JPH11149188A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print the image information of a both-side manuscript at a high speed with a simple constitution. SOLUTION: When a both-side mode A with a high sped mode is set on a control panel 12, the image on the front surface of the manuscript is read by a first reading means 2, a toner image based on the image data on the front surface of the read manuscript is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 64 as a first image and then, the image on the rear surface of the manuscript is read by a second reading means 3, to transfer the toner image based on the image data on the rear surface of the read manuscript to the intermediate transfer belt 64 as a second image. The first image on the belt 64 is transferred to the front surface of a recording paper and fixed thereon, the recording paper having the first image formed on the front surface is automatically turned inside out by a double-sided unit 67 and the second image on the belt 64 is transferred to the rear surface of the recording paper, to be fixed thereon and ejected.

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 for transferring an image of a read original onto a recording sheet and printing the image, and more particularly, to speeding up an original having images on both sides and printing the image and simplifying the apparatus. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to improve the efficiency of image input and printing work, copiers for reading and printing originals having images on both sides without replacing the originals are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-192964 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-49145. No. 6,086,045. 637-192764
The copying machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-15064 provides two sets of reading means and recording means, respectively, reads image information on both sides of a document at a time by two sets of reading means, and stores the read image information on both sides at two sets of recording means. To record on the recording paper at one time. Further, in the copying machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-49145, after a double-sided original is inserted between a pair of openable and closable transparent plates for inserting the double-sided original, a reading unit is driven to rotate by a driving unit and the surface of the original is The back side is read, and the read image information of both sides is recorded on recording paper by two recording means.

[0003]

In each of the above-mentioned conventional copying machines, it is necessary to provide two sets of recording means, so that the size of the copying machine becomes large and the price becomes expensive. In addition, it has not been possible to provide a function of printing a read image of a double-sided original on one side of two recording sheets.

Also, if the image information on both sides of the original is read at once by two reading means, if the original has a thin paper thickness, a character pattern of the opposite original is exposed by the exposure light source of the opposite reading means. However, there is a disadvantage that reading is not possible due to transmission of the image, and accurate reading cannot be performed.

Further, when the reading means is driven to rotate to read the front and back sides of the document, the structure of the driving means for driving the reading means to rotate is complicated, so that maintenance and inspection are not easy and only one side of the document is read. However, there is a disadvantage that the same reading time as reading a double-sided document is required, and the work efficiency is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing image information of a two-sided original at a high speed with a simple configuration, with the disadvantages being improved.

[0007]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a first reading unit, a second reading unit, and an image transferring unit, and the first reading unit and the second reading unit include a document. The first reading unit reads an image on the front side of the document placed on the platen, and the second reading unit reads an image on the back side of the document placed on the platen. The transfer unit transfers the image of the document read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit onto a recording sheet. The transfer unit reads the toner image of the image read by the first reading unit and the toner image read by the second reading unit. And an intermediate transfer medium for simultaneously holding the toner images of the images.

The image transfer means sequentially transfers the toner images of the images read by the first reading means and the second reading means to both sides of one recording sheet.

The image transfer means transfers the toner image of the image read by the first reading means and the second reading means to different recording paper.

Further, the toner images of the images read by the first reading means and the second reading means are sequentially superimposed on one sheet of recording paper and synthesized.

It is desirable that a high-speed mode using both the first reading means and the second reading means and a normal mode using only one of the reading means can be selected.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A copying machine according to the present invention has first reading means, second reading means, image storage means, image processing means, image writing means, image transfer means, and a paper feeding unit.
The first reading unit is provided in a document table having a transparent plate, and reads an image written on the surface of the document. The second reading means is provided in a pressure plate which is openable and closable and has a transparent plate at a lower portion, and reads an image written on the back surface of the document. The image storage unit temporarily stores the image data read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit. The image processing means performs various processes on the image data stored in the image storage means. The image writing unit converts the image data processed by the image processing unit into optical information. The image transfer means visualizes image data by electrophotography and prints it on recording paper, and includes a photoconductor, a developing means, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer means, a fixing means, a double-sided unit, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt has a standard size such as A4
It has a length for transferring an image of a document of a size for two surfaces.

