JPS63298260A - Printer unit utilizing copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a print having a high quality of an electrophotograph type by a simple printer unit, by combining a picture element write use printer unit to a copying device of a model by which an original placing table moves, and executing a print by copying. CONSTITUTION:The titled device has a printer unit 3 provided with a means 32, which is a liquid crystal display element is which dots of one line or more of picture elements for constituting an image are formed and at least one face consists of a transparent member, and also, racked horizontally at a position for reading the image by turning this transparent member side to an original placing table 11 of a copying device 1, and a print is executed by copying an image of the printer unit 3 by the copying device 1. In such a way, this unit can be easily carried together with a hand-held computer, etc., a form size is scarcely limited and by combining an inexpensive printer unit, and a miniature copying device of an original placing table moving type, whose popularization rate is high, a print can be executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printer that attempts to obtain electrophotographic prints by combining a copying machine with a movable document table and a printer unit for pixel writing. This relates to unit Ic.

[Conventional technology and its problems]

In a conventional electrophotographic printer, a portion corresponding to a copying machine and a portion for optically writing a latent image on a photosensitive drum are integrally combined. Therefore, it cannot be used as a copying machine. As a method to improve this, for example, US Patent No. 411
There are also proposals such as No. 0794. This involves making copies using a large copying machine with a moving light source and a stationary document table, with the display screen of a computer placed over the other.

However, with this method, the size of the print is determined by the size of the computer's display screen, which results in a large, heavy and expensive display screen. Also, copying machines are large-sized machines that scan with a moving light source.

The purpose of the present invention is not to create a large and expensive electrophotographic printer that integrates a copier function and an optical writing function, but rather to be able to easily carry it with a hand belt or conieter, and to be inexpensive with few restrictions on paper size. The purpose of this project is to manufacture a printer unit that can be used in conjunction with a compact copying machine with a movable document table, which is highly popular, to perform printing.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a liquid crystal display element having one or more rows of dots constituting an image, at least one side of which is made of a transparent member, and the transparent member side facing the document table of a copying machine. It has a printer unit equipped with a means for horizontally hanging the image at a position where the image is read, and a print is obtained by copying the image of the printer unit with a copying machine.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be described in detail below using the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a copying machine in which a printer unit of the present invention is set.

The copying machine 1 is a lightweight, compact, and popular type in which a document presser 12 and a document table 11 that are integrated are movable.

The printer unit 6 includes a liquid crystal display element 31 that is inserted with a slight gap from the document table 11, a fixing plate 62 that supports the liquid crystal display element 31, and a plurality of dots on the liquid crystal display element 61 that can be selectively displayed. It consists of a cord 66 which is an input member for transmitting a display drive signal to drive, and the cord 33 is connected to the personal computer 2 via a plug 64.

Four fixing screws 4 (two not visible in the drawing) are screw-fitted into the fixing plate 32, and by turning them, the copier 1 is tightened and fixed.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view, partially cut away, showing the state in which the printer unit is attached to the copying machine. Light 5 emitted from the halogen lamp 13 projects the display on the liquid crystal display element 31 and forms an image on the photosensitive drum 15 through the lens array 14, thereby performing optical writing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer unit immediately before it is attached to the copying machine. The position of the liquid crystal display element 61 with respect to the document table 11 is such that the fixing plate 62 is aligned with the operation button 1 on the top surface of the copier 1.
The height is determined by contacting the surface where No. 6 is lined up. Further, in the lateral direction, the liquid crystal display element 31 is positioned by a fixing plate 32 so as to face the lens array 14 in FIG. Since the fixing screw 4 is used, slight adjustment is possible.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the printer unit. A liquid crystal 37 is sealed between the transparent member 35, for example, a lower glass plate and an upper glass plate 66.

The upper surface and periphery are covered with a thin metal plate 38. The liquid crystal is driven by electrodes (not shown) that are divided into fine dots. These dots display pixels, which are the smallest units of characters and pictures.

FIG. 5 is a plan view seen from the lower glass side, in which the electrodes for driving the liquid crystal 37 are finely divided into dots of about 0.1 mm. The shape of the dots may be rectangular or round instead of square.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the display screen of the personal computer in FIG. 1. Output to the printer unit 3 is performed by scanning each line 23.

The line scanning speed is set to match the moving speed of the document table 11. The line may be multiple lines instead of one line.

Next, we will discuss the operation.

In Figure 1, if the personal computer 2 is used as a word processor, for example,
- If you want to print after completing the input for a page, press the copy button 17 on the copier 1. The document table 11 moves back to the right in FIG. 1, and when it reaches the right end, the print output button 21 of the personal computer 2 is pressed. The document table 11 begins to move to the left on the drawing, and at the same time, a print signal from the personal computer 2 is transmitted line by line 23 through the plug 64 and the cord 33 to selectively display a group of dots on the liquid crystal 37 of the liquid crystal display element 31.

This dot passes through the lens array 14 and is exposed to the photosensitive drum 15.
It is written as a latent image on the paper, and the rest is printed by functioning as a copying machine.

In the evening, press the copy button 17 and the print output button 21.
If you want to make it easier to read, you can detect the mechanical movement of the original platen 11 or electrical signals and use it as a signal to the print output button 21, or conversely, press the print output button 21 to control the copying machine. It's easy to do.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the printer unit, and is a plan view of the printer unit seen from the lower glass side, in which 670 liquid crystal dots are arranged in a plurality of rows. It is also possible to process character by character.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the printer unit, in which a cross-chain weight 320 is attached in place of the fixing plate 62 in FIG.

In this case, it is sufficient to simply place the printer unit 300 on the surface of the copying machine 1 where the operation buttons are arranged and place the liquid crystal display element 61 on the document table 11.

Note that the scanning speed of the liquid crystal display element can be changed with respect to the moving speed of the document table; for example, if the scanning speed is halved, a figure whose height is doubled can be obtained. Furthermore, it is easy to devise measures such as covering the printer unit with a black cloth to prevent light from entering from around it.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, high-quality electrophotographic printing can be performed using a printer unit that is simple enough to be carried along with a hunt belt computer in combination with a small, inexpensive, popular copying machine. can be easily obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 8 all show embodiments of the present invention, and the first
The figure is a perspective view showing the overall configuration with the printer unit attached to the copier, Figure 2 is a side view showing the printer unit attached to the copier, and Figure 3 is a copy just before the printer unit is attached. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the printer unit, Figure 5 is a plan view of the printer unit seen from the lower glass side, and Figure 6 is a plane view of the display surface of the personal computer. Figure, 7th
The figure is a plan view of the printer unit in the second embodiment as seen from the lower glass side, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the printer unit in the third embodiment. 1... Copy machine, 3... Printer.
Unit, 11...Original table, 15...
...Photosensitive drum, 31...Liquid crystal display element, 6
2... Fixed plate, 35... Transparent member. Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a printer unit using a copying machine, which includes a copying machine with a fixed light source and a movable document table, and a printer unit that displays information based on a display drive signal, the printer unit has one or more rows of pixels constituting an image. a liquid crystal display element on which dots are formed, at least one side of which is made of a transparent member, and means for horizontally mounting the transparent member side in a position where the image is read, with the transparent member side facing the document table of the copying machine, and the display drive signal is transmitted to the pixels. selectively lighting up dots on the liquid crystal display element in response to an input signal to the printer unit for one line, and providing a dot line scan speed in accordance with the rotational speed of a photosensitive drum of the copier;
A printer unit using a copier, characterized in that a print is obtained by copying an image of the printer unit with the copier.