JPS63283276A - Multicolor marking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To give an attractive force larger than ever on a required area and to improve a persuasive power, by providing a first recording means and a second recording means which performs marking on a designated area, and changing a color for the marking at every designated area. CONSTITUTION:The first recording means 11 to copy the entire area of an original with one specific color, an area designation means 12 to designate the area of the original, and the second recording means 13 to perform the marking on the designated area with a prescribed color other than the above stated color are provided. Furthermore, a color designation means 18 for the marking which designates the color of the marking performed by the recording means 13 is provided other than a selection means 14 which selects the recording operations of the two recording means 11 and 13 alternatively, and a control means 15 which controls the recording operations corresponding to a sequence selected by the selection means 14. And a device is formed so that the color of the marking of the recording means 13 can be designated by the color designation means 18 for the marking.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to a multicolor marking device that can mark a necessary part of an image of a document in color in a recording device such as a copying machine, and particularly relates to a marking device. The present invention relates to a multicolor marking device that can select a plurality of colors.

``Prior Art'' Recently, documents used in offices are becoming more and more colored. For example, a document created in color has a stronger visual appeal than a document created in only black, and important parts can be displayed at a glance. For this reason, for example, parts of documents that would normally be written in black are sometimes written using writing instruments in colors such as red, and copying machines that achieve the same effect have also been proposed. There is.

Among these, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-95457, images of a plurality of originals are formed using different developing devices. Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 166969/1983, a color is specified for a specific area of a document, and image information is reproduced in color for this area.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-239764, it is possible to copy a predetermined image area on a document onto a desired area on copy paper, and also to make the copy in a desired color.

By the way, (i) when creating a document, writing part of it in an unexpected color using a writing instrument such as colored ink is extremely inefficient as it must be done completely by hand. Furthermore, if color unevenness or the like occurs, the quality of the document will be degraded.

On the other hand, (j) when marking some areas or some documents in color using a copying machine, it is necessary to precisely align the color image information with the monochrome image information.

Additionally, if graphic information such as text in a specific area is generally expressed in a different color from other areas, the user will read different colors inside and outside this area, which can easily cause visual fatigue. . Also, for example, JP-A-60-166
In the electronic copying device described in Publication No. 969, it is not possible to specify the area to be recorded in the next color until after the area specified with the input pen has been recorded in a specific color. There was also the problem that the specification work was complicated.

Therefore, even if it is a specific area, the image information itself is expressed in the same color as other areas, and the background color is changed only for that specific area, so-called marking (coloring) is performed.
A multicolor marking device has been proposed.

As shown in principle in FIG. 52, this proposed multicolor marking device includes a first recording means 11 for copying the entire area of a document in one specific color, and an area for specifying an area on the document. The recording operation of the specifying means 12, the second recording means 13 that marks the designated area with a predetermined color other than the above-mentioned color, and the first and second recording means 11.13 is selectively performed. A selection means 14 for making a selection, and a control means 1 for controlling recording operations according to the order selected by the selection means 14.
5.

Then, the first recording means 11 and the second recording means 13 are sequentially used from either side to overlap the image and the marking area. As a result, it is possible to mark, for example, a desired area of a document written in black with a color such as red, and the marked portion can be distinguished from other portions and recognized.

FIGS. 53 to 56 show examples of application of marking colors.

Of these, FIG. 53 shows two rectangular areas 17A of the original 16,
An example of marking 17B with one color is shown. On the other hand, in FIG. 54, the marking densities of one region 17c and the other region 17D are made different. By making the copy densities of the marked portions different in this manner, it is possible to distinguish the marked portions by importance, field, application, etc., which is more convenient.

Of course, the area to be marked need not be limited to a rectangle. Fig. 55 shows a triangular area 17E1 and a trapezoidal area 17F.
This indicates that areas of various shapes, such as a circular area 17G, are possible. Further, processing using marking color does not necessarily mean covering a specific area with color.

For example, as shown in FIG. 56, a frame-shaped area 17H surrounding the specific area may be set, or a thick underline-shaped area 171 may be set.

In addition, to specify the circle in Fig. 55, specify the coordinates of the center point and the length of the radius or diameter using the numeric keypad, or input the position of the center point and a point on the circumference from the editor pad, which will be explained later. This makes it possible. Although not shown, an ellipse can be specified in a similar manner. The position specification of polygons such as triangles and quadrilaterals will be explained in detail later.

"Problems to be Solved by the Invention" By the way, although the multicolor marking devices that have been proposed so far are capable of marking in a color different from that of the document,
The marking color was only one color. For this reason, when it is desired to visually distinguish and display multiple areas, the copy density has been changed as shown in Figures 54 and 56, but this only limits the number of areas that can be clearly distinguished. The problem was that it was limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a multicolor marking device that can specify a marking color for each area.

"Means for Solving the Problems" In the present invention, as shown in principle in FIG. ii) an area specifying means 12 for specifying an area on the document; (iii) a second recording means 13 for marking the specified area in a predetermined color other than the above-mentioned color; and (iv) a first and a second recording means 13. In addition to the selection means 14 which selectively selects the recording operation of the second recording means, and (V) the control means 15 which controls the recording operation according to the order selected by this selection means, The multicolor marking device is equipped with a marking color specifying means 18 for specifying the color of the marking performed by the second recording means 13.

Then, by the marking color specifying means 18, the second
The above object is achieved by making it possible to specify the color of the marking on the recording means 13.

Note that (iv) the selection means 14 in the present invention is the second
First, the first recording means 13 is selected, and then the first recording means 1 is selected.
1 may be selected, or vice versa. Further, when the second recording means 13 performs marking, the copy density is lower than the copy density by the first recording means 11, and the optical density is in the range of 0.6 to 1.2. This is desirable under normal circumstances. The first and second recording means 11.13 can perform recording using various principles. For example, if these are means for recording based on the principle of xerography, the difference in copy density between them is It is preferable that this is achieved by a combination of the above three elements: (1) the amount of charge applied to the body, (2) the amount of image exposure to the photoreceptor, and (2) the set value of the bias of the developing electrode.

Further, it is preferable that the multicolor marking device is equipped with a display means such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display to facilitate marking operations, and can display the location where marking is to be performed. When the display means is capable of color display and multiple areas are marked with different colors, it is convenient to display those colors for each area.

When the display means performs monochrome display, it is convenient if characters or symbols representing the displayed color are displayed for each area. Furthermore, when the multicolor marking device of the present invention is used, the color of the marking may be partially changed by viewing the results displayed on the display means or by viewing the actual copy. In such a case, it is convenient if a code for specifying the changed area is displayed for each area.

"Example" The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Examples.

First, a table of contents regarding the contents of this embodiment is displayed.

(1) System configuration of the copying machine (2) Example of the configuration of the device (3) Circuit configuration of the device (4) Specific circuit configuration of the copier (4-1) Surroundings of the photoreceptor drum (4-2) Developing Device switching mechanism (4-3) Optical system (4-4) Fixing device (4-5) Console control (4-6) Pilling counter (4-7) Power supply (4-8) Transport system (4-9 ) DADF (4-10) Sorter (4-11) Intermediate tray (4-12) Editor pad (4-13) Large capacity tray (5) Marking color processing (5-1) Marking color principle (5-2) Copy density adjustment (5-3) General marking color control (5-4) Color density adjustment overview (5-5) Color density adjustment operation (5-6) Area correction operation (5-7) Color display Control (1) * System configuration of ear crosspiece FIG. 2 shows the system configuration of a copying machine in an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in this figure, the copying machine of this embodiment has a base machine 21, which has the most basic configuration, and can be increased in functionality by attaching desired additional devices.

Here, the base machine is a device that is equipped with a one-stage supply tray and a tray for manicoal feed, and can make copies by manually setting an original on a platen glass. The following additional devices can be attached to this base machine.

(1) IC card device 22; The IC card device 22 is a device used to supply necessary data to the base machine 21 using an IC card, or to write data from the base machine 21 to an IC card. When inputting data (coordinate data) using an editor pad, which will be described later, the editor pad is connected to the IC card device 22 and the input operation is performed. Note that the IC card device 22 of this embodiment is configured to selectively control the IC card and the editor pad, and it is not possible to use both at the same time to input data.

The IC card used in the IC card device 22 of this embodiment has an ISO type interface and has a memory capacity of 2 kilobytes. By using an IC card, complex data can be stored on the card.
It can fully cope with the automation and multifunctionalization of copying machines. For example, by preparing IC card numbers for each industry or customer, it is possible to realize an operation method that suits each owner, even if the copier has complex functions, and anyone can use it easily and without error. Be able to operate a copy machine.

(2) ADF 23 and DADF 24; ADF 23 is commonly referred to as an automatic document feeder, and feeds the documents one by one onto the platen glass of the base machine 21.
This is discharged after exposure is completed. Exposure of the document is performed only on one predetermined side. On the other hand, the DADF 24 is an automatic document feeder for deniplex use, that is, for double-sided copying.

In the DADF 24, the original is transported with one side facing the platen glass, and the first exposure is performed. When the original after exposure is returned to the tray of the DADF 24, it is turned upside down. As a result, when this document is sent out again, the opposite surface to the previously exposed surface will be exposed. The base machine 21 is capable of copying the front and back sides of copy paper separately using an additional device to be described later.

By enabling the use of the ADF 23 and DADF 24 in the copying machine of this embodiment, it is possible to automatically perform copy operations using various combinations such as double-sided originals and double-sided copying.

The ADF 23 has basically the same structure as the automatic document feeder conventionally used in copying machines, but in the case of the device of this embodiment, the direction of insertion of the document is from the left side when facing the base machine 21. It is shaped so that it does not protrude from the inside.

(3) Ordinary platen 25 and platen 26 with editor pad; The platen 26 with editor pad has a structure in which a coordinate input device called an editor pad is arranged on the platen for editing a document. A normal platen 25 does not have such a mechanism.

(4) Console panel: There are two types of console panels: a back lift type 27 type and a 28 type with a message display.

Here, the back lift type console panel 27 is
A display board on which a message is fixed at a predetermined position is selectively illuminated from behind with a lamp or the like so that the message can be read.

The console panel 28 with a message display employed in this embodiment is composed of a liquid crystal display element.
It has the advantage that various messages can be displayed at any time without increasing the display area. Which console panel to adopt is determined for each copying machine, taking into consideration the complexity of the system configuration and operability of the copying machine.

(5) Addition of supply tray; This has the following typical forms. That is, this embodiment does not simply add a large capacity tray as proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-77140, but also realizes a combination of supply trays that better meets the needs of the customer. Such a combination of supply trays is also disclosed in detail in, for example, Utility Application No. 1981-081016 filed by the present applicant entitled "Multi-Throw Sheet Feeding Copying Machine."

(a) Second and third supply trays 31-2.31-
3; By adding these two supply trays, up to 3
Copy paper of various sizes can be fed to the base machine 21.

(b) Second and third supply trays 31-2.31-3
and intermediate tray 33 Here, the intermediate tray 33 is a tray that temporarily stores the copied paper when copying is performed multiple times on one side of the paper or when copying is performed alternately on two sides. be.

(C) Second and third supply trays 31-2, 31-3, intermediate tray 33, and fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4.
31-5° (d) Second and third supply trays 31-2.31-3
and an intermediate tray 33 and a large capacity tray.

Here, the high-capacity tray is a supply tray that can accommodate several dozen sheets of copy paper.

(5) A storage device for ejected copy paper.

Copy sheets are normally stored in a discharge tray 37, and this system is equipped with a 10-bin sorter 38 and a 20-bin sorter 39. Therefore, by setting one of these sorters, copies can be sorted to a maximum of 10 or 20 distribution destinations.

As mentioned above, in this copier system, the base machine 21
Since various additional devices can be selectively attached to the copying machine, it is possible to provide the copying machine that best suits the user.

Moreover, the functions of the copying machine can be improved in response to changes in the customer's business style.

For example, customers who do not need to enlarge or reduce the original to make copies, or customers who only make a small amount of copies, may use the base machine 21.
It is often appropriate to purchase separately. On the other hand, for customers who make a large number of copies or require complicated copying operations, an intermediate tray 33 or a large-capacity tray is often required. As a means of realizing these various demands, this copying machine system has a structure that allows each additional device to be easily attached and removed.
In addition, independent CPUs (central processing units) are prepared for some of the additional devices, and distributed control is performed by a plurality of CPUs. This not only has the advantage that customers can easily obtain the products they want;
The possibility of installing new additional equipment will introduce new copying possibilities to the customer, making the purchase of this copier system very attractive in terms of promoting the evolution of office processing. will be given.

(2) Example of an apparatus configuration FIG. 3 is an external view showing an example of the system configuration of a copying machine as this multicolor marking apparatus.

In the copying machine of this embodiment, the DA is mounted on the base machine 21.
DF24 is installed, and an IC is installed at the rear of the top surface.
A card device 22 is arranged.

A console panel 28 with a message display is arranged in front of the top surface of the base machine 21.

Although not shown in the figure, a manual feed tray 41 is attached to the right side of the device, and a 10-bin sorter 38 is attached to the left side. The manual feed tray 41 is for manual feeding, but it is designed so that a plurality of sheets can be set at the same time and fed sequentially.

It has already been explained that the base machine 21 is equipped with the first supply tray 31-1 as its basic configuration. In the copying machine of this embodiment, the second and third
supply trays 31-2 and 31-3 are arranged, and the fourth and fifth supply trays 31 sandwich the intermediate tray 33.
-4.31-5 is arranged. These supply trays 3
1-1 to 31-4 and the intermediate tray 33 can both be pulled out to the front, improving operability and saving space for the copying machine. In addition, a copying machine with a neat design without protruding ADF (automatic document feeder) or supply tray has been realized.

