JPS62200861A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To minimize the depth dimension of a device as a whole by arranging a thermal head facing in parallel at the upper side of a platen, setting a cassette to store a roll-shaped thermosensible paper at the upper part of the thermal head detachably freely and driving the thermal head based upon the image information from a television. CONSTITUTION:At the upper surface of a platen 71, a line-shaped thermal head (recording head) 70 faces in the lower direction to the whole width of the platen 71. In the left side of a cassette 91, a roll-shaped half width thermosensible paper 92 is stored. The thermosensible paper 92 is stored in the internal part of a lid body 95, further, in accordance with the signal for one line supplied to a printing control part, the thermal head 70 is driven, and the thermal head 70 is driven and controlled corresponding to the width of the thermosensible paper 92 in accordance with the video signal supplied from the control part. Consequently, by executing the transfer in accordance with the thermal head 70 on a paper P, the image corresponding to an original A is transferred.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to improvements in image forming apparatuses such as serial scanner printers.

(Conventional Technique 1) Conventionally, this type of image forming means has been constructed as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

That is, FIG. 14 shows the external appearance of a serial scanner printer with a part cut away. In the figure, 1 is a main body, and on the upper surface of this main body 1 is a document table (transparent glass) 2 on which a document A is placed. An original mA is provided on one side of the document table 2.
A positioning scale 3 is provided for positioning. Further, a document table cover 4 is provided on the document table 2, and the rear side of the document table cover 4 is rotatably supported on a pivot shaft (not shown), so that the document table cover 4 can be opened and closed with respect to the document table 2. It becomes.

Further, on the rear side of the top surface of the main body 1, an inlet 6 and a lower outlet for paper (image forming member) P to a print section (image forming means) 5, which will be described later, are provided, and an operation panel 8 is provided on the front side of the top surface. ing.

In addition, inside the main body 1, there is an original 1ii placed on the original table 2.
a scanner section (image reading means) 9 for reading the image of A;
A print section (image forming means) 5 is provided which forms an image on the paper P based on the information read by the scanner section 9. They are located behind 9.

The scanner section 9 includes a sensor unit (imaging means) 10 that images the document A placed on the document table 2, and a sensor unit 10 that captures an image of the document A placed on the document table 2.
and a drive 11411 (not shown) that reciprocates in the Y direction).

The sensor unit 10 illuminates the document surface with a spot light source, and guides the reflected light from the light through a mirror and a lens (optical imaging device) to an image sensor composed of a C0D (charge imaging device) to form an image. It is composed of

Further, the printing section 5 is configured as shown in FIG. 15. That is, 11 is a cylindrical platen (image forming member moving means) that supports and conveys the paper P, and this platen 11 is connected to a pulse motor 13 via a reduction gear train 12.
It is designed to be driven at every predetermined pitch. Further, a thermal head (thermal head) 14 as a recording head is opposed to the front side of this platen 11, and this thermal head 14 is moved along the axial direction of the platen 11 by a head moving means. There is.

That is, a shaft 15 is provided parallel to the platen 11, and a carriage 16 is slidably attached to the shaft 15. A timing belt 17 is connected to this sheep carriage 16, and this timing belt 17
are pulleys 18,1 arranged near both ends of the shaft 15.
It is in a state where it is extended to 8. The above pulley 18,1
8 is configured to be driven by a pulse motor 20 via a reduction gear train 19.
A carriage 16 carrying a thermal head 14 is reciprocated along the axial direction of the platen 11 as the thermal head 14 is driven.

Further, the thermal head 14 has heating elements (not shown) arranged along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the platen 11, that is, along the rotational direction of the platen 11.

Furthermore, it is equipped with a thermal head 14 and a 1ζ carriage 1 is installed.
6 is a connecting portion in which one end of the flexible cable 21 is fixed via a holder (not shown), and a connector portion 22 provided at the other end of the flexible cable 21 is disposed approximately in the center of the movement path of the carriage 16. (
(not shown), and the heating element is connected to a helad drive circuit (not shown) via the wiring pattern of the flexible cable 21.

