JP3604757B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

【００２７】
但し、ｃｉｊ（ｉ＝１，２，３ ｊ＝１，２，３）は、ＣＣＤセンサの３０１，３０２，３０３の感度特性／照明ランプ２０３のスペクトル特性等の諸特性を考慮した装置固有の定数である。
【００２８】
３１６は演算部であり、輝度／濃度変換および出力マスキング／ＵＣＲ回路部で構成され、ＣＣＤセンサで読み込まれたＲ，Ｇ，Ｂ信号を画像形成装置のトナー色であるＹ，Ｍ，Ｃ，Ｂｋ信号に変換する部分であり、次式の演算がなされる。
【００２９】
即ち入力Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂに対し、まず輝度／濃度変換式として次式が演算される。
【００３０】
【数２】

【００３１】
更に、前記演算結果にもとづき、マスキング／ＵＣＲとして次式が演算される。
【００３２】
【数３】

【００３３】
以上、前記（２），（３），（４）式にもとづき、ＣＣＤセンサで読み込まれたＲ，Ｇ，Ｂ信号にもとづいたＭ１，Ｃ１，Ｙ１，Ｂｋ１信号をトナーの分光分布特性にもとづいたＭ，Ｃ，Ｙ，Ｂｋ信号に補正して出力する。
【００３４】
一方、３１７はインターフェース回路であり、ホストコンピュータ１０１より送られてくる信号を受け、ラスタ化された画像をマゼンタ（Ｍ），イエロ（Ｙ），シアン（Ｃ），ブラック（Ｂｋ）の各色ごとに画像メモリ１０４に書き込むべく、マゼンタ（Ｍ），イエロ（Ｙ），シアン（Ｃ），ブラック（Ｂｋ）のデータＣＭ，ＣＣ，ＣＹ，ＣＢｋ信号および、画像メモリにこれらのデータを書き込むアドレスＣＡを発生する。
【００３５】
３２９は画像メモリユニットであり、画像メモリ１０４およびその制御回路よりなる。画像メモリユニット３２９においては、演算部３１６より送られてくる画像信号と、インターフェース回路３１７より送られてくる画像信号が画像メモリ１０４の所要の領域に蓄えられた後に出力される。
【００３６】
画像メモリ１０４に保持された画像データは、データコントローラを介してルックアップテーブルＲＡＭにより構成される濃度補正回路３２１，３２２，３２３，３２４、シャープネス補正回路３２５，３２６，３２７，３２８を経てそれぞれマゼンタ（Ｍ），シアン（Ｃ），イエロ（Ｙ），ブラック（Ｂｋ）のレーザドライバへ送られる。
【００３７】
ここで、画像メモリユニット３２９において、演算部３１６より画像データが画像メモリ１０４に書き込まれ出力された場合には、画像形成装置１０３は複写機として動作し、インターフェース回路３１７より送られてくる画像信号が画像メモリ１０４に書き込まれ出力された場合には、プリンタとして動作する。
【００３８】
図４に画像メモリユニット３２９のブロック図を示す。図４において、３５１，３５２，３５３および３５４はそれぞれセレクタであり、制御信号ｓにより、入力Ａ，Ｂに対し出力Ｙ１，Ｙ２が切り替わる。その動作論理説明表を３６８に示す。即ち、ｓ＝０の場合には、Ｙ１としてＡが出力され、Ｙ２としてＢが出力される。また、ｓ＝１の場合には、Ｙ１としてＢが出力され、Ｙ２としてＡが出力される。更に、３５５，３５６，３５７，３５８，３５９，３６０，３６１，３６２，３６３，３６４，３６５，３６６はそれぞれセレクタであり、制御信号ｓにより入力Ａ，Ｂに対し出力Ｙが切り替わる。その動作論理説明表を３６９に示す。即ち、ｓ＝０の場合には、ＹとしてＡが出力され、ｓ＝１の場合には、ＹとしてＢが出力される。
【００３９】
１０４は図３で図示されている画像メモリである。更に３７０はアドレスカウンタであり、画像メモリ１０４に与える連続アドレスを発生する。Ｃ１，Ｃ２，Ｃ３，Ｃ４は、前述のセレクタを制御するために不図示のＣＰＵより発生される制御信号である。
【００４０】
画像メモリ１０４は、１０４−１１，１０４−１２，１０４−２１，１０４−２２，１０４−３１，１０４−３２，１０４−４１および１０４−４２の８つの部分に分けられるが、マゼンタ，シアン，イエロ，ブラックの各色に対しそれぞれＯＤＤメモリとＥＶＥＮメモリの２バンクずつに分けられ、１０４−１１はマゼンタ（Ｍ）のＯＤＤメモリ、１０４−１２はマゼンタ（Ｍ）のＥＶＥＮメモリ、１０４−２１はシアン（Ｃ）のＯＤＤのメモリ、１０４−２２はシアン（Ｃ）のＥＶＥＮメモリ、１０４−３１はイエロ（Ｙ）のＯＤＤメモリ、１０４−３２はイエロ（Ｙ）のＥＶＥＮメモリ、１０４−４１はブラック（Ｂｋ）のＯＤＤメモリ、１０４−４２はブラック（Ｂｋ）のＥＶＥＮメモリである。
【００４１】
本実施例においては、以上の構成をとることで、複写機としての機能とプリンタとしての機能の同時進行を図るものである。複写機あるいはプリンタとして画像メモリ１０４をどのように使い分けるかは、制御信号Ｃ１，Ｃ２，Ｃ３，Ｃ４による。代表的な制御について図５を用いて説明する。
【００４２】
図５において、先ず、Ｃ１＝０，Ｃ２＝０，Ｃ３＝０，Ｃ４＝１の場合には、ＥＶＥＮメモリは、セレクタ３５９，３６１，３６３，３６５を経てアドレスカウンタ３７０によりアドレスされる。ＣＣＤ３０１〜３０１に読み込まれた画像信号は、演算部３１６，セレクタ３５１〜３５４を経てＥＶＥＮメモリに一旦保持された後にセレクタ３５５〜３５８を経て濃度補正回路３２１〜３２４へ送られる。即ち、ＥＶＥＮメモリを用いて、複写機として動作する。
【００４３】
それと同時に、ＯＤＤメモリは、セレクタ３５１〜３５４，３６０，３６２，３６４，３６６を経てインターフェース回路３１７によりデータとアドレスが与えられ、メモリ上に画像が展開されている。このように、ホストコンピュータ１０１よりの画像展開と、複写機としての機能が両立できることになる。
【００４４】
更に、ＯＤＤメモリ上に展開された画像を出力するためには、Ｃ２を“１”に変えれば良い。同様に、Ｃ１＝１，Ｃ２＝１，Ｃ３＝１，Ｃ４＝０でも良く、この場合には前述とは逆にＯＤＤメモリが複写機として利用され、ＥＶＥＮメモリがプリンタとして使われる。更に、ＥＶＥＮメモリ上に展開された画像を出力するためには、Ｃ２を“０”に変えれば良い。
【００４５】
（装置タイミングチャート）
図６に、本実施例における画像形成装置タイミングチャートを示す。ＳＴＡＲＴ信号は、本実施例における画像形成動作開始を示す信号である。ＷＰＥ信号は、ＣＣＤ３０１〜３０３から読み込まれた画像信号、あるいはホストコンピュータ１０１により送られた画像信号をメモリ書き込みを行う区間であり、ＣＣＤ３０１〜３０３からの画像信号とホストコンピュータ１０１の一方あるいは双方より信号が送られてくる。ＩＴＯＰ信号は、プリント動作の開始を示す信号であり、ＭＰＥ信号は、図２におけるマゼンタ半導体レーザ２１６を駆動する区間信号であり、ＣＰＥ信号は、図２におけるシアン半導体レーザ２１５を駆動する区間信号であり、ＹＰＥ信号は、図２におけるイエロ半導体レーザ２１４を駆動する区間信号であり、ＢＰＥ信号は、図２におけるブラック半導体レーザ２１３を駆動する区間信号である。
【００４６】
図６に示すように、ＣＰＥ信号，ＹＰＥ信号，ＢＰＥ信号は、それぞれＭＰＥ信号に対してｔ１，ｔ２，ｔ３だけ遅延されており、これは図２のｄ１，ｄ２，ｄ３に対し、ｔ１＝ｄ１／ｖ，ｔ２＝ｄ２／ｖ，ｔ３＝ｄ３／ｖ（ｖは用紙の送り速度）なる関係を持つように制御される。
【００４７】
（実施例の効果）
以上説明したように、本実施例によれば、ホストコンピュータ１０１からコントローラ１０２を介して画像形成装置１０３に画像信号が送れ、画像形成装置１０３内の画像メモリ１０４に書き込まれている状態においても、画像形成装置１０３内のＣＣＤ３０１〜３０３を含む原稿読込み手段からの画像信号を画像メモリ１０４に同時に書き込むことができるので、ホストコンピュータ１０１からの画像をラスタ化する時間に影響されることなく、画像形成装置１０３を複写機として動作させることができる。
【００４８】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、ホストコンピュータからの画像をラスタ化する時間に影響されることなく、画像形成装置を複写機として動作させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施例の概略的構成を示す図
【図２】画像形成装置の概略的構成を示す図
【図３】画像処理回路部のブロック図
【図４】画像メモリユニットのブロック図
【図５】画像メモリユニットの動作を示す図
【図６】画像形成装置のタイミングチャート
【符号の説明】
１０１ ホストコンピュータ
１０２ コントローラ
１０３ 画像形成装置
１０４ 画像メモリ[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that operates as a copier and a printer, and an image forming system having the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Related technology]
