JPS6313062A - Color image forming device with additional information function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To adds additional color information by providing a shutter to an image exposure part for secondary electrostatic charging and a light source which inputs the additional information to a light shield area on the downstream side of the exposure part in an image forming device which is provided with plural developing devices at th peripheral edge part of a photosensitive body with color resolution. CONSTITUTION:A secondary electrostatic charging electrode 5 which performs the secondary electrostatic charging through a shutter 50 as well as image exposure is provided on the irradiation part of image exposure light L along the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. Here, the shutter 5 consists of many small shutter plates 51 which are arranged at right angles to the motion direction of the drum 41 and opened and closed and a driving element 52 which drives the individual small shutter plates 51. Further, a writing means 60 which is a white or infrared light source for inputting the additional information is provided on the downstream side of the electrode 5 and a secondary electrostatic charger 70 which smooths the potential on the surface of the drum 41 by corona discharging is arranged on the further downstream side. Thus, the multicolor additional information is added to an original image automatically.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

(Industrial Field of Application 1) The present invention relates to color image formation!l1Cr!1, and in particular, uses a conductive layer, a photoconductive layer, and a photoreceptor having color separation capability to have an additional information function. The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus.

[Background of the invention I Electrophotographic apparatuses that are capable of copying images other than original images together with original images have already been provided. In such electrophotographic apparatuses, in addition to the document exposure means, many of these electrophotographic apparatuses are equipped with an imaging optical system for adding information as a means for adding information.The imaging optical system for adding information includes a laser, an optical fiber, A self-hock lens with an optical shutter function added is used. However, image forming apparatuses that are capable of recording such additional information tend to be monochromatic. There is also a trend to add multicolor information as additional information. The currently used method for synthesizing multicolor information using a color image forming apparatus is to copy a composite original that has been manually cut and pasted in advance. However, this method is time-consuming and does not look very good as the cut and pasted edges often appear as black frames. [The problem that the invention aims to solve, Hiroshi] The present invention uses a color image forming apparatus, particularly a color image forming apparatus that includes a photoreceptor having a color separation function and a plurality of developing devices provided at the periphery of the photoreceptor, to add multicolor additional information to an original image. The purpose is to enable automatic synthesis of the [Means to solve the problem]

The above object is to provide a color image forming apparatus including a photoconductor having a color separation function and a plurality of developing devices on the peripheral edge of the photoconductor, and to provide a shutter capable of blocking light in an image exposure section that performs secondary charging. A color image characterized in that a white and/or infrared light source for inputting additional information into the light shielding area is provided downstream of the image exposure section, and then charging is performed with the same polarity as secondary charging. This is accomplished by a forming device.