Further, a paper guide 23 is provided around the platen 11.
and a paper press roller (not shown) are arranged.

Further, when the paper P is thermal paper, the thermal head 14 is directly opposed to the paper P to form an image, and
If the paper P is plain paper, etc., the ribbon cassette 24 is attached to the rear end of the main body 1 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, an image is formed with a heat-melting ink ribbon 25 interposed between the paper P and the thermal head 14.

However, in the conventional apparatus as described above, since the thermal head 14 is located on the entire surface side of the platen 11, the ribbon cassette 24 is inevitably placed behind the main body 1 as shown in FIG. It is necessary to attach it to the end side, or as another example, to the front side of the platen 11 in the main body 1, that is, to the carriage 16 for moving the thermal head 14, together with the winding n1I4.

However, in the former case in which the ribbon cassette is Vt-attached to the rear end side of the main body 1, the depth dimension when the ribbon cassette is attached is large, and in the latter case in which the ribbon cassette is mounted on the carriage 16, the main body 1 itself is The depth dimension became large, which became an obstacle to miniaturization.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In addition to the above-mentioned drawback that the depth dimension becomes large, the depth dimension can be reduced and the structure can be made compact, and the cassette in which the roll-shaped image forming member is stored can also be made larger. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be set without having to do so.

[Invention 0 Configuration] (Means for Solving the Problem) This image forming apparatus reads a document placed on a document table;
Illuminates with a light source and receives the light emitted from the document.
an image forming means for reading an image of a document by moving an imaging means for recording in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; and an image forming member moving means for moving the image forming member. , a recording head disposed opposite to the upper side of the image forming member moving means, and a roll-shaped image forming member housed above the recording head moving the recording head and the image forming member. By driving the recording head based on the read information of the cassette set between the image forming means and the image forming means, or the recorded information from an external device, the recording head and the image forming member moving means are driven. It is composed of an image forming means for forming an image on an image forming member interposed therebetween.

(Function) In the present invention, a recording head is disposed opposite to the upper side of the image forming member moving means, and an O-ring shaped image forming means housed above the recording head is connected to the recording head. A cassette is set between the image forming members, and an imaging means for illuminating a document placed on a document table with a spot light source and capturing an image by receiving light emitted from the document is set in a first direction and in this second direction. The image of the document is read by moving it in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and the image is transferred to the image forming member by driving the recording head based on this read information or recorded information from an external device. It was designed so that it could be formed.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

Figure 1 shows the configuration of the main parts of a serial scanner printer.
In addition, Figure 2 shows the external appearance with a part cut away.
0 is the main body, and the upper surface of this main body 30 has @4 A.
A document table (transparent glass plate) 31 is provided on which a document is placed, and a positioning scale 32 for positioning the document is provided on one side of the document table 31. Further, a document table cover 33 is provided on the document table 31, and the rear side of the document table cover 33 is rotatably supported on a pivot shaft (not shown), so that the document table cover 33 can be opened and closed with respect to the document table 31. It becomes.

Furthermore, an entrance 35 and an exit 36 for the paper (image forming member) P to the print section (image forming means) 34, which will be described later, are provided on the rear side of the upper surface and the rear end side of the main body 30, as well as an entrance for the paper P. A ribbon cassette mounting portion 37 is formed on the rear side of the ribbon cassette 35 . Further, on the front side of the top surface, an operation panel 38 including a print switch, a stop switch, a paper feed switch, a switch for specifying a copy range, an online switch, etc. is provided.

Further, a tapered portion 33a is provided on the rear side of the document table cover 33 to guide insertion of the original IP. As a result, the original IP is smoothly guided to the entrance 35 of the print section 34 by the tapered portion 33a. Further, the side of the tapered portion 33a serves as a guide in the lateral direction when the paper P is inserted.

