JPH0315836A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To composite plural pages of originals into one page of copy and to change color for every original by providing a page composite mode selection means, a color setting means for setting the color for every original and an image compositing means. CONSTITUTION:An operation part 15 is a part which an operator operates to execute a copying operation, and a control part 16 controls the respective parts of a copying machine. The operation part 15 is provided with a push- button switch for selecting a page composite mode in which two pages of originals are composited to obtain one page of copied image and a push-button switch for successively switching and selecting the color change, the monochrome and the multicolor of a color mode. In the case of compositing the plural pages of originals to be one page, copying is executed by selecting the page composite mode by the operation part 15 and individually setting the color every original. Then, the images of plural pages of originals are superposed and formed in the respective set colors on the area of one page of an image forming body to be transferred on one sheet of paper by the control part 16. Thus, the originals are composited to be one page of copy and the color is changed in every original.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to a color image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic color copying machine.

Prior art and inventions:! As a color image forming apparatus of this kind, one having a so-called page quick copying function that successively copies two pages of a book set on a document table in an open state one page at a time is known.

However, there is no known device that has a function of combining two or more pages of originals set on a document table into one page.

Therefore, for example, when combining two pages of a document into one page, it is necessary to copy each page separately, cut and paste them, and copy them into one page. Moreover, since a single page copy is obtained by cutting and pasting two pages into one page, it is not possible to change the color for each original document.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a color image forming apparatus that can combine multiple pages of originals to obtain a single page copy, and that can change the color for each original. be.

Means for Solving the Problems A color image forming apparatus according to the present invention has one page compositing mode for selecting a page compositing mode for composing a plurality of original pages set on a document table to obtain a one-page copy image. a color setting means for setting a color for each document when the page composition mode is selected; and a color setting means for setting a color for each document when the page composition mode is selected; The apparatus is equipped with an image composition means for forming images of originals in a superimposed manner and changing the color of each original into a set color.

Operation When combining a plurality of pages of originals into one page, the page combining mode is selected by the page combining mode selection means, and if necessary, the color is set individually for each original by the color setting means. Then, a multi-page document is set on the document table and copies are executed. When copying is executed, the image compositing means overlays the original images of several pages in the set colors on the one-page area of the image forming body, and transfers them onto a single sheet of paper. be done.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic color copying machine will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall structure of a color copying machine, and FIG. 2 schematically shows the mechanical structure of its main parts.

As shown in Figure 2, a cover (1
) is provided, and a document reading device (3>) is provided below the document table (2).

Also, inside the copying machine, there is a photoreceptor drum (
4), and around it are a charger (5), a laser writing device (6), and three developing devices (7a) (7b).
(7c), transfer device (8), static eliminator (9>, cleaning device (lO), paper feeder (l1), separation conveyor belt (
12), a fixing device (13), etc. are provided. Although not shown, an image area of a certain size (for example, the size of an A3 plate) is provided on the surface of the drum (4).

The red developer is in the first developer (7a), and the red developer is in the second m developer (7a).
b) is filled with blue developer, and the third developing device (7c) is filled with black developer. Note that the configuration and operation of each of these parts are well known, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine includes a reading device (3),
a reading section (3B) including an image processing device (l4), etc.;
Drum (4), writing device (6>, developer (7a)
(7b) (7c), the recording section (including the transfer device (8), etc.
37), a paper feed/discharge unit (38) including a paper feed device (11), etc.
, an operating section (15), and a control section (1B).

The image processing device (14) processes the output of the reading device (3) and sends it to the writing device (8), and is also a known device. The operation unit (15) is a part operated by an operator for copying operations. Control part (1B)
The control unit controls each part of the copying machine and is equipped with a microcomputer. Note that FIG. 1 shows only the parts directly related to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the document table (2) viewed from above. In the left and right direction of the figure, the carriage (39) of the reading device (3)
), that is, the sub-scanning direction (vertical scanning direction), and the vertical direction in the figure is the length direction of the CCD image sensor (not shown) of the reading device (3), that is, the main scanning direction (horizontal scanning direction). be. In addition, in the following explanation,
The document table (2) and the direction of the document are defined as follows. That is, the main scanning direction is the vertical direction, the sub-scanning direction is the horizontal direction, and scanning in each direction is performed from one side to the tenth side. Also, one side in the sub-scanning direction is the front, and the tenth side is the rear, and when looking from the front to the back, the left side (~ side in the main scanning direction) is the left, and the right side (the tenth side in the main scanning direction) is the right. do. The direction of the image area of the drum (4) is similarly defined.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of the operating section (15).