The inventor comprises image reading means for reading an image and converting it into an image signal, memory means for holding the image signal read by the image reading means, and an image output section for outputting the image signal held in the memory means. An image forming apparatus that operates as a color copying machine has been proposed. Further, for example, an image forming apparatus and a host computer are connected via a controller, a color image created by the host computer is rasterized by the controller, and held in a memory inside the controller. There is proposed an image forming system that operates as a color printer that outputs images and outputs, and that operates as a color copying machine or a color printer based on an operator's instruction.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the related art example described above, there are the following problems.
[0004]
That is, in the operation as a color printer, the more complicated the image sent from the computer, the longer the rasterization time and the longer the time until the printer output is made. Further, in this case, since the image memory of the image forming apparatus is occupied, there is a problem that the operation as a copying machine cannot be performed.
[0005]
The present invention has been made under such a situation, and an image forming apparatus capable of operating an image forming apparatus as a copying machine without being affected by the time for rasterizing an image from a host computer by a controller. It is an object to provide an apparatus and an image forming system.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus is configured as in the following (1 ), and the image forming system is configured as in the following (2) .
(1) Memory means having a first memory area and a second memory area for holding an image signal, image forming means for inputting the image signal held in the memory means and forming an image, and a host computer A first writing means for writing a rasterized image signal received from the memory means to the memory means, an original reading means for reading an original and converting the image signal into an image signal, and an image signal read by the original reading means to the memory means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a second writing unit for writing, wherein the first writing unit and the second writing unit are operable simultaneously .
Either the first writing means can write to the first memory area and the second writing means can write to the second memory area, or the first writing means can write to the second memory area. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to switch whether the area is writable and the second writing unit is writable to the first memory area .
(2 ) An image forming system comprising: a host computer; a controller connected to the host computer; and the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 connected to the controller. An image forming system, which generates a rasterized image signal based on an image signal to be transmitted, and supplies the image signal to a first writing unit of the image forming apparatus.
[0013]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.
[0014]
(Explanation of device outline)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an “image forming system” according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, 101 is a host computer, and 102 is a controller. On the other hand, an image forming apparatus 103 copies a document placed on a document table in color and outputs a color image sent from the computer 101 via the controller 102. Here, on the host computer 101, application software of so-called DTP (Desk Top Publishing) is operated to create / edit various documents / graphics. The host computer 101 converts the created document / graphic into a PDL language (Page Description Language = Page Description Language, for example, PostScript by Adobe) and sends it to the controller 102.
