JPH0421865B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] 〔Technical field〕 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, when making a composite copy of images of desired areas of two originals, one original is placed on the original table, the desired area is specified, the copy is made, the originals are replaced, and the desired area is copied again. I had to specify the area and copy manually. Therefore, there are disadvantages such as the trouble of exchanging originals and manual copying, and the tendency to make mistakes in the orientation of the paper during manual copying.

〔the purpose〕

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has a simple configuration that allows exposure scanning of first and second originals accurately and easily, and images only desired areas of the first and second originals. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image and obtaining a composite copy.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In the figure, the surface of the drum 1 is made of a seamless photoconductor using a photoconductor and an electric conductor, and is rotatably supported on a shaft. Start rotating. Then, when the predetermined rotation of the drum 1 and the potential control process (preprocessing) are completed, the original placed on the original platen glass 34 is moved to the first scanning mirror 3.
The drum 1 is illuminated by an illumination lamp 40 integrated with the drum 9, and the reflected light passes through the first mirror 39, the second mirror 36, the third mirror 37, the lens 35, and the fourth mirror 38, and forms an image on the drum 1. Reference numeral 21 denotes an image tip sensor for detecting the leading edge position of the document, and the position of this sensor becomes a reference position for exposure scanning.

The drum 1 is corona charged by a high voltage unit 2. Thereafter, the image irradiated by the exposure lamp 40 is subjected to slit exposure, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 1 by a known method. Further, 60 is a blank exposure lamp, which erases the surface charge of the drum in the non-image area and prevents excess toner from adhering to the drum. It is also used for trimming, image shifting, etc. Note that this embodiment uses an LED array.

Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to a developing device 7.
The toner image is developed by a developing roller and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred by a transfer charger 5.

The transfer paper in the upper cassette 13 or the lower cassette 14 is fed into the main unit by the paper feed roller 11 or 12, and is sent in the direction of the photosensitive drum 1 by the registration roller 15 with accurate timing, where it is aligned with the leading edge of the latent image. The leading edge of the transfer paper is aligned. Thereafter, the transfer paper passes between the transfer charger 5 and the drum 1, so that the toner image on the drum 1 is transferred.

After the transfer is completed, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 1 by the separation charger 8, guided to the fixing device 32 by the conveyor belt 17, and fixed by pressure and heat.
Thereafter, it is discharged to the outside of the machine by discharge rollers 19-1 and 19-2.

After the transfer, the drum 1 continues to rotate, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device 6 comprising a cleaning roller and an elastic blade.

The pedestal 200 can be separated from the main body 100 and has a deck 54 capable of storing 2000 sheets of transfer paper and an intermediate tray 59 for double-sided copying. Further, the lifter 54L of the deck 54, which can accommodate 2000 sheets, is raised according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always comes into contact with the paper feed roller 50.

During double-sided copying or multi-copying using continuous copying, which will be described later, first, the paper discharge flapper 33 of the main body 100 is raised to guide the copied transfer paper to the pedestal 200 side, and then to the intermediate tray 59 via the conveyance path 57 of the pedestal 200. Store. At this time, the multiple flapper 52 is lowered during double-sided copying, and is raised during multiple copying of continuous page copying. This intermediate tray 59 can store up to 99 sheets of transfer paper. The stored transfer paper is held down by the intermediate tray weight 53.

During the next back side copy or multiple copy, the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 59 is
The sheets are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration rollers 15 of the main body 100 via the path 58 by the action of the paper feed roller 51 and the weight 53.

300 is a circulating document feeder (RDF) that can automatically copy double-sided originals.

Furthermore, 400 is a collating device (sorter) that collates the cuppies discharged from the main body.

FIGS. 2a and 2b are plan views showing the entire operating section of the main body 100. FIG.

A double-sided key 101 is pressed to make a double-sided copy from a single-sided original, a double-sided copy from a double-sided original, or a single-sided copy from a double-sided original.