The operation section (l5) includes a push button switch (page composition switch) (17) for selecting a page composition mode in which two pages of originals are combined to produce a one-page copy image, and a push button switch (page composition switch) (17) that indicates that this mode has been selected. A page composition indicator light (18) to be displayed, a push button switch (1st column selection switch) (19) for selecting condition settings for the first page of the document, and 1 for indicating that this has been selected.
A copy indicator light (40), a push button switch (2-copy glance selection switch) (20) for selecting condition setting for the second page of the document, and a second copy indicator light (4l) to indicate that this has been selected. ), pages 1 and 2
A push button switch (1●2 cobby selection switch) (2l) that selects the same condition setting for both documents on a page at the same time, and a 1/2 cobby indicator light (42>, vertical shift) that indicates that this has been selected. , a push button switch (movement erase switch) that sequentially switches and selects the horizontal shift, vertical erase, and horizontal erase settings (22), an indicator light (23) that displays the selected item, vertical magnification, horizontal bias magnification, Push-button switch (magnification switch) that sequentially switches between zoom magnification and fixed magnification settings.
(24), an indicator light <25> that displays the selected item, a numeric display (2G) used to set the magnification, etc., an enlargement key (count up key) (2
7), a reduction key (countdown key) (211) and a fixed magnification selection indicator light (29) that indicates that multiple predetermined magnification levels of the fixed magnification function have been selected;
Push-button switch (first color switch) (3G) that sequentially switches and selects the color mode of red, blue, and black, indicator light (3L) that displays the selected item, color conversion of the color mode, single color, multicolor A push-button switch (second color switch) (32) for sequentially changing and selecting colors, an indicator light (33) for displaying the selected item, and a push-button switch (set switch) (34) for setting.
) is provided. Although not shown, the operation unit (15) is provided with a copy switch for instructing the start of copying.

Each time the page composition switch (I7) is pressed once, the page composition mode is turned on (selected) and off (nonselected), and when it is on, the indicator light (I8) lights up.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned copying machine will be briefly explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the power is turned on, first, necessary initial processing is performed (step 1), then human data processing on the operation unit (15) is performed (step 2), and it is checked whether the copy switch has been pressed. (Step 3). Steps 2 and 3 are repeated until the copy switch is pressed, and during this time, necessary operations such as selecting the page merging mode and setting conditions are performed. Then, when performing page compositing, The copy switch is depressed by the synthesis switch (17) with the page synthesis mode turned on, and when page synthesis is not to be performed, the copy switch is pressed with the page synthesis mode turned off.

When the copy switch is pressed, it is checked whether the page composition mode is on (step 4), and if it is off, normal copying is performed (step 5).

If the page composition mode is turned on in step 4, the conditions for the first page entered in step 2 are read and set (step 6), and the image is The image of the first page is formed in an area corresponding to one page of the area (step 7).Next, the conditions of the second page input in step 2 are read and set (step 8), and the drum <4> is read and set (step 8). 〉2
During the rotation, the image of the second page is formed overlappingly in the area corresponding to the one page in the image area, and the image obtained by combining these two pages of originals is transferred onto one sheet of paper (step 9).

Next, some examples of page composition will be described in detail.

First, the two-page black manuscript (Gl) (G2
) into a one-page black copy <C) as shown in FIG. 7, which is the simplest case.

In this case, as shown in Figure 8, a two-page manuscript (G
l) Place (02) face down (with the front side facing down) on the document table (2), turn on the page merge mode, and press the copy switch.

It is assumed that the initial color mode when the page composition mode is selected is monochrome/black.

The time chart in FIG. 9 shows the operation of each part of the copying machine at this time.

In FIG. 9, the drum index signal regulates the horizontal writing timing of the writing device (6>), and the drum (4) is rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the drum (4>).
It is output once per rotation of . There is a certain relationship between the image head area of the drum (4>) and the drum index signal. For example, as shown in the figure, the image area changes after a certain time (tl) after the drum index signal is output. Corresponding to the tip, V-SYNC signal (vertical synchronization signal)
is output. When the V-SYNC signal is output,
The writing of the image by the writing device (6>) corresponds to the tip of the image area.

