JPS63106755A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and accurately give print positioning marks without providing a special printing mechanism by using an image forming means to give patterns of positioning marks to both outside end parts of a maximum image forming part. CONSTITUTION:A main control part 81 outputs a mark giving signal to an auxiliary control part 83 when the monochromatic mode is selected with a mode key on an operation panel 2. When the mark giving signal is supplied from the main control part 81, the auxiliary control part 83 prints leading positioning marks on the front end part of a form P by a thermal head 31 before an image part is printed by the thermal head 31. The auxiliary control part 83 prints trailing positioning marks on the rear end part of the form P by the thermal head 31 after the image part is printed by the thermal head 31. Thus, print positioning marks are easily and accurately given.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming method for forming an image of a color-separated original document, which is required when creating a printing plate for offset printing, for example. Regarding equipment.

(Prior Art) Recently, plate making and printing technology has made great progress with the development of electronics, and electronic plate making has become mainstream today. This electronic plate making photoelectrically converts the shading of the original image,
By performing certain processing on the electrical signal, the intensity of the light is changed, exposing the film (photosensitive material), and developing it to create negative or positive film, which is the basis of the original printing plate. .

However, in such a method, the manufacturing process is very complicated, and the machine itself is large and therefore very expensive. In addition, conventionally it was only used for creating original plates, so it could not be used for other purposes.

Roughly speaking, in order to ensure reliable alignment with the film for creating a printing master plate for each color (base plate), alignment marks (register marks) are pasted by hand on each film for creating a printing master plate. It was attached and worn. For this reason, the operability was poor, and there was also a possibility that positional deviation would occur.

Therefore, a method that uses a transfer type color copying machine to create a file for creating a printing master plate is considered, and at the same time as this image is formed, alignment marks are automatically added, that is, marks are generated in the image. We are thinking of things that will make it happen.

However, in such a device, since the print head that prints the image also prints the alignment mark, the alignment mark can only be provided within the image forming section. For this reason, there is a drawback that the image and the alignment mark overlap, making it difficult to see the alignment mark and making it difficult to confirm it.

Furthermore, if the area around the alignment mark is made into a non-image area in order to make it easier to see the alignment mark, there is a drawback that the print range of the image becomes smaller.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the conventional method, the image and the alignment mark overlap, making it difficult to see the alignment mark and making it difficult to confirm. . Furthermore, if the area around the alignment mark is made into a non-image area, there is a drawback that the print range of the image becomes smaller.

Therefore, the present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks, and makes it possible to easily and accurately apply marks for print alignment without adding a special printing mechanism, and to ensure that marks are clearly distinguished from images. To provide an image forming device capable of attaching marks for alignment, making it easy to confirm the marks for alignment, and preventing the print range of an image from becoming small and marks from being attached within the image. With the goal.

[Configuration of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems)] The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a scanning means for optically scanning a document and reading it as a plurality of types of color signals, and a scanning means for reading each color signal obtained by the scanning means. A color conversion means for converting image formation signals of a plurality of colors, and a color conversion means for converting image formation signals of a plurality of colors, and a color conversion means for converting image formation signals of a plurality of colors into image formation signals of a plurality of colors. An image forming means for forming a single-color or multi-color image on an image forming medium, a generating means for generating a pattern of print alignment marks, and a pattern of print alignment marks from the generating means. It is comprised of means for applying an image to both outer ends of the largest image forming area on the image forming medium using an image forming means.

(Operation) This invention optically scans a document to read it as multiple types of color signals, converts each of the obtained color signals into multiple color image forming signals, and converts one of the multiple color image forming signals into a multiple color image forming signal.
The image forming means performs single-color or multi-color image formation on separate image forming media using single-color or multi-color image forming media according to each image forming signal, and forms the above-mentioned multi-color images. When forming images for each of the signals, a pattern of alignment marks is applied to both outer ends of the largest image forming section using the image forming means. be.

