JPH06308857A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To synthesize and output an analog image and a digital image on the same surface by correcting the timing of recording in relation to each recording means based on input information on displacement between the analog and digital images. CONSTITUTION:A controller part 2a is composed of a control part which controls a sequences of copying operations altogether, and an image processing part which processes image-wise an image signal read by a CCD line sensor 20c. When information on displacement between the analog and digital images formed on a recording medium is inputted, the controller part 2a corrects the timing of image formation which is carried out by an analog scanning system or a digital scanning system, and synthesizes and outputs on the same surface of the recording medium the analog and digital images free of displacement.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is input with first recording means for scanning and exposing a document image to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor to form an analog image on a recording medium. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having second recording means for scanning a light beam modulated based on image data to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor to form a digital image on a recording medium. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an analog scanning system that scans and exposes a document image to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, and a document image is read in parallel with scanning of the document image by the analog scanning system and image processing is performed on the analog image. An image forming apparatus having a digital scanning system capable of scanning a light beam and performing digital image processing has been put into practical use, and an original image is subjected to image processing in accordance with an image processing mode designated by an operation unit. It is configured so that various image edited images can be formed.

Further, while scanning an original with an analog scanning system to form an analog latent image, at the same time, the original is digitally input by an image sensor such as a CCD, and is blanked in real time by a digital scanning system (latent image erase processing).
Proposals have also been made for image editing, such as feedback of exposure scanning in parallel with the analog scanning.

[0004]

However, when the above-mentioned image editing is performed, the positions of the analog latent image and the digital latent image formed on the photoconductor due to the scanning position shift between the analog scanning system and the digital scanning system. The deviation and magnification deviation have a great influence on the image quality.

On the other hand, in the multiplex copying using analog latent images, the above-mentioned respective shifts are the same, so the image shift is not conspicuous, but the image shift becomes remarkable due to the shift in the scanning position between the analog scanning system and the digital scanning system. There was a problem that the image quality was significantly impaired.

In particular, the analog latent image formed by the analog scanning system is greatly influenced by the assembly accuracy and the like, and each machine to be mass-produced is different. Even with the same main body, the scanning exposure position on the photoconductor may differ depending on the flatness or magnification in the movement of the zoom lens on the analog optical path of the analog scanning system, or the magnification may shift due to the positional relationship with the photoconductor. There was also a problem such as doing.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and corrects the recording timing of each recording means on the basis of the positional deviation information between the input analog image and digital image. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of combining and outputting an analog image and a digital image on the same surface of a recording medium without positional displacement.

[0008]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention uses a first recording means or a second recording means based on positional deviation information between an analog image and a digital image formed on a recording medium to be inputted. A correction means for correcting the image forming timing by the means is provided.

Further, there are provided an input means for inputting positional shift information between the analog image and the digital image formed on the recording medium, and a first storage means for storing the scanning shift information input from the input means. The correction unit is configured to correct the image forming timing by the first recording unit or the second recording unit based on the positional deviation information stored in the first storage unit.

Further, the reading means for reading the original image in parallel with the original scanning exposure by the first recording means, and the image data of the analog image and the digital image formed on the same surface of the recording medium read by the reading means are analyzed. Then, a determining means for determining the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image and a second storing means for storing the positional deviation information determined by the determining means are provided, and the correcting means is the second storing means. The image forming timing of the first recording unit or the second recording unit is corrected based on the stored positional deviation information.

Further, the positional deviation information is configured to be stored in correspondence with each magnification for at least one point or more.

Further, the positional deviation information is composed of a magnification deviation caused by the first recording means or the second recording means.

Further, the positional deviation information is composed of positional deviation in the main scanning direction caused by the first recording means or the second recording means.

Further, the positional deviation information is composed of positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction caused by the first recording means or the second recording means.

