Electronic Copying Apparatus With Trimming Function

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an electronic copying apparatus with a trimming function and, more particularly, to an image forming apparatus which is applied to an electronic copying machine which allows nonformation of an image within a designated area of an original image.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is well known, recently develope electronic copying machines have multifunctions, and can copy only a desired portion of an original image or a portion other than the designated portion by a trimming function.

In a copying machine of this type, a given portion of an original image can be arbitrarily designated as a nonformation region. A pattern of the designated nonformation region is stored in, e.g., a memory, so that this pattern can be utilized when another original image having an identical nonformation region is copied.

However, the above copying machine cannot store image nonformation region patterns for a plurality of originals. For this reason, each time a pattern other than the stored pattern is to be used as a nonformation region, a designation operation of the nonformation region must be performed, resulting in poor operability.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electronic copying apparatus with a trimming function which can eliminate a conventional drawback that each time a pattern other than a stored pattern is to be used as a non-formation region, a designation operation of the nonformation region must be performed, and which can facilitate designation operation of a nonformation region, thus shortening operation time and improving operability.

According to the present invention, there is provided a copying apparatus comprising:

means for generating data representing an image formation region in units of originals;

means for storing the data generated by the generating means;

means for reading out data stored by the storing means in accordance with the image formation region corresponding to each of the originals; and

means for forming an image corresponding to each original within the image formation region in accordance with the data read out by the read out means.

This and other objects and features of the present invention can be understood through the following embodiment by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall control circuit of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an area format of a storage device;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining an operation sequence when an erasure area is designated and stored;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining an operation sequence when an erasure area is recalled;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, in which

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the copying machine, and

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the copying machine;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing an arrangement of a carriage on which a spot light source and the like are mounted;

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a designation operation of an erasure area;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an arrangement of an operation panel; and

FIGS. 10 to 12 show display examples on a display, in which

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a memory mode display,

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining an area designation mode display, and

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining an area monitor display.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show an image forming apparatus of the present invention, e.g., a copying machine. More specifically, reference numeral 1 denotes a copying machine main body. Original table (transparent glass) 2 for supporting an original is fixed on the upper surface of main body 1. Stationary scales 2.sub.1 and 2.sub.2 are disposed at two end portions of original table 2. Openable/closable original cover 1.sub.1 is mounted near original table 2.

An original placed on original table 2 is exposed and scanned when an optical system constituted by exposure lamp 4 and mirrors 5, 6, and 7 reciprocally moves in the direction of double-headed arrow a along the lower surface of original table 2. In this case, mirrors 6 and 7 are moved at a speed half that of mirror 5 so as to maintain a given optical path length. Light reflected from an original upon scanning by the optical system, i.e., light emitted from exposure lamp 4 and reflected by the original, is reflected by mirrors 5, 6, and 7, and then passes through variable magnification lens block 8. Thereafter, the light is reflected by mirrors 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, and 9.sub.3, and is guided to photosensitive drum 10. Thus, the image of the original is formed on the surface of drum 10.

Drum 10 is rotated in the direction of arrow b, and its surface is charged by charger 11. Thereafter, an image is slit-exposed on the charged surface of drum 10, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image thereon. The latent image is developed to be visible by toner supplied from developers 12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2 which store a red or black toner, and are selectively operated as needed. Developers 12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2 are detachably arranged on main body 1. The toner color stored in developer 12.sub.1 or 12.sub.2 can be determined such that a color code as a combination of projections (not shown) formed on the side surface of developer 12.sub.1 or 12.sub.2 is detected by a color detection switch including a plurality of microswitches.

Paper sheets as recording material are picked up one by one from either selected upper or lower paper feed cassette 13.sub.1 or 13.sub.2 by either pickup roller 14.sub.1 or 14.sub.2 and roller pair 15.sub.1 or 15.sub.2. Each of the paper sheets is guided to register roller pair 17 through either paper guide path 16.sub.1 or 16.sub.2, and is fed to a transfer section by register roller pair 17. Paper feed cassettes 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2 are detachably arranged on the right lower end portion of main body 1 and can be operated by selecting one of those at an operation panel (to be described later). Note that a paper size for cassette 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2 is detected in accordance with their cassette size by cassette size detection switches 60.sub.1 and 60.sub.2 respectively. Each of cassette size detection switches 60.sub.1 and 60.sub.2 comprises a plurality of microswitches which are selectively turned on/off upon insertion of different size cassettes.

