JPH0983759A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable updating of data and to extend the limit of the number of times of rewriting by providing a means copying an operating condition set value in another block at the time of updating the operating condition and deleting an original block after the completion of copying. SOLUTION: Whether the copying from an old small block to a new small block is completed or not is judged. If the copying is completed, a copy resumption processing is performed (S1). Namely, when the copying is completed, the data changed by a key operation is stored in a RAM for work (S2). When the shift of a screen is generated (S3), the presence or absence of the change of data is judged (S4 to S8). When even one data is changed, a COPY flag to be a new flag is set to O (S9, 10). Subsequently, the data of the present small block (old) is copied in the next small block (new) (S11). After the completion of the copying, the CPEND of the status flag of the old small block is set to 0 (S12). When the new small blocks are different from the blocks so far, the old block is deleted and a recovery is performed (S13, 14).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile and a printer, which can set operating conditions and can store the operating conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, set values such as operating conditions of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine are configured to be stored in a non-volatile RAM backed up by a battery or an nvSRAM having a single EEROM and SRAM. . A known technique of this kind is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-1476.
The techniques described in JP-A-43-43, JP-A-62-240977 or JP-A-61-124448 are known.

Among them, the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-1476443 is provided with a copy run mode setting device capable of setting one or a plurality of copy run modes according to a plurality of unit copy modes, and a set copy run mode. A copying machine or the like having a first storage device for storing the data and a second storage device for storing the set copy run mode stored in the first storage device when the AC power source is shut off due to an abnormal state or the like. In the second copy run mode, when the copy run mode is stored in the second storage device, the copy run mode setting condition at the restart of the copy run after the necessary processing for the abnormal state is finished is It was decided by.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-240977 is a bias power source that outputs a developing bias voltage, a lamp regulator that outputs an exposure lamp voltage, a high voltage power source that outputs a charging charge voltage or current, and each power source. Input means for setting the output level of the power source, display means for displaying the output level, a control device for controlling the output of each power source based on the input data obtained by the input means, and a non-volatile memory for storing the input data. The present invention relates to a copy control device which, when a power switch is turned on, displays the output level of each power source based on the input data immediately before being shut off and outputs the power based on the input data in response to a copy start command. . Further, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-124448 discloses an input device for storing the copy mode, a non-volatile memory for holding the input copy mode data, and a display for displaying the selected copy mode. In a control device of a copying machine having an apparatus and a means for detecting which size of paper is in the paper feed tray, the paper size in the paper feed tray selected when setting the mode is stored in a non-volatile memory. Then, when the mode is read out later, the tray in which the paper of the stored size is stored is selected.

[0005]

However, in the case of the method using non-volatile RAM with battery backup,
Batteries were needed, and disposal of batteries was a problem when disposing. Further, since the SRAM is used, the reliability of the data is lower than that of the PROM. In the case of a combination of EEPROM and SRAM, the SRAM is
Since the contents of the above must be written in the EEPROM, a circuit for that is required.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and a first object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the reliability of setting data. A second object is to provide an image forming apparatus that does not require a battery when holding data.

The third purpose is. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing data loss due to power interruption during rewriting.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing an erroneous order of aggregation due to a difference in page order.

A fifth object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of updating data without erasing blocks.

A sixth object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of extending the limitation on the number of times of rewriting.

A seventh object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing data inconsistency due to updating of data during rewriting.

An eighth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a mistake in the order of combining due to the type of original.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, the first means is an image reading means, and an image writing means for writing an image based on the read image signal,
In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that visualizes a written image to form an image, a unit that performs a copying operation based on a preset and changeable operating condition, and an electrically erasable unit And a control means for storing a desired operating condition in the ROM and reading it to perform a copying operation in accordance with the desired operating condition.

The second means stores various set values for determining the operating conditions of the copying operation in blocks at least at two or more places for each set value, and electrically erases and writes in block units. When updating the possible ROM and the values of the operating conditions stored in advance,
Write a new value in a block different from the block in which the value is stored, copy all operating condition setting values stored in the original block to the other block above after writing, and then copy the original block And means for erasing.

A third means is a ROM that is electrically erasable and writable in block units, and various set values that determine the operating conditions of the copying operation are provided in at least two locations in each block for each set value. By means for storing in the above small blocks, means for storing a mark as old data for each small block, and means for storing the mark,
When changing the operating condition stored in advance in a small block, store the new operating condition in another unused small block in the same block, and copy all other unchanged condition data to the new small block. The small block in which the data before that is written is further provided with means for writing the mark of the old data.

A fourth means is, in the first or second means, a value of the operating condition from a start of copying a block in which a value of the operating condition stored in advance is stored to another block to an end thereof. Is further provided with a means for prohibiting the update of.

The fifth means further comprises means for indicating whether or not copying is being performed between the blocks or between the small blocks in the first or fourth means, and when the copying is in progress when the power is turned on, the copying is completed. It is characterized in that other operations are prohibited until the copy is completed and the old block is erased in the case of the latter and inter-block copying.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In order to make the description easier to understand, the schematic configuration of the digital copying machine according to the embodiment will be described by dividing it into items, and the divided items will be shown as a table of contents.

1. Overall configuration 2. Scanner unit 3. Writing unit 4. Photoconductor part 5. Development section 6. Paper feeder 7. Automatic document feeder (ADF) 8. Post-processing device 9. Electrical equipment control section 9.1 Sequence control 9.2 Processing of image data 9.3 Application unit 93.1 About APL1 9.3.2 About APL2 9.3.3 About APL3 9.3.4 About APL4 9. 3.5 Display 9.4 Fax operation 1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining a writing section in the digital copying machine, and FIG.
Is a side view thereof.

First, a schematic structure of a digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG.

The digital copying machine includes a copying machine body (I) and an automatic document feeder (ADF) (II) as shown in FIG.
, A sorter with a stapler as a post-processing device, a sorter stapler (III) and a double-sided reversing unit (IV). The copying machine body (I) includes a scanner unit, a writing unit, a photoconductor unit, a developing unit, a paper feeding unit, and the like. The configuration and operation of each unit will be described below.

