JPS626283A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform erasure whatever original is mounted on an original platen by making a readout scan by a CCD image sensor and detecting an original area, and driving a DMD element on the basis of the detection signal and carrying out the erasure. CONSTITUTION:A DMD driving circuit turns on the DMD element in the original area of DMD 42 on the basis of an input signal. Consequently, light from a DMD/erasing light source 41 does not reach a photosensitive drum 20 as to only the original area where the DMD element is turned on, thereby performing the erasure of the photosensitive drum 20 except an original image. Further, DMD elements at both ends of the original area are turned off forcibly to erase black lines appearing at original image ends of a copy completely.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to an image processing device, particularly an image processing device using a semiconductor optical element.

(Prior art) Conventionally, in this type of device, for example, a copying machine that exposes an original to light to make a copy, the photosensitive drum is exposed to light using an LED or the like in order to uniformize the fatigue of the photosensitive drum and to obtain a copy of the original without dark spots. Erasing is performed by irradiating light onto areas on the drum that are not covered by normal images and erasing areas such as dark spots.

In this case, erasing is performed according to the recording paper size or the document size, but if the document placed on the document table is slightly shifted or diagonally, there is a drawback that dark spots cannot be erased.

(Objective) An object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the above-mentioned conventional examples, and to provide a scanning means for exposing and scanning a document, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image of the document image by light from the scanning means, and a latent image forming means for forming a latent image of the document image by light from the scanning means. It has an image forming means for visualizing an image, and an erase means having a plurality of electromechanical transducers, and the erase means emits light to the latent image forming means to obtain a predetermined original image. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device that leaves a latent image and erases other latent images.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the semiconductor optical element used in this example will be explained. In this example, a fine mirror is used as one of the electromechanical transducers DMD (De
(Formable Mirror Device) is used.

Regarding this DMD element, IEE Transact
ionon Electron Device Vo
1, ED-3ONo, 5544 (1983), and the optical system is also described in JP-A-59-17525.
has been disclosed.

The principle of the DMD element will be described below.

FIG. 3(a) shows a cross-sectional view of the DMD. Reference numeral 51 denotes a mirror structure, which is made of materials such as Al or Ag and serves to reflect incident light. Reference numeral 52 denotes a substrate that supports the mirror structure of 51.
It consists of u nato.

Reference numerals 53 and 54 are support members for 51 and 52, 53 is called a mirror contact, and in particular is for receiving a crest that performs electromechanical operation, and 54 is an insulating material of polyoxide Si.

55 is a polysilicon gate which serves as a gate of an EETMOS transistor. 56 is the air gap, 0
．． The sky is from 6 to several p. 57 is floating,
In the field plate, a voltage is applied to the floating field plate 57 from the N+ floating source 58 based on ON/OFF information of the transistor.

59 indicates an N+ drain. This is also a MOS type FFTl-
Serves as a component of the Run Sisters. 60 is a gate oxide, and 61 is a P-type silicon substrate.

FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view from direction A in FIG. 3(a),
b2 is an air gap, 63 is a part of the mirror that swings electromechanically, and 64 is a bottom part. Reference numeral 65 indicates a portion of the mirror on the surface of the DMD.

A DMD is manufactured using a process similar to that of an IC or LSI.

Figure 3(C) shows the electrical equivalent diagram, 66 is 51.52
shows the voltage VM applied to the mirror and support member of . 67 indicates the voltage vF applied to 58. 68 shows the transistor configuration, 59 D (drain) signal, 55 G
(gate) The voltage of vF is 8 due to ON and OFF of the signal.
4: Turned on and off. Voltage VM at 51.52 at Kono
is applied, and the potential difference is ON between 51, 52 and 58,
It will be increased or decreased depending on the OFF signal. At this time, a force F according to the following formula is generated between 58.57 and FC/)KV'' (K: constant l V: potential difference α: constant F
: bending force) The mirrors 51 and 52 are swung by the hinge portions 64.

Figure 3 (&) (7) The left figure shows the case where there is a large voltage difference between 51.52 and 58, the mirror bends from the hinge, and due to this action the incident light is twice the deflection angle of the mirror. It is reflected at a different angle.

On the other hand, when the voltage difference is small, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 3(a), the portions of the mirrors 51 and 52 are not bent by the force 57, which is so small that they are stretched.

Therefore, the incident light is reflected without touching the mirror. A DMD element is electrically ON.

It converts OFF into ON and OFF of the rocking of the mirror, and further into the deflection angle of light.

As shown in FIG. 4, this element has a large number of elements arranged in an array. Then, depending on the drive signal, Fig. 3(a) ~
It reacts electromechanically according to the operating principle shown in FIG. 4, and one of the array mirrors corresponding to the signal among the many arrayed mirrors shown in FIG. 4 swings.

FIG. 5 shows a driving circuit 70 for a DMD element.

In FIG. 5, s-i is an INPUT signal input amplifier, and in the case of a binary signal, it is turned ON and OFF, and in the case of an analog signal, a voltage corresponding to the amount is outputted. Since the signal is normally input in series, the serial-to-parallel converter 5
-2, it is converted into a parallel signal corresponding to the number of vibrating mirrors of the DMD element and stored in the register 5-3. The signals are simultaneously read out for one column using a synchronizing signal, and the amplifier 5-
4, a predetermined voltage signal is applied to the drains of the DMD elements in two columns 5-6, 5-7. On the other hand, decoder 5
-5 gives a gate signal to the DMD element according to the synchronization signal. Depending on the amount or presence of this drain signal,
Also, depending on the presence or absence of a gate signal for each column, the voltage of the floating lease of the DMD is transmitted to the floating field plate, and the ON/OFF selection of the vibration of the micromirror is performed.

