Laser Printer Capable of Changing a Pixel Density

Related, copending applications of particular interest to the instant application are U.S. Ser. No. 114,250, entitled "Printing Apparatus", filed Oct. 27, 1987 and U.S. Ser. No. 114,281, entitled "Laser Printer", filed Oct. 27, 1987 and both assigned to the same assignee of the instant application.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, particularly to a printing apparatus for forming a image using a signal modulated for each picture element, such as a laser printer, and more particularly to a printing apparatus capable of changing a pixel density (a number of pixels in a unit length).

2. Description of the Prior Art

A laser printer is hereinafter described as an example of a printing apparatus. A laser printer forms an image by a large number of pixels arranged in a matrix. In the laser printer, a laser beam modulated to be applied or shut off dependent on information serves to form a latent image on a photoconductor drum and the image is caused to be visible through development of toner, whereby it is transferred onto plain paper and then fixed. Since a laser printer is capable of modulating a laser beam at high speed, printing of letters or graphics can be effected with high speed and high quality (high density). Accordingly, laser printers are widely utilized as output apparatus of various data processing systems or picture forming systems using computers.

Images outputted from a host computer or the like have different densities and in order to print images adequately upon receipt of those outputs, it is necessary to control a pixel density in a printer in a variable manner according to those outputs. In addition, in order to change a size of letters to be printed by using a character generator having an identical arrangement of pixels, the pixel density in the printer needs to be variable.

In order to meet such requirements, laser printers having a variable pixel density have been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open Gazette No. 198076/1984).

However, such a conventional printer is still inconvenient to use.

More specifically, in order to detect abnormality in a laser beam caused by a laser diode or a polygon mirror, the scanned laser beam is detected by a photo sensor for each scanning and determination is made as to whether an output from the photo sensor is provided in a given period, that is, whether the laser beam passes on the photo sensor in the given time. However, in the prior art, the period (time) serving as a reference for determining the state of the laser beam is fixed and accordingly abnormality of the laser beam cannot be correctly detected in a laser printer having a variable scanning period for the laser beam. More specifically, since the period serving as a reference for determination needs to be set longer than the longest period (time) of the scanning cycles of the laser beam, detection in a critical state cannot be made if a scanning cycle is short and, even in an abnormal case in which the scanning period is longer than that in a normal state, it happens that the abnormality cannot be detected.

In addition, if a pixel density is to be changed, a period of an unstable scanning cycle exists during a time from the start to the end of the change and since change of the scanning cycle is generally effected through mechanical operation, a time as long as several seconds to several tens of seconds is required until the change is completed. Consequently, a conventional laser printer has a disadvantage that detention of abnormality occurs in spite of no abnormality in the laser beam due to unstable setting of the scanning cycle at the time of changing the pixel density.

In addition, a laser printer has a process similar to an electrophotographic process and accordingly a density of an image printed finally on plain paper changes dependent on an amount of toner. Therefore, in order to maintain the density of the image in the optimum condition, it is necessary to control the amount of toner. For that purpose, an image of a mark for density detection is formed on a photoreceptor and after it is developed, it is read by a density reader, so that the density thereof is detected. The mark for density detection is formed on the photoreceptor at a position where it does not overlap with an image area of an original image and control is made so that the mark is constantly formed at the fixed position.

If the pixel density is changed from the start of a new page of images successively processed by a host computer or the like, control data for a request for change of the pixel density as well as image data of the successively processed images is outputted from the host computer to the laser printer. However, if the pixel density is changed while a mark for density detection or an image of an image area is being formed, the image cannot be formed normally and therefore the pixel density must not be changed until the formation of the images is completed. Consequently, in the prior art, the host computer needs to always observe the state of the laser printer and a request for change of the pixel density needs to be issued in view of timing when the image is not being formed. Thus, signal processing for change of the pixel density on the side of the host computer is complicated and the processing speed is decreased. To the contrary, if the mark for density detection or the image of the image area is formed while the pixel density is being changed, the image cannot be formed normally, and, accordingly, the image must not be formed until completion of the changing operation of the pixel density. However, in the prior art, operation for forming the image is started during the changing operation of the pixel density and the mark for density detection is not formed normally, causing disturbance in control of the density of the image. To avoid this trouble, the changing operation of the pixel density must not be performed concurrently with the formation of the image and for that purpose, the state of the laser printer should be constantly observed by the host computer and the request for change of the pixel density needs to be issued in view of timing not causing any disturbance in formation of the image. As a result, signal processing for changing the pixel density on the side of the host computer is complicated, causing the processing speed to be decreased.

In the laser printer which has a process similar to an electrophotographic process as described above, in which a latent image of pixels is formed on a photoreceptor drum by means of a scanning beam, a beam detector for detecting the scanning beam is provided at a position in the main scanning direction, ahead of the photoreceptor drum and a laser diode is forced to emit light when the scanning beam passes by the beam detector, whereby a synchronization signal (an SSCAN signal) is obtained. However, if the pixel density (i.e., the printing density) is changed, the scanning speed becomes unstable in a period from the start to the end of the change and it is difficult to apply correct timing to forced emission of light of the laser diode during this period. Thus, the forced emission of light cannot be effected at a fixed position in the scanning direction. In addition, if the pixel density is changed by change of a rotating speed of the polygon mirror, a time as long as several seconds to several tens of seconds is required until the rotating speed of the polygon mirror becomes stable. Accordingly, during such a long time of the unstable state, the laser beam forcedly emitted is applied to the photoreceptor drum to effect unnecessary exposure, resulting in fatigue of the photoreceptor drum or wasteful consumption of toner.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of appropriately detecting abnormality in a laser beam even if a pixel density is changed.

The object of the present invention is specifically to provide a printing apparatus for detecting abnormality in a laser beam based on a predetermined cycle according to the changed pixel density.

The object of the present invention is more specifically to provide a printing apparatus in which no error occurs in detection of abnormality in a laser beam when operation for changing a pixel density is being performed.

