JPH118776A - Multicolor image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multicolor image formation device with excellent handleability for an operator capable of obtaining the output images just by the work of continuously reading plural original images in a read part for using the monochromatic mode function of the multicolor image formation device. SOLUTION: Digital image data based on the first sheet of the original images are stored in a specified memory 11 and images are formed based on the digital image data. Even while outputting the first sheet of the output images, the digital image data based on the second and succeeding sheets of the original images are switched to the memory 12 other than the specified memory 11 by a switching means 7 and stored. The second and succeeding sheets of the digital image data are switched to a printing output part after the output of the first sheet of the output images is ended and the images are continuously formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multicolor image forming apparatus for converting an original image into digital image data for each color, storing the converted image in a memory, and forming a multicolor image based on the digital image data. In particular, the present invention relates to a multicolor image forming apparatus capable of effectively utilizing a memory when obtaining a monochromatic output image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image data of a multi-color original image is read for each color by a reading unit having N parallel CCD scanners or the like having sensitivity to the wavelength of each color, and this signal is converted into digital image data. Multi-color to output directly from the print output unit as it is, or to store digital image data in the memory corresponding to each color once, then take out the digital image data from these memories and output the multi-color image from the print output unit An image forming apparatus is known.

[0003] As a multicolor image forming method, for example, in order to obtain a black image on the surface of an image carrier, charging, exposing, developing and discharging steps are performed, and in order to obtain a red image, black developing is performed. Subsequently, the steps of charge elimination, charging, exposure, development, and charge elimination are performed to carry the black and red toner images on the image carrier, and then the unfixed toner image is transferred onto the transfer material and fixed. In order to form a two-color image by the following, in order to further perform the blue development in the above process, following the red development of the two-color image forming apparatus described above, perform the steps of static elimination, charging, exposure, development, and then transfer material A multi-color image forming apparatus that forms an image of three colors by transferring and fixing is known. Alternatively, a plurality of developing devices are arranged on the surface of the image carrier so as to be able to contact or separate from each other or are operable. There are known full-color image forming apparatuses such as an intermediate transfer material system and a batch transfer system in which a toner image of each color is formed on a transfer material, and thereafter, the toner image carried on the transfer material is fixed to form a full-color image. (Hereinafter, this is referred to as a multi-color image forming apparatus)

[0004]

In the above-described multicolor image forming apparatus, image data read for each color is converted into digital image data after performing image processing and the like, and is temporarily stored in a memory corresponding to each color. . For example, in the case of a two-color image forming apparatus, for example, first image data corresponding to a black image is converted into first digital image data after image processing, and is stored in a first memory via a controller. Remember. Further, after performing image processing on the second image data corresponding to the red image,
And stores it in the second memory via the controller. When obtaining one output image, the first and second digital image data are stored in the first and second memories, respectively, and sent directly to the print output unit to form a two-color image. Thereafter, if a plurality of output images are required according to the instruction of the operator, the first and second digital image data from each memory are sent to the print output unit via the controller, and the set number of two-color image data is sent. Is obtained.

On the other hand, the above-described multi-color image forming apparatus has a single-color mode function when only a single-color image is desired. For example, a black image (other colors may be used) according to an operator's instruction. If only (1) is necessary, the mode displayed on the panel is switched to the single-color mode to perform image formation. In this case, since only a single color is used, the first digital image data corresponding to the black image is used only in the first memory, and the other memories are not used.

[0006] Normally, a memory is provided with a compression means for compressing digital image data, and the digital image data is written into the memory until the amount of storage in the memory becomes insufficient to store more data. After all writing is completed, reading can be sequentially performed. Thus, writing and reading to and from the memory are one-way.

If the amount of digital image data is small and output images are to be output one by one, the first digital image data is output to the print output unit at the same time as reading by the reading unit to output a single color image. An image can be obtained, and then the second and subsequent original images are read,
Following the first output image, the second and subsequent output images can be continuously obtained.

[0008] Further, a plurality of original images are continuously read, and digital image data of all the original images are temporarily stored in a memory. Then, the digital image data is read from this memory and output to a print output unit.
A plurality of monochrome output images can be obtained.

