixel emits no light at all, and the intermediate density signal emits light for a time proportional to the density data. To do so. When the raster image is exposed in this way, in the initially uniformly charged photosensitive drum 414, the exposed portion loses the charge proportional to the exposure light amount, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. Developing device 42
The toner in 0C is negatively charged by stirring with the ferrite carrier. Further, the cyan developing roller 420C of the present developing device is biased by the power supply means (not shown) to the metal base layer of the photosensitive drum 414 to a potential in which a negative DC potential and an AC are superposed. As a result, the toner does not adhere to the portion of the photoconductor 414 where the electric charge remains,
The C toner is adsorbed to the non-charged portion, that is, the exposed portion, and a C visible image similar to the latent image is formed.

In this manner, when the toner image on the photoconductor rotates counterclockwise and reaches the counter position of the primary transfer corotron 416, the toner image comes into contact with the photoconductor and the corona is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 415 which is driven at the synchronous speed. Transcribed. Photoconductor 414
The small amount of untransferred residual toner above is cleaned by the cleaning device 421 in preparation for reuse of the photoconductor 414. The toner collected here is stored in a waste toner tank (not shown) via a collection pipe. The intermediate transfer belt 415 is made of a material having a relatively large specific resistance value in order to maintain a long-term image carrying characteristic which is particularly required in the printer mode. As a result, the toner image can be carried without disturbing the toner image even if the time until the next M toner image is formed is long, for example, 20 minutes.

Next, prior to performing the M image forming raster exposure based on the M signal, the developing device assembly 420 is rotated counterclockwise so that the M developing roll 420M faces the photoconductor 414. Next, the leading end position of the C visible image previously formed is detected by the leading edge detecting means 426, and in the copy mode, the request signal REQ "Send recording M image data after a predetermined time" is sent to the scanner unit 200 again. Emit.
This request signal is transmitted at the time when the image position detection means 426 detects the registration C toner mark image which is slightly ahead of the effective C image in the previous step. Further, a permanent mark may be attached to the intermediate transfer belt in advance in place of the C toner mark image. If the M signal is sent exactly in synchronization with this request signal, M image exposure, development, 1
The next transfer is performed, and accurate color plate alignment is performed on the original existing C image, that is, the M image is correctly superimposed on the C image on the intermediate transfer belt 415. When the M raster image is exposed in this way, in the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 414 that is initially uniformly charged, the charge proportional to the amount of exposure light disappears and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The M toner in the developing device 420M is negatively charged, and the developer on the developing roller 420M of the main developing device contacts the photosensitive drum 414 and is biased to the same potential as in the C developing. Therefore, the toner does not adhere to the portion of the photoconductor 414 where the electric charge remains, and the M toner is adsorbed to the portion exposed by the M signal, and an M visible image similar to the electrostatic latent image is formed. Becomes

Similarly, the Y image is formed on the CM toner image, and the K image is formed on the CMY image, respectively. Since the basic image processing circuit 300 performs UCR (undercolor removal) processing, there is little chance that one pixel will be developed with toner of all four colors. The full-color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 415 thus rotated at least four times is rotatably transferred to the secondary transfer 417 portion.

On the other hand, when the image formation is started, the transfer paper 190 is supplied from any of the three feeding units, that is, the cassette 412A, the manually inserted paper feed tray 412B or the external feeding port 412C. The transfer paper 190 is the feeding roll 413.
A, 413B or feeding roll pair 413F is fed out,
Or it is fed by the transport action, and the pair of register rolls 4
Waiting at the 18R nip. Then, when the front end of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 415 reaches the secondary transfer corotron 427, the register roll pair 418R is driven so that the front end of the transfer paper 190 exactly coincides with this front end of the image, and the paper and the image are separated from each other. Registration is performed.