2. Scanner Unit The scanner unit is equipped with a reflecting mirror 1, a light source 3 and a first mirror 2 and is equipped with a first scanner that moves at a constant speed, a second mirror 4 and a third mirror 5, and the first scanner. It has a second scanner that moves following the first scanner at a speed of ½ of the above. An original (not shown) on the contact glass 9 is optically scanned by the first scanner and the second scanner, and the reflected image is guided to the lens 7 via the color filter 6 and then on the one-dimensional solid-state image pickup element 8. Image.

A fluorescent lamp or a halogen lamp is used as the light source 3, and a fluorescent lamp is generally used because of its stable wavelength and long life.
In this embodiment, the reflecting mirror 1 is attached to one light source 3, but two or more light sources 3 may be used.
In this case, since the solid-state image pickup device 8 has a constant sampling clock, the fluorescent lamp will adversely affect the image unless it is turned on at a higher frequency.

Generally, the solid-state image pickup device 8 is C
CD is used. Since the image signal read by the solid-state image sensor 8 is an analog value, it is analog / digital (A / D) converted and various image processings (binarization, multi-value conversion, gradation processing, Magnification processing, editing processing, etc.) are performed and converted into a digital signal as a set of spots. In order to obtain color image information, in the present embodiment, a color filter 6 that transmits only necessary color information is placed in and out of the optical path guided from the original to the solid-state image sensor 8. Color filter 6 according to the scanning of the original
It is possible to create a wide variety of copies by taking out and putting in and out, and each time, functions such as multiple transfer and double-sided copy are activated. In addition, R (red), G (green), B
In some cases, a color original is read using a 3-line CCD or the like in order to simultaneously obtain three (blue) information.

3. Writing unit The image information after image processing is written on the photosensitive drum 40 in the form of a set of light spots by raster scanning of laser light in the optical writing unit.

2 and 3 are a plan view and a side view, respectively, showing the writing section. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 20 is converted into a parallel light flux by the collimator lens 21, and is shaped into a constant light flux by the aperture 32. The shaped laser light enters the polygon mirror 24 in a form compressed by the first cylinder lens 22 in the sub-scanning direction. The polygon mirror 24 has an accurate polygonal shape and is rotated in a fixed direction by a polygon mirror motor 25 at a fixed speed. This rotation speed is determined by the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 40, the writing density, and the number of faces of the polygon mirror 24. Polygon mirror 24
The reflected light of the laser light incident on is reflected by the rotation of the polygon mirror 24. The deflected laser light sequentially enters the fθ lenses 26a and 26b. The fθ lenses 26a and 26b are converted so that scanning light with a constant angle is scanned on the photoconductor drum 40 at a constant speed, and form an image on the photoconductor drum 40 so as to have a minimum light spot. It also has a mechanism.

The laser light that has passed through the fθ lenses 26a and 26b is guided to the synchronization detection light input section (synchronization detection plate) 30 by the synchronization detection mirror 29 outside the image area, propagated to the sensor section by the optical fiber, and then in the main scanning direction. Sync detection is used as a reference for cueing, and a sync signal is output. Image data for one line is output after a fixed time after the synchronization signal is output, and one image is formed by repeating this process.

In FIG. 2, 23 is a transparent glass for isolating the rotation space of the polygon mirror 24, 27 is a mirror, and 31 is a lens holding unit. Also, FIG.
In the figure, 28 is a transparent glass which is provided between the writing section and the image forming section and separates them.

4. Photosensitive Member A photosensitive layer is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 40.
As a photosensitive layer having sensitivity to a semiconductor laser (wavelength 780 nm), an organic photoconductor (OPC), α-Si, Se-T
e and the like are known, and in this embodiment, the organic photoconductor (OPC) is used. Generally, in the case of laser writing, there are two types, a negative / positive (N / P) process of applying light to the image part and a positive / positive (P / P) process of applying light to the background part. N / P process is adopted.

The charging charger 41 is of the scorotron type having a grid on the photoconductor side, and is a photoconductor drum 40.
The surface of (1) is uniformly (-) charged, and the image forming portion is irradiated with laser light and LED light to reduce the potential of that portion. Then, the background portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 is -750 to -8.
A potential of 00V and an image portion of about -500V is formed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 40. This is applied to the developing roller by the developing units 42a and 42b from -500 to -600.
A bias voltage of V is applied, and (-) charged toner is attached to visualize the electrostatic latent image.

5. Developing Unit The apparatus of this embodiment includes two developing units, a main developing unit 42a and a sub developing unit 42b. In the case of solid black, the sub-developing device 42b and the toner replenishing device 43b are removed. In this embodiment having two developing devices, the main developing device 4
By inserting black toner into the toner replenishing device 43a paired with 2a and with color toner into the toner replenishing device 43b paired with the sub-developing device 42b, two-color printing can be performed at the same time.

By using such a developing device, the color information can be read by switching the color filter 6 of the scanner, and the multi-transfer and double-sided copying functions of the paper conveyance system can be combined to perform multifunctional color copying and color editing. Becomes Development of three or more colors can be achieved by a method of arranging three or more developing devices around the photosensitive drum 40, a revolver system of rotating and switching three or more developing devices, and the like.

The image visualized by the developing devices 42a and 42b is transferred onto the surface of the paper synchronously sent to the photosensitive drum 40 by applying a (+) charger from the back surface of the paper by a transfer charger 44. It The transferred paper is subjected to AC charge removal by a separation charger 45 which is held integrally with the transfer charger 44, and separated from the photosensitive drum 40. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 40 without being transferred to the paper is scraped off from the photosensitive drum 40 by the cleaning blade 47 and collected in the attached tank 48. Further, the potential pattern remaining on the photoconductor drum 40 is erased by irradiating it with light from a charge eliminating lamp.

A photo sensor 50 is provided at a position immediately after the development. The photo sensor 50 includes a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the reflection density on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. This is a fixed pattern in the optical writing part (eg black or halftone dot pattern)
Is written at a position corresponding to the photosensor reading position, and the image density is determined from the ratio of the reflectance of the pattern portion after development and the reflectance of the photosensitive drum 40 other than the pattern portion. Give a signal. In addition, it is possible to detect that the remaining amount of toner is insufficient by utilizing the fact that the density does not increase even after replenishment.

6. Paper Feeding Unit In this embodiment, a plurality of cassettes 60a, 60b, 60c are provided, and the paper once transferred can be passed through the re-feeding loop 72 to perform double-sided copying or re-feeding.