(Example) Hereinafter, a practical example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show, as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a thermal transfer color copying machine that is capable of selectively producing multicolor color copies and producing films for producing printing original plates. In other words, 1 is the main body of the copying machine, and this main body 1
An operation panel 2 is provided at the front of the top surface. The left side of the main body 1 is a document scanning section 8 that scans and reads a document set on a document table 7, and the right side is an image forming section. Note that 10 is a document cover provided on the document table 7 so as to be openable and closable.

The document scanning section 8 is configured as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. That is, the document table 7 is fixed to the main body 1, and the document 0 set on the document table 7 is placed below the document table 7 by reciprocating along its lower surface in the direction of arrow a in the figure. A scanner 11 is provided for optical scanning and reading. The scanner 11 supports an illumination lamp 12 that illuminates the original O, a photoelectric converter 13 that receives reflected light from the original fIO, an optical system 14 that guides the reflected light from the original O to the photoelectric converter 13, and these. Carriage 1
Consisting of 5. The photoelectric converter 13 photoelectrically converts the reflected light from the original O to convert the image of the original O into cyan, green, yellow (or red, green,
It separates and outputs a color signal of (blue) light, and is mainly composed of, for example, a CCD type line image sensor. As shown in FIG. 5, the carriage 15 is guided by a guide rail 16 and a guide shaft 17 so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction of arrow a. At one end of the guide shaft 17, a scanning motor (for example, a pulse motor) 1 capable of forward and reverse rotation is mounted.
A drive pulley 19 is driven by a drive pulley 8, and a driven pulley 20 is disposed at the other end thereof, and a timing belt 21 is stretched between these pulleys 19 and 20. One point of the timing belt 21 is fixed to the carriage 15 via a fixing member 22.

This allows the carriage 15 to move linearly by rotating the scanning motor 18 in the forward or reverse direction.

The image forming section 9 is configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example. That is, a platen 30 is disposed approximately at the center of the image forming section 9, and a thermal head 31 is disposed on the left side facing the platen 30. The thermal head 31 is attached to a heat radiator 33 that is integrally formed on the rear end surface of the holder 32.

A ribbon cassette 35 containing a thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 as an image forming medium is detachably attached via a holder 32, and the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 is interposed between the thermal head 31 and the platen 30. It has become. As shown in FIG. 6, the ribbon cassette 35 has two parallel winding cores 36 and 37 around which both ends of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 are wound, and a midway portion of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 is wound around the cores 36 and 37. In order to be interposed between the platen 30 and the thermal helad 31, it is covered with a case 38 with a part thereof exposed. When the ribbon cassette 35 is attached, the winding cores 36 and 37 are connected to a drive shaft of a motor (not shown) via a drive force transmission mechanism (not shown), and are rotated as necessary. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the ribbon cassette 35 can be inserted into or removed from the holder 32 through an insertion/removal port 39 formed on the right side of the main body 1. Note that the insertion/removal port 39 is provided with a lid 40 that can be opened and closed.

A paper feed row 541 is provided at the diagonally lower right portion of the platen 30, and a paper (or plastic film) as an image forming medium housed in the paper feed cassette 42 is provided.
P is taken out one by one. Paper feed roller 41
The paper P taken out is sent to the registration rollers 43 disposed diagonally above and to the right of the paper feed roller 41, and its leading edge is aligned, and then transported by the registration rollers 43 toward the platen 30. The press is wrapped around the platen 30 by rollers 44, 45, and is thereby accurately fed. Here, the paper feed cassette 42 is detachable from the front of the main body 1.

Note that 46 in FIG. 6 is a manual paper feeding device for manually feeding the paper P.

Further, below the registration roller 43, there is a detector 1 for detecting the leading edge of the paper P taken out from the paper feed cassette 42.
01 is provided.

