JPH01189277A - digital copy machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a digital copying machine, and in particular, in addition to the main function of this type of plain paper copying machine, which is copying from a paper document to paper, it is also capable of copying from a paper document to a floppy disk. The present invention relates to a multi-media copying machine that is equipped with a copying machine for copying different types of recording media, such as copying and copying from floppy disks to paper.

[Prior art]

A floppy disk drive (FDD) is installed in a digital copier.
) and a program that reads the data recorded on a floppy disk (FD), it is possible to copy (print out) document files on the FD created with information processing equipment such as word processors and personal computers onto paper.
A digital copying machine can be used as a so-called offline printer.

This type of FD usually stores multiple document files, and when such an FD is set in a digital copying machine and a necessary file is printed out from the stored document files, the FD is It is necessary to view the stored document file list (document name list).

However, in order to display the document name list, a cathode ray tube (C
A large display such as a 640 dot x 400 dot liquid crystal display (LCD) is required. The circuit device for controlling and driving such a display is also complicated and expensive, and it is not practical to provide such a large display for the purpose of displaying a list of document names on an FD.

Further, since the display section provided for normal operation of a copying machine has a limited display capacity, it is difficult to display a list of document names on such a display section.

〔the purpose〕

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to check the list of document names of a plurality of document files stored on an FD without adding a special large display to a digital copying machine. To provide a digital copying machine having a multi-media copying function that allows a target document file to be selected and printed out.

〔composition〕

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for displaying the document name of the stored document file when the FD is set in the FDD as a means for reading FD document files of a digital copying machine when copying from an FD to paper. By printing out on paper using the printer function of the digital copying machine, looking at the list of printed document names, and inputting the desired document number as a search code, the user can print out the document without using the large display. This allows you to check and select document files and print out the desired document without fail.
means for specifying and searching document files, page memory means for rasterizing the data read from the FD as raster data, printer means for printing out the image data developed in the page memory means, and raster data stored in the set FD. a means for printing out a list of document names (file directory) using a printer means, specifying a desired document file from the printed document name list, searching for the specified document file, and printing the document file. It is characterized by being configured so that the contents can be printed out and a copy obtained.

With this configuration, a desired document file can be easily retrieved from a large amount of document files stored on the FD without complicating the structure of the digital copier, and the functions of the copier can be utilized to the fullest. can do.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a system block diagram thereof.
is an image reading device (scanner), which is the input section of a digital copying machine, and which captures the image information of the document placed on the document table.
This is an image conversion device that converts an image into an electrical signal (image signal) using an image sensor such as a charge-coupled device (D).

Further, 2 is a floppy disk memory device, 3 is an image forming device (printer), and 4 is an operation/display section.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a floppy disk memory device 2 records/reproduces image signals, and records image signals (raster data) from a scanner, and reproduces the recorded signals or records them using other systems. image signal (raster data).

vector data, text data, etc.). It also has internal page memory, scanner interface,
It has a printer interface and an operation/display interface, and also controls the entire device and buffers image signals.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image reading device 1, which is a device for reading paper originals, 111 is a platen glass, 112 is an original, and the original 112 is placed on this platen glass 111. . The document 112 is illuminated by light sources (fluorescent lamps) 115 and 116 provided on a carriage 114 that moves on a slide rail 113''.

The movable mirror unit l-118 has mirrors 119 and 1.
The mirror unit 118 moves on the slide rail 113 and in combination with the first mirror 117 provided on the carriage 114 transfers the optical image from the document 112 on the platen glass 111 to the lens reading unit 120. Guide me in. The carriage 114 and the movable mirror unit 118 are driven by a stepping motor 121 via a wire 126.
124, the carriage 114 is driven at a speed 2 and the movable mirror unit 118 is driven at a speed 1/2V in the same direction. A standard white plate 127 is provided on the back side of the home position portion of the platen glass 111, and is configured so that a standard white signal can be obtained before the start of document reading scanning.

The lens reading unit 120 is composed of a lens 128 as a reading lens system and a line sensor 129 attached to a reading board. first mirror 117,
The original light image transmitted by the mirror 119.119° is focused by the lens 128, and the line sensor CCD 129
image is formed on the light-receiving surface of The line sensor CCD 129 converts the density of the original image into an electrical signal (image signal).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an image signal processing circuit.

In the figure, an image signal from a line sensor CCD 129 is amplified by an amplifier circuit 130, and an analog/digital (A
/D) The converter 131 converts each image into a multivalued digital image signal. This digital image signal is processed by the shading correction circuit 132 to determine (1) uneven light emission of the light source, (2)
) Optical system (mirror).