However, when there are a large number of large-size original images and output images of different numbers are required, for example, the amount of digital image data such as newspapers is large, and the storage amount in the memory is two sheets. In the case where the number of minutes is the limit, there may be a case where five first output images, ten second output images, and five third output images are required. In such a case, the operator cannot leave the multi-color image forming apparatus, waits until five output images of the first document image are obtained, and finishes outputting the output image based on the first document image. After that, the user must make the reading section read the second document image. Further, it is necessary to wait until ten output images based on the second document image are output, and then work to read the third document image by the reading unit. Similarly, even when a plurality of original images are required, each time the ten original images are output, the next original image must be read by the reading unit, and the operator cannot leave the apparatus. .

The above-mentioned problem can be solved by increasing the storage capacity of each memory. However, when the memory capacity is increased, there is another problem that the cost is increased. It is necessary to store these digital image data in a memory, and no output image is output during this time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. In using the monochromatic mode function of a multicolor image forming apparatus, a plurality of original images are converted into a plurality of output images for each page. Even in the case of outputting, these output images can be obtained only by the operation of designating the desired number of pages for each page by the operator and successively reading a plurality of document images by the reading unit, which is useful for the operator. It is an object to provide a good multicolor image forming apparatus.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a reading unit having N image sensors for reading a multicolor original image as N-color image data;
An image processing unit for performing image processing on the image data of each color to convert the image data into N digital image data;
N memory for storing digital image data respectively, a print output unit for forming a multi-color image based on the digital image data, the image processing unit, the N memory and the print output unit. Said N between
A multi-color image forming apparatus having a controller for controlling each digital image data for each color, wherein the digital image data of the designated color is switched to a memory other than the memory corresponding thereto, and the digital image data is designated by the designated color And a switching unit for switching to the print output unit for visualizing the image.

The switching means stores the first document image as digital image data of a specified color in the specified memory, and then stores the second and subsequent document images as digital image data. After switching from the designated memory to a memory other than the designated memory and outputting an output image of a designated color from the print output unit based on the first digital image data, the digital image data of the second and subsequent sheets is output. In order to sequentially output output images of a specified color from the print output unit based on

Further, the switching means is further configured to output the output image based on the first digital image data from the print output unit and to store the second and subsequent digital image data. When the amount of storage in the memory other than the stored memory becomes insufficient to store more data, the storage of the digital image data of the next original image can be switched to another memory. And

In particular, a reading section having a first image sensor for reading a multicolor original image as image data of a first color and a second image sensor for reading image data of a second color, An image processing unit that performs image processing to convert the first digital image data into first and second digital image data, a first memory that stores the first digital image data, and a second memory that stores the second digital image data A print output unit for visualizing the first and second digital image data with a first color and a second color, the image processing unit, the first memory, and the second memory And a controller for controlling the digital image data for each color between the and the print output unit, a multi-color image forming apparatus, Switching means for switching the first digital image data to the second memory and for switching to the print output unit for visualizing the first digital image data stored in the second memory in a first color; It is characterized by being provided.

The switching means stores the first document image as first digital image data in the first memory, and then stores the second and subsequent document images as first digital image data. To output the first color output image from the print output unit based on the first digital image data stored in the first memory. The output is switched so that output images of a first color are sequentially output from the print output unit based on the digital image data of the second and subsequent sheets.

Furthermore, a third memory is provided separately from the first memory and the second memory, and an output image based on the first digital image data is being output from the print output unit, and When the amount of storage in the second memory for storing the second and subsequent digital image data becomes insufficient to store more data, the digital image data of the next original image is stored. 3 is switchable.

An image compression / decompression means is provided between the switching means and each of the memories.

In such a configuration, digital image data based on the first document image is stored in a specified memory, an image is formed in a specified color based on the digital image data, and a set number of output images are output. An image is output. Even if the first output image is being output, 2
The image of the original after the first sheet can be set and read by the reading unit, and the read digital image data is stored in a memory other than the memory designated by the switching unit. After the output of the first output image is completed, the digital image data of the second and subsequent sheets is switched to a print output unit that visualizes the image in a designated color,
Image formation is performed continuously.