In order to accomplish the above described object, the present invention generally comprises: pixel density change means for changing a pixel density of an image to be formed, by changing a scanning cycle of scanning means; and scanning detection means for detecting a scanning condition of a laser beam based on a predetermined reference cycle according to the changed pixel density.

In addition, in order to accomplish the above described object, in another aspect of the present invention, the scanning detection means comprises density detection means for detecting the changed pixel density and detection cycle change means responsive to an output of detection from the density detection means for changing the reference cycle for detecting the scanning condition of the laser beam, and detection by scanning detection means is forbidden while the pixel density is being changed by the pixel density change means.

The printing apparatus constructed as described above is able to correctly detect abnormality in the laser beam in spite of the change of the pixel density because the determination cycle of the detection means is appropriately changed according to the change of the pixel density. Consequently, abnormality such as defective emission of light of a laser diode or defective rotation of a polygon mirror can be detected accurately. Further, in the above described aspect, unnecessary detection of abnormality in the laser beam or erroneous detection can be prevented because detection of abnormality in the laser beam is forbidden during operation for changing the pixel density.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laser printer in which formation of a density detection mark or the like is suitably controlled irrespective of timing of occurrence of a request for change of a pixel density.

The above described object of the present invention is specifically to provide a laser printer in which no disturbance is caused in control of an image density during operation for changing the pixel density.

The above described object of the present invention is more specifically to provide a laser printer in which the detection mark or the like is formed normally irrespective of the request for change of the pixel density in the case of forming the density detection mark or the like.

In order to accomplish the above described object, the present invention generally comprises: pixel density change means for changing a pixel density of an image to be formed, by changing a scanning cycle of scanning means; detection mark formation means for forming a mark for detection of a density of the image by applying a laser beam on a photoreceptor, outside an area where the image is to be formed; image formation control means for controlling conditions for forming the image by detecting a density of the formed mark; and mark formation control means for controlling operation of the detection mark formation means dependent on an operation state of the pixel density change means.

In addition, in order to accomplish the above described object, the present invention has another aspect in which: the mark formation control means forbids formation of the mark by the detection mark formation means while the pixel density is being changed by the pixel density change means, and the laser printer further comprises change instructing a means for instructing change of the pixel density and the mark formation control means defers output of the instruction from the change instructing means while the mark is being formed by the detection mark formation means.

The printer thus constructed makes it possible to prevent disturbance in control of the image density caused by abnormal formation of a density detection mark, because any image such as the density detection mark is not formed during operation for changing the pixel density. Further, in the above described aspect, the density detection mark or the like can be formed normally irrespective of timing of occurrence of a request for change of the pixel density because the pixel density is not changed until an end of the formation of the density detection mark or the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus in which unnecessary exposure is not applied on a photoreceptor drum.

The above described object of the present invention is specifically to provide a printing apparatus capable of suitably controlling a laser beam during operation for changing the pixel density.

In order to accomplish the above described object, the present invention comprises: pixel density change means for changing a pixel density of an image to be formed, by changing a scanning cycle of scanning means; and emission forbidding means for forbidding emission of a laser beam when the pixel density is being changed by the pixel density change means.

In the printing apparatus thus constructed, unnecessary exposure is not applied on the photoreceptor drum because light emission of a laser diode is stopped during operation for changing the pixel density, and accordingly, wasteful consumption of toner is not caused.

These objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a laser printer of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view typically representing an optical system of the laser printer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram for explaining use of the laser printer of the above stated embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing signal lines of an interface 201.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of a printing control portion shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an illustration for explaining signals from an output port shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an illustration for explaining signals to an input port shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a printing data writing control circuit shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11A, 11B, and 11C are timing charts showing states and timings of the respective signals of the laser printer of the above stated embodiment.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14A, 14B, 14C, 15A, 15B, 15C, 16A, 16B, and 17 are flow charts showing control procedures of the laser printer of the above stated embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing operation timing of main components of the laser printer of the above stated embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an illustration for explaining an image area and a position of an AIDC (automatic image density control) on a photoconductor in the above described embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a flow chart showing control procedures of a laser printer of another embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 15A.

FIG. 20B is a flow chart showing control procedures of the laser printer of the above stated embodiment, which corresponds to FIG. 15C.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing control procedures of the laser printer of the above stated embodiments, which corresponds to FIG. 16B.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a laser printer 1 and an embodiment of the present invention. A photoconductor 2 has a form of a drum and latent image is formed on its surface when a laser beam is scanned thereto. In association with the photoconductor 2, there are provided an electrification charger 3 for uniformly charging the photoconductor 2, a developing device 4 for developing a latent image formed by scanning of a laser beam, a transfer charger 5 for transferring the developed toner image onto paper, a separation belt 6 for separating the paper from the photoconductor 2, a cleaner blade 7 for removing residual toner after the transfer, an eraser 8 emitting light to remove electric charge, thereby to attain a uniformly charged state by means of the electrification charger 3, and a density reader 9 for reading a density of toner. A paper cassette 10 for containing sheets of copy paper is provided in a lower portion of the laser printer 1. A paper feed roller 11 having a semi-circular section is provided to guide sheets of paper contained in the paper cassette 10 to a transport path. Transport rollers 12 and 13 and resist roller 14 are provided in the transport path. The registration rollers 14 serve to determine a printing position for paper in a sub-scanning direction (which is a direction perpendicular to a direction in which a laser beam scans the drum 2, while the latter direction is referred to as a main scanning direction). Fixing rollers 15 serve to fix the toner transferred by the transfer charger 5. A main body discharge roller 16 is provided to discharge the paper passing through the fixing rollers 15 to outside the main body. A reversing unit 17 is provided to discharge the paper, directing the printed surface of the paper downward. The reversing unit 17 comprises a paper guide claw 18 which can be manually operated for selecting discharge with the printed face directed downward or discharge with the printed face directed upward, a transport path 19 for discharge with the printed face directed downward, and discharge rollers 20. There are further provided a magnet group 21 and a paper size sensor 22 to determine a paper size of the sheets in the paper cassette 10. This determination is made by detection by the paper size sensor 22 as to whether a magnet exists in an area of three bits. The laser printer 1 further comprises a paper empty sensor 23 for detecting absence of paper in the paper cassette 10, and paper sensors PS1, PS2 and PS3.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view typically showing an optical system of the laser printer 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a laser diode (referred to hereinafter as LD) 31 is driven by an LD drive portion to be described afterwards. A collimator lens 32 and a cylindrical lens 33 are provided to correct a spreading range of a laser beam emitted from the LD 31. A polygon mirror 34 rotates so that a laser beam reflected on the polygon mirror 34 is applied to the photoconductor 2 as a scanning beam 39. The laser beam reflected on the polygon mirror 34 passes through a lens 35 of f.THETA.. The f" lens 35 serves to scan the laser beam on the photoconductor 2 at uniform speed. Reflection mirrors 36 and 37 are provided to guide the laser beam passing through the f.THETA. lens 35 to the photoconductor 2. A beam detector 38 is provided near a side end of the photoconductor 2 so as to determine a printing position in the main scanning direction. The optical system in FIG. 2 is adapted so that the scanning beam 39 scans the photoconductor 2 after it passes through the beam detector 38.