A plurality of cassettes 60a, 60b, 60c
(Generally, reference numeral 60 indicates a cassette. The same applies hereinafter.)
When one of the cassettes 60 is selected and then the start button is pressed, the paper feed rollers 61 (61a, 61b, 61c) in the vicinity of the selected cassette 60 are rotated, and the leading edge of the paper is moved to the registration roller. It is fed until it hits 62. Although the registration roller 62 is stopped at this time, the registration roller 62 starts rotating at a timing corresponding to the image position formed on the photosensitive drum 40 and feeds the paper to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 40. Thereafter, the toner image is transferred at the transfer unit, and the paper is sucked and conveyed by the separation and conveyance unit 63, and the transferred toner image is transferred onto the paper surface by a fixing roller including a pair of a heat roller 64 and a pressure roller 65. Establish.

The paper thus transferred is guided to the paper exit on the sorter (III) side by the switching claw 67 at the time of normal copying. On the other hand, at the time of multiple copy, the switching claws 68, 6
The direction is changed by 9 and the sheet is not discharged to the sorter (III) side, passes through the lower sheet re-feeding loop 72, and is guided to the registration roller 62 again.

The case of double-sided copying will be described. The switching claw 67 guides the paper downward, and the next switching claw 69 guides it to the tray 70 further below the re-feeding loop 72. Then, by reversing the roller 71, it is fed again in the opposite direction, and the switching pawl 69
Is switched to the sheet re-feeding loop 72 and is fed to the registration roller 62.

7. Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) The original placed on the original table 100 is called by the calling roller 104. The called originals are pulled out rollers 105 and 106 that are pressed against each other, and a separation belt 1 that is wound around the pullout rollers 105.
Double feed is prevented by the action of 07, and the single guide plate 10
Sent along 8. The original fed along the guide plate 108 is fed by the belt conveying device 125 to the contact glass 9
Is sent to a predetermined exposure position and stopped.

The belt transport device 125 is a drive roller 10.
The belt 10 is wound around the driven roller 110 and the driven roller 110, the insertion position of the document is set by the fixed roller 111, and the document is pressed against the contact glass 9 by the pressure roller.
2 Hereinafter, description of known operations will be omitted.

8. Post-Processing Device As a post-processing device, the sorter stapler (II
Although I) and the double-sided unit (IV) are provided, these are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

9. Electrical Equipment Control Section FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the copying machine, and FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the entire copying system.

In FIG. 4, the control unit has two CPUs.
The CPU (a) 200 performs sequence-related control, and the CPU (b) 201 performs operation-related control. CPU (a) 200 and CPU
(B) 201 is a serial interface (RS2
32C). 4, 202 is an image control circuit, 203 is a signal switching gate array, 204 is an operation unit, 205 is an editor,
206 is a scanner control circuit, 207 is a page memory, 2
Reference numeral 08 is an image processing unit, 209 is a calendar IC, 21
0 is an FL that can be erased and written in block units
ASH-ROM, 211 is a laser beam scanner unit.

In FIG. 5, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals, 220 is a main control plate, 221 is a paper feed control plate, 222 is a sorter control plate, 223 is a double-sided control plate, 22
Reference numeral 4 is an ADF control plate.

9.1 Sequence Control First, sequence control will be described. The sequence sets and outputs conditions related to the paper transport timing and image formation.The paper size sensor, paper transport sensors such as paper discharge detection and registration detection, duplex units, high-voltage power supply units, relays, solenoids, motors, etc. A driver, sorter unit, laser unit, scanner unit, etc. are connected.

Regarding the sensor, a paper size sensor that detects the size and direction of the paper loaded in the paper feed cassette and outputs an electric signal according to the detection result, a sensor related to paper transportation such as registration detection and paper discharge detection, an oil end, and the like. There are inputs from sensors that detect the presence or absence of supplies such as toner end, and sensors that detect machine abnormalities such as door open and fuse blown.

Further, in the duplex unit, a motor for aligning the width of the paper, a paper feed clutch, a solenoid for changing the conveyance path, a paper presence / absence detection sensor, a side fence home position sensor for aligning the paper width, a paper There are sensors related to the conveyance of the.

The high-voltage power supply unit applies predetermined high-voltage power to the outputs of the charging charger, the transfer charger, the separation charger, and the developing bias electrode only by the duty obtained by the PWM control. The PWM control is controlled so that the feedback value of each high-voltage power output is converted into a digital value by A / D conversion and becomes equal to the target value. Drivers include a paper feed clutch, registration clutch, counter, motor, toner replenishment solenoid, power relay, and fixing heater. It is connected to the sorter unit via a serial interface, conveys paper at a predetermined timing according to a signal from the sequence, and discharges the paper to each bin.

To the analog input, a fixing temperature, a photo sensor input, a laser diode monitor input, a laser diode reference voltage, a feedback value of an output value from various high voltage power supplies, and the like are input. On / off control or phase control of the heater is performed by an input from a thermistor in the fixing unit so that the temperature of the fixing unit becomes constant. As a photosensor input, a photopattern formed at a predetermined timing is input by a phototransistor, and the density of the pattern is detected, so that the toner supply clutch is turned on / off to control the toner density. The toner end is also detected based on this density.

An analog input of the A / D converter and the CPU is used as a mechanism for adjusting the power of the laser diode to be constant. In this embodiment, the monitor voltage when the laser diode is turned on and the preset reference voltage are controlled to match.

Next, the operation-related control will be described. The main CPU (b) 201 controls a plurality of serial ports and the calendar IC 209. In addition to the sequence control CPU (a) 200, the operation unit unit 204, the scanner control circuit 206,
The application system 212, the editor 205, etc. are connected. The operation unit unit 204 has an indicator for displaying the operator's key input and the state of the copying machine,
Information of key input is notified to the main CPU (b) 201 by serial communication. Based on this information, the main CPU (b) 201 determines whether the display unit of the display unit of the operation unit unit 204 is turned on, turned off, or blinks, and serially transmits it to the operation unit unit 204. The operation unit CPU is the main CPU (b) 20.
The display unit is turned on, turned off, and blinks according to the information from 1.
Further, the CPU that performs the sequence control at the start of copying by determining the operating conditions of the machine from the obtained information.
(A) The information is transmitted to 200.