The carriage (39) of the reading device (3) starts moving (forward) in response to a scanning forward signal, and performs a return operation in response to a scanning return signal. The scanning signal indicates the timing when the carriage (39) reaches the leading edge of the document and is actually scanning the document.

After a certain period of time (L2) after the drum index signal for the first rotation is output, a scanning forward signal is output and the carriage (39) of the reading device (3) starts moving, and in synchronization with the scanning signal, the carriage ( 39) moves at a constant speed from the tip of the document table (2> (the tip of the first page document (Gl)) to the rear end of the first page document (Gl), and
Scanning (reading) is performed for page original 1 (GI), and an image of the first page of the original is formed in an area corresponding to one page in the first half of the image area. Then, a little later than this, the image of the first page that has just been formed is developed in black by the third developing device (7C).

When the carriage (39) of the reading device (3) moves to the rear end of the first page of the document (Ct), it returns slightly to the front and prepares for scanning for the second rotation.

Similarly, in the second rotation, in synchronization with the V-SYNC signal, the carriage (39) of the reading device (3> ) to the rear edge of the second page of the document (G2>), and then scans the second page of the document (G2) in the second half (
Then, the image of the second page of the document is superimposed on the one page area in the first half of the image area. Then, a little later than this, the image of the second page that has just been formed is developed in black by the third developing device <7C>.

Incidentally, when the carriage (39) of the reading device (3) finishes reading the second page of the document (G2), it returns to the tip of the document table (2).

On the other hand, the second paper feed roller (35) of the paper feed device (11) is driven to feed the paper, and the two-page original M (CI) (G2
) are combined into one page and transferred to this paper.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing each control signal at this time.

In FIG. 10, a V-SYNC signal, a scanning signal, and a V-VALID signal (vertical effective area signal) control the timing of horizontal scanning and writing. At least while the scanning signal is being output, the carriage (39) of the reading device (3) moves horizontally at a constant speed to perform scanning, and at the rising edge of the scanning signal, the carriage (39) It shows the timing when the leading edge of the document is reached and scanning of the document starts.
Writing is performed while the signal is being output, and V-V
The rising edge of the ALID signal indicates the writing start timing.

+1-SYNC signal (horizontal synchronization signal), II-VAL
ID signal (horizontal effective area signal) and H-GATE signal (
The horizontal gate signal) regulates the timing of scanning and writing in the vertical direction. The H-SYNC signal corresponds to the left edge of the image area. The H-VALID signal corresponds to the left and right width of the document, and its rising edge corresponds to the left edge of the document. Writing is performed while the }l-GATE signal is being output, and the rise of the H-GATE signal indicates the writing start timing.

In this example, for the first page manuscript (CI),
Both the rise of the horizontal scanning signal, that is, the start timing of document scanning, and the rise of the v-v^ ID signal, that is, the start timing of writing, are at the V- of the first rotation.
It coincides with the SYNC signal, that is, the leading edge of the image area.

On the other hand, the rising edge of the 1-G VALID signal in the vertical direction, that is, the left edge of the original (G1) and the II-G A T
The rise of the E signal, that is, the writing start timing, both coincide with the H-SYNC signal, that is, the left end of the image area. Therefore, the image rAJ of the first page document (Gl) is directly formed in the image area without moving in any of the vertical and horizontal directions.

Regarding the second page of the document, both the horizontal document scanning start timing and writing start timing are 2.
This coincides with the leading edge of the image area of the rotation eye, and both the left edge of the document (G2) in the vertical direction and the writing start timing coincide with the left edge of the image area. For this reason, 2
The image rBJ of the original page (G2>) is also formed in the image area as it is without moving in any of the vertical and horizontal directions.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, a two-page manuscript (G
l) A one-page copy (C) can be obtained by overlapping (G2) without moving it in either the vertical or horizontal direction.

In the above example, if the first page of the black original (Gl) is to be combined with blue and the second page of the original (G2) is to be combined with red, the following procedure will be performed.

That is, first, page composition mode is turned on. Next, press the 1st copy selection switch (l9>) to select the condition settings for copying the first page (at), and press the 1st color switch (30> to select blue, m2 color switch (32)
Select single color and press the set switch <34> to set the color (blue) for the first page. Similarly, press the second copy selection switch (20) to select the condition settings for copying the second page (G2), and press the first color switch (
Select red using 3o) and single color using the second color switch (32>), then press the set switch (34>) to set the color (red) for the second page. Then, in this state, press the copy switch. .