Alternatively, the first document based on the first document image
Is stored in the first memory,
An image is formed in a first color based on the first digital image data, and a set number of output images are output.
Even if the first output image is being output, the second and subsequent original images can be set and read in the reading unit, and the read first digital image data of the second and subsequent pages can be switched. The means switches from the first memory to the second memory and is stored in the second memory. After the output of the first output image of the second digital image data is completed, the first digital image data is switched to a print output unit that visualizes the image with the first color, and image formation is continuously performed.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multicolor image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and a two-color image forming apparatus will be described as an embodiment. In the figure, a multicolor image forming apparatus 1 comprises a scanner unit 2 for reading a document image and converting it into digital image data, and a print output unit 3 for visualizing the digital image data. A scanner 4 for reading digital image data, a memory unit 5 for storing digital image data, a controller 6 for controlling input / output of digital image data,
Switching means 7 for switching an electric path of digital image data described later is provided between the controller 6 and the memory unit 5.

The scanner 4 has a first reading section 8a and a second reading section 8 for reading image data of a document as an optical signal.
b, performing image processing on the read optical signal to perform first and second
And an image processing unit 9 for converting the digital image data into digital image data.

The reading units 8a and 8b arrange a plurality of read pixels such as CCDs in two rows in the width direction of the document.
A light such as an LED array is projected on a document moving at a constant distance from a read pixel at a predetermined distance from a read pixel via a blue filter to the reading unit 8a on one side and a red filter to the reading unit 8b on the other side, Each signal is digitized by detecting the intensity of light reflected from the original. The read signal is subjected to image processing such as an error diffusion method in the image processing unit 9 and is converted into first digital image data corresponding to a black image and second digital image data corresponding to a red image.

The controller 6 may be provided with a control panel 10 for controlling the number of copies required by the operator and enlargement / reduction of an output image, or may be connected to a computer (not shown) for control. May be. The controller 6 sends the first digital image data and the second digital image data output from the scanner 4 to the memory unit 5 or the print output unit 3 or sends the first and second digital image data output from the memory unit 5 The input / output of these digital image data is controlled, for example, by sending the image data to the print output unit 3. Although not limited, in the illustrated example, the first digital image data indicates a black image as a first color, and the second digital image data indicates a red image as a second color.

The memory section 5 has a first memory 11 for storing first digital image data corresponding to a black image of a document image read by the reading sections 8a and 8b, and a second digital image corresponding to a red image. Second to store data
And a memory 12. First memory 11 and second memory 11
Data compression / decompression means 13 for compressing digital image data and storing the compressed digital image data in the memory on the input / output side of the memory 12
a and 13b are provided. In the embodiment, a large-capacity dynamic RAM module is suitably used for the first memory 11 and the second memory 12.

The switching means 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The switching means 7 includes a switch 14a for opening and closing a circuit of the first digital image data input from the controller 6 to the first memory 11, and a first memory 11
A switch 14b that opens and closes a first digital image data path for outputting a black image by outputting the signal to the controller 6, and a digital image data path for forming a red image between the controller 6 and the second memory 12. A switch 14c for opening / closing, a switch d for opening / closing a circuit of the first digital image data input from the controller 6 to the second memory 12, and a black image output from the second memory 12 to the controller 6 And a switch 14e for opening and closing a circuit for digital image data.

By controlling the opening and closing of these switches 14a to 14e, the electric path of the first digital data corresponding to the black image sent from the controller 6 is switched to the first memory 11 or the second memory 12, and Is switched to a print output unit that visualizes the first digital image data stored in the memory 12 with a black image as the first color.

In FIG. 2, the switching means 7 is a switch 14
a is closed, switch 14b is closed, switch 14c
Is closed, the switch 14d is open, and the switch 14e is open. These switches 14a to 14e
According to the state, the first digital image data is stored in the first memory 11, is output to the print output unit 3 which outputs a black image when read out from the first memory 11, and The data is stored in the second memory 12, and when read from the second memory 12, is output to the print output unit 3 for outputting a red image, so that a normal two-color image is obtained.