In the scanner section (scanner control circuit 206), information relating to scanner servo motor drive control, image processing, and image reading is serially transmitted to the main CPU (b) 201, and ADF (ADF control board 224).
And the interface processing of the main CPU (b) 201 is performed.

The application (application system 212) is an external device (fax, printer,
Etc.) and the main CPU (b) 201, and exchanges preset information contents. The editor 205 is a unit for inputting editing functions, and image editing data (masking, trimming, image shift, etc.) input by the operator main CPU (b) 2
01 is serially transmitted, and at the same time, the information is transmitted to the CPU (a) 200 which is performing sequence control.

In the scanner section (scanner control circuit 206), information regarding scanner servo motor drive control, image processing, and image reading is serially transmitted to the main CPU (b) 201, and ADF (ADF control board 224).
And the interface processing of the main CPU (b) 201 is performed.

The calendar IC 209 stores the date and time and can be called by the main CPU (b) 201 at any time. Therefore, the current time is displayed on the operation unit display and the machine on / off time is set. This makes it possible to control the turning on / off of the power of the machine by a timer. FL
The ASH-ROM 211 is a program for controlling operation mode relations, setting values such as operation modes (user program data, hereinafter referred to as UP data), and setting values related to copy sequence (service program data, hereinafter referred to as SP data). ) Is stored, and sequence data is stored in the sequence CPU 2 via serial communication.
Send to 00.

9.2 Processing of Image Data Next, the flow of processing of image data will be described.

The gate array 203 is the CPU (b) 201.
Image data (D
It outputs a synchronizing signal with ATA0 to DATA7).

1) Scanner control circuit 206 → image control circuit 202 In this case, an image signal associated with 8-bit data from the scanner (however, it can be 4 bits or 1 bit) is a synchronization signal from the laser beam scanner unit 211. PM
It is output to the image control circuit 202 in synchronization with SYNC.

2) Scanner control circuit 206 → application 212 In this case, an image signal associated with 8-bit data from the scanner (however, it can be 4 bits or 1 bit) is output in parallel to the application 212. The application 212 outputs the input image data to an output device such as a printer connected to the outside.

3) Application 212 → image control circuit 202 In this case, the image associated with the application 212 is 8-bit data (however, it can be 4 bits or 1 bit) from an externally connected input device (fax or the like). The signal is synchronized with the synchronization signal PMSYNC from the laser beam scanner unit 211 and output to the image control circuit.
In this case, when the image signal from the outside is 1 bit or 4 bits, it is necessary to perform a process of converting the image signal into 8 bit data.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the image scanner unit. An analog image signal output from the CCD image sensor 250 is an image preprocessor (IPP) 2
The signal processing circuit 252 inside 51 amplifies and corrects the amount of light, and the A / D converter 253 converts the signal into a digital multilevel signal. This signal is subjected to correction processing by the shading correction circuit 254, and the image processing unit (I
PU) 255.

Image process unit (IPU) 25
A schematic block diagram of No. 5 is shown in FIG. The image signal applied to the IPU 255 is high-frequency emphasized by the MTF correction circuit 270, electrically scaled by the scaling circuit 271, and the γ conversion circuit 272.
Is applied to The γ conversion circuit 272 optimizes the input characteristics according to the characteristics of the machine. γ conversion circuit 272
The image signal output from is converted into a predetermined quantization level by SW1 of the data depth switching mechanism. This switching mechanism switches to the three data types shown in FIG.
The 4-bit conversion circuit 273 outputs 4-bit data,
The binarization circuit 274 converts the input 8-bit multi-valued data into binary data with a preset fixed threshold value, and outputs 1-bit data. Dither circuit 275
Is 1-bit data and creates an area gradation. SW1 is 3
DATA0-DATA by selecting one of the two data types
Output as 7.

Returning to FIG. 6 again, the scanner control circuit 206
Controls a fluorescent lamp ballast (lamp control circuit) 256, a timing control circuit 257, an electric scaling circuit of the IPU 255, and a scanner drive motor 258 in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU (b) 201. Fluorescent ballast 256
According to the instruction from the scanner control circuit 206, the fluorescent lamp 1 is turned on / off and the light amount is controlled. Scanner drive motor 2
A rotary encoder 259 is connected to the drive shaft of 58, and the position sensor 260 detects the reference position of the sub-scanning drive mechanism. The electric scaling circuit is the scanner control circuit 20.
The electrical scaling processing is performed according to the magnification on the main scanning side set by 6.

The timing control circuit 257 outputs each signal in accordance with the instruction from the scanner control circuit 206. That is, when reading is started, the CCD image sensor (C
The CD) 250 is supplied with a transfer signal for transferring data for one line to the shift register and a shift clock pulse for outputting the data in the shift register bit by bit. The pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK, the main scanning synchronization pulse LSYNC, and the main scanning effective period signal LGATE are output to the image reproduction system control unit.

This pixel synchronizing clock pulse CLK is C
The signal is almost the same as the shift clock pulse given to the CD image sensor 250. Also, the main scanning synchronization pulse L
SYNC is almost the same signal as the main scanning synchronization signal PMSYNC output by the beam sensor of the image writing unit, but is output in synchronization with the pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK. The main scanning effective period signal LGATE becomes the high level H at the timing when the output data DATA0 to DATA7 are considered to be effective data.

In this example, the CCD image sensor 2
50 outputs valid data of 4800 bits per line. The scanner control circuit 206 is the main CPU
(B) Upon receiving a reading start instruction from 201, the fluorescent lamp 1 for illumination is turned on, the scanner driving motor 258 is started, the timing control circuit 257 is controlled, and the reading of the CCD image sensor 250 is started. Further, the sub-main scanning effective period signal FGATE is set to the high level H. This signal FGATE becomes low level L after the time required to scan the maximum reading length (dimension in the A size longitudinal direction in this example) in the sub-scanning direction after being set to high level H.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the memory system of this apparatus. The image signal from the CCD 250 is output as 8-bit data through an image preprocessor (IPP) 251 having functions of shading correction, black level correction, and light amount correction. This data is a multiplexer (1)
Selected by (MUX1) 280, has spatial frequency high-frequency emphasis (MTF correction) function, speed conversion function (magnification), γ conversion function, data depth conversion function (8 bit / 4 bit / 1 bit conversion) Image process unit (IPU) 2
It is processed at 55 and output to the printer PR through the MUX (3) 282. Reference numeral 281 is a MUX (2), and 283 is a memory device (MEM).