【Example】

Prior to the explanation of the present invention, the present applicant has filed a patent application filed in 1983-83.
No. 096 No. 59-187044 No. 60-229524
A color image forming method using a photoreceptor with a color separation function and its apparatus proposed in No. 1, etc. will be briefly explained. FIG. 5 shows an example of the layer structure of a photoreceptor used in the above color image forming method, in which 1 is a conductive cylindrical or belt-shaped base made of nickel, aluminum, etc.; 3 is a functionally separated photoconductive layer consisting of a photoconductive layer or a charge generation layer and a charge transfer layer; 3 is a red (R) layer formed from various polymers, resins, etc. and colorants such as dyes and pigments;
This is an insulating layer including a layer consisting of color separation filters such as green (G) and blue (B). Figure 6 shows a plan view of the insulating layer 3, and the filter layer provided on the insulating layer may have a striped distribution as shown in Figure 6(a), or a filter layer as shown in Figure 6(b). A mosaic distribution is used. However, the formation is not limited to these, and the number of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color separation filters arranged and the arrangement method thereof are arbitrary. Here, l in the diagram
The length l of each filter portion shown by is in the range of 10 to 500 μl as a condition for good image resolution and color reproducibility. Red (R), Green (G), Blue (B)
The color separation filters are filters for color separation that transmit only red light, green light, and blue light, respectively, and the transmittance for each filter light wavelength is as shown in FIG. 7, for example. The photoconductive layer 2 is made of, for example, 5eTe or As2Se.
3 is used, and the spectral sensitivity in that case is as shown in FIG. The photoreceptor may be any material as long as it is sensitive to the red component and can be injected with charge from the base.The photoreceptor is imagewise exposed as described above, and then at least one type of color separation filter section is applied to the photoreceptor. A color image is obtained by repeating the process of full-surface exposure with transmitted light and development for each type of color separation filter section. Color toner of a color that is complementary to the transmitted color light is used to form a multicolor image on the photoreceptor, and in one transfer, the multicolor image is recorded on the transfer material at once. This is what I did. Here, the process of forming a color image using the above-mentioned photoreceptor will be explained with reference to FIG. 111. The figure schematically shows the image formation process in a part of a photoreceptor that uses a type 11 (that is, high electron mobility) photosemiconductor such as cadmium sulfide as a photoconductive layer. , cross-sectional hatching of each part is omitted. In the figure,
1.2 are a conductive substrate and a photoconductive layer, respectively, and 3 is 3.
This is an insulating layer including color separation filter parts R, G, and B. Further, the graph at the bottom of each figure shows the potential on the surface of each part of the photoreceptor. First, as shown in FIG. 11 [1], when a positive corona discharge is applied to the entire surface by the electric device 4, a positive charge is generated on the surface of the insulating layer 3, and correspondingly, the photoconductive layer 2 and the insulating layer 3 are A negative charge is induced at the interface of 6 Then, tr41i diagram [2
], alternating current or negative discharge is applied by a secondary charger 5 equipped with an exposure slit, and while erasing charges on the surface of the insulating layer 3, exposure of a colored image, for example, red image exposure LIR is applied. The red light passes through the red filter section R of the insulating WJ3, and in order to make the photoconductive layer 2 below it conductive, the charges in the photoconductive layer Wi2 are erased in the same filter section. On the other hand, since the green filter section 3G and the blue filter section 3B do not transmit red light, the negative charges on the photoconductive layer 2 remain as they are. In addition, due to the action of the charger 5, the insulation Jr. The charge distribution on j3 changes. The primary latent image is formed in the manner described above. The portions of the document irradiated with the green and blue components also give similar results for each filter section. The primary latent image is a state in which all color components exist as an image-like charge distribution under each filter section. At this stage, the photoconductive
Not only the portions on the photoreceptor 12 where the charges have been erased, but also the portions where the charges remain have the same potential on the surface of the photoreceptor, so they do not function as electrostatic images. Note that although PIIJ11 diagram [2] shows a case where the potential after charging is approximately zero, it may be charged to a negative level. Next, as shown in FIG. 11 [3], when the entire surface is exposed to light that passes through one of the filters included in the insulating layer 3, for example, blue light obtained by the light source 6B and the blue filter FQ, the blue light is emitted. The photoconductive layer 2 below the light-transmitting filter 78 becomes conductive, and part of the negative charge of the photoconductive layer 2 in this area and the charge of the conductive substrate 1 are neutralized, and the charge on the surface of the filter B is reduced. remains, thereby generating a potential pattern. No change occurs in the G and R parts that do not transmit blue light.
This is the second latent image. Then, when the charge image on filter B is developed with a developer containing negatively charged yellow toner Ty, the toner adheres only to the surface of the filter 78 portion where the potential is relatively high, and development is performed (Fig. 11). (4)
). Next, the generated potential difference is erased using a charger 14 (as shown in FIG. 11 [5]), after which the surface potential is made uniform, and then
When the entire surface is exposed with green LG as shown in FIG. 1 [6], a second latent image is formed in the green filter portion G, as in the case of blue light. If this is developed with magenta toner Ta+ as shown in FIG. 11 [7], magenta toner T- will adhere only to the filter G portion. Then f:tS11
After making the surface potential uniform in the same way as shown in Figure [8], as shown in Figure 11.

