JPH08191370A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To effectively perform the copying operations by starting the formation or images after the image data on all originals are stored in a memory when a mode where an automatic original feeding device is not used is selected. CONSTITUTION: An ADF use mode is selected when an automatic original feeding device ADF 81 is put close on a platen glass 122, and an ADF non-use mode is selected when the ADF 81 is canceled (opened) to the glass 122 and therefore an original 121 is manually read. In a manual read mode, i.e., a mode where the ADF 81 is not used, a memory write mode is selected with a single push of a memory write mode selection button. Thus the image of the original that is put on an original board is read by an image pickup element and then written in a memory as the image data. When the memory write mode selection button is pushed again, the image data are sent to an image formation part after the image of the original put on true original board is read by the image pickup element. Then the images are formed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine, and more particularly to a double-sided copying machine for recording images on both sides of recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A machine for recording a double-sided original on both sides of a recording paper in an electrophotographic copying machine is called a double-sided copying machine and is known to have a high performance. Such a double-sided copying machine is usually equipped with a circulating automatic document feeder as standard.

This type of automatic document feeder takes out a one-page document from a document stack in which documents are stacked,
The operation of feeding the original, exposing the original, feeding the original upside down, exposing the original, and discharging the original is repeated for each page. After copying one copy of the original, the above operation is repeated from the first page of the original again to obtain the required number of copies. As for copying, the circulation of the document is repeated as many times as necessary to execute the copying work. Since such an operation requires a complicated and large structure, the price becomes expensive, the sound during operation becomes loud, and it is necessary to circulate the original a plurality of times for copying a plurality of copies.
It has the drawback that the chances of the original being damaged increase.

On the other hand, in recent years, a plurality of page memories are provided, as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-34064, for example.
The document is fed to the reading position by the automatic document feeder, the image data obtained by reading the document with the image pickup device such as CCD is recorded in the page memory, and then the data is read from the page memory to form an image on the recording paper. Apparatuses for forming and copying a required number of copies have been widely used.

In the double-sided copying machine having the above-described structure, the image forming operation is started after the image data is uniformly recorded in the memory. Therefore, the copying operation is not executed at all during the reading period of the original, so that the copying operation is performed. I couldn't improve productivity.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and is a simple structure and inexpensive non-recycling type automatic manuscript without using a circulating type automatic manuscript feeder which is complicated and expensive. The double-sided copying is realized by using a feeding device.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the case of copying single-sided originals and double-sided recording, all the pages are stored in the memory by reading the original only once, and the image data is read from the memory and continuously copied. , Single-sided recording and double-sided original In the case of double-sided copying, the image data reading from the original and the recording operation to the memory, the image data reading from the original and the image forming can be executed simultaneously in parallel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that consumes less time and has high productivity.

[0008]

The above-mentioned object is to provide a reading means for obtaining image data by reading a document image by photoelectric conversion, an automatic document feeding means for automatically feeding the document sequentially to the reading means, and the image. Image data storage means for storing data, image forming means for forming an image on both sides of a recording sheet based on the image data read from the image data storage means, and the reading means,
In an image recording apparatus comprising an automatic document feeding unit, an image data storage unit, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the image forming unit, the control unit has a mode using the automatic document feeding unit and a mode not using the automatic document feeding unit. Is configured to be selectable, and when the mode for using the automatic document feeding means is selected, the image data is read from the reading means and the image formation is started. This is achieved by an image recording apparatus configured to store image data of all originals in a memory and then start image formation when the unused mode is selected.

Here, the control means of the image recording apparatus of the present invention is configured such that a mode using the automatic document feeding means and a mode not using the automatic document feeding means can be selected, and the automatic document feeding means is When the mode to be used is selected, the image data is read from the reading unit and the image data writing to the memory is started in parallel with the image formation, and the mode in which the automatic document feeding unit is not used is selected. In this case, the image data of all the originals may be stored in the memory before the image formation is started.

The automatic document feeder of the image recording apparatus of the present invention may be a non-circulating automatic document feeder.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reading means for photoelectrically converting an original image to obtain image data, an automatic original feeding means for automatically feeding the original to the reading means, and the image data. Image data storing means for storing the image data, image forming means for forming an image on both sides of a recording sheet based on the image data read from the image data storing means, and the reading means,
In an image recording apparatus including an automatic document feeding unit, an image data storage unit, and a control unit that controls operations of the image forming unit, the control unit includes an operation unit, and the operation unit of the control unit copies a single-sided original. Single-sided original that forms an image on one side of the recording paper Single-sided recording copy mode, single-sided original double-sided copy mode that copies a single-sided original to form images on both sides of the recording paper, and single-sided recording on one side of the recording paper A double-sided original single-sided recording / copying mode in which an image is formed on a double-sided original and a double-sided original / double-sided recording / copying mode in which a double-sided original is copied to form images on both sides of a recording paper are selectable, and the operation unit When the single-sided original single-sided recording copy mode and the double-sided original single-sided recording copy mode are selected, the image data is output to the image forming means in parallel with the writing of the image data of the original into the storage means. And when the operation section selects the single-sided document double-sided recording / copying mode, the writing of the image data of all pages of the read document into the storage means is completed, and then the image data is formed into the image forming means. To form an image and output the image data to the image forming means in parallel with the writing of the image data of the original into the storage means when the operation section selects the double-sided original double-sided recording copy mode. An image recording device configured to form an image.