In this case, as shown by the chain line in Fig. 9, the second blue developing device (7b) is used in the first rotation of the drum (4), and the first red developing device (7a) is used in the second rotation of the drum (4). Development is performed, and a copy is obtained in which the rAJ portion in FIG. 7 is blue and the rBJ portion is red.

Next, the black Haraaki (G1) on page 2 shown in Figure 11 (
Regarding G2), we will explain the case where the image of the second page of the original (G2) is moved both vertically and horizontally and combined with the first page of the original (GL) to obtain a black copy (C) as shown in Figure 12. do.

In this case, as shown in Figure 13, a two-page manuscript (
Gl) (Set (22) face down on the document table (2),
Turn on page compositing mode. Next, press the second page selection switch (20) to copy the second page (C2
), press the move/delete switch (22) to select horizontal shift, and use the enlargement key (27), reduction key (28) and numeric display (26) to shift the second page in the horizontal direction. Set Dmy (for example, 10Cl+m) and press the set switch (34) to set this.

Similarly, press the movement erase switch (22) to select vertical shift and set the vertical movement jlt (for example, 150 cities) for the second page. Then press the copy switch.

The operations of each part of the copying machine in this case are similar to those shown in FIG.

Next, image movement will be explained with reference to each control signal in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, for the first page document (G1), the horizontal document scanning start timing and writing start timing Both coincide with the leading edge of the image area in the first rotation, and both the left edge of the vertical original (G1) and the writing start timing coincide with the II-SYNC signal, that is, the left edge of the image area. , the image rAJ of the first page of the document (G1) is directly formed in the image area without moving in any of the vertical and horizontal directions.

Regarding the second page document (G2), both the horizontal document scanning start timing and the writing start timing are delayed by the horizontal movement amount y from the leading edge of the image area of the second rotation. On the other hand, both the left edge and the writing start timing of the vertical document (G2) are delayed by the vertical movement amount t from the left edge of the image area. Therefore, the image rBJ of the second page document (G2) is The image is formed in the image area by being moved by y in the direction and by t in the vertical direction.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the second page of the document (C2) is moved both vertically and horizontally, and
A copy (C) superimposed on G1) is obtained.

Similarly, the first page of the document can be moved without moving the second page of the document.

Also, both documents can be moved.

Furthermore, it is also possible to combine such document movement with the above-mentioned color designation.

Next, the two black originals (Gl) (G2) shown in FIG.
Some images of the second page of the manuscript (G2) are shown below.
A case will be described in which a copy (C) as shown in FIG. 16 is obtained by removing the first page and combining it with the first page original (G1).

In this case, as shown in Figure 17, a two-page manuscript (
Cl) (02) face down on the document table (2) and turn on the page composition mode. Next, press the second page selection switch (20>) to copy the second page (G2).
Select the condition setting, press the move erase switch (22>) to select horizontal erase, and press the enlarge key (27) and reduce key <2
8) and the numeric display <2B) to set the horizontal erasing range y (for example, 100+as) for the second page,
Press the set switch (34>) to set this.Similarly, press the move erase switch (22>) to select vertical erase, and then select vertical erase range t (for example, 15) on the second page.
0mm). Then press the copy switch.

The operations of each part of the copying machine in this case are also similar to those shown in FIG.

Next, partial deletion of an image will be explained with reference to each control signal shown in FIG.

In FIG. 18, for the first page document (G1), both the horizontal document scanning start timing and writing start timing coincide with the leading edge of the image area of the first rotation, and the vertical document (G1) The left end of CI) and the write start timing both coincide with the }l-SYNC signal, that is, the left end of the image area. Therefore, the image rAJ of the original (CI) at the beginning of page 1 does not move in either the vertical or horizontal direction, and remains as it is in the image rl7! Formed in the area.

Regarding the second page document (G2), the start timing of horizontal document scanning coincides with the edge of the image area of the second rotation, but the writing start timing is laterally from the edge of the image area of the second rotation. It is delayed by the erasure range y. Therefore, the images rBJ to rDJ in the first half y range of the original M (G2) on the second page are scanned but not written. On the other hand, a portrait orientation document (
The left end of G2) coincides with the left end of the image area, but the write start timing is delayed by the vertical erase range t from the left end of the image area. For this reason, the second page of the manuscript (C
Regarding the image rBJ rcJ in the range t on the left side of 2), scanning is performed, but writing is not performed. As a result, the image rBJ from the second page of the manuscript (G2>
rcJ rDJ is removed by lr1, and only image rEJ is directly formed in the image area.

