JPH1188668A - Image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make copying efficient at high speed by storing image data obtained through reading of an original image with a simple configuration in the image forming device that transfers a toner image to both sides of a transfer member and fixes the image altogether. SOLUTION: An image-processing section B applies all image-processing required for image processing such as image processing based on an output form of a front side/rear side and filter processing, magnification and reduction processings, gamma correction and image area processing to image data of an original read by an image read section A. The image data whose image processing has been already finished are outputted to an image-forming section C. The image-forming section C compresses only the image data and stores the result to an image storage section B23. Then the image-forming section C selectively reads the image data stored in the image storage section B23 later, applies expansion processing to the read data and uses a data selector B24 to decide an output order on the rear side/front side and to apply mirror image processing and outputs the result to an image forming device B25, where the image is formed.

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, and more particularly, to reading an original image by photoelectric conversion, temporarily storing and holding image data obtained by the reading, and selectively reading the image data. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming a double-sided image based on image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an original is optically scanned, an optical image is received by a photoelectric conversion element such as a line image sensor and converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is digitized. After performing various image processing such as scaling processing, filter processing, and γ correction processing on the image signal,
A digital copier configured to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor by a laser modulated based on an image signal subjected to the image processing has been known (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-62).
No. 157070).

Here, in the above-mentioned digital copying machine, there are various types of images serving as originals, and typically, there are character images, photographic images, mixed images of characters and photographs, and the like. Therefore, when performing various types of image processing on the read image information, it is common to determine the type of the image from the image data, and to perform image processing with characteristics according to the type of the image according to the determination result. It has been done.

In a normal double-sided image forming apparatus, a toner image is formed on both sides by repeating a process of fixing a toner image on one side of a transfer material. It was the same regardless of front and back.

[0005]

The digital double-sided copying machine according to the present invention forms toner images on both sides of a transfer material and then fixes them collectively. In general, a series of operations including reading, image discrimination, image processing, and double-sided image formation (printing) are performed in real time. And the image processing and printing operation are repeated for each reading operation.

Accordingly, when a plurality of originals are copied on a plurality of sheets, and when one original is copied one sheet at a time, the read and printed originals are transferred by an automatic document feeder (ADF). A recycling method is adopted for the reading unit. As described above, the method of recycling an original, copying one sheet at a time, and finishing one set at a time is generally called a recycled document handler (RDH).

Here, when one original is copied a plurality of times, it is inevitable that the printing operation is repeated by the number of copies. However, reading the same original image for each copy hinders high-speed processing. , To run the Recycle Document Handler (RDH)
The copying operation takes time due to the document transport operation performed for each reading operation, and the configuration of the automatic document transport device (ADF) is complicated, and further, the document itself is damaged.

On the other hand, the cost of the storage circuit has been reduced, and it has become possible to realize a copying machine having a storage circuit for storing image data. The data of a plurality of read original images is stored in the storage circuit. If the originals are output collectively, wastefulness of repeating the reading operation for one original can be omitted. 1
High-speed processing is possible when copying one sheet at a time.

However, as described above, it is common to apply filter processing and gamma correction with different characteristics for each document type. On the other hand, in a facsimile machine or the like, image processing is performed as a compression processing technique during data transmission. The data compression method and the compression ratio are different for each type.

At this time, in the double-sided image forming apparatus according to the present invention, since the number of times of transfer is different between the front side and the back side of the transfer material, image processing can be performed so that the print quality does not differ between the front side and the back side. Required.

For this reason, if the digital copying machine is provided with a storage circuit and the compressed storage image data is stored in the storage circuit, and the compression processing technology corresponding to the image type is applied as it is, For restoration processing (decompression processing) or image processing after readout, it is necessary to store image discrimination information, information on the applied compression method, and division information in the image in the case of mixed images of photographs and characters, together with image data. And the image storage circuit becomes complicated.

When image data is stored in a storage circuit, it is necessary to perform an image compression process in order to make effective use of the storage capacity. In some cases, it is desired to increase the number, or conversely, it is desired to obtain high image quality even if the number of storable images is small, and it has been desired to provide an apparatus that can cope with such a difference in demand.

Further, if all the read image areas are set as storage target areas regardless of the size of the document or the size of the recording paper, a blank portion that does not need to be stored and image data that is not actually used for image formation are stored wastefully. As a result, there is a problem that the storage capacity is wasted.

Some digital copiers have a function of inputting image data from an external device and forming an image based on the image data (function as a general printer). If you have
Generally, a buffer memory is provided to match timing between image data input from an external device and an image forming unit of a copying machine. However, in addition to the storage circuit for storing and holding the image data as described above, if a buffer memory for storing the image data is separately provided in the same manner, a separate storage circuit is provided for each function. Therefore, there is a problem that the configuration becomes complicated.

If the storage circuit is divided in units of pages (images), the image can be easily read, but there is a problem that a storage capacity that is not effectively used is generated and waste is increased. Also, for example, an image of an A4-size double-sided document is placed on one side of an A4-size document, or an image of an A4-size single-sided document is placed on both sides of an A4 size.
There is a case where it is desired to copy images of a four-sided double-sided document side by side on one side of an A3-size document. It is desired that processing such as development to A3 size can be easily performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of storing image data of a front / back image determined by an input / output mode by a storage circuit having a simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of realizing high-speed processing using a circuit, forming toner images on both surfaces of a transfer material and fixing them collectively.

Further, in compressing the image data and storing it in the storage circuit, the degree of compression can be arbitrarily specified, so that it is possible to cope with the difference in demands of the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that performs fixing collectively after forming the image.

Further, storage of image data other than the original and image data not used for image formation can be avoided.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which a storage circuit for storing image data is effectively used, and a toner image is formed on both surfaces of a transfer material and then fixed collectively.

Further, when real-time image formation is performed based on image data input from an external device,
Eliminates the need to provide a dedicated storage circuit for timing adjustment, and enables simple storage circuits to respond to input of image data from external devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus for performing the above.

Further, the image data of the front / back image determined by the input / output mode is configured to be continuously stored in the storage circuit, and it is easy to read out the stored image data. A3 size double-sided image
Development on one side of size, or A on one side of A3 size image
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which can easily perform development on both sides of four sizes based on an instruction of an input / output form, and which collectively fixes toner images on both sides of a transfer material after forming them. .