[0015]
The controller 102 translates the PDL language sent from the host computer 101 and performs rasterization. The rasterized image signal is output as a hard copy by the image forming apparatus 103. The image forming apparatus 103 has an image memory 104 for one page of an output image, and the image held in the image memory 104 is output by the image forming apparatus 103.
[0016]
As a characteristic feature, the controller 102 performs an operation of directly writing a rasterized image signal into the image memory 104 in the image forming apparatus.
[0017]
(Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 103.
[0018]
First, copying of a document as a copying machine will be described. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a platen glass on which a document 202 to be read is placed. The original 202 is illuminated by an illumination lamp 203, passes through mirrors 204, 205 and 206, and forms an image on a CCD 208 by an optical system 207. Further, the mirror unit 210 including the mirror 204 and the illumination lamp 203 is mechanically driven by the motor 209 at a speed V, and the second mirror unit 211 including the mirrors 205 and 206 is driven at a speed of Ｖ V, and The entire surface of 202 is scanned.
[0019]
Reference numeral 212 denotes an image processing circuit which processes read image information as an electric signal, temporarily stores the image information in the image memory 104, and outputs the signal as a print signal.
[0020]
Reference numerals 213, 214, 215, and 216 denote semiconductor lasers, which are driven by print signals output from the image processing circuit unit 212, and emit laser light emitted by the respective semiconductor lasers to polygon mirrors 217, 218, 219, and 220. Thus, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drums 225, 226, 227, and 228. 221, 222, 223, 224 are developing units for developing latent images with black (Bk), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) toners, respectively; Is transferred to paper, and a full-color printout is made.
[0021]
Paper fed from any of the paper cassettes 229, 230, 231 and the manual feed tray 232 is adsorbed onto the transfer belt 234 via a registration roller 233 and is conveyed. The photosensitive drums 228, 227, 226, and 225 are developed in advance with toner of each color in synchronization with the paper feed timing, and the toner is transferred to the paper as the paper is transported.
[0022]
The sheet on which the toner of each color is transferred is separated / conveyed, the toner is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 235, and the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 236.
[0023]
Next, when outputting an image sent from the host computer 101 via the controller 102, the image is directly transferred to the image memory 104 via the interface cable 237, and the image is transferred as in the case of the copier operation. It is formed.
[0024]
(Flow of image signal)
FIG. 3 shows a signal flow in the image processing circuit section 212. In FIG. 3, reference numerals 301, 302, and 303 denote red (R), green (G), and blue (B) CCD sensors, respectively, which include analog amplifiers 304, 305, and 306, and A / D converters 307, 308, and 309. After that, each is output as a digital signal. Reference numerals 310 and 311 denote delay memories, respectively, for correcting a spatial shift between the three CCD sensors 301, 302, and 303.
[0025]
Reference numerals 312, 313 and 314 denote input image correction means for correcting reading density characteristics including an illumination system / optical system / CCD sensor, respectively, and are constituted by a look-up table RAM. A masking circuit 315 converts an input (R0, G0, B0) signal into a standard (R, G, B) signal by an operation according to the following equation.
[0026]
(Equation 1)