In this way, the transfer paper is superposed on the intermediate transfer belt image and passes under the secondary transfer corotron 417 connected to the positive potential power source. At this time, the transfer paper is positively charged by the corona discharge current, and most of the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper. Then, when passing through a neutralization core (not shown) connected to a grounding source arranged on the slightly left side of the secondary transfer corotron 417, the transfer paper discharges electric charges, and the attraction force between the intermediate transfer belt and the transfer paper almost disappears. To do. Eventually, the weight of the transfer paper exceeds the suction force, and the transfer paper 190 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt and transferred to the transport belt 422. The transfer paper carrying the toner image is sent to the fixing device 423 by the carrying belt 422. The fixing roll 423 heated at this time
Heat and pressure are applied in the nip portion between A and the backup roll 423B, the toner is melted, the fibers of the transfer paper 190 are trapped in the toner, and the image is fixed. That is, the copy image is completed. The completed copy is then ejected roll pair 424
Is sent out from the main body. The ejected copy sheets are stacked face up on a tray (not shown). Further, in the case of double-sided copying, the switching roll 425 is moved to the right along with the sheet deflection, and is pressed against the opposite conveying roll to reverse the transfer sheet once, and then the pair of conveying rolls 413H is set to the double-sided copying / automatic sheet feeding cassette 413A. Lead. At this time, the copied transfer sheets 190A are stacked with the copy side facing up.

(Structure of Second Communication Control Means 430) FIG. 10 shows the structure of the second communication control means 430. In the figure, 430 CPU is a microprocessor, 430 RAM is a read / write memory, 430 ROM is a read-only memory, 430 INT is an interrupt controller, 430 T
MR is a timer counter, 430 SIO is a serial communication unit, 430 SYNC is a second synchronization signal generator, 430
XTL is the second crystal unit, 430 DMA is the DMA controller, 430 FIFO is the buffer memory, 430 SC
SI is a SCSI controller, 430BUS is a bus, 4
30DH is a data channel. Further, as those connected to the bus of the second communication control means 430, 430 DV is an input / output circuit such as a sensor and a motor, and 441 DV is a drive circuit of the laser 441.

(Timing Control and Synchronous Control of Second Communication Control Means 430) The second communication control means 430 communicates with the system control unit 600 or the scanner unit 200 according to a predetermined protocol, basically in units of main scanning lines. Image data is acquired, all means in the unit are cooperatively energized and controlled to form an image based on the command print mode,
The final image 190A is output. Also, the sorter 490 and the like that are selectively added to the printer unit are integratedly controlled. In color print mode, CMYK 1
This is a frame-sequential image forming method in which colors are formed on a surface-by-surface basis, which are superposed on an intermediate transfer belt 415 and transferred onto a recording paper 190 to form a final image. Therefore, in the color copy mode, the system control unit 600 or the scanner unit 200
, The scanning request is output four times for each print. In color image formation, it is important to secure the positional accuracy (registration) for each color plate on the intermediate transfer belt 415, and a method of achieving this will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11 shows the synchronization of one image signal. First, the system control unit 6
00 or the scanner unit 200, the data request command REQ is sent before the fixed time t5 of image data reception. In color image formation, in the second and subsequent color plate formats, the data request signal REQ may be issued before t5 time when the leading edge of the previous color plate image will reach the exposure point 441X. In the present image forming means for accurately measuring the time at which the front of the previous color plate reaches 441X, the image leading edge detecting means 426 is provided opposite to the intermediate transfer belt 415. Basically exposure point 4
A value obtained by adding the product of the peripheral speed Vpc of the photoconductor and t5 time to the distance L1 from 41X to the 1 o'clock transfer point 414T and the distance L2 from the 1 o'clock transfer point 414T to the detection position of the image leading edge detection unit 426 are set to 2 In the subsequent color plate formation, the leading edge reference image of the color formed before that may be detected and the data request signal REQ may be issued simultaneously with the detection. This so-called constant time before data request method is particularly effective for a data transmission source in which the other party has a certain mass of the scanning device such as the scanner unit 200 and it takes some preparation time before outputting the image data. .

If the data request command is transmitted in this way, the data generating side prepares the data of the first scanning line after t5 time according to the inter-unit protocol as described in the section of the scanner unit. As a result, at least phase synchronization is maintained. Next, in order to synchronize the cycle, first, the second synchronization signal generating means 43
1 in synchronization with the pulse train period ts2 generated by 0SYNC
The print data for the scanning line is received from the other party and put in the receive buffer 430 FIFO. Further, the rotary polygon mirror 442 is driven in synchronization with the pulse train period ts2,
More specifically, the phase lock servo drive is used, and the mirror surfaces are switched at the cycle ts2. As a result, the bright spot 441X of the laser 441 exposes and scans the photoconductor 414 at ts2 cycles. Further, as a matter of course, during the bright spot scanning, the laser drive circuit 441DV drives the laser 441 in pixel units 475 based on the image data D1 to D4752.
Lighting control is performed twice. In the copy mode, the scanner unit 200 is provided on the data transmission side to maintain the above synchronization mechanism. As a result, no matter how many times the original image is scanned, the original image data will always be obtained after a certain period of time from the command initial transmission, and the positional relationship between the paper and the image (registration).
Is maintained correctly and the color plate registration is maintained.