FIG. 4 shows an outline of this copying machine. A photosensitive drum 51 is arranged inside the base machine 21 . The photosensitive drum 51 is a charge corotron (charger) 5
2, so that it is uniformly charged. The photosensitive drum 51 rotates at a constant speed in the direction of an arrow 53 in the figure, and the charged drum surface is exposed at an exposure point 54. Here, a light image of a document (not shown) placed on a platen glass 55 placed on the top surface of the base machine 21 is incident on the exposure portion 54 . For this purpose, an exposure lamp 56 and a plurality of mirrors 57 and optical lenses 58 that transmit reflected light from the surface of the original illuminated by the exposure lamp 56 are arranged. It is now possible to do so.

Now, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original is formed on the photoreceptor drum 51 by the image information exposed in a slit shape at the exposure portion 54 . This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 59 to create a toner image. The toner image moves as the photosensitive drum 51 rotates and passes near a transfer corotron (transfer device) 50.

On the other hand, the copy paper 60 stored in the first supply tray 31-1 disposed in the base machine 21 or the copy paper 60 manually fed along the manual feed tray 41 is fed by the feed roll 61-1 or 63. It is sent out, guided by a transport roll 69, and passes through the photoreceptor drum 51 and transfer corotron 50. At this time, the toner image will be transferred onto the copy paper 58. The copy paper 60 after transfer is transferred to a heat roll 66
and a pressure roll 670 to be thermally fixed. Then, it passes between the transport rolls 68, 68 and is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

In addition, in this embodiment, the base machine 21 includes DADF 2
4 is installed. Therefore, it is also possible to place both sides of the original on the platen glass 55 one after another. In this case, one side of the originals stacked in the original storage section of the DADF 24 is set on the upper surface of the platen glass 55. Then, when the copying is completed, the original is reset into the original storage unit with the front and back sides reversed, and then fed onto the platen glass 55 again.

In addition, although the copying machine of this embodiment has five trays 31-2 to 31-5.33 installed under the base machine 21, it is also possible to simply arrange a cabinet for storing consumables instead. Ru. Furthermore, it is also possible to place this copying machine on a desk as a desktop copying machine with the configuration of the base machine 21 unchanged. Of course, it is also possible to attach only the second supply tray 31-2 below the first supply tray 31-1 and place the copying machine with this configuration on a desk in the same way.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the console panel of this copying machine. The details of the display control technology described below by the present applicant are disclosed in detail in "Display device" of Utility Application No. 130320/1980 and "Character display device" of Utility Application No. 61-066170. There is. For example, Jitsugan Sho 61-13032
No. 0 discloses that a copying machine is provided with a graphic display area in the form of a dot pattern, and suggests that various displays can be performed using this graphic display area. For example, in a copier that can copy parts of a document or move or delete images, an image sensor reads the image of the target area while the document is placed on a platen, and its outline etc. is displayed in a graphic display area. It has been suggested that this should be displayed on the screen, and it is said that this can prevent errors in area settings and operational errors.

A menu display board 71 indicating the type of copy mode is arranged at the upper part of the console panel 28, and the contents of each of the panel sections 74 to 79 are displayed in characters. Among these, one switch 81 and two display lamps 82 are arranged on the sorter panel 74, so that it is possible to select a sorting mode when a sorter is connected. The sorting mode includes a stack mode for stacking copy sheets in order and a collation mode for sorting copy sheets into bins of the sorter.

The next function selection panel 75 includes (1) a switch 83 for editing or correcting/confirming the image, (ii) a switch 84 for storing it in the job memory, and a (in
) Switch 85 for various other copying forms
and (iv) a switch 86 for making double-sided copies and a display lamp 82 for indicating whether or not these switches are selected. Here, (i) m-collection is a function for inputting data for editing using an editor etc., and correction/confirmation is a function for displaying input data on a liquid crystal display section (described later) and confirming it. This is a function that exchanges data. and (ii) the memory used here is a non-volatile memory consisting of random access memory backed up by a battery. Of course, other storage media such as IC cards, magnetic cards, floppy disks, etc. can also be used as nonvolatile memory. In order to reduce the burden on the operator when operating the console panel 28, this copying machine allows settings such as image density and magnification to be preset, and these preset values are stored in non-volatile memory. It is supposed to be done. (ji) When the switch 85 is pressed, text information is displayed on the display panel 79 of the console panel 28, allowing the user to select a desired function from among the functions 1, ``Other''.

The "other" functions here include, for example, (a) page continuous copying function, (b) border erase function, and (c) gutter function. Among these, (a) page continuous copying function is This is a function that divides a two-page document into two pages and copies them in sequence, such as (
The border erasing function is a function that does not copy the image information around the edges of the document, but makes it appear as if a "frame" has been set around the image information. (c) The binding margin function is a function that sets a "binding margin" at the right or left edge of a copy. The binding margin can be set to the desired length,
The numerical value can be entered from the numeric keypad 80 or displayed on the display panel 7.
9 can be selected from the values displayed at this point.

(iv) Finally, double-sided copying is a function that makes copies on both sides of copy paper. When making double-sided copies,
The copy paper 60 on which the first side has been copied is first stored in the intermediate tray 33 shown in FIG. Next, the copy paper 60 is sent out again from this intermediate tray 33, and a copy is made on the side on which no copy was made. Note that this copying machine performs two copies on one side in the case of monochromatic color copying, which will be explained next. In this case, an arrangement is made so that the front and back sides of the copy paper stored in the intermediate tray 33 are reversed from those in the case of double-sided copying.

A display lamp indicating the type (color) of the color developer is provided at the top of the monochrome color enhancement panel 76 provided below the portion where "Monochrome color enhancement" is displayed on the menu display board 71 in FIG. 87 is arranged.In this copying machine, one or more colors can be set from among the four colors of color developer such as red and blue, so the lamp corresponding to the currently set color can be set. I'm trying to make it light up.

The remaining part of the monochromatic color emphasis panel 76 includes four switches 88 to 91 and an indicator lamp 82 for indicating which of these switches 88 to 91 is set.
is located. Among these, (i) marking color switch 88 is a switch used when performing marking color.

When this switch 88 is inserted to designate an area to be marked, for example, recording is performed with a light color superimposed on that area, making it possible to obtain an effect as if marking had been performed.

(ii) The continuous shooting color composition switch 90 is used when recording one color in a predetermined area of a copy. For example, if a figure to be expressed in color is placed on the right side of the platen glass 55 (see Figure 4) and an original is placed on the left side and a copy is made, the image information of the original is copied in black, and then a single color image is printed on top of it. The shape will be drawn. At this time,
If a specified figure is formed by halftone dots, a color figure adjusted to a predetermined density by reproduction of the halftone dots is recorded in a predetermined area of copy paper. Another method is to place the name and pattern of the product on one side of the platen glass 55, and place a sheet of paper with the sale price of the product on the other side to simply display the current price.

(iii) When the partial color conversion switch 89 is selected, only the designated area is copied in one color, and the remaining area is copied in black.

On the other hand, if (iv) the single color switch 91 is selected, the original will be copied in one color.

A display lamp 82 indicating which of the 115 copy densities has been selected is displayed on the copy density panel 77 provided below the portion where "copy density" is displayed on the menu display board 71, and one of these copy densities. Shift keys 94 and 95 for selecting one are arranged. When the upper shift key 94 is pressed, density setting is performed in the direction of decreasing the copy density, and when the lower shift key 95 is pressed, the density setting is performed in the direction of increasing the copy density. The copy density can be adjusted by changing the developing bias of the developing device 59 shown in FIG. It can be adjusted by changing the amount. In this embodiment, for example, the developing bias can be adjusted in 16 steps.

An automatic density adjustment switch 9 is located below the copy density panel 77.
7 is placed. When the automatic density adjustment switch 97 is pressed, the automatic density display lamp 98 lights up to enter automatic density adjustment mode. In this automatic density adjustment mode, when the document is being scanned, the photoreceptor drum 5 is exposed to light that is reflected from the document.
A part of the light that reaches the developing device 59 is extracted by a half mirror or the like, and the potential of the developing electrode in the developing device 59 is set according to the amount of light.

The magnification/paper selection panel 78 provided below the portion where "arbitrary magnification" etc. is displayed on the menu display board 71 includes the following:
A section for setting and displaying magnification is arranged on the left side, and a section for selecting paper is arranged on the right side.

The part where the magnification is set and displayed includes a magnification display section 99.
is provided. This copying machine can arbitrarily set the magnification (linear magnification) in 1% increments from 50% to 200%, and the set magnification is displayed on a magnification display section 99. To display the magnification, shift key 101.102
There are two types of methods: a method of setting an arbitrary magnification by an operation, and a method of selecting a predetermined fixed magnification.

To set an arbitrary magnification, press shift key 101.1.
Perform operation 02. When the upper shift key 101 is pressed, the magnification increases by 1%, and when the lower shift key 102 is pressed, the magnification decreases by 1%. Shift key 101.
If you keep pressing 102, the magnification will change continuously by 1% during that time.

The fixed magnification is selected by pressing the fixed magnification key 103. The fixed magnifications are displayed on the magnification display board 104, and in this example, they are 141.4%, 86.5%, and 81.6%.
%, 70.7%. In addition, 100% as the same size
can be selected. Which magnification has been selected can be determined by which of the display lamps 82 arranged to the left of the magnification is lit.

In the area for selecting copy paper, there are eight types of display boards 105 displaying paper sizes or paper types, and a shift key 106.10 for selecting one of these.
7 is placed. On the left side of the eight types of display boards 105, a display lamp 82 is arranged to indicate which paper size or paper has been selected. In this embodiment, the following display is displayed on the display board 105.

(b) Bypass tray display; Select this when using the manual feed tray 41 (FIG. 4).

Since this type of conventional manual feed tray manually feeds sheets one by one, it is only necessary to feed the copy paper preferentially from the manual feed tray when manual feed is performed, and there is no need for the operator to select the manual feed tray itself. In contrast, the manual feed tray 41 of this embodiment can set a plurality of copy sheets at the same time. Therefore, if copy sheets are set and fed from the manual feed tray 41, there is a possibility that the feeding will start when a plurality of copy sheets are set. In order to prevent such a situation, the manual feed tray 41 is made to be selected.

(b) A3 paper display: Select this when using a tray for feeding three sizes of copy paper in the longitudinal direction.

(c) B4 paper display: Select this when using a tray for feeding B4 size copy paper in the longitudinal direction.

(d) A4 paper display: Select this when using a tray for feeding A4 size copy paper in the longitudinal direction.

(e) B5 paper display; Select this when using a tray for feeding B5 size copy paper in the longitudinal direction.

(F) A4 landscape paper display; Select this when using a tray for feeding A4 size copy paper in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

()) B5 horizontal paper display; Select this when using a tray for feeding B5 size copy paper in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

(H) Standard outer circumference paper display: Select this when using copy paper of a size other than the above.

An automatic paper/magnification selection switch 109 is arranged below the magnification/paper selection panel 78.

When this switch 109 is pressed, the automatic paper/magnification selection switch 109 is selected and a preset combination of magnification and paper size is selected. The operator can know whether a desired combination has been selected from the lighting state of the display lamp 82 on the magnification/paper selection panel 78. If it is not the desired combination, automatic paper/
By further pressing the magnification selection switch 109, the combination is changed.

On the right side of the magnification/paper selection panel 78 is a display panel 79.
is located. A pattern 111 of this copying machine and a liquid crystal display section 112 are arranged on the display panel 79. The pattern 111 is designed to indicate the selected state of the supply tray, the location where a paper jam has occurred, etc. by lighting a lamp. The liquid crystal display section 112 of this embodiment can display sentences including Chinese characters.

The example shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the copying operation can be started and that the set number of copies is one. Further, the liquid crystal display section 112 of this embodiment uses a liquid crystal for color display, so that each designated area is displayed in a designated color.

The following keys or buttons are arranged below the display panel 79.

(a) All clear button 114: This is a button for returning the copying machine to the basic state, that is, the priority mode initially set such as selection of copy paper 60.

(b) Numeric keypad 80: Used to input numerical values for setting the number of copies, specifying the diagnosis content when diagnosing the copying machine, etc.

(c) Interrupt button 115: Used when continuous copying is in progress and it is necessary to make another emergency copy. It is also used to cancel the interrupt to return to the original copying operation when the interrupt processing is completed.

(d) Stop clear button 116: Acts as a clear button when stopping the copying process midway, when setting the number of copies per copy, and when setting the bins of the sorter.

(E) Start button 117; This is the key to start the copying process.

(to) Selection key 118: This is a key for moving the cursor to the displayed message, that is, a cursor key.

(g) Setting key 119: This is a key (return key) for setting the location specified by the cursor.

As explained above, the console panel of this embodiment is arranged so that the area for basic operations such as paper selection and copy density settings is completely separated from the area for advanced operations such as function selection and monochromatic color enhancement. . In addition, by displaying sentences containing kanji and kana on the liquid crystal display section 112 to assist in advanced operations, the occurrence of mistakes in panel operations is reduced as much as possible.

(3) Circuit configuration of the apparatus FIG. 6 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of this copying machine (FIG. 2).

As shown in the figure, a distributed CPU architecture using serial communication centered around the main CPU 121 is adopted. This is to enable optimal placement of the controller and provide optimal cost performance. Furthermore, from the perspective of product development for copying machines, modular design can be expected to shorten and improve the efficiency of software development, simplify wiring harnesses, lower costs, and facilitate troubleshooting.

In addition, processing efficiency increases due to the decentralization of processing by multiple CPUs, so for example, complex and high-speed processing may be required by using an inexpensive 8-bit CPU instead of an expensive 16-bit CPU. It becomes possible to process various programs.