The paper sheet fed to the transfer section is brought into tight contact with the surface of drum 10 at a portion of transfer charger 18, so that a toner image on drum 10 is transferred to the sheet upon operation of charger 18. The sheet onto which the toner image was transferred is electrostatically peeled away from drum 10 by peeling charger 19, and is conveyed along conveyor belt 20 to fixing pair roller 21. The sheet is then fed into fixing roller pair 21 serving as a fixing device arranged at the trailing end portion of belt 20. The sheet having the fixed image thereon is then exhausted on tray 25 outside main body 1 by exhaust roller pair 22.

The residual toner on the surface of drum 10 which was subjected to the transfer operation is removed by cleaner 26, and an after-image on the surface of drum 10 is erased by discharging lamp 27, thus returning drum 10 to its initial state. Note that reference numeral 29 denotes a cooling fan for preventing the temperature in main body 1 from increasing.

Spot light source 131 is movably mounted on carriage 41.sub.1 ' on which exposure lamp 4, and the like are disposed. Spot light source 131 is movable in a direction (direction of arrow x in FIG. 7) perpendicular to the moving direction (direction of arrow y in FIG. 7) of carriage 41.sub.1 ' as shown in FIG. 7. Spot light source 131 comprises a light-emitting element for radiating a light spot on original table 2. In this case, carriage 41.sub.1 is movable in the direction of arrow y along shaft 23 by a drive mechanism (not shown), and spot light source 131 is movable in a direction of arrow x in FIG. 7 along shaft 57 by belt 56 looped between pulleys 55a and 55b. Pulley 55a is driven by motor 52. With this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 8, given portion A, as an erasure area (image nonformation region), on original 0 can be arbitrarily designated by designating two points A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 or six points B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3, B.sub.4, B.sub.5, and B.sub.6.

As shown in FIG. 6, erasure array 150 in which a plurality of light-emitting elements are arrayed is mounted between charger 11 and an exposure section of drum 10. When an original image is to be partially erased, the light-emitting elements constituting erasure array 150 are turned on in correspondence with an erasure area designated by, e.g., spot light source 131, thereby partially discharging drum 10. When the discharged portion is exposed by the exposure section, no latent image is formed thereon. As a result, the original image can be partially erased.

FIG. 9 shows operation panel 30 mounted on main body 1. Reference numeral 30a denotes a copying key for instructing start of a copying operation; 30b, ten keys for setting a copy count and the like; 30c, a display section for displaying operating states of respective sections, paper jam, and the like; 30d, a density setting section for setting a copying density; 30e, a count instruction key for instructing display of a total copy count and a copy count for each color; 30f, an interrupt key operated when a third party wants to copy during a copying operation; 30g, an equal-magnification key operated when a copying magnification is set at an equal magnification (100%); 30h, a magnification key operated when a copying magnification is set; 30i, a cassette selection key operated when upper or lower cassette 13.sub.1 or 13.sub.2 is selected; and 30j, a color change key operated when the color of toner is changed to perform a copying operation.

Reference numeral 30k denotes a mode memory key. For example, when edit key 30n is operated to designate an erasure area of original 0, mode memory key 30k is operated so as to store the designated erasure area in a storage device (to be described later) or to read out, from the storage device, information such as an erasure area (nonformation region pattern for an original image) stored in the storage device. Reference numeral 30l denotes an information key operated when information corresponding to each mode is to be obtained. For example, when paper jam occurs and key 30l is operated, information for a paper jam state is displayed on display 30o. Reference numeral 30m denotes a function check key. When key 30m is operated, a currently set function can displayed on display 30o. Reference numeral 30p denotes a move key for moving spot light source 131. Move key 30p can be inclined in four directions as indicated by arrows 30q to 30t. When one of arrows 30q to 30t is operated, spot light source 131 is moved in the direction of the operated arrow. Reference numeral 30u denotes a position designation key. When key 30u is operated, a coordinate position indicated by spot light source 131 is stored in a memory (to be described later).

Edit key 30n is operated when a partial erasure operation for copying an original image while erasing its given portion or a multicolor copying operation for copying an original image while changing the color of a designated portion is performed.

Display 30o comprises, e.g., a liquid-crystal dot matrix panel. Display 30o performs a corresponding display when edit key 30n or the like is operated. Operation keys 30.sub.1 to 30.sub.4 and 30.sub.5 to 30.sub.8 for selecting various functions displayed on display 30o are arranged at two side portions of display 30o.

Displays provided on display 30o of operation panel 30 will be described below.

