JPS63283364A - Color picture forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To convert only an area composed of a prescribed color to other desired color by forming the color considered to be the same color as a prescribed color in an original picture of a preceding period transforming color according to the output of a designating means. CONSTITUTION:An upper digital color picture reader 1 and a lower digital color picture printer 2 are provided. Then, an ordinary prescribed color in the original picture is designated, and the size of a range considered to be the same color to the preceding period prescribed color is designated. Then, the converting color to the preceding period prescribed color is designated, according to the output of the designating means, the color considered to be the same color as the prescribed color in a next original picture is formed of the preceding period converting color. Accordingly, to the prescribed color designate as the color before the conversion, the scale of a tolerance considered to be the same color can be designated. Thereby, the color considered to be the same color as the prescribe color in the original picture can be converted to another color.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus that processes color image data and converts only an area consisting of a predetermined color into another desired color.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, color image forming devices that can convert any color within a specified area to another color differ by a certain range from the color information of the specified color as the pre-conversion color. Colors with different color information were considered to be the same color and were converted into different colors.

However, there is a drawback that colors that the user wants to convert may not be converted, or colors that the user does not want to convert may be converted. This means that while the range of colors that the user wants to convert varies depending on the type of document and the user's intentions, the device treats colors that differ in hue and density within a certain range from the specified color as the same color. This is because the conversion was performed using

〔the purpose〕

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention allows a predetermined color specified as a pre-conversion color to be designated as having a wide range of tolerance to be considered as the same color, and to be considered as the same color as the predetermined color in the original image. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a schematic internal configuration of a digital color image processing system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, this system includes a digital color image reading device (hereinafter referred to as a color reader) 1 at the top and a digital color image printing device (hereinafter referred to as a color printer) at the bottom.
2. This color reader 1 reads color image information of a document for each color using color separation means and a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, which will be described later, and converts it into an electrical digital image signal. Further, the color printer 2 reproduces a color image for each color according to the digital image signal,
This is an electrophotographic laser beam color printer that transfers and records digital dots multiple times onto recording paper.

First, an overview of the color printer 1 will be explained.

3 is an original, 4 is a platen glass on which the original is placed, and 5 is a rod array for collecting a reflected light image from the original that has been exposed and scanned by a halogen exposure lamp 10 and inputting the image to a full-color sensor 6. 5.6.7.1
0 is integrated as the document scanning unit 11 and arrow A1
Exposure scan in the direction. The color separation image signal read line by line during exposure scanning is amplified to a predetermined voltage by the sensor output signal amplification circuit 7 and then sent to the signal line 501.
The signal is input to a video processing unit, which will be described later, and undergoes signal processing. Details will be described later. 501 is a coaxial cable for ensuring faithful transmission of signals. A signal 502 is a signal line that supplies drive pulses for the same-magnification full-color sensor 6, and all necessary drive pulses are generated within the video processing unit 12. 8 and 9 are white plates and black plates for white level correction and black level correction of image signals, which will be described later, and by irradiating them with a halogen exposure lamp 10, signal levels of predetermined densities can be obtained, respectively, and the video signal Used for white level correction and black level correction. Reference numeral 13 denotes a control unit having a microcomputer, which uses a bus 508 to display on the operation panel 20, perform key manual control and control the video processing unit 12, and uses a position sensor Sl, 32 to control the position of the document scanning unit 11 using signals 509, 510. Detection via signal line 5
Stepping motor drive circuit control for pulse-driving the stepping motor 14 for moving the scanning body 11 by 03, 0N10FF control of the halogen exposure lamp 10 by the exposure lamp driver via the signal line 504, light amount control, via the signal line 505. It controls all aspects of the color reader section l, including the digitizer 16, internal keys, and display section. The color image signal read by the above-mentioned exposure scanning unit ll during exposure scanning of the original is sent to the amplification circuit 7. It is input to the video processing unit 12 via the signal line 501, subjected to various processes described later in this unit 12, and then sent to the printer unit 2 via the interface circuit 56.
will be sent to.

Next, an outline of the color printer 2 will be explained. Reference numeral 711 denotes a scanner, which includes a laser output unit that converts an image signal from a color reader l into an optical signal, a polygon mirror 712 having a polygonal shape (for example, an octahedron), a motor (not shown) that rotates this mirror 712, and an f/θ lens. (Imaging lens) 71
3rd prize. 714 is a reflection mirror that changes the optical path of the laser beam, and 715 is a photosensitive drum. The laser beam emitted from the laser output section is reflected by a polygon mirror 712,
The photosensitive drum 7 passes through a lens 713 and a mirror 714.
15 is linearly scanned (raster scan) to form a latent image corresponding to the original image.

In addition, 717 is a primary charger, 718 is a full exposure lamp,
723 is a cleaner section that collects residual toner that has not been transferred; 724 is a pre-transfer charger; these members are arranged around the photosensitive drum 715.

726 is a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 by laser exposure;
731Y, 731M, 731C, and 731Bk are development sleeves 730 that directly perform development in contact with the photosensitive drum 715;
Y, 730M, 730C, 7308 are toner hoppers for holding spare toner, 732 is a screw for transporting developer, and these sleeves 731Y to 7
318, a developer unit 726 is constituted by the inner hoppers 730Y to 730Bk and the screw 732, and these members are disposed around the rotation axis P of the developer unit. For example, when forming a yellow toner image, yellow toner development is performed at the position shown in this figure, and when forming a magenta toner image, the developing unit 726 is rotated around the axis P in the figure and exposed to light. A developing sleeve 731M in the magenta developing device is disposed at a position in contact with the body 715. Cyan and black development operate in the same way.

Further, 716 is a transfer drum that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 715 onto paper, 719 is an actuator plate for detecting the moving position of the transfer drum 716, and 720 is a drum that is in close proximity to this actuator plate 719. 725 is a transfer drum cleaner, 727 is a paper press roller, 728 is a static eliminator, and 729 is a transfer charger.
19,720,725° 727, 729 are transfer rollers 7
It is arranged around 16.

On the other hand, 735 and 736 are paper feed cassettes that store paper (paper sheets), and 737 and 738 are cassettes 735. 736
Paper feed roller that feeds paper from 739.740.74
Reference numeral 1 denotes a timing roller that takes the timing of paper feeding and conveyance.The paper fed and conveyed via these rollers is guided by a paper guide 749, and its leading edge is held by a gripper (to be described later) while being wound around a transfer drum 716, forming an image. Shift to the formation process.

Further, 550 is a drum rotation motor, which rotates the photosensitive drum 715.
and the transfer drum 716 are rotated synchronously. 750 is a peeling claw that removes the paper from the transfer drum 716 after the image forming process is completed; 742 is a conveyance belt that conveys the removed paper; and 743 is an image fixing unit that fixes the paper that has been conveyed by the conveyance belt 742. The image fixing section 743 has a pair of heat pressure rollers 744 and 745.

First, the control section 13 of the reader section according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG.

Control unit> The control unit is a microcomputer CPU2.
2, including a lamp driver 21.2 for video signal processing control, exposure and scanning. Stepping motor driver 15. A signal line 508 (bus) controls the digitizer 16 and the operation panel 20, respectively.

504, 503. 505 etc. (Program ROM23.RAM24.RAM25
and control it accordingly. Non-volatility of the RAM 25 is ensured by a battery 31. Reference numeral 505 denotes a generally used signal line for serial communication, which is input by the operator from the digitizer 16 according to a protocol between the CPU 22 and the digitizer 16. That is, 505 is editing the manuscript, for example, movement 9
This is a signal line for inputting coordinates, area instructions, copy mode instructions, magnification ratio instructions, etc. during compositing and the like. A signal line 503 sends signals such as scanning speed, distance, etc. to the motor driver 15 from the CPU 22.
This is a signal line for instructing forward movement, backward movement, etc., and the motor driver 15 inputs a predetermined pulse to the stepping motor 14 according to an instruction from the CPU 22 to give the motor rotation operation.

For example, serial 1/F29.30 is Intel 8251
This is a general circuit implemented in a serial I/F LS1 such as the above, and the digitizer 16 and motor driver 15 also have similar circuits, although not shown. C.P.
The protocol of the interface between U22 and motor driver 15 is shown in FIG.

In addition, Sl and S2 are document exposure and scanning units (Fig. 11
), the home position is S1, and the white level correction of the image signal is performed at this location. S2 is a sensor that detects the presence of the original exposure scanning unit at the leading edge of the image, and this position becomes the reference position of the original.

(Printer interface) Signals ITOP, BD, VCLK, VID in Figure 2
E.O.

HSYNC and SRCOM (511-516) are signals for the interface between the color printer section 2 and the reader section 1 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. The image signal VIDEO 514 read by the reader section 1 is all sent to the color printer section 2 based on the above signals. ITOP is a synchronization signal in the image forwarding direction (hereinafter referred to as the sub-scanning direction), and is 1
This occurs once for sending out the screen, that is, once for each of the four color images (yellow, magenta, cyan, and Bk), for a total of four times. When the leading edge of the transfer paper receives the toner image transfer at the point of contact with the photosensitive drum 715, the image at the leading edge of the document should match the position (transfer drum 716, which is synchronized with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 715, The output of the video processing unit in the reader 1 and the CPU in the controller 13
22 interrupt (signal 511).

The CPU 22 performs image control in the sub-scanning direction for editing and the like based on the ITOP interrupt. BD512 is a synchronization signal in the raster scan direction (hereinafter referred to as the main scan direction) that is generated once per rotation of the polygon mirror 712, that is, once per raster scan, and is an image signal read by the reader unit 1. is a BD with one line in the main scanning direction.
It is sent to the printer section 2 in synchronization with. VCLK513
is a synchronization clock for sending the 8-bit digital video signal 514 to the color printer unit 2, for example, the fourth
As shown in Figure (b), video data 514 is sent out via flip-flops 32 and 35. H3YNC 515 is generated from the BD signal 512 in synchronization with VCLK 513.

It is a main scanning direction synchronization signal, has the same period as BD, and has V
IDEO signal 514 is strictly 11: I! HSYNC5
15 colors are sent out synchronously. This is because the BD signal 515 is generated in synchronization with the rotation of the polygon mirror, so it contains a lot of jitter from the motor that rotates the polygon mirror 712, and if the BD double signal is synchronized as it is, image jitter will occur, so the BD signal 515 is generated in synchronization with the rotation of the polygon mirror. This is because H3YNC515 is required to be generated in synchronization with jitter-free VCLK.

SROOM is a signal line for half-duplex bidirectional serial communication, and as shown in Figure 4 (C) (8-bit serial clock 5CLK between synchronization signals CBUSY (command busy) sent from the reader section). A command CM is sent out in synchronization, and in response, a status ST is returned from the printer unit in synchronization with the 8-bit serial clock between 5BUSY (status busy).In this timing chart, the status "3CH" is returned for the command "8EH". ”
This indicates that the reader has returned instructions to the printer, such as color mode, cassette selection, etc., and status information of the printer, such as jam or no paper.

All information such as weights is exchanged via this communication line SRCOM.

FIG. 4(a) shows a timing chart for transmitting one four-color full-color image based on ITOP and HSYNC. The ITOP 511 is generated once every one or two rotations of the transfer drum 716, and the image data for ■ is a yellow image, ■ is a magenta image, ■ is a cyan image, and ■ is Bk image data is sent from the reader section l to the printer section 2. A full-color image with four superimposed colors is formed on the transfer paper. HSY
For example, the NC has an A3 image size of 420 mm in the longitudinal direction and an image density of 16 peI in the feeding direction! /mm, then 42
0X16 = 6720 times, and this is simultaneously input to the clock input to the timer circuit 28 in the controller circuit 13, which causes an interrupt HINT517 to be applied to the CPU 22 after counting a predetermined number of times. .

Thereby, the CPU 22 performs image control in the feeding direction, such as control of sampling and movement.

Video Processing Unit> Next, the video processing unit 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 and subsequent figures. The document is first irradiated by the exposure lamp 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and the reflected light is separated into colors for each image and read by the color reading sensor 6 in the scanning unit 11, and then adjusted to a predetermined level by the amplifier circuit 42. amplified.

41 is a COD driver that supplies pulse signals for driving the color reading sensor, and the necessary pulse source is generated by the system control pulse generator 57.

FIG. 6 shows the color reading sensor and drive pulses.

FIG. 6(a) shows the color reading sensor used in this example, which is divided into five parts in the main scanning direction to read data.62.
With 5 μm (1/16 mm) as one pixel, there are 976 pixels, that is, as shown in the figure, one pixel is divided into G, B,
Divided into 3 by R, total 976X3=292
It has 8 effective pixels. On the other hand, each of the chips 58 to 62 is formed on the same ceramic substrate, and the chips 58 to 62 are formed on the same ceramic substrate. 3.
The fifth (58, 60, 62) is on the same line LA,
2. The fourth line is 4 lines (62.5 μm x
4 = 250 μm) on the line LB, and scans in the force direction of the arrow AL when reading the document. 5 each
The two CODs are also l, 3. The fifth drive pulse group is 0DRV5181. ．． 2nd, 4th 1;! EDRV51
9, each is driven independently and synchronously. 0
DRV518i: Includes 0OIA, 0o2A.

OR3 and EDRV519i, m included EoIA, Eo
2A.

ER3 locks charge transfer within each sensor.

It is a charge reset pulse, and 1. 3. Due to mutual interference and noise limitations between the 5th, 2nd and 4th, they are generated in perfect synchronization so that there is no jitter between them. For this reason, these pulses are generated from one reference oscillation source 03C58' (FIG. 5). Figure 7(a) shows 0DRV518, EDR
The circuit block that generates V519, FIG. 7(b) is a timing chart, and is included in the system control pulse generator 57 shown in FIG. Single 03058'
The clock KO335, which is a frequency-divided original clock 0LKO generated by Presettable counter 64 to be set. The output timing is determined according to the setting value of 65, and 5YNC2 and 5YNC3 are the frequency divider 6.
6, 67 and the drive pulse generators 68 and 69 are initialized. In other words, the CL output from one oscillation source OSC is based on the H3YNC515 input to this block.
0DRV518 and EDRV519 are generated by KO and the divided clocks that are all generated synchronously.
(7) Each pulse group is obtained as a synchronized signal with no jitter at all, and signal disturbances due to interference between sensors can be prevented.