Further, the image forming means of the image recording apparatus of the present invention may be configured so that the recording paper is fed by an automatic double-sided copying unit (ADU) of the reverse feeding type.

Furthermore, the automatic document feeder of the image recording apparatus of the present invention may be a circulating automatic document feeder.

Furthermore, the operation unit of the control unit of the image recording apparatus of the present invention is configured to be able to input at least one of the data of whether the total number of originals is an even number or an odd number in the single-sided original copy mode, and the data is input. When the single-sided original copy mode is selected by the operation unit, the image data is output to the image forming unit in parallel with the operation of writing the image data of the original into the storage unit to form an image. It may be configured.

[0015]

[Operation] The operation configured as above will be described.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus capable of double-sided copying, which comprises a reading unit, an automatic document feeding unit, an image data storage unit, an image forming unit for forming an image based on the image data, and a control unit. When the mode using the automatic document feeder and the mode not using the automatic document feeder are selectable and the mode using the automatic document feeder is selected, the image data is read from the reading means. Since it is configured to start image formation at the same time, when a large amount of copies are made by using the automatic document feeder, the image formation is performed immediately without the waiting time for temporarily storing the image data in the memory. If you select the mode that does not use the automatic document feeder and you can obtain the same operability as the copy machine of Since the image formation is started after the data is stored, when the automatic document feeder is not used, that is, when the document original and the photo original are alternately edited, or the original with blank paper inserted between the originals is efficiently copied. Can be executed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image data is read from the reading means and the image data is written in the memory in parallel with the image formation when the control means in the first aspect selects the mode in which the automatic document feeder is used. Since it is configured to start, unlike the case where the image data is once stored in the memory and then the image is formed, there is no need to wait during the time when the image data is stored in the memory, and efficient copying can be executed. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the automatic document feeding means in the first aspect is a non-circulating automatic document feeding device, which has a simple structure and is low in cost as compared with the circulating automatic document feeding device, and is in operation. It is possible to easily configure a copying machine that produces less sound.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus capable of double-sided copying, which comprises a reading unit, an automatic document feeding unit, an image data storage unit, an image forming unit for forming an image based on the image data, and a control unit. The control unit includes an operation unit, and the operation unit of the control unit is a single-sided document single-sided recording copy mode in which a single-sided original is copied to form an image on one side of a recording sheet, and a single-sided original is copied into a double-sided recording sheet. Single-sided original double-sided recording / copy mode for forming images on both sides, double-sided original single-sided recording / copying mode for copying double-sided originals to form images on one side of recording paper, and double-sided originals for forming images on both sides of recording paper. The operation section is configured to be able to select the double-sided document double-sided recording / copying mode to be performed, and the operation unit displays the image of the original when the single-sided original / single-sided recording / copying mode and the double-sided original / single-sided recording / copying mode are selected. The image data is output to the image forming means in parallel with the writing of the data to the image forming means to form an image, and when the operation section selects the single-sided original double-sided recording copy mode, all the read originals are read. After the writing of the page image data to the storage means is completed, the image data is output to the image forming means to form an image. Since the image data is output to the image forming means in parallel with the writing of the image data to the storage means to form an image, a considerable part of the copying work is performed in parallel with the memory storage and the image formation. Since it is performed, there is little waiting time, which is advantageous.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming means of the fourth aspect feeds a recording sheet by an automatic double-sided copying unit (ADU) of a reverse sheet feeding type, and the image formation in which the image data is read in the page order is facilitated. It can be realized.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the automatic document feeder of the fourth aspect is a circulating automatic document feeder, and easily realizes reading of image data according to the page order of the document.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the operation unit according to the fourth aspect is configured to be able to input at least one of data of whether the total number of originals is an even number or an odd number in the single-sided original copy mode, and when the data is input, Even when the single-sided original copy mode is selected on the operation unit, image data is output to the image forming unit in parallel with the operation of writing the image data of the original document in the storage unit to form an image. After the data is stored in the memory, it is possible to realize copying in a quick copying mode with a shorter waiting time than in the case of a one-sided original, and it is possible to improve productivity during copying.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall construction of a monochrome digital copying machine of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the above black and white digital copying machine.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the black-and-white digital copying machine comprises an image reading section A, an image processing section B, an image storage section C, and an image forming section D. The image reading unit A corresponds to a reading unit, the image processing unit B corresponds to an image processing unit, the image storage unit C corresponds to an image data storage unit, and the image forming unit D corresponds to an image forming unit.

In the image reading section A, a document 121 is described on a document table glass (hereinafter abbreviated as platen glass) 122, and is illuminated by a halogen light source 123 provided on a carriage moving on a guide rail (not shown). It The movable mirror unit 126 provided with a pair of mirrors 124 and 125 moves on the slide rail and, in combination with the mirror 127 provided on the carriage, reflects light from the original 121 on the platen glass 122, that is, The optical image is led to the lens reading unit 128. The lens reading unit 128 includes an imaging lens 129 and a CCD line sensor 130. The mirrors 124, 125, 127
The optical image corresponding to the image on the original 121 reflected and transmitted by the optical system is converged by the image forming lens 129 and imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 130, and the optical image on the line is formed by the CCD line sensor 130. Photoelectric conversion is sequentially performed on the electric signal.