Therefore, as a whole, as shown in FIG. 16, a copy (C) is obtained in which the second page of the original (G2) is partially erased and overlapped with the first page of the original (Gl).

Similarly, it is also possible to remove part of the first page of the original without erasing part of the second page of the original. It is also possible to erase parts of both originals (Gl) (G2). Furthermore, it is also possible to combine such partial deletion of the document with the above-mentioned color designation.

Next, the two black originals (CI) (G2) shown in FIG.
The 20th
The case where copy (C) as shown in the figure is made C4 will be explained.

In this case, as shown in Figure 21, a two-page manuscript (
Place Gl) (02) face down on the document table <2) and turn on the page composition mode. Next, press the 1st page selection switch (19) and copy the 1st page (G1)
Select the condition setting, press the magnification switch (24) to select zoom, and use the enlargement key (27), reduction key (28) and numerical display (26) to set the magnification of the first page (for example, 150%). and press the set switch (34) to set it. Similarly, press the 2nd page selection switch (20>), select the conditions for copying the 2nd page (G2), and select the magnification of the 2nd page (for example, 509).
6). Then press the copy switch.

The operation of each part in this case is the same as that shown in FIG. During the second rotation, a known reduction function operates according to the set magnification of the second page.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the first page image r
AJ is enlarged, image rBJ of the second page is reduced, and a copy (C) in which these are superimposed is obtained.

Setting the magnification is not limited to the zoom function, but can also be set using a fixed magnification function, a vertical magnification function, and a horizontal magnification function. Further, the magnification setting may be performed only for one of the documents. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine such enlargement/reduction of the document with the above-mentioned color designation.

In the case of the above embodiment, the carriage (39) of the reading device (3) is stopped near that position when the scanning of the first page of the original is finished, and it is stopped when the scanning of the second page of the original is finished. I returned it to the tip of the document table (2), but 1
The carriage (
39) may be temporarily returned to the tip of the document table (2). Even in this case, the same functions as those of the above embodiment can be achieved by appropriately setting each control signal that regulates the timing of scanning and writing of the document.

Effects of the Invention According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, as described above, a single page copy can be obtained by combining a plurality of original pages, and the color can be changed for each original.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a general schematic diagram of an electrophotographic color copying machine showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the main parts of the copying machine, and Fig. 3 shows a document table. Funeral map, No. 4
The figure is a plan view showing the operation section, Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the copying machine, Figure 6 is a plan view showing an example of a two-page document to be combined, and Figure 7 is a plan view showing an example of the combined operation of the copying machine. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of copying; FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a two-page document set on the document table; FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the operation of each part of the copying machine; FIG. 10 is a control signal. Time chart, Fig. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a two-page original to be combined, Fig. 12 is a plan view showing an example of a combined copy, and Fig. 13 is a plan view of two pages set on the document table. 14 is a time chart showing control signals, FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example of a two-page original that is combined, and FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example of a combined copy. 17 is a plan view showing a two-page manuscript set on the manuscript table, FIG. 18 is a time chart showing the 11th issue, and FIG. 19 is an example of a two-page manuscript to be combined. FIG. 20 is a plan view showing an example of a combined copy, and FIG. 21 is a plan view showing two pages of originals set on a document table. (2>...Original table, (3)...Original reading device,
(4)...Photosensitive drum, (6)...Laser writing device, (l4)...Image processing device, (l5)...
Drying section, (l6)... Control section, (17)... Page composition switch, (l9)... 1st copy selection switch, (20)... 2nd copy selection switch, (2l)・
・・1・2 cobby selection switch, (3G) (32)・
...Color switch, (34>...Set switch,
<3B>...Reading section, (37)...Recording section, (
38>...Paper feed/delivery section, (C)...Copy (Cl)
(02)...1 Toko. that's all

Claims (1)

[Claims] A page composition mode selection means for selecting a page composition mode for composing a plurality of pages of originals set on a document table to obtain a one-page copy image, when the page composition mode is selected. , a color setting means for setting a color for each document; and a color setting means for forming images of multiple pages of documents in an area corresponding to one page on an image forming body in a superimposed manner when the page composition mode is executed; A color image forming apparatus includes an image composition means for changing the color of a document into a predetermined color.