In a system having a frame memory for image data, the image data from the IPU 255 is temporarily stored in the memory device (MEM) 283 as shown in FIG.
It is configured to take out from the memory device (MEM) 283 and output to the printer (PR) when necessary. Also,
Image data from IPU255 to printer (PR)
To the memory device (MEM) 283 while simultaneously outputting the same to the memory device (MEM) 283 and outputting the second and subsequent copies.
The method using image data from 83 was also common.

The present apparatus is constructed so that the data flow shown in FIG. 11 is possible so that both the processed data and the raw data from the IPU 255 are taken into the memory device 283. That is, the three multiplexers (MUX1, MUX2, MUX3) 280, 281, 2 of FIG.
The data flow can be changed by switching 82. For example, a single scan of the scanner may result in multiple I
When outputting a copy with the parameters of the PU 255 changed, this can be achieved by the following procedure.

1. At the time of scanner scanning, MUX (1) is set to A, MUX (2) is set to B, MUX (3) is set to A, and the first sheet is output. At this time, the raw data enters the memory device (MEM) 283 through the MUX (2).

2. From the second sheet onward, MUX (1) is set to B, and data from the memory device (MEM) 283 is transferred to the IPU.
Put it in 255 and print it through MUX (3) printer (PR)
Output to At this time, the IPU parameter can be changed every time one copy is made.

When holding compact data such as 1-bit data, set MUX (2) to A and set I to I.
The output of the PU 255 is loaded into the memory device. In this case, the printer device switches to the binary data (1 bit) mode for copying. EXTIN and EXTOUT in FIG. 9 are an image data input signal from the outside and an output signal to the outside.

In FIG. 12, the compressor (COMP) 290 and the decompressor (EXP) 291 are arranged in a memory unit (Memory).
(Unit) 292 before and after 292 so that compressed data other than actual data can be stored
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of No. 3; In this configuration, the compressor (COMP) 290 and the decompressor (EXP) 291 need to operate according to the speed of the scanner and the printer, respectively. When storing actual data, the multiplexers MUX (4) 293 and MUX (5) 294 are set to A, and when compressed data is used, they are set to B. 295 is an error detector.

The memory unit 292 shown in FIG.
It has a configuration like 3. Data width converters 300 and 301 are provided at the input and output of a memory block (Memory Block) 302 in order to handle the three image data types shown in FIG. 14 and code data that is compressed data. Direct memory controller (DMC1, DM
C2) 303 and 304 write data to a predetermined address of the memory block 302 according to the packed data number and the memory data width, and perform a read operation.

The read image data is transferred to the IPU 25
Reduced by 5 to D at a predetermined address in the memory block 302
By performing writing and reading by the MC1 and DMC2, it is possible to realize an aggregation function of collecting image data of a plurality of originals on one sheet.

FIG. 14 shows the data type of image data as described above. Usually from a scanner,
Alternatively, the speed of image data to the printer is constant regardless of 8-bit data, 4-bit data, or 1-bit data. That is, the period of 1 pixel is fixed in the device. In this device, M of 8 data lines
It is defined as 1-bit data, 4-bit data, 8-bit data and MSB-filled from the SB side. The blocks that pack and unpack this data into the data width (16 bits) of the memory block are the input data width converter and the output data width converter. By packing, the memory can be used according to the data depth, and the memory device can be effectively used.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory device 283 in which a pixel process unit (PPU) 310 is arranged outside the memory unit 292 instead of the compressor (COMP) 290 and the decompressor (EXP) 291.
The function of the PPU 310 is a unit that realizes a logical operation (for example, AND, OR, EXOR, and NOT) between image data, calculates memory output data and input data and outputs the same to a printer, and memory output and input data (for example, scan). Data) is calculated and the memory unit 2
It can be stored in 92. Switching between the output destination printer and the memory unit 292 is performed by MUX (6) 311 and M
Performed at UX (7) 312. This function is generally used for image composition, for example, for placing overlay data in the memory unit 292 and overlaying the scanner data with the overlay data.

FIG. 16 shows a configuration for storing image data using an external storage device. When saving image data to a floppy disk
A file controller (File Control) from XTOUT through an interface (I / F) 320.
output to the floppy disk controller (FDC) 322 controlled by the L. er) 321 and stored in the floppy disk on the floppy disk drive (FDD) 323. Under the control of the file controller 321, there are a hard disk controller (HDC) 324 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 325, which can be read and written on the storage medium of the hard disk. The hard disk drive (HDD) 325 stores format data and overlay data that are often used and can be used as needed.

FIG. 17 shows a configuration capable of 100% recovery when the processing speeds of compression and decompression cannot be met in time. The memory unit 292 inputs the compressed data and the image data at the same time as the scanner scanning.
The incoming data is stored in different memory areas, but the compressed data is stored as it is in the decompressor (EXP) 291.
Entered and extended. If the processing time of the compressor (COMP) 290 and the decompressor (EXP) 291 ends normally in time before all the data of one page is stored in the memory unit 292, only the memory area of the compressed data remains and the area of the raw data Is canceled. If the error detection circuit (Error Detect) 295 is a compressor (COM)
When an error signal from P) 290 or expander (EXP) 291 is detected, the compressed data area is immediately canceled and raw data is adopted.

The memory management unit (MMU) 330 is
This is a unit for controlling the memory so that two input data and one output data can be simultaneously input / output to / from the memory unit 292. By testing the compression and decompression in real time, high speed and reliability and effective use of the memory area became possible. In this embodiment, the memory management unit (MMU) 330 enables dynamic allocation of the memory area.
There may be two memory units for raw data and compressed data.

The configuration of FIG. 17 is most suitable for applications such as electronic sorting in which a plurality of pages are stored and output to a printer in real time, in which both the number of stored pages and the printing speed must be compatible.

9.3 Application Unit An explanation will be given with reference to the block diagram of the application unit shown in FIG.

In this example, APL1 (file unit),
A system including APL2 (FAX unit), APL3 (ON / OFF printer unit), APL4 (LAN), base unit (image processing unit), and display (T / S, LCD) is shown.