Removes shading caused by uneven light intensity distribution of lens), +3) uneven sensitivity of CCD, etc. Binarization circuit 13
In step 3, (1) a black and white image signal such as a character or drawing manuscript is converted into a fixed binary level.

That is, the value processed by the central processing unit (CPU) 134 is transferred to the latch circuit (random access memory: RA).
M) A method of binarizing with a pattern level (threshold level) of 135, (2) Binarizing with a dither pattern stored in read-only memory: ROM136 for things that require gradation such as photographs. method (dithering),
is selected using the document select switch on the operation unit 4 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and switched using the selector 137 to obtain an optimal copy image.

The image data that is binarized for each pixel corresponds to one line, that is, for an A3 size scanner, it is A4 size (210X
If the resolution of the longitudinal feed (297 MM) is 400 dpi (dots/inch), the output buffer 139 outputs a serial image signal 2 to the printer 2 via the line buffer 138 configured with a RAM of 297 x 16 = 4752 dots (bits). (Figures 1 and 2).

The oscillation circuit 140 is a COD for driving the CCDI 29.
A counter 143 . A signal is provided via a decoder 144. Note that Lsync is a laser beam position signal (scanning synchronization signal) of the printer.

The output of the oscillation circuit 140 is counted by a counter 143, the count value is input to a decoder 144, and a pulse for driving the CCD 129 is generated by a COD drive circuit 141 based on the decoded output.

The other output of the decoder 144 is sent to the synchronization generating circuit 142: 11) a clock (2) synchronized with the pixel; , (2) a main scanning synchronization signal (LGATE) in the line (main scanning) direction, and (3) a sub-scanning synchronization signal (FGATE) in the sub-scanning direction.

The CPU 134 (for example, Intel 8086) is R
It operates according to a control program written in the OM 145 and controls the entire scanner 1 along with the working memory RAM 146 and input/output (Ilo) ports 147, 148, and 149. I10 boat 147 is drive pulse motor 12
1. On/off control of actuators such as the fluorescent lamps 115 and 116 for illuminating the original is performed, and the state of the sensor Is such as the scanner's home position switch and original detection is detected. The I10 port 149 is an interface for communicating with a control circuit within the floppy disk memory device, and performs parallel data transfer using a handshake method.

FIG. 5(a), (bl is an explanatory diagram of the timing relationship of the scanner, and FIG. 5(a) is a timing chart,
The LSYNC signal is output from the printer 2 and is a synchronization signal for laser beam scanning. VD is read data (image signal) and image clock ■. clocked by VCK+v shown at the bottom in FIG. 5(a),
is an enlarged version of V CIl+ vD shown above. Figure 5(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the paper, the main scanning signal (LGATE), and the sub-scanning signal (FGATE). It is covered by

Next, the structure and operation of the floppy disk memory device 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a floppy disk memory device, in which 210 to 212 are floppy disk devices (FDD), 210 is an 8-inch floppy disk device, 211 is a 5.25-inch floppy disk device, and 212 is a floppy disk device. indicates a 3.5-inch floppy disk device. In the figure, one FDD with different media sizes is installed, but such a configuration is not necessarily required.
It does not matter if only one or more FDDs of a specific size are installed. 213 is a control electronic circuit (controller), 214 is an interface connector/cable that connects to the scanner l, 215 is an interface connector/cable that connects to the printer 3, and 216 is an interface connector/cable that connects to the operation/display unit 4. be.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control circuit for a floppy disk memory device. This control circuit is based on a general microcomputer system, and controls each peripheral via a so-called bus.

In the same figure, 213 is the control electronic circuit 213 of FIG.
221 is a central processing unit (CPU) that supplies data, address, and control signals to the bus 229.

Physical control (reading, writing) of the FDDs 210, 211, and 212 is performed through an FDD interface (FDDI/F) 220. The RAM 222 is a working RAM and is used together with the operation of the CPU 221. R.O.
M223 is the part where the program of this system is stored, and this program is stored in FDD210, 211.212.
, the scanner (image reading device) 1, the printer 3, and the page memory 228.

The ROM 223 also stores font data for developing the data read from the FD in the page memory 228 as a rask pattern when the data is a text code.

In addition, a separate ROM is provided for the font data.
You can also store it here. Reference numeral 224 denotes a scanner interface (scanner r/F) constituted by a parallel data interface, which controls the operation of the scanner 1.