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram for explaining use of the laser printer 1. In this system, the laser printer 1 is connected to a general-purpose data processing apparatus 400 (such as a word processor, a personal computer or other host computer). The laser printer 1 comprises a data control portion 300 and a printing control portion 200.

When a printing request is generated in the data processing apparatus 400, printer control data for determining a printing operation mode in the laser printer 1 and printing data for determining printed contents are transmitted to the data control portion 300 through an interface 301 in the form of coded data, because the coded data serve to reduce transmission time. The data control portion 300 receives the coded data and if the coded data thus received is the printer control data, the data is transmitted to the printing control portion 200 of the laser printer 1 through an interface 201 to be described afterwards. On the other hand, if the coded data thus received is the printing data, the coded data is converted to bit image data and then it is developed in a memory called a bit map memory capable of storing bit image data for one page. When data for one page is developed, a printing start request is issued to the printing control portion 200 of the laser printer 1 through the interface 201. Upon receipt of the printing start request, the laser printer 1 starts a printing operation. In an exposure process, the image data is read out from the bit map memory through the interface 201 and the beam from the LD 31 is modulated based on the data, whereby a latent image is formed on the photoconductor 2.

A protocol of the interface 201 and printing control of the laser printer 1 will be described in the following. The interface 201 serves to communicated data between the data control portion 300 and the printing control portion 200 in the laser printer 1. It functionally includes two interfaces 201a and 201b described below.

Referring to FIG. 5 showing details of the printing control portion 200, a control interface 201a is used to communicate data concerning operation control of the laser printer 1. More specifically, the data control portion 300 transmits data for designating a print mode of a feed opening or a discharger opening, and data for determining timing for a printing start request or the like. On the other hand, the printing control portion 200 transmits data for indicating conditions in the laser printer 1 such as paper size information or error information, and data for determining timing for completion of printing, discharge of paper or the like. Thus interface 201a communicates command data and status data. The command data is data for determining timing, while the status data is other data. The command data and the status data are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

An image interface 201b is used to read out image data from the bit map memory of the data control portion 300 when a latent image is being formed on the photoconductor 2, that is, exposure is being effected.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing signal lines of the image interface 201b. S 100 is a write raster signal WRST indicating that exposure is being effected. S 101 is a sensor scan signal SSCAN indicating that the scanning beam 30 (as shown in FIG. 2). of the laser beam has passed through the beam detector 38. S102 is a data request signal DREQ for requesting image data of eight bits. S103 is an image data signal of eight bits outputted in response to the DREQ signal. The WRST signal S100 falls to an L level at the time of exposure, whereby the data control portion 300 is ready for transmitting image data. Start of one line is detected at the fall of the SSCAN signal S101 and eight-bit parallel data is transmitted to the laser printer in synchronism with the rise of the DREQ signal S102.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a construction of the printing control portion 200 of the laser printer 1. The printing control portion 200 has a so-called multi-chip construction including a CPU 202 as a center, in which data can be communicated among the respective chips through a bus S10. The CPU 202 is connected with oscillator 203 for generating clock pulses for synchronizing with operation of the CPU 202, and a reset circuit 204 for resetting the whole circuit when power supply is turned on. The bus S10 connected to the CPU 202 is connected with a system ROM 205 for storing a control program and a system RAM 206 to be an operation area of the control program. The bus S10 is further connected with an output port 207 and an input port 209. The output port 207 is connected with a drive control portion 208 for driving a motor, a solenoid, a heater and the like. The input port 209 is connected with a sensor group 210 including a paper sensor, a density sensor and the like. The bus S10 is further connected with an operation panel 212 having display elements such a LEDs or input elements such as switching elements through an I/O port 211 for the operation panel.

A scanner drive portion 215 serves to control rotation of the polygon mirror 34. It determines a rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 in response to clock pulses S12 emitted from a timer 213. A value of the timer 213 can be set in response to an instruction transmitted from the CPU 202 through the bus S10. Consequently, the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 can be changed and set arbitrarily by the CPU 202, so that a printing density can be changed. The scanner drive portion 215 transmits to the input port 209 a polygon lock signal S11 indicating whether the polygon mirror 34 rotates at a constant speed or not.

An LD drive portion 218 for controlling drive of the LD 31 modulates a beam of the LD 31 on a signal transmitted from a printing data write control circuit 217. The printing data write control circuit 217 prepares modulation data for the LD drive portion 218 based on the image data transmitted from the data control portion 300 through the image interface 201b, so as to turn on and off the scanning beam 39 at a predetermined position on the photoconductor 2. The printing data write control circuit 217 is connected with the beam detector 38. The printing data write control circuit 217 is further connected with the bus S10 and the output port 207. The control interface 201a is controlled by an interface control circuit 217 connected to the bus S10.