Furthermore, such decentralization of processing facilitates model expansion. That is, even when developing a new input/output device or the like, it may not be necessary to modify the program on the main body side (main CPU side), and even if changes are necessary, they can be kept to a minimum.

Also, if you look at the printed circuit board on the main body side, CPLI
This distribution eliminates the need for unnecessary I10 ports and program storage. Therefore, the cost of the printed circuit board can be reduced, and the degree of freedom in the arrangement space can be improved.

This copying machine is the main CPU in the pace machine 21.
<Central processing unit) 121 and Interimage lamp C
The base machine 21 is controlled by the PU 122. Here, the inter-image lamp CPU 122 is a CPU that exclusively controls the inter-image lamp.

The interimage lamp refers to the photoreceptor drum 5 after exposure.
It is used to irradiate light onto the surface of the electrostatic latent image 1. to erase a portion of the electrostatic latent image before development. Conventionally, for example, 85
When copying a size original at the same size, light is irradiated onto an area other than 85 size on a photosensitive drum 51 to prevent toner images from being wasted outside the area. The copying machine of this embodiment has a function of editing images, etc., as will be explained later. Therefore, it may be necessary to limit the formation of an electrostatic latent image to, for example, a predetermined rectangular or polygonal area, and in order to perform such processing, it may be necessary to partially delete the electrostatic latent image. do. Interimage lamps are also used for this purpose. In this way, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the inter-image lamp is used in a more highly controlled manner than in the past.
In addition to 21, we decided to use an independent CPU.

Xerox is one of the manufacturers that has introduced such a distributed processing system as a control method for copying machines. and related cited documents are disclosed in detail.

However, the communication method adopted in the present invention is not the "Ethernet method" aimed at high-speed processing adopted in the above-mentioned publication, but a 4800 baud current loop method, which achieves the same effect. There is.

In addition, the applicant has developed a CPU 12 for inter-image lamps.
Regarding 2, "Image copying device" of Utility Application No. 152591-1983 and Japanese Patent Application No. 1988-152591
It is disclosed in detail in ``Image erasing device for copying machine'' in No. 023392.

In addition to the above, the copying machine of this embodiment is provided with the following CPLIs, which are connected to communication lines 123 and 124. The main CPU 121 also plays a role of controlling these CPUs and the inter-image lamp CPU 122.

(a) CPU 125 for document feeding; The CPU 125 for document feeding is the DADF shown in FIG.
This is a CPU that performs control of 24.

When ADF23 (FIG. 2) is used instead of DADF24, the CPU provided in ADF23 will be connected to communication lines 123 and 124.

(b) The sorter CPU l 26 is a CPU placed in the 10-pin sorter 38. 20 bin sorter 39
A dedicated CPU is also installed. Main CPU21
will know which sorter 38, 39 is connected and will control sorting accordingly.

(C) Display CPU 127; The display CPU 127 is used to display various information in kanji on the liquid crystal display section 112 attached to the console panel 28, and to display an area for editing. It is a CPU. In the case of the backlit type 27 console panel 27 (FIG. 2), there is no need to perform complicated display control, so a dedicated CPU is not used.

Note that when the liquid crystal display section 112 is not used, designation of a figure for editing, etc. is performed using a numeric keypad.

(d) Tray control CPU 128; The tray control CPU 128 controls the fourth and fifth supply trays 31- of the trays added to the base machine 21.
4.31-5, a CPU for controlling the large capacity tray and the intermediate tray 33.

This CPU is arranged at the rear side of the tray cabinet that accommodates each tray, and performs these controls according to the trays to be connected.

Among these trays, the intermediate tray 33 is independently equipped with a motor for conveying copy paper, and the copy paper stored in this tray requires complicated control such that the storage position differs depending on the size of the copy paper.

The manner in which each tray is controlled by the tray control CPU 128 is as follows.

(i) Control of both or one of the fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4, 31-5 and the intermediate tray 33.

(ii) Control of large capacity tray and intermediate tray 33.

(iii) Independent control of the intermediate tray 33.

(iv) Control of only one or both of the fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4 and 31-5.

(v) Independent control of large capacity trays.

(E) Card CPU 129; The card CPU 129 is a part that performs reading and writing when the IC card 131 is used for specifying the coordinates of a document. Further, although the card CPU 129 is not used in this embodiment, it can also control the editor pad 132. The editor pad 132 is used for inputting coordinates, and will be explained in detail later.

FIG. 7 shows in more detail the circuit configuration centered around the main CPU which plays a central role in the multicolor marking apparatus of this embodiment.

It should be noted that Xerox's SIKANDARSHEIKH explained that copying machines can be controlled by a control device such as a CPU or a so-called microcomputer.
IEEE paper rA Programmable by
eDigital Control System f
or Copying Machines J+[Eε
εTrans, Con, Vol lECl-21,
No. 1, Feb. 1974 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-6
It is well known from papers and publications starting with No. 2644 [Electrophotographic Copying Method and Apparatus Therefor]. Other CPU
Like the main CPU, the module is also a one-chip CPU.
SROM.

Needless to say, it has a configuration consisting of RAM, Ilo, etc.

(a) The main CPL 1121 is connected to the following sections through serial communication lines 123 and 124, as partially explained in FIG.

(i) DADF 24° (ii) Sorter 38° (iii) Liquid crystal display section 112° (iv) Editor pad 132° (V) Interimage lamp controller 157° (vi) Fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4. 31-5,
Tray control unit 133° (b) that controls the intermediate tray 33, etc. The main CPU 121 also has a built-in A/D converter, and is connected to the following units through an analog data line 134. For such a CPU,
For example, NEC Corporation's μPD7810CW, μPD
Examples include 8-bit one-chip CPUs such as 7811CW and Fujitsu's MB89713X.

(i) Light amount sensor 135: This is a sensor used to detect and control the amount of light from the exposure lamp 56 (FIG. 4).

(ii) Temperature sensor group 136; sensors such as a soft touch sensor for controlling fixing temperature, which will be described later.

(iii) Paper size sensor group 137; supply tray 3
This is a sensor that detects the size of paper stored in the first category. According to the system configuration of the copying machine of this embodiment, copy paper 60 can be sent out from a maximum of five types of trays. Therefore, one supply tray has four
If one sensor is arranged and digital data is used for this processing, it will be necessary to send 4-bit digital data from one tray to the main CPU 121, resulting in a maximum of 20 impedance sensors in total. ) not only requires a port, but also increases the number of connectors and cables that make up the harness. This is undesirable from the viewpoints of cost, miniaturization, and reliability.

Therefore, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the state specified by the states of the four sensors for each tray is sent out as analog data. The main CPU 121 side converts the sent analog data into digital data and outputs the copy paper 6 stored in each tray.
Up to 16 types of 0 sizes are to be determined.

(C) Furthermore, main CPL] 121 is a reset circuit 138
In addition to being reset at runaway or initialization, it is also connected to the following parts via a pass line 121A.

(i) Keyboard/display LSI (large scale 11f
Circuit) 121B: A circuit that mediates data with the console panel 28.

(n) Timer/counter LS1121C: This is a circuit that controls the driving of the main motor 164 and carriage motor 171.

(iii) ROM 121D; This is a read-only memory having a capacity of 56 bytes and storing various control programs.

(iv) RA'MI 21E; Random access memory for temporary data storage with a capacity of 6 to 6 bytes. The ROM 121E is connected to the non-volatile memory (NVM) 121F described above, so that necessary data can be stored even when the power of the copying machine is turned off.

Here, the necessary data stored in the non-volatile memory IJ (NVM) 121F includes, for example, (a) a setup value for adjusting the registration of the copy paper 60, and (b) an intermediate image which will be explained in detail later. Erasing the leading edge of the image using a lamp, (C) Fine adjustment values for the vertical and horizontal magnification when the copy magnification is set to 1x, (d) Binding when copying with a blank space for binding. Data for understanding the usage status of the copying machine, such as adjustment values of each parameter performed on the production line of the copying machine, such as substitute quantities, and (e) actual usage values of the feed counters of each supply tray 31, etc. etc. can be mentioned.

(v) First I10 controller 1210: This is an input/output controller that inputs various data via the filter circuit 121H and drives various parts via the driver circuit 121■. Here, various switches and sensors are connected to the filter circuit 121H, for example. Further, the driver circuit 1211 is connected to a solenoid such as a developer solenoid, which will be described later, and a clutch 233, which will also be described later, in the supply trays 31-1 to 31-5.

(vi) Second I10 controller 121J; This is an input/output controller that inputs various data via the filter circuit 121K and drives various components via the driver circuit 121L. Here, various switches and sensors are connected to the filter circuit 121K, for example. The driver circuit 121L is equipped with a well-known D/A (analog-digital) converter and a PWM (pulse width converter), and according to the processing of the program, it can set the developing bias of the developing device 59, which will be explained later, and the charge corotron. The current value such as 52 is set.

(4) Specific circuit configuration of the copying machine Next, the circuit configuration of the copying machine of this embodiment will be explained in more detail using FIGS. 8 to 13.

(4-1) Surroundings of Photoreceptor Drum FIG. 8 shows the surroundings of photoreceptor drum 51. As shown in FIG.

A charge corotron 52 is arranged around the photoreceptor drum 51.
, Interimage lamp 14L, 4 types of sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4, main ring (111ft 59M, transfer corotron 50, pig corotron 147
, pre-clean corotron 148, cleaning device 1
49 and the erase lamp 155 for static elimination are arranged in this order. Here, the first sub-developing device 59S1 is a developing device that performs development with red toner, and the second sub-developing device 59S2 is a developing device that performs development with blue toner. The third sub-developing device 59S3 is a developing device that performs development with green toner, and the fourth sub-developing device 59S4
is a developing device that performs development using brown toner.

Interimage lamps 141 are 12 arranged in a row.
It consists of eight light emitting diodes and one plastic lens placed in front of them in parallel with the light emitting diodes. The plastic lens (not shown) has an aspherical convex portion at a position corresponding to each light emitting diode, and even when adjacent portions of the light emitting diodes emit light, the plastic lens (not shown) remains on the photoreceptor drum 51. Care has been taken to prevent the light from becoming uneven in intensity in the boundary areas. Also, the focus of the plastic lens is on the photosensitive drum 51.
The upper part is moderately blurred. For this reason, even if, for example, triangular shape processing (extraction or deletion of a shape) is performed using the inter-image lamp 141, the difference in level that occurs for each unit of light emitting diode at the boundary of the processing is considerably reduced. will be done.

The inter-image lamp controller 157 performs on/off control of the light emitting diodes of the inter-image lamp 141, which are divided into 128 segments. The cleaning device 149 includes a doctor blade 150 and is configured to scrape off the toner that has been neutralized by the pre-clean corotron 148 from the photoreceptor drum 51.

By the way, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the doctor blade 15
0 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 51, the main motor 164 starts to be driven 0.2 seconds later. Furthermore, even when the main motor 164 stops, the doctor blade 150 does not immediately separate from the photoreceptor drum 51, but instead separates after 5 seconds have passed. This is because the toner is scattered due to the suction action of the vacuum.
This is a device to prevent situations such as contamination of the inside of the copying machine.

Each of the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 includes the following parts.

(a) Color sensor: This is a sensor for determining which developing device uses which color developer is set in each of the sub developing devices 59S1 to 59S4. Even if the sub-developing device 59S is configured with a combination of red, blue, green, and other chemicals than those described above, the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59 are controlled by this sensor.
The color type can be detected every S4. The detection output is manually inputted to the developer color detection circuit 230 and transmitted to the main board 230.

(b) Toner sensor; This is a sensor for determining whether or not toner needs to be replenished.

(c) Dispensmoke: This is a motor for stirring and replenishing the toner in the toner box.

The main developing device 59M is for performing black development, and includes a toner sensor and a dispense motor. The increase switch 159 is a switch that the operator presses when he wants to increase the amount of toner. When the increase switch 159 is pressed while one of the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 is selected, the amount of toner in the corresponding sub-developing device is increased. When the main developing device 59M is pressed while being selected, the amount of black toner is increased.

The developer (developing device) selection/solenoid 161 has a total of 5 main developing devices 59M and sub developing devices 59S1 to 59S4.
This is a solenoid for selectively switching between two developing devices. This switching operation will be explained in the next section.

A high-voltage power supply device (HVPS) 162 is used to create a parallel electric field inside the main and sub-developing devices 59M and 59S1 to 59S4 to improve the reproducibility of the solid part of the original (the solid black part). . The full toner sensor 163 is a sensor that detects whether or not enough toner has been collected in the toner collection container. The main motor 164 drives the photosensitive drum 51 . It is used to drive the conveyance system from the time of alignment (registration) of the conveyance timing of the heat roll 66 or the copy paper 60 to the time of discharge.

(4-2) Developing Device Switching Mechanism FIG. 9 is a waveform chart showing switching timing between the main developing device and the sub developing device in this embodiment. This figure shows an example in which the first sub-developing device 59S1 performs red color development, and the second time, the main development device performs monochrome development. Copy machine start button 1
17 (Figure 5) is pressed to start the copying process,
As shown in figure a, from time t1 the main motor 1
64 is driven. The main motor 164 is continuously driven until time t when the copying operation is completed in both of the two developing devices 59S1 and 59M.

The figure shows the drive timing of the development selection solenoid 161. Depe selection solenoid 161
is excited until the red copying operation by the first sub-developing device 59S1 is completed.

In this device, the lever is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of a clutch (not shown) by energizing the development selection solenoid 161 (7). The clutch receives driving force from the main motor 164, and starts rotation of five sets of cams (not shown) each having one protrusion that is offset by 72 degrees.

One of these protrusions is the first sub-developing device 59
When installed in S1, this causes the first sub-developing device 5 to
9S1 is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 51. At this time, the protruding portions of the remaining cams are at the farthest positions from the main developing device 59M and the other sub developing devices 59S2 to 59S4, and in this state, the main developing device 59M and the other sub developing devices 59S2 to 59S4 are connected to the photosensitive drums. It is located far away from 51.