Also, inside the main body 30, there are 41 originals placed on the document table 31.
a scanner section (image & reading means) 39 for reading the image of A;
A print section (image forming means) 34 is provided which forms an image on the mMP based on the information read by the scanner section 39.The scanner section 39 is located below the document table 31, and the print section 34 They are located at the rear of each.

As shown in FIG.
1, there is a sensor unit (imaging means) 40 that takes an image of the original placed on the document, and this sensor unit 40 is moved in the X direction, which is the left-right direction (first direction), and in the front-rear direction (second direction). It is composed of a drive vJi@41 that reciprocates in the Y direction at a certain location.

The scanner section 39 is constructed as shown in FIG. That is, a guide rail 42 is provided on the front side of the scanner section 39 in the main body 30, and a guide shaft 43 is provided on the rear side along the X direction. A first carriage 44 is installed between the kite rail 42 and the guide shaft 43. This first carriage 44 is movably supported on the guide rail 42 via rollers 45 on the front side and slidably on the guide shaft 43 via the slider 46 on the rear side, and is movable along the X direction. It is free. Timing belts 47 and 48 are connected to the front and rear sides of the first carriage 44, respectively, and these timing belts 47 and 48 are arranged near both ends of the guide rail 42 and the guide shirts 1-43, respectively. It is spanned between pulleys 49, 49, 50, and 50. Further, pulleys 49 and 50 on one end are attached to both ends of a shaft 51, and this shaft 51 is driven by a first pulse motor 53 via a reduction gear train 52.

Thereby, the first carriage 44 is reciprocated in the X direction based on the drive of the first pulse motor 53.

Further, a second carriage 54 is supported by the first carriage 44 . This second carriage 54 is
As shown in FIG.
The left side of the shaft 55 provided along the Y direction is slidably supported by the edge of the first carriage 44 via an engagement recess 56, and is movable along the Y direction. Further, a timing belt 57 is connected to the right side of this second carriage 54, and this timing belt 57 is wrapped around pulleys 58.58fJ distributed on the front side and rear side of the first carriage 44. . Further, one pulley 58 is driven by a second pulse motor 60 via a reduction gear train 59.

Thereby, the second carriage 54 is reciprocated in the Y direction based on the drive of the second pulse motor 60.

The sensor unit 40 is provided on a second carriage 54, and as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, illuminates the document surface a with a spot light source 61 and sends the reflected light to a mirror 62 and a lens (optical The device is configured to sequentially valve the charge imaging device (COD) 63 and guide it to an image sensor 64 composed of a COD (charge imaging device) to form an image. In addition, 65
is a focus FAN screw, and by operating this screw 65, the lens 63 can be moved in the optical axis direction. Further, 66 is a circuit board for the image sensor 64, to which the image sensor 64 is directly attached in order to avoid the influence of noise as much as possible. Furthermore, 67 is a mirror holder, and 68 is a window.

Further, the image sensor 64 is a multi-focus (8-bit) image sensor, and the drive mJa 41 moves the first carriage 44 at every pitch equal to or less than the plurality of bits of the image sensor 64. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the document image is read line by line using a plurality of bits @ρ of the image sensor 64.

At the same time as the reading is completed, return it to the front side, and during that time move the sensor unit to the right by one line reading width 2. The print W34 above is shaped like a line as a recording head, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 10. thermal head 70
, a cylindrical platen (image forming member moving means) 71.

That is, the platen 71 supports and conveys the paper P, and this platen 71 is connected to the reduction gear train 72, 73.
It is driven by the first pulse motor 53 via a pair of bevel gears 74 and 75 at predetermined pitches, that is, along with the drive of the scanner 40 in the X direction. Further, on the upper surface of the platen 71, a line-shaped thermal head (recording head) 70 faces downwardly across the entire width of the platen 71.

The thermal head 70 is provided parallel to the platen 71, and heating elements (not shown) are arranged in a row along the axial direction of the platen 71, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the platen 71. ing. Note that printing follows reading by the scanner section 39 and is performed at the same speed.

