JPS6348074A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To add a mark for printing positioning easily and accurately and to discriminate what color block copy a printing original plate is by providing a means to generate patterns of the mark for printing alignment in different shapes corresponding to plural kinds of color signals. CONSTITUTION:An original is optically scanned, and an image is read into color signals of three kinds of colors that are cyan, green, and yellow, and these three kinds of color signals are converted into image forming signals of four colors that are yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The image is formed on a plastic film or a paper corresponding to one among these image forming signals of four colors or these four kinds of image forming signals that the sequentially outputted, by using a thermal transfer ink ribbon of black color only. At the time of forming an image for the color components of an original image in monochromatic mode, the patterns of mark for printing alignment corresponding to four corners are outputted, but other than these, image data for color components supplied from a binarization circuit 88 are outputted. As a result, the mark for printing alignment can be added for the film for printing original plate production easily and accurately.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Purpose of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming method for forming an image of a color-separated original document, which is required when creating a printing original plate for offset printing, for example. Regarding equipment.

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

However, in such a method, the manufacturing process is very complicated, and the machine itself is large and therefore very expensive. In addition, conventional machines were dedicated to creating original plates and could not be used for other purposes.

Furthermore, in order to ensure reliable alignment with the film used to create printing master plates for each color, alignment marks (register marks) are pasted by hand onto each film used to create printing master plates. It was getting worse. For this reason, the operability was poor, and there was also a possibility that positional deviation would occur.

In addition, because the films used to create printing plates for each color were the same color (for example, black) and the shapes of the alignment marks were the same, it was not possible to determine which plate was of which color. There wasn't.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in the conventional method of creating a film for printing original plates, the manufacturing process is very complicated, and the machine itself is large, so it is very expensive. It has the disadvantage that it is not suitable for other purposes. Further, there are also disadvantages in that the marking of alignment marks on the film for producing the printing original plate is difficult to operate, and there is a possibility that misalignment may occur. Furthermore, there is a drawback that it is not possible to determine what color the film used to create the printing original plate is.

Therefore, the present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks, and makes it possible to create a film for printing original plate very easily without using the complicated production process as in the past, and also to realize it in a small size and at low cost. In addition to creating films for printing original plates, it can also be used as a color copying machine, and it can also be used as a color copying machine, and marks for printing alignment can be easily and accurately added, making it easy to identify the color of the original printing plate. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be distinguished.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means and Effects for Solving the Problems) The image forming apparatus of the present invention optically scans a document to read it as a plurality of color signals, and converts each obtained color signal into a plurality of color signals. image forming signals, and in response to one or more of the plurality of color image forming signals, a single color or a plurality of color images are printed on the imaged medium using a single color or a plurality of color image forming media. It forms a color image, which makes it very easy to create a film for printing original plates, and it can also be used, for example, as a color copying machine. Further, an image is formed on the image forming medium in accordance with one of the image forming signals of the plurality of colors and a pattern of alignment marks having different shapes for each of the plurality of types of color signals, Thereby, marks for printing positioning can be easily and accurately applied when creating a film for creating a printing original plate, and it can be determined what color the film for creating a printing original plate is.

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

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a thermal transfer color copying machine that is capable of selectively producing multicolor color copies and producing a printing original plate production film (block copy) as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is. That is, 1 is a main body of a copying machine, and an operation panel 2 is provided at the front of the upper surface of the main body 1. The left side of the main body 1 is a document scanning section 8 that scans and reads a document set on a document table 7, and the right side is an image forming section 9. Note that 10 is a document cover provided on the document table 7 so as to be openable and closable.

