JPS6323169A - Copying machine with editing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To optionally designate and weight picture densities of plural point parts (areas) so as to make them conspicuous, by providing an area designating means, potential designating means, storage means, and potential lowering means. CONSTITUTION:The half-erasing degree (degree for making the density of a reproduced picture lighter) of each of plural areas is digitally set by the numeral input key 850 of a copying machine and the digitally set half-erasing degree (including the cases of potential to be lowered and full-erasing) is stored in a RAM 23 when an erase key 901 or trimming key 902 and half key 903 are depressed. The stored degree is outputted to an eraser 4 through a 2nd CPU 22. Moreover, the half-erase of a designated area is realized by selectively turning on and off the (N+1) pieces of LED lamps of the inter-image eraser 4 provided closely to a photosensitive drum 61.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a copying machine that employs an electrophotographic process,
Specifically, the FA collection v1 labeled copy is capable of individually specifying the density level of a reproduced image of a plurality of areas of a document (lighten; darken; blank, etc.).

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a copying machine uses an electrophotographic process in which a document is exposed and scanned to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, this is developed with toner, and then transferred and fixed onto copy paper. 2. Description of the Related Art A copying room is provided that has a so-called editing function that reproduces a specific area of a document as blank on a sheet of paper.

The principle is that, prior to the development of the electrostatic latent image, an area on the document that is not desired to be copied (an area that is desired to be blank) is
The electrostatic charge is removed from the area on the photoreceptor corresponding to the area, making it impossible for toner to be attracted to that area.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In recent years, there has been a desire to make specific areas of a manuscript stand out when copying and distributing the manuscript to others.

For example, the other person does not have time to read every corner of the manuscript, and important points are only in a part of the manuscript.
Others are cases where the points are supplemented.

In such a case, for example, an underline or the like is attached to the point section of the original, or an underline or the like is attached to the point section of the copy to make the point section stand out. However, the former method stains the original, while the latter method requires time and effort when a large number of copies are to be made. Furthermore, both methods may be impossible if the original is not a text original.

Therefore, there is a need for a copying machine that can make the point portion stand out without the drawbacks mentioned above.

Roughly speaking, if the point portion is made up of a plurality of regions and the importance of each region is different, it is desirable to make each region stand out according to its importance.

The present invention aims to provide such a copying machine.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] The present invention improves the v1 version of the copying machine with an editing function so that the image density of each of the plurality of point portions (area 14) can be specified arbitrarily, The plurality of areas are weighted to make them stand out.

That is, the present invention provides a copying machine that scans a document with exposure to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, develops the electrostatic latent image with toner, and reproduces the image by transferring it onto a sheet of paper. Area specifying means for specifying and inputting each of a plurality of areas of a document; potential specifying means for specifying a potential to be lowered for each of a plurality of areas on the photoreceptor corresponding to the plurality of specified areas; storage means for storing potentials to be lowered for each region based on signals from the area designation means and the potential designation means; Editing 11! characterized in that it further comprises: potential lowering means for lowering the potential of each of the fa regions on the photoreceptor to respective designated levels; It is a labeled photocopy station.

Each component will be explained below.

(1) Copying machine to which the present invention is applied An electrostatic latent image is formed by image-forming the original image obtained by exposure scanning on a charged photoreceptor, and this is developed with toner and transferred onto paper. The present invention is applied to a so-called electrophotographic process copying machine.

(2) Region Designation Means The region designation means can be used to designate and input multiple regions of the document (areas desired to be made lighter, darker, blank, etc.).

For example, in a mode for specifying an area, the area can be input as coordinate data using a numeric keypad for numerical input.

Alternatively, the document can be virtually divided into a plurality of blocks, and the areas can be input in units of blocks using a block designation key.

Further, the area specifying means may be installed on the operation panel of the copying machine (or may be installed on the editor connected to the copying machine).

(3) Potential specifying means The potential specifying means is installed on the operation panel of the copying machine or in the editor! It can be configured by a predetermined key f'8.

The potential is specified for each of the plurality of specific areas.

(4) Storage means The storage means is required to store each designated area and the potential to be lowered for each area, and read out the storage at the time of copying operation.
Constructed by M.