For example, when mode memory key 30k of operation panel 30 is operated, various currently set data, e.g., current copying magnification "100%", paper size "A4", toner color "black", and "mode memory set" and "recall" of an erasure area to and from the storage device, are displayed on display 30o of operation panel 30, as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, operation key 30.sub.4 serves as memory set key 71, and operation key 30.sub.8 serves as memory recall key 72. When one of ten keys 30b is operated while operating memory set key 71 (operation key 30.sub.4) in the memory mode, the content (erasure area) of the memory is transferred and stored in the storage area of the storage device designated by the operated ten key 30b. When one of ten keys 30b is operated while operating memory recall key 72 (operation key 308) in the memory mode, the erasure area stored in the storage area of the storage device designated by the operated ten key 30b is recalled to the memory.

When edit key 30n is operated, the display on display 30o is updated to the state shown in FIG. 11. In this case, operation key 30.sub.6 serves as two-point designation key 77 having a function of designating points (two points) to designate a desired area of an original. When two-point designation key 77 (operation key 30.sub.6) is operated, a desired portion of an original can be designated using spot light source 131. A maximum of 6 areas of an original can be designated in this area designation mode, and the number of designated areas is numerically displayed in the display. Operation key 30.sub.7 serves as 6-point designation key 78 having a function of designating points at corners (6 points) to designate a desired area of an original. When 6-point designation key 78 (operation key 30.sub.7) is operated, a desired portion of an original can be designated using spot light source 131. A maximum of 2 areas of an original can be designated in this area designation mode, and the number of designated areas is numerically displayed in the display. Operation key 30.sub.5 serves as clear key 79 for clearing a designated area of an original image in the area designation mode or an erasure area stored in the memory.

Operation key 30.sub.4 serves as trimming designation 75 for setting a trimming function, and operation key 30.sub.8 serves as masking designation key 76 for setting a masking function. Operation key 30.sub.3 serves as trace key 74 for setting a trace function of tracing an erasure area stored in the memory. When the trace function is set by key 74, ON spot light source 131 is moved along the frame of the erasure area in accordance with the erasure area. Operation key 30.sub.2 serves as monitor key 73 for setting a monitor function of monitoring an erasure area stored in the memory. When monitor key 73 (operation key 30.sub.2) is operated, the display content on display 30o is altered as shown in FIG. 12 while key 73 is kept on, so that the positions, number, size, shape, and the like of erasure areas stored in the memory are pattern-displayed.

FIG. 1 shows the overall control circuit. Controller 51 detects inputs from operation panel 30, and various sensors 53 such as color detection switches for detecting colors of toner stored in developers 12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2, cassette size detection switches 60.sub.1 and 60.sub.2 ' and the like, and controls the chargers (not shown), discharging lamp 27, cleaner 26, fixing roller pair 21, exposure lamp 4, and motor controller 54 connected to various motors (not shown) to perform the above-mentioned copying operation. Controller 51 also controls spot light source 131, memory 140, erasure array 150, and the like to perform a partial copying operation for copying an original image while erasing an unnecessary portion of the original, a multicolor copying operation for copying an original while changing a color of a designated portion, and the like.

Memory 140 comprises a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like. For example, when position designation key 30u is operated in the erasure area designation mode, memory 140 stores coordinate positions (image erasure area) indicated by spot light source 131.

Storage device 28 comprises, e.g., a battery-backup RAM. As shown in FIG. 2, storage device 28 includes a plurality of storage areas 28a, 28b, . . . which store designated erasure areas in units of originals. When memory set key 71 and ten key 30b are operated in the memory mode set upon operation of mode memory 30k, storage areas 28a, 28b, . . . designated by the corresponding ten keys 30b store the erasure areas in units of originals. For this reason, storage device 28 can store ten types of patterns representing erasure areas of images for 0 to 9 originals.

The operation of the above arrangement will be described below.

An operation for designating an erasure area of an original image and causing the storage device to store the designated erasure area will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 3. Assume that edit key 30n on operation panel 30 is operated. The area designation mode for designating an erasure area is then set, and the data shown in FIG. 11 are displayed on display 30o of operation panel 30. In this state, when clear key 79 (operation key 30.sub.5) is operated, unnecessary data left in memory 140 can be cleared.

After the clear operation, or when memory 140 need not be cleared, two-point designation key 77 (operation key 30.sub.6) or six-point designation key 78 (operation key 30.sub.7) is selectively operated to select a function of a desired area on original 0. When move key 30p on operation panel 30 is operated in accordance with the selected function, spot light source 131 is moved along desired portion A or B of original 0, as shown in FIG. 8. When position designation key 30u is operated at an arbitrary position, the corresponding coordinate position is stored in memory 140, thus completing designation of the erasure area of an image.

