JPH11266366A - Image copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image copying machine that reduces degradation in image quality in generation copies and relieves the load of a user when generation copies are made. SOLUTION: A detection section 61 compares each specific pattern stored in advance in a ROM 63 with an a* signal outputted from a 1st color control section 24 to detect a specific pattern. A control section 62 stores a specific pattern detection position in a specific pattern coordinate storage section 65, reads a corresponding parameter from the ROM 63 and stores it in a RAM 64. After processing in a 2nd color conversion section 25 according to the control parameter in the RAM 64, a pattern elimination section 66 eliminates the specific pattern in the image, and the resulting image is processed by a black generation processing section 26, a precision processing section 27 according to the control parameter in the RAM 64, and a recording system gamma correction section 28. Furthermore, a pattern addition section 67 adds a new specific pattern to a yellow signal and an image forming section 3 forms an image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image copying apparatus for reading an image on a document to form an image on a recording medium, and more particularly, to a so-called generation copy for copying a copied image again. The present invention relates to an image copying apparatus having a function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a general image copying apparatus. In the figure, 1 is an image input unit, 2 is an image processing unit, 3 is an image forming unit, 11 is a document pressing plate, 12 is a platen glass, 13 is an illumination lamp, 14 to 16 are mirrors,
17 is an imaging lens, 18 is a CCD, 31 is a laser light source, 32 is a laser scanning optical system, 33 is a photosensitive drum, 3
4 is a charging corotron, 35 is a rotary developing device, 36 is a transfer corotron, 37 is a cleaner, 38 is a transfer drum, 39 is a paper tray, 40 is a charging corotron, 41 is a peeling corotron, 42 is a discharging corotron, and 43 is a fixing device. is there.

An image input unit 1 reads and inputs an image drawn on a document surface. Light from the illumination lamp 13 is applied to the original surface sandwiched between the original pressing plate 11 and the original platen glass 12 through the original platen glass 12, and the reflected light is transmitted to the CCD 18 via mirrors 14 to 16 and the imaging lens 17.
Incident on The CCD 18 photoelectrically converts an image for one line in the main scanning direction and sends an image signal to the image processing unit 2. Further, sub-scanning can be performed by, for example, moving the illumination lamp 13 and the mirror 14, and moving the mirrors 15, 16 at half the speed. Note that CC
D18 is, for example, R (red), G
(Green) and B (blue).

The image processing section 2 performs various image processing on the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 18. Details will be described later.

[0005] The image forming section 3 forms an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet based on the image signal subjected to the image processing by the image processing section 2. The laser light source 31 is controlled according to an image signal passed from the image processing unit 2. The laser light emitted from the laser light source 31 is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 33 via the laser scanning optical system 32. The surface of the photosensitive drum 33 is charged by the charging corotron 34 first, and the amount of charge changes by irradiation with the laser light to form a latent image. The laser scanning optical system 32 emits laser light in the main scanning direction and performs recording in the main scanning direction. In addition, recording in the sub-scanning direction is performed by rotation of the photosensitive drum 33. Then, C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K
(Black) toner and the photosensitive drum 3
3 to develop the latent image.

On the other hand, the recording paper stored in the paper tray 39 is conveyed and supplied to the transfer drum 38, and the recording paper is attracted to the transfer drum 38 by the charging corotron 40. The recording paper comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 33 by the rotation of the transfer drum 38, and the toner on the photosensitive drum 33 is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer corotron 36. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 33 after transferring the toner to the recording paper is removed by the cleaner 47. Such transfer of the toner to the recording paper is sequentially performed for the four toners of C, M, Y, and K.

The recording paper to which the toner has been transferred is separated from the transfer drum 38 by a separation corotron 41, and the toner on the recording paper is fixed to the recording paper by a fixing device 43. After the recording paper is peeled off, the transfer drum 38 is discharged by the discharge neutralizing corotron 42. The recording paper fixed by the fixing device 43 is discharged to the outside. In this way, the color image on the document is copied on the recording paper.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional image copying apparatus. In the figure, 21 is an A / D converter, 22 is a shading correction unit, and 23 is equivalent neutral lightness (ENL).
Conversion unit, 24 is a first color conversion unit, 25 is a second color conversion unit, 2
Reference numeral 6 denotes a black generation processing unit, 27 denotes a definition processing unit, 28 denotes a recording system γ correction unit, 51 denotes a halftone processing unit, and 52 denotes a printer unit. FIG. 6 mainly shows the configuration of the image processing unit 2 and shows the flow of image signals in FIG.