[0021]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a reading means for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data, performing predetermined image processing on the image data obtained by the reading means, and outputting a final image. Image processing means for obtaining image data in a state, image correction means for performing image correction on the image data based on front / back output forms, and image processing performed by the image processing means and the image correction means An image data storage unit for storing image data, a first image holding unit for holding a toner image formed on the surface by the toner image forming unit, and a toner image held by the first image holding unit are collectively stored. A second image holding means for holding the transferred toner image on the surface again, and a first image transferring means for transferring the toner image carried on the first image holding means to one surface of the transfer material. Transfer means, A second transfer unit configured to transfer the toner image carried by the second image holding unit to the other surface of the transfer material; and a fixing unit configured to fix the toner images transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material. And an image forming means having the same.
Reading means for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data; image correcting means for performing image correction on the image data based on front / back output forms; and image data read by the reading means. Compression processing means for performing compression processing; image data storage means for storing image data compressed by the compression processing means; compression rate designation means for designating a compression rate in the compression processing of the compression processing means; Compression ratio varying means for variably setting a compression rate in the compression processing means in accordance with a compression rate specified by a rate designating means, and decompression processing means for performing decompression processing on image data selectively read from the image data storage means Image forming means for forming an image based on the image data expanded by the expansion processing means, and a toner image formed on the surface by the toner image forming means. A first image carrying means for lifting, the toner image carried on a first image bearing means is collectively transferred, a second bearing the transferred surface again the toner image
Image bearing means, a first transfer means for transferring a toner image carried by the first image carrying means to one surface of a transfer material, and a toner carried by the second image carrying means Second transfer means for transferring an image to the other surface of the transfer material;
And an image forming means having a fixing means for fixing the toner images transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material, and a photoelectric conversion of the original image. Reading means for obtaining image data by reading by means of, an effective image area detecting means for detecting an effective image area in the image data read by the reading means,
Effective area extraction means for extracting only image data in the effective image area detected by the effective image area detection means from the image data read by the reading means and outputting the image data; Image correction means for performing image correction based on the form, image data storage means for storing image data extracted by the effective area extraction means, and a first image bearing a toner image formed on the surface by the toner image formation means. An image carrying means, a second image carrying means for collectively transferring the toner images carried by the first image carrying means, and carrying the transferred toner image on the surface again; A first transfer unit for transferring the toner image carried by the image carrying unit to one surface of the transfer material; and a toner image carried by the second image carrying unit to the other surface of the transfer material. A second transfer means for transferring, An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is composed of an image forming unit and a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred on both surfaces of the transfer material (claim 1
Invention), image data input means for inputting image data from an external device, reading means for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data, image data storage means for storing the image data, and image data Image forming means for forming an image based on data, image correcting means for performing image correction on the image data obtained by the reading means based on a front / back output form, and storing the image data in the image data Means for storing and holding image data selectively output from the image data storage means to the image forming means; image data input by the image data input means; The image data input by the image data input means is temporarily stored in the image data storage means for timing adjustment with the means. A second output control unit for outputting image data sequentially read from the image data storage unit to the image forming unit to form an image input from the external device in real time, and forming the image on the surface by the toner image forming unit A first image carrying means for carrying the transferred toner image, and a second image carrying the toner image carried on the first image carrying means at one time, and carrying the transferred toner image on the surface again. Image carrying means, and a first image transferring means for transferring the toner image carried by the first image carrying means to one surface of the transfer material.
Transfer means, a second transfer means for transferring the toner image carried by the second image carrying means to the other surface of the transfer material, and fixing the toner images transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit having a fixing unit that performs fixing.
Reading means for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data; image correcting means for performing image correction on the image data read by the reading means based on front / back output forms; Image data storage means for storing image data, storage area data storage means for storing data indicating a storage area of each image in the image data storage means, and image data obtained by the reading means. A storage control unit that continuously stores data in a storage unit and stores data indicating an area where an image is stored in the image data storage unit in the storage region data storage unit for each image; and a storage region data storage unit. An image reading unit for selectively reading and outputting image data from the image data storage unit with reference to the image data storage unit; and a toner image forming unit. A first image carrying means for carrying the toner image formed on the surface, and the toner image carried on the first image carrying means are collectively transferred, and the transferred toner image is carried again on the surface. A second image bearing unit;
A first transfer unit for transferring the toner image carried by the image carrying unit to one surface of the transfer material; and a toner image carried by the second image carrying unit to the other surface of the transfer material. 20. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a second transfer unit for transferring a toner image onto the transfer material; and an image forming unit having a fixing unit for fixing the toner images transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material. Invention).

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first image carrying means for carrying a toner image formed on the surface by a toner image forming means, and a toner carried by the first image carrying means. An image is collectively transferred, a second image holding means for holding the transferred toner image on the surface again, and a toner image held on the first image holding means on one surface of the transfer material. A first transfer unit for transferring, a second transfer unit for transferring the toner image carried by the second image carrying unit to the other surface of the transfer material, and a transfer unit which is transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material. Image forming means having a fixing means for fixing the toner image, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the reading means to photoelectrically convert the original image and read the image data On the other hand, the image data Obtaining image data of the final output state by performing a predetermined image processing by the means. Then, the image data subjected to the image processing is stored in the image data storage means, and the image forming means forms an image based on the image data read from the image data storage means.

According to the image processing apparatus having such a configuration, in an apparatus for forming an image based on image data obtained by reading a document image by photoelectric conversion, image processing is performed in a front / back output mode and a final output state is obtained. Is stored in the image data storage means, and double-sided image formation is performed based on the image data read from the stored data in accordance with the output form. That is, in the real-time processing, the image data that has been subjected to the image processing that is to be output as it is to the image forming unit is subjected to image correction based on the output form of the front / back side, and then immediately before being output to the image forming unit In this state, the image data is stored and held in the image data storage unit so that the image data can be output to the image forming unit. In other words, since the image data is corrected at any time to a form suitable for the front / back side, the image can be flexibly adapted to changes in the output form (single-sided to single-sided, single-sided to double-sided, collation, etc.) for the original input form. The data is stored in the data storage means.

Here, the image processing can include image processing in which characteristics are changed in accordance with the type of the document image, and stores image-processed image data. While performing the best image processing, it is not necessary to store the type information when storing the image data.

When the image processing characteristics are changed according to the type of the original image, if the original image is distinguished into a character image and a photographic image, the character image and the photographic image are different from each other. Can handle processing requests.

If the image data storage means for storing the image data subjected to the image processing does not store the type information other than the image data, but stores only the image data, the storage means Storage capacity can be used effectively.

Further, if the image data is compressed and stored in the image data storage means and decompression processing is performed at the time of reading from the storage means, it is possible to store more images in the storage means. Become.

On the other hand, in the configuration in which the read image data is subjected to compression processing and stored in the image data storage means, the compression rate in the compression processing can be arbitrarily specified, and the compression rate varies depending on the user or the original image. Added support for requests.

In specifying the compression ratio as described above, the user can select one of the standard compression ratio mode, the image quality priority mode, and the compression ratio priority mode. It was made easy to do so while considering it.

Here, if the standard compression ratio mode among the three modes is preferentially designated, the operability of mode designation is improved.

In addition to the above-mentioned mode designation, the compression ratio may be specified by designating numerical data of the compression ratio, and this configuration can cope with a finer difference in the compression ratio requirement. .

In the configuration in which image data compressed according to the compression ratio designated as described above is stored,
The image data read from the storage means is decompressed, and the decompressed image data is subjected to image processing based on the front and back output forms. By providing a configuration in which image formation is performed based on image data subjected to image processing, an original image is held as image data compressed at an intended compression ratio, and an image selectively read out later is stored. An image can be formed based on the data.

When storing the read image data in the image data storage means, an effective image area is detected from the image data, and only the image data of the detected effective image area is stored. It is possible to avoid storing unnecessary data such as a blank portion and a portion that is not used for image formation.

If the size of the recording paper on which the image is to be formed is determined, the portion of the original image that exceeds the recording paper size is a useless part to be stored, and only the area corresponding to the recording paper size is valid. If the size of the document image is known, a portion read beyond the document size is a margin portion, and a region corresponding to the document size is an effective image region.

When extracting only the image data of the effective image area, the coordinate data indicating the pixel position of the image data is compared with the specified coordinate data corresponding to the effective image area, and the pixel position is determined within the effective image area. It is determined whether or not there is.

In addition to the means for reading an original image to obtain image data, the image processing apparatus further comprises means for inputting image data from an external device, and of course, image data storage means for storing and holding image data. When real-time image formation is performed based on image data input from an external device, the input / output image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit by performing front / back image processing based on input / output designation. In addition to the image data storing means for storing and holding the image data, a storage means functioning as a buffer memory is provided. The need to prepare separately can be eliminated.

Here, if the storage area used for storing and storing is shared with the storage area used as the buffer memory, a portion that is free in storing and storing the image can be used as the buffer memory. Thus, the storage area can be effectively used.

Further, there is provided means for storing data indicating a storage area of each image in the image data storage means,
If the image data storage means is configured to continuously store the image data subjected to the image correction based on the front / back output mode and to read out the image data based on the reference result of the data indicating the storage area In addition, it is not necessary to previously divide the storage area into image units, and the storage capacity is effectively used, and reading can be easily performed.

If the data indicating the storage area is used as the head address of each image in the image data storage means, the reading of the image data from the image data storage means becomes easy. Further, by adopting a configuration in which a plurality of images are continuously read out based on the data indicating the storage area, for example, A4 double-sided originals can be easily developed into A3 originals.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of hardware in a digital color image forming apparatus capable of forming double-sided images. The present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image on both sides of a transfer material, but may be a monochrome digital copying machine capable of forming a double-sided image.

In FIG. 1, the color image forming apparatus comprises an image reading section A, an image processing section B (not shown), and an image forming section C. The image reading section A serves as reading means and the image processing section B Corresponds to an image processing unit, and the image forming unit C corresponds to an image forming unit.

The image reading section A is capable of reading images recorded on both sides of the original. In the image reading section A, the original 60 is stacked in page order from the lower side with the front side facing down. By the operation of the separating roller 52, the lowermost document is carried out toward the transport path 53. The conveyed original 60 is removed from the guide plate 61 urged to the position shown by the solid line, retracted to the position shown by the broken line, and fed onto the transparent platen glass 55 via the transport belt 54. Then, the document is temporarily stopped at the document reading position with the back face down.