When the copy button 50 provided on the operation unit 28 is pressed, the movement of the movable mirror unit 126 and the carriage provided with the halogen light source 123 and the mirror 127, which are driven by a motor (not shown), interlocks with each other. The image information of the original for one page is read by the CCD line sensor 130. Documents 121 placed one by one on the platen glass 122
Are sequentially read as described above and output as image data for one page.

The image signal of the original image read by the image reading section A, that is, image data, is subjected to density conversion, filter processing, scaling processing, γ in an image processing section B described later.
After various image processing such as correction is performed, the image is output to the image forming unit D via the image storage unit C. The image forming unit D forms an image on a recording sheet according to the input image data by a laser printer using an electrophotographic technique.

That is, in the image forming section D, the laser beam generated by the semiconductor laser (not shown) is modulated based on the image signal. The laser beam driving motor 14
Rotate and scan with the polygon mirror 142 rotated by 1.
The light path is bent by a reflection mirror 143 through an fθ lens (not shown) and projected onto the surface of the photoconductor drum 151 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 151 that is uniformly charged.

Further, a charging device 152 for uniformly charging the photoconductor drum 151, a developing device 153, a transfer electrode 157, a separation electrode 158, a cleaning device 159, and a fixing device 160 are provided, and the photoconductive drum 151 is provided. The electrostatic latent image formed on the 151 is developed by the developing device 153 to form a toner image, and the toner image is further transferred and fixed on a recording paper.
A copy image of the original is obtained.

The recording papers are stocked in cassettes 171 to 174 for each size, and the recording papers are taken out from the corresponding cassettes 171 to 174 according to the instruction of the recording paper size, and the recording papers are configured to include a plurality of conveyor rollers and conveyor belts. It is supplied to the photoconductor drum 151 by the recording paper conveyance mechanism 175.

In the case of one-sided copying, the toner image is sequentially transferred and fixed on one side of the recording paper sequentially taken out from the cassette, and is discharged onto the recording paper discharge tray 176.

In the case of double-sided copying, the recording paper fed with the toner image transferred and fixed on one side is sent out, and the first switching claw 177 (broken line in the figure) arranged immediately after the fixing device 160 in the recording paper conveyance path. Direction) and is guided to a duplex copying unit (hereinafter referred to as ADU). The second switching pawl 180 (the position of the broken line in the figure) in the recording paper conveyance path allows the recording paper to pass to the right and then the reversing roller 181 reverses, and at the same time the second switching pawl is in the position of the solid line in the drawing. Switch to. As a result, the recording paper is turned upside down, and then is fed to the photoconductor drum 151 via the reverse feeding path 183 in the same manner as the paper feeding from the cassettes 171 and 172. The image data on the back side of the document is read from the image storage section C and sequentially image-formed on the back side of the recording paper to obtain a double-sided copy.

In the black-and-white digital copying machine of this embodiment, the image reading section A is provided with an automatic document feeder 81 for automatically feeding the read document 121 onto the platen glass 122. The automatic document feeder 81 sets a plurality of originals to be read on the original setting table 82 and presses the copy button to sequentially feed each page of the originals and to sequentially feed the originals at predetermined positions on the platen glass 122. In addition to automatically transporting the document 121 to the document stack, the read document 121 is removed from the platen glass 122 and discharged onto the document discharge tray 94.

Further, the automatic document feeder 81 sequentially feeds out and reads the one-sided document 121 with an image on one side thereof as described above, and also takes out one double-sided document and feeds it onto the platen glass 122. When the image reading on one side is completed, the document is moved in the opposite direction, the direction is changed by the reversing section consisting of the reversing guide and the reversing roller, the document is turned over and fed to the predetermined position of the platen glass 122 to read the image information on the back side of the document. It is made possible.

In order to automatically convey the originals as described above, a paper feed roller 83 for feeding the originals on the original setting table 82 one by one, a driving roller 84 and a driven roller 92, the driving roller 84 and the driven roller. A belt 86 driven by being wound by 92, a reversing unit including a guide plate 89, a reversing roller 90, and a switching guide 88 driven by a solenoid (not shown), and a document discharge roller 87 are provided.

By using such an automatic document feeder, it is possible to automatically feed the original 121 sequentially to a predetermined reading position on the platen glass 122 and output it as a read image signal regardless of whether it is a double-sided original or a single-sided original.

First, in the image reading section A, the C
The analog image signal output from the CD line sensor 130 is converted into a digital image signal (image data) by the A / D converter and output to the image processing unit B via the interface 12. The digital image signal (luminance information) input to the image processing unit B is first converted into density information by the density conversion unit. After that, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 14 performs the scaling processing according to the operator's designation.

Further, the image discrimination processing section 15 discriminates a character image / photograph image based on the density information converted by the density conversion section, and the filter characteristic in the filter processing section 16 is determined based on the discrimination result. Setting and filtering section
At 16, the spatial filtering process is performed according to the above setting.

The image discrimination processing section 15 corresponds to the image discrimination means and the processing characteristic changing means in this embodiment,
Discrimination between a character image and a photographic image includes discrimination between a character image region and a photographic image region in a mixed image of a character image and a photographic image.

On the other hand, the EE processing section 19 obtains the histogram data in order to obtain the characteristics of the original image from the image information obtained by the prescan before the main scan at the time of scanning the original. Then, the CPU 40 of the image processing system provides the γ correction processing unit 20 with appropriate γ correction data based on the histogram data.