This embodiment is intended to realize an image processing apparatus having an analog copying function and a digital copying function by using the DMD element described above.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the analog/digital copying machine of this embodiment. This will be explained below based on FIG.

First, the operation of the analog copying machine will be explained.

The functions of a copying machine can be roughly divided into four blocks: a paper feeding system, an exposure system, an image forming system, and a control system.

The operator opens the document table cover 1 and sets the document on the document table 2.Next, the operator sets the copy mode, etc. using an operation section (not shown).For example, when reducing or enlarging, the operator sets the document as necessary using the variable size key. Then, the number of copies, copy density, manual selection, copy mode, and single-sided copy or double-sided copy are selected using the respective keys.

The case of double-sided copying will be explained below.

When the operator selects duplex mode and turns on the copy start key, the halogen lamp 3 lights up and the photosensitive drum 2
0 rotates and the charged corona 13 is energized. The halogen lamp 3 and the first mirror 4 have the same structure and scan the document on the document table 2.

The scanned image passes through an optical system including a first mirror 4, a second mirror 5, a third mirror 6, a zoom lens 11, a fourth mirror 7, a fifth mirror 8, and a sixth mirror 9, and forms an image on the photosensitive drum 20. be done.

The image (latent image) formed on the drum 20 is transferred to a DMD, which will be described later.
/ The light from the erase light source 41 passes through the condensing lens 45, the DMD light source reflection mirror 46, the DMD line element 42, and the DMD element imaging lens 44, and the light is emitted onto the drum 20 according to the paper size of the original and the size of the transfer paper. The surface potential of the unimaged portions of the latent image is removed. Furthermore, the developing section 17
The latent image is developed and toner is attached to the latent image to make it visible. - The transfer paper fed from the selected paper feed cassette 22 or 24 is waiting on the registration rollers 30, and the registration rollers 30 rotate at a predetermined timing, and the drum 2
The image on the surface of the drum 20 is aligned with the image on the surface 0, and the image on the surface of the drum 20 is transferred to the transfer paper by the urging of the transfer corona 14.

Next, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 20 by a separation roller 31 and conveyed to a fixing section 33 by a paper conveyance belt 32.

Here, heat and pressure are applied to fuse the toner.

Here, since it is the duplex mode, the paper guide plate 34 is switched to guide the transfer paper to the paper discharge roller 37, and the transfer paper is once conveyed to the duplex paper discharge table 38 by the paper guide plate 34 and the paper discharge roller 37. .

The transfer paper conveyed to the double-sided paper output tray 38 naturally slides downward due to gravity, is loaded onto the roller 39, and is transferred to the intermediate cassette 2.
6 will be stocked. In this way, front side copies are made for the number of sheets set by the operator and stored in the intermediate cassette 26.

On the other hand, the image on the surface of the drum 20 that has been transferred is cleaned by a cleaning section 19, and residual toner adhering to the surface of the drum 20 is removed.

Furthermore, the residual potential on the surface of the drum 20 is removed by irradiation by the static elimination lamp 18. Then, the drum 20 is newly charged to a predetermined surface potential by the neutralizing corona 13, and a new image is formed.

Next, when the front side copy is completed, the operator turns the document over and performs a back side copy.

When the operator sets a document and turns on a new copy start key (not shown), back side copying starts.

As with the surface copy, an image is formed on the ram 20,
Toner is attached and visualized by the developing device 17.

Further, the transfer paper on which the front surface has been copied is fed from the intermediate cassette 26 at a predetermined timing as the paper feed roller 25 rotates, and the transfer paper is reversed by the guide plate 29 and added to the registration roller 30. Then, in order to align the leading edge of the image, a start signal is sent from a controller (not shown) to a drive unit (not shown) for the registration roller 30 at a predetermined timing.
The transfer paper remains inserted into the registration rollers 30 until it is outputted.

The registration roller 30 rotates at a predetermined timing to align the leading edge of the image, and the image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is transferred to the back side of the transfer paper in the same way as copying the front side, and the toner is fixed by the fixing unit 33. The transferred paper is then added to the paper guide plate guide roller 40. At this time, the paper guide plate 34 is switched to the paper discharge table 36, and the transfer paper is discharged onto the paper discharge table 36, and double-sided copying of the number of sheets set by the operator is performed.

In the case of normal single-sided copying, the paper guide plate 34 is switched to the paper discharge tray 36 side.

Further, when copying only the back side, the transfer paper fed from the cassette 22 or 24 is transferred to the intermediate cassette 26 in a blank state by energizing only one paper conveying system. At this time, the image forming system does not operate at all, and only the system that feeds the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette 22 or 24 and conveys the paper to the intermediate cassette 26 operates.

It also has an automatic exposure function to improve copy quality. This is to control the surface potential on the photoreceptor to a constant value so that a good density can always be obtained regardless of the original density. Before copying begins, the surface potential is first monitored. This transfers the light reflected by the standard reflector 10 from the exposure lamp 3 to the photosensitive drum 2.
First, the corona charger 13 is controlled so that the corona charger 13 is irradiated with 0 and the surface potential is detected by the 1 surface type position sensor 16 and becomes an appropriate value.