Here, sensor drive pulses 0 obtained in synchronization with each other
DRv518 is the 1.3.5th sensor, EDRV5
19 is supplied to the second and fourth sensors, and each sensor 58,
Video signals v1 to v5 are independently output from 59, 60, 61, and 62 in synchronization with the drive pulse, and are amplified to a predetermined voltage value by an independent amplifier circuit 42 for each channel shown in FIG. , Vl and V through the inter-shaft cable 501 (Fig. 1) at timing 008529 in Fig. 6(b).
3. V5 changes to V2 at the timing of EO3534. The V4 signal is sent out and input to the video processing unit.

The color image signal obtained by dividing the original input into the video processing unit 12 into 5 parts and reading it is converted into G (green) by the sample hold circuit S/H 43.

It is separated into three colors: B (blue) and P (red).

Therefore, after S/H, there will be 3×5=15 signal processing systems. The timing at which the color image signal for one channel inputted in FIG. 8(b) is sampled and held, amplified, inputted to the A/D conversion circuit, and multiplexed digital data A/D out is obtained. Show chart. Figure 8(a).

(b) shows a processing block diagram.

Analog color image signals read by the aforementioned 5-chip equal-magnification color sensor are input to the analog color signal processing circuit shown in FIG. 8(a) for each channel. Since circuits A to E corresponding to each channel are the same circuit, circuit A will be explained in accordance with the processing block diagram of FIG. 8(b), together with the timing chart of FIG. 8(C).

The input analog color image signal is shown in Fig. 8 (C) Si
For each GA (in the order of G-B4R, and in addition to the 3072 effective pixels, there are 12 pixels in front of the effective pixels that are not connected to the photodiode of the color sensor.
A dark output section (
Optical black), 36 dummy pixels, and 24 dummy pixels after the effective pixel, making up a total of 3156 pixels (Fig. 8(d))
).

The analog color image signal 5iGA is input to the amplifier 250, where it is amplified to a specified signal output as a composite signal, and at the same time, the DC level fluctuation of the analog color image signal 5iGA, which fluctuates in AC terms, is removed, and the amplifier 250 outputs the analog color image signal 5iGA. In order to fix the DC level of 5iGA to the optimum operating point, it is clamped to zero level by the feedback clamp circuit 251. The feedback clamp circuit 251 is composed of an S/H circuit 251b and a comparison amplifier 251a, and the output level of the dark output section (optical black) of the analog color image signal 5iGA outputted from the amplifier 250 is determined by the S/H circuit 251b. The reference voltage Refl that is detected and input to the negative input of the comparison amplifier 251a (Refl=GND in this embodiment)
The difference is fed back to the amplifier 250, and the dark output part of the output of the amplifier 250 is always at the reference voltage Re.
It is fixed to fl. Here, it is a signal indicating the section of the dark output part of the DK double signal analog color image signal 5iGA, and is
By supplying the signal to the H circuit 251b, the DC level of the dark output section of the 5iGA is detected once per horizontal scanning period (IH).

Next, the output signal of the amplifier 250 is separated into G, B, and H by the S/H circuit 43 and amplified to match the dynamic range of the A/D conversion circuit. In the specification, the B signal will be explained to represent the other G and R signals. Now, the composite output signal of the amplifier 250 passes through the buffer circuit 252, and the S/H circuit 253 samples only the pixel output corresponding to the B signal in the composite signal according to the SHG signal (color-separated B signal 5
38 is amplified by amplifiers 254 and 255 and input to a low pass filter (L, P, F) 256. The low-pass filter 256 removes the frequency component of the sampling pulse in the S/H output signal generated by the S/H circuit 253, and extracts only the variation in the sampled S/H output signal. In other words, if the driving frequency of COD is fo, then S
Each color signal has a frequency f by being sampled by the /H circuit 253. /3 becomes a discrete signal. Therefore, cutoff frequency fc=(fo/3)Xi/2 f
By configuring a D/6 Nyquist filter, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained, and only the changing components of the signal can be extracted, and the frequency bandwidth of the subsequent signal processing system can be suppressed.

The color signal from which only the signal components are extracted by the low-pass filter 256 is processed by the amplifier 2572, the multiplier 258, and the buffer amplifier 259, and the gain is adjusted by the CPU control.
FIG. 8(e) G characteristic) and the multiplier 260
．． A feedback clamp system constituted by a feedback clamp circuit 261 clamps each gain-adjusted color signal to an arbitrary C level. The operation is the same as that of the feedback clamp circuit 251.

In this embodiment, the multiplier 258 is a multiplier using a multiplying DAC as shown in FIG. out is V
Ou,=-vIN/N O<N>1 where N is the binary fractional value of the input digital code.

In the same sense that a basic multiplying DAC circuit is similar to an analog potentiometer that is unloaded by an operational amplifier, this circuit is similar to a follower in which a trim circuit is connected to a feedback circuit. Therefore, in the channel congestion correction described later, the image data when the original scanning unit reads the uniform white plate is CP.
It is amplified to a level determined by digital data set in internal latch 523 via data bus U22. FIG. 52(b) shows a code table. Furthermore, the latch 52
3 is assigned as Ilo of CPU22 and WR, SE
Data is set using the L control line.

Next, the multiplier 260 and the feedback clamp circuit 261
A feedback clamp system consisting of the following will be explained. This feedback clamp system has almost the same configuration as the previous stage feedback clamp circuit 251, and a CPU-controlled multiplier 260 is connected to the reference voltage Ref2 of the feedback clamp circuit composed of an S/H circuit 261b and a comparison amplifier 261a. In order to shift the level of the read black level image signal in the channel congestion correction described later, the multiplier 260 uses a level determined by digital data set in the internal latch 537 via the data bus 508 of the CPU 22. The above-mentioned amplifier 2579 and multiplier 258 which vary the reference voltage Ref2
．． Each color signal amplified by the buffer amplifier 259 is clamped to the level of the reference voltage Ref2. Furthermore, latch 5
37 is assigned as Ilo of the CPU 22 and is a WR.

Data is set using the SEL control line. Multiplier 26
0 is a multiplying DAC as shown in Figure 53(a).
531, operational amplifiers 532, 533, and resistor 5 with a resistance value of R.
It is a multiplier in all four quadrant modes, consisting of a resistor 536 with a resistance value of 34.535 and a resistance value of 2R.
) Outputs bipolar voltage as shown in ().

Now, each color signal 541 (G), 542 (B) is amplified and DC clamped to a predetermined white level and black level.

543 (R) is the multiplex pulses GSEL and BSEL to multiplex the signals of the l system again.

MP X 26 by R3EL (544-546)
0 becomes one system, which is input to the A/D conversion circuit 45 and converted to A/D.
It is A/D converted by a D clock 547 and output as digital data ADOUT 548. In this configuration, A/D conversion is performed after multiplexing with MPX260, so a total of 15 color signals of 5 channels each of 3 colors of G, B, and R are processed by 5 A/D converters.

The same applies to the BE circuit.

Next, in this embodiment, as mentioned above, 4 lines (62.5μ
Since the document is read using five staggered sensors that have an interval of 250 μm) in the sub-scanning direction and are divided into 5 areas in the main-scanning direction, channels 2 and 4 and the remaining 1,
3. 5, the reading position is off.

Therefore, in order to connect this correctly, we use memory for multiple lines. FIG. 9(b) shows the memory configuration of this embodiment, and 70 to 74 are memories each storing a plurality of lines, and have a FiFo configuration. That is,
70.72.74 has a capacity of 5 lines with 1024 pixels per line, and 71.73 has a capacity of 15 lines. Data is written one line at a time from the point indicated by the last pointers WPO75 and WPE76, and one line of data is written. When writing is completed, wpo or WPE is incremented by 1. WPO75 is on channel 1.3. Common to 5, WPE
76 is common to 2.4.

0WR8T540. EWR8T541 is a signal that initializes the values of the respective line pointers WPO75 and WPE76 and returns them to the beginning, and 0RST542. ER3T543
is a signal that returns the value of the read pointer (pointer at the time of reading) to the beginning. This will now be explained using channels 1 and 2 as examples. As shown in Figure 9(a), channel 2 is ahead of channel l by 4 lines, so channel 2 reads the same line, for example line ■, and FiFo
Four lines after writing to the memory 71, channel 1 reads line (2). Therefore, if WPE is advanced by 4 from the memory write pointer wpo, FiF.

When read from the memory using the read point value of -, channel 1. 3. 5 and channels 2 and 4, the same line is read out, and the deviation in the sub-scanning direction has been corrected. For example, in channel 1 in FIG. 9(b), WPO is on the first line 1 of the memory, and at the same time, in channel 2, WPE is pointing to line 5, which is the fifth line from the beginning.

If we start from this point, when WPo shows 5, W
PE points to 9, and a line (2) on the document is written in the area where the pointer is 5. Thereafter, it is sufficient to read out cyclically while advancing both RPO and RPE (read pointer) in the same way. FIG. 9(C) is a timing chart for performing the above-mentioned control, and the image data is H3Y
It is sent line by line in synchronization with NC515. E.W.
R3T541.0WR3T540 is generated with a shift of 4 lines as shown in the figure, and 0R3T542 is generated by the capacity of FiFo memory 70.72.74, so every 5 lines,
ER3T543 is generated every 15 lines for the same reason. On the other hand, when reading, first one line is read out at a speed five times faster than channel l, then one line is read out in the same way from channel 2, then 3rd channel, 4th channel, 5th channel, etc., and between IH and 5YNC, channel 1 is read out.
It is possible to obtain connected signals from to 5.

FIG. 9(d) IRD to 5RD (544 to 548) show valid period signals of the inter-channel read operation. A control signal for controlling image connection between channels using the present FiFo memory is generated by a memory control circuit 57' in FIG. The circuit 57' is composed of a discrete circuit such as TTL, but since this is not the gist of the present invention, a description thereof will be omitted. The memory also stores the blue component of the image.

It has three colors, a green component and a red component, but since they have the same configuration, the explanation will be limited to only one of these.

FIG. 1O(a) shows a point correction circuit. As shown in FIG. 1O(b), when the amount of light input to the sensor is small, the black level outputs of channels 1 to 5 vary greatly between two pixels between chips. If this is output as is and an image is output, streaks and unevenness will occur in the data portion of the image. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the output variation in the black portion, and this is done using a circuit as shown in FIG. 10(a). Prior to the copying operation, the original scanning unit is moved to the position of a black plate having uniform density that is placed in a non-image area at the tip of the original table, the halogen is turned on, and a black level image signal is input to this circuit. In order to store one line of this image data in the black level RAM 78, select A with the selector 82 (■), close the gate 80 (■), and
Open 1. That is, the data lines are connected as 551 → 552 → 553, and on the other hand, the output of the address counter 84 initialized with n is input to the address input of the RAM.
is output, and the black level signal for one line is stored in the RAM 78 (black reference value capture mode).

However, the black level data captured in this way is of a very small level and is therefore generated within the analog video processing circuit. Or, it is affected by noise coming in from the outside via various wiring or by radiation, so if the data as it is is used as point correction data, the image of the black part will become noisy and rough, which is not desirable. Therefore, the first
The arithmetic processing shown in the flowchart in FIG. 10(d) is applied to the black level data taken into the black level RAM 78 shown in FIG. 10(C) to remove the influence of noise.
), Bi in (d) is the address of the black level RAM 78, and (Bi) indicates the data within that address.

For example, if i has a width in the A4 longitudinal direction in the main scanning direction, 16 pej! /mm 16 x 297 mm
= 4752 pixels/each color, but to cover the length, 5 61 mm CCD chips were lined up for 14 pixels.
! Inc is 16 x 61 mm x 5
= 4880 pixels/i can take values from 1 to 4880 corresponding to each color.

First, the black level data taken into the black level RAM 78 in (1) of FIG. ■、■.

For (2) and (2), the gate 80 is closed and the gate 81 is opened, and the selectors 82 and 83 are selected and accessed, and the data is read into the work register (in the RAM 24) of the CPU 22 as shown in (3). Next, add the black level data (Bi-j)... (Bi + j) from Bi-j to Bi+j to obtain a data number of 2j.
Divide by +1 and use the working RAM2 as the value of the center pixel Bi.
4 is written to address Mi. In this way [(Bi
)+...+(Bj+1) ten...+(B2j+1)l
= (Mj+1) to [(B4880-2D+...+
(B4880-j)+...+(B4880)l =
(M4880-j) are calculated, and the center pixel Bi is in the neighborhood B.
As the average value from i-j to Bi+j, R as in (4)
Written into AM24. Finally, from i=1 to i=j is the data of i=j+1.

From 1=4880-j+1 to i=4880, i=
4880-j data was written. Note that the pixels from i=1 to l=j and from 1=4880-j+1 to 1=4880 are in the range of invalid pixels at both ends of the sensor (in this example, j=48). Next, the data from Mj+1 to M4880-j in the RAM 24 is again written to the black level RAM 78 from Bj+1 to M2SO4-j, and the black level data from which noise has been removed is set for the blue acid part of the color component image. After that (Fig. 10 (d) Step B), the green component G signal (St
epG).

Neighborhood calculations are performed with the R signal (StepR) of the red component.

In this embodiment, the center pixel and neighboring pixels are calculated without weighting, but weighted calculations can also be performed by multiplying the center pixel and neighboring pixels by different coefficients.

When reading an image, the RAM 78 is in data read mode, and the subtracter 79 is connected to the data line 553→557.
Each line and each pixel are read out and input to the B input of the . That is, at this time, the gate 81 is closed (■) and the gate 80 is opened (
■). Therefore, the black correction circuit output 556 corresponds to the black level data DK (i), for example, in the case of a blue signal, Bin
(i) −DK (i) = Bout (i) (black correction mode). Similarly, Green Gin.

Red Rin is also controlled in the same way by 77G and 77R. Also, the control line of each selector gate for this control■
, ■, @, and ■ are performed under CPU control by the latch 85 assigned as Ilo (FIG. 22).

Next, white level correction (shading correction) will be explained with reference to FIG. 11-1. White level correction corrects variations in sensitivity of the illumination system, optical system, and sensor based on white data obtained when the document scanning unit is moved to the position of a uniform white plate and irradiated. The basic circuit configuration is shown in FIG. 11-1(a).