The operation of each of these constituent means is controlled by the control unit according to the operation mode selected by the operation mode selection means in accordance with designation from the operation panel. The operation panel has a normal mode key for selecting an operation mode, a high-speed mode key, a display unit, and the like. The operation mode selection unit includes a duplex mode A for sequentially transferring toner images of images read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit to both sides of one recording sheet;
Double-sided mode B in which the toner images of the images read by the first and second reading units are transferred to different recording sheets, and the toner images of the images read by the first and second reading units A double-sided synthesizing mode for sequentially superimposing and synthesizing the recording paper is stored in advance. When the high-speed mode is selected on the operation panel and any of the duplex mode A, duplex mode B, and duplex mode is set, the operation mode selection means selects the set operation mode and sends it to the control unit. The control unit controls reading of an original, image formation, and transfer according to the selected operation mode.

When the high-speed mode is selected on the operation panel and the duplex mode A is set, the first
And reads a toner image based on the read image data of the front surface of the document as a first image onto the intermediate transfer belt. Thereafter, an image on the back surface of the document is read by the second reading unit, and a toner image based on the read image data on the back surface of the document is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt as a second image. The first image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred and fixed on the surface of the recording paper.
The recording paper having the first image formed on its front surface is automatically turned upside down by a duplex unit, and the second image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the rear surface of the recording paper, fixed, and discharged.

When the duplex mode B of the high-speed mode is set on the operation panel, an image on the front side of the original is read by the first reading means, and a toner image based on the read image data on the front side of the original is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt. Is transferred as the first image. Thereafter, an image on the back surface of the document is read by the second reading unit, and a toner image based on the read image data on the back surface of the document is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt as a second image. The first image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the surface of the recording paper, fixed, and discharged. Next, the second image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred and fixed on the surface of the next fed recording sheet, and then discharged.

When the high-speed double-sided combination mode is set on the operation panel, an image on the front side of the document is read by the first reading means, and the read image data is temporarily stored in the image recording means. Next, an image on the back side of the document is read by the second reading unit, and the image data of the front side of the document stored in the image recording unit and the read back image data are combined by the image processing unit, and based on the combined image data The toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt. The composite image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt is transferred onto a surface of a recording sheet sent from a sheet feeding unit, fixed, and discharged.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1 includes a first reading unit 2, a second reading unit 3, a processing unit 4, an image writing unit 5, an image transferring unit 6, and a sheet feeding unit 7. The first reading unit 2 is provided in a document table 8 having a transparent plate 81, has a light emitting unit 21, a mirror group 22, a condenser lens 23, and a light receiving element 24, and is configured to read an image described on the surface of the document. read.
The second reading means 3 is provided in a pressure plate 9 which is freely openable and closable and has a transparent plate 91 at a lower portion. Read the image. The processing unit 4 includes an image storage unit 10 for temporarily storing image data read by the first reading unit 2 and the second reading unit 3, and an image processing unit for performing various processes on the image data stored in the image storage unit 10. 11
Having. The image writing unit 5 converts the image data processed by the image processing unit 11 into optical information and writes the optical information on the photoconductor 61 of the image transfer unit 6.

The image transfer means 6 includes a photosensitive member 61 and a charger 62.
Developing means 63 having cyan, magenta, yellow and black developing devices, an intermediate transfer belt 64 and a transferring means 65
And a fixing unit 66 and a duplex unit 67. Then, the electrostatic latent image written and formed on the photoconductor 61 from the image writing unit 5 is visualized by the developing unit 63, and the formed image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64, The next transferred image is transferred to recording paper sent from the paper feeding unit 7 by the transfer unit 65, and the image transferred to the recording paper is fixed by the fixing unit 66. When performing double-sided printing, the recording paper having the image fixed on the front side is reversed by the double-sided unit 67 and sent to the transfer means 65 again to transfer the image to the back side of the recording paper. The intermediate transfer belt 64 has a length for transferring an image of a standard size document such as an A4 size document for two surfaces.