The back side image of the original 60 on the platen glass 55 is composed of a first mirror unit 56 composed of an illumination lamp and a first mirror constituting a scanning optical system, and a second mirror and a third mirror located in a V-shape. The second mirror unit 57
Of the first mirror unit 56 at the speed V and the speed V / 2 in the same direction by the second mirror unit.
The image is read by the moving exposure, and is imaged on the light receiving surfaces of the image sensors CCD, which are three line sensors, through the projection lens 62 and the dichroic prism 63. The linear optical image formed on the image sensor CCD after color separation is photoelectrically converted into an electric signal (luminance signal) in sequence.

When the reading of the back side image is completed in the image reading section A, the original 60 is turned upside down through the reversing sheet feed path 58 by the temporary reverse rotation of the conveying belt 54, and again passed through the conveying path 53. Through the platen glass 5
5, and is temporarily stopped at the document reading position with the front surface facing downward.

The surface image of the original 60 on the platen glass 55 is read by the above-described scanning optical system, color-separated, and photoelectrically converted into an electric signal by the image sensor CCD.

The original 60 whose image has been read on the platen glass 55 is stacked on the tray 64 via the discharge roller 59 by the operation of the transport belt 54 so that the surface of the original 60 faces downward from the lower side. The paper is ejected.

The image signal (image data) of the original image read by the image reading unit A is transmitted to an image processing unit B described later.
In, various image processing such as density conversion, filter processing, scaling processing, γ correction, and front / back image correction processing are performed, and then output to the image forming unit C.

The image forming section C forms an image on a recording sheet according to an input image signal by a laser printer using electrophotography.

In the image forming section C, the photosensitive drum 10 as the first image carrier has a cylindrical base formed of a transparent member made of, for example, optical glass or transparent acrylic resin, and is provided with a transparent conductive material. A photosensitive layer such as a layer, an a-Si layer, or an organic photosensitive layer (OPC) is formed on the outer periphery of the substrate, and is rotated clockwise as shown by an arrow in FIG. 1 in a grounded state.

As shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 10 has flange members 10a at both ends for engaging and fixing it.
And shaft 10b are fixedly mounted on the apparatus main body.
The gears G are integrally supported by the bearings 110a and 110b fitted in the flange members 10a and 10b at both ends, and are rotatably supported. As a result, it is rotated at a constant speed in a predetermined direction.

Scorotron charger 11 as charging means
Is used in an image forming process of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and is exposed in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the photosensitive drum 10 as an image forming body. It is installed facing the body drum 10,
It has a control grid maintained at a predetermined potential with respect to the above-mentioned organic photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 10 and a discharge electrode 11a composed of, for example, a sawtooth electrode, and performs a charging action by corona discharge having the same polarity as the toner (this embodiment). In the embodiment, the photosensitive drum 10 is given a uniform potential. Other wire electrodes can be used as the discharge electrode 11a.

The exposure unit 12 as an image exposure means for each color is arranged such that the exposure position on the photosensitive drum 10 is located between the discharge electrode 11a of the scorotron charger 11 and the developing position of the developing device 13. Be placed.

The exposure unit 12 is a linear exposure element in which a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) as image exposure light emitting elements arranged in the main scanning direction in parallel with the axis 110 of the photosensitive drum 10 are arranged in an array. The exposure unit 12a and the SELFOC lens 12b as an equal-magnification imaging element are mounted on a holder (not shown). An exposure unit 12 for each color, a uniform exposure device 12
c and a transfer simultaneous exposure unit 12 d are mounted and housed inside the base body of the photosensitive drum 10. The image data read by the image reading unit A and subjected to image processing by the image processing unit B is input as an electric signal to the exposure unit 12 for each color.

As the exposure element, an element in which a plurality of light-emitting elements such as FL (fluorescent light emission), EL (electroluminescence), and PL (plasma discharge) are arranged in an array is used. The light emission wavelength of the light emitting element used in this embodiment is usually in the range of 780 to 900 nm, which is high in transmittance of the Y, M, and C toners when performing image exposure from the outside. Since the exposure method is used, a shorter wavelength of 400 to 780 nm, which does not sufficiently transmit light to the color toner, may be used.

The developing unit 13 provided in accordance with the color sequence in which the image is formed and the rotating photosensitive drum is provided in accordance with the color sequence.
In the present embodiment, the developing units 13 of Y and M are on the left side of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing units 13 of C and K are on the right side of the photosensitive drum 10 with respect to the photosensitive drum 10 of FIG. And the developing casing 1 of the Y and M developing units 13
The scorotron chargers 11 for Y and M are disposed below 38, and the scorotron chargers 11 for C and K are disposed above the developing casing 138 of the C and K developing devices 13.

The developing device 13 as a developing means for each color includes
One-component or two-component developers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are accommodated, respectively, while maintaining a predetermined gap with respect to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10. At the developing position, for example, a thickness of 0.5 to 1 mm that rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 10,
The developing sleeve 131 is formed of a cylindrical non-magnetic stainless steel or aluminum material having an outer diameter of 15 to 25 mm.

The developing unit 13 is moved to a predetermined distance from the photosensitive drum 10 by an abutting roller (not shown).
Developing device 1 for each color which is kept in
In the developing operation of the developing device 3, a developing bias to which a DC voltage or an AC voltage is further applied is applied to the developing sleeve 131, and a jumping development is performed by a one-component or two-component developer accommodated in the developing device, so that a negative charge is applied. A non-contact reversal development is performed in which a DC bias having the same polarity as the toner (in this embodiment, a negative polarity) is applied to the photosensitive drum 10 so that the toner adheres to the exposed portion.
The development interval accuracy at this time is 20 μm to prevent image unevenness.
Less than or equal to degree is required.

The developing unit 13 for each color described above converts the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 formed by the charging by the scorotron charger 11 and the image exposure by the exposure unit 12 into a non- In a non-contact state, the toner having the same polarity as the charged polarity (in the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum is negatively charged and the toner having a negative polarity) is reversely developed by a contact developing method.

When image recording is started, a gear G provided on a rear flange 10b of the photosensitive drum 10 is rotated through a driving gear by driving of a photosensitive member driving motor (not shown), and the photosensitive drum 10 is moved by an arrow in FIG. And at the same time, yellow (Y) on the left side of the photosensitive drum 10
The application of a potential to the photosensitive drum 10 is started by the charging action of the Y scorotron charger 11 disposed below the developing casing 138 of the developing device 13 of FIG.

After the photosensitive drum 10 is applied with a potential, exposure by the first color signal, that is, an electric signal corresponding to the Y image data is started in the Y exposure unit 12, and the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 is performed by rotating the photosensitive drum 10. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the Y image of the original image is formed on the photosensitive layer on the surface.

The latent image is reversal-developed by the Y developing unit 13 in a state where the developer on the developing sleeve is not in contact with the developer, and a yellow (Y) toner image is formed according to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10.

Next, the photosensitive drum 10 is placed on the yellow (Y) toner image, and further on the left side of the photosensitive drum 10 and above the yellow (Y), the magenta (M) developing device 1.
An electric signal corresponding to the second color signal of the M exposure unit 12, that is, the M image data, is applied by the charging action of the magenta (M) scorotron charger 11 disposed below the third developing casing 138. Is performed, and magenta (M) is formed on the yellow (Y) toner image by non-contact reversal development by the M developing unit 13.
Are formed by superimposing the toner images.

By the same process, the developing casing 13 of the developing device 13 for cyan (C) is located on the right side of the photosensitive drum 10.
The cyan (C) toner image corresponding to the third color signal is further obtained by the cyan (C) scorotron charger 11, the exposure unit 12 of C, and the developing unit 13 of C, which are arranged above the photoconductor 8 The black (K) scorotron charger 11, the exposure unit 12, and the developing device 13 are arranged on the right side of the drum 10 and below the developing casing 138 of the black (K) developing device 13 at the lower part of the fourth color by the fourth unit. A black (K) toner image corresponding to the signal is sequentially superposed, and a color toner image is formed on the peripheral surface within one rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 (toner image forming means).