[0015]

In the present invention, when the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image formed on the recording medium is input, the position of the analog image and the digital image formed on the recording medium to which the correction means is input is input. It is possible to correct the image forming timing by the first recording unit or the second recording unit based on the displacement information, and to compositely output the analog image and the digital image having no positional displacement on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image formed on the recording medium inputted by the input means is stored in the first storage means, and the correction means is stored in the first storage means. First based on the information
It is possible to correct the image forming timing by the recording means or the second recording means, and synthesize and output the analog image and the digital image having no positional deviation on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, when the reading unit reads the analog image and the digital image formed on the same surface of the recording medium, the determining unit analyzes the image data to determine the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image and determines the first position. The image data is stored in the second storage unit, and the correction unit corrects the image forming timing by the first recording unit or the second recording unit based on the positional deviation information stored in the second storage unit,
It is possible to synthesize and output an analog image and a digital image without positional displacement on the same surface of a recording medium.

Further, the positional deviation information is stored in association with each magnification for at least one point or more, and the correction means corresponds to the positional deviation information corresponding to the set magnification value, and the first recording means or It is possible to determine and correct the image forming timing by the second recording means, and synthesize and output the analog image and the digital image without positional deviation on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, since the positional deviation information is composed of the magnification deviation caused by the first recording means or the second recording means, the exposure scanning position is displaced with the setting of the magnification.
It is possible to correct the positional deviation of the recording means with high precision and to composite and output the analog image and the digital image without the magnification deviation on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, since the positional deviation information is composed of the positional deviation in the main scanning direction caused by the first recording means or the second recording means, the correction means is the first recording means or the second recording means. It is possible to accurately correct the main scanning position deviation of the means, and to composite and output an analog image and a digital image having no main scanning position deviation on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, since the positional deviation information is constituted by the positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction caused by the first recording means or the second recording means, the correction means is the first recording means or the second recording means. Corrects the sub-scanning position deviation of the means,
It is possible to synthesize and output an analog image and a digital image having no sub-scanning position deviation on the same surface of a recording medium.

[0022]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the structure of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a main body 1, a document scanning section 2, a sheet feeding section 3, an image recording section 4, and an intermediate tray section 5. Etc.

First, the structure of the document scanning unit 2 will be described.

Reference numeral 2a is a controller section, which is a control section for comprehensively controlling the copy sequence and the CCD line sensor 2.
The image processing unit is configured to perform image processing on the image signal read by 0c. Reference numeral 2b is a power switch, 2c is an original exposure lamp, which constitutes an analog scanning system (first optical scanning system) with a scanning mirror, and scans and moves at a predetermined speed. 20a is a half mirror, and the passing light is a CCD
It passes through the imaging lens 20b and is photoelectrically converted by the CCD line sensor 20c and sent as an image electrical signal to the image processing section of the controller section 2a (details will be described later). Further, the reflected light from the half mirror 20a passes through the red filter 20d for red color removal, the blue filter 20e for blue color removal, or the filter or the shutter, although they may not be used.

Reference numeral 2d denotes an imaging lens capable of zooming, which forms an image of the reflected light on the photosensitive drum 11 of the image recording section 4 (analog image recording). The imaging lens 2d moves on the lens table according to the set magnification and is arranged at a desired magnification position as shown in FIG. 5 described later.

Reference numeral 2e is a buzzer which warns of a copy mode error or the like set by the operation unit 41 described later. An optical system drive motor (optical motor) 2f drives the optical scanning system and the like with high accuracy.

Next, the paper feeding section 3 will be described.

Reference numerals 3a and 3b denote paper feed rollers. By driving the paper feed rollers 3a and 3b, the cut sheet SH is fed to the image forming section 4.

Next, the structure of the image recording section 4 will be described.

Reference numeral 12 is a registration roller, which is a paper feed roller 3
The cut sheet SH fed by driving a and 3b is once stopped, and after synchronizing the leading edge of the image, the cut sheet SH is fed again.