Projections are arranged at five locations on the circumferential surface of the clutch, and when the lever abuts against the corresponding projection, the corresponding projection of one cam is most strongly pressed against the first sub-developing device 59S1. do. Then, development is performed at this position using the corresponding red color toner. However, in this device, the main developing device 59M is arranged close to the photosensitive drum 51 in the initial state, so the development of colors such as red occurs at time t1.
Instead of starting immediately, the operation waits for one second. At this time, the above-mentioned cam is used as the first sub-developing device 59S1 (instead of the main developing device 59M).
Alternatively, other sub-developing devices 59S2 to 59S4) are set on the photosensitive drum 51.

When the copying operation by the first sub-developing device 59S1 is completed, the five cams mentioned above move for one second from time t2, and when the protrusion of the monochrome cam is positioned by the lever, the main developing device 59M is set on the photosensitive drum 51. After this, monochrome development will be performed.

Note that the above is a case where marking is performed with one color, red, but when marking is performed with multiple colors, the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 are used in a predetermined order.
Applicable ones are selected in order, and monochrome development is performed after these are completed.

In contrast, FIG. 10 shows, for reference, a case in which monochrome development is first performed and red color development is performed later. Figure a shows the operation of the main motor 164.
The diagram also shows the operation of the development selection solenoid 161. In the case of FIG. 10, development is first performed by the main developing device 59M, so there is no need to wait for one second at this point. However, once the monochrome development is completed as the second development, it is necessary to take one second to set the main development device 59M relative to the photosensitive drum 51 again.

(4-3) Optical system Next, the relationship between the optical systems will be explained using FIG. 11.

A carriage (not shown) on which lenses, mirrors, etc. are arranged is reciprocated by a carriage motor 171. This carriage motor 171 is constituted by a step motor. Position control when the carriage returns to the home position is performed by the registration sensor 172.

The registration sensor 172 is also used for timing the optical system and the conveyance of the copy paper 60.

That is, an actuator for blocking the transmission of light is disposed on the carriage, and when the carriage moves, the registration sensor 172 detects the temporary blocking of the light beam due to the light blocking by this actuator.

This detection signal is used to determine the position or timing for performing registration, or to determine the home position when the carriage returns.

The density control sensor 173 is a sensor that controls the copy density of the original. As described above, the copying machine of this embodiment controls the copy density by simultaneously adjusting the amount of charge applied to the photosensitive drum 51, the amount of image exposure, and the bias of the developing electrode.

The lens/mirror sensor 174 is a sensor that controls the movement of the optical lens 58, mirror 57 (Fig. 4), etc.
It is composed of one detection element.

The lens/mirror motor 175 has also been changed from a conventional copying machine in which the lens 64, mirror 57, etc. are driven separately to a type in which they can be driven in common.

The exposure lamp 56 has been described above. Optical system fan 1
77 is a fan for cooling the optical system and removing heat from the platen glass 55. The document sensor 178 is a sensor provided to detect the size of the document.

(4-4) Fixing Device Next, the relationship of the fixing device will be explained. The fixing device is the first
This is shown in Figure 2.

The base machine 21 of this embodiment has a main fuser lamp 181 and a sub-fuuser lamp 1 in the heat roll 66.
Two types of fuser lamps, 82 and 82, are arranged. The sub-fuser lamp 182 is shorter than the main fuser lamp 181, and is arranged at a position slightly offset from one end of the main fuser lamp 181. In the copying machine of this embodiment, the copy paper 60 is positioned along one side of the platen glass 55, which is a so-called corner register.
Since a corner registration (corner registration) method is adopted, the required amount of thermal energy in the axial direction of the heat roll 66 varies depending on the size of the copy paper 60 used. In order to correct the resulting deviation in temperature distribution in the axial direction, the sub fuser lamp 182 is controlled to be energized according to the size of the copy paper 60.

By employing the sub fuser lamp 182, it is possible to sufficiently prevent temperature fluctuations in the fixing device.

The fixing device includes a user exit sensor 184 and an S/T-3.
(soft touch sensor) 185 are both connected. Here, the 7 user output sensor 184 detects whether the copy paper that has passed between the heat roll 66 and the pressure roll 67 is ejected onto the paper ejection tray without being accidentally caught in both rolls 66 and 67. It is for.

5-T-3165 is the temperature sensor for fuser lamp 181.182.

(4-5) Control of the console Next, referring back to FIG. 11, the control relationship of the console will be explained.

The console control unit 191 includes a message ROM 192 for displaying messages in Chinese characters.

Additionally, a league writer 194 for reading and writing the IC card 131 (FIG. 6) and connecting the editor pad 132 (FIG. 6) can be connected via the interface port 193 in the console control unit 191. There is. As already explained, this reader/writer 194 is controlled by the card CPU 129 (FIG. 6). The console control section 191 is connected to the main board 201. The main board 201 has the main CP described above.
It is equipped with U121.

(4-6) Pilling Counter Next, the pilling counter used for collecting copying fees will be explained with reference to FIG.

Since the base machine 21 of this embodiment can make copies in five colors, it is equipped with two types of pilling counters. Among these, the main pilling counter 211 is black and white,
To count the number of copies made regardless of color. The count value of the main pilling counter 211 is also used as data for counting control when an accessory 212 such as a coin kit or key counter is attached to the copying machine. The sub-pilling counter 213 is used to count the total number of colors used in each copy when color copies are made.

(4-7) Power supply Next, the power supply relationship will be explained with reference to FIG. 12.

The base machine 21 is connected to a 100V (volt) commercial power source. Also 115V60 for overseas use
It is also compatible with Hz and 220V50Hz power supplies. The power supplied from the outlet 221 is 15
It reaches the main switch 224 via an ampere circuit breaker 222 and a noise filter 223. The output side of the main switch 224 is connected to an AC driver 226 and a fixing control element 22 via an interlock switch 225.
7 and a DC power supply 228 as power. Furthermore, the power is also supplied to the DADF 24 and the intermediate tray 33.

The AC driver 226 supplies power to the following components at predetermined timings.

(a) Erase lamp 155 for static elimination (81st ffl) (
b) Exposure lamp 56 and optical system fan 177 (first
(Fig. 1) (c) Main fuser lamp 181 and sub-fuser lamp 182 (Fig. 12) The DC power supply 228 supplies power to the following components at predetermined timings.

(B) Interlock switch 225 (Figure 12) (B) AC driver 226 (Figure 12) (C) High voltage power supply device 162 (Figure 8) (D) Sorter 38 (Figure 12) (E) User Exit sensor 184 (FIG. 12) (F) Fixing control element 227 (FIG. 12) (G) Accessory 21
2 (FIG. 12): Here, the accessories include, for example, a coin kit that allows copies to be made using coins, and key counters and key coders for managing copies in each department.

(H) Main pilling counter 211 and sub-pilling counter 213 (Figure 12) (S) X-boat fan 192 (Figure 12); This is a vacuum fan for suction.

(nu) Interimage lamp controller 157 (
(Fig. 8) (l) Carriage motor 171 (Fig. 11) (w) Registration sensor 172, density control sensor 173, lens/mirror/
Sensor 174 and lens/mirror/motor 175 (Fig. 11) (W) Original sensor 178 (Fig. 11) (Force) Increase switch 159, sub-developing device 59
31 to 59S4 and the toner empty detection sensor of the main developing device 59M, and the development selection solenoid 161 (
(FIG. 8) (Y) Main board 201 (FIG. 8, etc.) (4-8) Conveyance system Next, the copy paper conveyance system will be explained using FIG. 13.

The first to fifth supply trays 31-1 to 31-5 are each provided with a no-paper sensor 23L size sensor 232 and a clutch 233. Here, the no-paper sensor 231 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of copy paper in the supply trays 31-1 to 31-5. This copier can load copy paper of the same size into multiple supply trays, and in this case, when one supply tray runs out of copy paper, the same size copy paper is automatically loaded from the other supply trays. It is now possible to send it to The size sensor 232 is a sensor for determining the size of copy paper stored in the tray.

Further, the clutch 233 is connected to each of the feed rolls 61-
1, 61-2, . . . for on/off control.

Copy paper is fed by a dedicated feed motor 2.
It is done by 35. A step motor is used as the feed motor 235. A feed sensor 236 detects whether copy paper is being fed normally. The gate solenoid 237 is a registration solenoid for aligning the leading edge of the copy paper once sent out. This gate solenoid 23
7 is different from a normal solenoid of this type, and performs control such that when energized, the gate opens to allow copy paper to pass through.

That is, in a standby state where copy paper does not arrive, power is not supplied to the gate solenoid 237 and the gate remains open. Just before the copy paper arrives, gate solenoid 237 is energized and the gate closes to prevent passage. Then, when the conveyance of the copy paper is resumed at a predetermined timing, the energization is stopped and the gate is opened. By performing such control, there will be less fluctuation in the gate position when the leading edge of the copy paper is blocked from passing, and even if the copy paper is pressed against the gate with a relatively strong force, its position will be maintained. Can be done accurately.

The manual feed switching solenoid 238 is connected to the first feed tray 31
This is a solenoid for switching the drive between the conveyance roller for the copy paper sent out from the manual feed tray 41 and the conveyance roller for the copy paper fed manually from the manual feed tray 41. The manual tray sensor 239 is connected to the manual tray 41
This sensor is used to detect the presence or absence of copy paper when sending multiple sheets of copy paper. Tray interlock 2
Reference numeral 41 denotes an interlock switch attached to a mechanism that is opened and closed to remove a copy paper jam when it occurs. The tray path sensor 242 is a sensor that detects the copy paper 60 sent from the second and third supply trays 31-2.31-3. It is placed near the joint.

(4-9) DADF The DADF 24 will be specifically explained with reference to FIG.

DADF24it base machine 21 platen glass 5
It is installed on top of 5. The DADF 24 is equipped with a document tray 252 on which a document 251 is placed. The originals 251 are stacked on the original tray 252 with the first side to be copied facing downward.

A tart pad 254 and a feed paddle 255 are arranged on the document feed side of the document tray 252, and the documents 251 are fed one by one by these. The sent out document 251 is moved by a driving roller 256 and a driven roller 25.
7, passes through the S-shaped conveyance section 258 and is pressed against a branch guide 261 arranged at a position where this S-shaped conveyance section 258 and the vertical conveyance section 259 intersect. Branch guide 26
1 is thereby released, and the original 251 is transferred to the reversing conveyance section 26.
It is transported to the second side.

When the rear end of the document 251 passes through the branch guide 261, the branch guide 261 is closed toward the S-shaped conveyance section 258 by the action of a spring (not shown).

At this time, passage of the original 251 is detected by a sensor (not shown) arranged near the branch guide 261. The output of this detection signal causes the document reversing drive roller 264 to rotate in the reverse direction. As a result, the conveyance direction of the document 251 is reversed, and the conveyance direction is changed to a direction substantially perpendicular to the platen glass 55.

Thereafter, the original 251 is conveyed while being positioned by the oblique slip paddle 265 with one side of the original 251 abutting against a side positioning guide (not shown). Then, it is transported to a correct position on the platen glass 55 by the endless transport belt 266. In this way, the copying operation for the first side of the original 251 is performed.

After the exposure of the first side is completed, the original 251 is transported in the direction of arrow 267 by the endless transport belt 266. By the action of the exit side guide 268, if only this first side is to be copied, the vertical conveyance 826
9 is selected, and the original 251 is stored in the original receiving section 271.

On the other hand, if a copy is to be made on the second side opposite to the first side, the horizontal conveyance section 272 is selected. The document 251 sent to the horizontal conveyance section 272 is conveyed in the direction opposite to the arrow 267 by the conveyance roller 273, and is transferred to the S-shaped conveyance section 2 by the driving roller 256 and the driven roller 257.
58 is transported. At this time, the lower surface of the document 251 is the second surface, which is opposite to when it was stored in the document tray 252. Therefore, in a state in which the document 251 is fed onto the platen glass 55 using the same conveyance procedure as described above, a copying operation is performed on the second side.

After the exposure of the second side is completed, the original 251 is moved to the exit side guide 268.
The document is sent to the vertical conveyance section 269 by the action of the document receiver!
It will be discharged to fB271.

(4-10) Sorter The 10-bin sorter 38 will be specifically explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15 shows the appearance of the sorter.

The 10-bin sorter 38 is configured such that the 10 bins 281 can be moved up and down as one unit. The sorter main body 282 includes a drive source (bin motor) for performing this lifting and a 1
A cam and a cam switch for controlling the movement position of each bin, and a down limit switch (both not shown) for detecting that the bin 281 has reached the lower limit position are arranged.

The copy paper 60 is transported by conveyor rolls 68 and 68 shown in FIG.
It advances in the direction of arrow 284 and is fed into the sorter main body 282. Then, at that point, it is discharged to the bin facing the conveyance path. Note that depending on the sorter, the discharge path may be switched by not raising and lowering the bins 281 but by raising and lowering the sorter body 282 instead.

Mode selection for the sorter 38 is performed by operating a sorter panel 74 shown in FIG.

(4-11) Intermediate tray Next, the intermediate tray 33 will be explained.

FIG. 16 shows a conveyance system centered on the intermediate tray 33.

The copy paper 60 that has been thermally fixed by the heat roll 66 in the base machine 21 is controlled by a duplex gate solenoid 351 also placed in the base machine 21 to output it to the output tray side or feed it to the intermediate tray 33 side. be exposed. A first duplex path sensor 352 is located on the base machine 21 side, and a second duplex path sensor 353 is located on the second supply tray 31-
Paper jams are detected for the copy paper 60 before it reaches the intermediate tray 33.

