JPH01310370A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a high quality image by exposing necessary information on one of plural surfaces of an original and erasing a latent image in a prescribed area at the time of exposing the other surface when the necessary information such as date is added to the prescribed area, at the time of multiple copying. CONSTITUTION:A shutter 70 is arranged on a photosensitive drum 20 so as to shield reflected light from an original. On the drum 20, an area shielded by the shutter 70 is exposed by a laser 91 as a second exposure means, and a character latent image such as predetermined date is formed. In multiple recording, an erasing lamp 70-1 as a third exposure means is not turned on when exposure is performed by the laser 91, whereas if the exposure is not performed, the lamp lights up and erase a prescribed character written area such as date on the drum 20. Thus, only one exposure suffices for writing the necessary information; therefore a high quality image is obtained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention records a read image of a document and records the date 1.
The present invention relates to an image recording device that records images with specific information such as time added thereto.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, light reflected from a document is used to form a latent image on a photosensitive drum, and a laser beam is used to print information that is not written on the document, such as the time and page, on the photosensitive drum. Image recording device added on photosensitive drum (Patent application 1986-7)
9576) is known.

The recording order of a conventional image recording apparatus of this type will be briefly described.

Reflected light from a document in an analog exposure system exposes a photosensitive drum to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum. At this time,
For example, an image corresponding to a blank area of a document becomes an exposed area.

This reflected light is blocked by a light blocking means such as a shutter so that the reflected light from the document does not expose the information portion to be added on the photosensitive drum.

On the other hand, a laser light emitting element in the digital exposure system exposes the above-mentioned additional information recording portion to form a latent image. In addition,
The area exposed by the laser light emitting element becomes a blank area, and the area not exposed becomes a character area.

Exposure by such an analog exposure system and a digital exposure system is performed almost simultaneously, and then toner is attracted to the unexposed portions of the photosensitive drum. In this state, recording paper is fed to the photosensitive drum, toner is transferred onto the recording paper, and one recording is completed.

When recording is completed, the recorded recording paper is ejected, and residual toner is removed from the photosensitive drum by a cleaner, and the photosensitive drum returns to its initial state before recording.

Next, the addition of information in multiple copies as shown in FIG. 18 will be explained.

When the operator places the first side of the document on the document table and inputs an instruction for multiple copying, the recorded portion of the first side of the document is exposed on the photosensitive drum. At this time, the portion where additional information is recorded on the photosensitive drum is prevented from being exposed to light by the shutter. When a latent image of the first side of the original is formed on the photosensitive drum, reproduction recording of the first side of the original and recording of additional information are performed on the recording paper in the same manner as described above. Next, the second side of the original is placed, and when multiple copying is instructed by the operator, a latent image of the second side of the original is formed on the photosensitive drum.

Similarly, the additional information portion is prevented from being exposed to light by a shutter. However, if the exposed portion of the photoreceptor is recorded as is, the shutter blocked portion will become a black portion, so the laser emitting element will expose the shutter blocked portion of the photoreceptor again and record the additional information. Form. After the formation of the latent image on the second side of the document is completed, the second side of the document image is recorded together with additional information on the recording paper on which the first side of the document image was recorded in the same manner as described above, and the multiple copying is completed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When adding specific information such as the date and time when making multiple copies, the shutter must be used both when exposing the first side of the original and when exposing the second side of the original. In order to prevent the formation of a latent image by analog exposure on the recording area on the photosensitive drum, a shift occurs in the part where the exposure is blocked by the shutter when forming the latent image on the first and second sides, and the position of the recording paper changes. There has been a problem in that the position of the exposure caused by the deviation and the two-time laser beam exposure causes the recorded and reproduced portion to be recorded redundantly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can eliminate such problems and improve the quality of recorded images of added information even in multiple copies.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention includes a first exposure means that scans an original image and exposes it onto a photoreceptor, and a first exposure means that selectively performs part of the exposure. The apparatus includes a blocking means for blocking the exposure, and a second exposure means for writing information with a light beam according to a digital image signal to a position on the photoreceptor where exposure is blocked by the blocking means, and a plurality of original images are covered. In an image recording apparatus equipped with a multiplex recording function for multiplex recording on the same screen of a recording medium, when multiplex recording is performed, a second exposure means is used to write information on one of the multiple sides of the document. and a control means for causing exposure to be performed, and for exposing the original image on the other side, to perform exposure by a second exposure means or another exposure means to erase the latent image in a predetermined area on the photoreceptor. Features.

[Function] According to the present invention, when a latent image of specific information is formed by the second exposure system during multiple recording, the formation of a latent image by the first exposure system in the specified area is prevented by a blocking means. In addition, except when performing exposure for specific information using the second exposure system on either the first surface or the second surface,
For example, it becomes possible to erase a predetermined area including a designated area by the second exposure means or another exposure means, and as a result, the exposure for writing specific information by the second exposure system multiple times can be erased. There is no need to do this, and the recorded images are overlapped with the predetermined area as a blank area, which prevents duplicate recording near the frame of the specified area due to misalignment of the recording paper or misalignment of the light-shielding means, unlike conventional methods. You can obtain higher quality images.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1(^) shows the basic circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1(^), a dashed-dotted line block 1000 indicates a first exposure means 100 that scans the original image and exposes it onto the photoreceptor 200, and a blocking means 300 that selectively blocks part of the exposure. , a second exposure means 400 for writing information with a light beam according to a digital image signal to a position on the photoreceptor whose exposure is blocked by the blocking means,
1 shows an image recording apparatus having a multiplex recording function for multiplex recording a plurality of original images on the same screen of a recording medium.