The image data (density information) that has been subjected to the filter processing and the scaling processing is subjected to the γ correction processing according to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus 25, which will be described later, in the γ correction processing section, and then subjected to the image area processing. It is output to the section 21. In the image area processing unit 21, in addition to extracting the effective image area of the document, area processing such as frame erasing and fold erasing is also performed.

The image data (density information) that has undergone all the image processing necessary for image formation as described above and is in the final output state to the image forming apparatus, which will be described later, passes through the image storage section C and the interface. And is output to the image forming unit D.

The image storage section C stores and holds the input image data for a plurality of pages.

The image forming section D has a function of immediately forming an image on a recording sheet in response to the reading of an original, and also causes the stored image data to be read out in an arbitrary order later and then form an image. It has a function.

The image forming section D is provided with a data selector 24, an image forming apparatus 25 such as a laser printer, and a control section 26, and an image memory for rewritably storing image data in order to realize an electronic RDH function. Part (image data storage means) C, or to realize an immediate image forming function (real-time copy) as an ordinary copying machine,
It is configured to be connected to the image forming unit B to execute image recording.

The data selector 24 stores either one or both of the image data accumulated and read in the image storage unit C and the image data sequentially output in real time in response to the reading from the image processing unit B. Switch
The image is selectively output to the image forming apparatus (laser printer) 25. That is, the image data is stored in the image storage unit C, and the image data read from the image storage unit C and the image data from the image processing unit B are selectively output by the data selector 24 to generate an image. An image can be formed in the forming device 25 in the same manner.

The image processing unit B includes an image processing system CPU.
Reference numeral 40 denotes the image storage unit C, the control unit 26 of the image forming unit D, and the operation unit.
The CPU 27 is in charge of controlling 28.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the operation panel 45 of the operation unit 28.

A copy operation is started by pressing the copy button 50. The ten key 51 is a key for inputting the number of copies, and the number of copies set by this key and the number of copies during the copying operation are displayed on the copy number display section 52. By pressing the preheat button 53, it is possible to select a power saving mode in which the amount of heat consumed by the fixing device is greatly reduced. The interrupt button 54 is used when it is desired to interrupt the continuous copying operation when it is desired to take one or two copies during the continuous copying operation.

In the manual reading mode, that is, the mode in which the ADF is not used, there are two buttons, that is, a memory writing mode selection button 55 and a document end button 56. When the memory writing mode selection button 55 is pressed once, the memory writing mode is selected, the image of the original placed on the original table is read by the image sensor, and then written as image data in the memory.

When the memory write mode selection button 55 is pressed again, the image of the document placed on the document table is read by the image pickup device, and then the image data is sent to the image forming section to form an image. That is, the mode is such that it functions as a copier for each page. In the manual reading mode, you can manually place a document on the platen and copy a series of documents one page at a time, or store one page at a time in the memory. Image formation is performed. On the other hand, in copying or writing in the memory, when a series of originals is completed, the original end button 56 is pressed to notify the control unit that the originals are completed.

The automatic return button 57 is a mode for automatically returning to a mode in which main functions are automatically designated. By pressing this button, the sorter is used, the copy magnification is 1: 1 and the automatic paper is used. Size selection, automatic copy density adjustment, and use of the automatic document feeder are all performed automatically. Paper size selection button 5
8. Press the magnification enlargement button 59, magnification reduction button 60, copy density (light) button 61, copy density (dark) button 62, copy mode (single-sided / double-sided) selection button 63, sorter mode selection button 64 to set manual conditions. When designated, the display indicating that each item is being designated automatically disappears, and the mode designated by each button is displayed by the LED. AD
There is no button to manually select F81, but when using the ADF81 in close contact with the platen glass 122, it is in the ADF use mode, and the ADF81 is released (open) to the platen glass 122 in order to manually read the original 121. When this is done, the ADF non-use mode is set, and the LED indicating that the ADF above the automatic return button is in use is turned off.

Copy mode (single-sided / double-sided) selection button 63
Specifies whether the original is single-sided or double-sided, and whether the output image is single-sided or double-sided on the recording paper. By specifying the copy mode selection button 63, conditions such as the operation of the ADF, the reading order of the image data stored in the memory, and the use / non-use of the ADU are set.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

After the power is turned on, the CPU 27 inquires whether it is in the ADF use mode (step Q101). In the ADF use mode, by pressing the copy button (step Q102), the ADF operates to feed the document (step Q10).
3), image reading (step Q104), memory writing (step Q105), and image formation (step Q106). Immediately before the document is fed in step Q103, an ADF control counter (decimal counter M, binary counter F
F) is reset. After the image formation in step Q106, the ADF control counter (decimal counter M, 2
The increment counter FF) is incremented.
Next, inquire whether the original is in double-sided mode (step Q107).
Then, an inquiry is made as to whether the original is the back side (step Q108). In the case of the front (step Q108), the original is turned over and fed (step Q109). This time, image reading, memory writing, and image formation on the back side of the original proceed, and if the original is the back side, the original is ejected (step Q110). Become.
This operation is repeated page by page until the end of the document (step Q111). As a result, one copy of the original and all pages are copied to the memory. After that, the image data is read from the memory and the image of the (N-1) portion is formed (step Q112).