FIG. 6 shows output signals of the output port 207. FIG. 6 only represents the components to be driven, circuits and connections for driving those components being omitted from the illustration. The mechanical drive portions such as rollers and a toner supply portion in this embodiment are all driven by a chain wire driven by the main motor 224 and they are turned on and off by means of clutches using solenoids. The output signals transmitted from the output port 207 to the drive control portion 208 include: a signal to a solenoid 220 for determining whether drive of the above stated chain wire is to be transmitted to the feed roller 11 or not; a signal to a solenoid 221 for the registration rollers 14; a signal to a solenoid 222 for the registration whether a portion for supplying toner to the developing device 4 is to be driven or not; a signal to an LED 223 attached to the density reader 9; a signal to the main motor 224; a signal to the electrification charger 3; a signal to the transfer charger 5; a signal to a voltage applying device and a high-voltage power supply 227 thereof for applying to the developing device 4 a relative potential with respect to the photoconductor 2 (referred to hereinafter as a developing bias voltage), to cause toner in the developing device 4 to adhere only to the latent image formed on the photoconductor 2; a signal to the eraser lamp 8; and a signal to the heater 229. Output signals transmitted to the printing data write control circuit 217 will be described afterwards.

FIG. 7 shows input signals applied from the sensor group 210 and the scanner drive portion 215 to the input port 209. In FIG. 7, only objects to be detected by the sensor group 210 are shown and concrete connections and comparators or the like are omitted from the illustration. The input signals applied from the sensor group 210 to the input port 209 include: a signal from a switch 230 for detecting opening or closing of a door for separating the laser printer 1 from outside; a signal from a defect detector 231 of the main motor 224; a signal from a defect detector 232 of the electrification charger 3; a signal from a defect detector 233 of the transfer charger 5; a signal from the paper size sensor 22; a signal from a toner sensor 234 for detecting an amount of the toner in the developing device 4; a signal from the paper emptiness sensor 23; signals from paper sensors PS1 to PS3; a signal from a density sensor 235 in the density reader 9; a signal from face up/down switch 235 for detecting a direction of the paper guide claw 18; a signal from an initialization switch portion 237 including two switches for setting an initial value of printing density (i.e. pixel density) (four different values being able to be set); and a signal from a temperature detector 238 of a heat roller. The temperature detector 238 transmits a temperature of the heater to the input port 209.

FIG. 8 is detailed circuit diagram of the printing data write control circuit 217.

This circuit 217 serves to determine: a picture printing position in the main scanning direction; a printing portion in the main scanning direction of a mark for automatic image density control (referred to hereinafter as the AIDC mark); timing for forced emission of light of the LD 31 outside an image area generating a synchronizing signal SSCAN for determining the above stated printing position; sampling timing for automatic power control (referred to hereinafter as APC) of the LD 31. The circuit 217 also serves to detect abnormality in emission of light of the LD 31 and rotation of the polygon mirror 34. Table 3 shows input and output signals to and from the circuit 217.

Referring to FIG. 8, a clock selector 250 selects from three oscillators 251, 252 and 253 clock pulses S115 (referred to hereinafter as fundamental clock pulses) forming a basis for modulation synchronizing clock pulses S119 (referred to hereinafter as image clock pulses) of the LD 31. The selection of the fundamental clock pulses S115 is effected by a DPI SELECT signal S113 from the CPU 202. Thus, a frequency of the image clock pulses S119 can be selected in response to an instruction from the CPU 202, thereby to cause a printing density (i.e., a pixel density) of the laser printer 1 to be variable.

In order to change a printing density, it is necessary to change at least two factors out of the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34, the modulation frequency of the LD 31 and a feeding speed of paper (i.e. a rotating speed of the photoconductor 2) if no change is made in a mechanical construction of the optical system shown in FIG. 2. This embodiment adopts a method of changing the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 and the modulation frequency of the LD 31. Initialization at the time of turn-on of power supply is effected according to states of the above stated initialization switch portion capable of manual operation and the initial value is changed thereafter by setting a DPIRQ flag a value responding to a change request as described afterwards. Thus, three different printing densities (i.e. pixel densities) can be selected. The three different printing densities are referred to hereinafter as the printing density 1, the printing density 2 and the printing density 3 according to increase of the density value in this order.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11A to 11C, control for determining an image position will be described.

During printing operation, the SSCAN signal S112 is periodically generated from the beam detector 38 as shown in the uppermost portion of FIGS. 9 and 10. At the rise of the SSCAN signal, a sequential operation such as printing in the main scanning direction is started. As shown in FIG. 11A, a Q output (CTGATEO) S116 of a flip-flop 254a rises to an H level at the rise of the SSCAN signal S112 and consequently a Q output (CTGATE1) S117 of a flip-flop 254b rises to the H level in synchronism with the rise of the fundamental clock pulses (1/1 CLK) S115. At the rise of the CTGATE1 signal S117 to the H level, a clear state (CLK) of a flip-flop 255 is cancelled and the flip-flop 255 starts to output 1/2 frequency divided clock pulses (1/2 CLK) of the fundamental clock pulses S115 as a Q output S118. Further, in response to the rise of the CTGATE1 signal S117, loading to a four-bit counter 256 (CT1) is cancelled. Accordingly, the four-bit counter 256 starts to count downward in response to input of the 1/2 frequency divided clock pulses S118, thereby to provide, as QA, QB, QC and QD outputs, clock pulses obtained by frequency division of the 1/2 CLK by 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16, respectively.

In a start counter 257 (CT2) and an end counter 258 (CT3) for determining a start and an end of printing in the main scanning direction, gates thereof are opened at the rise of the SSCAN signal S112 and then counting is started upon receipt of a clock pulse signal obtained by inverting a QD output of the four-bit counter 256 through an inverter I1. Outputs S122 and S123 of the start counter 257 and the end counter 258, respectively, are at the L level during a counting operation and they attain the H level when the respective count values thereof become zero by downward counting from the set values. The image area in the main scanning direction is determined by using the outputs of the start counter 257 and the end counter 258. When counting of the end counter 258 comes to an end, the output S123 (IMEND) rises as shown in FIG. 11C and an L pulse is outputted as a Q output S124 from a monostable multivibrator 259. A Q output of a flip-flop 261 falls to the L level at the rise of the Q output S124. As a result, the LD DATA signal S104 is forcedly changed to the H level and the LD 31 is caused to emit light.