(5) Potential Lowering Means The potential lowering means includes, for example, a large number of light emitting elements such as LE[) elements arranged close to the surface of the photoreceptor so as to be able to irradiate any part of the surface of the photoreceptor. Can be configured. For example, a - eraser can be used.

The degree of reduction in the potential of the specific area of the photoreceptor by the potential reduction means is, for example, the distance between the eraser lights (1ux - 5ec).
) by controlling it according to the signal from the designated means,
Can be set arbitrarily. The front control can be performed by controlling one or both of the light intensity and the irradiation time.

[Example] The present invention will be described below with reference to specific examples shown in the drawings.

In the following example, the degree of half-erase (the degree to which the density of the reproduced image is lightened) for each area of *a is digitally set using the numerical input key 85o (Fig. 2) of the copying machine. The degree of half erase (potential to be lowered; including full erase) set digitally can be determined using the erase key 901 or the trimming key 9.
02 and the half key 903 (FIG. 3), it is stored in the RAM 23, and is stored in the RAM 23. C.P.
It is configured to output to the eraser 4 via U22 (FIG. 6).

Further, half erase of a designated area is performed by selectively turning on the N+1 LED lamps of the inter-image eraser 4 arranged close to the photoreceptor drum 61 as shown in FIG.
This is achieved by turning it off.

(Description of the copying machine main body and operation panel) First, the mechanical configuration and copying principle of the copying machine to which the present invention is applied will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the copying machine main body of this embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the copying machine of this embodiment includes an optical system 5 (51 to 55) that exposes and scans a document and transmits an image, and a copying machine that reproduces the transmitted image on copy paper by an electrophotographic process. It has a section 6 (61 to 69), a paper feed/discharge system 7 (71 to 76) that supplies copy paper and fixes an image, and a document table 8 made of glass.

(a) Optical system The optical system 5 includes a light source (not shown) and mirrors 51, 52, 5.
3.54, a lens 55, and a drive mechanism (not shown), which moves reciprocally along the lower surface of the document table 8, and exposes and scans the surface of the document during forward movement. That is, the reflected light from the original is reflected by the mirrors 51, 52, 53, passes through the lens (variable lens block) 55, is roughly reflected by the mirror 54, reaches the photoreceptor drum 61, and is exposed to the photosensitive drum 61. 61 surface. The mirrors 51, 52, and 53 are driven in conjunction with the same exposure scanning motor M3. Its movement speed is
With respect to the peripheral speed ■ of the photoreceptor drum 61, the mirror 51 is v/
n (n: copying magnification), and the mirror is 52.5
3 is v/2n to keep the optical path length constant. On the other hand, the mirror 54 and the lens 55 are driven in conjunction with each other by a magnification setting motor M4. Here, lens 5
5 moves on the optical axis to change the copying magnification, and the mirror 54 moves and swings to correct the image point.

(b) Copying section 6 The copying section 6 includes a photosensitive drum 6 that can be rotated in the direction of the arrow.
1, a main eraser lamp 62 disposed around the drum 61, a sub charger 63, a sub eraser lamp 64, a main charge cello 5, a developing device 66,
Transfer charger 67, copy paper separation charger 68,
It has a blade type cleaning device 69. Furthermore, between the main charger 65 and the developing device 66, an inter-image eraser unit 4, which will be described later, is arranged in close proximity to the photosensitive drum 61. In this embodiment, the inter-image eraser 4 is located closer to the main charger 65 than the image exposure, but it may be located closer to the developing device 66.

A photoreceptor layer is formed on the surface of the drum 61, and when the photoreceptor layer passes through the eraser lamp 62, 64 and charger 63, 65, both of the iIl sensitive zones are charged, and the photoreceptor layer is charged by the optical system 5. An electrostatic latent image is formed by slit (image &) exposure.

In this embodiment, the charging of each of the designated areas is reduced by the inter-image eraser 4 prior to slit (image) exposure. Therefore, in each region, an electrostatic latent image is formed at a level corresponding to the lowered potential. Note that the degree of decrease in potential includes the case of complete removal (full erase).