[0027]
Here, cij (i = 1, 2, 3 j = 1, 2, 3) is a constant peculiar to the apparatus in consideration of various characteristics such as sensitivity characteristics of CCD sensors 301, 302, and 303 / spectral characteristics of illumination lamp 203. It is.
[0028]
Reference numeral 316 denotes an arithmetic unit, which is configured by a luminance / density conversion and output masking / UCR circuit unit, and converts R, G, and B signals read by the CCD sensor into Y, M, C, and Bk, which are toner colors of the image forming apparatus. The signal is converted into a signal, and the following operation is performed.
[0029]
That is, the following equation is first calculated as a luminance / density conversion equation for the inputs R, G and B.
[0030]
(Equation 2)

[0031]
Further, the following equation is calculated as masking / UCR based on the calculation result.
[0032]
(Equation 3)

[0033]
As described above, based on the equations (2), (3) and (4), the M1, C1, Y1 and Bk1 signals based on the R, G and B signals read by the CCD sensor are based on the spectral distribution characteristics of the toner. The signals are corrected to M, C, Y, and Bk signals and output.
[0034]
On the other hand, reference numeral 317 denotes an interface circuit which receives a signal sent from the host computer 101 and converts a rasterized image for each color of magenta (M), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and black (Bk). To write to the image memory 104, magenta (M), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and black (Bk) data CM, CC, CY, and CBk signals and an address CA for writing these data to the image memory are generated. I do.
[0035]
Reference numeral 329 denotes an image memory unit, which comprises the image memory 104 and its control circuit. In the image memory unit 329, the image signal sent from the arithmetic unit 316 and the image signal sent from the interface circuit 317 are output after being stored in a required area of the image memory 104.
[0036]
The image data held in the image memory 104 passes through density controllers 321, 322, 323, and 324 and sharpness correctors 325, 326, 327, and 328, each of which includes a look-up table RAM, via a data controller. M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk).
[0037]
Here, in the image memory unit 329, when the image data is written and output from the arithmetic unit 316 to the image memory 104, the image forming apparatus 103 operates as a copying machine and the image signal transmitted from the interface circuit 317. Is written in the image memory 104 and output, the device operates as a printer.
[0038]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image memory unit 329. In FIG. 4, 351, 352, 353 and 354 are selectors, respectively, and the outputs Y1 and Y2 are switched with respect to the inputs A and B by the control signal s. The operation logic explanation table is shown at 368. That is, when s = 0, A is output as Y1 and B is output as Y2. When s = 1, B is output as Y1 and A is output as Y2. Reference numerals 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365 and 366 are selectors, respectively, and the output Y is switched between the inputs A and B by the control signal s. The operation logic explanation table is shown in 369. That is, when s = 0, A is output as Y, and when s = 1, B is output as Y.
[0039]
Reference numeral 104 denotes an image memory shown in FIG. An address counter 370 generates a continuous address to be provided to the image memory 104. C1, C2, C3, and C4 are control signals generated by a CPU (not shown) to control the above-described selector.
[0040]
The image memory 104 is divided into eight parts, 104-11, 104-12, 104-21, 104-22, 104-31, 104-32, 104-41 and 104-42. , Black are divided into two banks of an ODD memory and an EVEN memory, respectively. 104-11 is a magenta (M) ODD memory, 104-12 is a magenta (M) EVEN memory, and 104-21 is cyan ( C) ODD memory, 104-22 is cyan (C) EVEN memory, 104-31 is yellow (Y) ODD memory, 104-32 is yellow (Y) EVEN memory, and 104-41 is black (Bk). ) Is an ODD memory, and 104-42 are black (Bk) EVEN memories.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, with the above configuration, the function as a copier and the function as a printer are simultaneously advanced. How the image memory 104 is properly used as a copying machine or a printer depends on the control signals C1, C2, C3, and C4. Representative control will be described with reference to FIG.
[0042]
In FIG. 5, first, when C1 = 0, C2 = 0, C3 = 0, C4 = 1, the EVEN memory is addressed by the address counter 370 via the selectors 359, 361, 363, 365. The image signals read by the CCDs 301 to 301 are sent to the density correction circuits 321 to 324 via selectors 355 to 358 after being temporarily held in the EVEN memory via the operation unit 316 and selectors 351 to 354. That is, it operates as a copying machine using the EVEN memory.