Exposure unit 1 for Y, M, C and K
Exposure of the organic photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 10 by 2 is performed from the inside of the drum through the transparent substrate described above. Therefore, the exposure of the image corresponding to the second, third, and fourth color signals is performed without any influence from the previously formed toner image, and the same exposure as the image corresponding to the first color signal is performed. It is possible to form an electrostatic latent image.

By the above-described image forming process, a superimposed color toner image serving as a back side image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 (image forming body) as an image forming body, and the superimposed color toner of the back side image on the photosensitive drum 10 is formed. The transfer unit 14 to which a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner (positive polarity in the present embodiment) is applied to the toner image in the transfer area 14b.
c (first transfer means), which is stretched between the driving roller 14d and the driven roller 14e, and is a toner image receiving body 14a (second image carrying means) provided near or in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. On the intermediate transfer member). At this time, for example, L
Simultaneous transfer exposure device 12d using ED (light emitting diode)
Is performed.

The toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the transfer is subjected to static elimination by the image forming body AC static eliminator 16 and then enters the cleaning device 19 or the photosensitive drum 10.
Cleaning blade 19a made of rubber material in contact with
In order to eliminate the history of the photoreceptor up to the previous print, the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor is removed by exposure by a uniform exposure unit 12c before charging using, for example, an LED (light emitting diode). Then, the next surface image is formed in a color image.

After the superimposed color toner image serving as the back surface image is formed on the toner image receiving member 14a as described above, the superimposed toner image serving as the front surface image is continuously formed on the photosensitive drum 10. It is formed in the same manner as the image forming process. At this time, the toner image receiver 14
The back image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 and the back image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 are synchronized in the transfer area 14b, and a toner image is formed as shown in FIG. The surface image formed at this time is the photosensitive drum 10
In the above, image data is changed by the image processing unit B described later so that the back side image formation is a mirror image of each other.

A sheet cassette 15A in which recording paper P as a transfer material is stocked for each size as a transfer material storage means.
From 15B and 15C, the corresponding recording paper is sent out by the feeding roller 15a according to the instruction of the recording paper size,
The timing roller 1 is fed by the feeding roller 15b.
5c.

The recording paper P is driven by the timing roller 15c to form a color toner image of a front surface image carried on the photosensitive drum 10 and a color toner image of a rear surface image carried on the toner image receiver 14a. Are fed to the transfer area 14b in synchronization with the above. At this time, the recording paper P is charged to the same polarity as the toner by a paper charger 14f as a transfer material charging means, is attracted to the toner image receiver 14a, and is fed to the transfer area 14b. By charging the paper with the same polarity as the toner, the recording paper P is prevented from attracting to the toner image on the toner image receiver 14a or the toner image on the photoconductor drum 10 outside the transfer portion, and the toner image is disturbed. Has been prevented. Further, as the transfer material charging means, the toner image receiving member 1 is used.
It is also possible to use a conductive roller, a brush charger or the like capable of abutting and releasing the abutment on 4a.

A surface image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is collectively recorded on a recording paper by a transfer unit 14c as a first transfer unit to which a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner (positive polarity in this embodiment) is applied. It is transferred to the upper surface side (front side) of P. At this time, the back surface image on the peripheral surface of the toner image receiver 14a is not transferred to the recording paper P but exists on the toner image receiver 14a. Next, a backside image on the peripheral surface of the toner image receiving body 14a is collectively recorded by a backside transfer unit 14g as a second transfer unit to which a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner (positive polarity in the present embodiment) is applied. The image is transferred to the lower surface (back surface) of the paper P. At the time of transfer by the transfer device 14c, a transfer simultaneous exposure device 12d using, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) provided inside the photosensitive drum 10 to face the transfer device 14c so that good transfer is performed. Uniform exposure is performed.

Since the toner images of the respective colors overlap with each other, it is preferable that the toner in the upper layer and the toner in the lower layer of the toner layer are charged to the same polarity with the same charge amount in order to enable the collective transfer. Accordingly, in the double-sided image formation in which the polarity of the color toner image formed on the toner image receiving body 14a is inverted by corona charging or the polarity of the color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is inverted by corona charging, Since the toner of the lower layer is not sufficiently charged to the same polarity, the transfer becomes unfavorable.

The reversal development is repeated on the photoreceptor drum 10, and the superposed color toner images of the same polarity are collectively transferred to the toner image receiving member 14a without changing the polarity, and then recorded without changing the polarity. Batch transfer to paper P is preferable because it contributes to improving the transferability of backside image formation. Also for the surface image formation, reversal development is repeatedly performed on the photosensitive drum 10 to collectively transfer color toner images of the same polarity formed by superimposition onto the recording paper P without changing the polarity.
It is preferable because it contributes to improvement of the transferability of surface image formation.

As described above, in the color image formation, the first transfer means is operated to form a color toner image on the surface of the transfer material by using the above-described image forming method for the front surface and the back surface. A two-sided image forming method of forming a color toner image on the back surface of the transfer material by operating the second transfer means is preferably employed.

The toner image receiver 14a has a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0.
An endless rubber belt of 0 mm, a semiconductive substrate of silicon rubber or urethane rubber having a resistance value of 10 ⁸ to 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm, and a thickness of 5 to 50 μm as a toner filming prevention layer outside the rubber substrate. And a two-layer structure with fluorine coating. This layer also preferably has a similar semiconductivity. 0.1-0.5 thickness instead of rubber belt base
mm semi-conductive polyester, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, or the like can also be used.

The recording paper P on which the color toner images are formed on both sides is used as a paper separating AC neutralizer 14h for separating the transfer material.
(Hereinafter, also referred to as a separation pole), is separated from the toner image receiving body 14a, and is conveyed to a fixing device 17 as a fixing unit including two rollers having heaters inside both rollers. By applying heat and pressure between the fixing roller 17a and the pressure roller 17b, the toner adhered to the front and back of the recording paper P is fixed, and the recording paper P on which double-sided image recording has been performed is sent by the paper discharge roller 18. And discharged to a tray outside the apparatus.

The toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the toner image receiver 14a after the transfer is brought into contact with and abuts on the toner image receiver 14a provided in a toner image receiver cleaning device 14i as cleaning means for the toner image receiver. It is cleaned by a blade that can be released. Further, the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the transfer is subjected to static elimination by the image forming body AC static eliminator 16, and then enters the cleaning device 19 or is made of a rubber material that has contacted the photosensitive drum 10. Cleaning device 1 by cleaning blade 19a
Then, the sheet is scraped into the sheet 9 and waits for the next image formation.

Here, the circuit configuration of the above-described color image forming apparatus including the image reading section A, the image processing section B, and the image forming section C will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

First, in the image reading section A, the three-color analog image signals output from the image pickup device CCD are converted into digital image signals by an A / D converter B11, and the digital image signals are transmitted through an interface B12. Is output to the image processing unit B.

The digital image signal (luminance information) input to the image processing section B is first converted into density information by a density conversion section B13.

Then, the scaling process according to the user's scaling designation is performed by the enlargement / reduction processing section B14. Further, the image discrimination processing unit B15 discriminates a character image or a photographic image based on the density information converted by the density conversion unit B13, and sets a filter characteristic in the filter processing unit B16 based on the discrimination result. The filter processing unit B16 performs a spatial filter process according to the above setting.

The image discrimination processing section B15 corresponds to the image discriminating means and the processing characteristic varying means in this embodiment, and the discrimination between a character image and a photographic image is performed in a character image area in a mixed image of a character image and a photographic image. And determination of a photographic image area.

Here, a pair of data selectors B17 and B18 are provided as shown in FIG. 21 so as to perform the filtering process and the scaling process in accordance with the designation of enlargement / reduction. The switching between the filtering process and the scaling process is performed in order to prevent moiré of a halftone dot image seen in an image at the time of the reduction process.

On the other hand, the EE processing section B19 obtains histogram data in order to obtain the characteristics of the original image from the image information obtained by the pre-scan before the main scan. Then, the CPU of the image processing system (not shown) supplies the appropriate γ correction data based on the histogram data to the image correction processing unit B2.
0 is provided.