Next, it is assumed that the mode not using the ADF is selected (step Q101). The CPU inquires whether or not the memory writing mode is set (step Q201), and does not perform the memory writing, that is, when operating as a copying machine. Manual document placement (step Q202), image reading by copy button (step Q203, step Q2)
04), image formation (step Q205), document removal (step Q206), and operation of a document end inquiry (step Q207) to operate as a copying machine for copying one page at a time.

When the memory writing mode is selected (step Q201), manual document placement (step Q301)
After the completion of the writing of all pages of the document in the memory from steps to the document end inquiry (step Q306), the N pages are read out from the all page memory and the image formation is executed (step Q307).

Embodiment 2 FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the overall construction of a monochrome digital copying machine of this embodiment.

In FIG. 5, the black and white digital copying machine includes an image reading section A, an image processing section B, an image storage section C,
The image forming unit D is configured. The image reading unit A corresponds to a reading unit, the image processing unit B corresponds to an image processing unit, the image storage unit C corresponds to an image data storage unit, and the image forming unit D corresponds to an image forming unit.

In the image reading section A, a document 121 is described on a document table glass (hereinafter abbreviated as platen glass) 122, and is illuminated by a halogen light source 123 provided on a carriage moving on a guide rail (not shown). It The movable mirror unit 126 provided with a pair of mirrors 124 and 125 moves on the slide rail and, in combination with the mirror 127 provided on the carriage, reflects light from the original 121 on the platen glass 122, that is, The optical image is led to the lens reading unit 128. The lens reading unit 128 includes an imaging lens 129 and a CCD line sensor 130. The mirrors 124, 125, 127
The optical image corresponding to the image on the original 121 reflected and transmitted by the optical system is converged by the image forming lens 129 and imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 130, and the optical image on the line is formed by the CCD line sensor 130. Photoelectric conversion is sequentially performed on the electric signal.

When a single-scanning start button (not shown) provided on the operation unit 28 is pressed, the halogen light source 123 and the mirror 1 which are driven by a motor (not shown) are interlocked.
Carriage provided with 27 and movable mirror unit 12
Due to the movement with 6, the image information of the original for one page is read by the CCD line sensor 130. 1 on platen glass 122
The originals 121 placed one by one are sequentially read as described above and output as image data for one page.

The image signal of the original image read by the image reading section A, that is, the image data, is subjected to density conversion, filter processing, scaling processing, γ in the image processing section B described later.
After various image processing such as correction is performed, the image is output to the image forming unit D via the image storage unit C. The image forming unit D forms an image on a recording sheet according to the input image data by a laser printer using an electrophotographic technique.

That is, in the image forming section D, the laser beam generated by the semiconductor laser (not shown) is modulated based on the image signal. The laser beam driving motor 14
Rotate and scan with the polygon mirror 142 rotated by 1.
The light path is bent by a reflection mirror 143 through an fθ lens (not shown) and projected onto the surface of the photoconductor drum 151 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 151 that is uniformly charged.

Further, a charging device 152 for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 151, a developing device 153, a transfer electrode 157, a separating electrode 158, a cleaning device 159, and a fixing device 160 are provided. The electrostatic latent image formed on the 151 is developed by the developing device 153 to form a toner image, and the toner image is further transferred and fixed on a recording paper.
A copy image of the original is obtained.

The recording sheets are stocked in cassettes 171 to 174 for each size, and the recording sheets are taken out from the corresponding cassettes 171 to 174 according to the instruction of the recording sheet size, and the recording sheets are configured to include a plurality of conveying rollers and conveying belts. It is supplied to the photoconductor drum 151 by the recording paper conveyance mechanism 175.

In the case of one-sided copying, the toner image is sequentially transferred and fixed on one side of the recording paper sequentially taken out from the cassette, and is discharged onto the recording paper discharge tray 176.

In the case of double-sided copying, the recording paper fed with the toner image transferred and fixed on one side is sent out, and the first switching claw 177 (broken line in the figure) arranged immediately after the fixing device 160 in the recording paper conveyance path. Direction) and is guided to a duplex unit (hereinafter referred to as ADU). The second switching pawl 180 (the position of the broken line in the figure) in the recording paper conveyance path allows the recording paper to pass to the right and then the reversing roller 181 reverses, and at the same time the second switching pawl is in the position of the solid line in the drawing. Switch to. As a result, the recording paper is turned upside down, and then is fed to the photoconductor drum 151 via the reverse feeding path 183 in the same manner as the paper feeding from the cassettes 171 and 172. The image data on the back side of the document is read from the image storage section C and sequentially image-formed on the back side of the recording paper to obtain a double-sided copy.

In the black-and-white digital copying machine of this embodiment, a circulating automatic document feeder (R-ADF) 18 for automatically conveying the read original 121 on the platen glass 122.
1 is provided in the image reading unit A. The automatic document feeder 181 sets a plurality of originals to be read on the original setting table 182, and when a copy start button (not shown) is pressed, the pages of the originals are sequentially fed to the first reversing unit. The direction is changed by 190 and automatically conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen glass 122 in order, and the read original 121 is removed from the platen glass 122 and discharged onto the original discharge tray 183.