Further, the thermal head 31 is activated after the leading edge of the paper P is detected by the detector 101! When the paper P (pulse motor for Wi feeding) is fed a predetermined number of steps corresponding to the distance that the leading end of aP corresponds to the thermal head 31, that is, before the thermal head 31 prints the image area. An alignment mark is printed on the leading edge of the paper P, and when the paper P is fed a predetermined number of steps roughly corresponding to the paper size, that is, after the image area is printed by the thermal head 31, Alignment marks are printed on the edges.

Further, the detector 101 detects the leading edge of the paper P, and is composed of, for example, a detection lever and a microswitch.

The thermal head 31 presses the paper P against the platen 30 via the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34, and as shown in FIG. It is designed to be transcribed. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 has a width approximately equal to that of the paper P.
One.

Magenta, cyan, and black ink portions 47Y.

47M, 47G, and 47e are sequentially stacked one on top of the other, and after transferring one color at a time, the paper P is returned to the transfer starting position.
It is designed to overlap accurately one after the other. Note that the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 may not have the black ink portion 47a, and in that case, substantially black can be produced by overlapping three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan.

In addition, in the case of color copying, each ink part 47Y, 47M of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 is used as described above.

Image formation is performed using 47c and 47g. On the other hand, when creating a film for printing original plates, a solid black thermal transfer ink ribbon, for example, is used as the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 to form an image. In this case, it is not necessary to use a solid black thermal transfer ink ribbon, and the image may be formed using the black ink portion 47s of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34.

During color copying, the paper P is reciprocated by the number of colors by the rotation of the platen 30, but the path of the paper P at this time is to the bottom surface of the paper output tray 48 which is provided on the main body 1 at an angle. The 1st. 2nd information board 49.50
be led upwards. This includes the platen 30 and the first. The first guide plates 49 and 50 are respectively provided between the ends of the second guide plates 49 and 50.
This is done by the second distribution gates 51, 52. That is, first, the paper P taken out from the paper feed cassette 42 is transported through the registration rollers 43 and the first sorting gate 510, and its leading end is wound around the platen 30. Next, the platen 30 is rotated in the forward direction by a pulse motor (not shown) to transport the paper P at a constant speed, and the heating elements of the thermal head 31 arranged in a line tod shape along the axial direction of the platen 30 (not shown) generates heat in response to the print signal, and thereby the ink 47 of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 is transferred onto the paper P. Then, the leading edge of the paper P that has passed through the platen 30 is transferred to the second sorting gate 52 located at the solid line position.
Accordingly, the first
It is sent onto the guide plate 49. In this way, when the transfer of ink 47 of one color is completed, the platen 30 is rotated in the opposite direction, so that the paper P is reversely transported and returned to the transfer starting position. At this time, the rear end of the paper P is moved to the first guide plate 49 by the first sorting gate 51 which is rotated to the position shown by the two-dot chain line.
is sent onto a second guide plate 50 provided along the lower surface of the . In this way, a plurality of colors are transferred by moving the paper P back and forth a plurality of times. Finally, the paper P that has been rolled for all the colors of ink 47 is transferred to the second distribution gate 52 which is rotationally displaced to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line.
The paper is guided to the paper ejection roller 53 by the paper ejection roller 53, and is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 48.

Note that when forming an image using a solid black thermal transfer ink ribbon, that is, when creating a film for creating a printing plate, the transfer is performed only once, and the paper P is not moved back and forth, and the paper after the transfer is completed. P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 48 as it is.

FIG. 9 shows the operation panel 2, in which a mode key 61 is used to select between normal mode (color copying mode) and monochrome mode (film production mode for producing printing master plates).
, a color selection key 62 for specifying the color in single color mode, a numeric keypad 63 for setting the number of copies, etc., a clear key 64 for clearing the set number of copies, etc., a copy key 65 for starting the copying operation, and a numeric display for displaying the number of copies, etc. A status display section 67 for displaying a device 66, an operating state, etc. is provided. The color selection keys 62 include, for example, a Y key 68 for specifying yellow (Y), and an M key 69 for specifying magenta (M).
, C key 70 to specify cyan (C), black (B)
It is composed of a B key 71 for specifying the color, and a batch print key 72 for specifying sequential output of each color.