(Other Actions of Second Communication Control Means 430) FIGS. 12 and 13 are flow charts showing other actions of the second communication control means 430. These functions are shown in FIG.
This is performed by executing the program of the microprocessor by the 0CPU. The execution program is stored in the read-only memory of the 430 ROM. p401 indicates a power-on operation of the power source 401, and p402 indicates initialization processing, for example, initial parameter setting of various circuit elements, watchdog timer start,
This is the function of the initial alignment of the four-color developing device 420. p
403 determines whether or not the command input from the terminals 430S1 and 430S2 has been performed within a predetermined time. p404 is a function of cutting off the heater power of the fixing unit 423, and contributes to reduction of power consumption during standby. p405 is generated when the watchdog timer leaves the normal execution of the program. At this time, the failure occurrence notification function p405 is set by the system control unit 60.
Notify 0 of this. p410 is an interrupt vector when a failure occurs in the image forming means 500 and other units, p411 identifies the failure part and analyzes the cause, and p412 notifies the system control unit 600 of this. In p413, for example, when the motor 414 has a heating failure, fail-safe processing is performed to avoid danger such as fire.

P420 is an interrupt vector when information is input to the terminals 430S1 and S2. At this time, p4
At 21, the sleep timer is stopped. In p422, the received contents are checked and branch is made to any of the following five types. The first is TEST (TEST unit read) of p430.
This is the route when the inquiry is made in y) regarding whether or not the printer unit is capable of forming an image. In p431, the printer unit status including the selective addition devices 480 and 490 is returned. p480 is a self-determination D for the printer.
It is a route for obtaining IAG (DIAG nostic), and is typically obtained after the failure occurrence notifying functions p405 and p412 notify of a failure, and the self-diagnosis and its answer processing are performed in P481 to p482.

P440 is a SENS (Mode Sen) for inquiring about various setting modes of the printer unit.
se), and the mode setting state of the printer unit including the selective addition devices 280 and 290 is returned in the processes of p441 to p445. p450 is a path when requesting various setting mode setting SEL (mode select),
Pairs with SENS above. Various parameters are set in each routine of p451 to p455.

P460 is a pass at the time of PRINT request, which is normally requested once for one print in the single color image forming process, four times for the full color process, and twice for the secondary color monocolor. At the time of this request, first, the motor 414M is started in p461, the image forming sequence control is started in p462, and the detection operation of the leading edge sensor 426 is monitored in p463. When the sensor detects the leading edge of the image, p464 is activated immediately and the data transfer request signal REQ is output. Further, in p465, the line counter (scan line counter) provided in the memory 430RAM is reset. This counter is incremented by 1 by the synchronizing pulse generated by the second synchronizing signal generating means 430YNC once for each scanning line. In p466, the time from when the data transfer request signal REQ is issued until the data transfer destination prepares the data of the first line, in other words, when an image of another color already exists, it is the exposure equivalent position 441.
It is a task to monitor the time to circulate to X and return. When this time elapses, p467 resets the line counter for the second time, further opens the exit gate of 430 FIFO which is a buffer memory for image data, and the laser driver 441 through the image signal line 430D.
Preparations are made for delivering the recorded image signal to the DV.

From then on, p468 to p472 are terminals 402S.
In the task group for storing the recording image data fetched from S1 and S2 in the 430 FIFO for each scanning line, first, at 468, the second synchronizing signal generating means 430 SYNC detects the synchronizing pulse generated every scanning line. p469 is terminal 402
The recorded image data for 4752 pixels of the single layer line acquired from S1 and S2 is stored in the 430 FIF. At this time p4
At 70, the line counter is incremented. p47
In No. 2, this loop is equivalent to the recording size, for example, in A3 size paper, 6720 scanning lines are repeated, that is, 6720 times. When the laser scanning for one surface is completed, p473 closes the exit gate of the 430 FIFO and cuts off the drive signal of the laser driver. At this time, the terminal 402S1,
The acquisition of the recorded image data from S2 is also completed. p4
Reference numeral 73 checks whether or not the image formation this time was the last color image formation of the color image recorded in the assembly. If it is not the final color, the remaining image forming sequence control is completed, and the motor is stopped at p480. If the final image formation has been completed, the paper feeding described in p474 to p478,
The secondary transfer, fixing, and paper discharge processes are executed, and the recorded image 190 is printed.
B is discharged out of the printer unit.