[9] [10] The entire surface is exposed to red color, and the second latent image appearing on the red filter gR is developed with cyan toner Tc. In the illustrated example, the red filter R includes a photoconductive layer 2.
Since there is no charge on the surface, no potential difference occurs even if the entire surface is exposed, and even if development is performed with cyan toner, the cyan toner does not adhere. When the toner image thus obtained is transferred onto a transfer material such as copy paper and fixed, a red image is reproduced on the transfer material due to the color mixture of yellow toner Ty and magenta toner T-. As the image exposure light source and the entire surface exposure light source in the image forming process described above, three types of blue, green, and red fluorescent lamps or cold 113 electrode discharge lamps having spectral radiant energy as shown in FIG. 10 are used. The photoconductive layer 2 can be efficiently
It is suitable because it not only allows light to be irradiated but also allows for easy adjustment of color balance. Next, the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 12, which is suitable for carrying out the above process, will be described in accordance with the operating order. In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a photosensitive drum having the configuration shown in FIG. 12, which rotates in the direction of arrow a during a copying operation. !
While rotating, the light drum 41 is irradiated with light as needed, and the entire surface is charged with the primary charger 4, and then the secondary charger 5 with the exposure slit is charged with alternating current or -human information electric device. While being subjected to a corona discharge with a polarity opposite to that of 4, the image exposure light of the original is applied, and the primary latent image forming process is completed. Next, the second light source unit) [3B and the blue filter F for light source
The entire surface is exposed to the blue light LB obtained by the combination of , and a second latent image of yellow component is formed.This is then developed by a developing device 17Y loaded with yellow toner. Subsequently, after the surface of the photoreceptor is brought to a uniform potential by the recharger 14, the second light source unit 6G1 green light source filter F
, a green glow. Developing device 17 loaded with magenta toner
Developed by M. Further, the potential of the photoreceptor is made uniform by the recharging device 15, and the red light source filter F of the second light source unit 6R1 emits red light. full exposure, developer 17C loaded with cyan toner
Developed by As a result, a color image is formed on the photoreceptor drum 41. The obtained color toner image is charged by the pre-transfer charging electrode 9A, and then transferred by the transfer electrode 9B onto the transfer material 8 supplied by the paper feeding means. The copy paper carrying the transferred color (toner image) is separated from the photoreceptor drum 41 by the separation electrode 1°, fixed by the fixing device 12 to become a completed color copy, and discharged outside the machine. The photosensitive drum 41 is irradiated with static eliminating light to eliminate static electricity, and the toner remaining on the surface is removed by the cleaning blade 22 in the cleaning device 13 before being used again. This figure shows the configuration of a color image forming apparatus that allows writing, and the differences in configuration from the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 12, which has already been explained, will be explained.Irradiation of image exposure light The path is provided with a light shielding means shutter 50 which allows the optical path to be partially blocked by control from the control section.The shutter 50 has the structure shown in FIG. 2, for example. A large number of small shutter plates 51 are provided, each of which has an irradiation path Lotm forming a light beam close to parallel light of the image exposure light, and which are arranged in a row in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the photoreceptor and which can be opened and closed. It consists of a drive I!!h element 52 that uses magnetic force or the like driven by the control ASa.Of course, if the shutter 50 is not mechanical but can partially block light from the optical path, the Kerr effect can be applied. Alternatively, an electric shutter using a liquid crystal or the like may be used. The small shutter plate 51 is controlled via a CPU (not shown) to open and close in an area on the document specified by the user. Shutter 50 Writing means 60 of a white and/or infrared light source for inputting additional information is provided downstream of the secondary charging electrode 5 which performs image exposure and secondary charging. A lens with a lens effect such as a laser or an optical 7-eyeper, a lens with an optical shutter function added to a cell-hock lens (product name), or a lens arranged in a matrix as shown in Figure 3 and selectively controlled by the control unit. A light emitting diode that can blink, a combination of a fluorescent lamp and a liquid crystal, etc. are used, and it is possible to record characters on the photoreceptor 41 using a positive or negative dot signal. is provided with a secondary charger F O, which is arranged so that a corona discharge similar to that of the above-mentioned secondary charging electrode 5 is generated and the surface of the photoreceptor is smoothed to a uniform potential. The configuration may be the configuration shown in the main part diagram of FIG. 1(1,). That is, FIG. 1(b) is a secondary band'?
The fL electrode 5a is of a multi-wire suflotron type as shown in the figure, and an opening for image exposure with a shutter 50 provided between the multi-wire wires and a writing means 60 are provided respectively. The charging electrode 5a and the recharging electrode 70 are used in common. Furthermore, regarding the difference on the downstream side, light shielding means 50B, 5 having the same function as the shutter 50 are also provided in front of the blue, green, and red second light source units) 6B, 6G, and 6R.
0G and 50R are provided, and when the entire surface is exposed with blue, green, and red light, a part of the light can be blocked by instructions from the control section. More than that! A color image forming apparatus having a color image forming apparatus is operated by a signal from a control section such as a microcomputer, and can record additional information at a desired location. Then the fourth
Regarding the additional information writing example shown in the figure, the process of forming the additional information will be explained in terms of processes. FIG. 4 (J&) shows a color original 80D on which additional information is written and which is to be copied. Figure 4(b) lffi l)? -Original w480Dt-W
This shows the area of additional information being specified by placing the document on the tm table ff X81. The characters 80W and the color of the characters to be recorded in the additional information range 80A are input using buttons provided separately. Here, a case will be described in which R is input as a recording character in red to a multicolor image original. FIGS. 4(c) to 4(e) are diagrams showing the process of forming an image on the photoconductor. When the copy button is pressed, the primary charger 4 charges the photoconductor 41 as shown in FIG. A uniform charge is generated in the screen equivalent area 814 shown in (c). Next, image exposure light is applied to the screen equivalent area 814 while receiving corona discharge from the secondary charging electrode 5. At this time, the shutter 50 is operated by the control terminal 2, and the additional information area 8
The additional information equivalent range 418A corresponding to 0A is not irradiated with image exposure (FIG. 4(d)) addition f+? The range corresponding to 418A is the LE that emits light by controlling g.
By D etc., the character phase'! Irradiation with white light and/or infrared light is performed except for 5 portions 418W. Since the additional information equivalent range 418A is the backing surface that is not exposed to image exposure, by irradiating it with white light and/or infrared light, B, G,
The potential of each filter partial region of H is extracted. The document image forming area 418D and the character R part, which is the character equivalent part 418w, are not irradiated with white light, so no potential is extracted.
) is the original image forming area 418D by the next charger 70.
and the character equivalent portion 418w are smoothed until they have the same potential. After this, no potential is extracted from this portion even if the entire surface is exposed to light. Next, the original image forming area 418D and the text-corresponding portion 418W or spine portion 418A are entirely exposed to light 1fiGI3 and blue light LB obtained by the blue filter Fll, and then developed by the developer 17Y, thereby forming the original image forming area. Yellow toner adheres to the characters Rn. The photoreceptor is then smoothed by the recharging electrode 14. Next, the green light obtained by the light source 6G and the green filter Fc is used to form the original image forming area 418D and the character corresponding portion 41.
After the entire surface is exposed to 8W or the background part 418A, the developing device 1
By developing with 7M, magenta toner adheres to the Ig, striped image forming area and the letter R portion. The yellow toner and magenta toner overlap in the letter R portion, resulting in a red color. And the obi? The photoreceptor is smoothed by the lX pole 15. For exposure to the next light [6R and the red light obtained by the red filter Fk, the shutter 50R is operated by the control unit, and the additional information corresponding range 418A is not irradiated with the red light. Therefore, the subsequent development Even if development is performed by the container 17C, the character R portion is not developed. However, the original image forming area 418D is irradiated with red light LR, and development is performed by the developing device 17C. In this way, a multicolor toner image containing the red letter R on a portion of the document is obtained on the photoreceptor. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor in the manner described above is transferred onto the copy wkB, and a color image with the additional information shown in FIG. 4 ( ) is obtained on the copy paper 8. If only the portion 418W corresponding to six characters is shielded from light by image exposure and the writing means 60 and subsequent recharging electrode 70 are not operated and the above additional information input image forming method is performed, additional information without the background g 418A can be input into the document.