Reference numerals 13a and 13b denote developing units, which contain color-specific developers (red and black), and the developing units 13 are selectively driven by driving solenoids 14a and 14b.
Either one of a and 13b is disposed close to the photosensitive drum 11, and the other is retracted from the photosensitive drum 11. Also,
When performing multiple development, the controller unit 2a controls the driving of the solenoids 14a and 14b. A transfer charger 15 transfers the toner image developed by the developing units 13a and 13b onto the cut sheet SH, and the transfer charger 16 transfers the cut sheet SH from the photosensitive drum 11 to the cut sheet SH.
To separate. A pre-exposure lamp 17 neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 11 and prepares for primary charging. A cleaner device 18 is composed of a cleaning blade and a cleaning roller, and collects the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11. A fixing device 19 fixes the toner image transferred to the cut sheet SH by heat and pressure. Reference numeral 20 denotes a conveyance roller that conveys the cut sheet SH for which the above-described fixing process has been completed to the paper discharge tray 24.

In the case of multiple copy, the flapper 2
1 is switched to a position indicated by a dotted line by driving a solenoid (not shown), and the cut sheet SH fed, transferred, separated, and fixed passes through the transport path 22 and is sequentially transported to the transport path 22a. After the paper is detected by the sensor S5, it is detected by the sensors S6, S8 and the like, and the lateral registration is performed by the lateral registration solenoid. Then, the registration roller 12 is driven by a multiple copy command from the operation unit 41, and the cut sheet SH is sent to the position of the registration roller 12. After that, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 24 in the same manner as the above-described operation.

During double-sided copying, the transfer sheet is partially discharged by the discharge rollers 23 as in the normal copying operation described above, but after the trailing edge of the cut sheet SH passes the flapper 21, the transfer sheet is discharged. The paper roller 23 is driven in the reverse direction, and the cut sheet SH is guided by the flapper 21 and introduced into the transport path 22. This reverse drive is performed by a solenoid that controls forward and reverse rotation. The subsequent operation is
This is similar to the case of the multiple copy described above.

As described above, in the case of double-sided copying, the cut sheet SH is once ejected from the discharge roller 23 to the outside of the machine, and the cut sheet SH is turned upside down by the reverse driving of the discharge roller 23 and sent to the conveying path 22a. To be

The multiple copy or double-sided copy of one copy has been described above. However, in the case of multiple copy or double-sided copy of a plurality of sheets, the intermediate tray section 5 is used. As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate tray portion 5 is provided with an intermediate tray 30 that temporarily stores the cut sheets SH on the transport path 31. In the case of multiple copy of a plurality of sheets, the fixed cut sheet SH is partially discharged by the paper discharge roller 23 by the same control as in the double-sided copy of one copy, and then the paper discharge roller 23 is discharged. By driving in the reverse direction, the intermediate tray 3 passes through the transport path 22, the flapper 32, the transport path 36, and the feeding roller 34.
It is stored in 0. This operation is repeated, and after the first side is entirely stored in the intermediate tray 30, the feeding roller 33 is driven by the next copy command, and the second side copy is executed via the conveyance path 36. 35 is an intermediate tray weight.

On the other hand, in the case of a plurality of double-sided copies, the flapper 21 passes through the conveyance paths 22 and 36 from the fixing device 19 and is stored in the intermediate tray 30 under the same control as in the above-described one-sheet multiplex copying. Subsequent operations are the same as those in the case of the multiple copy described above, and the description thereof is omitted here.

A scanner motor 25 rotates a polygon mirror (rotary polygon mirror) 25a at a predetermined speed to deflect the laser beam reflected from the semiconductor laser 26.

A digital scanning unit is composed of the scanner motor 25, the semiconductor laser 26, etc., and emits a laser beam corresponding to the digital image information input from the image processing section of the controller section 2a to generate the analog signal. An image obtained by image recording and this digital image recording are recorded as a superimposed image, and at the time of analog image recording, the latent image area recorded on the photosensitive drum 11 is irradiated with a laser beam to selectively form the latent image. It also deletes the data.