The basic circuit configuration is the same as that shown in Figure 10(a), but the only difference is that black correction uses a subtracter 79, while color correction uses a multiplier 79'. Therefore, explanation of the same parts will be omitted. During color correction, first, when the document scanning unit is at the uniform white plate position (home position), that is, before copying or reading, the exposure lamp is turned on and the uniform white level image data is corrected for one line. Store in RAM 78'. For example, if it has an A4 longitudinal width in the main scanning direction, it is 16 pef/m.
m is 16x297mm = 4752 pixels, but CCD
If the image data of the I-chip is composed of 976 pixels each, 9
76X5=4880 pixels, i.e. at least RAM
has a capacity of 4880 bytes, and as shown in Figure 11-1 (b), the fifth pixel white board data Wi (i = 1 to 4880
), data for the white plate for each pixel is stored in the RAM 78' as shown in FIG. 11(C). On the other hand, for Wi, the read value D of the normal image of the i-th pixel
Data after correction for i D o = D i X F
It should be F H/Wi. Therefore, from the CPU in the controller (Fig. 2 22), the latch 85'■'
, ■', ■', ■', close gate 80',
1' and selectors 82' and 83'
output so that B is selected at
Enable PU access. Next, F for the first pixel W1
F H/W 1. Data replacement is performed by sequentially calculating FF/W2, etc. for W2. After completing the blue component of the color component image (Figure 11-1 (d) 5 steps
B) Similarly, green component (StepG) and red component (S
tepR) and the original image data Di inputted thereafter.
For D o = D i X FF H/W
Gate 80' is opened so that i is output (■'), 8
1' is closed (■'), selector 83' selects A, and coefficient data F F read out from RAM 78'
H/Wi passes through signal lines 553→557, is multiplied by the original image data 551 input from one side, and is output.

Next, Figure 11-2 (a
), (,b) will be explained with reference to the flowcharts. First, in order to process the black level of the B signal in channel connection black level processing (Step D-B), first
At step D-Bl of signal black level processing, the CPU 22 sets DI (80H in this embodiment) to the latch 537 in the multiplication circuit 260 via the data bus 508 in order to set the offset of the B signal of CHI as the reference level. 5tepl to set data of plying D/A331
). In this state, the black level signal of the black board is stored in the black level RAM 78 in the same manner as the black correction described above (Step 2).

FIG. 11-2 (C) shows black level data in the RAM 78. Next, the value of counter i is initialized to 1, and FFH is set in the minimum value storage memory address Ml in the CPU working RAM 24 (Step 3). Next, the data in the black level RAM 78 (Bi) and the data in Ml (M
Compare l) and if Bi) is smaller than (Ml), set Ml's data (Ml) to (Bi), and change Bi from B1 to B, 7
Repeat up to 6 (Step 4.5.6). As a result, the minimum value in CHI is stored in M1. Next, it is determined whether the minimum value data in M1 is equal to the black level reference value D2 (08H in this embodiment) (5tep 7), and if not, the magnitude is determined (5tep 8) If M1 is smaller than B2, then The CPU 22 sets Dl+α in the latch 537 in the multiplication circuit 260 and raises the offset level (Step
9), return to 5tep3 and repeat (Ml) = D in 5tep7
Determine 2. If (M2)>B2 at 5tep8, CP
U22 sets Dl-α in the latch 537 in the multiplication circuit 260, lowers the offset level (SteplO), and
Return to step 3 and repeat (M 1) = o in step 7.
Determine. As described above, until (Ml)=D1 is achieved, the CPU sends the data D to the multi-BRIG D/A331.
Vary l±α, and when achieved, 5tep7 to 5tep
Move to D-B2, initialize the counter value to 977,
5tepD-Bl C to CH2 in black level RAM78
Perform the same process as HI and set the minimum value to B2. Next 5t
epD-B3. D-B4. D-B5 and C respectively
Let B2 be the minimum value of H3, CH4, and CH5. The above processing is performed on the G signal CH2, CH3, CH4, and CH5 at 5 tep DG and the R signal at 5 tep D-R, and the minimum value of all is set as B2. Next, connect the channels and process the white level.
To process the white level of the signal (S t e p W
-B), the white level processing of the B signal of CHI is performed first.
At e p W - B l, the CPU 22 sets D3 (AOH in this embodiment) to the latch 523 in the multiplier circuit 258 via the data bus 508 in order to set the B signal gain of CHI to the reference level, and A321
Set the data (StepH).

In this state, the white level signal of the white plate is stored in the white level RAM 78' in the same manner as the color correction described above (Stap 12).
.

FIG. 11-2(c) shows the white level data of the RAM 78'. Next, the value of the counter i is initialized to 1, and 00H is set to the temporary memory address M2 for storing the maximum value in the CPU working RAM 24 (Step 13).
.

Next, compare the data (W i ) in the white level RAM 78' and the data (M2) in M2.
), set the data of M2 (M2) to (W\i) and repeat Wi from Wl to W, 76 (Step 14
゜15, 16). As a result, the maximum value in CHI is stored in M2. Next, it is determined whether the maximum value data in M2 is equal to the white level reference value D4 (AOH in this embodiment) (Step 17)) If not, the magnitude is determined.
step18) If (M 2 ) is larger than B4, CP
U22 sets B4-β in the latch 523 in the multiplication circuit 258, lowers the gain level (Step 19), and
Return to p13 and determine (M2)=D4 again in 5tep17.

If (M2)>B4 at 5tep18, the CPU 22
3+β is set in the latch 523 in the multiplication circuit 258 to increase the gain level (Step 20), and the process returns to 5tep13, and in 5tep17, it is again determined that (M2)=D4.

As described above, CP until (M 2 ) = D4 is achieved.
U is data D4± to multiplying D/A321
When achieved by varying β, 5tep17 to 5tepW-
Move to B2, initialize the counter surface to 977, and set the white level to R.
Step W -B 1 on CH2 in AM78'
Perform the same process as CHI, and set the minimum value to B4. Next, 5tepW-B3. W-B4. C each in W-B5
The maximum value of H3, CH4°CH5 is set to B4. The above processing is performed in 5 steps W-G to generate a G signal, Step W-
R for each CH2, C) (3, CH4, C) of the R signal
Perform H5 and set all maximum values to B4.

Channel connection processing is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11-3. First, the CPU after powering on in League Division 1
22 is 5-ml, and when the document scanning unit 11 is not on the home position sensor Sl, a home position return command is sent to the stepping motor driver 15 in FIG. 2 via the signal line 503, and the stepping motor 14 rotates.
Return to home position. Next, at S-m 2, a command to turn on the halogen lamp 10 is issued to the lamp driver 21 via the signal line 504. C after lighting the halogen lamp
At S-m3, the PU 22 sets the number of pulses in the driver 15 corresponding to the moving distance of the original scanning unit 11 from the home position (Sl) to the reference blackboard 9, and moves the original scanning unit 11 to the reference blackboard position. In this state, the channel connection black level processing shown in FIG. 11-2(a) is performed (S-m4). Next, the CPU 22 sets the number of pulses corresponding to the distance between the reference blackboard 9 and the reference white board 8 in the driver 15 at 5-m5, and moves the document scanning unit 17 to the reference white board position. In this state, perform the channel connection white level processing in Figure 11-2 (b) described above (S - m 6 ).
.

After that, turn off the halogen lamp at 5-m7, and
At step 8, the document scanning unit 11 returns to its home position again. Channel connection processing is performed as described above.

With the above configuration and operation, speeding up has been achieved, and correction for each pixel has become possible.

Furthermore, in this configuration, one line of image data can be input at high speed, and the CPU 22 can access the RD and WR, so that any position on the document, for example, the coordinates (x m m, ymm)
If you want to detect the component of the image data at point P, in the X direction (
By moving the 16Xx) line and the scanning unit, importing this line into the RAM 78' by the same operation as described above, and reading the data of the (16Xy) pixel, the component ratios of B, G, and R can be detected (hereinafter, This operation is called "line data capture mode"). Furthermore, those skilled in the art can easily infer that with this configuration, an average of multiple lines (hereinafter referred to as "average value calculation mode") and a density histogram (hereinafter referred to as "histogram mode") can be easily obtained. .

As described above, the black level and white level are corrected based on a number of factors such as black level sensitivity of the image input system, dark current variation, variation between each sensor, optical system light amount variation, white level sensitivity, etc. The color image data proportional to the input light amount, which has become uniform over the entire range, is converted to a logarithmic conversion circuit 86 (Fig. 5) in accordance with the relative luminous efficiency characteristics of the human eye.
is input. Here, white = 00M, black = FFH (image sources that are converted and further input to the image reading sensor, for example, a normal reflective original, a transparent original such as a swim projector, or even the same transparent original as a negative). Film, positive film, or film sensitivity.

Because the input gamma characteristics are different depending on the exposure state,
As shown in FIGS. 13(a) and (b), there are multiple LUTs (look-up tables) for logarithmic conversion,
Use them depending on the purpose. Switch to signal line I! go
, l gl, I! g2 (560-562), and as the I10 port of the CPU (22),
This is performed by inputting an instruction from an operation unit or the like. Here each B.

The data output for G and R corresponds to the density value of the output image, the output for B (blue) is the amount of yellow toner, the output for G (green) is the amount of magenta toner, and the output for R ( (Red) corresponds to the amount of cyan toner, so subsequent color image data will be associated with Y, M, and C.

The following color correction is performed on each color component image data from the original image obtained by logarithmic conversion, that is, yellow component, magenta component, and cyan component. The spectral characteristics of the color separation filters arranged for each pixel on the color reading sensor are as shown in Figure 14. Toner (Y,
M.

It is well known that C) also has unnecessary absorption components as shown in Fig. 15. Therefore, each color component image data Yi, M
Masking correction is well known in which color correction is performed by calculating a linear equation for each color with respect to i and Ci. Furthermore, by Yi, Mi, Ci, Min (Yi, Mi, C1) (Yi, Mi, Ci
The minimum value of
Afterwards, black toner is added (smear removal) and undercolor removal (UCR) is performed to reduce the amount of each coloring material added according to the added black component.
) The operation is also well done. FIG. 16(a) shows the masking, indentation, and UCR circuit configurations. The characteristics of this configuration are: ■ It has two masking matrices, and can be switched at high speed with one signal line "Ilo." ■ With and without UCR can be switched on one signal line "Ilo". , can be switched quickly.

■It has two circuits that determine the amount of smear, and can be switched quickly using "Ilo". First, prior to image reading, a desired first matrix coefficient M 1 and a desired second matrix coefficient M are determined.
2 is set from the bus connected to the CPU 22. In this example, Ml is in registers 87-95, M2 is in registers 96-104.
is set to . Also 111-122, 135, 13
1 is a selector, and when the S terminal is "1", A is selected, and when the S terminal is "0", B is selected. Therefore, when selecting the matrix M, the switching signal MAREA564 = '''1
”, when selecting the matrix M2, it is set to “0”. 123 is a selector, and selection signals C8, C, (56
6, 567), outputs a, b, and c are obtained based on the truth table shown in FIG. 16(b).

The selection signals co, q, and C2 correspond to color signals to be output, for example, in the order of Y, M, C, Bk (C2+C
＋! CO) ” (L Or 0), (L Or
1) + (0, 1, O), (1, O, O), and then (0, 1, 1) as a monochrome signal to obtain a desired color-corrected color signal. Now (Co, CIl
C2) = (0, 0, 0) and MAREA = "l", the outputs (a, b, c) of the selector 123 contain the contents of registers 87, 88.89, and therefore (ayl,
-bMt, -cc,) are output. On the other hand, Min (Yi,
Mi, C4) = black component signal 5 calculated as
74 undergoes a -order transformation such that Y=ax-b (a, b are constants) at 134, and then (passes through selector 135) subtracter 1
It is input to the B inputs of 24, 125, and 126. In each subtractor 124 to 126, Y=Yi-(ak
-b), M = M i -(ak -b
), C=Ci-(ak-b) are calculated and input to multipliers 127, 128, 129 for masking calculations via signal lines 577, 578, 579. The selector 135 is controlled by a signal UAREA 565, and the UAREA 565 has a configuration that enables high-speed switching between UCR (undercolor removal), presence, and absence by "Ilo". Multiplier 127.128. 129, each of the eight powers has (a Yl , -b Ml ,
CC1), B input has the above-mentioned [Yi −(ak-b
), Mi −(ak-b), Ci −(ak-b)
) = (Yi, Mi, Ci) are input, so as is clear from the figure, the output Dout has Yout = under the condition of C2 = 0 (Y or M or C selection).
YiX (an)+Mix (,=bMx) 10Cix
(cct) is obtained, and yellow image data that has been subjected to masking color correction and undercolor removal processing is obtained. Similarly, Mout: Yi X (-aY2) + Mi X (b
M2) + Ci X (-CC2) Cout = Yi
x(-a ya)+Mix(-b M3)+Ci
X(co) is output to Dout. Color selection is done according to the development type of the color printer (Co, CI) as mentioned above.
, C2) according to the table in FIG. 16(b).
controlled by Register 105~107.108~
Reference numeral 110 is a register for forming a monochrome image, and based on the same principle as the above-mentioned masking color correction, 1 is applied to MONO=.
Yi+1! , Mi+ml Ci, each color is weighted by addition. Switching signal M A R, E A
564.

UAREA565. As mentioned above, KAREA587 performs high-speed switching between coefficient matrices M1 and M2 for masking color correction, RAREA565 performs high-speed switching between UCR and non-UCR, and KAREA587 performs high-speed switching between masking color correction coefficient matrices M1 and M2.
69→output to Dout through selector 131), -
Next conversion switch, i.e. = Min (Yi, Mi.

Ci), Y=ck-d or Y:=ek-f (c
, d.

(e, f are constant parameters) are signals that can quickly change the characteristics of the copy screen. It has become. Therefore, this configuration can be applied when images obtained from image input sources having different color separation characteristics or a plurality of images having different black tones are combined as in this embodiment. Note that these area signals MAREA, UAREA, KAREA (5
64,565°587) is the area generating circuit (second
51).

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining area signal generation (the aforementioned MAREA564°UAREA565.KAREA587, etc.). The area refers to, for example, the shaded area in FIG. 17(e), which is the area in the sub-scanning direction AB,
Timing chart A in Figure 17(e) for each line
It is distinguished from other areas by a signal such as REA. Each area is designated by the digitizer 16 of FIG. Figure 17(a)
- (d) show a configuration in which the number of generation positions and length of nine sections of this area signal is programmable by the CPU 22, and a large number can be obtained. In this configuration, one area signal is generated by one bit of RAM that can be accessed by the CPU, and for example, n area signals ARE A Q -
In order to obtain A RE A n, two RAMs each having an n-bit configuration are provided. (Sec. 17(d) 136.137)
. Now, the area signals AREAO and A as shown in Fig. 17(b) are
If we obtain REAn, the RAM addresses Xl, X3
Set a pin to bit 0 of the address, and set all bits 0 of the remaining addresses to "0". On the other hand, the RAM address L xi +
Set "1" to x2 + x4, and set all bits n of other addresses to "0". When data in the RAM is sequentially read in synchronization with a constant clock using H3YNC as a reference, data "l" is read out at addresses X and X3, for example, as shown in FIG. 17(C). This read data is shown in FIG.
8-0 to 148-n J- of flip-flop.