In this example, the image processing unit 2 includes an A / D converter 21, a shading correction unit 22, an ENL conversion unit 23,
First color conversion unit 24, second color conversion unit 25, black generation processing unit 2
6, a definition processing section 27, a recording system γ correction section 28, and the like. The A / D converter 21 includes a CCD 18 corresponding to each color.
Is converted into a digital signal.
The shading correction unit 22 corrects a positional light quantity fluctuation caused by the illumination lamp 13 and the optical system such as the imaging lens 17 in the image input unit 1. The ENL conversion unit 23
Conversion is performed on the B, G, and R color signals so that the lightness (L ^* ) has a predetermined characteristic. The first color conversion unit 24 calculates R
Performs color space conversion from the GB color space to the L ^* a ^* b ^* uniform color space. The second color conversion unit 25 performs a color correction process, a gamut compression process of converting a color that cannot be formed by the image forming unit 3 into a reproducible color, a color space in the image forming unit 3 from the L ^* a ^* b ^* uniform color space. And color space conversion processing to the YMC color space. The black generation processing unit 26 generates a K (black) signal from a signal in the YMC color space. Definition processing section 27
Performs various image processing such as MTF correction processing by spatial filter processing, moire removal, halftone dot removal, and the like. Recording system γ
The correction unit 28 performs a gradation correction process according to the γ characteristic in the image forming unit 3.

The image forming section 3 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 5 as a printer section 52, and forms an image processed by the image processing section 2 on a recording medium. This example includes a halftone processing unit 51 not shown in FIG.
The halftone processing unit 51 controls the laser light source 31 so that multiple gradations are simulated by, for example, screen processing. As a result, a halftone image can be formed. Note that such halftone processing may be performed by the image processing unit 2 in addition to the control of the laser light source 31.

In addition to the rotary type image copying apparatus shown in FIG. 5, a laser light source 31 and a laser scanning optical system 3
2. A tandem-type image copying apparatus provided with a photosensitive drum 33 for each toner has also been developed.

An example of the processing operation in the configuration shown in FIG. 6 will be described. An image on a document is read by an image input unit 1 as shown in FIG. 5, and an image signal photoelectrically converted by a CCD 18 is input to an image processing unit 2. In the image processing unit 2, first, an image signal is digitized in an A / D converter 21, shading correction is performed in a shading correction unit 22, and an L ^* a ^* b dot-sequential signal is passed through an ENL conversion unit 23 and a first color conversion unit 24. ^* Obtain an image signal in a uniform color space.

The second color conversion section 25 and the black generation processing section 26
Then, conversion of the toner (K, Y, M, C) used in the printer into color signals is performed. The second color converter 25 also performs a color correction process. Further, the definition processing 27, the recording system γ
In the correction 28, basic image processing such as MTF correction processing and gradation correction processing is performed. The image signal subjected to such image processing is passed to the image forming unit 3.

The image forming section 3 performs halftone processing based on the image signal passed by the halftone processing section 51 to control, for example, the driving of the laser light source 31.
A color image is formed on a recording medium such as a recording sheet and output. Thus, the image on the document is copied on the recording medium.

In the image copying apparatus having such a configuration,
For example, when importance is placed on reproduction of a character image, the image processing unit 2 sets a control parameter so as to emphasize the edge portion of the character in order to correct the MTF deterioration due to the image input unit 1 or the like. When importance is placed on reproduction of a photograph (pattern), for example, a control parameter for removing moiré of a printed matter is set in the definition processing unit 27, and the second color conversion unit 25 and the recording system γ are set. For the correction 28, control parameters for realizing vivid color reproduction and smooth gradation are set.

Normally, the control parameters set in each section of the image processing section 2 are set so that the quality of the copied image is optimized when a printed matter is copied as a copy source original. . Therefore, when the copied recording paper is copied as a copy source original (so-called generation copy) or the like, for example, image quality such as crushed character portions, unfavorable color reproduction, or poor gradation is obtained. There is a problem that deterioration occurs.

As a solution to such a problem, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 3-284057 discloses a first image processing parameter for a normal copy and a first image processing parameter for a generation copy in order to improve image quality at the time of generation copy. The second image processing parameter is retained and can be selected by the selection unit. However, this configuration has a disadvantage that the user must perform a troublesome operation such as setting image processing parameters by determining whether the original is a copy (child copy or grandchild copy) or a printed matter. . In the above-mentioned literature, control parameters for edge enhancement and smoothing processing are switched and set. However, when performing generation copy, in addition to these spatial frequency processing, color reproducibility and gradation Sex preservation is also necessary.