The document scanning section 8 is configured as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. That is, the document table 7 is fixed to the main body 1, and the document 0 set on the document table 7 is placed below the document table 7 by reciprocating along its lower surface in the direction of arrow a in the figure. A scanner 11 is provided for optical scanning and reading. The scanner 11 includes an illumination lamp 12 that illuminates the original O, a photoelectric converter 13 that receives reflected light from the original O, an optical system 14 that guides the reflected light from the original O to the photoelectric converter 13, and supports these. Carriage 15
Consisted of. The photoelectric converter 13 photoelectrically converts the reflected light from the original O to separate and output the image of the original O as color signals of cyan, green, and yellow (or red, green, and blue) light, for example. It is mainly composed of a CCDCD beline image sensor. As shown in FIG. 5, the carriage 15 is guided by a guide rail 16 and a guide shaft 17 so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction of arrow a. At one end of the guide shaft 17, a scanning motor (for example, a pulse motor) 18 capable of forward and reverse rotation is mounted.
A drive pulley 19 is driven by a drive pulley 19, and a driven pulley 20 is disposed at the other end of the drive pulley 19.
A timing belt 21 is stretched between 9° and 20°. One point of the timing belt 21 is fixed to the carriage 15 via a fixing member 22.

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

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

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

A paper feed roller 41 is provided diagonally below the right side of the platen 30, and a paper (or plastic film) as an image forming medium housed in a paper feed cassette 42 is provided.
P is taken out one by one. Paper feed roller 41
The paper P taken out is sent to the registration rollers 43 disposed diagonally above and to the right of the paper feed roller 41, and its leading edge is aligned, and then transported by the registration rollers 43 toward the platen 30. The pressing is performed in a state in which the platen 30 is spring-loaded by the rollers 44 and 45, and is thereby accurately fed. Here, the paper feed cassette 42 is detachable from the front of the main body 1.

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

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

Magenta, cyan, and black ink portions 47Y.

47M, 47C, and 47B are sequentially stacked one on top of the other, and after transferring one color at a time, the paper P is returned to the transfer start position, and the sheets are accurately stacked one after another. Note that the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 may not have the black ink portion 47B, and in that case, approximately black can be produced by overlapping the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan.

In addition, in the case of color copying, each ink part 47Y, 47u of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 as mentioned above.

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

During color copying, the paper P is reciprocated by the number of colors by the rotation of the platen 30, but the path of the paper P at this time is to the bottom surface of the paper output tray 48 which is provided on the main body 1 at an angle. The 1st. 2nd information board 49.50
be led upwards. This includes the platen 30 and the first. The first guide plates 49 and 50 are respectively provided between the ends of the second guide plates 49 and 50.
2nd distribution game) 51.52 will be played. That is, first, the paper P taken out from the paper feed cassette 42 is transferred through the registration rollers 43 and the first distribution gate 51, and its leading end is wound around the platen 30. Next, the platen 30 is rotated in the forward direction by a pulse motor (not shown) to transport the paper P at a constant speed, and the heating elements of the thermal head 31 arranged in a line tread along the axial direction of the platen 30 (not shown) generates heat in response to the print signal, and thereby the ink 47 of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 is transferred onto the paper P. Then, the leading edge of the paper P that has passed through the platen 30 is transferred to the second sorting gate 52 located at the solid line position.
Accordingly, the first
It is sent onto the guide plate 49. In this way, when the transfer of ink 47 of one color is completed, the planer "7.30 is rotated in the opposite direction, so that the paper P is transported backwards and returned to the transfer start position. At this time, the paper P is rotated to the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line. The displacing first distribution gate 51 sends the rear end of the paper P onto the second guide plate 50 provided along the lower surface of the first guide plate 49. In this way, the paper P is transferred multiple times. It transfers multiple colors by moving it back and forth.Finally,
The paper P on which the transfer of all the colors of ink 47 has been completed is guided to the paper ejection roller 53 by the second branch gate 52 which is rotated to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line.
3, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 48.

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

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

FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall control system, which includes a main control section 81, a first sub-control section 82, and a second sub-control section 83. The main control unit 81 includes the operation panel 2, a correction circuit 84, a luminance/color difference separation circuit 85, an image quality improvement circuit 86,
The color signal conversion circuit 87 is connected to a binarization circuit 88, an alignment mark (register mark) generation circuit 97, a first sub-control section 82, and a second sub-control section 83, and controls these. The first sub-control unit 82 includes a light source control unit 89, a motor drive unit 90. The photoelectric converter 13 and the A/D converter 91
and a resolution converting section 92, respectively, and manage these controls. The light amount control section 89 is connected to the illumination lamp 12 and controls the light amount thereof. A motor drive unit 90 is connected to the scanning motor 18 and drives it. The second sub-control unit 83 includes a thermal head temperature control unit 93
, the thermal head 31, various detection switches 94, and a drive unit 95, and controls these. The drive unit 95 is connected to a drive system 96 such as a motor and a solenoid, and drives the drive system 96 .