Furthermore, the paper inlet 35 is provided around the platen 71.
Paper guides 77 and 78 are arranged to guide the paper P from the image forming section 76 to the image forming section 76 between the platen 71 and the thermal head 70, and to press the paper P against the platen 71 in the paper transport direction from the image forming section 76. Paper holding roller 7
9 is placed. Furthermore, a paper guide 8o that guides the paper P to the paper outlet 36 is provided in the paper conveyance direction from the paper pressing roller 79. As a result, a conveyance path 81 is formed extending from the paper feeder 35 to the paper outlet 36.

Further, by pressing down a push button 97 provided at the rear left end of the upper surface of the main body 30, the upper plate 82 is displaced upward by the repulsive force of a spring (not shown). As a result, the upper paper sheet 77, the thermal head 70, the paper presser row 579, etc. are displaced upward together with the upper plate 82, and the paper conveyance path 81 is spaced apart.
passes through the image forming section 76 smoothly. As a result, the thermal head 70 rotates in the longitudinal direction with respect to the platen 71! It is now being used as a lJ. Note that the leading edge of the inserted sheet P hits a stopper 85 arranged on the rear side of the paper pressing roller 79, thereby preventing further insertion and positioning the leading edge.

Therefore, when setting the paper P, the document table cover 33
The paper P can be easily set parallel to the platen 71 by positioning the paper P in the lateral direction using the side of the tapered portion 33a and inserting the paper P until it hits the stopper 85.

Therefore, if the paper P is thermal paper, the thermal head 70 is directly opposed to the paper P to form an image without attaching a ribbon cassette (not shown). In addition, if the paper P is plain paper or the like, a ribbon cassette (not shown) is installed at the top of the print section 34, and a thermal transfer ribbon (not shown) is interposed between the paper P and the thermal head 70 in advance. An image is formed in this state.

Further, a cassette 91 is placed on the upper surface of the upper plate 82, as shown in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12. Inside the left side of this cassette 91,
A roll of half-width thermal paper 92 is stored. This thermal paper 92 is housed inside a lid 95. The width of the thermal paper 92 is such that sufficient resolution (8 lines/mm 2 ) can be obtained even when recording one screen of a television 99 to be described later. The lid body 95 can be opened and closed using the support shaft 94 as a fulcrum. In addition, the cassette 91
A video interface 96 as an external interface is provided inside the right side, that is, in an empty space. This video interface 96 includes a comparator 101 that converts an analog image signal supplied from a television 99 (described later) into a digital image signal,
a sync signal detection unit 102 that detects vertical sync signals and horizontal sync signals supplied from the television 99; a video memory 104 that stores one screen worth of image signals supplied from the television 99; Same Jll
A CPU that stores the image signal supplied from the comparison unit 101 in response to the + signal in the video memory 104, or stores the image signal stored in the video memory 104, as will be described later.
The control section 103 outputs the output to the 111.

The video interface 96 is connected to a television 99 via a cord 98.

Next, the control circuit will be explained using FIG. 13. That is, the image information output from the image sensor 64 is supplied to the CPIJll via the amplifier 110. This CPU 111 controls the entire system. The CPIJ 11'l is configured to store image information supplied from the image sensor 64 in the image processing section 112. The image processing 'FJ5112 is a buffer memory that temporarily stores image information of several lines processed by the image sensor 64. Furthermore, when image information is stored in the image processing section 112, the CPLllll sequentially reads out the information line by line and outputs it to the print control section 113. Furthermore, the CPU 111 has a video interface 9.
The video signal for each line supplied from the control unit 103 in 6 is output to the print control M113. The pulse motor 53, which drives the thermal head 7o and simultaneously moves the platen 71 and the sensor unit 40 (in the Y direction) according to the signal supplied to the print control unit 113 for each line, is operated for one line. It is something that is driven. Further, the CPU 111 also controls a drive section 114 that drives the pulse motor 60. However, the print control section 113 is configured to drive and control the thermal head 70 corresponding to the width of the thermal paper 92 in accordance with the video signal supplied from the control section 103.

Note that each of the above-mentioned parts is driven by a power source (not shown) constituted by a battery or the like.