FIG. 10 schematically shows the overall control system, including a main control section 81, a first sub-control section 82, and a second sub-control section 83.
have. The main control section 81 includes the operation panel 2, a correction circuit 84, a luminance/color difference separation circuit 85, and an image quality improvement circuit 86.
, a color signal conversion circuit 87, a binarization circuit 88, a first sub-control section 82, and a second sub-control section 83, and control these sections. The first sub-control unit 82 includes a light source control unit 89
, motor drive section 90, photoelectric converter 13, A/D converter 91, and resolution conversion section 92, and controls these. The light amount control section 89 is connected to the illumination lamp 12 and controls the light amount thereof. A motor drive unit 90 is connected to the scanning motor 18 and drives it. The second sub-control unit 83 includes a thermal head temperature control unit 93, the thermal head 31, and various detection switches 9.
4, the drive unit 95, and the detector 101, respectively, and controls these. The drive unit 95 is connected to a drive system 96 such as a motor and a solenoid, and drives the drive system 96 .

The main control unit 81 operates using a mode key 61 in the operation panel 2.
Accordingly, when the single color mode is selected, a marking signal is output to the sub-control unit 83.

The signal flow in FIG. 10 in such a configuration will be explained. The reflected light of the light irradiated onto the original from the illumination lamp 12 forms an image on the photoelectric converter 13 . Photoelectric converter 1
3 separates this light into analog color signals of cyan (C), green (G), and yellow (Y), and sends the light to an A/D converter 9.
Send to 1.

The A/D converter 91 converts each analog color signal into a digital signal and sends it to the resolution converter 92. The resolution conversion unit 92 performs resolution conversion to match the resolution of the photoelectric converter 13 and the resolution of the thermal head 31, and sends the result to the correction circuit 84. The correction circuit 84 performs correction processing on each of the C, G, and Y color signals sent from the resolution converter 92 in order to correct variations in the photoelectric converter 13, and sends the results to the luminance color difference separation circuit 85. . The luminance and color difference separation circuit 85 performs various calculation processes on the C, G, and Y color signals sent from the correction circuit 84, and separates the luminance signal (I), color difference signal @1 (C1), and color difference signal 2 (C2). ) and sent to the image quality improvement circuit 86. The image quality improvement circuit 86 analyzes the luminance signal, color difference signal 1, and color difference signal 2 sent from the luminance color difference separation circuit 85,
The image is subjected to image improvement processing such as edge enhancement and character identification, and then sent to the color signal conversion circuit 87. The color signal conversion circuit 87 receives a luminance signal, a color difference signal 1, and a color difference signal 2 that have been subjected to image quality improvement processing.
Performs color conversion based on , yellow (Y), magenta (
M), cyan (C).

Black (B) Converts it into a color signal of any one of the three primary colors (Y, M, C) plus B during printing, and converts it to a binarization circuit 8
Send to 8. The binarization circuit 88 receives the color signals (Y, M, etc.) sent from the color signal conversion circuit 87.

gradation conversion, that is, binarization, is performed on one of C and B), and the binarized signal is sent to the thermal head temperature control section 93. The thermal head temperature control section 93 sends a print signal to the thermal head 31 based on the binarized signal sent from the binarization circuit 88 . The thermal head 31 performs printing (that is, image formation) according to this print signal.
Do the following.

Here, the color signal conversion circuit 87 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. Luminance signal (I), color difference signal 1 (CI), and color difference signal 2 sent from the image quality improvement circuit 86
Each signal (02) is sent to the color signal conversion circuit 87, where Y, M.

A binarization circuit 88 converts one of the color signals of C and B.
I am sending them to Y, M, and C.

The selection of the B color signal is performed by the main control section 81.

That is, as shown in the table below, the main control section 81 receives the signal a.
, b are sent to the binarization circuit 88 by the combination of Y, M
, C, and B color signals are selected. Note that the above color signals are automatically selected sequentially in the normal color copying mode (for example, in the order of Y→M-4C→B), and in the monochrome mode, they are selected according to the operation of the color selection key 62. If a corresponding color signal is selected and a mark application signal is supplied from the main control unit 81, the sub-control unit 83 applies a mark to the leading edge of the paper P before the thermal head 31 prints the image area. The thermal head 31 prints a leading edge alignment mark, and after the thermal head 31 prints the image area, the thermal head 31 prints a trailing edge alignment mark on the trailing edge of the paper P. It is to be printed.

The timing of applying the alignment mark is determined by the number of pulses of a pulse motor (not shown) for conveying the paper, which starts counting when the detector 101 detects the leading edge of the paper P.

The above alignment mark is located outside the image forming area of paper P (
(outside the largest image forming area). That is, it is usually an apparatus that can perform color copying, and because the mechanism and control for color copying are simple, printing is performed by moving the paper P back and forth. For this reason, paper P
For example, when the paper P is A4 size, the image formed on the paper P is smaller than the A4 size as shown in FIG. As a result, a portion (approximately 10-odd millimeters) where no image is formed is created at the leading edge pa and trailing edge Pb of the paper P. Therefore, alignment marks A are provided on the leading edge Pa and trailing edge Pb of the paper P where no image is formed.

Alternatively, the paper P may be longer in length than A4 size, and the print alignment mark may be provided on the longitudinal edge of the paper, that is, on the outside of the A4 size.

Next, the operation will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b). First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the monochrome mode is selected. If the monochrome mode is not selected, it is the normal color copying mode, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, a reset signal is output to the sub-control unit 83, and the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the copy key 65 is turned on. If it is not turned on, the process returns to step S1, and if it is turned on, the process goes to step S4. In step S4, an image forming operation is performed. That is, in this case, since the mode is color copying, color copying (image formation) is performed using the thermal transfer ink ribbons 34 of a plurality of colors by the above-described operation.

In step S1, if the single color mode is selected, this is the mode for producing a film for producing a printing original plate, so the process advances to step S5. In step S5, the main control unit 81
outputs a marking signal to the sub-control unit 83, and in step S
Proceed to step 6. In step S6, the batch printing flag is reset, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, as an initial setting, the color signal conversion circuit 87 is commanded to convert the yellow (Y) color signal into a color signal, and the process proceeds to step S8. Step S8
Now, it is determined whether the -pattern printing key 72 is turned on or not.
If it is not turned on, the process advances to step S10. If it is determined that the batch print key 72 is turned on in step 8, the batch print flag is set and the process proceeds to step S10. In step $10, it is determined whether or not the color selection key 62 is turned on, and if it is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S1.
Go to 1. In step S11, it is determined whether the single color mode has been cleared by pressing the mode key 61. If it is determined that the mode has been cleared, the process returns to step 1; if not, the process proceeds to step 12. In step 812, it is determined whether or not the copy key 65 is turned on. If it is not turned on, the process returns to step S8; if it is turned on, the process goes to step S821.

If the color selection key 62 is turned on in step S10, the process advances to step 813. In step 13, the batch printing flag is reset, and the process proceeds to step 814. In step 814, it is determined whether or not the Y key 68 is turned on. If the Y key 68 is turned on, step 8
Proceed to step 15.

In step 815, the color signal conversion circuit 87
Y) to a color signal, and the process returns to step S8.

In step 814, if the Y key 68 is not turned on, the process advances to step S16. In step 816,
It is determined whether the M key 69 is turned on, and the M key 69 is turned on.
If it is turned on, the process advances to step 817. In step S17, the color signal conversion circuit 87 is commanded to convert hemagenta (M) into a color signal, and the process returns to step S8.

In step 816, if the M key 69 is not turned on, the process advances to step 818. In step 818,
It is determined whether or not the C key 70 is turned on, and the C key 70 is turned on.
If it is turned on, the process advances to step S19. In step 819, the color signal conversion circuit 87 is commanded to convert into a Hessian (C) color signal, and the process returns to step S8.