8 sales data from scanner l is this scanner 1/
This is done via the serial/parallel (S/P) converter 226 without going through the F224. Data from S/P converter 226 is expanded to page memory 228. The page memory 228 has a data capacity to hold a full dot image of printer output paper. In addition, the image data in the page memory 228 is stored in parallel/serial (
P/S) is transferred to the printer 3 through the data converter 227. Printer interface (Printer 1/F)
Reference numeral 225 is used to perform operations of the printer 3 (print start, status read, etc.) and serves as a parallel data interface.

It is connected to the operation/display section 4 through an I10 port 230.

Next, the configuration of the printer 3 will be explained.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a laser printer for an electrophotographic process, in which a photosensitive drum 301 rotates in the direction of the arrow, is charged by a charger 302, a latent image is formed by exposure to a laser 311, and a developing device 303 is charged. It is visualized in .

The paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 304 by the paper feed conveyance unit 305 is adjusted and conveyed by registration rollers 306 that align the leading edge of the paper with the leading edge of the image. This paper is the photosensitive drum 301
The image developed by the transfer separation charger 307 is transferred onto paper, and the image is conveyed in the direction of arrow B, fixed by the fixing device 308, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 309. On the other hand, residual toner on the photoreceptor drum 301 is collected by a cleaning section 310. In addition, in the same figure, 312 is a collimator lens,
313 is a polygon mirror, 314 is an f-θ lens, 31
5 is a mirror, and 322 is a copy paper size detector.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the laser printer, in which the synchronization signal L from the floppy disk memory device 2 is
G A T E, F G A T E,
Input the image signal ■ゎ synchronized with V CK to the buffer 323
and writes it into line memory 320A or 320B.

Line memories 320A and 320B are toggled by a toggle switching signal 331 of CPU 324, and one line memory, for example, line memory 320
When A is in the write state, the other line memory 320
B is in the read state. The line memory address counter 321 counts at VcK opened at LGATE, is reset by the toggle switching signal 331, and reading/writing is always performed from address zero. The memory 320B (or 320A) on the readout side is connected to a laser driver circuit 319, which controls the lighting of the laser 311, and the emitted light is collimated by the collimator lens 312, and the polygon mirror 31
3, the width of the photoconductor drum 301 is scanned, distortion is corrected by the f-theta lens 314, and the photoconductor 3 is scanned through the mirror 315.
01 is exposed. In Fig. 9, 316 is a beam detection mirror (BD mirror), 317 is a beam position detector, 3
18 is a beam position detection circuit which outputs L5sync to an output terminal 332. 323 is an input terminal that receives an image signal from a floppy disk memory device;
5 is the printer city IH wholesaler and LGATE counter 33
4 is a ROM that stores the control program, and 326 is a CPU.
324 is a working memory RAM, 327 is a printer drive motor M, and a fixing heater actuator HA.
, the input/output (I10) boat to which the sensor S for paper presence/absence, size detection 1, etc. is connected, 328 is LGATE3
30 is input, the LGATE counter 334 counts this and outputs FGATE335 to the AND gate 333, and the I10 port 329 is used to output a reset signal (toggle switching signal) 331 and the like for the line memory address counter 321. This I10 port transmits and receives control signals between the floppy disk I10 port 149 and the printer interface 225.

The CPU 324 is a ROM 32 that stores a control program.
5, start and stop commands from the operation section of the operation/display section 4, abnormal states such as paper jams in the printer 3,
The copy paper size is controlled via the I10 port 329 to communicate the copy paper size to the floppy disk memory device 2.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation/display section, in which the operation/display section 4 is used to control the copy start key (print switch) 401, copy number (print number) setting, FD document file specification, and manual output specification. a numeric keypad 402 for switching between normal copy mode (copy mode) and FD-to-paper output mode (FD output mode), a mode switching key 403 (this key is preferably a toggle key), and a a document name list output instruction key 404, a display section (numeric keypad display section) 405 of the numeric keypad 402 consisting of a numeric display such as an LED,
A warning display 406 that displays the occurrence of a warning in each part of the digital copying machine by lighting up an LED or highlighting each mark shown in the figure;
When paper (copy paper, transfer paper) is set, the copy paper size detector 322 shown in FIG. It consists of operation keys, displays, etc.

The digital copying machine according to the present invention is operated using these operation keys and displays.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the main parts of the operation/display section shown in FIG.
It is a one-chip microcomputer consisting of OM, RAM, I10 port, etc. Each operation and display function explained in Fig. 10 is programmed and stored in ROM, and RA
Using M as a working memory, predetermined control signals are sent and received via the I10 port. Further, 411 is a copy start key 401, a numeric keypad 402, and a mode switching key 40.
3. A key driver for driving matrix keys such as the manual output mode setting key 404; 412 detects the operation of the matrix keys and connects the one-chip microcomputer 4;
This is a buffer for inputting data to 10. Reference numeral 413 denotes a driver (segment driver) for driving the segments of the numeric display of the numeric keypad display section 405, and a well-known 7-segment decoder driver may be used.

