JPH10819A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate copying a document group including both black and white and color documents by inhibiting switching from a second transportation path to a first transportation path until the image forming operation for all the documents in the document group is completed after having a switching operation from the first transportation path to the second transportation path according to switching. SOLUTION: Papers fed from any of paper feeding cassettes 220a to 220c of an electrophotography image forming portion 200 as a first image forming means is stored in an intermediate tray 301 of an ink-jet image forming portion 300 as a second image forming means in a superimposed state by switching from a horizontal transportation path as a first conveyance path to a vertical transportation path as a second transportation path by a transportation path switching nail 225. After switching the transportation paths, a mode is set such that the switching from the second transportation path to the first transportation path is inhibited until the image forming operation for all the documents in the document group is completed. Accordingly, a document group including both black and while and color documents can be copied quickly.

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.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming unit employing an electrophotographic system (hereinafter referred to as an electrophotographic image forming unit) and an image forming unit employing an ink jet system (hereinafter referred to as an ink jet image forming unit) are combined. Image forming apparatuses have been proposed. In the image forming apparatus, a black-and-white document is developed in an electrophotographic image forming unit, and a color document is printed in an inkjet image forming unit. It should be noted that the image forming apparatus has only one transport path until the paper is discharged, and the paper passes through the electrophotographic image forming unit and is then discharged to the discharge tray via the inkjet image forming unit.

[0003]

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the development of the black-and-white document in the electrophotographic image forming section located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction is performed by the inkjet image forming apparatus located on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction. The printing is completed in a shorter time than the printing of the color original in the copy unit. Therefore,
In the case of continuously performing image formation of a group of originals in which a black-and-white original and a color original are mixed, for example, when copying a black-and-white original following a color original, while the color original is being printed by the inkjet image forming unit, It is necessary to wait for the subsequent execution of black and white original development (image forming processing in the electrophotographic image forming unit). Therefore, even if a monochrome image is developed at a high speed, if color originals are mixed in the original document group, there is a problem that productivity is greatly reduced. To cope with this, after the black-and-white image forming operation in the electrophotographic image forming unit is completed, the transport path for directly discharging the paper to the paper output tray without passing through the inkjet image forming unit located on the downstream side in the paper transport direction. It is conceivable to increase the productivity of black-and-white copying by providing. However, in this case, when continuously copying a document group in which a color document and a black-and-white document are mixed, another problem occurs in that the order of the sheets to be discharged onto the discharge tray is different from the order of the document group. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having an electrophotographic image forming section and an ink jet image forming section, which can quickly execute a copy of a document group in which a black-and-white document and a color document are mixed and discharge the document. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the order of sheets to be printed does not change from the order of a document group.

[0005]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms first image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on image data, and forms an image on a sheet based on the image data. And a second image forming means different from the first image forming means. In order to form an image of each original in a group of plural originals, any one or both of the above image forming means may be used on a sheet. In an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation, a first transport path for discharging a sheet from the first image forming unit to the outside of the apparatus, and a second transport path for discharging a sheet from the second image forming unit to the outside of the apparatus. Transport path switching means for switching the transport path from the first transport path to the second transport path in accordance with switching of the image forming means from the first image forming means to the second image forming means, and transport by the transport path switching means. After the path switching operation, all originals in the original group Against until the image forming operation is finished, includes a conveyance path switching inhibition means from the second conveying path to prohibit switching of the conveying path to the first transport path, the. In the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, it is preferable that the first image forming unit is an image forming unit based on an electrophotographic system, and the second image forming unit is an image forming unit based on an inkjet system. Alternatively, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether the document includes a color region. If it is determined that the document includes a color region, the image data of the color region is preferably formed by the second image forming unit. Further, in the image forming apparatus having the above-described preferable configuration, it is preferable that image data other than the color area is formed by the first image forming unit. In addition, the image data of the color area is
After the image is formed by the image forming means and the transport path is switched to the second transport path by the transport path switching means, the image forming operation for all the originals is not completed and there is a next original to be image-formed. If the determination unit determines that the original does not include the color area, the sheet on which the image forming operation has been completed by the first image forming unit is conveyed to the second image forming unit, and
It is preferable that the sheet is passed through the second transport path without performing image formation by the image forming unit.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(1) Configuration of Copying Machine (1-1) Configuration of Copying Machine Main Body FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine includes an image reading unit 100 including an automatic document feeder 110, an electrophotographic image forming unit 200, and an inkjet image forming unit 300. Image reading by the image reading unit 100 is performed as follows. Documents set on the automatic document feeder 110 provided above the image reading unit 100 are:
The light is automatically set at a predetermined position on the document glass 107 in order, and is irradiated by the exposure lamp 101. The light reflected from the original surface is guided to the lens 104 by the three mirror groups 103a to 103c, and forms an image on the CCD sensor 105. The exposure lamp 101 and the mirror 103a are moved by the scanner motor 102 in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of the arrow) at a speed V corresponding to the copying magnification, and scan the entire document. The mirrors 103b and 103c move in the same direction at a speed of V / 2 with the movement of the exposure lamp 101 and the mirror 103a. The CCD sensor 105 converts the incident reflected light of the original into an analog electric signal and outputs it. The electric signal output from the CCD sensor 105 is output to the image processing circuit 10.
In step 6, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan),
After being converted into K (black) 8-bit gradation data, the data is output to the interface unit 108 and the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 or the inkjet image forming unit 300.