600, when writing the information during the multiplex recording, the second exposure means performs exposure for writing the information on one of the plurality of surfaces of the original; In the exposure of the original image, the control means causes the second exposure means or another exposure means to perform exposure to erase the latent image in the predetermined area on the photoreceptor.

FIG. 1(B) shows the basic mechanical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1(B), a photosensitive drum 20 as a photosensitive member
A shutter 70 serving as a blocking means is arranged to block reflected light from the document. A laser 91 (see FIG. 3) serving as a second exposure means exposes the area on the photosensitive drum 20 that is shielded from light by the shutter 70 to form a predetermined character latent image.

The erase lamp 1O-1 serving as the third exposure means is not lit when the laser 91 is exposed during multiplex recording, and is lit when the laser is not exposed so that the laser on the photosensitive drum 20 is not lit. The area where the above character 91 is scheduled to be written is erased. The erase lamp 70-1 has a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the horizontal scanning direction, and a laser 91
The light emitting element in the area where the above character is to be written lights up. These lasers 91. Shutter 70. The erase lamp 70-1 is driven and controlled by a control section 60 (described later) as a control means.

Prior to explaining the present invention, FIG. 2 shows an example of a schematic internal configuration of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 2, 1 is the main body of the copying machine, 2 is the photosensitive drum 20
This is an image forming section centered on . Reference numeral 3 designates a first paper feeding section for feeding transfer paper SH into the machine, and is composed of a cassette 9 that can be attached to and removed from the main body, their paper feeding rollers 10 and 11, and sensors S9 to 512 and 513.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a document scanning optical system as a main recording optical system (analog exposure system), which includes a lens system for exposing and scanning the document and forming an image on the photosensitive drum 20, and an exposure lamp 24 for illuminating the document.
, and is driven by an optical motor 19 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Reference numeral 5 denotes an original glass table on which an original is placed, 34 an end thereof, and 6 a cleaner for removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 20.

7 is a color developer (second developer) that stores color toner such as red, 7a is an image roller of the developer, 8 is a black developer (first developer) that stores black toner, and 8a is the developer. This is the developing roller of the device. The developing units 7.8 are selectively brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 20 among the two colors, and pressure is applied (contacted) to the photosensitive drum 20 and released by a color developer pressure solenoid 30 and a black developer release solenoid 31. This is done by

A second registration roller 12 supplies the transfer paper SH from the cassette 9 or the second paper feed section 23 to the photosensitive drum 20 in a timely manner according to the image position on the photosensitive drum 20.

13 is a primary charger disposed around the photosensitive drum 20;
15 is a transfer charger, 16 is a separation charger, and 17 is a transfer section. The transfer unit 17 includes a transfer charger 15, a separation charger 16,
It consists of a paper conveying section 17a. 18 is a main motor (DC motor), and photosensitive drum 20. A fixing device 25 containing a heater 21, a developing device 7.8, and various transfer paper conveyance rollers are driven.

26 and 27 are paper ejection rollers, 29 is a flapper located between the paper ejection rollers 26 and 27 to change the path during multiple copying or duplex copying, and 32 is a paper ejection tray. 33 is fuser 2
6 is a path for transporting the fixed transfer sheet SH to the photosensitive drum 20 again, and 37 is a second registration roller that determines the feeding timing of the transfer sheet SH sent through the path 33.

40 is an intermediate tray used for multiple copying or double-sided copying of a plurality of sheets, and includes a path exit 42, a paper conveyance path 43, a path switching flapper 49, an intermediate tray paper feed roller 52, a tray 53, a paper feed roller 56, an intermediate tray feed It is composed of a paper roller 57 and a paper conveyance path 59. Reference numeral 70 denotes a shutter for blocking the original optical image projected onto the photosensitive drum 20 at a predetermined position, and is moved to the blocking position by a drive mechanism (not shown).

In this example, a known erase lamp using a fuse lamp, a light emitting element (LED), etc. is arranged near the shutter 70 as an exposure means for erasing the latent image and the photosensitive drum 20 that is shielded from light by the shutter 70. , the erased portion of the photosensitive drum 20 is turned on in response to an instruction from the control unit 60 .

Furthermore, 90 is a laser unit as an auxiliary recording optical system (digital exposure system) which will be explained in detail in FIG.
1. It has a polygon mirror (polyhedral mirror) 93, a polygon motor 92 for driving and rotating the polygon mirror 93, a reflecting mirror 97, and the like. In addition, 51 to 512, 51 in FIG.
4,515,519 to S23 are various sensors described later.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the laser unit 90.

In FIG. 3, 94 is a horizontal synchronizing signal (BD signal) detection circuit, 95 is a spherical lens, and 96 is a toric lens. A laser beam emitted from a laser 91 is reflected by a rotating polygon mirror, and is reflected by a spherical lens 95. The photosensitive drum 20 is exposed through the toric lens 961 and the reflecting mirror 97. With this exposure, the laser unit 9
0 erases unnecessary charges on the photosensitive drum 20 other than the image area, and can erase any part of the image or write simple characters on the photosensitive drum 2o.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a circuit configuration of a control system for controlling the copying machine shown in FIG. In this figure, numeral 60 denotes a control unit that controls the entire calculation, and is composed of a microcomputer, a program memory, a RAM (random access memory), a timer, and the like. 61 is an AC driver that controls the AC load 62 such as the exposure lamp 24 and heater 21; 63 is the main motor 18;
66 is a load such as a solenoid, clutch, fan, etc.; 67 is a document processing device (DF, ^DF,
RDF), 68 is a sorter. 80 is a warning buzzer, 100 is an operation unit for manually inputting information regarding copying, 18
0 is a coordinate reading device (editor) for inputting coordinate information.