The forced emission of light of the LD 31 causes again scanning of the beam detector 38, whereby an H pulse of the SSCAN signal S112 is generated. In addition, in response to an output pulse from the monostable multivibrator 259, a borrow (BR) output S138 of the four-bit counter 256 is supplied as a clear (CLK) signal S140 to the flip-flop 254a through a NAND gate G1 and a NOR gate G2. As a result, the Q outputs S116 and S117 of the flip-flops 254a and 254b respectively, falls to the L level. Accordingly, clock impulses of the Q output S118 from the flip-flop 255 are stopped.

The image area in the main scanning direction is determined by means of the start counter 257 (CT2) and the end counter 258 (CT3) (as shown in FIG. 19). More specifically, the CPU 202 sets, prior to exposure, suitable values (determined by a paper size) in the start counter 257) for determining a start of an image area at the rise of the SSCAN signal and in the end counter 258 for determining an end of the image area at the rise of the SSCAN signal S112, whereby the image area is determined by the outputs S122 and S123 thereof. FIGS. 11B and 11C are detailed timing charts at points near an end of counting of each of the counters. The DREQ signal S102 and the LOAD signal S131 are supplied in the image area as shown in FIG. 10. The data control portion 300 transmits eight-bit parallel data (L DATA) S103 to the control portion 200 in response to the rise of the DREQ signal S102. In addition, at the L level of the LOAD signal S131, a parallel/serial converter 264 accepts data S103 and transmits the data to the LD drive portion 218 as LD drive data (LD DATA) S104 synchronizing with the image clock pulses (IMCLK) S119.

An image area in the sub-scanning direction is determined by the e,ovs/WRST/ signal S100 obtained by latching the START signal S114 from the CPU 202 by the SSCANS signal in the flip-flop 263, as shown in FIG. 19. In other word, the DREQ signal S102 is transmitted to the data control portion 300 only when the WRST signal S100 is at the H level.

Now, description will be made of a method of making an AIDC mark. First, a predetermined area in a given position on the photoconductor 2 is subjected to exposure and then to development. Thus, a mark in black is formed in that given position as the AIDC mark. The AIDC mark is used for AIDC (automatic image density control), which is effected as follows. The density of the AIDC mark is read by the reader 9 and if the density is lower than a predetermined density, toner is supplied to the developing device 4. The position of the AIDC mark is needless to say outside the image area; in this embodiment, the position is in a range where printing is effected in the main scanning direction and outside a range where printing is effected in the sub-scanning direction, corresponding to a position adjacent to the latter range (as shown in FIG. 19). Thus, the AIDC mark is formed in the portion used for printing on the photoconductor 2 and adequate density control can be effected in consideration of a change in sensitivity due to use of the photoconductor 2.

The AIDC mark is positioned in the main scanning direction by means of the start counter 257 for determining a start of an image area and the monostable multivibrator 260. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, an H pulse is provided out of the Q output S125 of the monostable multivibrator 260 at the rise of the output S122 responsive to an end of counting of the start counter 257 having a set value different from the set value for determining the start of the image area, and a mark area corresponds to a period of the H pulse. On the other hand, the AIDC mark is positioned in the sub-scanning direction by cancelling the clear (CLR) state of the monostable multivibrator 260 only at the time of printing (as shown in FIG. 9). Since a period of a pulse outputted from the monostable multivibrator 260 in response to the AIDC signal S108 from the CPU is constant, a width of the mark in the main scanning direction is changed dependent on the printing density.

Description is now made of occurrence of a SSCANOUT signal. A programmable counter 262 (CT4) provides, as a signal S136 from an OUT output, an L pulse of a period a little larger than a pulse period of the SSCAN signal S112, i.e. a beam scanning period of the beam detector 38 in response to the rise of an input signal to an input gate. For that purpose, a suitable timer value is set in the CPU 202 according to the printing density. Since the SSCAN signal S112 is connected to the input gate, a state of the L level is continued by overlapping with the output L pulse as far as the polygon mirror 34 rotates at a normal rotating speed and the LD 31 normally emits light. However, since the LD 31 does not emit light during a period of the L level of an LDBIAS signal, the SSCANOUT signal S107 is forced to be at the L level by means of an AND gate 265 in that period. The SSCANOUT signal S107 is inputted to an interruption terminal of the CPU 202.

Referring now to the flow charts in FIGS. 12 to 17 and the timing chart in FIG. 18, control operation of the CPU 202 will be described. First, flags and internal timers used for the control operation will be described.

A PRRJT flag indicates a state in which input of the print command is not permitted.

A PRNT flag indicates printing operation. If this flag is "1" and the print command is accepted, printing operation can be started immediately after feeding of paper without requiring preparation for start of the main motor 224 and the photoconductor 2.

A DPIRQ flag indicates a printing density change request as well as a printing density after the change. The value 0 of the flag indicates no request and the values 1, 2 and 3 of the flag indicate a request for change to the printing densities 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

A PLYCH flag indicates that it is necessary to determine whether the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 becomes constant or not.

An EXPEND flag indicates an end of the exposure.

A BFEXP flag indicates that the print command is accepted and that an exposure process of printing operation is not started.

A DIPAC flag indicates acceptance of a printing density command and a content of the printing density. The value 0 indicates acceptance of no command and the values 1, 2 and 3 indicate acceptance of printing density commands having requests for change to the printing densities 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

An INHCH flag is set to 1 in a period from a start of exposure to an end of writing. If this flag is set to 1, the printing density cannot be changed under any condition.

TIM 0 to 14, TIM E0 to E2, TIM S0 to S1 and TIMNX are internal timers for determining timing for turning on and off the respective components during printing operation.

The characters t1 to t14, tE0 to tE2, tS0 to tS1 and tNX are timer values as shown in detail in the timing chart of FIG. 18. If the value t0 is set, counting of a timer is immediately brought to an end.