The image forming process in the electrophotographic image forming section 200 is performed as follows. In the electrophotographic image forming unit 200, the image data correction unit 201 performs predetermined MTF correction, gamma correction, and the like on the input 8-bit gradation data, and then applies the data to the exposure head 2.
02 to emit a laser beam. The laser beam emitted from the exposure head 202 exposes the photosensitive drum 209 via the mirror 203. Photoconductor drum 2
09 is a charger 2 before receiving exposure for each copy.
04 is uniformly charged to a predetermined voltage. When exposure is performed in this state, an electrostatic latent image of the document is formed on the photosensitive drum 209. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 209 is developed by the black toner developing device 205. On the other hand, according to the document size,
２２０220c, an appropriate sheet is selected,
When the toner image is supplied to the transfer unit via 2a to 222c and the paper feed roller 221, the developed toner image is transferred onto the conveyed paper by the transfer charger 206. The toner image transferred to the paper is transferred to a fixing roller pair 224.
And is fixed on the paper. The transport path switching claw 225 switches between a transport path for discharging the sheet after the fixing process to the discharge tray 229 and a transport path for transporting the sheet to the inkjet image forming unit 300 provided at the lower stage. Note that the fur brush 207 transfers the photosensitive drum 20 after the transfer.
9 to collect the remaining toner. Main eraser 208
Removes the residual potential on the surface of the photosensitive drum 209.

[0008] The image forming process in the ink jet image forming section 300 is performed as follows. The paper that has passed through the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 (the paper supplied from any of the paper feed cassettes) is transported by the conveyance path switching claw 225 to the intermediate tray 30 of the inkjet image forming unit 300.
1 are stored so as to be stacked. The sensor 305 detects that a sheet is carried into the intermediate tray 301. The re-feed roller 302 sequentially moves from the bottom sheet stored in the intermediate tray 301 to an ink jet unit 308 (hereinafter, referred to as an ink jet unit 308).
(Referred to as IJU unit 308). The sensor 306 is
It detects that the sheet has been discharged from the intermediate tray 301. The configuration of the intermediate tray 301 and the image forming operation in the inkjet image forming unit 300 will be described later.

The IJU unit 308 has four ink jet units (hereinafter, referred to as “ink jet units”) for printing the upper surface of a sheet to be conveyed.
IJUs 304a to 304d and four IJUs 304e to 304h for printing the lower side of the sheet are equally spaced (1/4 of the maximum usable size of 420 mm).
mm interval). However, IJU304a ~
304h is configured to be detachable from the copier main body, and the number of units to be used and the mounting location can be selected according to the use environment of the user. For example, at least IJU30
By attaching the IJU 304e and the IJU 304e, color printing can be performed on both sides of the sheet by one conveyance. Also,
When the IJUs 304a to 304d are mounted, the printing area of one unit is reduced to 1/4,
Printing can be performed four times faster than when printing is performed only by using the printing method. The paper on which printing has been performed in the IJU unit 308 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 229 through a vertical conveyance path. The end of the printing process in the IJU unit 308 is detected when the sheet passes beside the sensor 307. IJU
The configuration of 304a to 304h will be described later.

(1-2) Configuration of Operation Panel 400 FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel 400 provided in the copying machine. The operation panel 400 includes a numeric keypad 401 used to input the number of copies, a start key 402 used to start copying, a liquid crystal panel 403 for displaying a mode setting screen and the number of copies, and an inkjet image forming unit 30.
The key 406 includes a key 406 for setting a high-quality mode in which high-quality image formation is performed using only 0, and a key 407 for setting a high-speed mode in which image formation is performed at high speed using only the electrophotographic image forming unit 200. . When the high-quality mode or the high-speed mode is not set, a composite mode that appropriately uses both the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 and the inkjet image forming unit 300 is set. The copying operation when each mode is set will be described later.