By the way, the intermediate tray 33 does not have a feed roll for feeding the leading edge of the copy paper 60 to the leading edge of the tray. Depending on the size of the copy paper 60 sent there, it is conveyed to a desired position and "dropped" into the tray.
3 duplex solenoid gates for 35
5 to 357 are arranged. These duplex solenoid gates 355 to 357 are configured to selectively operate the solenoids depending on the size of the paper to be fed, thereby opening and closing the corresponding gates. The skinny roll solenoid gate 358 controls one corner of the leading edge of this "falling" copy paper 60 to hit the leading corner of the intermediate tray 33, and separates each sheet of the copy paper 60 that is fed. This is a gate that aligns the tips. Each time this operation is completed for one sheet, the main pilling counter 21
A count up of 1 is performed.

As already explained, the intermediate tray 33 has tray control C.
It is controlled by the PU 128, and the copy paper is conveyed under the control of the duplex motor 361 (FIG. 8). The duplex/no paper sensor 362 detects the copy paper 6 in this intermediate tray 33.
This is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of 0. Duplex feed clutch 363 is a mechanism for performing on/off control of a drive source for feeding copy paper 60.

The inverter gate solenoid 364 is a solenoid that switches between making double-sided copies, marking the same side in multiple colors, and making composite copies. That is, when the inverter gate solenoid 364 is positioned in the direction shown in FIG. After falling, it is then transported upward by transport rolls 367 and 368. And the inverter
The conveyance direction is changed to the right in the figure before the gate solenoid 364, and the paper is stored upside down in the intermediate tray 33. If conveyance is restarted in this state, a double-sided copy will be made.

In contrast, the copy paper 60 that has been conveyed downward
When the transport direction is changed to the right in the figure before the inverter gate solenoid 364, the paper is stored with the original front side facing upward again. If conveyance is resumed in this latter state, a copy will be made again on the same side. Generally, when marking is performed in N types of colors, one sheet of copy paper 60 is stored in the N-port intermediate tray 33, and then developed in monochrome and then discharged.

The duplex feed sensor 369 is a sensor for detecting whether copy paper fed from the intermediate tray 33 is jammed.

(4-12) Editor Pad The editor pad 132 will be specifically explained with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

Of these, FIG. 17 shows the system configuration of a copying machine equipped with an editor pad. That is, in the configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG. 3 as an embodiment of the present invention, the DA
Since the DF 24 is mounted on the platen glass 55, the editor pad-equipped platen 26 cannot be mounted on top of the platen glass 55.

In the copying machine shown in FIG. 17, the first supply tray 31-
A platen 26 with an editor pad is attached to the upper part of a base machine 21 equipped with an editor 1. The square part in the figure is the editor pad 132. Note that this copying machine is equipped with a backlit type console panel.

Furthermore, a cabinet 401 in which only the second and third supply trays 31-2 and 31-3 are accommodated is arranged below the base machine 21. The base machine 21 is not equipped with a sorter, but is equipped with a discharge tray 37 for storing copy sheets to be discharged.

Please refer to FIG. 2 above for the general configuration of a copying machine. Note that editor pad 1
The reference numeral 32 is very convenient for inputting coordinates, and can be used alone in a copying machine configured as in this embodiment shown in FIG.

In this case, the editor pad 132 may be placed on a desk or the like and connected directly to the IC card device 22 (see FIG. 3) using a code, or the coordinate data may be written on the IC card 131 and then transferred to the IC card device. It will be used by attaching it to 22.

FIG. 18 shows the configuration of the editor pad. Editor pad 132 is 307 mm long and 432 m wide.
A rectangular coordinate input pad 405 of m is provided. An area with a width of IQmm on the near side of this pad serves as an editor panel 406, which will be described next. Editor panel 40
6, the editor pad 132 includes a first rubber pad on which a resistance line that specifies a position on the It has a structure in which the pressure is applied by an operator's finger or a pointed pen, etc., and the position where pressure is applied can be detected as a value on the XSY coordinates. A display panel 407 for displaying various information is arranged in front of the editor panel 406. In addition, a board for processing coordinate data and a board 408 for an interface circuit are disposed at the inner rear part of the editor pad 132.

FIG. 19 shows the main parts of the editor panel and display panel described in FIG. 18. The following buttons are arranged on the editor panel 406.

(a) Special function button 411; This button is used when using special functions.

(b) Dimension scaling button 412: These are 5 buttons used to specify a distance and a reduction ratio.

(c) Extract button 413; This button is for extracting a specified area, and is used for monochrome (black and white) recording.

(d) Delete button 414; This button is for deleting a specified area, and is also used for monochrome (black and white) recording.

(E) Quick-shot color composition button 415: This is a function button used to specify the continuous-shot color composition function.

Marking color button 416: This is a function button used to specify the marking color function.

(g) Partial color conversion button 417; This button is used to specify the function of partial color conversion. (h) Color inversion button 418; This button is used to change a color specified area to black or to convert a black area specified to color. A continuous shooting color composition button 415, a marking color button 416, a partial color conversion button 417, and a color inversion button 418 are function buttons for color recording.

(2) Designation method button 419; This button is used to select whether to designate an area using the coordinate values of two points at both ends of the diagonal of a rectangle or the coordinate values of each point of a polygon.

(nu) Area/color specification button 421; This button is used when setting the area.

(l) Area clear button 422: This button is used to cancel the area designation.

(w) Setting end button 423: This button is used when the designation of one or more areas is completed.

Display lamps 425 are attached to portions of the display panel 407 corresponding to the first eight buttons 411 to 418, respectively, to indicate whether or not those buttons are selected. Regarding the specification method button 419, depending on the specification method, a diagonal specification lamp 426 or a polygon specification lamp 4 is selected.
27 is lit.

(W) Normal marking button 431: This is a button for specifying a normal marking mode that uniformly marks the area. For example, the rectangular area 17 shown in FIG.
This is the marking of A117B.

<Force) Frame marking button 432: This is a button used when marking a frame-shaped area 17H surrounding a specific area, for example, as shown in FIG. 56.

(Y) Line marking button 433: This button is used to set and mark a thick underlined area 171, as shown in FIG. 56, for example.

(i) Color designation buttons 434 to 437: Since the marking color can be set independently for each area, these buttons are used to designate the color in relation to the area to be marked. Here, the color designation button 434 designates red, and the color designation button 435 designates blue. The color designation button 436 is used to designate green, and the color designation button 437 is used to designate brown. As already explained, the multicolor marking device of this embodiment can also be equipped with a developing device of other colors, and in this case,
The top covers covering the surfaces of the color designation buttons 434 to 437 will be replaced with those for that color. Display lamps 438 are arranged in each of the marking-dedicated buttons 431 to 437 described in (W) to (E), and which lamp is selected is displayed.

(4-13) Large-capacity tray By the way, a large-capacity tray 471 can be set in this copying machine instead of the fourth and fifth supply trays 31-4 and 31-5. Although the configuration is different from that of this embodiment, this will also be briefly explained.

FIG. 20 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of this large capacity tray.

1,000 to 2,000 sheets of copy paper can be set on the large-capacity tray 471 at one time, and a large number of copies can be made without interruption.

The large capacity tray 471 is equipped with the following circuit components. The large capacity tray 471 receives AC power from the output side of the noise filter 223 shown in FIG. 8, and also receives DC power from the DC power supply 228 via the main board 201 shown in FIG. These circuit components are operated based on the following information.

(a) Stop sensor 472: This is a sensor for detecting the lower limit of the large capacity tray 471 equipped with an elevator mechanism for raising and lowering the copy paper 60.

(b) Interlock switch 473; Large capacity tray 4
This is an interlock switch for detecting opening/closing of the front panel of 71.

(c) No paper sensor 474: This is a sensor for detecting when the stored copy paper 60 is running low.

(2) Size sensor 475: This is a sensor for determining the size of the coffee paper 60.

(E) Large-capacity tray motor 476; This is a motor for driving the elevator mechanism of the large-capacity tray 471° and raising and lowering the storage portion of the copy paper 60.

(f) Set sensor 477: This is a sensor for detecting the upper limit position of the large capacity tray 471 equipped with the elevator mechanism described above.

(g) Large capacity tray clutch 478; copy paper 60
This is a clutch for controlling the delivery of the

(H) Feed sensor 479: This is a sensor for detecting a paper jam in the copy paper 60 fed out from the large capacity tray 471.

(5) Marking color processing Next, the principle of the marking color of the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 21 shows a sheet of paper that has been subjected to marking color processing. In the marking color processing performed by the copying machine of this embodiment, as shown in this figure, a specific area (
In this example, a rectangular area) 503 is colored. The intensity of this coloring can be adjusted. The same applies to the density of image information 502. These copy density adjustments will be explained in detail later.

The color used for marking is the color shown where the display lamp 87 placed at the top of the monochromatic color emphasis panel 76 (FIG. 5) is lit.

In the case of this embodiment, one color can be selected for each area as the marking color from among the four colors red, blue, green, and brown. An example of marking color processing has already been described with reference to FIGS. 53 to 56, and next, an example in which multicolor marking is performed will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23.

FIG. 22 shows an example in which a band graph is processed by color marking. In this figure, the white parts and the parts processed with halftone dots on the display are marked in red, blue, green, and brown colors. Since both of these marking areas are rectangular, the rectangle is specified by two diagonal points, and the marking color is specified for each.

In the figure, letters "A" to "D" are information written in the graph. If multiple areas are identified by halftone dots or shading of copy density instead of using multiple colors, as shown in this figure, the area with high density (the area where information "D" is written) It becomes difficult to distinguish between the marking part and the information. However, if a plurality of colors are used to color-code each region as in this embodiment, markings will not make it difficult to distinguish text information, etc.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a pictorial graph. In this example, by specifying a polygon (pentagon) and color-coding each QC circle, a familiar graph can be easily created. In this example, five colors are required, so the four provided colors are insufficient. Therefore, in this case, the main developing device 59M is used for one color to make it black or gray, or the copy density is set to two levels for some colors to increase the number of regions that can be expressed. Depending on the recording method of the multicolor marking device, it is also possible to increase the number of colors that can be expressed by other means such as overlapping colors.

Now, the procedure for performing marking color processing will be explained.

■The operator first specifies the area to be marked. The area is specified using the editor pad 132 (FIG. 18). As mentioned above, in the case of a copying machine not equipped with the platen 26 (FIG. 2) with a ditpad, the editor pad 132 may be connected to the IC card device 22 by a cord. If the editor pad 132 is not used, the numeric keypad 80 can be used instead to specify the area.

However, in this case, the shape of the designated area is limited to a rectangle.

■When the operator sets the copying machine to the marking color mode, places the original on the platen glass 55, and presses the start button 117, the copying machine moves to the editor pad 132.
The portion designated by (first marking area) is copied in the designated color, and the copy is stored in the intermediate tray 33.

At this time, no matter what magnification is specified for the copying machine, the position of the optical lens 58 etc. shown in FIG.
00%) position. Further, the carriage for moving the mirror 57 and the like remains stationary at the position of the reference reflector, and the exposure lamp 56 always illuminates the reference reflector in this state. Here, the reference reflector is placed near the platen glass 55 and is provided to keep the copy density constant even if the exposure amount of the exposure lamp 56 fluctuates. When marking in color, the marking is done with uniform density regardless of the image information 502 on the document 501, so the platen glass 55 is not scanned and the carriage is fixed at the position of the reference reflector. That will happen.

At this time, the exposure amount of the exposure lamp 56 is set with a target of 50% of the original size, which is suitable for normal copying work. This is to mark the colored part with the image "covering" it. Developing device 59S1-5
Of the 9S4 (Figure 8), the bias voltage of the device in charge of marking this time is not limited to the operator's selection or the initial setting of the copier;
EST)" mode. Here, the light test mode is a mode for setting the bias voltage to approximately the upper limit value (approximately 400 volts on the wood flow side).

In order to mark only the designated first marking area, a charge pattern corresponding to that area is formed on the photosensitive drum 51. For this purpose, an interimage lamp 141 is used. That is, the inter-image lamp 141 performs on/off control of the lamps divided into 128 segments by the inter-image lamp controller 157, partially erases the charge on the photoreceptor drum 51, and prints the desired marking area on the first marking area. Create a charge pattern. Note that if the first marking area is marked in red, the second marking area is marked in blue, and the third marking area is again marked in red and with the same copy density, then the first Of course, a charge pattern is created for the third marking area marked in the same color as the marking area at the same time as the charge pattern for the first marking area is created. If the copy densities are different even if the colors are the same, development will be performed separately like other color markings.

The created charge pattern is transferred to the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59.
The image is developed by the corresponding device in S4, and a pale color marking is made as if it had been drawn with a marking writing instrument.

■When a predetermined number of copy sheets with designated areas marked are stored in the intermediate tray 33, the copying operation is performed in the same way for the second marking area, which is an area of a different color or a different copy density. The copy paper 60 after the completion is stored in the intermediate tray 33 in the same manner.

The above operations are repeated until all development by the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 is completed.

(2) When the number of copies of copy paper 60 on which marking has been completed is stored in the intermediate tray 33, exposure scanning of the original is started. At the same time, the copy paper is sent out from the intermediate tray 33, and a normal copying operation is performed. If a magnification other than the same magnification is set for this copying operation, the position of the optical lens 58 etc. is automatically reset to the position corresponding to that magnification. In addition, if the copy density is set in advance, the incoming developing device 5
The 9M bias voltage will also be automatically corrected to the value for that copy density.

(5-2) Copy Density Adjustment When marking a predetermined portion of the image information of a document in a light color, the copy density of the marked portion by the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 is adjusted to an optical density of 0.6 to 1. 2
It is necessary to adjust it within the range of , preferably within the range of 0.8 to 1.0.