The main control unit 81 operates using a mode key 61 in the operation panel 2.
Therefore, when the single color mode is selected, a mark addition selection signal (2 bits) corresponding to each color (Y, M, C, B) is output to the alignment mark generation circuit 97.

The flow of signals in FIG. 1 in such a configuration will be explained. The reflected light of the light irradiated onto the original from the illumination lamp 12 forms an image on the photoelectric converter 13 . Photoelectric converter 13
This light is cyan (C).

The signal is separated into green (G) and yellow (Y) analog color signals and sent to the A/D converter 91. The A/D converter 91 converts each analog color signal into a digital signal and sends it to the resolution converter 92. The resolution conversion unit 92
Resolution conversion is performed to match the resolution of the photoelectric converter 13 and the resolution of the thermal head 31, and the result is sent to the correction circuit 84. The correction circuit 84 includes a resolution converter 92
A correction process is performed on each of the C, G, and Y color signals sent from the photoelectric converter 13 to correct for variations in the photoelectric converter 13.
The result is sent to the luminance/color difference separation circuit 85. The luminance color difference separation circuit 85 receives the C, G, and Y signals sent from the correction circuit 84.
Various calculations are performed on each color signal of the luminance signal (
I), color difference signal 1 (C1), and color difference signal 2 (C2), and send them to the image quality improvement circuit 86. The image quality improvement circuit 86 analyzes the luminance signal, color difference signal 1, and color difference signal 2 sent from the luminance color difference separation circuit 85, performs image improvement processing such as edge emphasis and character identification, and converts the color signal conversion circuit 8
Send to 7. The color signal conversion circuit 87 performs color conversion based on the luminance signal, color difference signal 1, and color difference signal 2, which have been subjected to image quality improvement processing, to produce yellow (Y).

It is converted into a color signal of one of magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B) [the three primary colors (Y, M, C) plus B during printing] and sent to the binarization circuit 88. Binarization circuit 8
8 is a color signal (Y
, M, C, B),
That is, it is binarized and the binarized signal is sent to the alignment mark generation circuit (generating means) 97. The alignment mark generation circuit 97 adds the pattern of print alignment marks A to D to the binary signal sent from the binarization circuit 88 in response to the mark addition selection signal from the main control unit 81. Either the pattern of print alignment marks A to D is attached and sent to the thermal head temperature control section 93, or the binary signal sent from the binarization circuit 88 without any pattern of print alignment marks A to D is sent as is to the thermal head temperature control section. Send to 93. The thermal head temperature control section 93 sends a print signal to the thermal head 31 based on the binary signal sent from the alignment mark generation circuit 97. The thermal head 31 performs printing (that is, image formation) according to this print signal.

Here, the color signal conversion circuit 87 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. Luminance signal (1), color difference signal 1 (CI), and color difference signal 2 sent from the image quality improvement circuit 86
Each signal (C2) is sent to a color signal conversion circuit 87, where Y, M.

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

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

That is, as shown in the table below, the main control section 81 receives the signal a.
, b are sent to the binarization circuit 88 by the combination of Y, M
, C, and B color signals are selected. Note that the above color signals are automatically selected sequentially (for example, in the order of Y-M-C-B) in the normal color copy mode, and in accordance with the operation of the color selection key 62 in the monochrome mode. The corresponding color signal is selected.