Reference numeral 27 is an exposure shutter, which blocks a part or the whole of the reflected image light and suppresses latent image formation. 28 is a primary charger. In addition, S1 to S15 and S19 to in the figure
S23 is a sensor, and in particular, the sensor S1 detects the home position of the optical system serving as the analog scanning unit,
The optical system is stopped at this position during standby. Further, the sensor S2 detects that the optical system has moved to a position corresponding to the leading end position of the document image, and controls the timing of the copy sequence by the output of this sensor. The sensor S3 is the limiter position (reverse position) at the time of maximum scanning.
The optical system reciprocates with a scan length according to the cassette size and magnification input by the operation unit 41, which will be described later.

In the image forming apparatus constructed as described above, when the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image formed on the recording medium is inputted, the correcting means (the controller section 2a in this embodiment) is inputted. The first recording means (which is composed of an analog scanning system in this embodiment) or the second recording means (digital in this embodiment) based on the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image formed on the recording medium. It is possible to correct the image forming timing by the scanning system) and to compositely output the analog image and the digital image without positional deviation on the same surface of the recording medium.

The positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image formed on the recording medium, which is input from the input means (operation unit 41), is stored in the first storage unit (RAM of the controller unit 2a in this embodiment). The correction means corrects the image forming timing by the first recording means or the second recording means based on the positional deviation information stored in the first storage means, and the analog image and the digital image without positional deviation are stored. The image and the image can be composited and output on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, the reading means (in this embodiment, the CCD
When the line sensor 20c) reads the analog image and the digital image formed on the same surface of the recording medium, the determining unit (in this embodiment, the controller unit 2a) analyzes the image data and shifts the position between the analog image and the digital image. The information is determined and stored in the second storage unit (RAM of the controller unit 2a in this embodiment), and the correction unit uses the first recording unit based on the positional deviation information stored in the second storage unit. Alternatively, it is possible to correct the image forming timing by the second recording means and synthesize and output the analog image and the digital image having no positional deviation on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, the positional deviation information is stored in correspondence with each magnification for at least one point, and the positional deviation information corresponding to the set magnification value is set by the correction means (the controller unit 2a in this embodiment). Correspondingly, the image forming timing by the first recording means or the second recording means is determined and corrected, and the analog image and the digital image having no positional deviation can be combined and output on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, since the positional deviation information is composed of the magnification deviation due to the first recording means or the second recording means, the first recording in which the correcting means shifts the exposure scanning position in accordance with the magnification setting. Correct the positional deviation of the means with high accuracy,
It is possible to synthesize and output an analog image and a digital image without magnification shift on the same surface of a recording medium.

Further, since the positional deviation information is composed of the positional deviation in the main scanning direction caused by the first recording means or the second recording means, the correction means is the first recording means or the second recording means. Correct the main scanning position deviation of the means with high accuracy,
It is possible to synthesize and output an analog image and a digital image having no main scanning position deviation on the same surface of a recording medium.

Further, since the positional deviation information is composed of the positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction caused by the first recording means or the second recording means, the correction means is the first recording means or the second recording means. It is possible to correct the main scanning position deviation of the means with high accuracy and to composite and output the analog image and the digital image without the main scanning position deviation on the same surface of the recording medium.

FIG. 2 shows the controller section 2a shown in FIG.
2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of FIG. 1, and the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes an operation unit, which is used to set a copy mode (single-sided, double-sided, multiplex, etc.) and a copy mode (magnification, paper size, etc.), and further from an automatic document feeder (ADF). For every manuscript sent
A first mode setting key for setting a first recording mode for superimposing digital information stored in advance by the digital scanning unit, which is stored in advance by the digital scanning unit for a specific document fed from the automatic document feeder. A second mode setting key for setting a second storage mode for superimposing the digital information is arranged (details will be described later). Reference numeral 42 denotes a control unit (controller), which includes a CPU 42a, a ROM 42b, a RAM 42c, etc., and generally controls the copy sequence based on a control program stored in the ROM 42b. Reference numeral 43 is an editor for inputting an area designation for a predetermined area of a document. Reference numeral 44 denotes a shutter unit, which is the exposure shutter 27.
And solenoid. Reference numeral 45 denotes a laser section, which is composed of a semiconductor laser 26, a scanner motor 25, and the like.
Reference numeral 46 is an AC driver, which is used for the original exposure lamp 2c
AC power is supplied to the C load 47. A motor control unit 48 controls driving of the solenoids 14a and 14b, the clutch, the fan, and the like. MM is a main drive motor, and 49 is a DC load control unit.