102 is a sort key, if it has a sorter,
Lights up in standard mode. Press to cancel or enter sort mode.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a page continuous copying key, which is pressed to copy the left and right pages of a document separately onto separate sheets.

104 is a zoom key, which is pressed to specify any magnification between 64% and 142%.

Reference numeral 105 is an auto-magnification key, which is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the original to match the specified copy paper size.

106 is a fixed size scaling key, which allows you to reduce/reduce the fixed size.
Press to specify enlargement.

107 is the same size key, which is pressed to make a same size (original size) copy.

Reference numeral 108 denotes an auto paper selection key, which is pressed to automatically select the most suitable copy paper according to the original size and specified magnification ratio.

109 is a cassette selection key, which selects the upper cassette,
Press to select the middle cassette or lower paper deck.

110 is an AE key, which is pressed to automatically adjust the copy density according to the density of the original, or to cancel AE and switch to manual mode.

111 is a copy density key, which is pressed to manually adjust the copy density.

Numeric keypad 112 is pressed to set the number of copies. It is also used when setting the * (asterisk) mode and when setting coordinates for trimming.

113 is the * (asterisk) mode setting key, which allows multiple copying, cropping, image shift,
Press to set document frame erase or sheet frame erase.

114 is a clear key, which is pressed to cancel the set number of copies. It is also used to cancel * (asterisk) mode.

115 is a stop key, which is pressed to interrupt continuous copying. The copy operation will stop after the copy at the point in time is completed.

116 is an all reset key, which is pressed to return to the standard mode.

117 is a copy start key, which is pressed to start copying.

118 is a preheating key, which is pressed to put the machine into a preheating state or cancel the preheating state. It is also pressed to return to standard mode from auto-shutoff state.

A double-sided copy display 119 lights up when either double-sided copying from a double-sided original or double-sided copying from a single-sided original is selected.

120 is a one-sided copy display, which lights up when one-sided copy is selected from a double-sided original.

121 is a duplex mode display, which lights up when duplex mode is selected.

Reference numeral 122 is a toner collection display, which lights up when the collection container is full of used toner. Copy keys will not be accepted while the light is on.

123 is a toner replenishment display, which lights up when toner is insufficient. Copy keys will not be accepted while the light is on.

Reference numeral 124 indicates a forgotten original display, which lights up when the original is left on the original table glass for a predetermined period of time or more after copying is completed.

125 is a paper feed check display, which lights up when a paper jam occurs.

Reference numeral 126 in FIG. 2b is a simulation monitor display that displays the flow of paper within the main body. Note that this display is normally displayed, and when a paper jam occurs, the paper jam check display is displayed.

127 is a sort (collation) display, which lights up when the sort mode is selected and in that state.

128 is a page continuous shooting display, which lights up when page continuous shooting is selected.

129 is a magnification display, which displays the set magnification in %.

130 is an auto magnification display, which lights up when auto magnification is selected.

Reference numeral 131 indicates the same size display, which lights up when the same size is selected.

Reference numeral 132 indicates a standard size reduction display, which lights up when a standard size reduction is selected.

Reference numeral 133 indicates a standard size enlargement display, which lights up when a standard size enlargement is selected.

134 is an auto paper selection display, which lights up when auto paper selection is selected.

Reference numeral 135 is a document direction display which indicates the direction in which the document is set (vertical or horizontal).

Reference numeral 136 indicates a paper supply display, which lights up when there is no paper in the selected cassette or deck, when the selected cassette is not set in the main body, or when the paper cover of the deck is open.

Reference numeral 137 indicates the cassette in use, which indicates which of the upper, middle, and lower cassettes or decks is selected.

138 is * (asterisk) mode display, *
(asterisk) Lights up when the mode is set.

139 is a copy number display which displays the number of copies, coordinates at the time of trimming, or self-diagnosis code.

140 is a wait display, which lights up while the main body is warming up. Copies cannot be made while the light is on.

141 is the AE display, which lights up when AE (automatic concentration adjustment) is selected.