[0043]
At the same time, in the ODD memory, data and addresses are given by the interface circuit 317 via selectors 351 to 354, 360, 362, 364, 366, and an image is developed on the memory. In this way, the image development from the host computer 101 and the function as a copying machine can be compatible.
[0044]
Further, in order to output an image developed on the ODD memory, C2 may be changed to "1". Similarly, C1 = 1, C2 = 1, C3 = 1, C4 = 0 may be set. In this case, the ODD memory is used as a copying machine and the EVEN memory is used as a printer, contrary to the above. Further, in order to output an image developed on the EVEN memory, C2 may be changed to "0".
[0045]
(Equipment timing chart)
FIG. 6 shows a timing chart of the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. The START signal is a signal indicating the start of the image forming operation in this embodiment. The WPE signal is a section in which an image signal read from the CCDs 301 to 303 or an image signal sent by the host computer 101 is written into the memory. The WPE signal is an image signal from the CCDs 301 to 303 and a signal from one or both of the host computers 101. Is sent. The ITOP signal is a signal indicating the start of a printing operation, the MPE signal is a section signal for driving the magenta semiconductor laser 216 in FIG. 2, and the CPE signal is a section signal for driving the cyan semiconductor laser 215 in FIG. The YPE signal is a section signal for driving the yellow semiconductor laser 214 in FIG. 2, and the BPE signal is a section signal for driving the black semiconductor laser 213 in FIG.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 6, the CPE signal, the YPE signal, and the BPE signal are respectively delayed by t1, t2, and t3 with respect to the MPE signal, which is t1 = d1 with respect to d1, d2, and d3 in FIG. / V, t2 = d2 / v, t3 = d3 / v (v is the paper feed speed).
[0047]
(Effects of the embodiment)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when an image signal is sent from the host computer 101 to the image forming apparatus 103 via the controller 102 and is written to the image memory 104 in the image forming apparatus 103, Since image signals from the document reading means including the CCDs 301 to 303 in the image forming apparatus 103 can be simultaneously written into the image memory 104, the image formation from the host computer 101 is not affected by the time for rasterizing the image. The device 103 can be operated as a copier.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus can be operated as a copying machine without being affected by the time for rasterizing an image from the host computer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing circuit unit; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image memory unit; 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the image memory unit. FIG. 6 is a timing chart of the image forming apparatus.
101 Host Computer 102 Controller 103 Image Forming Apparatus 104 Image Memory

Claims (2)

A memory means having a first memory area and a second memory area for holding an image signal, an image forming means for inputting the image signal held in the memory means and forming an image, and receiving the image signal from a host computer First writing means for writing a rasterized image signal into the memory means; document reading means for reading a document and converting the image signal into image signals; and second writing means for writing the image signal read by the document reading means into the memory means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first writing unit and a second writing unit operable simultaneously .
Either the first writing means can write to the first memory area and the second writing means can write to the second memory area, or the first writing means can write to the second memory area. An image forming apparatus , comprising: control means for switching whether to be able to write in an area and to be able to write in the first memory area by the second writing means . An image forming system comprising: a host computer; a controller connected to the host computer; and the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 connected to the controller, wherein the controller is transmitted from the host computer. An image forming system comprising: generating an image signal rasterized based on an image signal; and supplying the image signal to a first writing unit of the image forming apparatus.

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