When designation of a required number of erasure areas of original 0 is completed, the designated erasure areas, i.e., the positions, the numbers, sizes, shapes, and the like of the designated erasure areas are confirmed in accordance with an operation of monitor key 73 (operation key 30.sub.2) or trace key 74 (operation key 30.sub.3). In this case, if the trace function is selected, spot light source 131 is moved along frames of designated erasure areas in the ON state, thus allowing confirmation of the positions, numbers, sizes, shapes, and the like of the areas. When the monitor function is selected, as shown in FIG. 12, the designated erasure areas are displayed on display 30, so that their positions, number, sizes, shapes, and the like can be confirmed.

Upon this confirmation, if no error is found from the designated erasure areas, mode memory key 30k is operated to store the data on display 30o shown in FIG. 10. When one of ten keys 30b is operated while operating memory set key 71 (operation key 30.sub.4), the erasure area stored In memory 140 is transferred to storage device 28, and is stored in the storage area designated by the operated ten key 30b. Thus, the erasure areas of images can be stored in storage areas of storage device 28 in units of originals.

In this manner, upon completion of the storage operation of the erasure areas into storage device 28, if designation and storage operations of erasure areas of another original are to be performed, the above operation is repeated. Thus, erasure areas of another original are stored in other storage areas of storage device 28. A total of 10 types of nonformation region patterns can be stored as the erasure areas of an original image. When designation and storage operations of erasure areas of all the originals are completed, the mode is canceled, thus completing the processing.

An operation for reading out a desired erasure area from the storage device will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4. Assume that mode memory key 30k on operation panel 30 is operated. Thus, data indicating the memory mode is being set, i.e., data shown in FIG. 10 are displayed on display 30o of operation panel 30.

In this state, when one of ten keys 30b corresponding to the storage area storing a desired erasure area is operated while operating memory recall key 72 (operation key 30.sub.8), the erasure area of an original stored in the storage area designated by the operated ten key 30b is transferred to and stored in memory 140. In this case, in accordance with the erasure area of an original to be copied, the erasure area stored in storage device 28 is read out.

Upon completion of the recalling operation of the erasure areas to memory 140, the display state on display 30o is altered, as shown in FIG. 11. In this area designation mode, the readout erasure area is confirmed, i.e., whether the position, number, size, shape, and the like of the erasure area read out from storage device 28 coincide with those of the erasure area of an original to be copied is checked in accordance with an operation of monitor key 73 (operation key 30.sub.2) or trace key 74 (operation key 30.sub.3).

If no error is found from the readout erasure area, trimming designation key 75 (operation key 30.sub.4) or masking designation key 76 (operation key 30.sub.8) is operated to select whether an image within or outside the erasure area of the original is to be copied. Thereafter, copying key 30a is operated to perform the above-mentioned copying operation.

More specifically, when the trimming function is selected, erasure array 150 and the like are operated in accordance with copying conditions such as the copy count set by ten keys 30b, a density set by density setting section 30d, a magnification set by equal-magnification key 30g or magnification key 30h, a paper size set by cassette selection key 30i, a toner color set by color change key 30j, and the like, thus copying only an original image within the erasure area. When the masking function is selected, erasure array 150 and the like are operated in accordance with the copying conditions, so that only an original image outside the erasure area is copied.

As described above, since image nonformation region patterns for a plurality of originals can be stored, a variety of patterns can be stored in a storage means, and the nonformation region patterns stored therein can be utilized as nonformation regions of an original to be copied.

More specifically, when erasure areas for a plurality of originals are prestored, they can be utilized as those for performing a copying operation of only a similar designated portion or a copying operation of a portion excluding the designated portion. Thus, when an erasure area of an original to be copied does not coincide with that stored in the memory and it must be changed, an erasure area of another pattern can be read out from the storage device, and a copying operation can be easily started. Therefore, an inconvenience experienced when a designation operation of an erasure area must be designated each time an original is to be partially copied can be eliminated, and hence, an operation by a user can be facilitated. In addition, an operation time can be shortened.

In the above embodiment, storage areas are allocated in the storage device, and erasure areas of images are stored in units of originals. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an erasure area may have an attribute indicating an original so as to be randomly stored. Not only an erasure area but also data for designating a trimming or masking function may be stored as well.

The above-mentioned function can be easily combined with a multicolor copying function.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various other changes and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

According to the present invention as described above, an image forming apparatus which can simplify a designation operation of a nonformation region, and achieves improvement in operability such as a reduction in operation time, can be provided.