First, the base portion will be described.

Since the engine I / F 340 sends the image data serially, the image data is converted into parallel here. Further, the parallel data in the page memory 341 is converted into serial data by the engine I / F 340 and sent to EXTIN. The control signal is serial and the engine I / F3
40 to the system bus via SCI (serial communication interface) 342. In this example, the page memory 341 has a size of one page of A3 and converts it into a BIT image, and also arbitrates the data speed of EXTIN and EXTOUT and the processing speed of the CPU. The scaling circuit 343 is a page memory 34.
In order to perform high-speed processing for enlarging or reducing the data on 1 in this circuit, the DMAC 344 is used to perform high-speed processing without going through the CPU 352. For example, when the document to be sent is A4 portrait and the receiving document is A4 landscape by FAX transmission, the rotation control unit 353 automatically reduces the size by 71% for transmission, and the receiving side becomes difficult to see. In order to prevent this, when the size is the above, the transmission original is rotated by 90 degrees to be converted into A4 landscape and transmitted at the same size.

Another object is that when receiving and outputting, when the receiving size is A4 horizontal and the cassette size is A4 vertical, the rotation control unit 353 rotates the output image by 90 degrees to A4.
Convert it vertically and output. This eliminates the need to distinguish between vertical and horizontal cassettes.

The CEP 345 is a circuit having functions of image data compression, expansion and through. Bus arbiter 3
Reference numeral 46 performs processing of sending data from the AGDC 385 to the image bus and sending to the system bus. Timer 348
Has a function of generating a predetermined clock. RTC34
Reference numeral 9 is a clock that generates the current time. The console is a control terminal, and in addition to reading and rewriting data inside the system, the terminal can also develop software by using a daybag tool which is one function of the internal OS. OS of the CPU 352 in the ROM 350
Contains basic functions such as. RAM351 is mainly a CPU
Used for working of 352. This unit performs basic control of this system.

9.3.1 About APL1 SCSI 360 is HDD (hard disk) 325, O
It is an I / F for a DD (optical disc) 361 and an FDD (floppy disc) 323. ROM362 is SCSI
HDD 325, ODD361, FDD3 via 360
It controls 23 and contains software as a filing system.

9.3.2 About APL2 This is a unit for FAX control and consists of the following parts.

The G4 FAX controller 370 is a unit for controlling the G4 protocol.
It is a unit that supports Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 of. Needless to say, it also supports ISDN and NET
In 64, 2B + 1D (64KBx2 + 16KB)
G4 / G4, G4 / G3, G3 / G
It is a unit that can select either G3 or G3 only. The G3FAX controller 371 is a unit for controlling the G3 protocol, and in this part, it also has a G3FAX protocol by an analog line and a modem for converting a digital signal into an analog signal. The NCU (Network Control Unit) 372 has a function of dialing when connecting to the other party using the exchange or receiving an incoming call from the other party. The SAF (store and forward) 373 is for accumulating image data (including image data, code data, etc.) when transmitting and receiving FAX.

This unit is a semiconductor memory or HDD 3
25, ODD361, etc. are used. The ROM 374 contains a program for controlling the APL2. Further, the RAM 375 is used for those works and at the same time is made non-volatile by a battery, in which the telephone number of the other party, the name of the other party, the data for controlling the FAX function, etc. are stored, and It can be easily set using the LCD.

9.3.3 APL3 APL3 is a control unit for an online printer and an offline printer. An FDC (floppy disk controller) 380 controls the floppy disk 381. The recent floppy supports SCSI, and here, SCSI, ST506 interface is supported. An SCI (Serial Communication Interface) 382 is used to connect to a HOST computer. Centro I / F383 is also SCI3
Similar to 82. The emulation card 384 performs the following functions. Currently, it is sold by many manufacturers such as NEC and EPSON, and the specifications of each printer have changed slightly. If the functions of these printers are not the same from the HOST perspective, the software used in HOST is It will happen that you will not run. In order to eliminate such a problem, an emulation card 384 is attached so that the software contained therein can operate as a printer of each manufacturer when viewed from the HOST.

AGDC (Advanced Graphic
The display controller) 385 converts the code data sent from the HOST to the CGROM 386 and the FONT image in the CG card 387 at high speed in the page memory 34.
It expands to 1. The ROM 388 contains software for controlling these. CGROM (Character Generator ROM) 386 is an FO corresponding to code data.
It contains NT data. The FONT format contains data such as outline FONT.

The CG card 387 is an external CGFONT
And the contents are the same as the CGROM 386. 395
Is a RAM and 389 is a work RAM.

9.3.4 APL4 The APL4 is a unit for controlling the LAN.

Here, the LAN controller 390 controls LAN, omni, star run, etc., which are currently operating LANs. Naturally APL2 (FA
X) and APL4 (LAN) work in the background even when other APLs are operating. 391 is a CPU
It is.

9.3.5 Display In this unit, LCD 410 and touch switch (T /
S) Control 411.

The LCD 410 can display graphics and characters, and the CG 412 in the LCD 410 displays ANK and the second kanji.
The level code is built in. The TSC 413 is a touch switch controller, which controls T / S. T / S is divided into X and Y grids, and the size of the switch used by the operator can be freely set by determining the number of grids for one key by the TSC 413. Further, the LCD 410 and the T / S 411 have a two-layer structure, and the key size and the key frame of the LCD 410 can correspond to each other. Also, 414 is a CP
U, 415 is SCI, 416 is ROM, 417 is RA
M, 418 are LCDC, and 419 is DPRAM.

An example of the display is shown in FIG. As fixed keys, there are a ten key 430 for setting the number of copies, a start key 431 for starting copy, and user-settable function keys 432, 433, 434. This function key allows the user to freely set the mode. For example, the key 432 is assigned a sort mode, the key 433 is assigned a staple mode, the key 434 is assigned a double-sided mode, and the like. The display is the number of copies display 43
5 and the set number display 436 are fixed displays, and other displays are displayed on the LCD 410. Also, the LCD 41
Reference numeral 0 is a touch switch, and it becomes possible to select a mode by pressing an object displayed on the LCD 410.

Next, the operation of the APL will be described.