Further, the alignment mark generation circuit 97 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. That is, a horizontal counter 100 counts up in response to a data synchronization signal (DCLK) from the main control section 81 and clears in response to a line synchronization signal (HSYNC); A vertical counter 101 that counts up in response to C) and clears in response to a page synchronization signal (PSYNC), a count value from the horizontal counter 100, a pattern selection signal from the output terminal IQ3a of the ROM 103, and a selection circuit 109 to be described later. Output terminal 1 outputs the address signal corresponding to the mark selection signal from
R output from 02a (HDI), 102b (HD2)
The OM 102 sends a signal at the address corresponding to the count value from the vertical counter 100 to the output terminal 103a (VDI).
, ROM 103 output from 103b (VD2), an AND circuit 104 that takes an AND between the horizontal mark signal supplied from the output terminal 102a and the vertical mark signal supplied from the output terminal IQ3b, and the main control section 81. A selection circuit 109 that outputs a mark selection signal for selecting a mark (shape) in accordance with a mark addition selection signal (MCOM) and a mark addition signal;
An AND circuit 105 takes the mark addition signal from 09 and the output of the AND circuit 104, and only when the output from the AND circuit 105 is not supplied via the inverter circuit 106, the output from the binarization circuit 88 is Only when the buffer 107 that outputs the binary signal (image data, RDAT) to the thermal head temperature control section 93 and the output from the AND circuit 105 are supplied, the register mark from the output end 102b of the ROM 102 is displayed. It is composed of a buffer 108 that outputs data (alignment mark data) to the thermal head temperature control section 93.

In the ROM 102.1o3, a pattern of print positioning marks A (see FIG. 12(a)) corresponding to Yeo'7 (Y) is set, and the pattern is sent to each output and thermal head temperature control section 93. The relationship with the output data is as shown in the table below.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13(a), a pattern of print alignment marks A is output corresponding to the four corners, and the image data from the binarization circuit 88 is used as it is for the rest of the image at the temperature of the thermal head. It is output to the control section 93. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13(b), print alignment marks A are printed at the four corners, and images are printed at the other corners.

The ROMs 102 and 103 also store patterns of print alignment marks B corresponding to magenta (M) (see FIG. 12(b)), and patterns of print alignment marks B corresponding to cyan (C). A pattern of print positioning marks D (see (d) of the same figure) corresponding to black (B) is stored.

As a result, when "OO" is supplied as the mark addition selection signal from the main control unit 81, the selection circuit 109 selects the ROM 102.10 corresponding to the print alignment mark A.
When memory area 3 is specified and "01" is supplied, when the selection circuit 109 specifies the memory area and rear of ROM 102 and 103 corresponding to print alignment mark B and "10" is supplied , ROM2O3,10 corresponding to the print alignment mark C by the selection circuit 109
When the storage area 3 is specified and "11" is supplied, the selection circuit 109 specifies the storage area of the ROM2O3, 103 corresponding to the print alignment mark D,
A pattern for each mark (shape) is selected.

Next, the operation will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b). First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the monochrome mode is selected. If the monochrome mode is not selected, it is the normal color copying mode, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, an "O" signal as a reset signal is sent to the alignment mark generation circuit 9.
7 is output to the AND circuit 105, and the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not the copy key 65 is turned on. If it is not turned on, the process returns to step S1, and if it is turned on, the process goes to step S4.

In step S4, an image forming operation is performed. That is, in this case, since the mode is color copying, color copying (image formation) is performed using the thermal transfer ink ribbons 34 of a plurality of colors by the above-described operation.

In step S1, if the single color mode is selected, this is the mode for producing a film for producing a printing original plate, so the process advances to step S5. In step S5, the main control unit 81
is a mark generation circuit 97 for positioning the mark addition selection signal.
The output is output to the selection circuit 109 in the inner part, and the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the -batch printing flag is reset, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, as an initial setting, the color signal conversion circuit 87 is commanded to convert the yellow (Y) color signal into a color signal, and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, it is determined whether the -bulk print key 72 has been turned on, and if it has not been turned on, the process advances to step SIO. Also, step 8 above
If it is determined that the batch print key 72 has been turned on, the - batch print flag is set and the process proceeds to step SIO. In step SIO, it is determined whether the color selection key 62 has been turned on, and if it has not been turned on, the process proceeds to step Sli.

In step Sll, it is determined whether the single color mode has been cleared by pressing the mode key 61. If it is determined that the mode has been cleared, the process returns to step 1; if not, the process proceeds to step 12. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the copy key 65 has been turned on. If it has not been turned on, the process returns to step S8, and if it has been turned on, the process returns to step S8.
Proceed to step 21.