During a copy operation, when the operator selects the automatic copy density adjustment mode, the optical system performs prescanning to monitor the original, detects the density of the original, and sets the corona voltage and bias value. If the briscan operation by monitoring each copy is troublesome, the value of the developing bias of the developing device 17 is controlled so that the density of the original is successively detected in real time by the surface potential sensor 16 and the density becomes appropriate.

In addition, in the case of continuous copying (making multiple copies from the first original), the appropriate density can be achieved by controlling the corona voltage and lamp light intensity from the second copy. In addition, pre-scanning is performed to sample the reflected light irradiated onto the document surface, and based on the results, the light amount of the exposure lamp and the developing bias potential are controlled to make the reproduced image density appropriate.

Next, the operation as a printer will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the system configuration. As is clear from the configuration diagram shown in FIG. 6, when operating as a printer, data output from personal computers/word processors 103, 104 and database 102, which are other OA equipment, is read through an interface 15 such as an R5232C. This is output by the analog/digital copying machine 101 of the embodiment.

When operating as a printer, the optical system of the analog copying machine is fixed at the start position, and the exposure lamp 3 is turned off.

The light from the DMD/erase light source 41 is passed through the condensing lens 45.
, passes through the DMD light source reflection mirror 46 and is irradiated onto the DMD elements 42 arranged in a line as explained in FIGS. 3 to 5. The DMD/erase light source 41 may be either a rogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp, but both require a stabilized power source to keep the amount of light constant.

The DMD element 42 turns ON and OFF according to the image signal as explained in FIGS.
The MD element is turned on and the light shielding plate 43 cuts off light so that the photosensitive drum 20 is not exposed to light.

The light reflected by the DMD element 42 passes through a DMD element imaging lens 44, forms an image on the photosensitive drum 20 in the same way as in the case of analog copying, is transferred to transfer paper, and is output.

Note that when operating as a printer, the surface potential is detected by the surface potential sensor 16 as in the case of analog copying, and the developer 17 and corona charger 1 are
3 is controlled.

In addition, when performing analog copying, by operating the optical system of the DMD element described above, areas such as partial erasure of the original image can be specified, and digital data can be imported from external equipment such as a personal computer or word processor via an interface. Multiple recording can be performed by outputting to an analog/digital copying machine.

Editing functions such as area specification and multiple recording will be explained below. First, its operation will be explained. The analog/digital copying machine of this embodiment also has a function as an image reader, and when the operator selects the image read mode using the operation panel (not shown), the exposure lamp 3
The original on the original platen 2 is exposed through the slit 47', and the reflected light is read into an image signal by the CCD image sensor 48 via the short focus lens array (fiber lens) 47.

Note that the reading of the document by the CC[) image sensor 48 can also be performed simultaneously with the normal analog copying operation. In addition, the CCD image sensor 48 has a rate of 16 mm/mm
In this embodiment, a 1-magnification CCD is used.

The image signal read by the CCD image sensor 48 is input to an external device such as a personal computer or a word processor via the interface 15, and the image is reprocessed and created by energizing the DMD optical system 42 via the interface 15. Image.

Further, optical systems 3 to 9 are used to create analog copies, and DMD optical systems 42 are used to delete and insert images.

When analog copying is only performed temporarily, the DMD optical system 42 functions as an erase function (irradiating light onto unnecessary areas on the photoreceptor to reduce the potential).

Also, if you, as the user, give a command to the machine to print 0UTL data from the computer during analog copying, priority will be given to the analog copy and W will be sent to the computer's output.
ait (wait) is applied. These priorities can be determined by the program in the control section of this machine, such as by placing a dip mill switch (not shown) under the control panel or in a corner of the machine, and letting the operator choose which function to give priority to. good.

The image read by the CCD image sensor 48 of the analog/digital copying machine of this embodiment is input to the personal computer 103 via the interface 15, and the image is drawn on the screen of the personal computer 103.

A document image addressed in the x and y directions is drawn on the screen of the personal computer 103, and as necessary,
You can input this image to the floppy disk (FD) 103-1. Decide on the area where you want to partially erase or add the image using the keyboard 103-2 and mouse 103-3. You can input it. Note that this operation can be executed while making an analog copy.

Next, before giving a detailed explanation of image editing, the control system of this embodiment will be explained.

The control system of the analog/digital copying machine of this embodiment is composed of four controllers.

FIG. 2(L) is a diagram showing four controllers of the control system of this embodiment.

A controller 105 controls mechatronics for controlling electrophotography including analog copying. A controller 106 controls an operation display unit (not shown), a main drive motor, a servo motor for the original scanning system, and a pulse motor for moving the zoom lens. I do.

The controller 107 mainly controls the DMD element and the connection with external equipment through an interface. The controller 107 is equipped with a line memory, the capacity of which is approximately 19.2 Kbytes, which is equivalent to two lines.

A controller 108 controls a CCD image sensor 48 for image reading.

FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the controller 105.

Controller 105 based on Si%21ffl(b)
Each part that makes up the system will be explained. 105-1 is CPU
105-2 is an oscillator 105-1 which supplies the clock. 105-2 is a control unit of the controller 105;
PU, microcomputer, RAM, ROM
It consists of microcomputer peripherals such as.

Note that the CPU 105-2 is powered by battery backup and can hold information at the time of pot cutting. 10
5-3 is a document sensor for detecting a document. 105-5 is a temperature sensor for controlling temperature. C.P.
U 105-2 is document sensor 105-3. Potential sensor 1
6. Built-in A/D converter for inputting temperature sensor 105-5.