Toner is attached to the formed electrostatic latent image in the developing device 66, and the attached toner is transferred to the transfer charger 6.
7, copy paper (timing roller 7 of paper feed/discharge system 7)
(supplied via 3). Note that the amount of toner adhering to the low-potential electrostatic latent image (the electrostatic latent image in the half-erased area) is smaller than usual, and therefore the reproduced image density is lighter than normal.

(C) Paper supply and discharge system 7 The paper supply and discharge system 7 consists of a paper upper cassette 71 and a lower paper cassette 72.
, a pair of delivery rollers 711.721 for each cassette,
Conveyance roller pair 712,713, timing roller pair 73
, a conveyor belt 74, a fixing device 75, a pair of discharge rollers 76, etc., and these are driven by a main motor M1.

Note that the toner image transferred to the paper is thermocompressed between rollers of the fixing device 75.

(d) Operation panel 85 The operation panel 85 is arranged in front of the copy fighter manuscript table 8, and as part of it is shown in FIG. , a display section 208, etc.

When specifying and inputting the amount of light for each specific area of the document using the operation panel 85, first press the function key 851, and then input the desired value using the numeric keypad 850. Here, the amount of light corresponds to the potential to be lowered. In addition, function key 85
If the numeric keypad 850 is pressed without pressing 1, the number of copies is input in the same way as in the conventional copying machine.

[Description of Editor 900] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the editor 9oO connected to the copying machine. In this embodiment, the editor 900 is
As shown in the figure, the document is placed on the document table 8 of the copying machine.

As shown in FIG. 3, the editor 900 is
0 and keys 901 to 906.

The tablet 910 has a large number of resistance wires 911 arranged at intervals of approximately 1 m111 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and by pressing any point on the tablet to short-circuit, the X and The resistance value determined by the Y coordinate is detected by the voltage level. Therefore, when it is desired to input a specific point on a document as X and Y coordinate data, it is sufficient to place the document on the tablet 910 and press the specific point.

Keys 901 to 906 are, in order, an erase key, a trimming key, a half key, a clear key, an end key, and an all clear key. The erase key is a key that specifies erasing within a specified area, and the trimming key is a key that specifies erasing outside the specified area. The half key is a key for specifying that erasing within or outside the area is performed in a half state. The clear key is a key that erases data in a memory area related to one half erase area, and the all clear key is a key that erases data in a memory area related to all half erase areas. Further, the end key is a key for ending the specification of the area and the specification of the erase level.

(Description of the inter-image erase unit 4) FIG.
The figure is an explanatory diagram of how the inter-image erase unit 4 erases the charge in a specific area.

As shown in the figure, a large number of inter-image erase units 4 <N+1
The LED array 40 has an LED array 40 in which several LED light emitting elements are arranged in a row, and by selectively causing any LED element to emit light with a predetermined amount of light, the corresponding area on the photoreceptor drum 61 is charged. Remove or lower the specified level,
The electrostatic latent image in the area is set to O or a low potential.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, suppose the codes 0 to N are assumed from the left to the LED elements N+1[9, and the LED elements C-D are
When timer XA is turned on from the end time of timer XB to the end time of timer , or an electrostatic latent image with a low potential is formed, so that no toner image is formed, or an image with a light density depending on the potential is formed.

(Explanation of control part) FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the control section of the copying machine.

As shown in the figure, the control section includes a tenth PU 21 that controls the main operations of the copying machine, and a second CPU 22 that controls the editor 900 and the eraser 4.

The 10th PIJ 21 is connected to the key group 20 via the decoder 206.
7 and the display section 208. Also, the main motor M1, the developing motor M2, the clutch of the timing roller 73, the clutch of the delivery roller 711, and the delivery roller 721.
clutch, electrification charger 65, transfer charger 67
It is also connected to each driver such as.

The 10th PCI 21 drives the copying unit 6, paper feed/delivery system 7, adjusts other parts a, etc. according to key manual input or sensor input.
Controls the main operations of the copying machine.

The second CPU 22 receives input fixed coordinate data from the editor 900 via the A/D converter 930, and inputs signals from various keys 901 to 906 of the editor 900. Also, via the first CPCI 21, the numeric keypad 8
50, input data regarding the amount of light (potential to be lowered).