Since it is connected to both K terminals, the output is a toggle operation, that is, R
When “1” is read from AM and CLK is input, the output changes from “0” to “1”, “1” to “0”, and the ARE
Interval signals such as AO and therefore area signals are generated. Furthermore, if data is set to "O" over all addresses, no area section is generated and no area is set. Figure 17 (
d) is the present circuit configuration, and 136. 137 is the aforementioned RAM. In order to switch the area section at high speed, for example, while data is being read from RAMA 136 line by line, C
PU22 (Figure 2) performs memory write operations for different area settings, and alternately generates sections and C
Switch memory writing from PU. Therefore, the first
If you specify the shaded area in Figure 7(f), A-4-B→A
→B→A, RAMA and RAMB are switched, and this means (C3, C4, C3)=
(0, 1, O), the counter output counted by vCLK is given as an address to the RAMA 136 through the selector 139 (Aa), the gate 142 is opened,
The gate 144 is closed and the RAM 136 is read out, and the full bit width, n bits, is transferred to the J- flip-flop 14.
8-0 to 148-n, and interval signals AREAO to AREAn are generated according to the set values. During this time, writing from the CPU to B is performed on the address bus A-Bu.
s, data bus D-Bus, and access signal R/W. Conversely, when generating section signals based on data set in RAMB137 (C3, C4, C5) =
By setting (1, O, l), the same operation can be performed and data can be written from the CPU to the RAM 136. (Hereafter, these two RAMs will be referred to as A-RAM and B-RAM, respectively.
XC3゜C4, C5 as AREA control signal (ARCNT)
(C3, C4, and C6 are output from the CPU's I10 port). A correspondence table between each bit and signal name is not shown in FIG. 17(g).

Next, a circuit configuration for color conversion will be shown according to FIG.

Color conversion here means that when each color component data (Y i , M i , Ci ) input to this circuit has a certain color density or a color component ratio, it is converted into another color. say something to replace it with. For example, the 18th
This refers to changing only the red (hatched area) of the manuscript in figure (C) to blue.

First, each color data (Yi, Mi) is input to this circuit.

Ci) is first averaged by the averaging circuit 149. 150. 15
1 is input. At this time, the average number of pixels is set through the CPU bus from the operation panel, which will be described later. In reality, the average number of pixels is determined by the window comparator 156~
158 through the CPU bus. comparison upper limit value,
In conjunction with the width of the lower limit value, when the width is narrow, the average number of pixels is increased to prevent false detection due to halftone images, etc. When the width is wide, the average number of pixels is set to a lower value to prevent thin lines etc. The signal output from the averaging circuit is detected as (Y i + M i + Ci) by the adder 155, and is sent to the B input of the divider 152, 153, and 154.
On the other hand, the input color component ratio is yellow ratio ray=Yi/(Yi+M i + Ci
), ? Zenta ratio r a m = M i /
(Y i 1 M i + Ci), cyan ratio r a c
= Ci / (Y i + Mi + Ci)
are obtained as signal lines 604, 605, and 606, respectively, and input to window comparators 156 to 158. Here, the comparison upper and lower limit values of each color component set from the CPU bus, and therefore (y u , m u
.

When the above ratio is included between cu) and (yl, mt, cl), that is, when yt≦ray<yu, the output crab is 1
", when ml≦ra m < mu, the crab comes out "1"
.

When C1≦r a c < Cu, the output is “l”,
When the above three conditions are met, it is determined that the input color is the desired color, and the output of the three-man power AND 165 becomes 1, causing the selector 175 to select S. entered into the input. The adder 155 is
Signal line CHG output from I10 port of CPU22
When CNT607 is “1”, output 603 = ΣAi, 1~
3 When the signal is “0”, output 603 = 1 is output. Therefore, when the ratio is 10'', the output of the dividers 152, 153, and 154 is the A input as it is. That is, at this time, the registers 159 to 164 do not contain the desired color component ratio, but
Color density data is set. 175 is a selector with 4 inputs and 1 output; input 1. 2. In 3, the desired color data after conversion is input as the Y component, 9 open component, and C component, respectively, while in 4, the data Vin that has been subjected to masking color correction and UCR on the read original image is input.
is input and connected to Dout in FIG. 16(a).

The switching input S0 is set to '1' when the color detection is "true", that is, when a predetermined color is detected, and is set to "0" at other times.
is the area signal CHA RE A0615 generated by the area generation circuit in FIG.
” is not hit. S2, 83 human power C8, C, (616
, 617) are the same as the C8 and C1 signals in FIG. 16(a), and (C0°C+') = (0,O), (0
, 1), and (1, O), the color printer performs yellow, magenta, and cyan image formation, respectively. The truth table of the selector 175 is shown in FIG. 18(b).
Shown below. Registers 166 to 168 are set by the CPU with desired color component ratios or color component density data after conversion.

y', m'.

When c′ is the color component ratio, CHGCNT607 is set to “Bi,” so the output 603 of the adder 155 is (Yi
+ M i + Ci ), and the multipliers 169 to 17
Since it is input to the B input of selector input 1. 2.
3 have (Yi+Mi+C1)Xy' and (Yi+Mi+
Ci)Xm'.

(Y i + M i + Ci) X c ' is input and color-converted according to the truth table FIG. On the other hand, when y', m', and c' are color component density data, CHGCNT is set to "0" and the signal 603 is set to "1", so the outputs of the multipliers 169 to 171 are
Therefore, inputs 1.2.3 of the selector 175 have data (
y', m', c'') are input as they are, and color conversion is performed by replacing the color component density data.

As mentioned above, the region signal CHAREA'615 can have any section length and number, so this color conversion can be applied only to a plurality of regions rl, r2+r3 as shown in FIG. By preparing multiple circuits in Figure 18 (a), for example, in the area rl, red → blue + r2, red → yellow + r
Color conversion over multiple areas and multiple colors, such as white → red in 3, becomes possible at high speed and in real time. This includes a plurality of color detection/conversion circuits identical to the circuit described above, and the selector 230 selects the outputs A, B, and B of each circuit.
The data required from C and D is CHSELo and CH3EL
I and output to output 619. Also, the area signals applied to each circuit are CHAREAO~3, and C
HSELo,1 is also generated by the area generation circuit 51 as shown in FIG. 17(d).

Figure 19 shows a gamma conversion circuit for controlling the color balance and color shading of the output image in this system.Basically, it is data conversion using an LUT (look-up table), and it is controlled by the operation unit. The data in the LUT is rewritten in association with the input designation. RA for LUT
When writing data to M177, select signal line RAM5
By setting L623="0", the selector 176
The input is selected, gate 178 is closed and gate 179 is opened, buses ABUS and DBUS (address data) from CPU 22 are connected to RAM 177, and data is written or read. Once the conversion table is created, RAM5L623 becomes “1” and Din62
The video input from 0 is input to the address input of the RAM 177, addressed with video data, and desired data is output from the RAM and input to the next stage magnification control circuit through the opened gate 178. Also, this gamma RAM
Yellow, magenta, cyan, black, MON
O and 5 ways, at least 2 types (Figure 19(b) A
and B), and the switching for each color is performed at C8, C, , C2 (566, 567° 568) as in FIG. 16, and the G generated by the area generating circuit in FIG.
With the ARA626, for example, as shown in FIG. 19-(c), the area A has a gamma characteristic of A, and the area B has a gamma characteristic of B, and can be obtained as a single print.

This gamma RAM has two types of variable magnification characteristics, A and B, and can be switched quickly for each area, but by adding more of these, it is also possible to switch even more characteristics at high speed. Dout 625 in FIG. 19(a) is input to the input Din 626 of the next stage magnification control circuit in FIG. 20(a).

Further, as is clear from the figure, the characteristics of this gamma conversion RAM can be changed individually for each color, and can be rewritten by the CPU 22 in association with operations from the liquid crystal touch panel keys on the operation panel. For example, Figure 33 p.
ooo When the operator touches the density adjustment key e or f on the (standard screen), if the operator touches e from the center O,
As shown in Fig. 19(d) and (e), the settings move to the left from -l to -2, and the characteristics in the RAM 177 also change from -1 to -2 to -3 to -4.
It is selected and rewritten as follows. Conversely, if you touch f, the characteristics will be selected as +l → +2 → +3 → +4 and RAM177
can be rewritten in the same way. That is, on the standard screen,
By touching the e or f key, the entire Y, M, C, Bk or MONO table (RAM 177) is rewritten, and the density can be adjusted without changing the color tone. On the other hand, on the screen P420 in FIG. 37 (color create mode, color balance adjustment), only the areas in the RAM 177 are individually rewritten for Y, M, C, and Bk in order to adjust the color balance. That is, for example, when changing the color tone of the yellow component, when the touch key y1 on the screen P420 is pressed, the black band display extends upward, and the conversion characteristic changes in the y1 direction, as shown in FIG. When the touch key y2 is touched, the characteristic is selected in the y2 direction, and the yellow component becomes lighter. That is, in this operation, the density of only the monochromatic component is changed, and the color tone is changed. The same applies to M, C, and Bk.

Furthermore, the free color mode set on the screen P361 in FIG. 36 (in area designation mode, free color mode) is realized by rewriting this gamma conversion RAM as follows.

Free color mode is similar to the way that when a full-color original is copied using a monochrome copying machine, an image with gradation of a single black color is obtained, and an image with gradation of any single hue is obtained. This is a function for

A method for realizing the free color mode is shown according to FIG. 54-(a). As an example, a case will be described in which it is desired to form an image on the entire document in a blue hue. The desired hue can be obtained by specifying a color on the document on the screen of FIG. 36 P362 and reading that hue, or by specifying a registered color on the screen of FIG. 36 P364 and using that hue.

The graph on the right side of FIG. 54(a) shows color component data (Ys) of the color (light blue in this example) having the desired hue specified on the screen of P362 or P364 of FIG.

Ms, Cs), and from this, it is obtained that the desired hue (blue) has a ratio of Ys:Ms:C5=1:2:4. The graph on the left side of FIG. 54(a) shows MONO when forming yellow, magenta, and cyan images.
It is a graph showing gamma characteristics set in gamma RAM.

If MAX is the maximum value among Ys, Ms, and Cs mentioned above, then the gamma characteristic function GY for yellow, magenta, and cyan is
(x), GM (x), and GC (x) are created as follows.

A free color mode is achieved by passing the aforementioned monochrome image data (MONO) through the MONO gamma RAM created in this way and applying gamma conversion while changing the gamma characteristics for yellow, magenta, and cyan. . In fact, for all MONO values X, = Ys : Ms : Cs, and the images formed all have the same ratio of yellow, magenta, and cyan, and have the same hue. Fifth
Figure 4-(b) shows what color components are used to form an image using the free color mode in this example when there is a black part (MONO = 255) and a red part (MONO = 160) on the original. This shows that. In this way, while maintaining the same hue, parts of the document with a high MONO value are formed as a dark image, and parts with a low MONO value are formed as a light image.

However, as it is, it is not possible to achieve the desired density in any part of the document. For example, if you want to make the black part of the document a lighter color with a desired hue, or if you want the red part with a darker color with a desired hue.

For this reason, the screen of P363 or P364 in Figure 36 (
The density level can be adjusted in 17 steps from level 1 to level 17 by touching the density adjustment key a in the free color mode (in the area designation mode and free color mode). Depending on this density level, the gamma curve of the color component with the highest proportion (hereinafter referred to as the central color component) in FIG. 54-(a) is changed as shown in FIG. 54-(C).

The standard concentration level is level 9, and at this time, Fig. 54-(
It matches the gamma curve in a).

A constant M assigned to each concentration level. -M1□(M8
= 255), the gamma characteristic function G M of the central color component
A I N i is defined by the following formula.

i In this embodiment, the output of the gamma RAM is 8 bits (0 to 2
55), 255 is the upper limit value.

In this way, by changing the slope of the gamma curve of the central color component according to the density level, and using that as a reference, changing the slopes of the gamma curves of other color components so as to maintain the ratio, the density can be adjusted while keeping the same hue. Adjustments can be made.

FIG. 54-('d) is a gamma curve when the example of FIG. 54-(a) is changed to density level 4. Y, M.

While keeping the ratio of C at 1:2+4, it is possible to make the black part of the document a lighter color with this hue.

FIG. 54-(e) is a gamma curve when the example of FIG. 54-(a) is changed to density level 15. In order to maintain the ratio, when the central color component reaches the upper limit value (255 in this case) and becomes constant, the other color components also become constant values. At this density level, the red component of the original can be made into a dark color with this hue. Of course, all MON
The ratio of Y, M, and C of output data to O value input is 1:
The ratio is kept at 2:4.

In addition, on the screen of P365 in Fig. 36 (in area specification mode, free color mode),
It is also possible to adjust the density by specifying a point on the document where you want the same density as the color (Ys, Ms, Cs) with the desired hue specified on the 2 or P364 screen. .

First, MONO value (reference MON
The gamma curve of each color component in the MONO gamma RAM is set so that when the MONO value is input, Ys, Ms, and Cs are output.

When the reference MONO value is small, the slope is thick (the 54th
As shown in Figure-(e), when the reference MONO value is large,
The slope becomes smaller as shown in FIG. 54-(d).

As mentioned above, the free color modes are Y, M, and C.
This can be achieved by forming images only three times, but when BK image formation is performed in combination with other modes, it is sufficient to set the gamma curve for BK so that 0 is output for all inputs. .

Figure 20(a) 180. 181 are FiFo memories each having a capacity of 16 pel/mm for 1942 minutes in the main scanning direction, for example, 16 x 297 = 4752 pixels with an A4 longitudinal width of 297 mm, and as shown in Fig. 20 (b), AWE, BWE = Write operation to memory during “LO”, read operation between ARE and BRE-“Lo”, output of A when ARE = “Hi”, BRE = “H”
4”, the output of B is in a high impedance state, so each output is wired ORed, and Dout6
27. piF□A, FiFoB180
゜181 has internal write address counters and read address counters (Figure 20 (C) that are operated by WCK and RCK (clock), respectively, so that the internal pointer ladder advances, so this is normally done. Similarly, the video data transfer in the system to WCK is locked to VC.
It is well known that if LK588 is given a CLK that has been thinned out by the rate multiplier 630, and RCKil:VCLK588 is given a CLK that is not thinned out, the input data to this circuit will be reduced at the time of output, and vice versa, it will be enlarged. Yes, FiFoA and B are the leads.