The first reading means 2 and the second reading means 3
The operations of the processing unit 4, the image writing means 5, the image transfer means 6, and the paper feeding unit 7 are designated on the operation panel 12 as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
It is controlled by the control unit 14 according to the operation mode selected in Step 3. Operation mode keys 121, 122, and 12 for selecting an operation mode are provided on the operation panel 12, as shown in FIG.
3, display unit 124, numeric keypad 125, and start 126
Etc. The operation mode selection unit 13 includes a duplex mode A in which the toner images of the images read by the first reading unit 2 and the second reading unit 3 are sequentially transferred to both sides of one recording sheet.
A two-sided mode B for transferring a toner image of an image read by the first reading unit 2 and the second reading unit 3 to a different recording sheet, and reading by the first reading unit 2 and the second reading unit 3 A double-sided combination mode for sequentially superimposing and combining toner images of an image on one recording sheet is stored in advance. Then, the high-speed mode is selected on the operation panel 12, and the duplex mode A is selected.
When any one of the two-sided mode B and the two-sided composite mode is set, the operation mode selection unit 13 selects the set operation mode and sends it to the control unit 14. The control unit 14 controls reading of a document, image formation, and transfer according to the selected operation mode.

When the double-sided document 15 is set on the document table 9 in the copying machine 1 having the above-described configuration and the high-speed mode is selected by the high-speed mode key 123 on the operation panel 12, as shown in FIG. Various mode setting screens for the high-speed mode are displayed on the display unit 124. In this display screen, duplex mode A
Is set, the operation mode selection means 13 selects the set duplex mode A and sends it to the control unit 14. When the duplex mode A is selected and the start key 126 is pressed, the control unit 14 causes the first reading unit 2 to read an image on the front surface of the document 15. Original 1 read by first reading means 2
5 is processed by the image processing means 11 and then the image writing means 5 causes the photosensitive member 61 of the image transfer means 6 to be processed.
4 is developed and developed on the intermediate transfer belt 64 as shown in FIG.
Is transferred as the first image 16a. When the image of the original 15 is a black-and-white image, the first image 16a of one color black is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64, and the original 15
If the image is a color image, reading is performed for four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and the image of each color is repeatedly transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64 to form the first image 16a.
To form

The image on the surface of the original 15 is the first image 1
When the image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64 as 6a, the control unit 14 causes the second reading unit 3 to read an image on the back surface of the document 15. The image data of the back side of the original 15 read by the second reading unit 3 is processed by the image processing unit 11, and the image writing unit 5 causes the photosensitive member 61 of the image transfer unit 6 to be processed.
And is developed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64 as the second image 16b. When the first image 16a and the second image 16b are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64, the control unit 14 feeds the recording sheet from the sheet feeding unit 7 and transfers the first image 16a of the intermediate transfer belt 64. The image is transferred to the surface of the recording paper by the means 65, and is fixed by the fixing means 66. The recording paper having the first image 16a formed on the front surface is automatically turned upside down by the duplex unit 67 and sent to the transfer means 65 again to transfer the second image 16b of the intermediate transfer belt 64 to the back surface of the recording paper. , Settle and discharge.

Since the two-sided document 15 set on the document table 9 is read by the first reading means 2 and the second reading means 3, the two-sided document 15 does not need to be replaced, and the operability can be improved. it can. Further, since the two-sided document 15 is sequentially read by the first reading unit 2 and the second reading unit 3, even when the two-sided document 15 is formed of thin paper, it is not affected by the exposure of the opposite reading unit. It can be read as a high quality image. Further, since images on both sides of the original 15 read by the first reading means 2 and the second reading means 3 are printed on recording paper by a set of image transfer means 6, the overall configuration of the apparatus is simplified and the size is reduced. Can be planned.

The high-speed mode key 1 on the operation panel 12
When the high-speed mode is selected at 23 and the duplex mode B is set, the operation mode selection means 13 selects the set duplex mode B and sends it to the control unit 14. When the duplex mode B is selected and the start key 126 is pressed, the control unit 14
The reading means 2 reads an image on the surface of the document 15 and transfers the first image 16a to the intermediate transfer belt 64 based on the read image data on the surface of the document 15.
When the image on the front surface of the document 15 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64 as the first image 16a, the control unit 14 causes the second reading unit 3 to read the image on the back surface of the document 15,
The image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64 as the second image 16b. When the first image 16a and the second image 16b are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64, the control unit 14
, The first image 16 a of the intermediate transfer belt 64 is transferred to the surface of the recording paper by the transfer means 65, fixed and discharged, and the second recording paper is fed from the paper supply unit 7. Then, the second image 16b of the intermediate transfer belt 64 is transferred onto the surface of the second recording sheet, fixed, and discharged. In this way, the images formed on the front and back of the double-sided document 15 can be printed and output on the surfaces of two recording sheets.