9.4 Fax Operation First, the fax operation will be described.

This FAX has the functions of MF, G2, G3 and G4, and the transmission densities are 3.85, 7.7 and 15.4 / mm.
Furthermore, 200, 240, 300, 400d for G4
It is possible to perform density conversion with each other using pi support and the scaling function. Also, memory transmission / reception, relay, confidential reception, polling, etc. can be realized by using the SAF memory, and further, memory transmission, memory reception, reception output, etc. can be simultaneously performed while the transmission original is being stored in the memory.

Next, the transmission operation will be described. By setting the original and pressing the start key 431, the APL2
Call the other party by dialing the other party stored in the RAM 375. When it is known that the other party is a FAX, the document reading operation starts. If the start key 431 is pressed when there is no original, a display prompting the user to reset the original is displayed. By the document reading start operation, the scanner 250 operates to read the document, and the data is output to the EXTOUT terminal through the individual circuits in FIG. At this time, by selecting MUX (1) 280 and MUX (3) 282, it is possible to select whether to use the IPU 255,
Furthermore, the internal functions of the IPU 255 can be freely selected by the program. This signal is the engine I / F 340 of FIG.
And stores it in the page memory 341 according to the bit size of the page memory 341 (EXTOUT is 1
Pixels are sent in multi-value of 8 bits. On the other hand, the page memory 341 corresponds to 16 bits, and the bit configuration is different, so the adjustment is made here).

When the data from the scanner 421 enters the page memory 341, the APL2
The data is accumulated in the SAF memory 373. By transmitting the data from the scanner while accumulating it in the SAF 373, the following characteristics can be obtained.

That is, the scanner 421 can read one A4 size sheet in about 2 seconds. On the other hand, the transmission time for G3 is about 9 seconds for A4 size. Thus, the transmission time is about 4.5 times longer than the reading time. In an apparatus that can be used in combination with a copying machine, a fax machine, a printer, or the like as in the present embodiment, for example, when the next person wants to make a copy during fax transmission, the fax transmission job should be completed quickly. However, the FAX transmission may be sent faster or slower depending on the performance of the partner machine. By transmitting the read data while accumulating it in the SAF 373 as in this embodiment, the apparent transmission speed can be increased. Also, if the transmitted document is S
Since the data is stored in the AF memory 373, it is possible to retransmit and re-call and correctly send an image when an error occurs during transmission, when the line is disconnected, or the like. Thus, S
The data accumulated in the AF373 is transferred by the system bus.
It will be accessible from the G3 fax or G4 fax unit.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of the IPU 255 shown in FIG. 20. In addition to the circuit shown in FIG.
40, marker editing circuit 441, outline circuit 44
2. An error diffusion circuit 443 and the like are provided.

Next, the reception of image information will be described.

In FIG. 22, the received image data is converted into a digital signal by the modem 450. This is DCR4
It is converted into raw data via 51, further compressed and stored in the SAF memory 452. At this time, the reason why the DCR 451 restores the raw data and then compresses it again is that the normal received data includes an error on the line.
This is because if the data is stored in 2, it is impossible to distinguish between a hardware error and a data error. When recompressing, a memory efficient method is used. The data stored in the SAF memory 452 is printed out for each page (it is also possible to output after storing one file by setting the mode).

In order to output from the SAF memory 452, it is necessary that the page memory 341 of FIG. 18 is not used by another APL and that a copying machine is available. When these conditions are met, the data in the SAF memory 452 is set to CEP3.
Page memory 341 while returning to raw data via 45
Expand to. Select the optimum paper size after the development is completed. At this time, when the data in the page memory 341 is A4 portrait and the optimum paper is A4 landscape, the data in the page memory 341 is rotated 90 degrees by the rotation control and is output to the selected paper. With this function, it has become possible to prevent an A4 portrait image from being printed on an A4 landscape paper and to have a margin. This function is used not only for receiving output but also for reading the image information read according to the partner in the transmission mode.
Since it can be rotated by 0 degrees, for example, when the transmission original is A4 landscape and the receiving side is A4 portrait, it was sent at 71% reduction until now.
By incorporating the degree rotation, it becomes possible to send at the same size and it becomes easier to see on the receiving side.

Here, instead of the SAF memory 452, H
When the DD325 is used, the SAF memory 452 is used as a buffer and the SCSI interface 36 of the APL1 is used.
This is possible by driving the HDD 325 via 0.

Next, a copying operation for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings and flowcharts (FIGS. 23 to 30).

FIG. 23 is a display example regarding UP data setting on the LCD 410.

Is a main menu for initial setting of various UP data. When the copy initial setting screen is pressed on this screen, the next copy initial setting screen is displayed.

Is a copy initial setting screen. Here, if the basic operation setting key is pressed, the screen shifts to the copy basic operation initial setting screen.

In the basic copy initial setting screen, is selected whether to give priority to automatic paper selection, whether to give priority to automatic density, original type priority selection, priority copy color setting, automatic key priority display. You can set the choice of whether to do.

FIG. 24 describes the structure of the small blocks in each block and the order of copying. In this embodiment, each small block has 8 Kbytes in one block, that is, 64 Kbytes. A flash ROM
It is assumed that erasure is possible for each block of 64 Kbytes. For example, if any one of the data is changed in the state where the latest setting data is written in the small block 0 in the block 0, the updated data is stored in a predetermined place in the next small block 1. All the other data that is stored is copied from the small block 0 to the small block 1. Until the copying is completed, the update of the next setting data is prohibited.

When the data is further updated after the copy is completed, the process moves to the next small block 2, and then 3 → 4 →
A small block in which the latest data is stored moves from 5 → 6 → 7.

When the data is updated with the latest data stored in the small block 7, the small block 0 of the block 1 becomes the place where the latest data is stored, and the block 0 is erased after the copy is completed. To do. Thereafter, similarly, the small blocks 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 are transferred, and in the next update, the block 0 is transferred to the small block 0 again, and the block 1 is erased after the data copy is completed. . Hereinafter, this is repeated.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the structure of a small block. The first 1 byte is a status flag and the remaining part is a setting data area.