【Effect of the invention】

According to the present invention, a color image forming apparatus capable of adding color-based additional information is provided, and a color image forming apparatus with extremely high utility value for users can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 show one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a color image forming vcW1 of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the light shielding means, Figure 53 is a configuration diagram of the optical writing device, Figure ft54 is an explanatory diagram showing processes for an example of writing additional information, and Figure 5 is a diagram showing the main parts of the embodiment. Figure 6 is a plan view of the insulating layer; Figure 7 is a graph showing the spectral transmittance of the color separation filter; Figure 8 is a graph showing the spectral sensitivity of the photoreceptor; Figure 9 is a graph showing the spectral sensitivity of the photoreceptor. is a graph showing the spectral reflectance of color toner, FIG. 10 is a graph showing spectral radiant energy of a fluorescent lamp, FIG. 11 is a diagram 70 showing the image forming process, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus. 1... Conductive substrate 2... Photoconductive layer 3... Insulating layer containing a color separation filter 4.14, 15, 70... Charger 5.5a... Secondary equipped with an exposure slit Charger 8...
・Transfer material 17.17Y, 17M, 17C...Developer 41...
Photosensitive drums 50, 5013, 50G, 50R...Shutter 60...Writing means R...Red filter section G...Green filter section B...Blue filter section FB...Blue filter Fα. ...Green filter FR...Red filter L...Red light LB...Blue light...Green light Applicant: Roku Konishi Photo Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 1 (3) Figure 1 (b) Figure 2Figure 3. . Figure 4 (a) (d) Figure 5 R-Red 9 China'A Kocalluta Figure 6 (Phantom Figure 6 (b) Temporary Nagahisa (nm)

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a color image forming apparatus that includes a photoreceptor having a color separation function and a plurality of developing devices on the periphery of the photoreceptor, a shutter capable of blocking light is provided in the image exposure section that performs secondary charging, and the image exposure section A color image forming apparatus characterized in that a white and/or infrared light source for inputting additional information into the light-shielding area is provided on the downstream side of the image forming apparatus, and then charging with the same polarity as secondary charging is performed.