Write operations are performed alternately. Furthermore, FiFo memory 18
0, W address counter 182 in 181. The R address counter 183 receives enable signals (WE, RE
...635, 636) is enabled "Lo", the count by the clock advances, and R3T (634)
= Since the configuration is initialized by “Lo”,
For example, as shown in FIG. 20(d), after R8T (this configuration uses the synchronization signal H3YNC in the main scanning direction),
AWE="Lo" (BWE) for m pixels from the n1th pixel
), write pixel data, set ARE = ``Lo'' (same for BRE) for m pixels from the n2th pixel, read out the pixel data, and read the ERITE data →
Move like READ data. In other words, the shoulder opening (
and L-) 2 mouths [(and old 1) by varying the generation position and section, Figure 20 (e).

As shown in (f) and (g), the image can be moved arbitrarily in the main scanning direction, and in combination with the above-mentioned WCK or RCK thinning, it is easy to control the magnification and movement. AWE and ARE input to this circuit.

BWE and BRE are determined by the area generation circuit shown in FIG. 17(d).
It is generated as described above.

After magnification control is performed in the main scanning direction as necessary in FIG. 20, edge enhancement and smoothing processing is performed in FIG. 21. FIG. 21(a) is a block diagram of this circuit, in which memories 185 to 189 each have a main scan direction.
It has a capacity of 942 minutes, and has a FiFo configuration in which a total of 5 lines are sequentially and cyclically stored and simultaneously output in parallel. 190 is a commonly used second-order differential spatial filter, in which edge components are detected and the output 646 is 1
At step 96, a gain having the characteristics shown in FIG. 21(b) is applied. The shaded area in FIG. 21(b) is clamped to 0 in order to remove small components, ie, noise components, from among the components output by edge enhancement. On the other hand, the buffer memory outputs for five lines are input to smoothing circuits 191 to 195, where averaging is performed in units of pixel blocks of five different sizes shown in the figure from 1×1 to 5×5, and each output 641 645, a desired smoothed signal is selected by the selector 197. 5M5L signal 651 is CPU
It is output from the I10 port of No. 22, and is controlled in association with the designation from the operation panel, as will be described later.

Furthermore, 198 is a divider, and for example, when 3x5 smoothing is selected, "15" is set by the CPU 22, and when 3x7 smoothing is selected, "21" is set by the CPU 22 and averaged. .

The gain circuit 196 has a look-up table (LUT) configuration, and is a RAM into which data is written by the CPU 22 similarly to the gamma circuit shown in FIG. It is set to be “0”. Furthermore, this edge emphasis control and smoothing control correspond to the liquid crystal touch panel screen on the operation panel, and the screen shown in FIG.
Figure 7 P430) Sharpness>1. 2
．． 3.4, the conversion characteristics of the gain circuit are rewritten by the CPU 22 as shown in FIG. 21(C). On the other hand, when the operator operates 1', 2', 3', and 4' in the direction of ``sharpness'', the switching signal 5M5L6 of the selector 197 is activated.
52, the smoothing block size is 3X3,
They are selected to be as large as 3X5, 3X7, and 5X5. At the center point C, 1×1 is selected, and the gain circuit EARE
A651 becomes "Lo", and the input Din is output as Dout to the output of the adder 199 without being subjected to either smoothing or edge enhancement. In this configuration, for example, the moiré that occurs in halftone originals can be improved by smoothing, and the sharpness of characters and line drawings can be improved by edge enhancement. When a dot original and text and line drawings are in the same original, for example, it is necessary to improve moire (when smoothing is applied, text becomes blurry, and when edges are emphasized, moire appears strongly). EAR generated in Figure 17(d)
By controlling EA651 and 5M5L652, for example, select 3×5 smoothing with 5M5L652,
As shown in Fig. 21(e), EAREA651 is A',
When generated as shown in B' and applied to the original cross dot image, moiré is improved for the dot image, and sharpness is improved for the character area. Signal TMA
Like EAREA 651, RE A 660 is generated by the area generation circuit 51, and outputs Dout=“A+B” when TMAREA−“1′”.

When TMAREA-“0”, Dout=“0′”.

Therefore, under the control of TMAREA660, for example, the 21st
When a signal like that shown in Fig. 21 (f) 660-1 is generated, the shaded area (inside the rectangle) is extracted and Fig. 21 (g) 660-2 is generated.
When a signal like this is generated, the shaded area (outside the rectangle) is removed (outlined).

FIG. 5 200 shows a document coordinate recognition circuit that recognizes the coordinates of the four corners of a document placed on a document table. The coordinates are stored in an internal register (not shown), and after a preliminary scan for document position recognition, the CPU 22 registers the coordinates of the four corners of a document placed on a document table. Read the coordinate data.

Since it is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-74774, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

However, in the preliminary scan for recognizing the main document position, the 10th
After the black correction and white correction shown in FIG. 11(a), the masking calculation coefficient shown in FIG. 16(a) is kl
, fl, and ml for monochrome image data generation, and C6, C1, and C2 in the same figure are (0,1°1), and by setting UAREA565="Lo" so that UCR (undercolor removal) is not performed. , is input to the document position recognition unit 200 as monochrome image data.

FIG. 22 shows an operation panel section, particularly a liquid crystal screen control section, and a key matrix according to the present invention.

This operation panel is controlled by commands given from the CPU bus 508 in FIG. 5 to the I10 port 206, which controls the liquid crystal controller 201 in FIG. 22 and the key matrix 209 for manual key and touch key operations.

The font displayed on the LCD screen is FONT ROM20.
5, and is transferred to the refresh RAM 204 from time to time by a program from the CPU 22.

The liquid crystal controller sends screen data for display to the liquid crystal display 203 via the liquid crystal driver 202, and displays a desired screen. On the other hand, all key human power is I10 port 2
06, the pressed key is detected by a commonly performed key scan, and is input to the I10 port→CPU 22 through the receiver 208.

FIG. 23 shows the configuration of this system when a film projector 211 is mounted and connected to the system (FIG. 1).

The same numbers as in FIG. 1 indicate the same components, and a mirror unit consisting of a reflection mirror 218, a Fresnel lens 212, and a diffusion plate 213 is placed on the document table 4, and the film 216 projected by the film projector 211 is While scanning the transmitted light image in the direction of the arrow with the above-mentioned document scanning unit, it is read in the same way as a reflective document. film 21
6 is fixed with a film holder 215, and the lamp 212 is connected to 0N10F from the lamp controller 212.
F, and PJON6 from the I10 port of the CPU 22 (Fig. 2) in the controller 13 to control the lighting voltage.
55, PJCNT657 is output. The lamp lighting voltage of the lamp controller 212 is determined by the value of an 8-bit input PJCNT 657 as shown in FIG. 24, and is normally controlled between Vmin and Vmax. At this time, the input digital data is DA-D\B. FIG. 25(a) shows an operational flow for reading an image from a film projector and copying it, and FIG. 25(b) shows an outline of a timing chart. At Sl, the operator sets the film 216 on the film projector 211,
The lamp lighting voltage Vexp is determined by shave-eve correction (S2) and AE (S3), which will be described next, according to the operating procedure from the operation panel, which will be described later, and the printer 2 is started (S4). Prior to the ITOP (image leading edge synchronization signal) signal from the printer, PJCNT=Dexp (corresponding to the appropriate exposure voltage), and the light amount becomes stable during image formation.

Seven images are formed using the ITOP signal, and dark lighting is performed using DA (corresponding to the minimum exposure voltage) until the next exposure.
This prevents the filament from deteriorating due to rush current when the lamp is turned on, extending its life. Thereafter, in the same manner, after M image formation, C image formation, and black image formation (S7 to 512), P
Set JCNT="00" and turn off the lamp.

Next, the processing procedure of AE and shading correction in the projector mode will be shown according to FIGS. 29(a) and 29(b). When the operator selects a projector mode using the operation panel, the operator first selects whether the film to be used is a color negative film, a color positive film, a black-and-white negative film, or a black-and-white positive film. If it is a color negative, set the film carrier 1 fitted with the cyan color correction filter in the projector, set the unexposed part (film base) of the film to be used in the film holder, and make sure that the film has an ASA sensitivity of 100. If you select whether it is less than 400 or more than 400 and press the shading start button, the projector lamp lights up at the reference lighting voltage v1. Here, the cyan filter cuts out the orange base portion of the color negative film, R, G.

Adjust the color balance of the color sensor with the B filter attached. Furthermore, by extracting shading data from unexposed areas, a wide dynamic range can be achieved even in the case of negative film. If the film is not a color negative film, set the film carrier 2 fitted with an ND filter (or without a filter), press the shading start key on the LCD touch panel, and the projector lamp lights up at the standard lighting voltage v2. .

In fact, when the operator selects negative film or positive film, the switching of the reference lighting voltages V, V2 may be performed automatically by recognizing the type of film carrier. Next, the scanner unit moves to the vicinity of the center of the image projection section, imports the average value of one line or multiple lines of the CCD as shading data for each of R, G, and B into the RAM 78' shown in FIG. Turn off the lamp.

Next, set the image film 216 to be actually copied in the film holder 215, and if focus adjustment is necessary, turn on the projector lamp with the lamp lighting button on the operation panel, visually adjust the focus, and then try again. Turn off the lamp by pressing the lamp lighting button.

When you turn on the copy button, the projector lamp will change to ■1 or ■, depending on the selection result of color negative or not mentioned above.
2, it is automatically turned on and the image projection unit's Briscan (A
E) is performed. Blisscan is used to determine the exposure level of the film to be copied at the time of photographing, and is performed according to the following procedure. That is, the R signals of a plurality of predetermined lines in the image projection area are inputted using the COD, and the R signals versus frequency of appearance are accumulated to create a histogram as shown in FIG. "Create mode"). From this histogram, find the m a x value shown in the figure, and calculate the maximum and minimum R signal values Rm a x and Rm at which the histogram crosses the level 1/16 of the max value.
Find i. Then, the lamp light amount multiple α is calculated according to the film type initially selected by the operator. The value of α is α = 255 for color or black and white positive film.
/Rm a x , for black and white negative a=C, /Rmi
n, for color negatives with ASA sensitivity less than 400 a = C
2/Rmin, and in the case of a color negative with an ASA sensitivity of 400 or more, it is calculated as α=C3/Rmin. C1, C2,
C3 is a value determined in advance by the gamma characteristics of the film, and is a value of about 40 to 50 out of 255 levels. The α value will be converted into output data to the variable voltage power supply of the projector lamp using a predetermined lookup table. Next, the projector lamp is turned on with the lamp lighting voltage V obtained in this way, and the logarithmic conversion table shown in FIG. 3(a) is converted according to the film type.
The masking coefficients shown in FIG. 16(a) are set to appropriate values, and a normal copying operation is performed. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the logarithmic conversion table is selected from eight tables 1 to 8 using a 3-bit switching signal; 1 is for reflective originals, 2 is for color positives, 3 for black and white positives, 4 for color negatives (ASA less than 400), 5 for color negatives (ASA 400 or more), 6 for black and white negatives... They may be used together. Further, the contents can be set independently for each of R, G, and B. FIG. 13(b) shows an example of the table contents.

The copying operation is thus completed. When transferring to the next film copy, film layer properties (negative/positive).

The operator determines whether or not the color/black and white, etc.) changes, and if it changes, return to the step in Fig. 29 (a), and if it does not change, return to ■ and repeat the same operation again. becomes.

As described above, print output corresponding to negative, positive, color, and black and white films can be obtained by the film projector 211, but in this system, as can be seen in Fig. 23, the film image is enlarged and projected onto the document table. There are few fine character and line drawings, and the purpose of the film requires particularly smooth gradation reproduction. Therefore, in this system, the following gradation processing on the color LBP output side is different from that when printing from a reflective original. This is done in a PWM circuit (778) contained within printer controller 700.

Details of the PWM circuit 778 will be explained below.

Figure 26 (A) is a block diagram of the PWM circuit, Figure 26 (
B) shows the timing diagram.

The input VIDEODATA 800 is a latch circuit 90
0, it is latched at the rising edge of VCLK801 and synchronized with the clock. ((B) Figure 800゜80
1) VIDEODATA81 output from the latch
5 is corrected in gradation using an LUT (look-up table) 901 composed of ROM or RAM, and subjected to D/A conversion by a D/A (digital-to-analog) converter 902.
The generated analog video signal is input to the next stage comparators 910 and 911 and compared with a triangular wave which will be described later.The signals 808 and 809 input to the other of the six comparators respectively Synchronized and individually generated triangular waves ((B) Figure 808.
809) There is te. In other words, a synchronous clock 2VCLK803 with twice the frequency of VCLK801 is used, and one is
A triangular wave WVI is generated in a triangular wave generating circuit 908 according to a reference signal 806 for triangular wave generation whose frequency is divided by two by a flip-flop 906, and a signal 807 is generated by dividing 2VCLK by six by a frequency dividing circuit 905 ( (B) Figure 8
This is the triangular wave WV2 generated by the triangular wave generating circuit 909 according to the following.

Each triangle wave and VIDEODATAL! As shown in (B) of the same figure, all the signals are generated in synchronization with VCLK.

Furthermore, each signal is generated in synchronization with VCLK.
Synchronize with YN C802 (inverted HSYN
C initializes circuits 905 and 906 at HSYNC timing. By the above operation, CMPI 910. C
The output 810.811 of MP2911 contains the input VID.
Depending on the value of EODATA 800, a signal with a pulse width as shown in FIG. 4(C) is obtained. In other words, in this system, the figure (
When the output of the AND gate 913 in A) is "1", the laser is turned on and a dot is printed on the print paper, and when it is "0", the laser is turned off and nothing is printed on the print paper.