The operation of the multi-color image forming apparatus of the present invention having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. An operator sets an instruction to switch to the monochrome mode using a control panel (not shown) or the like. For example,
Using the set function, a black image is set, and the first original image is set to five, the second original image is set to ten, and the third original image is set to five.

When the required number is set, the reading unit 8b
And the switching means switches as shown in FIG. That is, the switch 14a is closed, the switch 14b is closed, the switch 14c is open, the switch 14d is open, and the switch 14e is open.

The first document image is read by the reading section 8a shown in FIG. 1 according to the open / close state of the switch, and is converted into the first digital image data by the image processing section 9. The converted first digital image data is sent to the controller 6 and then output to the print output unit 3 to obtain a first black output image. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 3, the data is sent to the data compression / decompression means 13a via the switch 14a, and is stored in the first memory 11 as compressed first digital image data.

After the first output image is output from the print output unit 3, the switching means switches as shown in FIG. That is, the switch 14a is open, the switch 14b
Is closed, the switch 14c is open, the switch 14d is closed, and the switch 14e is open.

According to the open / closed state of the switch, 1
Output of the second and subsequent output images based on the first document image is performed, and preparation is made for reading the second document image by the reading unit 8a. In FIG. 4, the first digital image data stored in the first memory 11 is sent to the data compression / decompression means 13a, decompressed, and output to the controller 6 via the switch 14b. After the output of the first output image based on the first document image is completed, the first digital image data is sent to the print output unit, and the output of the second and subsequent pages based on the first document image is performed. The set number of images, that is, a total of five images are output.

During the output of the second and subsequent output images based on the first document image, the second and subsequent document images are sequentially read by the reading section 8a, and the first digital image data is read by the image processing section 9. Convert to The converted first digital image data based on the second and subsequent original images is sent to the controller 6. First based on the image of the second or subsequent document
Is sent to the data compression / decompression means 13b via the switch 14d, and is stored in the second memory 12 as compressed first digital image data.

After all the output images based on the first document image have been output, the switching means switches as shown in FIG. That is, the switch 14a is open, the switch 14b
Is open, the switch 14c is open, the switch 14d is open, and the switch 14e is closed.

According to the open / closed state of such a switch, 2
Output of an output image based on the document images of the first and subsequent sheets is performed. In FIG. 5, the first memory stored in the second memory 12 is
The digital image data of
b to be decompressed and output to the controller 6 via the switch 14d. The first digital image data based on the second and subsequent original images output to the controller 6 is output to the print output unit 3 and set after the output image based on the first original image is completed. Output the number of output images. That is, ten output images based on the second document image and five output images based on the third document image are output.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment. The third memory 15 is added to the two-color image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
And a data compression / decompression means 13c. By adding the third memory 13,
The switching means 7 includes, in addition to the switches 14a to 14e shown in FIG. 2, a switch f for opening and closing a circuit of the first digital image data input from the controller 6 to the third memory 15 as shown in FIG. And a switch 14g for opening and closing a circuit of digital image data for outputting a black image from the third memory 15 to the controller 6.

With such a configuration, for example, the monochrome mode is set, and the second and subsequent output images based on the first document image are being output from the first memory 11, and
When the amount of data stored in the second memory 12 for storing the digital image data after the first image becomes insufficient to store more data, the switch 14a is opened,
By switching the switching means 7 so that the switch 14b is closed, the switch 14c is open, the switch 14d is open, the switch 14e is open, the switch 14f is closed, and the switch 14g is open, the third state is obtained. It is stored in the memory 15 and a plurality of document images can be read continuously.

FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment. In the drawing, the print output unit is a block diagram of a multi-color image forming apparatus or a multi-color image forming apparatus of a full-color image forming apparatus. In addition to the configuration of FIG. 1 described above, the scanner 4 is provided with reading units 8a, 8b, and 8c, and the memory unit 5 includes a first memory 11, a second memory 12, a third memory 15, Data compression / decompression means 1 corresponding to memory
3a, 13b and 13c.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the switch of the switching means 7, for example, the control panel 10
To set the monochrome mode, and the second memory for storing the second and subsequent digital image data during the output of the second and subsequent output images based on the first document image from the first memory 11 When the storage amount in the memory 12 becomes insufficient to store more data, the switch 14a is opened, the switch 14b is closed, the switch 14c is opened, the switch 14d is opened, and the switch 14e is opened. Is switched to the open state, the switch 14f is closed, the switch 14g is open, and the switch 14h is open. As a result, digital image data can be stored in the second memory 12 or the third memory 15, and a plurality of original images can be read continuously.