(1-3) Description of Processing Blocks FIG. 3 shows each processing block centered on the image processing circuit 106. The analog electric signal output from the CCD sensor 105 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 601 and then subjected to predetermined shading correction. The first image processing unit 602 converts image data represented by three primary colors of RGB into YCrCb data represented by lightness and chromaticity. This is because even if the value of each data changes due to a calculation error, the YCrCb data is RGB.
This is because, unlike the case of data, color shift is not conspicuous and is suitable for encoding. Next GBTC compression section 603
Performs an encoding process using a block truncation (hereinafter, referred to as GBTC) method on the digital data output from the first image processing unit 602 to reduce the data amount, and stores the encoded data in the compression memory 604. The encoding process of the image data according to the GBTC method will be described later. The CPU 607 determines a black-and-white image area to be processed by the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 and a color image area to be processed by the inkjet image forming unit 300 based on the encoded data in the compression memory 604. An attribute map is created based on the determination result, and the created attribute map is stored in the hard disk 612. Here, for the color image area, the data in the compression memory 604 is replaced with data indicating white pixels and the data of the color image is replaced in order to prevent image formation in the electrophotographic image forming unit 200. The data is saved to the hard disk 612 via the SCSI controller 611. The GBTC decompression unit 605 decompresses the data stored in the compression memory 604 at a predetermined timing, and the second image processing unit 606 converts the decompressed data into M
After performing TF correction processing, gradation correction processing, and the like, the image is output to the electrophotographic image forming unit 200. Also, the CPU 607
Expands the color image data saved on the hard disk 612 into image-formable data as required, and transfers the data to the work RAM 608. The DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller 610
8 is transferred to the IJU controller 610 as appropriate. The IJU controller 610 controls the IJU unit 308
Depending on the detachment and operation state of each unit attached to
Appropriate image data is transferred to the IJUs 304a to 304h, and a color image formation instruction is issued. The image data read by the image reading unit 100, that is, the CCD 10
5 is output to an external device such as a facsimile machine (represented as FAX in the figure) 650 or a personal computer (represented as PC in the figure) 660 via the image processing circuit 106 and the interface unit 108. be able to. Further, image data can be received from an external device, and an image based on the received image data can be printed on paper in the inkjet image forming unit 300. If no IJU is set in the IJU unit 308, the data input from the interface unit 108 is stored in the RAM 613.

(1-4) Configuration of Inkjet Unit IJU304a to IJU304h have the same outer shape and configuration. FIG. 4 shows the outer shape of the IJU 304a. IJ
The U304a is mounted on the slide rails 312a and 312b, and is configured to be detachable from the copying machine main body by moving along the slide rails 312a and 312b. IJU304a has handle 3
13 and 314 are provided to facilitate detachment.
The IJU 304a is fixed by inserting fixing pins on the main body side into the position fixing holes 310a and 310b, and the connection between the connector 311 and the connector on the main body side enables transmission and reception of signals with the main body. An opening 315 for ejecting ink is provided at the bottom of the IJU 304a, so that recording can be performed on a sheet below. FIG. 5 shows an internal configuration of the IJU 304a. One end of the ink ejection unit 320 is
The other end is connected to the belt 316 with 9 being supported therethrough. With the rotation of the gear 317 attached to the shaft of the recording head drive motor 318, the belt 316 moves and conveys the ink ejecting unit 320 in any direction indicated by a double arrow in the drawing. Inks are attached to the ink cartridges 321 for each color, and the ink ejection units 320 for each color are attached.
As needed. Ink ejection unit 32
The ink ejected from the zero slit 322 passes through the opening 315 on the bottom surface and adheres to the paper. After the ink ejecting unit 320 moves from one end of the shaft 319 to the other end in the drawing, the paper is step-conveyed according to the width to be printed. By repeating this, an image is formed on the sheet. In addition, the IJUs 304e to 304h for backside printing are ink jet units (IJU) having the configuration shown in FIGS.
Is mounted on the copier body in a state of being turned upside down. IJU
304a, an ink presence / absence detection sensor 323, a motor 3
18 control circuit (not shown) and connector 3
A circuit (not shown) for transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the copying machine main body via the printer 11 is provided.

(1-5) Structure of Intermediate Tray FIG. 6 shows the structure of the intermediate tray 301. Motor 341
The paper holding lever 342 is connected to the rotating shaft of. The paper holding lever 342 is connected to the motor 3 in FIG.
With the clockwise rotation of 41, the paper in the intermediate tray 301 is pressed. A roller 342a is provided at a portion of the paper pressing lever 342 that comes into contact with the paper in order to smoothly transport the paper. The bottom surface of the intermediate tray 301 is inclined so that the refeed opening 343 is lowered, and the sheet moves to the position of the refeed roller 302 due to the inclination. Paper subjected to black and white development in the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 is carried into the intermediate tray 301 from the upper left side in the drawing. When storing paper, the motor 341
Rotates counterclockwise in this figure, and releases the pressing of the sheet by the sheet pressing lever 342. Meanwhile, IJU
When the portion 308 becomes printable, the motor 341 rotates clockwise in FIG.
Press down on the paper. With the rotation of the refeed roller 302, the IJU passes through the refeed opening 343 in order from the bottom sheet of the sheets stored in the intermediate tray 301.
Conveyed to the unit 308. The intermediate tray 301 is attached to the copying machine main body by slide rails 344a and 344b, and is configured to be detachable from the copying machine main body by moving back and forth. Therefore, if the paper is set in the intermediate tray 301 in advance, it is not necessary to pass the paper supplied from any of the paper feed cassettes through the electrophotographic image forming unit 200, and the adverse effect (black High-quality color printing can be quickly performed without receiving the toner scattering, wrinkles generated when passing through the fixing roller 224, bending of the paper, adhesion of oil, and the like, and shortening the paper transport path. . An intermediate tray attachment / detachment sensor 346, which is provided in the copying machine main body and includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, determines whether or not light emitted from the light emitting element is detected by being reflected by the reflector 345 provided on the side surface of the intermediate tray 301. The detached state of the tray 301 is detected. Paper press lever 342
A predetermined light emitting element 349 is provided on the side of the roller 342a that comes into contact with the sheet of paper, facing the copying machine. The maximum number of stored sheets detection sensor 350 detects the light emitting position of the light emitting element 349, and It is detected whether the number of sheets stored in the tray 301 has reached the maximum number. A light emitting element 347 is provided at the center of the roller 342a.
Is provided, and a sensor 348 provided on the bottom surface of the intermediate tray 301 detects the presence or absence of a sheet in the intermediate tray 301 by detecting the light emitted by the light emitting element.