Further, the R-ADF 181 sequentially feeds out the single-sided original 121 with the image printed on one side of the original as described above and reads it, and also takes out one double-sided original and sends it onto the platen glass 122 to send the single-sided original. When the image reading is completed, the document is moved in the opposite direction, the direction is changed by the second reversing unit 191, the document is turned over and sent to a predetermined position of the platen glass 122 so that the image information on the back of the document can be read. .

Furthermore, the R-ADF 181 feeds the document after reading directly to the third document reversing section 192 instead of directly ejecting it onto the document ejection tray 183, and reverses it to the original reversing tray 194. accumulate. When the switching plate 196, which rotates about the fulcrum 195 as an axis, moves from the lower position (the position indicated by the broken line in the figure) to the upper position (the position indicated by the solid line in the figure), the bundle of documents after the first reading of the document returns to 1 Feeding starts from the first document and the second document reading starts.

In order to automatically convey the original document as described above, the sheet feeding roller 184 for feeding the original document on the original document setting table 182 one by one, the intermediate conveying roller 185, the driving roller 188 and the driven roller 187, Drive roller 188 and driven roller
A conveyor belt 189 wound around 187, a discharge roller 193,
The first reversing part 190, the second reversing part 191, and the third, which are guide plates.
It is composed of an inversion unit 192.

By using the R-ADF in this way, both the double-sided original and the single-sided original can be automatically sent to the predetermined reading position on the platen glass 122 and the original 121 can be output as a read image signal.

Next, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 6, the circuit configuration of the monochrome digital copying machine including the image reading section A, the image processing section B, the image storage section C and the image forming section D will be described.

First, in the image reading section A, the C
The analog image signal output from the CD line sensor 130 is converted into a digital image signal (image data) by the A / D converter and output to the image processing unit B via the interface 12. The digital image signal (luminance information) input to the image processing unit B is first converted into density information by the density conversion unit. After that, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 14 performs the scaling processing according to the operator's designation.

Further, the image discrimination processing section 15 discriminates a character image / photograph image based on the density information converted by the density conversion section, and the filter characteristic in the filter processing section 16 is determined based on the discrimination result. Setting and filtering section
At 16, the spatial filtering process is performed according to the above setting.

The image discrimination processing section 15 corresponds to the image discrimination means and the processing characteristic changing means in this embodiment,
Discrimination between a character image and a photographic image includes discrimination between a character image region and a photographic image region in a mixed image of a character image and a photographic image.

On the other hand, the EE processing section 19 obtains histogram data in order to obtain the characteristics of the original image from the image information obtained by the pre-scan before the main scan during the original scanning. Then, the CPU 40 of the image processing system provides the γ correction processing unit 20 with appropriate γ correction data based on the histogram data.

The image data (density information) that has been subjected to the filter processing and the scaling processing is subjected to the γ correction processing according to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus 25 which will be described later in the γ correction processing section, and then subjected to the image area processing. It is output to the section 21. In the image area processing unit 21, in addition to extracting the effective image area of the document, area processing such as frame erasing and fold erasing is also performed.

The image data (density information) that has been subjected to all the image processing necessary for image formation as described above and is in the final output state to the image forming apparatus, which will be described later, is passed through the image storage section C and the interface. And is output to the image forming unit D.

The image storage section C stores and holds the input image data for a plurality of pages.

The image forming section D has a function of immediately forming an image on a recording sheet in response to the reading of a document, and also causes the stored image data to be read out in an arbitrary order later to form an image. It has a function.

The image forming section D is provided with a data selector 24, an image forming apparatus 25 such as a laser printer, and a control section 26, and in order to realize an electronic RDH function, an image storage for rewritably storing image data. Part (image data storage means) C, or to realize an immediate image forming function (real-time copy) as an ordinary copying machine,
It is configured to be connected to the image forming unit B to execute image recording.

The data selector 24 stores either one or both of the image data accumulated and read in the image storage section C and the image data sequentially output in real time in response to the reading from the image processing section B. Switch
The image is selectively output to the image forming apparatus (laser printer) 25. That is, the image data is stored in the image storage unit C, and the image data read from the image storage unit C and the image data from the image processing unit B are selectively output by the data selector 24 to generate an image. An image can be formed in the forming device 25 in the same manner.

The image processing unit B includes an image processing system CPU.
Reference numeral 40 denotes the image storage unit C, the control unit 26 of the image forming unit D, and the operation unit.
The CPU 27 is in charge of controlling 28.

Next, the structure of the image storage section C will be described with reference to FIG. The image storage unit 23 includes a memory 30 that stores image data in page units, an address register, a data buffer,
The image data writing / reading means 31 includes a latch for holding a read / write signal. Image storage unit C
A control unit 26 for controlling the image forming apparatus 25 and the image forming apparatus 25 includes a CPU 27, an operation unit 28, and a memory table 29 set on a RAM connected to the CPU 27. The image storage unit C may be configured to insert an image data compression / decompression circuit for compressing / decompressing the image data as necessary and write the compressed image data in the memory 30. May be.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the operation panel 45 of the operation unit 28.