(Structure of System Control Unit 600) The structure of the system control unit 600 is shown in FIG. 14 and its mechanism is shown in FIG. The unit is an application control means 65
0, key input means 810 and bitmap display means 820
And a floppy disk device 740, a magneto-optical storage device or a CD-ROM drive device 730, an IC card drive device 745, a third communication control means 630, and an acceleration processing device 750. All of these means are housed in the system control unit housing 600 of FIG. Further, it is a mechanism that can be fastened to the upper portion of the printer unit 400 by a coupling means (not shown).

(Mechanical Structure of System Control Unit 600) FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the system control unit 600. The console 800 has an operation surface exposed upward and can be operated even after the scanner unit 200 is overlaid. It is placed on the side. In addition, the floppy disk device 74
0, the magneto-optical storage device or the CD-ROM drive device 730, and the IC card drive device 745 have the recording medium insertion surface on the front side in consideration of usability, and the SCSI connector of the third communication control means 630 is on the rear surface. A floppy disk device 740, a magneto-optical storage means or a CD-R
Storage medium drive means such as the OM drive device 730 and the IC card drive device 745 are selected according to the configuration of the target system and are incorporated in the system unit 600.

(Detailed Structure of Third Communication Control Means 630) FIG. 16 shows the detailed structure of the third communication control means 630. In the figure, 630 CPU is a microprocessor, 630
RAM is a read / write memory, 630 ROM is a read-only memory, 630 NON is a non-volatile memory, 630
INT is an interrupt controller, 630TMR is a timer counter, 630SIO is a serial communication unit, 63
0SYNC is a synchronization signal generator, 630XTL is a crystal oscillator, 630DMA is a DMA controller, and 630FIF.
O is a buffer memory, 630 SCSI is a SCSI controller, 630S1 and S2 are SCSI terminals, 630BU
S is a bus, 750D is a data channel with the acceleration processing means 750, and 630 HDD is a magnetic disk drive.
Further, 810D is a console interface, 740 is a control device of a floppy disk device, 730 is a control device of a magneto-optical storage device or a CD-ROM drive device,
Reference numeral 745 is a control device of the IC card drive device.

(Function of Third Communication Control Means 630) The third communication control means 630 has the following functions. First
The function of (1) performs integrated control of at least one unit of the scanner unit 200 and the printer unit 400 to the maximum unit. The second function is a control means by the console 800 for screen display and key input, and the third function is a floppy disk device 740, a magneto-optical storage device or a CD.
-ROM drive device 730, IC card drive device 74
5 is an operation function of the storage medium. Referring to FIG. 14, the third communication control means 630 includes an operating system 630CORE and library routines 650L1 to L650L.
n, an application processing interface 630API, and a device driver 630DV. All these functional means are realized by a method of utilizing a hardware resource of the third communication control means 630 and executing a program stored in a 630 ROM or a 630 HDD.

In the function of the device driver 630DV, firstly, unit control from a minimum of one scanner unit 200 or printer unit 400 to a maximum of seven units can be integrated. Secondly, the console 80 for displaying on the screen 820 and inputting from the key device 810.
0 control, thirdly, floppy disk device 740, magneto-optical storage device or CD-ROM drive device 730, I
A storage medium operation function such as the C card drive device 745 is included. These control processes are performed by the operating system 65.
It is activated by the multi-task real-time control management of 0CORE. The application processing interface 630API is an interface means with the application processing means 650, and is an input / output port when the application processing means 630 utilizes the third communication control means 630 and means connected to the third communication control means 630.

(Structure and Operation of Applied Processing Means 650) FIG.
4, the application processing means 650 is a copy processing means 6
50CP, facsimile processing means 650FX, print processing means 650PR, and intelligent image processing means 650AI. All of these processing means share the hardware resources of the third communication control means 630 and are realized in the form of executing a program stored in the 630 ROM or 630 HDD. The copy processing unit 650CP is a processing unit for integrally controlling the entire system and realizing an image copying function in a system in which the scanner unit 200 or the printer unit 400 and the system control unit 600 are connected. Facsimile processing means 650
CP is the scanner unit 200 or the printer unit 40
In a system in which 0 and the system control unit 600 are connected, it is a processing unit that integrally controls the entire system and realizes a facsimile function.