Here, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the copy density is 0.0 in terms of optical density.
The reason for setting it in the range of 6 to 1.2 will be explained.

(i) First, when the optical density becomes 0.6 or less, it is difficult to express a marked part, that is, a part set to a light density, with a uniform density. That is, the density level may become non-uniform, causing "unevenness", and in this case, the image in that area becomes extremely difficult to see. This can be supported by the fact that current electrophotographic technology is not good at uniformly reproducing halftones.

(1i) On the other hand, when the optical density becomes 1.2 or more,
Although there is no problem with the reproducibility of this part, the image information such as letters and figures superimposed for marking appears to be filled out, making the image difficult to see and making it difficult to achieve the original marking effect. In the copying machine of this embodiment, for the above reasons, the optical density is set in the range of 0.6 to 1.2, and generally speaking, the optical density is set in the range of 0.8 to 1.0.
It was found that the most favorable results were obtained within the range of .

Now, in order to reduce the copy density in the marking area, there are methods such as reducing only the amount of charge applied to the photoreceptor drum 51 or increasing only the bias of the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4. By combining the three factors of increasing the exposure amount and decreasing the exposure amount, it is possible to stably obtain the desired copy density. The copy density of the marking part can be changed as appropriate depending on the color of the developer, the purpose of copying, etc. In this embodiment, the copy density of the marking part is changed by the main developing device 5.
In some cases, it may be effective to set the concentration to be lower than that of 9M, but approximately equivalent to that of 9M.

The principle for adjusting the copy density to an optical density in the range of 0.6 to 1.2 will be explained below.

FIG. 24(A) shows the characteristics of the photosensitive drum 51 used in the copying machine of this embodiment. In this figure, the horizontal axis shows the input density (1/D), that is, the density on the copy surface of the original 281 (Fig. 14), and the vertical axis shows the output density (0/D), that is, assuming that the toner is black. shows the optical density in a copy of the case.

When the input density is 1.0, the copying machine of this embodiment has an output density of 1.5 (0/
D) can be obtained. As described above, the copying machine of this embodiment has the ability to make high-density copies.

Currently, with this copier, the optical density of the marking area is 0.6.
The range shall be from 1.2 to 1.2. In this case, the relative exposure amount of this copying machine by the exposure lamp 56 (FIG. 4) needs to be set in the range of 44% to 76%, as shown in FIG. 4(B).

In FIG. 24(B), the horizontal axis is the input density (I/D), and the vertical axis is the relative exposure amount (RE). Here, the relative exposure amount is an exposure amount of which 100% corresponds to a bright potential and 0% corresponds to a dark potential.

Now, FIG. 24(C) shows the relationship between the relative exposure amount and the potential of the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 51 of this embodiment. When the relative exposure amount is from 44% to 76%, the potential of the electrostatic latent image at the portion to be marked is in the range of 490 to 330, as shown in this figure. In order to set the output density of the marking portion in the range of 0.6 to 1.2 as described above for this potential range, it is necessary to set the bias potential of the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4.

Generally, when the bias potential is increased, the gap between the potential of the electrostatic latent image and the potential of the electrostatic latent image becomes smaller, and the output density becomes lower.

Figure 24 (D) shows that the potential of the electrostatic latent image is from 500 to 30
Output density 0.6 when in 0V range
This represents an appropriate bias value that should be set from 1.2 to 1.2, and in this example, it is 300.

FIG. 25 shows a comparison between a case where the density is adjusted by combining the exposure amount and the bias voltage and a case where the density is adjusted by the exposure amount alone.

In order to reduce the copy density of the marking portion, it is not necessarily necessary to combine the exposure amount and the bias potential. For example, this can be done by adjusting the bias voltage of the sub-developing device 59 without lighting the exposure lamp 56, or by adjusting the amount of current applied to the photosensitive drum 51 by the charge corotron 52.

The characteristics shown by the solid line in FIG. 25 are two cases: one when the bias potential is 300■ as shown above, and the other when the bias potential is set to 700■ with the exposure lamp 56 turned off.
Two cases are shown. At this time, it is assumed that the potential of the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 51, which corresponds to the dark potential of the original, is set to 900. As can be seen from this figure, if the bias potential is set to 700■, it is possible to set the output density to a value between 0.6 and 1.2.

On the other hand, it is also possible to make the marking portion appear lighter by lowering the discharge current of the charge corotron 52 while the exposure lamp 56 is turned off. For this purpose, the current value by the charge corotron 52 is adjusted so that the difference between the potential of the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 51 and the bias potential of the sub-developing devices 5951-59S4 is about 200 cm. For example, if the bias potential is 300μ, the potential of the electrostatic latent image in the marking portion is 500μ. In this way, the current flowing through the charge corotron 52 can be approximately halved to reduce the copy density to a desired value.

Alternatively, a new static elimination lamp may be provided to adjust the drum potential of the marking image.

It is also possible to change the developing characteristics of the developing device; for example, the angle and rotation speed of the magnetic pole pattern of the developing roll may be varied.

(5-3) General marking color control Figures 26 to 3
FIG. 2 is for explaining the operation for realizing marking color processing.

First, explanation will be given using FIG. 26. When specifying a marking area, the card CPU 129 (FIG. 6) monitors whether the operator presses a button on the platen 26 with the editor pad. When the marking color button 416 is pressed, the card CPU 129 lights up the corresponding display lamp 424,
The mode is set to marking color (step ■).

If another button is pressed (step ■), the work in the corresponding mode will be executed (step ■).

When the marking color mode is set, CPU 1
29 monitors the pressed states of the normal marking button 431, frame marking button 432, and line marking button 433. And line marking button 43
When 3 is pressed (step ■; Y), the display lamp 438 for line marking is turned on (step ■).

In addition, when the normal marking button 431 is pressed (step ■; Y), the display lamp 4 for normal marking
38 is turned on (step ■). When the frame marking button 433 is pressed, the display lamp 438 for frame marking is turned on (Step 2; Y).
).

When a button 431432 other than the line marking button 433 is pressed, the polygon will be designated, so the CPU 129 monitors the pressed state of the designation method button 419 to confirm the designation method (step ■). Then, when the specification method button 419 is pressed (Y
), from that point on, the polygon designation lamp 427 is turned on (
Step ■). On the other hand, if the designation method button 419 is not pressed, the diagonal designation lamp 426 is initially turned on (step 0).

In Fig. 27, an indicator lamp 4 for line marking is shown.
If 38 is lit (step ■; Y), input of two points of data to specify both ends of the line is awaited (
Step ■). On the other hand, if the display lamp 438 for normal marking or frame marking is lit (step ■; N), the diagonal specification lamp 426 and polygon specification lamp 427 are lit to indicate whether a rectangle has been specified. Determine from the state (step ■). Then, when the diagonal designation lamp 426 is in the lit state, the state enters a state (Y) of waiting for input of coordinate data of two points (step 2).

In addition, when the polygon designation lamp 427 is lit,
The system is in a state of waiting for human input of coordinate data of multiple points, that is, three or more points (step 2).

When the coordinate data of two points is input in the coordinate data standby state in step (2), the coordinate data of the area determined by the diagonal lines is stored in the RAM under the CPU 129 (step (2)). The data is then transferred to the main CPU 121 of the base machine 21. This data is used by the display CPU 127 and the inter-image lamp CPU.
The information will be stored in both storage areas of 122.

On the other hand, if the coordinate data of 3 or more points or a maximum of 16 points for specifying the area is input in the state of step ■ (Y), the coordinate data of the area specified by this is input to the CPU 12.
The data is stored in the RAM under No. 9 (step ■). The data is also transferred to the main CPU 121 of the base machine 21. This data will be stored in the storage areas of both the display CPU 127 and the inter-image lamp CPU 122.

When the input of coordinate data for one area and the storage of the data are completed in this way, the CPU 129 waits for one of the color designation buttons 434 to 437 to be pressed (step 2).

When the color designation button 435 is pressed, it means that blue color has been designated (step 2; Y), and the corresponding display lamp 438 is lit (step 2). Furthermore, when the color designation button 436 is pressed, it means that green is designated (step ■: Y), and the corresponding display lamp 438 lights up (step ■).Color designation button 437 If is pressed, it means that brown has been specified (step ■; Y), and the corresponding display lamp 438 lights up (step ■).These three types of buttons 435 to 437 are pressed. If not (step ■; N), it is initially determined that red has been designated, and the indicator lamp 438 for red is lit (step ■).

When the operator confirms the lighting state of the display lamp 438 corresponding to the color designation buttons 434 to 437 and presses the area/color designation button 421, the color designation for the currently input area is confirmed (step 2; Y). That is, if the color of the specified area is red (step @; Y),
Data indicating the color red is stored in the storage area for coordinate data indicating the figure of the area (step 2). If the color of the designated area is blue (step ■; Y), data indicating blue is stored in the storage area for coordinate data indicating the figure of the area (step ■). If the color of the designated area is green (step ■; Y), data indicating green is stored in the storage area for coordinate data indicating the figure of the area (step ■). If none of the above is true, that is, if the color of the specified area is brown (step 2; N), data indicating brown is stored in the storage area for coordinate data indicating the figure of the area.

If the operator does not press the setting end button 423 in this state (step ■; N), the numerical value n starting from n = 1 is incremented by 1 (step @), and the coordinate input and color specification for the next area are performed ( Step ■～
0). On the other hand, in step ■, the setting end button 42
If you press 3 or specify the coordinates for the 16th location, which is the maximum value allowed by this device (step @; Y), the words "Copy ready" will be displayed on the LCD display 112. Become (step @).

FIG. 28 shows the display on the liquid crystal display section in this state. Near the left end of the liquid crystal display section 112, a first
A frame 531 indicating the maximum size that can be used to specify the area of the coordinate input pad 405 shown in FIG. That will happen. Depending on the device, the frame 531 may be displayed to match the size of the document currently being input. Near each designated area 532, area numbers are displayed as "1" to "5". In this example, only the area with the number "3" is displayed in blue, and the areas with the remaining numbers are displayed in red.

By the way, in the center of the liquid crystal display section 112 shown in FIG. 28, the information "You can copy" is displayed in a combination of kanji and kana, as described above, and an icon 533A is displayed on the right side. .

This icon 533A indicates that the currently set mode is the marking color mode. 29 to 31 show icon displays in other modes for reference. Of these, the one shown in FIG. 29 is the icon 533B in the extraction mode, and the one shown in FIG. 30 is the icon 533C in the deletion mode. Furthermore, FIG. 31 shows an icon 533D that is displayed when continuous shooting color composition is performed. In this way, different icons 533 are displayed on the liquid crystal display section 112 depending on the currently set mode, so that the operator does not proceed with the wrong work.

Incidentally, in the explanation of step (2) in FIG. 27, the polygon was specified at a maximum of 16 points, but this corresponds to the fact that the coordinates of a maximum of 16 points can be specified in the copying machine of this embodiment. In other words, if you specify a hexagonal area, you can only specify one area, but if it is a triangle, you can specify up to 5 areas, and if you specify this polygon with a quadrilateral, you can specify up to 4 areas. Can be specified. When specifying an area using diagonal lines in a rectangle or square, it is possible to specify up to eight areas.

FIG. 32 shows a marking operation in a copying operation in a designated area.

When the start button 117 is pressed, step ■;Y)
, it is determined whether the optical lens 58 is at the same magnification position (step 2). If it is not the same magnification (N), the optical lens 58 is moved to the same magnification position (step ■).

With the optical lens 58 at the same magnification position, the main motor 164 is turned on, and switching to the corresponding sub-developing device 59S is performed (step 2).

At the same time, the carriage described above moves below the reference reflector and stops there (step ①). Also copy paper 60
The sending of the data is started (step ■). In this state, the exposure lamp 56 is turned on (step ■). The amount of light at this time is targeted to be 50% of the same magnification setting in normal copying work.

As already explained, this corresponds to the corresponding sub-developing device 59.
The copy density of the marked part by S is set to 0.0 in terms of optical density.
This is to adjust it to a range of 6 to 1.2, preferably a range of 0.5 to 0.6.

When one second has elapsed since the exposure lamp 56 was turned on (step ■), a trigger for driving the interimage lamp 141 is output (step ■). Then, the data corresponding to the input figure is read out line by line, and the inter-image lamp CPU 122 performs on/off control of the inter-image lamp 141 (
Step @). If a value other than the same magnification is specified here, the inter-image lamp CPU 122 changes the specified area to the magnification after the reduction conversion, and turns on the inter-image lamp 141 in accordance with the changed area. - Off control will be performed.

In addition, the tray control CPU 128 opens a gate (registration gate) for starting the conveyance of the copy paper 60 that has been sent halfway and has stopped once.
step 0).

After the inter-image lamp 141 performs on/off control of the light emitting element for the designated area, it is determined whether the light emitting element has reached the position corresponding to the trailing edge of the copy paper 60 (step 2). When the rear end is reached, all of the interimage lamps 141 are turned on as normal control (step 0). Then, the copy paper 60 after fixing is carried into the intermediate tray 33 (step (2)). The above operations are repeated for the set number of copies (steps ① to ＠).

FIG. 33 is for explaining the subsequent control when marking is continued in another color on the copy paper stored in the intermediate tray 33 in order to realize marking color processing.

The main CPU 121 determines whether the color marking work has been completed (step ■), and if marking work by another sub-developing device 59S remains (N), it determines whether or not the marking work to be performed next is completed. Select the sub-developing device 59S for (step ■). Then, in this state, the copy paper 60 is sent out from the intermediate tray 33 (
Step ■). Thereafter, a trigger for driving the inter-image lamp 141 is output at a predetermined timing (step 2). Then, the data corresponding to the corresponding area is read out one line at a time, and the inter-image lamp CPLI 122 reads out the data corresponding to the corresponding area.
10 on/off control is performed (step ■).