Also, AC is an AC power supply, 101 is a power switch, DCP
is a DC power supply that supplies power to the control unit 60, etc., and S is the sensors 51-512, S14, 515, 519-523. The HVT is a high voltage generator and applies high voltage to the primary charger 13, transfer charger 15, and separation charger 16. In addition to these devices described above, the control section 60 also controls the shutter 70 and the laser section 90 described above.

Next, the operation of the control section 60 will be explained.

When the power switch 101 is turned on, the control unit 60 first energizes the heater 21 in the fixing device 25 and waits for the fixing roller to reach a predetermined temperature at which fixing is possible (wait state). When the fixing roller reaches a predetermined temperature, the main motor 18 is energized for a certain period of time to drive the photosensitive drum 20, the fixing device 25, etc., and the rollers in the fixing device 25 are brought to a uniform temperature (weight release rotation). After that, the main motor 18 is stopped, and the copying is possible (standby state).
When the operator inputs a copy command from the operation unit 100, a copy operation starts. In addition, main motor 1
8 can switch its rotational speed into two stages according to a command from the control unit 60.

(1) Description of image formation In response to a copy command, the main motor 18 rotates, the photosensitive drum 20 starts rotating in the direction of the arrow, and high voltage is supplied to the primary charger 13 from the high voltage generator +1VT.
A uniform charge is applied to the photosensitive drum 20. After turning on the exposure lamp 24 and removing unnecessary images, the optical motor 19 is driven to move the original placed on the original glass table 5 in the direction of the arrow. The image is exposed and scanned and projected onto the photosensitive drum 20. At this time, the laser unit 90 can erase any part of the image or write a simple document. When an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20 in this way, this latent image is then developed by the developing device 7 or 8, transferred to the transfer paper SH by the transfer charger 15, and separated. It is separated from the photosensitive drum 20 at the charger 16.

Next, the residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 20 is collected by the cleaner 6, and the laser unit 90 is used to remove unnecessary charges in areas other than the image area. After the static electricity is uniformly removed, the copy cycle is repeated again.

During the image formation described above, the black developer 8 and the color developer 7
Either one of them is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 20 by a selection command from the operation unit 100. That is, by energizing the black developer release solenoid 31, the black developer 8 is released, and by energizing the color developer pressure solenoid 30, the color developer 7 is pressurized (in contact with) the drum. Further, a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing rollers 7a and 8a of each developing device from a high voltage generator HVT.

In addition, the copying machine of this embodiment can perform not only normal single-sided copying but also double-sided copying and multiplex copying, but the transfer paper that has passed through the -degree fixing device has a different resistance value, etc., than when copying on the first side. In order to cope with this, the conditions of the high voltage applied to the transfer charger Is and the separation charger 16 are made different between the first side and both sides or the second side during multiple copying. These development biases, transfer, and separation high voltage values are determined by commands from the control section 60.

The optical system 4 is reciprocally controlled by rotating the optical motor 18 forward and reverse via the motor control section 63 in accordance with commands from the control section 60 . 51 is a home position sensor of the optical system 4, and the optical system 4 is stopped at the position of this home position sensor St during standby. S2 is an image leading edge sensor corresponding to the leading edge position of the original image, and is used for timing of copy sequence control. S3
is a sensor for detecting the limiter position (inverted position) during maximum scanning.

The optical system 4 reciprocates with a scan length according to the cassette size and copying magnification according to commands from the control section 60.

(2) Transfer paper control S9 in the paper feed section 3 in FIG. Each Sll is
Upper and lower paper sensors 510 and 512 are upper and lower lid position detection sensors, respectively, and S22 and S23 are upper and lower cassette size detection sensors, respectively.

Hereinafter, since the upper and lower stages perform similar operations, the paper feeding operation for the upper stage will be explained. First, when the cassette 9 is inserted, the upper cassette size detection sensor 522 reads the size and identifies the size of the cassette 9, and the out-of-paper indicator on the operation unit 100 is turned off and the cassette size is selected and turned on.

Next, when the copy operation starts with the copy command,
Turn on the middle plate lift clutch (not shown) and press cassette 9.
Raise the inner middle plate and raise the transfer paper SN. Transfer paper S
When H rises and contacts the paper feed roller 10 and reaches a predetermined height, the lifter detection sensor SIO outputs an output, turns off the above-mentioned middle plate lifting clutch, and turns off the paper feed roller 10.
is driven to feed transfer paper into the machine.

As described above, the transfer paper in the cassette is raised by the middle plate raising clutch, and thereafter the raised position is maintained, and the above-mentioned raising operation is not performed when the next copy is started. Also, during continuous copying, the amount of transfer paper in the cassette may run out and
When the upper surface of H is lower than a predetermined position, the clutch is turned on in the same manner as described above to raise it to a predetermined height.