A feeder control unit 50a controls driving of the document feeding unit. Reference numeral 50b denotes a sorter, which discharges the cut sheet SH discharged by driving the discharge roller 23 to a designated discharge bin. The HVT is a high-voltage unit that applies a predetermined potential to the charging system and the developing sleeves of the developing units 13a and 13b. DCP is a DC power supply and supplies a control potential "+ 5V" to the controller unit 2a and the like.

The image forming processing operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing scanning optical paths of the analog scanning system and the digital scanning system shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 999 indicates a document.

First, when the power switch 2b is turned on,
The controller 2a energizes the heater in the fixing device 19 and waits (wait time) until the fixing roller reaches a predetermined temperature at which fixing can be performed. When the fixing roller reaches a predetermined temperature, the main drive motor MM is driven for a certain period of time to drive the photosensitive drum 11, the fixing device 19 and the like to set the rollers in the fixing device 19 to a uniform temperature (weight release rotation). ). After that, the main drive motor MM is stopped, and the apparatus stands by in a copy ready state (standby state). here,
The main drive motor MM includes a photosensitive drum 11, a fixing device 19,
The developing units 13a and 13b and various transfer paper conveying rollers are driven. Then, when a copy command is input from the operation unit 41, a copy sequence (copy sequence) is started. Here, when performing normal image recording,
Without using the optical filters 20d and 20e, the photosensitive drum 11
Form a latent image on top. At that time, the semiconductor laser 26 can irradiate a laser beam to a predetermined area in the image, which is set in advance, to erase a part of the image. If the red color erasing mode is selected, the original 99
The optical red filter 20d is set on the path of the reflected light from the optical axis 9, the reddish color is erased, and the image is recorded. Similarly, in the case of erasing bluish colors, the optical filter 20e is used.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of an image synthesizing processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
It should be noted that (1) to (8) indicate each step.

In order to erase the red analog image in the original 999 (separate the red analog image from the black image in the original 999), the optical filter 20d is attached to the imaging lens 2d.
Set in front of (1). Next, the original 999 is illuminated by the original exposure lamp 2c and the scanning mirror, the reflected light is guided to the optical filter 20d, and only the red image information in the original 999 is erased and the remaining image information passes through the imaging lens 2d. , A latent image corresponding to the image excluding the red image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 (2), and the developing unit 13
The latent image excluding the red image is developed to black in a (3). Next, the developed black image is transferred to the cut sheet SH that is conveyed based on a known electrophotographic process, the cut sheet SH after transfer is separated by the separation charging device 16, and then the toner image is thermally pressed by the fixing device 19. Is fixed.

In this way, the cut sheet SH on which the black image information is recorded is controlled in the conveyance direction by the flapper 21, and for the next image recording, passes through the conveyance paths 22 and 22a forming a multi-pass and is registered. It is conveyed to the position where the roller 12 is provided. Here, the exposure shutter 27 arranged in front of the photosensitive drum 11 is closed in preparation for the next red image recording (digital image recording) (4). As a result, the optical information from the imaging lens 2d is no longer imaged on the photosensitive drum 11.

Next, the original 999 is the original exposure lamp 2
c and the scanning mirror, the reflected light passes through the half mirror 20a and forms an image on the line sensor 20c to be read (5). In this way, the CCD line sensor 20
The electric signal photoelectrically converted by c enters the controller section 2a, and color separation of red is performed (6). The separated red image information is applied to the laser driver as red recording information to form a digital image recording system semiconductor. The laser 26 is modulated and driven, and scanned by the polygon mirror 25a to form a red latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 (7). Then, after being developed in red by the developing unit 13a (8), it is transferred to the re-fed cut sheet SH. The cut sheet SH after transfer is separated by the separation charging device 16 and fixed by the fixing device 19. In this way, the cut sheet SH in which black and red image information is multiplexed and recorded
Are discharged to the discharge tray 24 by the flapper 21 and the process is completed.