The image reading section A has a document discriminating function. The input mode discriminating B33A includes the input mode command B31A for separately inputting the screen size, single-sided / double-sided, vertical / horizontal, and the like. Is determined. On the other hand, an output mode command B3 such as collation, single-sided / double-sided, vertical / horizontal writing, etc., input by operating buttons provided on the operation panel.
2A determines the front / back image processing (including the vertical / horizontal conversion of the original) for the image data of the original together with the input form determination B33A. Image processing is performed based on the image processing decision B34A.

The image data (density information) that has been subjected to the filtering process and the scaling process is processed by the image correction processing unit B20.
After performing image correction processing according to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus B25 described later based on the back output form, the image is output to the image area processing unit B21. In the image area processing unit B21, in addition to the extraction of the effective image area of the document, area processing such as frame erasure and fold erasure is also performed.

The image data (density information) which has been subjected to all the image processing necessary for image formation as described above and is in a final output state to the image forming apparatus B25, which will be described later, via the interface B22. Output to the unit C.

The image forming section C has a function of forming an image on a recording paper in real time when reading an original, and also stores and holds a plurality of input image data, and stores the stored image data in a later step. From the front / back image data read by the data selector B24 which is arbitrarily read from the image data.

In this embodiment, the image data obtained by reading the original image as described above and having undergone all necessary image processing are stored, and the stored image data is The function of selectively reading and forming an image later is referred to as an electronic RDH function.

The image forming section C includes, in addition to an image forming apparatus B25 such as a laser printer, an image storage section B23 (image data storage means) for rewritably storing image data in order to realize the electronic RDH function. Is provided, and a data selector B24 for switching between the electronic RDH function and the normal real-time image forming function and allocating image data of the front surface and the back surface is provided.

The data selector B24 selectively selects one of the image data read from the image storage unit B23 and the image data sequentially output from the image processing unit B in response to the reading. Laser printer) B2
5 is output.

That is, the image storage unit B23 stores image data in the same final output state as when normal real-time processing is performed, and the image data from the image processing unit B selectively output by the data selector B24. The image data and the image data read from the image storage unit B23 are treated equally in the image forming apparatus B25 so that an image can be formed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of the image correction processing B20. The image correction processing B20 performs masking, inking, and UCR processing B201 on the image data of three colors C, M, and Y, and the correction data of the four colors C ', M', Y ', and K is gamma conversion and filter processing. By B202, C ″,
M ″, Y ″, K ′ are corrected, and furthermore, multi-value processing B2
03 is output to the image area processing B21 as C "", M "", Y "", K ". Each of the above processes B201
In steps B203 to B203, image correction is performed under different conditions based on the front / back output mode. Next, image correction performed under different conditions according to the front / back output mode will be described.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the transfer of the back side image from the image carrier to the toner image receiver and the transfer from the toner image receiver to the recording paper are performed twice. On the other hand, the surface image is transferred once from the image carrier to the recording paper. At the time of these transfers, the toner adhesion amount is reduced by about 10% at a time, so that when performing image processing under the same conditions, the image density of the back side image is lower than that of the front side image. In the case of the back side image, the gradation is changed due to the scattering of the toner image due to the two transfers. In the case of a halftone dot image, the halftone dot spreads and generally γ
Tend to be higher. In a color image, as shown in FIG. 6, the overlapping order of the toner images is reversed on the recording paper, so that the color tone changes. The UCR amount is determined from the mixture ratio of the three colors Y, M, and C. However, in the back surface image, K is the uppermost layer, and black (K) tends to be emphasized too much.
It is necessary to change the UCR amount for color reproduction between the front image and the rear image.

In the present invention, masking, inking, U
In CR processing B201, in addition to masking,
It is performed including color processing such as UCR. As the masking, generally used linear masking or, when performing advanced color correction, non-linear masking or masking using a look-up table is used. Masking parameters for this color correction are set in advance for the front side image and the back side image, respectively, and the parameter setting is changed according to whether the front side or the back side. Subsequent to such color processing, gamma conversion / filter processing B202 is performed, and through multi-value processing B203 such as screen angle, dither and error diffusion, the corrected image data of each of Y, M, C, and K is converted into an image area. The output to the image forming unit C is performed via the process B21. The image correction processing B20 is performed to form a double-sided image having an adjusted image density and color tone. Since the back side image is subjected to two transfer steps, γ tends to be higher than that of the back side image, and the resolution tends to decrease. It has a function to correct this.

In the case of a monochrome image, color correction is not necessary, and γ correction, filter processing and density correction may be performed only on the back side image. If the maximum density of black is a saturated image density, γ correction If the parameter setting is changed only for the correction and the filter processing, a two-sided image with no difference between the front and back sides can be obtained.

In the above description, the mirror image conversion processing of the image data is performed by the data selector B24. However, the mirror image conversion processing is included in the parameters for changing the setting according to whether the front side or the back side in the image correction processing B20. It is also possible to adopt a circuit configuration including this.

Next, the detailed configuration of the image storage section B23 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image storage section B23 has a storage circuit B26 for actually storing image data.
(Image data storage means) In addition to the above, the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing section B is subjected to compression processing and the storage circuit B
A compression processing unit B27 (compression processing means) for storing the image data read from the storage circuit B26, and a decompression processing unit B28 (decompression) for restoring the image data in the output state in the image processing unit B. Processing means), and further, writing (storing) image data in the storage circuit B26.
A write control circuit B29 and a read control circuit B30 are provided to control reading of image data from the storage circuit B26.

Only the processed image data is output from the image processing section B. The compression processing section B27 performs a compression process on the image data by using a certain compression compression method. Only the processed image data is stored in the storage circuit B26. The image data read from the storage circuit B26 is subjected to a constant decompression processing corresponding to the compression processing in the compression processing section B27 in the decompression processing section B28, and the image data in the state at the time of output from the image processing section B is output. Is restored.

The storage circuit B26 shown in FIG. 7 is divided into pages, and stores image data in units of A4 original size, and has a capacity enough to store 30 A4 double-sided originals. It has. From the storage circuit B26, it is possible to read the data in a different order, and it is also possible to read a plurality of arbitrarily selected image data continuously. It is also possible to read out, expand to A3 size and output. When the double-sided image forming mode is selected and the image data corrected according to the front / back image is stored in the storage circuit B26, the data selector B24 uses the data selector B24 to print one sheet of the front side and the rear side as described later. The image data for each minute is output as a set.

By the way, the original image is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b) and (c), a photo manuscript (manuscript example A),
The document is roughly classified into three types: a document in which photographs and characters are mixed (document example B) and a character document (document example C). Then, when such an image is divided into a character portion and a photograph portion, respectively, FIG.
As shown in (a), (b), and (c), it is desired to set different image processing characteristics for each of these categories. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the image discrimination processing section B15 discriminates between a character image and a photographic image and changes the characteristics of the filter processing.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus B2 includes image processing for changing characteristics in accordance with the image discrimination result.
5, the image data which has been subjected to all the image processing required to be processed at the stage of output, in other words, the image correction processing for front / back is processed by the image correction processing B20 and the image forming apparatus B25 The image data immediately before output is stored in the image storage unit B23.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when storing image data in the image storage unit B23, image discrimination information (section information) and data indicating necessary post-processing are stored together with the image data. There is no need to store only image data. For this reason, FIG.
Even in a configuration in which various types of originals are read as shown in (a), (b), and (c), there is no need to provide a special storage circuit corresponding to an image, and the storage circuit has a simple configuration. Yes, the storage capacity can be used only for storing the image data, and image correction according to the front / back image output form is performed, so that many images are stored in the limited storage capacity. It is possible.

Further, since the image processing according to the image discrimination result has already been performed, it is possible to perform a constant compression processing on the entire image area at an appropriate compression ratio. There is no need to perform processing such as addition or storage of image data for each section based on image discrimination, and only image data can be stored collectively for each document. Therefore, the reading and decompression processing of the stored image data can be performed easily and at high speed.

The electronic RDH function for storing image data in the image storage section B23 eliminates the need to perform image reading and image processing for each image formation when copying the same original a plurality of times. Efficiency is achieved.

In particular, even when copying a plurality of originals and wanting to finish one set at a time, a series of originals can be read once by automatic conveyance of the originals by the ADF. Recycling operation can be omitted, and high-speed processing can be performed.

Further, the stored image data can be stored even after the intended image formation is performed. Copying work is also possible. In this case, if a storage device such as a magneto-optical disk is used for the storage circuit, image data can be stored in a removable disk, so that a plurality of images can be copied at any time when necessary.