FIG. 12 is a main flow chart of control operation. When the power supply is turned on, the RAM 206, the interface 201a, the input port 207, the output port 209, the timer 213, the start counter 257 (CT2) and the end counter 258 (CT3) are initialized. As a result, the timer 213 outputs clock pulses S12 having a period determined by the set value and the start counter 257 and the end counter 258 maintain the state of the L level while counting clock pulses inputted from the outside. Further, the above stated flags and the internal timers are cleared (in the step N1).

Then, initial start control operation is performed (in the step N2). FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing details of this control operation. First, a heater 229 of the fixing rollers 15 is turned on (in the step N9) and the value of the initialization switch 237 for the printing density is read out (in the step N10). Since the switch portion 237 includes two switches, different four states 0, 1, 2 and 3 can be provided corresponding to the printing densities 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Subsequently, suitable values are set in the timer 213, the DPISELCT signal S113 and the programmable counter 262 (CT4) to obtain the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34, the frequency of the fundamental clock pulses and the above-mentioned SSCANOUT signal according to the selected printing density (in the steps N11, N12 and N13). Thus, if the initialization switch portion 237 has been set according to the printing density usually adopted by the user, the value of the initialization switch portion 237 is read in the step N2 at the time of turn-on of the power supply and the printing density is set at the time of initialization corresponding thereto. The printing density can be changed thereafter in response to a command from the data control portion 300 to be described afterwards (in the steps N27 to N35). The characters tc1, tc2 and tc3 shown in the figure are values set in the timer 213, representing periods of pulses synchronizing with the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 corresponding to the printing densities 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

The characters tss1, tss2 and tss3 are values set in the programmable counters 262 (CT4), representing pulse durations of the "L" pulse generated for detection of the SSCANOUT signal corresponding to the printing densities 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

The heater 229 and the polygon mirror 34 can not be immediately brought into a state ready for printing (referred to hereinafter as the READY state). More specifically, a transition period is required for the heater 229 until a predetermined temperature is attained, and a transition period is also required for the polygon mirror 34 until the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 becomes a predetermined speed. Accordingly, it is determined in the step N14 whether the heater 229 and the polygon mirror 34 are both in the READY state. If so, the status READY is set to 1 (in the step N15).

When the initial start control operation (in the step N2) is completed, that is, the READY state is established, a main loop is started. In the main loop, communication of status data is at first controlled (in the step N3). The status data of the data control portion 300 shown in Table 2 are read and the status data of the laser printer 1 is transmitted.

Then, command control operation is performed (in the step N4). More specifically, this step relates to processing at the time of receiving or transmitting the commands shown in Table 1.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are flow charts showing details of the command control operation. Particularly, the steps N16 to N27 (shown in FIG. 14A) relate to processing at the time of receiving the print command. When the print command is received (in the step N16), it is determined whether an error occurs (in the step N17) and whether the apparatus is ready for accepting the print command based on the PRRJT flag (in the step N18). If an error does not occur and the apparatus is ready for accepting the print command, the print command is accepted. If the apparatus is not ready for accepting the print command, the data NAK is transmitted to the data control portion 300 (in the step N27). If the print command is accepted (in the step N19), and if the PRNT flag showing a printing state is 0, that is, printing is not being effected, the value t0 is set in the timer TIM 0 (in the step N20) and the timers TIME1 and TIME1 are cleared (in the step N21). On the other hand, if the PRNT flag is 1, the value t0 is set in the timer TIM5 (in the step N22) and the timer TIME0 is cleared (in the step N23). Printing operation is started in either the step N20 or the step N22. When printing operation is started, PRRJT flag is set to 1 and acceptance of the print command is forbidden (in the step N24). In addition, the BFEXP flag indicating that exposure is not started is set to 1 (in the step N25) and the data ACK is transmitted to the data control portion 300 (in the step N26).

The steps N28 to N35 (shown in FIG. 14B) relate to processing at the time of receiving the printing density command.

When the printing density command is received (in the step N28), it is determined (in the step N29) whether an error other than a recoverable error such as emptiness of paper or toner occurs or not. If such an error occurs, the data NAK is transmitted to the data control portion 300 (in the step N35). If the error does not occur, the printing density command is accepted and the value 1, 2 or 3 is set in the DPIAC flag according to the request for the printing density (in the steps N31 to N33). Then, the data ACK is transmitted to the data control portion 300 (in the step N34).

The steps N36 to N38 (shown in FIG. 14C) relate to processing at the time of transmitting the exposure end command. If the EXPEND flag showing an end of exposure is 1 (in the step N36), the exposure end command is transmitted to the data control portion 300 (in the step N37) and then the EXPEND flag is cleared (in the step N38). Upon receipt of this command, the data control portion 300 prepares for transmission of the subsequent printing data. When the command control (in the step N4) is completed, the program proceeds to the sequence control (in the step N5).

FIGS. 15A to 15C are flow charts showing details of sequence control. In this sequence control, successive turn-on and turn-off of the respective components required for printing operation are controlled by sequentially connecting the internal timers. This control is started by acceptance of the print command in the command control (in the step N4) and the sequential operation is started by setting the value t0 in the timer TIM0 or TIM5. The timing is shown in detail in the timing chart of FIG. 18.

When the value t0 is set in the timer TIM0 in the command control (in the step N4), measuring operation of this timer is immediately brought to an end in the step N39. Then, the respective components are turned on and off with the timing as shown in FIG. 18 by control procedures in the steps N39 to N101. On the other hand, if the value t0 is set in the timer TIM5 in the command control (in the step N4), this timer is immediately brought to an end in the step N51 and then procedures in the steps N51 to N101 are executed. The steps N39 to N50 relate to preparatory operation prior to printing operation. In those steps, the main motor 224, the eraser 8, the electrification charger 3 and the development bias voltage supplier 227 of the developing device 4 are turned on. On the other hand, in response to activation of the LDON signal and the LDBIAS signal, the LD 31 forcedly emits light. As a result, the scanning beam 39 is applied to the beam detector 38 and the sequential control in the printing data write control circuit 217 is started. The LDON signal becomes non-active after a lapse of a sufficient period for starting the above stated control.