Next, the operation will be explained using such a configuration 43. First, a case where the paper P is one sheet of thermal paper will be described. For example, now, the operator places document A on document table 31 and closes document table cover 33. Then, push button 97 is pressed. Then, the lock by the locking device m (not shown) is released, one side of the upper plate 82 is raised, and the upper paper guide 77, thermal head 70, and paper presser roller 7 are integrally removed.
9 is displaced upward. Next, the operator closes the document platen cover 3.
Insert the paper P using the side of the tapered portion 33a of No. 3 until it touches the paper P.

Then, the upper plate 82 is pushed down, the upper base 82 is locked, and the print switch (not shown) on the operation panel 38 is turned on. Then, the CPU 111 drives the pulse motor 60 in the forward direction. As a result, the sensor unit 4o
Move in the Y direction from the point (see Figure 4). Light from the spot light source 61 is irradiated onto the document A, and this reflected light is guided through a mirror 62 and a lens 63 in order, and is irradiated onto an image sensor 64. As a result, an image corresponding to the original mA is projected onto the image sensor 64. Then, the image sensor 64 converts the image into an electrical signal,
The electric signal in units of bits is transmitted to the CP via the amplifier 110.
Output to U111. Thereby, the CPU 111 transfers the signal supplied from the image sensor 64 to the image processing unit 11.
Store in 2.

Then, when the irradiation up to point yb is performed, the CPU 111
stops the pulse motor 60 and stops the sensor unit 40. Next, when eight lines of image information are stored in the image processing section 112, the CPU 111 sequentially reads out each line and outputs it to the print control section 113. Then, the print control unit 113 drives the thermal head 70 according to the supplied signal for each line, and also drives the pulse motor 53 to move the platen 71 one by one.
While rotating by a line, the sensor unit 4o is moved by one line in the X direction. Then, when the transfer for 8 lines has been performed, the sensor unit 4o is moved in the Y direction from the point ya (see the second figure) again to read the original. As a result, the image corresponding to the original IA is transferred onto the paper P according to the driving of the thermal head 7o.

Next, a case will be described in which recording is performed on the document A on the document table 31 using a roll of thermal paper 92 as the paper P. First, the operator presses the push button 97. Then, the lock mechanism (not shown) is unlocked, one side of the upper plate 82 is raised, and the upper paper guide 77, thermal head 70, and paper presser O-rough 9 are displaced upward together with this.

Next, the operator places the cassette 91 on the top plate 82 using the i! Place the thermal paper 92 in this cassette 91 at @document cover 33.
Insert the thermal paper 92 using the side of the tapered portion 33a until it touches the paper.

Next, the operator pushes down the cassette 91, that is, the upper plate 82, locks the upper plate 82, and places the original 1iA on the document table 31.
! 3, close the document table cover 33, and turn on the print switch (not shown) on the operation panel 38. After that, the operation is the same as in the case of transferring one sheet of thermal paper, and the thermal paper 92
An image corresponding to the document A is transferred onto the document A by performing transfer according to the driving of the thermal head 70.

Next, the paper P is a roll of thermal paper 92, and this thermal paper 9
2, a case where image information from the television 99 is recorded will be explained. First, the operator presses the push button 97. Then, the lock mechanism (not shown) is unlocked, one side of the upper plate 82 is raised, and the upper paper guide 77, thermal head 70. Paper press roller 79 is displaced upward. Next, the operator places the cassette 9 on the upper plate 82.
1 is placed, and the thermal paper 92 in this cassette 91 is placed on the thermal paper 9 using the side of the tapered portion 33a of the document table cover 33.
Insert 2 until it stops.

The operator also connects the video interface 96 and the television 99 using a cord 98.

Next, the operator pushes down the cassette 91, that is, the top plate 82, locks the top plate 82, places the document A on the lljI table 31, closes the document table cover 33, and presses the online switch (not shown) on the operation panel 38. Insert.