For example, in JP-A-6-46261,
At the time of generation copy, the γ characteristic at the time of γ correction processing, which is one of the gradation correction processing, is switched as a control parameter. However, also in this document, the switching of the control parameters at the time of generation copy is performed by the user by key operation.
The user is forced to perform a complicated operation.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an image copying apparatus which reduces deterioration of image quality in generation copy and reduces a burden on a user during generation copy. It is intended to provide.

[0020]

According to the present invention, when an image is formed on a recording medium, copy information is added, and the copy information is formed together with the image. In the case of a copy using a copy original to which copy information is added in this manner (a so-called generation copy), it is automatically determined that the copy is a generation copy by detecting copy information formed on the original. Can be detected. If a generation copy is detected,
By setting the most suitable image processing control parameters for generation copy, it is possible to perform copying while suppressing deterioration in image quality. At this time, the user does not need to set the generation copy, and the burden on the user can be reduced. Also at the time of this generation copy, the detected copy information is deleted and new copy information is added to indicate that the image is a generation copy image. As a result, even when a generation copy is performed using the generation copy as a copy source, the best control parameters can be set and the copy can be performed.

[0021]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image copying apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 61 is a detection unit, 62 is a control unit, 63 is a ROM, 64 is a RAM,
65 is a specific pattern coordinate storage unit, 66 is a pattern removal unit, 67 is a pattern addition unit, and 68 is a coordinate signal generation unit. Here, it is assumed that the copy information is formed on the recording medium as an image of a specific pattern in yellow (Y).
Yellow is inconspicuous, and has characteristics that even if copy information is formed on a recording medium, there is almost no effect on other images.

The detection unit 61 extracts a b ^* signal containing yellow from the image signals in the L ^* a ^* b ^* color space output from the first color conversion unit 24, and outputs a specific pattern provided from the control unit 62. To detect a given specific pattern from the read image. When the specific pattern is detected, the position is specified by the coordinate signal from the coordinate signal generator 68, and the position information is also transmitted to the controller 62.

The control unit 62 controls the entire apparatus, reads a specific pattern detected by the detection unit 61 from the ROM 63, and supplies the specific pattern to the detection unit 61. Also, the detecting unit 61
When a specific pattern is detected in step (5), the position at which the specific pattern is detected is stored in the specific pattern coordinate storage unit 65, and the specific pattern is sent to the pattern removing unit 66, and the control parameter corresponding to the specific pattern is The data is read from the ROM 63 and stored in the RAM 64. Further, a specific pattern corresponding to the new copy information is sent to the pattern adding section 67.

The ROM 63 stores, in advance, one or more specific patterns corresponding to the copy information and control parameters to be set in each section corresponding to the specific pattern when the specific pattern is detected. RAM6
Reference numeral 4 holds control parameters to be set for each unit. In this example, the second color conversion unit 25, the definition processing unit 27, and the recording system γ correction unit 28 hold control parameters for color correction processing, MTF correction processing, and gradation correction processing, respectively. The second color conversion unit 25, the definition processing unit 27, and the recording system γ correction unit 28 perform color correction processing, MTF correction processing, and MTF correction processing, respectively, according to the control parameters stored in the RAM 64.
Perform gradation correction processing and the like.

The specific pattern coordinate storage section 65 includes a detection section 6
When a specific pattern is detected in step 1, the position where the specific pattern exists is stored. Pattern removal unit 66
Is, using a specific pattern given from the control unit 62,
A yellow (Y) signal is generated to remove the specific pattern in the image existing at the position stored in the specific pattern coordinate storage unit 65, and is added to the Y signal of the image. The pattern adding section 67 generates a Y signal and adds it to the Y signal of the image so that a specific pattern given from the control section 62 is formed at one or more specific positions in the image. The coordinate signal generation unit 68 includes a transfer synchronization signal VIDEO-CLOCK for each pixel obtained from a synchronization signal generation unit (not shown).
, A coordinate signal is generated in accordance with the synchronization signal LINE-SYNC for each line, and the detecting unit 61 and the pattern removing unit 6
6

In this example, a specific pattern is detected from the b ^* signal output from the first color conversion unit 24, the specific pattern is deleted from the Y signal output from the second color conversion unit 25, and the recording system γ A new specific pattern is added to the output of the correction unit 28. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a specific pattern may be detected at the stage of an RGB signal, a YMC signal, or a YMCK signal. The erasing of the specific pattern and the addition of the new specific pattern may be performed at any stage after the detection of the specific pattern. It is also possible to simultaneously erase a specific pattern and add a new specific pattern.