The PRNT flag indicating the printing state is immediately set to 1 (in the step N40) when the timer TIM0 is brought to an end (in the step N39). This flag is reset to 0 when the sequential printing operation is completed.

The steps N51 to N55 relate to control for feeding paper. If a leading edge of paper passes through the paper sensor PS1 (in the steps N56 and N57, exposure is started after a lapse of a predetermined period (in the step N58). However, if the polygon mirror 34 is not rotated at constant speed, that is, the PCYCH flag is 1, exposure is not started and it is determined repeatedly whether the PCYCH flag is 0 or not (in the step N59). The PCYCH flag is changed to 0 (in the step N117) when it is determined in the step N116 (in FIG. 16B) that the polygon mirror 34 is rotated at constant speed. When the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 becomes constant and the PCYCH flag becomes 0, suitable values according to the printing density and the paper size are set in the start counter 257 (CT2) and the end counter 258 (CT3) and the START signal S114 is activated to start exposure (in the step N60). As exposure is started by activation of the START signal S114, the BFEXP flag is reset to 0 and the INHCH flag is set to 1 to forbid change of the printing density (in the step N61).

Consequently, if the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 is changed prior to exposure upon receipt of the printing density change request for example, exposure is not started until it is determined that the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 becomes constant after the change.

When the exposure is brought to an end (in the steps N67 to N70), the START signal S114 becomes non-active (in the step N68) and the EXPEND flag indicating an end of exposure is set to 1 (in the step N70).

The steps N64 to N66, N71 and N72 relate to control of a registration roller 14. The roller 14 is turned on (in the step N65) after exposure with such timing as to enable transfer onto the paper at a predetermined position (i.e. after a lapse of a period t10 in this case), and it is turned off (in the step N67) when the paper completely passed through the roller 14.

The steps N73 to N86 relate to control for the AIDC mark. If a period t11 has passed after the exposure, a count value for determining a start position of the AIDC mark in the main scanning direction is set in the start counter 257 (in the step N74). The count value in this case is dependent on the printing density. The AIDC signal is immediately activated (in the step N75) and becomes non-activated after a period t12 (in the step N78). Thus, in the period t12, the mark is formed at the position in the main scanning direction determined by the printing data write control circuit 217. Thus, this mark is formed, based on the above stated count value, at the position enabling the density reader 9 to read it. The start counter 257 for determining a start position of an image area is also used to determine the start position of the mark in the main scanning direction and a special counter or timer is not used for formation of this mark. After the mark has been formed, the INHCH flag is immediately reset to 0 and change of the printing density is permitted. If a printing density change request occurs at this time, the change of the printing density is started as described later. In addition, after a lapse of a period t13 (corresponding to a period in which the mark subjected to exposure is developed and arrives at the density reader 129) after the mark has been formed, an LED 223 for density detection is illuminated (in the step N81) and the density of the mark is checked (in the step N82). If the density is lower than a predetermined value, the solenoid 222 for toner supply is turned on (in the step N83) and after a period t14 it is turned off (in the steps N86 and N87.

The steps N88 and N89 relate to control for determining timing for accepting the subsequent print command. In this embodiment, the subsequent print command is accepted after a lapse of tNX after start of exposure (in the step N88) and at that time, the PRRJT flag forbidding acceptance of the print command is cleared (in the step N89).

The steps N90 to N94 relate to control for determining timing for turning on the transfer charger 5. The transfer charger 5 is turned on only when paper passes through the transfer charger 5. Thus, the transfer charger 5 can be prevented from being turned on when the AIDC mark passes through the charger 5, because if the transfer charger 5 is turned on on that occasion, toner would be separated from the photoconductor 2 and would stain the apparatus.

The step N95 to N102 relate to control for stopping printing operation when a printing process is completed and another print request is not issued. When the sequence control (in the step N5) is completed, control of the image forming portion (in the step N6) is started.

FIGS. 16A to 16B are flow charts showing details of control of the image forming portion. In those flow charts, the polygon mirror 34, the LD 31 and other portions related with image formation are controlled.

In the steps N103 and N108, timing for changing the printing density is determined when the printing density command is accepted. In other words, although the printing density command is accepted, if it is before a start of exposure for the previously accepted print command, the DPIRQ flag indicating the change request is not set (in the step N103 to N106). In addition, even after the start of the exposure, the printing density change request by the DPRIQ flag is not accepted until an end of formation of the AIDC mark, that is, while the INHCH flag is set to 1 (in the steps N107 and N108). Consequently, change of the printing density is started when all the exposure operations for printing and the formation of the AIDC mark are completed in response to the print commands accepted before the printing density command for the change is accepted.

When the printing density change request is accepted, interruption of the SSCANOUT signal is forbidden (in the step N109) and a suitable value tc1, tc2 or tc3 is set in the timer 213 to obtain the adequate rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 and the fundamental clock frequency according to the requested printing density and the above-mentioned SSCANOUT signal. In addition, a DPISELECT signal is transmitted to select clock pulses of a suitable oscillator (in the steps N110 to N113), and a suitable timer value tss1, tss2 or tss3 is set in the programmable counter 262 (CT4).

Subsequently, the DPIRQ flag is cleared and the PLYCH flag is set to 1 to indicate that the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 is not constant (in the step N114). While the PLYCH flag is 1 (in the step N115), it is determined whether the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 becomes constant or not (in the step N116). If it becomes constant, the PLYCH flag is cleared (in the step N117) and the forbidding of interruption of the SSCANOUT signal is cancelled (in the step N118).

As described above, interruption of the SSCANOUT signal is forbidden while the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 is not constant. During that period, the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34 can not match with the fundamental clock frequency and there is a possibility that interruption of the SSCANOUT signal will occur although there is no abnormality, if the interruption is not forbidden.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing processing when interruption of the SSCANOUT signal occurs. When an interruption occurs, the subsequent interruption is forbidden (in the step N119) and the power supply of the LD drive portion 118 is turned off (in the step N120), so that the LD 31 cannot emit light.