Then, an image signal as image information and a synchronization signal from the television 99 are supplied to the video interface 96 via the cord 98. Thereby, the comparison unit 101 converts the supplied analog image signal into a digital image signal and supplies it to the control unit 103. Further, the synchronization signal detection section 102 detects the supplied vertical synchronization signal and horizontal synchronization signal, and supplies the detection results to the control section 103. Then,
The control section 103 stores one screen worth of image signals supplied from the comparison section 101 in response to the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal detection section 102, in the video memory 104. Then, the image signal for each line stored in the video memory 104 is output to the CPU 111. This results in
The CPLI 111 outputs a video signal for each line supplied from the control section 103 in the video interface 96 to the print control section 113. As a result, the print control unit 113 drives the thermal head 70 according to the supplied signal for each line, and also drives the pulse motor 53 to rotate the platen 71 by one line. As a result, the image of the television 99 is transferred onto the RS thermal paper 92 in accordance with the driving of the thermal head 70 .

As described above, the thermal head is placed above the platen in parallel and facing each other, and a cassette containing a roll of thermal paper is removably set on the top of the thermal head, and placed on the document table. By driving the thermal head based on information read from a placed original or image information from a television, a copied image of the original or an image displayed on the television is formed on the paper. Therefore, the depth dimension of the entire device can be reduced, and a cassette containing a rolled hot wire can also be set without increasing the size. Moreover, roll-shaped paper can be easily used. Furthermore, television image information can be easily recorded.

In addition, although the case where the roll paper in a cassette was half width was explained in the said Example, it is not limited to this and may be full width. Furthermore, although a case has been described in which the video interface is used to record television picture I and information, the present invention is not limited to this, and image information from a facsimile or the like may be recorded.

Furthermore, although the thermal head was line-shaped,
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be a serial one.

Effects of the Invention As detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to have a compact structure that can reduce the depth dimension, and the cassette containing the roll-shaped image forming member can also be set without increasing the size. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can perform

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 13 show one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view showing the structure of the main part of the invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view, and FIG. The figure is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the drive mechanism, FIG. 5 is a vertical front view showing the sensor unit part, and FIG.
7 is a vertical sectional front view of FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the reading width, FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the reading order, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the print section. Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of the external appearance when the cassette is attached to the top of the print section, Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the control circuit, and Figures 14 and 15 are 14 shows a conventional device, and FIG. 14 is a partially cutaway external perspective view of the conventional device with a ribbon cartridge installed. FIG.
The drawings are the same (schematic perspective view of the main parts. 33... Original table cover, 33a... Taper part, 34
...Print department, 35...Entrance, 36...Exit,
39...Scanner unit (image reading means), 40...Sensor unit (N image means), 53.60...Pulse motor, 61...Subbot I/light source, 64...Image sensor, 70 ...recording head (thermal head),
71...Platen (image forming member moving means), P.
...Paper, 91...Cassette, 92...15M paper (
image forming member), 96... video interface, 99... television (external compensator), 101... comparison section, 102... synchronization signal detection section, 103... control section,
104...Video memory. Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Porridge 9 Figure

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) Move the imaging means that illuminates the document placed on the document table with a light source and captures the light emitted from the document in a first direction and a second direction that intersects with the first direction. an image reading means for reading an image of a document by moving the image forming member; an image forming member moving means; a recording head disposed opposite to the upper side of the image forming member moving means; and a cassette in which the stored roll-shaped image forming member is set between the recording head and the image forming member moving means, and based on information read by the image reading means or recorded information from an external device. Image forming means for forming an image on an image forming member interposed between the recording head and image forming member moving means by driving the recording head; Device. (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cassette is detachably mounted on a mounting member. (3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is a thermal head. (4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming member moving means is a cylindrical platen. (5) Claim 1, wherein the recording head is arranged in a line in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the image forming member is transported by the image forming member moving means.
The image forming apparatus described in . (6) The image according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is a serial recording head that moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the image forming member is transported by the image forming member moving means. Forming device. (7) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a device that outputs image information. (8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a video interface is provided within the cassette.