When performing so-called generation copy in which copying is performed using a recording medium on which an image has been copied as a copy source, it is ensured that the recording medium of the copy source is placed on the image copying apparatus in any direction. It is preferable that a specific pattern can be detected. For this purpose, it is desirable that the specific pattern is formed at a plurality of positions, and the detection unit 61 is preferably configured to be able to detect the specific pattern in any direction. Of course, a specific pattern may be arranged on the entire surface of the recording medium, and if the pattern is recorded in yellow as described above, the specific pattern can be added so that a fine pattern can hardly be seen. Of course, the specific pattern is not limited to yellow, and may be formed by any color. For example, it is also possible to explicitly record a specific pattern using a conspicuous color such as black.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of the specific pattern. The rectangle in the figure indicates a pixel. '1' indicates a pixel to be recorded, and '0' indicates a pixel not to be recorded.
The pattern shown in FIG. 2A is “1” in the main scanning direction.
'0' is a repeated pattern. By forming this pattern so as to be shifted by one pixel for each line in the sub-scanning direction, for example, even if a document is placed in a state rotated by 90 ° during generation copy, it can be detected as a similar pattern. The pattern shown in FIG. 2B is a repeating pattern of “1”, “1”, “0”, and “0”. In this case as well, if the image is formed by shifting two pixels for every two lines, the same pattern can be detected even for a document placed rotated by 90 °. The pattern shown in FIG. 2C is a repeated pattern of “1”, “0”, and “0”. Also in this case, if each line is formed with a shift of one pixel, it can cope with a 90 ° rotation.

It is to be noted that such a pattern is not limited to one pixel unit, but can be set, for example, in nxm pixel block units. Further, the present invention is not limited to these patterns, and may be any pattern. Although a simple repetition pattern is shown here, for example, a pattern indicating a setting parameter of each unit at the time of copying may be added. Furthermore, the copy information is not limited to such a specific pattern,
It can also be formed by character symbols, figures, and the like.

Here, the pattern shown in FIG. 2A is used as a specific pattern 1 and is added when a normal original to which no specific pattern is added is copied. FIG.
The pattern shown in (B) is added as a specific pattern 2 when a document to which the specific pattern 1 is added is copied. Further, it is assumed that the pattern shown in FIG. 2C is added as a specific pattern 3 when a document to which the specific pattern 2 is added is copied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image copying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a detection result of a specific pattern and a control operation of each unit. In this example, an example is shown in which a pre-scan is performed prior to an actual copying operation to detect a specific pattern as copy information.

In step S101, an image on a document is read by the image input unit 1 prior to an actual copying operation.
The read image signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 21, and the image signal is converted into a digital signal.
Image processing is performed by the L conversion unit 23 and the first color conversion unit 24,
Obtain point-sequential L ^* , a ^* , b ^* signals.

The b ^* signal is input to the detector 213. The control unit 62 sends a specific pattern stored in the ROM 63 to the detection unit 61 in advance.
At 02, the b ^* signal of the read image is compared with a specific pattern. As a result of the comparison, if a match with the pattern after the specific pattern 2 is detected in S103, S1
Proceed to 31. If a match with the specific pattern 1 is detected in S102, the process proceeds to S121. If no specific pattern is detected, the process proceeds to S111.

In the case of copying an original such as a normal printed matter (hereinafter referred to as first-generation copying), there is no specific pattern because the original is not created using this image copying apparatus. . In that case, S111 to S11
6 is performed. At this time, control of each unit is performed as shown in the column of "No specific pattern" in FIG. That is, first, in S111, the detection unit 61
Sends a control signal "00" to The control unit 62 receives the control signal “00”, reads “parameter 0” as a control parameter from the ROM 63 in S112, and
Write to AM64. In step S113, “specific pattern 1” indicating the first generation copy is set in the pattern adding unit 67 as a specific pattern to be added to the image to be formed. In the case of this first-generation copy, since no specific pattern exists in the original, the pattern removal unit 66 does not set the removal pattern.