The transfer paper fed into the machine reaches the second pre-registration sensor S5 and is stopped by the registration rollers 12, so it forms an appropriate loop and stops.

Next, in order to align the leading edge of the image formed on the photosensitive drum 20, a timing signal from the sensor of the optical system 4 is used to
After driving the registration rollers 12 and aligning the leading edges, the transfer paper is sent to the transfer section 17. After the image on the drum 20 is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer charger 15 in the transfer section 17, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 20 by the separation charger 16 and sent to the fixing device 25 by the paper conveyance section 17a.

In the fixing device 25, the surface of the fixing roller is controlled to a predetermined temperature by a temperature sensor (not shown) placed on the surface of the fixing roller and a heater 21, and the image is fixed on the transfer paper, and then the paper is ejected. The sensor S4 detects the paper discharge, and the paper discharge rollers 26 and 27 discharge the paper to the paper discharge tray 32 outside the machine.

Next, the case of multiple copying will be explained. In the case of multiple copying, the flapper 29 is switched to the position shown by the broken line in the figure by the operation of a solenoid (not shown), and the transfer paper that has been fed, transferred, separated, and fixed as described above is moved to the position shown by the flapper 29. It passes through 3 routes and is guided to the second paper feed section 2.
Sent to 3. In the second paper feeding section 23, after the passage of the transfer paper is detected by the second pre-registration sensor S5, the transfer paper is aligned in the lateral direction by the transfer paper edge detection sensor S6, the lateral registration sensor S8, and the solenoid for lateral registration alignment. will be done.

Next, in response to a multiple copy command from the operation unit 100, the second
The regist roller 37 rotates, and the transfer paper is sent to the regist roller 12 section again. Thereafter, the same operation as described above is performed to eject the paper onto the paper ejection tray 32.

In addition, during double-sided copying, the transfer paper is ejected halfway by the paper ejection roller 27 in the same manner as in the above-mentioned normal copying operation, but after the trailing edge of the transfer sheet passes the flapper 29, the paper ejection roller 27 is driven in reverse, and the transfer paper is guided by the flapper 29 and introduced into the path 33. This reverse drive is performed by a solenoid (not shown) that controls forward and reverse rotation. The subsequent operations are the same as in the case of multiple copying described above.

In this way, in the case of double-sided copying, the transfer paper is once transferred to the ejection roller 2.
The transfer paper is taken out of the machine from 7, and is turned upside down by the reverse drive of the paper ejection roller 27 and sent to the second paper feed section 23.

The multiple copying and double-sided copying in -sheet copying have been described above, but the intermediate tray 40 is used to perform multiple copying of a plurality of sheets or double-sided copying.

As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate tray unit 40 is provided with a paper transport path 59, 43 and a tray 53 for temporarily storing transfer paper in an intermediate state.

In the case of multiple copying of multiple sheets, the fused transfer paper is controlled in the same way as for double-sided copying of a single sheet as described above.
After being partially ejected by the ejecting roller 27, the ejecting roller 27 is driven in reverse to pass through the paths 33 and 34 and stored in the tray 53. After repeating this operation and storing all the transfer sheets on which the first side has been copied into the tray 53,
The paper feed roller 56 driven by the next copy command sends the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 20 via the path 59 and the second paper feed section 23, and second-side copying is performed.

On the other hand, in the case of multiple double-sided copies, the transfer paper is guided by the flapper 29, passes through the paths 33 and 43 from the fixing device 25, and is stored in the tray 53 under the same control as in the case of single-sheet multiple copying described above. . The subsequent operations are the same as in the case of multiple copying described above, and will therefore be omitted.

Next, various copy modes using the laser unit 90 will be explained.

Note that an image obtained in a normal document copying mode will be described as an analog image, and an image obtained by writing binary data with a laser will be described as a digital image.

Further, this embodiment uses the laser unit 90 to erase unnecessary charges outside the image area, and has the following copy mode.

(1) Area specified copy mode In the area specified copy mode, it is possible to copy areas a and b in combination with color and one black image deletion, corresponding to each specified mode. In the halftone dot mode, a halftone image is created using a digital image in black or color for the a region, and normal analog copies are made for both the a and b regions.

(2) Simultaneous copying mode of digital images (characters) and analog images This mode uses dates as shown in Figures 5 (^) and (B).

This is to obtain a copy with a digital image such as a page added thereto, and the digital image is copied (recorded) in a predetermined area indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 5(C).

Here, FIG. 5(A) shows the date writing mode, and in this mode, a normal analog image copy operation is started by copy start, and at the same time, the shutter 70 is operated by a solenoid (not shown). , optical system 4
The edge of the original optical image projected from the original onto the photosensitive drum 20 via the original is blocked by the shaded area in FIG. time).

Moreover, FIG. 5(B) shows the number writing mode,
The image forming procedure in this mode is the same as that shown in FIG. 5(^), and copy numbers as digital images are sequentially written.

Each of the above-mentioned modes can be used in combination.

Next, the second paper feed section 23 and the intermediate tray unit 40 used during double-sided/multiple copying will be explained. In this embodiment, two systems, a second paper feeding section 23 and an intermediate tray 40, are provided as a transfer paper refeeding mechanism for realizing double-sided copying or multiple copying. Which system is used depends on the copy mode.