Reference numeral 50 denotes an auto return button. By pressing this button, the sorter is used, the copy magnification is 1: 1, automatic paper size selection, automatic copy density adjustment, and automatic document feeder are all automatically performed. , Returns to the initial setting conditions immediately after the power of the copying machine is turned on. Of these features,
Paper size selection button 58, magnification enlargement button 59, magnification reduction button 60, copy density (light) button 61, copy density (dark) button 62, copy mode (single-sided / double-sided) selection button 63, sorter mode selection button 64, respectively. Pressing this cancels the automatically specified condition and allows you to manually specify the condition. At this time, all the LEDs that are lit side by side above the auto return button 50 are turned off to indicate that the automatic designation has been canceled, and instead, the mode being designated by each button is displayed by the LED. There is no button to select the ADF181 manually, but the ADF181 is platen glass 122
When the ADF 181 is released (opened) from the platen glass 122 to manually read the original 121, the ADF non-use mode is set when the ADF 181 is used in close contact with the ADF. The LED indicating that the is being used is turned off.

The quick copy mode selection button 51 stores the image data in the memory and then reads the memory to form an image, that is, when performing a so-called electronic RDH operation,
After storing all pages of the document in the memory, read the image data from the memory and form an image to make a copy. In the normal mode, the image data read from the document is imaged and stored in the memory in parallel. This button is for selecting a mode, that is, a quick copy mode. Press this button once to select the quick copy mode, and press it twice to cancel the designation.

When this mode is selected, the designated display LED
52 is turned on, and the number of pages of the original set in the automatic document feeder ADF is set to be able to be input by either the number of sheets, an odd number, or an even number. Page number setting button 53
When is pressed, the number of manuscript pages is input by using a ten-key for inputting the number of copies and a seven-segment display for displaying the number of sheets, which are not shown in the operation unit. The number of original pages at this time is stored in a register (not shown) different from the number of copies and used for control of the controller. The odd-numbered input button 54 and the even-numbered input button 55 are input buttons for designating whether the original page is odd or even, respectively. When the button is pressed to input odd number or even number, a register (not shown) in the control unit is displayed. Be accommodated. When these buttons are input, the LED on the upper left of the buttons is turned on so that what is input as data relating to the number of pages of the document can be known.

Copy mode (single-sided / double-sided) selection button 61
Specifies whether the original is single-sided or double-sided, and whether the output copy is single-sided or double-sided. This copy mode selection button
The designation of 61 sets conditions such as the operation of the ADF, the reading order of the image data stored in the memory, and the use / non-use of the ADU. The setting conditions are stored in the registers of the control unit.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

First, an inquiry is made as to whether to copy on both sides or one side of the recording paper (step S101).

In the case of single-sided recording, in parallel with the operation of immediately storing all pages in the memory regardless of whether the original is single-sided or double-sided, images are sequentially formed and output on one side of the recording paper. (Step S
001). As a result, one copy is recorded on one side of the recording paper. When N copies are required, the remaining (N-1) copies sequentially read the image data from the memory, form an image (step S002), and output it.

In case of double-sided printing, in parallel with the operation of storing all pages in the memory, odd-numbered pages are sequentially image-formed on one side of the recording paper and output (step S103). As a result, all pages of the document are stored in the memory. Next, the recording paper is turned upside down using the reversing type ADU and fed, and even pages are sequentially read out from the memory to form an image (step S104: at this time, the back side of one page is positioned so that a two-page screen is formed). Define the relationship) and output as double-sided recording. As a result, one copy is printed on both sides. When the number of copies of N copies is required, the remaining (N-1) copies sequentially read the image data from the memory and form an image (step S105) to create a copy of the (N-1) copies recorded on both sides. .

For double-sided recording, a question is asked as to whether the original is double-sided or single-sided (step S102). If it is double-sided, in parallel with the operation of storing all pages in the memory, odd-numbered pages are sequentially image-formed on one side of the recording paper and output (step S103).
As a result, all pages of the document are stored in the memory. Next, the recording paper is turned upside down using an inverted ADU and fed, and even pages are sequentially read out from the memory to form an image (step S104, so that a screen of two pages is formed on the back surface of one page at this time). The positional relationship is determined) and the data is output as double-sided recording. As a result, one copy is printed on both sides. When N copies are required, the remaining (N-1) copies are sequentially read from the memory to form image data (step S105) and double-sided recorded (N-).
1) Make a copy of the copy.

In step S102, when the original is single-sided, it is inquired whether or not the original number data (number of sheets, odd number, even number) is input (step S201). If there is no input, the operation of storing all pages of the original in the memory is started, and at this time, image formation is not executed (step S20).
2). After the work of storing all the pages of the original in the memory is completed, the image data of all the pages is read from the memory, the image formation of the number N of copies is performed, and the copy work is completed.

When the original is one-sided and the number of pages of the original is an odd number or an even number (when the number is input as a number, it is determined whether the number is an odd number or an even number), either one of them is input. It is checked (step S301). In the case of an odd number, only odd-numbered pages are image-formed in parallel with storing all pages in the memory and output as a copy of one-sided recording (step S302). Next, when the image formation of the odd-numbered pages is completed, all the pages are stored in the memory, so the image data is read from the memory, a blank sheet is output as the last page, and the image formation of the even-numbered pages is executed (step S303). As a result, one copy recorded on one side is completed. When N copies are required, the remaining (N
The (-1) unit sequentially reads the image data from the memory and forms an image (step S304) to make a copy of the (N-1) unit.