(2) Handling of Image Data FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing a storage order of data of a color area in a document image. Hereinafter, a data storage order when data in an area determined to be a color image is saved to the hard disk 612 will be described with reference to FIG. The hatched area in the figure represents a color image area. The GBTC encoding process is a fixed-length encoding method, and data in the compressed image memory 604 is arranged in the same manner as in FIG. The CPU 607 discriminates between a monochrome image area and a color image area based on the data in the compression memory 604, creates an attribute map based on the discrimination result, and stores this in the hard disk 612. Based on this attribute map, data belonging to a color image is raster-scanned from the main scanning direction of the leading edge of the document in the numerical order shown in FIG. That is, after storing the line data from 1 to 2, the data of the next lower line is sequentially scanned from the left end to the right end and stored in the hard disk 612. After storing the line data from 3 to 4, 5 to 6, and from the left end to the right end of the next line, the data of the line is stored on the hard disk 612 from 7 to 8 and 9 to 10 in the color area on the left side. Hereinafter, data reading for each line is similarly continued. 25 to 26, 27
,..., 29 to 30 are read, and the process ends. Here, the horizontal thin line shown in the figure indicates the printing width by one IJU. The ink ejection head is 1
Image data is handled at intervals of 6 pixels. In the GBTC encoding process, 4 × 4 pixels are defined as one block. Therefore, in the sub-scanning direction, data is handled in units of four blocks. As will be described later, the GBTC encoding converts 16 × 3 bytes of data per block into 6 × 3 bytes.
Compress to byte data. FIG.
FIG. 12 is an image diagram showing a storage state of data in the storage unit 12. At the top of the hard disk 612, a page address table 505 indicating the location of the attribute map in each page and the size of the attribute map determined by the document size.
Is stored. After the page address table 505, an attribute map 506 of page 1 and color image data 507, an attribute map 508 of page 2 and data 509 of color image, an attribute map 510 of page 3 and data 511 of color image are stored in order. ing. CPU 607
Reads the attribute map of the desired page with reference to the page address table 505. The size of the attribute map is approximately 64 Kbytes for an A3 document. The color image data of each page is continuously stored in the attribute map. The data size differs from the ratio of the color image on the original screen. If the entire A3 is a color image, the size of the color image data is about 3
5 Mbytes. From the page address table 505 in the hard disk and the attribute map of the page specified by the table 505, the position of the color image of the original image can be grasped, and the IJU 304a to 304h
The desired data can be supplied to. When reading the color image data of the original shown in FIG. 7 from the hard disk 612, four IJUs 304 provided at equal intervals
The areas 501 to 5d shown in FIG.
04 data is assigned. When printing the first line, no data is supplied to the IJU 304a. IJ
In U304b, data of 5 to 6 lines is stored in IJU3
04c contains the data of lines 19 to 20 in IJU3
04d is supplied with data of lines 27 to 28.