That is, the appropriate system is determined by a copy program as shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later, depending on the size of the transfer paper and the set number of copies. The former second paper feeding section 23 is a paper refeeding section essential for realizing double-sided/multiple copying, and because it facilitates horizontal registration using a mechanism described later, there is flexibility in paper size. However, it is not possible to store one or more sheets of paper in the paper feed section 23. On the other hand, the latter intermediate tray 40 can stack a plurality of sheets of paper, but can only horizontally align them to a predetermined fixed size.

The control procedure for selecting a paper bus during double-sided/multiple copying will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When a copy operation is started in response to a copy command from the copy key, first in step 270-1 it is determined whether double-sided/multiple copying is to be performed on the same original without replacing the original. For example, if you want to copy a certain part of a document in color and other parts in black, select YES (
(affirmative judgment). If the result of this determination process is YES, what is the next step? At 70-2, it is determined whether the original is a standard size or not.

If it is not a standard size, proceed to step 270-5;
Unconditionally selects the second paper feed section 23. If it is a standard size, proceed to the next step 270-3, determine whether the set number of copies is 1, and if YES, proceed to step 27G described above. -Go to 5.

On the other hand, if No (negative determination), the copy setting number is 3 which is the maximum number of sheets loaded on the intermediate tray 40 in step 270-4.
It is determined whether or not the number of sheets is greater than 0. If YES, the process proceeds to step 270-5, and if NO, the process proceeds to step 270-8. In step 270-5, one copy is made and the copied transfer paper is set in the second paper feed section 23, and then in step 270-5,
-6, the paper is re-fed from the second paper feed section 23, copies are made, and the transfer paper is discharged outside the machine.

Next, in step 270-7, it is determined whether or not the number of copies set using the numeric keypad has been completed, and if NO, steps 270-5 → 270-8 → 270-
The processing loop of 7 is repeated and the copying operation continues until the set number of copies is completed, and when the set number of copies is completed, this routine is ended.

On the other hand, if the process advances from step 270-4 to step 270-8, a copy operation is performed using the intermediate tray 40, that is, a set number of copies are made in step 270-8, and the transfer paper is transferred to the intermediate tray 40. Set to .

Next, in step 270-9, paper is re-fed from the intermediate tray 40 to the photosensitive drum 20, a set number of copies are made, and the paper is ejected outside the machine, and this routine ends.

Further, if the first step 270-1''t' is determined as NO, the process proceeds to step 270-10, step 270
At step -10, it is determined whether or not the original is a standard size. If NO, the set number of copies is set to 1 at step 270-17, and the process proceeds to step 270-18. Step 5270-
If YES in step 10, it is determined in step 270-11 whether the set number of copies is 1 or not.

If NO in step 270-11, select the intermediate tray 40, determine the number of copies in step 270-12, and if it is 30 or more, proceed to the next step 27G-13.
Set the number of copies to 30 in Step 270-
The process proceeds to step 14, and if the number does not reach 30 (sheets) or more, the process proceeds to step 270-14.

Next, in step 270-14, step 270-
The set number of copies are made in the same manner as in step 8, and the copied transfer paper is set on the intermediate tray 40.

At the next step 270-15, the original is replaced and a copy command is output, and at step 270-18 a copy is made in the same manner as step 270-9 described above, and this routine ends.

On the other hand, if the second paper feed section 23 is selected, copying is performed in step 270-18 in the same manner as in step 270-5, and when the original is replaced in step 270-19 and a copy command is output, step 270 -20 and step 2
Copy as in step 70-6 and end this routine.

As described above, in this embodiment, when making multiplex/double-sided copies, in the case of copies other than the standard size, that is, in the case of paper feeding from a universal cassette, and in the case of -sheet copying, the paper is not sent to the intermediate tray 40 but directly. The paper is sent to the second paper feeding section 23 and fed again. On the other hand, when copying a large number of regular sheets, the sheets are once stacked on the intermediate tray 40 and then sent to the second sheet feeding section 23 for re-feeding.

The operator does not have to select which of the above two types of systems to use, but the sequence program shown in Figure 12 automatically selects which one to use. Control is performed using an optimal system. Furthermore, in the case of a large number of non-standard copies, it is possible to perform copying one sheet at a time using the second paper feed section 23 without using the intermediate tray 40. Furthermore, unnecessary troubles can be avoided by determining the inconvenience of the transfer paper (such as its size being too small) and discharging it outside the machine without performing double-sided/multiple copy processing.

Next, an example of the circuit configuration of the laser unit 90 for synthesizing a digital image with an analog image as described above is shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. size.

Laser unit control information such as photo mode, add-on character code, add-on position, etc. is passed to the laser unit controller 700 via a known two-bottom RAM 703.

The laser section controller 700 uses an external program R.
Blank RAM (
0) Data is alternately rewritten in 705 and blank RAM (1) 906. The blank area data read control circuit 716 outputs a control signal to the blank address counter 715.8-bit shift register 7011, and the area data is sent to the data control circuit 720.
Output data.

Blank data RAM (0) 705, RAM (1)
70fi each has a capacity to write one line of data. The laser unit controller 700 stores the area data in the blanking RAM (0) 705.
, a control signal is output to the address switching circuit 704 and the blank data switching circuit 707 so that while data is being written to one of the blank RAM (1) 706, data can be read from the other.

Furthermore, add-on controls will be explained.

The laser unit controller 700 reads data from the font ROM 7Q2 according to the add-on character code and sets it in the add-on ROM 723. Laser unit controller 700 writes add-on character printing position designation data to add-on controller 709.