The print processing means 650CP is a processing means for integrally controlling the entire system and realizing the printer function in the system in which the scanner unit 200 or the printer unit 400 and the system control unit 600 are connected. The intelligent image processing means 650CP is a processing means for integrally controlling the entire system and realizing an intelligent image processing function in a system in which the scanner unit 200 or the printer unit 400 and the system control unit 600 are connected. . Here, the intelligent image processing is to perform image processing in which the original image 180 and the output image 190 are significantly different from each other, such as recognizing a character from an image read by the scanner unit 200 and creating a graph based on the character. In the intelligent image processing, unlike the general copy mode, the image data is once taken into the system control means and is subjected to the action of the intelligent image processing means 650CP, and thereafter, the processed image data is delivered to the printer unit 400. An image is formed. The above five types of applied processing means are selected and incorporated into the system unit 600 in order to configure the system according to the purpose.

(Function and Function of Copy Processing Means 650CP in Applied Processing Means 650) FIG. 17 shows the operation of the copy processing means 650CP for connecting the scanner unit 200, printer unit 600 and system control unit 600 to achieve the copy function. It is a figure explaining. FIG. 18 is a timing chart of the copy processing operation, and FIG. 19 is a timing chart when a failure occurs during the copy processing operation. P6 in Figure 19
01 is a start address when the printer unit 400 is powered on. The power of the printer unit 400 is turned on because the system control unit 600 is assembled together with the printer unit 400 and receives power supply from the printer unit. p6
In 04, parameters on various software, for example, internal registers of the interrupt controller 630INT are initialized. p602 indicates that the watchdog timer has timed out, and the protection process of the data to be backed up, that is, the data save to 650 NON, is performed, and the process branches to the initial stage or the process. p605 monitors the presence or absence of various events, and p606 examines the contents and jumps to four types of paths.

P610 branches when a notification of failure occurrence is received from the p-scan or printer unit,
The contents are confirmed from p611 to p614. p615
Displays on the screen 820 so that the operator can know the details of the failure, and notifies the information to the service center connected by the public line at p612. p617 receives support such as a failure recovery procedure from the service center, which is displayed on p618. The p620 branches when a notification of an abnormality occurrence is received from the scanner or printer unit. Abnormality here means a state such as supply shortage of the toner or recording paper, opening of the housing door, and supply of the supply, closing of the door, etc., which can easily shift to the normal state. The contents are confirmed from p621 to p624. p6
15 displays on the screen 820 so that the details of the abnormality can be understood,
Further, p625 displays a message on the console screen 820 regarding a procedure for returning to the normal state such as urging supply of supply.

In p660, the operator uses the console 800
It is activated at the time of mode setting such as various copy modes input from, for example, image processing mode designation, sort mode designation, and displays a response screen on the display 820 at p661 and sends a mode setting command to the scanner and printer unit.

The process branches to p630 when the start button 811 is pressed, and inquires the scanner and printer unit about the preparation status from p631 to p634. If both are ready, a COPY command is sent to the scanner unit 200 and a PRINT command is sent to the printer unit 400 at p635. With this, commands are exchanged between the scanner unit and the printer unit, image data is exchanged according to the procedure described in the section of the unit, and a copy is generated. p637 to p
640 inquires whether the series of image reading process and the image forming process have been completed. If it has returned to the initial state, this is displayed on the screen 820. In p642, it is checked whether or not a predetermined number of color plates and a predetermined number of copies are all completed, and if the remaining image formation is still necessary, the process returns to the beginning.
This loop is repeated four times during color copying.

(System Configuration Example) FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which three types of units are combined. In the figure, functional blocks and transmission lines for control signals and image signals connecting between the units indicated by thick lines 200S and 400S are shown, and the transmission lines are SCSI cables. First, FIG. 20A shows a configuration in which the scanner unit 200 is simply connected to the host computer HOST, and the first communication means 230 is connected to the host computer HOST,
The communication control means 230 directly connects to the host computer HOS
It has a function as a so-called scanner that communicates with T and delivers read image data.