Further, the second CPU 22 divides the light emission of each LED element of the eraser 4 and the amount of light into 11 parts for each frame. Note that the light amount control signal is input as an analog signal to the voltage converter 921 (FIG. 7) of the eraser 4 via the D/A converter 450.

Note that the coordinate data, light amount data, etc. are written in the RAM 23.

FIG. 7 is a driving circuit diagram of the eraser 4 υ1ift.

As shown in the figure, the drive control circuit includes a shift register 401,
It has a latch 402 and a driver 403, which are connected to the second
It is controlled by a signal transferred from the CPU 22 and turns on and off each drive transistor Tr (0) to Tr (N).

In addition, each LED pickle (LED (0) to LED (N))
is driven by the output Voutk-J of the voltage variable device 921. Note that the level of the output vOut of the voltage variable device 921 is set by the control signal Vv input via the D/A converter 450.

(Operation explanation) The operation of the apparatus of this embodiment will be explained below.

FIG. 8 Parts 1 and 2 are flowcharts showing the control of the second CPU 22. FIG. Regarding the control of the first cPU 21 (copying operation, temperature adjustment, etc., control II that is not directly related to the control of the editor 900 and eraser 4),
Since this is well known, the explanation will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the second CPU 22 starts processing by turning on the power, for example, and first sets an initial state (S102).
)do. For example, the start address of the specified coordinate data memory is set to M△. In addition, the value m of the counter that counts the cumulative number of coordinate designations is set to O, the value C of the counter that counts the number of coordinate designations for each designated area is set to ○, and the stored coordinate data is sorted in ascending order (in ascending order) for the y coordinate. The code i for rearranging and performing is set to O, respectively.

Also, each flag is set down and each memory is cleared. Thereafter, a routine timer that defines the time for one routine is set (S104).

The process then proceeds to 8106 to activate input/output.

Next, in step 8108, it is determined based on the end flag whether or not the designation of coordinates and the amount of light for each designated area have been completed.

If the end flag is not set in 5108, that is, if input of coordinate data and light amount data is not completed,
Execute processing from 8120 to $158.

S12. In step O, first, it is determined whether (x, y) coordinate data is input. This is the A/D from the tablet 910.
The determination is made based on the presence or absence of a change in the data input via the converter 930.

If it is determined in step 5120 that "input exists", the process advances to step S122, where the value of m (total number of coordinate designations) is incremented by 1, and m(x
. In addition, in this example, each area is specified as a rectangular area, so it is sufficient to specify two coordinate data for each area (both ends of the diagonal line; see Figure 10), so the process up to C-2 is repeated (8
128), if the judgment of 8128 reaches C-2, it becomes 1
Assuming that the input of the coordinate data for the two areas has been completed, the process proceeds to step 3130, clears C, and then stores the "light" data taken in at memory address MA at 8148 (described later) (S132). That is, the coordinate data and light amount data are stored as a set for the one region described above (see FIG. 9). Thereafter, the value of the memory address MA is incremented by 1 (8134), and the process proceeds to 5158.

If the determination in step 5iio is "before input", the process proceeds to 8136 and subsequent steps.

At 8136, it is determined whether there is an input to the erase key 901, and if it is determined that there is an input, an E flag (erase flag) is set (8138), and the process returns to 8104. "Before input"
If so, proceed to 5140.

At 8140, it is determined whether there is an input to the trimming key 902, and if it is determined that there is an input, a T flag (trimming flag) is set (8142), and the process returns to 5104. “If the input state is KO, the process advances to S144.

In 5144, it is determined whether there is an input to the half key 903, and if it is determined that there is an input, an H flag (half flag) is set.
After setting (8140), the light amount data is taken into the register (8148). The light amount data is input to the first CPIJ using the function key 851 and numeric keypad 850 of the copying machine.
21 and is transferred to the second CPU 22 at 8198. From 5148, the process returns to 5104. Note that in the case of "before input", the process advances to 5150.

At 5150, it is determined whether there is an input to the clear key 904, and if it is determined that there is an input, the data at the memory address MA (coordinate data and light amount data for one specified area) is cleared (8152). If “before input”, proceed to 5154.