In the above embodiment, the image storage unit B23
Is provided in the image forming apparatus C, but the image storage unit B
23 may be provided in the image processing unit B, and the image processing system including the image reading unit A and the image processing unit B and the image forming unit C may be configured separately.

Further, even when an image is formed in real time based on the image data read by the photoelectric conversion, the image is corrected according to the front / back image output mode and is temporarily stored in the image storage unit B23. A configuration in which image data is stored may be adopted.

Further, if the image read from the image storage unit B23 can be displayed on the operation unit of the copying machine in a simple form in order to confirm the image data stored in the image storage unit B23, the image data can be stored for a long time. This is preferable because the operation of confirming the image and erasing the stored data becomes easy.

By the way, in the compression processing of image data, a technique of automatically setting the compression ratio variably according to the type of image is known. However, depending on the user, the compression ratio is further reduced to give priority to image quality. In some cases, it is necessary to increase the compression ratio to increase the number of images that can be stored.

Therefore, as described above, the user sets the compression ratio of the compression processing in the configuration in which the image data read by the photoelectric conversion is subjected to the compression processing after the image processing and stored in the storage circuit B26 (image data storage means). The second embodiment, which can be arbitrarily designated, will be described below by taking as an example the monochrome digital copier described in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 10 and 1 showing the configuration of the second embodiment.
In the block diagram of FIG. 1, the same elements as those in FIGS. 4 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

In the block diagrams of FIGS. 10 and 11, as a characteristic feature of the second embodiment, an image storage section B23 (image data storage means) is provided in the image processing section B.
The image forming unit C can selectively output either an image stored in the image storage unit B23 or a real-time image obtained by reading.

That is, in the image processing section B, the image data processed by the image area processing section B21 is directly output to the image storage section B23 and stored.
To the image forming unit C, the image data processed by the image area processing unit B21 or the image data selectively read from the image storage unit B23 is output via the data selector B24 via the interface B22. .

The data selector B24 of the image forming section C
Either real-time image data obtained by reading input via the interface B22 or image data selectively read from the image storage unit B23 is selected and output to the image forming apparatus B25. .

As shown in the overall configuration of FIG. 10, a control circuit is provided independently in an image processing system including an image reading unit A and an image processing unit B, and an image forming unit C. An operation unit B31 is provided on the image forming unit C side.

The operation section B31 is provided with an operation function for designating a compression ratio in the image data compression processing, as will be described later. The operation function is specified via the operation section B31 as a compression ratio designation means. The compression ratio is transmitted via a communication line B34 to an image processing system CPU B33 which controls an image processing system including an image reading unit A and an image processing unit B via a main body CPU B32 which controls the image forming unit C side. Sent.

Image processing system CPU as compression ratio varying means
B33 is provided in a compression processing unit B27 (see FIG. 11) as a compression processing unit included in the image storage unit B23 in accordance with the compression ratio designating data from the main CPU B32 transmitted via the communication line B34. Set the compression ratio variably.

Then, compression processing according to the set compression ratio is performed by the compression processing section B27, and the image data after the compression processing is stored in the storage circuit B26.
The image data read from the image data is decompressed and decompressed by a decompression processing section B28 (decompression processing means) in accordance with the compression processing, and then output to an image forming apparatus B25 (image forming means) through a data selector B24. You.

Here, an example of the operation section B31 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the operation section B31 shown in FIG.
When the button B41 on which "OMP" is displayed is pressed, a display showing five compression ratio modes Mode1 to Mode5 is made on the display device 42 composed of liquid crystal or a small CRT as shown in FIG.

In the display state shown in FIG. 13, numerical data of the compression rate corresponding to each of the compression rate modes Mode 1 to Mode 5 may be simultaneously displayed.

The compression ratio modes Mode 1 to Mode 5
Mode 3 is a standard compression rate mode for designating a standard compression rate, and Modes 1 and 2 are image quality priority modes in which the compression rate is lower than the standard to give priority to image quality. Is set so that the compression ratio of Mode 1 is lower than that of Mode 2. On the other hand, Modes 4 and 5 are compression rate priority modes for increasing the number of images that can be stored by increasing the compression rate as compared with the standard mode.
No. 4 has a higher compression ratio in Mode 5 than in Mode 4.

The compression ratio modes Mode 1 to Mode 5
Is selected by operating a corresponding one of the five mode switches B43 to B47 provided on the upper part of the display device B42, and operating a "Start Push" button B48 which is a trigger button of the image forming operation. It is determined as follows.

The above compression ratio modes Mode1 to Mo
If any one of de5 is not specified by the user, Mode3 which is the standard compression ratio mode is set with priority. Therefore, when a user who does not need to specify the compression ratio arbitrarily performs the electronic RDH function, the compression process is automatically performed at the standard compression ratio, and simple operability is obtained. Can be

The compression rate data in each of the initially set compression rate modes Mode 1 to Mode 5 is configured so that the user can arbitrarily change the compression rate data. First, the mode switch B43 corresponding to the mode whose compression ratio is to be changed
Press B47 to select the mode for which you want to change the compression ratio,
In this state, numerical data (%) of the compression ratio is input using the numeric key switch B49 (see FIG. 14). To change the compression ratio data, click the “Start Push” button B48.
Is determined by the operation of.

At this time, when the compression process is performed at the compression ratio input by the user, it is preferable to display, for example, how many images can be stored in A4 format. Further, instead of inputting numerical data of the compression ratio, a configuration may be adopted in which the number of stored images is specified.

It is preferable not to accept a data input in which the magnitude relation of the compression ratio data does not follow the mode order.

In the configuration in which image data is subjected to compression processing and stored as in the second embodiment, if the compression ratio in the compression processing can be arbitrarily specified, the storage capacity is likely to be large enough. When image quality is required, it is possible to prevent image data from being compressed at an unnecessarily high compression rate, and to secure image quality. However, when high image quality is not required, the compression ratio can be increased to increase the number of storable images. It is possible to meet a demand for increasing the number of sheets.

Further, in the case of selecting from the initially set compression ratio mode, when the user's request cannot be satisfied, the user can specify the compression ratio finely and select a compression ratio that can provide a satisfactory image quality. Since the setting can be made, it is possible to cope with a slight difference in the image quality request level by the user, and the usability of the electronic RDH function is improved.

It is to be noted that the specification of the compression ratio may be changed from a plurality of modes as described above, and the numerical data of the compression ratio may be changed based on a standard value.

When the original image is read by photoelectric conversion and the read image data is stored as described above, a blank portion in the read image or an image portion that is unnecessary at the time of image formation, that is, an image in an invalid image area is stored. Storing data wastes storage capacity, which in turn reduces the number of storable documents.

Therefore, a third embodiment in which only the image data in the effective image area is stored as a blank area of the read image or an invalid image area which is unnecessary at the time of image formation is excluded from storage will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows a processing circuit according to the third embodiment.
The block diagram of FIG. 5 differs from the block diagram of FIG. 4 only in that a document size detection unit B51 as an effective image area detection unit is added.

According to the processing circuit configuration shown in FIG.
The document size detection unit B51 detects the size of the document (image area size) based on the density-converted image data,
Information on the detected document size is provided to the image area processing unit B21. Image area processing unit B2 as effective area extraction means
In step 1, only the image data within the area corresponding to the document size, in other words, only within the effective image area, is extracted from the read image data,
(Image data storage means) The image data is output.

Accordingly, for example, when the reading is performed in the A3 size, but the document size is A4, only the image data in the A4 size effective image area is extracted from the A3 size read image data. The image data is output to the image storage unit B23, and the extracted image data is compressed and stored in the image storage unit B23. Therefore, the storage capacity can be saved, and the compression rate is reduced to improve the image quality. It is also possible.

Here, the extraction of the image data of the effective image area performed by the image area processing section B21 (effective area extracting means) is performed, for example, with a configuration as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

In the block diagram of FIG. 16, the main scanning counter B52 counts the dot clock clk using the horizontal synchronizing signal HV as the clear signal clr, and the sub-scanning counter B53 converts the vertical synchronizing signal VV into the clear signal clr.
The dot clock clk is counted as r.