FIG. 20B shows the host computer HO.
The printer unit 400 is connected to the ST,
This is an example of functioning as a so-called bitmap laser printer. At this time, the second communication control means 430 directly communicates with the host computer HOST, obtains image data from the HOST, and forms a hard copy.

FIG. 20C shows an example of the structure of a general copying machine, in which one scanner unit 20 is provided.
0, printer unit 400, system control unit 6
00 is connected by a transmission line (SCSI cable) 200S. Here, the system control unit 600
A copy processing means 650CP for integrally controlling the above-mentioned two units to achieve a copy function is incorporated therein.

FIG. 20D shows a triple-reading copier, which includes a first scanner unit 200-1 and a second scanner unit 200-1, respectively.
Of the scanner unit 200-2, the third scanner unit 200-3, the printer unit 400 and the system control unit 600 of the transmission line (SCSI cable) 20
Connect with 0S2 and S3. Here, for example, 200-1
Is a general A3 version scanner unit, 200-
2 for large size scanner unit such as A1 size, 20
If 0-3 are color scanner units, various advantages are produced as compared with the case where dedicated copying machines are installed. Further, the combination and the number of these can be arbitrarily changed according to the usage frequency. In this case, the system control unit 600 incorporates a multiple read / copy processing means 650CP2 for integrally controlling the above four units to achieve a copying function. Although not shown, it is also possible to configure a plurality of printer units. In this case, the system control unit 600 controls the other units in an integrated manner to achieve the copying function, and the duplicate recording processing unit 650.
CP3 is incorporated. Further, although the number of connected units is not limited, up to seven scanner units and printer units can be connected in total in the multi-link system.

FIG. 20E shows the scanner unit 20.
0, printer unit 400, system control unit 6
This is an image processing system in which copying such as 00, a high-performance printer, and a color facsimile are combined. A fourth communication unit 680P for connecting to the host computer HOST and a print processing unit 650PT for converting print data in the page description language format received from the fourth communication unit into raster data are connected to the system control unit 600. Further, the communication means 680F for connecting to the public line ISDN and the data decompression in a predetermined compression format received from the fifth communication means and the original image data read by the system control unit 200 are compressed into the predetermined format. A color facsimile processing means 650FX is incorporated. Of course, these hybrid image processing apparatuses can further expand the system.

(Specific Structure of Copying System) FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram specifically configured in the case of configuring as a copying system. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the specific example of FIG. 21 with functional blocks and signal flows. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to these drawings. In this embodiment, the copying system shown in FIG. 20C is further embodied. Scanner unit 2
00, an automatic current feeding device 280 and a film projector 290, which are additional units, are added to the printer unit 400, and another-stage sheet feeding device 480 and a sorter 490 are added to the printer unit 400. The printer unit 400, the system control unit 600, and the scanner unit 200 are sequentially stacked. The block indicated by the broken line in FIG. 22 is a selective addition function. It is possible to add these elements to the system control unit of the copying system, and if all are added, the configuration is the same as that of the composite system of FIG. 20 (e).

(Outline of operation of copying system) FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a color image copying operation timing of the copying system of No. 1 and will be described with reference to this drawing. 600 in the figure
Is a system control unit, 200 is a scanner unit,
Reference numeral 400 denotes the operation of each printer unit. The symbol C in the rectangle is COPY, the symbol P in the rectangle is PRINT, and 4 is the symbol in the rectangle.
Rs in the rectangles indicate REQ. When the first COPY command is issued from the system control unit 600 to the scanner unit 200, the scanner unit 200 transmits the PRINT signal to the printer unit 400. In response to this, the printer unit 400 detects the image leading edge mark attached to the intermediate transfer belt 415 by the image leading edge detecting unit 416, and immediately the second synchronization control unit 430 outputs the recording data request signal REQ to the scanner unit 20.
Emitted to 0. At the same time, the line counter is reset and activated to prepare for the time t5, which has been exchanged in advance, until the start of image formation. On the other hand, when the scanner unit 200 receives the data request signal REQ, the carriage unit 208 adjusts to match the previously exchanged time t5 until the start of reading the original image.
Control acceleration.

After a lapse of t5 hours, the carriage 208 of the scanner unit 200 reaches the image leading edge 202S, and as shown in the printer unit 400, the position corresponding to the image leading edge exposure of the photosensitive member 414 is located on the exposure optical axis 441X. become. From this point, the scanner unit 20
0 outputs image signals D1 to D4752 in units of one scanning line. Further, the printer unit 400 receives the image signals D1 to D4752 in units of one scanning line and performs image exposure for each scanning line to form an image. The central portion of FIG. 23 illustrates the state when the synchronous image signal transfer is started and the image reading time of the ninth line is reached.
According to this, at the read timing and the print timing, there are a total of 6 scanning lines because the image buffer 230 FIFO for four lines provided in the scanner unit and the image buffer 430 FIFO for two lines provided in the printer unit exist. There will be a delay. This results in the phase of copy image formation being shifted backward by about 0.4 mm. However, since the phase difference is always constant, color plate misregistration does not occur. Although it is a slight deviation from a practical point of view, it is certain that recording paper registration error will occur, and in order to make a precise adjustment, measures such as delaying the conveyance of recording paper and the timing of secondary transfer by 6 lines are taken. Is good.

The image buffer 2 of the scanner unit
The reason that 30 FIFOs are 4 lines and the image buffer 430 FIFO of the printer unit is 2 lines is a measure for absorbing a slight variation in the actual crystal oscillators 230XTL and 430XTL. More specifically, even if 430XTL has a frequency slightly higher or lower than 230XTL, the line sync frequency is converted into the number of lines, and the difference from the start of scanning to the end of scanning is 6720 lines, which is 6718. This is to anticipate that the problem of overtaking the read data or overflowing the data does not occur within the range from the line to 6722 lines.
When the above process is completed, a one-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 415. If you repeat this for 4 colors,
The synchronization procedure described above is executed every time, and the color image having no registration error is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41.
5 is formed. A color image 190B is obtained by transferring this onto recording paper 190, fixing it, and discharging it.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart for explaining the start-up of the composite image processing apparatus in which the scanner unit 200, the printer unit 400 and the system control unit 600 are combined. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the composite image processing apparatus of the above embodiment. When the scanner unit 200 and the printer unit 400 are connected to the system control unit 600 via a general-purpose bus, each device is set to an initial value (initialization) when the power is turned on. From the system control unit 600 to the scanner unit 200 or the printer unit 400, p11, p14
Based on the data transfer request to the scanner unit 200.
And the print unit 400 are sequentially performed. On the other hand,
Image forming information is input from the scanner unit 200 and the print unit 400 to the system control unit according to the usage state. Based on this image formation information, the system control unit 600 sets control data based on p12 and p14. As the image forming information, the system control unit 600 includes resolution, monochrome / color, paper size, γ correction table information, and optional device information.
Sent to. Therefore, the γ correction data is input to the memory provided in the host computer (system control unit) when the power is turned on, and it is possible to support various image processing terminal devices.

Based on the image forming information from the scanner unit 200 or the printer unit 400, the system control unit 600 follows the flow of steps p17 to p22.
Are connected to the system control unit 600. In addition, when the quasi simulator is connected, p15, p1
According to the flow of 6, set the expansion slot control data,
The system control unit 60 obtains the image forming information.
Set the control data of 0. Therefore, when the system control unit is incorporated in the image processing terminal device, the image correction data may be stored in advance in the memory on the system control unit side according to the terminal device. Furthermore, the image correction data may be input to the memory of the system control unit 600 each time the power is turned on. Of course, the image processing terminal equipment includes a CD-ROM, an electronic photograph, and the like.

[0080]

In the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention, devices for image processing such as a host computer (system control unit), a printer unit, a facsimile and a scanner unit are connected through a general-purpose bus. . Therefore, since control signals and image data signals of these devices are transferred via the general-purpose bus, there is an advantage that the printer unit and the scanner unit can be handled in the same concept as the terminal device of the computer. Therefore, in the past, since the manufacturer's original interface was used,
The interface of these devices has been troublesome, but there is an advantage that it is not necessary and an extremely versatile composite image processing apparatus can be provided. Further, since the composite type image processing device can be separated into each image processing terminal, it is possible to separate the image terminal device and the system control unit into a small size, and there is an advantage that they can be easily transported and transported. As a result, it is possible to provide a composite-type image processing device capable of advanced office work processing. Of course,
It is an extremely effective system that can be upgraded as needed.