The high-speed mode key 1 on the operation panel 12
When the high-speed mode is selected at 23 and the duplex mode is set, the operation mode selecting means 13 selects the set duplex mode and sends it to the control unit 14. When the duplex mode is selected and the start key 126 is pressed, the control unit 14 causes the first reading unit 2 to read an image on the front surface of the document 15 and stores the read image data on the front surface of the document 15 in the image recording unit 10. Store it temporarily. Next, the control unit 14
An image on the back side of the original 15 is read by the reading means 3 and the image data on the front side of the original 15 stored in the image recording means 10 is combined with the read image data on the back side by the image processing means 14. The image writing means 5 exposes the photoconductor 61 with the combined image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed, and the original 15 is placed on the intermediate transfer belt 64.
The image obtained by combining the image of the front surface and the image of the back surface is transferred.
The composite image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64 is transferred to the surface of the recording paper sent from the paper supply unit 7, fixed, and discharged. In this way, the images formed on the front and back of the double-sided document 15 can be combined, printed on one sheet of recording paper, and output.

In the above embodiment, the case where the image data of the images formed on the front and back of the double-sided document 15 are combined by the image processing means 14 is described. May be combined and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 64.

The normal mode key 1 on the operation panel 12
When the normal mode is selected at 22, the image of the original is read only by the first reading means 2, and a toner image is formed based on the read image and printed on recording paper.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the two-sided document set on the document table is read by the first reading means and the second reading means, it is not necessary to replace the two-sided document and the operability is improved. Can be enhanced.

Further, since the two-sided document is sequentially read by the first reading means and the second reading means, even when the two-sided document is formed of thin paper, high quality is obtained without being affected by the exposure of the opposite reading means. It can be read as a perfect image.

Further, since the two-sided images of the original read by the first reading means and the second reading means are printed on the recording paper by one set of image transferring means, the overall structure of the apparatus is simplified and the size is reduced. Can be planned.

Further, since the toner images of the image read by the first reading means and the second reading means are sequentially transferred to both sides of one recording sheet, it is possible to print on the recording sheet in exactly the same configuration as the original. Processing at high speed.

Further, the toner image of the image read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit may be transferred to different recording paper, or the toner image of the image read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit may be transferred. Can be sequentially superimposed on one sheet of recording paper and synthesized, whereby an image of one double-sided document can be printed in a format desired by the user.

Further, since various operation modes can be arbitrarily selected, printing in a desired format can be facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a front view of an operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a layout view showing an image transferred to an intermediate transfer belt.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 2 1st reading means 3 2nd reading means 5 Image writing means 6 Image transfer means 7 Paper feed unit 10 Image storage means 11 Image processing means 12 Operation panel 13 Operation mode selection means 14 Control part 61 Photoconductor 64 Intermediate transfer belt 67 Double-sided unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first reading unit, a second reading unit, and an image transferring unit, wherein the first reading unit and the second reading unit are arranged on both sides of a document table; An image on the front side of the original placed on the platen is read, the second reading unit reads an image on the back side of the original placed on the platen, and the image transferring unit reads the first reading unit and the second reading unit. The image of the document read by the means is transferred to a recording sheet.
An image forming apparatus comprising: an intermediate transfer medium that simultaneously holds a toner image of an image read by a reading unit and a toner image of an image read by a second reading unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transfer unit sequentially transfers the toner images of the images read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit to both sides of one recording sheet. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transfer unit transfers the toner images of the images read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit to different recording sheets. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner images of the images read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit are sequentially superimposed on one recording sheet and synthesized. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a high-speed mode using both the first reading unit and the second reading unit and a normal mode using only one of the first and second reading units can be selected.