The comparison circuit B54 stores the coordinate information (prescribed coordinate data) indicating the effective image area stored in the effective area coordinate information storage section B55 and the counters B5 and B5.
2. By comparing the count value with B53, it is determined whether or not it is within the effective image area, and the determination result is output to the output control unit B56.

The output control section B56 is provided with an image correction processing section B2.
0, image formation based on the front / back sides is performed at the time of double-sided image formation, image correction such as γ correction is performed, and the image data latched by the latch circuit B57 is stored in the latch circuit B when it is within the effective image area. While the image data is output to the image forming unit C (image storage unit B23) via B58, when the image data is not within the valid image area (invalid image area), the image data is fixed to the white level or the black level and output to the latch circuit B58. I do.

In the effective area coordinate information storage section B55,
Coordinate data indicating an effective image area is set and stored corresponding to the document size detected by the document size detection unit B51.

Instead of using the area corresponding to the document size in the read image area as the effective image area, the effective image area may be determined in accordance with the designation of the size of the recording paper to be copied. The information of the recording paper size specified via the operation unit B31 is transmitted to the communication line B34.
And the image processing system CPU B33 sets the coordinates of an area to be an effective image area in the effective area coordinate information storage unit B55 based on the recording paper size.

That is, for example, even if the document size is A3, if the size of the recording paper is A4, the image data in the area exceeding the A4 size is invalid. Only the image data that is not used for recording is avoided to be wastefully stored.

In this case, the effective image area detecting means is constituted by the operation section B31 and the image processing system CPU B33.

Further, the effective image area may be detected from both the original size and the recording paper size.
The user may be allowed to arbitrarily specify an area (effective image area) where the image data is to be stored.

By the way, if the storage circuit B26 is divided into pages in advance as shown in FIG. 7, even if only the image data of the effective image area is extracted as described above, the storage capacity is effectively used. Can not do.

Therefore, as in the fourth embodiment shown in the block diagram of FIG. 17, a continuous storage circuit B26 is formed, and the top address of the storage area of each image in the storage circuit B26 is stored separately. An address register B61 (storage area data storage means) is provided so that a storage area corresponding to a target image is specified based on the start address stored in the register B61, and desired image data is read. Good.

That is, the image data after the compression processing is written into the storage circuit B2 by the write control circuit B29 (storage control means).
When writing data to the address B6, the address position where the image data of the first pixel is written is stacked in the register B61. At the time of reading, the read control circuit B30
(Image reading means) reads out image data with reference to the leading address stored in the register B61.

The register B61 calculates the number of documents that can be stored according to the compression ratio, and prepares only the number of pages corresponding to the number of pages (see FIG. 18).

According to the above configuration, the read image data can be stored continuously, so that the storage capacity not used for storing the image data can be eliminated and the storage capacity can be effectively used, and the storage capacity required with a small storage capacity is required. Sufficient image storage can be realized.

Further, since the head address of each image is stored in the register B61 as described above, it is possible to easily change the reading order of images (pages).

As shown in FIG. 21, a front side output memory B242 and a back side output memory B243 are provided in the data selector B24. When a double-sided image forming mode is selected, a control unit (not shown) outputs image data. When the instruction is given, the selector (I) B241 first outputs the image data output from the image storage unit B23 to the front surface output memory B24.
2 and then to the backside output memory B243. When the image data is input to the back surface output memory B243, the image data is input in an inverted form so as to be a mirror image.

The back side image data from the back side output memory B 243 is first outputted by the selector (II) B 244 in accordance with the timing of the two sided image formation in the image forming apparatus B 25, and then the front side image from the front side output memory B 242 is outputted. Is output.

In the double-sided image forming apparatus of the present invention, since it is preferable to form the image on the back side first as described above,
A front-side output memory B242 and a back-side output memory B243 are provided as buffer memories in the data selector B24. The front-side image data is temporarily stored in the front-side output memory B242 and the back-side image data is temporarily stored in the back-side output memory B243. Although a circuit configuration for reading the back side image data first is adopted, the memory in the data selector B24 may be omitted. That is, when the single-sided → double-sided or double-sided → double-sided image forming mode is selected by the image forming mode selecting unit B93 of the operation unit B31, the image data of only one side of the document or both sides of the document is read and stored. The double-sided image can be continuously formed by storing the data in the circuit B26 in the order of pages and changing the reading of the image data in the order of 2 pages / 1 page, 4 pages / 3 pages, 6 pages / 5 pages in reading. Becomes In addition, the form of the formed image on both sides / one side can be easily changed.

Further, for example, an A4 size original is
When developing to the size, two start addresses of the desired A4 document are called from the register B61, and two consecutive addresses are read.
It is sufficient to read out and expand the pages, and an image is formed by the image forming apparatus B25 based on the image data, so that an A3 size copy in which two A4 size originals are arranged on one side can be easily obtained. Will be obtained.

Incidentally, in the above-described double-sided image forming apparatus, in addition to the image data input to the image forming unit C via the image reading unit A and the image processing unit B, the image forming unit C is also provided with a computer. By directly inputting image data from an external device such as a printer, and outputting the image data via the data selector B24, the printer can function only as a general printer capable of performing both-side image printing.

Here, when the image data is input from the external device and the image is formed in real time as described above, the timing between the image input from the external device and the image formation in the image forming section C is determined. For matching, it is necessary to temporarily store input image data in a buffer memory.

However, as described above, the image storage unit B2 for storing and storing the image data is provided.
3 (storage circuit B26), it is not preferable to provide separate storage circuits for different functions because the configuration of the storage circuit becomes complicated and the storage capacity cannot be effectively used. .

Therefore, when the double-sided image forming apparatus functions as a printer of an external device, the image storage unit B23
In the following, a fifth embodiment will be described in which the configuration of the storage circuit is simplified by allowing the device to be used as a buffer memory.

In the block diagram of FIG. 19 showing the overall processing circuit in the fifth embodiment, image data from an external device B71 such as a computer is used for a front / back image processing decision B.
After the front / back image processing in the image correction processing B20 is performed according to the result determined by the processing unit 34A, the image data is input to the image forming unit C via the interface B72. Is input to the image forming apparatus B25 via the image storage unit B23 and the data selector B24. Here, in the case of double-sided image formation, the data selector B2
4 functions as a second buffer memory,
Page 4, page 3 and page 3 are output in the order of mirror image inversion.

Here, the image storage section B23 in the configuration shown in FIG. 19 is configured as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 20, the compression processing unit B27 includes:
Image data subjected to image processing by the image processing unit B is input via an interface B22, and image data from an external device B71 is input via an interface B72.

The image data from the external device B71 is stored in the compression processing unit B27, the storage circuit B26, and the decompression processing unit B in the same manner as when storing and holding the read image data.
28, the data is output to the data selector B91. In the configuration shown in FIG. 20, the printer controller B73 is used to use the storage circuit B26 as a buffer memory.
(Second output control means) is provided.

When the storage circuit B26 is used as a buffer memory to form image data input from the external device B71, the main CPU B32 (first CPU B32) is used.
The compression processing unit B by the control function of
27 and the decompression processing unit B28 are set to the non-compression mode, and the image data input from the external device B71 is written and controlled by the printer controller B73 while the storage circuit B26 is controlled.
Write as is without compression.

Here, similarly to the above embodiment, a continuous storage circuit B26 is formed, and the start address of image storage is stored in the register B61. With this configuration, the storage area for storing and holding the image data and the storage area used as the buffer memory are shared in the storage circuit B26, and the storage capacity is effectively used.

The printer controller B73 is connected to the main CPU B32 via a communication line B74. The printer controller B73 communicates with the main CPU B32 so as to transfer an image at an optimum timing for image formation in the image forming apparatus B25. The read control circuit B30 is controlled prior to the control of the data selector B91 according to the input state of the image data from B71.

According to the above configuration, the image data read by the attached image reading section A using the image storage section B23 can be stored and stored, while the image data is read in real time based on the image data from the external device B71. The image storage unit B23 can be used as a buffer memory when performing the formation, and it is not necessary to provide an image storage unit separately for each different function, and the configuration can be simplified.

In the above configuration, the image data input from the external device B71 may be compressed and stored in the image storage section B23 in the same manner as the read image data.

As the interface B72, a general interface such as Centronics-compliant or SCSI may be used.

[0171]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the read image data can be stored and stored in a form in which the read image data has been corrected by a simple storage circuit configuration. High-speed processing can be easily performed by saving, and a double-sided image accompanied by an output form can be quickly dealt with.