(3) GBTC Encoding Process Next, the GBTC encoding process will be described. GBTC
In the encoding process, image data of a document is extracted for each block of a predetermined pixel matrix, and for each block, an average value Q1 of data equal to or less than a parameter P1 defined by data in the block and a parameter P2 (where P1 < The relationship of P2 is satisfied.) The sum of the average values Q4 of the data of the above values is 2
Based on the average value information LA obtained by equally dividing and the gradation width index LD which is a difference between the average value Q4 and the average value Q1, the data of each pixel in the block is divided into the range of the gradation distribution in the block. , The data is compressed and coded into code data obtained by quantizing to a gradation level smaller than the data. As will be described later, the copying machine of the present embodiment uses the average value information LA obtained by GBTC encoding and the gradation width index LD to convert the predetermined pixel matrix into a monochrome image or a color image. It is determined whether the document belongs to the document, and the type of the document is determined based on the determination result. Note that the method of determining the type of the original is not limited to this.
A method of determining based on the CrCb data may be adopted. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of the encoding process of the GBTC system. In the GBTC method, as shown in FIG. 9A, image data of a document image is extracted in units of 4 × 4 pixel blocks. The extracted image data in the 4 × 4 pixel block is subjected to an encoding process according to a method described below with reference to FIG. 10 to obtain 1 byte (= 8 bits) data ×
As shown in FIG. 9B, the image data of 16 pixels (16 bytes, that is, 128 bits) is converted into a 1-byte gradation width index LD, 1-byte average value information LA, and 4 pixels of data of each pixel. A total of 6 bytes (= 48 bits) of 2-bit coded data × 16 pixels that are classified and assigned to stages
To the data of As a result, the data amount is reduced to 3/8.
Compress to FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating that the amount of encoded data corresponds to six pixels of image data before encoding. Decoding of the encoded data is executed by setting 1-byte image data corresponding to each 2-bit code data based on the gradation width index LD and the average value information LA. In the present embodiment, the image data of the document is extracted in units of 4 × 4 pixel blocks, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the image data is extracted in units of 3 × 3 pixel blocks or 6 × 6 pixel blocks. Is also good. Further, in the present embodiment, 256-level data of each pixel in the block is encoded into 4-level code data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and 2-level or 8-level code data is encoded. May be used. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an encoding process and a decoding process of the GBTC system. From image data extracted in units of 4 × 4 pixel blocks, a predetermined feature amount required for encoding is obtained. The feature amount is obtained by the following calculation.
FIG. 10A shows a maximum value Lmax, a minimum value Lmin,
The relationship between the parameters P1 and P2 and the gradation width index LD is shown. First, a maximum value Lmax and a minimum value Lmin of 8-bit image data in a 4 × 4 pixel block are detected. Next, a parameter P1 obtained by adding 1/4 of the difference between the maximum value Lmax and the minimum value Lmin to the value of the minimum value Lmin.
And a parameter P2 obtained by adding 3/4 of the difference to the value of the minimum value Lmin. Note that parameters P1 and P1
2 is obtained by the following calculation of “expression 1” and “expression 2”.

P1 = (Lmax + 3Lmin) / 4 (1)

P2 = (3Lmax + Lmin) / 4 (2) Next, an average value Q1 of the image data of the pixels having the parameter P1 or less among the image data of each pixel is obtained. Further, of the image data of each pixel, an average value Q4 of the image data of the pixels having the parameter P2 or more is obtained. Average values Q1 and Q4 obtained
Based on the average value information LA = (Q1 + Q4) / 2,
A gradation width index LD = Q4-Q1 is obtained. Next, "Equation 3"
And the operation of “Equation 4” is performed, and 1 byte (8 bits) of each pixel, that is, image data of 256 gradations is converted into 2 bits, that is, 4
The reference value L1, which is used when encoding into gradation code data,
L2 is determined.

L3 = LA-LD / 4 (3)

L2 = LA + LD / 4 (4) FIG. 10B shows the i-th pixel in the 4 × 4 pixel block.
Column (however, i = 1, 2, 3, 4; the same applies hereinafter),
And a j th row (where, j = a 1, 2, 3, 4. Hereinafter the same) is a diagram showing the values of the code data phi _{i j} assigning according to the data value of the pixel _{X ij} in. More specifically,
According to the value of the pixel X _ij , 2-bit code data φ _ij having a value shown in Table 1 below is assigned.

[Table 1] The data encoded by the GBTC method includes code data for 16 pixels (16 × 2 bits), a gradation width index LD of one byte (8 bits), and average value information LA. FIG. 10C shows data obtained by the decoding process. When decoding the encoded data, the gradation width index LD and the average value information LA are used. Specifically, the data of X _ij is determined according to the value of the gradation width index LD and the average value information LA and the value of the code data φ _ij assigned to the pixel X _ij in the j-th row of the i-th column. The data is replaced with 256 gradation data having the values shown in Table 2 below.

[Table 2] In the GBTC method, pixels X _ij (where i and j are 1 and 2, respectively) in a decoded 4 × 4 pixel block
2, 3, or 4. ) Is 4
It is replaced with 256 gradation data of the type value. Therefore, the decoded data clearly includes an error when compared with the data of the original image. However, the error is inconspicuous on human visual characteristics, and in a natural image,
Almost no image quality degradation is observed. In the GBTC method, the parameters Q1 and Q4 are completely restored from the gradation width index LD and the average value LA included in the encoded data.
Therefore, in a character image (black and white binary image) in which the black portion is equal to or less than the parameter P1 and the white portion is equal to or more than the parameter P2, the character image can be completely reproduced from the encoded data.