Therefore, turning off the light can be controlled by the control signal LON (805). (C) of the same figure shows the situation when the level of the image signal changes from "black" to "white" from left to right. PWM
Since the inputs to the circuit are "FF" for "white" and "00" for "black," the output of the D/A converter 902 changes as shown by Di in FIG. 9(C). On the other hand, the triangular wave (
a) is WVI, (b) Te is WV2, so the outputs of CMPI and CMP2 are respectively,
PW1, PW2 (the pulse width becomes narrower as it moves from "black" to "white").Also, as is clear from the figure, when PWI is selected, the dots on the print paper change from P1 to P
It is formed at intervals of 2→P3→P4, and the amount of change during the pulse has a dynamic range of Wl. On the other hand, when PW2 is selected, dots are formed at intervals of P5→P6, and the dynamic range during the pulse is W2, which is 3 times higher than PWI.
It's doubled. By the way, for example, printing density (resolution)
is approximately 400 lines/in ch, P at the time of PWI.
At W2, it is set to approximately 133 lines/inch, etc. Also, as is clear from this, when PWI is selected, the resolution improves by about 3 times compared to PW2;
When 2 is selected, the dynamic range in the pulse is about three times wider than that of PWI, so the gradation is significantly improved. Therefore, for example, if high resolution is required, PWI should be selected, and if high gradation is required, PW2 should be selected (5CR8EL, 804 is given from the external circuit. In other words, Fig.
A) 912 is a selector and 5CR3EL804 is “
Input selection when PWI is "0", that is, PW2 when PWI is "1"
is output from output terminal 0, and the laser is turned on only during the finally obtained pulse to print a dot.

LUT901 is a table conversion ROM for gradation correction, but the addresses 812, 813 and 1. A table switching signal of 2.814 and a video signal of 815 are input, and corrected VIDEODATA is obtained from the output. For example, select pwi (if 5CR3EL804 is set to "0", the output of ternary counter 903 will be all 0" and 901
The correction table for PWI in is selected. K again.

, , and 2 are switched according to the output color signal,
For example, when 2 = "0. 0.0" for Ko, 2 = "0. 0.0", the output is yellow, when it is "0. 1. 0", the output is magenta, "
Cyan output when "l, O, O", "l, 1. 0
”, black output is performed. In other words, the gradation correction characteristics are changed for each color image to be printed. This compensates for differences in gradation characteristics due to differences in image reproduction characteristics depending on the color of the laser beam printer. By combining 2 and K., and 1, it is possible to perform a wider range of gradation correction.For example, it is also possible to switch the gradation conversion characteristics of each color depending on the type of input image.Next, , P W 2 should be selected (, When 5CR3EL is set to "1", the ternary counter 603 counts the synchronization signal of the line and changes from 1" to "2".
”→“3′→”1”→”2”→“3”→... as LUT
output to address 814. Thereby, the gradation correction table is changed for each line, thereby further improving the gradation properties.

This will be explained in detail according to FIG. 27 and subsequent figures. Curve A in FIG. 5A is a characteristic curve of input data versus print density when, for example, PWI is selected and the input data is changed from "FF", ie, "white" to "0", ie, "black". As a standard, it is desirable that the characteristic be K, and therefore B, which is the opposite characteristic of A, is set in the gradation correction table. The same figure (B) is PW
Tone correction characteristics A, B for each line when 2 is selected
.
As shown in the figure, there are 3 levels of gradation in the image feed direction).
Furthermore, the gradation characteristics are improved. That is, in a part where the density change is steep, the characteristic A is dominant and steep reproducibility is reproduced, the gentle gradation is reproduced by the characteristic C, and the characteristic B reproduces the effective gradation for the intermediate part. Therefore, as described above, even when PWI is selected, high resolution and a certain level of gradation are guaranteed, and when PW2 is selected, very excellent gradation is guaranteed. Furthermore, regarding the above-mentioned pulse, for example, in the case of PW2, ideally W during the pulse satisfies O≦W≦W2, but due to the electrophotographic characteristics of the laser beam printer and the response characteristics of the laser drive circuit, etc., there is a certain width. During shorter pulses, there is a region O≦W≦wp in FIG. 28 in which no dots are printed (no response), and a region wq≦W≦W2 in FIG. 28 in which the density is saturated. Therefore, during the pulse and at the concentration, the effective area of linearity w
It is set so that the pulse duration changes between p≦W≦wq. That is, when the input data changes from 0 (black) to FFH (white) as shown in Figure 28 (B), it changes from wp to wq during the pulse, further guaranteeing the linearity between the input data and density. .

The video signal converted into a pulse as described above is applied to the laser driver 711L via the line 224 to modulate the laser beam LB.

Note that the signal in FIG. 26(A) is 0. 2゜5CR to...
8EL and LON are output from a control circuit (not shown) in the printer controller 700 in FIG. 2, and are output based on serial communication with the reader unit 1 (described above). In particular, when a reflective original is used, 5CR5EL="O" and a film projector is used. The time is controlled to 5CR3EL=“1”, and smoother gradations are reproduced.

Image Forming Operation> Now, the laser beam LB modulated according to the image data is scanned horizontally at high speed in the width of the arrow A-B in FIG. 13 and a mirror 714 to form an image on the surface of a photosensitive drum 715, and tod exposure corresponding to the image data is performed. One horizontal scan of the laser beam corresponds to one horizontal scan of the original image,
In this embodiment, a width of 1/1'6 mm in the feeding direction (sub-scanning direction) is supported.

On the other hand, since the photosensitive drum 715 is rotating at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the above-mentioned laser light scan is performed in the main scanning direction of the drum, and the scanning of the photosensitive drum 715 is performed in the sub-scanning direction of the drum. Since the rotation is performed at a constant speed, planar images are successively exposed and a latent image is formed. Prior to this exposure, a toner image is formed by uniform charging by the charger 717, the above-mentioned exposure, and toner development by the developing sleeve 731. For example, the first
If development is performed using yellow toner on the developing sleeve 731Y in response to the second exposure scan of the original, a toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the original 3 is formed on the photosensitive drum 715.

Next, a yellow toner image is transferred onto a sheet of paper 754 whose leading end is carried by a gripper 751 and wrapped around a transfer drum 716 by a transfer charger 729 provided at the contact point between the photosensitive drum 715 and the transfer drum 716. ,Form. The same processing process is performed for M (magenta), C (
Repeat for cyan) and Bk (black) images.
By superimposing each toner image on the paper sheet 754,
A full color image is formed using four color toners.

Thereafter, the transfer paper 791 is removed by the movable peeling claw 75 shown in FIG.
0, it is peeled off from the transfer drum 716 and transferred to the conveyor belt 7.
42 to an image fixing section 743, and the toner image on the transfer paper 791 is melted and fixed to the fixing section 743 by heat pressure rollers 744, 745.

Description of the operation section> Fig. 31 is an explanatory diagram of the operation section of this color copying machine, where the key 401 is a reset key to return to the standard mode, and the key 40 is a reset key for returning to the standard mode.
2 is an enter key for setting the registration mode or service mode, which will be described later.Key 404 is a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values such as the set number of copies.Key 403 is for clearing the set number or stopping during continuous copying. /stop key, 40
Reference numeral 5 displays settings for each mode and the status of the printer 2 using touch panel keys. Key 407 is a center movement key that specifies center movement in the movement mode, which will be described later. Key 408 is a document recognition key that automatically detects the document size and position during copying. Key 406 is a center movement key that specifies center movement in the movement mode, which will be described later. key 409 is a recall key for restoring the previous copy setting state, key 410 is a memory key (Ml,
M2. M3. M4), key 411 is a registration key for each memory.

Digitizer> FIG. 32 is an external view of the digitizer 16. key 42
2, 423.424. 425, 426, and 427 are entry keys for setting each mode described later, and the coordinate detection plate 420 is a coordinate position detection plate for specifying an arbitrary area on the document or setting the magnification. Point pen 421 is used to specify the coordinates. These keys and coordinate input information are sent to C via bus 505.
Data is exchanged with the PU 22, and this information is stored in the RAM 24 and RAM 25 accordingly.

Description of standard screen> FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of the standard screen. Standard screen P000
is a screen that is displayed when copying or not setting, and allows settings for scaling, paper selection, and density adjustment. At the lower left of the screen, it is possible to specify so-called fixed scaling. For example, when touch key a (reduction) is pressed, the change in size and magnification are displayed as shown on screen Po1o. When touch key b (enlarge) is pressed, the size and magnification are similarly displayed, and in this color copying apparatus, three levels of reduction and three levels of enlargement can be selected. If you want to return to the original size, press the touch key h (equal size) and the magnification will be 100%. Next, by pressing touch key C in the center of the display, the upper cassette and lower cassette can be selected. Also, when you press touch key d, APS automatically selects the cassette containing the paper that best matches the original size.
(Auto Paper Select) mode can be set. Touch keys e and f on the right side of the display are keys for adjusting the density of the printed image, and can be set even during copying. Furthermore, regarding the touch keys g, explanations of each touch key and how to make copies are provided for operating the color copying apparatus. This is an explanation screen, and the operator can easily operate it by looking at this screen. In addition to the explanation on the standard screen, explanation screens for each mode are also provided for each setting mode, which will be described later.

The black stripe display at the top of the screen displays the current status of each mode, allowing you to check for any operational errors or to check settings.

In the message display section at the bottom, messages regarding the status of the color copying apparatus, operational errors, etc., such as the screen PO20, are displayed. Furthermore, JAM and toner replenishment messages are displayed on the entire screen of the printer unit 16, making it easy to determine where the paper is located.

Manual zoom magnification mode M100 is a mode that prints by changing the size of the document. Manual zoom magnification mode M1
10 and an auto zoom variable magnification mode M120. In the manual zoom magnification mode M110, independent arbitrary magnifications can be set in the X direction (sub-scanning direction) and Y direction (main-scanning direction) in units of 1% using the editor or the touch panel. Auto zoom magnification mode M
120 is a mode that automatically calculates and copies the appropriate magnification ratio according to the original and the selected paper size.
Independent auto magnification, XY equal auto magnification, X auto magnification.

Four types of X auto magnification can be specified. In XY independent automatic magnification, the magnifications in the X direction and Y direction are automatically set independently so that the document size or the paper size selected for a specified area on the document is achieved.

In the XY equal ratio auto scaling, both XY and Y are printed with the same ratio scaling at the smaller magnification of the calculation result of the xY independent auto scaling. X auto magnification, X auto magnification only in the X direction, Y
This is a mode in which magnification is automatically changed only in the direction.

Next, the operating method of the zoom magnification mode will be explained using the liquid crystal panel screen. When the zoom key 422 of the digitizer 16 is pressed, the display changes to screen P100 in FIG. 34. If you want to set manual zoom here, use the point pen 421 to set the intersection of the magnifications in the X and Y directions written on the coordinate detection plate 420 of the editor 16. At this time, the display changes to the screen PHO, and the specified X and Y magnification values are displayed. If you wish to further fine-tune the displayed magnification, for example, if only in the X direction, press the left and right keys (up, down) of touch key b. If you want to make adjustments at the same rate in XY, use the left and right keys of touch key d, and the display will go up and down at the same rate in XY. Next, if you want to set auto zoom,
From screen P100, use the digitizer 16 in the manner described above or press touch key a to advance the display to screen P110. Therefore, there are four types of auto zoom mentioned above, and XY independent auto zoom.

When specifying XY equal ratio auto zoom, X auto zoom, or X auto zoom, press touch keys b and C, touch key d, touch key b, and touch key C to select the desired auto zoom. is obtained.

Movement mode> Movement mode M2O0 is composed of four types of movement modes, each of which is center movement M210, corner movement M220. Specified movement M230. The binding margin is M240. Center movement M210 is a mode in which the original size or a specified area on the original is moved so that it is printed exactly at the center of the selected paper. Corner movement M220 is a mode in which the original size or a specified area on the original is moved to any of the four corners of the selected paper. Here, as shown in FIG. 43, even when the print image is larger than the selected paper size, the print image is controlled to move from the designated corner as the starting point. Specified movement M
230 is a mode in which a document or an arbitrary area of the document is moved to an arbitrary position on a selected sheet of paper. Binding allowance M24
0 is a mode in which the selected paper is moved to the left and right in the feeding direction so as to create a so-called binding margin.

Next, we will explain how to actually operate this color copying machine in the third section.
This will be explained using FIG. 5(a). First, when the movement key 423 of the digitizer 16 is pressed, the display changes to screen P2O0.

On screen P2O0, the four types of movement modes described above are selected.

If you want to specify center movement, press touch key a on screen P2O0 to finish. For corner movement, press touch key b, the display changes to screen P230, and there
Specify one of the corners.

Here, the correspondence between the moving direction of the actual print paper and the specified direction on the screen P230 is as shown in FIG. 35(b). It has the same image as the one above. When you want to perform a specified movement, press touch key C on screen P2O0 to proceed to screen P210, and press digitizer 1.
6 specifies the destination position. At this time, the display is P
211, and further fine adjustment can be made using the up/down keys in the figure. Next time you want to move the binding margin, press touch key d on screen P2O0,
Specify the length of the margin using the up/down keys 20.

<Description of area specification mode> In area specification mode M300, it is possible to specify one or more areas on the document, and trimming mode M310. Masking mode M3
20. You can set any mode among the three image separation modes. The trimming mode M310 described here is
This is to copy only the image inside the designated area, and the masking mode M320 is to mask the inside of the designated area with a white image and copy. Further, the image separation mode M330 further includes a color mode M331°, a color conversion mode M332. Paint mode M333° Color balance mode M334. Free color mode M335
You can select any mode. In color mode M331, 4 full colors and 3 full colors Y, M, and C are available within the specified area.

Any color mode can be selected from nine types: Bk, RED, GREEN, and BLUE.

In the free color mode M335, a monochrome image in colors other than the seven monochrome types can be selected within a specified area.

The color conversion mode M332 is a mode in which a predetermined color portion with a certain density range is replaced with another arbitrary color and copied within a specified area.

The paint mode M333 is a mode in which a copy is made uniformly filled with another arbitrary color over the entire designated area. Color balance mode M334 changes Y, M, and C within the specified area.

This mode prints with a different color balance (tone) than the area outside the specified area by adjusting the density of each Bk color.

A specific operating method in this embodiment of the area designation mode M300 will be explained in order with reference to FIG.

First, when the area designation key 424 on the digitizer 16 is pressed, the liquid crystal display changes to screen P300, the document is placed on the digitizer 16, and the area is designated with the point pen 421. When two points in the area are pressed, the display changes to screen P310, and if the designated area is correct, touch key a on screen P310 is pressed.

Next, this designated area is trimmed and masked as displayed on screen P320.

Select one of the image separations and press the key. At this time, if the designation is trimming or masking, the user presses the touch key a on the screen P320 to proceed to the next area designation. Screen P
If you select image separation in step 320, proceed to screen P330 and select color conversion, paint, color mode, color balance,
Select one of the free color modes. For example, the image within the specified area is Y.

If you want to print in four colors (M, C, Bk), press touch key a (color mode) on screen P330, then press touch key a from among the nine color modes on screen P360 to print the area in four full colors. The print specification ends with .

On screen P330, touch key b for specifying color conversion
If you press , the display advances to screen P340, where you use the point pen to specify a point within the specified area that has color information that you want to convert.