After such setting is made, S114
Starts a copying operation. The image on the document is read by the image input unit 1, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 21, the shading correction unit 22, and the ENL.
Image processing is performed in the conversion unit 23 and the first color conversion unit 24, and point-sequential L ^* , a ^* , and b ^* signals are obtained. Further, the second color conversion unit 25 performs color conversion processing such as color correction using “parameter 0” written in the RAM 64,
Outputs Y, M, C signals. After the K signal is generated by the black generation processing unit 26 and converted into K, Y, M, and C signals, the definition processing unit 27 performs image processing such as MTF correction processing using “parameter 0” written in the RAM 64. Do. Further, the recording system γ correction unit 28 also performs γ correction processing, which is one of the gradation correction processing, using “parameter 0” written in the RAM 64.

On the other hand, in the pattern adding section 67, the control section 6
Then, an image of the “specific pattern 1” set from Step 2 (for example, the pattern shown in FIG. 2A) is generated. And S116
At the time of forming a yellow image, the image of the generated "specific pattern 1" is added to the Y signal of the image signals subjected to the image processing according to "parameter 0" as described above. Then, the image to which the “specific pattern 1” is added is formed on the recording medium in the image forming unit 3.
In this way, an image including the yellow “specific pattern 1” as copy information is formed on the recording medium by the first generation copy.

Next, a case in which a recording medium on which an image is formed by the first generation copy is copied as a copy original (so-called generation copy) will be described. This copy will be referred to herein as a second generation copy.
In this case, the detection unit 61 detects, for example, “specific pattern 1” as shown in FIG. Therefore S12
1 to S129 are performed. At this time, control of each unit as shown in the column of “specific pattern 1” in FIG. 4 is performed.

The position where the "specific pattern 1" is detected is transmitted from the detection unit 61 to the control unit 62.
At 121, the detection position of “specific pattern 1” is stored in the specific pattern coordinate storage unit 65.

The detecting section 61 sends a control signal "01" to the control section 62 in S122. Control unit 62
Receives the control signal “01”, and in S123,
“Parameter 1” is read from 63 as a control parameter and written to the RAM 64. In S124,
It instructs the pattern removing unit 66 to remove “specific pattern 1” in the read image. Further S12
In 5, “specific pattern 2” indicating a second generation copy is set in the pattern adding section 67 as a specific pattern to be added to the image to be formed.

After such settings are made, S126
Starts a copying operation. The image on the document is read by the image input unit 1, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 21, the shading correction unit 22, and the ENL.
Image processing is performed in the conversion unit 23 and the first color conversion unit 24, and point-sequential L ^* , a ^* , and b ^* signals are obtained. Further, the second color conversion unit 25 performs color conversion processing such as color correction using the “parameter 1” written in the RAM 64,
Outputs Y, M, C signals.

In step S127, the pattern removing unit 66 generates a removal pattern for removing the specified “specific pattern 1”. Then, the “specific pattern 1” is removed by adding the generated removal pattern to the position stored in the specific pattern coordinate storage unit 65 to the Y signal output from the second color conversion unit 25.

[0042] Y, M,
The C signal is generated by the black signal generation unit 26 when the K signal is generated.
The signals become Y, M, and C signals. In S128, the definition processing unit 27 writes “parameter 1” written in the RAM 64.
To perform image processing such as MTF correction processing. Further, the recording system γ correction unit 28 also performs γ correction processing, which is one of the gradation correction processing, using “Parameter 1” written in the RAM 64.

The pattern adding section 67 generates an image of the “specific pattern 2” (for example, the pattern shown in FIG. 2B) indicating that it is a second generation copy set by the control section 62. Then, in S129, when the yellow image is formed, the generated image of the "specific pattern 2" is added to the Y signal of the image signals subjected to the image processing according to the "parameter 1" as described above. Then, the image to which the “specific pattern 2” is added is formed on the recording medium in the image forming unit 3. In this manner, by the second generation copy, an image including yellow “specific pattern 2” different from that at the time of the first generation copy as copy information is formed on the recording medium.