In step S18, if the C key 70 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step 82''0.In step 820, it is determined that the B key 71 is turned on, and the color signal of the color signal conversion circuit 87 is transferred to the black (B). , and returns to step S8.

In step 21, it is determined whether the batch printing flag is set, and if it is not set, step 22
Proceed to.

In step 822, an image forming operation is performed for a single color component. That is, since this is the mode for producing a film for producing a printing original plate, monochrome copying (image formation) using a monochrome thermal transfer ink ribbon is performed by the above-described operation.

In this case, when the color signal conversion circuit 87 is instructing to convert the yellow (Y) color signal into a color signal, image formation is performed for the yellow component of the image of the document, and the color signal of the color signal conversion circuit 87 is hemagenta (M). When commanding conversion to , image formation is performed on the magenta component of the original image,
When the color signal conversion circuit 87 is commanded to convert Hessian (C) to a color signal, image formation is performed for the cyan component of the image of the original, and the color signal conversion circuit 87 Hessian (B)
When instructing the conversion into a color signal, image formation is performed for the black component of the original image. In this case, it is assumed that a solid black thermal transfer ink ribbon is set in advance, and as the paper P, for example, a plastic film is set in advance.

As a result, different films for producing printing original plates can be obtained for the yellow component, magenta component, cyan component, or black component of the original image.

If it is determined in step 21 that the batch printing flag is set, the process proceeds to step 23.

In step 23, the color signal conversion circuit 87
) to a color signal, and the process proceeds to step 24. In step 24, image formation for the yellow component of the original image is performed on the first sheet of plastic film or paper, and the process proceeds to step 25.

In step 25, the color signal conversion circuit 87
) to a color signal, and the process proceeds to step 26. In step 26, image formation for the magenta component of the original image is performed on the second sheet of plastic film or paper, and the process proceeds to step 27.

In step 27, the color signal conversion circuit 87 converts the Hessian (C)
Then, the process proceeds to step 28. In step 28, image formation for the cyan component of the original image is performed on the third sheet of plastic film or paper, and the process advances to step 29.

In step 29, the color signal conversion circuit 87
) to a color signal, and the process proceeds to step 30. In step 30, image formation for the black component of the original image is performed on a fourth sheet of plastic film or paper.

The provision of print alignment marks when performing an image forming operation for a single color component as described above will be described.

That is, in the monochromatic mode, a marking signal from the main control section 81 is supplied to the sub-control section 83. In this state, when the paper P is conveyed for a predetermined number of pulses after the detection signal from the detector 101 is supplied, that is, when the leading edge of the paper P corresponds to the thermal head 31, the paper is An alignment mark A is given to the tip Pa of P. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, alignment marks A are printed (in two places) on the outside of the image forming part of the paper P (outside the largest image forming part), that is, on the leading edge Pa of the paper P. ing.

Then, when the paper P is fed a predetermined number of steps after forming an image on the paper P, that is, after printing on the leading edge Pa of the paper P, the thermal head 3
1 to print the alignment mark A on the paper P. That is, outside the image forming section of the paper P (outside the largest image forming section), that is, at the trailing edge pb of the paper P (two locations).
An alignment mark A is printed.

As mentioned above, the original is optically manipulated and read as three types of color signals: cyan, green, and yellow.
Converts various color signals into image forming signals of four colors: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and converts them into image forming signals of one of these four colors, or four image forming signals that are sequentially output. Accordingly, an image is formed on a plastic film or paper using a solid black thermal transfer ink ribbon. As a result, it is possible to create a film for printing original plates very easily, without using complicated production processes such as conventional exposure and development, and with a relatively simple structure. And it can be realized at low cost. Furthermore, by switching modes, images are formed on paper using thermal transfer ink ribbons of a plurality of colors in accordance with the image forming signals of the four colors. As a result, it can be used not only for producing films for printing original plates, but also as a color copying machine, which is very convenient.