If the original is one-sided and the number of pages of the original is even in step S301, only odd-numbered pages are image-formed in parallel with storage of all pages in the memory and output as a copy of one-sided recording ( Step S401). Next, when the image formation of the odd pages is completed, all the pages are stored in the memory, so the image data is read from the memory and the image formation of the even pages is executed (step S
402). As a result, one copy recorded on one side is completed. When N copies are required, the remaining (N-
The 1) unit sequentially reads the image data from the memory, forms an image (step S304), and creates a copy of the (N-1) unit.

[0101]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

As an effect of the first aspect, when the mode using the automatic document feeder is selected, when a large amount of copying is performed using the automatic document feeder, a wait for storing the image data in the memory once is made. Since the image is formed immediately without the need for time, the same operability as that of a normal copying machine can be obtained, and when the mode not using the automatic document feeder is selected,
When the automatic document feeder is not used, image formation is started after storing the image data of all documents in the memory.
That is, it is possible to efficiently execute a copy of an original in which a document original and a photo original are alternately edited, or an original in which a blank sheet is inserted between the originals.

As an effect of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, when the operation section of the control means selects the mode for using the automatic document feeder, the image data is read from the reading means and the image is formed. Since it is configured to start writing the image data to the memory in parallel with the above, unlike the case where the image data is once stored in the memory and then the image is formed, the process waits for the time during which the image data is stored in the memory. Efficient copying can be performed without the need.

As an effect of claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the automatic document feeder is a non-circulating automatic document feeder, and the structure is simple as compared with the circulating automatic document feeder. It is possible to easily construct a copying machine which is low in price and produces little sound during operation.

As an effect of claim 4, a considerable part of the copying work is performed in parallel with memory storage and image formation, which is advantageous in that the waiting time is small.

As an effect of claim 5, in addition to the effect of claim 4, the image formation in which the image data is read in the page order can be easily realized.

As an effect of the sixth aspect, the reading of the image data according to the page order of the document is easily realized.

According to the effect of claim 7, in addition to the effect of claim 4, after storing the image data of all pages in the memory, it is possible to realize copying in a quick copy mode with less waiting time than in the case of single-sided original document. It is possible to improve productivity during copying.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a monochrome digital copying machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel of an operation unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit at the time of copying in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of a monochrome digital copying machine according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an image storage unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel of an operation unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit at the time of copying in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 25 Image forming device 26 Control unit 27 CPU 28 Operation unit 29 Memory table 30 Memory 45 Operation panel 50 Copy button 51 Numeric keypad 52 Number of copies display section 55 Memory writing mode selection button 56 Original end button 57 Auto return button

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data, an automatic original feeding means for automatically feeding an original to the reading means, and an image data storage means for storing the image data. An image forming means for forming an image based on the image data read from the image data storage means and forming an image on both sides of a recording sheet; the reading means, the automatic document feeding means, the image data storage means and the image. In an image recording apparatus comprising control means for controlling the operation of the forming means, the control means is configured to be selectable between a mode using the automatic document feeding means and a mode not using the automatic document feeding means, When the mode using the document feeding means is selected, the image data is read from the reading means and the image formation is started. When the mode in which the automatic document feeder is not used is selected, the image data of all the documents are stored in the memory before the image formation is started. Image recording device. 2. The control means is configured to be selectable between a mode using the automatic document feeding means and a mode not using the automatic document feeding means, and selecting a mode using the automatic document feeding means. When the mode is not selected, the image data is read out from the reading means and the image data writing to the memory is started in parallel with the image formation. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is configured to start image formation after storing data in a memory. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic document feeder is a non-circulating automatic document feeder. 4. A reading unit for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data, an automatic original feeding unit for automatically feeding the original to the reading unit, and an image data storage unit for storing the image data. An image forming means for forming an image based on the image data read from the image data storage means and forming an image on both sides of a recording sheet; the reading means, the automatic document feeding means, the image data storage means and the image. In an image recording apparatus comprising control means for controlling the operation of the forming means, the control means includes an operation section, and the operation section of the control means copies a single-sided original and forms an image on one side of a recording sheet. Recording copy mode, single-sided original that copies a single-sided original to form images on both sides of recording paper, double-sided recording copy mode, and double-sided original that is printed on one side of recording paper A double-sided original single-sided recording / copying mode for image formation and a double-sided original double-sided recording / copying mode for copying a double-sided original to form an image on both sides of a recording paper are selectable, and the operation section is a single-sided When the original single-sided recording / copying mode and the double-sided original single-sided recording / copying mode are selected, the image data is output to the image forming means in parallel with the writing of the image data of the original to the storage means to form the image, When the copy is set to the single-sided original / duplex recording / copy mode, after the image data of all pages of the read original is completely written in the storage unit, the image data is output to the image forming unit to display the image. When the operation section selects the double-sided document double-sided recording / copying mode, the image data is output to the image forming unit in parallel with the writing of the image data of the document into the storage unit to form an image. The image recording apparatus characterized by being configured to. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming unit feeds the recording paper by an inverted double-sided automatic duplex copying unit (ADU). 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the automatic document feeder is a circulating automatic document feeder. 7. The operation unit of the control unit is configured to be able to input at least one of data of whether the total number of originals is an even number or an odd number in the single-sided original copy mode, and when the data is input, the operation unit is 5. Even when the single-sided original copy mode is selected, the image data is output to the image forming means in parallel with the operation of writing the image data of the original into the storage means to form an image. 6
The image recording apparatus according to any one of 1.