142 is a preheating display, which lights up when in the preheating state. Flashes when auto-shutoff is in progress.
In addition, the standard mode is 1 copy when using RDF, density AE mode, automatic paper selection, same size,
The settings change from a one-sided original to a one-sided copy. When RDF is not used, the settings are one copy, manual density mode, same size, and one-sided copy from one-sided original. The difference between when RDF is used and when it is not is determined by whether or not the original is set in RDF.

Next, the operation control shown in FIG. 1 of the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit for implementing the present invention, in which 501 is a central processing unit (CPU), for example, NEC's μCOM 87 AD. 502 is a ROM memory that stores the control program and the CPU 50
1 controls the device according to this program. 503 is RAM which is the main storage device
504 is an interface for outputting control signals to a load such as a main motor; 505 is an interface for inputting input signals from a tip sensor, etc.;
506 is an interface for controlling input/output of keys 507 and display 508. In addition, the display 508 has LED,
An LCD is used, and the key 507 shown in FIG. 2 shows which key has been pressed using a well-known key matrix.

FIG. 4 is a sequence control flowchart in FIG. 3, and the present embodiment will be explained along this flowchart.

To perform multiple page continuous copying using trimming, as shown in FIG. 5, two originals A and B (A4 size in this embodiment) are placed on the original table glass 34. Then, the page continuous copying key 103 is pressed, and the * (asterisk) mode setting key 113 is used to set the multiple copy mode. The setting method is as follows: By pressing keys such as □*□1□*, the CPU 501 determines this and latches the mode in the RAM 503. Similarly, set the trimming mode to □*□2□*. When you set trimming, you will be in a state where you can input the range that will not be erased. The range that is not erased corresponds to the area surrounded by the coordinates (x ₁ , x ₂ , y ₁ , y ₂ ) and (x ₃ , x ₄ , y ₃ , y ₄ ) shown in FIG. 5A.

Once trimming is set, the next step is to wait for input of the coordinate _x1 . Use the numeric keypad to set the distance from the origin and press the □＊ key to find the position of coordinate x ₁ .
It is latched to the RAM 503 and waits for input of the coordinate x ₂ , and similarly sets the positions of x ₂ , y ₁ , y ₂ , x ₃ , x ₄ , y ₃ , and y ₄ and completes.

When continuous page copying is set, the range that will not be erased for document A is set, and then the range that will not be erased for document B is set. Note that the mode and coordinate setting is not limited to the method described above, and other methods may of course be used.

Furthermore, if a scale is provided on the side of the document table glass 34, it will be easier to set the coordinates.

In FIG. 4, in step S1, a known key matrix is used to check which key is currently being pressed. Then, it is determined whether or not the page continuous copying key 103 has been pressed (step S2), and if it has been pressed, the page continuous copying display 128 is lit, and it is determined whether or not the multiple copy mode is in effect (step S3), and the multiple copying mode is determined. If the mode is set (that is, if the key □*□1□* is pressed), it is determined whether or not it is the trimming mode (step S4); if the trimming mode is set (that is, the key □*□ 2) If □* is pressed, wait for input of trimming coordinates (step S5). After inputting the coordinates, wait for the copy button 117 to be pressed (step S6). If the page continuous copying key is not pressed in step S2, copy processing other than page continuous copying is executed (step S7). Another step
If multiple copy mode is not set in S3, copy processing other than multiple copy is executed (step S8). Further, if the trimming mode is not set in step S4, copy processing other than trimming is executed (step S9). In step S6, when the copy key 117 is turned on, the multiple flapper 52 is turned on, that is, the flapper 52 is raised so that the transfer paper flows to the conveyance path 57-2, the main motor 3 is turned on, the high pressure unit 2 is turned on, and the blank is turned on. Turn on the exposure lamp 60 and turn on the paper ejection flapper 33.
ON, that is, the flapper 33 is raised so that the transfer paper flows toward the intermediate tray (steps S10 to S14).
Then, the drum 1 is rotated once to perform pretreatment. When the preprocessing is completed, the paper feed roller of the selected cassette is turned on (steps S15 and 16). The paper feed roller rotates and the transfer paper is fed to the registration roller 15. At this time, a counter (not shown) counts drum clocks corresponding to the time it takes for the transfer paper to be fed to the registration position, and when the count reaches 55, the paper feed roller is turned off (step S17).
18). During this time, the transfer paper reaches the registration position. The optical system motor (not shown) is turned on in synchronization with the roller off.
to move the optical system forward (step S19). When the optical system moves to the position of the image tip sensor 21 and the image tip sensor 21 is turned on, a timer waits for a registration timing for the leading edge of the image formed on the drum 1 to coincide with the leading edge of the transfer paper. Before the registration timing, it is determined whether the optical system has moved to the position of the coordinate x ₁ of the original A, and if it has moved, the coordinates of the original A on the photoreceptor 1 are y ₁ , y _{2 .}
Turn off the blank exposure lamp corresponding to the position between
(Steps S20-23). The position of the optical system is determined by counting the clocks corresponding to the movement to the position of coordinate _x1 . This clock uses the encoder pulses of the optics motor.

When the registration timing is reached, the registration clutch 15 is turned on to bring the transfer paper into contact with the drum 1 (step S24). Next, determine whether the optical system has moved to the position of coordinate x ₁ of document A (step
S25), if the original A has moved, the blank exposure lamp corresponding to the position between the coordinates y ₁ and y ₂ of the original A on the photoreceptor 1 is turned off (step S26).

Next, it is determined whether the optical system has moved to the position of coordinate _x2 of the original A (step S27), and if it has moved, all blank exposure lamps 60 are turned on (step S28). When the optical system advances further and counts clocks (encoder pulses of the optical system motor) corresponding to the horizontal length of the A4 size sheet, the optical system is moved backward (steps S29 and 30). When the optical system moves backward and the home position sensor 22 turns on, the optical system motor is turned off to stop the optical system (steps S31 and 32). After that, the image of the original A is copied, and the paper discharge flapper 33 and the multiple flapper 52
As a result, the transfer paper passes through the transport paths 57 and 57-2 and is stored in the intermediate tray 59. Multiple paper discharge sensor 24
When it is confirmed that the transfer paper is stored in the intermediate tray 59 by turning on and turning off within a predetermined time, the paper ejection flapper 33 is turned off, that is, the flapper 3 is turned off.
3 and turn off the multiple flapper 52, that is, lower the flapper 52 (steps S33 to S36). Then, the intermediate tray weight 53 is lowered onto the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 59 (step S37), and the intermediate tray paper feed roller is turned on to guide the transfer paper one by one from the bottom to the conveyance path 58 (step S38). Then, it is made to wait at the position of the resist clutch 15. Move the optical system forward again (step S39), and
When 1 turns ON, count the clocks corresponding to the horizontal length of an A4 sheet. After counting the A4 size,
A timer (not shown) is used to set a predetermined time (150 in this example).
ms) and adjust the registration timing (steps S40 to S42). It is determined whether the optical system has moved to the position of the coordinate x ₃ of the document B by the time the registration timing is reached (step S43), and if it has moved, the coordinates of the document B on the photoreceptor 1 are determined.
Blank exposure lamp corresponding to the position between y ₃ and y ₄
Turn OFF (step S44).

When the registration timing is reached, the registration clutch 15 is turned on to bring the transfer paper into contact with the drum 1 (step S45). Next, it is determined whether the optical system has moved to the position of the coordinate x ₄ of the document B, and if it has moved, the coordinates of the document B on the photoreceptor 1 are determined.
Blank exposure lamp corresponding to the position between y ₃ and y ₄
Turn off (step S47).