In step 5154, it is determined whether or not there is an input on the end key 905, and if it is determined that there is an input, an end flag is set as that the input of coordinate data and light amount data for all areas has been completed (S156), and in step 5104 Return to If “before input”, proceed to 5158.

At 8158, it is determined whether or not the all clear key 906 has been input. If “input exists”, the process returns to 5102 and “
If "before input" is selected, the process returns to step 5104.

As described above (8120 to 6158), coordinate data and light data are stored as a set for each w4 area.

If it is determined at $108 that the end flag is set, that is, if the input of coordinate data and light amount data for all areas has been completed, the process advances to 8110, and the copy mode is checked to see if the copy operation is in progress. Determine whether or not.

If the copy operation is in progress, the data (as shown in Figure 9, the data is stored as a set of coordinate data and light amount data) is rearranged in ascending order (smallest first) with respect to the y-coordinate (8114). ).

That is, as shown in FIG. 1o, k((i
+1)/2) The upper left y coordinate of the area is y = binding,
1 starts from 1 (8116).

Next, the process proceeds to 3160, and the 1'' (half) flag is determined for the k (< i + 1 ) / 2 )th area from the scanning start side. If the H flag is -1, the process proceeds to 5162, and the light amount data for the k ((!+1)/2)th fa[ from the scan start side is set in the voltage variable device 921. If the H flag is O, the process advances to 5164 and the 9th group data is set to the full erase level.

From 5162 or 5164, proceed to 5166 and subsequent steps.

$166~5174 is k((i+1)
/2) This is a step of performing erase or half erase control on the th area. That is, y-yL to y-y, 4.
By lighting up the LED elements xL~xj,,pr until , (x-, y, ), (xL4゜n
Full erase or half erase is performed within a rectangular area whose vertices are diagonal lines such as y), y), and ).

On the other hand, $172 to $5184 is k ((
This is a step of trimming or half-trimming the i+1>/2)th region. That is, y−y, , to y
= By turning off the LED elements from xλ to xλya until the quality of
The area outside the area of the rectangle with vertices of the diagonal is full erased or half erased.

The above process is repeated by incrementing i by 2 (S178) until the value of i reaches m-1 (8176).

Thereafter, after waiting for the main timer to end, the process returns to 5102 (8180).

(Modification of Embodiment) In the above embodiment, area specification is performed by an editor, but the area specification method is not limited in the present invention. Furthermore, the method of inputting light quantity data is not limited to the numeric keypad.

Further, although the above embodiment does not mention the case of changing the copying magnification, it is also possible to combine it with a known magnification changing means.

[Effects] As detailed above, the present invention specifies a plurality of areas and half erases each area to a specified level in a copying machine that reproduces an original image on paper using an electrophotographic process. It is.

As is clear from the description of the embodiments, according to the copying machine of the present invention, a plurality of specified areas can be half-erased to respective specified levels, and the density of the reproduced image can be set to a desired level. , multiple areas can be weighted to make them stand out.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a copying machine according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the operation panel of the copying machine. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an editor connected to the copying machine. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the image-to-image erase unit and the photosensitive drum. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the inter-image erase unit and the erase area. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the III 611 section of the copying machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an eraser drive circuit diagram. Figure 8 Part 1
and Part 2 are flowcharts showing υ1tll of the second CPU. FIG. 9 is a memory map showing how data is stored in the memory. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between designated areas and coordinates. 21...1st CPU 22...2nd CPU4.
...Inter-image erase unit 5...Optical system 6...Copying section 7...Paper feed/delivery system 900...Editor Fig. 2 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 7

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A copying machine that exposes and scans a document to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, develops the electrostatic latent image with toner, and reproduces the image by transferring it onto paper. Area specifying means for specifying and inputting each of a plurality of areas; Potential specifying means for specifying a potential to be lowered for each of a plurality of areas on the photoreceptor corresponding to the plurality of specified areas; and the area. storage means for storing potentials to be lowered for each of the regions based on signals from the designation means and the potential designation means; A copying machine with an editing function, comprising: potential lowering means for lowering the potential of each region on the photoreceptor to a designated level. (2) A copying machine with an editing function according to claim 1, wherein the potential lowering means is an inter-image eraser capable of varying the amount of light irradiated onto the photoreceptor.