(4) Image Forming Process (4-1) Main Routine FIG. 11 shows a main flowchart of the image forming process executed by the CPU 607. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming process will be described in detail with reference to this flowchart. First,
Initialization of each variable involved in the processing and initialization of each element are performed (step S1). Next, a key input by the user is accepted, and various modes are set (step S2).
In this mode setting process, when the user presses the start key 402, the process proceeds to the following process. First, preprocessing such as shading processing for image reading and preparation of each element for image formation is performed in accordance with the mode set by the user (step S).
3). Thereafter, the automatic document feeder 110 causes the document table 1
The image data of the original placed on the original 07 is read. The read image data is stored in the compressed image memory 604 after the GBTC encoding (step S4). Based on the data stored in the compressed image memory 604, a document discriminating process is performed, and an image forming process corresponding to the type of the document is performed (step S5). This image forming process will be described later. After this image forming process, the photosensitive member 2 after image formation
Although it is not directly related to the copying operation, such as cleaning at step 09 and cleaning of the ink ejecting unit 320, processing necessary to maintain the condition of the apparatus is performed (step S6). Finally, other processes such as communication control not directly related to the above control are executed (step S7). Hereinafter, step S2
To S7 are repeated.

(4-2) Mode Setting Process FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the mode setting process (FIG. 11, step S2). If the user presses the high image quality mode key 406 (YES in step S10),
Set the high image quality mode as the print mode (step S
11). In the high image quality mode, printing is performed using only the inkjet image forming unit 300 regardless of the type of the original,
This is to obtain a high-quality copy output. On the other hand, when the high-speed mode key 407 is pressed (YE in step S12)
S), the high-speed mode is set as the print mode (step S13). In the high-speed mode, the copy output is obtained at high speed by immediately discharging the paper to the paper discharge tray 229 after performing black and white development in the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 regardless of the type of the document. If neither of the keys 406 and 407 is pressed by the user (NO in step S12),
A composite mode using one or both of the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 and the inkjet image forming unit 300 is set as a print mode (step S14). Thereafter, the process waits until the user presses the start key 402 (YES in step S15), and returns to the main routine.