In addition, the tray control CPU 128 opens a gate (registration gate) for starting the conveyance of the copy paper 60 that has been sent halfway and once stopped (step (2)).

After the inter-image lamp 141 performs on/off control of the light emitting element for the designated area, it is determined whether the light emitting element has reached the position corresponding to the trailing edge of the copy paper 60 (step 2). When the rear end is reached, all of the interimage lamps 141 are turned on as normal control (step 2). Then, the copy paper 60 after fixing is carried into the intermediate tray 33 (step ■). The above operation is repeated for the set number of copies (steps ■ to 0). Such an operation is used for color marking. The process is repeated until all of the operations are completed, that is, until all of the development by the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 is completed (steps ① to 0).

FIG. 34 is for explaining the subsequent control of the copy paper stored in the intermediate tray 33.

The main CPU 121 then performs a normal copying operation using black developer on the marked copy paper. At this time, main CPLI 121
The currently set magnification displayed on the magnification display B99 on the console panel 28 is the same magnification, that is, 100%.
It is determined whether or not (step ■). If the magnification is not the same (N), the optical lens 58 is moved to a position corresponding to the set magnification (step ■). Once the position of the optical lens 58 is determined, the corresponding sub-developing device 59
The developing device is switched from S to the main developing device 59M (step ■). At this point, feeding of the copy paper 60 is started from the intermediate tray 33 (step 2). Scanning of the carriage for exposing the original 401 is also started (step (2)).

Now, in this state, the main CPU 21 is connected to the exposure lamp 5.
The timing at which an actuator (not shown) for detecting the exposure position of No. 6 is detected by the register sensor 172 is monitored (step (2)). Then, when 300 m5 (milliseconds) have elapsed since the detection by the register sensor 172 (step ■), the gate solenoid 237 is energized (
In step (2), the conveyance of the copy paper 60, which has been stopped because its leading edge is pressed by a gate (not shown), is started.

This is to eliminate errors in timing when the copy paper 60 is sent out from the intermediate tray 33 and to achieve registration between the electrostatic latent image and the copy paper 60 on the photoreceptor drum 51.

The carriage scans the document by the length of the document in the carriage feeding direction. When the scanning of the carriage is completed (step ①; Y), there is no need to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 51 for any longer length. Therefore, at this point, the interimage lamp 14
1 is lit across the entire width direction, thereby preventing the formation of unnecessary toner images (step 0).

When the copying process for one sheet is completed in this way, the main CPU 121 determines whether the number of copies matches the set number of copies (Step 0>). The work to complete one work is performed (step ■), and the one copy work by marking color processing is completed.If the number of copies does not match (N), the same work is performed until they match. (Steps ① to 0), the desired number of copies will be obtained.

FIG. 35 is for explaining the manual operation of coordinates using a numeric keypad, and corresponds to FIGS. 26 and 27 described above.

Even in the copying machine having the configuration of this embodiment, the coordinate data for specifying the area can be manually edited or corrected using the numeric keypad 80. When specifying the marking area in FIG. 35, the main CPU 121 monitors whether the operator presses the marking color switch 88 on the console panel 28. Marking color switch 88
When is pressed (step ■; Y), the main CPU 121
turns on the corresponding display lamp 82 and enters the marking color mode (step ■). If another button or switch is pressed (step ■), the work in the corresponding mode will be executed (step ■).

When the marking color mode is set by inputting from the numeric keypad 80, the CPLI 121 displays data for instructing coordinate input on the liquid crystal display section 112 (step 2). This display is done using Kanji. Display CPU
127 is used for this display control.

FIG. 36 shows this initial display state. The characters 551 "area 1" are displayed on the liquid crystal display section 112 as the contents of the specified area. Also, below it is a selection display mark 55 for selecting an area.
2 is displayed.

The selection display mark 552 is blinking in this state. The right half of the liquid crystal display section 112 shows coordinates (x+,
Yl ), (x2.Yl ) are displayed, and an instruction mark 553 and an unmanned mark r*J 554 are blinking in order to input the coordinate X1. Note that the two marks 557 on the left side of the instruction mark 553 are marked with broken lines to indicate the respective coordinates (X,, Y, ), (Xz,
The location where Yl) exists is displayed.

The operator inputs coordinate data (X,) for specifying an area using the numeric keypad 80 (FIG. 5) in accordance with the displayed contents. Figure 37 shows the numerical value rl as an example.
This shows a state in which OOJ is input as coordinate data (X+). The operator inputs the coordinate data (×1
) After pressing the selection key 118, the instruction mark 55
3 moves to that location and performs a blinking operation in order to input the coordinate (y+). After inputting the coordinate (Yl), press the selection key 118, and in the same way enter the coordinate (X2.Yl).
) in order.

FIG. 38 shows a state in which the numerical value "20" is input as the coordinate (X2) and the numerical value "3" is input as the coordinate (Yl). When enough data is input to specify the rectangular "area 1" in this way, a setting mark 555 is displayed blinking next to the selection display mark 552 on the liquid crystal display section 112, as shown in FIG. In this state, if the setting key 119 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed, the designation of "area 1" is completed.

After this, as shown in FIG. 39, the liquid crystal display section 112 displays "
Characters 556 for specifying "area 2" are displayed.

At this point, the setting mark 555 is still blinking.

The operator can input data regarding "region 2" in this state, or can end the input operation if no further region designation is to be made. To finish specifying the area, the setting key 119 is further pressed.

Now, returning to FIG. 35, the explanation will be continued.

When the data for specifying the area as described above is input from the numeric keypad 80, the main CPU 121 temporarily stores the data. When this data is compiled into one unit of data that can be processed (Step 2; Y in FIG. 35), the data is transferred to the memory of the inter-image lamp C:PU 122 (Step 2). Then, the display of "You can copy" in step 0 of Fig. 27 (see Fig. 28)
(see figure) will be performed (step @〉).

(5-4) Overview of color density adjustment Now, in the multicolor marking device of this embodiment, in addition to adjusting the copy density of the main developing device 59M, the copy density of each of the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 is adjusted. It can be carried out. Which developing device 5
Whether to adjust the density of 9M, 5951 to 59S4 is determined by the fifth step in the situation where the marking color mode is selected.
According to the display on the monochromatic color emphasis panel 76 shown in the figure,
Do it as follows.

<i) Indicator lamp 8 corresponding to monochromatic color switch 91
When 2 is off, it is the main developing bag! 59M copy density adjustment, that is, monochrome density adjustment representing image information on the original document. The copy density adjustment value here is a.

~aS. Here, the adjustment value a, corresponds to the lowest (lightest) copy density among the five levels of copy density in the copy density panel 77 (FIG. 5), and the adjustment value a, corresponds to the highest (dark) copy density. do. The adjustment value a is the normal copy density. Monochrome copy density adjustment value a
For 1 to a, a copy density of 1.2 to 1.7 is appropriate. At this time, the appropriate center adjustment value a3 is 1.5.

(ii) When the display lamp 82 corresponding to the monochromatic color switch 91 is on and the display lamp 82 corresponding to the marking color switch 88 is off, density adjustment is performed for the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4. The copy density adjustment value (hereinafter referred to as flat color adjustment value) here is bl to bs. Here, the flat color adjustment value is the lowest of the five copy density levels on the copy density panel 77 (Figure 5).
The flat color adjustment value 1 corresponds to the highest (dark) copy density.

The flat color adjustment value is the normal copy density.

In addition, in this density adjustment mode, the automatic density adjustment switch 9
Even if you press 7 (Fig. 5), the sub-developing device 59S will automatically open.
The copy density of 1 to 59S4 cannot be adjusted, and the flat color adjustment value in this case is b3 (normal copy density).

The flat color adjustment value b1 to bs is suitably 0.9 to 1.4 when the color of the developer is green or blue. At this time, the center adjustment value b3 is 1.2. Further, when the color of the developer is red or brown, the flat color adjustment value ~b is suitably 0.7 to 1.2. In this latter case, the adjustment value b3 is 1.0.

(il) When both the display lamp 82 corresponding to the monochromatic color switch 91 and the display lamp 82 corresponding to the marking color switch 88 are lit, the sub-developing device 5
Density adjustment is performed for 9S1 to 59S4. The copy density adjustment value here is a value set differently from the flat color adjustment value described earlier (hereinafter referred to as the marking color adjustment value). This is because it is more convenient to specify different copy densities depending on the type of copy.Even in this mode, the copy density cannot be automatically adjusted by operating the automatic density adjustment switch 97; The marking color adjustment value when is pressed is Cs
(normal copy density).

The appropriate marking color adjustment value 01 to Cs is 0.8 to 1.2 when the color of the developer is green or blue. At this time, the center adjustment value C5 becomes 1.0.

Also, if the developer color is red or brown,
Marking color adjustment values C0 to C3 are 0.6 to 1.0
is appropriate.

The adjustment value C5 in this latter case is 0.8.

The adjustment values a1 to a% % bl ”'-bs and c, -cs shown above are the same as those in the non-volatile memory 121F (7th
Figure). When the copier is powered on, these central adjustment values a5, bs, cs are initially set.
are automatically selected, and these values can be changed as necessary by the operator's operations.

By the way, the adjustment values a1~as, b, ~b5 and C
It may be necessary to change the values of 1 to C3 or the range of those values, for example, to change the developing bias from 300 to 500 volts to 200 to 400 volts. Such a change can be performed, for example, using a self-diagnosis mode of the copying machine. In this case, the copying machine is set to a self-diagnosis mode different from the copy mode when the power is turned on, and in this mode, the density adjustment mode is set by a special operation.

Then, for example, use the numeric keypad 80 to enter the adjustment value a.

The values of ~as, bl~b, and C3~C3 themselves will be changed.

It is preferable that the adjustment values a, ~a3, b1~b3.01~cs be changed or selected as appropriate depending on the type of document to be marked. Therefore, for example, a code number is assigned to each document, and when the IC card 131 is inserted into the IC card device 22, the copy density is automatically set at the same time as button settings for various copying operations are made. Good too.

(5-5) Color density adjustment operation Next, the color density adjustment operation will be explained in order.

(i) First, the operator marks the color switch 8
The case where 8 is pressed will be explained using FIG. 40.

When the marking color switch 88 is pressed, if the display lamp 82 corresponding to the marking color switch 88 is lit (step ■; Y), it is turned off (
Step ■). In this case, the display CPU 127 uses the five-stage display lamp 8 of the copy density panel 77 shown in FIG.
2, the copy density lamp set for the main developing device 59M is turned on (step 2). In this case, the task is to cancel the marking color mode that has been set, so cancel the marking color mode (Step 1).

On the other hand, if the corresponding display lamp 82 is off when the marking color switch 88 is pressed (step ■; N), the operation is to set the marking color mode, so turn it on. (Step ■
). At this time, the display 127 checks whether the display lamp 82 corresponding to the monochromatic color switch 91 is lit (step (2)). And if it is lit (Y),
One of the five display lamps 82 of the copy density panel 77 is selected according to the density adjustment value of the marking color for the one whose corresponding display lamp 438 of the color designation buttons 434 to 437 is lit. , turn it on (step ■). Then, an input operation in the marking color mode is accepted (step ■).

If the display lamp 82 corresponding to the monochromatic color switch 91 is off in step (2), the process immediately proceeds to step (2).

As shown in FIG. 40, when the operator presses the marking color switch 88, the copy density for monochrome or the color specified by the color specification buttons 434 to 437 set at that time is changed. It will be displayed.

(ii) When performing marking color processing, the operator completes the input operation for marking in step (2) in FIG.

(iii) By the way, FIG. 41 shows the operation when the monochromatic color switch 91 is pressed, and corresponds to FIG. 40.

In FIG. 41, if the corresponding display lamp 82 is already lit when the monochromatic color switch 91 is pressed (step ■; Y), the display lamp 82 is turned off (step ■), the display CPU 127 Among the five-stage display lamps 82 of the copy density panel 77 shown in FIG. 5, the lamp corresponding to the copy density set for the main developing device 59M is turned on (step 2).

On the other hand, if the corresponding display lamp 82 is off when the single color switch 91 is pressed (step ■;
N), this display lamp 82 lights up (step ■).

In this case, it is determined whether the display lamp 82 corresponding to the marking color switch 88 is lit (step ■), and if it is lit (Y), the five-stage display lamp 82 of the copy density panel 77 One of the color designation buttons 434 to 437 whose corresponding display lamp 438 is lit is selected in accordance with the marking color adjustment values C1 to Cs and turned on (step 2). When the display lamp 82 corresponding to the marking color switch 88 is off (N), one of the five levels of display lamps 82 on the copy density panel 77 is set to the corresponding color selection button 434 to 437. The display lamps 438 for which the display lamps 438 are lit are selected according to the flat color density adjustment values -b, and are turned on (step (2)).

(iv) When the operator performs marking color processing, after confirming the copy density using the operations shown in FIG. 40 or 41, the operator changes the density as necessary.

FIG. 42 shows the operation for this purpose.

When the operator presses the two shift keys 94 and 95 (copy density keys) on the copy density panel 77, the lighting positions of the five display lamps 82 for displaying the copy density change (step 2).

Here, when the upper shift key 94 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed, the density setting is performed in the direction of decreasing the copy density, and when the lower shift key 95 is pressed, the density setting is performed in the direction of increasing the copy density. .

If the display lamp 82 corresponding to the monochromatic color switch 91 is lit at this point, proceed to step ①;Y).
If it is also lit (step ■; Y), press color specification button 4
Marking color adjustment value C5 for those whose corresponding display lamps 438 are lit among 34 to 437.
~C3 is changed (step ■). In addition, if the display lamp 82 corresponding to the marking color switch 88 is off, the color selection button 434
-437 for which the corresponding display lamp 438 is lit, the flat color adjustment values b1 to bs
will be changed.