Further, since the system control unit is equipped with a CPU and the system control unit can be used as a host computer to connect a terminal device to a plurality of devices for image processing, the system of the image processing apparatus can be connected. It has the advantage that it can be expanded and that it can be used for the development of various applications different from conventional ones. Further, the image correction data is input from each image terminal to the host computer, and the host computer can centrally manage the image correction data such as the γ correction table and the image memory, so that each unit can be managed. It becomes easier to absorb the difference in the characteristics of
It contributes to the reduction of manufacturing cost. Further, since the correction table of the image data for each unit can be rewritten, when the power is turned on, the correction data can be input and written into the control section of the system control unit from each image processing terminal to facilitate the dispersion of the characteristics of the unit. Can be corrected.
Further, in such a composite type image processing apparatus, it is possible to absorb the characteristics of each unit by retrieving the data from each image processing terminal with a common program without recreating the software and only by acquiring the data. Because it is possible, it is possible to give versatility.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are block diagrams showing an embodiment of a composite image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a scanner unit.

FIG. 3 is a mechanical diagram of the scanner unit in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first communication control unit and its relation.

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram of the scanner unit.

FIG. 6 is a control flow chart of the scanner unit.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart of the scanner unit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a printer unit.

FIG. 9 is a mechanism diagram of a scanner unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship with second communication control means.

FIG. 11 is a timing diagram of the printer unit.

FIG. 12 is a control flowchart of the printer unit.

FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of the printer unit.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a system control unit.

15 is a mechanical diagram of the system control unit of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a third communication control means of the system control unit and its relation.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the operation of copy processing means in the system control unit.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart of copy processing operation handled by copy processing means.

FIG. 19 is a timing diagram when a failure is handled by the copy processing means.

20A to 20E are diagrams showing various system configuration examples in which units are combined.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a specific mechanical surface in the case of being configured as a copying system.

22 is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the copying system of FIG. 21 and the flow of signals.

23 is an image synchronization timing diagram of the copying system in FIG.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for setting an initial state of the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a conventional copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 Operation Panel 10 Image Memory 20 General Purpose Bus (Transmission Line) 180 Document 190 Recording Paper 200 Scanner Unit 207 Imaging Device 201 First Power Supply Means 230 First Communication Control Means 230 SYNC First Sync Signal Generation Means 211 Carriage Home Sensor 400 Printer Unit 401 Second power supply means 414 Photosensitive drum 415 Intermediate transfer belt 426 Image leading edge detection means 430 Second communication control means 430 SYNC Second synchronization signal generation means 600 System control unit 630 Third communication control means 650 System control means 650CP Copy processing means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A composite image forming apparatus for a device for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile and a copying machine, and a general purpose bus to which a host computer and a device for the image processing are connected. An image memory for storing image data input from a previous device connected to the general-purpose bus, and a composite image forming apparatus. 2. A composite type image forming apparatus for a device for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile and a copying machine, and a general-purpose bus to which a host computer and a device for the image processing are connected. A data requesting unit for requesting data such as image information to a device connected to the general-purpose bus for the image processing when the host computer is powered on, and a data request from the data requesting unit. A detection unit that detects whether or not there is a response from a device targeted for the image processing within a certain time, and detects a connection state of the device targeted for the image processing; Receives information such as image information from any of the devices targeted for the image processing, and operates any of the devices targeted for the image processing based on the information. Composite image forming apparatus comprising a selection means for setting, in that it consists of. 3. A composite image forming apparatus for a device intended for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile and a copying function, wherein the composite image forming apparatus includes a host computer, and the image processing is intended for the image processing. The image data input from the device is transferred and the image data is stored in a readable / writable storage device via a general-purpose bus, and image quality correction is applied to the image data when the image data is read from the storage device. A composite image forming apparatus comprising image quality correcting means. 4. A composite type image forming apparatus for a device intended for image processing such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile and a copying function, wherein a host computer is a central control unit of the composite type image forming apparatus, and the host. A general-purpose bus to which a computer, a device for the image processing, and a storage device capable of reading / writing image data are connected, and at the time of reading the image data stored in the storage device,
A composite image forming device, comprising: an image quality correction unit that adds image quality correction to the image data; and an image quality correction data changing unit that can change the image quality correction data of the image quality correction unit according to a selected device. apparatus. 5. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image quality correction unit is a γ correction table.