(4-3) Image Forming Process FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts of the image forming process (FIG. 11, step S5). First, it is determined whether or not an output is requested from an external device via the interface unit 108 (step S17). Here, when an output request is made from an external device (step S
17 is YES), since printing is permitted only in the inkjet image forming unit 300, the intermediate tray 30
1 is mounted (step S1).
8). Here, if the intermediate tray 301 is mounted on the copying machine main body (YES in step S18), the process proceeds to step S27 described later, but if the intermediate tray 301 is not mounted (NO in step S18). A warning is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 403 of the operation panel 400 to prompt the user to mount the IJU, and the interface unit 108 is displayed.
Data relating to an output request input via the RAM 6
Then, the process returns (steps S19 and S20). In step S17, if no output request has been made from the external device (NO in step S17), and it is determined that the intermediate tray 301 has not been mounted on the copying machine body (N in step S21).
O) Since the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 cannot convey the processed paper to the intermediate tray 301, the mode A is set regardless of the set print mode.
As the printing process, the appropriate paper is supplied from any one of the paper feed cassettes 220a to 220c (step S3).
0), after performing predetermined black and white development in the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 (step S31), the sheet is immediately discharged without passing through the inkjet image forming unit 300 (step S32). On the other hand, when the intermediate tray 301 is mounted on the copying machine main body (YES in step S21), the type of the print mode set on the operation panel 400 by the user is determined (step S22). Thereafter, a document discriminating process is executed (step S23), and an appropriate image forming process is executed based on the discrimination result (step S24).
Subsequent processing). There are three types of originals determined by this original identification processing: black-and-white originals, color originals, and mixed originals in which black-and-white areas and color areas are mixed. Step S
23, if it is determined that the document is a mixed document in which a color area and a black-and-white area are mixed, a black-and-white document is copied after this document for a group of documents on which image formation is continuously performed. The mode change flag F is set to 1 in order to always pass through the ink-jet image forming unit 300 even if it is performed (step S
25). When the intermediate tray 301 is empty (Step S26)
Then, as a printing process in mode C, an appropriate sheet is supplied from any one of the sheet cassettes 220a to 220c (NO in step S40, step S42), and the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 develops the black and white area. Is performed, the sheet is temporarily stored in the intermediate tray 301 (step S43), and after controlling the timing, the sheet stored in the intermediate tray 301 is transported to the IJU unit 308 (step S35), and the cyan, magenta, After the printing of the yellow color area is executed (step S36), the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 229 (step S37). In addition,
The printing processing speed of the inkjet image forming unit 300 is lower than the image forming processing speed of the electrophotographic image forming unit 200. For this reason, the sheets after the image forming process in the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 are sequentially stacked on the intermediate tray 301. Here, when the maximum number-of-stacked-sheets detection sensor 350 of the intermediate tray 301 detects that the number of stacked sheets has reached the maximum number of sheets (Y in step S40).
ES), the sheet feeding operation from the sheet feeding cassettes 220a to 220c and the image forming operation in the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 are stopped, and the sheet stored in the intermediate tray 301 is printed by the inkjet image forming unit 300. It waits (step S41). If sheets are set in the intermediate tray 301 in advance (step S2).
6; NO), as a printing process in mode B1, without feeding paper from any of the paper feed cassettes 220a to 220c.
The sheet is directly conveyed from the intermediate tray 301 to the IJU unit 308 (step S35), and the cyan, magenta, yellow,
After executing the black color printing (Step S)
36), and discharge the paper to the paper discharge tray 229 (Step S3)
7). Also, by the document discrimination process (step S23),
If it is determined that the entire document is a color image document, the mode change flag F is set to 1 as in the case of the mixed document.
(Step S27). Here, when the intermediate tray 301 is empty (YES in step S28), as the printing process in the mode B2, the sheet feeding cassettes 220a to 220
c is fed (step S38), the fed paper is passed through the electrophotographic image forming unit 200 without forming an image, and stored in the intermediate tray 301 (step S39). Then, the stored paper is conveyed to the inkjet image forming unit 300 (Step S35), subjected to image forming processing by each of the IJUs 304a to 304h (Step S36), and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 229 (Step S37). If there is a sheet on the intermediate tray 301 (NO in step S28), the above-described mode B1 print processing is executed. If it is determined in the document determination process (step S23) that the document is a black-and-white document, the mode change flag F is checked first, and the image forming of the black-and-white document is performed in a group of documents on which image formation is continuously performed. Before the operation, it is determined whether or not printing is being performed in the inkjet image forming unit 300. If the mode change flag F is 0 (NO in step S29),
It is determined that printing is not being performed in the inkjet image forming unit 300, and the above-described mode A printing processing is executed. On the other hand, when the mode change flag F is 1 (YES in step S29), before performing the copying of the black and white original, the inkjet image formation is performed on the original in which a partial area or the entire surface is formed of a color image. The unit 300 determines that printing has been performed, and executes the above-described mode C printing process. However, after the image forming operation in the electrophotographic image forming section 200, the sheet after the completion of the development of the black and white image once stored in the intermediate tray 301 is transferred from the intermediate tray 301 to the IJ.
The printing operation is not performed in the IJUs 304a to 304h even if the paper is conveyed to the U section 308. That is, it only passes through the IJU unit 308. Thus, the order of the sheets discharged to the discharge tray 229 is the same as the order of the documents set on the automatic document feeder 110. Step S22 above
, When the high image quality mode is set, the same processing as when copying a color original is performed when the composite mode is set. In step S22, when the high-speed mode is set, the same processing as when copying a black-and-white document is performed when the composite mode is set. If the copying of all the documents in the document group set in the automatic document feeder 110 has been completed by the discharge in step S32 or step S37 (YES in step S33), the mode change flag F is reset. Is performed to set the value to 0 (step S34). If copying of all originals has not been completed (NO in step S33), the process returns to step S20 in FIG. In this copying machine, when the IJU is not attached to the inkjet image forming unit 300, the image data from the external device is stored in the RAM 613.
M613 may be omitted and a configuration in which input of image data from an external device is not accepted (use of the external device as a printer may be prohibited).

(4-4) Document Discrimination Processing The document discrimination processing will be described below. Black and white images
The data values of the chromaticity components a * and b * are almost achromatic. For example, 4 × obtained by the GBTC encoding process
Average value information L of chromaticity components a * and b * of a 4-pixel block
If A is within ± 5, it can be determined that the block is an achromatic image. However, with the above criteria alone,
Even when the chromaticity component a * of a certain pixel is -120 and the chromaticity component a * of another pixel is 125, the average value information LA is ±
If it is less than 5, it is erroneously determined that this 4 × 4 pixel block belongs to a monochrome image. Therefore, only when the gradation width index LD is within ± 5, it is determined that the 4 × 4 pixel block belongs to the monochrome image. Here, this document discrimination processing will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15. First, the monochrome document flag MON and the color document flag COL are set to 0 (step S90). When both the average value information LA and the gradation width index LD of the chromaticity components a * and b * are within ± 5 (steps S91 to S9)
It is determined that the 4 × 4 pixel block belongs to the monochrome image (step S95), and the flag MONO is set to 1 (step S96). If the flag COL is 0, that is, if there is no block determined to be a color image before this block (YES in step S97), it is determined that the document is a monochrome document (step S98). . On the other hand, when at least one of the average value information LA and the gradation width index LD of the chromaticity components a * and b * is ± 5 or more (NO in any one of Steps S91 to S94), 4 × 4 It is determined that the pixel block belongs to the color image (step S99). Here, the flag MONO
Is 0, that is, if there is no block determined to be a black-and-white image before the block (YES in step S101), the document is determined to be a color document (step S103). In step S97, when COL = 1, or in step S101.
In the case of MONO = 1, it is determined that both the block belonging to the black-and-white image and the block belonging to the color image are mixed in the document (step S102). Steps S91 to S91 for all blocks in the original
3 is repeatedly executed (Y in step S104).
ES), return.