The third-generation copy in which the recording medium on which the second-generation copy has been made in this manner is used as the copy source original is copied in substantially the same manner as the second-generation copy described above. be able to. In this case, each unit is controlled as shown in the column of "specific pattern 2" in FIG. That is, in S131 and S132, the detection unit 61 detects the “specific pattern 2” and transmits the position and the control signal “10” to the control unit 62, and the control unit 62 stores the detected position in the specific pattern coordinate storage unit 65. I do. In S133, “parameter 2” is read from the ROM 63.
Is read and stored in the RAM 64. Further, in S134, the control unit instructs the pattern removing unit 66 to remove the “specific pattern 2”, and in S135, instructs the pattern adding unit 67 to add “specific pattern 3”. Then, copying is started in S136, and after the processing in the second color conversion unit 25 according to “Parameter 2”, “Specific pattern 2” is removed from the image signal in S137, and the processing of the black generation processing unit 26 is performed in S138. The processing of the definition processing unit 27 and the recording system γ correction unit 28 according to “Parameter 2” is performed. Further, in S139, the pattern adding unit 67 sets the yellow
“Specific pattern 3” as shown in FIG.
An image is formed in the image forming unit 3. The “specific pattern 3” is formed in yellow in the formed image.

In the copy of the fourth generation and thereafter, the "specific pattern n" is similarly detected in the copy of the nth generation, the "specific pattern n" is removed, and the corresponding "parameter n" is used. Image processing may be performed and “specific pattern n + 1” may be added. Alternatively, after a certain generation, processing may be performed using the same specific pattern and using the same parameters.

When the configuration of the image forming section 3 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, every time an image is formed with toner of each color, S114 to S116 and S126 to S126 are performed.
129 and S136 to S139 are performed, and a specific pattern is added when a yellow image is formed. Further, in the case of a so-called tandem type in which the image forming units using the toners of the respective colors are continuous, the image formation of the respective colors is performed almost simultaneously. In this case, a specific pattern is added to the yellow image signal sent to the yellow image forming unit. Of course, the present invention is applicable to other types of image copying apparatuses.

In the operation example shown in FIG. 3, an example is shown in which a pre-scan is performed prior to the actual copying operation to detect a specific pattern which is copy information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By using an image memory or the like and adjusting the timing, only one reading operation can be performed. CCD for reading images
A different detector may be provided to detect a specific pattern.

[0048]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is automatically detected that the document is a copied document, and the optimum control parameters for the generation copy are automatically set and processed. Therefore, there is an effect that the burden on the user can be reduced and an image with little image quality deterioration can be formed even in the generation copy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image copying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of a specific pattern.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image copying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a detection result of a specific pattern and a control operation of each unit.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a general image copying apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional image copying apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image input part, 2 ... Image processing part, 3 ... Image formation part, 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Original document holding plate, 12 ... Original platen glass, 13 ... Illumination lamp, 14-16 ... Mirror, 17 ... Imaging lens, 18 ...
CCD, 21 A / D converter, 22 shading correction unit, 23 equivalent neutral lightness (ENL) conversion unit, 24 first color conversion unit, 25 second color conversion unit, 26 black generation processing unit , 27 ... definition processing section, 28 ... recording system γ correction section, 31
... Laser light source, 32 ... Laser scanning optical system, 33 ... Photosensitive drum, 34 ... Charging corotron, 35 ... Rotary developing device, 36 ... Transfer corotron, 37 ... Cleaner, 38
... transfer drum, 39 ... paper tray, 40 ... charging corotron, 41 ... peeling corotron, 42 ... static elimination corotron, 4
3: fixing unit, 51: halftone processing unit, 52: printer unit,
61: detection unit, 62: control unit, 63: ROM, 64: R
AM, 65: specific pattern coordinate storage unit, 66: pattern removal unit, 67: pattern addition unit, 68: coordinate signal generation unit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Image input means for reading an image, image processing means for processing an image read by the image input means,
In an image copying apparatus having an image forming unit for forming an image processed by the image processing unit on a recording medium, the image processing unit detects the copy information if there is copy information in the read image. The control parameter is set according to the copy information, and when the copy information is detected, the copy information is removed from the image, new copy information is added to the image, and the new copy information is added. An image copying apparatus wherein an image is formed by the image forming means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit adds the copy information to the image such that the copy information is formed at a plurality of predetermined positions in an image area with yellow toner. Item 2. The image copying apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The image processing unit detects the copy information in the image by comparing the image read by the image input unit with data registered in advance. 2. The image copying apparatus according to 1. 4. The image processing means includes at least a color correction process, an MTF correction process, and a gradation correction process, and the color correction process, the MTF correction process, and the control parameter set in accordance with the copy information. 2. The image copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content of the gradation correction processing is controlled.