Color conversion is performed based on this color information, and at this time, screen P34
The color range to be converted can be changed by using the conversion range specification key located on the middle part.

The conversion range referred to here indicates the width of the range of color information that is considered to be the same color as the color information of the specified point (hereinafter referred to as conversion range).

For example, if you use touch key b to widen the conversion range, you can convert even areas where the density and color tone are different, and touch key c
This makes it possible to convert only the area with the specified density and color.

If the specified position is correct, press touch key a on screen P341 to proceed to screen P370. Screen P370 is a screen for specifying the color after conversion, and there are four types: standard color, specified color, registered color, and white.
Specify one of the types. If you want to select the converted color from the standard colors, press touch key a on screen P370 and select one of the seven types displayed on screen P390: yellow, magenta, cyan, black, red, green, and blue. Specify one color here. In other words, the standard color is the color information unique to this color copying apparatus, and in this embodiment, the density of the print image is printed at a ratio as shown in Fig. 45, which is just an intermediate density. There is. However, there is of course a request to make the density of the specified color a little more tingling or darker, and for that purpose, the user can press the density designation key in the center of the screen P390 to convert the color to the desired density.

Next, when touch key C (specified color) is selected on screen P370, proceed to screen P380, specify the point with the converted color information with the point pen using the same specification method as the color coordinates before conversion, Proceed to screen P381. Again, as mentioned above, only the density is changed without changing the color of the specified coordinates,
When it is desired to perform color conversion, it is possible to perform color conversion at the desired density by pressing key a for density adjustment in screen P381.

Next, on screen P370, if the standard color and the desired color are not found on the document, color conversion can be performed using color information registered in color registration mode M710, which will be described later. In this case, touch key C on screen P370 is pressed, and then on screen P391, the user presses the touch key corresponding to the color number that is desired to be used among the registered colors. Here, too, the density of the registered color can be adjusted by changing only the density without changing the ratio of each color component. Furthermore, when touch key C (white) is specified on screen P370, the same effect as in masking mode M310 described above is obtained.

Next, paint mode M333 of image separation mode M330
If you want to specify , touch key C on screen P330 is pressed and the screen advances to P370. The subsequent color specification after painting is performed in exactly the same manner as the setting method from screen P370 onwards in color conversion mode M332.

On screen P330, if you want to print only within the specified area with the desired color balance (tone), press touch key d (
color balance). At this time, the display changes to screen P350, where the components of the printer's toner are yellow, magenta, and cyan.

Adjust the black density using the up and down touch keys. Here, on the screen P2S5, a black bar graph indicates the density specification state, and a scale is displayed next to it for easy viewing.

In screen P330, if touch key e for designating free color mode is pressed, the display advances to screen P361. Screen P361 specifies either a specified color or a registered color as a monochrome color.

When touch key a (specified color) is selected on screen P361, the process proceeds to screen P362, where a point having desired monochrome color information is specified with a point pen, and the process proceeds to screen P363. Here too, if you want to perform mono/color by changing only the density without changing the tint of the mono/color specified above, press the density adjustment key a on screen P363 to select the free color mode at the desired density. things become possible.

Also, if you press the OK key b on screen P363, screen P3
By proceeding to step 65 and inputting with a point pen the position of the reference color information whose density is desired to be the same as the density of the color information specified on the screen P362, it is also possible to set the free color mode to the desired density.

Next, when touch key b (registered color) is selected on screen P361, the process advances to screen P364, and desired monochrome color information is selected from among the registered colors. Here too, you can make adjustments by changing only the density without changing the color tone of monochrome images. Also, press the OK main key on screen P364 to display screen P365.
, and select a free color mode in which the density of the registered color specified on screen P364 matches the density of the reference color specified on screen P365, as described above.

Description of color create mode> In color create mode M400 in FIG. 41, color mode M410. Color conversion mode 420. Paint mode M430. Sharpness mode M440. Color balance mode M450. Free color mode M460
One or more of the six modes can be specified.

Here, in the area specification mode M300, the color mode M
331. Color conversion mode M332. Paint mode M33
3. Color balance mode M334. The only difference from the free color mode M335 is that the color create mode M400 operates on the entire document rather than on a certain area of the document; the other functions are similar to all other modes. Therefore, the explanation of the above five modes will be omitted.

The sharpness mode 440 is a mode for adjusting the sharpness of an image, and is a mode for adjusting the rate at which edges are emphasized in a so-called character image or a smoothing effect is produced in a halftone dot image.

Next, the method of setting the color create mode (2) will be explained with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG. 37. When the color create monitor key 425 of the digitizer 16 is pressed, the liquid crystal display changes to the screen P400. When touch key b (color mode) is pressed on screen P400, the screen advances to screen P410, where the color mode to be copied is selected. When the desired color mode is a monochrome color mode other than 3-color or 4-color, the display further advances to screen P411, where a negative or positive selection can be made. When touch key C (sharpness) is pressed on screen P400, screen P430
Now you can adjust the sharpness of the copied image. When the strong touch key i on screen P430 is pressed, the amount of edge emphasis increases as described above, and in particular, thin lines such as character images are copied clearly.

Further, when the weak touch key h is pressed, the peripheral image is smoothed, and the amount of so-called smoothing is increased, and settings can be made so that moiré, etc. in halftone originals can be erased.

Also, color conversion mode M420. The operations in paint mode M430° and color balance M450 are the same as those in area designation mode, so they will be omitted here.

<Explanation of inset compositing mode> Inset compositing mode M6 converts the specified color image area into the specified area of the monochrome image area (color image area is also acceptable) for originals such as E and F in Figure 42. In this mode, the image is moved and printed at the same size or at variable magnification.

We will explain how to set the inset compositing mode using pictures on the LCD panel and touch panel key operations. First, when a document is placed on the coordinate detection plate of the digitizer 16 and the inset synthesis key 427, which is the entry key for the inset synthesis mode, is pressed, the liquid crystal screen changes from the standard screen pooo in FIG. 33 to the screen P600 in FIG. 39. Next, point the color image area to which you want to move using the point ben 421.
Specify a point.

At that time, two dots having a similar shape to the actually designated position are displayed on the liquid crystal screen as shown in screen P610. If you want to change the specified area to another area at this time, screen page 6
Press touch key a of 10 and designate two points again. If you are satisfied with the set area, press touch key b, and then use the point pen 42 to point two diagonal points in the monochrome image area to which you want to move.
1, and if you are satisfied, press touch key C on screen P630. At this time, the liquid crystal screen changes to screen P640, where the magnification of the moving color image is specified. If you want to insert the moving image at the same size, press the touch key d, then press the end touch key to complete the setting. At this time, Figure 2-1
As shown in A and B of 2, when the moving image area is larger than the moving destination area, it is fitted according to the moving destination area, and when it is small, the placed area is automatically controlled so that it is printed as a white image. be done.

Next, when the specified color image area is to be scaled and fitted, the touch key e on the screen P640 is pressed.

At this time, the screen changes to screen P650, and the magnification in the X direction (sub-scanning direction) and the Y-direction (main scanning direction) is set in the same manner as the operating method in the zoom magnification mode described above.

First, if you want to fit the specified moving color image area with automatic scaling at the same XY ratio, press the key G on the screen P650.
Press to reverse the key display. Also, if you want to print the moved color image area in the same size as the destination area, press the touch keys h and i on the screen P650 to reverse the print. Also, when setting manual magnification only in the X direction, only in the Y direction, or at the same ratio in X and Y, you can press the up and down touch keys respectively.

When the above setting operations are completed, press touch key j,
The screen returns to the standard screen pooo shown in FIG. 33, and the setting operation for the inset synthesis mode is completed.

Enlarged continuous copying mode> In enlarged continuous copying mode M500, when copying the original size or specified area of the original at the set magnification,
When the selected paper size is exceeded, the document is automatically divided into two or more areas according to the set magnification and specified paper size, and each part of the divided document is copied onto multiple sheets of paper. This is the output mode. Therefore, by pasting these multiple copies together, it is possible to easily make a copy larger than the specified paper size.

In the actual setting operation, first press the enlarged continuous shooting key 426 on the digitizer 16, and then press the end key of the touch key a on the screen P500 in FIG. 38 to complete the setting.

All you have to do is select the desired magnification and paper.

Color registration mode> Registration mode M700 is color registration mode M710. Zoom program mode M720. Manual feed size specification mode M
It consists of 730 three types of modes.

The color registration mode M710 allows the color after conversion to be registered when specifying the color conversion mode and paint mode of the color create mode M400 and area specification mode M300 described above. The zoom program mode M720 is a mode in which the magnification is automatically calculated by inputting the size of the original and the length of the copy paper size, the resulting magnification is displayed on the standard screen P000, and subsequent copies are made at that magnification. It is. In the manual feed size specification mode M730, this color copying machine allows you to make copies by hand feeding in addition to feeding paper from the upper and lower cassettes, and when you want to use it in the so-called APS (Auto Paper Select) mode, you can specify the size of the manual feed. This mode allows you to

First, when the * key 402 on the operation panel in FIG. 31 is pressed, the display changes to screen P700 in FIG. 40-1. Next, when you want to register colors in color registration mode M710, use screen P7.
00 touch key a is pressed, colors are registered on the digitizer 16 on the screen P710, or a document is placed on the digitizer 16, and the color portion is designated with the point pen 421.

At this time, the screen changes to screen P711, and the touch key corresponding to the registration number desired to be set is pressed. Furthermore, if you wish to register other colors, press touch key d on screen P711 to return to screen P710, and set using the same procedure. When inputting the coordinates to be registered is completed, touch key e is pressed, and touch key f, which is the start key for reading screen P712, is pressed.

After the touch key f is pressed, the operation is performed according to the process of the flowchart in FIG. 44. First, 1 halogen lamp with 5700
0 is turned on, the number of panels to be moved by the stepping motor is calculated from the above-mentioned specified coordinates (sub-scanning direction) in 5701, and the document scanning unit 11 is moved by issuing the above-mentioned specified movement command.

5702, one line of the sub-scanning position specified by the coordinates in the line data import mode is shown in Figure 11-1 (a).
The data is taken into the RAM 78'. In the 5703, from the data of one line that has been taken in, the average value of 8 pixels before and after the main scanning position whose coordinates have been specified is calculated from the RAM 78' and sent to the CPU 2.
2 and stored in the RAM 24. At step 5704, it is determined whether the designated number of registered coordinates have been read, and if there are still more, the program goes to step 5701 and performs the same processing.

When all the reading positions are completed, the halogen lamp 10 is turned off in step 5705, and the original scanning unit is returned to the reference position H, P position, and the operation is completed.

Next, when touch key a (zoom program) is pressed on screen P700, the screen changes to screen P720, where the length of the document size and the length of the copy size are set using the up and down keys. The set percentage value is displayed. The calculation result is displayed at the magnification display position on the standard screen pooo, and the temporary magnification for copying is set.

Next, on screen P700, touch key C (specify manual feed size)
When pressed, the screen advances to P730, where the paper size of the manual paper is specified. This mode allows, for example, the APS mode and auto zoom magnification to be performed on manually fed paper.

In each of the above modes, numerical values and information set by coordinate input on the touch panel or digitizer are stored in the RAM 24 under the control of the CPU 22. They are each stored in a pre-arranged area of the RAM 25, and called and controlled as a parameter during a subsequent copy sequence.

Next, the service mode will be explained.

First, press the * key 402 on the operation panel in Figure 31 to change the display screen to screen P700 in Figure 40-1, and then press the * key 402 again to change the display to screen P80 in Figure 40-2.
Changes to 0. Next time you want to adjust the black level, screen P8
00 touch key a is pressed to display screen P850, and when touch key b of screen P850 is further pressed, screen P852 is displayed. Using touch key C and display C on screen P852, input is made as to whether or not the mode is for capturing one line of black level signal from CCD 16 into black level RAM 78 prior to copying. If the display of C is in the state shown in Fig. 40-2, the non-import mode is set in RAM 24° and RAM 25.
If the character part of the C display is reversed by inputting touch key C, the mode for capturing the black level signal is RAM24.
．． RAM25 is set. Note that the operation of touch key C is a toggle operation. The other service modes are not directly related to the present invention, so their explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 51 shows the operating procedure of the operating unit when a film projector (211 in FIG. 24) is mounted. After the film projector 211 is connected, when the projector mode selection key 406 in FIG. 31 is turned on, the display on the liquid crystal touch panel changes to P2O3. On this screen, select whether the film is negative or positive.

For example, if you select negative film here, the screen changes to P810, that is, the screen for selecting the ASA sensitivity of the film.

Here, for example, film sensitivity ASA100 is selected.

Among these, as detailed in the procedure described in FIG.
After setting the copy button (400 in Fig. 31) ON to perform AE operation to determine the exposure voltage, as shown in Fig. 25 (a) (yellow, magenta, cyan,
Image formation is repeated in the order of Bk (black).

FIG. 46 is a flowchart of sequence control of the present color copying apparatus. This will be explained below according to the flowchart. When the copy key is pressed, the halogen lamp is turned on at 5100, the point correction mode, which is the operation described above, is performed at 5lO1, and the shading processing in the color correction mode is performed at 5102.

Here, the point correction mode of 5IOI will be explained.

The point correction mode is shown in Figure 10 (a), (b), (C), (d).
), there are a black reference value capture mode, a black level data arithmetic processing mode, and a point correction mode for correcting actual image data. As mentioned above, black level data captured in black reference value capture mode is easily affected by noise. Measures are taken to reduce the influence of noise in the arithmetic processing mode in the CCD main scanning direction, but Similarly, in the repetition of , level fluctuations are included between the COD channels, although slight. Therefore, if the data imported as black level data includes a level difference between channels, this will occur as a color shift in the image between channels. To avoid this, ADJUST in the service mode M800 (Figure 40-2) described above.
Press touch key C in the DARK ADJ mode in mode M852 to set the mode for capturing the black level signal into the black level RAM 78 to RAM 24 and 25, and in the black correction mode 5 IOI, set the mode to RAM 2 at 5 IOI-1.
4. Determine the mode set to 25, 5101-2
, 5IOI-3 captures the black level signal, 5IOI-4
Perform black correction and check the copied image. After checking the copied image, if a color shift occurs between the CCD channels, the copying operation is performed again and the image is checked. As a result, when black level data without color shift is captured between CCD channels, DARK in service mode M800 is
In the ADJ mode, press the touch key C to reverse display C, set the mode in which the black level signal is not taken into the black level RAM 78 to RAM24.25, and after that set the mode to 5IOI-2, 5IO in the black correction mode 5IOI.
Black correction of 5IOI-4 is performed using the previously captured black level data without executing I-3.