FIG. 26 shows the contents of the status flag. Only bits 1 and 0 are used, and bit 1 (CO
PY) is a flag indicating whether copying is in progress or before copying. In the FLASH-ROM, all bits are set to 1 after erasing, and thus the state is 1 before copying. Bit 0 (CPEND) is a flag indicating whether or not all the data has been copied. Similarly, at first, the copy of 1 is not completed yet. That is, the COPY flag and C
When both PEND flags are 0, it means that copying to the next small block has been completed and the process has moved to the latest block. 27 to 29 are flowcharts for realizing the present invention. Note that description of publicly known basic copies that are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted. Further, the example of this flowchart is an explanation of the first page of the copy basic operation initial setting screen of the copy initial setting.

FIG. 27 shows a copy basic operation initialization routine for copy initialization. First, it is determined whether the copy from the old small block to the new small block is completed. If the copying has not been completed, copy restart processing is performed (step S1). That is, the next data is not updated until the copy is completed. When the copying is completed, the data changed by the key operation is stored in the work RAM (step S2). When screen transition occurs (step S
3), it is determined whether or not each data is changed (steps S4 to S8), and if any one is changed, the copy flag of the new flag is set to 0 (step S4).
9, S10). After that, all the other unchanged data of the current small block (old) are copied to the next small block (new) (step S11). After the copy is completed, the status flag CPEND of the old small block is set to 0.
(Step S12). If the new small block is different from the existing block, the old block is erased and then restored (steps S13 and S14).

FIG. 28 shows the process of turning on the power when the power is turned on.
After that, after the copying of the setting data is restarted, the processing shifts to other processing such as initial setting of the copying operation not related to the present invention. FIG. 29 shows a copy restart processing routine for setting data. When the COPY flag of the old block is 0, that is, when the CPEND flag is 1 and the copy is not completed (steps S21 and S22), the data that has not been copied is copied from the old small block to the new small block. (Step S23) After completion, if the new small block is a block different from the old block, the sudden block is erased and the process is returned (steps S24 to S26).

[0123]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the means for performing the copying operation based on the preset and changeable operating conditions, the electrically erasable ROM, and the desired operating conditions are set as the RO.
Since it is provided with a control means for storing and reading in M and performing a copying operation according to the conditions, the reliability of the setting data can be improved and a battery is not required for holding the data. Can be Further, if a part of the program ROM is used as the ROM, it is not necessary to prepare a separate ROM, so that the cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, means for storing various set values for determining the operating conditions of the copying operation in at least two or more blocks for each set value, and electrical means in block units. When updating the erasable and writable ROM and the previously stored operating condition values, write a new value in a block different from the one in which the values are stored and store it in the original block after the writing is completed. Since it further has a means for copying all the set operating condition values to the above another block and erasing the original block after the completion of copying, it is possible to prevent the loss of data due to the power interruption during rewriting. ,
It is possible to prevent a mistake in the order of aggregation due to the difference in page order.

According to the third aspect of the invention, an electrically erasable and writable ROM in block units and various set values for determining the operating conditions of the copying operation are set in each block for each set value. The operation conditions stored in advance in the small blocks are changed by means for storing in at least two or more small blocks, means for storing a mark as old data for each small block, and means for storing the mark. When this is done, the new operating condition is stored in another unused small block in the same block, and all other condition data that have not changed are also copied to the new small block. Is equipped with means for writing the old data mark,
The data can be updated without erasing the block, and the number of rewrites can be extended.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the update of the value of the operating condition is prohibited from the start of copying the block storing the value of the operating condition stored in advance to another block to the end thereof. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, which is provided with the means, it is possible to prevent data inconsistency due to updating of data during rewriting, and to prevent an ordering error in combining due to the type of original.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, means for indicating whether or not copying is being performed between blocks or between small blocks is further provided, and when copying is in progress when the power is turned on, copying is completed and copying between blocks is performed. In this case, other operations are prohibited until the copy is completed and the old block is erased. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the data inconsistency due to the update of the data in the middle of rewriting, and to prevent the ordering error of the aggregation depending on the type of the original. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an optical writing unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an optical writing unit of the digital copying machine.

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

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the entire electrical equipment control of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image scanner unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an image processing unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing data switched by a data switching mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a memory system.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a memory system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a memory system.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a memory device.

FIG. 13 is an internal block diagram of a memory unit of the memory device.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing three image data types.

FIG. 15 is an internal block diagram of a memory device.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a memory system using an external storage device.

FIG. 17 is an internal block diagram of a memory device.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an application unit.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of an operation display unit.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a memory system.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an image processing unit.

FIG. 22 is a reception block diagram of image information.

FIG. 23 is an operation screen for copy initialization.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a configuration of each block.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a small block.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the contents of a status flag.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for copy initialization.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the power is turned on.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a copy restart processing of setting data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 200 CPU (sequence) 201 CPU (main) 202 Image control circuit 203 Signal switching gate array 204 Operation unit unit 205 Editor 206 Scanner control circuit 207 Page memory 208 Image forming unit 211 Laser beam scanner unit 212 Application 250 CCD 251 IPP 255 IPU

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising image reading means, image writing means for writing an image based on the read image signal, and image forming means for visualizing the written image to form an image. Means for performing a copying operation based on a set and changeable operating condition, electrically erasable ROM, and copying operation satisfying the desired operating condition by storing and reading in the ROM An image forming apparatus, comprising: 2. A means for storing various set values for determining operating conditions of a copy operation in at least two or more blocks for each set value, and an electrically erasable and writable RO in block units.
When updating the value of M and the operating condition stored in advance, write a new value in a block different from the block in which the value is stored, and after the writing is completed, set the operating condition stored in the original block. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that copies all the values to the another block and erases the original block after the copying is completed. 3. An electrically erasable and writable ROM in block units, and various setting values for determining operating conditions of a copying operation are at least two in each block for each setting value.
When changing the operating conditions stored in advance in small blocks by means of storing in small blocks at more than one place, means for storing a mark as old data for each small block, and means for storing the mark, Store the new operating condition in another unused small block in the same block, copy all other unchanged condition data to the new small block, and write the previous data into the small block. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that writes a mark of old data. 4. A means for prohibiting updating of the value of the operating condition from the start of copying the block in which the value of the operating condition stored in advance is stored to another block to the end thereof. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 5. A means for indicating whether copying is in progress between blocks or between small blocks is further provided, and when copying is in progress at the time of power-on, after completion of copying and in the case of copying between blocks, copy completion and old The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 4, wherein other operations are prohibited until after the block is erased.