If the color selection key 62 is turned on in step 510, the process advances to step S13. In step S13, the batch printing flag is reset, and the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, it is determined whether or not the Y key 68 is turned on, and if the Y key 63 is turned on, step S14 is performed.
Proceed to step 15.

In step S15, the color signal conversion circuit 87 is commanded to convert a yellow (Y) color signal, and the process returns to step S8.

In step S14, if the Y key 68 is not turned on, the process advances to step 316. In step 516,
It is determined whether the M key 69 is turned on, and the M key 69 is turned on.
If it is turned on, the process advances to step S17. In step S17, the color signal conversion circuit 87 is commanded to convert hemagenta (M) into a color signal, and the process returns to step S8.

In step S16, if the M key 69 is not turned on, the process advances to step 81g. In step S1g,
It is determined whether or not the C key 70 is turned on, and the C key 70 is turned on.
If it is turned on, the process advances to step S19. In step S19, the color signal conversion circuit 87 is commanded to convert into a Hessian (C) color signal, and the process returns to step S8.

In step 31B, if the C key 70 is not turned on, the process advances to step S20. In step S20,
It is determined that the B key 71 has been turned on, and the color signal conversion circuit 87 is commanded to convert the black (B) color signal, and the process returns to step S8.

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

In step S22, an image forming operation is performed for a single color component. That is, since this is the mode for producing a film for producing a printing original plate, monochrome copying (image formation) using a monochrome thermal transfer ink ribbon is performed by the above-described operation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That is, when printing a film for producing a printing original plate corresponding to yellow (Y) in monochrome mode, the mark addition selection signal, that is, the “00” signal from the main control unit 81 is sent to the selection circuit 109.
supplied to Then, the selection circuit 109 outputs a marking signal and also outputs a selection signal for yellow (Y) to the ROM 102. As a result, the marking signal, that is, the "1" signal from the selection circuit 109 is supplied to the AND circuit 105, and the gate of the AND circuit 105 is opened. In this state, the binarization circuit 88
The image signal of one component of the original is sent to buffer 1 bit by bit.
07 and stored. At this time, the main control section 81
A data synchronization signal (DCLK) and a line synchronization signal (HSYNC) from
YNC) is supplied to the counter 101.

As a result, when the image signal of the first column of the first line is supplied to the buffer 107, the counters 100 and 101 each count up.

According to the count value of the counter 101, a "1" signal is output as a pattern selection signal from the output end 103a of the ROM 103, and a "1" signal is output as a vertical mark signal from the output end 103b. Also, counter 10
In response to the count value of 0, the signal from the output end 103a, and the selection signal from the selection circuit 109, the output end 102a of the ROM 102 outputs "1" as a horizontal mark signal.
A signal is output, and an O'' signal is output as registration mark data from the output end 102b.

This registration mark data is stored in buffer 108.

A "1" signal is output from the AND circuit 104 based on the vertical mark signal from the output end 103b and the horizontal mark signal from the output end 102a. The output of this AND circuit 104 is sent to the buffer 1 via an AND circuit 105.
0g, and is also supplied to the buffer 107 via the AND circuit 105 and the inverter circuit 106.

Therefore, the registration mark data "0" signal stored in the buffer 108 is supplied to the thermal head temperature control section 93 as an output of the alignment mark generation circuit 97. At this time, the buffer 107 is prohibited from outputting its stored data.

Thereafter, similarly to the above, registration mark data is output to the four corners of the image.

Therefore, when image formation is performed for the yellow color component of a document image in single color mode, a pattern of print alignment marks A is output corresponding to the four corners as shown in FIG. 13(a). Otherwise, the image data for the yellow color component from the binarization circuit 88 is output as is to the thermal head temperature control section 93. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13(b), print alignment marks A are printed at the four corners, and an image for the yellow color component is printed at the other corners.

In addition, when image formation is performed for the magenta (M) color component in single color mode, a pattern of print alignment marks B (see FIG. 12(b)) is output corresponding to the four corners, and the other The image data for the magenta color component from the binarization circuit 88 is output as is to the thermal head temperature control section 93. As a result, print alignment marks B are printed at the four corners as shown in FIG. 15(a),
In addition, an image for the magenta color component is printed.