Next, if specified color conversion is set in color conversion mode or paint mode, perform color registration and specified color reading processing in 5104, and transfer the color-separated density data of the specified coordinates to registration mode and specified color detection. They are stored in respective predetermined areas accordingly. This operation is as shown in FIG. 510
In step 5, it is determined whether the document recognition mode is set, and if it is set, the scanning unit 16 of 5106-1 is scanned by the maximum document detection length of 435 mm, and the document recognition mode 200 described above is scanned via the CPU bus. to detect the position and size of the original. Also, if not certified, 510
The paper size selected in step 6-2 is recognized as the document size, and this information is stored in the RAM 24. In step 5107, it is determined whether or not the movement mode is set, and if it is set, the document scanning unit 16 is moved in advance toward the document side by the amount of the movement.

Next, in step 5109, a bit C map for outputting the gate signal of each function generated from RAM A 1 36 or RAM B 137 is created based on the information set by each mode.

Figure 49 shows R of information set by each mode mentioned above.
AM24. 3 is a RAM map diagram set in the RAM 25. FIG. AREA MODE stores identification information for each mode of operation in each designated area, such as painting, trimming, etc. AREAXY contains the document size and size information for each area, and AREA ALPT
is the information after color conversion.

Information as to whether the standard color or the designated color is a registered color is stored. A
REA ALPT XY is AREA ALPT
This is the color coordinate information area when the content of is the specified color, and A
REA DENS is a density adjustment data area after conversion. AREA PT XY is the information area for color coordinates before conversion in color conversion mode,
The color mode information of the document or the specified area is stored.

Further, in REGI C0LOR, each color information registered in the color registration mode is stored and used as a registered color, and this area is stored in the backup memory of the RAM 25 and is memorized even when the power is turned off.

Based on the information set above, the bitmap shown in FIG. 50 is created. First, from AREA

Next, BITMAP of the start point and end point in the main scanning direction of each area
Set "1" at the position and repeat the same process up to the coordinates of the end point of sub-scanning. The bit position that sets “1” at this time is RAMA13
6 or each gate signal generated from RAMB 137, and the bit position is determined depending on the mode within the area. For example, area 1, which is the original area, is TMAREA660.
Corresponding to the color balance specification area 5, GAREA
626 is supported. Thereafter, a bitmap for the area is created in the BIT MAP area in FIG. 50 in the same manner.

Next, in step 3109-1, the following processing is performed on the mode within each area. First, area 2 is in cyan monochrome color mode,
The image is a monochrome image compared to the four colors of the original. Even if a video is sent out during cyan development in area 2, an image of only cyan components will be printed in area 2, and images of other yellow and magenta components will not be printed. Therefore, if the specified area is selected in monochrome color mode, it will be an ND image as shown in Figure 16 (a).
The next coefficient is set in the masking coefficient register in the register that is selected when MAREA 564 becomes active.

αYl, αY2. αY30, 0.0βMl,
3M2. 3M30,0,0γC1,γC2,γC3
y3. y3. 2 on y3. 12. m2 0
．． 0. 0 Next, the data stored in the RAM 23 in FIG. 2 (used in 4-color or 3-color mode) is set in the masking coefficient register selected by MAREA 564 with 0''.Next, in the paint mode certain area 2
, the respective gate signals CHAREA0°1, 2.3 corresponding to the bits of the BIIMAP area mentioned above
Data is set in each register in FIG. 18(a) selected by . First, in order to convert all input videos, set FF to yu159, OO to yt160,
FF on m ul 61, 00 on m1162. Cu1
Set FF to 63, 00 to Cf 164, 49th
AREA AL
Load from PT or REGI C0LOR, multiply each color data by the coefficient of density adjustment data of AREA DENS, and obtain y' 166, m' 167, respectively.
c' Set the converted density data in 168. For the color conversion of region 4, the above-mentioned yu 159 , .
. . , set each of the density data before conversion shown in FIG. 49 in the register of 'cl164 with a certain offset value added thereto, and then set the data after conversion in the same manner.

At this time, the offset value can be varied by the parameters set by the conversion range designation key on the aforementioned operation section P341 in FIG. 36.

In the color balance of area 5, the gate signal GAREA6
Y, M of RAM 177 where 26 is selected by 1”
,C.

In the Bk area, set the data value described above from the color balance value AREA BLAN when specifying the area in Fig. 49, and in the area selected by GAREA626 with 0'',
BLANC is the color balance during color creation
Set the data from E.

5109 sends a startup command to the printer from SROOM5
16. 5ilo as shown in the timing chart of FIG. Detected ITOP, 5111, Y.

The output video signals C0, C, C2 of M, C, Bk are switched, and the halogen lamp is turned on at 5112. The end of each video scan is determined in 5113, and if it is completed, 51
Turn off the halogen lamp at 14, and turn off the halogen lamp at 5114 and 5115.
Check that the copy is complete, and if it is completed, return 311.
At step 6, a stop command is output to the printer and the copying is completed.

Sequence control when setting the free color mode will be explained using the flowchart in FIG. 55. By pressing the copy key, the halogen lamp lights up at 5301.

Performs black correction processing and white correction processing. Next, if the specified color mode and density adjustment based on coordinate specification are set in the free color mode, the color information of the specified color and the MONO value of the coordinate specification are read in step 5303 and are stored in a predetermined area. This operation is also as shown in FIG.

In 5304, the startup command for the pooler is sent to SROO.
Output via M516. At 5305, ITOP shown in the timing chart of FIG. 47 is detected, and at 5306, Y, M.

The C and Bk output video signals C8+CI+C21 are switched. 5307, in response to the switching, M
Y in ONO gamma RAM as shown in Figure 54-(a).

Set the gamma curve for M and C. In the case of Bk,
Set the gamma curve to output 0 for all inputs. At 5308, the halogen lamp is turned on. 53
The end of each video scan is judged in step 09, and if it is finished, the halogen lamp is turned off in step 5310, the completion of copying is checked in steps 5311 and 5312, and if it is finished, a stop command is output to the printer in step 5313. , finish copying.

FIG. 48 shows the signal HINT5 output from the timer 28.
17 is a flowchart of interrupt processing, and 5200
At -1, it is checked whether the stepping motor start timer has been completed, and if it has been completed, the stepping motor is started, and at 5200, the X shown in FIG.
One line of BIT MAP data indicated by ADD is stored in RAM1.
36 or RAM137. In step 5201, the address of data to be set in the next interrupt is incremented by 1. 52
In 02, RAM136. RAM137 switching signal C35
95, C4596, and C5593, set the time until the next sub-scanning switch in 5203 in the timer 28, and sequentially R the contents of BIT MAM indicated by X ADD below.
Set in AM136 or RAM137 to switch gate signals.

That is, each time the carriage moves in the sub-scanning direction and an interrupt occurs, the processing contents in the X direction are switched, and color processing such as various color conversions can be performed for each area.

As described above, the color copying apparatus of this embodiment enables various color modes and allows free color reproduction.

In this embodiment, a color image forming apparatus using electrophotography has been described as an example, but it is also possible to apply various recording methods such as inkjet recording, thermal transfer recording, etc. without being limited to electrophotography. Although an example of a copying apparatus in which the reading section and the image forming section are arranged close to each other has been described, the present invention can of course also be applied to a format in which the reading section and the image forming section are separated and transmitting image information through a communication line. The width of the range is manually set by the user, but another method is to input a number of colors to be converted with a point pen and set the width of the conversion range to include all of them.

Furthermore, it is also possible to input a large number of colors that you do not want to convert using a point pen, and set the width of the conversion range so as not to include them.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, when converting any color in a document image to another color, the range of colors to be converted can be freely set, so that the user does not have to worry about the color he or she wants to convert being converted. This improves the drawback that a good image cannot be obtained due to the conversion of colors that do not want to be converted.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the digital color copying machine of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the beam controller, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the protocol of the motor driver 15 and CPU 22 in FIG. 2, and FIG. Figure 4 (a) is a timing diagram of control signals between the reader section and printer section, Figure 4 (b) is a video signal transmission circuit diagram between the league section and printer section, and Figure 4 (C) is a diagram of each signal line SROOM. Signal timing diagram, Figure 5 is the second
The detailed circuit diagram of the video processing unit shown in the figure, Figure 6 (a) is a layout diagram of the color 〇〇D sensor, and Figure 6 (b) is the detailed circuit diagram of the video processing unit shown in Figure 6 (
Figure 7 (a) is the signal timing diagram of each part of a).
A diagram showing the drive signal generation circuit (circuit inside the system control pulse generator 57), FIG. 7(b) is similar to FIG.
Fig. 8(a) is a block diagram of the analog color signal processing circuit 44 in Fig. 5;
FIG. 8(b) is a detailed circuit diagram of the C0DI channel in the block of FIG. 8(a), and FIG. 8(C) is the detailed circuit diagram of FIG. 8(a). The signal timing diagram of each part in (b), and Fig. 8 (d) are CO
D drive timing diagram, Figure 8 (e) is an input/output conversion characteristic diagram, and Figures 9 (a), (b), (c), and (ii) are explanations for obtaining each line signal from the staggered sensor. Figure, Figure 10 (
a) is a black correction circuit diagram, and FIGS. 10(b) and (C). (d) is an explanatory diagram of black correction, Fig. 11-1 (a) is a white level correction circuit diagram, and Figs. 11-1 (b), (C), and (d) are explanatory diagrams of CCD channel connection. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the line data acquisition mode, Fig. 13 (a) is a logarithmic conversion circuit diagram, Fig. 13 (b) is a logarithmic conversion characteristic diagram, Fig. 14 is a spectral characteristic diagram of the reading sensor, and Fig. 15 is a spectral characteristic diagram of the developed color toner, FIG. 16(a) is a masking, a-insertion, UCR circuit diagram, and FIG. 16(b) is a selection signal C8, C,
, diagrams showing the relationship between C2 and color signals, FIGS. 17(a) and (b)
), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) are explanatory diagrams of area signal generation.
d). (e) is an explanatory diagram of color conversion, Fig. 19 (a), (b), (
C). (d), (e), and (f) are explanatory diagrams of gamma conversion for color balance and color shading control.
), (d). (e), (f), and (g) are explanatory diagrams of magnification control, and FIG. 21 (a). (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) are explanatory diagrams of edge enhancement and smoothing processing, Figure 22 is a control circuit diagram of the operation panel section, and Figure 23 is A configuration diagram of a film projector, FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the relationship between the control input of the film exposure lamp and the lighting voltage, and FIGS. 25(a) and (b)
). (C) is an explanatory diagram when using a film projector, No. 26
Figures (A), CB), and (C) are explanatory diagrams of the PWM circuit and its operation, Figures 27 (A) and (B) are gradation correction characteristic diagrams, and Figures 28 (A) and (B) are triangular waves. 29(a) and 29(b) are control flowcharts when using a film projector, FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the laser printing section, and FIG. 31 is a top view of the operating section. , 3rd
Figure 2 is a top view of the digitizer, Figure 33 is an explanatory diagram of the standard LCD display screen, Figure 34 is an explanatory diagram of zoom mode operation,
Figures 35 (a) and (b) are diagrams explaining the operation of the move mode, Figure 36 is a diagram explaining the operation of the area designation mode, Figure 37 is a diagram explaining the operation of the color create mode, and Figure 38 is a diagram explaining the operation of the enlarged continuous shooting mode. Fig. 39 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the inset synthesis mode, Fig. 40-1 is an explanatory diagram of the registration mode, Fig. 40-2 is an explanatory diagram of the service mode, and Fig. 41 is an illustration of the operation of the present embodiment Functional diagram of the color copying device, Fig. 42 is an explanatory diagram of inset composition mode, Fig. 43 is a diagram showing a print image when moving a corner, Fig. 44 is a control flow chart in color registration mode, Fig. 45 is a standard Figure 46 is a control flowchart of the entire system; Figure 47 is a time chart of the entire system; Figure 48 is a diagram showing the color components of colors;
49 is a diagram showing a RAM memory map, FIG. 50 is a bitmap explanatory diagram,
Figure 51 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the projector, Figure 52 (a)
is the circuit diagram of the multiplier 258 in FIG. 8(b), and FIG.
) is a diagram showing the code table, and Figure 53 (a) is a diagram showing the code table.
FIG. 53(b) is a diagram showing the code table thereof, FIG. 54(a), (b), (c), (
d) and (e) are explanatory diagrams of the free color mode, and FIG. 55 is a control flowchart when setting the free color mode.・−・−−□・−・−−１ ■ １−−〜−・□−−−□−１ ■ −−−−−・□−−−−−− ■ −−−−−・−・□ −−〜−■ −−−−−−−・−−−−−−−−0ri40 Shiwa q Figure (a) Figure 1/7 (C) S□E Address 0 1 1+ −− ---
'z---X3---'t---Figure 17 (cL) 170 (ip) Figure 77 (C)
Hiro Y, M, C, MONO Engraving of the drawings f y S DIR on C8 No. 20 (slip) No. 20 (C) No. 20 (d> Man No. 25 (0) Punishment No. 30 A B No. 42 Coach- Ki Chi Button Call's 7゛shi] Toinouichi 43rd section color receiving 4P hair - F's 70- hand V upper 44th haze 45th interval Y-ADD %50 figure VlhtT = -Vriv / A/ θgN〈 NoN8u Engineering, ■9.-4゜Bullet d'-2Z?B Figure 5?(b) Procedures Manual (Method) August 27, 1986['' Kunio Ogawa, Commissioner of the Patent Office, Showa Tono 1962 Patent Application No. 119311 2, Name of the invention Color image forming device 3, Relationship with the amended person case Patent applicant address 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Name (100
) Canon Co., Ltd. Representative Ryuzo Kaku
Part 4. Agent residence: Canon Co., Ltd., 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo 146 (telephone: 758-2111) 5. Date of amendment order (shipment date): July 28, 1988 6. Drawings subject to amendment Surface 7 Contents of correction The drawing (Fig. 19(f)) will be corrected as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Color specification means for specifying any predetermined color in the original image, conversion range specification means for specifying the size of the range that is considered the same color for the previous predetermined color, conversion for specifying the conversion color for the previous predetermined color A color image forming apparatus comprising a color specifying means and a color image forming means for forming a color, which is regarded as the same color as a predetermined color in a document image, as a previously converted color in accordance with the outputs of the three specifying means. (2) A color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which forms a color that is considered to be the same color as any predetermined color in a designated area of a document image as a converted color.