Reference numeral 414 indicates a display drive display unit 415 and 416 for supplying time-division pulses from the one-chip microcomputer 410 to the display unit of the display unit 405;
A driver 417 that drives a group of indicators such as the paper size indicator 407 is connected to the I10 port 230 in FIG.
This is an I10 boat driver that controls the operation and display section 4.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a specific example of the key input section, driver, and buffer in FIG.
11 is a one-chip microcomputer 410 to H (
For example, when the copy start key (print switch)
401 is turned on, the transistor 411B is turned on, the transistor 412A of the buffer 412 is turned on, the terminal a becomes L (low) level, and the key 401 is turned on.
settings are detected.

Figure 13 shows the display group and driver 415 in Figure 11.
, (a) Circuit diagram explaining a specific example around 416, (b)
4 is a drive waveform diagram, in which a driver 415,
416 is an LCD display 406°407.406', 4
07°+ --- Drive the lighting. For example, the same figure (
When pulse signals with the waveforms shown in B, B', A, and A' in b) are input to the drivers 415 and 416, respectively, in the same figure (al), pulses B and B' are at I-level, and pulse A is
When pulse A is at H level, LCD display 406 and 407 light up, and when pulse A is at high level, LCD display 4
06° and 407° light up. Therefore, pulse B,
By selectively applying B', A, and A', the LCD display 40
6,407° 406', 407'', . . . symbols in FIG. 10.

A code or mark can be lit.

It should be noted that the above-described key input circuit 1 indication output circuit itself is not the point of the present invention, so further detailed explanation will be omitted.

The present invention relates to "copying from a paper document to paper" in which a document reading signal (image signal) from a scanner is printed out on paper.
The functions of conventional digital copiers that perform
In addition to the functions of "copying to D" and "copying from FD to paper", especially when copying from rFD to paper,
It is possible to check and select a plurality of document files stored on the FD using a clock-like configuration that does not require a large display.

Therefore, the present invention provides a floppy disk memory device that has a function of searching for and reading a designated specific document file from a plurality of document files stored in a set FD, and a digital copying machine that reads a specified document file from a plurality of document files stored on a set FD. When the "copy to paper" mode is entered, the memory means that stores the program for printing out the document name list (file directory) table of the document files stored on the relevant FD on the printer, and the The apparatus is provided with a key input means having a function of printing out the document name list of the FD, and a display means having a function of displaying input information of the key input means.

By switching the mode switching key 403 in FIG. 10 to the FD side, the digital copying machine enters the "rFD to paper copy" mode. In this mode, the list of document names stored in the set FD will be displayed in the ROM223.
The program is printed out by the printer. The operator looks at the printed document name list and enters the document number of the desired document file using the numeric keypad 40.
After confirming the entered document number by displaying it on the display 405, the user presses the print switch (copy start key) 401 to print out the desired document file using the printer. Note that the text code in the data of the FD is expanded into the page memory 228 as raster data by a font memory area in the ROM 223 in FIG. 7 or a font generator (program) in a separately provided font memory, and then supplied to the printer.

Also, if you already know the document files stored on the FD, there is no need to print out the document name list, so after loading the FD, select the document number with the numeric keypad and print it immediately. Bye.

Next, the above operation will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 14 (fat) is a flowchart of the operation of printing out the list of document names stored on the FD, and FIG. 14(b) is a flowchart of the operation of printing out the selected document file (FD→paper copying operation).

In FIG. 14(a), first, move the FD in which the document file you want to copy is recorded to the FD in FIG. 6 that matches its size.
D, and operate the FD mode selection switch 403 on the operation/display section 4 in FIG. 10 to copy from rFD to paper.
Select the mode (Step 1). Next, copying conditions such as specifying the number of copies are set (step 2).

As a result, 110 of the operation/display section 4 shown in FIG.
417 to I10 boat 230 shown in FIG.
A D read signal is transmitted.

Upon receiving this FD read signal, the CPU 221 reads the ROM
223 and checks the FD via the FDDI/F 220 (step 3). This check shows ■FD is FDD.
Is the FDD set to Ready?
There are no abnormalities in the hardware, and (2) whether the file format can be processed by the program in the ROM 223.