[0041]

According to the multicolor image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a plurality of original images are output in a single color mode and a plurality of output images are output, the operator can continuously output the original images even while the output images are being output. The image can be read by the reading unit, and all the set output images can be obtained only by the operation of continuously reading, so that the operator does not need to wait in front of the multicolor image forming apparatus.

[0042]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a multicolor image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state of a switch of a switching unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of a switch of a switching unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a state of a switch of a switching unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a state of a switch of a switching unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a multicolor image forming apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a state of a switch of a switching unit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a multicolor image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a state of a switch of a switching unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multicolor image forming apparatus 2 Scanner part 3 Print output part 4 Scanner 5 Memory part 6 Controller 7 Switching means 8a, b, c Reading part 9 Image processing part 10 Control panel 11 First memory 12 Second memory 13 Data compression Decompression means 14a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h switch 15 Third memory

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Yoshida 4-21-3 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Katsurakawa Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koichi Nagano 4-21-3 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Katsurakawa Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] A reading unit having N image sensors for reading a multicolor original image as N-color image data;
An image processing unit for performing image processing on the image data of each color to convert the image data into N digital image data;
N memory for storing digital image data respectively, a print output unit for forming a multi-color image based on the digital image data, the image processing unit, the N memory and the print output unit. Said N between
A multi-color image forming apparatus having a controller for controlling each digital image data for each color, wherein the digital image data of the designated color is switched to a memory other than the memory corresponding thereto, and the digital image data is designated by the designated color A multi-color image forming apparatus, comprising: a switching unit that switches to the print output unit that makes a visible image in the print output unit. 2. A reading unit having a first image sensor for reading a multi-color original image as image data of a first color and a second image sensor for reading image data of a second color, and reading these image data. An image processing unit that performs image processing to convert the digital image data into first and second digital image data; a first memory that stores the first digital image data; and a second memory that stores the second digital image data A memory, a print output unit for visualizing the first and second digital image data in a first color and a second color, the image processing unit and the first
And a controller for controlling the digital image data for each color between the memory and the second memory and the print output unit, wherein the first digital image data is stored in the second memory. A multicolor image forming apparatus comprising: a switching unit that switches to a memory and switches to the print output unit that visualizes the first digital image data stored in the second memory with a first color. . 3. An image compression / decompression means is provided between said switching means and each of said memories.
Or the multicolor image forming apparatus according to 2. 4. The switching means stores the first document image as digital image data of a designated color in the designated memory, and then stores the second and subsequent document images as digital image data. After switching from the designated memory to a memory other than the designated memory and outputting an output image of a designated color from the print output unit based on the first digital image data, the digital image data of the second and subsequent sheets is output. 4. The multi-color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein switching is performed such that output images of a designated color are sequentially output from the print output unit based on the image data. 5. The designation means for outputting an output image based on the first digital image data from the print output unit and storing the second and subsequent digital image data. When the amount of storage in the memory other than the stored memory becomes insufficient to store more data, the storage of the digital image data of the next original image can be switched to another memory. The multicolor image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein 6. The switching means stores the first document image as first digital image data in the first memory, and then stores the second and subsequent document images as first digital image data. To output the first color output image from the print output unit based on the first digital image data stored in the first memory. 4. The multicolor image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein switching is performed such that output images of a first color are sequentially output from the print output unit based on the second and subsequent digital image data. . 7. A third memory is provided separately from the first memory and the second memory, wherein an output image based on the first digital image data is being output from the print output unit, and When the amount of storage in the second memory for storing the second and subsequent digital image data becomes insufficient to store more data, the digital image data of the next original image is stored. 7. The multicolor image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the memory can be switched to a third memory.