On the other hand, the display lamp 8 corresponding to the monochromatic color switch 91
2 is off, step (2); N), and the copy density adjustment values a1 to a of the main developing device 59M are changed (step (2)).

(V) After this, use the color specification button 43 for other colors.
The adjustment values b1 to b or clxcs can be changed in the same way while operating the parameters 4 to 437. When all changes are completed, start button 117 (Figure 5)
is pressed to start copying. Sub developing device 59
When development is performed in steps s1 to 59s4, the development bias is adjusted according to flat color adjustment values b1 to bs or marking color adjustment values C1 to C3,
When developing is performed in the main developing device 59M, the developing bias is adjusted according to adjustment values a1 to a.

FIG. 43 shows the control operation.

That is, the main CPU 121 performs development using the sub-developing device (
Sub-developing) 59S1 to 59S4 determine whether or not the line is cracked (step ■), and the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S
4, further marking color switch 8
It is also determined whether the display lamp 82 corresponding to No. 8 is lit (step ■). If it is lit (Y
), and the bias of the corresponding sub-developing device 59S is set according to the marking color adjustment values c1 to C6 (step (2)). The value of the bias voltage is read from a table in a ROM (read only memory), not shown.

On the other hand, if the indicator lamp 82 corresponding to the marking color switch 88 is off, step ①;
N), the bias voltage of the corresponding sub-developing device 59S is set according to the flat color adjustment values b1 to bS (step 2).

This value is also read from the ROM described above.

In addition, if development is not performed in the sub-developing devices 59S1 to 59S4 but is performed in the main developing device (main developer) 59M, the buffer amplifier The voltage will now be set (step ■).

As described above, both the sub and main developing devices 59S
1 to 59S, 4.59M, and development is performed by setting the respective desired copy densities.

(5-6) Region Modification Operation FIGS. 44 to 47 illustrate the work to modify the coordinates and color of a designated region.

First, when the correction switch 83 on the console panel 28 is pressed as shown in FIG. 44, the text "Which one would you like to select?" and the correction etc. are displayed on the liquid crystal display 112 as shown in FIG. Characters and symbols for actions will be displayed. Assume that the color of the first region shown in FIG. 28 is changed from red to blue. In this case, the user presses the setting key 119 shown in FIG. 5 while the part labeled color in FIG. 45 is blinking. This allows you to change the color of the area.

At this point, the liquid crystal display section 112 is in a display state as shown in FIG. 46. That is, the number of the currently set area is displayed below the sentence "Which one would you like to select?". In this figure, numbers are displayed from "1" to "5". The operator flashes the numbers one after another and presses the setting key 119 at the number to be changed. In addition,
The status of each number may be blinking, or a cursor may be displayed at the position corresponding to the number.

For example, if the first area is selected, characters representing the color are displayed below the sentence "Which one would you like to select?" as shown in FIG. The operator selects blue as the changed color from among these. As a result, the color display for the first area is changed as shown in FIG. 48, and a state is reached in which the copying operation can be started with the changed contents.

In the copying machine of this embodiment, a color display is used for the liquid crystal display section 112, but in a monochrome or light-colored display, color display is performed by characters or symbols (hereinafter simply referred to as characters). In this case, there is no problem if these characters can be displayed within the area, but if the area is small, they will be displayed outside the area. A similar problem occurs when displaying area numbers.

FIG. 49 shows an example of such control in the case of color display. In other words, if there is space for a character in the first area (step ■),
Insert text into that area and display it. At this time, an outline display is performed (step ■). If there is no space for a character in that area, step (2); N), and it is determined whether there is space for a character below that area (step (2)). Then, if there is such a space, characters are displayed there (step ■). In other cases, it is determined whether there is space above the area for a character to be inserted (step ■). Then, if there is such a space, characters are displayed there (step ■).

In cases other than the above, it is determined whether there is space for characters to the left of the area (step ■).
. Then, if there is such a space, characters are displayed there (step ■). Also, in other cases,
It is determined whether there is space for a character to the right of the area (step ■). Then, if there is space, characters are displayed there (step ■)
.

When displaying characters outside the area, there is a possibility that the characters will overlap each other. If they overlap (step 0),
The display parts of the characters are shifted so that they do not overlap (step 0). Once the display position is determined in this manner, the display position of the characters is similarly determined for the next area (step 0; N).

Once all character positions for each area have been determined (Y
), this task is finished.

Note that even when displaying both the number indicating the area and the number indicating the color, it is possible to control the display of characters, etc. by performing almost the same operation as shown in FIG. 49.

FIG. 50 shows an example of a display pattern when a number "1" indicating an area is displayed within the area. In this case, it is displayed as a white outline. On the other hand, FIG. 51 shows an example of a display pattern when the alphabet "R" indicating a red area is also displayed in white.

In the embodiments described above, the markings are first made on the copy paper, and then the image information on the original is superimposed as a normal copy, but it goes without saying that the reverse operation may be performed.

In the embodiments described above, marking is performed first and then image information on the document is recorded, so there is an advantage that turbidity does not occur in areas where colors overlap. In addition, in the embodiment, the copy density panel 4 is used not only to adjust the copy density of the original document but also to adjust the color density for marking, so that it is possible to downsize the apparatus and reduce costs in this respect as well. In addition, in the copying machine of the embodiment, the liquid crystal display section and the display CP
Since U is used, it is possible to display kanji characters, which not only makes it easier to understand the content, but also allows for a variety of displays. For example, when setting color density, "setting flat color density" or "setting marking color density"
This makes it possible to display detailed information such as this, improving operability for the operator.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, since the copy density of the marking color is lowered and expressed in a lighter manner, it is possible to obtain visually good markings for the majority of documents.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, even if a plurality of colors are used for marking, these can be specified all at once before starting the copying process. Therefore, compared to conventional color recording devices, in which one color is specified and the next color is specified only after the copying operation for that color is completely completed, the work is not only faster, but also There is also no inconvenience such as forgetting to specify marking for the area. In addition, in this example, since each area to be marked is displayed in a color, it is possible to judge whether the combination of marking colors is good or bad without looking at the actual copy. Since it is easy to modify the position, etc., there is an advantage that colorized documents can be created and changed easily.

"Effects of the Invention" As described above, according to the present invention, since the copy density setting means for separately setting the copy density of the first recording means and the second recording means is provided, the copy density can be adjusted according to the user's preference. The density can be set freely and effective marking can be performed.

Furthermore, since one recording device performs a recording operation before the other recording device performs a recording operation, there is no risk of two-color developers mixing on the photoreceptor, and these can be collected and reused if necessary. It is also possible.

Furthermore, in the present invention, since marking is performed on a specific part of the image information, the positional accuracy for marking is not so high compared to the case where characters, etc. in a specific area of the document are expressed in a different color from those in other areas. In this respect, the device can be manufactured at low cost. Moreover, it is possible to create a document that has greater visual appeal and is more natural than when the color of image information such as characters itself is changed inside and outside the area.

In addition, with the present invention, the marking color can be changed for each designated area, so it is possible to apply stronger attraction to the required area, and to add strong interest to the combination of marking colors itself, thereby making it possible to improve the quality of the document. can increase value. Furthermore, since important parts can be clearly and easily understood using color, persuasiveness is greatly improved. In this way, highly important materials can be made more conspicuous. In addition, documents are created in which information is organized in color and the importance of information is displayed, making communication in the office smoother. Furthermore, the copying machine of the present invention has the advantage that even a simple monochrome copy can be converted into a docu-nimento creation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention, Figures 2 to 5
Figure 1 is for explaining a copying machine to which the multi-color marking device of the present invention is applied, an actual flow side and a modified example, and Figure 2 is a system configuration diagram showing the system configuration of the copying machine; Fig. 3 is an external view showing an example of the system configuration of a copying machine as a multicolor marking device, Fig. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of this copying machine, and Fig. 5 is a console panel diagram of this copying machine. The plan view, Figure 6, is a circuit diagram showing the outline of the circuit configuration of this copying machine, Figure 7 is a block diagram that further expands Figure 6, centering on the main CPU, and Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the copying machine. A block diagram specifically showing the circuit configuration around the photoreceptor drum, Figure 9 shows the operation of the main motor and development solenoid when the sub-developing device performs the first development and the main development device performs the second development. Fig. 10 is a timing diagram showing the operation of the main motor and developer solenoid when the main developing device performs the first development and the sub-developing device performs the second development.
The figure is a block diagram specifically showing the area around the exposure system and console control section of the copying machine, Figure 12 is a block diagram specifically showing the copying machine's power supply, fixing device, etc., and Figure 13 is a block diagram specifically showing the area around the copying machine's exposure system and console control unit. A block diagram specifically showing the circuit configuration of the transport system, Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of the DADF, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the sorter, and Fig. 16 is a side view showing an outline of the transport system centered on the intermediate tray. Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the system configuration of a copying machine equipped with an editor pad;
The figure is a plan view of the editor pad, Fig. 19 is a plan view showing the editor panel and display panel, Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the large capacity tray, and Fig. 21 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the large capacity tray. An explanatory diagram showing the paper,
FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a display example of a band graph as an example of multicolor marking, FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a display example of a pictorial graph as another example of multicolor marking, and FIG.
) to (D) are characteristic diagrams showing the characteristics of the photoconductor drum of this example, and FIG.
26 and 27 are flowcharts for explaining the operation for realizing multicolor marking processing.
8 is a plan view showing an example of the display contents of the liquid crystal display section in the marking color mode, FIG. 29 is a plan view showing an example of the display contents of the liquid crystal display section in the extraction mode, and FIG.
0 is a plan view showing an example of the display contents of the liquid crystal display section in the deletion mode, FIG. 31 is a plan view showing an example of the display contents of the liquid crystal display section in the continuous shooting color composition mode, and FIG. 32
The figure is a flowchart for explaining the operation for realizing marking color processing, FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining the control when color developing is performed on the copy paper stored in the intermediate tray, and FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the final process in which monochrome development is performed in the main developing device, FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining coordinate input using the numeric keypad, and FIG. 36 is for specifying "area 1". Fig. 37 is a plan view showing the display contents in the initial state of the liquid crystal display section of
The figure is a plan view showing the display contents of the liquid crystal display section when the coordinate data (Xl) for "area 1" is input.
Figure 8 is a plan view showing the display contents of the liquid crystal display when all coordinate data for "Area 1" has been entered manually, and Figure 39 is a plan view showing the display contents for "Area 2" in a state where input can be performed. FIG. 40 is a plan view showing the display contents of the liquid crystal display section; FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the control operation when the marking color switch is pressed; FIG. Figure 42 is a flowchart showing the density setting work when operating the copy density key.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing how the bias voltage of the developing device is controlled, FIG. 44 is a plan view showing the main parts of the console panel, and FIGS. 45 to 48 are plan views showing each display state of the liquid crystal display section. , FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing control of color display for each region, FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display pattern of numbers indicating regions, FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a color display pattern, Fig. 52 is a block diagram showing an overview of the circuit configuration of a conventionally proposed multicolor marking device, Fig. 53 is a plan view showing an example of marking two rectangular areas of a document with one color, and Fig. 54 is a two-color marking device. Fig. 55 is a plan view showing an example of marking in different colors in two rectangular areas; Fig. 55 is a plan view showing an example of marking in areas of various shapes;
The figure is a plan view showing an example in which the area is specified in the form of a bar or as an underline. 11...First recording means, 12...Area specifying means, 13...Second recording means, 14...Selection means, 15... ... Control means, 18 ... Copy density setting means, 22 ...
...IC card device, 26...Platen with editor pad, 51.
...Photosensitive drum, 56...Exposure lamp, 59M...Main developing device, 59S1...First sub-developing device, 59S2.
...Second sub-developing device, 59S3...
Third sub-developing device, 59S4...Fourth sub-developing device, 60...Copy paper, 77...Copy density panel, 88...Marking Color switch, 91...
...Single color switch, 94.95...
Shift key, 121... Main CPU. 122...CPU for interimage lamp. 127...Display CPU. 129... CPU for card. 131...IC card, 132...editor pad, 141...interimage lamp, 157...
...Interimage lamp controller, 161...Debe solenoid, 251...
・Manuscript, 405...Coordinate input pad, 406
...'...Editor panel, 407...Display display panel, 416...Marking color button, 421.
...Area/color specification button, 431...Normal marking button, 432...Frame marking button, 433...Line marking button, 434-437... ...Color specification button, 501.
...Manuscript, 503...Area. Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Agent

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. First method for copying the entire area of a document in one specific color
a recording means, an area specifying means for specifying one or more areas on the document, a second recording means for marking the specified area in a color other than the above-mentioned color, and a first and a second recording means.
a selection means for selectively selecting a recording operation of the recording means;
It is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the recording operation according to the order selected by the selection means, and a marking color specifying means for specifying a marking color for each area specified by the area specifying means. Multicolor marking device. 2. The multicolor marking device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means first selects the second recording means and then selects the first recording means. 3. Claims characterized in that the copy density by the second recording means is lower than the copy density by the first recording means, and the optical density is in the range of 0.6 to 1.2. 2. The multicolor marking device according to claim 1. 4. The multicolor marking device according to claim 1, further comprising color density designation means for designating the density of each color to be marked. 5. Claim 1, characterized by comprising display means for displaying the area designated by the area designation means.
Multicolor marking device as described in Section 1. 6. The multicolor marking device according to claim 5, wherein the display means displays each designated area in a color to be marked. 7. The multicolor marking device according to claim 5, wherein the display means displays characters representing the color to be marked for each designated area. 8. The multicolor marking device according to claim 5, wherein the display means displays a code specifying each designated area.