A drum encoder circuit 105-6 counts encoder pulses generated by the rotation of the drum drive motor of the copying machine and outputs a T1 pulse for timing control. 105-7 is a zero pulse detection unit, which detects the zero cross pulse To of the AC power supply. The zero-cross pulse To is used for a count pulse for a timer, a temperature, and a zero-cross trigger for the AC power supply in controlling the exposure lamp.

105-9 and 105-10 are I10 expansion chips.

Reference numeral 105-11 denotes a photosensor section, which is comprised of various sensors for document detection, toner detection, and the like. Controller 105
detects the original density pattern based on the detection signals from the original detection sensor 105-3 and the potential sensor 16.

Further, the CPU 105-2 of the controller 105 connects the photo sensor section 105-11. Controls the solenoid, clutch, etc. for controlling the copying machine.

FIG. 2(C) is a diagram showing the configuration of the controller 106. 10B-1 is an oscillator that supplies a clock to the CPU 106-2. 1os-2 is a CPU which is a control unit of the controller 106, and includes a microcomputer and a RAM.

Consists of ROM, etc. (1) Microcomputer peripherals. 106-3 is a driver that drives the display section 106-4. Reference numeral 106-5 is an operation unit for operating the copying machine, and various switches on the operation unit 106-5 are used to select a mode and operate the copying machine. 106-6 is a servo motor controller that drives and controls the main motor 106-8. 106-9 is the main motor 106-8
This is an optical encoder 1 that detects the movement of a person.

106-7 is the optical system F77Kita Koboku-Guinea Il
It is a servo motor controller that controls the '1g-10l movement.

106-11 is an optical encoder 2 that detects the movement of the servo motor 106-10.

106-12 is a pulse motor 10 for moving the zoom lens.
This is a pulse motor controller that drives and controls 6-13. The controller 105 and the controller 106 perform normal copy operations such as paper feeding, charging, exposure, development, transfer, conveyance, fixing, paper ejection, and photoconductor cleaning.

In addition, the controller 105 has seven sensor sections 105-11.
Detection of abnormal conditions through sensor input and software processing, such as serious abnormalities such as abnormal rise in fixing temperature, abnormal lighting of exposure lamp, paper jam, and minor abnormalities such as paper empty, etc.
Check for toner empty etc. and check for abnormalities before copying.

The mechatronic control of such copiers and the like is characterized by a large number of inputs and outputs and a large amount of real-time processing.

By applying the C-MOS gate array, which has become popular in 2018, it is possible to increase the number of manufacturing steps, simplify the peripheral circuit system, reduce the overall board area, and improve reliability. .

FIG. 2(d) is a diagram showing the configuration of the controller 107. 107-1 is an oscillator for supplying a clock to the CPU 107-2.

107-2 is a CPU which is a control unit of the controller 107.
The CPU 107-2 is composed of a microcomputer and peripheral devices such as ROM and RAM.

Further, the CPU 107-2 has a line backer memory for several lines. 107-3 is an external memory for storing image data, information data, and the like.

107-4 is a lamp regulator that controls the DMD/erase light source 41. The controller 107 inputs data from an external device via the interface 15, stores it in the external memory 107-3 or the line buffer memory, and sequentially outputs the data to the DMD drive circuit 70, recording the data by turning the DMD ON and OFF. make the action take place.

FIG. 2(e) is a diagram showing the configuration of the controller 108. 108-1 is an oscillator for supplying a clock to the CPU 108-2.

108-2 is a CPU that is a control unit of the controller 108
The CPU is a microcomputer and a ROM
, RAM, and other peripheral devices.

An image memory 108-3 stores image signals read by the CCD image sensor 48.

10g-4 is a driver for the CCD image sensor 48.

The image read by the CCD image sensor 48 is stored in the image memory 108-3 by the COD 108-2, but due to cost considerations, several lines of Batza memory (approximately 20 bytes) are provided instead of the image memory. Alternatively, data may be transmitted to an external device via the interface 15.

The control system described above performs normal analog/digital copying machine operations and also performs image editing.

As shown in the system configuration example of FIG. 6, an analog/digital copying machine and two personal computers/word processors (PC/WP) are connected.

Therefore, data can be freely exchanged between the PC/WPs 103 and 104, and image information read from the copying machine can be displayed on both 6RT screens or stored in memory.

FIG. 7 shows examples of drawing various copies obtained by this system. First, FIG. 7(a) shows an example of normal original copying using the analog copying function. When making an analog copy, you can freely enlarge or reduce the size using the magnification mechanism of the main machine. These commands can also be accessed from the main unit's control panel (
operation switch (not shown) or connected PC
This is also possible by outputting the instruction code via the interface 15 using the keyboard of the /WPs 103 and 104. You can also set the number of copies, density (Koi, Usui), etc. using the PC/WP103/104 keyboard.
Specify scaling ratio, double-sided copy mode, single-sided copy mode,
It is also possible to select a blank page mode (a mode in which either the front or back side is blank).

FIG. 7(b) is an example of analog copying of a designated area of a document. In this case, first, the area is specified using the operation unit (not shown) of the copying machine or the keyboard of the PC/WP 103, 104. Then change the size of the specified area (enlarge, reduce)
If so, set the magnification ratio. The analog/digital copying machine performs analog scanning of a document and forms an image on the photosensitive drum 20. (When changing the magnification, the zoom lens 11 changes the magnification according to the set magnification ratio.) At this time, the DMD 42 and the DMD optical system illuminate a portion of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 20 outside the designated area to perform erasing. In this way, analog copying of the designated area of the original is performed.

Figure 87 (C) shows the first half as an analog copy and the second half as a PC/W
This is an example in which images from P are connected to form one image. In this case as well, a book is created in which the size of the image is determined by changing the magnification appropriately.

FIG. 7(d) similarly shows an example in which an image reduced by analog copying is placed in a corner corner, and then the image is created using a DMD printer head. In the case of Figure 7 (C), first, the analog/
Connect the digital copying machine to an operation unit (not shown) or a PC/WP l
03.

The add mode is set by keyboard input at 104. Please note that additional data must be prepared in advance on PC/WP103,1.
Created by 04.

Next, when the copying operation is started, the original image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20 by the analog optical system, and the end of the latent image of the original on the photosensitive drum 20 comes to the position of the DMD optical system, and then the PC
/WP 103.

Additional data is sent via the interface from 104.
Additional data is supplied to the D drive circuit 70, written on the photosensitive drum 2o by the DMD 42, and transferred onto transfer paper.

In the case of FIG. 7(d), the analog/digital copying machine is first set to the composite mode by an operation unit (not shown) or a keyboard input from the PC/WP 103, 104. In the case of composition mode, the magnification ratio of the original image is determined and the size of the transfer paper is determined. Then, Pc/WP 103 and 104 create data to be combined with the analog original image. When the copying operation is started, an original image with variable magnification is formed on the photosensitive drum 20 by the analog optical system, and the D
Pc/wP1o3. by MD42. Insert data input from lo4 via the interface 15 is also written.

FIG. 7(e) shows an image read by the COD image sensor 48 on the PC/WP 103.

104 and make a fair copy, and the DMD 42 makes a digital copy. In this case, it is also possible to perform vertical and horizontal conversion. This vertical/horizontal conversion can be done with the font written by the user as is, or with the font recognized and formatted (
(by a character generator). This recognition and horizontal conversion algorithm is
/WP 103, l 04 (7) FD (71:F
It is contained in a diskette.

The case shown in FIG. 7(f) is an example of double-sided copying, in which the front side is digitally printed and the 0UTLlj side is made by analog copying. An example of how to use this double-sided copy is to make the front page using the PC/WP 103, 104, and make an analog copy of the report on the back side.

Although several examples of copy drawing have been shown above, various uses are possible depending on the user's ingenuity. It is also possible to print out images created by multiple PCs/WPs as one image.

Next, auto-erase performed using the DMD optical system will be explained. Conceivable cases of erasing include erasing in accordance with the document size, erasing in accordance with the transfer paper size, and erasing outside the specified area during area specified copying.

When erasing is performed according to the transfer paper size, for example, if the transfer paper is A4 size, by turning on the DMD element of the A4 size width of DMD 42, the outside work of A4 size is erased. . The case of area specification copy will be described later in the explanation of the area specification routine.

A case in which erasing is performed according to the original will be explained below.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a case where erasing is performed in accordance with the original, and will be explained based on FIG. 12.

First of all, the surface of the document table cover 1 on the document table 2 side is specially treated. Therefore, the light from the exposure lamp 3 is diffusely reflected by the surface of the document table cover 1 on the document table 2 side, and is always reflected in a fixed direction so that the light does not reach the COD image sensor 48. On the other hand, when reading the black information of a document using the COD, a small amount of light reaches the COD, resulting in a difference in the black level.

The position of the document can be read by the CCD image sensor 48 based on this black level difference.

As is clear from FIG. 1, the reading scan of the document table by the CCD image sensor 48 is always performed prior to the exposure scan of the document by the analog optical system.

The reading signals from the CCD image sensor 48 are sequentially output to the comparator 12-1, and the comparator 12-1 determines that the reading signal of the original is "l" and the reading signal of other than the original is "1".
0'' signal is stored in the line memory 12-2.
In this way, one line is stored in the line memory 12-2, and the line memory 12-2 is stored at least in CC.
The D image sensor 48 has a width equal to the number of lines in front of the analog optical system.

Signals are sequentially read line by line from the line memory 12-2 in synchronization with exposure scanning by the analog optical system, amplified by the amplifier 12-3, and output to the DMD drive circuit 70.

The DMD drive circuit 70 drives the DMD 42 based on the input signal.
Turn on the DMD element in the original area. For this reason, DM
The light from the D/erase light source 41 does not reach the photosensitive drum 20 only in the area of the original where the DMD element is turned on, and the area other than the original image on the photosensitive drum 20 is erased. Furthermore, by forcibly turning off the DMD elements at both ends of the original area, it is possible to completely erase the black line appearing at the edge of the original image of the copy. In FIG. 12, the DMD elements at portions a and b of the DMD 42 are off, and the portion C is on, so that the photosensitive drum 20 is a',
b” has been erased.

As described above, the CCD image sensor 48 reads and scans the document table 2 to detect the document area, and based on the detection signal, drives the DMD 42 to perform erasing.
Erase can be performed no matter how the original is placed on the screen.

FIGS. 8(a) to 8(g) are flowcharts showing the operation of the control system of the analog/digital copying machine of this embodiment.

FIGS. 8(a) to 8(g) will be explained below.

In step S1 of FIG. 8(a), it is determined whether or not the mode is the normal analog copy mode, and if the mode is the analog copy mode, the process advances to step S7.

In step S2, it is determined whether the mode is digital copy mode or not, and if the mode is digital copy mode, the process proceeds to the digital copy routine.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not to edit, and if it is an edit, the process advances to step S4, and if not, the process returns to step Sl.

In step S4, it is determined whether the mode is addition mode or not, and if it is the addition mode, the process proceeds to the addition routine.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the mode is the synthesis mode, and if the mode is the synthesis mode, the process proceeds to the synthesis routine.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not it is the reading mode. If the reading mode is the reading mode, the process proceeds to the reading routine, and if not the reading mode, the process returns to the step S3.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not an area is specified. If the area is specified, the process proceeds to the area specification routine, and if the area is not specified, the process proceeds to the analog copy routine.

In the flowchart of FIG. 8(a), it is determined in which mode the analog/digital copying machine is set.

FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing an analog copy routine.

In step Al of FIG. 8(b), the photosensitive drum 20 is
Perform a preparatory rotation.

When the copy start key is pressed in step A2, the process proceeds to step A3, where it is determined whether or not it is a variable size copy.If it is a variable size copy, the lens is set for the specified magnification in step A4, and the process proceeds to step A5, where the variable size copy is determined. If it is not a copy, the process proceeds to step A5 with the same magnification lens setting.

In step A5, a pre-rotation is performed to electrostatically clean the surface of the photosensitive drum 20.

In step A6, transfer paper of the specified size to cassette 2.
2. Take out the paper from 24 and feed it to the registration rollers 30.

In step A7, the optical system (exposure lamp 3, first mirror 4) is advanced to expose and scan the original, and the photosensitive drum 20
The original image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20, and registration is performed on the transfer paper of the registration roller 3'0 to transfer the original image on the photosensitive drum 20 to the transfer paper.

In step A8, the exposure scan of the document is completed, and it is determined whether the optical system is in the reverse position. If it is in the reverse position, the process advances to step A9, and the optical system is moved backward in step A9.

At this time, the original image transfer operation continues.

In step AIO, it is determined whether or not the specified number of copies have been completed, and when the specified number of copies have been completed, the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is cleaned in step All, and then erasing is performed according to the size of the rotating transfer paper.

FIG. 8(C) is a diagram showing a digital copy routine.

In step Di, the photosensitive drum 20 is rotated for preparation, and in step D2, it is determined whether it is copying the original or printing out data from an external source. If it is copying the original, the process proceeds to step D3, and in step D3, it is determined whether the start key has been pressed. If the determination is made and the start key is pressed, the process advances to step D4.

Pre-rotation is performed in step D4, paper feeding is performed in step D5, the DMD/erase light source 41 is turned on in step D6, the optical system is advanced in step D7, the original is read by the COD image sensor 48, and the read data is sequentially read in step D8. DMD drive circuit 7
0, the original image is written on the photosensitive drum 20, developed by the developing device 17, and then transferred to transfer paper.

In step D9, it is determined whether the optical system is in the inverted position. If it is in the inverted position, the process proceeds to step D10, where the optical system is moved backward, and when the specified number of copies have been completed in step DIO, the process proceeds to step 20.

Further, if data from the outside is to be printed out in step D2, the process advances to step D12, and step D1
When the start key is pressed in step D13
In step DI4, paper is fed, and in step D15, the DMD/erase light source 41 is turned on.

In step D16, data to be printed out is input from an external device via the interface 15, and in step D17, the data is sequentially outputted to the DMD drive circuit 70 to write a data image on the photosensitive drum 20, and the data image is developed by the developer 17. Transfer it to transfer paper.

In step D18, it is determined whether or not the data to be recorded has finished, and in step D19, it is determined whether or not the specified number of sheets have been printed out.When the specified number of sheets have been printed out, the process advances to step 020 and the DMD/erase light source 41 is turned off. After performing post-rotation in step D21, the copying operation ends.

FIG. 8(d) is a diagram showing the area designation routine.

In step R1 of FIG. 8(d), the document size is input, and in step R2, the coordinates of the specified area are input.

In step R3, the DMD/erase light source 41 is turned on, and when the copy start key is pressed in step R4, forward rotation is performed in step R5, paper feeding is performed in step R6, and the optical system is advanced in step R7 to expose the original. The scanned original image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20, but DM
The data is erased by the D/erase light source 41. When it is determined in step R8 that the position of the optical system has come to the designated area, in step R9 the DMD element of the DMD 42 corresponding to the designated area is turned on to prevent the designated area from being erased.

In step RIO, it is determined whether the exposure scan of the specified area has been completed based on the position of the optical system, and when the exposure scan of the specified area has been completed, the DMD 42
All DMD elements are turned off to erase the original image on the photosensitive drum 20, and when it is determined in step R12 that the optical system is in the reverse position, the optical system is moved backward in step R13.

When it is determined in step R14 that the specified number of copies have been completed, the DMD/erase light source 41 is turned off in step R15, and after performing post-rotation in step R16, the area designated copying operation is completed.

FIG. 8(e) is a diagram showing the reading routine.

In step Y1 of FIG. 8(e), the optical system is advanced and the COD image sensor 48 reads the document, and in step Y2, the read data is outputted via the interface 15.

When it is determined in step Y3 that the reading of the document has been completed, the optical system is moved backward in step Y4, and the reading operation is completed.

FIG. 8(f) is a diagram showing the synthesis routine.

In step G1 of FIG. 8(f), the transfer paper size is input, in step G2 the magnification of the original image is input, and in step G3 the coordinates of the original position in the composite image are input.

If it is determined in step G4 that the start key has been pressed, the process proceeds to step G5 for forward rotation, followed by sheet feeding in step G6, and in step G7 the DMD/erase light source 41 is turned on.

In step G8, the composite data inputted to the DMD drive circuit 70 via the interface 15 is sequentially output and written on the photosensitive drum 20, and in step G9 it is determined whether it is in the original area. A transfer operation is also being performed.

If it is determined in step G9 that it is the document area, step G
The optical system is advanced by the IO to perform exposure scanning of the original, and after changing the magnification to a specified magnification ratio, the zoom lens 11 irradiates the original reflected light onto only the original area, and an original image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20. At the same time, composite data is being written onto the photosensitive drum 20 by the DMD 42. Note that all the DMD elements of the DMD 42 corresponding to the area of the original image are turned on.

In step Gll, it is judged based on the position of the optical system whether exposure scanning of the original is completed or not. When the exposure scanning of the original is completed, the optical path to the photosensitive drum 20 by the analog optical system is cut off, and the exposure lamp 3 is turned off or the optical system is turned off. (rotating one of the mirrors 4 to 9) prevents light from reaching the photosensitive drum 20, and moves the optical system backwards.

゛ In step G13, the composite data bridge G1
DM when the specified number of printouts are completed in step 4.
After turning off the D/erase light i41 and performing post-rotation, the combining operation is completed.

FIG. 8(g) shows the additional routine in red.

In step TI of FIG. 8(g), the transfer paper size is input, a preparatory rotation is performed in step T2, and the document size is input in step T3.

When the start key is pressed in step T4, the process proceeds to step T5, in which forward rotation is performed in step T5, paper feeding is performed in step T6, and in step T7, the optical system is advanced to expose and scan the original to form an image of the original on the photosensitive drum 20. Image.

When it is determined in step T8 that the exposure scanning of the document has been completed, the optical system is moved backward in step T9, the DMD/erase light source 41 is turned on in step TIO, and the DMDIl [1870 additions input via the human interface 15] are turned on in step Tll. The data is output, additional data is written following the original image on the photosensitive drum 20, and the data is transferred to transfer paper and printed out.

In step T12, it is determined whether the printing of the original and additional data has been completed, and when the printing has been completed, the process proceeds to step T13, where the DMD/erase light source 41 is turned off, and in step TI4, it is determined that the specified number of sheets have been printed out. If determined, the additional operation is completed after performing the post-rotation.

As explained above, a normal analog copying machine is equipped with a DMD optical system, and the PC/WP 10 is connected via the interface 15.
By connecting to 3 and 104, it is possible to perform analog copying, digital copying, erasing in the case of variable size copying, composite copying of an original and digital data, and the like.

FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment of an analog/digital copying machine.

Only the differences between the analog/digital copying machine shown in FIG. 9 and the analog/digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1 will be explained.

The features of the analog/digital copier shown in Figure 9 are the DMD
The exposure lamp 3 is used as a light source of 42.

First, in normal analog copying, an optical system (exposure lamp 3, second mirror 5) exposes and scans the original on the original platen 2, and the reflected light from the original is transmitted to the second mirror 5, third mirror 6, and zoom lens 11. , fourth mirror 7, fifth mirror 8,
An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20 via the sixth mirror 9, and then a copying operation is performed as explained in FIG.

When operating as a printer, the optical system is fixed, the exposure lamp 3 illuminates a standard white plate, and the reflected light is transmitted to the first mirror, the second mirror 5, the third mirror 6, the zoom lens 11, and the fourth mirror. The light from the fourth mirror 7 is irradiated onto the fifth mirror 8' through the mirror 7, but at this time the fifth mirror 8' has rotated a little from its normal position, the light from the fourth mirror 7 is irradiated onto the DMD 42, and then the first As explained in the figure, data is written on the photosensitive drum 20 by turning on and off the DMD element of the DMD 42 according to the data input via the interface 15, and is transferred to the transfer paper.

The control system of this analog/digital copying machine shown in Fig. 9 is
It is the same as the analog/digital copying machine shown in the figure, but the difference in control is the rotation control of the fifth mirror 8' and when digitally copying the original, the original is read by the CCD image sensor 48 and stored once in the memory. After that, the optical system is fixed at the reference position, and I) the MD 42 writes the read data of the original onto the photosensitive drum 20.

Further, reference numeral 49 denotes an erase lamp, which irradiates light onto a portion of the photosensitive drum 20 where the image is not formed to erase the portion.

PC/WP I O3 via the analog/digital copier interface 15 of FIG.

By connecting to the PC/WP 104, images can be edited, synthesized, etc. using the PC/WP 103, 104.

Further, the analog/digital copying machine shown in FIG. 9 can perform multiple recording of digital data on an analog document.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of copying by the analog/digital copying machine of FIG. Figure 10 (7) (a), (
c), (d), (e).

For (f), see (a) and (c) in Figure 7.

This is done by adding control of the rotation of the fifth mirror 8' to the operations explained in (d), (e), (f) and FIGS. 5th mirror 8
' is rotated to irradiate the DMD 42. If all DMD elements of the DMD 42 are off at this time, the DMD 42 totally reflects the original light in the direction of the photosensitive drum 20 and forms an original image on the photosensitive drum 20.

When making additional copies as shown in Figure 10 (C), photosensitive drum 2
When the image formation of the original image on 0 is completed - the transformation optical drum 20
The rotation of the standard white plate 10 is stopped and the optical system returns to the reference position.
The DMD 42 is driven based on the data. Furthermore, if the surface of the document table cover 1 facing the document table 2 is made white, light for writing data to the DMD 42 can be supplied without temporarily stopping the photosensitive drum 20.

When performing the synthetic copy shown in FIG. 10(d).

As mentioned above, the document platen cover is made white, and the optical system scans the white surface of the document platen cover 1 and the document at the same time as D.
By writing digital data using the MD 42, a composite copy of the original image and the digital data is performed.

Figures 10(b) and (g) are examples of multiple copying of digital data on original copies.In this multiple copying, a DMD 42 is placed on the optical path of the analog optical system, and the reflected light from the original is exposed to light. This is made possible by driving the DMD 42 in accordance with the data to be recorded in an overlapping manner while forming an image on the drum 20.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for performing multiple copies. In this case, the analog/digital copying machine of FIG. 9 is set to multiple copy mode.

In step Zl of FIG. 11, it is determined whether the start key has been pressed, and if the start key has been pressed, step Z
2, the fifth mirror 8' is rotated to reflect the light onto the DMD 42.

If it is determined in step Z3 that it is a variable magnification copy, a lens with a designated variable magnification ratio is set in step Z4, and if it is a same size copy, the process proceeds to step Z5 with the same magnification lens used.

Pre-rotation is performed in step Z5, paper feeding is performed in step Z6, the optical system is advanced in step Z7, and data to be multiplexed is outputted to the DMD drive circuit 70 in step Z8 to be superimposed on the photosensitive drum 20 together with the original image. An image is formed, developed by a developing device 17, and then transferred onto transfer paper.

In step Z9, it is determined whether the exposure scanning of the original has been completed and the optical system has reached the reverse position.

When the optical system reaches the inverted position, the optical system is moved backward in step Z1O, and in step Zll it is determined whether or not copying of the specified number of sheets has been completed.When the specified number of sheets has been copied, backward rotation is performed in step 212 and multiple copying is completed.

In this case, the data to be multiple copied is interface 1.
5 may be input from an external device (PC/WP103, 104, etc.), or the analog/digital copying machine shown in Fig. 9 may be provided with a character generator, and the data may be input from the character generator based on the manual operation of the keys on the operating section. It may also be supplied to the read DMD drive circuit 70.

The case shown in FIG. 10(b) is an example in which characters are written in the margin of the original, and the case in FIG. 10(g) is an example in which data is written over the original.

As described above, 1. By providing an analog copying machine with a DMD optical system, it is possible to perform digital copying, and at the same time, it can also be used as a printer that inputs data from an external device via the interface 15 and prints out data.

Further, it is possible to edit the original data using an external device, and also to combine an analog copy of the original with digital data, thereby making the analog copying machine multi-functional.

In addition, since the DMD42 is placed in the analog optical system and the light source is shared, it can be used as a printer with a simple configuration.
Multiplex recording can also be performed (effects) As explained above, according to the present invention, erasing can be performed regardless of the state in which the original is placed, and it is also possible to change the magnification,
Erasing can be easily performed even when specifying an area.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an analog/digital copying machine. FIGS. 2(a) to (e) are diagrams showing the control system of this embodiment, and FIGS. 3(a) to (c), and FIG. 4 are diagrams showing the DMD. 5 is a diagram showing the DMD drive circuit 70, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the system configuration, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of copying by the analog/digital copying machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. ) to (g) are flowcharts showing the operation of this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the analog/digital copying machine of the second embodiment. Figure 1O is a diagram showing an example of copying by the analog/digital copying machine in Figure 9, Figure 1.1 is a diagram showing a multiple copy routine, and Figure 12 is a diagram showing auto-erase depending on the original. be. 1 is the document table cover, 2 is the document table, 3 is the exposure lamp, 4 is the first mirror, 5 is the second mirror, 6 is the third mirror, 7 is the fourth mirror, 8 is the fifth mirror, 9 is the sixth mirror Mirror, 10 is a standard white plate, 11 is a zoom lens, 12 is a cooling fan, 13 is a charging corona, 14 is a transfer corona, 15 is an interface, 1
6 is a potential sensor, 7 is a developer, 18 is a static elimination lamp, 19 is a cleaner, 20 is a photosensitive drum, 21 is an upper cassette paper feed roller, 22 is an upper cassette, 23 is a lower cassette paper feed roller, 24 is a lower cassette, 25 is an intermediate cassette paper feed roller, 26 is an intermediate cassette, 27 is an upper cassette paper guide plate, 28 is a lower cassette paper guide plate, 29 is an intermediate cassette paper guide plate, 30 is a registration roller, 31 is a paper separation roller, and 32 is an intermediate cassette paper guide plate. A paper conveyance belt, 33 a fixing heater roller, 34 a paper guide plate, and 35 a paper discharge roller. 36 is a paper discharge tray; 37. is a double-sided paper discharge roller, 38 is a double-sided paper discharge stand, 39 is an intermediate cassette guide roller, 40 is a paper guide plate guide roller, 41 is a DMD/erase light source, 42 is a DMD line element, 43 is a light shielding plate, 44 is a DMD
45 is a condensing lens, 46 is a reflection mirror for a DMD light source, 47 is a short focus lens, 48 is a COD image sensor, 47' is a slit 8' is a fifth mirror, and 49 is an erase lamp. 80(d) Figure 8Ce)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A scanning means for exposing and scanning a document; a latent image forming means for forming a latent image of the document image using light from the scanning means; an image forming means for making the latent image into a visible image; The erase means has an erase means having a mechanical conversion element, and the erase means emits light to the latent image forming means to obtain a predetermined original image, leaves a latent image of the predetermined original image, and leaves other latent images. An image processing device characterized by erasing.