If the filter color for color separation can be selected according to the developing color set in the developing unit 13a, the image corresponding to the developing color can be combined and recorded as a digital image on an analog image. That is, in addition to black and red two-color printing, black and blue two-color printing can be similarly performed.
Alternatively, it is also possible to perform multicolor printing in which a development color is further added. As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, by performing multiple development, it is possible to copy two colors of red and black.

In the above embodiment, the composite image forming process using the analog image and the digital image has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the imaging lens 2d in the analog scanning system is used.
Is moved to a desired magnification position set by the operation unit, but if the flatness of the lens stand STAY is poor at that time, as shown in the figure, the photosensitive drum is moved like the analog lights B1 and B2 as the magnification moves. In some cases, the exposure position on the optical disc 11 has a vertical exposure position shift, which causes a shift from the exposure position due to the digital exposure system, resulting in an image shift.

Therefore, when a variable magnification is set, a desired detection pattern is formed by an analog scanning system and a digital scanning system to obtain an image output on a recording medium, so that each scanning position deviation amount (main scanning position deviation amount, sub-scanning amount) is obtained. The positional deviation amount, the magnification positional deviation amount) is input or automatically detected, and the exposure timing of the digital scanning system is corrected to correct the analog scanning system,
A high-quality image that does not shift the scanning position when a composite image is formed by a digital scanning system can be output. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the structure of the display of the operation unit 41 shown in FIG. 2, and 41a is a display unit.
Various operation mode setting states and the like, the number of image formations, the image formation magnification, etc. can be displayed numerically or graphically. (A) corresponds to the state deviation input amount of main scanning, (b) shows Corresponding to the positional deviation correction amount input state in the sub-scan, (c) shows the magnification deviation correction amount input state. The input correction data are stored in the RAM 42c (backed up) shown in FIG. 2 that functions as the storage unit of this embodiment.

First, in the operation unit 41, the digital scanning system,
A desired composite image is formed by an analog scanning system, and an image output is obtained on a recording medium. A serviceman or the like measures the relative shift amount of the image output, and when the correction data is sequentially input from the numeric keypad or the like of the operation unit 41 as shown in FIG. 6 based on the measured value, each data is stored in a specific area of the RAM 42c. Remembered.

In the case of an apparatus capable of continuously setting the image forming magnification, it can be set for each set magnification (for example, 50% to 2).
Since storing all the correction data (00%) in the RAM 42c puts pressure on the memory capacity, in the present embodiment, a shift amount of 1 point each for equal magnification, reduction, and enlargement is stored, and another magnification (equal magnification, The CPU 42a is configured to obtain and respond to the set magnifications for one point each of reduction and enlargement by the three-point polygonal line approximation calculation process determined by the correction data of the three points. Therefore, the operator can operate the digital scanning system at a desired magnification other than the above three magnifications.
Even if a desired composite image is formed by the analog scanning system, a composite image with a small amount of positional deviation can be efficiently obtained at low cost.

In the above embodiment, the case where the operator directly inputs the correction data from the operation unit 41 has been described, but the CC which serves as the image reading means as shown in this embodiment is used.
In the image forming apparatus including the D line sensor 20c, a digital image is formed based on the analog image read by the CCD line sensor 20c in parallel with the analog image formation of the chart document shown in FIG. After outputting, read the digital image and the analog image with the CCD line sensor 20c,
The RAM 42c automatically detects each positional deviation amount of each scanning system.
It may be configured to be stored in. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the positional deviation amount is automatically detected and the correction data is RA.
The processing operation stored in M42b will be described.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the image recording section 4 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a scanning position deviation amount detection chart recorded in FIG. 1, in which ANA1 and ANA2 are detection markers formed by a pair of analog scanning systems. 8 is a detection marker AN read by the CCD line sensor 20c of the document scanning unit 2 using the scanning position deviation amount detection chart shown in FIG. 7 as a document.
This corresponds to a combination of detection markers DIG1 and DIG2 formed by a digital scanning system based on the image data of A1 and ANA2, which are combined and output in parallel with document scanning.