The add-on controller 709 controls the add-on RAM 723 based on the start signal from the laser section controller 700.
, and outputs the data to the data control circuit 720.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitted from the laser 91 is reflected by the rotating polygon mirror 93 and is reflected by the imaging lens 95.
．． 96 and scans over the photosensitive drum 2o. that time,
In order to extract the horizontal synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal (hereinafter referred to as BD double signal detection circuit 94) is arranged on the laser scanning.

The horizontal synchronizing signal (BD double signal) output from the BD detection circuit 94 is input to the laser unit 90. This horizontal synchronizing signal (BD double signal) is input to the pulse width shaping FF (flip-flop circuit) 71O in FIG. After the pulse synchronization circuit (1) 711, the interrupt terminal of the laser unit controller 700 and the pulse synchronization circuit (2) 7
12.

The laser unit controller 700 generates an interrupt every time the BD double signal is generated, and stores the blank area data RAM (
0) Write control data to 704 and RAM (1) 705.

Further, the laser unit controller 700 outputs a control signal in the sub-scanning direction by counting the number of interruptions of the BD double signal and the like.

The pulse synchronization circuit (1) 711 outputs a reset pulse to the horizontal synchronization clock generation circuit 713 in synchronization with the rise of the above-mentioned BD double signal. Horizontal synchronization clock generation circuit 71
Reference numeral 3 outputs a clock HCLK synchronized with the BO multiplied signal, and is composed of a reference clock generation circuit and a frequency dividing circuit.

The pulse synchronization circuit (2) 712 is a horizontal synchronization clock HC.
A BD signal synchronization signal H5YNC2 is generated with reference to L. The horizontal line counter 714 is reset by this signal H5YNC2 and counts the horizontal synchronization clock HCL. The output of the horizontal line counter 714 is input to a timing signal generation circuit 718, and a horizontal timing signal is output from the horizontal line counter 714 at the set count number.

Examples of the waveform of the horizontal timing signal described above are shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure. FIG. 8 shows the input signal I from the no detection circuit 94.
It shows the timing of generation of various signals related to BD, especially the timing of generating the rising edge detection pulse HSYNCI by the reference clock SCL of the reference clock generation circuit provided in the horizontal synchronization clock generation circuit 713. As shown in this figure, the rising detection pulse H5YN of the reference clock frequency division counter in the horizontal synchronous clock generation circuit 713
A horizontal synchronization clock HCLK is generated by applying a reset at CI. Next, the BD synchronization signal H5YNC2 is generated using the horizontal synchronization clock HCL, and the horizontal line counter 714 is reset.

FIG. 9 shows the timing of the output signal of the timing signal generation circuit 718 in the laser unit 90.

As shown in the figure, signals VBSET and VBR5T are generated from the output of the horizontal line counter 714 to generate an image area signal blank signal. Also, add-on R^M72
The horizontal synchronization clock HCLK is used as the clock for reading data from 3.

Blank area data RAM (0) 705, RAM
(1) The clock for reading data from the 706 is the clock CLK, which is the frequency of the horizontal synchronization clock HCLK.
By using M, the resolution of blank area designation is made variable.

In addition, the BDENB signal is generated using the BSET and BRST signals, and if the horizontal synchronization waveform BD is not manually generated within a predetermined period, the horizontal synchronization signal error detection circuit 717 detects the BDENB signal.
A D error signal is output to the laser unit controller 700. When the laser unit controller 700 detects the above-mentioned BD error signal, the laser unit controller 700 stores the abnormal status in two points in the RAM 70.
3 to the main body control unit 60.

Next, the detailed configuration of the dot erase circuit 719 shown in FIG. 7 will be explained with reference to FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 1O, the dot erase circuit 719:
It consists of an 8-bit shift register 724, and the above-mentioned horizontal synchronization clock HCL is used as the clock on the shift side.
K is input.

As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 11, data is loaded into the shift register 724 by the laser unit controller 700 from the rise of the BO signal to the rise of the image area signal (Blank). The output of the shift register 724 is converted into an image area signal (Bl
ank), and the data control circuit 7
20.

The 8-bit data written in the 8-bit shift register 724 by the laser section controller 700 is cyclically shifted by the synchronous clock and output to the AND gate 725.

FIGS. 12(A) to 12(C) show examples of data configurations based on each dot erase pattern. DO to D in the main scanning direction
A repeating pattern of 7 is output. In the sub-scanning direction, a specified pattern can be generated by loading specified (arbitrary) data into the 8-bit shift register 724 by the laser section controller 700 every 80 interrupts.

The data control circuit 720 of the laser unit 90 receives data FDAT^ from the add-on controller 709.
and blank area data BDATA, dot erase section 7
This is a gate circuit that controls data input from the laser drive circuit 721 based on a control signal from the laser section controller 700. The laser drive circuit 721 modulates the laser according to data input from the data control circuit 720 .

Next, regarding the above-mentioned laser drive circuit 721, the first
This will be explained with reference to FIG.

The laser 750 is driven by a constant current circuit 753 and is configured to always output constant power.

Since the current-emission power characteristics of the laser 750 (corresponding to 91 in FIG. 1) fluctuate depending on the ambient temperature and aging, the laser 750 (corresponding to 91 in FIG. Next, the operation of the Pc circuit that always outputs a constant power will be explained.