Also, when image formation is performed for the cyan (C) color component, a pattern of print alignment marks C (see Figure 12(c)) is output corresponding to the four corners, and the rest are binarized. Image data for the cyan color component from the circuit 88 is output as is to the thermal head temperature control section 93. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15(b), print alignment marks C are printed at the four corners, and an image for the cyan color component is also printed at the other corners.

Further, when image formation is performed for the black (B) color component, a pattern of print positioning marks D (see FIG. 12(d)) is output corresponding to the four corners, and two other marks are output.
The image data for the black color component from the value conversion circuit 88 is output as is to the thermal head temperature control section 93. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15(c), print alignment marks D are printed at the four corners, and an image for the black color component is printed at the other corners.

In this way, the original is optically scanned to produce cyan.

It is read as 3G color signals of green and yellow, and these three color signals are read as yellow and magenta.

It converts into four-color image forming signals of cyan and black, and prints a single-black thermal transfer ink ribbon according to one of these four-color image forming signals or four sequentially output image forming signals. It is used to form images on plastic film or paper. As a result, it is possible to create a film for printing original plates very easily, with a relatively simple structure, without using conventional complicated production processes such as exposure and development, and it is also small and inexpensive. can. Furthermore, by switching modes, images are formed on paper using thermal transfer ink ribbons of a plurality of colors in accordance with the image forming signals of the four colors. As a result, it can be used not only for producing films for printing original plates, but also as a color copying machine, which is very convenient.

Furthermore, marks for print alignment can be easily and accurately applied to a film for producing a printing original plate.

Furthermore, since the shape of the mark for printing positioning with respect to the film for producing printing original plates of each color is changed, it is possible to determine which original plate is a printing plate of which color.

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

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

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, when a plurality of base papers are printed on a single block, each base paper may be distinguished by changing the shape of the mark. in this case,
You can decide the position of each.

Further, the shape of the mark to be applied to the film for creating the printing plate, that is, the printing original plate, may be selected using keys provided on the operation panel. In this case, if multiple block copies are created at the same time, they can be distinguished by the difference in the shape of the marks.

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

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, a film for producing a printing plate can be produced very easily without using the conventional complicated production process, and it can be realized in a small size and at a low cost. In addition to making films for printing original plates, it can also be used as a color copying machine, and it can also be used for making printing original plates.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 15 are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall control system, and Figure 2 is a partial diagram of the overall configuration. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration; FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the document scanning section; FIG. 5 is the document scanning section. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional side view schematically showing the structure of the image forming section, FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the transfer operation state, and FIG.
The figure is a plan view showing the configuration of the thermal transfer ink ribbon, FIG. 9 is a plan view of the operation panel, FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the color signal conversion circuit in detail, and FIG. 11 is the alignment mark generation circuit. 12 is a diagram illustrating the pattern of print alignment marks. FIG. 13(a) is a diagram showing the relationship between image data and the pattern of print alignment marks. Fig. 13(b) and Fig. 15 are diagrams showing the printing state of the image and print alignment marks;
The figure is a flowchart for explaining the operation.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a printing example in another embodiment. 0...Original, P...Paper (image forming medium), 2...Operation panel, 8...Original scanning section, 9... ...Image forming section, 11...
・Scanner, 31...Thermal head, 34...
...Thermal transfer ink ribbon (image forming medium), 61.
...Mode key (mode changeover switch), 62.
...Color selection key, 63...Numeric keypad, 7
2...-Pattern printing key, 81... Main control unit, 8
2゜83... Sub control unit, 87... Color signal conversion circuit, 88... Binarization circuit, 93...
Thermal head temperature control section, 97... Alignment mark generation circuit (generating means), 100... Horizontal counter,
101...Vertical counter, 102.103...RO
M, 104.105...AND circuit, 10B...Inverter circuit, 107.10g...Buffer, 109
...Selection circuit, A, ~D...Print alignment mark. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue 4th Ward No. 5 Figure P Figure 7 47Y 47M 47C47B 10th Prisoner Figure 14 (b) Figure 15 Figure 16

Claims (10)

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