First, when the correction mode is selected and the chart original shown in FIG. 7 is copied, first, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the detection markers ANA1 and ANA2 is formed as an analog latent image on the photosensitive drum 11, and at the same time the original is simultaneously formed. The CCD line sensor 20c of the scanning unit 2 reads the detection markers ANA1 and ANA2 and stores them in the RAM 42c.

Next, the detection markers ANA1 and A of the original portion
After the analog optical system passes through NA2, the exposure shutter 27 shown in FIG. 1 intervenes on the optical path of the analog scanning system to shield the reflected light of the original document and block the analog image formation. In this state, after a lapse of a predetermined time from the detection markers ANA1 and ANA2, the RAM
The semiconductor laser 2 of the digital scanning system based on the image data corresponding to the detection markers ANA1 and ANA2 on 42c.
The photosensitive drum 11 is irradiated with a laser beam modulated by 6 or the like to form a digital latent image corresponding to the detection markers ANA1 and ANA2. These digital latent image and analog latent image are developed by the developing unit 13b and transferred and fixed on the fed recording paper to obtain a scanning position deviation amount detection chart output OUT1 as shown in FIG. Next, the scanning position deviation amount detection chart output OUT1 thus obtained is placed on the platen glass, and the CCD of the document scanning unit 2 is moved in parallel with the document scanning.
The line sensor 20c reads an image, reads the detection markers ANA1, ANA2, and the detection markers DIG1 and DIG2, and the CPU 42a shifts the position of the analog image and the digital image (main scanning position shift (position shift amount a in FIG. 8), sub-scanning). Positional deviation (positional deviation amount b in FIG. 8), magnification deviation (FIG. 8)
Position deviation amount Δc (| C1-C2 |)) of RA
The correction data for canceling each positional deviation with respect to M42c is stored.

In the above embodiment, the deviation amount (correction data) is stored in the RAM 42c as the deviation amount storage data, and the exposure timing of the digital scanning system is adjusted in accordance with the deviation amount, so that the digital image and the analog image are adjusted. Although the case of canceling the positional deviation has been described, the exposure timing of the digital scanning system may be adjusted based on the data amount obtained by multiplying the deviation amount by a predetermined coefficient instead of the deviation amount itself. .

In each of the above embodiments, the description has been given of the case where the exposure timing of the digital scanning system is adjusted according to the shift amount to cancel the positional shift between the digital and analog images. However, the analog scanning system for forming an analog image is described. The mechanical position, for example, the scanning mirror may be configured to correct the main scanning position shift, the sub scanning position shift, and the magnification shift by an actuator (not shown). In this case, with respect to the magnification shift, the magnification shift is canceled by correcting the stop position of the imaging lens 2d, and other position shifts can be corrected by moving the mirror or the like on the analog scanning optical path as described above. good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the output positions of the detection markers ANA1 and ANA2 which are analog images and the detection markers DIG1 and DIG2 which are digital images are changed as shown in FIG. 8 have been described.
A latent image is formed by using the detection markers DIG1 to DIG4 as a negative image as shown in FIG. 7, and when the analog images of the detection markers ANA1 to ANA4 are overlaid, the latent images are all white (in FIG. 9A). If a white image is formed and output as shown in the figure), when the positions of the two are deviated, only the outlying areas are developed, and a composite image output as shown in FIG. Will be obtained. Therefore, this output is output to the CC of the document scanning unit 2 as described above.
The D line sensor 20c may read and determine the correction data.