The laser unit controller 700 outputs a laser ON signal to cause the laser 750 to emit light. The monitor current of the photodiode PD in the laser 750 is converted to the current-voltage conversion circuit 7.
54 and outputs a voltage proportional to the power of the laser 750 from the constant voltage circuit 76G.
By selecting refl to Vref4 using an analog switch 759 and inputting power to comparators 756 and 757, the laser power is set within a certain range.

The outputs of the comparators 756 and 757 are input to the Pc logic circuit 758, and if they are outside the above-mentioned setting range, the outputs are 0/^ by controlling the up/down counter 751.
(Digital/Analog) The manual data of the converter 752 is changed. When the laser power is controlled to a constant width, a stop signal is output from the PC logic circuit 758, and the up/down counter 751 is held at constant data. The laser part controller 700 is
When the DY (ready) signal is detected, ^PC5TOP
A (stop) signal is output to the laser partial drive circuit 721 to turn off the laser, and the PC termination status is transmitted to the control unit 6o through the 2-bottom RAM 703.

A laser scanner motor controller 722 shown in FIG. 7 controls the above-mentioned polygon mirror 93 to rotate at a predetermined number of rotations. Therefore, this controller 72
2 uses a known PLL circuit (not shown), which starts rotation by giving an ON signal (LSCON) from the outside, and uses a known PLL clock signal while rotating at a predetermined number of rotations. Then, the laser section controller 7
00 Laser Scanner Motor Ready Signal (LSCRD
Y) is output.

The laser unit controller 700 monitors the above-mentioned laser scanner motor ready signal at a predetermined period, and if the laser scanner motor ready signal is not output after a predetermined period of time after the laser scanner motor 92 is turned on, the laser scanner motor is abnormal. The signal is transmitted to the main body control section 60.

A description of the operation of the laser unit controller 700 in the case where the blank area is controlled by the laser optical system will be omitted since it has already been described with reference to FIG.

Next, blank RAM (0) 705 and blank R
A control operation for controlling a blank area using AM (1) 706 will be described with reference to FIG.

The control unit 60 sends data (P+, P+') (Pl, ho) with area designation as shown in FIG. 14 (^).
Laser unit controller 7 through 2-bot RAM 703
Sent to 00. Now, the blank RAM (0) 705 of the laser unit 90 and the blank RAM (1) 7
It is assumed that each 0B is configured to have a storage capacity for one line with a predetermined area resolution.

Therefore, the control unit 60 controls the area as shown in FIG.
If specified, three line memory data as shown in FIG. 14(B) are used. Next, from the starting point of Po to %Xl, line memory data 0 is read from blank RAM (0) 705, and from xl to xlo, line memory data 1 is read from blank RAM (1) 706 *Between Xl° and x2 reads line memory data 0 from blank RAM (0) 705. Furthermore, line memory data 2 is read from the blank RAM (1) 706 between x2 and x2°. Blank RAM from x2° to PE
Read line memory data 0 from (0).

The line memory data is rewritten by the laser section controller 700 of the blank RAM that has not been read out. Also, when reducing or enlarging, data PI sent from the control unit 60,
Based on PI', h, P2°, p, x a, P2X C
! , P+'
and (fl).

Next, the control procedure of the laser part controller 700 in blank area control will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15. First, in step 800, area data and magnification data are received from the control unit 60.In step 801, line memory data is set in the blank RAM (0) 705 from the above-mentioned area data and magnification data.

Next, in a judgment step 802, a wait is made for an image formation start command to be given from the control unit 60.When an image formation start command is given from the control unit 60 in a 0 judgment step 802, a processing step 803 causes the blank RAM (0) 705 to be Start reading.

Next, in processing step 804, blank RAM (1)
The next line memory data is set in 708, and in judgment steps 805 and 806 it is judged whether image formation is completed or area data is to be switched. The end of image formation and the switching of area data are determined by the laser unit controller 700.
It is counted internally from the start of BD double signal image formation, and this value is compared with the sub-scanning position information of Pl, I'l', Pl, P2°, and P.

In the case of area data switching, process steps 806 and 807
The read/write RAM is switched at step 808 and step 809, and step 805 and step 806 are executed.
The process waits for the timing in the same manner as above, and if the determination in step 809 is affirmative, the process returns to step 803, and the above operations are repeated until the image formation is completed.

Next, the control procedure of the control section 60 for adding a digital image (characters) to an analog image on the photosensitive drum 20 in the automatic multi-type mode will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 16, in relation to the present invention.

In FIG. 16, in response to input of various mode instructions from the operation unit 100 by the operator, the control unit 60 first calculates various data necessary for copying the first side as shown in FIG. 17 in step 840. , perform the configuration processing steps.

Note that character data to be written by digital exposure, in this example date information, is also set in the laser unit 90.

Next, in step 841, a copy routine (see FIG. 6) for copying the first side is executed.
A first side original image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20 as shown in FIG. 19(A). At the same time, analog exposure is blocked by the shutter 70 on the part to which an image is to be added, and the light-blocked part on the photosensitive drum 20 is removed by the erase lamp 70-1 or digital exposure erasing means.
The code in Figure (A) is erased as shown in R-2. As a result, an analog image is recorded on the paper. At this point, the portion of the recorded image that is blocked by the shutter 70 becomes a blank area.

Next, in step 842, the control unit 60 refers to the manual data from the operation unit 100 and determines whether or not to perform continuous copying of the first side, and if continuous copying is to be performed, step 8
Return to step 840 and repeat multiple copies of the first side. Next, when the copying of the first side is completed, the procedure goes to step 843.
, and determine whether to start copying the second side.