Further, it is possible to easily and accurately add a mark for printing positioning, which can be clearly distinguished from surrounding images, to a film for producing a printing original, separately from the image.

Furthermore, since the mark for print alignment is provided separately from the image, it can be clearly distinguished from the image, and the mark for print alignment can be easily confirmed.

Furthermore, since the image forming section is the same size in the normal copying mode and in the block creation mode, the screen can be used effectively.

In addition, since there is no need for a dedicated printing means (special printing mechanism) to apply alignment marks, there is no need for a dedicated circuit, print medium, print head, etc. for alignment marks.
This allows for miniaturization.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the case where marks for print alignment are provided at the four corners has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
There may be one, or two or more. If there are two or more, reliable alignment is possible.

In addition, although a mode key is provided on the operation panel and the mode is switched using this mode key, the present invention is not limited to this. The mode may be switched by.

Furthermore, instead of the mode key, a separately provided print alignment mark designation switch may be used to designate the marking.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, marks for print alignment can be easily and accurately added without adding a special printing mechanism, and it is possible to reliably mark the image. To provide an image forming device that can add distinct alignment marks, make it easy to confirm the alignment marks, and prevent the print range of an image from becoming small and marks from being added within the image. can.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a diagram for explaining the printing state of the image area and alignment marks on the paper.The second factor is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration with a part cut away. FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the structure of the document scanning section, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the scanner moving mechanism of the document scanning section, and FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the image forming section. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the transfer operation state, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the structure of the thermal transfer ink ribbon, and FIG. 9 is a side view showing the planar opening of the operation panel. FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall control system, FIG. 11 is a block diagram explaining the color signal conversion circuit in detail, and FIG. 12 is a flow chart explaining the operation. O...Original, P...Paper (image forming medium), 2...Operation panel, 8...Original scanning section, 9... ...Image forming section, 11...
・Scanner, 30...Platen, 31...Thermal head, 34...Thermal transfer ink ribbon (image forming medium), 61...Mode key (mode changeover switch) , 62...Color selection key, 63...
...Numeric keypad, 72...-Pattern printing key, 81...
...Main control section, 82.83...Sub control section,
87... Color signal conversion circuit, 88... Binarization circuit, 93... Thermal head temperature control section, 10
1...Detector, A...Print alignment mark. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 P Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 11 Figure 12 (b)

Claims (11)

[Claims] (1) A scanning means for optically scanning a document and reading it as multiple types of color signals, a color conversion means for converting each color signal obtained by this scanning means into image forming signals of multiple colors, and this color conversion Forming single-color or multi-color images on separate image forming media using single-color or multi-color image forming media in response to each of the multi-color image forming signals obtained by the means. a generating means for generating a pattern of print alignment marks; and a generation means for generating a pattern of print alignment marks, which generates a pattern of print alignment marks from the generation means into a maximum image on the image forming medium using the image forming means. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for applying to both outer ends of a forming section; (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a specifying means for specifying the provision of print alignment marks. (3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the designation means is a print alignment mark designation switch provided on the operation panel. (4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of types of color signals are cyan, green, and yellow, or three types of red, green, and blue. (5) Image forming signals of multiple colors include yellow, magenta,
Claim 1 characterized in that the four colors are cyan and black, or the three colors are yellow, magenta and cyan.
The image forming apparatus described in . (6) The single-color image forming medium is characterized by consisting of one color, black, and the multi-color image forming medium is characterized by consisting of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, or three colors, yellow, magenta, and cyan. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. (7) The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 6, wherein the image forming medium is a thermal transfer ink ribbon. (8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming medium is paper or a plastic film. (9) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formed on the image forming medium is used for creating an original plate for offset printing. (10) The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing alignment mark is generated only when creating an original plate for offset printing. (11) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alignment mark is printed by a printing means provided separately from a printing means for image formation.