(4-5) Ink Jet Image Forming Process The ink jet image forming process will be described below. FIG. 16 shows an inkjet image forming process (FIG. 14, FIG.
It is a flowchart of step S36). First, the attribute map of the original image for the paper to be printed is read from the hard disk 612 (step S7).
0). The position of the attribute map of the document image to be printed is stored in the page address table 505, and by indexing this table 505, the hard disk 6
The storage location of the attribute map for the corresponding page in 12 can be obtained. Note that when performing simultaneous double-sided printing or printing two pages of images on the same side of a sheet, a plurality of document image information is required for one sheet. Read the map.
If it is determined that color data exists in the print line of each IJU based on the number of mounted IJUs and the positional relationship between the color data areas of the attribute map (YES in step S71), the color to be printed from the attribute map The address of the data in the hard disk 612 and the data width are calculated (step S72). Data corresponding to the data width is read from the calculated address from the hard disk 612 and once written into the working RAM 608 (step S73). After GBTC decompression of the data written in the work RAM 608 (step S74), the YCr
The Cb data is converted to RGB data (step S7)
5). Thereafter, the RGB data is converted into cyan, magenta, yellow, and black gradation data (step S).
76). Then, the data of each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is converted into binary data by error diffusion processing (dither processing may be performed) (step S77).
Thereafter, the data is rearranged so that the binarized data of each color can be easily supplied to the IJU (step S7).
8). In other words, 1-bit data for each color of each pixel is divided into eight in the arrangement direction (sub-scanning direction) of the ink ejection unit 320 for each color.
Cut out in pixel units and handle as byte data. The ink ejecting unit 320 of each color has a head for 16 pixels in the sub-scanning direction, and at the time of printing, the number of pixels arranged on a line × 2
Requires bytes of data. Write cyan, magenta, yellow, and black data to the working RAM,
It prepares for a data request from the IJU controller 610 (step S79). In this copier, the processes in steps S74 to S78 are performed by software, but may be implemented as hardware as a part of the IJU controller 610, for example. By implementing such fixed processing as hardware, the processing speed can be increased and the processing time load on the CPU 607 can be reduced, so that the CPU 607 can be opened to other controls. In step S79, the working RAM 608
Is written to the ink ejection unit (see FIG. 5) of a predetermined IJU via the DMA controller 609 and the IJU controller 610 (step S80). The CPU 607 drives each IJU in accordance with the supply of data, and moves the ink ejecting unit in the paper transport direction (step S81). Wait for printing of one line to be completed (YES in step S82),
The sheet is transported stepwise by one line width (16 pixels) (step S83). The above process is executed for all data, and after execution (YES in step S84), the process returns.

[0021]

According to the above arrangement, it is possible to speed up a series of image forming processes while keeping the order of sheets to be discharged the same as the order of originals.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel provided in the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing each processing block centered on an image processing circuit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outer shape of an inkjet unit (IJU).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an IJU.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an intermediate tray.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing a storage order of data of a color area in a document image.

FIG. 8 is an image diagram showing a storage state of data in a hard disk.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of an encoding process of the GBTC system.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an encoding process and a decoding process of the GBTC system.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an image forming process executed by a CPU.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a mode setting process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an image forming process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of each printing process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a document determination process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an inkjet image forming process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 image reading unit 110 automatic document feeder 200 electrophotographic image forming unit 225 conveyance path switching unit 300 inkjet image forming unit 301 intermediate tray 603 GBTC compression unit 604 compression memory 605 GBTC expansion unit 607 CPU 612: Hard disk

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data; and a second image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data. Means for forming an image of each document in a group of documents consisting of a plurality of sheets, wherein one or both of the image forming means perform an image forming operation on a sheet. A first method for discharging paper from the image forming means to the outside of the machine
A conveying path, and a second path for discharging sheets from the second image forming means to the outside of the apparatus.
A transport path, transport path switching means for switching the transport path from the first transport path to the second transport path with switching of the image forming means from the first image forming means to the second image forming means, and a transport path switching means Means for inhibiting the switching of the transport path from the second transport path to the first transport path until the image forming operation for all the documents in the document group is completed after the transport path switching operation by An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming unit is an electrophotographic image forming unit, and the second image forming unit is an inkjet image forming unit. . 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determining unit configured to determine whether the original includes a color area. If it is determined that the original includes a color area, image data of the color area is formed by a second image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein image data other than the color area is formed by the first image forming means. 5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
After the image is formed by the image forming means and the conveyance path is switched to the second conveyance path by the conveyance path switching means, the image forming operation for all the originals is not completed, and there is a next original to be image formed. If the determination unit determines that the original does not include the color area, the sheet on which the image forming operation has been completed by the first image forming unit is conveyed to the second image forming unit, and
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus passes through the second transport path without performing image formation by the image forming unit.