When starting copying of the second side, in step 844, various data necessary for copying the second side are calculated and set. Next, in step 856, the control unit 60 executes a copy routine for copying the second side, cuts off analog exposure of the information added portion with the shutter 70, and applies digital exposure to this blocked portion on the photosensitive drum 20. conduct. Next, the control unit 60 determines whether or not to perform second-side copying continuously, and repeatedly copies the number of sheets according to the input instruction from the operation unit 100 (steps 845→8).
46-844).

The latent image formed in the shutter light-shielding portion on the photosensitive drum 20 based on the above-described procedure will be explained.

In FIG. 17(B), when forming a latent image on the first surface, an area indicated by reference numerals A and 10 on the photosensitive drum 20 is shielded from light.
Also, the area indicated by the symbol 40 is erased by the erasing means 70-1. Here, it is preferable that the erased portion be wider than the light-blocking portion by a predetermined area.

Next, due to a mechanical error in the shutter 70, when forming a latent image on the second surface, the light-shielded portion by the shutter 70 becomes a region 8-20, and additional information such as "May" is formed in this region by digital exposure.

At this time, analog exposure is performed in areas other than the area ^R-20 (area indicated by diagonal lines) where digital exposure is performed in R-40 to the erase area, and an image on the second side is formed on the photosensitive drum.

In terms of recorded images, when copying the first side, the erased area is recorded as a blank area, and on the second side, additional information is recorded in this blank area, and the document image on the second side is written around it. It will be recorded.

In this way, in the present invention, since the area on the photosensitive drum 20 that is slightly larger than the shutter light-blocking area is erased, recording deviations due to positional deviations caused by mechanical errors of the shutter do not occur.

Furthermore, a similar effect is produced even if there is a misalignment between the recording position on the first side and the recording position on the second side of the recording paper.

Next, an application form of this embodiment will be explained.

l) In this embodiment, an example is shown in which information is additionally recorded by digital exposure at the final stage of multi-species copying, but it is also possible to additionally record information by digital exposure on the first side. In this case, the above erasing area on the photosensitive drum 20 may be erased when forming latent images on the second and subsequent sides. As a result, no recording is performed in the area to which information has been added, and the same effect as in this example is obtained. can be obtained.

2) In this embodiment, even when information is not added by digital exposure, the information addition area on the photosensitive drum 20 is blocked from analog exposure by a shutter and is erased by an erasing means to prevent duplication of recorded images. However, the controller 60 controls the shutter to be used only when digital images are to be taken, not to be activated when multiple copies of other originals are made, and to erase the information added area after analog exposure. You may. In this case, since the shutter driving process is omitted, there is an advantage that the recording process time can be shortened.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, when forming a latent image of specific information using the second exposure system during multiplex recording, the latent image formed by the first exposure system on the specified area is Formation is prevented by light shielding means.

In addition, a second
Since the predetermined area including the specified area is erased by the third exposure means or the second exposure means except when the exposure system performs exposure for specific information, as a result, the second exposure is performed multiple times. There is no need to perform exposure for writing specific information by the system, and the recorded image is overlaid with the above-mentioned predetermined area being a blank area. It is possible to prevent redundant recording near the frame of the specified area and obtain a higher quality image.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1(A) is a block diagram showing the basic circuit configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1(6) is a schematic side view showing the basic mechanical configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the laser unit 90 shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration of a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5(^) to (C) are explanatory diagrams showing the recording form of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a control unit 6 for double-sided/multiple copying of the embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the laser unit 90 shown in FIG. 3, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show the signal generation timing shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 1O is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the dot erase circuit 719 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the signal generation timing of the dot erase circuit 719 shown in FIG. 1O. FIG. 12 (A) - (1) are explanatory diagrams showing various forms of the dot erase pattern in this example, Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the laser drive circuit 721 shown in Fig. 7, and Figs. 14 (^) - (D ) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the blank area control operation in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the control procedure for blank area control in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Control unit 6 for adding information in multiple recording mode
17(^) and (B) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the recording of information addition in the multiplex recording mode in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory diagram for explanation. 60... Control unit, 70... Shutter, 70-1... Erasing means, 90... Laser unit. Figure 1 (B) Figure 4 Haranawa Fu σ- (A) Japan-I: T-word entry (B) No, write Figure 5 Figure 1O BD DO-07 (A) (B) Figure 12 16 Diagrams/T1. f, person's f Shizuka's error message Pz x cA Takumi x Me th line memory denik ■ 4 figure

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) a first exposure unit that scans a document image and exposes it onto a photoreceptor; a blocking unit that selectively blocks part of the exposure;
and a second exposure means for writing information with a light beam according to a digital image signal to a position on the photoconductor where exposure is blocked by the blocking means, and a second exposure means writes information with a light beam according to a digital image signal to a position on the photoconductor where exposure is blocked by the blocking means, In an image recording apparatus equipped with a multiplex recording function for multiplex recording on a screen, when performing the multiplex recording, in one of the exposures on a plurality of sides of the document, the second exposure means is used to write the information. and control means for causing exposure to be performed, and for exposure of the original image on the other side, for causing exposure by the second exposure means or another exposure means to erase the latent image in a predetermined area on the photoreceptor. An image recording device characterized by: