JPS6291931A - Exposure level controller for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To very easily set the exposure voltage to an optimum value by correcting the exposure level while continuing a series of copying processes until a copy stop command is given if the copy density is not in a desired density level. CONSTITUTION:An operation circuit 12 having a start key 8 for the start of copying processes, a stop key 9 for end of them, a density mode set key 10 which sets the density of recording papers to either of 'dark', 'ordinary', or 'light', and a ten key 11 provided with keys from '1' to '10' is provided and is connected to a control circuit 13 which controls the exposure voltage. A non-volatile memory 14 where information related to the finally adjusted exposure level is stored is connected to the control circuit 13. Functions in the exposure level adjusting mode are set to the key of '1' and the key '6' out of keys of the ten key 11 to raise and lower the desired exposure level, which is set by the density mode set key 10, by one step respectively.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides electrostatic 7#! The present invention relates to an exposure level control device for a copying machine having an exposure device that forms an i-image.

[Prior art 1] As is well known, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoconductor, developed with toner, and transferred to recording paper.
When copying an original, the photoreceptor is charged to give it photosensitivity.

■Exposing the photoreceptor to light colors creates an electrostatic latent image.

■Develop the electrostatic latent image with toner.

■Transfer the developed image to recording paper.

■Fix the transferred image.

■Clean the photoreceptor.

By performing a series of steps, the image read from the original is recorded on recording paper.

In addition, in a multicolor copying machine, the original image is separated into colors, and each color separation image is charged, exposed, and developed as described above.

Repeating a series of transfer, fixing, and cleaning processes,
By superimposing each color separation on the same recording set, a multicolor print identical to the original image is obtained.

In such monochrome or multicolor copying, in order to obtain a copy image of optimum image quality, it is necessary to adjust the exposure voltage of the exposure device to an optimum value at the time of shipment or repair.

Conventionally, the exposure voltage of such an exposure device has been adjusted by (1) setting the charging voltage of the charger near the reference value, (2) measuring the surface potential of the photoreceptor in this state, and setting the measured value as the reference value. Adjust the charging voltage of the charger to match the value, (3) Set the exposure voltage of the exposure device to near the reference value, (4)
) This process involves adjusting the exposure voltage until the optimum image quality is achieved while copying a blank document.

Therefore, there is a problem that it is old-fashioned and superficial.

Therefore, in addition to the exposure device, a reference light source with a standard exposure amount is provided, and the light O from this reference light source and the light ω from the exposure device are automatically compared before the start of the copying cycle, and the light amount from the exposure device is set as the reference light source. A device that automatically matches the light intensity of the light source was published in 1983-
It is proposed in No. 44464.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, 1) In the method proposed in Kaimei No. 58-44464, a reference light source must be installed in addition to the exposure device, resulting in problems such as 1~up. There is.

The present invention was made to solve these problems, and its purpose is to provide an exposure level control device for a copying machine that can automatically set the exposure voltage of an exposure device to an optimum value using an inexpensive groove. Our goal is to provide the following.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention includes a first means for setting a desired exposure level of an exposure device, and a method for raising or lowering the desired exposure level set by the first means one step at a time. and a control means for controlling a series of copying steps at the exposure level set by the first means and further corrected by the second means as necessary until a copy stop command is given. The above object is achieved by providing a nonvolatile memory that stores information regarding the exposure level at the time of input of the copy stop command.

[Operation] A desired exposure level is set by the first control means, and a series of copying steps is executed. When the resulting density of the recording paper reaches a desired density level, the exposure level is corrected by the second means while continuing the series of copying steps until a copying stop command is given. As a result, when the desired density level is obtained and a command to stop copying is given, the exposure level for this Illfish is stored in the non-volatile memory, and from then on, the exposure level stored in the non-volatile memory will be used continuously. The copying process is executed.

[Example 1 Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on Examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention,
A charger 3 to which a high charging voltage VCC from a charging power source 2 is applied around the photosensitive drum 1; an exposure device 5 to which an exposure voltage Vf is applied from an exposure power source 4 to expose the photosensitive drum 1;
A developing device 6 for covering the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with a KA image, and a cleaner 7 for cleaning the photosensitive drum 1 are arranged.

On the other hand, the start key 8 degrees starts the copying process, and the stop key 9 degrees stops the copying process. ``Abyss'' of recording paper
10. Density mode setting key to set it to either "normal" or "obscene". An operating circuit 12 having a numeric keypad 11 with keys from 1 to 10 is provided, and is connected to a control circuit 13 for controlling the exposure voltage. A non-volatile memory 14 is connected to the control circuit 13 for storing II'7 information regarding the finally adjusted exposure level.

Here, among the keys on the numeric keypad 11, the key with the number "1" increases the desired exposure level set with the density mode setting key 10 by one step, and the number "1-" with the number "6" decreases the exposure level by one step. One function in the exposure level adjustment shade is set for each key.

Figure 2 shows the control V used to optimally control the exposure level.
2 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the circuit 13,
When the exposure level adjustment mode is selected on the console (not shown), the control circuit 13 first determines whether the density mode "Dark", "Normal", or "Light J" has been set using the density mode setting key 10 (step 20). ), once any mode is set, a series of copying processes is started to adjust the exposure level in this density mode to a desired exposure level on the condition that the start key 8 is pressed (step 22).As a result, for example, copying is started by adding +15 to the density level of [Low 1.Therefore, if the density of the recording paper 151 in this state is light C, then the Δpelator increases the density level of 151 -1--. The A-1 of the number "1" of 11 is pressed, and if it becomes dark, the key of the number "6" is pressed, so it is necessary to determine which key was pressed.Step 23.24>, "1" If the key ``6-1'' is pressed, the exposure voltage will be increased by one step, and if the key ``6-1'' is pressed, the exposure voltage will be decreased by one step (
Step 27.28).

While performing such operations, if the image quality of the desired density is achieved, stop 1-9 is pressed, so the control circuit 13 stops copying T-culm on the condition that the stop key 13 is pressed. Stop control. Then, information regarding the exposure voltage at this time is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 14 (
Step 30). This completes the adjustment of the exposure level in, for example, the "low density" mode.

On the other hand, if the stop key 9 is not pressed and the number of copies reaches the set number (for example, 100), it is determined in the same way as if the stop key 9 was pressed, and copying 1) 〒1ltlJ crime is stopped. Then, information regarding the exposure voltage at this time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step 30).

Therefore, by simply operating the operating circuit 12 while a series of copying steps is being performed, the image can be "dark".

It is possible to adjust the exposure level in each density mode of ``-stream'' and ``thin'' to a desired 11 light level.

Note that the information stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 is not limited to the exposure voltage, but may be a coefficient or ratio to the reference exposure voltage.

[Effect of defense 1 As explained above, the first means for setting the desired exposure level of the exposure device and the desired exposure level set by this first means one step at a time.” or a second means for lowering the exposure level, and a series of copying steps is controlled at the exposure level set by the first means and further corrected by the second means as necessary until a copy stop command is given. Since a control means and a non-volatile memory for storing "n information regarding the exposure level at the time of input of the copy stop command are provided, the exposure voltage can be set to an optimum value extremely easily and with an inexpensive structure.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for automatically setting the exposure voltage of an exposure device. 1... Photosensitive drum, 2... Charging power source, 3... Charger, 4, Exposure power source, 5... Exposure device, 8... Star 1
- key, 9...Start key, 10...Concentration mode setting key, 11...Numeric keypad, 12...Operation circuit,
13... Control circuit, 14... Nonvolatile memory. Applicant's representative: Takahisa Kimura [, Yami-.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A copying machine that is equipped with an exposure device that exposes a photoreceptor imparted with photosensitivity to form an electrostatic latent image, and that develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer and transfers it to recording paper, a first means for setting a desired exposure level of the exposure device;
a second means for raising or lowering the desired exposure level set by the means one step at a time, and an exposure level set by the first means and further corrected by the second means as necessary. An exposure level control device for a copying machine, comprising a control means for controlling a series of copying steps until a copy stop command is given, and a nonvolatile memory that stores information regarding the exposure level at the time the copy stop command is input. (2) The exposure level control device for a copying machine according to claim (1), wherein the copy stop command is given from a copy stop key. (3) The exposure level control device for a copying machine according to claim (1), wherein the copying stop command is given from means for detecting that the number of copies has reached a predetermined number.