[0070]

As described above, the present invention uses the first recording means or the second recording means based on the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image formed on the input recording medium.
Since the correction means for correcting the image forming timing of the recording means is provided, the analog image and the digital image without positional deviation can be combined and output on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, there are provided an input means for inputting positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image formed on the recording medium, and a first storage means for storing the scanning deviation information inputted from the input means. Since the correction unit is configured to correct the image forming timing by the first recording unit or the second recording unit based on the positional deviation information stored in the first storage unit, the positional deviation amount corresponding to the temporal change. Since it can be stored, the analog image and the digital image without positional deviation can always be combined and output on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, the reading means for reading the original image in parallel with the original scanning exposure by the first recording means, and the image data of the analog image and the digital image formed on the same surface of the recording medium read by the reading means are analyzed. Then, a determining means for determining the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image and a second storing means for storing the positional deviation information determined by the determining means are provided, and the correcting means is the second storing means. Since the image forming timing of the first recording means or the second recording means is corrected based on the stored positional deviation information, the positional deviation information from the first recording means or the second recording means is stored. It is possible to automatically input, and while preventing deterioration of the composite image due to input mistakes, there is always an analog image and a digital image with no displacement. It can be combined output on the same surface of the recording medium.

Further, the positional deviation information is configured to be stored corresponding to each magnification at least 1 point or more, and the first deviation corresponding to the positional deviation information corresponding to the set magnification value by the correction means. The image forming timing by the recording unit or the second recording unit can be determined and corrected, and a composite image without misalignment can be obtained at low cost.

Since the positional deviation information is composed of the magnification deviation caused by the first recording means or the second recording means, the positional deviation of the first recording means that the exposure scanning position is displaced according to the setting of the magnification is accurate. With good correction, an analog image and a digital image without magnification shift can be combined and output on the same surface of the recording medium.

Since the positional deviation information is composed of the positional deviation in the main scanning direction caused by the first recording means or the second recording means, the correction means is the main recording means of the first recording means or the second recording means. It is possible to correct the scanning position deviation with high accuracy and synthesize and output the analog image and the digital image having no main scanning position deviation on the same surface of the recording medium.

Since the positional deviation information is composed of the positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction caused by the first recording means or the second recording means, the correction means is the main recording means of the first recording means or the second recording means. It is possible to correct the scanning position deviation with high accuracy and synthesize and output the analog image and the digital image having no sub-scanning position deviation on the same surface of the recording medium.

Therefore, it is possible to accurately correct the deviation between the analog image and the digital image, and to provide a high-quality analog / digital composite image at a low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing scanning optical paths of an analog scanning system and a digital scanning system shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an image combining processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a relationship between an imaging lens and a scanning position by zooming.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a configuration of a display of the operation unit shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing an example of a scanning position deviation amount detection chart recorded by the image recording unit shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram showing an example of a scanning position deviation amount detection chart recorded by the image recording unit shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram showing another example of the scanning position deviation amount detection chart recorded by the image recording unit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main Body 2 Original Scanning Section 2a Controller Section 3 Paper Feeding Section 4 Image Recording Section 26 Semiconductor Laser 25 Scanner Motor 25a Polygon Mirror

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A first recording unit for scanning and exposing a document image to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor to form an analog image on a recording medium, and modulation based on input image data. An image forming apparatus having a second recording means for scanning the formed light beam to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor to form a digital image on the recording medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: a correction unit that corrects the image forming timing of the first recording unit or the second recording unit based on the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image. 2. Input means for inputting positional deviation information between an analog image and a digital image formed on a recording medium,
A first storage means for storing the scanning deviation information input from the input means is provided, and the correction means is based on the positional deviation information stored in the first storage means, and the first recording means or the second recording means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming timing of the recording means is corrected. 3. A reading means for reading an original image in parallel with the original scanning exposure by the first recording means, and image data of an analog image and a digital image formed on the same surface of a recording medium read by the reading means. And determining means for determining the positional deviation information between the analog image and the digital image, and the second storing means for storing the positional deviation information determined by the determining means, and the correcting means is the second storing means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming timing of the first recording unit or the second recording unit is corrected based on the positional deviation information stored in. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the positional deviation information is stored in correspondence with each magnification for at least one point or more. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positional deviation information is a magnification deviation caused by the first recording unit or the second recording unit. 6. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the positional deviation information is positional deviation in the main scanning direction caused by the first recording unit or the second recording unit. apparatus. 7. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the positional deviation information is positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction caused by the first recording unit or the second recording unit. apparatus.