Next, it is determined whether the optical system has moved to the position of coordinate _x4 of document B (step S48), and if it has moved, all blank exposure lamps 60 are turned on (step S49). Then, the image of document B is copied over the image of document A that has been copied.
When the optical system moves further forward and the reversal sensor 25 turns on, the optical system is moved backward (steps S50 and 51) and returned to the home position. When the home position sensor 22 turns on, the high voltage unit 2 is turned off, the blank exposure lamp 60 is turned off, and the main motor 3 is turned off (steps S52 to S55). Furthermore, manuscript A,
The transfer paper on which the image B has been copied is discharged from the paper ejection flapper 33.
is discharged outside the machine (sorter 400). Furthermore, when making multiple copies, the number of copies is set using the numeric keypad 112. When the copy button 117 is pressed, a cycle of scanning and copying the original A is performed a set number of times, and the set number of copies of the original A are stored in the intermediate tray 59. Next, intermediate tray 5
Transfer paper stacked on paper 9 is fed one by one from the bottom, and original B is scanned and copied onto the transfer paper. This operation is repeated a set number of times.

In the above embodiment, an A4 size original was described, but it is of course possible to use a B5 size or other size original, and it is also possible to combine left and right images of an A3 and B4 size original.

In this way, for example, by making multiple copies of original A as the format of the document and original B as the one with written entries, it is possible to easily create a document. It is also possible to create different types of seal certificates.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, pulses synchronized with the movement of the exposure scanning means are used to specify the number of pulses corresponding to the designated area of the first original with respect to the reference position and the designation of the second original. By controlling the irradiation area of the photoreceptor based on counting the number of pulses corresponding to the area, it is possible to accurately and easily image only the desired areas of the first and second documents with a simple configuration. , a composite copy can be obtained.

Further, when a reference position is detected after starting forward movement for the first exposure scan, the first exposure scan is started, and when the count value of the counting means after detecting the reference position reaches a predetermined number, the first exposure scan is started. and the second
By starting the second exposure scan when the count value of the counting means reaches a predetermined number after detecting the reference position after starting the forward movement for the exposure scan, the first and second exposure scans can be accurately and easily performed with a simple configuration. The second document can be exposed and scanned.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the device to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the entire operating section of the device in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the device in FIG. 1. , FIGS. 4 1 to 4 are flowcharts showing the control procedure, FIG. 5 A is a diagram showing the coordinates on the document table, FIG. 5 B is a diagram showing the document set state,
The figure is a diagram showing an example of output according to the present invention.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A placing table for placing an original, and a first and second original placed on the placing table in order to sequentially expose and scan the originals without exchanging the originals. an exposure scanning means that sequentially performs a first exposure scan for a document and a second exposure scan for a second document; and a common standard for the first exposure scan and the second exposure scan of the exposure scan means. a detection means for detecting the position; an area specification means for independently specifying desired areas of the first document and the second document; a conveyance means for conveying the copy material; and exposure by the first exposure scan. forming a latent image of an image in a designated area of the first original on a photoconductor, developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor, and transferring it to a copying material conveyed by the conveyance means; Subsequently, a latent image of an image of the designated area of the second document exposed by the second exposure scan is formed on the photoconductor, the latent image formed on the photoconductor is developed, and the latent image formed on the photoconductor is developed. an image forming means for overlappingly transferring an image of a designated area of the first document onto the same surface of the copy material to which it has been transferred; and a pulse generating means for generating pulses in synchronization with the movement of the exposure scanning means. and counting means for counting the pulses generated by the pulse generating means, and the exposure scanning means starts the first exposure scan when the detection means detects the reference position after starting forward movement for the first exposure scan. When scanning is started and the count value of the counting means after the detection means detects the reference position reaches a predetermined number, the first exposure scan is finished, and after the start of forward movement for the second exposure scan. When the count value of the counting means after detecting the reference position reaches a predetermined number, the second exposure scan is started, and the image forming means forms an image only in the area specified by the specifying means. irradiation means for irradiating light onto a desired area on the photoreceptor, and during the first exposure scan, the counting means measures the number of times the first document is measured relative to the reference position. The irradiation area of the irradiation means is controlled based on counting a number of pulses corresponding to the designated area, and during the second exposure scan, the counting means controls the irradiation area of the second document based on the reference position. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the irradiation area of the irradiation means is controlled based on counting a number of pulses corresponding to a designated area.