Further, when the image data is compressed and stored, the compression ratio can be changed in accordance with the user's specification, and the image formation can be performed in response to a request for high image quality or an increase in the number of stored images. Will be performed.

Further, by storing only the image data in the effective image area while excluding the image data in the invalid image area from being stored, the storage capacity of the storage circuit for storing the image data can be effectively used.

Furthermore, when real-time image formation is performed based on image data input from an external device,
Since the storage circuit provided for storing the read image data can function as a buffer memory, in addition to the function as a copier that enables double-sided image formation, the storage circuit functions as a printer of an external device. It can be realized without complicating.

Further, by storing image data continuously in the storage circuit and separately storing data such as a head address indicating the storage area of each image, the storage capacity of the storage circuit can be effectively used. In addition to switching between double-sided and single-sided image formation, it is possible to easily change the output form, such as developing an A4 size double-sided image on one side of an A3 size image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an image forming body.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a format state of a toner image.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an image correction process.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of toner adhesion on a transfer material.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an image recording unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a document to be read.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state of division between a photograph part and a character part.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an image storage unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit in the copying machine.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display state when a compression ratio is designated.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display state when a compression ratio is designated.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an image area processing unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an image storage unit according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a register for storing a start address.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an image storage unit according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a data selector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Photoreceptor drum 11 Scorotron charger 12 Exposure unit 13 Developing unit 14a Toner image receiver 14c Transfer unit 14g Backside transfer unit 14h Separation pole (paper separation AC static eliminator) 15 Paper cassette A Image reading unit B Image processing unit C Image Forming part B11 A / D converter B13 Density converting part B14 Enlarging / reducing processing part B15 Image discrimination processing part B16 Filter processing part B19 EE processing part B20 Image correction processing part B21 Image area processing part B23 Image storage part B24 Data selector B25 Image Forming device B34A Front / back image processing determination unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/40 F

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data, and an image processing for performing predetermined image processing on the image data obtained by the reading means to obtain image data in a final output state Means, image correction means for performing image correction on the image data based on front / back output modes, and image data storage for storing image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means and the image correction means Means, a first image carrying means for carrying the toner image formed on the surface by the toner image forming means, and the toner image carried by the first image carrying means is collectively transferred and transferred. A second image holding unit for holding the toner image on the surface again; a first transfer unit for transferring the toner image held on the first image holding unit to one surface of a transfer material; Image carrying means A second transfer unit for transferring the held toner image to the other surface of the transfer material; and an image forming unit having a fixing unit for fixing the toner images transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image correction is image data processing conditions such as γ correction and color correction. 3. An image discriminating means for judging a type of a document image based on image data obtained by said reading means, and image processing and image correction according to a discrimination result by said image discriminating means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a processing characteristic variable unit configured to variably set the characteristic. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said image discriminating means discriminates the document image into a character image portion and a photographic image portion. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data storage unit stores only the image data that has been subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit. . 6. An image data storage means, comprising: a compression processing means for performing a predetermined compression process on image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means; and selectively reading from the image data storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a decompression processing unit configured to perform a predetermined decompression process on the obtained image data. 7. A reading means for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data, an image correcting means for performing image correction on the image data based on a front / back output form, and an image read by the reading means. Compression processing means for performing compression processing on image data; image data storage means for storing image data compressed by the compression processing means; compression rate designation means for designating a compression rate in the compression processing of the compression processing means; A compression ratio varying unit that variably sets a compression ratio in the compression processing unit according to a compression ratio designated by the compression ratio designation unit; and performs expansion processing on image data selectively read from the image data storage unit. Expansion processing means, image forming means for forming an image based on the image data expanded by the expansion processing means, and toner image forming means A first image carrying means for carrying a toner image, and a second image carrying means for collectively transferring the toner image carried by the first image carrying means and carrying the transferred toner image on the surface again Means, a first transfer means for transferring a toner image carried on the first image carrying means to one surface of a transfer material, and a toner image carried on the second image carrying means, An image forming unit comprising: a second transfer unit that transfers the toner image transferred to the other surface of the transfer material; and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material. Forming equipment. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image correction is image data processing conditions such as γ correction and color correction. 9. A method according to claim 6, wherein said compression ratio designating means includes a standard compression ratio mode, an image quality priority mode in which a compression ratio is reduced in comparison with said standard compression ratio mode, and image quality is prioritized. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein one of a compression rate priority mode in which a compression rate is increased to increase the number of stored images is designated. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the standard compression rate mode is designated preferentially among the standard compression rate mode, the image quality priority mode, and the compression rate priority mode. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said compression ratio designating unit designates numerical data of a compression ratio. 12. A reading means for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data, an effective image area detecting means for detecting an effective image area in image data read by the reading means, and an effective image area detecting means. Effective area extracting means for extracting and outputting only image data in the detected effective image area from the image data read by the reading means; and performing image correction based on the front / back output form of the image data. Image correction means for applying, image data storage means for storing image data extracted by the effective area extraction means, first image holding means for holding a toner image formed on the surface by toner image formation means, A second image carrying means for collectively transferring the toner images carried by the first image carrying means and carrying the transferred toner image on the surface again; A first transfer unit that transfers the toner image carried by the image carrying unit to one surface of the transfer material; and a toner image carried by the second image carrying unit to the other surface of the transfer material. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a second transfer unit for transferring; and an image forming unit having a fixing unit for fixing the toner images transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image correction is image data processing conditions such as γ correction and color correction. 14. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet based on image data selectively read from the image data storing means, wherein the effective image area detecting means includes the size of the document and the recording 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the effective image area is detected based on at least one of a paper size and a size of the paper.
4. The image forming apparatus according to 3. 15. The effective area extracting means extracts only image data in the effective image area by comparing coordinate data of a pixel position of the image data with prescribed coordinate data corresponding to the effective image area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12. 16. An image data input unit for inputting image data from an external device, a reading unit for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data, an image data storage unit for storing the image data, and the image data Image forming means for forming an image based on the image data; image correcting means for performing image correction on the image data obtained by the reading means based on front / back output forms; and image data storing means for storing the image data. A first output control unit for outputting image data selectively read from the image data storage unit to the image forming unit; an image data input by the image data input unit; and the image forming unit. The image data input by the image data input means is temporarily stored in the image data storage means for timing adjustment between A second output control unit for outputting image data sequentially read from the image data storage unit to the image forming unit to form an image input from the external device in real time; A first image carrying means for carrying the toner image formed on the first image carrying means; a toner image carried on the first image carrying means is collectively transferred, and a second image carrying the transferred toner image on the surface again. Second image carrying means, first transfer means for transferring the toner image carried by the first image carrying means to one surface of the transfer material, and carried by the second image carrying means A second transfer unit that transfers the toner image to the other surface of the transfer material; and an image forming unit that includes a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material. Characteristic image forming equipment . 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said image correction is image data processing conditions such as γ correction and color correction. 18. The first and second output control means,
18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a storage area in the image data storage unit is shared. 19. Reading means for reading an original image by photoelectric conversion to obtain image data, image correcting means for performing image correction on the image data read by the reading means based on front / back output forms, Image data storage means for storing the image data; storage area data storage means for storing data indicating a storage area of each image in the image data storage means; and image data obtained by the reading means. A storage control unit for continuously storing the image data in the image data storage unit and storing data indicating an area in which the image is stored in the image data storage unit in the storage region data storage unit for each image; Image reading means for selectively reading and outputting image data from the image data storage means with reference to the storage means; A first image carrying means for carrying the toner image formed on the surface by the forming means, and the toner image carried on the first image carrying means is collectively transferred, and the transferred toner image is transferred to the surface again. A first image transfer unit for transferring the toner image held by the first image support unit to one surface of a transfer material; and a second image support unit. A second transfer unit for transferring the carried toner image to the other surface of the transfer material; and an image forming unit having a fixing unit for fixing the toner images transferred to both surfaces of the transfer material. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the image correction is image data processing conditions such as γ correction and color correction. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the storage area data storage unit stores a head address of each image in the image data storage unit. 22. The image reading means for continuously reading and outputting a plurality of images selected from the images stored in the image data storage means with reference to the storage area data storage means. Claims 19-
22. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 21.