If a failure occurs in these checks, the operator is notified of the occurrence of the error through the operation/display section 4, and an error handling routine is entered, but since error handling is not the point of the present invention, its explanation will be omitted.

Next, the document name list output instruction key 40 of the operation/display section 4
When 4 is pressed (step 4), the program causes the printer to print out a list of document names (step 5). With the above steps, the operation of printing out the document name list is completed.

FIG. 14 (bl shows the printout operation of the desired document file by looking at the list of printed document names,
First, confirm the desired document file from the document name list obtained above, and enter the document number using the numeric keypad 40 of the operation/display section 4.
Select the desired file by inputting in step 2 (step 6). At this time, the input document number is displayed on display 4.
05 for confirmation. The document number input using the numeric keypad 402 is input from the I10 port 230 in FIG. 7 to the control circuit of the floppy disk memory device via the I10417 in FIG. As a result, preparations are made to read the selected document from the document files stored on the FD.

In this state, when the print start key 401 is pressed (step 7), the program reads out the document file from the FD (step 8).

Determine whether the data of the read document file is text code data or raster data (Step 9). If it is text code data, store it in the RAM 222 once and use the fonts stored in the ROM 223 or other font memory. The data is converted into a rask pattern and developed into page memo '7228 (step 10).

Additionally, if the data of the read document file is raster data, it is expanded as is into the page memory 228 (
Step 11). When the expansion into the page memory 228 is completed, the contents of this page memory are output to the printer and printed to obtain a copy of the document file (step 12).

The print format in this case uses the format recorded in the FD. If the next page data is in the file, repeat from step 8.

Further, if the number of copies (prints) is two or more, the contents of the page memory for the number of copies are repeatedly output. Print out all required data and finish the copying operation.

To set the number of sheets, use the * key on the numeric keypad 402 followed by 1 to 9 on the numeric keypad.

Further, as described above, if the document name list of the document files on the FD is not required, after setting the FD, input the number of the document and press the print start key.

Figure 15 is an example of the document name list obtained in step 5 of Figure 14 (a. ing.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the document files stored on the FD can be confirmed without requiring a special display, and erroneous selection of document files can be eliminated.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, in a digital copying machine that has a function of copying from a paper document to a floppy disk, and a function of copying from a floppy disk to paper, in addition to a function of copying from a paper document to paper, When copying from a floppy disk to paper, a list of document files stored on the floppy disk can be obtained without requiring a large display, and the desired document file can be selected and printed from the list. A multifunctional and inexpensive digital copying machine can be provided.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a system block diagram thereof, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an image reading device (scanner), and Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the image processing circuit, FIG. A block diagram of the control circuit of the device, FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the laser printer, FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the laser printer, FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram explaining the operation/display section, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a specific example of the key input section, driver, and buffer area in FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a specific example of the display group and driver area in FIG. 11. Explain (8
1 circuit diagram, (b) driving waveform diagram, FIG. 14 (a) is a flowchart of the operation of printing out a list of document names stored on a floppy disk, (b) is a flowchart of the operation of printing out a selected document file, FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a document name list. ■・-11---Scanner, 2---Floppy disk memory device, 3---Printer, 4---Operation/display unit, 220---Floppy disk interface (FD I/ F), 221--Microcomputer, 222--Working RAM, 22
3.---ROM, 226----- Serial/
Parallel (S/P) converter, 22 L---------page memory, 230---person/output (Ilo) boat,
401------Print start key, 402-
...Numeric keypad, 403--Mode switching key, 40.11=--Document name list output instruction key. Figure 1 Figure 5 (C) Figure 5 (b) LGA'rE Figure 12 Figure 13 (a) Figure 14 (b) [Number] [Document name] I INDEX claw 2 BCL paper 3 draft Former Formant 487 Kaminobu Nagai Policy 1 6 Month Plan August 7 Literature Sheet 9 PPA Sheet to PPA Prevention Measures 1 11F'FA Critical ljl Area + 25A Sheet Figure 15

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image converting means for reading a predetermined image and converting it into an electrical image signal, an image forming means for forming an image on copy paper based on the image signal, and a file reading means for reading a document file stored on a floppy disk. and,
A list of document names of document files stored on the floppy disk in a digital copying machine equipped with a signal conversion means for converting data read by the file reading means into an image signal for image formation by the image forming means. A memory means storing a program for forming an image of a table using the image forming means, and an input means for inputting a selected document number are provided, and the document file corresponding to the document number input by the input means is searched and read. A digital copying machine characterized in that the digital copying machine is configured to supply the image to the image forming apparatus.