When control of the image forming portion (in the step N6) is completed, error control (in the step N7) is started. In this control, errors such as emptiness of paper or toner, paper jam, failure of the eraser lamp or defects in portions subjected to high voltage are detected.

Finally, control procedures other than the printing control, such as display control, temperature control or detection of a paper size, are performed. Then, the program returns to the step N3, where the above stated procedures are repeated.

Although a presettable down-counter is used as the timer means in the above described embodiment to perform the timer function when pulses of a predetermined period are applied to the counter, other counter or timer may be used insofar as substantially two kinds of time setting or time measure operations can be performed to form an image area and a mark.

In the above described embodiment, change of the printing density is permitted in such a manner that the INHCH flag is reset to 0 immediately after the end of formation of the AIDC mark. However, change of the printing density may be continuously forbidden even after the end of formation of the AIDC mark and it may be permitted after completion of a sequence of image formation operations, e.g., after an end of image formation of a subsequent image area or after an end of image formation of an image area preceding the subsequent AIDC mark.

In the above described embodiment, one AIDC mark is formed with respect to one image and accordingly timing is controlled so that operation from a start in an image area to an end of formation of the AIDC mark may not be performed concurrently with operation for changing the printing density. However, it is needless to say that only the period of formation of the AIDC mark may not overlap with that of the operation for changing the printing density.

In the following, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Since this embodiment is identical to the above described embodiment in many points, a repetition of the explanation is omitted as for the identical portions and only differences are hereinafter described.

FIG. 20A is a flow chart showing details of sequence control of a laser printer of this embodiment of the present invention. This figure corresponds to FIG. 15A concerning the above described embodiment.

An LDRD flag newly used in this flow chart indicates whether a sequential control operation beginning with the SSCAN signal of the printing data write control circuit 217 is being effected or not. When the LDRD flag is set to 1, it is indicated that the control is being effected.

The steps N39 to N50 relate to preparatory operation prior to printing operation. In those steps, the main motor 224, the eraser 8, the electrification charger 3 and the development bias voltage supplier 227 of the developing device 4 are turned on. On the other hand, in response to activation of the LDON signal and the LDBIAS signal, the LD31 forcedly emits light. As a result, the scanning beam 39 is applied to the beam detector 38 and the sequential control operation in the printing data write control circuit 217 is started. The LDON signal becomes non-active after a lapse of a sufficient period for starting the above stated control. In this embodiment, the LDRD flag is set to 1 simultaneously with the non-activation of the LDON signal (in the step N46).

The PRNT flag indicating the printing state is immediately set to 1, when the timer TIM0 is brought to an end (in the step N39). This flag is reset to 0 when the sequential printing operation is completed (in the step N96).

The steps N51 to N55 relate to control for feeding paper, similar to those in the previously described embodiment. If a leading edge of paper passes through the paper sensor PS1 (in the steps N56 and N57), exposure is started after a lapse of a predetermined period (in the step N58). However, in this embodiment, if the polygon mirror 34 is not rotated at constant speed, that is, the PLYCH flag is 1, or if the above stated sequential control operation in the printing data write control circuit 217 is not started, that is, the LDRD flag is 0, exposure is not started and it is determined repeatedly whether the PLYCH flag is 0 or not and whether the LDRD flag is 1 or not (in the step N59). When the polygon mirror 34 is rotated at constant speed and the PLYCH flag becomes 0, and when the above stated sequential control operation in the printing data write control circuit 217 is started and the LDRD flag becomes 1, suitable values according to the printing density and the paper size are set in the start counter 257 (CT2) and the end counter 258 (CT3) and the start signal S114 is activated to start exposure (in the step N60). As the exposure is started, the BFEXP flag is reset to 0, and the INHCH flag is set to 1 to forbid change of the printing density (in the step N61).

FIG. 20B is a flow chart showing the sequence control of the laser printer of this embodiment. This figure corresponds to FIG. 15C concerning the previously described embodiment.

The steps N95 to N101 relate to control for stopping printing operation when a printing process is completed and another print request is not issued. When the LDBIAS signal becomes non-active, the sequential control operation in the printing data write control circuit 217 is stopped and accordingly the LDRD flag is reset to 0 (in the step N102). When the sequence control (in the step N5) is completed, control of the image forming portion (in the step N6) is started.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing details of control of the image forming portion in the laser printer of this embodiment. This figure corresponds to FIG. 16B concerning the previously described embodiment.

When a request for change of a printing density is accepted (DRIRQ .noteq. 0 in the step N107), the LDBIAS signal becomes non-active and emission of the light by the LD31 is stopped. As a result, the sequential control operation in the printing data write control circuit 217 is stopped and in this embodiment, the LDRD flag is reset to 0 (in the step N109). Subsequently, processing for changing the printing density is executed in the same manner as in the previously described embodiment and when the polygon mirror 34 is rotated at constant speed, the PLYCH flag is cleared (in the step N117). Then, in this embodiment, in the same manner as in the case of starting printing, the LDON signal and the LDBIAS signal are activated to cause the LD31 to forcedly emit light, and t1 and 52 are set in the timers TIM1 and TIM2, respectively (in the step N118). As a result, the scanning beam 39 is applied to the beam detector 38 and the sequential control operation in the printing data write control circuit 217 is started as shown in FIG. 20A. The LDON signal becomes non-active after a lapse of a sufficient period for starting the above stated control, and the LDRD flag becomes 1 (refer to the step N46).

As described above, the emission of light by the LD31 is stopped while the polygon mirror 34 is not rotated at constant speed, because a mismatch occurs during this period among the rotating speed of the polygon mirror 34, the frequency of the fundamental clock pulses and the set values in the start counter 257 (CT2) and the end counter 258 (CT3) (timing for forced emission of light in the main scanning direction being determined by those set values). In the case of such a mismatch, forced emission of light could not be applied with normal timing and an unnecessary laser beam would be applied to the photoreceptor 2, causing a fatigue to the photoreceptor 2 or unnecessary consumption of toner.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.